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The article delves into the revival of traditional Japanese paper textiles, particularly shifu and kamiko, through the efforts of individuals like Chutaro Sato and Tadao Endo, as recounted in conversations between Eleanor Burkett and Kazuko Sato. Topics include the history, production techniques, and cultural significance of washi, shifu, and kamiko, highlighting the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and the ongoing preservation efforts in Shiroishi.

Recognizing actions from still images has been popularly studied recently. In this paper, we model an action class as a flexible number of spatial configurations of body parts by proposing a new spatial sum–product network (SPN). First, we discover a set of parts in image collections via unsupervised learning. Then, our new spatial SPN is applied to model the spatial relationship and also the high-order correlations of parts. To learn robust networks, we further develop a hierarchical spatial SPN method, which models pairwise spatial relationship between parts inside subimages and models the correlation of subimages via extra layers of SPN. Our method is shown to be effective on two benchmark data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The demand of natural fibres is increasing in the world for industrial uses to make high value products. An enormous potential of sisal fibre is present in Pakistan for making ropes, twines, paper, carpets, cloth and handicrafts, which has not been exploited so far. The aim of this study was to design and develop a small-scale portable sisal decorticator for extracting fibre from sisal leaves. A prototype of sisal decorticator was designed and fabricated at Agricultural and Biological Engineering Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. The prototype machine was tested for fibre extraction. Results indicated that sisal fibre production capacity of this machine was 15.94 kg h-1 (dry fibre). Average yield of dry sisal fibre was 3.2% of green leaf weight and average fibre length was 1348.9 mm per leaf. Average power required to decorticate sisal leaves was 3.1 kW. Operating cost of sisal decorticator together with a combing machine was Rs. 507.9 h-1. The breakeven point or payback period of this technology was 233 h. Sisal fibre needs to be washed, dried and brushed after decortication process for getting good quality fibre to make domestic products. This technology has a great potential and needs to be commercialised in sisal growing areas of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel mixed hemimicelles and magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction method based on long-chain ionic liquids for the extraction of five fluorescent whitening agents was established. The factors influenced on extraction efficiency were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, namely, the pH of sample solution at 8.0, the concentration of long chain ionic liquid at 0.5 mmol/L, the amount of Fe3O4 nanoparticle at 12 mg, extraction time at 10 min, pH 6.0 of methanol as eluent, and the desorption time at 1 min, satisfactory results were obtained. Wide linear ranges (0.02-10 ng/mL) and good linearity were attained (0.9997-0.9999). The intraday and interday RSDs were 2.1-8.3%. Limits of detection were 0.004-0.01 ng/mL, which were decreased by almost an order of magnitude compared to direct detection without extraction. The present method was applied to extract the fluorescent whitening agents in two kinds of paper samples, obtaining satisfactory results. All showed results illustrated that the detection sensitivity was improved and the proposed method was a good choice for the enriching and monitoring of trace fluorescent whitening agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an efficient method to model paper tearing in the context of interactive modeling. The method uses geometrical information to automatically detect potential starting points of tears. We further introduce a new hybrid geometrical and physical-based method to compute the trajectory of tears while procedurally synthesizing high resolution details of the tearing path using a texture based approach. The results obtained are compared with real paper and with previous studies on the expected geometric paths of paper that tears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors have drawn numerous attentions in recent years since they can deliver relatively high power and energy densities. This article introduces an all-printed paper based surface mountable supercapacitor (SMS), which could withstand the reflow soldering process when integrated into microelectronic systems. The device was fabricated by screen printing and stencil printing processes, contributing to low cost and large-scale fabrication. Furthermore, building electronic devices on ubiquitous paper substrates had advantages of light weight, low cost, and eco-friendliness, etc. Based on activated carbon electrode material and ionic liquid electrolyte, the capacity of the supercapacitor could reach 14 mF at the device volume of 3.2 mm ? 2.5 mm ? 