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The estimation of material performance plays a crucial role in practical life, enabling the rational allocation of time and resources while enhancing the practical application of materials. Therefore, this study investigates the analytical and predictive capabilities of five machine learning (ML) algorithms (the Random Forest algorithm – RF, the Adaboost algorithm – AB, the Gradient Boosting algorithm – GB, the Extra Trees algorithm – ET and linear models – LM) for comprehensive performance parameters of wood ceramics (ammonia nitrogen adsorption quantity - Q , open porosity - P , burn-off , and hardness). In the analysis of model prediction capabilities, five key statistical parameters (Root Mean Square Error - RMSE , Mean Square Error - MSE , Coefficient of Correlation - R , Determination Coefficient - R 2 , and Mean Absolute Relative Error - MARE) were calculated. The results indicate the following: (1) Among various ML models, the GB model exhibits the most superior performance with an R 2 ≥ 0.9594. (2) However, in predicting the four performance parameters of wood ceramics, the AB model with an R 2 ranging from 0.0078 to 0.45, indicating notably poor predictive capabilities. Despite integrating the Support Vector Regression (SVR) module, no enhancement in predictive accuracy was observed. (3) While forecasting the four performance parameters of wood ceramics, the LM model demonstrates predictive accuracy relatively akin to that of the RF and ET models among the ML models. (4) Though the feature importance scores vary across distinct input variable models, there is a consistent trend of change. (5) Variables B and D exhibit some level of correlation with other variables. In summary, the results of this study suggest that, for the analysis and prediction of wood ceramic performance, the GB model among the five regression models demonstrates outstanding simulation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Determination of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of three species of archaeological wood in the Quanzhou Song shipwrecks. • Characterisation of salt-forming elemental compositions of the three species of archaeological wood in the Quanzhou Song Shipwrecks. • Changes in the mechanical properties of the amorphous components (amorphous cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) of the three waterlogged archaeological wood samples were compared with those of sound wood based on molecular dynamics simulations. • The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of soluble salts (sodium chloride) on the mechanical properties of water-soaked archaeological wood were revealed. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is the main soluble salt component of marine waterlogged archaeological wood, and it causes deterioration of wood fibres. In this study, a molecular dynamics simulation of three types of archaeological wood from the Quanzhou Song Shipwreck was employed to investigate the impact of NaCl on the mechanical properties of amorphous components consisting of amorphous cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The findings revealed that water molecules bound to the fibres enhanced the mechanical performance of the woody fibres. However, NaCl affected the stability and mechanical properties of the amorphous components. By using molecular dynamics simulations, 24 sets of amorphous fibre models, consisting of fir, pine, and camphorwood with salt concentrations ranging from 0 % to 7 %, were constructed to further analyse the influence of salt content on the mechanical properties of the amorphous components. The results showed that all three species of archaeological wood exhibited similar trends, with the adsorption energy and radial distribution function between wood fibres and water molecules decreasing with increasing NaCl concentration, leading to the gradual rupture of hydrogen bonds in water molecules. Consequently, more water molecules engage in ion hydration, resulting in an increase in the amount of free water within the amorphous regions. This, in turn, degrades the mechanical properties of the amorphous components. This study contributes significantly to a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of marine archaeological wood and is important for decision-making in studies related to the preservation and evaluation of marine waterlogged wooden artefacts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Canvases made with fine linen are difficult to observe in the radiograph. • Canvases made with jute and hemp are easily detectable with radiography. • White lead pigment affects the identification of the canvas. The historical techniques of panel painting manufacturing involve the preparation of boards to be used as painting support. The high affinity of wood for water can cause dimensional variations, deformations, and internal tensions. The application of a canvas over the boards, besides the choice and treatment of wood, is useful to minimize and guarantee the stability and preservation of the painting over time. The detection of the fabric is ensured with different imaging techniques, such as macro photography and radiography. The latter is mainly used to obtain information about the characteristics of the wood, the number of boards, the assembly system, and for the evaluation of the conservation state. The main advantage is the non-invasiveness of the analysis, which is a fast, simple, and widespread method. The limitations are related to different factors, such as the capacity of the materials to absorb the radiation. Despite canvas has a low radiopacity, in several cases it was possible its identification in the radiograph. This is important to investigate the technique of the artists. In our laboratory, we analyzed different panel paintings and while in some cases the fabric is easily detectable, in others it's not visible. Different variables can limit the observation of the canvas. This study is aimed at the comprehension of how acquisition parameters and painting characteristics can affect the detection of incamottatura through radiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Iron deposits in Nanhai I shipwreck wood were hydroxyl iron oxide and pyrite. • Near-neutral DTPA and amidoxime cellulose had high iron deposit removal efficiency. • Na 2 S 2 O 4 improved the iron deposits removal efficiency of EDTA-2Na. Iron deposits are commonly found in marine archaeological wood, causing acidification, degradation, and mechanical damage to marine archaeological wood. This study focused on extracting iron deposits from loose wood samples taken from the Nanhai Ⅰ shipwreck. The removal efficiency of iron deposits in wood using materials, such as EDTA-2Na, DTPA, C 6 H 17 N 3 O 7 , Na 2 C 2 O 4 , amidoxime cellulose, DFO, EDTA-2Na-H 2 O 2 , DTPA-H 2 O 2 , EDTA-2Na-Na 2 S 2 O 4 , and DTPA-Na 2 S 2 O 4 , was evaluated. Analysis using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction identified the presence of iron deposits in the wood of the Nanhai I shipwreck including goethite (FeOOH) and pyrite (FeS 2). The removal efficiency was evaluated by ICP-AES and results showed that amidoxime cellulose and DTPA had higher removal efficiency for iron deposits in wood. The difference between the iron deposits removal efficiency of DTPA and EDTA was significant after the addition of oxidant (H 2 O 2) and reductant (Na 2 S 2 O 4) to the systems, respectively. The addition of oxidant H 2 O 2 to DTPA improved the iron deposits removal efficiency of DTPA from wood within 30 days. Furthermore, the addition of reductant Na 2 S 2 O 4 to EDTA-2Na significantly improved the iron deposits removal efficiency of EDTA-2Na from wood. These findings provide a valuable reference for developing efficient methods for removing iron deposits during the practical protection of the Nanhai I shipwreck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mimicking nature is an effective strategy for designing high performance materials. However, artificially constructing biomimetic materials with complex hierarchical structures remains a great challenge. Herein, a biomimetic, anisotropic, robust, thermoconductive, and high temperature-resistant porous SiC ceramic is reported to be used as a high temperature filter. The unidirectional pore channel structure of poplar wood is accurately inherited in biomorphic SiC ceramic by an in-situ carbothermal reduction reaction between wood-derived carbon precursors and SiO vapor generated from SiO particles. Due to the anisotropic architecture with vertically aligned and densely interconnected pore channels, the light-weight and high purity biomorphic SiC ceramic exhibits an excellent flexural strength of 41.63 MPa at ∼78.6% porosity, a high thermal conductivity of 10.50 W m−1 K−1 with ∼77.6% porosity, an anisotropic thermal conductivity factor of 5.79, and good thermal stability at ∼900 °C. Meanwhile, it demonstrates a high gas permeability (k 1 = 11.83 × 10−12 m2, k 2 = 1.86 × 10−6 m) with ∼81.9% porosity and a good filtration efficiency of 89.81% for PM > 2.5 μm under an extremely low pressure drop (0.69 kPa). These results indicate that this approach could open a new avenue for the design and preparation of high performance porous ceramics suitable as filters in high temperature environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different configurations were tested for producing biogas from roadside grass. • Dry digestion succeeded at pilot and large scale, but the latter can be improved. • Digested fibers performed better than undigested fibers for biomaterial production. • Anaerobic digestion might be stopped midway for improved fiber recovery. • Market potential of roadside grass for biomaterials production was significant. Roadside grass clippings hold potential as a sustainable source of bioenergy as they do not compete with crops for land use, and are only partially utilized for low-value applications. In this study, we proposed using roadside grass as a sole feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD) in three different settings, and assessed the potential of producing biomaterials and fertilizers from grass-based digestate. Wet continuous digestion at pilot scale and dry batch digestion at pilot and large scales resulted in biogas yields up to 700 Nm3.t−1 DOM with a methane content of 49–55 %. Despite promising results, wet AD had operational problems such as clogging and poor mixing; once upscaled, the dry digestion initially also presented an operational problem with acidification, which was overcome by the second trial. Digested grass fibers from the pilot dry AD were processed into biomaterials and performed similarly or better than the undigested fibers, while around 20 % performance reduction was observed when compared to reference wood fibers. A mass balance indicated reduced fiber recovery when higher biogas production was