Showing papers by "University of the Philippines published in 1997"

Factors underlying unmet need for family planning in the Philippines.

Abstract: The prevalence of unmet need for family planning is a primary justification for family planning programs, but the causes of unmet need have not been much explored. This article investigates four explanations for unmet need: (1) as an artifact of inaccurate measurement of fertility preferences and contraceptive practice; (2) as a reflection of weakly held fertility preferences; (3) as a result of women's perceiving themselves to be at low risk of conceiving; (4) as due to excessive costs of contraception. The explanations are examined using quantitative and qualitative data collected in 1993 from currently married women and their husbands in two provinces in the Philippines. The results indicate that the preference-behavior discrepancy commonly termed "unmet need" is not an artifact of survey measurement. The most important factors accounting for this discrepancy are the strength of women's reproductive preferences, husbands' fertility preferences, and the perceived detrimental side effects of contraception. Inaccessible family planning services appear to carry little weight in this setting. Modification of services to make them more attentive to other obstacles to contraceptive use would improve their effectiveness in reducing unmet need.

Why is grouper larval rearing difficult?: an approach from the development of the feeding apparatus in early stage larvae of the grouper,Epinephelus coioides

Abstract: The osteological development of elements forming the oral cavity was examined in early stage larvae of the grouper,Epinephelus coioides, from hatching to 242.5 hours after hatching. By the time of initial mouth opening, at 54 hours after hatching, the fundamental elements, composed of the trabecula, some components of the lower branchial and hyoid arches, the quadrate and symplectic-hyomandibular cartilages, maxilla and Meckel's cartilage, had appeared. No further elements were observed until 165 hours after initial mouth opening, except some components in the lower branchial arch and head region. The appearance of new elements and initial ossification of existing cartilage occurred thereafter, but all elements related to feeding either had not appeared or had not started ossifying until 188.5 hours after initial mouth opening. Based on the morphology and developmental modes of these elements, the feeding mode of grouper larvae was considered to be “sucking/grasping.” However, the appearance and ossification of elements occurred slowly, with no transitional phase from sucking to grasping modes of feeding being observed during the study; such delayed development of the feeding-related bony elements was considered to be a cause of the difficulty in rearing early stage grouper larvae.

Ecotoxicology of pesticides in the tropical paddy field ecosystem

Abstract: In tropical countries rice has been identified as one of the crops that is particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of pesticide use In addition to the physicochemical nature of the pesticide, tropical climatic conditions and agricultural practices play important roles in determining the fate and distribution of pesticides in the tropical paddy field ecosystem The assessment of ecotoxicological effects of pesticides in the tropical paddy field ecosystem has been based primarily on acute lethality tests conducted on fish species commonly found in paddy fields The effects of pesticides in the paddy field ecosystem on other nontarget organisms ranging from microalgae and cyanobacteria to paddy field crabs have also been investigated, although such studies are limited As a means to promote a more judicious use of pesticides in the paddy field, the adoption of integrated pest management strategies have resulted in varying degrees of success The most widely accepted form of control measure is the integration of multiresistant cultivars with reduced use of pesticides Effective training of the paddy farmer has been identified as the key to successful implementation of integrated pest management strategies

Optimization of the Drying Process: An Application to the Drying of Garlic

Abstract: The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to derive an optimum drying condition for garlic drying. The responses analyzed were L* value and Optical Index (OI) as a measure of color and rehydration ratio (RR) as well as final moisture content (Mf) which are important quality attributes of dehydrated products. L*, OI, RR and Mf varied from 70.6 to 85.0, 72.0 to 191.1, 2.2 to 3.2 and 5.4 to 10.2 % MC, respectively. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that drying temperature and slice thickness significantly (90% confidence level) affected L*, OI and RR while no effect was observed for airflow rate and relative humidity (RH). An optimum drying temperature of 70°C for drying 2 mm garlic slices is recommended.

Screening Carica papaya × C. cauliflora hybrids for resistance to papaya ringspot virus-type P.

