Addition Of Buffer Research Articles

A comparison of routine [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 preparation using Locametz and Illuccix kits

BackgroundApproval of Locametz and Illuccix kits for the manufacture of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 (gallium Ga68 gozetotide), a PET imaging agent for prostate cancer, as well as the corresponding therapeutic ([177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 Pluvicto), has led to a rapid increase in demand for [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging. Radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, using 68Ge/68Ga generators, may decide to adopt Locametz and/or Illuccix kits, which requires a comparison to select the most suitable kit for day-to-day use. The objective of this article is to compare both kits and provide guidance for selecting one for routine use, as well as evaluate labeling consistency of both kits during routine production. Additionally, we report our experience during 1.5 years of daily [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 production at our facility using both kits.ResultsLocametz (n = 181) and Illuccix (n = 256) kits were prepared using non-silicone coated and silicone-coated needles with 68Ga activities ranging from 0.53 to 3.16 GBq, with a failure rate of 1 in 128 runs for both kits. With Locametz, a 3.7 GBq generator and 10-min incubation at room temperature gave doses that passed quality control (QC) testing. Use of non-silicone coated needles in the process led to solution discoloration, and QC failure. Additionally, lack of vial inversion led to inconsistent labeling, which improved with subsequent vial agitation. For Illuccix, addition of the acetate buffer to the precursor vial prior to adding the [68Ga]GaCl3 simplifies the workflow. The maximum tolerated activity was 1.85 GBq. Lack of vial inversion led to failures, which were rectified by agitating the vial to properly incorporate the acetate solution with the generator eluate.ConclusionsBoth kits benefited from using a syringe pump to elute the 68Ge/68Ga generator, vial agitation, and longer length/smaller bore silicone coated needles. Both kits have similar workflows, comparable QC outcomes, and result in equivalent clinical images. Thus, the decision between kits will ultimately be determined by production preferences. Since radiopharmacies have an established “kit-based” workflow, Locametz kits with higher allowed activities and longer shelf-life may offer benefits. Conversely, more traditional PET manufacturing facilities might benefit from using Illuccix kits due to compatibility with cyclotron-produced [68Ga]GaCl3 allowing for kit batching. Ultimately, the commercial availability of 2 approved kits for production of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET has facilitated ready access to this important new imaging agent.

Bubble-Swap Flow Control

Deadlock-free adaptive routing is extensively adopted in both on-chip and off-chip interconnection networks to improve communication bandwidth and reduce latency. Introducing virtual channels (VCs), also known as virtual lanes (VLs), is the mainstream technique to handle deadlocks incurred by adaptive routing, and provides VC preemption for higher priority traffic. However, existing deadlock-free flow control schemes either underutilize memory resources due to inefficient buffer management to simplify hardware implementation, or rely on complicated global coordination and synchronization with very high hardware complexity. Most hardware-friendly schemes use more VCs and memory resources to enable ease of implementation of deadlock-free flow control. In contrast, sophisticated schemes achieve deadlock freedom with minimum VC cost, even eliminating additional buffer requirement through the complicated control mechanisms. In this work, we rethink the root cause of the deadlock problem from a different perspective by considering it as a lack of credit, which makes us find an efficient solution to the deadlock problem. With minor modification of credit accumulation and return, our proposed bubble-swap flow control (BSFC) ensures atomic buffer swap between two adjacent routers only based on local credit status while making full use of the buffer space. BSFC achieves a better tradeoff between implementation complexity and memory overhead and can be easily integrated in the industrial router with no modification on buffer allocation or port arbitration. The simulation results demonstrate BSFC outperforms existing bubble-based deadlock-free methods by average 64% higher throughput. We further propose a credit reservation strategy to eliminate the escape virtual channel (VC) cost for fully adaptive routing implementation. The synthesizing results demonstrate that BSFC along with credit reservation (BSFC-CR) can reduce the area and power consumption by respectively 29% and 26% in contrast to the traditional critical bubble scheme (CBS).

Energy-efficient data routing using neuro-fuzzy based data routing mechanism for IoT-enabled WSNs

This paper proposes a novel Neuro-fuzzy-based Data Routing (NFDR) mechanism for efficient data routing and dynamic cluster formation in Internet of Things (IoT) enabled Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The NFDR mechanism incorporates optimal scalability factors computed from past and present network parameter values, acting as an additional buffer factor to sustain nodes within clusters, even with partial satisfaction of network parameter values. The neural network determines cluster formation requirements, while the objective function adjusts according to the updated fuzzy logic of identified cluster members. Super heads are initially selected, and cluster member size is adjusted to sustain maximum data transmission without affecting network parameter thresholds. Simulation results demonstrate that the NFDR mechanism enhances clustering range and cluster members while sustaining evaluation metrics such as 75% energy retention, 20% end-to-end delay reduction, and a 15% reduction in dead nodes, ultimately contributing to the development of efficient and robust IoT-enabled WSNs.

