Enzyme immobilization: an update

Compared to free enzymes in solution, immobilized enzymes are more robust and more resistant to environmental changes. More importantly, the heterogeneity of the immo-bilized enzyme systems allows an easy recovery of both enzymes and products, multiple re-use of enzymes, continuous operation of enzymatic processes, rapid termination of reactions, and greater variety of bioreactor designs. This paper is a review of the recent literatures on enzyme immobilization by various techniques, the need for immobilization and different applications in industry, covering the last two decades. The most recent papers, patents, and reviews on immobilization strategies and application are reviewed

Children's active school travel : the effect of a school-based intervention and an investigation of psychological predictors

Background: Studies are needed that rigorously evaluate active travel interventions using objective physical activity outcome measures. Additionally, little is known about the psychological predictors of children's school travel behaviour. Increased understanding in these two areas will aid in the promotion of active school travel. Purpose: This thesis reports the rationale, methods, and results for an evaluation of the Travelling Green intervention and identifies important psychological predictors of children's school travel behaviour. Method: Participants were 166 children (age 8-9 years, 60% male) from five Scottish primary schools and 143 parents (mean age 40, 13% male). Children's school travel behaviour was measured across 5 days pre- and post-intervention using accelerometers. Children and parents completed a travel questionnaire that gathered data on various aspects of and attitudes towards walking to school. The questionnaire also generated data on psychological factors (self-efficacy and outcome expectations) related to school travel. A quasi-experimental design with an intervention (n = 79) and comparison (n= 87) group was used to investigate the effects of Travelling Green on commuting behaviour. Baseline cross-sectional data were used to identify the psychological predictors of walking to school. Results: Commuting-related physical activity decreased from pre- to post-intervention in the intervention and comparison groups. Daily physical activity decreased less in the intervention group compared to the comparison group. Parental self-efficacy for their child's ability to carry out commuting-related tasks was the only psychological predictor of commuting behaviour. Parents were the primary decision makers regarding their child's travel mode. Conclusion: Travelling Green does not resuti in an increase in school travel-related physical activity, but may attenuate a seasonally related decrease in daily physical activity levels in 8-9 year old children. School travel interventions should be focused on parents of younger children as they are the gatekeepers of their child's behaviour at this age. Alternatively,interventions should be developed for older children who have the autonomy to change their travel behaviours.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo