Fluktuasi Asimetri pada Ikan Lele Dumbo yang Berasal dari Tiga Lokasi Budidaya di Kabupaten Bogor

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat asimetri dan abnormalitas ikan lele dumbo ( Clarias gariepinus ) pada tiga lokasi budidaya di Kabupaten Bogor, yaitu Kecamatan Leuwiliang, Parung dan Cijeruk melalui pengamatan karakter meristik bilateral. Bahan uji yang dijadikan sampel adalah ikan lele dumbo yang diambil secara acak dari tiga lokasi budidaya pembesaran sebanyak 240 ekor dengan ukuran berat 100 – 140 g/ekor. Karakter meristik bilateral yang diamati pada ikan uji adalah jumlah jari-jari lemah pada sirip dada, jumlah jari-jari lemah pada sirip Perut serta jumlah tapis insang pada lengkung insang bagian luar. Pada individu ikan sampel bagian organ tubuh berpasangan pada sisi kiri dan kanannya tidak tumbuh sama sekali dipisahkan dari perhitungan asimetri dan dikelompokan pada individu yang abnormal. Selajutnya perhitungan jumlah jari-jari lemah sirip dada, sirip Perut dan jumlah tapis insang adalah digunakan untuk menghitung nilai fluktuasi asimetrinya baik besaran ( magnitude ) maupun bilangan ( number ). Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan nilai fluktuasi asimetri diperoleh : 1). Lele dumbo yang berasal dari ketiga lokasi budidaya menunjukan bahwa masih rendahnya stabilitas perkembangan sebagai akibat telah terjadinya tekanan silang dalam yang dicirikan dengan masih tingginya nilai fluktuasi asimetri dan bahkan masih ditemukan adanya individu yang tidak tumbuh sirip dada dan sirip Perut pada kedua sisinya (abnormal). Secara keseluruhan fluktuasi asimetri gabungan dari ketiga karakter meristik bilateral lele dumbo yang berasal dari ketiga lokasi budidaya tersebutdengan nilai fluktuasi asimetri besaran berkisar antara 0,45 sampai dengan 0,66, sedangkan nilai fluktuasi asimetri bilangan berkisar antara 1,72 sampai dengan 2,27, selanjutnya tingkat abnormalitas yang paling tinggi terdapat pada lele yang berasal dari Kecamatan Cijeruk yaitu 37,50 % individu yang tidak tumbuh sirip Perut pada kedua sisinya. 2). Lele dumbo yang berasal dari Kecamatan Parung dan Leuwiliang mempunyai stabilitas perkembangan dan cendrung lebih baik dibanding dengan lele dumbo yang berasal dari Kecamatan Cijeruk. Hal tersebut dicirikan dengan nilai fluktuasi asimetri yang rendah dan bahkan tidak ada sama sekali individu yang abnormal

日本の学校文化としての「授業研究」に関する歴史研究

This research examines “lesson study” as a traditional model of creating professional knowledge in schools. “Lesson study,” typically defi ned as teachers’ classroom based collaborative research, has a long history in Japan as a shared professional culture with potential for enhancing learning, enriching classroom activities and transforming the school environment. A case study method based on historical data is the primary approach used in this research. Detailed description and analysis of lessons are provided, individual lesson plans are examined and exchanges of views between teachers are discussed. The fi ndings are intended to help clarify the cultural and historical role of lesson based research in Japanese schools, and also the signifi cant infl uence that lesson study has exerted on developing a culture of shared professionalism in Japan

Impact of biodiesel demand on the Malaysian palm oil industry: A simultaneous equations approach

The European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive set a target of 20 % share of energy from the renewable sources and 10% share of renewable energy specifically in the transport sector.This has resulted in some countries looking for bio-based alternative energies which lead to the increase in demand for bio-based feedstocks such as palm and rapeseed oil (for biodiesel) and sugar cane and corn (for ethanol).One of the new elements in the palm oil market is the growing demand for this commodity as a feedstock to biodiesel production.This will also put Malaysia in a better light on the international front for taking the effort to reduce carbon emissions.In line with this, the palm oil sector in Malaysia will be able to match the New Economic Model’s (NEM) major goals of high income, sustainability and inclusiveness.This new development is affecting the dynamics of the market, in particular, the supply and demand sectors of this commodity.This paper seeks to examine the impact of biodiesel demand on the Malaysian palm oil industry.This paper proposes a structural econometric model consisting of nine structural equations and four identities.The model has been estimated by the two stage least squares method using annual data for the period 1976–2010.The specification of the structural model is based on a series of assumptions about general economic conditions, agricultural policies and technological change.The study indicates that counterfactual simulation of a sustained 30% increase in biodiesel demand predicts a positive increase (2.48%) in palm oil exports for non-biodiesel, 13% increase in the domestic price of palm oil and a marginal increase in production.An increase in export demand would make Malaysia more competitive regionally and globally with benefits accruing to all Malaysians.Apart from this, the biodiesel demand income is also sustainable and will position the nation on the right path towards a high income country by 202

Impact of Biodiesel Demand on the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry: A Simultaneous Equations Approach

The European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive set a target of 20 % share of energy from the renewable sources and 10% share of renewable energy specifically in the transport sector. This has resulted in some countries looking for bio-based alternative energies which lead to the increase in demand for bio-based feedstocks such as palm and rapeseed oil (for biodiesel) and sugar cane and corn (for ethanol). One of the new elements in the palm oil market is the growing demand for this commodity as a feedstock to biodiesel production. This will also put Malaysia in a better light on the international front for taking the effort to reduce carbon emissions. In line with this, the palm oil sector in Malaysia will be able to match the New Economic Model’s (NEM) major goals of high income, sustainability and inclusiveness. This new development is affecting the dynamics of the market, in particular, the supply and demand sectors of this commodity. This paper seeks to examine the impact of biodiesel demand on the Malaysian palm oil industry. This paper proposes a structural econometric model consisting of nine structural equations and four identities. The model has been estimated by the two stage least squares method using annual data for the period 1976–2010.

