Which Indonesian Home Purchasers Seek Mortgage Finance?

The incidence of taking a mortgage loan from a commercial bank or cooperative for home purchase is sharply lower in developing than industrialized countries. Indeed, the common approach for achieving good quality housing is for a family to construct and improve a dwelling over a number of years. At the same time, it may be possible for formal lenders to expand the volume of mortgage lending by marketing mortgage loans better tailored to those more prone to seek them. This analysis is based on a representative survey of households intending to purchase a dwelling in the next three years with a final sample size of 1,281 conducted in 2008 in Indonesia’s seven largest metropolitan areas. We find that those more likely to seek such loans are families who already have an established relationship with a bank or cooperative, professionals and those with higher permanent incomes, and those with greater knowledge of mortgage loans. These factors all contain important ideas to assist lenders in targeting mortgage lending marketing campaigns.Mortgage; Housing finance; Developing countries; Southeast Asia

Synthesis of vinaxanthone analogs

Spinal cord injury is a debilitating injury that affects 12,000 people in the U.S. annually.1 Current treatment is limited; research in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and gene therapy have dominated neuroregeneration studies. However, an inadequate amount of attention has been dedicated to the development of small molecule therapeutics. Vinaxanthone (SM-345431) and xanthofulvin (SM-216289) are two novel small molecule compounds co-isolated from Penicillium sp. SPF-3059 that demonstrate axonal regenerative properties in both C. elegans and adult rats. Initially, the molecules were thought to inhibit semaphorin 3A, a protein which induces the collapse of neuronal growth cones. Knockout studies of semaphorin 3A indicate that simply shutting off inhibitory signaling does not equate to the pronounced neuroregeneration present from vinaxanthone and xanthofulvin administration, suggesting that the molecules possess alternative modes of action. To uncover the mechanism of action for these two small molecules, analogs of vinaxanthone and xanthofulvin are being developed for structure-activityrelationship studies in C. elegans. Further research into the action of these analogs will provide useful information regarding CNS inhibitory signaling in spinal cord injury models and potential therapeutic options. Currently, the synthesis of vinaxanthone analogs is being pursued. Initial data from G-protein coupled receptor assays (GPCR) indicates that various vinaxanthone analogs have been found to possess either positive or negative allosteric modulation for the succinate receptor 1 protein (SUCNR1 or GPR91). The synthesis of more vinaxanthone analogs will be pursued (with an envisioned vinaxanthone library of 64 compounds) and their biological activity tested.BiochemistryChemistr

Phytotherapeutic Investigation of Major Herbal Steroids to Explore their Potential as an alternative to synthetic steroids

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Organised care of acute stroke at Groote Schuur Hospital : a controlled trial

Includes bibliographical references.Background and purpose: Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) admits about 570 stroke patients annually. These patients about occupy 10% of acute medical beds. Recent investigations have demonstrated that stroke services are poorly organised Although "Organised stroke care" has been shown to improve outcomes, this has not been demonstrated locally. This study was undertaken to determine whether stroke unit care within a general medical ward improves outcomes. Study design and sampling: The study was a prospective non-randomised controlled trial, with systematic allocation by admission day. of all acute stroke admissions to the Department of Medicine from 1 January to 15 May 1996. Intervention: There were three comparison groups: in the Stroke Intervention Ward, the intervention was implemented by the author; in the Guidelines Ward, the manner in which the intervention can be set up and implemented was provided in the form of a Guidelines Booklet and in the Control Ward, stroke patients received routine care. The intervention consisted of (i) geographic/spatial unity and allocation of a designated nurse; (ii) use of a Stroke Clerking Pro forma and (iii) a multidisciplinary Team Care Plan and Post Intake Stroke Ward Round. Results: 58 patients were admitted to the Stroke Intervention Ward, 40 patients were admitted to the Guidelines Ward and 91 were admitted to the 2 Control Wards. The groups had similar baseline characteristics, except for the percentage of patients continent on admission. There were no significant differences in the Modified Barthel Index prior to admission, at discharge or at follow-up. There were no significant differences in the principal outcome measures (death, dependency, death or dependency, institutionalisation and death or institutionalisation) between the comparison groups. The median [inter-quartile range] length of hospital stay in days was significantly reduced in the Stroke Intervention Ward (6.5[5-9]) compared to the Guidelines Ward (9[7-14]) and the Control Wards (8[5-12]). The referral rates to Professionals Allied to Medicine were significantly increased in the Stroke Intervention Ward, except for referrals to the Community Liaison Sister. The referral rates to rehabilitation resources on discharge were significantly increased in the Stroke Intervention Ward, except for referrals to physiotherapy. Conclusions: Organised Stroke Care is feasible in our setting and results in improved utilisation of resources without increasing length of stay. However, principle outcome measures were not significantly altered in this study

Effect of Integrated Feedback on Classroom Climate of Secondary School Teachers

This study aimed at finding out the effect of Integrated feedback on Classroom climate of secondary school teachers. This research is experimental in nature. Non-equivalent control group design suggested by Stanley and Campbell (1963) was used for the experiment. Integrated feedback was treatment and independent variable, Classroom climate was dependent variable and pre- Classroom climate, and Intelligence were considered as covariates. The sample of the study comprised of 77 secondary school teachers and 220 students studying in secondary classes from purposively selected four schools of Indore city. The data for Classroom climate, Job satisfaction and Intelligence were collected through standardized tools. One-way ANCOVA and 2X2 factorial design ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Hypotheses were tasted at level of significance with α = 0.05. It was found that the treatment has significant effect over Classroom climate when pre- Classroom climate was taken as covariate. The results also shown that Classroom climate was independent of the treatment when Intelligence and pre- Classroom climate were separately considered as covariates. In addition, classroom climate was also found independent of interaction between feedback and intelligence when pre – Classroom climate was taken as covariate

