Specific Mineral Research Articles

Micronutrients and Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review.

Hair loss is a common problem that can negatively impact individuals' psychological well-being. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most prevalent types of nonscarring hair loss. This review summarizes the existing evidence on the relationship between AGA and various micronutrients, including vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese, and copper. A literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles published between 1993 and 2023. The search identified 49 relevant articles. The findings suggest that deficiencies or imbalances in these micronutrients may contribute to the pathogenesis of AGA and represent modifiable risk factors for hair loss prevention and treatment. Vitamin B, vitamin D, iron, and zinc appear to play critical roles in hair growth and maintenance. Deficiencies in these micronutrients have been associated with increased risk of AGA, while supplementation with these nutrients has shown potential benefits in improving hair growth and preventing hair loss. However, the current evidence is not entirely consistent, with some studies reporting no significant associations. Deficiencies or imbalances in specific vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B, vitamin D, Fe, Se, and Zn are involved in the pathogenesis of AGA and may represent modifiable risk factors for the treatment and prevention of this condition.

Content in nine minerals and seven vitamins of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) fed commercial diets and two forms of Nannochloropsis oculata

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to determine the effects of spray‐dried and fresh forms of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata and other commonly used commercial diets on vitamin and mineral compositions of rotifer produced under commercial conditions. Experimental rotifers groups were fed Protein‐Plus® (PP treatment), Inactive Beaker's Yeast® (INBY treatment), Algome® (Algome treatment), freshly cultured N. oculata (FA treatment), and spray‐dried N. oculata (SDN treatment). At the end of the experiment, seven essential vitamins, nine macro‐ and micro‐minerals, and two pigments were analyzed in diets and rotifers. All the treatments tested provided adequate levels of Ca, P, Mg, and Co to the rotifers, but insufficient levels of I, Zn, and vitamins B2 and E. Moreover, PP diet produced rotifers with high levels of vitamins B1, B3 and B9, and P; the SDN diet produced rotifers with high levels of P and Cu; the Algome diet produced rotifers high in vitamins B3 and B9, and Ca; the INBY diet produced rotifers with high levels of vitamin B1 and Ca; and the FA diet produced rotifers with more vitamin B6, Se, and Cu. In conclusion, specific minerals or vitamins corrections are required in these feeds for rotifers to adequately meet the nutritional needs for marine larvae.

Transfer of rare earth elements from clay-sized fraction to phosphate in East South Pacific Ocean: Implication for REY-rich sediment related to hydrothermal influence

Pelagic sediment enriched in critical metals (e.g. rare earth elements and yttrium, REY) has attracted much attention in recent years. Extensive research has focused on identifying the specific host mineral of REY in bulk pelagic sediment, however, research on clay-sized fraction of REY-rich sediment has not been fully understood yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the host phase and migration mechanism of REY in clay-sized fractions from two cores, GC23 and GC17, located on the western and eastern sides of the East Pacific Rise (EPR), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive investigation of the clay-sized fraction of REY-rich sediment associated with hydrothermal activity. Results show that GC23 contains negligible clay minerals but well-crystallized Fe oxyhydroxides, while GC17 is rich in smectite and poor-crystallized Fe oxyhydroxides. REY are predominantly hosted in poorly crystallized Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides, with some phosphorus selectively scavenged by Fe oxyhydroxides from seawater. In addition, fluorapatite nanocrystals were first observed within the matrix of Fe oxyhydroxides using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), indicating the formation of fluorapatite. The post-Archean average shale (PAAS)-normalized REY patterns show similar seawater-like patterns in both the clay-sized and silt-sized fraction. The clay-sized fractions primarily derived from hydrothermal plumes plays an important role in scavenging REY from ambient seawater. This study represents a significant step towards understanding the formation of REY-rich sediment related to hydrothermal activity. A two-stage mineralization process is proposed for the formation of REY-rich sediment near the EPR fields. Firstly, REY are initially scavenged by hydrothermal Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide particles from seawater during their lateral dispersion with hydrothermal plumes under low sedimentation rate until they are buried by newly formed precipitates. With the process of early diagenesis, poor crystallized Fe oxyhydroxides will be experienced recrystallization. Subsequently, REY would be released into porewater with the process of recrystallization due to their tendency to remain in a poorly crystallized phase. Ultimately, they are captured by biogenic apatite and/or fluorapatite. The case study indicates that REY-rich sediments may primarily formed within the dispersion area of hydrothermal plumes. Simultaneously, the necessity of slow sedimentation rates, greater water depth, and deep currents all accountable for the formation of REY-rich layers.

