Search Results (138)

The uptake and translocation of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Zn in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. Rally) were investigated. Tomato seedlings were grown for five weeks in pots containing 40 L of Hoagland nutrient solution (pH 7) or contaminated nutrient solutions at two concentration levels for each element: Cr (100 and 1000 ng/mL), Zn (100 and 1000 ng/mL), Pb (100 and 500 ng/mL), and Cd (50 and 500 ng/mL). The solutions were replenished weekly to maintain a volume of 40 L (pH 7), and 10 mL samples were collected for elemental analysis. After five weeks, the plants were harvested and separated into roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. These samples underwent microwave-assisted digestion, and the element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results revealed that the elements were mainly accumulated in the roots, with much lower concentrations determined in the fruits. Pb and Cr accumulated only minimally in fruits, with Pb levels of 0.0009 mg/kg wet weight at LI and 0.003 mg/kg wet weight at LII, and Cr levels of 0.028 mg/kg wet weight at LI and 0.031 mg/kg wet weight at LII. The Pb levels did not exceed the permissible limits set by EC regulations (0.05 mg/kg wet weight). Zn exhibited the highest accumulation in fruits, with 2.17 mg/kg wet weight at LI and 4.8 mg/kg wet weight at LII. By contrast, the Cd concentrations in fruits (0.25 mg/kg wet weight at LI and 1.1 mg/kg wet weight at LII) exceeded the EC regulatory limit of 0.02 mg/kg wet weight. The uptake of other essential elements into the tomato plant remained largely unaffected by the presence of contaminants. These results provide valuable insights into food safety. Laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS imaging revealed an even distribution of Cd and Zn in the leaves of plants grown in contaminated nutrient solutions. By contrast, Cr and Pb were predominantly localized in the leaf veins and at the leaf apex, suggesting different transport mechanisms for these elements from the roots to the aerial parts of the plant. Full article

Background/Objectives: The mandibular lingula (ML) is a small bony projection on the medial surface of the ramus and serves as the first reference point identified during sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) or inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). Anatomical variations in the mandibular ramus have been shown to exist across different populations. Understanding these population-specific differences enhances both clinical safety and diagnostic precision. However, there is a paucity of anthropological data amongst the Mongoloid population, especially in Southeast Asia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the (i) distance of the lingula to different mandibular anatomical landmarks and its localization, (ii) lingula shape, and (iii) differences between gender and the sides of the mandible amongst the local ethnic groups. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study consisted of 206 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 77 males and 129 females (mean age 33), with a total of 412 hemimandibles. Measurements were performed on three-dimensionally reconstructed CBCT images. Results: The most common shape was the truncated type. The distance of the lingula to the anterior (LiA), posterior (LiP), superior (LiS), and inferior (LiI) borders of mandible were 17.84 (2.25) mm, 14.46 (3.44) mm, 17.73 (3.00) mm, and 27.05 (4.40) mm, respectively. No significant difference exists between the sides of the mandible. Sexual dimorphism existed for all lingula measurements except LiA. Indians have smaller rami with more anteriorly and inferiorly placed ML than Malay and Chinese. The majority of ML was located 8.55 mm above the occlusal plane. Conclusions: This study provides information on the ML and its surrounding ramus structure in the local population. Such variations must be accounted for in SSRO and IANB. Full article

The work Xingli zhenquan tigang (Sing lii jen ciyan bithei hešen) was written in Chinese and Manchu by the French Jesuit Alexandre de la Charme (1695–1767) and published in Beijing in 1753. The first two sections of this paper provide an introduction to de la Charme’s work biography and to further textual and historical contexts, explore the peculiarities of the subsequent early German reception of the work almost 90 years later, and introduce the content from an overview perspective. The third section explores the most essential contents of Book 1 (of 3) of the Manchu version. The investigation is based on Hans Conon von der Gabelentz’s (1807–1874) German translation from 1840. Camouflaged as a Confucian educational dialogue, and by blurring his true identity in his publication, de la Charme criticizes Neo-Confucian positions from an implicitly Cartesian and hidden Christian perspective, tacitly blending Cartesian views with traditional Chinese concepts. In addition, he alludes to Manchu shamanic views in the same regard. De la Charme’s assimilating rhetoric “triangulation” of three different cultural and linguistic horizons of thought and spirituality proves that later Jesuit scholarship reached out into the inherent ethnic and spiritual diversity of the Qing intellectual and political elites. Hidden allusions to Descartes’s dualistic concepts of res cogitans and res extensa implicitly anticipate the beginnings of China’s intellectual modernization period one and a half centuries later. This work also provides an example of how the exchange of intellectual and religious elements persisted despite the Rites Controversy and demonstrates how the fading Jesuit mission influenced early German sinology. I believe that this previously underexplored work is significant in both systematic and historical respects. It is particularly relevant in the context of current comparative research fields, as well as transcultural and interreligious intellectual dialogue in East Asia and around the world. Full article

