Microfinance Institutions: Achievements and Challenges in the Second District of Albay

Achievements and challenges of microfinance institutions change the operation, products, and services to cater to the needs of low-income people. A nonviable microfinance institution will have problems with recruitment, repayment, and client retention. The client of the microfinance institution has no alleviation in their income, no change in their social status, and becomes poorer. This study determined the achievements and challenges of microfinance institutions in the Second District of Albay. The research design used in the study was quantitative, qualitative, pearson product moment correlation and t-test methods. The study revealed that not all microfinance institutions in the Second District of Albay offered loans, savings, insurance, and other non-financial services to their clients. The financial sustainability of microfinance institutions in the second district of Albay is a problem when it comes to providing loan products and other services to clients. It affects the repayment performance and income alleviation of the clients. The analysis of the relationship between achievements and challenges in operation failed to show any statistically significant relationship for the total sample. Further analysis found no significant relationship between the variables in operation and products and services. Research on the market, institution, and client and having a strategic plan are important to microfinance institutions in diagnosing the problems that they faced and forecasting what will occur in the future

Effect of Feed Rations Based on Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder on the Weight Gain of Hens Reared in the Forest Regions of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of food rations based on Moringa oleifera leaf powder on the weight growth of hens, was carried out in the province of Tshopo, city of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it covered a period of 6 weeks from August 21 to September 25, 2022. It involved 40 five-week-old Isa Brown chicks, divided into 8 batches of 5 subjects each, corresponding to 4 experimental rations T0, T1, T2 and T3 where M. oleifera leaf flour was incorporated at 0, 5, 15 and 30% respectively. The inclusion of M. oleifera leaf meal in the ration improved the live weight of poultry from one week to another for all 4 treatments, and this significantly, in particular at the 6th week of age for the T3 (647.5 g) and T2 (581 g) compared to control treatments T0 (520 g) and T1 (537 g). It significantly improved the individual food consumption (CAI) evolved increasingly over time during the experiment (64.9g/d and 64.9g/d) of the subjects of T3 and T2 compared to those (57 .9 g/d, and 62.1 g/d) of T0 and T1 birds respectively. The inclusion had no significant negative effect on the average daily gain (ADG) of poultry, but varied during the experimental period for all treatments (p. value ? 0.05), except for treatment T1. Nevertheless, from the 6th to the 12th week of age, subjects fed rations based on M. oleifera leaf flour showed T0 (0.0587), T1 (0.0143), T2 (0.1121), and T3 (0.3752)

Perceptions of China's National Image in the Belt and Road Initiative: Systematic Literature Review

This literature review provides a comprehensive understanding of the perceptions of China's national image in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). By examining a variety of scholarly articles, research papers, and relevant publications, the review explores cross-cultural perspectives on China's national image within the BRI context. It focuses on the self-shaping of China's national image and the image shaped by other countries, highlighting the discrepancies and factors influencing these perceptions. Analyzing diverse sources, this review examines the dimensions and factors influencing perceptions of China's national image in the BRI. It discusses China's self-shaping efforts, how other countries perceive China's national image, and the factors shaping foreign perceptions. The review also addresses the implications of these perceptions and offers recommendations to enhance China's national image in the BRI. Finally, it identifies research gaps and suggests potential directions for future studies in this area

Exploring the Interplay of Architecture and Cinema: A Narrative Perspective

This paper explores the interplay between architecture and cinema from a narrative perspective, specifically within the context of Villa Savoye's promenade. The study aims to investigate how architectural design principles and cinematic storytelling techniques converge in creating immersive narrative experiences. Through an investigation of Villa Savoye's architectural features, cinematic adaptations, and the viewer's journey, this research sheds light on the ways in which narrative elements intertwine, enhancing the overall experience within spaces like Villa Savoye's promenade. By examining the concept of the architectural promenade as a narrative within cinematic spaces, this study uncovers how the narrative qualities of the promenade contribute to enhancing the viewer's experience. It explores the reciprocal influence and enhanced storytelling potential offered by the interrelationship between architecture and cinema. Through a comprehensive methodology involving literature review, case study, and visual analysis, this research provides insights into the dynamic interplay between these two art forms, further enriching our understanding of their reciprocal connection

The Status Of Iodine Nutrition Among Pupils Aged 6-12 Years of Hillcrest Schools In Cape Coast In The Central Region Of Ghana – Analysis of Urine Samples

The incidence of iodine deficiency among school-age children is a global concern due to its negative effect on their brain development and academic performance. Such, necessitated this study among the pupils of Hillcrest Schools aged 6-12 years during the 2016/17 academic year in the Cape Coast Metropolis. One hundred and ninety-six (196) urine samples were collected for their iodine concentrations using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. The median urinary iodine concentration obtained for the population was 102.14 µg/L at 95% CI. The lower (Q1) and the upper (Q2) quartiles were respectively 81.33 and 138.51. Forty- eight percent (48%) of the samples had urinary iodine concentration below 100 µg/L, and none below 50 µg/L. In addition, one percent was above 300 µg/L. The median value suggests that the pupils had adequate iodine intake and optimal iodine nutrition. This notwithstanding, the inter quartile range (IQR) suggests a polarity of mild iodine deficiency and adequate iodine intake. The study therefore shows that the universal salt iodization programme and the schools’ initiative on consumption of iodized salt are having the required impact

Characterization of Farming System and Determinants of Adoption of Horticultural Enterprises in Achham, Nepal