Energy-efficient instruction compression with programmable dictionaries

To improve the energy efficiency of computation, accelerators trade off performance and energy consumption for flexibility. Fixed-function accelerators reach high energy efficiency, but are inflexible. Adding programmability via an instruction set architecture (ISA) incurs an energy consumption overhead, as instructions are fetched and decoded. To reduce it, hardware-controlled instruction caches and software-controlled components, such as loop buffers and (programmable) dictionaries improve the energy efficiency of instruction streams in embedded processors. Reducing the instruction overhead with code compression is well established and dictionary compression has been an effective approach due to its simplicity. Compared to static dictionaries, adding programmability improves the effectiveness. However, run-time-programmable dictionary compression and its effect on energy consumption has not been thoroughly studied. We describe a scheme to target energy efficiency by using fine-grained programmable dictionaries in embedded compute devices. Guided by compile-time analysis, the dictionary contents are changed during execution. On CHStone and Embench suites, our method reduces energy consumption on average by 11.4% and 3.8% with negligible run-time overhead. The addition of a loop buffer further reduces the energy consumption by 19.8% and 4.5% in the two suites. Our results indicate that programmable dictionary compression allows further energy reductions over an already highly tuned instruction stream.

A simple and cost-effective real-time PCR method using diluted and heat-treated whole blood lysate

Although DNA extraction is a crucial step before polymerase chain reaction (PCR), attempts to perform PCR without DNA isolation have been ongoing since the 1990s. While partial success has been achieved with direct conventional PCR, the DNA isolation step has remained indispensable for real-time PCR. Here, we developed a method that does not require complete DNA isolation by lysing EDTA-treated whole blood samples through the application of osmotic pressure and heat, followed by centrifugation to get a clear lysate. Blood samples were mixed with distilled water, incubated at 95 °C for 20 min before centrifugation at 14,000 rpm for 5 min. The resulting lysates were used as templates for real-time PCR. Real-time PCRs were performed under identical conditions with lysates and DNA samples using 9 different primer sets. Target genes were successfully amplified using 1:10 and 1:5 diluted blood lysates both at 60 °C and 61 °C. The PCR efficiency for ACTB and PIK3CA differed by 20% and 14%, respectively, between the DNA samples and blood lysates. We successfully amplified all selected genes using “GG-RT PCR”, greater temperature, greater speed method, without the need for additional enzymes or buffers. GG-RT PCR presents a cost effective option for applications such as SNP analysis and deletion detection if appropriate primer designs are made.

Visualizing the “Hidden” Triplet–Triplet Fusion Process to Fluorescence in Typical Organic/Polymer Light‐Emitting Diodes

AbstractFluorescence emission of a typical poly(9,9‐dialkylfluorene) derivative (PF Green B)‐based polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) clearly demonstrates that it partially involves the contribution of triplet excitons by the triplet–triplet fusion (TTF) process through measuring the magneto‐electroluminescence (MEL) responses of devices at different bias conditions and temperatures. The TTF process to fluorescence intrinsically correlates with the concentration, lifetime, and polaron quenching of triplet excitons, as modulated by different bias regimes and conditions. Varying the cathode configurations of PLEDs by an additional exciton blocking layer and cathode buffer layers in PLEDs, such as a thin layer of bathocuproine, tetractylammonium bromide, or poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether with metal cathodes, changes the carrier dynamics and regulates the magnitude of TTF process to fluorescence. The performance of the devices has increased due to the enhanced TTF process in fluorescence, as characterized by the measurement of MEL responses. The results in this work unveil the “hidden” component of fluorescence emission, which originates from the fusion of triplet excitons to singlet excitons in typical PLEDs. The results elucidate that TTF of triplet excitons to fluorescence emission can be a practicable mechanism that contributes to enhancing the performance of devices.

An Analytical View on the Use of Flucloxacillin for Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy.

