IoT Water Quality Monitoring and Control System in Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor to Reduce Total Ammonia Nitrogen

Traditional aquaculture systems appear challenged by the high levels of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) produced, which can harm aquatic life. As demand for global fish production continues to increase, farmers should adopt recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) equipped with biofilters to improve the water quality of the culture. The biofilter plays a crucial role in ammonia removal. Therefore, a biofilter such as a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) biofilter is usually used in the RAS to reduce ammonia. However, the disadvantage of biofilter operation is that it requires an automatic system with a water quality monitoring and control system to ensure optimal performance. Therefore, this study focuses on developing an Internet of Things (IoT) system to monitor and control water quality to achieve optimal biofilm performance in laboratory-scale MBBR. From 35 days into the experiment, water quality was maintained by an aerator's on/off control to provide oxygen levels suitable for the aquatic environment while monitoring the pH, temperature, and total dissolved solids (TDS). When the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the MBBR was optimal, the highest TAN removal efficiency was 50%, with the biofilm thickness reaching 119.88 μm. The forthcoming applications of the IoT water quality monitoring and control system in MBBR enable farmers to set up a system in RAS that can perform real-time measurements, alerts, and adjustments of critical water quality parameters such as TAN levels.

GNSS land subsidence observations along the northern coastline of Java, Indonesia

Land subsidence in cities along the northern coastline of Java has been at a worrying level. Monitoring efforts using geodetic data reveal that Jakarta, Pekalongan, Semarang, and Demak subside at least ~9x faster than the present-day rate of global sea level rise, which affects the cities' future urban viability. In this study, we publish a time series of the precise 3D displacements observed by twenty continuous Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations between 2010 and 2021. These are the first open-to-the-public and rigorously processed GNSS datasets that are useful for accurately quantifying land subsidence in the densely populated sinking cities in Java. The data also provides a way to tie other geodetic observations, such as Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), to a global reference frame in an attempt to build worldwide observations of coastal land subsidence.

Preparation and Evaluation of Zeolite Nanoparticles as a Delivery System for Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV) against the Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775) Larvae

Synthetic insecticides frequently cause pest resistance and destroy non-target organisms. Thus, virus formulation is an issue that deserves considerable attention in developing virus-based insecticides. The hindrance of using nucleopolyhedrovirus alone as a virus-based insecticide is due to slow lethal time, though its mortality remains high (100%). This paper reports the formulation of zeolite nanoparticles as a delivery system to accelerate lethal time in controlling Spodoptera litura (Fabr.). Zeolite nanoparticles were prepared using the beads-milling method. The statistical analysis was carried out by a description exploration method with six replications. The occlusion bodies’ concentration in the virus formulation was 4 × 107 OBs in 1 mL medium. Zeolite nanoparticles formulation sped up the lethal time significantly (7.67 days) compared to micro-size zeolite (12.70 days) and only nucleopolyhedrovirus (8.12 days) and received acceptable mortality (86.4%). The zeolite nanoparticles delivery system provides an alternative formulation for nucleopolyhedrovirus with a significantly improved speed of killing the virus while maintaining suitable efficacy of the virus preparation in terms of the prevalence of mortality.

A simulation of increasing rice price toward the disparity of income distribution: An evidence from Indonesia

Purpose

Considering the significance of rice as a staple food in Indonesia, this study aims to analyze the impact of various factors, i.e., domestic price production level, exchange rate, international rice price, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, on domestic rice prices and the resultant disparity in income distribution and inequality in the country.

Methods

A simulation analysis has been performed to assess the impact of the above-mentioned factors on rice prices and the resultant income disparity in Indonesia. For that, input data from 2006 to 2020 was used to depict the change in domestic rice prices from 2021 to 2026 due to independent variables changes.

Findings

Results revealed that a regular increase in rice production decreases rice prices in the longer term. Besides, a rise in the exchange rate decreases rice prices, and a fall in the exchange rate results in higher rice prices. Results also showed the insignificant impact of international rice prices on domestic rice prices in Indonesia. In contrast, an increase in per capita income reflected an increase in rice prices. Moreover, the result of the study exemplifies that the expenditure for rice has a very low elasticity (0.0975) compared to the expenditure on non-rice food (0.4096). More than half of the total household expenditure (50.71%) is spent on food, while the rest (49.29%) is used for non-food. The increase in rice prices affects the rise of income amongst farmers and declines the income of non-farmers. Hence it affects the decline of disparity in households' income distribution.

Originality/value

This study adds value to the existing literature with several implications for practitioners, policymakers, and government organizations to take necessary measures to stabilize rice prices and income distribution among the various income groups.

