Cacao, the essential ingredient for chocolate and cocoa products, is a crucial crop in the tropics. Ensuring the quality of cacao beans through grading is a vital step for farmers and suppliers, but traditional manual grading methods are often laborious and less accurate. In response, faculty researchers from Southern Leyte State University’s College of Computer Studies and Information Technology—Jannie Fleur V. Oraño, Francis Rey F. Padao, and Rhoderick D. Malangsa—have developed a KNN-based cacao bean grading system that automates this process.

Their system, created with image processing and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm, was tested with 190 training samples and 60 classification samples, achieving an impressive 93.33% accuracy. Built on C# with XAMPP and MySQL for database management, this AI-driven approach offers an efficient, reliable solution for cacao grading, promising better quality control and support for the cacao industry. This brings substantial benefits to the cacao industry, where demand for high-quality beans continues to grow. By improving grading accuracy and consistency, this approach supports better quality control across the supply chain, helping ensure that only top-quality beans reach the market. This technological advancement represents a step forward in agricultural innovation, as it demonstrates how deep learning can optimize processes and enhance productivity in traditional industries like cacao production. This article aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) commends Ms. Jannie Fleur V. Oraño of the College of Computer Studies and Information Technology for their innovative research, recently published in a Scopus-indexed journal. Their study, titled “A Convolutional Neural Network Classification System for Lung Diseases from Chest X-Rays,” showcases a cutting-edge AI-based diagnostic tool aimed at improving lung disease identification.

Lung diseases persist as a significant global health issue, affecting individuals across various age groups and lifestyles. In response, this research harnesses Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to classify six key lung conditions—effusion, atelectasis, infiltration, nodule, mass, and pneumothorax—through chest X-ray analysis. The model, trained on 8,125 images, demonstrated strong performance with an accuracy of 82.53% and a Cohen’s kappa value of 0.788.

This CNN model, which can operate on both computer and mobile platforms, represents a significant step forward in providing supplementary diagnostic tools for radiologists, supporting them in the swift and accurate identification of lung diseases. As such, it aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), focusing on harnessing technological advancements to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility.

SLSU celebrates the accomplishments of its faculty, recognizing Ms. Oraño’s dedication to research that not only brings technological innovation into the medical field but also addresses global health challenges. The university remains committed to fostering transformative studies that contribute meaningfully to both academic and societal progress.

How to cite: Lung Disease Classification Utilizing Convolutional Neural Network with CXR Imaging. (2023, December 4). IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore.

To read full content: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10435917

Water kefir has recently emerged as a popular, non-alcoholic alternative to sugary sodas, known for its refreshing taste and health-boosting properties. In their recent study, “Water Kefir Beverages and Probiotic Properties” (August 2023), Vernabelle Balmori, a faculty member of Southern Leyte State University, and Anne Gellie Plando Pablo of Western Philippines University explore the beverage’s potential as a nutrient-rich, probiotic drink. Their collaboration highlights water kefir’s versatility and its appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Water kefir's diversity lies in its adaptability: the microorganisms involved in fermentation vary significantly based on the source of the kefir grains and the substrates used. This means that ingredients such as fruits and vegetables with specific bioactive compounds can not only amplify the drink’s probiotic profile but also elevate its flavor, health benefits, and economic value. Certain substrates, for example, have been shown to boost microbial viability, enhancing the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of the drink.

The authors also note that while the demand for healthy, low-sugar drinks continues to grow, the commercial potential of water kefir remains largely untapped. The study highlights the need for additional research into fermentation techniques and scalable production processes to make water kefir more accessible on a global scale. As an emerging player in the health beverage market, water kefir offers a refreshing, sustainable, and customizable option for consumers seeking health-conscious alternatives.

How to cite: Pablo, A. G., & Balmori, V. (2023). Water kefir beverages and probiotic properties. In Reference series in phytochemistry (pp. 1–23).

To read full content: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04195-2_186-1

A Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) faculty member, Ms. Kristin O. Espita, published an article, “A Structural Equation Model on Knowledge Management Performance in Higher Education Institutions in Region VIII,” in a Scopus-indexed journal in 2022. She co-authored it with Dr. Eugenio S. Guhao, Jr., who is a faculty member from the University of Mindanao (UM).

It was shown that transformation leadership, organizational learning, and organizational strategy play a significant role in knowledge management performance. They used the descriptive-correlational technique of structural equation modeling (SEM) and conducted it across 400 administrative staff among the higher education institutions in the region.

Adding to the ever-expanding pool of literature about knowledge management, Ms. Espina and Guhao’s invite fellow academicians and researchers in other educational institutions to think about it.

The involvement of knowledge management is vital to the advancement of higher education institutions by improving areas related to organizational performance. It utilizes their knowledge and organizational assets toward a progressive institution. Hence, it provides opportunities for continuous learning, cultivating innovation and research excellence, and fostering collaborative knowledge across institutions and countries.

SLSU is moving toward academic excellence and transformative research; the university continually supports its faculty members to the realization of this objective.

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). How to cite: Espina, K. O. & Guhao, E. S. Jr. (2022). A Structural Equation Model on Knowledge Management Performance in Higher Education Institutions in Region VIII(Article).

To read full content: https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85130466750&origin=inward&txGid=417f4f1daa649f5837cde6c0fa12c19f