Scholarship Grant Research Articles

Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of Selected Airline Companies: Inputs for a Sustainable Aviation Service

This paper tries to identify the strategic corporate social responsibility of selected airline companies to ascertain inputs for the creation of a sustainable service delivery, by looking at the implementation level of its corporate social responsibility in the environmental, philanthropic, economic and ethical areas. The study shows that in terms of environmental responsibility, waste segregation has the highest level of practice, while carbon footprint reduction is the lowest. Philanthropic activities participated in by employees is the most frequently practiced among other philanthropic responsibility initiatives, while the provision of scholarship grants is the least practiced. For economic responsibility, the recruitment of diverse talent received the highest mean score indicating it as the most practiced activity, while financial management strategy practices is the most challenged. As far as ethical responsibility is concerned, the practice of honesty is prevalent, while direct stakeholder involvement in planning the manual of ethical operations is almost none. The study also explored whether there was a significant difference in the assessment of CSR strategies between the two groups of respondents. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the assessments of employees and passengers in terms of environmental, philanthropic, economic, and ethical responsibilities in comparison to management administrators. Moreover, the challenges encountered in the implementation of CSR strategies were identified and ranked, providing insights into the perceived difficulties faced by airline companies in implementing CSR strategies. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations for responding to the challenges of implementing CSR strategies were proposed. These recommendations include additional signage for environmental awareness, ensuring the sustainability of philanthropic activities, crafting financial measures to address constraints, and ensuring sustainable implementation of its manual of operation. The findings and recommendations provides inputs to for a sustainable service delivery and promoting responsible business practices in the airline industry.

From the Lens of Scholarship Grantees: Objectives, Opportunities, and Challenges in a Language Doctorate Program

Pursuing a PhD Language program with the support of a scholarship grant has several positive implications for both the individual and society. The study aimed to gain insights into the experiences of the grantees and identify specific areas of support and improvement needed within the program. Through a combined quantitative and qualitative design, the study found that the grantees strongly agree on their level of agreement of the attainment of the PhD Language program objectives along becoming a globally competitive language faculty, developing the attitudes of commitment, dedication, culture of inspiration and service to others as language teachers, conducting researches on language and performing extension work in the field of language. Moreover, the language opportunities offered by the program to the grantees are: advancing in English language instruction, research, management and administration, getting permanency, promotion, and designation, expanding in language collaboration, and becoming a language learning provider. Finally, there are PhD language program-related challenges and scholarship related challenges that were experienced by the grantees. Therefore, the PhD Language Program is committed to its attainment of its objectives along instruction, research, and extension. The program has exposed the grantees on language learning opportunities that impacted their professional advancement through deepening their knowledge in their domain and enabling them to explore their limits as teachers, mentors, researchers, and administrators. Lastly, while scholarship grants through post-graduate programs are considered as privileges and opportunities, program and scholarship-related challenges strengthen and substantiate the credibility and professional growth of the grantees.

Effects of higher education subsidies on equity and efficiency across developmental stages

This study investigates the impact of taxes and subsidies for higher education on equity–efficiency trade-offs under various phases of higher education development. A scholarship program emerges as the most effective subsidy for higher education across all developmental stages. During both early and later phases, a universal grant proves more effective than a scholarship grant in reducing inequality. At the later stages of higher education development, the enrollment rate increases for universal grants but decreases for other policies, implying that the recent shift away from universal grant schemes in the UK could lead the enrollment rate to decline.

Competencies of Marine Engineering Students of a Maritime Higher Education Institution: An Assessment

Competency assessment plays a critical role in determining the proficiency and effectiveness of future marine officers. The competence of marine engineering students focusing on their performance, the perceived factors that affect their competency, and the challenges they met during practical assessment were assessed. Using quantitative descriptive design, a practical assessment using the adopted practical assessment from the Maritime Administration and a survey questionnaire were used to achieve the research objectives. Total enumeration of the 30 marine engineering students and ten engine instructors who handle laboratory courses were the participants and respondents. Results include the general exemplary performance of the participants except in Function 2; several factors affect the students’ performance, such as student-related factors, instructor-related factors, facilities and equipment, and policy-related factors; and 46 challenges were identified. Several recommendations were presented. Among them are the incorporation of more simulation-based training that presents real-life scenarios requiring quick and effective decision-making; use of mnemonics memory aids; digital versions of learning materials for easy access; provision of scholarship grants, and others.

