Individual Elements Research Articles

Improved supercapacitor application of manganese ferrite nanoparticles via co-precipitation technique

The novel co-precipitation technique has been employed to create the manganese ferrite nanoparticle. The prepared sample was annealed for various temperatures 400 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C. Based on TG/DT analysis the optimal temperature was found to be 700 °C and further additional analysis was performed for the sample annealed at 700 °C. Their morphology and properties were determined using SEM, HR-TEM, EDX, FTIR, XPS, BET, and CV techniques. Using the X-ray diffraction technique, the prepared sample's structural characteristics were demonstrated. The SEM as well as HR-TEM images showed the nanoparticles had a roughly spherical shape. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of the elements Fe, O, and Mn in the sample; there was no evidence of contamination by other elements. The specific surface area of the nanoparticles was estimated by BET analysis, which provides details of the material's porosity and surface area. The binding energy of the sample was estimated using XPS measurements, which provide details on the composition and chemical states of the individual elements. By using cyclic voltammetry, the nanoparticles' electrochemical characteristics were evaluated. For a reduced scan rate of 2 mVs−1, the specific capacitance value was discovered to be 341 Fg-1, confirming their suitability for super capacitor applications.

Mycorrhizal status and host genotype interact to shape plant nutrition in field grown maize (Zea mays ssp. mays)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbioses with the major cereal crops, providing plants with increased access to nutrients while enhancing their tolerance to toxic heavy metals. However, not all plant varieties benefit equally from this association. In this study, we used quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping to evaluate the combined effect of host genotypic variation (G) and AMF across 141 genotypes on the concentration of 20 mineral elements in the leaves and grain of field grown maize (Zea mays spp. mays). Our mapping design included selective incorporation of a castor AMF-incompatibility mutation, allowing estimation of AMF, QTL and QTLxAMF effects by comparison of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Overall, AMF compatibility was associated with higher concentrations of boron (B), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus (P), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) and lower concentrations of arsenic (As), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), potassium (K) and strontium (Sr). In addition to effects on individual elements, pairwise correlation matrices for element concentration differed between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. We mapped 22 element QTLs, including 18 associated with QTLxAMF effects that indicate plant genotype-specific differences in the impact of AMF on the host ionome. Although there is considerable interest in AMF as biofertilizers, it remains challenging to estimate the impact of AMF in the field. Our design illustrates an effective approach for field evaluation of AMF effects. Furthermore, we demonstrate the capacity of the ionome to reveal host genotype-specific variation in the impact of AMF on plant nutrition.

Mean-Field Analysis with Random Perturbations to Detect Gliders in Cellular Automata

Cellular automata are mathematical models that represent systems with complex behavior through simple interactions between their individual elements. These models can be used to study unconventional computational systems and complexity. One notable aspect of cellular automata is their ability to create structures known as gliders, which move in a regular pattern to represent the manipulation of information. This paper introduces the modification of mean-field theory applied to cellular automata, using random perturbations based on the system’s evolution rule. The original aspect of this approach is that the perturbation factor is tailored to the nature of the rule, altering the behavior of the mean-field polynomials. By combining the properties of both the original and perturbed polynomials, it is possible to detect when a cellular automaton is more likely to generate gliders without having to run evolutions of the system. This methodology is a useful approach to finding more examples of cellular automata that exhibit complex behavior. We start by examining elementary cellular automata, then move on to examples of automata that can generate gliders with more states. To illustrate the results of this methodology, we provide evolution examples of the detected automata.

Cranial anatomy of the "round-headed" Amphisbaenian Zygaspis quadrifrons (Squamata, Amphisbaenia) based on high-resolution x-ray computed tomography.

