Transparency and Accountability in Local Governance: The Nexus Between Democracy and Public Service Delivery in the Philippines

Transparency effectiveness cannot take place without accountability. Democracy as a form of government necessitates popular support which cannot be given by the people unless trust and confidence to a public institution are maintained. The study discusses the concept of transparency and accountability in the context of a democratic system and its role in enhancing people's trust to public institutions. From the perspective of democracy, the direct link between public service delivery and democracy through the intermediacy of transparency and accountability is established. Keywords: Democracy, transparency and accountability, local governance, popular government, public service delivery, the Philippines DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-7-04 Publication date:July 31st 201

Opettajien käsityksiä lisätyn liikunnan vaikutuksista opetukseen ja oppimiseen

Tiivistelmä. Tutkielman tarkoituksena oli selvittää opettajien käsityksiä Liikkuva koulu -hankkeen lisäämän liikunnan vaikutuksista opetukseen ja oppimiseen. Tutkielman viitekehys rakentuu opetuksen ja oppimisen keskeisistä näkökulmista sekä liikunnan vaikutuksista lapsiin ja nuoriin. Oppimista käydään läpi tutkielmassamme oppijan näkökulmasta. Oppimista selitetään oppimisteorioiden, oppimistyylien, motivaation, temperamenttien ja metakognitiivisten taitojen kautta. Opetuksesta puolestaan käydään läpi muun muassa oppimisympäristö, toimintakulttuuri, oppiaineet, työtavat ja eheyttäminen. Liikunnan osuudessa tutkielman teoreettisessa viitekehyksessä esitellään liikunnan merkityksellisyyttä lapsen ja nuoren elämässä. Liikunnan merkityksiä esitellään fyysisestä, psyykkisestä ja sosiaalisesta näkökulmasta. Lisäksi perehdytään siihen, kuinka suomalaislapset ja — nuoret liikkuvat tällä hetkellä ja siihen, miten heidän tulisi liikkua. Tutkielma toteutettiin Sotkamon Liikkuva koulu -hankkeessa mukana olevilla alakouluilla eli Salmelan koulussa, Leivolan koulussa ja Vuokatin koulussa. Tutkimukseen osallistui seitsemän 5–6-luokkien opettajaa. Tutkielma on fenomenografinen tutkimus, jonka aineisto kerättiin haastattelemalla. Fenomenografisessa tutkimuksessa keskitytään tutkimaan ihmisten käsityksiä jostakin ilmiöstä. Haastattelu oli teemahaastattelu eli puolistrukturoitu haastattelu. Tässä haastattelussa teemat eli aihepiirit ovat tiedossa, mutta kysymysten tarkka muoto ja järjestys puuttuvat. Teemahaastattelu on ikään kuin keskustelu, vaikka tutkija johtaakin vuorovaikutustilannetta ja pyrkii saamaan tietoa tietystä ilmiöstä. Teemahaastattelu on suosituin haastattelutapa, jolla Suomessa kerätään tietoa. Tutkielman tutkimusongelmat ovat: 1. Miten Liikkuva koulu -hankkeen lisäämä liikunta on vaikuttanut opettajien opetukseen? 2. Miten Liikkuva koulu -hankkeen lisäämä liikunta on opettajien mielestä vaikuttanut oppilaiden oppimiseen? Aineiston analysointimenetelmänä on käytetty teoriaohjaavaa laadullista sisällönanalyysia. Laadullisella sisällönanalyysilla voidaan analysoida dokumentteja, kuten kirjoja, päiväkirjoja, haastatteluita ja keskusteluita. Laadullisessa sisällönanalyysissa aineistoa voidaan esimerkiksi luokitella, teemoitella ja tyypitellä. Aineisto analysoitiin ensin aineistolähtöisesti, mutta tulokset liitettiin teoriaan analyysin loppuvaiheessa. Ennen analyysia haastattelut litteroitiin, eli kirjoitettiin sanatarkasti. Tämän jälkeen aineisto analysoitiin luokittelemalla. Tutkielman tuloksista selvisi, että Liikkuva koulu -hankkeen lisäämä liikunta on vaikuttanut opettajien opetukseen muuttamalla heidän asenteitaan ja toimintaansa liikuntamyönteisemmäksi. Toiminnan muutokset näkyvät muun muassa siten, että suuri osa opettajista oli integroinut liikuntaa muiden aineiden oppitunneille. Tuloksista selvisi myös, että opettajien käsitysten mukaan hankkeen lisäämä liikunta on vaikuttanut moniin oppimisen osa-alueisiin positiivisesti sekä lukuaineissa että taito- ja taideaineissa. Näitä osa-alueita ovat muun muassa vireys, motivaatio, keskittymiskyky, tarkkaavaisuus, suvaitsevaisuus ja työrauha. Tuloksista voidaan tehdä johtopäätös, että Liikkuva koulu -hankkeen lisäämä liikunta on vaikuttanut sekä opettajien opetukseen että oppilaiden oppimiseen. Tutkimuksen luotettavuutta paransivat objektiivisuuden huomioiminen, tutkielman kulun tarkka kuvaus ja tutkijatriangulaatio. Objektiivisuutta huomioitiin analyysivaiheessa, jotta tutkijoiden omat mielipiteet ja käsitykset eivät vaikuta tutkimustuloksiin. Tutkijatriangulaatio tarkoittaa sitä, että tutkimuksessa on ollut useampi tekijä

