Classification via sequential testing

The problem of generating the sequence of tests required to reach a diagnostic conclusion with minimum average cost, which is also known as test sequencing problem, is considered. The test sequencing problem is formulated as an optimal binary AND/OR decision tree construction problem, whose solution is known to be NP-complete. The problem can be solved optimally using dynamic programming or AND/OR graph search methods (AO*, CF, and HS). However, for large systems, the associated computational effort with dynamic programming or AND/OR graph search methods is substantial, due to the rapidly increasing number of nodes in AND/OR search graph. In order to prevent the computational explosion, one-step or multistep lookahead heuristic algorithms have been developed to solve the test sequencing problem. Our approach is based on integrating concepts from the one-step lookahead heuristic algorithms and the strategies used in Huffman coding. The effectiveness of the algorithms is demonstrated on several test cases. The traditional test sequencing problem is generalized here to include asymmetrical tests. Our approach to test sequencing can be adapted to solve a wide variety of binary identification problems arising in decision table programming, medical diagnosis, database query processing, quality assurance, and pattern recognition

A Specification For A Next Generation Cad Toolkit For Electronics Product Design

Electronic engineering product design is a complex process which has enjoyed an increasing provision of computer based tools since the early 1980's. Over this period computer aided design tool development has progressed at such a pace that new features and functions have tended to be market driven. As such CAD tools have not been developed through the recommended practise of defining a functional specification prior to any software code generation. This thesis defines a new functional specification for next generation CAD tools to support the electronics product design process. It is synthesized from a review of the use of computers in the electronics product design process, from a case study of Best Practices prevalent in a wide range of electronics companies and from a new model of the design process. The model and the best practices have given rise to a new concept for company engineering documentation, the Product Book which provides a logical framework for constraining CAD tools and their users (designers) as means of controlling costs in the design process. This specification differs from current perceptions of computer functionality in the CAD tool industry by addressing human needs together with company needs of computer supported design, rather than just providing more technological support for the designer in isolation.Racal Reda

Sixth Annual Workshop on Space Operations Applications and Research (SOAR 1992), volume 2

This document contains papers presented at the Space Operations, Applications, and Research Symposium (SOAR) hosted by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) on 4-6 Aug. 1992. The symposium was cosponsored by the Air Force Material Command and by NASA/JSC. Key technical areas covered during the symposium were robotics and telepresence, automation and intelligent systems, human factors, life sciences, and space maintenance and servicing. The SOAR differed from most other conferences in that it was concerned with Government-sponsored research and development relevant to aerospace operations. Symposium proceedings include papers covering various disciplines presented by experts from NASA, the USAF, universities, and industry

Procedures for management control of computer programming in Apollo

Procedures for management control of computer programming in Apollo projec

A quality assurance reference model for object-orientation

The focus of the dissertation is on software quality assurance for object-oriented information systems development. A Quality Assurance Reference Model is proposed with aspects dealing with technical and managerial issues. A revised Spiral life cycle model is adopted as well as the Object Modelling Technique. The Quality Assurance Reference Model associates quality factors at various levels, quality criteria and metrics into a matrix framework that may be used to achieve quality assurance for all cycles of the Spiral Model.ComputingM. Sc. (Information Systems

The Heuristics of Intellectual Due Process: A Primer for Triers of Science

Scientific evidence is an inescapable facet of modern litigation. The Supreme Court; beginning with the seminal case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and continuing with General Electric Co. v. Joiner and Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, has instructed federal judges to evaluate the scientific validity of such evidence in determining the evidence\u27s adinissibiliV. In this Article, Professor Erica Beecher-Monas argues that many judges ignore the science component of their gatekeeping duties, focusing instead on rules of convenience that have little scientific justification. As a result, size demonstrates that judges reject even scientifically uncontroversial evidence that would have litttlroeu ble finding admissibility under the pre-Daubert general consensus standard and admit evidence that is scientifically baseless. Such faulty analysis of scientific evidence deprives litigants of intellectual due process from judges and undercuts the proper functioning and credibility of the judicial system. Beecher-Monas contends that understanding certain basic principles underlying all fields of science will enable judges to make better admissibility decisions. ased on the language of science and criteria scientists use to assess validity, as well as the Supreme Court\u27s requirements in Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho Tire, Beecher-Monas proposes a five-step framework for sound analysis of scientific evidence Size then demonstrates the usefulness of the heuristic in two cases where applying the heuristic would have changed the outcome dramatically. The franzework prposed in this Article will allow triers of science to make scientifically justifiable admissibility assessments, and in so doing will give litigants in cases involving scientific evidence the intellectual due process they deserve

Aeronautical Engineering: A continuing bibliography, supplement 116

This bibliography lists 550 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in November 1979

NASA space station automation: AI-based technology review

Research and Development projects in automation for the Space Station are discussed. Artificial Intelligence (AI) based automation technologies are planned to enhance crew safety through reduced need for EVA, increase crew productivity through the reduction of routine operations, increase space station autonomy, and augment space station capability through the use of teleoperation and robotics. AI technology will also be developed for the servicing of satellites at the Space Station, system monitoring and diagnosis, space manufacturing, and the assembly of large space structures

Analysis of the impact of test based development techniques (TDD, BDD, AND ATDD) to the software life cycle

Within the world of software development, there is a permanent need to create quality products that are capable of facing challenges in environments of changing requirements. The industry in this area is aware of this, and so, it makes use of software development methodologies such as: traditional or agile. Agile development represents a distancing from traditional approaches, allowing the creation of applications incrementally and iteratively and, thus, adjusting to the changing requirements of customers. For this reason, companies have recently adopted the use of its practices and techniques, e.g.: Test-Driven Development (TDD), Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD), Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), among others. These techniques promise mainly to improve the quality of the software and the productivity of the programmers; therefore, many experiments, especially using TDD, have been made within the academy and the industry; which shows variant results (some with positive effects and others not so much). In addition, expert programmers have put these techniques into practice in software creation, getting satisfactory results due to the advantages offered by its use. The main objective of this work is to verify the impact produced by the techniques of software development based on tests (TDD, ATDD and BDD), analyzing its primordial promises. A literature research has been conducted in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each one of these techniques. With the intention of observing the effectiveness of TDD and BDD, an experiment was planned in an academic scenario, considering education and appropriate training to implement enough knowledge about them. With the results obtained, it was possible to understand that the techniques studied ensured the quality of the product developed and improved the productivity of the programmers; validating its effects within software development