Early Online (Volume - 3 | Issue - 4) at IgMin Research

Near the turn of the 21st century, several climate scientists believed that rising CO2 was the cause of observed warming and sought to support this by showing that excursions in the Earth temperature were small for the past 2,000 years, with a sudden increase in the 20st century at the same time period when CO2 emissions increased (a so-called “hockey stick” shape to the temperature vs. time plot). To do this, they employed a large number of proxies (such as tree rings) to estimate the Earth’s temperature over the last 2,000 y...ears. Each proxy was compared to the measured temperature during the calibration period (the 20st century), and this relationship was used to convert up to 2,000 years of proxy measurements to estimated temperature. A sophisticated algorithm was used to process the large amount of data from multiple proxies into a yearly average temperature for up to 2,000 years. Unfortunately, they made several mistakes in the statistical analysis, one of which produced a significant statistical error. This error, in which they standardized the data against the mean during the calibration period (rather than the entire data set) had the effect of almost ignoring most of the proxies, while heavily weighting those few with an increase in the 20st century – thus artificially producing a hockey stick form to the plot of temperature vs. time. In addition, the innate merit of many proxies is dubious. The climate scientists involved appeared to ignore valid criticisms from outside their peer group, and they continued to claim the hockey stick result. Climate scientists also vigorously opposed any suggestion that factors other than CO2 also affected the climate. Climate scientists introduced elements of political influence into scientific discourse by actions such as loading up a thin paper with a large number of authors – publishing votes of confidence rather than scientific results.Read more

A new generation of innovative nuclear reactor technology is being piloted in some countries. This reactor features low installation and electricity production costs, a much-reduced waste problem, and a simplified yet reliable nuclear fuel cycle. It is designed for long-term energy production—at least 60 years—while utilizing domestic resources to significantly reduce costs, including those related to fuel raw material and manufacturing. The thorium fuel cycle molten salt reactor is at the heart of this advancement, offering a promi...sing solution for sustainable nuclear energy. In thorium MSRs (Molten Salt Reactors), the giant pressure vessel, fuel bundles and reactor heart, complex piping systems and pumps that are in conventional reactors of the same power are either completely absent or have been reduced much more. For example, the main body of a 1500 MWe MSR is the size of 2 truck containers and occupies relatively little space. There is no accidental hydrogen release or reactor explosion in MSRs due to their design. Since the design minimizes explosion risk, the likelihood of uncontrolled radioactive release is significantly reduced of radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere, water or soil. In case of a problem during operation, there is no need for human intervention to stop the system. MSR fuels are molten at 600 °C - 700 °C; the hearth where they are located is not at very high pressure, but at normal pressure, there is no solid fuel rods or water in the environment, so the risk of explosion could be refined to reflect that risks are minimized (not eliminated). In the unlikely event of overheating, liquid fuel flows from the discharge pipe at the bottom to the liquid fuel tank, the nuclear reaction stops and these processes occur without human intervention. MSRs do not require human intervention during regular operation either. Because the system is designed to operate continuously and safely on its own. The radioactive waste from MSRs is much less in volume and their storage life is only 300 years, not 10s of thousands of years, which makes it easier in this respect. In this study, the advantages, disadvantages, and energy effects of the new-generation energy source—thorium-fueled molten salt reactors—were examined, with explanations provided on their contributions and energy modeling.Read more

