Nonparametric Survival Estimation Using Prognostic Longitudinal Covariates

One of the primary problems facing statisticians who work with survival data is the loss of information that occurs with right-censored data. This research considers trying to recover some of this endpoint information through the use of a prognostic covariate which is measured on each individual. We begin by defining a survival estimate which uses time-dependent covariates to more precisely get at the underlying survival curves in the presence of censoring. This estimate has a smaller asymptotic variance than the usual Kaplan-Meier in the presence of censoring and reduces to the Kaplan-Meier (1958, Journal of the American Statistical Association 53, 457-481) in situations where the covariate is not prognostic or no censoring occurs. In addition, this estimate remains consistent when the incorporated covariate contains information about the censoring process as well as survival information. Because the Kaplan-Meier estimate is known to be biased in this situation due to informative censoring, we recommend use of our estimate.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91897/1/Murray Tsiatis 1996 Biometrics.pd

Engineering Management and Industrial Engineering: Six One Way, a Half Dozen the Other

To some people engineering management (EM) is a specialty within Industrial Engineering (IE), to others EM is broader than IE. Comparing the histories of the two disciplines shows a clear distinction. Both disciplines have their roots in the work of engineering pioneers at the turn of the century. Work in motion and time study, along with other efficiency driven techniques, was the beginning of IE. Both IE and EM can trace their roots to the era of scientific management and the work of the early pioneers. A noted change for IE occurred after World War II when many programs shifted their focus towards operations research. For some this shifted marks the beginning of the distinction between the two disciplines

Encouraging Lifelong Learning for Engineering Management Undergraduates

The current ABET guidelines place an emphasis on life-long learning for our undergraduate students. What is life-long learning? How can we encourage students to consider global issues, current events, or even anything that isn\u27t going to be on the next test ? In this paper we present survey results evaluating habits of undergraduate students entering an engineering management program and seniors related to life-long learning including attending professional society meetings, reading trade publications, reading business related books, and other learning outside of the classroom activities. This paper also presents a two semester effort to increase life-long learning activities among undergraduate engineering management students. Changes were made to an introductory sophomore level EM class. Students were required to participate in lifelong learning activities including reading business books and interviewing managers. These activities were graded as part of the required course. Additionally, the students were asked to identify learning activities they would complete the semester following the course - which would not be reflected in their grades. Recommendations for incorporating life-long learning initiatives in the engineering management undergraduate curriculum are also presented

A Technology Assessment Survey for Web Based Higher Education Programs

Advances in communications and computer technology, as well as in human-computer interfaces, have enabled concurrent advances in Web-based education. A number of case studies concerning applications of Web-based education for both distance learning and on-campus programs have been published. Primarily, these studies have focused on individual assessments of the web-based technologies. In contrast, this paper will provide a broad based assessment of applied web-based technology for higher education. This research was conducted via a survey completed by university and college faculty from numerous 4-year institutions. To gain an effective assessment, eleven categories of web-based course delivery tools, such as chatrooms and digitized lectures, were included in this survey. In addition, for each course delivery tool category, course instructors were asked for the frequency of application of the particular tool and their perceptions of importance, efficiency of use, and instructor satisfaction for each tool. Accordingly, this paper presents the findings of this recent survey

“Rooming the Patient” vs. “Moving the Patient

Healthcare is coming under ever increasing scrutiny for cost, quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. This paper compares two operational models (“rooming the patience” vs. “moving the patient”) against productivity, privacy, user satisfaction, and other performance measurements. Varying risk factors for patient populations ranging from infants to geriatrics and medical specialties from mental health to orthopedics are addressed for both models. In the first operational model after checking-in the patient is escorted to an examination room and waits as various caregivers (nurses, doctors, clerks, etc.) come and go from the exam room. In the second model the caregivers work from a specific location and the patient moves between the waiting room and these caregiver\u27s locations (reception desk, office/exam room, scheduling desk, etc.) and back to the waiting room multiple times. The paper concludes that there are advantages and disadvantages for each model. The best model depends on both the patient type and care being provided. In some situation there are conflicting results depending on the priority of productivity vs. service level. Regardless of the situation, human factors should be an important consideration in any healthcare decision

Corporate Entrepreneurship: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained?

