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This work describes a novel technique for the measurement of inorganic arsenic in water by generating arsine gas and detecting the conductivity of moving protons, H+ (aqueous or aq), produced by the reaction: Ag+ (aq) + AsH3 (gas, g) → AgAsH2 (solid, s) + H+ (aq). The detection is based on an electrochemical gradient of protons in a confined porous substrate (filter paper) and measures the change in the conductance due to the higher mobility of H+ compared to other ions. The conductance was measured with a pair of silver electrodes attached to opposite sides of the substrate with a bipolar pulse conductance technique. The method is established in theory and in practice. The theoretical equation for conductance change shows that a constant increase in conductance is directly proportional to the As(total) concentration. The method is validated with a standard reference material and applied to the measurement of the groundwater sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites are pivotal in Europe's evolving packaging sector, which is undergoing changes due to circular and bioeconomy initiatives, which prioritize eco‐friendly packaging. Despite paper's high recycling rates, dynamic markets challenge recycling and circularity. Innovative paper‐based composites demand flexible recyclability assessments, which impacts product development. Recyclability methods are evolving as they struggle to match the dynamic changes occurring in the packaging sector. This article outlines paper recycling and compares global lab recyclability evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of pulp and paper from recycled paper generates significant quantities of deinking paper sludge (DPS). This sludge contains a significant amount of organic matter (36%) as well as heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, and Cr. In this work, the incorporation of DPS (0%, 8%, 10%, and 12%) in the manufacture of clay bricks leads to valorization of this waste by showing that two of its contents considered problematic (organic matter and heavy metals) have several positive effects. It was found that the organic parts were transformed into pores after brick firing (850°C), which improved thermal insulation while keeping mechanical resistance in conformity with usual standards. For the heavy metals, which make DPS a hazardous waste, a leaching test was employed. The results show that these metals were trapped in the ceramic matrix after the firing of bricks at a high temperature, resulting in a final product that was not dangerous. Other tests were carried out on bricks with DPS to evaluate density, water absorption, shrinkage, loss on ignition, porosity, and microstructure in order to characterize this new product. It was concluded that DPS can be used in clay bricks as an asset for the formation of pores to enhance thermal insulation. The addition of DPS can be optimized at 10% to comply with the standard and not exceed the required values for shrinkage, water absorption, and loss on ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct air capture (DAC) is a sustainable technology to alleviate the greenhouse effect and a reliable pathway to acquire inexhaustible CO2 for the production of costly chemicals and energy products. Current DAC technologies with amine‐related sorbents rely on chemisorption, while they consume intensive energy for CO2 release and sorbent regeneration by heating. Developing new DAC processes with weak, reversible adsorption can substantially reduce the regeneration energies. Herein, the design of CO2 breathing paper (CBP) is demonstrated toward spontaneous CO2 extraction from ambient air and solar‐driven regeneration. The CBP is fabricated by coupling 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole to carbon nanotube paper on the basis of density functional theory calculations. At ambient conditions, CBP spontaneously captures atmospheric CO2 with a capacity of 0.14–1.75 mmol g–1 at 0–35 °C through non‐covalent electrostatic interaction. Upon exposure to sunlight, all adsorbed CO2 can be released and converted to concentrated gas for storage. Attractively, the efficiency of solar‐driven CO2 release is much higher than the traditional temperature‐swing method owing to the IR sensitivity of CO2. Besides the reversibility, the mild conditions also ensure the durability of CBP. These findings suggest that the CBP is a promising candidate for cost‐effective DAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baicalin (Bn) is one of the flavonoids with various biological activities, and its accurate determination is of great significance to clinical medicine. The new "MOF-on-MOF" materials have a broad application prospect. ZIF-67 and MIL-101(Fe) are typical metal–organic frame (MOF) materials, which have the advantages of flexible structure, large specific surface area, large porosity, and adjustable pore size. In this paper, a disposable and sensitive Bn electrochemical sensor based on ZIF-67/MIL-101(Fe) composite modified carbon paper (CP) electrode was developed for the first time. The sensing nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of Bn on different modified electrodes. The results showed that ZIF-67/MIL-101(Fe)/CP exhibited a well-defined redox peak compared with bare CP, ZIF-67/CP, and MIL-101(Fe)/CP, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of ZIF-67 and MIL-101(Fe). Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical sensor was able to quantify Bn in the ranges of 0.01 ~ 3 µM and 3 ~ 6 µM with a detection limit (LOD) as low as 0.009 µM (S/N = 3). In addition, the sensor was successfully used for the quantitative analysis of Bn in Dual yellow oral liquid with reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the demand for digital dentistry constantly increases, digital devices are gradually replacing conventional methods of recording occlusal contacts. The study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of occlusal contact point detection using 40 μm articulating paper, Medit i700, and OccluSense and to compare the distribution of occlusal contacts using the articulating paper and intraoral scanner. Material and Methods: The study included 25 participants aged 20 to 30 (13 women and 12 men). Photographs of contact points were taken and marked in maximum intercuspal position (MIP), in protrusive and laterotrusive movements, on working and non-working sides using 40 μm articulating paper and digital devices. The Cohen's Kappa coefficient assessed the inter-rater reliability. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare dependent groups, articulating paper, and Medit i700. Results: The Cohen's Kappa index showed that almost perfect agreement was achieved with 40 μm articulating paper. Compared to Medit i700, the 40 μm articulating paper showed an increased mean number of contacts per tooth, except for the third molars. Conclusions: The 40 μm articulating paper has detected more overall contacts than the digital devices, particularly in the posterior areas. An ideal method for registering occlusal contacts has not been established yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sulfuric acid-doping polyaniline (H-PANI-HSO4) are applied to conduct the electrochemical measurement and simulation calculation to investigate the capacitance, electronic structure and energy band properties. The H-PANI-HSO4 growing on graphite carbon paper (H-PANI-HSO4/GCP) is applied as an electroactive electrode to investigate electrochemical properties. The Faradaic capacitance of H-PANI-HSO4/GCP electrode is ascribed to the reversible redox reaction of bisulfate anion doping/dedoping protonated PANI (H-PANI). Cyclic voltammetry measurement at a scan rate of 5mVs−1 determines an equivalent mean response current of 0.64Ag−1 and a capacitance of 128.35Fg−1. Galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement determines specific capacitance from 129.06 to 116.88Fg−1 at current densities from 0.5 to 2.5Ag−1. Cyclic voltammetry-based capacitance at equivalent current density of 0.64Ag−1 is in accordance with galvanostatic charge–discharge-based capacitance at the current density of 0.57Ag−1. Electrochemical impedance spectrum measurements indicate that H-PANI-HSO4/GCP exhibits lower charge-transfer resistance, much lower Warburg resistance, higher quasicapacitance than H-PANI-HSO4 to approaching ideal capacitor. Density functional theory calculations indicate that H-PANI-HSO4 has a higher density of states (10.6 electron/eV) and lower bandgap energy (0.481eV) than H-PANI (5.24 electron/eV, 1.449eV), indicating its enhanced electronic conductivity. The