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The overall insight of this study focused on using the identified attributes or characteristics of mostly consumed instant coffee in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija Philippines. The researchers utilized the identified attributes as the determinants of axes (x;y) for identifying the perceived value or the market positioning of each variety of identified instant coffee. As an additional perspective, the researchers incorporated the benefits of utilizing the perceptual map for defining the main preference of the consumers that could give a bright perspective for the Research and Development (R&D) department of these brands. Furthermore, the researchers include the description of the respondents in terms of age, sex, civil status, engagement or profession and, monthly income and allowances as the fundamental basis for defining the chosen segment of consumers. For the methodology of interpreting and gathering information and facts, the researchers utilized the descriptive method of a quantitative approach to execute the current market analysis. For the statistical treatment, the proponents of the study used the five-point scale congruent to the Relative Importance Index (RII) to quantify the degree or the level of importance of each identified attribute. The respondents are the 160 residents of the abovementioned municipality who were chosen purposively by the researchers and the questionnaire was administered via online platforms. The data and information then were tabulated and computed using Microsoft Excel. For the results and discussion, the researchers used a mathematical diagram to locate the perceived value of each identified variety of coffee and to determine the gap in the market that would serve as the basis for future product development and improvement. It is further concluded that perceptual mapping gives a dynamic insight for the instant coffee manufacturers for the improvement of the quality of products that they are producing. Hence, it is recommended that product innovators and developers must utilize the determinant mapping analysis for the entire industry to have a more precise and accurate interpretation of the customers’ perspective and assumption toward a certain product or service.

To define and evaluate the areas of consideration concerning in identifying the critical factors that top universities in Nueva Ecija, Philippines can be used for triangulating the courses of actions that can be applied to improve the current practices of universities towards its combat to the COVID–19 disease is the primary objective of this study. The researchers used a descriptive design of methodology by using questionnaire–checklist to scientifically describe the situation, problems, phenomenon, or program, or provide information about certain issues related to the virus outbreak. The respondents of the study were faculty and staff of five established universities in Nueva Ecija, Philippines wherein the researchers employed a non–probability sampling technique to be logically assumed as the representative of the entire population. The results of the study shown that the top universities in Nueva Ecija have made efforts to ensure the safety of university workers by complying with the Inter–Agency Task Force (IATF) protocols. It can be inferred, in reality, that there are some areas that must be improved especially when it comes to ensuring the welfare of the personnel who are still reporting to work even in this time of the pandemic. The researchers suggested an enhancement plan that can be adapted by these universities to resolve the concerns of the faculty and staff especially in reducing the spread of the virus without sacrificing the day–to–day transactions of the academic institutions.

This study presents an in–depth analysis and strategic planning techniques for approaching a situation or achieving progress related to information technology services of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, particularly the San Isidro Campus. As an educational organization and one in the region excellence providers in education, the University has so much vital information to manage and services to offer to provide the student's needs through the Management Information System department, application of IT services as a competing instrument to combat tedious tasks such as online admission, grade release, enrollment information, and online learning, university announcement, and possible students’ internship. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of information technology in day–to–day activities of the organization and strategy applied to streamline processes more conveniently. The researchers develop a conceptual model that would analyze the IT services' impact by identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and cleverly act on it using the TOWS Matrix in generating strategic decisions. The overall results were beneficial to the University and MIS as a basis for formulating competitive strategies and integrating it in an extended development plan.

The management of resorts is not only exerting too much effort in overseeing their business, thinking the new attraction to introduce and making their amenities and facilities even better. Today, they are also focused on performing their Corporate Social Responsibilities. The study presented the Corporate Social Responsibilities of selected resorts in Cabanatuan City. The study aimed to assess different aspects of CSR such as social, ecological and economic aspects of the resorts along with determining the problems that hinder the resorts in doing their Corporate Social Responsibilities. The descriptive method of research was utilized and the normative survey technique was used for gathering data. The questionnaire served as an instrument for collecting data. Randomly selected employees of three selected resorts in Cabanatuan City were taken as respondents. Descriptive statistics such as weighted mean and percentages were the statistical tools used in analyzing and interpreting the research data. Findings showed that in general, employees had assessed their resorts’ CSR as evident in terms of social aspect concerning health and safety, ecological and economic aspects. Lack of time, unavailability of technology, lack of fund and lack of employee motivation were identified to be the top problems of resorts’ management in doing their CSR programs. It was concluded that the selected resorts in Cabanatuan City have included CSR in their operations. It is recommended that resorts must extend their CSR activities in the community and other stakeholders.

