The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1 <p align="justify">The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) with an eISSN of <a href="https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/2945-4093" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2945-4093,</a> formerly known as UNP Research Journal (pISSN 0119-3058) is a peer-reviewed open-access journal that aims to seek the further discussion, advancement and dissemination of research and development concerns and knowledge in science, technology and management. The journal publishes <a href="https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1">1 issue per year in January-December</a> and the publisher of this journal is the University of Northern Philippines which is located at the World Heritage City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.</p> <p><strong>Focus and Scope:</strong></p> <p>Physical Sciences, Science and Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Environmental Science, Forestry and Natural Resources, Health and Nutrition, Social Science, Business, Management, Accounting, Tourism and Public Management</p> en-US vector@unp.edu.ph (Dr. Edmar M. Paguirigan- Managing Editor) researchoffice@unp.edu.ph (Dr. Edelyn A. Cadorna- Director of University Research and Development Office) Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.10 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 FISDA: Smart IoT-Based Fish Farming Monitoring System https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/305 <p>FISDA: Smart IoT-Based Fish Farming Monitoring System is a system for the proper monitoring of water quality and feeding factors of fish. The function of the system is to remotely monitor the fish and display the status of water quality, including the water level, total dissolved solids, temperature, humidity, and automatic feed bin level. The overall purpose of the system is to bring comfort to every fish farmer by providing daily insight into fish farm monitoring. In developing the system, researchers used the Rapid Application Development model. As part of the requirements planning stage, information is gathered on what the model should include and how it should function. After gathering design information, the researcher created the model utilizing the hardware and software technologies while considering the user design suggestions. The intended users would then regularly review and apply the model to make sure that the modules were operating as planned. The researchers used a review of related studies, document analysis, and surveys to gather data. The level of usability of FISDA: Smart IoT-Based Fish Farming Monitoring System is determined using an ISO25010 software quality standard tool along with six criteria, namely performance efficiency, scalability, maintainability, security, portability, and usability. According to the findings of the study, the automated system, which earned fish farmers a grand mean of 4.51 is very highly recommended. Automatic fish farming monitoring has been proven to be extremely valuable, efficient, and convenient for fish farmers.</p> Mark Anthony R. Divina, Via Angeline P. Misanes, Jayvee D. Aguinaldo, Noel S. Rafanan Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/305 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Enhancing Swine Husbandry: The IoT-Integrated Hog Feeding Assistant https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/303 <p>IoT-Integrated Hog Feeding Assistant revolutionizes swine husbandry, offering hog raisers crucial insights into feed consumption and operational costs, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and comfort. This paper elucidates the system's development process, methodology, and usability assessment. Employing the Rapid Application Development model ensured a swift and flexible creation of the Hog Feeding Assistant, guaranteeing the timely deployment of a fully functional system. Essential data for system design and features were acquired through document analysis and surveys. The system's usability was systematically evaluated using the ISO 25010 software quality standard tool, assessing functional suitability, performance efficiency, compatibility, usability, reliability, security, and maintainability. This comprehensive evaluation provides a profound understanding of the system's capabilities and user-friendliness. The Hog Feeding Assistant with IoT Integration is strongly recommended for hog raisers due to its remarkable efficiency, convenience, and exceptional usability. Seamlessly integrating into daily operations, the system not only streamlines feeding processes but also furnishes valuable insights, empowering more informed decision-making in swine husbandry.</p> Jezzer T. Tibreza, Fernandino S. Perilla Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/303 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Effect of Centrifugation Speed and Time on the Blood Chemistry Values of Healthy Individuals https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/301 <p>Blood chemistry testing requires centrifugation as one of the crucial pre-analytical phases. Usual differences in the speed and time of centrifugation influence specimens to varying extents among laboratories. This prompted the researchers to ascertain the effects of varying centrifugation speeds and times on healthy individuals' blood chemistry values and reduce the centrifugation time attested by the World Health Organization (WHO). Blood specimens were collected from four healthy adults, centrifuged, and then analyzed using the VITROS 5600 Automated Machine. The dry chemistry principle was applied. Three sets of speed and time were applied (1) 3,500 RPM for 15 minutes (WHO recommended), (2) 3,750 RPM for 10 minutes, and (3) 4,000 RPM for 5 minutes. The parameters include Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Total Cholesterol (Total CHOLE), Creatinine (Crea), Sodium (Na), and Potassium (K). The results of the serum chemistry values have no significant difference between different speeds and times against the standard set by WHO and were found to be acceptable, normal, and close in range with each other. Therefore, these can be substituted for the WHO-recommended speed and time. The researchers forward the following recommendations: (1) tests should be conducted to respondents with comorbidities and to younger and older individuals; (2) conduct the tests in triplicates and consider using other methods and more participants should be considered; and; (3) consider lesser time in centrifugation.