Abstract

“dama” is a common traditional board game of Filipinos. In this study the game was developed sbased on its usability and application of parallel search algorithm for faster response time. These include the dynamics of “dama” game, alpha-beta pruning algorithm, sequential and parallel PVSplit algorithms and graphical user interface. In order for the game to have intelligence, improved search algorithms such as the use of thePVSplit algorithm to exploit parallelism was employed. This was shown to speed up the efficiency of the implemented algorithm run on high, performance computer with a speedup of 3. However, the use of the same algorithm run on a cluster of computers showed a lower performance. This algorithm performed better than the alpha-beta algorithm especially in finding better intelligent moves. This study has also shown that the playable “dama” game designed with graphical user interface familiar to “dama” players has a perceived usability using System Usability Scale of 81.3 SUS score, high enough to be recommended for use. This was favorably supported by positive feedbacks from the user qualified asclass B by the experts.

Index Terms

“dama”, algorithm, parallel, boardgame

Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals, Pb and Cd were determined from the sediments and seawater samples collected from the shoreline of Tag-ibo, Iligan City. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using Flame Atomic Spectroscopy (F-AAS). The average concentration of lead detected in the sediment samples was at the range of 5.2475 – 24.0824 ppm and that of cadmium was 3.5043 – 5.0471 ppm. The average concentration of lead in seawater samples ranged from 1.7474 – 7.8403 ppm and 0.0004 – 0.0233 ppm cadmium. Based on these results, there was a higher accumulation of Pb than Cd in both sediment and seawater samples. The level of lead in sediment and seawater samples exceeded the acceptable level while that in seawater samples were considered acceptable. The results indicated that Pb and Cd metals accumulated in the marine environment of Tag-ibo, Iligan City were relatively high. A parallel study on seagrass samples obtained from the same site indicated high concentration of Cd. Results of this current study are compared to that of the previous study conducted in 2001. It was observed that there has been a significantly large increase in the concentration of these metals.

Index Terms

Sediments, spectrophotometric, heavy metals, seawater

Abstract

Prunus grisea, locally known as “tanga-tanga”, belongs to the Rosaceae family and genus Prunus . This study is focused on the bioassay-guided partial isolation of the bioactive fractions from the hexane extract of the air-dried leaves of Prunus grisea, denoted as PGH, employing various chromatographic methods. Gravity column chromatography of PGH afforded the 14 fractions PGH1-PGH14. Fraction PGH13 exhibited the highest bioactivity against the brine shrimp Artemia salina Leach with mortality of 56.67%. Subsequent purification of fraction PGH13 gave the six sub-fractions PGH13.1-PGH13.6 which were subjected to High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic profiling and analysis. Three possibly purified sub-fractions (PGH13.1, PGH13.3, and PGH13.6) were identified and recommended for structure elucidation and further bioactivity tests.

Index Terms

Prunus grisea, brine shrimp lethality test, chromatography, High-Performacne Liquid Chromatogprahy, bioactivity

Abstract

Climate change has exacerbated frequent and intense flooding in brangay Hinaplanon in Iligan City as the years passed. It is for this reason that a GIS-based flood risk management plan is presented to reduce the risks and minimize the effects of possible disasters due to flooding. Household geographic and demographic data including building stocks were gathered to develop a social vulnerability map overlaid to the flood hazard scenario maps. These were processed using QGIS to facilitate the identification of high-risk areas on a per purok level purok. Results from household social vulnerability assessment showed that the Bayug Island has the highest number of highly vulnerable households while those in Phase 3 and 5 Bahayan puroks were under low vulnerability level. Five puroks were identified high-risk puroks (Purok 9 – Bayug Riverside, Purok 5A - Tambo and Purok 5B – Neopoda) for 25 Year Return Period (YRP) and 50 YRP. The flood risk map for 100 YRP identified four puroks (Purok 2C - Katipunan, Purok 5A - Tambo, Purok 5B - Neopoda and Purok 9 – Bayug Riverside) at high-risk purok. All the generated thematic maps generated were integrated into the flood risk management plan to aid the barangay officials in planning, managing, deciding and executing plans in flooding events.

