基于XML API的组件扩展接口变异测试方法

在传统的组件接口变异测试方法基础上,提出一种基于XML API的组件扩展接口变异测试方法.首先给出组件扩展接口测试的框架,建立起扩展接口的定义模型.XML API在组件内部建立处理数据集的XML校验器,实现了原组件接口的扩展.借助组件外部的XML Schema变异算子,完成了组件内部数据集的自动验证和组件接口参数的测试.该方法具有多种优点,例如可视的多功能测试接口、可跨平台的通用性的测试语言等.实验表明,该方法可以应用于COM,CORBA,EJB等多种组件的测试环境.     

下一代网络协议测试数据半自动生成方法研究

在协议测试过程中,对于测试数据的生成方法的考虑应从包的粒度细化到字段上.对协议的通用数据包进行了全面的分析,根据各个字段的功能及其取值之间的关系,对所有字段进行了固定字段、独立字段以及相关字段序列的划分,然后根据测试经验对独立字段和相关字段序列进行了优先级赋值,并根据优先级构建测试包,从而可以将具有重要测试目的的包尽早生成进行测试,并根据优先级标记指导测试结果判定.给出了测试包库的生成算法,并分析了该算法的有效性,然后以BGP4 的UPDATE包为例给出了生成的包,最后给出了结论.     

一种新颖的基于混沌映像格子的图像保密通信方案

基于混沌映像格子(CML)提出了一种新颖的图像保密通信方案.发送方利用CML快速产生二值时空混沌序列,并将其与原始图像进行异或加密处理,经通信双方同步后,接收方即可解密出原始图像.由于混沌序列对CMI.中的耦合系数、驱动序列初值等比较敏感,增加了序列抗攻击能力.数值实验结果表明本方案是可行的,并对系统密钥空间、密钥敏感性等密码学特性进行了分析.     

基于复杂网络面向对象集成测试的研究

软件测试是保证软件质量的重要手段.面向对象的方法给软件系统带来好处的同时,也为测试带来了挑战,传统的测试方法无法应用于许多面向对象的特性.研究表明,大型软件系统内部结构具有小世界效应(Small-World,SW)和无标度特性(Scale-Free,SF).基于软件的复杂网络特性对面向对象的集成测试进行了研究,提出了一种通过分析类之间的交互复杂性和聚集复杂性来确定软件测试顺序的方法.利用该方法进行面向对象集成测试可以减少桩模块的数量,提高测试效率,且不降低原有测试覆盖度.     

基于ORD和FSM的Web应用的建模与测试

Web测试是保证高质量Web应用的一种有效技术.然而,由于其特殊性和复杂性,很难直接将传统的测试理论与方法学运用到Web应用的测试当中来.对Web应用进行了分析与建模,并对其进行测试,提出了一种可行的Web测试模型.首先得到页面流图(PFD,Page Flow Diagram),进而产生对象关系图(ORD,Object Relation Diagram),然后根据提出的算法将ORD转化为形式化的有限状态机(FSM,Finite State Machine)模型.基于FSM模型,提出了一种有效的测试路径自动生成方法,这些测试路径可以转化为XML语法的测试规格说明.测试引擎将测试规格说明作为输入最终产生测试报告.全文以所开发的一个小型的Web应用SWLS(Simple Web Login System)为例进行阐述.     

Web服务测试问题综述

近来出现了一种新的支持分布式计算的范型--面向服务的体系结构(SOA).Web服务就是这种结构的具体实现形式之一.众所周知,为了获得一个可信的、可靠的服务,对服务实施完全、充分的测试是至关重要的.所以本文对Web服务的测试方法和技术进行了调查研究.本文从SOA体系结构下Web服务的特点及其测试的新的挑战出发,讨论了Web服务测试与传统测试的不同点;接着从多个不同的角度(测试的视角和测试的策略)讨论了Web服务测试的相关问题.然后给出了一个Web服务测试过程的组织框架,还讨论了目前Web服务测试的研究现状和一些代表性的Web服务测试技术.最后总结全文并给出未来的研究方向.     

