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Starches have been used as the surface sizing or coating material to enhance the strength and surface properties of paper. The main mechanisms behind their performance are physical and chemical interactions between cellulosic fibres and starches. In this study, the usage of glyoxal in an oxidized starch-based sizing mixture was studied to improve the chemical crosslinking due to the additional hydrogen and acetal bonds. The performance of glyoxal on starch sizing formula containing oxidized starch, styrene acrylate and polyaluminium chloride were studied in terms of water resistance and mechanical properties of paper. The results showed that the water absorption values (Cobb60) decreased by 32% when adding glyoxal to paper coated with the reference solution, which contained only a styrene acrylate copolymer. Additionally, with this newly formulated surface sizing application, the tensile strength of the papers increased by about 16% compared with the reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of hydrogen bonds between fibres on static and dynamic strength properties of paper. A commercial bleached pinewood kraft pulp was soaked in water, refined in a PFI, and used to form paper webs in different solvents, such as water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and n-butanol, to determine the effect of their dipole moment on static and dynamic strength properties of resulting paper sheets. Paper which was formed in water, being the solvent of the highest dipole moment among the tested ones, showed the highest breaking length and tear resistance. When paper webs were formed in n-butanol, which was the least polar among the solvents, these parameters were reduced by around 75%. These results provide evidence of the importance of water in paper web formation and strong impact of hydrogen bonds between fibres on strength properties of paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper mill effluents are complex mixtures containing different toxic compounds including endocrine-disrupting (EDCs) and genotoxic compounds. In the present study non-concentrated raw and biologically treated wastewaters from two paper mill plants with different paper production technologies i) Paper mill A uses virgin fibres, and ii) Paper mill B uses recycled fibres for paper production and the corresponding receiving surface waters, were assessed for their cytotoxic/genotoxic activity with SOS/ umuC , Ames MPF 98/100 Aqua, and comet assay with human hepatoma HepG2 cells. In addition the levels of seven selected EDCs were quantified in wastewater samples and receiving surface waters. All investigated EDCs were confirmed in raw and biologically treated effluents from both paper mills with concentrations being markedly higher in Paper mill B effluents. In the receiving surface waters three of the studied EDCs were determined downstream of both paper mills effluent discharge. The wastewater samples and the recipient surface water samples from Paper mill A were not mutagenic for bacteria and did not induce DNA damage in HepG2 cells. On the contrary, half of the raw wastewater samples from Paper mill B were mutagenic whereas biologically treated wastewater and the recipient surface water samples were negative. In HepG2 cells most of the raw and biologically treated wastewater samples from Paper mill B as well as surface water samples collected downstream of Paper mill B effluent discharge induced DNA damage. The results confirmed that genotoxic contaminants were present only in wastewaters from Paper mill B that uses recycled fibres for paper production, and that the combined aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment procedure efficiently reduced contaminants that are bacterial mutagens, but not those that induce DNA damage in HepG2 cells. This study highlights that in addition to chemical analyses bioassays are needed for a comprehensive toxicological evaluation of complex wastewater samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2012 the City of Flagstaff partnered with researchers at the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northern Arizona University to successfully develop a mix design utilizing sludge derived from the manufacturing of recycled paper pulp sludge (PPS) and fly ash as a component of a landfill cap. This research has been extended to explore the addition of polymers to the mix of waste materials in order to optimize a design that would be suitable as a component for an EPA Subtitle D-approvable landfill liner. Cinder Lake Landfill (CLL) serves several communities in Northern Arizona and is managed by the City of Flagstaff. CLL does not have a reliable source of clay needed to construct a required landfill liner, which is necessary for the upcoming 108-acre landfill expansion. However, CLL receives approximately 80 tons of recycled PPS daily from the local tissue manufacturing plant. PPS is currently used as daily cover and was tested for use as part of a landfill cap, as noted above. Incorporating polymers in alternative materials such as PPS and fly ash has the potential to meet performance criteria and be approved by state and federal regulators, and has the potential to save the City millions of dollars over conventional composite liners of geomembrane and clay. Different mixtures of PPS, fly ash and three different polymers are currently being