Cambios de color y pH causados por el PVAc en bienes culturales

Este artículo presenta los primeros resultados del estudio "Identificación de patologías causadas por el PVAc en bienes culturales" que se está realizando en la Sección de Conservación-Restauración de la Facultad de Bellas Artes, Universidad de Barcelona. El trabajo se basa en el estudio de obras originales que fueron tratadas con PVAc en los años 70-80 y pretende identificar los problemas que genera el PVAc en materiales de archivo, arqueológicos, pintura sobre tela, sobre madera y pintura mural. Tras el análisis de las obras originales, se han preparado muestras probeta que reproducen sus características, así como de adhesivos de PVAc comerciales y de uso específico en restauración. Éstas han sido analizadas antes y después de someterlas a dos fases consecutivas de envejecimiento acelerado. También se han analizado obras originales con PVAc aplicado hace aproximadamente 30 años. El artículo presenta los resultados de las mediciones de color y pH en las muestras probeta antes y después de la primera fase de envejecimiento acelerado y, también, en las muestras envejecidas de forma natural durante 10 años.

Hematological profile of beef cattle with divergent residual feed intake, following feed deprivation

The objective of this work was to characterize the hematological profiles of steers and bulls, according to residual feed intake (RFI), after feed deprivation. Twenty‑month‑old Nellore steers and bulls were fed feedlot diets for 70 and 56 days, respectively. RFI was calculated as the difference between actual feed intake and expected feed intake. More and less efficient steers and bulls, according to RFI, were subjected to 24 hours of food deprivation. Blood was sampled prior to and following the withdrawal period. Hematological analyses included total and differential white blood cell count, red blood cell count and morphology, and plasma glucose concentration. Variation in RFI did not influence plasma glucose concentration or blood cell profiles. Glucose concentrations in bulls decreased from 114 to 97 mg dL‑1, but remained unchanged in steers, and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio increased from 0.39 to 0.57 following deprivation. Hematological profiles do not differ between more and less efficient steers and bulls, according to RFI.

Color of smoked loin from animals fed with bioactive compounds added to forage

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the breed and of the addition of bioactive substances to forage on the color of smoked pork loin. Two pig breeds (Polish Landrace and the crossbreed Polish Landrace x Duroc), three types of bioactive components (organic selenium; 2% of canola oil and 1% of flaxseed oil; and 2% of flaxseed oil and 1% of canola oil), and a control treatment were evaluated. Computer image analysis included the color assessment of muscle, fat, connective tissues, and smoked loin surface. For Polish Landrace, selenium supplementation caused higher values of red, green, and blue color components of the muscle tissue, which were lower for the crossbreed. However, there was no difference in the color components of loin fat tissue of the Polish Landrace breed due to selenium supplementation. In the case of oil supplementation, values of the color components of the muscle tissue for the Polish Landrace x Duroc crossbreed were also lower. The color components of muscle, fat, connective tissues, and smoked loin surface depend on the pig breed and on the bioactive compounds added to the forage.

Ethephon use and application timing of abscisic acid for improving color of 'Rubi' table grape

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ethephon and of abscisic acid (ABA) application timing on the color of 'Rubi' Table grape. Eight treatments were evaluated: control, without application; ethephon 500 mg L‑1 applied seven days after veraison (7 DAV); and two concentrations of ABA (200 and 400 mg L‑1) arranged with three application timings at 7 DAV, at 15 days before harvest (DBH), and at 7 DAV + 15 DBH. ABA does not modify physical‑chemical characteristics of the cluster and improves the color of grapes, especially when applied twice (7 DAV + 15 DBH) at the concentration of 400 mg L‑1.

Inheritance of seed coat color in sesame

The objective of this work was to determine the inheritance mode of seed coat color in sesame. Two crosses and their reciprocals were performed: UCLA37 x UCV3 and UCLA90 x UCV3, of which UCLA37 and UCLA90 are white seed, and UCV3 is brown seed. Results of reciprocal crosses within each cross were identical: F1 seeds had the same phenotype as the maternal parent, and F2 resulted in the phenotype brown color. These results are consistent only with the model in which the maternal effect is the responsible for this trait. This model was validated by recording the seed coat color of 100 F2 plants (F3 seeds) from each cross with its reciprocal, in which the 3:1 expected ratio for plants producing brown and white seeds was tested with the chi-square test. Sesame seed color is determined by the maternal genotype. Proposed names for the alleles participating in sesame seed coat color are: Sc1, for brown color; and Sc2, for white color; Sc1 is dominant over Sc2.

