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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 main part of companies in Bulgaria are built, however in the 70s, and upgraded last decade. The country supplies around 80 % of its supplies of paper, paperboard and pulp with own production. Integrated treatment of wastes is a priority for realizing closed life cycle of materials. The aim of the present work is to investigate the composition and other important characteristics of biomass wood ash wasted from paper industry. The correlations and associations among the chemical characteristics are also studied to find some basic trends and important relationships between two similar wastes from different enterprises. It was proved that all samples taken contained Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni, Co, Al, Fe, Cu and Zn far below the legal limits for such type of products. A product has a certain anti-acidic effect. The other positive result was that the content of iron is between 34 to 60 mg per 1 kg dry waste. The microscopic photos confirmed that the particles are close to the nano-size materials. The content of the elements C, N, H is in good quantities and ratios, which is a prerequisite for their use as a soil improver. By the results of this study, it was confirmed that all samples produced as a result of the thermal treatment and final low water content achieved are free from pathogen microorganisms and different weed seeds, affecting the yield and soil sustainability. That allows determining the optimal ratio between the used components with a view to obtain products with desired thermal stability and physico-chemical properties as soil improvers. [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]

In the field of book heritage, it is important to develop cleaning/disinfecting treatments that can slow down the degradation of paper to prevent evident and irreversible damage. The objectives of the cleaning treatments are to remove external contaminants and oxidation and decomposition products of the paper, but these processes must not modify the unique characteristics of the book heritage resulting in irreversible changes in the structure of the paper. Recently, several innovative cleaning treatments were developed with the aim of being minimally invasive; however, to assess the effect of these treatments on paper, it is necessary to use a diagnostic non-destructive, rapid, and affordable process. In previous work, we used surface scanning Raman spectroscopy to develop a diagnostic protocol able to follow the aging processes of the paper, discriminating between hydrolysis and oxidation. In this paper, we applied this protocol to study the action of different types of treatments (hydrogel and EUV irradiation), evaluating both their effectiveness and impact on paper parameters. The results reported here demonstrate that the developed in operando diagnostic procedure can follow the changes in the paper structure comparing them to the variability due to the intrinsic inhomogeneity of paper, without sample contact in a rapid and effective way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing cost-effective and stable materials for the electrocatalysis of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains challenging. In this study, efficient catalysts for HER were synthesized by integrating the cobalt and molybdenum oxides via electrodeposition, followed by subsequent sulfurization of the as-prepared oxides using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This methodology allowed the incorporation of both cobalt and molybdenum components into the catalyst in a single step. The as-synthesized CoSx@MoSx/MoOx-based catalysts exhibited excellent hydrogen production performance in acidic media owing to the presence of Co-S and Mo-S bonds in the hybrid structure. Particularly, CoSx@MoSx/MoOx(90@360) and MoSx@CoOx(180@180) displayed the best HER performances with low overpotentials of 80 mV and 150 mV, respectively. The catalysts were highly stable, with their stability preserved for over 1000 cycles with marginal reduction in overall efficiency. Therefore, these findings suggest the potential of CoSx@MoSx/MoOx and MoSx@CoOx composites as ideal candidates for developing low-cost catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon paper is one of the most widely used gas diffusion layer substrate materials due to its stable performance, relatively low cost, and easy for subsequent processing. Water-soluble phenolic resin, which is more ecologically friendly than alcohol-soluble phenolic resin, was used to prepare carbon paper as the precursor of the carbon matrix. And the effect of different resin solution concentrations on the properties of carbon paper was explored. The results showed that the graphitization, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of carbon paper increased with the increase of resin solution concentration. When the concentration of resin solution was 20 wt%, the performance of carbon paper was relatively optimal. The graphitization of the carbon paper reached 65.45%, the porosity reached 80.74%, the resistance value at 1 MPa pressure was only 7.61 mΩ cm2, the tensile strength was 1.57 MPa, and the elastic modulus was 1210.98 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size presses on paper machines are used to apply a solution of a polymer - usually starch - to the surface of the sheet and thereby to increase the stiffness, surface strength, and printing quality of the product. This article reviews publications dealing with the size press equipment, the materials, and factors affecting both the operating efficiency and attributes of the resulting paper. The emergence of film-press equipment (e.g. blademetering size presses) in the 1980s has greatly decreased the frequency of web breaks and increased productivity. Starch technology at the size press, though relatively mature, continues to evolve. By adjustment of starch attributes, solids levels, and incorporating other additives, modern papermakers can tune size press outcomes to meet a range of paper product requirements, including strength, hydrophobicity, and the reduction of air permeability. By application of various synthetic polymers, mineral particles, and even nanocellulose in combination with starch or other base polymers, there is potential to extend the technology to meet a range of future needs for paper products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry is critical to global industrial and economic development. Recently, India's pulp and paper industries have been facing severe competitive challenges. The challenges have impaired the environmental performance and resulted in the closure of several operations. Assessment and prediction of the performance of the Indian pulp and paper industry using various parameters is a critical task for researchers. This study proposes a framework for performance assessment and prediction based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Artificial Neural Networks, and Deep Learning (DL) to assist industry administration and decision-making. We presented a case study based on eight industries to demonstrate the methodology's applicability. This study analyses and predicts industry performance based on sample data observations over 30 years. The result suggests the DEA-DL-based efficiency prediction has an overall MSE of 0.08 compared with the actual efficiency. Furthermore, the efficiency rankings are compared between the three techniques. The results suggest that the integrated DEA-DL method is primarily accurate in most scenarios with the actual values. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive analysis of environmental performance for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the desired properties of paper such as strength, durability, and printability remains challenging. Paper mills employ calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a filler to boost paper's brightness, opacity, and printability. However, weak interaction between cellulose fibers and CaCO3 particles creates different issues in the papermaking industry. Therefore, this study explores the influence of various inorganic additives as crosslinkers such as mesoporous SiO2 nanospheres, TiO2 nanoparticles, h-BN nanoflakes, and hydroxylated h-BN nanoflakes (h-BN-OH) on inorganic fillers content in the paper. They were introduced to the paper pulp in the form of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) suspension to enable bonding between the inorganic particles and the paper pulp. Our findings have been revealed based on detailed microscopic and structural analyses, e.g., transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. Finally, the inorganic fillers (CaCO3 and respective inorganic additives) content was evaluated following ISO 1762:2001 guidelines. Conducted evaluations allowed us to identify the most efficient crosslinker (SiO2 nanoparticles) in terms of inorganic filler retention. Paper sheets modified with SiO2 enhance the retention of the fillers by ~12.1%. Therefore, we believe these findings offer valuable insights for enhancing the papermaking process toward boosting the quality of the resulting paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Information on breastfeeding and safety of biologics in infants is lacking due to difficulties in case collection. We evaluated methods for determining the concentration of biologics in breast milk using a dry filter method that can simplify the collection, storage and transport of breast milk. Methods: To generate dried filter paper (DFP) samples, approximately 30 μL of breast milk was placed onto a Whatman 903 card and punched out. After extraction, the supernatant was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Three concentrations of each drug were prepared in liquid breast milk (LBM) and DFP samples to determine their stability up to 28 days after storage at 2–8°C or −20°C for LBM and 25 ± 5°C for DFP. LBM and DFP samples were also provided by nursing mothers using biologics during lactation, and drug concentrations in both samples were compared. The agreement between the two measurement methods was confirmed by Bland–Altman analysis. Results: Breast milk was provided by 12 mothers who used biologics (tocilizumab, abatacept, etanercept, golimumab, sarilumab and belimumab). The coefficients of variation for within‐run and between‐run precision for the six drugs were within 15% for both LBM and DFP, and accuracy was within 90%–110% of the quality controls. After 28 days, concentrations remained at more than 90%. The difference between the values obtained by each method was within the acceptable range of error (−12.1 to +16.6 ng/mL). Conclusions: A method for determining the concentration of biologics using DFP is expected to help improve pharmacotherapy for lactating women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a biodegradable polymer, has been studied as a substitute for petroleum-based polymers used for barrier coating to improve the barrier and mechanical properties of paper. In this study, ethyl cellulose (EC), a cellulose derivative, was used to prepare a polymer blend for enhancing the barrier properties of PHB. The prepared PHB/EC blend was then applied as a paper coating material. Additionally, the barrier and mechanical properties of the PHB/EC blend-coated paper based on the PHB/EC mixing ratio and coating weight were analyzed. The results showed that the EC could act as a binder for the PHB/EC blendcoated paper. Consequently, the PHB/EC blend-coated paper exhibited significant improvements in mechanical and barrier properties, including a substantial increase of over 100% in internal bond strength, more than 20% in tensile strength, exceeding 60% enhancement in water resistance, and a remarkable increase of over 90% in air permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the production of marine biodegradable plastics, specifically polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), using waste paper from food containers as a novel material source. The results showed that adding dilute sulfuric acid as a pretreatment may have a negative impact on enzyme hydrolysis efficiency. Without pretreatment, the highest glucose concentration was observed in the 50-min heating group. In the experimental group with 1% dilute sulfuric acid as a pretreatment, the highest average glucose concentration was observed in the 25-min treatment group. In flask scale experiments, the C/N ratio was controlled at 10, 20, and 30. The results showed that when the C/N ratio was 10, the PHA/CDM ratios were 16.3 and 23.6 at 48 and 72 h, respectively. After 96 h of cultivation using hydrolysis liquid from the waste paper container as the sole carbon source in a 5-L scale experiment, the PHA/CDM ratio was 28.7 and the PHA concentration was 0.95 g/L. The potential bacterial strain in this study was confirmed to be a Bacillus genus bacterium after strain identification. The signal peaks indicated that the PHA obtained from the Bacillus sp. production process was PHB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the emphasis is on increasing the durability of all products. For this reason, it is also advisable to look into extending the durability of paper products. The main reason for using flax pulp is that flax and cotton pulp are widely used for the production of banknotes due to their higher strength. This paper deals with flax pulp with the addition of nanocellulose, which should further enhance the mechanical properties of the pulp. The tensile strength, breaking length, and tensile energy absorption index were evaluated as the key mechanical properties. At the same time, the effect of the addition of nanocellulose, whether it was added to the pulp mass or applied to the later produced paper as a spray or coating, was tested in comparison to paper without the addition of nanocellulose. The best mechanical properties, i.e., tensile strength, were achieved for the highest addition of 5% of nanocellulose into the pulp, at 24.3 Nm∙g−1, and for the coating application, at 28.7 Nm∙g−1, compared to the flax pulp without the addition, where the tensile strength was 20.5 Nm∙g−1. The results of this research are used for the assessment of nanocellulose as a natural compatible additive to enhance the strength properties of cellulose-based materials. [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 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]

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]

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]

