Primary Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Large-for-Gestational-Age Newborns by Lifestyle Counseling: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

In a cluster-randomized trial, Riitta Luoto and colleagues find that counseling on diet and activity can reduce the birthweight of babies born to women at risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but fail to find an effect on GDM

Catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds and malodorous organic compounds

Abstract This thesis describes efforts made on the development of an existing catalytic incinerator. The development work, called process characterization, consists of four general parts. These are the development of measurement methodology, the studying of construction materials, the selection of suitable catalysts and the testing of the effects of process operation conditions. The two application areas for catalytic incineration considered in this thesis are solvent emission abatement (VOC, volatile organic compounds) and chip bin emission abatement (SVOC, sulphur-containing volatile organic compounds). As a baseline, the process characterization is started with the development of measurement methodology. In general, the methodology will decrease costs and simplify the carrying out of the actual measurements and thereby make the measurement time more effective. In the methodology it is proposed that continuous total concentration measurement should be used in connection with qualitative sampling to obtain reliable measurement data. The selection of suitable construction materials for the application is very important. As shown in this thesis, the end conversions in solvent emission abatement may even be improved through the selection of the proper construction materials. In chip bin emission abatement, the problem arises from corrosive oxidation products that set limits on the construction materials used as well as on oxidation conditions. Catalyst selection is based on the following catalytic properties: activity, selectivity and durability. These catalytic properties are studied either at the laboratory or on an industrial scale. The catalytic materials tested are Pt, Pd, Pt-Pd, Cu-Mn oxides, MnO2-MgO, CuxMg(1-x)Cr2O4 and CuxCr2O4. The most important selection criteria in solvent emission abatement are proposed to be activity and selectivity. In the case of chip bin-SVOC-abatement, these are selectivity and durability. Based on these criteria, catalysts containing Cu-Mn oxides and Pt were demonstrated to be the best catalysts in VOC oxidation, and catalyst containing MnO2-MgO was shown to be best catalyst in SVOC oxidation. A study on the effect of process operation parameters (temperature, concentration and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV)) and moisture was carried out with the aid of factorial design. In VOC (n-butyl acetate) oxidation, the most influential process parameter was GHSV, which decreased the end conversion when it was increased. In SVOC (DMDS) oxidation, the effect of temperature was most significant. The end conversions increased as the temperature increased. Moisture slightly decreased the formation of by-products in n-butyl acetate oxidation. In DMDS oxidation, moisture slightly increased the end conversions at a lower temperature level (300°C). At the end of the thesis, these process parameters are also discussed from the standpoint of the catalysts' activity, selectivity and durability. Finally, proposals for process improvements are suggested

Recent advances in synthesis of water-stable metal halide perovskites and photocatalytic applications

Abstract Solar-driven photocatalytic reactions have attracted wide interest as a viable method to generate green energy and alleviate environmental challenges posed by fossil fuels. Although, various classes of photocatalysts have been explored during the past decades, the pursuit towards even more efficient ones is still ongoing. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have been recently proposed as novel photocatalysts owing to their wide light absorption range and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the instability of MHPs in water is the main obstacle that impedes their applications in practice and prompts stabilization strategies to be developed. This review focuses on the recent approaches for stabilizing MHPs in water, including surface engineering, common-ion effect, and intrinsic water stability. The photocatalytic applications of water-stable MHPs are summarized and an outlook with perspectives over the current challenges are provided

Oxidation of dichloromethane over Au, Pt, and Pt-Au containing catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃ and CeO₂-Al₂O₃

Abstract Au, Pt, and Pt-Au catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ and CeO₂-Al₂O₃ were studied in the oxidation of dichloromethane (DCM, CH₂Cl₂). High DCM oxidation activities and HCl selectivities were seen with all the catalysts. With the addition of Au, remarkably lower light-off temperatures were observed as they were reduced by 70 and 85 degrees with the Al₂O₃-supported and by 35 and 40 degrees with the CeO₂-Al₂O₃-supported catalysts. Excellent HCl selectivities close to 100% were achieved with the Au/Al₂O₃ and Pt-Au/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The addition of ceria on alumina decreased the total acidity of these catalysts, resulting in lower performance. The 100-h stability test showed that the Pt-Au/Al₂O₃ catalyst was active and durable, but the selectivity towards the total oxidation products needs improvement. The results suggest that, with the Au-containing Al₂O₃-supported catalysts, DCM decomposition mainly occurs via direct DCM hydrolysis into formaldehyde and HCl followed by the oxidation of formaldehyde into CO and CO₂

