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Background and aims: The excellent physical and chemical properties of Abacá and Japan papers make them one of the most used materials in restoration of cultural assets on paper. The objective of this work is to characterize the fibers that compose them and identify plant genera or species that were used in their manufacture. M&M: Fibers from samples of each paper and previously collected reference plant material were disintegrated. The diagnostic characters of the fibers were observed with a photomicroscope and photomicrographs were taken. Subsequently, the homologous characters were compared by relating the Abacá paper fiber samples with those of Musa sp. and the Japan paper samples with Broussonetia sp. and Euonymus sp. Results: There were coincidences between the diagnostic characters of the paper fibers of Abacá and Musa sp. Regarding the Japan paper samples, there were results consistent with Broussonetia sp. but not with Euonymus sp. Conclusions: According to the results observed between the Abacá paper fibers and the samples of the collected living material, we infer that the Abacá paper contains fibers of Musa sp. In the Japan paper samples, the similarities observed between the diagnostic characters of the fibers with respect to the reference plant samples indicate the presence of Broussonetia sp. fibers. There is no evidence of fibers of Euonymus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of electronic patient-reported outcomes has increased recently, and smartphones offer distinct advantages over other devices. However, previous systematic reviews have not investigated the reliability of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress (K6) when used with smartphones, and this has not been fully explored. This study aimed to evaluate the equivalence of the paper and smartphone versions of the CES-D, GAD-7, and K6, which were compared following a randomized crossover design method in 100 adults in Gunma, Japan. Participants responded to the paper and smartphone versions at 1-week intervals. The equivalence of paper and smartphone versions was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC agreement ). The mean participant age was 19.86 years (SD = 1.08, 23% male). The ICC agreements for the paper and smartphone versions of the CES-D, GAD-7, and K6 were 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.83), 0.68 (95% CI 0.59-0.77), and 0.83 (95% CI 0.75-0.88), respectively. Thus, the CES-D and K6 scales are appropriate for use in a smartphone version, which could be applied to clinical and research settings in which the paper or smartphone versions could be used as needed.

Abstract: The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), such as plastics and paper, is commonly recycled in Japan, but a considerable room for improvement still remains. Energy intensive industries, such as steel, cement, paper, and power plants, have great capacities to accept waste plastics and paper to substitute their fossil resource consumption and to reduce carbon emissions. We propose a “smart recycling system” that utilizes existing industrial facilities that have high energy efficiency, for establishing a cost-effective and robust recycling system. The core of the smart recycling system is the smart recycling center (SRC) that establishes a new recycling pathway connecting spatially diffuse municipal sources to facilities in energy intensive industries. This paper discusses the design and function of an SRC and estimates the CO2 emissions and costs related to the operation and construction of the SRC. We also evaluated the cost effectiveness of the smart recycling system, taking into account sorted collection, incineration, processes in the SRC, and processes in industrial facilities. We estimated that the system could result in a reduction of approximately 100kg of CO2 emissions per capita per year without a significant increase in cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Furunori (aged wheat starch paste) is a traditional adhesive used to bond layers of paper and/or silk in the mounting of Japanese scrolls. It differs from fresh wheat starch paste in texture, consistency, tack and ageing characteristics. Furunori is produced in traditional Japanese mounting studios using the same general process: paste is cooked as for fresh wheat starch paste, placed in large storage jars, covered with a layer of water and stored in a cool environment. For a number of years, conservators in the East Asian Paintings Conservation Studio (EAPCS) at the Freer Gallery of Art, USA, have been trying to make furunori with limited success. This article addresses various adaptations of the process of making furunori in a non-traditional setting. The authors take a brief look at the starting material, wheat starch, and its manufacture in Japan as well as the chemistry of the process by which fresh wheat starch paste is transformed into furunori with long-term storage. A thorough description of the annual process of making furunori in a traditional Japanese mounting studio is also provided. The EAPCS process of making furunori is re-examined in an attempt to elucidate problems that lead to failed furunori. In addition, for comparison, a survey was conducted of other conservation studios located outside Japan that are making furunori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the issue on plant science in Korea. It reveals that the theory on country's scientific focus was not transparent to the people involved in the research. It presents an analysis with the participation of top ten countries including Northern America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. It succumbs that the countries in Asia are smaller than those mentioned above with respect to research publication other than Japan. It explains that Korea and China have increased the number of papers being published annually which out put is equaled with Brazil.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a color developer in a thermal paper that after a heating process reacts with a leuco dye and changes it to a colored form. Receipts from cash registers are considered as the main source of consumer exposure to bisphenols together with polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Levels of BPA and its possible alternatives were determined in thermal paper samples collected between May 2018 and May 2019 in 22 European and 17 non-European countries on all inhabited continents (220 samples in total, 133 of which were from Europe and 87 from other countries). These measurements were intended to check the level of BPA presence in receipts originating from different countries, especially from Europe in the light of changing regulations restricting its use. The effect of thermal printing on developer content was also analyzed, but no major changes in concentrations of bisphenols were observed during the process. Thus, printed receipts could be used for the determination of bisphenol content. Analysis of receipts from 39 countries has shown that BPA is still the most common compound used around the world with 69% samples containing this color developer. Among other tested bisphenols, BPS was used as a color developer in 20% samples, but it was noted that all samples collected from Japan and the United States of America were found to contain only BPS. Other bisphenols (F, AF, E, and B) considered as possible alternatives for BPA were detected only at trace levels or not detected at all, which showed that they were not used as color developers. The relatively large use of BPS as a BPA substitute is worrying because this compound not only has similar endocrine properties but is also poorly biodegradable. Besides, its relatively high polarity facilitates spreading in the environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