electronic bandgap energy is accordingly decreased from 0.263eV for H-PANI-HSO4/GCP to 0 for H-PANI-HSO4/GCP. Electrochemical measurement and simulation calculation investigation proves that H-PANI-HSO4/GCP electrode with anion-doped and protonated state exhibits higher electronic conductivity and capacitance performance to act as superior electroactive material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineralization of inorganic components in paper sludge offers potential for their re-use in various fields. This study synthesized carbonates based on the minerals present in paper sludge and aimed to investigate the control of particle size distribution and particle shape of the synthesized carbonates. First, the physicochemical and thermal properties of paper mill sludge and ash were evaluated using a spectrophotometer, XRF, and TGA. Paper sludge ash was obtained by incinerating the paper sludge, followed by a carbonation reaction using CO2 gas injection and pH neutralization to produce recycled fillers. The average particle size, crystal lattice structure, and morphology of the recycled fillers were analyzed using a particle size analyzer, XRD, and FE-SEM. The results indicate that the recycled filler produced from coating paper sludge exhibited similar brightness and morphology to conventional paper-based fillers, suggesting its potential to replace commercial PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate). In contrast, the recycled filler manufactured using old corrugated container mill sludge was deemed unsuitable due to its low hydration activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights As is well known, Laser print paper is usually produced with high‐quality chemical wood pulp. The laser print waste paper fiber (LPWF) is a high‐quality secondary fiber, and the research and development of high‐value utilization technology for laser print waste paper has attracted much attention in the field of renewable resource recycling. In this study, LPWF was used to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites in the field, and the composites were modified with bioenzyme, cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM), and nano‐silicon carbide (Nano‐SiC) to enhance the interfacial compatibility of LPWF/PLA composites. The study systematically investigated the effects of various modification methods on the characteristics and degradability of composites made from laser print waste paper fiber reinforced PLA resin matrix. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the composites treated with CPAM and Nano‐SiC were significantly improved, with tensile strengths of 54.3 and 59.5 MPa, and flexural strengths of 85.1 and 91.5 MPa, respectively, and the water absorption of the composites was reduced after the modification treatment, while the thermal stability was improved. The degradation performance of the composites in various water environments indicated that the inclusion of LPWF accelerated the water degradation rate of the composites, with the maximum degradation rate of the composite reaching 1.26% in 30 days. Laser print waste paper is an excellent quality recyclable fiber resource. Four modifiers were used to modify LPWF/PLA composites. Characteristics and degradability of the composites were investigated. Significantly improved properties of CPAM and Nano‐SiC modified composites. The degradation rate of composites is increased by the addition of LPWF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a pigment coating on the mechanical properties of fluting paper. Design/methodology/approach: Two different calcium carbonate pigments were used in the preparation of the coated color, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and ground calcium carbonate (GCC). Fluting paper produced by recycling waste paper was used as base paper. The effects of PCC and GCC pigments on mechanical properties were compared. Ring crush test (RCT), corrugating medium test (CMT), corrugating crush test (CCT), tensile and burst strength tests were applied to the coated papers, and the results were compared to the mechanical properties of base paper. Findings: The tensile and burst indices of the coated papers were found to be higher than base papers about 13.9% and 6.05%, respectively. While the coating process positively affected the RCT and CCT values, it did not show a significant impact on the CMT values. GCC, one of the pigments used in coating colors, had a more effective effect on the mechanical properties of fluting papers compared to PCC. Originality/value: These results suggest that coating of fluting papers has a positive effect on mechanical properties and the use of GCC as a pigment is more effective than PCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pretreated carboxymethylated nanofibrillated cellulose (CM-NFC) was tested as a strength enhancer for specialty paper, such as banknotes made from cotton linter mixed pulp (CLMP). The pretreatment agent was cationic poly(acrylamide) (C-PAM). The CM-CMF prototype was supplied by a Korean manufacturer. Laboratory tests and pilot trials were performed to evaluate the strength enhancement of banknotes incorporated with surface-modified CM-NFC and determine the process problems encountered in a pilot paper machine. The CM-NFC was surface modified with 0.1% C-PAM without any agglomerates. The prepared laboratory handsheets had high paper strength, which was attributed to the higher nanofibril content of surface-modified CM-NFC compared with that of unmodified CM-NFC. Pilot trials showed that the incorporation of 3% surface-modified CM-NFC was highly effective in promoting the strength of banknote without low retention and drainability on the wet-end part of the pilot paper machine. Therefore, surface-modified CM-NFC at a controlled dosage could be used as a strength enhancer for specialty paper without incurring serious problems in a paper mill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grease-proof paper is an energy-demanding paper product to manufacture, especially during refining and dewatering. Increases in energy efficiency in either stage could result in major savings. This article investigates the potential gains with addition of a stepwise progression vacuum suction box to the forming section during production. For both a lighter, 50 g/m², and a heavier paper grade, 100 g/m², with a pulpdrainability of 86 °SR, a stepwise progression vacuum suction box in four steps would result in increased dryness, simultaneously with decreased energy expenditure. The observed effects were higher for the lower basis weight paper (50 g/m²). Both basis weights experienced clogging of the forming fabric due to the high degree of refining. This adversely affected the dewatering rate, decreasing the amount of air pulled through the paper even when increasing the vacuum pressure. When a stepwise progression suction box in four steps was compared to a single vacuum suction box, there was a 14% increase in dryness for lighter paper, over an equal energy consumption, measured as amount of air pulled through the paper. For the 100 g/m² paper, the increase in dryness was 3% compared to the 50 g/m² paper run over a single vacuum suction box. The results show great promise for energy savings when utilizing stepwise progression suction box dewatering for grease-proof paper production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Paralympic Games have been around for over 60 years, women remain underrepresented in almost all aspects of the Paralympic Movement. It has been suggested that a way to increase women's involvement is through the implementation of mixed-gender events. On paper, this approach makes sense. However, when it comes to the implementation of mixed-gender opportunities for women, it is less clear how effective these events are in increasing participation by women in Para sport. Through document analysis and interviews with athletes and organizers of mixed-gender Paralympic sport, we explore the various strategies that four mixed-gender sports have used to address the issue of gender parity. Using critical feminist theories, we illustrate how larger social, political, and cultural ideas about gender influence women's experiences within these events and discuss the potential of using mixed-gender initiatives to address gender parity within the Paralympic Movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inexpensive, easy-to-use, simple, and non-toxic freshness indicator was developed based on anthocyanins from saffron petal waste material and filter paper to show the quality and shelf life of trout fillets. Previous studies considered the color changes