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We analyze a particular Fredholm-type partial integro-differential equation. We study the direct problem and prove existence and uniqueness of the solution via a fixed-point argument for generalized contractive maps. This approach also allows us to formulate a collage-type result that can be used to solve inverse problems. We provide numerical examples and we also show how these equations can be used to model pollution diffusion of heavy pollutants and non-volatile substances such as heavy metals, chemical spills, radioactive isotopes, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major pollutants of industrial water is lead metal, which causes widespread pollution in nature due to its wide use. Removing this pollutant, before the surface or subsurface disposal of wastewater, is a very effective measure in preserving and preventing the pollution of natural resources and the environment. Since surface adsorption is one of the effective methods for removing waste materials from wastewater. This study utilized molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the interactions between lead and polypropylene (PP). PP has proven to be the most effective substance for eliminating lead from aquatic environments. Given the presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) in aquatic ecosystems, it becomes crucial to remove lead from the wastewater generated by the oil and petrochemical industries. The findings of this research have the potential to assist in the removal of lead from industrial wastewater settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland have developed a method to extract gold from electronic waste (e-waste) using an aerogel made from discarded whey, a by-product of strained milk. The aerogel, created by linking nanoscopically thin protein fibers, was placed in a solution of dissolved computer motherboards, where it absorbed gold ions. After drying and burning the aerogel, gold nuggets of over 90% purity were recovered. While this method is sustainable, it is not widely usable due to the aerogel's absorption of other metals. It is important to note that attempting this method at home is dangerous and can release toxic fumes. [Extracted from the article]

The presence of metals in migratory bird tissues is well established and mining as an anthropogenic source of exposure to metals is well reported in the scientific literature. Determining the difference between what are hypothesized as normal metal levels and those associated with acute mining toxicity is challenging as spatial and temporal overlap of migratory birds with anthropogenic point sources can be highly variable at individual, population, and species levels. We examined the concentrations of 5 geologically prominent metals and metalloids in the region (arsenic, cadmium, copper, manganese, and zinc) in tissues (kidney, n = 64; liver, n = 65; and muscle, n = 65) from 4 species common to the northern Rocky Mountains in western Montana (Canada goose, Branta canadensis, n = 12; snow goose, Anser caerulescens, n = 15; mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, n = 32; and American coot, Fulica americana, n = 6), to identify metal concentrations for comparison to acute mining‐associated mortalities. Metal levels were highly variable across tissue types for all species. For example, the highest concentrations of copper, manganese, and zinc were measured in the liver (18,300, 3,960, and 38,200, respectively; ug/kg), while cadmium levels were highest in the kidney (973 ug/kg). Among species and tissue types, metal levels were also highly variable. For example, copper levels in mallards were highest in the kidney (6,700 ug/kg) and lowest in muscle (2,780 ug/kg). In contrast, copper levels in American coots were highest in muscle (14,400 ug/kg) and lowest in the kidney (5,060 ug/kg). While the wide variation in metal concentrations among species and tissue types measured in our study can make for difficult comparisons, the results are similar to control cases from other peer‐reviewed publications, and several times lower than dose‐response experiments and incidents in which mining‐associated mortality was known. Our results provide metal concentrations in migratory bird species that utilize the northern Rocky Mountains through Montana, which are essential data for assessing exposure, risk, and mortality associated with anthropogenic activities in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explains the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a crucial technique in detecting toxic elements in minute amounts. The article focuses on the structure, operation, and functionality of the ICP-MS for optimal analysis of toxic and trace elements in the cannabis industry. The article also details the ICP-MS components, including the sampling, nebulization, and ionization processes.

The article describes a controlled demolition on the Francis Scott Key Bridge to free a cargo ship, stuck since March 26, 2024, with its crew of 21 from India and Sri Lanka aiding investigators.

The article offers regulatory evidence for expanding the panel of heavy metal contaminants in cannabis and hemp. Topics include disparity between state-based limits and federal guidelines for pharmaceutical formulations; and standing of how national standards and testing organizations have approached writing standardized methods and the development of reference materials.

