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Evaluating the Impact of the Skills Training Course on the Operation and Maintenance of the Rice Processing System (RPS) on the Operational Efficiency and Asset Sustainability of Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations in Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Irish Ramos Arambulo, Christopher M. Ladignon, Lorinda E. Pascual

This study evaluated the operational, technical, and cognitive impact of a five-day Skills Training Course on the Operation and Maintenance of the Rice Processing System (RPS) administered across Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Using an evaluative mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design combined with a one-group pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental approach, the study monitored fifteen (15) purposively selected beneficiaries (12 Farmers' Cooperatives and Associations and 3 Local Government Units) spanning Level 1, 2, and 3 facilities, alongside forty (40) individual operators. Quantitative records covering one full cropping season before and after the intervention were subjected to a paired-samples t-test at alpha = 0.05, supplemented by qualitative focus group discussions. Empirical results for the operational cohort (n = 10) revealed a marked increase in mean Milling Recovery Rate (MRR), rising from a baseline of 58.67% to a post-training average of 64.34% (+5.67 percentage points), bringing facilities into the 63.0-65.0% designed operating range of modern multi-pass systems. Unplanned facility downtime dropped by 78.75%, from 16.00 to 3.40 hours per month, while moisture tracking accuracy improved from 62.40% to 91.80%. Individual technical knowledge assessments (n = 30 paired records) showed a statistically significant mean score expansion from 12.87 to 14.77 out of 25 items, t(29) = 3.738, p = 0.0007, with secondary analysis identifying learning variances attributable to cognitive overload in the most technically complex competency areas. Post-test scores correlated strongly with both the Milling Efficiency Index, r(8) = .742, p = .014, and the Asset Sustainability Index, r(8) = .795, p = .006. Contextual audits revealed that five (5) distributed facilities were structurally constrained from immediate operationalization due to a lack of active three-phase power grid connectivity or ongoing construction backlogs. Post-training survey metrics confirmed a distinct cultural transition away from reactive breakdown frameworks toward checklist-driven preventive maintenance routines, with the asset sustainability composite score advancing from 1.77 to 4.40 out of 5.00. The study concludes that targeted capacity building is a necessary prerequisite for sustainable postharvest mechanization, and recommends that national line agencies institutionalize mandatory operator certification and enforce stricter inter-agency utility grid coordination prior to machinery distribution.

Integration of AI-Assisted Development Tools into Modern Software Delivery Workflows and Their Impact on Engineering Productivity

Michael Rainesh

AI-assisted development tools now enter routine software delivery through code completion, repository-aware coding assistants, automated pull request (PR) comments, and AI-supported testing. Their effect on productivity depends on the workflow stage in which engineers use them, the quality controls around generated output, and the way senior developers preserve ownership of design decisions. This article develops an analytical model for integrating AI code generation and AI-driven pull request review into modern software delivery. The study uses comparative source analysis, conceptual synthesis, typologization, and analytical generalization based on ten recent academic and industry-facing publications on large language models in software engineering, GitHub Copilot, automated review, hallucinations, package risks, and security attacks. The article separates measured evidence from practitioner-reported operational estimates. It identifies where AI shortens implementation work, where it adds review burden, and which governance mechanisms protect code quality, onboarding, mentoring, dependency control, and release stability.

The Relationship among Experiential Marketing, Experiential Value, Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty-An Empirical Study of Taiwan Cultural & Creatives Park

Kuo-Min Ko

With the advent of the experience economy, the gap between products and services has become increasingly smaller. What customers pursue is hands-on participation and the acquisition of a unique experiential feeling. This study mainly explores the relationships among experiential marketing, experiential value, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty, and takes Taiwan’s cultural and creative parks as the research object. Questionnaires were distributed using convenience sampling. The research methods mainly adopted descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The findings reveal that, among visitors to Taiwan’s cultural and creative industry parks: 1. Experiential marketing has a positive relationship with experiential value. 2. Experiential marketing has a positive relationship with customer satisfaction. 3. Experiential value has a positive relationship with customer satisfaction. 4. Customer satisfaction has a positive relationship with customer loyalty.

