Application of Library Service Charter in Quality Service Delivery in University Libraries

Purpose was to assess the application of library service charter in quality service delivery in university libraries with reference to the University of Nairobi Library in Kenya, and propose measures to ensure successful implementation and management of the practice. Objectives of the study were to: examine the extent of the library service charter in quality service delivery in the library, establish levels of library staff awareness, perception and responsiveness to information service delivery, assess the actualization of the matrices of the library service charter for quality improvements, establish the challenges experienced by the library in realising the commitments of the service delivery charter, and propose measures to be undertaken to ensure successful actualization of the library service charter. Mixed research methods of qualitative and quantitative design were applied in the research. The library service charter played critical role in delivery of services to the information customers, significantly enhanced information management through professionalism, staff performance, teamwork and timely feedback. The challenges experienced in implementing the service charter included low work motivation, increased workload, complexity in understanding the provisions of the charter, bureaucracy, institutional weakness, targets set inhibits performance and inadequate facilitation. There is need for elaborated information fluency programme to equip the library staff with adequate knowledge and skills on all matrices of the practice. In addition, the library should plan for capacity building, provide enough copies of the service charter to patrons, and monitor and evaluate the service charter for continuous improvement of service delivery

Polymer gel spinning machine

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-118).by Christine A. Odero.M.S

A t(11;15) fuses MLL to two different genes, AF15q14 and a novel gene MPFYVE on chromosome 15

The mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL, also known as HRX, ALL-1 and Htrx) located at 11q23 is involved in translocations with over 40 different chromosomal bands in a variety of leukemia subtypes. Here we report our analysis of a rare but recurring translocation, t(11;15)(q23;q14). This translocation has been described in a small subset of cases with both acute myeloblastic leukemia and ALL. Recent studies have shown that MLL is fused to AF15q14 in the t(11;15). Here we analyse a sample from another patient with this translocation and confirm the presence of an MLL-AF15q14 fusion. However, we have also identified and cloned another fusion transcript from the same patient sample. In this fusion transcript, MLL is fused to a novel gene, MLL partner containing FYVE domain (MPFYVE). Both MLL-AF15q14 and MLL-MPFYVE are in-frame fusion transcripts with the potential to code for novel fusion proteins. MPFYVE is also located on chromosome 15, approximately 170 kb telomeric to AF15q14. MPFYVE contains a highly conserved motif, the FYVE domain which, in other proteins, has been shown to bind to phosphotidyl-inositol-3 phosphate (PtdIns(3)P). The MLL-MPFYVE fusion may be functionally important in the leukemia process in at least some patients containing this translocation

Ethical Approaches to Mandating Influenza Vaccinations for Local Health Department Workforce in Georgia

Background: The seasonal influenza illness occurs every year in the United States during the cooler months from October to April, sometimes lasting longer. Although certain populations are more susceptible to this condition, data have shown that otherwise healthy individuals have experienced alarming rates of morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. Despite the CDC’s recommendation for influenza vaccination for all HCWs, compliance have been lagging among local health departments’ workforce. This practice arguably exposes a wide cross section of the U.S. population to the flu, while being served in these facilities. The utilitarian approach provides a framework to examine the ethical implications to the public of mandating influenza vaccination for these employees. Methods: A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to address the following research questions: 1) Do local public health departments in Georgia mandate annual influenza vaccinations?  2) What are the ethical considerations for mandating influenza vaccinations for public health employees? and 3) What are the ethical considerations for mandating influenza vaccinations for the community? Twenty-five articles were included in the review. Results: Descriptive analysis shows that there is no mandatory vaccination policy in place for state or local departments in health in the state of Georgia. Most of the literature available relates to policy implementation within acute or long-term care facilities. A systematic review of mandatory influenza vaccination for public health workers focused on four areas: theoretical approaches to increase influenza vaccination coverage and support of, opposition to, and alternative strategies for influenza vaccinations. Conclusions: The utilitarian approach is sufficient for the influenza vaccination policy- making strategies and in the ethical approaches of mandating influenza vaccinations for local health department workforce in Georgia if need be, for vaccination targets are to be achieved

A variant t(14;17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Positive response to retinoic acid treatment

We present a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) carrying an atypical translocation involving chromosomes 14 and 17. This translocation could be considered a variant of the APL-specific t(15;17). Positive response to retinoic acid treatment suggests molecular rearrangement of retinoic acid receptor alpha

Evidence for position effects as a variant ETV6-mediated leukemogenic mechanism in myeloid leukemias with a t(4;12)(q11-q12;p13) or t(5;12)(q31;p13)

