Case study - improving teaching and learning effectiveness of computer science courses

This paper summarizes our experience teaching several courses at Metropolitan College of Boston University Computer Science department over five years. A number of innovative teaching techniques are presented in this paper. We specifically address the role of a project archive, when designing a course. This research paper explores survey results from every running of courses, from 2014 to 2019. During each class, students participated in two distinct surveys: first, dealing with key learning outcomes, and, second, with teaching techniques used. This paper makes several practical recommendations based on the analysis of collected data. The research validates the value of a sound repository of technical term projects and the role such repository plays in effective teaching and learning of computer science courses.Accepted manuscrip

Addressing challenges to teach traditional and agile project management in academia

In order to prepare students for a professional IT career, most universities attempt to provide a current educational curriculum in the Project Management (PM) area to their students. This is usually based on the most promising methodologies used by the software industry. As instructors, we need to balance traditional methodologies focused on proven project planning and control processes leveraging widely accepted methods and tools along with the newer agile methodologies. Such new frameworks emphasize that software delivery should be done in a flexible and iterative manner and with significant collaboration with product owners and customers. In our experience agile methodologies have witnessed an exponential growth in many diverse software organizations, and the various agile PM tools and techniques will continue to see an increase in adoption in the software development sector. Reflecting on these changes, there is a critical need to accommodate best practices and current methodologies in our courses that deliver Project Management content. In this paper we analyse two of the most widely used methodologies for traditional and agile software development – the widely used ISO/PMBOK standard provided by the Project Management Institute and the well-accepted Scrum framework. We discuss how to overcome curriculum challenges and deliver a quality undergraduate PM course for a Computer Science and Information systems curricula. Based on our teaching experience in Europe and North America, we present a comprehensive comparison of the two approaches. Our research covers the main concepts, processes, and roles associated with the two PM frameworks and recommended learning outcomes. The paper should be of value to instructors who are keen to see their computing students graduate with a sound understanding of current PM methodologies and who can deliver real-world software products.Accepted manuscrip

Communication and leadership skills in the Computer Science and Information Systems curricula: A case study comparison of US and Bulgarian programs

In this paper we present results from our curriculum research on the behavioral educational topics being in the computer science (CS) and information systems (IS) academic programs in two countries USA and Bulgaria. Specifically, we address learning outcomes as they pertain to IT Project Management. Our research reveals that the two countries approach undergraduate education from different vantage points. The US universities provide a flexible general education curriculum in many academic areas and students have the opportunity to strengthen their soft skills before they enter the workforce. Bulgarian universities provide specialized education in main CS subject areas and the students are technically strong upon graduation. Is there a way to balance out this divergent educational experience so that students get the best of both worlds? Our paper explores this aspect and provides possible solutions

Enhancing project-related behavioral competence in education

The workforce has increasingly been demanding an educational model that produces students experienced in real project management (PM) practices. This includes producing technically competent students--one who can manage real-world project constraints of cost and schedule but also possess critical project related behavioral competence. Such soft skills are essential if a project is to run smoothly and eventually succeed. In this paper, we describe an educational framework grounded in outcomes based education to enhance project-related behavioral competence. Instructors can leverage this framework to augment their existing courses and develop the critical career skill sets of graduating students

Is project management the new management 2.0?

This paper considers the evolving nature of project management (PM) and offers a comparison with the evolving nature of management generally. Specifically, we identify a number of management trends that are drawn from a paper that documents a proposed ‘Management 2.0’ model, and we compare those trends to the way in which PM is maturing to embrace the challenges of modern organizational progress.Some theoretical frameworks are offered that assist in explaining the shift from the historically accepted ‘tools and techniques’ model to a more nuanced and behaviorally driven paradigm that is arguably more appropriate to manage change in today’s flexible and progressive organizations, and which provide a more coherent response, both in PM and traditional management, to McDonald’s forces. In addition, we offer a number of examples to robustly support our assertions, based around the development of innovative products from Apple Inc. In using this metaphor to demonstrate the evolution of project-based work, we link PM with innovation and new product development.

Investigating Performance and Reliability of Process Bus Networks for Digital Protective Relaying

To reduce the cost of complex and long copper wiring, as well as to achieve flexibility in signal communications, IEC 61850 part 9-2 proposes a process bus communication network between process level switchyard equipments, and bay level protection and control (P&C) Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). After successful implementation of Ethernet networks for IEC 61850 standard part 8-1 (station bus) at several substations worldwide, major manufacturers are currently working on the development of interoperable products for the IEC 61850-9-2 based process bus. The major technical challenges for applying Ethernet networks at process level include: 1) the performance of time critical messages for protection applications; 2) impacts of process bus Ethernet networks on the reliability of substation protection systems. This work starts with the performance analysis in terms of time critical Sampled Value (SV) messages loss and/or delay over the IEC 61850-9-2 process bus networks of a typical substation. Unlike GOOSE, the SV message is not repeated several times, and therefore, there is no assurance that each SV message will be received from the process bus network at protection IEDs. Therefore, the detailed modeling of IEC 61850 based substation protection devices, communication protocols, and packet format is carried out using an industry-trusted simulation tool OPNET, to study and quantify number of SV loss and delay over the process bus. The impact of SV loss/delay on digital substation protection systems is evident, and recognized by several manufacturers. Therefore, a sample value estimation algorithm is developed in order to enhance the performance of digital substation protection functions by estimating the lost and delayed sampled values. The error of estimation is evaluated in detail considering several scenarios of power system relaying. The work is further carried out to investigate the possible impact of SV loss/delay on protection functions, and test the proposed SV estimation algorithm using the hardware setup. Therefore, a state-of-the-art process bus laboratory with the protection IEDs and merging unit playback simulator using industrial computers on the QNX hard-real-time platform, is developed for a typical IEC 61850-9-2 based process bus network. Moreover, the proposed SV estimation algorithm is implemented as a part of bus differential and transmission line distance protection IEDs, and it is tested using the developed experimental setup for various SV loss/delay scenarios and power system fault conditions. In addition to the performance analysis, this work also focuses on the reliability aspects of protection systems with process bus communication network. To study the impact of process bus communication on reliability indices of a substation protection function, the detailed reliability modeling and analysis is carried out for a typical substation layout. First of all, reliability analysis is done using Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD) considering various practical process bus architectures, as well as, time synchronization techniques. After obtaining important failure rates from the RBD, an extended Markov model is proposed to analyze the reliability indices of protection systems, such as, protection unavailability, abnormal unavailability, and loss of security. It is shown with the proposed Markov model that the implementation of sampled value estimation improves the reliability indices of a protection system

