Empowering Rice Farmers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: A Strategic Approach to Boosting Income through Special Purpose Rice Production

Low income is the main problem of millions of farmers who are cultivating 4.81 million hectares in the Philippines. This problem is attributed to challenges specifically low yield, low quality of produce, and significant post-harvest losses, particularly in a resource-scarce setting. This study aimed to help increase the farmers’ income in selected towns of Nueva Ecija through the promotion and use of special purpose rice production technology. Twenty (20) farmer-cooperators in three towns of Nueva Ecija were selected to demonstrate the production technology covering a total area of 4.75 hectares during the dry season, and 3.3 hectares during the wet season, both in 2023. Extension modalities such as training, techno-demo establishment, information material and technical assistance provision, and market linkage were undertaken to enhance their knowledge, attitude, and skills on special rice production and enterprise. The study utilized the descriptive quantitative method wherein the data were gathered through surveys, specifically personal interviews. Results showed that 70% of the farmer-cooperators were male and 60% were living below the poverty threshold. The farmers were 53 years old on average and engaged in farming as their primary source of income. The average yield of special purpose rice particularly the CLS-2 variety was higher (6.46 MT/ha and 6.22 MT/ha during dry and wet seasons, respectively) than that of inbred or non-special rice. The income per hectare from special purpose rice production per hectare was Php 75,420.00, which is higher than that of regular rice at Php 29,389.00, giving a higher benefit of Php 46,031.00. The technology adopters and area planted increased (from 6 to 9 and from 1.4 hectares to 2.75 hectares, respectively) in Licab, Nueva Ecija. The opposite was true in Sto. Domingo and Guimba, Nueva Ecija where farmers were discouraged by the marketing issues that arose.

Trip Purposes of Automobile Users Inference Using Multi-day Traffic Monitoring Data

Determining trip purpose is an important link to explore travel rules. In this paper,we takea utomobile users in urban areas as the research object,combine unsupervised learning and supervised learningm ethods to analyze their travel characteristics,and focus on the classification and prediction of automobileu sers’trip purposes. However,previous studies on trip purposes mainly focused on questionnaires and GPSd ata,which cannot well reflect the characteristics of automobile travel. In order to avoid the multi-dayb ehavior variability and unobservable heterogeneity of individual characteristics ignored in traditional traffic questionnaires,traffic monitoring data from the Northern District of Qingdao are used,and the K-meansc lustering method is applied to estimate the trip purposes of automobile users. Then,Adaptive Boosting(AdaBoost)and Random Forest(RF)methods are used to classify and predict trip purposes. Finally,ther esult shows:(1)the purpose of automobile users can be mainly divided into four clusters,which includeC ommuting trips,Flexible life demand travel in daytime,Evening entertainment and leisure shopping,andT axi-based trips for the first three types of purposes,respectively;(2)the Random Forest method performss ignificantly better than AdaBoost in trip purpose prediction for higher accuracy;(3)the average predictiona ccuracy of Random Forest under hyper-parameters optimization reaches96.25%,which proves the feasibilitya nd rationality of the above clustering results.

The Powerful Role of Mothers in Adolescent Purpose Development

Adolescence is a critical time for the cultivation of life purpose,also known as a meaningful long-term aim focused on contribution to others.Youth with purpose,especially marginalized youth,report a number of positive outcomes.Relationships with caring adults appear to be particularly helpful in guiding young people on their path to purpose,but little work has focused specifically on the role of mothers.This qualitative study,approved by a Institutional Review Board,examines how twenty adolescents from marginalized communities describe their sense of purpose and its relationship to their caregivers.The sample size was determined based on saturation,a process in qualitative research when the researchers begin to observe redundancy in the data.Through content analysis,a major theme emerged:the role of mothers and their impact on purpose development on their children.Results showed that mothers helped their adolescents develop their sense of purpose through serving as a sense of inspiration,providing the adolescents with support,sparking a desire for the adolescents to make their mothers proud,and through the mothers and adolescents in engaging in conversations about one’s future.

