Evaluation of strategies using simulation model to control a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza among poultry farms in Central Luzon, Philippines.

The Philippines confirmed its first epidemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on August 11, 2017. It ended in November of 2017. Despite the successful management of the epidemic, reemergence is a continuous threat. The aim of this study was to conduct a mathematical model to assess the spatial transmission of HPAI among poultry farms in Central Luzon. Different control strategies and the current government protocol of 1 km radius pre-emptive culling (PEC) from infected farms were evaluated. The alternative strategies include 0.5km PEC, 1.5km PEC, 2 km PEC, 2.5 km PEC, and 3 km PEC, no pre-emptive culling (NPEC). The NPEC scenario was further modeled with a time of government notification set at 24hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the detection. Disease spread scenarios under each strategy were generated using an SEIR (susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed) stochastic model. A spatial transmission kernel was calculated and used to represent all potential routes of infection between farms. We assumed that the latent period occurs between 1-2 days, disease detection at 5-7 days post-infection, notification of authorities at 5-7 days post-detection and start of culling at 1-3 days post notification. The epidemic scenarios were compared based on the number of infected farms, the total number of culled farms, and the duration of the epidemic. Our results revealed that the current protocol is the most appropriate option compared with the other alternative interventions considered among farms with reproductive ratio (Ri) > 1. Shortening the culling radius to 0.5 km increased the duration of the epidemic. Further increase in the PEC zone decreased the duration of the epidemic but may not justify the increased number of farms to be culled. Nonetheless, the no-pre-emptive culling (NPEC) strategy can be an effective alternative to the current protocol if farm managers inform the government immediately within 24 hours of observation of the presence of HPAI in their farms. Moreover, if notification is made on days 1-3 after the detection, the scale and length of the outbreak have been significantly reduced. In conclusion, this study provided a comparison of various control measures for confronting the spread of HPAI infection using the simulation model. Policy makers can use this information to enhance the effectiveness of the current control strategy

Anticlastogenic potential of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in white mice (Mus musculus L.)

This study investigated the anticlastogenic potential of International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) bred pigeonpea utilizing the micronudeus test using white mice models to determine the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCEs) in treated and non-treated white mice at the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines. Furthermore, the study disclose if pigeonpea has detrimental effects on the vital signs and some vital organs such as lungs, heart, liver, kidney and intestine. Based on the study, pigeonpea ICPL 87051 leaves decoction have anticlastogenic effects. This might be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, tannins and stilbenes in pigeonpea leaves that has the ability to lower MPCEs in treated and non-treated white mice. In terms of its effects on the vital signs namely heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature, results showed that pigeonpea did not cause heart palpitation, tachycardia, hyperpnea and hypothermia. Treatments T+ (Positive control, TCN) and T2 (Pigeonpea leaves extract of 0.5 per 20 kg body weight + TCN) have normal heart, liver, kidney, lungs and intestines

Quantitative assessment of biosecurity in broiler farms using Biocheck.UGent in Central Luzon, Philippines

The biosecurity status of 397 broiler farms in Central Luzon, the highest poultry meat-producing region in the Philippines, was assessed using Biocheck.Ugent. This online biosecurity assessment tool quantifies biosecurity level or compliance of surveyed farms. The system generates scores that reflect the current biosecurity status of each farm in terms of the different external and internal biosecurity measures being implemented in each farm. It was initially developed for pigs and broilers but recently is available for layers, swine, and cattle (beef, dairy, and veal). The overall biosecurity score of broiler farms in Central Luzon was 71.2%, with average external and internal biosecurity scores of 68.5 and 77.2%, respectively. Bataan had the highest biosecurity scores (76.5%) compared with the other 6 provinces. This was also true for the external and internal biosecurity scores of the province, with mean scores of 72.1 and 80.1%, respectively. Of the 11 subcategories of external and internal biosecurity that were assessed, purchase of day-old chicks, feeds and water supply, supply of materials, cleaning and disinfection, and materials between compartments had scores higher than the global scores. Low scores were generated from transport of live animals and infrastructure and biological vectors. The mean biosecurity score of farms with traditional/dconventional type of housing was 7.8% lower than that with tunnel vent housing. Every year as the farm gets older, there was a corresponding drop of 0.2% in the biosecurity score. Biosecurity measures are in place in broiler farms in the country. However, there were areas with low scores which need to be prioritized to improve and upgrade the farms' biosecurity status. To date, this is the first quantitative assessment of biosecurity in broiler farms in the Philippines. High biosecurity scores may entail greater protection from disease incursion

