Low Ca Concentrations Research Articles

Calcium and boron, with and without amino acids, in foliar fertilisation in soybean

ABSTRACT The aim was to verify the viability of foliar fertilisation of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) in soybeans (Glycine max) in soils with various fertility levels. The experiment was carried out in four agricultural seasons and designed in randomised blocks, with three treatments and seven replications. The treatments were as follows: control, and Ca and B spraying on soybean plants without and with amino acids. Spraying was carried out at the flowering of the crop one time. It was concluded that there were significant differences in the yield components in the two crops, when the experiment was installed in soils with lower fertility, in which the foliar fertiliser with amino acid stood out. When there was a significant difference in productivity, the B content was altered; the value in the grains that received the product with amino acids was greater than the treatment without amino acids and above the treatment in which the plants were not sprayed with foliar fertilisers. Therefore, we highlight that Ca and B foliar fertilisation is especially required for soils with low CEC and Ca contents. However, this technique will likely not improve soybean performance for soils with no nutrient deficiency.

Midterm effects of irrigation with desalinated seawater on soil properties and constituents in a Mediterranean citrus orchard

Desalinated seawater (DSW) is the newest source of water for irrigated croplands, although its use could lead to soil degradation and crop phytotoxicity, due to its high concentrations of boron, sodium and chloride. However, the impacts of DSW on soil properties have not been thoroughly investigated, with more research needed to fully understand how DSW affects soil health. This study presents the effects of irrigating with DSW, mixed water (50 % desalinated seawater + 50 % fresh water) and DSW treated on-farm to reduce its boron concentration on soil properties and constituents, compared to fresh water. Soils were monitored at two depths (0–25 cm and 25–50 cm) every four months for six years, and soil physicochemical characteristics were analyzed. DSW presented low salinity (0.9 dS m–1), basic pH (8.4), high concentrations of Na, Cl, and B, and low concentrations of Ca and Mg. The results showed that soil nutrients, organic/inorganic carbon, pH, cation exchange capacity, and soil texture were not affected by the irrigation water used. However, after about three years of DSW application, soil accumulation of boron and sodium began to rise, with a clear tendency to increase over time, reaching concentrations of 2.3 mg kg−1 and 699 mg L−1, respectively, after six years. Conversely, the concentration of chlorides did not increase in soils irrigated with DSW, due to the high mobility of that element. Although no risk of salinization was observed with the use of DSW (mean value of 2.6 dS m−1), the risk of soil alkalinization increased, as the sodium absorption ratio rose from 4 to 6 and the exchangeable sodium percentage from 6.2 % to 10.2 %. The treatment involving on-farm B reduction provided the most suitable irrigation water, with the lowest concentrations in soil of available boron (1.4 mg kg−1), water-soluble chlorides (143 mg L−1) and sodium (129 mg L−1), and presented no risk of soil salinization (2.1 dS m−1) or alkalinization. Long-term DSW application could cause phytotoxicity and soil alkalinization. Therefore, strategies to mitigate those risks must be implemented, such as blending DSW with other water sources or on-farm DSW treatment to reduce its ionic load.

Geochemical assessments and human health risk evaluations of selected farm soils within the Abuja metropolis, North-central, Nigeria

Toxin accumulations in agricultural soils decreases the crop quality and productivity, and threatens the safety of foods, which could cause adverse human health effects. This study assessed the risks associated with potential toxins in the agricultural soils obtained from Lugbe and Jikwoyi in Abuja, Nigeria. An analytical technique for absorption spectrophotometry was adopted, and human health risks were evaluated. Twenty soil samples were collected from two farmlands, and two control samples were taken on unpolluted sites at depths 5-20 cm from the surface at the average suspension of plant roots where the soil holds most plant nutrients and water at a space interval of 5 m. The soils generally had low mean concentrations of Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Co and moderately high mean concentrations of F, Ni, Pb, Cr, and Mo. The pattern of the pollutants reflected that the pollutants were majorly from anthropogenic activities, such as long-term fertilizer applications and other agrochemicals. The contamination indices revealed reassuringly low to moderate pollution risks to humans. The overall pollution loads suggested that the samples were largely unpolluted. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were within the safety limits for inhalation, dermal, and ingestion, which pose no significant risk to children and adults living in the vicinities of the farmlands. The cancer risks for inhalation were higher than dermal and ingestion, with Cr showing the highest values. The samples were slightly contaminated with potentially toxic metals, which could lead to increased phyto-accumulations, soil pollution, and groundwater contamination.

