Ink Color Research Articles

3D printing cassava starch-ovalbumin intelligent labels: Co-pigmentation effects of gallic acid on anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are often chosen as signal converters of intelligent labels. However, they are degraded by high-temperature oxidation in the process of intelligent label preparation. The color fading seriously affects the sensitivity of color development. In this study, a green 3D printing intelligent label preparation technique was developed, in which gallic acid (GA) was added to a blueberry anthocyanin (BA) solution to enhance the color of the co-pigment to ensure the color sensitivity. The combined effect of GA-BA reduced the fade rate of the anthocyanins from 35.13% to 26.44% at 90°C. The printing ink has shear-thinning viscosity characteristics and yield stresses in the range of 500-600MPa for high-quality printing. Structural analysis revealed that GA-BA co-pigmentation enhanced the interaction between ovalbumin and cassava starch. In addition, the method of 3D printing to prepare labels was conducive to solving the problem of waste in traditional labeling process. The results of freshness testing of sea shrimp proved that labels can be applied to fresh boxes to reflect the freshness of food. We provide a method for enhancing the color of 3D-printed smart ink to prepare intelligent labels with reproducible and customizable batch shapes.

From color naming to color perception: Cross‐linguistic differences of the chromatic information processing in monolingual and bilingual speakers

AbstractThere has been long running debate about the interaction of language and perception. In this context, bilingual people have often shown benefits, due to their double‐active linguistic system, in cognitive functions, like inhibition, attention, and memory, which are central for visual perception. Color naming and categorization are domains for studying cross‐linguistic effects, which arise from conceptual and perceptual variations across speakers of different languages. In this study, we compared the ‘blue’ lexicon of highly proficient French‐Italian bilinguals to monolingual speakers of the corresponding languages. Prior studies have shown that Italian has two basic color terms for the blue area of color space: one denotes light blue hues (azzurro) and the other dark blue hues (blu), whilst French, with only one basic term bleu, lacks this distinction. We used a Stroop test to probe differences in perception and categorization of blue in bi‐ and monolingual speakers. We found that Italian monolinguals name the ink color more accurately and more rapidly when the word blu is rendered in dark blue ink (corresponding to the word blu) than when it is printed in light blue ink (corresponding to azzurro), since the latter represents an incongruent condition for them. This ‘category effect’ does not exist for French monolingual speakers. Our bilinguals' results demonstrate that, despite the emergence of a specific in‐between perceptual behavior, bilinguals generally performed like Italian monolinguals. These outcomes confirm the hypothesis that their second language categories (Italian) dominate their native language (French), attesting that lexical distinctions influence perceptual faculties in general. However, the ratio of the interference effect (longer reaction times for incongruent stimuli compared to control stimuli) and the facilitation effect (shorter reaction times for congruent stimuli compared to control stimuli) is not the same for bilinguals and monolinguals. The highest magnitude in the facilitation effect was revealed for bilinguals, whereas the highest magnitude in the interference effect was revealed for Italian monolingual speakers. This phenomenon adds evidence to the existence of enhanced bilingual cognitive control abilities.

(Invited) Mie Resonant Silicon Nanosphere Nanoantenna for Fluorescence Enhancement

