bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on ceramic composite filters utilizing rice husk for enhancing groundwater quality
Authors: Susanto Iwan , Agsya Raihan Trinanda , Zainuri Fuad
Published: December 2023

Summary: This study addresses the persistent reliance of certain communities on groundwater for drinking purposes, despite its failure to meet quality standards due to the presence of harmful coliform bacteria. To meet these standards, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly filtration method is proposed, utilizing clay and rice husk as formative elements. The research focuses on creating a ceramic composite filter by blending rice husk with clay in varying compositions (30 %, 40 %, and 50 %). The mixture is processed into a paste, shaped into a green body, air-dried, and fired at different temperatures (875 °C, 900 °C, and 925 °C). Compression, porosity, and flow tests are conducted to evaluate the filter's performance. An increase in rice husk composition leads to higher flow rates, indicating improved water flow through the filter, suggests a positive influence of rice husk on the hydraulic characteristics of the filter material. The ceramic composite filter effectively filters coliform bacteria, achieving a 93 % reduction, although it falls short of meeting drinking water quality standards. The optimal sintering temperature is identified at 900 °C with a forming pressure of 30 MPa. This study emphasizes the potential of clay and rice husk-based ceramic filters as a viable option for improving groundwater quality, acknowledging their positive impact on porosity and flow characteristics. However, further refinement is required to fully align with established drinking water quality standards, suggesting avenues for future research and development in this critical field. This research explores the potential development of technology ceramic composite filter with the hope of making a positive contribution to advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions in the future
Anisotropic Kondo line defect and ODE/IM correspondence
Authors: Wu Jingxiang
Published: December 2023

We study the anisotropic Kondo line defects in products of chiral SU(2) WZW models. We propose an ODE/IM correspondence for the anisotropic Kondo problems by considering the four-dimensional Chern Simons theory in the trigonometric case. We verify the claim both by explicit perturbative calculations in the ultraviolet and by exact WKB analysis in the infrared. In doing so, we derived the infrared dynamics of a large class of anisotropic line defects.
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce and “Details of A Sunset” by Vladimir Nabokov: The problem of influence
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Astvatsaturov Andrey A.
Published: December 2023

The article is dedicated to the problem of the influence of the American writer Ambrose Bierce on the early work of Vladimir Nabokov. This influence can be traced back to several Nabokov’s texts (“Details of A Sunset”, “The Aurelian”, “Perfection”, “The Eye”), where one can detect plot lines, motives, and images borrowed from Bierce’s paradigmatic story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” The article focuses on Vladimir Nabokov’s short story “Details of A Sunset” (“Catastrophe”), where the influence of Ambrose Bierce is unquestionable. This influence was pointed out by a number of researchers, but the problem has not been thoroughly developed yet. Bierce’s influence on early Nabokov’s work is not limited to this device per se. Both authors follow the respective tradition of Early Romanticism. In both short stories the protagonists set off on a journey that is romantic in its spirit. The mystical epiphany that Nabokov’s character experiences are based on the model introduced by Bierce. Both authors employ romantic clichés, quotes from paradigmatic romantic texts and literary irony. The article also examines the system of literary images that Nabokov borrows from Bierce. It includes the image of a rope, a star, a bridge, and lightning. The parallels between the two works that are being analyzed in this article lead to a conclusion that Nabokov’s short story “Details of A Sunset” (“Catastrophe”) was directly influenced by Bierce.
The relationship of early maladaptive schemas and schema modes with violence risk in persons acquitted by reason of insanity
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Surgutskiy Evgeniy , Vartanyan Gayane ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: December 2023

The legal term “insanity defense” is used to describe people who commit a crime under the influence of a mental disorder. The assessment of the violence risk posed by such individuals is complex, and in global practice, it is typically conducted by a multiprofessional team. How- ever, in Russian practice, psychological evaluation is not carried out since it is believed that psychological drivers lose their significance in the presence of a mental disorder. The article describes the results of a study on the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and schema modes with violence risk in persons acquitted by reason of insanity. Measurements were taken from 58 male patients at the St. Petersburg Psychiatric Hospital, a specialized fa- cility with intensive supervision, ranging in age from 18 to 61 years. These measurements included the level of severity of early maladaptive schemas (assessed using the Young Schema Questionnaire — Short Form Revised), the level of severity of dysfunctional schema modes (evaluated through the Schema Mode Inventory), and the level of violence risk (measured using the Historical Clinical Risk Management Scales — HCR-20 V2). The results obtained using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and the Benjamini — Hochberg procedure lead to the conclusion that a weak reliable relationship exists between the schema “Insufficient Self-Control” and the level of violence risk in persons acquitted by reason of insanity. Con- sequently, it is inferred that this schema can be considered a psychological driver of violence risk. The conducted research is the first of its kind in Russia.
Water quality prediction: a data-driven approach exploiting advanced machine learning algorithms with data augmentation
Authors: K Karthick , Krishnan S. , Manikandan R.
Published: December 2023