Paper documents are an important carrier of information related to human civilization, with the reinforcement and protection of fragile paper documents being a key aspect of their protection. This research utilized amphoteric polyvinylamine polymer as a paper reinforcement agent, strengthening the Xuan paper commonly used in paper documents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid-state 13C NMR, and other analytical methods were employed to compare the physical properties, micro-morphology, crystallinity, and aging resistance of the paper before and after reinforcement. Research was conducted on the effects of reinforcement, the aging resistance, and the effects on the fiber structure. The results indicate that polyethylenimine has a filling and bridging effect between the paper fibers. After treatment with polyethylenimine, there was a significant improvement in the folding endurance and tensile strength of the paper. Additionally, the paper maintains a good mechanical strength even after undergoing dry heat and humid aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the urine Congo‐red dot paper test (CRD) with dipstick urinalysis to screen preeclampsia (PE). A total of 409 paired spot urine samples were obtained prospectively from women with suspected pre‐eclampsia attending for routine hospital visits. Congo‐red dot paper test and dipstick urinalysis were examined and compared to screen pre‐eclampsia. The agreement between the two urinary test is modest (kappa coefficient = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14–0.42). The specificity of CRD was higher than urinalysis (97.4% vs. 90.4%, p <.001). Urinalysis performed better in sensitivity (77.3% vs. 40.9%, p =.04) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) (0.84 [95% CI 0.74–0.94] vs. 0.69 [95% CI 0.55–0.83], p =.04) than CRD, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, AUC of the parallel test of them is 86.4% (64.0%–96.4%), 89.1% (85.5%–92.0%), and 0.88 (95% CI 0.79–0.96). And the serial test is 31.8% (14.7%–54.9%), 98.7% (96.8%–99.5%), 0.65 (95% CI 0.51–0.79), accordingly. The urinalysis is a better diagnosing test for preeclampsia. CRD could aid in the diagnosis of patients with preeclampsia. Combined the two tests in suspected patients may further improve the performance in the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Further study need to be made for its potential clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of porous SiC ceramics derived from highly-filled preceramic papers. The SiC ceramics were obtained by spark plasma sintering of stacked preceramic papers at temperatures of 2100 and 2200 °C under pressures of 5–60 MPa for 10 min. The microstructure and phase composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Gas permeation tests were performed using hydrogen permeation cell at room temperature. It is revealed that the porosity of sintered SiC can be varied from 9 to 45 % depending on the sintering parameters. The shrinkage of the materials during spark plasma sintering occurs in four stages. The linear shrinkage value of the material increases from 7 to 47 % at 2100 °C and from 20 to 50 % for the samples sintered at 2100 and 2200 °C, respectively. Correlation dependencies between porosity and mechanical properties of the fabricated SiC were established. The obtained porous SiC ceramics exhibit high bending strength of 165 MPa and gas permeation flux of 78 molH 2 /m2/s at the porosity of 36 % that make it suitable for ceramic-based membranes. [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]

Fluorescent sensors with single reading are generally subject to unpredictable disturbs from environmental and artificial factors. In order to overcome this barrier of detection reliability, a paper-based optical sensor with proportional fluorescence was established and further combined with a smartphone for visual, on-site and quantitative detection of Fe3+, which affects the color, smell and taste of water, and endangers the health of plants and animals. The ratio fluorescent probe was fabricated by rhodamine B and carbon quantum dots derived from xylan. The red fluorescence of rhodamine B was inert to Fe3+, which was referred to as background. And blue emitting carbon quantum dots functioned as signal report units, which would be quenched by Fe3+ and make the fluorescence of the ratio probe change from purple to red. The quantitative detection of Fe3+ was conducted by investigating the RGB value of fluorescent images with a smartphone. With the increase of Fe3+ concentration, the R/B (red/blue) value of the fluorescent paper gradually increased. The linear detection range was 10–180 μM, and the limit of detection was 198.2 nM. The application of ratio fluorescent paper with a smartphone provides a facile method for the rapid detection of ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are expected to be one of the next generations of high-energy-density battery systems due to their high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg−1. Embracing the trends toward flexibility, lightweight design, and cost-effectiveness, paper-based electrodes offer a promising alternative to traditional coated cathodes in Li–S batteries. Within paper-based electrodes, conductive fibers such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) play a crucial role. They help to form a three-dimensional network within the paper matrix to ensure structural integrity over extended cycling while mitigating the shuttle effect by confining sulfur within the cathode. Herein, we explore how variously functionalized CNTs, serving as conductive fibers, impact the physical and electrochemical characteristics of paper-based sulfur cathodes in Li–S batteries. Specifically, graphitized hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (G-CNTs) exhibit remarkable capacity at low currents owing to their excellent conductivity and interaction with lithium polysulfide (LiPS), achieving the highest initial specific capacity of 1033 mAh g−1 at 0.25 C (1.1 mA cm−2). Aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NH2-CNTs) demonstrate an enhanced affinity for LiPS due to the -NH2 groups. However, the uneven distribution of these fibers may induce electrode surface passivation during charge–discharge cycles. Notably, hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (OH-CNTs) can establish a uniform and stable 3D network with plant fibers, showcasing superior mechanical properties and helping to mitigate Li2S agglomeration while preserving the electrode porosity. The paper-based electrode integrated with OH-CNTs even retains a specific capacity of approximately 800 mAh g−1 at about 1.25 C (5 mA cm−2), demonstrating good sulfur utilization and rate capacity compared to other CNT variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The erratic, intermittent, and unpredictable nature of sweat production, resulting from physiological or psychological fluctuations, poses intricacies to consistently and accurately sample and evaluate sweat biomarkers. Skin‐interfaced microfluidic devices that rely on colorimetric mechanisms for semi‐quantitative detection are particularly susceptible to these inaccuracies due to variations in sweat secretion rate or instantaneous volume. This work introduces a skin‐interfaced colorimetric bifluidic sweat device with two synchronous channels to quantify sweat rate and biomarkers in real‐time, even during uncertain sweat activities. In the proposed bifluidic‐distance metric approach, with one channel to measure sweat rate and quantify collected sweat volume, the other channel can provide an accurate analysis of the biomarkers based on the collected sweat volume. The closed channel design also reduces evaporation and resists contamination from the external environment. The feasibility of the device is highlighted in a proof‐of‐the‐concept demonstration to analyze sweat chloride for evaluating hydration status and sweat glucose for assessing glucose levels. The low‐cost yet highly accurate device provides opportunities for clinical sweat analysis and disease screening in remote and low‐resource settings. The developed device platform can be facilely adapted for the other biomarkers when corresponding colorimetric reagents are exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creatinine is one of the most important biomarkers to detect renal failures. The electrochemical detection of creatinine has been performed using complex enzymatic and non-enzymatic electrode arrays hindering their commercialization. In this work, a new and practical non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor was fabricated depositing copper on carbon paper electrodes by physical vapor deposition (namely Cu/CP). Surface and cross-sectional SEM images demonstrated the