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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]

In recent years, paper‐based functional materials have received extensive attention in the field of energy storage due to their advantages of rich and adjustable porous network structure and good flexibility. As an important energy storage device, paper‐based supercapacitors have important application prospects in many fields and have also received extensive attention from researchers in recent years. At present, researchers have modified and regulated paper‐based materials by different means such as structural design and material composition to enhance their electrochemical storage capacity. The development of paper‐based supercapacitors provides an important direction for the development of green and sustainable energy. Therefore, it is of great significance to summarize the relevant work of paper‐based supercapacitors for their rapid development and application. In this review, the recent research progress of paper‐based supercapacitors based on cellulose was summarized in terms of various cellulose‐based composites, preparation skills, and electrochemical performance. Finally, some opinions on the problems in the development of this field and the future development trend were proposed. It is hoped that this review can provide valuable references and ideas for the rapid development of paper‐based energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional paper‐based microdevices have been receiving wide attention in the research areas of microfluidic chips, soft actuators, etc. This work introduces the design and fabrication of a Janus‐type paper in which one side of the paper remains hydrophilic and the other side is hydrophobic. Such Janus‐type paper is prepared by directly spraying hydrophobic Glaco solutions and following air plasma treatment. The former treatment can cover the paper fibers with numerous hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles. Through optimizing the fabrication parameters of the air plasma, it can penetrate the filter paper in a controllable depth, resulting in effectively regulating the hydrophobic particles into hydrophilic ones. Thereafter, the antirotation and interfacial stability of the Janus paper are investigated. Finally, a liquid storage and contamination‐free analysis devices are demonstrated on the Janus‐type paper platform. Noting that the commercially nonfluoride coating (Glaco) and mature plasma instrument together make the fabrication method simple, rapid, users/environmental‐friendly, and mass‐produced. The method provides a new route to fabricate Janus‐type paper for potential multifunctional applications in microfluidic chips and smart actuators, and may open up new avenue to prepare Janus films in a simple/rapid way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper, an inexpensive material with natural biocompatibility, non‐toxicity, and biodegradability, allows for affordable and cost‐effective substrates for unconventional advanced electronics, often called papertronics. On the other hand, polymeric elastomers have shown to be an excellent success for substrates of soft bioelectronics, providing stretchability in skin wearable technology for continuous sensing applications. Although both materials hold their unique advantageous characteristics, merging both material properties into a single electronic substrate reimagines paper‐based bioelectronics for wearable and patchable applications in biosensing, energy generation and storage, soft actuators, and more. Here, a breathable, light‐weighted, biocompatible engineered stretchable paper is reported via coaxial nonwoven microfibers for unconventional bioelectronic substrates. The stretchable papers allow intimate bioconformability without adhesive through coaxial electrospinning of a cellulose acetate polymer (sheath) and a silicone elastomer (core). The fabricated cellulose‐silicone fibers exhibit a greater percent strain than commercially available paper while retaining hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, combustibility, disposable, and other natural characteristics of paper. Moreover, the nonwoven stretchable cellulose‐silicone fibrous mat can adapt conventional printing and fabrication process for paper‐based electronics, an essential aspect of advanced bioelectronic manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in handwritten Chinese signatures on different media including paper and electronic devices. Participants were asked to sign specified names on various types of media and the signatures were scanned or saved digitally for subsequent analysis. In this study, using convolutional neural networks and Siamese neural networks as classifiers and comparators, the performance plunge is revealed and thus considerable dissimilarity between the signatures on different media is implied. To further explore this, cubic Bézier curves are fitted to the signatures using the least square method for quantitative statistical analysis. By analyzing the visual changes in the morphology of strokes, several features of signatures are selected and computed, and the paired t‐test and the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test are implemented, which provides a deeper substantiation and explanation of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Academia is already witnessing the abuse of authorship in papers with text generated by large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT.LLM‐generated text is testing the limits of publishing ethics as we traditionally know it.We alert the community to imminent risks of LLM technologies, like ChatGPT, for amplifying the predatory publishing 'industry'.The abuse of ChatGPT for the paper mill industry cannot be over‐emphasized.Detection of LLM‐generated text is the responsibility of editors and journals/publishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meta‐aramid paper has been widely used in transformers because of its excellent insulation properties and thermal stability. However, with the rapid development of high‐voltage transformers, higher requirements are placed on the breakdown strength of meta‐aramid paper. In this study, meta‐aramid chopped fibers/polyphenylene sulfide (MACFs/PPS) composite paper was prepared by a combination of wet‐copying and hot‐rolling technology. Then the microscopic morphology, mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, insulation properties, and thermal stability of the MACFs/PPS composite paper were studied and evaluated. The experimental results showed that the breakdown strength of the MACFs/PPS composite paper was as high as 46.46 kV/mm, which was 2.7 times higher than the famous Nomex T410 insulating paper. Meanwhile, the MACFs/PPS composite paper presented good mechanical properties and thermal stability. This paper provides a simple and versatile method for the preparation of meta‐aramid composite paper with high breakdown strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

