Animo Repository - De La Salle University Research
Not a member yet
45334 research outputs found
Sort by
Middlepowerness in RIMPAC: The case of France and the Philippines
No full textThe post-Cold War editions of the biennial US-led Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) has been dubbed the world’s largest multinational military exercise (MME) in the maritime domain. Its grandiosity is attributed to new participants, not limited to those in the Pacific Rim states, and persisting American allies that are largely attributed with being classified as middle powers. Shedding light on the experiences among the newer states’ participation debuts is limited by the literature showcasing RIMPAC as an MME in general, activities within RIMPAC, and state intentions for participation, compounded by the lack of theory-based analysis. This study aims to explain post-Cold War RIMPAC participation among newer participants by embedding a theoretical angle through the middle power IR framework. It argues that new, post-Cold War participants possess a Blue Water-level naval force that does not surpass the host nation; identifies as a partner: a junior partner to the great power host nation (US) and security guarantor for other states; and adheres to multilateralism by participating in multilateral interoperability activities of the exercise. The study looks at the cases of three post-Cold War participants, the Philippines and France, through Sarah Teo’s middle power IR framework. The study provides an understanding of Exercise RIMPAC and how more states could be engaged to join the exercise or other MMEs
The Japan-Philippine reparation negotiation, May 1953-April 1954: Bureaucratic activism and realistic offense
No full textThe Ohno-Garcia Memorandum concluded on April 15, 1954 was the first substance in the Japan-Philippine reparation negotiations. It came out of a series of intensive negotiations under a time constraint: The Okazaki-Neri talks, Ohno-Garcia talks and the Nagano-Garcia talks from May 1953-April 1954.This paper attempts to dig up facts of these talks and to make inquiry into the patterns of decision-making process in the two different politics. That Japan\u27s attitude has transformed into bureaucratic activism from conservatism is discernable in the effort of Foreign Minister Okazaki\u27s visit, the role of Mamoru Nagano as an informal negotiator and Katsumi Ohno-s prompt response. But conservatism remains to be observed in the dilemma Okazaki faced, the setback of the Ohno-Garcia Aide-Memoire, and the stalemate over the amount of payment. Economic legitimacy has governed the reparation question in Japan.The Philippine decision-makers, during the Presidential election campaign in 1953, withheld the reparation issue. When the new Administration came to power in Jan. 1954, realistic but highly political consideration was demonstrated in the acceptance of the idea of economic value, preference of Nagano\u27s private proposal and the finalizing by 400 million dollars. But such decision-making was subject to active opposition due not only to the concession made, but also to the violation of the traditional manner of decision-making.In general, Japanese negotiators were bound to the instructions of and loyal to the decision-makers where skillful group communication and relay work were required, while the Philippine negotiators were opposed by individuals or groups of decision-makers in the Senate where persuation and threatening were tactically required
Effectiveness of inquiry-based physics e-module on secondary school student academic performance in a face-to-face collaborative instruction
No full textThe Philippines’ Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 provides that the curriculum shall be learner-centered and use inquiry-based and collaborative pedagogical approaches to ensure desirable student academic performance. Despite said reforms, Filipino students registered dismal science results in international assessments. Enthused by this, the present study was aimed at documenting the effectiveness of inquiry-based physics e-modules on Grade 10 student academic performance in a face-to-face collaborative instruction. Employing a quasi-experimental research and 26 participants in each control group (using print modules) and experimental group (e-modules), findings show no significant difference in the achievement test scores between the two groups. Conversely, the control group had better overall engagement and cognitive and emotional engagement, but inferior classroom discourse quality. The experimental group classroom discourse is marked by diverse extended student contributions such as explanation, evaluation, argumentation, and justification. Given these, it can be argued that the use of inquiry-based e-module cannot only facilitate learning of physics concepts, but also ensure deep understanding among students, enabling them in a quality classroom discourse.