Effects of feed particle size, calcium concentration and phytase supplementation on InsP6 degradation in broiler chickens fed pelleted diets

ABSTRACT 1. The objective of the trial was to study the single and interactive effects of feed particle size in pelleted feed, dietary calcium (Ca) concentration and microbial phytase supplementation in broiler chickens. The studied traits were myo-inositol (1,2,3,4,5,6) hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6) degradation, pre-caecal digestibility of phosphorus (P), Ca and amino acids (AA) and retention of P, Ca and nitrogen (N). 2. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens were housed in metabolism units in groups of 10 and allocated to one of eight diets with seven pen replicates per diet. The 2 × 2 × 2-factorial arrangement included coarse and fine feed particle size (309 or 222 µm), low and high Ca concentration (4.9 and 7.2 g/kg) and without or with phytase supplementation (1,000 FTU/kg). 3. Pre-caecal InsP6 disappearance was higher with coarse than fine feed particle size when no phytase was added (54 vs. 48%) but not when phytase was added (74%; p = 0.046). High dietary Ca feeds decreased pre-caecal InsP6 disappearance (67 to 59%) and P digestibility (65 to 55%; p < 0.001). Gizzard pH was lower with coarse than fine feed particle size and higher with high Ca than low Ca (p < 0.001). Pre-caecal digestibility of most AA was approximately 3.5%-points lower with high Ca without phytase compared to the other treatments (p ≤ 0.047). Coarse feed particle size caused higher pre-caecal AA digestibility than fine particle size (~2%-points; p ≤ 0.031). InsP6 disappearance in the crop increased at high Ca concentration when phytase was added (22 vs. 37%; p = 0.011). 4. Coarser feed particle size in pellets increased gastrointestinal InsP6 degradation and nutrient digestibility, likely owing to effects on the gizzard functions. Additional Ca supply exerted antinutritive effects that was not compensated for by using coarser feed particles.

NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Pathogenesis of Miscarriages

Despite significant advances in prenatal medicine, spontaneous miscarriage remains one of the most common and serious pregnancy complications, affecting an increasing number of women. Since many aspects of the pathogenesis of spontaneous miscarriage remain unexplained, the aim of this study has been to assess the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome as a potential causative factor. The concentrations of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, and cytochrome C in the serum of patients after miscarriage were measured by means of the immunoenzymatic method. In the placental tissue, the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, and Caspase-1 as well as that of the classical apoptosis biomarkers Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and Ca was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry techniques. Additionally, in whole blood, the concentrations of elements crucial for pregnancy progression, such as Ca, K, Mg, and Na, were examined by means of the ICP-OES method. Significantly higher concentrations of NLRP3 and IL-18 were demonstrated in the serum of patients with miscarriage as compared to the control group. In the placental tissue samples, a higher expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and Caspase-1 proteins was noted in women who had experienced miscarriage as compared to the control group. At the same time, a significantly lower expression of FasL and Bcl-2 proteins as well as Ca deposits was observed in women after miscarriage as compared to those with a normal pregnancy outcome. Significantly lower concentrations of Ca and K were recorded in the blood of patients with spontaneous miscarriage as compared to pregnant women. The analysis of the results x indicated a greater involvement of the inflammasome in women with spontaneous miscarriage associated with oxidative–antioxidative imbalance than in the case of miscarriage related to NET formation. Our research has provided evidence for the involvement of the inflammasome in the process of spontaneous miscarriage and identifies a new direction for diagnostics that includes NLRP3 as a preventive element in prenatal care, particularly in light of the steadily declining number of pregnancies and the increasing number of reproductive failures.

Carbonation resistance of alkali-activated GGBFS/calcined clay concrete under natural and accelerated conditions

The carbonation resistance of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is a crucial parameter for their applicability in concrete construction, yet the parameters influencing it are insufficiently understood to date. In the present study, the carbonation resistance of alkali-activated concretes with varying fractions of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and calcined clay (i.e., high, intermediate, and low Ca contents) were assessed under natural and accelerated conditions. Corresponding hardened AAM pastes were studied using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, Raman microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The carbonation resistance of the concretes at natural CO2 concentration depended principally on their water/(CaO + MgOeq + Na2Oeq + K2Oeq) ratio. The remaining variability for similar ratios was caused by differences between the pore structures of the AAMs. For concrete with favorable water/(CaO + MgOeq + Na2Oeq + K2Oeq) ratio and pore structure, the carbonation resistance was comparable to that of Portland cement concrete. The relationship between carbonation coefficients obtained under accelerated and natural conditions differed for concretes with high and low fractions of calcined clay, indicating that accelerated carbonation testing is less suitable to study the carbonation of low-Ca AAMs.

