This study aimed to examine the relationship between service quality dimensions and service characteristics influencing importer satisfaction with digitalized carrier transactions, as a basis for enhancing customer service within the logistics and maritime sector. Guided by service quality and customer satisfaction frameworks, a quantitative, descriptive–correlational research design was employed using structured survey questionnaires administered to purposively selected importers operating in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. The service quality dimensions analyzed included responsiveness, speed, reliability, and value, while service characteristics covered customer service representatives, ocean transport, and digital systems. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to assess satisfaction levels, perceived difficulties, and relationships among variables. Results indicated that importers were generally satisfied with responsiveness, speed, and reliability, with value emerging as the strongest contributor to overall satisfaction. Service quality dimensions were found to significantly influence satisfaction with ocean transport and digitalization, while no significant relationship was observed with customer service representative performance. Despite favorable satisfaction levels, challenges related to communication gaps, system integration issues, customer service coordination, and delayed notifications were identified and were found to be systemic rather than dependent on importer size. The study concludes that while digitalized carrier transactions deliver substantial operational value, improvements in system interoperability, real-time communication, and alignment between digital platforms and customer service functions are necessary to enhance adoption and overall importer satisfaction.

Psychological impact of forensic autopsy work: a cross-sectional analytic study of post-traumatic stress symptoms among forensic personnel in National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi.

Increasing regional inequality due to rapid urbanization is a major developmental concern. The paucity of economic data at multilevel and multitemporal scales limits the regular monitoring of the regional inequalities. This study aims to investigate emerging regional inequalities in multilevel administration in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India from 2000 to 2020. The study used nighttime light (NTL), Landsat images, LandScan population density, the Census of India, and OpenStreetMap data. Methodologically, the study employed multiple NTL-based metrics: total nighttime light, normalized lit area, speed of change of lit area, 3D largest patch index, pixel-based time series trends, multilevel univariate and bivariate Gini, Lorenz curve, and random forest-based SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). The results indicate a post-2012 drop in NTL intensity in Delhi, linked to decline in population growth and decentralization policy priorities. In contrast, steady NTL growth was recorded in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, especially in satellite towns such as Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. The Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve reveal that whereas inequality in Delhi has declined, it has grown in the surrounding states. Exclusionary and neoliberal forms of urbanization predominate in high-growth zones, whereas in-situ processes characterize scattered, market-driven settlements. Significant NTL gains along highways and industrial zones reflect infrastructure- and capital-driven development, resonating with the promoted inequality. However, the spatial diffusion of urban growth remains limited, and the persistence of monocentric tendencies is evident. The SHAP revealed diverse influential factors responsible for the regional inequalities in the NCR. The study’s findings can also contribute to United National Sustainable Development Goal 10 (i.e., reducing inequality) by monitoring the regular pattern and trend of inequality.

Patterns of metastasis and nodal disease in tongue and buccal carcinomas: Case-based reflections in Delhi NCR Region.

This study analyzes the effectiveness and flexibility of talent management techniques related to workforce diversity in the National Capital Region (NCR). The research investigates the influence of demographic factors, including age, gender, educational qualifications, and work position, on perceptions and outcomes of talent management methods in private sector banks. A systematic survey was conducted among workers of various private banks in the NCR, and the responses were examined using statistical methods to identify disparities in perceptions and experiences. The findings indicate that age disparities significantly influence individuals' expectations regarding training and career development programs. Junior employees seek skill enhancement and career advancement, whereas senior employees prioritize stability and acknowledgment. Gender study reveals disparities in perceptions of equity within performance rating systems and the accessibility of leadership positions for women and men. Research indicates that educational skills influence desires for specialized training and job progression. For instance, highly skilled employees seek advanced educational options, whereas graduates concentrate on developing practical competencies. Similarly, designation levels markedly influenced perspectives on talent management, with managing workers emphasizing succession planning and leadership development, while non-managerial staff focused on job security and equitable compensation. The research highlights that talent management strategies in private sector banks should be customized to demographic diversity to improve employee engagement, retention, and organizational success.

