Search

This review essay registers sincere appreciation for John Witte’s singular contribution to defending the importance of the history and interpretation of rights in the Western tradition, especially as related to Christian thought and practice. It also proposes to amend and refine his approach by highlighting the difference between natural and religious justifications of rights, and by suggesting reasons for favoring the former.

English The last decade has witnessed the emergence of new psychoactive substances that are analogues of classical drugs of abuse in order to escape the regulations surrounding the latter drugs. These drugs were of both herbal and synthetic origin and were advertised initially as ‘legal highs’; thus, they were perceived as safe by users. Hence, upon their emergence, they were not controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which contributed to their popularity and increased sales online and within street markets. In 2016, the Psychoactive Substance Act introduced a blanket ban on all new psychoactive substances except for caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. This in turn, contributed to the change in the sale of new psychoactive substances products that have been sold as concealed in different matrices, including herbal products, papers, fabrics, and textiles. Concealing drugs in paper has been very popular, especially since the drug product is of lightweight and can be sent via postal services. However, new psychoactive concealed in papers are toxic not only to the users; but also, to the person handling them (i.e. mail employees). One of the classes of new psychoactive substances that have been commonly concealed in papers and that have been linked to toxicity and hospitalization cases is synthetic cannabinoids. Therefore, there is a need to identify new psychoactive substances concealed in papers non-destructively and rapidly to prevent toxicity linked to them. Handheld Raman spectroscopy offers this advantage as it is of lightweight and carries the sample to the matrix. Therefore, this work used handheld Raman spectroscopy for identifying synthetic cannabinoids concealed in papers using Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning analytics. Synthetic cannabinoid and paper samples were measured non-destructively using a handheld Raman spectrometer equipped with a 1064 nm laser wavelength. Spectral data was exported into Matlab 2020b where machine learning analytics including identification and prediction was. The results showed that Raman spectroscopy could identify specific synthetic cannabinoids in papers that were either deposited on the surface of the paper or diffused inside the paper substrate. When machine learning analytics were applied to the Raman spectra of the papers, quantitative information was obtained regarding the amount of synthetic cannabinoid deposited on the paper surface. In summary, handheld Raman spectroscopy could identify and quantify synthetic cannabinoids on paper rapidly and non-destructively. Future work involves testing other classes of new psychoactive substance and applying deep learning analytics

John Witte, Jr.’s book The Blessings of Liberty contains an important message about the origins and continuing relevance of religious liberty. Based on careful historical analysis of the development of religious liberty in England and the US, Witte demonstrates the importance of Protestant thinking both to the right and to human rights more generally. In the process he refutes both Christian and post-Enlightenment sceptics. His discussion of contemporary US and European law shows how much the right is still needed today, despite the claims of contemporary scholars that freedom of religion and belief is a redundant right.

A “4-{[1-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylidene]amino}-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one” chemosensor (C1) synthesized by Condensation reaction using “4-amino-1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenylpyrazol-3-one” and “2,5-dihydroxy Actophenone”. It shows absorption peak at 326 nm due to the C=C bond (π-π* transition), while the absorption peak at 364 nm is caused by the C=O bond (n-π* transition). In the presence of copper C1 only demonstrated a change in absorption peak to higher wavelength (redshift) from 364 to 425 nm. The hue of both the C1+Cu(II) complex changed from bright yellow to dark brown colour with hypochromic shift appearance of a new peak at 425 nm. Even in the presence of other competing metal ions, the hypsochromic shift of the absorption band and the quenching of the fluorescence emission intensity were different for detecting Cu2+, in CH3OH-H2O (v/v = 6:4). Job's plot was used to compute the binding stoichiometry between C1 and Cu2+, and MASS and FTIR spectrophotometry were used to investigate the complexation process. The capacity of the C1 to bind Cu2+ was further proven using DFT simulations. The complex S1+Cu2+ has a HOMO-LUMO energy gap of 2.8002 eV, which is lesser than S1 (2.9991 eV). From these results, it can be seen that the specific binding of S1 to Cu2+ improves the stability of the S1+Cu2+ complex and effectively reduces the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. The C1 was successfully used in a real-world water sample analysis. Using the Benesi-Hildebrand and Scatchard plots, the Kb was calculated and found to be 47340M-1 and 48369M-1 respectively, showing the creation of stable complexation between Cu2+ and S1 with 1:1 Stoichiometry. The LOD of S1 for Cu2+ ion analysis was determined to be 649 nM. Strip sheets were also built and tested to detect varying amounts of Cu2+ aqueous solution, and their color change suggested that they might be used for on-site Cu2+ detection in polluted water.

