Burst Index Research Articles

Comparison of dietary arginine or/and inulin supplementation on growth, digestive ability and ammonia tolerance of juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Most fish have limited use of arginine, and increasing arginine availability by adding other nutrients is an effective method. Inulin is thought to have potential synergistic effects with arginine. Four experiment groups were carried out to test the hypothesis that inulin can increase arginine availability of yellow catfish, including control, arginine, inulin and arginine mixed with inulin groups. The results showed that dietary arginine supplementation improved growth (weight gain and whole-body protein increased; IGF 1, MyoD, MyoG and Myf5 genes up-regulated), digestive ability (intestine protease and lipase increased), blood health (total protein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased) and ammonia tolerance (cumulative mortality reduced; serum lysozyme, 50% hemolytic complement, respiratory burst and phagocytic indices increased) of yellow catfish, and reduced intestine inflammation (tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 decreased). Meanwhile, the addition of inulin to arginine-rich diets was further enhanced growth, digestive ability, intestine internal environment (butyric acid and total volatile fatty acids increased), blood health and ammonia tolerance (argininosuccinate synthetase, argininosuccinate lyase, arginase and ornithine transcarboxylase increased) of yellow catfish, and further relieved intestine inflammation. This study indicates that inulin can promote the utilization of dietary arginine; the potential synergistic effects between arginine and inulin were found in growth, digestive ability and ammonia tolerance of yellow catfish.

Physical and Electrical Breakdown Characteristics of Oil-Impregnated Kenaf Paper with the Introduction of External PVA for Transformer Application

This work examines the physical and electrical breakdown characteristics of kenaf paper coated with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) for application in power transformers. The paper was made from kenaf bast fibers using the soda pulping method, whereby the pulps were subjected to 12,000 beating revolutions. PVA with weight percentage concentration up to 6% was introduced to the beaten kenaf through a spin coating approach. The structure of the kenaf paper was examined through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The physical properties examined were apparent density, Tensile Index (TI), Burst Index (BI), and Tear Index (TeI), while AC breakdown voltage and strength were analyzed for the electrical property. It is found that the beating and external PVA improve the kenaf paper’s apparent density, TI, BI, and AC breakdown strength while the TeI decreases.

Recycling performance of softwood and hardwood unbleached kraft pulps for packaging papers

The scope of this work is to evaluate the recyclability potential of hardwood and softwood unbleached kraft pulps, leading to a sound basis for comparison and even to support a decision about fibers according to the performance achieved. The influence of successive recycling cycles (up to 10 cycles) on the fiber morphology, pulp suspension drainability, water retention capacity, and handsheet mechanical properties were studied for Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus sylvestris unbleached kraft pulps. The performance of these pulps as linerboard and corrugating medium for packaging was also evaluated. The requirements for brown kraftliner and for high performance recycled fluting grades is preserved for E. globulus pulp during all 10 recycling cycles, evidenced by the moderate decrease of burst index and crush resistance index and by the short-span compression index, whereas the P. sylvestris pulp loses this rating after the second cycle. These results strongly support the higher performance of E. globulus pulp for recycling as compared with softwood kraft pulp from the perspective of packaging papers.

A Study on Laboratory Type Paper Machine Using Nano Fibrillated Cellulose from Recycled Old Corrugated Containerboard as Bio Additive in Board Production

Raw material, energy, water, and additive cost are challenges for today’s board manufacturing and new sustainable solutions are needed to produce paper products with an favorable environmental footprint.
 A laboratory Fourdrinier paper machine study manufactured a board product with a targeted basis weight of 80 g/m² without and with the addition of ground calcium carbonate at a targeted filler level of 10%. Nano fibrillated cellulose produced from recycled old corrugated containerboard with a Valley Beater at a Canadian Standard Freeness level of 40 ml was added at 4% based on oven dry basis weight. Results revealed an increased ash and fine retention as well as an increased burst Index, short span compression strength, and tear index for the base paper as well as with and without ground calcium carbonate addition.

