Stepping Stone Research Articles

The Upside of Rejection: How to Turn Setbacks into Stepping Stones for Success

When you are passed over for a development position, it is natural to feel disheartened. However, failure is not just a part of growth; it is the most crucial element. This article explores how to transform career setbacks into opportunities for personal and professional development. By focusing on self-reflection through the lenses of character and competency, maintaining enthusiasm, and embracing a mindset of positive intent, you can turn rejection into a stepping stone toward greater success. Evaluating whether to stay in your current organization or seek opportunities elsewhere involves weighing factors such as purpose and growth potential. Ultimately, each rejection becomes an invaluable lesson, enhancing your resilience and preparing you for future opportunities. This approach not only builds stronger leaders but also underscores that every setback is a chance to propel yourself forward in your career journey.

Approximate Bayesian Inference Based on Expected Evaluation

Approximate Bayesian computing (ABC) and Bayesian Synthetic likelihood (BSL) are two popular families of methods to evaluate the posterior distribution when the likelihood function is not available or tractable. For existing variants of ABC and BSL, the focus is usually first put on the simulation algorithm, and after that the form of the resulting approximate posterior distribution comes as a consequence of the algorithm. In this paper we turn this around and firstly define a reasonable approximate posterior distribution by studying the distributional properties of the expected discrepancy, or more generally an expected evaluation, with respect to generated samples from the model. The resulting approximate posterior distribution will be on a simple and interpretable form compared to ABC and BSL. Secondly a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is developed to simulate from the resulting approximate posterior distribution. The algorithm was evaluated on a synthetic data example and on the Stepping Stone population genetics model, demonstrating that the proposed scheme has real world applicability. The algorithm demonstrates competitive results with the BSL and sequential Monte Carlo ABC algorithms, but is outperformed by the ABC MCMC.

OPTIMASI BIAYA DISTRIBUSI MATERIAL BATAKO DENGAN METODE NORTH WEST CORNER DAN STEPPING STONE PADA PERUMAHAN DI KOTA AMBON

In construction projects, distribution costs for material procurement support the design process of a projects and are also very influential and determine project planning. It is also necessary to utilize costs as optimally as possible to anticipate losses to the company due to the problem of distributing material from the supply to the projects location. In a project, materials needed in large quantities cannot always be met by just one material source. Because of this, several material sources are needed to meet the needed to meet the needs of a project, for this reason this research was carried out using two transportaastion methods, North West Corner fot initial solution and Stepping Stone for the optimum solution. With the aim of calculating material distribution costs to find optimal prices from galunggung, suli banda, and passo to housing demand locations in Ambon City, namely kusu-kusu, suli and upper halong. From the results of the above topic, it can be concluded that optimizing the distribution costs of brick material to housing in Ambon City using th initial North West Corner method obtained a distribution cost of Rp. 349,200.000 and using and advanced method, namely Stepping Stone which has been optimized, resulting in a cost of Rp. 274,655,000 this results in savings of Rp. 74,545.000.Keywords:Cost Optimasion, Housing, Material Distribution, North Westh Corner, Stepping Stone,

Minimize the distribution cost of tortillas at Corner Kebab using the Stepping Stone method

Studi dalam penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mencari solusi optimal bagi masalah transportasi dengan memperhitungkan biaya operasi, termasuk biaya pabrik dan biaya transportasi, menggunakan metode batu loncatan (stepping stone) pada sebuah usaha kebab bernama Corner Kebab dalam konteks optimasi biaya pengantaran kulit kebab (tortilla).Metode stepping stone yang digunakan merupakan salah satu dari metode transportasi, yaitu suatu teknik yang digunakan untuk mengelola distribusi produk yang sama dari sumber-sumber ke tempat-tempat yang membutuhkannya secara optimal dengan biaya termurah.Penelitian dalam tulisan ini menganalisis proses pengiriman tortilla terhadap Corner Kebab yang berada di 3 lokasi toko kebab yang berada di Pondok Benda, Cidodol Jakarta Selatan, dan Bukit Dago dari pabrik pembuatan tortilla di MiniFroz yang berada di Jakarta Timur dan cabangnya, Defroz di Serpong.Hasil akhir dari penyelesaian masalah pada minimasi biaya distribusi Tortila pada Corner kebab menggunakan metode batu loncatan (stepping stone) ini mendapatkan fakta hasil bahwa biaya optimal yang harus dikeluarkan oleh Corner Kebab adalah Rp. 212.000,- per hari, yang menjadi lebih hemat dari sebelumnya, yaitu Rp. 212.000,- per hari yang tentunya memberikan keuntungan bagi manajemen perusahaan dalam menekan timbulnya biaya. Kata Kunci: Transportasi, Biaya operasi, Metode batu loncatan (stepping stone), Distribusi produk, Optimalisasi biaya