This study evaluates the heavy metal content in milkfish (Chanos chanos) sold in Metro Manila to assess its safety for human consumption. Milkfish samples were collected from public markets across the National Capital Region (NCR) and analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The analysis revealed lower concentrations of these metals than in previous studies, with Pb at 0.07 ppm, Cd at 0.03 ppm, Hg at 0.04 ppm, and As at 0.01 ppm—all within the permissible limits set by both the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the European Union. These results suggest a positive effect of better aquaculture practices and environmental monitoring in milkfish farms in the NCR region. While the findings confirm the safety of Metro Manila milkfish, continued monitoring and the expansion of studies to other regions are recommended to ensure nationwide food safety.

This study examines the administration, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance of Livelihood Extension Programs in selected State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the National Capital Region, aiming to propose a sustainability model for long-term program effectiveness. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through structured surveys from 1,310 respondents, including school administrators, extension coordinators, community partners, and community recipients. The study assessed key dimensions of program administration, stakeholder participation, and organizational performance, and analyzed their interrelationships and impact on sustainability. Findings indicate that Livelihood Extension Programs are generally well-administered, with strong leadership, adequate resources, effective planning, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Stakeholder engagement is evident across all dimensions, including sustainability, productivity, and community transformation, while organizational performance demonstrates significant support for economic, community, and skills development. Statistical analyses reveal no significant differences in assessment across respondent groups, indicating standardized implementation, and highlight a strong positive relationship between program administration, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance. Minor operational challenges were identified, suggesting areas for continuous improvement. The proposed Sustainability Model is rated highly in terms of suitability, acceptability, and feasibility, demonstrating its potential to optimize program management, align institutional and community objectives, and enhance long-term socio-economic impact.

This study examines the impact of technostress and remote work on organizational performance in selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the National Capital Region, focusing on administrators, faculty, and non-teaching personnel. The research aims to assess how digital demands, work arrangements, and institutional support mechanisms influence employee well-being, engagement, and performance outcomes. Data were collected through structured surveys from 547 respondents across multiple HEIs, employing a descriptive research design with complementary quantitative and qualitative analyses. The results indicate that technostress is moderately evident among employees, with outcome effects— such as mental fatigue, reduced engagement, and turnover intention—being most strongly perceived, particularly by faculty and non-teaching personnel. Remote work was generally perceived as highly beneficial, enhancing productivity, job autonomy, and work-life balance, although technical infrastructure and administrative workload posed minor limitations. Organizational performance was rated very satisfactory overall, with the highest scores in service quality, productivity, and goal achievement, but resource utilization emerged as an area needing improvement. Correlation analysis revealed that remote work has a significant, albeit low, negative relationship with organizational performance, while technostress showed no significant direct effect. Hindering and facilitating factors highlight the importance of accessible IT support, user-friendly systems, flexible schedules, clear policies, and leadership support in promoting employee effectiveness and institutional resilience. Based on these findings, a strategic development plan was proposed to strengthen digital competency, mental health support, communication systems, and adaptive leadership while promoting sustainable remote work practices. The plan was assessed as highly suitable, acceptable, and feasible by all employee groups, indicating strong stakeholder alignment and potential for successful implementation.

