ABC University Research Articles

Recalibrating the Scale: A Case of Reseating a Sold-Out Arena

Reseating a stadium or arena is not a new phenomenon. It offers colleges and universities the opportunity to reward donors who have contributed financially to the athletic department as well as to create or maintain an equitable seat allocation system. At the same time, a poorly planned or poorly executed reseating project has the potential to upset current donors to the point of alienation. ABC University is looking to take on a reseating project, and it is looking to Virginia Commonwealth University for guidance because of its successful 2013 reseating project. With the success of its men’s basketball program and highly engaged fan base, the time is right to undertake this project. Factors involved in the decision to reseat, communication with fans, and the method involved with the actual reseating are among the topics discussed. This case study would be beneficial to other schools looking to reseat or future athletic administrators interested in an insider’s perspective at a major revenue generation project.

PENGARUH PERSEPSI KOMPETENSI DAN INTEGRITAS TERHADAP SINISME PERUBAHAN ORGANISASI DENGAN KEPERCAYAAN TERHADAP MANAJEMEN SEBAGAI MEDIASI

The purpose of this study was to test the model cynicism on organizational change. Some research on organizational cynicism in this time was developed to determine the factors that affect organizational cynicism, both in the context of management, psychology and communication sciences. Based on previous research, this study developed a model that examines the effect of the perception of competence, integrity and trust in the management of the cynicism in organizational change at a private college in Mataram. Research conducted at ABC University in Mataram, with make changes of Academic Information System Online (SIAKAD). A study population of 450 lecturers, with a sample of 150 people plan, with stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire that were scored using a Likert scale 1-5. From the result of the questionnaires, only 97 lecturers who are willing to participate. This number is quite representative by Slovin formula that requires a minimum 82 people. Analysis tool that is used to test the model is PATH Analysis. The result showed that the original model did not pass the goodness of fit test, and perceptions of competence does not directly affect the cynicism so do trimming. Testing the revised model, showed decent model, where the perception of competence and integrity significantly affect the Trust in management. In addition the model also shows that influence coefficient of 42,3% with a Trust in the management at the most dominant influence partially and directly with the coefficient B=-0,390. Research suggests that the need to increase the competence of using the system of recruitment and selection of employees better and need socialization in making a change.

PENGARUH PERSEPSI KOMPETENSI DAN INTEGRITAS TERHADAP SINISME PERUBAHAN ORGANISASI DENGAN KEPERCAYAAN TERHADAP MANAJEMEN SEBAGAI MEDIASI

The purpose of this study was to test the model cynicism on organizational change. Some research on organizational cynicism in this time was developed to determine the factors that affect organizational cynicism, both in the context of management, psychology and communication sciences. Based on previous research, this study developed a model that examines the effect of the perception of competence, integrity and trust in the management of the cynicism in organizational change at a private college in Mataram. Research conducted at ABC University in Mataram, with make changes of Academic Information System Online (SIAKAD). A study population of 450 lecturers, with a sample of 150 people plan, with stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire that were scored using a Likert scale 1-5. From the result of the questionnaires, only 97 lecturers who are willing to participate. This number is quite representative by Slovin formula that requires a minimum 82 people. Analysis tool that is used to test the model is PATH Analysis. The result showed that the original model did not pass the goodness of fit test, and perceptions of competence does not directly affect the cynicism so do trimming. Testing the revised model, showed decent model, where the perception of competence and integrity significantly affect the Trust in management. In addition the model also shows that influence coefficient of 42,3% with a Trust in the management at the most dominant influence partially and directly with the coefficient B=-0,390. Research suggests that the need to increase the competence of using the system of recruitment and selection of employees better and need socialization in making a change.

Welcome message from conference co-convenors.

We are delighted to welcome our international and national presenters, delegates from cancer research groups in Australia and across the world, and our generous sponsors to the fourth Sydney Cancer Conference (SCC2014), hosted by the University of Sydney Cancer Research Network (CRN). The CRN currently has more than 800 members ranging from PhD students to leaders of major research programs across multiple disciplines. The theme of our biennial conference is ‘Bridging Research and Practice’, which recognises the rapid advances being made in basic research and the need for their translation from the bench to the beside and also translation of the evidence generated into clinical practice. We wish to welcome our eminent keynote speakers: Professor Sir David Lane, Chief Scientist, A*STAR and Director p53 Laboratory, Singapore; Professor Eva Grunfeld, Vice-Chair Research, University of Toronto, Canada; Professor Fiona Watt, Director, Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, UK; and Professor Dennis Lo, Director, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Australian scientists make a disproportionately high contribution to international health and medical research and this is reflected in the number of national speakers at SCC2014. The conference will open with a public lecture delivered by Professor Ian Frazer (Chief Executive Officer and Director of Research, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia) and each of the conference's themes is carried forward by distinguished national speakers. Invited posters will be on view during the conference with the main viewing session at our cocktail function on Thursday night. Our workshops on ‘Career hints for postgraduates’ and ‘Talking to commercial partners – when and how?’ further complement our program. Early career researchers and postgraduate students will be in the running for oral and poster awards in recognition of quality research. A panel discussion on Friday afternoon will address the topic ‘Smashing silos, building bridges – is multidisciplinary research delivering on its promise?’ We aim through this forum, with active delegate participation, to debate key translational research questions and thereby help direct our efforts towards greater impact. The panel will be chaired by ABC broadcaster and University of Sydney's Ambassador for Mathematics and Science, Adam Spencer. His humour and scientific insights will make for a fascinating panel discussion. It has been our privilege to convene this conference. Our sincere thanks, to the conference organising committee and in particular Merilyn Heuschkel, Executive Officer, Cancer Research Network, for their dedication and hard work in creating an excellent scientific program. SCC2014 was been supported by a number of sponsors to whom we are very grateful. Please take the time to visit their exhibition stands and read the information in your conference satchels from our supporters. We welcome you to Sydney and hope that this year's conference will challenge and inspire you, and result in new knowledge, collaborations, and friendships.

