Shedding Light on the light bulb puzzle: the role of attitudes and perceptions in the adoption of energy efficient light bulbs

Despite the potential energy savings and economic benefits associated with compact fluorescent light bulbs, their adoption by the residential sector has been limited to date. In this paper, we present a theoretical model that focuses on the agents' ability to perceive the correct cost of lighting and on the role of environmental attitudes as key determinants of the adoption decision. We use original data from Ireland to test our theoretical predictions. Our results emphasize the importance of education, information and environmental awareness in the adoption decision.

Sub-mm wet etched linear to circular polarization fss based polarization converters

This communication investigates the potential for fabrication of micromachined silicon sub-millimeter wave periodic arrays of freestanding slot frequency selective surfaces (FSS) using wet etch KOH technology. The vehicle for this is an FSS for generating circularly polarized signals from an incident linearly polarized signal at normal incidence to the structure. Principal issues and fabrication processes involved from the initial design of the core FSS structures to be made and tested through to their final testing are addressed. Measured and simulated results for crossed and ring slot element shapes in single and double layer polarization convertor structures are presented for sub-mm wave operation. It is shown that 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidths of 21% can be achieved with the one layer perforated screen design and that the rate of change is lower than the double layer structures. An insertion loss of 1.1 dB can be achieved for the split circular ring double layer periodic array. These results are shown to be compatible with the more specialized fabrication equipment dry reactive ion etching approach previously used for the construction of this type of structure. © 2011 IEEE.

Burkholderia cenocepacia-induced delay of acidification and phagolysosomal fusion in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-defective macrophages

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of opportunistic bacteria chronically infecting the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Several laboratories have shown that Bcc members, in particular B. cenocepacia, survive within a membrane-bound vacuole inside phagocytic and epithelial cells. We have previously demonstrated that intracellular B. cenocepacia causes a delay in phagosomal maturation, as revealed by impaired acidification and slow accumulation of the late phagolysosomal marker LAMP-1. In this study, we demonstrate that uninfected cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-defective macrophages or normal macrophages treated with a CFTR-specific drug inhibitor display normal acidification. However, after ingestion of B. cenocepacia, acidification and phagolysosomal fusion of the bacteria-containing vacuoles occur in a lower percentage of CFTR-negative macrophages than CFTR-positive cells, suggesting that loss of CFTR function contributes to enhance bacterial intracellular survival. The CFTR-associated phagosomal maturation defect was absent in macrophages exposed to heat-inactivated B. cenocepacia and macrophages infected with a non-CF pathogen such as Salmonella enterica, an intracellular pathogen that once internalized rapidly traffics to acidic compartments that acquire lysosomal markers. These results suggest that not only a defective CFTR but also viable B. cenocepacia are required for the altered trafficking phenotype. We conclude that CFTR may play a role in the mechanism of clearance of the intracellular infection, as we have shown before that B. cenocepacia cells localized to the lysosome lose cell envelope integrity. Therefore, the prolonged maturation arrest of the vacuoles containing B. cenocepacia within cftr(-/-) macrophages could be a contributing factor in the persistence of the bacteria within CF patients.

Alternative method for producing organic fertiliser from anaerobic digestion liquor and limestone powder:High Shear wet granulation

Generally, the solid and liquid fractions (digestate) from Anaerobic Digestion (AD) energy production are considered as waste. This has a negative impact on the sustainability of AD processes because of the financial outlay required to treat digestate before being discharged into municipal water treatment plants or natural water bodies. The main aim of this research was to investigate feasibility of producing an organic fertiliser using anaerobic digestate and limestone powders as the raw materials employing a high shear granulation process. Two-level factorial experimental design was used to determine the influence of granulation process variables on, the strength, resistance to attrition and yield of the granules. It was concluded from the study that it is technically feasible to produce organic fertiliser granules of acceptable strength and product yield. Increasing the liquid-to-solid ratio during granulation leads to increased granule strength and better product yield. Although the strength of the granules produced was lower than typical strength of commercial synthetic fertiliser granules (about 5 to 7. MPa), this could be improved by mixing the digestate with a polymeric binder or coating the particles post granulation. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

EFFECT OF IMPELLER DESIGN ON PRODUCT HOMOGENIETY IN HIGH SHEAR WET GRANULATION

Design of small mixer impellers is not tailored for granulation as they are designed for a wide range of processes. The Kenwood KM070 was employed as a standard apparatus to undertake this investigation. Five different impeller designs were used, possessing different shapes and surface areas. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performances of these impellers to provide
guidance on the selection and design for the purposes of granulation. Lactose granules were produced using wet granulation with water as the binder.
The efficacy of respective granulates was measured by adding an optically
sensitive tracer.This was used to determine powder concentrations
within various regions of the granulator. It was found that impeller design influenced the homogeneity of the granules; and therefore can affect final product performance.