Amphisbaenians are a poorly understood clade of fossorial lizards. Because of their derived anatomy and relative scarcity, the systematics of the clade and its placement within squamates has long been controversial. Traditional approaches grouped species into four assemblages according to burrowing behavior and cranial morphology, resulting in the recognition of "shovel-headed," "round-headed," "keel-headed," and "spade-headed" morphotypes. Recent phylogenetic analyses do not support the monophyly of the taxa that share those morphotypes. Detailed analyses of cranial osteology were previously accomplished using high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) for the "shovel-headed" Rhineura hatcherii (Rhineruidae) and the "spade-headed" Diplometopon zarudnyi (Trogonophidae). A detailed description of the "round-headed" Amphisbaena alba was previously completed based upon traditional "dry" skeletal specimens. Seven species of the "round-headed" Blanus (Blanidae) were also analyzed using HRXCT. The goal of that project was a comparative analysis of all extant species of Blanus rather than a detailed, bone-by-bone description of one species, but certainly is useful for comparison with another "round-headed" taxon. The "round-headed" morphotype is by far the most common among amphisbaenians and is much in need of further documentation. We use HRXCT imagery to provide additional data about the disparity in cranial morphology among amphisbaenians. Those data allow us to provide another detailed description of a "round-headed" amphisbaenian, the poorly known southern African species Zygaspis quadrifrons. HRXCT is ideal for this relatively rare and diminutive species. We are able to visualize and describe a detailed reconstruction of the entire skull as well as individual cranial elements. Comparisons with other species that were described in similar detail-D. zarudnyi, Spathorhynchus fossorium, R. hatcherii, and A. alba-and to a lesser degree with Blanus, reveal a complex mosaic of morphological features of the skull in Zygaspis. Preliminary data suggest that intraspecific variation is present within Z. quadrifrons, and interspecific variation among other species of Zygaspis may be sufficient for species-level recognition based on cranial osteology. Our description is, therefore, also intended to serve as a baseline for comparative analysis of other specimens of Z. quadrifrons and of other species within the genus.

Overcoming barriers of employee ownership in France, Italy, Spain, the UK and the US

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give an updated overview over the development of employee-ownership in Italy, France, Spain including Mondragon, the UK and the US with relatively many employee-owned firms. How have the barriers for employee-ownership been overcome in these countries?Design/methodology/approachThe overview is based on updated descriptions of the development of employee-ownership included in this special issue. The analysis follows the structure of overcoming five barriers: the organization problem; the problem of entry and exit of employee-owners; the startup and takeover problem; the capital- and the risk problem.FindingsItaly, France and Spain have overcome the barriers by specific legislation for worker cooperatives, this includes rules for entry and exit of employee members. Cooperative support organizations play an important role for monitoring and managing the startup problem and for access to capital. The Mondragon model includes individual ownership elements and a group structure of cooperatives. The EOT and ESOP models are well suited for employee takeovers, financing are eased by tax advantages and they are all-employee schemes. While the EOT has no individual risks, the ESOP model has the possibility for capital gains for employees but also the risk of losing these gains.Originality/valueComprehensive and updated overview of the development in employee-ownership in the five countries to identify successful formats of employee-ownership for implementation in countries with few employee-owned firms.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction as a Technique for Preparing Improved Infusions as Functional Beverage Bases

Right after water, tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. The composition of a tea drink is determined by, among other things: the degree of fermentation and the fineness of the tea leaves, as well as the brewing time and temperature. The purpose of this study was to verify the hypothesis that the extraction of selected elements from dried tea during infusion preparation was improved by using ultrasound under laboratory conditions. The effect of increasing the extraction time was also analyzed. The effectiveness of ultrasound was evaluated by measuring the content of selected elements in the extract of teas that were treated with ultrasound compared to a control group. The effectiveness of the application of ultrasound was evaluated by measuring the content of individual elements at intervals of 1 min, 5 min and 10 min comparing the application of ultrasound with the classical technique of tea brewing. In addition, the results were related to measurements of the amounts of overall concentrations of selected ions after the dried tea mineralization procedure. Samples of extracts and mineralizates were analyzed for elemental composition using an ICP-OES iCAP Dual 6500 Thermo® spectrometer. The use of ultrasound was shown to have a positive effect on the extraction process, and the efficiency of the process depended on the tea variety and the extraction time. The percentage of extraction relative to the results of the total amount of extracted ions was also calculated. Analyzing the effect of ultrasound on the leaching of minerals from tea leaves during infusion preparation is another step toward optimizing the tea brewing extraction process and a way to improve the nutritional value of tea infusions as a functional beverage base. The application of ultrasound in the extraction process of tea infusions may be a good solution to support traditional methods of extracting infusions for both research and technological purposes.

