Showing papers by "Nicholls State University published in 2003"

Employing an innovation strategy in racially diverse workforces: Effects on firm performance

Abstract: This study explored racial diversity’s influence on firm performance. A national sample of 177 banks was used to first test competing hypotheses supported by the resource-based view of the firm and social identity theory that posited positive and negative direct effects, respectively, of racial diversity on organizational performance. No support was found for either prediction. However, a contingency theory-based hypothesis was supported. A moderation effect indicated that racial diversity’s association with performance was contingent on firms’ level of innovation. Specifically, racial diversity enhanced performance for banks pursuing an innovation strategy, whereas for banks low in innovation, performance declined. The results suggest that a racially diverse workforce in conjunction with an innovation-focused business strategy may provide firms a competitive advantage. This study thus supports a contingency/resource-based perspective that states that racial diversity, as a knowledge-based resource, needs to be set in an appropriate context to fully realize its potential benefits.

Pre-games: games designed to introduce CS1 and CS2 programming assignments

Abstract: Many CS1 and CS2 instructors have been using game-like assignments and manipulatives to increase student understanding of abstract concepts. A related approach described in this paper requires students to play a game-like version of each assignment (referred to as the "pre-game") before designing and coding their own programs. Students complete a prototype of the pre-game that uses simpler I/O but otherwise follows the same specification. By playing the pre-game, students become familiar with lesson principles using a concrete example that combines the advantages of both game-play and manipulatives. Ideally, the pre-game creates an environment that both encourages experimentation, and allows students to use their intuition when designing algorithms and data structures.

Methanogenic activity in human periodontal pocket.

Abstract: Samples of subgingival dental tissues were examined for the presence of methanogenic activities. Using enrichment cultures, methanogenic activities were detected in 9 of 17 individuals. A mesophilic, Gram-positive, irregular coccoid methanogen, which showed close resemblance to a Methanosarcina sp., was isolated from one sample collected from a patient with type IV periodontal pocket (the periodontal pocket is a space bounded by the tooth on one side and by ulcerated epithelium lining the soft tissue wall on the other). The isolate used methanol, methylamine, acetate, and H(2)-CO(2) as the sole source of carbon. However, the isolate was unable to use formate and trimethylamine as growth substrates. The organism had an optimum pH of 6.5 and an optimum temperature of 37 degrees C. The isolate not only used ammonia, but also used nitrate as a nitrogen source. The niche of this methanogen in periodontal pockets may be to carry out terminal oxidation of simple organic compounds such as methanol and acetate produced by other obligate anaerobes present in periodontal pockets. This methanogen may also play a vital role in interspecies hydrogen transfer, as demonstrated by its use of H(2)-CO(2) as a substrate. The isolate produced significant amount of methane in vitro.

Growth and activities of sulfate-reducing and methanogenic bacteria in human oral cavity.

Abstract: Viable counts and activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogenic bacteria were determined in the oral cavities of eight volunteers. Of these, seven harbored viable SRB populations, and six harbored viable methanogenic bacterial populations. Two volunteers classified as type III periodontal patients had both SRB and methanogenic bacteria. Six separate sites were sampled: posterior tongue, anterior tongue, mid-buccal mucosa, vestibular mucosa, supragingival plaque, and subgingival plaque. The SRB was found in all areas in one volunteer, and it was mostly present in posterior tongue, anterior tongue, supragingival, and subgingival plaques in many volunteers. The methanogenic bacteria were mostly found in supragingival and subgingival plaques. The activities of sulfate reduction and methane production were determined in randomly selected isolates.

Strategic Management Education Incorporating Written or Simulation Cases: An Empirical Test

Abstract: In the context of hospitality education, this article reports on an empirical study of student learning considering four factors: strategic management skills, team process skills, level of difficulty, and overall perceived learning Results of the empirical study suggest that the use of management computer simulation cases facilitates greater educational development than does the use of written cases (or a combination) as perceived by hospitality students in a capstone strategic management course Discussion and future research proposals on using computer simulation cases for team and individual strategic management development and research are noted

Effects of 9-cis- and all-trans-retinoic acids on blood glucose homeostasis in the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator.

Abstract: 9-cis-Retinoic acid (9CRA) and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) are known to be involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis in vertebrates by inducing insulin release and expression of glucose transporter proteins. In view of the fact that both 9CRA and ATRA are endogenous to the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, that a retinoid X receptor exists in this fiddler crab and that activities of insulin-like and insulin-like growth factor-like peptides have been reported for crustaceans, we investigated whether 9CRA and ATRA also play a role in glucose homeostasis in U. pugilator. Neither 9CRA nor ATRA was found to produce hypoglycemic effects at a dose of 10 microg/g live mass. However, 9CRA, but not ATRA, induced hyperglycemia. Such 9CRA-induced hyperglycemia was apparently mediated by the eyestalk hormone CHH since injection of 9CRA into eyestalk-ablated crabs did not result in hyperglycemia. ATRA was found to have an inhibitory effect on the recovery of blood glucose concentration following ATRA administration. Discussion on the possible mechanisms for the actions of 9CRA and ATRA was presented.

On pseudo object-oriented programming considered harmful

Abstract: Reconsidering and disentangling some fundamental relationships and issues.

A drawing program for teaching computer science II students

Abstract: Students in the introductory computer science classes are usually given relatively small programs that help the students learn new concepts covered in class. The students need to focus on the new material and giving them a large project is counter-productive to them learning the important concepts. I wanted to challenge the students in our second computer science course by giving them a large project without overwhelming them. To accomplish this I gave them a project that was accomplished in various stages throughout the semester. This paper discusses the various stages of the project and how they fit together so at the end of the semester the students had a large comprehensive project. Also, I wanted a project the students would be excited about doing. A drawing project that allowed the user of the program to draw lines, rectangles, ovals, text, and free hand lines with various colors and having the option to fill or not fill closed objects was selected. The finished project covered the following topics from the second computer science class: graphical interface design, event handling, color control, arrays, inheritance, polymorphism and singly linked list. The students were challenged for this project and enjoyed the finish product.

A comprehensive CMPS II semester project

Abstract: The goal of this project was to help students tie together the various concepts learned throughout the Computer Science II class. The students were required to use abstract classes for matrices and singly linked list and provide a graphical solution to a maze solver. The first step of the project had the students construct a solution for a given maze. The solution was kept simple by using the right hand rule for solving mazes: always keep your right hand on a wall and you will find a solution if it exists. After the students had solved the problem of creating a solution the next part of the project required them to create an actual random maze. Using a matrix and a stack, the students kept track of the path of a random solution. After a solution path was generated the program was required to generate a number of dead-ends. This project was very challenging for the students. They enjoyed completing it partially because it was graphical in nature and they could visualize their solution.

A three semester introductory computer science sequence

Abstract: ACM guidelines suggest that the introductory computer science sequence can be split into three courses, either to introduce more topics, or to cover topics in more depth. We have been applying the second approach for several years. We have found that covering introductory topics in depth greatly reduces the failure rate in upper level courses. We feel that without a minimal level of programming expertise, and the intuition that comes with it, students will have difficulty grasping the advanced concepts, and completing the large software projects, introduced in upper level courses. Our introductory courses therefore stress programming experience, problem-solving skills, object-oriented design, and software engineering principles. Our goal is not to weed out weaker students, but to allow them overcome their weaknesses early in the degree program. An important objective for all three courses is to insure that each introductory class prepares students for the next introductory class. This paper discusses the topics covered in each of the three introductory courses, including sample programming projects designed to give students the tools they need to succeed in upper level courses.