Digital Assessment: Empowering 21st Century Teachers in Analyzing Student’s Performance in Calamba City

Educators utilize students’ scores on standardized tests to evaluate the impact of instructional programs designed to improve student achievement. Thus, a data-driven-decision is crucial in policy formulation and the development of the interventions in addressing the gaps in education. The rationale of this study is to ensure the accuracy and validity of consolidated assessment data and to provide appropriate responses using checking and analysis software applications. The study used a descriptive quantitative design. A questionnaire was given to the participants relative to their perception and reflection on the use of software application in assessment for the school year 2018 – 2019. The research was limited to the effectiveness of the software application in terms of checking, scoring, recording, organizing, analyzing, and reporting assessment data. The results show that assessment software application has a significant difference compared to traditional assessment procedures in terms of a) provision of accurate and valid data, b) cost-effectiveness, c) flexible features in organizing and analyzing data, and d) speed of providing feedback. The study implied the importance of how teachers should adapt to emerging technology, specifically, on software that may help them not only in assessment but also in instruction. As a recommendation, the formulation of local policy on digital evaluation should be implemented

Parametric study on the hydrothermal synthesis of fluorescent p-doped carbon quantum dots from banana peels (Musa acuminata) and their photocatalytic performance towards hexavalent chromium reduction

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) represents a significant risk to both human health and the environment. Photocatalysis offers a promising method for reducing Cr(VI) to the less toxic Cr(III) state, which can be easily precipitated and removed. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have become prominent in photocatalysis owing to their facile synthesis, light-harvesting capacity, and electron transfer properties. In this study, banana peel (Musa acuminata) powder containing approximately 59.58 ± 7.43% (w/w) carbohydrates and 15.67 ± 0.15% (w/w) moisture, serves as a sustainable carbon source for synthesizing CQDs, through the hydrothermal method. Phosphoric acid was introduced as a dopant and catalyst, promoting the formation of fluorescent phosphorus-doped carbon quantum dots (P-CQDs). These P-CQDs were then used as photocatalysts for the visible light-induced reduction of Cr(VI). This research employed a 2k factorial experimental design to evaluate the effects of hydrothermal synthesis conditions such as phosphoric acid-to-banana peel powder mass ratio (1:1 to 2:1), reaction temperature (140°C to 180°C), and reaction time (4 to 8 hours) on the photoreduction of 50ppm Cr(VI) in synthetic wastewater. Photoreduction efficiencies ranged from 57.3% to 85.4% after 2 hours of visible light irradiation. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results at a 95% confidence interval demonstrated that all three factors significantly influenced the reduction efficiency. Furthermore, UV-Vis spectroscopy of P-CQDs at varying hydrothermal synthesis conditions revealed characteristic absorption bands at π–π* transitions of the C=C bonds in the core structure and n–π* transitions of C=O/P domains on the surface. Meanwhile, FTIR analysis of P-CQD samples has shown several peaks corresponding to hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl and phosphorus-containing functional groups. The synthesized compound also exhibited strong photoluminescence with blue-green emission under 365 nm UV light.  These findings are crucial for further research aimed at optimizing the synthesis of sustainable P-CQD photocatalysts

Transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of cell and protein biomarkers of checkpoint inhibitor-induced liver injury

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 have shown remarkable antitumor efficacy, but can also cause immune-related adverse events, including checkpoint inhibitor-induced liver injury (ChILI). This multi-omic study aimed to investigate changes in blood samples from treated cancer patients who developed ChILI. PBMCs were sequenced for by transcriptomic and T cell receptor repertoire (bulk and single-cell immune profiling), and extracellular vesicle (EV) enrichment from plasma was analyzed by mass spectroscopy proteomics. Data were analyzed by comparing the ChILI patient group to the control group who did not develop ChILI and by comparing the onset of ChILI to pre-ICI treatment baseline. We identified significant changes in T cell clonality, gene expression, and proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma in response to liver injury. Onset of ChILI was accompanied by an increase in T cell clonality. Pathway analysis highlighted the involvement of innate and cellular immune responses, mitosis, pyroptosis, and oxidative stress. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that these changes were primarily found in select T cell subtypes (including CD8 + effector memory cells), while CD16 + monocytes exhibited enrichment in metabolic pathways. Proteomic analysis of plasma extracellular vesicles showed enrichment in liver-associated proteins among differentially expressed proteins. Interestingly, an increase in PBMC PD-L1 gene expression and plasma PD-L1 protein was also found to be associated with ChILI onset. These findings provide valuable insights into the immune and molecular mechanisms underlying ChILI as well as potential biomarkers of ChILI. Trial registration number NCT04476563

