Effect of Lockdown on Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines : Two Months after Implementation

The alarming presence of COVID-19 challenged the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 2 and made the World Health Organization (WHO) declare a public health emergency of international concern. Imposed lockdowns disrupted the supply and demand chain of the food systems, hence affecting food security. This research would like to know and assess the early effect (two months after the lockdown) of the enhanced community quarantine on food security in the Philippines. An online survey was employed participated by 331 household representatives using a survey instrument containing food security assessment, household socio- demographic characteristics, behavioral responses covering food purchase and consumption behavior, and emergency measure adoption. Statistical tests were applied: Mann-Whitney U test to know the behavioral response of the food secure vs. food insecure households, as well as the phi coefficient and Cramer’s V test to determine and assess the parameters that plays important role in food security during this period. Results showed that 73% of the respondents were food insecure. The early effect of the lockdown was seen in the behavioral responses, significant differences between food secure and insecure households were found in age, income, and food purchase behavior. Parameters associated with food security are age, income, food allocation, expectations on the livelihood impact and change in expenditure, and the adoption motivations in practicing backyard gardening. The stress evaluation revealed that while Filipinos tried to cope, an increased level of anxiety was experienced. The need for clear measures in terms of preparedness in any pandemic situation was heightened. These findings are significant in providing benchmark information on food security during a pandemic

Functionalized Silver Nanoparticle-Decorated Paper Sensor for Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Copper Ions in Water

Copper contamination to water bodies is an environmental concern of significant risk due to its harmful effect on aquatic life forms and human beings. Herein, a paper-based colorimetric sensor was fabricated by immobilizing polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoparticles (PEI-AgNPs) on commercial filter paper. The sensitivity and selectivity of the paper-based sensor\u27s colorimetric response to copper ions in water were investigated. PEI-AgNPs with an average diameter of 12.66 ± 4.07 nm were successfully immobilized on the filter paper by the simple dipping technique, as evidenced by the scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray result. A color change from pale yellow to dark yellow green was noted after exposing the paper sensor in a water sample with copper ions. This colorimetric response was exclusively observed for copper ions only, suggesting the selectivity of the paper sensor towards copper ions. Moreover, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy results revealed that the detection limit of the paper sensor was observed to about 1.0 ppm. Meanwhile, color analysis on the sensor\u27s digital images revealed the linear response of the sensor with decreasing copper ion concentration down to 1.0 ppm. The selectivity of the sensor was also observed by the color intensity profile of the sensor. This work presents promising results that can be utilized as a reference for developing affordable, fast, portable, and reliable sensing devices for on-site water quality monitoring and other applications

Effect of Lockdown on Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines : Two Months after Implementation

International audienceThe alarming presence of COVID-19 challenged the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 2 and made the World Health Organization (WHO) declare a public health emergency of international concern. Imposed lockdowns disrupted the supply and demand chain of the food systems, hence affecting food security. This research would like to know and assess the early effect (two months after the lockdown) of the enhanced community quarantine on food security in the Philippines. An online survey was employed participated by 331 household representatives using a survey instrument containing food security assessment, household socio- demographic characteristics, behavioral responses covering food purchase and consumption behavior, and emergency measure adoption. Statistical tests were applied: Mann-Whitney U test to know the behavioral response of the food secure vs. food insecure households, as well as the phi coefficient and Cramer’s V test to determine and assess the parameters that plays important role in food security during this period. Results showed that 73% of the respondents were food insecure. The early effect of the lockdown was seen in the behavioral responses, significant differences between food secure and insecure households were found in age, income, and food purchase behavior. Parameters associated with food security are age, income, food allocation, expectations on the livelihood impact and change in expenditure, and the adoption motivations in practicing backyard gardening. The stress evaluation revealed that while Filipinos tried to cope, an increased level of anxiety was experienced. The need for clear measures in terms of preparedness in any pandemic situation was heightened. These findings are significant in providing benchmark information on food security during a pandemic

Effect of Lockdown on Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines : Two Months after Implementation