Water quality assessment plays a crucial role in various aspects, including human health, environmental impact, agricultural productivity, and industrial processes. Machine learning (ML) algorithms offer the ability to automate water quality evaluation and allow for effective and rapid assessment of parameters associated with water quality. This article proposes an ML-based classification model for water quality prediction. The model was tested with 14 ML algorithms and considers 20 features that represent various substances present in water samples and their concentrations. The dataset used in the study comprises 7,996 samples, and the model development involves several stages, including data preprocessing, Yeo–Johnson transformation for data normalization, principal component analysis (PCA) for feature selection, and the application of the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) to address class imbalance. Performance metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, are provided for each algorithm with and without SMOTE. LightGBM, XGBoost, CatBoost, and Random Forest were identified as the best-performing algorithms. XGBoost achieved the highest accuracy of 96.31% without SMOTE and had a precision of 0.933. The application of SMOTE enhanced the performance of CatBoost. These findings provide valuable insights for ML-based water quality assessment, aiding researchers and professionals in decision-making and management.
Analyzing the relationship between meteorological changes and evapotranspiration trends in Gia Lai province, Central Highlands of Vietnam
Authors: Ha Phan Thi , Hai Le Minh , Liem Nguyen Duy , Dat Nguyen Le Tan , Huyen Nguyen Thi , Thuy Nguyen Ngoc , Kim Loi Nguyen
Published: December 2023

This study aims to analyze the historical trends of evapotranspiration at annual and seasonal scales and assess the sensitivity to various meteorological factors in Gia Lai province from 1980 to 2019. The modified innovative-Şen trend method and Sobol analysis are employed for trend identification and sensitivity assessment, respectively. The results obtained indicate significant downward trends using both the innovative-Şen trend analysis and the improved version of the innovative trend analysis method across different stations and time scales. Furthermore, in the low-value subgroups of the rainy season at Pleiku and An Khe stations, there were notable increasing trends with quantitative values of approximately 6%. Sensitivity analysis reveals that evapotranspiration is most sensitive to sunshine duration across most stations on annual and seasonal time scales, followed by relative humidity and minimum temperature. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the relationship between evapotranspiration and relevant climate variables, contributing to the assessment of water demand for agricultural irrigation.
Climatic characteristics and main weather patterns of extreme precipitation in the middle Yangtze River valley
Authors: Chen Hongzhuan , Yin Xinhuai , Huang Xiaoyu , Zhao Enrong , Ou Xiaofeng , Ye Chengzhi
Published: December 2023

Based on the daily precipitation data and ERA5 reanalysis data of 40 years from 1981 to 2018 in the middle Yangtze River Valley (MYRV), the climatic characteristics of extreme precipitation are analyzed using statistical methods. The multivariate empirical orthogonal functions and spectral clustering methods are used to classify and synthesize the extreme precipitation weather. The results show that: (1) The spatial distribution of the extreme precipitation threshold is uneven due to the regional topography. The spatial distribution of the average precipitation and frequency of extreme precipitation days is characterized by the north-south antiphase distribution. (2) According to the main influencing systems, the 215 regional extreme precipitation days in the MYRV in the past 40 years can be classified into three types: southwest vortex type, typhoon type, and cold trough shear line type. (3) The southwest vortex type of extreme precipitation occurs in the deep warm and humid airflow in front of the southwest vortex trough, but the typhoon type has better thermal dynamic conditions, and the cold and warm airflow convergence of the cold trough shear line type is more obvious. The rainfall area of three types of extreme precipitation is the result of the synergistic effect of the system.
SEMIÓTICA DA(S) CULTURA(S): QUESTÕES E CONCEITOS BÁSICOS
Authors: Sedda Franciscu
Published: December 2023

O artigo apresenta algumas questões e conceitos básicos relacionados ao estudo semiótico da cultura e das culturas. A primeira pergunta, “A semiótica é necessária à vida?”, leva ao reconhecimento de uma dupla necessidade da semiótica, pretendida ao mesmo tempo como uma qualidade própria da humanidade e como um conhecimento científico necessário para refletir e tornar-se consciente de nossa “natureza cultural” que passa despercebida. Em segundo lugar, o artigo sugere considerar a análise semiótica não apenas como uma forma de conhecimento intelectual, mas também como uma ação que visa a transformar a realidade. Isso resulta na definição do semioticista como um sujeito político. Em terceiro lugar, o artigo propõe algumas ferramentas – por exemplo, o movimento intelectual circular representado pela análise e pela catálise – para gerenciar as relações entre as partes e o todo, o micro e o macro, a ordem e o caos. A segunda parte do artigo aborda três conceitos-chave para a semiótica da(s) cultura(s) contemporânea(s) e futura(s): semiosfera(s), formação(ões) e tradução(ões). Partindo dos paradoxos estruturais da ideia de semiosfera, o artigo propõe uma ideia dinâmica e glocal de cultura(s) com base em uma abordagem relacionalista. A ideia de formação permite mapear diferentes tipos de relação semiótica: ação/paixão, processo/sistema, substância/forma. Por fim, o artigo propõe considerar a tradução como um conceito-chave que permite descrever os mecanismos mais profundos de criação de significado, bem como alguns dos processos mais espinhosos da vida cultural atual.
Tebentafusp as a Promising Drug for the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Balushi Khalid Al , Hadhrami Abdulrahman Al , Balushi Hamdan Al , Lawati Abdullah Al , Das Srijit
Published: December 2023