Cybersecurity Challenges in Pakistan’s Financial Sector

Mubashir Ali

The rapid digital transformation of Pakistan's financial sector has significantly improved banking efficiency, financial inclusion, and customer convenience through the adoption of internet banking, mobile banking, fintech services, and digital payment systems. However, this digital expansion has simultaneously increased exposure to cybersecurity threats, making cybersecurity a critical concern for financial institutions. This study investigates the major cybersecurity challenges affecting Pakistan's financial sector, examines their impact on financial institutions and customers, evaluates the effectiveness of existing cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory measures, and proposes strategies to strengthen cybersecurity resilience. Using a qualitative research approach based on secondary data analysis, the study reviews literature, regulatory guidelines, industry reports, and international cybersecurity frameworks, including those of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), ISO/IEC 27001, and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. The findings reveal that rapid digitalization has expanded the attack surface of financial institutions, with phishing attacks emerging as the most prevalent threat. Other significant risks include ransomware, data breaches, insider threats, and third-party vulnerabilities. While regulatory initiatives and international cybersecurity standards have improved governance and risk management practices, challenges such as a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, limited awareness, and uneven cybersecurity maturity persist. The study concludes that strengthening cybersecurity governance, enhancing workforce capacity, promoting cybersecurity awareness, and investing in advanced security technologies are essential for ensuring the resilience, stability, and trustworthiness of Pakistan's evolving digital financial ecosystem.

Influence of Social Media Marketing on Business Performance Among Clothing SMEs in Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania

Msyangi M. Kuruchumila, Bahati Mbilinyi, Sophia Mbura

This study investigated the effect of social media marketing on business performance among clothing SMEs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as well as the mediating role of online social network relationships. A quantitative approach and an explanatory research design were employed. Using systematic sampling, 363 respondents were selected from a population of 3,952 clothing SMEs. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, and regression analyses were conducted on 357 valid observations. Three regression models were estimated: one assessing the total effect, one incorporating the mediator, and one examining the direct effect in the presence of the mediator. Social media marketing exhibited a positive association with business performance (B = 0.933, p < 0.001) and with online social network relationships (B = 0.847, p < 0.001). In the final model, both social media marketing (B = 0.710) and online social network relationships (B = 0.264) remained statistically significant predictors (both p < 0.001), jointly accounting for 89.1% of the variance in business performance. The reduction in the marketing coefficient indicated partial mediation, although formal confirmation would require testing the indirect effect. The study concludes that social media marketing and online social network relationships enhance the business performance of SMEs. It recommends that clothing SMEs intensify product promotion, customer communication, and relationship management via social media, while systematically monitoring enquiries, orders, and repeat purchases.

Cultural Competence and Practice Readiness of Filipino Internationally Educated Nurses in the U.S. Healthcare System: A Descriptive Comparative-Correlational Study

Katherine Ann A. Estimada, Maria Karmela C. Del Rosario

The study contributes quantitative evidence on the interaction between cultural competence and practice readiness among Filipino IENs in the U.S. healthcare system during their transition to practice. Filipino IENs are recognized for their solid clinical foundation, compassionate nature, and flexibility, but the literature has described challenges they may encounter during their transition to U.S. practice. The aim of this study was to determine their level of cultural competence and readiness for independent practice and to investigate significant differences between demographic and professional characteristics and the relationship between cultural competence and readiness for practice. This study employed a descriptive comparative correlational design. Data were collected using two validated instruments: the Cultural Competence Assessment Instrument (CCAI) and the Casey-Fink Readiness to Practice Survey. Proportional stratified sampling was used, and 101 Filipino Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) participated. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests with Dunn's post hoc comparisons, and Spearman's rank-order correlation were used to analyze the data. Findings showed that participants had moderate levels of cultural competence in the awareness, knowledge, skills, and organizational support domains. Most respondents scored within the Competent/Emerging Adaptation range for practice readiness, suggesting a relatively stable level of preparedness for U.S. clinical practice. Cultural competence differed only by support system, and practice readiness differed only by Philippine language group, current position, and years in current position. All other profile variables showed no significant differences. Correlation results indicated a statistically significant, albeit weak, positive relationship between Cultural Awareness and Knowledge and clinical problem solving, learning activities, and overall practice readiness, but no relationship with confidence and skill performance. Conversely, Cultural Skills and Organizational Support were not significantly associated with any of the readiness domains. The study findings suggest that Filipino IENs enter U.S. practice with solid clinical foundations and developing cultural competence. They require structured support to enhance cultural awareness, system familiarity, and early confidence. Results indicate that readiness was weakly but significantly associated with cultural awareness and knowledge, but not with cultural skills or organizational support. Based on these findings, a 12-week transition program was proposed to support cultural competence and transition to U.S. practice. This program offers a structured, literature-aligned approach that may support Filipino IENs during their transition to U.S. practice.