Next-generation recycling technologies must be urgently innovated to tackle huge volumes of spent batteries, photovoltaic panels or printed circuit boards (WPCBs). Current e-waste recycling industrial technology is dominated by traditional recycling technologies. Herein, ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and promising oxidizing additives that can overcome some traditional recycling methods of metal ions from e-waste, used in our works from last year, are presented. The unique chemical environments of ILs and DESs, with the application of low-temperature extraction procedures, are important environmental aspects known as “Green Methods”. A closed-loop system for recycling zinc and manganese from the “black mass” (BM) of waste, Zn-MnO₂ batteries, is presented. The leaching process achieves a high efficiency and distribution ratio using the composition of two solvents (Cyanex 272 + diethyl phosphite (DPh)) for Zn(II) extraction. High extraction efficiency with 100% zinc and manganese recovery is also achieved using DESs (cholinum chloride/lactic acid, 1:2, DES 1, and cholinum chloride/malonic acid, 1:1, DES 2). New, greener recycling approaches to metal extraction from the BM of spent Li-ion batteries are presented with ILs ([N_8,8,8,1][Cl], (Aliquat 336), [P_6,6,6,14][Cl], [P_6,6,6,14][SCN] and [Benzet][TCM]) eight DESs, Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA. A high extraction efficiency of Li(I) (41–92 wt%) and Ni(II) (37–52 wt%) using (Cyanex 272 + DPh) is obtained. The recovery of Ni(II) and Cd(II) from the BM of spent Ni-Cd batteries is also demonstrated. The extraction efficiency of DES 1 and DES 2, contrary to ILs ([P_6,6,6,14][Cl] and [P_6,6,6,14][SCN]), is at the level of 30 wt% for Ni(II) and 100 wt% for Cd(II). In this mini-review, the option to use ILs, DESs and Cyanex 272 for the recovery of valuable metals from end-of-life WPCBs is presented. Next-generation recycling technologies, in contrast to the extraction of metals from acidic leachate preceded by thermal pre-treatment or from solid material only after thermal pre-treatment, have been developed with ILs and DESs using the ABS method, as well as Cyanex 272 (only after the thermal pre-treatment of WPCBs), with a process efficiency of 60–100 wt%. In this process, four new ILs are used: didecyldimethylammonium propionate, [N_10,10,1,1][C₂H₅COO], didecylmethylammonium hydrogen sulphate, [N_10,10,1,H][HSO₄], didecyldimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, [N_10,10,1,1][H₂PO₄], and tetrabutylphosphonium dihydrogen phosphate, [P_4,4,4,4][H₂PO₄]. The extraction of Cu(II), Ag(I) and other metals such as Al(III), Fe(II) and Zn(II) from solid WPCBs is demonstrated. Various additives are used during the extraction processes. The Analyst 800 atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) is used for the determination of metal content in the solid BM. The ICP-OES method is used for metal analysis. The obtained results describe the possible application of ILs and DESs as environmental media for upcycling spent electronic wastes. Full article

A tandem UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy method was developed for the detection of Pd(II) ions in ethanol. The formation of a complex between Pd(II) ions and tropaeolin OO (TR OO) is accompanied by a change in the color of the solution and evolution of the characteristic UV–Vis as well as fluorescence spectra. The optimal detection conditions were achieved at a 3:1 (mL/mL) volume ratio of Pd(II) to TR OO, at 50 °C. UV–Vis spectroscopy enabled the detection of complex formation process over time, while fluorescence spectroscopy allowed a rapid response within 10 min. The limit of detection (LOD) of Pd(II) ions using UV–Vis spectrophotometry was 10 μmol/dm³ at 535 nm. For spectrofluorimetric detection, the LOD was 10 μmol/dm³, with an emission signal observed at 630 nm after 10 min. The kinetics studies showed a stepwise complex formation pathway, supported by DFT calculations. The performance of the method was verified in the presence of interfering metal ions, including Li(I), Na(I), Al(III), Ni(II), Mg(II), Ca(II), Co(II), and Zn(II), confirming its applicability in complex matrices. This approach provides efficient palladium determination in organic solvents, contributing to sustainable practices in metal recycling. Full article