Index Terms

disaster risk reduction, flood risk management, GIS, thematic maps

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the crude ethanol extract and chloroform-soluble extract of the plant sample, Ruellia tuberosa Linn. against Eudrilus eugeniae or African nightcrawler earthworms. The chloroform-soluble extract (RTC) was obtained through sequential solvent partitioning of the crude ethanol extract (RTE) of the air-dried aerial part of R. tuberosa Linn. RTC underwent fractionation via gravity column chromatography. The anthelmintic assay of RTC showed better results compared to RTE with respect to mean time of paralysis and death of earthworms at all concentrations employed. Also, among all RTC fractions, only RTC4 showed anthelmintic activity with time of death of 36.11 ± 4.32 min at 3-mg/mL concentration. Additionally, it showed better activity than the mother extract at the same concentration and consequently, better than RTE. Not only is RTC4 a better anthelmintic than its two parent crude extracts, RTC and RTE, it also remarkably exhibited a better activity, for both times of paralysis and death compared to the positive control mebendazole (76.49 ± 12.60 min). Considering just the activities of the mid-polar components of R. tuberosa Linn. for the given assay, it can be said that this sample can be a promising source of plant-derived anthelmintic compounds. Lastly, the extracts and fractions subjected to anthelmintic assay all showed a dose-dependent activity.

Index Terms

African nightcrawler, Anthelmintics, Athelmintic activity, Helminth infections

Abstract

In vitro anthelmintic activity of the decoration (CBD) and hexane-soluble extract (CBH) and its fractions of the aerial parts of Cyperus brevifolius Rottb., was investigated against Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms. Crude ethanol extract (CBE) was obtained by soaking the air-dried aerial parts of the plant sample in 95% ethanol followed by filtration. The filtrate was then concentrated utilizing a rotary evaporator, which yielded the hexane-soluble extract (CBH). Five fractions of CBH were obtained by subjecting it through gravity column chromatography. Three concentrations (3, 25, and 50-mg/mL concentrations) were prepared for CBH and CBD and only 3-mg/mL for the CBH fractions. The results indicated that in terms of mean time of paralysis, CBH has a better anthelmintic activity than CBD at 25-mg/mL concentration (16.35±4.30 min, and >180, respectively) as well as at the 50-mg/mL concentration (13.50±3.86 min and 19.19±3.90 min, respectively). Furthermore, CBH also gave a better anthelmintic activity (with respect to the mean time of death of test organism) compared to CBD at 25-mg/mL concentration (62.62+5.90 min and >180, respectively) and at 50-mg/mL concentration (31.63+5.87 min and 37.99+5.27 min, respectively). And, among the fractions obtained, only CBH1 and CBH4 showed a notable activity as exhibited by faster mean time of paralysis and death of the test organism compared to its mother solution, CBH. Therefore, C. brevifolius exhibited anthelmintic activity specifically its nonpolar components, the CBH and its fractions (CBH1 and CBH4).

Index Terms

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the sustainability of water supply by examining the ecological integrity of the soil at the Pasonanca Natural Park in Zamboanga City, Philippines by examining the physicochemical conditions of the surface mineral layer. Stratified random sampling of composited soils were tested for total organic carbon using Walkley Black method, total Kjehldahl nitrogen and texture analysis using Bouyoucos hydrometer method. The results show homogeneous mean soil total organic carbon (TOC) in the range of 3.11– 4.31% whereas clay content vary from 18-29%. Soil TOC is % below the threshold required for excellent formation, structural stability and water-holding capacity indicating disaggregation, unstable structure, reduced water-holding capacity and therefore diminished water storage potential of the soil. Soil TN varies in the range of 0.24-0.29% straddling around the threshold of 0.25% coupled with sandy soil imply condition of N saturation and the potential for nitrate leaching. Clay was below the 35% requirement to support conservation of soil organic carbon. Sand content is 44% in the flatland and 30% in the upper slope. There is no marked difference in the SOC and TN values between topographic gradients. The results of the physico-chemical properties of the soil as shown in this study are outside the threshold range required to secure their efficient delivery of support services to water supply in the watershed. The results are temporary but they suggest potential concern on the ecological integrity of the Pasonanca Natural Park.

Index Terms

Sustainability, straddles, watershed, composited

soil