Optical‐physical and inkjet printing properties of created hybrid CaCO3 coated papers

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine the role of different formulations of calcium carbonates on the inkjet printing quality, with the use of cationic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)‐starch as a binder in the formation of the coating structure of paper to use for inkjet printing. For this, GCC (ground calcium carbonate), PCC (precipitated calcium carbonate) and ECC (eggshell calcium carbonate), which have been tried as new coating materials in recent years, are mixed in different proportions to form a different coated formulation and plastered on the newly produced paper surface. Then, optical and physical tests of the obtained samples are carried out. Then, printing properties of the papers on which drop‐on‐demand system inkjet printing is made are examined. According to the obtained data, it is determined that the optical properties of coated paper with GCC + PCC blends outperformed papers coated with other blends. According to the physical test results, GCC + PCC blended coated papers showed the best performance in breaking length and tear indices. ECC + PCC blended coated papers however showed the best performance in burst indices. It is determined that as the particle size of the calcium carbonates in the coating materials decreased, the burst indices value also decreased. This situation is the opposite for breaking length and tear indices values. When the inkjet printing features are examined, it is seen that the best results are obtained from GCC + ECC coated papers in general. The most optimal metamerism indices results, measured under three different light sources, are obtained on GCC + PCC coated papers.

Preparation, characteristics, and soil-biodegradable analysis of corn starch/nanofibrillated cellulose (CS/NFC) and corn starch/nanofibrillated lignocellulose (CS/NFLC) films

The objective of this study was to produce high-performance and biodegradable starch nanocomposites through film casting by using corn starch/nanofibrillated cellulose (CS/NFC) and corn starch/nanofibrillated lignocellulose (CS/NFLC). NFC and NFLC were obtained by super grinding process and added to fibrogenic solutions (1, 3, and 5 g/100 g of starch). The addition of NFC and NFLC from 1 to 5 % was verified to be influential in enhancing mechanical properties (tensile, burst, and tear index) and reducing WVTR, air permeability, and essential properties in food packaging materials. But, in comparison to control samples, the addition of NFC and NFLC from 1 to 5 % decreased the opacity, transparency, and tear index of films. In acidic solutions, produced films were more soluble than in alkaline or water solutions. The soil-biodegradability analysis showed that after 30 days of exposure to soil, the control film lost 79.5 % of its weight. The weight loss of all films was >81 % after 40 days. The results of this study may contribute to expanding the industrial applications of both NFC and NFLC by laying a basis for preparing high-performance CS/NFC or CS/NFLC.

Production of hemicelluloses sugars, cellulose pulp, and lignosulfonate surfactant using corn stalk by prehydrolysis and alkaline sulfite cooking

Full components utilization of corn stalk was investigated by the combine processes of prehydrolysis and alkaline sulfite cooking. Prehydrolysis was employed to remove hemicelluloses prior to cooking. Glucose yield of 76.8 g/kg and xylose yield of 118.4 g/kg corn stalks were obtained from the hydrolysis of hemicelluloses at 150 °C for 3 h. Significantly, cellulose was largely preserved during prehydrolysis as indicated by the pulp yield from 54 % to 62 % from the alkaline sulfite cooking. Paper sheet showed superior physical strength over hardwood pulp, e.g. tensile index 97.4 N·m/g, tear index 6.6 mN·m2/g and burst index 5.2 kPa·m2/g. In addition, lignin in spent liquor of alkaline sulfite cooking was recovered as lignosulfonate surfactant which reduced the surface tension of water to 38.2 mN/m at a concentration of 15 g/L. The combined processes of prehydrolysis and alkaline sulfite cooking enables full utilization of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, and therefore has great potential to industrial application.

