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Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided tissue acquisition (EUS‐TA) is used for pathological diagnosis and obtaining samples for molecular testing, facilitating the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, samples obtained via EUS‐TA are often insufficient, requiring more efforts to improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. Therefore, this study investigated the use of oil blotting paper for formalin fixation of samples obtained via EUS‐TA. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 42 patients who underwent EUS‐TA for pancreatic cancer between September 2020 and February 2022 at the Osaka International Cancer Institute. After a portion of each sample obtained via EUS‐TA was separated for routine histological evaluation, the residual samples were divided into filter paper and oil blotting paper groups for analysis. Accordingly, filter paper and oil blotting paper were used for the formalin fixation process. The total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasm areas of each sample were quantitatively evaluated using virtual slides, and the specimen volume and histological diagnosis of each sample were evaluated by an expert pathologist. Results: All cases were cytologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The area ratios of the total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasmic portions were significantly larger in the oil blotting paper group than in the filter paper group. The frequency of cases with large amount of tumor cells was significantly higher in the oil blotting paper group (33.3%) than in the filter paper group (11.9%) (p = 0.035). Conclusions: Oil blotting paper can increase the sample volume obtained via EUS‐TA on glass slides and improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Information on breastfeeding and safety of biologics in infants is lacking due to difficulties in case collection. We evaluated methods for determining the concentration of biologics in breast milk using a dry filter method that can simplify the collection, storage and transport of breast milk. Methods: To generate dried filter paper (DFP) samples, approximately 30 μL of breast milk was placed onto a Whatman 903 card and punched out. After extraction, the supernatant was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Three concentrations of each drug were prepared in liquid breast milk (LBM) and DFP samples to determine their stability up to 28 days after storage at 2–8°C or −20°C for LBM and 25 ± 5°C for DFP. LBM and DFP samples were also provided by nursing mothers using biologics during lactation, and drug concentrations in both samples were compared. The agreement between the two measurement methods was confirmed by Bland–Altman analysis. Results: Breast milk was provided by 12 mothers who used biologics (tocilizumab, abatacept, etanercept, golimumab, sarilumab and belimumab). The coefficients of variation for within‐run and between‐run precision for the six drugs were within 15% for both LBM and DFP, and accuracy was within 90%–110% of the quality controls. After 28 days, concentrations remained at more than 90%. The difference between the values obtained by each method was within the acceptable range of error (−12.1 to +16.6 ng/mL). Conclusions: A method for determining the concentration of biologics using DFP is expected to help improve pharmacotherapy for lactating women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to detect papers originating from the Russia‐based paper mill 'International Publisher' LLC. A total of 1,063 offers to purchase co‐authorship on a fraudulent papers published from 2019 to mid‐2022 on the 123mi.ru website were analysed. This study identifies at least 451 papers that are potentially linked to the paper mill, including one preprint, a duplication paper and 16 republications of papers erroneously published in hijacked journals. Evidence of suspicious provenance from the paper mill is provided: matches in title, number of co‐authorship slots, year of publication, country of the journal, country of a co‐authors and similarities of abstracts. These problematic papers are co‐authored by scholars from at least 39 countries and are submitted to both predatory and reputable journals. This study also demonstrates collaboration anomalies in questionable papers and examines indicators of the Russia‐based paper mill. The value of co‐authorship slots offered by 'International Publisher' LLC from 2019 to 2021 is estimated at $6.5 million. Since this study only analysed a single paper mill, it is likely that the number of papers with forged authorship is much higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, paper‐based functional materials have received extensive attention in the field of energy storage due to their advantages of rich and adjustable porous network structure and good flexibility. As an important energy storage device, paper‐based supercapacitors have important application prospects in many fields and have also received extensive attention from researchers in recent years. At present, researchers have modified and regulated paper‐based materials by different means such as structural design and material composition to enhance their electrochemical storage capacity. The development of paper‐based supercapacitors provides an important direction for the development of green and sustainable energy. Therefore, it is of great significance to summarize the relevant work of paper‐based supercapacitors for their rapid development and application. In this review, the recent research progress of paper‐based supercapacitors based on cellulose was summarized in terms of various cellulose‐based composites, preparation skills, and electrochemical performance. Finally, some opinions on the problems in the development of this field and the future development trend were proposed. It is hoped that this review can provide valuable references and ideas for the rapid development of paper‐based energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the conference papers published by double first‐class universities from mainland China between 2006 and 2019. The main findings are as follows: first, the number of conference papers from different double first‐class universities varied greatly, with the annual numbers of papers in the China Proceedings of Conferences Full‐text Database (CPCD) and in the Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI) fluctuating during this period. Second, most of the top 10 disciplines of the papers in the CPCD and CPCI were in the natural sciences, with only two in the social sciences. The CPCD papers and CPCI papers had some overlap in their disciplinary distributions. Third, the CPCD and CPCI papers differed little in total number, with the number of CPCI papers being slightly higher than the number of CPCD papers. With the introduction of new regulations from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), there will likely be an increase in the number of Chinese‐language conference papers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the urine Congo‐red dot paper test (CRD) with dipstick urinalysis to screen preeclampsia (PE). A total of 409 paired spot urine samples were obtained prospectively from women with suspected pre‐eclampsia attending for routine hospital visits. Congo‐red dot paper test and dipstick urinalysis were examined and compared to screen pre‐eclampsia. The agreement between the two urinary test is modest (kappa coefficient = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14–0.42). The specificity of CRD was higher than urinalysis (97.4% vs. 90.4%, p <.001). Urinalysis performed better in sensitivity (77.3% vs. 40.9%, p =.04) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) (0.84 [95% CI 0.74–0.94] vs. 0.69 [95% CI 0.55–0.83], p =.04) than CRD, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, AUC of the parallel test of them is 86.4% (64.0%–96.4%), 