of freshness indicators based on anthocyanins during fish spoilage due to pH changes following the production of volatile nitrogen. However, in this study, we showed that not only volatile nitrogen but also hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas produced during fish spoilage caused structural and color changes in anthocyanins. The indicator showed a wide range of naked-eye color changes from purple to light blue over a pH of 2–11 and from purple to yellow over different concentrations of H2S gas compounds. The prepared indicator had good color stability and was not affected by various temperatures and times. pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, total viable count of trout fillets, and the color changes of the prepared indicators were simultaneously determined during 8 days of storage in the refrigerator. A significant correlation was observed between fish quality and visible color changes of the indicator. The sensitivity of saffron petal anthocyanins to volatile nitrogen and H2S compounds showed that it could be used as a raw material for producing low-cost and efficient colorimetric indicators for spoilage detection of protein-rich foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper sludge (PS) from paper mills has a significant potential for bioethanol production. In this study, waste-paper-containing PS is used as the raw material for bioethanol production because the annual waste paper utilization rate has increased globally. Although PS does not require delignification, the antiseptics and deinking agents in waste paper-containing PS inhibit enzymatic reactions such as saccharification and fermentation. Their removal is important, but it has not yet been reported. Using subcritical water pretreatment, the selective decomposition of enzyme inhibitors in PS is examined without the generation of other enzyme inhibitors. The optimum pretreatment conditions are identified as 240 °C, 3.3 MPa, 3 min, and pH 4.5. Glucose was obtained in 71% yield from pretreated 5 wt% PS using cellulase, which is 5.5 times higher than that from unpretreated PS. This is because the reactivity of the pretreated PS increases with increasing surface area of the cellulose fibers, and the cellulase inhibitors are decomposed by subcritical water. Next, semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation treatments are performed to produce bioethanol from waste-paper-containing PS. The bioethanol yield based on cellulose after 96 h is 68% for PS pretreated with subcritical water, whereas the bioethanol yield is 6% for unpretreated PS. Therefore, subcritical water pretreatment increases the bioethanol yield by 11 times. The proposed method may enable the use of large amounts of PS as ethanol feedstock in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution at the nanoscale continues to pose adverse effects on environmental sustainability and human health. However, the detection of nanoplastics (NPLs) remains challenging due to limitations in methodology and instrumentation. Herein, a "green approach" for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was exploited to detect polystyrene nanospheres (PSNSs) in water, employing untreated filter paper and a simple syringe-filtration set-up. This SERS protocol not only enabled the filtration of nano-sized PSNSs, which are smaller than the pore size of the ordinary filter paper, but also offered SERS enhancement by utilizing quasi-spherical-shaped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as the SERS-active substrate. The filtering of NPLs was accomplished by adding an aggregating agent to the nanoparticle mixture, which caused the aggregation of NPLs and AgNPs, resulting in a larger cluster and more hot spots for SERS detection. The optimal aggregating agent and its concentration, as well as the volume ratio between the AgNPs and NPLs, were also optimized. This SERS method successfully detected and quantified PSNSs of various sizes (i.e., 100, 300, 460, 600, and 800 nm) down to a limit of detection (LOD) of about 0.31 μg mL−1. The method was also validated against the presence of several interferents (i.e., salts, sugars, amino acids, and surfactants) and was proven practical, as evidenced by the detection of 800nm PSNSs in drinking and tap water (LODs of 1.47 and 1.55 μg mL−1, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pre-treatment process was evaluated in this work for wastewater from paper recycling using microwave technology followed by rapid precipitation of contaminants through centrifugation. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to analyze and optimize the turbidity values. Thirty experimental runs were utilized including microwave (MW) power, duration, centrifuge time, and centrifuge speed as input variables, generated by the Central Composite Full Design (CCFD) approach. The experimental turbidity ranged from 8.1 to 19.7 NTU, while predicted values ranged from 8.4 to 19.7 NTU by ANN. The ANN model showed a robust prediction performance with low mean squared error values during training and testing. Moreover, high R² values showed a remarkable agreement between the experimental observations and ANN predictions. The results obtained from the input values (A:150.00, B:60.00, C:15.00, D:30.00) of sample 2, which gave the lowest turbidity value, showed the most removal of pollution. The results obtained from the input values (A:250.00, B:60.00, C:7.00, D:20.00) of sample 30, which gave the highest turbidity value, showed the least removal of pollution. The results showed that increasing RPM and time of the centrifugation process significantly affected the removal of pollution in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the microstructure of carbon fiber paper is modified through H 3 PO 4 etching to enhance the electrolyzer performance. The effects of different H 3 PO 4 concentrations and different soaking times on the hydrogen evolution reaction are firstly investigated. The electrochemical test results show that the best performance of etched electrodes is achieved at a H 3 PO 4 concentration of 1 M and a soaking time of 12 h, with a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance and overpotential. Subsequently, to explore the change mechanism in electrochemical properties, the microstructure of the carbon paper is investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) tests, which show uniformly distributed micropores appear on the surface of the carbon fibers after etching, and the porosity increases from 0.74 to 0.8. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) tests show that the specific surface area of the carbon paper increases from 0.72 m2/g to 4.06 m2/g, which effectively increases the interfacial contact area between the catalyst layer and the liquid gas diffusion layer. Furthermore, a 3D multi-physics model is established to further elucidate the impact mechanism of changes in porosity, conductivity, and active specific surface area on the performance of anion exchange membrane electrolyzer, with changes in active specific surface area having the greatest effect. • Microporous structure of the carbon paper LGDL is modified by etching. • The etching method effectively improves the performance of AEMEL. • The increase in specific surface area and porosity greatly reduces the resistance. • Numerical modeling to analyze the impact of microscopic parameters on AEMEL. • LGDL with high specific surface area has a positive effect on AEMEL's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the integration of paper industry waste with high cellulose content into biocomposites of polylactic acid (PLA), a widely used biobased polymer material, was investigated. The PLA/waste biocomposite samples (0–25 wt.%) were manufactured using the extrusion and injection moulding techniques. The mechanical test results showed improvements in terms of tensile properties and a decrease in impact strength as the percentage of residue increased. The melting temperature decreased, and the crystallinity increased in all biocomposites according to the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Water absorption increased proportionally with the percentage of residue, attributed to the higher cellulose content in the biocomposites, determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture analysis demonstrated effective reinforcement–matrix cohesion, supporting the previously observed behaviour of the analysed materials. This work highlights the potential of using waste from the paper industry as reinforcement in PLA matrices, opening new perspectives for sustainable applications in the framework of the manufacture of composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose extraction from lignocellulosic materials is a highly chemical and energy‐intensive process as it requires the removal of lignin and hemicellulose. Writing paper is one of the processed materials that could be used as a raw material for the extraction of nanocellulose. In this work, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized from paper waste using TEMPO‐oxidation followed by high‐shear microfluidization. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy confirmed the diameter of fibers in the nano‐range and a consistent zeta potential confirmed the stability of CNF suspension in water over a long time frame. Characterization of the CNFs using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of a carbonyl group due to the oxidation process. Thermogravimetric analysis and x‐ray diffraction revealed lower thermal stability and reduction in the crystallinity index of CNFs, as compared to pulp fibers. The obtained CNFs were used successfully as the sole binding agent in the preparation of fiberboards and also utilized as a reinforcing agent for polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesive in the preparation of laminated veneer lumber (LVLs). The addition of CNFs in PVAc improved the glue shear strength indicating superior bonding characteristics and also increased the water resistance of the LVLs. Highlights: This work focused on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) extraction from waste paperObtained CNFs form stable water suspension and have a diameter of less than 15 nmThermal stability and crystallinity index reduced after conversion to nanofibersCNFs form a complex network and act as a sole binder to make fiberboardsCNFs were utilized as a reinforcing agent for PVAc in preparation of LVLs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper sludge consists mainly of wet short cellulose fibers that are lost during papermaking and of residual chemicals used in the manufacturing process that remain dissolved in the water. Each ton of paper generates about 40–50 kg of dry sludge, of which 70% is primary sludge. Paper production, which exceeded 400 million tons globally in 2020, generates vast volumes of solid waste. Primary sludge is usually fiber-rich and hence suitable to be recycled back into the papermaking process. However, if the sludge is to be disposed of in landfills, sustainable practices must be developed in order to recover the fibers as they are valuable source for manufacturing high value-added products. This study investigates the valorization of paper sludge discarded by a filter paper manufacturer, with the purpose of producing cellulose acetate films for food packaging. The process involves recovering cellulose fibers from the sludge, purifying them and through acetylation reaction produce cellulose acetate films. FTIR spectra confirmed successful acetylation of fibers and also that acetyl groups reduced the hydrophilicity of cellulose—the contact angle was increased to over 80° from 50° in native cellulose. The films exhibited very good water barrier properties at both 50% and 90% relative humidity (RH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic paper displays rely on electrokinetic effects in nonpolar solvents to drive the displacement of colloidal particles within a fluidic cell. While Electrophoresis (EP) is a well-established and frequently employed phenomenon, electro-osmosis (EO), which drives fluid flow along charged solid surfaces, has not been studied as extensively. We hypothesize that by exploiting the interplay between these effects, an enhanced particle transport can be achieved. In this study, we experimentally investigate the combined effects of EP and EO for colloidal particles in non-polar solvents, driven by an electric field. We use astigmatism micro-particle tracking velocimetry (A- μ PTV) to measure the motion of charged particles within model fluidic cells. Using a simple approach that relies on basic fluid flow properties we extract the contributions due to EP and EO, finding that EO contributes significantly to particle transport. The validity of our approach is confirmed by measurements on particles with different magnitudes of charge, and by comparison to numerical simulations. We find that EO flows can play a dominant role in the transport of particles in electrokinetic display devices. This can be exploited to speed up particle transport, potentially yielding displays with significantly faster switching times. Interplay of electrokinetic effects : Driven by the applied electric field, both electro-osmosis (EO, top left), which drives a flow along the surfaces of the fluidic cell, and electrophoresis (EP, top right), which drives a migration of particles relative to the background liquid, occur in our system. A typical example of the resultant particle velocity field (bottom) illustrates the important role of EO on particle transport in the fluidic cell. • Studied electrokinetics of particles in nonpolar solvent using astigmatism micro-PTV. • Both electrophoresis (EP) and electro-osmosis (EO) play important roles. • Combination of EO and EP could be exploited in faster switching e-paper displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop special insulating paper is of great significance to promote the service life of transformers. Using molecular simulation to guide the development of special insulating paper can greatly reduce the trial-and-error rate and waste of resources in traditional experiments. The effect of different types of polysilsesquioxane (POSS) on cellulose insulating paper was investigated by using molecular simulation. This paper investigated the thermal stability and mechanical properties and electrical characteristics of caged POSS, semi-caged POSS, and ladder-like POSS doped cellulose insulating paper. The results show that POSS with all types can enhance the performance of cellulose insulating paper, and ladder-like POSS possess the best modification effect. The glass transition temperature was increased by 58 K, and the bulk modulus, shear modulus, and elastic modulus of cellulose insulating paper doped with ladder-like POSS can improve up to 27.07%, 45.67%, and 41.28%, respectively. Meanwhile, the dielectric properties of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper are also significantly improved. The findings of this paper propose a method for the preparation of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper, which provides theoretical guidance for the experimental preparation of special insulating paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conference proceedings are valuable sources for research, providing insights into individual or organisational projects. Australian library and information services (LIS) professionals have the opportunity to contribute to a robust conference culture, including the biennial library technology VALA conference. Practice-driven conferences can offer interpretations of LIS practitioner experiences, however, there is limited research focusing on Australian LIS conference proceedings. The VALA conference papers offer a unique record of technology's impact, influence, and implementation in Australian LIS organisations over the last forty years. This article will outline the objective and methodology of an ongoing research project undertaking historical analysis of VALA conference papers. The research project seeks to examine key themes, theories, and tools discussed in VALA conference papers and will attempt to identify if evolving technology influences the practices and attitudes of Australian LIS practitioners. The article will identify the research methods and the content analysis techniques that will be used in the project, and present preliminary results from a pilot study presented at the 2023 RAILS conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative and cost-effective paper sheets with superior fire safety and reinforcement properties have been developed. The paper sheets were fabricated via valorization of agricultural waste to paper and then coated with nanoparticles. Paper attained from rice straw was used to create the sheets. Afterward, bentonite sheets were incorporated in these sheets, and finally, PbO nanoparticles were coated on prepared paper nanocomposites. The mass ratio of bentonite sheets was altered. The flammability and mechanical properties of the developed paper nanocomposites were studied. The flame retardancy of developed paper nanocomposite was significantly improved achieving LOI value of 24% compared to 20% for bentonite and PbO nanoparticle-free sample. Additionally, the tensile