Evaluation of Bio Briquettes made from Musa acuminata Colla, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana Silk, and Citrus reticulata and Citrus sinensis Peels

Accumulation of food waste and the burning of coal emit harmful chemicals which contribute to environmental problems such as climate change and global warming. These also risk the health of people, which causes deaths. Briquettes help improve and preserve the environment by lessening food waste and coal emissions. This study aims to determine the best treatment for briquettes to help disadvantaged communities and alleviate the adverse effects on the environment and health. A combination of banana (Musa acuminata Colla (AA Group) \u27Lakatan\u27 and Musa acuminata × M. balbisiana (AAB Group) \u27Silk\u27, and orange (Citrus × reticulata and Citrus × sinensis) peels were used as bases for the briquettes. Sawdust also served as a controlled treatment, and two different binder treatments were also used, namely paper pulp and cassava starch. The briquettes\u27 quality was tested based on their density, burning rate, ignition time, and efficiency (Water Boiling Test). One-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (One-way MANOVA), Shapiro-Wilk Normality Test and Levene’s Homogeneity of Variances Test, One-way ANOVA, Post-Hoc Test, specifically Tukey’s LSD were then used to analyze the gathered results. Results revealed that the best briquettes are orange & cassava (density), banana & paper (burning rate), sawdust & cassava (ignition), and sawdust & cassava (efficiency). The findings indicate that the best briquettes were sawdust & cassava (most efficient in Water Boiling Test and fastest to ignite) and banana & paper (lowest burning rate) briquettes. Additionally, the findings suggest different production practices

Proceedings of the Working Group Session on Fertility Preservation for Individuals with Gender and Sex Diversity

Children and adolescents with gender and sex diversity include (1) gender-nonconforming and transgender individuals for whom gender identity or expression are incongruent with birth-assigned sex (heretofore, transgender) and (2) individuals who have differences in sex development (DSD). Although these are largely disparate groups, there is overlap in the medical expertise necessary to care for individuals with both gender and sex diversity. In addition, both groups face potential infertility or sterility as a result of desired medical and surgical therapies. The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (Lurie Children's) gender and sex development program (GSDP) provides specialized multidisciplinary care for both transgender and DSD patients. In response to patient concerns that recommended medical treatments have the potential to affect fertility, the Lurie Children's GSDP team partnered with experts from the Oncofertility Consortium at Northwestern University to expand fertility preservation options to gender and sex diverse youth. This article summarizes the results of a meeting of experts across this field at the annual Oncofertility Consortium conference with thoughts on next steps toward a unified protocol for this patient group.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140296/1/trgh.2016.0008.pd

Addressing employee knowledge gaps: An action research on improving knowledge-based capability development through training for organizational development

This action research addressed the issue of lack of knowledge-based capability of the members of the Policy Administration Department, with the ultimate goal of delivering quality service to our clients worldwide. The objectives of this paper includes expanding the knowledge of the department members through training, to promote a sound culture of trust and motivation between employees and to improve handling of inquiries and complaints from clients and agents. In addition to the focus group discussions and collaborative analysis of the members of the department, the issue was identified using the different action research tools, which includes the ladder of inference, active inquiry, ORJI and Force Field Analysis. Guided by the GRPI Framework (2016), Team Training Structure (2010), we determined the interventions necessary to address the issue. In addition, the ADKAR model (2006), was used as a change framework to guide the team throughout the action research. The success of this action research greatly depended on the contributions and participation of my collaborators and the members of the department. Through constant collaboration, the team and I were able to improve both the identified core and technical competencies of the employees in the department. This action research taught me the importance of time, teamwork, respect and openness to different opinions and viewpoints. In addition, this action research helped me grow professionally in my career by being more assertive and taking on leadership roles throughout the cycles. Lastly, this action research paved the way for continuous organizational and employee career development through further trainings, reinforcements and reassessments of skills, motives and attitudes

Perception of DLSU-M accounting students on SMEs in the food and beverage service industry in the city of Manila that adopts sustainability accounting practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll in all types of industries, especially the food and beverage service industry. As such, incorporating sustainability in business practices would further help entities in mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic. This study aims to explore the perceptions of the consumers with regards to the businesses’ sustainability accounting practices (SAPs) as consumer perception is explored in terms of positive or negative retention of customers, highlighting changes in the consumers’ intent and willingness to buy as the spillover effects of the pandemic hit them. This paper studied the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food and beverage service industry as the spillover effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were highly notable in the industry. This study shows the correlation between SMEs’ adoption of SAPs and the perception of consumers and the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has on this correlation. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather ample data, which are analyzed with descriptive statistics, content analysis, and correlation analysis. Additionally, the respondents are the accounting students of De La Salle University - Manila and the SMEs within the City of Manila that are frequented by the student consumers. As for the analysis used in this study, ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test were used to identify the significant differences of the ratings and its effect on the consumers’ behaviors. After using the analysis, the results have shown that DLSU-M students view SAPs in a positive way. It is also shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the changes in the consumers’ perceptions with regards to which among the SAPs are to be valued the most

