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By: Remsce A. Pasahol “I am18 years old. I am a bisexual, and I have been sexually harassed.” This is how Jane (not her real name) started our conversation. She seemed to have the courage to speak, but truth is … Continue reading
By: Christjohn Reyniel B. Pelejo
Gone are the days when long lines of students crowd the waiting area of the then combined computer and special collections sections in the library basement. Now, not only the students but also the faculty and staff enjoy wider areas and improved services the library has to offer because of the recent basement renovation.
According to Concepcion Saul, the university librarian, the library is now a go-to place of students who need to do research, complete assignments, or hang out with study groups.
“Sa library ngayon kahit wala kang assignment, marami kang matututunan,” she said by way of encouraging UPLB constituents to come and use available resources in the newly renovated basement.
The renovations were done to provide additional space and for proper allocation of services, such as the discussion room, viewing room, leisure reading area, and computer section. All of these are available to UPLB students, faculty and staff for free.
The renovation started in the last quarter of 2013. It had an estimated budget of 2.5 million pesos. The basement services became operational in August this year, the start of the first semester of academic year 2014-2015.
The University Special Collections Section now offers a very spacious area where students can study, read theses, or borrow other university publications. The Computer Section was transferred to the new basement division on the other side.
Read more about the library services and facilities here.
According to Marcelita Pureza, the head of the university special collections section, the improvement was a big help in terms of organizing the thesis collection and giving enough room for other publications of the university. She said that the section now has better working space for the staff, and additional tables for students who wish to study and charge their laptops.
“Kailangan malaman nila [mga estudyante] na dito sa library marami makukuhang sources at maa-access yun para sa research nila,” Pureza added.
Students avail computer services in the computer section now located in the Learning Commons. Photo by: CJ PELEJO
The Computer Services and Multi-media Section, now called the Learning Commons, deployed additional computer units since the area got additional space. Before, only 50 computers were available; now, 66 computer units are fully functional, including iMacs and iMac minis. There are 30 desktop computers running on Linux, 24 on Mac OS, and 12 on Windows 7.
With all the computers deployed in the new setup, more users can be accommodated, hence no more waiting lines. The area also houses a discussion room and a viewing room which students can use for group meetings and film viewings, respectively.
An hour before the exam, students use the viewing room to discuss and review previous lessons. Photo by: CJ PELEJO
Rea Antenor, a BS Electrical Engineering student, said that it was her first time to use the discussion room when she and her friends reviewed for an exam. She said that having a room where she can discuss freely with her friends is good for learning.
“Gusto lang namin yung place kasi pwede kaming makapagtanungan nang malakas. Kasi pag sa library, hindi makapagturuan nang maayos kasi medyo makakapag-ingay,” Antenor said.
When asked what he thinks about the new library basement, Kendrick Faronilo, a BS Food Technology student, said that it is “very beneficial… It’s the only place where you can discuss freely. Good facilities, more computers for students. Friendly and accommodating ang staff.”
He goes to the library Mondays to Fridays to avail of computer services and e-journal subscriptions.
Faronilo also said that to be comfortable and cozy while doing paperwork is also one of the main reasons for going to the library, especially now that he is working on his thesis. He said that the 5th Information Literacy Program “Level Up Your Research” workshop he attended last September helped him to learn more about the library and its services.
“Effective yung lecture series for surfing the library page. Naging aware ako sa library services. And I learned how to use the journal subscriptions,” he said.
According to Pius Murillo, the head of the computer services and multi-media section, there was a significant increase in the volume of users of this section, particularly with regard to use of desktop computers and acquisition of e-journals.
From 2,800 users of the computer and Internet service in November 2013, the logbook showed an increase by 300% last September 2014. There was also a notable increase in the downloads of e-journals, particularly in the Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) subscription, which provides a wide range of library database services for general reference collections to subject specific databases. From 3,300 last October, the number of successful full-text downloads on EBSCO alone doubled last September.
Even with 50,000 full-text downloads overall since October last year; Murillo said that the library is still expecting more students to maximize the resources available in the library particularly the e-journal subscriptions.
by Remsce A. Pasahol
The Agricultural Mechanization Development Program of the University of the Philippines College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (UPLB CEAT) showcased an egg incubator made from locally available materials in the three-day Syensaya annual science festival at the UPLB campus on September 10 to 12.
