Plain Papers Research Articles

Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Experience with a Dynamic Geometry Environment Whilst Reasoning in Relation to Locus Problems: A Detailed Look at Strategies

The purpose of this study was to examine how pre-service mathematics teachers (PMTs) integrated a dynamic geometry environment (DGE) into their reasoning process while solving geometric locus problems. Task-based interviews based on the locus problems were conducted with eight PMTs working in pairs. The PMTs could use a computer with access to GeoGebra in addition to plain papers, pencils, graph paper, a ruler, and a compass in the interview environment. They were free to use any of them. The PMTs’ reasoning was analyzed by focusing on their use of DGE as they were producing mathematical arguments during problem-solving. Toulmin’s argumentation model and Hollebrands’ strategies for using DGE were combined to analyze the data. The results revealed that the PMTs used DGE reactively to make claims and proactively to test or justify their claims. Their proactive use of DGE differed depending on whether they included their warrants for this use or not.

Investigation of Chinese reading comprehension performance on mass rapid transit

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of display type, reading content, and background music on accuracy, change of critical fusion frequency (CFF) and subjective visual fatigue while performing a reading comprehension task on mass rapid transit (MRT). Thirty-two participants were recruited in a three-way mixed factorial experiment to investigate the influence of three types of display (liquid crystal display, electronic paper display, and plain paper), three types of reading content (science, literature, and magazine) and four types of background music (none, light music, pop music and heavy metal music). The results showed that display type was significant in all indices, where electronic paper displays and plain papers showed the better accuracy and lower change of CFF than liquid crystal displays. Plain papers demonstrated the lowest subjective visual fatigue. The results also indicated that reading content was significant on accuracy and subjective visual fatigue, where reading comprehension was better with magazines than with science- and literary-related texts. The results further demonstrated that background music was significant on subjective visual fatigue, where heavy metal music resulted in the greater visual fatigue than the three other kinds of music. Based on the results of this study, reading paper magazines and avoiding noisy music will lead to the lowest level of visual fatigue and, thus, enhance Chinese comprehension on MRT. Participants who are used to listening to music should be included as a test group in future studies. Relevance to industryThis study provides suggestions for using suitable displays while reading on MRT. This information could serve as a reference for mobile display manufacturers in designing their future products.

Influences on spreading of Inkjet inks on coated cardboards

Well-known models to explain the interaction between liquids and surfaces include parameters as fluid viscosity, surface tension and density. About the surface, the properties as porosity and roughness, and surface energy are relevant. Regarding Inkjet printing this interaction can be influenced also by ink injection parameters. Several studies were published in the last years using these models to analyze different substrates for Inkjet as plain and Inkjet papers. The experiments here focused on this interaction but between Inkjet inks and coated cardboards. The main findings are related to an opposite ink spreading speed of pigment and dye inks with increasing of ink surface tension and viscosity. It was also demonstrated a high correlation between spreading speed and total surface energy of the cardboards.

Commercially Manufactured Plain Papers in the United States, 1860–1900

ABSTRACT This article examines the manufacture and use of commercial plain papers in the United States between 1860 and 1900. Although plain paper printing is thought to have fallen out of use in the United States after the 1850s, an examination of photography manuals and periodicals published in the United States during the subsequent decades reveals a surprising number of advertisements for and tipped-in samples of manufactured plain papers. These texts and sample prints are valuable resources for conservators and historians of photography because they reveal the varied uses these papers were put to, the kinds of consumers who bought them, and the procedures for working them. The extant samples are also significant as evidence of the visual and material qualities of commercially available plain paper prints. This article will focus on three plain papers: Alabaster Paper, manufactured by Follett & Johnson of New York in the 1860s; Licht-paus Paper, produced by Romain Talbot of Berlin in the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s; and American Matt-Surface Paper, manufactured by John R. Clemons of Philadelphia in the 1890s.

