The rapid growth of e-commerce platforms presents unique opportunities to analyze consumer behavior and predict product preferences in the furniture industry. This study explores the use of machine learning techniques to predict consumer choices for furniture products based on favorite listing data from e-commerce platforms. A dataset of 239 furniture products was collected, categorized into three groups: most preferred, moderately preferred, and least preferred. Key attributes, including furniture type, dimensions (width, depth, height), color, material, and price, were analyzed. Machine learning models, specifically Decision Trees and Random Forests, were applied to develop prediction models for these categories. The models were assessed using metrics such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and F1-score. Results indicated that the Random Forest model outperformed the Decision Tree, achieving 83% accuracy in predicting preference categories. Feature importance analysis highlighted that price and physical dimensions were the most significant factors influencing consumer preferences. These findings suggest that practical and economic aspects are prioritized over aesthetic features when choosing furniture. The study demonstrates the potential of machine learning in predicting consumer behavior, offering valuable insights for manufacturers and retailers in optimizing product development, inventory management, and marketing strategies.

To expand the potential of cork composite wood flooring as an interior material, this study investigated the bending performance of sandwich-structured cork composite wood flooring. The cork composite wood flooring was composed of temperate and tropical wood species as face layer and a cork board reinforced with metal, glass fiber, or carbon fiber placed between two cork boards as the core layer. The MOE value of wood flooring with merbau (M) had the highest value (6.71 GPa) and that of larch (La) had the lowest value (5.40 GPa). Overall, the MOE value of wood flooring with tropical wood species had higher value than those with temperate wood species, which had lower densities. According to the core reinforcements, the CM (cork board-metal) type showed a higher MOE value than the CG (cork board-glass fiber) and CC (cork board-carbon fiber) types. However, within the specific MOE, the order was CG > CC > CM. The ratio measured to calculated MOE ranged from 1.0 to 1.1, it showed a similar or slightly higher value than the measured MOE. The MOR of wood flooring had the highest value (51.0 MPa) in that with teak (T) and had the lowest value (34.9 MPa) in that with larch (La). The specific MOR of the wood floorings with cork board reinforced with glass fiber and carbon fiber was 20 to 40% higher than those reinforced with metal. Stable fracture behavior was observed for the cork composite wood flooring reinforced with metal, glass fiber, or carbon fiber.

Bamboo, despite its environmental advantages, often suffers from poor coating adhesion because of its natural surface characteristics, thereby limiting its application as an exterior material. This study aimed to improve the performance of coatings applied to moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) by introducing surface sanding as a pretreatment. Sanding was performed using #100 sandpaper with stroke counts of 10, 20, 30, and 40; the resulting changes in the epidermal and fibrous layers and their influence on the coating adhesion were evaluated. The 40-stroke treatment exposed the fibrous layer and enhanced the surface wettability. According to the ISO 2409 (2020) cross-cut test, the sanded specimens exhibited excellent adhesion (Grade 1), in contrast to untreated specimens, for which coating delamination was evident. Furthermore, under accelerated-aging tests, coating adhesion was maintained for the sanded samples, whereas pronounced delamination was observed for the untreated samples. These findings demonstrated the effectiveness of surface sanding. In conclusion, surface pretreatment is essential for improving the durability and coating quality of moso bamboo, and the results of this study can serve as fundamental data for the practical application and broader utilization of bamboo materials.

Argan oil exhibits promising pharmacological activities supported by its rich phytochemical composition, as confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Major constituents included trans-13-Octadecenoic acid (20.0%) and Isopropyl tetradecanoate (25.6%), along with antioxidant-rich terpenoids and phenolics. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated strong inhibition against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans, with low minimum inhibitory, minimum bactericidal, and minimum fungicidal concentration values (31.2 µg/mL), though limited activity was noted against Salmonella typhi. Argan oil showed dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with IC₅₀ values of 15.1 µg/mL and 26.2 µg/mL, respectively, suggesting antidiabetic potential. It also inhibited butyrylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ = 15.9 µg/mL), indicating possible neuroprotective properties. Antioxidant activity assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay showed a concentration-dependent increase, with IC₅₀ = 4.97 µg/mL, approaching the effectiveness of ascorbic acid at high doses. Lipase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 25.10 µg/mL) highlighted potential anti-obesity effects. Cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells was significant (IC₅₀ = 36.17 µg/mL), with morphological damage correlating with dose, suggesting antiproliferative effects. These activities are likely due to bioactive compounds, such as unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, which influence inflammation, apoptosis, and enzyme regulation. Overall, the findings support the therapeutic potential of argan oil as a natural agent in managing microbial infections, oxidative stress, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

Sweet potato peel, a lignocellulosic residue, was used as a sugar source for lactic acid production in solid-state fermentation. The dried sweet tuber peels were heated at 80, 90, and 100 °C for 15, 30, and 60 min. They were steamed three times, first at 68.9 KPa for 15 to 60 min, then at 86.2 KPa for 15 to 60 min, and lastly at 103.4 KPa for 15 to 60 min. Compared with the 15 min treatment, the steam treatment significantly improved the reducing sugar content after 60 min from 190.4 ± 2.2 to 245.4±3.5 mg/g biomass. Enzymatic hydrolysis afforded 29.5 g/L total sugars, including 22.7 g/L glucose, 3.5 g/L disaccharides, 0.1 g/L arabinose, and 3.2% xylose. The pretreated substrate was used as a solid medium to produce lactic acid in solid-state fermentation via Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC1325. Central composite rotatory design (CCRD) was used to optimize lactic acid production to improve the lactic acid yield. Fermentation of sweet potato peel hydrolysate by L. plantarum yielded 85.6 g lactic acid/kg substrate, which was an overall fourfold increase compared with that of the unoptimized medium. Compared with the untreated control, goat meat treated with 1.25% to 5% lactic acid presented a reduced aerobic bacteria count (p<0.001). These studies imply that the sweet potato peel substrate is a promising biomass for the production of lactic acid in the food industry.

