Search Results (12)

We hypothesized that compounds containing ether linkages within their backbone structures, when exposed to hydroxyl radicals (•OH), can generate ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) as a result of the formation of triplet excited carbonyl species (³R=O*). To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated the UPE of four compounds, each at a final concentration of 185.2 µmol/L: EGTA (ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid), a potent chelator of divalent cations, and three crown ethers—12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6—containing two, four, five, and six ether bonds, respectively. •OH was generated using a modified Fenton reagent—92.6 µmol/L Fe²⁺ and 2.6 mmol/L H₂O₂. The highest UPE was recorded for the Fe²⁺–EGTA–H₂O₂ (2863 ± 158 RLU; relative light units), followed by 18-crown-6, 15-crown-5, and 12-crown-4 (1161 ± 78, 615± 86, and 579 ± 109 RLU, respectively; p < 0.05), corresponding to the number of ether groups present. Controls lacking either H₂O₂ or Fe²⁺ exhibited no significant light emission compared to the buffer medium. These findings support the hypothesis that ether bonds, when oxidatively attacked by •OH, undergo chemical transformations resulting in the formation of ³R=O* species, the decay of which is associated with UPE. In crown ethers exposed to Fe²⁺-H₂O₂, the intensity of UPE was correlated with the number of ether bonds in their structure. Full article

Various polyphenols are absorbed into the bloodstream following the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods. These compounds may exhibit divergent redox properties, particularly in relation to their antioxidant or pro-oxidant activities. We evaluated the effects of six binary equimolar combinations of polyphenols with pre-established redox profiles on hydroxyl radical-dependent ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) in an Fe²⁺–EGTA–H₂O₂ Fenton system: gallic acid and vanillic acid, gallic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, gallic acid and homovanillic acid, ellagic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, ellagic acid and homovanillic acid, and vanillic acid and homovanillic acid. The first pair of phenolics gave the expected summed redox response. The second one gave a higher redox response than expected from the sum (512 ± 461% vs. 212 ± 222% of enhancement of UPE, p < 0.05). The remaining four pairs revealed a lower redox response than expected from the sum (p < 0.05). The biggest difference was found for elagic acid and homovanillic acid (357 ± 50% vs. 1689 ± 293% enhancement). These findings suggest that the predictive value of individual redox profiles of phenolics is limited for the calculation of the experimental effect of their binary mixtures on the UPE of the Fe²⁺–EGTA–H₂O₂ system. We hypothesize that polyphenol polymerization may be responsible for this phenomenon. Full article

The 2018 Lombok (Indonesia) earthquake caused widespread destruction, significantly affecting both infrastructure and the socio-cultural fabric of local communities. While rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts primarily focus on restoring physical assets, the social and cultural dimensions critical to fostering community resilience are often overlooked. This research explores the concept of Cultural Resilience in promoting post-disaster recovery, with a particular focus on the Sasak Tribe in Lombok. By examining how cultural values, practices, and social networks contribute to adaptive capacity, the study seeks to integrate cultural resilience into disaster recovery strategies. The research employs a mixed-method approach, involving the identification of key characteristics of cultural resilience, mapping the levels of resilience within the community, and analyzing the social networks of cultural actors involved in post-disaster recovery. Through this, a “Build-Back Better” scenario is developed, which aligns rehabilitation plans with local cultural values. The findings are expected to enhance culture-based resilience and offer policy implications for more holistic disaster recovery interventions that strengthen both physical and cultural aspects of community resilience.) Full article

Cytomegalovirus is an enveloped DNA virus. All forms of CMV infection—primary infection, reactivation, and infection with a different strain—may be asymptomatic. The risk of vertical transmission in the periconceptional period is approximately 20%, the risk of primary infection in the first trimester is approximately 30%, and in the third trimester the risk increases to 70%. However, the most severe forms of congenital cytomegaly in newborns are related to infections in the periconceptional period. Offering a vaccine to the seronegative patients planning pregnancy may decrease incidents of congenital cytomegaly in neonates. The authors performed retrospective analysis of seroprevalence of CMV in 909 women who reported for pre-conceptional visits or routine pregnancy follow-ups (2003–2023). In the analyzed group, 577 (63.7%) women were seropositive. No influence related to the women’s age and place of residence was found. Higher seroprevalence was observed in women with children or those working in contact with many people. In the group of 332 seronegative patients, 21 (0.6%) were diagnosed with primary infection during pregnancy. Vaccinating 36.3% of patients planning pregnancy could significantly decrease the risk of primary infection during pregnancy, vertical transmission of CMV, and symptomatic infection in the neonates. Full article

