Exploring processes for participation and accountability: A learning paper

This Learning Paper is about mechanisms and processes for participation and accountability (P&A) in the Solomon Islands (SI) community development sector. The paper draws on experiences of six non- government organisations (NGOs) under the AusAID-funded Solomon Islands NGO Partnership Agreement (SINPA) running from 2009-2014

Chondroprotection by urocortin involves blockade of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by progressive destruction of articular cartilage and chondrocyte cell death. Here, we show the expression of the endogenous peptide urocortin1 (Ucn1) and two receptor subtypes, CRF-R1 and CRF-R2, in primary human articular chondrocytes (AC) and demonstrate its role as an autocrine/paracrine pro-survival factor. This effect could only be removed using the CRF-R1 selective antagonist CP-154526, suggesting Ucn1 acts through CRF-R1 when promoting chondrocyte survival. This cell death was characterised by an increase in p53 expression, and cleavage of caspase 9 and 3. Antagonism of CRF-R1 with CP-154526 caused an accumulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) over time and cell death. These effects could be prevented with the non-selective cation channel blocker Gadolinium (Gd3+). Therefore, opening of a non-selective cation channel causes cell death and Ucn1 maintains this channel in a closed conformation. This channel was identified to be the mechanosensitive channel Piezo1. We go on to determine that this channel inhibition by Ucn1 is mediated initially by an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and a subsequent inactivation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), whose metabolites are known to modulate ion channels. Knowledge of these novel pathways may present opportunities for interventions that could abrogate the progression of OA

An institutional analysis of value creation from Lami Dump, Fiji

This paper presents a case study of the decision-making processes for the rehabilitation and reuse of Lami dump, Fiji, closed in 2005 after 60 years of contributing negative effects on human health, amenity and the condition of the surrounding environment. Using semi-structured interviews, this research investigated the value creation opportunities of reuse sought by a diverse range of parties including government ministries, local governments, the donor, NGOs and civil society, researchers, the private sector, and communities. The analysis is based on the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, which defines institutions as the rules-in-place influencing whether and how actors are involved in a decision situation. The conversion of the site into a recreational park was the only feasible redevelopment option, constrained as it was by the amount of European Commission funding available for the site. Another significant factor was the low level and extent of stakeholder engagement. There are many institutions in place, stemming from legislation, which although emergent, have the potential to enable a wider range of values to be represented in future decision-making processes