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The solar photocatalytic degradation of pulp and paper mill wastewater has been reported by several scientists. However, this is the first time we are reporting for solar photocatalytic hydrogen production from pulp and paper mill wastewater and simultaneous degradation of pollutants. In this work, CuO based photocatalysts and novel square type photocatalytic reactor of 5 L capacity were used. The result shows that the prepared photocatalysts are solar active, efficient in hydrogen recovery and pollutant degradation from the pulp and paper wastewater. The effects of catalyst loading, sacrificial agent, pollutant removal efficiency and stability check were investigated. At 0.25 g/L of CuO/Fe 2 O 3 , 0.2 M of sacrificial agent (Na 2 SO 3 2−) and hydrogen yield of 1000 mL from 1000 mL of wastewater was achieved. The removal efficiency of TSS, TDS, BOD, COD, turbidity and TOC are around 70, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 45% respectively. Reusability study revealed that CuO/Fe 2 O 3 was chemically stable and could be reused successively (five cycles) without significant changes in its photoactivity and intrinsic properties. [Display omitted] • Visible light active CuO mixed with novel metal oxides were employed. • Hydrogen recovery from black liquor, paper mill wastewater were 1000 mL/h/L and 850 mL/h/L. • Efficiency of degradation of pulp & paper wastewater chemicals were around 50–70%. • AcHieved high recovery of hydrogen from pulp & paper wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high wastepaper recyclability and water-loop system closure, packaging paper mills struggle with increased fines, causing runnability issues. Cellulase enzymes are a preferred treatment choice for the improvement of the pulp refining in stock preparation area but are not widely used or easy to introduce in the production process. Different cellulase enzymes were tested, and those with the highest activity were introduced to the white-water (WW) samples with the aim to reduce fines content as potentially new enzyme applications on the paper machine. The first portion of the study involved the development of an experiment model to find and confirm the optimal enzyme process parameters (40 °C, pH 5.7, reaction time 3 h, and 0.18%v/v enzyme addition) for laboratory made white-water. The second portion of the study included turbidity, colloidal charge, flow cytometry (FCM), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis on industrial and laboratory made white-water samples at optimized process parameters. Obtained results corresponded to reduced fines content in white-water samples, which justified commercial usage of cellulase enzymes on recycled paper machine short loop and potentially increased machine runnability without negative influence on wastewater treatment plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, by a simple hydrothermal method vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on the carbon fiber paper (CFP) and then through a facile chemical bath deposition method CuO nanosheets were loaded on ZnO nanorod arrays, following by thermal spraying method, carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CCNTs) were successfully integrated with CuO/ZnO@CFP to form a binder-free CuO/ZnO-CCNT@CFP sensor. The sensor shows enhanced sensing activity for baicalein and luteolin determination due to the improved structural integration and synergism of different electrode material components. Remarkably, the CuO/ZnO-CCNT@CFP sensor showed good linear relationships over wide concentration ranges of 0.03–0.70 µM and 0.70–20 µM for baicalein and 0.03–0.45 µM and 0.45–8.5 µM for luteolin detection, with the detection limits of 1.7 nM for baicalein and 0.5 nM for luteolin, respectively. More importantly, the CuO/ZnO-CCNT@CFP sensor was utilized in the simultaneous determination of baicalein and luteolin, delivering linear ranges of 0.4–14 µM (baicalein) and 0.2–6 µM (luteolin) with the limit of detection of 0.05 µM and 0.03 µM, respectively. In addition, the developed CuO/ZnO-CCNT@CFP electrode was further investigated to detect baicalein and luteolin in traditional herbal medicine samples, showing satisfied results in comparison with analytic results from high performance liquid chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint. This study examines the feasibility of integrating high-temperature heat pumps (HTHP) into tissue paper production to enhance energy efficiency and decarbonization. Focusing on the energy-intensive drying process, the study uses data from a typical tissue paper mill to simulate and optimize an HTHP system producing four tons per hour of nine-bar saturated steam. It also addresses necessary modifications for HTHP integration applicable across the sector. Various refrigerants were analyzed, achieving a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.01. Results showed that HTHP can reduce energy consumption and emissions by up to 17% and 40%, respectively, based on the European electricity mix. Although steam production costs increase by 55% compared to fossil fuel-based systems, HTHP is more cost-effective than direct electric resistance heating, which raises costs by 196%. With a CO2 price of EUR 100/t, HTHP offers a 12% cost reduction. However, without public funding, capital expenditures may be unsustainable in many regions, though viable in countries with favorable gas and electricity price differentials. The paper underscores the need for advancements in HTHP technology and cost reductions, emphasizing industry adaptation for seamless HTHP integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously used a grinder to prepare cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) that were then added to pulp to improve the wet strength of paper, with subsequent alkali treatment further improving its wet tensile strength. However, mass production of CNF using ultra-fine grinders is not feasible; moreover, fabricating paper sheets by first preparing CNFs and adding them to pulp is a complex process. Therefore, in this study, we directly fibrillated pulp using a refiner instead separately preparing CNFs, with the refined pulp used to make paper sheets, thereby simplifying the process. The resulting dried sheets were subsequently treated with 8 and 16 wt% NaOH, after which the co-reinforcing effect of the refiner and NaOH treatments on the wet tensile strength of paper was examined. Unexpectedly, wet tensile strength of 39 and 45 MPa was achieved. These values are higher than values obtained using the CNFs and NaOH treatment, and comparable to the dry strength of untreated and unrefined pulp sheet. Moreover, the dewatering time of the refiner-treated pulp was significantly shorter than that of the CNF-mixed pulp, which reduces the time required to prepare paper. This study demonstrated that refiner-treated pulp is more suitable than CNF-mixed pulp for improving paper wet strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic sensitizers and related substances (SRCs), which are crucial in the paper industry for facilitating color‐forming and color‐developing chemical reactions, inadvertently contaminate effluents during paper recycling. Owing to their structural resemblance to endocrine‐disrupting aromatic organic compounds, concerns have arisen about potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms. We focused on SRC effects via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), employing molecular docking