Conformance Testing Research Articles

Forty Years of Hypothesis Conformity or Confirmation Bias in the Social Sciences

Objectives: To provide a further test of possible hypothesis conformity or confirmation bias in science based on differential citations of two sets of articles published between 1979 and 2011 that concerned same-sex parenting, as part of a larger issue of similar biases in all sciences and medical research in general. Methods: Two sets of articles used here formed nearly perfect natural experiments because the articles were from the same university team of scholars, published about the same time, often concerned the same samples, with some being published in the same scholarly journal. Differences in citation rates might typically be related to article quality, but with these two sets of articles, research value was usually similar. Based on Google Scholar citations, citation rates were compared using binomial tests, including normal approximation z scores, and one-sample chi-square tests. Results: For both sets of articles, those that presented findings more favorable to same-sex parenting were cited far more often than those with significant but less favorable results. Some authors disregarded their own significant research findings in later articles. Conclusions: Confirmation bias or hypothesis conformity, considered to be a questionable research practice (QRP), have existed in at least one area of the sciences for as long as four decades. Even when noticed and reported, such QRPs have continued, almost certainly leading to errors in reviews of the literature in such areas, errors – if accepted - that could lead to incorrect policy decisions. However, scholars who dare to challenge incorrect scholarly “consensus”, report fraudulent research, or who dare to dispute widely accepted findings may have their professional careers destroyed. Without better policing of QRPs, the value of social science research for society may decline even if it continues to benefit those who engage in QRPs. However, our observations are only a narrow slice of a much larger problem of various kinds of bias in science and medical or public health research in general.

Development of an Integrated Control Strategy for engine and SCR system basedon effective EGR rate

The introduction of actual and upcoming emission standards, move the industrial attentions from laboratory towards real-world emission performance, In-Service Conformity testing (ISC) and life-time periods. Besides advanced air management, fuel injection pattern optimization and aftertreatment systems, the goal to realize optimal and robust powertrain setting under varying operating conditions, while ensuring the proper operation of ATs is challenging and require a massive calibration effort. To accomplish this task, the present research deals with supervisory controller for the integrated engine-SCR system, also referred in literature as EGR-SCR balancing. The goal is to comply with NOx emissions limit and, at the same time, to minimize global costs over transient operating conditions. The potential of this IEM strategy is demonstrated for a typical type-approval test case. The optimization identifies the effective EGR actuation, based on the actual powertrain state, engine settings and ATs performances. The resulting control strategy optimizes the overall performance.

A Synchronized Test Control Execution Model of Distributed Systems

Conformance testing may be seen as mean to execute an IUT (implementation under test) by carrying out test cases in order to observe whether the behavior of the IUT is conforming to its specifications. However, the development of distributed testing frameworks is more complex and the implementation of the parallel testing components (PTCs) should take into consideration the mechanisms and functions required to support interaction during PTC communication. In this article, the authors present another way to control the test execution of PTCs by introducing synchronization messages into the local test sequences. Then, they suggest an agent-based simulation to implement synchronized local test sequences and resolve the problem of control and synchronization.

Wear characteristics of GFRP composites on exposure to rough surface

Abstract The objective of the work is to investigate the wear rate of two different types of specimens 0/90/0/90 and 0/RD/RD/90. The wear analysis experiment was conducted at three types of loading conditions and also under three various time intervals by following Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. In the present day, pin-on-disk is mostly used for wear testing. The effect of the laminated 0/90/0/90 and 0/RD/RD/90 on the weight difference behavior was examined by considering the effect of operating parameters like load, time, and surface roughness. This experimental study would help in finding, the wear rate of brake pad materials in the automobile and we compare the wear rate to that of the glass epoxy composite. Thus we can also find weight difference of the specimen with a rectangular cross-section according to wear test weight difference is minimum 0/RD/RD/90. The conformation test results revealed the predicted weight difference with the Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array was acceptable when compared with the actual experimental results.

