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This paper examines the feasibility of extracting cellulose from tissue paper wastes (TPW's) using several methods: sonication (SC), subcritical (SU), microwave (MC), and microwave with diluted acid (MA). The chemical characterisation and morphological properties of nanocrystal cellulose were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX). TPW's have a relatively high crystallinity index (CrI = 61.02%). It was found to be lower than that for cellulose extracted using SU and SC MC, MA methods, where CrI to 65.65%, 68.07%, 69.21% and 73.42%, respectively. The MA method yielded cellulose with the highest CrI and altered surface morphology. This cellulose was selected for cellulose acetate synthesis. After acetylation, the CrI decreased to 61.45%, and the morphological aspect was changed. In conclusion, nanocrystal cellulose was successfully extracted from TPW's and effectively changed to its esterified form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Conference proceedings are valuable sources for research, providing insights into individual or organisational projects. Australian library and information services (LIS) professionals have the opportunity to contribute to a robust conference culture, including the biennial library technology VALA conference. Practice-driven conferences can offer interpretations of LIS practitioner experiences, however, there is limited research focusing on Australian LIS conference proceedings. The VALA conference papers offer a unique record of technology's impact, influence, and implementation in Australian LIS organisations over the last forty years. This article will outline the objective and methodology of an ongoing research project undertaking historical analysis of VALA conference papers. The research project seeks to examine key themes, theories, and tools discussed in VALA conference papers and will attempt to identify if evolving technology influences the practices and attitudes of Australian LIS practitioners. The article will identify the research methods and the content analysis techniques that will be used in the project, and present preliminary results from a pilot study presented at the 2023 RAILS conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The addition of calcium carbonate to cigarette paper can enhance its combustion performance and apparent properties. However, it does come at the cost of reduced paper strength. In this study, a flexible calcium carbonate (FCC) was developed through the in-situ formation of calcium carbonate on nanocellulose surfaces. The incorporation of FCC into cigarette paper offered the potential to improve filler retention and combustion performance while maintaining high paper strength. The results of the study demonstrated that when compared to the addition of 30% precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), the filler retention rate in cigarette paper increased by 31.5% when 30% FCC was used. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that only a minimal number of inorganic particles were observed between the fibers in the FCC-containing paper, indicating appropriate air permeability and fiber-fiber bond strength. Furthermore, when compared to PCC-containing paper, the FCC-containing paper exhibited an 8.8% increase in tensile strength and a 7.5% increase in folding resistance. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis of the cigarette paper revealed that the incorporation of flexible calcium carbonate effectively lowered the thermal decomposition temperature, leading to a 10.3% increase in the combustion rate of FCC-containing paper. The inclusion of FCC into paper fibers has the potential to enhance air permeability and regulate cigarette burning performance. Consequently, the FCC developed in this study holds promise as a substitute for traditional calcium carbonate fillers in cigarette paper applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

For many centuries, paper is the main material for recording cultural achievements all over the world. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is an essential analytical tool for the structural analysis of paper and pulp chemistry. This review article introduced recent technical and scientific reports in terms of IR spectroscopy in the paper science and application, where interest had increased during the last couple decades (2000–2022). Five parts were described according to the application of IR spectroscopy: the analysis of cellulose and its derivatives, estimation the date of documents, identification the origins of fiber or paper, specification the chemical and physical properties of paper, and characterization the new materials of paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of sales promotions that are featured in store flyers distributed by prominent retailers and their capacity to attract consumers to their establishments. A distinctive conceptual framework is introduced that scrutinizes the influence of ethically-minded consumer behavior, digital citizenship/literacy, and a retailer's orientation toward environmental sustainability and explicit ecological concerns. A quasi-experimental design was used to formulate four distinct scenarios from a possible set of eight, stemming from the combinations of three variables: 2 Retailer Positioning (green vs. without explicit ecological claims) × 2 Flyer Mediums (paper vs. digital) × 2 Discount Levels (5% discount vs. 30% discount). Through an online survey, a sample of 269 responses was garnered to gauge consumer reactions to these store flyers, evaluating their attitudes and receptiveness. The findings suggest that attitudes toward paper flyers were more favorable when presented by non-green retailers compared to their green counterparts. This can be attributed to a perceived inconsistency between a green brand positioning and the use of paper flyers. Furthermore, the propensity to transition to digital flyers was notably stronger for green retailers compared to non-green retailers, but this inclination was most pronounced when higher discounts were offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

