Scopus ID: 85140766587
Journal of Mechanical Engineering, (2021), Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 119-141
Journal Article | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
This research exhibits the current state of the groundwater resources of the Province of Marinduque more than 20 years after the mining disaster. The sampling locations included thirty – five (35) sites that were extending all six municipalities of the province. The concentration of chromium, iron, manganese, lead, and zinc exceeded the maximum admissible limit (MAL) based on the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) 2017. Thirteen of the sampling sites were classified as severe pollution based on its pollution index. The highest pollution indices were found to be at Brgy. Sumangga, a riverside barangay in the Municipality of Mogpog. These indices were utilized to produce a spatial metal concentration map of the Province of Marinduque using the Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) method. Based on the map, the groundwater of the municipality of Torrijos needs prompt attention for remediation. The findings revealed that the province of Marinduque's groundwater quality is in danger of deteriorating. It is possible to infer that EBK is an effective method for monitoring groundwater quality based on the data and correlation provided. The results of this study could assist in planning rapid response and strategies that are beneficial in the execution of programs that will enhance the adaptive capacity of the province.
Scopus ID: 85112513784
Computers and Concrete, (2021), pp. 1-25
Nolan C. Concha
& Andres Winston C. OretaJournal Article | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Corrosion of steel reinforcement due to hostile environments is regarded as one vital structural health concerns in concrete structures. Specifically, the development of corrosion affects the necessary bond strength of rebar in concrete contributing to the loss of resilience and possible structural failures. It is thus essential to understand the effects of corrosion on bond strength so that remedial measures can be done on existing and deteriorating RC structures. Hence, this study investigated through laboratory experiments and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling the effects of corrosion on bond strength. Experimental results showed that at small amounts of corrosion less than 0.27%, the bond strength was observed to increase. At these levels, the amounts of corrosion products were sufficient enough to expand freely through the permeable structure of concrete and occupy the pore spaces. Beyond this level, however, the bond strength of concrete deteriorated significantly. There was an observed average decrease of 1.391 MPa in the bond strength values for every percent increase in the amount of corrosion. The expansive and progressive internal radial stress due to corrosion resulted to the development of internal and surface cracks in concrete. In the parametric investigation of the derived ANN model, the bond strength was also observed to decline continuously with the growth of corrosion derivatives as represented by the relative magnitudes of the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). The prediction results of the model can be utilized as basis for design and select appropriate mitigating measures to prolong the service life of concrete structures.
Scopus ID: 85218440706
Computers and Concrete, (2021), pp. 1-25
Journal Article | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Ultra-High Strength Concrete (UHSC) is known for its brittleness compared to traditional concrete, which can lead to sudden collapses. When it comes to columns, failures are particularly serious and require the use of confinement models to accurately predict the strength and strain of confined UHSC columns. While previous confinement models exist, many equations either underestimate or overestimate the confinement of concrete due to idealized assumptions and the exclusion of significant variables. This study employs a hybrid machine learning approach to capture the complex interactions in confinement behavior and accommodate a broader range of peak strength and axial strain parameters in UHSC. Statistical performance measures indicate the superiority of the proposed models over existing equations. Through causal inference, the study assesses the effects and relative importance of each parameter on peak strength and axial strain. The visualizations provided by the performance plots helped identify patterns and correlations that would have been difficult to discern through numerical analysis alone. The developed NN-PSO models are proven effective in reasonably predicting the peak strength and axial strain of UHSC columns.
Scopus ID: 85127559713
2021 IEEE 13th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2021), pp. 1-5
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Coding is widely regarded as a fundamental skill of the 21st century. Yet, there is still a shortage of programmers worldwide which disproportionately affect the innovation goals of many sectors. In this study, we evaluated the installment of a Python programming gamified course in higher education, and measure its effect on students’ knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and skills performance. Two sections with 50 students each were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. After one semester, the experimental group exhibited significantly higher scores in laboratory activities (skills performance) compared to the control group. Furthermore, they demonstrated a significant improvement with reference to attitude and self-efficacy before and after intervention. Therefore, we concluded that the use of a Python programming gamified course was an effective method for students to learn coding and programming concepts. The use and installation of a gamified course in learning other computer programming languages is highly recommended.
Scopus ID: 85127561315
2021 IEEE 13th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2021), pp. 1-5
Dennis Michael G. Garcia, Andrea Nicole L. Ramos, ... Mark B. Ondac
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
SEEP/W is a sophisticated finite element program for simulating groundwater flow in porous media. SEEP/W can also model simple saturated steady-state problems as well as complicated saturated/unsaturated transient analysis. This study aims to determine the effects of the different types of isotropic soils on the seepage and exit gradient of homogeneous earth dams through using seepage analysis simulation. A total of sixty simulations were performed to determine the effects of each six different types of isotropic soil, including gravel, silt, silty sand, silty clay, clay and sand, on the seepage and exit gradient of homogeneous earth dams. In the simulation data, the highest value of the exit gradient is from gravel, which is 0.50003672, while the lowest value is from clay, with a value of 0.500029. In seepage flux, gravel and clay soil have the highest and lowest values, with a minimum and maximum value of 3.00E−04m3/s and 3.00E−02m3/s for gravel and 1.00E−11m3/s and 4.70E−09m3/s for clay,, respectively. The computed r-value is 0.623 and the tabular value is 0.2546766 with 58 degrees of freedom and a 0.05 level of significance. Due to the r-value of 0.623, which is in between the r-values of 1.0 and 0.5, the seepage and exit gradient have a Positive Relationship in terms of Pearson's Correlation Method. Based on this data, it is highly recommended to use clay soil for designing embankment dams as it has low value for both seepage and exit gradient which could prevent piping. While gravel should be avoided among the six types of soil that were simulated since it has a high value for both seepage and exit gradient, making it more susceptible to piping which is one of the major causes of dam failure.
