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Surgical removal of a cervical sialocele in a 9-year-old intact female Shih Tzu
No full textBackground: A sialocele is an accumulation of saliva in the subcutaneous tissues after leakage from a damaged salivary gland or duct. A 9-year-old, intact, female, Shih Tzu was brought to the UP Veterinary Teaching Hospital and presented with a firm mass on the left submandibular to cranial cervical area. Based on the patient history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and cytology, the dog was diagnosed with a cervical salivary mucocele or sialocele, possibly due to a defect in the left mandibular to sublingual salivary glands or gland-duct complex. A prior treatment regimen using corticosteroids and antibiotics had no effect on the size and consistency of the sialocele, further indicating surgical removal. Methodology: Surgical management via lateral approach was done to treat the sialocele via excision of the left mandibular and sublingual salivary glands along with their associated salivary ducts. Results: Treatment resulted in good post-operative healing in the submandibular to cervical region with no observed recurrence of sialocele. Conclusion: Histopathologic findings of the excised mass confirmed the sialocele and revealed focally extensive granulation tissue, multiple sialoliths, and sialadenitis. Case findings support that lateral approach sialoadenectomy was effective treatment for the patient\u27s ailment
Effects of Transportation on the Job Retention of UPLB BS Economics Graduates
No full textThis study makes an attempt to show how transportation affects individuals\u27 decision-making in staying in their jobs, termed as job retention in this paper. Previous studies showed that a person\u27s decision to stay is driven by various factors such as their sociodemographic characteristics where age and income positively relates to job retention as well as employees\u27 work environment. However, there limitation in available studies that investigated transportation as a factor in this decision-making. Transportation, transportation infrastructure, and the mobility of people have improved over time. This is also true for individuals\u27 jobs whether they have a physical office or have adopted hybrid and/or online modes of working. In the Philippines, traffic congestion has long been a problem, and the country\u27s traffic ranks among the worst in the world. Given the aim of the study to determine the role of transportation in this decision, this study employed a logistic regression using data collected from UPLB BS Economics graduates through an online survey. The model included sociodemographic characteristics, transportation variables, and work environment variables.
With the results, it was found that variables from the model have effects on decision to stay but limited variables has statistically significant results such as age, cost of home rental, household income, work-to-home travel time, and work-to-home distance. It was also found that the effect of transportation on decision to stay is reflected in the results taken from work-to-home travel time and work-to-home distance where better transportation affects job retention positively. The role of transportation on job retention is the ease it provides for the worker and how the availability of the means of transportations contributes to that ease. However, the sample size for this study only 40 out of the 135 target respondents which is a hindrance in the author\u27s capability to make inferences
Effects of the Perceived Scarcity Promotions on Consumer Impulse Buying Behavior in Online Shopping of Fashion Products
No full textThis study explores the effects of perceived scarcity promotions on impulse buying behavior among Filipino consumers in the online shopping of fashion products. The rise of e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada has revolutionized the shopping experience which frequently employs scarcity promotion. Scarcity promotions create a perception of limited availability or time prompting consumers to make impulsive purchasing decisions. Fashion products are particularly susceptible to these promotional tools which are leveraged due to the influences of the fast-paced trends. In this regard, consumers have brought a sense of immediacy influenced by their perceived value of the promotions that prove the effectiveness of these marketing tools. Thus, to further understand how consumers\u27 impulse behavior is influenced by their perception of scarcity promotion, impulse buying tendency and spending patterns were examined. The study adopted the measurement scale of Badgaiyan et al. (2016) to quantify the impulse buying tendency across 199 undergraduate students of the UPLB. In determining the effects of the perceived scarcity promotions and impulse buying behavior and eliminating possible selection biases, a Heckman and 2SLS analysis was conducted. The findings of this study underscore the influence of monthly income, number of multiple shopping applications installed, perception of limited-time promotions, and reception of electronic word-of-mouth on the impulsive tendency level of consumers. Furthermore, the study has identified a significant positive relationship between the predicted impulse buying tendency and consumer spending on fashion products. However, given the results in eliminating the sample selection bias, addressing the endogeneity with 2SLS cannot fully establish the relationship between scarcity promotions and impulse buying behavior thus, Heckman Selection model was recommended
Mangoholiday Crisps (Formerly Carla\u27s Crispeeling) : An Entrepreneurial Venture Report
No full textMangoHolidaysCrisps, previously known as Carla[\u27s Crispeeling is a sole proprietorship enterprise owned and operated by Carla Isabelle P. Dela Cruz with the aim to successfully reposition Carla\u27s Crispeeling into a snack brand offering consumers an elevated snacking experience that celebrates the richness of mango peel and pulp in every bite. With a mission to provide comfort through unique snack offerings, serving as a trusted companion in the chaos of everyday life. While the business envisions to be the foremost provider of snacks that bring joy to people\u27s lives and be the go-to brand for moments of relaxation, companionship, and celebration, enhancing every experience with satisfying flavors and comforting presence.