subjected to testing for the following: Water Content, Specific Gravity, Porosity, Organic Content, Atterberg Limits (plasticity), Proctor Compaction, Consolidation, California Bearing Ratio, Shear Strength, Gas Permeability, and Liquid Permeability. The optimal mixture of PPS and fly ash will be blended with a range of polymer concentrations. The goal is to find an optimal mix of PPS, fly ash, and polymer to achieve regulatory standards related to permeability, along with other desirable properties such as strength and flexibility. The optimum mixture(s) will then be subjected to field trials, scheduled to begin in 2016, in which test cells will be created at CLL. The liner will be constructed with the optimized mixture(s), and the cells will be operated as landfills for 1-2 years. Results from lab and field testing will be submitted to federal and state regulators for consideration as an alternative liner approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent oil spill accidents and the discharge of oily wastewaters cause significant threats to the marine ecological systems and human health. Herein, a CuS microspheres-based superhydrophobic paper (CuS SP) has been prepared with the photothermal property for efficient oil/water separation and emulsions. To increase the durability, polydopamine is introduced to cellulosic fibers of the filter paper via the self-assembly of dopamine. The CuS SP exhibits a water contact angle of 150.5° and an oil contact angle of ~ 0°, displaying excellent superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. Also, the CuS SP possesses excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability, mechanical durability, and self-cleaning property. More importantly, the maximum surface temperature of the CuS SP can reach about 54.6 °C after 100 s under one sunlight irradiation (1.0 kW m−2), and it remains at about 54 ℃ even after 10 cyclic tests with light on and off. The separation flux of CCl4 can be increased by about 14.3% under one sunlight irradiation by using the CuS SP when compared with that without sunlight irradiation. Although the photothermal effect has no obvious influence on the separation efficiency, the CuS SP still shows a high separation efficiency (> 99%) for CCl4/water mixture under 15 cyclic separation tests with/without sunlight irradiation. Besides, in situ experimental observations for the separation of oil-in-water emulsions have been investigated with the CuS SP by using an optical microscopy, and the possible mechanisms for the separation of oil-in-water emulsions are discussed. Thus, the as-prepared CuS SP shows great potentials in the fields of self-cleaning, and the separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A high SERS efficiency Au nanodendrite (AuND) structure was constructed by electro-deposition on a 3D nickel foam (NiF). • NiF with a highly porous structure and concave microchannel was employed as a sampling-diffusing medium. • AuND/NiF was situated onto a paper strip to construct a paper-based chromatography device (PP-AuND/NiF). • AuND/NiF substrate could detect R6G at 0.1 nM. • The PP-AuND/NiF could simultaneously separate and detect R6G in a mixture solution containing R6G and 2-NpSH. A simple paper-based chromatography coupling with nickel foam decorated Au nanodendrite (PP-AuND/NiF) was fabricated for simultaneous separation and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of Rhodamine-6G (R6G) from a mixture of analytes. The three-dimensional porous nickel foam (NiF) was employed as a sampling diffusion platform, and AuND with a high surface active area beneficial for SERS efficiency was electro-deposited directly onto the NiF frame. The structure of AuND/NiF was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The AuND/NiF could detect R6G at 0.1 nM, and the enhancement factor was 1.84 x 106. The AuND/NiF was durable, with a slight signal decrease after 6 m of drop-testing. Also, upon three days of exposure to ambient air, the signal droped only 3.35 %. Subsequently, the PP-AuND/NiF was constructed by directly situating AuND/NiF on a paper strip, serving as a sample in and out to AuND/NiF. A mixture of two SERS active compounds, namely 2-Naphthalenethiol (2-NpSH) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G), was prepared in ethanol: water (1:1) solution to evaluate PP-AuND/NiF separation capability. Raman measurements along different distances of AuND/NiF were performed, and the signal of 2-NpSH was dismissed after 3.0 mm, while R6G's signals were observed throughout AuND/NiF. In general, the PP-AuND/NiF demonstrated effective separation and SERS measurement of analytes in a mixture, which could be applicable for more complex samples in the future, especially in clinical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Koroze a Ochrana Materiálu is the property of Sciendo 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 this work, a series of unconfined compression tests at different water contents were performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of clay–sand mixtures compacted in standard Proctor conditions. For studying the effect of water content and suction on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and on strain secant modulus (E50 modulus) of these mixtures, drying–wetting paths were defined by measuring the soil–water characteristic curves (SWCCs) using osmotic and salt solution