obtained. The liquid fraction from the pilot dry AD was characterized for its nutrient content and used as a biofertilizer in another study. In contrast, the leachate collected from the large-scale dry AD had a low nitrogen content and high chloride content that could hinder its further use. Finally, a regional market analysis was conducted showing that the biocomposites produced with the available grass fibers could substitute at least half of the current European market based on our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, we are interested in the prediction of the macroscopic thermal conductivity of three-phasic composite materials such as wood fibers. The main idea is to make use of up-scaling such as homogenization to link the pore scale and the sample scale. The studied wood species incorporates three phases: the air, the lumen or matrix and the fibers. Image processing is preformed on a tomographic acquisition with high resolution of some micrometers. It serves to identify the present phases and generates the morphology mesh. The 2D diamond scheme is employed to discretize Fourier's model posed on the segmented morphology. The resulting algorithm is validated using an exact solution. Optimal numerical convergence rates of second order are recorded. The thermal conductivity is therefore estimated following the 2D orthotropic directions. An emphasis is set on the impact of the orientation of fibers on this thermal property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are a new type of emerging pollutant in the aquatic environment that pose a tremendous risk to aquatic organisms and human health. Although many studies have focused on the removal of MPs, most of the materials used are non-renewable, non-degradable, and relatively costly. The development of green, renewable, and cost-effective materials for the removal of MPs presents a significant challenge. In this work, cellulose nanofiber-coated, delignified wood (CNF-CDW) was prepared and used as an efficient filter to remove MPs for the first time. Balsa wood chip was delignified through three approaches using NaClO 2 , Na 2 SO 3 /NaOH, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of choline chloride/lactic acid. Delignified wood (DW) with desirable mechanical properties and a high pore structure was successfully prepared by optimizing the delignification method and reaction conditions. Subsequently, the CNF-CDW was prepared through immersion of DW in a suspension of cellulose nanofiber (CNF), followed by crosslinking with CaCl 2 solutions. The effects of CNF concentration, CaCl 2 concentration, and wood chip thickness on the removal efficiency and flux of CNF-CDW towards polystyrene (PS) MPs were systematically studied. Under the optimal conditions of 0.5 ​wt% CNF, 1 ​mol/L CaCl 2 , and 10 ​mm in thickness, the CNF-CDW exhibited superior MPs removal performance, with a removal efficiency of 95.97% and a flux of 1146 ​L/m2·h. Morphological analysis revealed that CNF formed compact films on the surface DW, and MPs were efficiently blocked both on the surface and internal cellular structure of CNF-CDW. Therefore, with its exceptional filtration efficiency, high flux, and sustainable nature, CNF-CDW has a broad application prospect in the field of removing MPs from aquatic environment, promoting a brighter and cleaner future for aquatic ecosystems and human well-being. [Display omitted] • An eco-friendly DES was used to mildly remove lignin and hemicellulose from wood. • Delignified wood (DW) exhibited a high pore structure and large specific surface area. • Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were further coated onto DW via crosslinking strategy. • CNF-coated DW displayed excellent performance in the removal of microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cholla cactus is a species of cacti that survives in arid environments and produces a unique mesh-like porous wood. In this article, we present a comprehensive investigation on the hierarchical structure and micromechanical properties of the Cholla cactus wood. Multiple approaches consisting of X-ray tomography, scanning electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, nanoindentation, and finite element simulations were used to gain insight into the structure, property, and design principles of the Cholla cactus wood. The microstructure of the Cholla cactus wood consists of different components, including vessels, rays, and fibers. In the present study, we quantitatively describe the structure of each of these wood components and their likely functions, both from the perspective of biological and mechanical behavior. Nanoindentation experiments revealed for the first time that the cell walls of the fibers exhibit stiffness and hardness higher than those of rays. Furthermore, the idea of making porous, thin-walled cylinders was abstracted from the design of vessel elements, and the structures inspired by this principle were studied in tensile and torsional loading conditions using finite element simulations. Finite element simulations revealed that the utilization of a larger volume of material to carry the load leads to an increase in toughness of these structures, and thus suggested that the pores should be architected to maximize the distribution of load. The Cholla cactus wood possess a unique hierarchical structure that enables it to thrive in arid environments. Our correlative microscopy approach reveals incredible strategies that individual wood components exhibit to enable the survival of Cholla cactus in extreme environments. The present work quantifies the microstructure and mechanical properties of this very interesting natural system. We further investigate a design principle inspired by the vessel elements, one of the wood components of Cholla cactus, using finite element simulations. The study presented here advances our understanding of the structural significance of Cholla cactus and potentially other desert plants and will further help design architected structural materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Notre-Dame de Paris (NDP) wooden oak frame is one of the greatest masterpieces of Gothic carpentry in France. It was constructed between 12th and 13th centuries, at a time of profound environmental and societal changes – climate optimum, strong demographic and economic growth – which created significant pressure on available forest resources, one of the key economic drivers of medieval societies. The project of the Notre-Dame oak wood frame study proposes four lines of research. The first three objectives aim to address society's adaptive response to the availability of wood resources during the High Middle Ages between the 11th and 13th c. The first objective is to study the timber and destroyed framework from an archaeological, mechanical and architectural point of view, in order to characterize the construction methods of the wooden frame and to identify the potential technical adaptations of the medieval society. The second purpose consists of characterizing the forest stands exploited, their management, and the possible silvicultural systems used for the production of adequate timber. The third purpose is to define the climatic and the socio-economical context of Paris and Ile-de-France via an unprecedented reconstruction of summer temperature and moisture from NDP woods, combined with textual sources. For the fourth objective, investigations on the hydro-mechanical properties of oak beams are undertaken to better understand the choice and use of oak beams in Middle Age for the NDP frame and to have the opportunities for innovations in wood uses in the context of European standard for timber buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of the rubble from the fire at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was the subject of an unprecedented protocol, drafted jointly by several departments of the ministère de la Culture and implemented by these same teams, assisted by compagnons (workers, foremen, forklift operators, automatic machine operators) present on the safety site. The aim of this approach, which was implemented immediately after the disaster, was to identify, from amongst all the collapsed materials on the floor and on the vaults, those that could be recovered, both for restoration purposes and for long-term scientific research - thus passing from the status of debris to that of vestiges. A sampling protocol, using robotic equipment on the ground and rope access technicians on the vaults, was thus organised to document and locate each material recovered (photographs, orthophotographs, geolocation): material specialists and archaeologists took turns for nearly twenty-four (24) months, in a context of lead pollution and according to an extremely constrained schedule, to carry out this sorting and draw up an initial inventory. At the end of this first phase of the scientific project, nearly ten thousand (10,000) pieces of timber, six hundred and fifty (650) pallets of stone items and three hundred and fifty (350) pallets of metal items are now stored in warehouses rented by the project management team, under the responsibility of the ministère de la Culture, and are currently the subject of a detailed inventory. All of the vestiges collected will thus be able to be used for the restoration of the building and, through the many research programmes already underway, contribute to a renewed knowledge of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wood is always a top material for beams. • 40 million of slender young oak trees are available in French forest. • Round-wood squared at the minimum keeps the high resistance of trunks. • Using green wood is the fastest and most energy-saving method. • High tech modern techniques can be used for the best sorting of trees. During the fire of Notre-Dame de Paris, all timber frames coming from the Middle ages period, in the nave and choir, were burnt. It was decided to proceed as possible to an identical reconstruction, but many questions arise about the timber frame. Is wood outdated as a material for beams? Is oak wood the best solution for timber frame? Are we able to find similar long slender oak beams in today French forest? Is it safe to use green wood for the building? In fact, the forested area in France is the same today as in the Middle ages period, but two times higher than during the 19th century. Results from the forest inventory proves that 40 million slender oak trees are available in order to sort around 1500 trees for the restoration. Cathedral heritage provided a demonstration of the high efficiency of carpenter's know-how. Most of oak beams kept their functionality for more than 800 years. This is a nice experimental result for a very long mechanical testing. Wood, emerged as material 300 million years ago as a result of long time evolution, is used to build trees, which are a collection of wooden beams able to resist