Recent global geopolitical tensions have exacerbated the scarcity of rare-earth elements (REEs), which are critical across many industries. REE-rich coal fly ash (CFA), a coal combustion residual, has been proposed as a potential source. Conventional REE-CFA recovery methods are energy-and materialintensive and leach elements indiscriminately. This study has developed a new valorization process based on the ionic liquid (IL) betainium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Hbet][Tf 2 N]) for preferential extraction of REEs from different CFAs. Efficient extraction relies on [Hbet][Tf 2 N]'s thermomorphic behavior with water: upon heating, water and the IL form a single liquid phase, and REEs are leached from CFA via a proton-exchange mechanism.Upon cooling, the water and IL separate, and leached elements partition between the two phases. REEs were preferentially extracted over bulk elements from CFAs into the IL phase and then recovered in a subsequent mild-acid stripping step, regenerating the IL. Alkaline pretreatment significantly improved REE leaching efficiency from recalcitrant Class-F CFAs, and additional betaine improved REE and bulk element separation. Weathered CFA showed slightly higher REE leaching efficiency than unweathered CFA, and Class-C CFA demonstrated higher leaching efficiency but less selective partitioning than Class-F CFAs. Significantly, this method consistently exhibits a particularly high extraction efficiency for scandium across different CFAs.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver malignancy. Risk factors as viral infection, obesity, excessive alcohol use, and tobacco use are associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma presentation ranges from asymptomatic to upper abdominal pain along with lethargy, weight loss, nausea, and anorexia. Different staging systems has developed in the past to stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Many treatment approaches have been used for HCC including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, ablation therapy, surgery, and liver transplantation.
The platform wound device (PWD) is a wound coverage system that is designed to decrease wound infection rates by allowing for direct delivery of topical antibiotics and antimicrobials while creating a sealed, protective barrier around the area of injury. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the PWD as a protective dressing and a delivery system for topical antibiotics compared to the current standard of care (SoC). This was a multi‐center, prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial. The wounds were treated with the PWD with gentamicin cream or SoC dressings. The wounds were evaluated before the start of treatment and after 48–96 hours via clinical assessment, photographs, and qualitative bacterial swabs for bacterial analysis. The delivery of gentamicin via the PWD was safe and did not cause any adverse effects. The treatment decreased both inflammation and bacterial growth during the study period. No significant differences in the SoC were observed. The PWD is a transparent and impermeable polyurethane chamber that encloses and protects the injured area. The delivery of topical gentamicin via the PWD was safe and effective. Clinical assessment for infection found the PWD to be non‐inferior to the current SoC treatment options.
Carrot purées with different particle size were prepared from fresh carrots using 2 different food processors. The purées were fermented with lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum) with and without addition of cell wall degrading enzymes (Pectinex ® Ultra SP-L and Cellubrix TM L). The bioaccessibility of carotenes was estimated using an in vitro digestion method. In carrots processed to a particle size <1.5 mm, the in vitro     -carotene accessibility was 46% and neither fermentation nor addition of cell wall-degrading enzymes had any further effect on the in vitro accessibility. In carrot purées with a coarser particle size, the in vitro     -carotene accessibility was 18%; that significantly increased by adding high amounts of cellulases or pectinases or a combination of the enzymes either in low or high amounts. The improved accessibility was correlated with reduced particle size of the carrot purée.
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