Using the Delphi method to propose foods for special medical purposes health effect evaluation indicators

Objective:The Delphi method was used to propose health effect evaluation indicators to assess foods for special medical purposes(FSMPs).This lays the foundation for the formation of a big data model for human health testing,as well as a big data platform for the health and safety evaluation of special medical foods.Methods:The Delphi method was used to conduct two rounds of expert consultation on the constructed FSMP health effect evaluation indicators.Results:Ten major items were identified after two rounds of expert consultation.Among these,there were 10 primary entries,32 secondary entries,50 tertiary entries,and 28 quaternary entries.Conclusion:The complete list of evaluation indicators contains 10 entries,which can comprehensively and systematically monitor adverse reactions to the use of FSMPs.The present findings lay the foundation for a big data platform to evaluate the health and safety of special foods.

Purpose融合:基于风险purpose的隐私查询访问控制

基于purpose的查询技术是关系数据库对隐私数据访问控制的基础,目前大多数研究都仅仅关注在独立隐私保护数据库环境下,如何建立有效的基于purpose的隐私数据访问控制模型.但随着分布应用整合和数据共享需求的日益增长,如何合并独立应用下基于purpose访问控制模型的问题就应运而生.为解决这一问题,文章提出了多应用系统集成环境下基于融合purpose的隐私数据访问控制实现机制.文章首先分析了由于合并独立purpose模型而引起的潜在隐私数据查询泄漏,提出了合并后的purpose树是一棵隐私泄漏风险树,并给出了树结点隐私风险度的计算模型.其次,将隐私泄漏风险树分解成一棵所有结点风险度为0的风险平衡树以及一组由风险度不为0的结点组成的风险路径.这样,一个查询可被改写为先对风险平衡purpose树的查询,再对风险路径查询,以此达到隐私泄漏风险最小的安全查询结果.文章给出了3组实验的结果:(1)对于同一用户同一查询,在不同purpose模型下的查询时间比较.文章提出的模型并没有在查询时间上带来更大的开销.(2)对RPPAAC模型防止隐私数据泄漏的有效性验证.文中的模型可降低由应用整合引起访问控制机制不平衡所带来的隐私数据泄漏风险.(3)不同情况下purpose融合的执行时间比较.文章与相关研究的不同之处是将purpose作为隐私数据的载体、purpose树的路径作为隐私数据的传递通道,引入了显性隐私度和隐性隐私度的计算模型,评估基于一个purpose查询可能带来的隐私泄漏风险,进而提出了多应用系统集成环境下基于融合purpose的隐私数据访问控制实现机制.

Communicative Purpose in Analyzing Discourse

Discourse analysis has become more and more important in field of English Language Teaching.Based on the "moves" theory and the "problem-solution" rhetorical pattern,this paper aims to discuss different communicative purposes related to discourse analysis with reference to the discourse structures.Also the implication of exploiting this analysis for teaching purpose will be discussed.

The Basic English Words of Communication for General Purposes

The aim of research on general purposes of basic English words is to discover and explicate the practices through which interacts produce and understand conduct in the communication.The study focuses on the linguistic of communication.

Effects of Different Reading Purposes on L2 Learners' IVA

According to the former studies, there are many factors having effects on second language(L2) learners' incidental vocabulary acquisition(IVA). This paper is aimed to reveal how reading a text with different purposes might affect IVA of L2 learners. The results of this study show that there is a closed relationship between the efficiency of IVA and reading purposes. Besides,it also has something to do with L2 learners' reading abilities.

Effect of Cerium on Mechanical Performance and Electrical Conductivity of Aluminum Rod for Electrical Purpose

The effect of rare earth element Ce on mechanical performance and electrical conductivity of aluminum rod for electrical purpose were studied under industrial production condition. Using optical microscope, SEM, TEM, EDS and X-ray diffractometer, the microstructure and phase composition of aluminum rod were measured and analyzed. The results indicate that the content of rare earth element Ce is between 0.05%～0.16% in the aluminum rod for electrical purpose. Its tensile strength is enhanced to some extent. The research also discovers that the tensile strength is enhanced remarkably with impurity element Si content increases. Because influence of Si is big to the conductivity, the Si content should be controlled continuously strictly in the aluminum for electrical purpose. Adding rare earth element Ce reduces the solid solubility of Si in the aluminum matrix, and the negative effect of Si on the aluminum conductor reduces effectively. So the limit of in Si content in aluminum rod for electrical purpose can be relaxed moderately.

