Search Results (5,765)

This study evaluated the optical and mechanical properties of two single-shade composite resins compared with a conventional multi-shade composite. Omnichroma (OM), Metafil Bulk Fill ONE (BO), and Filtek Z350XT (Z350) were tested. Color adjustment was assessed using A3, B1, and C4 background cavities, and ΔE00 values were calculated. The translucency parameter (TP) was measured, and the flexural strength, flexural modulus, and depth of cure (B/T ratio) were determined. OM and BO showed better color adjustment performance on brighter (B1) backgrounds and decreased matching on darker (C4) ones. OM maintained stable color adjustment across cavity depths, while BO showed improved adjustment in shallower cavities. Both exhibited higher TP values than Z350. The control group (Z350) had the highest flexural strength and modulus, though BO’s flexural strength was comparable. OM and BO showed sufficient mechanical strength and a greater depth of cure compared to Z350. Our study indicated that the one-shade composite resins OM and BO exhibited better color adjustment performance compared to conventional composite resins due to the influence of the surrounding shades, with a better adjustment ability on brighter backgrounds. Additionally, OM and BO demonstrated sufficient strength and a higher depth of cure compared to the control group. Full article

Litchi is an important subtropical fruit, highly valued by consumers for its vibrant color and distinctive flavor. B-box (BBX) proteins, which are zinc finger transcription factors, play a crucial role in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. Nevertheless, the specific function of BBX genes in the development and coloration of litchi fruit remains inadequately understood. In this study, 21 LcBBX genes (designated as LcBBX1-LcBBX21) were identified within the litchi genome. These genes were categorized into five sub-families based on phylogenetic analysis and were found to be unevenly distributed across 12 chromosomes. Promoter analysis revealed a rich presence of light-responsive elements, such as the G-box, and abscisic acid (ABA) responsive elements, including ABRE, within the promoter regions of LcBBX genes. Protein–protein interaction predictions indicated that the majority of LcBBX genes have the potential to interact with the light-responsive factor HY5. Transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR results demonstrated that LcBBX genes exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns. Notably, most LcBBX genes were highly expressed prior to fruit coloration, whereas LcBBX4 and LcBBX10 were upregulated during the fruit coloration phase. Furthermore, LcBBX1/4/6/7/15/19 were upregulated in response to light following the removal of shading. The findings suggest that LcBBX4 may directly regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi pericarp. This study provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying litchi fruit development and coloration. Full article

Natural rubber quality assessment traditionally relies on subjective visual inspection, leading to inconsistent grading and processing inefficiencies. This study presents a colorimetric imaging system integrating 48-megapixel image acquisition with automated colorimetric analysis for objective rubber classification. Five rubber grades—white crepe, STR5, STR5L, RSS3, and RSS5—were analyzed using standardized 25 × 25 mm² specimens under controlled environmental conditions (25 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 5% relative humidity, 3200 K illumination). The image processing pipeline employed color space transformations from RGB through CIE1931 $XYZ$ to CIELAB coordinates, with yellowness index calculation following ASTM E313-20 standards. The classification algorithm achieved 100% accuracy across 100 validation specimens under controlled laboratory conditions, with a processing time of 1.01 ± 0.09 s per specimen. Statistical validation via one-way ANOVA confirmed measurement reliability (p > 0.05) with yellowness index values ranging from 8.52 ± 0.52 for white crepe to 72.15 ± 7.47 for RSS3. Image quality metrics demonstrated a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 35 dB and a spatial uniformity coefficient of variation below 5%. The system provides 12-fold throughput improvement over manual inspection, offering objective quality assessment suitable for industrial implementation, though field validation under diverse conditions remains necessary. Full article