Although the addition of buffers provides improved stability to flucloxacillin (FLU) solutions, unbuffered solutions are often preferred in clinical practice. The first purpose of this study was to investigate whether a 50 mg/mL solution of FLU in normal saline is stable for 24 h at 33 °C so that it can be applied for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) using portable elastomeric infusion pumps (PEIPs). When the PEIPs were stored in an oven at 33 °C and deflated over 24 h, the volume of the collected solution, pH, and FLU concentration were checked every 4 h. Obtaining better results than expected based on the literature data, other storage conditions, such as refrigeration, room temperature (RT), 37 °C, refrigeration followed by 24 h at 33 °C and 37 °C, and different batches/brands, were also tested. This study confirmed the pronounced effect of temperature on the stability of FLU and also showed the relationship between the stability of FLU and the initial pH of the solution. FLU was quite stable at refrigeration and RT conditions, with more than 99% and 95% remaining. After 24 h at 33 °C, more than 92% of FLU was still present in the solution, while this number decreased to less than 85% when the storage temperature reached 37 °C. The remaining percentage was found to be even lower when the solution was stored at 2-8 °C for 6 days, followed by 24 h storage at 33 °C or 37 °C, with losses of 17% and 30%, respectively. The stability of FLU became worse when the initial pH of the solution was lower than 5.9 since the concentration of FLU dropped to less than 90% after 24 h at 33 °C, and a precipitate started to form when the initial pH of the solution was around 5.3. Therefore, FLU in PEIPs could be employed for 24 h if the temperature was ideally not more than 33 °C, while the pH should be not less than 5.9 upon reconstituting the FLU solution.

Be Curious. Try New Things.

AbstractNot much is needed to get started in experimental hemostasis research. If you have not done so yet, just go to your institution's lab and ask whether you can use some of their equipment: pipette, centrifuge, microplate reader, and CaCl2, that's basically all you need. Then, let someone draw a vial of your blood and here you go, with your first blood clotting experiment. But, wait! One thing is still missing. To perform your first assay, you are advised to use a reagent that initiates clotting of your blood sample. Interested in contact activation? Wondering whether the presence of coagulation factor (F) XII really is unimportant (as indicated by the fact that a complete deficiency of FXII does not lead to bleeding)? Then do it the way Christian Kastrup and his research group did.1 Grab your backpack and collect soil and clay in the nearby countryside. Back in the lab, crush the collected soil and clay samples and add a small amount of each sample to your aliquoted blood plasma sample, then add CaCl2, and measure the plasma clotting time on the microplate reader (do not forget the negative control, i.e., the addition of buffer to plasma instead of soil or clay sample). Likely, you will detect a massive reduction of the plasma clotting time when adding soil or clay (which you may also call “dirt”) to the recalcified aliquoted plasma samples. Doing so, you just have found further evidence for the dirty-wound hypothesis of coagulation function as proposed by Brian Cooley recently.2 He explained that dirt is an unavoidable ingredient of open wounds of land-based animals, and that coagulation is activated by dirt via FXII. Still believe that FXII is irrelevant? Interesting, isn't it? Before you swing the pipette, you might also be inspired by the exciting research presented in this theme issue of Hämostaseologie entitled “Coagulation Diagnostics beyond Routine.”

Capillary mediated vitrification is a novel technique that enables storage of antibody critical reagents at ambient temperature: Impact on binding, structure, and laboratory sustainability

Antibodies and antibody conjugates are essential components of life science research, but their inherent instability necessitates cold storage or lyophilization, posing logistical and sustainability challenges. Capillary-mediated vitrification has shown promise as a tool for improving biomolecule stability. In this study, we assess the feasibility of shipping and storing CMV-stabilized antibody reagents at ambient temperature using a purified rabbit polyclonal as a model system. The conditions tested included a simulated temperature excursion, ambient shipping, and storage for approximately two months at room-temperature. Antibody function was measured by both ELISA and Octet bio-layer interferometry kinetic measurements. Yield, aggregation, and thermal stability were assessed by UV/VIS, Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), thermal melting, and thermal aggregation studies. Results indicate >97 % protein yield and no impact on the binding activity. No evidence of aggregation or oligomer formation was detected. Addition of the vitrification buffer to the sample matrix resulted in an increase in the aggregation on-set temperature, indicating enhanced thermostability. A slight shift in both the SEC retention time for the main peak and a difference in aggregation behavior at high temperatures were noted post-vitrification. We hypothesize that these differences are related to the interaction of the protein with the saccharide component of the vitrification matrix and the stabilization mechanism of sugars. The cumulative data supports the use of Capillary Mediated Vitrification as a viable alternative to frozen reagent storage, with the potential to significantly impact reagent stability, assay performance, laboratory operations, and sustainability initiatives.