techniques and filter paper method. The results highlighted that an increase in sand content of the mixture leads to an increase in the maximum dry densities and a decrease in the optimum water content of the materials. However, at the given state, when clay is mixed with 25% of sand, the UCS and E50 modulus increase to 37% and 70%, respectively, compared to those of clayey samples. But when clay is mixed with 50% of sand, the UCS and E50 modulus decrease to 38% and 46%, respectively, compared to those of clayey samples. The results also indicate that the UCS and E50 increase with a decrease in the water content and an increase in suction, irrespective of the sand content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial carbon paper was coated with polyaniline (PANI) usingin situpolymerization of aniline. Prior to the PANI coating, acid treatment was performed to carboxylate the surface of the carbon paper for enhancing PANI adhesion by sonication of the carbon paper in a mixture of concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. The loading mass density of PANI on the acid-treated carbon paper increased more than three times compared to that on the carbon paper without acid treatment. The specific capacitance also increased from 112 to 174 F/g in a two-electrode system (calculated using a total mass of carbon paper and PANI) due to better PANI coating on the acid-treated carbon paper. The simple acid treatment provides good adhesion of PANI to the commercial carbon paper and can be applied to prepare supercapacitor electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of single-use packaging have aimed to replace materials obtained from non-renewable sources with biodegradable materials from renewable sources in response to environmental concerns. Their barrier properties maximize shelf life and product safety. To provide such green packaging, this work aimed to describe the chemical, physical, morphological, and barrier properties of bilayer coatings made from mixtures of cationic starch (S) and carnauba wax (W) on kraftliner paper (86 ± 1 g/m²). Two coating layers (15.0 ± 0.5 g/m²) of both materials in different proportions were compared to uncoated paper and doublewet-and-dry paper. The addition of cationic starch to carnauba wax raised the melting point of the wax, preventing it from completely entering the paper's pores but instead producing a layer on top of them. The hydroxyl groups present in coated paper S contributed to its hydrophilicity, showing a high Cobb value, absorbing 153 g/m² more water than control samples. Further, the mixtures showed higher hydrophobicity than the cationic starch-treated samples, with a high-water contact angle (100 ± 4°), similarly found for the W treatment. In addition, mixtures showed 0.35°/s less wettability than the W treatment. In terms of mechanical strength, the lower tensile strength and Young's modulus of the coated sheets brought on by hornification appear to have been predominantly caused by water in the suspensions. The addition of carnauba wax to the cationic starch decreased the resistance of coated papers to oil. However, there was an improvement in the water barrier by decreased water absorption and wettability and an increase in water contact angle. • Cationic starch-glycerol/carnauba wax-polysorbate showed no phase separation. • Cationic starch/carnauba wax mixtures presented good film formation on paper. • Cationic starch/carnauba wax coating increased the coated paper's hydrophobicity. • The hornification effect was the responsible for paper's tensile strength decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residual performance of two pyrethroid-neonicotinoid mixture formulations: Temprid SC (10.5% beta-cyfluthrin and 21% imidacloprid) and Tandem (3.5% lambda-cyhalothrin and 11.6% thiamethoxam) on two substrates (glass and filter paper) against eight pyrethroid-resistant strains (BM-MY, BP-MY, CH-MY, GL-MY, KL-MY, SAJ-MY, TT-MY, and QLD-AU) of the tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) collected from Malaysia, and Australia were evaluated. The aging effect of treatment residues on glass was also investigated. A susceptible C. lectularius L. strain (Monheim) was used for comparison. Temprid SC showed varying levels of performance against all C. hemipterus strains: TT-MY (PR50 = 6.5-fold, high performance), BM-MY, GL-MY, SAJ-MY, and QLD-AU (12.8–21.6-fold, moderate performance), BP-MY, and KL-MY (48.2–49-fold, poor performance), CH-MY (128.2-fold, very poor performance). On the other hand, Tandem displayed high performance against all C. hemipterus strains (1.8–8.3-fold). Tandem caused faster mortality than Temprid SC for all strains. Temprid SC and Tandem residues killed C. hemipterus significantly faster on glass than filter paper. Compared with fresh residues, the efficacy of Temprid SC residues significantly declined after one week of aging, while the effectiveness of Tandem residues declined after two weeks of aging. Further investigations using the topical assay method with a diagnostic dose of imidacloprid found two strains (CH-MY and GL-MY) resistant to imidacloprid. The six other strains (BM-MY, BP-MY, KL-MY, SAJ-MY, TT-MY, and QLD-AU) were susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a facile and cost-effective method to obtain superhydrophobic filter paper and demonstrate its application for efficient water/oil separation. By coupling