Volume 20 Issue 3

One of the big problems in Saudia Arabia is the scarcity of irrigation water, and this extremely affects the yield of plant components. Consequently, determination of the best water irrigation requirements for the growth and productivity of date palm trees is needed. The current study was performed on three date palm cultivars: ‘Khalas’, ‘Nabbut’, and ‘Rothana’ to investigate the effect of 100% (19.2 m³), 80% (15.36 m³), 60% (11.52 m³), and 40% (7.68 m³) irrigation on the yield and fruit quality characteristics. The results showed that irrigation with 100% and 80% significantly increased the fruit yield, marketable fruit number, and fruit weight. Moreover, these regimes also greatly increased the fruit content from total and reduced sugars, and soluble solids compared with 40% and 60% regimes. The 100% and 80% irrigation regimes reduced the fruit acidity but the differences between 100%, 80%, 60%, and 40% water irrigation were not significant in ‘Khalas’ or ‘Nabbut’. The effect of 100% was significant compared with the influence of 40%. The water footprint was significantly higher with 100% and 80% rather than with 60% or 40%.

Rubberwood (RW), a commercially valuable timber species widely used for mid-to-high-end wood products in Yunnan, was modified through full-cell impregnation with sodium silicate (SS) solutions at varying concentrations (10 to 30%). The treatment significantly improved the wood’s performance, overcoming challenges such as achieving optimal impregnation while preserving its integrity. Comprehensive analysis indicated that a 20% sodium silicate solution provided the most effective modification. This optimal treatment increased compressive strength by 15% (78.8 MPa), increased modulus of elasticity by 35.7% (1900 MPa), and reduced water absorption by 13.3% (103.5%) compared to untreated samples. Microstructural analysis confirmed optimal impregnation at 20%, with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealing Si-O-Si peaks and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicating the presence of silicon, confirming the successful penetration of sodium silicate and silica formation. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that there was no alteration in the position of the cellulose diffraction peaks, which demonstrated that the sodium silicate impregnation treatment did not destroy its crystalline structure. This modification enhanced the mechanical properties and thermal stability of rubberwood while providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical treatments. Sodium silicate, mildly toxic and abundant, offers a sustainable solution for improving wood quality in various applications.

Agriculture generates a large volume of waste and contributes to environmental pollution. For instance, pruning the orchards leads to an abundant volume of woody residues. Disposing of this material improperly has adverse effects. Thus, it makes sense to convert this material into wood pellets or activated carbon (AC). This work compared these two options by producing samples of both types from the same biomass. A sample of AC was prepared in a fluidized bed reactor at an activation temperature of 580 °C and a residence time of 120 min. The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique was employed to assess the environmental impacts. Findings determined that the produced AC had a BET area and iodine number of up to 940 and 860 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, the outputs of the LCA analysis demonstrated that wood pellets compared to AC had more environmental impacts for the global warming, abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, and photochemical oxidation indicators. Generally, the results showed that between the defined methods for managing the generated woody waste, using them as a feedstock for AC production is preferable to wood pellets production. In this case, the benefits for the farmers and the environment are significantly greater.

This review article critically examines the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and wireless technology into polymer composites, highlighting its transformative potential in materials science. The focus is on real-time monitoring of key parameters such as temperature, stress, strain, humidity, and environmental exposure, which are essential for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. This review covers existing research and technological developments in IoT-enabled polymer composites, including sensor technologies, data transmission, cloud-based analysis, and digital twin creation for rapid design optimization and troubleshooting. The scope of this review does not extend to experimental procedures for sensor integration, detailed material property enhancements unrelated to IoT technologies, or the development of new composite materials without IoT integration. Key challenges such as standardization, data security, and system interoperability are discussed, and future research directions are proposed. By defining the scope and boundaries of the discussion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how IoT integration is advancing the performance, reliability, and sustainability of polymer composites across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure.

Bamboo plantations are in high demand in the global market due to bamboo’s versatility and fast-growing nature. Dendrocalamus asper is one of the important species and is utilized in various industries, making it an economically valuable crop. Increasing yields while maintaining effective cost management is essential for planters. However, water stress possesses a significant challenge which can potentially disrupt bamboo growth and its physiological responses and thus the plant productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and physiological responses of D. asper under different water treatments. A total of 45 seedlings were placed in a greenhouse and subjected to three different watering regimes at field capacity. The growth and physiological parameters including culm diameter, plant height, transpiration rate, photosynthesis rate, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and stomatal conductance were measured.  The study showed that 100% of water capacity produced the best results for all the growth and physiological parameters measured. The reduction of water significantly reduced the growth of the seedlings, and the increment of water application beyond that point did not contribute to the increment of the plant growth. This indicates that excessive watering of bamboo did not improve growth performance, emphasizing the importance in optimizing water usage and conserving resources for economic sustainability.