The Influence of Potassium Hydroxide Concentration and Temperature on Pulp Characteristics and Cow Dung-Based Paper Performance

ABSTRACT This paper deals with the study of the chemical composition of cow dung and the paper-making from cow dung. With the insight into such data, we considered the effect of cooking temperatures and the potassium hydroxide concentration on paper performance. The relationship between cow dung fiber, such as morphology, chemical composition, crystallization, and chemical state structure, and paper performance were studied. Meanwhile, the mechanical performance of cow dung paper and the degradation of cow dung paper in soil were investigated in this work as well. At 100°C, the residue from cooking cow dung decreased and stabilized. Fiber yield in cow dung peaked at 10% KOH concentration. The lignin-hemicellulose C=O bonds were completely broken making the material softer and looser. At 42 °SR Schopper-Riegler’s Degree (SR) pulping, the polymerization was 1126, and the average fiber length and width were 1245 μm and 18.3 μm. Cow dung paper had the best mechanical performance at 42 °SR of 2.48 KPam2/g burst index, 4.83 mNm2/g tear index, and 26.72 Nm/g tensile index, respectively. This work demonstrates that cellulose fiber, extracted from cow dung, is suitable for paper applications and provides new insight into cow dung recycling.

Effects of precipitated and ground calcium carbonate coating on mechanical properties of fluting paper

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a pigment coating on the mechanical properties of fluting paper.Design/methodology/approachTwo different calcium carbonate pigments were used in the preparation of the coated color, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and ground calcium carbonate (GCC). Fluting paper produced by recycling waste paper was used as base paper. The effects of PCC and GCC pigments on mechanical properties were compared. Ring crush test (RCT), corrugating medium test (CMT), corrugating crush test (CCT), tensile and burst strength tests were applied to the coated papers, and the results were compared to the mechanical properties of base paper.FindingsThe tensile and burst indices of the coated papers were found to be higher than base papers about 13.9% and 6.05%, respectively. While the coating process positively affected the RCT and CCT values, it did not show a significant impact on the CMT values. GCC, one of the pigments used in coating colors, had a more effective effect on the mechanical properties of fluting papers compared to PCC.Originality/valueThese results suggest that coating of fluting papers has a positive effect on mechanical properties and the use of GCC as a pigment is more effective than PCC.

Characteristics and Functional Application of Cellulose Fibers Extracted from Cow Dung Wastes.

The widespread use of petroleum-based products has led to increasing environmental and ecological problems, while the extraction and application of various natural cellulose fibers have received increasing attention. This research focuses on the extraction of cellulose fibers from cow dung using different treatments: hot water, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) boilings, as well as a selection of the best quality cow dung fibers for papermaking with quality control. The study's objective is to find a sustainable method to extract as much material as possible from renewable biomass feedstock. The results show that the best extraction rate is obtained by KOH boiling with 42% cellulose fibers extracted. Corresponding handmade paper has a burst index of 2.48 KPam2/g, a tear index of 4.83 mNm2/g and a tensile index of 26.72 Nm/g. This project expands the sources of natural cellulose fibers to an eco-friendly and sustainable one and opens up new applications for cow dung.

Characterization of Pulp and Paper Properties Produced from Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Stalks

In this study, the usability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) stalks in pulp and paper production was investigated. Firstly, chemical components and fiber morphological properties were determined to investigate the suitability of okra stalks for pulp and paper production. Holocellulose, cellulose and lignin contents were found as 76.1 %, 46.4 % and 16.0 %, respectively and the fiber length, fiber width and cell wall thickness were measured as 0.64 mm, 16.97 μm and 3.66 μm, respectively. According to these data, it has been determined that okra stalks are suitable for pulp and paper production. Four different cooking experiments were carried out by adding sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in different proportions (0 %, 0.3 %, 0.5 %, 0.7 %) to okra stalks by the alkali sulfite method. The yield, chemical, physical and optical properties of the pulps were determined and optimum properties were obtained from the cooking experiment by adding up to 0.7 % NaBH4 into cooking liquor. With the addition of 0.7 % NaBH4, pulp yield, breaking length, and burst index increased about 7.73 %, 3.84 %, and 11 %, respectively. Consequently, it has been concluded that pulp produced from okra stalks can be used in the paper industry by blending with long or recycled fibers in certain proportions.Ključne riječi

