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This study employs non-destructive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to identify the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals in a collection of nineteenth century stereographs housed at W.D. Jordan Rare Books and Special Collections at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Stereographs were extremely popular forms of entertainment and education in the Victorian era. As a result, they are common in archives, libraries, galleries, museums, and personal collections alike. This article provides an introduction to the history of stereographs, a background on their production, and pXRF analysis into the composition of pigments present on the stereograph mounts. Sixty-nine stereographs were selected for pXRF analysis, dating between 1852 and 1940, with the majority of the stereographs dating prior to 1895. Many of these cards are brightly coloured in greens, oranges, yellows, and pinks. Research revealed that arsenic-based pigment was common among all green stereograph cards analysed, lead-based pigment was common among all orange stereograph cards analysed, and lead- and chromium-based pigments were common among all the yellow cards analysed. However, additional analytical techniques need to be employed for definitive pigment identifications. This study demonstrates that hazardous pigments from the nineteenth century extend beyond wallpapers, books, and textiles and are likely to be pervasive in many heritage workplaces. This research highlights the importance of educating staff who work with archival collections. Understanding the scope of toxic pigments in archival collections is critical to ensuring proper handling, storage, and mitigation strategies to protect both the health of individuals and the integrity of these historically significant artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone palettes are a unique artifact of Hohokam culture. Discovery of lead minerals on these palettes dates back to the 1930s, however there has been little chemical analysis of these minerals. This research presents the result of a multi-analytical survey on the accretions of nearly 200 palettes to develop a better understanding of occurrence of lead minerals and isotopic characterization to address questions of sourcing, procurement and mineral exchange. We found consistent association of lead minerals regardless of context, region, and time period, suggesting lead minerals are related to a primary use of palettes. We also propose an alternate theory to one potential function of palettes – that they were used to prepare paint applied to the body or other materials that did not survive in the archaeological record. We propose that the lead silicate identified on some palettes is not intentionally formed, but rather due to post depositional processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PUMA beamline, created for the heritage community and accessible by all fields of science, welcomed its first users in 2019. Its optical layout uses a horizontal focusing mirror to prefocus the light emitted from the wiggler source for the experimental endstation. It provides a 5 µm × 7 µm microbeam for XRF, XAS, XRD and XEOL analysis or a wide 20 × 5 mm full field when the beam is defocused, and the KB mirrors are retracted. An extremely stable fixed-exit Si(111) monochromator is used to select the wavelength. Many experiments have been performed at PUMA, particularly in archaeology, paleontology, conservation, art history and in identifying safer conditions of irradiation for precious heritage samples. XRF analysis has been used, for example, to show the effects of the interaction of Palaeolithic ivory with soil; to identify the elemental composition of mineralized textiles and to reveal hidden morphologies of fossils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Zhejiang University (Science Edition) is the property of Journal of Zhejiang University (Science Edition) Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Inorganic Analytical Chemistry / Zhongguo Wuji Fenxi Huaxue is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The spectroscopic discrimination of chili pepper samples according to geographical origin was executed using analytical techniques coupled with machine learning. First, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were chosen for simple and rapid sample measurements. Second, to secure discrimination accuracy, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), a tree-based ensemble technique, was adopted as a potential classifier. Also, for explainable machine learning modeling, SHaply Additive exPlanation (SHAP) values of employed variables were calculated to assess how they contribute to the discrimination. The use of XGBoost improved discrimination accuracies in all three measurements compared to k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM), and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The accuracy was 96.2 % using the LA-ICP-MS data. When the XRF and NIR data were combined, the accuracy improved to 97.5 %. The accuracy improvement was attributed to the combination of complementary atomic and molecular spectroscopic signatures of the samples.

Bentonites are natural reservoirs of various elements and are of interest because they are sources of thorium and uranium, which are transition elements that provide nuclear energy. The objective of this work was to study the plausible association(s) of these elements with other transition elements of interest. The contents of 18 transition elements (cerium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, hafnium, lanthanum, manganese, molybdenum, neodymium niobium, nickel, tantalum, thorium, uranium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium) in 38 bentonites determined experimentally by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were analyzed. The contents of the elements were plotted in (x,y) graphs and then fitted to polynomial functions (orders 1 through 6). According to the coefficient of determination (r2: 0.5 ≤ r2 strong, 0.3 ≤ r2 ≤ 0.5 medium, and r2 ≤ 0.3 weak), the contents of thorium, uranium, niobium, and nickel related strongly, thus the presence of niobium and nickel served to predict the presence of detectable concentrations of thorium and uranium. The equations showing higher r2 values were 1. {Th} = 1e-6{Nb}5 − 3e-4{Nb}4 + 1.9e-2{Nb}3 − 5.4e-1{Nb}2 + 7.3{Nb} − 6.3, r2 = 0.53. 2. {Th} = −3e-8{Nb}6 + 9e-6{Nb}5 − 1e-3{Nb}4 + 4.7e-2{Nb}3 − 1.1{Nb}2 + 11.5{Nb} − 16, r2 = 0.54. 3. {Th} = 5e-6{Ni}4 − 1.5e-3{Ni}3 − 1.5e-1{Ni}2 − 5.8{Ni} + 9e+1, r2 = 0.49. 4. {Th} = −7e-8{Ni}5 + 3e-5{Ni}4 − 5.1e-3{Ni}3 + 3.4e-1{Ni}2 − 9.5{Nb} + 1e+2, r2 = 0.56. 5. {Th} = 2e-9{Ni}6 − 8e-7{Ni}5 + 2e-4{Ni}4 − 1.5e-2{Ni}3 − 7e-1{Ni}2 − 1e+1{Ni} + 1e+1, r2 = 0.60. 6. {Th} = −1e-4{U}5 + 1.3e-2{U}4 − 4.3e-1{U}3 + 5.7e-1{U}2 − 2e+1{U} + 5e+1, r2 = 0.54. 7. {Th} = 6e-6{U}6 − 9e-4{U}5 + 4.5e-2{U}4 − 1.1{U}3 + 1e+1{U}2 − 5e+1{U} + 1e+2, r2 = 0.64. 8. {U} = 8e-6{Nb}4 − 1.2e-3{Nb}3 + 4.8e-2{Nb}2 − 4.3e-1{Nb} + 6.8, r2 = 0.48. 9. {U} = 2e-7{Nb}5 − 4e-5{Nb}4 + 2.8e-3{Nb}3 − 7.6e-2{Nb}2 + 1.1{Nb} + 1.9, r2 = 0.5. 10. {U} = 1e-8{Nb}6 − 3e-6{Nb}5 + 2e-4{Nb}4 − 8e-3{Nb}3 + 1.3e-1{Nb}2 − 5.4e-1{Nb} + 5.4, r2 = 0.51. 11. {U} = 1.8e-1{Th} + 2.6, r2 = 0.49; {U} = 1.7e-3{Th}2 − 2.9e-2{Th} + 6.3, r2 = 0.60. 12. {U} = 2e-5{Th}3 − 1.7e-3{Th}2 + 1.4e-1{Th} + 4.5, r2 = 0.58; {U} = −5e-7{Th}4 + 2e-4{Th}3 − 1.5e-2{Th}2 + 5.5e-1{Th} + 1.5, r2 = 0.6. 13. {U} = −7e-9{Th}5 + 2e-6{Th}4 − 1e-4{Th}3 − 3e-4{Th}2 + 2.7e-1{Th} + 2.9, r2 = 0.6. 14. {U} = 2e-9{Th}6 − 8e-7{Th}5 + 1e-4{Th}4 − 8.1e-3{Th}3 − 2.4e-1{Th}2 + 15, r2 = 0.65. This study provided a joint experimental and theoretical approach to optimize the recovery of thorium and uranium and to save invaluable onsite and off-site natural resources and work time. The findings might expand on other studies reporting the quantification of transition metals on bentonite matrices. For instance, the concentrations of nickel reported in studies using bench techniques could serve as the basis to calculate the contents of thorium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the process of urbanization and industrialization, heavy metals enter the ecological environment through various pathways and accumulate in large quantities in the soil, causing potential risks to soil environmental health. In recent years, with the development of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED-XRF), the detection limit of the instrument has been significantly reduced, and it can be effectively applied to the detection of various heavy metals in soil, and is gradually becoming an effective tool for determining the concentration of heavy metals in the soil environment. However, the complexity of the soil matrix and the limitations of the instrument itself will lead to problems such as low accuracy and precision in the determination of target heavy metals by ED-XRF, such as the type and particle size of soil samples and the noise in the instrument and the environment; there are also certain difficulties in the establishment of quantitative analysis model methods, which are still not well applied to laboratories and other environments with high data quality requirements. In this paper, we summarize the application and research progress of XRF in the field of soil heavy metal detection, explore and analyze the influence of different soil sample states and detection conditions on the detection accuracy of ED-XRF instruments, sort out the main pretreatment methods of ED-XRF spectroscopy and the establishment process of quantitative analysis models, and introduce and analyze the application potential of ED-XRF in evaluating the effectiveness of soil heavy metals. At present, the soil sample preparation procedures applied to ED-XRF detection have been relatively mature, and the opinions of scholars on how to reduce the impact of soil matrix effects on the operation methods are relatively unanimous, that is, to use dry samples, low particle size or pressed soil samples as much as possible, and there is still some room for optimization in the processing and analysis of detection data. Therefore, the current mainstream focus is on combining the advantages of different algorithms for the preprocessing analysis of ED-XRF spectroscopy and the establishment of quantitative analysis models to improve the accuracy of ED-XRF detection. At the same time, ED-XRF detection studies on different types of soils only highlighted the differences in the phenomenon, and did not clearly explore the underlying mechanisms. In the future, it is important to continue to explore the causes and magnitude of different matrix effects in various types of soils, and to optimize and improve the quantitative analysis model of ED-XRF spectroscopy; the prediction of the effectiveness of heavy metals in soil through multiple regression analysis is also a field that scholars should focus on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is a relatively new method for non‐destructive elemental analysis of herbarium material that meets the scientific interest in being capable of discovering new hyperaccumulator plant species. Since the genus Noccaea (Brassicaceae family) is known to be one of the most numerous in term of the hyperaccumulator plant species it contains, especially those that hyperaccumulate Ni, the herbarium material available worldwide represents a great resource for expanding our knowledge of their elemental profiles. In this first systematic XRF scanning of herbarium specimens of the genus Noccaea, a total of 794 specimens from the collection of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris (MNHN) were analyzed, and the raw values obtained were corrected using regression formulas against inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy data. Hyperaccumulation of Ni was detected in 90 specimens covering 21 taxa, with Ni concentrations reaching up to 48,700 mg kg−1 in Noccaea cappadocica, an ultramaficophyte from Syria. Zinc concentrations above the hyperaccumulation threshold were found in 210 specimens covering 23 taxa, most of which belonged to different subspecies of Noccaea caerulescens, with the highest concentration reaching up to 56,200 mg kg−1 in N. caerulescens subsp. caerulescens. Although the accumulation of Ni and Zn is contrasting in most of the specimens studied, in 10 specimens, predominantly belonging to N. caerulescens, simultaneous hyperaccumulation of Ni and Zn was found. This study also revealed previously unknown hyperaccumulation of Ni in several Noccaea taxa, as well as a simultaneous hyperaccumulation of Ni and Zn that needs to be confirmed by further experimental and field studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sculpture "Arhat" (2114 ДВ) in the Buddhist collection of The Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts grasps the particular attention of the scholars taking into account its connection with the famous persons - the 13th Dalai Lama, Pyotr Kozlov, and most likely with Nicholas Roerich and his elder son George Roerich. According to the memorial sign on the sculpture, the art piece is the 13th Dalai Lama's present to Russian traveler Pyotr Kozlov in 1905 at Urga, capital of Mongolia. The "Arhat" was bought by the museum in 1969 as a part of a big collection of Buddhist art from Velichko V. S. (Moscow). The article touches on the historical events that forced the Tibetan ruler to arrive in Urga in 1905, and on the basis of documents and eyewitness accounts, sheds light on the circumstances of the Dalai Lama's meeting with Pyotr Kozlov. The authors provide some indirect arguments that "Velichko's collection" could belong to the Roerich family. The authors also give comments on the iconography of the sculpture, identifying it as an arhat or as a teacher. Arguments are also given on the sculpture's origin and dating - Tibet, the 19th century - not later than 1905. Besides, the results of x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy are revealed in the article. It was shown that the figure was made from two different types of metal - copper (torso, shoulders, and legs) and brass with a high percentage of zinc (hands and ears). Surface of the figure is artificially patinated. Collecting all data authors propose to make the corrections in the inventory information of the sculpture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of X-ray fluorescence analysis (RFA) and gamma spectroscopy as analytical techniques in chemistry education. The experiments described in the article focus on exploring atomic models and characterizing different materials. RFA is used to determine the composition of compounds and metals, while gamma spectroscopy can detect gamma radiation emitted by isotopes. The article provides examples of using these techniques to analyze specific materials, such as coins and white pigments. The authors suggest that the benefits of these techniques justify the cost of acquiring the necessary equipment. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the significance of certain replicas in museums, focusing on medieval seal impressions from the ‘Hallepoort’ collection at the Royal Military Museum in Brussels, Belgium. We highlight a shift from traditional imprinting methods to casting with plaster and sulphur in the late 19th and early 20th centuries An analysis by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage confirmed sulphur’s presence, highlighting conservation challenges due to its flammability and potential to cause chemical reactions that could damage surrounding objects. In response, measures such as fire safety protocols, controlled temperature and humidity, and better ventilation are implemented to protect the casts.