(227) Proposal to permit a binding decision on whether or not an indirect reference to a basionym or replaced synonym is sufficient for valid publication of a name

Recently, a proposal was published to amend the Shenzhen Code (Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018) to permit a binding decision on valid publication under Art. 38.4 when it is doubtful whether an illustration with analysis is acceptable in place of a description or diagnosis (Prop. 076, Pastore & al. in Taxon 70: 456. 2021). Now we have a similar proposal to permit a binding decision on whether or not an indirect or cryptic reference to a basionym or replaced synonym is sufficient for valid publication. The Code has a number of provisions where an indirect reference to a previous publication can affect the valid publication of a name, e.g. Art. 38.12, 38.13, 40.3, 41.3 and 43.2. According to Art. 41.3: “Before 1 January 1953 an indirect reference (see Art. 38.14) to a basionym or replaced synonym is sufficient for valid publication of a new combination, name at new rank, or replacement name.” In some situations, the form in which such a reference appears creates doubt as to whether it fulfils the requirement of Art. 41.3. This situation has no simple solution, and its subjectivity could lead to a name being considered validly published or not depending on the interpretation of the original publication. The case of Polygala pubescens Muhl. was comprehensively described by Pastore & Mota (in Phytotaxa 383: 125–127. 2018), where the authors argued that P. pubescens Muhl. was a replacement name for P. senega var. rosea Michx., because the name at new rank based on Michaux's name was preoccupied by P. rosea Desf. at the time. However, this interpretation has not been widely accepted. The alternative interpretation, that “rosea” was treated by Muhlenberg (Cat. Pl. Amer. Sept.: 63. 1813) as a variety of P. pubescens, a binomial that did not exist at that time, renders P. pubescens var. rosea (Michx.) Muhl. as not validly published. As regards “Polygala pubescens Muhl.”, IPNI (https://www.ipni.org/ accessed 5 Feb 2023) provides the following remarks: “Muhlenberg published Polygala pubescens rosea Mx and thus indirectly referred to P. senega var. rosea Michx. Since P. pubescens remained invalid in 1813, var. rosea Muhl. was also invalidly published.” This situation creates instability for some related names because P. pubescens Mart. (in Denkschr. Königl. Bot. Ges. Regensburg. 1(1): 185. 1815), a heterotypic synonym, is either an illegitimate later homonym or a correct name, and P. pubescens Nutt. (Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 2: 87. 1818) is either a later isonym or a later homonym. Furthermore, there is no provision in the Code to resolve the issue as to whether or not something is a new combination, name at new rank or replacement name, and so a stalemate is reached. Therefore, we present a proposal to modify Art. 41 in order to permit, when it is unclear if a cryptic “indirect reference” satisfies Art. 41.3, the submission of a request for a binding decision to the General Committee. “41.n. When it is doubtful whether an author has satisfied the requirement of Art. 41.3 for an “indirect reference” to a basionym or replaced synonym, a request for a decision may be submitted to the General Committee, which will refer it for examination to the specialist committee for the appropriate taxonomic group (see Div. III Prov. 2.2, 7.9, and 7.10). A Committee recommendation as to whether or not the name concerned is validly published may then be put forward to an International Botanical Congress and, if ratified, will become a binding decision with retroactive effect. These binding decisions are listed in App. VI.” MM acknowledges financial support from the CAPES via a doctoral degree scholarship grant (688085/2022-00). JFBP and JP acknowledge financial support by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (grants 302972/2020-0 and 307931/2021-8, respectively).

(105) Request for a binding decision on whether Sabbata Vell. (Asteraceae) and Sabatia Adans. (Gentianaceae) are sufficiently alike to be confused