Addressing solid waste recycling, this study aims to develop biodegradable kraft paper from buffing dust (BD) and post‐consumed jute fiber (JF). Employing a simple solution casting method with a polyurethane binder, the kraft paper was fabricated and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, OTR, biodegradability, and tensile tests. The findings revealed covalent and hydrogen bonding between BD and JF, forming a uniform surface. Notably, the composite exhibited improved thermal stability, enhanced gas barrier properties, and biodegradability compared to individual components. Furthermore, the composite also showed 57% higher tensile strength, 38% greater elongation, 20% increased hardness, and 9% higher density compared to buffing dust. Compared to jute fiber, the increases were 125%, 91%, 30%, and 19% respectively. Moreover, the composite excelled in gas barrier performance, surpassing BD and JF by a remarkable 61% and 73% increase respectively. These significant findings underscore the vast potential of the composite kraft paper as a versatile material suitable for various applications, including packaging, interior furnishing industries, and reinforcing elements in the footwear industry. By addressing waste management and promoting sustainability, this research contributes to the development of eco‐friendly materials that align with contemporary environmental concerns. Highlights: Covalent and hydrogen bonding enhance uniformity.Biodegradable kraft paper with improved properties.Impressive tensile strength, elongation, and hardness.Versatile material for eco‐friendly applications.Promotes sustainability and waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The research presented in this paper introduces a novel environmental energy‐harvesting technology that harnesses electricity from the evaporation of water using porous structural materials. Specifically, a strategy employing paper‐based hydroelectric generators (p‐HEGs) is proposed to capture the energy produced during water evaporation and convert it into usable electricity. The p‐HEGs offer several advantages, including simplicity in fabrication, low cost, and reusability. To evaluate their effectiveness, the water evaporation‐induced electrical output performance of four different p‐HEGs are compared. Among the variants tested, the p‐HEG combining wood pulp and polyester fiber exhibits the best output performance. At room temperature, this particular p‐HEG generates a short‐circuit current and open‐circuit voltage of ≈0.4 µA and 0.3 V, respectively, thereby demonstrating excellent electrical stability. Furthermore, the electrical current and voltage generated by the p‐HEG through water evaporation are able to power an LED light, both individually and in series and parallel connections. This study delves into the potential of electricity harvesting from water evaporation and establishes it as a viable method for renewable energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) derived nanostructures receive immense research focus due to its high porosity, conductivity, and structural tailrolability features. In this work, porous Zeolitic Imidazole Framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) to synthesize cobalt phosphide/carbon composite (ZCoPC) that serves as a positive electrode is utilized. Furthermore, porous and conductive office paper derived carbon (OPC) are utilized as a negative electrode to make a hybrid system. The metalloid characteristics, high conductivity, and good porosity of ZCoPC material makes it a high‐performance battery like electrode. ZCoPC electrode achieves maximum specific capacity of 192.6 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 using 1 m potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte. Furthermore, surface and diffusion charge participation investigation are also undergone for ZCoPC electrode that helps in determining the actual charge dynamics occurring in the electrode. In addition, a supercapattery device is assembled using ZCoPC as battery electrode and OPC as supercapacitor electrode. The as fabricated OPC//ZCoPC hybrid supercapattery device delivers extraordinary energy density of 31.6 Wh kg−1 with a power density of 700 W kg−1 and also a long cycle life of 92.3% even after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. Hence, these outcomes demonstrate that the synergy of porous MOF derived metal phosphide and OPC electrodes are beneficial for supercapattery devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray spectroscopy is a valuable technique for the study of many materials systems. Characterizing reactions in situ and operando can reveal complex reaction kinetics, which is crucial to understanding active site composition and reaction mechanisms. In this project, the design, fabrication and testing of an open-source and easy-to-fabricate electrochemical cell for in situ electrochemistry compatible with X-ray absorption spectroscopy in both transmission and fluorescence modes are accomplished via windows with large opening angles on both the upstream and downstream sides of the cell. Using a hobbyist computer numerical control machine and free 3D CAD software, anyone can make a reliable electrochemical cell using this design. Onion-like carbon nanoparticles, with a 1:3 iron-to-cobalt ratio, were drop-coated onto carbon paper for testing in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry of the