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Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effect of bamboo virgin pulp addition to the recycled pulp in enhancing the recycled paper's mechanical properties was evaluated. Malaysian bamboo virgin pulp used in this research were Bambusa vulgaris (Aur bamboo), Gigantochloa levis (Beting bamboo), and Gigantochloa scortechinii (Semantan bamboo). The addition of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt% of bamboo virgin pulp improved the burst index, folding endurance, tearing index, and tensile index of the recycled paper from 2.27 to 3.17 kPa.m2/g, 7 to 15 double folds, 5.98 to 8.27 mN.m2/g, and 24.86 to 32.40 Nm/g, respectively. These were equivalent to the increment percentage for burst index, folding endurance, tearing index, and tensile index at the range of 6.61 to 39.65%, 28.57 to 114.29%, 15.72 to 38.59%, and 10.50 to 33.87%, respectively. The application of bamboo virgin pulp is very promising in improving the recycled paper's mechanical properties and this could be further extended in enhancing the other properties such as physical and optical paper properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this work was to explore the prospects of producing pulp and paper from leftover lignocellulosic fibers. In this study discarded Cocos nucifera fibers were collected from an abandoned site and were washed thoroughly. FTIR analysis, chemical composition and fiber morphology studies were conducted. FTIR showed the presence of holocellulose and lignin in the fibers. Chemical analysis showed the holocellulose content as 37.8 wt%. Fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness were observed using microscope and derived fiber indices that determine the possibility of producing paper were evaluated. The derived indices such as Runkel index, slenderness ratio, co-efficient of rigidity, flexibility coefficient, Luce’s shape factor and Solids factor of the fibers were evaluated as 67.9%, 44.11, 58.83%, 0.199, 0.49 and 278.53x10³ respectively. All these indices are in good agreement with fibers recommended and used for pulp and paper production. High lignin content present in the fibers is a limitation and it can be removed through appropriate delignification techniques. Thus the study showed that discarded fibers can be used for producing pulp, paper and allied products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to profile the shoppers' propensity to reuse shopping bags and the type of shopping bags they reuse on the basis of demographics. The study used an observation method to record the consumers' shopping habits and a short questionnaire to record the participants' demographics. A binary regression analysis and a multinomial regression analysis were used to analyse data. The results indicated that the mature aged, women, and low income shoppers were more likely to practice reuse of plastic shopping bags than their respective counterparts. There were no statistically significant differences in the likelihood of young aged shoppers compared to mature aged shoppers and low income shoppers compared to high income shoppers using cotton bags than plastic bags. There were also no statistically significant differences in the likelihood of young aged shoppers compared to mature aged shoppers and male shoppers compared to female shoppers using paper bags than plastic bags. However, the results indicated a statically significant result in how males compared to females differed in their using of cotton bags than plastic bags and a statistically significant result in how low income shoppers compared to high income shoppers differed in their use of paper bags than plastic bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between environmental regulation and firm productivity has been widely debated but inconsistencies in findings across different studies. Using detailed firm-level micro-data from 2000 to 2007, this paper employs difference-in-difference combined with matching based on entropy balancing method to explore the effect of environmental regulation on firm total factor productivity (TFP) in pulp and paper industry in China. Our main findings are as following: Firstly, stricter environmental regulation, as represented by the Wastewater Discharge Standards for Pulp and Paper Industry in Shandong province, increases firm TFP significantly. Moreover, the coefficients of interest are robust to multiple robustness checks. Secondly, dynamic effects estimates reveal that when faced with this phase-in environmental regulation, firms take the foreseeably increasing strictness into account from the very beginning and prefer to take one-step adjustment to reach full compliance. Thirdly, potential mechanism analysis finds that the positive effect mainly comes from the improvement of resource allocation efficiency within firms. Fourthly, the heterogeneity test indicates that the effect of environmental regulation on firm TFP is heterogeneous across firms with different sizes, ages, ownerships, capital intensity, and export status. Finally, this paper provides convincing and insightful evidence that environmental regulation has the potential to achieve the dual goals of environmental sustainability and economic growth and is thus of broader significance for understanding the enforcement of environmental regulation in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive maintenance strategies are becoming increasingly