Topology Optimisation and Fabrication Aspects for Light Weight Design of an Articulating Beam of Article Launching System

Light weight design of an articulating beam that is utilised for erection mechanism of heavy article (above 15-ton class) is quite challenging task considering high stiffness requirement at erection start mode. The research work presents structural topology optimisation of an articulating beam to obtain optimal material distribution within available space pertaining to required stiffness parameters and boundary constrains. Optimal weight of articulating beam structure is achieved using density optimisation technique aiming minimum compliance and volume. This study highlights problem formulation with solid isotropic material with penalisation optimisation technique with case study followed by discussion on various fabrication aspects for converting the topology results in to feasible design. As an outcome, optimal material design of the articulated beam is achieved that is converted into two feasible light weight designs considering manufacturing aspects. These designs are then validated for their structural adequacy with finite element analysis computing desired stiffness and strength parameters.

Serum magnesium level in eclampsia at tertiary care center, Gujarat, India

Background: Magnesium may be physiologically important in blood pressure regulation whereas changes in magnesium levels could contribute to the patho-etiology of hypertension. The objective of the present study was to study the level and effect of magnesium in eclamptic pregnant women.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 clinically diagnosed women with eclampsia in their third trimester of pregnancy. Inclusion criteria for the study was; females with singleton pregnancy, all in the third trimester which were diagnosed to have PIH based on the development of hypertension for the first time, proteinuria with or without edema, with no history of previous urinary tract troubles and no evidence of UTI. The concentration of total serum magnesium was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results: Mean age, mean gestational age, mean total hospital stays, mean BMI, mean systolic BP and diastolic BP was 24.3 years with 5.1 SD, 36.4 week with 3.3 SD, 7.8 days with 2.4 SD, 28.9 wt/ht2 with 4.8 SD, 146.5 mmHg with 14.7 SD and 95.9 mmHg with 11.2 SD respectively. Mean magnesium level was 1.9 mmol/L with 2.2 SD.Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia is present in eclamptic pregnant women. In developing countries like India, sufficient dietary supplementation should be given above the recommended dietary allowances in pregnancy at least in susceptible pregnant women

Profile of elderly inmates of old age homes of Patan district, Gujarat, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Population aging is both a medical as well as a social problem. The situation of the elderly still worsens when there is presence of chronic diseases, physical incapacity and financial stringency. An exceptional increase in the number and proportion of older adults in the country, rapid increase in nuclear families, and contemporary changes in psychosocial matrix and values often compel this segment of society to live alone or in old age homes. The objective of study was to know the medico-social profile of the inmates of an old age homes.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from January to December 2014 to assess the socio-demographic profile, pattern of morbidities and quality of life of elderly residing in old age homes. Total 4 old age homes and 203 elderly people were included in the study after taking verbal and written consent of the elderly people and permission from the managers of all the old age homes. A semi structured and pretested questionnaire was prepared to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and morbidity pattern. Data was collected and analyzed by appropriate statistical software.Results: Around 65% of elderly people were in the age group of 65 to 79 years. 58% of the males and 39.1 % of the females were suffered from cataract, whereas 39.8 of the males and 39.1 % females were suffered from hypertension. Next common morbidity was diabetes present in 28.4 of the males and 18.3 % of the females followed by joint pain present in 20.5% of the males and 23.5% of the females. No significant difference was found among morbidities of the males and females (x2=2.85, p=0.35). 30.8% of the males and 28.75% of the females were hypertensive. Around 27% of the males and 36% of the females were obese and 18% of males and females were pre-obese according to BMI value. There was no significant difference in the BMI among males and females.Conclusions: The study highlighted a high prevalence of morbidity and health related problems in old age group.

Can perineal tear be predicted by severity of striae gravidarum score?

Background: The objective of this study was to wether perineal tear predicted by scoring of severity of striae gravidarum. The objective of this study was to predict perineal tear by simple non-invasive method and help to prevent maternal morbidity.Methods: Three hundred ninety four patients delivered normally were included in this study. Striae gravidarum score was assessed using the Atwal numerical scoring system. The association was examined between striae and perineal tear as the outcome measure, defined by tears or laceration, and the total striae scores (TSS) was obtained.Results: In present study population mean age was 25.16 years ranging from 16-40 , mean gravidity was 2.16 ranging from 1 -8 ,average baby birth weight was 2.713 kg ranging from  1.62-4.58 The only predictors of perineal tears that were found to be statistically significant in our study were severity of striae gravidarum and episiotomy given or not. In patients with moderate to severe striae there was tear in 90 patients as compared to 29 patients with no or mild striae. 224 patients belonging to no or mild striae group delivered without any perineal tear whereas 51 patients in moderate to severe striae group delivered without tear. Out of these 51 patients 5 were given episiotomy. 2 patients who were given episiotomy had perineal tear as compared to 117 patients who were not given episiotomy. This shows that patients who had an episiotomy were less likely to have perineal tear in most cases.Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant relation between severity of striae gravidarum and perineal tear. The findings suggest that striae gravidarum assessment may be used in the clinical setting even by paramedical staff as a simple and noninvasive tool to better define women at risk for perineal tear