Dominant Color Research Articles

Coloring in the world of others: color use in visual orientalism, 1890–1920

This study investigates the impact of media on color sense: our ability to see different colors and use them to interpret the world. Specifically, we examine the role of color in the cultural construction of the Orient—an ‘imagined geography’ used to justify colonial domination—in two turn-of-the-twentieth-century types of color(ed) photographs: photochromes, where a printer added color, and autochromes, where colors were captured during exposure. While most research on visual Orientalism has focused on content, we use machine learning methods to study the most important formal element of visual Orientalism: color. After using K-means clustering to extract sixteen dominant colors from each photograph in our dataset, we train three different random forest classification algorithms to make a distinction between (A) the two color media (B) photochromes of the Orient and the Occident; and (C) autochromes of the Orient and the Occident. Subsequently, we apply Shapley Additive Explanations, an explainable AI method, to interpret the output of the classifiers. This allows us to examine how specific features (colors) impacted the classifiers’ predictions. While the algorithm can easily separate photochromes from autochromes (0.95) and Oriental from Occidental photochromes (0.93), it struggles with the same task in the autochrome collection (0.68). These findings support three interconnected conclusions: (1) color sense became mediated in the late nineteenth century, (2) in photochromes, the presence and absence of specific colors was a vital aspect of visual Orientalism, (3) the autochrome, where color was derived from light, provided a more objective picture of countries in the near and middle East than the photochrome.

Microplastics contamination in three species of marine fish harvested by coastal land trawl in Banda Aceh City and Aceh Besar Regency waters, Indonesia

<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">Banda Aceh City and Aceh Besar Regency are two of the areas experiencing rapid population growth and increased waste production, including plastics. The areas are directly adjacent to the coast, and the generated plastic waste has the potential to pollute the sea and fish. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze microplastics contamination in three species of marine fish caught in the coastal areas of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. The sampling was carried out for 3 months from January to March 2024 at three locations, namely Gampong Jawa (Station 1), Alue Naga (Station 2), and Krueng Raya (Station 3). The fish samples were ponyfish (</span><em><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">Leiognathus equulus</span></em><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">), rabbitfish (</span><em><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">Siganus canaliculatus</span></em><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">), and sardine fish (</span><em><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">Sardinella gibbosa</span></em><span style="color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;">). The results showed that there were four forms of microplastics, namely fibers, fragments, films, and pellets, with seven types of colors, including black, brown, clear, blue, red, yellow, and green. The dominant shape and color were fragment and black, respectively. In ponyfish, the highest and lowest number of microplastic particles were found in samples caught in Alue Naga waters (4.51 particles/fish) and Krueng Raya waters (2.80 particles/fish). Meanwhile, rabbitfish had the highest and lowest abundance in Alue Naga waters (3.60 particles/fish) and Gampong Jawa waters (2.83 particles/fish), respectively. The highest and lowest abundance of sardine fish was found in Gampong Jawa waters (3.77 particles/fish) and Krueng Raya waters (1.50 particles/fish), respectively. In general, ponny fish had a higher abundance of microplastics than the other two species, and microplastics were highest in fish from the Alue Naga station based on location. According to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) test on flesh samples of the species, three types of polymers were detected, namely latex, nylon, and polypropylene. In this context, the species analyzed were contaminated with microplastics and unsafe for consumption.</span></p><p> </p>

Mascot Design as Brand Identity Communication Science Study Program UMSIDA

General background: Mascots serve as effective visual identity elements for various organizations to convey character uniquely. Specific background: The Communication Science Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo (UMSIDA) uses "Si Kombi," a character blending human and butterfly features, in colors representing the program's identity. Knowledge gap: Limited research exists on mascots' role in academic branding and public engagement. Aims: This study evaluates "Si Kombi" as a visual tool for building the program's brand and attracting interest. Results: The mascot’s design features two-dimensional elements with dominant colors, enhancing recognition and appeal among potential students. Novelty: Integrating a mascot into academic branding offers a fresh approach to promoting study programs. Implications: This study highlights how mascots can strengthen academic brands, enhance promotion, and foster emotional connections with audiences. Highlights: Brand Representation: "Si Kombi" serves as a unique visual identity for UMSIDA's Communication Science Study Program. Effective Engagement: The mascot enhances public attention, making the program more recognizable to prospective students. Innovative Strategy: Using mascots in academic branding adds a fresh approach to promotional efforts in educational institutions. Keywords: Mascot, Visual Identity, Branding, Academic Promotion