89.1% (85.5%–92.0%), and 0.88 (95% CI 0.79–0.96). And the serial test is 31.8% (14.7%–54.9%), 98.7% (96.8%–99.5%), 0.65 (95% CI 0.51–0.79), accordingly. The urinalysis is a better diagnosing test for preeclampsia. CRD could aid in the diagnosis of patients with preeclampsia. Combined the two tests in suspected patients may further improve the performance in the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Further study need to be made for its potential clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Computerised neuropsychological assessments (CNAs) are proposed as more accessible and culturally appropriate alternatives to traditional pencil‐and‐paper neuropsychological assessments (PnPAs) for diagnosing dementia in diverse populations. Whilst some PnPAs have demonstrated cultural and linguistic bias, research investigating the suitability of CNAs for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals is limited, especially outside of the United States. Method: This study compared cognitive performance in a heterogenous sample of older Australian CALD English‐speakers and an L1 English‐speaking background (ESB) sample. Cross‐sectional data were drawn from the ongoing CogSCAN Study. Participants were 212 community‐dwelling individuals aged 60‐95 years without a dementia diagnosis (159 ESB/53 CALD). Participants completed a PnPA and/or CNAs, sessions were counterbalanced accordingly. CNA sessions involved two of four commercially‐available CNAs in a randomised order. Differences in the level and pattern of cognitive performance between groups on two CNAs (CANTAB/Cogstate) and a comprehensive PnPA in English, controlling for sociodemographic and health factors, are reported here. Selection of key variables for examination were based on previous findings (PnPA) and test developer recommendations (CNAs). Result: Sample characteristics are summarised in Table 1. CALD participants' cognitive performance on individual tests (Figure 1) was largely comparable to ESB participants on PnPA and each CNA. Significant differences between groups, after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, were observed for the Boston Naming Test (PnPA; a language test widely criticised for use with CALD populations due to culturally biased stimuli) and Rapid Visual Information Processing (CANTAB; a test of attention/processing speed). Among participants who completed PnPA and Cogstate, a significant interaction between group and assessment type on global cognitive performance was observed; ESB participants outperformed CALD participants on PnPA, but not on Cogstate (Figure 2). No significant main effects or interaction were observed in PnPA versus CANTAB. Conclusion: These results showed fewer and smaller discrepancies across groups and assessment types than has been found in previous literature with other CALD samples, perhaps reflecting higher levels of English proficiency, acculturation, and education in English than previous cohorts. Work in progress is investigating the influence of linguistic and acculturation factors on cognitive performance in a larger and more diverse sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The erratic, intermittent, and unpredictable nature of sweat production, resulting from physiological or psychological fluctuations, poses intricacies to consistently and accurately sample and evaluate sweat biomarkers. Skin‐interfaced microfluidic devices that rely on colorimetric mechanisms for semi‐quantitative detection are particularly susceptible to these inaccuracies due to variations in sweat secretion rate or instantaneous volume. This work introduces a skin‐interfaced colorimetric bifluidic sweat device with two synchronous channels to quantify sweat rate and biomarkers in real‐time, even during uncertain sweat activities. In the proposed bifluidic‐distance metric approach, with one channel to measure sweat rate and quantify collected sweat volume, the other channel can provide an accurate analysis of the biomarkers based on the collected sweat volume. The closed channel design also reduces evaporation and resists contamination from the external environment. The feasibility of the device is highlighted in a proof‐of‐the‐concept demonstration to analyze sweat chloride for evaluating hydration status and sweat glucose for assessing glucose levels. The low‐cost yet highly accurate device provides opportunities for clinical sweat analysis and disease screening in remote and low‐resource settings. The developed device platform can be facilely adapted for the other biomarkers when corresponding colorimetric reagents are exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Academia is already witnessing the abuse of authorship in papers with text generated by large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT.LLM‐generated text is testing the limits of publishing ethics as we traditionally know it.We alert the community to imminent risks of LLM technologies, like ChatGPT, for amplifying the predatory publishing 'industry'.The abuse of ChatGPT for the paper mill industry cannot be over‐emphasized.Detection of LLM‐generated text is the responsibility of editors and journals/publishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional paper‐based microdevices have been receiving wide attention in the research areas of microfluidic chips, soft actuators, etc. This work introduces the design and fabrication of a Janus‐type paper in which one side of the paper remains hydrophilic and the other side is hydrophobic. Such Janus‐type paper is prepared by directly spraying hydrophobic Glaco solutions and following air plasma treatment. The former treatment can cover the paper fibers with numerous hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles. Through optimizing the fabrication parameters of the air plasma, it can penetrate the filter paper in a controllable depth, resulting in effectively regulating the hydrophobic particles into hydrophilic ones. Thereafter, the antirotation and interfacial stability of the Janus paper are investigated. Finally, a liquid storage and contamination‐free analysis devices are demonstrated on the Janus‐type paper platform. Noting that the commercially nonfluoride coating (Glaco) and mature plasma instrument together make the fabrication method simple, rapid, users/environmental‐friendly, and mass‐produced. The method provides a new route to fabricate Janus‐type paper for potential multifunctional applications in microfluidic chips and smart actuators, and may open up new avenue to prepare Janus films in a simple/rapid way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personalized healthcare management is an emerging field that requires the development of environment‐friendly, integrated, and electrochemical multimodal devices. In this study, the concept of integrated paper‐based biosensors (IFP−Multi) for personalized healthcare management is introduced. By leveraging ink printing technology and a ChatGPT–bioelectronic interface, these biosensors offer ultrahigh areal‐specific capacitance (74633 mF cm−2), excellent mechanical properties, and multifunctional sensing and humidity power generation capabilities. More importantly, the IFP−Multi devices have the potential to simulate deaf‐mute vocalization and can be integrated into wearable sensors to detect muscle contractions and bending motions. Moreover, they also enable monitoring of physiological signals from various body parts, such as the throat, nape, elbow, wrist, and knee, and successfully record sharp and repeatable signals generated by muscle contractions. In addition, the IFP−Multi devices demonstrate self‐powered handwriting sensing and moisture power generation for sweat‐sensing applications. As a proof‐of‐concept, a GPT 3.5 model‐based fine‐tuning and prediction pipeline that utilizes recorded physiological signals through IFP−Multi is showcased, enabling artificial intelligence with multimodal sensing capabilities for personalized healthcare management. This