Office Paper Research Articles

Feasibility of Lipid Production from Waste Paper by the Oleaginous Yeast Cryptococcus curvatus

Waste paper was studied as a potential source for lipid production using the oleaginous yeast Cryptococcus curvatus for the first time. Three common types of waste paper, office paper, newspaper, and cardboard, were directly hydrolyzed by an enzyme cocktail to generate sugar-rich and nitrogen-limited hydrolysates. When these hydrolysates were used without any auxiliary nutrients by C. curvatus, the lipid content and lipid yield were higher than 50% and 200 mg/g, respectively. The nitrogen-rich enzyme cocktail exerted no negative effects on lipid production. Moreover, the integrated processes of enzymatic hydrolysis and lipid fermentation achieved comparable lipid yield to the separate hydrolysis and lipid production process. The resulting lipid samples had similar fatty acid compositional profiles to those of vegetable oils, which suggested their potential for biodiesel production. These findings strongly supported waste paper as appealing substrates for lipid production via oleaginous yeast, which provided cost-effective waste paper-to-lipids routes for sustainable biodiesel production.

Office paper decorated with silver nanostars - an alternative cost effective platform for trace analyte detection by SERS

For analytical applications in portable sensors to be used in the point-of-need, low-cost SERS substrates using paper as a base, are an alternative. In this work, SERS substrates were produced on two different types of paper: a high porosity paper (Whatman no. 1); and a low porosity paper (commercially available office paper, Portucel Soporcel). Solutions containing spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver nanostars (AgNSs) were separately drop-casted on hydrophilic wells patterned on the papers. The porosity of the paper was found to play a determinant role on the AgNP and AgNS distribution along the paper fibres, with most of the nanoparticles being retained at the illuminated surface of the office paper substrate. The highest SERS enhancements were obtained for the office paper substrate, with deposited AgNSs. A limit of detection for rhodamine-6G as low as 11.4 ± 0.2 pg could be achieved, with an analytical enhancement factor of ≈107 for this specific analyte. The well patterning technique allowed good signal uniformity (RSD of 1.7%). Besides, these SERS substrates remained stable after 5 weeks of storage (RSD of 7.3%). Paper-induced aggregation of AgNPs was found to be a viable alternative to the classical salt-induced aggregation, to obtain a highly sensitive SERS substrates.

The Imperial Security State: British Colonial Knowledge and Empire-Building in Asia, by James Hevia

Based solidly on archival sources in the India Office Records, The National Archives (including Foreign Office and War Office papers) and a wide range of secondary material, this book by James Hevia explores two historical dimensions. One is the ways in which the Intelligence Branch of the Indian Army exploited its methods of collecting topographical, statistical and human (anthropological) information to plan military campaigns; and the second is to explain the importance of intelligence collecting to our understanding of the creation of the modern state. In short, Hevia’s argument is that imperial expansion, notably in India, created the techniques for modern state self-preservation. By de-romanticising the Great Game of Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia, the author claims to locate the origins of United States and British counter-insurgency ‘operations systems’ employed during the Cold War with the Soviet Union (pp. 258–60). This review will, first, examine Indian Army methods behind military planning; and, second, it will evaluate the claim of continuity into the twentieth century.

Study of Vis-NIR and NIR spectral data of black inkjet prints using principal component analysis for forensic discrimination

The aim of this work was to prepare spectral data for principal component analysis and to examine 19 samples of six different brands. Samples consisted of the same type of office paper with black areas printed in black ink only. The spectral data were acquired by fibre optics reflection spectroscopy in Vis-NIR and only NIR (Vis-NIR FORS) directly on paper. The black inkjet-printed samples were analysed with regard to the forensic analysis of documents. The method used is based on the combination of molecular spectroscopy in the visible (Vis) and near infrared region (NIR) combined with a chemometric method, – principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA method divides the inkjet inks sample into clusters. It was found out that by a combination of spectrum pre-processing methods and principal component analysis, it is possible to separate inks containing carbon black from the other inks using other organic colourants. This method appears to be a useful tool for forensic examination of printed documents containing inkjet inks. Spectra of inkjet inks were acquired without any destructive or invasive procedure, for example cutting sample or for extraction with the possibility to measure out of the laboratory.