A simple ice chest made of styrofoam served as the chamber of the incubator. An incandescent bulb served as source of light and heat. To ensure that the heat was absorbed evenly by the egg, there is a computer fan which distributes the heated air and an egg turner which tilts the egg. An air vent was also installed to regulate the temperature and humidity or the amount of water vapor in the chamber.
What makes this invention a smart incubator is the automation system used in the machine. which is an Arduino platform (Gizduino X derivative). This tool acts like the central processing unit of a computer to control the fan, light bulb and egg turner based on the input and the environmental condition, such as moisture and temperature.
Since the incubator is no longer manually operated, more precise and accurate operation can be observed in maintaining the desired temperature of 37 to 38 degrees Celsius for better incubation of eggs.
by Kristina Aloida Tolentino
On the closing day of the annual three-day science fair and exhibit, Syensaya 2014 continues to showcase different scientific innovations from institutions and research organizations catering to the theme of the event “Los Baños Science Community: supporting the nation in meeting global challenges.”
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 4-A showcased their innovations focusing on risk reduction management. Featured projects in the booth include fiberglass rescue boats, volumetric calibration laboratory, and the ICT-based innovation called Project HaNDA (Hazard Notification, Dissemination and Awareness).
Project HaNDA is a website based system that updates and disseminates disaster-related announcements covering earthquake, volcano, and weather bulletins as well as tropical cyclone to concerned government agencies within the region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces).
Information dissemination of the technology works in a top-down approach that enables the system to give updates within minutes of notice. Concerning agencies like PAGASA, PHIVOLC, and RDRRMCA channel information to DOST Region 4-A from time to time. And the DOST then updates the websites and notifies local units of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (DRRMOs) through generated sim cards accessible only by both parties.
The website includes a map and provides visual representations of real-time situations on specific regions. It also includes weather bulletins and modules on dissemination, feedback, and public inquiry.
According to France Lagro, project coordinator from DOST, there is a need for more funding, research and acceptance of these risk reduction management programs since the country is constantly experiencing calamities thus these are great tools to keep people informed and prevent disasters to occur.
The system was developed in 2010 and is still accessible through the website drrm.region4a.dost.gov.ph.
by Kristina Aloida N. Tolentino
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) showcased different innovations that aim to solve environmental, agricultural and food sustenance problems in the country during the 2014 Syensaya fair at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Copeland gymnasium. On the second day of the exhibit at the PCAARRD booth, the featured products were research development focused on rice production, coconut trade and processing, and tilapia breeding.
The highlight of the exhibit was the aquarium filled with Red Nile Tilapia.
Aquarium filled with high breed Red Nile Tilapia developed by PCAARD (photo by KA Tolentino)
Willie Ibarra, science research specialist at PCAARD, said that the showcase aims to attract and inform people about the emerging market for Red Nile tilapia, a high-quality tilapia known for its appealing red color, which is attributed to the Mossambique tilapia crossbred with the Nile tilapia for faster growth.
This breed of tilapia was originally imported from Singapore in 1978 and has been improved locally to introduce a different variant aside from the commonly available gray, cheap, and fingerling tilapia.
According to Ibarra, PCAARD is trying to revive the market for this “Class A” breed of tilapia to have a cheaper alternative to the high-priced marine species. The market hampered due to the mass market of the common grey Nile tilapia.
The institution partnered with the National Tilapia Research and Development Program for funding and also with the Central Luzon State University-Freshwater Aquaculture Center (CLSU-FAC) to lead and improve on research.
Microbiologist Alma Grace Velasquez used three water samples to demonstrate the water testing process. Of the three samples, two tested positive for coliform and E. coli, common disease-causing bacteria. Among the diseases brought by these organisms is diarrhea.The Colilert-18 Test is used to test water samples in Laguna. Colilert-18 reacts with the enzymes present in the two types of bacteria and will turn the water yellow if coliforms are present. However, for samples with E. coli, the water will turn blue if observed under the UV light.
“Hindi naman nagpa-positive sa coli forms at E. coli ang tubig dito [sa Laguna],” Velasquez assured. However, when during outbreaks involving coliforms and E. coli, the LWD increase the dosage of the disinfectant chlorine dioxide as counter measure.