work presents a promising and ecofriendly approach to developing paper‐based electrochemical multimodal devices, paving the way for a new era of healthcare advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper, an inexpensive material with natural biocompatibility, non‐toxicity, and biodegradability, allows for affordable and cost‐effective substrates for unconventional advanced electronics, often called papertronics. On the other hand, polymeric elastomers have shown to be an excellent success for substrates of soft bioelectronics, providing stretchability in skin wearable technology for continuous sensing applications. Although both materials hold their unique advantageous characteristics, merging both material properties into a single electronic substrate reimagines paper‐based bioelectronics for wearable and patchable applications in biosensing, energy generation and storage, soft actuators, and more. Here, a breathable, light‐weighted, biocompatible engineered stretchable paper is reported via coaxial nonwoven microfibers for unconventional bioelectronic substrates. The stretchable papers allow intimate bioconformability without adhesive through coaxial electrospinning of a cellulose acetate polymer (sheath) and a silicone elastomer (core). The fabricated cellulose‐silicone fibers exhibit a greater percent strain than commercially available paper while retaining hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, combustibility, disposable, and other natural characteristics of paper. Moreover, the nonwoven stretchable cellulose‐silicone fibrous mat can adapt conventional printing and fabrication process for paper‐based electronics, an essential aspect of advanced bioelectronic manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in handwritten Chinese signatures on different media including paper and electronic devices. Participants were asked to sign specified names on various types of media and the signatures were scanned or saved digitally for subsequent analysis. In this study, using convolutional neural networks and Siamese neural networks as classifiers and comparators, the performance plunge is revealed and thus considerable dissimilarity between the signatures on different media is implied. To further explore this, cubic Bézier curves are fitted to the signatures using the least square method for quantitative statistical analysis. By analyzing the visual changes in the morphology of strokes, several features of signatures are selected and computed, and the paired t‐test and the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test are implemented, which provides a deeper substantiation and explanation of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoiding financial losses requires preventing catastrophic oil‐filled power transformer breakdowns. Continuous online transformer monitoring is needed. The authors use paper insulation to evaluate transformer health for continuous online transformer monitoring. The study suggests a new artificial intelligence method for estimating paper insulation residual life in oil‐immersed power transformers. The four artificial intelligence models use backpropagation‐based neural networks to predict paper insulation lifespan. Four primary transformer insulating paper failure indices—degree of polymerisation, 2‐furfuraldehyde, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide—form the basis of these models. Each model, including the backpropagation‐based neural networks, estimates paper insulation life using one failure index, along with moisture and temperature data. Optimisation techniques enhance hidden layer neurons and epoch count for improved performance. Results are validated against literature‐based life models, establishing a precise input–output correlation. This method accurately predicts the remaining useable life of power transformer paper insulation, enabling utilities to take proactive measures for safe and efficient transformer operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meta‐aramid paper has been widely used in transformers because of its excellent insulation properties and thermal stability. However, with the rapid development of high‐voltage transformers, higher requirements are placed on the breakdown strength of meta‐aramid paper. In this study, meta‐aramid chopped fibers/polyphenylene sulfide (MACFs/PPS) composite paper was prepared by a combination of wet‐copying and hot‐rolling technology. Then the microscopic morphology, mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, insulation properties, and thermal stability of the MACFs/PPS composite paper were studied and evaluated. The experimental results showed that the breakdown strength of the MACFs/PPS composite paper was as high as 46.46 kV/mm, which was 2.7 times higher than the famous Nomex T410 insulating paper. Meanwhile, the MACFs/PPS composite paper presented good mechanical properties and thermal stability. This paper provides a simple and versatile method for the preparation of meta‐aramid composite paper with high breakdown strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, stacked SiC fibers paper‐reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites (SiCnf/SiC CMCs) were prepared by nanoimpregnation and transient eutectic (NITE) process using ultra‐long single‐crystal SiC nanofibers. The effect of the SiCnf surface modification via boron nitride (BN) interphase deposition as well as the sintering additive (Al2O3–Y2O3) content on the density, microstructure, and mechanical properties of SiCnf/SiC CMCs has been investigated systematically. The results revealed that the laminated SiCnf/SiC CMCs feature a significant saw‐tooth‐like curve on the load–displacement test, which indicates that the obtained laminated structure with the weak interlayer binding owning to the BN coating treatment possesses significant toughening to the SiC ceramics. Specifically, the SiCnf/SiC CMCs with the sintering additive content of 12 wt% revealed a fracture toughness of over 10 MPa m1/2 after 60 min of BN interface deposition, which is 104.31% higher than that of the composites prepared without BN coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power outages can cause harm to both society and individual health. Among the crucial elements of power systems, power transformers play a vital role, and their failures can lead to incidents and disruptions. According to statistics, almost 50% of the explosions and fires in the power transformer are caused by oil‐impregnated paper (OIP) bushing failures. Moreover, moisture is a crucial factor that affects the health of OIP bushings, and assessing the moisture level in OIP bushings is vital to guarantee the safety of power systems. While the frequency‐domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) method has been widely used to assess the moisture content of OIP bushings on‐site, it has the disadvantage of requiring a long measurement time. Therefore, a novel technique was proposed in this study that involves measuring the OIP bushing dissipation factor (tanδ) at 1 Hz to estimate the moisture content in a significantly shorter time. Five samples of OIP with various moisture levels have been selected, and an equation based on the OIPs' value of tanδ at 1 Hz was proposed to assess the moisture level of OIP bushings. Furthermore, the validity of the proposed method was successfully verified, proving its precision and time efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of terms, such as "antiepileptic," "anticonvulsant," and "antiseizure" have been historically applied to medications for the treatment of seizure disorders. Terminology is important because using terms that do not accurately reflect the action of specific treatments may result in a misunderstanding of their effects and inappropriate use. The present International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) position paper used a Delphi approach to develop recommendations on English‐language terminology