Abstract The elemental composition of chemical elements can vary between healthy and diseased tissues, providing essential insights into metabolic processes in physiological and diseased states. This study aimed to evaluate the calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels in the bones of rats with/without streptozotocin-induced diabetes and/or exposure to infrasound. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the concentrations of Ca and P in Wistar rat tibiae samples. The results showed a significant decrease in bone P concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to untreated animals. Similarly, the Ca/P ratio was higher in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic group. No significant differences were observed in bone Ca concentration between the studied groups or between animals exposed and not exposed to infrasound. Moreover, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats had lower bone P concentration but unaltered bone Ca concentration compared to untreated rats. Infrasound exposure did not impact bone Ca or P levels. The reduced bone P concentration may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures in diabetes.

The elemental composition of chemical elements can vary between healthy and diseased tissues, providing essential insights into metabolic processes in physiological and diseased states. This study aimed to evaluate the calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels in the bones of rats with/without streptozotocin-induced diabetes and/or exposure to infrasound. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the concentrations of Ca and P in Wistar rat tibiae samples. The results showed a significant decrease in bone P concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to untreated animals. Similarly, the Ca/P ratio was higher in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic group. No significant differences were observed in bone Ca concentration between the studied groups or between animals exposed and not exposed to infrasound. Moreover, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats had lower bone P concentration but unaltered bone Ca concentration compared to untreated rats. Infrasound exposure did not impact bone Ca or P levels. The reduced bone P concentration may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rough surface of the pellet and the particle size effect limit better application of pressed pellet sample preparation to wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF) for determination of multi-element composition in cobalt-rich crust samples. This paper explored the technique for preparing ultrafine powder of cobalt-rich crust samples by wet grinding, and an ultrahigh-pressure system was used to prepare pellets for WDXRF. Ultrafine cobalt-rich crust samples having 99% of the particle size < 4 μm (D99 < 4 µm) with narrow size distribution were successfully prepared. The advantages of the new approach were investigated and the developed WDXRF method was validated. Results showed that the detection limit and precision of the proposed method for major components were improved. The detection limit of the method was within the interval from 7.0 to 1704 μg/g, and the results of precision test showed that the relative standard deviation of the measured values of components was improved to between 0.2% and 1.6%. The present method was applied to determine major, trace and rare earth components in cobalt-rich crust samples, a good agreement was achieved between the reference and measured values with relative percentage difference not more than 6.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The present paper reports the results of the analyses performed on the wall paintings of Room E of the Domus delle Pitture (Room of the Paintings) in the Roman archaeological site of Volsinii Novi (Bolsena, Viterbo, Central Italy) aimed at supporting the recently concluded restoration. (2) Methods: ultraviolet fluorescence photography was conducted to evaluate the conservation state. Painting materials were investigated via portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (p-XRF), µ-Raman spectroscopy, cross-section analysis under polarizing microscope, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. (3) Results: This analysis revealed the presence of traditional pigments used in Roman wall paintings, such as ochres, earths, and Egyptian blue. Additionally, it identified pigments from previous restoration containing titanium and chromium, along with other materials present in the surface and interface of the wall painting containing arsenic, copper, lead, and vanadium, where a bluish alteration was observed. In these samples, µ-Raman spectroscopy detected calcium oxalates but also copper arsenates, likely conichalcite and/or duftite. (4) Conclusions: This result is highly relevant from an analytical point of view and in relation to the restoration decisions. Addressing the irregular bluish stains on the wall paintings poses challenges in understanding, requiring a decision on whether to remove or retain them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdSe1-xSx (x= 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6) thin films were deposited on quartz and silicon substrates by the method of high-frequency magnetron sputtering. The chemical composition analysis and crystal structure refinement was examined with using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data. CdSe1-xSx thin films crystallizes in hexagonal structure (structure type – ZnO, space group P63mc (No. 186)). The lattice parameters (a, c and V), crystallite size (D), strain (ε), dislocation density (δ) and the texture coefficient TC(hkl) was estimated from X-ray diffraction analysis. Units-cell parameters decrease with increasing S content in CdSe1-xSx thin film.