测试脚本自动生成器的设计与实现

分析了现有的几种测试脚本生成技术,按照Mosley的同步数据驱动测试框架(CSDDT)框架设计并实现了一个针对面向对象程序的测试脚本生成器,通过实例验证了方法的可行性和工具的有效性,降低了产生测试脚本的工作量,对已知测试脚本产生过程中的弱点有很好的改进作用.生成脚本可以从单元测试开始应用,重用性良好,可同时测试多个类与方法,无须特定脚本开发语言.     

一种新的模糊多球分类算法及其集成方法

本文提出了一种新的模糊多球分类算法.该算法在训练阶段为每一个模式类构造多个球,覆盖其所有的训练样本,并且在识别阶段利用一个模糊隶属函数来归类测试样本.此外,在提出的分类算法的基础上,还给出了它的集成方法.最后,我们采用了四个真实数据集进行实验,实验结果表明本文提出的算法具有较好的分类性能,是一种行之有效的分类算法.     

BGP4 互操作性测试研究

BGP4是最主要的域间路由协议,BGP4 是对BGP4进行扩展之后支持IPv6的,对于它的互操作性测试很重要.本文首先介绍了互操作性测试的目的,分析了BGP4以及BGP4 的功能、路由类型以及数据包种类.根据BGP4的说明生成了协议的输入输出有限状态机,基于该模型生成了部分BGP4 的互操作性测试套.然后对于协议的不同实现进行了互操作性测试设计与实践,最后给出了结论以及下一步的研究工作.     

基于FC-tree的频繁闭项目集挖掘算法

目前提出的频繁项目集挖掘算法大多基于Apriori算法思想,但这类算法会产生巨大的候选集并且重复扫描数据库.本文针对这一问题,给出了一种基于FC-tree的频繁闭项目集挖掘算法Max-FCIA,该算法将频繁项目集存储在哈希表中,节省了程序的搜索时间.此外,利用广度优先搜索和有效的剪枝策略,大大限制了候选项目集的生成,缩小了搜索空间从而提高了程序的性能.实验结果表明该算法是快速有效的.     

Mixture-based gatekeeping procedures for multiplicity problems with multiple sequences of hypotheses

Complex multiplicity problems arise in drug development programs with several sets of clinical objectives. This article considers a common setting with two sources of multiplicity induced by the analysis of multiple dose levels based on ordered endpoints. This results in multiplicity problems with multiple sequences of null hypotheses of no effect. Type I error rate inflation in problems of this type is typically addressed by using gatekeeping procedures that account for the hierarchical structure of the trial objectives. A general method for building gatekeeping procedures, known as the mixture method, tends to be conservative in problems with several sequences of hypotheses. This article defines a modified mixture method and shows that this method provides a power advantage over the standard mixture method. In addition, it is demonstrated that in special cases the modified mixture method allows for a stepwise testing algorithm, which facilities the implementation of gatekeeping procedures and general decision making. The new methodology is illustrated using two clinical trial examples.     

Approaches for assessing the validity of a functional observational battery

As neurobehavioral assessments during the preliminary stages of chemical testing are more widely undertaken, it is critical that the screening procedures utilized be valid indicators of neurobehavioral function and that they be sensitive, specific, and reliable. Efforts in this laboratory have been directed towards assessing these features in the use of a functional observational battery (FOB). For the purpose of assessing validity, we have examined FOB data which addresses the issues of criterion, predictive, concurrent, and construct validities. The FOB appears to be valid for detecting chemical-induced neurological dysfunction in rats, i.e., shows a good degree of criterion validity. Furthermore, in many instances the effects observed with the FOB may be predictive of symptomatology in humans. When comparisons can be made between effects detected with the FOB and other methods of measuring neurotoxicity (e.g., neuropathology), concurrent validity can also be established. To assess construct validity, effects of neurotoxicants can be classified into functional domains which are described by various measures in the FOB. Approaches for assessing the validity of the test method thus include answering specific research questions directed at assessing criterion, predictive, concurrent, and construct validity. Available data indicate that, in these aspects, the FOB is a valid screening method for the detection of neurotoxicity.     