Heavy metal pollution in water environment has always been a hot issue in environmental pollution research. Among various removal methods of heavy metal pollution, adsorption has attracted attention because of its low cost and low secondary pollution. Montmorillonite is one of an ideal adsorption materials because of its natural pore structure and a high specific surface area. In this review, the modification methods of montmorillonite are introduced. The adsorption effect of different heavy metal ions and the main factors affecting the adsorption are discussed in detail. Meanwhile, the adsorption mechanism is intensively reviewed. The removal of Cr(VI), Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Cs(I), Co(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and other nine heavy metal ions by modified montmorillonite was summarized and discussed, and the optimal pH values for different adsorbents were also different, but they were all less than 7, and the removal rates of heavy metal ions by modified montmorillonite under optimal conditions were all greater than 90%. It is concluded that the composite montmorillonite material has a great adsorption potential. Finally, it is proposed that the combination of advanced oxidation and composite montmorillonite material adsorption to remove heavy metal ions is an important direction of adsorption and removal of heavy metal ions in the water environment in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We solve the differential equation f ′ (z) = f − 1 (z) , where z is complex, and show that the solutions involve the golden ratio φ. As an addendum, we briefly consider solutions of f (n) (z) = f − 1 (z) , n a natural number, which involve the family of metallic numbers Mn, defined as the solutions to the equations M n 2 − n M n − 1 = 0 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New research published in Nature Communications indicates that wildfires in the Western United States are transforming a benign form of chromium, trivalent chromium, into its toxic counterpart, hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is known to increase cancer risk in humans when ingested or inhaled. The study focused on four reserves in California's North Coast Range and found that areas that had burned at high heat for extended periods had hexavalent chromium levels 6.5 times higher than non-burned areas. The researchers emphasized that hexavalent chromium is particularly worrisome when it becomes airborne, as it might in wildfire smoke, as it is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. [Extracted from the article]

But we knew to be concerned in the first place thanks to Herbert Needleman, a pediatrician and child psychiatrist who ended up saving thousands of children from the devastation of lead poisoning. Needleman had a particular skill set - as a psychiatrist and a pediatrician - that allowed him to see that lead poisoning was much more prevalent than the medical establishment realized. "The idea of collecting teeth was brilliant", says Irving Shapiro, a specialist in the biochemistry of teeth who was on the dental school faculty at the University of Pennsylvania at the time, and who would become Needleman's collaborator. [Extracted from the article]

Palmgren's 13" x 40" Engine Lathe is a high-performance lathe that can handle a wide range of turning applications, from heavy metal removal to fine tolerance operations. It is suitable for tool rooms, die and mold shops, fabrication shops, and maintenance departments. The lathe features an electronically controlled variable speed inverter for precise control over spindle RPM, and the headstock provides power and precision. Safety features include a tool post guard, chuck guard, full rear splash guard, and CSA certified electronics. For more information, readers can click on the provided link. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the discussion on large amounts of the toxic metal following rivers to coastal food supplies including inland sources such as wildfires, mines, and coal-burning power plants.

The article delves into the critical role of international collaboration in Arctic research amidst the backdrop of rapidly changing environmental conditions. It highlights the challenges faced by scientists in accessing data and conducting studies across the Arctic region, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address the complexities of climate change impacts.

This refers to the ability of some plants to draw metals from the soil and concentrate them in harvestable parts above ground, where they can be easily removed, dried and turned into metal-rich ash. GEOGRAPHICAL Bioremediation Not many microbe stories unrelated to Covid-19 made headlines in 2020, but one that did involved an announcement in autumn by biochemists at the University of Portsmouth, who used an enzyme from a rubbish-dwelling bacterium that lives on a diet of plastic bottles to create a "cocktail" capable of breaking down PET bottles at industrial speeds. While many plants produce molecules that bind metals for storage, the most metal-loving hyperaccumulators also use organic acids that enable them to bind much greater amounts of the metals - like a form of boosted chemical defence. [Extracted from the article]

The legalization of cannabis in various countries has created a hype around the plant and resulted in the commercialization of cannabis and numerous cannabis-containing products in the food and beverage, cosmetics, and personal care products markets. This development made testing of products for their levels of cannabinoids, pesticides, or heavy metals necessary to prove they are harmless to consumers. This work describes an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the analysis of various heavy metals in cannabis sativa plant material. Cannabis is known to accumulate metals in various parts of the plant to a different extent. As a consequence, several protocols for the homogenization of cannabis buds were developed. For comparison, cannabis buds were separated into seeds, stems, and leaves and the plant parts were subjected to ICP-MS analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article takes a look at the major atomic spectroscopy techniques such as flame atomic absorption (FAA), and compares their performance characteristics and also examines the limits of quantitation for the four heavy metals including (lead [Pb], aresnic [As], cadmium [Cd], and mercury [Hg]) being regulated in cannabis and hemp by most states in the U.S. It mentions that the determination of elemental mercury can also be carried out using reduction chemistry.