(105) Sabatia Adans. (1763) [Angiosp.: Gentian.] Sabbata Vell. (1829) [Angiosp.: Comp.] During our studies on Vellozo's taxa, we found a problem involving the spelling of a generic name described by him. Checking this name more closely, we found that there are at least three generic names honoring the same person, Liberato Sabbati, an 18th-century Italian botanist who was the Keeper of the botanical garden in Rome. All of them were published with different spellings. These names are: Sabatia Adans. (Fam. Pl. 2: 503. 1763), sometimes used as ‘Sabbatia’; Sabbatia Moench (Methodus: 386. 1794), and Sabbata Vell. (Fl. Flumin.: 352. 1829). Sabatia Adans. (Gentianaceae) is accepted as a name in current use, including about 20 species from North America. Sabbatia Moench (Lamiaceae) was described including only Sabbatia corymbosa Moench, a superfluous name, Moench citing as a synonym the legitimate name Satureja juliana L. (Sp. Pl.: 567. 1753) (≡ Micromeria juliana (L.) Benth. ex Rchb., Fl. Germ. Excurs.: 311. 1831). The generic name Sabbatia Moench, although older, was not considered to threaten Micromeria Benth. (in Edwards's Bot. Reg.: ad t. 1282. 1829), nom. cons., because it was treated as a later homonym of Sabatia Adans. (Babu in Taxon 18: 733–734. 1969), a view reflected in the ING (https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/botany/ing/) entry: “Sabbatia Moench, Meth. 386. 4 Mai 1794 (non Sabatia Adanson 1763)”, which should, therefore, be maintained (second sentence of Art. 53.2 of the ICN; Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018). Sabbata Vell. was originally published including only Sabbata romana, because Florae Fluminensis was only partially published in 1829, ending on page 352 where not only Sabbata appears but also the one binomial, Sabbata romana Vell., at the end of the page. The other name, Sabbata polyphylla Vell., first appeared illustrated in a plate published in Vellozo (Fl. Flumin. Icones 8: t. 95. 1831), but without any detail to be considered an analysis according to Art. 38.9. Sabbata polyphylla was published only in the complete version of Florae Fluminensis in 1881. Therefore, Sabbata romana is the type of Sabbata Vell. Taxonomically, Sabbata romana has been found to be conspecific with Exostigma notobellidiastrum (Griseb.) G. Sancho (in Syst. Bot. 37: 517. 2012), based on Conyza notobellidiastrum Griseb. (in Abh. Königl. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 24: 177. 1879). Consequently, Sabbata Vell. would have the priority to displace the currently correct generic name, Exostigma G. Sancho (l.c.: 516), with its two species. Therefore, it is important to determine the legitimacy of Sabbata Vell. Sabatia Adans. and Sabbata Vell. are both incorrect Latinizations for honoring “Sabbati”. According to Art. 60, Ex. 7, and Rec. 60B.1(a), both names should have been spelled Sabbatia. However, Sabatia Adans. has been in use with that spelling since it was described. Although listed only in a few dictionaries (e.g., Willis, Dict. Fl. Pl., ed. 4: 579. 1919) or nomenclators (e.g., Steudel, Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2: 489. 1841; Pfeiffer, Nomencl. Bot. 2: 1013. 1874; Jackson, Index Kew. 2: 772. 1895) since it was published, Sabbata Vell. competes for priority with Exostigma G. Sancho, and because of this situation, a binding decision is necessary to decide if Sabatia Adans. and Sabbata Vell. are homonyms or not. If they were considered homonyms, Exostigma is already available to be applied to the genus described by Vellozo, although a new combination, based on Sabbata romana, will be required for its type. JFP, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4134-7345 AS, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5788-2970 AMT, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1370-044X JP, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4783-3125 JFP and JP gratefully acknowledge financial support by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (grants 302972/2020-0 and 307931/2021-8, respectively). AS is thankful for financial support by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil (CAPES) via a master's degree scholarship grant.

Decision Support System Scholarship Using Profile Matching

Education is very necessary in social life. Education has a role that will improve the quality of resources to be able to have the competencies needed in an increasingly advanced and developing era. Giving this scholarship will also greatly help someone in pursuing and even getting an education. Scholarships must also be done objectively, not just subjectively. Because the problems that occur when objectively granting scholarships may not be in accordance with the target of the scholarship award. Scholarships must also be given according to the right criteria so that the scholarship grants get maximum results for the administrators and scholarship recipients. The research was conducted using the Profile Matching method with Interpolation at the Indonesian Christian Church Pos Cikoleang, it will require decision makers to determine the weight value for each criterion. The results issued by the system are the congregations that are accepted and rejected in the scholarship application. and the system can provide scholarships with an accuracy rate of 78%.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TEACHING INSTRUCTION IN THE NEW NORMAL AMONG THE SELECT PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AREA 1, BATANGAS PROVINCE

This study assessed how the teaching instruction is managed in the New Normal among the select Secondary High schools in Batangas province. The study employed a descriptive research approach with a researcher-made questionnaire serving as the primary data gathering tool. The statistical methods of weighted mean and composite mean were utilized to manage the data gathered. Findings revealed that the management of teaching instruction in the New Normal is always well-organized in terms of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling functions. Further, problems were sometimes encountered in the management; the most common problem is the lack of scholarship grants for teachers. Hence, intervention measures were proposed to address the problems met. Keywords: management, teaching instruction, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, problems, intervention measures