A nanoantenna is a device that manipulates light propagation and enhances light-matter interaction at the nanoscale. Integration of an emitter into a nanoantenna capable of increasing local density of photonic states at the emission wavelength results in the enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate (Purcell effect) and modifies the emission spectrum. A nanoantenna can also control the directionality and radiation pattern of an emitter. Traditionally, plasmonic nanoantennas made from gold or silver nanostructures supporting localized surface plasmon resonances had been the main stream of the nanoantenna research. Recently, high refractive index nanoparticles having low-order Mie resonances have been attracting attention as a new type of dielectric nanoantennas. Advantages of a dielectric nanoantenna compared to a plasmonic one are the smaller loss and the possession of magnetic type Mie resonances arising from light-induced displacement current. By properly controlling the overlap of the magnetic and electric multipole resonances, radiation patters of an emitter placed nearby can be tailored with high degree of freedom. Furthermore, magnetic-type Mie resonances can couple with higher-order optical transitions of an emitter such as a magnetic-dipole transition, and thus can enhance and control radiation from otherwise weak forbidden transitions.Recently, we have succeeded in producing perfectly spherical nanoparticles of crystalline silicon (Si) in 100-300 nm in diameters. These Si nanospheres exhibit the electric and magnetic multipole resonances at the optical frequency [1]. In this presentation, we first show scattering and absorption properties of the Mie resonant Si nanospheres. Especially, we show that solutions of size-purified Si nanospheres exhibit vivid structural color and the solutions can be used as structural color inks. We then show that the solutions can preserve helicity of incoming circularly-polarized light and can enhance local chiral fields around nanospheres [2, 3]. This property can be used to improve the sensitivity of enantiomer-selective chiral molecular sensing. We then show some examples of enhanced light-matter interaction by Si nanoparticles. These include enhancement of magnetic dipole transitions of an emitter by magnetic-type Mie resonances of Si nanospheres (magnetic Purcell effect) [4, 5], enhancement of excitation and emission processes of in-plane dipoles of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) [6], and enhancement of a spin forbidden singlet-to-triplet absorption transition of a molecule by Si nanodisks [7, 8].

Modified histological staining for the identification of arterial and venous segments of brain microvessels

BackgroundThis study aimed to develop a modified histochemical staining technique to successfully identify arterial and venous segments of brain microvessels. New methodGelatin/red ink-alkaline phosphatase-oil red O (GIAO) staining was developed from the traditional gelatin–ink perfusion method. Oil red Chinese ink for brush writing and painting mixed with gelatin was used to label cerebral vascular lumens. Subsequently, alkaline phosphatase staining was used to label endothelial cells on the arterial segments of cerebral microvessels. Thereafter, the red ink color in vessel lumens was highlighted with oil red O staining. ResultsThe arterial segments of the brain microvessels exhibited red lumens surrounded by dark blue walls, while the venous segments were bright red following GIAO staining. Meanwhile, the nerve fiber bundles were stained brownish-yellow, and the nuclei appeared light green under light microscope. After cerebral infarction, we used GIAO staining to determine angiogenesis features and detected notable vein proliferation inside the infarct core. Moreover, GIAO staining in conjunction with hematoxylin staining was performed to assess the infiltration of foamy macrophages. Comparison with existing methodRed Chinese ink enabled subsequent multiple color staining on brain section. Oil red O was introduced to improved the resolution and contrast between arterial and venous segments of microvessels. ConclusionWith excellent resolution, GIAO staining effectively distinguished arterial and venous segments of microvessels in both normal and ischemic brain tissue. GIAO staining, as described in the present study, will be useful for histological investigations of microvascular bed alterations in a variety of brain disorders.

Development of xanthan gum intelligent oil-in-water ink and its application in pork freshness preservation

To optimize the stability of oil-based inks and ensure their wide application in freshness indication, new natural indicator inks were prepared using a stable oil-in-water structure. This study selected natural Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanin as the dye and glucose as the pigment carrier. Soybean oil was introduced as a linker and xanthan gum as a thickener, and an oil-in-water ink with the function of freshness indication was successfully developed. In ensuring the safety of ink labels for use on food packaging, particular attention is paid to the origin and properties of the materials used. All ingredients are of food-grade or bio-friendly provenance, thereby ensuring the safety of the product when in direct contact with food. We measured the viscosity, particle size and fineness of the ink for micro characterization and evaluated its macro printing performance by its printing effect on A4 paper. According to the experimental results, when the water-oil ratio of the ink is 10:5, the average particle size of the emulsion system is 822.83 nm, and the fineness reaches 5 μm. These values are relatively low, which indicates that the stability of the ink system is high at this time, and the ink shows excellent rheological and printing characteristics. With this water-to-oil ratio, the ink can show the best results when printed on A4 paper, clearly displaying image details. In addition, in fresh pork applications, inks with a 10: 5 water-to-oil ratio provide an accurate and highly sensitive indication of the freshness of pork. When the freshness of the pork changes, the ink color responds promptly. This high sensitivity makes the ink ideal for use as a food freshness indication tool, providing consumers with an intuitive and reliable reference for pork freshness. As a further innovation, combining this ink-printed label with a WeChat app not only allows consumers to know the freshness of the food in real-time but also tracks the supply chain information of the food, providing a more comprehensive application prospect for freshness-indicating products.