flexure forces, for a long time. Technical know-how about timber frame is old in human societies and was improved during the Middle ages, but scientific knowledge about wood as an anisotropic material is very recent. The background in mechanics for such material has been developed in early 20th century and observation tools for material structures at the nanometre scale appeared in late 20th century. Wood can be considered as an archetypal high-tech material using polymer-with-additive technology combined to nanostructured fibre-composite within a honeycomb-like micro-structured material. This explains why nature solution for tree beams is very efficient in terms of bending resistance per weight. The mechanical behaviour of wooden beams is highly sensitive to the orientation of the main direction of anisotropy (grain direction) relative to bending forces. Natural beams in trees are built by a kind of 3D printing process so that grain orientation at beam periphery is always optimum. Mechanical bending performance of these beams (round-wood), in spite of branching, is equivalent to the performance of standard clear-wood specimens documented in databases. Squaring at the minimum this round-wood should be done while keeping grain angle closest to zero-degree value, which is performed by specific axe-hewn log squaring. The result is "coarse" slightly curved beams much more resistant than "nicely" straight sawn beams with local grain angle above 10° Using directly green wood in the building process is effective for time of building and energy consumption. The drying of wood induces long deep longitudinal cracks and a reduction in beam section but a bigger increase in wood mechanical performance. If the green frame resists, the dried one will resist all the following years. Finally, today carpenters have kept the building know-how and there are many modern non-destructive techniques available for the best sorting of trees and mechanical evaluation of beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A survey in terms of meaning and witness: identify, give a name, and even replace wooden pieces in the original Notre-Dame de Paris's framework using digital resources. • 3D restitution is helpful to create precise wood volume estimations. • First results of dendrochronology enable the phasing of the different parts of the Notre-Dame's frameworks. • The relocated remains dating will confirm or overturn archaeological hypothesis and allow wood resources studies. The tragic fire of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15th 2019 has provided researchers with a wide variety of materials to study. The condition of the framework remains does not allow any reuse, which creates an unprecedented opportunity to study the charred pieces of the frame: about 10,000 for the highest estimates. But upstream from the wooden items study, an inventory is required to establish methods that are consistent with the potential of the charred remains of the cathedral's framework. The purpose of this article is therefore to present the problems raised, the methods applied, the potential of the remains of the n-dame's frame - so called the "forest" - and the first results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood industry demands advanced methods for material classification and workpiece characteristic modelling to enhance process monitoring and adaptive process control. This paper presents a sensor fusion approach that integrates data from acoustic emissions, airborne sound, and power consumption during the milling of solid wood and wood-based composites. The aims are to achieve accurate material classification and to model workpiece characteristics such as surface roughness or density. A design matrix was generated by extracting relevant features from the multimodal signals to serve as an input for the classification and regression algorithms. The tested classification approaches to differentiate between workpiece type demonstrated high precision with an average validation accuracy of 92.16 %. Regression models for predicting the surface roughness showed R 2 values between 0.79 and 0.97. The density could be predicted with R2 values between 0.84 and 0.98. As a conclusion, workpiece types could be classified and important workpiece properties during machining, such as surface roughness and density, could be well described by using information from multiple sensors during machining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Continuous monitoring in a museum setting of the relief, shape deformation and surface strain of a painted wooden panel of cultural significance. • Shape deflection and strain are linked to moisture variations and structural reinforcements (frame and cradle). • A painted wooden panel of cultural significance is placed in a climatic showcase to assess its hygromechanical behaviour. • Experimental study of the hygromechanical response of a wooden panel by using a non-contact optical technique. • To raise public awareness of the conservation of artworks and the interaction between cultural heritage professionals and academics. In order to prevent damage to painted wooden panels from the cultural heritage sector, curators and conservators must provide the hygroscopic and thermal conditions necessary for their conservation. Furthermore, the design of physical reinforcements such as frames or cradles has to be considered. In this paper, experiments were designed to determine the kinematic response of a painting to hygrometric variations both before and after remedial conservation treatments were undertaken. This study was carried out in the Fabre Museum, Montpellier on the panel painting " La Sainte Trinité couronnant la Vierge " (« The Coronation of the Virgin by the Holy Trinity ») , which was placed in a climate-controlled showcase in a museum exhibition space. A glass panel on either side allowed visitors to see both sides of the panel during the experiment. At the same time, two stereoscopic devices allowed us to follow the relief, the shape deformation and surface strain of the panel on its front and back sides. First, the mechanical effect of the frame and cradle was studied. The majority of the deformation was found to be due to the cradle; initially the panel had a complex warp (-5 to 10 mm), decreasing to (-1 to +2 mm) when the cradle was removed. The continuous monitoring (two images per hour) was carrried out to assess the behaviour of the panel during imposed relative humidity (RH) variations of about 13 % RH (between 65 % RH for the maximum and 52 % RH for the minimum) for both the absorption and desorption phases. The global mechanical effect on the curvature was very clear with an opposite direction of deflection between absorption and desorption phases. A comparison of the behaviour of the panel with and without the cradle showed that the change in curvature was about twice as great (4 mm) without the cradle, and its direction moved from an initial slight negative curvature state to a positive one. In terms of strain on both the surfaces, we observed a horizontal shrinkage of about -0.1 % during the desorption phase and a swelling of about +0.1 % during the absorption phase for both the front and back sides of the panel. A further local study allowed us to assess the mechanical phenomenon for each board with the local determination of cupping angles and surface strains. This local study highlighted the change in behaviour of the panel without the cradle. On both sides, the local surface strains were decomposed into the mean strain and the deviation from the mean strain. The study highlighted the fact that the intensity of the mean strain (local swelling or shrinkage due to the hygroscopic changes) was the same for each configuration and was about 0.1 %. Nevertheless, in the case of the panel without the cradle, the imposed variation of relative humidity was smaller (8 % RH instead of 13 % RH), so proportionally the mean strain is higher compared to the case with a cradle. This study over five years has been success in terms of innovative development and multidisciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evo-devo studies usually examine which genes are expressed in which tissue, but the ways in which plants develop allow for a wider range of evo-devo approaches. Plant morpho evo-devo bases evolutionary inferences on the archive of development in plant morphology in features such as changes in leaf shape along stems, flowers along inflorescences, biomechanical properties along stems, or cell characteristics across rings of wood. These features and others provide detailed information regarding the ways in which development is involved in evolutionary diversification. Given this richness of biological information, the morpho evo-devo level is the appropriate one for key evo-devo questions from modularity and heterochrony to 'genes-as-followers' evolution. Moreover, in contrast to costly -omic approaches, it is accessible not only to scientists in higher income countries. Evo-devo is often thought of as being the study of which genes underlie which phenotypes. However, evo-devo is much more than this, especially in plant science. In leaf scars along stems, cell changes across wood growth rings, or flowers along inflorescences, plants trace a record of their own development. Plant morpho evo-devo provides data that genes could never furnish on themes such as heterochrony, the evolution of temporal phenotypes, modularity, and phenotype-first evolution. As plant science surges into increasingly -omic realms, it is essential to keep plant morpho evo-devo in full view as an honored member of the evo-devo canon, ensuring that plant scientists can, wherever they are, generate fundamental insights at the appropriate level of biological organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the adsorption capacity of the biochar obtained from Pinus patula biomass micro-gasification was studied using malachite green (MG) as the probe pollutant. For this purpose, the biomass type (wood pellets and chips) was selected to produce two kinds of biochar (BC). Afterwards, the effects of the adsorbent dose (6, 9 and 12 g/L), the solution pH (4, 7 and 10) and the BC particle size distribution (150–300, 300–450 and 450–600 μ m) for the maximization of the MG retention by the selected BC were evaluated using a faced-centered central composite design, as response surface methodology. The results indicated that the BC derived from wood chips (BWC) exhibited a higher MG dye adsorption capacity than the BC obtained from the wood pellets (BWP) gasification under the same operating conditions after having reached the equilibrium. A second-order regression model was built for describing the MG adsorption behaviour by BWC under the considered experimental domain. The model, which was validated, resulted to be statistically significant and suitable to represent the MG adsorption by the studied BC with a