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This study addresses a practical problem within a multi-level supply chain where a wide range of customers can be served through different strategies such as make-to-stock, make-to-order, or vendor-managed inventory. The customer demand is stochastic, and sensitive to pricing associated with different production-inventory strategies. We propose a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer non-linear programming model. In the first stage, decisions are made regarding the selection of production-inventory strategies and pricing to maximise the expected profit. The second stage involves decisions related to production, inventory, and distribution, which are used to evaluate the first-stage decisions under various scenarios with different levels of accuracy. To solve the model, a metaheuristic approach based on the Simulated Annealing algorithm is developed. To showcase the practical applicability of our model and solution approach, we use a real case study in a Canadian pulp and paper supply chain. The results revealed that both the production-inventory strategy assigned to customers and the sales price underwent changes across scenarios. Furthermore, we demonstrated that by implementing the SA algorithm, we could improve the initial profit by up to 1.43% through slight adjustments in the sales price and assigned strategies for customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical and dielectric properties of transformer insulating paper are key factors that require close attention to ensure optimal operation. In this study, a novel approach of enhancing properties by nanocellulose modification was proposed. To investigate the effect of doping, insulating paper with different doping mass fractions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was prepared, and multiple properties of the sample were characterized. By applying a doping concentration gradient, the non-monotonic trend in performance with doping levels was revealed, and the impact of doping concentration on the data variability was investigated. The effects of CNC doping on the surface pore size of the samples were analyzed by SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and a mercury intrusion method, and the regularity of CNC dispersion uniformity with doping concentration was investigated. The Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller model was employed to fit the water vapor adsorption isotherm data, providing an analysis of the impact of doping on hydrogen bond connections and the moisture adsorption properties. Tensile strength and Young's modulus were measured and analyzed using the Page model and the Halpin–Kardos model. The tensile strength of the 6 wt. % CNC-modified paper was increased by 6.91%. 10 wt. % CNC-modified paper had a Young's modulus increase of 11.98%. 3 wt. % CNC-modified paper has a 28.53% increase in the AC breakdown field strength and an 8.72% increase in the DC breakdown field strength. The influence of CNC on the dielectric properties of the insulating paper was discussed using the Havriliak–Negami (H–N) model. The results indicate that the introduction of CNC can effectively enhance the comprehensive performance of oil-immersed insulating paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article from the editors of the "Academy of Management Review" states that a rejection of a theory-only paper doesn't imply that the effort was in vain, as the content can be repurposed into other publication formats including literature reviews, structured theory articles, inductive and abductive studies, or deductive and hypothesis-testing research. These alternative formats address common challenges faced by theory paper authors, potentially increasing the impact and preserving core ideas of the original work. Authors are encouraged to utilize developmental feedback and resources to improve their manuscripts and explore different formats to advance their theoretical contributions, whether their initial submissions are successful or not.

Excellent traditional culture is the root and soul of a nation, which is the carrier of historical precipitation and continuous development. In this aspect, Hubei folk art of carved paper-cutting has important cultural value and historical significance in the composition of Chinese traditional culture, which is a national intangible cultural heritage under key protection and urgently needs to be carried forward. This paper carried out an empirical study using the survey and comparative analysis methods on the feature extraction for Hubei folk art of carved paper-cutting. Through investigation and comparative analysis of vast artworks of Hubei carved paper-cutting, the classics are selected as the representative to extract the regional characteristics, the artistic values, and the composition and modelling methods. Results indicate that the common features exist on the artistic values in beautification of life and education, the composition principles of central-based, symmetry, balanced or conformal, and the modelling techniques using Yin and Yang carving, unobstructive perspective, distortion and exaggeration. However, the regional features in cultural expression, folklore communication, modelling skills are apparent and strong interlinked with the regional historical development in social activities, labor productivity and surrounding environment. This study provides a multi-dimensional perspective for the modern inheritance and development of traditional Hubei artworks of carved paper-cutting with specified characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacturing process for corrugated paper products is usually mass production and batch-by-batch production. Therefore, a high-speed mass production is required. Because the conveyer speed of the production line in a corrugated paper plant is very fast, unwanted material loss or even process interruption may occur during the cutting or clipping process if the corrugated paper on the conveyer is slanted. Hence, the paper alignment on a conveyer is important and necessary. In this study, we install photo-couples at both edges directly over the conveyer path to detect whether or not the corrugated paper is slanted from the number difference between non-activated photo-couples of the two edges. The deviated angle is calculated through a computer program using the detected information, and a servomotor-driven wheel aligns the paper in accordance with the calculated angle. This work reduces the material waste and promotes the production reliability and utility rate of the material for a corrugated paper plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection has great potential in point-of-care testing due to its simplicity, it has been rarely integrated into paper-based analytical devices (PADs), which are attractive platforms to simplify assays. This work introduces a CRISPR-assisted nucleic acid quantification approach integrated into a PAD with signal readout by a personal glucose meter (PGM). Retention of magnetic beads by filter paper and pre-deposition of all required reagents by freeze-drying stabilized with trehalose enabled the indirect quantification of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA through a PGM readout without complicated user intervention and complex reagent handling. The calculated limit of detection was 57 pM, which is comparable with other amplification-free CRISPR-based assays detecting nucleic acids. The fully integrated device exhibited good storage stability for up to 4 weeks, suggesting its applicability toward practical point-of-care nucleic acid quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of shredded waste office paper as a raw material on the physical and mechanical properties of fiberboard. Two amounts of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin (10 and 15%) and five shredded waste office paper/wood fiber mixing ratios (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) were selected. The findings showed that all characteristics of boards were improved with an increase in resin content at various wastepaper participation ratios. The 15% UF-bonded board with 100% wood fiber had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) value, but there was no statistically significant difference between it and the board with 50% wastepaper. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) values of the 15% UFbonded boards increased as the wastepaper participation ratio increased, and the highest was obtained from the board with 75% wastepaper. The highest internal bond (IB) strength value was also recorded from the 15% UF-bonded board with 50% wastepaper. This was due to the presence of sufficient bonding potential and smoother surfaces in the shredded wastepaper, which allowed for a synergistic interaction between the wastepaper and wood fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new type of soft actuator based on carbon nanotube (CNT) composite paper (CNTCP), i.e., a paper actuator. In our previous study, we demonstrated that actuator operation was possible when using CNTCPs as electrodes with ordinary paper containing ionic liquid between the electrodes; however, their bending motion was not sufficient. Therefore, we here attempt to modify the paper actuator. For this, we tried to soften CNTCPs by first reducing the ratio of contained CNTs. In addition, as a new strategy, we took advantage of the fact that the proposed actuator was made of paper and introduced the Kirigami (introducing periodical slits to papers) technique into the structure of our paper actuator. As a result, the performance of the actuator was improved, and its bending motion became visibly larger. The response of the improved actuator to the input voltage was investigated in detail, and the detailed operating conditions could be clarified. Moreover, it was found that not only a bending motion but also a twisting motion could be realized in specific slit patterns. It is thought that the fact that the variation in movement can be increased simply by adding incisions is unique to the proposed paper actuator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Our country has been importing various kinds of wallpaper from different countries for many years. With the increase of foreign exchange problems, the local production of wallpaper and its self-sufficiency has been proposed as a suitable solution. On the other hand, currently, domestic companies are producing paper from white waste paper, which is not justified for use as printing and writing grades due to many problems. However, many companies in the country are producing white grades from white waste paper, the use of which as a base paper in the production of decorative paper or wall paper has not been scientifically investigated. The purpose of this research is to study and investigate the possibility of producing wall paper from recycled white paper produced in the country. Methodology: The stages of this project were carried out in 6 separate and consecutive phases, which include: 1) determining the quality characteristics of the papers; 2) preparation of coating material formulation with starch as binder; 3) preparation of coating material formulation with latex and starch as binder; 4) coating of papers with the prepared coating formulations ; 5) Coating papers and non-woven fabric (Non-Woven) with polyvinyl chloride (PVC); 6) Application of four-color printing on the selected samples of coated papers. For this purpose, first, samples of papers produced by several Iranian companies were acquired and they were transferred to the laboratory of Biosystems and Bioproducts of Shahid Beheshti University for coating and performing the necessary treatments. In order to perform the mentioned treatment on the paper samples, various chemical substances were used, including calcium carbonate powder, kaolin, titanium oxide, corn starch, latex and PVC powder. With this aim, coating solutions with different percentage of solids were prepared steadily and with trial and error using various combinations of these materials (with a total of 110 and 124 parts). Then, these coated solutions were added on various domestic base papers (mostly recycled). Finally, the image of a flower was printed in four colors on the most desirable coated papers. Results: In determining the quality characteristics of base papers, including measurements of water absorption, ash content, thickness, permeability to air, tensile strength, tear resistance index and burst resistance index, two paper samples produced by two companies of Pardis Paper and Tabriz paper were selected as the best and considering the amount of ash, Tabriz paper was introduced as the base paper more suitable than other local papers. Further, after applying the coating material, coated papers with a relatively favorable appearance and whiteness percentages of about 60 to 85 were obtained, and finally, based on the results, a significant relationship was found between the increase in the solids percentage of the coated solutions and the whiteness percentage of the coated paper. Also, after the printing operation on the selected samples, Rasha Superkraft and Tabriz Kraft papers were introduced as the best samples. Also, the highest quality of printing was reached with PVC on Pars white paper with 16% PVC, on whitetop Rasha with 28% PVC and on non-woven fabric (non-woven fabric) with 28% PVC compared to the weight of the paper. Conclusion: The conclusion of the results of this research are listed below: A) The best solid percentage of coating solution (concentration of the mixture) was 41-46%. b) The best combination of binder and pigment, equal to 100 + 12 + 12 = 124 parts and the ratio of the dry weight of the coating mixture added to the dry weight of the base paper is equal to 12%. c) The highest whiteness obtained by adding calcium carbonate + titanium oxide + starch. t) The most suitable concentration of starch that can be used in the coating solution is 15%. c) The best coating and uniform and good coating appearance was obtained on Rasha Superkraft paper with the formula: kaolin + titanium oxide + latex with a whiteness of 77.7% and on Tabriz kraft paper with the formula: kaolin + titanium oxide + latex, with a whiteness of 71.8%. If higher whiteness is desired, using calcium carbonate instead of kaolin would give a better result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is to promote the use of agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse, banana fibers, and rice husk) in the creation of handcrafted paper. This work alters the manufacturing process by utilizing various cellulose ratios derived from different agricultural residues. Craft papers have been made with the use of a fairly straightforward and environmentally benign process known as the handmade technique, which includes these raw residues in various ratios. The physico-mechanical properties are measured for synthesized sheets with an appropriate basis weight (63-80 g/m²), thickness (20-300 