<Emphasis Type="Bold">R</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">UBIS</Emphasis>: a bipolar-valued outranking method for the choice problem

The main concern of this article is to present the R UBIS method for tackling the choice problem in the context of multiple criteria decision aiding. Its genuine purpose is to help a decision maker to determine a single best decision alternative. Methodologically we focus on pairwise comparisons of these alternatives which lead to the concept of bipolar-valued outranking digraph. The work is centred around a set of five pragmatic principles which are required in the context of a progressive decision aiding methodology. Their thorough study and implementation in the outranking digraph lead us to define a choice recommendation as an extension of the classical digraph kernel concept.      

A symmetrized Hückel analysis of carbon cages of Ih point group symmetry

Some new aspects of qualitative molecular-orbital theory are developed within the context of group theory and a symmetrized Hückel approximation. Conclusions concerning the eigenvalue sums for sets of eigenfunctions of the same symmetries, the occurrence of repetitions of symmetry-adapted projections and the relations between eigenvalues of Γ_g and Γ_u symmetries are exemplified using the ₁₂₀ cage structure of I_h point symmetry. The implications of the orbit-by-orbit approach are outlined for larger clusters. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An example of nonuniqueness for the continuous static unilateral contact model with Coulomb friction

The aim of this Note is to propose an example of nonuniqueness for the continuous static unilateral contact model with Coulomb friction in linear elasticity. To cite this article: P. Hild, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 337 (2003).     

Intramolecular guanidine epoxide ring opening reactions

The synthesis of a range of cyclic guanidines via intramolecular ring opening of epoxides or iodocyclisation is reported. A preliminary investigation of the glycosidase inhibitory activity of these substances is also discussed.     

A continuation method for monotone variational inequalities

This paper presents a continuation method for monotone variational inequality problems based on a new smooth equation formulation. The existence, uniqueness and limiting behavior of the path generated by the method are analyzed.This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award ECE-8552773 and by a grant from the Burlington Northern Railroad.     

Community Health Care in Rochdale Family Health Services Authority

The National Health Service and the Social Services are engaged on a massive transfer of resources in which, wherever possible, care will be delivered to vulnerable patients in their own homes. This paper deals with two pilot medical practices in Rochdale. The needs of patients are considered on a subjective scale in five categories. It was confirmed that there was a consistency of subjective measurement between the nurses involved but there was no relation between these particular measures and the amount of nursing care being delivered. However, there was a strong relationship between age and the probability of being on the nursing care list, with a significant difference between the sexes. The model can lead to the identification of categories of patients who might have slipped through the net and also to estimates of the total home care nursing list in a practice.     

A nonsmooth Newton method for variational inequalities,I: Theory

This paper presents a modified damped Newton algorithm for solving variational inequality problems based on formulating this problem as a system of equations using the Minty map. The proposed modified damped-Newton method insures convergence and locally quadratic convergence under the assumption of regularity. Under the assumption ofweak regularity and some mild conditions, the modified algorithm is shown to always create a descent direction and converge to the solution. Hence, this new algorithm is often suitable for many applications where regularity does not hold. Part II of this paper presents the results of extensive computational testing of this new method.Corresponding author.     

MRI contrast-dose relationship of manganese(III)tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin with human xenograft tumors in nude mice at 2.0 T

Previously we reported that Mn(III)tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin, MnTPPS₄, is a contrast agent which can effectively enhance tumor detection by MRI. By imaging 30 additional athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous MCF-7 WT human breast carcinoma xenografts, we have extended dose-contrast relationships over a wide range of intraperitoneal (IP) doses ranging from 0.025 to 0.50 mmol/kg. The benefits of IP injection are higher possible doses on a volume basis and a reduction in toxicity versus IV administration. Full coronal cross-section images have been obtained on a 2-T spectrometer. Although individual tumor masses displayed different distribution patterns, reflective of their internal morphology, single doses of 0.10 mmol/kg or greater were necessary to produce a detectable effect. At a dose of 0.50 mmol/kg, marked enhancement was produced. Multiple small dosages administered over the course of several days before imaging did not produce increased enhancement. Preliminary results on the new porphyrin derivative, MnTPPS₃, indicate that the ratio of the toxic dose to the effective dose may be adjustable to render this class of agents clinically useful.