Potential of Aloin B Compound and its Derivatives as Type-2 Antidiabetic

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Type-2 diabetes mellitus occurs due to suboptimal insulin function (insulin resistance) or decreased insulin function. Type-2 diabetes mellitus treatment is chronic and lifelong. One of the treatments is the use of insulin and oral anti-diabetic drugs. This treatment requires a long period of time and can cause unwanted side effects. Therefore, alternative treatments are needed with minimal side effects by utilizing herbal plants containing Aloin B compounds because they have been proven to be used as antidiabetic agents. These compounds can be found from the Aloe Vera plant (Aloe Vera l.). The aim of this study was to find compounds derived from Aloin B compounds that have the most potential as anti-diabetic type-2 by inhibiting the pancreatic α-amylase enzyme (code: 1B2Y) in breaking down starch in the body. The certainty of the presence of the compound Aloin B in the flesh of the aloe plant was confirmed by the LC-MS test. This research was conducted using the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and Molecular Bonding method. The results showed that the ID S22 compound with the IUPAC name (S)-10-amino-1,2,8-trihydroxy-6- (hydroxymethyl) -10- ((2R,3R,4S,5S,6R) -2,3, 4,5-tetrahydroxy–6(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydro-2H-piran-2-yl) anthracene-9(10H)-one is the most potent compound from Aloin B derivatives as a type-2 antidiabetic agent in the mechanism of inhibiting α-enzyme action pancreatic amylase, based on the value of R2 = 0.980, the PRESS value of the compound was 0.0004, the binding energy value was -7.07 kcal/mol, the inhibition constant was 6.58 uM and the formation of hydrogen bonds between the compound and the amino acid residues aspirin, glycine, threonine and arginine.

A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis of the Human Olfactory Senses for Perfumes and its Alternations due to COVID-19

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Perfumes are created by a fine blend of fragrant compounds, essential oils, various fixatives, and liquid solvents. They bestow a pleasant smell on the human body, animals, objects, and surroundings. In today’s environment, people wear perfume to conceal or enhance their natural odour. Some people even wear perfume to be unique or special and have a characteristic aroma. Perfumes can also increase one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Following this context, this study aims to evaluate the odour families preferred by males and females and the odour families they find appealing to the opposite sex. This paper and its findings scrupulously define the odour families and raw materials used in perfumery and pose a question to neuroscientists about the further scope in areas of brain development and unravel the mysteries behind the preference of gender-based division of odour families. It also shows the statistics of how the COVID-19 global pandemic had decreased the usage of perfume during the trying times of lockdowns and restrictions.

The Effect of Sustainability Accounting and Environmental Performance on Financial Performance (Study of Manufacturing Companies Listed on IDX in 2018-2021)

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As producers of waste that has great potential to damage the environment, companies must show their responsibility by implementing sustainability accounting through the disclosure of information on economic, environmental, and social dimensions and improving their environmental performance. Both aspects can affect stakeholders’ perceptions of the company which in turn will affect the company’s financial performance. This study aims to determine the effect of sustainability accounting implementation and environmental performance on financial performance. This research uses quantitative methods. Using a purposive sampling technique, the research sample is manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2018-2021 (4 years). The data used is secondary data obtained from financial reports and annual reports published by the Indonesia Stock Exchange (www.idx.com) and sustainability reports published through the company’s website. Data analysis and hypothesis testing using multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that partially, the application of sustainability accounting in the economic dimension has no effect on financial performance, the application of sustainability accounting in the environmental dimension has a negative and significant effect on financial performance, the application of sustainability accounting in the social dimension has a positive and significant effect on financial performance, and environmental performance has a negative and significant effect on financial performance. Simultaneously, the four variables have a positive and significant effect on financial performance.

Analysis of Simpeldesa Application Acceptance Using the UTAUT 2 Modification Method in Cibiru Wetan and Pangandaran Villages

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This study aims to analyse the effect of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit, and trust on behavioral intention and the effect of facilitating conditions, behavioral intention, and habit on adoption behavior in using Simpeldesa. This variable is a variable derived from the Modified UTAUT 2 Model. Simpeldesa is a digital platform the village government uses with digitization features covering governance, social governance, and commerce processes.