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults
and commonly occurs in the Caucasian population. The malignancy involves the uvea of the eye,
which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The etiology of UM is still not well understood,
but age is a risk factor. Symptoms include blurred vision, redness of the eye, floaters, dark spots, a
change in the size of the pupil, and loss of vision. The location, shape, and size of the tumor are
important for therapeutic purposes. Treating metastasis is always a challenge in UM cases. In cases
of lung metastasis, the survival rate decreases. Treatment includes surgery, laser therapy, immunotherapy,
hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Recently, in 2022, the United States Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug tebentafusp. Tebentafusp was developed to target
the most common HLA complex in humans. The present review discusses the indications for the
use of a new drug tebentafusp, its mechanism of action, dose, pharmacokinetics, results of clinical
trials conducted, and adverse effects like cytokine release syndrome. Hence, tebentafusp is the
first T cell receptor (TCR) therapeutic drug that could be considered for the treatment of UM.
Energy Optimization for RC and RLC Interconnect Design in Low Power
VLSI
Authors: Bhardwaj Himani , Jain Shruti , Sohal Harsh
Published: December 2023

Background:

The global RC interconnects have become the controlling parameter for a
circuit’s performance. But with the decrease in technology, an increase in resistance has become
prominent. This increase further directly affects the performance of the system by increasing the performance
parameters of the circuit like delay and power consumption. To resolve this issue and to be
compatible with Internet of Things (IoT) applications, the interconnect circuits are required to be
high speed with less heat generation.

Methods:

In this paper, a new RC and RLC interconnect circuit design was proposed for 45 nm technology
to enhance the performance parameters. Furthermore, the RC interconnect design was simulated
for lumped and distributed networks. The parasitic component values (resistance, inductance,
and capacitance) are evaluated using PTM technology.

Results:

The proposed interconnect circuit's resistance value decreased by a factor of 4, but the capacitance
remains the same. Furthermore, power consumption and delay values were attained. An
overall comparison was done between RC and RLC networks.

Conclusion:

63.13% power improvement and 24.87% delay improvement were observed in the RLC
network over RC distributed network.
Can We Find A Noninvasive Tool of Precision Medicine That Can Always Be Used For the Individualized Treatment of Women With Breast Cancer?
Authors: Rygiel Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

