Improvement of the Supply Chain Through Engineering and the PRP Heuristic Algorithm: Models and Case Studies

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This study presents a comprehensive literature review and technical analysis of the Production Routing Problem (PRP), focusing on integrated supply chain optimization. The research evaluates various mathematical approaches, including distributionally robust models for perishable goods and multi-scale production facilities. A core component of this work is the assessment of heuristic and matheuristic tools, such as Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search (ALNS), Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), which are identified as highly efficient for solving large-scale industrial problems. Additionally, the study provides a detailed implementation roadmap, including an estimated budget ranging from $23,000 to $48,000 and a timeline of 4 to 8 months for full supply chain integration. Statistical validation through a Cost ANOVA confirms significant cost variations across different implementation phases ($p < 0.05$), highlighting the importance of strategic planning in staff training and software consultancy. The findings suggest that the integration of production, inventory, and distribution not only reduces total operational costs but also supports sustainable decision-making by balancing economic performance with environmental impact.

The Role of Soft Skills in Women’s Access to Managerial Positions in Engineering within STEM Fields

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The persistent underrepresentation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) constitutes a phenomenon that extends beyond the educational sphere and becomes more pronounced at decision-making levels within engineering. Far from being merely a numerical gap, this situation is rooted in structural frameworks that include organizational bias, a lack of mentorship, and the limited recognition of socio-emotional competencies in industrial environments. Within this context, the present article aims to examine the strategic role of soft skills as catalysts for women’s access to managerial positions in engineering.

To support this analysis, a mixed-methods methodological approach is adopted. On the one hand, a systematic review of the state of the art is conducted using the SALSA framework (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis), which enabled the integration and comparison of findings from 25 international studies published between 2016 and 2026. Complementarily, an experimental pilot study was implemented in a manufacturing company in the furniture sector located in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, employing convenience sampling with the participation of 20 female engineers working in process engineering and sustainable design.

Based on this dual approach, significant regularities between global and local contexts are identified. In particular, the strengthening of skills such as inclusive leadership, effective communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability is associated with substantial increases in professional confidence, job retention, and promotion opportunities, with improvements ranging between 20% and 30%. At the same time, the results of the pilot study reveal favorable impacts on organizational efficiency and innovation in productive processes.

Consequently, the findings confirm that the systematic incorporation of soft skills not only contributes to mitigating gender inequalities in engineering but also emerges as an essential component for fostering sustainable, inclusive, and competitive development in STEM sectors.

Mediating Effects of Job security on the Relationship between Trust in Management and Organizational Commitment in Downsizing Organizations

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Organizations have underestimated the adverse effects of downsizing and often overlook the challenges of motivating a remaining workforce that is emotionally affected by witnessing others lose their jobs. Yet, motivating these survivors to achieve higher productivity is vital for the company’s success and the job security of employees. It should be noted that, next to the death of a relative or friend, losing a job is one of the most traumatic experiences, as it disrupts careers and families. This research paper aims to study the mediating effect of job security on the relationship between trust in management and organizational commitment of employees. The present research findings suggest that if organizational downsizing is carried out in such a manner that employees perceive positive changes in their daily work experiences in the form of increased organizational support that enhances their trust for management and inculcates perceptions of the accuracy of the performance appraisal system, their affective and continuance commitment to the organization can be maintained or even increased. The study has significance for maintaining member loyalty by organizations which are resorting to downsizing through voluntary retirement schemes as in the Indian context.  Research strongly suggests that survivors in the organization also suffer adverse effects after downsizing has occurred.

Evaluation of a Mass Deworming Program Achieving Zero Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Primary School Children in Flood-Prone Areas

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Background: Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections remain a significant public health problem in tropical regions, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and susceptibility to flooding. Evaluating STH control programs is essential to measure the effectiveness of interventions.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the mass deworming program in reducing STH prevalence among primary school children in flood-prone areas.

Methods: An analytical observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Umatoos Village, Malaka District, from September to October 2025. The sample consisted of 194 primary school students (from SDK Umatoos, SDI Beilout, and SDK Loomota) selected from a population of 311 students. Stool samples were examined microscopically using the 2% Lugol method to detect STH infections. Risk factor data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.

