The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery operated devices that deliver nicotine via inhaled vapour. Few studies have evaluated acute effects on craving and mood, and none have explored effects on cognition. This study aimed to explore the effects of the White Super e-cigarette on desire to smoke, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, attention and working memory. Eighty-six smokers were randomly allocated to either: 18mg nicotine e-cigarette (nicotine), 0mg e-cigarette (placebo), or just hold the e-cigarette (just hold) conditions. Participants rated their desire to smoke and withdrawal symptoms at baseline (T1), and five (T2) and twenty (T3) minutes after using the e-cigarette ad libitum for five minutes. A subset of participants completed the Letter Cancellation and Brown-Peterson Working Memory Tasks. After 20 minutes, compared with the just hold group, desire to smoke and some aspects of nicotine withdrawal were significantly reduced in the nicotine and placebo group; the nicotine e-cigarette was superior to placebo in males but not in females. The nicotine e-cigarette also improved working memory performance compared with placebo at the longer interference intervals. There was no effect of nicotine on Letter Cancellation performance. To conclude, the White Super e-cigarette alleviated desire to smoke and withdrawal symptoms 20 minutes after use although the nicotine content was more important for males. This study also demonstrated for the first time that the nicotine e-cigarette can enhance working memory performance. Further evaluation of the cognitive effects of the e-cigarette and its efficacy as a cessation tool is merited

Diplomasi Australia-Indonesia Dalam Pemberian Grasi Terhadap Terpidana Kasus Narkoba (Schapelle Leigh Corby) Tahun 2009-2014

This study analyzes the case of Schapelle Leigh Corby , an Australian citizen who was caught smuggling four kilograms of marijuana to be smuggled into Indonesia through Ngurah Rai airport Denpasar After serving a sentence of less than seven years , the Indonesian government gave clemency or pardons to Corby as much as five years in prison . Filing by the attorney Corby clemency was done because he declared mentally ill by two different doctors . In granting clemency to Corby pour a lot of protests from the public, since the middle of Susilos administration was keen to fight the drug problem giving Corby clemency to prisoners who are drug related problems.This research uses qualitative research methods. Research conducted by way of explaining based on existing data. Then techniques used in this research libraries from various sources such as books, journals,newspapers and also the documentation is accessible from the internet. The theory used in this research is the theory of diplomacy by Nicolson and the concept of multitrack diplomacy by Dr. Louise Diamond and John McDonald.The result is the an exemption of a narcotic prisoner, an Australian citizen, Schepelle Leigh Corby, cause a dissent among the people in Indonesia. Many of the people oppose those exemption. That opposition happens cause of an indication that there is an agreement between Indonesia and Australia government. If we observe it, those exemption has some benefits for the people and Indonesia government. For the state and Indonesia governement those exemption could improve a relationship between the states, as well as means to facing the political developments of South Pasific regions in the future.Keywords: diplomacy,multitrack diplomacy, granting clemency

A Stochastic Geometric Analysis of Device-to-Device Communications Operating over Generalized Fading Channels

Device-to-device (D2D) communications are now considered as an integral part of future 5G networks which will enable direct communication between user equipment (UE) without unnecessary routing via the network infrastructure. This architecture will result in higher throughputs than conventional cellular networks, but with the increased potential for co-channel interference induced by randomly located cellular and D2D UEs. The physical channels which constitute D2D communications can be expected to be complex in nature, experiencing both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) conditions across closely located D2D pairs. As well as this, given the diverse range of operating environments, they may also be subject to clustering of the scattered multipath contribution, i.e., propagation characteristics which are quite dissimilar to conventional Rayeligh fading environments. To address these challenges, we consider two recently proposed generalized fading models, namely $\kappa-\mu$ and $\eta-\mu$, to characterize the fading behavior in D2D communications. Together, these models encompass many of the most widely encountered and utilized fading models in the literature such as Rayleigh, Rice (Nakagami-$n$), Nakagami-$m$, Hoyt (Nakagami-$q$) and One-Sided Gaussian. Using stochastic geometry we evaluate the rate and bit error probability of D2D networks under generalized fading conditions. Based on the analytical results, we present new insights into the trade-offs between the reliability, rate, and mode selection under realistic operating conditions. Our results suggest that D2D mode achieves higher rates over cellular link at the expense of a higher bit error probability. Through numerical evaluations, we also investigate the performance gains of D2D networks and demonstrate their superiority over traditional cellular networks.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communication

