Publications

Current reported HIV infection rates among Filipino men may be relatively low, but so is HIV testing, a necessary behavioral step for determining oneís serostatus. Using data from a nationally representative sample of N = 3,519 sexually active Filipino men ages 15 to 54 who participated in the National Demographic & Health Survey (2003), we explored HIV testing as a sexual health behavior. Results indicated that overall testing rate was extremely low (4.7%). HIV tests were more commonly taken as part of a requirement than as voluntary, self-initiated action. One out of four tested Filipino men failed to return for their test results. Other sexual health behaviors like recent condom use were associated with having been tested, unlike HIV-related cognitions. Among those never been tested, half reported wanting to undergo HIV testing, although many did not know where the test was available. The significance of HIV testing for personal and public health, as well as implications for psychological research and practice, are discussed.

A number of researchers have applied multivariate methods to elucidate the population structure of fishes. In this study, we also used multivariate techniques to examine meristic and morphological variations in the silver perch, Leiopotherapon plumbeus (Kner, 1864), from three Philippine lakes, namely, Laguna de Bay, Sampaloc Lake, and Taal Lake. We also aimed to determine whether or not there are meristic and morphological differences among the populations of silver perch from the three lakes, considering that this fish species was introduced from Laguna de Bay into Sampaloc Lake and Taal Lake in the late 1950s and early 1970s, respectively. A total of 710 specimens from four different sites were used in the study: 155 each from Binangonan and Tanay areas of Laguna de Bay and 200 each from Sampaloc Lake and Taal Lake. Based on analysis of variance, eight meristic and 26 transformed morphometric characters were selected for subsequent analyses. Nineteen (19) principal components extracted from the 34 significant variables accounted for 82.3% of the variation in the original variables. Factor analysis using varimax rotation produced four factors: factor 1 was dominated by fin measurements while the highest loadings for factor 2 were gill raker counts. Factors 3 and 4 were dominated by various body and head measurements. Cluster analysis showed specimens from Sampaloc Lake and Taal Lake in one group, while majority of the specimens from Binangonan and Tanay are in another cluster. This suggests a closer morphological similarity between specimens from Sampaloc and Taal. Discriminant analysis gave relatively high correct classification rates (76.13–95.50%). Lower gill raker count was the most discriminating variable. Since both the silver perch from Sampaloc Lake and Taal Lake were introduced from Laguna de Bay, the observed clustering and morphological variation could be attributed to similarities and differences in the lake environments. Laguna de Bay is a shallow eutrophic lake, while Sampaloc Lake and Taal Lake are deep lakes. Further studies, however, are needed to determine which of the myriad of biological and/or physico–chemical factors might have the greatest influence on the observed morphological divergence between the source population and transplanted populations that we found in our study.

Australian literature -- Minority authors -- History and criticism. Authors, Southeast Asian -- Australia. Immigrants' writings, Australian -- History and criticism. http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/180619562?selectedversion=NBD51230223 Title Migrations and Mediations: The Emergence of Southeast Asian Diaspora Writers in Australia, 1972-2006 Author Jose Wendell P. Capili Publisher Australian National University, 2007 Length 386 pages

This guidebook, the final component of CMFR’s media monitor of news media coverage of the 2007 elections…is meant to serve as a companion to the actual training of media coverage researchers by individuals and groups experienced in media monitoring in the Philippine setting.

The search for an effective policy direction to contribute to the alleviation of rural
poverty requires understanding of various socio-economic dynamics affecting the
household. The central issue in the economic dimension is inefficiency in production, which may contribute to the widening income gap among rural households. Spatial externalities are introduced into a stochastic frontier model in the analysis of rural households’ efficiency in utilizing various factors of production including development interventions (infrastructure and capability-building activities) and other localized endowments. Output is measured in terms of income and perceptions on various aspects of rural development summarized into an index. Provision of rural roads and other rural infrastructure should be bundled properly with support services and capacity building activities. This can enhance the demand for other infrastructure and services resulting in a dynamic evolution of essential elements in the pursuit of rural development. Bundles of intervention improve production efficiency of rural households at the different stages of production in-farm and/or off-farm. Spatial indicators illustrate the role of geographical dynamics (physical, social and cultural factors) in rural development, justifying a site-specific, participatory approach in development intervention. Although site-specific interventions may be costly at first, they become more efficient in the long-run. Benefits from an intervention in one community
are expected to produce ripple effects that reach its spatial neighbors.
Stakeholders’ contribution in maintenance is feasible provided that there is a true
sense of ownership of the infrastructure/project, usually evolving through a participatory approach. Public investment in infrastructure and user’s fees can complement one another; continuous provision of new infrastructure and maintenance of existing infrastructure can add up to a sustainable track towards rural development. A socialized user’s fee system can be used as a vehicle to prevent the potential widening of income disparity in rural areas. It is important however to carefully choose a suitable and acceptable basis for the socialized user’s fee rates. An incorrect choice can be perceived as a disincentive for access or might stimulate distrust among the affluent segment of the rural society regarding the sincerity of the government in pushing rural development. An unsuitable basis for user’s fee rates could thus eventually lead to more social problems instead of bridging inequality. 

