Showing papers by "Gadjah Mada University published in 2008"

Ethnic groups' response to the 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract: The 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami unfairly hit the different ethnic groups of Aceh, Indonesia. About 170,000 Acehnese and Minangkabau people died in the Northern tip of Sumatra while only 44 Simeulue people passed away in the neighbouring Simeulue island located near the earthquake epicentre. Such a difference in the death toll does not lie in the nature of the hazard but in different human behaviours and ethnic contexts. The present study draws on a contextual framework of analysis where people’s behaviour in the face of natural hazards is deeply influenced by the cultural, social, economic and political context. Questionnaire-based surveys among affected communities, key informant interviews and literature reviews show that the people of Simeulue detected the tsunami very early and then escaped to the mountains. On the other hand, Acehnese and Minangkabau people, respectively in the cities of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, did not anticipate the phenomenon and were thus caught by the waves. The different behaviours of the victims have been commanded by the existence or the absence of a disaster subculture among affected communities as well as by their capacity to protect themselves in facing the tsunami. People’s behaviours and the capacity to protect oneself can be further tracked down to a deep tangle of intricate factors which include the armed conflict that has been affecting the province since the 1970s, the historical and cultural heritage and the national political economy system. This paper finally argues that the uneven impact of the 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Aceh lies in the different daily life conditions of the ethnic groups struck by the disaster.

Coastal dynamic and shoreline mapping: multi-sources spatial data analysis in Semarang Indonesia

Abstract: Semarang coastal area has geomorphologically complex processes, such as erosion-sedimentation, land subsidence, and tidal inundation hazard. Multi-years shoreline mapping is considered a valuable task for coastal monitoring and assessment. This paper presents maps illustrating the shoreline dynamic in a coastal area of Semarang-Indonesia using multi-sources spatial data. The segment data has been obtained by visual delineation of the topographic maps Year 1908, 1937, 1992 and Ikonos image Year 2003 as well as digital number (DN) value analysis and masking operation of Landsat MSS Year 1972 and Landsat ETM Year 2001. For the long period of almost 100 year, the shoreline dynamic in Semarang coastal area is dominated by sedimentation process. Shoreline extended to the sea as a result of man-made infrastructure and natural processes. The research's result was satisfactory and the method has proven to be effective considering lack of homogeneous data-series. However, some further improvement regarding geo-processing can be made and the accuracy can be tested in future version.

Potential vulnerability implications of coastal inundation due to sea level rise for the coastal zone of Semarang city, Indonesia

Abstract: Sea level rise (SLR) as a result of global warming has an impact on the increasing inundation on the coastal area. Nowadays, Semarang coastal area in Indonesia is already subject to coastal hazard due to tidal inundation and land subsidence. The impact of the inundation is predicted to be even more severe with the scenario of sea level rise. This paper concentrates on the risk assessment to the population, land use, and monetary losses as a result of coastal inundation under enhanced sea level rise. This paper uses the scenario of the depth of inundation to generate coastal inundation model using GIS-Technology. Anticipatory issues including methodology development for hazard assessment would be necessary for Semarang coastal area, and therefore, geo-information technology can be considered as a useful tool to rapidly assess the impact of the coastal hazard and evaluate the economic losses.

Menggali Kearifan Lokal Nusantara Sebuah Kajian Filsafati

Abstract: Local genius is local ideas that is characterized such as: wise, full of wisdom, good values, that planted and followed by society. Local genius is also a local wisdom. It stands from the outer culture, that accommodate and intergrate the outer culture into inside and give them the right way. Local genius emerge into: value norm, faith custom, etc. They have special meaning and function. It must be changed because of cross culture and globalization. It gives a challenge to explore and criticize it in scientific ways.

