Bioremediation efficiency of Sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833) on the quality of water and sediment of Shrimp Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) pond culture

The bioremediation efficiency of the sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, held at different stocking densities as an eco-based waste treatment technology on the quality of water and sediment of the Penaeus monodon pond culture, was evaluated in this study. Two separate experiments were simultaneously conducted indoors for five days using 100-L capacity aquaria. The treatments for the pond water experiment were: (T1) control, 10 L pond water only, (T2) 10 L pond water + one sea cucumber, and (T3) 10 L pond water + two sea cucumbers. For the pond sediment experiment, the conditions of the three treatments were the same except that pond sediments were added in each aquarium. The results showed that T2 had a significant reduction of ammonia (28%), and nitrite (84%) in pond water, and nitrogen (88%) and phosphorus (9%) in pond sediment. It also efficiently improved the management of the microbial load with a significant decrease, particularly in heterotrophs (39%) in pond water compared to that in the control treatment. The results showed that the presence and activity of H. scabra have a positive bioremediation effect on waste as demonstrated by reduced ammonia, nitrite, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels and microbial load from the P. monodon pond water and sediment. Furthermore, the stocking density of one sea cucumber is more efficient in reducing these wastes compared to the two sea cucumbers stocking density. The result suggested that H. scabra can be a potentially efficient bioremediator of waste in shrimp ponds

Improvised Centrifugal Spinning for the Production of Polystyrene Microfibers From Waste Expanded Polystyrene Foam and Its Potential Application for Oil Adsorption

A straightforward approach to recycle waste expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam to produce polystyrene (PS) microfibers using the improvised centrifugal spinning technique is demonstrated in this work. A typical benchtop centrifuge was improvised and used as a centrifugal spinning device. The obtained PS microfibers were characterized for their potential application for oil adsorption. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed similarity on the transmission bands of EPS foam and PS microfibers suggesting the preservation of the EPS foam’s chemical composition after the centrifugal spinning process. Scanning electron microscopy displayed well-defined fibers with an average diameter of 3.14 ± 0.59 μm. At the same time, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the presence of carbon and oxygen as the primary components of the fibers. Contact angle (θCA) measurements showed the more enhanced hydrophobicity of the PS microfiber (θCA = 100.2 ± 1.3°) compared to the untreated EPS foam (θCA = 92.9 ± 3.5°). The PS microfiber also displayed better oleophilicity compared to EPS foam. Finally, the fabricated PS microfibers demonstrated promising potential for oil removal in water with a calculated sorption capacity value of about 15.5 g/g even at a very short contact time. The fabricated PS fiber from the waste EPS foam may provide valuable insights into the valorization of polymeric waste materials for environmental and other related applications

Parents’ Motivational Strategies in Modular Learning

This qualitative case study explores the parents’ motivational strategies in modular learning of fifteen stay-at-home parents during the school year 2021-2022. Based on the findings, the challenges experienced by parents in motivating their children are difficulty understanding the module contents, managing time, the presence of distractions at home, too much dependence and stubbornness among children, and difficulty retrieving, completing, and submitting the modules. To cope with these challenges, the parents decided to set a schedule, give leisure time, ask for help from more knowledgeable other, and search on the internet to accomplish the modules. In conclusion, the parents’ motivational strategies in modular learning are the giving of rewards, punishment, and words of encouragement. However, despite these strategies, the children are still forced to answer their modules. The researchers suggest that to sustain the children’s learning motivation, parents should consider developing a more active and volitional form of extrinsic motivation

Modification and validation of a microwave-assisted digestion method for subsequent ICP-MS determination of selected heavy metals in sediment and fish samples in Agusan River, Philippines

This study investigated, validated, and applied the optimum conditions for a modified microwave assisted digestion method for subsequent ICP-MS determination of mercury, cadmium, and lead in two matrices relevant to water quality, that is, sediment and fish. Three different combinations of power, pressure, and time conditions for microwave-assisted digestion were tested, using two certified reference materials representing the two matrices, to determine the optimum set of conditions. Validation of the optimized method indicated better recovery of the studied metals compared to standard methods. The validated method was applied to sediment and fish samples collected from Agusan River and one of its tributaries, located in Eastern Mindanao, Philippines. The metal concentrations in sediment ranged from 2.85 to 341.06 mg/kg for Hg, 0.05 to 44.46 mg/kg for Cd and 2.20 to 1256.16 mg/kg for Pb. The results indicate that the concentrations of these metals in the sediments rapidly decrease with distance downstream from sites of contamination. In the selected fish species, the metals were detected but at levels that are considered safe for human consumption, with concentrations of 2.14 to 6.82 μg/kg for Hg, 0.035 to 0.068 μg/kg for Cd, and 0.019 to 0.529 μg/kg for Pb

