The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and their limited lifespan emphasize the urgent need for sustainable recycling strategies. This study investigates the application of tetrabutylphosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) as alternative leaching agents for recovering critical metals, Li(I), Co(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II), from spent NMC cathode materials. Initial screening experiments evaluated the leaching efficiencies of nine tetrabutylphosphonium-based ILs for Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), and Li(I), revealing distinct metal dissolution behaviors. Three ILs containing HSO4−, EDTA2−, and DTPA3− anions exhibited the highest leaching performance and were selected for further optimization. Key leaching parameters, including IL and acid concentrations, temperature, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio, were systematically adjusted, achieving leaching efficiencies exceeding 90%. Among the tested systems, [TBP][HSO4] enabled near-complete metal dissolution (~100%) even at room temperature. Furthermore, an aqueous biphasic system (ABS) was investigated utilizing [TBP][HSO4] in combination with ammonium sulfate, enabling the complete extraction of all metals into the salt-rich phase while leaving the IL phase metal-free and potentially suitable for reuse, indicating the feasibility of integrating leaching and extraction into a continuous, interconnected process. This approach represents a promising step forward in LIB recycling, highlighting the potential for sustainable and efficient integration of leaching and extraction within established hydrometallurgical frameworks.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the skating determinants and differences between male and female bandy players in the spatiotemporal variables during acceleration and maximum sprint skating velocity. Methods: Seventy-four female bandy players (age: 18.9 ± 4.1 years; height: 1.67 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 63.2 ± 7.4 kg; training experience: 13.4 ± 3.9 yrs.; and 26 elite and 48 junior elite) and 111 male bandy players (age: 20.7 ± 5.0 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 76.4 ± 8.4 kg; training experience: 13.8 ± 5.0 yrs.; and 47 elite and 66 junior elite players) performed linear sprint skating over 80 m. Split times were measured every ten metres by photocells to calculate velocities for each step and spatiotemporal skating variables (glide times and length, step length, and frequency) by IMUs attached to the skates. The first six steps (acceleration phase), the six steps at the highest velocity (maximal speed phase), and the average of all steps were used for analysing glide-by-glide spatiotemporal variables. Results: These revealed that male players exhibited higher acceleration and maximal skating velocity than female players. A higher acceleration in men was accompanied by shorter gliding time, longer step length, and higher step frequency. When skating at maximal speed, male players had a longer step length and gliding time and length. The sub-group analysis revealed that step frequency did not correlate with skating velocity, acceleration, or maximal speed phases. On the other hand, glide and step lengths significantly correlated with skating velocity in both phases (r ≥ 0.60). Conclusions: In general, for faster skating in bandy, it is generally better to prioritise glide and step length than stride frequency. Hence, players should be encouraged to stay low and have more knee flexion to enable a longer extension length and, therefore, a longer path and more horizontal direction of applied force to enhance their acceleration ability.

Abstract The aim of this paper is the histopathological assessment of the effects of a newly synthesized nanomaterial based on calcium aluminate ALBO-CA on the pulp of rat teeth. In 18 Wistar rats, 54 Class I cavities and exposed pulp of maxillary molars were treated with the tested materials: two experimental materials ALBO-CA (18 teeth), ALBO-CS (18 teeth), and MTA control (18 teeth), and cavities were restored with glass ionomer. The histopathological analysis included the following parameters: presence of pulp inflammation, degree of dentin bridge formation, and presence of bacteria in the pulp. Complete absence of pulp inflammation was noted in 12 (66.67 %) teeth with ALBO-CA, 10 (55.56 %) teeth with ALBO-CS, and 11 (60.95 %) teeth with MTA cement. A statistically significant difference in the results of pulp inflammatory response was found only when comparing the presence of a small number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes between ALBO-CS and MTA cement (Kruskal Wallis H test p=7.8255). A fully formed dentine bridge was recorded only after the application of ALBO-CA with a statistically significant difference compared to ALBO-CS and MTA (F test p=0.519, S-test p=0.656, Man-Whitney test p=2.802, Chi-square test p=4.747). Thirty days after the direct pulp capping with ALBO-CA, ALBO-CS, and MTA cements, bacteria were absent in rat teeth and surrounding tissue. Newly synthesized calcium aluminate ALBOCA showed good reparative abilities and possible use in direct pulp capping therapy.