This study aimed to describe the situation of the consumers buying behaviors loans' and credits with the use of descriptive research design. The researchers found out that micro–financing business or lending institutions and private individuals are credit service providers of the respondents. The types of loan and credit they avail are investment loan or business loan which is worth more than Php 100,000 and consumer credit amounting to less than Php 20,000. Loans can provide their needs, they do not have stable source of income, their salary are not enough, they want to buy gadgets, apparels and vehicles are the main reasons why the respondents avail loans and credits. On the other hand, long process of approval, time to repayment of maturity date and high interest rate are problems encountered by the respondents in availing credit services. Complex–buying and habitual–buying are the consumer behaviors manifested by the respondents.

__Background:__ The closure of the valves generates shear waves in the heart walls. The propagation velocity of shear waves relates to stiffness. This could potentially be used to estimate the stiffness of the myocardium, with huge potential implications in pathologies characterized by a deterioration of the diastolic properties of the left ventricle. In an earlier phantom study we already validated shear wave tracking with a clinical ultrasound system in cardiac mode. __Purpose:__ In this study we aimed to measure the shear waves velocity in normal individuals. __Methods:__ 12 healthy volunteers, mean age=37±10, 33% females, were investigated using a clinical scanner (Philips iE33), equipped with a S5-1 probe, using a clinical tissue Doppler (TDI) application. ECG and phonocardiogram (PCG) were synchronously recorded. We achieved a TDI frame rate of >500Hz by carefully tuning normal system settings. Data were processed offline in Philips Qlab 8 to extract tissue velocity along a virtual M-mode line in the basal third of the interventricular septum, in parasternal long axis view. This tissue velocity showed a propagating wave pattern after closure of the valves. The slope of the wave front velocity in a space-time panel was measured to obtain the shear wave propagation velocity. The velocity of the shear waves induced by the closure of the mitral valve (1st heart sound) and aortic valve (2nd heart sound) was averaged over 4 heartbeats for every subject. __Results:__ Shear waves were visible after each closure of the heart valves, synchronous to the heart sounds. The figure shows one heart cycle of a subject, with the mean velocity along a virtual M-mode line in the upper panel, synchronous to the ECG signal (green line) and phonocardiogram (yellow line) in the lower panel. The slope of the shear waves is marked with dotted lines and the onset of the heart sounds with white lines. In our healthy volunteer group the mean velocity of the shear wave induced by mitral valve closure was 4.8±0.7m/s, standard error of 0.14 m/s. The mean velocity after aortic valve closure was 3.4±0.5m/s, standard error of 0.09 m/s. We consistently found that for any subject the velocity after mitral valve closure was higher than after aortic valve closure. __Conclusion:__ The velocity of the shear waves generated by the closure of the heart valves can be measured in normal individuals using a clinical TDI application. The shear wave induced after mitral valve closure was consistently faster than after aortic valve closure. Abstract P1138.