strength was improved recording 44% enhancement compared to unmodified sample. Furthermore, the flame retardancy mechanism was proposed and studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emphasis on traditional hand-drawn compass and straight-edge geometrical constructions has been reduced in the core narrative of most current curricula. In response to this trend, this paper presents a virtual toolkit for producing precision geometrical figures within the popular note-taking app, NotabilityTM. These graphical procedures employ the app’s stylus-based input and shape tools (for lines, circles, and squares) to offer a modern take on classical geometrical construction. These procedures are adaptations of familiar textbook methods, necessary because the app’s circle-drawing tool behaves differently from a standard compass. Beyond the familiar canon of elementary Euclidean constructions, such as angle bisectors and perpendiculars, these tools are also used to sketch examples of sangaku diagrams from original 19th-century Japanese temple geometry problems. That such precision figures can be created within a popular tablet app is a rallying call to geometers; the art and craft of traditional manual constructions need not go extinct and can continue to be nurtured in this age of digital paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of shredded waste office paper was considered when producing one-layered particleboard. Five different mixing ratios of shredded waste office paper/wood particles were used (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) and two amounts of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin (10% and 15%). The boards were tested for their physical and mechanical properties, including modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength (MOR), and internal bond (IB) strength, in accordance with the European Norm (EN) standards. All properties of the boards were found to be improved via increasing the resin content. The 15% UF-bonded board with 100% wood particles had the highest MOR, whereas the board containing 100% wastepaper for 15% UF had the highest MOE. However, there was no statistical difference between the board types. Although increasing wastepaper content in the board negatively affected the IB, the usage of wastepaper up to 25% was shown to be acceptable as a raw material in the production of particleboard. None of the prepared boards met the EN 312 (1999) requirements for thickness swelling. The boards made from shredded waste office paper were more suitable for dry and indoor use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive sensor based on carbon fiber paper modified with a shungite–copper formazanate composite is presented for the voltammetric determination of lidocaine. The synthesized organometallic complex, composite, and modified electrode are characterized by infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry. The twofold increase in the current of the lidocaine oxidation peak on the modified electrode compared to the unmodified one is associated with the sensitizing effect of the composite modifier, which is due to an increase in the electroactive area and the number of lidocaine binding sites on the electrode surface. The sensor exhibits a wide dynamic range from 2 to 2120 µM with a low limit of detection of 0.18 µM lidocaine and high sensitivity of 0.755 µA/V µM. The interelectrode and intraelectrode repeatability of the analytical signal do not exceed 3.5%. The sensor response is stable within three weeks. The developed sensor was used for the determination of lidocaine in pharmaceuticals. The results of an analysis of real samples demonstrated good reproducibility (RSD ≤ 5.5%) and recovery (98–102%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of electrochemical nitrite detection, the potent oxidizing nature of nitrite typically necessitates operation at high detection potentials. However, this study introduces a novel approach to address this challenge by developing a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor with a low reduction detection potential. Specifically, a copper metal nanosheet/carbon paper sensitive electrode (Cu/CP) was fabricated using a one-step electrodeposition method, leveraging the catalytic reduction properties of copper's high occupancy d-orbital. The Cu/CP sensor exhibited remarkable performance in nitrite detection, featuring a low detection potential of −0.05 V vs. Hg/HgO, a wide linear range of 10~1000 μM, an impressive detection limit of 0.079 μM (S/N = 3), and a high sensitivity of 2140 μA mM−1cm−2. These findings underscore the efficacy of electrochemical nitrite detection through catalytic reduction as a means to reduce the operational voltage of the sensor. By showcasing the successful implementation of this strategy, this work sets a valuable precedent for the advancement of electrochemical low-potential nitrite detection methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amoxicillin, an antibacterial drug commonly used in food production, requires rapid and accurate detection due to its illegal usage and potential health risks. This study focuses on the development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensors using filter paper substrates coated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for the detection of amoxicillin. The Ag NPs were prepared by employing a chemical method, and their characteristics were analyzed through various techniques. The SERS substrates exhibited an impressive limit of detection (LOD) of 10–12 M for amoxicillin, with a mean relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.63% for repeated measurements. The experimental and simulated enhancement factors were determined as 4.044 × 104 and 2.996 × 104, respectively. These disposable, reproducible, and chemically stable substrates demonstrate great potential for SERS-based research and the development of highly sensitive biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of cryptococcal meningitis relies primarily on flucytosine (5FC), which is also used to treat candidiasis and infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. High dosages of this drug, despite its therapeutic properties, may cause hazardous side effects such as bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, and gastrointestinal toxicity. The detection of trace amounts of 5FC medication may aid in tracking the treatment's efficacy and mitigating unwanted effects. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a rapid, reliable, and precise approach for detecting extremely low amounts of biological and chemical compounds. A filter paper-based SERS biosensor coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were employed to detect the 5FC drug. The AgNPs fabricated via the chemical reduction method were characterized by FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Plasmonic active sites were made by coating the filter paper substrate with AgNPs to detect the 5FC drug's molecular vibrations. As the 5FC drug was coated onto the filter paper substrate, the AgNPs interacted with it, allowing for the detection of very low concentrations of the drug. The SERS filter paper substrate could detect concentrations of 5FC as low as 10−10 M. The Raman spectra and peak signals obtained experimentally were also simulated and validated using the density functional theory (DFT) approach. Six sets of measurements were taken, and the average RSD was obtained to be 4.62%. The experimentally measured enhancement factor for recognizing molecular vibrations of the 5FC was 9.065 × 107, and it was numerically estimated as 10.044 × 107. Therefore, the fabricated SERS-based filter paper substrate is useful for drug monitoring since they can detect even trace amounts of the targeted drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An invisible layer of knowledge is progressively growing with the emergence of situated visualizations and reality-based information retrieval systems. In essence, digital content will overlap with real-world entities, eventually providing insights into the surrounding environment and useful information for the user. The implementation of such a vision may appear close, but many subtle details separate us from its fulfillment. This kind of implementation, as the overlap between rendered virtual annotations and the camera's real-world view, requires different computer vision paradigms for object recognition and tracking which often require high computing power and large-scale datasets of images. Nevertheless, these resources are not always available, and in some specific domains, the lack of an appropriate reference