GM1 Ganglioside Modifies α-Synuclein Toxicity and is Neuroprotective in a Rat α-Synuclein Model of Parkinson\u27s Disease.

While GM1 may interact with α-synuclein in vitro to inhibit aggregation, the ability of GM1 to protect against α-synuclein toxicity in vivo has not been investigated. We used targeted adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) overexpression of human mutant α-synuclein (A53T) in the rat substantia nigra (SN) to produce degeneration of SN dopamine neurons, loss of striatal dopamine levels, and behavioral impairment. Some animals received daily GM1 ganglioside administration for 6 weeks, beginning 24 hours after AAV-A53T administration or delayed start GM1 administration for 5 weeks beginning 3 weeks after AAV-A53T administration. Both types of GM1 administration protected against loss of SN dopamine neurons and striatal dopamine levels, reduced α-synuclein aggregation, and delayed start administration of GM1 reversed early appearing behavioral deficits. These results extend prior positive results in MPTP models, are consistent with the results of a small clinical study of GM1 in PD patients that showed slowing of symptom progression with chronic use, and argue for the continued refinement and development of GM1 as a potential disease modifying therapy for PD

Marine Ecotourism Potential of Sironjong Gadang Island Pesisir Selatan Regency of West Sumatra Province

This study was conducted in December 2013 in coastal area of Sironjong Gadang Island of Pesisir Selatan Regency of West Sumatra Province. The aim was to determine its potential and suitability level of Sironjong Gadang Island to serve as marine ecotourism area. The method used in this study was a survey method and observation stations determination was done by purpossive sampling. Based on the research results, Sironjong Gadang Island was potential to be developed as marine tourism area. According to the category, tourist boating, banana boat and jet ski were included into the category of highly suitable (S1) at each station, recreation and swimming at every station were included as quite fit category (S2), and for the snorkling and diving at station II and III were included into the appropriate category (S2), whereas at the station I was included into the category of corresponding conditional (S3)

Selective Jamming of LoRaWAN using Commodity Hardware

Long range, low power networks are rapidly gaining acceptance in the Internet of Things (IoT) due to their ability to economically support long-range sensing and control applications while providing multi-year battery life. LoRa is a key example of this new class of network and is being deployed at large scale in several countries worldwide. As these networks move out of the lab and into the real world, they expose a large cyber-physical attack surface. Securing these networks is therefore both critical and urgent. This paper highlights security issues in LoRa and LoRaWAN that arise due to the choice of a robust but slow modulation type in the protocol. We exploit these issues to develop a suite of practical attacks based around selective jamming. These attacks are conducted and evaluated using commodity hardware. The paper concludes by suggesting a range of countermeasures that can be used to mitigate the attacks.Comment: Mobiquitous 2017, November 7-10, 2017, Melbourne, VIC, Australi

Analisys of Heavy Metal Concentration of Pb, Cu and Zn in Seawater and Sediment in the Coastal Waters of Sergang and Marok Tua of Lingga Riau Island Province

This study was conducted in June 2015 to determine heavy metal concentration of lead,copper and zinc in seawater and sediment in the coastal waters of Sergang and Marok Tuaof Singkep Island Riau Islands Province. The study used a survey method, samples weretaken from two stations and heavy metal analysis was carried out in Marine ChemistryLaboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, University of Riau by using AASPerkin Elmer 3110. Metal concentrations in the seawater and sediment were found to behighest in Marok Tua (Pb 0.076 mg/L, Cu 0.100 mg/L and Zn 0.335 mg/L) and thehighest concentrations in the sediment were also found in Marok Tua (Pb 6.074 μg/g, Cu6.684 μg/g and Zn 30.021 μg/g). Concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in sediment in thestudy area were still below the Dutch Quality Standard for metals in sediments as well asthe default value of the ERL and ERM. Based on The Potential Ecological Risk Indexcalculations it was considered that Sergang and Marok Tua coastal waters wereconsiderably safe and still has low impact on aquatic ecology

Analysis of Lead, Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Flesh and Shell of Snail Litoraria Melanostoma in the West Coast of Karimun Besar Island of Riau Islands

The research was conducted in February 2015 to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cu and Zn) in the flesh and shell of snail L. melanostoma collected from the west coast of Karimun Besar Island of Riau Islands Province. The differences in metal concentrations between shell and flesh as well as between stations were discussed. Higher concentrations of Pb and Cu were found in the flesh, whilst zinc concentration was found to be higher in the shell of the snail. The highest Pb concentration was found in Station I (8.105 μg/g) and the lowest was in Station III (6.476 μg/g). The highest Cu concentration was found in Station II (5.193 μg/g) and the lowest was in Station III (4.333 μg/g). Meanwhile the highest Zn concentration was found in Station III (7.675 μg/g) and the lowest was in Station II (7.408 μg/g). The MPI value of the metals in the west coast of Karimun Besar Island still quite low when compared with other reported regional studies

Increased pathogenicity of pneumococcal serotype 1 is driven by rapid autolysis and release of pneumolysin

