This article discusses the assessment of groundwater quality using a hybrid technique that would aid in the convenience of groundwater (GW) quality monitoring. Twenty eight (28) GW samples representing 62 barangays in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines were analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal (HM) concentrations. The 28 GW samples were collected at suburban sites identified by the coordinates produced by Global Positioning System Montana 680. The analysis of heavy metal concentrations was conducted onsite using portable handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) Spectrometry. Hybrid machine learning—geostatistical interpolation (MLGI) method, specific to neural network particle swarm optimization with Empirical Bayesian Kriging (NN-PSO+EBK), was employed for data integration, GW quality spatial assessment and monitoring. Spatial map of metals concentration was produced using the NN-PSO-EBK. Another, spot map was created for observed metals concentration and was compared to the spatial maps. Results showed that the created maps recorded significant results based on its MSEs with values such as 1.404 × 10⁻⁴, 5.42 × 10⁻⁵, 6.26 × 10⁻⁴, 3.7 × 10⁻⁶, 4.141 × 10⁻⁴ for Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, respectively. Also, cross-validation of the observed and predicted values resulted to R values range within 0.934–0.994 which means almost accurate. Based on these results, it can be stated that the technique is efficient for groundwater quality monitoring. Utilization of this technique could be useful in regular and efficient GW quality monitoring.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is a worldwide problem. Although global incidence is not known, incidents of 1-24% have been reported from various regions of the world especially those practicing home delivery without standard prophylaxis. This study was an in-vitro investigation on possible prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) like potassium aluminum sulfate (KAlSO4)2 and povidone iodine (C6H9I2NO) in comparison to tetracycline. A five by three (5x3) factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used in this study. Factor A was the five-test bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. while Factor B was the experimental variables or the substances to be tested such as alum, povidone iodine and tetracycline. Aluminum was diluted and subjected to purity test prior to bacteria assay. The zone of inhibition was measured using a caliper and results were recorded. Based on the in-vitro analysis, aluminum showed a positive response to the five tested bacteria as it yielded a comparative mean results of growth inhibition. Among the possible applications of the findings in the study could be the formulation of antiseptic eye drops with the use of alum or Povidone iodine to be used as prophylaxis to guard against neonatal conjunctivitis.