Rock burst monitoring and early warning under uncertainty based on multi-information fusion approach

Rock burst monitoring and early warning is known as a challenging problem in underground engineering. Existing research mainly focuses on forecast the rock burst using single geophysical signal, which is found limited in characterising the hazard under changeable geological conditions. This paper proposes a novel Bayesian network-based rock burst early warning approach. A multi-index system is firstly constructed for rock burst early warning by extracting characteristic parameters of multiple geophysical signals. Redundant indices are then eliminated to decrease the inconsistency of multiple information. The probabilistically causalities between rock burst and multiple indices and its quantisation are respectively described by directed acyclic graph and conditional probabilities in Bayesian network, and the occurrence probability of rock burst is forecasted by fusing multiple geophysical signals. The study case of LW 1208, Hongyang coal mine, China illustrates the advantages of the proposed approach on rock burst hazard early warning in the presence of uncertainties.

Utilization of palm fiber as papermaking materials: Microscopic structure and chemical pulping

The microscopic structure and pulping properties of palm fiber were explored. Soda cooking and sulfate cooking were conducted and compared in terms of physical strength of the obtained pulps. Sulfate pulp showed better performance than soda pulp, as indicated by the 23% higher tensile index, 49% higher tear index, and 36% higher burst index. To further elevate physical strength, long fibered pulp (LFP), namely commercial softwood sulfate pulp, was mixed with sulfate pulp of palm fiber at levels from 20% to 50%. At the blend level of 50%, tensile index of 52.13 N•m/g, tear index of 15.63 mN•m2/g, and burst index of 3.42 kPa•m2/g were attained. The lignin in spent liquor from pulping was isolated and characterized. Soda lignin of palm fiber was mainly composed of guaiacyl and syringyl units, and showed weight-average molecular weight of 3616 g/mol.

Diagnostic accuracy of ambulatory polysomnography with electroencephalogram for detection of sleep bruxism-related masticatory muscle activity.

This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of Sleep Profiler, which relies on ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) with electroencephalogram for sleep bruxism (SB) and examined its episode-by-episode agreement in comparison to PSG equipped with audiovisual recordings (avPSG). This prospective 2-gate study recruited 10 individuals with probable SB and 10 healthy volunteers. Overnight experimental recordings were performed simultaneously using the ambulatory PSG with masseter electromyography and avPSG with masseter and temporalis electromyography. Sleep staging was performed manually for avPSG and automatically or manually for ambulatory PSG. SB episodes were manually scored based on electromyography signals with reference to sleep stages. The episode-by-episode agreement was analyzed by setting avPSG as the reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of SB were calculated after optimizing the cutoff values of the episode index and the burst index. Regarding the episode-by-episode agreement, median sensitivities were 0.825 and positive predictive values were approximately 0.6, regardless of the sleep staging procedure, indicating that approximately 40% of the overall total SB episodes scored by the ambulatory PSG were false positives. Because of overestimation of SB episodes, the optimal cutoff values for the episode index and the burst index were approximately 1.5 times higher than the avPSG-based cutoff values and dramatically improved the diagnostic precision metrics for the ambulatory PSG. Sleep Profiler can eliminate events during wakefulness by electroencephalogram and may provide a definitive diagnosis in patients with possible SB by applying optimized cutoff values. However, the risk of overestimation must be recognized. Registry: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry; Name: Accuracy of Portable PSG Device for Detection of Sleep Bruxism-Related Masseter EMG Muscle Activity; URL: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000037380; Identifier: UMIN000032793. Abe Y, Nakazato Y, Takaba M, Kawana F, Baba K, Kato T. Diagnostic accuracy of ambulatory polysomnography with electroencephalogram for detection of sleep bruxism-related masticatory muscle activity. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(2):379-392.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Glyoxylate Starch-Amide for Enhancing Wet and Dry Paper Strength