Intensi kewirausahaan mahasiswa: studi perbandingan antara indonesia, jepang dan norwegia

Abstract: Survey towards 332 students from three different universities in three different countries (Indonesia, Japan and Norway) shows that entrepreneurial intentions among the students and the influencing factors differs across countries. The main objective is to compare the impact of different economic and cultural contexts. Results reveals that self-efficacy influence entrepreneurial intention among Indonesian and Norwegian students. Instrumental readiness and working experience become key factors that influence entrepreneurial intention among Norwegian students. Educational background becomes a key factor that influence entrepreneurial intention among Indonesian students, in the opposite direction. Need for achievement, age and gender have no statistically significant impact. However, they only explain 28.2 percent, 14.2 percent, and 24.8 percent (R2) of the total variance of the entrepreneurial intention for Indonesia, Japan and Norway respectively. This study is expected to be inputs for universities, government institutions, and policy makers so that can stimulate and encourage entrepreneurship spirit.

Natural hazards in Central Java Province, Indonesia: an overview

Abstract: Central Java Province, Indonesia, suffers from natural hazard processes such as land subsidence, coastal inundation, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tsunami, and landslide. The occurrence of each kind of natural hazard is varied according to the intensity of geo-processes. It is necessary to learn from the historical record of coastal inundation, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tsunami, and landslide hazards in Central Java Province to address issues of comprehensive hazard mitigation and management action. Through the understanding about the nature and spatial distribution of natural hazards, treatments can be done to reduce the risks. This paper presents the natural hazard phenomena in Central Java Province and provides critical information for hazard mitigation and reduction.

Compatibilizing effect of SEBS-g-MA on the mechanical properties of different types of OMMT filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

Abstract: Nanocomposites based on polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP) blends containing organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene (SEBS-g-MA) were prepared by melt compounding method followed by injection molding. Four different types of OMMT were used in this work, i.e. dodecylamine modified MMT (D-MMT), 12-aminolauric acid modified MMT (A-MMT), stearylamine modified MMT (S-MMT), and commercial organo-MMT (C-MMT). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed the presence of SEBS-g-MA did not produce any apparent effect on the dispersion of OMMT in the PA6/PP matrix. Incorporation of SEBS-g-MA into the nanocomposites enhanced strength, ductility, and impact strength but slightly reduced stiffness. A good balance of strength, stiffness, and toughness was obtained for PA6/PP/OMMT nanocomposites in the presence of SEBS-g-MA.

Tidal inundation mapping under enhanced land subsidence in Semarang, Central Java Indonesia

Abstract: Tidal inundation by high tide under enhanced land subsidence is a damaging phenomenon and a major threat to the Semarang urban area in Indonesia. It impacts on economic activities, as well as the cost of an emergency program and causes interruption of pubic services, danger of infectious diseases and injury to human lives. This study examines a spatial analysis tool on the GIS-raster system for the tidal inundation mapping based on the subsidence-benchmark data and modified detail digital elevation model. Neighborhood operation and iteration model as a spatial analysis tool have been applied in order to calculate the encroachment of the tidal inundation on the coastal area. The resulting map shows that the tidal flood spreads to the lowland area and causes the inundation of coastal settlement, infrastructure, as well as productive agricultural land, i.e., the fish-pond area. The monitoring of the vulnerable area due to the tidal inundation under the scenario of extended land subsidence plays an important role in long-term coastal zone management in Semarang.

Coastal flood management in Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract: Semarang is one of the biggest cities in Indonesia and is nowadays suffering from coastal flooding. Land subsidences, high water tide, and inadequate structural measures play important roles in the coastal inundations. Structural and non-structural methods for controlling coastal flooding including dykes, drainage systems, pump stations, polder systems, coastal-land reclamations, coastal planning and management, public education, as well as the establishment of an institutional framework for disaster management have been implemented in the Semarang coastal area. Although some improvements have been made, the current flood management system has generally failed to address a wide range of coastal inundation problems. Some improvement actions have been proposed including stakeholders involvement on the disaster mitigation. For a long period coastal management, accelerated sea level rises due to global warming should also be taken into account.

