Animo Repository - De La Salle University Research
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Photoluminescent carbon nanodots for artificial photosynthesis
No full textThe emerging field of carbon dots (CDs), a type of carbon nanostructure that has gained significant attention due to its unique properties and potential applications. CDs possess remarkable attributes, including photoluminescence, electrochemical potential, compatibility with living organisms, solubility in water, chemical stability, and versatile surface properties. The chemical structure, particle size, and surface functionalities of CDs all have an impact on their photoluminescent properties, which are the focus of this review. The photoluminescence mechanism in CDs is discussed, highlighting their amorphous structure, and comparing them to graphene quantum dots. The paper delves into the application of CDs in artificial photosynthesis, which enhances crop growth by improving the photo-synthesis process. CDs increase sunlight and carbon dioxide absorption rates by interacting with plant leaves, potentially leading to substantial crop yield improvements. The advantages of CDs in artificial photosynthesis are explored, including their modifiable absorption characteristics across the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectrum. The paper acknowledges challenges in CD production, such as size control and aggregation, while emphasizing their potential in various fields, including sensing, bioimaging, energy devices, and catalysis. CDs\u27 unique optical properties and versatile applications suggest a promising future for these nanostructures in numerous scientific and technological domains
STEM to school: Navigating new identities of second-career science teachers
No full textThis study examines the professional identity development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals transitioning into teaching, grounded in a sociocultural view of identity as dynamic and relational. While second-career STEM educators bring valuable industry expertise to enhance instruction, their transition involves complex identity negotiations and pedagogical adaptations, areas insufficiently explored in existing literature. Employing a mixed-methods design integrating narrative inquiry and quantitative analysis based on expectancy-value theory, data were gathered through semi- structured interviews, classroom observations, and survey analysis using the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice) scale. (1) pursuit of professional purpose beyond technical expertise, (2) tensions in identity reconstruction, (3) integration of STEM industry knowledge into pedagogy, (4) institutional influences on sustaining vocational commitment, and (5) evolving instructional agency and reflective pedagogy. The study highlights how second-career STEM educators navigate instructional, institutional, and cultural challenges, emphasizing identity integration and institutional belonging. Recommendations stress targeted support structures and professional development that embrace, rather than resolve, inherent tensions of career transformation
Multicultural mathematics: Cultural exchange activities in mathematics education
No full textThis dissertation investigated the dynamics of virtual cultural exchange in mathematics education through a cross-cultural comparison between Filipino and American educators. The study focused into two distinct case studies: one involving a Filipino teacher in the Philippines collaborating with a Filipino J1 teacher in the USA and another involving a Filipino teacher in the Philippines collaborating with an American teacher in the USA, examining the roles of teachers and students, lesson structures, types of assessments, pedagogical practices, and technology integration within collaboratively designed lessons, providing a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of cultural exchange activities in educational settings.
A key aspect of this research is the inclusion of Filipino J1 Math teachers in the US, whose experiences and teaching practices in conducting cultural exchange activities offer unique insights into the cross-cultural educational processes. The study explored how these teachers adapt to and integrate their academic and cultural backgrounds into the American educational system and how their experiences influence their teaching methods and collaborative engagements with teachers in the Philippines.