Dengue is an acute infectious tropical disease that poses a significant public health burden in the Philippines; however, studies employing spatial distribution modeling and ecological approaches to analyze dengue occurrence data remain limited. This study aims to determine the high-risk areas suitable for dengue occurrence and its determinants in the Philippines. Dengue case data from 2017 to 2024 were analyzed using kernel density estimation (KDE) and inverse distance weighting (IDW) spatial interpolation to characterize spatial intensity and estimate incidence in unsampled areas. An ecological niche model was developed using maximum entropy modeling, implemented through the MaxEnt software, with climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic predictors. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), and predictor importance was assessed using jackknife testing. Results show highest intensity in 2019 and consistent high case density in the National Capital Region (NCR). Meanwhile, high predicted incidence rates were consistently exhibited in northern Luzon. The maximum entropy model had a strong performance in predicting the suitable areas for dengue with a mean area under curve (AUC) of 0.847. Nighttime lights (32.3%), land cover (31.1%), and population density (9.4%) significantly contributed to the model. The NCR was found to be a high-risk suitable area for dengue occurrence along with some parts of other provinces. This study represents the first application of ecological niche modeling to dengue in the Philippines. The integration of KDE, IDW, and maximum entropy model provides a robust framework for identifying high-risk areas and key determinants, emphasizing the role of urbanization in dengue distribution. These findings are valuable to authorities for an informed risk-based surveillance, genotype-specific monitoring, and decision-making for geospatially targeted disease risk management.

With the fast adoption of fintech payment systems, fintech has changed transactional relationships in cultural and visual art spaces, but the empirical study on audience intention and loyalty in the experience setting is not highly researched. This paper will look at the drivers of audience intention and loyalty to the fintech payment systems in cultural and visual art venues in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). Based on Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Trust Theory, and Relationship Marketing Theory, a conceptual framework was formulated and empirically verified with the help of survey data, processed with the help of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security, and trust play a key role in the intention of the audience to use fintech payment platforms. The intention to the audience has a positive influence on satisfaction, and consequently, a central mediator of loyalty to fintech platforms. The findings indicate that the fintech adoption is fundamentally shifted towards trust and experience satisfaction that drives it to audience engagement in the cultural and visual art world. The project builds on existing studies on fintech adoption in cultural economies and offers applicable findings to cultural bodies, fintech services infrastructure, and the policy community on how to enhance digital payment infrastructures and customer retention in the creative industries.

Purpose Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a novel, increasingly popular financial service system that allows customers to pay for a product in interest-free instalments. This paper aims to determine the factors affecting BNPL usage and their effect on customers’ financial and overall well-being. Design/methodology/approach This paper covers two cross-sectional quantitative surveys across genders. In total, 804 respondents, containing 413 males and 391 females, were considered for this study. The “partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)” was applied to test the hypotheses. Findings The results exhibited that financial self-control reduces BNPL usage; however, customer trust and impulsive buying increase BNPL usage across genders. Furthermore, transaction convenience reduces BNPL usage in male customers but enhances BNPL usage in female customers. Notably, BNPL usage is related to increased financial well-being (“i.e. current money management stress, expected future financial security”) and overall well-being. Likewise, “current money management stress” negatively impacts, while “expected future financial security” positively affects customers’ overall well-being. Practical implications This paper has a unique perspective on the growing field of BNPL research, inspiring the understanding of how BNPL services impact overall well-being across genders. Given the adverse impact of BNPL use on customers’ financial and overall well-being, BNPL service providers are advised to take responsibility for preventing customers from falling into a debt cycle and promoting responsible purchasing habits. Originality/value The novel research model contributes to earlier knowledge by delivering empirical insights to analyze the effect of proposed antecedents on BNPL usage among customers. According to the researchers, this paper is the early empirical effort to investigate how BNPL services affect customers’ overall well-being in India’s National Capital Region (NCR).

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of pollen sensitization, as assessed by skin prick testing, among patients with allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis in three areas of Luzon: the National Capital Region (NCR), North Luzon, and South Luzon. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional chart review of skin prick test results conducted in NCR, North Luzon, and South Luzon from 2021 to 2023. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and clinical characteristics. Associations with pollen sensitization were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, with the level of significance set at 5%. Results and Conclusion: A total of 355 patients were included (97 from NCR, 102 from North Luzon, and 156 from South Luzon), of whom 63.1% demonstrated pollen sensitization. Grass pollens were the most prevalent allergens, particularly carabao grass, Bermuda grass, and pigweed. A significant association was observed between pollen sensitization and both age and season. Climatological changes, urbanization, and differences in vegetative growth may have influenced the pollen sensitization profiles across the three areas.

