1522 research outputs found
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Research Repositories: Promoting Research and Collaboration
Get PDFSharing of knowledge and infrastructure between Institutes, while retaining distinct repositories results in efficient deployment, lowered costs and consistency of approach
An Investigation into the Role of Morphology on the Performance of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
Get PDFA detailed investigation into the role of polymer morphology on imprint medium performance has been carried out with a view to identifying the key physical parameters relating to affinity.
A systematic and comprehensive study was carried out by synthesising a series of 2 aminopyridine (2-apy) imprinted polymers. The amount of crosslinking monomer (ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, EGDMA) and the nature of functional monomer (methacrylic acid (MAA), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) and methyl methacrylate (MMA)) were all varied. The change in composition influenced polymer morphology, as shown by nitrogen sorption, SEM, particle size distribution and solvent swell studies. The polymers containing 4-VP were found to produce less porous materials than corresponding MAA counterparts. As a result, the free space within the network of the 4-VP polymers was reduced and so the diffusion of template into and out of the polymers was restricted. This was reflected in the affinity assessment of the polymers where the template, 2-apy, and two structural analogues, 3- and 4-aminopyridine (3- and 4-apy) displayed no affinity for the polymers in solvents with a range of polarities. The porosity of the MAA polymers decreased with decreasing EGDMA amount, but was greater than corresponding 4-VP counterparts. The flexibility of the polymers formed from lower amounts of EGDMA combined with the number of free carboxyl groups and the swelling effect of the solvents on the polymers resulted in an increase in affinity, which was both specific and nonspecific in nature. A link between polymer composition and selectivity towards 3- and 4-apy was also identified, with the pKa of the binding analyte also contributing to the affinity.
The MAA polymers were comprehensively examined using the Langmuir (LI), Freundlich (FI) and Langmuir-Freundlich (L-FI) isotherms and using affinity distribution (AD) spectra. The LFI was identified as the most appropriate model in analysing the binding behaviour of the polymers. A relationship between binding site number and strength and the morphology of the polymers was identified. This was the first report of the use of AD spectra generated from the LFI binding parameters used as a methodology to display the sensitivity of binding site number and strength to changes in composition and morphology.
Thermal desorption GC-MS was identified as a powerful technique for the characterisation of molecularly imprinted polymers. Bleed composition analysis of the pre-treated polymers suggested that a fundamental difference in the degree of crosslinking between MIP and corresponding NIP polymers existed. The technique also correlated with the morphological assessment of the polymers, where the level of bleed and template removal from the 4-VP polymers was consistently less than corresponding MAA polymers. The affinity of the polymers was also determined and correlations with solution phase binding analysis were identified. The affinity of the MAA polymers increased with decreasing EGDMA amount, whilst the 4-VP polymers displayed limited affinity for the binding analyte (2-apy).
A second area of the research involved the preliminary investigation into the use of modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for use as molecularly imprinted polymers. Photosensitivity was introduced into the PVA by reaction with chromophores containing an aldehyde functionality.
