Busitema University Library has organized an online training session for all Campus Librarians on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 09:00 am on how to use online timesheets. During the training, the Librarians will be inducted on the tool which all staff shall be using to file their timesheets. Following this, each Campus Librarian will schedule and cascade the same training for their staff at their respective campus libraries. This training shall be conducted by the University Librarian Dr. Fredrick Kiwuwa Lugya being assisted by the Graduate Fellow, Ms. Doreen Patience Namatovu. The Campus Librarians shall work with Doreen to cascade the training at their respective Campus Libraries.

The Benefits of Using Online Timesheets in Library Management

As libraries continue to evolve in their operations, it is essential to take advantage of technology to streamline and enhance the management of their services. One of the areas that have seen a significant shift is the adoption of online timesheets to monitor and measure staff work performance and output. This shift has brought numerous benefits to library management. In this post, we delve into the benefits of using online timesheets in library management.

1. Efficiency and Time-Saving
The use of online timesheets eliminates the need for paper and manual calculations, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. With online timesheets, staff can easily enter their working hours, and the system automatically calculates the total hours worked, reducing the time and effort needed to complete timesheets manually. This efficiency leads to more time being spent on other critical library tasks.

2. Accurate Recording
Online timesheets provide a more accurate record of staff work performance and output. This accuracy ensures that staff members are correctly compensated for their work, and the library management can easily track staff performance and make informed decisions based on accurate data.

3. Review and Feedback
With online timesheets, library management can quickly review staff performance and provide timely feedback. The system allows supervisors to monitor staff performance, identify areas that need improvement, and provide feedback to staff. This feedback helps to improve staff morale and motivation, leading to better performance and output.

4. Accessible Data
Online timesheets provide library management with accessible data, allowing them to analyze and track staff performance over a more extended period. This data can be used to identify trends, patterns, and areas that need improvement. This information is useful in decision-making and the development of library strategies.

5. Secure Data Storage
With online timesheets, there is no need to worry about losing or misplacing paper-based timesheets. The system provides secure data storage, ensuring that timesheets are not lost or tampered with. This feature ensures data privacy and security, which is crucial in library management.

In conclusion, the use of online timesheets in library management has numerous benefits, including efficiency, accurate recording, review and feedback, accessible data, and secure data storage. Libraries that have not yet adopted this practice should consider doing so to streamline their operations and enhance their services

Busitema University Library, in collaboration with the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL), brings you three new databases for trial in April 2024, provided by EBSCOhost. The goal of the trial is to identify resources that align with Busitema University's information needs. These databases offer valuable resources for academic research and learning and the include;

Education Source Ultimate

This database is ideal for students and lecturers affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Education. It provides full-text education articles, totalling 803 full-text journals, all in Open Access. It covers around 22 topics, including higher education, adult, career, and vocational education, elementary and early childhood education, literacy standards, information and technology, urban education, special education, and reading and communication, among others. In addition, it offers 415 educational videos that provide practical online teacher training on virtual classroom tutorials, e-learning software, and remote learning primers, among others. This database is accessible via.

Dynamic Health

This database is designed for students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, particularly those offering Bachelor of Nursing related programs. It is an evidence-based tool designed to help nurses and allied health professionals master skills, obtain fast answers to questions, and foster a culture of evidence-based practice and critical thinking, leading to improved patient outcomes. It covers topics on diseases and conditions, tests and labs, signs and symptoms, drug monographs, skills and competency checklists, among others. Accessible via the web and mobile, it provides nursing skills, transcultural skills, patient training skills, and health professional skills like occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work, among others. This database is accessible via https://www.dynahealth.com/.

