[ASAP] Ballistic Transport of Vibrational Energy through an Amide Group Bridging Alkyl Chains

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11570

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2BjYrGx

[ASAP] Stabilizing the Fermi Level of Cr-Doped Magnetic Topological Insulators by Al Passivation

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b09661

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2BjYwdj

[ASAP] Electronic and Mechanical Properties of Partially Saturated Carbon and Carbon Nitride Nanothreads

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11329

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2BhFaWo

[ASAP] Streaming Current and Effective ?-Potential for Particle-Covered Surfaces with Random Particle Distributions

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b10068

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2TtPpxO

[ASAP] Tuning the Dissociative Action of Cationic Rh Clusters Toward NO by Substituting a Single Ta Atom

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b08575

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Trs93w

[ASAP] Large Electrostrain from the Ferroelectric Aging Effect around a Morphotropic Phase Boundary

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b10764

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2BiTDkY

[ASAP] Noncovalent Porphyrin–Graphene Oxide Nanohybrids: The pH-Dependent Behavior

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11374

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2TtPnWI

[ASAP] Thermal Degradation of Monolayer MoS2 on SrTiO3 Supports

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11298

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Tuz3F7

[ASAP] Atypical Defect-Mediated Photoluminescence and Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Monolayer WS2

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11647

from Journals via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2TtPmSE

Impact of regulatory focus on express packaging waste recycling behavior: moderating role of psychological empowerment perception

Abstract

To effectively solve environmental pollution and resource waste problems caused by the rapid growth of express packaging waste, government intervention is needed in the separation and recycling of household waste at the source. Considering the correlation between behavior and individual psychological preference and concerns, this study administered a questionnaire survey (N = 847) and used factor analysis, hierarchical regression, and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the responses and determine the influence of individual focus tendency and empowerment perception on waste recycling behavior. The results showed that individuals with a high prevention focus or a high promotion focus were more likely to have good waste recycling behaviors. Furthermore, the higher the psychological perception of waste recycling empowerment (reflected in the meaning, competence, choice, and impact), the more inclined an individual to participate in recycling and waste reduction activities. In terms of interaction effect, psychological empowerment perception and its dimensions can positively moderate the effect of promotion focus on waste recycling behaviors. In other words, psychological empowerment perception acts as an "amplifier," and its dimension of meaning was the most important moderating variable. The study results supported policy suggestions to promote individuals' active participation in waste source separation and recycling activities.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Dc5jWE

Multi-objective optimized scheduling model for hydropower reservoir based on improved particle swarm optimization algorithm

Abstract

In order to make hydropower station's development and operation harmonious with ecological protection, the optimal operation of hydropower stations to meet the needs of ecological protection is studied. Firstly, the ecological protection function of river course is defined according to the minimum ecological runoff and suitable ecological runoff. Then, a multi-objective optimal running model of reservoir which can maximize the capacity of ecological protection and generation is proposed. Finally, an improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm (MOPSO), which can construct a neighborhood for each particle and choose the neighborhood optimal solution by adopting self-organizing mapping (SOM) method, is proposed to solve the model. The model is applied to the Shui-Kou Hydropower Station in Minjiang, China. The results show that the model can get the optimal schedule with balanced consideration of ecological benefits and power generation benefits, which has not a great impact on the economic benefits of reservoirs while achieving the goal of ecological environment. The research results can provide theoretical basis and concrete scheme reference for reservoir operation.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Gb5BRK

Liver disorders related to exposure to gasoline fumes in male rats and role of fenugreek seed supplementation

Abstract

Progressive effects of inhalation of gasoline fumes on the liver and the protective potential with fenugreek seed supplementation were evaluated in adult male rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups, unexposed control and fenugreek groups, as well as exposed groups to gasoline fumes for 6 h/6 days/week for 10 weeks, with and without supplementation of fenugreek seed powder in food (5%w/w). Exposure to gasoline fumes resulted in a significant elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, total triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein, along with a significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein, total protein, and albumin contents compared to the control. Meanwhile, liver oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide, were highly detected with decreased antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Also, levels of inflammatory markers, interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6, were significantly elevated with fibrotic markers, transforming growth factor (TGFβ1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF1), and collagen I. Histopathological studies illustrated that rats exposed to gasoline fumes have degenerated hepatocytes with cellular infiltration and necrotic areas, along with remarkable deposition of collagen fibers, suggesting an incidence of liver fibrosis. Administration of fenugreek seeds, rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components, during gasoline exposure showed significant amelioration through suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2DbxAwH