structurally distinct organosilane precursors (e.g., octadecyltrichlorosilane and methyltrichlorosilane) to paper fibers under controlled reaction conditions, we have formulated a simple, inexpensive, and efficient protocol to achieve a desirable superhydrophobic and superoleophilic surface on conventional filter paper. The silanized superhydrophobic filter paper showed nanostructured morphology and demonstrated great separation efficiency (up to 99.4%) for water/oil mixtures. The modified filter paper is stable in both aqueous solutions and organic solvents, and can be reused multiple times. The present study shows that our newly developed binary silanization is a promising method of modifying cellulose-based materials for practical applications, in particular the treatment of industrial waste water and ecosystem recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nowadays, the increasing amount of wastes is a concerning reality and the environmental aspects has become a major priority. Following this worry, the purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the possibility of using pulp and paper inorganic wastes, named dregs and grits, in bituminous mixtures as aggregate replacement to reduce environmental effects of these wastes disposal. First, the wastes were chemically and physically characterized and also tested primarily taking into account the requirements for aggregates in bituminous mixtures. Then, formulations were prepared replacing aggregates with wastes in different amounts. The mechanical properties of these mixtures containing wastes were compared with reference samples based on standard methods. According to the results it was possible to verify that grits had a good performance and it might be directly tested industrially as an aggregate in road construction. On the other hand, dregs need to be treated before incorporation to guarantee stable mixes in terms of water sensitivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vermistabilization of paper mill wastewater sludge (PMS) spiked with cow dung (CD) at ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% was carried out employing the earthworm, Eisenia fetida. A total of five treatments were established and changes in chemical and microbial properties of mixtures were observed. Vermistabilization caused decreases in total organic carbon, C:N ratio and cellulose by 1.2–1.5, 4.6–14.6, and 2.3–9.7-fold, respectively, but increases in pH, electrical conductivity, ash content, totN, availP, totP, exchK, Ca, Na, and of 1.06–1.11, 1.2–1.6, 1.3–1.6, 3.8–11.5, 4.1–6.5, 5.7–10.3, 1.7–2.0, 1.16–1.24, 1.23–1.45, 4.2–13.4-folds, respectively. PMS with 25–50% of CD showed the maximum mineralization rate. The fungal, bacterial and actinomycetes population increased 2.5–3.71, 3.13–8.96, and 5.71–9.48-fold, respectively after vermistabilization. The high level of plant-available nutrients indicates the suitability of vermistabilized material for agronomic uses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Nonferrous Metals (Mining Section) is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group 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.)

For high‐performance quantum‐dot light‐emitting‐diode (QD‐LED), it is imperative to resolve the charge imbalance. In this paper, the solution to resolve the charge imbalance is introduced to mix two polymer hole transport layer (HTL) materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sewage sludge and papermaking sludge was co-treated using degradative solvent extraction technology. • Effective separation of organic and phosphorus enrichment was both obtained. • Light/heavy components with high volatile and near-zero ash has high-value utilization potential. • The content of bioavailable phosphorus increases much at higher PS ratio. To achieve a simultaneous improvement in the yield of extraction products and efficient transformation of phosphorus components in an efficient and economical way during the degradation solvent extraction of sewage sludge (SS), the effects of adding paper-making sludge (PS) on the yield and properties of extracted products from sewage sludge and the enrichment of apatite inorganic phosphorus were investigated in this study. The results show that during the solvent separating process of the extraction product, the extract product can be divided into two components, namely light and heavy components, based on the boiling point temperature of 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN) as the dividing point. The yield of heavy components is much higher than that of light components, and it increases significantly with higher PS ratio. Nitrogen-containing compounds are the main chemical compositions of the soluble, accounting for 40.50% and 45.72% in the light components of SS and PS extracts, respectively. The addition of PS changes the main chemical compositions of the heavy components of the mixture extracts due to its relatively high content of phenolic compounds and alkanes. When the PS ratio is 50%, the proportion of apatite inorganic phosphorus (AP) in total phosphorus increases to 82.38%, which is beneficial for the resource utilization of residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compost obtained from composting organic fraction of Municipal solid waste, Paper & Pulp mill sludge and saw dust using different initial mix ratios (1:3, 1:6, 1:9) was used