Selective Extraction Research Articles

Selective leaching of lithium from mixed spent lithium iron phosphate powder

In recent years, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries have been widely used in the electric vehicle industry. The recycling of spent LFP will be propitious to conserving resources and alleviating the environmental risks it poses. In this study, a selective extraction method for lithium from spent LFP was proposed using nitric acid. Lithium leached into the liquid phase, while P and Fe remained in the leaching residue. Under the conditions of 120°C, HNO3/Li molar ratio of 2, and time of 2 h, the leaching efficiency of lithium reached 99.5 %, with a selectivity reaching 82.1 %. Initially, LFP was decomposed to liberate Li, Fe, and P in the liquid phase. Subsequently, ferrous ions were oxidized to trivalent, high-valent iron ions re-precipitated as FePO4·2 H2O. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the temperature and pH value of the extraction system have significant influence on both the oxidation and reprecipitation steps. An imbalance of Fe/P ratio (<1) in the raw material hinders the selectivity of lithium extraction, and supplementing this portion of Fe can enhance the selectivity to over 90 %. Additionally, LiCO3 and anhydrous FePO4 were effectively regenerated from the leachate and residue. This study provides a novel approach for the recycling of spent LFP and probably contributes to the sustainability of the lithium ion battery industry.

Pooled prevalence of hypothyroidism among Indian females with infertility: A systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background & objectives Studies suggest hypothyroidism is responsible for female infertility. This review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of hypothyroidism in Indian infertile women so that hypothyroidism screening can be initiated, and policies are designed for prevalence reduction. Methods Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane library were searched to obtain the relevant articles. Studies that reported the proportion of hypothyroidism in Indian infertile women were selected. Systematic procedures for study selection and data extraction were followed. Each study was evaluated for quality using the Joanna Briggs institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. To pool the effect sizes, a random effects model was utilized. Funnel plot and Egger's test were used to assess publication bias. To quantify heterogeneity among studies, I2 statistics were utilized. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were used to further investigate the heterogeneity of pooled estimates. The sensitivity analysis done whereby each study was excluded in order to examine the influence of that study in the pooled estimate. A P-value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 198 articles, a total of 20 studies involving 2396 cases met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of hypothyroidism in women with infertility was 28 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 20% to 36%] which was highest in Telangana at 62 per cent (n=1; 95% CI 48% to 74%) and lowest in Karnataka at 14 per cent (n=2; 95% CI: 10% to 18%). Interpretation & conclusions Infertile women have high proportion of hypothyroidism, suggesting that screening programmes during diagnostic workup for infertility may provide optimal care. The result of this meta-analysis will help design guidelines and earmark highest prevalence regions to initiate preventive and diagnostic measures for prevalence reduction in future.

Muscarinic receptor agonists in animal models of psychosis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Muscarinic receptor agonism is a promising mechanism of action for treating psychosis, not present in most D2R-blocking antipsychotics. Xanomeline, an M1/M4-preferring agonist, has shown efficacy in late-stage clinical trials, with more compounds being investigated. Therefore, we aim to synthesize evidence on the preclinical efficacy of muscarinic receptor agonists in animal models of psychosis to provide unique insights and evidence-based information to guide drug development. Methods We plan a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo animal studies comparing muscarinic receptor agonists or positive allosteric modulators with control conditions and existing D2R-blocking antipsychotics in animals subjected to any method that induces behavioural changes of relevance for psychosis. We will identify eligible studies by searching multiple electronic databases. At least two independent reviewers will conduct the study selection and data extraction using prespecified forms and assess the risk of bias with the SYRCLE’s tool. Our primary outcomes include locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition measured with standardized mean differences. We will examine other behavioural readouts of relevance for psychosis as secondary outcomes, such as social interaction and cognitive function. We will synthesize the data using multi-level meta-analysis with a predefined random-effects structure, considering the non-independence of the data. In meta-regressions we will explore potential sources of heterogeneity from a predefined list of characteristics of the animal population, model, and intervention. We will assess the confidence in the evidence considering a self-developed instrument thatconsiders the internal and external validity of the evidence. Protocol registration PROSPERO-ID: CRD42024520914

Impact of inorganic mercury on carotenoids in freshwater algae: Insights from single-cell resonance Raman spectroscopy