Nurses’ knowledge of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and its management: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. ObjectiveThis study aims to assess nurses’ level of knowledge of CIN and its association with socio-demographic factors. MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was used. Results: Participants had a mean age of 34.1 years (SD = 7.1 years) and were predominantly female (78%) and with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (95.6%). The nurses had a moderate level of knowledge about neutropenia and its management (mean total score 16.3 out of 30, SD = 3.7). Those who had a post-graduate degree (P = .048), had received an oncology educational course (P = .011), had attended a course on neutropenia (P = .007), who were working in an oncology unit (P = .002), and had more oncology experience (P = 001) were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge of CIN and its management compared to their other counterparts. ConclusionBased on the findings of a moderate level of knowledge of CIN among nurses, the findings call for the need for further education and training. As a long-term plan, this might be accomplished by encouraging nurses to pursue post-graduate education or oncology-specialized certification and supporting them with scholarship grants. However, deliberate plans for short courses, training and workshops on oncology or CIN are other choices with a more immediate impact on nurses’ knowledge and clinical practice. Finally, integrating oncology nursing education within nursing curricula is urgently needed.

SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS IMPLICATION TO THE SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT OF BSED STUDENTS IN LSPU-SCC

This study was conducted to determine the scholarship grants implication to the scholastic achievement of a BSED student in Laguna State Polytechnic University Santa Cruz Campus. It involved 100 different majors in BSED student in College of Teacher Education in LSPU-SCC. 1) What is the mean level of scholarship grants implication in terms of Financial Needs and Family Background. 2) What is the mean level of Scholastic Achievement of BSED students in LSPU-SCC in terms of General Weighted Average. 3) Is there any significant effect of the scholarship grant implication to the scholastic achievement of BSED students in LSPU-SCC. What is the mean level of scholarship grants implication in terms of Family Background and Financial Needs? The family background got the grand mean of 3.78 and interpreted as Agree and High, while financial needs got the grand mean of 3.74 and interpreted as Agree and High. The mean level of scholastic achievement of a BSED student in LSPU-SCC has the general weighted average (GWA) for the first semester got a scale between 1.51-2.00 and interpreted as Very Satisfactory. There is no significant effect of the scholarship grant on the scholastic achievement of BSED students in LSPU- SCC. Based on the summary of the findings and conclusion drawn, the following were hereby recommended. 1) Students may maintain their grades and be active as much as they can in participating in different activities in the University. 2) Students may always be humble in the achievements that they receive from the scholarship. 3) Students may be always responsible in all aspects of life, especially if they have the privilege to continue their degrees by having a scholarship grant from the government. 4) There should be a further study in order to help poor and deserving young people who would like to finish their studies in the near future.

PB2207: IN VITRO VALIDATION OF DENDRIMER-BASED APPROACH FOR MICRO-RNA DELIVERY INTO LEUKEMIA CELLS

Background: microRNAs are known to be important players in the epigenetic regulation of many cell processes. Some of them demonstrate anti-tumor properties (e.g. miR-34), others are associated with the enhancing of the tumor growth (e.g. miR-21), therefore being prospective effectors and targets for the gene therapy. For this aim, synthetic microRNAs or microRNA inhibitors can be used. We suggest to use dendrimers - highly symmetric hyperbranched polymers - as a novel type of nanocarriers for therapeutic RNAs delivery and gene therapy. Aims: In this work we assessed the effects of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) and microRNA-21 inhibitor (anti-miR-21) on Jurkat and 1301 cells (human T-cell leukemia) upon the dendrimer-mediated delivery. Methods: As carriers for microRNAs, amphiphilic second- and third generation triazine-carbosilane dendrons (DG2 and DG3 respectively) and fully symmetrical 3rd generation carbosilane (BDEF33) and phosphorus (AE2G3) dendrimers have been taken. Oligonucleotides were complexed onto the surface of dendrimer vesicles by means of electrostatic interactions, forming dendriplexes. To prove the dendriplexes can be sufficiently internalized, we performed FACS analysis after 3 h of incubating cells with FITC-labelled microRNA. Cells were cultivated with free dendrimers or complexes (25, 50, 100, 150 nM RNA, 10-fold excess of cations) in the complete cell medium for 72 h. We investigated cell viability (MTT assay, Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay) in comparison with non-tumor cells (PBMCs), IL-10 secretion and expression of several markers, characterizing interaction of tumor with immune microenvironment - PD-L1, TIM-3, CD47. Statistical analysis was done by using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests, differences between groups were considered significant if p<0.05. This work was supported by RFBR grant No.18-33-20109, by the grant of the President of the Russian Federation No.2278.2019.4, by the HHU STIBET Scholarship grant support and based upon work from COST Action CA 17140 “Cancer Nanomedicine from the Bench to the Bedside” supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). Results: Free dendrimers have their own dose-dependent toxic effects, which is slightly higher for tumor cells, than for PBMCs. Treatment by free dendritic molecules led to increasing of expression of PD-L1, TIM-3 and CD47 on Jurkat cells, but decreased the IL-10 secretion. Dendriplexes can be efficiently internalized into tumor cells, transport activity of dendrimers was higher than for Lipofectamine 3000 or was comparable. Dendron-based dendriplexes (DG2, DG3) had pro-apoptotic effect on leukemia cells. PD-L1 expression did not change after treatment by dendriplexes. Summary/Conclusion: Dendrimers not onle have their own toxic effect per se, but also they can be used as effective nanocarriers for therapeutic microRNAs. Using of complexes, containing microRNAs with anti-tumor activity, leads to induction of apoptosis of leukemia cells. Treatment by free dendrimers, but not by dendriplexes, increases expression of PD-L1, TIM-3, CD47 on Jurkat cells, but IL-10 secretion was found to be decreased. We suppose, that dendrimer-based approach can be useful and perspective tool for delivery of therapeuthic microRNAs into tumor cells. At the same moment, characterization of their effects on interactions between tumor and immune microenvironment demands the further studies.

