Determinants of Profitability of Sweet Potato Production in Camarines Sur, Philippines

Sweet potato has found its niche in the global market and is now outpacing other primary staple foods not only because of its desirability for human consumption but as an immediate source of income as well. A study was conducted to examine the factors affecting the profitability of sweet potato production in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 108 farmer-respondents. A structured questionnaire and focused group discussion were used as main tools for gathering data. Frequency counts, weighted means and percentages were used to describing and analyzing the socio-demographic data. Cost and return analysis and return on investment were used to determine the profitability of sweet potato production. The factors affecting the profitability of sweet potato production were also evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that sweet potato production is generally profitable with the high financial return of 144% to farmers, or a net income of Php 48,400.00 pesos per hectare. There exist a positive relationship between income and farm size, labor input cost, cost of other inputs and access to buyers but inverse relationship exist between income and years of experience and tenurial status. Furthermore, farm size and cost of other inputs are significant variables that contribute to the increase in income. Recommendations include stabilizing the pricing system for sweet potato through the formation of production clusters to improve their market opportunities; provision of seminars and workshops on product development; provision of subsidies on agricultural inputs to reduce the cost of production; provision of basic and high-technology infrastructure; and establishment of an information network on the agricultural market

Physics teachers‘ beliefs on ICT integration at secondary school in Indonesia and Philippines

The popularity of physics, as well as the interest in the field, seems to be declining in the school worldwide from year to year. Teachers are likely to hold beliefs about teaching and learning and use of ICT tools which are additional instruments considered in the teaching and learning practice. The increase in ICT development gives wide opportunities in its use to improve the learning performance. The study aims to find out a realistic picture of the teaching-learning constraints of teachers in the use of ICT especially those with certain beliefs in its use. It is the qualitative research using triangulation method. This study involved physics teachers, principals, and physics students from Indonesia and Philippines. The result showed that almost all physics teachers in Indonesia and Philippines belief that ICT has many benefits to enhance learning. The supporting regulation from school management is needed to encourage the teacher to use ICT in their learning activities

Studies in Supramolecular Chemistry: Self-Sorting Systems, Parallel Reactions, and Differential Sensing Using Cruciform/Half-Cruciform Fluorophores

This dissertation presents different studies in supramolecular chemistry—the first three chapters deal with self-sorting of dynamic covalent libraries and one-pot parallel reactions, while the final two chapters describe the use of cruciform fluorophores in the construction of differential sensing arrays and the synthesis and characterization of “half-cruciform” fluorophores. Chapter One. This chapter introduces the broad field of supramolecular chemistry with an emphasis on dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC). Notable applications of DCC and simplification of dynamic covalent libraries via self-sorting induced by chemical and physical stimuli is reviewed. Chapter Two. Kinetic self-sorting of dynamic imine libraries, constructed from aromatic aldehydes and substituted anilines, was achieved through selective precipitation. The selectivity of the process is caused by the solubility differences among possible imines in the ethanol-water solvent mixtures used in precipitation. Chapter Three. Parallel reactions are introduced and self-sorting event is extended to include several competing reversible reactions. Four simultaneous dehydration reactions: imine formation, acetal formation, ester formation, and tertiary alcohol dehydration, were shown to proceed simultaneously in one pot using para-toluenesulfonic acid as the catalyst. Chapter Four. This chapter describes a protocol for discriminating structurally-related analytes using a differential sensing array constructed from 1,4-distyryl-2,5-bis(arylethynyl)benzene cruciform, benzobisoxazole cruciform, and benzobisoxazole-boronic acid hybrid sensors. This method relies on the differences of the emission colors of the cruciform solutions before and after analyte addition. Ten carboxylic acids, nine organoboronic acids, and twelve organic amines, and ureas were differentiated from each other using this procedure. Chapter Five. Nine “half-cruciform” fluorophores containing benzimidazole core were synthesized in two steps: oxidative condensation of 3-bromo-o-phenylenediamine with three commercially-available aromatic aldehydes, which installs the horizontal axis, followed by Sonogashira coupling with aryl alkynes, which installs the vertical axis. Computational studies show that donor/acceptor substituted half-cruciform can localize their frontier molecular orbitals. These compounds were found to be viable fluorescent sensors, as they showed significant changes in their UV/Vis absorbance and fluorescence properties upon addition of bases, acids, and small anions.Chemistry, Department o