Milk component ratios and their associations with energy balance indicators and serum calcium concentration in early-lactation spring-calving pasture-based dairy cows

Indirect assessment of metabolic status using milk samples provides a non-invasive and objective tool for cow-level health monitoring. Milk fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) has been commonly evaluated as an indirect measure for negative energy balance (EB) in confined dairy cows. However, milk component ratios have not been explored for their association with pasture-based cows' metabolic status. The objectives of this observational study were to 1) describe milk component ratios from 0 to 45 d postpartum, 2) evaluate the associations between milk component ratios [FPR, fat-to-lactose (FLR), protein-to-lactose (PLR)] and indicators of EB (serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration at 5-45 d postpartum and body condition score (BCS) change during the transition period), and 3) evaluate the associations between milk component ratios and serum Ca concentration 0-4 d postpartum in spring-calving dairy cows from pasture-based commercial farms. Milk component ratios were determined on samples collected before AM or PM milkings from 548 cows at 0-45 d postpartum (n = 970). Serum BHB and Ca determinations were performed in blood samples collected at the time of milk sample collection at 5-45 d postpartum (n = 918) and 0-4 d postpartum (n = 50), respectively; and BCS change was calculated using BCS assigned between 29 d prepartum and 45 d postpartum (n = 851). Cows' calving date, parity (1st, 2nd-3rd or ≥ 4th) and breed (Holstein-Friesian or dairy crossbred) information was obtained from the farm records. Data was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Average milk FPR, FLR and PLR were 0.70, 0.53 and 0.72, respectively. Milk FPR linearly increased while milk FLR linearly decreased postpartum both at a rate of 0.004 units per day; milk PLR decreased 0.05 units per day for the first 30 d postpartum and moderately increased afterward. Milk FPR and FLR were 0.71 and 0.52 units lower before AM than PM milking, respectively; while milk PLR was similar before AM and PM milking. Milk FPR and FLR were 0.07 to 0.10 units higher for 2nd-3rd compared with 1st and ≥ 4th parity cows. Milk PLR was 0.03 units greater for ≥ 4th compared with 2nd-3rd and 1st parity cows. Further, crossbred cows had 0.07, 0.08 and 0.03 higher milk FPR, FLR and PLR than Holstein-Friesian cows, respectively. Moderate to high P-values along with moderate to small estimated slopes and wide 95% confidence intervals were observed for the associations between milk component ratios and indicators of EB. A positive linear association was observed between milk FPR and serum Ca concentration within 4 d postpartum; milk FPR increased 0.31 units per each mmol/L increase in serum Ca concentration. Cows with low serum Ca concentration within 4 d postpartum had 0.27 units lower milk FPR compared with cows at or above the threshold (2.12 mmol/L), and tended to have 0.15 units lower milk FPR compared with cows at or above the threshold (2.00 mmol/L). In conclusion, further research is needed to reach conclusions on the association between milk component ratios determined before milking and EB indicators. The potential of milk FPR for monitoring blood Ca status warrants further investigation in early-lactation pasture-based dairy cows.

Enhancing acid corrosion resistance in alkaline-activated materials with water treatment residue and blast-furnace slag

This study investigates the acid corrosion resistance of an alkaline-activated material (AAM) composed of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) and water treatment residue (WTR) as precursors. WTR, a byproduct of the drinking water treatment process rich in aluminium and silicon, proves to be a suitable precursor for AAM after cost-effective pre-treatment involving calcination and grinding. As its low-Ca content and aluminosilicate nature of the treated WTR, the AAM incorporating WTR exhibits significant potential for improving acid resistance. This is attributed to the formation of less acid-reactive N-A-S-H gels than C-A-S-H gels in high-Ca AAMs, indicating its applicability in concrete sewage pipes where microbiologically generated acid corrosion is prevalent. In the paper, a comprehensive analysis, including mechanical performance, ion leaching behaviour, and microstructural characteristics, was conducted on mortar samples containing varying WTR/GGBFS ratios before and after exposure to sulfuric acid. Incorporating WTR up to 40 % effectively reduced acid-induced strength loss compared to neat-GGBFS AAM. The obtained results reveal that high-Ca AAMs facilitate gypsum formation during acid attack, leading to mechanical degradation. The inclusion of WTR induces a Si-rich transition layer between the corroded and intact matrix, mitigating sulfate diffusion. The release of aluminium from WTR promotes secondary precipitation of aluminosilicate, beneficially increasing the thickness of the transition layer. This thicker transition layer in the higher WTR samples is advantageous in reducing the likelihood of cracks and reducing the sulfate transportation into the intact matrix.