The search for an effective policy direction to contribute to the alleviation of rural poverty requires understanding of various socio-economic dynamics affecting the household. The central issue in the economic dimension is inefficiency in production, which may contribute to the widening income gap among rural households. Spatial externalities are introduced into a stochastic frontier model in the analysis of rural households’ efficiency in utilizing various factors of production including development
interventions (infrastructure and capability-building activities) and other localized
endowments. Output is measured in terms of income and perceptions on various aspects of rural development summarized into an index. Provision of rural roads and other rural infrastructure should be bundled properly with support services and capacity building activities. This can enhance the demand for other infrastructure and services resulting in a dynamic evolution of essential elements in the pursuit of rural development. Bundles of intervention improve production efficiency of rural households at the different stages of production in-farm and/or off-farm.
Spatial indicators illustrate the role of geographical dynamics (physical, social and
cultural factors) in rural development, justifying a site-specific, participatory approach in development intervention. Although site-specific interventions may be costly at first, they become more efficient in the long-run. Benefits from an intervention in one community are expected to produce ripple effects that reach its spatial neighbors.
Stakeholders’ contribution in maintenance is feasible provided that there is a true
sense of ownership of the infrastructure/project, usually evolving through a participatory approach. Public investment in infrastructure and user’s fees can complement one another; continuous provision of new infrastructure and maintenance of existing infrastructure can add up to a sustainable track towards rural development. A socialized user’s fee system can be used as a vehicle to prevent the potential widening of income
disparity in rural areas. It is important however to carefully choose a suitable and
acceptable basis for the socialized user’s fee rates. An incorrect choice can be perceived
as a disincentive for access or might stimulate distrust among the affluent segment of the rural society regarding the sincerity of the government in pushing rural development. An unsuitable basis for user’s fee rates could thus eventually lead to more social problems instead of bridging inequality.

The surface and growth conditions for the formation of textured polycrystalline bulk gallium nitride (GaN) crystals under nitrogen (N2) reactive plasma were investigated. Langmuir probe measurements were used to determine the electron density values near the Ga surface at different target locations and ranged from (6–16)×1010/cm2. Optical spectroscopy measurements showed reactive gallium (Ga) and nitrogen species present in the plasma. When the target was bombarded with highly energetic ions, peaks of sputtered Ga at 403 and 417 nm wavelengths were observed in the optical spectroscopy measurements. The top Ga surface showed increased roughening and the resulting crystals were of poor crystalline quality, with fresh Ga leftovers. Smoother crystals were formed when the Ga target was shielded from the direct bombardment of highly energetic N2 plasma, with no sputtered Ga peaks observed during the bombardment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results revealed well-oriented crystals at the (0002) reflection of GaN. This proved that the shielding of highly energetic ions to decrease roughening of the surface and allowing more neutrals for the reaction were effective in forming well-oriented bulk GaN crystals.

Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of Predictive Emission Monitoring Systems (PEMS) as an alternative to the Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) in monitoring emissions from industrial plant operations. PEMS is more cost effective compared to CEMS and has the added feature of diagnostic and trending capabilities.  In view of its potential applicability in the country, a study was conducted in on the use of PEMS in a privately owned diesel power plant in the Philippines. A computer-based “first principles” PEMS model was developed to estimate emission concentrations levels for four criteria air pollutants, namely sulfur oxides (as SO₂), nitrogen oxides (as NO₂), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). Using plant operations data as input, the model simulates the diesel engine operations and predicts the resulting emission characteristics using stoichiometric and thermodynamic principles. The model was validated by comparing emission concentrations calculated using the model with actual emissions data measured. The model was calibrated using historical plant operation data to increase the PEMS accuracy. Additional refinements in the computer model, such as emission data recording and storage, were also done to increase the model’s handiness and practicability in operation. The study showed that the PEMS model developed for the diesel power plant could effectively predict PM emissions.

Purposive sampling is described as a random selection of sampling units within the segment of the population with the most information on the characteristic of interest. Nonparametric bootstrap is proposed in estimating location parameters and the corresponding variances. An estimate of bias and a measure of variance of the point estimate are computed using the Monte Carlo method. The bootstrap estimator of the population mean is efficient and consistent in the homogeneous, heterogeneous, and two-segment populations simulated. The design-unbiased approximation of the standard error estimate differs substantially from the bootstrap estimate in severely heterogeneous and positively skewed populations.