Anti-biofilm properties of Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) essential oil against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The study utilized completely randomized experimental research design in assessing the anti-biofilm properties of C. odorata essential oil against P. aeruginosa. Biofilm produced by P. aeruginosa were confirmed using Crystal Violet Assay. Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determined to assess whether the biofilm and growth formation of the P. aeruginosa were inhibited. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used in order to visualize if the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa was disrupted. Based on the results, significant inhibitory effects of C. odorata essential oil was observed against the biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa. Biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa on the microtiter plate has been verified by Crystal Violet Assay. Images of P. aeruginosa biofilm with the highest concentration of the ylang-ylang essential oil on 2000x magnification shown disruption of the biofilm. The study concluded that the use of C. odorata essential oil as an anti-biofilm agent has been shown using various concentrations of the extract applied to P. aeruginosa cultures on microtiter plates and disruption of the biofilm determined. The MBIC and MIC was shown to be at 50% concentration of C. odorata essential oil

Obesity and its impact on health as perceived by young adults

This study utilized a non-experimental, descriptive research design. The respondents were 200 young adults and were identified using non-probability, quota-convenience sampling. The research instrument was adapted from the unpublished undergraduate thesis of Madrid and Mayor (2000) entitled “Perception of Adolescence on Obesity and its Implication to Peer Acceptance” and Soriano (1989) entitled “Effects and Management of Obesity among Women 40 and above in Prinza, General Trias, Cavite”. Data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Based on the findings of the study, the research concluded that (1) majority of the respondents were female, Roman Catholic, high school graduates, and without family history of obesity; (2) the respondents had high level of perception regarding obesity and its impact on health; (3) there was no significant difference on their perception regarding obesity and its impact on health when grouped according to gender, religion, educational attainment, and family history of obesity

Level of knowledge of Philhealth members in Nasugbu, Batangas to the sdg-related benefit entitlements of the national health insurance program

The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 or RA 7875 constituted the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation with the aim of ensuring Filipinos accessible, affordable, available, and acceptable healthcare. However, the corporation still encounters conflicts such as the low utilization rate of benefits due to the lack of knowledge causing universal health care to remain out of reach to some areas of the population, particularly in rural populations. With that, the researchers studied the population of Nasugbu, Batangas using an online survey with the aim of providing a description of the level of knowledge of PhilHealth members towards the SDG Related Benefits and as well as to categorize the data gathered from the respondents based on their age group, sex, type of PhilHealth membership, years as a PhilHealth member, and educational attainment. The study follows a scoring system based on the Likert scale. The derivation of the description of the level of knowledge of philhealth members will be taken from the interpretation of the scoring system. These interpretations include “not at all knowledgeable” corresponding to 1-20% of the total score, “slightly knowledgeable” for 21-40% of the total score, “moderately knowledgeable” for 41- 60% of the total score, “very knowledgeable” for 61-80% of the total score and “extremely knowledgeable” for 80-100% of the total score. The study will utilize the measures of central tendency and the frequency distribution table as statistical treatments. Results of the study show that Philhealth Members in Nasugbu are “slightly knowledgeable” towards the SDG Related Benefits of Philhealth with an average score of 14/35 in the administered online test. The result of the study is an indication that improvements must be made by Philhealth towards their information dissemination to members, especially to their SDG benefit entitlements

Angiogenic efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on chick chorioallantoic membrane assay

According to some researches, garlic has proven its stand in the medicinal field. Traditionally, it has also become a staple food in the Philippines. It has also been used for curing various disease conditions especially in inhibiting cancer cell growth. Furthermore, it has showcased its inhibitory effect in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane assay. This study focused on the strategy for determining the efficacy of Allium Sativum or garlic on chick chorioallantoic membrane. Moreover, this paper aimed to know the significant morphological changes happened in the CAM assay by the use of garlic extracts via in vivo. The CAM assay procedure was done by inoculating a certain inoculant to the chick embryo’s Chorioallantoic membrane. The proliferative and inhibitory effects were also determined as well as its dosage dependency. Using the CAM assay, the 10-day old egg was inoculated with garlic extract in various dosages. According to its results, the 40 mg/dL and 60 mg/dL produced a significant value. In comparison to the negative treatments, the percentage inhibition of 20 mg/dL is 13.5%, 40 mg/dL had 66.13%, and 60 had 90.14%. According to the results, higher dosage of the extract exhibited the expected inhibitory result or decrease in angiogenesis