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.

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 Mainland China 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.

The Application of Task-Based Language Teaching in the Teaching of English for Special Purposes

With the deepening of higher education reform in China,higher education starts to focus more on the comprehensive training of talents,therefore many innovative teaching methods have been integrated into the higher education system,importantly,in English teaching,which is one of the important skills that modern talents should have.In the teaching of English for special purposes,the traditional teaching mode should be replaced with the task-based language teaching mode,where scientifically carry out teaching work based on the specific tasks and goals.This paper analyzed the connotation of task-based language teaching,and the significance of this teaching application in English for Special Purposes.Further,the purpose to study the application strategies of task-based language teaching in English for Special Purposes were also discussed in this paper.

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.

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.

College English Curriculum Reform in the Context of New Engineering Education:Taking Wuhan University of Technology as an Example

With the introduction of“new engineering,new medical science,new agricultural science,and new liberal arts”construction,the reform of college English teaching is also imperative.Scholars nationwide have conducted attempts in different aspects of college English teaching and produced fruitful results.Yet,more efforts should be made.This paper discusses the reforms made by Wuhan University of Technology,focusing on the reformation of curriculum.

Mathematical rules for synergistic,additive,and antagonistic effects of multi-drug combinations and their application in research and development of combinatorial drugs and special medical food combinations

Multi-drug(or multi-element)combinations are often prescribed in the practice of clinical medicine and as foods for special medical purposes.The main motivations for these combinations are that most diseases contain multiple related targets and an appropriate combination can maximize benefits while minimizing adverse reactions.As such,it is especially important to derive mathematical models for their quantitative calculation.In this paper,we introduce mathematical rules for the synergistic,additive,and antagonistic effects of multi-drug combinations developed in our laboratory.We have established a“onebelt,one-line”model and provide examples of the quantitative calculation of the synergistic,additive,and antagonistic effects of a combination of multiple components.We also explain how to scientifically and precisely determine the intensity of these synergies,additions and antagonisms,as well as their corresponding dose ranges,thereby laying a solid theoretical foundation for market listing combinatorial drugs and foods for special medical purposes.

Analysis of the Pull Effect of Local Government Special-Purpose Bond Investment on Economic Growth Under the Input-Output Framework

In this paper,we discuss the development process of local government special bonds,and the role channels of local government special debt investment in driving China’s economic growth.Based on the specific decomposition of Xinjiang local government special bond investment,this paper uses the non-competitive input-output model for the first time to analyze the net pulling effect of Xinjiang local government special bond investment on Xinjiang’s GDP and employment in 2020.Two measure calibers are set in this paper based on whether the financing costs are considered or not;in addition,we set up four scenarios based on two conditions:Whether to consider retained fun and whether to consider using special-purpose bond investment to leverage social capital.The results show that:1)when financing costs are not considered,the RMB77.4 billion local government special-purpose bonds can push the GDP of Xinjiang to grow by RMB42.27 billion,RMB35.12 billion,RMB77.548billion and RMB69.34 billion respectively under the four scenarios;2)when financing costs are not considered,the number of jobs driven by the RMB77.4 billion local government special-purpose bonds was respectively 372,300,324,500,718,500 and 601,300 in the four scenarios;3)when financing costs are considered,the RMB77.4 billion local government special-purpose bonds can push the GDP of Xinjiang to grow by RMB71.876 billion and RMB64.268 billion under scenario 3)and scenario 4).

ESPNeeds Analysisand Course Designin Application-Oriented Universities

With demands for applied talents dramatically increasing motivated by economic transformation and China's "Going Out " Strategy, College English reform should deepen ESP teaching, stress application of language skills to academic and professionallearning, and serve for students' future development. Therefore, it is vital to explore school-based course design in ESP based onneeds analysis.