Hybrid Processing

Human societies have converted biomass into energy and products for millennia using both biochemical and thermochemical processes. Familiar examples of biochemical processing includes fermentation of sugar- or starch-rich crops and milk into sauerkraut, beer, wine, yogurt, and cheese. Familiar examples of thermochemical processing include baking and cooking of food and burning wood for heat and power

Biofuels from Corn Stover: Pyrolytic Production and Catalytic Upgrading Studies

Due to security issues in energy supply and environmental concerns, renewable energy production from biomass becomes an increasingly important area of study. Thus, thermal conversion of biomass via pyrolysis and subsequent upgrading procedures were explored, in an attempt to convert an abundant agricultural residue, corn stover, into potential bio-fuels. Pyrolysis of corn stover was carried out at 400, 500 and 600oC and at moderate pressure. Maximum bio-char yield of 37.3 wt.% and liquid product yield of 31.4 wt.% were obtained at 400oC while the gas yield was maximum at 600oC (21.2 wt.%). Bio-char characteristics (energy content, proximate and ultimate analyses) indicated its potential as alternative solid fuel. The bio-oil mainly consisted of phenolic compounds, with significant proportions of aromatic and aliphatic compounds. The gas product has energy content ranging from 10.1 to 21.7 MJ m-3, attributed to significant quantities of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Mass and energy conversion efficiencies indicated that majority of the mass and energy contained in the feedstock was transferred to the bio-char. Fractional distillation of the bio-oil at atmospheric and reduced pressure yielded approximately 40-45 wt.% heavy distillate (180-250oC) with significantly reduced moisture and total acid number (TAN) and greater energy content. Aromatic compounds and oxygenated compounds were distributed in the light and middle fractions while phenolic compounds were concentrated in the heavy fraction. Finally, hydrotreatment of the bio-oil and the heavy distillate using noble metal catalysts such as ruthenium and palladium on carbon support at 100 bar pressure, 4 hours reaction time and 200o or 300oC showed that ruthenium performed better at the higher temperature (300oC) and was more effective than palladium, giving about 25-26% deoxygenation. The hydrotreated product from the heavy distillate with ruthenium as catalyst at 300oC had the lowest oxygen content and exhibited better product properties (lower moisture, TAN, and highest heating value), and can be a potential feedstock for co-processing with crude oils in existing refineries. Major reactions involved were conversion of phenolics to aromatics and hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols. Results showed that pyrolysis of corn stover and product upgrading produced potentially valuable sources of fuel and chemical feedstock

Digital Assessment: Empowering 21st Century Teachers in Analyzing Student’s Performance in Calamba City

Educators utilize students’ scores on standardized tests to evaluate the impact of instructional programs designed to improve student achievement. Thus, a data-driven-decision is crucial in policy formulation and the development of the interventions in addressing the gaps in education. The rationale of this study is to ensure the accuracy and validity of consolidated assessment data and to provide appropriate responses using checking and analysis software applications. The study used a descriptive quantitative design. A questionnaire was given to the participants relative to their perception and reflection on the use of software application in assessment for the school year 2018 – 2019. The research was limited to the effectiveness of the software application in terms of checking, scoring, recording, organizing, analyzing, and reporting assessment data. The results show that assessment software application has a significant difference compared to traditional assessment procedures in terms of a) provision of accurate and valid data, b) cost-effectiveness, c) flexible features in organizing and analyzing data, and d) speed of providing feedback. The study implied the importance of how teachers should adapt to emerging technology, specifically, on software that may help them not only in assessment but also in instruction. As a recommendation, the formulation of local policy on digital evaluation should be implemented.</jats:p