A paper-based nanomodified electrochemical biosensor for ethanol detection in beers

Herein, we report the first example of a paper-based screen-printed biosensor for the detection of ethanol in beer samples. Common office paper was adopted to fabricate the analytical device. The properties of this paper-based screen-printed electrode (SPE) were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, and they were compared with the well-established polyester-based SPEs as well. Paper demonstrated similar properties when compared with polyester, highlighting suitability towards its utilization in sensor development, with the advantages of low cost and simple disposal by incineration. A nanocomposite formed by Carbon Black (CB) and Prussian Blue nanoparticles (PBNPs), namely CB/PBNPs, was utilized as an electrocatalyst to detect the hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzymatic reaction between alcohol oxidase (AOx) and ethanol. After optimizing the analytical parameters, such as pH, enzyme, concentration, and working potential, the developed biosensor allowed a facile quantification of ethanol up to 10 mM (0.058 %vol), with a sensitivity of 9.13 μA/mM cm2 (1574 μA/%vol cm2) and a detection limit equal to 0.52 mM (0.003%vol). These satisfactory performances rendered the realized paper-based biosensor reliable over the analysis of ethanol contained in four different types of beers, including Pilsner, Weiss, Lager, and alcohol-free. The proposed manufacturing approach offers an affordable and sustainable tool for food quality control and for the realization of different electrochemical sensors and biosensors as well.

Synthesis of copper hydride (CuH) from CuCO3·Cu(OH)2 - a path to electrically conductive thin films of Cu.

The most common synthesis methods for copper hydride (CuH) employ hard ligands that lead to the formation of considerable amounts of metallic Cu as side-product. Here we explore a synthesis method for CuH(s) through the reaction of CuCO3·Cu(OH)2(s) with hypophosphorous acid (H3PO2) in solution, via the formation of the intermediate Cu(H2PO2)2(aq) complex. The reaction products were characterized with XRD, FTIR and SEM at different reaction times, and the kinetics of the transformation of Cu(H2PO2)2(aq) to CuH(s) were followed with NMR and are discussed. We show that our synthesis method provides a simple way for obtaining large amounts of CuH(s) even when the synthesis is performed in air. Compared to the classic Würtz method, where CuSO4 is used as an initial source of Cu2+, our synthesis produces CuH particles with less metallic Cu side-product. We attribute this to the fact that our reaction medium is free from the hard SO42- ligand that can disproportionate Cu(i). We discuss a mechanism for the reaction based on the known reactivity of the reagents and intermediates involved. We explored the possibility of using CuH(s) for making electrically conductive films. Tests that employed water-dispersed CuH particles show that this compound can be reduced with H3PO2 leading to electrically conductive thin films of Cu. These films were made on regular office paper and were found to be Ohmic conductors even after several weeks of exposure to ambient conditions. The fact that the synthesis reported here produces large amounts of CuH particles in aqueous media, with very little impurities, and the fact that these can then be converted to a stable electrically conductive film can open up new applications for CuH such as for printing electrically conductive films or manufacturing surface coatings.

Who BannedThe War Game? A Fifty-Year Controversy Reassessed

The War Game (BBC TV, 1965), directed by Peter Watkins, is one of the most famous films from the 1960s. Banned from TV for twenty years, it gained a limited cinema release which saw it go on to win an Oscar in 1967. Suspicions have long circulated that the BBC's decision to ban the film from TV arose as a result of pressure from government amid fears of the effect that Watkins' documentary dramatisation of a nuclear attack on the UK might have on mass TV audiences. On the fiftieth anniversary of the censorship of the film, this article takes a fresh look at the controversy, examining previously classified Cabinet Office papers and tracing in greater detail than ever before how ministers and civil servants working for Harold Wilson's 1964–70 Labour government reacted to and dealt with the issue. From this evidence, the article argues that the TV censorship of The War Game involved a complex interaction between civil servants in Whitehall, government ministers, including Prime Minister Harold Wilson himself, the Director-General of the BBC and the Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors. The article traces the close relationship between Whitehall and the upper echelons of the BBC during this Cold War period, and argues that The War Game offers a very interesting historical case study which raises disturbing questions both about the limits of the BBC's professed liberalism of the 1960s and about the true extent of its much-vaunted independence from government. The latter is particularly important in the light of more recent and current threats to that independence.