Over the first two decades of the twenty-first century, John Witte, Jr. has not only carefully documented but also creatively promoted in many ways three very important developments: (1) the almost revolutionary worldwide reawakening of cooperation in the fields of law and religion after the termination of their long, fruitful history of cooperation in the mid-1800s; (2) the efforts to strengthen a justice-oriented legal culture in democratic societies and the legal, academic, and political appreciation of human rights (also in disputes with human rights skeptics); and (3) the reconciliation of traditional values and new needs for freedom in the ethos and law of marriage and family.

Purpose This study aimed to determine whether continual electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measurements at home can capture the fluctuations in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores between visits. Methods We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare the scores obtained by standard practice (paper-based measurements in the hospital) to scores by continuous measurement of ePRO at home. Metastatic cancer patients were randomly assigned to either the paper-based ( n = 50) or the ePRO group ( n = 52). EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ C-30 scores were obtained on 3 different chemotherapy days in the paper-based group. Meanwhile, scores were obtained on the chemotherapy day and on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 in the ePRO group during 2 cycles. The first hypothesis of our study was that both scores at the same time points would be equivalent despite different measurement frequency, place, or mode of measurement. The second hypothesis was that PRO score–adjusted time would be different between the groups. For equivalence, the endpoint was the mean EQ-5D-5L index value on the chemotherapy day before the outpatient treatment. Only if equivalence was shown, quality-adjusted life-days (QALDs) were considered using all the data. Results The adjusted mean difference in the EQ-5D-5L index was determined to be −0.013 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.049 to 0.022); the 95% CI did not exceed the equivalence margin. Similarly, the mean difference in global health status (2.28 [95% CI: −2.55 to 7.11]) also showed equivalence. However, the QALD by EQ-5D-5L was significantly lower in the ePRO group by 1.36 per 30 d (95% CI: −2.22 to −0.51; P = 0.0021). Conclusions Continual measurements of the HRQOL at home by ePRO may yield more detailed profiles of the HRQOL.

This manuscript aimed to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and ignition properties of bagasse paper when coated with different coatings synthesized from hydroxyethyl cellulose, 1,3-di-p-toluidine-2,2,2,4,4,4-hexachlorocyclodiphosph(V)azane, Talc powder, NaHCO3, cellulose nanocrystal. The effect of these coatings on the mechanical properties was studied by measuring elongation, tensile strength, and burst strength. The stages of degradation and ash residue of the measuring specimens were determined using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), behind that, the ignition properties as the flame chamber (UL/94), and limiting oxygen index (LOI) was measured according to standards. These tests proved that 1,3-di-p-toluidine-2,2,2,4,4,4-hexachlorocyclodiphosph(V)azane has a direct effect on improving the mechanical characteristics and enhancing the ignition properties of the coated specimens compared to uncoated. In this study the physical, mechanical, thermal, and ignition properties of the bagasse paper sheets were enhanced by easy and low-cost method via synthesis of new coatings based on commercially available chemicals in a reasonable cost.