International audienceThe alarming presence of COVID-19 challenged the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 2 and made the World Health Organization (WHO) declare a public health emergency of international concern. Imposed lockdowns disrupted the supply and demand chain of the food systems, hence affecting food security. This research would like to know and assess the early effect (two months after the lockdown) of the enhanced community quarantine on food security in the Philippines. An online survey was employed participated by 331 household representatives using a survey instrument containing food security assessment, household socio- demographic characteristics, behavioral responses covering food purchase and consumption behavior, and emergency measure adoption. Statistical tests were applied: Mann-Whitney U test to know the behavioral response of the food secure vs. food insecure households, as well as the phi coefficient and Cramer’s V test to determine and assess the parameters that plays important role in food security during this period. Results showed that 73% of the respondents were food insecure. The early effect of the lockdown was seen in the behavioral responses, significant differences between food secure and insecure households were found in age, income, and food purchase behavior. Parameters associated with food security are age, income, food allocation, expectations on the livelihood impact and change in expenditure, and the adoption motivations in practicing backyard gardening. The stress evaluation revealed that while Filipinos tried to cope, an increased level of anxiety was experienced. The need for clear measures in terms of preparedness in any pandemic situation was heightened. These findings are significant in providing benchmark information on food security during a pandemic

Preparation of Spin-Coated Poly(vinyl alcohol)/ chitosan/ Gold Nanoparticles Composite and Its Potential for Colorimetric Detection of Cyanide in Water

The rampant use of cyanide in mining activities has posed a substantial hazard to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Herein, a composite film of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/CS) with gold nanoparticles was synthesized as a potential colorimetric sensor for cyanide ions detection in water. The utilized AuNPs with a mean diameter of 14.32±3.49 nm were synthesized by chemical reduction using polyethyleneimine. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy revealed the characteristic peak of AuNPs at around 530 nm in the spectrum of PVA/CS/AuNP film, while SEM microscopy revealed the integration AuNPs across the polymer substrate. A color change from red to colorless was observed on the composite film after the addition of water samples with cyanide ions with a visual detection limit between 0.1-1 ppm. The sensor also exhibited good selectivity towards cyanide against the tested water samples containing various metal ions. This study reveals the potential of the fabricated PVA/CS/AuNP composite film as a simple, affordable, and environmentally benign material for on-site detection of cyanide in water and other related application

Extended unemployment benefits and early retirement: program complementarity and program substitution

This paper explores how extended unemployment insurance (UI) benefits targeted to older workers affect early retirement and social welfare. The trade-off of optimal UI between consumption smoothing and moral hazard requires accounting for the entire early retirement system, which often includes extended UI and relaxed access to disability insurance (DI). We argue that extended UI generates program complementarity (increased take-up of UI followed by DI and/or regular retirement benefits) and program substitution (increased take-up of UI instead of DI). Exploiting Austria's regional extended benefit program, which extended regular UI benefits to up to 4 years, we find: (i) program complementarity is quantitatively important for workers aged 50+; and (ii) program substitution is quantitatively relevant for workers aged 55+. We derive a simple rule for optimal UI that accounts for program complementarity and program substitution. Using the sufficient statistics approach, we conclude that UI for older workers was too generous and the regional extended benefit program was a suboptimal policy