Abstract: Carica papaya, C. cauliflora and interspecific hybrids of these species were screened for resistance to two Australian isolates (338, 445) of papaya ringspot virus-type P (PRSV-P). Plants were manually inoculated with PRSV-P in the glasshouse and the reaction assessed 30 days later by back-inoculation to susceptible Cucurbita pepo and by a plate-trapped antigen-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PTA-ELISA). Both parents and interspecific hybrids were also planted adjacent to infected C. papaya and 30 days later tested for PRSV-P by PTA-ELISA. All interspecific hybrid and C. cauliflora plants manually inoculated in the glasshouse or planted in the field failed to become infected, whereas C. papaya plants, in both situations, were infected by PRSV-P. In addition, the surviving interspecific hybrid and C. cauliflora plants tested negative, while all C. papaya plants were positive for PRSV-P in both the back-inoculation and PTA-ELISA tests. Thus, the interspecific hybrid and C. cauliflora plants were resistant to the Australian PRSV-P isolates.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi of the Philippines: a preliminary survey and notes on the geographic biodiversity of the Sclerodermatales

Abstract: Basidiomata of putative ectomycorrhizal fungi have been collected from under pine or dipterocarp stands in Central Luzon in the Philippines. Over 100 collections are reported. Among the material, 75 taxa have been recognised and assigned to known genera or at least placed close to already documented European, Japanese or North American taxa. Formal identifications for 46 species are given along with comments on previous collections from South-East Asia. Species collected from under the native Pinus kesiya resemble the communities found under three-needled pines in North America and the West Himalayas, whereas those from dipterocarp forests were similar to communities found in Malaysia and Japan. Members of the Sclerodermatales were particularly common and are probably the pioneer colonizers of young seedlings in these ecosystems.

Autoimmune causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Abstract: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is the loss of 3 or more spontaneous and consecutive pregnancies. There are many causes, such as genetic, anatomic, hormonal, medical and immunologic causes. Two theories, the alloimmune and the autoimmune theories, explain the immunologic cause. The Antiphospholipid Antibody (APA) Syndrome is considered as the autoimmune cause of RPL. It involves two antibodies, Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and the anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA). The rate of LAC is 7% and of ACA is 15%, among pregnant women. These two antibodies are believed to cause thrombosis in the maternal circulation, leading to the events that lead to the fetal losses. Women with these antibodies, along with other factors, are believed to be at high risk for RPL. The diagnostic criteria for the APA syndrome include elevated LAC or ACA serum levels and clinical findings of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and RPL. Presently, the medical treatment of the APA syndrome includes heparin, low-dose aspirin, and immunoglobulins. There must also be an active attempt to search for other causes of RPL among patients with APA syndrome, such as anatomic, endocrinologic, anatomic and medical problems. Management of RPL should also include extensive counseling for the patient and her family.

Biosorption and desorption studies of chromium(III) by free and immobilised rhizobium (BJVr 12) cells

Abstract: Chromium is a silver-white metal, hard, brittle and rarely found in the free state in nature. The principal source of Cr(III) is the mineral chromite (MgFe)O(Cr, Al, Fe)2O3. Cr and its compounds are widely used in the manufacture of steel, as electroplated coating for corrosion control, mordant in the textile industries and anti-corrosive agents in the tanning industry; and in the manufacture of catalysts, pigments, paints, fungicides and wood preservatives, and in anoding aluminium in the aircraft industry [1]. Hexavalent Cr (CrO 4 −2 , CrO 7 −2 ) are strong oxidising agents.

Effects of uniaxial stress on the physical properties of four Swedish soils

Abstract: The effects of uniaxial stress and soil water content at the time of compression on the degree of compactness (D), defined as the bulk density expressed as a percent of a reference bulk density, and on other soil physical properties were investigated. Stresses of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 kPa were applied to large, loose soil samples of light, heavy and humus-rich clays as well as loamy sand in a laboratory experiment. D increased approximately with the log of applied stress over the range of gravimetric water contents normally encountered during field work. Thus, a modified version of the compression model proposed by [Larson, W.E., Gupta, S.C., Useche, R.A., 1980. Compression of agricultural soils from eight soil orders. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 44: 450–457] could be used to compute the stress that gives the optimal degree of compactness for crop growth. The soil compression index, which shows the susceptibility of a soil to compaction, was greatest for the heavy clay and about 30% less for the humus-rich clay, even though they had almost the same clay content. For the loamy sand, D was greatest in the driest sample (water content = 0.01 kg kg−1). In clayey soils, samples at a water content of < 0.20 kg kg−1 were not tested, and the maximum value of D was reached when the soils were compressed at or slightly below field capacity but, as the uniaxial stress increased, the soil water content at which maximum D was reached decreased. In wet clayey soils, soil matric tension was influenced by compaction. Stresses of 200 kPa and above caused the air permeability to fall below a value that is regarded to be critical with respect to crop growth.