more important with the increased needs for automation and digitalization within pulp and paper manufacturing sector. Hence, this study contributes to examine the most efficient pre-processing approaches for predicting sensory data trends based on Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) neural networks. To validate the model, the data from two paper pulp presses with several pre-processing methods are utilized for predicting the units' conditions. The results of validation criteria show that pre-processing data using a LOWESS in combination with the Elimination of discrepant data filter achieves more stable results, the prediction error decreases, and the predicted values are easier to interpret. The model can anticipate future values with MAPE, RMSE and MAE of 1.2, 0.27 and 0.30 respectively. The errors are below the significance level. Moreover, it is identified that the best hyperparameters found for each paper pulp press must be different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The demand for particleboard has been increasing over the years. Currently, most particleboards are produced from wood which may not be sustainable in the long term. Therefore, there is need of exploring alternative materials such as making particleboards from waste materials. This study investigated the mechanical properties of particleboard consisting of waste leather shavings and waste papers blended together by unsaturated polyester. A single-layered particleboards were manufactured using compression method. Different resin contents (60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%) and leather/paper ratios (100:0, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25) were used to determine the effects on the mechanical properties (internal bond, bending strength, compression, and impact strength) of fabricated boards. From the results of this study, it was found that leather shavings and waste papers can be used as alternative raw materials for particleboard production and that mechanical properties were depended on the resin content and the blend ratio. Also, mechanical properties were reduced with resin content increment, except for impact strength, and improved by high paper blend ratio. It could be concluded that the produced particle panels could be used for indoor application or interior equipping. Additionally, it is recommended that further studies can be done on morphological analysis to establish the bonding between the particles and matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, the dairy cows' major feed resources are natural pasture and crop residues, both of which are nutritionally low and do not even satisfy the maintenance requirement. Consequently, dairy productivity per head is low in the country. This paper reviews the existing knowledge of negative energy balance (NEB) and summarizes its implication on production and reproduction parameters, as well as the monitoring tools as a means of intervention in minimizing the effect on dairy cows. The presence of NEB in late gestation and early lactation of dairy cows could contribute to both short and long-term negative effects on production and reproduction ability. Lower body condition, reduced milk production, a change in the milk fat to protein ratio, an increasing incidence of health problems, a late time to become estrus, delayed ovarian cycle, and a lower conception rate are the common implications. Through the knowledge created so far, it can be concluded that NEB is almost a common phenomenon in transitional high milking dairy animals, but there is a possibility to shorten its persistence through strategic supplementation using the NEB monitoring tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prophylaxis with emicizumab, a bispecific monoclonal antibody that mimics FVIII function, has shown encouraging results in clinical trials in terms of efficacy and safety. However, current experience is limited, and many areas of concern to clinicians have yet to be reviewed. This paper reviews the experience of hemophilia A patients treated with emicizumab based on the results of clinical trials and real-life studies. The authors place special emphasis on issues such as the management of these patients in situations of hemorrhage and/or surgical interventions, joint health or laboratory monitoring. Treatment with emicizumab has been shown to improve joint health and reduce bleeding, of particular interest to patients with inhibitors and high bleeding rates. However, there are still concerns about its administration in neonates and previously untreated patients due to limited reported experience. Laboratory monitoring is not strictly necessary due to the stable pharmacokinetics emicizumab has been shown to exhibit, however, tests that globally assess hemostasis may be useful especially in cases of bleeding or surgery. The authors are also of the opinion that prophylaxis before minor surgery is not necessary and that major surgeries can be safely performed with additional prophylactic coagulation factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Biodiversity is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Nazi Germany (1933–45), reclaiming waste became an intrinsic component of the regime's economy as well as its ideological, racial, and expansionist ambitions. National Socialist interventions into waste streams began in 1934 with salvage campaigns. The state then brought urban waste policies and