Probabilistic Type-2 Operators and “Almost”-Classes

We define and examine several probabilistic operators ranging over sets (i.e., operators of type 2), among them the formerly studied ALMOST-operator. We compare their power and prove that they all coincide for a wide variety of classes. As a consequence, we characterize the ALMOST-operator which ranges over infinite objects (sets) by a bounded-error probabilistic operator which ranges over strings, i.e., finite objects. This leads to a number of consequences about complexity classes of current interest. As applications, we obtain (a) a criterion for measure 1 inclusions of complexity classes, (b) a criterion for inclusions of complexity classes relative to a random oracle, (c) a new upper time bound for ALMOST-PSPACE, and (d) a characterization of ALMOST-PSPACE in terms of checking stack automata. Finally, a connection between the power of ALMOST-PSPACE and that of probabilistic circuits is given. Received: 16 April 1996     

Design of a Medical Non‐Linear Drilling Device: The Influence of Twist and Wear on the Fatigue Behaviour of NiTi Wires Subjected to Bending Rotation

This paper considers fundamental and experimental aspects associated with the engineering design of a medical, non‐linear drilling device which exploits shape memory pseudoelasticity of NiTi wires. For this application it is important that the NiTi wires have a good fatigue resistance. This is why the present authors have previously determined the influence of various parameters on cyclic life, crack growth and stress state of pseudoelastic wires subjected to bending rotation fatigue. The actual drilling device has to withstand twist in addition to bending rotation because the free rotation is constrained by friction between the drill head and the bone material. In addition, friction between the wire and a NiTi guiding tube results in wear and this may well promote fatigue crack nucleation. In this paper, we explain the function of the medical drill. We then report results on the effect of the additional parameters (1) twist and (2) wear on the fatigue life of thin pseudoelastic NiTi wires. We finally discuss the implications of our experimental results for the design process of the medical drilling device.     

A Longitudinal Examination of Causal Attributions and Depression Symptomatology in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Examine longitudinal relationships between causal attributions and depression symptoms in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Study Design: Cross-lagged panel correlations tested the temporal precedence of attributions relative to depression symptoms over 1 year. Participants: Forty-two participants completed self-report instruments on 2 occasions. Main Outcome Measures: The Inventory to Diagnose Depression and the Attributional Style Questionnaire. Results: Time 1 attributions predicted increased levels of depression symptoms at Time 2 after perceived pain and disability were controlled: Time 1 depression symptoms were unrelated to Time 2 attributions. Cross-lagged correlation comparisons revealed statistical dominance for attribution-depression relationships relative to depression-attribution relationships. Conclusions: Results support cognitive diathesis conceptualizations of depression and support cognitive-behavioral treatments for depression in RA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genetic Deletion of Mmp9 Does Not Reduce Airway Inflammation and Structural Lung Damage in Mice with Cystic Fibrosis-like Lung Disease

Elevated levels of matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) and neutrophil elastase (NE) are associated with bronchiectasis and lung function decline in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). MMP-9 is a potent extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme which is activated by NE and has been implicated in structural lung damage in CF. However, the role of MMP-9 in the in vivo pathogenesis of CF lung disease is not well understood. Therefore, we used β-epithelial Na⁺ channel-overexpressing transgenic (βENaC-Tg) mice as a model of CF-like lung disease and determined the effect of genetic deletion of Mmp9 (Mmp9^-/-) on key aspects of the pulmonary phenotype. We found that MMP-9 levels were elevated in the lungs of βENaC-Tg mice compared with wild-type littermates. Deletion of Mmp9 had no effect on spontaneous mortality, inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage, goblet cell metaplasia, mucus hypersecretion and emphysema-like structural lung damage, while it partially reduced mucus obstruction in βENaC-Tg mice. Further, lack of Mmp9 had no effect on increased inspiratory capacity and increased lung compliance in βENaC-Tg mice, whereas both lung function parameters were improved with genetic deletion of NE. We conclude that MMP-9 does not play a major role in the in vivo pathogenesis of CF-like lung disease in mice.     

用于细旦长丝变形的MPS CoolFlex

由于能耗可降低30%,MPS变形机可很容易地将速度提高30%,从而使MPS的构想成为一种用于细旦长丝变形加工的十分经济的方案.     

Canonical constraints for parameterized data types

This paper presents a comparatively general method for specifying a ‘data constraint’ on a parameterized data type (i.e., specifying just which category of algebras it is supposed to be defined or correct on), and shows that there is a simple canonical form for such constraint specifications. We also show how such constraints may be employed to give ‘loose’ specifications of data types.     

The potential of multidiurnal MODIS thermal band data for coal fire detection

In this paper we present the results of our analyses of multidiurnal low‐resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) thermal data for coal fire‐related thermal anomaly detection. Results are presented for data of the Jharia coal mining region of India. We combine three relatively new approaches: first, we use low‐resolution MODIS data for coal fire area analyses, which has only been undertaken by a few authors. Second, we analyse data from four different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening and predawn) and for three different bands (MODIS bands 20, 32 and a ratio thereof); and third, we use an unbiased automated algorithm for thermal anomaly extraction of local thermal anomalies. The MODIS data analysed stem from the years 2001 and 2005. In 2001, MODIS data were only been available from the platform TERRA as morning and evening data (around 1030 and 2200 h). In 2005, MODIS data were available from this platform as well as from the platform AQUA as afternoon and predawn data (around 0130 and 0200 h). Our analyses indicate that MODIS multidiurnal data, and especially bands 20, 32 and ratio bands thereof, have a high potential for the detection of coal fire zones and coal fire hot spot zones, as well as for regular thermal monitoring activities. However, the data are not suitable for a quantitative coal fire analysis concerning fire outline, fire temperature or fire classification into surface and subsurface fires. We used higher‐resolution ASTER and LANDSAT data from 2005 and 2002 for general orientation and later comparison of thermal anomaly extraction results. We also used high‐resolution Quickbird data for the characterization of individual anomalous thermal clusters. Comparisons demonstrate that even low‐resolution thermal sensors such as MODIS can support coal fire detection and zonation into warm and very hot zones.     

The radioecology of the grapevine. 2. Effects of the nuclear reactor accident in Chernobyl on the radioactivity in the soil, leaves, grapes and wine

Natural (tritium, 14C, 40K, 226Ra) and man-made radionuclides (90Sr, 134Cs, 137Cs) were determined in soil (top 30 cm), vine leaves, grapes and wine in eight locations of the most important viticultural regions in the Federal Republic of Germany. The results obtained in 1983-1985 have been published previously. Part II of this study presents results obtained in 1986 and 1987, i.e. after the reactor accident at Chernobyl in the Soviet Union. The mean content of 137Cs before (after) Chernobyl was 4 (9) Bq/kg dry matter in soil, 0.07 (3) Bq/kg fresh matter in leaves, 0.02 (0.4) Bq/kg in grapes, and 0.008 (0.9) Bq/L in wine. As compared with 1986, distinctly lower levels were found in leaves, grapes and wine in 1987. In 1986 the content of 134Cs was about half that of 137Cs. Owing to its shorter half-life, 134Cs was below the detection limit in many of the 1987 samples. Transfer factors such as from soil to leaves and from soil to grapes for caesium agreed well in 1983-1985 and 1987, but showed considerable deviations in 1986, due to the ubiquitous contamination of the environment. Results of 90Sr determinations confirmed other reports showing this radionuclide to be a very minor contributor to the total radioactivity released at Chernobyl. No effect of the reactor accident on levels of the other radionuclides was detected.