Effects of Hot-Pressing Parameters and Wax Content on the Properties of Fiberboard Made from Paper Mill Sludge

Primary sludge combined with 20% secondary sludge was used for the manufacture of fiberboard. A factorial design was carried out to determine the effects of panel density, pressing temperature and time, and wax level on the panel properties of fiberboard. Two levels were employed for each of the four variables, and the panel dimensional stability and mechanical properties were analyzed using Design-Expert software. The statistical analysis indicated that internal bonding (IB) was significantly affected by panel density, pressing temperature, and their interaction. Pressing time and wax level were not directly related to IB. Similarly, modulus of rupture (MOR) was dependent strongly on panel density, pressing temperature, and their interaction, but was not affected by pressing time and wax level. The effect of panel density on modulus of elasticity (MOE) was as strong as on MOR, but the effect of pressing temperature was weaker on MOE than on MOR. MOE was also related to pressing time, but not to wax level. Thickness swelling (TS) was not affected by panel density, but it was significantly dependent on pressing temperature and time. Unexpectedly, wax level did not have significant impact on TS

HYPRO: A Hybridly Normalized Probabilistic Model for Long-Horizon Prediction of Event Sequences

In this paper, we tackle the important yet under-investigated problem of making long-horizon prediction of event sequences. Existing state-of-the-art models do not perform well at this task due to their autoregressive structure. We propose HYPRO, a hybridly normalized probabilistic model that naturally fits this task: its first part is an autoregressive base model that learns to propose predictions; its second part is an energy function that learns to reweight the proposals such that more realistic predictions end up with higher probabilities. We also propose efficient training and inference algorithms for this model. Experiments on multiple real-world datasets demonstrate that our proposed HYPRO model can significantly outperform previous models at making long-horizon predictions of future events. We also conduct a range of ablation studies to investigate the effectiveness of each component of our proposed methods.Comment: NeurIPS 2022 camera-read

Behavioral and genetic evidence for a novel animal model of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Inattentive Subtype

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>According to DSM-IV there are three subtypes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, namely: ADHD predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-PI), ADHD predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI), and ADHD combined type (ADHD-C). These subtypes may represent distinct neurobehavioral disorders of childhood onset with separate etiologies. The diagnosis of ADHD is behaviorally based; therefore, investigations into its possible etiologies should be based in behavior. Animal models of ADHD demonstrate construct validity when they accurately reproduce elements of the etiology, biochemistry, symptoms, and treatment of the disorder. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fulfill many of the validation criteria and compare well with clinical cases of ADHD-C. The present study describes a novel rat model of the predominantly inattentive subtype (ADHD-PI).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>ADHD-like behavior was tested with a visual discrimination task measuring overactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness. Several strains with varied genetic background were needed to determine what constitutes a normal comparison. Five groups of rats were used: SHR/NCrl spontaneously hypertensive and WKY/NCrl Wistar/Kyoto rats from Charles River; SD/NTac Sprague Dawley and WH/HanTac Wistar rats from Taconic Europe; and WKY/NHsd Wistar/Kyoto rats from Harlan. DNA was analyzed to determine background differences in the strains by PCR genotyping of eight highly polymorphic microsatellite markers and 2625 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to appropriate comparison strains (WKY/NHsd and SD/NTac rats), SHR/NCrl showed ADHD-C-like behavior: striking overactivity and poor sustained attention. Compared to WKY/NHsd rats, WKY/NCrl rats showed inattention, but no overactivity or impulsiveness. WH/HanTac rats deviated significantly from the other control groups by being more active and less attentive than the WKY/NHsd and SD/NTac rats. We also found substantial genomic differences between the WKY/NCrl and WKY/NHsd rats for eight short tandem repeat loci and 2625 SNPs. About 33.5 percent of the genome differs between the two WKY rat substrains, with large stretches of divergence on each chromosome.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>These data provide solid behavioral and genetic evidence that the WKY/NCrl and WKY/NHsd rats should be considered as separate substrains. Moreover, the behavioral features of the WKY/NCrl rat indicate that it should be a useful model for ADHD-PI, the primarily inattentive subtype of ADHD. The SD/NTac and the WH/HanTac rats show significant genetic and/or behavioral differences from WKY/NHsd rats and appear not to be appropriate controls in studies using the SHR/NCrl. The present results support the conclusion that SHR/NCrl is the best validated animal model of ADHD-C. The overactivity, impulsiveness and deficient sustained attention of the SHR/NCrl strain are independent behaviors. Thus, overactivity does not account for this strain's impulsiveness and deficient sustained attention. Finally, the present study shows that great care has to be exercised to select the model and comparison groups.</p

Asymmetric Supernovae from Magneto-Centrifugal Jets

Strong toroidal magnetic fields generated in stellar collapse can generate magneto-centrifugal jets in analogy to those found in simulations of black hole accretion and explain why all core collapse supernovae are found to be substantially asymmetric and predominantly bi-polar. We describe two phases: the initial LeBlanc-Wilson jet and a subsequent protopulsar or toroidal jet that propagates at about the core escape velocity. The jets will produce bow shocks that tend to expel matter, including iron and silicon, into equatorial tori, accounting for observations of the element distribution in Cas A. A magnetic ``switch'' mechanism may apply in instances of low density and large magnetic field with subsequent increase in the speed and collimation of the toroidal jet, depositing relatively little momentum. The result could be enough infall to form a black hole with a third, highly relativistic jet that could catch up to the protopulsar jet after it has emerged from the star. The interaction of these two jets could generate internal shocks and explain the presence of iron lines in the afterglow. Recent estimates that typical gamma-ray burst energy is about 3x10^50 erg imply either a very low efficiency for conversion of rotation into jets, or a rather rapid turnoff of the jet process even though the black hole still rotates rapidly. Magnetars and ``hypernovae'' might arise in an intermediate parameter regime of energetic jets that yield larger magnetic fields and provide more energy than the routine case, but that are not so tightly collimated that they yield failed supernova. (slightly abridged)Comment: AASTeX, 29 pages, 2 postscript figures, accepted by ApJ, November 20, 200

