Search

Alstonia boonei, an abundant lesser utilized species within the West African Subregion, was evaluated as an alternative raw material for pulp and paper production. The basic density (BD), fibre characteristics [fibre length (FL), fibre diameter (FD), lumen diameter (LD) and wall thickness (WT)], derived anatomical indices [Flexibility Ratio (FR), Slenderness Ratio (SR), Rigidity Coefficient (RC), Luce’s Shape Factor (LSF), Solids Factor (SF) and Runkel Ratio (RR)] and chemical composition (lignin, holocellulose, 1% NaOH solubility and ash contents) of A. boonei were studied to evaluate variation along the trunk (base, middle and top portions) and ascertain its suitability for pulp and paper production. Significant variations were observed in the density and fibre characteristics along the trunk of the tree. Although the FD was large, the observed adequate FL, thin-wall and large LD implied easy beating of fibres and manufacture of dense, smooth and strong papers. The favourable SF, RR, FR, RC, and LSF values obtained for the fibres would produce papers with suitable burst and tearing strengths and folding endurance. Chemically the lower lignin (< 30%), ash and 1% NaOH solubility and the high holocellulose contents of A. boonei, will generate a higher pulp yield. A. boonei although a low-density species, will be desirable for pulp and paper production.

The pulp and paper industry’s multi-tonnage liquid waste is spent cooking liquor containing lignosulfonates, which disposal and processing remains one of the most complex environmental and technological problems, which should be solved. Lignosulfonates have unique colloidal-chemical properties, which determines their high resource potential. However, lignosulfonates’ composition instability often does not provide the properties and indicators set by the consumer. Changing market conditions require constant waste monitoring and modification, that prevents the widespread lignosulfonates use in industrial practice. In this paper, the causes for the formation of lignin-containing waste and its impact on the environment are considered. A strategy for lignosulfonates utilization has been developed, as well as promising methods for these wastes processing and disposal, which will expand the use of lignosulfonates and reduce the pulp and paper industry negative impact on the environment.

In this study, office waste paper was utilized as the raw material for production of bioethanol. Experimental studies have been carried out cellulose to sugar by acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysis of waste paper to sugar was carried out 121?C with 5%(v/v) sulfuric acid with the volume of 100ml, 200ml and 5,10,15 g of office waste paper to obtain the best yield of hydrolysate. After adjustment of pH with 5M of sodium hydroxide solution, fermentation was investigated using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae to convert sugar to bioethanol and produced 0.033 g/ml of maximum sugar with 150 rpm for overnight at room temperature. The viability of cell was not the only factor influencing fermentation. The operation time for hydrolysis, adjustment of pH, amount of yeast and rate of aeration during fermentation a was a key interactive factor resulting in ethanol accumulation.

In recent years, with the rapid development of the Internet industry, the publicity effect of paperbark walnuts has been substantially increased, and the consumption and demand of paperbark walnuts have been rising, and the output of paperbark walnuts in China has also increased year by year. This paper takes the panel data of the top three prefecture-level cities in each GDP ranking of five provinces in northwest China from 2012 to 2021 as the sample and combines the DEA model with Malmquist to evaluate and analyze the logistics efficiency of paper walnuts in northwest China. It is found that the overall logistics efficiency of paperback walnuts in Northwest China has been improved in recent years, but there are still areas that need to be improved, such as the factor distribution is not reasonable enough; the logistics efficiency of paperback walnuts in Northwest China from 2012 to 2021 is in a fluctuating state; the logistics efficiency of paperback walnuts in Shaanxi Province is better than the other provinces and is in the leading position; the improvement of technological progress has a key role in the total factor productivity improvement. As a result, this paper puts forward five specific suggestions based on the research results to help accelerate the improvement of paper walnut logistics efficiency in Northwest China.

The study presents the integration of architectural design approaches in the fashion design process suggesting a new educational method based on structural model fabrication. The paper addresses the output of an experimental collaborative practice-based workshop titled ‘Fashion Clash’ that mixes both architects and fashion designers. The workshop focused on testing self-structural garments following a manual workflow which is divided into three main phases, (1) modeling and form-finding, (2) assembly, and (3) fabrication. Paper-based materials are used for transforming full-scale garments into textiles. The results presented seven garments displayed at a fashion show that show the effect of the folding techniques in reaching stability and highlighting the interdisciplinary integration of architects and fashion designers. The study concludes that implementing a parametric design logic based on architectural perspective in fashion would generate innovative ways of testing self-supporting geometry. Digitally computing the forces and structure before fabrication are left for further research.