Na-layered Li-containing Mn-based cathodes (Na_xLi_yMn_1-yO₂, NLMOs) with additional Na⁺ storage ability resulting from the anionic redox reaction (ARR) hold great promise for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs). However, practical applications of NLMOs encounter challenges, such as migration of transition metal Mn, loss of lattice oxygen, and voltage decay during cycling. Here, we show that Cu plays an important role in enhancing the ARR via the reductive coupling mechanism (RCM). Results shows that a Cu²⁺/Fe³⁺ modified NLMO sample delivers a Na⁺ storage capacity as high as 174 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2C, higher than that of a Zn²⁺/Fe³⁺ modified NLMO sample (130 mA h g⁻¹) and NLMO (154 mA h g⁻¹). Both in situ and ex situ characterization results indicate that the obvious improvement in the electrochemical performance of the Cu²⁺/Fe³⁺ modified NLMO is due to the additional overlaps between the Cu 3d and O 2p orbitals, which is beneficial for the RCM. As a result, the ARR is enhanced so as to increase the Na⁺ storage capacity. Full article

The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and their limited lifespan emphasize the urgent need for sustainable recycling strategies. This study investigates the application of tetrabutylphosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) as alternative leaching agents for recovering critical metals, Li(I), Co(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II), from spent NMC cathode materials. Initial screening experiments evaluated the leaching efficiencies of nine tetrabutylphosphonium-based ILs for Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), and Li(I), revealing distinct metal dissolution behaviors. Three ILs containing HSO₄⁻, EDTA²⁻, and DTPA³⁻ anions exhibited the highest leaching performance and were selected for further optimization. Key leaching parameters, including IL and acid concentrations, temperature, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio, were systematically adjusted, achieving leaching efficiencies exceeding 90%. Among the tested systems, [TBP][HSO₄] enabled near-complete metal dissolution (~100%) even at room temperature. Furthermore, an aqueous biphasic system (ABS) was investigated utilizing [TBP][HSO₄] in combination with ammonium sulfate, enabling the complete extraction of all metals into the salt-rich phase while leaving the IL phase metal-free and potentially suitable for reuse, indicating the feasibility of integrating leaching and extraction into a continuous, interconnected process. This approach represents a promising step forward in LIB recycling, highlighting the potential for sustainable and efficient integration of leaching and extraction within established hydrometallurgical frameworks. Full article

Objectives: Anterior crowding in the lower jaw is a common orthodontic issue often managed through premolar extraction, which can affect facial profile development. This study aimed to evaluate skeletal and dental changes in moderate to severe crowding using a novel mandibular reference line—the Ramus Anterior Vertical (RaV)—to support treatment planning. Methods: A total of 140 patients (LII > 4 mm and < 9 mm; mean age ≈ 12.5 years) were divided into two groups (G1: extraction; G2: nonextraction; total n = 140; n = 70 per group). Skeletal and dental parameters were measured before (T0) and after (T1) orthodontic treatment using 280 lateral cephalograms. RaV was defined as a vertical line through the anterior ramus point, perpendicular to the occlusal plane. Results: Sagittal measurements relative to RaV were reproducible and unaffected by mandibular mobility. Significant vertical skeletal changes were observed in G2 females, with an increased anterior facial height (N–Sp′ and Sp′–Gn) but a stable Hasund Index. In G1, the dental arch length and distances from RaV to i5 and i6 were reduced, while second molars (i7) remained stable. Sagittal incisor axis changes (L1–NB°, SAi1°) and skeletal–dental correlations (ML–NSL, Gn–tGo–Ar) were present only in G1. Conclusions: RaV proved to be a stable mandibular reference for assessing treatment effects. In this study, premolar extraction vs. nonextraction was comparably effective, though some vertical skeletal adaptations, especially in G2 females, took place. Full article

Several EU initiatives and directives emphasize waste reduction and immediate reuse at the source. This study introduces a novel on-site recycling method for transforming printing house paper waste into high-quality, eco-friendly cardboard without mixing it with lower-quality or heterogeneous waste streams. Instead of traditional water- and energy-intensive recycling processes, the proposed dry defibration method involves mechanical grinding, spray-on binder application, and heat pressing, significantly reducing the ecological footprint. The process was optimized using environmentally safe binders, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), sodium alginate, sorbitol, cellulose nanofibrils, and water, applied at low concentrations. A binder-to-dry-pulp ratio of 160 wt.% offered the best balance, yielding cardboard properties comparable or superior to those obtained by traditional methods. Focusing on book covers, the method demonstrated a 50% reduction in GHG emissions compared to conventional paper recycling and purchased cardboard use. The findings highlight the potential of localized, resource-efficient recycling processes to support sustainable production practices within the printing industry. Full article

