The density algorithm for pairwise interaction testing

There are many published algorithms for generating interaction test suites for software testing, exemplified by AETG, IPO, TCG, TConfig, simulated annealing and other heuristic search, and combinatorial design techniques. Among these, greedy one‐test‐at‐a‐time methods (such as AETG and TCG) have proven to be a reasonable compromise between the needs for small test suites, fast test‐suite generation, and flexibility to accommodate a variety of testing scenarios. However, such methods suffer from the lack of a worst‐case logarithmic guarantee on test suite size, while methods that provide such a guarantee at present are less efficient or flexible, or do not produce test suites that are competitive in size for practical testing scenarios. In this paper, a new algorithm establishes that efficient, greedy, one‐test‐at‐a‐time methods can indeed produce a logarithmic worst‐case guarantee on the test suite size. In addition, this can be done while still producing test suites that are of competitive size, and in a time that is comparable to the published methods. It is deterministic, guaranteeing reproducibility. It generates only one candidate test at a time, permits users to ‘seed’ the test suite with specified tests, and allows users to specify constraints of combinations that should be avoided. Further, statistical analysis examines the impact of five variables used to tune this density algorithm for execution time and test suite size: weighting of density for factors, scaling of density, tie‐breaking, use of multiple candidates, and multiple repetitions using randomization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of alginate-chitosan semi IPNs as cartilage scaffolds

In this study, alginate and alginate:chitosan semi interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying process. Alginate scaffolds were crosslinked with different concentrations of CaCl₂, i.e. 0.5, 1 or 3% (w/v), in 96% (v/v) ethanol solutions for two different periods, i.e. 4 and 24 h, after freeze-drying. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)/ Energy Dispersive Analysis by X-ray (EDAX) analysis and swelling studies indicated that crosslinking of scaffolds with 3% (w/v) CaCl₂ for 24 h was effectively created suitable alginate scaffolds in terms of optimum porosity and mechanical stability. This is why, alginate:chitosan semi IPN scaffolds were prepared at the crosslinking condition mentioned above in 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50% (v/v) alginate:chitosan ratios. Besides the attachment and proliferation abilities of ATDC5 murine chondrogenic cells on alginate, 70:30% (v/v) alginate:chitosan and 50:50% (v/v) alginate:chitosan scaffolds, their cellular responses were assessed for chondrogenic potential. These structural and cellular outcomes demonstrate potential utility of chitosan semi IPNs in alginate scaffolds. Comparative results found in relation to alginate scaffolds, support the necessity for alginate:chitosan scaffolds for improved cartilage tissue engineering.     

The effect of mechanical defects on the strength distribution of elementary flax fibres

Flax fibres are finding non-traditional applications as reinforcement of composite materials. The mechanical properties of fibres are affected by the natural variability in plant as well as the damage accumulated during processing, and thus have considerable variability that necessitates statistical treatment of fibre characteristics. The strength distribution of elementary flax fibres has been determined at several fibre lengths by standard tensile tests, and the amount of kink bands in the fibres evaluated by optical microscopy. Strength distribution function, based on the assumption that the presence of kink bands limits fibre strength, is derived and found to provide reasonable agreement with test results.     

Inhibitive properties, adsorption and a theoretical study of 3,5-bis(n-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazoles as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in perchloric acid

Corrosion inhibition of mild steel in molar perchloric acid by 3,5-bis(n-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazoles (n-PAT, n = 2, 3 and 4) was studied at 30 °C using gravimetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Protection efficiencies of 95% and 92% were obtained with 12 × 10⁻⁴ M of 3-PAT and 4-PAT, respectively; while 2-PAT reached only 65%. The inhibiting properties of n-PAT were found to depend on the concentration and the order of increasing inhibition efficiency was correlated with the modification of the position of the nitrogen atom in the pyridinium substituent. It was shown that adsorption of 4-aminotriazole derivatives on the steel surface is consistent with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the obtained standard free energy of adsorption () values indicate that the corrosion inhibition of the mild steel in 1 M HClO₄ is depends on both physic-and chemisorption. A significant correlation is obtained between inhibition efficiency and quantum chemical parameters using semi-empirical quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) approach.     

一种强前向安全数字签名方案

在Abdalla-Reyzin的前向安全签名方案的基础上,通过引入单向散列链机制,提出了一个强前向安全的数字签名方案,攻击者即使在第i时段入侵系统,也无法伪造以前或以后时段的签名,方案的安全性基于在Z^*_N上计算平方根的困难性和散列函数的单向性。     

3,3'-二甲氧基联苯醌二亚胺与苯环和噻吩共聚物的金属配合物催化法制备及性质

Ni(Ⅱ)配合物为催化剂,具有给电子基团甲氧基的N,N'-二氯-3,3'-二甲氧基联苯醌二亚胺分别与1,4-二溴苯,2,5-二溴噻吩共聚得到了相应的聚合物:聚(3,3'-二甲氧基联苯醌二亚胺-苯)(聚合物-I)和聚(3,3'-二甲氧基联苯醌二亚胺-噻吩)(聚合物-Ⅱ).单体通过1H-NMR和红外光谱进行了表征.所得聚合物的红外光谱、紫外-可见吸收光谱以及循环伏安特性等性能进行了探讨.结果表明,聚合物-I和聚合物-Ⅱ分别在317、506、329、385、430nm处出现吸收峰.循环伏安图表明所得聚合物有一定的电化学活性.     

Granular nanocrystalline zirconia electrolyte layers deposited on porous SOFC cathode substrates

Thin granular yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte layers were prepared by chemical vapor synthesis and deposition (CVD/CVS) on a porous substoichiometric lanthanum–strontium–manganite (ULSM) solid oxide fuel cell cathode substrate. The substrate porosity was optimized with a screen printed fine porous buffer layer. Structural analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed a homogeneous, granular nanocrystalline layer with a microstructure that was controlled via reactor settings. The CVD/CVS gas-phase process enabled the deposition of crack-free granular YSZ films on porous ULSM substrates. The electrolyte layers characterized with impedance spectroscopy exhibited enhanced grain boundary conductivity.     

Some aspects of the intraregional spatial distribution of local sector activities

This paper focuses on the spatial distribution of economic activities that serve the demands of households within a region. The level of local sector activities is measured by employment per inhabitant. The basic hypothesis relates to how this proportion varies systematically over space for a wide range of geographies, from high values in a city center to low values in areas adjacent to the city center, and asymptotically approaching the average regional level as the distance from the center increases. This defines a curve that we (under quite general conditions) find to be invariant under changes in the spatial residential pattern and the transportation structure. This suggests that relationships of this kind might be a powerful tool in the prediction of regional development.

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二滩电站安全稳定控制系统策略表的设计与实现

介绍了二滩电站安全稳定控制系统的配置和控制策略表的设计思想,提出了一种分区分层、可覆盖所有运行方式和故障形态的控制策略表结构,有效解决了传统策略表由于运行结线方式和故障形态失配而导致的安全稳定控制系统拒动问题,具有很高的工程实用价值。