municipal waste services under its control, restructuring and 'Aryanising' the waste salvage trade. Moreover, both consumers and producers were prompted to collect and reprocess waste. Over time, the gradual expansion of the Nazi waste recovery policies and campaigns – here referred to as the 'Nazi waste exploitation regime' – brought forth a determined vision of a circular economy in which no waste whatsoever should escape its reclamation for the national community or Volksgemeinschaft. This article sketches the actors, structures, and objectives of this waste exploitation regime for the case of rags and paper and uncovers its entanglement with Nazi racist and genocidal ideology and expansionism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report explores the history of Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States military and the resistance against militarization. Since the U.S. invasion in 1898, Puerto Rico has experienced the progressive takeover of land for military purposes, resulting in environmental damage and health repercussions. The resistance against militarism has taken various forms, including civil disobedience, marches, and armed struggle. The report showcases a collection of political propaganda, such as posters and pasquines, which were used to spread anti-militarist messages and mobilize people. These materials provide insight into the themes, styles, and campaigns of leftist propaganda between 1960 and 2000, highlighting the power imbalance between the armed forces and the common people. The report includes images and descriptions of selected propaganda pieces, demonstrating the diversity of styles and messages. [Extracted from the article]

This article reports on findings of a series of interviews conducted with 27 archivists on the topic of grief and other emotions in archival work. Centering the words of the interviewed archivists and demonstrating a research ethic of deep listening, this article describes how the interviewed archivists encounter and experience grief and other emotions as part of working with records, researchers, and donors. Interview participants highlighted a lack of preparation for the emotional dimensions of archival work as well as difficulty and damaging silences surrounding emotions in the archival work. This article argues that a first step toward transformative change in the way archival education programs and workplaces address the emotional dimensions of archival work requires sincere and committed acknowledgment of these dimensions and of archival work as person-centered and relational. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines Soviet paper reuse as an ideological, economic daily practice, implemented through the advanced, but hitherto undescribed Soiuzutil'waste collecting system by the early 1930s as the reverse side of Stalinist industrialization. It argues that Soiuzutil'waste paper handling attempted to form a new socialist collective by reworking old print while cultivating citizens as classless scrap-collectors, for the sake of an (ir)rational resource optimization. While World War II intensified recycling efforts among the Allied and Axis powers, invasion and evacuation damaged Soviet waste collection to a point where no return of paper into a centralized system was possible. War forced printers and consumers to retreat to local self-supply networks, as paper remained a crucial, yet scarce resource. By analyzing technical-educational literature and correspondence of the reutilization offices, the article demonstrates the changing attitudes in the Stalinist war economy, the industries, and the population towards mobilizing and saving paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strength properties of paper are of great significance in terms of its mechanical performance and are attributed to cellulosic fibers. When filler is used in papermaking, the cost and strength properties get reduced but optical properties are improved. So far, modification of fillers using chitosan (CH) is not explored in such a way that all aspects of wet-end of papermaking get covered. The novelty lies in showing the effect of CH as filler modifier at various doses on different fillers and the wet-end application of modified fillers at different doses along with other additives used in papermaking. The impact of addition of modified fillers on end paper properties is also analyzed. Here, CH was applied to modify fillers characteristics so that the ash in paper can be increased without compromising the strength properties. Three different doses (0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00%) of CH were added to the fillers. The addition of modified fillers to bleached mixed hardwood (BMHW) pulp increased the filler retention in paper while the reduction in strength properties was found to be less and in some properties even an increase was observed. The particle size distributions of fillers were found to be affected after modification of fillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Decolonizing Geography: An Introduction" by Sarah A. Radcliffe explores the decolonization of Anglophone geographical curricula. The book emphasizes the importance of approaching fieldwork with humility, respecting local knowledge, and avoiding the imposition of Western paradigms. It calls for action to avoid blinders, respect counternarratives, question official histories, acknowledge privilege, employ collaborative research, and entertain alternative epistemologies. The book also highlights the significance of indigenous environmental knowledge in physical geography and addresses the lack of diversity in the discipline. Overall, "Decolonizing Geography" offers a comprehensive exploration of decolonial approaches in geography and provides practical examples and suggestions for further research. [Extracted from the article]

Publications in Renal Failure in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) between 1992 and 2021 were analyzed. Six publication indicators: total, independent, collaborative, first author, corresponding author, and single author publications as well as their related citation indicators, were used to compare performances of countries, institutes, and authors. Comparison of the highly cited papers and journal's impact factor (IF) contributors was discussed. In addition, the main research topics in the journal were presented. Results show that China published the most total articles and reviews, as well as the first-author papers and corresponding-author papers in the journal. The Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan ranked the top in five publication indicators: total, single-institution, inter-institutionally collaborative, first author, and corresponding-author papers. A low percentage of productive authors emerged as a journal IF contributor. Similarly, only a limited relationship between highly cited papers and IF contributing papers was found. Publications related to hemodialysis, chronic kidney disease, and acute kidney injury were the most popular topic, while meta-analysis was new focus in the last decade in the journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were biopulped using Trametes versicolor, and the resulting biopulp was bleached with xylanase-enzymatic treatments. The biopulping was extensively described using determinations of fiber morphology, color, chemical composition, extractive content, and thermal stability using the structural characteristics determined by XRD and paper properties. The results showed that the chemical and enzymatic treatments shortened the fiber, almost to 50%, and the Kappa index decreased from 27 to 13. Cellulose and holocellulose contents increased from 65% to 74% and from 86% to 91%, respectively, but extractives, lignin (from 12% to 4%), pentosans (from 25% to 14%) and the crystallinity decreased from 58% to 67% in both chemical bleaching and further xylanase-enzymatic processing. Xylanase)enzymatic processing allowed us to obtain whiter (increased lightness color and decreased redness and yellowness tonality) and heavier paper, even though it presented decreased mechanical properties (decreased stress resistance, rupture length, tear resistance and index longitudinal tearing). The xylanase-enzymatic treatment with the best pulping and paper proper)ties is when the biopulp is treated with a xylanase enzyme concentration of 0.04% (w/w). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deterioration of fiber properties during recycling processes, especially the loss of tensile strength, raises concerns that paper products made from recycled fibers might not satisfy quality requirements. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the deterioration of tensile strength and the damage in paper sheets made of recycled fibers using the theory of damage mechanics and machine learning methods. Experiments were carried out to recycle wood fibers and nonwood fibers four times, and the physicochemical properties of the handsheets made from these fibers were measured after each recycling. Water retention value and relative bonded area were selected as the features to estimate and predict tensile strength during recycling because they had strong correlations with tensile strength. This paper proposed a damage index to quantitatively express the severity of the damage in paper sheets based on the experimental investigation and the theory of damage mechanics. Thus, the deterioration of tensile strength could be estimated and predicted. To determine the damage index, a curve fitting model based on the hyperbolic theory of pulp properties was developed. The proposed quantitative expression of the damage index is: D = (Ds - h)²/a2 - (Dh - k)²/b2, where the coefficients were determined through the curve fitting model. This paper also developed a long short-term memory recurrent neural network model to determine the damage index according to the sequence of recycling. Both models were trained with the experimental data of water retention value and relative bonded area. The estimation and prediction by the curve fitting model were more accurate than those of the neural network model. The root mean square errors by the curve fitting model were 0.0278 for estimation, 0.1667 for prediction; and by the neural network model were 0.2445 for estimation, 0.2206 for prediction, respectively. After the damage index was determined, the deterioration of tensile strength then could be calculated as T = T0 (1-D). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Settler Colonial City: Racism and Inequity in Postwar Minneapolis" by David Hugill examines the history of racism, inequity, and settler-colonial structures in Minneapolis, particularly focusing on the post-World War II era. The book explores the impact of urban change, racialized policing, and American imperialism on marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous peoples. Hugill highlights the structural barriers faced by marginalized groups and the need to dismantle white supremacist and settler-colonial structures. While the book primarily focuses on the violent aspects of settler-colonial urban policy, it also touches on the need to examine more subtle elements such as access to education, healthcare, and legal services. Overall, the book provides a critical perspective on the history of Minneapolis and challenges the perception of the city as progressive and inclusive. [Extracted from the article]

