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We present a rigorous quantum scattering study of the effects of hyperfine and Zeeman interactions on cold Li–H2 collisions in the presence of an external magnetic field using a recent ab initio potential energy surface. We find that the low-field-seeking states of H2 predominantly undergo elastic collisions: the ratio of elastic-to-inelastic cross sections exceeds 100 for collision energies below 100 mK. Furthermore, we demonstrate that most inelastic collisions conserve the space-fixed projection of the nuclear spin. We show that the anisotropic hyperfine interaction between the nuclear spin of H2 and the electron spin of Li can have a significant effect on inelastic scattering in the ultracold regime, as it mediates two processes: the electron spin relaxation in lithium and the nuclear spin–electron spin exchange. Given the predominance of elastic collisions and the propensity of inelastic collisions to retain H2 in its low-field-seeking states, our results open up the possibility of sympathetic cooling of molecular hydrogen by atomic lithium, paving the way for future exploration of ultracold collisions and high-precision spectroscopy of H2 molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between bipolar disorder (BP) and immune dysfunction remains controversial. While epidemiological studies have long suggested an association, recent research has found only limited evidence of such a relationship. To clarify this, we performed an exploratory study of the contributions of immune-relevant genetic factors to the response to lithium (Li) treatment and the clinical presentation of BP. First, we assessed the association of a large collection of immune-related genes (4925) with Li response, defined by the Retrospective Assessment of the Lithium Response Phenotype Scale (Alda scale), and clinical characteristics in patients with BP from the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLi+Gen, N = 2374). Second, we calculated here previously published polygenic scores (PGSs) for immune-related traits and evaluated their associations with Li response and clinical features. Overall, we observed relatively weak associations (p

Purpose: To assess the impact of fatigue loading on the internal and marginal fit of CAD/CAM-fabricated endocrowns for restoring endodontically treated molars using different machinable blocks. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 mandibular first molars were prepared using a standardized method and were divided into four groups (n = 18), each restored with a different CAD/CAM material: group V = polymerinfiltrated ceramic (Vita Enamic); group K = partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Katana); group E = lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD; and group B = polyetheretherketone (BioHPP). Endocrowns were subjected to thermomechanical fatigue loading. Internal and marginal adaptation of the endocrowns were examined at 66 points using the sectioning technique and a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (a = .05). Results: Statistical tests showed that adhesive cementation resulted in significantly increased marginal and internal gap values in all regions in all four tested groups (P < .001). After thermomechanical fatigue loading, all regions in groups B and K showed a statistically significant difference, while no significant differences were found in the regions in group V (P > .05). In group E, the marginal (F = 71.00) and pulpal (F = 28.065) regions showed statistically significant differences (P < .001). Conclusion: Polymer-infiltrated ceramics showed the lowest gap even after thermomechanical fatigue loading and may therefore provide enhanced clinical survival of the restored tooth, favoring the use of this material for fabricating endocrown restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the fracture resistance of five different groups of chairside CAD/CAM molar crowns fabricated from various lithium disilicate ceramic materials (LDC): one conventional precrystallized CAD/CAM LDC, two novel precrystallized LDCs, and one fully crystallized LDC tested both with and without optional sintering. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 chairside CAD/CAM lithium disilicate molar crowns (n = 12 per group) with 1.5-mm occlusal thickness and a 1.0-mm chamfer finish were designed and fabricated with a chairside CAD/CAM system (CEREC, Dentsply Sirona). The restorations were divided into five groups: (1) IPS e.max CAD; (2) Amber Mill; (3) Straumann n!ce; (4) Straumann n!ce with optional sintering; and (5) Supreme CAD. Restorations were cemented using conventional resin luting cement and primer system to 3D-printed resin dies. Bonded restorations were loaded for 100,000 cycles with 275-N force, and the load at break (LB) and peak load (PL) until fracture were measured. SEM images of fracture surfaces on the printed dies were obtained. Results: Fracture resistance was significantly different depending on the material. Supreme CAD showed the highest fracture resistance (LB: 1,557.2 N; PL: 1,785.8 N), followed by Amber Mill (LB: 1,393.0 N; PL: 1,604.2 N) and IPS e.max CAD (LB: 1,315.7 N; PL: 1,461.9 N). Straumann n!ce without (LB: 862.4 N; PL: 942.9 N) and with the optional sintering (LB: 490.4 N; PL: 541.0 N) showed significantly lower fracture resistance than the others. Conclusion: The fracture resistance of chairside CAD/CAM lithium disilicate molar crowns varied depending on the material, and the novel materials did not perform as well as the conventional equivalents. Fully crystallized lithium disilicate ceramic block materials showed lower fracture resistance than precrystallized counterparts and should be used with caution in the clinic, especially with optional sintering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have uncovered susceptibility loci associated with psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder (BP) and schizophrenia (SCZ). However, most of these loci are in non-coding regions of the genome, and the causal mechanisms of the link between genetic variation and disease risk is unknown. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis of bulk tissue is a common approach used for deciphering underlying mechanisms, although this can obscure cell-type-specific signals and thus mask trait-relevant mechanisms. Although single-cell sequencing can be prohibitively expensive in large cohorts, computationally inferred cell-type proportions and cell-type gene expression estimates have the potential to overcome these problems and advance mechanistic studies. Using bulk RNA-seq from 1,730 samples derived from whole blood in a cohort ascertained from individuals with BP and SCZ, this study estimated cell-type proportions and their relation with disease status and medication. For each cell type, we found between 2,875 and 4,629 eGenes (genes with an associated eQTL), including 1,211 that are not found on the basis of bulk expression alone. We performed a colocalization test between cell-type eQTLs and various traits and identified hundreds of associations that occur between cell-type eQTLs and GWASs but that are not detected in bulk eQTLs. Finally, we investigated the effects of lithium use on the regulation of cell-type expression loci and found examples of genes that are differentially regulated according to lithium use. Our study suggests that applying computational methods to large bulk RNA-seq datasets of non-brain tissue can identify disease-relevant, cell-type-specific biology of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric medication.

Lithium (Li) is one of the most effective drugs for treating bipolar disorder (BD), however, there is presently no way to predict response to guide treatment. The aim of this study is to identify functional genes and pathways that distinguish BD Li responders (LR) from BD Li non-responders (NR). An initial Pharmacogenomics of Bipolar Disorder study (PGBD) GWAS of lithium response did not provide any significant results. As a result, we then employed network-based integrative analysis of transcriptomic and genomic data. In transcriptomic study of iPSC-derived neurons, 41 significantly differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified in LR vs NR regardless of lithium exposure. In the PGBD, post-GWAS gene prioritization using the GWA-boosting (GWAB) approach identified 1119 candidate genes. Following DE-derived network propagation, there was a highly significant overlap of genes between the top 500- and top 2000-proximal gene networks and the GWAB gene list (Phypergeometric = 1.28E-09 and 4.10E-18, respectively). Functional enrichment analyses of the top 500 proximal network genes identified focal adhesion and the extracellular matrix (ECM) as the most significant functions. Our findings suggest that the difference between LR and NR was a much greater effect than that of lithium. The direct impact of dysregulation of focal adhesion on axon guidance and neuronal circuits could underpin mechanisms of response to lithium, as well as underlying BD. It also highlights the power of integrative multi-omics analysis of transcriptomic and genomic profiling to gain molecular insights into lithium response in BD.

