Monte Carlo simulation for statistical mechanics model of ion channel cooperativity in cell membranes

Voltage-gated ion channels are key molecules for the generation and propagation of electrical signals in excitable cell membranes. The voltage-dependent switching of these channels between conducting and nonconducting states is a major factor in controlling the transmembrane voltage. In this study, a statistical mechanics model of these molecules has been discussed on the basis of a two-dimensional spin model. A new Hamiltonian and a new Monte Carlo simulation algorithm are introduced to simulate such a model. It was shown that the results well match the experimental data obtained from batrachotoxin-modified sodium channels in the squid giant axon using the cut-open axon technique.Comment: Paper has been revise

Identifikasi Tiga Isolat Cendawan Penghasil Gaharu Dari Nusa Tenggara Barat Dengan Menggunakan Primer Its Dan Tef 1-α

Several isolates of agarwood-forming fungus in Gyrinops versteegii have been isolated from the result of exploration in Lombok and Sumbawa Islands. This study aimed to identify the three fungus associated with the agarwood formation in G. versteegii originated from Lombok Tengah, Alas, and Lombok Barat, Nusa Tenggara Barat. The three fungus cultured in liquid medium PDB (Potato Dextrose Broth) and incubated for 1 month in shaken culture. The mycelium of each fungus was harvested for DNA isolation. Amplification is done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using the Primers ITS and TEF with obtained amplicon having base length ranging of 300-600 bs. BLAST analysis showed that the three fungus have similarity with Fusarium solani. These results were confirmed by phylogenetic tree where all fungus has genetic relationship with F. solani

Micromechanical fiber optic switches for optical networks

Piezoelectric thin film actuator-based fiber-optic switches are introduced as low loss, high interchannel optical isolation 1 X 2 and 2 X 2 fiber-optic switches. A macroscale PZT actuator is built and tested. Preliminary results from a microscale actuator are given. Optical switch configurations and fabrication procedures are highlighted

Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Event Logging Systems Untuk Analisis Perilaku Belajar Siswa

Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Event Logging Systems untuk Analisis PerilakuBelajar Siswa. Saat ini, banyak media pembelajaran menyediakan modul penting dengan memanfaatkanmultimedia. Namun, tantangan yang masih belum terpecahkan adalah suatu framework yangmengintegrasikan dua aspek, yaitu media pembelajaran berbasis multimedia dan system berbasis eventlogging untuk mencatat respon dan perilaku siswa. Sehingga, setiap kegiatan yang dilakukan oleh siswaakan dicatat oleh sistem, dan kemudian kita dapat menganalisis perilaku mereka berdasarkan data log yangbersifat obyektif dan akurat. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan suatu platformyang menyediakan dua modul penting tersebut. Untuk menguji aplikasi ini, kami telah melakukanbeberapa eksperimen yang melibatkan siswa SMK di Bandung. Berdasarkan pengujian pada sistem ini,guru dapat mengetahui kecenderungan minat siswa terhadap suatu media pembelajaran. Di sisi lain, pesertadidik juga dapat memperoleh rekomendasi yang berguna, seperti apa jenis multimedia yang cocok (yaituberbasis teks, audio, video, dan ceramah)

Optimization of Vertical Well Placement for Oil Field Development Based on Basic Reservoir Rock Properties Using a Genetic Algorithm

Comparing the quality of basic reservoir rock properties is a common practice to locate new infill or development wells for optimizing oil field development using reservoir simulation. The conventional technique employs a manual trial-and-error process to find new well locations, which proves to be time-consuming, especially for large fields. Concerning this practical matter, an alternative in the form of a robust technique is introduced in order to reduce time and effort in finding new well locations capable of producing the highest oil recovery. The objective of this research was to apply a genetic algorithm (GA) for determining well locations using reservoir simulation, in order to avoid the conventional manual trial-and-error method. This GA involved the basic rock properties, i.e. porosity, permeability, and oil saturation, of each grid block obtained from a reservoir simulation model, to which a newly generated fitness function was applied, formulated by translating common engineering practice in reservoir simulation into a mathematical equation and then into a computer program. The maximum fitness value indicates the best grid location for a new well. In order to validate the proposed GA method and evaluate the performance of the program, two fields with different production profile characteristics were used, fields X and Y. The proposed method proved to be a robust and accurate method to find the best new well locations for oil field development. The key to the success of the proposed GA method lies in the formulation of the objective functions

Accuracy of diabetes screening methods used for people with tuberculosis, Indonesia, Peru, Romania, South Africa

Objective To evaluate the performance of diagnostic tools for diabetes mellitus, including laboratory methods and clinical risk scores, in newly-diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients from four middle-income countries. Methods In a multicentre, prospective study, we recruited 2185 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis from sites in Indonesia, Peru, Romania and South Africa from January 2014 to September 2016. Using laboratory-measured glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as the gold standard, we measured the diagnostic accuracy of random plasma glucose, point-of-care HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, urine dipstick, published and newly derived diabetes mellitus risk scores and anthropometric measurements. We also analysed combinations of tests, including a two-step test using point-of-care HbA1cwhen initial random plasma glucose was ≥ 6.1 mmol/L. Findings The overall crude prevalence of diabetes mellitus among newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients was 283/2185 (13.0%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 11.6–14.4). The marker with the best diagnostic accuracy was point-of-care HbA1c (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.75–0.86). A risk score derived using age, point-of-care HbA1c and random plasma glucose had the best overall diagnostic accuracy (area under curve: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.81–0.90). There was substantial heterogeneity between sites for all markers, but the two-step combination test performed well in Indonesia and Peru. Conclusion Random plasma glucose followed by point-of-care HbA1c testing can accurately diagnose diabetes in tuberculosis patients, particularly those with substantial hyperglycaemia, while reducing the need for more expensive point-of-care HbA1c testing. Risk scores with or without biochemical data may be useful but require validation