Commercial Chinese ink was employed to disperse pristine vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) in aqueous suspensions via horizontal ball milling. The obtained suspension was used to fabricate conductive paper-based composites through filtration-deposition onto filter paper. It was found that the carbon black particles from the Chinese ink helped separate VGCNFs and acted as connection points between the VGCNFs, while the glue reinforced the conduction network. Thus, the VGCNF-ink/paper ternary composite showed sufficiently low sheet resistance. With merely 2.5 mg·cm−2 VGCNFs, the sheet resistance could be reduced to 4.5 Ω·sq−1. As a proof of concept, these paper-based composites were directly used as electrodes of solid-state symmetric electronic double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and the substrate for the electrodeposition of MnO2 to achieve higher electrochemical performances. The EDLCs fabricated with 2.5 mg·cm−2 VGCNFs showed a specific capacitance of 224 mF·cm−2 at a current density of 1 mA·cm−2, which was retained by 86.4% after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, thanks to the high electrical conductivity and the porous structure, the MnO2 decorated paper-based composites exhibited dramatically enhanced specific capacitance. It is believed that our finding offers an idea to directly utilize commercial Chinese ink for the fabrication of electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo leaves are a resource of cellulose fibers that can be further developed into value-added products. In this research, cellulose nanofibers were obtained from Tinwa bamboo leaves, and then chemically modified with (i) hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) and (ii) perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (POTS). The modified nanofibers were then used as a hydrophobic biopolymer coating on paper, as an alternative to commonly used fossil-based coatings. Hydrophobicity in terms of surface and bulk properties of the coated paperboards was investigated. The results showed that the hydrophobic coatings obtained provided a high contact angle up to 141° and a decrease of water penetration speed during immersion up to 94% when using ultrasonic technique. The coated paperboards exhibited color difference values compared with an uncoated paperboard in the range of 0.4 to <2 which is hardly distinguishable from the human eye. These results suggest that a biopolymer obtained from modified bamboo leaves does in fact provide a suitable replacement for hydrophobic coating on paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Continental Congress foray into printed money during the American Revolution was so disastrous that the United States printed no more money for nearly a century, the one exception being a brief period during the War of 1812. After that Congress chartered and unchartered its national bank twice. The American economy henceforth (1816–1836) was often structurally short of coins, and without any national coinage Americans had to find substitute forms of currency to finance the burgeoning economy. The Supreme Court ruled that sovereign States and individuals could authorize both State and private banks to issue their own notes. In consequence, nearly all paper money in circulation was either State or private banknotes based on a limited reserve of gold. This generally proved insufficient to adequately fund major infrastructure projects. The federal government also had no institution for raising or transferring large amounts of money to fund these national improvements. Nonetheless, Hamilton's U.S. Bank, without the help of a national currency, was an institutional precursor for what would not take final form until 1913. There would be no Federal Reserve today without the Whig-Republican agenda institutionally incarnated in the First and Second U.S. Bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential owned solar panels mounted on roof-tops generated 1.4% of the U.S. electricity supply in 2022. Utilities compensate residential customers using a net metering system by which each kilowatt-hour generated by the customer reduces the customer's bill by the amount the utility charges for one kilowatt. Despite the small impact of roof-top solar on the total market, in 2022, thirty-two states conducted ninety-four proceedings investigating whether to change the net metering system. In these proceedings, utilities advocated changing the rates to discourage residential investment in solar panels. Utilities argue that net metering provides a subsidy to solar customers because the rate the utility pays is greater than the avoided cost of energy. That excess payment allows solar customers to avoid paying for the distribution network. The cost of the distribution network is shifted to non-solar customers. This article will evaluate these claims. It will show that if the social cost of carbon