Recent literature has suggested that adopting elements of the organization of independent venture capital (VC) firms may enhance the performance of corporate venture (CV) units (Chesbrough, 2000; Sahlman, 1990). This assertion has only been subject to minimal empirical research: typically restricted to small-sample qualitative studies or to examining the respective influences of independent VC firms and CV units on the performance of portfolio firms (Gompers & Lerner, 1998; Maula & Murray, 2001). A longitudinal survey of 95 CV units across three continents found mixed empirical support for the suggestion. Of the VC structures and practices investigated, strongest support was found for CV unit engagement with the VC community which was consistently associated with superior corporate venturing performance along both strategic and financial dimensions. VC-like equity-based compensation systems were not found to influence CV performance even where CV units were strongly focused on financial goals. Overall, the adoption of VC practices, partially mediated by venture unit performance, was positively associated with CV unit survival. These results suggest that selective adoption of elements of the VC model may enhance CV unit performance and survival

Productivity Improvement at a High-tech State-owned Industry--An Indonesian Case Study of Employee Motivation

The purpose of this case study was to identify the level of employee motivation at an Indonesian high-tech state-owned company. Comparisons were drawn between labor and management as well as Indonesian and Western industrial environments. The overall results provide insight into employee motivation and the potential for productivity improvement that should prove beneficial to management at state-owned and privately owned companies in Indonesia and the Pacific Rim. The study can also help Westerners appreciate culture differences and productivity challenges in this developing country

Evaluating GREEN as a New Risk Reduction and Mitigation Strategy in the Petroleum Industry

PresentationThe Petroleum industry uses different risk mitigation strategies to mitigate potential failures within its facilities. Yet, these strategies could not prevent major accidents, on different scales, from occurring as they negatively impact the industry. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Generated Risk Event Effect Neutralization (GREEN) as a new tool to select adequate risk mitigation strategy to prevent potential failures in petroleum industry. More than fifty major accidents in the industry underwent GREEN evaluation and compared with existing risk mitigation strategies used in to mitigate potential failures

A single-blind, pilot randomised trial of a weight management intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity: study protocol

Background: The prevalence of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities has consistently been reported to be higher than the general population. Despite the negative impact of obesity on health, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of weight management interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity. Preliminary results from a single-stranded feasibility study of a multi-component weight management intervention specifically designed for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity (TAKE 5) and that satisfied clinical recommendations reported that it was acceptable to adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers. This study aims to determine the feasibility of a full-scale clinical trial of TAKE 5.<p></p> Methods: This study will follow a pilot randomised trial design. Sixty-six obese participants (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) will be randomly allocated to the TAKE 5 multi-component weight management intervention or a health education ‘active’ control intervention (Waist Winners Too (WWToo)). Both interventions will be delivered over a 12-month period. Participants’ anthropometric measures (body weight, BMI, waist circumference, percentage body fat); indicators of activity (levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour) and well-being will be measured at three time points: baseline, 6 and 12 months. The researcher collecting outcome measures will be blind to study group allocation.<p></p> Conclusions: The data from this study will generate pilot data on the acceptability of randomisation, attrition rates and the estimates of patient-centred outcomes of TAKE 5, which will help inform future research and the development of a full-scale randomised clinical trial

Using Social Networking Game to Teach Operations Research and Management Science Fundamental Concepts

This paper presents our experience using the popular game FarmVille by Zynga® to teach the fundamentals of linear programming and integer programming concepts to undergraduate students in an introductory operations research course. FarmVille is a popular game within the social networking website Facebook®. A month-long contest was introduced amongst the students with the goal to be the best individual farmer by striving to reach high levels of revenue, experience, and aesthetic appeal of their own unique farm. The contest is to demonstrate the concepts of problem formulation, solution methods, multiple and competing objectives, implementation of policy, and reformulation. The students were surveyed at the beginning of the semester to gain insight into their perceptions of the course. The students were also surveyed regarding the FarmVille Challenge, to gauge the effectiveness of the pedagogy and students\u27 opinions of the hand on approach. The paper demonstrates through surveyed results that the students favored this instruction. The students surveyed agree that this was an engaging and thought provoking exercise and saw the true application of multiple key fundamentals of operations research