Drug testing in the Australian workplace: overview of the issues

This paper is an overview of the issues surrounding employee drug testing programs as they apply to the Australian workplace. Drug testing may be seen within a historical context of control over workers. Its practice is most prevalent in the USA, but it is also occurring in Australia, Canada and England. It is undeniable that alcohol and other drug use causes significant problems in many workplaces, though the apparently substantial costs to industry and the prevalence of drug use among workers are difficult to estimate with any degree of precision. Drug testing programs in the workplace appear to have majority public support in the USA and are even supported by some unions in Australia and the USA; there are, however, critics of the programs. The evaluation evidence to date is sparse, but is promising in that it suggests that drug testing programs can be responsible for reducing the prevalence of drug use among workers as well as dramatically reducing company costs for absenteeism, accidents and medical insurance claims. However, due to methodological shortcomings one cannot state conclusively that drug testing programs are as effective as they appear to be. Research using more rigorous designs and generating data that can be compared across studies is needed. Distasteful though drug testing is, we may see benefits in its use, similar in concept to random breath testing on our roads. Many of the procedural and legal problems in early US programs have been eliminated, refinements which should assist Australians. The legal issues, however, are quite different in Australia. A drug testing program should not be the sole remedy for reducing alcohol and other drug problems in the workplace and such a program must also be accompanied by rehabilitation and educational components. Ethical issues are briefly discussed.     

Establishment of an Equivalence Acceptance Criterion for Accelerated Stability Studies

In this article, the use of statistical equivalence testing for providing evidence of process comparability in an accelerated stability study is advocated over the use of a test of differences. The objective of such a study is to demonstrate comparability by showing that the stability profiles under nonrecommended storage conditions of two processes are equivalent. Because it is difficult at accelerated conditions to find a direct link to product specifications, and hence product safety and efficacy, an equivalence acceptance criterion is proposed that is based on the statistical concept of effect size. As with all statistical tests of equivalence, it is important to collect input from appropriate subject-matter experts when defining the acceptance criterion.     

HIV rapid testing in drug treatment: comparison across treatment modalities

Despite high rates of risky behavior among patients, many drug abuse treatment programs do not provide on-site HIV testing. This secondary analysis examined differences in outcome by program modality from a multi-site trial in which 1281 HIV-negative patients in three methadone programs, seven non-methadone outpatient programs, and three residential programs were randomly assigned to: (1) off-site referral for HIV risk reduction counseling and testing; or on-site rapid testing (2) with or (3) without risk reduction counseling. The parent study using generalized estimating equations with site as a cluster variable found significantly higher rates of HIV testing and feedback of results by 1 month post-enrollment for the combined on-site conditions compared to the offsite condition [RR = 4.52, 97.5% CI (3.57, 5.72)]. Utilizing the same statistical approach, we found neither significant treatment modality nor significant treatment modality by testing condition interaction effects either for receipt of HIV test results at 1 month or for sexual or drug use HIV-risk behaviors at 6-month follow-up. On-site HIV testing is effective across treatment modalities for achieving high rates of testing and results feedback. All programs should be encouraged to adopt or expand this service.     

Drug excipients,food additives,and cosmetic ingredients probably not carcinogenic to humans reveal a functional specificity for the 2-year rodent bioassay

Regarding carcinogenicity testing, the long-term rodent bioassay (RCB) has been the test required by most regulatory agencies across the world. Nonetheless, due to the lack of knowledge about its specificity, it has been argued that the RCB is unspecific or even invalid. Because of the substantial limitations of epidemiology to identify chemicals probably not carcinogenic to humans (PNCH), it has been very difficult to address the specificity of the RCB. Nevertheless, because mechanistic/pharmacological data are currently recognized as a valid stream of evidence for the identification of chemical hazards, the road is now open to gain insight into the specificity of the RCB. Based on sound mechanistic/pharmacological data that support the classification of chemicals as PNCH, 100 PNCH substances were gathered in this investigation. Contrary to what was previously forecast, in this study, the RCB exhibited a functional specificity that ranged from 83% to 91%, depending on the settings of the testing (2-species vs. rats only, and the nominal maximum tolerated dose). Other contributions of this work were: (a) enabling the comparison, in terms of specificity, between the RCB and the alternative methods that could replace it (eg, Tg.AC mouse, rasH2 mouse); (b) disclosing what the specificity is for alternative methods that were developed using the RCB as the reference standard; and (c) expanding the previous narrow (only seven substances) set of chemicals identified as not likely to be carcinogenic to humans by hazard identification programs.     