Analysis of degraded papers by infrared and Raman spectroscopy for forensic purposes

Paper being the basis of different documents is often the subject of forensic examination. Growing number of bogus or in other manner fraudulently alternated documents causes necessity of identification of individual paper sheets and discrimination between sheets being the parts of analyzed questioned document. Frequently it is necessary to distinguish between paper of the same type but of a different age. Thus, it is essential to know whether the degradation process of paper influences the possibility of differentiation between paper samples.Samples of five types of office paper from different manufacturers were artificially aged in a climatic chamber under 65% relative humidity in air at 90 °C for various periods of time up to 35 days. The conditioned samples were examined by the use of infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Three cards of each paper type were chosen for the experiment. Three different spots on each paper card were measured to assure reproducibility of the experiment in both spectroscopic methods. The possibility of differentiation between aged samples was evaluated. The 2D correlation analysis based on the Noda’s method was carried out using ATR FTIR spectra as an input data for generating the correlation maps. It was found that pattern of 2D maps allow to distinguish tested paper samples, identified its components and get insight into paper degradation mechanism.

Relative saccharification and initial degradation rates of different waste paper materials by cellulase from <i>Trichoderma viride</i>

Objectives: Solid waste accumulation, renewable and sustainable energy development are topical issues concerning many populations around the globe. Used paper is defined as part of organic solid waste, which besides recycling is eventually dumped, incinerated or landfilled. A structural analysis revealed that cellulose, a major component of waste paper, is a biopolymer composed of glucose units and when treated with cellulase enzymes, cellulose can be degraded into glucose a fermentable sugar. The aim of this investigation was to determine the relative saccharification of various waste paper materials when treated with cellulase from Trichoderma viride as well as the initial rate at which each material was degraded. It was also at aim to determine the amount of sugar produced when each paper material was maximally degraded and the time taken for maximum cellulase catalysed hydrolyses.Methodology and Results: Various waste paper materials such as office paper, foolscap paper, filter paper, Woolworths paper (a local retailer) and cardboard were saccharified with T. viride cellulase during different incubation periods producing different amounts of sugar concentrations. The different initial saccharification rates of the paper materials were calculated by determining the amount of sugar produced during the initial period of incubation and it was concluded that different maximum sugar concentrations were obtained during saccharification of these used paper materials. Filter paper took the longest time of 100 minutes to obtain maximum saccharification. The shortest period of 40 minutes to reach maximum saccharification was obtained during the degradation of newspaper. The fastest rate of degradation was obtained from newspaper at 0.028 mg.min-1 and the lowest rate was calculated for filter paper at 0.0045 mg.min-1. Cardboard produced the highest concentration of sugar at 8.0 mg.ml-1 while filter paper produced the lowest at 1.4 mg.ml-1.Conclusions and applications of findings: Different waste paper materials exhibit different susceptibilities for degradation by T.viride cellulase into glucose a fermentable sugar and as a result, different maximum amounts of sugars were obtained during bioconversion of the papers. The time needed for maximum degradation differs for the different paper products, which indicates that each paper material should be exposed to an unique bioconversion procedure ensuring a maximum sugar yield. Waste paper exhibits the ability to be bioconverted into fermentable sugars thus could be applied as a renewable resource for bioproduct development.Keywords: Cellulase, Trichoderma viride, Waste paper, Saccharification, Bioenergy

Zagadnienia aprowizacji ludności województwa wrocławskiego z perspektywy starostwa kamiennogórskiego w latach 1945–1947

