Evaluasi Lahan Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif Tanaman Kopi Robusta di Kelompok Tani Bina Karya, Kabupaten Pesawaran

Kopi Robusta (Coffea canephora) merupakan salah satu tanaman Perkebunan yang dibudidayakan oleh petani di Kabupaten Pesawaran. Budidaya tanaman kopi Robusta dinilai sangat menguntungkan. Untuk itu diperlukan pengetahuan mengenai evaluasi lahan baik secara fisik (kualitatif) maupun ekonomi (kuantitatif). Penelitian dilakukan pada lahan pertanaman kopi robusta di Desa Pesawaran Indah Kecamatan Padang Cermin Kabupaten Pesawaran pada bulan Juni 2012. Analisis tanah dilakukan di Laboratorium Jurusan Ilmu Tanah Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lampung. Penelitian dilaksanakan dengan metode survey dengan pendekatan evaluasi lahan secara paralel. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lahan pertanaman kopi Robusta di Desa Pesawaran Indah Kecamatan Padang Cermin Pesawaran berdasarkan potensi fisik lingkungan menurut kriteria Djaenuddin dkk. (2003), masuk ke dalam kelas kesesuaian lahan cukup sesuai dengan faktor pembatas suhu (S2 tc), dan secara finansial layak untuk dilanjutkan dengan nilai NPV sebesar Rp 240.966.516,50, Net B/C sebesar 1,89, IRR sebesar 31 %, dan BEP (titik impas) akan dicapai pada tahun ke-10, bulan ke-10, hari ke-21

Dropout rate during prolonged physical stress training in the military may be determined by haematological changes

A public health research paper on sustained physical training in the military leading to high drop-out rates amongst new recruits in the Zimbabwe National Army.Sustained physical training has profound effects on haematological adaptive changes and these may influence physical performance, the dropout rates and casualties in a military setting. Prompted by reports of increases in the number of dropouts during military training, the impact of haematological changes on dropout rates and physical performance was studied in 60 male Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) recruits during 60 days of military training at the Nyanga training camp. The training programme included, among other things, bush exercises in the rugged terrain of the Nyangani range of mountains. Blood for full blood count (FBC) were collected by venepuncture in a forearm vein in a seated position two weeks pre-training (day zero). Subsequent samples were collected at seven, 30 and 60 days. FBC analyses was carried out by Sysmex K800 (Kobe, Japan) and urine samples were analyzed for urobilinogen. The results showed significant decreases in the red blood cells (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) (P<0.05) and (P<0.04) on day seven and day 30 respectively when compared to day zero. The persistent increase in haematocrit throughout the 60 days suggested haemoconcentration and a fall in plasma volume (PV). When compared to pre-training, granulocytes were significantly higher on day 60 than on day 30 (P<0.004). Lymphocytes and eosinophils were lower on day seven (P<0.001) when compared to day zero and (P<0.04) and (P<0.013) when compared to day 30 and 60 respectively, suggesting that the subjects had a decreased protection against infection. However, lymphocytes were higher on day 60 than on day seven (P<0.01). This observed recovery in lymphocytes on day 60 when compared to day seven and 30, suggested that acclimatization and adaptation had occurred. Of the 60 subjects, 18 percent were hospitalized [four with pulmonary TB and a hypochromasia blood picture while three had bronchopneumonia and a raised neutrophil count]. The number of dropouts was 16 (27 percent) of the 60 subjects under study. Laboratory observations showed proteinuria, a shift to the left in the myeloid series, nucleated red blood cells, platelet clumps, macrocytosis and red cell fragments. These were associated with casualties, dropouts and poor physical performance. These results suggested that severe haematological changes might be associated with poor performance, high rates of casualties and dropouts. Therefore, monitoring the trends of haematological changes at regular intervals during stress training can minimize casualties and the rates of dropouts

The 2019 review of IPBES and future priorities: Reaching beyond assessment to enhance policy impact

The Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent scientific body focused on assessing the state of the world's ecosystem services and biodiversity. IPBES members agreed in 2017 that a review of the Platform's first work programme should be undertaken by an independent panel examining all aspects of IPBES' work – including implementation of the four functions of IPBES; policies, operating principles and procedures; governance structure and arrangements; communication, stakeholder engagement and partnerships; and funding mechanisms. The review found that for IPBES to have its anticipated transformative impact: All four functions of IPBES (i.e. assessment, knowledge generation, policy support, capacity building), with better communication, must be significantly strengthened, integrated and delivered together; The policy aspects of IPBES work need to be strengthened and greater emphasis needs to be placed on the co-design and co-production of assessments; A more strategic and collaborative approach to stakeholders is needed; and IPBES must develop a more sustainable financial base. Given those changes, IPBES, as an embryonic boundary organization, can become the key influencing organization in the global landscape of biodiversity and ecosystem services organizations, helping thus to catalyze transformative change in the relationship between people and the rest of nature