Writech: Enhancing Students’ Writing Skills Using the SAMR Model

Writing is one of the major competencies of 21st century skills that students need to develop. Accompanying the cultivation of this skill is the selection of timely methods involving the use of technology and educational platforms. In this study, the researcher undertook to realize the use of the SAMR model in enhancing the writing skills of the students of Meycauayan National High School – Senior High School. This study aims to assess the level of writing skills of students from the controlled and experimental groups. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study was conducted on 50 Grade 12 students from the ABM and HUMSS strands. In calculating the details, the researcher used a statistical method to obtain the weighted average mean and t-test measure to compare the results of the conducted preliminary and final tests, as well as the analysis of data in each category of writing. From the collected data, it was laid out in the study that after the intervention was carried out, the level of students' writing skills significantly increased. This study suggests the use of the SAMR model in developing the writing skills of students from different goals and strands of Senior High School. There were also some other problems related to other macro skills that need to be developed at the Filipino level and try to spread the use of technology and other educational platforms to bring out the best learning possibilities

Selective enrichment and sensitive detection of candidate disease biomarker using a novel surfactant-coated magnetic nanoparticles

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Supercritical fluid extraction of metals using bis(2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl) monothiophosphinic acid as chelating agent for subsequent ICP-MS analyses of mercury, cadmium and lead in sediment

This study investigated and validated the optimum conditions for a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method using bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-monothiophosphinic acid as a chelating ligand, for subsequent ICP-MS analyses of mercury, cadmium and lead in sediment. Several combinations of pressure, temperature and modifier (P-T-M) conditions for SFE were tested and an appropriate collection solvent was also determined using a sediment certified reference material (CRM) as sample, to determine the optimum set of conditions. Validation results of the optimized method indicated high percent recoveries which are better compared to standard methods

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Metals Using Bis(2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl)monothiophosphinic Acid as Chelating Agent for Subsequent ICP-MS Analyses of Mercury, Cadmium and Lead in Sediment

This study investigated and validated the optimum conditions for a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method using bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-monothiophosphinic acid as a chelating ligand, for subsequent ICP-MS analyses of mercury, cadmium and lead in sediment. Several combinations of pressure, temperature and modifier (P-T-M) conditions for SFE were tested and an appropriate collection solvent was also determined using a sediment certified reference material (CRM) as sample, to determine the optimum set of conditions. Validation results of the optimized method indicated high percent recoveries which are better compared to standard methods

Teachers’ Preparation and Support in the Implementation of Inclusive Education for Learners with Exceptionalities

This research determined the teachers’ preparation and support in the implementation of inclusive education for learners with exceptionalities. A descriptive correlational research approach was employed, involving 156 teachers as participants from Lahug Elementary School, Don Sergio Osmeña Memorial National High School, and Zapatera Elementary School for A.Y. 2022-2023. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical measures such as frequency, simple percentage, weighted mean, multiple regression analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and p-value to assess the relationship. The findings revealed that most respondents (17 percent) were between 40- 44 years old, predominantly female (89.74 percent), and married (67.95 percent). In terms of educational background, most of the teachers were at the master's level (57.69 percent) and were still in the process of completing their master’s degree. Additionally, a significant portion of the respondents had 5 years or below of teaching experience (54.49 percent). Furthermore, it was observed that the teachers attended more than 6 relevant training courses (42.95 percent) which suggests a commitment to staying updated with the latest research, best practices, and strategies in the field. The study also highlighted that variables such as educational attainment, teaching experience, and participation in relevant training and seminars had an impact on teachers’ preparation and support in the implementation of inclusive education for learners with exceptionalities. The impact has implications for designing targeted support, fostering diversity and inclusion in addressing the specific needs of different age groups by promoting ongoing professional development and creating a collaborative environment that maximizes the expertise and experiences of teachers in the field of education. The implementation of action plans based on the study’s recommendations is strongly advised

Salt-Induced Aggregation of Polyallylamine-Coated Gold Nanoparticles (PAH-AuNP) for Rapid Detection of Methyl Parathion

Several approaches for the detection of methyl parathion (MPT) have been reported. However, concern about the complexity and complicated instrumentation hampers its application for rapid analysis. Hence, colorimetric mode of detection for rapid analysis of MPT utilizing the unique property of an aggregated gold nanoparticles is reported herein. Polyallylamine-coated gold nanoparticles (PAH-AuNP) were prepared, and recombinant methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH) was used to specifically hydrolyze MPT into paranitrophoneol (PNP). Different experimental conditions, such as the pH of the salt-induced aggregation of AuNP, condition for the immobilization of MPH, the concentration of the MPH enzyme, the duration of incubation, among others were evaluated. Results showed that the prepared AuNP readily recognized the product (PNP) upon salt-induced aggregation when PNP is all converted to its ionic form. Rapid detection was obtained within 5 minutes at a pH greater than 7 at concentrations ranging from 0.1-14 ppm of MPT. The minimum MPT concentration that can be detected using this technique is 0.1 ppm. An ongoing experiment is currently being undertaken to demonstrate the applicability of the method for the detection of similar structure pesticides. Likewise, mechanistic study to further explain the obtained results is also being considered and will be incorporated in the subsequent report