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This chapter reviews some of our most recent research as to whether the cognitive performance of reading disabled and poor readers can be separated under dynamic assessment procedures. We describe results related to junior high school students (mean chronological age of 12 years) with reading disabilities, poor readers, and skilled readers. Students were administered intelligence, reading and math tests, and working memory (WM) measures (presented under static and dynamic testing conditions). The results thus far show that: (1) dynamic assessment measures (maintenance scores) contributed unique variance to predicting reading; and (2) poor readers and skilled readers were more likely to change and maintain gains under the dynamic testing conditions than students with reading disabilities. Some discussion was given to developing a valid classification of reading disabilities.

The purpose of this paper is to present a method for evaluating the structural dynamic characteristics of a flying probe tester.

The dynamic characteristics of a flying probe tester framework were analyzed based on a finite element analysis method. First, modal analysis was carried out to characterize the modal parameters of the structure. Second, the harmonic response was analyzed according to the modal analysis and the response curve of the structural system was studied. Finally, transient analysis was conducted to obtain the transient response of the structures at the beginning of the vibration.

The natural frequency and the response frequency of a natural granite structure was the highest and the transient vibration displacement amplitude was the smallest compared with cast iron and artificial stone structures.

A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic characteristics of the framework of a flying probe tester with three different materials has been achieved. The results of the analyses provide a reference for the framework design of a flying probe tester.

The purpose of this paper is to propose the optimal allocation and alignment of probes for current distribution measurement (CDM) in the case of twin cable in conduit conductor (CICC) cables with equal and opposite current.

The most effective approach to CDM in CICC cables is to perform indirect measurements starting from magnetic field map measured externally to the cable. A number of approaches have been proposed to optimize the layout of magnetic field probes external to the cable, but all dealing with single cables. In this paper, an approach to the optimized design of measurement system for twin cables will be proposed, based on the minimization of a suitable cost function.

A method for the optimal allocation of probes both in terms of rejection of the background field and of condition number of the Green matrix has been defined.

The method is valid only in the hypothesis of linear relationship between currents and magnetic field.

The proposed approach allows to design more robust CDM systems, with increased noise and background field rejection capability.

The problem of optimal design of CDM systems has been previously tackled in literature, but typically with reference to single cables. In the paper, an approach able to explicitly deal with twin cables is proposed.

Fluxset type eddy current probes are used for detecting discontinuities in conducting materials. The measurements obtained by such probes can be used for the reconstruction of the parameters of the detected discontinuity if the output signal of the measurement is uniquely related to the measured field. In this paper a calibration method is presented for the establishment of the relation between the measured magnetic field and the output signal of the probe. The relation is obtained by the optimisation of the parameters of the mapping between the calculated magnetic field distribution and the measured output signal. The magnetic field distribution due to the interaction of the probe and an infinitesimally thin crack located in a conducting plate is calculated numerically by the solution of a boundary integral equation.

The paper aims to discuss design, fabrication, testing and simulation of a novel tactile probe used for measuring the stiffness of biological soft tissues/materials with a view to medical and surgical applications.

Both finite element modeling and experimental approach were used in this research. The novel tactile probe capable of recording force-deformation feedback is accompanied with the tactile-status-display which is a custom-designed user-friendly interface. This system can evaluate the stiffness in each part of force-deformation status.

The new system named novel tactile probe was fabricated, and the results on artificial materials (with different stiffnesses) and the sheep kidney (containing a hard object) were reported. Recording different stiffnesses, detecting hard object embedded in soft tissue and predicting the exact location of it are the main results that have been extracted through the diagrams obtained by the novel tactile probe system.

The designed and fabricated system can be modified and miniaturized to be used during different minimally invasive surgeries in the future.

The most distinguishing feature of this novel tactile probe is its applicability during different laparoscopic surgeries, so the in vivo data can be obtained.

For the first time, a tactile probe has been designed and tested in the form of laparoscopic instrument which upgrades the efficiency of available laparoscopic instruments. Also, the novel tactile probe can be used in both in vivo and in vitro experimental setups for measuring the stiffness of sensed objects.

