The Negotiation of the 1999 Pacific Salmon Agreement

Pacific salmon disput

The Negotiation of the 1999 Pacific Salmon Agreement

Pacific salmon disput

Variational Transition State Theory Evaluation Of The Rate Constant For Proton Transfer In A Polar Solvent

Variational transition state theory (VTST) is used to calculate rate constants for a model proton transfer reaction in a polar solvent. We start from an explicit description of the reacting solute in a solvent, and we model the effects of solvation on the reaction dynamics by a generalized Langevin equation (GLE) for the solute. In this description, the effects of solvation on the reaction energetics are included in the potential of mean force, and dynamical, or nonequilibrium, solvation is included by solvent friction. The GLE solvation dynamics are approximated by a collection of harmonic oscillators that are linearly coupled to the coordinates of the reacting system. This approach is applied to a model developed by Azzouz and Borgis [J. Chem. Phys. 98, 7361 (1993)] to represent proton transfer in a phenol-amine complex in liquid methyl chloride. In particular, semiclassical VTST, including multidimensional tunneling contributions, is applied to this model with three explicit solute coordinates and a multioscillator GLE description of solvation to calculate rate constants. We compare our computed rate constants and H/D kinetic isotope effects to previous calculations using other approximate dynamical theories, including approaches based on one-dimensional models, molecular dynamics with quantum transitions, and path integrals. By examining a systematic sequence of 18 different sets of approximations, we clarify some of the factors (such as classical vibrations, harmonic approximations, quantum character of reaction-coordinate motion, and nonequilibrium solvation) that contribute to the different predictions of various approximation schemes in the literature. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics

CyberKnife(® )radiosurgery in the treatment of complex skull base tumors: analysis of treatment planning parameters

BACKGROUND: Tumors of the skull base pose unique challenges to radiosurgical treatment because of their irregular shapes, proximity to critical structures and variable tumor volumes. In this study, we investigate whether acceptable treatment plans with excellent conformity and homogeneity can be generated for complex skull base tumors using the Cyberknife(® )radiosurgical system. METHODS: At Georgetown University Hospital from March 2002 through May 2005, the CyberKnife(® )was used to treat 80 patients with 82 base of skull lesions. Tumors were classified as simple or complex based on their proximity to adjacent critical structures. All planning and treatments were performed by the same radiosurgery team with the goal of minimizing dosage to adjacent critical structures and maximizing target coverage. Treatments were fractionated to allow for safer delivery of radiation to both large tumors and tumors in close proximity to critical structures. RESULTS: The CyberKnife(® )treatment planning system was capable of generating highly conformal and homogeneous plans for complex skull base tumors. The treatment planning parameters did not significantly vary between spherical and non-spherical target volumes. The treatment parameters obtained from the plans of the complex base of skull group, including new conformity index, homogeneity index and percentage tumor coverage, were not significantly different from those of the simple group. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that CyberKnife(® )treatment plans with excellent homogeneity, conformity and percent target coverage can be obtained for complex skull base tumors. Longer follow-up will be required to determine the safety and efficacy of fractionated treatment of these lesions with this radiosurgical system

China and the WTO dispute settlement system:from passive observer to active participant?

Since China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in December 2001, it has participated in a relatively small number of cases brought to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), contrary to the many wild predictions made prior to entry. In the first few years post-accession, China seemed content to act as a passive observer, participating mainly as a third party. However, since 2006, there appears to have been a shift in attitude with China now taking a more combative stance, particularly in the past few years. This article will examine China’s participation in the WTO DSB from 2002 to date to explore whether China’s approach really has shifted from that of passive observer to that of an active participant, possible reasons to explain this transformation and what the implications of such a shift may be for other WTO Contracting Parties