deposition of copper over the 3D structure of carbon paper. A thin film was found on the surface, while Cu nanowires with diameters of 180 ± 30 nm were found inside the 3D structure of CP. The thickness of the Cu film on the tubular structures of CP was of 390 ± 40 nm. High-resolution TEM images indicated that the Cu film was integrated by hierarchical structures containing terminal Cu hemispheres of 17.6 ± 2.2 nm. Additionally, interplanar distances from the selected-area electron diffraction pattern demonstrated the presence of Cu0, while Cu2O was also found. Creatinine concentrations in saliva between 16 and 400 µM indicate kidney failure. The Cu/CP electrochemical sensor detected creatinine with linear concentration ranges from 0 to 1000 µM with a r2 = 0.9936. Outstandingly, this sensor presented good reproducibility (RSD = 7.3%), and selectivity to detect creatinine in artificial saliva using interferents like urea, glucose, glycine, ascorbic and uric acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel electrochemical sensor for paraquat determination was facilely developed using nanocomposites of cellulose incorporated with manganese oxide (MnO2@cellulose) modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). In this study, SPCE was fabricated on a low-cost poster paper, and nanocellulose from sugarcane bagasse was employed to enhance the electrode's surface area and improve the dispersion of MnO2. The MnO2@cellulose modified poster-SPCE exhibited a high electrochemical response toward paraquat. Various influencing factors, including differential pulse voltammetric parameters and accumulation time, were systematically explored. Under the optimal conditions, the cathodic peak current was linearly proportional to paraquat concentration in a range of 2 to 200 µM, featuring a low detection limit of 1 µM. The proposed sensor offers cost-effectiveness and can be readily prepared via a simple procedure. Moreover, this method exhibits excellent reproducibility, high selectivity, and a short analysis time. The portable electrochemical sensor was able to determine paraquat in water samples with acceptable recoveries from 95.45 to 109.20%, indicating that the sensor based on MnO2@cellulose/SPCE is reliable for paraquat quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bilayer photothermal paper-based 3D cone flowing evaporator with high solar light absorption, low water evaporation enthalpy and excellent salt-rejecting performance is fabricated using multilayered MXene, ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires, and hydrophilic polymers. The 3D cone flowing evaporator cooperates with a siphon effect-driven unidirectional fluid transportation unit to guide concentrated saline flows out from the evaporating surface, leading to high water evaporation rate and salt-rejecting stable seawater desalination performance. [Display omitted] • A bilayer photothermal paper-based cone flowing water evaporator is reported. • The evaporator exhibits excellent properties for solar seawater desalination. • The evaporator exhibits much higher water evaporation rate than most reported values. • The evaporator can effectively prevent salt accumulation on the evaporating surface. Solar energy-driven water evaporation technology is a promising, low-cost and sustainable approach to alleviate the global clean water shortage, but usually suffers from low water evaporation rate and severe salt deposition on the water evaporation surface. In this work, a hydrophilic bilayer photothermal paper-based three-dimensional (3D) cone flowing evaporator was designed and prepared for stable high-performance seawater desalination with excellent salt-rejecting ability. The as-prepared bilayer photothermal paper consisted of MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x) and HAA (ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires, poly(acrylic acid), and poly(acrylic acid-2-hydroxyethyl ester)). The accordion-like multilayered MXene acted as the efficient solar light absorber, and ultralong hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowires served as the thermally insulating and supporting skeleton with a porous networked structure. A siphon effect-driven unidirectional fluid transportation unit in the 3D cone flowing evaporator could guide the concentrated saline flowing away from the evaporating surface to prevent salt deposition on the evaporation surface, avoiding severe deterioration of the performance in solar water evaporation. Furthermore, combining high solar light absorption and high photothermal conversion efficiencies, low water evaporation enthalpy (1838 ± 11 J g−1), and additional energy taken from the ambient environment, the as-prepared cone flowing evaporator exhibited a high water evaporation rate of 3.22 ± 0.20 kg m−2 h−1 for real seawater under one sun illumination (1 kW m−2), which was significantly higher than many values reported in the literature. This study provides an effective approach for designing high-performance solar energy-driven water evaporators for sustainable seawater desalination and wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a notifiable viral disease caused by Lumpy Skin Disease virus (LSDV). It is usually associated with high economic losses, including a loss of productivity, infertility, and death. LSDV shares genetic and antigenic similarities with Sheep pox virus (SPV) and Goat pox (GPV) virus. Hence, the LSDV traditional diagnostic tools faced many limitations regarding sensitivity, specificity, and cross-reactivity. Herein, we fabricated a paper-based turn-on fluorescent Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) sensor for the rapid detection of LSDV. The LSDV-MIPs sensor showed strong fluorescent intensity signal enhancement in response to the presence of the virus within minutes. Our sensor showed a limit of detection of 101 log10 TCID50/mL. Moreover, it showed significantly higher specificity to LSDV relative to other viruses, especially SPV. To our knowledge, this is the first record of a paper-based rapid detection test for LSDV depending on fluorescent turn-on behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soot stain from diverse sources is the most common stain that stains historical paper documents found in libraries, museums, and storage facilities. It is believed to be one of the types of deterioration that arises from the contact between stains and paper sheets. Therefore, in the present work, the effectiveness of the synthesized hybrid nanogel consisting of carbopol and nanoparticles (NPs) of ZnO, TiO2, or Fe3O4, in low and high-viscosity forms, for eliminating soot stains from historical paper manuscripts was conducted. The prepared hybrid nanogels were characterized utilizing the TEM, AFM, XRD, DLS, and Zeta Potential techniques. Following preparation, the soot-stained paper samples were heated to 105 °C for 6 days, a process known as accelerated thermal aging. Surface morphology, mechanical properties and the color change of the paper samples were investigated. The prepared hybrid nanogel had a spherical shape with well-defined edges and uniform size, with an average particle diameter ranging from 30 to 35 nm. There was no significant NPs agglomeration seen, suggesting uniform dispersion in the carbopol matrix. Additionally, the prepared gels' crystal structure and phase purity were revealed by the XRD analysis results. Paper fibers were visible in some parts of the treated sample with TiO2/carbopol hybrid nanogel at high-viscosity before aging. Cleaning soot-stained paper samples using high-viscosity Fe3O4/carbopol hybrid nanogel is more successful than using low-viscosity nanogel. the sample treated with high-viscosity ZnONPs/carbopol hybrid nanogel produced the highest total color differences (ΔE) (26.17). The paper sample treated