Using an Incremental Testing Strategy to Improve Students’ Perception of Software Quality

Teaching software testing should include a broad view of the main techniques, criteria, and tools. In general, students have few opportunities to test their code-projects suitably during the undergraduate course and, therefore, teaching software testing in practice is crucial to students recognize the advantages and limitations of different testing techniques. This paper reports the experience of teaching software testing in practice, with students applying an incremental testing strategy to validate their software projects. Students selected a software project developed during their undergraduate and an incremental testing strategy, including testing criteria learned in the class. The students should choose the testing techniques, apply them and write a report with the results and perceptions. Through this experience, it was possible to show to the students, in practice, the importance of combining more than one technique during the software testing activity.

A Comparison of Physiological Response to Incremental Testing on Stationary and Dynamic Rowing Ergometers

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to compare responses to graded exercise testing (GXT) on 2 popular commercial rowing ergometers. Methods: A cohort of 23 subelite male rowers (age 20 [2] y, height 1.88 [0.06] m, body mass 82.0 [8.8] kg) performed a GXT on both stationary (Concept2 [C2]) and dynamic (RowPerfect3 [RP3]) rowing ergometers. Physiological responses including oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa), stroke rate (SR), and minute ventilation (VE) were recorded. BLa data were plotted graphically and anaerobic threshold was identified using the Dmax method. Workload, HR, and VO2 at Dmax were interpolated. Physiological responses at maximal exercise and at Dmax were compared, along with response across a discrete range of submaximal workloads. Results: At maximal exercise, no significant differences in HR, VO2, or BLa were observed (P > .05); however, VEpeak was significantly higher during RP3 tests (T = 2.943, P < .05). No significant differences in HR, VO2, or BLa at Dmax were observed (P > .05). When comparing across submaximal workloads, HR was significantly higher with the RP3 at 2 distinct workloads (210 and 240 W; P < .05), while SR was higher during RP3 testing at all workloads (F = 56.7, P < .05). When SR was fixed as a covariate, the effect of ergometer on HR response was not significant. A significant workload by ergometer interaction effect was observed for SR with higher data recorded on the RP3 (F = 3.48, P < .01). Levels of agreement for GXT-derived measures of anaerobic threshold (Dmax) were deemed unacceptable. Conclusions: These results indicate that while some differences in HR and VE response were observed between ergometers, these differences were a result of SR alterations between ergometer type. While no differences in response at Dmax were observed, the poor levels of agreement between ergometers suggests that prescription of GXT-derived threshold for training should ideally be specific to the rowing ergometer upon which the test was performed.

Markers of Energy Metabolism Affect Lactate Metabolism and Aerobic Performance in Competitive Female Cyclists

(1) Background: Low energy availability (LEA) has negative effects on performance, but mechanisms, timing, and other circumstances of these effects are not yet established. We aim to assess the performance-related effects of low energy availability in competitive female cyclists with a detailed approach to within-day energy availability (WDEB). (2) Methods: Female competitive cyclists (n = 8) completed the measurement of body composition, resting energy expenditure, and incremental testing; they reported diary logs and used accelerometers for energy availability (EA) calculation. Based on the Low Energy Availability in Females (LEAF) questionnaire, performance and energy parameters were compared between cyclists with risk for relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S; the LEAF+ group) and cyclists without any risk (LEAF−). (3) Results: 87.5% had EA <30 kcal/kg. EA and energy balance in LEAF– were significantly different from LEAF+ cyclists (U = 0.00, z = −2.00, p < 0.05 and U = 0.00, z = −2.00, p < 0.05, respectively). We found significant correlations between WDEB−300 and EA (−0.736, p = 0.037) and energy balance (−0.732, p = 0.039). In addition, relative power output was correlated with mRMR/pRMR (−0.763, p = 0.046). (4) Conclusions: This study is the first to show that WDEB−300 in competitive female cyclists is greater in cyclists with risk for RED-S. Increased time in a catabolic state was correlated to worse anaerobic capacity in incremental testing. Measuring mRMR/pRMR might be useful as it was negatively associated with aerobic performance.

Translator Mobile App for Teaching Children of Beginner-Level -French.

Living in the digital era and in a society that recognises the importance of technology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays a major role in almost every point of life and particularly in education. Teachers play a major role in the teaching and learning of foreign languages. Mobile applications open new opportunities for learning how to read and speak different languages. One such mobile application that is used in education to facilitate learning of new language is the mobile translator. Although, there are numerous language translator applications that are freely available online, most of them have different shortcomings. This study focused on filling the gap of different shortcomings presented by different translator applications and specifically cater the mobile application for the FNCC curriculum. The main objective of this study was to design and develop a mobile translator application to facilitate the effective teaching of beginner level French for children at FNCC. Interviews were carried out as a data collection method to identify the requirements for the mobile translator application. The French teachers at the FNCC (Franco Namibia Cultural Centre) served as a sample group. Purposive sampling method was used to identify the participants and two teachers were selected. The application was developed following the incremental process model, an android mobile application was designed and developed, the application was evaluated using the PACMAD usability model, the incremental testing were adopted. The findings of the research show that there are different teaching strategies used in teaching and learning of French. Features were incorporated on the mobile application that are believed to enhance teaching and learning of French at beginner level. The PACMAD usability model determined what other French applications (which were purposively selected) lack and a comparison was carried out between the selected applications. The results of the comparison determined what should be included in the French mobile application for beginner level for children at the FNCC.

Comparison of Physiological Parameters During On-Water and Ergometer Kayaking and Their Relationship to Performance in Sprint Kayak Competitions

Purpose: (1) To compare various physiological indicators of performance during a 5 × 1500-m incremental kayak test performed on an ergometer and on-water and (2) to analyze the relationships between these indicators and the actual competition performance of elite sprint kayakers, aiming to provide information to coaches for evaluating and planning training on-water. Methods: A total of 14 male and female German elite sprint kayakers performed an incremental test both on an ergometer and on-water. The tissue saturation index of the musculus (m.) biceps brachii, oxygen consumption, ratings of perceived exertion, and levels of blood lactate were measured and compared with actual racing times. In addition, power output was monitored during ergometer testing only. Results: Oxygen consumption during the fourth (P = .02; d = 0.32) and final (fifth; P < .001; d = 0.32) steps of incremental testing was higher on-water than on the ergometer. The tissue saturation index of the m. biceps brachii was approximately 21% higher at the end of the ergometer test (P = .002; d = 1.14). During the second (P = .01; d = 0.78), third (P = .005; d = 0.93), and fourth stages (P = .005; d = 1.02), the ratings of perceived exertion for ergometer kayaking was higher. During the final step, power output was most closely correlated to 200- (r = .88), 500- (r = .93), and 1000-m (r = .86) racing times (all Ps < .01). Conclusions: During high-intensity kayaking on an ergometer or on-water, the oxygen consumption and tissue saturation index of the m. biceps brachii differ. Furthermore, at moderate to submaximal intensities, the ratings of perceived exertion were higher for ergometer than for on-water kayaking. Finally, of all parameters assessed, the power output during ergometer kayaking exhibited the strongest correlation with actual racing performance.