Comparative studies on paper and pencil– and computer-based tests principally focus on statistical analysis of students’ performances. In educational assessment, comparing students’ performance (in terms of right or wrong results) does not imply a comparison of problem-solving processes followed by students. In this paper, we present a theoretical tool for task analysis that allows us to highlight how students’ problem-solving processes could change in switching from paper to computer format and how these changes could be affected by the use of one environment rather than another. In particular, the aim of our study lies in identifying a set of indexes to highlight possible consequences that specific changes in task formulation have, in terms of task comparability. Therefore, we propose an example of the use of the tool for comparing paper-based and computer-based tasks.

Test construction is vital in the process of assessing students’ learning. This motivated researchers to investigate the multi-faceted nature of test construction. Interestingly, reviewed studies indicate the need to conduct continuous investigations on test construction given the different educational reforms and paradigm shift in education. With this premise, this study was implemented to determine the common types of tests given in English, Math, Science, Filipino, and Technology courses of industrial-technical students. It also determined the teachers’ committed violations on the rules, principles, and guidelines of test construction. Through content analysis of the test papers, the study found that the common types of test given to industrial-technical students are multiple choice, identification, and enumeration; essay, alternate response, and completion tests. In addition, the violations surfaced on basic principles in test construction, constructing test instructions, and writing multiple choice, identification test, enumeration; essay, alternate response, and completion tests. Hence, teachers need to diversify the types of tests given to students and follow the rules, principles, and guidelines in test construction.

Today, computer graphics and graphic image processing techniques have been widely used in daily life and industrial production. Due to the development of computers, computer graphics has brought more convenience to our daily life. In order to give full play to the value of computers, this paper takes the Hakka paper-cut art with local characteristics as the starting point, first of all its development history, artistic characteristics, compositional forms, expression techniques, cultural connotations, Hakka paper-cut patterns, and the symbolic meaning of folk customs, and then we design a visualization system for the paper-cut works of Gannan Hakka based on computer graphics. In addition, the system provides a solution for the integration of Gannan Hakka paper-cut art and Jiangxi native product packaging design and provides a reference for the theory and practice of modern native product packaging design.

We study generalised rock-paper-scissors models with an arbitrary odd number N \geq 5 of species, among which n are weak, with 2 \leq n \leq (N-1)/2. Because of the species' weakness, the probability of individuals conquering territory in the cyclic spatial game is low. Running stochastic simulations, we study the role of unevenness in the rock-paper-scissors game in spatial patterns and population dynamics, considering diverse models where the weak species are in different positions in the cyclic game order. Studying systems with five and seven species, we discover that the individuals' spatial organisation arising from the pattern formation process determines the stability of the cyclic game with multiple weak species. Our outcomes show that the presence of species unbalances the spatial distribution of organisms of the same species bringing consequences on territorial dominance, with the predominant species being determined by the position in the cyclic game order. Our simulations elucidate that, in general, the further apart the regions inhabited by different weak species are, the less the coexistence between the species is jeopardised. We show that if multiple weak species occupy adjacent spatial domains, the unevenness in the cyclic game is reinforced, maximising the chances of biodiversity loss. Our discoveries may also be helpful to biologists in comprehending systems where weak species unbalance biodiversity stability., Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures

NiCoS has good conductivity, and the sulfur it contains is known to improve the activity for hydrogen evolution reaction. Thus NiCoS has recently attracted much attention as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst in neutral-pH water electrolysis. In this study, NiCoS was fabricated using pulse electrodeposition method and the effect of off time on the composition, morphology, and hydrogen evolution reaction activity was investigated. The physical and chemical characteristics of the catalyst were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, etc. It was observed that the surface area of NiCoS, the sulfur content, and hydrogen evolution reaction activity of NiCoS increased together as the off time increased at a constant on time. The NiCoS with the highest sulfur content, produced by pulse electrodeposition, showed overpotentials of 262 and 285 mV to deliver current densities of 10, 50 mA/cm2, respectively, in the neutral pH region.