The ETV6 gene (first identified as TEL) is a frequent target of chromosomal translocations in both myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. At present, more than 40 distinct translocations have been cytogenetically described, of which 13 have now also been characterized at the molecular level. These studies revealed the generation of in-frame fusion genes between different domains of ETV6 and partner genes encoding either kinases or transcription factors. However, in a number of cases-including a t(6;12)(q23;p13), the recurrent t(5;12)(q31;p13), and some cases of the t(4;12)(q11-q12;p13) described in this work-functionally significant fusions could not be identified, raising the question as to what leukemogenic mechanism is implicated in these cases. To investigate this, we have evaluated the genomic regions at 4q11-q12 and 5q31, telomeric to the breakpoints of the t(4;12)(q11-q12;p13) and t(5;12)(q31;p13). The homeobox gene GSH2 at 4q11-q12 and the IL-3/CSF2 locus at 5q31 were found to be located close to the respective breakpoints. In addition, GSH2 and IL-3 were found to be ectopically expressed in the leukemic cells, suggesting that expression of GSH2 and IL-3 was deregulated by the translocation. Our results indicate that, besides the generation of fusion transcripts, deregulation of the expression of oncogenes could be a variant leukemogenic mechanism for translocations involving the 5' end of ETV6, especially for those translocations lacking functionally significant fusion transcripts

A recurrent translocation, t(3;11)(q21;q13), found in two distinct cases of acute myeloid leukemia

We report two cases of acute myeloid leukemia (M1 and M5B subtypes) with a similar translocation, t(3;11)(q21;q13). We discuss the involvement of these breakpoints in acute leukemia and their putative clinical implications

Systematic review and meta-analysis: prevalence of alcohol use among young people in eastern Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of alcohol use among young people (age 15-24 years) in eastern Africa to estimate prevalence of alcohol use and determine the extent of use of standardised screening questionnaires in alcohol studies. METHODS: Five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Africa-wide, and PsycINFO) were searched for publications until 30th June 2013. Results were summarised using the guidelines on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and on quality assessment using the modified quality assessment tool for systematic reviews of observational studies (QATSO). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) statistic (DerSimonian-Laird). RESULTS: We identified 2785 potentially relevant studies, of which 56 were eligible for inclusion. Only two studies (4%) used the standardised Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire, and six studies (13%) used the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye opener (CAGE) questionnaire. The reported median prevalence of alcohol use was ever-use 52% [interquartile range (IQR): 20-58%], use in the last month 28% (IQR: 17-37%), use in the last year 26% (IQR: 22-32%), and problem drinking as defined by CAGE or AUDIT 15% (IQR: 3-36%). We observed high heterogeneity between studies, with the highest prevalence of ever use of alcohol among university students (82%; 95%CI: 79-85%) and female sex workers (66%; 95%CI: 58-74%). Current use was most prevalent among male sex workers (69%; 95%CI: 63-75%). CONCLUSIONS: Reported alcohol use and problem drinking were common among diverse groups of young people in eastern Africa, indicating the urgent need for alcohol-focused interventions in this population. Few studies have used standardised alcohol screening questionnaires. Epidemiological research to investigate alcohol-focused interventions in young people should aim to apply such questionnaires that should be validated for use in this population

Cytogenetic analysis of 280 patients with multiple myeloma and related disorders: primary breakpoints and clinical correlations

Cytogenetic analysis of unstimulated short-term bone marrow cell cultures was performed on 280 patients with multiple myeloma and related disorders. In 65% of the cases, an additional short term B-cell stimulated culture was also examined. Chromosomally abnormal clones were found in 31% of the patients, 15% in Waldenström macroglobulinemia. 25% in monoclonal gammopathies, 33% in multiple myeloma, and 50% in plasma cell leukemia. Three primary chromosomal breakpoints were recurrently involved: 14q32, 16q22, and 22q11. Structural rearrangements of chromosome 1 were the most frequent (26% of the abnormal cases), but always as a secondary change. Rearrangements of band 14q32 were found in 22% of the abnormal cases. Among the multiple myeloma patients who showed an abnormal karyotype, 33 (46%) were hyperdiploid, most frequently, with 52-56 chromosomes, 29 patients (40%) were pseudodiploid, and the remaining 12 cases (14%) were hypodiploid. A highly significant relation was observed between the presence of an abnormal karyotype and the following clinical parameters: stage III (P = 0.0001), bone marrow plasma cell infiltration greater than 30% (P = 0.0001), presence of bone lesions (P = 0.0009), and beta 2-microglobulin levels greater than 4 mg/L (P = 0.0001)