Operational applications of serology for malaria surveillance in different transmission settings in Indonesia

Serological surveillance involves the detection of Plasmodium species-specific antibodies as biomarkers for monitoring recent and historical malaria transmission dynamics at population-level. These methods are particularly useful in low transmission settings where standard surveillance such as parasitological and entomological approaches are inefficient. This thesis explores the use of serological surveillance to estimate the magnitude and heterogeneity of malaria transmission using different sampling strategies, mapping techniques and serological assays in three areas of differing endemicity in Indonesia. Findings suggest that: 1) Analysis of community-based serological data can confirm the discontinuation of transmission and be used to identify high-risk areas where malaria is most likely to be reintroduced, 2) Mobile technology-based participatory mapping approaches can be used to quickly obtain spatial residential information for individuals presenting at health facilities in resource poor areas where formal addresses are typically not used and internet connectivity is limited, 3) the combination of facility-based sampling, multiplex serological assays and participatory mapping can be used as an additional surveillance method to better identify and target areas still receptive to malaria in very low transmission area conducting elimination, 4) seropositivity to Etramp5.Ag1 is sensitive and specific in predicting Plasmodium falciparum PCR positivity in children in a high transmission setting, suggesting its potential use as a marker of recent exposure in elimination setting. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates the various applications of serological surveillance at different levels of malaria endemicity. Further implementation research is needed to enable the integration of these methods to the existing surveillance systems

The Changing Financial Structure of the Commercial Banking Industry (1992-2004)

The consolidation trend experienced by the commercial banking industry over more than two decades has had a significant effect on the financial structure of these institutions. This study examines commercial bank balance sheets by various asset size institutions; identifies the changing patterns of assets, liabilities, and equity accounts for these banks. The most interesting findings have been the significant growth in residential real estate loans at larger banks, financed by relatively inexpensive money market deposits, and the fact that equity accounts of every asset category in these banks have expanded significantly, reflecting the growing financial strength of the industr

Consolidation in the Commercial Banking Industry

This study describes the characteristics of the consolidation trend in the commercial banking industry over the last decade. Smaller banks are disappearing and the largest banks are growing rapidly. Due to economies of scale and scope, the largest banking entities have paid the highest rates on savings, charged the lowest rates on loans, and have been able to operate efficiently with the lowest levels of expensive equity capital. The study also suggests that these trends and patterns have not yet played themselves out, thus, continued consolidation is expected, at least over the next few years

AN ELEVATED PULSE PRESSURE: A MAJOR RISK FACTOR FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Pulse pressure (PP) is a predictor and major risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) diseases as left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, carotid hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and stroke as well as chronic renal failure progression. PP has been proved a strong forecaster of CV risk, particularly when it is higher than 60 mm Hg and more strongly relates to carotid hypertrophy and extent of atherosclerosis than systolic pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is common among the elderly and is accompanied by elevated pulse pressure. However, treatment of ISH may further raise the PP if diastolic pressure is lowered to a greater extent than systolic pressure. Several drugs for hypertension have the side effect of increasing resting PP irreversibly, other antihypertensive drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, have been shown to lower the PP. Various approaches made by researchers for the maintenance of normal PP to reduce the mortality caused due to CV events based on the abnormal PP. We briefly review the therapeutic consequences for the attenuation of elevated PP associated with various CV eventsKEYWORDSPulse pressure, Cardiovascular diseases, Arterial stiffness, Antihypertensive therap

Regional Flood Frequency Analysis Using Computer Simulations

Different probability distribution methods were employed to determine the flood frequency analysis using computer simulations. Many probability distributions including Gumbel, lognormal, log-Pearson type iii, General Extreme value have been tried to fit the data. The length of record for most of the stations is over 10 years (chosen from 1956 0nwards). The data was procured from J.R.M.Hosking for various project sites. The common time period of 1956 onwards has been chosen only to avoid the effect of interception of basin due to construction of storage reservoir and was also subject of flood data. The best fitting distribution works out to be General Extreme Value Distribution. Gumbel's distribution ranks poorly among different probability distributions. A trial version of probability software is used to evaluate the best fit distribution and parameters of distribution

Changes in Total Protein in Liver and Kidney of Freshwater Fish, Channa Punctatus (Bloch.) After Intoxication of Carbaryl

Pesticides are one group of toxic compounds linked to human use that have a profound effect on aquatic fauna. Fish may be good indicators of contamination by pollutants because their biochemical responses are quite similar to found in mammals. Studies on toxic effects of carbaryl (a carbamate pesticide) on liver and kidney of freshwater fish Channa punctatus have been made. The LC50 value of carbaryl was calculated 10.05mg/l for various time periods 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. The study was conducted to investigate the total protein changes in the liver and kidney of freshwater fish, Channa punctatus exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations of pesticide carbaryl for a period of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and up to 90 days. Carbaryl intoxication in Channa punctatus caused significant decrease in total protein in liver and kidney as compared to control. The reasons for such changes have been discussed in this paper