<p>Wśród wielu problemów mających miejsce po II wojnie światowej ważne były sprawy zaopatrzenia, którymi zajmowali się przedstawiciele polskiej administracji ogólnej, a szczególnie referat aprowizacji. Brak żywności powodowało wiele czynników, m.in. słabe uprawy rolne. Aby zapewnić aprowizację mieszkańcom, wprowadzono kartki żywnościowe, które zostały podzielone na kategorie, do których przypisano odpowiednie grupy społeczne i odpowiednią ilość żywności. Podział na kategorie dotyczył głównie mieszkańców miast. Mieszkańcy wsi, którzy posiadali gospodarstwa, byli zobowiązani do dostarczania tzw. świadczeń rzeczowych, nazywanych w czasie wojny kontyngentami. Wymiana żywności odbywała się w czasie publicznych spędów bydła. Korzystano również z formy zewnętrznej, tzw. paczek UNRRA, które stawały się substytutami zamiennymi kartek żywnościowych. Na przełomie 1946 i 1947 r. na ziemiach zachodnich odbyło się też jednorazowe świadczenie, tzw. danina narodowa. Pomoc wewnętrzna i zewnętrzna w aprowizacji mieszkańców zaowocowała niewielką poprawą jakości życia. Należało jednak opracować kolejne plany poprawy zaopatrzenia w żywność, pierwszym z nich był plan 3-letni.</p>

DRYING SHRINKAGE OF CEMENT MORTAR REINFORCED WITH WASTE OFFICE PAPER FIBERS

In this investigation, the influence of using waste office paper fibers (WOPF) on the behavior of drying shrinkage in cement mortar have been presented. Cement mortar specimens size of (25×25×285) mm and a length change measuring apparatus including a dial gauge capable of measuring the length accurately to ±0.002 mmhave been used to study free drying shrinkage of cement mortar according to ASTM C596 –01 method.The workability of cement mortar reinforced with WOPF was assessed by using flow table test method. WOPF was added to the cement mortar in five ratios (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1%) by weight of cement with two categories. In first one WOPF added after being soaked in water for 24 hours while in the second one WOPF added after being soaked in cooking oil for 48 hours. The total mixes were 10 in addition to the reference mix (the 11thmix) which is made without WOPF. The results of the study indicated that the increase in WOPF ratio led to reduce in workability. In first category, when WOPF ratio increased to 0.4%, the flow percent still within 110±5%, and when WOPF ratio increased to 0.6% and above the flow percent clearly reduced. While in second category, when WOPF added, the flow percent dropped obviously for all ratios. Drying shrinkage percent increased when WOPF was added to mixes compared with reference mix for all ratios used in both categories except the fifth ratio (i.e. WOPF 1%) in which the drying shrinkage percent decreased at age of drying 11, 18, 25 days for first category and at age of 18 and 25 days for second category. Drying shrinkage percent of mixes has equal ratio of WOPF in the both categories had the same tendency in variation with time. The loss of weight percent variation for all the mixes is approximately linear. The loss of weight percent of category I is more than that of category II.

Biocomposites Based on Thermoplastic Starch Reinforced with Recycled Paper Cellulose Fibers

Biocomposites sheets were prepared by compression molding from mixtures of corn starch plasticized by glycerol as matrix and cellulose fibers, extracted from used office paper, as reinforcement filler with contents ranging from 0 to 8% wt/wt of fibers to matrix. Properties of composites were determined by mechanical tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, water absorption measurement, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that higher fibers content raised the tensile strength and elastic modulus up to 109% and 112%, respectively, when compared to the non-reinforced thermoplastic starch (TPS). The addition of the fibers improved the thermal resistance and decreased the water absorption up to 63.6%. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated a good adhesion between matrix and fibers.