Relationship between serum follicle stimulating hormone in the male and standard sperm parameters, and the results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Abstract: Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is routinely measured when evaluating the infertile male for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, among the sperm parameters, only its relationship with sperm concentration is well documented. Few investigations concern the relationship between FSH and sperm motility and morphology, and the results of ICSI. A retrospective study of 316 couples who underwent ICSI was carried out to determine the relationships between serum FSH concentrations in the male and (i) standard sperm parameters (concentration, motility and morphology) and (ii) fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy and implantation rates after ICSI. There was an inverse correlation with sperm concentration and total motility but no relationship was found with progressive motility and sperm morphology. Neither was any relationship found between serum FSH and fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy and implantation rates, and the results of ICSI. These findings suggest the need to review the routine measurement of serum FSH in the infertile male when ICSI is the planned treatment procedure.

Culture of Tetraselmis tetrathele and its utilization in the hatchery production of different penaeid shrimps in Asia

Abstract: The prasinophyte Tetraselmis tetrathele is an important live feed organism for shrimp/prawn hatchery operations because of its high nutritional value and ease of culture. It can replace Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia nauplii as live diet during the protozoeal and mysis feeding stage. This study tried to determine the different optimum culture conditions for T. tetrathele, and to evaluate its application in the hatchery production of different penaeid species. Tetraselmis tetrathele was cultured at combinations of six levels of salinities (10–60 g kg−1), nine levels of pH (3–10.5), and two temperatures (25°C and 30°C) in a three factorial combination experiment. Effects of varying concentrations of different organic and inorganic media including the use of vitamins and trace metals were also assessed. The dietary value of T. tetrathele was evaluated by feeding it to different shrimp larvae from protozoea-1 (PZ-1) until postlarva-1 (PL-1).

Continuing problems with gray literature

Abstract: Frequent gatherings, such as those on coastal management, have resulted in increased production of gray literature like conference proceedings and institutional reports, which are published without adequate peer review. In developing countries like those in southeast Asia, manuals and other publications used in workshops and training programs seldom use peer-reviewed references. Among papers sampled, those in conference proceedings have lower percentages of citations to peer-reviewed journals, whether or not the proceedings are issued as books or journal supplements. From three proceedings and one institutional report with a total of 37 papers and an average of 22 cited references per paper, citations to gray literature averaged 92 percent of total citations. This poor quality of the reference lists decrease the credibility of a paper. Scientific conferences should be designed to reverse the production and use of gray literature by limiting the scope of the proceedings to invited reviews, with other presentations appearing only as abstracts to encourage their ultimate publication in peer-reviewed journals. A conference book of reviews by respected scientists will then support incorporation of scientific information into policy and management decisions for more effective coastal management.

Converging and Diverging Trends in HRM: The Philippine ‘Halo-Halo’ Approach

Abstract: The article is an analysis of case studies of human resources in seven large, industry-leader and influential companies in the Philippines. The author analyzes the trends, and the motives for convergence and divergence of practices, in the workplace arising from openness to foreign investment and global/regional competition. Benchmark practices in human resource development bring about convergence, but innovations with entrenched local work practices and sensitivity to local cultural values ensure that Philippine HRM has its own characteristics. These practices could be called the Philippine meztizo or halo-halo (mixed) approach - most appropriate in the Philippine workplace, but which may not work in other foreign contexts.

Moisture and thermal degradation of cyanate-ester-based die attach material

Abstract: Cyanate-ester-based thermosetting die attach materials, commonly known as Low Temperature Die Attach (LTDA) are the newest innovation in Hermetic Die Attach Technology due to their improved manufacturability, high decomposition temperature and a moisture gettering effect. Although their dispensability and decomposition temperatures are well documented, little information is available on the effects of prolonged exposure to moisture and thermal conditions. A study was therefore conducted to investigate the behaviour of LTDA under thermal and moisture conditioning.

