Conventional Ion-Exchange and Chelating Resins for Metal Recovery: A Critical Comparison of Selectivity, Dynamic Performance, Regeneration, and Process Integration

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Conventional ion-exchange and chelating resins are widely used for metal recovery, purification, and polishing, yet they are still frequently compared using equilibrium capacity rather than process function. This structured critical review examines how charge-driven exchange and ligand-controlled coordination translate into selectivity, kinetics, breakthrough behavior, regeneration, fouling, resin lifetime, and flowsheet integration. Topic-structured searches covering 2018–31 August 2026 yielded 313 candidate records, of which 110 peer-reviewed publications were retained for critical synthesis. Evidence was weighted from batch equilibrium and kinetic studies through fixed-bed or reactor operation, regeneration, real-matrix validation, pilot or multicolumn demonstrations, and selected industrial-scale applications. Across rare-earth elements, Cu–Ni–Co systems, battery-recycling liquors, Sc/V/Ga separations, Zr/Hf and radionuclide systems, precious metals, and industrial wastewaters, the evidence shows that equilibrium qmax and single-solute distribution coefficients are poor stand-alone indicators of process readiness. Representative dynamic studies report outcomes ranging from a Cu breakthrough capacity of 16.51 mg g−1 to an REE eluate concentration factor of 236×, while selected continuous and industrial-scale studies demonstrate high product purity, sustained metal recovery, and concentrated regenerates when feed chemistry and cycle design are controlled. Conventional and chelating resins are therefore best viewed as complementary rather than substitutive technologies. The review proposes a minimum reporting framework for scale-up-relevant studies based on representative feed chemistry, working capacity, breakthrough criteria, regenerant demand, product purity, multicycle durability, and flowsheet integration. Hybrid flowsheets emerge as a particularly defensible strategy for converting resin selectivity into process value.

The Relationship between New Media Literacy and Social Media Addiction Among University Personnel

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This study examines the relationship between new media literacy and social media addiction among university personnel. Designed as a quantitative study using correlational survey and causal-comparative designs, it included 237 academic and administrative staff members at Istanbul Gelisim University. Data were collected with the New Media Literacy Scale and the Social Media Addiction Scale and analyzed using Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis H, and Spearman rank-order correlation. Findings show that participants had high new media literacy levels, while social media addiction scores clustered toward the upper end of the scale range. Significant differences emerged in functional consumption by gender, in selected dimensions by age and education level, and in most new media literacy dimensions by the most frequently used platform. The most notable result was a strong positive relationship between total new media literacy and total social media addiction scores (r = .806; p < .001). These findings suggest that digital competence does not automatically ensure controlled use.

Effect of Different Soil Amendments on Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) Variety 08 Zudrus

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This study was conducted from May–September 2025 / the 2025 growing season at the Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth, yield, and yield components of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) variety 08 Zudrus. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments with three replications. Treatments included a control, NPK fertilizer, XiR Biomass containing 10% humic acid, and XiR Biomass containing 20% humic acid. Data on growth, yield components, and yield parameters were analyzed using STAR software (version 2.0.1) through analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 5% significance level. Fertilizer treatments significantly influenced several growth and yield traits. XiR Biomass containing 20% humic acid produced the tallest plants (35.10 cm), the highest number of pods per plant (10.53), and the greatest biological yield (7851.63 kg ha⁻¹), whereas XiR Biomass containing 10% humic acid produced the highest grain yield (2202.38 kg ha⁻¹) and number of grains per pod (11.00). In contrast, tiller number, branch number, pod length, pod width, and 100-seed weight were not significantly affected. Overall, XiR Biomass organic fertilizers showed greater potential than NPK fertilizer for improving mung bean growth and productivity under the agro-ecological conditions of Kabul.

Formation of the Topography and Developmental Dynamics of the Kitab-Shahrisabz Oasis

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This study examines the formation of the historical topography and the developmental dynamics of the Kitab-Shahrisabz Oasis in southern Central Asia from antiquity to the early twentieth century. The aim is to reconstruct the principal stages of urban development of Kitab and Shahrisabz and to clarify the historical relationship between these two urban centers and the ancient city of Kesh. The study is based on archaeological, topographical, architectural, historical, and ethnographic evidence obtained through field investigations and the analysis of published and archival sources. Particular attention is given to the results of the Kesh Archaeological and Topographical Expedition (KATE), whose investigations in the 1960s provided important evidence for the reconstruction of the ancient and medieval urban landscape.