Graphene paper with good mechanical strength, flexibility, and high conductivity is an emerging functional material for wide applications, but its feasible and scalable preparation remains a challenge. Herein, a high strength, flexible, and conductive graphene/polypropylene (PP) fiber paper was prepared by a traditional papermaking process. In the composite paper, graphene nanosheets were well stabilized on the PP fibers forming a stable three-dimensional conductive interleaved network. Chitosan was found able to build a polar active interface on PP fibers and graphene nanosheets, which can not only promote PP fiber dispersion in water yielding a uniform pulp, but also favor the retention of graphene in the composite paper. As a result, the composite paper presents high strength (15.32 MPa), good conductivity (11,995 S/m), shielding effectiveness (31.1 dB), water resistance, fungi-proof, and thermal conductivity (10.17 W m−1 k−1) properties. This work demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale preparation of graphene composite paper with commercial synthetic fibers through a traditional papermaking process, and expands the potential industrial application of graphene materials. Graphene/chitosan co-aggregates were absorbed on the surface of graphene/chitosan/PP fiber under the electrostatic interaction of CPAM to form graphene/PP fiber.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) technology featuring low-cost, high-efficiency and scalability has presented great advantages in micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) fabrication. However, the limited capacitance of LIG based MSCs is still hindering their further development. Herein, we introduce joule heating as a critical in-situ treatment merged with the assembly of laser-induced graphene paper based MSCs (LIGP-MSCs) toward capacitive enhancement. By increasing heating-treatment temperature from ∼20 to 500 °C, the number of nanopores in LIGP continuously increases, attributed to the gradual decomposition of amorphous carbon components. The resulting joule-heated LIGP (J-LIGP) with improved specific surface area (160.97–533.49 m2/g) and pore volume (0.179–0.553 cm3/g) as well as superhydrophilic surface is highly suitable to be employed as J-LIGP-MSCs microelectrodes. By investigating process dependent performance, the J-LIGP-MSCs heated at 500 °C for 60 min delivers a significantly improved specific areal capacitance (CA) of 13.71 mF/cm2 at 10 mV/s, which is approximately six-fold higher than that of unheated LIGP-MSCs. By further exploring and optimizing the process efficiency, J-LIGP-MSCs with a CA of 12.61 mF/cm2 has been achieved by 550 °C heating for only 5 min. Along with superior mechanical flexibility, cyclability and structural modularity, the proposed in-situ joule heating treatment is finally proved to be a universal approach for consistently enhancing the CA of LIG based MSCs processed under various chemical modifications.

Abstract Simple, portable, and low-cost paper-based sensors are alternative devices that have the potential to replace high-cost sensing technologies. The compatibility of the paper base biosensors for both chemical and biochemical accentuates its feasibility for application in clinical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food quality monitoring. High concentration of copper in blood serum and urine is associated with diseases like liver diseases, carcinomas, acute and chronic infections, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Detection of copper concentration can give an early sign of Alzheimer disease. Apart from that genetic Wilson's disease can be detected by evaluating the concentration of copper in the urine. In view of the above advantages, a novel and the highly sensitive paper-based sensor has been designed for the selective detection of Cu2+ ions. The fast and highly sensitive chemiresistive multi-dye system sensor can detect Cu2+ ions selectively in as low as 2.23 ppm concentration. Least interference has been observed for counter ion in the detection of Cu2+. Copper chloride, nitrate, and acetate were used to validate the detection process. This assay provides a very high selectivity of Cu2+ ion over other metal cations such as Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, etc. The easy preparation and high stability of dye solutions, easy functionalization of the paper-based sensors, high selectivity over other cations, low interference of counter anion, and significantly low detection limit of 2.23 ppm make it an effective Cu2+ ion sensor for real-time application in near future. Graphical Abstract

Ample scholarship from Foucault onward has probed the origins of prisons as a key technology for modern state control, but overemphasizes the revolutionary era as a moment of invention. The prison existed much earlier and, as this research demonstrates, gradually became a favored tool among many widely-utilized alternatives. Other historians have explored early modern strategies such as exile, used most often to punish recalcitrant subjects when other strategies did not work. This evidence points to a general pattern whereby these forms of control coexisted and even overlapped in an array of punitive options. I theorize coercive strategies as existing together within a “punitive matrix,” in which imprisonment operated as one among many methods of state control, alongside others such as galley labor, banishment, and corporal punishment. Beginning with evidence from Saint-Domingue in the first half of the eighteenth century about prisons, building out from Jean Clavier’s Léogane in the 1740s. It then turns to the archival sources themselves to understand how colonial administrators described prisons. Read together, this evidence highlights the limited power of prisons, and imprisonment, to control imperial subjects, while elucidating some of the pathways chosen by those subjects.

The total/partial oil change treatment can affect the furfural partitioning in oil-paper-pressboard insulation, resulting in poor accuracy of furfural analysis. Moreover, due to the high cost of total oil change, partial oil change is more practical during transformer operation. This paper investigates the furfural partitioning in the oil-paper-pressboard insulation under partial oil change conditions. First, the initial furfural partitioning equation with non-oil change is proposed based on the obtained furfural content in oil, paper, and pressboard. Then, the modified furfural partitioning model under partial oil change condition is established by introducing a correction factor. Moreover, a preliminary correction scheme for the furfural partitioning model considering the influence of moisture and acid is provided. Finally, furfural content in oil-Kraft paper and oil-thermally upgraded Kraft (TUK) paper insulation are discussed, and results indicate that the proposed modified furfural partitioning model is not suitable for the oil-TUK paper insulation. This work can provide theoretical support for furfural analysis of oil-immersed transformers.