Improving access: Multi-analytical survey of the Norwegian Sea trade archive to establish storage conditions, digitisation priorities and conservation treatments

The Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) from the University of Bergen Library, Norway, is part of the UNESCO documentary heritage and contains unique documentation of the activity of companies that traded in stock fish in Norway and Europe (16th-20th century). The archive consists primarily of bound paper manuscripts written mostly in brown ink. We have surveyed this collection using a multi-analytical approach focused on the material characterization and condition of the paper carrier and inks. Our main aim was to support decision-making on establishing storage conditions, digitisation priorities, and type and extent of conservation treatments necessary to make the collection accessible.After a first visual examination to detect and quantify damages, for the paper support analysis we measured surface pH, paper thickness and water absorbency. Additionally, on a quarter of all tested materials, we performed a SurveNIR analysis, providing information regarding paper pulp type, lignin, protein and rosin content, degree of polymerization, and mechanical properties. The archival material was grouped into three periods characterising the three milestones in paper production: handmade gelatine-sized rag papers, machine-made rag papers with gelatine and rosin sizing, and papers made from processed wood pulp.Regarding the manuscripts’ inks, we used iron and copper tests to determine the presence of Fe2, Cu2+ and Cu+ions, respectively. For the visual characterization and condition rating of the inks, we used the protocols described by the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage. The variety of ink colours and thickness of the inked lines encountered in each document was noted down. Thus specific tendencies present in each historical period became apparent. Results of the solubility of ink in water and alcohol significantly narrowed treatment options.General tendencies of paper and ink degradation based on differences in papermaking were observed. Surface pH measurement, SurveNIR pH, rosin and protein concentration data showed that most rag papers were of poor to fair quality (pH ≤ 6.0 and low protein content (< 5 %)). Rosin-sized papers dated after 1840 had a lower pH (from 3.3 ± 0.2 to 5.0 ± 0.2) compared to gelatine-sized ones. Based on the obtained results, the overall condition of all the papers is good – slightly damaged but stable. The inks are not severely corroded, and there is no loss of text, although 20 % of the collection does show signs of iron-gall ink (IGI) corrosion. A limited number of documents, mostly before 1800, would require local antioxidative treatment. Due to the low pH of all the papers and the detection of ink corrosion, the collection should be stored in a cool environment, with low relative humidity.After the survey, digitisation priorities were also established.

Structural Color Inks Containing Photonic Microbeads for Direct Writing.

Printing structurally colored patterns is of great importance for providing customized graphics for various purposes. Although a direct writing technique has been developed, the use of colloidal dispersions as photonic inks requires delicate printing conditions and restricts the mechanical and optical properties of printed patterns. In this work, we produce elastic photonic microbeads through scalable bulk emulsification and formulate photonic inks containing microbeads for direct writing. To produce the microbeads, a photocurable colloidal dispersion is emulsified into a highly concentrated sucrose solution via vortexing, which results in spherical emulsion droplets with a relatively narrow size distribution. The microbeads are produced by photopolymerization and are then suspended in urethane acrylate resin at volume fractions of 0.35-0.45. The photonic inks retain high color saturation of the microbeads and offer enhanced printability and dimensional control on various target substrates including fabrics, papers, and even skins. Importantly, the printed graphics show high mechanical stability as the elastic microbeads are embedded in the polyurethane matrix. Moreover, the colors show a wide viewing angle and low-angle dependency due to the optical isotropy of individual microbeads and light refraction at the air-matrix interface. We postulate that this versatile direct writing technique is potentially useful for structural color coating and printing on the surfaces of arbitrary 3D objects.

