Polarized differential-phase laser scanning microscope

A polarized differential-phase laser scanning microscope, which combines a polarized optical heterodyne Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a differential amplifier to scan the topographic image of a surface, is proposed. In the experiment the differential amplifier, which acts as a PM-AM converter in the experiment, converting phase modulation (PM) into amplitude modulation (AM). Then a novel, to our knowledge, phase demodulator was proposed and implemented for the differential-phase laser scanning microscope. An optical grating (1800 lp/mm) was imaged. The lateral and the depth resolutions of the imaging system were 0.5 mum and 1 nm, respectively. The detection accuracy, which was limited by the reflectivity variation of the test surface, is discussed.     

An Assessment of Testing-Effort Dependent Software Reliability Growth Models

Over the last several decades, many Software Reliability Growth Models (SRGM) have been developed to greatly facilitate engineers and managers in tracking and measuring the growth of reliability as software is being improved. However, some research work indicates that the delayed S-shaped model may not fit the software failure data well when the testing-effort spent on fault detection is not a constant. Thus, in this paper, we first review the logistic testing-effort function that can be used to describe the amount of testing-effort spent on software testing. We describe how to incorporate the logistic testing-effort function into both exponential-type, and S-shaped software reliability models. The proposed models are also discussed under both ideal, and imperfect debugging conditions. Results from applying the proposed models to two real data sets are discussed, and compared with other traditional SRGM to show that the proposed models can give better predictions, and that the logistic testing-effort function is suitable for incorporating directly into both exponential-type, and S-shaped software reliability models     

RWSNet: a semantic segmentation network based on SegNet combined with random walk for remote sensing

ABSTRACT

Semantic segmentation methods based on deep learning considerably improve the segmentation performance of remote sensing images. However, with the extensive application of high-resolution remote sensing images, additional details introduce considerable interference to the learning process for classification, thereby diminishing the accuracy of segmentation and resulting in blurry object boundaries. To address this problem, this study designed Random-Walk-SegNet (RWSNet), a semantic segmentation network based on SegNet combined with random walk. First, SegNet is used as the basic architecture with the sliding window strategy that optimizes the network output to improve the continuity and smoothness of segmentation. Second, seed regions of the random walk are selected in accordance with the classification output of SegNet. Third, the weights of the undirected graph edge are determined by fusing the gradient of the original image and probability map of SegNet. Finally, random walk is implemented on the entire image, thus reducing edge blur and realizing high-performance semantic segmentation of remote sensing images. In comparison with mainstream and other improved methods, the proposed network has lower complexity but better performance, and the algorithm is state-of-the-art and robust.     

Optimal release time for software systems considering cost, testing-effort, and test efficiency

In this paper, we study the impact of software testing effort & efficiency on the modeling of software reliability, including the cost for optimal release time. This paper presents two important issues in software reliability modeling & software reliability economics: testing effort, and efficiency. First, we propose a generalized logistic testing-effort function that enjoys the advantage of relating work profile more directly to the natural flow of software development, and can be used to describe the possible testing-effort patterns. Furthermore, we incorporate the generalized logistic testing-effort function into software reliability modeling, and evaluate its fault-prediction capability through several numerical experiments based on real data. Secondly, we address the effects of new testing techniques or tools for increasing the efficiency of software testing. Based on the proposed software reliability model, we present a software cost model to reflect the effectiveness of introducing new technologies. Numerical examples & related data analyzes are presented in detail. From the experimental results, we obtain a software economic policy which provides a comprehensive analysis of software based on cost & test efficiency. Moreover, the policy can also help project managers determine when to stop testing for market release at the right time.     

Gauge capability studies for attribute data

A gauge repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) method is developed to assess the capability of a measurement system. Although gauge capability studies have received substantial attention, few studies have investigated attribute data despite their wide application in industry. The primary aim of this research is to develop a procedure, based on the generalized linear model, to evaluate the R&R of a measurement system for attribute data. To calculate repeatability of a system, the procedure integrates the iterative weighted least squares (IWLS) method and deviance analysis. The proposed procedure is applied to an inclusion measurement system to verify its adequacy to model the process capability. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Residence time distributions and basic studies of flow and melting in a modular buss kneader

Experimental studies of residence time distribution, fill factor, temperature, and melting profiles of thermoplastic resins are presented. Residence time distributions were determined as a function of throughput and screw speed. The melting of polypropylene and low density polyethylene in the entrance region was investigated. Fill factor and temperature profiles are reported.     

The real-time functional test facility for advanced instrumentationand control in nuclear power plants

Testing and validation of the functions and performance of the digital instrumentation and control (I&C) system should be done prior to installation in nuclear power plants. The objective of the I&C Functional Test Facility (FTF) is to test and validate the functions of developed digital control and various monitoring systems. The FTF provides the simulated testing environment as an experimental test bed. The FTF software consists of a mathematical modeling program which simulates a three-loop 993 MWe pressurized water reactor and a supervisory program that comprises all the instructions necessary to run the FTF. The hardware equipment provides an interface between a host computer and a simple test panel or the developed target systems to be tested. The graphical user interface supports an easy and friendly interface between the FTF and users. It is implemented through a Picasso-3 graphic tool developed by the Halden Reactor Project. The FTF is applied to an advanced I&C system prototype, such as an automatic start-up intelligent control system, dynamic alarm system, accident identification system, and intelligent logic tracking system, to test its algorithm or performance. The results of the test show good operational performance of the FTF in normal and transient conditions     

A cruciform-dumbbell model for inverted dimer formation mediated by inverted repeats

Small inverted repeats (small palindromes) on plasmids have been shown to mediate a recombinational rearrangement event in Escherichia coli leading to the formation of inverted dimers (giant palindromes). This recombinational rearrangement event is efficient and independent of RecA and RecBCD. In this report, we propose a cruciform-dumbbell model to explain the inverted dimer formation mediated by inverted repeats. In this model, the inverted repeats promote the formation of a DNA cruciform which is processed by an endonuclease into a linear DNA with two hairpin loops at its ends. Upon DNA replication, this linear dumbbell-like DNA is then converted to the inverted dimer. In support of this model, linear dumbbell DNA molecules with unidirectional origin of DNA replication (ColE1 ori ) have been constructed and shown to transform E.coli efficiently resulting in the formation of the inverted dimer. The ability of linear dumbbell DNA to transform E.coli suggests that the terminal loops may be important in bypassing the requirement of DNA supercoiling for initiation of replication of the ColE1 ori.