Effects of Extension Services on the Technical Efficiency of Rice Farmers in Albay, 2014-2015

Through the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) program, extension services in the form of trainings and seminars, and education and communication materials were provided to rice farmers in Albay. Using farm-level input-output data covering the wet season of 2014 and the socio-economic and farm-specific characteristics of randomly sampled 30 farmer beneficiaries and 30 non-beneficiaries, a stochastic production function and technical inefficiency model were estimated. Results of the study reveal that beneficiaries have higher input utilization, yield and technical efficiency than non-beneficiaries. Furthermore, the amount of seed and fertilizer significantly and positively affects the yield of rice. In addition, the number of trainings and seminars attended, number of information, education and communication (IEC) materials availed, and distance of farms to FITS center are the significant determinants of technical inefficiency. The problems encountered in rice production are the occurrences of typhoons and floods, high cost of inputs, insufficient capital, pest infestation and limited knowledge of new farming technologies. It is recommended that non-beneficiaries be encouraged to participate in FITS program and form farmers’ association, irrigators’ association or cooperative, as well as monitor the performance of farmer beneficiaries

Fall Prevention for Geriatric Patients in Nursing Home

Purpose: In long-term facilities, about 50 % of its geriatric patients experience fall each year. There is limited knowledge in the causes and prevention of fall and most of the data are only produced when incidences of fall occur as reported by either the staff or other witnesses. The purpose of this study was to describe the main causes of fall injuries and the ways to prevent falls in nursing homes. It aimed to provide new knowledge that can be utilized by nurses to improve practices to prevent risk for fall on geriatric patients in nursing homes. Methods: A qualitative study was utilized as a methodological approach. Descriptive literature review was used as a method. The selected articles were obtained from databases such as PubMed, CINAHL and Medline. A total of fifteen (15) articles were reviewed in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study was analyzed through inductive content analysis. Results: The results of the study showed that the main causes of falls in geriatric patients in nursing homes include intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors and situational factors. The practices that could be implemented to prevent falls in geriatric patients in nursing homes were standardized fall prevention programs, safety strategies, education, cooperation and leadership and management. Conclusion: Long-term facilities may benefit from looking into the causes and practices that were identified, in which they can apply to their own protocol in their facilities. There is no evidence-based practice specific to nurses. Prevention of fall is already difficult to address and so, more studies need to be made in order to determine which specific practices are most effective in preventing falls in geriatric patients in nursing homes

Quantifying the Influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation on Rainfall Extremes during the Northeast Monsoon Season of the Philippines

This study investigates the impact of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on the extreme rainfall events across 11 eastern coastal stations during the northeast monsoon season (November to March) over the Philippines from 1979 to 2019. The contribution of synoptic systems to these extreme rainfall events such as tropical cyclones (TCs), low-pressure systems (LPS), cold surges (CS), and other disturbances as they coincide with a strong and active MJO were quantified. The results show that the probability of extreme rainfall occurrence increases first to as much as 20% in the southernmost stations in Phase 4. Then, it increases to more than 60% in central-eastern stations in Phase 6. The extreme rainfall events were then classified into: MJO-only, TC-MJO, TC-nonMJO, LPS-MJO, LPS-nonMJO, CS-MJO, CS-nonMJO, and others. The percentage contribution of MJO only, TC-MJO, LPS-MJO, and CS-MJO to the total extreme rainfall events ranges from 9% to 16%, 0% to 3%, 2% to 4%, 1% to 9%, respectively. The relationship between MJO and flooding events in the Philippines was also examined. About 28 flood events or 266 flooding days were identified during the analysis period, wherein 50% of these events coincidentally occurred during strong and active phases of MJO

Log Monitoring System using Quick Response (QR) Code: A State University’s COVID – 19 Contact Tracing System

Contact tracing is the technique employed by public health units and the national close contact service to track down persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 by interaction with a suspect, confirmed, or probable case during their infectious period. This study focused on the development of a Log Monitoring System Using Quick Response (QR) Code in Samar State University as an institution’s tracing system for COVID – 19 preventions. The study was designed as a tool for managing the everyday logs of the employees, students, and visitors to track down the person who is in close contact to a COVID – 19 positives. The waterfall model was used in developing the system and descriptive research design was used to determine the effectiveness of the system along with functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability. The participants of the study were the employees, students, and visitors of SSU. Each participant has given an ISO 9126 quality standard questionnaire for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the system. The result revealed that using the system, the conduct of contact tracing of the possible COVID – 19 suspected individuals was done easily and with reliability

We Heal as One: Interprofessional Health Collaboration During the Covid-19 Pandemic

A collaborative healthcare system enabled through multi-professional and interprofessional partnerships that pave the way to improved health outcomes has been the director of the Millennium Development Goals (World Health Organization, 2016). But the occurrence of the global COVID-19 pandemic challenged the healthcare system in unprecedented ways. This study explored the essence of interprofessional collaboration among medical and paramedical healthcare professionals. A phenomenological research study through photovoice was employed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Study corpus was gathered from a total of 15 participants, including three medical technologists, three nutritionists and dieticians, three radiologic technologists, three pharmacists, two nurses, and one physician. Four themes surfaced from the responses, namely: unity in diversity, paradigm shift, parallel dilemmas, and resilient optimism. Keywords: healthcare system, interprofessional collaboration, medical, healthcar

Clinical management and outcomes of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma - Experience from a sarcoma specialist unit.