Measurement report: The Fifth International Workshop on Ice Nucleation phase 1 (FIN-01): intercomparison of single-particle mass spectrometers

Abstract. Knowledge of the chemical composition and mixing state of aerosols at a single-particle level is critical for gaining insights into atmospheric processes. One common tool to make these measurements is single-particle mass spectrometry. There remains a need to compare the performance of different single-particle mass spectrometers (SPMSs). An intercomparison of SPMSs was conducted at the Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere (AIDA) chamber at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in November 2014, as part of the first phase of the Fifth International Workshop on Ice Nucleation (FIN-01). In this paper we compare size distributions and mass spectra of atmospherically relevant particle types measured by five SPMSs. These include different minerals, desert and soil dusts, soot, bioaerosol (Snomax; protein granule), secondary organic aerosol (SOA), and SOA-coated mineral particles. Most SPMSs reported similar vacuum aerodynamic diameter (dva) within typical instrumental ranges from ∼100–200 nm (lower limit) to ∼2–3 µm (upper limit). In general, all SPMSs exhibited a wide dynamic range (up to ∼103) and high signal-to-noise ratio (up to ∼104) in mass spectra. Common spectral features with small diversities in mass spectra were found with high average Pearson's correlation coefficients, i.e., for average positive spectra ravg-pos=0.74 ± 0.12 and average negative spectra ravg-neg=0.67 ± 0.22. We found that instrument-specific detection efficiency (DE) was more dependent on particle size than particle type, and particle identification favored the use of bipolar, rather than monopolar, instruments. Particle classification from “blind experiments” showed that all instruments differentiated SOA, soot, and soil dust and detected subtle changes in the particle internal mixing but had difficulties differentiating among specific mineral types and dusts. This study helps to further understand the capabilities and limitations of the single-particle mass spectrometry technique in general and the specific performance of the instrument in characterizing atmospheric aerosol particles.

170 Understanding how zinc and manganese interact with the hormones found in anabolic implants to alter growth of bovine satellite cells

Abstract It has been well established in both in vitro and in vivo models that the hormones found in anabolic implants [estradiol (E2) and trenbolone acetate (TBA)] positively impact skeletal muscle growth. Previous research has demonstrated that treating primary bovine satellite cells (BSC) with E2 or TBA results in increases in proliferation and protein synthesis and decreases in protein degradation, leading to enhanced skeletal muscle growth. This improved skeletal muscle growth occurs through partially defined pathways, but many unknowns remain. More recently, research has emerged demonstrating that strategic supplementation of specific trace minerals (TM) may further augment the positive effects of E2 and TBA on skeletal muscle growth. There are many ways through which the complex signaling pathways induced by the hormones found in anabolic implants may interact with TM to further enhance skeletal muscle growth. Zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) are two of the TM that we have recently investigated. Zinc is the most utilized metal in biological processes and supports animal growth through critical roles in the functions of IGF-1, GH, and DNA synthesis. Manganese is an essential TM providing catalytic activity to enzymes involved in protein glycosylation, nitrogen metabolism, and antioxidant capacity. However, additional research is needed to determine if hormones and TM interact to impact growth of skeletal muscle, specifically. As such, the goal of recent research that has been conducted by our group is to utilize an in vitro primary BSC model to determine whether hormones and TM interact to alter differentiation and protein synthesis. Preliminary research from our group assesses the impacts of varying, physiological concentrations of Zn or Mn on differentiation and protein synthesis of primary BSC cultures that have also been treated with or without the hormones found in anabolic implants. These preliminary findings demonstrate that while there seems to be no interaction between Zn and hormones in differentiating BSC, supplemental Zn on the higher end of physiologically relevant concentrations has a positive effect on signaling pathways involved in growth, protein turnover, skeletal muscle differentiation, and mineral transporters. However, it appears that Zn and Mn each interact with hormones to positively augment protein synthesis in primary BSC cultures. A deeper understanding of the relationship these TM and others may have with hormones will allow for more strategic supplementation practices that can potentially improve skeletal muscle growth.

