This study sought to understand the experiences of All-but-Dissertation (ABD) students that led them to withdraw from a Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) programme. A total of 27 students from three Philippine universities were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Results show that most participants were driven by extrinsic motivations and viewed graduate education as a pathway to a better life. The challenges they faced were both internal and external in nature (e.g. study-work conflicts and personal problems), which are comparable to those in other disciplines. Most reasons (e.g. limited research experience and dissertation anxiety) for dropping out from this professional doctorate align with findings from studies on Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. However, two reasons unique to ABD students in the DIT programme were the inclusion of software development and the selection of computing research topics. Overall, these findings provide empirical evidence for addressing issues related to dissertation delays, prolonged doctoral completion times, and attrition in graduate education. Practical and managerial implications derived from this study could inform graduate school policies and practices, with potential applications across other doctoral disciplines.

The metaverse is reshaping interaction, learning, and community-building in immersive virtual environments. While interest in metaverse adoption is growing, most research has focused on technological predictors and has overlooked the experiential dimensions that are central to sustained engagement in these spaces. This gap limits understanding of how users develop and maintain meaningful virtual existence in the metaverse. Therefore, this study develops the Metaverse Experience and Technology Acceptance (META) model by integrating the principles of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Embodied Social Presence Theory (ESPT). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data collected from 924 students with metaverse experience. The META model demonstrates strong explanatory power in accounting for both technology acceptance and user experience in virtual worlds. Moreover, the findings indicate that adoption of the metaverse as a digital university extends beyond the functional focus of TAM to include the immersive, social, and embodied elements emphasized in ESPT. By bridging technological and experiential determinants, the META model advances theoretical understanding and offers actionable insights for creating metaverse environments that promote conducive digital existence.

This review examines the integration of climate-smart aquaculture (CSAq) as a strategy to enhance the resilience and sustainability of global aquaculture and coastal agriculture in the face of climate change. CSAq encompasses innovations such as integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), genetic advancements, renewable energy integration, and optimized water management, all aimed at minimizing environmental impacts while maintaining productivity. As climate change introduces threats like ocean acidification, temperature fluctuations, and extreme weather events, CSAq offers adaptive solutions critical for preserving marine ecosystems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sustaining food security. The review emphasizes that the successful adoption of CSAq is contingent upon supportive policies, cross-sectoral collaboration, and socio-economic considerations, including gender inclusivity and community involvement. As aquaculture's role in food security continues to grow, CSAq provides a pathway for mitigating climate impacts while promoting sustainable development. This review underscores the necessity of climate-smart approaches for building resilient food systems that can adapt to a changing climate and sustain livelihoods in vulnerable coastal regions.

Achieving a just and accelerated renewable energy (RE) transition in the Philippines requires not only technological innovation but also coherent and cross-sectoral policy alignment. Non-energy policies can facilitate or hinder the RE development. Non-energy policies, particularly those governing land use, permitting, and environmental regulation, and other significantly shape the feasibility of RE deployment. However, the analyses and evidences on implications of the non-energy policies on RE development are scarce, especially in the context of developing countries. This study provides a comprehensive, stakeholder-informed assessment of 43 national-level policy instruments across five domains in the Philippines: Energy Policy and Regulation, Climate Change and Sustainability, Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Land Use and Property Rights. In this study, using a modified Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) interaction framework, stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and non-governmental organizations evaluated each policy's influence on RE development using a seven-point scale. Weighted average (WA) scores were computed to determine whether policies act as enablers or constraints. Results show that energy and climate policies are strongly supportive due to clear mandates and institutional coordination, whereas land governance and agrarian reform policies are viewed as restrictive because of procedural uncertainty and tenure risks. Environmental policies are generally enabling but raise permitting concerns. Divergent stakeholder perceptions underscore the need for inclusive and transparent governance. The study concludes that accelerating the RE transition will depend on harmonizing institutional mandates, reforming land-use frameworks, enabling decentralized systems, and strengthening technical and governance capacity across all sectors.

The growing demand for sustainable electricity in emerging economies necessitates hybrid systems that leverage local renewable resources while remaining economically viable. This study optimizes and evaluates photovoltaic–biogas (PV–BG) hybrid systems for Rosso, Mauritania, through a techno-economic and environmental framework. HOMER Pro was used for baseline modeling, while Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) and Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) refined both on-grid and off-grid designs. The optimal on-grid configuration—801 kW PV, 100 kW BG generator, and 408 kW converter—achieved a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $0.041/kWh, Net Present Cost (NPC) of $1.89 M, Payback Period (PP) of 6.6 years, Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 14%, and Return on Investment (ROI) of 11%. GWO and WOA further reduced LCOE to $0.038/kWh and $0.036/kWh and NPC to $1.81 M and $1.77 M, shortening PP to 6.4 and 6.1 years. Environmental analysis showed an annual offset of 1,220 tCO2 and a 100% renewable fraction. The results provide a scalable framework for hybrid energy planning, supporting policy development and investment strategies toward low-carbon power systems.

