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The research presents a study on the coloration of PCL nanofibers by two different dyeing techniques namely continuous (pad-dry-cure) and semicontinuous (pad-batch) dyeing methods using disperse dyes. The PCL nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique. The dyeing process parameters such as curing temperature, curing time and batching time were optimized. Subsequent to optimization, the nanofibers were dyed at different dye concentrations. The PCL nanofiber samples were characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. The dye uptakes were measured by K/S values. The optimized curing temperature and time were 40 °C and 70 s, whereas higher K/S values were obtained at 24 h batching time. The colorfastness test for washing revealed nanofibers possessed good color fastness. The dyeability of the PCL nanofibers suggested its potential for varying colored nanofiber applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of Didelphidae taxonomy and diversity has increased steadily over the last decades, mainly due to increasing collection efforts and revisionary works. Yet, especially for mouse opossums, a proper appraisal of morphological variation is still incipient. Thylamys karimii occurs in the Brazilian biomes of Caatinga and Cerrado, and specimens with two different shades of dorsal coloration (brown and gray) were recently documented in sympatry in the Parque Nacional (PARNA) do Catimbau (Caatinga biome). We used qualitative and morphometric data from skulls and skins (n = 7 from PARNA Catimbau and n = 26 from other localities) to compare these two coat color morphotypes and characterize the morphological diversity and taxonomic status of the Caatinga populations. We used Student’s t-tests to compare sexes and morphotypes’ measurements. We found at least three well-defined coat color morphotypes distinguishable by dorsal and ventral coloration and not restricted to PARNA Catimbau. Variation of the other morphological traits suggests that these morphotypes are more likely a case of intraspecific variation in the Brazilian northeastern region. Morphometric differences, particularly between coat color morphotypes, might be better elucidated in larger samples. Additionally, these specimens represent an important extension of the species’ known distribution reaching the Atlantic Forest borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the known possible shades obtained for coloring silk fabrics using enzyme catalysts such as peroxidase are limited to a few shades of brownish tint. For the oxidative dyeing method using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to become common, it must be able to produce a more diverse range of colors; this is a problem that must be solved. The purpose of this study is to obtain various colors by dyeing natural phenolic substrates using HRP in various buffers (acetate, citrate, phosphate buffer) and various pH levels (3 ~ 9). We emphasized color diversity, which was achieved through the exploration of six different natural aromatic compounds: gallic acid (GA), guaiacol (GAC), p-coumalic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA), catechol (CAC) and caffeic acid (CFA). We also performed a methodological survey of reaction processing parameters. The colored products generated through HRP catalysis were analyzed using UV-vis. The color of the dyed fabrics was analyzed using the CIE L*a*b* color space system. As a result of the experiment, we obtained silk fabrics with various color depths from each buffer system. This suggests that the desired color and tone of dyed silk fabrics can be achieved by adjusting the buffer system and pH value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laccase-catalyzed polymerization of catechol on wool yarns was explored in this study, their dyeing performance and physical properties were also analyzed. Wool yarns were pretreated by chemical (Na2CO3) and plasma treatment. Catechol oligomers were then deposited or cross-linked on wool fibers through laccase-catalyzed reaction. It was shown that both chemical (Na2CO3) and plasma pretreatment could promote the subsequent dyeing process. Besides, the capacity of laccase to oxidize catechol was observed by UV-vis spectra. The FTIR spectra and SEM observation confirmed the coating of oligomers on wool. The results show that laccase-catalyzed reaction could be an efficient methodology for the in-situ coloration and performance enhancement in tensile strength, abrasion resistance, alkali solubility and antioxidant activity of wool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) In addition, the Ultraviolet protection factor of wool fabric dyed with sappan wood dye on the wool fabric was analyzed by using AATCC 183 standard testing method, and results obtained are represented in Table 5. Several dyeing methods are upgrading to enhance the extraction of colorant, dyeing conduct, color properties, colorfastness, dye sorption, and dye uptake percentage for fibers/fabrics (Hossain et al. [33]; Kiran et al. [40]). Keywords: Coloration; wool fabric; sappon wood; natural dyes; extraction; sustainable product; ; ; ; ; ; EN Coloration wool fabric sappon wood natural dyes extraction sustainable product ZH 9348 9362 15 11/21/22 20221220 NES 221220 Introduction Natural dyes are considered as state of the art environment-friendly colorants as they are extracted from natural sources like plants, animal, and mineral sources (Fernández-López, Fernández-Lledó, and Angosto [14]; Gebhardt et al. [16]; Hasan et al. [27]; Mahmud et al. [44]; Nambela, Haule, and Mgani [48]; Yusuf, Shabbir, and Mohammad [65]). [Extracted from the article]

