In our previous study, we investigated the use of ensemble models based on LeNet and MiniVGGNet to classify the images of transverse and longitudinal surfaces of five Korean softwoods (cedar, cypress, Korean pine, Korean red pine, and larch). It had accomplished an average F1 score of more than 98%; the classification performance of the longitudinal surface image was still less than that of the transverse surface image. In this study, ensemble methods of two different convolutional neural network models (LeNet3 for smartphone camera images and NIRNet for NIR spectra) were applied to lumber species classification. Experimentally, the best classification performance was obtained by the averaging ensemble method of LeNet3 and NIRNet. The average F1 scores of the individual LeNet3 model and the individual NIRNet model were 91.98% and 85.94%, respectively. By the averaging ensemble method of LeNet3 and NIRNet, an average F1 score was increased to 95.31%.

본 연구에서는 Bacilluls subtilis가 함유된 목질계 인공토양(피트모스:펄라이트:폭쇄처리된 참나무:미생물제형 =3:1:3:3, w/w/w/w)을 제조 하였으며, 이를 대조구토양과 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% 및 100% 비율로 혼합하여 참싸리 종자 파종후 소규모 야외포트 현장적용 하였다. 현장적용에 따른 대조구토양, 혼합토양(대조구토양+인공토양) 및 인공토양의 물리·화학적 특성을 분석하였고 참싸리 줄기 및 뿌리생장을 비교하였다. 혼합토양에서는 0.04 g/cm3 이하의 용적밀도, 85 % 이상의 공극률, pH 4.3 - 4.7, 0.5 dS/m 이하의 전기전도도, 15.0 - 26.5의 탄질비, 23.6% - 43.2%의 유기물 함량 및 157 × 106 CFU/g - 624 × 106 CFU/g의 미생물밀도를 나타냈다. 인공토양이 25% 및 50% 함유된 혼합토양에서는 참싸리 줄기 및 뿌리생장이 대조구토양보다 높게 나타났고 참싸리의 생장에 영향을 미치는 토양 인자는 용적밀도, 공극률, 수분보유력, 탄질비, 유기물함량 및 미생물함량으로 나타났다.

In this study, we prepared lignocellulosic artificial soil that contains Bacillus subtilis (peat moss/perlite/ steam-exploded oak wood/microbial culture = 3:1:3:3, w/w/w/w) for use in the restoration of damaged soil areas. The prepared lignocellulosic artificial soil was mixed with soil at ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. These mixed soils were then applied to fields, and the resultant physicochemical properties and their effects on the plant growth of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya were observed. The mixture of the prepared artificial soils (mixed at ratios of 25%-100%) with soil had a bulk densities of < 0.04 g/cm3, porosities of >85%, pH values between 4.3 and 4.7, electrical conductivities of <0.5 dS/m, C/N ratios between 15.0 and 26.5, organic matter content between 23.6% and 43.2%, and bacterial densities between 157 × 106 and 624 × 106 CFU/g. In addition, the prepared artificial soils mixed with soil at ratios of 25%-50% exhibited higher plant growth rates for L. cyrtobotrya compared with the control. Overall, we identified positive correlations between the plant growth of L. cyrtobotrya and soil bulk density, porosity, water-holding capacity, C/N ratio, organic matter, and bacterial densities.

Non-destructive test techniques are becoming increasingly important for assessment and maintenance. These techniques are very useful for assessment of materials such as wood, whose performance can vary considerably depending on the conditions of use. It is possible to estimate some mechanical properties of a material by determining the movement of energy through the material with the help of these techniques. In this study, it was investigated whether the wood material could be tested nondestructively by the heat energy produced by a source. The correlations between the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea L.) woods were investigated. The thermal conductivity (TC), density, modulus of rupture (MOR), compression strength (CS), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values of samples were measured according to the related standards and these values were correlated with each other. The linear and multiple regression tests were employed to determine the correlation between thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. The results showed that there is a very strong correlation between thermal conductivity and both density and MOR values. However, the correlations between TC and both MOE and CS were moderate. The results of this study suggest that the thermal conductivity value can be used to estimate the density and some mechanical properties of wood.

