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In an effort to introduce engineering students to contemporary issues and life‐long learning, a new technical elective, Sustainable Energy Sources and Systems, has been developed. The overall objectives of the course are to introduce students to energy sources and systems with an emphasis on sustainability and to expose students to economic, environmental, social and political issues related to energy. In this course, students apply material from thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to analyze and/or design energy systems that utilize non‐renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear fission, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biofuels, geothermal, and oceans. This paper presents an overview of the course and some of the novel pedagogical elements

The engineering department at Indiana University‐Purdue University Fort Wayne began offering a newly designed first‐year curriculum in the fall 2014 semester with the intent to expose students to important mathematical techniques through engineering applications and to develop the students’ problem solving abilities. The two new first‐year courses are divided into three components: lecture, project studio, and computer lab, which are designed to complement one another. Throughout the courses, students are exposed to and required to use multiple solution procedures to solve problems. Moreover, students are required to document and communicate solutions in multiple representations to demonstrate a deeper understanding. The purpose of this paper is to explain how CAD (computer‐aided drawing) is used by students to first solve and then document trigonometry and vector problems

During the last decade, eye tracking technology has undergone rapid development and growth that has increased its popularity amongst practitioners and researchers from a wide variety of disciplines. In spite of widespread applications of eye tracking in the computing and human factor domains, considerably less attention has been paid to the potential of this technology to improve the design and construction processes. Currently, the ability of using eye trackers in construction applications is limited due to the lack of knowledge about this technology and its potential benefits. This paper provides an overview and guidance for the implementation of eye tracking technology in the construction process. The description of the technology and its current applications are also provided, with a brief discussion of potential application and the limitations. A description of a use case example is provided to investigate the use of eye tracking technology to measure and analyze the end-user satisfaction in the design process. This study provides the construction industry with information about how to design an eye tracking experiment and analyze the data generated by the eye tracking tools

Germanfest Concert Early music played on period instruments in celebration of Fort Wayneu27s Germanic heritage

Faculty are increasingly encouraged to incorporate group interaction and social media into classroom pedagogies to enhance learning and facilitate student engagement. With that goal in mind, I designed a game entitled Find the Sociology! and kept a journal during the process of its implementation in three 100-level sociology courses during Fall Semester 2014. The game requires students to use sociology concepts as if they were u27tools in a toolkitu27 that they draw upon to analyze a video. For this reason, the game is only used during the second half of the semester (on Fridays). In this session, I describe the game and reflect upon the pedagogical challenges and opportunities associated with relinquishing control of classroom time to students to foster student engagement. The structure of the game ensured the involvement of all students. Some students resisted complete involvement while others began bringing their textbook to class on Fridays to assist them with the classroom activity. I describe how, through reflection over time, the rules of the game evolved to balance the goals of increased student engagement with accurate clarification of sociological content

Design of low loss with an enhanced thermal profile power divider/combiner for high power dual-band Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier applications is given. The practical implementation, low loss and substrate characteristics make this type of combiner ideal for high powermicrowave applications. The combiner operational frequencies are chosen to operate at 900 MHz and 2.14 GHz, which are common frequencies for concurrent dual band RF power amplifiers. The analytical results are verified with simulation results for various cases and agreement has been observed on all of them

We explored the use of Bayesian statistics to assess occupancy and habitat preferences of the Copper-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta), a species that is federally listed as threatened, and is endangered in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Occupancy and habitat data were collected in the area occupied by the federally threatened populations of this species over the summers of 2013 and 2014, with additional occupancy data from the area from 2011 and 2012. The study site was comprised of twelve wetland complexes with historical or recent copperbelly sightings. The goal of this study was to define the link between species occupancy and habitat characteristics. Previous telemetry studies have shown that over a single season, copperbellies often move between several wetlands or wetland complexes and sometimes travel long distances. This level of vagility violates one of the main assumptions of occupancy modeling using Program PRESENCE, that sites remain closed to changes in occupancy status during a surveying season. One of the main benefits of Bayesian analysis is that is allows for dynamic occupancy status during seasons. Other benefits of Bayesian analysis will be briefly discussed, including use of prior data and benefits over frequentist statistical analyses including null and alternative hypothesis testing

Segmental construction of prefabricated full-depth concrete bridge deck systems results in numerous transverse and longitudinal joints as well as shear connector pockets that receive cast-in-place concrete or grout. In such systems, it is necessary to overlay the bridge deck to provide smooth riding surface and to protect the underlying deck reinforcement from the deicing salts-induced corrosion and consequent spalling and delamination of the concrete. This paper reports on results and findings obtained from a non-linear finite element analysis (NLFEA) of a prototype prefabricated full-depth precast concrete bridge deck panel system before and after being overlaid with various plain and fibrous latex-modified concrete (LMC) and microsilica concrete (MSC) overlays. The NLFEA were validated with experimental results obtained from full-scale testing of the prototype bridge system. The benefits of the NLFEA can be highly appreciated when visualizing the substantial time and cost savings, the ability to change any parameter of interest, and the capability of demonstrating any interesting response at any load value and at any location in the system. The most attractive results were: (1) adequately bonded LMC or MSC overlay significantly improves the stiffness, cracking load, and ultimate strength capacity of the system, (2) AASHTO HS20 truck induced bond stresses were below the bond strength of bonded LMC and MSC overlays, (3) the fibrous overlay has desirable crack arresting characteristic