The influence of inorganic mercury (Hg(II)) exposure on photosynthetic microorganisms and their pigments remains understudied. Here, we employed resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy to investigate the responses of two freshwater phytoplankton species, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana to Hg(II) exposure. We selectively recorded the spectral RR signature of carotenoids in intact cells exposed to concentrations of 10 nM and 100 nM of Hg(II), representative for contaminated environment and unexposed control cells. A two-hour exposure of C. reinhardtii resulted in a slight decrease in lutein and β-carotene levels, while total carotenoids RR band broadening, as revealed by the FWHM of the υ1(C=C) stretching mode from averaged RR spectra, suggested conformational changes in pigments. Higher Hg(II) concentration induced more pronounced conformational changes. Similarly, a two-hour exposure of C. meneghiniana resulted in slight decreased level of the fucoxanthin, while diadinoxanthin showed an opposite trend compared to control: when fucoxanthin decreased, diadinoxanthin increased under 10 nM Hg (II) exposure. At higher concentrations, the decrease in fucoxanthin was less pronounced, accompanied by a broadening of the band area, (with FHHM increased), indicating possible conformer occurrence in response to Hg-induced stress. The changes in the main carotenoid species of the two algae are species-specific, Hg(II) concentration-specific, and dependent on exposure time. The calculated spectral differences in absorbances from UV–VIS spectra of methanol extracts from each group supported the main findings obtained by RR, though with caution due to the selective extraction efficiency of the respective carotenoids. This study highlighted for a first time the capability of single-cell RR spectroscopy as a valuable tool for toxicity assessment and for comprehending early-stage alterations in carotenoid metabolism due to toxic metal exposure in vivo.

Selective extraction of Li and Mn from spent lithium-ion battery smelting slag: Insights from isomorphous replacement in minerals

Recycling the high content of valuable metal elements contained in spent lithium-ion batteries (SLIBs) has attracted significant interest. By leveraging the concept of substitution of isomorphous replacement in earth minerals, this study proposes a novel approach for the selective extraction of Li and Mn from the artificial spodumene-type lithium-rich slag comprising LiAlSi2O6 and Mn2SiO4 through two-step selective roasting process with Na2SO4 and CaCl2, respectively. The thermodynamic calculations confirmed the feasibility of selective Li extraction by Na2SO4 roasting, with the experimental results showing that over 99 % Li was preferentially extracted as LiNaSO4. In the subsequent CaCl2 roasting step for Mn recovery, the Mn2SiO4 was effectively transformed into soluble Na2MnCl4, achieving a maximum Mn extraction efficiency of 86.5 %. The leaching kinetics of the Na2SO4 roasting products were investigated, revealing that the leaching of Li was governed by diffusion and chemical reactions in line with the shrinking core model. Characterization methods such as XRD, SEM, XPS, and TG-DSC were employed to reveal the phase transformation mechanisms of Li and Mn during Na2SO4 and CaCl2 roasting, respectively. The proposed process introduces a novel paradigm for its remarkable selective recovery of Li and Mn from SLIBs smelting slag.

Artificial intelligence applied in human health technology assessment: a scoping review protocol.

This scoping review aims to map studies that applied artificial intelligence (AI) tools to perform health technology assessment tasks in human health care. The review also aims to understand specific processes in which the AI tools were applied and to comprehend the technical characteristics of these tools. Health technology assessment is a complex, time-consuming, and labor-intensive endeavor. The development of automation techniques using AI has opened up new avenues for accelerating such assessments in human health settings. This could potentially aid health technology assessment researchers and decision-makers to deliver higher quality evidence. This review will consider studies that assesses the use of AI tools in any process of health technology assessment in human health. However, publications in which AI is a means of clinical aid, such as diagnostics or surgery will be excluded. A search for relevant articles will be conducted in databases such as CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase (Ovid), MEDLINE (PubMed), Science Direct, Computer and Applied Sciences Complete (EBSCOhost), LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. A search for gray literature will be conducted in GreyLit.Org, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Google Scholar, and the Google search engine. No language filters will be applied. Screening, selection, and data extraction will be performed by 2 independent reviewers. The results will be presented in graphic and tabular format, accompanied by a narrative summary. osf.io/3rm8g.