Rewiring Chemical Networks Based on Dynamic Dithioacetal and Disulfide Bonds

The control of the connectivity between nodes of synthetic networks is still largely unexplored. To address this point we take advantage of a simple dynamic chemical system with two exchange levels that are mutually connected and can be activated simultaneously or sequentially. Dithioacetals and disulfides can be exchanged simultaneously under UV light in the presence of a sensitizer. Crossover reactions between both exchange processes produce a fully connected chemical network. On the other hand, the use of acid, base or UV light connects different nodes allowing network rewiring.Fil: Orrillo, Alfredo Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: la Venia, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Escalante, Andrea Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Furlan, Ricardo Luis Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario; Argentin

The Self-Sorting Behavior of Circular Helicates and Molecular Knots and Links

We report on multicomponent self-sorting to form open circular helicates of different sizes from a primary monoamine, Fe ions, and dialdehyde ligand strands that differ in length and structure by only two oxygen atoms. The corresponding closed circular helicates that are formed from a diamine-a molecular Solomon link and a pentafoil knot-also self-sort, but up to two of the Solomon-link-forming ligand strands can be accommodated within the pentafoil knot structure and are either incorporated or omitted depending on the stage that the components are mixed. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Strategic management plan De La Paz Guinhawa Barcenas Law Offices

The DE LA PAZ GUINHAWA BARCENAS Law Offices was organized by three dynamic and brilliant lawyers from the U.P. College of Law, who have each gained considerable exposure in different fields of law practice. The firm is a partnership between lawyers Rhoderick D.M. de la Paz, Kabaitan R. Guinhawa- Valmonte and Lai-lani Angelita B. Barcenas. The Firm is able to handle cases pertaining to civil law, family law, taxation law, labor law, criminal law, intellectual property law and special projects. The Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) classifies the De La Paz Guinhawa and Barcenas Law Offices (or DGB Law) under the Major Division K, listed as Real Estate, Renting, and Business Activities. DGB Law is further classified under division 74 Miscellaneous Business Activities, specifically under the Subclass Legal Activities. For purposes of uniformity, and to give emphasis to the fact that the DGB Law Offices render services, and are therefore under the services industry, we shall classify it under the Legal Services Industry. The DGB Law Offices envisions itself to be one of the leaders in providing management-oriented solutions to complex corporate legal issues faced by growing businesses and industry in the Asian region, with a team of bright, highly motivated, dedicated people who have the passion for justice, service, and excellence. It envisions the firm to be the career choice for the brightest and most promising attorneys and staff in the field of corporate law, and a builder and nurturer of lasting relationships with the people and communities it serves. In line with its proposed vision, the De la Paz Guinhawa and Barcenas Law Offices corporate objectives are: (a) To be one of the leading law firms in the country specializing in corporation law, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, securities and other financing transactions by 2011; and (b) To increase net income by an average of 28% per year over the next 5 years. The external and internal environment analysis, strategic plan, functional area strategies, implementation and financial projections are discussed thoroughly in the succeeding pages

STATUS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN THE BICOL REGION, PHILIPPINES

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the status of the organic agriculture (OA) research and development (R and D) programs in Bicol Region, Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to conduct inventory of R and D projects on organic agriculture, determine the information needs of OA stakeholders and identify research gaps and propose strategies to enhance the OA R and D programs. Secondary data was gathered on OA researches undertaken and survey was conducted to 149 stakeholders to know their information needs. Data gathered showed that 46 projects were implemented and most of the researches conducted were on production aspect. Highest percentage (34%) recorded in terms of information needs of the stakeholders were on demand and supply. Research gaps identified were absence of a whole research chain on organic agriculture for a specific commodity, lack of a research with component on developing a centralized, web-based information system, and inadequate research on policy and governance on OA. Recommendations included the strengthening of research programs with holistic approach, development of a web-based OA information system, conduct of research on governance, policy processes on OA and strengthening of financial support from government and private institutions and intensification of information dissemination campaign on organic agriculture