Regulation of store-operated and voltage-operated Ca2+ channels in the proliferation and death of oligodendrocyte precursor cells by golli proteins

OPCs (oligodendrocyte precursor cells) express golli proteins which, through regulation of Ca2+ influx, appear to be important in OPC process extension/retraction and migration. The aim of the present study was to examine further the role of golli in regulating OPC development. The effects of golli ablation and overexpression were examined in primary cultures of OPCs prepared from golli-KO (knockout) and JOE (golli J37-overexpressing) mice. In OPCs lacking golli, or overexpressing golli, differentiation induced by growth factor withdrawal was impaired. Proliferation analysis in the presence of PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), revealed that golli enhanced the mitogen-stimulated proliferation of OPCs through activation of SOCCs (store-operated Ca2+ channels). PDGF treatment induced a biphasic increase in OPC intracellular Ca2+, and golli specifically increased Ca2+ influx during the second SOCC-dependent phase that followed the initial release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. This store-operated Ca2+ uptake appeared to be essential for cell division, since specific SOCC antagonists completely blocked the effects of PDGF and golli on OPC proliferation. Additionally, in OPCs overexpressing golli, increased cell death was observed after mitogen withdrawal. This phenomenon could be prevented by exposure to VOCC (voltage-operated Ca2+ channel) blockers, indicating that the effect of golli on cell death involved increased Ca2+ influx through VOCCs. The results showed a clear effect of golli on OPC development and support a role for golli in modulating multiple Ca2+-regulatory events through VOCCs and SOCCs. Our results also suggest that PDGF engagement of its receptor resulting in OPC proliferation proceeds through activation of SOCCs

Monoclonal antibodies raised against 167-180 aa sequence of human carbonic anhydrase XII inhibit its enzymatic activity

Abstract Human carbonic anhydrase XII (CA XII) is a single-pass transmembrane protein with an extracellular catalytic domain. This enzyme is being recognized as a potential biomarker for different tumours. The current study was aimed to generate monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) neutralizing the enzymatic activity of CA XII. Bioinformatics analysis of CA XII structure revealed surface-exposed sequences located in a proximity of its catalytic centre. Two MAbs against the selected antigenic peptide spanning 167-180 aa sequence of CA XII were generated. The MAbs were reactive with recombinant catalytic domain of CA XII expressed either in E. coli or mammalian cells. Inhibitory activity of the MAbs was demonstrated by a stopped flow CO2 hydration assay. The study provides new data on the surface-exposed linear CA XII epitope that may serve as a target for inhibitory antibodies with a potential immunotherapeutic application