applicable to pharmacological agents currently approved for treating seizure disorders. There was consensus that these medications should be collectively named "antiseizure medications". This term accurately reflects their primarily symptomatic effect against seizures and reduces the possibility of health care practitioners, patients, or caregivers having undue expectations or an incorrect understanding of the real action of these medications. The term "antiseizure" to describe these agents does not exclude the possibility of beneficial effects on the course of the disease and comorbidities that result from the downstream effects of seizures, whenever these beneficial effects can be explained solely by the suppression of seizure activity. It is acknowledged that other treatments, mostly under development, can exert direct favorable actions on the underlying disease or its progression, by having "antiepileptogenic" or "disease‐modifying" effects. A more‐refined terminology to describe precisely these actions needs to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and purpose: Despite the growing awareness of academic fraud, its prevalence in the field of neurology has not been fully assessed. This review aims to analyze the characteristics of the retracted papers in the field of neurology and the reasons for the retraction to better understand the trends in this area and to assist to avoid retraction incidents. Methods: A total of 79 papers were included, which pertained to 22 countries and 64 journals. The marking methods for retracting original papers included watermarks (89.04%), retracted signs in the text (5.48%) and no prompt (5.48%). The median M (interquartile range [IQR]) of citations in retractions in neurology was 7 (41). Studies continued to be cited after retraction with an M (IQR) of 3 (16). The journal impact factor was between 0 and 157.335, with an M (IQR) of 5.127 (3.668). 45.21% and 31.51% papers were mainly published in the first and second quartile journals, respectively. The M (IQR) time elapsed between publication and retraction was 32 (44) months. The reasons for retraction included two major categories, academic misconduct (79.75%) and academic unintentional mistakes (20.25%). Results and conclusions: The number of retractions in neurology has been on the rise over the past decade, with fabricated academic misconduct being the main cause of the retractions. Due to the long time lag between publication and retraction, a number of unreliable findings continue to be cited following retraction. In addition to the requisite standards of academic ethics, augmenting research training and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial in enhancing research integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing solid waste recycling, this study aims to develop biodegradable kraft paper from buffing dust (BD) and post‐consumed jute fiber (JF). Employing a simple solution casting method with a polyurethane binder, the kraft paper was fabricated and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, OTR, biodegradability, and tensile tests. The findings revealed covalent and hydrogen bonding between BD and JF, forming a uniform surface. Notably, the composite exhibited improved thermal stability, enhanced gas barrier properties, and biodegradability compared to individual components. Furthermore, the composite also showed 57% higher tensile strength, 38% greater elongation, 20% increased hardness, and 9% higher density compared to buffing dust. Compared to jute fiber, the increases were 125%, 91%, 30%, and 19% respectively. Moreover, the composite excelled in gas barrier performance, surpassing BD and JF by a remarkable 61% and 73% increase respectively. These significant findings underscore the vast potential of the composite kraft paper as a versatile material suitable for various applications, including packaging, interior furnishing industries, and reinforcing elements in the footwear industry. By addressing waste management and promoting sustainability, this research contributes to the development of eco‐friendly materials that align with contemporary environmental concerns. Highlights: Covalent and hydrogen bonding enhance uniformity.Biodegradable kraft paper with improved properties.Impressive tensile strength, elongation, and hardness.Versatile material for eco‐friendly applications.Promotes sustainability and waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusions Poor communication is a leading root cause of preventable maternal mortality in the United States. Communication challenges are compounded with the presence of biases, including racism. Hospital administrators and clinicians are often aware that communication is a problem, but understanding where to intervene can be difficult to determine. While clinical leadership routinely reviews incident reports and acts on them to improve care, we hypothesized that reviewing incident reports in a systematic way might reveal thematic patterns, providing targeted opportunities to improve communication in direct interaction with patients and within the healthcare team itself.We abstracted incident reports from the Women's Health service and linked them with patient charts to join patient's race/ethnicity, birth outcome, and presence of maternal morbidity and mortality to the incident report. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of incident reports using an inductive and deductive approach to categorizing communication challenges. We then described the intersection of different types of communication challenges with patient race/ethnicity and morbidity outcomes.The use of incident reports to conduct research on communication was new for the health system. Conversations with health system‐level stakeholders were important to determine the best way to manage data. We developed a thematic codebook based on prior research in healthcare communication. We found that we needed to add codes that were equity focused, as this was missing from the existing codebook. We also found that clinical and contextual expertise was necessary for conducting the analysis—requiring more resources to conduct coding than initially estimated. We shared our findings back with leadership iteratively during the work.Incident reports represent a promising source of health system data for rapid improvement to transform organizational practice around communication. There are barriers to conducting this work in a rapid manner, however, that require further iteration and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decision prediction based on neurophysiological signals is of great application value in many real‐life situations, especially in human–AI collaboration or counteraction. Single‐trial analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is a very valuable step in the development of an online decision‐prediction system. However, previous EEG‐based decision‐prediction methods focused mainly on averaged EEG signals of all decision‐making trials to predict an individual's general decision tendency (e.g., risk seeking or aversion) over a period rather than on a specific decision response in a single trial. In the present study, we used a rock–paper–scissors game, which is a common multichoice decision‐making task, to explore how to predict participants' single‐trial choice with EEG signals. Forty participants, comprising 20 females and 20 males, played the game with a computer player for 330 trials. Considering that the decision‐making process of this game involves multiple brain regions and neural networks, we proposed a new algorithm named common spatial pattern‐attractor metagene (CSP‐AM) to extract CSP features from different frequency bands of EEG signals that occurred during decision making. The results showed that a multilayer perceptron classifier achieved an accuracy significantly exceeding the chance level among 88.57% (31 of 35) of participants, verifying the classification ability of CSP features in multichoice