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections pose a critical challenge to healthcare systems, particularly in nosocomial settings. This drug-resistant bacterium forms biofilms and produces an array of virulent factors regulated by quorum sensing. In this study, metal-tolerant bacteria were isolated from a metal-contaminated site and screened for their ability to synthesize multifunctional nanocomposites (NCs). Rapid color changes in the reaction solution evidenced the biotransformation process. The potent isolated Bacillus cereus SASAK, identified via 16S rRNA sequencing and deposited in GenBank under accession number MH885570, facilitated the microbial-mediated synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and silver-doped ZnO NCs. These biogenic nanocomposites were characterized using UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, zeta potential, HRTEM, FESEM, and EDX analyses. At a sub-MIC concentration of 100 µg/mL, 2% Ag-ZnO NCs effectively inhibited virulent factor production and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa without affecting bacterial growth. Notably, there was a significant reduction in violacein pigment (96.25%), swarming motility, and pyocyanin concentration (1.87 µg/mL). Additionally, biofilm formation (81.1%) and EPS production (83.9%) using P. aeruginosa were substantially hindered, along with reduced extracellular protease activity, as indicated by zone formation (from 2.3 to 1.8 cm). This study underscores the potential of Ag-ZnO NCs as promising agents for combating quorum sensing-mediated virulence in chronic infections caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Full article

Ethnic Sasak Sunni Muslims make up the overwhelming majority on the Indonesian island of Lombok. Balinese Hindus, who have cultural similarities with the Muslim Sasaks, make up 3%. They have a long history on the island. In 1960, a small group of Ahmadi Muslims settled in Lombok. The article explains how the Sunni majority has related to the two minority groups—seen in the light of the Indonesian national motto “Unity in diversity”. Sunnis act differently in these matters. The cordial relationship between many Sunnis and Balinese Hindus, exemplified by the common joint rituals, is contrasted with the Sunnis’ rejection of the members of the Ahmadiyya movement. The object of analysis is how to understand and explain the varying kinds of relationships among the relevant groups. The analysis is methodologically based on historical, cultural, psychological, and sociological perspectives and theories. Why do Sasak Sunnis in Lombok have more negative feelings toward the Ahmadis compared to the Hindus, even though the dogmatic differences are greater regarding the Hindus? The article also discusses possible ways of mitigating the conflicts. Full article

Numerous compounds that are scavengers of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) in Fenton systems have low solubility in water. Therefore, they are dissolved in organic solvents to reach suitable concentrations in the reaction milieu of the Fenton system. However, these solvents may react with •OH and iron, leading to significant errors in the results. We evaluated 11 solvents (4 alcohols, acetone, 4 esters, dimethyl-sulfoxide, and acetonitrile) at concentrations ranging from 0.105 µmol/L to 0.42 µmol/L to assess their effects on light emission, a recognized measure of •OH radical activity, in the Fe²⁺-EGTA-H₂O₂ system. Six solvents inhibited and four solvents enhanced light emission at all tested concentrations. Acetonitrile, which initially suppressed light emission, lost this effect at a concentration of 0.105 µmol/L, (−1 ± 13 (2; 0) %, p > 0.05). Methanol, at the lowest tested concentration, inhibited light emission by 62 ± 4% (p < 0.05), while butyl butyrate enhanced it by 93 ± 16% (p < 0.05). These effects may be explained by solvent-driven •OH-scavenging, inhibition or acceleration of Fe2+ regeneration, or photon emission from excited solvent molecules. Our findings suggest that acetonitrile seems suitable for preparing stock solutions to evaluate antioxidant activity in the Fe²⁺-EGTA-H₂O₂ system, provided that the final concentration of this solvent in the reaction milieu is kept below 0.105 µmol/L. Full article

This research explores the role of culture-based leadership in enhancing the quality of human resources in Sekolah Penggerak (model schools) in North Lombok, Indonesia. The study specifically focuses on the cultural wisdom of Tioq, Tata, and Tunaq (3T) inherent to the Sasak community and its integration into the leadership practices of elementary school principals. Employing a qualitative multi-case study approach, the research investigated how 3T influenced the leadership styles and effectiveness of principals in five selected elementary model schools. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and societal outcomes. The research underscores the importance of local cultural values in shaping effective leadership and promoting sustainable educational development. The study contributes to the literature on educational leadership by presenting a new model of leadership that integrates local cultural wisdom. This model can serve as a valuable reference for other regions in Indonesia and similar cultural contexts. The implications suggest that educational leadership development programs should incorporate local cultural values to address contextual challenges and improve the quality of education holistically. Full article