Effect of material age on the adsorption capacity of low-, medium-, and high-calcium alkali-activated materials

Abstract Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are actively studied as adsorbents in wastewater treatment. They are frequently classified as low-, medium-, or high-calcium content since the gel nanostructure of AAMs changes upon the introduction of network-modifying cations (e.g., Ca²⁺). Furthermore, AAMs undergo changes in the phase composition and pore structure upon aging. In the present study, these two aspects were assessed for the first time in the context of adsorption: three typical mix designs involving metakaolin, blast furnace slag, or their mixture were prepared and studied for ammonium (NH₄⁺) uptake at 7-, 28-, or 90-day age. The adsorption capacity of the “zeolite-like” metakaolin-based geopolymer increased from 34 to 87 mg/g when material was cured up to 90 days at room temperature. However, the adsorption capacity increase appears to be also depending on the metakaolin structure as approx. 1-month and 8-year old samples prepared with another metakaolin grade indicated almost similar adsorption capacity. Adsorption was clearly hindered when blast furnace slag was introduced in the mix designs, which turns the gel into “tobermorite-like” chain structures. Thus, this study demonstrated that using the Ca-content of precursors and material age are significant parameters for the interpretation of the adsorption results and practical development of AAM-based adsorbents

Applying a living lab approach within an eHealth accelerator

Abstract Through this study, we seek to understand the impact of the use of the living lab approach on product and business development in an eHealth accelerator. In the case accelerator, 20 startups developed innovative products atop the European FIWARE Future Internet technology platform. The novel design element of the case accelerator was the use of the living lab approach that was included for the purpose of engaging end users in the development and testing of new product prototypes. Our main result is that the living lab approach provided added value to participating companies and resulted in changes in their product development and marketing strategies. Overall, the case accelerator and the use of the living lab approach had a significant impact on the development, growth, and market success of the companies. Based on the results of the case accelerator, we propose the generic accelerator model presented by Pauwels and co-authors in 2016 to be extended with a new design element, the living lab approach

Catalytic oxidation of dimethyl disulfide over bimetallic Cu–Au and Pt–Au catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃, CeO₂, and CeO₂–Al₂O₃

Abstract Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS, CH3SSCH3) is an odorous and harmful air pollutant (volatile organic compound (VOC)) causing nuisance in urban areas. The abatement of DMDS emissions from industrial sources can be realized through catalytic oxidation. However, the development of active and selective catalysts having good resistance toward sulfur poisoning is required. This paper describes an investigation related to improving the performance of Pt and Cu catalysts through the addition of Au to monometallic “parent” catalysts via surface redox reactions. The catalysts were characterized using ICP-OES, N2 physisorption, XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, and temperature-programmed 18O2 isotopic exchange. The performance of the catalysts was evaluated in DMDS total oxidation. In addition, the stability of a Pt–Au/Ce–Al catalyst was investigated through 40 h time onstream. Cu–Au catalysts were observed to be more active than corresponding Pt–Au catalysts based on DMDS light-off experiments. However, the reaction led to a higher amount of oxygen-containing byproduct formation, and thus the Pt–Au catalysts were more selective. H2-TPR showed that the higher redox capacity of the Cu-containing catalysts may have been the reason for better DMDS conversion and lower selectivity. The lower amount of reactive oxygen on the surface of Pt-containing catalysts was beneficial for total oxidation. The improved selectivity of ceria-containing catalysts after the Au addition may have resulted from the lowered amount of reactive oxygen as well. The Au addition improved the activity of Al2O3-supported Cu and Pt. The Au addition also had a positive effect on SO2 production in a higher temperature region. A stability test of 40 h showed that the Pt–Au/Ce–Al catalyst, while otherwise promising, was not stable enough, and further development is still needed

15th international conference on electronic spectroscopy and structure:book of abstracts

Welcome to ICESS 15th Welcome to the 15th ICESS conference! Finally, after five years of waiting it is our pleasure to welcome you - the whole international community – to Oulu, Finland. The scientific program built in collaboration with international advisory board (IAB) covers widely the areas of research and surely engages plenty of discussions and ideas for future collaborations. Great thanks for participating and making the event possible! Let us all make the event pleasant respecting the diversity and committing to strengthening the international community of ICESS. Welcome to Oulu! ICESS local committee: Marko Huttula, chair Minna Patanen, program committee Samuli Urpelainen, Satu Ojala, local organizatio