Morphological and biochemical characteristics of wild red-fleshed apples (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) in the North and Northeast of Iran

BackgroundRed-flesh apples (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) have attracted attention from consumers and researchers due to their pleasant appearance and taste. These exotic apples are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting polyphenols and phenolics. This study aimed to investigate morphological (40 quantitative and 13 qualitative traits) and biochemical (5 traits) characteristics of four socioeconomically important red-fleshed apple populations in North and Northeast region of Iran, which are understudied and under serious extinction risk.ResultsThe examined characters exhibited wide and statistically significant variations, especially in leaf color (68.86%) and the number of seeds per fruit (61.61%), and more dramatically in the total flavonoids (146.64%) and total phenolics contents (105.81%). There were also strong variations in fresh fruit weight and fruit length, diameter, and flesh thickness. Red, with 34 accessions, was the dominant ripe fruit skin color. All biochemical traits also showed high variations, particularly in total flavonoid content. Red-fleshed Gavramak and Kalateh Khij apples contained the highest biochemical and morphological values, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first five principal components together accounted for more than 60.83% variation of the total observed variations. Moreover, the cluster dendrogram analysis based on Ward’s method indicated three different clusters based on the characters measured, indicating high variation among the accessions.Conclusionred-flesh apples can be considered suitable sources of natural antioxidants with great potential as healthy foods and nutraceutical applications. Based on the commercial characters, Red-fleshed Gavramak and Kalateh Khij apples showed the highest fruit quality with proper size and thus can be suggested as superior for cultivation or use in breeding programs due to having higher quality fruits.

The bio–accumulation and –magnification of microplastics under predator–prey isotopic relationships

Recent studies on microplastics (MPs) in marine ecosystems have focused on their bioaccumulation and biomagnification within food chains, emphasizing their potential health risks to humans. However, these bio-effects of MPs in marine ecosystems remain a contentious issue. Employing the "consumer–dietary source" tracking function in stable isotope analysis can enhance our comprehension of how MPs magnify in organisms. In our research conducted in the coastal waters of Haizhou Bay, Jiangsu, China, we examined two commercially important fish species, Larimichthys polyactis and Collichthys lucidus, through stable isotope analysis to investigate the accumulation of MPs in their dietary sources. Results revealed fiber, blue, and PET as the primary shapes, colors, and polymers of MPs in the region. C. lucidus displayed a broader isotopic niche and a higher propensity for MP accumulation than L. polyactis. Biomagnification analysis indicated that dominant MP shapes, colors, and polymers were magnified in both fish species, with MPs smaller than 3 mm exhibiting substantial biomagnification. Factors such as feeding strategies and habitat preferences may influence MP ingestion by fish. We conclude that a high proportion of dietary sources in fish does not necessarily equate to a high concentration of MPs. Neglecting the proportion of dietary sources might lead to underestimating MP biomagnification. Therefore, a multidimensional approach to exploring the biomagnification of MPs is essential to accurately grasp this unique pollutant's impact.

Public’s Visual Preferences Survey Facilitates Community-Based Design and Color Standards Creation

According to research, there is a disparity in the aesthetic design preferences of the public and architects. This is especially noticeable in urban areas environments, where there is a wide range of demographic variables and a lack of active public involvement in decision-making. The study included a visual preference survey to evaluate the perception and ranking of two dominant color schemes in local development projects in Stockholm across different age, ethnicity, and gender groups from Sweden. Over 400 people participated in the survey, which used photo-elicitation and a literature review. The objective was to determine the extent of divergence and disparities in the ranking of color schemes. The first dominant color schemes are a group of four analogous colors related to the Natural Color System’s (NSC’s) basic colors. The second is a group of four neutral colors that are related to grayscale colors. The study demonstrates that one could also measure building color schemes using visual preference ranking. Moreover, the research introduced a unique method for city planners to understand diverse ethnic, gender, and age group perceptions of color schemes in current projects, promoting active participation in decision-making and providing valuable insights. These insights can enhance people’s sense of belonging, a prerequisite for social sustainability, and improve the quality and profitability of future projects.

The dominant white color trait of the melon fruit rind is associated with epicuticular wax accumulation.