DynaMed

Dynaed is also another valuable resource for students, lecturers and researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences especially those in medicine and surgery. It combines current clinical evidence with expert guidance to create a powerful clinical research decision support tool. This enables clinicians to find answers to questions at the point of care with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Its functionality revolves around Micromedex drug content, daily updates, evidence-based O&R, graphics and images, earning CME and MOC, alerts when topics change, among other functionalities. It is also accessible via the web and mobile and supports Single Sign-On (SSO). It ensures confidence in practice, saves time, provides anytime – anywhere access, and supports lifelong learning. DynaMed can be accessed through the following link https://www.dynamed.com/. When prompted to log in, obtain login details by sending an email to the library at flugya@busitema.ac.ug

Attention all library users!, we kindly inform you that the University Library will be closing early today, April 11th, 2024, at 1:00 PM, as our staff will be attending the University Staff party. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, please note that our Electronic resources will still be accessible through our website, and our off-campus tool remains fully operational. Normal library operations will resume on Friday 12th at 8:00 AM. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support as we strive to serve you better and Signifying Excellence together

Libraries serve as pivotal assets in students' Academic endeavors, granting access to invaluable resources crucial for research and learning. Yet, a significant number of students lack the necessary skills to fully exploit these resources for academic excellence. This is where library training sessions prove indispensable.

On the 22nd of February 2024, the Pallisa Campus Library conducted a training session for Undergraduate students. The session was led by Mr. Wejuli Joseph, the Campus Librarian.

The session's focus was to enlighten students about the various services offered by the library and their significant role in Academic enhancement. Mr. Wejuli Joseph provided students with valuable insights into the different electronic resources and facilities available at the library, emphasizing the importance of utilizing these resources effectively to achieve academic excellence.

The Undergraduate students found the training session to be highly enriching, and it enabled them to gain a deeper appreciation for the library's critical role in their academic journey. The session helped them understand how to navigate the library's vast resources and how to use them effectively to enhance their research and learning.

Library training sessions offer various benefits to Graduate students. Here are some of the reasons why attending these sessions is essential:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of library resources: Library training sessions provide students with an opportunity to learn about the different resources available and how to utilize them effectively. This knowledge is crucial in enhancing their academic performance.

2. Learn how to conduct effective research: Libraries offer a wealth of information that can aid in research. Attending training sessions helps students understand how to conduct research effectively, including how to use the library's databases, search engines, and other research tools.

3. Access to expert guidance: Library training sessions are usually led by experienced librarians who are knowledgeable about the library's resources and services. Students can access expert guidance and ask questions that can help them better understand how to utilize the library effectively.

In conclusion, library training sessions are essential for Undergraduate students who seek to excel academically. These sessions not only provide access to valuable resources but also equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to utilize them effectively. As such, attending library training sessions should be a priority for all graduate students.

The Complosome as Orchestrator of Normal Cell Physiology by Prof. Claudia Kemper NHLBI/NIH, USA

Prof. Claudia Kemper from the NHLBI/NIH, USA explains a multimedia lecture titled "The Complosome as Orchestrator of Normal Cell Physiology" in 67 minutes, and explores the emerging roles of the Complosome in cell metabolism and physiology. Prof. Claudia Kemper discusses the traditional role of liver-derived and serum-circulating complement in innate immunity. It then delves into the unexpected discovery of cell-autonomous complement expression and its intracellular activities, which have been identified as fundamental drivers of normal cell metabolism. Perturbations in intracellular complement, referred to as the Complosome, are associated with various human diseases. The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding these novel and non-canonical roles of the Complosome for developing new therapeutic interventions. For further details, watch a video

The Noradrenergic hypothesis of Neurodegeneration and Astroglia by Prof. Robert Zorec University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

The multimedia lecture titled "Noradrenergic Hypothesis of Neurodegeneration and Astroglia" is explained in  37 minutes by Prof. Robert Zorec from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, delves into the role of noradrenaline and astroglia in neurodegeneration, particularly focusing on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and TDP-43 proteinopathies. The lecture begins with an exploration of how thinking is measured and the relationship between pupil diameter and neuronal activity. It discusses the pathophysiology of AD and introduces the Seattle Alzheimer's disease brain cell atlas (SEA-AD). The lecture highlights the role of astrocytes and the locus coeruleus (LC) in neuropathology, emphasizing astroglial morphological plasticity and the excitable nature of astrocytes. Furthermore, it examines the impact of adrenergic stimulation on astrocytic aerobic glycolysis and lipid droplet accumulation, proposing a noradrenergic hypothesis of neurodegeneration. The lecture concludes with acknowledgments. For further details, watch a video