m), burst strength (58.9-105.2 kPa), burst index (1.03-1.67 kPa m²/g), and bulk (1.06 - 3.12 cm³/g), respectively. It is demonstrated that the used ingredients are cost-effective and eco-friendly. In addition, it is found that the quality of the handmade paper sample composition formed with a blend of 20% rice husk, 30% sugarcane bagasse, and 50% banana fiber, is relatively high. This study demonstrates that agricultural waste can provide viable alternatives for the industries that produce handmade paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial introduces the special issue "The Interplay Between Artificial Intelligence, Production Systems, and Operations Management Resilience.' We selected twelve papers, encompassing many angles that illuminate the advances and challenges dealing with artificial intelligence tools and approaches in the production systems and operations management resilience domains. This editorial presents the papers with a smart view, highlighting the essentials of each article, such as full paper title, background, theory/literature scope, methodology design/analysis approach, and the main findings/contributions. Finally, the conclusions, future pathways, and research directions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to create a list of essential historical and contemporary readings for undergraduate and graduate students in the field of exercise physiology. Methods: Fifty-two exercise physiologists/sport scientists served as referees, and each nominated ∼25 papers for inclusion in the list. In total, 396 papers were nominated by the referees. This list was then sent back to the referees, with the instructions to nominate the "100 essential papers in sports and exercise physiology." Results: The referees cast 4722 votes. The 100 papers with the highest number of votes received 51% (2406) of the total number of votes. A total of 37 papers in the list of "100 essential papers" were published >50 years ago, and 63 papers were published since 1973. Conclusions: This list of essential studies will provide a perspective on contemporary studies, the "giant's shoulders" to enable young scholars to "see further" or to understand where they have "come from." This compilation is also meant to impress on students that, given the (lack of) technology available in the past, some of the early science required enormous intuitive leaps on the part of historical scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the use of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-stabilized Pickering emulsions for paper coatings, focusing on their rheological properties and effects on hydrophilicity and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Two types of Pickering emulsions, oil-in-water (O/W), were stabilized with 1 wt% CNF extracted from fique by-products. The oily phases of the emulsions were composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cocoa butter (CB). The physical stability, viscosity, and viscoelasticity of the emulsions were characterized. The emulsions were applied to the surfaces of Bond and Kraft papers using the rod-coating method. The coating process involved first applying a layer of the PLA emulsion followed by a layer of the CB emulsion. The coated papers were then evaluated by FE-SEM, contact angle, adhesion work, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The results indicated that the coatings effectively produced a slightly hydrophobic surface on the papers, with contact angles approaching 90°. Initially, Kraft paper exhibited a WVTR value of 29.20 ± 1.13 g/m2·h, which significantly decreased to 7.06 ± 2.80 g/m2·h after coating, representing a reduction of 75.82%. Similarly, natural Bond paper showed a WVTR value of 30.56 ± 0.34 g/m2·h, which decreased to 14.37 ± 5.91 g/m2·h after coating, indicating a reduction of 47.02%. These findings demonstrate the potential of CNF-stabilized Pickering emulsions for enhancing the performance of paper coatings in terms of hydrophobicity and moisture barrier properties. The approach of this study aligns with global sustainability goals in packaging materials combining the use of PLA and CB to develop a waterborne coating to enhance the moisture barrier properties, demonstrated by a substantial reduction in water vapor transmission rates, and an improved hydrophobicity of coated papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-wood pulp fibers in the paper and printing industry have been in demand for economic and environmental necessity. In this communication, the agro-processing waste sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and amla pomace was used to develop a packaging application paper. The physical and mechanical properties of non-wood pulp remain an issue for further application. The synergistic effect of nanoparticle TiO2 and amla pomace addition into the SCB was investigated. The developed SCB paper evaluated the physical, mechanical, and barriers to moisture. The molecular interaction between the constituents of paper was investigated with FTIR. The paper's morphological crystallinity and surface topology behavior were observed in FESEM, XRD, and AFM analysis. The analysis results indicate that the SCB utilization approach could bring a sustainable solution for non-wood pulp. The mechanical properties of the paper have not been considerably affected by the addition of TiO2. The water vapor barrier quality improved as compared to the control bagasse paper. The microstructural topology of the paper is well elaborated through FESEM and AFM. The crystallinity of the paper has been significantly affected by the addition of TiO2. The EDX analysis confirms the elemental composition of cellulose and TiO2 particles in the paper sheets. In conclusion, the results may not have significantly affected the paper's performance. The antibacterial effectiveness of paper was determined by analyzing its ability to inhibit the growth of E. coli. It was discovered that the antibacterial activity of paper increased as TiO2 concentration increased. Still, the approach to developing paper from agro-processing waste sources with nanoparticles can take a step toward a sustainable packaging solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The composition of author teams is a significant factor affecting the novelty of academic papers. Existing research lacks studies focusing on institutional types and measures of novelty remained at a general level, making it difficult to analyse the types of novelty in papers and to provide a detailed explanation of novelty. This study aims to take the field of natural language processing (NLP) as an example to analyse the relationship between team institutional composition and the fine-grained novelty of academic papers. Design/methodology/approach: Firstly, author teams are categorized into three types: academic institutions, industrial institutions and mixed academic and industrial institutions. Next, the authors extract four types of entities from the full paper: methods, data sets, tools and metric. The novelty of papers is evaluated using entity combination measurement methods. Additionally, pairwise combinations of different types of fine-grained entities are analysed to assess their contributions to novel papers. Findings: The results of the study found that in the field of NLP, for industrial institutions, collaboration with academic institutions has a higher probability of producing novel papers. From the contribution rate of different types of fine-grained knowledge entities, the