Unpacking the Impact of International Development: Resource Guide 3. Introduction to Logframes

This resource guide is one of a series of four developed to support researchers in international development with key monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, such as Theory of Change and logframes for proposal and project design. Making the most of your logical framework and indicators This resource guide will provide an introduction to: the principles of a logframe; the structure and logic of a logframe; suggestions for developing indicators; means of verification, assumptions and risks

The Delta of Impact: Mapping a Meta-Impact Pathway to Uncover Six Stepping Stones of Research Impact

This working paper explores how barriers to impact can be overcome using a unique methodology, devised to be collaborative and conducive, for understanding the many overlapping outcomes that add up to research impact from across a diverse programme of evidence. Ongoing analysis and examples from the ESRC-DFID Joint Fund for Poverty Alleviation Research illustrate the different pathways to impact and how leading researchers use a range of research and engagement strategies which interact and reinforce each other to produce outcomes.ESRC-DFI

Unpacking the Impact of International Devlopment: Resource Guide 2. Seven Steps to a Theory of Change

This resource guide is one of a series of four developed to support researchers in international development with key monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, such as Theory of Change and logframes for proposal and project design. This resource guide will provide an introduction to: being clear on the purpose of a theory of change; framing the vision of change as the starting point for theory of change conversations; practical tools such as problem tree analysis and stakeholder mapping, to identify power imbalances and build consensus among partners on the most relevant problems and people to consider when developing a theory of change; understanding the multiple dimensions of change and defining the types of change the project would like to influence; mapping of causal pathways and articulating assumptions around how change happens

Unpacking the Impact of International Development: Resource Guide 4. Developing a MEL Approach

This resource guide is one of a series of four developed to support researchers in international development with key monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, such as Theory of Change and logframes for proposal and project design. Exploring the different components of MEL systems and the practical implications for implementation This resource guide will provide an introduction to: the different elements of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), exploring the overlaps and gaps between the three processes; the role of a theory of change and logframe in designing and operationalising an effective MEL system; a selection of evaluation approaches to understand how project activities (the interventions) are contributing to change (outcomes and impact); the importance of learning and reflection in project cycles and how a process oriented and reflexive use of theory of change can provide a framework to support project adjustments and adaptive management

Role of COX-1 and COX-2 in the release of prostanoids in murine lung and isolated lung fibroblasts

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the first enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostanoids. There are two isoforms of COX; COX-1, which is constitutively expressed with a homeostatic role in most tissues, and COX-2, which while constitutively expressed in some discreet sites is generally inducible by growth factors and during inflammation. In the current study, we have used tissues and cells from knock-out mice to investigate the relative contributions of COX-1 and COX-2 to PGE2 production by lung tissue ex vivo and by proliferating lung fibroblasts in vitro. Lung tissues from WT (C57Bl6), COX-1-/- and COX-2-/- mice were immediately dissected (<15 min after death) and incubated (37 °C) for 30 min in DMEM containing 50 µM calcium ionophore (A23187). Release of PGE2 was determined by competitive immunoassay. In parallel studies, murine lung fibroblasts from COX-1-/- and COX-2-/- mice were explanted and cultured before being seeded in 96-well plates at sub-confluence (5000-8000/well) and incubated for 24-48 hours in the presence of 10% FCS. Accumulated release of PGE2 was then measured as above. Over 30 min PGE2 was released by lung pieces from wild type (1117 ± 55 pg/ml) and COX-2-/- (2013 ± 255 pg/ml) but not from COX-1-/- (<61pg/ml) mice (n=4). In contrast, proliferating lung fibroblasts from COX-1-/- (4978.9 ± 1392 pg/ml) mice released higher levels of PGE2 than cells from COX-2-/- (1194 ± 617 ng/ml) mice (n=4 using cells from 2-3 separate mice for each genotype). These results show that COX-1 activity underpins the stimulated release of PGE2 in healthy mouse lung tissue. Conversely, COX-2 activity predominates in proliferating lung fibroblasts, which may be important as COX-derived PGE2 mediates proliferation of lung fibroblasts (Trends Immunol.2004;25(1):40-6). Our results suggest a switch in COX isoform in lung cells during proliferation which could be relevant to our understanding of conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.Non peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio