Reducing the Price That Government Pays in Procurement: the Case of the Philippines

The Philippine government now pays less for the same goods it used to procure some years ago. In some cases, the reduction in price reaches as much as 50 percent. What dramatic change is responsible for this result? How did the change take place? Recent economic research has emphasized the importance of institutions in fostering economic development. Further, institutional changes occur whenever organizations deem it profitable. This framework shall be used in order to answer the questions above. Firstly, it will be argued that the savings that the government now enjoys are due to the successful implementation of reform measures in its procurement system. In particular, electronic procurement was established and in 2003 a new comprehensive law was passed. The paper will analyze some of the reforms’ features in clipping opportunities for corruption, removing barriers to entry, and lessening the likelihood of collusion. Secondly, the paper will argue that the public furor over corruption in government, which reached a climax during the impeachment of a previous president, provided the much-needed push for the reforms. The potential savings that the government was not able to realize in the old procurement system was the primary ‘selling point’ for the passage of the new law.In den Philippinen muss die öffentliche Hand signifikant weniger Geld für Beschaffung von Gütern und Dienstleistungen aufbringen als noch vor wenigen Jahren. In einigen Bereichen ist sogar eine Preissenkung von 50% zu verzeichnen. Wie ist diese Entwicklung zu erklären? Wie ging dieser Wandel von statten? Diese Fragen sollen auf der Grundlage von Erkenntnissen der Institutionenökonomie, nach der Institutionen ökonomische Entwicklungen begünstigen und utilitaristisches Organisationskalkül institutionellenWandel fördere, beantwortet werden. Es wird erstens argumentiert, dass die Ersparnisse durch Preisreduzierung primär auf erfolgreiche Reformanstrengungen der Regierung, worunter die Einführung eines elektronisch gestützten Beschaffungswesens und das In-Kraft-Treten eines umfassenden Gesetzes über das öffentliche Beschaffungswesen fallen, zurückzuführen sind. In diesem Zusammenhang werden in der vorliegenden Studie Reformaspekte wie Korruptionsabbau, Eintrittshürdensenkung und Vermeidung geheimer Absprachen behandelt. Es wird zweitens argumentiert, dass das öffentliche Aufsehen um Regierungskorruption, das seinen Höhepunkt in der Amtsenthebung des letzten Präsidenten fand, als Reformauslöser zu sehen ist. Darüber hinaus konnten die unter dem alten Gesetz nicht realisierten Ersparnisse als „Verkaufsargument“ für das neue Beschaffungsgesetz genutzt werden

Sex disparity in COVID-19 infection in the Philippines: a biocultural study

Biological sex and socio-cultural factors have been interrelated in epidemiological studies and clinical care. This study aimed to assess sex differences in susceptibility to COVID-19 in the Philippines. COVID-19 numbers of cases until February 28, 2021, were collected from the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH). The student's t-test was used to analyze the data per administrative region and age group. News articles were collected from reputable media outlets in the Philippines. Biological and socio-cultural differences were considered. A significant sex difference (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the age groups of 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years old, which indicates that males in the said age clusters in the Philippines are more susceptible to COVID-19. Sex-specific mechanisms that may disproportionately affect either sex were associated with differences in immune responses, hormones, and underlying medical conditions. Furthermore, gendered lifestyles in the Philippines that involve social gatherings such as cockfighting, gambling, and boxing are dominated by the male population and could directly transmit the disease. Sex disparities linked to the susceptibility of COVID-19 emphasize the importance of gender-based research for risk-reduction strategies and effective public health measures in the Philippines

The nature and extent of sexual dimorphism in dental and dermatoglyphic traits of twins

Human teeth and fingerprints have similar embryological origins from epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. The general aim of this study was to determine the nature and extent of sexual dimorphism in the teeth and fingerprints of Australian twins. The specific aims of this research were to 1. investigate the influences of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors on observed variation in selected dental and dermatoglyphic features; 2. identify which dental and dermatoglyphic traits display sexual dimorphism and whether this is consistent with the Twin Testosterone Transfer Hypothesis; and 3. identify any evidence of associations and covariance between the studied dental and dermatoglyphic phenotypes. These aims were investigated by measuring crown dimensions, mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL), of primary and permanent teeth; scoring the Carabelli trait (CT) on primary and permanent upper molars; counting friction ridges (RC) and white lines (WLC) of dermatoglyphs; and classifying fingerprint patterns (FP). Dental and dermatoglyphic development stages were assessed against intrauterine testosterone levels. Phenotypic variation was examined within the context of general somatic development and the properties of a Complex Adaptive System by exploring the possible effects of the Y chromosome and testosterone in utero and the role of epigenetic factors. Results showed sexual dimorphism in both the primary and permanent dentitions, with the permanent teeth showing greater differences. Some sexual dimorphism was observed in the fingerprints. The correlations between teeth and fingerprints were found to be statistically significant but low in magnitude. Strong genetic influence in sexual dimorphism was suggested through MD and BL measurements of MZ twins; this was the only zygosity group where all tooth types were observed as sexually different. The additional role of environmental factors was suggested for the sexual dimorphism of WLC in DZSS twins. Epigenetic influence in sexual dimorphism has been observed in DZOS females, with MD and BL measurements and CT scores being larger than MZ and DZSS females. DZOS females were also observed to have more loop or whorl than arch fingerprints compared to MZ and DZSS females. The differences in tooth size and shape and fingerprint pattern provide further support on the Twin Testosterone Transfer (TTT) hypothesis. While teeth and fingerprints had low correlations in both sexes, it was observed that fingerprint patterns were associated with measurements of MD and BL in both primary and permanent teeth. In conclusion, sexual dimorphism in teeth and fingerprints was confirmed by the larger tooth size and higher Carabelli scores in males, and in DZOS females; and the different WLC in DZSS and fingerprint patterns in DZOS. While teeth and fingerprints have low correlations in both sexes, it was observed that fingerprint patterns are associated with measurements of MD and BL in both primary and permanent teeth. Moreover, the findings provide further evidence that the development of teeth and the development of fingerprints are outcomes of Complex Adaptive Systems.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Adelaide Dental School, 201

Effectiveness of Students' Motivation Factors in the Competency-Based Approach: A Case Study of Universities in Russia and Indonesia

The study aimed to explore the influence of motivation factors on the development of professional competencies using Russian and Indonesian institutions of higher education as case studies. In pursuit of this objective, quantitative survey methodology was incorporated, and surveys were conducted during November and April of the 2018/2019 to 2021/2022 school years. The questionnaire was developed with a 10-point rating scale, aimed at addressing the development of students' professional competencies and the factors that motivate learning and competency development. Using the questionnaire, the level of professional competency development of students in Russian and Indonesian universities has been empirically analysed. The results of the study supported the spiral nature of students' professional competencies development, showing that the development of professional competencies follows a progressive and non-linear nature of component development. These results confirm that the process of professional competency development is structurally divided into separate, relatively independent stages reflecting sequential and gradual progression. The positive character of the influence of the balanced development level of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors on the formation of students' professional competencies has been established. The results of the research may prove useful for educational institutions and public administration bodies for the development of effective mechanisms for students' motivation within the framework of competency-based approach implementation in higher education. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-03-012 Full Text: PD

Pre-Medicine Program as a Factor Influencing Residency Specialization Options of Pre-Medicine Students of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta – Las Piñas Campus

Pre-medicine program is the first step on one’s medical journey. Choosing the best pre-medicine program may give one prerequisite skill that are likely needed during medical school as well as in residency training. Different programs offer different subjects and competencies to meet, so it gives several advantages and disadvantages for the student with respect to their performance in medical school and residency training. This leads researchers to think that choosing the right pre-medicine program is crucial to be competent enough in the professional field. The study is conducted to know if there is a significant relationship between the chosen pre-medicine program and residency specialization options of pre-medicine students of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA - Las Piñas Campus. In order to find answers to this, the researchers conducted a semi-unstructured interview on 10 pre-medicine students of UPSHD that are categorized into two categories: 5 for BS Nursing and 5 for BS Medical Technology, via MS Teams or Messenger call. The results showed that respondent’s current pre-medicine program does not affect their specialization options. Most of them did not have a hard time choosing their current pre-medicine program since it is their already their top choice without considering specialty. They reasoned out that pre-medicine program is independent from the residency training itself. The researchers concluded that there is no significant relationship between pre-medicine program and residency specialization options of pre-medicine students of UPHSD – Las Piñas Campus

Sex determination from maxillary and mandibular canines of the Filipino population

The aim of this study was to derive Filipino-specific formulae that can be used as supplementary tools for sex discrimination, especially in forensic cases. Three dimensions — clinical crown height (CCH), maximum mesiodistal breadth (MMD) and maximum buccolingual width (MBL) — of the maxillary and mandibular canines were measured in 100 male and 100 female Filipino participants. CCH emerged as the most significant variable in determining sex in maxillary canines while CCH and MMD were both statistically significant in mandibular canine sex determination. Tree models were derived and 39 data sets were analysed as a test of accuracy. The accuracy ratings for the maxillary and mandibular trees were 56.41% and 74.36%, respectively. The mandibular tree is recommended for use in cases with incomplete or fragmented human remains when no other skeletal elements yielding higher accuracy estimates are available. The results of this study contradict the previous claim of no significant dimorphism in the dentition of the Filipino population.R.J. Tadura

Phytoplankton composition and productivity of Canacao Bay, Fort San Felipe, Cavite City

A study involving phytoplankton composition and primary productivity of Canacao Bay located in Fort San Felipe, Cavite City was done from June to December 1995. Only 7 species of phytoplankton were identified namely: Ceratium macroceros (Ehrenberg) Cleve and Peridinium oceanicum Vanhoffen of Family Cistharistaceae Chaetoceros decipiens Cleve and C. siamensis Ostenfeld of Family Chaetoceraceae Coscinodiscus asteromorphalus Ehrenberg, C. lineatus Ehrenberg, and C. oculus iridis Ehrenberg of Family Coscinodiscaceae.Temperature was found to range from 25.8 percent to 32 centigrade pH from 8.3 to 8.4 transparency from 3.020 to 3.048 meters dissolved oxygen from 5.1 to 6.0 mg/L hardness from 0.72 to 0.88 mg/L total solids from 0.808 to 1.180 mg/L nitrates from 0.124 to 0.295 mg/L orthophosphates from 0.151 to 0.375 mg/L and silicates from 1.743 to 3.850 mg/L.The highest gross production was 24.8 mgC/m3/h during the month of September, the highest net production was 13.05 mgC/m3/h during the same month and the highest net respiration was 15.66 mgC/m/h during the month of October.Nitrates, silicates, and orthophosphates were found to be correlated to gross production, net production and net respiration using correlation matrix in microstat with all having positive correlation values. The r-value of significance was 0.75315 using 0.05 level of significance

Sex determination from fingerprint ridge density and white line counts in Filipinos

Abstract not availableRichard Jonathan O. Taduran, Anna Katrina V. Tadeo, Nadine Anne C. Escalona, Grant C. Townsen

Two complex adaptive systems in human development: further studies of dental and fingerprint parameters

© 2018 WIT Press. Free (open access)This paper reports further results and an extension of the study presented at Complex Systems 2016. Human teeth and fingerprints both arise from genetic/epigenetic/environmental interactions and have embryological pathways with epithelial–mesenchymal interactions. The aims of this study were to determine the nature and extent of sexual dimorphism in teeth and fingerprints of twins at two different ages and to explore whether both systems display the features of complex adaptive systems. Buccolingual (BL) measurements from both primary and permanent teeth and ridge breadth (RB) measurements from fingerprints of the same set of Australian twins (28 males and 31 females aged 8 to 10 years, and aged 13 to 16 years, respectively) were collected and analysed. Sexual dimorphism was observed in both the primary and permanent dentitions, with the latter showing greater differences than the former. There was no observed sexual dimorphism in the fingerprints at 8 to 10 years. However, a few fingers (left index, left ring, and right middle) at 13 to 16-years exhibited significant differences, suggesting that friction ridges expand over time. It is concluded that both the dentition and dermatoglyphics display sexual dimorphism and characteristics of complex adaptive systems.R.J.O. Taduran, S. Ranjitkar, T. Hughes, G. Townsend & A.H. Broo