p-value of 0.00 and a correlation coefficient (R2) of 95.59%. Additionally, a three-dimensional response surface graph and a contour plot were utilized to analyze the interaction effects between the factors influencing the adsorption system and to discern the optimal operating conditions for the use of BWC. The maximal MG dye retention (99.70%) was found to be at an adsorbent dose, pH solution and a particle size distribution of 9.80 g/L, 10 and from 150 to 300 μ m, respectively. Therefore, the BWC tested can be utilized for the treatment of water polluted with dyes, contributing to the establishment of a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The choice of post-use wood treatment significantly affects emissions and radiative forcing. • Post-use wood treatment may lead to adverse outcomes in low carbon systems. • Recycling and reusing stand out as crucial features for low carbon and future contexts. This study investigates the climate change effects in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and radiative forcing resulting from different pathways of processing wood materials when they reach the end-of-life stage. The shares of combustion, landfill, recycling, and reuse, which vary with the pathways of post-use wood, influence the material and energy production systems. The dynamics of CO 2 and CH 4 emissions, together with the cumulative radiative forcing of each pathway, are evaluated from various regional system perspectives. The results show that the choice of a treatment pathway for post-use wood could strongly influence the profile of greenhouse gas emissions and, consequently, the global warming potential. Taking into account the situation of the reference material and energy production systems, the post-use wood can have unfavorable consequences for the climate, as in the case when the material and energy production systems are based on the low-carbon energy of natural gas. However, from the perspective where the treatment of post-use wood influences the quantity of forest biomass on the forest floor, the increased share of reuse and recycling contributes positively to the climate change mitigation, but only during the early stage. Under such a context, options relying on carbon capture and storage to handle biogenic CO 2 emissions at energy conversion facilities could cause a cooling effect on the Earth's atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminescent lanthanide-doped phosphates have never been introduced as potential materials for wood functionalization. Wood–ceramic composites (WCC) may enable the extensive use of wood in construction due to different functionalization. Hence, this work proposes the inorganic GdPO 4 ·H 2 O:Eu3+ compound as an alternative and innovative method to increase wood chemical resistance and confer new optical properties. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood – ceramic composite was obtained through in situ hydrothermal synthesis and compared with the untreated sapwood specimens. The enhanced characteristics of the WCC samples were demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray computed micro-tomography (μCT), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Optical properties were determined by luminescence analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light microscopy is the conventional method used to investigate wood anatomy, identify the wood taxon, and assess its conservation state. It generally requires the mechanical cut of thin sections from a sample to obtain informative images. When dealing with wooden artworks or ancient remains (e.g., archaeological waterlogged wood), it is important to avoid sample destruction. In this work the efficacy of micro-magnetic resonance imaging (μ -MRI) to investigate the anatomy of waterlogged wood is assessed in comparison with light microscopy. Images along the three anatomical directions (transverse, tangential and radial) of six modern wood species and one archaeological specimen of waterlogged wood (from the Neolithic site "La Marmotta") were obtained both by μ -MRI and light microscopy. μ -MRI images were acquired virtually selecting 2D slices along the three wood anatomical directions. A 3D reconstruction was derived from 2D μ -MRI images. Conventional light microscopy histology was obtained by manually cutting thin sections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which high-resolution MR images and light microscopy images of the three anatomical directions of seven wood species are compared. The non-destructive μ -MRI approach allows to investigate the 2D and 3D topological organization of the whole waterlogged wood sample up to a resolution of 8 μm. Although the optical microscope attains higher image resolutions and remains superior in the observation of wood diagnostic characters, multi-parametric μ -MRI provides physiological investigation complementary to light microscopy, giving information concerning both a single section and the whole volume of the sample. The presented study may represent a starting point for further improvements of μ -MRI techniques applied to the non-destructive investigation of waterlogged wood samples, especially those of interest for cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present the results for an analysis of charcoal remains from Klasies River main site cave 1. The analysis was done to understand the environmental conditions of the Tsitsikamma Coast during the late Holocene, approximately 2300 cal BP. A high-resolution reflective light microscope (Olympus BX51) with up to 500X magnification was used to analyse the microanatomy of archaeological and comparative wood charcoal, as well as following standard Anthracology procedures. Common woody species from the contemporary Klasies River landscape along with many others from other parts of southern Africa were used to identify archaeological charcoal samples to species. The vascular structures of archaeological and contemporary woody species from Klasies River were also measured and compared so that wood Vulnerability Indices could be calculated. Two species, Protorhus longifolia and Hibiscus cf. tiliaceus, from the archaeological charcoal assemblage indicate that environmental conditions in the Tsitsikamma Coast are no longer suited for their growth. These species currently grow in the east coastal areas and minimally in the eastern highlands of southern Africa where they tolerate a warm climatic setting. Overall, the taxonomic results indicate that more than 80% of the 17 archaeological species identified here are adapted to year-round and summer rainfall conditions. This is in contrast with the present environmental setting at Klasies River that includes, predominantly, species that prefer year-round and winter rainfall with fewer summer rainfall adapted species. A comparison of the vascular structure of the archaeological woody species against that of contemporary species indicates that the archaeological Klasies River landscape received relatively higher rainfall levels in the Late Holocene than it does presently. We conclude that the Klasies River landscape, located in the year-round rainfall region of southern Africa, supported differing amounts of winter and summer rainfall-adapted woody vegetation through time. During the late Holocene, c. 2300 cal BP, environmental or climatic conditions were more favourable for summer rainfall-adapted woody species to thrive better than at present. The same woody vegetation was also less adapted to aridity than that found in the area today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First appearance and morphology research on 15 Asian lacquer coatings during aging. • Changes in transparency, color, gloss, surface roughness and waviness were found. • Impacts of drying oils, resins, pigments and iron treatment were revealed. • Different appearance and morphology changes over aging were compared. • Visual observation, photography, optical measurements and microscopy were optimized. Asian lacquer is one of the earliest natural polymers used in human history. Objects made with decorative Asian lacquer are among the most exquisite collections in museums. This is the first systematic study on the influence of historically used additives on the appearance and morphology changes of unaged and aged lacquer coatings. Macro and microanalytical methods were optimized to investigate the surface changes of lacquer caused by artificial aging. These included visual observation, visible photography, optical measurements (gloss, haze, blanching, macro-texture and color) and microscopy. Results showed that additives altered the transparency, color, and surface roughness and waviness of unaged lacquer surfaces. Aging caused changes in surface morphology, particularly an increase in roughness due to cracking and pitting, and waviness. The transparency of transparent coatings also increased with aging. The widest cracks and earliest formation of cracks with aging were observed for thitsi mixed with wood oil. High surface roughness was observed for aged lacquers treated with iron and for vermillion formulations. A significant reduction in gloss and an increase in blanching was observed for aged iron-treated lacquers due to extensive pitting and cracking. Formulations with vermillion exhibited the largest surface pits, which led to the largest reduction in gloss and the most blanching. Aging caused black spots and darkening of the vermillion pigment. Aged formulations with carbon black exhibited large pits on the surfaces. Analyses of the cracking showed that, to a large extent, the width, length and number of cracks were influenced by components in the formulations. The phenomena of crack closure and displacement were identified for the first time in lacquered objects. The causes of blanching are discussed and the extent of blanching was tentatively quantitatively expressed by gloss and haze data obtained by a goniophotometer. In general, changes in appearance and morphology occurred from the beginning of the light aging cycle, except for cracking. Preventive conservation strategies during exhibition and storage should be tailored according to the formulation and preservation conditions of specific lacquer coatings. This study contributes to the knowledge and conservation of Asian lacquered surfaces. The analytical protocols may also be of value for studying and documenting other coating formulations, and the surfaces of works of art. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A full understanding of the role of elements in wood degradation was analysed. • The physic-chemical parameters of archaeological wood are closely related to the elements. • There is a difference in the tendency of wood of different species to collect elements. • Many elements affect quantity and quality of cellulose of archaeological wood. The contents of 47 major and trace elements and 6 wood physico-chemical parameters were determined in contemporary and archaeological fir (Abies alba Mill.