Charisse Miguel, G. Logrosa, Leo Manuel B. Estaña, G. Tupas, Z. P. Lachica, P. Alviola
{"title":"Risk Factors Associated with Contracting COVID-19 Infection in Selected Regions of Mindanao, Philippines","authors":"Charisse Miguel, G. Logrosa, Leo Manuel B. Estaña, G. Tupas, Z. P. Lachica, P. Alviola","doi":"10.56899/152.03.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.03.07","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 outbreak has become a global health crisis requiring immediate attention to develop different interventions. While several studies were done to understand its dynamics to determine the most vulnerable groups, the differential effects of the factors associated with contracting COVID-19 in different communities call for a localized understanding of its risks. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the risk factors that drive the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 in selected regions of Mindanao during the pre-mass vaccination period. Probit and Logit models were employed to analyze the association of the socio-demographic, economic, and climatic factors to a total of 64,507 and 6,599 laboratory results from the Department of Health Region Northern Mindanao and the Zamboanga Peninsula, respectively. In both regions, age, sex, being a health worker, having COVID-19 close contact, and the implementation of the General Community Quarantine were found to significantly affect the likelihood of acquiring the COVID-19 disease. In addition, in Northern Mindanao, factors such as travel history, rainfall, poverty incidence, and the implementation of the Modified General Community Quarantine were also found to significantly affect the likelihood of acquiring the disease. This study provides empirical evidence for developing context-specific interventions to effectively manage and prepare for future COVID-19 outbreaks and other infectious diseases with similar dynamics.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84083735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Richard V. Dumilag, M. A. Malto, Mabille Longavela, Elden Orgela, Franklin Calaminos, Ferlyn Legarde, Teresa Haide R. Belgica, Aireen Malto, John Peter Himor, Mae San Pablo, J. Bailon, Ruby Olipany, C. F. Ruiz, Cynthia B. Mintu, Benilda Laza, Lynn Mendoza
{"title":"Seaweed Fish Baits in Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines","authors":"Richard V. Dumilag, M. A. Malto, Mabille Longavela, Elden Orgela, Franklin Calaminos, Ferlyn Legarde, Teresa Haide R. Belgica, Aireen Malto, John Peter Himor, Mae San Pablo, J. Bailon, Ruby Olipany, C. F. Ruiz, Cynthia B. Mintu, Benilda Laza, Lynn Mendoza","doi":"10.56899/152.03.08","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.03.08","url":null,"abstract":"Little attention has been directed toward the local use of seaweeds as fish baits despite their relevance to the success of fishing operations. Fish baits represent little more than a subset of the major local use of seaweeds in the Philippines. In Sorsogon, Bulusan has a history of small- scale fishing with three traditional fishing gears – namely, fish pot, hook and line, and long line. In this study, we provide traditional knowledge on the selection of seaweeds as fish baits among fishers in Bulusan. Currently, the traditional fishing practice in the area retains the use of nine seaweed fish bait taxa – namely, Acanthophora spicifera, Eucheuma denticulatum, Gracilaria gigas, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Sargassum polycystum, Ulva clathrata, Ulva flexuosa, Ulva lactuca, and Ulva reticulata. The last four species (collectively known as the ulvoids) were the most familiar seaweed fish baits. Eleven (11) target fish species were identified, being Naso and Siganus as the most dominant genera. Additional 22 species (17 fishes and five non-fishes) were recognized as incidental catch. We found that critical approaches take part in the continued construction of the contemporary Bulusanon fishing culture, particularly in knowledge about seaweed fish baits. The traditional fishing practice in Bulusan draws our attention to discuss caveats on its possible impact on marine environments, particularly in the light of overfishing and coral-algal phase shifts. Aspects of ethnobiological resources documented in this study may provide a framework for attaining sustainable fishery management, alongside preserving knowledge of the local old hands.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88194063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of Blood-feeding Methods for Rearing Dengue Mosquito, Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)","authors":"A. M. Hila, G. Obra","doi":"10.56899/152.03.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.03.10","url":null,"abstract":"Maintaining a mosquito colony for rearing is essential in research, and the rearing of mosquitoes in the laboratory requires blood as a protein source for females to produce eggs. The use of live animals for blood-feeding imposes ethical considerations and entails an additional laboratory for rearing the live animals. In this study, we have established an artificial blood-feeding system for Aedes aegypti that took into consideration the effects of four factors on blood-feeding – namely, egg source colony, blood source, age of females, and heating intervals. For the quality control tests, all parameters tested did not significantly differ between colonies after 14 generations. In terms of egg source, more adult females significantly fed from pig blood (PB) colonies (78%) than live mice (LM) colonies. In terms of blood source, more adult females (85%) fed on immobilized LM than in the artificial blood-feeding system with PB as a blood source. In terms of age, 3- and 5-d-old females showed the highest % blood-feeding (75–78%), fecundity, fertility, and recoveries compared to when females were fed very young at 1 d old and quite old at 7 d old. Among the heating intervals tested, re-heating PB every 60 min for 4 h showed the highest % of females fed (66%). All four factors significantly explain the variation in the % blood-feeding efficiency of female mosquitoes and, therefore, important factors to consider in mosquito colony maintenance. We also conclude that the established artificial blood-feeding system can be used for rearing Ae. aegypti. The results of the study may encourage laboratories in other institutes that conduct mosquito colony maintenance to seek inexpensive, effective, and locally-available artificial blood-feeding systems.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90682958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ched Justin Java, Diana P. Paguntalan, Elfred John Abacan
