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Lowland ecotype Cyperus rotundus L. has been reported to infest irrigated lowland ricefields in the Philippines. Its effects on the growth and yield of rice under flooded conditions are unknown. Two experimental runs were conducted in a screenhouse to determine the growth of lowland ecotype C. rotundus with transplanted and wet direct-seeded rice at sowing densities of 0, 22, 44, 66, and 88 initial germinating tubers m–2, as well as its effects on the growth and yield of rice. Except for height, growth variables of lowland ecotype C. rotundus were increased with the increase in its germinating tuber densities. Compared with 22 germinating tubers m–2, its number of off-shoots and tubers plus shoot and root biomass at 44–88 germinating tubers m–2 increased by up to three times. Growth variables of rice were reduced by the weed. Grain yield of transplanted rice was reduced by 14–38%, whereas that of wet direct-seeded rice was reduced by 11–28%. The estimated yield losses of transplanted rice per weed plant were 0.8 and 0.1% as germinating tuber density and number of off-shoots approached zero (i) and 75.7 and 66.1% as the variables approached infinity (a). Estimated yield losses of wet direct-seeded rice per weed plant were 0.6 and 0.1% as the two variables approached i and 63.8 and 100% as variables approached a. Results suggest that lowland ecotype C. rotundus can grow well and reduce the growth and yield of rice under flooded conditions. Although the findings were obtained under screenhouse conditions, the results imply the need of developing a holistic weed control strategy against the weed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuing pressure on the natural environment exerted by human activities such as land conversion has been threatening to drive tens of thousands of species to extinction globally for decades. Species conservation requires identifying species ranges impacted by threats, which helps predict localized extirpations and potential extinctions. This paper assessed the human pressures that threaten the local biodiversity in Cebu Island, Philippines, to help prioritize actions to manage and mitigate human impacts on local biodiversity. Hotspots, where modeled dendroflora species richness is compromised, were identified through a spatial overlay of pre-defined high-resolution human pressure variables. A notable observation was that the largest and only protected KBA - the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) - had the highest percentage occurrence of medium to high threats within its boundaries, which could be attributed to its proximity to highly populated municipalities and cities. More importantly, possible areas of refuge for key species were identified. These areas could be appropriated as local restoration sites by the local government units of Mt. Lanaya and Nugas forest in the south of Cebu since these KBAs had high dendroflora richness but with less occurrence of high threats. The resulting maps could also be used as important references for targeted conservation management programs to help mitigate the threats that are driving local species to their decline and for preemptive planning of local and national conservation agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 34‐year‐old woman, from Philippines, diagnosed limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B with compound heterozygous nonsense mutation W1478* and novel deletion of exons 43‐46 of the dysferlin gene. These loss‐of‐function mutations do not seem to be predictive of a severer clinical course. We report the first identification of microhomologous region of 2 bp (TG) identical sequences surrounding the breakpoint junction. Detailed analysis of the deleted allele should be pursued in order to better understand the underlying mechanism of genomic rearrangements of the dysferlin gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the generic transformations resulting from adapting a korido (metrical romance) into a komiks story and into a film. The resulting discourse is an examination of Filipino f ilm adaptation practices as exemplified through the film Bernardo Carpio, a 1951 Sampaguita Pictures production that has been faithful to the Liwayway komiks story authored by novelist Faustino Galauran who freely adapted from the pre-existing korido. The idea of sourcing and adapting is based not only on the premise that an existing text summons immediate acceptance by the viewers but also on the argument that a culture of recycling is in place and allows for certain stories to take on an allegorical implication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]