Innovation of Pencil Lead Drawn Paper Sensors (PLDPS) Using Electrical Resistance (ER) Measurement: I. Optimal Conditions of Interfacial, Mechanical, and Sensing Properties

A study was performed to utilize Pencil Lead Drawn Paper Sensor (PLDPS) as a strain and damage sensor by drawing multiply Pencil Sensors on two paper types. To evaluate the optimal paper as a PLDPS substrate of two type papers, i.e., plain and Han papers were used. The stability and uniformity of the mechanical properties, were compared for the paper types. Variability of electrical resistivity (ER) was also determined using four different types of pencil lead to make the PLDPS. In the evaluation of the properties of the PLDPS, for the different pencil lead types, the pencil lead weight was determined by drawing multiple lines and the ER of neat pencil leads and PLDPS compared. Interfacial properties of the PLDPS with different pencil lead types were measured by a spreading test, which provides information on wetting and permeability properties, using double distilled water. The sensitivity and uniformity of the pencil lead paper sensors made of four different pencil leads were compared in tensile loading. Plain paper was more suitable than Han Paper for use as the substrate of PLDPS. In addition, compared to other pencil leads, 6B, which exhibited low sensitivity but high uniformity, was determined to be the most suitable pencil lead.

Sexual dimorphism in the lip print pattern and size among Ugandan, Kenyan and Somali population

BackgroundLip prints are essential identification tools in forensics. Lip prints are individually unique and inheritable which makes them possible for personal identification. AimWe studied sexual differences in print patterns and sizes among Ugandans, Kenyans and Somalis. MethodIn this descriptive study of 180 adults (60 from each country) clear lip print impressions were made on clean pieces of white plain papers. Lip prints were divided into quadrants and we used Suzuki and Tsuchihashi (1974) classification to study the patterns. Lip length and width were measured in centimeters. ResultsLip print Type I and I’ were dominant in a range of 60–100% in both males and females of all countries. Kenyans had more of Type II (males 26%; females 40%) while Somalis exhibited more of Type IV males 56%; females 46%. However, Ugandans had the least number of Type IV pattern 6.6% males and 13% females. There was no Type V in all the participants. Statistical analysis using a 2-way ANOVA showed statistical significance in the lip print patterns among the different population groups. In the male subjects, Ugandans had wider lips (5.48cm±0.50) while Kenyans had longer lips (5.14cm±0.85). In the females group; Ugandans had wider lips (4.99cm±0.59) while Kenyans had longer lips (4.36cm±0.71). Statistically significant difference was observed between the means of lip sizes. ConclusionThis study shows that the lip print pattern and lip size varied significantly among the different population groups. This variation can help to narrow the search gap in criminal investigations and forensic purposes.

Improved Water-Resistance Test Methods Utilizing a Multispectral Imaging System to Quantify Black and Color Ink Bleeding for Plain Paper Office and Legal Documents Printed with Pigment- and Dye-Based Inkjet Inks

Current ISO standards that pertain to water-resistance testing with inkjet prints were developed for moisture-impermeable RC photo papers and do not take into account the kinds of ink diffusion behavior that can occur with inkjet printing on highly absorbent plain papers, especially with dye-based inks. Contact with water with plain paper documents can result in significant lateral ink bleeding, migration of inks through the paper to the backside of the sheet, transfer of ink from one sheet to adjacent sheets, and two-way transfer of inks with double-sided printed documents. Shipping labels and envelopes can become illegible should they become wet, and Barcodes and QR codes may be rendered completely unreadable. This study attempts to better understand the water-resistance behavior of plain paper documents printed with dye-based and pigment inkjet inks. The use of high-resolution multispectral imaging and colorimetric analysis systems to provide a quantitative assessment of ink bleeding, migration, and ink transfer to adjacent pages is explored as an alternative to the subjective, qualitative, water-resistance evaluation methods specified in current ISO standards.

