Hue,chroma, and lightness preference in Chinese adults: Age and gender differences

Recent studies have shown cultural differences in color preference. However, the color preference of people in China, which was found to have its own pattern, was yet to be studied in depth. The current study investigated color preference and the associated age and gender differences in an adult national sample (N = 1290) to provide a culture‐specific characteristic of color perception. Participants rated how much they liked each of 31 colors (four chroma‐lightness levels of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple, plus three achromatic colors). We found a unique saturated color preference pattern characterized by red, cyan, and blue being preferred the most and orange as the least preferred chromatic color. The “red preference” phenomenon was observed in Chinese adults. Light colors were preferred the most in terms of chroma‐lightness level, followed by saturated, muted, and dark colors. The results of a principal component analysis of the 28 chromatic colors showed that blue‐green‐like colors (cool colors) constituted the largest proportion of color preference. The preference for orange and several dark colors increased with age, while that for bluish colors, purple, yellow, white, black, and light colors decreased. In terms of gender, women liked cyan, white, pink, and light colors and disliked red, orange, and dark colors more than men did. Our findings provide new empirical evidence about the color preference of Chinese and may offer some insight into the study of color preference and lay the foundations for future theoretical and practical research.     

Effects of hue,saturation, and brightness on preference

A study was done to investigate preference responses for foreground–background color relationships. To do this, 123 university undergraduates in Ankara, Turkey, were asked to view eight background colors selected from HSB color space on which color squares of differing hues, saturations, and brightnesses were presented. Subjects were asked to show the color square they preferred on the presented background color. Findings showed that colors having maximum saturation and brightness were most preferred. Blue was the most preferred hue regardless of background. The findings for preferences for foreground–background color relationships are also included in this article. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 27, 199–207, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10051     

Effects of hue,saturation, and brightness on color preference in social networks: Gender‐based color preference on the social networking site Twitter

Account information for over 1 million Twitter users was downloaded and analyzed to determine color preference. Blues were found to be the most preferred color, whereas greens were least preferred. Distinct gender‐specific differences were found. Males preferred blues to a greater extent than females, whereas females preferred magentas to a much greater extent than males. Males preferred darker colors to a greater extent than women. Density plots within hue, saturation, and brightness space summarize the distribution of color choices and illustrate color preferences for both males and females. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 38, 196–202, 2013.     

Comparative studies on color preference in Japan and other Asian regions,with special emphasis on the preference for white

The results of three surveys are presented. The first survey was carried out in four large cities in Japan, and the findings were analyzed by factor analysis and cluster analysis. The second survey was carried out in Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan to determine color preference in the two countries, focusing on the preference for white. The last survey compared color preference in Taipei and Tokyo, also with emphasis on the preference for white. In these successive studies on color preference in Japan and other Asian cities, the subjects were mainly asked to choose from a color chart the three colors they liked most and the three they liked least, and to state the reasons for their choices. The results of Survey 1 showed that color preference could be influenced by differences in age, sex, and geographical region. Also factor analysis and cluster analysis indicated some relation between color preference and the subjects' life styles. Dual scaling analysis of the results of Surveys 2 and 3 indicated that each Asian area has unique color preference tendencies and that there are statistically significant differences in the frequency of selection of colors of certain hues and tones. However, a high preference for white was common to all areas, along with preferences for some other colors. These results thus demonstrated a common strong preference for white in three neighboring Asian areas. The reasons given for the choices suggested that besides the factors of age and sex, associative images based on environmental and cultural aspects may be an important factor influencing color preference. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A comparative study of the emotional assessment of automotive exterior colors in Asia

This article compares color assessments of automotive exteriors at four locations in China, Thailand and Japan. This study employed painted panels of twelve colors, thirty sensory words and fifteen pairs of emotion variables. It also used reference figures of nine cars that included four styling categories, namely sedans, compacts, sport utility vehicles and sports cars. The results of like-dislike tests revealed that basic automotive exterior colors, such as black, white and red, were highly preferred across locations. However, geographical differences are apparent in the preference for some non-basic colors. To elucidate these geographical differences, a Chi-square test and principal component analysis were performed on the data on emotion variables. The results revealed both similarities and differences in color preferences among the four locations. Color preferences were similar in Hong Kong and Shanghai when simply evaluated by color samples. However, similar preferences for automotive exterior colors were observed in Hong Kong, Kyoto and Bangkok, but not in Shanghai. These results suggest that there is fluctuation in the emotion evoked by a color when the color is considered in the context of automotive exteriors. Therefore, this study indicates that automotive sales can be secured in the global marketplace by creating a single palette of exterior colors based on similar color preferences across countries. However, these results also indicate that preparing market-specific automotive-color line-ups can be an effective marketing strategy.     