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is the predominant cause of invasive pneumococcal disease in sub-Saharan Africa, but the mechanism behind its increased invasiveness is not well understood. Here, we use mouse models of lung infection to identify virulence factors associated with severe bacteraemic pneumonia during serotype-1 (ST217) infection. We use BALB/c mice, which are highly resistant to pneumococcal pneumonia when infected with other serotypes. However, we observe 100% mortality and high levels of bacteraemia within 24 hours when BALB/c mice are intranasally infected with ST217. Serotype 1 produces large quantities of pneumolysin, which is rapidly released due to high levels of bacterial autolysis. This leads to substantial levels of cellular cytotoxicity and breakdown of tight junctions between cells, allowing a route for rapid bacterial dissemination from the respiratory tract into the blood. Thus, our results offer an explanation for the increased invasiveness of serotype 1

Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Siswa Al-Fityan School Gowa ditinjau dari Gender

Problem solving is the highest level of thinking which students need in learning mathematics. This study aims to describe students' mathematical problem solving abilities in terms of gender’s perspective. The research subjects consisted of four students of Class X at SMAIT Al-Fityan School Gowa in the 2018/2019 academic year, consisting of two male students and two female students. The research phase begins with the selection of research subjects determined based on equivalent problem solving ability tests. After selecting the subject, the next phase is giving assignment problem solving, quadratic equations, and interviews. The validity of the data is done by using triangulation of sources by twice interviews, giving tests to students who are different but have the same ability and the same sex in order to produce consistent data. The results showed that female students had better mathematical problem-solving abilities compared to male students based on Polya Steps: 1) understanding the problem, 2) planning the solution, 3) solving the problem, and 4) looking back at the answers.Pemecahan masalah adalah tingkatan berpikir tertinggi yang dibutuhkan siswa dalam belajar matematika. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika siswa ditinjau dari perspektif gender. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari empat siswa SMAIT Al-Fityan School Gowa kelas X pada tahun pelajaran 2018/2019, yang terdiri dua siswa laki-laki dan dua siswa perempuan. Tahap penelitian dimulai dengan pemilihan subjek penelitian yang ditentukan berdasarkan tes kemampuan pemecahan masalah yang setara. Setelah pemilihan subjek, selanjutnya pemberian tugas pemecahan masalah, persamaan kuadrat, dan wawancara. Keabsahan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan triangulasi sumber dengan wawancara dua kali yaitu memberi tes kepada siswa yang berbeda tetapi memiliki kemampuan yang sama dan jenis kelamin yang sama sehingga menghasilkan data yang konsisten. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa siswa perempuan memiliki kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika yang lebih baik dibandingkan dengan siswa laki-laki berdasarkan langka Polya: 1) memahami masalah, 2) perencanaan penyelesaian, 3) menyelesaikan masalah, dan 4) melihat kembali jawaban

Bugis ethnomathematics: Exploration of the sulapa eppa walasuji motif as a source of learning mathematics

Mathematics has historically been integrated into everyday life, and Indonesia's cultural heritage, such as the walasuji of the Bugis community, provides a valuable context for learning. This study explores activities involving mathematical concepts found in the making of walasuji. A descriptive qualitative method with an ethnographic approach was used. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and interviews. The findings reveal that making walasuji involves mathematical concepts such as translation, reflection, rotation, and straight-line equations, offering potential as contextual learning resources in schools. Additionally, the sulapa eppa walasuji motif embodies character values manifested in humans, namely intellectuality (acca), courage (warani), honesty (lempu), and wealth (sugi), referred to as sulapa eppa na taue (the philosophy of a quadrilateral human). Integrating cultural artifacts like walasuji into mathematics learning can enhance students' engagement, cultural awareness, and critical thinking skills. This research implies that future mathematics education should incorporate elements of local wisdom to create meaningful, relevant, and culturally responsive learning experiences, aligning mathematics more closely with students' everyday realities and cultural identities

Recombination in Streptococcus pneumoniae Lineages Increase with Carriage Duration and Size of the Polysaccharide Capsule

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a high burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) globally, especially in children from resource-poor settings. Like many bacteria, the pneumococcus can import DNA from other strains or even species by transformation and homologous recombination, which has allowed the pneumococcus to evade clinical interventions such as antibiotics and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Pneumococci are enclosed in a complex polysaccharide capsule that determines the serotype; the capsule varies in size and is associated with properties including carriage prevalence and virulence. We determined and quantified the association between capsule and recombination events using genomic data from a diverse collection of serotypes sampled in Malawi. We determined both the amount of variation introduced by recombination relative to mutation (the relative rate) and how many individual recombination events occur per isolate (the frequency). Using univariate analyses, we found an association between both recombination measures and multiple factors associated with the capsule, including duration and prevalence of carriage. Because many capsular factors are correlated, we used multivariate analysis to correct for collinearity. Capsule size and carriage duration remained positively associated with recombination, although with a reduced P value, and this effect may be mediated through some unassayed additional property associated with larger capsules. This work describes an important impact of serotype on recombination that has been previously overlooked. While the details of how this effect is achieved remain to be determined, it may have important consequences for the serotype-specific response to vaccines and other interventions