Animo Repository - De La Salle University Research
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Mechanochemical synthesis and characterization of TpPa-1 covalent organic framework for a potential quercetin drug delivery system
No full textCovalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) are networks of light organic elements bound together by covalent bonds. These frameworks are deemed highly promising due to their large surface area, low density, chemical and thermal stability, tunable pores, and biocompatibility. Among the classes of COFs, β-ketoenamine COFs have not been extensively explored as a potential material for drug encapsulation. As such, this study explores the potential of TpPa-1 as a drug delivery system for Quercetin. Utilizing its monomers (1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol or Tp and p-phenylenediamine or Pa-1), TpPa-1 was synthesized catalytically with p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) via a green mechanochemical method. After identity confirmation with ATR-FTIR, TpPa-1 was loaded with quercetin using DMSO as solvent. The bare TpPa-1 and the loaded QUE@TpPa-1 were characterized via 13C CP-MAS ssNMR, ATR-FTIR, SEM, TEM, TGA, DSC, and CHNS Elemental Analysis. These results confirmed the successful synthesis of TpPa-1 (average yield = 75.13%) and loading of QUE@TpPa-1 (%EE = 25.93%). Following this, TpPa-1’s drug loading capacity was determined to be 90.97% at ~2 hours. This coincides with the Freundlich Isotherm (R2 = 0.9753, Kf = 0.0169, 1/n = 1.5382) fitted to the adsorption kinetics of quercetin onto TpPa-1, indicating strong adsorbent-adsorbate interactions, reversible adsorption, and physisorption as the dominant interaction. Lastly, a pH-facilitated drug release of QUE@TpPa-1 was conducted, which exhibited relatively higher release (0.01% release) in basic medium (pH = 8.2) than in acidic (pH = 1.2) and neutral (pH 7.4) media, 0.0035% and 0.0024% release, respectively. The results imply that TpPa-1 has high potential to be a drug carrier as it remains stable across varying pH and is capable of adsorbing a large amount of quercetin. Further studies must be conducted on improving the drug release of loaded TpPa-1
Fetomaternal outcomes among cesarean section parturients administered with norepinephrine vs. phenylephrine for post-spinal anesthesia hypotension: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textPost-spinal anesthesia hypotension during cesarean delivery poses significant risks to maternal cardiac output and fetal oxygenation. Although phenylephrine (PE) is the standard vasopressor, its use is linked to an increased incidence of maternal bradycardia. In contrast, norepinephrine (NE) offers a more favorable hemodynamic profile and is emerging as a promising alternative. This systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials compared NE and PE for the prevention and treatment of post-spinal hypotension in cesarean section parturients. Our findings demonstrate that while NE and PE are equally effective in managing hypotension, NE significantly reduces the incidence of maternal bradycardia (OR = 0.49 [CI: 0.38 to 0.62]) and shows a trend toward fewer adverse maternal events, such as dizziness and reactive hypertension. Additionally, neonatal outcomes indicated a lower birth weight with NE—although still within the normal range— along with tendencies toward lower umbilical arterial lactate levels and improved umbilical vein blood gas pH. These results support NE as a viable alternative to PE, particularly for lowering the incidence of maternal bradycardia, and provide crucial evidence for updating clinical practice guidelines to enhance maternal and neonatal care during cesarean deliveries
Exploring Interfaith Narratives Among Young Filipinos in Faith-based Youth Organizations
No full textGiven the scarcity of studies on interfaith leadership beyond Roman Catholicism in the Philippine context, this study explores the lived experiences, motivations, and beliefs of youth leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, including Born Again Christianity, Buddhism, Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestantism, and Islam. Using a multiple-case narrative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted among eight youth leaders from various Faith-Based Youth Organizations and analyzed using Reissman’s Narrative Approach (2005). Findings show that leadership in FBYOs is driven by various spiritual, social, personal, and familial factors, with the most dominant being spiritual commitment, social responsibility, personal growth, and familial influence. These roles have been observed to enhance leadership skills, strengthen faith, and foster interfaith dialogue, promoting unity among diverse religious groups and beliefs. Additionally, results have shown that these FBYO leaders perceive their roles in spiritual, administrative, and interpersonal viewpoints, with discipleship, management, and planning, and reliable leadership being dominant. Moreover, the interest in joining an organization seemed to have started at a young age, while some joined due to external motivations such as making friends or personal struggles. Participants also reported gaining confidence, leadership skills, and communication skills after assuming leadership roles. Leadership, therefore, transforms the faith of Filipino youth from tradition to personal commitment, strengthening their sense of responsibility and connection to their beliefs. Hence, FBYOs should provide mentorship, leadership training, and interfaith dialogue to support youth leaders, as well as aspiring leaders, in balancing faith, service, and personal growth
A Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Model for the Hourly Forecasting of Climatological Data in General Santos City