Factoring polynomials over algebraic number fields via norms

Abstract: Proceeding ISSAC ’97 Proceedings of the 1997 international symposium on Symbolic and algebraic computation Pages 265-270

In situ monitoring of molecular beam epitaxy using specularly scattered ion beam current oscillations

Abstract: Specular scattering of 3 keV He ions was observed for incidence angles of 2°–6° from GaAs(001) During molecular beam epitaxy, the scattered ion current dropped rapidly upon opening the Ga shutter, showed damped oscillations, and then increased gradually upon closing the shutter The oscillation periods corresponded to monolayer growth times Oscillation amplitudes decreased with increasing substrate temperature, indicating a transition to step-flow growth The oscillations were not a diffraction effect, allowing a quantitative interpretation based on scattering by adatoms and step edges

An Overview of the Status of Acellular Pertussis Vaccines in Practice

Abstract: Infection with Bordetella pertussis continues to result in widespread morbidity and mortality. Although whole cell pertussis vaccines are effective in controlling pertussis, concerns relating to adverse effects following vaccination have led to the development of a new generation of pertussis vaccines. Acellular pertussis vaccines have decreased endotoxin content and are less reactogenic than whole cell vaccines. The composition of acellular pertussis vaccines varies, resulting in differing immunogenicity. Recent studies have demonstrated that these vaccines, in general, have an efficacy similar to that of whole cell vaccines. The development of acellular pertussis vaccines is an advance that should result in less discomfort from vaccination and the potential for increased vaccine usage, resulting in the possible elimination of this disease.

砕屑性クロムスピネルの化学組成によりかんらん岩の岩石学性質を探る : フィリピン, ルソン島北部Ilocos Norteオフィオライトの例

Abstract: Chemistry of detrital chromian spinels provides us useful information on the petrological characteristics of their source ultramafic and related rocks. This method is applied to the Ilocos Norte ophiolite, north of Laoag City, northern Luzon, Philippines, of which petrological characteristics have not been well known. Cr# (=Cr/[Cr+Al] atomic ratio) of the detrital spinels from one of the rivers running through the Ilocos Norte ophiolite ranges from 0.4 to 0.8, possibly indicating moderately to highly depleted harzburgites for their source rocks. This further indicates a supra-subduction zone origin for the Ilocos Norte ophiolite. The spinel chemistry demonstrates that the Ilocos Norte peridotites are different from the Coto and Acoje peridotites of the Zambales ophiolite, western Luzon.

Isolation and some properties of methane-oxidizing bacteria from a subtropical paddy field

Abstract: Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming. As an important source of methane, rice paddy fields contribute an estimated lO% to the global methane emissions (IPCe 1992). Land use and agricultural practices significantly affect atmospheric methane fluxes (Bouwman 1989; Hutsch et al. 1994). Microbial oxidation of atmospheric methane in terrestrial environments is the only known net biological methane sink and the process consumes the equivalent of 1–l0% of the total global emission (Adamsen and King 1993). Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB, methanotrophic bacteria) are considered to be obligately or facultatively aerobic respiratory bacteria that can utilize methane as the sole source of carbon and energy for growth (Hanson et al. 1992; Roslev and King 1994). As a result, they are important regulators of atmospheric methane fluxes in nature (Mancinelli 1995). MOB have been isolated from a variety of environments including freshwater lakes, wetlands, and th...

Ion-scattering spectroscopy during InGaAs molecular beam epitaxy: Reduction of sputtering using glancing-angle Ar ions

Abstract: An ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) geometry is described that minimizes sputtering and ion damage. The key feature is the use of a glancing-incidence-angle Ar ion beam: Ar ions provide better mass resolution than He while the glancing angle minimizes sputtering. The GaAs(001) sputtering rate, measured via reflection high energy electron diffraction oscillation periods, decreased rapidly with decreasing ion impingement angle φ. For example, the sputtering rate of 3 keV Ar ions decreased from 0.122 to 0.013 ML/s (corresponding to a sputtering yield reduction for ∼3.4 to ∼0.5 atoms/ion) as φ was reduced from 15° to 3°. No sputtering was detected for E=1 keV and φ⩽9°. ISS measurements of 1-ML-thick InAs films on GaAs(001) were made using 1.1 keV Ar ions at φ=3° and a 56° scattering angle. No change in the In peak was observed after 20 min of continuous ISS scans corresponding to a dose of ∼1.6×1016 ions cm −2 (estimated yield < 0.004 atoms/ion). In segregation was observed by ISS during subsequent GaAs over...