Copper is one of the most demanded minerals by the global industrial sector, with approximately 20 million tons mined worldwide each year. Silver, another important technical and precious metal, sees production around 26 kt/y. The general trend of declining average grades in these deposits has made mining low-grade ores a reality for many mines worldwide. Sensor-based sorting has emerged as a significant pre-concentration solution for these cases. This study investigates the applicability of this technique to copper ore samples from the Cerro d...o Andrade deposit, located in Caçapava do Sul, southern Brazil. The primary product of interest is copper (Cu), with silver (Ag) as a by-product. Pre-concentration tests are ongoing at the UFRGS Mineral Processing Laboratory (LAPROM) using a dual-energy X-ray transmission (DE-XRT) sensor sorter. Thirty-two ore samples were analyzed (64-16 mm size fraction). Relative density histograms and false-color images were generated. This data, along with Cu and Ag grades, was assessed in Excel to estimate recoveries (metallurgical and mass), concentration factors, and Cu and Ag grades in tailings fractions. Some scenarios of tailings generation and reuse were also explored. The analyzed samples had an average of 0.83% Cu and 7.31 g/t Ag. Pre-concentration simulations produced Cu grades in the product ranging from 0.9% to 1.0% and Ag grades of 7.8 to 8.8 g/t in the Range A. Waste grades ranged from 0.02% to 0.20% Cu and 0.7 - 2.2 g/t Ag. Range B exhibited more stable Cu and Ag grades in the product (around 0.9% Cu and 11 g/t Ag). Mass recoveries ranged from 92% - 77% in the Range A and reached 70% in the Range B. Metallurgical recoveries remained high: 99% - 95% Cu in the Range A and above 94% in the Range B. Silver recoveries were also promising (99% - 93% in Range A, 90% in Range B). Considering a feed of 1,000 kt/y, estimated ROM mass after pre-concentration ranged from 833-675 kt/y of product and 167 - 325 kt/y of coarse tailings. Reuse possibilities as remineralizers and civil aggregates hold promise. These preliminary findings indicate strong potential, demonstrating the potential for achieving significant outcomes through the implementation of sensor-based sorting pre-concentration in the Andrade Project.Read more

Federated learning (FL) has emerged as a promising approach for collaborative model training across multiple institutions without sharing sensitive patient data. In the context of cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction, FL offers a potential solution to the challenges associated with data privacy and security. This paper reviews the application of FL in cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction, highlighting its key benefits, limitations, and future research directions. We discuss the potential of FL to improve the accuracy and generalizabil...ity of predictive models by leveraging diverse and distributed datasets while preserving data privacy. Furthermore, we examine the technical and regulatory considerations associated with implementing FL in the healthcare domain. Finally, we identify opportunities for future research and development in FL for cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction.Read more

Many medicinal plants used by patients with mental illnesses during pregnancy contain various active compounds. It is essential to guide and inform patients about the potential risks associated with the use of medicinal herbs, teas, plant parts, and plant-based products, as well as the critical time periods during which their use may be particularly harmful.The aim of this article is to highlight the most commonly used medicinal plants with psychotropic effects and to emphasize the risks associated with their use in pregnant patients with menta...l disorders. Pregnant women worldwide frequently consume herbal medicines (including herbal teas, medicinal herbs, and plant extracts), under the mistaken belief that these substances are inherently safe for the fetus and entirely beneficial because of their natural origin, as opposed to synthetic alternatives. However, natural sedatives, hypnotics, and antidepressants—such as valerian, lemon balm, lavender, passionflower, St. John's wort, mint, and chamomile-can be used without supervision and often in combination with other sedative agents, further increasing the likelihood of unpredictable risks.Methods: This study is a narrative review that involves the analysis and synthesis of scientific literature on the use of medicinal plants in mental health during pregnancy and lactation. The literature search was conducted using keywords, and data were collected from medical databases, including PubMed, Medscape, UpToDate, Elsevier, and Google Scholar.Results and discussions: A significant concern is that patients may self-administer these substances without informing their healthcare provider. Medicinal plants can induce clinical, biochemical, and genomic alterations, modulate maternal immune responses, and interfere with enzymatic and cytochrome pathways, thereby affecting the concentration and pharmacokinetics of prescribed medications in maternal blood plasma. Moreover, the active compounds in herbal medicines can cross the placental barrier, posing potential risks to fetal development, including teratogenicity, toxicity, and delayed adverse effects.Read more