Environmental factors like light, photoperiod, temperature, and water are vital for crop growth, and even slight deviations from their optimal ranges can cause seedling stress and reduce yield. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify seedling stress symptoms using image features analysis under varying light, photoperiod, temperature, and water conditions. Seedlings were grown under controlled low, normal, and high environmental conditions. Light intensity at 50 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (low), 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (normal), and 450 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (high), photoperiod cycles, 8/16 h (day/night) (low), 10/14 h (day/night) (normal), and 16/8 h (day/night) (high) day/night, temperature at 20 °C (low), 25 °C (normal), and 30 °C (high), and water availability at 1 L per day (optimal), 1 L every two days (moderate stress), and 1 L every three days (severe stress) were applied for 15 days. Commercial low-cost RGB, thermal, and depth sensors were used to collect data every day. A total of 1080 RGB images, which were pre-processed with histogram equalization and filters (Median and Gaussian), were used for noise reduction to minimize illumination effects. Morphological, color, and texture features were then analyzed using ANOVA (p < 0.05) to assess treatment effects. The result shows that the maximum canopy area for tomato was 115,226 pixels, while lettuce’s maximum plant height was 9.28 cm. However, 450 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light intensity caused increased surface roughness, indicating stress-induced morphological alteration. The analysis of Combined Stress Index (CSI) values indicated that the highest stress levels were 50% for pepper, 55% for tomato, 62% for cucumber, 55% for watermelon, 50% for lettuce, and 50% for pak choi. The findings showed that image-based stress detection enables precise environmental control and improves early-stage crop management. Full article

Urban greenway trails serve as a vital link between urban populations and the natural environment, playing a key role in enhancing quality of life and promoting physical and mental well-being. We propose an interpretable machine learning framework applied to 424 geotagged footprint images from the Bada Shanren Meihu Scenic Area in China. Our main findings are as follows: (1) The key factors influencing trail landscape preferences include the Water Visibility Index (WVI), Building Landscape Index (BVI), Freedom Index, and Greenery Visibility Index (GVI). (2) For WVI, SHAP values significantly increase around the 0.05 threshold. BVI has a critical threshold of 0.17, with a strong influence below it and a reduced effect above it. The Freedom variable shows an inverse relationship, with minimal contribution below 0.21 and a sharp increase above this threshold. GVI maintains high SHAP values at lower levels (GVI ≤ 0.66), but its predictive utility decreases at higher values. (3) Landscape preferences are significantly positively correlated with naturalness, wildness, WVI, and openness, with water landscapes being the strongest driver. In contrast, artificial factors, V_Low, and H_Purple significantly suppress preferences. This suggests that human intervention and certain color tones may reduce the attractiveness of the landscape. Full article

Multilayer packaging materials are extensively used in food packaging, particularly for powdered products. In alignment with sustainable development goals, packaging design should aim to minimize material usage while maintaining the protective properties necessary to preserve food quality and safety, thereby reducing environmental impact. A key strategy is to simplify multilayer structures to enhance recyclability. This study aims to evaluate the potential of sustainable alternative packaging materials with reduced metal and plastic content and improved recyclability for pudding powder packaging, as substitutes for conventional films. Four packaging structures were tested: a conventional three-layer laminate (polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/aluminum foil (Al-foil)/low-density polyethylene (LDPE)), two two-layer structures (AlO_x-coated PET/LDPE and Al-coated PET/LDPE), and a monolayer metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene (MetBOPP). Samples were stored under accelerated conditions (38 °C and 90% relative humidity) for 180 days, and changes in moisture content, water activity, caking degree, glass transition temperature, color, and sensory attributes were monitored. The experimental data were examined for their agreement with various sorption models by creating adsorption isotherms. The acceptable storage period was estimated using the constants calculated from these models. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the packaging types, primarily associated with their water vapor permeability, affecting moisture content, water activity, caking degree, and color stability. In terms of moisture content, water activity, and caking degree, the conventional PET/Al-foil/LDPE (Polyethylene terephthalate/Aluminum foil/Low density polyethylene) structure demonstrated the best performance, followed by PET.AlO_x/LDPE (AlO_x-coated Polyethylene terephthalate/Low density polyethylene), MPET/LDPE (Metallized polyethylene terephthalate/Low density polyethylene), and MBOPP (Metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene), respectively. The sensory analysis scores followed the same ranking; however, all samples maintained scores above the threshold value of 3 throughout the storage period, indicating that they remained acceptable. Caking degree increased moderately (from 0.61% to 0.89%) and was negatively correlated with appearance scores (R² = −0.89, p < 0.01). Despite slight darkening (Browning Index increased from 18.16 to 20.37), sensory scores for appearance, odor, and taste remained above the acceptable threshold (score > 3.0). Based on the WVTR values of the packaging materials and the application of the GAB model, the estimated shelf lives were 800.32 days for PET/Al-foil/LDPE, 577.92 days for PET.AlO_x/LDPE, 407.58 days for MPET/LDPE, and 229.26 days for MBOPP. In conclusion, the longest shelf life was achieved with PET/Al-foil/LDPE, and it was observed that as the WVTR of the packaging materials increased, the shelf life of the cocoa-based pudding powder decreased; PET.AlO_x/LDPE and MPET/LDPE could be considered for medium-term storage (up to about 1–1.5 years), while MBOPP appeared suitable only for shorter durations (6–8 months). Full article