Development of a sensitive high-throughput enzymatic assay capable of measuring sub-nanomolar inhibitors of SARS-CoV2 Mpro

The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is essential for viral replication because it is responsible for the processing of most of the non-structural proteins encoded by the virus. Inhibition of Mpro prevents viral replication and therefore constitutes an attractive antiviral strategy. We set out to develop a high-throughput Mpro enzymatic activity assay using fluorescently labeled peptide substrates. A library of fluorogenic substrates of various lengths, sequences and dye/quencher positions was prepared and tested against full length SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme for optimal activity. The addition of buffers containing strongly hydrated kosmotropic anion salts, such as citrate, from the Hofmeister series significantly boosted the enzyme activity and enhanced the assay detection limit, enabling the ranking of sub-nanomolar inhibitors without relying on the low-throughput Morrison equation method. By comparing cooperativity in citrate or non-citrate buffer while titrating the Mpro enzyme concentration, we found full positive cooperativity of Mpro with citrate buffer at less than one nanomolar (nM), but at a much higher enzyme concentration (∼320 nM) with non-citrate buffer. In addition, using a tight binding Mpro inhibitor, we confirmed there was only one active catalytical site in each Mpro monomer. Since cooperativity requires at least two binding sites, we hypothesized that citrate facilitates dimerization of Mpro at sub-nanomolar concentration as one of the mechanisms enhances Mpro catalytic efficiency. This assay has been used in high-throughput screening and structure activity relationship (SAR) studies to support medicinal chemistry efforts. IC50 values determined in this assay correlates well with EC50 values generated by a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral assay after adjusted for cell penetration.

Convex optimization of stochastic path-constrained trajectories near asteroids

The environment around asteroids is of significant uncertainties, which could cause great challenges of exploration missions to asteroids. This paper presents a novel approach to stochastic optimal problem in path-constrained trajectory optimization near asteroids based on convex approach. The path constraints that prevent the spacecraft from colliding with asteroid in different scenarios are composed of keep-out zone constraint and glide-slope constraint, which are formulated in chance-constraint forms due to the uncertain state. To convexify these constraints, the first-order Taylor expansion is applied for linearization and the nonconvexity is tackled with the introduction of additional intermediate variable and virtual buffer. Thereafter, a convex optimization based method is proposed to solve stochastic optimal problem. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through simulations of soft landing and hopping transfer scenarios near irregular-shaped asteroid 1996HW1. The results indicate that the proposed method can generate path-constrained trajectories under uncertainties using convex optimization.

Rotating cylinder electrode in reactive CO2 capture: Identifying active C species via transport, VLE models and kinetics

AbstractThis article explores technical challenges and potential methodologies for understanding electrochemical Reactive CO Capture (RCC) mechanisms. RCC offers potential energy cost advantages by directly converting captured CO into fuels and chemicals, unlike traditional carbon capture and utilization (CCU) processes that require sequential capture, concentration, and compression. However, direct conversion of captured CO introduces complexity due to additional equilibrium buffer reactions, making it challenging to identify active species for reduction in electrochemical studies. This article discusses methods to integrate transport, thermodynamics, and kinetics concepts to identify active carbon sources in RCC. Vapor‐Liquid Equilibrium (VLE) and transport models are validated against experimental results obtained in a gastight rotating cylinder electrode reactor and are shown as useful tools for studying RCC in heterogeneous electrocatalysts across different capture agents, solvents, and temperatures. This article establishes an experimental framework for advancing research in electrochemical RCC.

3D‐Printed and Recombinant Spider Silk Particle Reinforced Collagen Composite Scaffolds for Soft Tissue Engineering

AbstractCollagen is one main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in natural tissues and is, therefore, well suited as a biomaterial for tissue engineering. In this study, a method is presented to 3D‐bioprint collagen into a precipitation bath comprising recombinantly produced spider silk protein eADF4(C16) yielding a composite with excellent mechanical properties. The spider silk precipitation bath induced assembly of the collagen into fibrils, and subsequent addition of potassium phosphate buffer lead to the formation of silk particles and stabilization of the collagen fibrils. The produced collagen‐silk composite scaffolds show an internal structure of homogeneously distributed and interacting collagen fibrils and spider silk particles with significantly better mechanical properties compared to plain collagen scaffolds. Further, enzymatic degradation assays of the scaffolds over a 7‐day period show higher stability of the collagen‐silk scaffolds compared to plain collagen scaffolds in the presence of wound proteases. Using the spider silk variant eADF4(C16‐RGD) further increases compressive stress and elastic modulus compared to that of the unmodified variant. Finally, it is shown that the unique collagen‐spider silk composite scaffolds comprising the cell‐binding domains of collagen and the RGD sequence in the spider silk variant represent a promising material for soft tissue regeneration.

