Creating Landscape Preference Models Using Internet Survey Techniques

The use of the Internet to collect data for predictive landscape preference models is described and tested, including the issues involved in using such a method for data collection and the functionality of the questionnaire. The creation of a psychophysical landscape preference model for rural landscapes in Scotland is described. Ninety landscape images were analysed by digitizing each image into seven landform types, based on elevation and land cover. The colours present in each image were also recorded and variables representing complexity and coherence were measured. The most important predictors of visual landscape preference were found to be complexity, coherence and the presence or absence of water and mountainous landscape. These were among the variables used in two preference models, which explained over 65% of the variation in landscape preference and which produced correlations of over 0.6 with a second data set of preference scores.     

Single-site Biomimetic Amino Acid Complexes for the Benign Oxidation of Hydrocarbons and Alcohols

Zeolite encapsulated amino acid complexes such as Fe-proline, Fe-histidine and Cu-valine have shown significant promise in the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane and benzylic alcohols. This novel encapsulation procedure, which involves building a zeolite (host) around a pre-formed and structurally defined amino acid complex (guest), results in the generation of isolated single-sites for catalytic oxidations. IR and UV–Vis techniques were used for structure determination as well as establishing the integrity of the synthesised complexes. Preliminary results indicate that complexes were formed by coordination to the nitrogen atom of the amino group and the oxygen atom of the carboxylate group to the metal. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature of the zeolite, coupled with the high activity of the neat complex, generates highly active and selective single-site heterogeneous catalysts for the production of cyclohexanone, an important precursor to the production of commodity chemicals such as adipic acid and ε-caprolactam.     

Modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) surface with attached dextran macromolecules

BACKGROUND: Peroxidation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surface clears the path to the formation of biospecific polymeric layers on it. The goal of this work was the modification of a PET surface with oligoperoxides with further grafting of dextran macromolecules to this peroxidated surface. RESULTS: Novel oligoperoxides with a good affinity to PET were synthesized. They are capable of attaching to the PET surface, due to the decomposition of peroxide groups via the formation of free radicals. The alterations in surface energy and its components as a result of surface modification as well as changes in topography of the PET surface were determined. The degree of modification of the PET surface can reach 68% and depends on the following: the method of oligoperoxide and dextran deposition; the concentration of both oligoperoxide and dextran in the initial solution; and the temperature at which the modification is carried out. CONCLUSION: A new method of PET surface activation has been developed. The attachment of dextran macromolecules to modified PET surfaces is confirmed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The attentional spotlight

One of the interesting and occasionally controversial aspects of Dennett’s career is his direct involvement in the scientific process. This article describes some of Dennett’s participation on one particular project conducted at MIT, the building of the humanoid robot named Cog. One of the intentions of this project, not to date fully realized, was to test Dennett’s multiple drafts theory of consciousness. I describe Dennett’s involvement and impact on Cog from the perspective of a graduate student. I also describe the problem of coordinating distributed intelligent systems, drawing examples from robot intelligence, human intelligence, and the Cog project itself.     

A Review on Ionic Liquids-Based Membranes for Middle and High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEM FCs)

Today, the use of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) possessing ionic liquids (ILs) in middle and high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (MT-PEMFCs and HT-PEMFCs) have been increased. ILs are the organic salts, and they are typically liquid at the temperature lower than 100 °C with high conductivity and thermal stability. The membranes containing ILs can conduct protons through the PEMs at elevated temperatures (more than 80 °C), unlike the Nafion-based membranes. A wide range of ILs have been identified, including chiral ILs, bio-ILs, basic ILs, energetic ILs, metallic ILs, and neutral ILs, that, from among them, functionalized ionic liquids (FILs) include a lot of ion exchange groups in their structure that improve and accelerate proton conduction through the polymeric membrane. In spite of positive features of using ILs, the leaching of ILs from the membranes during the operation of fuel cell is the main downside of these organic salts, which leads to reducing the performance of the membranes; however, there are some ways to diminish leaching from the membranes. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of these issues by evaluating key studies that have been undertaken in the last years in order to present objective and comprehensive updated information that presents the progress that has been made in this field. Significant information regarding the utilization of ILs in MT-PEMFCs and HT-PEMFCs, ILs structure, properties, and synthesis is given. Moreover, leaching of ILs as a challenging demerit and the possible methods to tackle this problem are approached in this paper. The present review will be of interest to chemists, electrochemists, environmentalists, and any other researchers working on sustainable energy production field.     

Renewable energy policy and electricity market reforms in China

The article examines the potential effectiveness of the renewable energy policy in China and its regulatory Law framework. It frames the option of renewable energy technology within the background of the long-lasting electricity problems that China has faced including serious supply shortages, reliance on coal, and severe environmental contamination. Its dual administrative and ownership system based on state and privately owned industry is discussed together with the market reform measures adopted in the sector. Current renewable energy policy is analysed, and the scope of the 2005 Renewable Energy Promotion Law is investigated. This is conducted within the context of the electricity sector reform that China adopted, and its effects upon the prospects of encouraging as well as expanding the development of renewable energy. This study draws upon primary information collected from interviews with stakeholders on the policy adequacy, and identifies three main types of shortcomings that have interfered with a more successful expansion of renewable energy in China.     

A- and B-compensated PLZT x/90/10: Sintering and microstructural analysis

Structure–property relationship has been performed in the lanthanum-modified lead–zirconate–titanate (PLZT) with a lanthanum content of 6 and 10 at.% and a Zr/Ti ratio of 90/10 as a function of A- and B-compensation model. The X-ray powder-diffraction analysis, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, density measurements and sintering behavior have evidently demonstrated that it is possible to tailor the microstructural properties of PLZT with using selected type of the compensation. The densification of B-site compensated PLZT occurs at lower temperatures and leads to higher density when compared to A-site compensated PLZT. A presence of PbO at the grain boundaries in B-site compensated PLZT and the lack of it in A-site compensated PLZT leads to different sintering mechanism. The dielectric response characteristics of A- and B-site compensation model do not vary significantly.