Tritium self-sufficiency in fusion nuclear reactors will be based on the neutron capture by lithium in the so-called breeding blankets of the reactor, a nuclear reaction that will produce helium along with tritium. The low solubility of helium in liquid metals could cause the eventual formation of helium bubbles, which may have a negative impact on the performance of the breeding blanket in a way that has yet to be fully understood. In this work, we provide deep insight into the behavior of lithium and helium mixtures at experimentally operating conditions (800 K and pressures between 1 and 100 bars) using a microscopic model suitable to describe the interactions between helium and lithium at the atomic level, in excellent agreement with available experimental data. The simulations predict the formation of helium bubbles with radii around 10 Å at ambient pressure with surface tension values in the range of 0.6–1.0 N/m. We also report the cohesive energies of helium and the work of formation of the cluster of atoms, as well as a quantitative estimation of the Hildebrand and Kumar cohesion parameters. Our results indicate that the segregation between He and Li atoms is strong, and once a bubble is formed, it never dissociates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for lithium is steadily increasing, driving an increased focus on exploration efforts worldwide. Lithium, a crucial metal for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used in renewable energy technologies, is vital in the global drive to reduce carbon emissions. India’s ambitions to become a manufacturing hub for LIBs and achieve 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030 require significant quantities of lithium. However, challenges due to limited domestic reserves within the country, prompting efforts to define new exploration targets and develop existing lithium occurrences. Recent discoveries in northern Jammu and Kashmir and southern Karnataka highlight promising lithium deposits. This study focuses on India’s lithium exploration within pegmatite belts across various cratonic blocks, identifying significant potential for lithium exploration and mining. Notably, spodumene-rich pegmatites are found in Karnataka’s Dharwar Craton, while lepidolite-rich pegmatites exist in Rajasthan’s Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt and the Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh region. Regions like Bihar-Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Assam-Meghalaya also exhibit promise for lithium exploration. These findings emphasize the diverse lithological settings where lithium exploration can be strategically pursued in India. This study recommends adopting modern exploration techniques and developing cost-effective extraction technologies to advance India’s lithium exploration efforts. These initiatives are crucial in meeting the escalating demand for lithium and advancing India’s clean energy objectives in the transition to renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nKEY POINTSStudies of lithogeochemical dispersion haloes of rare metal pegmatites, particularly those of economic interest, are known to display strong development of haloes of rare alkali elements (Li–Rb–Cs), in particular lithium, into country rocks. The use of these haloes in exploration for pegmatites has had apparently little application in an Australian context, where it has the potential to assist exploration undercover by expanding the known ‘footprint’ of these mineral systems. Dispersion haloes have two parts: proximal (typically of centimetres to metres thickness), characterised by visible changes to mineralogy relating to metasomatism, and distal, where there are typically cryptic geochemical changes, but no changes in host mineralogy. Collation of global data have shown that the lithogeochemical haloes of large rare metal pegmatites can extend laterally at least 200 m, with a few localities giving indications extending several kilometres along strike. Lithium displays the largest haloes, with Rb and Cs typically being less extensive; other elements are mostly localised close to the pegmatite wallrock interface. These haloes are more extensive in mafic host rocks than other host-rock types. Mafic host rocks also provide the best geochemical contrast for rare alkali elements. Of the 22 datasets reviewed here, many are simply ‘proof of concept’ studies based on single sample lines and may not have had their outer limits defined. The actual distribution of these haloes is likely to be controlled by anisotropies that control host-rock permeability in the host units, with fluids emanating from the rare metal pegmatites being commonly channelled into structures or exploiting foliation or bedding. Regional-scale structures are likely to control kilometre-scale haloes. Sheet silicates and amphiboles are the most important hosts for these elements, which consequently accumulate in units or structures rich in these minerals. The actual distributions of these elements are, in most cases, likely to be irregular and complex anomalies of varying three-dimensional shapes, and thus ‘vectoring’ based on systematic changes in concentration away from a source should be treated with caution. It is important to note that given anomaly types do not indicate the presence of particular minerals, such as spodumene. The presence of these haloes in Australian Archean cratons is supported by dispersion haloes in saprolite and saprock units in deep weathering profiles and is potentially applicable to lag sampling over near fresh or unweathered host-rock units in exposed terranes.Lithogeochemical haloes of Li–Rb–Cs represent a simple exploration tool that can be readily integrated into exploration workflows by assay of host rock units in proximity to LCT granitic pegmatites.Haloes extend laterally at least 200 m and show indications of kilometre-scale anomalies relating to structurally controlled fluid flow.Haloes are spatially more extensive and show greater geochemical contrast with backgrounds, in mafic host units.These rare alkali haloes may persist into weathered host-rock units such as saprolite in regolith profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) is inevitably associated with serious safety risks due to the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites. Thus, to inhibit the formation of lithium dendrites, many researchers have focused on constructing three-dimensional porous current collectors with a high specific surface area. However, the homogeneous structure of porous collectors does not effectively guide the deposition of lithium metal to the bottom, leading to a phenomenon known as "top-growth." Recently, the construction of 3D porous current collectors with a lithiophilic gradient has been widely reported and regarded as an effective approach to inhibit lithium top-growth, thus improving battery safety. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on such anode current collector design strategies, including surface modification of different base materials, design of gradient structures, and field factors, emphasizing their lithium-affinity mechanism and the advantages and disadvantages of different collector designs. Finally, we provide a perspective on the future research directions and applications of gradient affinity current collectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to create a new Li metasilicate-based glass-ceramic for dental use, prioritizing improved chemical durability (CD) and machinability while preserving good glass-forming ability (GFA) and adequate mechanical properties. Characterization also involved examining fracture strength (S f) and fracture toughness (K IC). The experimental approach involved precise microstructural adjustments through designed compositional changes and controlled thermal treatments. Four compositions underwent scrutiny using mechanical tests, microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction to analyze the impact of lithium metasilicate (LS) and disilicate (LS2) crystals on these properties. Machinability was evaluated by weight loss measurements during controlled grinding experiments. The developed GCs exhibited interconnected acicular LS and LS2 crystals, which resulted in favorable S f ∼300 MPa and K IC ∼1.7 MPa m1/2 (SEVNB). Although the K IC was smaller than that of an experimental LS-LS2 GC (285 MPa and 3 MPa m1/2(double torsion)) used as a reference, the chemical durability (126 μg/cm2 for ML14F GC) improved by nearly 50 % compared to the reference (∼220 μg/cm2). This study introduced three new GCs with LS as the major phase (rather than the traditional LS2), showcasing commendable GFA, chemical durability and machinability, with satisfactory flexural strength and fracture toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of spent lithium‐ion batteries by traditional acid leaching is limited by serious pollution, complicated technology, and the low purity of Li2CO3. To address the problems of the traditional acid leaching process and increasing demand for decarbonization, a technique for the selective carbonation leaching of Li and the recovery of battery‐grade Li2CO3 by a simple concentration precipitation process without acids or bases was developed. The coupling of CO2 and reducing agents could effectively promote the precipitation of MCO3 (M=Ni/Co/Mn) and the selective leaching of Li by decreasing the reducing capability needed for transition metals and decreasing the pH of the solution. The optimal selective leaching process of Li was obtained under 1 MPa CO2 with 20 g/L Na2S2O3 at an L/S ratio of 30 mL/g for 1.5 h. FT‐IR, XRD, ICP‐MS and other methods were used to reveal the multiphase interfacial reaction mechanism of the carbonation reduction of layered cathode materials, which indicated that the reducing agent Na2S2O3 could promote lattice distortion of the cathode materials and effective separation of Li. In summary, a green and economical method for the selective recovery of battery‐grade Li2CO3 using a one‐step method of CO2 carbonation recovery in a near‐neutral environment was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium (Li+) therapy is a valuable tool in psychiatric practice that remains underutilized due to safety concerns. Excessive plasma Li+ levels are nephrotoxic and can trigger a local immune response. Our understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of Li+ in the kidney is fragmentary. Here, we studied how immune mechanisms contribute to the development of Li+-induced adverse effects in the kidneys of C57BL/6NJ mice placed on a 0.3% lithium carbonate diet for 28 days. We combined histochemical techniques, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, qPCR and proteome profiler arrays to characterize renal tissue damage, infiltrating immune cells and cytokine markers, activation of pyroptotic and apoptotic cascades in the kidneys of mice receiving Li+-containing and regular diets. We found that biomarkers of tubular damage, kidney injury marker, KIM-1, and neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin, NGAL, were elevated in the renal tissue of Li+-treated mice when compared to controls. This correlated with increased interstitial fibrosis in Li+-treated mice. Administration of Li+ did not activate the proinflammatory NLRP3 inflammasome cascade but promoted apoptosis in the renal tissue. The TUNEL-positive signal and levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-8, were elevated in the kidneys of Li+- treated mice. We observed a significantly higher abundance of CD93, CCL21, and fractalkine, accumulation of F4.80+ macrophages with reduced M1/ M2 polarization ratio and decreased CD4+ levels in the renal tissue of Li+- treated mice when compared to controls. Therefore, after 28 days of treatment, Li+-induced insult to the kidney manifests in facilitated apoptotic cell death without an evident pro-inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review delves into recent advancements in lithium, magnesium, zinc, and iron-air batteries, which have emerged as promising energy delivery devices with diverse applications, collectively shaping the landscape of energy storage and delivery devices. Lithium-air batteries, renowned for their high energy density of 1910 Wh/kg and long life cycle, have seen remarkable improvements in performance and safety measures, making them the go-to choose for portable electronics and electric vehicles. Lithium-air batteries have promising safer and more efficient energy storage solution. However, their reliance on limited lithium resources has driven research into alternative chemistries. Magnesium-air batteries, characterized by high theoretical capacity and reduced flammability risks, have garnered significance due to their potential of high energy density (700 Wh/kg). Magnesium-air batteries also offer compelling prospects due to their abundance and environmentally friendly resource. Meanwhile, zinc air batteries having energy density (1087 Wh/kg), low cost, abundant material availability, and impressive cycle life offer an attractive solution for grid-scale energy storage. Additionally, iron-air batteries have emerged as eco-friendly options with energy efficiency of 50%, harnessing iron's abundance and oxygen from the air. This review extracts recent research developments, offering insights into the strengths, challenges, and promising pathways for these battery systems, paving the way for a more diversified an environmentally conscious energy delivery landscape. While challenges such as electrode materials, electrolyte design, and safety concerns persist, the progress in these battery technologies presents exciting for more efficient and sustainable energy delivery systems, with potential benefits spanning from consumer electronics to renewable energy integration and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium is an effective mood stabiliser, but its mechanism of action is incompletely defined. Even at very low doses, lithium may have neuroprotective effects, but it is not clear if these relate to brain lithium concentration in vivo. We have developed magnetic resonance imaging (7Li-MRI) methods to detect lithium in the brain following supplementation at a very low dose. Lithium orotate supplements were taken by nine healthy adult male subjects (5 mg daily) for up to 28 days, providing 2–7 % of the lithium content of a typical therapeutic lithium carbonate dose. One-dimensional 7Li-images were acquired on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. All subjects were scanned on day 14 or 28; seven were scanned on both, one at baseline and one after 7-days washout. 7Li-MR signal amplitude was broadly stable between days 14 and 28. Two subjects had notably higher 7Li-signal intensities (approximately 2–4×) compared to other study participants. Lithium adherence was self-reported by all participants without formal validation. The coarse spatial resolution necessary for detection of low concentrations of 7Li exhibits imperfect spatial separation of signal from adjacent pixels. 7Li-MRI performed using a clinical 3T scanner demonstrated detection of lithium in the brain at very low concentration, in the range of approximately 10–60 mM. The methods are suited to studies assessing low dose lithium administration in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and permit the comparison of different lithium salt preparations at a time of emerging interest in the field. • 7Li-MRI permits direct, non-invasive, longitudinal measurement of brain lithium. • Brain lithium was detected after administration of very low dose lithium orotate. • Brain 7Li-signal was stable between two- and four-weeks of supplementation. • A subset of individuals showed notably higher brain 7Li-signal intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and selective glucose-to-fructose isomerization is a crucial step for production of oxygenated chemicals derived from sugars, which is usually catalyzed by base or Lewis acid heterogeneous catalyst. However, high yield and selectivity of fructose cannot be simultaneously obtained under mild conditions which hamper the scale of application compared with enzymatic catalysis. Herein, a Li-promoted C3N4 catalyst was exploited which afforded an excellent fructose yield (40.3 wt%) and selectivity (99.5%) from glucose in water at 50 C, attributed to the formation of stable Li--N bond to strengthen the basic sites of catalysts. Furthermore, the so-formed N6--Li--H2O active site on Li--C3N4 catalyst in aqueous phase changes the local electronic structure and strengthens the deprotonation process during glucose isomerization into fructose. The superior catalytic performance which is comparable to biological pathway suggests promising applications of lithium containing heterogeneous catalyst in biomass refinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since its debut in 1949, lithium (Li) has been regarded as a gold standard therapy for mood stabilization. Neuroprotective effects of Li have been replicated across many different paradigms ranging from tissue cultures to human studies. This has generated interest in potentially repurposing this drug. However, the optimal dosage required for neuroprotective effects remains unclear and may be different than the doses needed for treatment of bipolar disorders. Recent studies on trace-Li levels in the water suggest that Li, could slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia with long-term use even at very low doses. The current review aims to synthesize the data on the topic and challenge the conventional high-dose paradigm. Results: We systematically reviewed five available studies, which reported associations between trace-Li in water and incidence or mortality from dementia. Association between trace-Li levels and a lower risk or mortality from dementia were observed at concentrations of Li in drinking water as low as 0.002 mg/L and 0.056 mg/L. Meanwhile, levels below 0.002 mg/L did not elicit this effect. Although three of the five studies found dementia protective properties of Li in both sexes, a single study including lower Li levels (0.002 mg/l) found such association only in women. Conclusion: The reviewed evidence shows that trace-Li levels in the water are sufficient to lower the incidence or mortality from dementia. Considering the lack of options for the prevention or treatment of dementia, we should not ignore these findings. Future trials of Li should focus on long term use of low or even micro doses of Li in the prevention or treatment of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The rising prevalence of battery powered devices is driving a steady increase in lithium‐ion battery‐related burns. We present a case series of patients with lithium‐ion battery‐related burns and describe the clinical characteristics of this cohort. To further understand emerging trends, we compare our specialty inpatient case series with emergency department (ED) data collated by the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit (QISU).This is a retrospective case series of all patients admitted to the Professor Stuart Pegg Adult Burns Centre for burns relating to lithium‐ion batteries between January 2014 and October 2023. In addition, we provide a retrospective data analysis of ED presentations for lithium‐ion battery‐related burns or blast injuries collated by the QISU.Within the case series data, the most common injuries caused by lithium‐ion batteries leading to burn unit admissions were due to e‐scooters (57.1%). Burns relating to e‐scooter batteries were more likely to involve a larger total body surface area and to be deeper in nature, than burns due to other products. The most common ED presentations were from energy storage devices such as powerpacks (43%).Lithium‐ion battery‐related burns are becoming more frequent. The majority of inpatient managed cases involved burns due to larger lithium‐ion batteries used in e‐scooters. This is the first Australian case series describing severe burns caused by this mechanism. Primary prevention through design, technological and behavioural strategies is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global market for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is growing exponentially, resulting in an increase in mining activities for the metals needed for manufacturing LIBs. Cobalt, lithium, manganese, and nickel are four of the metals most used in the construction of LIBs, and each has known toxicological risks associated with exposure. Mining for these metals poses potential human health risks via occupational and environmental exposures; however, there is a paucity of data surrounding the risks of increasing mining activity. The objective of this review was to characterize these risks. Methods: We conducted a review of the literature via a systematic search of the PubMed database on the health effects of mining for cobalt, lithium, manganese, and nickel. We included articles that (1) reported original research, (2) reported outcomes directly related to human health, (3) assessed exposure to mining for cobalt, lithium, manganese, or nickel, and (4) had an available English translation. We excluded all other articles. Our search identified 183 relevant articles. Results: Toxicological hazards were reported in 110 studies. Exposure to cobalt and nickel mining were most associated with respiratory toxicity, while exposure to manganese mining was most associated with neurologic toxicity. Notably, no articles were identified that assessed lithium toxicity associated with mining exposure. Traumatic hazards were reported in six studies. Three articles reported infectious disease hazards, while six studies reported effects on mental health. Several studies reported increased health risks in children compared to adults. Conclusions: The results of this review suggest that occupational and environmental exposure to mining metals used in LIBs presents significant risks to human health that result in both acute and chronic toxicities. Further research is needed to better characterize these risks, particularly regarding lithium mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium in coal, as a new type of associated mineral resource, has considerable potential for exploration. Exploration of high-lithium coal seams is essential for developing and using the associated lithium resources. To explore the distribution of lithium resources in the early stages of development in coal seams, the relationship between coal seam logging data and lithium content was analyzed by taking Guojiadi Coal Mine (China) as example. By analyzing the correlation between the different logging curves and the lithium content in coal and combining the K-means algorithm to identify the logging characteristics of different lithium-containing coal seams, we finally obtained the logging identification characteristics of high-lithium coal seams. The results reveal differences in the logging curves of coal seams with different lithium contents. The natural gamma and lateral resistivity of high-lithium coal seams are approximately 80 API and 100 Ω.M, respectively. Our study shows that the early identification of high-lithium coal seams can be evaluated from a logging perspective. We propose a preliminary identification method of high-lithium coal seam based on logging curve parameters by clustering analysis of borehole logging data to achieve accurate prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfide‐based all‐solid‐state battery (ASSB) with a lithium metal anode (LMA) is a promising candidate to surpass conventional Li‐ion batteries owing to their inherent safety against fire hazards and potential to achieve a higher energy density. However, the narrow electrochemical stability window and chemical reactivity of the sulfide solid electrolyte towards the LMA results in interfacial degradation and poor electrochemical performance. In this direction, we introduce an organic additive approach, that is the mixing of prelithiated trithiocyanuric acid, Li3TCA, with Li6PS5Cl, to establish a stable interface while preserving high ionic conductivity. Including 2.5 wt % Li3TCA alleviates the decomposition of the electrolyte on the lithium metal interface, decreasing the Li2S content in the solid‐electrolyte interface (SEI) thus forming a more stable interface. In Li|Li symmetric cells, this strategy enables a rise in the critical current density from 1.0 to 1.9 mA cm−2 and stable cycling for over 750 hours at a high current density of 1.0 mA cm−2. This approach also enables Li|NbO‐NCM811 full cell to operate more than 500 cycles at 0.3 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal runaway issue represents a long‐standing obstacle that retards large‐scale applications of lithium metal batteries. Various approaches to inhibit thermal runaway suffer from some intrinsic drawbacks, either being irreversible or delayed thermal protection. Herein, this work has explored thermo‐responsive lower critical solution temperature (LCST) ionic liquid‐based electrolytes, which provides reversible overheating protection for batteries with warning and shut‐down stages, well corresponding to an initial stage of thermal runaway process. The batteries could function stably below 70 °C as a working mode, while demonstrating a warning mode above 80 °C with a noticeable reduction in specific capacitance to delay temperature increase of batteries. In terms of 110 °C as a critically dangerous temperature, a shut‐down mode is designed to minimize the thermal energy releasing as the batteries are barely chargeable and dischargeable. Dynamically growing polymeric particles above LCST contributed to such an intelligent and mild control on specific capacitance. Larger size will occupy larger surfaces of electrodes and close more pores of separators, enabling a gradual suppressing of Li+ transfer and reactions. The present work demonstrated a scientific design of thermoresponsive LCST electrolytes with a superiorly precise and intelligent control of electrochemical performances to achieve self‐adapted overheating protections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising next-generation anode material, but it suffers from dendrite growth and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). We developed a robust and continuous self-standing covalent organic framework (COF) membrane using a same-phase synthesis method and utilized the membrane as an artificial SEI. The membrane suppressed dendrite growth and enhanced the stability and longevity of Li metal anode cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our rigorous investigation, employing first principles-based dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) and second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) methods, has illuminated the remarkable promise of lithium-decorated organic linkers of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs). We have computationally designed 36 complexes with nine pure linkers of COFs and Li-decorated linkers, and these designed linkers show the physisorption of H 2 molecules. The synergy of Li atoms with these linkers shows a Li binding energy about −0.5 to −1.3 eV, which enables each Li atom to capture two H 2 molecules with an average ΔH per H 2 molecule about -0.02 to -0.20 eV. We computationally obtained a significant weight percentage (wt.%) of H 2 uptake, with a maximum of wt.% for the molecular structure of Linker-3 using DFT-D methods. The true highlight of our work is the average binding enthalpy of -0.20 eV per H 2 molecule when coupled with Li-decorated Linker-5. Our study unveils the intricate interplay between dispersion and electrostatic forces that play a dominant role in binding enthalpy. We performed GCMC simulations in our designed pure COFs to study the H 2 uptake at 77 K and 298 K at varying low and high-pressure ranges. COF-IITI appears more effective in absolute H 2 loading than the Pristine COF because of its larger surface area. This groundbreaking research is essential for realizing efficient, secure, compact, and cost-effective hydrogen storage materials. It aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals set by the U.S. Department of Energy, propelling us closer to a sustainable energy future. [Display omitted] • A Li-decoration technique is proposed to enhance H 2 uptake in COF's linkers. • The Li binding energy for COF's linkers lies in the range of -0.5 to -1.3 eV. • The H 2 binding enthalpy in Li-decorated linkers satisfies the physisorption. • Dispersion and electrostatic interactions play a major role in binding enthalpy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising candidate for next‐generation high‐energy‐density rechargeable batteries. However, the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) inevitably suffers from mechanical fracture owing to the large morphological change during Li cycling, leading to the uncontrollable growth of Li dendrites, low Coulombic efficiency, and short cycle life. The fabrication of an artificial interphase is an effective strategy for improving the performances of Li metal anodes. The ideal artificial interphase should provide sufficient mechanical robustness to suppress dendritic Li growth and accommodate large volume changes during Li deposition‐dissolution cycles. In this review, we focus on the fabrication of mechanically robust artificial interphases for stabilizing Li‐metal anodes, including the underlying mechanism of SEI fracture, quantitative requirements for mechanical properties, measurements of mechanical properties, and recent progress in the fabrication of mechanically stable artificial interphases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvent extraction of lithium from brine with a high Mg/Li ratio was investigated. Tributyl phosphate (TBP), ferric chloride (FeCl3), and kerosene were used as the extractant, co-extractant, and diluent, respectively. The mechanism of the extraction process was studied by LC–MS, UV–VIS, and FT-IR analyses. Effects of organic to aqueous phase volume ratio (O/A) on the extraction efficiency and separation factor were optimized. The effects of major parameters including Fe/Li molar ratio, hydrochloric acid concentration, and TBP volume percent as well as their interactions on the lithium extraction efficiency were evaluated using central composite design. These major parameters represent interactions within their selected ranges. While the lithium extraction efficiency as the response value in the experimental design showed the most sensitivity to the acid concentration, the separation factors were more affected by alteration in the TBP volume percent with the fixed optimum values of the other major parameters. The highest one-stage extraction efficiency of 76.3% and Li/Mg separation factor of 304 were obtained at the optimum conditions of Fe/Li = 2.99, HCl = 0.01 M, and TBP = 55%. The Mg/Li mass ratio could be significantly reduced from 192 in the feed to 1.5 in the stripping solution. Based on the findings, a schematic diagram of the process including extraction, stripping, and saponification steps was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for lithium resources is growing rapidly due to the continuous development of the lithium‐ion battery, which plays an important part in the renewable energy industry. Global sources of lithium are ores and brine, of which 59% are distributed in saline brine. However, the significant lithium resources in saline brine have not been fully utilized. The electrochemical deintercalation method (EDM) for lithium extraction from saline brine is a promising technique because of its environmental friendliness, high selectivity, and cost‐effectiveness. Nevertheless, the application of EDM is greatly limited by the easy dissolution of electrode materials like LiMn2O4 and the cost of mass production. Also, there are a few existing review articles on the EDM for lithium extraction. To address this gap, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current methods for lithium extraction from saline brine, systematically summarizes the technical status of the EDM, and pays special attention to the preparation method and modification of electrode materials. This review gives new insight into the mechanism of EDM and provides a new design strategy for the evaluation methods of EDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ polymerization of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) based liquid precursor as gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is a promising strategy to prepare solid-state lithium metal batteries. However, the poor structural stability and low lithium ion transference number (tLi+) of the linear poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDOL) GPE limit its commercial application. Herein, a cross-linked GPE is prepared by lithium salt initiated in situ thermal polymerization of DOL and glycerol triglycidyl ether (GTE) monomers. A fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) liquid plasticizer is further introduced to promote the dissociation of lithium salts, and the obtained PDOL–FEC–GTE composite electrolyte exhibits ionic conductivity of 2.1 × 10−4 S cm−1, tLi+ of 0.58 and wide electrochemical stability window of 5.1 V. Li‖Li symmetric cell is stably operated for 790 h at 1.0 mA cm−2 and 1.0 mA h cm−2. LiFePO4‖PDOL–FEC–GTE‖Li full cell delivers a discharge specific capacity of 120.8 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at a current rate of 1C with a capacity retention of 84.1%. This work provides new ideas for accelerating the practical application of solid-state lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressureless sintering process is essential to densify near net shaped parts with good shape fidelity. In this work, the impact of the particle size distribution and crystallization state on the processing and properties of final sintered multicomponent lithium disilicate (SiO 2 -Li 2 O-K 2 O-P 2 O 5 -Al 2 O 3 -ZnO) was evaluated. Higher densification was achieved by pressureless sintering at lower temperatures for samples prepared with fine glass-based powders (825 °C; ≈96%) rather than coarse crystallized powders (975 °C; 92.9%). However, samples based on fine powders presented a microstructure characterized by low aspect ratio crystals, while those based on coarse powders presented needle-like crystals with high aspect ratio. Best mechanical properties were found in samples prepared with coarse glass powders (relative density≈ 95.1%; Vickers Hardness≈ 5.2 GPa; indentation fracture toughness≈ 2 MPam0.5; flexural strength≈ 317 MPa) sintered at 875 °C-1 h. These results can provide valuable orientations for the post-processing of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics prepared by additive manufacturing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Carboniferous-Permian coal measure strata in the Qinshui Basin exhibit highly lithium (Li) enrichment, with substantial exploitation potential. To further explore the enrichment mechanism of lithium in coal measure strata, the No. 15 coal of the Taiyuan Formation from the Gaoping mine is taken as the research object, and its mineralogical and geochemistry characteristics are evaluated using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, and infrared spectral. The results show that the No. 15 coal is semi-anthracite coal with low moisture, low ash, low volatility, and high sulfur. Organic macerals are primarily vitrinite, followed by inertinite, and liptinite is rare; the inorganic macerals (ash) are dominated by clay minerals (predominantly kaolinite, cookeite, illite, and NH4-illite), calcite, pyrite, quartz, siderite, gypsum, and zircon. The average Li content in the coal is 66.59 μg/g, with higher content in the coal parting (566.00 μg/g) and floor (396.00 μg/g). Lithium in coal occurs primarily in kaolinite, illite, cookeite, and is closely related to titanium-bearing minerals. In addition, Li in organic maceral may occur in liptinite. The No. 15 coal was formed in the coastal depositional system, and the deposition palaeoenvironment is primarily a wet–shallow water covered environment in open swamp facies; the plant tissue preservation index is poor, and aquatic or herbaceous plants dominate the plant type. The reducing environment with more terrestrial detritus, an arid climate, and strong hydrodynamic effects is favorable for Li enrichment in coal. The results have important theoretical significance for exploring the enrichment and metallogenic mechanisms of Li in coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the behavioral responses and circadian rhythms of mice to both rapid and gradual increases in photoperiod, mimicking the transition from winter to summer, which is associated with a heightened prevalence of hospitalizations for mania and suicidal behavior. Behavioral tests were performed in C57BL/6 male mice exposed to a transitional photoperiod, from short to long durations. To determine if circadian rhythms are affected, we measured spontaneous locomotor activity and body temperature. Mice exhibited heightened exploratory and risk‐taking behaviors compared with equatorial and static long (16:8 h of light–dark cycle for several days) groups. These behaviors were prevented by lithium. Spontaneous locomotor activity and body temperature rhythms persisted and were effectively synchronized; however, the relative amplitude of activity and interdaily stability were diminished. Additionally, the animals displayed increased activity during the light phase. Photoperiodic transition modulates behavior and circadian rhythms, mirroring certain features observed in bipolar disorder patients. This study introduces an animal model for investigating mania‐like behavior induced by photoperiodic changes, offering potential insights for suicide prevention strategies and the management of mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the nanoscale, the graphitic degree, surface area, and heteroatom doping are primary properties of any carbon material that influences anode performance for Li-ion battery (LIB) applications. The simultaneous control over nanostructured properties such as doping and surface area at the nanolevel remains challenging for achieving fast operating LIB. Here, we demonstrate a study on nitrogen-doped hierarchically nanoporous carbon (HNC) materials with specific dopant concentrations and tunable surface areas designed strategically via a dual-templating approach. The 3D nanoporous microflowers provide pathways to the lithium reservoir for fast charge–discharge. We explore the effect of different ammonia concentrations on nitrogen doping levels and the surface area of HNCs. Our findings reveal that consistently high surface area and excess nitrogen doping levels do not confer benefits. High-rate battery performance can be achieved at the expense of any of these properties. Using optimized HNC, we achieved a high-rate performance of 357 mAh g–1 at 2 A g–1 and approximately 87% stability retention after 600 cycles, showcasing its potential for LIB applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionsThe Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup suggests hemodialysis in severe lithium poisoning if specific criteria are met. One criterion is if the expected time to obtain a lithium concentration <1.0 mEq/L with optimal management is >36 h. There are a lack of data regarding which patient characteristics are associated with the rate at which patients achieve a lithium concentration <1.0 mEq/L.We conducted a retrospective chart review analyzing hospital electronic medical records. Inclusion criteria consisted of a lithium concentration >1.2 mEq/L during hospitalization. We excluded patients who received extracorporeal treatment before 36 h elapsed from time of initial lithium concentration >1.2 mEq/L. The primary analysis consisted of a Cox regression and a secondary analysis evaluated the nomogram method described by Buckley and colleagues for predicting prolonged supratherapeutic lithium concentration.One hundred and one patients were included in the study. The median time to reach a lithium concentration <1.0 mEq/L was 42.5 h (IQR: 33.8–51.1). Older patients, patients taking a thiazide, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, patients with a higher initial lithium concentration, and patients with higher sodium concentrations achieved a lithium concentration <1 mEq/L at a slower rate. For the nomogram analysis, sensitivity (61.5%) and specificity (54.5%) were moderate, the positive predictive value (16.7%) was poor, and the negative predictive value (90.6%) was excellent.The results from our primary analysis suggest that identifying higher serum sodium concentration and use of certain antihypertensives that decrease glomerular filtration rate as predictors of an increased time to reach a therapeutic lithium concentration may help identify patients who meet the Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning criteria for hemodialysis. The nomogram method performed similarly to prior validation studies.In this retrospective chart review of patients with supratherapeutic lithium concentrations, we identified several risk factors for prolonged supratherapeutic lithium concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium phosphorous oxynitride (LiPON) as one of the most successful solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs), has attracted great interest both in academia and technology due to its exceptional interfacial compatibility, broad electrochemical stability window, and excellent thermal stability, which enables the realization of extremely stable electrolyte/electrode interphase toward high‐energy density solid‐state lithium‐metal batteries (SSLMBs). However, insufficiency in ionic diffusion, mechanical robustness, and interfacial stability hinder its commercialization process. Herein, the characteristics of amorphous structure LiPON, fundamental understanding on the bulk ionic diffusion and electrode/electrolyte interface are systematically discussed, and the improvement strategies to boost the electrochemical performance are highlighted. Then, innovative characterization and computational methods help to unravel the design principle of LiPON are summarized. Furthermore, the approaches to realize high‐efficient preparation of LiPON are analyzed, followed by the investigation of present application of LiPON in current batteries. Finally, remaining challenges associated with the fundamental understanding and rational prediction of structure and interface design, high efficient preparation, and potential opportunities for future application of LiPON are properly prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it has enhanced safety and high energy density, all-solid-state lithium metal battery (ASSLB) still faces challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity, uniform Li+ flux, good interfacial compatibility, and enough mechanical strength in solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). In this work, we synthesized a composite solid electrolyte featuring an asymmetric bilayer structure (designated as 3MP-PSE) based on a crosslinked network of MOFs. The as-formed 3MP-PSE had high mechanical strength (16.8 MPa), satisfactory ionic conductivity (0.63 mS cm−1), high Li+ transference number (0.64), and broad potential window (5.0 V). This unique solid electrolyte enabled uniform Li deposition to ensure good interfacial compatibility with lithium metal electrodes, as evidenced by XPS analysis, which effectively suppressed the growth of lithium dendrites. The Li–Li symmetric battery using the 3MP-PSE was proven to be stable over 400 h at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2. Moreover, the Li//3MP-PSE//LiFePO4 battery exhibited impressive electrochemical performance at room temperature, with a high reversible specific capacity of 159.6 mAh g−1, a capacity retention of 82.7%, and an average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.87% after 200 cycles at 0.2 C, demonstrating highly stable cycling performance of the battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium is one of the lightest elements on Earth and it has been in the environment since the formation of the galaxy. While a common element, it has not been found to be an essential element in biological processes, ranging from single cell organisms to Homo sapiens. Instead, at an early stage of evolution, organisms committed to a range of elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron to serve essential functions. Such ions serve critical functions in ion channels, as co-factors in enzymes, as a cofactor in oxygen transport, in DNA replication, as a storage molecule in bone and liver, and in a variety of other roles in biological processes. While seemingly excluded from a major essential role in such processes, lithium ions appear to be able to modulate a variety of biological processes and "correct" deviation from normal activity, as a deficiency of lithium can have biological consequences. Lithium salts are found in low levels in many foods and water supplies, but the effectiveness of Li salts to affect biological systems came to recent prominence with the work of Cade, who reported that administrating Li salts calmed guinea pigs and was subsequently effective at relatively high doses to "normalize" a subset of patients with bipolar disorders. Because of its ability to modulate many biological pathways and processes (e.g., cyclic AMP, GSK-3beta, inositol metabolism, NaK ATPases, neuro processes and centers, immune-related events, respectively) both in vitro and in vivo and during development and adult life, Li salts have become both a useful tool to better understand the molecular regulation of such processes and to also provide insights into altered biological processes in vivo during aging and in disease states. While the range of targets for lithium action supports its possible role as a modulator of biological dysregulation, it presents a conundrum for researchers attempting to elucidate its specific primary target in different tissues in vivo. This review will discuss aspects of the state of knowledge regarding some of the systems that can be influenced, focusing on those involving neural and autoimmunity as examples, some of the mechanisms involved, examples of how Li salts can be used to study model systems, as well as suggesting areas where the use of Li salts could lead to additional insights into both disease mechanisms and natural processes at the molecular and cell levels. In addition, caveats regarding lithium doses used, the strengths and weaknesses of rodent models, the background genetics of the strain of mice or rats employed, and the sex of the animals or the cells used, are discussed. Low-dose lithium may have excellent potential, alone or in combination with other interventions to prevent or alleviate aging-associated conditions and disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic beads can be used to treat surgical infections. In this study, polylactide–polyglycolide (PLGA) was mixed with vancomycin, the osteogenic enhancer lithium chloride (LiCl), and hot compression to form PLGA-vancomycin-LiCl delivery beads to treat bone infection. An elution method was used to characterize in vitro release characteristics of vancomycin and Li over a 42-day period. The release profiles lasted for more than 42 days for vancomycin and 28 days for Li. The concentration of vancomycin in each sample was well above the breakpoint sensitivity. Lithium cotreatment enhanced the bactericidal effect of vancomycin. Released Li and vancomycin increased the mRNA or protein expressions of osteogenic markers of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In vivo, the PLGA delivery systems were implanted into the distal femoral cavities of rabbits, and the cavity fluid content was aspirated and analyzed at each time point. The released Li and vancomycin lasted more than 6 weeks, and the vancomycin concentrations were much greater than the breakpoint sensitivity. Four rabbits in each group were sacrificed at 8 weeks for histological observation. More mature bone tissue was observed in the Li treatment group. This study provides a PLGA drug delivery system to meet the requirements of patients with bone infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium (Li)-ion batteries have stimulated the societal transformation to clean energy systems. This carry-on electricity is revolutionizing how society communicates, functions, and evolves efficiently by enabling mobile electronics, zero-emission electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage. In preparation for the sustainable energy future, however, there are growing concerns about depleting critical elements used in the Li technology (e.g., lithium, cobalt, and nickel), especially for large-scale applications that will accelerate the rate of elemental consumption. Various non-Li-based rechargeable batteries composed of earth-abundant elements, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, have been proposed and explored as alternative systems to promote sustainable development of energy storage. In this perspective, we discuss challenges in Li-ion batteries in the sustainability aspect and provide our opinions on the potential applications of non-Li-based batteries. We also highlight the current status, important progress, and remaining challenges of the Li-alternative technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether the clinical profiles of bipolar disorder (BD) patients could be differentiated more clearly using the existing classification by diagnostic subtype or by lithium treatment responsiveness. Methods: We included adult patients with BD‐I or II (N = 477 across four sites) who were treated with lithium as their principal mood stabilizer for at least 1 year. Treatment responsiveness was defined using the dichotomized Alda score. We performed hierarchical clustering on phenotypes defined by 40 features, covering demographics, clinical course, family history, suicide behaviour, and comorbid conditions. We then measured the amount of information that inferred clusters carried about (A) BD subtype and (B) lithium responsiveness using adjusted mutual information (AMI) scores. Detailed phenotypic profiles across clusters were then evaluated with univariate comparisons. Results: Two clusters were identified (n = 56 and n = 421), which captured significantly more information about lithium responsiveness (AMI range: 0.033 to 0.133) than BD subtype (AMI: 0.004 to 0.011). The smaller cluster had disproportionately more lithium responders (n = 47 [83.8%]) when compared to the larger cluster (103 [24.4%]; p = 0.006). Conclusions: Phenotypes derived from detailed clinical data may carry more information about lithium responsiveness than the current classification of diagnostic subtype. These findings support lithium responsiveness as a valid approach to stratification in clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The therapeutic response to lithium in patients with bipolar disorder is highly variable and has a polygenic basis. Genome-wide association studies investigating lithium response have identified several relevant loci, though the precise mechanisms driving these associations are poorly understood. We aimed to prioritise the most likely effector gene and determine the mechanisms underlying an intergenic lithium response locus on chromosome 21 identified by the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLi+Gen). We conducted in-silico functional analyses by integrating and synthesising information from several publicly available functional genetic datasets and databases including the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project and HaploReg. The findings from this study highlighted TMPRSS15 as the most likely effector gene at the ConLi+Gen lithium response locus. TMPRSS15 encodes enterokinase, a gastrointestinal enzyme responsible for converting trypsinogen into trypsin and thus aiding digestion. Convergent findings from gene-based lookups in human and mouse databases as well as co-expression network analyses of small intestinal RNA-seq data (GTEx) implicated TMPRSS15 in the regulation of intestinal nutrient absorption, including ions like sodium and potassium, which may extend to lithium. Although the findings from this study indicated that TMPRSS15 was the most likely effector gene at the ConLi+Gen lithium response locus, the evidence was circumstantial. Thus, the conclusions from this study need to be validated in appropriately designed wet-lab studies. The findings from this study are consistent with a model whereby TMPRSS15 impacts the efficacy of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder by modulating intestinal lithium absorption. • TMPRSS15 is a novel regulator of lithium response in patients with bipolar disorder. • It is the most likely effector gene at a known lithium response locus. • The gene encodes enterokinase (ENTK), a key modulator of intestinal absorption. • ENTK likely impacts lithium response through the modulation of lithium absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium, a critical material for the global development of green energy sources, is anomalously enriched in some coal deposits and coal by-products to levels that may be considered economically viable. Recovering lithium from coal, particularly from coal gangue or coal ashes, offers a promising alternative for extracting this element. This process could potentially lead to economic gains and positive environmental impacts by more efficiently utilizing coal-based waste materials. This review focuses on lithium concentrations in coal and coal by-products, modes of lithium occurrence, methods used to identify lithium-enriched phases, and currently available hydrometallurgical recovery methods, correlated with pretreatment procedures that enable lithium release from inert aluminosilicate minerals. Leaching of raw coal appears inefficient, whereas coal gangue and fly ash are more feasible due to their simpler composition and higher lithium contents. Lithium extraction can achieve recovery rates of over 90%, but low lithium concentrations and high impurity levels in the leachates require advanced selective separation techniques. Bottom ash has not yet been evaluated for lithium