Use of particulate mechanics concept in agricultural and geotechnical engineering applications

Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a numerical process that uses the concept of particulate mechanics, and it is capable of modelling the discontinuous response of particulate materials. It was utilized in this research for agricultural and geotechnical engineering applications. In an agricultural engineering application, the particle contact microparameters of various crop residues - canola, corn, flax, oats, and wheat - and their interfaces with soil were characterized. These microparameters can be used to improve the reliability of soil-tool-residue DEM models, which in turn is important for the design of high-performance soil-engaging tools. Microparameters for the materials were determined by using a calibration methodology. Laboratory tests were initially performed to obtain information on the macroscopic behavior of the material. Then, discrete element models of the tests were generated to back-calculate the microparameters by simulating the laboratory test results. Linear contact model, with particle stiffness and friction as microparameters, was used to describe the behavior of the interactions between crop residue particles and of the soil-residue interfaces. Ring shear test was conducted to identify the internal friction angle of the crop residues, while direct shear test was carried out to measure the friction angle of the soil-residue interfaces. The DEM models of ring shear and direct shear tests were then developed and used in simulating the measured test results. The DEM simulations of both tests were found to efficiently calibrate the microparameters for residue-residue and soil-residue interactions. In a geotechnical engineering application, the microparameters of the main constituents of an earth fill dam were characterized by conducting DEM simulations of triaxial and large-scale direct shear tests. These microparameters were utilized in developing a landslide DEM model that simulated the observed excessive movements (landslide) in the dam. Validation of the DEM model was successful as it was able to simulate the observed depression at the crest and bulging at the toe of the dam. The DEM model can then be used as basis in assessing the risks of future slope movements in other similar earth fill dam.February 202

10 Years A Student

[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] In the pursuit of my third degree and first Masters, I feel as if I have developed or produced, at least personally, far less than what such an education might suggest. Far be it for me to raise the flag of the millions of millenials like myself, but hoist it I must, for it is as sure as part of my identity as this abstract detailing my aesthetic purpose. And what I mean to say, in part, is that there is no escaping what this entails for me as a person or as a writer, and that I live in the constant shadow of the accomplishments, failures, and inquiries of those who came before me. Not to make excuses, of course, but how the world labels me, and how I respond to such labels are part of why I think it is important to acknowledge even the things I don't like to recognize about myself, which I think is at the heart of my writing in general. And, for me, these years as a graduate student and what work has sprung forth from it, is a deeply personal journey that I think is deserving of some elaboration. To start, I feel as if I have always had a tenuous relationship with the idea that I should have some kind of aesthetic statement or purpose. Not so much that I do not have a direction, but rather that I think making a statement through one's art is somewhat counterintuitive to the art itself, and that acknowledging one serves only to limit and contain the possibility of its growth. I have written many, many prospectus/abstracts/aesthetics in my time as a student, and none of them have bested Father Time. What I can definitively discuss, however, is my writing process, and how this is informed by the long years spent at an educational institution. There is no hiding from the title of my culminating experience; Ten Years A Student serves both as a roadmap and a series of (sometimes amusing) cautionary tales. And these stories are a reflection of my journey, where the mirror of culture and society has been turned inward. For the most part, each of these stories began with a word, phrase, or situation I found interesting. The departure from this context allowed me to shape and mold them, sometimes from within, to create new meanings and context. Most stories are "experimental" to me in this way, even if that's not how the academy traditionally uses the term. But even so, I rarely feel as if I have control over what a story is about or where it is going. Only after writing it do these ideas come to mind, and then I refine and revise till I feel the "point" of the story is more concrete. The issue therein, of course, is that sometimes I never discover the purpose of a story, or recognize that maybe there isn't one. This is all part of my process. My intent (if such a thing even exists in writing) with Ten Years A Student is to produce a compilation of some important experiences. Some are layered deep within the narrative, while others are more forward and obvious. In compiling and writing these stories, I started with three goals: I want to write what I want to write, I want to write for fun, and I want to write with purpose. The latter had mostly to do with the fact that I wanted to write for writing's sake, but the tension therein was that I also had a pretty massive undertaking ahead of me. But beyond that slight detail, I think I have accomplished what I set out to do. As for my aesthetic statement, I think this abstract stands as a neat bookmark in what has otherwise been a very eventful narrative. I look forward to how this experience will shape more down the line, and how I can navigate this new landscape after working many long years towards the goal of obtaining my Masters.California State University, Northridge. Department of English

MEN AND WOMEN IN THE TAGNAWA SYSTEM OF ILOCOS (PHILIPPINES)

This research delves into a poverty alleviating way of life of the Ilocanoes- the Tagnawa System. This practice is the coming together of men and women around the neighborhood to help one another during  times requiring voluminous work, without thinking monetary remuneration in return. It identified the segment of population that had been practicing it and the occasions in their life as a community that have made this system very fructifying. Data gathering was done through interview with senior citizens in the locality, and reinforced through readings and internet blogs. The tagnawa system was  practiced among the Ilocanoes’ of yesteryears: a) on various farming activities, b) on special events like weddings or burials, and c) for house construction, renovation and repair. Focusing on the interview with senior citizens who experienced these three occasions, the researcher was able to identify and appreciate innate Ilocano values and original Iloko terms which are already seldom used nowadays. This research tries to revive their use for the present generation to ponder upon. Indeed, Ilocandia is a place where conscientious people once lived. Let it be forever