This article highlights a technique developed by scientists at the Yokohama City Sewage Bureau in Japan in June 1991, which turns sewage into paper. The technique entails heating the sewage to 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit and spinning it. Thus far, the weak, speckled paper has been used to make business cards for the bureau's officials. But, because the average Yokohaman produces enough sewage to make four sheets of paper each day, city officials are examining other potential uses for this unlikely resource.

Clinical reasoning competency is essential for an appropriate clinical dental treatment. Among the tools for the assessment of clinical reasoning competency, computer-based testing (CBT) is considered more useful than paper-based testing (PBT), because teachers can control the timing of information given to the examinees. Such timings could possibly affect the thinking process of examinees. However, few studies reported differences of reasoning between the two testing modes. In the present study, we developed an assessment of clinical reasoning and applied it using CBT and PBT to compare the examinees' performance. The participants comprised 60 students in the fifth-year class in 2012 of the School of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The tests comprised 25 problems, each with four questions, totaling 100 questions. The contents of the questions were the same in CBT and PBT. The students were assigned to CBT (Group C, n = 30) and PBT (Group P, n = 30) groups, with an almost equal gender ratio in the groups. The difference between scores was analyzed with a univariate analysis of variance. No significant intergroup differences were found regarding the test duration, total score, and average score of each question. The number of problems with perfect marks was higher in Group P than in Group C (P < 0.05), probably because Group P students could access the information of the previous question (s) within a problem. Thus, the differences of the examinees' performance between the two testing modes were small.

A risk assessment study of seven phthalates in paper diapers for newborn babies produced in Japan was performed. The diapers were purchased and the contents of the seven phthalates were determined and estimated amounts of exposure were calculated based on the eluted rate into artificial medium of urine or sweat, average weight of infants, and frequency of use. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate were detected in the topsheets and determined to be 0.6 μg/g and 0.2 μg/g, respectively. The daily estimated exposure volume was calculated to be in the range of 1.86 × 10(-10)-2.98 × 10(-6) mg/kg/day as follows: content of seven phthalates in the topsheet (0.1-1 μg/g) × eluted rate of phthalates into artificial sweat (0.0006-2.4%) × weight of the topsheet of a diaper (1.5 g) × the number of diapers used per day (12 sheets) × skin absorption rate (0.005-0.1)/average body weight (2.9 kg). For hazard assessment, we used 0.2-300 mg/kg/day for the seven phthalates based on the data available at international agencies. The margin of exposure to the seven phthalates was 6.71 × 10(4)-1.99 × 10(11), indicating that the risk of exposure to phthalates from the diapers produced in Japan was negligible., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Reports on the increase in demand for bulky book paper according to Tappi company in Tokyo, Japan.