Keywords: inquiry-based, e-modules, engagement, classroom discours
Investment decision-making behaviors among millennial bank employees during the pandemic: Antecedents and outcomes
No full textThis study examines how millennial bank employees in the Philippines navigated investment decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, applying behavioral finance to assess personal traits, pandemic anxiety, and investment perceptions. A cross-sectional survey of 306 participants showed demographic factors (age, gender, financial literacy) and psychological variables (economic/health anxiety, risk perceptions) shaped investment behaviors (choice, amount, frequency, horizon). Findings revealed a “barbell strategy”: cash reserves (64.1%), bonds (68.6%), and alternative investments (86.3%). High financial literacy (M = 5.97/7) predicted longer horizons (β = 0.323, p = 0.001), while perceived risk drove riskier stocks (β = 0.273, p = 0.001), aligning with prospect theory’s loss-domain risk-seeking. Financial anxiety reduced investment amounts (β = -0.050, p = 0.023) but increased monitoring (β = 0.045, p = 0.048); health anxiety spurred risk-taking (β = 0.069, p = 0.004). Moderate asset exposure optimized satisfaction (M = 64.98). This study advances behavioral finance by showing crisis-driven biases persist among experts, advocating hybrid financial products and policies addressing psychosocial stressors to enhance resilience in emerging markets
Opulace
Get PDFOpulace is a student-led business founded in January 2025. It responds to the increased demand among Generation Z consumers for stylish, affordable accessories or ‘anik-aniks.’ The brand sells shoelace charms, shoe chains, and mesh shoelaces, offering customers jewelry for leveling up their fashion in a unique manner: by adorning their footwear. Operating as a sole proprietorship, Opulace is controlled by four founders: Zei Salazar (General Manager), Andre Mempin (Operations Manager), Kristianna Naron (Finance Manager), and Charisse Alagar (Marketing Manager), whose positions align with their respective strengths. The team is supported by mentors, Chester Lin and Christine Marañon, who provide strategic and developmental guidance. Opulace targets students aged 16-25, and it reaches them through physical bazaars, Instagram marketing, and word-of-mouth referrals. The business made its marketing presence during the DLSU SHS ABM Product Launch, bringing in ₱19,894 in revenue during February, which affirmed strong market potential and product-market fit. Since then, further demand has been maintained through online order processing. Russet Accessories and Solasta are the main players in the industry, according to competitive analysis. However, in contrast to its competitors, Opulace focuses on footwear jewelry, a small and new niche in the accessories industry. Additionally, Opulace exhibits minimalist branding and is responsive to trends. Started with a capital of ₱18,000 equally contributed by the founders, the business’s profits, currently reinvested to increase inventory and improve marketing strategies, will eventually be evenly distributed to the owners when operations cease after first donating 5% to DLSU SHORE
On the planarity of paths, cycles, and wheels under some graph operations
No full textGraphs that can be represented on a flat surface without any edge crossings are called planar. Alongside numerous practical applications, previous studies also characterized planar graphs and presented constructions for various larger planar graphs, with the latter introducing graph operations: adding an edge, adding a pair of edges, and replacing a region. The research that inspired this paper showed that for complete tripartite graphs of order ≤ 9, only 1,1,1, 2,2,2, 2,3,3, and 3,3,3 contain a spanning maximal planar graph, which was followed by another study that extended their work to complete 4-partite graphs. The proposed research then aims to determine the maximum size of the spanning planar subgraphs of paths, cycles, and wheels, when transformed by graph powers and graph complements. In particular, we present results on the maximal spanning planar subgraphs of the graph powers, , , and , and the graph complements , C, and W
Preparation and evaluation of bean-derived liprotide nanocarriers to enhance curcumin cytotoxicity against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells
No full textCancer is a dynamic and complex disease that has caused the death of millions and begs ever more intensive research. This study contributed to these efforts by synthesizing a novel type of nanocomplex, liprotides, from mung and soybean proteins with the objective of delivering curcumin to colorectal cancer cells. The proteins were extracted through alkaline and isoelectric precipitation methods, then separated into their albumin (mung albumin, MA, and soy albumin, SA) and globulin (mung globulin, MG, and soy globulin, SG) fractions, following quantification by the Bradford assay. These protein fractions were then mixed with oleic acid under mild heating conditions (80℃) to synthesize the target core-shell complexes: mung albumin liprotides (MAL), mung globulin liprotides (MGL), soy albumin liprotides (SAL), and soy globulin liprotides (SGL). Successful complexation was denoted by changes in the IR spectra and secondary structure distributions, increased denaturation temperatures, and apparent turbidity changes in each liprotide solution compared to its protein starting material. The complexes were then combined with curcumin to achieve encapsulation of the drug by spontaneous hydrophobic interactions, where MAL showed the highest encapsulation at 91% efficiency, followed by SAL at 65.09%, SGL at 60.60%, and MGL at 59.58%. Transmission electron micrographs of the curcumin-loaded MAL and SAL showed evidence of encapsulation by increased particle diameter and hyperpigmentation of the core structure. Finally, the cytotoxicity of each liprotide and its curcumin inclusion complexes against HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line was investigated. The SGL treatment showed significant evidence of cytotoxic activity, resulting in cell viability reduction to 67.43 ± 1.01% alone, while upon the inclusion of curcumin, cell viability was further depleted to 61.33 ± 2.68% after 24 hours
