Volume 20 Issue 1

This work was designed to evaluate the bioactivity of four monoterpenes, namely carvacrol, p-cymene, eugenol, and iso-eugenol, applied to wood blocks from Pinus sylvestris sapwood using the vapor method against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium culmorum. These monoterpenes were prepared at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µL/mL. The highest fungal inhibition percentage (FIP, 24.4%) against the growth of A. flavus was observed for p-cymene when applied to a wood sample at 100 µL/mL. The highest FIPs observed against the growth of A. niger were 21.5% and 16.3%, by p-cymene and iso-eugenol, respectively, at 100 µL/mL. The highest FIPs observed against the growth of F. culmorum were 41.5 and 27.0% by the application of carvacrol at 100 µL/mL and 80 µL/mL, respectively. This study showed the importance of monoterpenes for antifungal activity and may contribute to the most rational use of these compounds as antimicrobial agents for wood protection.

The structural performance was tested for two plywood products distributed in South Korea: Plywood for roof (RP) and plywood for concrete form (CP), in accordance with ASTM standards. The evaluation included tests for tensile-shear strength under wet conditions, bending performance, compressive strength, and rolling shear strength. Results indicated that the CP specimens exhibited a compressive strength of 37 MPa, surpassing that of structural cross-laminated timber (CLT) with comparable specific gravity. The bending performance of CP plywood was also notable, with a modulus of rupture of 56.8 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 12 GPa. The rolling shear strength was measured at 2.4 MPa, which is favorable compared to the rolling shear strengths of European structural wood species. Notably, the failure pattern was ideal. Furthermore, the CP specimens demonstrated excellent adhesive strength in the tensile-shear test after cyclic boiling, both meeting and exceeding the Korean standards for structural plywood in all evaluated aspects. In contrast, the RP specimens did not fully meet some of the Korean standards, indicating areas for improvement in structural applications.

Polystyrene, citric, and boric acid are capable of enhancing the quality of bamboo as a raw material for laminated board (LB). Although the characteristics of the modified LB has met the JAS 234 (2003) standard, the resistance against termite and decay attacks was still unknown. In this work, a 6-h immersion time was used to immerse bamboo lamina in polystyrene, citric, and boric acid. Laminated board comprising 3 layers of 30 cm x 15 cm x 1.5 cm (length x width x thickness) were constructed using 280 g/m² isocyanate adhesive from bamboo lamina using double-spread adhesive method. This was followed by resistance testing against termite wood and decay caused by T. versicolor and F. palustris using the JIS K 1571 (2010) standard. Parameters calculated after testing for termite included weight loss and mortality, while weight loss was determined after evaluating the decay using JIS standard. The results showed that modification with polystyrene, citric, and boric acid slightly increased the resistance of LB from belangke bamboo against termite and decay attacks. In comparison, samples modified with polystyrene had lower weight loss than others, which showed high resistance to attacks. This showed that modification with polystyrene could be recommended to improve the quality of LB from belangke bamboo.

Nanofibrillated celluloses (NFCs) are of high economic value owing to their inherent properties, and the deployed manufacturing technology is critical to producing high-quality NFCs. The grinding efficiency determines the quality of mechanically fibrillated NFCs. Previously, a finished Taylor-flow grinder was developed by addressing the operating issues and drawbacks of a prototype grinder and, subsequently, a pilot grinder. This study evaluated the grinding efficiency of the Taylor-flow grinder using hardwood bleached kraft pulp (Hw-BKP) as a raw material, carboxymethylated with monochloroacetic acid and other chemicals. Afterward, two sets of carboxymethylated NFCs (CM-NFCs) were prepared using the finished Taylor-flow grinder and a commercial micro-grinder (commercial grinder) for comparison. To do this, the characteristics of the products obtained using both grinders were determined to evaluate the grinding efficiency of the grinder and that of the representative commercial grinder. The results confirmed that the CM-NFCs prepared with the grinder exhibited higher fiber width and lower viscosity than those prepared using the commercial grinder. Moreover, they were relatively uniform and transparent compared with those prepared with the commercial grinder. Thus, a finished Taylor-flow grinder was developed and demonstrated for manufacturing CM-NFCs with higher qualities from Hardwood kraft pulp.

Aqueous extracts of Leea crispa used for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with the supplementation of the external capping substance, were determined by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles were examined for their antituberculosis and anticancer activities. The presence of phytoconstituents available for reducing silver ions and to form the AgNPs was confirmed using FTIR analysis. The XRD and TEM examination validated the AgNPs’ spherical particle shape and size of 15 to 85 nm and their face-centered cubic crystal form. Additionally, the FTIR spectrum revealed variation in the band values in the range 1384.0 to 3419.4 cm^-1, respectively, and the EDX noted a strong band at 3 keV induced the presence of metallic silver. The AgNPs exhibited comparatively potential anti-tuberculosis activity (0.2 to 100 µg/mL) respectively. Alternatively, various doses of AgNPs, 12.5 to 400 µg/mL documented considerable activity towards the human breast cancer cell lines. The percentage of cell viability increased at 12.5g/mL and declined at 400 ng/mL concentrations of AgNPs solution. The AgNPs synthesized from L. crispa exhibited potential activity against life-threatening tuberculosis and cancer cells.