Tapestry, Fountain Pens, and Several Colors of Ink

Tapestry, Fountain Pens, and Several Colors of Ink

Divinyl polysiloxane modified polyacrylate for promoting the directional migration of disperse dyes in digital jet dyeing of polyester fabric without washing

Future developments in the printing and dyeing industry will involve greenisation and personalisation. Less/no water digital technology has drawn much attention over traditional printing and dyeing for reducing carbon and emissions. Based on the solubility parameter difference between disperse dyes and monomers, divinyl polysiloxane modified polyacrylate (PSMA) with the directional migration effect for disperse dyes was prepared herein via mini-emulsion polymerisation. PSMA was used as wash-free polymer additive in the digital jet dyeing of polyester fabrics with disperse dyes, which yielded wash-free dyed fabrics with high color yield and color fastness. The results showed that PSMA achieved the optimum overall performance at a molar ratio of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane to 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane 44:1 and divinyl polysiloxane dosage of 4 wt%. PSMA had the best tensile properties, good flexibility, certain hydrophobicity and high directional migration of disperse dyes. When the PSMA dosage was 9 wt% in the wash-free ink, the front and back color yield of the wash-free dyed fabric were 18.23 and 13.56, respectively. Compared with the fabric dyed with pure liquid disperse red, the front color yield of the wash-free dyed fabric increased by about 35.2 % and the back color yield had a little change. Its color fastness to dry/wet rubbing were improved from grade 3 to 4 and from grade 2–3 to 3, respectively. The handle of the wash-free dyed fabric basically maintained the level of original fabric.

Electrophysiological indexes of ingroup bias in a group Stroop task: Evidence from an event-related potential study

Although cognitive system assigns higher attentional resources to ingroup information than outgroup information, but it is unclear whether the ingroup bias can be measured by the processes that are related to allocation of attentional resources to ingroup information. Thus, a group Stroop task was developed to study the issues combining with event-related potential (ERP) technique in this study. Specifically, 34 subjects (17 female, mean age = 20.76 ± 1.26) were firstly divided into blue or red group (17 subjects for each group); then they were asked to categorize four words of Stroop task into “our team” or “other team” based on the ink color (blue/red) of the words whose meaning were also red/blue. The behavioral results showed that outgroup ink color processing was interfered by ingroup word meaning, but the ingroup ink color processing was less/not interfered by outgroup word meaning. The ERP results showed that the amplitude of frontal N100 was enhanced when more attentional resources were automatically captured by ingroup information in early stage than outgroup information; P2/N2 amplitude was reduced or enhanced when outgroup information processing was interfered by ingroup information; enhanced P3b amplitude reflected that attention could be more easily allocated to ingroup information than outgroup information based on target. This study implied a novel direction to study the neural basis of ingroup bias by investigating the roles of ingroup bias in assigning attentional resources to group information.

Stroop task response times: The bilingual advantage

Bilingual individuals often must focus on one language while suppressing interference of another language and may therefore develop a specialized capacity to selectively attend to the language currently being used, a form of cognitive control. For this investigation, monolingual and bilingual individuals completed a 40-item modified Stroop task. In this task, participants were shown incongruent visual stimuli, with the names of various colors presented in a different ink color. Participants were instructed to respond verbally by naming the ink color instead of reading the written color word. Investigators scored verbal responses for accuracy and measured speed of response. Additionally, investigators measured duration of selected responses. Results demonstrate that monolingual and bilingual individuals were similarly accurate on the task. However, on average, bilingual speakers were faster at responding than monolingual speakers. Further, bilingual speakers were less variable in response time with responses that were shorter in duration than monolingual speakers. These results are discussed with reference to theories of differential brain development and cognitive function in individuals who simultaneously acquire more than one language.

Identification of Optimal Tissue-Marking Dye Color for Pathological Evaluation in Fluorescence Imaging Using IRDye800CW.