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), oak (Quercus sp.), and elm (Ulmus sp.), to determine their mutual relations. The concentration of elements in soil and wood samples was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS) and the obtained results were interpreted based on statistical analyses (t -test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD). Identification of wood physico-chemical parameters included detection of conventional density, content of cellulose, lignin and ash, identification of cellulose molecular weight, and content of lignin metoxyl groups was also performed. Mean content of As, B, Ca, Cu, and Sr in urban soils, where archaeological wood samples were found was higher than in forest soils where contemporary samples were collected, while for Cd, Co, Mn, Na, V, and Zn there were no significant differences between their mean concentration in urban and forest soil. Higher contents of elements were recorded for all investigated archaeological woods. There is a difference in the tendency of wood of different species to collect elements. Moreover both the quantity and quality of archaeological wood cellulose is related to the content of As, DMA, B, Ca, Ce, Co, Cu, Na, Nb, Se, Sr and V. It is clear that in archaeological wood the relationship between a chemical element and a physico-chemical parameter is stronger than in contemporary wood. A full understanding of the role of elements, particularly of non-biodegradable and environmentally harmful heavy metals in wood degradation, will allow for a better choice of methods for the appropriate protection of archaeological wooden objects. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Our study puts wood-degrading fungi within a practical framework, one that is applicable to archaeology and foundation engineering. • Within archaeology and foundation engineering, there is too little knowledge about the velocity of fungal attack under changing conditions around foundations and archaeological sites. In the Netherlands, maintaining groundwater levels is a challenge, and given the altitude of our country, this is not easy. Added to this is the increasing risk of drought due to climate change. • Our results are therefore of great importance for the careful protection of archaeological sites and wooden pile foundations that support many monumental buildings. By knowing the soil moisture levels and the time within which too low moisture levels will lead to damage, effective action can be taken. • A laboratory experiment with piles in real dimensions, in different sediments, in changing environment from submerged conditions to drought with moisture content monitoring on different heights in the piles as well in heartwood as in sapwood and with the effect on decay is never done before. In many places around the world, soils preserve ancient wooden elements. These are related to archaeological objects such as shipwrecks, water wells or tools, but also to piled constructions supporting buildings and waterworks. In countries like the Netherlands, a significant part of the built environment still stands on wooden piles and some have been in function for more than 600 years. For the preservation of this wood, it is essential that it remains waterlogged. Due to climate change, more and longer periods of drought are expected during which groundwater levels drop. Previously waterlogged wood that finds itself above groundwater loses its water protection as oxygen becomes available and wood degrading fungi become active. It is unclear how much time it takes before these detrimental processes start to have an effect. Therefore, to better protect buried wood, an understanding of the degradation processes under dynamic groundwater levels is needed. This includes the conditions under which the fungi become active and when these conditions occur in and around the wood. To address this complex issue, two experiments were conducted: Firstly, under optimal laboratory conditions, the rate of degradation over time by different fungal species in different wood species was determined. Subsequently, the changing conditions in and around wooden piles after lowering the groundwater level were examined in a field experiment. The latter experiment showed that the wood-soil matrix provides long-term protection against degradation. The soil types appear to be an important factor as well as the moisture content of the wood, both determining for how long the protection can be maintained. Together with the degradation speed by fungi, a risk assessment can be made for specific conditions when drought leads to loss of archaeological cultural heritage or to instability of our (monumental) buildings and structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to investigate different chemical pretreatment methods to reduce the lignin and hemicellulose content of Omani Prosopis Juliflora. The pretreated wood will then be acid hydrolyzed to convert the cellulose content to sugar. Four types of pretreatment methods were employed, namely: Alkaline pretreatment (Method I), Alkaline + Hydrogen peroxide pretreatment (Method II), Alkaline + Hydrogen peroxide + acid-chlorite pretreatment (Method III) and Alkaline + H 2 O 2 + Acid-chlorite + bicarbonate pretreatment (Method IV). The effectiveness of each pretreatment method was assessed by measuring lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose contents and the crystallinity index (CrI) using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results were further assessed by taking images of the wood samples after each pretreatment step using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results showed that the CrI increased from 51% for the untreated samples to 61%, 65%, 68% and 73.2% after treating with Method I, II, III and IV, respectively. Measuring the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents showed that the effectiveness of the methods in ascending order was Method I < Method II < Method III < Method IV. The pretreated wood samples by method IV were acid hydrolyzed. The effect of acid type, namely: H 2 SO 4 , HNO 3 , HCl and H 3 PO 4 , concentration and hydrolysis time on the %conversion of cellulose to sugar was investigated. The results revealed that H 2 SO 4 was the most effective acid, whereas H 3 PO 4 was the weakest. The efficiency of the tested acids follows the following order: H 2 SO 4 > HNO 3 > HCL > H 3 PO 4. For all acids tested, the %conversion of cellulose to reducing sugar as a function of time increases linearly till t = 90 min, after which no change in the %conversion was obtained. Investigating the effect of acid concentration showed that as the concentration increases, the %conversion increases too. Upon increasing acid concentration from 1% to 10%, the %conversion increases from 12% to 62% for H 2 SO 4 , from 5% to 43% for HNO 3 , from 0% to 47% for HCl, and from 5% to 34% for H 3 PO 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood is an abundant and renewable feedstock for pulping and biorefining, but the aromatic polymer lignin greatly limits its efficient use. Sulis et al. recently reported a multiplex CRISPR editing strategy targeting multiple lignin biosynthetic genes to achieve combined lignin modifications, improve wood properties, and make pulping more sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the pulp quality, it is essential to understand the influence of wood characteristics in the Kraft process, highlighting the methylglucuronic (MeGlcA) and hexenuronic (HexA) acids contents, and the syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio. Since their monitoring is still inefficient, it becomes difficult to use fully data-driven modeling approaches. Therefore, it is important to improve consolidated phenomenological models. In this work, an extended Purdue model was developed to simulate a continuous kraft pulp digester. Unlike most works, we considered the formation of HexA from MeGlcA and the dissolution of both compounds. We also considered the contribution of HexA to the kappa number, an important key performance indicator. As an innovation, we proposed the addition of the S/G ratio influence on the delignification rate of hardwoods by using experimental data taken from literature. The steady-state profiles and dynamic responses were similar to those found in the base work. The blow-line kappa number was 20% higher than that obtained disconsidering HexA. By performing a sensitivity analysis, the steady-state profile of kappa number proved to be very sensitive to variations in the S/G ratio. Thus, the results confirmed the importance of wood characteristics in the kraft pulping. [Display omitted] • Improvement of an already consolidated phenomenological model, the Purdue model. • MeGlcA and HexA kinetics were considered in the modelling. • A significant contribution from HexA was accounted for the kappa number. • S/G ratio of the fed wood was included on the delignification rate equation. • A sensitivity analysis showed that S/G ratio strongly influences the kappa number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the process of drying a layer of relatively large thickness (up to 100 mm) of woody biomass under conditions of radiation-convective heating. Based on the temperature values recorded in the experiments at the characteristic points of the biomass layer during the drying period, an analysis was made of the influence of the density of the filling of finely dispersed wood (pine shavings, sawdust) on the drying times. It has been established that the compaction of biomass leads to a significant acceleration (by 1.5–2 times, depending on the ambient temperature) of the drying process. A physical model is formulated that describes a complex of heat and mass transfer processes that occur during heating of woody biomass under compaction conditions. It is shown that a 1.7-fold increase in the density of a layer of finely dispersed wood (with an initial thickness of 100 mm) leads to an increase in the layer temperature during the entire drying period by an average of 23%. In order to substantiate the established regularities, an analysis was made of the change in the thermal conductivity of biomass during its compaction using a group of mathematical models of the thermal conductivity of heterogeneous media. The results of the theoretical analysis showed that the increase in the efficiency of biomass drying during its compaction occurs as a result of an increase in the effective thermal conductivity of the layer of crushed woody biomass. The results of the experiments clearly illustrate the possibility of increasing the efficiency of drying dispersed woody biomass without additional costs for optimizing heat and mass transfer processes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for species that produce high-quality charcoal is necessary to reduce the use of non-renewable sources of energy in the steel industry. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the quality of new and non-commercial charcoal species in Brazil. Eight species of Corymbia and Eucalyptus were sampled and carbonized on a laboratory scale. The gravimetric yields of the carbonization, proximate and ultimate analysis, apparent density (AD) and energy density (ED), higher heating value (HHV), ignition (Di), and combustion (Si) indexes were determined through the curve of thermogravimetric derivative (DTG). The results suggest that C. variegata, E. longirostrata, E. major , C. henryi, and C. citriodora are competitively promising for producing charcoal for the steel industry when compared to the commercial species (E. urophylla) since they produce low reactivity charcoal (Si ∼3 × 107%2 min−2 °C−3), high energy density (>13 GJ m−3) and apparent density (>400 kg m−3). These characteristics are essential for a better energy performance, making the non-commercial species appropriate for use in Brazilian steel industry since there is a reduction on the energy consumption in the blast furnace per ton of iron produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical information on physico-chemical characterization, thermo-kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters for pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass are vital for safe and efficient design of biomass pyrolysis reactors. In the present investigation, physico-chemical characterization, pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis kinetics, and thermodynamic analysis of poplar wood (PW), eucalyptus wood (EW), and their binary blend (MW) were studied via TGA-thermograms obtained at 5, 10, and 20 °C/min under nitrogen atmosphere. The kinetic parameters were computed via model-fitting (inflection point and multiple linear regression) and model-free (OFW and KAS) methods. Both approaches predicted a different set of kinetic triplets where E-value from model-fitting (73.20 ± 1.57, 55.68 ± 1.34, 65.56 ± 1.18 kJ/mol for PW, EW, and MW) and model-free (173.86 ± 0.48, 210.53 ± 0.39, and 203.47 ± 0.23 kJ/mol for PW, EW, and MW) methods was predicted. Endothermicity, degree of stability, and energy barrier were found to be in the order of EW > MW > PW, EW > MW = PW, and EW = MW > PW, respectively. Further, behavior of pyrolysis reaction was established with the help of Criado method using Z(α) master plots. At initial conversion, diffusional processes predominate which was best described by D 1 (1-D diffusion; Parabola law) and thereafter nuclei grew according to first- and third-order reaction models. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Marine litter (ML) in the Catalan coast is composed by 64 % of plastic. • The most populated area holds the highest amount and density of ML. • Density of ML varies with depths being highest in the continental shelf. • Bottom trawlers may potentially remove 237 ± 36 t year−1 of ML in the Catalan coast. The seafloor of the Mediterranean Sea accumulates marine litter (ML), an area where bottom trawlers operate and can accidentally catch the litter from the seafloor. This study aims to describe and quantify the ML caught by bottom trawlers along the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea) and estimate the potential of the bottom trawl fleet to extract ML from the area as a Fishing for Litter (FFL) initiative to tackle the ML issue. Marine litter was collected from commercial trawlers and was classified as metal, plastic, rubber, textile, wood, and other waste and weighed (kg) from 305 hauls performed during three years (2019–2021) from 9 different ports at 3 different depths. ML was present in 97 % of the hauls, with plastic being the most abundant material. The composition varied according to zone, port and depth, with the highest densities found in highly urbanized areas (13.75 ± 3.25 kg km−2), which mainly contained plastics (74.3 %). The port of Barcelona had the highest presence of plastics (23.62 ± 6.49 kg km−2), mainly wet wipes. Regarding depth, the continental shelf had the highest density of ML, with 12.24 ± 2.40 kg km−2. The potential ML removal (t year−1) was calculated using fishing effort (hours). It is estimated that the bottom trawlers may potentially remove 237 ± 36 t year−1 of ML in the Catalan coast. FFL initiatives should be part of a multidisciplinary approach to tackle marine litter, which must include prevention, monitoring, and cleaning actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A natural outdoor aging and soiling of RR and diffusive coatings was performed. • Glass beads RR and diffusive coatings were made by different substrate materials. • A spectrophotometric analysis and an angular reflectivity investigation were performed. • Data of aged and pristine coatings were compared. • The max. relative RR capability is 18.5% for RR made by the roughest substrate. The latest research suggests the use of retro-reflective (RR) materials as innovative coating solutions for building envelopes and urban surfaces. This study aims at investigating the performance of RR materials after outdoor aging and soiling during summer 2021 in Perugia, Italy. Different glass beads RR coatings were realized with three substrate typologies, characterized by various roughness, and they were investigated in terms of their optic performance. Also diffusive (DIFF) coatings were made for comparison purposes. Variations in terms of solar reflectance and relative angular reflection distribution were compared with the same coatings in pre-aging conditions. Pre-aging optic data were presented and discussed in a previous work by the Authors. In all cases, the aged samples exhibit lower global reflectance values compared to their original conditions: the RR coating over a smooth pine wood substrate shows the highest reduction value equal to 14.4%. A stronger relative RR component was found for all the RR samples in post-aging conditions. Future developments may involve the identification of an optimal protective layer to be applied on RR materials to prevent the detachment of glass beads in RR post-aging coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An approach for the conservation of waterlogged wood veneered in ivory is described. • Dual evaluation performed on samples prepared in laboratory and on one original piece. • Laboratory samples were artificially degraded putting them in contact with brown rot. • Drying conditions were highly important for the success of the entire treatment process. • Approach applicable where suitable conservation methodology needs to be set-up. This work describes how a conservation method making use of aqueous solutions of lactitol and trehalose (9:1) was chosen to treat several elements of wood furniture veneered in ivory carved in bas-relief and preserved in waterlogged condition. These elements were discovered during the excavations carried out in Villa dei Papiri, the most famous of the luxury villas of Herculaneum. The approach described was based on a dual evaluation. It was carried out: (a) on probe wood specimens produced in the laboratory capable of simulating both the impregnability by consolidants and the deformation of decayed waterlogged wood; (b) on one archaeological element belonging to the original furniture, representative of the material to be treated. The probe specimens produced in the laboratory were artificially degraded by placing them in contact with the brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana , in order to obtain a material of variable decay, similar to that of the original archaeological furniture elements. Three experimental factors were considered when treating probe specimens: (a) the type of substrate, (b) the initial and final consolidant concentration and (c) the drying regime. Three types of substrates were considered: specimens covered with a polycarbonate sheet to simulate the ivory veneer and wrapped in gauze; specimens only wrapped in gauze; and naked specimens, that is, with no obstacles for consolidant penetration. Considering consolidant concentration, the probe specimens were impregnated by full immersion, increasing the concentration of lactitol/trehalose in four combinations: from 15 to 50%, 15 to 60%, 30 to 50%, and 30 to 60%. Last, three drying regimes were considered: 50 °C in an oven, 30 °C/35% RH and 20 °C/65% RH. Results showed that probe specimens whose impregnation started with 30% consolidant in the solution and finished in 60%, and dried under 30 °C and 35% RH exhibited limited volume variations after drying equivalent to those obtained by drying at 50 °C. Drying conditions were important factors in the success of the entire treatment process. As was consolidant uptake, in relation to the extent of decay of the archaeological material. Moreover, the presence of the physical barriers simulating the existence of the ivory veneers and gauzes did not disturb the efficacy of the treatment, as long as sufficient time was given to allow the water-consolidant exchange process to be completed. In the end, the treatment conditions selected on the basis of these probing tests, that is, start with initial concentration of 30%, final concentration of 60%, and drying at 30 °C/35% RH, showed to be successful for treating the representative element of the archaeological furniture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Copper cations of bronze corrosion products were concentrated into the middle lamella (ML) of cell walls, and intensively fixed on the surface of cell lumen. • Cellulose was well-preserved in archaeological wood contaminated by copper corrosion, but lignin was severely degraded. • Iron underwent an intense Fenton reaction and produced hydroxyl radicals, resulting in wood polymer degradation accelerating. The deterioration mechanism of wooden archaeological artifacts inside the bronze of excavated chariots is not understood because it is unknown how bronze corrosion products affect the degradation of archaeological wood. In this paper, several microtopography and chemical analysis methods were used to characterize changes in the hierarchical structures and analyze the deterioration mechanisms of archaeological wood inside the bronze parts of chariots. The results indicated that some important components of chariots in ancient China mainly were made of Ulmus spp. and Pteroceltis tatarinowii woods due to their higher strength and good wear resistance in ancient traditional timber tree species. Furthermore, cellulose was well-preserved in archaeological wood contaminated by copper corrosion, especially crystalline cellulose, but lignin and hemicelluloses were severely degraded. The crystallite thickness and crystallinity of cellulose were also higher than those of more recent wood, but the arrangement of cellulose was disoriented. Copper cations of bronze corrosion products were concentrated into the middle lamella (ML) of cell walls and