Elemental chemical analysis of aquatic organisms is necessary for biochemical and ecological studies and pollution monitoring. Most analytical methods suitable for this require dissolution of solid samples. However, nondestructive analysis is possible by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), the analytical capabilities of which are complementary. Results from XRF and LIBS for determination of several macro- and microelements (P, Cl, K, Ca; B, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Sr) in organs and tissues of fishes and aquatic plants (bream, pike, horsetail, and hornwort) were compared using calibration curves. Signals of elements were normalized to the intensity of incoherently scattered radiation (in XRF) and to that of the Balmer Hα emission line (in LIBS) to account for matrix effects. A comparison of the results with data from an independent analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy showed that LIBS was superior to XRF with respect to accuracy for relatively light elements (P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Cu). The advantage switched to XRF for heavier elements (Zn and Sr). The combination of XRF and LIBS made it possible to broaden the range of measurable elements. In some cases (P, K, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Sr), chemical destruction of the sample was unnecessary, which was important for simplification of the analytical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdSe1-xSx(x= 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6) thin films were deposited on quartz and silicon substrates by the method of high-frequency magnetron sputtering. The chemical composition analysis and crystal structure refinement was examined with using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data. CdSe1-xSxthin films crystallizes in hexagonal structure (structure type – ZnO, space group P63mc (No. 186)). The lattice parameters (a, c and V), crystallite size (D), strain (ε), dislocation density (δ) and the texture coefficient TC(hkl) was estimated from X-ray diffraction analysis. Units-cell parameters decrease with increasing S content in CdSe1-xSxthin film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ECR- Studies in Conservation & Restoration / Estudos de Conservação e Restauro is the property of ECR- Studies in Conservation & Restoration and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of the American Institute for Conservation is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Display omitted] Amyloid- β (A β) plaques from Alzheimer's Disease (AD) can be visualized ex vivo in label-free brain samples using synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT). However, for XPCT to be useful as a screening method for amyloid pathology, it is essential to understand which factors drive the detection of A β plaques. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that A β -related contrast in XPCT could be caused by A β fibrils and/or by metals trapped in the plaques. Fibrillar and elemental compositions of A β plaques were probed in brain samples from different types of AD patients and AD models to establish a relationship between XPCT contrast and A β plaque characteristics. XPCT, micro-Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy and micro-X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy were conducted on human samples (one genetic and one sporadic case) and on four transgenic rodent strains (mouse: APPPS1, ArcA β , J20; rat: TgF344). A β plaques from the genetic AD patient were visible using XPCT, and had higher β -sheet content and higher metal levels than those from the sporadic AD patient, which remained undetected by XPCT. A β plaques in J20 mice and TgF344 rats appeared hyperdense on XPCT images, while they were hypodense with a hyperdense core in the case of APPPS1 and ArcA β mice. In all four transgenic strains, β -sheet content was similar, while metal levels were highly variable: J20 (zinc and iron) and TgF344 (copper) strains showed greater metal accumulation than APPPS1 and ArcA β mice. Hence, a hyperdense contrast formation of A β plaques in XPCT images was associated with biometal entrapment within plaques. The role of metals in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been a subject of continuous interest. It was already known that amyloid- β plaques (A β), the earliest hallmark of AD, tend to trap endogenous biometals like zinc, iron and copper. Here we show that this metal accumulation is the main reason why A β plaques are detected with a new technique called X-ray phase contrast tomography (XPCT). XPCT enables to map the distribution of A β plaques in the whole excised brain without labeling. In this work we describe a unique collection of four transgenic models of AD, together with a human sporadic and a rare genetic case of AD, thus exploring the full spectrum of amyloid contrast in XPCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodistribution of nanoparticles of Gd0.5La0.5F3:Eu(15%) X-ray phosphor in the body and tissues of internal organs of balb/c laboratory mice is studied. The Gd0.5La0.5F3:Eu(15%) nanoparticles are obtained by hydrothermal synthesis at 250°С for 24 h. Using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering, it is shown that a hexagonal phase is formed in the resulting sample and the average size of nanoparticles varies in the range from 30 to 40 nm. In vivo experiments show that with the intravenous administration of an aqueous solution of nanoparticles, the drug is accumulated mainly in the liver and spleen and the maximum concentration is reached during the first day. The results of post-mortem analysis of tissues using micro-computed tomography (CT) show that the nanoparticles form conglomerates; their distribution over the volume of the organ is homogeneous. The X-ray fluorescence analysis of liver- and spleen-tissue fragments allows for elemental analysis and mapping. The distribution maps of heavy elements in the composition of nanoparticles (Gd, La, Eu) are similar to Fe distribution maps, which indicates the uniform distribution of Gd0.5La0.5F3:Eu(15%) nanoparticles in the pulp of the internal tissues of the liver and spleen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is considered beneficial to plants at low concentrations because of its role in boosting antioxidant metabolism. The range between benefit and toxicity of Se is narrow for living beings. Since Se deficiency is observed in soils worldwide, dose–response studies are needed to define critical doses of Se toxicity for different plant species. This study aimed to characterize the dose response of Se in cowpea plants by evaluating ureide metabolism, ultrastructural responses, and Se distribution in leaf and seed tissues. Selenium concentration in leaves and seeds increased linearly in response to sodium selenite application. Cowpea yield increased by 40% in response to 50 g Se ha−1. Selenium application also linearly increased the ureide and nitrate concentrations in cowpea leaves. The concentrations of allantoic acid and free amino acids increased up to 200 g Se ha−1. The increase in ureides up to 200 g Se ha−1 is attributed to increments of biologically fixed nitrogen in cowpea plants. From that dose on, the increase in ureides is related to the antioxidant capacity. Above 50 g ha−1, Se application induced chlorosis on the leaf blade by promoting coalescence of the brown-colored lesions. Microprobe X‑ray fluorescence spectroscopy revealed higher Se count rates in necrotic regions of leaf tissue, confirming the toxicity of Se. Additionally, increased Ca intensity was also recorded in the region with the highest Se intensity; hence, Ca might play a role in attenuating the stress caused by Se. Selenium was found throughout all seed regions, especially in the embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archbishop’s Palace of Seville harbours an important art collection with mostly works by great Renaissance and Baroque artists. However, the authorship of some paintings is unknown, and, in a few cases, there is an interest in discovering the painter due to the quality of the artwork. As a first step for this purpose, a systematic analysis procedure has been established using non-destructive techniques, such as UV photography and IR reflectography, to locate interventions and underpaintings, as well as X-ray fluorescence to identify original pigments and those of later interventions. The study following this established protocol is presented with the example of two paintings by unknown authors. They were made in different centuries representing, consequently, different styles. UV images showed several retouches, while IR reflectography revealed under-drawing and composition corrections (pentimenti). Furthermore, XRF identified the pigments applied in the production of the different colours and tonalities, allowing to characterise the artist’s palette, whose pigments generally agree with the dates when the artworks were produced. This study resulted in valuable information on painting materials and techniques, which will be useful in the search for authorships, among others.