Multi-objective optimization of CFRP drilling parameters with a hybrid method integrating the ANN, NSGA-II and fuzzy C-means

A full factorial experiment is performed for the conventional dry drilling of CFRP with spindle speed, feed rate and point angle as drilling parameters, response variables are thrust force and exit-delamination. Artificial neural network (ANN) is developed to express thrust force and delamination factor as a function of drilling parameters. Multi-objective optimization of drilling parameters is accomplished based on Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) with thrust force, delamination factor and material removal rate as optimization objectives, delamination factor also serves as a constraint. The Pareto front of drilling response variables determined by NSGA-II consists of a large number of non-dominated solutions. In order to facilitate the experimental verification of optimization results, fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm is used to narrow down the solutions on the front to several representative ones. Conformation tests are conducted and results show that the representative solutions can give satisfactory performance with achieving a trade-off among thrust force, exit-delamination and material removal rate.

Role of trochoidal machining process parameter and chip morphology studies during end milling of AISI D3 steel

This study aims at discovering the effect of the trochoidal loop spacing parameter on Surface Roughness (SR), Specific Cutting Energy (SCE) and Temperature (T) during flat end milling operations. Twenty experimental runs were conducted based on the face centered central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Artificial Neural Network (ANN) prediction modelling was created using four learning algorithms such as Batch Back Propagation Algorithm (BBPA), Quick Propagation Algorithm (QPA), Incremental Back Propagation Algorithm (IBPA) and Legvenberg–Marquardt back propagation Algorithm (LMBPA). The results were compared based on the value of Root mean square (RMSE) obtained for each learning algorithm and it was identified that LMBPA model produced least RMSE value. The predictive LMBPA neural network model was found to be capable of better predictions of surface roughness, temperature and specific cutting energy within the trained range. The Genetic algorithm(GA) gives the optimum parameters for conformation test and they are cutting speed of 41 m/min, feed rate of 136 mm/min and trochoidal loop spacing of 1.3 mm and error percentage between experimental and GA predicted values is 3.60% for surface roughness, 3.15% for specific cutting energy and 3.89% for temperature was found to be minimal. Scratches and serrated boundaries at both side of the chips were observed and laces, chip adhesion and side flow marks were found on machined surface.

Multiobjective optimization of sustainable turning process using TOPSIS method

The minimum-quantity-lubrication (MQL) cooling machining technique is an environmental damage-free manufacturing process. It is very complicated to determine the optimum cutting conditions for multiple-response problems. In the present work, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) coupled with the Taguchi method was applied for the selection of optimum cutting conditions in the turning of 17-4 precipitated hardenable stainless steel under MQL. In this experimental investigation, the turning process parameters considered were cutting velocity (v), feed rate (f) and depth of cut (d), while the output responses were surface roughness (R a) and tool flank wear (V b). From the optimization study, it was found that v = 54 m/min, f = 0·096 mm/revolution and d = 0·2 mm were the optimum cutting conditions. From the conformation test results, it was observed that the optimum cutting conditions determined by the Taguchi-coupled TOPSIS method reduced R a and V b by 19·2 and 69%, respectively. The analysis of variance results showed that the turning performance was largely influenced by the feed rate. Linear regression analysis was also carried out to predict the responses as a function of input process variables.

AN OVERVIEW ON CURRENT REGULATION AND EVALUATION OF BIOCIDAL PRODUCTS

A biocidal product is a substance or mixture prepared to limit, destroy, neutralize or control the effects of a harmful microorganism, plants and animals. The active substance in a biocidal product can be a natural oil or extract, a chemical substance or a microorganism, virus or fungus. Biocides consist of four main groups: disinfectants, preservatives (wood, paint, etc.), pest control and other type of biocidal products. A biocidal substance can also be added to a product to make the product itself into a biocidal product. These products range from disinfectants, hand sanitizers, preservatives, insect repellents, to rodenticides and insecticides and are used to protect humans, animals, materials and articles by controlling the intended target organism by a chemical or biological action. To make sure the use of biocidal products do not have unacceptable risks for people, animals and the environment, they are regulated to control their marketing, sale and use. In the current study biocidal products have been overviewed in the scope of current European Union regulations, product types and conformity tests.
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 Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10
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 Reviewer(s) detail:
 Name: Dr. Barkat Ali Khan
 Affiliation: Kampala International University , Uganda
 E-mail: barki.gold@gmail.com
 