carbon paper showed the expected behavior, with no increased ohmic drop, even in sandwiched cells. Chronoamperometry was used to apply 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, with and without 15 min of oxygen purging to ensure that the electrochemical cell does not provide any artefacts due to gas purging. The XANES and EXAFS spectra showed no differences with and without oxygen, as expected at 0.4 V, without any artefacts due to gas purging. The development of this open-source electrochemical cell design allows for improved collection of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy data and enables researchers to perform both transmission and fluorescence simultaneously. It additionally addresses key practical considerations including gas purging, reduced ionic resistance and leak prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniaturized paper‐based electrochemical sensors were fabricated using kraft paper and CO2 laser, dispensing the need for chemical reagents and controlled atmospheric conditions. This study initially evaluated the paper type and laser processing parameters, enhancing the electrodes′ robustness, electrochemical response, and electrical resistance. The sensors were also treated by applying −1 V for 60 s in 1.0 mol L−1 KCl, which is a simple and rapid procedure. The electrochemical treatment increased the electroactive area and roughness, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. These aspects helped modulate the sensors′ electrochemical response for nitrite determination, improving selectivity and sensitivity for this compound. The sensors also showed repeatability and batch‐to‐batch reproducibility, with 2.2 and 10 % RSD, respectively. Therefore, this work brings a protocol to fabricating competitive electrochemical sensors through a sustainable strategy, opening possibilities for designing new analytical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method to fabricate handcrafted thermoelectric devices on standard office paper substrates. The devices are based on thin films of WS2, Te, and BP (P‐type semiconductors) and TiS3 and TiS2 (N‐type semiconductors), deposited by simply rubbing powder of these materials against paper. The thermoelectric properties of these semiconducting films revealed maximum Seebeck coefficients of (+1.32 ± 0.27) mV K−1 and (−0.82 ± 0.15) mV K−1 for WS2 and TiS3, respectively. Additionally, Peltier elements were fabricated by interconnecting the P‐ and N‐type films with graphite electrodes. A thermopower value up to 6.11 mV K−1 was obtained when the Peltier element were constructed with three junctions. The findings of this work show proof‐of‐concept devices to illustrate the potential application of semiconducting van der Waals materials in future thermoelectric power generation as well as temperature sensing for low‐cost disposable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, the community first observed scientific papers in the biomedical literature that seemed to display systematically fabricated data, pointing to the existence of paper mills: unofficial, potentially illegal organizations selling fake scientific manuscripts. In the present article, we share relevant information specifically about the 'raw data' associated with paper mill manuscripts. If a submitted manuscript displays clear indicators of potential paper mill involvement, we found that the raw data at close inspection often raise doubts about their authenticity. In the absence of real data, paper mills may need to fabricate raw data images when responding to requests from journals. Given the necessity to streamline production of fake manuscripts, the alleged raw data might be created using templates. Some potential methods for generating fake Western blot images are discussed. Paying close attention to image data, including graphs, diagrams, plots and tables, ideally at pre‐publication stage, can clearly help prevent publication of incorrect and fabricated information. [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]

Epoxy‐impregnated paper transformer bushings are prone to water absorption due to the presence of water‐attracting moieties in the cellulose chemical structure and epoxy resin, leading to moisture‐induced insulation defects. To understand the mechanism of moisture's impact on epoxy‐impregnated paper, this study developed a testing platform that integrated moisture diffusion, adsorption, and dielectric properties of insulating materials. Insulation specimens made of epoxy resin and epoxy‐impregnated paper were prepared and their water diffusion characteristics were investigated using the Fick diffusion model and the Langmuir model, respectively. The Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer equation was used to examine the vacuum vapour adsorption characteristics of the materials, providing a theoretical foundation for examining the form of water present within them. The dielectric response of materials with varying moisture levels was then tested to study the effect of water on the dielectric spectrum curve. Using the Extended Derivative Method, the characteristic frequency reflecting the water content of the epoxy‐impregnated paper was extracted. The results demonstrate that 0.01‐Hz characteristic frequency provides superior accuracy for moisture assessment in epoxy resins compared to 50 Hz, and extracting and fitting the relaxation peak characteristic frequency in epoxy‐impregnated paper moisture evaluation yields higher accuracy than using tan δ at the power frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding of converter transformer bears the effect of AC and DC superimposed voltage during operation. The electric field intensity in the pressboard is much higher than that in the pressboard in the AC transformer. This condition increases the probability of failure of insulation structure. Therefore, the design and optimization of the main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding are keys to ensure the stable operation of converter transformer. This study establishes a model of the main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding of the ±1100 kV converter transformer. The influence of the insulating oil–paper configuration