mixed academic and industrial institutions pay more attention to the novelty of the combination of method indicators, and the industrial institutions pay more attention to the novelty of the combination of method tools. Originality/value: This paper explores the relationship between the team institutional composition and the novelty of academic papers and reveals the importance of cooperation between industry and academia through fine-grained novelty measurement, which provides key guidance for improving the quality of papers and promoting industry–university–research cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling of paper sludge waste is crucial for establishing a sustainable green industry. This waste contains valuable sugars that can be converted into important chemicals such as ethanol, poly hydroxybutyrate, and lactic acid. However, the main challenge in obtaining sugars in high yield from paper sludge is the high crystallinity of cellulose, which hinders hydrolysis. To address this, pretreatment using phosphoric acid was optimized using response surface methodology to facilitate cellulose hydrolysis with minimal energy and chemicals. The created prediction model using the response surface method considered factors such as acid concentration (ranging from 60% to 85%), consistency (ranging from 4% to 10%), temperature (ranging from 25°C to 80°C), and time (ranging from 0.5 to 4 h). The results revealed that the model's significant factors affecting the yield were acid concentration, reaction time, temperature, and the product of acid concentration and temperature, while the model's significant factors affecting the crystallinity were the consistency, the temperature, and their product. The results showed that the optimum conditions for pretreatment were using an acid concentration of 64%, temperature of 25°C, consistency of 10%, and time of 30 min. The hydrolysis of the conditionally pretreated paper sludge resulted in a weight loss of 42%, compared to only 18% weight loss in non-pretreated paper sludge. Furthermore, the optimized conditions led to low levels of furfurals and acetic acid, which are undesirable by-products that can interfere with sugar fermentation. The total sugar obtained under the optimized conditions was 0.43 g glucose/g sample (10.46 g/L), while the contents of methyl furfural, furfural, and acetic acid were 21.65, 235.7, and 4.57 mg/L, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of phosphoric acid for pretreatment and hydrolysis of paper sludge, enabling efficient saccharification and the production of sugars with minimal undesired by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

It has been clearly demonstrated that it would be feasible to consider recycling paper in an academic institution. This can be achieved through combining specific waste paper baskets, a pulping machine and power supplied by a renewable energy source, with an already established local paper making company. The paper making company would be able to gain a subsidy from the government which pays them to actually recycle paper, to counteract the cost of the pulped paper which is 30% more expensive than raw wood pulp. The academic institution would save money on waste disposal and decrease its carbon footprint by 600% with savings of up to around 5e6 tons of CO2 per year, instead of the 1e2 tones carbon offset for just recycling the paper normally. This entire process could be adapted for recycling the vast quantities of waste paper produced by students, an initiative which often fails due to the high cost of disposal. This could be achieved through urged use of the same paper disposal methods already in use, with the paper being collected and pulped once a week directly from the student paper waste bins. This research aims to study and limit the quantities of paper consumed in academic institutions in Iraq, by identifying the steps of recycling, and the extent of its environmental and economic impact, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the extent to which the Iraqi university community accepts this idea, and then study these quantities and evaluate them economically and find out the possibility of establishing a paper recycling plant based on these quantities. As well as the current research deals with the accumulation of paper waste caused by the performance of exams. In the third semester of the research, the amount of paper waste at Thi Qar University was calculated as a model for conducting a detailed research study of all departments and colleges of the University. the amount of paper waste was (11,055 tons/year), as well as calculating the cost of paper processing for the University amounted to (126252271 Iraqi dinars) and at the end of the third semester, the amount of paper waste in Iraqi academic institutions for the academic year 2022e2023, approximately (367,60976 tons/year). The cost of preparing exam books in Iraqi academic institutions for the academic year 2022e2023 amounted to approximately (4202150971 Iraqi dinars). The devices used in the practical aspect and each device and its purpose in the paper waste recycling process were explained. In addition, in the fourth chapter of the research, waste recycling was carried out in a practical way, and the results were satisfactory. We proposed a project to establish a paper and cardboard waste recycling plant in Nasiriyah, detailing its technical processes and stages in a mature way, the costs of establishing such projects in detail, as well as the annual profit of the project. At the conclusion of the research, some important recommendations were attached that help the paper waste recycling process and its success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is reducing sustainable paper recycling at Thi-Qar University by using waste reduction techniques. It can be argued with much confidence that the idea of recycling paper can be successfully implemented in an academic institution. This can be done by merging the specific waste paper baskets, pulping machine and power from a renewable source with an already established local paper making company. The methods applied in this study are making company would be able to recoup a government subsidy that pays them to recycle paper in order to offset the cost of pulped paper which is 30% more expensive than raw wood pulp. The academic institution that implements this would save money on waste disposal, and cut its carbon footprint in half, by up to 600%, per year approximately five-six tons of CO2 instead of one-ton-two tones carbon offset for simply recycling the paper. All these steps could also be applied for recycling of the large amount of waste papers generated by students an idea that encounters high costs in recycling hence being rarely implemented. This could be achieved through urged use of the same paper disposal methods already in use, where the paper collected is pulped from the student paper waste bins once a week. The results of this article are more specific yet indirect environmental benefit concerns the recycling habits of students. By providing the means for students to recycle paper at their places of study, it is hoped that they will adopt similar practices in their homes and other areas of life and show that the practice of paper recycling at Thi-Qar University has a success rate of 98.42%. Additionally, a total revenue of $3,527.98 was collected from the value of recycled paper. This can be important, as it is today's young people who will shape the future condition of the