High-solid digestion – A comparison of completely stirred and plug-flow reactor systems

High-solid digestion (HSD) for biogas production is a resource-efficient and sustainable method to treat organic wastes with high total solids content and obtain renewable energy and an organic fertiliser, using a lower dilution rate than in the more common wet digestion process. This study examined the effect of reactor type on the performance of an HSD process, comparing plug-flow (PFR) type reactors developed for continuous HSD processes, and completely stirred-tank reactors (CSTRs) commonly used for wet digestion. The HSD process was operated in thermophilic conditions (52 °C), with a mixture of household waste, garden waste and agricultural residues (total solids content 27–28 %). The PFRs showed slightly better performance, with higher specific methane production and nitrogen mineralisation than the CSTRs, while the reduction of volatile solids was the same in both reactor types. Results from 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed a significant difference in the microbial population, potentially related to large differences in stirring speed between the reactor types (1 rpm in PFRs and 70–150 rpm in CSTRs, respectively). The bacterial community was dominated by the genus Defluviitoga in the PFRs and order MBA03 in the CSTRs. For the archaeal community, there was a predominance of the genus Methanoculleus in the PFRs, and of the genera Methanosarcina and Methanothermobacter in the CSTRs. Despite these shifts in microbiology, the results showed that stable digestion of substrates with high total solids content can be achieved in both reactor types, indicating flexibility in the choice of technique for HSD processes.

Unraveling Nanomaterials in Biomimetic Mineralization of Dental Hard Tissue: Focusing on Advantages, Mechanisms, and Prospects.

The demineralization of dental hard tissue imposes considerable health and economic burdens worldwide, but an optimal method that can repair both the chemical composition and complex structures has not been developed. The continuous development of nanotechnology has created new opportunities for the regeneration and repair of dental hard tissue. Increasingly studies have reported that nanomaterials (NMs) can induce and regulate the biomimetic mineralization of dental hard tissue, but few studies have examined how they are involved in the different stages, let alone the relevant mechanisms of action. Besides their nanoscale dimensions and excellent designability, NMs play a corresponding role in the function of the raw materials for mineralization, mineralized microenvironment, mineralization guidance, and the function of mineralized products. This review comprehensively summarizes the advantages of NMs and examines the specific mineralization mechanisms. Design strategies to promote regeneration and repair are summarized according to the application purpose of NMs in the oral cavity, and limitations and development directions in dental hard tissue remineralization are proposed. This review can provide a theoretical basis to understand the interaction between NMs and the remineralization of dental hard tissue, thereby optimizing design strategy, rational development, and clinical application of NMs in the field of remineralization.

Micronutrient intake and telomere length: findings from the UK Biobank.

To investigate whether micronutrient intake from food as well as the regular uptake of specific vitamins and/or minerals are associated with leucocyte telomere length (LTL). This is a cross-sectional study using data from 422,693 UK Biobank participants aged from 40 to 69 years old, during 2006-2010. LTL was measured as the ratio of telomere repeat number to a single-copy gene and was loge-transformed and z-standardized (z-LTL). Information concerning supplement use was collected at baseline through the touchscreen assessment, while micronutrient intake from food were self-reported through multiple web-based 24h recall diaries. The association between micronutrient intake or supplement use and z-LTL was assessed using multivariable linear regression models adjusting for demographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. About 50% (n = 131,810) of the participants, with complete data on all covariates, self-reported regular supplement intake. Whilst overall supplement intake was not associated with z-LTL, trends toward shorter z-LTL with regular vitamin B (-0.019 (95% CI: -0.041; 0.002)) and vitamin B9 (-0.027 (-0.054; 0.000)) supplement intake were observed. z-LTL was associated with food intake of pantothenic acid (-0.020 (-0.033; -0.007)), vitamin B6 (-0.015 (-0.027; -0.003)), biotin (0.010 (0.002; 0.018)) and folate (0.016 (0.003; 0.030)). Associations of z-LTL with these micronutrients were differentiated according to supplement intake. Negative associations equivalent to a year or less of age-related change in LTL between micronutrient intake and LTL were observed. Due to this small effect, the clinical importance of the associations and any relevance to the effects of vitamin and micronutrient intake toward chronic disease prevention remains uncertain.