Microscopic analyses and chemical profiling demonstrate that the white rind phenotype in melon fruit is associated with the accumulation of n-alkanes, fatty alcohols, aldehydes and wax esters. Serving as an indicator of quality, the rind (or external) color of fruit directly affects consumer choice. A fruit's color is influenced by factors such as the levels of pigments and deposited epicuticular waxes. The latter produces a white-grayish coating often referred to as "wax bloom". Previous reports have suggested that some melon (Cucumis melo L.) accessions may produce wax blooms, where a dominant white rind color trait was genetically mapped to a major locus on chromosome 7 and suggested to be inherited as a single gene named Wi. We here provide the first direct evidence of the contribution of epicuticular waxes to the dominant white rind trait in melon fruit. Our light and electron microscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) comparative analysis of melon accessions with white or green rinds reveals that the rind of melon fruit is rich in epicuticular waxes. These waxes are composed of various biochemical classes, including fatty acids, fatty alcohols, aldehydes, fatty amides, n-alkanes, tocopherols, triterpenoids, and wax esters. We show that the dominant white rind phenotype in melon fruit is associated with increased accumulation of n-alkanes, fatty alcohols, aldehydes and wax esters, which are linked with the deposition of crystal-like wax platelets on their surfaces. Together, this study broadens the understanding of natural variation in an important quality trait of melon fruit and promotes the future identification of the causative gene for the dominant white rind trait.

Characterization of fresh biowastes for biogas production and environmental health in Niger Delta, Nigeria

BackgroundEnvironmental pollution is a public health problem in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to: identify the major fresh biowastes in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta; quantify the biogas yields from mono-digestion and co-digestion of identified biowastes; determine the first day of biogas production during hydraulic retention time; assess pH variations during anaerobic digestion; and evaluate biogas flame colours.MethodsFifteen communities in Bayelsa State were randomly selected, and on-the-spot assessment and quantification of the biowastes found in each community were carried out daily per week. Mono-digestion of 20 kg of each biowaste and co-digestion of 10 kg of animal waste with 10 kg of plant waste were carried out respectively under anaerobic conditions. Cumulative biogas yield and pH were measured using a pH meter and weighing scale respectively. Biogas flame colours during combustion were visually assessed.ResultsExactly 120.61 metric ton of fresh biowastes was found to be generated per week in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta. Industrial biowastes were the highest [47.6 tonnes, (39.46%)], followed by abattoir biowastes [33 tonnes (27%)], market and roadside sellers biowastes [25.5 tonnes (21.14%)], and farm biowastes [14.51 (12.03%)]. Biogas yields (kg) were: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 17, 14, 2, 18, 16, 17, 15 and 1 kg for palm oil mill effluent (POME), orange fruit waste (OFW), pineapple peels (PP), plantain peels, cassava mill effluent (CME), rumen digesta (RD), cow dung, sewage, PP-RD, plantain peels-cow dung, POME-rumen digesta, OFW-cow dung, and CME-sewage respectively. The first day of biogas production for RD, cow dung, sewage, PP-RD, plantain peels-cow dung, POME-RD, OFW-cow dung, and CME-sewage was on the 6th, 32nd. 56th, 1st, 26th, 18th, 25th, and 60th day of hydraulic retention time respectively. A dominant blue flame colour mixed reddish yellow or orange flames were found during biogas combustion. A slight increase in pH was found in all the biodigester media.ConclusionsIn the present study, a variety of biowastes yielding various quantities and qualities of biogas were identified in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta. The study’s findings have provided evidence-based data that might be explored as a road map and catalyst for policy creation against inadequate biowaste management and as sustainable alternatives to the expensive liquefied petroleum gas. The potential of current research study to be scaled up for commercial use is implicated in the present study.