on the electric field distribution of the main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding is analysed, and then, an optimization idea is proposed. The oil–paper configuration includes two aspects: oil–paper insulation structural design and combination selection, that is, the influence of typical oil–paper structural design parameters and the aging state of different oil–paper combinations on the electric field distribution. Finally, the optimization idea of the oil–paper configuration for valve‐side winding of converter transformer is obtained, and the established model is optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insulation paper is a crucial factor for evaluating the insulation status of transformers. The traditional evaluation methods for insulation paper are dissolved gas component content analysis (CO and CO2) and furfural (2‐FAL) content analysis in oil. The detection principle of the former leads to its low accuracy, while the field application effect of the latter is not ideal due to the easy oxidation of furfural and low content. Methanol, result of its good stability and high production compared with other marker products (CO, CO2, 2‐FAL) has been investigated as a novel marker for aging evaluation of transformer insulating paper in recent years. The results of the investigation indicated that there is a good correlation between the content of methanol in oil and the degree of polymerization under laboratory conditions, which reflected the insulation aging state of the transformer insulating paper more accurately. This paper summarizes the current research status of methanol formation mechanism, detection methods and aging evaluation in insulating oil, and points out the key problems to be solved and development prospects, hoping to provide relevant reference for aging evaluation of oil immersed power transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incineration of high‐moisture solid residues generated at the recycling paper mills represents an energetically unfavourable method of resource utilization. Alternatively, hydrothermal pre‐treatment is considered. In this study, low‐value paper sludges from three different recycling streams were hydrothermally carbonized at 205, 225, and 245°C for 3 h. The raw feedstocks and derived hydrochars were analyzed for energy properties, chemical characteristics, surface morphology, functional groups, and combustion performance employing energy densification and mass yield quantification, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analyzer, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. The increase in reaction temperature was reported to cause a decrease in mass yield and an increase in energy densification and calorific values corresponding to 5.98%–49.35% and 10.10%–58.51% for raw fibre rejects and final sludge‐derived hydrochar, respectively. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) had a non‐significant influence on the energy densification of primary clarifier sludge‐derived hydrochar. Higher reaction temperatures favoured the rate of dehydration and decarboxylation, leading to hydrochars with lower H/C and O/C ratios, thereby enhancing the overall fuel properties. The low‐nitrogen and low‐sulphur fuels obtained validated the effectiveness of HTC treatment to produce high‐quality cleaner solid fuel. The burnout temperature was mostly reduced with an increase in HTC temperature. At HTC‐205 and 225°C, the ignition temperature and the combustion performance increased as a result of the HTC reaction mechanisms. HTC effectively recovered hydrochar with increased carbon content, improved energy densification, and good combustion adequacy. Hydrochar derived from recycling mills may play a role in the energy sector as a substitute for coal or in co‐combustion at coal‐fired power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper‐based microfluidic devices are used in point of care diagnostic, sensor technology or lab‐on‐a‐chip devices. Although a number of studies has been reported, only relatively few paper‐based diagnostic tools are available on the market. A remaining challenge is the mechanistic understanding and precise design of capillary flow in paper. Here, silica coatings are applied to control paper wettability, fiber swelling, and thus fluid transport in all three dimensions of a paper sheet via a simple dip‐coating and post‐treatment process. By adjusting the three‐dimensional silica coating distribution, a three‐dimensional asymmetric wettability gradient within the paper sheet is obtained which controls the fluid distribution and imbibition. The correlation between silica coating amount and silica distribution with the resulting fluid behavior is systematically elaborated by analyzing the interaction between fiber and fluid as well as the fiber swelling by applying confocal microscopy. Three different silica‐amount dependent fluid distribution states are demonstrated. These new insights into the mechanism of fluid imbibition using simple silica coatings enable the specific design of different imbibition mechanisms and thus the adjustment of the microfluidic properties in paper‐based microfluidic devices with control over all three spatial dimensions of a paper sheet in one fabrication step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to decrease the dielectric constant of kraft paper by 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) esterification crosslinking. Kraft paper samples are treated with various concentrations of BTCA to prepare modified paper with different reaction degrees. Morphology and surface chemical composition are characterized. The dielectric constant and loss of the plain and modified paper are also investigated. Results show that esterification occurs successfully between cellulose molecular chain and BTCA. The intrinsic dielectric constant and loss of 6 g L−1 BTCA‐treated paper decrease by 23.5% and 36.3%, respectively, at 50 Hz. The esterification can reduce the hydroxyl amounts on cellulose. The formed crosslinking network between the cellulose chains restricts the cellulose orientation polarization, thereby reducing cellulose polarizability. The electrical strength, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior of the samples are explored to evaluate comprehensively the modifying effect. BTCA esterification crosslinking proves to be a promising method for decreasing the dielectric constant of kraft paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic free‐flow electrophoresis (μ‐FFE) is widely used for continuous separation of charged analytes. However, μ‐FFE is limited in the separation of analytes with the same electrophoretic mobility. In this work, we developed a novel microfluidic free‐flow paper electrochromatography (μ‐FFPE) by combining μ‐FFE with filter paper‐based chromatography, enabling continuous separation of analytes through the mechanism of both μ‐FFE and paper chromatography. Numerical simulation was applied to demonstrate the advantages of adding filter paper as the stationary phase of μ‐FFE. With the filter paper, a more stable separation system was achieved. The device was applied to the separation of simple mixtures of dyes and complex mixtures of glycans. With the μ‐FFPE fractionation, much more glycans and glycan types can be identified by LC‐MS, demonstrating the value of the method in biological analysis. The μ‐FFPE can provide a new platform for the separation and analysis of various biological molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven photothermal water evaporation is considered an elegant and sustainable technology for freshwater production. The existing systems, however, often suffer from poor stability and biofouling issues, which severely hamper their prospects in practical applications. Conventionally, photothermal materials are deposited on the membrane supports via vacuum-assisted filtration or dip-coating methods. Nevertheless, the weak inherent material-membrane interactions frequently lead to poor durability, and the photothermal material layer can be easily peeled off from the hosting substrates or partially dissolved when immersed in water. In the present article, the discovery of the incorporation of borophene into cellulose nanofibers (CNF), enabling excellent environmental stability with a high light-to-heat conversion efficiency of 91.5% and water evaporation rate of 1.45 kg m-2 h-1 under simulated sunlight is reported. It is also demonstrated that borophene papers can be employed as an excellent active photothermal material for eliminating almost 100% of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria within 20 min under three sun irradiations. The result opens a new direction for the design of borophene-based papers with unique photothermal properties which can be used for the effective treatment of a wide range of wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for disposable, simpler, and accurate paper‐based analytical devices represents an open research field that is focused on simpler fabrication methods. To achieve this, four feasible methodologies are proposed for the direct printing of an electrochemical sensor on a biodegradable paper substrate using commercial gold and silver inks, which are compatible with inkjet printing technology. Four substrate treatment strategies are evaluated: printing the active elements directly on the hydrophilic bare paper, a hydrophobic gas‐phase coating over all the substrate, a hydrophobic silane ink that is selectively printed on the paper, and a hydrophobic coating that is selectively printed and blocks the surface porosity. Thanks to the ability of the inks to conform the cellulose fibers, the resulting working electrodes tune their electrochemical active area, showing higher active electrochemical areas when the roughness is increased. The most planar consideration is achieved blocking the paper porosity with SU‐8 and the direct printing on bare paper maximizes the electrochemical response with the smallest geometric area, with current values 2.7‐times higher than the theoretical one. Although all methods allow a functional electrochemical sensor, the highest reproducible results are accomplished with the blocked paper, consequently allowing a higher controlled and robust manufacturing approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power outages can cause harm to both society and individual health. Among the crucial elements of power systems, power transformers play a vital role, and their failures can lead to incidents and disruptions. According to statistics, almost 50% of the explosions and fires in the power transformer are caused by oil‐impregnated paper (OIP) bushing failures. Moreover, moisture is a crucial factor that affects the health of OIP bushings, and assessing the moisture level in OIP bushings is vital to guarantee the safety of power systems. While the frequency‐domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) method has been widely used to assess the moisture content of OIP bushings on‐site, it has the disadvantage of requiring a long measurement time. Therefore, a novel technique was proposed in this study that involves measuring the OIP bushing dissipation factor (tanδ) at 1 Hz to estimate the moisture content in a significantly shorter time. Five samples of OIP with various moisture levels have been selected, and an equation based on the OIPs' value of tanδ at 1 Hz was proposed to assess the moisture level of OIP bushings. Furthermore, the validity of the proposed method was successfully verified, proving its precision and time efficiency. [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]