with high-viscosity ZnO/carbopol hybrid nanogel exhibited the maximum tensile strength (61.8 N/mm2) and elongation at break (1.174%). The evaluation of the paper samples both before and after the cleaning process revealed that, the treatment with high-viscosity ZnO/carbopol hybrid nanogel gave the best results in removing soot stains from stained paper samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personalized healthcare management is an emerging field that requires the development of environment‐friendly, integrated, and electrochemical multimodal devices. In this study, the concept of integrated paper‐based biosensors (IFP−Multi) for personalized healthcare management is introduced. By leveraging ink printing technology and a ChatGPT–bioelectronic interface, these biosensors offer ultrahigh areal‐specific capacitance (74633 mF cm−2), excellent mechanical properties, and multifunctional sensing and humidity power generation capabilities. More importantly, the IFP−Multi devices have the potential to simulate deaf‐mute vocalization and can be integrated into wearable sensors to detect muscle contractions and bending motions. Moreover, they also enable monitoring of physiological signals from various body parts, such as the throat, nape, elbow, wrist, and knee, and successfully record sharp and repeatable signals generated by muscle contractions. In addition, the IFP−Multi devices demonstrate self‐powered handwriting sensing and moisture power generation for sweat‐sensing applications. As a proof‐of‐concept, a GPT 3.5 model‐based fine‐tuning and prediction pipeline that utilizes recorded physiological signals through IFP−Multi is showcased, enabling artificial intelligence with multimodal sensing capabilities for personalized healthcare management. This work presents a promising and ecofriendly approach to developing paper‐based electrochemical multimodal devices, paving the way for a new era of healthcare advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the shelf lives of fruits is challenging. The biodegradable polysaccharide pullulan exhibits excellent film-forming ability, gas barrier performance, and natural decomposability, making it an optimal material for fruit preservation. To overcome problems of high cost and film porosity of existing packaging technologies, we aimed to develop pullulan-based packaging paper to enhance the shelf lives of fruits. A thin paper coating comprising a mixture of 15 wt.% pullulan solution at various standard viscosities (75.6, 77.8, and 108.5 mPa·s) with tea polyphenols (15:2) and/or vitamin C (150:1) improved the oxygen transmission rate (120–160 cm3 m−2·24 h·0.1 MPa), water vapor transmission rate (<5.44 g·mm−1 m−2·h·kPa), maximum free radical clearance rate (>87%), and antibacterial properties of base packaging paper. Grapes wrapped with these pullulan-based papers exhibited less weight loss (>4.41%) and improved hardness (>16.4%) after 10 days of storage compared to those of control grapes (wrapped in untreated/base paper). Grapes wrapped with pullulan-based paper had >12.6 wt.% total soluble solids, >1.5 mg/g soluble protein, >0.44 wt.% titratable acidity, and ≥4.5 mg 100 g−1 ascorbic acid. Thus, pullulan-based paper may prolong the shelf life of grapes with operational convenience, offering immense value for fruit preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the potential of ionic liquids (ILs) in restoring paper artifacts, particularly an aged book sample. Three distinct ILs—1-ethyl-3-propylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-methyl-3-pentylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and 1-methyl-3-heptylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide —both in their pure form and isopropanol mixtures, were examined for their specific consumption in conjunction with paper, with 1-ethyl-3-propylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide displaying the highest absorption. Notably, the methyl-3-heptylimidazolium ionic liquid displayed pronounced deacidification capabilities, elevating the paper pH close to a neutral 7. The treated paper exhibited significant color enhancements, particularly with 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium ILs, as evidenced by CIE-Lab* parameters. An exploration of ILs as potential UV stabilizers for paper unveiled promising outcomes, with 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium IL demonstrating minimal yellowing post-UV irradiation. FTIR spectra elucidated structural alterations, underscoring the efficacy of ILs in removing small-molecular additives and macromolecules. The study also addressed the preservation of inked artifacts during cleaning, showcasing ILs' ability to solubilize iron gall ink, particularly the one with the 1-ethyl-3-propylimidazolium cation. While exercising caution for prolonged use on inked supports is still recommended, ILs are shown here to be valuable for cleaning ink-stained surfaces, establishing their effectiveness in paper restoration and cultural heritage preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research on the impact of graphene paper on selected bacterial strains. Graphene oxide, from which graphene paper is made, has mainly bacteriostatic properties. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to determine the possibility of using graphene paper as a carrier of a medicinal substance. Studies of the degree of bacterial inhibition were performed on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Graphene paper was analyzed not only in the state of delivery but also after the incorporation of the antibiotics ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, and methicillin into its structures. In addition, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, contact angle, and microscopic analysis of bacteria on the surface of the examined graphene paper samples were also performed. Studies have shown that graphene paper with built-in ciprofloxacin had a bactericidal effect on the strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In contrast, methicillin, as well as cefazolin, deposited on graphene paper acted mainly locally. Studies have shown that graphene paper can be used as a carrier of selected medicinal substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors explore the development of paper-based electronics using carbon-based composites with a biodegradable matrix based on ethyl cellulose and dibasic ester solvent. The main focus is on screen-printing techniques for creating flexible, eco-friendly electronic devices. This research evaluates the printability with the rheological measurements, electrical properties, flexibility, and adhesion of these composites, considering various compositions, including graphene, graphite, and carbon black. The study finds that certain compositions offer sheet resistance below 1 kΩ/sq and good adhesion to paper substrates with just one layer of screen printing, demonstrating the potential for commercial applications, such as single-use electronics, flexible heaters, etc. The study also shows the impact of cyclic bending on the electrical parameters of the prepared layers. This research emphasizes the importance of the biodegradability of the matrix, contributing to the field of sustainable electronics. Overall, this study provides insights into developing environmentally friendly, flexible electronic components, highlighting the role of biodegradable materials in this evolving industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerogel composites reinforced by fibers have found extensive applications in the field of thermal insulation and energy conservation. However, the composites are hindered by their high infrared radiation transmittance and weak interface adhesion in practical applications. Herein, we designed and prepared