Measuring software reliability under the influence of an infected patch

Patching service provides software firms an option to deal with the leftover bugs and is thereby helping them to keep a track of their product. More and more software firms are making use of this concept of prolonged testing. But this framework of releasing unprepared software in market involves a huge risk. The hastiness of vendors in releasing software patch at times can be dangerous as there are chances that firms release an infected patch. The infected patch (es) might lead to a hike in bug occurrence and error count and might make the software more vulnerable. The current work presents an understanding of such situation through mathematical modeling framework; wherein, the distinct behavior of testers (during in-house testing and field testing) and users is described. The proposed model has been validated on two software failure data sets of Tandem Computers and Brazilian Electronic Switching System, TROPICO R-1500.

The Emerging Importance of High-Resolution Manometry in the Evaluation and Treatment of Deglutition in Infants, Children, and Adults: New Opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose Diagnostic precision and prolonged testing before, during, and after deglutition is lacking across the age spectrum. Conventional clinical evaluation and radiologic methods are widely used but are reliant on human perception, carrying the risk of subjectivity. High-resolution manometry (HRM) is an emerging clinical and research tool and has the capability to objectively measure the dynamics, kinetics, regulatory, and correlation aspects of deglutition. Method We review the basics of manometry and the methods, metrics, and applications of this technology across the age spectrum. The goal is to aid in the translation of HRM from research tool to clinical use by the speech-language pathologist in the development of better global plans to understand normal and abnormal deglutition. Results HRM is an easily adaptable precise diagnostic tool that can be used to examine deglutition phases and abnormalities across the age spectrum from neonates to nonagenarians and can be a valuable adjunct to specialty evaluation of persistent deglutition disorders. Conclusion New opportunities will emerge upon further research for larger-scale translation once normative data and recognition of biomarkers of abnormality are ascertained.

Advanced Protection Against Marine Biofouling Using Solar Light

We undertook prolonged testing of a new xerogel coating (AquaSun) to protect from marine biofouling a surface probe immersed in the seawater of Abu Dhabi. Electron microscopy, Raman mapping, and photoluminescence experiments coupled to extensive analyses of marine water before and after 122 days of testing showed excellent action against biofouling when irradiating the probe with visible light. Considering the high chemical and mechanical stability and the low cost of the sol-gel coating, the technology has significant potential en route to replacing conventional antifouling and foul release coatings with a single product of broad applicability.

The Design, Analysis and Testing of a Compact Electrohydrostatic Powered Ankle Prosthesis

This paper presents a prototype powered ankle prosthesis which can operate passively in most of the gait cycle and provide assistance for toe push-off and subsequent foot dorsiflexion. The use of electrohydrostatic actuation (EHA) gives the ability to switch quickly and smoothly between passive and active modes. In this new powered ankle prosthesis, the motor-pump unit is integrated with the ankle joint and the battery and controller are held in a backpack. A 100W brushless DC motor is used driving a 0.45cc/rev gear pump. The motor runs in hydraulic fluid, pressurised to 60bar, avoiding the need for a pump shaft seal and a refeeding circuit for external leakage. A simulation model was developed to help analyse the performance characteristics of the EHA. The simulation results are compared with laboratory-based experiment results to validate the model. The compact prototype is suitable for prolonged testing with amputees, and an example set of results from amputee testing is presented.

Corrosion Control of Friction Stir Welded Aluminium Airframe Alloy

In the present study, microstructure and its influence on corrosion behaviour of friction stir welded aluminium airframe alloy have been investigated. Further, the effect of laser surface treatment on the microstructure and the corrosion behaviour was also assessed. The welded AA2024 alloy showed the expected zones associated with friction stir welding. Corrosion testing showed that modified microstructure reduced its corrosion resistance to localized corrosion, with the regions immediately outside TMAZ being most susceptible to corrosion. Laser treatment resulted in a melted near-surface layer, up to 5 (m thick, where normal constituent particles are absent. Scrutiny of the melted near-surface layer revealed continuous segregation bands, approximately 10 nm thick, containing mainly copper. Corrosion testing showed that laser treatment increases the short term resistance to localized corrosion due to the removal constituent particles. However, prolonged testing revealed corrosion within the melted near-surface layer and delamination of the melted near-surface layer from underlying bulk alloy. The corrosion is associated with copper rich segregation bands that promote local microgalvanic action.

Highly Accurate Measurements of Human Colour Vision Parameters with Application to Diagnostics

A new method for measuring a wide spectrum of parameters describing a subject's colour vision is presented. It is based on a portable visual colorimeter, ‘Spectr-3M’, designed in our laboratory and has several useful features: (1) it enables testing over a wide area of the chromaticity diagram; (2) it allows the use of continuously changing colour stimuli; (3) the measurement accuracy is high; (4) the testing procedure is fast and comfortable, minimising the effects caused by prolonged testing and increasing the reliability of the data. Using this method we have revealed significant deviations from the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric observer in the colour perception of several subjects previously attested by the Rabkin and Ishihara charts as having normal perception. The data obtained by our method are more informative than results obtained with the Nagel anomaloscope, revealing not only general features of colour perception defects (as the anomaloscope), but allowing more detailed characterisation, including even small deviations from the CIE 1931 standard observer.