Polymorphisms in candidate genes and their association with carcass traits and meat quality in Nellore cattle

The objective of this work was to estimate the allele polymorphism frequencies of genes in Nellore cattle and associate them with meat quality and carcass traits. Six hundred males were genotyped for the following polymorphisms: DGAT1 (VNTR with 18 nucleotides at the promoter region); ANK1, a new polymorphism, identified and mapped here at the gene regulatory region NW_001494427.3; TCAP (AY428575.1:g.346G>A); and MYOG (NW_001501985:g.511G>C). In the association study, phenotype data of hot carcass weight, ribeye area, backfat thickness, percentage of intramuscular fat, shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index, meat color (L*, a*, b*), and cooking losses were used. Allele B from the ANK1 gene was associated with greater redness (a*). Alleles 5R, 6R, and 7R from the DGAT1 VNTR gene were associated with increased intramuscular fat, reduced cooking losses and increased ribeye area, respectively. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the TCAP gene was not polymorphic, and MYOG alleles were not associated with any of the evaluated characteristics. These results indicate that ANK1 and DGAT1 genes can be used in the selection of Nellore cattle for carcass and meat quality.

Carbon and nitrogen cycling in an integrated soybean-beef cattle production system under different grazing intensities

Abstract:The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of grazing intensity on the decomposition of cover crop pasture, dung, and soybean residues, as well as the C and N release rates from these residues in a long-term integrated soybean-beef cattle system under no-tillage. The experiment was initiated in 2001, with soybean cultivated in summer and black oat + Italian ryegrass in winter. The treatments consisted of four sward heights (10, 20, 30, and 40 cm), plus an ungrazed area, as the control. In 2009-2011, residues from pasture, dung, and soybean stems and leaves were placed in nylon-mesh litter bags and allowed to decompose for up to 258 days. With increasing grazing intensity, residual dry matter of the pasture decreased and that of dung increased. Pasture and dung lignin concentrations and C release rates were lower with moderate grazing intensity. C and N release rates from soybean residues are not affected by grazing intensity. The moderate grazing intensity produces higher quality residues, both for pasture and dung. Total C and N release is influenced by the greater residual dry matter produced when pastures were either lightly grazed or ungrazed.

Color of berry and juice of 'Isabel' grape treated with abscisic acid in different ripening stages

Abstract : The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of (S)-cis-abscisic acid (S-ABA) application at different ripening stages, in increasing phenolic compounds and color of berry and juice of 'Isabel' grape (Vitis labrusca). The evaluated treatments were: control, without S-ABA application; 400 mg L-1S-ABA applied 7 days before veraison (DBV) + 400 mg L-1S-ABA at 35 days after first application (DAFA); 400 mg L-1S-ABA applied at veraison (V) + 400 mg L-1S-ABA at 35 DAFA; and 400 mg L-1S-ABA applied 7 days after veraison (DAV) + 400 mg L-1S-ABA at 35 DAFA. There was no difference among treatments regarding the physical characteristics of berries and clusters, as well as total polyphenols in berry and juice. However, there was an increase in total anthocyanins in berry and juice with S-ABA application. Colorimetric variables indicated the increase in color of berry treated with S-ABA. Juices produced from grapes treated with S-ABA were more appreciated by tasters. The treatments with 400 mg L-1S-ABA applied 7 days before, during, or 7 days after veraison, combined with an additional application 35 days after the first one, increment total anthocyanin concentration and color of berry and juice of 'Isabel' grape, with better juice acceptance, without affecting total polyphenol concentration.

Cambios de color y pH causados por el PVAc en bienes culturales

Este artículo presenta los primeros resultados del estudio "Identificación de patologías causadas por el PVAc en bienes culturales" que se está realizando en la Sección de Conservación-Restauración de la Facultad de Bellas Artes, Universidad de Barcelona. El trabajo se basa en el estudio de obras originales que fueron tratadas con PVAc en los años 70-80 y pretende identificar los problemas que genera el PVAc en materiales de archivo, arqueológicos, pintura sobre tela, sobre madera y pintura mural. Tras el análisis de las obras originales, se han preparado muestras probeta que reproducen sus características, así como de adhesivos de PVAc comerciales y de uso específico en restauración. Éstas han sido analizadas antes y después de someterlas a dos fases consecutivas de envejecimiento acelerado. También se han analizado obras originales con PVAc aplicado hace aproximadamente 30 años. El artículo presenta los resultados de las mediciones de color y pH en las muestras probeta antes y después de la primera fase de envejecimiento acelerado y, también, en las muestras envejecidas de forma natural durante 10 años.

Cambios de color y pH causados por el PVAc en bienes culturales

Este artículo presenta los primeros resultados del estudio "Identificación de patologías causadas por el PVAc en bienes culturales" que se está realizando en la Sección de Conservación-Restauración de la Facultad de Bellas Artes, Universidad de Barcelona. El trabajo se basa en el estudio de obras originales que fueron tratadas con PVAc en los años 70-80 y pretende identificar los problemas que genera el PVAc en materiales de archivo, arqueológicos, pintura sobre tela, sobre madera y pintura mural. Tras el análisis de las obras originales, se han preparado muestras probeta que reproducen sus características, así como de adhesivos de PVAc comerciales y de uso específico en restauración. Éstas han sido analizadas antes y después de someterlas a dos fases consecutivas de envejecimiento acelerado. También se han analizado obras originales con PVAc aplicado hace aproximadamente 30 años. El artículo presenta los resultados de las mediciones de color y pH en las muestras probeta antes y después de la primera fase de envejecimiento acelerado y, también, en las muestras envejecidas de forma natural durante 10 años.

