The superconductivity has a long history. One of the most recent discoveries is the superconductivity in the Fe- based family with anti- ferromagnetic state at ambient temperature. In this type of material, the transition to the superconductivity state was found in presence of different dopants. In this report we present the results of calculations of the cluster representing Ba4Fe5As8 in presence of Rh and Pd as dopants. The methodology of Embedded Cluster Method at the MP2 electron correlation level was employed. The population analysis showed two main features: the independence of charge density transfer from the spin density transfer and, the presence of orbitals with electron density but without spin density. The observed properties correspond to the RVB mechanism for the superconductivity transition proposed by Anderson for cuprates. This confirms our conclusions obtained in the same material doped by Co and Ni.

A hedonic model is used to measure the change in value of residential lots in Rockport, Texas, resulting from Section 404 of the U.S. Clean Water Act. Results show that average lot values initially decreased, went through a six-year adjustment period, and then stabilized on a higher price path resulting in a positive net effect on average lot values throughout the Rockport area (with the exception of a particular subdivision). The results indicate that Section 404 generated both regulatory “takings” and “givings,” suggesting that both effects should be considered when assessing the benefits and costs of regulatory events and compensation claims.

In this article, possible use of climate forecasts in rainfall index insurance of hay and forage production is considered in a geographical area (southeast United States) relatively heavily impacted by the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Analysis of the stochastic properties of rainfall, yields, and the ENSO forecasts using the copula technique shows that the forecast impact depends on the proximity to the Gulf Coast where the impact of the ENSO is more pronounced and earlier in the year. Stochastic modeling shows that the use of skillful long-term climate forecasts by the insured producers creates intertemporal adverse selection that can be precluded by offering forecast conditional premiums. The impacts on the efficiency of the rainfall index insurance and results of sensitivity analysis with respect to model parameters are discussed.

Socioeconomic factors influencing consumer demand for nursery products and landscape projects were investigated using consumer survey data collected from North Carolina in 2008. Tobit models were estimated for censored dependent variables, budget expenditure shares on nursery products, and landscape spending. The most significant factors influencing the share of income spent on nursery products were age and household income. The elderly and baby boomers tend to spend less on bedding plants, perennials, and outdoor hardscapes than Generations X and Y. The income elasticities suggest that the amount spent on outdoor living projects is sensitive to changes in household income, whereas spending in vegetable plants and chemicals is less responsive to income.

The electronic properties of the interface between Rh clusters and CeO2 (111), (110) and (100) surfaces were studied using an isothermal-isobaric (NPT) ensemble at 773 K and 101.343 kPa using the tight binding-quantum chemical molecular dynamics (TB-QCMD) method. The amount of electronic exchange by interaction at the interface between the supported Rh55 clusters and each CeO2 surface was investigated quantitatively. A comparison of the mean square displacement (MSD) showed that the topmost oxygens on the Rh-supporting CeO2 surface exhibited higher mobility than those of the bare CeO2 surface. Although the mobility of the topmost oxygens on the bare CeO2 surface was in the order (100) > (110) > (111), this sequence was altered by the presence of Rh, so that the oxygen mobility for the more open (110) surface was the largest. The amount of electron exchange that occurred between Rh and the CeO2 (110) surface was also larger than for the (111) or (100) surface. The Ce 4f orbitals on the CeO2 (110) surface exhibited the strongest mixing with Rh 4d orbitals, which simultaneously caused restructuring and instability of the topmost Ce-O bonds. This enhancement of oxygen migration in the presence of Rh was occurred together with an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies on the ceria surface. This was because the topmost oxygens was shifted to have a stronger affinity with Rh and thus formed stronger bonds with Rh than with Ce.

Mo3Ru5MPd (M = Ru, Rh, Pd) as the simulated materials for the undissolved residue in the nuclear fuel reprocessing were prepared by arc melting method. The physical properties and oxidation behavior of the alloys were evaluated from viewpoint of the safety and economy in the reprocessing. The electrical resistivity, ρ, of Mo3Ru5RhPd was shown to be 0.8 μΩm at room temperature. On the other hand, the ρ values of samples without Rh were marked at 0.4 μΩm. The thermal properties of the each sample had the different thermal transfer characteristics. In particular, although the thermal conductivities of Mo3Ru5RhPd and Mo3Ru5Pd2 samples show almost the same value, the lattice thermal conductivities of both samples showed different values. Oxidation behavior was analyzed using the thermogravity(TG) and differential thermal analyses(DTA). The TG curve of each sample by oxidation showed different results. These results indicate that the simulated materials of the alloys without Rh: Mo-Ru-Pd were not appropriate to simulate the thermophysical characteristics of the typical simulated materials with undissolved residue Mo-Ru-Rh-Pd alloys. Therefore, in the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, the mock test of reprocessing without to use Rh is difficult to carry out.

Exploratory synthesis of mixed oxides of rhodium has produced many new rhodates containing both Rh3+ and Rh4+. The structures of all the compounds are based on networks formed from RhO6 octahedra sharing both corners and edges. All compounds exhibit good electrical conductivity, and some also show a high thermopower.

We have used the density functional theory to study the H adsorption phenomena on Rh (110) surface with H coverage from 0.33 to 2.00 mono-layers. We found H atom favors the three-fold coordinated site as observed experimentally. We confirmed the existence of 1x3-H (0.33 H coverage), 1x2-H (0.5 H coverage), 1x3-2H (0.66 H coverage), 1x1-2H (2.0 H coverage) ordered structures. We also found that the proposed 1x3-2H structure for H coverage of 0.66 is not the lowest energy configuration. We have proposed a new 1x3-2H structure which needs to be tested by future experiments. This is a preliminary report and a more detailed description of the work will be published later.