Polyester Fabric With Fluorescent Properties Using Microwave Technology For Anti-Counterfeiting Applications

The article presented concerns the application of fluorescein as a fluorescent material for anti-counterfeiting technology which will allow the labeling and identification of legitimate articles in the textile field. Fluorescein has been applied to polyester fabrics by microwave irradiation technique in the presence of a UV absorber. Thus, its presence in the textile substrate is detectable following an excitation at a specific wavelength belonging to the Ultra-violet zone, which makes this material very effective for tracking and detecting counterfeit articles. Fluorescent samples are characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitatively by optical spectroscopy such as reflectance and transmission measurements. The treated samples show under UV light a yellowish green emission with a slight yellow coloration of the polyester fiber. The UV absorber applied to the fluorescent solution improves the light resistance of the treated samples by 25%. Their addition to the bath can also ensure the production of a protective fabric against UV.

Total Replacement of Fishmeal by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Its Effect on Growth Performance and Product Quality of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Microalgae are increasingly being studied to replace fishmeal in aquafeed production. Low level Spirulina supplementation to various fish species has been widely investigated, demonstrating enhanced growth and better product quality. In order to evaluate the effects of a full fishmeal replacement with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on growth and product quality in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), two isoenergetic diets were formulated and fed for ten weeks to 120 fish with an average initial weight of 50 ± 3 g. Full supplementation of Spirulina resulted in reduced growth (p < 0.001) whereas feed conversion ratio was on par (p > 0.05). Furthermore, Spirulina-fed fish showed a more intense yellow coloration in skin, and raw and cooked fillet (p < 0.001). The analysis of fatty acids revealed higher proportions of C16:0 (p < 0.001) and C18:2n6 (p < 0.05) in fish fed the Spirulina-diet while C24:0 (p < 0.01) and C20:5n3 (p < 0.001) were found to be higher in the control group. Even though no statistically significant differences in the overall SFA, MUFA and PUFA were detected, a slight increase of the n6/n3 ratio was observed in the Spirulina-fed fish. Without further optimization of the feed ration, a complete fishmeal replacement with Spirulina can lead to economic losses. It remains to be studied whether the observed changes in product quality affect consumer acceptance.

The variation in the reduced glutathione levels of red blood cells between full- term Libyan newborns with hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia refers to the yellow coloration of the skin and the sclera of newborn babies that result from the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes. Newborns with jaundice need to be monitored because bilirubin is potentially toxic to the central nervous system. Aim of the study: To determine the relation of erythrocytic glutathione with hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. Methods: We studied 45 Libyan full-term newborns (23 male and 22 female) with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia aged from day one to day four born in Al- Jomhoriya hospital in Benghazi. We excluded each case with pathological jaundice that needs treatment by phototherapy or blood exchange. All investigations concerning this research carried out on each newborn every 24 hours in a period of four days as follow: day 1 up to day 4, day 2 up to day 5, day 3 up to day 6, day 4 up to day 7. We analyzed the total serum bilirubin (TSB) and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in red blood cells directly on fresh blood. Conclusion: Our results show no significant variations in the mean level of erythrocytic glutathione in the jaundiced full-term newborns compared to the control group in the first week of life.

A new species of the Scinax catharinae species group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Atlantic rainforest of northeastern Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

We describe a new species of the Scinax catharinae group from one of the last remaining fragments of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Minas Gerais. The new species is distinguished from most species of the group mainly by having the mucronate snout in dorsal view, the unique light-yellow coloration on the gular surface in life contrasting with its overall color pattern, and the m. depressor mandibulae with an origin on the dorsal fascia at the level of the m. dorsalis scapulae. These two latter features are novelties in the diagnosis of Scinax species. The new species is currently known only from municipality of Santa Maria do Salto, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This locality is a remaining fragment of Atlantic Forest and has a peculiar geomorphic feature that has been poorly sampled so far.

Tissue structure contributes to the production of a coloured skin display in the Common Myna

Conspicuous coloured displays from ultraviolet to bright red have been documented in many species throughout the animal kingdom. These colours often occur as sexual signals and can be incorporated into different types of integuments (e.g. scales, feathers, skin). Two main mechanisms are known to produce coloured integuments: pigmentation and tissue structure. Although pigmental and structural coloration are separate mechanisms and can occur independently, some coloured displays might emerge from a combination of both. Here, we demonstrate, using biochemical, optical and morphological methodologies, that the yellow coloration of the skin located around the eye of Common (Indian) Mynas ( Acridotheres tristis) is produced by both light-reflecting nanostructures and light-absorbing carotenoid pigments. Our analysis confirms that nanostructured collagen in the avian dermis work in combination with carotenoid pigments to produce vivid integumentary colours. Identifying the mechanisms behind the production of a coloured signal provides a basis for predicting how a signal’s function might be influenced by environmental factors such as fledgling nutrition.

Out of the blue: A new rain frog species of the genus Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the northern Cordillera Central in Colombia

Continuous sampling in well studied areas may lead to new amphibian species discoveries, because population dynamics allow rare species to go unnoticed for years. Based on recent sampling of frogs in the northeastern region of Colombia, here we provide genetic, morphological, and bioacoustics evidence to support the description of a new species of the genus Pristimantis. Phylogenetic analysis suggests the new species is a member of the P. lacrimosus species group, a clade of 25 species that is highly diverse in Ecuador and Peru. This new species is more closely related to allopatric species from Peru and Guyana (i.e. P. olivaceus, P. pluvialis, P. pulchridormientes, and an undetermined Pristimantis). The new species has green-yellow coloration and a remarkable brown interocular band, which is unusual in the genus and which inspired the epithet. Pristimantis zorro sp. nov. has only been found at one locality at 1860 m s.a.l., on the eastern flank of the northern Cordillera Central in Department of Antioquia, Colombia. The new species inhabits the ecotone between the humid cloud forest and open areas. Repeated visits to the type locality suggest high variation in population abundance and/or species detection, because we have occasionally observed many individuals in briefs periods of times. In addition, we discuss the biogeographical and systematic implications of our species discovery.