HSPF-based watershed-scale water quality modeling and uncertainty analysis

Abstract

This paper presents findings on uncertainties, introduced through digital elevation model (DEM) resolution and DEM resampling, in watershed-scale flow and water quality (NO₃, P, and total suspended sediment) simulations. The simulations were performed using the Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources/Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran watershed modeling system for two representative study watersheds delineated with both the original DEMs of four different resolutions (including 3.5, 10, 30, and 100 m) and the resampled DEMs of three different resolutions (including 10, 30, and 100 m), creating 14 simulation scenarios. Parameter uncertainties were quantified by means of the GLUE approach and compared to input data uncertainties. Results from the 14 simulation scenarios showed that there was a common increasing trend in errors of simulated flow and water quality parameters when the DEM resolution became coarser. The errors involved in the watershed with a mild slope were found to be substantially (up to 10 times) greater than those of the other watershed with a relatively steep slope. It was also found that sediment was the most sensitive and NO₃ was the least sensitive parameters to the variation in DEM resolution, as evidenced by the maximum normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 250% in the simulated sediment concentration and 11% in the simulated NO₃ concentration, respectively. Moreover, results achieved from the resampled (particularly coarser) DEMs were significantly different from corresponding ones from original DEMs. By comparing uncertainties from different sources, it was found that the parameter-induced uncertainties were higher than the resolution-induced uncertainties particularly in simulated NO₃ and P concentrations for studied watersheds. The findings provide new insights into the sensitivity and uncertainty of water quality parameters and their simulation results, serving as the guidelines for developing and implementing water quality management and watershed restoration plans.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Gaz0vh

Migration characteristics and toxicity evaluation of heavy metals during the preparation of lightweight aggregate from sewage sludge

Abstract

A lightweight aggregate (LWA) was manufactured from municipal sewage sludge, gangue, and coal ash. The product performance and environmental safety of the sintered material were evaluated by changing the sludge blending ratio and sintering temperature. The distribution and migratory transformation characteristics of heavy metals in LWA were examined by BCR sequential extraction in combination with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The environmental safety performance of LWA was comprehensively evaluated by the OPTI index for the first time. The leaching concentration of the heavy metals Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn in raw materials without sintering reached 1.17, 1.6, 7.84, and 7.56 mg/L, respectively, far exceeding the regulatory threshold value. At 1250 °C, sintering with 60% sludge content resulted in Cu and Zn leaching concentrations of only 0.41 mg/L and 0.37 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, a big portion of heavy metals were in the residual fraction of sintered LWA. The proportion of comprehensive pollutant toxicity index is only 199.17. Additionally, the mechanical properties of sintered LWA exceed the standards stipulated in the GB/T1743.1-2010 standard. Using sewage sludge to manufacture lightweight aggregate is not only environmentally safe but also produces LWA with good engineering characteristics.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2D8qHwc

Characteristics and management modes of domestic waste in rural areas of developing countries: a case study of China

Abstract

A huge accumulation of domestic waste has caused serious environmental contamination in rural areas of developing countries (RADIC). The characteristics and management of domestic waste are carefully discussed, based on field surveys and a literature review. The results indicate that the generation in most of RADIC is less than the median of 0.521 kg day⁻¹ per capita in China, and much smaller than in rural areas of developed countries (RADEC). Organic waste and inert waste with an accumulative mass percentage of 72.31% are dominant components of domestic waste in the rural areas of China. There are trends of increasing amounts of kitchen waste, paper/cardboard, and plastic/rubber and a decreasing trend of ash waste. The RADIC composition of domestic waste had a high content of organic waste and a low content of recyclable waste compared to the RADEC. Domestic waste has good compressibility and a light bulk density ranging from 40 to 650 kg m⁻³. The moisture, ash, combustible, and calorific values of domestic waste were 53.31%, 18.03%, 28.67%, and 5368 kJ kg⁻¹, respectively. The domestic waste has an abundance of nutrients including organic matter (39.05%), nitrogen (1.02%), phosphorus (0.50%), and potassium (1.42%). In RADIC, domestic waste can be used as an agricultural manure only after it has been collected and sorted for the potential risk of heavy metal accumulation. Based on these characteristics of domestic waste and the different situations of rural areas, four waste management modes including centralized treatment, decentralized treatment, group treatment, and mobile treatment are designed and discussed.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2GbBlpA

[ASAP] Detection of Premalignant Gastrointestinal Lesions Using Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering–Nanoparticle Endoscopy

ACS Nano

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06808

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[ASAP] Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of ZnS from Thioureide Single Source Precursors

Inorganic Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b03363

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Obliquity, inclination and eccentricity of Earth – a model: Part 2

Kepler's trigon – the orientation of consecutive Jupiter-Saturn synodic periods, showing the repeating triangular shape (trigon).