Polymer solutions in the presence and absence of the template molecule (2-apy) were coated onto an ATR (attenuated total reflectance) crystal. The polymers were crosslinked via a UV initiated [2+2]-cycloaddition reaction. Subsequent analysis via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, suggested that a minimum level of crosslinking was required to maintain the integrity and stability of the films. There was no evidence of template (2-apy) diffusion into the polymers formed with a higher level of crosslinking. This was due possibly to template surface binding or that the polymer was too flexible to facilitate pre-concentration within the sensing region
TOWARD A MODE FOR DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING SUCCESSFUL RURAL ENTREPRENURIAL COMMUNITIES - RIKON Group
Get PDFWhile the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development has a long lineage, the idea of developing rural entrepreneurial communities to mobilize local resources in order to support a competitive advantage has only received vary scant attention in the literature. This paper explores the opportunity for rural communities to become more innovative by uncovering the constituent variables that enable them to develop their entrepreneurial capacity and capability. This should facilitate the basis for the development of a model for rural entrepreneurial communities and thus make a significant contribution to both theory and practice
TOWARD A MODEL FOR DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING SUCCESSFUL RURAL ENTREPRENURIAL COMMUNITIES - RIKON Group
Get PDFWhile the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development has a long lineage, the idea of developing rural entrepreneurial communities to mobilize local resources in order to support a competitive advantage has only received vary scant attention in the literature. This paper explores the opportunity for rural communities to become more innovative by uncovering the constituent variables that enable them to develop their entrepreneurial capacity and capability. This should facilitate the basis for the development of a model for rural entrepreneurial communities and thus make a significant contribution to both theory and practice
'Unifying the dispersed' The Irish music manuscripts of Henry Hudson 1798-1889
No full textThe Hudson manuscripts were compiled between c1817−c1855. They comprise 1266 items which were transcribed by Henry Hudson. The contents of the collection remain unpublished, apart from 106 items which were included in The Citizen magazine between 1841-1843. After Hudson‟s death in 1889, the manuscripts were sold and became dispersed over two continents. At present one manuscript is housed in the National Library of Ireland, another in the Hesburgh Library in the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, and the remaining five manuscripts in the Allen A. Brown Collection of the Boston Public Library. In Chapter One, the life and times of Henry Hudson are discussed in order to place the music and manuscripts in context. Chapter Two gives details of the palaeographical methods that are used to analyse the manuscripts and to draw conclusions about their provenance and date of assembly. In Chapter Three, the repertoire of the manuscripts is discussed, including the sources of the items that appear in the collection. Catalogues of the individual manuscripts and various indexes are also included for ease of reference
Investment risk in Credit unions and its impact on the audit process.
Get PDFIrish Credit Unions have witnessed a decrease in leng in recent years while at the same time , saving in credit unions has increased. With lending income not as abundant in recent years, credit unions have had to resort to investments to help fund a dividend for an increasingly demanding saver. As lending diminishes further, the reliance on investment income increases , leading to credit unions purchasing more complex and riskier investment products that may be outside their understanding and suitability. this has increased investment risk for credit unions and has implications for auditors of these credit unions. This dissertation is a qualitative analysis of investment risk in credit unions and its impact on the audit process. The research objectives were to exploere investment risk; identify the framework in which investment risk in credit unions is managed: assess the basis on which these investments are reported in the financial statements and the extent to which the reporting addresses the risk dimensions ; and investigate the issues faced by auditors on the reporting of credit union investments. The primary data was collected through seven semi structured interviews. The conclusions from the study have implications for credit unions , auditors, and regulators. The results indicate that investment risk has increased in credit unions but also identifies factors which have decreased it. It is found that the level of training for investment committees is inadequate and that investment committees should be subject to a fitness and probity test. The findings indicate that the Guidance Notes from the reghistrar of credit unions are not complete and some modifications are suggested in the study. The findings also suggest that the disclosure note on investments in the financial statements needs expansion and valuations of investments and recognition of investment income should be done on a prudent basis . the study also highlights the importance of an independent investment advisor to aid the investment committee in decision making and also to aid the auditor in valuations. The auditor faces issues on investment valuation difficulties, and the study highlights how the perpetual bond controversy involving credit unions will impact on the future role of the auditor . The study also suggests that regulators are requiring a higher quality from auditors and it is suggested that a standard of best practice in auditing credit union investments is developed by the accounting bodies
Stability properties of current-profiled quantum dot lasers
Get PDFThe stability properties of injection-current profiled quantum dot lasers are analyzed for broad area devices of different length. In general, devices demonstrate stable output at low to moderate injection levels before the onset of filamentary dynamics at higher injection levels. By comparing devices of different lengths, the onset of filamentary dynamics is shown to coincide in each case with the onset of excited state lasing and so the loss in stability may be linked to the increased low frequency noise and phase-amplitude coupling that occurs in this regime. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
The impact of Information Systems Development Education on Entrepreneurial Personality Traits and Cognitions
Get PDFThis study investigated the effectiveness of entrepreneurship modules at developing entrepreneurial personality traits and cognitions of Information Systems Development (ISD) students studying at Irish Institutes of Technology (IoT). Current Irish government policy dictated that entrepreneurship education should be embedded in all technical third-level courses. In theory, such an education should create an entrepreneurial mind-set amongst students and increase the probability of graduates engaging in entrepreneurial action post completion of their studies.
