Volume 20 Issue 4

Natural borneol, a valuable monoterpenoid, is primarily derived from Cinnamomum camphora chvar. borneol. This unique Chinese tree was studied using the high-borneol cultivar ‘Ganlong 2’ and common camphor trees as material. Multi-location trials over three years confirmed that ‘Ganlong 2’ stably exhibits high borneol content, high essential oil yield, and low camphor content, presenting an ideal system for biosynthesis research. Transcriptomic analysis identified key differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and KEGG enrichment outlined the (+)-borneol biosynthesis pathway. Critical genes, including CcBPPS, CcNUDX1, and CcDXS1, were highlighted, with the MEP pathway confirmed as the primary biosynthetic route. These findings advance the understanding of monoterpenoid biosynthesis regulation and provide a theoretical and genetic basis for improving natural borneol production via synthetic biology and breeding high-quality varieties.

The growing demand for sustainable materials is driving interest in cellulose fibres as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional insulation and cushioning materials, including expanded polystyrene (EPS), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and mineral wool, which pose environmental challenges. Foam forming has been extensively studied as a method for producing lightweight structures from cellulose fibres, but air-laying—a common nonwoven method—has been less explored. This study examines how wood fibre type and fibrillation level affect the structure, insulation, and strength of foam-formed and air-laid materials. A novel binding method is introduced for air-laying, involving post-laying water spraying to enhance bonding. Foam-formed materials had an average pore size of 300 to 600 μm with a wide distribution, including millimetre-scale pores; while air-laid materials had a smaller, more uniform pore size of 100 to 150 μm. Mechanical refining increased the pore size in foam-forming. Thermal conductivity decreased with decreasing fibre length, pore size, and increasing tortuosity of the fibre phase. The highest compression stress was achieved with refined chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), and the best recovery with unrefined bleached softwood kraft  pulp (BSKP) and mixtures of acacia and BSKP. The findings suggest that mixing short hardwood fibres with longer softwood fibres in foam-forming could enhance performance in thermal insulation applications.

The mapping of historical records can reveal connections between past and present in the cultural relationship between humans and nature, especially in the use of aromatic woods in religious rituals, where fragrances from wood conveyed sacred symbols and meanings. This study examined the historical use of wood in the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Graça, São Francisco do Sul, Brazil, to evaluate its symbolic meanings and cultural significance. Built in the seventeenth century, this church contains ecclesiastical furniture carved with Christian symbols, reflecting religious tradition and craftsmanship. Test samples were collected and analyzed for structural characterization and botanical identification, providing insights into the cultural value of the materials. Two native species of the Lauraceae family, both from the Atlantic Forest, were identified: Ocotea porosa (imbuia) and Ocotea odorifera (sassafras). These wood samples are aromatic, with fragrances derived from natural oils and resins. Imbuia was found in 57% of the furniture, sassafras in 42%. These noble woods were selected for organoleptic qualities and durability, highlighting a tradition of crafting “furniture of honor” in Christian practices, where material choices reflected symbolic and spiritual meaning.

As an important component of public spaces, urban furniture meets the daily needs and cultural expressions of residents. It also significantly influences the aesthetic and practical value of urban environments. The research used an integrated approach of affinity diagram method (KJ method), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to conduct a systematic qualitative and quantitative analysis of urban seating design, assessing the importance of function, form, materials and regional features. By analyzing the integration of urban furniture design with regional features, this paper offers a multidimensional perspective for modern design. Based on the survey results, integration of regional cultural symbols and recreating historical scenes are key requirements that guided the parametric design of Harbin Westred Square’s seating furniture. It highlights the importance and potential of parametric design in innovating urban furniture and conveying the spirit of urban culture.