Gender difference in color preference across cultures: An archetypal pattern modulated by a female cultural stereotype

A gender difference in color preference among British participants has been repeatedly reported, in which both males and females show a preference for blue‐green colors, while females express an additional preference for pink‐purple colors. To investigate the robustness of gender difference in color preference in a different culture, we tested 81 young adult Indians from a school of design and compared them to 80 young British students in Psychology. The 35‐item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) and Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) questionnaires were also administered to explore possible links between personality traits, gender schemata, and color preferences. Results confirmed a gender difference in both cultures; participants collectively expressed a preference for cool over warm colors, while in addition females showed a preference for pink colors, with a warm bias for Indian females and a cool bias for British females. While these results extend gender difference to Indian culture and support the universality of an underlying pattern they also reveal a culture‐specific contribution essentially observed in females. In British participants, color preference was correlated exclusively with BSRI scores in females and overwhelmingly with IPIP scores in males; this gender‐specific pattern of correlation was not replicated in the Indian sample. Results point to an archetypal pattern of gender difference in color preference with a remarkable cross‐cultural similarity in men and a subtle but significant cultural difference in women whose origin is yet to be explained.     

Plant DNA Methylation: An Epigenetic Mark in Development,Environmental Interactions,and Evolution

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification of the genome involved in the regulation of gene expression and modulation of chromatin structure. Plant genomes are widely methylated, and the methylation generally occurs on the cytosine bases through the activity of specific enzymes called DNA methyltransferases. On the other hand, methylated DNA can also undergo demethylation through the action of demethylases. The methylation landscape is finely tuned and assumes a pivotal role in plant development and evolution. This review illustrates different molecular aspects of DNA methylation and some plant physiological processes influenced by this epigenetic modification in model species, crops, and ornamental plants such as orchids. In addition, this review aims to describe the relationship between the changes in plant DNA methylation levels and the response to biotic and abiotic stress. Finally, we discuss the possible evolutionary implications and biotechnological applications of DNA methylation.     

A study of color differences in women's ready‐to‐wear collections from world fashion cities: Intensive study of the Fall/Winter 2010 collections from New York,London, Milan,and Paris

The purpose of this study is to analyze the color differences in the four fashion collections from New York, London, Milan, and Paris while focusing on 2010 Fall and Winter women's ready‐to‐wear collections. The colors of the fashion collections were collected from American Vogue's website www.style.com and analyzed by using the ISCC –NBS color system which is made up of 10 basic hues of pink, red, orange, brown, yellow, olive, yellow green, green, blue, and purple, and three neutral categories of white, gray, and black. In addition to these 13 categories, yellowish pink, gold, and silver categories were classified. For analysis, one‐way ANOVA, the Scheffe test and the t‐test were adopted. The result of analysis showed that there was a statistical difference in purple compared with the other colors examined. The London collection showed the highest ratio of use in purple, whereas the Milan collection contrarily showed the lowest ratio of use in purple. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 38, 463–468, 2013     

Three-month evaluation of a low concentration (6% hydrogen peroxide) experimental bleaching gel containing Tio2 and chitosan: An in vitro study

The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an experimental gel that contained 6% hydrogen peroxide, titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and chitosan nanoparticles with that of the two bleaching agents that are routinely used and evaluate their effectiveness in a 3-month period. Seventy-two extracted premolar teeth were divided into three groups for the bleaching procedure. TiO₂ and chitosan were added to increase the whitening effect of the low-concentration experimental gel. In group 1, the experimental gel was applied and activated with a D-Light Duo LED device. In group 2, Opalescence Boost PF was applied chemically. In group 3, Philips Zoom was applied and activated with Zoom Advanced Power. The color of the teeth was measured with a Vita Easyshade Advance 4.0 spectrophotometer before the bleaching and 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, and 3 months after final bleaching. The CIEDE2000 color differences (∆E₀₀) and average L*, a*, and b* values were calculated. Effective bleaching was observed in three groups as determined by the initial color at different measurement times (P < .05). Philips Zoom showed a higher value of color change than the other groups at all times. The experimental gel showed a bleaching activity like that of Opalescence Boost PF at all-time measurements. A slight decrease in color change was observed between the first-month measurement and third-month measurement in all groups. A low-concentration experimental gel containing TiO₂ and chitosan provided effective whitening, and the whitened color persisted throughout the 3-month period.     