decision‐making prediction. We believe that the CSP‐AM algorithm could be used in the development of proactive AI systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polistes dominula is an invasive social wasp that preys on the grasshopper Dichroplus elongatus, which constitutes a potential agricultural pest in Northwest Patagonia. This grasshopper feeds on a wide variety of plants, the 'Dandelion' (Taraxacum officinale) being one of the main food resources. In this study, by means of a Y‐tube olfactometer, we analysed the use of olfactory cues by P. dominula in the detection of grasshoppers. Specifically, we evaluated the attractiveness of live grasshoppers, their traces (i.e. leaves with herbivory traces + prey faeces or only faeces) and herbivory‐free leaves. The results showed that foragers equally chose olfactory cues emitted by grasshoppers and leaves with herbivory traces + faeces and herbivory‐free leaves, suggesting that the leaves of the host plant also have an important role in the searching behaviour. The current research is the first to demonstrate that the invasive paper wasp orients its search towards either the presence of grasshopper prey or the volatiles of plant leaves. These findings shed new light on predator‐prey interactions mediated by olfactory cues in P. dominula, which may play a biological role as a natural controller of D. elongatus, phytophagous pest in the invaded ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuromodulatory subcortical system (NSS) nuclei are critical hubs for survival, hedonic tone, and homeostasis. Tau‐associated NSS degeneration occurs early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, long before the emergence of pathognomonic memory dysfunction and cortical lesions. Accumulating evidence supports the role of NSS dysfunction and degeneration in the behavioral and neuropsychiatric manifestations featured early in AD. Experimental studies even suggest that AD‐associated NSS degeneration drives brain neuroinflammatory status and contributes to disease progression, including the exacerbation of cortical lesions. Given the important pathophysiologic and etiologic roles that involve the NSS in early AD stages, there is an urgent need to expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying NSS vulnerability and more precisely detail the clinical progression of NSS changes in AD. Here, the NSS Professional Interest Area of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment highlights knowledge gaps about NSS within AD and provides recommendations for priorities specific to clinical research, biomarker development, modeling, and intervention. Highlights: Neuromodulatory nuclei degenerate in early Alzheimer's disease pathological stages.Alzheimer's pathophysiology is exacerbated by neuromodulatory nuclei degeneration.Neuromodulatory nuclei degeneration drives neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia.Biomarkers of neuromodulatory integrity would be value‐creating for dementia care.Neuromodulatory nuclei present strategic prospects for disease‐modifying therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) is discussed to induce amyloid‐β (Aβ) accumulation and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cell culture and animal models. Aβ appears to be virostatic. We investigated the association between intrathecal antibodies against HSV or cytomegalovirus (CMV) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers. Methods: Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, pTau, and tTau were measured in CSF of 117 patients with early AD positive for amyloid pathology (A+) and 30 healthy controls (A‐). CSF‐to‐serum anti‐HSV1/2‐IgG antibody indices (AI‐IgGHSV1/2) and CMV (AI‐IgGCMV) were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Exclusively in HSV1‐seropositive AD, pTau was positively and significantly predicted by AI‐IgGHSV1/2 and negatively by the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Furthermore, a significant and negative interaction between the AI‐IgGHSV1/2 and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio on pTau was found. Discussion: The results support the hypothesis that HSV infection contributes to AD. Highlights: HSV antibody index is positively associated with tau pathology in patients with AD.HSV antibody index is negatively associated with cerebral FDG metabolism.Amyloid modulates the association of HSV antibody index with CSF‐pTau.HSV in AD offers a pathophysiological model connecting tau and amyloid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research presented in this paper introduces a novel environmental energy‐harvesting technology that harnesses electricity from the evaporation of water using porous structural materials. Specifically, a strategy employing paper‐based hydroelectric generators (p‐HEGs) is proposed to capture the energy produced during water evaporation and convert it into usable electricity. The p‐HEGs offer several advantages, including simplicity in fabrication, low cost, and reusability. To evaluate their effectiveness, the water evaporation‐induced electrical output performance of four different p‐HEGs are compared. Among the variants tested, the p‐HEG combining wood pulp and polyester fiber exhibits the best output performance. At room temperature, this particular p‐HEG generates a short‐circuit current and open‐circuit voltage of ≈0.4 µA and 0.3 V, respectively, thereby demonstrating excellent electrical stability. Furthermore, the electrical current and voltage generated by the p‐HEG through water evaporation are able to power an LED light, both individually and in series and parallel connections. This study delves into the potential of electricity harvesting from water evaporation and establishes it as a viable method for renewable energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) derived nanostructures receive immense research focus due to its high porosity, conductivity, and structural tailrolability features. In this work, porous Zeolitic Imidazole Framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) to synthesize cobalt phosphide/carbon composite (ZCoPC) that serves as a positive electrode is utilized. Furthermore, porous and conductive office paper derived carbon (OPC) are utilized as a negative electrode to make a hybrid system. The metalloid characteristics, high conductivity, and good porosity of ZCoPC material makes it a high‐performance battery like electrode. ZCoPC electrode achieves maximum specific capacity of 192.6 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 using 1 m potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte. Furthermore, surface and diffusion charge participation investigation are also undergone for ZCoPC electrode that helps in determining the actual charge dynamics occurring in the electrode. In addition, a supercapattery device is assembled using ZCoPC as battery electrode and OPC as supercapacitor electrode. The as fabricated OPC//ZCoPC hybrid supercapattery device delivers extraordinary energy density of 31.6 Wh kg−1 with a power density of 700 W kg−1 and also a long cycle life of 92.3% even after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. Hence, these outcomes demonstrate that the synergy of porous MOF derived metal phosphide and OPC electrodes are beneficial for supercapattery devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work in teacher noticing has captured to what extent teachers notice students' thinking on paper and pencil tasks and technology tasks, yet no one study has considered how the same group of teachers notices across task types. This study used Jacobs et al.'s (Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 2010, 41(2), pp: 169–202.) professional noticing of students' thinking framework to guide the design and analysis of prospective secondary mathematics teachers' (PSMTs) noticing of high school students' thinking on two geometry tasks: a paper and pencil task and a technology task. High school