Background Mitral valve resistance (MVR) is a hemodynamic consequence of mitral stenosis but it has no clear threshold and it has a shortage of data to be reliable. Purpose is to investigate match and mismatch between opening area and resistance especially in patients with moderate and mild mitral stenosis. Materials This cross section case control study comprised 88 patients with moderate and mild rheumatic mitral stenosis. Transthorathic echocardiographic study estimated: mitral valve area (MVA) both by planimerty (2D) and pressure half time (PHT), mitral valve score (MVS), mean transmitral pressure gradient (MPG), diastolic filling time(DFT), left ventricular out flow tract diameter (LVOTd) and velocity time integral (LVOT vti) , the MVR was calculated as: MPG/aortic flow ratio [(LVOTd) (LVOTvti)/ DFT] in dynes.sec.cm5, NYHA function class of all patients was estimated. We classified our patients into 2 groups, group 1 (51 patients) with matched MVR and group 2 (37 patients) with unmatched MVR (unexpected high MVR in relation to valve area). Methods Patients with moderate mitral stenosis have MVR less than 105 dynes.sec/cm5, while patient with mild mitral stenosis have MVR less than 76 dynes.sec/cm5 this is in the matched group, but there are patients with unmatched higher MVR. Group 2 compared to group 1; had higher NYHA function class (1.4±0.6 vs. 1.2±0.4, P < 0.05), MVS (8.1±1.8 vs 7±0.9, P < 0.05), MPG (11,3±3.7 vs.7.8±2.5 mmHg, P < 0.01) and higher MVR (122.37±29.87 vs. 67.18±20.12 dynes.sec/cm5 , P < 0.01), MVR showed positive correlation with MVS (r=0.5, P < 0.05), Step wise logistic regression analysis showed that MVS is the only independent predictor of the MVR severity in the mismatched (unexpected high) group , so the higher the MVS the higher the expected MVR whatever the MVA is ; (B±SE=6.997±2.826, t=2.476, 95% CI 1.241±12.752 with an odds ratio=0.412, P < 0.05). Conclusion It would make much more sense to investigate match and mismatch between opening area and resistance in rheumatic mitral stenosis, the only independent predictor of mismatch is the mitral valve score.

© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. In this work, we produce functionally graded nanocomposites consisting of silver (Ag) plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs) supported in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix. PDMS was selected due to its high optical transparency, nontoxicity and ease of use. The Ag PNPs were formed by annealing sputtered Ag ultra-thin films and were subsequently capped by a spin-coated PDMS layer. We investigate the factors that affect their plasmonic behavior, such as the PNP size, the annealing conditions and the surrounding environment. In order to achieve broadband absorption, we developed PDMS/Ag(PNPs) multilayers with graded PNP size. Thus, we demonstrate the significance of the stacking sequence of various plasmonic layers sandwiched between PDMS layers and its potential for tailoring the plasmonic response of multilayer structure. As a demonstration of this approach, we deposited a specially designed multilayer structure, whose optical extinction resembles the solar emission spectrum.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and the antitumor activity of gemcitabine when administered in combination with concurrent cisplatin and radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical carcinoma (LACC). Patients and methods: Patients with histologically confirmed LACC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics IIB–IVA), previously untreated, were eligible for entry in the study to receive radiotherapy and concomitant weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin 40 mg/m 2 and gemcitabine at increasing doses levels until the MTD was found. Results: Thirty-six patients were included. Sixteen patients were entered at four dose levels. The MTD was 150 mg/m 2 and the recommended dose of gemcitabine for phase II was 125 mg/m 2 . Twenty additional patients were entered at this level. Toxicity at the recommended dose was acceptable with grade 3/4 toxicity in

A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our department for a progressive difficulty in topographic orientation, confirmed by an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests. All biochemical and immunological examinations of blood and cerebrospinal fluid and a cerebral MRI were normal, but a technetium-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer–single photon emission CT (Tc-99m ECD-SPECT) scan showed bilateral parietal hypoperfusion. The patient refused to undergo other examinations, but 14 months later she returned to hospital for diffuse cutaneous livedo reticularis over her trunk and legs. This time the MRI showed small frontoparietal cortical–subcortical abnormalities suggestive of arterial ischemic infarctions. We made a diagnosis of Sneddon’s Syndrome (SNS). SNS is characterized by the association of livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular disease; non-dermatological onset is extremely uncommon. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a patient presenting with cognitive impairment only and observed at such an early stage of the disease that a cerebral MRI was normal.