We consider the problem of exact maximum likelihood estimation of potentially high‐order () autoregressive models. We propose an extremely fast coordinate‐wise algorithm for fitting autoregressive models. This fast algorithm exploits several properties of the negative log‐likelihood when parameterised in terms of partial autocorrelations. We consider extensions to learning a single autoregressive model from multiple time series and to the more general case of regressions with autoregressive residuals. An implementation of the coordinate‐wise descent algorithm is shown to be the orders of magnitude faster than competing algorithms and appears to be the fastest known algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of autoregressive models.

Background: The objective of this investigation was to assess the oral health (OH) of Bosnia and Herzegovinian adolescents in relation to differences and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 306 school children from high schools located in the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The sample consisted of 183 females and 123 males between 15 and 18 years old (mean of 16.82 years old). The study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020, via an Annex 8 questionnaire from the World Health Organization (WHO), which collected information on OH behaviours, self-perceptions of oral health and dietary factors responsible for the OH of each subject. SES was categorized using five variables (occupation, education, income, place of residence and number of family members). Cross-tabulations were evaluated according to sex and socioeconomic status (SES) via the chi-square test. Results: Over 40% of the participants consumed sweets, cakes and biscuits on daily basis, whereas 41.5% of the participants visited a dentist only in the case of pain. The consumption of sweets (p = 0.024) and cakes and biscuits (p = 0.011) on a daily basis was significantly greater in female adolescents than in male adolescents. Compared with male adolescents, female adolescents reported occasional toothaches more frequently (p = 0.001) and were more dissatisfied with their dental appearance (p = 0.008) but presented a greater frequency of flossing (p = 0.001) and toothbrushing (3–5 times a day) (p = 0.0001). There was no association between the different levels (below average, average, above average) of SES and factors affecting OH status of adolescents. Conclusions: The study revealed significant sex differences in several factors affecting OH status and revealed no relationship between SES and OH behaviours or between perceptions and risk factors affecting OH in 15–18-year-old adolescents. Data obtained from this study might help in the creation of new OH prevention programs aimed at improving the OH status of adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Maars are volcanoes with a central crater surrounded by an ejecta ring formed through surface explosive processes from underlying magma interacting with fluids. The study of terrestrial maar volcanoes, as analogs to explosive volcanic vents on the Moon and other planets, can improve our understanding of planetary volcanism and evolution. In this study, we conducted a series of geophysical experiments at Kilbourne Hole Maar, New Mexico, a well‐preserved crater used for both science and crewed exploration lunar analog studies. The surveys included multiple active source seismic lines that sampled the geological units of both the crater rim and floor. We demonstrate the effectiveness of shallow seismic reflection methods integrated with P wave refraction and surface wave analysis to determine the elastic properties and create detailed near‐surface structural models in a terrestrial volcanic setting. The reflection profiles capture the top‐down strata of the crater rim. The velocity changes derived from independent inversions of refraction travel times and surface wave dispersions indicate varying (6–15 m) ash thickness around the rim and reveal the presence of high‐velocity anomalies in possible connection with crater collapse beneath the crater floor. Additionally, we estimate a base surge volume of approximately present on the rim. The integrated results highlight the potential for characterizing the subsurface of planetary bodies in greater detail and provide high‐fidelity data simulations for astronaut training. The operational insights serve as a valuable guideline for future crewed lunar missions and contribute to the development of strategies for optimizing planetary exploration.