A classical result of K. L. Chung and W. Feller deals with the partial sums S k S_k arising in a fair coin-tossing game. If N n N_n is the number of “positive” terms among S 1 S_1 , S 2 S_2 , …, S n S_n then the quantity P ( N 2 n = 2 r ) P(N_{2n} = 2r) takes an elegant form. We lift the restriction on an even number of tosses and give a simple expression for P ( N 2 n + 1 = r ) P(N_{2n+1} = r) , r = 0 r = 0 , 1 1 , 2 2 , …, 2 n + 1 2n+1 . We get to this ansatz by adaptating the Feynman–Kac methodology.

This study was undertaken to introduce a fast, accurate, selective, simple and environment-friendly colorimetric method to determine iron (II) concentration in different lipstick brands imported or manufactured locally in Baghdad, Iraq. The samples were collected from 500-Iraqi dinars stores to establish routine tests using the spectrophotometric method and compared with a new microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) platform as an alternative to cost-effective conventional instrumentation such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). This method depends on the reaction between iron (II) with iron(II) selective chelator 1, 10-phenanthroline(phen) in the presence of reducing agent hydroxylamine (HOA) and sodium acetate (NaOAc) buffer to yield a reddish/orange colour change proportional to the iron(II) concentration measured at λmax = 510 nm. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range between (0.5-150) mg L-1 with a limit of detection of 0.09 mg L-1. Compared to a spectrophotometric detection method, µPAD measured colour intensity using captured images using Samsung mobile phone and image J program to give proof of concept that µPAD platform fulfils the purpose of accuracy and at the same time remaining cost-effective and simplistic to be used in both developing and developed countries gave same linear calibration curve with a limit of detection 0.12 mg L-1. ANOVA test was used to compare the proposed method results with conventional method results showing the method was accepted. The antimicrobial activity showed no significant effect from lipstick samples on tested microbes.

In a recent paper ?Filomat, 35:5 (2021), 1555-1564? the authors proved some best proximity point theorems for classes of contractive pair of mappings as well as cyclic ?-contractions under some sufficient conditions. In this article, we present some counterexamples of the existence results of contractive pair of mappings and present the corrected version of these results. We also show that the best proximity point theorem for cyclic ?-contractions is a straightforward consequence of Boyd-Wong fixed point theorem by dropping an additional assumption.

Urinary Schistosomiasis is neglected tropical disease (NTDs) caused by the trematode, Schistosoma haematobium. This Study was designed to comparatively observe the use of Combi 10 and filter paper in the diagnosis of Schistosoma hameatobium, and to determine the prevalence and intensity of the Infection among Primary School Pupils in Makurdi Metropolis. A survey involving 202 pupils from four different primary schools within the Makurdi Metropolis was conducted. Urine samples were collected from pupils between the ages 5 to 19 and examined for hematuria and Ova of Schistosoma haematobium using Medi Test Combi 10 and Polycarbonate Filters in Urine Syringe Filtration Technique (USFT) respectively. The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium based on microscopic examination of Filter papers was 25.7% while prevalence of Hematuria was 35%. Prevalence of Proteinuria was observed to be 50% Infection Intensity varied from Light to heavy. In general infection was higher among males (26.3%) than females (25.8%; P>0.05) although statistically non-significant. The age specific prevalence ranged from 11.1% to 40% in 5-9 years and 15-19 years respectively (P >0.05), and showed no significant difference. There was also a strong positive correlation between the use Medi-test Combi 10 reagent strips and Poly membrane Filtration technique. A total of 111 urine samples were positive to haematuria using combi 10 while only 52 urine samples were positive to S. haematobium using poly membrane filter paper, hence correlation is significant at 0.05 level. The above finding shows that S. haematobiumis prevalent among primary school pupils and the use of Combi 10 and Filter paper are both diagnostic tools that can be used in S. haematobium diagnosis. They can both ascertain the prevalence of the disease will provide a guide for the treatment and eradicating of the infection. Hence, decisive control measures including administration of praziquantel to pupils are needed.

In this paper, we first generalize to any hyper-Kahler manifold X with $$b_3(X)\not =0$$ results proved by O’Grady for hyper-Kahler manifolds of generalized Kummer type. In the second part, we restrict to hyper-Kahler manifolds of generalized Kummer type and prove, using results of Markman, that their Kuga–Satake correspondence is algebraic.

“Real Normed Algebras Revisited,” the last paper of the late Gadi Moran, attempts to reconstruct the discovery of the complex numbers, the quaternions, and the octonions, as well as proofs of their...

