Showing papers by "De La Salle University published in 2002"

Thinking styles and academic achievement among Filipino students.

Abstract: The authors' objective in this study was to determine whether the precepts of R. J. Sternberg's (1988, 1997) theory of mental self-government apply to a non-West- ern culture. They administered R. J. Sternberg and R. K. Wagner's (1992) Thinking Styles Inventory, which is based on the theory of mental self-government, to 429 Filipino uni- versity students. The results of item analysis, scale intercorrelations, and factor analysis were consistent with the general provisions of the theory. Correlational analysis between thinking styles and grade point average showed that thinking styles are related to acade- mic achievement. The results are explained with respect to the concepts and practices of Philippine culture and schools and discussed in relation to the developmental assumptions of the theory of mental self-government.

Asia-pacific mussel watch: Monitoring of butyltin contamination in coastal waters of asian developing countries

Abstract: Butyltin compounds (BTs) including mono-, di-, and tributyltin and total tin (sigmaSn), were determined in green mussels (Perna viridis) from various Asian developing countries, such as Cambodia, China (Hong Kong and southern China), Malaysia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, to elucidate the contamination status, distribution, and possible sources and to assess the risks on aquatic organisms and humans. Butyltin compounds were detected in green mussels collected from all the sampling location investigated, suggesting widespread contamination of BTs along the coastal waters of Asian developing countries. Among butyltin derivatives, tributyltin (TBT) was the predominant compound, indicating its ongoing usage and recent exposures in Asian coastal waters. Higher concentrations of BTs were found in mussels collected at locations with intensive maritime activities, implying that the usage of TBT as a biocide in antifouling paints was a major source of BTs. In addition, relatively high concentrations of BTs were observed in mussels from aquaculture areas in Hong Kong and Malaysia, as it has been reported in Thailand. With the recent improvement in economic status in Asia, it is probable that an increase in TBT usage will occur in aquaculture. Although contamination levels were generally low in mussel samples from most of the Asian developing countries, some of those from polluted areas in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand revealed levels comparable to those in developed nations. Furthermore, the concentrations of TBT in some mussels from polluted areas exceeded the threshold for toxic effects on organisms and estimated tolerable average residue levels as seafoods for human consumption. A significant correlation was observed between the concentrations of sigmaBTs and sigmaSn in mussels, and sigmaBTs were made up mostly 100% of sigmaSn in mussels taken from locations having intensive maritime/human activities. This suggests that anthropogenic BTs represent the major source of tin accumulation in mussels. To our knowledge, this is a first comprehensive report on butyltin pollution monitoring in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Application of possibility theory in the life-cycle inventory assessment of biofuels

Abstract: Data uncertainty issues have constrained the widespread acceptance of life-cycle analysis (LCA) and related methods This is particularly important in the LCA of fuels due to the wide range of available feedstocks and processing options Despite recent attempts at standardization, there remain persistent doubts about the general validity of LCA results, often due to uncertainties about data quality This paper demonstrates the application of possibility theory as a tool for handling life-cycle inventory data imprecision for the case of the net energy balance of coconut methyl ester (CME) as a biodiesel transport fuel Results derived using a possibililistic computation are contrasted with those arrived at by probabilistic (Monte Carlo) simulation The two approaches yield comparable results but possibilistic modelling offers significant advantages with respect to computational efficiency The net energy balance of CME is estimated to be approximately 36 MJ kg−1, significantly higher than the 28 MJ kg−1 net energy typical of rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) relevant to the UK Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

New furanoid diterpenes from Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Abstract: Four new cassane-type furanoditerpenoids (1-4) were isolated from the air-dried leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Their structures were elucidated by spectral data interpretation. The exocyclic methylene compound 1 readily isomerized and oxidized to the benzofuran 4. Benzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzoate (5) was also identified in this study. Antimicrobial tests on 1-5 indicated that they were active against several bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and B. subtilis) and fungi (C. albicans and T. mentagrophytes).