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and adapting for NTD programs by Dr. Katie Zoerhoff Task Force for Global Health, USA

The multimedia lecture of 19 minutes titled "Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting for NTD Programs" by Dr. Katie Zoerhoff from the Task Force for Global Health, USA, provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the context of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The lecture begins with an overview of why M&E is crucial for NTD programs, highlighting substantial gaps in existing M&E efforts for each NTD. Dr. Katie Zoerhoff introduces the concept of MERLA (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting) and the MERLA cycle, emphasizing the engagement of various stakeholders in this process. The lecture then discusses key indicators for NTDs and best practices for their selection, data collection, storage, validation, analysis, synthesis, dissemination, and use. It also addresses the application of anticolonial practices in NTD data dissemination and emphasizes take-home messages. The lecture concludes with acknowledgments and a disclaimer. For further details Play a video

Chronic migraine: history, imaging and patient characteristics, and controversies by Dr. Stewart J. Tepper The New England Institute for Neurology and Headache, USA
In 48 minutes a multimedia lecture titled "Chronic Migraine: History, Imaging, Patient Characteristics, and Controversies" by Dr. Stewart J. Tepper from The New England Institute for Neurology and Headache, USA comprehensively covers various aspects related to chronic migraine (CM). It begins with disclosures and delves into the evolution of the terms "Chronic Migraine" and "Chronic Daily Headache," discussing different diagnostic terms and criteria from ICHD-1 to ICHD-3. The lecture explores the clinical picture of CM, including its progression to medication overuse headache (MOH), and examines the boundary between episodic migraine (EM) and CM. It discusses proposed changes in CM criteria, treatment approaches, and the efficacy of therapies such as OnabotulinumtoxinA and anti-CGRP therapy. The lecture also highlights imaging studies, patient characteristics, and controversies surrounding CM diagnosis and treatment paradigms, concluding with insights into the changing landscape of CM management. For further details, watch a video

No-clear-cause intra-cerebral hemorrhage: subtypes, causes, and Mechanisms by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Schreiber Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany

The 23-minute multimedia lecture titled "No-clear-cause Intra-cerebral Hemorrhage: Subtypes, Causes, and Mechanisms" by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Schreiber from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany provides a comprehensive overview of spontaneous intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its various subtypes and causes. The Lecture covers topics such as the classification of ICH subtypes, including mixed hemorrhages and lobar ICH, and discusses the main causes of ICH with unclear origins. The lecture also explores the Edinburgh criteria for diagnosing ICH and updates to these criteria. Additionally, it delves into the mechanisms underlying mixed hemorrhages, including amyloid beta accumulation and Cortical Superficial Siderosis (CSS), and examines biomarkers associated with lobar ICH. Ultimately, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Schreiber concludes with insights into the diagnosis, classification, and potential mechanisms of no-clear-cause intra-cerebral hemorrhage. 

The microbiome and allergic diseases by Prof. Harald Renz Philipps-University Marburg, Germany

The 36-minute multimedia lecture titled "The Microbiome and Allergic Diseases" by Prof. Harald Renz from Philipps-University Marburg, Germany, provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between the microbiome and allergic diseases. The Lecture covers various aspects such as immune tolerance and the breakdown of tolerance to ingested antigens, the distribution and composition of bacterial, fungal, and viral microbiota at different body sites, and the influence of maternal and postnatal factors on the development of allergy and asthma. The lecture also delves into the protective effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), prebiotics, and postbiotics, as well as the concept of microbial diversity and its impact on chronic inflammation. Furthermore,Prof. Harald Renz discusses specific microbial species like Acinetobacter lwoffii and their role in triggering inflammatory responses, emphasizing the importance of environmental bacteria in regulating the mucosal-microbial-immune interface. Additionally, Prof. Harald Renzexplores the potential therapeutic benefits of probiotics and carbohydrate prebiotics in modulating the gut microbiota and influencing immune function.