students' written work and a video clip were shared as the artifacts from which to notice for each task. PSMTs responded to a set of noticing prompts to capture how they were attending, interpreting, and deciding to respond to students' thinking for each task. Their written responses to these questions were then open coded for each noticing component and codes from each task were compared to reveal any differences in the content of PSMTs' noticing across task types. Results revealed differences between tasks for each component skill of noticing. Implications of these findings for mathematics teacher educators and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray spectroscopy is a valuable technique for the study of many materials systems. Characterizing reactions in situ and operando can reveal complex reaction kinetics, which is crucial to understanding active site composition and reaction mechanisms. In this project, the design, fabrication and testing of an open-source and easy-to-fabricate electrochemical cell for in situ electrochemistry compatible with X-ray absorption spectroscopy in both transmission and fluorescence modes are accomplished via windows with large opening angles on both the upstream and downstream sides of the cell. Using a hobbyist computer numerical control machine and free 3D CAD software, anyone can make a reliable electrochemical cell using this design. Onion-like carbon nanoparticles, with a 1:3 iron-to-cobalt ratio, were drop-coated onto carbon paper for testing in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry of the carbon paper showed the expected behavior, with no increased ohmic drop, even in sandwiched cells. Chronoamperometry was used to apply 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, with and without 15 min of oxygen purging to ensure that the electrochemical cell does not provide any artefacts due to gas purging. The XANES and EXAFS spectra showed no differences with and without oxygen, as expected at 0.4 V, without any artefacts due to gas purging. The development of this open-source electrochemical cell design allows for improved collection of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy data and enables researchers to perform both transmission and fluorescence simultaneously. It additionally addresses key practical considerations including gas purging, reduced ionic resistance and leak prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high uncertainty around the COVID‐19 pandemic elicited an unprecedented level of panic buying during the early months. Using the framework of stress and coping, the current study conceptualized and tested a theoretical model that predicts individuals' panic buying in two countries. A survey of US (n = 311) and Korean consumers (n = 347) revealed that negative emotions (loneliness and anxiety) contributed to panic buying, yet two important coping resources, resilience and social support, were effective in protecting consumers from engaging in a maladaptive coping strategy. The hypothesis that collectivism (vs. individualism) would make consumers rely on social (vs. personal) coping resources was partially supported. The results highlight the unique circumstance of the global pandemic in which social support works as both a resource for healthy coping and a source to increase negative emotions, and call for future investigation of the complex role of social support in the context of stress and coping theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniaturized paper‐based electrochemical sensors were fabricated using kraft paper and CO2 laser, dispensing the need for chemical reagents and controlled atmospheric conditions. This study initially evaluated the paper type and laser processing parameters, enhancing the electrodes′ robustness, electrochemical response, and electrical resistance. The sensors were also treated by applying −1 V for 60 s in 1.0 mol L−1 KCl, which is a simple and rapid procedure. The electrochemical treatment increased the electroactive area and roughness, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. These aspects helped modulate the sensors′ electrochemical response for nitrite determination, improving selectivity and sensitivity for this compound. The sensors also showed repeatability and batch‐to‐batch reproducibility, with 2.2 and 10 % RSD, respectively. Therefore, this work brings a protocol to fabricating competitive electrochemical sensors through a sustainable strategy, opening possibilities for designing new analytical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retracted articles by Indian scholars have received significant attention in recent times. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to analyse the citations of retracted papers authored by Indian researchers. This study aimed to assess the citations to retracted works published between 2001 and 2020 pre‐ and post‐retraction. The study found that there was an increase in retractions over time, with empirical data suggesting that the number of retractions has increased significantly, from 72 papers between 2001 and 2010 to 365 papers between 2011 and 2020. Duplication (n = 128) and plagiarism (n = 119) were the primary reasons for retraction. Notably, 90% of the retracted articles continued to receive citations after retraction. Among the retracted papers, eight received more than 50 post‐retraction citations, 39 received 20 to 50 citations, 347 received one to 19 citations, and 43 were not cited at all post‐retraction. There was an overall 8% decrease in citations after retraction. Retractions were observed across journals of varying impact factor, with a higher number of retractions observed in journals with an impact factor of less than 5 (n = 286; 65%). Furthermore, smaller research teams of two to five authors accounted for 72% of the total retractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How might the visibility of an author's name and/or institutional affiliation allow bias to enter the evaluation of economics papers? We ask highly qualified journal editors to review abstracts of solo‐authored papers which differ along the dimensions of gender and institution of the author. We exogenously vary whether editors observe the name and/or institution of the author. We identify positive name visibility effects for female economists and positive institution visibility effects for economists at the top institutions. Our results suggest that male economists at top institutions benefit the most from non‐blind evaluations, followed by female economists (regardless of their institution). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vigilant animals detect and respond to threats in the environment, often changing posture and movement patterns. Vigilance is modulated not only by predators but also by conspecific threats. In social animals, precisely how conspecific threats alter vigilance behavior over time is relevant to long‐standing hypotheses about social plasticity. We report persistent effects of a simulated conspecific challenge on behavior of wild northern paper wasp foundresses, Polistes fuscatus. During the founding phase of the colony cycle, conspecific wasps can usurp nests from the resident foundress, representing a severe threat. We used automated tracking to monitor the movement and posture of P. fuscatus foundresses in response to simulated intrusions. Wasps displayed increased movement, greater bilateral wing extension, and reduced antennal separation after the threat was removed. These changes were not observed after presentation with a wooden dowel. By rapidly adjusting individual behavior after fending off an intruder, paper wasp foundresses might invest in surveillance of potential threats, even when such threats are no longer immediately present. The prolonged vigilance‐like behavioral state observed here is relevant to plasticity of social recognition processes in paper wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy‐impregnated paper transformer