Extraction and sorption recovery of rhenium(VII) using oligodentate β-аminophosphoryl compounds

The interphase distribution of microquantities of ReO4– between aqueous solutions of mineral acids and solutions of oligodentate β-aminophosphoryl compounds in organic solvents was studied. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes was determined, the influence of the concentration of HClO4, HNO3, HCl and H2SO4 in the aqueous phase, the structure of the extractant and the nature of the organic solvent on the efficiency of the transition of ReO4– ions into the organic phase was considered. The possibility of selective extraction and concentration of Re(VII) with a complexing sorbent obtained by non-covalent attachment of tris[bis(2-diphenylphosphorylethyl)aminoethyl]amine on the surface of the macroporous polymer Amberlite XAD7HP was demonstrated.

Selective Extraction of Vanadium from Vanadium-Bearing Stone Coal by a Two-Stage Leaching Process

Selective Extraction of Vanadium from Vanadium-Bearing Stone Coal by a Two-Stage Leaching Process

Selective solid phase extraction of folic acid from tomato as a biological source with a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer measured by fluorescence spectroscopy

AbstractA novel magnetic molecular-imprinted polymer (MMIP) was used to selectively extract folic acid directly from real samples. Folic acid was used as template molecule, Fe3O4/SiO2-3-triethoxysilyl-propyl-acrylamide as functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as initiation, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker agent, and acrylamide as the secondary monomer in a mixed ethanol-water solvent. The effect of different parameters on the extraction efficiency was studied, and the optimum conditions were established as follows: the concentrations of crosslinking and template were fixed at 0.05 and 0.06 g, absorption percentage was 96.5, pH was adjusted to 8, and extraction time was 8 h with a temperature of 25 °C. By examining the effect of pH, we tried to investigate the effect of the amide groups that present in MMIP and its intermolecular hydrogen interaction with folic acid. After optimising the effective parameters in polymer synthesis and adsorption rate, a magnetic imprinting dispersive solid-phase extraction method combined with fluorescence spectrophotometry at λem = 367 nm (MMIP-DSPE-FL) was constructed for sensitive determination of folic acid in tomato samples. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) values were 30.00 ± 0.01 μg L−1 and 10.00 ± 0.03 μg L−1, respectively, after the MMIP-DSPE preconcentration. Three tomato samples were analysed to give recoveries in the range of 80.2–81.6%, with relative standard deviation values below 0.6% (n = 3). The prepared MMIP-DSPE showed high selectivity toward folic acid, which could be used six times without changing adsorption capacity. The adsorption isotherm of the folic acid-imprinted polymer pursued the Langmuir model (RL = 0.029), and the kinetics model followed pseudo-first-order (R2 = 0.9974).

Microwave-assisted alkaline fusion followed by water-leaching for the selective extraction of the refractory metals tungsten, niobium and tantalum from low-grade ores and tailings

The refractory metals tungsten, tantalum and niobium are considered critical raw materials in Europe. Diversifying the supply of such materials, for instance by recovering refractory metals from local low-grade ore materials could reduce their supply risks. However, the extraction processes require to be efficient with a low energy and material consumption and a minimal environmental impact. In this work, microwave (MW) assisted alkaline fusion was explored to extract tungsten from scheelite containing ore materials with different grades (high to very low) and tantalum and niobium from a columbite-tantalite [(Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6] concentrate. During the fusion process scheelite was converted into soluble alkali tungstate salts [Na2WO4, K2WO4 and/or K3Na(WO4)2] and the reaction temperature could be lowered to 150–200 °C by fusion with a low-melting eutectic alkali salt system of an 1:1 (m/m) NaOH:KOH mixture. The application of MW-assisted heating allowed for fast and volumetric heating, thereby lowering reaction times to 10 min – 30 min. After fusion, tungsten was extracted by a simple water leaching step leading to extraction efficiencies ranging from 77 % to 97 %. Noteworthily, also P, S and As, which all form soluble oxyanions were extracted from the studied materials. Extraction of niobium and tantalum was also achieved though MW-assisted alkaline fusion as an alternative to acidic fluorine-based hydrometallurgical processes. MW-assisted heating allowed for a fast conversion of the (Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 into alkali tantalate and niobate salts. Under optimal conditions, MW-assisted fusion with KOH (salt:sample = 3:1 (m/m)) at 400 °C for 10 min leached ca. 74 %–88 % of tantalum and 77 %–86 % of niobium into water (L/S=10) at 40 °C for 120 min, while the main matrix elements Mn and Fe displayed limited dissolution (<4%). Due to the low solubility of sodium tantalate and niobate salts in water, MW-assisted alkaline fusion in an eutectic NaOH:KOH mixture followed by water leaching was not efficient.