Nepal's rural agriculture is characterized by its diverse and interconnected system of farming. The Ghaghara/Karnali river system in the northwest of Nepal represents the typical rural farming system. A study was conducted in 2019 in the Mid-hill district of Achham, Nepal in the same river system with the aim of studying the farming system, its features, and different factors that influence the horticultural enterprise adoption by the farmers. A total of 130 respondents were selected from the Panchadewal Binayak Municipality of Achham district of Nepal using the multi-stage purposive random sampling approach. Beside the characteristics of Farming system; various factors that determine the horticultural enterprise adoption were examined using the binary logit regression model. The integrated or multi-enterprise farming system was found to be dominated by three primary enterprises: horticulture, livestock, and agronomy. The pattern of household participation in each enterprise under study was substantially the same, with almost three fourth of the household choosing main grain crops, and horticultural crops especially vegetables; around 85% adopting livestock in an integration system, and only about 13% fruit trees. The study demonstrated that among the many factors under inquiry, the gender of household head, size of the family and visit by the extension workers influences the farmer’s decision on adoption of horticultural enterprise significantly. Though non-significant, age, level of education, farming experience, agriculture as primary occupation and credit facilities also positively plays the role in decision of horticultural enterprise adoption. Ethnicity, years of residence in same location, dependency ratio, total land size, training and visit to extension worker were negatively associated with farmers' decisions regarding horticulture enterprises. Thus, for the development of agriculture in rural areas with a higher adoption of horticultural enterprise which as higher potentialities in the rural agricultural system in Nepal, it is necessary to consider the role of various socioeconomic and personality variables in farmers decision to adopt the type of farm enterprise

Optimizing Energy Prediction in Smart Home Area Networks and Buildings Using Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning Techniques

Smart home area networks (HANs) and buildings have become increasingly popular in recent years, with the integration of various smart devices into these networks. However, managing energy consumption in these networks is a major challenge. In this paper, we propose a hybrid artificial neural network-based energy prediction model to predict energy consumption of smart devices in HANs and smart buildings. Our proposed model utilizes a combination of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and machine learning (ML) techniques to predict energy consumption in smart HANs and buildings. The ANN component of the model is used to model the complex relationships between different variables, while the ML component is used to improve the accuracy of the predictions. To evaluate the performance of our proposed model, we collected data from a smart building and a smart HAN. Our results show that the proposed model outperforms traditional prediction methods, with an average prediction error of less than 3%. The proposed model can be used to optimize energy consumption in smart HANs and buildings, by providing accurate predictions of energy consumption. This can help to reduce energy costs and improve the overall energy efficiency of these networks. Additionally, the proposed model can be easily adapted to other types of smart networks, such as smart cities and industrial networks

Effects of Assisted Autogenic Drainage and Chest Physical Therapy in Children Suffering from Pneumonia

The study started after RIRS's approval and Helsinki's declaration. The current study is based on the fact that newer techniques like Assisted Autogenic Drainage must be introduced as chest physical therapy is one of the oldest ways of clearing the chest. The objective is to determine the effectiveness of Assisted Autogenic Drainage in children with Pneumonia. A Quasi-experimental study, with a sample of n=60, was selected through Epi and calculated as Out of 70 approached patients, 56 met inclusion criteria. The patients were divided based on convenience into Group A. Group B. Group A patients were given standard medical and nursing care and chest physical therapy. Group B patients were given an additional treatment of AAD with a predetermined frequency, intensity, and duration. The data was collected after informed and signed. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. The study showed significant results while within group comparison for only one variable with p=-1.515. However, in between-group comparisons, some variables showed significant results with p>0.05, and others showed Non-significant results with p<0.05. Chest physical therapy is more effective than Assisted Autogenic Drainage in treating children with Pneumonia.

Effectiveness of Writing A Scientific Report "Testing Antacid Drugs That Can Neutralize Stomach Acid" for Critical Thinking Skills for Class VIII Junior High School

Science learning is directed at increasing students' understanding and students' skills in analyzing phenomena that occur in the surrounding environment with the concept of science material. In reality, there are still many science learning processes in schools that do not pay enough attention to this.Preparation of scientific reports can be integrated into learning in the 21st century which supports improving critical thinking skills. The human digestive system material is material related to problems that occur around students and must be clarified in learning so that students' critical thinking skills improve.This research aims to improve students' critical thinking skills in compiling scientific reports through Integrated Science learning.Based on the results of this analytical research, it shows that some teachers already know the indicators of critical thinking skills according to the level of questions but rarely use them because of time constraints

Image Meat Classification Using Deep Learning Approach

In many countries meat is one of the most popular food in the world, but not all kind of meat can be consumed by most people such as pork for muslim and jewish also beef, pork and mutton tend to have several similar characteristics, namely color and texture, this can create confusion in distinguishing the three types of meat when see it by naked eye, therefore we need a system that can help identify the type of meat. In this study the authors used CNN-based Deep Learning approached with pre-defined architecture ResNet50 and ResTet101 combined with transfer learning techniques, the authors also used several types of hyperparameters including learning rate, momentum and epoch to see the effect of these hyperparameter values on the performance of deep learning model, the results of this study show that ResNet50 can outperformed ResNet101 by producing less loss and by 1 % more in F1 score with 95.96% F1 score 95.96% precision and 95.96% recall. In addition the momentum of 0.3 in both architectures has the tendency to produce high loss with a low F1 score, while for a learning rate of 0.0001 on both ResNet50 and ResNet101 architectures also has a tendency to produce high loss and a low F1 score, optimal hyperparameter values range of learning rate is between of 0.001 to 0.01 and 0.6 - 0.9 for momentum