Steam gasification of tire char supported by catalysts based on biomass ashes

The aim of this work is to assess the feasibility of steam gasification of tire char and the impact of various biomass ashes (sunflower husk, beet pulp, beech chips and corn cobs) in the process. Samples of tire-char and char-catalysts (in the amounts of 5, 10 and 15 wt%) were subjected to gasification in isothermal conditions (800–1000 °C) at a pressure of 1 MPa, using the thermovolumetric method based on an analysis of the composition of the resulting gas. Changes in the formation rates of the main gas components (CO, H2, CO2 and CH4), maximum carbon conversion, half times conversion, yields and composition of gas components and H2/CO ratio were determined. Kinetic parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) of the gasification reaction were calculated using the grain and random pore models. The correlations between the content of individual elements in ashes and parameters describing tire char gasification were assessed. The addition of a catalyst and increasing its loading improved the reactivity of the tire-char at up to 850 °C and had a significant but temperature-dependent impact on gas component yields. Performing catalytic tire char gasification under appropriate selected conditions (800–850 °C and 10/15 wt% of sunflower husk and beech chips ash as catalysts) may be an attractive way to efficiently obtain a hydrogen-rich gas.

A Framework for Assessing Nature-Based Urban Stormwater Management Solutions: A Preliminary Spatial Analysis Approach Applied to Southeast Serbia

The development of the stormwater management strategies, e.g., low-impact development (LID), water-sensitive urban design (WSUD), and sustainable drainage solutions (SUDS), was initiated in the mid-1980s as a set of engineering approaches and technologies to reduce the harmful effects of stormwater. Over time, all of them evolved in the holistic, multidisciplinary approaches and, today, they are increasingly viewed and implemented under the umbrella term “Nature-based Solutions” (NbS). The technical elements and measures of these NbS represent various technical solutions, implemented i.a., according to the suitability of the site to achieve their maximum efficiency. Currently, there are no standards or procedures for the application of NbS technologies in Serbia. To overpass this and encourage implementation, we carried out preliminary assessment of NbS elements suitability for application in eight urban settlements in the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia. The assessment is based on publicly available data and performed according to the existing recommendations in the field of spatial planning and rainwater management for WSUD. The analyses were conducted by GIS tools that involved spatial analyses of various terrain characteristics and provided an insight into the criteria, i.e., constraints that are key to the placement of various technical elements, including bioretention, rain garden, and permeable pavement. Research findings point out that creation of the thematic maps with area suitability ratings for individual NbS stormwater elements might represent a good starting point for further investigation, planning, and design. The proposed framework for preliminary assessment is potentially useful for the countries and regions without regulations in the field of NbS for stormwater management.

Assessment of the traditional landscapes’ state in mountain areas as the basis for their restoration (the Western Beskids, Poland)

The dynamic and magnitude of landscape changes have increased since the 18 and 19th centuries and accelerated after the Second World War. As a result, traditional landscapes are vanishing rapidly. In this paper, the problems of difficulties in traditional landscape restoration and conservation are discussed, based on studies conducted in the Western Beskids. In this area, the vanishing of the traditional landscape of seasonal mountain economy is observed mainly as a result of land abandonment. The method of historical analysis which draws from varied contemporary and historical data was used. The range of non-forest areas has decreased by more than half since 1848 in two study sites. The traditional landscape is relatively durable in areas that are still utilised by residents or protected using nature conservation activities. Nevertheless, individual landscape elements (terrain forms and objects) are relatively well preserved also in abandoned areas covered with forest. Preserved traces of past human activity are mainly connected with tillage and settlement as past mowing and grazing did not lead to the creation of tough terrain forms. Despite this region's traditional landscape was shaped by seasonal animal grazing and land cultivation, only pastures located in the higher parts of the study area are contemporarily protected. If the current nature conservation in the Western Beskids is continued, only small fragments of the traditional landscape will be preserved as a relic landscape. The study results show that landscape restoration and conservation is still a source of many questions concerning the possibilities, approaches, and effectiveness of these activities. Further studies should focus on assessing the possibility of restoring the historical state of the landscape, which can be the basis for the selection of elements to be protected, spatial range, and methods used. This will allow the development of effective strategies for preserving the traditional landscape.