a novel thin composite called 'fiber/whisker/aerogel paper' (SWAP) with a thickness of less than 1 mm. The SWAP integrated SiC nanowhiskers (SiC nw) as opacifiers and ultrafine SiO 2 fibers as reinforcement, fabricated through wet manufacturing and sol-gel process. The 'fiber/aerogel paper' (SAP) and SWAP exhibited low thermal conductivity at room temperature, measuring 0.025 W/(m·K) and 0.033 W/(m·K), respectively. Additionally, they exhibited low densities of 0.195 g/cm3 and 0.225 g/cm3, respectively. Notably, SWAP exhibited excellent high-temperature insulation performance, primarily due to its low infrared transmittance (50% at 3 μm). The incorporation of SiC nw and ultrafine SiO 2 fibers collectively enhanced the interfacial adhesion with the aerogel matrix even amidst rigorous testing (weight loss less than 3%). SWAP also demonstrated flexibility, high thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and flame resistance. Furthermore, a comprehensive investigation into the performance variations and influencing g factors of the material was conducted under different heat treatment conditions. This research provides guidance for the application of such materials under high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bilayered V 2 O 5 nH 2 O xerogel constructed 2D nanopapers were synthesized. • The V 2 O 5 nH 2 O Xerogel combines oxygen defect engineering. • Oxygen defect improves Zn2+/Mg2+ insertion/extraction kinetics. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) and aqueous magnesium ion batteries (AMIBs) offer powerful alternatives for large-scale energy storage because of their high safety and low cost. Consequently, the design of high-performance cathode materials is essential. In this paper, we present a simple strategy that combines oxygen defect (O d) engineering with a 2D-on-2D homogeneous nanopape-like bilayer V 2 O 5 nH 2 O xerogel (BL-HVO d NPS). This strategy employs O d to improve Zn2+/Mg2+insertion/extraction kinetics and reduce irreversible processes for high-performance AZIBs/AMIBs. And interlayer water molecules serve as an effective spacer to stabilize the expanded interlayer gap in BL-HVO d NPS, thereby providing extended diffusion channels for Zn2+/Mg2+ during insertion/extraction. The interlayer water molecules help shield the electrostatic interaction between Zn2+/Mg2+ and BL-HVO d NPS lattice, which improves diffusion kinetics during repeated. In addition, electrochemical characterization results indicate that the BL-HVO d NPS can effectively the surface adsorption and internal diffusion of Zn2+/Mg2+. More importantly, the successfully prepared unique 2D-on-2D homogenous nanopaper structure enhances electrolyte/electrode contact and reduces the migration/diffusion path of electrons/Zn2+ and Mg2+, thus greatly improving rate performance. As a result, the BL-HVO d NPS as AZIBs/AMIBs electrodes offer better reversible capacity of 361.8 and 162.8 mA h g−1 (at 0.2 A g−1), while displaying impressively long cycle lifes. This method provides a way to prepare advanced xerogel cathode materials for AZIBs and AMIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ZrO 2 fiber paper exhibits excellent thermal insulation properties, however, its limited mechanical strength and insufficient thermal stability hinder its widespread applications. The composite fiber papers, using mullite fibers possessing a high aspect ratio and exceptional thermal stability combined with ZrO 2 fibers, were fabricated via a vacuum-assisted filtration method. This method involved the successive stacking of composite fibers with alumina sol, using vacuum-induced directed water flow to create a layered structure reminiscent of nacre. The layered structure of the nacre, which demonstrates remarkable strength and hardness, has also served as a source of inspiration for the architectural design of the fiber paper. The tensile strength of pure ZrO 2 fiber paper was significantly enhanced by the addition of 7 wt% mullite fibers, resulting in a remarkable increase to 0.1805 kN/m. The paper exhibited exceptional resistance to bending, maintaining 96 % of its bending strength even after undergoing 100 cycles. The thermal shrinkage of the composite paper, containing 15 wt% mullite fibers, was reduced from 17.75 % observed in pure ZrO 2 fiber paper to a mere 1.32 % after undergoing heat treatment at a temperature of 1300 °C for 2 h. The composite paper, measuring 5 mm in thickness and consisting of 7 wt% compositions, displayed exceptional thermal insulation properties when exposed to a hot side temperature of 1370 °C. It effectively insulated temperatures up to approximately 1000 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study was conducted to estimate the rate of Salmonella spp. isolation from cage papers, located in the bottom of canaries' cages and those of other exotic pet birds, in the 2015 Argentinean canary breeder championship. Furthermore, we determined the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolates for antibiotics and commercial disinfectants. One pool of 258 cage paper pools was positive for Salmonella spp. (0.4%). Two strains of Salmonella serotype Glostrup were isolated, which were only resistant to sulfonamides and erythromycin and sensitive to alkali-based product PL301 AS. Although the rate of Salmonella spp. isolation from cage papers in an Argentinean canary breeder championship is low, this is the first study conducted in Argentina on Salmonella spp. isolation from these materials of pet birds. However, Salmonella ser. Glostrup isolated strains could be a source of human Salmonella outbreaks, and they show high resistance to disinfecting products. Birds, including canaries and other birds, have become increasingly popular as pets. Bird fairs, where breeders gather and show their production in a championship setting, present a setting for possible Salmonella spp. contamination and transmission. Therefore, this study estimated the rate of Salmonella spp. isolation from cage papers, located in the bottom of cages of exotic pet birds, including canaries. Collected Salmonella isolates were used to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile to 52 antibiotics and 17 commercial disinfectants, based on pure or a mixture of acids, alcohols, aldehydes, alkalis, halogens, peroxygen, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The samples consisted of 774 cage papers taken in the 2015 Argentinean canary breeder championship, pooling three cage papers into one sterile sampling bag. Only one pool of the cage papers was positive for Salmonella spp. (0.4%), which belonged to the sample from three frill canary cages. Two strains of Salmonella serotype Glostrup were isolated, which were only resistant to sulfonamides and erythromycin and sensitive to alkali-based product PL301 AS. Although the rate of Salmonella spp. isolation from cage papers in an Argentinean canary breeder championship is low, it should not be discounted because Salmonella ser. Glostrup can be a source of human Salmonella outbreaks and they show high resistance to disinfecting products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MXene-modified papers with high-uniform loading of polypyrrole and excellent conductivity have been fabricated via a multiple self-assembly and in-situ polymerization strategy, which achieves boosting areal capacitance. [Display omitted] • Multiple self-assembly and in-situ polymerization strategy is proposed tofabricate paper-based supercapacitors. • Alternate adsorption of MXene and polypyrrole on paper yields an ultra-high polypyrrole loading of 10.0 mg/cm2. • The paper-based supercapacitor shows a boosting areal capacitance of 2316 mF/cm2. Despite the intriguing features of freestanding flexible electronic devices, such as their binder-free nature and cost-effectiveness, the