The paper pulp tank in Valkeakoski, Finland, collapsed on 27 March 1996. The volume and height of the steel tank was 6000 m3 and 35.5 m, respectively. The collapse occurred during test filling with water. During the test filling it was noticed that the tank was tilting. The time from first observation to final collapse was around 12 min. The tank collapsed onto a building next to it, causing the death of one person. During the collapse there was approximately 5000 m3 of water inside the paper pulp tank. The ambient temperature was −20°C during the collapse. The Safety Investigation Authority started an investigation because the incident was a major accident and there was loss of human life. Several reasons for the collapse were discovered. In addition, several recommendations were made for construction in general. This article presents a case study and details based on material that has already been published, but it also includes a structural analysis made in the study. The goal was to clarify the main reasons and form them into a timeline of the collapse. Also, lessons learnt are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stanley Kubrick's project on the Holocaust, Aryan Papers, was dear to his heart. He worked on it for a long time, but he could not, in the end, bring himself to complete the planned film. This article canvasses some of the reasons other scholars have supplied for this film remaining unmade, including the notion that the Holocaust is unrepresentable. However, it points to a novel explanation. I argue that Kubrick's plot modifications, particularly to the conclusion, doomed the project. Specifically, Kubrick has a Jewish woman take revenge for war-time atrocities. Discussing revenge in relation to the Holocaust has until recently been as impious as representing the Holocaust itself. Jewish revenge was unfashionable in Holocaust films of all kinds when Kubrick was working on Aryan Papers in the early 1990s. Kubrick's planned film was generically ahead of its times. The vengeful Jewish woman had to wait for Inglourious Basterds in 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article asks why Stanley Kubrick's longstanding wish to direct the film version of Louis Begley's 1991 novel Wartime Lies never came to fruition. In Begley's novel, the protagonist Maciek recounts the experience of living in hiding under a false identity in Nazi-occupied Poland. Kubrick drafted a series of quite different plotlines and conclusions for the film version, to be called Aryan Papers, in which Maciek's aunt Tania takes a highly dramatic role in their destiny. The more Kubrick changed Aryan Papers, in response to the pressure of Hollywood expectations and the cultural valorization of active Holocaust resistance, the less it resembled the very work he had chosen to adapt. This impasse shows why the director could not ultimately bring Aryan Papers to the screen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The pulp and paper industry has significant sustainability implications and necessarily requires a careful consideration of direct and lower-tier suppliers for effective sustainable supply chain management. This paper utilized an extensive literature review and semi-structured interviews of experts in the Chinese pulp and paper industry to unearth the factors that highly influence multi-tier supply chain sustainability. A Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) and Human-Organizational-Technological (HOT-fit) based theoretical framework was employed to classify the identified factors. Then, an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based methodology was applied to determine the relative importance of the factors. A comparison analysis of the relative importance of the factors as determined by the experts in the focal companies, Tier-1 suppliers and Tier-2 suppliers of the Chinese pulp and paper industry is presented. The results show that institutional and technological factors are most critical to actualizing multi-tier supply chain sustainability. Thus, the study outcomes present relevant theoretical and practical implications for the managers and practitioners in the pulp and paper industry on how to facilitate multi-tier supply chain sustainability for increased competitiveness. Furthermore, this study provides guidelines for other industries as well and sets the stage for subsequent theorization and exploration of multi-tier supply chain sustainability for expected performance gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Xuan paper is one of the most famous handmade papers in China and is an important paper for conservation. However, the evenness of Xuan paper has not yet received much attention. In this study, the distribution of the in-plane grammage and mechanical properties of Xuan paper are measured. It is found that the distribution of the in-plane grammage and mechanical properties of Xuan paper is uneven. In the handmade direction, the grammage and mechanical properties of Xuan paper are overall largest in the lower area, followed by the upper and middle areas. The sheet forming process of Xuan paper has an important effect on the distribution of in-plane grammage, mechanical properties, and fiber orientation of Xuan paper. The folded state has a negative effect on the mechanical properties of the folded area of Xuan paper. This study will help raise awareness of the unevenness in physical properties of Xuan paper, which is important in both conservation and research applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose was isolated from recycled pulp and paper sludge and used to synthesize cellulose nanocrystals. Response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design model were used to predict, improve, and optimize the cellulose isolation process. The optimal conditions were a reaction temperature of 87.5 °C, 180 min with 4% sodium hydroxide. SEM and TEM results revealed that the isolated cellulose had long rod-like structures of different dimensions than CNCs with short rod-like structures. The crystallinity index from XRD significantly increased from 41.33%, 63.7%, and 75.6% for Kimberly mill pulp sludge (KMRPPS), chemically purified cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals, respectively. The TGA/DTG analysis showed that the isolated cellulosic materials possessed higher thermal stability. FTIR analysis suggested that the chemical structures of cellulose and CNCs were modified by chemical treatment. The cellulose surface was highly hydrophilic compared to the CNCs based on the high water holding capacity of 65.31 ± 0.98% and 83.14 ± 1.22%, respectively. The synthesized cellulosic materials portrayed excellent properties for high-end industrial applications like biomedical engineering, advanced materials, nanotechnology, sustainable packaging, personal care products, environmental remediation, additive