The forensic analysis of office paper using oxygen Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, part 2: Characterising the source materials and the effect of production and usage on the δ18O values of cellulose and paper

For casework applications, understanding the source processes used to create a material and the effects of those sources on the results obtained by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) of a bulk material is important. Likewise, understanding the effect of environment, home/office printing processes and some forensic testing in at least a basic context, ensures that in casework, enough information on the effects of these variables is available during comparison and interpretation.In this study, which focuses on oxygen isotopic abundance measurements, both fractionation and mixing effects were observed within the pulping and production process. Also observed in the carbon isotopic experiments, sampling that included toner changed the measured isotopic abundance values of the paper and should be avoided in casework. Inkjet printing processes were not shown to have an effect on the paper oxygen abundance values. Samples that were treated for fingerprints using 1,2-Indandione-Zn prior to sampling showed the greatest risk for misinterpretation of whether two samples had originated from the same source. While this study provides a good basis and understanding of the effects of a range of factors on document paper oxygen isotope values, further testing for a range of specific casework scenarios is required and should be undertaken on a case by case basis as the need arises.

Bioconversion of waste office paper to hydrogen using pretreated rumen fluid inoculum.

In this study, a microbial consortium from an acid-treated rumen fluid was used to improve the yields of H2 production from paper residues in batch reactors. The anaerobic batch reactors, which contained paper and cellulose, were operated under three conditions: (1) 0.5g paper/L, (2) 2g paper/L, and (3) 4g paper/L. Cellulase was added to promote the hydrolysis of paper to soluble sugars. The H2 yields were 5.51, 4.65, and 3.96mmol H2/g COD, respectively, with substrate degradation ranging from 56 to 65.4%. Butyric acid was the primary soluble metabolite in the three reactors, but pronounced solventogenesis was detected in the reactors incubated with increased paper concentrations (2.0 and 4.0g/L). A substantial prevalence of Clostridium acetobutylicum (99% similarity) was observed in the acid-treated rumen fluid, which has been recognized as an efficient H2-producing strain in addition to ethanol and n-butanol which were also detected in the reactors.

Ultra-Lightweight Resistive Switching Memory Devices Based on Silk Fibroin.

Ultra-lightweight resistive switching memory based on protein has been demonstrated. The memory foil is 0.4 mg cm(-2) , which is 320-fold lighter than silicon substrate, 20-fold lighter than office paper and can be sustained by a human hair. Additionally, high resistance OFF/ON ratio of 10(5) , retention time of 10(4) s, and excellent flexibility (bending radius of 800 μm) have been achieved.

Optimum alcohol concentration for chain elongation in mixed-culture fermentation of cellulosic substrate.

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA, e.g., caproic, heptanoic, caprylic acid) are more valuable than short-chain fatty acids (SCFA, e.g., acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric acid). SCFAs are major products in methane-inhibited mixed-culture anaerobic fermentation. By feeding ethanol to the fermentor, MCFA formation is enhanced through chain elongation. Microorganisms such as Clostridium kluyveri elongate short-chain acids by combining them with alcohol. Very low ethanol concentration reduces chain elongation rates, whereas very high ethanol concentrations inhibit microorganisms. To maximize MCFA production, different ethanol concentrations were investigated in the mixed-culture fermentation of office paper and chicken manure. At 10 g/L ethanol concentration, 10 g/L MCFA was formed. High ethanol concentrations (above 40 g/L) inhibit microorganisms resulting in no chain elongation. For chain elongation, propanol was found to be more inhibitory than ethanol. The data suggest that MCFA production will increase by continuously extracting MCFA and maintaining 5-10 g/L ethanol concentration by periodic addition. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2597-2604. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Production of crude enzyme from Aspergillus nidulans AKB-25 using black gram residue as the substrate and its industrial applications.

