Judul: Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Trait in Categorical Scale
Abstrak: Genes or regions on chromosome underlying a quantitative trait are called Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). Characterizing genes controlling quantitative trait on their position in chromosome and their effect on trait is through a process called QTL mapping. In estimating the QTL position and its effect, QTL mapping basically utilize the association between QTL and DNA markers. However, many important traits are obtained in categorical scale, such as resistance from certain disease. From a theoretical point of view, QTL mapping method assuming continuous trait could not be applied to categorical trait. This research was focusing on the assessment of the performance of Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Regression (REG) approach employed in QTL mapping as well as the performance of Lander and Botstein (LB) and Piepho method in determining critical value in testing the existence of QTL for binary and ordinal trait by means of simulation study. The simulation study to evaluate the performance of ML and REG approach was conducted by taking into account several factors that may affecting the performance of both approaches. The factors are: (1) marker density; (2) QTL effect; (3) sample size; (4) shape of phenotypic distribution; (5) number of categories; and (6) number of QTL. Moreover, the simulation study for evaluating LB and Piepho method in determining critical value was conducted by generating distribution of the test statistic under null hypothesis. From simulation study, it was obtained that LB and Piepho method showing similar performance in determining critical value in testing the existence of QTL for binary and ordinal trait. The simulation study also indicating that both methods could be used in determining critical value in QTL mapping analysis for binary trait as well as for ordinal trait if the REG approach is used but not if ML approach is used due to their poor performance. In assessing the performance of ML and REG approach in QTL mapping analysis for binary trait, the two approaches showing comparable performance; whereas for ordinal trait REG approach showing poor performance compared with ML approach in estimating thresholds. As a result, in QTL mapping analysis, ML and REG approach could be used when dealing with binary trait, whereas ML approach is suggested when dealing with ordinal trait.
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Judul: Mapping of quantytative trait loci for high iron ang zinc content in polished rice (Oryza sativa L) grain and some agronomic traits using simple sequence repeats markers
Abstrak: Iron and zinc deficiency occurred especially in the poor region of the world causing significant loss due to death, sickness, and decreasing productivity as and life quality. Genetically increasing the iron and zinc content of rice grains is an efficient and effective way to overcome the iron and zinc deficiency problem. Mapping of QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) controlling high iron and zinc content in polished rice grains to get markers for Molecular Assisted Breeding (MAS) is prospective to be done since iron and zinc content are quantitative traits that highly affected by environment and its measurement is still costly. Study on polished rice as ste state of people use for their consumption would give more applicable result and study on agronomic and yield related traits would be helpful to incorporate those traits in breeding activity. Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers were used in this study.
Keyword: zink deficiency problem, Molecular assisted breeding, breeding activity, grain nutritional traits, agronomic traits

Judul: Nanokristalin Pirit (FeS2) sebagai Material Semikonduktor Fotovoltaik.
Abstrak: Teknologi fotovoltaik adalah suatu proses yang dapat mengubah sinar matahari menjadi energi listrik dengan media semikonduktor. Penggunaan sel surya untuk fotovoltaik hanya dapat mengonversi radiasi matahari menjadi energi listrik kurang dari 20%. Efisiensi akan meningkat ketika material semikonduktor untuk fotovoltaik dibuat menjadi ukuran nano. Pirit merupakan salah satu material semikonduktor fotovoltaik yang memiliki energi pita celah (Eg) dalam kisaran 0.8–0.95 eV. Energi pita celah tersebut terbukti meningkat ketika disintesis dengan metode hidrotermal menggunakan beragam molar [S]:[Fe] pada suhu 200 °C dalam 24 jam. Nilai energi pita celah yang dihasilkan adalah 1.58–2.073 eV. Ukuran nanokristalin pirit yang dihasilkan berada pada kisaran 21.04–58.77 nm menurut data Particle Size Analyzer. Besarnya ukuran nanokristal pirit yang tumbuh kurang dari 50 nm merupakan poin penting untuk aplikasi fotovoltaik.
Keyword: Hidrotermal, fotovoltaik, nanokristal, pirit