manufacturing, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early Cold War, it was difficult for American intelligence to penetrate the Iron Curtain but a potential solution soon arose: émigré intelligence groups such as the Magyar Harcosok Bajtársi Közössége (MHBK) or 'Association of Hungarian Veterans'. This group, however, turned out to be an intelligence 'paper mill'. Attempts at trans-Atlantic cooperation with the MHBK and similar groups failed as they lost most of their good sources and were penetrated by communist security services. By the mid-1950s, US intelligence cut these groups off, took over their good sources, and established a source registry to prevent recurrence of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex mixture of pollutants found in industrial effluents creates a significant environmental challenge. Enzymatic treatment offers a promising alternative to traditional physiochemical techniques. With an emphasis on laccase enzymes, this review examines the potential of both free and immobilized biocatalysts for the treatment of industrial wastewater, especially from pulp and paper mills. Laccase has become one of the most popular options for bioremediation because of its broad substrate specificity and capacity to break down different kinds of organic pollutants. The different methods of laccase immobilization, including adsorption, encapsulation and cross-linking are examined, exploring their advantages and limitations. The benefits of immobilization for enzyme stability, reusability and operational efficiency in wastewater treatment processes are further discussed. By comparing the advantages and limitations of free and immobilized biocatalysts, this review aims to provide valuable insights for the development of efficient and sustainable enzymatic strategies for industrial wastewater treatment. Furthermore, this paper offers future possibilities for using biocatalyst in pulp and paper waste treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry stands out as an example of a technology based on a renewable resource, cellulose. The sludge, however, poses major environmental and public health problems. To effectively manage the sludge wastes, it is critical to fully evaluate its composition, possible environmental impacts, and the total amount of exploitable renewable resources. The study established the pH of the sludge to be 7.32 ± 0.98, an electrical conductivity (1.84 mS/cm), nitrogen concentration (2.65 ± 0.21%), and total organic matter (41.23 ± 3.11%). The cellulosic content was established to be 74.07 ± 2.71% which contributes to 53.07 ± 1.23% water holding capacity (WHC). The most abundant elements were C and O, followed by Cl, Si, Al, and Mg, with lower concentrations of S, Si, K, and iron. The polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) levels ranged from 0.29 to 322.56 ng.g-1 with 1-methyl pyrene posting the highest concentration (322.56 ng.g-1. XRD peaks at 17.10°, 23.86°, 30.14°, and 36.57°, which imply the existence of CaCO3. SEM indicated that the sludge was majorly comprised of fibers materials with average particle sizes of 280 micrometers. TGA/DTG analysis showed that the sludge had the greatest cellulose and hemicellulose (64.7 wt. %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate 12-month and 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among workers of the pulp and paper industry, and assess the contribution of age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). Methods. The sample comprised 904 workers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. χ2 tests assessed the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and age/gender/BMI/PA, and multivariate logistic regression models predicted the 12-month occurrence of symptoms in the five most prevalent regions. Results. The five most affected body regions were the lower back, shoulders, neck, knees and wrists/hands. Older workers presented more symptoms in all body regions, except dorsal; female gender was associated with neck symptoms (p = 0.001); overweight was associated with a higher prevalence of lower back (p = 0.01), knee (p = 0.017) and ankle/foot (p = 0.037) symptoms; and a moderate PA level was associated with thigh/hip symptoms (p = 0.006). Age was a significant predictor in all five most affected regions; gender was a significant predictor for shoulders, neck and wrists/hands; and BMI was a significant predictor for lower back symptoms. Conclusion. The 12-month and 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among workers of the pulp and paper industry is higher in the lower back, shoulders, neck, knees and wrists/hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ink-paper historical documents, which are an important part of cultural heritage, can be damaged by various materials on the outside and the inside of the paper. Cotton fiber sheets treated with iron gall ink and then treated with stabilization materials were studied. Nanosized Mg(OH)2 was used as a deacidification material and potassium bromide, tetrabutylammonium bromide, or propyl gallate as antioxidant materials were investigated as a stabilization system for iron gall ink-damaged paper. All samples were artificially aged in the air for 150 h at 65 °C in a UV/moisture chamber or 500 h at 90 °C. The pH and alkaline reserve (AR) measurements, monitoring of color change, and scanning electron microscopy analysis data confirm that the aging effect is more destructive to the iron gall inked paper. The experiment results show that using alkaline materials with antioxidants, such as nano-Mg(OH)2 and propyl gallate, positively affects color changes of ink-damaged paper. Treatment with a stabilization system such as nanosized Mg(OH)2, a binder hydroxypropyl cellulose (Klucel), and an antioxidant as propyl gallate is a suitable method for iron gall ink damaged paper stabilization and preservation, according to the study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions from the pulp and paper industry in China have declined continuously since the tighter COD discharge standards were implemented in 2008. Using firm-level data from 2003 to 2013, we investigate how China's pulp and paper firms would respond to the tighter COD discharge standards with a difference-in-differences design. We find that the tighter COD discharge standards have significant causal effects to induce the pulp and paper firms to reduce their COD emissions primarily through adopting cleaner production. However, the effectiveness of the tighter COD discharge