environment. If a more conscientious attitude towards recycling can be established, the cumulative environmental benefits could be very significant. On the economic side, recycling paper can potentially save academic institutions a substantial amount of money on their waste disposal. This is because paper and cardboard often make up a high percentage of the waste and these are materials which can be recycled relatively cheaply. By decreasing the volume of general waste, a decrease in waste disposal costs can be achieved. If institutions take it a step further and decide to purchase only recycled paper products, this can also help accelerate the demand for recycled paper and its long-term economic feasibility. The benefits of paper recycling in academic institutions are undoubtedly far-reaching. Not only are the environmental benefits significant, but also the potential cost savings and impact on student attitudes. Probably the most apparent benefits of paper recycling are the environmental ones. The significance of this research is recycling paper in academic institutions is not only beneficial to the environment but also has potential cost-saving implications and significant educational value for students' attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research conducted a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) of single-use food packaging made from PP, PLA, and Paper/PLA materials using the ReCiPe method. The assessment covered 18 environmental impacts from box processing to end-of-life treatment, with a functional unit (FU) specified as 1,000 units of single-use food container boxes. The dimensions of the boxes were standardized to reflect the average size from the Thailand market and food-delivery boxes. When focused on production stage, PP box shows the greatest impact on overall especially human non-carcinogenic toxicity (285.11 kg 1, 4-DCB). However, when focused on cradle-to-grave life cycle, the PP emerged as the optimal choice of food box due to its comparable environmental impact to biodegradable alternatives, when applying recycling processes. It recycles significantly reduces the total impact up to 73% from their waste-to-energy treatment option. To achieve environmental goals necessitates policy interventions such as extended producer responsibility laws and refund schemes to incentivize responsible disposal. In country lacking waste management infrastructure and collection system, the sensitivity analysis of this research show that biodegradable PLA material emerges as the most suitable choice, particularly over Paper/PLA, offering lower overall environmental impact due to less overall emission in landfill and composting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools are ideal settings to promote adolescent physical activity (PA), yet school-based interventions have shown limited long-term impact. This position paper presents key issues surrounding school-based PA interventions. Collaborative conceptual thinking drawing on multi-author expertise and available evidence advanced our understanding and opinion. Key arguments: 1) the adoption of a systems approach, which maximizes partnership action and leverages policy, is crucial for understanding the complexities of implementing whole-school programs; 2) a reorientation to an assets perspective optimizes existing strengths and resources allowing greater emphasis on the full range of physical, cognitive, emotional and social benefits that PA provides, and 3) a move beyond traditional positivist research designs to advance our knowledge of what works better, for whom and in what context is needed for greater progress We provide suggestions, specifically advocating for systems approaches, as a realistic way to improve how we support PA in schools in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive copper (Cu2+) causes adverse effects on human health and the ecological environment. Traditional methods for detecting Cu2+ have drawbacks such as high detection costs, complex operating conditions, and being time consuming. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop simple detection methods to better meet specific health and environment quality needs. In this work, a paper-based fluorescence sensor was prepared (herein referred to as the as-prepared method) by immersing filter paper in aqueous polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution, and its potential use in Cu2+ detection was investigated. The results showed that the as-prepared paper samples, with fluorescence properties obtained by aggregation-induced luminescence of PEI, have selective recognition of Cu2+ based on the internal filtration effect, and the lowest detection limit is 0.03 μM. In addition, the relative error of this method is in the range of 1.80~2.23%, which is relatively comparable to the national standard method (0.63~630 μM), demonstrating high accuracy. Therefore, paper-based sensors with a simple preparation method have potential applications in the detection of Cu2+ in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into sustainable packaging materials has gained increasing importance due to the pressing environmental concerns related to plastic waste. The present study focused on developing a sustainable paper coating based on modified natural rubber (NR) latex filled with gelatin (GT). The graft copolymer latex of NR and poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) bearing quaternary ammonium groups, abbreviated as NR-g-QPVBC, was first synthesized. GT was then incorporated into the latex, and the combination of these materials resulted in a heat-sealable film with good tensile properties and a water barrier. The ionic crosslinking of the latex film was achieved by the reaction with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Heat-sealing studies of the NR-g-QPVBC latex film filled with GT (NR-g-QPVBC/GT) revealed its heat-sealability at 160 °C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis further confirmed the diffusion of the chains across the interface during heat sealing. Dip coating was a method for depositing latex film on kraft paper. The paper coated with the NR-g-QPVBC/GT latex showed a significant increase in dry and wet-tensile strength compared to the uncoated paper. The sealing process was optimized to achieve a heat-seal strength of 755.31 N/m at a dwell time of 3 s and a temperature of 160 °C. The research's practical application was demonstrated by transforming the coated paper into various heat-sealable bags using a handheld bag sealer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The large-scale, high-strength, super-tough, and multifunctional nacre-like heterocyclic aramid (HA)/MXene@polypyrrole (PPy) (HMP) nanocomposite papers were fabricated using the in-situ assembly of PPy onto the HA/MXene hydrogel template. The "brick-and-mortar" layered structure and abundant hydrogen-bonding interactions among MXene, PPy, and HA respond cooperatively to external stress and effectively increase the mechanical properties of HMP nanocomposite papers. The templating effect from HA/MXene was utilized to guide the assembly of conducting polymers, leading to high electrical conductivity and outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding performance. Robust, ultra-flexible, and multifunctional MXene-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding nanocomposite films exhibit enormous potential for applications in artificial intelligence, wireless telecommunication, and portable/wearable