Effects of long-term nighttime warming on extractable soil element composition in a Mediterranean shrubland

Understanding the soil biogeochemical responses to increasing global warming in the near future is essential for improving our capacity to mitigate the impacts of climate change on highly vulnerable Mediterranean ecosystems. Previous studies have primarily focused on the effects of warming on various biogeochemical processes. However, there is limited knowledge about how the changes in water availability associated to high temperatures can alter the bioavailability and dynamics of soil elements, thereby impacting ecosystem productivity, species composition, and pollution through soil biogeochemical and hydrological processes. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term nighttime warming on the extractable concentrations of organic carbon (EOC), total nitrogen (ETN), total phosphorus (ETP), and 17 mineral elements (arsenic (As), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), sulfur (S), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)) through environmental experiments in a semi-arid Mediterranean shrubland. We explored the potential biotic and abiotic mechanisms underlying the seasonal and long-term changes in extractable-mobilizable elemental composition and concentrations. Our findings revealed that prolonged warming led to higher mean annual soil temperature (with an average increase of 0.67 °C from 1999 to 2014), accumulation of soil organic matter (EOC) and extractable concentrations of soil elements (particularly increased ETP and extractable Ca, Mg, Cu, Sr, Mn, and As). These changes were attributed to uniformly higher activities of extracellular soil enzymes and/or lower plant photosynthetic and nutrient uptake capacity linked to more water deficit under warmer conditions. Seasonality unevenly altered element extractable concentrations, with soil microclimate (temperature and water content) and biological (soil microbial and plant) activity being the main drivers of this variability, thus influencing soil element composition. These results suggest significant fluctuations in the extractable concentrations of specific mineral elements in these soils, implying potential future variations in soil element composition as well as the loss of total element concentrations/contents in semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystems due to increasing warming. Therefore, these findings enhance our ability to predict ecosystem management strategies and mitigate the observed negative impacts on plant-soil systems and water quality in the context of climate change.

Efficacy of Supplementary Feeding of Bypass Fat and Area Specific Mineral Mixture on the Production and Reproductive Performance in Milch Buffaloes

Background: Bypass fat, also called rumen-protected fat, boosts dairy animals¢energy for better milk production and health. Mineral deficiency is a leading cause of poor growth, weakened immunity, lower milk yield and reproductive issues in dairy animals. Considering the aforementioned details, an on farm trial was undertaken at farmer’s field to assess the effectiveness of bypass fat and mineral mixture on overall performance of milch buffalo. Methods: Twenty lactating Murrah buffaloes reared under farmer's field were selected and distributed equally in two groups of ten buffaloes in each group, i.e. T1 (control) and T2 (supplementation bypass fat @ 100 g and minerals mixture @ 50 g/day/ buffalo beside the farmer practices). Result: The outcome of study revealed that the additional of bypass fat and a mineral mixture had no effect on the weights of the buffaloes undergoing the experiment. Supplementation of bypass fat and mineral mixture did not influence the DM intake (in terms of kg/d and DMI %) in lactating buffalo. The mean milk yield during supplementation period was determined 10.19 ±0.36 and 12.13±0.43 l/day in group T1 and T2, respectively; which was 19.04 per cent higher in group T2 than the control. The average length of the postpartum estrus cycle (62.20±5.86 days) and service period (82.49±7.46 days) was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced in supplemented group than control (86.40±11.57 days and 131.00±12.33 days, respectively) at farmer¢s field. AI per conception was also observed to be significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in non-supplemented group than the supplemented group. AI per conceptions in supplemented group and control group was recorded 1.39±0.33 and 2.71±0.44, respectively. It could be inferred from the observations that the feeding of bypass fat and area-specific mineral mixture in the diet significantly (P less than 0.05) improved the yield of milk and its composition as well as postpartum reproductive performance in milch buffalo at farmer’s field.