standards depends on monitoring and enforcement activities as well as other regulations accompanying with the tighter COD discharge standards, all of which have become strengthened since China's 11th Five-Year-Plan (FYP, 2006–2010). While strengthened environmental regulations since the 11th FYP are from the top leadership of the Chinese government in order to deal with the increasing environmental degradation, the underlying driving force of the strengthened environmental regulations is from the household demand for better environmental quality as income increases. This study enriches literature not only on firms' responses to environmental regulations in developing countries but also on environmental regulations and technology adoption as well as environmental enforcement and compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a smartphone-assisted detection integrated with paper-based analytical device (PAD) functionalised with green emissive carbon dot (g-CDs) has been designed for on-site selective detection of Fe3+ ions. g-CDs have been prepared by one-step hydrothermal process using 4-aminophenol and ethylenediamine (EDA) as precursors. g-CDs were highly stable for more than three months in aqueous solution with a strong green emission, λem at 513 nm and 30.33% as a fluorescence quantum yield. Interestingly, Fe3+ selectively quenched the fluorescence intensity of the g-CDs and the quenching mechanism can be attributed to static quenching. Furthermore, under the optimal conditions, using conventional fluorimetry, the g-CDs could detect Fe3+ ions with a linear relationship from 0 to 90 μM (R2 = 0.9970) and the limit of detection was 0.35 μM. Visual mode integrated with smartphone detection on PAD was successfully prepared after loading g-CDs on the paper. The fluorescent colour variations of g-CDs on PAD were monitored under the UV lamp using smartphone for capturing images. The green channel intensities of images of the circle zones were processed using Colour Grab App for the RGB analysis. A linear working range was obtained from 0 to 0.8 mM, and the limit of detection was 0.05 mM. The PAD was used successfully for the detection of Fe3+ ions in human serum with a recovery from 87.93% to 96.86%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the conference paper presented by the black Ceddo Film and Video Workshop at the Third Cinema conference of the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland in August 1986. Topics include the common bond of the people from Africa, the Caribbean and Great Britain that comprised the workshop, why the issue of cultural nationalism in Black British cinema is not problematic for Ceddo, and the importance for Black filmmakers to be conscious of their audience.

The peroxidase-like properties of a graphene oxide/platinum-cobalt nanocomposite and the rapid color development mechanism of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) through the decomposition of ·OH from H2O2 were utilized to prepare a nonlabelled, simple, and sensitive paper-based colorimetric sensor. This sensor allows visualization of the results and instantaneous detection, enabling quantitative measurement of H2O2. The graphene oxide/platinum cobalt composite was synthesized using a two-step procedure. Its properties were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The composite was subsequently transferred onto a paper substrate to create the colorimetric sensor. The optimal catalytic conditions were a composite concentration of 201.17 µg/mL, a color development time of 3 min, a TMB concentration of 2 mmol·L−1, and a pH of 4. Using the optimal conditions, the paper-based colorimetric sensor has a linear range for H2O2 from 1.0 × 10−5 to 0.1 mol·L−1, with a limit of detection of 1.0 × 10−6 mol·L−1 which is comparable or better than comparable methods. This paper-based colorimetric sensor has potential applications for the rapid determination of hydrogen peroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMost manufacturing processes for materials from cellulose-based materials deal with huge amounts of water, the interactions of water within the raw material (cellulose) both enable exciting properties as well as limit the rates of production. In the production of tissue paper materials, water content in the pulp is as high as 99.8% when fed into the paper machine, and almost all this water must be removed efficiently and fast. This work presents Novel, easy-to-use, numerical models for predictions of the dewatering of tissue in high vacuum suction boxes and through air drying (TAD) molding. The numerical models were based on and compared with previously published experimental results of vacuum dewatering from laboratory equipment and validated against four separate pilot paper machine trials. The purpose of this study was to establish an accurate, easy-to-use numerical model varying fiber- and machine parameters used in tissue manufacturing to enable the evaluation of new materials and dewatering strategies for energy efficiency investigations. The results indicate that the developed dewatering model could predict the dewatering behavior for both conventional vacuum dewatering and TAD molding using the same set of fitting parameters. The method of developing the numerical models presented can be used for machine optimization and energy efficiency improvements of vacuum dewatering elements in papermaking processes in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer programming is essential nowadays but still challenging to learn due to its invisible thinking. Current programming environments are mostly designed for operating on computers directly to learn concrete programming, but this approach lacks the support for clarifying learners' thinking processes. On the other hand, using paper and pens shows usability in developing creative thinking, but it cannot help verify learners' thinking results due to its nature. To benefit from both paper and computers, we developed an interactive programming learning environment consisting of a paper board game, a computer system, and a digitalization mechanism. Learners can use the learning environment to draw down their thinking results and verify them by comparing them with the evaluation on the computer system immediately. Two experiments were conducted to compare this learning environment with paper board games and computer programming environments, respectively. The experimental results show that the subjects who learn in our environment can learn to program better than