The human resource information system: a rapid appraisal of Pakistan’s capacity to employ the tool

BackgroundHuman resources are an important building block of the health system. During the last decade, enormous investment has gone into the information systems to manage human resources, but due to the lack of a clear vision, policy, and strategy, the results of these efforts have not been very visible. No reliable information portal captures the actual state of human resources in Pakistan’s health sector. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided technical support for the assessment of the existing system and development of a comprehensive Human Resource Information System (HRIS) in Pakistan.MethodsThe questions in the WHO-HRIS Assessment tool were distributed into five thematic groups. Purposively selected (n=65) representatives from the government, private sector, and development partners participated in this cross sectional study, based on their programmatic affiliations.ResultsFifty-five percent of organizations and departments have an independent Human Resources (HR) section managed by an establishment branch and are fully equipped with functional computers. Forty-five organizations (70%) had HR rules, regulations and coordination mechanisms, yet these are not implemented. Data reporting is mainly in paper form, on prescribed forms (51%), registers (3%) or even plain papers (20%). Data analysis does not give inputs to the decision making process and dissemination of information is quite erratic. Most of the organizations had no feedback mechanism for cross checking the HR data, rendering it unreliable.ConclusionPakistan is lacking appropriate HRIS management. The current HRIS indeed has a multitude of problems. In the wake of 2011 reforms within the health sector, provinces are even in a greater need for planning their respective health department services and must work on the deficiencies and inefficiencies of their HRIS so that the gaps and HR needs are better aligned for reaching the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets.

Universal Black Inks Based on New Polymeric Carbon Black Dispersions

Carbon black is well established as the primary pigment in text black inks utilized in small office/home office (SOHO) desktop ink jet printers. Through innovations over the past 10–15 years, inks containing self-stabilized dispersions of surface-functionalized carbon black pigments have evolved as the main technology for such applications. Factors influencing this choice include text density and acuity, paper-to-paper (plain) image quality consistency, and versatility in ink formulation. Although these technologies set the industry standard, important limitations still exist; these include: (1) image smear on plain papers typically used in desktop printing, and (2) the lack of image gloss and durability on coated, glossy papers used for photo printing. These limitations have precluded the broadest use of inks based on self-stabilized pigments. This has been especially true for drop-on-demand thermal ink jet.This paper focuses on the question of whether it is possible to develop a universal or single black ink based on alternative carbon black dispersion technology that is able to meet the critical requirements of both plain (for text and graphics) and glossy (for photos) papers used in SOHO desktop ink jet printers.New polymeric dispersions comprising specific carbon black pigments and new polymeric dispersants (terpolymers) have been developed that can provide some of the important performance characteristics of self-stabilized carbon black dispersions used in the ink jet industry. Random terpolymers of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), an additional hydrophobic monomer containing twelve or more carbon atoms, and methacrylic acid (MAA) have been used as effective dispersants with Black Pearls®700 carbon (Cabot Corporation). Certain inks formulated with these new dispersions were found to be suitable for a variety of ink jet applications and appear to overcome many of the deficiencies currently limiting the more general use of black inks that rely upon self-stabilized carbon black dispersions such as Cab-O-Jet®300 (Cabot Corporation). Several of these new black, pigment-based inks have provided excellent performance when applied to both text and graphics printing (on plain paper) and photo printing (on glossy photo papers).

Wide Print-Head with High-Stiffness and Control Method of Drive

Recently, the market of inkjet printers has accomplished dramatic growth by means of high-speed and high-quality imaging technologies.GelSprinter Aficio GX series are the latest type of inkjet printers to create business documents on plain papers in high-speed and high-quality as well as duplex printing, which had been considered as very difficult to be achieved.Which have overcome the above difficulties are the newly developed Inkjet technologies;(1) Pigment ink with high viscosity and penetration improves image quality on plain papers. (To be described in another paper.)(2) Newly developed print-head of 1.27 inch width enables high-speed printing and supports two-bit control with Modulated Dot Technology.We developed wide Print-head with high stiffness and control method of drive in order to eject new pigment ink droplet stably. In this paper, we show the structure of wide Print-head with high stiffness and describe the control method of drive.