</p> Ariel A. Lozano, Wynona Jenn D. Malvar, Bernard Adrian B. Mana, Francis Alvin V. Mercado, Marianne B. Queddeng, Ariana Sariah Paris P. Tejano, Carmela M. Florentino Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/301 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Evaluation of Coral Reef Health Status in the Fish Sanctuary of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/302 <p>Studies on corals are lacking in Ilocos Sur’s marine protected areas (MPAs), hindering management effort development. This study evaluated the health status of coral reefs in the San Esteban Fish Sanctuary. Hard coral cover, hard coral diversity in terms of Taxonomic Amalgamation Units (TAUs), and coral reef health status in terms of live coral coverage, algae coverage, sand coverage, and coral mortality index were measured in two sampling stations inside an over-a-decade-old fish sanctuary that does not have previous data on its coral reef health status. The Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method was employed to take image samples subjected to the Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe) software for analysis. The study revealed that the coral reef in San Esteban Fish Sanctuary is in good condition with a hard coral cover of 30.0%, falls under Hard Coral Cover Category C, and a hard coral diversity of 16.8TAUs that falls under Diversity Category D. The fish sanctuary is also in a healthy condition based on excellent live coral coverage, algae coverage, sand coverage, and low coral mortality index. The two stations are more or less the same in terms of the aforementioned parameters. Overall, it is recommended to continuously strengthen the enforcement of the fish sanctuary to protect its coral reefs, measure other parameters that might impact and indicate coral reef health status, employ evaluations inside and outside MPAs in the province, and use high-resolution cameras during image sampling for more efficient analysis.</p> Jericho A. Mendoza, Ash Lee R. Verzosa, Antonio N. Ayop Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/302 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Development of Non-Load Bearing Three-Core Stretcher Concrete Masonry Unit With Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/306 <p>Persistent problems stem from factors such as the difficulty of waste recycling wherein plastics are substantial contributors having strong environmental impact. To mitigate this dilemma, reengineered plastics are emerging as reforms in solving solid waste management issues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of utilizing Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as an admixture in a non-load-bearing concrete masonry unit. Moreover, it sought to limit the amount of environmental degradation and prevent ecological and environmental strains caused by plastic. This study used the experimental method which involved compressive strength testing, unit weight, and unit cost analysis. In addition to this, the properties of the materials were studied to arrive at the optimum percent composition to generate the highest efficiency. Five treatments were utilized including the control (0%), 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0% PET waste admixture. In the findings, both the control CMU and the 1.5% PET waste admixture have qualified on the standard specification, ASTM C129, for CMU compressive strength. The unit weight decreases as the amount of admixture increases. In terms of unit cost, the sample with the highest percentage of PET waste has the lowest unit cost but with the lowest compressive strength. However, between the control CMU and the 1.5% PET waste admixture, the latter has a lower unit cost. Therefore, it can be inferred that adapting the use of PET wastes as admixture at 1.5% showed the most competence proving to reduce plastic waste environmental issues while gaining higher possible profit when introduced into the commercial industry of construction supplies. For future studies, a Comparative Analysis of walls made with plain and PET waste concrete masonry units may be conducted to improve the application of the material.</p> Chavit G. Abalos, Krisha Mae Jemaima B. Cabe, Ej Alfred R. Manglal-lan, Gaylord A. Frando Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/306 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Biogas Generation from Vegetable Waste and Horse Dung through Improvised Anaerobic Digester https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/307 <p>Biogas significantly reduces the environment's vast supply of animal manure and food waste, which causes nitrogen and water pollution. Biogas is a sustainable fuel created when microorganisms decompose organic matter, such as food or animal waste, without oxygen, which is known as anaerobic digestion. This study considered vegetable waste (VW) and horse dung as substrates in producing biogas. The study aims to generate biogas in 34 kg of mixed vegetable waste and horse dung into two designs of experiments with different proportions and study how these proportions affect the amount of biogas produced within the period of 10 and 13 days. This study employed an experimental research design wherein data were collected through surveys, timely observations, and primarily through experiments. After ten days, the first experiment produced yellow with a little blue, while the second experiment produced blue with a little yellow. Likewise, after 13 days, the mixed waste consisting of 30% each of VW and Horse manure was fed into the digester (experiment 1) and lasted 3.22 minutes. In contrast, the mixed waste, consisting of 20% VW and 40% Horse dung, was fed into the digester (experiment 2) for 7.22 minutes. Furthermore, both experiments produced blue with a little bit of yellow. On water temperature, experiments 1 and 2 were able to boil 200 ml of water from 3°C to 5.20°C and 6.10°C, respectively. These results signify the effectiveness and efficiency of the chosen substrate in producing biogas. It is recommended that future research in the same field shall consider economy and comparison between different substrates. Also, to measure biogas's heat capacity and design a digester with catalyst and substrate mixer.