Detection of HPV-16 genome in human oral cancers and potentially malignant lesions from India

Growth factors are known not only to cause a mitogenic response and alter differentiated characteristics of the target cells, but also to play important roles in intercellular signaling. Many growth factors are expressed in the embryonic and regulate embryogenesis. Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by a complex process involving chronic inflammatory reaction, fibroblast proliferation, and abnormal deposition of interstitial collagen as a result of excess healing reaction. In the early phases, TNF-alpha, IL-beta and GM-CSF secreted by alveolar macrophages regulate and enhance pulmonary inflammation. On the contrary, TGF-alpha, KGF and HGF have been reported to enhance repair of alveolar epithelium and vascular endothelium in the injured lung. Furthermore, growth factors produced by alveolar macrophages and epithelium, such as PDGF, TGF-beta and activin A and belongs to the TGF-beta supergene family are known to play cardinal roles in fibroblast proliferation and pulmonary fibrosis. Further works concerning this complex growth factors (cytokines) network are required to provide a basis of the pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis.     

Evaluation of environmental effects on fatigue life of piping

Recent data indicate that the effects of light water reactor environments can significantly reduce the fatigue resistance of materials, and show that design fatigue curves may not be conservative for reactor coolant environments. Using revised fatigue curves developed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), the work of this paper calculates the expected probabilities of fatigue failures and associated core damage frequencies at a 40-year and 60-year plant life for a sample of components from five PWR and two BWR plants. These calculations were made possible by the development of an enhanced version of the pc-PRAISE probabilistic fracture mechanics code that has the ability to simulate the initiation of fatigue cracks followed by the linking of these cracks. Results of interim calculations subject to review are presented. Components with the highest probabilities of failure can have predicted frequencies of through-wall cracks in the order of about 5×10⁻² per year. The corresponding maximum contributions to core damage frequencies are in the order of 10⁻⁶ per year. Components with the very high failure rates show essentially no increase in calculated core damage frequency from 40 to 60 years.     

Saliency-driven rate-distortion optimization for 360-degree image coding

Multimedia Tools and Applications - 360-degree images allow an immersive experience. They offer multiple views of a scene and the viewpoint can be selected by the user. However, the huge amount of...     

Regression test selection for C++ software

Regression testing is an important but expensive software maintenance activity performed with the aim of providing confidence in modified software. Regression test selection techniques reduce the cost of regression testing by selecting test cases for a modified program from a previously existing test suite. Many researchers have addressed the regression test selection problem for procedural language software, but few have addressed the problem for object‐oriented software. This paper presents a regression test selection technique for use with object‐oriented software. The technique constructs graph representations for software, and uses these graphs to select test cases, from the original test suite, that execute code that has been changed for the new version of the software. The technique is strictly code based, and requires no assumptions about the approach used to specify or test the software initially. The technique applies to modified and derived classes, and to application programs that use modified classes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic interfacing of applications to geometric modeling services via modeler neutral protocol

An architecture was developed for standardizing communications between geometric modeling core systems and applications that require geometric modeling services, such as feature modelers, feature recognition and process planning systems. Since geometric kernels differ in the functionality and applications vary in the level of geometric services required, a multi-layered communication architecture was developed and implemented. The methodology is analogous to the X-Window standard for graphics display, albeit the domain is different. At the lowest level is a library of classes, named Geo-modeler, whose methods offer low level solid modeling services. The member methods of these classes are translated into geometric modeler specific commands. If and when STEP extends to this domain, these specific calls could be replaced by a standard dynamic protocol (such as standard SDAI calls) and the translation done by the vendor within his geometry kernel. On top of Geo-modeler there is another layer, called Geo-widgets, which is written entirely using Geo-modeler functions. At the highest level the Geo-tools are functions used commonly by generic applications. Feature applications can choose to use the library at any level. The intermediate layers (geo-tools, Geowidgets) make all geometry kernels appear to have the same functionality to applications, thus creating a ‘plug compatible’ environment between applications and the geometric modeling kernel. The architecture has been tested with ACIS^® and Parasolid^® for a variety of design and manufacturing applications.     

Engineering codes for the analysis of structural integrity

The development of engineering computer codes for predicting the remaining life and reliability of structural components spans a period of almost 20 years and a wide range of civil and mechanical structures. The availability of high-speed personal computers and technical advances in each of the elements of structural integrity analysis—stress analysis, fracture mechanics, nondestructive evaluation, and material property modeling—now allow low-cost applications of this integrated technology by nonspecialists. The introduction of probabilistic analysis methods extends the capabilities of engineering codes to quantitative assessment of risk and, when combined with cost factors, to many aspects of decision analysis such as run/replace maintenance optimization. With the exception of civil engineering applications, the use of structural integrity codes to date has been confined to a relatively small number of industries, primarily fossil and nuclear power generation, and has been virtually absent in others. Review of the individual histories of such codes is instructive in determining their potential utility in solving many common problems faced in the management of ageing infrastructure. Both institutional and technical barriers are identified, and objectives for improving the cost effectiveness and utility of these codes are suggested.