Effect of Rare Earth Element Ce on Microstructure and Properties of Aluminum Rod for Electrical Purpose

The effect of rare earth element Ce on microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties was studied.Using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer, the microstructure and phase composition of aluminum rod for electrical purpose were measured and analyzed.The results indicate that rare earth element Ce can considerably refine grain size of aluminum rod for electrical purpose,improve the regular distribution pattern of the impurity, such as silicon and iron which present in the aluminum matrix,form stable metal compound with pernicious impurity.This metal compound precipitates on the crystal boundary.As a result, the solid solubility of impurity in aluminum reduce, and the electrical conductivity of aluminum rod for electrical purpose is improved.It is found that the mechanical properties of aluminum rod for electrical purpose are improved by rare earth element in certain range of RE addition.

A review on rules for examination of licensing criteria for producing foods for special medical purpose in China

In this paper,the background,principles,and main contents of the rules for the examination of production licenses of foods for special medical purposes are introduced.The contents including general rules,production sites,equipment facilities,equipment layout,technological process,personnel management,management system and supplementary rules are interpreted item by item.This study has important value and historical significance for promoting the development of Chinese enterprises and industries of foods for special medical purposes.

Firmness of purpose in life significantly influences emotional state and autonomic nervous activity

The present study was performed to clarify the influence of having a firm purpose in life (PIL) on psychological and physical stresses. Participants were 59 subjects (19 males and 40 fe- males) with a mean age of 30.9 years (standard deviation, 12.1;range, 18 - 68 years). We used a mental arithmetic (MA) test as a goaloriented stressor;the test was supposed to be finished before a time limit expired without using pencil and paper. We used a PIL test to assess the intensity of personal meaning in one’s life, an interest in mental arithmetic test (IMAT) to assess the intensity of interest in the MA test, and an anxiety inventory (AI) to assess the anxiety level of before and during the MA test. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and nose tip temperature (NTT) were recorded before and after MA. We used logistic regression modeling to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of independent variables of age, sex, PIL test score, AI score, HR, SBP, DBP, and NTT before the MA test. Multivariate-adjusted models showed that PIL test scores prior to the MA test significantly predicted the observed changes in AI score and HR. Other variables were not significant predictors. In conclusion, we found that a firm PIL decreased anxiety under psychological stress as measured with the MA test, even with objective evaluation by others. Having a firm PIL also lowered the response of the sympathetic nervous system to psych0logical stress.

Econometric Analysis of Factors Affecting Special Purpose Forests in China

The forest estate is one of our most important natural resources. It is also the material foundation for sustainable forestry development in China. It is a timely topic of concern within the forestry community and touches the entire society. From a social economic point of view, the sustainable development has been promoted by the efficient use of the forest resources in a continuing improvement of the environment. The objective of the present analysis is to measure the effect of various factors, such as population, economic development and related policies on the use of the forest resources. The 29 provinces of China's Mainland are classified in three regions, based largely on their level of economic development. For each region, the factors which affect the area of special purpose forests (SPF) are analyzed. Some recommendations are made for further improvement.

A Critical Review of Foreign Language Education Purposes

A critical review of main purposes for foreign language teaching in the past few decades is provided, involving grammatical competence, communicative competence and intercultural communicative competence(ICC). In the meanwhile, from a process-oriented perspective, learner autonomy is also discussed. The conclusion is developing ICC best represents the language competence developing goal while developing learner autonomy represents a broad educational goal; a combination of these two goals count as appropriate foreign language education purpose.

Discussion on the Nature of English for Specific Purpose and ESP Teaching Methods

This paper clears up the scientific justification for the existence of ESP through the analysis of ESP's nature.The specific features of ESP teaching goals and focuses require us to adopt suitable ESP teaching methods for the completion of ESP teaching tasks.The ESP teaching method introduced here as "Contrastive Approach" is from our ESP teaching practice and will play a positive role in the ESP education to Chinese students.

Influence of Rare Earth on Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum Rods for Electrical Purpose

For pushing the anticorrosion research on the electrical aluminum, the influence of the rare earth element on the corrosion resistance of the aluminum rods for electrical purpose in the different density acid, the alkali, the salt solution was investigated. The results show that the anti-corrosive performance of the aluminum rod containing the rare earth element for electrical purpose is distinctly improved, and the anti-corrosive performance is related to corrosive medium and the components of the aluminum rods for electrical purpose.

