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.

Search for Rapid Changes in the Visible-Light Corona during the 21 June 2001 Total Solar Eclipse

Some 8000 images obtained with the Solar Eclipse Coronal Imaging System (SECIS) fast-frame CCD camera instrument located at Lusaka, Zambia, during the total eclipse of 21 June 2001 have been analysed to search for short-period oscillations in intensity that could be a signature of solar coronal heating mechanisms by MHD wave dissipation. Images were taken in white-light and Fe xiv green-line (5303 ) channels over 205 seconds (frame rate 39 s(-1)), approximately the length of eclipse totality at this location, with a pixel size of four arcseconds square. The data are of considerably better quality than those that we obtained during the 11 August 1999 total eclipse (Rudawy et al.: Astron. Astrophys. 416, 1179, 2004), in that the images are much better exposed and enhancements in the drive system of the heliostat used gave a much improved image stability. Classical Fourier and wavelet techniques have been used to analyse the emission at 29 518 locations, of which 10 714 had emission at reasonably high levels, searching for periodic fluctuations with periods in the range 0.1 -aEuro parts per thousand 17 seconds (frequencies 0.06 -aEuro parts per thousand 10 Hz). While a number of possible periodicities were apparent in the wavelet analysis, none of the spatially and time-limited periodicities in the local brightness curves was found to be physically important. This implies that the pervasive Alfv,n wave-like phenomena (Tomczyk et al.: Science 317, 1192, 2007) using polarimetric observations with the Coronal Multi-Channel Polarimeter (CoMP) instrument do not give rise to significant oscillatory intensity fluctuations.

Short-pulse, extreme-ultraviolet continuum emission from a table-top laser plasma light source

We have observed extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) ''line-free'' continuum emission from laser plasmas of high atomic number elements using targets irradiated with 248 nm laser pulses of 7 ps duration at a power density of similar to 10(13) W/cm(2). Using both dispersive spectroscopy and streak camera detection, the spectral and temporal evolution of XUV continuum emission for several target atomic numbers has been measured on a time scale with an upper limit of several hundred picoseconds limited by amplified spontaneous emission. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.

Diffraction-limited performance and focusing of high harmonics from relativistic plasmas

When a pulse of light reflects from a mirror that is travelling close to the speed of light, Einstein's theory of relativity predicts that it will be up-shifted to a substantially higher frequency and compressed to a much shorter duration. This scenario is realized by the relativistically oscillating plasma surface generated by an ultraintense laser focused onto a solid target. Until now, it has been unclear whether the conditions necessary to exploit such phenomena can survive such an extreme interaction with increasing laser intensity. Here, we provide the first quantitative evidence to suggest that they can. We show that the occurrence of surface smoothing on the scale of the wavelength of the generated harmonics, and plasma denting of the irradiated surface, enables the production of high-quality X-ray beams focused down to the diffraction limit. These results improve the outlook for generating extreme X-ray fields, which could in principle extend to the Schwinger limit.

FhCaBP4: A Fasciola hepatica calcium binding protein with EF-hand and dynein light chain domains

In trematodes, there is a family of proteins which combine EF-hand-containing domains with dynein light chain (DLC)-like domains. A member of this family from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica-FhCaBP4-has been identified and characterised biochemically. FhCaBP4 has an N-terminal domain containing two imperfect EF-hand sequences and a C-terminal dynein light chain-like domain. Molecular modelling predicted that the two domains are joined by a flexible linker. Native gel electrophoresis demonstrated that FhCaBP4 binds to calcium, manganese, barium and strontium ions, but not to magnesium or zinc ions. The hydrophobic, fluorescent probe 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulphonate bound more tightly to FhCaBP4 in the presence of calcium ions. This suggests that the protein undergoes a conformational change on ion binding which increases the number of non-polar residues on the surface. FhCaBP4 was protected from limited proteolysis by the calmodulin antagonist W7, but not by trifluoperazine or praziquantel. Protein-protein cross-linking experiments showed that FhCaBP4 underwent calcium ion-dependent dimerisation. Since DLCs are commonly dimeric, it is likely that FhCaBP4 dimerises through this domain. The molecular model reveals that the calcium ion-binding site is located close to a key sequence in the DLC-like domain, suggesting a plausible mechanism for calcium-dependent dimerisation.

The degradation of microcystin-LR using doped visible light absorbing photocatalysts

Microcystins are one of the primary hepatotoxic cyanotoxins released from cyanobacteria. The presence of these compounds in water has resulted in the death of both humans and domestic and wild animals. Although microcystins are chemically stable titanium dioxide photocatalysis has proven to be an effective process for the removal of these compounds in water. One problem with this process is that it requires UV light and therefore in order to develop effective commercial reactor units that could be powered by solar light it is necessary to utilize a photocatalyst that is active with visible light. In this paper we report on the application of four visible light absorbing photocatalysts for the destruction of microcystin-LR in water. The rhodium doped material proved to be the most effective material followed by a carbon-modified titania. The commercially available materials were both relatively poor photocatalysts under visible radiation while the platinum doped catalyst also displayed a limited activity for toxin destruction. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Orange Zinc Germanate with Metallic Ge-Ge Bonds as a Chromophore-Like Center for Visible-Light-Driven Water Splitting

The efficiency of solar-energy-conversion devices depends on the absorption region and intensity of the photon collectors. Organic chromophores, which have been widely stabilized on inorganic semiconductors for light trapping, are limited by the interface between the chromophore and semiconductor. Herein we report a novel orange zinc germanate (Zn-Ge-O) with a chromophore-like structure, by which the absorption region can be dramatically expanded. Structural characterizations and theoretical calculations together reveal that the origin of visible-light response can be attributed to the unusual metallic Ge-Ge bonds which act in a similar way to organic chromophores. Benefiting from the enhanced light harvest, the orange Zn-Ge-O demonstrates superior capacity for solar-driven hydrogen production.