Stress and Uterine Bacterial Flora in Dairy Cows Following Clinically Normal and Abnormal Puerperium

Abstract: ACTH challenge tests for the assessment of stress on the first and third week postpartum and bacteriologic examination of uterine swabs on the second and fourth week, were conducted in dairy cows following clinically normal (n=12) and abnormal (n=21) puerperium. Postpartum ovarian activity and uterine involution were also investigated. The basal plasma cortisol concentrations (mean ± S.E.) during the first and third week postpartum were 3.1 ± 0.9 ng/ml and 3.4 ± 1.1 ng/ml in normal cows, and 6.5 ± 1.9 ng/ml and 4.9 ± 1.2 ng/ml in abnormal cows, respectively. The mean basal plasma cortisol values of abnormal cows were elevated and significantly higher (P<0.05) during the first week postpartum. Bacterial organisms were isolated from the uterus of 33.3% of normal and 61.9% of abnormal cows during the second week postpartum and in 33.3% of normal and 23.8% of abnormal cows during the fourth week. Resumption of ovarian activity was neither affected by puerperal disorders nor uterine bacterial infection. Uterine involution at 4 weeks postpartum was completed in all cows with normal puerperium and delayed in 23.8% of abnormal cows. The results indicate that cows with abnormal puerperium had significantly higher basal cortisol levels, and had higher occurrence of uterine bacterial infection during the second week when compared with normal cows.

A comparison of physical properties, oxalate-oxalic acid soluble substances, protein content, and in vitro protein digestibility of the blue-green alga Nostoc commune Vauch. from the Philippines and Japan.

Abstract: The physical properties, amount of oxalate-oxalic acid soluble substances (OOSS), protein and in vitro protein digestibility ofNostoc commune from the Philippines and Japan were determined. The samples were the spherical type from the Philippines (PS), the dry field discoid type from the Philippines (PD), and the dry field discoid type from Japan (JD). The discoid types, PD and JD, regardless of origin showed higher settling volume in water (SV) and bulk density than PS. The OOSS values obtained for all samples were directly related to SV and bulk density. The WHC level was highest in PS. This desirable characteristic makes PS a technologically potential sample for large-scale food production applications in the future. Protein and in vitro protein digestibility varied significantly among all samples. In general, the algal samples examined posses desirable physical properties which are expected to be related to physiological functions.

Household Health Care Facility Utilization in the Philippines

Abstract: This paper presents probit estimates of household utilization of health care facilities in the Philippines. Using household data from the 1987 National Health Survey and supply data from the Depart...

Overview of Ageing, Urbanization, and Nutrition in Developing Countries and the Development of the Reconnaissance Project

Abstract: This article reviews country experiences from the Reconnaissance project that were presented at a workshop held at Wageningen Netherlands in 1993. The findings were part of a semi-quantitative appraisal among participating countries (Brazil China Guatemala Indonesia Malaysia Mexico the Philippines and Thailand). Observers from Costa Rica Canada and the World Health Organization shared other lessons learned. The exploratory pilot Reconnaissance study and workshop provided participants with further knowledge of the nutritional situation of the elderly in 8 developing countries and of organizing a multicenter multicultural study. Each of 5 groups focused on a specific concern and made recommendations to the larger group. Country representatives agreed to participate in a full study of Nutritional and Food Security Situations of Rural and Urban Elderly in selected countries (the CRONOS project). The Reconnaissance project was undertaken by Germany Italy the Netherlands the Southeast Asian Ministries of Education Organization and four training centers in Tropical Medicine. Data collection was based on a manual prepared by Gross and Rasad (1990) in Jakarta Indonesia.