Developing a learning culture for sustainable quality service

In the year 2002, the University of Hong Kong Libraries embarked on a journey in pursuit of sustainable quality services by means of developing a learning culture. Reference was drawn to the book “Ten Steps to a Learning Organization” on ideas to advocate self development among library staff. At the same time, the Libraries have been tracking the responses to their user surveys with a view to identifying improvements in users’ perception of staff performance in terms of customer service. The survey results in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 seem to indicate that users’ perceptions of staff performance improved with time and did so most dramatically following a series of self-initiated workshops conducted by library staff. While the 2009 user survey results reflect that users’ perception of the Libraries’ customer service is maintained at a comparatively high level, this paper suggests continuous efforts in promoting a learning culture is vital if the quality service are to be sustained. This paper focuses on the role of strategic staff development in transforming a library into a learning organization. The formulation and implementation of the staff development strategy in the University of Hong Kong Libraries will be analyzed to demonstrate the successful as well as bitter experience in this unique journey. With the lessons learnt and strong commitment to becoming a learning organization, the Libraries are exploring for ways to improve the working environment in support of ongoing learning, growth and development.postprin

Comparative study of staff development in academic libraries of Mainland China and Hong Kong

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Dietary intake and metabolic control of children aged six to ten with type 1 diabetes mellitus in KwaZulu-Natal

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the dietary intake and metabolic control of children with type 1 diabetes.Design: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out.Subjects: A total of 30 subjects whose ages ranged from six to ten years were included in the study.Setting: The study was conducted at the Paediatric Diabetic Clinics at Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal.Outcome measures: Dietary intake was assessed using a three-day dietary record. Metabolic control was assessed using glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c).Results: The mean percentage contributions of macronutrients to total energy as determined by the three-day dietary records were as follows: carbohydrate – 52%; added sucrose – 2%; protein – 16%; fat – 32%. The mean intakes were similar to the recommendations of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Consensus Guidelines (2002). Micronutrient intake was generally adequate. The mean latest glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for the sample as at the time of the study was 9.7%. Five of the thirty subjects had HbA1c values that were within the recommended levels for children with type 1 diabetes.Conclusions: The macronutrient intake in this sample was found to be similar to the ISPAD Consensus Guidelines (2002) while micronutrientintake was adequate in most cases. Overall the sample had poor  metabolic control

Analysis of the technology acceptance model in examining students' behavioural intention to use an e-portfolio system

In recent years, instructors have had an increasing interest in integrating Internet based technologies into their classroom as part of the learning environment. Compared to studies on other information systems, student users' behaviour towards e-portfolios have not been assessed and thoroughly understood. This paper analyses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in order to examine students' behavioural intention to use an electronic portfolio system, meaning how students use and appropriate it within the specific framework of a course. An E-Portfolio Usage Questionnaire was developed using existing scales from prior TAM instruments and modified where appropriate. Seventy-two participants completed the survey questionnaire measuring their responses to perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitudes towards usage (ATU) and behavioural intention to use (BIU) the e-portfolio system. The results of the study indicated that students' perceived ease of use (PEOU) had a significant influence on attitude towards usage (ATU). Subsequently, perceived ease of use (PEOU) had the strongest significant influence on perceived usefulness (PU). The research further demonstrated that individual characteristics and technological factors may have a significant influence on instructors to adopt e-portfolios into their courses. Results suggest that TAM is a solid theoretical model where its validity can extend to an e-portfolio context.published_or_final_versio

Are South African women willing and able to apply the new Food-Based Dietary Guidelines? Lessons for nutrition educators