Examining the Relationship Between Star Player Characteristics and Brand Equity in Professional Sport Teams

The overarching purpose of this study was to examine the impact of star athletes on the consumer-based brand equity of professional sport teams. Through a comprehensive review of literature and a test of content validity by an expert panel, preliminary scales were developed to measure the characteristic attributes of star athletes and the areas of brand equity that were affected by these traits. Research participants (N = 195) were professional sport fans that responded to a survey questionnaire in a classroom setting. After conducting factor analyses on the results, two factors (On -Field and Off-Field) for the star characteristic variables and six factors (Brand Loyalty, Brand Awareness, Brand Image, Brand Value, Perceived Quality, and Brand Reputation) for the areas of brand equity emerged. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the On-Field and Off-Field factors combined to exert the greatest, significant effects on the Brand Awareness and Brand Image components

Using artificial gravity loaded nonlinear oscillators to harvest vibration within high g rotational systems

Energy harvesting within rotating environments can help to enable self-powered wireless sensing, which has been motivated in recent years by the advent of legislations mandating tyre pressure monitoring systems for automotive wheels. The centripetal acceleration (a = ωr 2) within such rotational systems can attain 1,000's of g, which manifest as artificial gravity and can adversely suppresses the dynamic motion of oscillators. This paper investigates the possibility of using the high g conditions as a means of introducing nonlinear bi-stability, which can then allow an oscillator to benefit from a broadband response as well as mechanical amplification achieved from the bi-stable snap-through states. An experimental proof-of-concept prototype was designed, built and tested. By controlling the rotational speed ω of the apparatus, the masses of oscillators experienced a g-force of up to 90 g. Purely by increasing ω, an increase in transducer output was observed from the predicted amplification effect. However, beyond a certain threshold, output dropped to minimal as the potential barrier reached an insurmountable level. This work validates the proposed new mechanism that taps into the high g environment and opens a new avenue of design for vibration energy harvesting within rotational systems

How does the substrate affect the Raman and excited state spectra of a carbon nanotube?

We study the optical properties of a single, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) that is partially suspended across a trench and partially supported by a SiO2-substrate. By tuning the laser excitation energy across the E33 excitonic resonance of the suspended CNT segment, the scattering intensities of the principal Raman transitions, the radial breathing mode (RBM), the G-mode and the D-mode show strong resonance enhancement of up to three orders of magnitude. In the supported part of the CNT, despite a loss of Raman scattering intensity of up to two orders of magnitude, we recover the E33 excitonic resonance suffering a substrate-induced red shift of 50 meV. The peak intensity ratio between G-band and D-band is highly sensitive to the presence of the substrate and varies by one order of magnitude, demonstrating the much higher defect density in the supported CNT segments. By comparing the E33 resonance spectra measured by Raman excitation spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectroscopy in the suspended CNT segment, we observe that the peak energy in the PL excitation spectrum is red-shifted by 40 meV. This shift is associated with the energy difference between the localized exciton dominating the PL excitation spectrum and the free exciton giving rise to the Raman excitation spectrum. High-resolution Raman spectra reveal substrate-induced symmetry breaking, as evidenced by the appearance of additional peaks in the strongly broadened Raman G band. Laser-induced line shifts of RBM and G band measured on the suspended CNT segment are both linear as a function of the laser excitation power. Stokes/anti-Stokes measurements, however, reveal an increase of the G phonon population while the RBM phonon population is rather independent of the laser excitation power.Comment: Revised manuscript, 20 pages, 8 figure

Binderless Fiberboard Made from Primary and Secondary Pulp and Paper Sludge

Pulp and paper sludge is valuable in fiberboard manufacturing because primary sludge (PS) contains fibers and secondary sludge (SS) has adhesive properties. We evaluated properties of binderless fiberboard made from conventional pulp and paper mill sludge sources using a factorial design in which the factors were SS:PS ratio (1:9, 2:8, and 3:7) and pulping process (thermomechanical [TMP], chemical-thermomechanical [CTMP], and kraft). Sludge was collected, refined, dried, and characterized for chemical composition and fiber length. Internal bond strength of CTMP panels increased 90% and thickness swell of TMP panels improved 92% with increasing SS content from 10-30%. IR Fourier transform and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were conducted to better understand these results. Increased bonding was attributed to presence of proteins and lignin on the sludge fiber surface, which enhanced adhesion during hot pressing, whereas surface contamination decreased bonding efficiency. The TMP formulation at SS:PS ratio 3:7 met the ANSI requirement for basic hardboard. All other formulations were not dimensionally stable enough to meet the standard. The CTMP source resulted in the highest mechanical properties, and thickness swell was similar for the TMP and CTMP pulping processes. The kraft source produced low-integrity and dimensionally unstable panels