The Effect of Mineral Composition on the Correlation between Point Load Index with the Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Sulfate Rocks and their Point Loading Deformation

Point load test is a common, inexpensive and fast test for the indirect achievement of compressive or tensile strength of the rocks in the laboratory and the field. In this research, by conducting uniaxial compression test (UCT), axial (APLT), and diametral (DPLT) point load tests on gathered sulfate rock blocks from the Gachsaran Formation outcrops at the four under-construction reservoir dam sites in Iran, investigate the effect of mineral composition on the relationships between point load index, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and their point load deformation. Regarding that, firstly by creating a correlation between axial (APLI) and diametral (DPLI) point load index and UCS, relationships for each specific mineral composition were provided. Secondly, by comparing the reliability of the APLT and DPLT results in predicting UCS, the conversion factors of the APLI and DPLI to the UCS were calculated. Thirdly, the effect of unique or multiple sampling locations in the analysis results was compared, and finally, for the first time, the deformation of loading points in point load tests was investigated. The results of this study confirmed that by variation of mineral composition of sulfate rocks, the relationships between APLI and DPLI, and UCS, conversion factors as well as loading points deformation patterns during point load tests are changed significantly, and the results of APLT and DPLT can be used to predict UCS with the same reliability in dry and saturated conditions.

Roles of soil minerals in the degradation of chlorpyrifos and its intermediate by microwave activated peroxymonosulfate

Soil mineral is one of the important factors that affecting oxidant decomposition and pollutants degradation in soil remediation. In this study, the effects of iron minerals, manganese minerals and clay minerals on the degradation of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and its intermediate product 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) by microwave (MW) activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) were investigated. As a result, the addition of minerals had slight inhibitory effect on the degradation efficiency of CPF by MW/PMS, but the degradation efficiency of TCP was improved by the addition of some specific minerals, including ferrihydrite, birnessite, and random symbiotic mineral of pyrolusite and ramsdellite (Pyr-Ram). The stronger MW absorption ability of minerals is beneficial for PMS decomposition, but the MW absorption ability of minerals cannot be fully utilized because of the weaker MW radiation intensity under constant temperature conditions. Through electron spin resonance test, quenching experiment and electrochemical experiment, electron transfer, SO4− and OH, SO4− dominated TCP degradation by MW/PMS with the addition of birnessite, Pyr-Ram and ferrihydrite, respectively. Besides, the adsorption effect of ferrihydrite also enhanced the removal of TCP. The redox of Mn (III)/Mn (IV) or Fe (II)/Fe (III) in manganese/iron minerals participated in the generation of reactive species. In addition, the addition of minerals not only increased the variety of alkyl hydroxylation products of CPF, causing different degradation pathways from CPF to TCP, but also further degraded TCP to dechlorination or hydroxylation products. This study demonstrated the synergistic effect of minerals and MW for PMS activation, provided new insights for the effects of soil properties on soil remediation by MW activated PMS technology.

Abiotic synthesis of graphitic carbons in the Eoarchean Saglek-Hebron metasedimentary rocks

Graphite in metasedimentary rocks of the Eoarchean Saglek-Hebron Gneiss Complex (Canada) is depleted in 13C and has been interpreted as one of the oldest traces of life on Earth. The variation in crystallinity of this oldest graphitic carbon could possibly confirm the effect of metamorphism on original biomass, but this is still unexplored. Here, we report specific mineral associations with graphitic carbons that also have a range of crystallinity in the Saglek-Hebron metasedimentary rocks. Petrographic, geochemical and spectroscopic analyses in the Saglek-Hebron banded iron formations suggest that poorly crystalline graphite is likely deposited from C-H-O fluids derived from thermal decomposition of syngenetic organic matter, which is preserved as crystalline graphite during prograde metamorphism. In comparison, in the Saglek-Hebron marble, disseminations of graphite co-occur with carbonate and magnetite disseminations, pointing to abiotic synthesis of graphitic carbons via decarbonation. Our results thus highlight that variably crystalline graphitic carbons in the Saglek-Hebron metasedimentary rocks are potential abiotic products on early Earth, which lay the groundwork for identifying the preservation of prebiotic organic matter through metamorphism on Earth and beyond.

Inversion of fluid-release rates from episodic tremor and slip signals in subduction zones via a coarse-grained reaction diffusion model

Episodic Tremor and Slip (ETS) events showcase dynamic interactions of oscillatory slow slips and tremors deep within subduction zones and offer a window into Earth's internal dynamics. However, the exact mechanisms driving these events remain unresolved. This study proposes a novel approach that goes beyond traditional explanations focused on fluid pressure from mineral dehydration. Existing models often neglect the intricate interplay between fluid and rock pressures across various depths and potential fluid sources. This calls for a more comprehensive understanding of how fluid release from reactions interacts with rock deformation. The present formulation captures the interplay between fluid and solid pressures providing a more rigorous picture of ETS events. It employs a minimalistic and efficient approach based on integrating dehydration reactions. The model thereby develops a generic framework for mineral dehydration, offering an enhanced perspective of the underlying processes without the need to trace down to specific minerals. It allows a refined fit to GPS data by including high-frequency components from linear and nonlinear stability analyses, giving rise to improved correlation coefficients. Through the inclusion of the dynamic interplay between fluid and rock pressure diffusion within subduction zones, we propose a unified model of ETS events.