Biorefining of pigeon pea:Residue conversion by pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is an important technology to convert lignocellulosic biomass to a renewable liquid energy carrier known as pyrolysis oil or bio-oil. Herein we report the pyrolysis of pigeon pea wood, a widely available biomass in the Philippines, in a semi-continuous reactor at gram scale. The effects of process conditions such as temperature (400-600 ◦C), nitrogen flow rate (7-15 mL min−1) and particle size of the biomass feed (0.5-1.3 mm) on the product yields were determined. A Box-Behnken three-level, three-factor fractional factorial design was carried out to establish process-product yield relations. Of particular interest is the liquid product (bio-oil), of which the yield was shown to depend on all independent variables in a complex manner. The optimal conditions for highest bio-oil yield (54 wt.% on dry feed intake) were a temperature of 466 ◦C, a nitrogen flow rate of 14 mL min−1 and a particle size of 1.3 mm. Validation of the optimized conditions proved that the average (n = 3) experimental bio-oil yield (52 wt.%) is in good agreement with the predicted value from the model. The properties of product oils were determined using various analytical techniques including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C- and HSQC-NMR) and elemental and proximate analyses. The bio-oils were shown to have low ash content (0.2%), high heating value (29 MJ kg−1) and contain high value-added phenolics compounds (41%, GC peak area) as well as low molecular weight aldehydes and carboxylic acids. GPC analysis indicated the presence of a considerable amount of higher molecular weight compounds. NMR measurements showed that a large proportion of bio-oil contains aliphatic carbons (~60%), likely formed from the decomposition of (hemi)cellulose components, which are abundantly present in the starting pigeon pea wood. Subsequent preliminary scale-up pyrolysis experiments in a fluidized bed reactor (~100 gfeed h−1, 475 ◦C and N2 flow rate of 1.5 L min−1) gave a non-optimized bio-oil yield of 44 wt.%. Further fractionation and/or processing are required to upgrade these bio-oils to biofuels and biobased chemicals

A Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Rabies in the Philippines

In 2007, the Philippine government passed the Anti-Rabies Act to address rabies in the country. However, rabies is still a major public health concern in many provinces. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of residents on rabies, the Anti Rabies Act, and responsible pet ownership (RPO) in Pampanga, Philippines. A cross-sectional survey was done from October 2017 to February 2018 in 92 randomly selected barangays in the province. Questionnaires were adapted from similar studies. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with KAP. Results showed that most people have good knowledge of the Anti-Rabies Act, RPO, and moderate knowledge of rabies. Their attitude toward rabies was appropriate, and on RPO, moderate. The RPO practices by most dog owners were good and moderate for most cat owners. Moreover, the subjects’ area of residence was a significant factor in their knowledge of RPO, and pet ownership status was a significant factor in their RPO attitude. In general, respondents showed satisfactory knowledge; however, there is a need to intensify information and education campaigns in rural areas