The history and influence of the School of Salamanca is attracting the attention of researchers from very different branches of knowledge and from a very wide variety of countries around the world. Broaching this subject invites one to reflect on both the unity of knowledge and the important role that theology plays in a secularized world. In this short essay, I discuss four recently published works that show the global scope of interest in Spanish Scholasticism in general and the School of Salamanca in particular. The first, The School of Salamanca: A Case of Global Knowledge, was edited by Thomas Duve, Jose Luis Egío, and Christiane Birr in coordination of the Max Planck Institute (2021). The second work, ¿Qué es la Escuela de Salamanca?, was edited by Simona Langella and Rafael Ramis-Barceló (2021). The third work is a recent thematic compendium on Spanish Scholasticism edited by Harald E. Braun, Erik De Bom, and Paolo Astorri (2022). Finally, I discuss David Lantigua’s monograph, Infidels and Empires in a New World Order: Early Modern Spanish Contributions to International Legal Thought (2020).

Iron is an important micronutrient involved in several mechanisms in the human body and can be an important biomarker. In this work, a simple and disposable microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) was developed for the quantification of iron in urine samples. The detection was based on the colorimetric reaction between iron(II) and bathophenanthroline and the reduction of iron(III) to iron(II) with hydroxylamine. The developed µPAD enabled iron determination in the range 0.07–1.2 mg/L, with a limit of detection of 20 µg/L and a limit of quantification of 65 µg/L, thus suitable for the expected values in human urine. Additionally, targeting urine samples, the potential interference of the samples color was overcome by incorporating a sample blank assessment for absorbance subtraction. Stability studies revealed that the device was stable for 15 days prior to usage and that the formed colored product was stable for scanning up to 3 h. The accuracy of the developed device was established by analyzing urine samples (#26) with the developed µPAD and with the atomic absorption spectrometry method; the relative deviation between the two sets of results was below 9.5%. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Free-standing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) papers were prepared by chemical reduction, thermal reduction and combined chemical-thermal reduction, respectively. Four-point probe and nanoindentation experiments were conducted to investigate the electrical and mechanical properties of rGO papers. The rGO paper prepared by soaking in L-ascorbic acid and thermal annealing in argon at 1000 °C (labeled rGO-AsA-T) showed superior electrical and mechanical properties when compared with rGO papers prepared merely by chemical reduction or thermal reduction. The as-prepared rGO-AsA-T paper exhibited an electrical conductivity of 5.7 × 104 S/m, showing an increase of 90% compared to that in the thermally annealed rGO paper and nearly 40 times that of rGO paper reduced by L-ascorbic acid. It was also found that the rGO-AsA-T paper had the lowest elastic modulus of 288 MPa, showing enhanced flexibility. The nearly free voids in rGO-AsA-T paper proved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were due to the capillary action in chemical reduction and were significant in improving the electrical conductivity and flexibility of the paper. The rGO-AsA-T paper with high conductivity and flexibility has a promising application in flexible electronics.

Graphene-based nanomaterials possess broad applications because of their excellent multi-functional properties. In this work, a facile self-assembling method was presented for preparing one kind of graphene oxide-based paper/hollow microspheres hybrid. It was found that most of the hollow microspheres can strongly anchored on the surface of graphene oxide paper (GOP) by an in-situ scanning electron microscope peeling testing combining with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In addition, the uniform distribution of hollow microspheres on the surface of GOP cannot only provide a better surface wettability, but also can effectively improve the interfacial stress-transfer capability between such hybrid and polymer matrix. Our work provides a guidance for the structural designs of graphene-based nanomaterials and broaden their applications.

Time-limited exposure of electrode-free optically rewritable electronic paper is essential for applications, but performance characteristics can be modest. In this study we investigate whether imag...

The potential of alkaline cellulo-xylanolytic enzymes from non-pathogenic Bacillus subtilis strain was tested for deinking of photocopier waste paper. Cellulase and xylanase play a crucial role in deinking of different types of waste paper. Partial purification of cellulo-xylanolytic enzymes was carried out using ultrafiltration followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The ultrafiltered enzyme was used for deinking the photocopier waste paper along with chemical deinking. An enzyme dose of 0.6 IU/g and reaction time of 60 min for ultrafiltered cellulo-xylanolytic enzyme significantly increased deinking efficiency, tear index (9.52%) and folding endurance (5±2%) as compared to chemical deinking. There was improvement in strength properties such as tear index and double-fold along with freeness of pulp (18%). There was slight decrease in tensile index (0.6%) and burst index (16%) while ISO brightness remained unaffected. Enzymatic deinking (74.3%) by ultrafiltered cellulo-xylanolytic from Bacillus subtilis was found significant over conventional chemical deinking.