Abundance of microplastics in Cisadane river - Indonesia

Abstract Microplastics have become a serious threat to the aquatic environment, water treatment facilities, and riverside residents because they are persistent. Microplastics generally come from plastic waste produced by human and industrial activities that enter the rivers. In this study, the Cisadane River was studied for microplastic presence. Sampling was conducted at 11 points along the Cisadane River from the upstream (Muria Jaya) to the downstream (Teluk Naga). Samples were taken using a 200-mesh plankton net and then analyzed using a digital microscope for the microplastic’s presence, sizes, and shapes. Furthermore, material identification was conducted using a Raman Spectroscopy Microscope to determine the material type of microplastic in the samples. According to the result, the Cisadane River contains microplastics of various shapes and sizes. The result shows the abundance of microplastics of 0.8-9.6 particles/m3 0.8-26.4 particles/m3 in fibers and fragments, respectively. Microplastics in the form of fragments are the most dominant form. The size of microplastics varies from 65 to 4,932 μm for fibers and 23 to 2,444 μm for fragments. These differences are due to primary and secondary microplastic degradation rates through weathering, abrasion, mechanical disintegration, photolysis, and microbiological activity. The colors of microplastics found were blue, brown, cream, red, black, and transparent, with transparent being the most dominant color. The material types found were polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP).

Characteristics, Abundance and Polymer Type of Microplastics in Anadara granosa (Blood Clam) from Coastal Area of Palopo City

Plastic waste in marine waters will undergo a degradation process that breaks down large plastic pieces into smaller particles called microplastics. The abundance of microplastics, caused by their small size (<5mm) can be easily indirectly consumed by aquatic animals. Anadara granosa is one of the bivalves that is quite vulnerable to microplastic contamination because it has the nature of a filter feeder which means it can sift particles and organic matter around it. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics, abundance, and types of microplastic polymers in blood clams (A. granosa). The results of microplastic observations made on 60 blood clams were 153 microplastic particles identified from 47 individuals (78%) of contaminated blood clams with an average microplastic abundance of 0.591 ± 0.083 item/gr. Fiber-type microplastics are the most dominant form found and blue is the most dominant color found in the sample. Based on the average abundance of microplastics in Anadara granosa in the coastal area of Palopo City, it is lower than several studies that have been conducted previously. Fourier Transform-Infra Red was conducted to determine the type of polymer in microplastics. Three types of polymers were found in the Anadara granosa samples polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, and polyester. The three types of polymers have effects on human health such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, and genotoxicity. Action is needed to prevent microplastic pollution in Palopo City’s rivers before microplastic pollution becomes more severe in the future.

Underwater image enhancement using contrast correction

AbstractLight‐induced degeneration of underwater images occurs by physical features of seawater. According to the wavelength of the colour spectrum, light reduces intensity significantly when it moves through water. The greatest wavelength of light that is visible gets absorbed first. Red and blue absorb the most and least, respectively. Because of the reducing consequences of the light spectrum, underwater images having poor contrast can be obtained. As a result, the crucial data contained inside these images will not be effectively retrieved for later analysis. The recent research suggests a novel approach to enhance the contrast while decreasing noise in underwater images. The recommended approach involves image histogram transformation using two significant colour spaces, Red‐Green‐Blue (RGB) and Hue‐Saturation‐Value (HSV). The histogram of the dominant colour channel (blue channel) in the RGB colour model is extended towards the lower level, containing a maximum limitation of 95%, while the inferior red colour channel has been extended towards the upper side, containing a minimum limitation of 5%. During the entire dynamic range, the green colour channel having the dominant and inferior colour channels expands in each direction. The Rayleigh distribution has been utilized for developing various stretching actions within the RGB colour space. The image has been converted to the HSV colour space, having the S and V elements adjusted within 1% of their minimum and maximum values. The suggested approach is examined in both qualitative and quantitative analysis. According to qualitative analysis, the recommended approach substantially boosts image contrast, lowers its blue and green effect, and minimizes over‐enhanced and under‐enhanced sections in the final resultant underwater image. The quantitative examination of 500 large scale underwater images dataset reveals that the suggested technique generates better results. The dataset images are grouped into small fish images, blue coral images, stone wall images, and coral branch images. The quantitative examination of all these four groups have been evaluated and shown. The average mean square error, peak signal to noise ratio, underwater image quality measurement, and underwater colour image quality evaluation values of dataset images are 76.69, 31.25, 3.85, and 0.64, respectively. These values of our proposed work outperform six other previous methods.

