The Vermilion River basin : an inventory of the region's resources

published or submitted for publicatio

Nonparametric Efficiency Estimation in Stochastic Environments (II)

We consider the issues of noise-to-signal estimation, finite sample performance andhypothesis testing for the nonparametric efficiency estimation technique proposed inCherchye, L., T. Kuosmanen and G. T. Post (2001) 'Nonparametric efficiencyestimation in stochastic environments', forthcoming in Operations Research. Inaddition, we apply the technique for analyzing European banks.hypothesis testing;European banks;noise-to-signal estimation;nonparametric efficiency estimation;finite sample performance

Semirelativistic stability of N-boson systems bound by 1/r pair potentials

We analyze a system of self-gravitating identical bosons by means of a semirelativistic Hamiltonian comprising the relativistic kinetic energies of the involved particles and added (instantaneous) Newtonian gravitational pair potentials. With the help of an improved lower bound to the bottom of the spectrum of this Hamiltonian, we are able to enlarge the known region for relativistic stability for such boson systems against gravitational collapse and to sharpen the predictions for their maximum stable mass.Comment: 11 pages, considerably enlarged introduction and motivation, remainder of the paper unchange

Observations on North Dakota Sponges (Haplosclerina: Spongillidae) and Sisyrids (Neuroptera: Sisyridae)

Factors influencing occurrence, distribution, and ecology of sponges and sisyrids are discussed, with emphasis on northeastern North Dakota. New state records for North Dakota sponges, Eunapius Jraguis Leidy and Ephydatia fluviatilis L. and the sisyrids, Sisyra vicaria (Hagen) and Climacia areolaris (Hagen), and new county records for C. areolaris in northwestern Minnesota and Eunapius fragilis in northeastern North Dakota are reported. A rare association of the parasite, S. vicaria with the host, Ephydatia fluviatilis is also reported. Some physicochcmical relations of Eunapius fragilis found in the Forest River, North Dakota, are discussed

Mobilizing Public Will For Social Change

Examines the theory and strategies of "public will" campaigns and offers tangible criteria for their evaluation. It provides a rich inventory of strategies for use in mobilizing the public will through an integration of models of agenda building, social problem construction, issues management, social movements, media advocacy, and social capital. In addition, the paper provides cases and examples of public will campaigns directed at various social problems, along with criteria for evaluating these campaigns at various stages of a social problem's life cycle

Preparation, testing, and delivery of low density polyimide foam panels

Plastic foams based on polyimide resins were shown to be stable at relatively high temperatures, and to possess very low flame spread and smoke generation characteristics. A system and process were developed to prepare low-density polyimide foam from a liquid formulation. The system is based on the reaction of micropulverized grade pyromellitic dianhydride with a polymeric diisocyanate. The panels produced were postcured at elevated temperatures to achieve maximum thermal and fire resistance, and incorporation of a fire retardant into the formulation was considered. The effects of a flame retardant (Flameout 5600B1) were investigated, but eliminated in preference to the postcuring approach

The Two Modes of Visual Processing: Implications for Spatial Orientation

The roles of the focal and ambient visual systems in spatial orientation are discussed. The two modes are defined and compared. The contribution of each system is illustrated through examples such as spatial disorientation/motion sickness, vehicle guidance/night driving, visual narrowing under stress/cortical brain damage, and aircraft instrumentation. Emphasis is placed on the need for testing procedures for the ambient system

Rapid response to pandemic influenza using a licensed recombinant seasonal influenza vaccine platform

Protein Sciences Corporation uses the baculovirus expression system technology (BEST) to produce novel vaccines. The BEST provides advantages of speed, cost, and safety. It is generally considered a safe production system, with limited growth potential for adventitious agents that can infect humans. Our Biologics License Application for Flublok®, a recombinant trivalent hemagglutinin (rHA) vaccine produced the using BEST, was approved by the FDA on January 16, 2013, making this product the first licensed recombinant influenza vaccine. The method used to manufacture Flublok has the potential for faster start-up of the manufacturing process than traditional egg-based vaccine methods in order to rapidly respond to emerging seasonal or pandemic influenza strains. Additional advantages of this expression system include: elimination of the need to handle live viruses (particularly a concern for pandemic influenza) and production of authentic antigen that does not require egg-adaptation. This talk will describe the platform technology used to produce our seasonal influenza vaccine and its application to pandemic vaccines