Update Feb 12/02, Los Angeles Scientific Meeting

[cortino sukotjo]

Salam,

Kami sampaikan update mengenai Diskusi Ilmiah yang akan diselenggarakan di California Institure of Technology, Pasadena, CA. Kami sertakan juga email para pembicara, sehingga bila anda tertarik dengan penelitian mereka, anda dapat berdiskusi langsung dengan mereka.

Mungkinkah kegiatan serupa dilakukan di kota lain? Mari kita bersama-sama mempromosikan science dan research among Indonesian Students. Mari kita bersama-sama membiasakan diri berdiskusi secara ilmiah dengan memakai data-data ilmiah serta intelektual yang tinggi .

"Research and Science is the power of human kind"

Hormat kami,
Panitia
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Indonesian Student in Los Angeles Scientific Meeting I

Objectives:
1. To provide a media for Indonesian students in Los Angeles to communicate and present their research topics
2. To serve as a cross-area studies discussion forum between Indonesian students
3. To promote research among indonesian students

Venue:
North Mudd Building (Geological and Planetary Science Div.), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. Address: Northeast corner of the intersection between E. California Blvd and Wilson Ave, Pasadena. http://www.gps.caltech.edu/

Time: Saturday, Feb 23rd, 2002. 3 PM - 6 PM.

Tour around Caltech and social event will be held following the meeting.

Speakers (tentative) :

1. Guest Speaker:
Mr. Doody Abdassah Ph.D. He received his Ph.D from University of Southern California, CA and formerly served as a Vice Chancellor IV of Bandung Institute of Technology.

2. Suprayoga Hadi Ph.D ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ) received his Bachelor in Agricultural Economics from University of Lampung, Indonesia, Master in Regional Planning from Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Indonesia, and his doctoral degree in Planning and Development Studies from University of Southern California concurrently . Curently he is holding a position as Head of Division for the Eastern Indonesia Development at The National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia and working as a researcher at the Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES ) Jakarta, Indonesia. He also has lectured extensively at various universities and government educational institutions in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Abstract:

Designing Implementing Guidelines to Support Decentralization in Indonesia

Since the fall of the old military regime in 1998, the Government of Indonesia has been pursuing decentralization as part of its national reform agenda. In response to widespread demands for fiscal and political decentralization, in 1999 the National Parliament has passed new laws on decentralization reform. However, the reform is not likely to satisfy regional demands, and cannot address the weaknesses of the political and administrative system, which can be attributed to the political, managerial, and administrative gaps of the current policy implementation. Under a very tight schedule, such a reform has emerged some implementation issues, notably the assignment of local functions and the lack of implementing guidelines. Worse, under the new laws, there is no guideline for local government in determining their functions. Therefore, this project objective is aimed to design implementing guidelines necessary to support the implementation of functional assignment to local governments, as well as to central and provincial governments in facilitating the local level. Towards the design of the proposing guidelines, this project has identified major arguments and corresponding principles in designing such implementing guidelines. Laid on the current legislative platform, this project is and aimed to fulfill the identified gaps of the overall implementation system as well as to improve the current decentralization reform.

3. Danny H. Natawidjaja ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Ph.D candidate
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

4. Isabella H. Wulur ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ) received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Latin Honor-Summa Cum Laude from University of California, Los Angeles and she is currently a Master Candidate in Biomedical Engineering with Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering emphasis, University of California, Los Angeles. She was a recipient of Honorable Mention Poster Presentation - Southern California Biomedical Engineering & activities: Student Symposium, University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA Dean's Special Graduate Student Researcher Fellowship, Highest Honor - UCLA Biochemistry Department, Coca-cola Research Scholarship, University Honors Program Residential Fellowship.

Abstract:

Microstructural Control of Biomimetically Grown Bonelike Minerals on Polymer Surfaces

Hydroxyapatite coated polymers have been investigated as matrices for cell transplantation and guided tissue regeneration. Mild growth conditions as well as the ability to coat complex shape matrices had made biomimetic technique advantageous to coat polymers. Microstructural architecture of the coating determines cells attachment and spacing which subsequently effects cell functionality. Objective: To form uniform hydroxyapatite (HA) coating on 2D and 3D polymer surfaces for in vitro and in vivo studies of cell functionality on HA/polymer composites. Method: Standard non-treated tissue culture dishes and cylindrical-shape Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds were subjected to surface modification treatment followed by incubation in 5X Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) that resembles 5 times human blood plasma ionic concentration. Contact angle measurements were made to determine surface energy changes before and after treatment. Element composition and phase of coating were analyzed by EDX, FTIR and XRD. Result: Uniform coating of three morphologically different hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals can be formed by carefully controlling growth conditions and incubation time. Submicron size ball, dendrite-like (3:1 aspect ratio) and plate-like hydroxyapatite coating on both polymer surfaces were observed with scanning electron microscope. Conclusion: The ability to control microarchitecture of hydroxyapatite coating could be a powerful tool to study cell functions on HA/polymer composites for the purpose of fabricating optimal bone engineering scaffolds.

5. Cortino Sukotjo ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) received his Dental Degree with honors from Faculty of Dentistry, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia. Currently he is a Ph.D candidate in Oral Biology Department, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles. He was the recipient of Morita Award, IADR, Chiba, Japan and presently he is a recipient of Strauman Fellowship Award from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts and a finalist for Warner-Lambert Hatton Awards, AADR, San Diego, CA. He is a member of International Association of Dental Research [IADR], American College of Prosthodontics, and American Academy of Osseointegration.