No full textThrough multivariate time series exploration, the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model was developed to predict marked climatological data for General Santos City, Philippines. The dataset, which covered the period from January 01, 2001, until June 30, 2024, was obtained from the NASA POWER API and included crucial variables: surface pressure, specific humidity, wind speed, air temperature, precipitation, and UV irradiance. The study recorded significant diurnal and seasonal trends, which could be observed in the surface pressure, specific humidity, air temperature, and UV irradiance that displayed the predictable cycles. Precipitation demonstrated limited seasonality, as it represented the localized tropical rain patterns. The trend analysis mentioned the increasing trend of surface pressure and air temperature while the humidity, wind speed, and precipitation showed a decreasing trend, representing drier and warmer conditions generally. The results of the Granger causality test clearly depicted that among these variables, there were interdependencies, therefore it is suggested multivariate approaches are essential for the climate forecast to be more accurate. The most suitable VAR(168) model produced impressive results for the stable variables, which are, surface pressure, and air temperature with high accuracy. With this model, the city’s climatological dynamics are thoroughly learned, and along the lines, it is possible to establish a basis for the city’s project in climate adaptation and resource management. Subsequent versions of the model may have to zero in on potential refinement to help elevate the accuracy of the UV irradiance and the precipitation variables, which are volatile
Millennial leadership during the time of crisis among Philippine public schools: A single case study
No full textThis study explores the leadership practices of millennial school principals in Philippine public schools during crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. As the largest generational cohort in the workforce, millennials are increasingly assuming leadership roles in education, confronting challenges that demand adaptability, innovation, and strategic decision-making. Using a qualitative single-case study design, the research examined how six millennial principals in the cities of Manila and Cebu navigated leadership amidst uncertainty, with data gathered through in-depth interviews and documentation and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Findings reveal that millennial school principals defined leadership during crisis both as a strategy—highlighting continuity and accountability, distributed and collaborative decision-making, and style flexibility and innovation—and as an opportunity, promoting career and community transformation alongside grit and learning orientation. Their leadership practices during crisis were thematically organized into seven dimensions, each reflecting a generational shift: data-driven decision-making and accountability signaled a move from intuition-led authority to evidence-based accountability; operational agility and resourcefulness marked a shift from standardized procedures to context-sensitive responsiveness; digital innovation and constructive disruption reflected a departure from system preservation to learning reinvention; personal growth and career empowerment revealed a shift from positional authority to developmental empowerment; inclusive collaboration and egalitarian leadership represented a move from command-and-control to connect-and-collaborate interaction; visionary purpose and social responsibility highlighted a shift from institutional compliance to values-driven stewardship; and holistic health and well-being demonstrated a change from protocol-driven management to people-centered care. The study’s primary contribution is the Millennial Leadership During the Time of Crisis among Philippine Public Schools Framework, which operationalizes the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH) domains through a generational lens. This framework offers a nuanced understanding of how millennial school principals integrate strategic responsiveness with growth-oriented transformation in times of disruption, advancing leadership theory, informing education policy and professional development, and calling for further research on intergenerational leadership dynamics and post-crisis transitions in education
Beyond the Dark Hours: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences, Coping Strategies, and Workplace Dynamics of Graveyard Shift Workers
Get PDFGraveyard shifts are often correlated with poor working hours and may lead to a reduced level of cognitive and emotional function. Current studies focus on the physical effects of this schedule but often overlook the unique challenges of maintaining a work-life balance under such conditions. Through in-depth interviews, this study explores the psychological and emotional impact of long-term graveyard shifts, along with the coping mechanisms workers use to balance their work and personal lives. The findings of this study reveal that graveyard shift workers commonly experience social isolation, often distancing themselves from friends and family. Emotionally, they report feelings of loneliness and exclusion. To counteract this and support their well-being, these workers prioritize activities that enhance their personal and social lives, such as spending quality time with loved ones, reconnecting with personal routines during rest days, getting longer sleep, and engaging in physical exercise. In order to manage both work and personal responsibilities, they rely on specific coping strategies. Key methods include prioritizing rest outside of work and maintaining consistent routines. Graveyard shifts take a toll on the body, mind, and emotions. Workers often depend on their families and must adjust to demanding hours. However, with effective coping strategies—often family-oriented or rooted in their time off—they can manage these challenges. They typically value rest at home over doing additional work, helping them maintain a better balance between their job and personal life
Brewed Hues: Sustainable Innovations in Art Supplies