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 analyses the conference papers published by double first‐class universities from mainland China between 2006 and 2019. The main findings are as follows: first, the number of conference papers from different double first‐class universities varied greatly, with the annual numbers of papers in the China Proceedings of Conferences Full‐text Database (CPCD) and in the Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI) fluctuating during this period. Second, most of the top 10 disciplines of the papers in the CPCD and CPCI were in the natural sciences, with only two in the social sciences. The CPCD papers and CPCI papers had some overlap in their disciplinary distributions. Third, the CPCD and CPCI papers differed little in total number, with the number of CPCI papers being slightly higher than the number of CPCD papers. With the introduction of new regulations from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), there will likely be an increase in the number of Chinese‐language conference papers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at developing an easily implementable method for on‐site analysis to detect urea adulteration in feed ingredients, a simple and inexpensive paper strip for urea detection via colorimetric assay is herein presented. The paper strip can be simply fabricated by immobilizing urease with bromothymol blue (BTB) as a pH indicator on cellulose fiber. Upon dipping the paper strip into the target sample, the release of ammonia during the reaction between urea in the sample and urease on the paper strip causes a pH change that results in the development of a blue color, thus indicating the presence of urea. A semiquantitative detection method was developed on the basis of the color change on the paper strip, which can be detected by naked eyes and compared with a color chart made by spiking urea at concentrations varying from 0.10% to 1.0% (w/w) in animal protein and fishmeal samples. Moreover, quantitative data were obtained by taking a picture with a smartphone camera and measuring the color intensity using ImageJ software. A comparison between BTB and phenol red as pH indicators revealed that the former afforded better results in terms of resolution. Under optimal conditions, good linear responses of blue intensity were obtained in a concentration range of 0.10%–1.0% (w/w). The recovery was determined to range between 98.1% and 118.3% with a relative standard deviation of <5%. The developed paper strip assay was applied to determine urea in animal protein and fishmeal, finding good agreement with the official AOAC method (No. 967.07). The present paper strip is rapid and requires neither sophisticated devices nor skilled personnel, allowing its use by quality controllers for the routine on‐site detection of the urea adulteration of raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a guest editorial for the IET Radar, Sonar & Navigation journal, focusing on selected papers from the RADAR 2022 conference held in Edinburgh, UK. The conference provided an opportunity for radar specialists from 22 countries to explore the latest developments in radar systems. Key topics discussed at the conference included new radar trends, target detection (with a focus on drones), low-frequency radar, and cognitive radar. The special issue contains 17 papers based on extended work presented at the conference, covering topics such as multistatic radar, passive radar, target signatures, and advanced radar processing techniques. The authors hope that this special issue will serve as a valuable resource for further research in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: Faculty development is essential for academic emergency physicians to maintain clinical skills and succeed in administrative and leadership roles and for career advancement and satisfaction. Faculty developers in emergency medicine (EM) may struggle to find shared resources to guide faculty development efforts in a way that builds on existing knowledge. We aimed to review the EM‐specific faculty development literature since 2000 and come to a consensus about the most useful for EM faculty developers. Methods: A database search was conducted on the topic of faculty development in EM from 2000 to 2020. After identifying relevant articles, we performed a modified Delphi process in three rounds, using a team of educators with a range of experiences with faculty development and education research, to identify articles that would be most useful to a broad audience of faculty developers. Results: We identified 287 potentially relevant articles on the topic of EM faculty development, 244 from the initial literature search, 42 from manual review of the references of the papers meeting inclusion criteria, and one by our study group's recommendation. Thirty‐six papers met final inclusion criteria and underwent full‐text review by our team. The Delphi process yielded six articles that were deemed most highly relevant over the three rounds. Each of these articles is described here, along with summaries and implications for faculty developers. Conclusions: We present the most useful EM papers from the past two decades for faculty developers seeking to develop, implement, or revise faculty development interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable operation of transformers is an important guarantee of power system security. The temperature distribution of main insulation is different in long‐term operation. The temperature difference between the local hottest spot temperature and the average oil temperature in the transformer exceeds 30 K. Therefore, the oil‐paper insulation inside the transformer will exhibit non‐uniform ageing after long‐term operation. At present, frequency domain dielectric response (FDS) technology is widely used in transformer ageing assessment. However, the existing assessment methods are only used for overall insulation ageing assessment. The average moisture content and polymerization degree of the overall insulation between each phase winding are obtained. But it still cannot be used to assess the non‐uniform ageing of the transformer's main insulation. The radial, axial, and two directions non‐uniform ageing models have been made in the laboratory in this study. The FDS and physicochemical properties of non‐uniform ageing models were tested. The variation law of FDS for non‐uniform ageing models was analysed. Meanwhile, the dielectric relaxation model of non‐uniform ageing for main insulation was established. The method of frequency division iterative calculation was proposed. Combined with the Fessler moisture balance formula of ageing oil‐paper insulation, the quantitative assessment method for ageing parameters of the non‐uniform ageing model can be realized. Compared the calculated results with the chemical analysis results, the relative error of the polymerization degree calculation is less than 4%, and the error of the moisture content calculation is less than 0.3%. The