 Name: Dr. Sally A. El-Zahaby
 Affiliation: Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt
 E-mail: sally.elzahaby@yahoo.com
 Comments of reviewer(s): 

Misjudgement probability estimation of product inspection based on uncertainty

The product inspection process with measurement uncertainty as a quality indicator is researched. Based on the product quality control information and the design and processing precision, the relationship between the misjudgement probability and measurement uncertainty of conformance testing is established. In view of the limitation of uncertainty evaluation based on the single piece in product inspection, the method for evaluating uncertainty fusing multiple product measurement information in a fully integrated batch is proposed. The uncertainty components caused by the measurement repeatability and reproducibility of the whole test work are evaluated based on the conjugate Bayesian estimation method. The test results show that there is a certain false positive rate in the whole test of the product under the condition of uncertainty. Research results show that the misjudgement probability caused by the measurement uncertainty cannot be ignored. In the product test, batch detection information should be fully integrated to improve the representation of uncertainty evaluation results.

Experimental investigation on precision machining of multiple holes by WEDM on Aluminium-6061 using genetic algorithm

Aluminum base alloys used in aeronautical applications is machined using WEDM to machine complex profiles with good accuracy and minimum taperness. This present investigation explores wire cut EDM machine tool usage for optimization process variables of Aluminium-6061 alloy. A Sequence of experiments are developed to research the process parameters, effects such a pulse on time—TON, wire feed rate—WFR, pulse off time—TOFF and servo voltage control—SVC on dimensional deviation—DD, Taperness, wire wear rate—WWR and metal removal rate—MRR. Trial runs on Al-6061 are conducted by taguchi design of experiments, a regression equation is developed. Genetic algorithm optimization technique is applied to yield global optimum results for optimizing process variables. Finally, comparison done across experimental results to predicted values for effectiveness 95% of confidence level was obtained. The optimum levels for getting minimum taperness is identified for square geometry are pulse on time—103 µs, pulse off time—59.99 µs, wire feed rate—6.45 mm/min and control of speed—92.52%. For circular geometry the identifications are pulse on time—103 µs, pulse off time—59.99 µs, wire feed rate—7.88 mm/min and control of speed—42.34% for optimum response. The optical microscope conformation test has obtained with satisfactory.

Design of Broadband Micro-Power Wireless Communication Test System Based on TTCN-3

In order to optimize the network architecture, narrowband micro-power wireless communication technology is developing towards broadband. In order to ensure the conformance of the functions and protocol standards of the developed broadband micro-power wireless communication module and the interconnection of different manufacturers, it is particularly important to test the products. Based on TTCN-3 and Titan platform, a conformance testing system for broadband micro-power wireless communication protocol is designed. The hardware and software implementation scheme of the conformance testing system is given, and the implementation mechanism and key technologies of each part of the system are described. An interoperability testing platform is constructed to realize the integrated distribution network testing and interoperability testing. Protocol conformance testing cases are designed by using black box testing method. It provides a test basis for the research of broadband micro-power wireless communication.

SR-UML: Quality Visualization in Software Design

The current requirements of software are intensively based on load sharing, on-demand services, cascading requirements, redundancy for reliability and executing on heterogeneous environments. It needs precise architectural details for development of such software systems. These are large scale software systems with complex interactions amongst the constituent components. Testing for performance and conformance to quality requires perspective modeling fordesigning critical systems. The analysis of these systems is focused on dynamic or execution time behavior for achieving quality. In the same context, this paper redefines Functional Flow Specification for dynamic analysis of critical and collaborating systems. Functional Flow based modeling is a mature concept in the domain of system engineering but is rarely applicable to software systems. Functional Flow Block Reliability Diagram (FFBRD) is a notation for abstract view of the system evolution and interactions. This adopts the specification format of UML and system modeling conventions of SysML specially Enhanced Functional Flow Block Diagram (EFFBD). The flow of data and control are so designed that it best suits the approaches for quality analysis like system reliability. The method proposed is System Reliability with UML or SR-UML for generating test through FFBRD. It also caters to the need of designing software in a familiar formalization for extending, translating and simulating with existing algorithms. From the results collected through various scenarios, we can conclude that SR-UML is instrumental in process improvement of current software development methods.

