Create your own degree: Empowering students to find belonging in science

The Integrated Sciences specialization was introduced in recognition that the university was losing very talented science students who were frustrated by the constraints involved in following a traditional degree program. As such, it is an alternative to a traditional major or honours science program, and gives students the opportunity to design their own curriculum with the mentorship of a faculty member specializing in the chosen field of interest. Because the process of developing a degree program takes time, commitment, and effort, the students are highly motivated and engaged with their curriculum. As a result of the interdisciplinary nature of the program they graduate with a wide breadth of scientific knowledge. Almost all Integrated Sciences graduates go on to professional or graduate schools. The specialization admits approximately 110 students per year, most at the end of their first year. Because of the small size the students develop a strong sense of belonging. This is reinforced by core ISCI courses, a peer mentoring program and a strong student club. The main barrier to introducing a similar specialization at other universities appears to be the need for senate approval of new degree programs. We are fortunate that the founders of the specialization at the University of British Columbia (UBC) negotiated blanket approval for our student\u27s individual programs. This interactive presentation will provide an overview of the Integrated Sciences specialization, discussion on supporting and empowering students throughout their degree, and modes of collaboration and mentorship amongst students, staff, and faculty to create a sense of belonging in science

A Risk Aspect of Periodic Testing on Pressure Relief Valves

A pressure relief valve (PSV) is a key safety barrier to prevent the catastrophic rupture of pressure equipment in a process plant. The safety function of a PSV is to open and relieve the pressure when the equipment pressure exceeds the predefined set point. To achieve the desired availability of the PSV function, periodic function testing is regularly performed to confirm the correct functioning of a PSV. If a fault of the PSV function is detected by a function test, the PSV is repaired to a functioning state. For this reason, the interval between function tests has a direct influence on the probability of failure on demand (PFD) of the PSV function. On the other hand, unwanted leakage can occur due to human errors made during the preparation prior to a test and the reinstatement after the test. Such leakage is not desired due to the potential for being ignited and causing a major accident, but this aspect is often not considered in the availability assessment of PSVs. Therefore, this paper suggests a multi-phase Markov approach that can estimate the PFD of a PSV as well as the frequency of the leaks induced by the periodic tests. The suggested approach may be suitable for supporting the decision about the test interval for a PSV, considering both reliability and risk effect of extending the function test interval.publishedVersio

Public Administration and Complexity – or how to teach things we can’t predict?

Introduction to the special issue ‘Teaching Complexity

Case Study: Effects of Psychosocial Factors on a Geriatric Patient with Guillain Barré Syndrome

The purpose of this case report is to determine how a change in intrinsic motivation and environmental factors help physical and functional improvements in a 77-year-old male patient with Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) in the geriatric population. Interventions to promote this change included patient education about lifestyle choices along with endurance and balance exercises. Patient psychological state, community access, and general education about interventions/dosing had an effect on the patient\u27s participation in his prescribed HEP. His comorbidities hindered his overall progress over the course of his treatment and should be addressed to improve patient outcomes. Activities that were more salient and stimulating to the patient, such as a swimming class or participating in a social event were reported to be more likely to be completed. These types of activities may address the patient’s GBS and associated comorbidities.https://soar.usa.edu/casmsummer2019/1000/thumbnail.jp

The Iowa Homemaker vol.35, no.7

New England by Garfield, Mary Vandecar, page 5 Where else but at college?, Ruth Abbott, page 6 Kitchen formula #1: recipes, Pat McBride, page 7 Our Des Moines apartment, Marilyn Martin, page 8 Our near-campus apartment, Barbara Culver, page 9 Practice makes prize-winning pies, Sally Rosenquist Bennett, page 10 New life for the landings, Lee Klinzman, page 12 What’s New, Mary Anne Larson, page 13 Trends – Scandinavian art, Donna Danielson, page 1

Interaction of Hb South Florida (codon 1; GTG→ATG) and HbE, with β-thalassemia (IVS1-1; G→A): expression of different clinical phenotypes

