The challenges of empowering waqf land in Indonesia: an analytical network process analysis

Purpose This paper aims to identify the factors that hinder the successful empowerment of waqf land in Indonesia empirically by applying the analytic networking process (ANP). Design/methodology/approach In this study, after the waqf land problem criteria were introduced, an ANP model was developed and applied to identify the main problem, solution and strategy as a framework to guide stakeholders to produce policy recommendations appropriately and optimally. Findings The results showed that the main priority of the problem is the nadzir aspect. Furthermore, each criterion’s problems are a low public trust, unprofessional nadzir (waqf manager), a huge number of idle waqf lands, the absence of waqf certificates and non-economic waqf lands utilisation. Meanwhile, the main priorities for each aspect of the solution are socialisation and education to the community, nadzir certification, utilisation of information technology for the administration of waqf land governance, waqf land certification and innovation of waqf land development projects. Then, the long-term strategic priority is optimising the community’s role in the empowerment of waqf land. Research limitations/implications The development of the ANP model would give the institutions a modest, flexible and convenient approach to evaluate the barriers present in waqf land. However, ANP requires greater effort because it is a highly complex methodology that compels a study to use more numerical calculations in assessing composite priorities. Originality/value Not many studies on waqf land issues in Indonesia have been discussed empirically. Most of these studies are in the form of descriptive studies. This study introduces the ANP approach to illustrate the main problems of waqf land empowerment in Indonesia. ANP is a new approach to the decision-making process through a process that produces a general framework for treating decisions without making assumptions regarding independence between elements.

Synthesis and Biological Activity of 3-(Heteroaryl)quinolin-2(1H)-ones Bis-Heterocycles as Potential Inhibitors of the Protein Folding Machinery Hsp90

In the context of our SAR study concerning 6BrCaQ analogues as C-terminal Hsp90 inhibitors, we designed and synthesized a novel series of 3-(heteroaryl)quinolin-2(1H), of types 3, 4, and 5, as a novel class of analogues. A Pd-catalyzed Liebeskind–Srogl cross-coupling was developed as a convenient approach for easy access to complex purine architectures. This series of analogues showed a promising biological effect against MDA-MB231 and PC-3 cancer cell lines. This study led to the identification of the best compounds, 3b (IC50 = 28 µM) and 4e, which induce a significant decrease of CDK-1 client protein and stabilize the levels of Hsp90 and Hsp70 without triggering the HSR response.

Evaluation of the Emergency Remote Learning of Veterinary Anatomy During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Global Students’ Perspectives

Purpose: The present study assessed the shift to remote teaching of veterinary anatomy during the COVID‐19 pandemic based on students’ perspectives.Methods: Participants were invited to answer an anonymous online Google Form questionnaire using the snowball sampling method. Only students who studied anatomy online during the COVID-19 lockdown period were eligible to answer the questionnaire. A mixed-method research design was used to evaluate students’ perspectives.Results: A total of 961 participants were enrolled in this study from 87 countries and six continents. Data showed that the majority of students (81.6%) were interested in studying anatomy online during the COVID-19 lockdown. Moreover, approximately 82% of students were comfortable with the technological skills, and approximately 61% of students can understand online anatomy well during the lockdown. Furthermore, approximately 52.76% of students believed that online learning of anatomy suited for theoretical, 8.74% believed that it suited for practical parts, and 30.28% believed that it suited for both theoretical and practical parts. On the contrary, about 36.63% of students thought that online learning of anatomy could replace face-to-face teaching. In conclusion, shifting to remote teaching appears to be a good and convenient approach during the lockdown period as shown by students’ interest to study anatomy online during the COVID-19 lockdown, their comfortability with the technological skills, and their level of understanding. However, practical classes with cadaver dissection and dealing with different anatomical specimens is essential for veterinary students; therefore, blended learning is recommended.Conclusion: The study highlighted several challenges associated with studying anatomy online during the lockdown period and recommendation to overcome these challenges.

Stepwise PEG synthesis featuring deprotection and coupling in one pot

The stepwise synthesis of monodisperse polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives usually involves using an acid-labile protecting group such as DMTr and coupling the two PEG moieties together under basic Williamson ether formation conditions. Using this approach, each elongation of PEG is achieved in three steps – deprotection, deprotonation and coupling – in two pots. Here, we report a more convenient approach for PEG synthesis featuring the use of a base-labile protecting group such as the phenethyl group. Using this approach, each elongation of PEG can be achieved in two steps – deprotection and coupling – in only one pot. The deprotonation step, and the isolation and purification of the intermediate product after deprotection using existing approaches are no longer needed when the one-pot approach is used. Because the stepwise PEG synthesis usually requires multiple PEG elongation cycles, the new PEG synthesis method is expected to significantly lower PEG synthesis cost.