MgO-enhanced β-TCP promotes osteogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo rat models

Allogeneic bone grafts are used to treat bone defects in orthopedic surgery, but the osteogenic potential of artificial bones remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) formulation containing MgO, ZnO, SrO, and SiO2 and compared its bone-forming ability with that of β-TCP without biological elements. We prepared β-TCP discs with 60% porosity containing 1.0 wt% of these biological elements. β-TCP scaffolds were loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) from 7-week-old male rats and cultured for 2 weeks. ALP activity and mRNA expression of osteogenic markers were evaluated. In addition, scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in rats and analyzed after 7 weeks. In vitro, the MgO group showed lower Ca concentrations and higher osteogenic marker expression compared to controls. In vivo, the MgO group showed higher ALP activity compared to controls, and RT-qPCR analysis showed significant expression of BMP2 and VEGF. Histopathology, fluorescent immunostaining, and micro-CT also showed relatively better bone formation in the MgO group. β-TCP with MgO may enhance bone morphology in vitro and in vivo and improve the prognosis of patients with substantial and refractory bone defects.

Urinary concentrations of mineral elements and their predictors in pregnant women in Jinan, China

BackgroundThe essential mineral elements play important roles in proper growth, development and maintenance of physiological homeostasis of an organism. Women are at greater risk of mineral deficiency during pregnancy. However, the predictors of mineral element levels in pregnant women remain unclear. This study was conducted to determine the urinary levels of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) in women during early pregnancy and to explore the predictors of urinary exposure to each mineral element and high co-exposure to mineral element mixture. Methods298 pregnant women in first trimester were recruited when they attended antenatal care in a hospital in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. We collected their spot urine samples and questionnaire data on their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, food and dietary supplement intake, and residential environment. The concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se in all urine samples were measured. LASSO regression, multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the predictors affecting mineral element levels. ResultsThe geometric means of creatinine-corrected Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se concentrations were 99.37 mg/g, 1.75 µg/g, 8.97 µg/g, 0.16 µg/g and 16.83 µg/g creatinine, respectively. Factors that influenced the concentrations of individual mineral element were as follows: (1) Se and Ca concentrations increased with maternal age; (2) women taking tap water as family drinking water had higher Ca levels and those taking polyunsaturated fatty acids intermittently had higher Cu levels; (3) Fe was adversely related to consumption frequency of barbecued foods; (4) Pregnant women with more frequent consumption of shellfish/shrimp/crab and living near green spaces or parks had higher Mn exposure, and those with higher frequency of meat consumption had lower Mn exposure. In addition, maternal age and the frequency of egg consumption were associated with odds of exposure to a mixture of high Ca, Fe, Cu and Se. ConclusionsThe pregnant women in this study had comparable concentrations of urinary Cu and Se but lower concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn compared with those in other areas. Predictors of urinary mineral elements included maternal age (Se and Ca), type of domestic drinking water (Ca), consumption frequency of barbecued food (Fe), polyunsaturated fatty acid use (Cu), the presence of urban green spaces or parks near the home and frequency of meat and shellfish/shrimp/crab intake (Mn). Moreover, maternal age and egg consumption frequency were significant predictors of high-level co-exposure to urinary Ca, Fe, Cu and Se.

Petrogenetic Implications of the Lithium-Rich Tongtianmiao Granite Pluton, South China: Evidence from Geochemistry and Geochronology