The article presents the discussion on disposal leading to the leaching of toxic metals. Topics include recycling requires immense amounts of energy and producing polluting chemicals; banning the sale of petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars for the demand of lithium ion batteries; and concerning about the environmental and ethical effect of metal mining.

States that legalize cannabis sales require that all cannabis products undergo analytical testing before purchase by the public. This trend has driven cannabis testing services to become a $1.1 billion industry in the US. In addition, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15.4% from 2020 to 2027. The leading factor propelling market growth was a rise in contamination cases. As the sale of medical and recreational cannabis products became increasingly popular, it was essential that products were properly tested for safe consumption. Regulatory agencies established maximum quantity limits for residual solvents, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, microbes, and mycotoxins found in cannabis plants. In recent years, laboratories have adapted a multitude of analytical testing techniques to protect consumers from these dangerous contaminants. As the demand for testing services grows, in-house and independent laboratories are searching for new technologies that offer significant throughput advantages in cannabis testing workflows. In response, this article explores five common cannabis tests, incorporating filter plates into sample preparation workflows, and the benefits of incorporating filter plates in cannabis testing workflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of heavy metals in waterways is a major threat to human health, and such metals cause stomach cancer and brain damage. There is a growing trend towards heavy metal pollution in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries due to inappropriate environmental management and the development of the region's chemical industry. In some border areas, transboundary heavy metal pollution significantly affects people's daily lives. The traditional ASEAN approach to solving heavy metal pollution has limitations due to various problems that affect the ASEAN region, such as unbalanced economic growth, a shortage of environmental technology, and a lack of regional law enforcement. As a result, more effective regional governance on heavy metal pollution and transboundary issues is urgently required. In this paper, network governance theory is used to study environmental problems. This paper recommends that voluntary governance is used to supplement traditional state-centric governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which found that flying wireless sensors inspired by gliding seeds could be used to detect heavy metals in air and catch particulate pollution.

The article discusses a study published in "Nature Science," which suggested that each year, 42 tonnes of the toxic metal may be released from the southwest of the Greenland ice sheet.

The article offers insights on limiting exposure to toxic dirt in polluted soil and water. Topics discussed include the cardiovascular system threats posed by soil and water contaminants, young children's particular vulnerability to lead exposure, and the risks of elevated cadmium levels in blood and urine. Also noted are such measures as checking drinking water, opting for organic food, and minimizing plastic use to limit pollution exposure and impact.

Since the toxic effect of lead on birds has led to a ban on this heavy metal for hunting in wetlands, numerous alternative materials exist on the European market, such as copper, iron, bismuth and tungsten. However, these materials are neither tested for their impact on the environment nor for their killing effect. Due to the complex effect of shot on game, there are no exact guidelines for testing the killing effect. There are only some recommendations on how to assess the performance of conventional lead shot cartridges. These standards do not consider different physical and mechanical properties (density, deformation behavior, hardness, brittleness) of new alternative shot materials and should be updated likewise. For this reason, the Wannseer Norm (LAMPEL and SEITZ, 1983), which is an admitted guideline for conventional lead shot in Germany, was modified by observations of the kinetic energy as an indicator of the ballistic coefficient for a comparative investigation of conventional and alternative shotshells. In addition to the coverage of a 16-field grid we analyzed ballistic criteria based on hits and kinetic energy of the shot pellets on specific surface areas as well as the radial spread of the shot pattern. The coverage is calculated from the number of segments which must contain a minimum of hits or a minimum kinetic energy. Generalized linear models were used to compare different shot types with the same caliber and shot diameter based on these criteria. It was noticeable that shotshells differed in terms of the shots' kinetic energy, as compared to their number of hits. For this reason, it has to be discussed to what extent the energy aspect should be taken into account in new standards (for alternative materials in particular). With regard to the criteria examined in this study, the shotgun cartridges Rottweil Steel Game and Rottweil Ultimate achieved at least the same target ballistic performance as conventional lead shotshells. Furthermore, an alternative shotshell called FOB Sweet Copper was repeatedly conspicuous in the study and seems to be unsuitable for hunting. This demonstrates the urgent need to introduce standardized criteria for testing the environmental impact and the killing effect of game shot in Germany and the EU. For the latter, our study should provide an initial approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I was hunting with the deadliest goose load available: tungsten No. 7s. The No. 2s absolutely crushed geese, and the No. 5s were killer on ducks - for a relatively affordable price. Apex makes a straight TSS load (like the Federal Custom Shop), but it also produces a 3-inch 12-gauge mixed load of No. 2 steel (about 126 pellets) and No. 9 TSS (about 90 pellets) that is more affordable. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports that Municipal water contaminated by electronic waste and other sources of heavy metals but collecting, chemically preserving and transporting samples to laboratories for testing is challenging for remote communities.

The article discusses research by Jeong Sook Ha and colleagues of the University of Seoul which showed that flexible speakers made of liquid heavy metal may be key to better, wearable music listening devices.

This paper discusses the leaching of metals from conventional and alternative game shot in an artificial substrate with minimal sorption capacity in order to acquire first values for a riskassessment of the emission of shot to the terrestrial environment. For this purpose, a collective of different shots was selected with special regards to different materials, coatings and market relevance (Tab. 1). Percolation tests were conducted under acidic and alkaline conditions referring to SCHWARZ et al. (2015). With the exception of antimony, higher metal leaching was observed under acidic conditions. Furthermore, metal leaching from non-corroded shot (at the beginning of percolation; Tab. 3) can considerably differ from the metal release of corroded shot (at the end of percolation; Tab. 4). Assessing the leaching behavior of the shot types Fiocchi Steel Shot, Rottweil Steel Game and Eley Bismuth Alphamax they showed no exceedance of the used test values for the pathway soil-groundwater (Tab. 3 and Tab. 4) given by the German soil protection directive (BBODSCHV). Additional regards to different ecotoxicological rankings of investigated materials for ammunition by LEPPER et al. (2003) and FÄTH and GÖTTLEIN (2015) conclude that not only the input of lead, but also the emission of copper, nickel and zinc into the environment has to be regarded. As shown by the leaching behavior of a tin-coated lead shot, coatings could be a possible solution to reduce heavy metal release. However, coatings can also be the main source of heavy metal release as observed for the coated steel shot Winchester Blind Side. The critical leaching of metals from some alternative shots as well as the detected consumer fraud of "lead-free" ammunition (FOB Sweet Copper) requires standardized test criteria for game shot available on the market. Finally, regarding the applicability of a material for use in game shot the aspects of killing efficiency, hunting safety, gun compatibility and hygienics of game meat have to be additionally taken into account, besides ecotoxicological issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study published in "Consumer Reports" on December 22, 2022 which showed that many popular brands of dark chocolate contain potentially worrisome levels of lead and cadmium.

Though this filtration method requires low energy input and provides a use for extra oilseed meal, vegetable oil production and amyloid fibril formation require industrial processes for their extraction. The team extracted the proteins left over in sunflower and peanut oilseed meal and then turned them into structures called "amyloid fibrils" that attract and trap heavy metal ions as they pass by. A team of researchers from Singapore and Switzerland have developed a water filter made from leftover vegetable oil meal to remove heavy metals from drinking water. [Extracted from the article]

The present study aims to quantify the concentration of heavy metals, specifically lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg), and also the chemical composition (CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 among others) of the hydraulic cement marketed in Costa Rica. The physical parameters of density and fineness confirmed the homogeneity of the samples to determinate accurately the content of the major components and heavy metals in the cements. The mineralogical constitution was determined by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). Specifically, the cements showed a mass fraction in the range of (61.22 - 63.12) % of CaO, (18.10 - 26.14) % of SiO2, (3.70 - 6.05) % of Al2O3, (2.57 - 3.36) % Fe2O3 and (0.60 - 4.09) % de MgO. Other components such as MgO, TiO2, K2O, P2O5, Na2O and Mn2O3 were found on an average mass fraction lower than 1%. Moreover, using the ignition test results and assuming a complete decomposition of the limestone, it was possible to estimate (indirectly) the content of CaCO3 and CaO given by the raw materials. The metal content of the heavy metals was determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS), Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (ETAAS), and Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (CVAAS). The analysis demonstrated that the Pb in cements is present in different concentrations ranging the (2.45 ± 0.72) mg kg-1 to the (8.95 ± 1.34) mg kg-1. Chromium (Cr) was presented in higher concentrations of (10.69 ± 0.92) mg kg-1. The Hg concentration was below 0.141 ± 0.021 mg kg-1. In general terms, the hydraulic cements marketed and used in Costa Rica have a suitable chemical composition compared with some cements marketed in Germany. The results of the content of heavy metals presented in this study provide significant information for future studies in the area of toxicology, ecotoxicology, standardization and national regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on the topics including unidirectional aseptic processing approach to both hydrocarbon and supercritical carbon dioxide extract manufacturing; and safety concerns regulated panel in line with pharmaceutical industry.