The archaeological evidence indicates that the earliest urban development within modern Kitab dates to the third-second centuries BCE, while the ancient settlement reached its peak during the Kushan-Kangju period. The remains of defensive walls, the citadel at Qalandar-tepa, cultural deposits, ceramics, coins, and architectural materials demonstrate the long-term continuity and transformation of the settlement. In contrast, archaeological evidence from Shahrisabz indicates predominantly rural occupation during the Early Medieval period, with intensive urban development beginning in the ninth–twelfth centuries. The study therefore supports the hypothesis that ancient Kesh was located on the site of modern Kitab rather than Shahrisabz. At the same time, the subsequent transfer of the political and economic center to Shahrisabz contributed to its transformation into a major urban, cultural, and architectural center under the Timurids.

Protective effects of vitamin E and vitamin C against cisplatin nephrotoxicity in female Wister rats

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Cisplatin (CP) is a potent anticancer agent used in cancer treatment. However, Cisplatin had ability to induce multiorgan toxicity including nephrotoxicity. This study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin E (Vit. E) and Vitamin C (vit. C) on nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin in female rats.

Twenty Female white albino rats were divided to four groups, control, cisplatin, vit. E + cisplatin and vit. C + cisplatin. Cispatin (8 mg/kg as a single dose on the day on and second dose at 14 experimental day.vit. E was administered Intraperitoneal injection 3 days prior to cisplatin (8 mg/kg, i.p) injection two does same process for two weeks with two-week rest period. vitamin C (200 mg/kg), were administered Intraperitoneal injection 3 days prior to cisplatin (8 mg/kg, i.p) injection two does same process for two weeks with two-week rest period. The result of this study administration of cisplatin induced Necrosis of epithelial cells of renal tubules in cortex area led to form spaces filled with inflammatory cells forming a cluster in affected areas in the cisplatin treated group compared with vit. E + Cisplatin treated group which reduced nephrotoxicity by antioxidant activity of vitamin against cisplatin induced oxidative stress in these rats. However, vit. C + Cisplatin treated group showed mild nephroprotection. Necrosis of epithelial cells was observed in renal tubules with infiltration of inflammatory cells that formed small cluster near the glomerulus in cortex area. The study findings indicated that vitamin E exert protective effects against CP-induced nephrotoxicity, a finding which requires larger studies for confirmation. cisplatin treatment alone induced the upregulation of cytokeratin-8 (CK-8), a marker of tubular injury, co-treatment with Vit.E attenuated this effect, indicating protection of renal tubular integrity. Also,cisplatin treatment group showed positive expression of vimentin in cortical convoluted renal tubules and normal expression in glomerulus.

Management of Experiential Activities in Primary Schools in the Context of Digital Transformation: A Case Study at a Public Primary School in Hanoi, Vietnam

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Background: Digital transformation is reshaping the management of teaching and educational activities in primary schools. This study examined experiential-activity management at one public primary school in Hanoi.

Methods: A qualitative case study was conducted in May 2026 using interviews with 11 purposively selected stakeholders, direct observation, activity outputs, school records, and digital materials. Data were analysed through the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.

Results: The school had digitised plans, used online coordination, encouraged digital learning resources, and begun collecting electronic evidence. However, plans were not updated regularly; infrastructure was unstable; monitoring criteria and instruments were not standardised; pupil and parent feedback was limited; and improvement remained situational.

Conclusion: Effective management requires a systematic, data-informed, and continuously improving PDCA process rather than isolated digital-tool use.

Contribution to literature: The study provides case-based evidence from a Vietnamese public primary school and clarifies the conditions required for digitally supported experiential-activity management.

A Literature Review of Succession Planning and Talent Development for Underrepresented Groups in the Construction Industry

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This study examines the current state of research on succession planning, talent development, and diversity inclusion within the construction industry, with particular attention to underrepresented groups. The review synthesizes scholarly and industry literature that highlights the strategic importance of succession planning and talent development for organizational sustainability, leadership continuity, and workforce competitiveness. Existing studies emphasize the need to integrate diversity and inclusion initiatives with business and human resource strategies to strengthen leadership pipelines and organizational performance. However, the literature reveals a significant gap in research addressing the development, advancement, and succession planning of minority and underrepresented populations within construction organizations. Findings indicate that succession planning practices in the construction sector remain inconsistent and lack widely accepted standards, while labor shortages and an aging workforce continue to challenge industry sustainability. The review further explores diversity management through the lens of dynamic capabilities theory, identifying mentoring, networking, internship, and career-track succession programs as critical mechanisms for improving workforce diversity and inclusion. The chapter concludes that construction organizations must adopt systematic, diversity-focused succession planning frameworks and establish measurable diversity indicators to evaluate progress toward equitable leadership development. Additional research is needed to better understand and address barriers affecting the advancement of underrepresented groups in the construction industry.

