Research Articles

With the continuous increase of waste PP plastics, how to recycle and reuse waste PP has become particularly important. In this study, waste PP and bamboo fiber (BF) were used as raw materials. The effects of bamboo fiber mesh size, bamboo fiber content, and hot-pressing process parameters (temperature, pressure, and time) on the physical and mechanical properties of waste PP/BF composites were systematically optimized through single-factor and orthogonal experiments. Composites prepared with 60 to 80 mesh bamboo fiber at 55% to 65% content exhibited the best physical and mechanical properties. The critical factors affecting the elastic modulus and bending strength were bamboo fiber content and hot-pressing temperature, while bamboo  fiber content, hot-pressing temperature, and time had the greatest influence on the 72 h water absorption. The optimized process parameters were bamboo fiber content of 55%, hot-pressing temperature of 200 °C, hot-pressing pressure of 0.9 MPa, and hot-pressing time of 17.5 min. Under these conditions, the composite met the requirements of GB/T 29500 (2013) standard. Further research is needed to optimize performance for outdoor applications.

Although consumer interest in green furniture is growing, existing research has seldom examined the underlying psychological mechanisms driving such behavior. To address this gap, data from a survey of 915 Mainland Chinese consumers were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) to assess how multidimensional customer value—encompassing economic, functional, relational, and emotional dimensions—mediates the effect of perceived green value on purchase intention. The results reveal that emotional value is the strongest mediating pathway linking perceived green value to purchase intention. It also enhances consumers’ perceptions of economic, functional, and relational value. This underscores the central role of emotional engagement in motivating green furniture purchases. Theoretically, this study enriches customer value theory by demonstrating how emotional value bridges product perceptions and purchase intention in the durable green consumption context. Practically, the findings suggest that green furniture firms can strengthen purchase intention by embedding emotional resonance into product design and marketing, alongside communicating economic, functional, and relational benefits.

One of the most common health issues that affect individuals is pain, which can manifest in a variety of ways. Opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed for pain relief; however, their prolonged use can result in substantial adverse effects on various bodily systems. As a result, it is important to identify alternative medications that are both more effective and secure. The health benefits of Citrullus colocynthis herb, rich in beneficial elements, are well documented. The effects of an aqueous seed extract of C. colocynthis were examined in this study. The B16F10 melanoma cell line was employed to evaluate the extract’s cytotoxicity. The authors implemented antimicrobial investigations employing four bacterial strains. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were assessed using Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats, respectively. The cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the C. colocynthis extract did not manifest any significant cytotoxic effects on the B16F10 melanoma cell line. The extract exhibited efficacious activity against the Gram-positive bacteria that were the subject of antimicrobial investigations. Pain inhibition effects exceeded 70%, with the analgesic activity. Consequently, the C. colocynthis extract exhibits potential as an analgesic and antimicrobial agent, necessitating additional research and development work.

Although the preparation of wood adhesives from protein in oilcake has significant advantages in terms of environmental protection and cost control, it still faces many challenges that need to be addressed in practical applications. This study used Camellia oleifera cake protein extracted from C. oleifera seeds as raw material to prepare adhesives through thermal, alkaline, acidic, and enzymatic treatments, which were then applied in the production of plywood. The results showed that thermal treatment increased the viscosity of the protein adhesive and improved the bonding strength to 1.12 MPa. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated partial transformation of the secondary structure of protein molecules, while differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed an increase in curing temperature. Alkaline treatment slightly reduced the viscosity but achieved a bonding strength of 1.14 MPa, disrupting some of the crystalline structures of the protein and lowering the curing temperature. Acidic treatment greatly reduced the viscosity but resulted in the highest bonding strength of 1.36 MPa, partially hydrolyzing peptide bonds and reducing both the curing temperature and crystallinity. Enzymatic treatment decreased the viscosity of the protein adhesive but lowered the bonding strength to 0.82 MPa, with extensive hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Different treatment methods altered the rheological properties and bonding properties of the adhesives by affecting the molecular structure, aggregation state, and chemical reactivity of C. oleifera protein.

Biological nanomaterials such as nanographene and fluorite have garnered the attention for the production of diverse products, particularly food packaging, owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The objective of this study was to prepare a coated paperboard sheet utilizing nanomaterials and mineral compounds to enhance the physical characteristics and printability of the brown kraft liner paper. In this investigation, a 120 g/m² brown kraft liner was employed, in conjunction with varying quantities of nanographene, zein protein, and fluorite, combined with internal resin for the coating process. The physical properties were examined. The samples were treated in standard conditions of 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. The results revealed that the coating led to an increase in yellowness, opacity, glossiness, optical density, and resistance to air permeation compared to the control sample. Notably, the air resistance of the graphene-coated sample was about 5350 seconds. The roughness increased by 9.7 µm with the use of fluorite. Furthermore, a noticeable increase in opacity and glossiness was observed in the coated samples. The adhesion of the coated layer and flexo ink was also excellent, so that it remained intact on the paper surface.

The effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of A. glycyphyllos leaves was evaluated for treating arthritis. This was done by examining its ability to protect chondrocytes (cartilage cells) from inflammation caused by IL-1β stimulation, as well as its ability to alleviate arthritis generated by CFA in rats. Rats in the CFA control group exhibited increased paw inflammation on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Inflammation was greatly reduced when treated with A. glycyphyllos extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. There was a positive correlation between the extract dosage and the rats’ body weight. The extract alleviated inflammatory and arthritic symptoms in animals with CFA, leading to an improvement in the arthritic index. Animals afflicted with arthritis exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and a decrease in their ability to move. The administration of the extract significantly improved the locomotor score and strongly suppressed the activation of inflammatory markers. The extract effectively reduced the production of NO, PGE2, MMP1, and MMP13 in IL-1β-stimulated PRCs, with the extent of reduction depending on the dosage. This investigation showcased the therapeutic properties of the A. glycyphyllos extract in treating arthritis.

Wood and stone have different damping ratios. The seismic analysis of wood-stone structures is important. The vertical wood-stone structure is regarded as a three degree of freedom system. Based on Caughey damping model of substructures, the whole damping matrix was constructed. Then combined with Newmark-β method, a numerical method was proposed to calculate dynamic responses of wood-stone structures. Numerical results showed that the seismic performance of wood-stone structures was stronger than that of stone structures, and it was weaker than that of wood structures. During the process of earthquake action, the middle wood substructure can obviously improve seismic performance of the wood-stone structure. The bottom structure has greater stiffness, but weaker seismic performance.

As the coffee market continues to expand and new consumption patterns emerge, a brand’s cultural philosophy has become central to market differentiation. Consequently, innovative coffee packaging designs that integrate regional culture have drawn attention among designers and consumers. This study designed and evaluated wooden packaging prototypes. First, a repository was compiled of representative Yunnan cultural elements and four design schemes were developed. Next, 10 experts in the field of packaging design were invited. A multi-criteria evaluation framework was constructed, and the FAHP and CRITIC computed composite weights were determined for each index. Subsequently, TOPSIS was used to rank the scheme. An eye-tracking experiment was conducted with 44 test subjects to assess differences in visual attraction across schemes. Results showed that the FAHP–CRITIC–TOPSIS pipeline reliably identified the top-ranked scheme, and eye-tracking metrics corroborated its superior visual salience. The integrated approach combines subjective and objective evidence, rendering the weighting process more defensible and linking quantitative rankings with observed viewing behavior.

Plant-derived extracts remain a vital source of bioactive molecules with potential medicinal applications. Ruta graveolens, a phenolic-rich medicinal herb, is recognized for its diverse antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was carried out using carbon dioxide (CO₂) as fluid. This was compared to Soxhlet extraction (SE) with methanol to obtain Ruta graveolens extracts rich in bioactive compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed notable differences in the phenolic profiles of Ruta graveolens extracts depending on the extraction method. SFE yielded higher concentrations of gallic acid (1380 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (522 µg/g), catechin (595 µg/g), and rosmarinic acid (218 µg/g), while SE contained more kaempferol (242 µg/g) and catechin (921 µg/g). The IC₅₀ assessments were 6.59 µg/g for SFE and 1.63 µg/g for methanol, indicating potent anti-inflammatory potentials for both extracts. Based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, SFE and SE of R. graveolens extracts showed concentration-dependent activity. The IC₅₀ values were 5.81 µg/mL (SFE) and 7.86 µg/mL (SE). SFE showed larger inhibition zones than SE (24 ± 0.2 vs 20 ± 0.3 mm for B. subtilis; 17 ± 0.3 vs 11 ± 0.6 mm for P. aeruginosa) and stronger effects on K. pneumoniae and C. albicans.

The Dougong bracket is a critical seismic-resistant element in traditional Chinese timber structures, yet its complex mechanical behavior requires further investigation. This study numerically evaluated the static structural performance of a Liao Dynasty ‘Five-Step Outer Eave Column-Head Dougong Bracket’ from the Dule Temple Gate using finite element analysis. An orthotropic constitutive model calibrated with Pinus sylvestris test data and the Hill yield criterion were implemented in ANSYS. Simulations under vertical monotonic and horizontal low-cycle reversed loads assessed strength, deformation, and energy dissipation. Key findings include a maximum vertical load-bearing capacity of 344 kN, with stress concentrations up to 27.4 MPa at the Huagong-Ludou interface. Horizontal loading revealed symmetrical hysteresis loops, peak loads of 999 kN (Y-axis) and 522 kN (X-axis), ductility coefficients of 2.45 to 3.63, and equivalent viscous damping values of 0.097 to 0.122. The vertical response exhibited tri-linear stiffness degradation, while horizontal behavior followed multi-linear restoring force models. These results validate FEA as an efficient tool for assessing Dougong brackets, supporting the conservation and understanding of historical timber structures.