Distillers’ grain (DG) was used as an ingredient in paperboard made in the laboratory from recycled containerboard fibers. The chemical composition and physico-chemical properties of DG fractions that had been isolated using varied screens were investigated. The effect of DG incorporation on the properties of the recycled paperboard was compared relative what was obtained with either precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) or talc powder as fillers. The DG was found to mainly contain cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, protein, and fat. At a filler addition level of 5%, the 100- to 140-mesh DG-filled handsheet exhibited the most satisfactory physical properties, with a tensile index of 25.4 N·m·g-1 and a ring crush index of 7.95 N·m·g-1. The strength values were generally higher than those of paper filled by PCC or talc powder at the same addition levels. The tensile index and ring crush index of hybrid-filled handsheets increased with increasing ratios of DG. The results suggest that DG can be used as a substitute for fiber content in some grades of paperboard, especially where a low-cost, bulky material could provide an advantage. Such usage of DG can resolve environmental challenges associated with storage and transportation of excess DG that is presently discarded.

The nail-holding performance of two major commercial wood species in southern China, P. massoniana (Masson pine) and C. lanceolata (Chinese fir), were investigated in this paper. Nail-holding strength tests on the two kinds of wood were conducted using self-tapping screws and round steel nails, respectively, with the focus on analyzing the impact law of guiding bore diameter on nail-holding performance. Without the guiding hole, the nail-holding force of both kinds of nails was poor. When the guiding hole diameter increased moderately, the nail-holding force showed an upward trend. Nevertheless, if the guiding hole diameter was too large, the nail-holding force would drop sharply. The nail-holding force of self-tapping screws peaked when the guiding hole diameter was 2.0 mm, and that of round steel nails reached the maximum when the guiding hole diameter was 2.5 mm. In addition, there were remarkable differences in the nail-holding force performance of P. massoniana and C. lanceolata wood under different guiding hole diameters, and their load-displacement curve characteristics also varied. Reasonable design of the diameter of the guiding hole can significantly enhance the nail-holding performance of wood, ensuring the stability and reliability of wood structure connections.

The influence of the temperature of the paper pulp and drying of towel papers containing polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE – 3.5 mg/g ADM) on their wet tensile strength was investigated. The paper was produced from pulp containing 40% pine fibers and 60% eucalyptus bleached kraft fibers, heated to 25 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C, after which the paper was dried with hot air in the temperature range of 190 to 330 °C. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of the temperature of the paper pulp and drying of the paper formed from it on the degree of PAE bonding with fibers and its self-crosslinking ability. The sheets obtained were tested for wet strength in both the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD). The results indicated that the paper drying temperature had a key influence on the increase in its wet strength, while heating the pulp before forming the sheets had a relatively minor effect. The increase in drying temperature to 330 °C allowed the wet tensile index (WTI) to be improved over 100% compared to drying at ambient temperature, with the highest strength demonstrated by samples formed from pulp heated to 50 °C and dried at 330 °C. Paper samples with PAE, tested wet for CD, showed strength at a level of 36 to 44% of the values obtained for MD. The obtained results contribute to the deepening of knowledge on the mechanism of increase in wet strength of PAE-modified towel papers, depending on the temperature conditions used during their production.

The level of wood consumption is important in particleboard (PB) manufacturing because wood is a natural source. This study aimed to determine the optimum wood consumption in PB manufacture. The study examined how the PB’s surface (SL) and core (CL) layer ratio and sanding tolerance affect the PB surface laminating condition. The optimal manufacturing conditions were determined among different combinations of PB density (520 or 560 kg/m3), SL/CL ratio, and sanding thickness using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). Grey relational analysis (GRA) was used as MCDM. Samples were characterized according to TS EN 312. The moisture content (MC) increased (30%) as the SL ratio increased. Thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) generally decreased as SL increased. Increasing surface layer density and board density significantly improved internal bond (IB) strength and surface stiffness (SS). Modulus of rupture (MOR) and elasticity (MOE) decreased as the sanding tolerance increased. Surface and edge screw withdrawal (SRy and SRk) resistance were increased as the density, sanding tolerance, and surface density increased. This study is the first comprehensive optimization approach to improve quality in coating low-density particle boards with decorative paper, potentially leading to material savings and production efficiency for the furniture and coating industries.

This study examined parental and children’s perceived value preferences regarding wooden toy materials to facilitate more efficient toy selection while evaluating whether fast-growing Paulownia wood can serve as a valuable alternative to high-consumption timber species to promote green toy adoption. The research employed three common wood types used in toys, furniture, and construction – ash, beech, and Paulownia – to fabricate experimental toy prototypes. Through on-site observations and questionnaires, parental preferences were documented across five dimensions: surface characteristics, price, usage cycle, environmental friendliness, and suitability. Results were analyzed using fuzzy theory for data recording, SPSS 27 for descriptive statistics, and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process for solution validation. Findings indicate that while Paulownia showed slightly weaker advantages in surface characteristics and modest benefits in usage cycle and suitability, it demonstrated significant advantages in price competitiveness and environmental performance, suggesting substantial potential for wider adoption.