0.175 mm, besides, the specific volumetric capacity was superior than most of the commercial SMS devices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the phenomenon of active escapism – a unique form of experiential consumption that engages fantasy and role-play as a means of coping. In contrast with passive forms of escapism, whereby consumers act as observers (e.g. watching a movie), active escapism provides consumers with the opportunity to directly interact with mediated realities, whether constructed in a virtual space (e.g. a video game) or the real world.Design/methodology/approach Within the context of video game consumption, a conceptual framework for active escapism comprised antecedents, processes and consequences is established through literature review, depth interviews and naturalistic inquiry.Findings The findings suggest that active escapism functions as a coping mechanism when consumers are confronted with external stressors that threaten either their sense of identity or control. While other forms of emotion-focused coping relieve stress through psychological avoidance (i.e. refocusing of attention away from stressors), active escapism provides the benefits of affirmation and empowerment through projective fantasy (i.e. role-play) and presence (i.e. immersion into a mediated reality).Originality/value The conceptual framework established by this analysis gives insight into the structure of active escapism as a theoretical construct, providing a foundation for future research. Managerial implications for consumer escapism (e.g. branded in-game content) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper discusses two types of split-plot designs, split-plot designs with few whole-plot factors and blocked split-plot designs. We provide a list of efficient designs and compare them with the designs available in the literature with respect to a surrogate for the information capacity criterion derived in Cheng and Tsai (2011). In many cases, either better designs are found or additional designs are identified as possible alternatives. In the remaining cases, the optimality of the designs tabulated in design literature is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work is to pursue analytical approaches that elucidate electron and proton diffusion inside the Shewanella oneidensis biofilm and bulk liquid, which will inevitably promote the translation of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology for renewable, “green energy” solutions that are in demand to sustain the world's ever-increasing energy demands and to mitigate the depletion of current resources. This study provides a novel strategy for monitoring electron/proton fluxes in 3-D multi-laminate structures of paper as a scaffold to support S. oneidensis biofilms and bulk media liquid. Multiple layers of paper containing bacterial cells and/or media are stacked to form a layered 3-D model of the overall biofilm/bulk liquid construct. Mass transport of electrons and protons into this 3-D system can be quantified along with the exploration of microbial energy production. Assembly of a 3D paper stack can be modular and allows us to control the thickness of the overall biofilm/bulk liquid construct with the different diffusion distances of the electrons/protons through the stack. By measuring the current generated from the 3-D stack, the electron and proton diffusivity through biofilms were quantitatively investigated. We found that (i) the diffusion length of the electrons/protons in the S. oneidensis biofilm/bulk liquid is a determinant factor for the MFC performance, (ii) the electron transfer through the endogenous mediators of S. oneidensis can be a more critical factor to limit the current/power generation of the MFCs than the proton transfer in the MFC system and (iii) the thicker biofilm allows higher and longer current generation but requires more time to reach a peak current value and increases the total energy loss of the MFC system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

activities of various kinds of microorganisms are the key factor for anaerobic digestion which produces methane gas. Therefore, anaerobic digestion process is known as an alternative methods to convert waste into methane. In this present study, a modified anaerobic hybrid baffled (MAHB) reactor with a working volume of 58 L were used to treat recycled paper mill effluent (RPME) wastewater. The mixture of 90% RPME wastewater and 10% anaerobic sludge was used as substrate. The morphologies of anaerobic microorganism involved in anaerobic digestion of RPME in MAHB reactor was observed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fluorescence Microscope. Only small amount of protozoa and fungi were observed in the MAHB reactor system. It was found that bacteria responsible in biodegradation of biomass inside the MAHB reactor were dominant. It was also demonstrated that fast growing bacteria which were capable to growth under high substrate levels and reduced pH was dominant at the front compartments (acidification zone). Towards the end of the reactor, a slower growing scavenging bacteria that grow better at higher pH was found. In addition, the population of Methanococcus, Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina were higher compare to other species of methane former bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winding is an integral operation in almost every roll-to-roll system and the center-wound roll is one of the suitable and general schemes in a winding mechanism. The quality and performance of a center-wound roll are known to be related to the winding tension. In this paper, a novel optimization design method for winding tension using a special network structure is proposed. Firstly, based on the elasticity theory, the correlations between winding tension in the winding section and hoop stress distribution within a center-wound roll are analyzed. In addition, an analysis model for the residual stress due to the winding tension profile is developed. Then, according to the analysis model, the special network structure with back propagation training is developed to minimize the error of lateral residual stress, namely isostress-distribution. Finally, the experimental prototype of a roll-to-roll packaging system for glass-fiber fabric that can measure and control the winding tension is described, and actual experiments were carried out. Results show that the proposed method is very useful for determining the desirable taper-tension profile during the winding process and preventing defects of the center-wound roll. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an applied method by which to fuse multiple independently developed scenarios to serve as a basis for strategic studies in the national security operations research community. First, it describes the need to fuse scenarios methodically as a consequence of the evolution of global security conditions and as a matter of logic that might be otherwise overlooked. Second, it proposes applying Structured Scenario Fusion (SSF), a method that uses three stylized tables to systematically and transparently record the process of scenario fusion. Third, it provides an example application set in a hypothetical study of future security conditions in Somalia. It concludes that SSF offers a promising way to improve the pedigree, realism, and logic of assumptions underpinning scenario-based strategic studies, as well as the quality of strategic decisions and plans thereby justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-sized OLED displays require advanced technologies to realize mass production. The competitiveness of OLED TV comes from the combination of oxide TFT and WRGB OLED technology. Those technologies including image quality of OLED TV, oxide TFT, WOLEDs, and solid phase encapsulation enable panel size scalability as well as mass production with lifetime reliability. We will introduce technological progress for commercializing large-sized OLED TV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to model the interactional operation of heckling, which has received little attention in impoliteness and interaction studies, despite the fact that studying this phenomenon has various advantages for the analyst. In order to fill this knowledge gap, I approach heckling by combining Turner's (1982) anthropological framework with my interaction-based relational ritual theory (e.g. Kádár 2012, 2013; Kádár and Bax 2013). Following Turner, I define heckling as a 'social drama', which is evaluated by its watchers as 'judges'. In accordance with my relational ritual framework I argue that heckling is a mimetic ritualistic mini-performance, which is inherently interactional as it operates in the adjacent action pair of the heckler's performance and the public speaker/performer's counter-performance. Adopting Turner's terminology, heckling is a ritualistic performance of 'anti-structure', i.e. it upsets the regular social -- and consequently interactional -- structure of a setting. Successful counter-performance is a ritual of 'structure', which restores the normal social structure of the event, as the public speaker/performer regains control over the interaction. Through the social actions of performance and counter-performance the heckled and the heckler aim to affiliate themselves with the audience, who are 'metaparticipants' of the ritualistic interaction, and with the watchers/listeners in the case of video/ audio-recorded interactions, who can be defined as 'lay observers' (cf. Kádár and Haugh 2013). Approaching heckling as a theatrical type of relational ritual helps us capture various complexities of this phenomenon, such as its relationship with certain interactional settings and metaparticipant expectations/evaluations, and its interface with related phenomena such as impoliteness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static Var Compensator (SVC) is a popular FACTS device for providing reactive power support in power systems and its placement representing the location and size has significant influence on network loss, while keeping the voltage magnitudes within the acceptable range. This paper presents a Firefly algorithm based optimization strategy for placement of SVC in power systems with a view of minimizing the transmission loss besides keeping the voltage magnitude within the acceptable range. The method uses a self-adaptive scheme for tuning the parameters in the Firefly algorithm. The strategy is tested on three IEEE test systems and their results are presented to demonstrate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deltamethrin (DM) And Biosal were tested against Eysarcoris modestus by Filter Paper impregnation method (FIM) at different concentrations. The effects of different concentrations & on mortality were observed after 48 and 96 HAT (hours after treatment). The results suggested that deltamethrin is more effective pesticide than neem pesticide. Percent mortality at 48 and 96 HAT of the pesticides was found to be 18 and 19% in deltamethrin and 7 and 8% in biosal, respectively at of 2.0% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the exhibition "The Regency Wardrobe Collection," at Chertsey Museum from October 2020 to January 2021 including paper textiles for creating garments inspired by periods, places, history and story.