Language and Mathematical Problem Solving Among Bilinguals

Abstract: Does using a bilingual's 1st or 2nd language have an effect on problem solving in semantically rich domains like school mathematics? The author conducted a study to determine whether Filipino–English bilingual students' understanding and solving of word problems in arithmetic differed when the problems were in the students' 1st and 2nd languages. Two groups participated—students whose 1st language was Filipino and students whose 1st language was English—and easy and difficult arithmetic problems were used. The author used a recall paradigm to assess how students understood the word problems and coded the solution accuracy to assess problem solving. The results indicated a 1st-language advantage; that is, the students were better able to understand and solve problems in their 1st language, whether the 1st language was English or Filipino. Moreover, the advantage was more marked with the easy problems. The theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

Incorporating practicability into genetic algorithm-based time-cost optimization

Abstract: Optimization problems in construction scheduling, such as time-cost optimization, can be effectively solved using genetic algorithms (GAs). This paper presents an approach that makes GA-based time-cost optimization viable for real world problems. Practicability is incorporated through the integration of a project management system to the GA system. The approach takes advantage of the powerful scheduling functionality of the project management system in evaluating project completion dates during optimization. The approach ensures that all scheduling parameters, including activity relationships, lags, calendars, constraints, resources, and progress, are considered in determining the project completion date, thus allowing comprehensive and realistic evaluations to be made during optimization.

Detection of Equine Babesia spp. Gene Fragments in Dermacentor nuttalli Olenev 1929 Infesting Mongolian Horses, and Their Amplification in Egg and Larval Progenies

Abstract: Babesia equi (EMA-1) and Babesia caballi (BC48) gene fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in blood samples, and partially fed-females and egg and larval progenies of Dermacentor nuttalli, collected from horses in Altanbulag, Tuv Province, Mongolia. While Babesia parasite DNA was detected in some horse blood samples during the first PCR, all positive cases in partially fed-female ticks, eggs and larvae were confirmed by nested PCR. Present study reinforces earlier similar findings in unfed D. nuttalli ticks collected from an open space vegetation in Bayanonjuul, Tuv Province in Central Mongolia, pointing to the most likely important role of D. nuttalli in the transmission of equine babesiosis in Mongolia. The detection of parasite DNA in eggs and larval progenies is likewise suggestive of transovarial parasite transmission in this tick species.

Three-Wavelength Backscatter Measurement of Clouds and Aerosols Using a White Light Lidar System

Abstract: A white light continuum was generated by a self-trapped intense femtosecond laser pulse in atmospheric-pressure rare gas, krypton. The measured broad spectrum of the generated white light ranged from 300 nm to more than 950 nm. This new light source was utilized for the first time to perform three-wavelength backscatter measurement of aerosols and clouds. The time-resolved backscattered light was separated into three channels, 350 nm, 550 nm and 700 nm. Each channel showed strong backscattering from aerosols and clouds up to 2.5 km. Experimental measurement indicates that this novel light source can be used for multiwavelength lidar studies.

Cooperative mobile robots with obstacle and collision avoidance using fuzzy logic

Abstract: This paper presents a fuzzy controller technique in navigation with obstacle and collision avoidance for cooperative micro robots playing soccer. The dynamic positions of the robots and obstacles are taken into consideration. The information needed about the robot environment is the destination point, the distance between the robots, and obstacles and is taken from a camera vision system. The obstacles can be the opponent robots, the teammate robots, and the soccer field boundaries. Fuzzy logic is used to control the navigation of a robot as it avoids the presence of an obstacle along its way to the destination point. Obstacle and collision avoidance can be achieved by changing the direction angle of the robot. The cooperative behavior of the robots is tested based on team performance in playing the soccer game. The effectiveness of the technique developed is shown in the results of real time experiments. The fuzzy logic controller developed proves to be more accurate and robust compared to other conventional controllers.

Psychosocial Contexts of the Homosexuality of Filipino Men in Heterosexual Unions

Abstract: The Philippines is one developing country in which a systematic inquiry on the homosexuality of men in heterosexual consensual union is rare. With the thought that the public can be guided more knowledgeably in forming some responsible knowledge and opinion about homosexual men's lives within heterosexual unions, a small-scale exploratory study was carried out and completed in 1997 among 15 married or co-habiting men in Metro Manila, the Philippines. The research delved into respondents' sexual histories; their perceptions of own homosexual attraction, desire and orientation; and their reasons, motivations and expectations for marrying or cohabiting. It also looked into respondents' reports of whether their partners knew their sexual orientation; respondents' roles and responsibilities in household management and decision making; and effects of respondents' homosexuality on marital and familial relationships.