simulations and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo exposure assessments. Molecular docking revealed heightened binding affinities between certain SRCs in the paper recycling effluents and zebrafish Ahr2 and human AHR, which are pivotal components in the SRC toxicity mechanism. Fertilized zebrafish eggs were exposed to SRCs for up to 96 h post fertilization; among these substances, benzyl 2‐naphthyl ether (BNE) caused morphological abnormalities, such as pericardial edema and shortened body length, at relatively low concentrations (1 μM) during embryogenesis. Gene expression of cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a) and ahr2 was also significantly increased by BNE. Co‐exposure to the AHR antagonist CH‐223191 only partially mitigated BNE's phenotypic effects, despite the effects of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin being relatively well restored by CH‐223191, indicating BNE's AHR‐independent toxic mechanisms. Furthermore, some SRCs, including BNE, exhibited in silico binding affinity to the estrogen receptor and upregulation of cyp19a1b gene expression. Therefore, additional insights into the toxicity of SRCs and their mechanisms are essential. The present results provide important information on SRCs and other papermaking chemicals that could help minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–13. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A smooth and dense surface of the base paper is advantageous when the goal is to apply a liquid coating as a barrier layer. For such a base paper, non-wood fibers derived from wheat straw could be an alternative to wood fibers. In this research paper, wheat straw pulp was refined with different beating levels (up to 600 revolutions) followed by different calendering pressure loads (up to 50 N/mm) to test its influence on mechanical and surface properties. Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was used as sizing agent with concentrations up to 0.2 wt% followed by a mineral-based precoating to test its influence on the smoothness. Eucalyptus pulp was chosen as a benchmark. After beating, the initial Schopper-Riegler degrees of 28 °SR increased to 56 °SR. Beating also increased the tensile index from 24 to 49 Nm/g, the burst index from 1.2 to 2.8 kPa·m²/g, and the tear index decreased from 3.3 to 2.8 mN·m²/g. Calendering reduced the initial roughness of 370 mL/min to 30 mL/min. When precoated and calendered again, the value was lowered to 15 mL/min. In summary, wheat straw paper is a relevant alternative to wood-derived base paper to produce barrier papers. Compared to eucalyptus, wheat straw paper showed better smoothness and much lower air permeability indicating excellent suitability for barrier coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the challenges and limitations faced at the basic level for the recycling of paper in an academic institute. It focuses on encouraging recycled paper use rather than bringing traditional virgin paper to prevent the rate of deforestation for reducing global warming. Data was collected from the academic institute via questionnaire and on-site observation and found that the institute was producing approximately 16 tons of wastepaper in a year. Besides that, another purpose of this research is to estimate the energy and assess the environmental effect by using the life cycle assessment as a tool. The results of this study revealed that traditional virgin paper derived from wood proves to be costly and less environmentally friendly than recycled paper. It also revealed that Traditional virgin paper has greater global warming, human toxicity, smog, acidification, and eutrophication potential than recycled paper. This study concludes that recycled paper does not only prove economically beneficent for any institution, but also beneficial for environment as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buckypaper (BP), a flexible and porous material, exhibits photovoltaic properties when exposed to light. In this study, we employed radio frequency (RF) sputtering of zinc oxide (ZnO) followed by rapid thermal annealing to enhance the photovoltaic response of BP. We investigated the impact of various sputtering parameters, such as the gas flow ratio of argon to oxygen and deposition time, on the morphology, composition, resistivity, and photovoltaic characteristics of ZnO-modified BP. Additionally, the photovoltaic performance of the samples under different illumination modes and wavelengths was compared. It was found that optimal sputtering conditions—argon to oxygen flow ratio of 1:2, deposition time of 20 min, and power of 100 watts—resulted in a ZnO film thickness of approximately 45 nanometers. After annealing at 400 °C for 10 min, the ZnO-modified BP demonstrated a significant increase in photocurrent and photovoltage, along with a reduction in resistivity, compared to unmodified BP. Moreover, under gradient illumination, the ZnO-modified BP exhibited a photovoltage enhancement of 14.70-fold and a photocurrent increase of 13.86-fold, compared to uniform illumination. Under blue light, it showed a higher photovoltaic response than under other colors. The enhancement in photovoltaic response is attributed to the formation of a Schottky junction between ZnO and BP, an increased carrier concentration gradient, and an expanded light absorption spectrum. Our results validate that ZnO sputtering followed by annealing is an effective method for modifying BP for photovoltaic applications such as solar cells and photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mobile device diffusion has increasingly highlighted the opportunity to collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs) through electronic patient-reported outcomes measurements (ePROMs) during the clinical routine. Despite the ePROMs promises and advantages, the equivalence when a PRO measure is moved from the original paper-and-pencil to the electronic version is still little investigated. This study aims at evaluating equivalence between PROMs and ePROMs self-administration in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS); in addition, preference of self-administration type was evaluated. Methods: The Manual Ability Measure-36 (MAM-36) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were selected for the equivalence test. The app ABOUTCOME was developed through a user-centered design approach to administer the questionnaires on tablet. Both paper-and-pencil and electronic versions were randomly self-administered. Intrarater reliability between both versions was evaluated through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, excellent for values ≥ 0.75). Results: Fifty PwMS (35 females) participated to the study (mean age: 54.7±11.0 years, disease course: 27 relapsing-remitting and 23 progressive; mean EDSS: 4.7±1.9; mean disease duration: 13.3±9.5 years). No statistically significant differences were found for the means total scores of MAM-36 (p = 0.61) and FSS (p = 0.78). The ICC value for MAM-36 and FSS was excellent (0.98 and 0.94, respectively). Most of participants preferred the tablet version (84%). Conclusion: The results of the study provide evidence about the equivalence between the paper-and-pencil and electronic versions of PROs administration. In addition, PwMS prefer electronic methods rather than paper because the information can be provided more efficiently and accurately. The results could be easily extended to other MS PROs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes derived from microbial sources have gained increasing popularity in industrial applications over the past decades. Despite the high production cost, alkaline proteases have wide applications in industries such as tanneries, food production, and detergents. In recent years, there has been a shift towards utilizing natural carbon sources for cultivating microorganisms and extracting proteases in order to reduce production costs. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical and kinetic properties of protease enzymes obtained from Aspergillus niger cultivated in a paper waste medium and compare with the enzyme produced in a basal medium. Glucose is a more favorable carbon source compared to cellulose, so paper waste was pretreated with cellulose-degrading bacteria to convert cellulose into smaller carbohydrates. After the growth of A. niger in basal and combinational media, the enzymatic properties were compared between the extracted enzymes by using casein as substrate. The results demonstrated that A. niger could produce protease enzymes in the paper waste medium similar to the basal medium with more than 5-fold cost saving. The specific activity of the enzymes isolated from the basal and paper waste media was calculated to be 184.95 ± 10.56 U ml−1 and 169.88 ± 11.05 U ml−1, respectively. Carbon sources did not affect the optimum pH and temperature of the protease enzyme, which were found to be 8 and 37 °C, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into the production of alkaline protease from A. niger using a combinational medium (paper waste pretreated by cellulose-degrading bacteria), offering a cost-effective approach for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose was isolated from recycled pulp and paper sludge and used to synthesize cellulose nanocrystals. Response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design model were used to predict, improve, and optimize the cellulose isolation process. The optimal conditions were a reaction temperature of 87.5 °C, 180 min with 4% sodium hydroxide. SEM and TEM results revealed that the isolated cellulose had long rod-like structures of different dimensions than CNCs with short rod-like structures. The crystallinity index from XRD significantly increased from 41.33%, 63.7%, and 75.6% for Kimberly mill pulp sludge (KMRPPS), chemically purified cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals, respectively. The TGA/DTG analysis showed that the isolated cellulosic materials possessed higher thermal stability. FTIR analysis suggested that the chemical structures of cellulose and CNCs were modified by chemical treatment. The cellulose surface was highly hydrophilic compared to the CNCs based on the high water holding capacity of 65.31 ± 0.98% and 83.14 ± 1.22%, respectively. The synthesized cellulosic materials portrayed excellent properties for high-end industrial applications like biomedical engineering, advanced materials, nanotechnology, sustainable packaging, personal care products, environmental remediation, additive manufacturing, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early Cold War, it was difficult for American intelligence to penetrate the Iron Curtain but a potential solution soon arose: émigré intelligence groups such as the Magyar Harcosok Bajtársi Közössége (MHBK) or 'Association of Hungarian Veterans'. This group, however, turned out to be an intelligence 'paper mill'. Attempts at trans-Atlantic cooperation with the MHBK and similar groups failed as they lost most of their good sources and were penetrated by communist security services. By the mid-1950s, US intelligence cut these groups off, took over their good sources, and established a source registry to prevent recurrence of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial waste locks are used as raw materials to reduce harmful effects on the environment and improve environmental performance. Marble clay powder can be used as a filling aid and can fill voids in concrete structures. This article will show you how to use a maximum natural sand alternative in concrete with marble powder and quarry dust. The challenge of the 21st century is to change to a new form that can support the natural system. This necessitates a radical rethinking of how to give the community infrastructure and housing. Making a concerted effort to develop novel, innovative, and alternative construction materials may be necessary. Jungles of concrete around cause's impact on the Environment and it would result in climate change. Mankind must avoid the use of things that are detrimental to the environment. So in this paper, it is decided to address the issue by adopting the use of the green concrete concept which is environmentally friendly. Green concrete is concrete made up using industrial wastes such as marble powder, quarry dust, wood ash, paper pulp, etc. Green concrete, which is capable of sustainable development, helps to reduce the consumption of natural resources, energy use, and environmental pollution. Green concrete is more cost‐effective than ordinary concrete and reduces the cost of resultant concrete by 14%–20%. It is also observed that the alkali‐aggregate reaction and sulfate attack resistance of concrete are both significantly improved. Green concrete is a useful tool for lowering environmental pollution and enhancing concrete's resistance to harsh conditions. All stages of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation will follow this trend of using new cement and techniques. Green concrete's adaptability and its performance derivatives will meet a variety of future needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiophene sulfide is difficult to be removed by hydrodesulfurization. In this study, ZnCl2-waste paper fiber activated carbon was used as adsorbent to remove thiophene sulfide from simulated oil by hydrothermal modification. Under the optimum condition of ammonia modification, the adsorption capacity of modified adsorbent to BT is 14.8 mg S/g, 2.98 times that of unmodified. BET, FTIR and Boehm analysis showed that the mesopore volume of ammonia modified adsorbent increased by 96.62% and the mesopore ratio increased from 12.58% to 43.40%, which was conducive to improving the adsorption rate. After modification, the basic groups on the surface of the adsorbent increased by 44.3 times, and –NH3+, –OH and –NH2 enhanced the electron attraction and hydrogen bonding force between the adsorbent and BT molecule. Adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and adsorption thermodynamics show that the adsorption process is spontaneous, entropic and exothermic. The pseudo-second-order kinetic rate constant increases with the increase of adsorption temperature, indicating that the increase of temperature is beneficial to accelerate the adsorption rate. The adsorption desulfurization process follows the mechanism of single and multilayer adsorption mixing. The results of this study can help to reveal more clearly that biobased activated carbon can be modified to adsorb thiophene sulfide. Ammonia modified adsorbents enhance the adsorption capacity for benzothiophene [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable materials has led to the invention of innovative solutions aiming to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Mycelium-based green composites (MBCs) have become an alternative to traditional materials due to their biodegradability and various potential uses. Although MBCs are accepted as modern materials, there are