This article describes a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based simulation and experimental study of human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) cells for wounded skin cell migration toward rapid epithelialization. MyDEP is a standalone software designed specifically to study dielectric particles and cell response to an alternating current (AC) electric field. This method demonstrated that negative dielectrophoresis (NDEP ) occurs in HEK cells at a wide frequency range in highly conductive medium. The finite element method was used to characterize particle trajectory based on DEP and drag force. The performance of the system was assessed using HEK cells in a highly conductive EpiLife suspending medium. The DEP experiment was performed by applying sinusoidal wave AC potential at the peak-to-peak voltage of 10 V in a tapered aluminum microelectrode array from 100 kHz to 1 MHz. We experimentally observed the occurrence of NDEP, which attracted HEK cells toward the local electric field minima in the region of interest. The DIPP-MotionV software was used to track cell migration in the prerecorded video via an automatic marker and estimate the average speed and acceleration of the cells. The results showed that HEK cell migration was accomplished approximately at 6.43 μm/s at 100 kHz with 10 V, and FDEP caused the cells to migrate and align at the target position, which resulted in faster wound closures because of the application of an electric field frequency to HEK cells in random locations.
The current study presents an annotated checklist of the land snail species in the vicinity of the limestone hill of Gua (= cave) Rumbang, an outcrop located at the district of Padawan, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The sampling was conducted at the surrounding areas and near the cave's entrance. A total of 62 species, involving 19 families and 38 genera, were recorded. Comparison with previous surveys made in the Bau limestone hills revealed similarities with respect to the species-rich families Diplommatinidae and Cyclophoridae, and the genera Kaliella and Diplommatina, highlighting the regional consistency of the land snail diversity of the Bau-Padawan-Serian cluster. Possibly because of its smaller size, Gua Rumbang is home to two endemic species, while there are eight endemic species in the Bau limestone karsts. This suggests a potential for a significant species diversity within the areas of the limestone ranges that remain to be explored. Nonetheless, the occurrence of endemic species in Gua Rumbang highlights the need to conserve certain areas within the Padawan limestone range since hitherto no protected areas have been proposed in this region. In this checklist, a new species for science is also described, namely, Diplommatinarumbangensissp. nov.
BACKGROUND: The present study provides a checklist of land snails collected from Batu Kudik, a small and isolated limestone outcrop in Simunjan, Sarawak. A total of 24 species of land snails, representing 18 genera and 14 families were recorded, including one newly-described subspecies. The most species-rich of the families in Batu Kudik are Diplommatinidae (17%) and Chronidae (17%) with four recorded species from each of the families. Based on our analysis, Plectostomawallaceikudikense subsp. nov., Opisthostomajavanica and Georissapyrrhoderma were identified as the most abundant land snails at this isolated outcrop, whereas Diplommatinaonyx and Everettiaminuta were recorded as the least abundant. All of the land snails at Batu Kudik were exclusively found sheltered between limestone boulders, underscoring the critical role of this outcrop as their refuge for survival. Consequently, conserving this biodiversity-rich limestone area becomes paramount to prevent the local extinction of these land snail species and possibly other organisms that depend on the unique attributes of the limestone for their survival. We also provide detailed descriptions of Plectostomawallaceikudikense, a new subspecies of the genus Plectostoma which is endemic to Batu Kudik.
NEW INFORMATION: A description of a new subspecies Plectostomawallaceikudikense subsp. nov.
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) bioparticle research has progressed from micro to nano levels. It has proven to be a promising and powerful cell manipulation method with an accurate, quick, inexpensive, and label-free technique for therapeutic purposes. DEP, an electrokinetic phenomenon, induces particle movement as a result of polarization effects in a nonuniform electrical field. This review focuses on current research in the biomedical field that demonstrates a practical approach to DEP in terms of cell separation, trapping, discrimination, and enrichment under the influence of the conductive medium in correlation with bioparticle viability. The current review aims to provide readers with an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental theory and principles of the DEP technique, which is influenced by conductive medium and to identify and demonstrate the biomedical application areas. The high conductivity of physiological fluids presents obstacles and opportunities, followed by bioparticle viability in an electric field elaborated in detail. Finally, the drawbacks of DEP-based systems and the outlook for the future are addressed. This article will aid in advancing technology by bridging the gap between bioscience and engineering. We hope the insights presented in this review will improve cell suspension medium and promote DEP-viable bioparticle manipulation for health-care diagnostics and therapeutics.
The expansion of E-wallet service providers in Indonesia is quite encouraging. In its report, Bank of Indonesia indicated that 48 E-wallet services are lawful. This is consistent with the number of E-wallet transactions, where USD 1.5 billion were recorded in 2018 and this number is expected to increase in 2023. This statistic increases the researcher's motivation to investigate E-wallet acceptability in Indonesia. The intention to use e-wallets among Indonesian adults must be studied in order to comprehend adoption factors, identify user preferences, inform marketing strategies, promote financial inclusion, and inform policy and regulatory decisions. This cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in Indonesia aimed to examine the factors influencing the formation of an intention to use electronic wallets (E-Wallets). It focused on perceived ease of use, perceived trust, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, social influence, compatibility, facilitating conditions, and perception of new technology. While previous studies have explored factors influencing users' intention to adopt electronic wallets, few have explicitly focused on mediating factors in the Indonesian context. This study fills this gap by investigating the mediating factors that affect Indonesian users' intention to adopt electronic wallets. It enhances the understanding of the direct factors influencing users' intention and sheds light on the complex relationships of other factors (mediators) that explain the underlying dynamics of this phenomenon. The study analyzed data from 384 valid participants using partial least squares and structural equation modeling with Smart PLS 4.0. The findings revealed that e-wallet facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness, perceived trust, compatibility, perception of risk, and perception of new technology positively and significantly influenced users' intention to use e-wallets in Indonesia. However, social influence and ease of use did not have a positive impact on e-wallet adoption intention among the Indonesian sample. The implications of this study suggest that e-wallet providers should prioritize balancing ease of use and security in their systems. If an e-wallet system is perceived as too easy to use, it may raise concerns about safety and unauthorized access, negatively affecting users' intention to adopt electronic wallets. Therefore, e-wallet providers should ensure user-friendly systems that address security concerns. Future research should explore other factors related to e-wallet adoption and assess their long-term effects on users' intention to use and adopt e-wallets. Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights for e-wallet providers, policymakers, and researchers in understanding electronic wallet adoption in Indonesia. It offers guidance for developing effective strategies and interventions to promote widespread adoption and use of electronic wallets.