The intra- and intertester repeatability of radiographic elbow incongruity grading is high in chondrodystrophic dog breeds

Elbow incongruity is a form of elbow dysplasia that causes osteoarthritis, pain, and lameness, and it is common in chondrodystrophic dog breeds. The objective of this retrospective secondary analysis study was to evaluate the intra- and interobserver repeatability of a novel radiographic incongruity grading system for assessing elbow incongruity in three chondrodystrophic dog breeds-the dachshund, Skye Terrier, and Glen of Imaal Terrier. We conducted an observer agreement study that included 220 mediolateral antebrachial radiographs from 110 dogs with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion. The radiographs were independently assessed by three observers at three time points, using a four-stepped grading scale. The proportion of agreement and Kappa coefficient were calculated. Both the intra- and interobserver proportions of agreement were substantial when three grades were required to be identical (.705-.777 and .609, respectively), and almost perfect for two identical grades (.991-1.000 and .991, respectively). Some differences in repeatability between breeds were noted; specifically, the intraobserver repeatability was higher in the dachshund, and the interobserver repeatability was lower in the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Our study showed that the radiographic imaging protocol and incongruity grading system have high repeatability when assessing elbow incongruity in chondrodystrophic dog breeds.Peer reviewe

Health-Related Quality of Life in severely injured patients in Finland : an observational cohort study of 325 patients with 1-year follow-up

Background: Major trauma has a significant effect on Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL). It is unclear, however, which factors most affect HR-QoL. This study aims to evaluate HR-QoL after severe injury in Finland and determine how different injury patterns and patient-related factors, such as level of education and socioeconomic group, are associated with HR-QoL. We also assess how well different injury scoring systems associate with HR-QoL. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 325 severely injured trauma patients (aged ≥ 18 years, New Injury Severity Score, (NISS) ≥ 16, and alive at 1 year after injury) treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependence Unit (HDU) of Tampere University Hospital (TAUH) from 2013 through 2016. HR-QoL was assessed with the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire completed during ICU stay and 1 year after injury. HR-QOL index values and reported problems were further compared with Finnish population norms. Results: The severity of the injury (measured by ISS and NISS) had no significant association with the decrease in HR-QoL. Length of ICU stay had a weak negative correlation with post-injury HR-QoL and a weak positive correlation with the change in HR-QoL. The largest mean decrease in HR-QoL occurred in patients with spinal cord injury (Spine AIS ≥ 4) (-0.338 (SD 0.136)), spine injury in general (Spine AIS ≥ 2 (-0.201 (SD 0.279)), and a lower level of education (-0.157 (SD 0.231)). Patient’s age, sex, or socioeconomic status did not seem to associate with smaller or greater changes in HR-QoL. Conclusions: After serious injury, many patients have permanent disabilities which reduce HR-QoL. Injury scoring systems intended for assessing the risk for death did not seem to associate with HR-QoL and are not, therefore, a meaningful way to predict the future HR-QoL of a severely injured patient. Recovery from the injury seems to be weaker in poorer educated patients and patients with spinal cord injury, and these patients may benefit from targeted additional measures. Although there were significant differences in baseline HR-QoL levels between different socioeconomic groups, recovery from injury appears to be similar, which is likely due to equal access to high-quality trauma care.Peer reviewe

Student Registration and Records Management Services towards Digitization

This study examined the extent of implementation of the Student Registration and Records Management Services as fundamental elements of the planned academic record digitization. Utilizing a descriptive-evaluative design, the simple random sampled respondents evaluated the services of the Student Registration and Records Management Office (SRRMO) with a researcher-made and face validated questionnaire. Analyzed through frequency and percentage distribution, weighted mean, Kruskall Wallis test for significant difference, Fisher’s Exact Test and Kendall tau_b for significant relationship, results revealed that the majority of the respondents moderately felt the problems encountered with the SRRMO services specifically on lack of admission requirements and non-observance of enrolment schedule. Therefore, the researcher recommends that a more accessible and convenient enrolment scheme be implemented in school. Hence, digitization of students’ registration and records shall be instituted