Purpose This study aims to understand the effects of the SERVQUAL dimensions of facility management on commercial occupant satisfaction and commercial property reputation in the National Capital Region (NCR), India. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study were collected from 734 occupants in NCR, India. SmartPLS4.0 was employed to analyze the data using structured equation modeling. Findings The study's findings demonstrate that all SERVQUAL dimensions of facility management – tangibles, assurance, empathy, reliability and responsiveness – have a significant influence on occupant satisfaction. Occupant satisfaction has a positive impact on property reputation. Moreover, occupant satisfaction mediates the relationship between the SERVQUAL dimensions of facility management and property reputation. Research limitations/implications The study extends service industry research to demonstrate that facility management service quality positively impacts customer satisfaction in emerging economies, such as India. Future studies may use these findings to examine other dimensions for evidence-based research in real estate. Practical implications The present study findings are relevant for multiple stakeholders in the real estate sector. With a growing demand for commercial space in emerging markets like India, driven by increased economic activity, the findings will guide property management companies and commercial building operators in focusing on enhancing service quality standards to maintain long-term relationships with occupants and improve the property's reputation, thereby overcoming competitive pressures. This positive property reputation will help them attract high-paying occupants with lower customer acquisition costs, resulting in improved profitability. Originality/value To the authors' best knowledge, this is a pioneer study to empirically investigate the impact of facility management service quality standards on occupant satisfaction and property reputation for commercial properties in India. This study provides new insights into various aspects of occupant satisfaction in NCR's commercial properties in India.

Assessing social and emotional learning of children in India: Perspectives from parents and teachers.

The study, which meticulously examined the Impact of Free Shipping on Consumer Satisfaction and Loyalty as an Online Business Marketing Technique in Metro Manila, 2024–2025, utilized a descriptive-correlational research design to quantitatively analyze the influence of this key logistical strategy on consumer behavior among active online shoppers in the National Capital Region. Grounded in the Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT) and the Commitment-Trust Theory of Relationship Marketing, the research addresses the local empirical gap by investigating how free shipping, as the independent variable, directly affects Customer Contentment (satisfaction) and Buying Loyalty (dependent variables). The methodology involved administering a researcher-made questionnaire to a sample of online shoppers in Metro Manila who have utilized free delivery services, with the primary objective of testing the null hypotheses, such as Ho1 Free shipping has no significant relationship with customer contentment, at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings are expected to establish a highly significant positive relationship between the provision of free shipping and both consumer satisfaction and buying loyalty, confirming that eliminating shipping costs meets consumer expectations and translates directly into customer retention and repeat purchase behavior. Ultimately, regression analysis is anticipated to confirm the significant predictive power of free shipping, underscoring its essential role in driving market share and ensuring long- term profitability by strengthening trust and commitment in the competitive Metro Manila e-commerce market.

This study investigates how Human Resource Practices (HRP) influence Employee Resilience (ER) in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, highlighting the moderating role of Organizational Justice (OJ). A quantitative design was employed using a survey of 523 BPO employees in the National Capital Region. Data were analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Moderation Analysis to determine the direct and interaction effects. Results show that HRP significantly promotes ER, and this relationship becomes stronger when employees perceive fairness in organizational processes. The findings underscore the critical role of integrating fair and transparent HR systems to improve workforce resilience in high-pressure service environments, offering practical value for HR leaders aiming to sustain employee well-being and organizational performance.