Diffuse ultrasonic wave-based structural health monitoring for railway turnouts

Real-time damage evaluation is a critical step to warrant the integrity of turnout systems in railway industry. Nevertheless, existing structural health monitoring (SHM) approaches, despite their proven effectiveness in laboratory demonstration, are restricted from in-situ implementation in engineering practice. Based upon the continued endeavors of the authors in developing SHM approaches and exploring real world applications, an in-situ SHM approach, exploiting active diffuse ultrasonic waves (DUW) and a benchmark-less method, has been developed and implemented in a marshalling station in China. When trains passing a railway turnout, the train-induced loads on the rail track can lead to the growth of defects in the rail, and such growth disturbs the ultrasound traversing at the defect and gives rise to discrepancies between the DUW signals acquired before and after the train’s passage. On this basis, a damage index, making use of the defect growth-induced changes in DUW signals, is proposed to identify the presence of defect. The probability of defect growth induced by the train-related load can be used to assess the severity of the defect. Via an online diagnosis system, conformance tests are implemented in Chengdu North Marshalling Station, in which defects in switch rails are identified and the health status of in-service rail tracks are continuously monitored. The results have demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of DUW-driven SHM towards real world railway turnout applications.

COALESCENCE: An Android-Based Instructional Application with Augmented Reality for Chemistry Students

COALESCENCE is intended to let the Chemistry students learn and for Chemistry Teachers to use as a tool in teaching the subject. This application uses Augmented Reality to present information and 3D models of laboratory equipment, periodic elements, compound elements, and planet elements. Trivia and interactive quizzes are also provided to assess the user’s knowledge. Iterative Model was applied in project development. This application was created using Photoshop, Unity 3D, Blender, and Maya. In using the application, the minimum Android OS requirement is Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and above. The test instruments used were Functionality, Compatibility, and Conformance test aligned with Android Core App Quality Standards. It got a 100% rating for the three test instruments’ used. In evaluation, Mobile Application Rating Scale was utilized with an average mean of “3.44”, the standard deviation of “0.17” and an interpretation with a “Highly Acceptable” feedback from the evaluators in all aspect of the application.

Optimization of wear process parameters on 16-Cr Ferritic ODS steel through Taguchi approach

Abstract Dry sliding wear was performed on a pin on disc wear testing machine by varying the process parameters such as applied load, sliding velocity and sliding distance which were performed on 16-Cr Ferritic ODS steel at high temperature (350 °C). Taguchi approach was used to analyze the process parameters for high temperature wear behavior using Signal-to-Noise ratio and analysis of variance. It was found that sliding velocity was the most significant parameters of wear rate followed by applied load and sliding distance. Regression model was obtained to find wear rate and conformation test was conducted to verify the experimental results.

Measuring preschool children's knowledge of the principle of static equilibrium in the context of building blocks: Validation of a test instrument.

Preschoolers' knowledge of the principle of static equilibrium is an important research focus for understanding children's science content knowledge. Hitherto studies have mainly used behavioural observation with small samples. Thus, extending these studies with a validated test instrument is desirable. The aim was to validate an instrument (the Centre-of-Mass Test), which is concerned with preschoolers' knowledge of the principle of static equilibrium, using item response theory. In Study 1, the construct structure was tested, and in Study 2, its relationship with stabilities of symmetrical blocks, figural reasoning, figural perception, mental rotation, level of interest, self-concept, motivation, and language capacity was investigated. A total of 217 five- and six-year-old children participated in Study 1 and 166 five- and six-year-old children in Study 2. All tests were administered as paper-pencil picture tests in groups and single interviews. In Study 1, the Centre-of-Mass Test's conformity with a 1PL-testlet model with an overall knowledge of static equilibrium and with two subtests, estimation of stable and unstable constructions, was confirmed. Using a 95% binomial distribution, children were categorized into three knowledge categories: geometrical-centre, centre-of-mass, and undifferentiated knowledge. In Study 2, knowledge of the principle of static equilibrium showed positive correlations with figural perception and reasoning, language capacity, and estimation of the stabilities of symmetrical objects. The Centre-of-Mass Test measures knowledge of the principle of static equilibrium as a unidimensional construct and mirrors preschoolers' estimations found in previous studies. The acquisition of a more sophisticated static equilibrium knowledge is related to spatial knowledge and language capacity.