TRANSFORMASI PENDAMPINGAN EKONOMI KREATIF: MEMPERKUAT KEMANDIRIAN EKONOMI MASYARAKAT MELALUI INOVASI DAN KREATIVITAS

Community service activities regarding the Transformation of Creative Economy Assistance in Ciganitri Village, Cipagalo Village, Bojongsoang District, Bandung Regency have made a significant contribution in strengthening the community's economic independence through innovation and creativity. Through thorough mentoring methods, including training, workshops, mentoring, and collaboration with local youth, the participants succeeded in increasing their understanding and skills in entrepreneurship. As a result, there is an increase in economic income, diversification of income sources, and expanded access to markets. Good cooperation between the service team, village youth, as well as the village head and village officials has brought encouraging success. This success is a stepping stone for further steps in advancing the creative economy in the village. Thank you to all parties who have contributed, and hope to continue working together to achieve greater goals in the future.

Kombinasi Metode Bilqis Chastine Erma dan Sumathi Sathiya dengan Metode Stepping Stone untuk Optimasi Masalah Transportasi

Transportation problems experienced by UD. Raja Wangi in distributing Maha Dewa fragrant incense. UD. Raja Wangi incurs high transportation costs due to irregular direct distribution patterns and has not paid attention to the route to be passed. One way to solve the problem is to use transportation methods to get the optimal distribution route so that the transportation costs incurred are minimal. This study aims to solve transportation problems using the Bilqis Chastine Erma (BCE) method and the Sumathi Sathiya method with the Stepping Stone method to obtain the optimal solution. The Bilqis Chastine Erma (BCE) and the Sumathi Sathiya methods are indirect methods of solving transportation problems by obtaining an initial solution. After obtaining the initial solution, the Stepping Stone method is used to obtain the optimal solution. The results showed that the optimal solution using the Stepping Stone method based on the initial solution of the Bilqis Chastine Erma (BCE) method obtained a total transportation cost of Rp42,937.00 while the optimal solution using the Stepping Stone method based on the initial solution of the Sumathi Sathiya method obtained a total transportation cost of Rp38,727.00. In addition, the Sumathi Sathiya method gets a difference in total transportation costs of Rp11,790.00 or 23% of the total transportation costs incurred by the UD. Raja Wangi. Therefore, the Sumathi Sathiya method is the best solution for minimizing transportation costs.

Optimization of Chicken Egg Distribution Cost Using Revised ASM Method (Case Study: Breeding Industry)

PT. IA is a company engaged in the manufacture of animal feed, producing chicken eggs and broiler chicken farm. The problems at PT. IA is amount of distribution costs incurred by the company, so the method needed to optimize disttribution costs. The purpose of this research is to determine the optimal distribution costs of chicken eggs, compare the distribution cost of chicken eggs before and after optimization, and compare the ASM method with Stepping Stone method. The method use to solve the probelum is using ASM method. ASM method is one of a method that can use to find the optimal solution without have to find the starting solution to minimize costs. Allocation product with ASM Method is done from the smallest index and the largest amount of supply, until all demand is met and supply out of stock. Based on the research, it shown the revision of ASM method is not necessarly able to provide the optimal solution directly to unbalanced transportation problems or the accurance of additional activities. The minimum total cost with ASM method is Rp. 586.800.000, while after test the optimization using Stepping Stone method the result is Rp. 585.300.000. The difference cost before and after optimization using the revised ASM method is Rp. 93.300.000 or decrease of 13.7%.