A constellation of specific personal characteristics of the patients have been
described as personomics, which involves an individual patient’s personality type, set
of personal values, priorities, preferences, health-related beliefs, goals, economic
status, and different life circumstances, which can affect when and how a certain
disease (e.g., breast cancer (BC)) can be manifested in a given woman.
As a consequence, personomics can be considered to be a novel clinical instrument
that is helpful for making a connection between the standard and the emerging, more
individualized model of medical care. This plays an essential role in patients
diagnosed with the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat malignancies (e.g., BC
subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
At present, many biological properties in the forms of different “omics” platforms
(such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, and
pharmacogenomics) have emerged. They have been incorporated into precision
medicine. However, to optimally tailor diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to a
given patient, the biological characteristics need to be integrated with the personal
ones.
This chapter aims to address some practical research ideas of personalized medicine,
relevant to personomics that can incorporate individual patient issues into the
comprehensive therapeutic plan.
Distress – Our “Internal Enemy”: How to “Disarm” or Lessen its Negative Impact on the Psychophysical Condition of Women with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Authors: Rygiel Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Stress is an inevitable part of life. It constantly bombards our lives, and
these explosions range from minor daily frustrations to overwhelming fear brought on
by the adverse prognosis of serious diseases, like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
In patients with cancer, distress has been defined as “a multifactorial unpleasant
experience of a psychological (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, emotional), social, spiritual,
and physical nature that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with
cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment. However, even in such a difficult
health-related situation, it is encouraging that some consequences of distress are not
inevitable. Some natural questions for every woman with cancer (e.g., TNBC) are:
“What are the normal limits of distress?” and “What to do when distress becomes
more serious?”
This chapter will briefly address the above questions and will present some tools that
can be used to measure distress. In addition, a few simple strategies that are easily
accessible and effective in Distress Management and its complications will be
suggested (e.g., “Do's and Don'ts” list of recommendations).
An Intersectional Neuroscience Approach for Disadvantageous Populations: Meditation Practice as a Possible Support Option for Women with Breast Cancer?
Authors: Rygiel Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Mindfulness and compassion meditation have a positive impact on
cognition, mood, behavior, and general health, based on recent studies in neuroscience.
However, the research methodology is still insufficient to determine and measure
different mental states during meditation, especially in minority populations.
Intersectional Neuroscience, which is an innovative research model, may provide
some solutions since it adapts modern research procedures to include disadvantageous
groups of participants (e.g., ethnic minorities, patients with chronic diseases, like
cancer, heart disease, or depression). Evaluating Multivariate Maps of BODY
Awareness (EMBODY) is a task designed to accommodate diverse neural structures
and functions, using the multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) classifiers, with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The EMBODY task applies
individualized artificial intelligence algorithms to the fMRI data, in order to identify
mental states during breath-focused meditation, a basic skill that stabilizes
attention.
This chapter describes a potential application of the Intersectional Neuroscience (IN)
approach to developing useful metrics of meditation practice, including participants
from disadvantageous groups. Hopefully, these findings can be explored in-depth, and
possibly applied to patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in the future.
Radical Remissions: Unique Lessons from Patients with Cancer Who Were Able to Defy the Odds and Recover
Authors: Rygiel Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Many women with aggressive BC subtypes are devastated, due to metastatic
spread, resistance to therapy, and poor prognosis. However, there is a growing body of
scientific evidence that some patients have been able to defy the odds of advanced
malignancy and recover, in spite of their fatal prognosis and dismal oncology statistics.
Also, these “better than expected” clinical effects were not totally rare.
To explore this fascinating subject, future research is undoubtedly necessary. In line
with this challenge, the innovative “Radical Remission Project” was created, which
allows collecting cases of Radical Remissions for research studies. It also connects
survivors with patients, who actually struggle with aggressive cancers. Since there is a
concern about giving false hope to patients with advanced malignancies, they need to
be professionally informed that the cases of Radical Remissions must be first explored
in detailed research studies, before making any conclusions about their potential
applicability to patients with similar prognoses. This is necessary to protect the most
vulnerable patients, who must not be given any false expectations, and the practical
communication skills of the cancer care teams are crucial to accomplish it.
In addition, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM), which manages the
physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients with cancer, regardless of
their prognosis, appears to be helpful in an attempt to meet these needs. CIM is
gradually becoming a part of each stage of the cancer journey, from active to
supportive and palliative oncology care. Similarly, integrative oncology that uses
evidence-based, lifestyle modifications, mind-body techniques, and specific natural
products in combination with conventional anticancer treatments is in line with
patients’ safety.
This chapter briefly addresses some universal factors, which can make a genuine
difference to help in recovery from cancer, based on the Radical Remission Project
and CIM-related research. It focuses on the role of open and precise communication
between patients and cancer care teams. The ongoing Radical Remission Project can
inspire many women with breast cancer (BC) and their medical teams to consider
introducing some safe and useful approaches to their standard oncology management.
Computational Nanotoxicology and its Applications
Authors: Jabeen Sabeeha , Siddiqui Vasi Uddin , Bala Shashi , Rahman Khan Abdul , Raza Saman , Khan Tahmeena
Published: December 2023

The trial on non-testing approaches for nanostructured materials and the
prediction of toxicity that may cause cell disruption is needed for the risk assessment,
to recognize, evaluate, and categorize possible risks. Another tactic for examining the
toxicologic characteristics of a nanostructure is using in silico methods that interpret
how nano-specific structures correlate to noxiousness and permit its prediction.
Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanostructures and has been broadly
functional in medical research to predict the toxicity in numerous biotic systems.
Exploring biotic systems through in vivo and in vitro approaches is affluent and time-consuming. However, computational toxicology is a multi-discipline ground that
operates In silico strategies and algorithms to inspect the toxicology of biotic systems
and also has gained attention for many years. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of
biomolecules such as proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are prevalent for
considering connections between biotic systems and chemicals in computational
toxicology. This chapter summarizes the works predicting nanotoxicological endpoints
using (ML) machine learning models. Instead of looking for mechanistic clarifications,
the chapter plots the ways that are followed, linking biotic features concerning
exposure to nanostructure materials, their physicochemical features, and the commonly
predicted conclusions. The outcomes and conclusions obtained from the research, and
review papers from indexing databases like SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PubMed
were studied and included in the chapter. The chapter maps current models developed
precisely for nanostructures to recognize the threat potential upon precise exposure
circumstances. The authors have provided computational nano-toxicological effects
with the collective vision of applied machine learning tools.
Association between Predatory Arthropods and Weeds on Sugarcane Plants
Authors: Devi Mia Prastika , Rahardjo Bambang Tri , Tarno Hagus
Published: December 2023