Abstract In Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital, Retention Basin B (Embung B) is an important part of water infrastructure that supports irrigation for commercial vegetation and landscaping. In the face of possible green space expansion, this study assesses the basin’s water supply’s dependability in meeting present and anticipated irrigation demands over the following five years. The analysis includes calculating the raw water requirements for vegetation and evaluating the water availability within the basin’s inundation area. The F.J. Mock method is used to model water availability, and plant types and coverage are used to manually calculate vegetation water demand. The results show that even in expanded conditions, the basin can dependably supply water for irrigation, with rainfall and mainstay discharge adequately recharging the water supply. The effectiveness of retention basins as a robust source of irrigation water in quickly growing urban environments is highlighted by this finding, which also supports Nusantara’s sustainable management of urban green infrastructure.

A BSTRACT Introduction: Elderly people have a higher probability of suffering from multiple health disorders due to reduced physical and mental functions, thus affecting their quality of life (QOL). Better understanding of QOL might help to identify ways to improve the delivery of health services to elderly people. Objective: To assess the QOL and its various sociodemographic determinants among elderly residing in a town of south-east district of the National Capital Region. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 400 elderly individuals was conducted in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) of a medical college. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess the QOL of the study participants. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Unpaired t-test/analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for univariate analysis, and multivariate linear regression was used to identify the predictors of QOL across four domains. Result: The mean QOL score for physical, psychological, social and environmental domains was 48.9, 47.1, 53.6 and 48.7, respectively. QOL score was 4.04 points (physical domain) and 5.31 points (psychological domain) lower among those who were more than 70 years, compared to those who were in the age group of 60–64 years. For the social relationship domain, the score was 4.24 points higher among 65–69 years old participants compared to 60–64 years. Conclusion: Poor QOL score among the elderly in the present study highlights the need for focused interventions that cater to this older cohort. Structured integration of the elderly health care programmes with the National Program for non-communicable diseases at the local level will help in catering to their health care needs and further QOL.

The objective of this study is to quantitatively analyse the benefits and incentives of using ChatGPT from students’ perspectives. An initial pool of items encompassing various benefits of ChatGPT for students, has been generated on the basis of extant literature. To validate the benefits quantitatively, primary data has been collected using structured questionnaires from 515 students studying in higher educational institutions (HEIs) of Delhi – National Capital Region (NCR), India. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to uncover the underlying structure of perceived benefits of using ChatGPT. Further, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to confirm the factor structure and ensure the reliability and validity of the identified categories of benefits. The findings indicate six key categories, namely “Learning Support”, “Content Generation”, “Knowledge Acquisition”, “Personalized Learning”, “Academic Writing”, and “Efficiency”. Each category reflects different aspects of how ChatGPT enhances the educational experience for students. The study aims to tools in education by providing empirical evidence on the specific benefits of ChatGPT. Practically, the study provides valuable insights for educators, academic institutions, and policymakers on how to effectively integrate ChatGPT and similar AI tools into the curriculum.

This study examined high-performance work practices, perceived institutional agility and resilience, organizational ambidexterity (including exploration and exploitation dimensions), organizational culture, and the leadership style of state university managers in the National Capital Region. A total of 127 respondents participated in the research. The researcher utilized frequency and percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the results. The findings revealed that, among the dimensions of organizational ambidexterity, only exploration mediates the effects of high-performance work practices on perceived institutional agility and resilience. Additionally, the study found that organizational culture did not moderate the relationship between high-performance work practices and organizational ambidexterity dimensions. Furthermore, leadership styles did not moderate the impact of organizational ambidexterity dimensions on perceived institutional agility and resilience. It is recommended that future researchers investigate alternative moderating variables that could influence the relationships between high-performance work practices, ambidexterity, and perceived institutional agility and resilience. Longitudinal studies examining changes over time, as well as qualitative approaches exploring the lived experiences of state university managers, could provide deeper insights. Additionally, consider the conduct of comparative analysis methods to test differences between state universities. The findings provide valuable guidance for state university managers and leaders in Philippine public education to improve institutional agility and enhance managerial capabilities.