Comparison Effectiveness of Conventional and Islamic Monetary Policiesto Controlling Inflation in Indonesia Period 2012-2018

This study aims to know the extent influence and effectiveness of conventional monetary policy that reflected by the interest rates of Bank Indonesia Certificates (SBI), total loans of conventional bank (LOAN) and the average Government Bonds yield (SUN) and Islamic monetary policy that reflected by the rates of return on Bank Indonesia Sharia Certificates (SBIS), total financing of Islamic bank (FINC) and the average Islamic Government Bonds yield (SBSN) to controlling inflation Indonesia in 2012-2018. The analysis method used in this study is Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). The VECM results show that in the short term only SBSN has a significant effect on inflation, but that efect is positive (increasing inflation). In addition in the long term, SBI has a significant negative effect while FINC, SUN and SBSN have a significant positive effect. The effectiveness which is measured by Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD) shows that conventional monetary policy is faster in stabilizing inflation but the scope is small, while Islamic monetary policy is slower in stabilizing inflation but the scope is bigger.     Keywords: Inflation, Dual Monetary Policy, Interest Rate Channel, Loans Channel, Asset Price Channe

Pengaruh Capital Adequacy Ratio, Non Performing Loan, Dan Return on Asset Terhadap Penyaluran Kredit Pada Bank Umum Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2013-2017

Bank is one of the financial institutions that have the main task as a financial intermediary institution. The Bank also provides other supporting services to support the smoothness of activities to collect and channel funds either directly or indirectly related to savings or credit activities. The increase in loans disbursed by commercial banks does not have continuity with the increase in credit growth, this is due to the supply or credit crunch phenomenon caused by many things such as the low quality of banking assets, the high non performing loan value or the drop in banking capital due to depreciation. The purpose of this research is to know whether there is influence of capital adequacy ratio, non performing loan, return on asset to credit distribution either partially or jointly. The method used in this research is descriptive verification method with quantitative approach which is sourced from annual financial statements of commercial bank and literature study. Sampling technique using non probability sampling with purposive sampling technique. The data obtained were analyzed by testing the validity of data, multiple linear regression analysis and hypothesis test using f test and t test. The results of this study indicate that partially capital adequacy ratio has a negative effect on credit distribution, non-performing loans have a positive effect on credit distribution and return on assets have a positive effect on credit distribution. While the joint capital adequacy ratio, non-performing loans, return on assets effect on credit distribution

Studies on serine protease inhibitors in the bark extract of derris parviflora

Proteases are enzymes that conduct proteolysis by the hydrolytic cleavage of specific peptide bonds in the polypeptide chain of target proteins. Serine proteases are one of the best-characterized families of proteases. Protease inhibitors (PIs) are the compounds that inhibit or modulate the activities of proteases thus exerting dramatic biological effects. Plant originated protease inhibitors are widely used in research, therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Plant PIs (PPIs) are generally small molecules, ranged from 8 kDa – 25 kDa in size. Derrisparviflorais a climbing leguminous plant in which the roots contain rotenone, a strong insecticide and fish poison which is used in fishing. The present study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of serine protease inhibitors in the bark extract of Derrisparviflora and their properties. Bark of Derrisparviflora was crushed using liquid N2 and powdered samples were homogenized using ice cold distilled water to prepare 5%, 10% and 20% extracts. Serine protease inhibitory activity of the crude bark extract was determined using trypsin as the enzyme. Trypsin activity was evaluated using casein as the substrate at pH 7.6 in 0.05 M phosphate buffer. The optimized conditions were used to modify the assay by introducing the additional step to determine the serine protease inhibitory activity. The molecular weight of the inhibitory substance was estimated by dialyzing the crude extract in phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) using a dialysis bag with a molecular weight cut off point of 8 kDa. Partial purification of the serine protease inhibitor/s in the bark extract was carried out using DEAE cellulose chromatography. Assay procedures used to determine the trypsin inhibitory activities for 5%, 10% and 20% crude extracts were able to give 51.56%, 58.36% and 60.75% respectively. As 5% crude bark extract showed a significant inhibition, it was optimized for further studies. The optimum volume of the crude extract which exhibited the highest inhibition was 30μl. There is no reduction in the inhibitory activity when dialyzed suggesting that the inhibitor/s is a macromolecule with a molecular mass greater than 8 kDa. Eluted fractions from DEAE-cellulose column showed a significant inhibitory activity suggesting that inhibitory substance binds to DEAE-cellulose. Bark of Derris parviflora contains significant serine protease inhibitory activity and the inhibitory substance could probably be a protein or a high molecular weight substance. Further studies on the characterization of this protease inhibitory substance of Derris parviflora is in progress