Background Consumer testing was a prime consideration in developing specific South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) which were nationally adopted in 2003. Objectives This study aimed to determine the consumer's ability to apply the FBDGs appropriately, in terms of identifying foods/drinks according to the FBDG food categories; perceived importance of and barriers to applying each FBDG; and planning a typical day's meals to reflect the FBDGs. Design A cross-sectional study of 333 women from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Setting: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods Data collection comprised focus-group discussions (n = 103) and structured individual interviews (n = 230). Results The identification of foods/drinks according to the FBDG food categories reflected a high level of comprehension by participants of these food categories. Participants from all study samples endorsed the importance of applying the FBDGs, predominantly for health reasons. Participants cited barriers to the application of the FBDGs as affordability, availability, household taste preferences, routine food-purchasing habits, time constraints, traditional/ habitual food-preparation methods, and persistent attitudes. Only three FBDGs were mentioned as difficult to apply, namely, “fruits/ vegetables”, “foods from animals” and “legumes”. Meal plans did reflect the FBDGs, illustrating the flexibility of their use across cultural and socio-economic differences. Conclusions Consumer testing of the FBDGs was mainly positive. The study has highlighted areas of confusion regarding certain concepts, terminology and misconceptions, and has identified barriers to application. These concerns can be addressed through the reformulation and retesting of certain dietary guidelines, and the provision of explanatory consumer information and health-worker training materials. SAJCN Vol. 21 (2) 2008: pp. 17-2

Careers in academic libraries

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Motorcycle three-wheelers in Pakistan: Low-cost rural transport services, crucial for women’s mobility

Rural women and men without their own means of transport depend on transport services. In low- and middle-income countries these are mainly provided by informal sector entrepreneurs. In Pakistan, motorcycle three-wheelers (designed as six-seater, route-based vehicles) provide most rural transport services. Research was undertaken in three districts of Punjab Province, with traffic counts and surveys of transport users. Motorcycles are increasing rapidly, and men’s use of transport services is declining. The traffic counts showed motorcycles for personal and family use carry almost half of the people travelling. Women are increasingly passengers on motorcycles driven by male relatives, but these are seldom available for women’s multipurpose trips during the daytime. On village-to-town roads, motorcycle three-wheelers are the only low-cost (two cents USD per passenger-km) public transport throughout the day. Point-to-point taxis are more costly. Most (55%) of women’s public transport journeys are in three-wheelers. Women and men rate motorcycle three-wheelers highly, particularly their fares and frequency. Women have a greater willingness to pay more for less crowded, safer vehicles than men. It is concluded that the informal sector motorcycle three-wheeler services are optimising village-to-town transport connections, providing the only low-cost travel option for many rural women. Policies should avoid disrupting their vital services. With motorcycle growth undermining transport services, gender-aware strategies should be developed to facilitate frequent, uncrowded three-wheeler operations

Increased Resistance of Bt Aspens to Phratora vitellinae (Coleoptera) Leads to Increased Plant Growth under Experimental Conditions

One main aim with genetic modification (GM) of trees is to produce plants that are resistant to various types of pests. The effectiveness of GM-introduced toxins against specific pest species on trees has been shown in the laboratory. However, few attempts have been made to determine if the production of these toxins and reduced herbivory will translate into increased tree productivity. We established an experiment with two lines of potted aspens (Populus tremula×Populus tremuloides) which express Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxins and the isogenic wildtype (Wt) in the lab. The goal was to explore how experimentally controlled levels of a targeted leaf beetle Phratora vitellinae (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae) influenced leaf damage severity, leaf beetle performance and the growth of aspen. Four patterns emerged. Firstly, we found clear evidence that Bt toxins reduce leaf damage. The damage on the Bt lines was significantly lower than for the Wt line in high and low herbivory treatment, respectively. Secondly, Bt toxins had a significant negative effect on leaf beetle survival. Thirdly, the significant decrease in height of the Wt line with increasing herbivory and the relative increase in height of one of the Bt lines compared with the Wt line in the presence of herbivores suggest that this also might translate into increased biomass production of Bt trees. This realized benefit was context-dependent and is likely to be manifested only if herbivore pressure is sufficiently high. However, these herbivore induced patterns did not translate into significant affect on biomass, instead one Bt line overall produced less biomass than the Wt. Fourthly, compiled results suggest that the growth reduction in one Bt line as indicated here is likely due to events in the transformation process and that a hypothesized cost of producing Bt toxins is of subordinate significance