An evaluation of MAAP’s Train the Simulator Trainer and Assessor (IMO Model Course 6.10): trainees’ perspectives and reverberations

The study aims to analyze how the trainees evaluate the “Train the simulator trainer and assessor” (IMO Model Course 6.10) provided by the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) for free in cooperation with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The training is regularly rendered as one of the extension services of MAAP. The study utilized the data from the evaluation form accomplished by the eight batches corresponding to 94 trainees in 2019. Results showed that the trainees regarded the training as “Excellent” in terms of the General Information. The trainees likewise rated the training as “Excellent” in terms of the Topics/Exercises. Statistics showed that there was no significant difference between the evaluation of the trainees on the training on IMO Model Course 6.10 when they are grouped according to batches both in General Information and Topics/Exercises

Sub-lethal fungicide concentrations both reduce and stimulate the growth rate of non-target soil fungi from a natural grassland

Conventional agriculture has relied extensively on the use of fungicides to prevent or control crop diseases. However, some fungicides, particularly broad-spectrum fungicides, not only eliminate target pathogens but also non-target and beneficial soil microbes. This scenario is not only limited to agricultural soil, but this may also potentially occur when neighboring environments are contaminated by fungicides through spray drift. Although concentrations may be sub-lethal, the chemicals may accumulate in the soil when used continuously resulting in more toxic effects. In this study, the effect on the colony extension rate of 31 filamentous soil saprobic fungi, initially isolated from a protected grassland ecosystem, were analyzed under fungicide treatment. These isolates were considered naive (no deliberate exposure), hence presumed to have not developed resistance. Two currently used fungicides with different modes of action were added to Potato Dextrose Agar at varying concentrations. Results showed a wide range of tolerance and sensitivity to isopyrazam and prothioconazole. Fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota were most negatively affected by both fungicides. Phylum Mucoromycota were the most tolerant to prothioconazole while isolates belonging to phylum Ascomycota differed in their responses to both fungicides. Negative effects on the growth rate were more pronounced at higher concentrations except for a few isolates that were inhibited at 1 mg·L−1. A slightly positive effect was also observed in three of the isolates under fungicide treatment. Lastly, the negative impact of fungicides was not associated with the growth strategy of the fungi, whether fast growing or slow growing, rather it is isolate-specific and phylogenetically conserved. The results of this study demonstrate that co-occurring fungi differ in their sensitivity to fungicides even without prior exposure. This difference in sensitivity among co-occurring fungi may result in shifts in community composition of the soil fungal community to the detriment of the more sensitive isolates

Magnetic Phase Diagrams of Multiferroic Hexagonal RMnO3 (R=Er, Yb, Tm, and Ho)

The magnetic phase diagrams of RMnO3 (R = Er, Yb, Tm, Ho) are investigated up to 14 Tesla via magnetic and dielectric measurements. The stability range of the AFM order below the Neel temperature of the studied RMnO3 extends to far higher magnetic fields than previously assumed. Magnetic irreversibility indicating the presence of a spontaneous magnetic moment is found near 50 K for R=Er, Yb, and Tm. At very low temperatures and low magnetic fields the phase boundary defined by the ordering of the rare earth moments is resolved. The sizable dielectric anomalies observed along all phase boundaries are evidence for strong spin-lattice coupling in the hexagonal RMnO3. In HoMnO3 the strong magnetoelastic distortions are investigated in more detail via magnetostriction experiments up to 14 Tesla. The results are discussed based on existing data on magnetic symmetries and the interactions between the Mn-spins, the rare earth moments, and the lattice.Comment: 23 pages, 16 figures, to be published in JMR's Aug. focus issue on multiferroic

Pressure-Temperature Phase Diagram of Multiferroic Ni3V2O8Ni_3V_2O_8

The pressure-temperature phase diagram of multiferroic $Ni_3V_2O_8$ is investigated for hydrostatic pressures up to 2 GPa. The stability range of the ferroelectric phase associated with the incommensurate helical spin order is reduced by pressure and ferroelectricity is completely suppressed at the critical pressure of 1.64 GPa at 6.2 K. Thermal expansion measurements at ambient pressure show strong step-like anomalies of the lattice parameters associated with the lock-in transition into the commensurate paraelectric phase. The expansion anomalies are highly anisotropic, the related volume change is consistent with the high-pressure phase diagram

Strong spin-lattice coupling in multiferroic HoMnO3_{3}: Thermal expansion anomalies and pressure effect

Evidence for a strong spin-lattice coupling in multiferroic HoMnO_3 is derived from thermal expansion measurements along a- and c-axis. The magnetoelastic effect results in sizable anomalies of the thermal expansivities at the antiferromagnetic (T_N) and the spin rotation (T_{SR}) transition temperatures as well as in a negative c-axis expansivity below room temperature. The coupling between magnetic orders and dielectric properties below T_N is explained by the lattice strain induced by the magnetoelastic effect. At T_{SR} various physical quantities show discontinuities that are thermodynamically consistent with a first order phase transition

Organically Grown Rice Farming and Marketing Project: Assessing the Project Design and Irrigator Associations’ Needs in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

The Philippine Department of Agrarian Reform seeks to determine the feasibility of the organically grown rice farming and marketing project when implemented in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. Using the qualitative study approach, two irrigators associations (IA) were assessed by holding key informant interviews and focus group discussions with IA officers and non-IA members. IAs’ needs were assessed by, first, their organizational capacities, i.e., vision, mission, goal, structure, members’ participation, fiscal resources, community network, and registration; and second, their enterprise capacities, responsiveness of proposed common service facility to needs, and nature of professional services to be provided. Suitability of design was assessed using the following: (1) quality and relevance of objectives and design; (2) potential sustainability and expansion; and (3) viability in terms of community participation, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Results of SWOT analysis indicate common findings among the associations and their community. Both have initial experience with small-scale organic farming and are in proximity to potential high-end markets. However, there are characteristics distinct to each of the IAs. One IA has a perennial problem with its main water canal while the other has no other income stream aside from its limited membership fees.  Given the results, some recommendations are drawn