were in the calculation, it would generate a Kapp cost shift from solar customers to non-solar customers. The size of the Kapp cost shift is greater than the cost of distribution networks, reversing any private cost shift that utilities have estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproducibility, the ability to reproduce the results of published papers or studies using their computer code and data, is a cornerstone of reliable scientific methodology. Studies where results cannot be reproduced by the scientific community should be treated with caution. Over the past decade, the importance of reproducible research has been frequently stressed in a wide range of scientific journals such as Nature and Science and international magazines such as The Economist. However, multiple studies have demonstrated that scientific results are often not reproducible across research areas such as psychology and medicine. Statistics, the science concerned with developing and studying methods for collecting, analyzing, interpreting and presenting empirical data, prides itself on its openness when it comes to sharing both computer code and data. In this article, we examine reproducibility in the field of statistics by attempting to reproduce the results in 93 published papers in prominent journals using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data during the 2010–2021 period. Overall, from both the computer code and the data perspective, among all the 93 examined papers, we could only reproduce the results in 14 (15.1%) papers, that is, the papers provide both executable computer code (or software) with the real fMRI data, and our results matched the results in the paper. Finally, we conclude with some author-specific and journal-specific recommendations to improve the research reproducibility in statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its launch, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-led economic and cultural development strategy, captured impressive media and scholarly attention and critiques. CHINA'S ASIAN DREAM: Empire Building along the New Silk RoadGEOCULTURAL POWER: China's Quest to Revive the Silk Roads for the Twenty-First Century: By Tom Miller. Miller connects the China's "Go-West" policy with the rise of infrastructure financing as a key component of the international donor community where China is taking the lead. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Freezing cold injuries (FCI) are a common risk in extreme cold weather operations. Although the risks have long been recognised, injury occurrences tend to be sparse and geographically distributed, with relatively few cases to study in a systematic way. The first challenge to improve FCI medical management is to develop a common nomenclature for FCI classification. This is critical for the development of meaningful epidemiological reports on the magnitude and severity of FCI, for the standardisation of patient inclusion criteria for treatment studies, and for the development of clinical diagnosis and treatment algorithms. Methodology: A scoping review of the literature using PubMed and cross-checked with Google Scholar, using search terms related to freezing cold injury and frostbite, highlighted a paucity of published clinical papers and little agreement on classification schemes. Results: A total of 74 papers were identified, and 28 were included in the review. Published reports and studies can be generally grouped into four different classification schemes that are based on (1) injury morphology; (2) signs and symptoms; (3) pathophysiology; and (4) clinical outcome. The nomenclature in the different classification systems is not coherent and the discrete classification limits are not evidence based. Conclusions: All the classification systems are necessary and relevant to FCI medical management for sustainment of soldier health and performance in cold weather operations and winter warfare. Future FCI reports should clearly characterise the nature of the FCI into existing classification schemes for surveillance (morphology, symptoms, and appearance), identifying risk-factors, clinical guidelines, and agreed inclusion/exclusion criteria for a future treatment trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creativity is an important skill for engineers but many students face a lack of experience in idea generation, often compounded by low-self efficacy towards creativity. Providing students with online training modules has been suggested as one solution. However, the literature demonstrates using a computer can influence performance and self-efficacy in a different manner to using pen-and-paper. There is a current lack of research on whether computers may influence self-efficacy during idea generation tasks. Two experiments involving computer-based and pen-and-paper groups were designed. Groups were provided with templates that guided them through the process of applying an idea generation technique and were given sixteen minutes to generate ideas to solve a presented problem. Results revealed that students' performance was similar and using a computer does not negatively influence self-efficacy. This shows that students can engage in idea generation learning tasks using computer-based modes without negatively influencing performance or self-efficacy, suggesting an avenue for educators to engage students with building creativity skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case