Research Articles

The convergence or divergence of results for pH, yellowness, and mechanical strength were considered for papers from three old books. Good convergence was found for pH measurement results from the three books. The lack of convergence in some pH measurements between the surface method and the extraction–pH meter method may result from differences in pH of individual pages of old books, inherently lower pH values obtained using the surface methods, as well as from lower pH values measured in extracts of old papers prepared under hot conditions using a pH meter. Yellowness testing revealed overall good level of convergence between visual assessment and instrumental measurement (Elrepho 2000 apparatus). Strength tests indicated convergence between the results of the number of double folds (NDF) and tensile-after-six folds (TSF) tests, while divergence was observed when these methods were compared with the number of page turns (NPT) test. High NPT values may result from the papers of the examined books retaining yet relatively significant resistance to tensile and tearing stresses. Further research is needed to explain the relatively small damage to book pages in the NPT test in contrast to alarming results of the NDF and TSF tests.

To accurately elucidate the microscopic degradation characteristics and deterioration mechanisms of wooden components in traditional northern Chinese dwellings, this study investigated wooden components retrieved from the Ming-Qing residential building at No. 9, East Gate Lane, Gulian Village, Qi County, Shanxi Province. Polarized light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and histochemical staining techniques were employed to qualitatively assess the degradation degrees of cellulose and lignin in six wood species: elm, poplar, willow, birch, Chinese larch, and Chinese pine. Internal and external deterioration drivers were analyzed, and corresponding conservation strategies were proposed. The results showed that all tested wooden components exhibit moderate to severe chemical degradation. The deterioration of wooden components is synergistically driven by interspecific differences in natural decay resistance, rainwater erosion, ultraviolet radiation, building structural damage, and microbial infestation. Elm components are mainly attacked by white-rot fungi, while the other wood species are predominantly affected by soft-rot fungi. Poplar and willow are more susceptible to insect damage. This study provides a scientific basis and technical support for the microscopic diagnosis, precise restoration, and preventive conservation of Ming-Qing wooden architecture in the Jinzhong region.

Resin-inlaid wood is a material integration approach in which liquid resin is poured into cracks or structural cavities of wood and cured to form a composite structure. In recent years, this technique has attracted increasing attention in furniture and interior design due to the distinctive visual and tactile effects created by the contrast between resin and wood, inspiring numerous handcrafted and design-oriented works. However, systematic studies on resin-inlaid wood remain limited. This study reviews the material selection and processing procedures involved in resin-inlaid wood craftsmanship and analyzes its aesthetic characteristics from the perspectives of visual presentation, tactile contrast, structural expression, and emotional values. Representative household products are further examined through case analyses. In addition, a questionnaire survey based on the product semantics approach was conducted to explore participants’ preferences toward resin-inlaid wood products, providing references for the design application and future development of resin-inlaid wood in household products.