The South China Block, a region renowned for its extensive granite distribution and rich metal deposits, serves as a natural laboratory for the study of granite-related mineralization. This research focuses on the Tongtianmiao granite pluton, which is located at the intersection of the Qin-Hang and Nanling metallogenic belts and has been confirmed as a significant lithium mineral resource. Despite its discovery and ongoing development, the lithium-rich Tongtianmiao pluton has been understudied, particularly concerning its petrogenesis, which has only recently come to the forefront of scientific inquiry. By integrating an array of petrogeochemical data with geochronological studies derived from zircon and monazite dating, this study provides insights into the magmatic processes related to lithium enrichment in the Tongtianmiao granites. The Tongtianmiao granites are classified as A-type granites characterized by high SiO2 contents (69.18–78.20 wt.%, average = 74.08 wt.%), K2O + Na2O contents (4.59–8.34 wt.%, average = 6.86 wt.%), A/CNK &gt; 1.2, and low concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Fe. These granites are enriched in alkali metals such as Li, Rb, and Cs but are significantly depleted in Ba, Sr, and Eu. They show no significant fractionation of light or heavy rare-earth elements but present characteristic tetrad effects. A finding of this study is the identification of multiple ages from in situ zircon U–Pb dating, which implies a prolonged history of magmatic activity. However, given the high uranium content in zircons, which could render U–Pb ages unreliable, emphasis is placed on the monazite U–Pb ages. These ages cluster at approximately 172.1 ± 1.1 Ma and 167.9 ± 1.6 Ma, indicating a Middle Jurassic period of granite formation. This timing correlates with the retreat of the Pacific subduction plate and the associated NE-trending extensional fault activity, which likely provided favorable conditions for lithium enrichment. The study concluded that the Tongtianmiao granites were formed through partial melting of crustal materials and subsequent underplating by mantle-derived materials, and were contaminated by strata materials. This process resulted in the formation of highly differentiated granite through magmatic differentiation and external forces. These findings have significant implications for understanding the petrogenesis of lithium-rich granites and are expected to inform future exploration endeavors in the Tongtianmiao pluton.

The First (and Second) Known Occurrences of Bazzite in Canada – The Quadeville Rose Quartz Quarry, Ontario, and the Bugaboo Castles Aquamarine Deposit, British Columbia – Description and Crystal Structure

Abstract Bazzite, ideally Be3Sc2Si6O18, has been discovered for the first time at two granitic pegmatite localities in Canada: the Quadeville Rose Quartz quarry, Ontario (Bz-ON/CMNMC 90604), and the Bugaboo Castles aquamarine deposit, Purcell mountains, British Columbia (Bz-BC/CMNMC 90725). Bazzite from both Canadian localities occurs as colorless, hexagonal prismatic to acicular crystals up to 0.6 mm in length. The crystal chemistry and structure of the two samples, Bz-ON and Bz-BC, was determined and compared with bazzite from other known occurrences. The average composition of Bz-ON is Be2.99(Sc1.39Mg0.37Fe3+0.10Fe2+0.09Al0.06Mn0.01)Σ2.02Si5.99O18·[Na0.47(H2O)], and that of Bz-BC is Be3.00(Sc1.43Fe2+0.28Mg0.20Al0.05Fe3+0.03Mn0.01)Σ2.01Si6.00O18[(Na0.46Cs0.01)Σ0.47(H2O)]. Bazzite from the Quadeville Rose Quartz pegmatite contains Mg = 0.33–0.41 (avg. 0.37) apfu, Fe3+ = 0.00–0.18 (avg. 0.10) apfu, and Fe2+ = 0.05–0.13 (avg. 0.09) apfu, whereas bazzite from Bugaboo Castles is more Fe2+-rich, with Fe2+ = 0.19–0.38 (avg. 0.28) apfu, Mg = 0.16–0.22 (avg. 0.20) apfu, and Fe3+ = 0.00–0.08 (avg. 0.03) apfu. Both samples have low Al, Mn, Ca, and Cs contents and, compositionally, are more similar to bazzite from alpine fissures and orogenic pegmatites than that from more common anorogenic NYF pegmatites. Bazzite from Canada is hexagonal, P6/mcc, with unit cell parameters a = 9.52741(14), c = 9.19326(15) Å for Bz-ON and a = 9.54396, c = 9.16495(20) Å for Bz-BC, respectively. The structure is composed of SiO4 tetrahedra that share corners to form Si6O18 rings perpendicular to the c axis. Each Si6O18 ring is linked via corners to a 12-membered ring of edge-sharing BeO4 tetrahedra and AO6 octahedra (A), resulting in channels parallel to the c axis (2a and 2b sites). Voids in the channels contain H2O (2a) and large alkali cations (Na, 2b). Both Bz-ON and Bz-BC have fully occupied 2a sites and 2b sites which are 50% occupied by Na. Increased substitution of the smaller cations Mg ([6]r = 0.72 Å) and Fe3+ ([6]r = 0.65 Å) for Sc ([6]r = 0.75 Å) results in significant changes in the bazzite structure, including a decrease in the &amp;lt;A–O&amp;gt; distance and decreased distortions (compression) in the AO6 and SiO4 tetrahedra. Bazzite from Quadeville and Bugaboo Castles are late-stage minerals, the product of breakdown of beryl and/or bertrandite and a Sc-bearing mineral. At Bugaboo Castles, bazzite is the result of alteration of Sc-rich spessartine (up to 3000 ppm) and primary beryl by late-stage OH-bearing fluids. At Quadeville, the source of Sc for bazzite is less evident and suggested to be Sc-bearing columbite-group minerals (up to 0.23 apfu Sc), or primary ferromagnesian minerals.