A virus and its vector, pepper yellow leaf curl virus and Bemisia tabaci, two new invaders of Indonesia

Abstract: Bemisia tabaci is a species of sap-sucking insect belonging to the Aleyrodidae and are commonly known as whiteflies. The species is made up of a complex of distinct genetic groups which have a strong geographic pattern to their genetic structure. Two members of this complex known as the B and Q biotypes have proven to be particularly invasive, spreading with the aid of trade in ornamental plants, well beyond their home ranges across the Mediterranean Basin, Middle East and Asia Minor. This study uses DNA microsatellites to identify another biological invasion this time involving a B. tabaci from south east Asia. We provide evidence which supports an invasion sometime between 1994 and 1999 of B. tabaci from central Thailand into the Indonesian islands of Sumatra then Java and Bali. The invasion is also associated with the invasion of pepper yellow leaf curl virus, a begomovirus transmitted by B. tabaci, which is also shown to have a probable origin in the same geographic region as the invading whitefly. The consequences of the invasion of a plant-infecting virus and its vector has been a massive increase in the scale and impact of begomoviruses in tomato and chilli production which has seen regional bans imposed on the planting of chilli, an important cash crop for many village farmers in Sumatra and Java.

Iron supplementation of iron-replete Indonesian infants is associated with reduced weight-for-age

Abstract: BACKGROUND: General iron supplementation to prevent iron deficiency in infants who are iron sufficient when starting supplementation may adversely affect their health. OBJECTIVE: A secondary analys ...

The 26 May 2006 magnitude 6.4 Yogyakarta earthquake south of Mt. Merapi volcano: Did lahar deposits amplify ground shaking and thus lead to the disaster?

Abstract: [1] Indonesia is repeatedly unsettled by severe volcano- and earthquake-related disasters, which are geologically coupled to the 5–7 cm/a tectonic convergence of the Australian plate beneath the Sunda Plate. On Saturday, 26 May 2006, the southern coast of central Java was struck by an earthquake at 2254 UTC in the Sultanate Yogyakarta. Although the magnitude reached only Mw = 6.4, it left more than 6,000 fatalities and up to 1,000,000 homeless. The main disaster area was south of Mt. Merapi Volcano, located within a narrow topographic and structural depression along the Opak River. The earthquake disaster area within the depression is underlain by thick volcaniclastic deposits commonly derived in the form of lahars from Mt. Merapi Volcano, which had a major influence leading to the disaster. In order to more precisely understand this earthquake and its consequences, a 3-month aftershock measurement campaign was performed from May to August 2006. We here present the first location results, which suggest that the Yogyakarta earthquake occurred at 10–20 km distance east of the disaster area, outside of the topographic depression. Using simple model calculations taking material heterogeneity into account we illustrate how soft volcaniclastic deposits may locally amplify ground shaking at distance. As the high degree of observed damage may have been augmented by the seismic response of the volcaniclastic Mt. Merapi deposits, this work implies that the volcano had an indirect effect on the level of earthquake destruction.

Health-related quality of life assessment in Indonesian childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract: Background: Most studies on Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in children with cancer were conducted in developed countries. The aims of this study were to assess the HRQOL in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients in Indonesia and to assess the influence of demographic and medical characteristics on HRQOL. Methods: After cultural linguistic validation, a cross-sectional study of HRQOL was conducted with childhood ALL patients and their guardians in various phases of treatment using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scale and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) 3.0 Cancer Module. Results: Ninety-eight guardians and 55 patients participated. The internal consistency of both scales ranged from 0.57 to 0.92. HRQOL of Indonesian patients was comparable with those in developed countries. There were moderate to good correlations between self-reports and proxyreports, however guardians tended to report worse HRQOL than patients. Children of the 2–5 year-group significantly had more problems in procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety and communication subscales than in older groups (p < 0.05). In the non-intensive phase HRQOL was significantly better than in the intensive phase, both in patient self-reports and proxy-reports. Conclusion: Younger children had more problems in procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety and communication subscales. Therefore, special care during intervention procedures is needed to promote their normal development. Psychosocial support should be provided to children and their parents to facilitate their coping with disease and its treatment.

