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Factors Associated with Food-Away-From-Home in the Philippines
No full textThis study analyzed the determinants of food-away-from-home expenditure of households. Given the change in trend or eating behavior of Filipino households seen with the decrease in the gap of food-at-home and food-away-from-home expenditures of households, this study analyzed the possible causes or what affects the decision of households to spend on food-away-from-home. The Ordinary Least Square Estimator was utilized to analyze the effects of the household head and the household characteristics. Using the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) 2018 from PSA, it was found that sociodemographics, household head, and household characteristics, significantly affect the food-away-from-home expenditures of households. Age, educational attainment, employment status, income, pension, proportion of working, proportion of members into business activities and Urban areas, increase the food-away- from-home expenditure of households while having a married household head, male household head and household size decreases FAFH expenditures
Analysis of Vulnerability to Poverty of Households: A Focus on the Impact of Weather Hazards and Covid-19
No full textUsing the Vulnerability as Expected Poverty framework and a three-step Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) method, this study investigates the effect of weather hazards and the COVID-19 pandemic on the probability of households of falling into poverty in the future. A survey among 156 household heads from the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan was administered to identify the impact of the selected shocks on the households’ consumption expenditure. Using the three international poverty thresholds (2.00, 2.09), it was found that the sample households have a low mean poverty vulnerability level. Further, it was revealed that the selected predictor variables namely flood level, drought, landslide, weather-hazards- induced mortality, COVID-19-induced job or income loss, and COVID-19 mortality have significant effect on the poverty vulnerability of the respondents
Credit Behavior of Public Market Vendors in Cabuyao, Laguna During Covid-19, 2023
No full textThis paper studied the credit behavior of the vendors of the Cabuyao public market during COVID-19. Due to the pandemic, several health protocols were implemented in Cabuyao City which affected the market operations of the vendors due to the limited operating hours and the adoption of the mobile palengke program. Added costs were incurred due to the usage of face masks, face shields, and alcohol and there were income forgone because of the curfew and the restrictions in mobility of the weekly customers.
The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) describe the Cabuyao City, Laguna public market vendors and their market operations during COVID-19 pandemic; (2) describe the credit behavior of the public market vendors in terms of the source of the loan, loan availment, loan utilization, and loan repayment; (3) determine the factors that affect the source of the loan of the vendors; (4) evaluate the factors that affect the amount of loan and loan utilization of the vendors; (5) assess the factors that affect the loan repayment of the vendors; and (6) draw possible recommendations based on the results of the study.
Multinomial logit regression analysis, multivariate regression analysis, and logit regression analysis were employed in the analysis using the response of the 61 agricultural vendors interviewed. The results showed that collateral, added costs incurred and income forgone due to the pandemic, weekly customers, weekly sales, adoption of mobile palengke program, and emergence of talipapa were all statistically significant in influencing the source of loan of the vendors. Moreover, aside from the added costs incurred due to the pandemic, weekly sales was also statistically significant in influencing the amount of loan that the vendors acquire, while the dependency ratio, income forgone, and curfew were all significant in the loan utilization of the vendors relative to business operations. Lastly, weekly customers was found to be statistically significant in the loan repayment performances of the vendors.
Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended for the vendors to not solely rely on the income of the public market, take collateral into consideration before borrowing, maintain a good relationship with the lender and the customers, and minimize added costs by using reusable face masks. Meanwhile it is recommended for the lenders to be more lenient in terms of collateral and repayment schedule
Producer and Consumer Aspects Influencing Dietary Behavior Among Selected DAAE Students, 2023
No full textThe study analyzed the producer and consumer aspects influencing dietary behavior among selected DAAE students. Primary data regarding the producer aspects, consumer aspects, and dietary behavior were gathered from April 25 to May 26, 2023, using two pre-tested online survey forms. A total of 54 DAAE students answered the first survey form while 41 of them completed the food record survey. Key informant interviews with non-DAAE students and primary data on food establishment situated within the campus and nearby areas were also obtained to supplement the findings of the study. The producer and consumer aspects were analyzed through Spearman\u27s rank correlation, Chi-square test of independence and Cramer\u27s V. The average IDDS of the students were determined and categorized into low, medium, and high dietary diversity. Meanwhile, food costs were analyzed using frequency distribution, averages, and percentages.
The study revealed that most of the DAAE students consume fish, meat, and poultry products (91%) and starchy staples (85%). Meanwhile, body-regulating foods such as vegetables (57%) and fruits(41%) were among the least consumed food groups by the students. Significant associations were found between the consumption of food groups by the students. Significant associations were found between the consumption of food groups and socio-economic characteristics. Specifically, sex was associated with the consumption of starchy staples and fruits. On-campus residence and living alone were associated with fats and oils and fruit consumption. Weekly allowance was also associated with legume consumption.
The results also showed that weekly allowance was positively correlated with the frequency of food purchases and food expenditure. Meanwhile, on-campus residence, living alone, and length of stay on campus were strongly associated with the frequency of food purchases on campus. the study also found that students who lived with their relatives consumed healthier food than those who lived alone or in a dorm. On the other hand, there were no correlations between the producer aspects as perceived by the respondents and their food choices. Most (95%) of the students\u27 diets were categorized as medium diversity and the majority (37%) of the respondents spend between Php 100 to Php 199 on food in a day. Meanwhile, most (65%) of the students have normal weight while 13 percent were underweight, 16 percent were overweight, and six percent were obese. No significant relationship was found between the average IDDS and BMI of the students. Thus, DAAE students living on campus have no short-term nutritional consequences in terms of their BMI.
The study concluded that the dietary behaviors of the students were significantly influenced by the consumer aspects such as sex, weekly allowance, on-campus residence, living alone, and length of stay on campus rather than perceived producer aspects. Students also valued satisfaction as the most important determinant in their food choices. Moreover, while higher diversity of diets was associated with high food costs, there were still highly diverse diets that can be acquired at a lower cost.
Based on the findings of the study, the following were recommended: (1) creation of online forums of food establishments within UPLB; (2) incorporation of fruit options in combo meals; (3) improvement of food attributes of healthy meal options; and (4) provision of financial aid for underweight students in line with the Meal Now Pay Later Program under the UPLB OSG
Evaluation of a simulation model for deep-bed drying of hybrid rice seeds
No full texthis study evaluates a simulation model for drying hybrid rice seeds in deep-bed set-up. This model is based on a heterogeneous diffusion model for predicting grain moisture at different levels on a deep-bed drying set-up. To evaluate this, hybrid rice seeds were dried in a laboratory dryer with a 50-cm depth test cell. Three drying setups (45 deg C, 55 deg C, and stepwise) were used. During drying, moisture content was measured at different levels of the cell and at specified time intervals. Around four months after storage, the germination percentage of samples from different drying settings and grain locations were obtained. The drying experiment revealed that the fastest drying time is achieved with the 55 deg C drying temperature. Parameter estimation and model validation of the simulation have revealed that the model used can well predict the moisture content of the seeds across the deep-cell drying bin at any given time. This can be further supported by the mean relative error of the model which is below its acceptable values. Germination results have also shown that the drying procedures used have no negative effect on the seed quality. Thus, using the simulation model could be an accurate way to predict the moisture content with no effect on its seed quality
Environment and walkability: street greenery and the perceived walkability of pedestrians in Lopez Avenue, Los Baños, Laguna
No full textWalkability is an important factor in fostering a sustainable and livable community that affects physical activity, social interaction, and general well-being. By evaluating the perception of walkability, on street greenery, and examining pedestrians\u27 preferences for a walkable street setting design, this study examines street greenery as a factor of the built environment\u27s design affecting how pedestrians in Lopez Avenue, Los Baños, perceive walkability. A quantitative survey was conducted with 262 pedestrians who were randomly picked along the stretch of the study area to gather information on the perceived walkability, encompassing comfort, attractiveness, safety, and accessibility. To determine desire for a walkable neighborhood in particular, a stated preference survey with manipulated street scenarios was utilized. Perception and preferences were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate a positive correlation between street greenery and the perceived walkability, albeit its weak association. Particularly, the respondents expressed greater satisfaction and enhanced comfort with the presence of street greenery. Additionally, the presence of street trees at pits along the avenue was found to be favorable to make the area more walkable. The results of this study have implications for urban planning and design, highlighting the significance of integrating street greenery to enhance walkability
Testing and evaluation of an updraft gasifier using saba banana peel as feedstock