those who learn with the other two. The proposed environment is easy to prepare for learners in a classroom as their first step to programming learning. It can help learners cross over from paper board games for computational thinking to computer programming environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiophene sulfide is difficult to be removed by hydrodesulfurization. In this study, ZnCl2-waste paper fiber activated carbon was used as adsorbent to remove thiophene sulfide from simulated oil by hydrothermal modification. Under the optimum condition of ammonia modification, the adsorption capacity of modified adsorbent to BT is 14.8 mg S/g, 2.98 times that of unmodified. BET, FTIR and Boehm analysis showed that the mesopore volume of ammonia modified adsorbent increased by 96.62% and the mesopore ratio increased from 12.58% to 43.40%, which was conducive to improving the adsorption rate. After modification, the basic groups on the surface of the adsorbent increased by 44.3 times, and –NH3+, –OH and –NH2 enhanced the electron attraction and hydrogen bonding force between the adsorbent and BT molecule. Adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and adsorption thermodynamics show that the adsorption process is spontaneous, entropic and exothermic. The pseudo-second-order kinetic rate constant increases with the increase of adsorption temperature, indicating that the increase of temperature is beneficial to accelerate the adsorption rate. The adsorption desulfurization process follows the mechanism of single and multilayer adsorption mixing. The results of this study can help to reveal more clearly that biobased activated carbon can be modified to adsorb thiophene sulfide. Ammonia modified adsorbents enhance the adsorption capacity for benzothiophene [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-impregnated filter paper (Fe-Pi) was evaluated as phosphorus (P) extractant in four soils of Ogun state, southwest Nigeria in a screenhouse experiment. The experiments lasted for 8 weeks. Soil P contents were extracted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after the incorporation of amendments (cattle manure, poultry manure, and wood ash) using Fe-Pi, Bray-1, Bray-2, Mehlich-1, Hunter, and Olsen extractant. Agronomic variables were taken fortnightly from grown maize plants and later harvested at 8 weeks, residual effects of the treatments were also evaluated. Maize dry matter weight (DMW) and P uptake were also measured. Results indicated that a linear relationship existed among the extractants with significant coefficient at p ≤.001. Fe-Pi established a strong relationship with the conventional extractants in the following order: Bray-1 (R2 = 0.99) > Bray-2 (R2 = 0.98) > Hunter (R2 = 0.96) > Mehlich-1 (R2 = 0.86) > Olsen (R2 = 0.82). Fe-Pi had a significant relationship with P uptake and DMW. Phosphorus uptakes under the animal manure amendments were statistically higher than uptake in control and woodash amended soils. Therefore, the study concluded that Fe-Pi was a good predictor of plant available P and had significant relationship with Bray-1, thus it could be considered for the estimation of soil available P in soils of southwest Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Lead pollution may cause serious damage to environment safety and human health, especially to children's growth. In this work, by using double stranded DNA (dsDNA) as the recognition element, a simple and effective electrochemical DNA sensor has been developed on a full carbon-based substrate, reduced graphene oxide/carbon paper (rGO/CP), to accomplish the rapid, sensitive and selective determination of Pb2+. Carbon paper (CP) provides a suitable substrate for the sensor with high portability and low cost, while rGO is easily electrodeposited onto CP and serves as both the signal amplification element and the molecular bridge between DNA and CP. Because of its high specific surface area and unique conjugated giant π structure, rGO tightly binds with DNA through π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions, thereby providing loading of high quantities of DNA. The specific coordination between DNA and Pb2+ further improves the sensitivity of the sensor. The results demonstrate that rapid electrochemical enrichment of Pb2+ is achieved using the constructed CP/rGO/DNA electrode with a linear relationship between the peak current and the concentration of Pb2+ from 1 pM to 100 pM and a detection limit of 1 pM. In addition, this approach shows good selectivity and satisfactory repeatability for river water analysis. A promising sensitive, low-cost, simply-fabricated, and portable full carbon-based electrochemical biosensing platform has been therefore provided for lead determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractResearchers face the challenge of efficiently navigating vast scientific literature while valuing printed papers in the digital age. Printed materials facilitate deeper engagement and comprehension, leading to active reading engagement and enhanced retention. However, existing digital tools often need to pay more attention to the needs of researchers who value the tactile benefits of printed documents. In response to this gap, we introduce AR-PaperSync, a solution that leverages Augmented Reality (AR) and cross-device interaction technology. AR-PaperSync integrates the physical experience of printed papers with the interactive capabilities of digital tools. Researchers can navigate inline citations, manage saved references, and synchronize reading notes across mobile, desktop, and printed paper formats. Our user-centric approach, informed by in-depth interviews with six researchers, ensures that AR-PaperSync is tailored to its target users’ needs. A comprehensive user study involving 28 participants evaluated AR-PaperSync’s significantly enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and system usability and reduced cognitive load in academic reading tasks compared to conventional methods. These findings suggest that AR-PaperSync enhances the reading experience of printed scientific papers and provides a seamless integration of physical and digital reading environments for researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production planning and scheduling in the pulp and paper industry can be very challenging. In most cases, practitioners address the production planning process manually, which is time-consuming and sub-optimal. This study deals with production planning encountered in a pulp mill