Short Communication: Floral diversity of honey bee-collected pollen (Apis cerana) colonies in the Ir. H. Djuanda Forest Park, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Nuriyah S, Husodo T, Hermawan W, Yusuf AA, Kasmara H, Kusmoro J, Wulandari I, Shanida SS. 2021. Short Communication: Floral diversity of honey bee-collected pollen (Apis cerana) colonies in the Ir. H. Djuanda Forest Park, West Jawa, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 185-193. Honey bees, especially Apis cerana Fabr., need feed sources from nectar and pollen. Pollen is essential for sexual reproduction. Various plants in the forest park have not been supported by information on pollinated plants or as feed sources by A. cerana. This study should be conducted as essential information to reveal the pollens as feed sources of A. cerana in the Ir. H. Djuanda Forest Park, West Java. However, there is little information about those plants in the forest park, West Java. This study aimed to reveal the pollens as feed sources of A. cerana in the Ir. H. Djuanda Forest Park. Sampling collection was carried out on 45 honey bee-collected pollen from three cultivation areas. Pollen preparation was carried out using the acetolysis method. Based on the study results, 70 species of pollen flora of 36 families were found in Ir. H. Djuanda Forest Park vegetation also found in the A. cerana. However, further study is needed regarding the frequently visited plants used as feed sources or pollinating by A. cerana. In addition, considering that the honey bees cultivated in the forest park are dominated by A. cerana, further studies are needed on regularly pollinated plants to maximize the yield of honey cultivation.

Clinical Profile of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 Hospitalized in Regional Referral Hospital

Objective: To determine the clinical profile of pregnant women with COVID-19 who hospitalized in a referral hospital.Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted on pregnant women with COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Regional Hospital of Bau-Bau and Bahteramas Hospital in Southeast Sulawesi from May to July 2020. The confirmation of COVID-19 was based on RT-PCR. Data including characteristics, clinical profile, laboratory test, imaging, management, and outcomes.Results: There were 41 pregnant women with COVID-19 and no maternal death cases. Maternal age was approximately 19 to 39 years, had middle education levels, and was a housewife. Most of them did not know their closed contacts, had no comorbidities, and referrals from other hospitals. They were 3rd-trimester and hospitalized with complaints related to pregnancy. Only 3 cases had complaints related to COVID-19, namely fever and cough. The majority of laboratory tests were leucocytosis. Chest X-ray shows bronchopneumonia, pneumonia, and normal imaging. Obstetrics management was performed according to the condition of the mother and fetus, including vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and curettage. The treatment was using broad-spectrum antibiotics and antiviral. Complications in the fetus/infant were abortion, fetal distress, LBW, and asphyxia.Conclusion: Pregnant women with COVID-19 have mild or asymptomatic symptoms, hospitalized with complaints related to their pregnancy, and treatment according to the condition of the mother and fetus. There are no complications in the mother, while complications in the baby are not clear.Keywords: COVID-19, pregnant women, referral hospital.   Abstrak Tujuan: Mengetahui gambaran klinis ibu hamil dengan COVID-19 yang masuk di rumah sakit rujukan COVID-19.Metode: Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif yang dilakukan pada ibu hamil dengan COVID-19 yang dirawat di rumah sakit rujukan di Sulawesi Tenggara, yaitu RSUD Bau-Bau dan RSU Bahteramas di Kendari, pada bulan Mei sampai Juli 2020. Konfirmasi positif COVID-19 berdasarkan hasil pemeriksaan RT-PCR. Data berupa karakteristik, gambaran klinis, pemeriksaan penunjang, penatalaksanaan, dan luaran. Hasil: Terdapat 41 ibu hamil dengan COVID-19 dan tidak ada kasus kematian ibu. Usia ibu berkisar 19-39 tahun, tingkat pendidikan menengah, dan sebagai ibu rumah tangga. Sebagian besar kasus pada trimester-3, tidak tahu memiliki kontak erat, tidak memiliki komorbid, dan rujukan dari RS lain. Sebagian besar dirawat dengan keluhan terkait kehamilannya dan hanya 3 kasus dengan keluhan terkait COVID-19, yaitu demam dan batuk. Pemeriksaan laboratorium menunjukkan lekositosis. Gambaran foto toraks menunjukkan bronkopneumonia, pneumonia, dan normal. Tindakan obstetri dilakukan atas indikasi ibu dan janin, yaitu persalinan normal, seksio sesarea, dan kuretase. Terapi yang digunakan adalah antibiotic spectrum luas dan antivirus. Komplikasi pada janin/bayi berupa abortus, gawat janin, BBLR, dan asfiksia. Kesimpulan: Ibu hamil dengan COVID-19 memiliki gejala ringan atau asimtomatik, dirawat dengan keluhan terkait kehamilannya, dan dilakukan tindakan obstetri sesuai dengan indikasi ibu dan janin. Tidak ada komplikasi pada ibu, sedangkan komplikasi pada bayi belum jelas.Kata kunci: COVID-19, ibu hamil, rumah sakit rujukan

Treatment of PLGA Nanoparticles Ointment-Ethanol Extract of Archidendron pauciflorum in the Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice

Diabetic wounds lead to severe tissue damage and are diffi-cult to cure. Jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum) is a plant commonly used by local Indonesian communities to treat diabetic wounds. The efficiency of herbal medicine still has a deficiency of its ability to reach the target organs, therefore nanotechnology is applied in the hope that all drug concentrations can reach the target organs successfully. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PLGA nanoparticle ointment-ethanol extract jengkol fruit peel (EEJFP) to accelerate the wound healing process in the skin of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The research method used was experimental with a completely randomized design using six treatments and four replications. Diabe-tes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 180 mg/ kg BW. Mice with a blood glucose level of ≥150 mg/dL were used for diabetic mice models. The incision wound created at the dorsolateral region of shaven skin at ±1 cm2 using sterile scissors. The treatments given were vaseline for Control Negative (CN) and Control Positive (CP), Betadine ointment (PB), 10% EEJFP ointment (P1), 5% PLGA nanoparticle ointment-EEJFP (P2), and 2.5% PLGA nanoparticle ointment-EEJFP (P3). The results showed that the administration of PLGA nanoparticles ointment-EEJFP with a concentration of 5% PLGA nanoparticle ointment-EEJFP (P2) resulted in the shortest wound length on day 3, 7 and 14; narrower granulation tissue; a larger number of blood capillaries; and denser collagen fibers (α <0.05) compared to CP and PB treatments. The administration of PLGA nanoparticle ointment-EEJFP with a concentration of 5% was the most effective concentration in accelerating wound healing in the skin of diabetic mice. 

Ekstrak Etanol Kulit Buah Jengkol Menurunkan Kadar Glukosa dan Meningkatkan Hormon Insulin Tikus Diabetes Yang Diinduksi Streptozotocin

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease with metabolism disorder signed by increasing of glucose blood (hyperglicemia), caused by disorder of insulin secretion and or increasing of insulin resistance. Therapy of jengkol’s fruit peel is an alternative treatment for DM. This study aims to determine the effect of ethanol extract of jengkol’s fruit peel to decrease glucose and increase insulin level of Wistar female rats which induced by streptozotocin (STZ). This research used the experimental method of Completely Randomized Design (RAL). Rat were first induced by single intravenous injection of STZ except Negative Control. Furthermore, rats were divided into six groups, namely Negative Control (NC), Positive Control (PC), Reference Group (RG) glibenclamide 10 mg/kg BW, and ethanol extract of jengkol’s fruit peel (EEOJFP) treatment at dose of 385 (P1), 770 (P2), and 1540 (P3) mg/kg BW with four replications each. Treatment was administered orally for 14 days. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANAVA) with 95% confidence level and Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result showed that treatment of EEOJFP with dose of 385, 770 and 1540 mg/ kgBW decreased blood glucose 28.6%;65.4% and 59.1% successively, increased insulin as 54%; 230% and 206%. There was a protective effect of EEOJEF to level of blood glucose and insulin secretion of rat-STZ induced. The conclusion from this research is Ethanol extract of Jengkol’s fruit peel at dose 770 mg/kg BW is an effective dose in decreasing the level of glucose and increasing the level of insulin hormone in STZinduced diabetic rats. 

Primary Hyperparathyroidism Caused by Single Parathyroid Adenoma

Primary hyperparathyroidism is rarely found in children under sixteen years old. We report the first case seen at the Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of Indonesia, Jakarta. This 15-year old girl was admitted to the Department, referred by an orthopedic surgeon because of pathologic fractures suspected to be caused by hyperparathyroidism. The physical examination was unremarkable, and the laboratory findings showed increased level of parathyroid hormone. Roentgenologic examination showed lytic skull lesions, loss of the lamina dura of the dentis, subperiosteal resorption of the symphysis and generalized osteoporosis with pathologic fractures. Color Doppler USG using a high resolution ultrasound examination was performed to find the etiology of primary hyperparathyroidism. The result revealed single parathyroid adenoma in the right superior region measuring 2.7 x 1.7 x 1 cm. The clinical manifestation and laboratory findings showed improvement following surgery.

Synthetic and structure-activity relationship of insecticidal bufadienolides

A new synthetic analog of bufadienolide, methyl isobryophyllinate A (1), and a known synthetic analog, methyl isobersaldegenate-1,3,5-orthoacetate (2), were obtained by methanolysis of bryophyllin A (3) and bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate (5) in basic solution. Structure-insecticidal activity relationship studies revealed both orthoacetate and alpha-pyrone moieties seemed to be essential structural elements for exhibiting insecticidal activity, whereas oxygenated substituents in the C ring enhanced the insecticidal activity against the third instar larvae of silkworm (Bombyx mori).

Synthetic and Structure-Activity Relationship of Insecticidal Bufadienolides

A new synthetic analog of bufadienolide, methyl isobryophyllinate A (1), and a known synthetic analog, methyl isobersaldegenate-1,3,5-orthoacetate (2), were obtained by methanolysis of bryophyllin A (3) and bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate (5) in basic solution. Structure-insecticidal activity relationship studies revealed both orthoacetate and α-pyrone moieties seemed to be essential structural elements for exhibiting insecticidal activity, whereas oxygenated substituents in the C ring enhanced the insecticidal activity against the third instar larvae of silkworm (Bombyx mori).