Dry computational approaches for wet medical problems

This is a report on the 4th international conference in 'Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics in Modern Medicine' held in Belfast (UK), 19-20 September 2013. The aim of the conference was to bring together leading experts from a variety of different areas that are key for Systems Medicine to exchange novel findings and promote interdisciplinary ideas and collaborations.

Effect of Impeller Design on Homogeneity, Size and Strength of Pharmaceutical Granules produced by High Shear Wet Granulation

Small mixer impeller design is not tailored for granulation because impellers are intended for a wide range of processes. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performances of several impellers to provide guidance on the selection and design for the purposes of granulation. Lactose granules were produced using wet granulation with water as a binder. A Kenwood KM070 mixer was used as a standard apparatus and five impeller designs with different shapes and surface areas were used. The efficacy of granulate formation was measured by adding an optically sensitive tracer to determine variations in active ingredient content across random samples of granules from the same size classes. It was found that impeller design influenced the homogeneity of the granules and therefore can affect final product performance. The variation in active ingredient content across granules of differing size was also investigated. The results show that small granules were more potent than larger granules.

Air pollutant contamination and acidification of surface waters in the North York Moors, UK: Multi-proxy evidence from the sediments of a moorland pool

Despite the extensive geographical range of palaeolimnological studies designed to assess the extent of surface water acidification in the United Kingdom during the 1980s, little attention was paid to the status of surface waters in the North York Moors (NYM). In this paper, we present sediment core data from a moorland pool in the NYM that provide a record of air pollution contamination and surface water acidification. The 41-cm-long core was divided into three lithostratigraphic units. The lower two comprise peaty soils and peats, respectively, that date to between approximately 8080 and 6740 cal. BP. The uppermost unit comprises peaty lake muds dating from between approximately ad 1790 and the present day (ad 2006). The lower two units contain pollen dominated by forest taxa, whereas the uppermost unit contains pollen indicative of open landscape conditions similar to those of the present. Heavy metal, spheroidal carbonaceous particle, mineral magnetics and stable isotope analysis of the upper sediments show clear evidence of contamination by air pollutants derived from fossil-fuel combustion over the last c. 150years, and diatom analysis indicates that the naturally acidic pool became more acidic during the 20th century. We conclude that the exceptionally acidic surface waters of the pool at present (pH=c. 4.1) are the result of a long history of air pollution and not because of naturally acidic local conditions. We argue that the highly acidic surface waters elsewhere in the NYM are similarly acidified and that the lack of evidence of significant recovery from acidification, despite major reductions in the emissions of acidic gases that have taken place over the last c. 30years, indicates the continuing influence of pollutant sulphur stored in catchment peats, a legacy of over 150years of acid deposition.

CO2 Capture in Wet and Dry Superbase Ionic Liquids

The solubility of carbon dioxide in five tetraalkylphosphonium superbase ionic liquids, namely the trihexyltetradecylphoshonium phenoxide, trihexyltetradecylphoshonium benzotriazolide, trihexyltetradecylphoshonium benzimidazolide, trihexyltetradecylphoshonium 1,2,3-triazolide, and trihexyltetradecylphoshonium 1,2,4-triazolide was studied experimentally under dry and wet conditions at 22 A degrees C and at atmospheric pressure, using a gravimetric saturation technique. The effects of anion structure and of the presence or absence of water in the solution on the carbon dioxide solubility were then deduced from the data. H-1 and C-13-NMR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations were also conducted to probe the interactions in these solutions, as carbon dioxide and water can compete in the ionic liquid structure during the absorption process. Additionally, the viscosity of selected superbase ionic liquids was measured under dry and wet conditions, in the presence or absence of CO2, to evaluate their practical application in carbon dioxide capture processes. Finally, the recyclability of the trihexyltetradecylphoshonium 1,2,4-triazolide under dry and wet conditions was determined to probe the ability of selected solvents to solubilize chemically a high concentration of carbon dioxide and then release it in a low energy demand process.