limited loading capacity of active material poses a challenge to achieving practical high-performance flexible electrodes. We propose a novel approach that integrates multiple self-assembly and in-situ polymerization techniques to fabricate a high-loading paper-based flexible electrode (MXene/Polypyrrole/Paper) with exceptional areal capacitance. The approach enables polypyrrole to form a porous conductive network structure on the surface of paper fiber through MXene grafting via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction, resulting in an exceptionally high polypyrrole loading of 10.0 mg/cm2 and a conductivity of 2.03 S/cm. Moreover, MXene-modified polypyrrole paper exhibits a more homogeneous pore size distribution ranging from 5 to 50 μm and an increased specific surface area of 3.11 m2/g. Additionally, we have optimized in-situ polymerization cycles for paper-based supercapacitors, resulting in a remarkable areal capacitance of 2316 mF/cm2 (at 2 mA/cm2). The capacitance retention rate and conductivity rate maintain over 90 % after undergoing 100 bends.The maximum energy density and cycling stability are characterized to be 83.6 μWh/cm2 and up to 96 % retention after 10,000 cycles. These results significantly outperform those previously reported for paper-based counterparts. Overall, our work presents a facile and versatile strategy for assembling high-loading, paper-based flexible supercapacitors network architecture that can be employed in developing large-scale energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do author perceptions match up to the outcomes of the peer-review process and perceptions of others? In a top-tier computer science conference (NeurIPS 2021) with more than 23,000 submitting authors and 9,000 submitted papers, we surveyed the authors on three questions: (i) their predicted probability of acceptance for each of their papers, (ii) their perceived ranking of their own papers based on scientific contribution, and (iii) the change in their perception about their own papers after seeing the reviews. The salient results are: (1) Authors had roughly a three-fold overestimate of the acceptance probability of their papers: The median prediction was 70% for an approximately 25% acceptance rate. (2) Female authors exhibited a marginally higher (statistically significant) miscalibration than male authors; predictions of authors invited to serve as meta-reviewers or reviewers were similarly calibrated, but better than authors who were not invited to review. (3) Authors' relative ranking of scientific contribution of two submissions they made generally agreed with their predicted acceptance probabilities (93% agreement), but there was a notable 7% responses where authors predicted a worse outcome for their better paper. (4) The author-provided rankings disagreed with the peer-review decisions about a third of the time; when co-authors ranked their jointly authored papers, co-authors disagreed at a similar rate—about a third of the time. (5) At least 30% of respondents of both accepted and rejected papers said that their perception of their own paper improved after the review process. The stakeholders in peer review should take these findings into account in setting their expectations from peer review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anger suppression is important in our daily life, as its failure can sometimes lead to the breaking down of relationships in families. Thus, effective strategies to suppress or neutralise anger have been examined. This study shows that physical disposal of a piece of paper containing one's written thoughts on the cause of a provocative event neutralises anger, while holding the paper did not. In this study, participants wrote brief opinions about social problems and received a handwritten, insulting comment consisting of low evaluations about their composition from a confederate. Then, the participants wrote the cause and their thoughts about the provocative event. Half of the participants (disposal group) disposed of the paper in the trash can (Experiment 1) or in the shredder (Experiment 2), while the other half (retention group) kept it in a file on the desk. All the participants showed an increased subjective rating of anger after receiving the insulting feedback. However, the subjective anger for the disposal group decreased as low as the baseline period, while that of the retention group was still higher than that in the baseline period in both experiments. We propose this method as a powerful and simple way to eliminate anger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoiding financial losses requires preventing catastrophic oil‐filled power transformer breakdowns. Continuous online transformer monitoring is needed. The authors use paper insulation to evaluate transformer health for continuous online transformer monitoring. The study suggests a new artificial intelligence method for estimating paper insulation residual life in oil‐immersed power transformers. The four artificial intelligence models use backpropagation‐based neural networks to predict paper insulation lifespan. Four primary transformer insulating paper failure indices—degree of polymerisation, 2‐furfuraldehyde, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide—form the basis of these models. Each model, including the backpropagation‐based neural networks, estimates paper insulation life using one failure index, along with moisture and temperature data. Optimisation techniques enhance hidden layer neurons and epoch count for improved performance. Results are validated against literature‐based life models, establishing a precise input–output correlation. This method accurately predicts the remaining useable life of power transformer paper insulation, enabling utilities to take proactive measures for safe and efficient transformer operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though paper is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic as a packaging material, it lacks antibacterial properties, and some papers have a low resistance to oil or water. In this study, a multifunctional paper-coating material was developed to reduce the use of plastic packaging and enhance paper performance. Natural cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with excellent properties were used as the base material for the coating. The CNCs were functionalized into dialdehyde CNCs (DACNCs) through periodate oxidation. The DACNCs were subsequently complexed using erythrosine as a photosensitizer to form an erythrosine–CNC composite (Ery-DACNCs) with photodynamic inactivation. The Ery-DACNCs achieved inactivations above 90% after 30 min of green light irradiation and above 85% after 60 min of white light irradiation (to simulate real-world lighting conditions), indicating photodynamic inactivation effects. The optimal parameters for a layer-by-layer dip coating of kraft paper with Ery-DACNCs were 4.5-wt% Ery-DACNCs and 15 coating layers. Compared to non-coated kraft paper and polyethylene-coated paper, the Ery-DACNC-coated paper exhibited enhanced mechanical properties (an increase of 28% in bursting strength). More than 90% of the bacteria were inactivated after 40 min of green light irradiation, and more than 80% were inactivated after 60 min of white light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uric acid (UA) is an important biomarker, as a high concentration in blood can lead to gout and further renal syndrome. Although several point-of-care testing (POCT) devices have been reported to detect UA, there are some limitations such as the requirement for uricase and the complicated pretreatment of serum/plasma samples, which restricts their use at home or in undeveloped areas. In this work, we developed an approach by applying Zn2+ to precipitate