Understanding Small RNA Formation in Drosophila Melanogaster: A Dissertation

Drosophila Dicer-2 generates small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) from long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), whereas Dicer-1 produces microRNAs from premicroRNA. My thesis focuses on the functional characteristics of two Drosophila Dicers that makes them specific for their biological substrates. We found that RNA binding protein partners of Dicers and two small molecules, ATP and phosphate are key in regulating Drosophila Dicers’ specificity. Without any additional factor, recombinant Dicer-2 cleaves pre-miRNA, but its product is shorter than the authentic miRNA. However, the protein R2D2 and inorganic phosphate block pre-miRNA processing by Dicer-2. In contrast, Dicer-1 is inherently capable of processing the substrates of Dicer, long dsRNAs. Yet, partner protein of Dicer-1, Loqs-PB and ATP increase the efficiency of miRNA production from pre-miRNAs by Dicer-1, therefore enhance substrate specificity of Dicer-1. Our data highlight the role of ATP and regulatory dsRNA-binding partner proteins to achieve substrate specificity in Drosophila RNA silencing. Our study also sheds light onto the function of the helicase domain in Drosophila Dicers. Although Dicer-1 doesn’t hydrolyze ATP, ATP enhances miRNA production by increasing Dicer-1’s substrate specificity through lowering its KM. On the other hand, Dicer-2 is a dsRNA-stimulated ATPase that hydrolyzes ATP to ADP, and ATP hydrolysis is required for Dicer-2 to process long dsRNA. Wild-type Dicer-2, but not a mutant defective in ATP hydrolysis, is processive; generating siRNAs faster than it can dissociate from a long dsRNA substrate. We propose that the Dicer-2 helicase domain uses ATP to generate many siRNAs from a single molecule of dsRNA before dissociating from its substrate. Piwi-dependent small RNAs, namely piRNAs, are a third class of small RNAs that are distinct from miRNAs and siRNAs. Their primary function is to repress transposons in the animal germline. piRNAs are Dicer-independent, and require Piwi family proteins for their biogenesis and function. Recently in addition to their presence in animal germlines, the presence and function of piRNA-like RNAs in the somatic tissues have been suggested (Yan et al. 2011; Morazzani et al. 2012; Rajasethupathy et al. 2012). We have investigated whether the piRNA-like reads in our many Drosophila head libraries come from the germline as a contaminant or are soma-specific. Most of the piRNA reads in our published head libraries show high similarity to germline piRNAs. However, piRNA-like reads from manually dissected heads are distinct from germline piRNAs, proving the presence of somatic piRNA-like small RNAs. We are currently asking the question whether these distinct piRNA-like reads in the heads are dependent on the Piwi family proteins, like the germline piRNAs

Whistleblowing Intention: Suatu Tinjauan Theory of Planned Behavior

Entering the 21st century, there has been an increase in white-collar crime both in quantity and quality in various parts of the world. White-collar crime is synonymous with various frauds committed by business and government professionals characterized by fraud, concealment, or breach of trust and is not dependent on the application of threats of violence or physical force. The internal control system, which has been very popular and is believed by many parties to prevent various violations, is a blunt weapon to expose various forms of certain white-collar crimes. This is because certain types of white collar crimes often involve the top leaders of an organization that has high authority in the organization, even though the person functions as a guardian of the rules in the internal control system that is applied. Bearing in mind the weaknesses of the internal control system and the increasing white collar crime, various countries and business associations have made various prevention efforts and have increasingly increased the demand for a good governance system. The violation reporting mechanism can be one of the elements that can be relied upon in a good governance system. It is recognized that whistleblowers have given a very important role in exposing various major crime scandals. The population in this study are employees of private companies located in Jakarta. The research data was obtained from distributing questionnaires directly to respondents or via email. The research sample is non random selected in convenience. The results showed subjective norms had a positive and significant effect on intentions of reporting violations, while attitudes and behavioral control perceived positive but not significant effect on intentions of reporting violations.   Keywords: intentions of reporting violations, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control