Determination of steroid hormones in sea urchins by microwave-assisted extraction and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Marine pollution poses significant threats to ecosystems by contaminating habitats and degrading marine life. This involves the need to develop efficient methodologies to evaluate the compounds that affect marine organisms, such as steroid hormones. The study of the presence of these compounds in marine organisms like sea urchins is very interesting given their role as bioindicators because they feed on algae and are constantly in contact with sediments. Given the low concentrations of steroid hormones in marine environments, it is necessary to develop extraction procedures that allow these pollutants to be extracted and preconcentrated before chemical analyses. Of all the extraction methods, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has been used for its many advantages compared to traditional extraction techniques, such as easy sample handling or scarce organic solvents use, and for providing very selective extractions. This study presents the novel MAE optimisation for the extraction of 15 hormones, including five oestrogens, three androgens, four progestogens and three glucocorticoids from sea urchin tissues. The extracted hormones were subsequently determined by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this approach has not been previously developed. To perform extraction optimisation, different variables were studied following factorial experimental designs. The optimised extraction method showed very appropriate analytical parameters, with limits of detection between 0.21 and 20.4 ng·g-1 for the four families of studied steroid hormones, and recovery extractions over 60 % for most target compounds. After optimisation, the analytical methodology was applied to samples of three different sea urchins species (Arbacia lixula, Paracentrotus lividus, Sphaerechinus granularis) caught in different locations around the Gran Canaria island (Canary Islands, Spain). The results showed the great applicability of the optimised methodology and two target hormones, boldenone and prednisolone, which were quantified in different samples and locations. This indicates the potential of sea urchins as bioindicators of the health of marine ecosystems and of anthropogenic contamination.

Effect of breathing exercises on patients with interstitial lung disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study was designed to synthesize the efficacy and safety of breathing exercises in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients by reviewing the literature and comparing the impact of different control group types, ILD subtypes, breathing exercise action modes or methods, and intervention durations on clinical efficacy. Systematic searches were conducted across 9 electronic databases, including PubMed, to retrieve English and Chinese studies reporting on ILD patients from inception to February 12, 2024. Study selection and data extraction were independently conducted by two researchers. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The data were analysed using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 17.0 software. The search identified 25 studies. Compared to the control group, the breathing exercise group exhibited significantly improved lung function (FVC%pred: MD = 3.46, 95%CI = 1.04 to 5.88; DLCO%pred: MD = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.91 to 3.48), dyspnoea (MRC or mMRC scale: MD = -0.50, 95%CI = -0.77 to -0.22), exercise capacity (6MWD: MD = 32.65, 95% CI = 14.77 to 50.53), and HRQoL (SGRQ: MD = -6.53, 95% CI = -8.72 to -4.34) in ILD patients. According to the subgroup analysis, significant improvements consistent with the overall results were observed in the control group with usual treatment. Compared with the control group, breathing exercises had varying degrees of improvement in the mixed diagnostic group, known-cause group, and fibrotic group of ILD patients; breathing exercises alone significantly improved DLCO%pred, MRC (or mMRC), and SGRQ; and the improvement in breathing exercises as part of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) was more notable. Different durations of breathing exercise could promote the efficacy of different aspects of treatment for ILD patients. Compared with usual treatment, breathing exercises can improve lung function, exercise capacity, and HRQoL in ILD patients, particularly without high requirements for intervention duration. The efficacy of breathing exercises varies for different ILD subtypes, and incorporating breathing exercises as part of PR can be more beneficial for ILD patients. No studies have shown significant risks for ILD patients engaging in breathing exercises.

Assessment of Respiratory Health Implications of Vaping: A Systematic Review of Toxicity Mechanisms and Adverse Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.

E-cigarettes are thought to aid in tobacco smoking cessation, but there are concerns about their overall effectiveness and safety for the general population, particularly adults. This review aims to investigate the mechanisms of toxicity and adverse effects of e-cigarettes on the respiratory system, comparing these effects with those of conventional smoking. A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library using keywords, controlled vocabulary, and text words, with the following criteria: studies published in English from 2014 to 2024, open access, peer-reviewed, and full-text availability. Study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias in included randomized controlled trials, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was employed to assess the strength of evidence and determine its generalizability. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have diverse mechanisms of toxicity, including inflammation, hypoxia, cardiovascular stress, and metabolic changes. Reported adverse effects include cough, throat irritation, nausea, and hemodynamic changes. However, ENDS are associated with fewer risks compared to conventional cigarette smoking. ENDS users experience fewer respiratory and cardiovascular issues and have lower levels of biomarkers such as NNAL and CO compared to traditional smokers. Additionally, ENDS are more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches) for smoking cessation, particularly in pregnant women. The side effects of ENDS and nicotine-free vaping are similar to those of conventional smoking in pregnant women, with the exception of a lower birth weight among newborns exposed to ENDS (p < 0.05). ENDS present a complex balance of benefits and risks regarding respiratory health. While there are adverse effects, ENDS are considered less detrimental than conventional smoking and a viable option for smoking cessation. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate their safety with long-term use (>16 weeks). Policymakers and health practitioners should use these findings to develop balanced public health policies that weigh the benefits of ENDS against potential health risks, enabling informed decision-making for users.