Nitrogen donor-based ligands are highly promising extractants for palladium separation from high-level liquid waste (HLLW). However, the electronic effect of these ligands, a critical factor influencing their complexation ability with Pd(II), remains largely unexplored. Herein, three picolinamide-based ligands were designed and synthesized, each featuring substituents with distinct electronic effects at the para-position of the pyridine (electro-donating methoxyl group for L-I, hydrogen for L-II, and electro-withdrawing ester group for L-III). The concurrent processes of Pd(II) coordination and ligand protonation enable the manipulation of pyridine nitrogen electronegativity, resulting in a tunable Pd(II) extraction performance. Notably, L-I exhibits the highest extraction efficiency at low acidities (≤1 M HNO₃) but the lowest extraction at high acidities (≥3 M HNO₃), whereas L-III shows the poorest efficiency at low acidities but the best performance at high acidities. The Job plot analysis and ESI-HRMS results reveal a 1:1 and 2:1 (L/Pd) stoichiometry in the Pd(II) complexation process. The single crystal X-ray analysis of Pd(NO₃)₂(L-II)₂ complex confirms a four-coordinated Pd(II) center, with two pyridine nitrogen atoms and two monodentate nitrate oxygens forming a quadrangular geometry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further indicate that the formation of 2:1 (L/Pd) complexes is energetically favored, and the stronger basicity of the nitrogen atoms correlates with a higher Pd(II) binding affinity and increased susceptibility to protonation. Full article

The alumina, in the form of α-Al₂O₃ tabular balls, considered in this study is a high-purity form of aluminum oxide that has been fired at high temperatures (well above 1900 °C), virtually removing porosity. However, the purity and inertness of the surface of the Al₂O₃ tabular balls minimize the catalytic activity, which is why lithium doping was tried. Thus, the target of this study was the effect of doping with lithium ions in some tabular balls of Al₂O₃ (the crystalline structure is corundum) on the improvement of the catalytic properties of alumina. This study examined the impact of a lithium catalyst on the combustion of various fuels within a porous inert medium (PIM) burner. This study specifically compared low calorific gaseous fuel (e.g., biogas) combustion in a PIM burner with and without the lithium catalyst. The experimental setup comprised a gas preparation unit for mixing CNG and CO₂ to simulate biogas and a PIM burner. The PIM burner comprised Al₂O₃ spheres (13 mm diameter, 45% porosity) in a random packing configuration. Three fuels, varying in composition and lower heating value (LHV ranging from 20.771 to 27.695 MJ/m³), were combusted at air ratios ranging from 1.67 to 1.79. The results indicated that the catalyst increased peak combustion temperatures by 23.2 °C to 51.4 °C, depending on the fuel type and air ratio. Significantly higher carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were observed without the catalyst, particularly with fuel type F1, while nitrous oxide (NOx) levels remained consistently low. Upstream flame propagation was observed in the presence of the catalyst. These findings demonstrate the potential of lithium catalysts to enhance combustion stability and reduce emissions in porous media combustion burners. Following these studies, it can be stated that Li(I) has the role of promoter of the catalytic process. Full article

Rural infrastructure is an important foundation for achieving sustainable rural development. To effectively formulate policies for rural infrastructure, it is crucial to evaluate the benefits of rural infrastructure investment (RII) using a systematic method. This study aims to conduct a systematic analysis of the income-increasing effect of RII from a multidimensional perspective, and provide a reference for developing countries to adjust and improve rural infrastructure policies. For this purpose, this study has utilized 15 years of data in China to analyze the income-increasing effect of RII from three dimensions: structure, spatiality, and heterogeneity. The results indicate that (1) in terms of structure, both living infrastructure investment (LII) and production infrastructure investment (PII) promote wage income. PII has an increasing effect on non-wage income, but the increasing effect of LII on non-wage income is not evident. Meanwhile, the income-increasing effect of RII for high-income groups is larger than that for low-income groups. (2) In terms of spatiality, RII has a spatial spillover effect, which increases villagers’ income in neighboring areas. From the perspective of spatial effect decomposition, the indirect effect of RII even exceeds the direct effect. (3) In terms of heterogeneity, the increase in the level of job-related migration inhibits the income-increasing effect of LII but promotes the income-increasing effect of PII; the improvement of the education level promotes the income-increasing effect of LII but inhibits the income-increasing effect of PII. Full article