This study uses quantitative research methods with conclusive or causal research types. This research survey used questionnaires with 268 respondents from early adopter users of the Simpeldesa application from the Cibiru Wetan and Pangandaran villages.

The findings from this study are that effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and habits significantly affect behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions, habits, and behavioral intentions significantly affect the Simpeldesa application’s adoption behavior. The independent variable with the most significant influence is facilitating condition on behavioral intention, with a t-statistic value of 5.203 and a p-value of 0.000.

An Investigation of the Effects of Technology-Enhanced Instructional Approaches on Students’ Programming Skills at New Amsterdam Secondary School

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The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of traditional instruction methods with technology-enhanced instruction methods for delivering the programming curriculum on student academic performance and attitude. This study used an experimental quantitative design. All students were Grade 11 students from the New Amsterdam Secondary School. A random sampling approach was used to choose who would be in the experimental group and the control group. Students in the experimental group were taught using technology, while those in the control group were instructed using a more conventional method. The same teacher taught both groups six lessons, and they both took a pre-and post-test for the Standardized Achievement Test. In addition, during the lessons conducted in both the experimental and controlled groups, anecdotes were recorded at random.

The results of this study showed that, despite a correlation between pre-test performance and post-test scores, post-test scores for students in the experimental group were significantly higher than those for students in the controlled group. The outcomes of the paired samples test indicate a statistically significant difference between the performance of the students in the experimental group and the controlled group, with a p-value of less than 0.05 supporting this conclusion. This study also discovered that those who participated in video-based learning had a positive outlook and were more receptive to academic materials. They were more eager, motivated, and actively engaged in the learning process than the students in the controlled group. Also, the video-based method sparked the interest of the students in the experimental group, resulting in a favorable attitude.

An Empirical Cross-Sectional Study to Identify the Olfactory and Gustatory Effects of SARS-CoV-2 – A Social Analysis

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a glycan-coated coronavirus with an exposed receptor-binding domain (RBD), capable of binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors and entering the cell through the cleavage of the spike proteins by the extracellular host enzyme Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). The severity of the infection is directly associated with loss of taste (ageusia) and loss of smell, varying from hyposmia (reduced perception of smell) to anosmia (complete loss of smell). The mechanisms underlying the independent symptoms remain inconclusive; however, have been linked to sustentacular cell infection, changes in the olfactory bulb and subcortical regions of the brain, defects in the respiratory centres of the central nervous system and cerebral glucose abnormalities. The survey for this cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 and involved 126 individuals who were exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, through the Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 6.3% of covid-negative and 34.9% covid-positive individuals exposed to COVID-19, experienced anosmia and ageusia. This study aims to identify patterns in symptoms presented when an individual is infected with COVID-19; focusing on the correlation between anosmia and ageusia and associated visual impairments or cognitive difficulties. The understanding of varied symptom combinations observed amongst individuals differing in age, sex, comorbidities or vaccination status could aid doctors and healthcare practitioners to provide a prognosis specific to the subset to which the patients belong, depending on their symptom combinations and severity for the same.

Individual Determinant Factors of Patients with Hypertension and the Utilization of Chronic Disease Management Program (Prolanis) Services in First-Level Healthcare Facilities in Pesawaran District, Lampung, Indonesia

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Hypertension is estimated to affect 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide. One of the efforts to treat hypertension at first-level healthcare facilities (FKTP) by BPJS Health is the chronic disease management program (Prolanis). Many factors influence the utilization of first-level health services. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between individual determinant factors and the use of Prolanis services at FKTP Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 patients with hypertension in four FKTPs, with the most participants holding Prolanis activities in the Pesawaran district, Lampung province, Indonesia, from February to April 2023. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The results showed that there was a relationship between attitude (p-value<0.001), knowledge (p-value<0.001), access (p-value=0.010), level of hypertension (p-value<0.001), and utilization of Prolanis services at FKTP Pesawaran Regency. This study concludes that the individual determinants of hypertension sufferers have a significant relationship with the utilization of Prolanis in the FKTP of Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. It is recommended that patients with hypertension can make better use of Prolanis to maintain their health and prevent further complications.

