3D vs. 2D cephalometric analysis comparisons with repeated measurements from 20 Thai males and 20 Thai females

This paper presented 3D cephalometric analysis on DICOM data from I-CAT CT cone-beam machine consisted of averages and standard deviations from 20 Thai males from 19 to 70 year (average 33.53 ± 14.08 year) and 20 Thai females from 16 to 70 year (average 32.60 ± 15.37 year). The angular measurements consisted of 49 lateral angular measurements and 9 frontal angular measurements while linear measurements consisted of 29 lateral linear measurements, 3 frontal linear measurements, and 8 perpendicular measurements. Results in 3D were compared with the corresponding 2D results showing that most midline-to-midline linear measurements and some midline-to-midline angular measurements were not different, while other types of measurements were significantly different. The 3D results will be used in the clinical Ceph3D services as requested by those with interests on cephalometric analysis and anthropology with focus on Thai subjects while the 2D results will be used for comparison with cephalometric analyses from other orthodontists.ts reserved

Antibiogram and conjugative transferability of the resistance determinants of lactic acid bacteria to Escherichia coli

The grounds for granting lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as generally regarded as safe have solely relied on their history of long use. Current knowledge suggests that this group of bacteria, when consumed, usually commits beneficial effects to the host organism, and thus, they are purposely alive added to food products or other supplements. Drug resistant lactic acid bacteria also exist, and are documented to transfer resistance determinants to other bacteria. This in turn is considerably alarming because the addition of lactic acid bacteria in food amplifies the probabilities of the bacterial flora in the gastro-intestinal tract to acquire the antibiotic resistance determinants. The antibiotic resistances and the transferability of the resistance determinants of 13 strains of lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus that were isolated from commercial dairy food and locally produced fermented food products were examined in this study. The study was aimed to determine the susceptibility of the LABs to ampicillin, gentamicin, and, streptomycin. It also aimed to determine the transferability of the resistance through conjugation to Escherichia coli SF800. To achieve this, minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics for the LABs were determined using the microdilution method. All LABs were resistant to at least one antibiotic tested, with three (RF6, MU8, and MU3) and two (MU7, and MU2) Lactobacillus plantarum isolates being resistant to two (2) and three (3) antibiotic, respectively. In addition, the antibiotic resistant LABs were conjugated with Escherichia coli SF800 on brain heart infusion agar plates. Acquisition of drug resistance was determined by selecting for the transconjugants in Mac Conkey agar plates with antibiotics. Absence of bacterial growth in the selective plates concludes that resistance genes were not conjugatively transferred. It is suggested that further studies should be done on drug resistant LABs because they have a potential to act as vectors of the widening range of antibiotic resistance determinants. It is recommended to implement a rule to govern the quality of the lactic acid bacteria used in food products before they are added into edible products

Testing the robustness of moving average distance in the ASEAN stock markets

Several researches have provided empirical evidence that moving average distance (MAD) can be used in predicting equity returns focusing on developed markets. These ultimately challenge the proposition of the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) theory that historical prices cannot be used to create a strategy to predict returns. This study aims to test the robustness of moving average distance in the ASEAN stock markets using a statistical method that runs all possible combinations of the regressors. The Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) approach is employed for fifteen control variables namely moving average distance signal (MDS), 200-day moving average signal, MAD threshold signal, moving average convergence divergence, momentum, market value of equity, book-to-market ratio, turnover, 52-week high, net stock issues, return on equity, return on assets, gross profitability, asset growth, and volatility on a monthly timeframe throughout January 2010 - January 2020 with a sample of 4, 524 firms. With BMA, thousands of regression combinations are estimated and results suggest that MAD is a robust predictor in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Employing both Fama-Macbeth regressions and BMA, this study concludes that EMH is not evident in the three countries and there is anchoring in the trading indicators considered

A systems study on the production of TIZ fluorescent lamp of GE Lighting Philippines, Inc.

Executive Summary. G.E. Lightings Philippines has been existing in the country since 1947. It used to be known as Philippine Electrical Manufacturing Company (PEMCO) until the year 1963. The company manufactures fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps as well. Some of its products are imported from its other manufacturing plants worldwide. Among the company\u27s several lines for its fluorescent products, this study focuses on the production of T12 fluorescent lamps. This line is also known as the Badalex group. The group identified the problem of unaccounted endformed tubes, which amounted to Php 776,891.25 for the period of January to December 1999. Several causes were identified that contributed to this problem. Among these are absence of documentation of endformed tubes from Support to the mainline of Badalex, incorrect amount of endformed tubes received due to inaccurate checking of incoming tubes, and breakages due to material handling. Work sampling was done to know the occurrence of these causes. From these causes, a proposed system was developed for the T-12 Fluorescent Lamp Production of the Badalex Group. The proposed system includes a documentation system through the use of a Quantity In/Out Form per station and a material handling system that uses polyethylene foam as cushion for the buses. The proposed system was validated through implementing the Quantity In/Out form for a week in the Badalex group. Further, two buses with polyethylene foam were used for two days to measure its effectiveness in reducing the number of breakages. The proposed system was also justified through the analysis of the costs that would be incurred as well as the benefits that the company would gain. The analysis yielded a Net Present Value of Php, 2,136,915.94. The monthly savings that the company would realize amount to Php 189,656

DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THEMES, TRENDS AND SOCIOPOLITICAL REFLECTIONS

In the twenty-first century, dystopian literature has developed into a potent prism that helps understand social concerns and political intricacies. The evolution of the genre is examined in this study, which also considers the profound social criticism found in contemporary stories, as well as new and repeating themes. In the introduction, the historical background of dystopian literature is discussed, along with its significance for understanding and pondering the complex dynamics of the modern world. A comprehensive analysis of dystopian literature is part of the research technique, with an emphasis on qualitative analysis to look for reoccurring themes and shifting narrative patterns. This study highlights the subtle variations in dystopian representations across countries and ideologies by synthesizing ideas from various literary settings. The method emphasizes how multifaceted the research is and recognizes how literature and social reality can benefit from one another. When combined, the findings show how the genre may be utilized to both reflect and critique contemporary social issues. Dystopian fiction offers readers a reflective environment in which to grapple with the complexities of the contemporary human experience because of its powerful commentary on subjects like authoritarianism, environmental harm, and technological advancement. This study promotes critical debate of societal concerns, expands our knowledge of how dystopian literature affects discourse, and suggests potential avenues for further research