Volume 21 Issue 1

As the coffee market continues to expand and new consumption patterns emerge, a brand’s cultural philosophy has become central to market differentiation. Consequently, innovative coffee packaging designs that integrate regional culture have drawn attention among designers and consumers. This study designed and evaluated wooden packaging prototypes. First, a repository was compiled of representative Yunnan cultural elements and four design schemes were developed. Next, 10 experts in the field of packaging design were invited. A multi-criteria evaluation framework was constructed, and the FAHP and CRITIC computed composite weights were determined for each index. Subsequently, TOPSIS was used to rank the scheme. An eye-tracking experiment was conducted with 44 test subjects to assess differences in visual attraction across schemes. Results showed that the FAHP–CRITIC–TOPSIS pipeline reliably identified the top-ranked scheme, and eye-tracking metrics corroborated its superior visual salience. The integrated approach combines subjective and objective evidence, rendering the weighting process more defensible and linking quantitative rankings with observed viewing behavior.

Plant-derived extracts remain a vital source of bioactive molecules with potential medicinal applications. Ruta graveolens, a phenolic-rich medicinal herb, is recognized for its diverse antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was carried out using carbon dioxide (CO₂) as fluid. This was compared to Soxhlet extraction (SE) with methanol to obtain Ruta graveolens extracts rich in bioactive compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed notable differences in the phenolic profiles of Ruta graveolens extracts depending on the extraction method. SFE yielded higher concentrations of gallic acid (1380 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (522 µg/g), catechin (595 µg/g), and rosmarinic acid (218 µg/g), while SE contained more kaempferol (242 µg/g) and catechin (921 µg/g). The IC₅₀ assessments were 6.59 µg/g for SFE and 1.63 µg/g for methanol, indicating potent anti-inflammatory potentials for both extracts. Based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, SFE and SE of R. graveolens extracts showed concentration-dependent activity. The IC₅₀ values were 5.81 µg/mL (SFE) and 7.86 µg/mL (SE). SFE showed larger inhibition zones than SE (24 ± 0.2 vs 20 ± 0.3 mm for B. subtilis; 17 ± 0.3 vs 11 ± 0.6 mm for P. aeruginosa) and stronger effects on K. pneumoniae and C. albicans.

The Dougong bracket is a critical seismic-resistant element in traditional Chinese timber structures, yet its complex mechanical behavior requires further investigation. This study numerically evaluated the static structural performance of a Liao Dynasty ‘Five-Step Outer Eave Column-Head Dougong Bracket’ from the Dule Temple Gate using finite element analysis. An orthotropic constitutive model calibrated with Pinus sylvestris test data and the Hill yield criterion were implemented in ANSYS. Simulations under vertical monotonic and horizontal low-cycle reversed loads assessed strength, deformation, and energy dissipation. Key findings include a maximum vertical load-bearing capacity of 344 kN, with stress concentrations up to 27.4 MPa at the Huagong-Ludou interface. Horizontal loading revealed symmetrical hysteresis loops, peak loads of 999 kN (Y-axis) and 522 kN (X-axis), ductility coefficients of 2.45 to 3.63, and equivalent viscous damping values of 0.097 to 0.122. The vertical response exhibited tri-linear stiffness degradation, while horizontal behavior followed multi-linear restoring force models. These results validate FEA as an efficient tool for assessing Dougong brackets, supporting the conservation and understanding of historical timber structures.

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial properties, mosquito larvicidal effects, and brine shrimp toxicity of essential oils obtained using hydrodistillation from the fresh and dried leaves of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla at two age groups. Leaves from trees aged 17 to 31 months old yielded more essential oils than those aged 40 to 50 months. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis revealed that 1,8-cineol (13.1% to 26.7%) and α-terpinyl acetate (18.3% to 26.1%) were the dominant components across all essential oils. All tested essential oils inhibited Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts, and the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum, but failed to exhibit activity against most of the tested Gram-negative bacteria and Aspergillus fumigatus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 2.50 mg/mL for bacteria and 0.04 to 1.25 mg/mL for fungi, highlighting the greater antifungal efficacy of the essential oils. All tested essential oil samples were also active against third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, with median lethal concentrations of 52.3 to 134 µg/mL after 24 h, lower than that of against Artemia franciscana nauplii (209 and 222 µg/mL). Therefore, Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla essential oils are potential larvicidal agents for mosquito control with low toxicity to aquatic organisms.

The wood and furniture sector faces challenges in adopting digital and sustainability practices, mainly due to a lack of competencies for effective implementation. While current educational reforms in Slovenia emphasize the development of digital and sustainability competencies at all levels of wood science and technology education, the role of motivation, one of the key drivers of learning, in shaping these competencies has not been sufficiently explored. This study investigated how academic motivation affects students, self-perceived digital and sustainability competencies. A survey was conducted among 433 final-year students in wood science and technology education programs, including secondary vocational and technical, short-cycle higher vocational, and higher education institutions. The Academic Motivation Scale was used along with instruments derived from established European digital and sustainability competence frameworks. Structural equation modeling revealed that students’ academic motivation positively predicted their self-perceived generic digital, generic sustainability, and professional digital and sustainability competencies, and explained between 22 and 29% of the variance. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were not shown to be distinct dimensions, but formed a unidimensional construct, suggesting that both internal interests and external incentives jointly support the perception of these competencies. Students’ academic motivation is a decisive factor for their self-perceived digital and sustainability competencies in wood science and technology education.

