A Literature Review of Succession Planning and Talent Development for Underrepresented Groups in the Construction Industry

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This study examines the current state of research on succession planning, talent development, and diversity inclusion within the construction industry, with particular attention to underrepresented groups. The review synthesizes scholarly and industry literature that highlights the strategic importance of succession planning and talent development for organizational sustainability, leadership continuity, and workforce competitiveness. Existing studies emphasize the need to integrate diversity and inclusion initiatives with business and human resource strategies to strengthen leadership pipelines and organizational performance. However, the literature reveals a significant gap in research addressing the development, advancement, and succession planning of minority and underrepresented populations within construction organizations. Findings indicate that succession planning practices in the construction sector remain inconsistent and lack widely accepted standards, while labor shortages and an aging workforce continue to challenge industry sustainability. The review further explores diversity management through the lens of dynamic capabilities theory, identifying mentoring, networking, internship, and career-track succession programs as critical mechanisms for improving workforce diversity and inclusion. The chapter concludes that construction organizations must adopt systematic, diversity-focused succession planning frameworks and establish measurable diversity indicators to evaluate progress toward equitable leadership development. Additional research is needed to better understand and address barriers affecting the advancement of underrepresented groups in the construction industry.

Retrospective Bench-Scale Screening of Six Phosphate Concentrates for Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid Production

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Variability in phosphate-concentrate chemistry can affect sulfuric acid demand, phosphorus recovery, calcium sulfate formation, and solid–liquid separation during wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA) production. This study presents a retrospective, quality-controlled reanalysis of a historical bench-scale campaign comprising six coded phosphate concentrates (PQH-001 to PQH-006). Each concentrate was represented by one complete WPA bench test; accordingly, comparisons are descriptive rather than inferential. Feed P₂O₅ ranged from 27.59 to 30.55 wt%, whereas the minor-elements ratio (MER = 100 × (Al₂O₃ + Fe₂O₃ + MgO)/P₂O₅) ranged from 7.12 to 16.83%. The surviving records documented 98 wt% sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and gypsum streams, filtration calculations, and duplicate hydrochloric acid attack tests, but did not preserve several operating variables required for mechanistic attribution. Observed P₂O₅ recovery ranged from 94.68 to 97.99%. The highest-grade feed, PQH-004 (30.55 wt% P₂O₅), showed the lowest recovery (94.68%) and the highest residual P₂O₅ in dry gypsum (1.083 wt%), demonstrating that feed grade alone did not rank performance in this campaign. PQH-005 showed the most favorable observed combination of metrics: 97.99% recovery, 0.405 wt% P₂O₅ in dry gypsum, a filtration index of 185.3 kg h⁻¹ m⁻², and sulfuric-acid use of 2.603 t H₂SO₄/t feed P₂O₅, approximately 1% above the CaO-only stoichiometric benchmark. A stoichiometric QA/QC audit identified the reported PQH-003 acid addition as chemically inconsistent, and its filtration result was also non-defensible because a required dry-cake term was missing. The results support a staged, multi-parameter qualification approach based on feed chemistry, stoichiometric consistency, phosphorus deportment, and filtration behavior, followed by replicated modern bench and pilot validation before industrial scale-up.

From Registration to Implementation: TVET Students’ Entrepreneurial Engagement after a Business Registration Course

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This study aimed to evaluate the level of student engagement in entrepreneurial activities after participating in a Business Registration conducted in collaboration with the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), Kedah. The study involved a total of 100 students. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that 65 students successfully registered their businesses after attending the course; however, only 50 students were found to be actively operating their businesses, either online or through face-to-face transactions. These findings indicate a significant gap between the act of business registration and the actual implementation of business activities among TVET students. The results suggest that the Business Registration was effective in increasing students’ awareness and encouraging them to take formal action; however, it was insufficient to ensure their sustained involvement in business activities. Therefore, follow-up programmes such as entrepreneurial mentoring, digital marketing support, and post-course monitoring are recommended to enhance the effectiveness of this intervention. Overall, this study contributes to a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in the TVET context and supports the development of more sustainable young entrepreneurs at the national level.

Safety and Efficacy of Antihypertensive Deprescribing in Frail Geriatric Patients: A Narrative Review of Contemporary Clinical Trial Evidence

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Polypharmacy with antihypertensive agents in frail older adults presents a clinical dilemma: continuing therapy may preserve cardiovascular protection, yet it simultaneously increases the risk of orthostatic hypotension, falls, and drug-related adverse events. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of antihypertensive deprescribing (gradual withdrawal or dose reduction) in frail geriatric populations, particularly those residing in long-term care facilities. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (2011–2025).