The River Vero canyon (Huesca, Spain) contains an exceptional archaeological legacy with more than sixty rock shelters with cave paintings and forms part of the World Heritage ‘Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula’. This study presents the results of the in situ and non-destructive multi-elemental composition analysis of the pigments used in eight of the main shelters through portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF). Specifically, the cave paintings of the rock shelters of Chimiachas, Muriecho, and Arpán (Levantine Art); and Mallata, Barfaluy, Quizans, Lecina Superior, and Forau del Cocho (Schematic Art) were investigated. The red pigments, based on iron minerals, were the most abundant in all the River Vero rock shelters, with Fe contents in the 0.51–3.06% range. The iron contents of the paintings of Mallata B1 and I, Muriecho, and Forau del Cocho were higher than those of Arpán, Barfaluy, Lecina, and Chimiachas rock-shelters; and, in turn, these were higher than those of Quizans, pointing to noticeable differences in the degree of conservation. Black pigments, in the absence of manganese, were associated with bone char or carbon black. Through the phosphorus content, evidence is provided of the use of bone phosphates as a component of the paints, either as a filler or as a binder. Geological studies indicate that the detected gypsum is of external origin, probably associated with gypsum-rich atmospheric dust. The reported pXRF analysis of this large set of paintings may serve as a basis for future characterization studies involving other portable chemical analysis techniques.

Background: The periodontal regeneration is the most challenging process which involves regeneration of both hard and soft tissues. There are various biomaterials available for this purpose. Tooth graft can be used as a regenerative material in the field of periodontics and implantology. The tooth graft with 70% demineralization is considered to be a better option for periodontal regeneration. Different methods are employed for demineralization of tooth using various acids. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as an in vitro study. Totally 60 teeth were collected and categorized into four groups. Groups I, II, and III teeth were demineralized in 2% nitric acid, 0.6 M hydrochloric acid, and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), respectively. The Group IV teeth were left undemineralized. The elements present in the various tooth graft groups after demineralization were analyzed by EDX-720 XRF Instrument. Results: The EDTA demineralized tooth graft has higher level of Calcium, Strontium, and Zinc content compared to other tooth graft groups and it was statistically significant with P = 0.001. Conclusion: The EDTA demineralized tooth graft can serve as better graft than 2% nitric acid and 0.6M hydrochloric acid demineralized and undemineralized tooth grafts.

This deposit is located in Dingqing county, Tibet. Its texture is warm and delicate, and its color is like ivory, so it is named "Ivory jade". The ore is gravel-shaped, and some of it is round and oval. The gemmological and mineralogical characteristics of Dingqing Ivory-jade from Tibet are studied by means of UV-Vis Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, XRD and SEM. The results show that: the Mohs hardness of Ivory-jade is 4~6, the relative density is 2.92~3.05, the refractive index is 1.62~1.70, no polychromism nor characteristic absorption band, the main mineral composition is magnesite (MgCO3), with a small amount of quartz (SiO2), trace calcite (CaCO3). The gemmological and mineralogical characteristics of Dingqing Ivory-jade can be used as the basis of its origin identification.

X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) is a non-destructive analytical technique that has recently been developed as a tool for high throughput screening for the discovery of trace element hyperaccumulator species in herbarium collections. Herbarium XRF analysis was undertaken of representatives of the Brassicaceae family in the two herbaria in Belgrade (Serbia). This was coupled to field collection and chemical analysis of new samples of Cardamine waldsteinii. The data revealed a potentially new zinc hyperaccumulator species, C. waldsteinii, with 3050 mg kg−1 Zn in its leaves. This compares to 2210 mg kg−1 in the leaves of this species collected from the field. These values are below the notional hyperaccumulation threshold for zinc but are nevertheless unusual. The remarkably high accumulation factor for zinc are suggestive of the exceptional potential of C. waldsteinii for zinc uptake, even in non-metalliferous, zinc-deficient soils. We recommend following up this study with experimental investigations on C. waldsteinii to elucidate its ecophysiology and its zinc tolerance and accumulation characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil factors, especially metal elements in the soil, play a significant role in forming and accumulating secondary metabolites, which determine the medicinal properties of medicinal herbs. In this study, the concentrations of some metal elements (K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cr) in Cam Mountain and Tinh Bien Town, An Giang Province, Vietnam, were determined using the XRF method. We simultaneously determined the total phenolic and flavonoid content of some medicinal herbs collected from the collected soil sample areas, thereby assessing the influence of these elements on the formation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. The results showed that K, Mn, and Cr were mainly concentrated in the topsoil and transition layers; Fe and Cu elements tended to concentrate in the transition layer and the subsoil when surveying the soil profile. K, Mn, Cu, and Cr concentrations were more focused in Tinh Bien area, while Fe and Zn had higher concentrations at Cam Mountain. Additionally, results from evaluating the relationship between the content of the elements in the soil and the content of two active compounds also showed the correlation regression model between Zn and flavonoid expression by level 4 at the 5% significance level. Thus, the nonlinear model is suitable for evaluating the relationship between the content of metal elements in the soil and the active compound in medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deficiency of calcium (Ca) reduces the quality and shelf life of fruits. In this scenario, although foliar spraying of Ca2+ has been used, altogether with soil fertilization, as an alternative to prevent deficiencies, little is known regarding its absorption dynamics by plant leaves. Herein, in vivo microprobe X-ray fluorescence was employed aiming to monitor the foliar absorption of CaCl2, Ca-citrate complex, and Ca3(PO4)2 nanoparticles with and without using adjuvant. We also investigated whether Sr2+ can be employed as Ca2+ proxy in foliar absorption studies. Moreover, the impact of treatments on the cuticle structure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. For this study, 45-day-old tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Micro-Tom) plants were used as a model species. After 100 h, the leaves absorbed 90, 18, and 4% of aqueous CaCl2, Ca-citrate, and Ca3(PO4)2 nanoparticles, respectively. The addition of adjuvant increased the absorption of Ca-citrate to 28%, decreased that of CaCl2 to 77%, and did not affect Ca3(PO4)2. CaCl2 displayed an exponential decay absorption profile with half-lives of 15 h and 5 h without and with adjuvant, respectively. Ca-citrate and Ca3(PO4)2 exhibited absorption profiles that were closer to a linear behavior. Sr2+ was a suitable Ca2+ tracer because of its similar absorption profiles. Furthermore, the use of adjuvant affected the epicuticular crystal structure. Our