Lifestyle Variation among the Elderly: Do Nutritional Knowledge and Diet Quality Differ When the Other Lifestyle Components Are Similar?

Older people's health is strongly determined by their lifestyle, and its deterioration is a cause for concern and calls for effective efforts to slow down the process. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between diet quality and other non-food lifestyle elements. The data were collected in 2017 through a cross-sectional survey among 271 Polish elder citizens. A K-means cluster analysis was applied to separate homogeneous groups by lifestyle components (without diet) and a logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships between identified clusters and sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional knowledge and diet quality. Three homogenous clusters were identified, i.e., individuals with moderate physical activity and recommended sleep duration (pro-healthy), with low physical activity (low PA), and with short sleep (short sleep). Gender, age, education, place of residence, BMI, and health-promoting diet index (pHDI) did not differentiate adherence to clusters. The probability of being in the pro-healthy cluster increased with nutritional knowledge and declaring the same or better health status compared to peers, while it decreased when above-average financial status was reported. The obtained results importantly extend the previous findings by showing that the individual elements of lifestyle should be also perceived in the context of others. Further research focused on lifestyle as a whole might considerably support the implementation of multifaceted lifestyle interventions.

COMPOSITION AND ARCHITECTONICS OF A WORK OF FICTION AS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE AUTHOR’S STYLE. J. CHAUCER «THE CANTERBURY TALES»

COMPOSITION AND ARCHITECTONICS OF A WORK OF FICTION AS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE AUTHOR’S STYLE. J. CHAUCER «THE CANTERBURY TALES»

On adaptive mesh coarsening procedures for the virtual element method for two-dimensional elastic problems

In the context of adaptive remeshing, the virtual element method provides significant advantages over the finite element method. The attractive features of the virtual element method, such as the permission of arbitrary element geometries, and the seamless permission of ‘hanging’ nodes, have inspired many works concerning error estimation and adaptivity. However, these works have primarily focused on adaptive refinement techniques with little attention paid to adaptive coarsening (i.e. de-refinement) techniques that are required for the development of fully adaptive remeshing procedures. In this work novel indicators are proposed for the identification of patches/clusters of elements to be coarsened, along with a novel procedure to perform the coarsening. The indicators are computed over prospective patches of elements rather than on individual elements to identify the most suitable combinations of elements to coarsen. The coarsening procedure is robust and suitable for meshes of structured and unstructured/Voronoi elements. Numerical results demonstrate the high degree of efficacy of the proposed coarsening procedures and sensible mesh evolution during the coarsening process. It is demonstrated that critical mesh geometries, such as non-convex corners and holes, are preserved during coarsening, and that meshes remain fine in regions of interest to engineers, such as near singularities.

Elemental effect on the phase formation and mechanical properties in the FeNiMnCuAlTi alloy system

The FeNiMnCuAlTi alloys were prepared using the arc-melting method by varying the individual elements. The change in microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys due to the changes in the elemental composition was carried out by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Equiatomic composition exhibited the B2_BCC and C_14 Laves phase, whereas increasing the Fe content in the alloys enhanced the formation of the BCC phase. Cu and Ni enhanced the formation of the FCC phase and the addition of Al and Ti favored the formation of intermetallics. Cu tends to segregate in the inter-dendritic region in all these alloys by forming a Cu-Mn-rich FCC phase. Fe, Ni, Cu and Mn-rich alloys showed good plasticity, whereas Al and Ti-rich samples are extremely brittle. A high compressive yield strength of 2016 MPa, 1526 MPa, and 1255 MPa was observed for the high-entropy alloys Fe30(NiMnCuAlTi)70, Ni30(FeMnCuAlTi)70, and Mn30(NiFeCuAlTi)70 respectively, with plasticity varying between 3% to 10%. Whereas medium entropy alloys showed a lower compressive yield strength but with increased plasticity e.g., a compressive yield strength of 1525 MPa and 27% plasticity for the case of Fe50(NiMnCuAlTi)50 was observed. The good combination of strength and plasticity is due to the presence of the FCC/BCC phase with a fine uniform distribution of intermetallic phases.