During the two months of operations from March to May 2024, the market potential of transforming mango into chips was verified, but the sustainability aspect was not achieved since it was mango off-season. Therefore retail quality mangoes purchased at regular price were used for production. The two months served as the prototyping period to test the feasibility of the product and to standardize the production process.
Idealistic motivations started the business by initially planning to utilize only the mango peels, but the owner had to use what was available in the market during the two months of actual operation. Although in the future, the business aims to use mangoes harvested from the owner\u27s farm and add value by processing the peel and the pulp increasing the shelf life from originally 14 days to an estimated 6-12 months once transformed into a dehydrated mango kropek .
Mangoholiday Crisps aims to achieve the aforementioned goals through activities such as sourcing mango, toll manufacturing with a local manufacturer for the production of mango kropek , conducting frying, flavoring, and packaging. In addition to that would be publishing marketing materials to boost sales. The enterprise operates as a small-scale operation with just a few employees composed of family members and utilizing the residential area for the frying to packaging process
Analysis of the Marketing Strategies of Selected Pandemic-Emerged Coffee Shops in Quezon City
No full textCoffee landscapes are continuously evolving, which allowed for the café culture to grow in the Philippines. Its growth is continuously thriving, evidenced by the growing number of coffee production, consumption, and various coffee shops in different areas. With this comes the consumers’ heightened appreciation in the commodity’s value chain, and the continuous shift in their coffee consumption patterns and preferences. With the Department of Agriculture’s forecast of a continuous increase in the number of coffee shops in the next few years, this poses a challenge for current and aspiring coffee shop owners to continuously differentiate themselves from their competitors. This study analyzed the current marketing strategies of these coffee shops, provided insights on their best practices, and gave recommendations that would further improve their marketing strategies.
This qualitative descriptive research focused on pandemic-emerged coffee shops from Quezon City, as it houses the largest number of modern coffee shops in Metro Manila. Descriptive analysis was used in determining common patterns in the marketing strategies of respondents from nine (9) pandemic-emerged coffee shops in the area (De Leon, 2021). Insights and information to be gathered from this study would be beneficial to new and aspiring coffee shop owners, coffee shop mentors, marketing professionals, and future researchers.
Coffee brands often target students and working professionals because these groups tend to develop regular coffee-drinking habits. These target groups can be further divided into coffee enthusiasts, who simply enjoy coffee, and coffee connoisseurs, who are more particular about the flavor and brewing methods. Coffee consumers have diverse needs. Some prioritize finding a go-to drink for their daily routine, while others view coffee shops as a destination for a special treat, typically enjoyed once a week. After identifying these customer segments, brands determine which ones to target. The study reveals that a majority of respondents still favor a full-market coverage strategy. This means they design their products to appeal to the general public\u27s taste preferences. Each brand would then decide on their positioning and differentiation strategy. Brands position themselves based on their drinks\u27 quality compared to price, benefits offered, or what competitors provide. In terms of differentiation, brands tend to differentiate through their products, experiences, relationships, and image. Among these strategies, brand mainly differentiate themselves through the quality and variety of their product offerings.
When it come to the product, the respondents provide value based on emotional and functional aspects. This means that they aim to serve products that are of good quality, they strive to build connections with their customers, and they offer a variety of products that would appeal to a customer\u27s sense of taste and smell. When deciding what to sell, businesses prioritize three factors: understanding customer preferences, the quality of raw materials, and current market trends.