proteins and cells in whole blood to avoid interference with the chromogenic reaction. We used carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to immobilize tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) on a nitrocellulose membrane for colorimetric detection. Using the oxidization properties of H2O2, which turns TMB into oxidized tetramethylbenzidine (TMBox) in the presence of catalyst gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), we successfully constructed an enzyme-free paper-based POCT device using the reduction reaction of UA and TMBox for simple, speedy, and cheap colorimetric detection of UA, achieving a detection time of 8 min, a linear range of 0–150 μg/mL, and an LOD of 25.79 μg/mL. The UA concentration in whole blood samples was further measured and correlated well with the clinical value (R2 = 0.8212). Thus, the proposed assay has the potential for POCT diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of diseases related to UA. By applying Zn2+ reagent to precipitate proteins and cells in whole blood and the reduction reaction of UA, an enzyme-free paper-based POCT assay was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite progress in the prevention and diagnosis of cancer, current technologies for tumor detection present several limitations including invasiveness, toxicity, inaccuracy, lengthy testing duration and high cost. Therefore, innovative diagnostic techniques that integrate knowledge from biology, oncology, medicinal and analytical chemistry are now quickly emerging in the attempt to address these issues. Following this approach, here we developed a paper-based electrochemical device for detecting cancer-derived Small Extracellular Vesicles (S-EVs) in fluids. S-EVs were obtained from cancer cell lines known to express, at a different level, the αvβ6 integrin receptor, a well-established hallmark of numerous epithelial cancer types. The resulting biosensor turned out to recognize αvβ6-containing S-EVs down to a limit of 0.7*103 S-EVs/mL with a linear range up to 105 S-EVs /mL, and a relative standard deviation of 11%, thus it may represent a novel opportunity for αvβ6 expressing cancers detection. The detection of cancer in its early stages can greatly prevent disease development, however, current technologies for tumor detection present several limitations. Here, the authors develop a paper-based electrochemical device for detecting cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (S-EVs) in fluids, recognizing αvβ6-containing S-EVs down to a limit of 0.7*103 S-EVs/mL with a linear range up to 105 S-EVs/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an introduction to a special issue of the journal "Social Sciences" that focuses on the selected papers from the 11th International Digital Storytelling Conference held in 2023. The conference explored the theme of "Radical Listening: Story Work for a Just Future" and aimed to strengthen communities and build understanding across divides through story work. The papers in this special issue cover a range of topics, including the use of digital storytelling as a research methodology, the ethics of participatory research, equity and access, and building and cultivating communities. The authors highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on story work and discuss the potential of digital storytelling in various contexts, such as education, identity formation, intergenerational connections, and exploring experiences of homelessness. The document emphasizes the diversity and collaborative nature of the digital storytelling community and its commitment to amplifying voices and promoting social change. [Extracted from the article]

Partial Discharges (PDs) are a significant factor in reducing the insulation life of traction transformers. In recent years, the Acoustic Emission (AE) method has become the most advanced method for detecting PD signals in transformers. The AE method utilizes AE sensors placed on the transformer tank to detect ultrasonic signals emitted by PD and determine the Time Of Arrival (TOA) of the head wave. The windings and cores of a traction transformer consist mainly of metal, which greatly affects the propagation of PD ultrasonic waves. This paper establishes a 110 kV "pressure acoustic, transient" physical field model of the traction transformer with dimensions of 4.63 × 1.48 × 2.84 m3. The model is used to carry out the PD pressure acoustic physical field simulation study of the traction transformer, to clarify the physical characteristics of the ultrasound of the PD defects, and to establish observation points on the transformer tanks to receive ultrasonic time-domain waveforms for PD detection. The simulation results indicate that PD ultrasonic waves exhibit complex propagation characteristics, including reflection, refraction, and reverberation, as they pass through the windings and cores to the observation points. The TOA of the head wave in the ultrasound time-domain waveform is indicated by the first maximum value of the wave crest line. Finally, this paper proposes a multi-level localization method based on the AE method to determine which winding generates the PD in the large-scale traction transformer using only four dynamically moving observation points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impinging air jets can be used to dewater, heat, and dry the web of tissue paper. High velocities of the air jets degrade the paper, and appropriate adjustments to the jet velocity and the distance of the nozzle from the surface of the wet web are crucial to obtain the highest quality product. This work investigated the correlation between the velocity of the air jet and the strength of paper subjected to the impingement method. Papers with an initial moisture content of 20% and various pulp mixes were tested, and the physical properties of papers were explored. After impinging an air jet, different tensile strength limits were obtained in the machine and cross directions. The paper had lower apparent density and higher roughness compared to classical pressing. The dependence of tensile strength and roughness on the fibers composition also was determined. Increasing the amount of eucalyptus fibers in impingement dewatered paper resulted in a decrease in its tensile strength and roughness. The value of elongation before breaking was the highest for softwood papers after the impingement method. The maximum velocity of an air jet that can be used to dewater or dry paper without the risk of damage to the papers was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic mechanical behavior and cushioning performance of honeycomb sandwich panels, which are extensively employed in product cushioning packaging due to their exceptional energy absorption capabilities, were examined using a combination of experimental and numerical methods. Several factors, such as maximum acceleration–static stress, cushioning coefficient–static stress, and other curves, were analyzed under various impact conditions. The simulated stress–strain, deformation modes, cushioning coefficients, and other parameters demonstrate consistency with the experimental results. The acceleration, maximum compression, and cushioning coefficient obtained from the experiment and simulation calculation were 30.68 g, 15.44 mm, and 2.65, and 31.96 g, 14.91 mm, and 2.79, respectively. The results indicate that all error values were less than 5%, confirming the precision and reliability of the model. Furthermore, the model was utilized to simulate and predict the cushioning performance of honeycomb sandwich panels with different cell structures and paper thicknesses. These results provide a solid basis for enhancing the design of subsequent honeycomb element structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]