findings reveal that CaCl2 was the most efficient Ca2+ source. The effects caused by adjuvant suggest that CaCl2 and Ca-citrate were absorbed mostly through hydrophilic and lipophilic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calorific value is an important index for evaluating coal quality, and it is important to achieve the rapid detection of calorific value to improve production efficiency. In this paper, a calorific value detection method based on NIRS-XRF fusion spectroscopy is proposed, which utilizes NIRS to detect organic functional groups and XRF to detect inorganic ash-forming elements in coal. NIRS, XRF and NIRS-XRF fusion spectrum were separately used to establish partial least squares (PLS) regression models for coal calorific value, and better prediction performance was obtained by using fusion spectrum (the determination coefficient of calibration set (R2) was 0.98, the root mean square error of prediction set (RMSEP) was 0.19 MJ/kg, the average relative deviation for prediction (MARDP) was 0.95%). The variable selection is very important for model performance. The effective variables were extracted using Pearson correlation coefficients to further optimize the prediction model, and the evaluation indexes of the optimized model are R2 = 0.99, RMSEP = 0.16 MJ/kg and MARDP = 0.70%. In addition, the repeatability of the proposed method was briefly evaluated. The results show that the proposed method is an effective analysis method to detect the calorific value of coal, which provides a new idea and technique for coal quality detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archbishop's Palace of Seville harbours an important art collection with mostly works by great Renaissance and Baroque artists. However, the authorship of some paintings is unknown, and, in a few cases, there is an interest in discovering the painter due to the quality of the artwork. As a first step for this purpose, a systematic analysis procedure has been established using non-destructive techniques, such as UV photography and IR reflectography, to locate interventions and underpaintings, as well as X-ray fluorescence to identify original pigments and those of later interventions. The study following this established protocol is presented with the example of two paintings by unknown authors. They were made in different centuries representing, consequently, different styles. UV images showed several retouches, while IR reflectography revealed under-drawing and composition corrections (pentimenti). Furthermore, XRF identified the pigments applied in the production of the different colours and tonalities, allowing to characterise the artist's palette, whose pigments generally agree with the dates when the artworks were produced. This study resulted in valuable information on painting materials and techniques, which will be useful in the search for authorships, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin reactions are well described complications of tattooing, usually provoked by red inks. Chemical characterizations of these inks are usually based on limited subjects and techniques. This study aimed to determine the organic and inorganic composition of inks using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) and Raman spectroscopy, in a cohort of patients with cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to tattoo. A retrospective multicenter study was performed, including 15 patients diagnosed with skin reactions to tattoos. Almost half of these patients developed skin reactions on black inks. XRF identified known allergenic metals – titanium, chromium, manganese, nickel and copper – in almost all cases. XANES spectroscopy distinguished zinc and iron present in ink from these elements in endogenous biomolecules. Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of both reported (azo pigments, quinacridone) and unreported (carbon black, phtalocyanine) putative organic sensitizer compounds, and also defined the phase in which Ti was engaged. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper reports the largest cohort of skin hypersensitivity reactions analyzed by multiple complementary techniques. With almost half the patients presenting skin reaction on black tattoo, the study suggests that black modern inks should also be considered to provoke skin reactions, probably because of the common association of carbon black with potential allergenic metals within these inks. Analysis of more skin reactions to tattoos is needed to identify the relevant chemical compounds and help render tattoo ink composition safer.

Abstract Millimetre-sized primordial rock fragments originating from asteroid Ryugu were investigated using high energy X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, providing 2D and 3D elemental distribution and quantitative composition information on the microscopic level. Samples were collected in two phases from two sites on asteroid Ryugu and safely returned to Earth by JAXA’s asteroid explorer Hayabusa2, during which time the collected material was stored and maintained free from terrestrial influences, including exposure to Earth’s atmosphere. Several grains of interest were identified and further characterised to obtain quantitative information on the rare earth element (REE) content within said grains, following a reference-based and computed-tomography-assisted fundamental parameters quantification approach. Several orders of magnitude REE enrichments compared to the mean CI chondrite composition were found within grains that could be identified as apatite phase. Small enrichment of LREE was found for dolomite grains and slight enrichment or depletion for the general matrices within the Ryugu rock fragments A0055 and C0076, respectively. Graphical Abstract

The object of this paper is the diagnostic campaign performed on the polychrome wooden statue, revered as St. John, stored in the church dedicated to the “Beata Vergine d’Itria” (Blessed Virgin of Itria), (Noragugume town, Sardinia, Italy). The restoration of the statue gave the occasion to investigate micro-samples from the wooden support and from the polychromy in order to gather information that could be useful for the intervention. In fact, there was limited information on this fine carved statue and its iconographic pattern appeared to be not strictly canonical. Moreover, these kinds of artworks, having religious significant for the faithful, have been generally modified over time to satisfy possible changes in artistic or religious needs or ecclesiastical reforms. The aims of this study are: (i) support the restorers in defining the conservation status of the statue, and (ii) perform a series of analyses to identify the wood and the materials of the painting layers. Specifically, wood micro-sample was examined under the microscope in order to investigate the anatomical characteristics useful to identify the species; pigments were studied through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS); organic materials were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); and, lastly, the panting technique was investigated through micro-stratigraphy (MS). The analysis performed on the micro-sample taken from the support allowed for identifying the wood as poplar. XRF detected chemical elements that could be associated to pigments such as azurite, blue smalt, red lead, white lead and ochres, and Au for the gilding. SEM-EDS confirmed these pigments and allowed to find also other elements useful to suggest the presence of further materials such as Ag in the metal foil. FTIR detected proteinaceous binder and siccative oils that were mapped in the micro-stratigraphy by using histochemical tests. All this information was used by the restorers to address the intervention from the cleaning to the final retouching.