As for the price, brands mainly offer a premium or value product. Those who price premium target those who treat coffee as a reward, while those who offer a value product targets people who drink coffee on a daily basis. Located in high-traffic areas, these brands ensure their physical design and social media visuals seamlessly reflect their brand identity.
Effective promotion strategies include social media marketing, content marketing, community building, and word of mouth marketing, while ineffectiveness was observed in traditional marketing efforts, and regularly running social media ads. In terms of relationship management, the brands are able to connect to their customers through initiating conversations, showing respect amidst customer complaints, and allowing personalization. As for their partners, they are able to maintain a good relationship by building relationships with them and following agreements.
A main challenge encountered by the brands includes staying c\u27 consistent on social media. This is because they would rather focus on the brands daily operations, despite recognizing the importance of social media marketing. Most of these brands do not encounter a challenge when it come to operations and human resources, since they have already fine-tuned a workflow that would fir their operations. As for the finances, the inconsistency of sales is considered a challenge, given that there are non-peak seasons for the brand.
Despite the challenges, these brands achieve success in unique ways. Unlike traditional businesses prioritizing rapid expansion, many choose to prioritize serving their communities or elevating the quality of their coffee. Factors that contribute to their success include ensuring a good quality cup of coffee and developing a tight knit community for the brand. The Department of Agriculture\u27s (DA) prediction of a growing Philippine coffee shop market in 2020 is expected to be accompanied by a rise in independent coffee shops. These smaller, local businesses prioritize high-quality coffee and fostering a sense of community, differentiating themselves from larger chains focused on rapid expansion.
From these results, recommendations were provided for aspiring and new coffee shop owners, the respondents of the study, and for future researchers who would like to replicate the study. For aspiring and new coffee shop owners, it is recommended to determine whether they want to grow through expansion, or they would rather focus on coffee or a community. Brands who want to focus on rapid growth are recommended to create quality coffee that would suit the taste of the general public. Brands who want to focus on enhancing the coffee experience and on the community should be aware and adaptive of the community\u27s changing needs, and of coffee\u27s new innovations. Individual recommendations were given to the respondents of the study which include hiring a social media manager, increasing product accessibility, promoting filter coffee, among others. As for further studies, it is recommended to compare the strategies of emerging types of coffee shops from various places in the country, and to have an in-depth study of brands\u27 coffee quality measures
A Case Study of KLT Fruits, Inc.
No full textThe Philippines is known as a tropical country, with banana, pineapple, mango, and calamansi being the top-produced tropical fruits, consumed either fresh or processed. Fresh fruits are often seen and purchased directly in local public markets and groceries, and some are even traded as export products to other countries. On the other hand, processed fruits have a fair share in fruit consumption. By transforming the fruits’ properties with proper processes and equipment, purees, concentrates, powders, jams, frozen, and leathers, among others, become available for consumers and for other manufacturers to be used as inputs to produce fruit-based products. The market for processed and frozen fruit products is expected to increase locally and globally, with 5.31% and 6.93% compound annual growth rates by 2028 to 2030, respectively.
KLT Fruits, Inc., a tropical fruit processing company operating for four decades in the industry, is the subject of this study. Specifically, this study intended to: (a) determine the current external environmental factors affecting KLT Fruits, Inc.; (b) identify the current situation of the company’s internal environment in terms of its four business functions namely marketing, operations, human resources, and finance; (c) assess its key business issues; (d) formulate alternative solutions to the determined business challenges; and (e) recommend plans for the company’s different functional areas in order to enhance overall performance. This study employed a descriptive design, specifically adopting a case study approach, to effectively achieve its objectives.
The conducted study used primary and secondary data, collected between February and May 2024. The primary data were collected through Key Informant Interviews (KII) with the management and officer employees of KLT Fruits, Inc. who consented and provided information on the different functions of the company. To acquire information pertinent to the industry and environment of the company, secondary data were primarily sourced from online resources. These resources included journals, articles, publications, and websites of the company and government agencies.