Microplastics in wild fish in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China: A detailed investigation of their occurrence, characteristics, biomagnification and risk

Microplastics (MPs) pollution in freshwater poses a risk to various ecosystems and health security. In 2018, the Chinese government banned fishing since 2018 in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), but the fate and risk of MPs in wild fish remain unclear. Therefore, a detailed investigation was conducted into the occurrence of MPs in 18 wild fish species in the TGR using a Micro Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, and the trophic transfer and risks were assessed. MPs in fish were aged, with abundances ranging from 0.68 ± 0.98 to 4.00 ± 2.12 items/individual. Most particles were less than 1 mm in size (73.4 %), with fibers being the dominant shape (48.9 %) and transparent as the dominant color (35 %). Polyethylene (PE) was the most prevalent type. The bioconcentration factor (BCF), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), trophic magnification factor (TMF) and polymer hazard index (PHI) were low, suggesting no trophic transfer and a low risk of MPs. The BAF may provide a more reasonable description of the degree of enrichment of MPs, and ‘items/individual’ or ‘g/individual’ can be used to describe MPs concentrations in fish. This study proposes new insights and prospectives that can help researchers better understand MPs enrichment in fish across various trophic levels.

Microplastic accumulation in a lizard species: Observations from the terrestrial environments

Microplastics are a global environmental problem, polluting both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Terrestrial lizards are suitable model organisms to study human-induced pollution in these areas, as they can live in urbanized areas where microplastics are most abundant. Therefore, we analyzed the prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in a common Lacertid lizard, the snake-eyed lizard, Ophisops elegans. We detected MPs in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of 33 of 152 specimens from 18 populations. The detected MPs had six distinct polymer compositions, namely Polyethylene terephthalate, Polyacrylonitrile, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Poly methyl methacrylate and Polyamide. The majority of these MPs were fiber-type and the dominant color was navy blue. The lengths of MPs varied from 37 to 563 μm, with an average length of 175 μm. MPs were detected in the GITs of 43% of juveniles (n = 7), 30% of males (n = 105), and 18% of females (n = 40), with a mean of 0.27 per specimen. Furthermore, we found that microplastic densities varied with habitat distance from human settlements, supporting the theory that high levels of microplastic contamination are associated with extensive anthropogenic activity.

Gaya Arsitektur Rumah Istri Sultan Amaluddin Tengku Khalijah di Kota Maksum

Kota Maksum is an elite area that was once the residence of the nobles of the Deli Sultanate since the royal family moved from the palace in Labuhan to the Maimun Palace in 1891. The development of Kota Maksum was inseparable from the collaboration between the kingdom and the Dutch colonialists at that time so that the buildings of the Sultanate Many Delis were built by Dutch architects, including the Kota Maksum area. One proof of the legacy of the residence of the Deli nobles in Maksum City today is the house of Sultan Amaluddin Tengku Khalijah's wife. This house is the residence of Tengku Khalijah, the wife of Sultan Amaluddin Sani Perkasa Alamsyah, located in Maksum City. What's unique is that this house still stands strong today, even though it looks like the house is not very well maintained. In this way, the author immediately plunged into the field to see the house. This research aims to reveal the architectural style and ornaments used in the house of Sultan Amaluddin Tengku Khalijah's wife in Maksum City. The research method used in this research is a historical approach using data collection techniques through field observations, direct interviews with Tengku Khalijah's descendants, and literature study. The findings from this research show that Tengku Khalijah's house is structurally styled using Dutch colonial architecture which can be seen in elements such as stiles, doors, windows, dormer roofs, roof peak decoration and the use of the dominant color white in the house which is generally also used. on Other Colonial houses. Several typical Malay ornaments with floral motifs are also used in this house.

Agouti-Signaling Protein and Melanocortin-1-Receptor Mutations Associated with Coat Color Phenotypes in Fallow Deer (Dama dama).

Four dominant coat color phenotypes are found in fallow deer (Dama dama). Brown is the most common. Black, menil, and white occur with varying frequencies. In order to gain insights into the molecular genetic background of these phenotypes, 998 fallow animals (772 brown, 62 black, 126 menil, and 38 white) were examined for mutations in the ASIP, MC1R, TYR, and SLC45A2 genes. In ASIP, two mutations (ASIP-M-E2, located at the boundary from exon 2 to intron 2; and ASIP-M-E3, an InDel of five nucleotides) were found, leading to black fallow deer being either homozygous or heterozygous in combination. There were also two mutations found in MC1R. Whereby the mutation MC1R-M1 (leucine to proline, L48P) homozygous leads to a white coat, while the mutation MC1R-M2 (glycine to aspartic acid, G236D) homozygous is associated with the menil phenotype. When both mutations occur together in a heterozygous character state, it results in a menil coat. Since the mutations in the two genes are only present alternatively, 36 genotypes can be identified that form color clusters to which all animals can be assigned. No mutations were found in the TYR and SLC45A2 genes. Our investigations demonstrate that the four dominant coat colors in fallow deer can be explained by ASIP and MC1R mutations only.