{"title":"Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grain Yield: a Meta-analysis Using Different Sources of Variation","authors":"Ched Justin Java, Diana P. Paguntalan, Elfred John Abacan","doi":"10.56899/152.02.19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.19","url":null,"abstract":"The increase in annual rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield is attributed to chemical and inorganic fertilizer utilization. However, these types of fertilizers reduce grain quality in the long term. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can act as biofertilizers and improve crop performance. The present study conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of AMF on rice grain yield using the studies conducted in selected countries in Asia. Ten (10) studies were selected, and 59 experimental results were used. The overall result showed that AMF positively affects the rice grain yield. The AMF experiments on the field and greenhouse showed positive effects, as well as across different environmental conditions, including aerobic and nutrient addition. The multiple-species type of AMF biofertilizer and the single-species type under different genera – namely, Acaulospora and Glomus – also showed a positive effect. The effect of AMF on different rice varieties is also positive, especially on varieties grown in lowland agroecosystems. The findings in this study show that various types of AMF increase the rice grain yield of different rice varieties under various environmental conditions. This supports the application of AMF in rice farming.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74052595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hedrick Reyes, M. Balangue-Tarriela, A. Mejorada, Vincejet Niño Ejera
{"title":"Modeling Mineral Scaling in Matalibong Sector of Tiwi Geothermal Field, Albay, Bicol, Philippines","authors":"Hedrick Reyes, M. Balangue-Tarriela, A. Mejorada, Vincejet Niño Ejera","doi":"10.56899/152.02.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.16","url":null,"abstract":"Mineral scaling constitutes a major problem in geothermal fields. It imposes adverse impacts on the performance of the power plant as mineral precipitates and clogs facilities, affecting steam production. This paper identifies the processes leading to the formation of calcite, pyrite, and anhydrite as mineral scales in Well-1 located at the Matalibong sector, one of the production sectors in Tiwi Geothermal Field, Albay, Philippines, using CHIM-XPT (2016). Reconstruction of reservoir water, cooling, adiabatic boiling, fluid-fluid mixing, and isothermal simulations were performed. In addition to established temperature and pressure, fluid flow rate and wellbore geometry (pipe length and wellbore inner diameter) were considered as factors in mineral scale formation. Results of the geochemical modeling showed that the mineral scaling in Well-1 could be a product of adiabatic boiling and cooling of mixed cold spring water and reconstructed reservoir water. Key findings show that at a constant temperature, a boiling event occurs when pressure is reduced due to a lower fluid flow rate with respect to its depth leading to the formation of minerals, specifically anhydrite. Decreasing fluid flow rate also triggers adiabatic boiling. Kinetics can promote adiabatic boiling where pressure changes due to fluid flow rate conditions leading to the formation of mineral scales. With this better understanding of how calcite, pyrite, and anhydrite were formed in Well-1, adiabatic boiling and, thus, the formation of the mineral scales can be avoided or minimized by proper monitoring and control of the fluid flow rate in the well.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82499837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Notes on the Nest Architecture and Nest Site Characteristics of Mindanao Treeshrew (Tupaia everetti Thomas, 1892) from Dinagat Islands, Philippines","authors":"Tristan Luap Senarillos, J. Ibañez","doi":"10.56899/152.02.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.18","url":null,"abstract":"The Mindanao treeshrew (Tupaia everetti Thomas, 1892) is an endemic non-volant mammal species found in the Mindanao Faunal Region in the Philippines. The nest architecture and nest site characteristics of T. everetti are described for the first time based on a single active nest documented from Dinagat Islands. The nest was on the ground, built inside a cavity of a dead pandan tree (Sararanga cf. philippinensis), and was surrounded by natural vegetation. This nest discovery is a valuable contribution to the minimal existing literature about this poorly studied species, which may be increasingly threatened by anthropogenic impacts. As such, we highly recommend more nest search and breeding ecology studies on Dinagat islands and other areas where T. everetti is found to determine if the nesting pattern is similar to what was discovered in this study.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89378901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tadek Di E-Sabangan: an Expression of the People of Sabangan’s Cultural Identity and Heritage through Takik and Tallibeng Indigenous Dances","authors":"Jessica Talangchey","doi":"10.56899/152.02.