The external environment factors of KLT Fruits, Inc. were analyzed through macroenvironment and microenvironment. Macroenvironment factors involved political- legal, economic, social, technological, and environmental aspects, which all encompassed factors in PESTLE analysis. The microenvironment included the competitors, suppliers, and customers of KLT Fruits, Inc., whereas the data from these were used to accomplish Porter’s Five Forces analysis, determining the intense competition in the industry. Apart from these two tools for analysis, an external factor evaluation (EFE) matrix was also performed wherein opportunities and threats were identified and assessed. There is a high expected growth rate for processed and frozen fruits, increased consumer preferences for responsible food production, and import-dependent global regions which present as some of the opportunities for the company. However, threats cannot be overlooked as they might pose risks to the operations of the company negatively, including the price volatility of fruits, suppliers’ price sensitivity, food inflation, international disputes, and the competitive positioning of its competitor.
The study presented the profile of KLT Fruits, Inc. and analyzed the status of its internal environment across four business functions: human resources, marketing, operations, and finance. KLT Fruits, Inc., a family-owned corporation, was founded in 1984, which started from the Lao Tian family’s passion for developing food products. The company’s main office is located in Mandaluyong City, while its 1.8-hectare processing plant is strategically situated in an industrial estate in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. This plant can process eight product lines using over 11 types of locally sourced tropical fruits. KLT Fruits, Inc. has established both domestic and international markets, with export sales comprising 60% to 70% of the total annual sales, with destinations such as the USA, Korea, Japan, and the company’s major export market, China. Its mission is to process natural, safe, healthy, and quality food products to meet its customers\u27 demands and expectations, and the company to become the leading food company producing and distributing industrial and institutional food products locally and globally.
Based on the information provided by the employees of KLT Fruits, Inc., supplemented by the official company website, the major strengths of the company include its established markets, supplier relations, accreditations (e.g., ISO, HACCP, GMP), and capacity in production. Its weaknesses encompass the high cost of sales, deficits, accumulated waste, limited commercial scope not being on retail, and its reliance on outsourced raw materials. These key internal factors were subjected to the internal factor evaluation (IFE) matrix, which is a tool to assess the internal position of the company.
As the internal and external assessments were done, it was determined that the organizational vision, that is to be the leading food company in the domestic and export market, is currently challenged. The study recommends short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to gradually position KLT Fruits, Inc. as the leading company amidst the current challenges that they have. The proposed short-term strategies include offering additional incentives for their seasonal employees and strengthening their online presence related to their marketing function. The proposed medium-term strategies are market development through expansion in the Middle East region and collaboration with the Department of Agriculture regarding its food waste processing hub. Lastly, the long-term strategies are product development by introducing a dragon fruit powder product line and tomato puree product line, backward integration through the acquisition of a mango-producing land in Davao, and forward integration by entering its fruit powder product line in the retail market in Metro Manila. These proposed strategies were recommended along with a detailed implementation plan, indicating the involved persons and activities for each strategy, and the expected timeframe to accomplish them. This strategic plan was developed while taking the organization’s vision into account, and it will help the firm gradually achieve its envisioned industry position in the future
Method for Calibrating an Arduino-based Soil Moisture Sensor Using van Genuchten’s Equation
No full textInstructions on building a do-it-yourself soil moisture sensor using Arduino microcontrollers abound on the Internet. These do-it-yourself soil moisture sensors are favorite projects by both plant and microcontroller enthusiasts because the parts are affordable and the end product is functional. In the absence of proper calibration, these soil moisture sensors cannot generate usable information on the status of plant-availablewater in the soil. This research demonstrates the calibration of an Arduino-based soil moisture sensor using the soil moisture characteristic curve of a clay loam soil. Van Genuchten’s model was used to generate an equation and various parameters specific to the soil. An acceptable correlation was achieved between the soil volumetric moisture content and raw sensor value, with an R2 = 0.63. A highly significant result was achieved on the correlation between the actual and predicted soil moisture tension with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 7.5% and a p-value of less than the alpha value of 0.05. It is recommended that the technique demonstrated in this research be used by other researchers working on a similar setup