Crise Econômica e a Potencialização Liberalizante no Interior do PIBID

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the Institutional Program for Teaching Initiation Scholarships (PIBID) between 2007 and 2018. For conducting the research, we used three different sources: 1) the data related to the number of scholarships related to PIBID national, at UFMS and UEMS; 2) the internal documents that regulate those programs; and 3) interviews with the institutional coordinators. For analyses, we used a counterpoint between the liberal theory discussed by Hayek and the Marxist theory of Mészáros. The instability and the reduction verified in the granting of scholarships in the program from 2015 corroborate the association of liberalizing influences with the worsening of the economic and political crisis in the Brazilian scenario.

Clinical risk factors and P wave indices in prediction of atrial fibrillation development during long-term follow-up after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction In patients with high thromboembolic risk detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is crucial for implementation of proper anticoagulation therapy, which highlights the need for identification of patients at risk for AF. P wave indices reflect atrial structural abnormalities linked to AF development. Purpose We aimed to assess the value of clinical risk factors and P wave indices in prediction of incident AF after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). Methods Study sample comprised of 2277 consecutive patients with STEMI admitted to a tertiary care hospital for primary PCI from 2007 to 2010. SWEDEHEART registry was used as the source of information regarding clinical characteristics and events during index admission. Patients without known AF at discharge were included in the current study (n=1837, mean age 65±12 years, 30% females). AF in follow-up (median 9, interquartile range 25–75% (IQR) 7–10 years) was documented by linkage with the Swedish National Patient Register and Swedish Cause-of-Death Register. The closest available ECGs prior to STEMI (median 448, interquartile rate 25–75% 112–1390 days before STEMI) were extracted from the regional electronic ECG databases and automatically processed using Glasgow algorithm. P-wave duration, PR interval, P-wave frontal axis and P terminal force in lead V1 (PTF-V1) were assessed. PTF-V1 &amp;gt;40 mm*ms was considered abnormal. Results In follow-up incident AF was documented in 285 patients (15.4%). In univariate Cox regression analysis age, hypertension, history of myocardial infarction, heart failure, history of stroke, smoking status, P wave duration &amp;gt;120 ms, PR interval and abnormal PTF-V1 predicted the AF development during follow-up (Table). In multivariate Cox regression analysis in which significantly associated variables were included only age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.07, 95% CI 1.05–1.08, p&amp;lt;0.001) and abnormal PTF-V1 (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.08–2.05, p=0.015, Figure) remained independent predictors of incident AF. Conclusion In patients with acute STEMI incident AF developed during long-term follow-up after discharge from hospital was strongly associated with age and atrial structural abnormalities reflected as abnormal PTF-V1 on pre-STEMI ECG which might serve as a tool in risk stratification of STEMI patients in regard to AF development. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Scholarship grant from Swedish Institute. Table 1Figure 1