Shifting Perspectives and Practices: Teacher Candidates’ Experiences of a First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Infusion in Mainstream Teacher Education

This exploratory case study shares teacher candidates’ perspectives and experiences of the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Infusion at ABC University’s Faculty of Education field site in XYZ, Ontario. For this initiative, Aboriginal content and pedagogies were infused throughout placements and courses of the mainstream teacher education program. Teacher candidates shared that the Infusion prepared them to teach Aboriginal content in culturally respectful and meaningful ways by providing them with a foundation to build on and helping them to develop teaching practices inclusive of diverse ways of knowing and being in the world. These findings may be useful to other educators developing and implementing their own infusion initiatives.

The Use of Modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to Predict the Behavioural Intention Toward Website

The availability of website for an institution is very important, especially for an educational institution just like ABC University. The website can become a mean of communication from the institute to its stake holder: students, parents, industries, lecturers, administrators, and government or from the stakeholders to the institution. The availability of website is also important to increase the image of the institution, since there is university web ranking published by WeboMatrix. ABC University has already built its website and communicated, socialized as well the availability of its website to all students, lecturers, and administrator. So far the adoption of the websites by students, lecturers, and administrators especially by using the Modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model has not been explored. This lack of knowledge motivated the researcher to conduct this study. This study investigates the key factors that affect the behavioral intention and used behavior of customers toward the use of the website in ABC University Indonesia. The approach employed for this study is based on a modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. A survey method was employed to gather data from 310 respondents coming from the students, lecturers, administrator, and management. The collected data was analyzed using a quantitative investigation. The partial least squares (PLS) method was used to quantitatively evaluate the impact of the key constructs of the modified UTAUT model. This research clearly confirmed that modified UTAUT model which consists of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and content can be used to determine behavioral intention of consumers to use Website.

MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C and associations with IVF outcomes in Brazilian women

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and IVF outcomes in Brazilian women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment. A prospective study was conducted in the Human Reproduction Department at the ABC University School of Medicine and the Ideia Fertility Institute between December 2010 and April 2012. The patient population was 82 women undergoing assisted reproduction cycles. The MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C were evaluated and compared with laboratory results and pregnancy rates. The C677T variant was associated with proportions of mature (P=0.006) and immature (P=0.003) oocytes whereas the A1298C variant was associated with number of oocytes retrieved (P=0.044). The polymorphisms, whether alone or in combination, were not associated with normal fertilization, good-quality embryo or clinical pregnancy rates. This study suggests that the number and maturity of oocytes retrieved may be related to the MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C.It is believed that folate has a crucial function in human reproduction and that folate deficiency can compromise the function of the metabolic pathways it is involved in, leading to an accumulation of homocysteine. The gene MTHFR encodes the 5-MTHFR enzyme, which is involved in folate metabolism, and C677T/A1298C polymorphisms of this gene are related to decreased enzyme activity and consequent changes in homocysteine concentration. Folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinaemia can also compromise fertility and lead to pregnancy complications by affecting the development of oocytes, preparation of endometrial receptivity, implantation of the embryo and pregnancy. In folliculogenesis, hyperhomocysteinaemia can activate apoptosis, leading to follicular atresia and affecting the maturity of oocytes and the quality of embryos cultured in vitro. This study was performed to investigate the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and IVF outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment.

Laptop energy-saving opportunities based on user behaviors

In order to improve the energy efficiency of laptop use and design, it is important to gain knowledge of how laptops are being used in real-world settings. However, the current workload studies have focused on computer-usage patterns of business users, but not those of consumer users. As part of the u!Green project at ABC University, a pilot study was undertaken to develop and test software tools and methods for monitoring the laptop computer usage of 13 college students for a period of 1 month. This paper describes such tools and methods for monitoring and collecting laptop usage data. It also illustrates how the collected data can be analyzed to obtain high-impact energy usage patterns, which include long idle periods, excessive use of the AC power source, and high backlight levels. These identified high-impact usage patterns, if confirmed by our subsequent study, offer valuable user behavioral insights to advance more energy-efficient laptop use and design.