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Dirinaria picta is a lichen species known for its tolerance to air pollution and its ability to accumulate pollutants in its thallus, making it a suitable bioindicator in urban areas. This study aims to assess the response of lichens to air pollution by examining their morphological characteristics, analyzing the presence of magnetic grains, and identifying the origin of elements in their tissues. Samples were collected from three locations in Bandung area which represent polluted areas, namely Juanda Street (JD) and Kebon Kawung (KK), and Padalarang Street (PD) and one location which represent as a control area with low pollution levels, namely Curug Cimahi (CC). Lichen microstructure scanning was performed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and the presence of elements was detected through Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The SEM analysis revealed that samples from areas with higher air pollution levels exhibited obvious damage to their thallus, characterized by a more porous structure and the presence of cuboidal particles. Conversely, samples from control area showed a more compact structure. The EDS observations identified 14 elements present in the lichen tissues, ranked in descending order of abundance: C>Ca>O>Pb>Cu>Mn>Zn>Fe>Cr>Al>Cl>Se>Cd>K. The composition and quantity of these elements in lichen tissues were influenced by the level of air pollution generated by the number of vehicles passing through the area. The more vehicles, the higher the level of air pollution, resulting in greater stress for the D. picta population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fighting fish and ornamental fish, the growth and color brightness of Betta fish (Betta splendens) are critical to be maintained in good conditions. Spirulina Powder (SP) from a blue-green microalga Arthrospira maxima is a nutrient source that can increase the performance of the fish. The research aimed to determine the effect of A. maxima in increasing brightness and growth in Betta fish. The experiment used a completely randomized design consisting of a control and three treatment groups with the addition of 5, 10, and 15% SP, respectively. The absolute weight, growth rate, and relative growth were assessed to evaluate the growth performance. In addition, the color brightness, blue color relative brightness, and blue chanel ratio were evaluated using image processing software. The results indicated that adding 15% SP significantly increased the growth and color brightness of Beta fish. Meanwhile, the blue-color change in fish is slightly different among all treatments. Based on this research, SP that contained carotenoids is a potential source for enhancing the color brightness of Betta fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines episodes of capital bonanzas and sudden stops in Indonesia by utilising binary response models and several episode-identification approaches. Our identification suggests that whenever bonanza episodes occurred, capital sudden stop episodes followed in a more extended period. The estimations demonstrate that domestic factors are relatively dominant in determining the capital bonanzas, and the federal funds rate has a more significant impact on inducing the probability of capital sudden stops in Indonesia. We also found that Turkey and South Africa are the most contagious economies for Indonesia. This paper proposes some policy reforms to enhance the stability of capital inflows in Indonesia, including financial regulation and public finance policies such as a reverse Tobin tax and market-driven public debt rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a dearth of information on age-weight relationship in indigenous and imported sheep breeds raised in tropical region especially in South East Asia. Growth curve parameters estimated from non-linear function are useful to determine optimum market and slaughter weights. The objective of this study was to estimate mature size for body weight, body length and height at withers of Dorper ewes using Brody and Gompertz growth models. Cross-sectional data of body weight, height at withers and body length of 126 Dorper ewes (birth to 6 y of age) were collected and fitted to growth models for estimation of mature size (A), constant of integration (B) and rate of maturing (k). Gompertz model showed higher R² values for body weight, body length and height at withers (96.4, 99.6 and 99.6, respectively) compared to Brody (87.7, 88.3 and 90.0, respectively). Mature size for body weight, body length and height at withers estimated by Brody model were 62.81+1.833 kg, 67.18+0.5771 cm and 66.90+1.609 cm, respectively, while Gompertz model estimated 60.34±1.486 kg, 67.06+0.551 cm and 66.90+1.596 cm for body weight, body length and height at withers, respectively. Both models estimated negative correlation between parameter A and k for body weight, body length and height at withers, indicating that animals with faster rate of maturing grow faster towards their mature sizes but with smaller sizes compared animals of slower maturing rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]