This of course follows on from the very recent Part 1 of the model. Since Jupiter and Saturn are the dominant planets in our solar system, we can speculate that they may have a significant effect on the obliquity of smaller bodies. Or they may not – no-one knows, but we can look at possible evidence.
– – –
Precession of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (J-S) was worked out by Kepler centuries ago, as shown in his diagram to the right.

'As successive great conjunctions occur nearly 120° apart, their appearances form a triangular pattern. In a series every fourth conjunction returns after some 60 years in the vicinity of the first. These returns are observed to be shifted by some 7–8°' – Wikipedia.

The conjunction periods in the Kepler diagram have been rounded up to 20 years each, but in reality the mean period of 9 such conjunctions (aka the Jose cycle or solar inertial motion cycle ) is 178.78532 years, rather than 9 * 20 = 180 years.

To get an accurate period for the return of the conjunction to its exact original position in the 360°circle, we start with the degrees of movement in one conjunction, i.e. 117.14701°. To cut the story short, we find a match at 2012 revolutions:
2012 * 360 = 724320 degrees
724320 / 117.14701 = 6183.0003 J-S

6183 / 9 = 687 Jose cycles = 10354 Jupiter orbits = 4171 Saturn orbits

The point of this is: 687 * 178.78532 y = 122825.51 years
10354 Jupiter orbits @ 11.862615 y = 122825.51 years
4171 Saturn orbits @ 29.447498 y = 122825.51 years
Data source: JPL/NASA
(Note: 2012 = 6183 – 4171)

Comparing to the estimated 41,000 year obliquity cycle:
3 * 41000 = 123000
122825.51 / 123000 = 0.9985813 (i.e. a ~99.86% match).

Since 687 is divisible by 3 (result = prime number 229), the pattern should repeat 3 times in the period, i.e. once per 120° of the full 360° cycle:
122825.51 / 3 = 40941.836 years = obliquity period (according to this model).

This is where the idea of the obliquity multiples of 2 and 3, as discussed in Part 1 of the model, comes from.

Note also that Mars, with a similar mean tilt angle (~25°) to that of Earth (~23.3°), has an estimated obliquity of 124,000 years (source – Wikipedia), i.e. ~3 times that of Earth and closely matching the J-S period above (122,825 years).
– – –
Summary – the model proposes that:
Ratio of Obliquity cycle to Inclination cycle is 1:√3
Ratio of Obliquity cycle to Eccentricity cycle is 1:√6
therefore
Ratio of Inclination cycle to Eccentricity cycle is 1:√2.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2DTTaHB

Crying Cowboy’s Censorship Complaint Codswallop

Willis Eschenbach recently complained that I banned him from the talkshop. He makes this complaint, on average, annually. Usually in a comment attacking Dr Ned Nikolov and Dr Karl Zeller.

On the occasions I've bothered to respond, I've pointed out to Willis that in fact he banned himself from the talkshop, something he maintains is a lie. Below the break is the screenshot of his parting comment, made on the talkshop in mid-January 2012.

Every interaction I've had with Willis since has reminded me how fortunate we were that he decided to deprive us of his brilliance.

from Climate Change Skeptic Blogs via hj on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2MOAkV7

The Lancet’s Latest Far Left Propaganda–Obesity

By Paul Homewood

 

The Mail reported last week on the recent Lancet Commission on Obesity report:

 

Powerful corporations are driving the obesity crisis by promoting junk food in the way tobacco firms push cigarettes, experts have warned.

A major report today calls on all governments to unite against 'Big Food' in the way they once took on 'Big Tobacco'.

The Lancet Commission on Obesity, compiled by 43 academics from 14 countries, accuses politicians of 'decades of inertia'.

They claim there is a 'fundamental and irreconcilable conflict' between much of the food industry and the health of the nation.

The experts have now called for a global treaty to limit the political influence of Big Food, modelled on the UN agreement signed on tobacco 15 years ago. And they demanded taxes on red meat and other unhealthy food to subsidise vegetables and schemes that promote walking and cycling.

The report was last night condemned by critics as 'nanny state' authoritarianism and rejected by the food industry as 'deeply irresponsible'.

But the authors said the health crisis is urgent – with one billion people globally suffering malnutrition and two billion eating too much.

