Disordered porous solids, such as heterogeneous catalysts, possess internal void spaces with high degrees of both chemical and geometric heterogeneity. For pore size distributions (PSDs) to be useful void space descriptors for aiding understanding of phenomena such as catalyst activity, their level of accuracy must be known. Due to differences in specific interactions and wetting behavior, the choice of adsorbate can severely impact the accuracy of PSDs derived for disordered materials using gas sorption. Wetting effects in the capillary condensation region have recently been studied extensively by simulation, but there have been no complementary, definitive experimental studies of sorption mechanisms. However, in this work, the novel integrated gas sorption and mercury porosimetry technique has been used to prepare a particular subset of pores, located within the disordered network of a given amorphous material (eg silica or alumina), that had dead-ends with different chemical properties to the walls, and then definitively compare the individual sorption behavior of two different, common adsorbates (nitrogen and argon) within just these pores. The presence of a heavy metal surface was found to lead to a shift to higher pressure in the positions of adsorption and desorption branches and a widening of the hysteresis for argon isotherms for silica pores, but not for alumina pores. In contrast, no such effect was observed for nitrogen. Hence, using argon adsorption rather than nitrogen adsorption was found likely to lead to pore size inaccuracies of at least ∼200% in characterizing silica-supported platinum catalysts, for example. The experimental findings on effects of wetting and pore length were found to be consistent with findings from recent Monte Carlo and MFDFT simulations. Further, analysis of hysteresis widths also suggested that the standard approach using NLDFT would be unsuitable for the type of samples studied here. The results highlight particular issues for the accuracy of PSDs for catalysts consisting of metal nanoparticles supported on oxide materials.

Existing hydrodynamic flow transport equations for coastal boulder transport are useful for estimating post‐event the characteristics of extreme storm waves and tsunamis. However, the effect of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) on seawater density is normally ignored. This is unrealistic given that turbulent runup flows easily entrain available fine sediment. Proper consideration of SSC can be encouraged by including a mixed‐fluid density coefficient ( C _ρ ) as a multiplier for clear‐seawater density, where elevated sediment content can be assumed and estimated. Minimum flow velocities required for boulder transport are shown to reduce as sediment concentrations increase.

In the nascent discourse of Islam and science, the discussion of how to reconcile evolution with Islam is one of the most, if not the most, pressing concerns. This article reviews the various studies that have looked at the reception of evolution in multiple contexts to highlight the pedagogical challenges that materialise for Muslim students and teachers. It argues that, while recognising the obstacles and challenges mentioned in other studies, the crucial subject matter of Islamic theology (ʿaqīda) is not fully appreciated in those analyses. How and why theology is a vital discussion matter is examined, along with the benefits that it can offer. These insights could provide fodder for teachers and students when discussing the thorny topic of Islam and evolution in classroom settings. This paper’s deliberations could also be of interest to researchers examining the pedagogy and reception of evolution in Muslim contexts.

Nuh Ha Mim Keller, a contemporary Muslim theologian, argues against the compatibility of evolution and Islam. In this article we intend to critically evaluate his position in which he advances three separate arguments. First, he criticizes the science of evolution. Second, he demonstrates the metaphysical problems with naturalism and the role of chance in the enterprise of evolution. Third, he contends that evolution and the creationist narrative in Islamic scripture is irresolvable. Given these points, Keller concludes that believing in human evolution takes one outside the fold of Islam (kufr ). After reviewing each of these points we argue that his claims are unwarranted because of other possibilities which Keller may have not considered. In effect, we argue that believing in evolution doesn't necessarily or definitively entail kufr .