A convenient approach for the electrochemical bromination and iodination of pyrazoles

Electrochemical bromination and iodination of some pyrazoles were investigated under constant-current (CC) electrolysis in an undivided electrochemical cell. Anodic oxidation of KX salt produces X2 in-situ which can be consumed as an expedient electrophile in pyrazoles aromatic electrophilic substitution reactions or may participate in an X–N coupling reaction with electrochemically catalyzed pyrazolesox to form the halogenated pyrazoles. All reactions proceeded without the need to use any hazardous reagents or catalysts. The reaction conditions are mild and environmentally compatible.

Improved Superconducting Qubit State Readout by Path Interference

High fidelity single shot qubit state readout is essential for many quantum information processing protocols. In superconducting quantum circuit, the qubit state is usually determined by detecting the dispersive frequency shift of a microwave cavity from either transmission or reflection. We demonstrate the use of constructive interference between the transmitted and reflected signal to optimize the qubit state readout, with which we find a better resolved state discrimination and an improved qubit readout fidelity. As a simple and convenient approach, our scheme can be combined with other qubit readout methods based on the discrimination of cavity photon states to further improve the qubit state readout.

Me3Al-mediated domino nucleophilic addition/intramolecular cyclisation of 2-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)benzonitriles with amines; a convenient approach for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines

A simple and efficient protocol for the construction of 1-aminoisoquinolines was achieved by treating 2-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)benzonitriles with amines in the presence of Me3Al. The reaction proceeds via a domino nucleophilic addition with subsequent intramolecular cyclisation. This method provides a wide variety of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines with good functional group tolerance. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of this protocol was demonstrated in the successful synthesis of the antitumor agent CWJ-a-5 in gram scale.

Live-cell visualization of cytochrome c: a tool to explore apoptosis

Apoptosis dysfunction is associated with several malignancies, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. Apoptosis restoration could be an attractive therapeutic approach to those diseases. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization is regarded as the point of no return in the ‘classical’ apoptosis triggering pathway. Cytoplasmic release of cytochrome c (cyt c), a mitochondrial electron transporter, is a prominent indicator of such critical step. Therefore, visualizing cyt c efflux in living cells is a convenient approach to address apoptosis triggering and monitor performance of apoptosis restoration strategies. Recent years have been prolific in the development of biosensors to visualize cyt c mitochondrial efflux in living cells, by fluorescence microscopy. These biosensors specifically detect endogenous, untagged cyt c, while showing efficient cellular uptake and reduced cell toxicity. A common aspect is their fluorescence quenching in the absence or presence of bound cyt c, resulting in two main biosensor types: ‘turn ON’ and ‘turn OFF’. In some of these systems, fluorescence intensity of fluorophore-bound aptamers is enhanced upon cyt c binding. In others, cyt c binding to quantum dots quenches their fluorescence. In the present minireview, I describe these biosensors and briefly introduce some hypotheses that could be addressed using these novel tools.

A Rapid and Convenient Approach to Construct Porous Collagen Membranes via Bioskiving and Sonication-Feasible for Mineralization to Induce Bone Regeneration

Porous mineralized collagen membranes efficiently promote bone regeneration. To generate them, we need to fabricate collagen membranes that are porous. However, the current fabrication method is primarily based on a bottom-up strategy, with certain limitations, such as a long manufacturing process, collagen denaturation, and failure to control fibril orientation. Using a top-down approach, we explore a novel method for constructing porous collagen membranes via the combined application of bioskiving and sonication. Numerous collagen membranes with well-aligned fibril structures were rapidly fabricated by bioskiving and then sonicated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 W for 20 min. This treatment allowed us to study the effect of power intensity on the physicochemical traits of collagen membranes. Subsequently, the prepared collagen membranes were immersed in amorphous calcium phosphate to evaluate the feasibility of mineralization. Additionally, the bioactivities of the membranes were assessed using preosteoblast cells. Tuning the power intensity was shown to modulate fibril orientation, and the porous membrane without denatured collagen could be obtained by a 20-min sonication treatment at 90 W. The prepared collagen membrane could also be further mineralized to enhance osteogenesis. Overall, this study offers a rapid and convenient approach for fabricating porous collagen membranes via bioskiving and sonication.