fixed on the inner surface of cell lumen. The micro-distributions of copper and lignin were correlated. However, iron components embedded in bronze underwent an intense Fenton reaction and produced hydroxyl radicals that penetrated the wood and accelerated wood polymer degradation. With an understanding of this deterioration mechanism, it is possible to determine possible conservation and preservation methods, including the development of copper preservatives and the desalination of iron compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study was conducted in a seven-meter-deep pool wherein the waterlogged ship wood from the "Nanhai I" shipwreck was extracted. • The use of veratraldehyde in underwater archaeology has the potential to revolutionize the field by providing a new method and material for temporary solidification. • The proposed extraction method can safely extract the fragile ship woods underwater. • A set of scientific techniques were proposed for successful in-situ solidifying and extraction of underwater fragile wooden artifacts. In-situ solidifying extraction of large-volume and severely damaged underwater fragile artifacts is still one of the major issues in underwater archaeology. Recent evidence suggests that veratraldehyde can be used to temporarily solidify artifacts underwater; however, it is still challenging to use it in actual archaeological sites. This prospective study was conducted in a seven-meter-deep pool wherein veratraldehyde was used to solidify and extract waterlogged ship wood from the "Nanhai I" shipwreck. The entire underwater extraction process was recorded using a camera. The change in the wood surface color before and after extraction was relatively minor. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the wood microstructure was not significantly damaged, while nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed no residues of veratraldehyde and its oxidation products. Overall, the proposed method utilizes a set of scientific techniques for successful in-situ solidifying extraction of underwater fragile wooden artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida auris persists in the environment despite disinfection. Its survival on various environmental surfaces and the effect of sublethal concentrations of disinfectants on C. auris has not been studied. To investigate the survival of C. auris on environmental surfaces, and the effect of sublethal concentrations of disinfectants. Surface material blocks were fabricated and artificially contaminated with C. auris. Viable counts were assessed for 3 weeks. In addition, C. auris cells were pulsed daily with disinfectants for 15 days, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined. Ergosterol quantities and efflux pump assays were performed on disinfectant-exposed strains using standard methods. C. auris survived on all the surfaces for >3 weeks, with the lowest count of 2.3 log colony-forming units, regardless of wet or dry conditions. Wet wood supported the growth of C. auris (a 1 log increase), whereas dry wood inhibited this organism (both P <0.01). In the biofilm form, C. auris flourished on all surfaces. Although the MICs increased in C. auris cells pulsed with sodium dichloroisocyanurate and benzalkonium chloride, only C. auris exposed to benzalkonium chloride showed decreased ergosterol content and an activated efflux pump. Although C. auris survived on all tested surfaces, survival on wet wood was remarkable. C. auris pulsed with benzalkonium chloride developed some degree of tolerance to disinfectant and showed efflux pump activation, suggesting the development of low-level resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFC) are an interesting topic today and many studies are being carried out on their development. In this study, the PtRu catalyst was developed by carbon nanofibers (CNF), which are thought to be highly effective in increasing the active surface area for alcohol oxidation in fuel cells. The methanol and ethanol oxidation electrocatalytic activities of synthesized CNF-supported Platinum–Ruthenium (PtRu@CNF) nanoparticles were investigated. In alcohol oxidation measurements of CNF-supported Pt–Ru nanoparticles; The ratio of diffusion efficiency, oxidation potential, forward oxidation peak current density, and forward peak current density to reverse peak current density was found to be quite good. The forward peak current densities of ethanol and methanol oxidation for the synthesized PtRu@CNF catalyst were found to be 29.17 mA/cm2 and 48.14 mA/cm2, respectively. The prepared PtRu@CNF nanoparticles have high conductivity, low onset potential, and high electrochemical surface area (ECSA; 20.30 cm2) as a suitable catalyst for the DAFCs. • Obtaining CNF from lignin. • Alcohol oxidation using PtRu@CNF. • Catalyst with high ECSA and CO tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first anthracological results for the Late Almoravid, Early Almohad, and Late Almohad Andalusi phases at the San Esteban archaeological site in the southeastern of the Iberian Peninsula. Archaeobotanical studies are the only way to access the information silenced in written sources: the relationship between the rural and the urban worlds and the wood fuel production cycle. We propose a field multi-sampling strategy in the recovery process by analyzing hand-picking and flotation of light and heavy fractions through >4 and > 2 mm fragment-size classes to evaluate plant taxa presence and absence in the different units of analysis. Flotation sampling offered the highest taxa representativeness but needed hand-picking to complete the anthracological results. The combustion structures in Building 1 and Building 2 yielded 27 taxa for the different phases. This allowed us to map human agency through the paleoeconomic spatial analysis of production and consumption from the perspective of carrying capacity and the resilient possibilities of the environment. The results mainly present local, opportunistic, and self-management of forest resources and pruning in fruit orchards in irrigated agriculture that contributed to the wood fuel production cycle and consumption knowledge, blurring the line between the rural and the urban spheres for wood acquisition management in maintenance activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gorgan Plain (NE Iran) is largely treeless today but it possibly was not in the past. We use palaeobotanical data from radiocarbon-dated sediments and archaeological excavations to investigate the extent and use of woodland under the Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE). Palynology, anatomical studies of charred and uncharred wood, insects and botanical macroremains have shed new light on this question. Palynological research points to natural origins of the open steppe vegetation in the Gorgan Plain contrasting to carpological and wood anatomy studies indicating wide use of trees and shrubs during the Sasanian period. As it shown by charcoal data, local sources provided enough firewood for kilns in short-term use, but were insufficient for supplying fortification garrisons which required additional supplies from the Hyrcanian forests. These forests provided the main source of firewood for sites located close to the Alborz Mountains. Cultivation of trees was widespread during the Sasanian era for fruits, shadow and possibly moriculture for silk production. Palaeobotanical records are still very rare in the Gorgan Plain. New data are a desideratum to gain further insights into woodland use before, during and after the Sasanian Empire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological sites in wetlands or under waterlogged conditions provide excellent preservation conditions for organic material, particularly wood, and therefore constitute one of the most important prehistoric sources for dendroarchaeological studies available. The site of Bouchain in the North of France, is located on the bank of a palaeochannel close to the Scheldt River, a North Sea tributaty. Regular floods of varying intensity led to formation of peat and waterlogged site conditions, providing vast amounts of wooden artefacts sampled for dendroarchaeological analyses within an interdisciplinary research effort, further involving palynological, malacological and anthracological studies. Here we present a study on a total of 1858 individual wood objects, including architectural elements (posts, stakes and planks), tools and hunting weapons (axe handles, arrow shafts and bows, throwing sticks, slingshot balls), tableware, production waste from woodworking (chips) and finally two log boats. In addition, natural wood residues from peat and alluvial layers have been collected and analysed to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the Neolithic forest vegetation on-site. After an early occupation of the site during the Mesolithic period, the archaeological sequence is placed between the Middle Neolithic and the end of the Late Neolithic (∼4200–2700 BCE). However, the main occupation is in the Late Neolithic, broadly between 3400 BCE and 2950 BCE. The interdisciplinary approach allows to specify the nature of the forest stands on the periphery of the site as riparian forest of alder type, associated with a mixed forest and heliophilous vegetation. The dendroarchaeological investigations enabled precise tree-ring dating and provides important insights into the selection and processing of wood in Neolithic times in the context of weaponry production, shipbuilding and food consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the wood milling process, the milling cutter will jeopardize the continuity and integrity of wood fibres, resulting in the surface roughness not meeting the requirements. Surface roughness is an important indicator to assess the surface quality of wood products, which has a great impact on its subsequent sealing performance, painting and decorative quality. Therefore, the surface roughness requirements should be factored in when designing the machining process and determining the machining allowance. This paper uses a computer numerical control (CNC) woodworking milling machine to process camphor wood products. During this processing experiment, the paper analyses the impact of changes in major processing parameters on the surface roughness of wood products, such as spindle speed, feed rate, movement trajectory, milling depth, along and against the grain. When it comes to the state of the wood product surface not meeting the subsequent process requirements after milling, further measures are proposed for ablative finishing treatment. In order to find the best way to remove the surface burr without damaging the base surface, the surface burr of milling wood was studied and analyzed from the micro-angle. Using scanning electron microscopy along with microscopic imaging technology to observe and analyse, the paper establishes an ablation model of