Efficient production of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from wood pulp remains a challenge for industrial applications, requiring optimized pretreatment and processing strategies. In this study, hardwood kraft pulp (Hw-BKP) was pretreated with NaOH solutions (5 to 20 wt%) and subsequently processed using a large-scale wet grinder. The effects of pretreatment concentration and grinding on nanofibrillation efficiency were evaluated through compositional, structural, and optical analyses. Alkali pretreatment promoted hemicellulose removal and crystalline transforma-tion, while mechanical grinding facilitated progressive microfibrillation. Notably, pretreatment at concentrations above 15 wt% significantly enhanced nanofibrillation efficiency, highlighting the importance of crystalline transformation in addition to hemicellulose removal. These findings provide practical insights for optimizing CNF production processes and advancing their industrial-scale commercialization.

The current design of seats in urban squares struggles to meet the diverse social, rest, and aesthetic needs of users, highlighting the systematic lack of humanized design in public facilities. This paper took Chengdu Tianfu Square and Mianyang Fucheng Wanda Plaza as the research objects. Through the User Journey Map (UJM), 23 user requirements were sorted out. The Fuzzy Kano Model was used to screen and classify the attributes of the requirement set, obtaining eight must-be requirements, seven one-dimensional requirements, and six attractive requirements. On this basis, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) was introduced to identify 11 core user requirements. The seat design scheme of Chengdu Tianfu Square was output based on 11 core requirements. The scheme was verified by using the Likert five-level scale and the System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 72.38, indicating good usability and higher satisfaction compared to existing benchmarks. This study verified that the UJM-Fuzzy KANO Model-SEM integrated model can effectively help the designers of urban square seats identify the core requirements in the fuzzy and complex user requirements. The approach can quickly clarify the design direction and improve the user satisfaction of urban square seats.

Effects of iron oxide yellow pigment content were investigated relative to the properties of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) based on bamboo flour and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Samples with pigment contents of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were prepared, and the structure–property relationships were systematically examined. The incorporation of pigment significantly enhanced surface hydrophobicity, with the static water contact angle increasing from 79.41° to 109.15°. This was attributed to the inherent hydrophobicity of the pigment and its physical shielding of wood fibers, thereby reducing surface energy and limiting the exposure of hydrophilic groups. The composite with 5% pigment exhibited the optimum mechanical performance, whereas higher pigment loading (≥10%) resulted in reduced mechanical properties, with flexural strength decreasing by up to 14.8%. SEM analysis revealed that excessive pigment led to agglomeration, causing interfacial defects and stress concentration. The 10% pigment formulation showed a relatively uniform and well-bonded interface, while the 15% sample contained noticeable fiber exposure and voids. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that the pigment primarily served as a physical filler without introducing new chemical functionalities. In conclusion, an appropriate amount of pigment (5%) can effectively improve the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of bamboo flour/HDPE composites.

One of the most important properties of paper is its mechanical strength. Recycled paper industry has different challenges related to fiber strength in old corrugated container (OCC). This study investigated of the efficacy of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as reinforcing agent when OCC fibers are modified with oxidative treatment by using hydrogen peroxide. The surface oxidation introduces carboxyl groups on the cellulosic chains of the OCC fibers, and PVA has significant effect on the reaction between fibers and carboxyl groups. Results showed that PVA-treated samples, especially the oxidized samples of the OCC fibers, exhibited significant improvement in tensile and burst strength compared to untreated samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the oxidative modification of OCC fibers leads to a decrease in porosity and an increase in the connection between fibers, and this process also leads to an increase in the adhesion of PVA and an improvement of its bonding. In addition, the treated samples showed higher resistance to fat permeation, which is a key characteristic for industrial packaging applications. This approach indicated the synergistic benefit of combining of the PVA and oxidized OCC fibers to boost the formation and barrier properties of the recycled papers. This method also presented an effective and eco-friendly solution to improve the recycled papers’ quality.

Chemical crosslinking of cellulosic fibers increases their brittleness, making them more susceptible to dry powdering. In this study, bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) sheets were crosslinked with glyoxal (GO) and citric acid (CA) and subsequently dry cut into powders using a Wiley cutting mill. Key variables in the powder preparation were dosages of GO and CA, as well as their respective catalysts, aluminum sulphate (alum) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP). The average fiber length of the GO and CA crosslinked pulps was reduced, at most down to 0.12 and 0.17 mm by the dry cutting, using a 0.5 mm perforated screen in the final dry-cutting stage. The powders exhibited reduced water retention, lower sedimentation volume in water, and, when dry, showed increased tapped and bulk densities. When mixed with refined BEKP, the powders enhanced dewatering during handsheet formation and improved the resulting sheets’ bulk, light scattering, and opacity, while reducing tensile strength. These findings suggest that chemically crosslinked pulp powders have potential as a bulking and dewatering aid in papermaking. Furthermore, due to their low water absorbency and presumable low abrasiveness, the powder may have potential applications beyond papermaking, such as filler of plastics, glues, and coating materials.