Presents the findings from a study of 48 Colleges of Further Education (FE) who have participated in a diagnostic benchmarking exercise using the learning probe methodology. Learning probe has been developed from the established service probe tool (developed originally by London Business School and IBM Consulting) to support colleges of FE in their pursuit of excellence. Examines five main areas of business practice and performance consisting of business leadership; service processes; people; performance management and business results. Goes on to highlight the key strengths of the FE sector and their main areas for improvement (as defined by the sample of participating colleges). Although there are a number of practice and performance areas that need attention in particular practices relating to service processes, the sample also identifies that a number of colleges demonstrate strengths in these same areas. These issues are discussed and compared with experiences and anecdotal evidence collated from working with the FE sector over a number of years. Additionally, a comparison is made with a separate, regional benchmarking exercise that considered a number of educational organisations. Using the findings, the paper suggests a way forward for colleges to use the information which has grown out of this research. It is intended that the database will continue to grow as an information resource as learning probe becomes more widely adopted within the FE sector.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of surface topology on the performance of laser line scanning probe and to suggest methodology for 3D digitization of specular surfaces.

Two different molds, one having milled surface and the other with polished surface, were used to identify effect of surface characteristics on the performance of laser line scanning probe mounted on bridge-type coordinate measuring machine. The point cloud data acquisition of two surfaces was carried out using different combinations of laser scanning parameters. The point cloud sets thus obtained were analyzed in terms of completeness, noise and accuracy. The polished mold which exhibited specular reflection was digitized at different scanning angles of laser line scanning probe using the best combination of scanning parameters.

Results confirmed that surface characteristics play important role to determine quality of the reverse engineering (RE) process. The results in terms of completeness, accuracy and noise for point cloud sets have successfully been obtained for milled and polished surfaces. Three-dimensional (3D) comparison analysis suggested larger deviation in cases of polished surface as compared to milled surface. The point cloud set acquired with proposed approach was better in terms of both completeness and noise reduction.

There has been an increased demand for measurement of metallic, polished and shiny surfaces in automotive, aerospace and medical industries. These surfaces are very difficult to scan because they exhibit specular reflection instead of diffuse reflection. Laser line scanning probe which is a non-contact method is in great demand for RE. This is due to the fact that it possesses very high data acquisition speed. However, laser scanning is hugely affected by surface characteristics which in turn govern specular reflection.In this paper, it has been shown that a surface that exhibits various degrees of specular reflection can be digitized efficiently if appropriate combination of scanning parameters and positions of laser line scanning probe are used. Also, this paper has attempted to offer a procedure to overcome incompleteness and noise in 3D data as obtained by the laser line scanning probe.

The aim of this paper is to study and analyse the advantages and limitations of the scanning reference electrode technique (SRET) to detect and assess localised electrochemical activity based on an evaluation of the influence of the principal test parameters on the sensitivity and resolution of the technique.

Measurements of Ohmic potential gradients induced by ionic flux close to a point current source (PCS) were carried out using a scanning reference electrode technique (SRET) instrument, which comprised a vertical rotating working electrode and a scanning probe formed by a pair of platinum electrodes of approximately 200 μm of diameter. Ionic flux was induced by anodic polarisation applied to a gold micro‐disc electrode, which acted as the PCS. Measurements were conducted in electrolytes of ten different conductivities, using different scanning probe tips to sample surface distance and different working electrode rotation rates. The range of conductivities used included most of the possible electrolytes to which metallic materials can be in contact under real service conditions.

The SRET signal sensed from a polarised PCS showed a strong dependence on the rotation rate of the working electrode for electrolytes of low conductivity but a minimal effect on electrolytes with conductivities higher than 50 mS/cm.

This work presents the effect of wide variations on the electrochemical and operational conditions on the sensitivity and resolution of SRET signal response and discusses the limitations of the technique to assess localised electrochemical activity due to the effect of high conductivity electrolytes, large separation distance between the SRET scanning probe and developing dissolution and scanning rate of a the localised site.

In a receiving aircraft, an elongated rigid probe directed forwardly from the receiving aircraft substantially in the line of flight and terminating in a tip for coupling within a complemental drogue trailing behind a tanker aircraft, means to extend said probe forwardly and to retract it rearwardly with respect to the receiving aircraft whereon it is mounted, stop means fixedly positioned with respect to the receiving aircraft and located adjacent the probe and behind the probe's tip when the probe is in its foremost position the movement of the probe's tip effected by the extending and retracting means being of such extent as to withhold the probe‐coupled drogue from contact with the stop means when the probe is in its foremost position, and to effect contact between the drogue and the stop means, to uncouple the drogue from the probe, before the probe reaches its rearmost position.

Fast‐growing tactile sensing company Renishaw Electric is at the sharp edge of advancing automation in metalcutting, but at the same time is developing a sub‐micron repeatability probe which follows profiles at high speed, and also has its eye on the market for high‐precision assembly robots.