Fluorescence-guided surgery using a tumor-specific antibody-dye conjugate is useful in various cancer types. Fluorescence imaging is a valuable tool both intraoperatively and postoperatively for ex vivo imaging. The color of inks used for tumor specimens during ex vivo specimen processing in pathology is an important consideration for fluorescence imaging since the absorption/emission of the dyes may interfere with the fluorescent dye. This study assesses suitable ink colors for use specifically with IRDye800CW fluorescence imaging. Eight tissue-marking inks or dyes (TMDs) commonly used for pathological evaluation were assessed. Agarose tissue-mimicking phantoms containing Panitumumab-IRDye800CW were used as an initial model. Mean fluorescence intensity was measured at 800nm using both Pearl Trilogy as a closed-field fluorescence imaging system and pde-neo II as an open-field fluorescence imaging system before and after TMD application. An in vivo mouse xenograft model using the human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma FaDu cell line was then used in conjunction with TMDs. The retained IRDye800CW fluorescence on Pearl Trilogy was as follows: yellow at 91.0 ± 4.5%, red at 90.6 ± 2.7%, orange at 88.2 ± 2.2%, violet at 56.6 ± 1.1%, lime at 40.9 ± 1.8%, green at 19.3 ± 2.8%, black at 13.3 ± 0.6%, and blue at 8.1 ± 0.2%. The retained IRDye800CW fluorescence on pde-neo II was as follows: yellow at 86.5 ± 6.4%, red at 77.0 ± 6.2%, orange at 76.9 ± 2.8%, lime at 72.5 ± 9.5%, violet at 59.7 ± 0.4%, green at 30.1 ± 6.9%, black at 17.0 ± 2.7%, and blue at 6.7 ± 1.7%. The retained IRDye800CW fluorescence in yellow and blue TMDs was 42.1 ± 14.9% and 0.2 ± 0.2%, respectively in the mouse experiment (p = 0.039). Yellow, red, and orange TMDs should be used, and blue and black TMDs should be avoided for evaluating tumor specimens through fluorescence imaging using IRDye800CW.

Experience Using Gentian Violet-Free Dyes for Tissue Visualization.

Gentian violet ink is used as a skin marker in various surgical procedures, including neurosurgery. The dye is also used to visualize the edges of blood vessels during bypass surgery. However, gentian violet ink carries the risks of carcinogenicity and venous injury, which causes microvascular thrombosis. In this study, we compare the gentian violet-free dye C.I. Basic Violet 4 (BV4) and gentian violet. The usefulness, in terms of color, and formation of microvascular thrombosis in anastomosis were compared. We used the gentian violet-free dye in 20 cases involving 3 vascular anastomoses. The bone cutting lines on the bone surface, superior temporal artery, and middle cerebral artery were drawn using BV4 and gentian violet ink. The colors of BV4 and gentian violet ink were similar. No thrombus formation was observed at the vascular anastomosis when using BV4. BV4 can be used similarly to gentian violet ink. No adverse effects such as thrombus formation in microvascular anastomosis were experienced when BV4 was used.

Calligraphy and painting scraps of old and new Asian papers, their simulation, performance, sources, and characteristics

This article explores the importance of paper in traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting and investigates the performance differences between a new paper and an old paper. The characteristics of paper, such as texture, absorbency, color, and durability, significantly impact the artwork’s quality and expression. The development of new papers has been driven by the desire to improve characteristics and meet the evolving needs of artists. This research compares a new paper, made using alternative materials and technology, with an old paper, combining a simulation sample and authentic calligraphy and painting scraps. The evaluation considers parameters such as ink absorption, texture, color vibrancy, bleed-through, smudging, and durability. The new paper demonstrated superior ink absorption, a smooth texture suitable for detailed work, enhanced color vibrancy, minimal bleed-through and smudging, and improved durability. The old paper, while offering a unique rough texture, had slower ink drying times, slightly lower color vibrancy, and less durability. Artists seeking precision and vibrant colors may prefer the new paper, while those desiring a textured and traditional aesthetic may favor the old paper. The findings contribute to understanding the performance characteristics of different papers, aiding artists, collectors, and researchers in their selection and appreciation of paper in calligraphy and painting. Several challenges, such as the omission of specific paper types or brands, a limited sample size, and the oversight of long-term paper durability, warrant further exploration. In the context of modern tools, the article underscores the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting artists, collectors, and researchers in the selection and appreciation of paper in calligraphy and painting. Integration of AI for tasks such as data analysis, pattern recognition, and recommendation systems could offer valuable insights, fostering objectivity and efficiency in the study and aiding in the exploration of a wider range of paper characteristics.