calculation results can meet the needs of the engineering apply. Therefore, this method can realize the quantitative assessment of transformer main insulation ageing, which is of great significance to assess the transformer insulation state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of large‐scale collaborations for solving complex problems is widely recognized, but many barriers hinder meaningful authorship for all on the resulting multi‐author publications. Because many professional benefits arise from authorship, much of the literature on this topic has focused on cheating, conflict and effort documentation. However, approaches specifically recognizing and creatively overcoming barriers to meaningful authorship have received little attention.We have developed an inclusive authorship approach arising from 15 years of experience coordinating the publication of over 100 papers arising from a long‐term, international collaboration of hundreds of scientists.This method of sharing a paper initially as a storyboard with clear expectations, assignments and deadlines fosters communication and creates unambiguous opportunities for all authors to contribute intellectually. By documenting contributions through this multi‐step process, this approach ensures meaningful engagement by each author listed on a publication.The perception that co‐authors on large authorship publications have not meaningfully contributed underlies widespread institutional bias against multi‐authored papers, disincentivizing large collaborations despite their widely recognized value for advancing knowledge. Our approach identifies and overcomes key barriers to meaningful contributions, protecting the value of authorship even on massively multi‐authored publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article develops supply and demand functions for the commercial paper market. Between 1965 and 1968 the value of short-term debt issued by corporations more than tripled. The author estimates equations for supply and demand using quarterly data for the period 1954-1968. Results for several different industries are presented and discussed. Although the model worked will within the sample time frame, it performed less well for the two subsequent quarters, owing to structural changes in the market.

Health monitoring using wearable artificial intelligence (AI) sensors with sensing and cognitive capabilities has garnered significant attention. The development of self‐contained AI sensors that can operate with low power consumption, akin to the human brain, is necessary. Physical reservoir computing (PRC), which mimics the human brain using physical phenomena, offers a low‐power consumption architecture. Nevertheless, creating a flexible and easily disposable sensors using PRC capable of processing optical signals with sub‐second response times suitable for biological signals presents a challenge. In this study, a disposable and flexible paper‐based optoelectronic synaptic devices are designed, which are composed of nanocellulose and ZnO nanoparticles, for PRC. This device exhibits synaptic photocurrent in response to optical input. To assess its performance, a classification and time‐series forecasting tasks are conducted. The memory capacity of short‐term memory task, indicating the device's ability to store past information, is 1.8. The device can recognize handwritten digits with an accuracy of 88%. These results highlight the potential of the device for PRC. In addition, subjecting the device to 1000 rounds of bending do not affect its accuracy. Furthermore, the device burn in a few seconds, much like regular office paper, demonstrating its disposability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecologists have worked to ascribe function to the variation found in plant populations, communities and ecosystems across environments for at least the past century. The vast body of research in functional ecology has drastically improved understanding of how individuals respond to their environment, communities are assembled and ecosystems function. However, with limited exceptions, few studies have quantified differences in plant function during the earliest stages of the plant life cycle, and fewer have tested how this early variability shapes populations, communities and ecosystems.Drawing from the literature and our collective experience, we describe the current state of knowledge in seedling functional ecology and provide examples of how this subdiscipline can enrich our fundamental understanding of plant function across levels of organisation. To inspire progressive work in this area, we also outline key considerations involved in seedling functional research (who, what, when, where and how to measure seedling traits) and identify remaining challenges and gaps in understanding around methodological approaches.Within this conceptual synthesis, we highlight three critical areas in seedling ecology for future research to target. First, given wide variation in the definition of a 'seedling', we provide a standard definition based on seed reserve dependence while emphasising the need to measure ontogenetic variation more clearly both within and following the seedling stage. Second, studies demonstrate that seedlings can be studied in multiple media (e.g. soil, agar, filter paper) and conditions (e.g. field, greenhouse, laboratory). We recommend that researchers select methods based on explicit goals, yet follow standard guidelines to reduce methodological noise across studies. Third, research is critically needed to assess the implications of different methodologies on trait measurement and compatibility across studies.By highlighting the importance of seedling functional ecology and suggesting pathways to address key challenges, we aim to inspire future research that generates useful and comparable data on seedling functional ecology. This work is critical to explain variation within and among populations, communities and ecosystems and integrate this most vulnerable stage of plant life into ecological frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the selective hydroxylation of macroscopic carbon surfaces that renders initially hydrophobic carbon fiber paper hydrophilic for