CLSU International Journal of Science & Technology (2016)

A Statistical Evaluation of In Vitro Micronucleus Assay in Toxicology

2017-12-20T06:09:32+00:00

The study of DNA damage at the chromosome level is an essential part of genetic toxicology. Three different statistical aspects were considered in analyzing results from in vitro micronucleus assay. One aspect is concerned with the possible presence of overdispersion, the second aspect is the choice between p-values and confidence interval, and the third aspect is the type of inference. In this project, the possible genotoxic effect of D/L Menthol was investigated by analyzing the frequencies of micronuclei in cultured lymphocytes exposed to D/L Menthol. Under the test conditions of the assay, D/L Menthol, either in the presence or absence of metabolic activation (S-9), did not induce a clear dose-dependent increase in the micronuclei occurrence. This result suggests that D/L Menthol did not have a chromosomal-damaging effect in mammalian lymphocytes.

RESPONSES OF RED NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus L.) SUBJECTED TO SOCIAL AND CONFINEMENT STRESSES

2017-12-20T06:10:12+00:00

Red tilapia is gaining popularity nowadays in the market but only limited studies on its behavioral and physiological response to stress are available. In this study, 27 red Nile tilapia (RNT) were subjected to confinement and social stresses. This experiment monitored their physiological (plasma cortisol) and morphological (ventilation rate [VR] and skin color) responses to stress. The plasma cortisol and VR of the fish before exposure to stressors were significantly lower compared to their values after the introduction of stressor. For fish subjected to social stress, there was also a significantly higher cortisol level and VR in the subordinate fish compared to those in the dominant fish. The skin color of red tilapia was also intensified when the fish was subjected to confinement and social stresses. Higher plasma cortisol levels, faster VRs, and darker skin color were exhibited more by fish subjected to social stress compared to fish subjected to confinement stress. There was also positive correlation between mean plasma cortisol concentration and mean VR (r=0.945; P˂0.05).

Sustainable Solid Waste Management System: Barangay Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna

2017-12-20T06:10:53+00:00

The study analyzed how Barangay Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna can attain a sustainable solid waste management program. Specifically, it determined how the communities can be classified according to social class and examined how the different social classes can implement a sustainable solid waste management program. The study concludes that the behavior of the different social classes varies in terms of managing their waste. The current solid waste management system of Barangay Bayog undergoes a long process and produces an enormous amount of solid waste. Such current practices are unsustainable. The Barangay does not have the necessary policy program to enhance the sustainability of solid waste management. The study recommends that the barangay captain together with other officials and representatives from the different social classes should convene and discuss several issues with regards to different policy programs that need to be implemented in the Barangay. These include preparation of Barangay strategic solid waste management plan, organization of Barangay solid waste management team and association of classes D and E, putting up a material recovery facility, and development of appropriate technology to reduce waste. Technical and financial assistance can also be secured from the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) members. There should be Information-Education Campaign (IEC) activities and a regular barangay clean-up day, and rehabilitation of rivers to encourage participation. Monitoring and evaluation of the solid waste management activities should be done to provide continuity of the program.

Development of a Vertical Disc Push-Type Double-Row Carrot Seeder for Small-Scale Farmers

2017-12-20T06:11:37+00:00

This study was conducted to develop a push-type double-row carrot seeder. Specifically, the study investigated the performance of the carrot seeder at different operating speeds in terms of field efficiency, field capacity, germination, and uniformity of seed discharge. In addition, the study aimed to establish optimum operating speeds and compare the use of the device and manual sowing of carrot seeds. The device consists of a hopper, seed metering disc, soil opener, and seed coverer, grip handle, ground wheel, and power transmission; all attached to the frame. The metering disc is synchronized with the ground wheel as a source of power during operation.

The design of the carrot seeder was prepared using AutoCAD software. It was fabricated using locally available materials. Three operating speeds (0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 m/s) were used during the evaluation. An area of 225 sq. m was used. It was divided into 9 plots with dimension of 50 cm by 500 cm. These plots accommodated the operating speeds with three replications.

Results of evaluation showed that the performance of the newly developed carrot seeder was optimum at a forward speed of 1.0 m/s with a dropping efficiency of 96.7%, coefficient of variation of 1.7%, field efficiency of 88.2%, germination of 82.3%, and average number of seeds deposited of 2.5. The device was also found to be 76% faster than the conventional method of planting carrot seeds. For further improvement of the capacity of the device, an additional metering disc can be used.

Assessment of Fisheries Governance: The Case of the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (BFARMC) Empowerment in Tadlac, Los Baños Laguna

2017-12-20T06:12:13+00:00

The study aimed to assess how the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management (BFARMC) in Tadlac, Los Baños, Laguna were empowered. A total of thirty members of BFARMC in Tadlac were interviewed. The Philippine governance of the fishery resources has undergone several paradigm shifts with several policies formulated to involve fisherfolk in resource management. One of these policies is the institutionalization of the fisheries management known as the Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council. The case of Tadlac BFARMC shows different issues in terms of motivation, attitudes, leadership, communication, coordination, members’ participation, livelihood, and most of all, empowerment. The lack of budgetary support for the activities of BFARMC is one of the major struggles of the leadership. In addition, the lack of support from the present barangay administration added to the problems in communication, interaction, and coordination of the leaders to its members and within/among the members. These problems had caused chaos in the BFAMRC. Most of the members know that the ultimate goals of the council will benefit them, but without the financial and technical support from the Local Government Unit, specifically the barangay and municipal level, members will not be empowered. Recommendations were formulated to address the different issues in the Tadlac BFARMC. The most significant issue that needs immediate remedy is to guarantee that implementation and effectiveness of BFARMC’s policies, laws, and programs will uplift the lives of the fisherfolk.