Self-Questioning and Prose Comprehension : A Sample Case of ESL Reading

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to find out if self-questioning as a reading strategy would help improve comprehension of prose texts in English, a second language for Filipinos. Following a pretest-posttest design, students enrolled in Developmental Reading were randomly assigned to the control group, which read the assigned text, and the experimental group, which used self-questioning as a reading strategy. The control and experimental groups took the same test in the pretest and posttest and their performances were compared. Overall, the experiment showed that self-questioning did not have a significant effect on comprehension of a prose text in English. Although results showed that verbal ability was a factor in the ability to generate questions, the type and number of questions asked were not significant factors in test performance. The cultural background of the participants, time constraints, the method of comprehension evaluation used by the study, and the nature and duration of question-formulation training could all help to explain the results achieved.

Compliment-Giving among filipino college students: An exploratory study

Abstract: For this paper, a total of 270 Filipino compliments was collected from college students enrolled in six universities in Manila. Analysis gave results similar to those found by Herbert (1990) and Holmes (1994): use of syntactic patterns that seem formulaic in nature; tendency of female students to give more compliments; and tendency of both genders to compliment the females more than the males. Females ’ and males ’ inclination to employ Non-acceptance and Non-agreement responses at a high frequency may be a reflection of these students ’ adherence to the Filipinos ’ conservative culture and of their desire to establish and maintain solidarity with each other. Their employment of Acceptance responses on an almost equal frequency, on the other hand, seems to be a manifestation of their regard for the preservation of their interlocutors ’ “face” needs. Another point observed is the interaction between gender and compliment-giving in terms of frequency of use. Finally, while males seemed to be interested in maintaining solidarity, females tended to continue showing their power to communicate, as reflected in the number of compliments they uttered.

Managing Globalization for Sustainability in the 21st Century

Abstract: This essay provides an overview of the Ninth International Conference of the Greening of Industry Network held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 21–25 January 2001. For the first time in its ten-year history, the Greening of Industry Network (GIN) gathered outside Western Europe and North America, with the theme Sustainability at the Millennium: Globalization, Competitiveness and the Public Trust. To highlight this important event, this special issue of Business Strategy and the Environment will place special emphasis on the Asian region, particularly on the issues confronting the economically less advanced countries. The overarching theme of the conference as well as many of the papers and discussion at the conference was globalization and sustainable development, and the relationship between these two issues. There was a rich if not a divergent perspective on what the relationship implies for the different Asian economies as well as for economically less advanced countries in general. After examining the relationship between sustainable development and globalization in the Asian context, this essay will discuss two themes with important implications for sustainable commerce: stakeholders and civil society and industrial competitiveness and transformation. The essay will conclude with some thoughts on the path that globalization has taken since the terrorist attack in the US on 11 September 2001 and on the 10 year anniversary of the Greening of Industry Network. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

Extracts from “Concise Clinical Evidence”: Chronic suppurative otitis media

Abstract: # Chronic suppurative otitis media {#article-title-2} Definition Chronic suppurative otitis media is a persistent inflammation of the middle ear or mastoid cavity. Synonyms include chronic otitis media (without effusion),” chronic mastoiditis, and chronic tympanomastoiditis. Chronic suppurative otitis media is characterised by recurrent or persistent ear discharge (otorrhoea) over 2-6 weeks through a perforation of the tympanic membrane. Typical findings also include thickened granular middle ear mucosa, mucosal polyps, and cholesteatoma within the middle ear. Chronic suppurative otitis media is differentiated from chronic otitis media with effusion, in which there is an intact tympanic membrane with fluid in the middle ear but no active infection. Chronic suppurative otitis media does not include chronic perforations of the eardrum, which are dry, or discharge only occasionally, and have no signs of active infection. What are the effects of treatments in adults? Likely to be beneficial Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) found limited evidence that topical quinolone antibiotics versus placebo improved otoscopic appearances. RCTs found no clear evidence of significant differences between topical antibiotics. Case studies have associated topical non-quinolone antibiotics with ototoxicity, affecting mainly vestibular function, although RCTs have found few adverse events associated …

Comparing keyword extraction techniques for websom text archives

Abstract: The WEBSOM methodology for building very large text archives has a very slow method for extracting meaningful unit labels. This is due to the fact that the method computes for the relative frequencies of all the words of all the documents associated to each unit and then compares these to the relative frequencies of all the words of other units in the map. Since maps may have more than 100,000 units and the archieve may contain up to 7 million documents, the existing WEBSOM method is not practical. A fast alternative method, referred to as the liGHtSOM method, is based on the distribution of weights in the weight vectors of the trained map, plus a simple manipulation of the random projection matrix used for input data compression. Comparison made using a WEBSOM archieve of the Reuters text collection reveal that a high percentage of keywords extracted using this method match the keywords extracted for the same map units using the original WEBSOM method. A detailed time complexity analysis of the two methods is also provided.

