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Minerals from the phosphate groups are used in environmental engineering as thermodynamically stable vehicles for heavy metals such as zinc. The hopeite Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The solubility of the hopeite was measured at 25°C. The average solubility product, log Ksp, for the reaction Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O ⇔ 3Zn2+ + 2PO43- + 4H2O at 25°C is –35.72 ± 0.03. The free energy of formation, ΔG°f,298, calculated from this measured solubility product is –3597.4 ± 1.0 kJ mol-1. The immobilization of zinc in the hopeite structure offers the possibility of developing an effective method for removing Zn from wastewater, water and soils.

Due to its high electron affinity and electron mobility in a wide absorption range of the visible solar spectrum, [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) is often used as an efficient acceptor in organic photovoltaics. In turn, imines are additives to the active layer of organic solar cells, mainly due to the free electron pair of the imine nitrogen atom and the presence of various chemical groups affecting the polarity and conformations of molecules. However, the attainable efficiency is not as high as expected. Therefore, we have systematically investigated two imines and their mixtures with PC71BM by spectroscopic (the high pressure UV–Vis and frequency domain dielectric), thermoelectric, and mechanical methods for organic, flexible photovoltaics. Both the imines, (N,NʹE,N,NʹE)-N,Nʹ-([2,2ʹ:5ʹ,2ʺ-terthiophene]-5,5ʺ-diylbis(methanylylidene))bis(benzo[d]thiazol-2-imine) (SC3) and (6E)-N-((5-(5-(5-((E)-(4-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)phenylimino)methyl)thiophen-2-yl)thiophen-2-yl)thiophen-2-yl)methylene)-4-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)benzenamine (SC13), have the same core composed of three thiophene rings but different terminal chains of the molecules. In the imine SC3, the imine bond is followed by benzothiazole rings on both sides of the core, while in SC13, a thiazole ring separates two benzene rings, the terminal one F-substituted. The difference in molecular structure affects the electric properties of the neat imine and its mixed layers. An addition of PC71BM to the imines improves their electric conductivity. The mechanical studies focused on the stress at break and elongation showed superior behaviour compared to fullerene derivative. High pressure systematically reduces the band gap energy, Eg, from 1.68 eV at 0.16 GPa to 1.51 eV at 2.69 GPa for PC71BM, from 1.77 eV at 0.1 MPa to 1.53 eV at 4.15 GPa for SC3, and from 1.99 eV at 0.11 GPa to 1.8 eV at 3.10 GPa for SC13, as determined by the UV–Vis absorbance measurements in a diamond-anvil cell. These Eg reductions reflect the compressed intermolecular interactions that can be used to monitor the structural stability of these compounds. Based on the dielectric studies it was found that the relaxation processes registered for both imines are probably the grain boundary relaxation. Two processes also appear in the systems with PC71BM, but none of them is the one characteristic of imines. The high-frequency process has a dipole character while the low-frequency one is probably the grain boundary relaxation of these systems. The mechanism of quasi-DC conduction in various temperature ranges in the studied systems was also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibilities of metals recovery from copper ores with the biotechnological methods are widely known. The methods consist in bioleaching of copper ores, copper concentrates and byproducts of their production, as well as metals recovery from leaching solutions. Biohydrometallurgical methods were tested for years to be applied at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., in order to improve efficiency of copper production. Several different research units worked on the topic, and the most significant and wide range initiatives in this area are mentioned in this article. One of the initiatives is an ongoing German and French Ecometals project. KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. and KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research and Development Centre are this project Partners. In the frame of the project different metals bearing materials (ores, concentrates and tailings) are tested. Among them three lithological types of the copper ore from Rudna mine and the copper concentrate from Lubin concentrator are used for studies. The article gives a general overview of these activities, with the main focus on results of bioleaching studies of selected materials, conducted by KGHM Cuprum. In these studies sandstone and shale, as well as so called “shale concentrate” (containing 39% of the shale) were used for experiments, and possibilities of their bioleaching were evaluated.

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Local advisory councils (LACs) are defined as collegial bodies that are anchored in local communities (representing public institutions, NGOs, social groups, business, and individuals), and are established by local authorities for opinion-giving purposes. The authors claim that LACs have deliberative potential and can perform different roles in deliberative governance. The paper presents the results of a survey of the members of eight kinds of LACs that have been established in 65 Polish cities. The research results provide proof of the inclusive character of LACs: their sustainability and the conditions for their deliberation (frequency of meetings, relations with the community). The question of the impact of LACs on local policy; however, remains open. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper draws on the empirical findings of the research exploring the functions of local advisory councils (ACs). ACs are conceptualized as the form of participation placed between ‘advising and opinion-giving’ and ‘co-governance’ according to Fung’s approach (2006). Youth councils, senior citizen councils, and councils for residents with disabilities – that operate in 65 Polish cities – are put under examination. The article presents the results of the desk research, questionnaire, and interviews with the AC members addressing the issues of the origins of ACs in Poland, their membership and the way members are recruited, and AC functions and their relations with city authorities and community. The authors conclude by pointing to the pro-active role of ACs in local governance, but also indicate that their role as a stakeholder in cogovernance requires them to contribute to policy decisions going beyond and above the advice and consultation provided so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper draws on the empirical findings of the research exploring the functions of local advisory councils (ACs). ACs are conceptualized as the form of participation placed between 'advising and opinion-giving' and 'co-governance' according to Fung's approach (2006). Youth councils, senior citizen councils, and councils for residents with disabilities - that operate in 65 Polish cities - are put under examination. The article presents the results of the desk research, questionnaire, and interviews with the AC members addressing the issues of the origins of ACs in Poland, their membership and the way members are recruited, and AC functions and their relations with city authorities and community. The authors conclude by pointing to the pro-active role of ACs in local governance, but also indicate that their role as a stakeholder in co-governance requires them to contribute to policy decisions going beyond and above the advice and consultation provided so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]