Diversity of Francisella Species in Environmental Samples from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

We determined whether Francisella spp. are present in water, sediment, and soil from an active tularemia natural focus on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, during a multiyear outbreak of pneumonic tularemia. Environmental samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting Francisella species 16S rRNA gene and succinate dehydrogenase A (sdhA) sequences; evidence of the agent of tularemia was sought by amplification of Francisella tularensis-specific sequences for the insertion element ISFTu2, 17-kDa protein gene tul4, and the 43-kDa outer membrane protein gene fopA. Evidence of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis, the causative agent of the human infections in this outbreak, was not detected from environmental samples despite its active transmission among ticks and animals in the sampling site. Francisella philomiragia was frequently detected from a brackish-water pond using Francisella species PCR targets, and subsequently F. philomiragia was isolated from an individual brackish-water sample. Distinct Francisella sp. sequences that are closely related to F. tularensis and Francisella novicida were detected from samples collected from the brackish-water pond. We conclude that diverse Francisella spp. are present in the environment where human cases of pneumonic tularemia occur

Genital tract inflammation during early HIV-infection predicts higher plasma viral load set point in women.

Background. The biggest challenge in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) prevention in Africa is the high HIV-1 burden in young women. In macaques, proinflammatory cytokine production in the genital tract is necessary for target cell recruitment and establishment of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection following vaginal inoculation. The purpose of this study was to assess if genital inflammation during early HIV-1 infection predisposes women to rapid disease progression. Methods. Inflammatory cytokine concentrations were measured in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) from 49 women 6, 17, 30, and 55 weeks after HIV-1 infection and from 22 of these women before infection. Associations between genital inflammation and viral load set point and blood CD4 cell counts 12 months after infection were investigated. Results. Elevated genital cytokine concentrations 6 and 17 weeks after HIV-1 infection were associated with higher viral load set points and, to a lesser extent, with CD4 depletion. CVL cytokine concentrations during early infection did not differ relative to preinfection but were elevated in women who had vaginal discharge, detectable HIV-1 RNA in their genital tracts, and lower blood CD4 counts. Conclusion. Genital inflammation during early HIV-1 infection was associated with higher viral load set point and CD4 depletion, which are markers of rapid disease progression. Strategies aimed at reducing genital inflammation during early HIV-1 infection may slow disease progression

Deteksi Citra Granuloma Melalui Radiograf Periapikal Dengan Metode Scale Invariant Feature Transform Dan Klasifikasi K-nearest Neighbor

Radiograf periapikal merupakan komponen yang menghasilkan gambar radiografi dari gigi secara rinci dan jaringan apeks sekitarnya. Gambaran radiografi sangat membantu dokter gigi menegakkan diagnosis dan rencana perawatan kasus gigi impaksi. Dokter gigi mendiagnosa citra perapikal radiograf menggunakan mata namun karena keterbatasan indra penglihatan manusia bisa menyebabkan interpretasi masing-masing dokter gigi berbeda. Pada penelitian ini dibuatlah metode pengolahan citra yang dapat mendeteksi granuloma dari citra periapikal radiograf. Keluaran sistem dapat memberikan hasil yang dapat membantu dokter gigi dalam membuat keputusan dan meningkatkan diagnosis terhadap radiografi periapikal. Pada penelitian ini pembuatan sistem dilakukan dalam beberapa tahap yaitu pre-processing,ektraksi ciri dan klasifikasi. Metode yang akan digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Scale Invariant Feature Transformation (SIFT) sebagai metode ekstrasi ciri. SIFT adalah algoritma untuk mendeteksi dan menjelaskan fitur lokal pada citra. Proses klasifikasi menggunakan metode K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN). K-NN adalah metode untuk mengklasifikasi obyek berdasarkan contoh latih terdekat. Hasil dari sistem ini adalah mampu untuk mengidentifikasi penyakit granuloma dengan akurasi 85,84% dengan waktu komputasi rata-rata 4,04 detik.Katakunci: granuloma, radiografi periapikal, Scale Invariant Feature Transformation (SIFT), K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN)