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Summary: Fermentation may beneficially increase the bioaccessibility of minerals in legumes. In this study, the contents and in vitro bioaccessibilities of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn were determined in lupin whole seed and dehulled seed during soaking, cooking and then fermentation with Bacillus subtilis into a natto analogue. For total mineral content, a significant loss (P < 0.05) of Mg was observed after cooking for both whole and dehulled seed. During pre‐processing, the Ca bioaccessibilities of whole and dehulled were highest (P < 0.05) in the soaked seed and for Mg was highest (P < 0.05) in the cooked samples. At all fermentation times, the bioaccessibility of all minerals was higher (P < 0.05) in the dehulled than the whole seed. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in bioaccessibility during fermentation were observed for Fe at 48 h and Zn 24 h in dehulled seed, providing the first evidence for the beneficial effect of lupin fermentation by B. subtilis in terms of Fe and Zn availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports comprehensive petrological, geochemical and mineralogical studies of osumilite-bearing andesite-dacitic lavas of Kordieritoviy Volcano (Keli Highland, Greater Caucasus) erupted at the end of the Pleistocene (about 200 ka). The petrographic and microprobe analysis showed that the rocks contain three paragenetic mineral associations: (1) "xenogenic" (metamorphic) association consisting of garnet (XPrp = 0.42, XAlm = 0.51–0.53, XGrs = 0.04–0.05) + hercynite + sapphire + bronzite + pargasite + ilmenite; (2) early magmatic association represented by hypersthene + hercynite + garnet (XPrp = 0.21–0.31, XAlm = 0.52–0.71, XGrs = 0.04–0.13) + ferro-kaersutite + ilmenite; (3) late magmatic association including hypersthene-ferrohypersthene + labradorite + garnet (XPrp = 0.04–0.14, XAlm = 0.65–0.81, XGrs = 0.06–0.18) + osumilite-(Mg) + phlogopite + tridymite + ilmenite + apatite. The osumilite-(Mg) (phenocrysts, xenomorphic aggregates in the rock matrix, and crystals in miarolic cavities), the average formula for dacites of Kordieritoviy Volcano can be written as (K0.73Na0.06Ca0.02 )1.00(Mg1.06 Mn0.04)2.00(Al2.75 Ti0.01)3.00(Si10.34Al1.66)12O30, formed mainly at late magmatic stages – in intermediate chambers immediately prior to the rise of the melt to the surface or after its eruption. Accordingly, this mineral in the studied lavas has a purely magmatic origin. Thermobarometric calculations and petrological modeling showed that the deep magma chamber of Kordieritoviy Volcano was located at a depth of 45–53 km near the Moho discontinuity. The temperature of the melt at the early magmatic stage was no less than 1100°C at 17–23 kbar. Crystallization of osumilite-(Mg) in intermediate magmatic chambers (at depths of 30–40 km) and during the lava ejection occurred at 1030–870°C and pressure progressively decreasing from 14–9 to 1 kbar. A petrogenetic model has been proposed to explain the genesis of exotic osumilite-bearing lavas of Kordieritoviy Volcano. It includes several stages: (1) formation of an enriched upper-mantle source (lithospheric mantle metasomatized by permanent interaction at the Moho discontinuity with the overlying lower crust composed of metamorphosed terrigenous-volcanogenic complexes); (2) generation of "dry" basaltic magmas in the source; (3) crystallization differentiation in the source (fractionation of olivine and chromium spinels) with the formation of a "dry" overheated andesitic melt; (4) limited-scale assimilation of the lower crustal material made up of leucocratic granulites by highly differentiated andesitic melts rising to the surface, with simultaneous fractionation of garnet, orthopyroxene and ilmenite from the melt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the influence of aggregate types on the long-term skid resistance of asphalt pavement, six different types of aggregates such as arkose, red sandstone, limestone, basalt, diabase, and granite were selected. The one-third-scale model mobile load simulator (MMLS) was used to conduct wear tests on porous asphalt mixtures (PA-13) prepared with six types of aggregates. The antiskid performance indicators of British pendulum number (BPN) and macrotexture depth (MTD) of the mixture were measured under different loading times. After wear, the microtexture, hardness, and mineral composition of the aggregates were tested using a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), Vickers hardness tester (VHT), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) to reveal the mechanism of antiskid durability of different aggregates. The results show that the asphalt mixture prepared with sandstone and granite aggregate has the best antiskid durability, and the attenuation rate and loss rate of antiskid performance are the smallest. The micro-texture of the worn aggregates shows that sandstone and granite are the roughest, whereas limestone is the smoothest. The correlation between texture index of Rsk and the antiskid performance is the greatest. The more complex the mineral composition of the aggregate and the greater the Vickers hardness, the better the antiskid durability of the asphalt mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined chemical and textural attributes as well as sensory acceptability of chicken and mushroom (oyster and big cup) meatloaves. Simplex lattice design was used to create eight formulations of chicken-oyster mushroom (COM) and chicken-big cup mushroom (CBM), respectively. The samples were analyzed for proximate and mineral composition, crust and crumb color, pH, and texture. The optimized meatloaf samples were subjected to sensory evaluation. The optimized chicken-mushroom ratios were determined to be 83.82% chicken meat and 16.18% oyster mushroom, and 84.78% chicken meat and 15.22% big cup mushroom. Chicken-oyster meatloaf was rated as more acceptable than chicken-big cup meatloaf and control samples in all aspects by sensory panelists. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the sensory attributes, except for aroma (p < 0.05). The study concluded that inclusion of oyster or big cup mushroom in chicken meatloaf had significant influence (p < 0.05) on nutritional, color, pH, and texture characteristics of chicken meatloaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describing the organic-inorganic pore evolution influenced by mineral composition is crucial for characterizing shale oil storage capacity and flow in shale, and it also helps predict storage capacity for sequestered CO2. Using laboratory pyrolysis experiments to artificially mature shale samples at relatively high temperatures and short times, this study compares a series of natural samples with different thermal maturations, which can better reflect the real underground pore evolution. A total of 30 natural shales spanning from low to high maturity were collected from the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation of the Songliao Basin, and the analysis results revealed four main typical shales, namely argillaceous shale, felsic shale, calcareous shale, and mixed shale. The existence of clay minerals, quartz and feldspar promote the development of > 50 nm pores, while 0-20 nm pores are mainly developed in clay minerals and organic matter. When the content of total organic carbon is less than 2.5 wt.%, it displays a positive correlation with the specific surface area, but the correlation becomes negative for samples with a content of total organic carbon greater than 2.5 wt.%. The organic pores are most developed at the peak oil maturity, while inorganic pores are most developed during the oil window, and tend to be stable at high maturity. Argillaceous shale in the high maturity stage may be favorable for petroleum exploration in the Qingshankou Formation of the Songliao Basin. Mixed shale and calcareous shale may not be conducive to the short-term storage of CO2 due to strong reactions with CO2 at the beginning. On the other hand, argillaceous shale and felsic shale may be conducive to the long-term storage of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory fluid flow experiments through hydraulically transmissive fractures in carbonate rocks subjected to mechanical loading and acidizing illuminate how dissolution processes enhance fracture transmissivity. Fracture plane roughness and the size of unmated (i.e., non-contact) regions are critically important. In particular, rough surfaces promote transmissivity enhancement. By contrast, smoother surfaces with higher levels of matedness and contact areas between the opposing fracture planes remain unaffected by chemical degradation. Such surfaces do not illuminate relevant mechanical variations. Grain-supported rocks with high calcium contents and rough surfaces show the most significant increase in fracture transmissivity after acidizing. Contrastingly, fracture transmissivity after acid treatment in matrix-supported rocks with high calcium contents is low, even in samples with rough fractures and unmated surfaces. These results inform geochemical models in the presence of acid injection and make hydrocarbon reservoir simulations more robust. Moreover, these results provide valuable insights and trends for understanding the interaction of rocks with other types of reactive fluids, such as carbon dioxide. Highlights: Laboratory flow experiments along fractures in carbonate rocks illuminate how mineralogy and stress impact dissolution processes and transmissivity. Fracture plane roughness and the size of non-contact area between opposing surfaces play a critical role for flow behavior. Evolution of fracture transmissivity following acidification is further governed by mineralogy along fracture surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GCDkit.Mineral is a platform-independent (Windows/Mac/Linux) freeware for recalculation, plotting, and statistical treatment of mineral data obtained by microbeam techniques, typically an electron microprobe. It is written in R, a language providing a feature-rich environment for statistics and data visualization. This new program imports compositional data in various commonly used file formats or retrieves them from the clipboard. Routines are available for data management, i.e., grouping, searching, and generation of subsets, using regular expressions and Boolean logic. Raw compositional data (wt%) are recalculated to atoms per formula unit (apfu) based on a required number of O equivalents, atoms, or charges, with or without FeII/FeIII estimation by various methods. Analyses may then be recast to structural formulae, i.e., the atoms are distributed into appropriate crystallographic sites. For minerals forming solid solutions, the molar percentages of end-members are computed. All the data may be treated statistically, either by built-in functions for descriptive and multivariate statistics or using the wealth of tools provided by the wide R community. Raw and recalculated mineral data may be plotted on assorted binary and ternary plots and boxplots. Most are defined as internal templates that provide a means to make later changes to the plot (zooming and scaling, adding comments or legend, identifying data points, altering the size or color of the plotting symbols, etc.). The publication-ready graphics may be saved into several vector- (PostScript, PDF, and WMF) and bitmap-based (e.g., PNG, TIF, and JPG) formats, ready to be imported into a professional graphical, presentation, or desktop publishing software. Importantly, the graphical templates are used as a basis for classification. The general classification routine looks for the name of the polygon within the diagram (= graphical template), into which the analysis falls according to its x–y coordinates. The outcome may be either the name of a mineral or a link to another diagram in the case of more complex classification schemes. Following the rules of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), in some cases, the classification is not done graphically but using prescribed algorithms. The class mechanism in R provides an elegant solution to the computational problems presented by the differing requirements of each mineral group. By assigning each mineral species to a particular class, all algorithms may be implemented as mutually independent but mineral group-specific methods. The default recalculation options for each mineral class are stored externally in a small and simple text file. The program is designed to cater to three potential user groups. For users with no familiarity with R, the program is fully menu-driven and contains embedded default recalculation options for many common rock-forming minerals. More experienced users may easily tweak these parameters, as they are saved in a logically structured plain text file. Seasoned R users may invoke GCDkit.Mineral in command line mode, use batch scripts or Python-driven notebooks (e.g., of project Jupyter), or modify and develop new recalculations or plugins. The lucid, open, and modular design thus makes GCDkit.Mineral a versatile workbench for everyday use, as well as a promising platform for community-driven development. The GCDkit family of R tools, including GCDkit. Mineral, is distributed through the WWW. The current version may be downloaded from http://mineral.gcdkit.org. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study investigates five fly ashes with high CaO and SO3 levels in their chemical composition and compares the apparent influence of the presence and absence of anhydrite on compressive strength. Another distinguishing feature of the above ashes is that they, more or less, naturally contain anhydrite. Two different series of mixed proportions were adopted. Series 1 is designed to understand the maximum possible replacement level of fly ash. Series 2 is designed to understand the effect of anhydrite on compressive strength development. The mineral composition and glass phase of fly ashes were determined by X-ray diffraction Rietveld analysis. As a result of this study, we have found that concrete containing anhydrite-rich fly ash exhibits a higher strength than concrete containing anhydrite-free fly ash at all ages. The compressive strength increases with an increasing fly ash replacement ratio when anhydrite-rich ash is used, but strength decreases when the replacement level exceeds a certain point. The optimal amount of anhydrite was 2 ± 0.5 kg/m3 of concrete, excluding the anhydrite contained in cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site selection and characterisation are key factors influencing the safe, stable disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Site selection can be based on geophysical surveys, and geophysical well logging is performed at the detailed survey stage. Typically, gamma – gamma density logging is conducted to continuously obtain in situ density information regarding the well depth. However, gamma – gamma density logging is often influenced by the geological characteristics of the site. The ratio of atomic number to atomic weight is required to convert the electron density obtained through density logging counts into bulk density. Because it is difficult to calculate these ratios for the entire depth, an equation based on water-filled limestone is typically used for conversion. Therefore, as the difference in the ratio of the atomic number and atomic weight increases relative to that of limestone, the difference between the converted bulk density and the actual bulk density increases. In this study, equations were derived for various mineral compositions and applied to the density logging results. Matrix density was analyzed using a pycnometer, and the ratio between the atomic number and weight was calculated according to X-ray fluorescence analysis results. This approach improved the accuracy of the density logging data and reduced density errors. The proposed method is expected to be particularly useful for estimating in situ density at high-level radioactive waste disposal sites without complex geological formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to studying changes in the physicochemical and colloid–sorption properties of bleaching clay thermotreated after its use in the process of refining vegetable oil. Bleaching clay thermotreated at different temperatures has been used for comparison. The colloid–sorption properties have been studied by measuring adsorption of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions. It has been shown that clay annealed at 350°C adsorbs methylene blue most efficiently. In the saturation region, the adsorption by clay thermotreated at 350°C has amounted to 0.28 mmol/g or 89.6 mg/g, while the adsorption by clay annealed at 250°C has appeared to be 0.24 mmol/g or 76.8 mg/g. When the annealing temperature is elevated above 500°C, the adsorption properties of the bleaching clay waste decrease, probably, due to the combustion of the carbon layer. Using bleaching clay waste from the Alekseevsky oil extraction plant as an example, it has been revealed that, during the thermal treatment of the material, various types of water (free, interpackage, and chemically bound one) are removed, thus leading to changes in the colloid–sorption properties, such as particle surface relief, specific surface area, sorption capacity, and ζ potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing world population necessitates the implementation of appropriate processing technologies for edible insects. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of distinct drying techniques, including convective drying at 70 °C (70CD) and 90 °C (90CD) and freeze-drying (FD), on the drying kinetics, physical characteristics (water activity, color), chemical characteristics (chemical composition, amino acid profile, oil properties, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, mineral composition, FTIR), and presence of hazards (allergens, microorganisms) of blanched yellow mealworm larvae. The freeze-drying process results in greater lightness and reduced moisture content and water activity. The study demonstrated that the freeze-dried insects exhibited lower contents of protein and essential amino acids as compared to the convective-dried insects. The lowest content of total polyphenols was found in the freeze-dried yellow mealworm larvae; however, the highest antioxidant activity was determined for those insects. Although the oil isolated from the freeze-dried insects exhibited the lowest acid and peroxide values, it proved to have the lowest PUFA content and oxidative stability. All the samples met the microbiological criteria for dried insects. The results of the study demonstrate that a high temperature during the CD method does not result in the anticipated undesirable changes. It appears that freeze-drying is not the optimal method for preserving the nutritional value of insects, particularly with regard to the quality of protein and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents mineral composition estimates of rock and sediment samples analyzed with the CheMin X-ray diffraction instrument on board the NASA Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, in Gale crater, Mars. Mineral composition is estimated using crystal-chemically derived algorithms applied to X-ray diffraction data, specifically unit-cell parameters. The mineral groups characterized include those found in major abundance by the CheMin instrument (i.e., feldspar, olivine, pyroxene, and spinel oxide). In addition to estimating the composition of the major mineral phases observed in Gale crater, we place their compositions in a stratigraphic context and provide a comparison to that of martian meteorites. This work provides expanded insights into the mineralogy and chemistry of the martian surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diamond & Abrasives Engineering is the property of Zhengzhou Research Institute for Abrasives & Grinding and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Polyphenols, fatty acids, and mineral composition were studied in eight Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) samples: 'Milotai 10' (M10) and 'Alsószentiváni 117' (A117) Hungarian varieties derived from two Hungarian growing areas (Pálháza—P and Berzék—B), 'Chernivets'ky 1' from Ukraine, and 'Chandler' from the United States of America, Chile, and Brazil purchased on the Hungarian consumer market. The aim was to reveal which walnut variety is the most suitable for consumption from a nutritive point of view. In comparison, both Hungarian varieties grown in Hungarian climatic conditions had on average approximately 33% more polyphenols, approximately 22% more SFAs (saturated fatty acids), and approximately 27% more MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids). Regarding the minerals, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium were present in higher concentrations in both Hungarian varieties. Among the Hungarian-bred varieties, M10 mainly reached a higher compounds content, but the effects of the fruit site conditions were not clearly detected. Other varieties contained mainly potassium, copper, and zinc, such as 'Chandler' harvested from Chile. 'Chernivets'ky 1', harvested from Ukraine, had outstanding cinnamic acid and linoleic acid contents compared to the other examined varieties. All 'Chandler' samples (mainly the American) contained 11% more PUFAs compared to the samples derived from Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further study the reservoir characteristics and adsorption capacity of the Taiyuan Formation shale in the South North China Basin (SNCB), the pore structure and adsorption capacity of shale are discussed using various analysis tests, including elemental geochemistry, organic geochemistry, mineral composition, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA), and methane adsorption experiments. The results indicate that the Taiyuan Formation shale formed in a poor oxygen and anaerobic sedimentary environment in still water. The average value of total organic carbon (TOC) content is 2.37%. The organic matter type mainly consists of type III kerogen. The vitinite reflectance (Ro) ranges from 3.11% to 3.50%. The clay mineral content varies greatly, averaging at 40.7%, while the quartz content averages at 37.7%. The Taiyuan Formation shale mainly develops interparticle (InterP) pores, followed by organic pores, intraparticle (IntraP) pores, solution pores, and microfractures. BET specific surface area (SSA) is between 9.47 m2/g and 22.14 m2/g, while pore volume (PV) ranges from 0.0098 cm3/g to 0.022 cm3/g, indicating favorable conditions for shale gas storage. According to the results of the CH4 adsorption experiment, Langmuir volume from Taiyuan Formation shales exhibits 1.35~4.30 cm3/g, indicating excellent adsorption capacity. TOC content shows a positive correlation with both Langmuir volume and BET SSA from Taiyuan Formation shales, suggesting that TOC plays a crucial role in controlling microscopic pores and gas adsorption capacity. Organic matter enhances the shale adsorption capacity by providing abundant pore SSA. Due to formation compaction, the pore size of clay minerals decreases, leading to an increase in pore SSA, while kaolinite exhibits weak hydrophilic ability. Consequently, with the increase in clay minerals and kaolinite content, the shale adsorption capacity is enhanced to a certain extent. However, an increase in the carbonate mineral content may result in a decrease in the proportion of clay minerals, therefore reducing the CH4 adsorption capacity of shale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings are bulk industrial solid wastes and can be found in the Panxi Region of Sichuan province. The utilization of vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings as soil represents a viable strategy for achieving extensive depletion, while simultaneously fostering ecological revitalization. In order to effectively reuse the stockpiled Vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to assess their physicochemical attributes, microbial community composition, and mineralogical makeup. Methods: The morphologies of six heavy metals, V, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Fe, extracted from different depths of the tailings soil were extracted and analyzed using the modified European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure. The physicochemical indexes—such as water content, pH, available sulfur, and available potassium, of the tailings soil were analyzed. The microbial community structure was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing, and the mineral composition was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results and discussion: The concentrations of Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd in the vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings are all within the controllable range. The content of available phosphorus was graded as level 1 (> 40 mg/kg), the content of cation exchange capacity (CEC) was graded as level 1 (> 20 cmol (+)/kg), and the content of available sulfur was 6.91 times higher than the average value (34.3 mg/kg) of available sulfur of the 10 southern provinces of China. At the T3-D3 sample sites, the Geothermobacter genus prevailed, while Thiobacillus reigned supreme at the remaining sampling locations. The microbial populations in the tailings were primarily influenced by sulfur and iron metabolism. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed that pyroxene, mica, cordierite, and kaolinite were the primary minerals in the tailings. Conclusion: There is a low risk of soil contamination from the utilization of vanadium and titanium magnetite tailings as an ecological reclamation substrate. Organic matter and nitrogen being the limiting indicators of soil utilization. The abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidota can be appropriately intensified during soil utilization to enhance the soil nitrogen and carbon cycling performance. The chemical weathering dominated the tailings, and its maturation could be accelerated by strengthening the chemical weathering pathway of tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To rapidly explore the feasibility of ultrasonic evaluation of the compressive strength of tunnel slag used for manufactured aggregates, the ultrasonic velocity and frequency domain signal characteristics of tunnel slag mother rocks consisting of metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rock are examined. An advanced predictive model for the compressive strength of tunnel slag mother rocks based on ultrasonic wave velocity is developed by analyzing the effect of rock type, water content, and specimen size on ultrasonic wave velocity. The results show that ultrasonic signal parameters of tunnel slag mother rocks can accurately indicate the compressive strength of the rocks. The saturated uniaxial compressive strength of the mother rock correlates positively with its ultrasonic wave velocity, regardless of specimen size. The frequency domain signal and main frequency amplitude can reveal internal defects in the rocks with the presence of more pores suggested by a dispersed frequency domain distribution and low main frequency amplitude. The characteristics of the ultrasonic signal spectrum are notably influenced by lithology and mineral composition, with metal minerals exhibiting reduced frequency domain decrease and faster wave speed. The impact of specimen moisture content on mother rock compressive strength is reflected in the speed of ultrasonic waves. The compressive strength for the same tunnel slag mother rocks is as follows: dry state>natural state>saturated state. An evaluation model for saturated compressive strength of tunnel slag mother rocks, based on the classification of metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks, is established. Metamorphic and magmatic rocks showe a linear relationship between ultrasonic wave velocity and uniaxial compressive strength, while sedimentary rocks show an exponential relationship. Practical engineering verification confirms a strong correlation between wave velocity and saturated compressive strength, validating the credibility of the evaluation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral quality of light regulates plant growth through a variety of physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes. Earlier research on ginseng sprouts have largely focused on the impact of monochromatic lights, with limited attention to combinations with white light. The present study explored the influence of white light supplemented with different wavelengths on ginseng sprout growth at both low (30) and high (200) µmol m− 2 s− 1 PPFD intensities. Significant variations in growth were noted between the two light intensities. Specifically, the green light combination proved advantageous for enhancing both growth and photosynthesis across both intensity levels. The chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, stomatal properties, total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, and root activity were notably enhanced by W + G (200 PPFD) treatment. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities were predominantly influenced by W + R treatments at both intensity levels. Low light, particularly, W + R (30 PPFD) and W + G (30 PPFD) significantly increased mineral content in both the shoot and root. Low light intensities positively influenced the accumulation of ginsenosides Rd, F2, and Rg1 in treatments W, W + R, and W + G, respectively while Rd2 accumulation was greatly promoted by high intensity white light treatment, W (200 PPFD). Gene expression involved in the ginsenoside biosynthesis pathway aligned with ginsenoside accumulation. Therefore, to meet the growing demand for ginseng sprouts, optimizing light quality, particularly by incorporating green or red light in conjunction with white light, might serve as a promising approach for enhancing both the quality and yield of ginseng sprouts within the controlled environment agriculture system.Key message: Under high light intensity, W + G LEDs enhanced growth and photosynthesis, while W + R LEDs boosted antioxidant activity. Conversely, at low light intensity, they boosted the minerals and ginsenosides of ginseng sprouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesPyrophyllite, as a sealed pressure medium, has been widely used in high-pressure research for laboratories and industrial synthesis. A highly efficient pressure transfer medium can generate higher cell pressure at the same loading force. The use of a highly efficient pressure transfer medium reduces the risk of anvil rupture and production costs. Therefore, it is important to develop a suitable and efficient pressure-transmitting pyrophyllite.MethodsThe pressure calibration of four pyrophyllites from different localities at room temperature was conducted in a 6 × 8 MN multi-anvil large-volume press. The relationship between loading force and cell pressure at room temperature was established. The influence of mineral composition changes in pyrophyllite on pressure-transmitting efficiency was studied using X-ray diffraction.ResultsBy investigating the influence of mineral composition changes in pyrophyllite on pressure-transmitting efficiency, the results are as follows: (1) When achieving the same cell pressure, the required loading force for Pyrophyllite 4 is 10% lower than those for the other three pyrophyllites, indicating that Pyrophyllite 4 has the best pressure-transmitting efficiency. (2) As cell pressure increases, the relationship between cell pressure and loading force begins to deviate from linearity, and the pressure-transmitting efficiency of pyrophyllite gradually decreases. When the cell pressure exceeds 5.00 GPa, applying higher loading force does not significantly increase the cell pressure. (3) Higher hardness minerals (such as Diaspore, Boehmite) in pyrophyllite can effectively improve pressure-transmitting efficiency in the low-pressure stage (cell pressure 2.55-3.68 GPa). When the minerals in pyrophyllite undergo phase transformation to form new minerals with higher hardness (such as Muscovite and Kaolinite) in the high-pressure stage (cell pressure of 5.50 GPa), pressure-transmitting efficiency can be effectively improved.ConclusionsPyrophyllite 4 has better pressure-transmitting efficiency than Pyrophyllite 2 does in the high-pressure stage, but it is prone to failure in sealing due to the changes in mineral composition. However, Pyrophyllite 2 shows good elastic recovery effect and sealing performance and can stably complete compression and decompression work. Considering both pressure-transmitting efficiency and sealing effect, Pyrophyllite 2 has better application value and economic benefits.

The food processing industries produce large volumes of wastewaters but poor management has resulted to environmental problems. The reuse of such wastewaters as organic fertilizer containing essential plant nutrients for irrigational purposes is an attractive management strategy. The improper disposal and poor management of these wastewaters from some selected food industries within Makurdi, necessitated the assessment of the physicochemical characteristics, mineral constituents and water quality indices in comparison with FAO and WHO standard limits. Three (3) wastewater samples were collected from Seraph Oil Mill (SOWW), Miva Rice Nigeria Limited (MRWW), and Chile Fish Farm (CFWW). The wastewater samples were analyzed for the physicochemical properties and mineral elements using standard methods and micro-wave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) respectively, and water quality indices calculated. The results of the physicochemical parameters revealed pH values ranging from 5.63 ± 0.57 to 7.60 ± 0.03, electric conductivity from 2.72 ± 0.01 to 206.5 ± 0.47 µScm−1, viscosity from 1.73 ± 0.01 to 93.3 ± 0.58 mPa.S, total solids (TS) ranged from 0.039 ± 0.001 to 3.02 ± 0.1 mgL−1, chemical oxygen demand (COD) ranged from 53.9 ± 4.7 26, 336.7 ± 398.0 mgL−1 while biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ranged from 13.8 ± 0.92 to 23.3 ± 1.35 mgL−1. The mineral concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Na, S, NO3, Cu, Pb, Cr ranged from below detection limit −280.13 ± 1.07 mgL−1 for SOWW wastewater, 0.04 ± 0.003-2344.02 ± 0.09 mgL−1 for MRWW wastewater and 0.017 ± 0.002–501.29 ± 0.09 mgL−1 in CFWW wastewater. All the heavy metals tested were within the permissible limits except for lead (Pb), with the value 0.103 ± 0.003 in SOWW sample. The microbial loads of the samples (total bacteria and total fungi) ranged from 0.72 x 106–13.0 x 106 and 0–14.0 x 104 respectively. The analysis revealed that there was no significance difference between the physicochemical properties and mineral compositions at p≤0.05. The water quality indices for the wastewaters irrigation suitability showed; 6.06–22.91% Sodium adsorption rate (SAR), 22.75–72.00% sodium (% Na), 9.66–31.89% soluble sodium (SSP), 7.91–29.50 magnesium absorption ratio (MR), 1.74–132.16 mg/L total dissolved solutes (TDS) and 0.11–0.46 Kelley’s ratio (KR). The findings indicated that the wastewaters were suitable for irrigation purposes except for the unsuitable values of Na % (72%) in SOWW. The overall water quality of the studied wastewaters is suitable for the growth of vegetables and other crops. This study will establish a baseline data for future research, because little/no information is available about the comparability and utilization of these wastewaters. If properly applied, these wastewaters can be used for the recycling of nutrients for vegetable irrigation, reduce pollution from indiscriminate disposal, and improve water quality.

Opuntia ficus-indica, also known as the prickly pear, is a cactus belonging to the Cactaceae family. For centuries, this remarkable plant has been valued for its medicinal, environmental, and culinary uses. The primary objective of this research is to examine and contrast the chemical composition, functional attributes, and nutritional significance of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes sourced from three distinct regions in Morocco: Oulad Boubker, Imzouren, and Skoura. According to the results, moisture content differs significantly between the three sites, from 88.21 ± 0.20% to 92.11 ± 0.10%, with an acid pH value. While the ash content remained consistent across all three samples. Carbohydrate content ranging from 55.40 ± 0.08% to 55.90 ± 0.60%, fat content from 2.30 ± 0.21 to 2.62 ± 0.09, protein from 7.54 ± 0.03% to 9.07 ± 0.16%, crude fibers from 20.52 ± 1.87% to 21.00 ± 0.20%, and soluble fibers from 15.08 ± 0.16% to 16.33 ± 1.25%. Additionally, total chlorophyll content varied between 102.64 ± 8.93 and 144.80 ± 3.08 mg.100 g−1 DM. The functional properties showed considerable differences between the three samples: the water holding capacity ranged from 109.58 ± 0.11 to 174.95 ± 0.06 g water.100 g−1 DM, the oil holding capacity from 129.27 ± 0.39 to 146.51 ± 0.39 g oil.100 g−1 DM and the solubility index from 25.75 ± 0.60 to 33.18 ± 0.15 g solids.100 g−1 DM. Mineral analysis revealed significant differences based on location. The concentrations of potassium exhibited a considerable elevation compared to those of magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, and zinc. Moreover, the existence of diverse organic functional entities, including alcohols, ketones, and acids, was authenticated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. A differential distribution of the chemical composition of cladodes according to region was confirmed by nutritional, mineral and functional characterization and functional groups of cladodes.

Although finger millet is considered the future food, there are currently very few reports on how it reacts to salinity stress. This study aimed to compare the responses of twenty-seven native finger millet landraces under salt stress (0 mM to 250 mM NaCl in Hoagland solution). The degree of germination, seedling growth, biomass output, carotenoid content, membrane damage, and mineral accumulation were used to assess stress tolerance. With an increase in NaCl concentration, all landraces saw a drop in biomass production, shoot length, root length, and germination percentage. The decline was greater in ST-JA-SM and less in ST-JA-WA among landraces. All of the landraces showed a decrease in carotenoid content (108.76 ± 7.56 to 1.96 ± 0.83 µg mg−1 FW) with increasing salt concentration, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content (0.17 ± 0.05 to 8.36 ± 0.53 µM g−1 FW) was found to be increasing due to the stress imposed by salinity. The salt stress-sensitive landraces ST-JA-SM had greater MDA than the salt stress-tolerant ST-JA-WA. NaCl stress increased sodium and potassium levels in the seedlings of all the landraces. The magnitude of Na+ and K+ ions accumulation was higher in ST-JA-WA and less in ST-JA-SM. The salt tolerance indices for K+ ranged from 0.94 to 1.19, and that of Na+ ranged from 0.71 to 1.51. Combined these findings suggest that ST-JA-SM is stress-sensitive and ST-JA-WA is a stress-tolerant landrace that can be exploited in crop improvement programs. Additionally, it can be used as a participant in research on stress tolerance alleviation with noble elements like silicon or selenium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral reef limestone at different depositional depths and facies differ remarkably on the textural and mineralogical characteristics, owing to the complex sedimentary diagenesis. To explore the effects of pore structure and mineral composition associated with diagenetic variation on the mechanical behavior of reef limestone, a series of quasi-static and dynamic compression tests along with microscopic examinations were performed on the reef limestone at shallow and deep burial depths. It is revealed that the shallow reef limestone (SRL) is classified as a porous aragonite-type carbonate rock with high porosity (55.3±3.2)% and pore connectivity. In comparison, the deep reef limestone (DRL) is mainly composed of dense calcite-type calcium carbonate with low porosity (4.9±1.6)% and pore connectivity. The DRL strengthened and stiffened by the tight grain framework consistently displays much higher values of the dynamic compressive strength, elastic modulus, brittleness index, and specific energy absorption than those of the SRL. The gap between two types of limestone further increases with an increase in strain rate. It appears that the failure pattern of SRL is dominated by the inherent defects like weak bonding interfaces and growth lines, revealed by the intricate fracturing network and mixed failure. Likewise, although the preexisting megapores in DRL may affect the crack propagation on pore tips to a certain distance, it hardly alters the axial splitting failure of DRL under impacts. The stress wave propagation and attenuation in SRL is primarily controlled by the reflection and diffusion caused by plenty mesopores, as well as an energy dissipation in layer-wise pore collapse and adjacent grain crushing, while the stress wave in DRL is highly hinged on the insulation and diffraction induced by the isolated megapores. This process is accompanied by the energy dissipation behavior of inelastic deformation resulted from the pore-emanated microcracking.

Abstract Deep shale has the characteristics of large burial depth, rapid changes in reservoir properties, complex pore types and structures, and unstable production. The whole-rock X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, reservoir physical property parameter testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, high-pressure mercury intrusion testing, CO2 adsorption experimentation, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption testing were performed to study the pore structure characteristics of marine shale reservoirs in the southern Sichuan Basin. The results show that the deep shale of the Wufeng Formation Longyi1 sub-member in the Luzhou area is superior to that of the Weiyuan area in terms of factors controlling shale gas enrichment, such as organic matter abundance, physical properties, gas-bearing properties, and shale reservoir thickness. SEM is utilized to identify six types of pores (mainly organic matter pores). The porosities of the pyrobitumen pores reach 21.04–31.65%, while the porosities of the solid kerogen pores, siliceous mineral dissolution pores, and carbonate dissolution pores are low at 0.48–1.80%. The pores of shale reservoirs are mainly micropores and mesopores, with a small amount of macropores. The total pore volume ranges from 22.0 to 36.40 μL/g, with an average of 27.46 μL/g, the total pore specific surface area ranges from 34.27 to 50.39 m2/g, with an average of 41.12 m2/g. The pore volume and specific surface area of deep shale gas are positively correlated with TOC content, siliceous minerals, and clay minerals. The key period for shale gas enrichment, which matches the evolution process of shale hydrocarbon generation, reservoir capacity, and direct and indirect cap rocks, is from the Middle to Late Triassic to the present. Areas with late structural uplift, small uplift amplitude, and high formation pressure coefficient characteristics favor preserving shale gas with high gas content and production levels.

Abstract To quantitatively characterize the complexity of shale pore structures and their controlling factors in the Longmaxi Formation of Western Hubei, our study focused on the organic‐rich shale outcrops of the Longmaxi Formation in the Yidu‐Hefeng compound anticline. We conducted tests for shale organic content, maturity, and whole‐rock mineral composition, along with employing high‐pressure mercury injection and low‐temperature gas adsorption experiments. Utilizing the V‐S, FHH, and sponge models, we calculated the fractal dimensions of micro‐, meso‐, and macropores. In the Yidu‐Hefeng region, the Longmaxi Formation is characterized by calcium‐rich shales that are abundant in organic matter. Our analysis of samples revealed a total organic carbon (TOC) ranging between 1.04% and 4.24%, with an average of 2.5%. The Ro values fluctuate between 2.98% and 3.57%, with a mean value of 2.845%, indicating an over‐mature stage from early to late thermogenesis. Constituents such as quartz span from 39.8% to 51.3%, with a median of 44.3%, while feldspar oscillates between 3.8% and 12.4%, averaging at 8.48%. Clay minerals constitute 24.3% to 41.7% of the samples, with a mean of 34.16%. Shale porosity exhibits a segmented fractal nature. For instance, D1 varies from 2.1278 to 2.4056, with a mean of 2.2767; D2 fluctuates between 2.4995 and 2.7492, averaging at 2.6309; and D3 ranges from 2.6835 to 2.9427, centering around 2.8111. These variations indicate the intricacies of the macropore structure. Positive correlations between TOC and maturity with D1 and D2 are evident, whereas a negative association is observed with D3. The collaborative interplay between siliceous minerals and organics mirrors the relationship between the siliceous mineral content and its fractal dimensions, akin to TOC. Clay mineral transformations, due to accumulation and dehydration, predominantly contribute to macro‐porosity, weakly aligning negatively with D1 and D2 but positively with D3. Variations in carbonate and siliceous minerals and their role in primarily yielding dissolution macropores manifest a subtle negative link with D1 and D2 while enhancing D3. Pore volume correlates positively with D1 and D2, exhibits no conspicuous association with D3, and trends negatively. The compaction and transformation processes of clay minerals seem to favor the generation of macropores, mildly aligning positively with D3.

This study was conducted during 2023 on soil profiles in Lattakia Governorate (Syria), composed of different parent materials, namely serpentine, gabbro, peridotite (belonging to the ophiolitic complex), and marl (belonging to sedimentary formations). The aim was to determine their mineral composition and study the effect of mineral composition on some soil properties, alongside the degree of weathering of soil profiles. The mineral composition of the soil profiles varied and was primarily related to the differences in parent materials. Primary minerals dominated the mineral composition of the horizons of profiles formed on ferromagnesian rocks, while the mineral composition varied in the horizons of profiles formed on marl, depending on the impurities accompanying the limestone rock, with a great majority of calcite minerals. The type of mineral composition affected the morphological characteristics of the soil, such as color change. Most profiles of the ophiolitic rocks took on a red color because they contained hematite, while the light color prevailed in the profiles formed from marl due to the dominance of calcite minerals in their composition. The presence of montmorillonite caused some cracks in the profile containing it. Soils formed from ferromagnesian rocks were characterized by a low Ca/Mg ratio compared to other soils, due to the richness of their mineral composition with primary minerals containing magnesium, leading to the dominance of exchangeable magnesium, while the calcium cation was dominant in the soils formed on parent material rich in calcium carbonate.

Abstract Temperature’s influence on the physical and mechanical properties of rocks is a crucial concern for the rational design of deep rock engineering structures and the assurance of their long-term stability. To systematically comprehend the impact of the evolution of mineral composition and micro characteristics on the physical and mechanical behavior of thermally damaged granite, we observed the microscopic structural defects inside the rocks with a polarizing microscope and revealed the thermal damage mechanism of granite from a microscopic perspective by combining ultrasound detection and XRD phase characteristic analysis. The results show that the physical properties of the specimens changed significantly at three characteristic temperature points: 400 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C. Under high temperature conditions, the diffraction intensity of all minerals in granite, except for quartz, generally decreased, and stable minerals decomposed. Albite and potash feldspar decomposed to form anorthoclase, thereby reducing the structural stability of the rock material. In addition, the peak width of various minerals decreased to varying degrees with increasing temperature. The increase in mineral volume further damaged the internal structure of the rock material while promoting the transformation from grain boundary to intergranular cracks and from intragranular cracks to transgranular cracks, ultimately forming a interconnected crack network. Thermal damage significantly reduced the longitudinal wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, and elastic modulus of the specimens, while the stress–strain curve relationship indicated that the specimens underwent two opposite processes of transformation from brittleness to ductility and then from ductility to brittleness. The thermal damage threshold of granite in this study was 600 °C.

This is an article in the field of ceramics and composites. In order to study the adsorption effect of modified bentonite on heavy metal ions in sewage, the effects of pH value, initial concentration, time, solid-liquid ratio, temperature and particle size on the adsorption effect of bentonite were analyzed. And microscopic means were used to study the changes of the internal mineral composition of the bentonite before and after the adsorption of heavy metal ions and the change law of the infrared spectra. The results showed that when the modified bentonite content was 0.2 g, the adsorption time was 1.5 h, the temperature was set to 40 ℃, the pH value was set to 6, the initial concentration was set to 200 mg/L and the solid-to-liquid ratio was set to 0.8 g/L, the adsorption effect was the best. After the modified bentonite had undergone an adsorption test, an obvious CuSO4 diffraction peak could be detected. However, other mineral components inside the modified bentonite remained unchanged, which also showed that the modified bentonite could effectively adsorb copper ions in sewage.

Coal is a porous material containing pore structures and mineral components, exhibiting pronounced anisotropy and size effects.In order to investigate the influence of coal anisotropy and size effects on its failure characteristics, this paper proposes a simulation method for characterizing and reconstructing three-dimensionally the internal pores and mineral components of coal samples based on CT scanning, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction.Specifically, we obtained simulation parameters of three-dimensional reconstruction models of coal matrix and mineral components through inverse laboratory uniaxial compression experiments, while simulated and analyzed the strength damage characteristics of coal bodies with different aspect ratios.The simulation results show that: ① During the loading process, the plastic zone first gradually expands and connects outward around the pores and mineral components.In terms of spatial distribution, the plastic zone expands vertically from the loading end to the interior in the early stage, and in the later stage, it expands horizontally from the surroundings to the interior.After the model is damaged, a "double truncated cone structure" is formed in the non-plastic zone.② The increase of aspect ratio leads to an increase in the compressive strength(p) of coal samples, the strain(ζ) at yielding strength, and the elastic modulus(K), among which ζ and K increase linearly, while the margin of increase in p gradually decreases.③ The total energy and elastic energy of coal sample loading increase exponentially, while the dissipated energy increases linearly.The increase of aspect ratio leads to an increase both in the accumulated elastic energy in the coal body and in the released energy during failure, which easily induce dynamic impact-related disasters.This study provide references for the reasonable selection of coal pillar size in impact mine pressure area.

Geophagy or Pica is the unintentional traditional behavior of eating soil by indigenous people in different countries. practiced in many countries due to nausea among pregnant women and mineral deficiencies without knowing the associated health risks. In this study the mineral composition of geophagic soil and its associated health risk among consumers was determined. Dry soil sticks consumed by women were obtained from open markets in Morogoro, Njombe and Mwanza regions in Tanzania. The elemental concentration of geophagic soil was analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. Health risk assessment methods were used to obtain health information after chronic exposure to geophagic soils. The tests used were Target Hazard Quotients (THQ), Total Target Hazard Quotients (TTHQ) and Cancer Risks (CR). The concentration range of metals in samples obtained from three different regions were 16,335.7–47,773.7 mg/kg for Fe, 46.2–1073.5 mg/kg for Ca, 155.3–514.9 mg/kg for K, 44.5–112.4 mg/kg for Zn, 40.7–95.1 mg/kg for Na, 2.4–66.7 mg/kg for Cu, 109.5–572.6 mg/kg for Mn, 3.8–6.85 mg/kg for Pb, 3.1–93 mg/kg for Ni, 62.7–638.6 mg/kg for Cr and 0.4 mg/kg for Cd. The Provisional Daily Intake (PDI), THQ, TTHQ and CR ranged between 3.0 × 10−3 –34.12 mg/kg/day bw, 0.043–48.75, 34.52–77.36 and 2.55×10−5- 0.23 respectively. The TTHQ>1 was evident for metals in all sampling sites which is indicative of non-carcinogenic health effects. Prolonged exposure to Pb at low concentrations in samples from all the sites can cause pathological effects. The cancer risk values for Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd were

Abstract This study presents a thorough investigation into the concentration of heavy metals and mineral composition within four distinct coastal flora species: Cyperus conglomeratus, Halopyrum mucronatum, Sericostem pauciflorum, and Salvadora persica. Employing rigorous statistical methodologies such as Pearson coefficient correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and interclass correlation (ICC), we aimed to elucidate the bioavailability of heavy metals, minerals, and relevant physical characteristics. The analysis focused on essential elements including copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl–), all of which are known to play pivotal roles in the ecological dynamics of coastal ecosystems. Through PCA, we discerned distinctive patterns within PC1 to PC4, collectively explaining an impressive 99.65% of the variance observed in heavy metal composition across the studied flora species. These results underscore the profound influence of environmental factors on the mineral composition of coastal flora, offering critical insights into the ecological processes shaping these vital ecosystems. Furthermore, significant correlations among mineral contents in H. mucronatum; K+ with content of Na+ (r = 0.989) and Mg2+ (r = 0.984); as revealed by ICC analyses, contributed to a nuanced understanding of variations in electrical conductivity (EC), pH levels, and ash content among the diverse coastal flora species. By shedding light on heavy metal and mineral dynamics in coastal flora, this study not only advances our scientific understanding but also provides a foundation for the development of targeted environmental monitoring and management strategies aimed at promoting the ecological sustainability and resilience of coastal ecosystems in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.

Abstract Deep subsurface exploration is important for mining, oil and gas industries, as well as in the assessment of geological units for the disposal of chemical or nuclear waste, or the viability of geothermal energy systems. Typically, detailed examinations of subsurface formations or units are performed on cuttings or core materials extracted during drilling campaigns, as well as on geophysical borehole data, which provide detailed information about the petrophysical properties of the rocks. Depending on the volume of rock samples and the analytical program, the laboratory analysis and diagnostics can be very time-consuming. This study investigates the potential of utilizing machine learning, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNN), to assess the lithology and mineral content solely from analysis of drill core images, aiming to support and expedite the subsurface geological exploration. The paper outlines a comprehensive methodology, encompassing data preprocessing, machine learning methods, and transfer learning techniques. The outcome reveals a remarkable 96.7% accuracy in the classification of drill core segments into distinct formation classes. Furthermore, a CNN model was trained for the evaluation of mineral content using a learning data set from multidimensional log analysis data (silicate, total clay, carbonate). When benchmarked against laboratory XRD measurements on samples from the cores, both the advanced multidimensional log analysis model and the neural network approach developed here provide equally good performance. This work demonstrates that deep learning and particularly transfer learning can support extracting petrophysical properties, including mineral content and formation classification, from drill core images, thus offering a road map for enhancing model performance and data set quality in image-based analysis of drill cores.

Deep shale has the characteristics of large burial depth, rapid changes in reservoir properties, complex pore types and structures, and unstable production. The whole-rock X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, reservoir physical property parameter testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, high-pressure mercury intrusion testing, CO2 adsorption experimentation, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption testing were performed to study the pore structure characteristics of marine shale reservoirs in the southern Sichuan Basin. The results show that the deep shale of the Wufeng Formation Longyi1 sub-member in the Luzhou area is superior to that of the Weiyuan area in terms of factors controlling shale gas enrichment, such as organic matter abundance, physical properties, gas-bearing properties, and shale reservoir thickness. SEM is utilized to identify six types of pores (mainly organic matter pores). The porosities of the pyrobitumen pores reach 21.04–31.65%, while the porosities of the solid kerogen pores, siliceous mineral dissolution pores, and carbonate dissolution pores are low at 0.48–1.80%. The pores of shale reservoirs are mainly micropores and mesopores, with a small amount of macropores. The total pore volume ranges from 22.0 to 36.40 μL/g, with an average of 27.46 μL/g, the total pore specific surface area ranges from 34.27 to 50.39 m2/g, with an average of 41.12 m2/g. The pore volume and specific surface area of deep shale gas are positively correlated with TOC content, siliceous minerals, and clay minerals. The key period for shale gas enrichment, which matches the evolution process of shale hydrocarbon generation, reservoir capacity, and direct and indirect cap rocks, is from the Middle to Late Triassic to the present. Areas with late structural uplift, small uplift amplitude, and high formation pressure coefficient characteristics favor preserving shale gas with high gas content and production levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of micro-pore structure are the focus of reservoir research, which is of great significance to the study of micro-heterogeneity and the exploration and development of the reservoir in the later stages. Taking the Chang 6 tight sandstone reservoir in the Yan'an-Ganquan area in the southern Ordos Basin as an example, through casting thin sections, scanning electron microscope analysis, X-ray diffraction and high-pressure mercury intrusion experiments, combined with fractal theory, the fractal characteristics of the target reservoir were determined, and the relationship between fractal dimension and reservoir physical properties, pore characteristics and mineral composition was discussed. The results show that the reservoir pores of the Chang 6 member in the study area are mainly intergranular pores and dissolution pores, which are ultra-low porosity and tight reservoirs. The fractal dimension of the reservoirs is generally greater than 2. 5, the pore structure is complex, and the sorting property is poor, strong homogeneity. The fractal dimension has a good correlation with the pore-throat characteristic parameters. The larger the fractal dimension, the uneven distribution of pores, poor connectivity, and weaker storage capacity and seepage capacity. The relationship between fractal dimension and mineral composition there is also a good correlation between them. Mineral composition and its content are the influencing factors that determine the complexity of pore throats, which in turn reflect the quality and pore structure characteristics of the reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sage is a perennial medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Macro-micro elements have an important place in the development of this plant. One of these elements is selenium. This study aims to examine the effect of foliar selenium (Se) application on the agronomic, biochemical, and bioactive properties of sage. The plant height (PH), fresh herb yield (FHY), dry herb yield (DHY), and dry leaf yield (DLY) as agronomic properties, and Se content in the plant (SCP), ascorbic acid content (AAC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and mineral composition (MC) as biochemical and bioactive properties were investigated in this context. The experiment was carried out in four replications over three years in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In the study, 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 g ha−1 Se were applied to sage leaves. At the end of the study, it was determined that Se application was effective on the agronomic characteristics of the sage, except for the first year. The application of 100 g ha−1 Se in FHY, DHY, DLY, AA, and TPC properties emerged as the recommended dose since it reached the highest values. In addition, it was evaluated that the Se application did not have a statistically significant effect on the SCP. For years with statistical significance, 400 g ha−1 Se application was recommended in terms of AAC and 100 g ha−1 Se application in terms of AA and TPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal mushrooms, especially Ganoderma species, hold immense promise for the production of a wide range of bioactive compounds with various effects. The biochemical potential of indigenous fungal strains, specific to a region, could play a critical role in the continuous search for novel strains with superior activities on a global scale. This research focused on the ethanolic (EtOH) and hot-water (H2O) extracts of fruiting bodies of two wild-growing Ganoderma species: G. pfeifferi and G. resinaceum, with the aim of assessing their nutritional (total carbohydrate content-TCC) and mineral composition in relation to bioactive properties: antioxidant, antiproliferative and lipid-lowering. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) revealed that G. pfeifferi is a promising source of minerals that are essential for numerous physiological functions in the human body like bone health and muscle and nerve function, with Ca (4.55 ± 0.41 mg/g d.w.) and Mg (1.33 ± 0.09 mg/g d.w.) being the most abundant macroelement present. Zn, Mn, and Cr were particularly notable, with concentrations ranging from 21.49 to 41.70 mg/kg d.w. The EtOH extract of G. pfeifferi demonstrated significantly elevated levels of TCC, essential macromolecules for energy and structural functions in the body, with higher quantities of all three standard carbohydrates detected in this type of extract. Similar to the revealed composition, the same species, G. pfeifferi, stood out as the most prominent antioxidant agent, with the H2O extract being stronger than EtOH in the ABTS assay (86.85 ± 0.67 mg TE/g d.w.), while the EtOH extract displayed the highest anti-OH• scavenging ability (IC50 = 0.18 ± 0.05 μg/mL) as well as the most notable reducing potential among all. The highest antiproliferative effect against the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), were demonstrated by the H2O extracts from G. resinaceum with the most pronounced activity after 24 h (IC50 = 4.88 ± 0.50 μg/mL), which surpasses that of the standard compound, ellagic acid (IC50 = 33.94 ± 3.69 μg/mL). Administration of both Ganoderma extracts mitigated diabetic lipid disturbances and exhibited potential renal and hepatic protection in vivo on white Wistar rats by the preservation of kidney function parameters in G. resinaceum H2O pre-treatment (urea: 6.27 ± 0.64 mmol/L, creatinine: 50.00 ± 6.45 mmol/L) and the reduction in ALT levels (17.83 ± 3.25 U/L) compared to diabetic control groups treated with saline (urea: 46.98 ± 6.01 mmol/L, creatinine: 289.25 ± 73.87 mmol/L, and ALT: 60.17 ± 9.64 U/L). These results suggest that pre-treatment with G. resinaceum H2O extracts may have potential antidiabetic properties. In summary, detected microelements are vital for maintaining overall health, supporting metabolic processes, and protecting against various chronic diseases. Further research and dietary assessments could help determine the full potential and applications of the two underexplored Ganoderma species native to Serbia in nutrition and health supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar, an organic carbonaceous matter, is a unique feed additive that is now being used in aquaculture industry to formulate a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly diet. This experiment (in door) was conducted over course of 90 days to determine the most effective form of biochar, produced from various sources, for supplementation in Moringa oleifera seed meal‐based diet. These sources were: farmyard manure biochar, parthenium biochar (PB), vegetable waste biochar, poultry waste biochar (PWB) and corncob waste biochar, added at 2 g/kg concentration to determine the effect of supplementation on the growth indices, nutrient absorption, carcass composition, haematology and mineral status of Labeo rohita (rohu) fingerlings. The research design consisted of six test diets with three replications (6 × 3) of each. Total of 270 fingerlings (6.30 ± 0.020 g) were fed at 5% body weight and 15 of them were kept in separate steel tanks. The results indicated that PWB was most effective in improving weight gain (285.58 ± 4.54%) and feed conversion ratio (1.060 ± 0.040) compared to control diet and other test diets. The same type of biochar (PWB) produced the best results for nutrient digestibility, that is, crude protein, crude fat and gross energy and carcass composition. In terms of haematology and mineral status, PWB showed the best results. In conclusion, it was found that PWB significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) L. rohita fingerling's growth, carcass composition, nutrient digestibility, haematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and haemoglobin) and mineral composition (Ca, Na, P, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, K and Cu) whereas PB negatively affected all parameters. It is anticipated that the potential use of biochar will increase in aquaculture industry, as research on its incorporation in fish feeds is still limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantitatively characterize the complexity of shale pore structures and their controlling factors in the Longmaxi Formation of Western Hubei, our study focused on the organic‐rich shale outcrops of the Longmaxi Formation in the Yidu‐Hefeng compound anticline. We conducted tests for shale organic content, maturity, and whole‐rock mineral composition, along with employing high‐pressure mercury injection and low‐temperature gas adsorption experiments. Utilizing the V‐S, FHH, and sponge models, we calculated the fractal dimensions of micro‐, meso‐, and macropores. In the Yidu‐Hefeng region, the Longmaxi Formation is characterized by calcium‐rich shales that are abundant in organic matter. Our analysis of samples revealed a total organic carbon (TOC) ranging between 1.04% and 4.24%, with an average of 2.5%. The Ro values fluctuate between 2.98% and 3.57%, with a mean value of 2.845%, indicating an over‐mature stage from early to late thermogenesis. Constituents such as quartz span from 39.8% to 51.3%, with a median of 44.3%, while feldspar oscillates between 3.8% and 12.4%, averaging at 8.48%. Clay minerals constitute 24.3% to 41.7% of the samples, with a mean of 34.16%. Shale porosity exhibits a segmented fractal nature. For instance, D1 varies from 2.1278 to 2.4056, with a mean of 2.2767; D2 fluctuates between 2.4995 and 2.7492, averaging at 2.6309; and D3 ranges from 2.6835 to 2.9427, centering around 2.8111. These variations indicate the intricacies of the macropore structure. Positive correlations between TOC and maturity with D1 and D2 are evident, whereas a negative association is observed with D3. The collaborative interplay between siliceous minerals and organics mirrors the relationship between the siliceous mineral content and its fractal dimensions, akin to TOC. Clay mineral transformations, due to accumulation and dehydration, predominantly contribute to macro‐porosity, weakly aligning negatively with D1 and D2 but positively with D3. Variations in carbonate and siliceous minerals and their role in primarily yielding dissolution macropores manifest a subtle negative link with D1 and D2 while enhancing D3. Pore volume correlates positively with D1 and D2, exhibits no conspicuous association with D3, and trends negatively. The compaction and transformation processes of clay minerals seem to favor the generation of macropores, mildly aligning positively with D3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key factors for sustainability in agricultural systems, particularly, for cultivation of date palms, is the identification of the performance parameters of the pollen grains of male date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.). This study was carried out to predict the performance parameters of pollen grains using an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The morphological features of spathe length, spathe weight, number of pinnae per leaf, leaf length, leaf width, length of the pinna part, pinna length, pinna width, length of the spathe stem, and spathe width, as well as the concentrations of minerals such as Mg, N, K, P, and Ca in their leaves were used as inputs to the ANN model. For this purpose, we collected the required data from nine male date palms grown in Saudi Arabia. The ANN model utilized in this work included an input layer with 15 parameters, a hidden layer of 30 neurons, and an output layer with 8 neurons. The ANN model was trained with 27 patterns. Seven patterns were utilized for testing purposes. The coefficient of determination (R2) obtained between the observed and predicted performance parameters' values using the testing dataset was 0.902 for the number of strands per spathe, 0.967 for strand length, 0.963 for the number of flowers per strand, 0.941 for the number of flowers per spathe, 0.985 for the weight of pollen grains per spathe, 0.810 for the pollen grains' viability, 0.936 for the pollen grains' length, and 0.992 for the pollen grains' width. The length of the spathe stem had the most critical effect on how the ANN model predicted the values of the dependent variables, i.e., the number of strands per spathe, with a percentage of contribution of 17.66%; the weight of pollen grains per spathe, with 17.85%; the pollen grains' length, with 19.78%, and the pollen grains' width, with a percentage of contribution of 30.59%. Spathe weight had the most critical influence on strand length and pollen grains' viability, with percentages of 26.29% and 14.92%, respectively. Leaf width had the most critical effect on the number of flowers per spathe, with a percentage of 12.55%. The elemental concentration of K in the male date palm leaves had the most critical effect on the number of flowers per strand, with a percentage of 13.98%. It was therefore concluded that using a modeling process with the ANN technique can help estimate the performance parameters of male date palms' pollen grains for different purposes, such as providing a starting point for mathematical analyses associated with the physiological mechanisms of male date palm. Moreover, the outcomes of this research work can be supportive as a practical tool in this field of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish is an important source of food for mankind all over the world. They are also a good source of proteins and minerals. Hence the present study was attempted to analyse the proximate and mineral composition of ten locally available fishes. Among the various fishes, Puntius vittatus registered the highest concentration of Na but also the lowest levels of Fe, Cu and Zn. Anabas testudineus had highest concentration of K, Mg and P while Chanda nama had highest levels of Fe, Cu and Zn. Ompok pabda had lowest concentrations of K and Ca. The present study clearly reveals that the fishes are suitable for human consumption in terms of their proximate analysis and mineral composition. In addition, this study will also help nutritionists to prepare guidelines for a nutritious diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of trace elements, heavy metals, and their effect on the development of hard tissue mineralization balance is poorly documented and the available results are often contradictory. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the concentration of the selected elements in the teeth of deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) with respect to their potential role in maintaining biomineralization balance in teeth hard tissues. Moreover, the aim was to determine whether trace elements accumulate in teeth with age. This study was conducted on 22 molar teeth of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 54 molar teeth of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Poland. Samples were analyzed with the use of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry equipped with a concentric nebulizer and cyclonic spray chamber in order to determine their Al, Ba, Cd, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn contents. There were strong positive correlations between strontium and zinc with heavy metals, particularly in dentine, which may affect the neutralization of the negative effects of heavy metals on tooth tissue and, consequently, maintaining ionic balance. The accumulation of trace elements with age in serenades has not been confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the health value and safety associated with the consumption of the chosen 37 beetroot-based dietary supplements (DSs). An optimized and validated analytical procedure, using a method called microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES), was developed to determine the profiles of 19 elements (Na, K, Fe, Ca, Pt, Zn, Cd, Cu, V, Co, Ni, Pb, Mo, Mg, Al, Mn, Sr, Cr, Ba) in the DSs. The products were assessed for compliance with the recommended daily doses for the chosen elements, and any deviations were identified. Results showed that powders constituted a richer source of elements than capsules and tablets. The exception was iron-enriched products, which provided the highest dose of Fe (3.75 to 25 mg/daily dose). Safety assessment was evaluated in 3 steps, including (1) the determination of levels of Al, Ba, Cd, and Pb; (2) comparison of their content with the permissible contamination limits; and (3) comparison of the weekly or monthly intake of Al and Cd with the provisional tolerable weekly (PTWI) or monthly (PTMI) intake, respectively. The content of Ba was evaluated because of the oral reference dose (RfD). Five products were significantly contaminated with Cd (4–134% of PTMI Cd), two with Al (11–12%), and three with Ba (1.085–1.331 µg/d.d.). Lead was not detected above the LOQ (0.035 mg/kg). Factor analysis was employed to differentiate between the pharmaceutical forms (capsules, tablets, and powders) and determine the origin of the powder contained in the capsules. These results highlight the importance of implementing more stringent control measures and regulatory changes in the DSs market to ensure consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belite-ye'elimite-ternesite (BYT) cement is a new type of cement with low energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Notably, the sintering temperature of ye'elimite (C4A3$) is approximately 150 °C higher than that of ternesite (C5S2$) and belite (C2S). To facilitate the simultaneous presence of three minerals, the mineralizer (CuO) was used to reduce the formation temperature of C4A3$ in this work. Thermogravimetric (TG) was utilized to investigate the sintering temperature of minerals within the clinker. Furthermore, X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope were applied to analyze the phase composition and microstructure, respectively. The findings reveal that BYT cement clinker can be synthesized in one step at 1200 °C by adding 4% CuO. Ternesite (C5S2$) initiates hydration by 28 d, contributing to the stable development of medium-term strength. Optimal mechanical properties were observed with a ratio of C4A3$:C2S:C5S2$ at 40:50:10, achieving a 28 d strength of 43.7 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The global demand for sustainable lamb production is increasing due to the need for high-quality meat with minimal environmental impact, making the choice of feeding systems crucial. This study investigates the effects of supplemented pasture feeding during the last 60 days of rearing on the meat fatty acid profile, pH value, colour characteristics, and mineral composition of lambs, highlighting the benefits of such feeding systems. Ninety lambs (MIS sheep breed) were divided into three distinct feeding regimes: Group I (alfalfa and concentrate feeding), Group II (white clover [Trifolium repens] pasture with concentrate supplementation), and Group III (birds' foot trefoil [Lotus corniculatus] pasture with concentrate supplementation). The results have shown that supplemented pasture feeding improves the fatty acid profile by increasing n-3 content and desirable fatty acids, while reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio and atherogenic index (p < 0.05), particularly in lambs finished on an L. corniculatus diet. However, forage-supplemented feeding also reduces meat colour lightness and redness (p < 0.05). On the other hand, it enhances the meat's mineral profile, with higher calcium, selenium, and iron levels, especially in lambs fed L. corniculatus. These findings underscore the benefits of moderate grazing with supplemental concentrates in optimising lamb meat quality. Importantly, they also highlight the potential of forage legumes like T. repens and L. corniculatus to significantly enhance the nutritional profile of lamb meat, offering a promising outlook for the future of sustainable lamb production. Additionally, this research provides valuable insights that could guide the development of future agricultural practices, dietary guidelines, and environmental policies to advance sustainable and nutritious food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature's influence on the physical and mechanical properties of rocks is a crucial concern for the rational design of deep rock engineering structures and the assurance of their long-term stability. To systematically comprehend the impact of the evolution of mineral composition and micro characteristics on the physical and mechanical behavior of thermally damaged granite, we observed the microscopic structural defects inside the rocks with a polarizing microscope and revealed the thermal damage mechanism of granite from a microscopic perspective by combining ultrasound detection and XRD phase characteristic analysis. The results show that the physical properties of the specimens changed significantly at three characteristic temperature points: 400 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C. Under high temperature conditions, the diffraction intensity of all minerals in granite, except for quartz, generally decreased, and stable minerals decomposed. Albite and potash feldspar decomposed to form anorthoclase, thereby reducing the structural stability of the rock material. In addition, the peak width of various minerals decreased to varying degrees with increasing temperature. The increase in mineral volume further damaged the internal structure of the rock material while promoting the transformation from grain boundary to intergranular cracks and from intragranular cracks to transgranular cracks, ultimately forming a interconnected crack network. Thermal damage significantly reduced the longitudinal wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, and elastic modulus of the specimens, while the stress–strain curve relationship indicated that the specimens underwent two opposite processes of transformation from brittleness to ductility and then from ductility to brittleness. The thermal damage threshold of granite in this study was 600 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study presents a thorough investigation into the concentration of heavy metals and mineral composition within four distinct coastal flora species: Cyperus conglomeratus, Halopyrum mucronatum, Sericostem pauciflorum, and Salvadora persica. Employing rigorous statistical methodologies such as Pearson coefficient correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and interclass correlation (ICC), we aimed to elucidate the bioavailability of heavy metals, minerals, and relevant physical characteristics. The analysis focused on essential elements including copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl–), all of which are known to play pivotal roles in the ecological dynamics of coastal ecosystems. Through PCA, we discerned distinctive patterns within PC1 to PC4, collectively explaining an impressive 99.65% of the variance observed in heavy metal composition across the studied flora species. These results underscore the profound influence of environmental factors on the mineral composition of coastal flora, offering critical insights into the ecological processes shaping these vital ecosystems. Furthermore, significant correlations among mineral contents in H. mucronatum; K+ with content of Na+ (r = 0.989) and Mg2+ (r = 0.984); as revealed by ICC analyses, contributed to a nuanced understanding of variations in electrical conductivity (EC), pH levels, and ash content among the diverse coastal flora species. By shedding light on heavy metal and mineral dynamics in coastal flora, this study not only advances our scientific understanding but also provides a foundation for the development of targeted environmental monitoring and management strategies aimed at promoting the ecological sustainability and resilience of coastal ecosystems in the face of ongoing environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]