The objective of this research was to develop a bio-based paper strengthening agent for the replacement of petroleum-based paper wet strengthening agents like polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) and glyoxylate polyacrylamide (GPAM), especially for the application of hygienic paper products. Cornstarch was modified with 2-chloroacetamide in the presence of sodium hydroxide in aqueous media through etherification. The modification reaction conditions, such as modifying agent concentration, solid-to-liquor ratio, reaction time, and temperature, were optimized based on an acetamide functional group incorporated into cornstarch. Further, modified cornstarch was reacted with glyoxal to produce glyoxylate starch-amide. Two percent glyoxylate starch-amide (based on dry pulp) was thoroughly mixed with recycled old corrugated containerboard (OCC) pulp slurry before preparing the paper to test the physical properties. The wet tensile index, dry tensile index, and dry burst index of the glyoxylate starch-amide-treated OCC paper increased by 429, 39, and 44%, respectively, compared to the control sample. In addition, comparative studies were done between glyoxylate starch-amide and commercial paper strengthening agents GPAM and PAE. The wet tensile index of 1% glyoxylate starch-amide-treated tissue paper was about 60–70% higher than commercial GPAM and PAE. The increase in wet strength of paper products was in agreement with increased covalent bonding between glyoxylate starch-amide and pulp fiber.

A biobased synthesized N-hydroxymethyl starch-amide for enhancing the wet and dry strength of paper products

The aim of this research was to develop a bio-based paper strength agent for the replacement of petroleum-based paper strength agents. Cationic starch was modified with 2-chloroacetamide in aqueous media. The modification reaction conditions were optimized based on the acetamide functional group incorporated into cationic starch. Further, modified cationic starch was dissolved in water and then reacted with formaldehyde to produce N-hydroxymethyl starch-amide. 1 % N-hydroxymethyl starch-amide was mixed with OCC pulp slurry before preparing the paper sheet for testing the physical properties. The wet tensile index, dry tensile index, and dry burst index of the N-hydroxymethyl starch-amide-treated paper increased 243 %, 36 %, and 38 %, respectively, compared to the control sample. In addition, comparative studies were done between N-hydroxymethyl starch-amide and commercial paper wet strength agent GPAM and PAE. The wet tensile index of 1 % N-hydroxymethyl starch-amide-treated tissue paper was similar to GPAM and PAE, and 2.5 times higher than the control sample.

Reuse of Barley Straw for Handmade Paper Production

The main objective of this work is supporting the use of sustainable solutions for the management and reuse of agricultural waste from the cereal harvest, such as oats, barley, and triticale, making sheets of artisan paper, innovating the process with the use of different proportions of cellulose obtained from straw residues. The physical and mechanical properties of the obtained sheets showed that basis weight (66–96 g/m2), thickness (19–300 μm), burst strength (68.9–103.4 kPa), burst index (0.81–1.35 kPam2/g) and bulk (2.52–3.12 cm3/g), were adequate. Based on what can be observed in the SEM images, it is possible to infer that straw has the function of supporting the sheets using combinations of barley straw and recycled paper. The result of the IR analysis indicated that the sheet with an increase in hydroxyl groups was that obtained with barley straw. Therefore, the treatment was efficient. These results were corroborated by X-ray diffraction analysis, in which the percentage of crystallinity of the barley straw paper was 37.1%. Finally, the results obtained indicated that the crystallinity is better in the sheets containing large amounts of barley straw. The sheet with the highest percentage of crystallinity was that which was made using 100% of barley straw, showing a 37.1 percentage of crystallinity, followed by the sheet made of 100% recycled paper, having a value of 34.4%.