Automated Monitoring and Visualization System in Production

In the modern world cyber-physical production systems are increasingly used. They allow you to control the flow of the technological process in production in real time. But the use of such an approach is greatly complicated by the fact that the equipment of many enterprises is old and cannot support the necessary functions. This is primarily due to the lack of the necessary sensors, as well as the corresponding software. Since the complete replacement of production equipment is very expensive, the task is to create separate monitoring systems. They must be able to integrate into the necessary parts of the production process. And they should also be cheap. In this work, we propose to build a model of such a monitoring and visualization system. The main attention in the work is focused on the hardware implementation of the proposed system and the relationship of its individual elements.

Математичні моделі температурного поля у елементах електронних пристроїв із чужорідним включенням

Linear and non-linear mathematical models for the determination of the temperature field, and subsequently for the analysis of temperature regimes in isotropic media with semi-transparent foreign inclusions that are also subject to external heat load, have been developed. To solve the nonlinear boundary-value problem, a linearizing function was introduced, using which the original nonlinear heat conduction equation and nonlinear boundary conditions were linearized, and as a result, a partially linearized second-order differential equation with partial derivatives and discontinuous and singular coefficients relative to the linearizing function and partially linearized boundary conditions was obtained. For the final linearization of the partially linearized differential equation and boundary conditions, the approximation of the temperature according to one of the spatial coordinates on the boundary surfaces of the inclusion was performed by piecewise constant functions. To solve the obtained linear boundary value problem, the Hankel integral transformation method was used, as a result of which an analytical solution was obtained, which determines the introduced linearizing function. For the numerical analysis of temperature behavior and heat exchange processes caused by external heat load, software tools have been developed, which are used to create a geometric image of temperature distribution depending on spatial coordinates. The obtained results indicate the correspondence of the developed mathematical models of the analysis of heat exchange processes in heterogeneous media with external heating to a real physical process. The obtained results indicate the correspondence of the developed mathematical models of the analysis of heat exchange processes in heterogeneous media with external heating to a real physical process. The developed models make it possible to analyze environments with foreign elements under external thermal loads regarding their thermal resistance. As a result, it becomes possible to increase it and protect it from overheating, which can cause the destruction of not only individual elements, but also the entire structure.

A pilot study to understand the presence of ACE in adults with post-traumatic stress disorders at a well-being centre in India

BackgroundThough there is aqequate evidence linking specific Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the availability of evidence in an Indian setting is limited. Given the accepted role of several ACEs as precursors to PTSD in the later stages of life (adulthood), this link was studied in PTSD-assessed individuals at a well-being center in Gujarat, India. ObjectiveThe study aimed to understand the prevalence and significance of ACEs in the subjects assessed with PTSD. MethodsThe individuals who approached the center seeking help with various well-being or mental health issues were assessed using their presenting symptoms. Next, a follow-up interview was conducted to review the ACEs relating to incidents between the ages of 3 and 18. Based on their presenting symptoms, some individuals were assessed for PTSD by an experienced therapist/psychologist based on index trauma event(s). The descriptive data of 60 individuals (guided by a trained therapist) were assessed for PTSD using the PCL-C survey. Descriptive statistics were summarized to understand and evaluate the presence of several ACE elements and their link, if any, to the PTSD assessment. ResultsThe findings (N = 60) indicate that several adverse childhood experiences, specifically repeated exposure to emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health challenges in the family, peer rejection and parents having verbal/physical fights are present in these PTSD assessed individuals. Pearson correlation indicated that several frequently occurring ACE elements are correlated. This confirms the role of developmental trauma in inducing severe stress-related symptoms such as PTSD. These adverse experiences represented two main categories: interpersonal ACEs (where the individual is at the center of the experience vis a vis an observer) and the home environment. ConclusionThe research found several co-occurrences of the interpersonal and violent family (or home) environment-related trauma elements in PTSD-assessed individuals. Based on the assessment at this wellness center, the findings suggest a substantial influencing role of these ACEs in adult PTSD assessment.