ECG markers of atrial abnormalities are not associated with new onset atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction New onset AF is a known complication in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, whether new-onset AF is linked to atrial structural abnormalities or has different underlying mechanisms is not fully clarified. Purpose We aimed to assess the association of P wave indices as ECG markers of atrial structural abnormalities with new-onset AF in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). Methods Study sample comprised of 2277 consecutive patients with STEMI admitted to a tertiary care hospital for primary PCI from 2007 to 2010. SWEDEHEART registry was used as the source of information regarding clinical characteristics and events during index admission, including new-onset AF. The closest available ECGs prior to STEMI (median 448, interquartile rate 25–75% 112–1390 days before STEMI) were extracted from the regional electronic ECG databases and automatically processed using Glasgow algorithm. Patients with sinus rhythm ECGs were included in the current analysis (n=1481, mean age 68±12 years, 33% females). P-wave duration, PR interval, P-wave frontal axis and P terminal force in lead V1 (PTF-V1) were assessed. PTF-V1 &amp;gt;40 mm*ms was considered abnormal. Results Paroxysmal AF prior to STEMI was known in 77 patients (5.2%). Among patients without pre-existing AF (n=1404), new-onset AF during hospital admission was identified in 102 patients (6.9%). Patients with new-onset AF were older than those without AF history (74±9 vs 67±12 years, p&amp;lt;0.001), but did not differ in regard to other clinical characteristics. In univariate logistic regression analysis P wave duration as continuous variable, P wave duration &amp;gt;120 ms and PR interval were significantly associated with new onset AF (Table 1). However, after adjustment for age both, P wave duration &amp;gt;120 ms (odds ratio (OR) 1.20, 95% CI 0.77–1.89, p=0.418) and PR interval (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, p=0.068), failed to demonstrate the significant association with new onset AF while age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.08, p&amp;lt;0.001) remained an independent risk factor for AF development. Conclusion In patients with acute STEMI new onset AF developed during hospital admission is common and strongly associated with age. P wave indices failed to demonstrate the significant association with new onset AF thus indicating that atrial structural abnormalities are unlikely the underlying cause of AF development in acute STEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Scholarship grant from Swedish Institute. Table 1

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) using MitraClip in patients younger than 65 years: a multicenter analysis of 2-years outcomes

Abstract Background TMVR using MitraClip became a well-established interventional therapy for severe MR. However, TMVR has been almost only applied to old aged patients rejected from surgical therapy. Objective To present 2-years outcomes of 36 patients younger than 65 years with no surgical options treated by TMVR. Methods A retrospective clinical and TEE study was conducted to evaluate 36 patients younger than 65 years treated by TMVR in 3 heart centers. Results Mean age of the 36 study patients was 56.3±6.6 years, male gender was 72.2%. High operative risk was estimated by STS score (mean = 8.73±2.97) and EuroSCORE (mean = 24.71±12.79). All patients were refused for surgery by heart team decision, therefore admitted to TMVR. Baseline severity of MR was assessed by 3D-TEE based biplane vena contracta width (mean = 8.35±1.87 mm). Baseline transmitral mean pressure gradient was 1.81±0.78 mmHg. 21 patients showed mitral annular dilatation as the main cause of MR, 8 patients had leaflet prolapse, 4 patients exhibited papillary muscle displacement leading to leaflet tethering and 3 patients showed mitral leaflet thickening and/or retraction due to fibrosis. Procedural success was achieved in all patients with 1/2/3 clips implanted in 52.8%/44.4%/2.8% of cases with a mean of 1.5 clip per case. Two grades or more reduction in severity of MR (MR grade ≤ II/IV) was accomplished in 88.9% of patients. Mean postprocedural MPG was 3.78±1.96 mmHg. Average follow-up (FU) period was 25,8 months and the median was 20 months (25th–75th percentile: 12–36 months). During 2-years FU, statistically significant difference (p value &amp;lt;0.002) was detected for NT-proBNP levels compared to baseline (mean = 9870±10819, median = 7748, 25th–75th percentile: 2702–14237 pg/ml) and at follow up visits (mean = 7645±11292, median = 3263, 25th-75th percentile: 883–8078 pg/ml). Furthermore, persistent symptomatic improvement during FU, defined as NYHA functional class improvement by 2 or more Grades, was achieved in 69% of patient in parallel with efficient reduction of MR in 34 patients so that a second intervention by reclipping was required in 2 patients to correct recurrent significant MR. Only two patients experienced procedure-related complications by large puncture site hematoma. No procedure-related mortality during the first 30 days was detected. However, mortality was recorded in 2 patients during the first month and was attributed to severe advanced heart failure in one case and septicemia after exclusion of infective endocarditis in another case. Over 2 years FU, other 5 patients passed away, 3 cases owing to advanced heart failure, one case due to multi-organ failure and one because of tumor disease. Conclusion TMVR in patients younger than 65 years refused from surgical repair provides satisfactory clinical and echocardiography outcomes at 2 years. Future studies should evaluate the outcomes of MitraClip in this population in a larger cohort. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Hassan M.H. Mohammed received a scholarship grant from the Egyptian ministry of higher education and Minia University, Egypt.

