Designing Liquid Crystal for Optoacoustic Detection

This research impacts the development of a cost-saving, on-chip device that can replace a wide range of costly, bulky sensors for commercial and defense applications. In particular, the goals of this work were to design and test a sensor that uses the optical properties of liquid crystal (LC) to detect acoustic waves. This began with developing a method to fine-tune the optical features of the liquid crystal. Statistical analysis of select experimental variables, or factors, lead to ideal settings of those variables when creating the sensor. A two-factor and three-factor experiment were separately conducted and analyzed as a preliminary demonstration of this system. The identification of dominant and ideal factor levels, including their interactions, enabled a statistically enhanced molecular design method of LC for use in many types of sensor applications. Detecting acoustic waves using the optical properties of a material, or optoacoustic detection, was chosen as the application to test the designed LC. Research continued with analytically calculating the interaction between the soundwaves and the optical and mechanical properties of the LC. Systematic comparisons between a commercially available acoustic sensor system and this theoretical LC optoacoustic detector are provided. Development concluded with a test which demonstrated that ordered, chiral nematic phase of LC can inherently improve an existing acoustic sensing device. Recommendations for further development are discussed

An evaluation of MAAP’s Train the Simulator Trainer and Assessor (IMO Model Course 6.10): trainees’ perspectives and reverberations

The study aims to analyze how the trainees evaluate the “Train the simulator trainer and assessor” (IMO Model Course 6.10) provided by the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) for free in cooperation with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The training is regularly rendered as one of the extension services of MAAP. The study utilized the data from the evaluation form accomplished by the eight batches corresponding to 94 trainees in 2019. Results showed that the trainees regarded the training as “Excellent” in terms of the General Information. The trainees likewise rated the training as “Excellent” in terms of the Topics/Exercises. Statistics showed that there was no significant difference between the evaluation of the trainees on the training on IMO Model Course 6.10 when they are grouped according to batches both in General Information and Topics/Exercises

Multisector Strategy in Addressing Noncommunicable Diseases in the Philippines

This report is a continuation of the discussion paper of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies entitled "Inequalities in Noncommunicable Diseases in the Philippines". The first technical paper is an analysis of the current status and social determinants of noncommunicable diseases (NCD). This report, on the other hand, focuses on potential NCD prevention and control strategies of the Department of Health (DOH) with wider multisector involvement.This report is divided into five chapters. Chapters I and II discuss the current status of noncommunicable diseases and existing policies and programs of the DOH. Chapter III introduces the potential roadmap of the NCD prevention and control program of the DOH. Chapter IV defines the roles and responsibilities of different bureaus within the health sector. Chapter V outlines the potential framework of the multisector strategy of the DOH

Lingual Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma in a 78-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report and Comprehensive Review of the Literature from 1952 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare translocation-related soft tissue sarcoma, occurring mainly in the limbs and trunk in young adults and adolescents. ASPS is rarely seen in the head and neck and one fourth of those cases described are tongue primary. Given its nonspecific symptoms, clinical findings, and rarity in this location, lingual ASPS (L-ASPS) has been reported to be commonly misdiagnosed as various benign tumors, leading to adverse outcomes. METHODS: We report a case of L-ASPS occurring in the oldest (78 years) female patient published to date and comprehensively review the literature from 1952 to 2022. RESULTS: She presented with a slow-growing (2-year duration) tongue mass, measuring 3.5 cm on palpation. Intraoperative frozen section could not render the definitive diagnosis. The pathological findings of the tumor were characteristic of ASPS with eosinophilic polygonal cells in an organoid/nested pattern, rich sinusoidal capillaries, and TFE3 immunoreactivity, except for the strong diffuse aberrant cytoplasmic CD68 immunoexpression and absence of intracytoplasmic crystalline inclusions on PAS with diastase. After TFE3 gene rearrangement had been identified with fluorescent in-situ hybridization, reflex testing confirmed a rearrangement of TFE3 gene with the known fusion partner ASPSCR1. CONCLUSIONS: ASPS should be included in the differential diagnoses in cases of any slow-growing lingual masses (especially vascular ones) with non-specific clinical pictures, regardless of the patient\u27s age