Rewinding machines are used in the paper converting industrial sector to unroll paper veils from large source reels and wind them around smaller rolls, for the production of paper logs to be used in household activities. Many different types of rewinding machine exist, and they are mostly based on stapling devices which automatically unroll a large coil of paper, roll it up around a new log, stop the veil allowing it to be torn off, unload the completed paper log, and reload a new paper core to be rolled up. Winding units generally include a primary and a secondary roller, supplying the desired rotational speed for winding, and a pressure unit consisting of a pressure roller in contact with the paper log being rolled up, which assures adequate containment and avoids the paper log to escape. All known systems have some mechanical limitations, mainly due to the contact of the pressure roller with the paper log, causing instabilities and vibrations, particularly when working with soft paper veils. This limits the maximum possible winding speed. The aim of this paper is it to present a detailed kinematic analysis of a novel pressure unit which overcomes the aforementioned limitation.

In any instructive field educational programs, the courses are characterized with learning goals. It is exceptionally challenging for the instructors to create Question Papers with changed questions. There's no standardizing strategy to guarantee quality of question paper. Consequently, there arises a have to be have a framework which can consequently produce it from we entered information inside few seconds. It’s basic to specify tests and exams, it plans understudies in their journey for information, so having a legitimate examination paper & organize is essential. Now the traditional strategy of producing address paper has been manual and it is exceptionally time and cost expending to diminish these things we developed this framework which is able make the programmed address paper and this it can be valuable to numerous instructive establishing.

The study investigates on activities of returning the usage paper boxes through online shopping among universities’ students in China. It also can investigate the similarity studies in online shopping at other countries and adopting the concept of reverse logistics.Online shopping is the most popular transaction at present especially among students and working adults for conveniences in lifestyles. Online shopping is able to reduce purchasing times, personal costs, having multiple choices with cheaper products. With regards of the package in on-line shopping, most of the sellers are using the designed paper boxes for packaging and sending them to their customers. Upon receiving, the buyers normally destroyed the paper boxes, throwing away into dust bin and some were kept for nothing. These will impact the environment, health and space for unnecessary. The activities on on-line shopping are increasing and the usages of paper boxes are worrying for the country. The population (2019) in China is approximately to 1.4 Billion with the penetration rates on online shopping reached 55.8%. The estimated amount of on-line shopping in 2019 closed to USD 1.9 Trillion and the volume is increasing between 8 -12 % every year. Online shopping is motivated by product range, price advantages and availability of reviews. This study also proposes a framework to improve understanding on which psychological factors may increase the rate on returning the paper-boxes from online-shopping. The framework uses the constructs of Theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a basis, extending an exogenous factors and applies to the pro-environmental activities’ context. At the end the articles show that the intention in returning the paper boxes from online shopping are not only affected by attitude, subjective norms andPerceived Behavioral Control (PBC) but also by exogenous factors.

Heavy metal contaminants in the soil will have a direct effect on human life. The spatial distribution of naturally occurring heavy metals is highly heterogeneous and significantly increased concentrations may be present in the soil at certain locations. Heavy metals in areas of high concentration can be distributed to other areas by surface runoff, groundwater flow, weathering and atmospheric cycles (eg wind, sea salt spray, volcanic eruptions, deposition by rivers). More and more people are now using a combination of geographic information science (GIS) with geostatistical statistical analysis techniques to examine the spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils on a regional scale. The most widely used geostatistical methods are the Inverse Distance Weighted, Kriging, and Spatial Autocorrelation methods as well as other methods. This review paper will explain clearly the source of the presence of heavy metals in soil, geostatistical methods that are often used, as well as case studies on the use of geostatistics for the distribution of heavy metals. The use of geostatistical models allows us to accurately assess the relationship between the spatial distribution of heavy metals and other parameters in a map.

"Caputo fractional differential equations with impulses are a very useful apparatus for adequate modeling of the dynamics of many rea world problems. It requires developments of good and consistent theoretical proofs and the results for various problems. In this note we point out and correct the statement of the boundary value problem with Riemann--Liouville fractional integral for impulsive Caputo fractional differential equation studied in the paper "" A. Zada, B. Dayyan, Stability analysis for a class of implicit fractional differential equations with instantaneous impulses and Riemann--Liouville boundary conditions, Ann. Univ. Craiova, Math. Comput. Sci. Ser., 47 (2020), 88-110."""