Post Facilitation Stretch over Trapezius and Suboccipital Region Along with Cervical Mobilization in Patient with Chronic Neck Pain: A Case Report

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Stretching seeks to increase performance by promoting flexibility. In addition to muscle strength and endurance training, flexibility training is a crucial part of physical conditioning programs. A joints or group of joints’ potential range of motion can be used to describe flexibility. Post-facilitation stretching techniques are important to increase muscle flexibility and may be the technique of choice in therapeutic practice. It uses a mechanical stimulus in order to trigger several neurophysiological responses, which may include hypoalgesia sympathetic responses, neuromuscular adaptations, kinesthetic sensibility improvements and changes in biomarkers levels. A 28-year male patient came to OPD with pain in suboccipital region and right-side upper neck since last 6 days. He was having history of heavy weight lifting in gym and due to repeated weight lifting patient is having severe pain. On observation patient right shoulder is elevated due to hyperactive right upper trapezius muscle. Tenderness is present over suboccipital region and over right upper trapezius. On examination left cervical side flexion Range of motion is restricted and having spasm of upper trapezius and suboccipital muscles. Physiotherapy treatment was given for 6 days. This case report shows the application of post facilitation stretching over upper right-side trapezius and suboccipital muscle along with cervical spine mobilization to have a greater improvement.

The Relationship between Intensity of Gadget Use with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Students in Metro, Lampung, Indonesia

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The number of gadget users (smartphones) globally is increasing yearly. Gadgets are also used as learning media and entertainment for students, so the possibility of negative impacts from using gadgets cannot be avoided. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the intensity of gadget use and depression, anxiety, and stress in students. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 461 students recruited using a multistage random sampling technique, from six public high schools (SMAN) in Metro, Lampung, Indonesia, from February to May 2023. The instruments used were the gadget usage intensity questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)—analysis with a Chi-Square correlation test. The results of the study show that there is a significant relationship between the intensity of gadget use and depression (ρ-value < 0.001), anxiety (ρ-value < 0.001), and stress (ρ-value < 0.001). This study concludes that the intensity of using gadgets is related to depression, anxiety and stress in high school students in Metro City, Lampung, Indonesia. It is recommended that schools carry out outreach and education to students to be wiser in using gadgets and to follow up on respondents who experience health problems with depression, anxiety, and stress by coordinating with parents so that they can receive further treatment at health care facilities.

Analysis of Financial Indicator Literacy Determinants on The Performance of Bandung City SMEs

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Bandung is a city in Indonesia that is active in promoting innovation, business creation, and mentoring small businesses. One of the efforts is to provide mentors to develop MSME businesses. In addition, Bandung City also holds various business coaching programs for MSME actors. Thus, MSMEs in Bandung City can develop their business better. There are many problems faced by MSMEs, but one of the problems they often convey is related to how to manage business finances. Many of them do not understand how to manage their business finances because their financial literacy is still low. This is in accordance with the results of the 2022 National Financial Literacy and Inclusion (SNLIK) survey conducted by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the financial literacy index of MSME players in Indonesia in 2022 is 38.32 percent. After analyzing the data collected by distributing questionnaires to see financial literacy, especially MSME actors registered in the city of Bandung, it was found that the most influential financial literacy to improve MSME performance was financial knowledge. This knowledge is necessary to assist a person in making the right financial decisions and managing personal or business finances well.

With the increase in financial knowledge and after an analysis related to how the influence of financial literacy on MSME performance, partial results between financial knowledge, financial behavior and financial attitudes to MSME performance have a positive and significant effect as evidenced by multiple linear equations Y=3.276+0.355X1+0.272X2+ 0.294X3  with a significance level of <0.05. As well as for the results of the coefficient of determination test for literacy, the effect of financial literacy on financial performance was 78.3% and the rest was influenced by other variables.