Dhaka city water logging hazards: area identification and vulnerability assessment through GIS-remote sensing techniques

Water logging is one of the most detrimental phenomena continuing to burden Dhaka dwellers. This study aims to spatio-temporarily identify the water logging hazard zones within Dhaka Metropolitan area and assess the extent of their water logging susceptibility based on informal settlements, built-up areas, and demographical characteristics. The study utilizes integrated geographic information system (GIS)-remote sensing (RS) methods, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Water and Moisture Index, distance buffer zone from drainage streams, and built-up distributions to identify waterlogged zones with a temporal extent, incorporating social and infrastructural attributes to evaluate water logging effects. These indicators were integrated into an overlay GIS method to measure the vulnerability level across Dhaka city areas. The findings reveal that south and south-western parts of Dhaka were more susceptible to water logging hazards. Almost 35% of Dhaka belongs to the high/very highly vulnerable zone. Greater number of slum households were found within high to very high water logging vulnerable zones and approximately 70% of them are poorly structured. The built-up areas were observed to be increased toward the northern part of Dhaka and were exposed to severe water logging issues. The overall findings reveal the spatio-temporal distribution of the water logging vulnerabilities across the city as well as its impact on the social indicators. An integrated approach is necessary for future development plans to mitigate the risk of water logging

Producing the Jelly Made of Sambung Nyawa and Stevia Leavesto Decrease the Glucose Level in the Blood

This research was aimed to prove whether the jelly of “Sambung Nyawa” leavesand stevia could lower the blood glucose level as an alternative option for people withdiabetes.The method used in this research was a method of diabetes test glucosemonohydrate. In this method glucose monohydrate was induced. The subject in thisresearch was the jelly of “Sambung Nyawa” made of “Sambung Nyawa” leaves as thebasic material added with a natural sweetener made of stevia leaves. The objects ofthis research were Wistar mice. The products of “Sambung Nyawa” jelly and the steviawere given to Wistar mice that had been induced by glucose monohydrate. The ratswere divided into three groups. The first served as a control group, the second groupwas given the same dosage variation, and the third group was a different dosagevariation.Based on the results of this research, it was found out that there was a decreasein the blood sugar levels in the mice that had been induced by glucose monohydrateafter being given the product of “Sambung Nyawa” jelly and stevia. It can be seen fromthe data obtained in the second group. In the group three mice were induced withglucose monohydrate dilution of 1.67 grams with 3 ml of blood sugar levels with anaverage of 82.67 mg / dl blood glucose levels decreased to 90 mg / dl. In the thirdgroup the data could not be retrieved because the mice died before the sugar level waschecked after being induced with glucose monohydrate. Based on the results ofexperimental data it can be concluded that the products of “Sambung Nyawa” jellyand stevia could lower the blood glucose levels. The blood glucose levels weremeasured by using a glucometer

Changes of physical and chemical characteristics during microbial composting of rice straw at various pH levels

The physical and chemical parameters were monitored for seven weeks during Trichoderma/Aspergillus inoculated rice straw composting at various pH levels. Three treatments (A, B, and C) were inoculated with lignocellulolytic microbial consortium (Aspergillus niger, F44 and Trichoderma viride, F26) and three were un-inoculated (D, E, and F). pH of the starting materials was amended to 5.75 (A and D), 6.75 (B and E), and 7.75 (C and F) with either acetic acid or sodium hydroxide. Three typical phases of temperature were observed both in inoculated and un-inoculated treatments during composting: mesophilic phase, thermophilic phase, and followed by cooling and maturation phase. The bioconversion were maximum in Trichoderma/Aspergillus inoculated treatments within 14–21 days as indicated by the profiles of electrical conductivity, bulk density, total carbon and nitrogen, and germination index. After day 21, the germination index of Trichoderma/Aspergillus inoculated treatment (B) without any pH amendment was increased to 74.5 indicating the maturity of compost and suitability for field application