A quantitative theory-versus-experiment comparison for the intense laser dissociation of H2+

A detailed theory-versus-experiment comparison is worked out for H$_2^+$ intense laser dissociation, based on angularly resolved photodissociation spectra recently recorded in H.Figger's group. As opposite to other experimental setups, it is an electric discharge (and not an optical excitation) that prepares the molecular ion, with the advantage for the theoretical approach, to neglect without lost of accuracy, the otherwise important ionization-dissociation competition. Abel transformation relates the dissociation probability starting from a single ro-vibrational state, to the probability of observing a hydrogen atom at a given pixel of the detector plate. Some statistics on initial ro-vibrational distributions, together with a spatial averaging over laser focus area, lead to photofragments kinetic spectra, with well separated peaks attributed to single vibrational levels. An excellent theory-versus-experiment agreement is reached not only for the kinetic spectra, but also for the angular distributions of fragments originating from two different vibrational levels resulting into more or less alignment. Some characteristic features can be interpreted in terms of basic mechanisms such as bond softening or vibrational trapping.Comment: submitted to PRA on 21.05.200

Why do we need a theory and metrics of technology upgrading?

This paper discusses why we need theory and metrics of technology upgrading. It critically reviews the existing approaches to technology upgrading and motivates build-up of theoretically relevant but empirically grounded middle level conceptual and statistical framework which could illuminate a type of challenges relevant for economies at different income levels. It conceptualizes technology upgrading as three dimensional processes composed of intensity and different types of technology upgrading through various types of innovation and technology activities; broadening of technology upgrading through different forms of technology and knowledge diversification, and interaction with global economy through knowledge import, adoption and exchange. We consider this to be necessary first step towards theory and metrics of technology upgrading and generation of more relevant composite indicator of technology upgrading

An Examination of Chimpanzee Use in Human Cancer Research

Advocates of chimpanzee research claim the genetic similarity of humans and chimpanzees make them an indispensable research tool to combat human diseases. Given that cancer is a leading cause of human death worldwide, one might expect that if chimpanzees were needed for, or were productive in, cancer research, then they would have been widely used. This comprehensive literature analysis reveals that chimpanzees have scarcely been used in any form of cancer research, and that chimpanzee tumours are extremely rare and biologically different from human cancers. Often, chimpanzee citations described peripheral use of chimpanzee cells and genetic material in predominantly human genomic studies. Papers describing potential new cancer therapies noted significant concerns regarding the chimpanzee model. Other studies described interventions that have not been pursued clinically. Finally, available evidence indicates that chimpanzees are not essential in the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. It would therefore be unscientific to claim that chimpanzees are vital to cancer research. On the contrary, it is reasonable to conclude that cancer research would not suffer, if the use of chimpanzees for this purpose were prohibited in the US. Genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees, make them an unsuitable model for cancer, as well as other human diseases

Do plants need passport?: a socio-economic study of the role of exotic tree and other plants species in Quang Tri province, Vietnam

A multidisciplinary team evaluated the role and use of exotic and indigenous trees in household livelihood systems in four villages, typical of three distinctly different ecosystems in Quang Tri Province, central Viet Nam. While in each case farmers used a great variety of trees and plants to meet their diverse subsistence and cash needs, this study reveals the crucial contribution of exotic trees. Where land tenure is clear and ownership of the trees is unambiguous, there was widespread enthusiasm for tree planting in all four areas studied. The use of casuarinas on sand dune areas as a coastal protection belt, for farm windbreaks and agroforestry, seems entirely positive on all social, ecological and economic criteria. Likewise the use of acacias provided significant economic and environmental benefits as an essential windbreak around (exotic) coffee and pepper plantations in the highlands near the Laos border, and in mixed plantations on farms in the low hills as a component of a mosaic landscape. Small-scale eucalyptus planting for local fuelwood and construction materials in the foothills has no discernible social or ecological ill-effects, offers one of the few economically viable land use options for both women and men, and creates a low-cost alternative to collection of wood from the few remaining natural forests. Through consultation between local villagers, government forestry extension workers, NGO assistance programmes, and other land users, appropriate species and silvicultural systems are being developed to significantly enhance social and economic welfare with minimal adverse environmental impact. The farmers concluded that provided the trees meet their needs, they do not care about the country of origin of that species