Economic and ecological perspectives of farmers on rice insect pest management

Understanding farmers’ perception is important in the development of sustainable and cost-effective integrated pest management strategies. Hence, farmers’ perception on rice insect pests and pesticide use was evaluated by selected 112 farmers composed of 77% males and 23% females, over the rice growing areas of North Cotabato, Central Mindanao, Philippines. 62% of farmers that were interviewed use pesticides based on the presence of pests. These farmers identified white stem borer and rice leaf folder as the most encountered insect pests on the local rice crops. Due to these insect pests, rice production became constrained producing low income for the farmers. Pesticide application was perceived to be effective (73%) but not efficient in controlling insects. Moreover, farmers recognized the negative effects of pesticide applications in the environment (76%). However, in spite of these expensive pest control strategies, local farmers still agreed (83%) to apply these methods to increase rice production and their income. With the advantage of using pesticides to boost production over the harm it can cause, farmers would not agree to stop (39%) or still are undecided (23%) to reduce pesticide application. Thus, efficient, safe, low cost pest control strategies are needed to reduce reliance of farmers to pesticides and to improve agricultural production and food security of smallholder farmers in the Philippines

Android-based Audio-Visual Comics in Enhancing Conceptual Understanding and Motivation of Chemistry Concepts

The complexity of chemistry arises from its abstract nature and heavy reliance on mathematical concepts, posing significant challenges for students. Combining technology with traditional teaching, comics are used as one of the educational multimedia options because of their unique ability to infuse humor, a way to convey scientific information that can captivate people's attention and interest. This study investigated the effectiveness of Android-based audio-visual comics in teaching chemical bonding among two groups of Grade 9 science class students in a public secondary school in Cebu, Philippines. Using a causal-comparative design, a 20-item pretest-posttest method was used to measure the extent of the effect of the integration on students’ conceptual understanding; meanwhile, an adapted version of the Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire-II (CMQ-II) to measure the increased motivation of the students. A semi-structured interview was utilized to gather qualitative data for teaching experiences, while a focus group discussion was used to collect students’ experiences. Quantitative results suggested that students’ conceptual understanding significantly improved after exposure to the instructional material. Meanwhile, the four components of students’ motivation significantly increased, specifically intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, self-determination, and grade motivation. Moreover, students’ learning experiences using the instructional material discussed in the focus group discussion revealed that it helped them understand chemistry topics better and become more motivated to learn chemistry. Thus, science educators may consider using the instructional material in teaching science concepts to enhance motivation and conceptual understanding. Furthermore, future studies would have to consider the appropriateness and suitability of the instructional material in other subject areas and grade levels

Observations on comatose survivors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with generalized myoclonus

BACKGROUND: There is only limited data on improvements of critical medical care is resulting in a better outcome of comatose survivors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with generalized myoclonus. There is also a paucity of data on the temporal dynamics of electroenephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in these patients. METHODS: Serial EEG examinations were done in 50 comatose survivors of CPR with generalized myoclonus seen over an 8 years period. RESULTS: Generalized myoclonus occurred within 24 hours after CPR. It was associated with burst-suppression EEG (n = 42), continuous generalized epileptiform discharges (n = 5), alpha-coma-EEG (n = 52), and low amplitude (10 μV <) recording (n = 1). Except in 3 patients, these EEG-patterns were followed by another of these always nonreactive patterns within one day, mainly alpha-coma-EEG (n = 10) and continuous generalized epileptiform discharges (n = 9). Serial recordings disclosed a variety of EEG-sequences composed of these EEG-patterns, finally leading to isoelectric or flat recordings. Forty-five patients died within 2 weeks, 5 patients survived and remained in a permanent vegetative state. CONCLUSION: Generalized myoclonus in comatose survivors of CPR still implies a poor outcome despite advances in critical care medicine. Anticonvulsive drugs are usually ineffective. All postanoxic EEG-patterns are transient and followed by a variety of EEG sequences composed of different EEG patterns, each of which is recognized as an unfavourable sign. Different EEG-patterns in anoxic encephalopathy may reflect different forms of neocortical dysfunction, which occur at different stages of a dynamic process finally leading to severe neuronal loss