A geochemical model for the transformation of gabbro into vesuvianite-bearing rodingite

Rodingite is a Ca-rich and Si-poor metasomatic rock commonly occurring in association with serpentinites. This rock is characterized by specific mineral assemblages consisting of hydrated garnet, diopside, vesuvianite, epidote-zoisite, chlorite, or prehnite. However, natural rodingites are significantly heterogeneous in mineral composition and vesuvianite occurs only in some extensively rodingitized rocks. Major factors controlling the mineral diversity as well as details on fluid-rock interactions leading to the evolution of mineral and chemical composition during rodingitization have not yet been fully constrained. In this work, we use PHREEQC software to present a geochemical model for the transformation of a mafic rock into vesuvianite-bearing rodingite at a temperature of 300 °C. Through these simulations, we investigate the effect of fluid composition and progress of the metasomatic process on rodingite formation. Our results show that rodingitization requires an open system with a high input of hydrothermal fluid. Additionally, a decrease in the Si/Ca ratio in the metasomatized rock is correlated to an increase in the volume of incoming fluid. Whole rock chemical and mineral composition in natural rodingites are well reproduced by the model. Furthermore, the diversity of mineral parageneses results mainly from different degrees of transformation and only to a lesser extent to the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluid or protolith. The hydrothermal fluid doesn't need to be especially rich in calcium to transform a mafic rock into rodingite, but it must be low in magnesium, silicon, and have a high pH, which is naturally controlled by serpentinization of surrounding ultramafic rocks.

Exploring Dhumapana: The ancient art of Ayurvedic inhalation for health

Prayogika Dhumapana is a traditional Ayurvedic practice involving the inhalation of medicinal smoke derived from specific herbs and minerals, aimed at maintaining health and treating ailments, particularly those related to the Kapha and Vata Dosha in the Urdhva Jatru. Rooted in ancient Ayurvedic texts such as the Caraka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, Prayogika Dhumapana is known for its efficacy in managing respiratory conditions, chronic cough, sinusitis, headaches, and stress-related disorders. This therapeutic approach utilizes the rapid absorption of bioactive compounds through the respiratory mucosa to provide immediate relief and therapeutic effects. Although traditionally practiced, Prayogika Dhumapana has potential for integration into modern clinical settings, with preliminary research indicating its benefits in managing chronic respiratory issues, migraines, and allergic rhinitis. However, further rigorous clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings and develop standardized treatment protocols. The practice of Prayogika Dhumapana exemplifies the convergence of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary scientific inquiry, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being. Continued research and clinical evaluation will be essential to fully harness its therapeutic potential and ensure its safe application in modern healthcare.

Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI): A flexible and tunable technology for customized water softening

There is a growing demand for water treatment systems for which the quality of feedwater in and product water out are not necessarily fixed with “tunable” technologies essential in many instances to satisfy the unique requirements of particular end-users. For example, in household applications, the optimal water hardness differs for particular end uses of the supplied product (such as water for potable purposes, water for hydration, or water for coffee or tea brewing) with the inclusion of specific minerals enhancing the suitability of the product in each case. However, conventional softening technologies are not dynamically flexible or tunable and, typically, simply remove all hardness ions from the feedwater. Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) can potentially fill this gap with its process flexibility and tunability achieved by fine tuning different operational parameters. In this article, we demonstrate that constant-current MCDI can be operated flexibly by increasing or decreasing the current and flow rate simultaneously to achieve the same desalination performance but different productivity whilst maintaining high water recovery. This characteristic can be used to operate MCDI in an energy-efficient manner to produce treated water more slowly at times of normal demand but more rapidly at times of peak demand. We also highlight the “tunability” of MCDI enabling the control of effluent hardness over different desired ranges by correlating the rates of hardness and conductivity removal using a power function model. Using this model, it is possible to either i) soften water to the same hardness level regardless of the fluctuation in hardness of feed waters, or ii) precisely control the effluent hardness at different levels to avoid excessive or insufficient hardness removal.