Reports on the release of the trend information regarding the paper recovery and its consumption by the Paper Recycling Promotion Center Japan.

This article reports on a paper bicycle frame designed by Yoshifumi Kato of the Japan Bicycle Technical Center in Inuyama that is both lightweight and recyclable. The frame, which is made from handmade paper fibers and epoxy with a thin plastic coating, weighs only 1,300 grams. Standard aluminum or carbon-fiber frames can weigh up to 1,800 grams and even the lightest racing bikes weigh 1,200. Furthermore, a frame is badly mangled in an accident can be dropped off at a recycling center instead of at the dump.

Paper passes through many hands. In the present paper, key parts of this cycle in Japan were examined, using questionnaire surveys of households and paper makers. The study aimed to examine the paper makers' strategy for paper production and their attitude to recycling, in comparison with those of the consumers. The study especially focused on toilet paper because consumers have a lot of freedom in purchasing toilet paper. A total of 1242 consumers and 60 paper makers responded. The major findings were as follows. First, we compared the criteriaof consumers for purchasing toilet paper with the conjectures of paper makers. Brand, advertisements and the appearance of shopping displays received 60% support from paper makers, but less than 12% of consumers selected these criteria even if we exclude those who do not buytoilet paper or do not have any particular criteria. On the other hand, multiple plies and benefit to the earth were selected by moderatenumbers (between 20 and 25%) of consumers, while only 16.77 and 5.69%, respectively of paper makers marked these criteria. Paper makers strongly believe that many retailers sell toilet paper as a loss-leader. By comparing those matters considered important for recycling by consumers with those considered important by makers, it was shown thatmany makers have a clear awareness of the particular problem, the lack of used paper consumption, in the current paper recycling situation in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic scale of radioisotopes (RI) in Japan is studied in the field of medicine, agriculture and a part of industry. (1) RI is used during medical examination with economic scale by 1.7M$ (million dollars) in 1997 and 0.4M$ in 2005. (2) Economic scale of RI utilization in agriculture is 4M$ for R&D, 127M$ for environmental protection and 1M$ for chronology. RI usage in agriculture is increased five times due to needs at environmental technology lasted after the Kyoto protocol. (3) Indirect economic scale of RI ((85)Kr, (147)Pm, (90)Cr) usage in paper fabrication field in Japan for 2006 is 8432M$.

In this study, eight compounds have been identified and quantified from the samples collected from paper-recycling process water discharge areas. In particular, five aryl hydrocarbons, including a novel chlorinated aryl ether, were identified for the first time as environmental pollutants. In the effluent stream, concentration levels of up to 1600 microg L(-1) and 190 microg g(-1) were detected in the surface water and surface sediment, respectively. The results of this study have raised concerns regarding the organic chemicals used in thermal paper and the environmental consequences of their release.

Fractionation of wheat straw was investigated using an atmospheric acetic acid process. Under the typical conditions of 90% (v/v) aqueous AcOH, 4% H(2)SO(4) (w/w, on straw), ratio of liquor to straw (L/S) 10 (v/w), pulping temperature 105 degrees C, and pulping time 3h, wheat straw was fractionated to pulp (cellulose), lignin and monosaccharides mainly from hemicellulose with yields of approximately 50%, 15% and 35%, respectively. Acetic acid pulp from the straw had an acceptable strength for paper and could be bleached to a high brightness over 85% with a short bleaching sequence. Acetic acid pulp was also a potential feedstock for fuels and chemicals. The acetic acid process separated pentose and hexose in wheat straw to a large extent. Most of the pentose (xylan) was dissolved, whereas the hexose (glucan) remained in the pulp. Approximately 30% of carbohydrates in wheat straw were hydrolyzed to monosaccharides during acetic acid pulping, of which xylose accounted for 70% and glucose for 12%. The acetic acid lignin from wheat straw showed relatively lower molecular weight and fusibility, which made the lignin a promising raw material for many products, such as adhesive and molded products.