This study employed a classical research method. A set of hypotheses were designed and tested. Data was collected from first and final year students of IoT ISD courses; some of these courses featured a module in entrepreneurship. Data from these groups was compared. The results showed that: first-year ISD students possess entrepreneurial personality traits and cognitions similar to that of the general population. The results also showed that entrepreneurship modules rarely feature on IoT ISD courses. When offered they can impact the open-mindedness and entrepreneurial leadership qualities of students. However, one single entrepreneurship module was found to be insufficient to impact the other personality traits and cognitions associated with entrepreneurship.
This research contributed to the theory, practice and planning of entrepreneurship education. It presented implications for policy makers and economists endeavouring to promote entrepreneurship as a career choice among computing graduates. It also had implications for educationalists and designers of ISD curricula in Irish IoTs
An Exploration of the Impact of Socialisation on the Decision of a Female to become an Entrepreneur
Get PDFIt is widely accepted that there is a strong need to increase the numbers of women participating in entrepreneurship. It is well publicised in Ireland that there is a small number of women choosing entrepreneurship as a career. There is also evidence to show that certain early socialisation experiences influence women’s entrepreneurial intentions. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to examine the influence of four early socialisation influences; family, education, social class and media; on the decision of females to become entrepreneurs. The primary research for this study was conducted on a sample of eight female entrepreneurs based in South East Ireland. This involved examining the influence of four socialisation agents on these female entrepreneurs, exploring the nature of the impact of these influences and determining whether common socialising stimuli exist among these female entrepreneurs. Underpinned by phenomenological philosophy, the current study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the primary data, allowing the researcher to gain a truer understanding of the socialisation experiences of the respondents. The research identified some important findings relating to the nature of these socialisation influences. Firstly, contrary to previous research which indicated that media is a major socialisation influence (Seaton, 2006), this current study found that media had no impact. However, the study did affirm that role models are an important influence for female entrepreneurs and that there is a distinct lack of visibility of high profile role models in the Irish media. Family emerged as a powerful socialisation influence with the respondents stating that factors such as entrepreneurial family members, having responsibility in the home from an early age and family support as key influencers in their decision to start an enterprise. Social class was a key influence on the decision of females in this study to become entrepreneurs. The respondents’ social backgrounds offered them access to financial and human capital, such as lifestyle, education and exposure to success, which were deemed highly influential. According to this current research, the formal aspect of post-primary education did not impact on the respondents’ decision to start an enterprise however the informal aspect, such as extra-curricular activity and participation in sports, was a positive influence. This study adds to the growing body of literature on female entrepreneurship in general, whilst contributing specifically to the field of study focused on understanding the female entrepreneur. This research provides an understanding of the nature of the influence of four socialisation agents on the decision of females to become entrepreneurs, whilst also identifying the reasoning behind why these influences had an impact. This current research has implications for academics, educators, policy-makers, support agencies and future female entrepreneurs
Height Safety Training using Virtual Classes. 8th BuHu International Postgraduate Research Conference, 29th - 30th January 2009, Prague, Czech Republic. University of Salford
No full textIn the 2006 construction and housing in Ireland report from the central statistics office revealed that 280,000 people worked in the construction sector. This represents 13%
of total employment and is the highest in the European Union. The same report identifies the construction sector as containing the highest rate of fatalities accounting
for one third of all work place related deaths. As a result, it is imperative to address health and safety issues in the construction sector. The research looks at providing
innovative health and safety training through virtual classes that apply the principles of multiple intelligence (MI). It is proposed that two phases of virtual classes are
developed, focusing on the risk of falls from height in the construction sector. These phases will be deployed using an action research approach to further refine and develop each phase. The use of a virtual classroom environment and the application of MI theory represent unique opportunities and challenges. Based on a literature review of current best practice in virtual classes, a survey has been developed to focus on understanding and measuring the user experience, and relating this to student usage of the system as a whole. It is anticipated that the framework developed for these virtual classes as well as the research findings will be hosted on a dedicated website. The website will act as a repository for developed content and virtual classes, as well as facilitating dissemination of the project outcomes. The outcome of the research is the development of an educational resource using MI theory that is directly focused on health and safety in the construction industry