company involving different wood species, parallel heterogeneous lines, inventory limits, sequence-independent setup times and preventive maintenance. To tackle the problem, an efficient mixed-integer formulation is proposed that optimizes when, where and how much to produce of different wood species and schedules preventive maintenance to minimize the total setup times. Several computational experiments are conducted to solve a case study in a pulp mill company in Chile. The results show the capability of the model to support the decision-making process in the pulp and paper industry, providing an efficient tool for practitioners to solve the problem in a reasonable amount of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a flexible and easy-to-implement open-ended scientific inquiry activity called the Paper Towels Challenge. After experimentally determining which of three unbranded paper towels is the most absorbent, students discuss their results and methods. The teacher facilitates the discussion of epistemological issues. This activity can be used regardless of the participants' age or country to promote science understanding, NGSS science and engineering practices, and twenty-first century skills, such as critical thinking and communication. The many uses, benefits, and possible adaptations of the activity are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we describe a simple strategy for the preparation of a low-cost electrode material based on polypyrrole (PPy) film grown on an insulating cellulosic paper substrate via in-situ oxidative polymerisation technique and functionalised by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) uniformly dispersed on its surface. The properties of the obtained AgNPs-PPy composites were characterised using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared electrode was investigated for the electroreduction of nitrate using cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KOH solution. Results demonstrated that the incorporation of AgNPs into the PPy matrix improves significantly the catalytic behaviour of this film. The effect on the electrode response of the amount of the incorporated AgNPs was also investigated. This paper highlights a simple procedure for the making of low-cost paper electrodes for the efficient reduction of nitrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundObjectiveMethodsFindingsConclusionsImpact statementPlain English SummaryThe Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care ‘National Standards’ require general hospitals to have systems for clinicians to recognise and respond to patients’ deteriorating mental state. The lack of an evidence-based operational definition and clear guidance challenges this requirement.To review governance mechanisms and assessment processes for deteriorating mental state in a metropolitan general hospital and propose an organisational framework.A qualitative document analysis using the READ approach systematically reviewed hospital committee reports, health district policies, and training programs to identify and synthesise key assessment points and processes.The study mapped assessment points for recognising and responding to deteriorating mental state across patient journey stages. An organisational systems infographic provides a blueprint for meeting National Standards accreditation criteria.Hospitals should establish comprehensive systems to observe, monitor, assess, and refer individuals with deteriorating mental state, involving multiple governance processes and frameworks.Our paper maps governance and assessment processes to enhance deteriorating mental state recognition in general hospitals, aligning with National Standards.General Hospital staff often need to recognise and respond to patients whose mental health is getting worse. This problem is serious because a worsening mental state can lead to harmful behaviours, such as self-harm or violence, and can result in poor healthcare experiences for patients. Our paper aimed to find ways to help hospital staff better identify and manage these situations. We looked at the systems and processes currently in place in hospitals to see how they could be used to meet national healthcare standards for mental health care. We created a detailed plan that hospitals can follow to improve their mental health responses. This plan includes steps for governance, assessment, and clinical pathways, ensuring that all parts of the hospital system work together to support patients with deteriorating mental states. Our findings suggest that using existing hospital processes, rather than creating new tools, can help staff more effectively recognise and respond to mental health issues. This approach not only meets accreditation requirements but also enhances patient safety and care quality. This paper provides valuable insights for healthcare practitioners and policymakers, showing that with the right systems in place, general hospitals can better manage mental health care, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper questions the hyper fixation on papers in producing citizens or proving citizenship, arguing that not papers but the agglomeration of legal, bureaucratic and social processes produce citizenship in Assam's Foreigners' Tribunals (FTs). Based on ethnographic fieldwork with members (presiding over cases), lawyers, border police officials and victims of citizenship examination processes, this paper shows that citizenship cannot be easily proved or disproved based on the possession or absence of papers, as the 'truth' about one's citizenship is produced equally outside these courts. One's citizenship status inside the court depends on a series of procedural, documentary and certificatory correlations accompanied by social performances (testimonies from family and community members). This is contingent on the truth produced outside through the suspicion of being a 'foreigner', easily cast in terms of one's physical appearance, social class, religion and language. Community structures outside courts also enable certain groups to be documented easily, aiding the production of the legal truth required inside for establishing citizenship status. Therefore, the way suspicion is informed and legal technicalities are deployed to generate information and knowledge along with the role of family and community social networks all contribute towards establishing one as a citizen or a 'foreigner'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractGraphene quantum dots (GQDs) were