In Britain alone, two thirds of adults are now overweight – resulting in soaring rates of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Professor William Dietz of George Washington University in the US, a report author, said: 'In 50 years, if we are not able to reduce this, we will have this incredible scourge of both obesity and undernutrition and the planet will be burning.'

He added: 'Although food clearly differs from tobacco because it is a necessity to support human life, unhealthy food and beverages are not. The similarities with Big Tobacco lie in the damage they induce and the behaviours of the corporations that profit from them.'

Professor Boyd Swinburn, of the University of Auckland, added: 'Until now, undernutrition and obesity have been seen as polar opposites of either too few or too many calories.

'In reality, they are both driven by the same unhealthy, inequitable food systems, underpinned by the same political economy that is single-focused on economic growth, and ignores the negative health and equity outcomes.'

The academics said food giants are also wrecking the environment by creating a global 'syndemic' – three simultaneous pandemics of obesity, malnutrition and climate change.

And the scientists accused food manufacturers of trying to 'obstruct' obesity prevention with sophisticated lobbying campaigns.

The 61-page report says strategies include 'undermining and contesting scientific evidence' and 'framing nutrition as a matter of individual responsibility'.

Soft drinks companies spend £38million a year trying to counter efforts to reduce fizzy drinks consumption, they said.

The report calls for new taxes on unhealthy foods – particularly red meat – and scrapping subsidies for farming and fuel.

Using the cash generated to promote health diets and exercise would be a 'triple win' – hitting obesity, improving healthy eating and reducing climate change by cutting car use.

They insisted governments need to introduce new laws because voluntary agreements – such as ones that defined David Cameron's obesity strategy – have failed.

Professor Corinna Hawkes of City University in London, another report author, insisted the commission 'is not trying to put the food industry out of business'.

But she added: 'People are just encouraged to eat too much and this means there is over-consumption in some areas and under-consumption in others.'

The report calls for a new 'Framework Convention on Food Systems' – modelled on the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – to help fight junk food firms.

It said: 'Such a commitment would recognise the fundamental and irreconcilable conflict that exists between some food and drinks industries' interests and those of public health and the environment.'

But Tim Rycroft, of the Food and Drink Federation, said: 'Drawing a comparison between tobacco and food is deeply irresponsible. Food and drink are essential to sustain life while even the smallest dose of tobacco is harmful to health.

'Only those with the most extreme of viewpoints could believe that denying our industry a seat at the policy-making table would help to improve UK diets and nutrition.'

Christopher Snowdon, of the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank, added: 'Nanny-state zealots are no longer hiding their intention to use the anti-tobacco blueprint to control other areas of our lives.

'They are openly contemptuous of freedom of choice and make no secret of their desire to bypass democracy and use unaccountable global institutions to further their agenda.

'If these authoritarian regulations are introduced, a thriving and competitive food market which responds to consumer demand will be replaced by a 'state-anchored approach' in which bureaucrats and activists decide what the public is allowed to eat.' 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6637711/Red-processed-meat-taxed-given-cigarette-style-health-warnings-doctors-warn.html

 

This latest is another in a series of highly politicised reports, following on from others on climate change and air pollution. Indeed this one even dares to drag climate change into its arguments.

All three reports share the same characteristics:

 

1) They are written by fanatics. Indeed, I wonder who appoints them, or do they appoint themselves.

2) They don't stick to objective analysis, but also enter the field of politics by advocating specific policies.

3) Themes such as social justice, poverty and redistribution are an underlying basis throughout their work.

4) The reports have a strong left wing bias, and tend to be anti-capitalist.

5) Solutions all seem to favour an authoritarian, anti democratic, and global institutionalised approach.

 

Just read again what Christopher Snowden had to say:

'Nanny-state zealots are no longer hiding their intention to use the anti-tobacco blueprint to control other areas of our lives.

'They are openly contemptuous of freedom of choice and make no secret of their desire to bypass democracy and use unaccountable global institutions to further their agenda.

'If these authoritarian regulations are introduced, a thriving and competitive food market which responds to consumer demand will be replaced by a 'state-anchored approach' in which bureaucrats and activists decide what the public is allowed to eat.' 

His comments could equally apply to the Lancet's earlier reports on climate change and air pollution.

 

Let's be totally clear about this. The Lancet report is not just another of those irritating "Nanny knows best" pamphlets from the likes of Public Health England, with which we are all familiar.

As the report itself makes clear, it is aimed at global policy making, and even talks about "national and international governance", and "a radical rethink of business models".

https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/global-syndemic

 

Am I the only one to find the fact, that the Lancet gives this far left propaganda the semblance of respectability, truly frightening?

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