concerns related to some of their physical and mechanical properties that might have limitations when they are used. This study investigates the effects of using paper waste to improve MBC properties. In this study, we investigated the physical and mechanical properties of MBCs produced from lignocellulosic materials (corn husk and sawdust) and mushroom mycelia of the genus Lentinus sajor-caju TBRC 6266, with varying amounts of paper waste added. Adding paper waste increases the density of MBCs. Incorporating 20% paper waste into corn husks led to the enhancement of the compression, bending, and impact strength of MBCs by over 20%. Additionally, it was also found that the MBCs produced from corn husk and 10% paper waste could help in reducing the amount of water absorbed into the material. Adding paper waste to sawdust did not improve MBC properties. At the same time, some properties of MBCs, such as low tensile strength and high shrinkage, might need to be further improved in the future to unlock their full potential, for which there are many interesting approaches. Moreover, the research findings presented in this publication provide a wealth of insightful information on the possibility of using paper waste to improve MBC performance and expand their suitability for a range of applications in sustainable packaging materials and various home decorative items. This innovative approach not only promotes the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass but also contributes to the development of environmentally friendly and biodegradable alternatives to traditional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of mobile devices and laptops has replaced traditional paper-based learning and the question of how the brain efficiency of digital tablet-based learning differs from that of paper-based learning remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in brain efficiency for learning between paper-based and digital tablet-based learning by measuring activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Thirty-two subjects were randomly assigned to the paper-based learning or the digital tablet-based learning group. Subjects in each group performed a memory task that required memorizing a three-minute novel (encoding phase) on a paper or digital tablet, followed by a test in which they answered four multiple-choice questions based on the novel's content. To compare both groups, behavioral performance on the test (retrieval phase) and activity in the PFC were measured. As a result, no significant difference in behavioral performance between both groups was observed (p > 0.05). However, the paper-based learning group showed significantly lower activity in the PFC in the encoding phase than the digital tablet-based learning group (p < 0.05) but not in the retrieval phase. The current study demonstrated that brain efficiency in encoding is higher in subjects with paper-based learning than those with digital tablet-based learning. This finding has important implications for education, particularly in terms of the pros and cons of electronic document-based learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and cationic starch (CS) were evaluated as coating components relative to the physical and mechanical properties of fluting papersheets fabricated from recycled corrugated cardboard fibers. Fabricated fluting papers were subjected to size press applications by three different coating blends. Coating suspensions were prepared at various concentrations of CNF (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and 4 wt% CS, and the same amounts of CS/CNF. The paper sheets were fabricated using size press machine as three-time repetitive applications, followed by one-time drying section, and compared to uncoated, CScoated, and CNF-coated papers. The application of CNF suspensions increased tensile indices up to 11.7%. Moreover, CS/CNF suspensions resulted in a 67.2% increase in tensile index values. The coating of CS/CNF suspensions increased the burst index values by 163% at the CS+1%CNF concentration when compared to the control pulp. Surface application of prepared suspensions reduced the porosity of the samples under all conditions. The highest reduction in the air permeability was observed in the CS+4%CNF-coated samples as 91.5%. It can be concluded that the superficial applications of CNF on the physical and mechanical properties of recycled fluting paper was more effective in the presence of CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the extent of paper waste generated per year by instructions for use (IFUs) brochures included in intraocular lens (IOL) packaging in Europe and the U.S. Setting: Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Center for Sight, London, United Kingdom. Design: Experimental study. Methods: A sample of IOLs were collected and each IFU was weighed. In addition, the cumulative weight of these brochures used in cataract surgeries performed annually in Europe and the U.S. was estimated, and the potential annual paper conservation that could be achieved if all manufacturers adopted electronic IFUs (e-IFUs) in Europe and the U.S. was determined. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the weight for overall IFUs, classic IFUs, and e-IFUs were 17.6 ± 13.8 g, 23.5 ± 13.2 g, and 2.9 ± 1.9 g, respectively. The estimated cumulative weight of paper generated from the IFUs accompanying implants used in European and U.S. cataract surgeries is 153 tons. If all manufacturers transition to e-IFUs, the cumulative weight saved would be 128 tons (-84%), equivalent to 120 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and the preservation of more than 2000 trees annually. Conclusions: The classic IFUs in IOL packaging result in a significant amount of paper waste annually. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a rapid transition to e-IFU technology. The adoption of e-IFUs has already been authorized in Europe and the U.S., and it is crucial to expedite this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout its serial run, Charles Dickens's Pickwick Papers (1836–7), was repurposed hundreds of times by the provincial press. From acting as innocuous filler material to making strategic political statements, provincial newspaper editors evoked, excerpted and adapted Pickwick as quickly as Dickens was penning the instalments, showing a keen responsiveness to political topicalities relevant to their reading communities. This article contends that these types of journalistic re-use benefit from being read collectively as a form of remediation, defined by Jay David Bolter and Richard Grusin as 'the formal logic by which new media refashion prior media forms'. It argues that these remediations are vital to understanding the politics of the provincial press because they became one method through which provincial newspapers articulated a localised response to the national political debates that raged following the 1832 Reform Act. As well as reflecting the political priorities of specific communities, these remediations nuance our understanding of Pickwick 's popularity by drawing attention to aspects of its construction that lent themselves to re-use. While explicit engagement with party politics is conspicuously absent from Pickwick , provincial editors capitalised upon this generality and imbued their re-workings of the serial with a partisanship that Dickens himself avoided, while using his name to substantiate and authorise their own pieces. In this respect, these