Results: None of the 194 stool samples examined tested positive for STH, resulting in a prevalence of 0%. A total of 85.6% of respondents reported taking deworming medication regularly every six months. Hygienic behavior indicators showed that 91.2% washed their hands before meals, 95.4% washed their hands after defecation, 73.7% trimmed their nails regularly, and 87.1% consistently wore footwear. Environmental sanitation conditions were relatively good, with 93.3% of households having latrines and 93.8% using piped water or well water.

Conclusion: The mass deworming program implemented consistently since 2016, combined with good personal hygiene practices and adequate environmental sanitation, successfully achieved zero STH prevalence among primary school children in flood-prone areas. These findings support a comprehensive approach integrating medical interventions and behavioral changes in controlling neglected tropical diseases.

Comparative Study of the Existing and Post Intervention of the Mr. Dwiyanto’s House in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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This study presents a quantitative comparative analysis of environmental performance before and after an architectural intervention on a vernacular dwelling in the Gunungkidul District, Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. Conducted as a longitudinal field investigation, the research employed a baseline-endline methodology with data collection in June 2025 (pre-intervention) and October 2025 (post-intervention). Key metrics included surface temperatures of building components (ceiling, walls, floor) and comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters, notably particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations, measured against national ambient air quality standards (NAB). The results demonstrate a pronounced dual outcome. The intervention achieved its primary objective of drastically improving IAQ, with PM10 and PM2.5 levels reduced by over 90%, transitioning from exceeding to far below the NAB thresholds. However, this significant improvement coincided with a critical trade-off. A severe reduction in indoor air velocity (78%) altered the thermal environment, leading to mixed results: while floor temperatures decreased consistently, other components showed varied responses, and the heat stress index (WBGTi) slightly increased despite a lower dry-bulb temperature. The study concludes that while passive architectural strategies can effectively protect against outdoor particulate pollution, they can inadvertently compromise natural cooling ventilation. These findings highlight the essential ventilation-filtration dilemma in tropical climates and underscore the necessity for integrated, balanced design approaches in sustainable housing retrofits to simultaneously ensure occupant health and thermal comfort.

Challenges of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Children in Coastal Areas: A Literature Review on Prevalence and Risk Factors

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Background: Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs), particularly soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), remain a significant burden for children in low-and middle-income countries. Coastal ecosystems that characterized by sandy soil, high water tables, and tidal flooding, present unique ecological determinants that create transmission pathways distinct from inland settings.

Methods: This review synthesizes data from over 50 studies (2000–2025), specifically focusing on coastal settlements, fishermen villages, and tidal flood-prone areas across Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Results: Findings indicate that coastal children face elevated risks, with STH prevalence in Indonesian hotspots reaching 30%–70%. While Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides dominate due to humidity, sandy terrains specifically favor the persistence of hookworms and Strongyloides. Crucially, high water tables and tidal inundation render conventional sanitation (pit latrines/septic tanks) ineffective, causing direct fecal contamination of the environment.

Conclusion: Standard terrestrial sanitation is maladapted to coastal hydrological contexts. Mitigation requires the deployment of amphibious infrastructure, such as the Tripikon-S system and elevated latrines, combined with targeted behavioral change communication to disrupt littoral transmission cycles.

Pseudo Students’ Thinking Process in Solving Function Composition Inverse Problems Based on Piaget’s Theory

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The purpose of this study was to describe the pseudo-thinking process of students in solving inverse function composition problems based on Piaget’s theory. This study was descriptive qualitative research. Subjects were selected using purposive sampling, with two 11th-grade students from MAN 3 Banyuwangi participating in the study. The instruments used were mathematics tests and interview guidelines. Data collection techniques included test sheets with think-aloud, followed by interviews, which were then analyzed and described. Data analysis techniques employed the Miles and Huberman procedure, which consisted of data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The data validity technique used triangulation methods. The test used in this study consisted of two questions. The results showed that students who think pseudo-correctly or pseudo-incorrectly tend to experience many assimilation processes in Piaget’s stages. Students who think pseudo-correctly continue to experience assimilation, so they will only be in a state of disequilibrium. Students who think pseudo-incorrectly initially experience many assimilation processes, followed by disequilibrium, but can reach a state of equilibrium. Individuals with pseudo-wrong thinking have a more effective accommodation process than those with pseudo-right thinking. Thus, students with pseudo-right thinking tend to go through two Piaget stages in solving inverse function composition problems, while students with pseudo-wrong thinking go through all four Piaget stages.