bushings are prone to water absorption due to the presence of water‐attracting moieties in the cellulose chemical structure and epoxy resin, leading to moisture‐induced insulation defects. To understand the mechanism of moisture's impact on epoxy‐impregnated paper, this study developed a testing platform that integrated moisture diffusion, adsorption, and dielectric properties of insulating materials. Insulation specimens made of epoxy resin and epoxy‐impregnated paper were prepared and their water diffusion characteristics were investigated using the Fick diffusion model and the Langmuir model, respectively. The Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer equation was used to examine the vacuum vapour adsorption characteristics of the materials, providing a theoretical foundation for examining the form of water present within them. The dielectric response of materials with varying moisture levels was then tested to study the effect of water on the dielectric spectrum curve. Using the Extended Derivative Method, the characteristic frequency reflecting the water content of the epoxy‐impregnated paper was extracted. The results demonstrate that 0.01‐Hz characteristic frequency provides superior accuracy for moisture assessment in epoxy resins compared to 50 Hz, and extracting and fitting the relaxation peak characteristic frequency in epoxy‐impregnated paper moisture evaluation yields higher accuracy than using tan δ at the power frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method to fabricate handcrafted thermoelectric devices on standard office paper substrates. The devices are based on thin films of WS2, Te, and BP (P‐type semiconductors) and TiS3 and TiS2 (N‐type semiconductors), deposited by simply rubbing powder of these materials against paper. The thermoelectric properties of these semiconducting films revealed maximum Seebeck coefficients of (+1.32 ± 0.27) mV K−1 and (−0.82 ± 0.15) mV K−1 for WS2 and TiS3, respectively. Additionally, Peltier elements were fabricated by interconnecting the P‐ and N‐type films with graphite electrodes. A thermopower value up to 6.11 mV K−1 was obtained when the Peltier element were constructed with three junctions. The findings of this work show proof‐of‐concept devices to illustrate the potential application of semiconducting van der Waals materials in future thermoelectric power generation as well as temperature sensing for low‐cost disposable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, the community first observed scientific papers in the biomedical literature that seemed to display systematically fabricated data, pointing to the existence of paper mills: unofficial, potentially illegal organizations selling fake scientific manuscripts. In the present article, we share relevant information specifically about the 'raw data' associated with paper mill manuscripts. If a submitted manuscript displays clear indicators of potential paper mill involvement, we found that the raw data at close inspection often raise doubts about their authenticity. In the absence of real data, paper mills may need to fabricate raw data images when responding to requests from journals. Given the necessity to streamline production of fake manuscripts, the alleged raw data might be created using templates. Some potential methods for generating fake Western blot images are discussed. Paying close attention to image data, including graphs, diagrams, plots and tables, ideally at pre‐publication stage, can clearly help prevent publication of incorrect and fabricated information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is critical to improve illness management and outcomes, making neuropsychological measures an essential tool for clinicians. Research has demonstrated that proactive semantic interference (PSI) and failure to recover from PSI (frPSI) are sensitive to cognitive changes in early mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and preclinical AD determined by Aβ load using PET (Loewenstein et al., 2018; Matias‐Guiu et al., 2017; Curiel et al., 2019). These novel constructs are assessed by the LASSI‐L (Crocco et al., 2018; Crocco et al., 2020). The aim of the current study was to compare a new computerized version of this measure, the LASSI‐BC, to the standard paper‐and‐pencil version of the test. Method: 110 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults and 79 older adults diagnosed with amnestic MCI (aMCI) were administered the paper‐and‐pencil form of the LASSI‐L, whereas 62 CU and 52 aMCI participants were administered the LASSI‐BC. Their performance was compared to assess the validity of the LASSI‐BC to discriminate between different diagnostic groups. Result: To assess the validity of the computerized version, both the aMCI and CU groups were compared using χ2 test for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables, with adjustment for covariates such as degree of initial learning, sex, education, and language of evaluation. The performance of CU and aMCI groups using either form was relatively commensurate. Notably, sensitivity and specificity of measures of PSI and frPSI on both versions were calculated to assess diagnostic validity, yielding the following Results Sensitivity of 86.5%, Specificity of 88.1%, and Overall Classification of 87.4% for the LASSI‐BC relative to a Sensitivity of 65.0%, Specificity of 83.6%, and Overall Classification of 75.8% obtained for the paper‐and‐pencil LASSI‐L. Conclusion: The LASSI‐BC displayed exceptionally high diagnostic validity which was comparable to the well‐established LASSI‐L. Notably, the advantages of the LASSI‐BC include a more standardized administration, suitability for remote assessment, and an automated scoring mechanism that can be verified by a built‐in audio recording of responses. These findings support the LASSI‐BC, a novel computerized assessment, as an exceptional tool for the early identification of individuals at risk of progressing to dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding of converter transformer bears the effect of AC and DC superimposed voltage during operation. The electric field intensity in the pressboard is much higher than that in the pressboard in the AC transformer. This condition increases the probability of failure of insulation structure. Therefore, the design and optimization of the main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding are keys to ensure the stable operation of converter transformer. This study establishes a model of the main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding of the ±1100 kV converter transformer. The influence of the insulating oil–paper configuration on the electric field distribution of the main insulation structure of the valve‐side winding is analysed, and then, an optimization idea is proposed. The oil–paper configuration includes two aspects: oil–paper insulation structural design and combination selection, that is, the influence of typical oil–paper structural design parameters and the aging state of different oil–paper combinations on the electric field distribution. Finally, the optimization idea of the oil–paper configuration for valve‐side winding of converter transformer is obtained, and the established model is optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insulation paper is a crucial factor for evaluating the insulation status of transformers. The traditional evaluation methods for insulation paper are dissolved gas component content analysis (CO and CO2) and furfural (2‐FAL) content analysis in oil. The detection principle of the former leads to its low accuracy, while the field application effect of the latter is not ideal due to the easy oxidation of furfural and low content. Methanol, result of its good stability and high production compared with other marker products (CO, CO2, 2‐FAL) has been investigated as a novel marker for aging evaluation of transformer insulating paper in recent years. The results of the investigation indicated that