remediations invite us to place Pickwick at the heart of political debate in the papers, by foregrounding the close relationship between newspaper politics, serial literature, and provincial identity in the 1830s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, I established an energy benchmark for the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam. I, therefore, focus on three major paper product families, including packaging paper, printing and writing paper, and tissue paper. In this research, I use specific energy consumption (SEC) as the energy performance indicator (EnPI) for computing energy benchmarks for the main sub-sectors in the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam. The factories in the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam are divided into three production scales, and the energy benchmarks are specified by production scales. Energy surveys and energy audits have been used to calculate energy benchmarks. Here, I establish the energy benchmark for the main sub-sectors in the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam according to the three production scales. I also estimate the energy saving potential for the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam based on surveying and auditing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the accuracy of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA samples on filter paper in comparison to specimen transport medium (STM). Methods: This was a cross‐sectional diagnostic study of 42 consecutive women who were prospectively recruited. Each had self‐collected vaginal samples on filter paper, physician‐collected cervical samples on filter paper, and physician‐collected cervical samples in STM. HPV DNA testing was performed with a Hybrid Capture 2 system (Qiagen). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and agreement of filter paper methods with the standard procedure were calculated. Results: The overall prevalence of HPV in STM was 67.5%. Detection of HPV DNA in the physician‐collected cervical samples on filter paper had a sensitivity of 77.8%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%, and an NPV of 68.4%. The patient's self‐sampling on filter paper had a sensitivity of 66.7%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%, and an NPV of 59.1%. The agreement between STM method and physician‐collected sample on filter paper was substantial, (κ = 0.695, P < 0.001), while the agreement between STM and self‐collected samples on filter paper was moderate (κ = 0.565, P < 0.001). Most patients reported that self‐collection was acceptable (100%), painless (95%), and not embarrassing (95%). Conclusion: Filter paper, with dried self‐collected vaginal samples, can be used to detect high‐risk HPV with acceptable accuracy. Synopsis: Self‐collected vaginal samples on filter paper, to detect high‐risk human papillomavirus, is better for women, easier to transport to central laboratories, and has acceptable accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to detect papers originating from the Russia‐based paper mill 'International Publisher' LLC. A total of 1,063 offers to purchase co‐authorship on a fraudulent papers published from 2019 to mid‐2022 on the 123mi.ru website were analysed. This study identifies at least 451 papers that are potentially linked to the paper mill, including one preprint, a duplication paper and 16 republications of papers erroneously published in hijacked journals. Evidence of suspicious provenance from the paper mill is provided: matches in title, number of co‐authorship slots, year of publication, country of the journal, country of a co‐authors and similarities of abstracts. These problematic papers are co‐authored by scholars from at least 39 countries and are submitted to both predatory and reputable journals. This study also demonstrates collaboration anomalies in questionable papers and examines indicators of the Russia‐based paper mill. The value of co‐authorship slots offered by 'International Publisher' LLC from 2019 to 2021 is estimated at $6.5 million. Since this study only analysed a single paper mill, it is likely that the number of papers with forged authorship is much higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to characterise the so-called Sialkoti paper used to produce Pahari drawings preserved today in the Wereldmuseum in Leiden (Netherlands) (WML). These works originate from the Punjab Hills in India (today Himachal Pradesh) and are commonly known as 'Pahari miniature paintings'. The paper upon which these drawings are executed is said to have been produced in Sialkot during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when papermaking was an integral part of an overall regional economy correlated with other sectors such as agriculture and the textile industry. Although the term Sialkoti refers to identified papermills in Sialkot (now Pakistan), the paper from this region is yet to be subjected to a systematic study. This article therefore explores the paper(s) in question through macro- and microscopic observations of structure, pulp and fibres. The study of historical sources, complemented by the analysis of paper samples and fibre identification, has revealed that the pulp would have been prepared from a variety of manufactured products using different technologies, such as rags, cloth, mats, rope and other plant-based materials made from local bast fibres which, once tattered, were recycled to prepare the pulp. Microscopic study reveals that a variety of fibre combinations under different conditions and processing steps were used, in particular sunn hemp fibre (Crotalaria juncea L.), a plant species that has until now rarely been identified in historical paper. In addition, the presence of kenaf and jute fibres, as well as a significant quantity of cotton fibres, have also been demonstrated. To overcome the lack of comparative materials, our work was supported by a comparative study of several materials made from sunn hemp now held in the Ethnobotany Collection at Kew Gardens. Samples were taken from these materials and provided useful reference micrographs for the identification of the WML samples. The quality of the paper used by Pahari artists, as well as the raw materials available and their processing, are discussed in detail. Putting all the data, including technical and historical information into perspective, we conclude that the Pahari artists used a paper of inferior quality compared to other types of paper used for other purposes such as the creation of illuminated manuscripts in the Punjab plains. This study therefore provides useful analytical and material evidence that complements previous historical, technical and anthropological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the influence of coating based on cellulose micro/nanofibrils (CMF) and carboxylated styrene butadiene rubber (XSBR) on sack kraft paper, for possible use in packaging. Filmogenic solutions were applied manually as a coating on sack kraft paper. These solutions were prepared by suspensions of CMF 1.5 % w/v with the addition of different content of XSBR (0, 2, 10, and 20 % about the total mass of CMF). Uncoated sack kraft paper was used as control. Films were obtained by casting and characterized physically, morphologically, and mechanically. The results demonstrated that XSBR and CMF composite suspension showed good performance as a coating on sack kraft paper. The formation of homogeneous structures well distributed on paper can be observed on scanning electron microscope images. Coatings containing XSBR presented a smoother surface, less porosity and hydrophilicity, and a greater coalescence, with good properties of air resistance and water vapor permeability. However, regarding mechanical properties, there were no improvements in coated papers. Therefore, the present study contributed information on the development of more flexible and hydrophobic cellulosic papers for possible applications in the industrial packaging sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the collective effort to edit and produce the periodical "Frederick Douglass' Paper" when the paper's founder and editor, African American journalist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, sought temporary asylum in Great Britain in the wake of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859. The article also examines the collective nature of the broader Black press in the U.S. in the mid-19th century.