In order to obtain a lignin-based adsorbent with low cost, simple operation and no further modification, a calcium lignin adsorbent was prepared from chemical mechanical pulping (CMP) waste liquor by directly calcification from lime. The calcium lignin was characterized by BET, SEM, TEM, FT-IR and solid-state NMR analyses. The results showed that the molecular structure of the calcium lignin particles did not change when compared to sodium lignin, the formation mechanism of calcium lignin was revealed. The initial COD and lignin contents of CMP waste liquid were 54858 mg/L and 24.39 g/L, the conversion rate of lignin can reach 71.36% when was deal with lime. Thus, most of the lignin resources in the waste liquid were recovered. The middle-stage wastewater (MSWW) of pulping and papermaking was dealt with calcium lignin, the COD removal rate was up to 85.83%. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics were well fitted by the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, respectively. Lime was regenerated from the used calcium lignin with high-temperature calcination, the conversion rate of calcium ions can reach 83.56%. Overall, the calcium lignin prepared by the one-step method exhibited great potential for effectively removing COD from middle-stage wastewater.

We demonstrated the thermally robust reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) papers and their application in electromagnetic interference shielding. In order to overcome the thermal durability shortcomings of electromagnetic wave shielding paper based on rGO nanomaterial, rGO/BNNT electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding paper having excellent thermal durability could be manufactured using BNNT nanomaterials having excellent chemical and thermal stability at high temperature. With the addition of a little BNNT, the durability against temperature can be increased by more than two times while there is little reduction in EMI performance.

The 2018 Fisheries White Paper and the Fisheries Act 2020 were designed to govern United Kingdom (UK) fisheries management in the post-Brexit era irrespective of whether the UK and the European Union (EU) succeeded in settling their differences on fisheries and other matters that for much of 2020 made it uncertain whether the Trade and Cooperation Agreement could be concluded. This article considers several international legal issues raised by the White Paper and Fisheries Act, including the choices made by the UK as to which regional fisheries management organisations to (re)join now that the EU no longer speaks for the UK within them, and the treaty processes for doing so, before moving on to further matters given only sketchy treatment in, or omitted altogether from, those documents, on which a firmer position ought to have been taken. Lastly, a new problem apparent for the first time in the Fisheries Act is discussed: navigational freedom of foreign fishing vessels in the UK's exclusive economic zone, and a missed opportunity to legislate a related evidential presumption that would assist future prosecutions for illegal fishing.

Excellent mechanical and electrical properties of graphene-based paper-like materials are essential for applications in flexible conductors, energy-storage devices, etc. The graphene oxide (GO) supernatant separated by centrifugation and ultrasonication has been used to prepare graphene oxide paper and reduced graphene oxide paper (rGOP) with high strength and conductivity. However, this method has cumbersome steps and low supernatant concentration, which greatly increases time and energy consumption, and is not suitable for rapid batch preparation of high-strength and high-thickness rGOP. Herein, a high-speed mechanical shearing method has been used to efficiently exfoliate graphite oxide suspension into high-concentration GO slurry with large lateral size, and rGOP has been further prepared by blade coating and HI acid chemical reduction. Compared with the product prepared by ultrasonic exfoliation method, the average area of GO sheets obtained via the mechanical shear exfoliation method can reach around 16.31 μm2. As a result, the mechanical properties and conductivity of the prepared rGOP have been increased by 30% and 23.5%, respectively, with the tensile strength and electrical conductivity of 478.2 MPa and 208.4 S/cm being obtained. The developed method is of great significance for the large-scale production and emerging applications of lightweight and high-performance rGOP.