Microplastic accumulation in water from protected areas in Western Forest Complex of Thailand

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as ubiquitous environmental pollutants worldwide. However, no research has been conducted in freshwater ecosystems within Thai protected areas (PAs), where biodiversity and natural resources are safeguarded for human well-being. The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence and abundance of potential MPs in the water of freshwater ecosystems in Thai PAs and to examine factors affecting their presence in the Western Forest Complex in Thailand (WEFCOM). Seventy water samples were collected from eight PAs in WEFCOM using a 20 μm plankton net. The water samples underwent digestion, density separation, and filtration. Potential MPs were visually identified under a stereomicroscope, and their chemical composition was further characterized using FTIR. The results revealed a 98.57 % potential MP prevalence in the water samples, with an average abundance of 0.30 ± 0.32 item·L−1. The quantities of potential MPs among PAs were significantly different (H = 17.88, p = 0.01). Fibers (68.93 %) were the most frequently identified potential MPs, with the dominant colors being blue (22.40 %) and black (20.03 %), mostly small-sized MPs (0.05–0.5 mm; 41.80 %). The major chemical plastic types included low-density polyethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene/polypropylene copolymer, polyester, and natural fibers. The abundance of potential MPs varied significantly among PAs, shapes, colors, and sizes (p < 0.01). Furthermore, potential MP abundance correlated with the number of tourists (p < 0.05). Proximity to open waste dumping (p < 0.01) and lower elevation (p < 0.05) tended to accumulate more potential MPs. This research suggests potential sources of microplastics in Thai PAs from wastewater effluent, human activities, and recreational activities, highlighting the urgent need for research to develop appropriate waste management technologies in Thai PAs and to raise awareness among local people and tourists about microplastic pollution.

Migration characteristics of microplastics in riparian soils and groundwater.

Investigations have revealed the presence of microplastics in both soil and groundwater, but the migration characteristics from soil to groundwater remain incompletely understood. In this study, two sampling sections consisting of soil-groundwater-river water were established near Lianxi Bridge and Xilin Bridge along the Jiuxi River in Xiamen. A total of 22 soil samples, 36 groundwater samples, and 18 river water samples were collected. Microplastics were detected in all samples with an abundance range of 392-836 n/kg in soil (mean, 655 ± 177 n/kg), 0.58-2.48 n/L groundwater (mean, 1.23 ± 0.42 n/L), and 0.38-1.80 n/L in river water (mean, 0.86 ± 0.41 n/L). Flakes predominantly constituted the shape of microplastics found in soil, while fibers dominated those present in water. Black, yellow, and red were the dominant color types. Polyamide (PA) and polyethylene (PE) were the main components of microplastics within soils, whereas polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and PA prevailed within water. Microplastic particle sizes ranged from 39 to 2498μm in soils, mainly from 29 to 3394μm in water. The upstream section displayed higher abundances of microplastic compared to the downstream, revealing the soil particles having an intercepting effect on microplastics. The distribution and migration of microplastics in soil and groundwater are affected by many factors, including natural and anthropogenic factors, such as soil depth, soil properties, pore structure, hydrodynamics, hydraulic connections between groundwater and surface water, the extensive utilization and disposal of plastics, irrational exploitation of groundwater, and morphology and types of microplastics. These research findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathways, migration capacity, and influencing factors associated with microplastic entry into groundwater, thereby providing valuable technical support for the development of strategies aimed at controlling microplastic pollution.

How do different seasonal environmental colors of highway tunnel entrances and dominant colors of portal walls affect the driver’s vehicle control ability?

