Volume 21 Issue 4

Plant-biochar remediation is a promising strategy for heavy metal-contaminated farmland, but its practical value should be evaluated by considering both residual soil risk and the response of subsequently planted crops. In this study, waste-derived Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim. (PTM) biochar was combined with the non-food accumulator Chlorophytum comosum (C. comosum) to remediate field-collected Cu-Pb-contaminated soil. Lactuca sativa (L. sativa) was subsequently planted as a sensitive indicator crop. Among the treatments, the combined application of 5% PTM biochar and C. comosum (BC5) produced the strongest overall remediation effect. BC5 improved the growth of L. sativa, increased leaf chlorophyll content, decreased malondialdehyde content and antioxidant-enzyme activities, and reduced Cu and Pb uptake and translocation (P < 0.05). BC5 also reduced the bioavailable fractions of Cu and Pb in soil and was associated with shifts in bacterial community structure, increased relative abundances of Bryobacter and Vibrionimonas, and changes in predicted metabolic pathways related to nutrient cycling and stress regulation. These microbial responses may help explain the improvement in soil ecological function and the reduced metal stress in L. sativa, although further functional validation is needed. Overall, sequential remediation using PTM biochar and C. comosum provides a potential low-cost and eco-friendly approach for reducing residual phytotoxicity and crop metal-uptake risk in Cu-Pb-contaminated farmland.

To investigate Generation Z’s design preferences for solid wood smart home products and the factors influencing their choice of design solutions, the AHP-CRITIC-TOPSIS integrated evaluation model was applied. The KJ method was used to screen nine design proposals, and 14 evaluation criteria were established based on material appearance, material–technology integration, and emotional needs. The model combined subjective weights from AHP, objective weights from CRITIC derived from 159 questionnaires, and TOPSIS rankings. The results indicated that embedded-structure rationality, aesthetic harmony, maintenance convenience, and perceived rationality of heat-source layout were key indicators, with the S6 design ranking highest among the nine evaluated alternatives. This study provides a quantitative reference for sustainable innovation in solid wood smart home products.

The Brazilian Standard (NBR) for Timber Structures Design must consider, for mechanical grading and structural design, the relationship between the physical–mechanical properties and the growth ring characteristics of Pinus spp. Growth ring characteristics are essential variables for estimating the physical–mechanical properties of wood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between growth rings and the physical–mechanical properties of defect-free Pinus spp. timber. Non-destructive tests were performed, including longitudinal and transverse vibration, stress wave, and static bending tests, as well as the determination of basic and apparent densities, followed by a destructive rupture test. In addition, latewood width, latewood proportion, and the number of growth rings were measured. Pearson’s correlation matrix was used to analyze the association between physical–mechanical properties and growth ring characteristics. All Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were significant (p < 0.05). The results showed that latewood width explained 62% of basic density and 60% of apparent density, but only 18% of static elasticity. Consequently, the combined assessment of growth ring characteristics and physical–mechanical properties enabled the mechanical characterization of Pinus spp. based on growth rings.

Compact living is becoming more common and thus the demand for personalized solutions has increased. Conventional wardrobes with fixed structures increasingly fail to meet users’ needs for clothing storage and spatial adaptability across life stages. Therefore, this study proposes an IPA-CRITIC-TOPSIS-based method to improve wardrobe space utilization while accommodating users’ dynamic storage requirements. First, modular wardrobe design criteria were derived from user interviews, an analysis of modular furniture design characteristics, and affinity diagramming (AD). Importance-performance analysis (IPA) was then applied to identify key criteria requiring priority improvement. Subsequently, the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method was used to calculate information-based weights, thereby capturing the information content and intercriterion conflict embedded in the current evaluation matrix. Based on these findings, three modular wardrobe design alternatives were developed. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was then introduced to comprehensively rank and select the optimal alternative among multiple modular configuration schemes. The results indicate that damage-free assembly and disassembly, corner-space utilization, internal functional zoning, adjustability of storage accessories, and ease of clothing access and retrieval received the highest weights. The refined zoning-oriented alternative was identified as the optimal solution, and its ranking remained stable across different weighting scenarios.

Composted plant residues can minimize toxic effects of wastewater and ameliorate soil properties. In most regions of Punjab, crops including wheat are irrigated with wastewater, resulting in the accumulation of heavy metal in soil and plants. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of compost amendment and various sources of irrigation water on soil properties and wheat growth using a completely randomized design (CRD) with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (two compost levels: with and without compost, and four irrigation water sources: textile industry effluent, sewage water, canal water, and groundwater), giving eight treatment combinations, each replicated three times, conducted at the Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Four sources of irrigation water (textile industry effluent, sewage water, canal water, and groundwater) were used both with and without compost (2.5%, w/w). Seeds of wheat cultivar Ujala-2016 were cultivated in pots and 5 seeds were planted in each pot. Growth and soil characteristics of wheat were greatly enhanced with the use of compost under each irrigation treatment. Compost raised the height of the plant (30.7%), spike length (6.77%), straw yield (9.97%), grain yield (11.9%), soil organ carbon (31.5%), soil water stable aggregates (38.6%), and lowered soil bulk density (2.2%). It was concluded that application of compost along with different types of wastewaters improved the soil properties and enhanced the wheat yield.

