In this paper, we derive a method to refine a Bayes network diagnostic model by exploiting constraints implied by expert decisions on test ordering. At each step, the expert executes an evidence gathering test, which suggests the test’s relative diagnostic value. We demonstrate that consistency with an expert’s test selection leads to non-convex constraints on the model parameters. We incorpora...

Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) [2] is a nondeterministic algorithm framework that mimics the foraging behavior of ants to solve difficult optimization problems. Several researchers have successfully applied ant based algorithm framework in different fields of engineering, but never in VLSI testing. In this paper, we first describe the basics of ACO. We then consider the problem of simultaneously...

BACKGROUND Guidelines are viewed as a mechanism for disseminating a rapidly increasing body of knowledge. We determined the compliance of Dutch general practitioners with the recommendations for blood test ordering as defined in the guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners. METHODS We performed an audit of guideline compliance over a 12-month period (March 1996 through Februar...

eXtreme programmingTM is one of several lightweight software development methodologies. It involves extremely short incremental release cycles, early and frequent testing, heavy use of design refactoring, and pair programming. Although early and frequent testing is very important, there is little guidance to date in terms of the specifics of the testing process. In this paper, we propose a new ...