To deeply understand the psychological and emotional needs of the elderly population, this study proposes a seat design method combining Kansei engineering (KE), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and quality function development (QFD). The method aims to fulfill the functional needs of the seat and focuses on capturing the emotional imagery of the elderly group, thus enhancing the emotional experience of the users. Factor analysis (FA) was used to conceptualize the user’s perceptual vocabulary data, AHP to assess the relative importance of these perceptual words, and morphological analysis to deconstruct the characteristics of the seat components. Finally, the mapping relationship between user perceptual data and design features was established through QFD. The FA and AHP results showed that the emotional needs of the elderly for seating are primarily focused on the sense of lightness (32.5%), simplicity (45.7%), and sophistication (21.8%); and QFD analysis results show that among seating components, the No. 6 seat back, No. 1 seat cushion, No. 2 door post, and No. 2 seat leg have the highest importance and can best meet the emotional needs of elderly users. This design method effectively improves the product’s suitability for the elderly and provides a valuable reference for related product design.

To explore the symbolic language of the Chaoshan peach cake mold and its innovative applications in modern design, the material form and cultural connotations of the mold patterns were analyzed from a semiotic perspective. Through a symbolic language of the primary pattern elements, the essence of the traditional culture they embody was revealed. Building on this analysis, the generative rules of shape grammar were applied to creatively reinterpret and recombine these traditional pattern elements, resulting in a set of innovative designs that retain the essence of traditional culture while incorporating modern design aesthetics. Furthermore, these innovative patterns were implemented in paper packaging design, and their effectiveness was validated through product evaluation. Through an in-depth exploration and innovative application of the symbolic language of the Chaoshan peach cake mold, a successful fusion of traditional cultural symbols and contemporary design concepts was achieved. This approach provides a new pathway for the inheritance and innovation of Chaoshan peach cake mold culture and offers insights into the modern transformation of other traditional cultures.

Wildfires have been a recurrent issue in the Mediterranean region due to its hot, dry summers and dense vegetation, exacerbated by human activities and climate change. This paper examines the complex relationship between wildfires and tourism in Southern Europe, focusing on their regional patterns, interactions, and socio-economic impacts. The study identifies key drivers of wildfire incidence, such as climatic conditions, vegetation type, human activity, and topography, and analyzes their implications for the tourism sector. Through a systematic review of the literature, the authors highlight the increased frequency and intensity of fires in the Mediterranean, which have caused significant ecological, economic, and social damage. The research also discusses the regional diversity of fire occurrences, revealing that most large fires are concentrated in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, France, and Croatia, among the most popular tourist destinations. The impact of wildfires on tourism is multifaceted. At the same time, they decrease the attractiveness of affected areas, leading to reduced visitor numbers and economic losses. The paper suggests that effective fire management and prevention strategies, including public awareness, sustainable tourism practices, and international cooperation, are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of wildfires. It calls for integrating risk management into tourism development plans to enhance the resilience of Southern European destinations to future fire events.

This study investigated the compressive performance of 24 three-layered laminated bamboo specimens made with four different parameters, primarily bamboo species, adhesive type, lay-up pattern, and arrangement of laminated bamboo. The goal for this study was to investigate the compression parallel to the grain performance of laminated bamboo. A total of 288 laminated bamboo specimens were tested. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compressive strength were conducted to simulate the utilization of this material into construction material. The laminated bamboo produced were comparable to wood strength group A to B for vertical and horizontal arrangements and SG D for mixed arrangements. Laminated bamboo was produced based on Gigantochloa scortechinii and Gigantochloa levis and bonded with phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) and one-component polyurethane (PUR) adhesive. Four failure types were classified. All specimens experienced the elastic stage at the beginning of the loading process and then changed to elastic-plastic stage. There was a significant difference in the parallel and perpendicular lay-up for vertical, horizontal, and mixed arrangements.

The relationship between dendrometric and meteorological parameters and resin production in Pinus pinaster plantations was studied using data from 90 trees collected between June and October. Resin production was measured every 15 days over a five-month period to explore how environmental factors influence resin production rates. The correlation between diameter at breast height (DBH) ranging from 20 cm to 49 cm and total and average resin production was examined, with the goal to optimize resin harvesting practices and to understand the ecological significance of resin in these plantations. The bi-monthly resin production was tested using the open wound tapping method over a five-month period beginning in June. Through regression models, significant seasonal variability in resin production was observed. Specifically, higher resin yields were recorded in June (354 g) and lower yields in October (53.5 g). The impact of DBH, tree height, basal area, and volume on resin yield were also assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses elucidated the relationships between tree metrics, meteorological factors, and resin production. This study contributes new insights into how tree characteristics influence resin production and how this relationship is modulated by seasonal changes. Such findings can inform sustainable forest management practices and improve resin harvesting methods.