Preparation of imidazolium ionic liquid functionalized paper membrane for selective extraction of caffeic acid and its structural and functional analogues from Taraxaci Herba.

In the search for pharmaceutically active compounds from natural products, it is crucial and challenging to develop separation or purification methods that target not only structurally similar compounds but also those with specific pharmaceutical functions. The adsorption-based method is widely employed in this field and holds potential for this application, given the diverse range of functional monomers that can be chosen based on structural or functional selectivity. In this work, an imidazolium ionic liquid (IL) modified paper membrane was synthesized via microwave reaction. Caffeic acid (CA), with potential interactions with imidazolium IL and a representative component of phenolic acids in Taraxaci Herba, was chosen as a target compound. After optimization of synthesis and extraction parameters, the resulting extraction membrane could be used to quantitatively analyze CA at ng/ml level, and to extract CA's analogues from the sample matrix. Cheminformatics confirmed the presence of structural and functional similarity among these extracted compounds. This study offers a novel approach to preparing a readily synthesized extraction membrane capable of isolating compounds with structural and functional analogies, as well as developing a membrane solid-phase extraction-based analytical method for natural products.

Boric Acid Functionalized Hypercrosslinked Polymers for Selective Extraction of Trace Catecholamines and Their Metabolites in Rat Serum

ABSTRACTAbnormal levels of catecholamine (CA) neurotransmitters and their metabolites in biological fluids can lead to various neurological disorders. Herein, a boric acid‐functionalized hypercrosslinked polymer was prepared and utilized as a sorbent for the dispersive solid‐phase extraction of CAs and their metabolites in rat serum. By combination with a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐fluorescence detector, the extraction parameters for the seven target analytes were optimized. Under the optimal extraction condition, the methodology for the quantitative analysis of CAs and their metabolites in rat serum samples was established. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were found to be in the ranges of 0.010–0.015 and 0.033–0.050 ng/mL, respectively. The results demonstrated satisfactory recoveries, with values ranging from 88.02% to 113.27%, accompanied by relative standard deviations within the range of 2.69%–9.59%. In addition, the method showed good anti‐interference ability (matrix effect ranged from 2.64% to 18.07%). The developed method was validated for the determination of CAs and their metabolites in normal and Alzheimer's disease model rats’ serum, which proved the promising application of the method for CAs neurotransmitter analysis in biological samples.

Μagnet integrated fabric phase sorptive extraction (MI-FPSE) for the selective isolation of seven sulfonamides from human urine prior to HPLC-DAD analysis

In the present study magnet integrated fabric phase sorptive extraction (MI-FPSE) was employed for the selective extraction of seven sulfonamides (i.e., sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole and sulfadimethoxine) from human urine prior to their determination by high pressure liquid chromatography – diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The MI-FPSE protocol was optimized after studying the critical parameters that affect extraction, namely: type of sol–gel sorbent, extraction time, desorption time, stirring rate, type and volume of elution solvent, the ionic strength and the pH of the sample matrix using the one-factor-at-a-time method. The developed MI-FPSE-HPLC-DAD method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and precision and presented satisfactory results. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) ranged between 0.02–0.04 ng/μL and 0.06–0.15 ng/μL, respectively. The RSD% values of the intra-day and inter-day assays were found lower than 6.7 % and 9.4 %, respectively, showing good precision. Accuracy was assessed using percentage of relative recovery and varied from 86.3–112.9 % (intra-day study) and 85.5–106.9 % (inter-day study) for all examined analytes. The green character and practicality of the proposed method were investigated using the ComplexGAPI index and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI).

