Fault Localization in Multi-Threaded C Programs using Bounded Model Checking (extended version)

Software debugging is a very time-consuming process, which is even worse for multi-threaded programs, due to the non-deterministic behavior of thread-scheduling algorithms. However, the debugging time may be greatly reduced, if automatic methods are used for localizing faults. In this study, a new method for fault localization, in multi-threaded C programs, is proposed. It transforms a multi-threaded program into a corresponding sequential one and then uses a fault-diagnosis method suitable for this type of program, in order to localize faults. The code transformation is implemented with rules and context switch information from counterexamples, which are typically generated by bounded model checkers. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective, in such a way that sequential fault-localization methods can be extended to multi-threaded programs.Comment: extended version of paper published at SBESC'1

Investigation of relationships between linears, total and hazy areas, and petroleum production in the Williston Basin: An ERTS approach

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery in a variety of formats was used to locate linear, tonal, and hazy features and to relate them to areas of hydrocarbon production in the Williston Basin of North Dakota, eastern Montana, and northern South Dakota. Derivative maps of rectilinear, curvilinear, tonal, and hazy features were made using standard laboratory techniques. Mapping of rectilinears on both bands 5 and 7 over the entire region indicated the presence of a northeast-southwest and a northwest-southeast regional trend which is indicative of the bedrock fracture pattern in the basin. Curved lines generally bound areas of unique tone, maps of tonal patterns repeat many of the boundaries seen on curvilinear maps. Tones were best analyzed on spring and fall imagery in the Williston Basin. It is postulated that hazy areas are caused by atmospheric phenomena. The ability to use ERTS imagery as an exploration tool was examined where petroleum and gas are presently produced (Bottineau Field, Nesson and Antelope anticlines, Redwing Creek, and Cedar Creek anticline). It is determined that some tonal and linear features coincide with location of present production in Redwing and Cedar Creeks. In the remaining cases, targets could not be sufficiently well defined to justify this method

Sample heating in near-field scanning optical microscopy

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2130388.Heating near the aperture of aluminumcoated,fiber opticnear-field scanning optical microscopy probes was studied as a function of input and output powers. Using the shear-force feedback method, near-field probes were positioned nanometers above a thermochromic polymer and spectra were recorded as the input power was varied. Excitation at 405 nm of a thin polymer film incorporating perylene and N-allyl-N-methylaniline leads to dual emission peaks in the spectra. The relative peak intensity is temperature sensitive leading to a ratiometric measurement, which avoids complications based solely on intensity. Using this method, we find that the proximal end of typical near-field probes modestly increase in temperature to 40–45 °C at output powers of a few nanowatts (input power of ∼0.15mW). This increases to 55–65 °C at higher output powers of 50 nW or greater (input power of ∼2–4mW). Thermal heating of the probe at higher powers leads to probe elongation, which limits the heating experienced by the sample

Investigation of relationships between linears, tonal and hazy anomalies, and petroleum production in the Williston Basin: An ERTS approach

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

A neutron scattering study of the interplay between structure and magnetism in Ba(Fe1−x_{1-x}Cox_{x})2_2As2_2

Single crystal neutron diffraction is used to investigate the magnetic and structural phase diagram of the electron doped superconductor Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$As$_2$. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements have demonstrated that Co doping this system splits the combined antiferromagnetic and structural transition present in BaFe$_2$As$_2$ into two distinct transitions. For $x$=0.025, we find that the upper transition is between the high-temperature tetragonal and low-temperature orthorhombic structures with ($T_{\mathrm{TO}}=99 \pm 0.5$ K) and the antiferromagnetic transition occurs at $T_{\mathrm{AF}}=93 \pm 0.5$ K. We find that doping rapidly suppresses the antiferromagnetism, with antiferromagnetic order disappearing at $x \approx 0.055$. However, there is a region of co-existence of antiferromagnetism and superconductivity. The effect of the antiferromagnetic transition can be seen in the temperature dependence of the structural Bragg peaks from both neutron scattering and x-ray diffraction. We infer from this that there is strong coupling between the antiferromagnetism and the crystal lattice

Unified model of voltage/current mode control to predict saddle-node bifurcation

A unified model of voltage mode control (VMC) and current mode control (CMC) is proposed to predict the saddle-node bifurcation (SNB). Exact SNB boundary conditions are derived, and can be further simplified in various forms for design purpose. Many approaches, including steady-state, sampled-data, average, harmonic balance, and loop gain analyses are applied to predict SNB. Each approach has its own merits and complement the other approaches.Comment: Submitted to International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications on December 23, 2010; Manuscript ID: CTA-10-025

The Effects of a 15-Week Physical Activity Class on Health-Related Physical Fitness

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Comparison of Cholesterol and Glucose Levels between College-Aged Males and Females

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Uncovering Bugs in Distributed Storage Systems during Testing (not in Production!)

Testing distributed systems is challenging due to multiple sources of nondeterminism. Conventional testing techniques, such as unit, integration and stress testing, are ineffective in preventing serious but subtle bugs from reaching production. Formal techniques, such as TLA+, can only verify high-level specifications of systems at the level of logic-based models, and fall short of checking the actual executable code. In this paper, we present a new methodology for testing distributed systems. Our approach applies advanced systematic testing techniques to thoroughly check that the executable code adheres to its high-level specifications, which significantly improves coverage of important system behaviors. Our methodology has been applied to three distributed storage systems in the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform. In the process, numerous bugs were identified, reproduced, confirmed and fixed. These bugs required a subtle combination of concurrency and failures, making them extremely difficult to find with conventional testing techniques. An important advantage of our approach is that a bug is uncovered in a small setting and witnessed by a full system trace, which dramatically increases the productivity of debugging

Evaluation of Two Assessment Techniques for Adaptation to Stress

Two conceptual nursing models, Roy's adaptation model and Erickson and Swain's adaptive potential assessment model are explained, and knowledge is identified within these two assessment techniques for adaptation to stress. The purpose is to identify common, noteworthy areas of nursing science as well as areas where further development in nursing knowledge is needed. A case study is used to compare and contrast these models. When assessing adaptation to stress, one simi larity between the approaches appears to be a propositional linkage that supports the influence of developmental level on basic need satisfaction. A divergent area between the two models identifies a need for further development in nursing knowledge regarding the adaptive potential sta tus. This includes information pertaining to what an individual can reasonably do or be expected to do when contending with stressors.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68651/2/10.1177_089431848900200407.pd