While a large number of farmers in the tropics consider weeds to be just a nuisance, some weeds can potentially have benefits for cultivated crops. Weeds around cultivated plants can act as a biocide, soil improvement, and a food source for humans and animals, as well as a habitat for some insects. Based on the regression analysist, weed density has a relationship to the diversity of predatory arthropod species (R2= 0.026; P<0.001) and the abundance of individual predatory arthropods (R2= 0.010; P<0.001). Beneficial weeds around sugarcane plantations create mutually beneficial interactions. Weeds can be used as a place to live, reproduce, and produce nutrients for predatory arthropods. Research on the role of weeds against natural enemies from predators in sugarcane agroecosystems is also rarely studied. In this study, the focus was on the association of weeds with the diversity and abundance of predatory arthropods in the sugarcane agroecosystem.
Unilateral Vestibulopathy Mimicking Inner Ear Ischemia Modeling Using Photothrombosis and Behavioral Assessment Using EthoVision
Authors: Song Min Seok , Lee Min Young , Choi Ji Eun , Chang So-Young , Lee Jae-Hun , Cuenca John Patrick , Carpena Nathaniel T. , Jung Jae Yun
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Inner ear ischemic animal models using photochemical reactions have been devised in various ways. Localized vascular ischemia occurs with 532-nm laser irradiation after systemic rose bengal injection, a known photothrombotic mechanism. The aim of this study is to evaluate a photothrombosis-induced vestibulopathy mimicking behavioral changes in the inner ear ischemia model.Methods: Seven-week-old male Spraque-Dawley rats were used. Animals were divided into three groups: control group (n=6), sham laser group (n=9), and laser group (n=9). To induce the photothrombosis, animals were injected with rose bengal into the femoral vein and then were irradiated with a 532-nm laser (175 mW for 900 seconds) via transtympanic membrane. To investigate the vestibulopathy after photothrombosis, the behavior tests (tail lift reflex test, air righting reflex test, rotarod test) were performed on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after surgery. Additionally, an open field test was conducted and analyzed using EthoVision XT (Noldus).Results: The laser group exhibited significant behavioral change to mimic vestibulopathy in all assessments. Inducing photothrombosis with rose bengal caused severe gait instability, which precluded rotarod testing. In the tail lift reflex test, the laser group displayed vestibular dysfunction with a lower angle formation compared to the control rats. During the open field test, the laser group exhibited reduced mobility, a condition that persisted in the laser groups for 7 days.Conclusions: Noninvasive laser irradiation using rose bengal and a 532-nm laser induces photothrombosis in the inner ear of animals, leading to the development of vestibulopathy mimicking imbalanced behavior.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation Presented with Spontaneous Down-Beating Nystagmus and Gait Disturbance
Authors: Kim Minbum , Cho Youn Jin
Published: December 2023

Arnold Chiari malformation is a disease which is characterized by herniation of a portion of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum. Symptoms vary depending on the extent of the affected area, including posterior neck pain, upper limb pain, paralysis, paresthesia, weakness, dizziness, and ataxia. Among the patients presenting with dizziness, nystagmus is frequently observed, which is primarily characterized by down-beating nystagmus. We experienced a 42- years-old female patient presented with vertigo and gait disturbance, who were diagnosed with type 1 Arnold-Chiari malformation and treated by surgical decompression.
Museums of lie and truth: Speaking toward truth in our sermons
Authors: Deeg Alexander
Published: December 2023

The search for truth becomes a challenging theological task in a world of lies and propaganda, being exhibited more and more openly. Inspired by two “Museums of Lies,” this paper aims to show how lies can be used to uncover a more profound truth by exposing them through a truth-seeking lens. While the homiletical task of “preaching the truth” is more complicated than it would seem at first glance, it is accompanied by the anthropological question, ‘Whether it is true’ (Karl Barth), and the theological question: ‘What is truth?’. The argument is that by observing what Martin Luther called “theologia crucis,” the task of preaching truth becomes dependent on the means and ways in which the Bible itself uncovers truth within our world of lies and by acknowledging that the discovery of truth can only be described as a process, at the beginning and end of which Jesus’ answer to Pilate may provide reassurance.
Homiletical Competencies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: South African perspectives on speaking truth to power
Authors: Nell Ian
Published: December 2023

Scholars believe that we are amid one of the greatest cultural revolutions since the mass production of books in Gutenberg around 1450. The art of book printing, which originated in Central Europe, turned the world on its head within 10 years. The mass production of books resulted in most people in Europe learning to read in less than one generation, which has led to major changes in all areas of social life and has affected the lives of millions of people for over a hundred years. According to these same scholars, we currently find ourselves in a similar position through what is known as the AI (artificial intelligence). In this article, the researcher wants to come to a better understanding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and AI as part of it and the way they challenge preachers. The central research question is: In our pursuit to speak the truth of Jesus Christ to the powerful economic elite, what are the challenges and opportunities that the 4IR is posing to preachers?
Preaching as Resonance: Critique, Hope and Sustainable Living in light of Rosa’s Theory
Authors: Lorensen Marlene Ringgaard
Published: December 2023

