1. A method for testing a target system, comprising:
identifying a test to perform on the target system in at least one configuration of the target system;
applying the test to the target system and collecting plural actual results that characterize the operation of the target system in performing the test; and
applying a policy to the actual results to generate an output verdict, wherein the policy maps a subset of the actual results to the output verdict using a selected mapping paradigm.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the target system comprises a processing apparatus that executes a software program.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the test involves executing operations on the target system in plural configurations to generate plural sets of actual results.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the collecting of plural actual results comprises:
collecting at least one function-related actual result that defines whether the target system produces an output that meets a predefined criterion; and
collecting at least one performance-related actual result that characterizes the performance of the target system while it is executing the test.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the collecting of at least one function-related actual result involves determining whether the target system produces a result identified as correct.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the collecting of at least one performance-related actual result involves determining at least one of:
a speed at which the target system executes the test;
an amount of memory required to perform the test on the target system; and
whether any event messages were logged during execution of the test on the target system.
7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the policy applied to the actual results maps at least one function-related actual result into the output verdict.
8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the policy applied to the actual results maps at least one performance-related actual result into the output verdict.
9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the policy applied to the actual results maps a combination of at least one function-related actual result and at least one performance-related actual result into the output verdict.
10. A computer readable medium including machine readable instructions for implementing each of the identifying, applying the test and collecting actual results, and applying the policy as recited in claim 1.
11. An apparatus for testing a target system, comprising:
testing logic configured to apply a test to the target system in at least one configuration of the target system to generate at least one actual result;
monitoring logic configured to make at least one measurement of the target system associated with its performance of the test to provide at least one other actual result;
a data store for storing the actual results generated by the testing logic and the monitoring logic; and
policy analysis logic configured to apply a policy to actual results stored in the data store to generate an output verdict, wherein the policy maps a subset of the actual results to the output verdict using a selected mapping paradigm.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the target system comprises a processing apparatus that executes a software program.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the test involves executing operations on the target system in plural configurations to generate plural sets of actual results.
14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:
said at least one actual result generated by the testing logic is a function-related actual result that defines whether the target system produces an output that meets a predefined criterion; and
said at least one other actual result generated by the monitoring logic is a performance-related actual result that characterizes the performance of the target system while it is executing the test.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the function-related actual result defines whether the target system produces a result identified as correct.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the performance-related actual result defines at least one of:
a speed at which the target system executes the test;
an amount of memory required to perform the test on the target system; and
whether any event messages were logged during execution of the test on the target system.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the policy applied to the actual results maps at least one function-related actual result into the output verdict.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the policy applied to the actual results maps at least one performance-related actual result into the output verdict.
19. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the policy applied to the actual results maps a combination of at least one function-related actual result and at least one performance-related actual result into the output verdict.
20. A computer readable medium including machine readable instructions for implementing each of the logic recited in claim 11.
21. An apparatus for testing a target system, comprising:
means for identifying a test to perform on the target system in at least one configuration of the target system;
means for applying the test to the target system and collecting plural actual results that characterize the operation of the target system in performing the test; and
means for applying a policy to the actual results to generate an output verdict, wherein the policy maps a subset of the actual results to the output verdict using a selected mapping paradigm.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A cell culture device, comprising at least one cell culture well intended for receiving cells with their culture medium, said device comprising at least one cell-supporting layer of porous material, this layer being obtained by dehydration of an aqueous gel which is poured directly either into said well bottom, or into the bottom of a cradle or insert of a size which is adapted for being insertable into the volume of the well.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the dehydration is carried out by freeze-drying or by heat dehydration.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the bottom of the well or of the cradle or insert containing the layer of porous material is sterilized after said dehydration, in a watertight packaging.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the complete culture device is sterilized, in a watertight packaging.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the sterilization is selected from the group consisting of a sterilization by irradiation with beta or gamma rays, and a sterilization by treatment with a sterilizing gas.
6. The device of claim 1, comprising an element maintaining in position at least the peripheral edge of the layer of porous material.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said position maintaining element is ensuring watertightness at the peripheral interface of said layer of porous material and of the internal side wall facing it at the well bottom.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the position-maintaining element is of a size which is sufficient to take support on said peripheral edge of the layer of porous material and to ensure the watertightness at said peripheral interface.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottom of the well or of the cradle is detachable and joinable to the well.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottom of the well or of the cradle is joined by fitting with slight forcing or snap-engagement to the well, ensuring the watertightness.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottom of the well or of the cradle is joined to the outside of the well or of the cradle, the lower edge of the side wall of the well or of the cradle constituting an element maintaining in position the peripheral edge of said layer of porous material.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one part of the internal wall of the bottom or of the cradle is treated by a treatment for promoting the cell culture selected from a physical treatment, a chemical treatment, a biological treatment, and any combination of same.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the internal wall is treated with a coating selected from a coating which promotes the adhesion and a coating which promotes the proliferation of the cells.
14. The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of cradles or inserts per culture well
15. The device of claim 14, comprising a lid which is provided with as many orifices as cradles or inserts, each orifice enabling receiving and maintaining in position a cradle or insert.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein the aqueous gel comprises collagen.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein the aqueous gel comprises a mixture of collagen and at least one polysaccharide.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein the aqueous gel comprises a mixture of collagen, at least one polysaccharide andor chitosan.
19. A roboticizable or automatable platform which comprises a device as claimed in claim 1.
20. The platform of claim 19, wherein said platform is constructed to position the substrates to allow an automatic placing of a device for injecting, or for aspirating, of culture medium in, or from, said cell culture device,
21. The platform of claim 20, where in said platform is commanded by a robot or an automaton itself commanded by a computer.