Due to great advantages, such as simple operation, high porosity, and good fiber continuity, the working principle and research progress of electrospinning technology was studied and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) nanofibers were prepared via this process. Air filter paper was used as the receiving substrate to prepare electrospun nano air filter paper (NAFP). The PVOH concentration, static voltage, and receiving distance, were tested to explore the influence of spinning parameters on the filtration performance. Further, the microfiber morphology of the electrospun NAFP was observed. The performance of filter paper, including air permeability, pore size, initial resistance, filtration efficiency, and dust retention, were tested. The results showed that the electrospun NAFP had better filtration performance compared to the air filter paper, and simultaneously they had lower initial resistance and higher precision filtration efficiency. The nanofiber influenced the surface of the air filter paper, as it sharply reduced the pore size. When the spinning condition was 10%, 21 kV, and 15 cm, the pore size decreased approximately 0.6 times of the original, which meant the electrospun NAFP could capture particles ≥ 0.2 μm in size. Finally, after three repeated uses, the good filtration performance was maintained.

Organic dyes are used in many industries, e.g., textile, cosmetics and food. Hence, contamination of organic dyes to water sources is a critical issue. To reduce water pollution by organic dyes, we propose a paper-like adsorbent with a practical and economical production procedure. Subsequently, a flexible adsorbent was produced using a one-step approach by vacuum filtration of graphene oxide (GO) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) containing dispersion through a membrane and quoted as GO/Fe3O4 paper. For comparison, GO paper was also prepared using the same procedure. Both papers were characterized using UV–VIS absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. At the steady-state conditions, GO/Fe3O4 and GO papers were performed as adsorbent for cationic dyes of methylene blue, neutral red, and anionic dyes of methyl orange and fluorescein. In general, the removal efficiency of GO/Fe3O4 paper was higher than that of GO paper for adsorption of all dyes and this adsorbent revealed satisfactory adsorption properties for cationic dyes when compared to anionic dyes.

A comparative study of the proximate analysis, fire characteristics, and mechanical properties of the papers produced from pretreated and untreated bagasse was carried out. The bagasse collected was washed, dried, depithed and ground to pass through a 5 mm sieve using an electric milling machine. A portion was pulped without pretreatment, while others were pretreated (acetylation) before pulping and washing. After which different mass (0,2,4,6,8 and 10 g) of potassium aluminum sulphate, KAl(SO4)2.12H2O (alum) as flame retardant was added. The proximate analysis, fire characteristics and mechanical properties were determined. Results show that cellulose content increased with an increase in the concentration of potassium aluminum sulphate, while hemicellulose content increased from 24%-34% for flame retarded paper with 0-10 g concentration of alum. Lignin content also increased from 21.3%-63.2% for flame retarded paper with 0-10 g concentration of alum, respectively. Ash content varied with an increase in the concentration of potassium aluminum sulphate. Results from fire characteristics show that flame propagation and flame duration rate decreased with an increase in the concentration of alum, while ignition time and char formation increased in the concentration of alum. The mechanical properties, tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break were enhanced. Conclusively, pretreatment enhanced the properties of bagasse papers produced.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a representative toxicant in air pollution that mostly arises from the exhaust gas released by automobiles. It is related to various respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and sudden infant death syndrome. Additionally, because the toxicity of nitrogen dioxide is high in overpopulated areas (i.e., a capital or metropolis), the development of simple, practical, and facile sensors is highly needed. This work presents a flexible and disposable paper-based NO2 sensor based on a reduced graphene oxide/chitosan (rGO/CS) composite. The synthesized rGO/CS composite can be easily flexed and deformed into various shapes, which are attributed to chitosan molecules that function as a dispersion and reduction agent and support material. In addition, this composite can be attached to paper owing to its adhesive property; hence it can be utilized in versatile applications in a disposable manner. By analyzing the conductive change of the rGO/CS composite when it reacts with NO2, we can detect nitrogen dioxide in a concentration range of 0–100 ppm with a detection limit of 1 ppm. Moreover, we performed NO2 detection in the exhaust gas released by automobiles using the rGO/CS composite for practical application. The results indicated that the rGO/CS composite has the potential to be used in feasible gas sensing as a facile and disposable sensor under various conditions.

Uric acid is the primary end product of human purine metabolism and has been regarded as a key parameter in urine and blood for monitoring physiological conditions. This paper presents a paper-based biosensor for a quantitative determination of uric acid using electrochemical detection. The working electrode of the biosensor is modified with graphene oxide (GO) and 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (ATT) by electropolymerizing ATT on the surface of graphene oxide. In this study, cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements required only 200 μL of analyte solution. The experimental results showed that the oxidation peak current increased as the concentration of uric acid become higher and exhibited a linear relationship in the concentration range of 0.1–10 mM, indicating that this proposed biosensor has high sensitivity. In addition, this biosensor has good selectivity to detect uric acid because ATT has a specific binding with it. In human blood and body fluids, nitrites may be the only factor that can interfere with the detection of uric acid using this proposed biosensor. Nevertheless, uric acid can be discriminated from nitrite in the CV measurement due to different oxidation potentials. Thus, this proposed paper-based biosensor is a promising tool for detecting uric acid in biological samples.