study of how the Renminbi won the currency war in Shanghai between 1949 and 1950. This case study supports the proposition of chartalism and MMT that money is a creature of the state, and in two ways deepens our understanding of the role of the state in the sovereign currency system. First, taxation is not the only way to drive money. The Shanghai government also drove money by supplying goods. Second, the outcome of a currency war depends on many historical factors, and the government plays an important role by changing the conventions that shape people's monetary behavior. The Shanghai government adopted anti-inflation policies to transform the conventions of valuing commodities and metallic currencies over paper currencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a time when the world is critical of the Brazilian government and the loss of Amazonian rainforest, Brian J. Godfrey casts his 40-year gaze on Rio de Janeiro. Geographer Godfrey deftly uses various scales of analysis - global, hemispheric, national, regional, metropolitan, and neighborhood - to point out how memory can be used to reinvent places both in Rio and elsewhere. Godfrey's real nugget is chapter 3's examination of Little Africa in Rio. [Extracted from the article]

"Near Woods: A Year in an Allegheny Forest" by Kevin Patrick is a book that explores the natural and cultural phenomena of White's Woods, a 500-acre stand of mixed hardwood forest near Indiana, Pennsylvania. The author, who has lived in the area for three decades, highlights the beauty and richness of this local sylvan gem, emphasizing the importance of appreciating and exploring the forests in our own backyards. The book combines geomorphological, natural historical, and physical and cultural geographic background to provide a comprehensive understanding of the area. Through vivid prose and stunning photography, Patrick invites readers to stop, listen, and interpret the wonders of nature. [Extracted from the article]

Environmental sustainability urgently needs to be embraced as a driver of development for society and industry. While researchers and practitioners herald numerous benefits when adopting eco-efficiency and circular economy approaches, these green solutions are yet to become pervasive principles for designing and operating industrial systems. This study reviews the last ten years of research contributions from the International Federation for Information Processing Working Group 5.7 (IFIP WG5.7) on Advances in Production Management Systems (APMS) through its dedicated annual conference. A systematic literature review method was employed to map the APMS conference papers against eco-efficiency principles and to identify how these principles have been addressed by this research community. A cross-thematic analysis further describes the trends around dominant themes in production research. Finally, the paper concludes with an update on eco-efficiency principles applied to manufacturing and a proposed framework to consider more systematically the environmental implications of advances in production research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inner lining of the urinary bladder (urothelium and lamina propria, or bladder mucosa) has an important role as a tissue barrier between stored urine and the underlying smooth muscle, as well as in the modulation and regulation of bladder contractility. However, the individual influence of the apical urothelial layer on the contractile activity of this tissue is uncertain. The aim of this experiment was to identify the contractile activity of the lamina propria after removal of the urothelium. Several methods were used to mechanically disrupt the urothelium, including dabbing the tissue with a paper towel, longitudinal swipes with a cotton bud, or a longitudinal scrape with the edge of a scalpel. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to determine the level of removal of the apical urothelial cells. Spontaneous contractile activity was measured in organ baths, and responses to the agonists carbachol and isoprenaline were obtained. Three longitudinal swipes with a cotton bud was found to be the optimal method to remove the majority of the urothelium without damaging the lamina propria. Upon removal of the urothelium, the spontaneous activity of the tissue was unaltered. Similarly, responses to carbachol (1 µM) and isoprenaline (1 µM) were not affected after removal of the urothelium. The urothelium can be effectively removed without damaging the lamina propria. This apical tissue layer is not responsible for mediating the increases to spontaneous phasic activity or tonic contractions of the bladder mucosa (urothelium with lamina propria) when muscarinic or adrenergic receptors are stimulated. This research presents the lamina propria as the important cell layer mediating the overall contractile activity of the bladder wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I The Digital City i is not about the separation of digital and physical environments, nor is it about the digital permeation of physical environments, but rather about how digital media can be used to build and reinforce a physical sense of place. Halegoua puts digital media front and center as the latest communications technology to shape the urban landscape. I The Digital City i finds a home within research questions regarding smart city development, media and communications technology, and cultural geographies. [Extracted from the article]