A Study of the Antioxidizing and Inhibiting Effects of the Alcoholic Extract of Sage Salvia Officinalis on Microorganisms

Objectives: A study of the antioxidizing and inhibiting effects of the sage salvia officinalis on microorganisms. Methods: Chemical constituents of sage leaves the percentage of the 98% ethanol extract of sage was 5.8% prepared in concentrations of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/ml, Antioxidizing and inhibiting effects on microorganisms, and sensory characteristics of the sage added biscuits. Results: Scanning electron microscope images, the structure of powder sage leaves which appear as long tubes and round crystals, Hight percent concentration of minerals carbon and oxygen while low concentrations of (Zn, Al, Na, Mg, Si, K, Co, Ca, and Ce) were also found. the percentage of the moisture, protein, fat and ash (11.09, 6.89, 13.14, 9.64) % respectively, the inhibition effect of sage leaves ethanol extract prepared in concentrations of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/ml on three bacteria and fungi species of disc method. maximum effect on all three bacteria species Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas sp. was found with the concentration 50 and 100 mg/ml. compared with 150 and 200 mg/ml. It has been found that the 150 mg/ml concentration has the most inhibition effect on the three species of fungi studied Aspergillus niger, A. carbonarius, A. flavus. All extract concentration inhibited A. flavus, it was that the antioxidant activity, iron ion bonding, reducing power and the ability capture the hydrogen peroxide of sage ethanol extract increases with high concentrations. Peroxide values decreased with increased sage added biscuits percentage (0, 0.5, 0,75 and 1) w/w% in stored for periods. However, the sensory characteristics of the sage added biscuits samples were good and close to the standard biscuit control. Conclusions: Finally, we conclude that the sage plant has medicinal and nutritional benefits due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Recycling of incinerated sewage sludge ash and waste glass powder in alkali-activated slag for sewer rehabilitation

A new era has dawned in the manufacturing of cement-free binders with appropriate mechanical strengths and durability to combat CO2 emissions. However, the assessment of their performance in extreme conditions is ongoing. Here, we attempted to use incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA), a waste product of sewage sludge incineration that contains limited amounts of heavy metals, along with waste glass powder (GP) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), as precursors to produce cement-free binders through alkali-activation. The alkali-activated materials (AAMs) were then subjected to an intensified sewage corrosion test for 6 months. The aim was to utilize the heavy metals in the ISSA as biocides to resist the biogenic acid attack on the AAMs. The experimental results indicated that superior performance was achieved by using a ternary binder prepared with ISSA, GP, and GGBS under biogenic acid simulation. Such enhanced durability can be attributed to the low Ca content in the resulting alkali-activated gels, which also reduced the grain size of gypsum formed and prevented expansion deterioration. Furthermore, the slow release of heavy metals from the AAMs prepared with the ISSA, evidenced by the leaching test results, was able to inhibit microbial growth.

Amount of Dentifrice and Fluoride Concentration Affect the pH and Inorganic Composition of Dual-Species Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.

This work assessed the influence of the amount of dentifrice and fluoride (F) concentration in the product on the pH and inorganic components of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans dual-species biofilms. The biofilms were treated with suspensions of fluoride dentifrices containing 550 or 1100 ppm of F (550 F or 1100 F, respectively) administered at comparable intensities: (i-1) 550 F/0.08 g or 1100 F/0.04 g; (i-2) 550 F/0.16 g or 1100 F/0.08 g; and (i-3) 550 F/0.32 g or 1100 F/0.16 g. A placebo dentifrice (without NaF, 0.32 g) was used as a negative control. After the last treatment, the biofilm pH was measured and the F, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) concentrations were determined. Data were subjected to an ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis test, and a Student-Newman-Keuls test. The highest biofilm pH and F concentrations (biomass and fluid) were observed for 1100 F at i-3. Overall, 1100 F resulted in F levels similar to 550 F for i-1 and i-2. In addition, 550 F applied at i-2 and i-3 led to higher F in the biomass/fluid compared to 1100 F applied at i-1 and i-2, respectively. In biomass, the lowest Ca concentrations were observed for 1100 F at i-3. The conclusion drawn is that the treatment intensity holds greater significance as a parameter compared to the concentration of F or the amount of dentifrice when considered individually.