How NSF S-STEM Scholarship Students Experience College during COVID-19: Lessons to Improve STEM Education

ABSTRACT Everett Community College (EvCC) made numerous changes to retain and support students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education during the coronavirus pandemic. Drawing on insights from EvCC faculty and staff affiliated with a National Science Foundation (NSF) S-STEM scholarship grant called the “EvCC STEM Scholar” program, as well as interview data gathered from 23 EvCC students, this article reports on curricular and co-curricular changes to better meet student needs during COVID-19. Results reveal efforts EvCC faculty and staff took to keep students on track to complete the STEM pathway and how students experienced college during the peak of the pandemic. The article concludes with lessons learned and plans made by EvCC faculty and staff to improve STEM education in the future.

On-Sensor Cryopreservation of Adherent Cells in Lab-on-a-Chip Systems

Introduction Biochemical sensors are one of the essential tools for cell-based assays used in major research fields including drug discovery, cancer research, and immunology. Although significant efforts have been made to develop new technologies and tools, most existing systems in this field are still not suitable for “ready‐to‐use in-field” applications, as the cells inside the assay need vital parameters, such as oxygen, nutrients, and temperature and therefore will not survive during a transportation to an end user. Nevertheless, providing these parameters is not practicable during conventional transportation either. Those systems need to be assembled and prepared on-site, which often requires a cell culture laboratory setting and trained staff. Thus, there is an urgent need for preserving the whole optimized assay system to utilize them for concepts like “ready-to-use” or “on-demand-use”.Cryopreservation, the process of freezing and preserving the cells at sub-zero temperatures is a well-known technique for cell culturing. It could be one possible solution to solve the transportation and storage challenges in the fields mentioned above. However, freezing of adherent cells is more prone to the cell membrane damage and cell detachment, due to ice crystal formation and a mismatch in the linear thermal expansion between the frozen cell membrane and the rigid substrate [1]. Therefore, innovative methods and tools must be implemented to overcome these challenges.In this work, for the first time, the surface of a field-effect-based sensor was modified with flexible electrospun fibers to allow on-sensor cryopreservation. Furthermore, a protocol was developed to freeze and to thaw adherent cells in a microfluidic channel. Method The light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), a field-effect-based biochemical sensor, can detect the extracellular acidification of the cells due to its pH sensitive transducer layer (Ta2O5). The LAPS was fabricated as a structure of Al/p-Si/SiO2/Ta2O5 as described in ref. [2]. The sensor surface was modified with flexible polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) fibers using an electrospinning method. The modified LAPS chip was then fixed to the underside of a bottomless microfluidic slide to form a miniaturized device (cryo-chip) (Figure 1(a) and (b)). A flexible polymer coverslip and a conventional LAPS were used as control samples. All samples were sterilized by 70% ethanol for one hour under aseptic conditions in a laminar flow cabinet to maintain the sterility. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells were adherently cultured inside the channels of the device with the mixture of Ham’s Nutrient Mixture F-12/Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (Ham’s F-12/DMEM, 1:2 mixture, pH 7) supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS), 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 mg/ml streptomycin. After the cell culture inside the channels were obtained for 48h under cell culture conditions in an incubator, the entire device was placed in a 3D-printed freezing container and frozen at -80oC using a cryoprotectant solution (90% fetal calf serum supplemented with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide). The samples were kept in the freezer overnight. The frozen device was then thawed rapidly by transferring them directly to the incubator (37oC). The cryoprotectant solution inside the channels was removed by washing with the fresh medium (37oC) four times, as soon as the ice crystals disappeared. Cell recovery and cell viability were analyzed before and after cryopreservation using a dye exclusion assay and a cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay. In addition, as proof-of-concept measurements, the extracellular acidification of the cells was monitored by the LAPS chip, after the cryopreservation. Results and Conclusions The results showed that the sensor surface modified with the electrospun PEVA fibers exhibits enhanced biocompatibility, which promotes cell proliferation and spreading. In addition, the novel cryo-chip system using this hybrid structure (rigid/flexible) is effective compared to an un-modified LAPS surface for keeping cells viable during on-sensor cryopreservation. These findings showed, for the first time, that a cryopreservation on-chip is possible and that microfluidic systems including semiconductor based sensors can survive the cryopreservation treatment. Thus, this kind of cryo-chip systems enable on-sensor cryopreservation and measurement which can open up a new possibility for “ready-to-use, in field” applications. Being able to prepare the entire system at the manufacturing stage and to send them via a cold-chain transport further eliminate potential run-to-run and operator-to-operator variability, resulting in more reproducible results. Acknowledgements Dua Özsoylu (DÖ) would like to acknowledge the PhD research scholarship grant from Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK) under BIDEB 2214-A. The authors also gratefully thank the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany (Opto-Switch FKZ: 13N12585). This study is a part of PhD thesis study of DÖ (thesis number DEU. HSI. PhD-2013970198) in Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Health Sciences, Turkey.