Optimalisasi Biaya Transportasi Pendistribusian Pasir Menggunakan Model Transportasi Metode Steppingstone (Studi Kasus: Tangkahan Pasir Syawal)

Tangkahan Pasir Syawal is the largest mining or sand excavation business in Gunung Maria Hamlet, Janji Village, West Bilah District, Labuhanbatu Regency. This research aims to determine the optimization of transportation costs in sand distribution. To obtain the objectives of this research, data collection was carried out through direct interviews, while data analysis used the Vogel's Approximation Method (VAM) to determine the initial solution and to determine the optimal solution using the Stepping Stone method. From the research results, an initial solution of Rp. 6.310.000 and the optimal solution is Rp. 6.310.000. Meanwhile, transportation costs from Tangkahan Pasir Syawal before optimization were carried out were Rp. 9.425.000. This shows that Tangkahan Pasir Syawal can optimize transportation costs for sand distribution in November 2023 with cost savings of Rp. 3.115.000 or 4%.

A Subsurface Stepping Stone Hypothesis for the Conquest of Land by Arthropods

The conquest of land by arthropods is commonly believed to be a surface phenomenon associated with the arrival of photosynthetic plants, atmospheric oxygenation, and an ozone shield in the mid-Paleozoic Era. However, recent molecular and fossil evidence suggests terrestrial fauna may have first appeared in the Cambrian, before the proliferation of plants and ozone, which are thought to be essential for survival. This raises the question—how could arthropods survive on land without established plants and an ozone shield? We propose a hypothesis that chemolithoautotrophic cave ecosystems, independent of photosynthesis, may have served as a subsurface stepping stone, providing a possible explanation for the land invasion enigma. Chemolithoautrophic caves have offered abundant food and radiation protection, enabling ancient arthropods to evolve strategies to adapt to new frontiers through gradual dispersion from the sea to shielded cave waters, then to cave hygropetric margins of cave waters, and, finally, to the surface.

Study on the nutritional composition of the sea vegetable Ulva compressa in a brine-based cultivation system

Driven by the global need of alternative food sources, there is a rising interest in edible macroalgae (seaweeds). In order to provide fresh and healthy seafood even in inland areas, land-based, environmentally controlled seaweed farming is on the rise. Facing several issues, especially the need of suitable cultivation media increases with growing distance from the coast. In order to provide regional solutions and make the cultivation approaches more sustainable, the present study investigates the potential use of natural saline ground water (brine) for the production of the macroalga Ulva compressa in inland cultivation systems. Over a period of 88 days, macroalgal thalli were cultivated in aerated experimental units (120 L) filled with brine-based media or commercial artificial sea water. Physicochemical properties of the cultivation media and the nutritional profile of macroalgal thalli were analyzed after 52 and 88 days of cultivation. The results underline not only the feasibility to use brine in the farming of sea vegetables (e.g. overcoming the lack of seawater and reduction of freshwater use), but also clearly indicate a nutrional value for the U. compressa cultivation, resulting in algal thalli, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids (e.g. lutein, β carotene). The present findings might serve as a step stone for the further development of brine-based inner land aquaculture systems.

Mobile Money as a Stepping Stone to Financial Inclusion: How Digital Multisided Platforms Fill Institutional Voids

The literature on institutional voids examines how intermediaries, such as business groups and business incubators, address such voids in emerging economies. However, it remains unclear whether and how digital multisided platforms fill these voids given their unique features. This study focuses on mobile money platforms, which allow users without bank accounts or credit cards to perform financial transactions. We propose that these platforms fill institutional voids in three ways by (i) enabling data-based certification, (ii) providing unified access to distributed services, and (iii) scaling through network effects to reach previously excluded market participants. We argue that these novel mechanisms enable mobile money platforms to expand credit access to end users from formal financial institutions and thereby act as stepping stones to financial inclusion. Our analysis is based on a difference-in-difference design that leverages regulatory changes that allowed nonbanks to operate as mobile money operators and data from a representative random sample of 151,771 individuals in 78 countries. We supplement our quantitative analysis with rich, hand-collected qualitative evidence to illustrate the mechanisms underlying our findings. Funding: Financial support from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.16562 .

DreamStone: Image as a Stepping Stone for Text-Guided 3D Shape Generation.