Get PDFEstablished in May 2024, Brewed Hues is a social enterprise dedicated to rethinking art through sustainability. It provides handcrafted coffee-paint kits made through a VOC-free production process, limiting environmental damage while fostering creativity. The brand has utilized both Instagram marketing and events, such as ABM Bazaar, to connect and create genuine engagement with conscientious consumers. Brewed Hues, situated in the arts and crafts industry, is in a growth stage, having completed its first sales and currently diversifying its offerings with culturally themed designs and planning to upcycle used coffee grounds. Brewed Hues\u27 innovation comes in the form of repurposing organic waste while actively avoiding harmful chemicals and providing a product that is environmentally and socially responsible. Brewed Hues functions as a sole proprietorship in order to keep control streamlined, with the owner along with a core team of skills in relation to production, marketing, finance, and human resources. The team has strategic support from local coffee farmers, SHS faculty members, and sustainability advocates. The target market consists of students, hobbyists, and environmentally conscious artists looking for sustainable art tools. Major competitors include fellow ABM Bazaar sellers, who successfully launched their businesses. Initial funding required ₱8,428 to cover expenses, with total sales of ₱11,924. There are no outside investors; all profits are reinvested. Brewed Hues is looking for ongoing equity financing and to pay off stakeholders through consistent revenue and company brand growth. Brewed Hues\u27 cash flow projections will have enough stability to help redefine eco-art in the Philippines
Optimizing Sea Grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera) Extract Concentration for Maximum Larval Mortality
Get PDFThis research investigates the larvicidal potential of Caulerpa lentillifera, commonly known as sea grapes. Specifically, it aims to determine whether 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% concentrations of C. lentillifera extract can significantly increase mosquito larval mortality after four hours of exposure. The experiment followed standardized guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO), and larval mortality was calculated using Abbott’s formula. This research investigates the larvicidal potential of C. lentillifera, commonly known as lato sea grapes. Specifically, it aims to determine whether 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% concentrations of C. lentillifera extract can significantly increase mosquito larval mortality after four hours of exposure. Prior research by Mariam et al. (2021) on larvicides was also referenced. An experimental approach was employed, and data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine significant differences among concentrations. Results indicated that 20% was the most optimal concentration; although 30% had the highest mean mortality rate, the lack of statistically significant difference between 20% and 30% suggests that 20% is sufficient to achieve effective results while conserving resources. Ethical standards were strictly observed throughout the research, including safe laboratory practices, proper waste disposal, and responsible data management in accordance with relevant regulations. AI tools such as ChatGPT, Quillbot, and Grammarly were used exclusively for organizing and refining the language, without affecting data validity. These findings suggest that C. lentillifera has potential as a biocide-free mosquito larvicide, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical repellents
Development of a wet oxidation process for the mass production of 940 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)
No full textThe demand for high-performance Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) operating at a wavelength of 940 nm has significantly increased due to their applications in optical communication, sensing, and consumer electronics. This thesis investigates the wet oxidation process as a viable method for the fabrication of VCSELs, focusing on optimizing this technique to enhance production efficiency and device performance at a mass production scale
The research begins by examining the fundamental operating principles, device structure, and application domains of 940 nm VCSELs, followed by a systematic exploration of the fabrication process, emphasizing epitaxial growth and oxidation techniques crucial for current and optical confinement.
A robust wet oxidation process is developed through optimization of key parameters, including temperature, oxidation time, and nitrogen flow, to achieve precise and reproducible control over oxide aperture size and depth. Post-oxidation characterization is carried out using a combination of optical microscopy (OM), infrared (IR) microscopy, and focused ion beam (FIB) analysis to assess surface quality, aperture uniformity, and cross-sectional morphology. In addition, the oxidation kinetics of high-Al-content AlₓGa₁₋ₓAs layers (x \u3e 0.98) are analyzed to establish a quantitative relationship between aluminum composition and oxidation behavior, enabling rapid in-line feedback for process control.
Finally, to ensure compatibility with mass production requirements, batch-to-batch repeatability and within-wafer uniformity are evaluated. Process control methodologies such as standardized operating procedures (SOP) and statistical process control (SPC) are implemented to maintain oxide aperture dimensions within 9.8 ± 1 μm and wafer-level uniformity below 10%, ensuring high yield and long-term process stability.
This thesis contributes to the broader field of optoelectronics by providing a comprehensive understanding of the wet oxidation process, establishing guidelines for its implementation in mass production while ensuring the optimization of device performance. The findings aim to facilitate advancements in VCSEL technology and its integration into future applications.
Keywords: 940 nm VCSEL, wet oxidation process, mass productio