Clear legal content of white papers provides certainty, stability and trust in the relations between all the participants in initial coins offering (ICO) procedures and contributes to the successfu...

In this study, Taguchi experimental design was used to the optimize operating parameters for the degradation of paper mill effluent using electrochemical (EC) process with two-dimensional concentric aluminum tube electrodes (CATE). For this purpose, four significant experimental factors were used in four levels pH (6–9), electrolysis time (10–40 min), voltage (6–12 V) and surface area (357–624 cm(2)). The process parameters were optimized, through performing L16 orthogonal array of Taguchi technique, for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity. The percent COD and turbidity reductions were transferred into an accurate S/N ratio for a larger value is the better (LBT) response. The study presents a unique method of finding optimum combination of process parameters to illustrate their effect on the turbidity and COD reduction. The treatment conditions for the maximum elimination of the pollutants were second level of pH (7), third level of ET (30 min), fourth level of voltage (12 V) and second level of surface area (446 cm(2)). The confirmation experiment results were within the confidence intervals (CI) indicating an acceptable agreement between predicted and observed values. Based on the p-values, the electrolysis time and voltages were found to be the most significant factors for both COD and turbidity reduction. The findings of research indicated, that the Taguchi method can be used successfully for the treatment of paper industry effluent by electrochemical technique.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emerging analytical technique for chemical analysis, which is favourable due to its combination of short measurement time, high sensitivity and molecular specificity. However, the application of SERS is still limited, largely because in real samples the analyte is often present in a complex matrix that contains micro/macro particles that block the probe laser, as well as molecular contaminants that compete for the enhancing surface. Here, we show a simple and scalable spray-deposition technique to fabricate SERS-active paper substrates which combine sample filtration and enhancement in a single material. Unlike previous spray-deposition methods, in which simple colloidal nanoparticles were sprayed onto solid surfaces, here the colloidal nanoparticles are mixed with hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) polymer before application. This leads to significantly improved uniformity in the distribution of enhancing particles as the film dries on the substrate surface. Importantly, the polymer matrix also protects the enhancing particles from air-oxidation during storage but releases them to provide SERS enhancement when the film is rehydrated. These SERS-paper substrates are highly active and a model analyte, crystal violet, was detected down to 4 ng in 10 μL of sample with less than 20% point-by-point signal deviation. The filter paper and HEC effectively filter out both interfering micro/macro particles and molecular (protein) contaminants, allowing the SERS-paper substrates to be used for SERS detection of thiram in mud and melamine in the presence of protein down to nanogram levels without sample pre-treatment or purification.

Objective : Most systematic reviews of interventions focus on potential benefits. Common methods and assumptions that are appropriate for assessing benefits can be inappropriate for harms. This paper provides a primer on researching harms, particularly in systematic reviews. Study Design and Setting : Commentary describing challenges with assessing harm. Results : Investigators should be familiar with various terminologies used to describe, classify, and group harms. Published reports of clinical trials include limited information about harms, so systematic reviewers should not depend on these studies and journal articles to reach conclusions about harms. Visualizations might improve communication of multiple dimensions of harms such as severity, relatedness, and timing. Conclusion : The terminology, classification, detection, collection, and reporting of harms create unique challenges that take time, expertise, and resources to navigate in both primary studies and evidence syntheses. Systematic reviewers might reach incorrect conclusions if they focus on evidence about harms found in published reports of randomized trials of a particular health problem. Systematic reviews could be improved through better identification and reporting of harms in primary studies and through better training and uptake of appropriate methods for synthesizing evidence about harms.