Background/Purpose: In recent years, the occurrence of pelvic fractures resulting from high-energy trauma has been steadily rising due to the accelerated advancement of the transportation sector. These types of which are associated with high rates of mortality and disability. This study aims to show essential viewpoints regarding quadrilateral plate fracture and classification.Method: During the period from September 2022 to December 2023, data collected from two hospitals in Xianning city, China, including patients diagnosed with pelvic fractu...res. Moreover, the patients were included in the analysis after applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The collected data, including age, gender, mechanism of injury, follow-up time, operation time, associated diseases, and associated fractures, were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Applied a modified classification method, and incorporating details about bilateral fractures, proximal femur fractures, and sacrum abnormalities. Result: This study included 60 patients with a mean age of 49.5 ± 12.3 years, comprising 32 males and 28 females. The majority of fractures caused by traffic accidents (71.7%), followed by falls (28.3%). The mean follow-up time was 8.9 ± 2.3 months. Diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and dementia were among the associated diseases, with diabetes being the most common (68.3%). Unilateral abnormalities observed in 63.9% of patients, while bilateral abnormalities were seen in 36.1%.Conclusion: The APQ-SF classification plays an essential role in treatment planning through assessing the stability of the pelvic fracture, enabling effective anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation. Moreover, can reduce the need for expensive 3D printing for fracture assessment, making the treatment approach more efficient and cost-effective.Read more

Background: The field of dental implantology has recently experienced significant progress, transforming the approach to replacing lost teeth. Dental implants provide a reliable and long-lasting option for individuals seeking to regain their oral functionality and enhance their visual appeal. Nevertheless, obtaining successful results in dental implant procedures necessitates a thorough comprehension of the different factors that affect the success of the implants.Objective: This manuscript aims to summarize current clinical insights and techno...logical advancements in preventing and managing peri-implantitis. The paper highlights the importance of minimally invasive techniques, combined with augmentation procedures, in the gap between the implant and the alveolar walls, as this can lead to osseointegration and long-term stability of peri-implant hard and soft tissues. Additionally, it highlights the integration of digital tools such as 3D navigation and AI-assisted planning for accurate implant positioning and prosthetic design. This includes employing advanced materials, such as nano-coated implants and nanoparticles incorporated into artificial bone, as it boosts osseointegration and minimizes the likelihood of infection and inflammatory reactions.Conclusion: Achieving a holistic understanding of thorough diagnostic assessments, modern surgical techniques, and advanced digital workflows is essential for successful implant therapy and the prevention of peri-implantitis. Further research and clinical application of nanotechnology promise to improve implant stability and longevity. Such an approach will enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.Read more

Background: Nutrient deficiency and dietary restriction are common after bariatric surgery, regardless of weight loss. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative change in dietary patterns. Methods: 113 patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2018 to 2021 were followed up at baseline and three months after surgery. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected retrospectively, and the diet was analyzed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results: Postoperative weight, body mass index (BMI), and % body fat decreased signifi...cantly (p < 0.001). Prealbumin (PA) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels decreased significantly at 3 months post-surgery  (p < 0.001); however, vitamin D (VD) , zinc, and albumin (ALB) levels increased (p < 0.05). Hemoglobin (HGB) in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) group was lower than that in the sleeve gastrectomy with jejunal bypass (SGJB) and the sleeve gastrectomy (SG) group (p < 0.05). The intake of cereals, tubers, legumes, meat, poultry, and aquatic products decreased (p < 0.001), whereas the intake of vegetables (except for soybeans), fruit, eggs, milk and dairy products, and water increased (p < 0.05). The RYGB group had a higher intake of cereals, tubers, and legumes than that in the other groups (p < 0.05), although there was no association between the reduction of intake in these food groups and weight loss. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery has a beneficial impact on weight loss and dietary patterns. Preoperative nutritional assessment and continuous follow-up are critical with bariatric surgery to prevent weight regain and malnutrition. Read more