electronic equipment. In this work, a nacre-inspired multifunctional heterocyclic aramid (HA)/MXene@polypyrrole (PPy) (HMP) nanocomposite paper with large-scale, high strength, super toughness, and excellent tolerance to complex conditions is fabricated through the strategy of HA/MXene hydrogel template-assisted in-situ assembly of PPy. Benefiting from the "brick-and-mortar" layered structure and the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions among MXene, HA, and PPy, the paper exhibits remarkable mechanical performances, including high tensile strength (309.7 MPa), outstanding toughness (57.6 MJ m−3), exceptional foldability, and structural stability against ultrasonication. By using the template effect of HA/MXene to guide the assembly of conductive polymers, the synthesized paper obtains excellent electronic conductivity. More importantly, the highly continuous conductive path enables the nanocomposite paper to achieve a splendid EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 54.1 dB at an ultra-thin thickness (25.4 μm) and a high specific EMI SE of 17,204.7 dB cm2 g−1. In addition, the papers also have excellent applications in electromagnetic protection, electro-/photothermal de-icing, thermal therapy, and fire safety. These findings broaden the ideas for developing high-performance and multifunctional MXene-based films with enormous application potential in EMI shielding and thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a bast fiber plant known for its long fibers, making it an excellent source of pulp for paper production. In Ethiopia, flax is primarily cultivated for oil, with the residual straw utilized for papermaking. This study focuses on pulping flax straw using the Kraft process and investigates its chemical composition, proximate analysis, and morphological properties. The proximate analysis revealed an ash content of 4.13% and moisture content of 11%. Chemical composition analysis showed cellulose at 51.34%, hemicellulose at 25.20%, lignin at 14.12%, ash at 4.13%, and extractives at 5.21%. The morphological properties included a fiber length of 1.41 mm, diameter of 16.78 μm, lumen width of 9.45 μm, and cell wall thickness of 3.77 μm. Flax straw exhibited an acceptable Runkel ratio (0.8) and flexibility coefficient (56.32), placing it within the range of non-wood fibers. SEM analysis of the pulp's morphology was conducted to assess fiber structure, including the presence of cracks. Pulp quality and length are directly linked to paper strength. Various pulping conditions were studied using a full-factorial design, with optimum conditions being 10% alkaline, 131.74°C, and 120 min of cooking time, yielding a pulp with a Kappa number of 10.45 and a yield of 40.56%. The resulting paper demonstrated standard tensile, tearing, and burst strengths, indicating that flax straw is a promising raw material for paper production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon paper is a type of porous carbon material with a highly developed pore structure and a large specific surface area. It finds extensive applications in adsorption, complexation, and catalyst support. To prepare high-performance activated carbon paper, this study investigates the changes in performance and structure of Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) paper under CO2 activation, ZnCl2 activation, H3PO4 activation, and NaOH activation conditions. The research reveals that carbon paper after CO2 activation has a certain tensile strength (0.36 MPa), while chemically activated carbon paper lacks tensile strength. Incorporating 15% carbon fiber (CF) into PPTA paper increases the tensile stress (1.26 MPa) and tensile strain (4.18%) of the activated carbon paper. NaOH-activated carbon paper has the highest specific surface area (1321.6 m2/g), the most disordered carbon structure (ID/IG = 1.22), the lowest carbon yield (23.9%), and a pore rate 4.16% higher than that of CO2-activated samples. The activated carbon paper prepared by ZnCl2 activation has the highest content of C = N bonds, with the nitrogen content of pyridine increasing by 31.8% compared to CO2 activation. This indicates that ZnCl2 protects the N elements in PPTA paper during the activation process, preventing their decomposition during carbonization. The activated carbon paper prepared by H3PO4 activation has the lowest electrical conductivity (1.62 S/cm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first step in blood testing necessitates blood separation to obtain an adequate volume of plasma. Traditional centrifugation is bulky, expensive and electricity-powered, which is not suitable for micro-scale blood plasma separation in point-of-care testing (POCT) cases. Microfluidic paper-based plasma separation devices present a promising alternative for plasma separation in such occasions. However, they are limited in terms of plasma yield, which hinders analyte detection. Herein, we proposed a humidity-enhanced paper-based microfluidic plasma separation method to address this issue. Specifically, paper was first treated by blood-typing antibodies, then samples of whole blood were introduced into the prepared paper. After waiting for 5 min for RBC agglutination and plasma wicking under high humidity, micro-scale plasma separation from whole blood was achieved. As a result, an extremely high plasma yield of up to 60.1% could be separated from whole blood through using Xuan-paper. Meanwhile, the purity of plasma could reach 99.99%. Finally, this innovative approach was effortlessly integrated into distance-based glucose concentration detection, enabling rapid determination of blood glucose levels through naked-eye observation. Considering the simplicity and inexpensiveness of this method, we believe that this technology could be integrated to more paper-based microfluidic analytical devices for rapid and accurate detection of plasma analytes in POCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based microfluidics combined with potentiometric measurement has emerged as an attractive approach for detecting various chemical ionic moieties. Detection of heavy metal ions, using paper substrates as solution sampling and delivery systems remains challenging despite efforts to introduce several physico-chemical paper substrate modifications to stop adsorption of ions onto the paper substrates. This study quantitatively investigates the adsorption of heavy metal ions on the paper substrates during paper-based potentiometric measurements and explains the super-Nernstian response of potentiometric sensors through local depletion of heavy metal ions from the solution. Consequently, based on the investigated ion adsorption, a corrective potential protocol was established for the electrodes coupled with paper-based solution sampling by predicting interference free sensor response from paper-based measurement. Furthermore, the ion adsorption was also recorded for mixed metal ion solutions to understand competitive primary/interfering ions adsorption onto the paper substrates and establish corrective measures to predict interference free sensor response. In this method, no modifications of the paper substrates are necessary before actual potentiometric measurements. The proposed corrective protocol allows prediction of sensor response based on the paper-based solution sampling potentiometric measurement, providing a simple methodological approach based on correction of potential readout of the potentiometric sensor, thus completely resigning from the need of modifying paper