The phytochemical composition and biological activities of Centaurea oltensis, an endemic species in Türkiye, were studied. GC–MS/FID analysis identified 128 compounds representing 99.2% of the EO, with decanoic acid (15.1%), α-pinene (7.9%), and sabinyl acetate (5.4%) as the principal constituents. GC–MS/FID analysis identified 128 compounds representing 99.2% of the essential oil (EO), with decanoic acid (15.1%), α-pinene (7.9%), and sabinyl acetate (5.4%) as the principal constituents. LC–MS/MS analysis of the methanol extract (ME) revealed high concentrations of ferulic acid (2410 µg/g dw) and chlorogenic acid (1170 µg/g dw), together with caffeic, salicylic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids. The ME exhibited potent carbonic anhydrase-II inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.028 µg/mL) and significant α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.255 mg/mL). The EO showed strong acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values of 0.0145 µg/mL and 0.204 µg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant assays, including DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, demonstrated superior activity of the ME, correlating with its higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EO displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.02 mg/mL) and moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Overall, C. oltensis demonstrated considerable chemical diversity and promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and enzyme inhibitory potential for future pharmacological and therapeutic applications.

Tobacco granules used as aerosol-generating substrates in heated tobacco products require sufficient mechanical integrity to withstand granulation, handling, screening, and filling, particularly under low-moisture conditions. Low-moisture tobacco granules are prone to weak cohesion because insufficient water limits the mobilization of native binders. Here, TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TEMPO-CNFs) were incorporated at 1.26 and 2.08% (w/w) to improve their structural integrity. Texture and rheological measurements showed dose-dependent increases in springiness, cohesiveness, apparent viscosity, and storage modulus. Model polyol systems, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that TEMPO-CNFs formed a viscoelastic fibrillar network and reduced the mobility of water, propylene glycol, and glycerol through combined hydrogen-bonding, confinement, and viscosity effects. Thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry revealed essentially unchanged mass-loss stages, maximum mass-loss temperatures (318 to 319 °C), and residues at 400 °C. Thus, TEMPO-CNFs provide a renewable reinforcement strategy for polyol-rich tobacco granules without markedly altering their thermal mass-loss behavior.

Limited high-quality bleached recycled fiber (BRF) in North America has increased old corrugated container (OCC) fiber use as a partial substitute. This study examined the effects of replacing BRF with OCC (0 to 100%) on fiber structure, tensile strength, softness, and economics in creped handsheets. As OCC content rose, fiber length (1.084 to 1.710 mm) and coarseness (107 to 186 mg·km⁻¹) increased, while kink index decreased (1.961 to 1.501). These changes improved bulk and reduced softness parameters TS7 and TS750. Tukey HSD identified four statistical groups for TS7 and three for TS750 (α = 0.05). The tensile index remained stable up to 75% OCC but dropped 31.9% at 100%, with a 35.0% increase in bulk. Sensory tests ranked 100% OCC as softest, aligning with instrumental data. A Monte Carlo simulation showed 77.7% of cases had lower costs with treated OCC, median savings of USD 80/odt, and a break-even price of USD 252/odt. Factors affecting competitiveness were yield and delivered price. Substituting 25 to 75% OCC reduces costs with minimal strength loss; total replacement maximizes savings and bulk but reduces tensile strength.

Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Peterm.), a refractory species of low natural durability, requires adequate impregnation to attain a longer service life in high-risk end uses (use classes 3 and 4). Improving the permeability of such species through laser-incising pretreatment is therefore important, provided that the physical and mechanical properties of the different wood portions (sapwood, transition zone, and mature wood) are not adversely affected. In this study, the weight loss, density, moisture content, shrinkage and swelling, and compressive strength parallel to the grain of these wood portions were evaluated after laser incising. The depth and diameter of the incised holes and the growth-ring characteristics were also examined. The sapwood and transition-zone samples had greater latewood layer width and higher latewood proportion than the mature wood. Laser incising reduced radial and tangential shrinkage and swelling in mature wood. Compressive strength parallel to the grain of the mature wood was lower in the laser-incised samples than in the controls. In the transition zone, the radial hole diameter was higher than the tangential diameter.

The present study was conducted with the purpose of investigating alterations in mechanical properties resulting from layer orientation used in laminated veneer lumber (LVL) production. The LVL was produced by pressing 12-layer veneer laminates with phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive at 130 °C and 1.2 MPa pressure for 20 min. To observe the orientation effect during the production, some layers were rotated 90°. Subsequently, the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), impact resistance, static hardness, screw withdrawal, and bonding quality values of the samples produced were determined. It was found that the groups that had undergone orientation exhibited lower volumetric changes after the swelling test. Furthermore, the implementation of orientation led to an enhancing effect on the MOE and screw withdrawal values for edgewise loadings of the tested specimens. However, the MOR, hardness, and impact resistance values of the oriented samples were lower than those of the control group. The results showed that one-sided orientation in the LVL increased stability and the flexural properties under edgewise loading, as well as the screw withdrawal strength. However, hardness and impact strength decreased with layer orientation. Additionally, it was found that MOR could be predicted with a higher correlation (R² 0.89) using MOE values in flatwise loading, while a lower correlation (R² 0.40) was found in edgewise loading.