Diversity and composition of beetles (Order: Coleoptera) in three different ages of oil palms in Lekir Oil Palm Plantation, Perak, Malaysia

The diversity and composition of beetles from oil palm plantation in Ladang Lekir, Perak, Malaysia were collected each month using Malaise trap, yellow pan and window traps from three different sites on the basis of their oil palm aged i.e. five (Plot 1), seven (Plot 2) and 12 (Plot 3) years old from November 2015 to October 2016. From 3862 individuals, 110 species and 83 morphospecies from 40 families and 59 subfamilies were successfully collected. From all samples recorded, the five years old oil palm showed the highest Shannon Diversity Index (H' = 3.42), Peilou Equality Index (E' = 0.23) and Margalef Richness Index (R’= 17.33) with species accumulation curve near to asymptote. The most abundant species recorded from the three sites was Elaeidobius kamerunicus with 940 individuals (relative abundance, RA = 24%). Plot 1 had the highest beetle species with 132 individuals (68.4%), while Plot 2 was the lowest with 85 individuals (44%). The t-test analysis showed that there was no significant difference in term of the diversity index (H’) between Plot 3 and Plot 2 (p-value=0.092), while there were significant differences between these two plots (Plot 2 and Plot 3) with Plot 1 (p-value= 0.47 and 0.046). This study would provide basic information for future research in sustainable oil palm plantations management in Malaysia

Analisis Implikasi UU 35/2009 dan UU 36/2009 dalam Pengembangan Strategi Kebijakan Pencegahan dan Terapi Penyalahgunaan Narkotika Psikotropika dan Zat Adiktif (Napza) di Indonesia

Background: Substance use disorder is serious problem nationally and globally, although its controlling effort is more considered as criminal rather than health matters. This probably due to the tight regulation of the substance which make illegal use of it is considered as law violation. Commitment of Indonesian government is very strong by setting up aNational Narcotics Bureau (BNN as coordinating and implementing body on narcotics related activities, including therapy and rehabilitation. There are at least five ministries involved in narcotics related activities. However there is different level of the narcotics office in each ministries, reflected their prioirty. Narcotics laws No. 35/2009 provides MOH the right to receive report from therapy and rehabilitation institutions. However it is not clearly stated that MOH is the only resposible body for such report, which meant that Narcotics bureau could also receive the report from its district branches in provinces which previously under the Provincial office. This article reviews the implementation of Narcotics Law No. 35/2009 and Health Law No. 36/2009 for narcotic patients ini DKI, DIY, Jabar, Jatim dan Bali. Methods: The objective is to provide inputs for prevention and treatment policy development to stirr more sinergism and coordinated among related institution. Results: The review identified that narcotic Law UU 35/2009 stated Provincial Narcotic Bureau (BNP) as part of BNN, not part of provincial institution as it used to be. This imply that BNP could have power to regulate treatment and rehabilitation. Provinces need law regulation for coordination between BNP and other provincial institutions, such as health office. social affair office, primary health care and district/provincial hospitals. Health financing is the most important issue whtch need clear regulation because involving several stakeholders, such as ministry of health, BNN, governor and ministry of human affairs

Mortality among healthcare workers in Indonesia during 18 months of COVID-19

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections upon Indonesian health care workers (HCWs) is unknown due to the lack of systematic collection and analysis of mortality data specific to HCWs in this setting. This report details the results of a systematic compilation, abstraction and analysis of HCW fatalities in Indonesia during the first 18 months of COVID-19. HCW who passed away between March 2020 and July 2021 were identified using Pusara Digital, a community-based digital cemetery database dedicated to HCW. We calculated the mortality rates and death risk ratio of HCWs versus the general population. The analysis indicates that at least 1,545 HCWs died during the study period. Death rates among males and females HCWs were nearly equivalent (51% vs. 49%). The majority were physicians and specialists (535, 35%), nurses (428, 28%), and midwives (359, 23%). Most deaths occurred between the ages of 40 to 59 years old, with the median age being 50 years (IQR: 39–59). At least 322 deaths (21%) occurred with pre-existing conditions, including 45 pregnant women. During the first 18 months of COVID-19 in Indonesia, we estimated a minimum HCW mortality rate of 1.707 deaths per 1,000 HCWs. The provincial rates of HCW mortality ranged from 0.136 (West Sulawesi) to 5.32 HCW deaths per 1,000 HCWs (East Java). The HCW mortality rate was significantly higher than that of the general population (RR = 4.92, 95% CI 4.67–5.17). The COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia resulted in the loss of many hundreds of HCWs, the majority of whom were senior healthcare workers. The HCW mortality rate is five times that of the general population. A national systematic surveillance of occupational mortality is urgently needed in this setting

Foreign bodies in the ears causing complications and requiring hospitalization in children 0-14 age: results from the ESFBI study

The occurrence of foreign bodies (FBs) in otorhinolaryngological practice is a common and serious problem among patients in paediatric age. The aim of this work is to characterize the risk of complications and prolonged hospitalization due to foreign bodies in ears in terms of the characteristics of the injured patients (age, gender), typology and features of the foreign bodies, the circumstances of the accident and the hospitalization's details