Stone materials applied in funerary art in historical cemeteries in Brazil

&lt;p&gt;In cemeteries dating back to the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth and forming part of the cultural heritage of Brazil is a great variety of stone materials applied. Integrating cultural tourism routes, these spaces can also be used for the dissemination of geological information. To study these applications, three were chosen and the most iconic being the Campo Santo Cemetery in the city of Salvador, State of Bahia, which dates from 1844. From the state of Minas Gerais, two were chosen. The oldest belongs to the Third Order of San Francisco, from the city of S&amp;#227;o Jo&amp;#227;o Del Rey and was opened in the first half of the nineteenth, while the youngest, the Bom Fim located in Belo Horizonte, dates from the early twentieth century. Among the applied materials, those of national origin and others imported were identified. In the first group stand out the green schists, granites and gneisses, while in the second marbles and limestones represent the most used rocks. From the group of marble and limestone applied stand out materials of Italian and Portuguese origin, which will be considered in this work. Of the Italians, the Carrara marbles are the most frequent, while of the Portuguese predominate the Lioz type, followed by Encarnad&amp;#227;o and, more rarely, the Sintra Blue and Negrais Yellow, all from the Lisbon-Sintra region. In the studied cemeteries, the use of marble from Carrara predominates in the tombs of the Bonfim cemetery, while Lioz marble was the most used type in the production of tomb art in the other two, which often brings records confirming its production in companies located in Lisbon or in the city of Porto. For Lioz some of its main characteristics were confirmed, such as the frequent presence of rudist fossils and their calcitic composition, typical of types historically extracted in the regions of Pero Pinheiro and Sintra. It was generally identified as a microcrystalline limestone, bioclastic, with slight chromatic variations ranging from white to beige, rosy or pink cream, with the presence of yellowish stains. Following the Lioz, another Portuguese limestone called Encarnad&amp;#227;o appears. For this type there are chromatic variations ranging from pinkish to reddish tones, passing through shades of salmon. The Lameiras type is identified by the reddish hues. Other features found, such as the presence of stylolites, were used to identify subtypes described in the literature, such as Encarnad&amp;#227;o Chainette present in Salvador tombs, and more rarely in S&amp;#227;o Jo&amp;#227;o del Rey. Other Portuguese limestones, such as Negrais yellow and Sintra blue, extracted in the Lisbon / Sintra region, were observed in ornamental applications on tombs, mainly from Campo Santo Cemetery in Salvador. While the first one is characterized by the golden yellow coloration, the second one is distinguished by the bluish-gray coloration. With very rare presence can be mentioned the use of other limestone materials, such as the Arr&amp;#225;bida breccia, present in ornamental details.&lt;/p&gt;

A New Source of Yellow Coloration of the Sunflower Plant Top and Its Importance in Breeding

Inbred line Mh174B with the yellow coloration of the sunflower plant top was produced by hybridization of annual wild species with cultivated sunflower. The aim research was to evaluate genetic control of yellow coloration of the sunflower plant top in combination with other morphological traits (branchiness, pollen fertility restoration and ray flower coloration). A total of four F2 hybrid combinations of were created: Сх1010А × Mh174B, Сх1012А × Mh174B, Сх2111А × Mh174B, Мх845А × Mh174B. Yellow coloration of the sunflower plant top was shown to follow a monogenic mode of inheritance and, presumably, be controlled by the gene y. This trait is inherited independently from such traits as branchiness, pollen fertility restoration and ray flower coloration. The mainstreams of use of yellow coloration of the sunflower plant top in sunflower breeding and seed production are discussed.

Three Melanin Pathway Genes, TH, yellow, and aaNAT, Regulate Pigmentation in the Twin-Spotted Assassin Bug, Platymeris biguttatus (Linnaeus)

Pigmentation plays a vital role in insect survival and reproduction. Many melanin pathway genes have been studied in holometabolous insects; however, they have only been studied in two hemimetabolous insect genera, Oncopeltus and Periplaneta. Here we analyzed three melanin pathway genes (TH, yellow, and aaNAT) using RNA interference (RNAi) in another hemimetabolous insect, namely the twin-spotted assassin bug, Platymeris biguttatus. TH was highly expressed in freshly molted nymphs and adults. TH RNAi resulted in a complete loss of black pigment, with yellow coloration maintained. Therefore, black pigment in this assassin bug is solely generated from the melanin pathway, whereas yellow pigment is generated from other unknown pigmentation pathways. yellow and aaNAT were highly expressed in the white spot of the hemelytra. Downregulation of yellow caused a brown phenotype with high mortality, indicating an important role of yellow functions in cuticle formation and in the process of converting melanin from brown to black. Interestingly, aaNAT RNAi caused not only loss of white pigment, but also loss of yellow and red pigments. This phenotype of aaNAT has not been reported in other insects. Our results provide new information for understanding the melanin pathway in which aaNAT is essential for the formation of colorless patterns.