The research assessed the challenges and opportunities presented by these cross-cultural collaborations and identifies factors that influence these exchanges\u27 success, grounded in the collaborative learning theories, cultural variations in mathematics education, and the evaluation of key dynamics and differences of the cultural exchanges, that provided valuable recommendations for educators and policymakers aiming to enhance cultural exchange activities in Mathematics education
Coproduction in early disaster recovery: Stakeholder collaboration during the 2020 Taal volcano eruption in Batangas province
No full textThis dissertation investigates how coproduction facilitated the early disaster recovery (EDR) for residents displaced by the 2020 eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas, Philippines. It examines how collaborative efforts among the local government, NGOs, the private sector, and communities facilitated the provision of basic needs, health services, and temporary settlements. Utilizing a qualitative design grounded on Ostrom\u27s coproduction theory and Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, this study analyzes the responses from key informant interviews to identify stakeholders engage in coproduction, the enablers and barriers to stakeholder engagement in collective action, the challenges, and the role of risk communication. The findings reveal that strong local governance, a culture of mutual aid ( nanunulungan ), and technology-related boundary objects were crucial in driving coproduction. While volunteerism, trust, and mandates spurred diverse stakeholder contributions, disaster unpredictability and institutional limitations posed challenges. The study extends the coproduction theory by highlighting risk knowledge as a vital coproduced element in EDR. The study’s implications underscore the need for policies integrating coproduction to enhance disaster management, particularly EDR. Future research can explore resource-limited settings and cross-disaster comparisons. In aid of policy, the the study recommends for clearer stakeholder roles and guidelines
Cytotoxicity of Ageratina riparia (Mistflower) Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles in Allium cepa Assay
No full textThe use of green-synthesized nanoparticles offers a promising route toward eco-friendly and biocompatible alternatives in biomedical research. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized from Ageratina riparia extract. Given the growing interest in plant-mediated nanoparticle synthesis for safe therapeutic applications, evaluating their biological effects is crucial. The extract was obtained through maceration, and green synthesis was conducted using silver nitrate solutions (1 mM, 3 mM, 5 mM). The mixtures were boiled to isolate nanoparticle pellets, which were then redispersed in distilled water for use as treatment liquids in the Allium cepa assay. Results showed that all concentrations of A. riparia-mediated AgNPs were non-cytotoxic, exhibiting no dose-dependent toxicity, while the positive control (0.7% H₂O₂) caused complete chromosomal aberrations. The findings suggest that biosynthesized AgNPs are stable and biocompatible, contributing new evidence to the safety profile of green-synthesized nanoparticles. These results support the potential practical use of A. riparia-based AgNPs in applications requiring low toxicity
A Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Properties of Bioplastic Films Derived from Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Saba Banana (Musa acuminata x balbisiana) Peels
No full textFood waste and plastic pollution are pressing global issues that demand sustainable and innovative solutions. In the Philippines, a significant portion of fruit production ends up as waste, while reliance on traditional plastics continues to contribute to environmental degradation. This study aimed to address both concerns by developing bioplastic films using calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Saba Banana (Musa acuminata x balbisiana) peels. Three film types were produced: Calamansi-based, Saba Banana-based, and a blended film with a 30g Calamansi to 70g Saba Banana ratio. The films were tested for biodegradability, chemical resistance, and solubility. Biodegradability was assessed through a soil burial test in both controlled and non-controlled environments, while chemical resistance testing followed ASTM D543 standards, and a solubility test was conducted to measure the films’ solubility. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test to determine significant differences among the samples. Results showed that the blended film exhibited the highest biodegradability and the greatest resistance in both acidic and basic environments, demonstrating improved chemical properties compared to individual peel-based films. These findings highlight the potential of fruit peel waste as a sustainable material for environmentally friendly bioplastics
Predicting Energy Consumption Trends in the Philippines (2025-2030) Using Machine Learning Models
No full textEnergy security remains a significant concern for the Philippines amid rising demand, growing population, and continuous modernization. With the history of the Philippines’ problems in energy, attention to energy is necessary. With this, the study aims to forecast the Philippines\u27 possible annual energy consumption from 2025 to 2030, considering population growth as a potential variable influencing the Philippines’ projected energy consumption trends. The study employs a machine learning approach using the linear regression model, which was the model with the best performance in forecasting future energy consumption based on MATLAB’s Linear Regression Learner app. Prior to forecasting, historical data from 2010 to 2023 were analyzed in the study\u27s correlation analysis to assess the relationship between energy consumption and population growth, revealing a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.9). The linear regression model, on the other hand, showed high predictive accuracy ( R² = 0.93, RMSE = 4060.9 GWh, MAPE = 3.9%) with results projecting an increase in energy consumption from 109,750 GWh in 2024 to 122,710 GWh by 2030. The comparative analysis between DOE’s projected energy supply data and the study’s forecasted energy consumption indicates supply exceeding demand by 43,286 GWh by 2030. These findings suggest that DOE’s estimated energy supply is sufficient to meet the country’s needs through 2030