Dried-Blood Sampling for Epstein-Barr Virus Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA Serology in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Screening

Abstract: Dried-blood (DB) samples on filter paper are considered clinical specimens for diagnostic use because of the ease of collection, storage, and transport. We recently developed a synthetic-peptide-based immunoglobulin A (IgA) (EBNA1 plus viral capsid antigen [VCA]-p18) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) screening. Here, we evaluate the use of two filter papers for DB sampling, i.e., Schleicher & Schuell (SS the DB samples were either taken directly from a finger prick or spotted from a Vacutainer blood collector. The elution of DB samples on filter paper was optimized and tested for IgG and IgA reactivity by ELISA (EBNA1 plus VCA-p18) and compared to simultaneously collected plasma samples. The results showed that both types of filter paper can be used for sample collection in NPC diagnosis by using either finger prick or blood spot sampling. Both DB sampling methods produced comparable ELISA (EBNA1 plus VCA-p18) results for IgG and IgA reactivity in 1:100-diluted plasma samples. DB samples of whole blood or finger prick blood show correlation coefficients (r2) of 0.825 to 0.954 for IgA on S&S no. 903 filter paper, 0.9133 to 0.946 for IgA on Whatman no. 3 filter paper, 0.807 to 0.886 for IgG on S&S no. 903 filter paper, and 0.819 to 0.934 for IgG on Whatman no. 3 filter paper. Using plasma IgA as a reference, DB sampling showed sensitivities and specificities of 75.0 to 96.0% and 93.5 to 100%, respectively. DB samples could be stored at 37°C for 1 to 4 weeks on S&S no. 903 filter paper and 1 to 6 weeks on Whatman no. 3 filter paper without a significant loss of reactivity, with provision of transport options for tropical conditions. IgA proved to be more stable than IgG. Whatman no. 3 filter paper is a more economical yet diagnostically comparable alternative to S&S no. 903 filter paper. Finger prick DB sampling is proposed for NPC diagnosis, particularly for remote hospitals and field screening studies.

Variation in the natural termite resistance of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. fil.) wood as a function of tree age

Abstract: • Tree age is one of the most important factors to affect the natural durability of wood. • The purpose of this study was to determine the natural termite resistance of heartwood and sapwood of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. fil.) for trees aged 8, 30 and 51 years. Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe was employed as a test termite using a no-choice feeding method. • The heartwood and sapwood of all of the trees tested exhibited antitermitic activity. Based on the mean mass loss due to termite activity, the sapwood and heartwood regions of 8-year-old trees are the most susceptible to termites while the heartwood regions of the 30-year-old trees showed termite resistance similar to the termite resistance of 51-year-old trees. • The mass loss is moderately correlated with n-hexane extractive content, total extractive content, brightness and redness of the wood.

Antiviral and Anticancer Optimization Studies of the DNA-binding Marine Natural Product Aaptamine