dataset could be disruptive for a considered task. In this particular scenario, we here consider the problem of wine recognition to support an augmented reading of their labels. In fact, images of wine bottle labels may not be available as wineries periodically change their designs, product information regulations may vary, and specific bottles may be rare, making the label recognition process hard or even impossible. In this work, we present augmented wine recognition, an augmented reality system that exploits optical character recognition paradigms to interpret and exploit the text within a wine label, without requiring any reference image. Our experiments show that such a framework can overcome the limitations posed by image retrieval-based systems while exhibiting a comparable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber paper (CFP) is one of the most widely used gas diffusion layer materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) due to its excellent properties such as high conductivity, high strength, high air permeability and corrosion resistance. In this study, CFP was prepared using the phenolic resin (PF) in-pulp addition method. The effect of PF content on the properties of hot-pressed paper (HPP) and CFP was investigated. The results showed that when the dosage of polyethylene oxide (PEO) was 1.5 wt%, the flocculation effect of PEO on PF was basically complete, and the water filterability and retention of carbon fiber pulp were relatively optimal. After HPP was carbonized into CFP, the hydrophobicity, average pore size, porosity, and air permeability increased, while the resistivity and tensile strength decreased. With the increase of PF content, the tensile strength of CFP gradually increased, while the average pore size, porosity, air permeability and resistivity decreased. When the PF content was 250 wt%, the average pore size of CFP was 36.5 μm, the water contact angle was 127°, the porosity was 69.7%, the air permeability was 7.81 × 103 mL mm/(cm2·h·mmHg), the resistivity was 21.1 mΩ cm, and the tensile strength was 15.7 MPa. In addition, the CFP prepared using PF in-pulp addition method had a relativity uniform pore size distribution and high air permeability. Therefore, this work shows that the CFP prepared using this technique exhibits excellent comprehensive performance, and enables the manufacturing of CFP to be more efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly. [Display omitted] • Carbon fiber paper was prepared efficiently using the phenolic resin in-pulp addition method. • Polyethylene oxide exhibits strong adsorption ability on phenolic resin in carbon fiber pulp. • The melting temperature of phenolic resin is a critical point in the preparation process of carbon fiber paper. • Carbon fiber paper possesses a relatively uniform pore size distribution and high air permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible paper-based materials play a crucial role in the field of flexible electromagnetic shielding due to their thinness and controllable shape. In this study, we employed the wet paper forming technique to prepare carbon fiber paper with a thickness gradient. The electromagnetic shielding performance of the carbon fiber paper varies with the ladder-like thickness distribution. Specifically, an increase in thickness gradient leads to higher reflectance of the carbon fiber paper. Within the X-band frequency range (8.2–12.4 GHz), reflectivity decreases as electromagnetic wave frequency increases, indicating enhanced penetration of electromagnetic waves into the interior of the carbon fiber paper. This enhancement is attributed to an increased fiber content per unit area resulting from a greater thickness gradient, which further enhances reflection loss and promotes internal multiple reflections and scattering effects, leading to increased absorption loss. Notably, at a 5 mm thickness, our carbon fiber paper exhibits an impressive average overall shielding performance, reaching 63.46 dB. Moreover, it exhibits notable air permeability and mechanical properties, thereby assuming a pivotal role in the realm of flexible wearable devices in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated converting abundant paper mill waste, de‐inked paper sludge (DPS), into value‐added medium‐density fiberboard (MDF) panels. The objective was to repurpose this solid waste into a valuable material that aligns with the principles of a circular economy. Previous research has examined the addition of paper sludge to wood composites, but there is limited information on the specific incorporation of DPS into MDF production. This investigation offers new insights into this application. MDF panels were manufactured using hardwood fibers, with varying levels of urea‐formaldehyde resin (10% and 12% by weight) and different loadings of DPS (ranging from 0% to 50% by weight). X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of defective DPS fiber crystals. Contact angle measurements confirmed that DPS had poor wettability, corresponding to increased water absorption. As more DPS was incorporated, the mechanical properties of the panels progressively weakened due to defective fibers and poor adhesion between the fibers and the matrix. This was evident in scanning electron microscopy micrographs, which showed an escalation in interfacial flaws. Increasing the resin dosage noticeably improved the internal bond strength and reduced moisture uptake across all levels of DPS. However, at a DPS loading of 50%, the properties of the panels deteriorated by 36%–57% compared to the control MDF. Additionally, thickness swelling and water absorption increased significantly with higher DPS content, primarily due to the hydrophilic nature of the fibers. Based on optimization, it was determined that a DPS loading of 20% with a resin content of 12% provided the best balance between performance, waste utilization, cost, and moisture resistance. The reuse of abundant paper sludge supports the goals of a circular economy. However, strategies are required to tailor the processing methods and enable higher levels of recycled material without excessively compromising the key attributes of the product. Further research should focus on enhancing the quality of DPS and its compatibility with wood fibers and resin to enhance the performance of the composite material. Highlights: DPS from recycled paper mill assessed for MDF production with wood fibers and resinIncreasing DPS loading caused reductions in strength and adhesion of panelsWater absorption and thickness swelling markedly rose with more DPS additionIt was attributed to hydrophilic fibers and disrupted fiber‐matrix bondingOptimal formulation was 20% DPS loading and 12% resin content, balancing performance, waste utilization, and cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper has been in common use for centuries and plays an important part in our daily life. The paper making process is a complex process that comprises various steps. Thus, a component's breakdown or failure can lead to poor system performance or in system failure. Therefore, a comprehensive system analysis is necessary for improved performance. In this research, the authors have examined the operation and performance of a paper mill, in order to gauge and enhance its performance. The reliability, availability, maintainability and dependability (RAMD) of the system are analysed. Appropriate mathematical models are developed on the basis of Markov birth-death processes to analyse production under steady-state conditions. The whole system is made up of six subsystems. Measures of the reliability, availability, maintainability, dependability, mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to failure (MTTF), and dependability ratio are evaluated for the entire system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The filter paper (FP) method, a cost-effective, versatile, and convenient approach, has found extensive application in analyzing fine-grained soils, enabling the successful measurement of a broad spectrum of total and matric suctions. However, using the FP method in sand with a limited range of suction profiles has been notably underrepresented in the existing literature. Therefore, this study investigated the applicability of the contact FP method in establishing soil water retention curves (SWRCs) using five distinct FP calibration curves for 10 poorly graded sands. Among these calibration curves, the one presented by Chandler yielded the highest suction values, which were followed by those of ASTM. Furthermore, the FP results were subjected to fitting with a mathmatical model, which led to the