Return Service Agreement in the Context of the Universal Health Care Act: Using International and Local Experiences to Guide Application of the RSA

Background. Philippines is in a constant struggle to address shortage and maldistribution of health professionals, affecting equity in service delivery. The government endeavors to generate adequate supply of health workforce through scholarship and training programs which have been further expanded with the enactment of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. This article aimed to give a background for discussion on the application of return service agreement (RSA) provisions in the light of attaining universal health care.&#x0D; Methods. A modified systematic review of literature was conducted guided by the key issues determined by the Department of Health with focus on the extent of scholarship grants and on number of recipients.&#x0D; Results. The Philippine government enacted policy reforms through implementing RSA in response to the progressive decline of the net flow of health professionals. However, the criticisms lie in that RSA is not a long-term solution. With the RSA provisions in the UHC Law, metrics on determining the under-produced and maldistributed professional cadre must be created. These should be responsive in addressing facility-level and health system-level gaps.&#x0D; Conclusion and Recommendation. Paucity of current local literature impedes attaining a conclusive body of evidence, therefore, further research is needed. Operationalization of RSA should not be viewed as a singular means to solve the health workforce gaps, but as part of holistic assessment, taking into consideration epidemiological, geographical, political, and social determinants. Stakeholders must ingress in collaborative intersectoral policy actions to warrant bottom-up support. Activities related to mapping, monitoring, and incentivizing medical and health-related professionals must be established to support a system conducive for workforce retention.

DETERMINANTS OF AGRICULTURE AS A DEGREE CHOICE AMONG THE YOUTH IN BUKIDNON, PHILIPPINES

The research was conducted to analyze the determinants of agriculture as a degree choice among senior high school students in Bukidnon, Philippines. Specifically, this aimed to describe the personal and non-personal factors of the senior high school students examine the guiding principles of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) curriculum in preparing students in choosing agriculture as a degree and analyze the determinants of choosing agriculture as a degree. Data were gathered through guided interview personally administered to 383 Grade 12 senior high school students in DepEd, District of Bukidnon. Focus group discussion and key informant interview were used. Descriptive statistical, Chi square and logit regression analysis were used to analyzethe determinants of agriculture as a career choice.Findings shows that the respondents are young, mostly female, and have experiences in farming, do not own a piece of land used in agriculture, willing to engage in agriculture but are not willing to enroll in an agriculture degree. Therefore, respondents who will pursue agriculture as a degreeare males and have land used for agriculture, farming experience, and a brother who is working in agriculture-related field. They are individuals who decide on their own degree, influenced by their mothers occupation and their family in decision-making. All the guidelines used by Maredia (2007) are complied by the college in the continuous development of the BS Agriculture degree program. Only the Innovativeness principle does not exist in the college. It does not yet offer distance and open access education but a six-month distance learning program for agriculture professionals may be offered. In order to attract the interest of the youth in agriculture degree, interventions must such as scholarship grants, linkages with private and other industries for on the job trainings and employment, loan system for entrepreneurial purposes of graduates.

Interfaces do Pibid/UFT: a gestão na formação inicial docente

RESUMO: O presente artigo tem como foco de estudo a formação inicial docente e suas interfaces político administrativas no âmbito do Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência (Pibid), em especial, do Edital Capes 07/2018, desenvolvido na Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT), em 2018 e 2019. O objetivo visa problematizar os apontamentos e as reflexões em torno da formação docente, utilizando como parâmetro avaliativo as proposições subjacentes ao edital, com destaque para o quadro das mudanças na legislação educacional, os desafios da operacionalização do sistema de concessão de bolsas, e das estratégias da equipe coordenadora a uma realidade social e acadêmica multi campus, como a representada pela UFT. A metodologia de análise tomou como referencial de leitura o conjunto das operações técnico administrativas de gestão, frente às demandas sinalizadas pelo edital e pelas ações no âmbito dos núcleos e subprojetos. Como referencial teórico, utilizou-se das reflexões problematizadas por Dourado (2015), Gatti (2013) entre outros estudiosos. Os resultados obtidos expressaram a necessária interlocução no fortalecimento da parceria entre o gestar administrativo e o aprender pedagógico, sinalizando os editais como marcos na concretização dos desafios que envolvem a operacionalização e as interfaces na formação docente.&#x0D; PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Pibid; formação docente; gestão acadêmica; UFT.