more than one year (62 weeks) so far. This long time of sustained hydrophilicity is unprecedented and transforms the utility of macroscopic carbon materials. Quantification of surface oxygenates of a systematic series of 13 chemical treatments reveals that surface hydroxyls are predictors of long‐lasting hydrophilicity. The rapid, mild, acid‐free, transition‐metal‐free treatment does not leave surface residues, inhibits overoxidation of graphitic carbon beyond hydroxyls, and introduces the highest edge density on carbon surfaces, without altering the mesostructure of carbon fiber network architectures and without lowering the flexural strength of carbon fiber paper. Graphitic edges are required for enhanced stability of surface oxygenates that retain a threshold amount of adsorbed water, which is necessary for keeping carbon fiber paper hydrophilic. Application of hydrophilic carbon fiber paper as high‐surface‐area working electrode supports for alkaline water oxidation catalyzed by [NiFe]‐layered double hydroxide nanosheets demonstrates a factor of 60 higher mass activity compared to catalysis on flat basal‐plane highly ordered pyrolytic graphite electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among plastic items, single‐use straws are particularly detrimental to marine ecosystems because such straws, including those made of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), are sharp and extremely slowly degradable in the ocean. While paper straws are promising alternatives, they exhibit hydration‐induced swelling even when coated with a non‐degradable plastic coating and promote effervescence (fizzing) in soft drinks owing to their surface heterogeneities. In this study, upgraded paper straw is coated with poly(butylene succinate) cellulose nanocrystal (PBS/CNC) composites. CNC increases adhesion to paper owing to their similar chemical structures, optimizes crystalline PBS spherulites through effective nucleation, and reinforces the matrix through its anisotropic and rigid features. The straws are not only anti‐fizzing when used with soft drinks owing to their homogeneous and seamless surface coatings, but also highly water‐resistant and tough owing to their watertight surfaces. All degradable components effectively decompose under aerobic composting and in the marine environment. This technology contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to large sulfur (S) content and simple manufacturing techniques, free‐standing cathodes for lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries are gaining a lot of attention recently. Waste office paper, which is consumed in large quantities annually, was used to make a free‐standing paper‐based carbon (FPC) substrate, which inherited fiber‐like morphology. In addition, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets modified FPC (rGO@FPC) host was also prepared by a vacuum filtration method. After S impregnation, the FPC/S and rGO@FPC/S free‐standing cathodes were employed in Li−S batteries. The rGO@FPC/S free‐standing cathode exhibited extremely competitive electrochemical performance, including a reversible discharge capacity of 315 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C after 500 cycles. This is due to the uniform S distribution, which boosts the utilization ratio, and the significant blocking action for polysulfide ions, which prevents the redox shuttle effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil‐paper composite is the main insulation system in oil‐filled transformers. In recent years, the use of nanotechnology to improve the electrical and thermal properties of transformer oil has become a field of research interest. In this paper, the electrical properties such as breakdown strength, volume resistivity, and dielectric response of nano‐filled oil‐paper insulation are evaluated. The evaluation is carried out on a double‐layer of oil‐paper composites insulation. The double‐layer samples are prepared considering different nano‐filler types. The studied nano‐filler types are Pb3O4, Al2O3, and SiO2 with average particle size 25 nm of each. For each nano‐filler type, oil‐paper samples with different concentrations (0.04, 0.06, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/L) are prepared. The effect of nano‐filler types on the breakdown strength, volume resistivity, and dielectric response of oil‐paper composites are highly evaluated. The results show that the filler types as well as filler permittivity affects the breakdown strength, volume resistivity, and dielectric response of oil‐paper composites insulation. Also, the results show that nano‐filler with high permittivity gives higher improvement in breakdown strength of Oil‐paper composite compared nano‐filler with low permittivity. Finally, the interpretation of all obtained results considering breakdown strength, volume resistivity, and dielectric response is highly reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small‐signal dielectric and piezoelectric coefficients of paper‐derived sodium potassium niobate, K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN), were compared with those of conventionally prepared samples. Results show similar functional properties of paper‐derived KNN without significantly decreasing the small‐signal piezoelectric coefficient. The structure and microstructure analysis of conventional KNN and paper‐derived KNN did not reveal any significant difference in the crystal structure and grain size. However, the temperature‐dependent inter‐ferroelectric phase transition temperature estimated from the temperature‐dependent dielectric permittivity data revealed a decrease of approximately 18°C for the paper‐derived KNN and is possibly associated with the structural and microstructural defects. This work indicates that optimizing suspension chemistry and sintering conditions will be critical to enhance the functional response of paper‐derived KNN further. Moreover, paper‐derived ceramic processing, a novel and cost‐effective additive manufacturing technology, can be potentially used to fabricate other electroceramics with a wide range of porosities and sizes as well as complex geometries and multilayer structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]