International Social Survey Programme: Religion I-III - ISSP 1991-1998-2008

Die Kumulation der ISSP-Studien aus den Jahren 1991, 1998 und 2008besteht aus zwei Datensätzen: ZA5070 und ZA5071. Die vorliegendeStudienbeschreibung bezieht sich auf den Datensatz ZA5070. Er enthältalle kumulierten inhaltlichen sowie Demographievariablen. DerZusatzdatensatz ZA5071 enthält dagegen jene, meist länderspezifischenVariablen, die aus den verschiedensten Gründen nicht kumulierbar waren.Diese Variablen können jedoch, wenn nötig, sehr leicht in denHauptdatensatz integriert werden. Einen umfassenden Überblick über denAufbau der Kumulation, die Variablen und die wichtigstenKodierungsentscheidungen bietet das nachfolgende pdf-Dokument: Guide for the ISSP ´Religion´ cumulation of the years 1991, 1998 and 2008 Einstellung zur religiösen Praxis. Themen: Einschätzung des persönlichen Glücksgefühls; Verantwortung desStaates für die Bereitstellung von Arbeitsplätzen und den Abbau vonUnterschieden zwischen Reich und Arm; Einstellung zu vorehelichemGeschlechtsverkehr und zu außerehelichem Geschlechtsverkehr (Ehebruch);Einstellung zu homosexuellen Beziehungen zwischen Erwachsenen;Einstellung zu Abtreibung im Falle von Behinderung oder Krankheit desBabys und im Falle geringen Einkommens der Familie; Rollenverständnisin der Ehe; Einstellung zum Steuerbetrug und zur Angabe falscherInformationen zum Erhalt staatlicher Sozialleistungen;Institutionenvertrauen (Parlament, Unternehmen und Industrie, Kircheund religiöse Organisationen, Gerichte und Rechtssystem, Schulen undBildungssystem); Einstellung zum Einfluss von religiösen Führern aufWähler und Regierung; Beurteilung der Macht von Kirchen und religiösenOrganisationen im Lande; Zweifel oder fester Glaube an Gott (SkalaDeismus); Glaube an: ein Leben nach dem Tod, Himmel, Hölle, Wunder;Einstellung zur Bibel; Einstellung zu einer höheren Wahrheit und zumSinn des Lebens (Gott kümmert sich um jeden Menschen persönlich, nurwenig persönlicher Einfluss auf das Leben möglich (Fatalismus), Lebenhat nur einen Sinn aufgrund der Existenz Gottes, Leben dient keinemZweck, eigenes Tun verleiht dem Leben Sinn); jeder gestaltet seinSchicksal selbst; Bekehrung zum Glauben nach einem Schlüsselerlebnis;Religion der Mutter, des Vaters und des Ehepartners bzw. Partners;Religion, mit der der Befragte aufgewachsen ist; Kirchgangshäufigkeitdes Vaters und der Mutter in der Kindheit des Befragten; persönlicheKirchgangshäufigkeit in der Jugend; Häufigkeit des Betens und derTeilnahme an religiösen Aktivitäten; Selbsteinschätzung derReligiosität und Spiritualität; Glaube an Glücksbringer, Wahrsager,Gesundbeter und Horoskope; Erlebnis von Wiedergeburt; Konzept von Gott(semantisches Differential: Mutter/Vater, Herr und Meister/Ehepartner,Richter/Liebender, Freund/König); Weltimage: Schlechtes versus Gutes,der Mensch ist gut versus korrupt; Personenvertrauen; Einstellung zuWissenschaft und Religion (Skala: moderne Wissenschaft bringt mehrSchaden als Nutzen, zu viel Vertrauen in die Wissenschaft und zu wenigreligiöses Vertrauen, Religionen bringen mehr Konflikte als Frieden,Intoleranz von Menschen mit starken religiösen Überzeugungen); Wahrheitin einer oder in allen Religionen; demokratische oder göttliche Gesetzeals Grundlage für Entscheidungen zwischen richtig und falsch. Demographie: Geschlecht; Alter; Familienstand; Zusammenleben mit einemPartner; Jahre der Schulbildung, höchster Bildungsabschluss;derzeitiger Beschäftigungsstatus des Befragten und seines Partners;Wochenarbeitszeit; Beruf (ISCO-88) des Befragten und seines Partners;Vorgesetztenfunktion; Beschäftigung im privaten oder öffentlichenDienst oder Selbständigkeit; Selbständige wurden gefragt: Anzahl derBeschäftigten; Gewerkschaftsmitgliedschaft; Haushaltsgröße;Haushaltszusammensetzung; Parteipräferenz (links-rechts),länderspezifische Parteipräferenz; Wahlbeteiligung bei der letztenWahl; Kirchgangshäufigkeit; Konfession (länderspezifisch); Selbsteinstufung auf einer Oben-Unten-Skala; Region (länderspezifisch). Zusätzlich verkodet wurde: Gewichtungsfaktoren