The role of external broadcasting in a closed political system

This article investigates the role and impact of external broadcasting (radio and television) on a closed political system, through the example of the two post-war German states: the West German Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the East German German Democratic Republic (GDR). The aim is to debunk myths about the influence of external broadcasting on the events that led to German reunification in 1990. The study follows a historical approach and discusses what role external media played during the years of a divided Germany. The findings are based on several historical sources, research reports from the 1950s and 1960s and over 100 biographical interviews with former residents of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The article analyses the impact of external broadcasting on citizens and the political elite in times of crisis as well as during everyday life

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes

Identification of sequence variants robustly associated with predisposition to diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has the potential to provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of DKD in type 2 diabetes (T2D) using eight complementary dichotomous and quantitative DKD phenotypes: the principal dichotomous analysis involved 5,717 T2D subjects, 3,345 with DKD. Promising association signals were evaluated in up to 26,827 subjects with T2D (12,710 with DKD). A combined (T1D+T2D) GWAS was performed using complementary data available for subjects with T1D, which, with replication samples, involved up to 40,340 diabetic subjects (and 18,582 DKD cases). Analysis of specific DKD phenotypes identified a novel signal near GABRR1 (rs9942471, p=4.5×10-8) associated with 'microalbuminuria' in European T2D cases. However, no replication of this signal was observed in Asian subjects with T2D, or in the equivalent T1D analysis. There was only limited support, in this substantially enlarged analysis, for association at previously-reported DKD signals, except for those at UMOD and PRKAG2, both associated with 'EGFR'. We conclude that, despite challenges in addressing phenotypic heterogeneity, access to increased sample sizes will continue to provide more robust inference regarding risk-variant discovery for DKD.</p

Amyloids - A functional coat for microorganisms

Amyloids are filamentous protein structures ~10 nm wide and 0.1–10 µm long that share a structural motif, the cross-β structure. These fibrils are usually associated with degenerative diseases in mammals. However, recent research has shown that these proteins are also expressed on bacterial and fungal cell surfaces. Microbial amyloids are important in mediating mechanical invasion of abiotic and biotic substrates. In animal hosts, evidence indicates that these protein structures also contribute to colonization by activating host proteases that are involved in haemostasis, inflammation and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Activation of proteases by amyloids is also implicated in modulating blood coagulation, resulting in potentially life-threatening complications.

Penerapan Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Jigsaw Berseting Think-talk-write untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis Siswa Kelas XI Bahasa SMA Negeri 1 Kepanjen pada Materi Peluang

Fakta di dalam kegiatan pembelajaran matematika di sekolah kurang memfasilitasi siswa mengembangkan kemampuan komunikasi matematis mereka. Hasil observasi pendahuluan menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa masih rendah. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yang bertujuan menerapkan pembelajaran kooperatif tipe jigsaw berseting think-talk-write untuk meningkatkan kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa kelas XI Bahasa SMA Negeri 1 Kepanjen pada materi peluang. Subyek dalam penelitian ini adalah 20 siswa kelas XI Bahasa tahun pelajaran 2014/2015. Data dikumpulkan dari hasil tes akhir tindakan, observasi tindakan guru dan siswa. Hasil analisis data siklus I menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan pembelajaran berada dalam kriteria sangat baik, 85% siswa memiliki kemampuan komunikasi matematis minimal dalam kriteria baik dan skor rata-rata kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa meningkat. Walaupun demikian, aktivitas siswa masih dalam kriteria cukup. Oleh karena itu, perlu diadakan siklus II. Hasil analisis data siklus II menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan pembelajaran berada dalam kriteria sangat baik, aktivitas siswa dalam kriteria baik, 90% siswa memiliki kemampuan komunikasi matematis minimal dalam kriteria baik dan skor rerata kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa meningkat. Berdasarkan hasil analisis tersebut disimpulkan bahwa pembelajaran kooperatif tipe jigsaw berseting think-talk-write dapat meningkatkan kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa kelas XI Bahasa SMA Negeri 1 Kepanjen pada materi peluang

Student Algebraic Reasoning to Solve Quadratic Equation Problem

Abstract The reasoning is closely related to students’ mathematical abilities. Reasoning becomes a key element in mathematics learning. The student’s reasoning habits need to be developed. Competence in algebra is important. Algebra is one branch of mathematics that an essentials role in mathematics education. Algebra was prerequisite for higher studies mathematics and science courses, and a lack of algebra skills have a chance results in poor performance in courses The purpose of this research is to describe students’ algebraic reasoning in solving quadratic equation problem. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative. Research subjects were three students of class X. The results in the study showed that students use a different strategy in solving the problem of quadratic equations. This can make a description of the existing schema. There are also students who misunderstand the concept of understanding operations in algebra so that this can affect their reasoning process and makes their answer incorrect.</jats:p

The impacts analysis of the technological shift in rice production to directly-seeded flooded rice on output supply and input demand in Lombok West Nusa Tenggara

Abstract The serious harvesting failure that occurred in the agricultural year 1979/1980 affected as many as 11.250 hectares. Since 1980/1981, this phenomenon inspired a technological shift in rice production to Directly-seeded flooded rice on rainfed land. Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province achieved self-sufficiency of rice in 1984, a year before national self-sufficiency in 1985. This research aims to analyze the impact of directly-seeded flooded rice as a climate change adaptation strategy on output supply and input demand. Time series data from 2000 to 2015 was analyzed by employing Translog Profit Function and Seemingly Unrelated Regression. The results showed that Directly-seeded flooded rice as a climate change adaptation strategy has a positive impact on output supply and input demand. It indicated (1) elastic output supply subject to self-price change of rice and labor, yet inelastic to the price of seed, Urea fertilizer, TSP, and NPK fertilizer. (2) All demand inputs were inelastic subject to self-price except casual labor and herbicide, and elastic subject to output price. Herbicide and fertilizers are complementary inputs to the directly-seeded flooded rice, while herbicide and casual labor are substitution inputs. The output and inputs price changes faced by farmers have both positive as well as negative impacts on output supply and input demand. It means that inputs such as seed, fertilizers, pesticides, and energy such as petrol for hand tractors are the main physical inputs to Directly-seeded flooded rice. Those inputs were very strategic economic goods, meanings that when the price changes occurred, it disturbed supply directly and performance of rice farming, either the production side, profits, or price risk. It also has food security impacts in Lombok.</jats:p