Short communication: Synchrotron-based elemental mapping of single grains to investigate variable infrared-radiofluorescence emissions for luminescence dating

Abstract. During ionizing irradiation, potassium (K)-rich feldspar grains emit infrared (IR) light, which is used for infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) dating. The late-saturating IR-RF emission centred at ∼880 nm represents a promising tool to date Quaternary sediments. In the present work, we report the presence of individual grains in the K-feldspar density fraction displaying an aberrant IR-RF signal shape, whose combined intensity contaminates the sum signal of an aliquot composed of dozens of grains. Our experiments were carried out at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS-II) at the submicron-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (SRX) beamline. We analysed coarse (&gt;90 µm) K-feldspar-bearing grains of five samples of different ages and origin in order to characterize the composition of grains yielding the desired or contaminated IR-RF emission. Using micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF), we successfully acquired element distribution maps of up to 15 elements (&lt;1 µm resolution) of sections of full grains previously used for IR-RF dating. In keeping with current theories of IR-RF signal production, we observed a trend between the relative proportions of Pb and Fe and the shape of the IR-RF signal, namely that most grains with the desired IR-RF signal shape had high Pb and low Fe contents. Interestingly, these grains were also defined by high Ba and low Ca contents. Our study also represents a proof of concept for mapping the oxidation states of Fe using micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (μ-XANES) on individual grains. The high spatial resolution enabled by synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy makes it a powerful tool for future experiments to elucidate long-standing issues concerning the nature and type of defect(s) associated with the main dosimetric trap in feldspar.

Declining calcium concentration drives shifts toward smaller and less nutritious zooplankton in northern lakes.

Zooplankton community composition of northern lakes is changing due to the interactive effects of climate change and recovery from acidification, yet limited data are available to assess these changes combined. Here, we built a database using archives of temperature, water chemistry and zooplankton data from 60 Scandinavian lakes that represent broad spatial and temporal gradients in key parameters: temperature, calcium (Ca), total phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), and pH. Using machine learning techniques, we found that Ca was the most important determinant of the relative abundance of all zooplankton groups studied, while pH was second, and TOC third in importance. Further, we found that Ca is declining in almost all lakes, and we detected a critical Ca threshold in lake water of 1.3 mg L-1 , below which the relative abundance of zooplankton shifts toward dominance of Holopedium gibberum and small cladocerans at the expense of Daphnia and copepods. Our findings suggest that low Ca concentrations may shape zooplankton communities, and that current trajectories of Ca decline could promote widespread changes in pelagic food webs as zooplankton are important trophic links from phytoplankton to fish and different zooplankton species play different roles in this context.

Essential oil-containing solutions (mouthwashes) preserve dental enamel with releasing low Ca and P concentrations without morphology alterations: an in vitro study.

Introduction: The use of natural products such as essential oils has been suggested due to their promising pharmacological effects and economic viability. This study aimed to determine hydrogenic potential (pH), titratable acidity (TA), and ion concentrations of five solutions containing essential oils (EO), when used as a EO-containing solutions, and evaluate ion concentrations, enamel surface loss, and morphology alterations in enamel. Materials and methods: The pH, TA, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) concentrations of five EO-containing solutions were measured. Bovine enamel specimens were submitted to two daily 30-s immersions in artificial saliva, citric acid, distilled water, BaCloTea (Basil, Clove e Tea Tree), GeLaTeaPep (Geranium, Lavender, Tea Tree and Peppermint), EucaLem (Eucalyptus and Lemon), Cinnamon, or Spearmint solutions for 14 days. Ca, K, Na, and phosphorus (P) were quantified through ions chromatography, enamel surface loss was determined by profilometry, and surface morphology was qualitatively analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey (p < 0.05). Results: The five EO-containing solutions presented significantly lower pH values than distilled water (p < 0.05). The GeLaTeaPep group presented a significantly higher TA value than BaCloTea (p < 0.05), which in turn showed a significantly higher TA value than the other solutions (p < 0.05). The distilled water presented significantly higher Ca, K, and Na concentrations than all EO-containing solutions (p < 0.05). The enamel exposed to EO-containing solutions showed lower Ca and P concentrations than artificial saliva (control) as well as significantly higher surface loss; however, the surface morphology was similar to the artificial saliva. Conclusion: EO-containing solutions have low pH, TA, and low concentrations of Ca, Na, and K. Moreover, enamel exposed to these solutions showed low Ca and P concentrations and slight surface loss without morphology alteration.