observation that the overall trends in the obtained SWRCs displayed smooth sigmoidal shapes, resulting in a complete and coherent SWRCs. The SWRC results of five sand samples were assessed through validation against the hanging column technique (HCT) results, indicating a high degree of concordance and affirming the suitability of the FP method for sands characterized by a limited suction profile. Notably, the entire range of suction values fell within the 0.01–20 kPa range based on the calibration curves presented by Chandler and ASTM for all the examined sand samples, except sands 9 and 10. Furthermore, the suction values were unobtainable using the two aforementioned calibration curves within the ranges of 0.01–1.47 kPa and 0.01–0.172 kPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex mixture of pollutants found in industrial effluents creates a significant environmental challenge. Enzymatic treatment offers a promising alternative to traditional physiochemical techniques. With an emphasis on laccase enzymes, this review examines the potential of both free and immobilized biocatalysts for the treatment of industrial wastewater, especially from pulp and paper mills. Laccase has become one of the most popular options for bioremediation because of its broad substrate specificity and capacity to break down different kinds of organic pollutants. The different methods of laccase immobilization, including adsorption, encapsulation and cross-linking are examined, exploring their advantages and limitations. The benefits of immobilization for enzyme stability, reusability and operational efficiency in wastewater treatment processes are further discussed. By comparing the advantages and limitations of free and immobilized biocatalysts, this review aims to provide valuable insights for the development of efficient and sustainable enzymatic strategies for industrial wastewater treatment. Furthermore, this paper offers future possibilities for using biocatalyst in pulp and paper waste treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitizers are used to prepare photosensitive materials for ink-printing and thermal-recording media. Typical sensitizers contain an aromatic ring and exhibit aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activity. They can accumulate in aquatic biota, leading to the disruption of ecosystems. Effluent from paper recycling plants has been identified as a source of contamination, and the presence of sensitizers in toilet paper may represent a new source of contamination in aquatic environments. To examine possible sources of contamination by sensitizers, this study investigated the levels of sensitizers in recycled toilet paper. We also studied the prevalence of sensitizers in rivers receiving effluents from sewage treatment plants in Japan, from 2020 to 2022. We detected eight sensitizers and related compounds in both toilet paper and river water samples; their total concentrations ranged from 0.78 to 34 µg/g (mean: 12 µg/g) in toilet paper and 58–1167 µg/L (median: 77 µg/L) in water. In the water samples, sensitizers were partitioned between liquid and suspended solid phases, and in suspended solids, sensitizers accounted for an average of 42% of the total. Correlation analysis showed a high correlation between sensitizer composition in the water from a river receiving sewage treatment plant effluents and toilet paper. Since these compounds were also detected in the river water analyzed in this study, toilet paper should be considered a novel source of sensitizers contamination in sewage treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene-, polyvinylidene chloride-, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance-coated paper generate microplastics or fluorochemicals in the environment. Here, we report an approach for the development of oil-resistant papers using an environmentally friendly, fluorine-free, water-dispersible poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating on kraft paper. Carboxylic-functionalized PDMS (PDMS-COOH) was synthesized and subsequently neutralized with ammonium bicarbonate to obtain a waterborne emulsion, which was then coated onto kraft paper. The water resistance of the coated paper was determined via Cobb60 measurements. The Cobb60 value was reduced to 2.70 ± 0.14 g/m2 as compared to 87.6 ± 5.1 g/m2 for uncoated paper, suggesting a remarkable improvement in water resistance. Similarly, oil resistance was found to be 12/12 on the kit test scale versus 0/12 for uncoated paper. In addition, the coated paper retained 70–90% of its inherent mechanical properties, and more importantly, the coated paper was recycled via pulp recovery using a standard protocol with a 91.1% yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to a shortage of resources, exploring new biomass fillers has become critical for paper making. In this study, we reported an eco-friendly strategy for fabricating low-cost and efficient recycled paper with high mechanical properties using corrugated cardboard waste paper and harmless municipal sludge (HMS). First, the characteristics of HMS, including the particle size, pH, specific surface area, organic functional groups and organic component content, were analyzed. Then, the influence of the amount of HMS on the properties of the recycled paper was studied. Finally, the strengthening mechanism of biomass filling recycled paper was discussed. The results showed that HMS, a biomass filler for recycled paper preparation, exhibited excellent physical and chemical properties, with a median particle size of 6.395 μm, a surface area of 39.974 m2 g−1 and organic functional groups. The tensile index of the recycled paper with 30 % HMS was 13.10 Nm/g, which was 16.4 % greater than that of the unfilled paper and showed better thermal stability. This excellent performance could be attributed to the uniform distribution of HMS on the fiber surface, which improved the accessibility of hydrogen bond formation between fibers. Thus, this study proved that HMS was an excellent biomass filler for producing recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper manufacturers have long used silicone as the coating agent for release liners. However, silicone‐based release paper is very difficult to recycle due to covalent bonds between silicone and fibers. The most suitable solution to overcome this problem is to use alternative coating materials with adequate release properties, provided that they can be easily repulped in typical paper recycling facilities. We proposed a coating agent composed of phosphate esters and dimethylacetamide in order to manufacture a recyclable and efficient release paper. Analyses carried out on coated sheets showed that phosphate esters allowed the formation of a surface with adequate release properties (low peeling force and surface free energy). In addition, the residual adhesion values obtained with phosphate esters confirmed that they are well anchored on the backing paper surface, thus limiting the mass transfer to the adhesive tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As air pollution escalates, the need for air filters increases. It is better that the filters used be based on natural fibers, such as non-wood fibers, which cause low damage to the environment. However, the short fiber lengths, low apparent densities, and high volumes of non-wood materials can make it challenging to prepare filter paper with the required mechanical and physical properties. In that context, this study focused on utilizing bamboo fibers to fabricate filter paper by employing the anthraquinone soda pulping method. The pulp underwent bleaching and oxidation processes, with the incorporation of cationic starch (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to enhance resistance properties, resulting in the creation of handmade filter papers. The findings revealed that the tear, burst, and tensile strength of filter paper increased with the oxidation and addition of CS and PVA. Air permeability increased with addition of PVA and combination of CS and PVA. FTIR demonstrated the conversion of hydroxyl groups in cellulose chains to carboxyl groups due to oxidation. SEM images illustrated alterations in the fiber structure post-oxidation treatment, with CS reducing pores while PVA and the CS-PVA combination enlarged pore size and enhanced porosity. The BET surface area surface area expanded with oxidation and the addition of the CS-PVA blend, indicating heightened filter paper porosity. Notably, the combined inclusion of CS and PVA not only augmented mechanical strength but also increased porosity while maintaining pore size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) landfill