Materials based on highly porous fibers are now becoming increasingly popular as thermal insulators to fight severely increasing temperatures due to climate change (Khedari, et al., 2004). In this study, fibers from solid waste materials like coconut husk and absorbent pads of used disposable diapers were evaluated for their synergistic effect as thermal insulating material. Dried coconut husk fibers and cleaned used disposable diapers were heated at 1500C-3000C for 2 hours and then molded to make pads. Scanning Electron Microscopy and HD digital microscope were used in the analytical imaging of the fibers. Fiber pads from coconut husk fibers, used disposable diapers and their combination, and polyethylene foam (+control) were evaluated for their burning rate based on ASTM D 1992 while thermal conductivity, and thermal resistance were obtained using the testing hot box (Frawley & Kennedy, 2007). The morphology of the coconut husk fibers with used disposable diapers showed thicker and rougher surface with foamy coatings which confirmed porous fiber structure. One-Factor ANOVA showed significant difference among the different set-ups for burning rate (F=926.506; p=0.000), thermal conductivity (F=203.993; p=0.000), and thermal resistance (F=197.820; p=0.000) wherein the set-up for the combination of the coconut husk fibers and used disposable diapers exhibits satisfactory burning rate (M=3.268), lowest thermal conductivity (M=0.037) and highest thermal resistance (M=0.273).The results affirm that the natural coconut husk fibers and used disposable diapers have synergistic effect for better thermal properties, thus, producing a more effective and safer thermal insulating material.
Abstract. Pathological aging due to harmful free radicals and oxidative stress has been a serious threat to human health. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity, antioxidants, essential vitamins, and physicochemical properties of Hydrocotyle vulgaris L. (Pennywort) which could serve as basis in developing a biocosmetic antidote for pathological aging. H. vulgaris L. plant was harvested, air dried and then extracted via soxhlet. UV-vis spectroscopy was used for scavenging activity and antioxidants of the plant while High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was applied for the identification of essential vitamins. Phytochemicals, pH and spreadability values of the plant were also tested. Results revealed that H. vulgaris L. has an abundant presence of flavonoid and alkaloid while traced presence of tannin. Good trend for scavenging activity was also observed exhibiting low absorbance of possible free radicals with IC 50 of 29.75 and antioxidant activity of 158.13 (Total Phenolics as gallic acid in %w/w). Meanwhile, β-carotene (10.4 mg/kg), Riboflavin (4.08mg/kg), and Vitamins C (70.2mg/kg) and E (26.9mg/kg) were also found in the plant. Non-irritating pH levels of 5.7 and 7.14 for 50% and 75% concentrations of the extracts with good spreadability value of 17.51 g•cm/sec (for 75% concentration) were also obtained. Based on the findings of the study, Pennywort has a very promising therapeutic characteristics with its good scavenging activity and antioxidants. Thus, the development of a biocosmetic product that could serve as an antidote for pathological aging from Pennywort appeared to be very apparent.
Aims: The specific aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the phytochemical constituents, functional group assignment, and antibacterial activities of the Philippine green-leafed Acalypha amentacea Roxb. (Maslakot-Ambulong), a wildcrafted medicinal plant of local traditional healers in the southern most region of Mindoro province. Methodology and results: Aqueous leaf extracts of A. amentacea Roxb. were lyophilized and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening and FT-IR analysis. The antibacterial activity of the plant using agar-well diffusion assay revealed highest Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) in 500 mg/mL concentration for Staphylococcus aureus (21.78 mm), Escherichia coli, (21.36 mm), Serratia marcescens (21.90 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.44 mm), and Enterococcus faecalis (20.52 mm) among other concentrations suggesting a dose dependent bioactivity. Also, compared to the antibiotic Rifampicin, A. amentacea Roxb. demonstrated better bioactivity against all the selected bacteria except S. aureus (p<0.05) and comparable to Ofloxacin when against E. faecalis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was found to be at 15.6 mg/mL for all the bacteria except for S. marcescens with 31.25 mg/mL as MIC. The bioactivity of the plant may be accounted to the presence of alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, tannin, and saponin which were supported by its functional groups like carboxylic acid, alcohols, amine, conjugated alkene, aromatic esters, and alkyl aryl ether. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results of this investigation, proved that A. amentacea Roxb. has bioactive antibacterial principles against the selected microorganisms. This also confirms its potentiality as a new source of antibacterial agents.
Materials based on highly porous fibers are now becoming increasingly popular as thermal insulators to fight severely increasing temperatures due to climate change (Khedari, et al., 2004). In this study, fibers from solid waste materials like coconut husk and absorbent pads of used disposable diapers were evaluated for their synergistic effect as thermal insulating material. Dried coconut husk fibers and cleaned used disposable diapers were heated at 1500C-3000C for 2 hours and then molded to make pads. Scanning Electron Microscopy and HD digital microscope were used in the analytical imaging of the fibers. Fiber pads from coconut husk fibers, used disposable diapers and their combination, and polyethylene foam (+control) were evaluated for their burning rate based on ASTM D 1992 while thermal conductivity, and thermal resistance were obtained using the testing hot box (Frawley & Kennedy, 2007). The morphology of the coconut husk fibers with used disposable diapers showed thicker and rougher surface with foamy coatings which confirmed porous fiber structure. One-Factor ANOVA showed significant difference among the different set-ups for burning rate (F=926.506; p=0.000), thermal conductivity (F=203.993; p=0.000), and thermal resistance (F=197.820; p=0.000) wherein the set-up for the combination of the coconut husk fibers and used disposable diapers exhibits satisfactory burning rate (M=3.268), lowest thermal conductivity (M=0.037) and highest thermal resistance (M=0.273).The results affirm that the natural coconut husk fibers and used disposable diapers have synergistic effect for better thermal properties, thus, producing a more effective and safer thermal insulating material.
In 2016, the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) testified that among Filipino learners of ages 14-18, 85% experienced the dilemma on dealing with the evaluation of special angles in Trigonometry wherein 45% was from public high schools. This study aimed to determine the potential of a visual mathematical hand mnemonic tactic (VMHMT) as fast and accurate classroom mathematical mnemonic strategy in evaluating special angles in Trigonometry. A 20-item multiple choice type test with 50-minute time allotment. Reliability of the test items was also measured via Pearson’s. The test was administered three times with 7-day interval for each strategy with uniform starting time. ANOVA results showed no significant difference among the three manual strategies in terms of accuracy of answers (p=0.373) which means that the accuracy of the VMHMT is comparable with that of the other existing manual strategies. Meanwhile, significant difference was obtained in terms of speed of calculations (p=0.000) wherein the use of unit circle rendered longest time for calculations (M=21.234) while the VMHMT (M=14.70) and table of trigonometric ratios (M=14.23) appeared to be very fast. Learners find the strategy more relevant and experiential which could make a more lifelong learning.
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