to evaluate phytotoxicity of green gram (Vigna radiata) using a seed germination method. The tests were repeated for the compost obtained from organic fraction of MSW and saw dust without the addition of sludge. The control germination test was carried out using deionised water. The results showed that composting generally reduced the phytotoxicity of the mixtures. A germination index was the highest in the mix ratio of 1:9 in the compost obtained from the addition of paper & pulp mill sludge and a germination index was the highest in the mix ratio of 1:6 in the compost obtained without the addition of sludge. The germination percentage, germination index and vigour index values were relatively higher in the compost obtained with the addition of paper & pulp mill sludge. The vigour index was found to be maximal in the mix ratio of 1:3 from the compost obtained with the addition of sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: DNA evidence in criminal cases may be challenging to interpret if several individuals have contributed to a DNA-mixture. The genetic markers conventionally used for forensic applications may be insufficient to resolve cases where there is a small fraction of DNA (say less than 10%) from some contributors or where there are several (say more than 4) contributors. Recently methods have been proposed that claim to substantially improve on existing approaches . The basic idea is to use high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays including as many as 500,000 markers or more and explicitly exploit raw allele intensity measures. It is claimed that trace fractions of less than 0.1% can be reliably detected in mixtures with a large number of contributors. Specific forensic issues pertaining to the amount and quality of DNA are not discussed in the paper and will not be addressed here. Rather our paper critically examines the statistical methods and the validity of the conclusions drawn in Homer et al. (2008) . We provide a mathematical argument showing that the suggested statistical approach will give misleading results for important cases. For instance, for a two person mixture an individual contributing less than 33% is expected to be declared a non-contributor. The quoted threshold 33% applies when all relative allele frequencies are 0.5. Simulations confirmed the mathematical findings and also provide results for more complex cases. We specified several scenarios for the number of contributors, the mixing proportions and allele frequencies and simulated as many as 500,000 SNPs. A controlled, blinded experiment was performed using the Illumina GoldenGate® 360 SNP test panel. Twenty-five mixtures were created from 2 to 5 contributors with proportions ranging from 0.01 to 0.99. The findings were consistent with the mathematical result and the simulations. We conclude that it is not possible to reliably infer the presence of minor contributors to mixtures following the approach suggested in Homer et al. (2008) . The basic problem is that the method fails to account for mixing proportions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Raman spectral references for various formulations of iron gall inks, logwood inks and mixtures of both types were acquired during this study. The samples, either liquid or dry inks and applied on paper, were analysed using a portable Raman spectrometer, both with 852 and 785 nm excitation lines, and a confocal dispersive Raman microscope with two different excitations, namely 785 and 532 nm. It was found that longer wavelengths are more suitable for the analysis of iron gall inks and that the spectral response of logwood inks is relatively more dependent on the excitation line. For the mixtures, it is suggested analyses be performed with both longer and shorter wavelengths, since with a 785 nm line mainly the characteristic features of the metal-polyphenol complex in iron gall inks are detected, while the spectra collected with a 532 nm excitation contain information on the presence of logwood inks. The study was complemented by non-invasive reflectance infrared spectroscopy, which enabled the detection of tannic acid in iron gall inks and in the mixtures, and by micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to complement the reference set. The study aims to contribute to the development of non-invasive protocols for identification of inks in historic and artistic works on paper, such as manuscripts and drawings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a non-toxic method for improving the oil-resistant performance of chitosan coated paper by coating the mixture of chitosan and montmorillonite (MMT) instead of coating chitosan solution only. Through combining MMT into the chitosan coatings, the coated paper exhibited a lower air permeability and enhanced oil resistance under a lower coating load. For coated papers C2.5 and C3 by coating 2.5% (w/v) and 3% (w/v) chitosan without adding MMT in the chitosan coating, the coating load was 3.76 g/m2 and 3.99 g/m2, respectively, and the kit rating values were only 7–8/12. Regarding the sample C2M0.1 coated by the mixed solution containing 2% (w/v) chitosan and 0.1% (w/v) MMT, its coating load was only 3.65 g/m2, the paper permeability after coating was reduced to 0.00507 μm/Pa·s, owing to the filling of MMT into the cellulosic fibers network, and the kit rating reached 9/12. Moreover, C2M0.1 showed improved mechanical