Search Results (5)

Choirbooks are historical heritage manuscripts used for the performance of vocal music in religious ceremonies in colonial times. This study aimed to understand the characteristics of choirbook manuscripts produced in the Real Audiencia de Quito during the 17th century. The methodology combined non-invasive techniques, such as infrared false-color imaging (IRFC) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), together with spot analysis by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR). The analytical results revealed the use of pumice, chalk and lime carbonate as support materials in the manufacturing process and surface treatment of the parchment. In the illuminations, three pictorial techniques based on protein, polysaccharide and lipid binders were recognized, establishing that the pigments used with greater regularity in the illuminations were vermilion, minium, verdigris, orpiment, azurite, and indigo, preferably in a pure state. Materials used less regularly were also identified, such as yellow ochre, saffron, smalt, red ochre, and bone black, among others. Regarding the vulnerability of the pictorial materials, it was determined that, although most of the pigments exhibit chemical stability, they present some vulnerabilities associated with their intrinsic composition and the medium that contains them. Full article

A key question in plant invasion biology is why invasive plants are more competitive in their introduced habitat than in their native habitat. Studies show that invasive species exhibit allelopathy, influencing other plants by releasing chemicals. Research on allelopathy uses in vitro tests, investigating effects on seed germination and seedling development. Although soil plays a role in modifying allelopathic effects, observations with soil are rare and almost nothing is known about the root development of test plants developing in soil and the effects of allelopathic compounds on root architecture. Our study evaluates the allelopathic effects of false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa L.) and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) on oilseed rape growth as a model plant. The rhizotron system was used to study the effect of morphology and root architecture. Leaf–soil mixtures at 0.5%, 1%, and 5% concentrations were used. Shoot and root development was strongly inhibited at 5%. But there was no difference between the allelopathy of the two species, and the application of lower concentrations did not show any effect, demonstrating that soil has a significant modifying effect on their allelopathy. Our results highlight that the development of roots growing in the soil is also worth investigating in connection with allelopathy, which can strengthen the ecological importance of allelochemicals during successful invasions. Full article

Scientific analyses of the traditional materials and methods in thangka production are uncommon, as thangkas are sacred objects, the sampling of which is discouraged, in order to preserve their integrity. This study builds on this important ethical challenge and presents a three-stage methodology that systematically delves deeper into each layer of the composition, successfully enabling the investigation of different phases of production. In the first stage, visual examination of the painting, including observations under magnification, was used to assess its condition. In the next step, the infrared reflected (IRR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) images revealed the underdrawing and instances of modifications as well as colour notations. Additionally, ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence (UVL), infrared-reflected false colour (IRRFC) and X-ray images provided important preliminary information on the colourants present, the nature of the underdrawing, and the painting technique. In the final stages, fibre optic reflectance (FORS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies confirmed the identity of many of the pigments (cinnabar/vermillion, minium, iron oxide, malachite, azurite, indigo, Indian lac), the ground and the binder used for the blue and green paint layers. In addition, key details of practices and materials were revealed, that may indicate provenance or other information of scholarly importance. These will constitute a helpful comparison to existing and future studies of other thangkas. Full article

False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L., A. fruticosa) is the preferred tree indigenous for windbreak and sand control in Northwest China, while information on nutritional and bioactive characteristics of its honey is rare. Herein, 12 honey of Amorpha fruticosa L. (AFH) were sampled in Northwest China and the nutritional composition was determined. Sixteen mineral element and ten dominant polyphenols content were identified and quantified by ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and HPLC-QTOF-MS (High performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry), respectively. Moreover, AFH demonstrated high levels of DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (IC50 100.41 ± 15.35 mg/mL), ferric reducing antioxidant power (2.04 ± 0.29 µmol FeSO₄·7H₂O/g), and ferrous ion-chelating activity (82.56 ± 16.01 mg Na₂EDTA/kg), which were significantly associated with total phenolic contents (270.07 ± 27.15 mg GA/kg) and ascorbic acid contents (213.69 ± 27.87 mg/kg). The cell model verified that AFH exhibited dose-dependent preventive effects on pBR322 plasmid DNA and mouse lymphocyte DNA damage in response to oxidative stress. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for the future application of AFH as a potential antioxidant dietary in food industry. Full article

In a laboratory experiment, we studied the insecticidal effects of invasive alien plants on the rice weevil. The research was carried out in two parts. In the first part, we studied the insecticidal properties of seven different plant species, namely, Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia × bohemica), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea). Mixtures of powders and wheat were prepared in two different concentrations, namely, 2.5 w% and 1.25 w%. The experiment was performed at temperatures 20 °C and 25 °C and at two humidity levels, 55% R.h. and 75% R.h. Very low mortality (below 8%) was found when using combinations with the higher relative humidity. No significant differences were observed between the effects of these concentrations. In the second part of the experiment, Norway spruce wood ash and diatomaceous earth (product SilicoSec®) were added to the powder obtained by milling leaves of four different invasive plant species (Canada goldenrod, staghorn sumac, tree of heaven, false indigo). In the independent application, wheat was added to the powder at a concentration 2.5 w%. In the treatments that involved mixtures of powder and wood ash/diatomaceous earth, we applied 1.25 w% plant powder and 1.25 w% wood ash or 1.25 w% plant powder and 450 ppm of a SilicoSec® preparation. The positive control was carried out as two separate treatments with 2.5 w% wood ash of Norway spruce and 900 ppm of the SilicoSec^® product, while untreated wheat represented the negative control. The experiment was performed at two temperatures (20 °C and 25 °C) and two R.h. values (55 and 75% R.h.). The mortality of beetles was recorded on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day after the start of the experiment. Higher mortality rates of rice weevil adults were found at the higher relative humidity, and an important factor of mortality was also the day of exposure, as a higher mortality was found when the exposure of individuals to the tested substances was for a longer time period. After 21 days at 25 °C and 55% R.h., the combinations in which the lower concentration of Norway spruce wood ash was added to the powder of invasive alien plants achieved more than 90% mortality of beetles. By adding the plant powder of invasive alien plants to wood ash, we achieved a greater insecticidal efficacy of invasive plants and lower concentrations of wood ash. Nevertheless, the results of our research do not indicate any great usefulness of the plant powder of invasive plants in suppressing the rice weevil. Additional studies should primarily focus on the insecticidal efficacy of powder from the genus Solidago, which in our study, displayed the greatest insecticidal potential among the tested invasive plants. Full article