Opportunities for nurses aspiring to or undertaking clinical academic development globally: protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionNurse researchers often lack awareness of how to start a clinical academic research career and often lack clear entry routes. This scoping review aims to identify the range and nature...

The role of the pharmacist during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: an updated scoping review

Abstract Objective To identify new articles that describe services provided by pharmacists during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An update scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, and Google Scholar between 21 May 2020 and 31 May 2021. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent authors. DEPICT v. 2 was used to characterize the components of pharmacists’ interventions. It was also verified whether the articles evaluated outcomes of care. Key findings A total of 8983 records were identified, of which 120 met the inclusion criteria. The hospital was the workplace of the pharmacist most often described (55%). The majority of articles (73.3%) described the main domains of DEPICT v.2. Pharmacists provided interventions for patients (27.5%), healthcare professionals (25.8%), both (34.2%), individually (84.2%), through face-to-face contact (44.2%), and followed by telephone (41.7%). The main actions included patient counseling (56.7%), drug supply management (42.5%), and drug information for healthcare professionals (40.8%). Less than half of the articles (36.6%) evaluated the dimension “outcomes of care” of the study population. Conclusion Although most of the articles reported the pharmacists’ interventions, the description is still not satisfactory. In addition, the majority of articles focused solely on the dimension “process of care”. Future research should provide more detailed descriptions of the pharmacists’ interventions and assess the effectiveness of their interventions.

Characteristics, Influence, Prevention, and Control Measures of the Mpox Infodemic: Scoping Review of Infodemiology Studies.

The mpox pandemic has caused widespread public concern around the world. The spread of misinformation through the internet and social media could lead to an infodemic that poses challenges to mpox control. This review aims to summarize mpox-related infodemiology studies to determine the characteristics, influence, prevention, and control measures of the mpox infodemic and propose prospects for future research. The scoping review was conducted based on a structured 5-step methodological framework. A comprehensive search for mpox-related infodemiology studies was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, with searches completed by April 30, 2024. After study selection and data extraction, the main topics of the mpox infodemic were categorized and summarized in 4 aspects, including a trend analysis of online information search volume, content topics of mpox-related online posts and comments, emotional and sentiment characteristics of online content, and prevention and control measures for the mpox infodemic. A total of 1607 articles were retrieved from the databases according to the keywords, and 61 studies were included in the final analysis. After the World Health Organization's declaration of an mpox public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, the number of related studies began growing rapidly. Google was the most widely used search engine platform (9/61, 15%), and Twitter was the most used social media app (32/61, 52%) for researchers. Researchers from 33 countries were concerned about mpox infodemic-related topics. Among them, the top 3 countries for article publication were the United States (27 studies), India (9 studies), and the United Kingdom (7 studies). Studies of online information search trends showed that mpox-related online search volume skyrocketed at the beginning of the mpox outbreak, especially when the World Health Organization provided important declarations. There was a large amount of misinformation with negative sentiment and discriminatory and hostile content against gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Given the characteristics of the mpox infodemic, the studies provided several positive prevention and control measures, including the timely and active publishing of professional, high-quality, and easy-to-understand information online; strengthening surveillance and early warning for the infodemic based on internet data; and taking measures to protect key populations from the harm of the mpox infodemic. This comprehensive summary of evidence from previous mpox infodemiology studies is valuable for understanding the characteristics of the mpox infodemic and for formulating prevention and control measures. It is essential for researchers and policy makers to establish prediction and early warning approaches and targeted intervention methods for dealing with the mpox infodemic in the future.

Utilizing machine learning techniques for enhanced water quality monitoring

ABSTRACT Water quality is an important issue for environmental health. It directly impacts human well-being, ecosystem sustainability and socioeconomic development. This paper provides an overview for water quality assesment by integrating traditional methods with computational technology. Dimensionality reduction is considered an essential preprocessing step in any data analysis task which can be performed by using either feature selection or feature extraction methods. In this study, we propose an autoencoder-based feature selection method that can be used with both labeled and unlabeled data. It can be implemented with an arbitrary number of hidden layers in the symmetric encoder part of the autoencoder and provides results that compare favorably with the results provided by computationally more expensive methods and also provides a quantitatively ordered rank of features for the features in the dataset. Also, our proposed method for water quality assessment has demonstrated remarkable success in efficiently managing and interpreting complex datasets, offering a promising pathway toward effective environmental stewardship and sustainable water resource management. Through its implementation, we aim to contribute to the preservation and protection of water quality for the benefit of present and future generations.