Does choice of programming language affect student understanding of programming concepts in a first year engineering course?

Most undergraduate engineering curricula include computer programming to some degree,introducing a structured language such as C, or a computational system such as MATLAB, or both. Many of these curricula include programming in first year engineering courses, integrating the solution of simple engineering problems with an introduction to programming concepts. In line with this practice, Roger Williams University has included an introduction to programming as a part of the first year engineering curriculum for many years. However, recent industry and pedagogical trends have motivated the switch from a structured language (VBA) to a computational system (MATLAB). As a part of the pilot run of this change,the course instructors felt that it would be worthwhile to verify that changing the programming language did not negatively affect students’ ability to understand key programming concepts. In particular it was appropriate to explore students’ ability to translate word problems into computer programs containing inputs, decision statements, computational processes, and outputs. To test the hypothesis that programming language does not affect students’ ability to understand programming concepts, students from consecutive years were given the same homework assignment, with the first cohort using VBA and the second using MATLAB to solve the assignment. A rubric was developed which allowed the investigators to rate assignments independent of programming language. Results from this study indicate that there is not a significant impact of the change in programming language. These results suggest that the choice of programming language likely does not matter for student understanding of programming concepts. Course instructors should feel free to select programming language based on other factors, such as market demand, cost, or the availability of pedagogical resources

Engineering Challenges Associated with Welding Field Repairs

Welding as technology exists in two worlds. Manufacturers execute designs typically based on professional society-backed standards. Repair service centers that administer field repairs where welding applications are required can sometimes have staff members with little formal education. The challenges of a technical manager seeking welded field repairs to equipment are significant and numerous. This chapter will seek to outline the process of executing a successful welding field repair by breaking down the analysis into three parts—(1) the identification of the engineering challenges associated with a specific job, including significant stresses, difficult materials or locations, and adequate piece preparation to ensure of weld integrity; (2) the ability to properly specify the type of repair, including knowledge of the types of weld junctions and preparations, the various types of welding processes and their features, weld types and associated drawing symbols, and the repair design and repair support process; and (3) the challenges for field engineers and technical managers in identifying weld defects, executing measures, and providing adequate examination and evaluation of weld quality in the field. This chapter tries to bridge the gap between the formal, engineered welds used in manufacturing and the sometimes-needed expediency of fieldwork

Cost-Effective, Sanitary Shallow Water Wells for Agriculture and Small Communities Using Mechanized Tube Well Installation

Multiple studies have adequately demonstrated the connection between sanitary water supply for developing communities and sustainable economic growth. Unfortunately, the cost of traditional drilled water wells prevents their more rapid installation across much of the developing world. Numerous communities and agricultural areas could benefit greatly from access to groundwater less than 10 meters deep. Researchers have developed a means to mechanize shallow tube well installation to provide sanitary water wells of modest capacity. A hydraulic ram for agricultural fence post driving has been attached to a small PUP utility vehicle and repurposed to drive small diameter well pipe. This chapter will outline the water access problem from a global perspective, describe the traditional means of construction for sanitary water wells in remote areas and their relative costs, and detail the recent advancements and potential cost savings provided by a simple mechanized means to install tube wells in shallow water table areas

Stacked modulation in a hall reverberation algorithm

Reverberation is the reflection of sound caused by objects in space, similar to the way the visual world is sensed by the reflection of light. Novel reverberation algorithms are in high demand within the music industry due to changing trends and desire for unique sounds. As DSP hardware has improved, it is easier to implement multiple effects into the same algorithm. This paper presents a hall algorithm augmented with a series of chorus modulation blocks in an attempt to create new sounds. The approach is to add chorus blocks before the early decay phase of the hall algorithm, as well as within the late reverb generation phase. The result is a stacked modulation reverberation algorithm

Vein detection using vein transillumination and contrast differentiation for practitioner aid

A common problem that medical practitioners experience is the inability to successfully locate a vein for intravenous access procedures. Currently, there are several methods that can allow for increased venous visibility. However, these are expensive processes that involve infrared detectors and high-end processing capabilities. The system proposed can successfully make a clear image of a vein using low-cost, nearinfrared LEDs and photographs taken with a smartphone. The near-infrared lights, when under the correct specifications, will highlight the location of a vein described by the principles of vein transillumination. By applying edge-finding algorithms and contrast differentiation, a clear image and relative location of a vein can be produced to aid practitioners. As a result, low cost materials can capture and process an image of a vein and return the vein location. These results can be applied to current research to create medical devices that aid practitioners in locating a vein and completing intravenous procedures