Travel time is an intrinsic measure used in assessing roadway performances and it is affected by environmental factors such as weather changes. The study investigates the implication of nighttime rainfall on travel time of a two-way highway without light. In Akure, for a period of eight weeks, rainfall and traffic data were obtained across four different sites. The data obtained were filtered, sorted into dry and night-time conditions. Observed traffic volumes were converted to flows using modified passenger car equivalent values. Subsequently, regression methodologies were employed to establish functional relationships between flow and traffic density. For all the models obtained, the coefficient of determinant R^2 varies between 0.79 and 0.98 for all the weather conditions across the four sites. The R^2 values were greater than 0.5, which confirmed that the models were satisfactory for prediction. The results obtained show significant decrease in free-flow speed with corresponding increase in travel time for rainy nighttime. Travel time increased as rainfall intensity increases. The average travel time for dry nighttime was 0.73 min, which increased to 0.78 min (6.8%) for light rain, 0.81 min (11.0%) and 0.96 min (31.5%) for heavy rain. Heavy rainfall intensity has a more significant effect on travel time increase as compared to other rainfall intensities. The paper concludes that the influence of rainfall as a weather factor is evident on roadways without light, hence the combination of rainfall and darkness impacts travel time greatly. Irrespective of rainfall intensity, travel time increases under nighttime condition of a two-way highway.
Philippine public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) operate under the same regulator but different governance and financing regimes, yet little is known about how their management control systems (MCS) differ and how those systems relate to performance. Guided by Management Control Theory and Performance Management Theory, this qualitative multiple case study examined MCS implementation and organizational performance in a public state college (Case A) and a private Catholic college (Case B) in the same Philippine province. Twelve purposively selected key informants, six per case, representing top administration, finance, and academic or unit leadership, were interviewed with a semi-structured guide. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis within each case and cross-case synthesis against four research propositions. Case A operated a formal, compliance-driven system of layered plans, government-regulated budgeting and audit, and documented performance commitments, but multiple control points and handoffs slowed processes. Case B operated a mission-guided, consultative, and revenue-sensitive system in which short communication lines enabled quick decisions, but informal handling, uneven documentation, and weak tracking of corrective actions limited consistency. Both cases tied budget requests to plans, fed monitoring results back into planning, and named an integrated planning, budgeting, and performance information system as the most needed improvement. The propositions on planning formality and financial revenue-sensitivity were supported, the proposition on monitoring was partly supported, and the relationship between MCS and performance was supported as perceived by informants. An integrated MCS framework of five linked elements, adaptable to public and private contexts, is proposed.
To address the limitation of conventional PID controllers in underwater vehicle depth control, where fixed gains cannot balance rapid response and overshoot suppression, this work takes the depth channel of an underwater vehicle as the research subject. A mathematical model for vertical motion is established, and the corresponding depth control transfer function is derived. A type 1 fuzzy PID controller with online parameter self tuning is developed. The controller uses depth error and its rate of change as inputs, and adjusts proportional, integral and derivative gains in real time via fuzzy inference. Simulation models are constructed in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Control performances of the conventional PID and the type 1 fuzzy PID are compared, sinusoidal continuous depth variation, ocean wave disturbance and sensor time delay. Simulation results reveal that the type 1 fuzzy PID converges faster after disturbance removal for step inputs, and its settling time under sensor time delay is less than half that of the conventional PID. The proposed type 1 fuzzy PID effectively suppresses overshoot while maintaining favourable response speed, and exhibits better adaptability and robustness against wave disturbances and sensor time delay.
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.
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.