THE RELATIONSHIP OF SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING AND ACCOUNTANT’S ETHICAL SENSITIVITY

This study aims at determining the relationship of Spiritual Well-Being and the four dimensions of Spiritual Well-Being: Communal Well-Being, Personal Well-Being, Transcendental Well-Being, and Environmental Well-Being with Accountant’s Ethical Sensitivity. Sample is 49 accounting students who are preparing thesis. The research design is a correlational research. Data is collected using questionnaires and analyzed using Spearman correlation. The results show that Spiritual Well-Being is not correlated with Accountant’s Ethical Sensitivity. The correlation test of Spiritual Well-Being dimensions shows that Communal Well-Being, Personal Well-Being, and Transcendental Well-Being are positively correlated with Accountant’s Ethical Sensitivity, whereas Environmental Well-Being is not correlated with Accountant’s Ethical Sensitivity.Keywords: spiritual well-being, accountant’s ethical sensitivity, accounting studen

FAILURE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - A CASE STUDY AT PT GARUDA INDONESIA TBK

The topic of corporate governance became the focus of research, discussions, seminars and recent regulatory reforms following a wave of failures in implementing the governance of multinational companies in various countries. In Indonesia, PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk is a public company that has failed in implementing a good corporate governance system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors causing the failure of corporate governance. The research method uses a single case study. The research subject was PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk during the period 2018-2019. The results showed that the failure of the implementation of the corporate governance system at PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk was caused by the crisis of ethical leadership in almost all the highest ranks of the company. This study reinforces the findings of the latest researchers who revealed the absence of ethical leadership as a cause of failure in implementing corporate governance in various companies and emphasized the important role of ethical leadership in a business entity or organization.   Keywords: ethical leadership, corporate governance, case studie

Pacific Salmon and the Coalescent Effective Population Size

Pacific salmon include several species that are both commercially important and endangered. Understanding the causes of loss in genetic variation is essential for designing better conservation strategies. Here we use a coalescent approach to analyze a model of the complex life history of salmon, and derive the coalescent effective population (CES). With the aid of Kronecker products and a convergence theorem for Markov chains with two time scales, we derive a simple formula for the CES and thereby establish its existence. Our results may be used to address important questions regarding salmon biology, in particular about the loss of genetic variation. To illustrate the utility of our approach, we consider the effects of fluctuations in population size over time. Our analysis enables the application of several tools of coalescent theory to the case of salmon

Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Inquiry Training dan Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Group Investigation Berbantuan Laboratorium Mini pada Hasil Belajar Siswa Kimia di SMA

This study aims to determine whether there are differences in the average student learning outcomes taught with the Inquiry Training learning model and the Group Investigation learning model on electrolyte and non-electrolyte solution material. This research was conducted at SWADHARMA WERDHI AGUNG High School in second semester of  2017/2018. The research method used is the experimental method. Sampling is done by random sampling technique. The sample in this study was class XA students as experimental class I and class XB as experimental class II. Each sample amounted to 20 respondents, and the total number of respondents was 40. Data collection techniques were pretest and posstest and the instruments used to measure learning outcomes were multiple choice tests. Analysis of the posttest data of the two groups used the t test. The results of the research obtained were tcount of 2,233 and t table at a significant level of 0,05 of 2,024, then tcount> ttable. Then H0is rejected and H1is accepted. Thus it was concluded that there were differences in the average learning outcomes of students taught using the Inquiry Training learning model and the Group Investigation learning model

Efektivitas Program Bos SMA Di SMA Negeri Kabupaten Karangasem Dalam Rangka Mendukung Pendidikan Menengah Universal