The poison frog Epipedobates anthonyi is a species of the Dendrobatidae family distributed in a restricted area in Ecuador and Peru; it has high chromatic variation in Ecuadorian populations. An individual with partial leucism was registered in the Province of El Oro-Ecuador. It is the first case formally reported from this species and in the country. This note describes the record and presents photographs to compare a leucistic individual with one with the normal coloration of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel water and dye-free heat treatment method was used to color wool yarn. The heat treatment can not only give the white wool yarn new color but also minimize the yarn hairiness. The influences of heating treatment temperature and time on the wool yarn color were investigated. The microstructure, twist, hairiness, wear resistance, moisture regain and tensile strength of the wool yarn were evaluated to analyze the physical and mechanical properties changes after heat treatment. The results showed that the color strength of wool yarn increased with increasing the heat treatment temperature and time. The hairs equal to or longer than 3 mm reduced significantly after heat treatment. The microstructural structure has no significant change after heat treatment, the unique overlapping scales structure on the surface still observed clearly by the SEM. The tensile strength and wear resistance of wool yarn would decrease with increasing heat treatment temperature and time, and the tensile strength retention was higher than 80% after heat treatment which could meet the requirement in daily applications. Therefore, the heat treatment is an environmentally friendly method to endow wool yarn color and it has a potential in the textile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High susceptibility of wool toward bacterial growth owing to proteinous nature and moisture retention ability leads to need for antibacterial functionalization of wool to cure the resulting deterioration. Antibacterial colored wool was designed via application of Terminalia chebula, Alkanna tinctoria, and Tagetes erecta natural dyes. Characteristics in terms of color and antibacterial activity were compared to correlate coloring compound's effect on characteristics of dyes and, both T. chebula and A. tinctoria dyes inferred themselves actively resisting bacterial growth while T. erecta was not efficient against bacterial strains. Colorful shades of good color and fastness properties were obtained from selected natural dyes on woolen yarn. Results show Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) were highly resisted by the effect of T. chebula and A. tinctoria dyes, and T. chebula among them proved best in terms of both color characteristics and antibacterial potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associated environmental hazards with the use of synthetic dyes and toxic metal mordants in the textile industry lead to concerns for alternatives. Natural dyes and biomordants are the new eco-friendly and biocompatible resources for textile coloration obtained from never-ending natural flora. The coloration potential of naphthoquinone-based colorants from Alkanna tinctoria roots on wool was investigated in this study with the application of both metallic mordants as well as biomordants. Color characteristics were evaluated on a spectrophotometer under the D65 illuminant, 10° standard observer, and fastness properties by using standard methods. A wide range of shades was obtained with good color characteristics and fastness results. Iron among metallic mordants, pomegranate peel extract (PPE) and babool among biomordants increased the color yield of dyed wool. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the undamaged physical structure and surface morphology of dyed wool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of multifunctional fabrics is an important purpose for their application in many fields. This study provided a simple approach for innovative textile design by applying the optical properties of Plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles. The utilization of feasible technique to functionalize both semisynthetic and synthetic fabrics namely viscose and acrylic fabric has been accomplished. Where, fabrics functions have been developed by in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into their surface using trisodium citrate as multifunctional agent (reductant, stabilizer, and linker). The silver NPs incorporated into fabrics has been characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanism of assembling Ag NPs in situ incorporated fabric matrix has been discussed. The influence of silver nanoparticles on the coloration, UV-protection, and antibacterial properties of the fabrics has also been examined. The overall results indicated that, the in situ Ag NPs-incorporated into fabrics has been applied as a colorant for both viscose and acrylic fabrics effectively beside the improvement for UV-blocking and anti-bacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual ornaments, including plumage ornamentation, are often studied during breeding periods even though signal development can take place months earlier. This temporal disconnect potentially obscures the proximate mechanisms that underlie signal expression and development. We studied the correlation between androgen levels and expression of ornamented plumage in adult Red-backed Fairywrens (Malurus melanocephalus) 4–6 months before breeding, when signal production occurs in some, usually older, males. We found that, during this period, ornamented males, unornamented males and females all had low plasma androgen levels that did not differ from each other. Variation in androgen levels was unrelated to phenotype or moult. These findings differ from previous research conducted immediately prior to breeding in a different population of this species, which used correlative and experimental work to demonstrate that testosterone induces prenuptial moult and acquisition of ornamented plumage in younger males. Our study demonstrates that mechanisms contributing to signal production may vary within and among populations in relation to temporal, age-dependent, or geographic parameters. These results highlight the complexity of hormonal pathways to signal production, and the importance of studying signal acquisition throughout the entire period when signals are produced, as studies conducted at different time points may have quantitatively different results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda) is endemic to Australia’s northern tropics and comprises two sub-species differentiated by bill colour: yellow in the western sub-speciesacuticaudaand red in the eastern sub-specieshecki. We present an extensive survey of bill colour variation across the range of the Long-tailed Finch (more than 700 individuals collected across nearly 1500 km of range). Geographic clinal analysis using bill reflectance spectrophotometry data suggests that the greatest extent of bill colour admixture is only ~150 km wide and is centred approximately 50 km west of Katherine, Northern Territory (14.5° S, 132.3° E). Variation in bill colour is generally low outside of this zone, and across widely distributed allopatric populations of both sub-species. However, the best-fit clinal model supports a pattern of asymmetrical introgression of bill colour from the east into the west. The narrow geographic width of bill colour admixture between Long-tailed Finch sub-species and the estimated timing of secondary contact (14–21 kya) suggests a role for selection acting against hybrids and/or parentals in maintaining sub-species as independently evolving populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Compared to the traditional dyeing processes using synthetic dyes, biological dyeing method has a bright future in the textile industry due to their advantages of environmentally-friendly and milder processing conditions. Biological dyeing involves the catalysis of phenolic monomers by oxidoreductases, such as laccase, to form the colorful polymers used for dyeing. In this study, wool fabrics were treated with laccase/phenol via a one- or two-step treatment, and polymers synthesized in-situ were used to dye wool fabrics. The K/S values of the wool fabrics were evaluated under different treatment conditions, including the dosages of laccase and dye precursor, temperature, pH, mediator type, and mechanical agitation. The surface of wool fibers was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the dyeing effect of the wool fabric samples using the single step processing method of in-situ color synthesis and fabric dyeing was better than those dyed using the two-step methods of color synthesis and fabric dyeing under the same conditions. The color depth of the dyed wool fabrics increased gradually with increasing concentration of laccase, and also depended on other process parameters, such as dosage of catechol, temperature, and pH. Moreover, addition of mediators and adjustment of mechanical agitation also improved the color depth of the wool fabrics which were dyed in-situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A project was initiated to investigate coloration (L*, a*, b*; Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage 1976) characteristics of mechanically processed channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fillets. Experienced