Abstract: Aaptamine (1; Figure 1) is commonly isolated in large yields from various species of the marine sponge genus Aaptos (Order Hadromerida: Family Suberitidae)a, along with a handful of related compounds such as isoaaptamine (2) which contain the benzonapthyridine core structure (1–7). The isolation of aaptamine from the taxonomically unrelated species Luffariella (Order Dictyoceratida: Family Thorectidae) (3), Hymeniacidon (Order Halichondrida: Family Halichondriidae) (6), and Xestospongia (7) (Order Haplosclerida: Family Petrosiidae)b, indicates the likelihood of production of aaptamine from a microbial source. In fact, several novel metabolites containing the aaptamine core have come from one particular sponge (7), underlining likely contributions of the microbial community associated with the producer of aaptamine. A number of total synthetic studies have been published along with a limited collection of semi-synthetic derivatives since its original discovery (8–16). Considering its low molecular weight, aaptamine is relatively difficult to synthesize from available starting materials. Attempts to complete the unique fused tricycle have been made through quinoline and isoquinoline precursors, the best overall yield being 13 percent over 14 steps. Although the synthetic yield is low, it is likely to be the more cost efficient choice for the production of aaptamine, unless a microbial producer is found. Figure 1 Structures of major aaptamine related marine natural products. The proposed biogenesis of aaptamine suggests a possible Pictet-Spengler type condensation commonly attributed to many other natural alkaloids (16). Likewise, three common pharmacophores can be recognized in the aaptamine scaffold: isoquinoline, the largest class of alkaloids isolated from medicinal plants; dopamine, a compound affecting the central nervous system and behavior; and finally, quinoline, known primarily for its anti-malarial properties. Aaptamine's potential for drug development is further evidenced by the actual results of a highly diverse group of molecular targets already evaluated. In addition to antiviral (5,17) and anticancer (4,6,18) activities, the aaptamines have a strong in vitro radical scavenging capacity (19) and have been shown to block α-adrenoceptor action (1) as well as inhibit α-1,3-glucanase (20) and monoamine oxidase (21). Still, compounds which are active against a variety of targets are certain to encounter problems with indiscriminant toxicities. It is important to recognize toxicity as a hurdle for the development of aaptamine as a useful drug but not let it prohibit the evaluation of its derivatives for therapeutic potential. The ‘privileged structures’ approach (22) is dependent on exploiting a scaffold's common mechanism of drug-target interaction for multiple targets. In a similar fashion, a key for the development of the aaptamine scaffold is the identification of its common mechanism of drug-target interaction. Although it is difficult to determine if broad-spectrum DNA-interaction is a compound's definitive mechanism of cytotoxicity, it is clear that DNA interaction has a measurable influence on the mechanism. Small molecules that bind to DNA do not necessarily interact in the same way, in fact, there are several modes by which a ligand can bind and affect the structure and function of this substrate (23). Of these modes, intercalation is most prevalent with planar polycyclic aromatic systems like the aaptamines which insert between adjacent base-pairs of intact DNA, depending primarily on p-bond interactions and sometimes stacking several molecules together in the same area between base pairs. The quinoline portion found in aaptamine's tri-cyclic core has already been the focus of SAR studies with derivatives of acridine (24), a structure that resembles aaptamine and is a well studied anti-cancer pharmacophore that intercalates DNA. The observed DNA binding activity of aaptamine may serve to explain some aspects of the compound's mechanism of activity against whole cell and viral pathogens. Considering the high availability of the natural material and the remarkably broad activity displayed, this heterocyclic small molecule has excellent potential as a scaffold from which numerous derivatives can be made in an attempt to improve selectivity and pharmacokinetics. Based on the synthetic work already published by Shen et al. (18), Hibino et al. (12), Pettit et al. (25,26) and Gul et al. (27) a preliminary SAR has been developed for the aaptamine scaffold in regard to cytotoxicity, antiviral and antimicrobial activity. Table 1 summarizes what has been learned of this relationship from the synthetic and natural derivatives of aaptamine. Table 1 Summary of reported relative structure activity relationships for aaptamine based on general improvements of either potency or selectivity Utilizing the information from this SAR, a semi-synthetic series of N-alkyl aaptamine derivatives was produced to complement previously published N-alkylation efforts that improved activity, and to investigate the effects of increasing the lipophilic character of the pharmacophore. In addition, it was proposed that selective demethylation of the C-9 hydroxyl would significantly increase the potency of the first generation N-alkyl derivatives. Our speculation was based on the evidence wherein 2 consistently demonstrated higher potency than 1 in a variety of biological assays; likewise the selective demethylation of the aaptamine derivatives would produce isoaaptamine analogs with higher potency. Two smaller groups of analogs were specifically produced to investigate the effect of dimerization on biological activity and the pro-drug behavior of sulfonyl esters relative to those previously studied.

Fully Enzymatic Resolution of Chiral Amines: Acylation and Deacylation in the Presence of Candida antarctica Lipase B

Abstract: A fully enzymatic methodology for the resolution of chiral amines has been demonstrated. Candida antarctica lipase B (CaLB)-catalyzed acylation with N-methyl- and N-phenylglycine, as well as analogues having the general formula R 1 -X-CH 2 CO 2 R 2 (R 1 = Me, Ph; X=O, S) afforded the corresponding enantioenriched amides, which were subsequently enzymatically hydrolyzed. Surprisingly, CaLB also proved to be the catalyst of choice for this latter step. The heteroatom in the acyl donor profoundly influences both the enzymatic acylation and deacylation; the O-substituted reagents performed best with regard to enantioselectivity as well as reaction rate in synthesis and hydrolysis.