A Fe²⁺-EGTA(ethylene glycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid)-H₂O₂ system emits photons, and quenching this chemiluminescence can be used for determination of anti-hydroxyl radical (•OH) activity of various compounds. The generation of •OH and light emission due to oxidative damage to EGTA may depend on the buffer and pH of the reaction milieu. In this study, we evaluated the effect of pH from 6.0 to 7.4 (that may occur in human cells) stabilized with 10 mM phosphate buffer (main intracellular buffer) on a chemiluminescence signal and the ratio of this signal to noise (light emission from medium alone). The highest signal (4698 ± 583 RLU) and signal-to-noise ratio (9.7 ± 1.5) were noted for pH 6.6. Lower and higher pH caused suppression of these variables to 2696 ± 292 RLU, 4.0 ± 0.8 at pH 6.2 and to 3946 ± 558 RLU, 5.0 ± 1.5 at pH 7.4, respectively. The following processes may explain these observations: enhancement and inhibition of •OH production in lower and higher pH; formation of insoluble Fe(OH)₃ at neutral and alkaline environments; augmentation of •OH production by phosphates at weakly acidic and neutral environments; and decreased regeneration of Fe²⁺-EGTA in an acidic environment. Fe²⁺-EGTA-H₂O₂ system in 10 mM phosphate buffer pH 6.6 seems optimal for the determination of anti-•OH activity. Full article

A substantial number of studies have been completed with respect to human mobility, linguistic diversity, and social sustainability in the Global North, but very few have been undertaken in relation to the Global South. Mobility, diversity, and sustainability are not recent phenomena, but little, if anything, is understood as regards how human mobility leads to linguistic diversity and social sustainability. This article fills this gap by explaining how the transmigrants of Javanese, Balinese, and Sasak ethnic backgrounds, along with the Bima and Dompu host communities, have established the ethnically and linguistically multi-diverse transmigrant communities of Manggelewa on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. Data were collected from the participant ethnographic observations of the communities. The main strategies for data collection included taking notes, collecting documents, distributing questionnaires concerning human mobility, sociolinguistic diversity, and social sustainability, interviewing key informants, and recording conversations. Employing qualitative, quantitative, and ethnographic analyses, the study exhibits the community’s dynamic mobility, sociolinguistic diversity, and social sustainability. The study displays how human mobility leads to sociolinguistic diversity and how the diversity is used as a resource for sustaining a better interethnic relationship. The dimensions of mobility, sociolinguistic diversity, and social sustainability are discussed, and the factors that are essential for symbolic social sustainability are statistically attested. Full article

This article is aimed at identifying the potential of various ethno-cultural practices in the Sasak community with a view of developing them as ethno-cultural attractions to sustain tourists to stay longer in Lombok. Various ethno-cultural practices in relation to folklore, festivals, sports, music, food, beverage, and cultural events were identified, and the tourism potentials were also measured. Data were collected by directly observing and video-recoding the ethno-cultural events, interviewing cultural leaders, religious clerics, community leaders, tourism practitioners, tourism experts, tourism workers’ organizations, entrepreneurs, and governments. With content analysis, the study has identified ethno-cultural practices with the potential to be an alternative to Lombok’s tourist attractions. These practices are not only essential for Indonesian multiculturalism but are also a resource for improving the economic quality of Sasak families and communities. The article also recommends strategies for this development. Full article

Multiple forces vie to control the narratives of the Lingsar festival, a major annual event initiated about 350 years ago that uniquely brings together the indigenous Muslim Sasak and the migrant Hindu Balinese on Lombok, an island east of Bali in Indonesia. This attention to the festival is not surprising because governments, political and religious figures, commercial interests, and tourist industries compete to define and benefit from such events worldwide. Since 1983, I have noticed a variety of changes in religious beliefs, ritual personnel and protocol, interreligious relationships, sociocultural identities, founding narratives, and performing arts over time. Once, this festival featured beliefs and performing arts that were localized, neither truly Hindu nor Islamic, and ingrained into the natural, ancestralized environment. However, the festival had to Islamize and Sasakize (that is, become more Sasak) to retain relevance among the Sasak, and had to Hinduize and Balinize to remain relevant among the Balinese. Despite these changes and increasing pressures from reformist organizations, the festival continues; in fact, it has grown in popularity and, by 2019, attracted up to 50,000 people. A tolerance of ambiguity—allowing for changing and contradictory artistic narratives, multiple ritual positions and interpretations, new positionings of interreligious relationships, and deviation from public rhetoric—has been crucial to maintain the Lingsar festival into the 21st century. Full article