recovery, despite its higher lithium content compared to feed coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modes of occurrence, migration, and evolution pathways of lithium (Li) and gallium (Ga) during combustion of an Al-rich coal from Inner Mongolia, China, were investigated using methods of simulated combustion experiments, the sequential chemical extraction procedure (SCEP), and the thermodynamic equilibrium calculation. Mineralogical and chemical compositions of the feed coal and combustion ash were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study reveals that Li and Ga are significantly enriched in the ash after combustion, with the contents reaching up to 1086 μg/g and 133 μg/g, respectively. The primary modes of occurrence of Li and Ga in the ash are quartz and aluminosilicates, and sulfides, respectively. Li, in the form of LiAlSi4O10 (s), primarily occurs in hematite, glass, and quartz below 800 °C. However, it migrates into the glass phase, mullite, and quartz above 1000 °C. On the other hand, Ga exists as Ga4S5 (s) and transforms into Ga2S (g) as the temperature rises from 800 °C to 1000 °C, maintaining this gaseous form until 1200 °C. Ga4S5 (s) predominantly occurs in the glass phase at 600 °C, whereas mullite and quartz become its dominant modes of occurrence in industrial combustion ashes and ashes obtained from simulated combustion above 600 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lithium exhibits a narrow margin between therapeutic doses and toxic blood concentrations, which can pose a substantial risk of toxic effects. Reportedly, lithium toxicity may be associated with a reduced anion gap; however, the precise relationship remains unclear. This study examined several different anion gap calculation methods to detect toxic lithium concentrations without directly measuring blood lithium concentrations. Methods: Our retrospective study analyzed blood samples collected for lithium concentration measurements. The anion gap was determined using three different methods, both with and without albumin and lactate concentration corrections. Samples were categorized into two groups based on lithium concentration (<1.5 or ≥1.5 mmol/L), and anion gap values were compared. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between each anion gap indicator and lithium concentration. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used for diagnostic analysis. Results: Overall, 24 measurements were collected, with 41.7% of samples falling within the toxic range. The high-lithium concentration group exhibited significantly smaller anion gaps. Correlation and logistic regression analyses revealed a significant association between anion gap values and lithium concentrations. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were: conventional anion gap 0.77 (95% CI: 0.55–0.94); albumin-corrected anion gap 0.85 (95% CI: 0.66–1.00); and both albumin- and lactate-corrected anion gap 0.86 (95% CI: 0.66–1.00). Discussion: The anion gap is calculated as the difference between measured cations and anions. Accumulation of lithium (a cation) may decrease measured cations and decrease the calculated anion gap. Abnormal albumin and lactate concentrations may also alter the anion gap and affect its usefulness as a diagnostic marker for elevated serum lithium concentrations. A negative likelihood ratio of 0.1 suggests that the anion gap might be valuable in excluding toxicity. Conclusions: The corrected anion gap, accounting for albumin and lactate concentrations, may be beneficial in suggesting the possibility of toxic lithium concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium compounds such as lithium hydride (LiH) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) have a wide range of industrial applications, but are highly reactive in environments with H2O and CO2. These reactions lead to the ingrowth of secondary lithium compounds, which can alter the homogeneity and affect the application of particular lithium chemicals. This study performed an exploratory analysis of different lithium compounds using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy. Machine learning models are trained on the recorded spectral data to discriminate emission features that differ between LiH, LiOH, and Li2CO3 to perform high-fidelity classification. Support vector machine classifiers yield perfect prediction accuracy between the three compounds with optimal training time. Multivariate methods are then used to produce regression models quantifying the ingrowth of LiOH in LiH. Performing a mid-level data fusion of selected LIBS and Raman features with partial least-squares regression produces the superlative model with a root mean square error of 2.5 wt % and a detection limit of 6.3 wt %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micronutrient deficiencies and excesses are closely related to developing and treating depression. Traditional and effective antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and lithium. There is no consensus on the fluctuation of zinc (Zn2+), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe2+), and manganese (Mn2+) ion levels in depressed individuals before and after therapy. In order to determine whether there were changes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of these ions in depressed patients compared with healthy controls and depressed patients treated with TCAs, SSRIs, or lithium, we applied a systematic review and meta-analysis. Using the Stata 17.0 software, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the changes in ion levels in human samples from healthy controls, depressive patients, and patients treated with TCAs, SSRIs, and lithium, respectively. By searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WAN FANG databases, 75 published analyzable papers were chosen. In the blood, the levels of Zn2+ and Mg2+ in depressed patients had decreased while the Ca2+ and Cu2+ levels had increased compared to healthy controls, Fe2+ and Mn2+ levels have not significantly changed. After treatment with SSRIs, the levels of Zn2+ and Ca2+ in depressed patients increased while Cu2+ levels decreased. Mg2+ and Ca2+ levels were increased in depressed patients after Lithium treatment. The findings of the meta-analysis revealed that micronutrient levels were closely associated with the onset of depression and prompted more research into the underlying mechanisms as well as the pathophysiological and therapeutic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring efficiency and safety is critical when developing charging strategies for lithium-ion batteries. This paper introduces a novel method to optimize fast charging for cylindrical Li-ion NMC 3Ah cells, enhancing both their charging efficiency and thermal safety. Using Model Predictive Control (MPC), this study presents a cost function that estimates the thermal safety boundary of Li-ion batteries, emphasizing the relationship between the temperature gradient and the state of charge (SoC) at different temperatures. The charging control framework combines an equivalent circuit model (ECM) with minimal electro-thermal equations to estimate battery state and temperature. Optimization results indicate that at ambient temperatures, the optimal charging allows the cell's temperature to self-regulate within a safe operating range, requiring only one additional minute to reach 80% SoC compared to a typical fast-charging protocol (high current profile). Validation through numerical simulations and real experimental data from an NMC 3Ah cylindrical cell demonstrates that the simple approach adheres to the battery's electrical and thermal limitations during the charging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the clinical performances of two lithium disilicate (Initial LiSi press vs. Initial LiSi Block, GC Corp.) and a 3D printed resin (Temp Print, GC Corp.) partial crown using modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) evaluation criteria and survival rates after one year of clinical service. Eighty-nine partial adhesive restorations on posterior teeth were realized using different materials: Group 1 used Initial LiSi press, Group 2 used Initial LiSi Block, and Group 3 used Temp Print. An analog workflow was used to realize the restoration of Group 1, while a fully digital workflow was used for Groups 2 and 3. The modified USPHS parameters, together with periodontal parameters, were collected at baseline and at the one-year recall. Contingency tables to assess for significant differences of success over time in each group were used. All modified USPHS parameters showed Alpha or Bravo; no Charlie was recorded. No statistically significant difference emerged between the three groups in any of the assessed variables (p > 0.05). All modified USPHS scores were compatible with the outcome of clinical success, no restoration was replaced or repaired, and the survival rate was 100% at the one-year recall. No difference was found between the traditional and digital workflows used to fabricate the restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]