substrate for measurements of heavy metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Oral contraceptives (OC) are the most used form of contraception among women in the U.S. and Europe. Like other medications, their packaging must include patient information leaflets. This study quantifies the environmental impact of paper waste generated by these leaflets. We conducted an observational analysis, measuring the weight of leaflets, pills, and packaging components across various OC brands. Significant variations in leaflet weights were observed. On average, leaflets accounted for 55% of the package weight, while pills and blister dispensers represented only 32%. The mean weight of OC leaflets was 12.3 ± 5.5 grams (4.7–21.9 grams), leading to an estimated annual paper waste of 6,118.4 tons, 5,763.5 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, and the use of approximately 146,841 trees for production. Standardizing leaflet weight to the lightest reported can reduce annual waste by 3780.5 tons of paper. This study highlights the substantial environmental cost of the waste generated from OC leaflets and proposes practical strategies to mitigate waste, including electronic leaflets and standardized packaging. Targeting these materials presents a significant opportunity to enhance sustainability, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the healthcare sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper is an experimental and statistical approach to find out an optimal solution for the high print quality reproducible by flexographic printing on coated and uncoated substrate using Taguchi's Grey Relational Analysis method. The halftone image composed of round and square shaped dots with AM screening and the anilox roller with three different screen rulings are employed at different trial runs of experiment. Total of 12 numbers of experimental runs with different combinations of paper grades, halftone dot shapes and anilox roller rulings are employed in the experiment to investigate its influence on the final print quality. The print quality evaluation is based on the assessment of Optical Ink Density (solid areas), Dot Gain, Hue Error and Print Contrast using Taguchi's Grey Relational Analysis method. Based on the Taguchi's GRA score, the optimal solution for the high print quality is prioritized. This paper aims to distinguish the influence of substrate, halftone dot shape and anilox cell ruling in the final print quality of flexographic process. Also, it demonstrates the scope of applying Taguchi's Grey Relational Analysis in the printing field to find out an optimal solution for the multiple criteria-based decision-making activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food packaging characteristics and environmental impact of paper coated with polysaccharide dispersions were analyzed. Colloidal dispersions of xylan and xylan derivatives, as well as their combinations with chitosan and nanocrystalline cellulose, were applied in thin layers on both sides of the paper surface (5 g/m²). The barrier properties to water, water vapor, gases, oil/grease, and the antimicrobial properties of the coated paper were evaluated. Generally, polysaccharide coatings improved the barrier and antimicrobial features of coated papers compared to uncoated paper. Significant improvements were obtained by combining xylan derivatives and chitosan, where the contact angle of the coated paper reached 92.8° and achieved 100% inhibition of Bacillus sp. Furthermore, food simulant tests indicated that all tested polysaccharide combinations are suitable for use in food packaging, especially for fatty products. After 28 and 42 days of soil degradation, all samples of xylan and xylan/xylan derivatives/chitosan/nanocellulose coatings reached similar degradation levels (70 to 80% and 14 to 16 mg CO2 production). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: A paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator using carbon nanotube composite papers, as developed in this study, has the potential to be used as an energy harvester in fields such as the Internet of Things (IoT). A unique triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) using carbon nanotube (CNT) composite papers is proposed in this work. CNT composite papers can be fabricated easily using a method based on the production of Japanese washi paper. To obtain and evaluate the proposed TENGs, several types of CNT composite papers and aluminum plates were prepared. As the CNT composite paper contained many paper fibers, it was expected to be negatively charged, and the aluminum plate was expected to be positively charged across the triboelectric series. Through various experiments, it was confirmed that CNT composite papers could be used as TENGs. In addition, it was found that when a CNT composite paper was used, it contributed to triboelectricity generation, and the contained CNTs efficiently transferred the generated charge to the electrodes. Furthermore, output voltages approaching a maximum RMS value of 300 mV could be obtained. The results of this study will aid in the practical application of paper-based TENGs in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of fake publications created by paper mills poses a significant challenge to maintaining scientific integrity. While integrity analysts typically rely on textual and visual clues to identify fake articles, determining which papers merit further investigation can be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, as these fake publications have non-related authors and are published on non-related venues. To address this challenge, we developed a new methodology for provenance analysis, which automatically tracks and groups suspicious figures and documents. Our approach groups manuscripts from the same paper mill by analyzing their figures and identifying duplicated and manipulated regions. These regions are linked and organized in a provenance graph, providing evidence of systematic production. We tested our solution on a paper mill dataset of hundreds of documents and also on a larger version of the dataset that deliberately included thousands of documents intentionally selected to distract our method. Our approach successfully identified and linked systematically produced articles on both datasets by pinpointing the figures they reused and manipulated from one another. The technique herein proposed offers a promising solution to identify fraudulent manuscripts, and it could be a valuable tool for supporting scientific integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) was conducted in paper and online reading modes in 2016 using the same samples of students in a number of countries. Differences in reading literacy scores were found in several European countries. In some countries, the differences favored the electronic reading mode. Yet in others, the paper reading mode was favored. As the electronic reading mode differs substantially in the cognitive demands compared to the paper mode, it can be expected that the differences between the two modes are related to the variables related to technology: availability and access, general use, use for educational purposes in class or out-of-school, and self-efficacy with technology. This study investigates the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) factors related to the differences in paper and online reading in six European countries participating in both modes in PIRLS 2016. This study uses linear regression models as the application