ESTIMATING HYDROCOMPRESSION SETTLEMENT OF MINE TAILINGS

The disposal of the enormous amounts of tailings regularly produced from mining operations is the most common environmental issue associated with mining activities. Tailing dam as storage facility plays an important role in the waste management of mining industries but failure of this structure, while the mine tailings are still in slurry form, can result in a debris flow that poses a serious threat to life, property and the environment. It is therefore important to reduce the volume of tailings so that the risk to the exposed population and the environment can be reduced. One possible option is to utilize tailings that do not contain hazardous chemical substances as backfill or as embankment materials in the construction of tailing dams. To evaluate its applicability as construction materials, geotechnical characteristics of tailings need to be established. This study was conducted to determine the geotechnical characteristics of mine tailings from concrete aggregate quarry in Cavite and gold mine sites in Davao and Masbate. Standard ASTM procedures are performed to obtain the physical characteristics such as grain size distribution, Atterberg Limits, specific gravity, minimum and maximum index densities and compaction behavior. Results indicate that the tailing samples are non-plastic and considered as fine-grained consisting of fine sands and silts. Compaction tests show that the moisture versus unit weight relationship is characterized by a concave downward curve with the optimum water content ranging between 13% to 17%, with a maximum dry density ranging from 15.6 kN/m3 to 17.7 kN/m3. Microfabric analyses performed using electron microscopy show a microstructure that is granular with some flaky particles. Oedometer tests were conducted to obtain the consolidation parameters and stress-strain behavior of tailings under vertical loads. Based from the values of consolidation parameters, tailings are classified as slightly compressible. Gold mine tailings from Davao were shown to be 40% more compressible than aggregate tailings and gold tailings from Masbate. The hydrocompression settlement of tailings was also investigated, and a new procedure for determining the hydrocompression strain was proposed. The procedure is appropriate for use even with samples that do not exhibit secondary compression. Tests results revealed that tailings are only slightly susceptible to hydrocompression. Based on the experimental data obtained, polynomial relationships were developed to estimate the hydrocompression settlement as a function of vertical stress. Keywords: mine tailings, geotechnical characteristics, microfabric structure, consolidation parameters, hydrocompression settlemen

Effectiveness of the Alternative Learning System Informal Education Project and the Transfer of Life Skills among ALS Teachers: A Case Study

Alternative Learning System (ALS) has been adopted in Philippine basic education, yet there is no academic institution in the region prepares ALS teachers in teaching life skills. ALS teachers graduated from different programs of teacher education for formal education. In response, an extension project was conceptualized and implemented to enhance the teaching capacity and effectiveness of ALS teachers. Case study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. It explored the transfer of life skills among ALS teachers. Data were collected from multiple sources. Interview and written responses, and feedbacks were analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. Other data were analyzed using document and descriptive analyses. The project had achieved its objectives and rated best by participants. These indicate that the project was implemented effectively and successfully. ALS teachers have acquired life skills and transferred them to others. Thus, the project has made a difference in the lives of these teachers

Employment, Employability and Competencies of the Bachelor of Secondary Education Graduates

Tracing graduates has become an imperative for higher education institutions much more during the pandemic. This tracer determined the employment and employability status of the 2019 BSE graduates and identified the competencies they adequately acquired and deemed vital for work. It used descriptive design, and data were collected from the 103 graduates through a google form with open and closed-ended questions administered between November and December 2020. Results revealed that most of the graduates had been employed in teaching and teaching-related jobs but mostly in contractual arrangements within the first and second six months after graduation. Many had their first jobs with meager salaries from the private sector. Communication, pedagogy, information communication technology, time management, and flexibility were the top competencies they adequately acquired and were beneficial in work. The study concluded that these graduates had acquired 21st-century skills in their respective degree programs. These results have corresponding implications for future research in confirming the most employable skills in secondary teaching. As recommended, classroom instruction might emphasize the development of these skills. Eventually, these become the competitive advantage and employability capitals of future graduates. Administering the licensure examination and the release of its results can be done within the first three months after graduation to lessen the cost of waiting

Antimicrobial Activity of the Rhizospheric Bacillus Species Isolated from Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Organic Farm Soils in the Philippines

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of rhizospheric bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus isolated from the organic soil of Solanum tuberosum (potato) as an untapped and promising source of novel antimicrobials to combat infections, particularly multidrug-resistant strains. The rhizospheric Bacillus species were isolated using serial dilution and aerobic cultivation. Hydrolytic exoenzyme production was determined using plate techniques, whereas antimicrobial activity was determined using the cross-streak method and agar-disc diffusion assay. The data indicate that the Bacillus isolates possess antimicrobial property against gram-positive bacterial pathogens. The activities were compared to those of the antibiotic Rifampicin as a control. Notably, several Bacillus isolates inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The top performing Bacillus isolates were identified by 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis, which showed the similarities of the isolates to known soil-associated and plant-growth-promoting species; B. velezensis, B. mojavensis, B. subtilis, B. sonorensis, B. tequilensis, B. clausii, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. altitudinis, and B. siamensis from those sequences available in GENBANK. The present investigation establishes the presence of antagonistic Bacillus species in S. tuberosum's rhizosphere. The findings may form the basis for further investigation of the active compounds produced by the isolates and the mechanisms underlying their antimicrobial activity, while optimizing the culture medium for efficient production of potent antimicrobial compounds to combat infectious agents may further be investigated

A Review of CABI Digital Tools for Plant Health and Pest Risk Management

The contribution of CABI digital tools in enhancing plant health and pest risk management is examined. Six key digital tools are reviewed to draw themes on their benefits and challenges to users and assessed using the Principles for Digital Development as a guiding framework. CABI digital tools provide quick access to relevant information, support informed decision-making, and are open access and scalable. Enhancing user accessibility and considering diverse local contexts, especially in remote areas with poor internet connectivity, can extend their impact. Addressing financial and social sustainability, including gender barriers to mobile ownership, can also increase their contribution