Retrospective Bench-Scale Screening of Six Phosphate Concentrates for Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid Production

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Variability in phosphate-concentrate chemistry can affect sulfuric acid demand, phosphorus recovery, calcium sulfate formation, and solid–liquid separation during wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA) production. This study presents a retrospective, quality-controlled reanalysis of a historical bench-scale campaign comprising six coded phosphate concentrates (PQH-001 to PQH-006). Each concentrate was represented by one complete WPA bench test; accordingly, comparisons are descriptive rather than inferential. Feed P₂O₅ ranged from 27.59 to 30.55 wt%, whereas the minor-elements ratio (MER = 100 × (Al₂O₃ + Fe₂O₃ + MgO)/P₂O₅) ranged from 7.12 to 16.83%. The surviving records documented 98 wt% sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and gypsum streams, filtration calculations, and duplicate hydrochloric acid attack tests, but did not preserve several operating variables required for mechanistic attribution. Observed P₂O₅ recovery ranged from 94.68 to 97.99%. The highest-grade feed, PQH-004 (30.55 wt% P₂O₅), showed the lowest recovery (94.68%) and the highest residual P₂O₅ in dry gypsum (1.083 wt%), demonstrating that feed grade alone did not rank performance in this campaign. PQH-005 showed the most favorable observed combination of metrics: 97.99% recovery, 0.405 wt% P₂O₅ in dry gypsum, a filtration index of 185.3 kg h⁻¹ m⁻², and sulfuric-acid use of 2.603 t H₂SO₄/t feed P₂O₅, approximately 1% above the CaO-only stoichiometric benchmark. A stoichiometric QA/QC audit identified the reported PQH-003 acid addition as chemically inconsistent, and its filtration result was also non-defensible because a required dry-cake term was missing. The results support a staged, multi-parameter qualification approach based on feed chemistry, stoichiometric consistency, phosphorus deportment, and filtration behavior, followed by replicated modern bench and pilot validation before industrial scale-up.

From Registration to Implementation: TVET Students’ Entrepreneurial Engagement after a Business Registration Course

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This study aimed to evaluate the level of student engagement in entrepreneurial activities after participating in a Business Registration conducted in collaboration with the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), Kedah. The study involved a total of 100 students. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that 65 students successfully registered their businesses after attending the course; however, only 50 students were found to be actively operating their businesses, either online or through face-to-face transactions. These findings indicate a significant gap between the act of business registration and the actual implementation of business activities among TVET students. The results suggest that the Business Registration was effective in increasing students’ awareness and encouraging them to take formal action; however, it was insufficient to ensure their sustained involvement in business activities. Therefore, follow-up programmes such as entrepreneurial mentoring, digital marketing support, and post-course monitoring are recommended to enhance the effectiveness of this intervention. Overall, this study contributes to a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in the TVET context and supports the development of more sustainable young entrepreneurs at the national level.

Safety and Efficacy of Antihypertensive Deprescribing in Frail Geriatric Patients: A Narrative Review of Contemporary Clinical Trial Evidence

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Polypharmacy with antihypertensive agents in frail older adults presents a clinical dilemma: continuing therapy may preserve cardiovascular protection, yet it simultaneously increases the risk of orthostatic hypotension, falls, and drug-related adverse events. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of antihypertensive deprescribing (gradual withdrawal or dose reduction) in frail geriatric populations, particularly those residing in long-term care facilities. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (2011–2025).

Key findings include: the OPTIMISE randomized trial, which demonstrated that withdrawing one antihypertensive agent in patients aged ≥80 years was non-inferior to usual care for systolic blood pressure control over 12 weeks, with 66% sustaining the reduction. The DANTE trial found no cognitive benefit from discontinuation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Observational data from the PARTAGE study revealed that low systolic blood pressure combined with ≥2 antihypertensives was associated with increased two-year mortality in frail nursing home residents, supporting the rationale for deprescribing in this subgroup. A Cochrane systematic review (2020, updated 2023) encompassing six trials (1,073 participants) found no significant association between antihypertensive withdrawal and mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization, though evidence on falls and quality of life remains limited.

Overall, current evidence supports selective, closely monitored deprescribing in frail geriatric patients. However, long-term outcomes and data specific to Asian populations, including Indonesia, remain scarce, underscoring the need for further research.