of multilevel modeling is not suitable because of the low between-school variances across countries. The results from this study show limited support for the relative effect that the student individual, school, and classroom ICT variables have on the differences between paper and electronic reading. Access to technology is related to mode differences only in Italy, and the use of computer devices in and out of school is related to the mode differences in Italy and Portugal. Student self-efficacy is related to the mode differences in Portugal and Slovenia. School resources show significant effects in Denmark (computers to students ratio) and Italy (instruction affected by digital resource shortages). None of the classroom variables showed any significant relationship in any of the countries. In addition, socio-economic status (which is proxied by the variable on home resources for learning) is a significant predictor in half of the countries. In addition to these findings, the general technological context within countries is discussed as part of an evaluation of the difference in reading in the two test delivery modes. The general uptake of technology in different social and economic aspects, as measured by the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), follows the differences between the two reading modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulosic/lignocellulosic nanofibers (CNF/LCNF) are value-added products which recently have been considered widely. This study focused on valorization of waste by making CNF from white cutting wastepaper (WCW), which was confirmed by the transmission electron microscope images. The CNF present in the paper recycling process showed significant effects on the final product and process aspects. Addition of 5% CNF (based on dry weight of pulp) to the recycled fibers improved the strength properties as well as the fines retention. But in contrast, the drainage decreased from 303 to 188 mL CSF. Finally, considering the importance of wastepaper history on the quality of recycling process and final products, as a new vision, this study focused on recyclability of wastepaper which has experienced CNF as an additive in their history of papermaking. In this respect, the papers reinforced with nanofibers in their history, after several recycling, experienced less reduction in the tensile and tear indices and fines retention. In summary, it seems that the presence of CNF in the wastepaper can slow down the reduction of product density and process properties during several recycling cycles and so restore their potential for subsequent papermaking cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for proficiency in academic writing has never been more important due to its significance for academic success and professional growth. The skills required in academic writing range from research to critical thinking and communication skills. It develops holistic intellectual development and will help one run a successful professional life, more so in highly researchoriented areas where publications become highly valued. This paper has attempted to fill up the research gaps created by the lack of research into corpus linguistic and corpus-based studies in general within the parameters of Philippine academic writing, with its insufficiency of known studies on metadiscourse markers in particular. This paper examined the use of metadiscourse markers in a researcher-constructed 120,000-word corpus of academic papers written by Grade 11 Senior High School students, namely, concept papers, position papers, reaction papers, and scientific reports. Specifically, the research determined the metadiscourse markers used by students and their frequency across text types, as well as qualitative analysis of their contextual usage. In the current study, it is revealed that students utilize a wide array of interactive and interactional markers, drawing on Hyland's taxonomy of metadiscourse markers (2005) and AntConc V. 3.5.8, a corpus analysis software. The study revealed a predominant use of interactive over interactional metadiscourse markers, with a notable emphasis on transitions within the interactive category. Qualitative analysis also showed that transitions and engagement markers serve various functions, such as clarifying relationships within the text, structuring arguments, and providing additional information for better understanding. Interactional resources were also employed to convey the writer's stance, engage the reader, and present a balanced view by acknowledging different perspectives. Hence, the findings highlighted that text type, rhetorical purpose, and the use of metadiscourse markers interact closely in shaping how the writer communicates and accomplishes their purpose effectively. Future research should address writing ability and experience as factors influencing the choice of metadiscourse markers and examine their variation of use across academic and nonacademic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the innumerable benefits and uses of moringa and rice in terms of health and food products, many researches were conducted mainly for the exploration of these components. However, despite their much-studied properties in various applications, skincare was one area that they have missed. Researchers lacked investigations about how moringa and rice can be used externally, much more to be used together in one product. Because of this, the researchers intended to discover the potential of MORIAH: Moringa and Rice Blotting Paper and to explore such areas to find factual evidence as to why these components are beneficial for human skin. Specifically, they aimed to answer several questions regarding the acceptability of the product in terms of smell, texture, and thickness, as well as its efficacy in terms of strength and oil absorption. Moreover, they also identified the significant differences between the experimented and the controlled products. The results showed that Moringa and rice are acceptable components in making a blotting paper, however the product was not suitable for other paper uses as it did not meet the strength classification requirements. Although, the product was effective in terms of oil absorption and the facial oil content of each respondent was found to be better absorbed using MORIAH: Moringa and Rice Blotting Paper compared to a commercially produced product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the high power consumption associated with image refresh operations in EPDs, this paper proposes a low-power driving waveform that reduces the refresh power of EPDs by lowering the system's peak power. Compared to traditional waveforms, this waveform first activates the particles before erasing them, thus reducing voltage polarity changes. Additionally, it introduces a specific duration of 0 V voltage during the activation phase based on the physical characteristics of the electrophoretic particles to reduce the voltage span. Finally, a particular duration of 0 V voltage is introduced during the erasure phase to minimize the voltage span while ensuring the stability and consistency of the reference gray scale. The experimental results demonstrate that, in standard power tests, the new driving waveform reduces the power fluctuation value by 1.33% and the energy fluctuation value by 37.24% compared to the traditional driving waveform. This reduction in refresh power also mitigates screen flicker and ghosting phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]