Matrix Extension with Fitness for Purpose and Stability Assessment of DHA and Additional Fatty Acids in Individual Whole Chicken Eggs

The consumption of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) is associated with several human health benefits. Most notable of these LC-PUFA is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA C22:6) whose inclusion is considered essential for optimum human health. Biofortification of common foods such as eggs with DHA has emerged as a specific approach to increase the intake of DHA in human populations. This can be achieved by supplementing poultry rations with feeds like microalgae or fish oil that are rich in DHA, which results in an increased uptake in the egg. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) is the method of choice when analyzing food such as eggs for DHA and other fatty acids. For regulatory studies it is desirable to demonstrate that the method is specifically suitable for the analysis of DHA and fatty acids in eggs. The purpose of this paper is to further extend the scope of the AOAC 996.06 methodology examined in the paper by Dillon et al., and to demonstrate the fitness for purpose of the method by examining specific validation parameters. It is a further objective to investigate the stability of DHA and other fatty acids of short and long timepoints. A validation of the method for the determination of DHA and three other fatty acids in eggs is thus presented.

Comparison of Factors Related to Elderly People’s Purpose of Life in Japan and Thailand

Purpose: In the present study, the features of “purpose of life” of elderly persons in Japan and Thailand are clarified by focusing on this concept and its related factors, and through the comparison of the results of Japan and Thailand. Methods: The Japanese subjects consist of the elderly aged 60 or older. The Thai subjects consist of the elderly aged 60 or older who live in Thailand. A sum of 250 subjects (men and women) per country will be studied. They were asked about their individual attribution and maintenance of healthy condition. Moreover, 19 items were examined as events leading to life purpose. These items were measured using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Results: Data from 200 elderly people (male: 67, female: 133) in Thailand and 234 elderly people (male: 49, female: 185) in Japan were used in the analysis. Regarding an “Events Leading to Life Purpose,” it was suggested that “activities to enhance learning and culture” and “neighbors and friends, and socializing with acquaintances” helped both in Japan and Thailand. Moreover, “elderly persons’ club activities” and “child” were effective in Thailand, while “spouse” and “grandchild” were effective in Japan. Moreover, Model 1 (event, disease → purpose of life → mental health, and IADL) that became purpose of life for both countries was adopted. Conclusion: In order to improve older adults’ mental health and ADL by improving “purpose of life”, it is required to increase the events leading to life purpose and to prevent illness for both countries. In particular, “activities to enhance learning and culture” and “neighbors and friends, and socializing with acquaintances” was the activity which raises “purpose of life”. Then, “elderly persons’ club activities” and “child” were effective in Thailand, while “spouse” and “grandchild” were effective in Japan.

The Omani Technical Students’Knowledge of English for Specific Purposes(ESP)Lexis and Their Attitudes Towards Learning ESP

In Oman,research on ESP has been attracting a great deal of attention in English language education over the past decade.Nevertheless,little attention has been paid to discover the relationship between the technical students’knowledge of the ESP lexis and their attitudes towards learning ESP in the Omani technical context.Therefore,this research study was conducted to do so and to explore whether the Omani technical students’knowledge of ESP lexis is predictable and is affected by a combination of their attitudes to learning ESP,their gender,and their age.Forty-eight questionnaires were distributed among participants(24 males and 24 females)aged between 24 and 27 years old.The study confirmed the positive relation between people’s knowledge and their feelings;several recommendations were proposed.In addition,the study showed that technical students’attitude towards learning ESP is an issue that must be resolved as it negatively affects improving the students’knowledge of ESP lexes.

Distribution of Land Increment Income from Marketing Rural Collective Land for Development Purposes : A Case Study of Changyuan City

In order to protect the property rights and interests of farmers,promote the revitalization and development of rural areas,and provide a reference basis for the reform of marketing rural collective land for development purposes,this study explores the reasonable distribution proportion of land increment income from marketing rural collective land for development purposes through analytic hierarchy process and Delphi expert scoring method.The results show that there is a positive correlation between land increment income and land grade,that is,the higher the land grade,the higher the increment income,the larger the proportion of increment income to the transaction price.According to the calculation,when marketing rural collective land for development purposes,the reasonable distribution proportion of the land increment income of the government and the village collective is 28.6%and 71.4%,respectively,and the land increment income actually obtained by farmers has been greatly improved compared with the current situation.In practice,this distribution model has universal applicability and long-term mechanism.The reform of marketing also needs to improve the standard of marketing,explore diversified channels to protect interests,and strengthen the construction of rural collective management system.In short,the distribution of land increment income from marketing rural collective land for development purposes should proceed from the perspective of land property rights and the factors affecting the price of collective land for development purposes,in order to build a reasonable income distribution model.