INVESTIGATING THE CRITERION VALIDITY OF PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOM SCALES USING SURROGATE MARKER VALIDATION METHODOLOGY

This work investigates whether techniques that are generally used for the validation of surrogate markers in clinical trials can be applied in the validation of psychiatric health measurements (often scales) and more generally to investigate relationships between treatment effects on different measurements. However, the categorical nature of some scales makes these techniques inapplicable in the way they were originally defined. In this work, we show a possible extension of this methodology to the setting in which one of the scales is an ordinal categorical variable. When psychiatric health measurements are either developed or used in a new population, reliability and validity must be investigated. Reliability, more specifically internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and inter-rater reliability, is focused on the reproducibility of the measurement. Validity is defined as the degree to which the scale measures what it purports to measure. This can be performed through the analysis of content, construct, and criterion validity. We argue that recent methodology, in particular developed to study surrogate endpoints, can be used to examine criterion validity, concurrent validity, and predictive validity. In concurrent validity, we correlate the measurement with a criterion measure, both of which are given at the same time. In predictive validity, the criterion will not be available to some point in time in the future. The surrogate methods were applied on pooled data from five trials in schizophrenia.     

A discussion of the impact of us chemical regulation legislation on the field of toxicity testing

Proposals for revising the principal United States law governing industrial chemicals, the Toxic Substances Control Act, have been under consideration in the US Congress for the past several years, and some version of such legislation may be passed in the near future. Concurrently, a desire to move away from current testing methods for ethical, scientific, and practical reasons has led to multi-million dollar investments in in vitro and computational toxicology methods and programs. Legislative language has the potential to endorse this transition and facilitate its fruition, or conversely enshrine in vivo testing methods for the foreseeable future. New legislation also has the potential to substantially increase the numbers of animals used in toxicity tests in the near term. However, there are a number of policies that, used effectively, can reduce the overall number of animals used in new toxicity tests. We present recent legislative proposals in the context of current testing programs and discuss their potential impacts on animal use, test method innovation, and achievement of desired legislative objectives. Discussions like these are essential to judiciously select policies that reduce the use of animals in toxicity testing and protect human health and the environment.     

Guidelines for European workplace drug testing in oral fluid

Over the past decade, oral fluid has established itself as a robust testing matrix for monitoring drug use or misuse. Commercially available collection devices provide opportunities to collect and test oral fluid by the roadside and near-patient testing with both clinical and criminal justice applications. One of the main advantages of oral fluid relates to the collection of the matrix which is non-invasive, simple, and can be carried out under direct observation making it ideal for workplace drug testing. Laboratories offering legally defensible oral fluid workplace drug testing must adhere to national and international quality standards (ISO/IEC 17025); however, these standards do not address issues specific to oral fluid testing. The European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS) recognizes the importance of providing best practice guidelines to organizations offering testing and those choosing to use oral fluid drug testing to test their employees. The aim of this paper is to present the EWDTS guidelines for oral fluid workplace drug testing.     

Histamine Food Poisoning: Toxicology and Clinical Aspects

The 2-year rodent carcinogenicity bioassay evolved more than 40 years ago, and although it is complex, long lasting, expensive, and animal consuming, it is still the only generally accepted test for assessing the carcinogenicity of chemicals. Over time, different alternative approaches have been developed with the final goal to replace the bioassay. Unfortunately, at present, none of these strategies alone provides sufficient assurance of accurate prediction. In this review paper, we discuss the major advantages and pitfalls of the existing alternative methodologies to the carcinogenicity bioassay. Finally, based on the available scientific data in the public domain, we propose what we would like to call a “feasible integrated testing strategy” which incorporates some promising alternatives, providing at the same time information on the mechanism of action and the toxic nature of the compounds tested. It is, however, clear that the adoption of whatever “new” testing scheme should be considered with caution and its effectiveness should be experimentally demonstrated in advance by addressing a reasonable number of chemical carcinogens and non-carcinogens from a variety of structural and functional classes.