processing surface burrs and conducts simulation analysis of the influence of parameter changes, to provide some theoretical basis for practical production and related research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trophic ecosystem functions between consumer and resource species have been explored either using functional trait diversity or interaction networks. However, these approaches miss a critical element that has not been addressed yet: traits only impact trophic ecosystem functions when species interact. Understanding the mechanisms shaping trophic ecosystem functions requires the integration of functional and network ecology into a single trait-based framework. Based on previous developments of functional diversity and interactions networks, we present the interaction functional space (IFS) as an integrative framework to analyze how the traits of interacting species build up a combined functional space that underpins trophic ecosystem functions. The IFS can be applied to a broad range of trophic functions to understand how they emerge and change under global change. Quantifying the vulnerability of ecosystems to global change requires a better understanding of how trophic ecosystem functions emerge. So far, trophic ecosystem functions have been studied from the perspective of either functional diversity or network ecology. To integrate these two perspectives, we propose the interaction functional space (IFS) a conceptual framework to simultaneously analyze the effects of traits and interactions on trophic functions. We exemplify the added value of our framework for seed dispersal and wood decomposition and show how species interactions influence the relationship between functional trait diversity and trophic functions. We propose future applications for a range of functions where the IFS can help to elucidate mechanisms underpinning trophic functions and facilitate understanding of functional changes in ecosystems amidst global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the speedy advancement of wireless communications, electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution and electromagnetic interference (EMI) are gradually austere, which makes it an urgent need to develop high-performance EMW absorbers and shields. Carbon-based materials are important members of the family of EMW absorbing and shielding materials, due to their satisfactory electrical conductivity, low density, and good corrosion resistance. Especially, wood biomass-derived carbon materials, including carbonized cellulose, lignin and wood monolith, are acclaimed for their rich conductive network, unique porous structure, and effective loading of functional fillers, which promotes high-efficiency EMW absorption and shielding, and provides a new idea for using wood biomass resources in a high-value way. Additionally, due to the high yield of wood biomass, the mass production of carbonized wood biomass-derived EMW absorbers and EMI shields becomes more promising compared with other carbon materials. Hence, relevant studies should be summarized. Meanwhile, the functions of carbon materials need to be clarified and the importance of carbon materials needs to be highlighted. In this review, the roles of wood biomass-derived carbon in various EMW absorbing and shielding materials were emphasized, along with an analysis of related studies. Meanwhile, the main obstacles and the prospects of wood biomass-derived carbon were proposed. [Display omitted] • Clarifying the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption/shielding mechanism. • Reviewing the main functions of wood biomass-derived carbon in EMW absorbing/shielding. • Discussing future research directions and challenges of wood biomass-derived carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transcriptome profiles for Paulwonia terminal buds under different photoperiods provided evidence for the causes of terminal bud death and growth. • The genes of ABF, CYCD3, ERF1, and ARR-A are crucial for the regulation of terminal bud death. • TOC1 and LHY play an important role in the terminal bud growth of Paulwonia. The Paulownia is well-known for wood production and is called the tree of the future. A significant limitation of Paulownia cultivation is the "large crown and short stem" caused by the death of the terminal buds in autumn. In a previous study, we observed that the short day (SD, 8 h light and 16 h dark) results in the death of the terminal bud, whereas the long day (LD, 24 h light) results in sustained growth. To understand the molecular basis underlying this phenomenon, we conducted the RNA-Seq analysis of apical shoots in Paulownia under the SD and LD growth conditions for the three periods (2, 4, and 6 weeks). The metabolic pathways enrichment analysis was identified under the SD conditions, whereas the plant hormone signal transduction pathway plays an important regulatory role. After the cessation of growth, the ABF (a family of ABA-responsive element binding factors) in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling was downregulated. In addition, ERF1 in the ethylene (ETH) pathway, CYCD3 in the brassinosteroid (BR) pathway, and ARR-A in the cytokinin (CTK) pathway were upregulated. These may lead to reduced resistance of the terminal buds, continued cell division activity in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), and, ultimately, failure to form regular dormant buds. On the other hand, under LD conditions, TOC1 was upregulated, and LHYs were downregulated, along with genes involved in circadian rhythm, resulting in sustained growth. The findings help to elucidate the molecular mechanism of different photoperiods inducing terminal bud growth and death in the Paulownia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developed a novel computational model for estimation of crack damage initiation and propagation in wood panel paintings. • Identified that seasonal humidity change with larger magnitude is the dominant cause of damage in wood panel paintings. • The modelling results suggested an optimum storage condition of wood panel paintings. Determining the storage and display conditions for historical panel (wood) paintings requires a balance between ensuring the painting's preservation whilst also considering the energy consumption associated with climate control. The latter has become very important due to the need to lower the carbon footprint of museums and historical houses. In order to address this need, we have developed numerical models based on finite element analysis to simulate the initiation of two types of potential damage in panel paintings, namely interfacial and channelling cracks in the oil paint layer, under cyclically varying relative humidity. These models are based on our case study at Knole House (National Trust), Kent. Using known data for the past environment in which the paintings within the Brown Gallery at Knole House have been exposed, the ambient RH variation was approximated by three cycles, i.e., annual, biannual, and monthly varying cycles. Four RH cases, one containing all three cycles and each of the other three cases containing just two of the three cycles, were applied as boundary conditions to simplified geometries of the panel paintings in an effort to investigate the effects of the frequency and the amplitude of the variation on the possibility of cracking in the painting. The models need several material parameters as input which are not all available. Therefore, the study also includes some parametric studies to determine possible variations in the crack initiation. According to the model predictions, the channelling crack initiates slightly earlier than the interfacial crack. The crack initiation time in an uncontrolled environment (containing all three RH cycles) predicted by the model is approximately 120 years which empirically is a realistic estimate. Furthermore, the annual RH cycle (high amplitude and low frequency) has the most significant effect on the crack initiation. By removing the annual variation from the RH cycle, the initiation of both channelling and interfacial cracks can be postponed significantly, from approximately 120 years to over 400 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel-based materials exhibit great potential in the field of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however, the low catalytic active site and poor corrosion resistance still limit further application. Herein, a novel 3D self-supporting electrode of graphene oxide/nickel-cobalt/carbonized wood (GO/Ni–Co/CW) based on porous carbon is developed. The self-supporting structure of the electrode effectively prevents the shedding of catalytic materials, while the exposed active sites of the Ni–Co nanosheets ensure excellent catalysis and the decoration of GO further enhances the HER performance. Evidently, GO/Ni–Co/CW requires an overpotential of 52 mV in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and 70 mV in 1 M KOH to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the introduction of GO greatly improves the stability performance of the electrode due to its corrosion resistance, as found by the catalytic stability performance test. As a new idea, GO decorated Ni–Co nanosheets grown on wood-based porous carbon as electrodes fully combine and exploit the advantages of CW's 3D porous structure, Ni–Co nanosheets' catalytic activity, and GO's corrosion resistance, which provide an effective strategy for novel nickel-based HER electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • A 3D porous wood-based self-supporting electrode was constructed. • Active sites exposed on nickel-cobalt nanosheets ensure excellent catalytic activity. • The introduction of graphene oxide enhances the stability of the electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the extensive application of wood materials in the construction and manufacturing, waste wood has potential of converting into new natural energy sources. In this study, cypress, pine and fir woods commonly used in China, as well as old samples for above each species (more than 200 years old) have been used to study the aging and species effects on their thermal stability and combustion models. To obtain the kinetic triplets of the pyrolysis process, all samples have been heated in a nitrogen atmosphere with heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min−1. The kinetics parameters of pyrolysis throughout the conversion process were then calculated using isoconversional method, Coats-Redfern (CR), and masterplots methods. The reconstructed theoretical models have been then adjusted using the accommodation functions. The results of this study contribute to an increased understanding of the fire mechanism of waste woods, and implications concerning to provide scientific theoretical guidance for its feasibility as a new energy fuel more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]