Recent homiletical research has emphasized the intricate interaction between words, bodies and senses in the practice of preaching which can be difficult to explain in light of traditional approaches. In addition, many homileticians and preachers struggle to find ways of addressing the environmental crisis in a way that calls for hopeful response in spite of the dire environmental situation. In the following, I will analyze the homiletical potential of the theory of resonance as developed by the German sociologist Hartmut Rosa in order to address some of these challenges. Although his analyses are based on sociological critique of acceleration societies and modes of aggression, Rosa describes ecclesial, ritual practices as unique in their ability to cultivate ‘dispositional resonance’ in contemporary societies. The phenomenon of resonance involves three axes namely the vertical / intersubjective, diagonal/material as well as the horizontal / existential. In order to show the homiletical relevance of the theory it is discussed in relation to HyeRan Kim-Cragg’s postcolonial preaching, Marianne Gaarden’s empirical studies of listeners of preaching, as well as a contemporary sermon held by Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm.
Nano Drug Delivery System with Resveratrol as Promising Novel Adjuvant Therapy for Diabetic Non-Healing Wounds: A Literature Review
Authors: Sari Ni Wayan Puspita , Els Vanessa , Indrayani Agung Wiwiek
Published: December 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by increased blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and is associated with impaired function of β cells. The uncontrolled and prolonged hyperglycemia in DM can cause complications. One of the most common is diabetic non-healing wounds, the leading cause of disability in people with diabetes, therefore adjuvant therapy is needed. Compounds from natural ingredients are currently getting the spotlight in recent studies conducted to prove their effect on non-healing wounds, such as Resveratrol (RSV). This review aims to discuss the potential of RSV as a novel adjuvant therapy and its delivery system strategy in the case of diabetic non-healing wounds. We conducted an extensive search from three online scientific databases such as ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and PubMed on February-March 2023. Keywords used are "resveratrol", "diabetic wound healing", and "diabetes mellitus". As a result, 86 studies were reviewed, and only 79 selected studies met all inclusion criteria. The formulation of RSV nanoparticles in oral drug delivery systems and topical administration has shown promise to overcome the limitations of RSV as adjuvant therapy in diabetic non-healing wounds. The best option that we found through this literature review is the nano-oral drug delivery system as it could minimize drug metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore the drug bioavailability and drug concentration on the target site could be maximized, even though the systemic side effects might occur.
Analisis Biaya dan Luaran Klinik Terapi Remdesivir dibandingkan Favipiravir pada COVID-19 Derajat Sedang: Perspektif Provider
Authors: Aniq Laduna , Andayani Tri Murti , Endarti Dwi
Published: December 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic cases affect health and the economy and have become a burden for the global community. Effective and specific antiviral for COVID-19 is still controversial and has yet to be found. Antiviral use is the main mitigation strategy that tends to be more cost-effective but varies in effectiveness and cost depending on various factors. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and cost of antiviral therapy in moderate COVID-19. This observational-analytic study used a retrospective cohort design. Subjects were hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 who received antivirals in July-October 2021 and January-March 2022. Therapy effectiveness was measured by lowered NLR (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio) to a normal level and length of stay (LOS). Drug safety includes adverse drug events. The cost of therapy was calculated based on the hospital’s perspective (provider), using direct medical costs. A total of 170 patients were divided into two groups (94 patients remdesivir and 76 patients favipiravir). In this arm, there were 45 patients with lowered NLR (21 patients reached the target and 24 patients did not). The effectiveness of favipiravir and remdesivir was 70.6% and 32.1%. Remdesivir may lower NLR (2.92) versus favipiravir (1.55). Favipiravir had a shorter LOS than remdesivir (8 vs 9 days). Adverse drug events observed in remdesivir were nausea (47.9%) and abdominal pain (22.3%), while in favipiravir nausea (53.9%) and vomiting (22.4%). The average total cost of remdesivir is higher than favipiravir (IDR 19,772,985 vs IDR 13,819,727). Favipiravir has higher efficacy and a shorter LOS with a lower average total cost than remdesivir.
Cost Utility Analysis Vildagliptin dan Glimepiride dalam Mencegah Komplikasi Mikrovaskuler menggunakan Model Markov
Authors: Purnamasari Tri Julia , Ilone Stella , Setiawan Didik
Published: December 2023

Microvascular complications can occur due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The cost of therapy increases due to the use of various antidiabetic drugs over a long period. This research is a pharmacoeconomic study that uses the Markov Model to compare costs and utilities in type 2 DM patients who receive metformin+glimepiride and metformin+vildagliptin therapy. Primary data was collected through the EQ5D questionnaire at Cirebon Harbor Hospital and secondary data (transition probability) was collected through a literature study. Characteristics of type 2 DM patients show that the majority of people suffering from this condition are aged between 55 and 59 years. Primary data from the hospital shows that the cost of therapy for controlled type 2 DM patients who receive combination therapy of metformin + glimepiride, and metformin + vildagliptin is Rp. 1,699,400, Rp. 5,807,786, and Rp. 10,100,426, respectively. Secondary data from articles treating type 2 DM shows that the 55-59 year age group is the largest. With an ICER of 61,493,943/QALYS, microvascular prevention in T2DM patients receiving the metformin+vildagliptin combination in Indonesia is considered effective and able to reduce the number of microvascular cases. This is based on the ICER value compared to the Indonesian Government's GDP, namely Rp. 71,030,183.3. This study shows that replacing glimepiride with vildagliptin for the prevention of microvascular complications is cost-effective and has better utility and effectiveness in reducing the incidence of microvascular complications. The use of vildagliptin can be recommended to reduce costs and the risk of microvascular complications.
The Effect of Cultivation Site Altitudes on the Quality Parameters of Meniran (Phylanthus niruri L.)
Authors: Wahyuni Dinar Sari C. , Pangestika Maya Widia , Andriyani Della , Rinanto Yudi , Fatimah Siti
Published: December 2023