personnel were evaluated in their efficacy of visual organization of fillets into four distinct yellowness (b*) coloration categories. There was a significant (P < 0.001) difference in yellowness only between the two extreme categories, suggesting the need for development of physical coloration standards. Coloration was measured at six sites per fillet ≤24 h post processing and after seven day refrigerated (4°–5°C) storage. There was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in overall lightness (L*) from 58.9 ± 5.2 to 60.1 ± 2.3. There was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the overall mean yellowness (b*) value from 0.8 ± 3.2 to 1.9 ± 3.8. Most individual fillet sites exhibited a significant increase in yellowness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some authors have argued that human preferences for "beautiful" birds may skew the selection of species used to promote conservation programs. This evokes questions about the importance of color, shape, and other appearance traits of bird in affecting human preferences for birds. The aim of this study was to assess the traits affecting human preferences towards all non-passerine and five passerine bird families (n = 102), and to see whether such preferences correspond within a family or are species-specific. Using an Internet survey, we asked 200 human respondents to evaluate pictures of bird species, with two randomly chosen from each family, according to their attractiveness. The respondents were mainly from the Czech and Slovak Republics, but 67 came from other countries (the majority of which were English-speaking). An additional 100 respondents, exclusively from the Czech and Slovak Republics, evaluated the same pictures converted to silhouettes, to test the effect of shape versus color. We included various factors such as morphometric traits (i.e., measurements of body segments and the area the bird silhouette filled in the picture), body weight of the species, and colors, lightness, and saturation of the pictures in the statistical analyses, to help explain any variation in human preferences. We found that human preferences were significantly affected by bird morphology; however, the colors blue and yellow, as well as the overall lightness, were significant as well. The preferences for species belonging to the same family were positively correlated, possibly due to similarity in the body shape of related species. We suggest that finding the traits that determine human preferences toward birds may help conservationists promote a conservation program based on the selection of the correct, scientifically determined, flagship species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtle sexual dimorphism and its perception in apparently monomorphic bird species warrant assessment of how birds identify the sex of conspecifics, particularly of prospective mates. Visual sensitivity and its potential co-variation with cryptic sexual dichromatism are still uninvestigated in most avian taxa. Using molecular sexing, reflectance spectrometry and perceptual modelling based on the sequencing of short wavelength visual pigments, we assessed the sex-specificity of coloration and colour perception in the red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda. We also measured morphological dimorphism at a previously unstudied breeding locality for this species. Our data are in line with both physical and avian-perceived monochromatism with a potential indication of achromatic sex differences in plumage reflectance. The moderate extent of size dimorphism is consistent with reports from other Pacific breeding populations, and morphological measurements from live specimens in this study are in line with reports on museum specimens from the same sample location. Potential differences between individuals of the same sex in size and coloration warrant the assessment of sexual dimorphism in larger sample sizes of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New jute containing fabrics have been produced. The effects of jute grade, weft side component, yarn count number, pretreatment sequence dyeability, with reactive, direct, or basic dye, printability with pigment, as well as soft and bio-finish of the plain woven substrates were examined and optimal conditions for attaining better performance properties were selected. The changes in physicomechanical properties of the pretreated substrates are governed by weft yarn type and count number, blend components, and pretreatment sequence. The extent of dyeing and pigment printing of the used substrates as a function of the weft component follows in descending order: Reactive dyeing: Jute/Flax > Jute /Cotton > Jute/Jute Direct dyeing: Jute/Jute > Jute/Cotton > Jute/Flax Basic dyeing: Jute/Jute > Jute/Cotton > Jute/Flax > Jute/Polyester Pigment printing: Jute/Jute > Jute/Flax > Jute/Cotton > Jute/Polyester, regardless of the used pretreatment sequence. The extent of improvement in fabric resiliency, drapeability, and softness properties of the pretreated jute fabrics