The performance of a fiber optic displacement sensor for different types of probes and targets

Abstract: A simple fiber optic displacement sensor is presented using a multimode plastic bundled fiber and the intensity modulation technique. The performance of the sensor is compared for different types of probes and targets. The probe with the largest receiving core diameter demonstrates the highest linearity range, and increasing the number of receiving cores increases the sensitivity of the sensor. With a stainless steel target and the concentric bundled fiber with 16 receiving fibers as a probe, the sensitivity of the sensor is found to be 0.0220 mV/μm over 150 to 550 μm range and – 0.0061 mV/μm over 1100 to 2000 μm range. The target with a higher reflectivity shows a higher sensitivity. The linearity range for the front slope is almost similar for all targets tested. However, for the back slope, lower reflectivity objects have a relatively higher linearity range with the highest range of 1600 μm being obtained using plastic and aluminum targets. The simplicity of the design, high degree of sensitivity, dynamic range, non-contact measurement and low cost of the fabrication make it suitable for applications in industries for position control and micro displacement measurement in the hazardous regions.

Interactions between plant nutrition and symptom expression in mandarin trees infected with the disease huanglongbing

Abstract: A survey of Siem mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata Blanco) grown in different soil types and given different fertiliser regimes showed that applications of a foliar fertiliser reduced the symptom expression of trees infected with huanglongbing by ~40%. In contrast, infected trees growing in a sandy soil, or in a clay-loam, did not differ in their level of symptom expression, despite differences in the fertility of the two soils. These data suggest that infection restricts either nutrient uptake or transport and, therefore, that foliar applied minerals may prolong tree life and reduce yield losses.

Should medical students learn to develop a personal formulary

Abstract: Objective This study was performed to determine whether students who are trained in developing a personal formulary become more competent in rational prescribing than students who have only learned to use existing formularies.

Smoking behavior among former tuberculosis patients in Indonesia: intervention is needed.

Abstract: CONTEXTE : Cinq polycliniques pulmonaires dans la Province de Jogjakarta, Indonesie. OBJECTIFS : Documenter les types de fume chez les patients de la tuberculose (TB) avant le diagnostic et apres le traitement, identifier les messages concernant le tabagisme donnes par les professionnels de la sante et les pourvoyeurs du DOTS et identifier les facteurs predictifs de la rechute du tabagisme. SCHEMA : Etude transversale de 239 patients TB de sexe masculin qui ont acheve le traitement DOTS pendant la periode 2005-2006. On a interviewe les sujets a leur domicile en utilisant un questionnaire semi-structure. On a exclu les patients de sexe feminin car peu d'entre elles fumaient. RESULTATS: La plupart des patients TB ont cesse de fumer au cours de leur traitement, mais plus d'un tiers d'entre eux ont rechute 6 mois apres le traitement. Environ 30% n'avaient jamais ete interroges au sujet de leur comportement tabagique et n'avaient jamais recu le conseil d'arret. Parmi les fumeurs en rechute, 60% ont recu uniquement des messages generaux de sante et aucun message concernant le tabac et ses relations specifiques avec la TB. Actuellement les pourvoyeurs de DOTS ne sont pas impliques dans les activites d'arret du tabagisme. L'impression qu'un tabagisme de n'importe quel niveau ne comporte aucun risque pour les anciens patients TB s'est averee un facteur predictif significatif de la rechute du tabagisme. CONCLUSION Les medecins et les pourvoyeurs de DOTS devraient etre impliques activement dans l'arret du tabagisme chez les patients et les anciens patients TB. En se basant sur ces donnees, le projet Quit Tobacco Indonesia elabore une intervention-pilote pour former les pourvoyeurs de DOTS, qui sont le plus souvent des membres de la famille du patient, a donner des messages d'arret du tabagisme et a renforcer l'avis d'arret du medecin pendant et apres le traitement de la TB.