In this work, solid-surface fluorescence spectra of Rhodamine B (RhB) and fluorescein (FLU), two extensively used fluorophores, were studied and their concentrations were semi-quantitatively determined using the three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (3D-EEM) data. In order to measure the solid fluorescence spectra, a trace amount of fluorophores was physically adsorbed on a piece of filter paper as a fluorescent paper, and the fluorescence spectra were recorded from the surface of the fluorescent paper instead of the inner parts of the solution. The spectral measurement was performed utilizing a routine spectrofluorimeter designed to measure the fluorescence of solution only by placing the fluorescent paper in a simple handmade holder at an adjusted incident angle of radiation. The results revealed a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescent paper strip compared to the solution phase. Moreover, in the RhB–FLU paper strip the forster resonance energy transfer was observed between FLU and RhB, similar to the observed phenomenon in the solution phase. For quantifying fluorophores, the EEM data were successfully resolved by applying multivariate partial least squares and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) modeling, and the results were compared with the univariate method. This study may provide a general guideline in further developing the solid fluorescence measurement of concentrated solutions or solid samples that have fluorescence measurement limitations such as high self-absorption and highly scattered spectra by using a conventional spectrofluorimeter, and also of biological samples where a trace amount of the analyte is available and high sensitivity is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry stands out as an example of a technology based on a renewable resource, cellulose. The sludge, however, poses major environmental and public health problems. To effectively manage the sludge wastes, it is critical to fully evaluate its composition, possible environmental impacts, and the total amount of exploitable renewable resources. The study established the pH of the sludge to be 7.32 ± 0.98, an electrical conductivity (1.84 mS/cm), nitrogen concentration (2.65 ± 0.21%), and total organic matter (41.23 ± 3.11%). The cellulosic content was established to be 74.07 ± 2.71% which contributes to 53.07 ± 1.23% water holding capacity (WHC). The most abundant elements were C and O, followed by Cl, Si, Al, and Mg, with lower concentrations of S, Si, K, and iron. The polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) levels ranged from 0.29 to 322.56 ng.g-1 with 1-methyl pyrene posting the highest concentration (322.56 ng.g-1. XRD peaks at 17.10°, 23.86°, 30.14°, and 36.57°, which imply the existence of CaCO3. SEM indicated that the sludge was majorly comprised of fibers materials with average particle sizes of 280 micrometers. TGA/DTG analysis showed that the sludge had the greatest cellulose and hemicellulose (64.7 wt. %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study of the supramolecular structure, physicochemical properties, and morphology of the powder celluloses (PCs) obtained from the waste paper of newsprint and cardboard, plant celluloses, and nonconventional raw materials was conducted using the methods of FT-IR spectroscopy, high-resolution solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the FT-IR and 13C NMR spectroscopy results, the functional composition of the PCs is similar to that of the wood PCs and matches highly purified cellulose samples. The crystallographic structure of the powder samples corresponds to the structure of cellulose I. The crystallinity and the transverse dimensions of the crystallites are 39.4 and 40.2%, and 45 Å [110] and 54 Å [110], for the PCs from newsprint paper and cardboard, respectively. These values considerably exceed those for the initial waste paper samples. A comparative analysis of the SEM results showed a significant similarity among the PC fibers of different origin. The results of the study of the physicochemical properties of the PCs isolated from the waste paper allow predicting their competitive application in comparison with plant PCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, cellulose nanofiber (CNF) production has primarily relied on virgin cellulose sources. Yet, the shift to using paper mill sludge (PMS) as a source for CNF underscores the significance of reusing and recycling industrial byproducts. PMS contains significant amounts of cellulose that can be extracted as a raw material. The purpose of present study is to provide a sustainable approach to PMS utilization as a paper coating additive in the cellulose nanofibrils (CNFPMS) form via simply scalable wire-wound rod coating method. The effect of CNFPMS additive amounts at two coating layers on microstructure and surface properties of coatings such as porosity, air permeability surface roughness and optical properties such as brightness, gloss and CIE L*a*b* is studied, which they can also provide insight for the eventual print performance. Results indicated that the obtained CNFPMS in paper coating shows 52% decrease in porosity, presenting significant improvement in the coating microstructure. The marginal increase in permeability coefficient and surface roughness, 54% and 10%, respectively, suggests improving color reproduction and preventing color density losses. Optical analysis showed slight decrease in brightness and gloss, as was expected. Notably, the lightness was improved, which also indicates increasing color gamut volume in printing applications. As a result, the current work offers a sustainable approach to manage PMS for use in paper coatings as a high-value-added material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetra Pak® paper and PE (polyethylene) wastes were evaluated to obtain a new composite material with awareness of environmental responsibility. Fillers and coupling agents were used for this joining process. Calcite (CaCO3), boric acid (H3BO3), SPT (Sodium Perborate Tetrahydrate / NaBO3.4H2O), titanate, MAPE (maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, and vinyltriethoxysilane (C8H18O) composites were produced in 30 x 30 cm plates. A total of 30 samples were prepared as 5 mg flour for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Samples were observed in a thermal analyzer at 10, 15, or 20 °C/min heating rate in nitrogen atmosphere. Graphs were obtained as a result of TGA, and the activation energies were calculated using