Introduction: This pilot two-arm, parallel group, randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of tooth movement and patient comfort during orthodontic leveling and alignment with the BRIUS™ lingual system (BR) versus labial full fixed appliances (LFFAs). Methods: Patients in the permanent dentition with mild to moderate crowding were recruited at the University at Buffalo and randomly assigned into the BR group (seven patients) or LFFAs group (six patients). The patients’ dental arches were scanned before bonding (T1) and after 18 weeks (T2). Digital dental model superimpositions were performed to three-dimensionally evaluate tooth movement. Changes between T1 and T2 were measured in the x, y, and z planes. Little’s Irregularity Index (LII) was also assessed at T1 and T2. An electronic questionnaire was completed daily for 7 days after T1 to evaluate the patients’ comfort levels. Results: After 18 weeks, similar displacements were observed for all teeth in both groups except for the lower left second premolar (LL5) in the x-axis which showed greater displacement in the BR group (p = 0.016). Groups showed similar changes in LII. Discomfort during the first week after bonding was greater on the tongue in the BR group and on the lips and cheeks in the LFFAs group. Tongue discomfort caused by the BR lasted for around 3 days. Conclusion: The BR and LFFAs showed similar teeth displacements and therefore were equally effective at leveling and aligning teeth. LFFAs caused cheek- and lip-borne discomfort while the BR caused tongue-borne discomfort during the first week after bonding. Larger studies with longer follow-ups are needed to obtain more definitive results. Full article

Background/Objectives: The diverse effects of fructose and glucose on the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease remain uncertain. This study investigated the effects, in animal models, of high-fat diets (HFDs) supplemented with either glucose or fructose. Methods: Six-week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to four groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD supplemented with fructose (30% w/v, HFD + Fru), and HFD supplemented with glucose (initially 30%, HFD + Glu). After 24 weeks, liver and plasma samples were gathered for analysis. In addition, 39 patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery with wedge liver biopsy were enrolled in the clinical study. Results: The HFD + Glu group consumed more water than did the HFD and HFD + Fru groups. Thus, we reduced the glucose concentration from 30% at baseline to 15% at week 2 and 10% starting from week 6. The HFD + Fru and HFD + Glu groups had a similar average caloric intake (p = 0.463). The HFD increased hepatic steatosis, plasma lipid levels, lipogenic enzymes, steatosis-related oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation, and early-stage liver fibrosis. Supplementation with fructose or glucose exacerbated liver damage, but no significant differences were identified between the two. The expression patterns of hepatic ceramides in HFD-fed mice (with or without supplemental fructose or glucose) were similar to those observed in patients with obesity and severe hepatic steatosis or metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis. Conclusions: Fructose and glucose similarly exacerbated liver damage when added to an HFD. Ceramides may be involved in the progression of hepatic lipotoxicity. Full article

Background: Obesity and inactivity among children are at an all-time high and have been steadily increasing in prevalence over the last thirty years. The school environment provides the ideal setting for reaching a large number of children across diverse populations in order to reverse these trends. However, there are many inconsistent results yielded by school-based physical activity interventions due to implementation length, time for activities, and the use of structured physical activities. The LiiNK Project^® is a whole-child intervention addressing these gaps by providing children 45–60 min of recess (unstructured, outdoor play) in their schools daily, while the control children are allowed to engage in recess for 30 min daily. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity intensity and obesity rates of third- and fourth-grade children participating in the LiiNK intervention, which provides 60 min of recess for third graders and 45 min for fourth graders, to those in a control group allowed 30 min of daily recess. Methods: The children were 8–10 years old (M = 9.2; 52% females and 48% males). The intervention children comprised 90 third graders and 100 fourth graders, and the control children comprised 101 third graders and 92 fourth graders. Physical activity levels were monitored using accelerometers to assess sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Obesity rates were evaluated using bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA), in which body fat percentage is calculated based on normative values using age and sex in the equation. Results: The third-grade intervention children engaged in 13 more MVPA minutes and took 900 more steps daily than their control counterparts, and also presented a greater proportion of overweight children transitioning to a healthy weight status from the fall to the spring semester. Conversely, the fourth-grade control children increased their activity by 500 steps and 15 more MVPA minutes daily. Despite this, the intervention children overall demonstrated a reduction in body fat percentage, while the control children demonstrated an increase in body fat percentage. Conclusions: Ultimately, 60 min of unstructured, outdoor play in schools provides children the best opportunity to engage in MVPA, which may positively impact body fat percentages, offering a potential strategy for combatting childhood obesity in school settings. Full article