SMALL MOLECULE GANKYRIN INHIBITION AS A THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY FOR BREAST AND LUNG CANCER

Gankyrin is an oncoprotein responsible for the development of numerous cancer types. It regulates the expression levels of multiple tumor suppressor proteins (TSPs) in liver cancer, however, gankyrin’s regulation of TSPs in breast and lung cancer has not been thoroughly investigated. Additionally, no small molecule gankyrin inhibitor has been developed which demonstrates potent antiproliferative activity against gankyrin overexpressing breast and lung cancers. Therefore, two different scaffolds were utilized to develop potent gankyrin binding small molecules. First, derivatives of the cjoc42 scaffold were developed with improved metabolic stability, gankyrin binding, and anti proliferative activity against A549 and MDA-MB-231 cells, while also demonstrating an ability to disrupt the proteasomal degradation pathway mediated by gankyrin. Second, an HTVS screen produced a novel gankyrin binding scaffold which was then derivatized producing analogs with improved antiproliferative activity and gankyrin binding. Optimization of two scaffolds also provided the requisite tools to shed light on how gankyrin regulates proliferation while also demonstrating that gankyrin is a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of breast and lung cancer

સ્વામિનારાયણ સંપ્રદાય દ્વારા યુવાનોમાં આવેલ પરિવર્તન અને વિકાસ - (રાજકોટ જીલ્લાના સંદર્ભમાં)

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In-store buying behaviour : memories of forgotten needs

This study aims to better illustrate in-store buying behaviour, in terms of how different stimuli activate parts of shoppers’ brains to remember items that were not part of their shopping plans. The aim is to shed some light on shopper’s attitudes and reactions towards national brands or private labels, the impact of loyalty cards on cardholders’ shopping decisions, how shoppers with company behave differently than solo shoppers, and on the role of consumers’ hedonic and utilitarian motivations in determining shopping behaviour. In order to conduct the analysis proposed on this dissertation, it was used a set of primary data from a study that covered all stages of the consumer decision-making process. Research showed that while shoppers tend to plan their trips, the difference is marginal. Study of unplanned shopping revealed that choices tend to favour national brands. Loyalty cardholders are also revealed to favour national brands. Among those shopping with company, the study found that couples plan their trips more than shoppers who go with their children, extended family or friends. Finally, consumers with hedonic motivations were found to make more instore purchases than shoppers with utilitarian motivations. The results provide important insights for retailers and manufacturers, allowing them to price their products optimally, drive more effective promotions, segment their customers more precisely, and manage their brands and positioning better. A better understanding of shopper’s motivations can help retailers provide better shopping experiences for customers. Ultimately, these actions can result in increased footfall, market share and profits.Este estudo procura ilustrar melhor o comportamento dos consumidores dentro dos espaços de retalho, em termos da forma como diferentes estímulos afectam partes do cérebro dos compradores, lembrando-os de produtos que não estavam na lista de compras original. O objectivo é clarificar as atitudes e reações dos compradores face a produtos de marca de referência ou de marca branca, o impacto dos cartões de desconto nas decisões de compra, a forma como compradores que vêm acompanhados agem de forma diferente dos que vêm sozinhos, e no papel das motivações utilitárias ou hedónicas em determinar o comportamento dos clientes. No intuito de conseguir responder às questões colocadas nesta dissertação, foram utilizados um conjunto de dados primários recolhido de um estudo que abrangeu todas as fases do processo de tomada de decisão do consumidor. A pesquisa mostrou-nos que embora os compradores tendam a planear as suas visitas e compras, a diferença é marginal. Este estudo de compras não planeadas revelou que as escolhas tendem a favorecer os produtos de marca de referência. Clientes com cartão de desconto também preferem este tipo de produtos. Entre os clientes que visitam os espaços acompanhados, o estudo revelou que os casais tendem a planear mais as suas compras do que clientes que visitam acompanhados dos seus filhos, amigos ou outros familiares. Por fim, clientes com motivações hedónicas tendem a fazer mais compras não planeadas do que clientes com motivações utilitárias. O estudo sugere também formas de utilizar esta informação da melhor forma. Os resultados revelam conclusões interessantes para retalhistas e produtores, permitindo-lhes optimizar os seus preços, tornar as suas promoções mais eficazes, segmentar os clientes com maior precisão, e gerir melhor as suas marcas e posicionamento. Ao compreenderem melhor as motivações dos seus clientes, os retalhistas podem proporcionar experiências melhores. Estas ações podem resultar em mais vistas aos espaços de retalho, maiores quotas de mercado e lucros superiores