Just B
No full textFormed by Ohana in May 2024, Just B provides quality gadget sleeves to the market. The business began promoting through an introductory post on its Facebook and Instagram pages. Currently, Just B is at the stage of product commercialization, serving in the technology accessory industry. Several prominent features of its products are customizability, durability, and compactness. Simultaneously, Just B owns business rights to its brand logo, tagline, and name. Ohana functions as a sole proprietorship organization due to its advantages, such as minimal startup requirements. Behind Ohana are Chief Executive Officer Lance Sanico, Chief Marketing Officer Emiel Balais, Chief Logistics Officer Kim Mendoza, and Chief Financial Officer Iris Pabiloña. These roles were chosen through the members’ experience and knowledge in handling their respective fields. The support group of Ohana is led by the CEO of the business. Just B’s market grows further with more firms entering the industry due to the rise of gadget usage. The business targets the academic community of De La Salle University Manila, which utilizes iPads and laptop devices. Moreover, these individuals may need a protective yet spacious gadget case. To penetrate the market, Ohana focuses on in-person and online advertising activities. Launched in the ABM Bazaar, Just B has no direct competitors, being the sole business offering gadget sleeves. The initial capital required for Just B is Php 20,295. This is financed equally by each member’s savings and will be returned alongside the profits after dissolution
Love Across Borders: A Qualitative Exploration of Cultural Dynamics in the Romantic Relationships of Foreign Students and their Filipino Partners
Get PDFGlobalization has significantly impacted education in the Philippines, notably with the influx of international students coming into the country for educational opportunities. This phenomenon has led to numerous studies examining the various aspects of their experiences, such as their cultural adaptation processes, academic difficulties, and economic contributions. However, their interpersonal relationships, particularly their more intimate connections, have been largely overlooked. This study aims to probe into this, focusing on the dynamics, navigation strategies, and external influences that shape these relationships. Utilizing both online and face-to-face interviews, as well as online surveys, the experiences of nine (9) intercultural couples, each of whom consisted of a foreign student and their Filipino partner, were gathered. Findings indicate that intercultural couples often encounter divergences in their cultural traditions and practices, courtship and relationship initiation norms, communication and language use, values and beliefs, and social and behavioral expectations. Nevertheless, it was observed that these differences also served as both a learning experience and a source of positive interactions rather than a mere catalyst for conflictual dynamics. To address these dynamics, couples primarily engaged in cultural exchanges, open communication and mutual respect, and expressions of care and affection. Furthermore, these couples predominantly had strong support systems and demonstrated self-determination and personal autonomy. Though some have also cited the absence of significant external influences, instances of societal judgement, racial discrimination, familial resistance, and peer pressure were frequently raised given the nature of the relationship
Enhanced degradation of trimethoprim by VUV/Fe2+/Percarbonate: Optimization by response surface methodology
No full textTrimethoprim (TMP), an antibiotic used for treating urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal infections, has been classified as a contaminant of emerging concern (CEC) due to detected amounts in water bodies, including surface water (30–150 ng/L) and wastewater effluent (20–37,000 ng/L). In addition, the European Watchlist (2022) monitors a list of substances in water that may pose a risk to the environment and human health. In the list issued, TMP was identified to be one of them. Furthermore, conventional wastewater treatments were insufficient in removing TMP. Advanced oxidation process (AOP) was found to be a promising solution. Hence, in this study, VUV/Fe2+/Percarbonate was used to determine TMP degradation efficiency. Parameters such as pH, Fe2+, and percarbonate concentration were optimized using response surface methodology (Box-Behnken Design). ANOVA results reported that both pH and Fe2+concentrations have significant effects on the system’s degradation efficiency. The optimized experimental conditions (pH=3, [SPC] = 1.8977mM, [Fe2+] = 250 µM) at 1 min resulted in a 99.99% degradation efficiency. It followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics, giving kobs of 0.147 s-1. Furthermore, •OH, CO₃•⁻, and O₂• radical contributions were identified using radical scavenging solutions, tert-butyl alcohol, phenol, and ascorbic acid, respectively. The main radicals in the system were identified to be •OH and CO₃•. Moreover, inorganic ions (NO₃⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, and SO₄²⁻) and natural organic matter (NOM) represented by humic acid (HA) were tested. An optimal degradation efficiency of 99.99% was reduced to 64.58%, 81.35%, 98.60%, 99.26%, 99.77% and 95.73%, respectively. A mixture of all ions and HA was found to inhibit TMP degradation, resulting in 37.76%. The significant inhibition of the mixture of ions was attributed to i) hydroxyl radical scavenging, ii) complex iron formation, and iii) VUV light shielding effect