Do Bewick´s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) nestlings experience thermal stress in nest-boxes in a tropical urban city?

Urban areas present thermal environments that may be challenging for altricial nestlings, particularly in early development. We aimed to evaluate whether altricial Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) nestlings experienced thermal stress in the nest-box during the early- and late-developmental stages. We determined the thermoregulatory set point (thermoneutral range) of nestlings by measuring cloacal body temperature of five nestlings from three nests, every other day from hatching until they fledged. We also exposed nestlings to a thermal challenge from day 5 to determine the age of endothermy. We used dataloggers to determine the thermal environment inside and outside of three nest-boxes, and obtained the operative temperature for nestlings in the nest-box using 3D-printed models corresponding to early- and late-developmental stages. Ambient temperatures inside the nest box fluctuated throughout the day, being colder at night just before day-break (min range: 10.4°C – 10.8°C), and hotter in the afternoon (max range: 25.8°C - 28.3°C). However, temperatures in the nest-box did not reach the extreme high and low outside temperatures, and were warmer at night. Nestlings reached age of endothermy at 9 ± 2.3 days after hatching, and showed a thermoneutral range of body temperature above ambient temperatures in the nest-box. Operative temperatures of models in the nest-box closely followed ambient temperatures, and were below nestlings´ thermoneutral range. Therefore, nestlings could experience thermal stress when parents do not provide additional buffering while off the nest for foraging. Although nest-boxes provide limited thermal benefits for nesting birds in tropical cities, they still provide valuable nesting and roosting sites where natural cavities are limited in availability.

Towards a Wearable Feminine Hygiene Platform for Detection of Invasive Fungal Pathogens via Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that becomes pathogenic and problematic under certain biological conditions. C. albicans may cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms, as well as deaths in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, early detection of C. albicans is essential. However, conventional detection methods are costly, slow, and inaccessible to women in remote or developing areas. To address these concerns, we have developed a wearable and discrete naked-eye detectable colorimetric platform for C. albicans detection. With some modification, this platform is designed to be directly adhered to existing feminine hygiene pads. Our platform is rapid, inexpensive, user-friendly, and disposable and only requires three steps: (i) the addition of vaginal fluid onto sample pads; (ii) the addition of gold nanoparticle gel and running buffer, and (iii) naked eye detection. Our platform is underpinned by selective thiolated aptamer-based recognition of 1,3-β-D glucan molecules-a hallmark of C. albicans cell walls. In the absence of C. albicans, wearable sample pads turn bright pink. In the presence of C. albicans, the wearable pads turn dark blue due to significant nanoparticle target-induced aggregation. We demonstrate naked-eye colorimetric detection of 4.4 × 106C. albicans cells per ml and nanoparticle stability over a pH range of 3.0-8.0. We believe that this proof-of-concept platform has the potential to have a significant impact on women's health globally.

Phosphate buffer‐driven precursor polycondensation to promote fermentative humification

AbstractBACKGROUNDAerobic fermentation always suffers from nitrogen loss and low humification degree. The objective of this study was to investigate the promotion of phosphate buffer on organic matter degradation and precursor polymerization into humus (HS) in aerobic fermentation, and to analyze the key roles played by different precursors. In order to achieve this, sludge aerobic fermentation tests were conducted on control (CK), phosphate buffer addition treatment (KP) and potassium chloride addition treatment (K).RESULTSThe HS content of KP treatment exhibited a notable increase compared to the CK and K treatments, with a maximum increase of 38.29%. In addition, phosphate addition improved the nitrogen retention capacity and the complexity of the HS structure. Phosphate buffer enhanced both the polyphenol and Maillard humification pathways by promoting the condensation of precursors (polysaccharides, reducing sugars, polyphenols, amino acids and proteins). Among these precursors, reducing sugars, amino acids and proteins were identified as the key driving precursors of phosphate.CONCLUSIONSPhosphate, as an exogenous additive to the fermentation system, reduces nitrogen loss while promoting precursor polymerization to form HS, which benefits the improvement of soil fertility and crop growth upon organic fertilizer application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Microbial electrochemical Cr(VI) reduction in a soil continuous flow system.