Scopus ID: 85123825959
2021 1st Conference on Online Teaching for Mobile Education (OT4ME), (2021), pp. 15-20
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Personal financial management is undeniably a worthwhile practice to establish a financial security during a struggling economy and make intelligent monetary decisions regardless of the plethora of spending temptations. Monitoring personal cash flow is part of achieving financial independence, and it is now undemanding to perform because of the available personal budget apps and finance tools. Nevertheless, a missing feature of these technology-driven innovations is the recording, tracking, and monitoring of receipts as well as the generation of personal expenses reports based on these collected pieces of papers. With this application, “Mobile Bookkeeper”, financial enthusiasts can just scan the receipt using the inbuilt camera of any smartphone and details will be automatically transcribed using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). To measure the satisfaction and test the usability of the mobile app, subjective and objective measures via ISO 25062 and ISO 9241 standards were collected, and QUIS 7.0 questionnaire, respectively. The testing results established Mobile Bookkeeper particularly on its receipt scanner feature as a needed mobile finance app. Together with this acceptance is the report highlighting issues and challenges in developing such mobile application especially with OCR integration and its accuracy in text recognition.
Scopus ID: 85123845522
2021 1st Conference on Online Teaching for Mobile Education (OT4ME), (2021), pp. 103-107
Manuel B. Garcia
& Ryan Michael F. OducadoConference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
With the significant adverse impact of a pandemic like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) towards the teaching and learning experience, numerous educational institutions are looking for ways to improve their current practices and meet the challenges of this global threat. Despite the recommendations of applying Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) like video games to alleviate the negative effects of the pandemic, it is still not clear whether nursing teachers are willing to use it. Consequently, this study explored nursing teachers’ behavioral intention to employ mobile game-based learning (MGBL), and its relationship amongst core factors of the Theory of Planned Behavior (i.e., perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and, attitude). Descriptive statistics revealed that most of the nursing teachers were female, a master’s degree holder, with an academic rank of instructor, not a licensed professional teacher, and a permanent and full-time employee at private institutions in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Moreover, they do not play mobile games and do not have an experience when it comes to MGBL. Lastly, Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that Theory of Planned Behavior factors correlated positively with the intention of nursing teachers to use MGBL. This descriptive-exploratory study serves as a preliminary exploration of MGBL in nursing education and a future study will cover the prediction of nursing teachers’ intention to use MGBL in the classroom.
Scopus ID: 85123835674
2021 1st Conference on Online Teaching for Mobile Education (OT4ME), (2021), pp. 68-72
Abdulsalam Salihu Mustafa &
Manuel B. Garcia
Manuel B. Garcia
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Since its inception, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been a commonly adopted theory for understanding users’ acceptance of various types of information systems (e.g., online learning systems). Over the years, different information systems theories have been integrated into TAM to further the understanding of users’ intention to accept online learning. To examine the literature, four databases were utilized to discover research articles examining the online learning acceptance and continuance intention of users (e.g., students and teachers). The findings of the systematic review revealed that Task Technology Fit and Theory of Planned Behavior are the most integrated and educationally successful theories into TAM. Meanwhile, course information, satisfaction, perceived usefulness, attitude, system quality, perceived ease of use, and academic performance are the essential drivers for the acceptance or continuance usage of online learning systems. These findings serve as an evidence and reference for educational institutions in developing policies and strategies for the implementation of an online education.
Scopus ID: 85121327537
Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computer and Communications Management, (2021), pp. 46-51
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Assistive technologies gained traction in the medical field over the last few decades. Novel approaches have been developed in order to support people with disability to communicate effectively. However, little research has been conducted on the other side of the coin, that is, assistive technologies to help people who do not have a disability to understand and comprehend the language of disabled. This study describes the early development of a hand alphabet recognition that intends to accomplish a functioning dactylology conversion from sign language to English print in a live streaming video. Through a video analysis, each frame is processed using a segmentation technique to partition it into different segments (e.g., pixels of hand gesture). The dactylology conversion algorithm was implemented in a mobile application where users can watch video containing an on-screen sign language interpreter and understand fingerspelling used as a communication by hearing- and speech-impaired people. Through the sample dataset of 13 videos of American Sign Language manually collected (N=10) and recorded (N=3), the application was tested for its accuracy in detecting the alphabet in a video (94.16%), and the correctness of conversion of the detected alphabet into English print (89.65%). This study contributes to the list of existing novel approaches that aims to promote social positive effects as well as improve the quality of life for both disabled and all the people they socialize with.
Scopus ID: 85127599472
2021 IEEE 13th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), (2021), pp. 1-6
Conference Paper | Published: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Blindness is an impairment in which the patient requires constant assistance with even the most basic of everyday tasks particularly in travelling alone without occurring accident. The project was designed to improve the level of independence of a visually impaired individual in travelling, utilizing the Smart Stick for the Visually Impaired Person will help them travel in flat and rugged terrain with high level of confidence as not to have accidents or injuries. The smart stick provides an obstacle detector and a speech synthesizer mechanism to guide the individual to certain obstacle and a change in the terrain elevation, it also helps the individual to locate the smart stick easily if they accidentally dropped or misplaced it, the device will create a sound through the buzz module. The following modules were also included; Obstacle detection, Terrain detection, Hand detection, Speech Synthesizer, and Sound module, all of which are connected to the Arduino Nano microcontroller. The prototype was tested considering all modules as mentioned above, having a 95 to 100 percent success rate for 20 testing trials in every module of the system. The study had presented an alternative way for the visually impaired individual to travel safely. The researcher recommended for future enhancement of the device to be paired with smart phones or an application based-GPS for tracking and monitoring.