(1) Background. The aim of this work is to combine non-invasive imaging with chemical characterization analyses to study original and restoration materials of a late 16th-century painting on a canvas representing the “Coronation of the Virgin with the Saints Ambrose and Jerome”, preserved in the Diocesan archive of Orte, a town in the district of Viterbo (Italy). The diagnostic campaign was addressed to support the restoration activities and the choice of the most suitable cleaning operations. (2) Methods. Both traditional analytical techniques and innovative multispectral imaging were applied to solve the diagnostic issues and best address the restoration of the painting. Specifically, hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging (HMI), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), optical microscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were combined to obtain information on the general conservation state of the artwork and the characterization of pigments, organic binders, and superimposed materials, these last being particularly important to identify ancient and not-documented restoration intervention, enabling the correct choice of the most suitable and effective cleaning intervention. (3) Results. Multispectral data allowed us to differentiate and map original materials through infrared and ultraviolet false color images and spectral reflectance-based similarity maps, suggesting pigment attribution and focusing point analysis for characterization. This approach was particularly successful to identify and locate the presence of unaltered smalt blue in the first painting coat, which had been covered with other pigments, and to suggest the use of organic dye in mixtures with cinnabar and ochres. Spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques enabled us to identify the painting palette and confirm the use of oil-based binder for the pigments and characterize the altered top layers, made with a natural resin and an animal glue. (4) Conclusions. The characterization of the artwork’s materials was essential to select the most suitable methods and materials for the bio-cleaning, based on bacteria, experimented with during the restoration activities.

Background and aims: Proteaceae species strongly acidify their rhizosphere to increase soil phosphorus (P) availability, which also inadvertently increases the availability of other elements, such as manganese and rare earth elements (REE). This study aimed to investigate REE (hyper) accumulation in the Proteaceae genus Helicia from Queensland, Australia, from a systematic assessment of REE concentrations in herbarium specimens and verification with field collected samples. Methods: Herbarium X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning (using yttrium as a proxy for REEs) was undertaken on selected Helicia species (Proteaceae) at the Queensland Herbarium, followed by Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis and field collection of H. glabriflora samples to confirm the XRF findings. Results: The herbarium XRF analysis revealed highly anomalous REE concentrations in some Helicia species, reaching ~ 1300 µg Y g-1 in H. australasica and H. glabriflora. The ICP-AES analysis of the herbarium specimens revealed total REE concentrations (REE) of up to 2300 µg g-1 in H. australasica and H. glabriflora, with relatively higher light REEs (~ 70%) and yttrium (~ 20%) concentrations, compared to heavy REEs (~ 10%). The field collected H. glabriflora material had relatively higher total REE concentrations in the mature leaves (~ 850 µg REE g-1) and stems (~ 675 µg REE g-1), compared to young leaves (~ 130 µg REE g-1), roots (~ 220 µg REE g-1) and soil (~ 90 µg REE g-1). Conclusion: The discovery of REE (hyper)accumulation in these Helicia species suggests that the Proteaceae family may host several other REE hyperaccumulators that are hitherto undiscovered. This calls for systematic assessment of the Proteaceae using the same approach as used in this study. The findings have potential implications for (i) discovery of REE hyperaccumulator plants, (ii) investigation of REE uptake and accumulation in plants and (iii) biogeochemical exploration of buried REE ore deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The River Vero canyon (Huesca, Spain) contains an exceptional archaeological legacy with more than sixty rock shelters with cave paintings and forms part of the World Heritage 'Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula'. This study presents the results of the in situ and non-destructive multi-elemental composition analysis of the pigments used in eight of the main shelters through portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF). Specifically, the cave paintings of the rock shelters of Chimiachas, Muriecho, and Arpán (Levantine Art); and Mallata, Barfaluy, Quizans, Lecina Superior, and Forau del Cocho (Schematic Art) were investigated. The red pigments, based on iron minerals, were the most abundant in all the River Vero rock shelters, with Fe contents in the 0.51–3.06% range. The iron contents of the paintings of Mallata B1 and I, Muriecho, and Forau del Cocho were higher than those of Arpán, Barfaluy, Lecina, and Chimiachas rock-shelters; and, in turn, these were higher than those of Quizans, pointing to noticeable differences in the degree of conservation. Black pigments, in the absence of manganese, were associated with bone char or carbon black. Through the phosphorus content, evidence is provided of the use of bone phosphates as a component of the paints, either as a filler or as a binder. Geological studies indicate that the detected gypsum is of external origin, probably associated with gypsum-rich atmospheric dust. The reported pXRF analysis of this large set of paintings may serve as a basis for future characterization studies involving other portable chemical analysis techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The periodontal regeneration is the most challenging process which involves regeneration of both hard and soft tissues. There are various biomaterials available for this purpose. Tooth graft can be used as a regenerative material in the field of periodontics and implantology. The tooth graft with 70% demineralization is considered to be a better option for periodontal regeneration. Different methods are employed for demineralization of tooth using various acids. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as an in vitro study. Totally 60 teeth were collected and categorized into four groups. Groups I, II, and III teeth were demineralized in 2% nitric acid, 0.6 M hydrochloric acid, and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), respectively. The Group IV teeth were left undemineralized. The elements present in the various tooth graft groups after demineralization were analyzed by EDX-720 XRF Instrument. Results: The EDTA demineralized tooth graft has higher level of Calcium, Strontium, and Zinc content compared to other tooth graft groups and it was statistically significant with P = 0.001. Conclusion: The EDTA demineralized tooth graft can serve as better graft than 2% nitric acid and 0.6M hydrochloric acid demineralized and undemineralized tooth grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalyst layers (CL, the anode and cathode) properties do influence the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). CLs are prepared by depositing an ink made from a catalyst (carbon-supported Pt-based nanoparticles, NPs) and an ionomer in appropriate solvents on a substrate, followed by post-treatment (solvent evaporation, calendaring, hot-pressing). The literature rarely provides details and characterizations about CLs fabrication. This contribution investigates a way to prepare Pt/VC (Pt NPs supported on Vulcan XC72 carbon-black) and Pt/GC (Pt NPs supported on graphitized-carbon-black) PEMFC CLs. The ink formulation, mixing and deposition methods are evaluated and the areal homogeneity/texture of the formed CLs thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray fluorescence. Light-ball-milling mixing enables to prepare homogeneous and agglomerate-free inks without degrading the Pt/C catalysts. The optimal ionomer-to-carbon ratio differs for Pt/GC and Pt/VC CLs; it not only depends on the BET surface area of the carbon substrate and its outer apparent surface (apparent carbon particles diameter), but should also be adapted to physicochemical surface properties of the Pt/C sample. Optimized I/C = 1–1.2 enables to improve the performance of Pt/GC cathodes by ca. 300 % versus I/C = 0.5 (at 80 °C, 80%RH), owing to hugely-depreciated proton-transport-resistance in the CL. • Optimized Pt/GC (graphitized-carbon-black) PEMFC catalysts layers are prepared. • The Pt/GC ink formulation, mixing and deposition methods are tuned. • The CL texture (SEM) & homogeneity (XRF) is linked to the process parameters. • I/C = 1 CL outperform I/C = 0.5 by >300 %, owing to decreased H+ resistance (80%RH). • Optimal I/C ratio depends on Pt/C physicochemical surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied multiple scientific approaches to establish the significance of an old work of art, Red Guitar, by examining its historical origin and the color materials used in its creation. Additionally, the study provides thus far unknown pieces of Olga Picasso’s family history to be added to her biography. Scientific approaches included digital X-ray radiography, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and elemental thermal conductivity analysis. This combination of techniques provided a broad confirmation as to when the painting was created. The artwork includes colors (white, black, blue, yellow, green, red, and brown/red) and prevalent use of lead- and iron-based historic pigments—chrome yellow, yellow ochre, and red ochre. It also documents the use of unconventional materials, such as the colorant Pigment Red 4, and nitrocellulose. This investigation led to the conclusion that the artwork, Red Guitar, is authentic and in accordance with Picasso’s work during the first two decades of the 20th century.

Microscopic content segregation is among the important reasons for the anisotropy of mechanical properties in the cast-rolled sheets of the 7B05 aluminum alloy. It is of great significance to study the uniformity of aluminum alloys in terms of the microscopic composition and structure. In this study, a precise method for composition quantification based on micro-beam X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is established by parameter optimization and a calibration coefficient. Furthermore, this method was applied for exploring and quantifying the relationship between recrystallization and deformation microstructures. The results show that the comprehensive measurement effects of all elements are the best when the X-ray tube voltage is 50 kV, the current is 150 μA, and the single-pixel scanning time is 100 ms. After verification, the sum of differences between the measured values and the standard values for all elements using the calibration coefficient is only 0.107%, which confirms the accuracy of the optimized quantitative method. Three types of segregation indexes in national standards were used to capture small differences, and finally ensure that the segregation degrees of elements are Ti > Fe > Cr > Cu > Mn > Zr > Zn > Al. The quantitative segregation results obtained by the spatial-mapping method show that the difference in the content of Al and Zn is approximately 0.2% between the recrystallization region and the deformation region, the difference in the content of Fe and Ti is 0.018% and 0.013%, the difference in the content of Cr, Cu and Zr is approximately 0.01%, and the difference in the content of Mn is not obvious, only 0.004%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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(1) Background. The aim of this work is to combine non-invasive imaging with chemical characterization analyses to study original and restoration materials of a late 16th-century painting on a canvas representing the "Coronation of the Virgin with the Saints Ambrose and Jerome", preserved in the Diocesan archive of Orte, a town in the district of Viterbo (Italy). The diagnostic campaign was addressed to support the restoration activities and the choice of the most suitable cleaning operations. (2) Methods. Both traditional analytical techniques and innovative multispectral imaging were applied to solve the diagnostic issues and best address the restoration of the painting. Specifically, hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging (HMI), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), optical microscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were combined to obtain information on the general conservation state of the artwork and the characterization of pigments, organic binders, and superimposed materials, these last being particularly important to identify ancient and not-documented restoration intervention, enabling the correct choice of the most suitable and effective cleaning intervention. (3) Results. Multispectral data allowed us to differentiate and map original materials through infrared and ultraviolet false color images and spectral reflectance-based similarity maps, suggesting pigment attribution and focusing point analysis for characterization. This approach was particularly successful to identify and locate the presence of unaltered smalt blue in the first painting coat, which had been covered with other pigments, and to suggest the use of organic dye in mixtures with cinnabar and ochres. Spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques enabled us to identify the painting palette and confirm the use of oil-based binder for the pigments and characterize the altered top layers, made with a natural resin and an animal glue. (4) Conclusions. The characterization of the artwork's materials was essential to select the most suitable methods and materials for the bio-cleaning, based on bacteria, experimented with during the restoration activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]