Definition of linear color models in the RGB vector color space to detect red peaches in orchard images taken under natural illumination

This work proposes the detection of red peaches in orchard images based on the definition of different linear color models in the RGB vector color space. The classification and segmentation of the pixels of the image is then performed by comparing the color distance from each pixel to the different previously defined linear color models. The methodology proposed has been tested with images obtained in a real orchard under natural light. The peach variety in the orchard was the paraguayo (Prunus persica var. platycarpa) peach with red skin. The segmentation results showed that the area of the red peaches in the images was detected with an average error of 11.6%; 19.7% in the case of bright illumination; 8.2% in the case of low illumination; 8.6% for occlusion up to 33%; 12.2% in the case of occlusion between 34 and 66%; and 23% for occlusion above 66%. Finally, a methodology was proposed to estimate the diameter of the fruits based on an ellipsoidal fitting. A first diameter was obtained by using all the contour pixels and a second diameter was obtained by rejecting some pixels of the contour. This approach enables a rough estimate of the fruit occlusion percentage range by comparing the two diameter estimates.

Diversifying selection and color-biased dispersal in the asp viper.

BACKGROUND: The presence of intraspecific color polymorphism can have multiple impacts on the ecology of a species; as a consequence, particular color morphs may be strongly selected for in a given habitat type. For example, the asp viper (Vipera aspis) shows a high level of color polymorphism. A blotched morph (cryptic) is common throughout its range (central and western Europe), while a melanistic morph is frequently found in montane populations, presumably for thermoregulatory reasons. Besides, rare atypical uniformly colored individuals are known here and there. Nevertheless, we found in a restricted treeless area of the French Alps, a population containing a high proportion (>50%) of such specimens. The aim of the study is to bring insight into the presence and function of this color morph by (i) studying the genetic structure of these populations using nine microsatellite markers, and testing for (ii) a potential local diversifying selection and (iii) differences in dispersal capacity between blotched and non-blotched vipers. RESULTS: Our genetic analyses support the occurrence of local diversifying selection for the non-blotched phenotype. In addition, we found significant color-biased dispersal, blotched individuals dispersing more than atypical individuals. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that, in this population, the non-blotched phenotype possess an advantage over the typical one, a phenomenon possibly due to a better background matching ability in a more open habitat. In addition, color-biased dispersal might be partly associated with the observed local diversifying selection, as it can affect the genetic structure of populations, and hence the distribution of color morphs.

Wood Volume Measurement Using Color Images

Tämä työ käsittelee puutukkien tilavuuden mittaamista värikonenäön avulla. Värikuvat on saatu Simpeleellä olevan metsäteollisuusyrityksen hiomosta. Työssä esitetään perusteellisesti matemaattinen teoria, joka liittyy käytettyihin kuvankäsittelymenetelmiin, kuten luokitteluun, kohinan poistoon ja tukkien segmentointiin. Esitetyt menetelmät implementointiin käytännössä ja eri menetelmillä saatuja tuloksia vertailtiin keskenään. Kuvankäsittelyalgoritmit on implementoitu Matlab 6.0:n avulla. Pääasiassa käytettiin uusinta Image Processing Toolboxia, joka on versio 3.0. Tämä työn näkökulma on pääasiassa käytäntöön soveltava, koska metsäteollsuus on korkealla tasolla Suomessa ja siellä on paljon alan yrityksiä, joissa tässä työssä kehitettyä menetelmää voidaan hyödyntää.

Morph-specific genetic and environmental variation in innate and acquired immune response in a color polymorphic raptor.

Genetic color polymorphism is widespread in nature. There is an increasing interest in understanding the adaptive value of heritable color variation and trade-off resolution by differently colored individuals. Melanin-based pigmentation is often associated with variation in many different life history traits. These associations have recently been suggested to be the outcome of pleiotropic effects of the melanocortin system. Although pharmacological research supports that MC1R, a gene with a major role in vertebrate pigmentation, has important immunomodulatory effects, evidence regarding pleiotropy at MC1R in natural populations is still under debate. We experimentally assessed whether MC1R-based pigmentation covaries with both inflammatory and humoral immune responses in the color polymorphic Eleonora's falcon. By means of a cross-fostering experiment, we disentangled potential genetic effects from environmental effects on the covariation between coloration and immunity. Variation in both immune responses was primarily due to genetic factors via the nestlings' MC1R-related color genotype/phenotype, although environmental effects via the color morph of the foster father also had an influence. Overall, dark nestlings had lower immune responses than pale ones. The effect of the color morph of the foster father was also high, but in the opposite direction, and nestlings raised by dark eumelanic foster fathers had higher immune responses than those raised by pale foster fathers. Although we cannot completely discard alternative explanations, our results suggest that MC1R might influence immunity in this species. Morph-specific variation in immunity as well as pathogen pressure may therefore contribute to the long-term maintenance of genetic color polymorphism in natural populations.