used for surface modification of a screen-printed paper electrode (SPPE) for the development of a mobile phone-integrated immunosensor for the detection of scrub typhus. GQDs were synthesized from a 1.8% starch solution via a hydrothermal method and characterized by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Furthermore, anti-56 kDa type specific antigen (TSA) antibodies were used for immobilization on the GQD-modified SPPE working electrode using EDC/NHS (N-ethyl-N′-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide) (1:1) chemistry. The TSA antigen was used at different concentrations to interact with specific antibodies, and the response was recorded via cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using potassium ferricyanide K4[Fe(CN)6]− as a redox indicator. The developed immunosensor showed an excellent sensitivity of 17.40 µA cm−2 ng−1 and a limit of detection of 0.399 ng µL−1. The developed immunohybrid sensor is a novel mobile phone-integrated, highly specific and stable platform for Orientia tsutsugamushi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has documented that students' reading comprehension performance in learning English as a foreign language (EFL) differs greatly between mobile-assisted and paper-based reading. The present study extends previous work by investigating whether reading cognitive load differs between mobile-assisted and paper-based EFL reading processes and exploring whether cognitive load mediates the relationship between reading medium and EFL reading comprehension performance. The instruments used are reading comprehension tests and questionnaire surveys administered to a sample of 191 first-year college students. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates that cognitive load is significantly greater for mobile-assisted EFL reading than for paper-based EFL reading. In addition, structural equation modeling analyses indicate that cognitive load fully mediates the relationships between medium and reading comprehension performance; these mediation effects are independent of the level of English language proficiency. These results imply that cognitive load is a pivotal factor influencing students' reading comprehension across media. Reasons for differences in reading cognitive load and its role as a mediator are discussed. Recommendations for promoting students' reading experience on mobile phones are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an earlier publication (Van Wee & Banister, 2016), we explained that literature review papers (LRP) should explicitly report on the search and selection process of documents included. In this paper, we present two approaches for reporting the methodology for doing this: a basic approach and a reasoned approach. The basic approach includes reporting databases(s), keywords, search strings, snowballing, the selection of documents, presenting an overview of documents included and reporting additional selection criteria (if applicable). The reasoned approach adds to the basic approach (what was done) by explicitly explaining the motivation for choices and showing the selection process graphically (why it was done). The two approaches should be seen as options, and not the only alternatives. We recommend that authors of LRPs depart from these approaches and modify them where appropriate. The important lesson is that authors should be explicit about the approach adopted, as this enables the reader to understand the thinking behind the LRP and the conclusions drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary heat transfer source in the conventional multi-cylinder drying of paper and board is conduction. Conduction is facilitated by high-tension contact with steam-heated cylinders, while convective drying, the main mass transfer source, operates as heated air flows over the article web in the pockets. This conduction process occurs at elevated temperatures and contact pressures to ensure effective contact between the wet paper web and the heated cylinders. The contact pressures and temperatures of the hot surface significantly influence the conductive drying characteristics. This research paper presents an experimental study that involves designing a simple lab-scale setup with in-situ and continuous sensing capabilities for various commercially available grades of paper and board. Embedded thermocouples measure the temperatures of the heated platen and the sheet, allowing the collection of flux data to determine heat transfer characteristics. The goal of this study is to ascertain the instantaneous contact coefficients for different basis weights as a function of moisture content. The acquired data will provide valuable insights and information toward process development, design, and simulation of the article drying process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michael Hillard's Shredding Paper: The Rise and Fall of Maine's Mighty Paper Industry is both a labor history of the paper industry and a political economy of corporate governance and class struggle in the United States. As a labor historian, Hillard has compiled thousands of hours of interviews with paper-industry workers and managers. As a political economist, he persuasively argues that contests over the distribution of surplus from the 1960s forward and shifts in paper-industry ownership led to the strike wave that began in the '60s and spread to every paper mill in Maine by the late 1980s. Rapacious practices by out-of-state owners challenged workers' moral compass as much as their material existence. Responding, paper workers developed a folk political economy and even a folk Marxism, creating the foundation for challenging working-class support for regressive economics. This review provides context for Hillard's claim while partially challenging it in a different context, the United States steel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La transición hacia el uso del papel para la enseñanza de la escritura en las escuelas elementales públicas en México no fue sencilla. Al finalizar el siglo XIX, se había cuestionado el uso de las pizarras por el riesgo que representaban para la salud, pues muchas veces los estudiantes borraban sus escritos con saliva y el material con el que estaban fabricadas no siempre guardaba las especificaciones necesarias, además el ruido al escribir era insoportable. En cambio, el papel, desde el punto de vista higiénico, pedagógico y estético, fue considerado un material superior frente a la dureza de la pizarra, el brillo