Effect of singly,doubly and triply ionized ions on downconversion photoluminescence in Eu3+ doped Na2Sr2Al2PO4Cl9 phosphor: A comparative study

We report a change in the red photoluminescence of the Eu³⁺ doped Na₂Sr₂Al₂PO₄Cl₉ phosphor via doping of singly, doubly and triply ionized ions. The synthesized phosphors show good crystalline nature. The EDS analysis confirms the presence of desired elements in the phosphor samples. The vibrational feature of the phosphor was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The photoluminescence excitation spectra of the phosphor show three peaks at 317, 395 and 467 nm. The Eu³⁺ doped Na₂Sr₂Al₂PO₄Cl₉ phosphor emits intense red color on excitations with 395 and 467 nm wavelengths. However, the photoluminescence intensity of the phosphor is larger for 395 nm excitation. When the singly, doubly and triply ionized ions are co-doped in the Eu³⁺ doped Na₂Sr₂Al₂PO₄Cl₉ phosphor (i.e. F⁻, WO₄²⁻, MoO₄²⁻, VO₄³⁻, La³⁺, and Y³⁺) the photoluminescence intensity of the phosphor is decreased significantly. The decrease in photoluminescence intensity is due to change in local crystal structure created by these ions. Interestingly, the photoluminescence intensity of phosphor increases many times when the (Y³⁺) ion incorporated phosphor is excited with 317 nm wavelength. The CIE diagram shows color emitted in the red region of visible spectrum and the color purity is larger for triply ionized (Y³⁺) ion. Thus, the singly, doubly and triply ionized ions activated Na₂Sr₂Al₂PO₄Cl₉: Eu³⁺ phosphor may be used in displays devices, photonic devices, solid state lighting and white LEDs.     

Carbon black oxidation in the presence of Al2O3, CeO2, and Mn oxide catalysts: An EPR study

Carbon black oxidation in the presence of CeO₂, Al₂O₃ and manganese oxide catalysts has been studied in tight contact conditions. In the presence of manganese based catalysts, the temperature gain is about 275 °C compared to the non-catalysed carbon black oxidation. The contribution of the manganese species to enhance the reactivity of carbon black oxidation has been evaluated by EPR technique. For Mn/Ce + CB mixtures the Mn²⁺ content considerably increases consequently to tight milled treatment indicating the reduction of some manganese species with higher oxidation states into Mn²⁺ ions. This phenomenon can be considered as the first step in the carbon black oxidation mechanism in the presence of Mn/Ce catalysts.     

Burning material behaviour in hypoxic environments: An experimental study examining a representative storage arrangement of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,polyethylene bubble wrap,and cardboard layers as a composite system

Cone calorimeter and controlled atmosphere cone calorimeter experiments were conducted on various samples. The intent of the tests was to examine the behavior of uniform and composite samples in a range of thicknesses, irradiances, and oxygen concentrations. Single, uniform layers of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) were compared to a composite mix, comprising of ABS with a surface layer of cardboard and a secondary layer of polyethylene bubble wrap (intended to represent a potential storage arrangement). The horizontal samples have been tested at irradiances of 25 and 50 kW/m² and oxygen concentrations of 20.95%, 17%, and 15% to examine a range of significant variables. Results for the uniform arrangement indicated various correlations, previously observed in the works of others, such as the relationships typically described between applied heat flux, ignitability, heat release rate and the effect of the introduction of hypoxic conditions. However, results were shown to change significantly when samples were arranged to feature composite layers. A hypothesized cause of the behavioral change, namely the soot and char residual introduced from the incomplete combustion of the cardboard layer, highlights further important variables that require consideration in material testing under hypoxic conditions. Such variables, namely specific material behaviors and sample orientation, must be sufficiently captured in the design methodologies of systems reliant upon the introduction of hypoxic conditions. It is concluded that sufficiently capturing a wider range of variables in burning materials under hypoxic conditions will introduce further design resilience and help optimize fire protection/prevention methods.