Densification is a process for improving the strength properties of wood from the felling of young trees, which is a common harvest practice in community forests. A series of experiments was conducted to refine the process with particular regard to the determination of suitable pretreatment and treatment conditions. Samples of pine and gmelina measuring 23 cm (L) × 20 cm (W) × 2 cm (T) underwent pretreatment through immersion in a 1:1 CH3COOH-H2O2 solution at concentrations of 15%, 20%, and 30%. Samples pretreated with the 20% solution showed the greatest improvement in strength; further experiments were conducted to determine the optimum treatment conditions in terms of temperature and duration following immersion. Test samples with the same dimensions as those in the pretreatment experiment were soaked in a 1:1 20% CH3COOH-H2O2 solution and warmed in a water bath. The test samples were then individually hot pressed to the target thickness, which was 30% less than the original thickness and held at 150°C or 170°C for 15 or 30 minutes. The treated samples were cut for an analysis of their density, recovery of set, and bending strength. Pine and gmelina exhibited the best characteristics after treatment at 150°C for 30 and 15 minutes, respectively. The results suggest that the modified densification process had increased the bending strength of the wood, but the temperature and duration of treatment must be carefully considered for different wood species.

In this study, sound absorption capability and sound transmission loss of several kinds of target densities and thickness for six species of wood bark particle were estimated by the transfer function and transfer matrix methods. Resultantly, the mean sound absorption coefficient of a 100-mm thick Hinoki wood bark particle mat was 0.90 in the frequency range of 100-6400 Hz, whereas the mean sound absorption rate of a 50-mm thick Hinoki wood bark particle mat was 0.84 in the same frequency range. Particularly, at a thickness of 100 mm, it reached almost up to 100% in the frequency range of 1 KHz. The sound transmission losses of 100-mm thick Hinoki wood bark particle mat with a target density of 0.16 at 500 and 1000 Hz were 15.30 and 15.73 dB, respectively. When a 10-mm thick plywood was attached to the back of the wood particle mat, the sound transmission losses was increased by 20-30 dB. Wood bark can be used as an acoustical material owing to its high sound absorption rate and transmission loss.

Despite its potential as a renewable source for fuels and chemicals, lignin valorization still faces technical challenges in many aspects. Overcoming such challenges associated with the chemical recalcitrance of lignin can provide many opportunities to innovate existing and emerging biorefineries. In this work, we leveraged a biomass genetic engineering technology to produce phenolic aldehyde-rich lignin structure via downregulation of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD). The structurally altered lignin obtained from the Arabidopsis thaliana CAD mutant was pyrolyzed to understand the effect of structural alteration on thermal behavior of lignin. The pyrolysis was conducted at 400 and 500 °C using an analytical pyrolyzer connected with GC/MS and the products were systematically analyzed. The results indicate that aldehyde-rich lignin undergoes fragmentation reaction during pyrolysis forming a considerable amount of C6 units. Also, it was speculated that highly reactive phenolic aldehydes facilitate secondary repolymerization reaction as described by the lower yield of overall phenolic compounds compared to wild type (WT) lignin. Quantum mechanical calculation clearly shows the higher electrophilicity of transgenic lignin than that of WT, which could promote both fragmentation and recondensation reactions. This work provides mechanistic insights toward biomass genetic engineering and its application to the pyrolysis allowing to establish sustainable biorefinery in the future.

Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.) is a fast-growing species that exhibits a lower natural resistance than that exhibited by the timber sourced from natural forests. Jabon's resistance to termite attack can be improved by impregnating its wood structure with poisonous organic materials. This study examined jabon's resistance to termite attack when impregnated with wood vinegar and an animal adhesive. The wood specimens were impregnated using sengon wood vinegar and an animal adhesive (8% and 10%, respectively) using a vacuum pressure machine. The specimens were tested for their resistance to subterranean and dry-wood termites according to Indonesian National Standard (SNI 7207-2014). The results denoted that jabon impregnated with wood vinegar and an animal adhesive concentration of at least 8% with the addition of 4% borate was effective to resist termite attacks. The impregnated jabon exhibited a lower weight loss and higher termite mortality when compared with those exhibited by the control specimens. Thus, the resistance class improved from class IV to class I.

Several species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops are native to Indonesia and well known as agarwood-producing trees with a high economic value. Their bioactive compounds have a wide spectrum of uses, such as in medicine and cosmetics. These genera have undergone extensive search for novel bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize the endophytic fungi community associated with Aquilaria malaccensis, A. microcarpa, Gyrinops versteegii, and A. crassna trees and investigate their bioactive properties as antioxidant agents and antagonists. A total of 50 fungi were successfully isolated from different tissues of the four species of agarwood-producing trees. Two isolates exhibited strong antioxidant activity, namely, Apodus oryzae (R2MC3A, IC50 60.92 mg/mL) and Diaporthe sp. (P1DS1[C], IC50 76.65 mg/mL). Two isolates, Pestalotiopsis theae (P3BS3[B]) and Curvularia sp. (P2CD3A), showed >75% antifungal activity against pathogenic Fusarium solani. The results revealed that endophytic fungi associated with the studied agarwood-producing trees had potential antioxidant and antifungal activities for further applications in biotechnology.