</p> Maria Angelica J. German, Rosaly P. Paiste, Crissa Mae D. Rafanan, Vincent P. Pilien Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/307 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 The Status of the Sports Development Program of a State University in Region 1 https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/304 <p>This study aimed to determine the status of the Sports Development Program of the University of Northern Philippines for the Academic Year 2020-2021. It employed the descriptive correlational method of research. The data gathered were treated with the following tools: frequency count and percentage, weighted mean, ranking, and correlation analysis. Results revealed that overall, the UNP's Sports Development Program status is "Very Satisfactory." The performance of the teams was found to be significantly related to the status of the university's sports development program in terms of its implementation of strategies and techniques, support systems, benefits, incentives and awards, and competencies of coaches. The student-athletes face the challenges of balancing athletic and academic responsibilities. The following recommendations are forwarded: (1) All the Coaches and Trainers should be encouraged to improve their craft by attending relevant training; (2) Student athletes should also be able to excel not only in sports but also in academics; (3) The Sports Development should take necessary steps in improving the performance of the Teams in the competitions;&nbsp; (4) The best practices of the high-performing HEIs should be adapted; (5) Mechanisms and action plans should address the problems and concerns of the respondents. (6) Year-round sports activities involving all the stakeholders should be conducted to strengthen linkages and promote health and wellness.</p> Chasen G. Almazan Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/304 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Development of Gaynek Ta Cabiga-O Dance: A Way to Strengthen the Panaglaga Culture https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/300 <p>"Gaynek ta Cabiga-o" emerges as a creative dance form inspired by the traditional artistry of crafting winnowing baskets, known as "panaglaga ti bigao," deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the Itneg tribe in Nagsincaoan, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. This exploratory-sequential approach research blends qualitative insights from interviews and participatory observations with quantitative analysis through validated questionnaires from five participants. Guided by the Communities of Practice (CoP), the study's focal point is to enhance and preserve the Panaglaga Culture by delving into the intricate stages of crafting bigao. This endeavor culminates in the creation of a dance, intricately weaving together traditional movements, such as bamboo cutting (panagpukan) and weaving (panaglaga), into a cultural expression. Key materials integral to panaglaga ti bigao include bamboo, customized knives, lebleb, uway, labtang, kulokol, bamboo strips, and residue. The resulting dance undergoes expert evaluation, receiving a "Very Much Acceptable" rating for dance steps and music. In essence, "Gaynek ta Cabiga-o" not only breathes new life into cultural practices but also serves as a testament to the community's commitment to cultural preservation and creative innovation. Recommendations based on these findings pave the way for further cultural enrichment and community engagement.</p> Adrian Keith M. Serna, James Carlo Asuncion, Revenson S. Saniatan, Erwin H. Sumagit, Charlie V. Tapuro, Matilde T. Concordia Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/300 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Cubyertos de Kawayan https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/308 <p>The study aimed to determine the acceptability of bamboo cutlery products, primarily tableware, to lessen the use of plastic cutleries and to be the most sought–after store offering eco-friendly and sustainable products by assisting in the elimination of single–use plastic waste while making a meaningful impact on the lives of the people in the Province of Ilocos Sur. The objective of the study is to promote the usage of eco-friendly products as a replacement for plastic cutleries; it serves as a contributor to the action needed by the government to combat environmental destruction and for environmental protection, and to preserve the culture of Ilokanos in using wooden or bamboo cutleries. Alongside the personal factors of the respondents, the extent of knowledge of the residents of Ilocos Sur about bamboo products was also identified about how feasible the bamboo cutlery once established. The study utilized the simple random sampling technique to determine the sample size of the respondents, which utilized frequency and percentage to determine the profile, familiarity, and marketability of bamboo products. The result showed a great familiarity with bamboo products, wherein the respondents stated their keen interest in such products. There is a "High" possibility that the feasibility of the Cubyertos de Kawayan will be established.</p> Shean M. Condino, Fraulein Claire G. Ronquillo, Michelle M. Pacpaco Copyright (c) 2023 The Vector: International Journal of Emerging Science, Technology and Management (IJESTM) https://vector.unp.edu.ph/index.php/1/article/view/308 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000