This paper presents a new text-guided 3D shape generation approach DreamStone that uses images as a stepping stone to bridge the gap between the text and shape modalities for generating 3D shapes without requiring paired text and 3D data. The core of our approach is a two-stage feature-space alignment strategy that leverages a pre-trained single-view reconstruction (SVR) model to map CLIP features to shapes: to begin with, map the CLIP image feature to the detail-rich 3D shape space of the SVR model, then map the CLIP text feature to the 3D shape space through encouraging the CLIP-consistency between the rendered images and the input text. Besides, to extend beyond the generative capability of the SVR model, we design the text-guided 3D shape stylization module that can enhance the output shapes with novel structures and textures. Further, we exploit pre-trained text-to-image diffusion models to enhance the generative diversity, fidelity, and stylization capability. Our approach is generic, flexible, and scalable. It can be easily integrated with various SVR models to expand the generative space and improve the generative fidelity. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of generative quality and consistency with the input text. Codes and models are released at https://github.com/liuzhengzhe/DreamStone-ISS.

The role of social identity and self-efficacy in predicting service providers’ use of Stepping Stones Triple P following training

BackgroundIdentifying factors that may contribute to the use of programs following the completion of training by practitioners is of practical and theoretical importance. AimThis study examined the role of social identity and self-efficacy in contributing to the delivery of an evidence-based parenting program. Methods and ProceduresA sample of 63 multi-disciplinary professionals trained in the Stepping Stones Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, for parents of children with developmental disability, as part of a statewide roll-out were interviewed two years after training. Data on the number of hours of delivery during the 2-year period was analysed along with quantitative data obtained during interviews that assessed professionals’ self-efficacy and social identity as a Stepping Stones professional. Outcomes and ResultsSocial identity was associated with the use of SSTP in an independent analysis, but the association was no longer significant when other factors were included in a regression model. Self-efficacy predicted the use of SSTP and was found to be a mediator in the relationship between social identity and use of SSTP. Conclusions and ImplicationsThis first investigation into the role of social identity in the implementation of evidence-based parenting programs showed that social identity could play an important role. The role of self-efficacy in predicting program use was further supported in this study and the mediator function of self-efficacy is explored. The practical and theoretical implications of the role of self-efficacy and social identity in the training of professionals are discussed.

Penerapan Metode Transportasi untuk Mengoptimalkan Waktu Pengiriman Produk pada PT. Sera Banyu Urip

This study aims to find out and analyze the optimal delivery time, to find out and analyze the initial solution for transportation costs using the North West Corner, Least Cost, and Vogel's Approximation Method (VAM) methods for the initial solution, to find out and analyze the optimization of shipping costs goods using Stepping Stone and Modified Distribution at PT. Sera Banyu Urip Ciputat, South Tangerang. To achieve this research, researchers used qualitative methods by conducting documentation, observation, interviews and triangulation using a research instrument in the form of the PDCA method. For the study population at PT. Sera Banyu Urip, South Tangerang. The results showed that after using the transportation method there was a very significant increase in the delivery of each vehicle which experienced an increase in delivery, and costs became more efficient.

‘Simply Make a Change’—Individual Commitment as a Stepping Stone for Sustainable Behaviors

In the face of climate change and other environmental issues, all relevant stakeholders, including members of civil society, should participate in the transformation towards a sustainable future. The project ‘Simply make a change’ engaged citizens (n = 101), with the help of an entirely voluntary and individual commitment approach, in a sustainable behavior they had not carried out before (e.g., plastic-free shopping or vegan nutrition). With the help of two questionnaires and subsequent interviews, participants were asked about their experiences with the commitment. The high proportion of participants who voluntarily sustained their chosen activity after the one-week trial run (78%), their rich and differentiated comments, and the formation of competencies such as mindfulness, reflectivity, and feelings of responsibility indicate that the approach was meaningful. Participants would have preferred a longer trial and perceived restrictions in daily life by behaviors with high task-difficulty (vegan nutrition), but felt confident to try out other sustainable behaviors in the future. The present data indicate that a completely voluntary self-commitment can encourage citizens to try out a new behavior and might also lower the threshold for trying other sustainable behaviors. This might contribute, step by step, to a more sustainable society.

Literature Study: Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Stepping Stone Method and the Modified Distribution (MODI) Method for Optimizing Transportation Costs

The purpose of transportation is to determine optimal distribution patterns from various sources (supply) to various destinations (demand) to minimize overall production and transportation costs. This literature research is a type of descriptive qualitative research with literature review. The aim of this research is to provide an overview of the comparative effectiveness of the Stepping Stone Method and the Modified Distribution Method (MODI) for optimizing transportation costs. Based on the results of the study conducted using a case study example in the reference journal, the results show that the use of these two methods produces the same amount of results. However, the researcher provides a study that is: The Stepping Stone Method will be more effectively used if the transportation problem is small and simple, an optimal guaranteed solution is required, and sufficient time and resources are available for calculation. Meanwhile, the Modified Distribution Method will be more effective if: Large and complex transportation problems, Near-optimal solutions with time efficiency are required, and Users are not familiar with optimization methods.