As part of an International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) international epidemiological study of workers in the pulp and paper industry, previously unpublished exposure measurements were assembled in a database. This article summarizes the results of 3,873 measurements carried out in the production departments of paper and paperboard mills and recycling plants in 12 countries. In the paper and paperboard mills, most of the agents were measured in the pulping and refining departments and in on-machine coating and winding of paper/paperboard. Exposures to asbestos, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, fungal spores, bacteria, nitrogen dioxide, minerals dusts, paper dust, sulphuric acid and different solvents sometimes exceeded exposure limit values. In the re-pulping and de-inking departments of recycling plants high exposures to formaldehyde, fungal spores, bacteria and paper dust were observed. High exposures to asbestos, bioaerosols, carbon monoxide and paper dust were found in many departments; ammonia, formaldehyde, mineral and paper dust and solvents were found in coating machines; and diphenyl and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were found in some special circumstances. Measurements in the newsprint and uncoated paper machine departments revealed only a few elevated exposures. In nearly all departments, measurements of epichlorohydrin, PCBs, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans tended to be low, often even below their detection limits. In spite of some uncertainties in the measurement data, the study provides new insights into the level and variation of occupational exposures of production workers in the paper and paperboard industry.

L(+)-lactic acid production was investigated using an enzymatic hydrolysate of waste office automation (OA) paper in a culture of the filamentous fungus Rhizopus oryzae. In 4 d culture, 82.8 g/l glucose, 7 g/l xylose, and 3.4 g/l cellobiose contained in the hydrolysate were consumed to produce 49.1 g/l of lactic acid. The lactic acid yield and production rate were only 0.59 g/g and 16.3 g/l/d, respectively, only 75% and 61% of the results from the glucose medium. The low production rate from waste OA hydrolysate was elucidated by trials using xylose as the sole carbon source; in those trials, the lactic acid production rate was 7.3 g/l/d, only 28% that of glucose or cellobiose. The low lactic acid yield from waste OA hydrolysate was clarified by trials using artificial hydrolysates comprised of 7:2:1 or 7:1:2 ratios of glucose:cellobiose:xylose. For both, the lactic acid production rate of 17.4 g/l/d matched that of waste OA paper, while the lactic acid yield was similar to that of the glucose medium. This indicates that the production rate may be inhibited by xylose derived from hemicellulose, and the yield may be inhibited by unknown compounds derived from paper pulp.

Wet oxidation was investigated for its process performance on methane fermentation of newspaper waste. The mechanisms of solubilization of newspaper waste were investigated using the following criteria: destruction of total COD (TCOD), production of soluble COD (SCOD), production of volatile fatty acids, production of soluble carbohydrates, production of soluble lignin derivatives (SLD), production of furan (F) and destruction of lignin and cellulose. Wet oxidation was carried out at 170, 190, and 210 degrees C, with a retention time of 1 h. The highest removal efficiencies of TCOD and cellulose were achieved at 210 degrees C, approximately 40% and 69% were destroyed, respectively. On the other hand, highest lignin removal efficiency was achieved at 190 degrees C in which approximately 65% was removed. Batch methane fermentation tests were performed in 2-l glass bottles filled with the wet oxidized newspaper samples. Methane fermentation of newspaper pretreated at 190 degrees C gave the highest CH(4) conversion efficiency (59% of the initial TCOD was recovered as CH(4) gas). Anaerobic cellulose removals varied from 74% to 88%.

To determine if the type of work performed should be considered in research on shift work and cardiovascular disease, we compared the heart rates, total number of steps walked, and blood pressures of 12 shift workers on the same rotating 3-shift schedule in a pulp and paper mill. Six workers were selected from the paper manufacturing section (group 1) and six workers from the chemical products section (group 2). Average heart rate (in beats per min) monitored during duty time was 84.3 in group 1 and 87.4 in group 2. Average heart rate during work was not significantly higher than that during rest in both groups 1 (work 85.8, rest 75.3) and 2 (work 87.9, rest 83.1). There was no significant difference in the total number of steps walked. A non-significant decrease in systolic blood pressure value was found in group 1 compared with that in group 2. Although future studies will be needed to explain the relation between different work styles and their effects on the health of shift workers, our results suggest no significant difference in heart rates among workers engaged in different kinds of work on the same shift work schedule.