Meniran (Phyllanthus niruri L.) is known as a medicinal plant for immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, diuretic treatment, and kidney disorders. It has phenolic and flavonoid as the active compounds. Several commercial products utilize meniran as the main ingredient for immunomodulators. However, the standard raw material for production has not been well reported. The study aimed to standardize the quality of meniran’s raw materials from different locations and altitudes. The phenolic compounds as the active component and their antioxidant activity were further studied. The raw materials were collected from Sukoharjo, Jember, and Karanganyar which are located from 104 masl, 243 masl, and 722 masl. The specific and non-specific standardization based on Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia were investigated. The antioxidant activity was investigated. It resulted in the specific and non-specific parameters that were according to standard except for the acid soluble ash test from the Jember sample which was much higher (6.333% ± 0.969) than the standard (<1.2%). In addition, the flavonoid (1.529 ± 0.167%w/w) and phenolic (1.65 ± 0.006 %w/w) content showed that the sample collected from Jember was significantly higher than other locations. However, the strongest antioxidant activity was in the sample collected from Sukoharjo (IC50 101.84μg/mL). On the other hand, there was no correlation between the total flavonoid and the total phenolic to antioxidant activity in this plant. It suggested that the antioxidant activity in these plants did not depend on the flavonoid and phenolic compounds. In conclusion, the raw material of meniran (Phyllanthus niruri L.) collected from 3 different altitudes showed the quality of herbal medicine of mainly non-specific parameters and met the requirements of Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The total phenolic and flavonoid as the active substances varied through all 3 different altitudes. It was in line with the antioxidant activity which varied to all 3 different altitudes due to the phytochemical profile variety.
Analysis of Curcumin Contents in Curcuma xanthorrhiza using FTIR Spectroscopy and HPLC-UV in Combination with Multivariate Calibration
Authors: Kusumadewi Awal P. , Mujahid Rohmat , Martien Ronny , Purwanto Purwanto , Styawan Anita A. , Irnawati Irnawati , Rohman Abdul
Published: December 2023

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. or Java Turmeric with the local name of Temulawak is one of herbal medicines used in Indonesia. This plant is believed to prevent some degenerative diseases due to its active compounds, especially curcumin (CUR) contained in Java Turmeric. Therefore, analysis of active components including CUR is very urgent. This study highlighted the development of FTIR spectroscopy coupled with PLSR for the determination of CUR in Java Turmeric powders. The levels of CUR in Java Turmeric powders were determined using HPLC with UV detectors, and the obtained results were used as actual values to be predicted using FTIR spectroscopy-multivariate calibrations. The results revealed that the levels of CUR ranged from 0.6741 ± 0.0705% (g/100 samples) to 2.1062 ± 0.0095%. PLSR modeling for the relationship between the actual value of CUR as determined using HPLC and calculated values as predicted using FTIR spectroscopy provide the value of R2 of 0.9990 with RMSEC of 0.0028. The developed method offers reliable results providing a green analytical method due to the use of minimum solvent and reagent and does not involve extensive sample preparation.
IN SILICO ASSESSMENT OF AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID (PUFAS) FROM NAVICULA SALINICOLA AS AN INHIBITOR OF BENIGN PROSTATE HYPERPLASIA
Authors: FEBRINA ELLIN , YULIANTINI ANNE , KURNIA DEWI , ASNAWI AIYI
Published: December 2023

Objective: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent, non-cancerous condition affecting aging men worldwide. As an alternative approach to conventional treatment options, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have gained attention for their potential therapeutic effects on various health conditions. This study investigated the interaction of PUFAs obtained from Navicula salinicola with the macromolecule associated with BPH, represented by STAT3, that is involved in the androgen signaling pathway in BPH (PDB ID 6NJS), using molecular docking simulations.

Methods: The docking simulations revealed the interaction patterns and binding affinities of 14 PUFAs with the amino acid residues of STAT3. The calculated binding energies and inhibition constants provided insights into the potential inhibitory effects of PUFAs on BPH.

Results: Results indicated that g-linolenic acid exhibited a strong binding affinity, forming hydrogen bonds with ARG609 and hydrophobic interactions with VAL637 and PRO639, highlighting its potential as a potent inhibitor. Docosahexaenoic acid also showed favorable interactions with ARG609 and hydrophobic residues, suggesting its potential therapeutic relevance.

