Scalability issues with using FSMWeb to test web applications

Web applications are fast becoming more widespread, larger, more interactive, and more essential to the international use of computers. It is well understood that web applications must be highly dependable, and as a field we are just now beginning to understand how to model and test Web applications. One straightforward technique is to model Web applications as finite state machines. However, large numbers of input fields, input choices and the ability to enter values in any order combine to create a state space explosion problem. This paper evaluates a solution that uses constraints on the inputs to reduce the number of transitions, thus compressing the FSM. The paper presents an analysis of the potential savings of the compression technique and reports actual savings from two case studies.     

Creating corroborated crisis reports from social media data through formal concept analysis

During a crisis citizens reach for their smart phones to report, comment and explore information surrounding the crisis. These actions often involve social media and this data forms a large repository of real-time, crisis related information. Law enforcement agencies and other first responders see this information as having untapped potential. That is, it has the capacity extend their situational awareness beyond the scope of a usual command and control centre. Despite this potential, the sheer volume, the speed at which it arrives, and unstructured nature of social media means that making sense of this data is not a trivial task and one that is not yet satisfactorily solved; both in crisis management and beyond. Therefore we propose a multi-stage process to extract meaning from this data that will provide relevant and near real-time information to command and control to assist in decision support. This process begins with the capture of real-time social media data, the development of specific LEA and crisis focused taxonomies for categorisation and entity extraction, the application of formal concept analysis for aggregation and corroboration and the presentation of this data via map-based and other visualisations. We demonstrate that this novel use of formal concept analysis in combination with context-based entity extraction has the potential to inform law enforcement and/or humanitarian responders about on-going crisis events using social media data in the context of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.     

A Linear Variational System for Modelling From Curves

We present a linear system for modelling 3D surfaces from curves. Our system offers better performance, stability and precision in control than previous non‐linear systems. By exploring the direct relationship between a standard higher‐order Laplacian editing framework and Hermite spline curves, we introduce a new form of Cauchy constraint that makes our system easy to both implement and control. We introduce novel workflows that simplify the construction of 3D models from sketches. We show how to convert existing 3D meshes into our curve‐based representation for subsequent editing and modelling, allowing our technique to be applied to a wide range of existing 3D content.     

Parallel Algorithms for Maximum Matching in Complements of Interval Graphs and Related Problems

Given a set of n intervals representing an interval graph, the problem of finding a maximum matching between pairs of disjoint (nonintersecting) intervals has been considered in the sequential model. In this paper we present parallel algorithms for computing maximum cardinality matchings among pairs of disjoint intervals in interval graphs in the EREW PRAM and hypercube models. For the general case of the problem, our algorithms compute a maximum matching in O( log ³ n) time using O(n/ log ² n) processors on the EREW PRAM and using n processors on the hypercubes. For the case of proper interval graphs, our algorithm runs in O( log n ) time using O(n) processors if the input intervals are not given already sorted and using O(n/ log n ) processors otherwise, on the EREW PRAM. On n -processor hypercubes, our algorithm for the proper interval case takes O( log n log log n ) time for unsorted input and O( log n ) time for sorted input. Our parallel results also lead to optimal sequential algorithms for computing maximum matchings among disjoint intervals. In addition, we present an improved parallel algorithm for maximum matching between overlapping intervals in proper interval graphs. Received November 20, 1995; revised September 3, 1998.     

Predicting Interfacial Loads between the Prosthetic Socket and the Residual Limb for Below-Knee Amputees – A Case Study

Abstract:  In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) was deployed as a tool to determine the internal loads between the residual limb and prosthetic socket for below-knee amputees. This was achieved by using simulated load data to validate the ANN and captured clinical load data to predict the internal loads at the residual limb–socket interface. Load/pressure was applied to 16 regions of the socket, using loading pads in conjunction with a load applicator, and surface strains were collected using 15 strain gauge rosettes. A super-position program was utilised to generate training and testing patterns from the original load/strain data collected. Using this data, a back-propagation ANN, developed at the University of the West of England, was trained. The input to the trained network was the surface strains and the output the internal loads/pressure. The system was validated and the mean square error (MSE) of the system was found to be 8.8% for 1000 training patterns and 8.9% for 50 testing patterns, which was deemed an acceptable error. Finally, the validated system was used to predict pressure-sensitive/-tolerant regions at the limb–socket interface with great success.     

Assessing Positive and Negative Changes in the Aftermath of Adversity: Psychometric Evaluation of the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire.

The Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CiOQ; S. Joseph, R. Williams, & W. Yule, 1993) is a 26-item self-report measure that was designed to assess positive and negative changes in the aftermath of adversity. This article had 3 aims: 1st, to investigate the factor structure of the CiOQ; 2nd, to test for internal consistency reliability and convergent and discriminant validity; and, 3rd, to investigate the association between positive and negative changes in outlook, posttraumatic stress, and psychological distress. Three studies are reported. Study 1 provides evidence that positive and negative changes are statistically separable and that the 2-factor model is a better fit than the 1-factor model. Studies 2 and 3 provide evidence for internal consistency reliability, convergent and discriminant validity of the CiOQ, and its associations with posttraumatic stress and psychological distress. In conclusion, the CiOQ has much promise for research on responses to stressful and traumatic events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Programming models for hybrid CPU/FPGA chips

Designers of embedded and real-time systems are continually challenged to meet tighter system requirements at better price-performance ratios. Best-practice methods have long promoted the use of commercial-off-the-shelf components to reduce design costs and time to market, but creating COTS components that are reusable in a wide range of applications remains difficult. In part, the challenge lies in satisfying the contradictory design forces of generalization and specialization. Systems designers are all too familiar with the tension these opposing forces cause in trying to balance cost versus performance. Adopting COTS components reduces costs and time to market but often fails to meet the most demanding performance requirements; custom-designed components can achieve significantly higher performance but at greater development costs and longer times to market. Emerging hybrid chips containing both CPU and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) components are an exciting new development. They promise COTS economies of scale while also supporting significant hardware customization. Components that combine a CPU and reconfigurable logic gates need a programming model that abstracts the computational hardware.     

Numerical Simulation of growth and collapse of a bubble induced by a pulsed microheater

A three-dimensional numerical analysis of the growth and collapse of a bubble on a microheater is presented. SIMULENT code, which solves the full Navier-Stokes equations with surface tension effects, is used in these simulations. A volume of fluid (VOF) interface tracking algorithm is used to track the evolution of the free surface flow. A one-dimensional heat conduction model is used to consider the energy transfer between the bubble and the surrounding liquid, as well as the temperature distribution in the liquid layer. Details of the velocity and pressure distribution in the liquid during the growth and collapse of the vapor bubble are obtained. Numerical results for the growth and the collapse of the bubbles are compared with those of experiments under similar conditions. Comparisons show that the volume evolution of the vapor bubble is well predicted by the numerical model.     

Comparative Analysis of Chlorine Dioxide, Free Chlorine and Chloramines on Bacterial Water Quality in Model Distribution Systems

Drinking water utilities may be required to change disinfectant to improve water quality and meet more stringent disinfection regulations. This research was conducted to assess and compares chlorine dioxide to free chlorine and chloramines on bacterial water quality monitored within model distribution systems (i.e., annular reactors). Following colonization with nondisinfected water, annular reactors containing either polycarbonate or cast iron coupons were treated with free chlorine, chlorine dioxide or chloramines. Two disinfectant doses (low/high) were tested for each disinfectant. Under specific environmental conditions, bacterial inactivation varied as a function of the disinfectant type and dose, sample type (bulk water versus biofilm bacteria) and coupon material. The ranking by efficiency was as follows: chlorine dioxide > chlorine > chloramines. On preformed biofilms of 106–107?cfu/cm2, the continuous application of a disinfectant led to a log removal of heterotrophic bacteria concentrations for suspended and biofilm bacteria ranging from 1.1 to 4.0, and from 0.2 to 2.5, respectively. Doubling the amount of disinfectant doses led to an additional log inactivation of 1–2.5 of heterotrophic bacteria levels. This study demonstrates that bacterial inactivation in distribution systems is governed by various inter-related parameters. The data indicate that chlorine dioxide represents a viable alternative for secondary disinfection in distribution systems.     

Distinguishing between green building occupants’ reasoned and unplanned behaviours

Several frameworks incorporate social and psychological elements of environmentally significant behaviour, and most assume cognitive and deliberate decision-making. Household energy consumption behaviours, however, span a spectrum from reasoned and deliberate to unplanned and automatic. The aim of this paper is to advance knowledge of reasoned and unplanned behaviours in the context of pro-environmental action. Using results of a survey administered to occupants of an urban residential green building, this study explores five household consumption behaviours and tests the hypothesis that unplanned behaviours will be poorly predicted by a reasoned, values-based behavioural framework. Using path analyses, variables in a values-based framework are used to predict surveyed behaviours. Findings indicate that behaviours hypothesized to be unplanned were not well predicted by the values-based framework. The framework successfully predicted what was hypothesized to be a fully reasoned behaviour. Three potential reasons are discussed for the lack of prediction of some behaviours. A deeper understanding of how unplanned, automatic or habitual behaviours intervene in conservation intentions can help policy-makers and building designers better respond to influences of occupant behaviour on building performance.