A web-based overview of semiconductor photochemistry-based current commercial applications

The major current commercial applications of semiconductor photochemistry promoted on the world wide web are reviewed. The basic principles behind the different applications are discussed, including the use of semiconductor photochemistry to: photo-mineralise organics, photo-sterilise and photo-demist. The range of companies, and their products, which utilise semiconductor photochemistry are examined and typical examples listed. An analysis of the geographical distribution of current commercial activity in this area is made. The results indicate that commercial activity in this area is growing world-wide, but is especially strong in Japan. The number and geographical distribution of patents in semiconductor photocatalysis are also commented on. The trends in the numbers of US and Japanese patents over the last 6 years are discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF 4-CHLOROPHENOL MEDIATED BY TIO2 - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE ACTIVITY OF LABORATORY MADE AND COMMERCIAL TIO2 SAMPLES

The photocatalytic efficiencies of laboratory made and commercial TiO2 samples were compared using a standard test reaction: the photomineralization of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) to CO2, H2O and HCl mediated by Degussa P25 TiO2 in a batch reactor. The results show that the rate of photodegradation of 4-CP, sensitized by a sample of TiO2, shows no clear simple dependence on physical characteristics such as the degree of crystallinity, the surface area and the percentage of H2O.

Comparison and evaluation of the specificity and binding capacity of commercial and in house affinity columns used in sample preparation for analysis of growth-promoting drugs

Immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) and affinity chromatography (AC:) are widely used for extraction of drugs from biological samples. Fifteen column types were purchased from five different manufacturers and;their ability to bind specific drugs including beta-agonists and anabolic steroids over a range of analyte concentrations in fortified bovine urine samples was assessed. The performance data obtained from these columns were compared with columns produced in this laboratory (in house columns). The in house columns gave the highest recoveries, ranging from 92 to 100% at the 1 ng spiking concentration, for five of the seven analytes assessed. Forty percent (11 of 27) of all the commercial column assessments recorded recoveries of less than 50% even when the lowest spiking concentration was applied (1 ng). For one manufacturer, only one of seven different columns purchased delivered extraction efficiencies greater than 50%. The extraction efficiencies of the clenbuterol columns were the highest with all commercially prepared columns showing at least 50% binding of radiolabelled tracer. Recoveries of alpha-nortestosterone were the lowest. The variability of these products with respect to quality control requires constant monitoring.

DETERMINATION OF THE CONCENTRATIONS OF THE STEROIDS ESTRADIOL, PROGESTERONE AND TESTOSTERONE IN BOVINE SERA - COMPARISON OF COMMERCIAL DISSOCIATION ENHANCED LANTHANIDE FLUORESCENCE IMMUNOASSAY KITS WITH CONVENTIONAL RADIO AND ENZYME IMMUNOASSAYS

The performance of three conventional enzyme and radioimmunoassays routinely used to detect residues of anabolic steroids in cattle sera were compared with dissociation enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay (DELFIA) kits designed for the hospital market. Slight modifications to the kit reagents were required for the analysis of bovine sera. Owing to the large sample volumes used in conventional assays, detection limits were generally better than those obtained with DELFIA kits, however, assay reproducibility was enhanced using the DELFIA technology. Comparison of sera obtained from cattle implanted with anabolic steroids revealed a good correlation between alternate methods (r(2) from 0.91 to 0.97). The DELFIA kits offer a faster method for measuring estradiol, progesterone and testosterone with adequate sensitivity and in a safer environment than that encountered using radioimmunoassays.

An Examination of Volunteer Motivation in Credit Unions: Informing Volunteer Resource Management

Volunteer recruitment and retention is a problem that most credit unions experience. Research suggests that knowledge of volunteer motivation can inform volunteer management strategies. This paper uses a survey approach to determine whether current volunteers in credit unions in Northern Ireland are more motivated by the actual act of volunteering, by the output from the volunteering activity (including altruism) or because the volunteering activity increases their human capital value. Altruistic reasons are found to be the most influential, with the act of volunteering also scoring highly. This knowledge should inform volunteer recruitment programmes and internal appraisal processes as management can reinforce messages that provide positive feedback to volunteers on the social benefits being achieved by the credit union. This will further motivate current volunteers, ensuring retention. When motivation was analyzed by volunteer characteristics we found that older volunteers, retired volunteers and volunteers who are less educated are more motivated in their role. There was little evidence that individuals volunteer to improve their human capital worth.

Profiling: a Strategy for Successful Volunteer Recruitment in Credit Unions

Credit unions are non-profit financial organisations that provide financial services to their members. They are located in 97 countries across the world. All credit unions are governed by a volunteer board and many are reliant on volunteers for all their labour requirements. However, recruiting volunteers is a problem. The literature on recruitment issues in volunteering in general, suggests that the not-for-profit sector looks to the private sector for guidance on recruitment policies and approaches. One such approach which is considered in this paper is ‘market segmentation’ wherein the potential volunteer body is profiled to determine if an individual is likely to volunteer and if they are, to identify the type of role they are most likely to be attracted to. Prior literature on volunteering in non-profit organisations suggests that certain types of individual (dominant individuals) are more likely to volunteer. This paper investigates whether this dominant status profile is evident amongst volunteers in credit unions in Northern Ireland (NI). The study finds that people with dominant characteristics are more likely to be attracted to volunteering to the board of directors and individuals who have less dominant traits overall should be offered more social/participative type roles. This information can be used by credit union governing boards for volunteer recruitment, retention and management purposes.

“An Examination of the Key Factor of Influence In the Development Process of Credit Union Industries,”

The aim of this paper is to analyse credit union industries within a development framework. Explicit consideration is given to credit union industries in four countries – Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. It is argued that in terms of a developmental typology the credit union industry in Great Britain is at a nascent stage of development, the industries in Ireland and New Zealand are at a transition stage while the US credit union industry is mature in nature. In progression between stages the analysis considers the influence of factors such as situational leadership, the complexion of trade associations, professionalisation, regulatory and legislative initiatives and technology. The analysis concluded that while there was a substantial commonality of experience, there were also significant differences in the impact of these factors. This consequently encouraged the recognition of the existence of ‘a variety of the species’ in respect of credit union development.

Catalysing open innovation through publicly funded R&D: A Comparison of University and Company-based research centres

Public funding of university and company-based R&D centres of excellence is widespread both in core and more peripheral regions. What is less well-known is whether these R&D centres can catalyse multi-directional, multi-actor and iterative innovation. Based on data from a real-time monitoring study, this article explores the development of 18 R&D centres’ external connections. University-based R&D centres establish more new connections than company-based centres and are more likely to be interacting with small or micro-firms. However, there is a general bias towards links with larger firms; micro, small and medium-sized enterprises also are less likely to be involved in collaborative R&D with research centres than other types of relationships. The results suggest the potential for R&D centres to act as a catalyst for open innovation but emphasise the need to ensure that the focus of the R&D being conducted is relevant to the needs of smaller firms.