The CULTURE PAGES To Do MOVIES 19. Shinya Tsukamoto, who broke out with the gloriouscyberpunk hallucination of 1989's Tetsuo: TheIron Man, gets a Brooklyn retrospective thatincludes the amped-up semi-sequel Tetsuo II:Body Hammer, the dreamlike thriller Vital, andWWII drama Fires on the Plain. [Extracted from the article]

The article states researchers found the use of diatomaceous earth used in the final stage of filtration of beer and wine can leach low levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic into alcoholic beverages and mentioned alternative filtration methods that would eliminate the contamination.

High levels of lead and other heavy metals have been detected in the Ayurvedic medicine Penisole, warns the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It has not been approved for supply in Australia, but the TGA is aware that Penisole capsules are available for sale on international websites. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the issue, and assess any patient known to have taken Penisole for lead and heavy metal poisoning. [Extracted from the article]

HSA prohibits the addition of ingredients such as steroids and sets limits on toxic heavy metals in health supplements and traditional medicines. The Singaporean Health Sciences Authority (HAS) has launched a voluntary notification initiative to establish a local database of safe health supplements such as vitamins and minerals, and traditional medicines such as those for weight loss, pain relief and to enhance male sexual function. [Extracted from the article]

The accumulation of heavy metals in macroparasites of fish has been widely studied in freshwater environments. Less is known about metal uptake in cestodes parasitizing marine fish. Lacistorhynchus dollfusi is a common larval cestode parasite of Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus), a flatfish species inhabiting Santa Monica Bay. The ability of this cestode to concentrate metals in its tissues was compared with metal levels in its sanddab host. Fish and cestode tissue were analysed for 14 elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The elements analysed were silver (Ag), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti) and zinc (Zn). Three of the 14 metals (Cu, Hg and Zn) were significantly greater in concentration in L. dollfusi compared with their levels in the liver, intestine and muscle of their fish host. They ranked in concentration from highest to lowest as follows: Zn > Cu > Hg. The ability of the cestode L. dollfusi to uptake metals at higher concentrations than its host warrants its consideration as a candidate for a heavy metal accumulation indicator of pollution exposure in Pacific sanddab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multi-input single output (MISO) black-box sigmoid model is developed to simulate the biosorption of heavy metal cations by the fission yeast from aqueous medium. Validation and verification of the model is done through statistical chi-squared hypothesis tests and the model is evaluated by uncertainty and sensitivity analyses. The simulated results are in agreement with the data of the studied system in which Schizosaccharomyces pombe biosorbs Ni(II) cations at various process conditions. Experimental data is obtained originally for this work using dead cells of an adapted variant of S. Pombe and represented by Freundlich isotherms. A process optimization scheme is proposed using the present model to build a novel application of a cost-merit objective function which would be useful to predict optimal operation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on analysis of various forms of hemp and cannabis products for determination of trace metals content. Topics include cannabis-based products such as foods, oils, tinctures, and lotions being tested for the presence of heavy metals for ensuring consumer safety and product quality; and allowing for acid vapors to be exhausted while maintaining the sample integrity and elements within the vessel.

Produced by the late Ivan Reitman in the days before computer animation, Heavy Metal took three years to complete, and required multiple production studios using a variety of techniques. Debuting exclusively in a handsome steelbook special edition, Heavy Metal on 4K disc carries a new assembling (via video conferencing) of celebrity fans plus Mr. Reitman himself. ADULT-SKEWING animation wasn't a new genre by 1981 (thank you, Ralph Bakshi), but was the world at that time ready for Heavy Metal?. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the injection of heavy metals in early earth, which mention that formation of the moon due to the collision of size of Mars with Earth and sent debris from the mantle into space.

The article offers supplement and dietary recommendations that help to manage estrogens level and reduce tumor growth in case of breast cancer, along with information on several supplements for breast cancer treatment including the Alpha-Lipoic Acid from Natural Factors and DIM-Plus from Nature's Way. Topics include avoiding exposure to heavy metals, keeping vitamin D levels in the normal range with some sun exposure and supplementation, and avoiding canned foods that contain toxic chemicals.