An Assessment of Incorporating Log-Logistic Testing Effort Into Imperfect Debugging Delayed S-Shaped Software Reliability Growth Model

Software reliability growth models (SRGM) are employed to aid us in predicting and estimating reliability in the software development process. Many SRGM proposed in the past claim to be effective over previous models. While some earlier research had raised concern regarding use of delayed S-shaped SRGM, researchers later indicated that the model performs well when appropriate testing-effort function (TEF) is used. This paper proposes and evaluates an approach to incorporate the log-logistic (LL) testing-effort function into delayed S-shaped SRGMs with imperfect debugging based on non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP). The model parameters are estimated by weighted least square estimation (WLSE) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) methods. The experimental results obtained after applying the model on real data sets and statistical methods for analysis are presented. The results obtained suggest that performance of the proposed model is better than the other existing models. The authors can conclude that the log-logistic TEF is appropriate for incorporating into delayed S-shaped software reliability growth models.

Incentives, ability and disutility of effort

We generalize the disutility of effort function in the linear-Constant Absolute Risk Aversion (CARA) pure moral hazard model. We assume that agents are heterogeneous in ability. Each agent’s ability is observable and treated as a parameter that indexes the disutility of effort associated with the task performed. In opposition to the literature (the “traditional” scenario), we find a new, “novel” scenario, in which a high-ability agent may be offered a weaker incentive contract than a low-ability one, but works harder. We characterize the conditions for the existence of these two scenarios: formally, the “traditional” (“novel”) scenario occurs if and only if the marginal rate of substitution of the marginal disutility of effort function is increasing (decreasing) in effort when evaluated at the second-best effort. If, further, this condition holds for all parameter values and matching is endogenous, less (more) talented agents work for principals with riskier projects in equilibrium. This implies that the indirect and total effects of risk on incentives are negative under monotone assortative matching.

Optimization of TIG Welding Parameters Using a Hybrid Nelder Mead-Evolutionary Algorithms Method

A number of evolutionary algorithms such as genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, particle swarm optimization, etc., have been used by researchers in order to optimize different manufacturing processes. In many cases these algorithms are either incapable of reaching global minimum or the time and computational effort (function evaluations) required makes the application of these algorithms impractical. However, if the Nelder Mead optimization method is applied to approximate solutions cheaply obtained from these algorithms, the solution can be further refined to obtain near global minimum of a given error function within only a few additional function evaluations. The initial solutions (vertices) required for the application of Nelder-Mead optimization can be obtained through multiple evolutionary algorithms. The results obtained using this hybrid method are better than that obtained from individual algorithms and also show a significant reduction in the computation effort.

The field of tensions of a rotating anisotropic disc of a variable thickness loaded with undistracted forces on the outer contour

The work gives a solution of the plane elasticity problem for rotating polar-orthotropic annular disks of a variable thickness. The disk is loaded with a system of equal focused forces on the outer contour applied evenly along the rim and symmetric concerning the diameter. The disk is seated with an interference fit on the flexible shaft so that a constant contact pressure acts on the interior contour. The stresses and deformations arising in such a rotating anisotropic annular disk will be non-axisymmetric. A conclusion of a fourth-order partial differential equation for the effort function is drawn. Its general solution is searched out in the form of a Fourier series of cosines with even numbers. As a result, an infinite system of ordinary differential equations is solved for the coefficients of the series. These differential equations correspond to the linear Volterra integral equations of the 2 nd kind, which are solved using resolvents. Constants of integration are determined from the border conditions. Expressions for the stress components are written through the effort function by the well-known formulas. We find the components of the displacement vector in the disk by the integration of the Hooke’s law equations for the polar-orthotropic plate. We calculate the deformation components in a ring anisotropic disk by Cauchy differential relations if we know the displacements. The solved formulas for stresses, deformations and displacements completely describe the stress-deformed state in a rotating polar-orthotropic disc of variable thickness with a system of focused forces on the outer contour. The results of the work can be used in the design of working disks of turbomachines and turbo compressors, as well as rotors of centrifugal stands.