Biorefining of Pigeon Pea: Residue Conversion by Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is an important technology to convert lignocellulosic biomass to a renewable liquid energy carrier known as pyrolysis oil or bio-oil. Herein we report the pyrolysis of pigeon pea wood, a widely available biomass in the Philippines, in a semi-continuous reactor at gram scale. The effects of process conditions such as temperature (400–600 °C), nitrogen flow rate (7–15 mL min−1) and particle size of the biomass feed (0.5–1.3 mm) on the product yields were determined. A Box-Behnken three-level, three-factor fractional factorial design was carried out to establish process-product yield relations. Of particular interest is the liquid product (bio-oil), of which the yield was shown to depend on all independent variables in a complex manner. The optimal conditions for highest bio-oil yield (54 wt.% on dry feed intake) were a temperature of 466 °C, a nitrogen flow rate of 14 mL min−1 and a particle size of 1.3 mm. Validation of the optimized conditions proved that the average (n = 3) experimental bio-oil yield (52 wt.%) is in good agreement with the predicted value from the model. The properties of product oils were determined using various analytical techniques including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C- and HSQC-NMR) and elemental and proximate analyses. The bio-oils were shown to have low ash content (0.2%), high heating value (29 MJ kg−1) and contain high value-added phenolics compounds (41%, GC peak area) as well as low molecular weight aldehydes and carboxylic acids. GPC analysis indicated the presence of a considerable amount of higher molecular weight compounds. NMR measurements showed that a large proportion of bio-oil contains aliphatic carbons (~60%), likely formed from the decomposition of (hemi)cellulose components, which are abundantly present in the starting pigeon pea wood. Subsequent preliminary scale-up pyrolysis experiments in a fluidized bed reactor (~100 gfeed h−1, 475 °C and N2 flow rate of 1.5 L min−1) gave a non-optimized bio-oil yield of 44 wt.%. Further fractionation and/or processing are required to upgrade these bio-oils to biofuels and biobased chemicals

Growth and reproductive performance of white mice (Mus musculus Linn.) as influenced by pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp.)

The research was conducted to investigate the effect of pigeonpea dal on the growth and reproductive performance of white mice (Mus Musculus Linn.) at the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines. A total 20 male mice of three weeks old was fed with different level ratio (25%, 35% and 45%) of pigeon pea dal to determine the growth performance while another 20 nulliparous female and 20 male of eight week old mice were fed with different levels containing 20%,30% and 40% of pigeon pea dal to investigate the effect on its reproductive performance. The inclusion of 25%,35%. or 45% pigeonpea dal rations on the growth performance on treated mice showed that the body weight; average daily gain (ADG); and feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) efficiency were comparable from each other and the control group (commercial hamster feed). Whereas 100% whelping rate was observed without any recorded abortion to each treatment group of feeding rations containing 20%, 30% and 40% pigeonpea dal on the reproductive performance of mice. Litter size (11.6) was highest in mice fed with the control ration but was comparable to the treated groups. Mean birth weight of mice fed with 20% pigeonpea dal was significantly heavier as compared to the other treatments. However, after 21 days, the mean weaning weights of all pups was similar for all treatments. This suggests that different levels of pigeonpea dal do not affect whelping rate, birth rate and weaning weight. Therefore the inclusion of 20%,30%, or 40% pigeon pea dal in the diet does not affect normal reproduction in mice

A marketing plan for Publiko Gastropub

Eating out in a restaurant has been a tradition for Filipinos especially during occasions and holidays. Publiko Gastropub is a local restaurant that opened last July 2013 located in Eastwood, Quezon City. The restaurant is owned and operated by Eden Night Inc., ran by young entrepreneurs Mr. Lord Luke Polintan, Mr. Eric Cua, Mr. Stephen Cu, Mr. Bingo Manahan, and Mr. Carlo Aquino. Publiko targets socio-economic classes AB and upper C, focusing on the young professionals, ages 20 to 35 years old. Their secondary target markets are the executives and entrepreneurs ages 36-50 years old. The goals and objectives of the company are (1) to increase brand awareness and familiarity to 70% of its consumers, (2) and to hit target sales for the succeeding 6 months of Php18M. To fully achieve these objectives, the secondary market must be developed. The development of the secondary market will be done through a combination of above-theline and below-the-line advertising, trade and consumer promotions, and public relations programs, will be implemented to be able to cater to the target market. In addition, computations for the costing, pricing, estimates of profitability, and other financial data has been created. The results will be evaluated by the different tools indicated to see if the restaurant achieved their goals and objectives. This marketing plan will require a total of around Php700, 000.00, which will yield estimated income before tax of about Php9, 000,000.00