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer and Its Application in Pigment-Based Ink.

Amphiphilic block copolymers-based aqueous color inks show great potential in the field of visual communication design. However, the conventional step-by-step chemistry employed to synthesize the amphiphilic block copolymers is intricate, with low yield and high economic and environmental costs. In this work, we present a novel method for preparing an amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA by employing a combined polymerization strategy that involves both cationic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the ε-caprolactone monomer and the reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization on the acrylic acid monomer simultaneously. The corresponding polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) serve as the hydrophobic and hydrophilic units, respectively. The effectiveness of the amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer as the polymeric pigment dispersant for water-based color inks is evaluated. The amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA exhibits a molecular weight of 1400 g mol-1, which is consistent with the theoretical value and suitable for polymeric dispersant application. The high surface excess (Γmax) of the PCL-b-PAA in water indicates a densely packed molecular morphology at the water/air interface. Additionally, micelles can be stably formed in the aqueous PCL-b-PAA solution at very low concentrations by demonstrating a low CMC value of 10-4 wt% and a micelle dimension of approximately 30 nm. The model ink dispersion is prepared using organic dyes (Disperse Yellow 232) and the amphiphilic block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA. The dispersion demonstrates near-Newtonian behavior, which is highly favorable for the application as inkjet ink. Furthermore, the ink dispersion displays a low viscosity, making it particularly suitable for visual communication design and printing purposes. Moreover, the ink dispersion demonstrates an unimodal distribution of the particle size, with an average diameter of approximately 500 nm. It retains exceptional stability of dispersion and even conducts a thermal aging treatment at 60 °C for 5 days. This work presents a facile and efficient synthetic strategy and molecular design of AB di-block copolymer-based dispersants for dye dispersions.

Plant-based ink properties and storage stability for inkjet printing.

In this sustainability-oriented research, the properties of plant-based inks were evaluated denoting the viscosity range of 8.5 to 10 cP, the relative density of 1.06, conductivity value of 2.51 mS/cm, and the surface tension of 60 mN/m and pH of 4.9 to be most effective for inkjet printing. The changes in these properties to the one-month storage phase are detailed as determined with attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, viscometer, and tensiometer. The varied colours of plant-based inks were stable to storage time except for the blue colour ink made from bio indigo herb that displayed agal-like sediments. After the storage phase, the plant-based inks exhibited anti-thixotropic viscosity except for yellow colour plant-based ink demonstrating thixotropic behaviour. High conductivity values of 18.5 and 15.6 mS/Cm were noted for blue and black colour plant-based inks, indicating their potential for constituting conducting inks; however, the conductivity values dropped to 7.5 and 9.5, respectively, after 1 month. The pH and surface tension were found steady during the storage period. The study of the life cycle analysis of plant-based inks is suggested for future work. The significance of this work in developing plant-based inks for inkjet printing of textiles lies in the convergence of sustainability and innovation. Plant-based inks can offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic inks that are used currently, which provides a knowledge base for good practises meeting the environmentally conscious in the digital printing of the textile industry. These developed inks from this study can not only reduce the environmental impact but also promote a healthier ecosystem.

Research on the Application of Dynamic Simulation and 3D Modeling Technology for Ink Animation Performance

Abstract This paper mainly discusses the combination of 3D modeling technology and traditional characteristics of ink animation to promote the innovation and development of Chinese traditional animation. Aiming at the characteristics of ink painting, the 3D model construction algorithm of ink animation is proposed, which realizes the establishment of algorithms such as transforming the 2D model into a 3D model, constructing the 3D animation scene, imitating the virtual reality of ink painting and rendering the virtual reality of ink animation. The basic model of the particle system is proposed, including modules for particle generation, particle properties, particle motion change, particle extinction, and particle drawing. Combined with the basic principles based on the particle system model, randomly distributed particles break the regular rectangular shape in the overall distribution. More realistically simulates a variety of different animation forms for ink animation. The simulation speed and convergence time of this paper’s model are better than the other two models. The simulation results fulfill the demands of real-time ink animation performance. The FPS of the most complex animation image, the color ink staining of the cow, is 31FPS, which also meets the requirements of the animation image. It shows that the combination of 3D modeling technology, particle system-based dynamic simulation, and ink animation is perfect and has a broad application prospect.