Floods are among the most devastating natural hazards, causing widespread damage to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable river basins. The Cagayan River Basin (CRB), the largest and most flood-prone basin in the Philippines, remains a significant challenge for disaster risk management. This study developed an event-based hydrologic–hydraulic modeling framework by coupling HEC-HMS rainfall–runoff simulations with HEC-RAS 2D unsteady flow routing to produce validated flood hazard maps. Inputs included rainfall from 41 gauge stations and observed inflows from the Magat Dam, processed in HEC-DSS. Validation utilized 137 surveyed flood marks collected from post-flood surveys, community reports, government archives, and household RTK measurements, with a concentration in Tuguegarao City. The coupled model reproduced key hydrograph peaks with moderate accuracy (R2 = 0.56, Bias = +0.32 m, RMSE = 1.61 m, MAE = 1.43 m), although NSE (−2.30) reflected the limits of daily rainfall inputs. Simulated hazard maps identified 767.97 km2 of inundated area (approximately 2.77% of CRB), concentrated along the floodplain and at the Magat confluence. Unlike previous scenario-based or localized efforts, this study delivers the first basin-wide, event-validated flood hazard maps for the CRB using integrated depth and depth–velocity criteria. The resulting hazard layers provide a scientific basis for strengthening evacuation planning, guiding land-use and infrastructure decisions, and supporting long-term resilience strategies in one of the Philippines’ most flood-prone rivers.

Eggshells, which are mainly composed of calcium carbonate, have been considered as alternative filler in polymer composites to reduce cost and improve some of the material properties. One of the biofillers that has not yet widely studied for its potential use in rubber is quail eggshell. For this research study, the effects of quail eggshell filler on the abrasion resistance and thermal degradation of room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber were investigated. Samples with 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt. % quail eggshell filler were prepared through manual mixing and open molding process. Abrasion resistance test was performed based on ASTM D4060 while thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis was utilized to examine thermal degradation. Results revealed that the abrasion resistance of silicone rubber increases as the eggshell filler content rises from 0 to 15 wt. %. The silicone rubber with 15 wt. % filler achieved the best abrasion resistance with a mass loss of about 44.7 % less than the sample without filler. For the thermal analysis, the sample with 15 wt. % eggshell filler achieved a higher peak degradation temperature of about 605.61 oC as compared to the plain sample (511.25 oC) but the latter appears to resist thermal degradation better at high temperatures.

The study investigated the live selling of apparel on Facebook as a form of entertainment that blends digital marketing with e-commerce. It examined how satisfaction mediates the effect of the factors associated with apparel live selling on Facebook on Gen Z’s repurchase intention. A descriptive-casual method utilizing the Partial Least Square – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analyzed the results and tested the hypotheses from the data gathered from 371 respondents. Results showed that satisfaction partially moderates the causal relationship between the exogenous variables and repurchase intention. Researchers found that live sellers can create more value for customers and better serve them by focusing on important factors like product range, delivery speed, and customer service. The indirect effect of the factors influencing live selling on repurchase intention through customer satisfaction was significant. This means that part of the causal relationship between the factors of Live Selling and Gen Z's repurchase intention towards Facebook Live Selling was mediated by Satisfaction. The major contribution of this study is the identification of the six key factors that influence Gen Z customers' likelihood to repurchase an apparel brand found on Facebook through live selling. By highlighting the mediating role of customer satisfaction, this study reveals how retailers can increase loyalty and repeat purchases by focusing on providing customers with a positive shopping experience. Moreover, the study provides valuable insights into what makes Gen Z different and how marketers can tailor their products to appeal specifically to this important consumer group.

Soil pollution in urban environments is a critical issue with significant implications for public health, environmental quality, and sustainable urban development. This review paper explores the various aspects of soil pollution in urban areas, including its sources, types of pollutants, consequences, mitigation strategies, and the importance of sustainable urban development. The sources of soil pollution in urban environments are diverse, ranging from industrial activities and waste disposal to emerging sources like microplastics and pharmaceuticals. The types of pollutants found in urban soils include heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorine pesticides, among others. The consequences of soil pollution in urban areas encompass public health risks, environmental impacts, and contamination of water resources. Mitigation strategies such as remediation techniques, pollution prevention measures, urban green infrastructure, and public awareness are crucial for addressing soil pollution in urban environments. Sustainable urban development plays a key role in maintaining soil health and integrating soil considerations into urban planning. By understanding the sources, types, consequences, and mitigation strategies of soil pollution in urban areas, cities can work towards healthier environments and sustainable development.

This study addresses the critical importance of customer-focused strategies and brand promotion within the food component import–export sector, a context that remains underexplored, particularly with respect to the influence of external factors across diverse geographical settings. Its objective was to empirically investigate how operational excellence, particularly customer relationship management (CRM), value-added services, and product quality and safety assurance affects customer loyalty and, in turn, drives brand promotion. Utilizing a descriptive quantitative research design, a cross-sectional survey was administered in the Philippines, with data analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that CRM exerts the most significant influence on customer loyalty, while product quality and safety assurance also positively contributes. Importantly, customer loyalty emerged as a strong driver of brand promotion. The model demonstrated high predictive power for customer loyalty and substantial explanatory power for brand promotion. These results highlight that strong customer relationships developed through CRM are essential for fostering loyalty and positioning customers as effective brand advocates. Preserving product quality and safety assurance is fundamental, the study's results imply that companies should purposefully put in comprehensive CRM systems and tailored encounters. To develop devoted clients, hence boosting brand awareness and securing sustained competitive advantage. Future studies ought to broaden the scope of investigated factors and explore more generalizable geographical settings to improve generalizability.