Evaluating the Performance of Government IT Projects in the Caribbean: Beyond the Traditional Approach

The study seeks to empirically apply multiple performance evaluation techniques, including traditional approach to assess the performance of government projects. Studies have shown that while there is an increase in improved project management methods, tools and techniques, including performance evaluation techniques, organizations including governments are still relying on outdated or insufficient tools. We posit that the increased application of alternative approaches to highlight the important dimensions of the project process can help to address this issue. With the increased application of newer techniques over time, stakeholders can be equipped to better identify sources of failures and successes and improve the management of projects. This is crucial for IT projects and government projects that are consistently perceived as underperforming. The research employs a single project from the aviation industry in the Caribbean to apply the perspectives of the Barclay’s Project Performance Scorecard and Delone & McLean’s IS Success Model measurements, and triple constraints method to evaluate project performance and report on the findings

The University of Florida’s Scientific Thinking and Educational Partnership Program: An Approach for Genetics Outreach

In an effort to compete for multimillion-dollar grants that require researchers to translate their findings for the general public in the form of outreach programs, the University of Florida developed the Scientific Thinking and Educational Partnership (STEP) program. This article describes the evolution of the STEP program, from the creation of a model outreach program called ufgenetics.com—a Web site geared toward media professionals and middle school and high school teachers—to the testing, evaluation, and promotion of that project. The STEP program has garnered over $1 million in grants in just 2 years of existence

The Grizzly, November 2, 2017

Collegeville Election: Mayoral Candidate Targeted by Hate Flyer • Peace and Freedom Now! Ursinus Brings Hair to the Mainstage • AAAS Hosts Author and Journalist Lori Tharps • From Star Gazing to Volunteering, Watson Nominees Dream Big • Families Take Over Ursinus • Food Evolution Sparks Debate • Opinions: Weinstein Sexual Assault Scandal is a Call to Action; CSCG Speaker Series Response Reveals Gendered Assumptions • Palladino Accepted to 2018 Division III Immersion Program • Women\u27s Swimming Defeats Dickinsonhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1630/thumbnail.jp

Interactions of a Dopamine D Receptor Agonist with Glutamate NMDA Receptor Antagonists on the Volitional Consumption of Ethanol by the mHEP Rat

Stimulation of the dopamine D1 receptor is reported to cause the phosphorylation of DARPP-32 at the thre34 position and activates the protein. If intracellular Ca2+ is increased, such as after activation of the glutamate NMDA receptor, calcineurin activity increases and the phosphates will be removed. This balance of phosphorylation control suggests that a D1 receptor agonist and a NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist should have additive or synergistic actions to increase activated DARPP-32 and consequent behavioral effects. This hypothesis was tested in a volitional consumption of ethanol model: the selectively bred Myers’ high ethanol preferring (mHEP) rat. A 3-day baseline period was followed by 3-days of twice daily injections of drug(s) or vehicle(s) and then a 3-day post-treatment period. Vehicle, the D1 agonist SKF 38393, the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist memantine, or their combination were injected 2 h before and after lights out. The combination of 5.0 mg/kg SKF 38393 with either 3.0 or 10 mg/kg memantine did not produce an additive or synergistic effect. For example, 5.0 mg/kg SKF reduced consumption of ethanol by 27.3% and 10 mg/kg memantine by 39.8%. When combined, consumption declined by 48.2% and the proportion of ethanol solution to total fluids consumed declined by 17%. However, the consumption of food also declined by 36.6%. The latter result indicates that this dose combination had a non-specific effect. The combination of SKF 38393 with (+)-MK-801, another NMDA receptor antagonist, also failed to show an additive effect. The lack of additivity and specificity suggests that the hypothesis may not be correct for this in vivo model. The interaction of these different receptor systems with intraneuronal signaling and behaviors needs to be studied further

The Grizzly, December 7, 2017

Local Christmas House Brings Students Cheer • UCARE Giving Tree Brings Joy and Gifts to Local Children • Sharing the Story of the Miracle of Chanukkah • Alumni Invited to Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery • Ursinus Students Celebrate the Holidays • Prepare Your Stomach for the Holidays • Opinions: Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas; Grizzly\u27s Holiday Polls • Proficiently Efficient: Men\u27s Basketball is 4-2 • UC\u27s Swim Teams Make Waveshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1634/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, May 9, 2019

Kingston Out, Varner in for Bear Bash • Ursinus Reacts to Symbol of Hatred • Q&A with President Blomberg • Ursinus Graduates First Wave of Education Studies Majors • Breakaway Student Productions\u27 One Act Festival Premieres Four Student-Written Plays • Ursinus Fulbright Scholar, Jason Bennett \u2719, to Research Theoretical High-Energy Physics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands • Opinions: Swarthmore Scandal Speaks to Greater Issues with Fraternity Culture; The United States Should Shorten its Work Week • Athlete Spotlight: Running Back Sam Ragland \u2721 • The Thanks for a Fun Two Years Award: You, the Fans • Bears Win Conference Championshiphttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1622/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 4, 2018

We Ought to Listen : Professors Gather with Students to Watch Kavanaugh-Ford Hearings • Where\u27s the Money?: Students Reflect on Their Unpaid and Paid Summer Internship Experiences • How Students Feel About Tuition Increases (Badly): Paying for School can be Stressful • Where Does Your Tuition Go? • Students Investing Real Money • Opinions: A Look Back at the 2008 Financial Crisis; Real Cost of Applying to Medical Schools; Division I Athletes Should Not be Paid • Hunter Tabbed for Associate ADhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1603/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 28, 2017

Constitution Day Sparks Student Discussions of Free Speech • Chin Brings Sexy Bad Girl Haikus, Asian American Blues Poems and Elegies to Ursinus Reading • Next Year\u27s Study Abroad Application Opens on October 3rd • Armstrong Lecture Brings Columbia University Historian Dr. Joshua Batts to Berman Museum • Home is Where the Bear is • New Species Comes to Ursinus • Opinions: Consciousness Raising Can Combat Rape Culture on Campus; Is This Sufjan Stevens Song Gay or Just About God? • Student Workers of the SMC • Pair of Wins Put Bears in Good Positionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1626/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 26, 2017

History of Halloween • Senior English Majors go Gothic • SAO Plans Halloween Trip to Dorney • Senior Halloween Party: An Ursinus Tradition • Fright Night: Phoenixville Theatre Hosts Horror Film Series • Spooky Ursinus Folk • Something Wicked This Way Comes • Opinions: A Ghost Story Haunts with Quiet Pain and Loss; Trick-or-Treating Should End for Children Older than Thirteen • Superstitions Win Confidence for Ursinus Student Athletes • First Year Athletes Face Scary New Adjustmentshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1629/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 9, 2017

Department of Education Rolls Back Piece of Title IX • Joe DeSimone \u2786 Receives Heinz Award • New Education Major Created • Nadler Awarded Tow Fellowship • Dr. Kerr Appears on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee • History of a Historian • Opinions: Male Gun Violence Must End with Restrictive Gun Legislation; JFK\u27s Legacy Should be More Than Assassination Conspiracies • Senior Athletes Share Memories as Fall Sports Seasons Wind to a Close • Football Drops Three of Last Four Gameshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1631/thumbnail.jp