The proventriculus has an important adjustment function in broiler chickens, potentially impacting nutrient availability and performance. Given their contribution to protecting the gastric lining and facilitating digestion, the understanding of the mucus secretion cells within this organ is essential. Therefore, this study aims to investigate, through histochemical methods, the types of mucins secreted at the proventriculus level in 10 day old Ross 308 broiler chickens. Fragments of the proventriculus (five chickens) were histologically processed by paraffin embedding and the slides were stained using three techniques: periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) reaction, alcian blue (AB) staining pH 2.5, and combined PAS-AB staining. The color of the mucus present in the cells of the gastric mucosa was qualitatively assessed using the Photoshop Color Picker using the red, green, blue (RGB) color model and the numerical values for the RGB spectrum were analyzed from a statistical point of view. The synthesized mucus in the proventricular mucosa is predominantly PAS-positive in the superficial half of the mucosa and in the deep half, the synthesized mucins are both neutral and acidic with a predominance of acidic mucins. In the submucosa, only a few cells lining the central lumen of the glandular lobules are moderately PAS- and AB-positive. Full article

This study investigates the influence of laser processing parameters on the surface roughness and color formation of AISI 304 stainless steel. Experiments were conducted to explore how raster step, scanning speed, frequency, linear energy density, and overlap coefficient affect the surface characteristics of laser-marked zones. It was found that increasing the raster step from 20 µm to 80 µm led to a consistent increase in surface roughness (from 1.23 µm to 1.47 µm at 20 kHz and 25 mm/s), accompanied by a shift in color from dark brown to lighter yellow hues. In contrast, increasing scanning speed (from 25 mm/s to 125 mm/s) caused a nonlinear reduction in roughness (e.g., from 1.23 µm to 0.76 µm at 20 kHz and Δx = 20 µm), resulting in a lighter surface color. Frequency was identified as a critical factor; increasing it from 20 kHz to 100 kHz resulted in a threefold decrease in roughness (from 1.23 µm to 0.25 µm at 20 µm raster step and 125 mm/s), which correlated with a shift to brighter yellow tones. Higher linear energy density values (1.60–8.00 J/cm) increased roughness and darkened the surface color, while higher overlap coefficients produced the opposite trend. The study highlights the relationship between surface nanostructuring and the formation of stable interference colors, providing quantitative parameters for achieving desired chromatic effects. These findings establish a basis for the industrial application of laser color marking, where both aesthetic differentiation and functional enhancements—such as corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, and antibacterial properties—are essential. Future research will focus on quantitatively evaluating the functional properties, including corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, and durability, of the colored surfaces produced under optimized parameters. This research aims to further develop laser marking as a foundational tool for both aesthetic and functional surface engineering. Full article

It has been shown that there is a planar graph without 3-cycles which is not $({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2)$-colorable for any given ${\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2$. This inspires many research to obtain sufficient conditions for planar graphs without 4-cycles and other cycles to be $({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2)$-colorable. For example, planar graphs without k-cycles and 4-cycles are $({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2)$-colorable for each $k\in \{3,5\}$ and $({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2)=\{(2,6),(3,4)\}$. In this work, we study the values of ${\Delta }_1$ and ${\Delta }_2$ that make a planar graph without only 4-cycles $({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2)$-colorable. We begin with ${\Delta }_1=6$ and ${\Delta }_2=6$. Planar graphs without 4-cycles are $(6,6)$-colorable. Two colors in a $({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2)$-coloring, where ${\Delta }_1={\Delta }_2$ are switchable, thus reflect the symmetry of the resulting coloring. Furthermore, some proof techniques are using the symmetry of these two colors. Full article