Redundant Communication Architectures: How They Benefit the Oil and Gas Industry

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 61850 has become firmly established for substation automation. However, it is now also more than just an Ethernet-based protocol. Now in its second edition, the protocol has expanded into additional power supply areas because it defines the engineering process, data and service models, the conformity test, and all of the communication functions for substations. In doing so, the range of applications for protection devices is expanded. Multifunction devices are designed to protect, automate, measure, and monitor high- and medium-voltage networks. The standard enables using data from devices produced by different manufacturers. Additionally, redundant data transmission within the grid is standardized. To implement such solutions, there are two new Ethernet redundancy protocols: the Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) and high-availability seamless redundancy (HSR), and these protocols were designed for mission- and time-critical applications in which communication interruptions or delays must not occur. Both protocols comply with IEC Standard 62439-3 for high-availability industrial Ethernet communication networks. PRP and HSR allow systems to continue operating even in the event of a malfunction because a communication path remains in place between the two protection devices even if a network fault occurs. This is especially important in sectors such as the oil and gas (O&G) industry to help prevent system outages. This article outlines some redundancy architectures and the benefits they offer the O&G industry.

Development of RDE/ISC test methodology in light of Euro 6d/VI emissions limits

This paper discusses the fact that vehicle and powertrain test methods have long been guided by type approval requirements – with a focus ot the recent/current example of real driving emissions (RDE) and in-service conformity (ISC) test requirements. The implcations current and future – of these testing requirement, which force the use of portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) are discussed. In this context, BOSMAL Automotive Research and Development Institute’s PEMS systems are presented, and the systems’ attributes and versatility are explored. Considerations for testing a very wide range of vehicle, engine and fuel types are mentioned. Non-legislative applications of PEMS systems are briefly explored; finally, it is shown that the emissions laboratory and its chassis dyno remain indispensable when conducting work on light duty exhaust emissions, even in the era of RDE.

Midfield Over-the-Air Test: A New OTA RF Performance Test Method for 5G Massive MIMO Devices

5G massive MIMO devices require over-the-air (OTA) calibration and RF measurement in a phase coherent test system. Device and antenna array size make it very challenging to measure RF performance in a true far-field OTA environment due to the large distances required, which also impact the link budget and test system cost. This paper presents a millimeter-wave (mmWave) midfield (MF) OTA RF performance test system designed to minimize size and cost. This system can perform antenna array phase coherence calibration and support RF parametric measurement per 3GPP conformance test specifications. An overview of system design challenges and measurement approaches is provided. Detailed theoretical analysis and simulation of the MF OTA test method are provided, together with experimental validation of the system’s performance to prove its effectiveness in OTA phase coherence calibration and in RF parametric measurement for 5G massive MIMO devices.

Fractional nonconformance based conformity testing

Conformity testing, also known as evaluation of conformity or compliance testing, is exercised to assure that an entity meets a specific requirement and/or regulatory standard. Measurement and sampling uncertainties, including metrological traceability, become crucial for the declaration of conformity, especially when the measured value is close to the set limiting value. The fractional nonconformance (FNC) approach was recently introduced to deal with measurement errors for acceptance sampling purposes. This approach can be extended to develop new conformity evaluation protocols. In this study, we develop a new fractional nonconformance based conformity testing procedure, and compare its performance with the conformity testing procedure prescribed in the ISO Standard 10576. The proposed procedure explicitly distinguishes the limiting value from a specification by linking the false alarm rate and the limiting value using a baseline distribution. Our research shows that the two-stage conformity testing procedure using the fractional nonconformance statistic reduces the probability of incorrect declaration of conformity or inconclusive result for nonconforming entities when the number of test samples is larger than one. This means that the new FNC based conformity testing is more powerful than the current procedure set by the ISO standard.