Building First-Line Leadership in Contract Research Organizations: Senior Leaders’ Perspectives on Critical Transition Competencies

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Transitioning from Individual Contributor (IC) to First-Line Manager (FLM) is a pivotal career shift in Contract Research Organizations (CROs), where technical excellence alone does not guarantee leadership effectiveness. In the high-stakes, highly regulated clinical research environment, failure to navigate this transition leads to significant organizational costs and risks to trial integrity. This study examines the behavioral and strategic competencies senior leaders regard as critical for successful FLM transitions and for sustaining performance in clinical research. Utilizing reflexive thematic analysis, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with 10 senior leaders across diverse CRO functions to identify patterned meanings in the accounts of effective versus struggling new managers. Six interlocking themes emerged: (1) Emotional Intelligence and Self-Management, (2) Team Building and People Management, (3) Communication and Interpersonal Skills, (4) Leadership and Strategic Skills, (5) Coaching, Mentoring, and Support Systems, and (6) Technical and Analytical Skills. Across these domains, behavioural and strategic capabilities were viewed as decisive differentiators, with technical expertise necessary but insufficient for success. The findings position the IC‑to‑FLM transition as a fundamental identity shift toward relational and strategic leadership. The study offers implications for leadership theory in high‑risk knowledge‑intensive settings and provides actionable guidance for CROs, including strengthening promotion criteria, designing structured onboarding and mentoring, and integrating behavioural assessments into talent identification to reinforce the leadership pipeline.

Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Naibonat Primary Health Center Staff

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Background: Musculoskeletal disorders indicate problems with the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and nerves. Discomfort in the musculoskeletal system is often felt in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, back, waist, and lower body muscles. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) experienced by workers in community health centers can reduce productivity, increase absenteeism, and decrease the quality of health services.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between occupational and individual risk factors and the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers at the Naibonat Public Health Center, Indonesia.This study applied an observational quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. The sample was taken using random sampling techniques with a total of 50 samples. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed using the Contingency Coefficient test and Spearman’s rank correlation test with the help of the SPSS program.

Result: The results of the analysis showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers was 72% at a low-risk level, 24% at a moderate-risk level, and 4% at a high-risk level. No significant associations were found between individual factors (age, sex, and body mass index) and the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (p > 0.05). In contrast, occupational factors including work posture and length of service showed significant associations with musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.05), while daily working duration was not significantly associated (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: MSD among workers at the Naibonat Public Health Center were predominantly at a low-risk level. Work posture and length of service were significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders, highlighting the need for periodic ergonomic evaluations, posture training, regular stretching exercises, and promotion of physical fitness among primary healthcare workers.

The Using Animation Tutors based on Phase One Picture Exchange Communication System to Improve Vocabulary Skills with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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This study evaluates the web-based Animated Tutor PECS (AT-PECS) using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) method as a means to increase the ability to initiate communication independently in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The objects of this study were children under 5 years of age who had ASD with limited communication skills before being treated using the AT-PECS application. Methods:This study designed an alternating treatment to examine the use of AT-PECS as the primary technique for improving students’ abilities with PECS and increasing students’ independent communication initiatives. Results: The results obtained from this study indicate that students can accept the use of the PECS method for learning and show an increase in communication initiative skills independently, but the speed in improving vocabulary looks faster when using the AT-PECS application. Conclussion: The study indicate that using the PECS intervention method with the help of ATA can improve the communication skills of ASD children and improve verbal abilities to a certain extent.​