there is a good correlation between the content of methanol in oil and the degree of polymerization under laboratory conditions, which reflected the insulation aging state of the transformer insulating paper more accurately. This paper summarizes the current research status of methanol formation mechanism, detection methods and aging evaluation in insulating oil, and points out the key problems to be solved and development prospects, hoping to provide relevant reference for aging evaluation of oil immersed power transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incineration of high‐moisture solid residues generated at the recycling paper mills represents an energetically unfavourable method of resource utilization. Alternatively, hydrothermal pre‐treatment is considered. In this study, low‐value paper sludges from three different recycling streams were hydrothermally carbonized at 205, 225, and 245°C for 3 h. The raw feedstocks and derived hydrochars were analyzed for energy properties, chemical characteristics, surface morphology, functional groups, and combustion performance employing energy densification and mass yield quantification, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analyzer, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. The increase in reaction temperature was reported to cause a decrease in mass yield and an increase in energy densification and calorific values corresponding to 5.98%–49.35% and 10.10%–58.51% for raw fibre rejects and final sludge‐derived hydrochar, respectively. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) had a non‐significant influence on the energy densification of primary clarifier sludge‐derived hydrochar. Higher reaction temperatures favoured the rate of dehydration and decarboxylation, leading to hydrochars with lower H/C and O/C ratios, thereby enhancing the overall fuel properties. The low‐nitrogen and low‐sulphur fuels obtained validated the effectiveness of HTC treatment to produce high‐quality cleaner solid fuel. The burnout temperature was mostly reduced with an increase in HTC temperature. At HTC‐205 and 225°C, the ignition temperature and the combustion performance increased as a result of the HTC reaction mechanisms. HTC effectively recovered hydrochar with increased carbon content, improved energy densification, and good combustion adequacy. Hydrochar derived from recycling mills may play a role in the energy sector as a substitute for coal or in co‐combustion at coal‐fired power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper‐based microfluidic devices are used in point of care diagnostic, sensor technology or lab‐on‐a‐chip devices. Although a number of studies has been reported, only relatively few paper‐based diagnostic tools are available on the market. A remaining challenge is the mechanistic understanding and precise design of capillary flow in paper. Here, silica coatings are applied to control paper wettability, fiber swelling, and thus fluid transport in all three dimensions of a paper sheet via a simple dip‐coating and post‐treatment process. By adjusting the three‐dimensional silica coating distribution, a three‐dimensional asymmetric wettability gradient within the paper sheet is obtained which controls the fluid distribution and imbibition. The correlation between silica coating amount and silica distribution with the resulting fluid behavior is systematically elaborated by analyzing the interaction between fiber and fluid as well as the fiber swelling by applying confocal microscopy. Three different silica‐amount dependent fluid distribution states are demonstrated. These new insights into the mechanism of fluid imbibition using simple silica coatings enable the specific design of different imbibition mechanisms and thus the adjustment of the microfluidic properties in paper‐based microfluidic devices with control over all three spatial dimensions of a paper sheet in one fabrication step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at developing an easily implementable method for on‐site analysis to detect urea adulteration in feed ingredients, a simple and inexpensive paper strip for urea detection via colorimetric assay is herein presented. The paper strip can be simply fabricated by immobilizing urease with bromothymol blue (BTB) as a pH indicator on cellulose fiber. Upon dipping the paper strip into the target sample, the release of ammonia during the reaction between urea in the sample and urease on the paper strip causes a pH change that results in the development of a blue color, thus indicating the presence of urea. A semiquantitative detection method was developed on the basis of the color change on the paper strip, which can be detected by naked eyes and compared with a color chart made by spiking urea at concentrations varying from 0.10% to 1.0% (w/w) in animal protein and fishmeal samples. Moreover, quantitative data were obtained by taking a picture with a smartphone camera and measuring the color intensity using ImageJ software. A comparison between BTB and phenol red as pH indicators revealed that the former afforded better results in terms of resolution. Under optimal conditions, good linear responses of blue intensity were obtained in a concentration range of 0.10%–1.0% (w/w). The recovery was determined to range between 98.1% and 118.3% with a relative standard deviation of <5%. The developed paper strip assay was applied to determine urea in animal protein and fishmeal, finding good agreement with the official AOAC method (No. 967.07). The present paper strip is rapid and requires neither sophisticated devices nor skilled personnel, allowing its use by quality controllers for the routine on‐site detection of the urea adulteration of raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to decrease the dielectric constant of kraft paper by 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) esterification crosslinking. Kraft paper samples are treated with various concentrations of BTCA to prepare modified paper with different reaction degrees. Morphology and surface chemical composition are characterized. The dielectric constant and loss of the plain and modified paper are also investigated. Results show that esterification occurs successfully between cellulose molecular chain and BTCA. The intrinsic dielectric constant and loss of 6 g L−1 BTCA‐treated paper decrease by 23.5% and 36.3%, respectively, at 50 Hz. The esterification can reduce the hydroxyl amounts on cellulose. The formed crosslinking network between the cellulose chains restricts the cellulose orientation polarization, thereby reducing cellulose polarizability. The electrical strength, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior of the samples are explored to evaluate comprehensively the modifying effect. BTCA esterification crosslinking proves to be a promising method for decreasing the dielectric constant of kraft paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic free‐flow electrophoresis (μ‐FFE) is widely used for continuous separation of charged analytes. However, μ‐FFE is limited in the separation of analytes with the same electrophoretic mobility. In this work, we developed a novel microfluidic free‐flow paper electrochromatography (μ‐FFPE) by combining μ‐FFE with filter paper‐based chromatography, enabling continuous separation of analytes through the mechanism of both μ‐FFE and paper chromatography. Numerical simulation was applied to demonstrate the advantages of adding filter paper as the stationary phase of μ‐FFE. With the filter paper, a more stable separation system was achieved. The device was applied to the separation of simple mixtures of dyes and complex mixtures of glycans. With the μ‐FFPE fractionation, much more glycans and glycan types can be identified by LC‐MS, demonstrating the value of the method in biological analysis. The μ‐FFPE can provide a new platform for the separation and analysis of various biological molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]