Search Results (3)

This research investigates how the inclusion of bone glue affects the performance of traditional painted furniture ground layers, particularly under dry–wet cycling conditions. The ground layers, applied to wood substrates in seven different ratios of bone glue to gypsum powder (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%), were tested for mass changes, dimensional stability, adhesion, and surface roughness. The results showed that higher bone glue content (especially 50% and 60%) led to improved stability, reduced mass fluctuations, and better dimensional stability. The 50% bone glue sample exhibited the best overall stability with minimal weight change (<1.6%) and reduced shrinkage. Adhesion strength increased with bone glue content, reaching 3.48 MPa at 60% bone glue. Lower bone glue content resulted in poor adhesion and visible defects such as cracking and blistering. SEM analysis confirmed that higher bone glue content enhanced bonding between the ground layer and the wood substrate. Full article

Hagenia abyssinica (HA) is a monotypic tree species used as traditional medicine against various diseases and conditions in African countries. HA is also a multipurpose plant used for furniture, fuel wood, soil fertility management, and rainwater conservation, along with medicinal usage. In different in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and human studies, the potential of HA for different pharmacological properties, including anti-parasite, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, anticancer, anti-diabetes, antidiarrheal, wound healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities were observed. Antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties of HA may be the primary reason for the multi-pharmacological activities of HA. Initial toxicity studies and the presence of various phytochemicals, especially flavonoids, also support the therapeutic potential of HA. The diverse medicinal properties of the plant have different challenges to overcome for its development. Limited studies to decipher the molecular mechanism behind the pharmacological activity restrict the utilization of the complete potential of HA as therapeutics. Still, the compilation of phytochemical, pharmacological activities, and target pathways of HA is missing in the literature. The current review not only compiles the pharmacological activities and phytochemicals but also highlights the gaps and proposes the future direction to develop HA as a candidate against important diseases. Full article

The present paper is part of an ongoing research project carried out to find methods to transpose traditional motifs from Romanian textile heritage to furniture ornamentation, as an additional method of preserving the motifs besides conventional conservation. Modern technology, such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) routing or laser engraving can revive furniture ornamentation, eliminating manual labor and long execution time. Three methods were applied to transpose a bicolored motif from a traditional Romanian blouse from Transylvania onto the surface of maple wood furniture. The first method utilized was nitrogen laser engraving, in which ten power settings between 10 W and 150 W were applied and color measurements were carried out on the resulting engraved surfaces. Following the International Commission on Illumination (CIELab) system analysis, two laser power settings were selected to engrave the ornament on a maple wood surface for an accurate reproduction. The second method employed a staining solution applied on flat wood surface, followed by routing the model on a CNC machine and further coating with lacquer. The third method consisted of CNC routing the model on the wood surface, then coloring the engraved ornament followed by surface sanding to remove color from the flat wood surface and, finally, lacquering. The ornaments transposed onto maple wood surfaces were aesthetically assessed, the technologies were analyzed, and the details of the processed ornaments were highlighted by Stereo Microscope investigation. The conclusions showed that each method adds value to the wood surface by original ornamentation and can be applied as furniture decoration. Full article