Key findings include: the OPTIMISE randomized trial, which demonstrated that withdrawing one antihypertensive agent in patients aged ≥80 years was non-inferior to usual care for systolic blood pressure control over 12 weeks, with 66% sustaining the reduction. The DANTE trial found no cognitive benefit from discontinuation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Observational data from the PARTAGE study revealed that low systolic blood pressure combined with ≥2 antihypertensives was associated with increased two-year mortality in frail nursing home residents, supporting the rationale for deprescribing in this subgroup. A Cochrane systematic review (2020, updated 2023) encompassing six trials (1,073 participants) found no significant association between antihypertensive withdrawal and mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization, though evidence on falls and quality of life remains limited.

Overall, current evidence supports selective, closely monitored deprescribing in frail geriatric patients. However, long-term outcomes and data specific to Asian populations, including Indonesia, remain scarce, underscoring the need for further research.

The Role of Crisis Communication Channels on Student Engagement During Lecturers’ Industrial Strikes: Evidence from the University of Nairobi

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Effective crisis communication is essential for sustaining stakeholder engagement during periods of institutional disruption such as lecturers’ industrial strikes. However, despite the recurring nature of industrial strikes in Kenyan public universities and the associated crisis communication shortcomings, limited empirical research has examined how crisis communication channels influence student engagement during such crises. This study sought to establish the influence of crisis communication channels on student engagement during lecturers’ industrial strikes at the University of Nairobi. The study was guided by the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and adopted an explanatory mixed-methods research design. Quantitative data were collected from 391 undergraduate students using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with 12 key informants comprising student leaders, academic staff, and non-academic staff. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings established that crisis communication channels have a positive and statistically significant influence on student engagement. Communication channels emerged as a key determinant of students’ willingness to remain informed, participate in university processes, and maintain confidence in the institution during industrial strikes. The study concludes that effective crisis communication depends not merely on disseminating information but on providing communication channels that are timely, accessible, interactive, transparent, and responsive to students’ informational needs during industrial disputes. The study recommends that public universities strengthen student-centred communication by institutionalising intercative, two-way communication channels that keep students informed through the crisis cycle, maintain trust, and allow them to seek clarifications and relay feedback.

The Therapeutic Promise of Citrus limon: A Review of its In-Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

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Citrus plants, members of the Family Rutaceae have long been utilized in Traditional Indian medicine for the treatment of scurvy, Rheumatism , stomach ailments, diarrhea ,and  liver disorders. In addition to their therapeutic applications, Citrus plants are well known for their potent antioxidant properties, underscoring their significance in both Ethnomedicine and modern pharmacological research. Citrus essential oils are fascinating because they sit at the intersection of botany, chemistry and human health. the Rutaceae family, with its rich diversity has given us plants whose oils are aromatic and also pharmacologically active.  What makes citrus oils particularly valuables is their complex  Phytochemical composition-mainly Terpenes {like limonene, Aldehydes ,Alcohols, Esters, Flavonoids } these mixture of compounds are known for both the Organoleptic properties { Flavour, fragrance} and the bioactivities like Antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties.  The study has an objective to investigate the  composition of phytochemicals in citrus limon leaf powder and evaluate their potential pharmacological activities  majorly antioxidant  and anti-inflammatory activity by evaluating their chemical constituents and carrying out testing procedures in various applications, the review highlights the importance of citrus limon leaves as a sustainable source of natural bioactive compounds. Citrus Genus are the most cultivated fruit crops ,rich in carotenoids,  Flavonoids , and many other bioactive compounds of nutritional and nutraceutical values.

A Correlational Study of Peer Social Support and Student Engagement Among Junior High School Students

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Student engagement is widely regarded as a key determinant of successful learning, yet preliminary observations at a state Islamic junior high school (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) in South Sumatra indicated that students’ affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement had not yet developed optimally. One contextual factor thought to contribute to this pattern is peer social support, given that friendship relationships become increasingly important during early adolescence for meeting the psychological needs of belonging and relatedness. This study aimed to empirically examine the relationship between peer social support and student engagement among seventh- and eighth-grade students. A quantitative correlational design was employed, involving 205 students drawn from a population of 500 through simple random sampling based on the Isaac and Michael table at a 95% confidence level. Data were collected using two five-point Likert scales: a Student Engagement Scale developed from the affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement dimensions proposed by Lam et al. (2014), and a Peer Social Support Scale based on the appraisal, tangible, belonging, and self-esteem support dimensions proposed by Cohen and Wills (as cited in Schonfeld, 1991). Data were analyzed using simple linear regression with SPSS version 27. The results revealed a positive and highly significant relationship between peer social support and student engagement (r = 0.329; R Square = 0.108; p = 0.000), with peer support accounting for 10.8% of the variance in engagement. These findings indicate that greater peer social support is associated with higher student engagement, although most of the variance in engagement is explained by factors beyond peer support alone.