The static structural behavior was investigated for the ‘Five-tier Outer Eave Column-head Dougong bracket’ from the Main Hall of Nanchan Temple (Tang Dynasty of ancient China) using finite element analysis (FEA). A refined ANSYS model was developed with an orthotropic constitutive framework based on mechanical properties of Pinus sylvestris (tested per GB/T standards), incorporating the Hill yield criterion to define wood plasticity. Vertical monotonic static loading (Z-axis) and horizontal low-cycle reciprocating loading (Y- and X-axes) were simulated to evaluate strength, deformation, and energy dissipation. Results revealed a vertical ultimate bearing capacity of 338 kN (Z-axis) with stress concentrations at the column-head/base-block interface (21.8 MPa). Horizontal loading demonstrated symmetric hysteresis loops, yielding peak thrusts of 1,417 kN (Y-axis) and 747 kN (X-axis), accompanied by ductility coefficients of 2.53 and equivalent viscous damping coefficients of 0.096 (Y-axis) and 0.073 (X-axis). The vertical response followed a tri-linear stiffness degradation model, while horizontal behavior aligned with multi-linear restoring force models. These findings validate FEA as a cost-effective method for characterizing Dougong mechanics, providing critical insights for heritage timber structure conservation.

An integrated design framework was developed to optimize timber-based elderly care facilities across three critical dimensions: environmental performance, health outcomes, and economic feasibility. By systematically analyzing engineered timber’s thermal regulation, humidity control, and biophilic properties, a data-driven model was established that balances material science with spatial adaptability requirements. It was found that cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls reduce HVAC energy consumption by 17% through delayed heat transmission, while maintaining stable indoor humidity levels (40 to 60% RH), which is crucial for respiratory health. The framework achieved a 23% improvement in elderly satisfaction compared to conventional designs, which can be attributed to wood’s natural terpene emissions and optimized spatial configurations. Modular timber partitions enabled rapid layout reconfiguration (2-hour adjustments) while maintaining acoustic insulation and wheelchair accessibility standards. Lifecycle analysis revealed 14% higher cost-effectiveness through prefabrication advantages and material durability. A case study validation showed timber systems support 12% larger window areas without compromising thermal performance, confirming practical applicability. This research provides a replicable model for integrating sustainable materials with geriatric care architecture, addressing both climate challenges and aging population needs.

Variations in Cu, Co, Cr, Cd, and Pb concentrations were evaluated in soil and plant organs at a copper mining site. Soil and plant samples (leaf, bark, wood, and root) were taken from different soil depths in the spoil area, the rehabilitation area where Pinus nigra Arnold., Pinus sylvestris L., and Robinia pseudoacacia L. species were planted, and the forest area. It was found that Cr and Cd concentrations in soils and Cu concentration in spoil areas were largely below the detectable limits. However, the concentration of these elements in plants was quite high. The highest concentrations were generally obtained in Pinus nigra. Except for Cr, the highest mean values were obtained in Pinus nigra. The highest translocation factor (TF) values calculated in the same way were also obtained in Pinus nigra and it was determined that the TF value was up to 6.739. The study results also show that Pinus nigra is a suitable species that can be used to reduce the pollution of the heavy metals subject to the study.

The growing need for sturdy lumber in many applications has made wood preservation more crucial. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been considered to improve the functionality of wood. This review article focuses on how NPs can be used to enhance the qualities of wood and wood-based products and provide them with anti-microbial protection. The ability of nano-based substances to permeate deeply into wood surfaces, which in turn causes a shift in their exterior chemistry, is the primary driver behind the nanotechnology application in lumber development. The microbial enzymes secreted by microbes is a major factor that can alter the structure of wood, especially during storage before use. This review illustrates various examples of microorganisms which secrete enzymes which impact wood structure through various mechanisms. The increased interface region created by the treatment serves as the reason for any prospective changes in the wood’s characteristics via NPs application. To a certain extent, the NPs change the original characteristics of wood, thus improving its qualities. There are challenges and limitations for using NPs in wood preservation. The potential effect of NPs on human health and the ecosystem should be considered using techniques such as life-cycle evaluations to avoid harmful consequences.

Cellulose and hemicellulose, which are essential structural components of plant cell walls, are key renewable resources for various biotechnological applications. Bacterial enzymes can degrade these polysaccharides and have emerged as efficient, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical methods, offering significant advantages in industrial processes and medical therapies. This review explores bacterial enzymes, such as cellulases and hemicellulases, which break down cellulose and hemicellulose—two major components of plant cell walls—and their mechanisms of action in both industrial and medical applications. These enzymes offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical processes, contributing significantly to sustainability by reducing chemical usage and improving biofuel yields. Beyond industrial applications, bacterial enzymes contribute to medical innovations such as targeted drug delivery systems and wound healing, with potential for treating chronic diseases like diabetes and inflammatory bowel disorders. These are currently being tested in clinical settings to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Advances in synthetic biology, which involves designing new biological parts and systems, enzyme engineering, the modification of enzymes to improve their function, and microbial consortia design have further enhanced the efficiency and versatility of these enzymes, making them indispensable in modern biotechnology. Future research focusing on optimizing enzyme stability, catalytic efficiency, and substrate specificity will drive innovations in both industrial sustainability and transformative medical applications.