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas program BOS SMA di SMA Negeri Kabupaten Karangasem dalam rangka mendukung Pendidikan Menengah Universal, yang dilakukan melalui studi evaluasi terhadap komponen konteks, input, proses dan produk. Penelitian dilakukan di sembilan SMA Negeri Kabupaten Karangasem dengan subjek penelitian berjumlah 153 responden yang ditentukan dengan teknik purposive sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan metode kuisioner tertutup dengan tambahan kuisioner terbuka khusus untuk kepala sekolah dan pencatatan dokumen. Data dianalisis dengan statistik deskriptif menggunakan skor standar (z-skor) yang ditransformasikan ke dalam T-skor dan selanjutnya diverivikasi ke dalam prototype kuadran dari Glickman. Dari hasil analisis data diperoleh prototype variabel konteks, input, proses dan produk dengan posisi CIPP (+ + + -) di kuadran III. Berdasarkan hasil temuan ini disimpulkan bahwa pelaksanaan program BOS SMA di SMA Negeri Kabupaten Karangasem dalam rangka mendukung Pendidikan Menengah Universal tergolong cukup efektif.Kata Kunci : Efektivitas, BOS SMA, Pendidikan Menengah Universal, CIPP. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the School Operational Assistance Fund for Senior High School Program (BOS SMA) at Sate Senior High School in Karangasem regency in order to support the Universal Secondary Education is done through the study of the components evaluation context, input, process and product. The study was conducted in nine Sate Senior High School in Karangasem regency with research subjects totaling 153 respondents were determined by purposive sampling technique. The data collection was conducted by using a closed questionnaire and with an additional opened questionnaire specifically given for the principal and by recording the documents. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using the standard scores (z-score) and transformed into T-scores were subsequently verified in a prototype quadrant of Glickman. From the analysis of the data obtained prototype variables context, input, process and product with the position of CIPP (+ + + -) in quadrant III. Based on these findings concluded that the implementation of the School Operational Assistance Fund for Senior High School Program (BOS SMA) at Sate Senior High School in Karangasem regency in order to support the Universal Secondary Education is quite effective.ve

An optimized kit-free method for making strand-specific deep sequencing libraries from RNA fragments

Deep sequencing of strand-specific cDNA libraries is now a ubiquitous tool for identifying and quantifying RNAs in diverse sample types. The accuracy of conclusions drawn from these analyses depends on precise and quantitative conversion of the RNA sample into a DNA library suitable for sequencing. Here, we describe an optimized method of preparing strand-specific RNA deep sequencing libraries from small RNAs and variably sized RNA fragments obtained from ribonucleoprotein particle footprinting experiments or fragmentation of long RNAs. Our approach works across a wide range of input amounts (400 pg to 200 ng), is easy to follow and produces a library in 2-3 days at relatively low reagent cost, all while giving the user complete control over every step. Because all enzymatic reactions were optimized and driven to apparent completion, sequence diversity and species abundance in the input sample are well preserved

Alginate encapsulation induce colony formation with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Aim: The umbilical cord (UC) is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolation. Since the MSCs isolated from here have high self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential, production through biofabrication is essential for clinical treatments. For the cells to be stored for a long time and presented ready for use, encapsulation is required. In this study, UC-MSC cells were encapsulated with alginate using three different methods: alginate drop, alginate coating, and alginate sphere. Methods: The cell viability, live/dead cell ratio, and colony formation capacities of the encapsulated cells were examined for 14 days. Results: In the study, it was found that the most effective method was the alginate sphere form and that the structure of the cells should be preserved by injecting them into biomaterials in encapsulation. Colony formation potential was found to be high in biomaterials with alginate spheres. Conclusion: As a result, the preservation of UC-MSC cells with alginate sphere encapsulation via biofabrication and their clinical use availability may be beneficial for treating of many diseases

Genome-wide functional analysis of human 5' untranslated region introns

Genes with short 5'UTR introns have higher expression than genes with no or long 5'UTR introns. Complex evolutionary forces act on these introns