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.17","url":null,"abstract":"The indigenous dances of the e-Sabangan were passed down from one generation to the next and have been a part of their culture. A focus group discussion (FGD) with the participants of the study disclosed that the way the e-Sabangan move and communicate with their bodies is an expression of their way of life. This study aims to identify the indigenous dances prevalent in Sabangan, their purposes, representations, and implications to the e-Sabangan’s culture, health, and society in general. This study further aims to promote awareness and encourage the preservation of the e-Sabangan’s cultural heritage. There were 32 participants in this study composed of barangay officials, indigenous people’s mandatory representatives of Applai and Kankanaey indigenous peoples groups, and respected community elders of Sabangan, who have knowledge and understanding of the e-Sabangan’s culture and represent the 15 barangays of the municipality. Free, prior, and informed consent was secured from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples before the conduct of the study. An FGD and prerecorded video documentation of the indigenous dances studied were utilized. Data were analyzed and interpreted based on thematic analysis. Results revealed that the Takik and Tallibeng dances are performed in various rituals, ceremonies, and occasions that serve essential functions such as community cleansing, thanksgiving, healing, and blessing. Such non-quotidian events are integrated with the e-Sabangan’s cultural practices which remain relevant in contemporary society. Moreover, cultural values are encapsulated in the various aspects of the dance such as the dance steps, attires, musical instruments, and chants. To promote and preserve these dances, it is essential to engage the community’s indigenous dance experts who can properly teach the Takik and Tallibeng to younger generations and encourage schools and institutions to provide an avenue wherein to heighten their interest in the e-Sabangan’s indigenous dances.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83621726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"First Record of Ophiophagy in Philippine Groundsnake Stegonotus muelleri on the Non-banded Philippine Burrowing Snake Oxyrhabdium modestum","authors":"Alven Magdua, Marites B. Sanguila","doi":"10.56899/152.02.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.12","url":null,"abstract":"The Philippine groundsnake Stegonotus muelleri is a non-venomous colubrid widely distributed in the Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex. Despite the species’ regular sightings and occurrence in field surveys, sparse is known about its natural history, including its dietary habits. Although ophiophagy is frequent among elapids, Stegonotus muelleri has not been specifically reported to consume snakes. We provide the first account of ophiophagy in a colubrid snake, Stegonotus muelleri, on a lamphrophiid snake, Oxyrhabdium modestum, providing a glimpse into the species trophic role as a snake-eating predator, and suspected post- feeding behavior (limited mobility and aboveground perching spot) – essential information that augments the gaps in our understanding of the species’ natural history.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81364652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jesse Jan Galera, Jimal Turong, Aldimar Bara, Karen Joy Serag-Endonila, Sitti Zayda B Halun
{"title":"Wild Kappaphycus cf. striatus Growing in a Mangrove Stand in Siasi, Sulu, Philippines","authors":"Jesse Jan Galera, Jimal Turong, Aldimar Bara, Karen Joy Serag-Endonila, Sitti Zayda B Halun","doi":"10.56899/152.02.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.13","url":null,"abstract":"We report the presence of Kappaphycus cf. striatus growing in a mangrove stand in Buan, Siasi, Philippines. These plants might have originated from the wild or nearby extensive seaweed farming areas. This is the first account of wild Kappaphycus growing in a mangrove habitat and exhibiting adaptive strategies to avoid desiccation stress. These seaweeds formed scars on their thalli tips and displayed a dense morphology to reduce the surface area exposed to air. This report provides new insights into the capacity of Kappaphycus to adapt to adverse environmental conditions which could improve their chances of survival in a changing climate but could also pose a threat to other ecosystems and natural biota.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82534208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New Distribution and Rare Records of Microalgae from Aquatic Microcosms of Guzmania lingulata (L.) Mez (Bromeliaceae)","authors":"E. Arguelles","doi":"10.56899/152.02.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56899/152.02.15","url":null,"abstract":"The aquatic microcosm of bromeliads provides a unique ecological niche that supports the occurrence of a rare and diverse collection of microalgal species. Taxonomic keys, photomicrographs, and morphological descriptions were used to identify each of the microalgal species. A total of 18 microalgal species were identified from aquatic microcosms of Guzmania lingulata in the gardens of florist wholesalers in Laguna, Philippines. Of these taxa, four species were identified both for Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae, three species for Zygnematophyceae, two species each for Euglenophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae, and Cyanophyceae, and one species for Ulvophyceae. The survey reports an additional nine species (Lepocinclis marssonii, Lepocinclis fusiformis, Encyonema minutum, Volvox aureus, Lacunastrum gracillimum, Crucigeniella crucifera, Acutodesmus dimorphus, Cosmarium garrolense, and Cladophora sp.) as new records of phytotelm microalgae in the global inventory list and 11 new taxa as additional records of microalgae in aquatic microcosms found in Asia. Also, the existence of three rare microalgae, Lepocinclis marssonii Lemmermann, Crucigeniella crucifera (Wolle) Komárek, and Cosmarium garrolense J. Roy & Bisset are taxonomically described as new records in the Philippines. The floristic survey provided new distributional and taxonomic records of microalgae found in aquatic microcosms of Guzmania lingulata in the Philippines.","PeriodicalId":39096,"journal":{"name":"Philippine Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86321401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}