The article discusses the Seven Last Words of Christ that was recorded in the account of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Among the Seven Last Words of Jesus include the first word Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do which can be located in Luke 23:34, the second word Surely I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise in Luke 23:43, and the third word Woman, behold your son! Behold your mother in John 19:26

http://opus.ipfw.edu/sasi2015/1007/thumbnail.jp

Fossil bone microanalyses reveal the ontogenetic histories of extinct tetrapods, but incomplete fossil records often result in small sample sets lacking statistical strength. In contrast, a histological sample of 50 tibiae of the hadrosaurid dinosaur Maiasaura peeblesorum allows predictions of annual growth and ecological interpretations based on more histologic data than any previous large sample study. Tibia length correlates well (R2 u3e 0.9) with diaphyseal circumference, cortical area, and bone wall thickness, thereby allowing longitudinal predictions of annual body size increases based on growth mark circumference measurements. With an avian level apposition rate of 86.4 µm/day, Maiasauraachieved over half of asymptotic tibia diaphyseal circumference within its first year. Mortality rate for the first year was 89.9% but a seven year period of peak performance followed, when survivorship (mean mortality rate = 12.7%) was highest. During the third year of life, Maiasauraattained 36% (x = 1260 kg) of asymptotic body mass, growth rate was decelerating (18.2 µm/day), cortical vascular orientation changed, and mortality rate briefly increased. These transitions may indicate onset of sexual maturity and corresponding reallocation of resources to reproduction. Skeletal maturity and senescence occurred after 8 years, at which point the mean mortality rate increased to 44.4%. Compared with Alligator, an extant relative, Maiasaura exhibits rapid cortical increase early in ontogeny, while Alligator cortical growth is much lower and protracted throughout ontogeny. Our life history synthesis of Maiasaura utilizes the largest histological sample size for any extinct tetrapod species thus far, demonstrating how large sample microanalyses strengthen paleobiological interpretations

Prior to 1997, ABET evaluators focused on inputs to engineering education. Responding to a four decade trend in quality management systems used in manufacturing and service industries, ABET began measuring outputs instead, and focused on continuous improvement. Students, professors, program coordinators, and department chairs must answer three questions: [1] what are we doing well, [2] what are we not doing well, and [3] how do we improve? In some cases, we can use graphical data presentation techniques to answer these questions. Scatter graphs show relationships between variables that are not evident in tables, and they show changes in variables with respect to time. A student may ask “why is my grade lower than I would like?” We can use graphs to show the studentu27s progress in real time as the semester advances, then predict the final course grade based on alternate hypotheses (e.g., “I will earn 90% on all remaining assignments”; “I will barely pass the remaining assignments”). As a professor, I asked why the failure rate in Strength of Materials is so high, then used a variety of graphs and tables to determine the indicators for success and failure. As a consequence, my department made a curriculum change in Fall 2014; we should see results starting in Fall 2015. This paper shows how I used graphical data presentation techniques in undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Technology classes such as Materials u26 Processes, to improve student success, teaching effectiveness, and curriculum

Nursing faculty are sometimes challenged when leading students to successful completion of nursing exams including the NCLEX. It is essential that faculty identify specific learning barriers for students who are challenged with nursing exams. Nursing faculty have reported various methods of remediation to enhance students’ readiness for taking nursing exams in preparation for the NCLEX. Although test review sessions, guided imagery, and assessments of learning styles are common strategies reported by faculty to provide remediation for students who are preparing for nursing exams, the literature reveals minimal evidence to support these strategies. Nursing faculty at IPFW have expanded on common remediation strategies. Test review sessions using a model to analyze sample test questions, emphasis on students practicing online exams, and scheduled advising sessions with faculty are examples of remediation tools used by faculty IPFW to strengthen students’ preparation for taking nursing exams. In addition, students newly admitted to the program who earn marginal entrance exam scores agree to a contract for close monitoring and collaboration with faculty to assure nursing program success. Incorporating standardized proctored and non-proctored standardized tests are also included throughout the undergraduate nursing curriculum at IPFW. Graduating nursing students have provided positive feedback after attending a focused NCLEX Review session offered in their last semester. With these strategies in place, nursing students at IPFW earn standardized proctored exams and NCLEX scores that have remained consistently above the percentile ranks for national and similar programs

Unlike Computer Science students, Computer Engineering majors typically have weaker background and limited training in programming. However, lots of Computer Engineering graduates enter the professional fields as software engineers or test engineers. Data Structures course teaches the fundamental techniques of organizing information efficiently. Therefore, enhancing the learning and practice in the Data Structure course is essential for Computer Engineering majors. Throughout the past two years, innovative strategies have been adopted to improve the Data Structures course at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne in the following two areas: i) using web-based visualization tools for better illustration of different data structures and associated algorithms, and ii) employing the client-server prototype in programming projects. The first helps the students better understand the theory of data structures; whereas the second helps them practice the skills of managing data structures efficiently in real applications. Both these practices will prepare them better to enter the targeted workforce. This paper goes through the detailed design of the web-based visualization and client-server prototype based programming in the Data Structures course. Specifically, a set of online visualization tools have been collected to demonstrate the operations for various data structures. Online questions for each demo have also been designed and implemented. Students must visit the given links, perform certain tasks for each data structure or algorithm, and answer a set of online questions. Those visualization tools also help in teaching the material and delivering ideas during lecture time. In addition, new programming assignments are added or updated. With the prototype model and the client-server software development environment embedded in the design of such programming assignments, students are required to follow the incremental programming procedure and the object-oriented programming model. Assessment results show that the above tools were effective and helped students understand and apply the concepts of the data structures and associated algorithms in practical applications. Some suggestions for further improvement are also included. The course redesign can serve as a first step towards offering this course in a hybrid mode. For example, the class can be implemented in flipped mode where the web-based visualization tools can help student learn course content at home; thus they have more time in class discussing and solving problems. The course also can be offered through distance learning for working adults who only come to campus for exams and problem-solving sessions