A numerical study of CaCO3 deposition on the membrane surface of direct contact membrane distillation

This numerical study investigates the effect of CaCO3 deposition on the performance of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). It is the first numerical study to directly evaluate the deposition and film thickness of CaCO3 on the membrane surface. Therefore, a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, which combines momentum, heat, species transport reaction, and the Eulerian wall film model, is used to analyze the CaCO3 mass deposition rate and scaling deposition thickness on the membrane surface. HSC Chemical Software is used to evaluate the ion compositions and reaction kinetics, including the activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (Ar). The CFD model is validated with experimental results. The results reveal that the CaCO3 deposition rate increases significantly at a high temperature, velocity, and salinity of the solution. The CaCO3 mass deposition increased by 15 times and scaling deposition thickness increased from 0.05 nm to 1 nm when the temperature was raised from 318.15 K to 348.15 K, whereas an increase of approximately 25 % in deposition was observed with an increase in velocity from 0.17 to 1.38 m/s at a concentration of calcium (Ca+2) ions, 0.03 % and bicarbonate (HCO3−) ions 0.004 %. The results also indicate that CaCO3 deposition decreases the flux and efficiency of the DCMD by 2 % with a low concentration of Ca+2 ions, 0.03 %, and HCO3− ions, 0.004 %. The findings indicate that the high feed salinity (75.23 g/l) increases CaCO3 mass deposition and scaling deposition thickness on the membrane surface due to the high concentration of Ca+2 ions, 0.07 %, and HCO3− ions, 0.01 %, significantly reducing the permeate flux by 14 %. The study's model development and implementation can be adjusted to offer guidance for studying the MD process in treating high saline water with fouling issues.

Linking beryllium enrichment to crystal-melt separation in granitic magmatic systems: Insights from high-silica granites in the southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China

High-silica granites are significant carriers of highly incompatible elements and are closely associated with mineralization of the rare metal beryllium. Thus, understanding their origin and evolution is of paramount importance for comprehending the evolution of the continental crust and enrichment processes of beryllium. This study presents zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock major and trace element compositions, and Nd-Hf-O isotopic data for Early Cretaceous high-silica granite porphyries, monazite U-Pb ages and Nd isotopic data for beryllium-rich quartz veins, and whole-rock and apatite Nd isotopic data for Permian tuffs in the Dongshanwan W-Mo-Be deposit in the southern Great Xing’an Range, northeastern China. Our aim is to elucidate the link between mineralization and magmatism and to further our insight into the processes of crystal-melt separation and the mechanisms driving beryllium enrichment in granitic magmatic systems. Zircon U-Pb dating of the high-silica granite porphyry yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 141 ± 1 Ma, which is consistent with the age of hydrothermal monazite (ca. 140 Ma) from the beryllium-rich quartz veins. Hydrothermal monazite from the intra-granite porphyry quartz vein has positive εNd(t) values (+0.76 to +1.63) that overlap broadly with whole-rock Nd isotopic compositions of the host granite porphyry [εNd(t) = +1.24 to +1.61]. These characteristics indicate that the Dongshanwan beryllium mineralization was temporally and genetically associated with magmatic-hydrothermal activity of the Dongshanwan high-silica granite porphyries. Our systematic studies suggest that both the Dongshanwan high-silica granite porphyries and coeval Be-barren high-silica granites in the study area are high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites. They originated from a shared magmatic system and formed by the partial melting of a predominantly juvenile medium- to high-K basaltic crustal source, with a minor addition of old crustal components. Rayleigh fractionation modeling indicates that the granitic magma underwent a two-stage crystal-melt separation process. During the first stage, the fractional crystallization of a large proportion of plagioclase, in which beryllium is compatible, not only effectively inhibited beryllium enrichment in the differentiated melt, but also removed a large amount of Ca. During the second stage, minerals in which beryllium is incompatible dominated the fractionating assemblage owing to the low Ca contents in the magma, resulting in a surge in beryllium concentration in the differentiated melt. Our findings reveal that beryllium cannot be appreciably enriched in calc-alkaline granitic magmatic systems until plagioclase fractionation has substantially removed Ca from the system.