properties, whereby its tearing resistance was 5.2% and 6.6% higher than that of the uncoated paper in the machine direction and the cross direction, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid metal when filling sand casting mould while pouring it out from ladle at the first moment comes across the sprue/gate system of the mould the purpose of which is to transfer liquid metal and feed the mould recess. The materials presently used for the elements of the sprue/gate systems are based on ceramics or the mixtures based on paper pulp. In this study the use of alternative mineral additions such as expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite, and microspheres as the fillers to paper pulp acquired from waste-paper for the use for the elements of mould sprue/gate systems or also other applications for the contact with liquid metal are presented. Experimental mould tube shapes made on the basis of the paper pulp based mixture patented by the authors were poured over with liquid metal. For the comparison, ceramic shapes and commercially available cellulose shapes were investigated in the same way. In order to compare the crystallization processes, a measurement of the cooling off liquid metal was carried out for all the analysed tube samples. From the so obtained metal samples metallographic microsections were made to compare cast iron microstructures. The results obtained from the investigations carried out have shown that the patented paper pulp based mixture may well be applied as an alternative material used for the elements of the sprue/gate systems for disposable sand moulds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on the 2³ factorial central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the biotechnological conditions for growth and protein production by a selected fungal strain Geotrichum candidum MIUG 2.15, by solid-state cultivation on a semisolid medium based on a mixture of paper residues, i.e. office paper, newspaper, and cardboard, mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1(w/w), supplemented with cheese whey waste and complex manure. Three independent variables, the solid:liquid ratio, the concentration of complex manure, and cultivation time, were evaluated to determine their correlative effect on biomass production and protein biosynthesis. The optimal conditions for obtaining a maximum protein yield of 9.53% w/w dry mass were the following: the complex manure concentration of 0.5%, the solid:liquid ratio of 1:5, and the growth time of 10 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with thermal analysis of growing media obtained from mixtures of paper will waste materials (one de-inking paper sludge, HP, and one reject from paper mill producing paper from virgin wood, RT) with sewage sludge. For the growing media formulation, one sewage sludge (L) was mixed with both paper mill waste materials at 10, 20, and 30% in volume. An incubation experiment was designed in order to study their carbon mineralization. Addition of sewage sludge significantly increases the carbon mineralization of growing media based on RT. In case of HP, carbon mineralization increases after addition of sewage sludge in 30% (HP + 30L treatment). Thermogravimetric analysis (TG and DTG) of growing media was performed before and after incubation experiment in order to study the organic matter transformation. The higher the carbon mineralization, the greater the difference between TG curves of samples before and after the incubation. The WL/WL ratio increases after incubation of samples as a result of organic matter stabilisation. For HP growing media, the highest value corresponds to HP + 30L whereas HP + 20L, and HP + 10L show similar values. In case of RT, the WL/WL index shows a progressive increase with sewage sludge content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper describes results obtained in the development of a previous research. We study here, in fast firing, the sintering behaviour and measure some properties of tiles containing a mixture of 60wt% of paper mill sludge and 40wt% of glass cullet. The behaviour of this material is compared to those displayed by materials obtained by the same mixture added with 10, 20 and 30wt% of a natural red clay. In parallel, the same properties are measured also on a reference blend, which is presently used to produce commercial tiles. We show that powders containing 60wt% of paper sludge and 40wt% of glass cullet to which 30wt% of clay is added give rise to materials that display a stable sintering process and have good hardness and strength and therefore could be used for the industrial production of tiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work deals with the frost resistance of blended cements containing calcined paper sludge (source for metakaolin) as partial Portland cement replacements. Freeze–thaw tests were performed on blended cement mortars containing 0%, 10% and 20% waste paper sludge calcined at 650°C for 2h. Cement mortar specimens were exposed to freezing and thawing cycles until the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity fell below 60%. The performance of the cement mortars was assessed from measurements of weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, mercury intrusion porosimetry and SEM. Failure of the control cement mortar occurred before 40 freeze/thaw cycles, while cement mortar containing 