Microbial electrochemical technologies represent innovative approaches to contaminated soil and groundwater remediation and provide a flexible framework for removing organic and inorganic contaminants by integrating electrochemical and biological techniques. To simulate in situ microbial electrochemical treatment of groundwater plumes, this study investigates Cr(VI) reduction within a bioelectrochemical continuous flow (BECF) system equipped with soil-buried electrodes, comparing it to abiotic and open-circuit controls. Continuous-flow systems were tested with two chromium-contaminated solutions (20-50 mg Cr(VI)/L). Additional nutrients, buffers, or organic substrates were introduced during the tests in the systems. With an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 20 mg/L, 1.00 mg Cr(VI)/(L day) bioelectrochemical removal rate in the BECF system was observed, corresponding to 99.5% removal within nine days. At the end of the test with 50 mg Cr(VI)/L (156 days), the residual Cr(VI) dissolved concentration was two orders of magnitude lower than that in the open circuit control, achieving 99.9% bioelectrochemical removal in the BECF. Bacteria belonging to the orders Solirubrobacteriales, Gaiellales, Bacillales, Gemmatimonadales, and Propionibacteriales characterized the bacterial communities identified in soil samples; differently, Burkholderiales, Mycobacteriales, Cytophagales, Rhizobiales, and Caulobacterales characterized the planktonic bacterial communities. The complexity of the microbial community structure suggests the involvement of different microorganisms and strategies in the bioelectrochemical removal of chromium. In the absence of organic carbon, microbial electrochemical removal of hexavalent chromium was found to be the most efficient way to remove Cr(VI), and it may represent an innovative and sustainable approach for soil and groundwater remediation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2033-2049.© 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

The role of financial support in preventing the need for child protection services: a mixed method study on the effects and pathways of additional income support

ABSTRACT Previous studies show that household economic insecurity is associated with poor child health and an increased risk of child maltreatment. Therefore, it can be assumed that family financial support can also prevent the need for child protection services. This study asks: What is the association of families’ poverty and granted additional income support with the need for child protection services, and through which pathways does this effect arise? The research is mixed method, and based on Finnish municipality-specific statistical data in 2019 (Sotkanet Indicator Bank, 294 municipalities) and interviews with Finnish social workers (N = 23). Linear regression analysis and qualitative methods were employed. The study shows that poverty has a positive association with the need for child protection services, but on the other hand, additional income support buffers this effect. The research has also revealed pathways through which additional income support prevents the need for child protection services. Through the interviews, pathways of immediate material help, alleviating economic stress and supporting parenting, as well as strengthening social inclusion were identified. Furthermore, the importance of social work and its cooperation practices emerged in the study.

Accounting for climate transition risk in banks’ capital requirements

This paper uses a stylized simulation model to assess the potential impact of climate transition risk on banks’ balance sheets in a climate-stress-testing (i.e. short-run) framework. We show that a moderate to high transition risk increases overall bank losses only relatively modestly if the baseline is a stressed macroeconomic scenario. However, even in a benign macroeconomic scenario, if high-carbon assets are at least 13% riskier than comparable assets a fire sale mechanism could amplify an initially contained shock into a systemic crisis, resulting in significant losses for the EU banking sector. We show that transition risks are concentrated, and find that an additional capital buffer of 0.9% risk-weighted assets on average would be sufficient to protect the system.

CQDs-based nanocomposites for the 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural photooxidation

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are widely investigated as an enhancing photocatalytic component of various nanocomposites. With this aim hetero-structures containing CQDs associated to metal oxides were prepared following a hydrothermal approach in which commercial ZnO and TiO2 P-25 Degussa were used as carriers. CQDs were synthesized in advance by a low-temperature hydrothermal (LHT) treatment of useless humins wastes produced by the glucose dehydration in an acidic medium. Their photocatalytic behavior was investigated in the HMF selective oxidation. The obtained results revealed electronic interactions between CQDs and MOx (i.e., ZnO and TiO2) which have as effect the enhancement of the charge separation and diminution of the charge recombination. The influence of CQDs and buffer addition on the products distribution was evaluated. The highest photocatalytic efficiency corresponded to the TiO2/CQD180-12 heterostructure: under UV irradiation FDCA was produced in 360 min with a selectivity of 35.5% for a conversion of 93.4% of HMF.