Online robot tracking using genetic algorithms

Abstract: This paper presents the applicability of using a genetic algorithm (GA) for robot tracking inside a predefined environment in real time. The GA is used to determine the position of a moving robot inside a soccer robot field. A proposed new crossover algorithm is presented. A video file and an image containing the robot's physical appearance (robot template) are inputs to the system. Experimental results show that GA is able to locate the robot.

A fuzzy approach in color object detection

Abstract: Probing over a digitized image of robots taken from a top view to uniquely identify them is not an easy task. The recognition process, which involves scanning a digitized image and characterizing it, is made difficult by varying illumination, position and rotation. Furthermore, the vision system is plagued with inherent difficulties that cannot be completely controlled. Effects such as lighting and shadows, lens focus, and even quantum electrical effects in the sensor chip combine to make it essentially impossible to guarantee that the color being tracked would remain constant as the robot traverses the exploration field. From among the different recognition cues, like shape, size, position, and motion, this research focuses on color as the primary discriminating feature. However, as color is greatly affected by so many underlying factors, fuzziness is incorporated into the system to address the problem of uncertainties in color object classifications. The computing potential of fuzzy logic in the field of machine vision is very promising, but not yet fully explored. The paper presents an approach that combines fuzzy logic with graph-theoretical clustering techniques in order to add flexibility in defining object colors, and to recognize robots fast and accurately. The recognition scheme is primarily divided into three subtasks: feature extraction, fuzzy system configuration, and object identification. Algorithms are described for each subtask.

A machine learning framework for an expert tutor construction

Abstract: This paper discusses a machine learning framework that uses extraction, classification, and generalization techniques to classify students according to their cognitive and behavioral learning patterns and to categorize tutoring strategies of expert human tutors. A great deal of the discussion focuses on the use of reinforcement learning techniques, specifically the ?-greedy and temporal difference TD(0) methods in deriving tutoring policies over a class of students. Future works will deal on incremental learning and modification of learned policies while the tutor performs on-line in real-time, and extracting and learning the way expert tutors execute their tutoring activities.

Folding wheels and fans

Abstract: If two non-adjacent vertices of a connected graph that have a common neighbor are identified and the resulting multiple edges are reduced to simple edges, then we obtain another graph of order one less than that of the original graph. This process can be repeated until the resulting graph is complete. We say that we have folded the graph onto complete graph. This process of folding a connected graph G onto a complete graph induces in a very natural way a partition of the vertex-set of G. We denote by F(G) the set of all complete graphs onto which G can be folded. We show here that if p and q are the largest and smallest orders, respectively, of the complete graph in F(Wn) or F(Fn), then Ks is in F(Wn) or F(Fn) for each s, q≤s≤p. Lastly, we shall also determine the exact values of p and q.

Assessing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Adoption in the Philippines

Abstract: Previously published in Enterprise Resource Planning: Global Opportunities and Challenges, by Liaquat Hossain, Jon David Patrick and Mohammad A. Rashid, ©2002. INTRODUCTION The Philippines has already embraced today’s fast-paced global economy. The worldwide advent of e-commerce has driven the Philippine business community to deal with changes in the way business is conducted–extending its reach, working to provide better services for customers, working more closely with suppliers and partners, and tapping new markets. Developments characterized by the new global eco omy require a shift in the management paradigm of enterprises which gives premium on competitiveness, multifunctionality, and flexibility. This requires managing the technological factors of the enterprise (managing technology and managing with technology) and managing the enterprise for controlled change and stability (Khalil, 2000).

Using case-Based Reasoning approach in planning instructional activities

Abstract: Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a methodology in artificial intelligence that uses specific previous experiences as basis for reasoning about new similar situations. In providing individualized instruction, tutors learn from their experiences and use these experiences as foundations for identifying the appropriate instructional activities. Most of the approaches used in designing tutoring systems that adapts to its learners use the rule-based approach. If rules were used, a lot of work will be done chaining rules only to find out that it is not useful [Jona, 1998]. Cases can quickly recognize whether a teaching strategy is relevant to apply in a given situation. This paper presents how CBR model can be used to enable the tutor model to use previously successful instructional strategies to the present learning scenario.