these graphs. The activation energy was calculated using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method. The determined activation energies of the composites were close to each other for each temperature group. In the samples using calcite and vinyltriethoxysilane, relatively higher activation energies were observed in comparison to the samples with boric acid and MAPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper comprehensively analyzes a company's supply chain design process in the pulp and paper industry. It focuses on the company's supply chain strategy, structure, operations, and performance and highlights the challenges and opportunities specific to the industry. The purpose of this case study is to show how effective supply chain design can improve a company's competitiveness and success. This paper also offers recommendations for improving supply chain design in the pulp and paper industry and other similar industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the first decades of the 20th century, the supply of paper for the printing industries in Mexico became a problematic issue. Production difficulties, price increases and poor distribution during the monopoly of the San Rafael factory started a deep debate on the modernization and interference of the State in the paper industry. This article analyzes the transition between the private monopoly and the creation of the public company, Productora e Importadora de Papel Sociedad Anónima (PIPSA) in 1935, during the government of Lázaro Cárdenas (1934-1940). Through parliamentary debates, press articles and ministerial reports, the questioning of the monopoly as a public policy, the birth of PIPSA and the results in its first years of operation will be explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing amount of paper waste can be enhanced in its utility by transforming it into composites to utilize it as a technology for coating metal roofs to absorb heat. Various paper types have been proven to reduce heat inside the room below when applied to Galvalume roofs. Therefore, multiple types of paper waste are highly suitable for metal roof coatings. This research investigates whether differences in the types of paper mixed with epoxy and applied to the surface of Galvalume roofs will affect the temperature reduction inside the room. These differences in paper types also affect the level of thermal conductivity when measured with the same instruments and dimensions. Data were obtained by mixing small-sized cut paper materials and layering them on Galvalume sheets with the help of epoxy as an adhesive. The temperature data collection process was conducted by preparing 6 boxes with 4 thermocouples supplemented with thermal imaging testing. To broaden the analysis, images of the roof were also taken and analyzed for color to assess the extent of sunlight absorption and reflection on the roof. Four thermocouples were placed 20 cm above the roof, above the composite, below the Galvalume, and 40 cm below the roof or inside the room. Thermal conductivity data were analyzed separately and integrated with roof color data, further corroborated with temperature data collected by the thermocouples. The four sensors can determine the temperature inside and around the room, focusing on the temperature around the installed composite roof. The analysis shows that adding paper and epoxy-based composites can reduce the thermal conductivity of Galvalume roofs and lower the temperature inside the room below it. Compared to a Galvalume roof without coating, the composite coating with cardboard paper is the most effective, with an estimated average room temperature reduction of 1.9 degrees Celsius. For reducing the air temperature above the roof, the newspaper coating is the best choice, with an estimated average temperature decrease of 2.6 degrees Celsius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel highly foldable HAp ceramic paper with fire retardancy but without fiber was fabricated via novel non-solvent displacement nonaqueous precipitation strategy. The obtained HAp ceramic paper, characterized by highly smooth and glossy, is characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), curlability test, moisture absorbency and Pb2+ removal performance test. The results show that the ceramic paper is very straight, uniform, and smooth with high curlability and low moisture absorption. No fiber is detected in the ceramic paper. No defect is either detected except for at the edge area. The HAp ceramic paper is grown along the (002) crystal plane of the hydroxyapatite phase from hexagonal plate like single crystal sheets. The ceramic paper loaded for four times has formed a clear four-layer-structured, with a total thickness of about 832 nm. The thickness of each layer is very uniform, with an average thickness of about 208 nm per layer. HAp ceramic paper has excellent Pb2+ ions removal performance, curling performance, moisture absorption performance and flame retardant performance. These performances confirm this novel HAp ceramic paper has superior properties over the traditional ceramic paper with fibers and shows great application prospect in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stanley Kubrick's project on the Holocaust, Aryan Papers, was dear to his heart. He worked on it for a long time, but he could not, in the end, bring himself to complete the planned film. This article canvasses some of the reasons other scholars have supplied for this film remaining unmade, including the notion that the Holocaust is unrepresentable. However, it points to a novel explanation. I argue that Kubrick's plot modifications, particularly to the conclusion, doomed the project. Specifically, Kubrick has a Jewish woman take revenge for war-time atrocities. Discussing revenge in relation to the Holocaust has until recently been as impious as representing the Holocaust itself. Jewish revenge was unfashionable in Holocaust films of all kinds when Kubrick was working on Aryan Papers in the early 1990s. Kubrick's planned film was generically ahead of its times. The vengeful Jewish woman had to wait for Inglourious Basterds in 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article asks why Stanley Kubrick's longstanding wish to direct the film version of Louis Begley's 1991 novel Wartime Lies never came to fruition. In Begley's novel, the protagonist Maciek recounts the experience of living in hiding under a false identity in Nazi-occupied Poland. Kubrick drafted a series of quite different plotlines and conclusions for the film version, to be called Aryan Papers, in which Maciek's aunt Tania takes a highly dramatic role in their destiny. The more Kubrick changed Aryan Papers, in response to the pressure of Hollywood expectations and the cultural valorization of active Holocaust resistance, the less it resembled the very work he had chosen to adapt. This impasse shows why the director could not ultimately bring Aryan Papers to the screen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focussed on the development of fully biodegradable composites based on polybutylene succinate (PBS) in combination with raw materials from different processing stages of the pulp and paper industry. Sulfite pulp (SP), kraft pulp (KP) and screened sludge residue (SL) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) were investigated as reinforcing fibres contributing to a circular economy. We report a comparative study of the physicochemical properties and mechanical performance