No full textSaba bananas are widely produced in the Philippines, mainly for food production. The peel of saba was characterized, and some of its physical properties were measured. The heating value, fixed carbon, volatile matter, ash, and moisture content of the peel were also determined. In predicting the elemental composition, the equation of Parikh et al. (2007) was used, yielding an air-to-fuel ratio of 6.92 kg sub air/kg sub biomass for combustion. A laboratory-scale prototype updraft gasifier was fabricated and tested for efficiency by boiling water on it. The size of the peel affects the ignition time of the syngas and the burning rate of the biomass. Flow rate affects the amount of heat produced and the equivalence ratio during gasification. Thermal efficiencies in different settings are less than 20% due to system heat loss. The highest efficiency was obtained with a low airflow setting, while the lowest efficiency was yielded at a high airflow setting. At an equivalence ratio of 0.208, about 500g of saba peel produced around 1562.63 kJ of heat with a thermal efficiency of 17.46%. For higher efficiency of the peel, it is recommended to design a gasifier that would decrease the system heat loss and process the biomass into briquettes or pellets for a more uniform mass and size distribution
The challenges in vaccine development and the feasibility of a vaccination campaign against African Swine Fever virus
No full textAfrican Swine Fever (ASF) was first described in Africa in 1921 and reached China in 2018. It eventually reached other Asian countries including the Philippines in 2019. Despite the efforts of the Philippine government to mitigate its spread, cases have been observed in 64 of the 81 provinces across 17 regions. Vaccine field trials done in the Philippines have promising results. Yet, until now, no vaccine has been made commercially available. Efforts to develop a commercial vaccine against ASF have been hindered by the complex and genetically diverse nature of the ASF virus (ASFV). ASFV has evolved strategies to evade the host\u27s immune response, inhibiting antigen presentation and infecting immune cells. The genetic variability among ASFV strains further complicates vaccine development, as different strains may require specific vaccine approaches. Despite challenges, progress has been made with live attenuated vaccines showing promise. However, concerns regarding safety, reversion to virulence, and limited efficacy against multiple genotypes persist. Strategies such as comprehensive safety evaluations, surveillance, combination control measures, and Public awareness is recommended to address the spread of ASF. A vaccination drive targeting prevalent strains in specific regions may provide partial protection but requires ongoing surveillance and complementation with other control measures
Application of social network analysis to describe the 2020 swine trading in the Philippines
No full textBackground: This study used social network analysis (SNA) to analyze the static characteristics of the pig trading network in the Philippines, which is a significant risk factor for the spread of diseases like African swine fever (ASF). Methods: The shipping permits issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in 2020 were used in this work. Networks were created for live pigs, semen, and pork products. Top trading nodes for each commodity were identified using eigenvector centrality. Additionally, betweenness, closeness, and degree centrality were calculated. Results: The top trading nodes were identified for each commodity, with Laguna being the top node overall. The other influential provinces included Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Bukidnon, Tarlac, and the four districts of the National Capital Region (NCR). The average distances reached by live pigs, pork products, and swine semen were 106.80 km, 68.40 km, and 222.97 km, respectively. Conclusions: Identifying influential areas in the swine trading network can help enhance disease control strategies and prevent the spread of ASF and other diseases. Targeting these nodes for active surveillance and preventive programs could lower the risk of disease transmission and minimize its impact
IoT-based health monitoring of sports personnel through wearables using machine learning technology
No full textThe faster growth and expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) hold a lot of promise in the healthcare industry. Currently, fitness trackers, wireless technologies, and body sensors in sports significantly impact the daily performance and reliability of healthcare systems. In various groups, from elite athletes to patients, wearable gadgets are becoming increasingly important to assess physiological parameters, promote health, and improve exercise adherence This article aims to identify sports medicine clinics and team performance services and improve the use of technology to assist athletes returning to play in a variety of sports. Machine learning approaches are presented for effective optimization to test and monitor the health of athletes. Wearable sensor data from the health IoT is a rich source of information that machine learning can unlock. The key novelty of this work lies in the integration of IoT, wearable devices, and machine learning algorithms to enable comprehensive and continuous health monitoring of sports personnel. The objective is to enhance athletes\u27 well-being, prevent injuries, optimize training programs, and improve overall performance. Therefore, the wearable sensor-based smartwatch on IoT is introduced in this study for the continual health monitoring system for athletes. The machine learning-based ensemble naïve Bayes classifier (ENBC) is used to predict sportsperson health activity. The result of the study shows that the average accuracy of machine learning-based classification was 98.63%, which is high compared to other conventional methods. The proposed machine learning approach described in this study is undoubtedly the most efficient, reliable, and accurate of the other methods. The use of a smartwatch to monitor a person\u27s athletic health is gaining popularity because it is inexpensive, easy to wear, and in line with consumer psychology