Background: Skills laboratories play a vital role in nursing education by helping students develop procedural skills in a safe, controlled setting. Yet, it remains unclear how well these lab-based skills translate to real clinical performance (Related Learning Experience, RLE), especially within Philippine nursing programs. Aim: This study compares nursing students' performance in skills lab return demonstrations and in real clinical settings (RLE), and explores how students perceive both environments. Methodology: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data were obtained from the academic records of 138 randomly selected second-, third-, and fourth-year nursing students, comparing their skills lab and clinical (RLE) grades using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test. Qualitative insights were gathered from six focus group discussions and analyzed thematically. Results: Students received higher RLE grades than skills-lab grades (RLE: M = 84.88, SD = 2.01; skills lab: M = 82.60, SD = 5.96; mean difference = 2.28 points, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.27; t(137) = -4.54, p < 0.001; Cohen's dz = 0.39). Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) labs build foundational knowledge but can feel unrealistic; (2) clinical exposure and teamwork were perceived to strengthen performance and confidence; (3) memorization-heavy lab training was perceived to limit flexibility in real practice; and (4) emotional factors, such as anxiety and fear of mistakes, shaped students during the transition to patient care. Conclusion: Skills labs are essential for introducing core procedures and building initial confidence, but students' clinical (RLE) grades were modestly higher than their skills lab grades. Students described gaps in realism and assessment alignment between settings, alongside transition anxiety. Enhancing simulation realism, emphasizing clinical reasoning in lab assessments, and strengthening lab-clinical coordination may better align training with clinical expectations and support students' transition to practice.
In this work, conversion of various tar representatives over the surface of heavy metal contaminated biochars was investigated. To determine the effect of biochar porosity on its interactions with the tar, a portion of biochar was submitted to activation via gasification using CO2 and CO2/steam mixtures. Conversion of three model tars was analysed. Additionally, experiments with real tars generated by pyrolysis of wood chips and individual wood components were performed. The activation and passivation efficiencies were assessed by gas adsorption measurements. In most cases, N2 adsorption isotherms for passivated biochars were lower than those of pristine samples, confirming the porosity decay during the passivation process. The passivation extent was dependent on the type of tar used only, with an insignificant influence of biochar's initial porosity. Raman analysis showed the highest structural order in pristine (activated and non-activated) biochars; each type of passivation brought about an increase in the number of defects and a simultaneous increase of carbon stability (in terms of R50 index). In activated biochars, the retention of Zn and Pb exceeded 50 % and 80 %, respectively. Passivation with toluene resulted in a decrease of surface Pb concentration by almost a half, and by over 80 % in case of Zn.
Today, the sustainability and quality of graduate education rely more on the importance of research cultures, effective mentoring, institutional support, and scholarly collaboration, which provide opportunities for doctor of education (Ed.D.) students to cultivate research competence, resilience, and a professional research identity. The present study examined the lived experience and insights of doctoral students regarding research and development and created a contextually grounded, research-based framework to support quality graduate education. The study used a purposive sampling technique and selected 13 Ed.D. students from the Graduate School for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education (G-SPACE) of Columban College, Inc. in Central Luzon, Philippines. Semi-structured interviews were employed, and Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis and Thematic Analysis were used to analyze the data, with MAXQDA supporting the analysis. Methodological triangulation, member checking, bracketing, audit trails, reflexivity, and participant validation were used to establish trustworthiness. Results indicated that research is an intellectual process that changes when supported by research-integrated learning, academic accountability, mentoring, institutional research support, collaborative research in scholarly work, and a resilient approach in the face of methodological and resource limitations and time constraints. The integrative analysis also revealed that sustainable graduate education results from a transformative, research-oriented learning culture; institutional empowerment; resilience; collaborative scholarly engagement; systematic research governance; and mentored research development. The results informed the creation of the Research-Driven Framework for Sustainable Quality Graduate Education Programs, which highlights key drivers, required support infrastructure, and processes for ongoing improvement. A comprehensive research community, with robust governance, innovative mentoring, supportive institutions, collaborative learning, and agile capacity, is essential to sustainable quality graduate education. The framework can be utilized in graduate institutions to enhance research culture, the incorporation of research into the curriculum, mentoring relationships, research management, research collaboration, and quality assurance, to produce competent scholar-practitioners, more meaningful research productivity, and further institutional and societal development. Leadership, supportive policies, sustained resources, research infrastructure, and external partnerships are highlighted as enabling factors of academic excellence, innovation, and long-term program sustainability.
This article reports the quantitative implementation-extent component of a completed sequential-explanatory mixed-methods dissertation on Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRRM) in Pangasinan. The follow-up qualitative phase was completed in the parent dissertation and is reported separately; it is not used here to calculate implementation levels. A researcher-developed and validated questionnaire was administered to 20 purposively selected implementation actors from Lingayen and Calasiao, composed of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel, barangay officials, and community volunteers. Participants had direct roles in CBDRRM and at least one year of relevant involvement. Purposive sampling was appropriate because the study required informed assessments from a bounded group of implementers rather than population estimates from residents. Weighted means showed high implementation overall (grand mean = 4.45). Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ranked first (4.53), followed by Disaster Response and Early Recovery (4.45) and Disaster Preparedness (4.39). The pattern indicates stronger institutional planning, leadership, warning, and coordination mechanisms than household-level, experiential, and logistical capacities. Lower ratings for hazard-map explanation, household preparedness, simulation drills, community and school participation, information-material distribution, and rescue equipment may reflect uneven risk communication, participation barriers, coordination demands, and resource constraints. Findings are limited by the small purposive sample, self-reported ratings, two-municipality scope, and incomplete triangulation within this article. Priority actions are to convert risk information into household practice, institutionalize inclusive drills with schools and volunteers, and improve the inventory, maintenance, and pre-positioning of emergency equipment.
Crop agricultural supply enterprises play a vital role in supporting agricultural productivity and food security by ensuring the continuous availability and efficient distribution of quality agricultural inputs to government agencies, agricultural cooperatives, retailers, and farmers. Their operational effectiveness influences business sustainability and the overall agricultural value chain. This study assessed the crop agricultural supply operations of LM Arenas Agri-Products Corporation, a medium-sized agricultural supply enterprise in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Specifically, it evaluated the corporation's organization and management, technical operations, distribution and marketing, and financial performance; identified operational factors limiting business performance; and developed strategic directions to improve operational efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. A descriptive case study research design was employed using structured interviews with the Chief Executive Officer, direct observation of business operations, documentary analysis, and examination of audited financial statements covering 2023–2025. Financial performance was analyzed through vertical analysis, horizontal analysis, and profitability ratios, including Gross Profit Margin, Net Profit Margin, and Return on Assets. Findings revealed that the corporation has established a functional organizational structure, standardized operational procedures, efficient technical operations, and a relationship-based business-to-business distribution network that has supported its continued operations for seventeen years. Financial results showed that net sales increased by 61.47% in 2024 before declining by 29.49% in 2025, while profitability improved through effective cost management. Despite these strengths, operational limitations were identified in employee development, manual inventory systems, warehouse and logistics capacity, dependence on government procurement, limited digital marketing initiatives, and the absence of formal budgeting and cash flow forecasting. The study provides practical strategic directions that may strengthen operational performance and sustainable business growth among agricultural supply enterprises in the Philippines.