Shipping Cost Optimization Using Least Cost and Stepping Stone Method at The Xender Brand Sandal Factory

. The optimization model is one of the system analysis models identified with operation research. The transportation model determines the lowest cost for sending one item from several sources to several destinations as a collection of interconnected elements forming a single unit to integrate data, process, and store. Goods delivery transportation services are the use of software to provide services in the form of delivery of goods that are interrelated and structured to achieve a specific goal. The working principle of the Least cost method is to prioritize allocations with the most negligible unit cost (most minor cost per unit). This research was carried out using the Least Cost method so that companies can determine the optimal cost of shipping goods.

The Impacts of a Clown Doctor Program on an Adolescent Psychiatric Unit: A Mixed Methods Investigation.

Inpatient psychiatric care may be required to manage adolescents with severe mental health problems. As the ward can be a challenging environment, this study explored the influence of clown doctors on adolescents. Seventy-seven adolescents (13-18 years) and 22 staff from the Monash Health Stepping Stones Adolescent Unit, and 11 clown doctors from The Humour Foundation participated in the study. Bespoke surveys were developed by the research team to collect quantitative self-report data and qualitative responses. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis suggested that adolescents experienced high levels of fun as well as positive mood during a clown doctor session. Clown doctor programs show promise within an inpatient unit with opportunities for further development being identified. With considerations of the findings, future clown doctor training could include tailoring sessions to the developmental needs of adolescents and developing strategies on how to interact with adolescents who have a mental health disorder.

Keeping the Essentials in Place: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Study of DREAMS in Northern Uganda

Peer-facilitated curriculum-based programs, including Stepping Stones, have been shown to be effective in preventing HIV and reducing gender-based violence (GBV). We conducted a qualitative study in early 2017 to hear perspectives of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) participating in the USAID-funded Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe Women (DREAMS) intervention (administered by the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in northern Uganda that featured 10 peer-facilitated sessions of a Stepping Stones curriculum. The study focused on asking AGYW how the initiative had affected their lives and on identifying lessons learned that could support future initiatives. A total of 56 AGYW were interviewed, including the peer facilitator and 6–7 randomly selected participants of nine DREAMS groups in Northern Uganda. Overwhelmingly, participants indicated that regular HIV testing and knowing their status, knowledge and an increased use of family planning, and knowing how to respond to GBV were among the results of their participation. However, a problematic finding was that peer group discussions relating to reducing GBV included advising AGYW about how to adjust their own behavior in ways that would reduce tension with their male partners, rather than shifting harmful gender norms. This is not consistent with the Stepping Stones program and prompted a retrospective review of factors related to how the program was implemented to better understand this result. Our study points to the important role facilitators play in shifting challenging gender norms, and the importance of fidelity to original program designs, as well as appropriate adaptations for different contexts. Our findings also signal the need for funders to allow sufficient time to pilot and adapt models.

Optimization of Personal Protective Equipment Distribution Costs to Health Centers with Stepping Stone Method

This study aims to apply the Stepping Stone transportation method to optimize transportation costs for sending personal protective equipment (PPE) to thirteen health centers in Pamekasan. The method used is the Stepping Stone transportation method because it can manage the distribution of several warehouses that provide products to be sent to places in need optimally, which was previously a problem due to the length of time for sending medicines and PPE to each health centre and shipping operational costs are increasing because the distance of each warehouse to each health centre in each sub-district is very influential for cost as well as time. Based on the results of transportation simulations with this method, the results of the distribution cost of PPE delivery to each health centre in Pamekasan were obtained with distribution to Pamekasan warehouses of 30,000 units, Pakong warehouses of 15,000 units, Tlanakan warehouses of 10,000 units, and Pasean warehouses of 19,500 units, with optimal costs of IDR 37,000,000. The contribution of this research can be used by the Pamekasan District Health Office as an alternative policy for distributing PPE to each health centre in Pamekasan at an optimal cost.