Morphological and Physiological Changes of Katuray (Sesbania grandiflora) during Seed Maturation [RESEARCH NOTE]
Get PDFKaturay (Sesbania grandiflora), whose flowers are consumed as steamed vegetables, is an important green manure crop in the Philippines. Understanding different processes leading to seed maturity can aid in determining S. grandiflora’s seed quality, preventing premature harvesting for seed increase, ensuring efficient propagation and production of seedlings, and breeding new varieties of this crop. Multiple flowers were tagged, and three to five pods were collected five days after anthesis (DAA) and at a five-day interval thereafter until 100% germination was achieved. Seed size, moisture content (MC), dry weight, germination percentage, and embryo development were observed and recorded. Seed length was highest at 55 DAA and decreased thereafter. Moisture content had an increasing trend from 15 to 50 DAA then decreased afterwards. The increase in seed size can be attributed to the increase in accumulated dry matter while the decrease in MC can be attributed to the weakening ability of the seed as a sink and its acquisition of desiccation tolerance. Germination started at 45 DAA and reached 100% at 60 DAA. For embryo development, walking stick stage was observed at 55 DAA and full seed maturity was attained at 75 DAA. Seed physiological maturity was observed at 60 DAA, where highest seed dry weight was measured. Correlational analysis of different seed parameters showed a positive correlation of seed size, dry weight, and germination rate while a negative correlation was observed in germination rate and moisture content. Documentation of the morphological changes during seed maturity and the relationship of these changes have biological, breeding, and production implications in seed systems for this underutilized crop species
Field Assessment of Fertilization, Nursery, and Crop Management Practices among Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Growers in the Ilocos Provinces, Philippines
Get PDFGrowth and yield of many economically important vegetables like tomatoes are heavily influenced by crop management practices, particularly fertilizer application, irrigation scheme, and pest management. To attain maximum tomato yields and increase farmers’ profits, these crop production components must be optimized in local farm levels. Before optimization measures can be conducted, baseline information on prevailing practices needs to be evaluated. To assess the nutrient management and other crop production practices of tomato farmers in the Ilocos provinces, Philippines, on-farm surveys were conducted in 16 and 18 barangays planting fresh-type and processing-type tomatoes, respectively. The study involved a total of 88 tomato farmers who underwent key informant interviews regarding their seed and crop establishment practices, nutrient management, pest occurrence, and their perceived yield losses due to pests. Nitrogen and phosphorus application rates by farmers in Ilocos Sur are generally higher by 19% while potassium application rate is higher by 33% compared to those in Ilocos Norte. Farmers of both fresh-type and processing-type tomatoes apply mostly nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and limiting phosphate-containing fertilizers. Ammonium sulfate, muriate of potash, and foliar fertilizer are among the common fertilizer choices for farmers in both provinces and tomato types. Ilocos Sur farmers practice higher seeding rates (400 – 600 g ha-1) while Ilocos Norte farmers mostly use 250 g ha-1 seeds. Farmers also consider diseases to be the most yield-reducing biotic stress, while weeds are perceived to cause only minimal yield losses
Analysis of the Impact of weather Variables and Power Interruptions on Residential Electricity Consumption In Camarines Sur
No full textThis study investigates factors affecting residential electricity consumption of each individual in Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines, focusing on power interruptions and tropical cyclones. It utilizes 60 monthly data points from 2018 to 2022, employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models. The OLS regression analysis reveals a statistically significant relationship between electricity consumption per capita and several key variables. Higher maximum and minimum temperatures are associated with increased individual consumption. Duration of power interruptions and electricity prices exhibit a negative impact, indicating decreased electricity consumption per capita during outages. The study also highlights Pili\u27s vulnerability to natural hazards. The contrasting weather patterns of extreme heat and heavy rainfall emphasize the need for climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness strategies. Rainfall showed a stronger correlation with outage duration compared to typhoon frequency, suggesting further investigation into prolonged outages. The frequent power interruptions in Pili illustrate the need for a more reliable power supply, ensuring consistent electricity provision. Upgrading infrastructure and prioritizing climate resilience in future projects are crucial for ensuring a more stable electricity supply and minimizing disruptions caused by extreme weather events. Investments aimed at strengthening the power grid will not only improve overall reliability but also enhance Pili\u27s ability to withstand the challenges of its unique climate