of PBS composites reinforced with these cellulosic raw fibres and commercial pure microcrystalline cellulose (MC). The composites were characterised in tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus of elasticity, water absorption and wettability. The incorporation of the fibres into the polymer matrix was also investigated using torque rheometry. Critical concentrations were obtained with maximum incorporation in the range of 15–20 wt% for SP/KP and 25–30 wt% for SL. SP and KP composites showed at least as good physicochemical and mechanical properties as MC at the concentrations studied (0–20 wt%). SP-composites showed the highest tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. It was shown that these fibres from the pulp and paper industry can be used as reinforcement for PBS matrices without additional chemical purification and provide a valuable alternative to commercial microcrystalline cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of high-power-density electronic devices, interface thermal resistance has become a critical barrier for effective heat management in high-performance electronic products. Therefore, there is an urgent demand for advanced thermal interface materials (TIMs) with high cross-plane thermal conductivity and excellent compressibility to withstand increasingly complex operating conditions. To achieve this aim, a promising strategy involves vertically arranging highly thermoconductive graphene on polymers. However, with the currently available methods, achieving a balance between low interfacial thermal resistance, bidirectional high thermal conductivity, and large-scale production is challenging. Herein, we prepared a graphene framework with continuous filler structures in in-plane and cross-plane directions by bonding corrugated graphene to planar graphene paper. The interface interaction between the graphene paper framework and polymer matrix was enhanced via surface functionalization to reduce the interface thermal resistance. The resulting three-dimensional thermal framework endows the polymer composite material with a cross-plane thermal conductivity of 14.4 W·m−1·K−1 and in-plane thermal conductivity of 130 W·m−1·K−1 when the thermal filler loading is 10.1 wt%, with a thermal conductivity enhancement per 1 wt% filler loading of 831%, outperforming various graphene structures as fillers. Given its high thermal conductivity, low contact thermal resistance, and low compressive modulus, the developed highly thermoconductive composite material demonstrates superior performance in TIM testing compared with TFLEX-700, an advanced commercial TIM, effectively solving the interfacial heat transfer issues in electronic systems. This novel filler structure framework also provides a solution for achieving a balance between efficient thermal management and ease of processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of calcium carbonate to cigarette paper can enhance its combustion performance and apparent properties. However, it does come at the cost of reduced paper strength. In this study, a flexible calcium carbonate (FCC) was developed through the in-situ formation of calcium carbonate on nanocellulose surfaces. The incorporation of FCC into cigarette paper offered the potential to improve filler retention and combustion performance while maintaining high paper strength. The results of the study demonstrated that when compared to the addition of 30% precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), the filler retention rate in cigarette paper increased by 31.5% when 30% FCC was used. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that only a minimal number of inorganic particles were observed between the fibers in the FCC-containing paper, indicating appropriate air permeability and fiber-fiber bond strength. Furthermore, when compared to PCC-containing paper, the FCC-containing paper exhibited an 8.8% increase in tensile strength and a 7.5% increase in folding resistance. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis of the cigarette paper revealed that the incorporation of flexible calcium carbonate effectively lowered the thermal decomposition temperature, leading to a 10.3% increase in the combustion rate of FCC-containing paper. The inclusion of FCC into paper fibers has the potential to enhance air permeability and regulate cigarette burning performance. Consequently, the FCC developed in this study holds promise as a substitute for traditional calcium carbonate fillers in cigarette paper applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum contains rich elemental information, and the elemental analysis of the serum using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) can help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this work, serum specimens from breast cancer patients were used as samples, and the elements Mg, Ca, and K were analyzed using LIBS. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were introduced to enhance spectral emission intensities, and this technique is known as nanoparticle-enhanced LIBS (NELIBS). An Ag NP-coated filter paper (Ag NP paper) substrate was prepared and was compared with silicon and aluminum substrates for NELIBS analysis. The Ag NP paper substrate showed lower spectral intensity variances and better elemental distribution uniformity due to the reduced coffee-ring effect compared with silicon and aluminum substrates. The enhanced effect of the Ag NP paper was optimized by adjusting serum volume and Ag NPs concentration. It was found that Mg, Ca, and K required different optimal conditions for spectral enhancement. The highest enhancement factors (EF) for Mg, Ca, and K were 1.85, 1.76, and 3.10, respectively. The electron temperature (Te) and electron number density (Ne) of NELIBS plasmas were measured using the Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening methods and compared with those of the normal LIBS plasmas. The Te and Ne of the NELIBS and normal LIBS samples were generally comparable with each other. Higher Ag NP concentrations led to lower Te values for NELIBS plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) performances are strongly impacted by the compression of the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL). Despite its fibrous microstructure, this material is usually considered as a continuous medium and characterized with uniform loading. However, the GDL is subjected to a heterogeneous compression onto rib/channel patterns in the fuel cell assembly. In the present study, a complex behavior of the GDL response is experimentally revealed when the material is loaded with a rib/channel pattern, compared to uniform compression. The tests are simulated by finite element modeling using a classical strain-dependent elastic law, using parameters fitted from uniform compression experiments. It is shown that the numerical results do not reproduce the effect of pattern observed experimentally. Hypotheses to interpret these results involve mechanisms at the fiber microscale including fiber fracture, cross-link breakage and fiber rearrangement, which are exacerbated by larger material deformation caused by the heterogeneous loading. • Unexpected impact of rib/channel patterns on GDL compression. • Experimental investigation of the effect of rib/channel width on GDL deformation. • Numerical study with classical model unable to reproduce experimental results. • Interpretations based on mechanisms at the fiber microscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]