Current Status of a Model System: The Gene Gp-9 and Its Association with Social Organization in Fire Ants

The Gp-9 gene in fire ants represents an important model system for studying the evolution of social organization in insects as well as a rich source of information relevant to other major evolutionary topics. An important feature of this system is that polymorphism in social organization is completely associated with allelic variation at Gp-9, such that single-queen colonies (monogyne form) include only inhabitants bearing B-like alleles while multiple-queen colonies (polygyne form) additionally include inhabitants bearing b-like alleles. A recent study of this system by Leal and Ishida (2008) made two major claims, the validity and significance of which we examine here. After reviewing existing literature, analyzing the methods and results of Leal and Ishida (2008), and generating new data from one of their study sites, we conclude that their claim that polygyny can occur in Solenopsis invicta in the U.S.A. in the absence of expression of the b-like allele Gp-9b is unfounded. Moreover, we argue that available information on insect OBPs (the family of proteins to which GP-9 belongs), on the evolutionary/population genetics of Gp-9, and on pheromonal/behavioral control of fire ant colony queen number fails to support their view that GP-9 plays no role in the chemosensory-mediated communication that underpins regulation of social organization. Our analyses lead us to conclude that there are no new reasons to question the existing consensus view of the Gp-9 system outlined in Gotzek and Ross (2007)

Association between Lactobacillus species and bacterial vaginosis-related bacteria, and bacterial vaginosis scores in pregnant Japanese women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacterial vaginosis (BV), the etiology of which is still uncertain, increases the risk of preterm birth. Recent PCR-based studies suggested that BV is associated with complex vaginal bacterial communities, including many newly recognized bacterial species in non-pregnant women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To examine whether these bacteria are also involved in BV in pregnant Japanese women, vaginal fluid samples were taken from 132 women, classified as normal (n = 98), intermediate (n = 21), or BV (n = 13) using the Nugent gram stain criteria, and studied. DNA extracted from these samples was analyzed for bacterial sequences of any <it>Lactobacillus</it>, four <it>Lactobacillus </it>species, and four BV-related bacteria by PCR with primers for 16S ribosomal DNA including a universal <it>Lactobacillus </it>primer, <it>Lactobacillus </it>species-specific primers for <it>L. crispatus</it>, <it>L. jensenii</it>, <it>L. gasseri</it>, and <it>L. iners</it>, and BV-related bacterium-specific primers for BVAB2, <it>Megasphaera</it>, <it>Leptotrichia</it>, and <it>Eggerthella</it>-like bacterium.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalences of <it>L. crispatus</it>, <it>L. jensenii</it>, and <it>L. gasseri </it>were significantly higher, while those of BVAB2, <it>Megasphaera</it>, <it>Leptotrichia</it>, and <it>Eggerthella</it>-like bacterium were significantly lower in the normal group than in the BV group. Unlike other <it>Lactobacillus </it>species, the prevalence of <it>L. iners </it>did not differ between the three groups and women with <it>L. iners </it>were significantly more likely to have BVAB2, <it>Megasphaera, Leptotrichia</it>, and <it>Eggerthella</it>-like bacterium. Linear regression analysis revealed associations of BVAB2 and <it>Megasphaera </it>with Nugent score, and multivariate regression analyses suggested a close relationship between <it>Eggerthella</it>-like bacterium and BV.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The BV-related bacteria, including BVAB2, <it>Megasphaera</it>, <it>Leptotrichia</it>, and <it>Eggerthella</it>-like bacterium, are common in the vagina of pregnant Japanese women with BV. The presence of <it>L. iners </it>may be correlated with vaginal colonization by these BV-related bacteria.</p

Heart-type Fatty acid-binding protein in Acute Myocardial infarction Evaluation (FAME): Background and design of a diagnostic study in primary care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Currently used biomarkers for cardiac ischemia are elevated in blood plasma after a delay of several hours and therefore unable to detect acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a very early stage. General practitioners (GPs), however, are often confronted with patients suspected of ACS within hours after onset of complaints. This ongoing study aims to evaluate the added diagnostic value beyond clinical assessment for a rapid bedside test for heart-type fatty-acid binding protein (H-FABP), a biomarker that is detectable as soon as one hour after onset of ischemia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participating GPs perform a blinded H-FABP rapid bedside test (Cardiodetect^®) in patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS such as chest pain or discomfort at rest. All patients, whether referred to hospital or not, undergo electrocardiography (ECG) and venapunction for a plasma troponin test within 12–36 hours after onset of complaints. A final diagnosis will be established by an expert panel consisting of two cardiologists and one general practitioner (blinded to the H-FABP test result), using all available patient information, also including signs and symptoms. The added diagnostic value of the H-FABP test beyond history taking and physical examination will be determined with receiver operating characteristic curves derived from multivariate regression analysis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reasons for presenting the design of our study include the prevention of publication bias and unacknowledged alterations in the study aim, design or data-analysis. To our knowledge this study is the first to assess the diagnostic value of H-FABP <it>outside </it>a hospital-setting. Several previous hospital-based studies showed the potential value of H-FABP in diagnosing ACS. Up to now however it is unclear whether these results are equally promising when the test is used in primary care. The first results are expected in the end of 2008.</p