Distinguishing the Geographical Origins of Aquilaria malaccensis “Barri” in the Philippines using XRF-Based Multi-Element Profiling
No full textAquilaria malaccensis is a highly valued species due to its diverse applications in medicine, perfumery, religious rituals, luxury goods, and scientific research. However, its high value has led to overharvesting, resulting in its classification as an endangered species. Furthermore, it has also become subject to illegal harvesting, counterfeit products, and misrepresentation of the product’s origin to falsely enhance quality claims. This study aims to determine whether the geographical origin of A. malaccensis plants influences their leaves\u27 elemental composition, to discover whether elements show differences among Aquilaria samples from Cavite and Leyte, and to correlate the effect of environmental or regional factors to their elemental composition. The study utilized portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) technology to identify chemical fingerprints unique to samples sourced from Cavite and Leyte. By establishing distinct elemental profiles for A. malaccensis from these regions, the research sought to support the authentication of product origin and help safeguard the integrity of agarwood products in the market. The study explored whether the geographical location of A. malaccensis affected the elemental composition by analyzing 15 leaf samples from Leyte and Cavite using pXRF. Twenty-two elements were detected, and PCA revealed distinct regional groupings. K, Mg, S, P, and Al were higher in Cavite, while Si, Mn, Rb, and Sr were in Leyte. Overall, the XRF and PCA results confirmed that elemental composition differed significantly between regions, underscoring the strong influence of geographical origin. These findings highlight the potential of elemental profiling as a tool for geographic authentication, contributing to the conservation, regulation, and traceability of A. malaccensis and its derived products
Comparing Students’ Engagement and Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction in Blended and Traditional Learning Environments
No full textStudent engagement has changed as a result of blended learning, a learning modality that combines in-person instruction with online course delivery. Beyond the models that are frequently studied, engagement in other blended learning environments must be examined using a clearly defined framework; hence, this study aims to address this gap. This study compared and measured the basic psychological needs and engagement levels of two student populations, enriched virtual blended learning and traditional face-to-face learning, using the Self-Determination Theory as a framework. 115 senior high school students participated in the data collection process; 39 used the enriched virtual model, and 76 used the conventional face-to-face model. The key findings showed that: (i) the difference in the level of basic psychological needs satisfaction between the two groups was not statistically significant; (ii) affective engagement levels were significantly higher in the enriched virtual model while the level of behavioral engagement was significantly higher in the face-to-face model; and (iii) agentic engagement levels were significantly higher in the face-to-face model. In conclusion, while affective, behavioral, and agentic engagement levels produced significant differences, cognitive engagement and basic psychological needs satisfaction remained the same across both learning environments. Further opportunities for research would include making improvements to the sampling method as well as implementing more specific environmental variables, such as instructor availability, while further investigating its impact on agentic engagement
“Kailan ka magkakaanak?” Understanding the Rise of the Dual Income, No Kids Families in the Philippines
No full textThe Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) lifestyle is becoming popular in the Philippines as couples seek financial freedom and personal growth (Macaraeg, 2024). It is acknowledged that in the Philippines, where family-centered values hold significant importance, the decision to adopt a childfree lifestyle remains a relatively rare choice. The dearth of literature on Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) families in the Philippines creates a gap in understanding the phenomenon and fails to present how Filipino couples navigate this choice. To understand this, the study employed a Transcendental Phenomenological (TPh) approach, which involves understanding a phenomenon from the insight of an individual. The lack of literature on DINK families in the Philippines limits understanding of how couples navigate this choice. “The ABCs of Family Status” by Neal & Neal\u27s (2023) was used in the study to guide the research questions and analyze the data along with Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. The findings show that couples value the freedom to pursue their careers and personal goals without the responsibilities of parenthood. The paper recommends that future researchers use a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative surveys in order to gain a deeper understanding of the DINK lifestyle. This study highlights personal experiences but suggests future research incorporate statistical analysis and explore trends among middle-class millennials regarding their childfree choices. A mixed-methods approach is recommended to study this lifestyle, blending quantitative and qualitative methods to explore characteristics and prevalence among upper-middle-class working professionals and their evolving views on marriage and family