Background/Objectives: Ivy leaf extract has been shown to alleviate bronchial infection symptoms through various mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory effects. However, its impact on adaptive immunity, particularly dendritic cell (DC)/T-cell interactions, remains unexplored. This study investigated the immunomodulatory potential of ivy leaf extract (EA 575®) using human monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). Methods: Immature MoDCs (imMoDCs) were differentiated with IL-4/GM-CSF and matured with LPS/IFN-γ (mMoDCs). MoDCs, treated with EA 575® during differentiation, were co-cultured with purified T cells. Results: EA 575® (non-cytotoxic up to 100 µg/mL) inhibited MoDC differentiation and maturation by reducing the expression of CD1a, CD83, CD40, CD86, HLA-DR, Dectin-1, CD206, CD209, HIF-1α, and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). EA 575®-treated mMoDCs suppressed allogeneic T-cell proliferation and reduced Th1 (IFN-γ), Th17 (IL-17A, IL-22), Th9 (IL-9), Th21 (IL-21), TNF-α, and IL-6 responses. Effects were dose-dependent, with higher concentrations (100 µg/mL) showing stronger inhibition. At lower concentrations (20 µg/mL), EA 575® increased Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) and IL-10 responses, and the frequencies of CD4+ T cells with Treg properties, such as CD25hiFoxp3+, Tr1 (IL-10+Foxp3−), and IL-35+ Foxp3+ cells. Immunoregulatory mechanisms mediated by EA 575®-treated mMoDCs correlated with the upregulation of tolerogenic markers (PD-L1, ILT3, ILT4, IDO1) on mMoDCs and the increased frequency of exhausted CD4+ T cells (PD-1+CD69+) and cytotoxic T cells (Granzyme B+PD-1+). Conclusions: EA 575® induces tolerogenic DCs with significant anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties, a previously undescribed phenomenon. Lower concentrations primarily enhance immunoregulatory responses, while higher concentrations exert more pronounced anti-inflammatory effects.

Abstract The present study explores linkages between the relational driver (brand involvement) and relationship outcomes (affective brand commitment and brand community identification) of consumer brand engagement among luxury and neo-luxury brands. The sample consisted of 616 consumers, compromising 311 owners of the Hugo Boss brand and 305 owners of the Massimo Dutti brand. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multi-group analysis were used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings suggest that brand involvement positively influences the three facets of consumer brand engagement - cognitive, affective, and behavioural, in the context of luxury and neo-luxury consumption. Moreover, the affective component of consumer brand engagement strongly predicts affective brand commitment for luxury and neo-luxury brands. Our findings indicate that the brand community identification with luxury and neo-luxury brands is only driven by affective consumer engagement.

Studies dealing with injury occurrence in basketball refereeing are scarce. The aim of this preliminary investigation was to retrospectively observe injury occurrence and analyze some specific predictors of injury in high-level basketball referees. The participants were basketball referees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (all males, n=39, 25–45 years of age, with more than 5 years of experience in basketball refereeing). Data were collected via structured, previously validated questionnaire, and the variables included specific sociodemographic factors, basketball refereeing factors, and medical (injury-related) factors. Differences between injured and noninjured referees were calculated via t tests and chi-square tests, whereas associations between predictors and injury occurrence (criterion) were evaluated via logistic regression for binarized criterion. Injury occurrence was relatively low, with only 15% of referees reporting an injury during the previous competitive season. A higher level of basketball refereeing (more advanced competitive level) was associated with a greater likelihood of being injured (OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.02–1.98). Additionally, referees who used dietary supplements were more likely to be injured during the previous competitive season (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.01–2.05). Although preliminary, the results emphasize the need for structured prevention strategies and support systems tailored specifically to the challenges of high-level officiating.

Abstract Background Rapid changes and dynamic markets significantly impact the way businesses operate. Many companies fail to adapt and innovate their business models, which jeopardises their sustainability. Managers, as key decision-makers, play a pivotal role in the innovation process, whereby their entrepreneurial competencies directly influence various dimensions of business model innovation. Objectives The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of entrepreneurial competencies on the new value proposition dimension of business model innovation (BMI), exploring competencies such as opportunity recognition, analytical thinking, innovativeness, tenacity, and passion for work. It investigates how these competencies contribute to developing new offerings and new channels, attracting new customers and markets, and building new customer relations. Methods/Approach The study is conducted on a sample of 267 managers of medium and large companies across various industries in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Results The results show that different entrepreneurial competencies have a significant impact on various aspects of a new value proposition. Conclusions The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the influence of different entrepreneurial competencies on new value proposition dimensions within BMI. Managers who effectively utilise these competencies can enhance their companies’ value propositions, thereby increasing competitiveness and business success.