Topical Hpmc/s-nitrosoglutathione Solution Decreases Inflammation And Bone Resorption In Experimental Periodontal Disease In Rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is a nitric oxide (NO) donor, which exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microbicidal actions. Intragingival application of GSNO was already shown to decrease alveolar bone loss, inflammation and oxidative stress in an experimental periodontal disease (EPD) model. In the present study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effect of topical applications of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)/GSNO solutions on EPD in Wistar rats. EPD was induced by placing a sterilized nylon (3.0) thread ligature around the cervix of the second left upper molar of the animals, which received topical applications of a HPMC solutions containing GSNO 2 or 10 mM or vehicle (HPMC solution), 1 h prior to the placement of the ligature and then twice daily until sacrifice on day 11. Treatment with HPMC/ GSNO 10 mM solution significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, oxidative stress and TNF-alpha e IL-1 beta levels in the surrounding gingival tissue, and led to a decreased transcription of RANK and TNF-alpha genes and elevated bone alkaline phosphatase, compared to the HPMC group. In conclusion, topical application of HPMC/GSNO solution is a potential treatment to reduce inflammation and bone loss in periodontal disease.114National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq [478380/2011-9, 309390/2011-7]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Revealing Polylepis microphylla as a suitable tree species for dendrochronology and quantitative wood anatomy in the Andean montane forests

In the tropical Andes climate change is expected to increase temperatures and change precipitation patterns. To overcome the lack of systematic weather records that limits the performance of climate models in this region, the use of the environmental information contained in tree rings from tropical Andean species have been found useful to reconstruct spatio-temporal climate variability. Because classical dendrochronology based on ring-width patterns is often challenging in the tropics, alternative approaches such as Quantitative Wood Anatomy (QWA) based on the measurement and quantification of anatomical traits within tree rings can be a significant advance in the field. Here we assess the dendrochronological potential of Polylepis microphylla and its climate sensitivity by using i) classic dendrochronological methods to generate the first Tree-ring Width (TRW) chronology for this tree species spanning from 1965 to 2018; ii) radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analyses as an independent validation method to assess the annual periodicity of the tree growth layers; and iii) QWA to generate tree-ring annual records of the number (VN) and size (VS) of vessels to investigate the climate sensitivity of these anatomical traits. The annual periodicity in P. microphylla radial growth was confirmed by both dendrochronological and ¹⁴C analyses. We found that VN and VS are promising new proxies to reconstruct climate variability in this region and that they provide different information than TRW. While TRW provides information at inter-annual resolution (i.e., year-to-year variability), VN and VS generated with sectorial QWA provide intra-annual resolution for each stage of the growing process. The TRW and the anatomical traits (i.e., VN and VS) showed strong positive correlation with maximum temperature for different periods of the growing season: while VS is higher with warmer conditions prior to the growing season onset, tree-rings are wider and present higher number of vessels when warmer conditions occur during the current growing season. Our findings pointed out the suitability of P. microphylla for dendrochronological studies and may suggest a good performance of this species under the significant warming expected according to future projections for the tropical Andes.Fil: Rodríguez Morata, C.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Pacheco Solana, A.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Ticse Otarola, Ginette Vilma Alicia. Universidad Continental; Perú. Asociación ANDINUS; PerúFil: Boza Espinoza, T. E.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; PerúFil: Crispín-DelaCruz, D.B.. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil. Universidad Continental; PerúFil: Santos, G. M.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Morales, Mariano Santos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad Continental; PerúFil: Requena Rojas, Edilson Jimmy. Universidad Continental; PerúFil: Andreu Hayles, Laia. Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Centre de Recerca Ecológica I Aplicacions Forestals; España. Columbia University; Estados Unido