DEEP TIME RECKONING: How Future Thinking Can Help Earth Now: By VINCENT Ialenti. The overall goal of Ialenti, however, was to use the example of Onkalo to prompt us to modify our behavior so that we have a better understanding of how to survive into a future that makes getting there possible. We, too, were concerned about future generations, but the Onkalo Safety Case workers have been considering all possible circumstances that could endanger future inhabitants up to 1200 centuries from now. [Extracted from the article]

INTIMATE GEOPOLITICS: Love, Territory, and the Future on India's Northern Threshold: By SARA SMITH. In a vivid ethnographic study of the Ladakh region in northern India, Smith provides an intricate examination of how community tensions are shaped by ethnic identities, family planning, and majoritarian politics - and one incendiary moment on a public street. Though I Intimate Geopolitics i is overtly a study of Ladakhi territorial politics as related to family dynamics, the commentary on sectarianism is relevant beyond the confines of the distant province. [Extracted from the article]

Quantitative geographical methods have played an important role in COVID-19 research. To complement and extend previous review studies, we conduct a scoping review of COVID-19 studies employing quantitative geographical approaches by focusing on 331 papers published in 45 journals in geography, urban studies, and planning. We identify four major research themes (clusters): (1) how SARS-CoV-2 viruses spread in cities, (2) the COVID-19 mortality (death) rates and their association with socioeconomic variables, (3) how the COVID-19 pandemic changed people's mobilities, and (4) how the COVID-19 pandemic affects air pollution. We conclude that spatial models play a key role in COVID-19 quantitative geographical approaches, and human mobility is an important and widely studied topic. We also reveal a lack of research focusing on environmental pollution (other than air pollution) that potentially worsened during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination by hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] poses a threat to groundwater quality and its detection at point source is essential to provide early mitigating solutions. In this work, we report the fabrication of paper-based sensing system embedded with a novel nanochromogenic complex having spherical gold nanoparticles modified with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide dye. This Au-DPC Functionalized paper strip develops pink color in <2 sec upon interaction with Cr (VI). With the developed optical fiber device a limit of detection of 0.02 ppm was achieved within a linear range of 0.01-0.4 ppm. RGB color analysis and data driven predictive modelling (KNN-model) demonstrated highest balanced accuracy score of 0.833 and cross validation accuracy of 0.714. Further, the portable optical fiber-based device offers advantages such as real-time monitoring, remote sensing capabilities, and the ability to integrate with existing optical systems for enhanced detection and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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"Big Bend National Park: Mexico, the United States, and a Borderland Ecosystem" by Michael Welsh is a historical exploration of Big Bend National Park, situated on the border between Mexico and the United States. The book examines the unique landscape of the park, shaped by the Rio Grande river, and the challenges posed by its borderland ecosystem. Welsh discusses the efforts of conservationists, politicians, and scientists in establishing the park and highlights the potential for binational cooperation and collaboration. The book also addresses the tensions between preservation and development in national parks and the need to navigate the changing cultural and political landscape. While the book lacks an examination of the park's future in the face of climate change and public policy, it offers valuable insights for students and scholars interested in national identity, border relations, and environmental protectionism. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of the peer-review process in contributing to the field of research. The author shares a positive experience with an author who received constructive feedback on their declined paper and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to improve their work. The article also explains the peer-review process used by the journal, which involves a desk review, gatekeeper review, and full peer-review. The goal of the process is to ensure that published papers contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. The article acknowledges that the peer-review process may have imperfections but emphasizes the volunteer efforts of the community in sharing research and providing expertise. [Extracted from the article]

ANIMAL TRAFFIC: Lively Capital in the Global Exotic Pet Trade: By Rosemary-Claire Collard. First is the erasure of social relations that occurs in the commodity fetishism explained by traditional Marxian analyses, and second is Collard's assertion of the erasure of the animals' socio-ecological relations in their (former) biotic communities. These traits are what provide "use value" for humans, and Collard explains that for the commodity transformation to happen, exotic animals "are subject to a double fetishism" (p. 18). [Extracted from the article]