Conclusion: g-Linolenic acid from N. salinicola exhibited a strong molecular interaction with STAT3.
EXPLORING BINDING AFFINITIES OF ACETOACETATE IN ACRYLAMIDE-BASED POLYMERS (PAM) FOR MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS (MIPS): A MOLECULAR DOCKING AND MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDY
Authors: ASNAWI AIYI , FEBRINA ELLIN , AMAN LA ODE , RAZI FACHRUL
Published: December 2023

Objective: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) have garnered significant attention as promising materials for the selective recognition of target molecules. Acetoacetate is crucial in diabetes management, especially in Type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and monitoring its levels is essential for detecting potential complications. In DKA, there is a lack of insulin resistance, leading to increased production of ketone bodies, including acetoacetate. MIPs, synthetic polymers, selectively bind to target molecules like acetoacetate due to unique three-dimensional structures, which can be quantitatively measured using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The research objectives were to assess the stability of acetoacetate-MIP complexes and their impact on polyacrylamide-based polymer (PAM) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics, examining their structural and energetic stability over 100 ns.

Methods: Five acrylamide-based polymers were investigated using AutoDock Vina for molecular docking and Gromacs for molecular dynamics simulations, focusing on binding affinities, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and complex behaviors over 100 ns.

Results: Acetoacetate binds well to the polymers PAM2 and PAM5, with the maximum binding affinity being 2.738 and 2.49 kcal/mol, respectively. PAM1, PAM3, and PAM4 had significant binding affinities; however, PAM4 had a lesser binding affinity of-1.534 kcal/mol, making it less appropriate for acetoacetate-specific MIP applications. The molecular dynamics investigation discovered that PAM5 had the best total energy, indicating a relatively stable interaction environment.

Conclusion: The study reveals PAM5 as a promising candidate with high binding affinity and multiple hydrogen bonds with acetoacetate, providing insights for acetoacetate-specific MIP design and molecular recognition progress.
OPTIMIZATION OF KAPPA CARRAGEENAN POLYMER CONCENTRATION AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE CROSSLINKER ON PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GLUTATHIONE-KAPPA CARRAGEENAN NANOSPHERE
Authors: NAILUFA YUYUN , WIDJAJA BAMBANG , NAJIH YULI AINUN , RAKHMA DITANURLITA
Published: December 2023

Objective: The objective of the study to obtain the most optimal physical characteristics of glutathione-kappa carrageenan nanosphere in terms of particle size, moisture content, yield, drug loading and entrapment efficiency. Methods: One of the drug delivery systems that can improve drug stability for antioxidants is nanosphere. Nanospheres were prepared using ionotropic gelation method with aerosol technique. This method is easy, fast, and relatively cost-effective to manufacture. This research was applied with optimization using a randomized full factorial design of 2² with differences in kappa carrageenan as polymer and potassium chloride concentrations as crosslinker. This study aims to obtain the most optimal physical characteristics of the nanosphere in terms of particle size, moisture content, yield, drug loading and entrapment efficiency. Results: The glutathione-kappa carrageenan nanosphere had particle sizes ranging from 247.03 to 675.07 nm with spherical and smooth nanosphere. Furthermore, the entrapment efficiency value ranged from 25.50–35.61%, and drug loading of 6.84–10.16%. The concentration of kappa polymer affected particle size, moisture content, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading. This indicated that higher polymer concentration resulted in greater particle size, moisture content, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading. Conclusion: The most optimal formula is F4 with 1% kappa-carrageenan concentration and 0.6% KCl.
Complejos industriales regionales en México como instrumento de política industrial para el desarrollo: una aproximación usando la matriz de insumo/producto y estadísticos de asociación espacial local, 2013 y 2018
Authors: Prudencio Vázquez Jaime Alberto
Published: December 2023

Objetivo: proponer un método de identificación de complejos industriales a escala municipal para incorporar la dimensión espacial en la política económica. Metodología: primero se identifican las actividades económicas vinculadas entre sí de manera estrecha, a partir de la relación entre insumo y producto a nivel de rama de actividad. Luego estas son geolocalizadas partiendo de la evaluación de sus patrones de concentración espacial. Resultados: se identificaron y analizaron nueve cadenas productivas en 2013 y 2018, y se ubicó su distribución espacial en el territorio como complejos industriales. Valor: el uso de la estadística de asociación espacial de Moran posibilita la clasificación precisa entre los complejos efectivos y los potenciales y medir su significancia estadística sin asumir una forma de distribución dada. Además, se presentan las bases de datos que se usaron y el código en el software R para que el estudio pueda reproducirse. Limitaciones: en el método propuesto no están contempladas las diferencias tecnológicas ni de productividad entre las regiones. Conclusiones: los complejos industriales ubicados en el Estado de México, Ciudad de México, Guadalajara y Monterrey conservan su composición municipal entre 2013 y 2018. Además, en el periodo, aumenta el número de municipios que integran complejos en el occidente y norte de México.
Pareceristas
Authors: Lanzieri Júnior Carlile
Published: December 2023

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