20% calcined paper sludge failed after 100 cycles. After 28 and 62 freezing and thawing cycles, cement blended with 10% and 20% calcined paper sludge exhibited a smaller reduction in compressive strength than the control cement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The paper surface was rendered superhydrophobic via the phase separation of green-based waxes. [•] The key steps consisted of emulsifying, coating and annealing, which could be readily accomplished. [•] The entire process for superhydrophobic modification was free of organic solvent and fluorochemicals. [•] The wax coating layer showed good transparency and mechanical durability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Zeolitic material including zeolite K-F (KAlSiO4·1.5H2O) with soil amendment properties was synthesized at 90°C from paper sludge ash in KOH–NaOH and KOH–LiOH mixtures. The total alkali concentration in each solution was maintained at 4mol/L and the relative amounts of the cationic species (K+/Na+ and K+/Li+) were varied. Zeolite K-F crystal could be obtained in KOH–NaOH solutions with Na/(Na+K) ratios lower than 0.5 or KOH–LiOH solutions with Li/(Li+K) molar ratios lower than 0.25, while hydroxysodalite (Na6Al6Si6O24·8H2O) and katoite (Ca3Al2(SiO4)(OH)8) were formed at other cation molar ratios in each mixture. The observed concentrations of Si and Al in the solution during the reaction explain the synthesis of reaction products with soil amendment properties. The properties of a product intended for K+ release depend on formation of an amorphous gel and zeolite K-F, while that for Ca2+ release depends on formation of an amorphous gel and calcium hydrate minerals, such as katoite. The formation of zeolite K-F in a KOH–LiOH solution with Li/(Li+K) ratio=0.25 is faster than that in KOH alone and the product with good properties, high cation exchange capacity and high released amount of Ca2+, for soil amendment could be obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, fermentation of a thermally treated simulated organic solid waste into hydrogen (H2) was examined using a pretreated anaerobic mixed culture. The culture was fed a steam exploded food waste plus paper-cardboard waste blend liquor with and without linoleic acid (LA). The individual and interaction effects of the initial pH, LA concentration and the initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration on H2 and methane (CH4) production was assessed using a Box–Behnken design (BBD). The BBD model predicted a maximum H2 yield of 87 mL g−1 COD or 98 mL H2 g−1 VS with 1.6 g L−1 LA, an initial pH of 5.93 and an initial COD of 9.34 g COD L−1. The major microbial populations detected in cultures at pH 5.5 with and without LA included Clostridium sp., Enterococcus asini, Enterococcus faecalis, and Lactobacillus gallinarum. The dendrogram for the 16S rRNA gene T-RFs profiles showed four major groups with a similarity index of 72–75% for Clade III. The major H2-producing populations were grouped in Clade I with a similarity index range of 55–75%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gaming display market has been increased over the recent years and is expected to further grow. For immersive gaming experience high refresh rate driving is required and thus very fast response time LC is essential to enable better gaming experience. We have been looking for ways to improve response time of Liquid Crystal devices through LC mixture concept development. In this paper, we would like to demonstrate new mixtures with significantly improved switching speed parameter beyond limits by introduction licristal® XtraFast LC single. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hydrolytic kinetics of mixtures of cotton gin waste (CGW) and recycled paper sludge (RPS) at various initial enzyme concentrations of Spezyme™ AO3117 was investigated. The experiments showed that the concentrations of reducing sugars and the conversions of the mixtures increased with increasing initial enzyme concentration. The reducing sugar concentration and conversion of the mixture of 75% CGW and 25% RPS were higher than those of the mixture of 80% CGW and 20% RPS. The conversion of the former can reach 73.8% after a 72-h hydrolysis at the initial enzyme loading of 17.4 Filter Paper Unit (FPU)/g substrate. A three-parameter kinetic model based on enzyme deactivation and its analytical expression were derived. Using nonlinear regression, the parameters of the model were determined for the experimental data of hydrolytic kinetics of the mixtures. Based on this kinetic model of hydrolysis, two profit rate models, representing two kinds of operating modes with and without feedstock recycling, were developed. Using the profit rate models, the optimal enzyme loading and hydrolytic time can be predicted for the maximum profit rate in ethanol production according to the costs of enzyme and operation, enzyme loading, and ethanol market price. Simulated results from the models based on the experimental data of hydrolysis of the mixture of 75% CGW and 25% RPS showed that use of a high substrate concentration and an operating mode with feedstock recycle can greatly increase the profit rate in ethanol production. The results also demonstrated that the hydrolysis at a low enzyme loading is economically required for systematic optimization of ethanol production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]