Research Articles

The influence of sapwood and heartwood on many mechanical properties has been studied; however, their influence on fracture mechanics remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of sapwood and heartwood on the toughness mechanism of Cryptomeria japonica in mode-I radial-longitudinal (RL) and tangential-longitudinal (TL) systems. A single-end-notched bending test was performed to obtain the fracture toughness of four specimen types: RSW, RHW, TSW, and THW (where R = RL system, T = TL system, SW = sapwood, and HW = heartwood). Thereafter, X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to evaluate the fracture at the microscale level. For all properties evaluated, the RL system showed the highest values, and within the same system, sapwood had the highest values. However, the statistical analysis concluded that fracture toughness was the only property with a significant difference for all specimen types. Microscale analyses using SEM revealed that the higher toughness mechanism values found in the sapwood specimens were related to higher proportions of cell fracture than those in other specimen types. This implies that the toughness mechanism may depend on the fracture of microstructural tissues.

Cocoyam (Colocasia spp.) tuber, which has high starch yield, was subjected to acid modification. Effects were evaluated relative to the pasting, structural, physicochemical, and morphological properties. Native cocoyam starch (NCS) was treated with hydrochloric acid to produce acid-modified cocoyam starch (AMCS). Pasting properties were examined using a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), while water and oil absorption capacities, swelling power, and gelatinization features were evaluated using standard methods. Morphological and structural alterations were analyzed. Acid treatment significantly higher peak, final, trough, and setback viscosities, signifying greater paste stability at high temperature, higher swelling capacity, and greater retrogradation tendency. AMCS also displayed higher gel-forming ability at lower concentrations, higher swelling power, and increased water and oil absorption capacities relative to NCS. Scanning electron microscopic images showed surface erosion and granule disruption after acid modification, while FT-IR spectra affirmed that modification occurred primarily via depolymerization without the introduction of new functional groups. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed retention of crystalline polymorphism with improved relative crystallinity after acid hydrolysis. In all, the acid treatment effectively altered the granular and molecular structure of cocoyam starch, enhancing its functional properties and demonstrating its suitability for food and industrial applications requiring strong gels, stable pastes, and enhanced hydration characteristics.

To overcome empirical and discrete parameter selection and severe energy attenuation in wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) harvesting using single-source vibration, in this study, a dual-source low-frequency excitation method is proposed. Using ‘Ningqi No.7’ branches and a two-point synchronous excitation device, the effects of the amplitude (28 to 80 mm) and phase (-180° to 180°) of the upper and lower vibration sources (UVS and LVS) on the detachment percentages of the middle section, lower section, and the total detachment (TD) were investigated via response surface methodology. Singular value spectrum analysis of the acceleration signals extracted the maximum singular value (MSV) to quantify the overall branch vibration energy. Two main low-frequency modes near 4 Hz and 8 Hz with high damping were identified. The MSV was strongly correlated with TD (r = 0.751), confirming its reliability for effectiveness evaluation. The optimal parameters found were a UVS of 80 mm, LVS of 68 mm, and phase of 135°, yielding a TD of 85.9% in validation. This demonstrates that the synergistic control of amplitude and phase at a low frequency enhances the harvest efficiency, offering a new approach for intelligent parameter optimization based on vibration monitoring.

The preparation of wheat straw biochar (MWSB) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box-Behnken Design (BBD) to maximize Cr(VI) removal. Parameters assessed were wheat straw particle size, KOH modifier concentration, and pyrolysis temperature. Optimal conditions (0.1 mm particle size, 3 mol/L KOH, 494 °C pyrolysis) yielded 86.5% Cr(VI) removal efficiency. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and isotherm data fitted the Langmuir model, indicating monolayer adsorption limited by site density. The Langmuir model gave a maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) of 105.28 mg/g at 25 °C. MWSB was characterized using SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The optimized MWSB preparation significantly enhanced the efficacy and feasibility of wheat straw in environmental applications, particularly for Cr(VI) removal.

To address challenges including high subjectivity, non-reproducible reasoning, and poor compatibility with wood-based material processing in translating Dunhuang mural imagery into modern cultural product designs on wood-fiber substrates, this study proposes a digital workflow combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Shape Grammar (SG). An evaluation system was established, focusing on cultural authenticity, artistic aesthetics, geometric transformability, material compatibility, and market resonance. AHP was used to select imagery with the highest translation potential, prioritizing aesthetics and material-process compatibility. Using the Nine-Colored Deer from Mogao Cave 257 as a prototype, generative rules were developed for pattern creation under parametric constraints. An HSB compensation mechanism was introduced to improve color consistency in digital printing and processing. Three practical designs—wooden lamps, apparel, and bags—were evaluated by 20 reviewers, with mean scores ranging from 4.54 to 4.60, demonstrating the robustness and applicability of this workflow in wood-fiber material engineering and cultural heritage translation.