This study aims to characterize tissue-specific expression patterns in Hanwoo steers by identifying co-expression modules, functional pathways, and hub genes related to fat and muscle traits using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network analysis (WGCNA). RNA-Seq data were generated from three muscle tissues (longissimus muscle, tenderloin, and rump) and two fat tissues (back fat and abdominal fat) collected from six 30-month-old Hanwoo steers. Quality control of raw sequencing reads was performed using FastQC, and trimmed reads were aligned to the bovine reference genome (ARS-UCD1.3) using HISAT2. We also identified a gene co-expression network via WGCNA using normalized gene expression values. Modules were defined based on topological overlap and correlated with tissue-specific expression patterns. Modules with a significant association (p < 0.05) were used for functional enrichment based on Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways, as well as Protein–Protein Interaction Network analysis. A total of seven co-expression modules were identified by WGCNA and labeled in distinct colors (yellow, blue, red, brown, turquoise, green, black). Among them, the yellow and blue modules were positively associated with back fat, while the turquoise and green modules showed a negative correlation with abdominal fat. Additionally, the turquoise or green module was positively correlated with longissimus and rump tissues, indicating distinct gene expression patterns between fat and muscle. This study identified key co-expression modules and hub genes associated with muscle and fat metabolism. Notably, ARPC5 (blue module) was involved in lipid metabolism and energy storage, whereas AGPAT5 (turquoise module) was linked to maintaining muscle cell structure and function. These findings reveal biological mechanisms for tissue-specific gene regulation, providing targets for enhancing meat quality in Hanwoo. Full article

The expected population rise will require a maximum exploitation of agricultural lands with a consequent increase in the demand for freshwater for irrigation uses. Future trends predict increasing periods of drought stress, which may impact on crop performance and limit the future production. Pepper is one of the most economically important crops and globally consumed vegetables. This crop is highly demanding in terms of water supply, and so far, developing tolerant cultivars is one of the main targets for breeding. The aim of this study is to accurately determine how pepper plants react to water stress at the vegetative stage in order to select genotypes that better cope with drought. We implemented the PhenoHort Plant Eye phenotyping platform to precisely assess changes in plant architecture and morpho-physiological parameters on 25 cultivated pepper genotypes (Capsicum annuum) under drought stress conditions. Three different irrigation supply levels were considered, including the control, intense, and severe water stress, by irrigating every 24, 72, and 96 h, respectively. Daily monitoring of 20 traits allowed ~190,000 multispectral and tridimensional data points through scans over 6 weeks of cultivation, thus shedding light on changes in plant architecture and vegetation indices’ values during stress. The dissection of genotype (G) and treatment (T) interactions revealed that digital biomass and plant height traits were strongly affected by the T factor (more than 50% of total variance), whereas color and multispectral parameters were under greater genotypic control, accounting for 58.27% and 64.97% of the total variance for HUE and NPCI, respectively. The comparison of each accession with respect to the control and the application of multivariate models allowed us to select four drought-tolerant lines (G1, G2, G22, and G25) able to reduce the effects of drought on the morphological parameters and architecture of the plant with positive effects on vegetative indices. This work represents the first attempt to dissect the response of pepper under drought stress at the vegetative stage using a high-throughput and non-invasive phenotyping system, offering new insights for selecting resilient genotypes. Full article

Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a globally important vegetable crop whose fruit glossiness serves as a key quality trait influencing consumer preference and market value. This review summarizes the measurement methods, influencing factors, and molecular regulatory mechanisms of pepper fruit surface glossiness, as well as the correlation between post-harvest changes in carotenoid content and fruit surface glossiness, aiming to provide references for the molecular breeding of high-gloss pepper cultivars. Pepper fruit glossiness is primarily determined by cuticle structure and composition. The content and arrangement of cuticular crystals significantly affect the specular reflection and diffuse reflection on the fruit surface. The ordered arrangement of long-chain alkanes enhances the anisotropy of specular highlights, reduces the contrast of diffuse reflection, and forms a high-gloss surface. In contrast, the imbalance of wax components or disordered accumulation of crystals leads to increased light scattering, resulting in a matte phenotype. Furthermore, carotenoid content strongly correlates with L*, a*, and b*, critically influencing fruit color intensity and hue. Currently, there are still several issues in the research on pepper glossiness, including the lack of standardized measurement methods, unclear gene regulatory networks, and unknown pathways related to post-harvest gloss maintenance and environmental responses. In the future, we should promote the combination of multiple technologies to establish unified measurement standards; integrate multi-omics to identify key genes; develop targeted preservation technologies based on the law of fruit gloss degradation; and breed pepper cultivars with high glossiness and good storage performance. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different mouthwashes on the microhardness and color stability of two CAD/CAM restorative materials. Methods: A total of 60 rectangular samples (2 mm × 7 mm × 12 mm) were prepared by sectioning two CAD/CAM materials (NICE and Lava Ultimate) and divided into six groups according to material type and immersion solution: distilled water (DW, control), hydrogen peroxide (HP), and povidone-iodine (PVP-I). Microhardness and color parameters (L*, a*, b*) were measured at baseline and after 30 days of immersion, and the ΔE₀₀ color difference was calculated. Data were analyzed using t-tests, two-way and one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: After 30 days of immersion, both materials showed a significant decrease in microhardness following treatment with HP and PVP-I (NICE from ~823 to ~720 HV and ~709 HV; LAVA from ~197 to ~142 HV and ~113 HV, respectively). Regarding color, ΔE₀₀ values exceeded the clinically acceptable threshold (ΔE₀₀ > 1.8), with no significant differences between the two materials (p > 0.05). Within each material, ΔE₀₀ was significantly higher in both mouthwash groups compared to the control (p < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed between the two antimicrobial solutions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the microhardness and color stability of both CAD/CAM restorations may be susceptible to degradation after prolonged exposure to HP and PVP-I mouthwashes. Full article

UV-Visible spectroscopy provides qualitative and quantitative information on colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) that can be used as a proxy for dissolved organic carbon (DOC). We developed an absorbance-based linear model of DOC for the San Sebastian River estuary in NE Florida. We compared linear and mixed models, with and without salinity as an additional fixed effect. All models exhibited strong correlations (R² = 0.88–0.97) with measured DOC values for the training dataset. The model with the strongest performance on the testing dataset was a linear model containing the absorption coefficient at 254 nm, the spectral slope at 275–295 nm, and salinity. The range of measured DOC was 0.5 to 52.3 mg/L, and the model was able to predict DOC concentrations for an independent testing dataset with a relative mean absolute error of 17%. Incubation experiments indicated that aging and photolysis altered absorption coefficients and spectral slopes, which negatively affected the model performance, particularly for photolysis. However, predicted DOC was still well-correlated (R² > 0.9) with measured DOC, even for photolyzed samples. Spectral slope ratios indicate that DOM in the San Sebastian River is mainly terrigenous, and that hydrologic variability, possibly associated with freshwater inflow from rainfall, influences DOC/CDOM concentration and composition. Full article

Waste dumpsites in developing countries are primary pollution sources impacting nearby ecosystems. This study assessed seasonal changes in soils surrounding the Hulene-B landfill (Maputo, Mozambique) and evaluated the potential for surface water contamination by leachates. A total of 71 samples were collected during the rainy and dry periods and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), and color. The contamination potential (Pbci) was determined considering the landfill’s characteristics and local hydrological context. During the dry season, soils exhibited higher EC and OM, indicating greater retention of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and a strong tendency for accumulation. In the rainy season, leaching processes prevailed, leading to reduced EC and OM but increased potential for contaminant mobility. The Pbci values were consistently high across both periods, confirming elevated contamination risk. Overall, the Hulene-B landfill exerts a marked influence on surrounding soils and nearby surface waters, underscoring the urgent need for structural measures to control leachate release and ash dispersion. Full article