Single-molecule biophysics: at the interface of biology, physics and chemistry

Single-molecule methods have matured into powerful and popular tools to probe the complex behaviour of biological molecules, due to their unique abilities to probe molecular structure, dynamics and function, unhindered by the averaging inherent in ensemble experiments. This review presents an overview of the burgeoning field of single-molecule biophysics, discussing key highlights and selected examples from its genesis to our projections for its future. Following brief introductions to a few popular single-molecule fluorescence and manipulation methods, we discuss novel insights gained from single-molecule studies in key biological areas ranging from biological folding to experiments performed in vivo.     

Integrity tests: Overlooked facts, resolved issues, and remaining questions.

Comments on W. J. Camara and D. L. Schneider's (see record 1994-23870-001) summary of reports on integrity tests (ITs). It is argued that in reviewing empirical findings about the validity of ITs, they overlooked critical findings regarding how well they work and what they measure. Also, their concerns regarding research on ITs conducted by test publishers are unfounded. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of social desirability in personality testing for personnel selection: The red herring.

Response bias continues to be the most frequently cited criticism of personality testing for personnel selection. The authors meta-analyzed the social desirability literature, examining whether social desirability functions as a predictor for a variety of criteria, as a suppressor, or as a mediator. Social desirability scales were found not to predict school success, task performance, counterproductive behaviors, and job performance. Correlations with the Big Five personality dimensions, cognitive ability, and years of education are presented along with empirical evidence that (a) social desirability is not as pervasive a problem as has been anticipated by industrial-organizational psychologists, (b) social desirability is in fact related to real individual differences in emotional stability and conscientiousness, and (c) social desirability does not function as a predictor, as a practically useful suppressor, or as a mediator variable for the criterion of job performance. Removing the effects of social desirability from the Big Five dimensions of personality leaves the criterion-related validity of personality constructs for predicting job performance intact. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Investigation of breakage behavior of different mineralogical and morphological characteristic pumices

The objective of this study is to analyze dry grinding behavior of four different pumices in terms of Bond grindability value, selection and breakage parameters values. For this purpose, firstly, Bond grindability test were made for four pumices. Then, eight different mono-size fractions for each of pumices were carried out between 1.7 and 0.106 mm formed by a \({\surd 2}\) sieve series, and ground batch wise in a laboratory ball mill for determination of breakage parameters. Finally, S _i and B _i,j equations were determined from the size distributions at different grinding times, and the model parameters (S _i , a _T , α, γ, β and \({\phi_{j}}\)) were compared for four different pumice samples.     

A framework for rapid visual image search using single-trial brain evoked responses

We report the design and performance of a brain computer interface for single-trial detection of viewed images based on human dynamic brain response signatures in 32-channel electroencephalography (EEG) acquired during a rapid serial visual presentation. The system explores the feasibility of speeding up image analysis by tapping into split-second perceptual judgments of humans. We present an incremental learning system with less memory storage and computational cost for single-trial event-related potential (ERP) detection, which is trained using cross-session data. We demonstrate the efficacy of the method on the task of target image detection. We apply linear and nonlinear support vector machines (SVMs) and a linear logistic classifier (LLC) for single-trial ERP detection using data collected from image analysts and naive subjects. For our data the detection performance of the nonlinear SVM is better than the linear SVM and the LLC. We also show that our ERP-based target detection system is five-fold faster than the traditional image viewing paradigm.     

A participatory product design process with children with autism spectrum disorder

This study aims to explore the ways of involving children with autism in participatory product design processes. Due to the impaired skills of children with autism, a key aspect of the process is to gain an understanding of the nature of the disorder and how these children interact with their social and material surroundings as well as their daily life problems. Considering this, a case study was conducted with children with autism, their parents and teachers, and also industrial design students in a public special education centre in ?zmir, Turkey. The design task was to reconsider the conventional trampoline design with respect to the needs of the sample group and the special education centre as well as the benefits it provides. The task was based on the patterns of behaviours, actions and movement. Observations, interviews and questionnaires were carried out, as well as collaborative meetings and discussion meetings. Through the case study, the findings provided insights into conducting a participatory process with children with autism, the roles of the participants, and the interaction and communication among them. Furthermore, participants’ attitude towards participatory design, the potential benefits of the design process, and innovations to benefit children with autism were explained.     

Double shield TBM performance analysis in difficult ground conditions: a case study in the Gerede water tunnel,Turkey

The performance analysis of double shield TBMs in difficult ground conditions in the Gerede tunnel is presented in this study. The strength of the encountered formations along the tunnel route varied from medium strength (sandstone, limestone) to high strength (basalt). The total length of tunnels is 31.6 km, which was excavated by three double shield TBMs having diameter of 5.57 m. Literature studies are first carried out in order to review the difficult ground conditions and their impacts on mechanized tunnelling. Later, the project, geology, and the characteristics of the TBMs are given in detail. Then the factors affecting the performance of the TBMs, machine utilization, and operational parameters (torque, thrust) are discussed in detail. In the light of these facts, the main objective of this study is to describe the possible improvement methods to reduce the effect of these difficulties on TBM performance.