Northampton Community College

About: Northampton Community College is a education organization based out in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 3410 authors who have published 4582 publications receiving 130398 citations. The organization is also known as: Northampton County Area Community College.

Customer loyalty – a relevant concept for libraries?

Abstract: In commercial contexts the concept of customer loyalty has received much attention, because there is perceived to be a link to profitability. A review of the theoretical work on this concept identifies that loyalty has both attitudinal and behavioural elements. Categories of loyals proposed by Dick and Basu are defined by the relationship between attitudinal and behavioural aspects of loyalty. Antecedents to loyalty include cognitive, affective and conative factors. The management of loyalty must focus on the control or modification of these antecedents. This offers an agenda for further debate within specific libraries. The outcomes of any programme to manage loyalty needs to be evaluated and measured. The measurement of loyalty poses some interesting challenges in terms of the definitions of the attitudes and behaviours that it might be appropriate to measure. Library managers need to identify which measures are the most appropriate for their context

Coupled bending-torsional dynamic stiffness matrix for axially loaded beam elements

Abstract: Analytical expressions for the coupled bending–torsional dynamic stiffness matrix elements of an axially loaded uniform beam element are derived in an exact sense by solving the governing differential equations of motion of the beam. The influence of axial force on the coupled bending–torsional frequencies of a cantilever and hinged–hinged beam of thin-walled section is demonstrated by numerical results. Application of the developed theory includes coupled bending–torsional frequency and mode calculations of helicopter, turbine and propeller blades, plane and space frames, and grillages consisting of axially loaded beam elements with non-coincident mass centre and shear centre.

Outcome of intensive rehabilitation after severe brain injury: a long-term follow-up study

Abstract: Fifty-five brain-injured adults (of 64 discharged) were followed up from 19 to 101 months after discharge from a rehabilitation unit. Change was assessed in terms of discharge and current placement, as compared with pre-admission placement. The results demonstrate that rehabilitation achieved improvements in functional skills and social behaviour that lastingly affected the type of placement possible, and thus improved quality of life. In most cases where improvements were seen during rehabilitation, further improvements occurred after discharge. The findings also have implications for the timing of rehabilitation and for discharge and resettlement planning.

Ethics, values and behaviours: comparison of three case studies examining the paucity of leadership in government

Abstract: Three societies with similar initiatives for public service re-configuration and reform – the UK, Canada and Australia – are examined to highlight the many-faceted issues of public service ethics and the different approaches these governments have taken to re-building public trust and enhancing public service ethics in times of rapid change. These efforts for re-building an ethical public service are scrutinized according to four criteria for effectively leading change. Changes of public service values are also analysed as well as their implications for public servants. Effectively, applied leadership is identified as the pillar of ethical practice – emphasizing the need for quality leadership development through on-the-job experience. Although legislation and codification are seen as necessary for building an ethical infrastructure that can help employees out of encountered dilemmas, the way forward is seen as nurturing an environment of trust and vigilance in which ethics are promoted through exemplary behaviour of leaders and employees alike.

EXOSC3 mutations in pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1: novel mutations and genotype-phenotype correlations

Abstract: Background: Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) represents a group of neurodegenerative disorders with prenatal onset. Eight subtypes have been described thus far (PCH1-8) based on clinical and genetic features. Common characteristics include hypoplasia and atrophy of the cerebellum, variable pontine atrophy, and severe mental and motor impairments. PCH1 is distinctly characterized by the combination with degeneration of spinal motor neurons. Recently, mutations in the exosome component 3 gene (EXOSC3) have been identified in approximately half of the patients with PCH subtype 1. Methods: We selected a cohort of 99 PCH patients (90 families) tested negative for mutations in the TSEN genes, RARS2, VRK1 and CASK. Patients in this cohort were referred with a tentative diagnose PCH type 1, 2, 4, 7 or unclassified PCH. Genetic analysis of the EXOSC3 gene was performed using Sanger sequencing. Clinical data, MR images and autopsy reports of patients positive for EXOSC3 mutations were analyzed. Results: EXOSC3 mutations were found in twelve families with PCH subtype 1, and were not found in patients with other PCH subtypes. Identified mutations included a large deletion, nonsense and missense mutations. Examination of clinical data reveals a prolonged disease course in patients with a homozygous p.D132A mutation. MRI shows variable pontine hypoplasia in EXOSC3 mediated PCH, where the pons is largely preserved in patients with a homozygous p.D132A mutation, but attenuated in patients with other mutations. Additionally, bilateral cerebellar cysts were found in patients compound heterozygous for a p.D132A mutation and a nonsense allele. Conclusions: EXOSC3 mediated PCH shows clear genotype-phenotype correlations. A homozygous p.D132A mutation leads to PCH with possible survival into early puberty, and preservation of the pons. Compound heterozygosity for a p.D132A mutation and a nonsense or p.Y109N allele, a homozygous p.G31A mutation or a p.G135E mutation causes a more rapidly progressive course leading to death in infancy and attenuation of the ventral pons. Our findings imply a clear correlation between genetic mutation and clinical outcome in EXOSC3 mediated PCH, including variable involvement of the pons.