Comparison of macrophage scavenger receptor-A knockout mice with wild type ones in the immune response against repeated infestation with Haemaphysalis longicornis.

Abstract: Using macrophage scavenger receptor-A knockout (SRKO) mice, we examined the role of macrophage class A scavenger receptors (MRS-A) on the immune response and acquisition of host resistance against repeated infestation with Haemaphysalis longicornis. Except for one batch of nymphs that infested one of the SRKO (SR-/-) mice and showed no appreciable reduction in body weight, all the other groups of nymphs manifested significant decrease in body weight. Both SR-/- and wild type (SR+/+) mice showed a sustained increase in anti-tick antibody titers, but SR+/+ mice showed significantly higher titers. The IFN-gamma assayed in SR-/- mouse immune sera was substantially less compared with that in SR+/+ mice. Immune sera from SR-/- and SR+/+ mice recognized the 51 and 44 kDa, and 44 kDa proteins, respectively, of the salivary gland antigen. The difference in the level of anti-tick resistance manifested by both groups of mice may be influenced by less efficient trapping and processing of tick antigens by macrophages in mice lacking for the macrophage scavenger receptors, and consequently affected the cascade of Th1 and Th2 responses. We have thus obtained valuable data that strongly infer the role of MSR-A in enhancing host defense against repeated infestation with H. longicornis.

Determinants, consequences, and policy implications of child labor in the Philippines

Abstract: The paper gives a profile of the child labor situation in the country using data from the 1995 Child Labor Survey (CLS) of the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the 1998 Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) data set. It then proceeds to analyze the socioeconomic determinants of child labor in the Philippines using the 1995 CLS. A sequential probit model is estimated to measure the impact of household and individual characteristics and location variables on the probability of child labor. The paper also does a correlation analysis of the effect of economic growth on the incidence of child labor. The results indicate that household characteristics such as poverty, family size, the education of the household head, and ownership of a family-operated enterprise impact on the labor supply and school participation of children. Locational variables reflecting demand-side aspects of child labor were also important determinants. At the macro level, economic growth is negatively correlated with the participation of children in market work. Success in the elimination of child labor involves a comprehensive approach requiring better enforcement of child labor laws complemented by policies and programs to alleviate poverty, achieve sustained growth, provide educational access especially to the children of poor households, and help poor households achieve their desired family size.

Life-Cycle Environmental Benefits of Using Bioethanol as a Gasoline Additive

Abstract: Ethanol can be blended with gasoline as a fuel extender, an oxygenating agent, and octane enhancer. Blends containing up to 10% ethanol by volume (E10) can be used in unmodified spark-ignition engines without significant changes in vehicle performance, while yielding reductions in over-all tailpipe emissions. Enzyme-based processing technology is expected to allow ethanol to be produced commercially from cellulosic biomass such as municipal and agricultural waste as early as 2005. Ethyl alcohol produced in this manner is called bioethanol; this production technology promises to be an effective open-loop recycling (“waste-to-energy”) pathway which simultaneously gives significant benefits of reduced fossil fuel consumption and air emissions. This paper presents results of simulations using a modified version of the GREET 1.5a fuel cycle model to estimate the relative benefits of using E10 instead of conventional gasoline. In addition to obvious savings in petroleum usage, reductions in life-cycle hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions are predicted by the model. Cumulative emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides, on the other hand, are expected to increase. Keywords: Bioethanol, E10, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Use of learner agents as student modeling system and learning companion

Abstract: Instructional systems are computer programs that provide educational support to individual learners. One such system is the intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs). ITSs center on individualized learning and do not consider the situation where learners can learn beyond the teacher-learner relationship. Several learning companion systems (LCS) were implemented to create social learning environments. However these systems are merely extensions of tutor agents and act as "learners". In this paper, we introduce the use of learner agents both as student modeling systems and as peers.

Using Case-Based Reasoning Approach in Planning Instructional Activities

Abstract: Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a methodology in artificial intelligence that uses specific previous experiences as basis for reasoning about new similar situations In providing individualized instruction, tutors learn from their experiences and use these experiences as foundations for identifying the appropriate instructional activities Most of the approaches used in designing tutoring systems that adapts to its learners use the rule-based approach If rules were used, a lot of work will be done chaining rules only to find out that it is not useful [Jona, 1998] Cases can quickly recognize whether a teaching strategy is relevant to apply in a given situation This paper presents how CBR model can be used to enable the tutor model to use previously successful instructional strategies to the present learning scenario