Development of reinforced paper and mitigation of the challenges of raw material availability by utilizing Areca nut leaf

Paper industries are facing a raw material crisis and searching for alternate raw materials that may be able to help mitigate the issue. Many industries use agro-waste as a raw material, irrespective of it having low bleachability and poor mechanical strength. Areca nut leaf (ANL) is a nonwood-based material that may be acceptable as an alternate source of raw material that contains 61.5% holocellulose and 13.6% lignin, which is comparable to other agro-wastes and hardwood pulps. Kraft anthraquinone pulping with 20% active alkali as sodium oxide (Na2O), 25% sulfidity, and 0.05% anthraquinone produced 15 kappa pulps with about 38.5% pulping yield. The bleachability of ANL pulp was good, and 83.5% ISO brightness could be achieved using the D0(EOP)D1 bleaching sequence. The ANL fiber has 33.8% better tensile, 54.5% better tear, and 15.2% better burst index than hardwood fiber. Similarly, 60.4% better tensile, 56.5% better tear, and 21.7% better burst index were observed in ANL than in wheat straw. Thus, the study revealed that Areca nut leaf can be used as an alternative raw material for papermaking, as well as to improve the physical property of paper products by blending it with inferior quality pulp.

EFFECTS OF BUTYLAMINE TREATMENT ON CELLULOSE FIBERS DURING RECYCLING OF OLD CORRUGATED CONTAINERS (OCC)

This study aimed to determine the effects of butylamine treatment on cellulose fibers during the recycling processes. Three recycling stages have been carried out and two different butylamine (Ba) treatments (5.0% and 7.5%) were applied to old corrugated containers (OCC) papers during recycling. After each recycling process, papers were produced and the mechanical and optical properties of these papers were measured. SEM images and FTIR spectra were taken and the crystallinity index of the cellulose fiber was calculated by the XRD peak height method. Some improvement (11.0-15.2%) in paper brightness with the Ba treatment was realized in the third recycling stage, while yellowness values typically decreased by 1-2 points. Chemical treatments resulted in definite differences in water absorptiveness (Cobb value) for papers. The highest water absorptiveness of 160.0 g/m2 was observed with a 7.5% Ba treatment in the second recycling stage (75Ba2), indicating a value about 15.6% higher than that of the control. The highest tensile and burst indices were observed with 7.5% Ba treatment in the third recycling stage, indicating approx. 28.7% higher tensile and 34.5% burst indices, compared to the control at similar recycling stages. In contrast, the highest tear strengths of 4.54 Nm2/g, followed by 3.86 Nm2/g, were observed for untreated samples in the second and first recycling stage, respectively. The butylamine treatment in the recycling processes increased the cellulose crystallinity more (1.3%), compared to the control. It seems that the strength properties of recycled paper, such as tensile and burst, are closely related to the individual fiber strength and fiber bonding potential, which are typically reduced in recycling, but could be improved by Ba treatment.

Valorization and Development of Acorn Starch as Sustainable and High-Performance Papermaking Additive for Improving Bagasse Pulp and Paper Properties.

Improving bagasse pulp and paper properties using forest-byproduct biomass, native Acorn starch (NAS), was compared with conventional wet-end additive cationic corn starch (CCS). The extracted acorn starch was characterized by SEM, XRD, and GPC. The results clearly showed irregular granular shape (6–12 μm) with rough surfaces, CA-type XRD pattern, and 436.2 kDa molecular weights for NAS. The bagasse pulp retention and drainage as keys of operation performance and runnability were superior by NAS in comparison with CCS, while the lowest dosage of NAS (0.5%) showed superior results than the highest dosages of CCS (1% & 1.5%). The higher NAS adsorption onto the fiber surfaces compared to CCS could be concluded by higher water retention value (WRV) of the pulp together with higher density (up to 20%) and mechanical properties of the produced paper, e.g., tensile (up to 63%), burst (up to 37%) and tear (up to 11%) indices. NAS exploiting naturally as a papermaking additive would provide performance higher than commercial chemically-modified starch.Graphical abstract