sites have GHG assessment challenges. • GHG fluxes measured by chambers with (F +) and without (F-) a frame were compared. • Flux relationships up to 80 % were shown between F- and F + chambers (the standard) • Correction factors for F- chambers were built to estimate fluxes from F + chambers. • The approach can refine GHG inventories on PPMS landfill sites. Assessments of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in managed areas are facing various challenges. A non-flow-through, non-steady-state (NFT-NSS) chamber coupled to a frame permanently inserted into the landfilled substrates is a standard method for quantifying GHG emissions in managed areas, such as pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) landfill sites. Frequent measurements are needed to minimize uncertainties on GHG emission factors at the landfill site scale. However, maintaining a frame inserted into the substrates for a long time period is often impossible due to landfilling management operations. Therefore, GHG measurements using NFT-NSS chambers placed directly on substrates' surface could be an interesting option. Our objectives were to determine the relationships between CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O fluxes measured with (F +) and without (F-) a frame inserted in the substrates' surface and to develop correction factors for fluxes measured without a frame. Measurements were made at different PPMS landfill sites in the province of Québec, Canada. Stronger GHG flux relationships were observed at the provincial (across sites) than the specific site scale: the variance in GHG fluxes from F- chambers explained up to 80 % of variance in fluxes from F + chambers. The measured CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O fluxes in F- chambers were on average 53, 78, and 63 % lower, respectively, than those estimated by the models at provincial scale. The correction factors developed with this approach could greatly extend the number of sites where in situ GHG measurements can be done and would help refining GHG inventories at the provincial and national levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPublishing scientific articles is an expedition of tenacious efforts with patience and conscientious decision-making; however, even with such careful consideration, researchers may overlook the dubious activities of clandestine organizations or remain oblivious to the unethical aspects of publishing. Paper mills are the latest impediment to academic publishing’s integrity. The increasing number of paper mill publications damages the credibility of genuine journals and jeopardizes academic integrity, adding to the vulnerability of research. This paper deals with the tactics, activity, detection, impact, and solving the menace of such fraudulent practices. This paper is a summary of existing literature and analysis that aims to increase awareness of fraudulent practices like paper mills among researchers and academicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate 12-month and 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among workers of the pulp and paper industry, and assess the contribution of age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). Methods. The sample comprised 904 workers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. χ2 tests assessed the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and age/gender/BMI/PA, and multivariate logistic regression models predicted the 12-month occurrence of symptoms in the five most prevalent regions. Results. The five most affected body regions were the lower back, shoulders, neck, knees and wrists/hands. Older workers presented more symptoms in all body regions, except dorsal; female gender was associated with neck symptoms (p = 0.001); overweight was associated with a higher prevalence of lower back (p = 0.01), knee (p = 0.017) and ankle/foot (p = 0.037) symptoms; and a moderate PA level was associated with thigh/hip symptoms (p = 0.006). Age was a significant predictor in all five most affected regions; gender was a significant predictor for shoulders, neck and wrists/hands; and BMI was a significant predictor for lower back symptoms. Conclusion. The 12-month and 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among workers of the pulp and paper industry is higher in the lower back, shoulders, neck, knees and wrists/hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the application of high-tolerance and flexible indigenous bacteria and fungi, along with the co-metabolism in recycled paper and cardboard mill (RPCM) wastewater treatment (WWT). Design/methodology/approach: The molecular characterization of isolated indigenous bacteria and fungi was performed by 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Glucose was used as a cometabolic substrate to enhance the bioremediation process. Findings: The highest removal efficiency was achieved for both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color [78% COD and 45% color removal by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RW-2 (MZ603673), as well as approximately 70% COD and 48% color removal by Geotrichum candidum RW-4 (ON024394)]. The corresponding percentages were higher in comparison with the efficiency obtained from the oxidation ditch unit in the full-scale RPCM WWT plant. Originality/value: Indigenous P. aeruginosa RW-2 and G. candidum RW-4 demonstrated effective capability in RPCM WWT despite the highly toxic and low biodegradable nature, especially with the assistance of glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided tissue acquisition (EUS‐TA) is used for pathological diagnosis and obtaining samples for molecular testing, facilitating the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, samples obtained via EUS‐TA are often insufficient, requiring more efforts to improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. Therefore, this study investigated the use of oil blotting paper for formalin fixation of samples obtained via EUS‐TA. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 42 patients who underwent EUS‐TA for pancreatic cancer between September 2020 and February 2022 at the Osaka International Cancer Institute. After a portion of each sample obtained via EUS‐TA was separated for routine histological evaluation, the residual samples were divided into filter paper and oil blotting paper groups for analysis. Accordingly, filter paper and oil blotting paper were used for the formalin fixation process. The total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasm areas of each sample were quantitatively evaluated using virtual slides, and the specimen volume and histological diagnosis of each sample were evaluated by an expert pathologist. Results: All cases were cytologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The area ratios of the total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasmic portions were significantly larger in the oil blotting paper group than in the filter paper group. The frequency of cases with large amount of tumor cells was significantly higher in the oil blotting paper group (33.3%) than in the filter paper group (11.9%) (p = 0.035). Conclusions: Oil blotting paper can increase the sample volume obtained via EUS‐TA on glass slides and improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mineral-based fillers tends to reduce the mechanical properties of paper, which can limit their application. The filler surface modification is a significant treatment to overcome this limitation. This research aims to offer a novel modified mineral-based filler to provide its industrial application. The surface of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was modified with xylan (XS), which is a type of hemicellulose, a polysaccharide consisting mainly of xylose residues. It is used as a filler at different filler dosage levels in paper pulp. Modified PCC(MPCC) was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy analyses. The analysis demonstrated that the MPCC filler surface was coated with XS successfully. The effect of PCC and MPCC-filled hand-sheet paper physical, chemical and optical properties were studied. The experimental results showed that the mechanical (tensile, burst, tear strength) and optical (brightness, opacity) of hand-sheet paper filled with MPCC were significantly improved compared with unmodified PCC-filled paper at the same ash content. The filler retention of PCC and MPCC fillers in paper was investigated, and the MPCC filler showed better filler retention properties in paper stock than the PCC filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]