Research on Prediction Model for Erosion and Abrasion of Barrel Based on LSSVM

To predict the erosion and abrasion of high bore pressure tank gun barrel, the least square support vector machine (LSSVM) algorithm was used. Based on the gun firing test data, the prediction model for barrel's erosion and abrasion was established. It was adopted to predict the wear increment of gun barrel. The results show that the prediction values given by the model coincide with the measured data better, and the model can predict the barrel's wear accurately and rapidly.

Incremental Static Analysis of 2D Flow by Inter-Colliding Point-Particles and Use of Incompressible Rhombic Element

A simple method is proposed, for incremental static analysis of a set of inter-colliding particles, simulating 2D flow. Within each step of proposed algorithm, the particles perform small displacements, proportional to the out-of-balance forces, acting on them. Numerical experiments show that if the liquid is confined within boundaries of a set of inter-communicating vessels, then the proposed method converges to a final equilibrium state. This incremental static analysis approximates dynamic behavior with strong damping and can provide information, as a first approximation to 2D movement of a liquid. In the initial arrangement of particles, a rhombic element is proposed, which assures satisfactory incompressibility of the fluid. Based on the proposed algorithm, a simple and short computer program (a “pocket” program) has been developed, with only about 120 Fortran instructions. This program is first applied to an amount of liquid, contained in a single vessel. A coarse and refined discretization is tried. In final equilibrium state of liquid, the distribution on hydro-static pressure on vessel boundaries, obtained by proposed computational model, is found in satisfactory approximation with corresponding theoretical data. Then, an opening is formed, at the bottom of a vertical boundary of initial vessel, and the liquid is allowed to flow gradually to an adjacent vessel. Almost whole amount of liquid is transferred, from first to second vessel, except of few drops-particles, which remain, in equilibrium, at the bottom of initial vessel. In the final equilibrium state of liquid, in the second vessel, the free surface level of the liquid confirms that the proposed rhombing element assures a satisfactory incompressibility of the fluid.

A Probe on the Influential Factors in Content-Based ESP Courses Design

Recent years, problems of the current college English courses, such as test-oriented teaching, wasteful duplication of language skills teaching, etc., have been criticized by educators and students in China. Thus, turning skill-based English courses into content-based ESP （English for Special Purposes） courses has become a tendency at colleges and universities in China. The purpose of this paper is to analyze factors influencing the design of such courses through the means of questionnaire, individual interviews, data survey （e.g., educational plans） etc.. We found the following factors throw light on the questions relating to curriculum design of ESP courses： （1） the learners＇ learning needs; （2） the social needs （esp. labor market needs）; and （3） the academic needs from the university. The analysis serves to reveal the gap between the school system and actual social and students needs. With these factors in mind, designers of such courses can adjust goals, contents, approaches, and assessments in the practical teaching. And thus these factors would enable content-based ESP courses to reflect learners＇ needs better and lead to more effective langrage learning in college English teaching field.

Investigating Factors Influencing the Stability of Enteral Nutritional Emulsions Designed for Cancer Patients

Objective A commercially available reference product was“re-engineered”and the target emulsion was formulated to contain the same energy density,as well as the same percentage of energy sources,as the reference product.The particle size and distribution,polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta-potential of emulsions were measured as indices to analyse the quality of the emulsions.Methods The centrifugal stability(Ke)was examined as the main measure of the stability of the target emulsion.Critical parameters affecting the stability of emulsions were also determined,while the temperature was fixed at 30℃,shear speed at 3500 r/min,and shear time was 15 min.The optimal quantity of emulsifier was also studied in the crude homogenate.Results A relatively stable emulsion could be obtained by using PC-50 at a dosage of 2%as the emulsifier.A 2∶1 proportion of whey protein to casein,a 1∶1 proportion of maltodextrin(DE 10-15)to maltodextrin(DE 15-20)and medium chain triglyceride(MCT)in powder form were used to obtain the most desirable emulsion.Conclusion This study explored the critical parameters that influence the stability of a total nutrition enteral emulsion designed for cancer patients,providing useful information for further industrialisation of this and other emulsion products.