Post-Fire Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Seriphium plumosum L. Encroached Semi-Arid Grassland of Gauteng Province, South Africa

Seriphium plumosum L. is an indigenous unpalatable shrub that occurs in fire-prone semi-arid South African grassland areas, yet research proposes the use of fire to control its encroachment of rangelands. This study investigated the interaction effects of burning and soil depth on components of soil fertility. Soil samples were collected from the surface (<10 cm) and subsurface (>10 ≤ 20 cm) soil, before and after burning in randomly selected paired subplots (25 m × 25 m), with six replicates. Data was analysed as a randomised complete block design, with repeated measures (before and after burning) in a 2 × 2 factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) using generalised linear model (GLM) procedures. Components of soil fertility measured (K, Ca, Mg, Org C, P, pH and TN) showed a significant decrease with increasing soil depth both before and after burning, except for K and P, which were significantly higher in surface soils after burning. The results showed that the response of soil nutrients to fire depends on the temperature tolerance threshold of individual soil nutrient elements. Increasing surface soil available K and P concentrations after burning may improve the conditions for S. plumosum encroachment, with implications for similar environments and species worldwide.

The concept and structural elements of the system of personal empowerment rights of employees

The article considers the problem of defining the system of personal non-property rights of an employee, as a set of its individual structural basic elements in the system of personal non-property benefits of an individual, and in the general system of human rights. The essence and content of any social, legal phenomena, which are the personal non-property rights of employees, as relevant legal values, can be fully revealed only thanks to the study of objective signs characteristic of these rights. When studying the current issues of employees’ personal rights, it is extremely important to determine their structure as a certain systemic formation and a separate group in the general system of labour rights which would reflect and ensure their internal differentiation and external unity. Due to the fact that the personal rights of a person are a separate type of subjective rights (they belong to the category of intangible goods), their features are the absence of direct property content and an inseparable connection with the personality of their bearer. At the same time, in an objective sense, personal non-property rights are undeniably a complex legal institution that forms the norms of various branches of public and private law (constitutional, criminal, administrative, environmental, civil, family, housing, labor, etc.). Based on the analysis of the provisions of national and prospective legislation, as well as the achievements of scientific thought, the article provides a legal description of the concept of the system, structure and elements of the system of personal non-property rights of an employee in connection with the performance of his/her employment duties. The issue of the possibility of regulatory definition and consolidation of the system and classification of personal non-property rights of employees in the course of their employment functions has been investigated. The scientific novelty of the publication is that the issue of systematization and/or classification of the employee's personal non-property rights has been comprehensively researched, taking into account the classes (types) of their types, in accordance with the requirements of national civil and labor legislation and according to scientific research.

Near-field imaging and spectroscopy of terahertz resonators and metasurfaces [Invited

Terahertz (THz) metasurfaces have become a key platform for engineering light-matter interaction at THz frequencies. They have evolved from simple metallic resonator arrays into tunable and programmable devices, displaying ultrafast modulation rates and incorporating emerging quantum materials. The electrodynamics which govern metasurface operation can only be directly revealed at the scale of subwavelength individual metasurface elements, through sampling their evanescent fields. It requires near-field spectroscopy and imaging techniques to overcome the diffraction limit and provide spatial resolution down to the nanoscale. Through a series of case studies, this review provides an in-depth overview of recently developed THz near-field microscopy capabilities for research on metamaterials.

Essential and non-essential elements in tuna and billfish around the world: Distribution patterns and influencing factors

Tuna and billfish are widely distributed in oceans worldwide. Their survival is relied on a decent share of essential and non-essential elements. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of essential and non-essential elements in livers of tuna and billfish collected from global oceans. The individual element consistently shown similar orders of magnitude in both tuna and billfish, with essential elements generally being 1–3 orders of magnitude higher than non-essential elements. Various physicochemical properties and behaviors contributed to four distinct clusters of these elements. Also, element distribution pattern indicated the presence of four sample groups based on regions and categories. Nine elements served as characteristic indicators. Among them, fish category was the most important influencing factor. Hg, Fe, Tl, Co, and Se were influenced by body size, trophic level, and feeding habits. Ni was influenced by sampling regions, while Mg, Mn and As were influenced by body size and local primary production.