Paper Compatibility with Pigment Ink Controlled in Penetration and Viscosity

Recently, the demand of Inkjet printers is remarkably increasing for office use. High-speed printing on plain papers, however, have been producing unsatisfactory image quality in terms of feathering, optical density, print through and so forth. On the other hand, double-sided printing by inkjet printers require long drying time so that the practical use has been limited.As an efficient inkjet printer for practical office use, the performance of high-speed printing and double-sided printing quality have to be improved.Then, we made quick-drying and restrained feathering ink by changing pigment content and solvent composition. We compared and examined print characteristics among samples with different surface tension and viscosity.As a result, we developed ink with high plain paper compatibility for inkjet printers.

Pigmented Solid Inks for Plain Papers

Pigmented Solid Inks for Plain Papers

Low-voltage paper electrophoretic study of ion-pair formation and electrochromatography of inorganic anions on papers impregnated with titanium (IV) tungstate.

The ion-pair formation and electrochromatographic behavior of 22 anions are studied on plain and titanium (IV) tungstate impregnated papers using 0.1 N and 1 N solutions of NaNO3, Mg(NO3)2, Al(NO3)3, Cr(NO3)3, and Co(NO3)2 as background electrolytes. The effect of ion-pair formation on the migration of anions is studied. In general, the mechanism of migration is explained in terms of adsorption, precipitation, and complex formation. A number of binary and ternary separations are achieved. In Mg(NO3)2 media, the migration is correlated with the solubility of their magnesium salts for SO3(2-), C2O4(2-), SeO3(2-), AsO4(3-), and Fe(CN)6(4-).

Investigation of a Spreading Model for a High Speed Spot Color Printer using Hot Melt Ink Jet Inks

This paper presents the major findings o f a comprehensive thesis research project conducted by the author. Capillary flow porometry and mercury intrusion porosimetry techniques were utilized to evaluate key paper properties of the modified spreading model for a porous medium with transverse and radial capillaries. A novel technique known as transverse capillary flow porometry, useful in the evaluation of in-planar (x-,y-directional) pores, was also incorporated. Accent Color Sciences' Truecolor 400 web-fed printer with Spectra CCP-256 printheads and Sabre hot melt inks were used to generate print samples. 75 nanogram ink drops were jetted onto three different plain papers at a printing speed of 160 FPM. The resultant drop radius (Rp) was determined and used in the spreading model in relation to the radius of the ejected ink drop (Rf). An initial drop radius (Rd) at the time of impacting the paper was calculated based on the evaluated paper and printing properties.The spreading model has been compared to the Spectra “Splat Model”, developed specifically for hot melt inks. The two spreading models were further simplified into three components: (1) Final Drop Spreading Coefficient [FDSC], (2) Drop Impact Spreading Coefficient [DISC], and (3) Characteristic Paper Spreading Coefficient [CPSC]. The analysis proved that the two models had very comparable CPSCs, but different DISCs and FDSCs.

Drying of Water-Based Inks on Plain Paper

Previous studies in ink-jet printing have considered ink penetration into paper or ink evaporation to be effective in the drying process. In the present study, a unified approach that allows for simultaneous evaporation and penetration during the drying process was applied. To this end, penetration rates were measured experimentally using a Bristow tester. In addition, evaporation rates were determined from a theoretical evaporation model that contained no adjustable parameters. It was found that for plain paper used in the office environment, the rate of penetration was at least 20 × higher than the rate of evaporation. Accordingly, ink drying is determined mainly by penetration, and penetration curves alone are sufficient to predict the dry time or ink disappearance on a plain paper surface. In practice, this is illustrated by ink-jet print quality on plain papers of various sizing treatments. The sizing level needs to be adjusted according to the desired ink-jet image. That is, full-color printing requires penetration rates sufficient to accommodate each of the process inks applied without color bleed or other ink-to-ink interaction processes. This may be at expense of character and line print deterioration due to fiber swelling in mono-color printing.