Introduction: Interactions of different hemoglobin variants with thalassemia alleles can result in various clinical phenotypes. HbE-β-thalassemia generally manifests with severe anemia where individuals exhibit β-thalassemia major with regular blood transfusions or β-thalassemia intermedia with periodic blood transfusions. This study presents a unique Malay family with three β-globin gene defects—HbE, Hb South Florida, and IVS1-1 (G→A). Materials and methods: HbE activates a cryptic splice site that produces non-functional mRNAs. Hb South Florida is a rare β-hemoglobin variant, and its interactions with other β-thalassemia alleles have not been reported. IVS1-1 is a Mediterranean mutation that affects mRNA processing giving rise to βo-thalassemia. Results and discussion: Fifteen mutations along the β-globin gene complex were analyzed using the amplification refractory mutation system. Hb South Florida was identified by direct sequencing using genomic DNA Conclusion: The affected child with HbE/IVS1-1 produced a β-thalassemia major phenotype. Compound heterozygosity for Hb South Florida/IVS1-1 produced a β-thalassemia carrier phenotype in the mother

ARTICULATED DIFFICULTIES OF GRADE 11 STUDENTS AT TAYTAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (TSHS) IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

English has been the medium of instruction since the beginning of the 20th century in the Philippines during the arrival of the Americans. This has been incorporated holistically in the society through the educational system, communication, mass media, publications and social media. It is given therefore that Filipino learners are bilingual-- i.e., speaking both Filipino (the native tongue) and English as Second Language (ESL). After a century though, proficiency in the language is still a difficulty and an anxiety, especially from public school learners. In Taytay Senior High School (a public senior high school), Grade 11 students were observed of certain levels of difficulties in reading, writing, speaking and listening. In this study, the researchers probed deeper into the following: a.) the difficulties experienced by grade 11 students b.) the factors that led to such difficulties and c.) the articulated ways to help them overcome such difficulties in English proficiency. As a descriptive study, the researchers used pre-survey, survey, FGD and extensive literature review as methodologies. The survey results revealed problematic stages on vocabulary, training and knowledge, confidence and self-esteem and interest. Articulated in the FGD furthermore were issues of generation, practice/articulation, and system as factors that led to difficulties in reading writing, speaking and listening. On the other hand, Grade 11 students underscored power of mind, the use of native language and practice as methodical solutions to the problem. Further directions of this study could include elaboration of the FGD results that pertain to issues of generation, practice/articulation and system. The use of native language could also be expounded on future studies

ARTICULATED DIFFICULTIES OF GRADE 11 STUDENTS AT TAYTAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (TSHS) IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

English has been the medium of instruction since the beginning of the 20th century in the Philippines during the arrival of the Americans. This has been incorporated holistically in the society through the educational system, communication, mass media, publications and social media. It is given therefore that Filipino learners are bilingual-- i.e., speaking both Filipino (the native tongue) and English as Second Language (ESL). After a century though, proficiency in the language is still a difficulty and an anxiety, especially from public school learners. In Taytay Senior High School (a public senior high school), Grade 11 students were observed of certain levels of difficulties in reading, writing, speaking and listening. In this study, the researchers probed deeper into the following: a.) the difficulties experienced by grade 11 students b.) the factors that led to such difficulties and c.) the articulated ways to help them overcome such difficulties in English proficiency. As a descriptive study, the researchers used pre-survey, survey, FGD and extensive literature review as methodologies. The survey results revealed problematic stages on vocabulary, training and knowledge, confidence and self-esteem and interest. Articulated in the FGD furthermore were issues of generation, practice/articulation, and system as factors that led to difficulties in reading writing, speaking and listening. On the other hand, Grade 11 students underscored power of mind, the use of native language and practice as methodical solutions to the problem. Further directions of this study could include elaboration of the FGD results that pertain to issues of generation, practice/articulation and system. The use of native language could also be expounded on future studies

Gender Differences in the Combined Effects of Cardiovascular Disease and Osteoarthritis on Progression to Functional Impairment in Older Mexican Americans

Comorbidity (COM) is an important issue in aging. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoarthritis separately and together may modify the trajectories of functional decline. This analysis examines whether specific and unrelated COMs influence functional change differently and vary by gender

Intergenerational education mobility and depressive symptoms in a population of Mexican origin

Low educational attainment has been associated with depression among Latinos. However, few studies have collected intergenerational data to assess mental health effects of educational mobility across generations