made from finer weft yarns is better than those made from coarser ones, irrespective of the used finishing regime, and follows the decreasing order: Bio-finish/Soft-finish > Soft-finish > Bio-finish > None. The performance properties of the produced jute-containing fabrics would ensure the diverse use and their potential applications in apparel and home furnishings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colour of sportswear has been shown to influence the outcome of bouts for several different combat sports. The generality of these effects, and whether they extend to collaborative forms of contests (team sports), is uncertain. Since 1947, English football teams wearing red shirts have been champions more often than expected on the basis of the proportion of clubs playing in red. To investigate whether this indicates an enhancement of long-term performance in red-wearing teams, we analysed the relative league positions of teams wearing different hues. Across all league divisions, red teams had the best home record, with significant differences in both percentage of maximum points achieved and mean position in the home league table. The effects were not due simply to a difference between teams playing in a colour and those playing in a predominantly white uniform, as the latter performed better than teams in yellow hues. No significant differences were found for performance in matches away from home, when teams commonly do not wear their "home" colours. A matched-pairs analysis of red and non-red wearing teams in eight English cities shows significantly better performance of red teams over a 55-year period. These effects on long-term success have consequences for colour selection in team sports, confirm that wearing red enhances performance in a variety of competitive contexts, and provide further impetus for studies of the mechanisms underlying these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Stantonia Ashmead, 1904 is revised and an identification key for all the available described species is provided. Phylogenetic analyses including and excluding colour characters are presented and the results of various constrained analyses used to assess statistically the need for taxonomic changes. These tests lead to the recognition that Bentonia van Achterberg, 1992, is a derived group within Stantonia and the two genera are accordingly synonymized. The status of both Eleonoria Braet and van Achterberg, 2000 and of Orgilonia van Achterberg, 1987 , as valid genera is also questionable but as they were not consistently recovered as subgroups within Stantonia and excluding them does not lead to trees that are significantly longer than trees in which they appear derived within Stantonia , they are not being synonymized here. Sulorgilus van Achterberg is transferred from the Orgilini to the Mimagathidini. Twenty-eight species are described as new. Stantonia pallida ( Ashmead, 1894 ) is a new combination for Orgilus pallidus Ashmead, 1904 . Stantonia kriegeri Enderlein, 1905 and S. lamprosemae Muesebeck, 1938 are recognized as new junior synonyms of S. pallida . The type-species of S. sumatrana Enderlein, 1908 (Sumatra), S. hammersteini Enderlein, 1908 (Madagascar), S. rufithorax Enderlein, (1918) 1920 (Colombia), S. procera Enderlein, (1918) 1920 (Sumatra), S. minuta Enderlein, 1908 (Peru), S. agroterae Nixon, 1950 (India), are at least partly redescribed. Females of S. procera and S. spasskensis Belokobylskij, 1993 are described for the first time. S. katiae nom. n. is proposed in place of B. scutellaris van Achterberg, 1992. New host or distribution data are given for several species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of predators on the behavior of signal blennies, Emblemaria hypacanthus (Pisces Chaenopsidae), was examined by comparing populations from two sites in the central Gulf of California that differed significantly in the abundance of predatory fishes. At the low-risk site the sexes differed in habitat use with males and females spending most of their time in shelters and in the open, respectively. At the high-risk site both sexes spent most of their time in shelters and also moved less and retreated into shelters more frequently than they did at the low-risk site. Both sexes fed at similar rates at the two sites, but their feeding efficiency was not measured. Males at the high-risk site courted females less vigorously and exhibited less intense courtship coloration than did males at the low-risk site. Although this difference in coloration was evident in the field over 3 consecutive years, males from both sites exhibited full courtship coloration in aquaria lacking predators. This implies that the color differences of males at these two sites represents a flexible, rather than a genetically-fixed, response to predation risk. Flexible responses are expected to occur where the selective environment of offspring is not correlated with that of their parents, such as in marine fishes with a planktonic dispersal stage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]