Abstract:

Wit 3.0 Encodes Cytoplasmic Molecules Facilitating Oral Mucosa Wound Contraction

Adult soft tissue wound often heals with significant scar formation, whereas wounds in fetal skin and oral mucosa heal with less scar formation. It has been postulated that oral fibroblasts share the similar properties with fetal fibroblasts. Therefore, oral mucosa wound may provide a novel model for studies establishing a treatment for minimizing scarring during adult tissue repair. Previously, we have isolated three overlapping cDNAs encoding 3.0 kb mRNA (wit 3.0) differentially expressed in oral mucosa wound. Western blot of transfected NIH3T3 fibroblasts showed that the translated fusion peptides of wit 3.0a and b, 40 KD and 43 KD respectively, were identified as single bands with or without a reducing treatment. Immunocytology and cell-fraction Western blot indicated that wit 3.0 peptides terminally localized in cytoplasmic region and appeared to associate with cytoskeletal structures. Collagen gel contraction assay showed that during the initial 24 hours, wit 3.0a and b transfection significantly accelerated the rate of collagen gel contraction (p<0.05) as compared with transfection and untreated controls. Conclusion: These data suggest that wit 3.0 may be involved in the fibroblast derived tissue contraction that primarily contributes to a rapid wound closure of the oral wound healing which may provide a novel clue to ameliorate the scar formation in adult wound healing.

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Indonesian Student in Los Angeles Scientific Meeting II

Venue: The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center Seminar Room, School of Dentistry, Room-B3-068, University of California Los Angles, CA. Address: 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Anglees, CA 90064. http://www.weintraub.dent.ucla.edu/

Time: April 2002

Tour around UCLA and social event will be held following the meeting.

Speakers (tentative):

1. Sierin Lim ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ) received her Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering with biological emphasis from University of California Los Angeles. She was a recipient of UCLA Biomedical Engineering Departmental Fellowship in 2001 and currently she is a Ph.D student in Biomedical Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, CA

Abstract:

Purification and Characterization of a Novel Proline Dehydrogenase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum

The goal of this study is to purify and characterize a proline dehydrogenase that was identified in the soluble fraction of hyperthermophilic archaeon P. aerophilum. The enzyme was purified 503-fold to homogeneity as a monomer of 48,000. Using spectrophotometric characterization, the highest activity was measured at 85C and pH of 6.5. It had a half-life of 6 hours at 90C incubation. The N-terminal amino acid sequence matched a hypothetical protein in the yet unpublished P. aerophilum genome data bank. Further analysis suggests that the enzyme constitutes a novel enzyme and may serve as a link in the evolution of the sarcosine oxidase and proline dehydrogenase family of enzymes.

2. Paula Gunawan ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ) received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry-Summa Cum Laude from University of Wisconsin, Madison and Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from University of California Los Angeles, CA. She was the recipient of Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship , Martha Gunhild Week Scholarship, Margaret MacLean Bender Scholarship, and Evan P. Helfaer Scholarship. She is also a member of American Chemical Society and elected member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi.

Abstract:

PET (Positron Emission Tomography): An Overview

Nuclear medicine is the field of medical practice that involves the oral or intravenous administration of radioactive materials for use in diagnosis or therapy. However, the majority of radiopharmaceuticals available (95%) are used for diagnostic purposes. One of the powerful tools available for monitoring the pathway of these radiopharmaceuticals after being injected into our body is by utilizing PET or Positron Emission Tomograpy. By definition, PET is an analytical imaging technology developed to use compounds labeled with positron emitting radioisotopes as molecular probes to image and measure biochemical processes of mammals in vivo. It is shown to give more accurate results by 8-43%, compared to conventional tools, such as CT Scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Since diagnostic accuracy is crucial in determining therapeutic effectiveness and ultimately prolonging the patient's life, PET has received considerable attention in the pharmaceutical industry. An overview of PET, as well as its applications for diagnostic purposes for various diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer, and Parkinson, are summarized in the presentation.

3. Juliana Wijaya ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ) received her BA in English with honors from Petra Christian University, Surabaya, MA in Linguistics (with a focus on Second Language Acquisition) from University of Oregon, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Applied Linguistics (with primary research in Discourse Analysis and secondary research in SLA) at UCLA. She was the recipient for higher education scholarship from Petra Christian University (1996-1998), graduate teaching fellowships from the Department of Linguistics and Center of Asia Pacific Studies University of Oregon (1997-1999), PEO International Peace Scholarship (2000-2002), TAships from SSEALC/UCLA and graduate fellowshipsfrom the Department of Applied Linguistics UCLA (2000-present).

Abstract:

The Corpus-Based Analysis of "X is made of Y" and "X is made from Y"

This paper aims to study the distinction between two competing forms of English constructs "X is made of Y" and "X is made from Y" and the closely related forms: "X is made out of Y" and "X is made with Y". This study utilizes corpus based linguistics. By looking at a large natural occurring data in the corpora, I observe the environment (the surrounded texts) where the targeted forms occur to see if any collocation (in this case not only surrounding lexicons, but the inherent materials of the objects interpolated by the verb "made" and the prepositions collocate with it) can be associated with these forms. I also count the frequency to see if the data is skewed in particular environment. Moreover, I look at the syntactic structures of clauses where the forms occur (for instance, whether questions will take certain forms), grammaticalization and semantic prosody. I also analyze the targeted forms in terms of genres, (literature, lectures, etc.) register (formal vs. informal) and modes (spoken vs. written).

4. Hendrik Makaliwe ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Ph.D candidate
Computer Science Department, University of Southern California, CA

5. Christian Yoedhana ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Master student
Computer Science Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of California at Los Angeles, CA

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*Event speakers are subject to change without prior notice. A fixed schedule is available or to be determined during the event.

More info:
1. Cortino Sukotjo: [EMAIL PROTECTED], 310-592-0791
2. Danny H. Natawidjaja, [EMAIL PROTECTED]: 1-626-379-7841
3. Suprayoga Hadi: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: 1-626-278-0036