Genetic Causal Associations between Various Serum Minerals and Risk of Depression: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Previous observational studies have discovered a connection between depression and mineral status. Confirming this potential connection is challenging due to confounding factors and potential reverse causality which is inherent in observational studies. We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to estimate the causal association of serum minerals with depression. Leveraging summary-level data on depression, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was applied. The data on serum minerals were collected from the FinnGen Biobank database. MR assessments representing causality were produced by inverse-variance weighted approaches with multiplicative random and fixed effects. Sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the reliability of the results. A noteworthy correlation emerged between serum zinc levels and reduced risk of depression. An odds ratio (OR) of 0.917 for depression associated with a one standard deviation increase in serum zinc levels (OR = 0.968; 95% CI = 0.953-0.984, p = 1.19 × 10-4, random effects model inverse variance weighted (IVW)); (OR = 0.928; 95% CI = 0.634-1.358, p = 0.766, MR Egger). Sensitivity assessments supported this causation. However, the risk of depression did not exhibit an association with other minerals. In summary, a higher zinc concentration is causally associated with a reduced depression risk. This MR outcome may assist clinicians in the regulation of specific mineral intake, particularly for high-risk patients with serum zinc deficiencies.

Mineral composition variation in Boletales mushrooms—indication of soil properties and taxonomic influence

The efficiency of element accumulation depends on numerous factors, where the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil seem to be very important, and the role of taxonomic rank in the accumulation of elements by mushrooms seems to be important. The aim of the study was to compare the mineral composition of 7 species belonging to Leccinum and Suillus genera, collected between 2019 and 2021 from localizations in the west-central part of Poland. The research aimed to indicate the role of selected soil parameters in stimulating/inhibiting the accumulation of elements by selected Boletales mushroom species and to answer the question about the role of species belonging to the genus as an indicator determining the specific mineral composition of fruiting bodies. Soil pH and other soil properties (granulometric composition, organic carbon, degree of organic matter decomposition) may significantly affect mushrooms' mineral composition. Mushroom species belonging to Leccinum genus exhibited the higher amount of essential major and trace elements than species of Suillus genus). It suggests that the affiliation of the studied mushroom species to a specific genus may affect their mineral composition, and the physicochemical properties of the soil may be responsible for the lack of a clear division in the efficiency of element(s) accumulation. Selected species contain high amounts of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn, while others, such as selected Suillus gravellei fruiting bodies, also contain As and Cd. The results described serve as an introduction to a broader scientific discussion and require many further studies to confirm the role of taxonomic ranks and the influence of soil characteristics on the accumulation of elements by fruiting bodies.Graphical

Knowledge-based query system for the critical minerals

Critical minerals are increasingly used in advanced, modern technologies. Exploration for these minerals require efficient mechanisms to search for the latest geological knowledge about the petrogenesis and spatial distribution of these essential resources. Although the current text-based deposit classification schemes help geoscientists to understand how and where these critical minerals form, they cannot easily be queried by software without extensive natural language processing and knowledge modeling. Ontologies can explicitly specify the knowledge scattered in the texts and tables of these schemes and the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) database by way of logical structures whose results can automatically be processed and queried. They can also draw new knowledge by inference from the ones that are explicitly specified in them. These qualities make ontologies a perfect choice for digital knowledge storage, search, and extraction. The Critical Minerals Ontology (CMO) is described herein by reusing the logical class and property structures of the top-level Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and mid-level Common Core Ontologies (CCO) and Relation Ontology (RO). The CMO formally models the knowledge about the critical mineral systems using the latest deposit classification scheme and the CMMI database schema. The ontology specifies the geochemical and geological processes that operate in various geotectonic environments of mineral systems to form the critical minerals in different deposit types. It models the properties of both the host minerals that contain the rare-earth elements and those that bear other types of elements. The CMO also represents uses of specific critical minerals in the manufacturing of industrial products, their alternate substitutes, and countries that produce, import, and export them. A query system, applying the Python programming language, accesses the knowledge modeled in the CMO and allows users through interactive web pages to query the ontology and extract different types of information from it. The ontology and the query system are useful for research in ore mineralogy and critical mineral prospecting. The information modeled by the ontology and served by the query system allows users to classify their ore specimen data into specific deposit types.