This research investigates aerobic composting using palm oil mill biogas sludge, and mixed with shredded empty fruit bunches (EFB). The decomposers used in the process include microorganisms from the composting materials, earthworms (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae in a 1:1 ratio), and Super LDD1 compost accelerator. The experiment was conducted using seven reactors. Reactors 1, 2, and 3 used 100% biogas sludge, while reactors 4, 5, 6, and 7 used a mixture of 50% biogas sludge and 50% shredded EFB. Reactor 1 relied on natural aeration, whereas reactors 2 to 7 were supplied with air using a blower at a rate of 0.7 L/min·kg. Earthworms were added to reactors 3 and 5, Super LDD1 was added to reactor 6, and both earthworms and Super LDD1 were added to reactor 7. The composting process was carried out over a period of 77 days. Parameters analyzed included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, organic carbon, organic matter, C/N ratio, total nitrogen (Total N), total phosphorus (Total P₂O₅), total potassium (Total K₂O), particle size, and germination index. The results showed that most parameters in all reactors met the 2014 organic fertilizer standards of the Department of Agriculture, with the exception of moisture content and organic matter. Reactor 7 produced compost with the highest nutrient content (Total N : Total P₂O₅ : Total K₂O = 1.70% : 2.00% : 1.35%) and a germination index of 201.46 ± 6.28%. The compost from reactor 7 was crumbly, black in color, and had an earthy odor.

This study presents the development of a sustainable alternative method for crafting traditional Isan long drums through a wood-segment merging technique. Using a combination of documentary analysis, field research, and applied experimentation in collaboration with master drum-makers in Mahasarakham and Buriram provinces, the process was carried out in three phases: (1) analysis and design, (2) prototype production, and (3) refinement and final assembly. The revised design divided the drum into three segments—upper, middle, and lower—to improve material efficiency, ease of fabrication, and structural stability. Each segment was constructed from precisely cut, processed wood wedges, glued, shaped on a lathe, and seamlessly joined. The drumhead was prepared following traditional Isan methods, and the finished instrument was tested for tonal quality, showing results comparable to single-log drums. A panel of seven experts evaluated the drum on sound quality, aesthetics, durability, and suitability, with findings indicating equal or superior performance in most aspects compared to traditional methods. The results suggest that the wood-segment merging technique not only preserves the cultural authenticity and acoustic characteristics of the Isan long drum but also offers an environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient production method.

The effect of polyelectrolyte addition on the rheological behavior of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) suspensions was examined at a CNF consistency of 1.5%. Cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes with different molecular weights and structures were employed, and rheological behavior was evaluated using steady shear and strain-controlled measurements, with particular emphasis on viscosity hysteresis and yield stress as indicators of network deformation and recovery. At this consistency, steady-state viscosity exhibited little response to polyelectrolyte addition. In contrast, viscosity hysteresis and yield stress showed strong dependence on polyelectrolyte molecular weight and structure, reflecting differences in CNF network deformation and reformation behavior. High molecular weight polyelectrolytes restricted nanofibril mobility and altered network recovery after shear, whereas low molecular weight polyelectrolytes acted through electrostatic interactions. Branched cationic polyelectrolytes enhanced network strength, as evidenced by increased yield stress, while linear and anionic polyelectrolytes reduced network strength by limiting effective inter-fibrillar contacts. These results indicate that, at a CNF consistency of 1.5%, rheological responses are governed predominantly by network-scale interactions associated with polyelectrolyte molecular weight and architecture rather than by surface charge alone. These findings clarify the deformation and recovery behavior of CNF suspensions under conditions relevant to practical handling and processing.

Bamboo weaving is a renewable, low-energy craft technique with growing potential for value-added applications in fashion accessories. Bamboo-related studies primarily have focused on material properties or cultural documentation. This study proposes a material-technique adaptability evaluation framework for bamboo-woven fashion accessories, using an integrated Delphi and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. Building upon established dimensions of consumer perceived value initially derived from a perception model constructed using e-commerce platform data, the study identified 17 design-evaluable indicators through two rounds of expert consultation. The results indicated that emotional and functional value dominated the evaluation structure with form aesthetics, crafts precision, pattern expression, material integration and innovation, and material sustainability receiving the highest weights. To verify the operational applicability of the proposed framework, a design practice was conducted based on the high-priority indicators, and a bamboo-woven shawl cape was developed as a prototype for small-scale user testing. The validation results further confirmed the framework’s suitability for evaluating the adaptability of bamboo weaving in fashion accessory design. The proposed framework provides a systematic and operational tool for assessing the adaptability of bamboo weaving as a bio-based material-technique system, supporting the sustainable utilization and contemporary transformation of bamboo resources in fashion accessory design.

The phytochemical composition and biological activities of Spartium junceum flower extracts were studied after fractionation using solvents of increasing polarity. Among the tested fractions, the butanol extract exhibited the highest levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, and tannins, suggesting enrichment in polar bioactive metabolites. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed that the major constituents were mainly fatty acids and unsaturated lipid derivatives, including n-hexadecanoic acid, linoelaidic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid methyl ester. The butanol fraction demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 96 and 89.8 µg/mL, respectively, while showing lower toxicity toward normal WI-38 cells. Moderate antioxidant activity was confirmed using (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate), (2,2 (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and total antioxidant capacity assays, with the strongest scavenging effect observed in the ABTS method. Additionally, the extract showed pancreatic lipase inhibitory potential (IC₅₀ = 79.6 µg/mL) and concentration-dependent antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. These findings support S. junceum flowers as a promising source of multifunctional natural therapeutics.