A novel iron-hydrogen battery system, whose Fe3+/Fe2+ cathode circumvents slowly dynamic oxygen reduction reaction and anode is fed with clean and cordial hydrogen, is systematically investigated. The maximum discharge power density of the iron-hydrogen battery reaches to 96.0 mW/cm2 under the room temperature. The capacity reaches to 17.2 Ah/L and the coulombic and energy efficiency are achieved to 99% and 86%, respectively, during the galvanostatic charge-discharge test. Moreover, stable cycling test is observed for more than 240 h and 100 cycles with the iron sulfate in the sulfuric acid solutions. It is found that air plasma treatment onto the cathode carbon paper can generate the oxygen-containing groups and increase the hydrophilic pores proportion to ca. 40%, enlarging nearly 6-fold effective diffusion coefficient and improving the mass transfer in the battery performance. The simple iron-hydrogen energy storage battery design offers us a new strategy for the large-scale energy storage and hydrogen involved economy.

The work aims to explore a microscopic observation system of paper surface and achieve high-precision stereoscopic observation with detail characterization of paper surface morphology. Based on the DT-400E precision program-controlled three-dimensional translation stage and KEYENCE LJV-7200 two-dimensional laser scanner, the hardware parts of our own system are developed to scan and transmit point cloud data of paper surface morphology to the computer. The corresponding system software will automatically process the point cloud data acquired from the laser scanner and generate the corresponding vivid 3D model and height histogram. This system scans and characterizes four different types of paper samples, allowing the human eye to visually distinguish the differences in surface morphology as well as automatically calculate the numerical differences in paper surface morphology parameters. The results of the applicability test show that the system is highly efficient in acquiring, observing, and evaluating the topography of the paper surface. The system can not only predict the paper surface quality of printed paper, but can also be extended to the evaluation of 3D printed surfaces.

The growth of (bio)sensors in analytical chemistry is mainly attributable to the development of affordable, effective, portable, and user-friendly analytical tools. In the field of sensors, paper-based devices are gaining a relevant position for their outstanding features including foldability, ease of use, and instrument-free microfluidics. Herein, a multifarious use of filter paper to detect copper ions in bodily fluids is reported by exploiting this eco-friendly material to (i) synthesize AuNPs without the use of reductants and/or external stimuli, (ii) print the electrodes, (iii) load the reagents for the assay, (iv) filter the gross impurities, and (v) preconcentrate the target analyte. Copper ions were detected down to 3 ppb with a linearity up to 400 ppb in standard solutions. The applicability in biological matrices, namely, sweat and serum, was demonstrated by recovery studies and by analyzing these biofluids with the paper-based platform and the reference method (atomic absorption spectroscopy), demonstrating satisfactory accuracy of the novel eco-designed analytical tool.

In recent years, far-right actors and movements have become a growing field of scientific research. The specific challenges of this political spectrum have led to a number of interdisciplinary debates on methodology and ethics. In this context, questions concerning a critical distance in research have played a crucial role since there is a constant risk of an involuntary reproduction and thus amplification of far-right ideology. The article ‘The transnationalization of ethno-nationalism: The case of the Identitarian Movement’ by Petra Mlejnková (published in Intersections) illustrates these pitfalls. It shows the consequences of a lack of reflexivity when approaching far-right activism. As a result, the author’s findings appear rather one-sided when contrasted with critical debates on far-right ideology and current methodological discussions. Moreover, the presentation of the results creates the impression of, at least implicit, empathy towards the ‘Identitarian Movement.’ This, in turn, shows the risk of scientific research turning unintentionally into a (discursive) ally of the far-right and promoting ideologies of inequality.

The paper sludge conditioning effects of waste polyester textile fibers as skeleton builders combined with ferric chloride (FeCl3) were evaluated and the sludge dewatering mechanism was explored. The catalytic effect of Fe-rich sludge biochar (Fe-SB) on enhancing sludge dewaterability was evaluated. Results showed the combined fiber-FeCl3 conditioning significantly promoted the sludge dewaterability compared with conditioner alone, leading to a 77.5% decrease in specific filtration resistance and a 68.9% increase in net yield. The decrease of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) contents showed that the EPS were difficult to extract and sludge floc strength was enhanced as a result of chemical reactions such as complexation processes and charge neutralization. Hence, the enhancement of sludge dewaterability was primarily due to the sludge cake with a porous and incompressible structure formed by fiber and FeCl3, and the rigidity structure of fiber. Moreover, the Fe-SB prepared by fiber-FeCl3 conditioning sludge could effectively activate persulfate to enhance the sludge dewaterability, with water content of dewatered sludge decreasing by 14.6%. The Fe-SB had dual functions of the heterogeneous catalyst of persulfate and skeleton builder. This study presents a sludge recycling method that combined physicochemical conditioning and sludge biochar materials prepared by pyrolysis.