Bags impregnated with the organophosphorus pesticides prothiofos and cyanophos in three levels were used to cover Japanese apple-pears to protect them from insects. The amounts of prothiofos residue in the bags collected 4 months after application ranged from 0 to 34% of the amounts (81, 148, and 333 microg) found in the bags prior to a bagging. The amounts of cyanophos residue in bags collected 4 months after application ranged from 11 to 29% of the amounts (335, 2860, and 3740 microg) present prior to a bagging. Amounts of prothiofos found in fruits after 4 months ranged from 0 to 0.076 ppm. Amounts of cyanophos found in fruits after 4 months ranged from 0 to 0.011 ppm. Results of the present study indicate that these two pesticides migrated from pesticide-impregnated bags to fruits during the growing season.

This paper describes a patient identification system with a disposable paper card. In general, total costs of cards themselves, equipments and personnel are remarkable, not negligible for the hospital management. Therefore, a disposable identification cards made of a paper were issued to out-patients in our hospital. Many order forms were integrated into only one sheet. Patient identification data were printed on this sheet by a computer system when a patient came to the reception desk, and quickly transmitted to physicians. We could save the hospital costs and printing works by physicians, and also shorten the waiting time of patients at reception desks.

With regard to deformity of the fingers (chiefly Heberden's nodes) frequently occurring in Japan among workers preparing school lunches, an epidemiological study was carried out with a suspicion that this deformity might be an occupational disease. We studied the deformity of fingers among woman employees of a papermaking mill (262 mill workers in comparison with 108 office workers) who excessively use their fingers on the job like workers preparing school lunches. The results of this study showed that the number of mill workers suffering from deformity of the fingers (chiefly Heberden's nodes) was significantly (p less than 0.01) greater than that of office workers. Genetic factor, aging factor and mechanical factor have been cited as the etiological factors for the development of Heberden's nodes. However, our findings suggest that mechanical factor is a more important rather than the genetic or aging factor. As for mechanical factor, we have proposed for the first time that repetition of strong and precise pinching movement with the use of all fingers of both hands is an important factor.

In Sapporo City, the mass-screening for neuroblastoma concerning the urine of infants at about 6 months of age, started in 1981. After 1984, the quantitative determination of VMA, HVA in the urine was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography from the first step. About 104,000 babies have received the screening during the last 7 years, and 19 patients were found (incidence of detection 1:5,500). Except for one, who died of the duodenal perforation shortly after the surgery, all other patients are surviving free from disease. Among 10,000 neonates, we determined urinary concentration of VMA, HVA, and no positive cases were found. However, from this group, 2 patients we detected by the mass-screening at 6 months of age (1:5,000). After the start of mass-screening, the number of the patients with this tumor in much earlier stages and younger ages increased, clarifying that the main cause for improvement of the survival rates of neuroblastoma in Sapporo.

A review of the history of diaper use in various countries reveals a number of difficulties that have been confronted. These difficulties seem to be associated with both climatic and traditional factors in each country. In Japan, for example, because of the hot and humid summers, there was a need to make diapers both leak- and 'stuffiness'-proof. At first the use of natural fiber diaper covers met this need, but the recent development of disposable diapers seems to even better solve these problems. Yet disposable diapers still make up only 25% of the diaper market in Japan. This is because the Japanese view of baby care and the country's economy have worked against acceptance of disposable diapers, despite their merits. The slower trend toward disposable diaper use in Japan is in contrast to their rapid acceptance in Western Europe and the United States. Western acceptance probably stems from the perception that disposable diapers are a convenient and practical alternative to cotton diapers. Japan is moving in the direction of greater acceptance, but will do so according to Japanese customs and thought.