de la superficie y la poca precisión que se obtenía en el trazo de las letras. Derivado de este planteamiento, se vislumbró seriamente la posibilidad de la adopción de papel en las escuelas oficiales. Sin embargo, este material era escaso y muy caro. Hacia el cambio de siglo, sólo dos fábricas de papel podían surtir a las escuelas y era necesario que abarataran el precio, que el sistema de distribución garantizara el abastecimiento y que el suministro fuera continuo. Este artículo analiza el inicio del proceso de reconversión de una tecnología para la enseñanza como era la pizarra por el papel. Analizo el gasto que significó y cómo esta modificación fue resultado de una multiplicidad de relaciones sociales, culturales, económicas y políticas que se entrecruzaron para dar una nueva configuración del tiempo, el ruido y los valores establecidos en el salón de clases. The transition to the use of paper in public elementary schools in Mexico was not easy. At the end of the nineteenth century, the use of slates had been questioned due to the health risk they represented since students often erased their writing with saliva and the material with which the slates were made did not always meet the necessary specifications. On the other hand, paper, from a hygienic, pedagogical and aesthetic point of view, was considered a superior material compared to the hardness of the slate, the shine of the surface and the lack of precision obtained in the tracing of the letters. Derived from this approach, the possibility of changing materials in official schools was seriously envisioned. However, the paper represented a very high cost. Only two paper mills could supply the schools and it was necessary to lower the price, and guarantee the supply by enhancing the distribution system. This article analyses the beginning of the conversion process of a technology for learning to write such as the slate for paper. I analyse the expense that it meant for the authorities and families, how the change was the result of a multiplicity of social, cultural, economic and political relations that intersected to give a new configuration of time, noise and established values in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorotelomer-based acrylate polymers and surfactants used to grease-proof food contact paper (FCP) are potential sources of dietary exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Food contact substances (FCS) containing polyfluorinated long-chains (≥C8) were voluntarily removed by their manufacturers from the U.S. market in 2011 due to health concerns and largely replaced with FCSs containing short-chain (≤C7) PFAS. In 2020, FDA findings of potential biopersistence of 6:2 FTOH (CF3(CF2)5CH2CH2OH) similarly prompted an additional voluntarily phase-out of FCSs containing 6:2 FTOH by their manufacturers that was completed by the end of 2023. To monitor the phase-out process, a screening method was developed to detect FCPs containing ester-linked polyfluorinated pendant chains. Direct Analysis in Real Time-Isotope Dilution-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (DART-ID-HRMS) enabled rapid semi-quantitative detection of 6:2 FTOH in FCP saponification reaction headspace without requiring sample concentration or chromatography. 19F-NMR analysis confirmed 6:2 FTOH pendant chain identity and detection dependence on saponification. The speed and specificity of this approach arise from ester saponification in the presence of stable isotopically labeled 6:2 FTOH; high FTOH differential volatility relative to nonfluorinated matrix, and the facile production of FTOH gas-phase anions (e.g., [M + O2]·−, [M-H + CO2]−) under ambient ionization conditions. The efficiency of this simple workflow makes it well-suited for monitoring the phase-out of FCS containing ester-linked polyfluorinated chains from the U.S. marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had an exceptionally long and consequential rally effect in China. Drawing on an eight-wave nationwide survey, this article shows that the Wuhan lockdown boosted public confidence in the central government. The persistence of the pandemic and the initial success of the zero-COVID policy sustained the enhanced trust in the central government for over two years. However, the rally effect did not dissipate as quietly as usual. As trust in the central government returned to the pre-pandemic level following the Shanghai lockdown, defiant protests collectively known as the White Paper Movement broke out. Angry protesters demanded the termination of the zero-COVID policy and called for accountability from the ruling party and its top leader. This article argues that while the rally effect lasted exceptionally long in the authoritarian country, it could not be prolonged indefinitely. Ultimately, the dissonance between the declining trust in the central government and the persisting restrictive measures provoked the protests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Women's Rights After War on Paper: An Analysis of Legal Discourse" published in the Journal of Genocide Research discusses the introduction of laws in Rwanda and other countries to advance women's rights after conflict. The laws aim to bolster the economic, social, and political standing of women, with a focus on gender parity for enduring democratic peace. The article critically examines the language and implementation of these laws, arguing that they may entrench existing inequalities and create exclusionary circumstances for women. The analysis is based on original datasets from the Women's Rights After War project, highlighting the limitations of legal frameworks in providing transformative change and justice for women affected by conflict. [Extracted from the article]

The article reviews three ethnographies that explore truth, doubt, and expertise in Latin America, focusing on the future of facts in the region. The books analyzed delve into topics such as economic collapse in Argentina, climate change adaptation in Guyana, and climate prediction in Brazil. The review highlights how sense-making practices around facts and futures shape perceptions of economic stability, environmental justice, and national identity in Latin America, challenging traditional notions of fact-making as linear or objective truth. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding how facts are produced, contested, and discussed in different contexts, shedding light on the complex relationships between facts, futures, and Latin America. [Extracted from the article]