Nicholls State University

About: Nicholls State University is a education organization based out in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & The Internet. The organization has 456 authors who have published 795 publications receiving 20031 citations.

The student productivity paradox: technology mediated learning in schools

Abstract: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in the Communications of the ACM. Editorial and formatting changes may have been made to this version since it was submitted for publication. The final version of the article is available through licensed access provided by the publisher. Published in Communications of the ACM, 51(9), 128-131. doi: 10.1145/1378727.1389974. Members of the USF System may access the full-text of the article through the authenticated link provided below.

Decline of Cornus florida and forest succession in a Quercus–Carya forest

Abstract: Cornus florida is a common understory species in many hardwood forests in eastern North America It plays an important role in nutrient cycling and is an important food resource for many vertebrate species, especially migratory birds We used data collected over a 16-year period to examine population dynamics of a tagged population of C florida in a 64 ha area in the context of change in the protected Quercus-Carya forest of the Ross Biological Reserve, Indiana We examined the hypothesis that forest dynamics result from interactions between long-term ecological succession and pathogens The C florida population at the Ross Reserve declined by 50% between 1983 and 2000, with a survivorship of 24% Analysis of 40 years of forest survey data showed that Quercus and Carya populations declined in impor- tance, while Acer saccharum increased dramatically This change in forest structure is consistent with successional changes occurring throughout the Mid- west and can be attributed to suppression of distur- bance Cornus florida declined more sharply where A saccharum increased From 1983 to 1999, C florida were less likely to survive if they were within 5 m of a A saccharum Light measurements showed that A saccharum abundance correlated negatively with light available to C florida, suggesting that increased shading by A saccharum contributed to C florida decline The fungus, Discula destructiva causes the disease dogwood anthracnose that is associated with widespread decline of C florida in the eastern United States Tests for this pathogen in our study area were mostly negative Other tests revealed that Armillaria root rot infected most C florida, but this disease seemed to be a secondary effect of shading by A saccharum These results suggest that the lack of fire and other anthropogenic disturbances has resulted in an accelerated shift in dominance from Quercus and Carya to A saccharum in the main canopy, and this shift, in turn, has resulted in increased shading of C florida and its decline in previously more open Midwestern forests

Combating Child Homicide Preventive Policing for the New Millennium

Abstract: High-profile media coverage of crimes against children has heightened public awareness of critical child safety needs and issues. However, numerous research studies in the area of child homicide have illustrated the importance of the power of science to correct false perceptions and misinformation, improving how to best serve and protect our children. Age-based analyses of childhood crime patterns have vastly improved how law enforcement and social service practitioners identify, investigate, and resolve child victimization cases. Future protective efforts must involve multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration. Law enforcement, social service clinicians, educators, and academicians should jointly develop and implement pragmatic and effective prevention, detection, and resolution programs and policies.

Special Versus General Elections and Composition of the Voters: Evidence From Louisiana School Tax Elections:

Abstract: Using Louisiana school board property tax elections from the past decade, the authors study the question of whether or not special elections tend to produce lower turnout and a greater percentage of yes votes than do general elections. With the problem focusing on the choice of voting yes, voting no, or abstaining from voting, modified minimum chi-square methods are used in the analysis. The authors find that opposition to local school taxes increases with turnout. They also find that turnout is affected by the size of the tax, by the presence or absence of other taxes on the ballot, and by the presence or absence of state or federal matters on the same ballot. Both the inclusion of state or federal issues (or candidates) on the ballot and a higher tax rate lead to increased relative opposition at the polls.