The production of crop residues in India is estimated to be about 500–550 million tons annually. It is estimated that about 93 million tons of crop residues is burnt annually which is not only wastage of valuable biomass resources but pollution of the environment with the production of green house gases also. Among different low cost crop residues, black gram residue as the substrate produced maximal endoglucanase, FPase, and β-glucosidase activities from Aspergillus nidulans AKB-25 under solid-state fermentation. During optimisation of cultural parameters A. nidulans AKB-25 produced maximal endoglucanase (152.14 IU/gds), FPase (3.42 FPU/gds) and xylanase (2441.03 IU/gds) activities. The crude enzyme was found effective for the saccharification of pearl millet stover and bio-deinking of mixed office waste paper. The crude enzyme from A. nidulans AKB-25 produced maximum fermentable sugars of 546.91 mg/g from alkali-pretreated pearl millet stover by saccharification process at a dose of 15 FPU/g of substrate. Pulp brightness and deinking efficiency of mixed office waste paper improved by 4.6% and 25.01% respectively and mitigated dirt counts by 74.70% after bio-deinking. Physical strength properties like burst index, tensile index and double fold number were also improved during bio-deinking of mixed office waste paper.

Facile, Low-Cost, UV-Curing Approach to Prepare Highly Conductive Composites for Flexible Electronics Applications

We present a facile approach to prepare high-performance ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyurethane–acrylate-based flexible electrical conductive adhesive (PUA-FECA) for flexible electronics applications. PUA is employed as the polymer matrix so that the ECA is flexible and UV-curable at room temperature in just a few minutes. The effects of the PUA-FECA formulation and curing procedure on the electrical properties have been studied. Very low volume resistivity (5.08 × 10−4 Ω cm) is obtained by incorporating 70 wt.% microsized Ag-coated Cu flakes. Moreover, by simply standing the PUA-FECA paste for 4 h before exposure to UV light, the bulk resistivity of the PUA-FECA is dramatically decreased to 3.62 × 10−4 Ω cm. This can be attributed to rearrangement of Ag-coated Cu flakes in the matrix while standing. PUA-FECA also presents stable electrical conductivity during rolling and compression, excellent adhesion, and good processability, making it easily scalable to large-scale fabrication and enabling screen-printing on various low-cost flexible substrates such as office paper and polyethylene terephthalate film.

The Effect of Light on the Changes of White Office Paper

Light, primarily its more energy-rich component - near ultraviolet radiation, causes gradual degradation (ageing) of paper and other organic based materials. The objective was to determine selected characteristics of the changes of white office paper, which occur under intensive ultraviolet treatment, and to calculate their light fastness, as this is an important functional feature for the number of papers. The most visible sign of paper ageing is the change of its optical characteristics. The value of specific lightness decreased by 2.2%, red / green coordinate a* moved from the red region (1.5) colour space to green (-0.8), b* coordinate moved from the blue region (-8.4) to yellow (4.7) and colour difference ΔE* reached 13.4 during 120 minutes' exposure. The pH values of paper surface gradually decreased with time of UV exposure from 8.86 to 7.91. Effects of light also deteriorated the selected mechanical characteristics of paper, such as breaking length and tear index. Out of the monitored properties, the specific lightness of paper surface showed the greatest stability (97.8%). UV radiation most affected breaking length of paper whose stability was only 79.4%.

The forensic analysis of office paper using oxygen isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Part 1: Understanding the background population and homogeneity of paper for the comparison and discrimination of samples

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) using carbon isotopes has previously been shown to be a robust and discriminating technique for the comparison of document papers. This study aims to examine the inter and intra sample variability for oxygen isotopes measured in standard 80gsm white document papers, to inform the comparison of document papers in forensic casework.123 paper samples collected from Australia and New Zealand over a 24-month period were measured for their bulk oxygen isotopic abundance and were found to sit within a range of 15‰. A homogeneity study was undertaken which included examining the variability of samples at the sheet, ream and brand source levels. The results of this study were used to construct guidelines for sample comparison and as such, 95% confidence intervals were observed to be inappropriate for use given the high intra sample variability. Instead, a 1.4‰ discrimination range (0.7‰ either side of the measured value) was defined for use as a benchmark for discrimination when samples were measured in the same sequence. Utilising this value, 82% of the samples could be discriminated using a paired comparison, demonstrating a strong potential for use within forensic casework.