Managing Organizational Structure for University Advancement: An Assessment at Asia-Pacific International University

Organizational structures are important factors because they help organizations ensure that they are designed to accomplish their institutional mission and vision. The aim of this study was to look at organizational structures and how they affect university advancement. The study used a correlational design for analysis, and convenience sample technique was used for respondents selection (n = 34). Findings indicated that a flat, matrix and organic organizational structures were the better suited structures for university advancement. There were statistically significant relationships between University Advancement’s marketing factor and the matrix organizational structure (r =.461, p = 0.006); marketing and the flat organizational structure (r=.385, p = 0.025); the fundraising university advancement and the matrix organizational structure (r =.410, p=.016); alumni with the matrix organizational structure (r =.400, p =.019) and with organic organizational structure (r =.438, p =.010). It was concluded that organizational structures have significant positive influence on university advancement.  Recommendations include further studies to include more institutions, increased institutional focus on university advancement and its functions, and instituting a collaborative environment with a flat, organic or matrixed organizational structure

Should the Arteriovenous Fistula Be Created before Starting Dialysis?: A Decision Analytic Approach

Background: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered the vascular access of choice, but uncertainty exists about the\ud optimal time for its creation in pre-dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal vascular access\ud referral strategy for stage 4 (glomerular filtration rate ,30 ml/min/1.73 m2) chronic kidney disease patients using a decision\ud analytic framework.\ud Methods: A Markov model was created to compare two strategies: refer all stage 4 chronic kidney disease patients for an\ud AVF versus wait until the patient starts dialysis. Data from published observational studies were used to estimate the\ud probabilities used in the model. A Markov cohort analysis was used to determine the optimal strategy with life expectancy\ud and quality adjusted life expectancy as the outcomes. Sensitivity analyses, including a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, were\ud performed using Monte Carlo simulation.\ud Results: The wait strategy results in a higher life expectancy (66.6 versus 65.9 months) and quality adjusted life expectancy\ud (38.9 versus 38.5 quality adjusted life months) than immediate AVF creation. It was robust across all the parameters except\ud at higher rates of progression and lower rates of ischemic steal syndrome.\ud Conclusions: Early creation of an AVF, as recommended by most guidelines, may not be the preferred strategy in all predialysis\ud patients. Further research on cost implications and patient preferences for treatment options needs to be done\ud before recommending early AVF creation

Validating Forensic Latent Fingerprinting Techniques

The Worcester Police Department Crime Scene Unit in their latent print unit utilizes many chemical methods to develop and enhance fingerprints left on evidence. All of these methods rely on chemical reactions with biological molecules secreted by human skin. In order to gain accreditation from the Forensic Quality Services board, the unit needs to have all of these methods validated. A method will be considered valid when it is tested at the extremes of the range of the protocol and acceptable results are obtained. The data from this project show that all experimental protocols printed in their lab manual (Grady, 2006) are valid

An Investigation into Worcester's 'Troubled Waters'

The goal of the project was to establish and evaluate the problems in Worcester County's wastewater and investigate what was being done to remedy the situation. Through many means of data collection: first hand interviews, budget analysis, and government document collection, we discovered key areas that are responsible for causing the problems Worcester County is facing. We concluded that there are two main issues from which all the problems in wastewater treatment stem. Budget cutbacks and labor shortages are crippling the MassDEP and EPA. All problems with the procedures and equipment in the environmental strike force can be traced back to these issues

Development of end stage renal disease following an acute cardiac event

We determined the rate and risk factors for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in consecutive patients discharged after a cardiac event in a large, unbiased Canadian cohort that receives universal health coverage. A total of 8236 adults hospitalized over a 2 year period were followed for up to 7.5 years and the incidence of ESRD and mortality determined. Of these, 113 reached ESRD (stage 5). Patients with moderate (stage 3) and severe (stage 4) renal insufficiency were more likely to develop ESRD than those patients at stage 1 or 2. However, patients with moderate renal insufficiency were 78.6 times more likely to die than to develop ESRD. Absolute rates of progression to ESRD per 100-patient years were 0.08 at stages 1 and 2, 0.17 at stage 3 and 4.27 at stage 4. Age, diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure also predicted ESRD. We found that patients with stage 4 disease are at high risk of ESRD after a cardiac admission while those at stage 3 are far more likely to die than to develop ESRD

Synthèse des données probantes – Examen de la portée sur les associations entre aménagement urbain et santé : les données quantitatives canadiennes

Introduction. En dépit de données canadiennes abondantes sur les associations entre amé¬nagement urbain et comportements liés à la santé, nous savons peu de chose sur les associa¬tions entre aménagement urbain et problèmes de santé. Cet examen de la portée est destiné à offrir une synthèse des données tirées d’études quantitatives ayant examiné la relation entre l’environnement bâti et les problèmes de santé chroniques, l’état de santé et la qualité de vie autodéclarés ainsi que les blessures au sein de la population canadienne adulte. Méthodologie. De janvier à mars 2017, nous avons effectué des recherches dans 13 bases de données afin de sélectionner, sans égard à la date de publication, les études quantitatives ayant fait l’objet d’une évaluation par les pairs et portant sur les associations entre des mesures objectives de l’environnement bâti et divers problèmes de santé affectant les adultes cana¬diens. Seules les études menées en milieu urbain ont été incluses. Nous avons catalogué et synthétisé les études pertinentes en fonction de leur sujet et de leur plan d’étude ainsi que de leurs résultats sur le plan de la santé et des caractéristiques de l’environnement bâti. Résultats. Cinquante-cinq articles ont répondu aux critères d’inclusion, dont 52 publiés après 2008. La plupart des études menées dans une seule province ont porté sur Ontario (n = 22), le Québec (n = 12) ou l’Alberta (n = 7). L’examen a permis de dégager des associations entre les caractéristiques du milieu bâti et 11 résultats généraux en matière de santé, à savoir les blessures (n = 19), le poids (n = 19), les maladies cardiovasculaires (n = 5), la dépression et l’anxiété (n = 5), le diabète (n = 5), la mortalité (n = 4), l’état de santé autoévalué (n = 2), les problèmes de santé chroniques (n = 2), les troubles du métabolisme (n = 2), la qualité de vie (n = 1) et le cancer (n = 1). Nous avons relevé des données probantes cohérentes mon¬trant des associations entre les indicateurs agrégés de l’environnement bâti (p. ex. le potentiel piétonnier) et le diabète et le poids, ainsi qu’entre la connectivité et les caractéristiques des itinéraires (p. ex. itinéraires de transport, pistes, sentiers, trottoirs, tracés de rue, intersections) et les blessures. Nous avons également extrait des données montrant l’impact qu’ont les espaces verts, les parcs et les installations récréatives sur de multiples résultats de santé. Conclusion. En contexte canadien, l’environnement bâti est associé à un éventail de problèmes de santé chroniques et de blessures chez les adultes, mais les données probantes dis¬ponibles sont limitées. Il faut mener davantage de recherches sur l’environnement bâti et la santé fondées sur des plans d’étude rigoureux afin de produire des données probantes plus solides sur les relations causales aptes à orienter les politiques et les pratiques