Gloss Preferences for Color Xerographic Prints

A survey was conducted to determine the level of gloss that customers prefer for xerographic color prints on various papers. Both pictorial and business graphics images were used in this survey. They were printed on two plain papers and three coated papers. The sample set consisted of six gloss levels, approximately uniformly spaced over a wide gloss range, on each of the five substrates. The sample set was evaluated by 67 observers divided into four distinct groups. The results of this survey indicate that a midrange gloss is preferred by a wide variety of observers, even when substrate gloss is low.

Carnivore fecal chemicals suppress feeding by Alpine goats (Capra hircus)

The efficacy of carnivore and ungulate fecal chemicals in suppressing the feeding behavior of Alpine goats (Capra hircus) was examined. In the first four experiments, goats were offered food covered with paper strips treated with fecal extracts of the Bengal tiger, Siberian tiger, African lion, and brown bear, respectively; food covered with solvent-treated and untreated (plain) papers served as controls in each experiment. Goats made fewer head entries into, and ate less food from, buckets containing fecal extracts. In the fifth experiment, goats were offered food covered with paper strips treated with fecal extracts of the puma, Dorcas gazelle, white-bearded gnu, and conspecifics; food covered with solvent-treated and plain papers again served as controls. The amounts of food consumed from buckets containing puma, gazelle, gnu, and solvent treatments were statistically indistinguishable, but less food was consumed from them than from buckets containing the goat-scented or plain papers. No significant differences among treatments were detected with respect to head entries. Field experiments are needed on the use of predator-derived chemicals to reduce damage by goats to vegetation.

Performance of three image-quality metrics in ink-jet printing of plain papers

Three image-quality metrics are evaluated: Hamerly's edge raggedness, or tangential edge profile; Granger and Cupery's subjective quality factor (SQF) derived from the second moment of the line spread function; and SQF derived from Gur and O'Donnell's reflectance transfer function. These metrics are but a handful of many in the literature. Standard office papers from North America and Europe representing a broad spectrum of what is commercially available were printed with a 300-dpi Hewlett-Packard Deskjet printer. An untrained panel of eight judges viewed text, in a variety of fonts, and a graphics target and assigned each print an integer score based on its overail quality. Analysis of the metrics revealed that Granger's SQF had the highest correlation with panel rank, and achieved a level of precision approaching single-judge error, that is, the ranking error made by an individualjudge. While the other measures correlated in varying degrees, they were less precise. This paper reviews their theory, measurement, and performance.

Ion-Exchange Chromatographic Separation of Anions on Hydrated Bismuth Oxide Impregnated Papers

Abstract A comparative study of the chromatographic behaviour of anions, iodide, sulphide, phosphate, arsenate, arsenite, vanadate, chroraate, dichromate, thiosulphate, thiocyanate, ferricyanide and ferrocyanide on papers impregnated with hydrated bismuth oxide and untreated Whatman no, 1 papers has been made by employing identical aqueous, non-aqueous and mixed solvent systems. Sharp and compact spots were obtained with impregnated papers whereas the opposite applied to plain papers. Various analytically important binary and ternary separations are reported.

Separation of Certain Organic Pollutants Containing Tertiary Nitrogen on Stannic Molybdosiucate Papers

Abstract Paper chromatographic behaviour of some pesticides and toxicants has been studied using impregnated papers in various organic and inorganic solvents. Several binary and ternary separations have been achieved which were not possible on plain papers. Method developed can be successfully applied for certain isomeric differentiation. The minimum detection limit was found to be 25 to 50 mole of the test substance.