The entrance section of the highway tunnel is a high-risk area for traffic accidents, and its traffic accident rate has significant seasonal differences. However, the dominant causes of this difference are still lacking in targeted research. On the other hand, due to the lack of a mature design system and normative guidance, the landscape design of tunnel entrances is more and more random, landscape elements tend to be complex, and color design tends to be diversified. The influence of tunnel entrance landscape design on driving behavior and its applicability in different seasonal environments needs to be studied. Given this, this study focused on two main variables − the typical seasonal environmental colors and different portal colors, and designed 12 schemes composed of three seasonal environments (green spring, golden yellow and red autumn, and white winter) and four portal colors (gray, blue, red, and tawny). Thirty subjects were invited to conduct a driving simulation experiment to study the influence of different seasonal environmental color characteristics and tunnel portal color on the amplitude and stability of driving behavior. The results show that the drivers’ behavior amplitude is large in spring and winter, and the traffic safety risk is relatively high. The typical color characteristics of the environment in different seasons are one of the reasons for the seasonal difference in the traffic accident rate. The driver’s operational stability is relatively poor in the autumn environment, which is related to the high scene complexity of the season. Compared with the grey portal scheme, the color design of the portal will increase the driver’s driving speed and the driving safety risk. However, its influence on the stability of driving behavior is bidirectional, and the color design coordinated with the environment can improve the stability of driving. When the portal is ready for landscape decoration, it is recommended to use a color scheme that is in harmony with the environment.

Occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water of Songkhla Lagoon.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is now a global critical issue and has been the subject of considerable worry for multiple various types of habitats, notably in lagoons which are coastal areas connected to the ocean. MPs are of concern, particularly because floating MP in surface water can be ingested by a number of marine organisms. There are several lagoons along Southeast Asia's coastline, but Songkhla Lagoon is Thailand's only exit with a rich biodiversity. To date, there has been little research undertaken on MP in this lagoon, so there is a pressing need to learn more about the presence of MP in the lagoon's water. We investigate MPs in the surface water of Songkhla Lagoon, Thailand. Sampling took place at ten stations in the lagoon during the wet season in December 2022 and the dry season in February 2023. Samples were digested with hydrogen peroxide to remove organic matter followed by density separation using saturated sodium chloride. MPs were visually examined under a stereo microscope to describe and determine the shape, size, and color. Polymer type was identified using a micro Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Moreover, the in-situ of water quality of the surface water was measured using a multi-parameter probe. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to investigate the variations in MP levels and water quality parameters between the wet and dry seasons. Correlation analysis (Spearman rho) was used to determine the significance of correlations between MP and water quality (p < 0.05). MPs were detected at all ten of the sites sampled. The most abundant MPs were small size class (<500 µm, primarily consisting of fibers). Five types of polymers were seen in surface water, including polyethylene terephthalate, rayon, polypropylene, polyester, and poly (ethylene:propylene). Rayon and polyester were the dominant polymers. Additionally, the most dominant color of MPs in the wet and dry season was black and blue, respectively. The mean contents of MPs in the wet and dry season were 0.43 ± 0.18 and 0.34 ± 0.08 items/L, respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test suggested a significant difference between water quality in the wet and dry seasons (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis (Spearman rho) indicated a negative significant difference relationship between the MPs and the values of total dissolved solid (TDS) in the wet season (r = -0.821, p = <0.05), revealing that the large amounts of MPs may possibly be dispersed within surface water bodies with low TDS concentrations. Based on the overall findings, MP pollution in the surface water of the lagoon is not found to be influenced by the seasonal context. Rivers flowing into the lagoon, especially the U-Taphao River, may be a principal pathway contributing to increased MP pollution loading in the lagoon. The results can be used as baseline data to undertake further research work relevant to sources, fates, distribution, and impacts of MPs in other coastal lagoons.

Investigation on Luminescence Properties of Dy3+ Ions Doped NaBaB9O15 Phosphors for Optoelectronic Applications.

A series of Dy3+ ions doped NaBaB9O15 phosphors with different dopant concentration was synthesized by solid state reaction. The phase purity was checked by X-ray diffraction analysis and the functional groups present in as prepared phosphors was investigated with the help of FTIR spectral analysis. Under 386nm excitation, the photoluminescence spectra exhibit three emission bands around 482nm, 574nm and 664nm due to 4F9/2→6HJ/2 (J = 15, 13, 11) transions respectively. The optimum doping concentration of Dy3+ ions was found to be 5mol%. The color coordinates are estimated from the emission spectra to check the dominant emission color and the color coordinates of the studied phosphors are fall on white region of CIE 1931 diagram. The decay curve analysis was made to determine the lifetime of excited state of Dy3+ ions and the decay curves are exhibited bi-exponential behavior irrespective of Dy3+ ion concentration. All these measurents are done in room temperature and the results obtained from these studies are discussed in detail to claim their usage in light emitting devices.