The Application of a Problem-Based Learning Model Using The Experimental Method on The Learning Outcomes and Scientific Reasoning Skills of Elementary School Students in Science Education

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Science learning in elementary schools requires students to understand concepts through observation, investigation, and reasoning processes. However, students’ learning outcomes and inference skills are still relatively low because learning activities are often dominated by teacher explanations and have not fully involved students in scientific inquiry activities. This study aims to analyze the effect of the Discovery Learning model assisted by Live Worksheet on students’ learning outcomes and inference skills in science learning on the topic of changes in states of matter.

This study employed a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental method using a Nonequivalent Control Group Design. The research subjects were fourth-grade students of SD Negeri Antirogo 01 and SD Negeri Antirogo 04, Jember Regency, consisting of 62 students. The experimental class received treatment through Discovery Learning assisted by Live Worksheet, while the control class received conventional learning. Data collection techniques used learning outcome tests and inference skill instruments. Data analysis was performed through prerequisite tests and hypothesis testing using inferential statistics.

The results showed that the Discovery Learning model assisted by Live Worksheet had a significant effect on students’ learning outcomes and inference skills. The learning process encouraged students to actively observe, collect information, process data, verify findings, and formulate conclusions based on evidence. The integration of interactive digital worksheets strengthened students’ involvement and supported meaningful learning experiences. Therefore, Discovery Learning assisted by Live Worksheet can be an effective alternative strategy to improve cognitive achievement and scientific thinking skills among elementary school students.

Transition From Free Bags to Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Economics, Greenwashing and Consumer Behavior in Veracruz, Mexico

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The replacement of free plastic bags with alternatives marketed as eco-friendly has transformed the economic and environmental relationships between businesses and consumers; however, charging for bags does not necessarily imply an effective reduction in their consumption and can encourage greenwashing strategies when environmental claims lack verifiable support. The objective of this research was to analyze the economic and environmental implications of changing from free bags to paid bags with an eco-label in businesses in Veracruz–Boca del Río. A descriptive-exploratory study was conducted through direct observation in 16 businesses in the Veracruz–Boca del Río metropolitan area, Veracruz, Mexico, during January and February 2024. The type of material, price, dimensions, delivery conditions, and observed consumer behavior were recorded. The information was systematized through a qualitative-interpretive analysis. Significant differences were identified in prices and marketing methods, noting that conventional bags ranged in price from $1.00 to $17.50 MXN, while those labeled as eco-friendly or reusable ranged from $3.00 to $25.00 MXN. Replacing free bags with paid alternatives eliminated an operating cost and generated a new potential revenue stream. Furthermore, commercial practices based on environmental attributes were observed without sufficient information on reuse or environmental performance. It is concluded that the analyzed transition presents a relevant economic dimension and characteristics consistent with greenwashing; therefore, the environmental effectiveness of these policies should be evaluated using verifiable indicators of reduced consumption and increased bag reuse.

Generative AI Empowering Chinese Language Teaching in Vietnam: Current Applications, Empirical Investigations, and Practical Pathways

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The iterative upgrading of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly reshaped the pedagogical forms and developmental models of international Chinese language education. As a core country for Chinese learning in Southeast Asia, Vietnam witnesses robust and growing demands for Chinese language education, yet it has long confronted structural dilemmas including insufficient teacher supply, inadequate localized teaching resources, and difficulties in implementing personalized instruction. To explore the adaptability and practical value of AI technology in Vietnamese Chinese teaching, this study adopts a mixed‑method research design. Based on questionnaires, semi‑structured interviews, and an eight‑week classroom action research involving 221 teachers and learners from universities, primary and secondary schools, and training institutions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, this paper systematically examines the application scenarios, practical effects, and localized challenges of generative AI in local Chinese pedagogy. The results indicate that generative AI functions as an effective digital pedagogical scaffold, alleviating shortages of teaching resources and professional teachers, reducing learners’ foreign language anxiety, and improving the efficiency of basic linguistic training. Nevertheless, current applications are constrained by insufficient Vietnamese‑Chinese bilingual corpus adaptation, inadequate teachers’ AI pedagogical literacy, learners’ technological dependence, and prominent regional digital divides. Grounded on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and sociocultural constructivist theory, this study constructs a teacher‑led and AI‑assisted collaborative teaching paradigm and proposes targeted optimization pathways from four dimensions: localized resource development, teacher competency cultivation, classroom procedure reconstruction, and learner media literacy enhancement. This research fills the empirical research gap regarding intelligent Chinese language education in Vietnam and provides practical implications for the digital transformation of Chinese language education in ASEAN countries.