Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU, Filipino: Pamantasang Ateneo de Davao) is a private Catholic basic and higher education institution run by the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus in Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines. It was established in 1948 when the Jesuits took over the administration of the diocesan school, St. Peter's Parochial School. The Jesuits renamed the school to "Ateneo de Davao" after taking control. The Jesuits were naming all the schools that they were opening at that time Ateneo. Ateneo de Davao is the seventh school in the country to be named as Ateneo by the Jesuits. The university has five undergraduate schools, namely the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Governance, School of Engineering and Architecture, School of Education and the School of Nursing. The graduate programs are under these units as well. The College of Law is a separate unit within the university. The university also runs a grade school and high school, both Junior High and Senior High.The university was granted "Institutional Accreditation" by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities in which only six universities in the country were given such recognition, and was also granted Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (Philippines). .mw-parser-output .toclimit-2 .toclevel-1 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-3 .toclevel-2 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-4 .toclevel-3 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-5 .toclevel-4 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-6 .toclevel-5 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-7 .
This study presents the functional characterisation of auxiliary ligand-transport pathways in bovine visual pigments using the fluorescent probe L1, a synthetic analogue of retinal. While structural studies have identified potential entrance channels Hole A and Hole B, the dynamic ‘traffic report’ of how these pathways regulate retinoid flux has remained elusive. We utilised the unique photophysical properties of L1, specifically its dual-fluorescence and sensitive response to the local dielectric environment, to probe the subsurface reactive gateways of opsin and rhodopsin. In the rigid, hydrophobic environment of the protein channels, the L1 probe exhibits a significant increase in fluorescence quantum yield, reaching 1.74× 10^-2 in bovine opsin, which represents a significant enhancement relative to the aqueous state. This enhancement is a direct reporter of the mechanical planarisation of the probe, which effectively blocks the non-radiative twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) state prevalent in fluid solvents. Competitive titration and time-resolved kinetic analysis identify a critical stoichiometric transition in the ligand channelling mechanism. Our results demonstrate that the auxiliary binding sites function as a high-capacity molecular buffer, accommodating up to seven equivalents of the L1 probe without impeding the primary visual cycle. However, exceeding this threshold leads to a distinct ‘saturation cliff’, where the auxiliary channels become saturated and act as kinetic bottlenecks. At 20 equivalents of L1, the recovery efficiency of native rhodopsin is suppressed to only 10.5
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into advanced manufacturing has intensified demand for training programs that develop computational competencies of engineers and scientists. This paper presents a six-month, competency-based AI for Manufacturing (AI4M) training curriculum bridging AI methodologies with additive manufacturing applications through four interconnected pillars. Grounded in project-based and adult learning, the curriculum combines self-paced modules with supervised research projects, producing publishable research papers as training outputs. Evaluation incorporates formative assessments, peer reviews, and expert consultation. Results from pilot implementation demonstrate effectiveness: all trainees successfully implemented AI methods, 80% completed advanced deep learning projects, and 5 manuscripts were submitted to peer-reviewed venues with 3 accepted for conference presentation. The framework provides a scalable model for workforce upskilling in AI-driven manufacturing aligned with Industry 4.0 while remaining adaptable to diverse institutional contexts.
This study optimized the heat treatment process of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and investigated the effect of incorporating modified expanded polystyrene (MEPS) in the compressive strength and microscopic structure of lightweight concrete. In the first part of the study, the effect of both size and heating time in the compressive strength and density of the MEPS was investigated. The study utilized two forms of EPS, cubes measuring 100 to 150 mm, and crushed particles measuring 1.2 to 88.9 mm. A relationship between optimal heating time and particle size, at a constant temperature of 130° C was observed. The second part of the study investigated the effect of incorporating the MEPS as a partial substitute for concrete aggregates. EPS particles ranging from 2.4 to 84.8 mm in size underwent the optimal heat treatment based on the derived relationship. The MEPS produced were then substituted for coarse (CA) or fine (FA) aggregates, depending on their particle size. Substitution percentages of up to 40% were investigated. It was concluded that incorporating MEPS significantly reduced concrete’s density. Furthermore, compressive strength testing revealed that substituting MEPS for CA significantly reduced the concrete’s compressive strength while FA substitution had a statistically insignificant effect on it. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also performed on the concrete mix that registered the highest compressive strength. SEM result suggests that the lowering of concrete’s density was due to the porosity of the MEPS aggregates. The study highlighted the potential of using MEPS in concrete, especially as FA replacement.
Abstract The study investigates the potential use of marine renewable energy sources in archipelagic nations, such as the Philippines. A simulation was performed using the Island Garden City of Samal as a case study. An off-grid design is to be simulated for the Samal Island ferry terminal, which connects the Island Garden City of Samal to the mainland of Mindanao in Southern Philippines. This is to avoid reliance on the grid connection that has previously caused the city to run on a diesel generator for months due to a breakage in its submarine cable. A power system that uses a combination of tidal and photovoltaic (PV) is proposed in order to increase reliability of clean energy. For the energy resource, an assessment was conducted using data from weather stations and an acoustic Doppler current profiler deployed on-site. The data was then used in HOMER Energy, a microgrid simulation software, to identify the optimized system. The total load for the system was 18.57 kW, and the design, which had the lowest Net Present Cost (NPC), comprises a 10 kW diesel generator, a 5 kW solar PV array, a 54 kW tidal turbine, 20 kWh lithium-ion (LFP) battery (5 kW). All in all, the proposed system reveals the dominant role of tidal energy, contributing 349,128 kWh/yr. (96.7% of total generation), while solar PV provides 7,770 kWh/yr. (2.2%), and the diesel generator supplies only 4,089 kWh/yr. (1.1%) for backup purposes. This presents the potential utilization of marine renewable energy, enhancing energy resilience in vulnerable island communities while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel-only systems.
This study assesses groundwater quality and well suitability using the Groundwater Quality Index, geospatial mapping, and multi-criteria decision-making to promote sustainable resource management. The results show that 83