A Study on DNN-Based Practical Model for Predicting Spot Color

The color of product packaging plays an important role in brand awareness and consistency. Given the importance of consistent color reproduction, the use of standardized spot colors is essential. However, the reproduction of specific spot colors in offset packaging printing involves additional processes and costs. This study presents an efficient approach to predict the color result of spot color inks in the packaging printing industry, using only the amount of ink involved in the mixing process as an input. Using a neural network-based model, our approach uses the CIEDE2000 color difference formula as a loss function to accurately estimate the final color. This method provides a simplified alternative to traditional color mixing techniques, which often involve subjective judgment and can be resource-intensive. Particularly beneficial for smaller companies, our approach reduces the complexity and cost associated with achieving accurate spot colors. The significance of this work lies in its practical application, providing a simpler, more objective and cost-effective solution for consistent color reproduction in packaging printing.

Exploring Brain Functional Connectivity in Cognitively Healthy Individuals with Pathological CSF Amyloid/Tau

AbstractBackgroundDisrupted brain connectivity precedes cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), affects self‐regulation and executive functions, and can be revealed by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). Neuroimaging research on AD progression has demonstrated structural and functional abnormalities in specific brain regions and connections. However, little is known about the changes in directional functional connectivity in pre‐symptomatic AD. We aim to explore the information flow in pre‐symptomatic AD during cognitive flexibility challenge.MethodDuring a task‐switching challenge, 21‐head channel EEG was recorded from 55 cognitively healthy individuals classified into two groups (9 were excluded from artifacts or suboptimal performance): with an abnormal (CH‐PAT, n = 27) versus normal (CH‐NAT or controls, n = 19) ratio of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid/total‐tau. In the task‐switching paradigm, each trial included two stimuli, and participants were required to either name the ink color or read the word when color words were printed in different colors of ink. Only correctly responded trials were analyzed. Directed functional connectivity between brain regions was estimated with Partial Directed Coherence (PDC) in frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions in alpha frequency band (8‐12 Hz) during word‐color trials. Two‐sided t‐tests were conducted, with p&lt;0.05 considered the level for significance. No multiple comparison correction was used for this exploratory study.ResultPilot analysis shows significant differences between CH‐PATs and CH‐NATs: CH‐PATs has shown decreased information flow from the temporal and occipital regions compared to CH‐NATs with p‐values of 0.001 and 0.04, respectively. In addition, frontal brain regions have shown enhanced information flow in the CH‐PATs compared to CH‐NATs (p = 0.02) (Figs 1&amp;2). Moreover, greater information flow between the medio‐frontal cortex and occipital regions was observed in CH‐PATS than CH‐NATS (Fig 1).ConclusionCompared to CH‐NATs, the enhanced connectivity in frontal regions in CH‐PATs suggests that their frontal brain regions are compensating for the damage caused by the amyloid/tau pathology. The decreased information flow from temporal and occipital regions in CH‐PATs may indicate a loss of relative functional importance of these regions. Our exploratory findings provide a novel and alternative approach for connectivity‐based analysis to identify the effects of amyloid/tau pathology in CH participants.

The Emotional Expression of Ink Language in Chinese paintingA Case Study of the Ink Art of Bada Shanren

Ink art holds a distinctive position within the realm of artistic expression in China. Throughout the course of Chinese history, ink painting has served as the favored medium for literati to convey their deepest emotions. Unlike the blue-green ShanShui style, ink painting offers a material that is both of superior quality and cost-effective. It encompasses techniques such as ink color changes, rubbing, and dyeing, allowing artists to directly reflect their pursuit of poetic expression. Bada Shanren, also known as Zhu Da, emerges as a preeminent master of ink painting during the early Qing Dynasty, whose artistic legacy continues to evoke profound thoughts and emotions even in contemporary times. By delving into the historical context and techniques employed in ink painting, this article explores the profound emotional expressions prevalent in literati ink art, using Bada Shanren as a compelling case study.