Ovarian sarcomas account for 1% of all ovarian malignancies and amongst these, primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma is the rarest subtype. Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma has a very poor prognosis, with less than 20% of patients being alive at 5 years. Only a few cases have been published in the literature and there is very limited knowledge on the clinical behaviour and optimal management of these tumours. We have performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database to identify all primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma diagnosed and treated at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust between 1998 and 2020. Sixteen patients were identified from our database and fifteen were eligible for the analysis. Twelve patients presented with localized disease and underwent initial surgery and three patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Recurrence-free survival post-surgery was 16 months. Eight patients received first-line chemotherapy and four patients received second-line chemotherapy. Two patients had indolent metastatic disease and benefited from local therapies only. The median overall survival in the metastatic setting in our cohort was 51 months, which is consistent with previously published cases. Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. This study is the largest case series of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma published to date, providing clinically important information regarding survival and metastatic rate as well as treatment outcomes in the metastatic setting

Buy Now, Pay Later: Shopee Online Store Users Experiences On Shopee Pay Later Feature (Spay Later)

This study addressed the Buy Now, Pay Later: Shopee Online Store Users Experiences on Shopee Pay Later Feature (Spay Later). The research investigated the users’ experiences using the Spay Later feature, specifically user satisfaction, convenience, financial behavior, and challenges faced. While some of the studies explored only the positive and negative impacts of the feature, there are gaps that the other studies have not identified. This study addressed the overall experience of Spay Later users, an area not fully covered in previous studies. It utilized a phenomenological study approach under a qualitative method. The participants of the study were chosen through a judgmental sampling approach, consisting of ten (10) spay later user with five thousand (5,000) pesos credit limit and a gold/platinum level. Furthermore, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. The results indicated that the Spay Later feature is flexible and convenient. In conclusion, the Spay Later feature positively impacted the users’ experiences, it helped the users to access their needs during financial constraints and improve their budgeting skills. This study suggests to the existing and future users to moderately use the feature and apply the decision-making process effectively in every transaction

EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND ITS IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE IN FIRST CLASS MUNICIPALITIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT OF BATANGAS

Motivation serves as a pivotal driver for achieving optimal work performance, especially in the realm of local government operations. Through a qualitative multiple-case study design, the researchers analyzed the pivotal connection between employees' performance and overall organizational success. Thirteen (13) participants from the first-class municipalities in the first district of Batangas were selected using purposive sampling techniques. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to get the opinions of the participants and were subsequently subjected to thematic analysis. The findings highlight the strong connection between motivational tools and employee preferences. Despite the local government's emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, employees exhibit a strong preference for incentives, rewards, and acknowledgment. Advocating for the systematic integration of employee feedback into motivational strategy formulation and the necessity of comprehensive evaluations of existing tools. Additionally, it underscores the importance of cultivating an inclusive environment where employees actively participate in discussions about motivational approaches. By embracing the proposed motivational plan that considers both organizational and employee perspectives, this research seeks to cultivate a culture of heightened productivity and performance enhancement within local government units

Influence of Tropical Cyclones, Southwest Monsoon, and Tropical Cyclone-Enhanced Southwest Monsoon on Rainfall Variability Over the Western Coast of the Philippines

This study investigates the processes driving interannual variability of rainfall over the western coast of the Philippines during the peak southwest monsoon (SWM) months (July–September) from 1961 to 2022. Specifically, it describes how tropical cyclones (TC), SWM, and TC-enhanced SWM influence SWM rainfall variability. Rainfall measurements from 11 stations along the western coast of the Philippines were classified into three types: direct TC rainfall (PD), indirect TC rainfall (PI), and SWM rainfall (PSM). The yearly contributions of PD, PI, and PSM to SWM rainfall were estimated to be 15.4 %, 33.1 %, and 51.5 %, respectively. Furthermore, four rainfall variability types were found depending on the characteristics of each year\u27s rainfall anomalies: enhanced PD but suppressed PSM (D+S-), suppressed PD but enhanced PSM (D-S+), enhanced PI but suppressed PSM (I+S-), and suppressed PI but enhanced PSM (I-S+). Composite analysis using ERA5 data revealed the presence of anomalous winds and circulations unique to each type that causes variations in the TC tracks and the monsoon flow, which accounts for the rainfall variability. Notable ones are the anomalous anticyclone over Taiwan in the D+S- case, which pushes TCs closer to the Philippines, and the anomalous anticyclone east of the Philippines in the I+S- case, which enhances the trade winds

Lived experiences of student nurses with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Abstract onlyThis phenomenological study's purpose was to conduct an in-depth exploration on the lived experiences of student nurses with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The experiences of the participants focused on the impact of PCOS on their daily lives. In this study, the researchers utilized snowball sampling in selecting their participants. The findings of the study showed the different challenges and obstacles the participants faced being diagnosed with PCOS. It yielded three major themes: (1) Challenges in Attaining Ideal Body Weight, (2) Adverse Impacts on Mental Health, and (3) A Comprehensive Approach to PCOS Management. The results of the study delved into the physical and lifestyle challenges faced by participants, including difficulties in managing dietary impulses, disruptions in activities of daily living (ADLs), and the onset of related health issues such as hormonal imbalances and irregular periods. Furthermore, it examined the psychological toll of PCOS, highlighting mood swings, irritability, and negative body image perceptions that not only affect self-esteem but also interpersonal relationships. Additionally, it encapsulated the multifaceted strategies adopted by participants to cope with PCOS, ranging from dietary adjustments to holistic practices and enhanced self- care routines aimed at improving overall health and productivity.Includes bibliographical referencesBachelor of Science in Nursin