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This study uses fly ash (FA) as a cement replacement in concrete and evaluates the radiological safety of this concrete sample. Different fly ash mixing ratios were investigated and found that with a mixing ratio of 35%, the compressive strength of FA concrete is the highest (from 38 to 48 MPa). Next, we evaluate the radiation safety of the FA concrete by analyzing the isotopes 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K using two low-background gamma spectrometers. The obtained results showed that the use of FA in concrete production is entirely feasible as it meets both construction and radiation safety-related requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cascabela Thevetia medicinal plant, known to possess anti-cancer properties, was probed for its elemental content with a proton beam of 3 MeV energy. The present Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) investigation was performed using the 3 MV Pelletron accelerator of the tandem type available at the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, India. The purpose of this study was to identify and thereby quantify the levels of elements present in the bark of Cascabela Thevetia medicinal plant, collected from four environmentally different locations, and study their variation with respect to the geographical region. An attempt was also made to correlate the occurrence of elements in this medicinal plant to its pharmacological action and ascertain its efficacy in the treatment of cancer. The outcome of this study underlines the need for exercising precaution in prescribing safe and effective doses and deciding the appropriate duration for which herbal medicines can be prescribed to cancer patients based on their regional variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the practices and rules of Genoese gilding, drawing insights from a 16th-century manuscript containing regulations for gold leaf production. Employing X-ray and ion beam techniques, we quantitatively assess the manuscript’s gold leaf thickness without destructive sampling. Artisanal goldbeater-produced leaves of different thicknesses, applied with a guazzo or mordant technique, served as standards. Further analysis of samples with unknown thickness from the furniture of Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria in Genoa (Italy) has confirmed the method’s applicability to practical cases. External beam Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analyses were carried out using 3 MeV protons at the LABEC accelerator laboratory in Florence. A linear relationship between Gold Lα peak yield and leaf thickness, as measured by RBS, has been established for optimal calibration of portable or hand-held X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation for in situ measurements. Moreover, the caratage of the gold foil preserved in the manuscript has been assessed.

This study investigates the practices and rules of Genoese gilding, drawing insights from a 16th-century manuscript containing regulations for gold leaf production. Employing X-ray and ion beam techniques, we quantitatively assess the manuscript's gold leaf thickness without destructive sampling. Artisanal goldbeater-produced leaves of different thicknesses, applied with a guazzo or mordant technique, served as standards. Further analysis of samples with unknown thickness from the furniture of Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria in Genoa (Italy) has confirmed the method's applicability to practical cases. External beam Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analyses were carried out using 3 MeV protons at the LABEC accelerator laboratory in Florence. A linear relationship between Gold Lα peak yield and leaf thickness, as measured by RBS, has been established for optimal calibration of portable or hand-held X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation for in situ measurements. Moreover, the caratage of the gold foil preserved in the manuscript has been assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper (Cu) is a critical element for cancer cell proliferation and considerably accumulates in the nucleus. 64Cu2+ is an anticancer radiopharmaceutical that targets the copper requirement of cancer cells. However, intravenously injected 64Cu2+ ions primarily accumulate in the liver. Ligand complexation of 64Cu2+ may be a promising method for increasing tumor delivery by reducing liver uptake. In this study, we used three tripodal amine ligands [tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (Tren), diethylenetriamine (Dien), and tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA)] to enclose 64Cu2+ ions and compared their in vivo tumor and liver uptakes using a tumor-bearing xenograft mouse model of the extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma cell line TFK-1. We examined intracellular Cu distribution using microparticle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis of these compounds. 64Cu2+-Tren and 64Cu2+-Dien showed higher tumor uptake than 64Cu2+-TPMA and 64Cu2+ ions in TFK-1 tumors. Among the three 64Cu2+ complexes and 64Cu2+ ions, liver uptake was inversely correlated with tumor uptake. Micro-PIXE analysis showed that in vitro cellular uptake was similar to in vivo tumor uptake, and nuclear delivery was the highest for 64Cu2+-Tren. Conclusively, an inverse correlation between tumor and liver uptake was observed using three 64Cu2+ complexes of tripodal amine ligands and 64Cu2+ ions. These results provide useful information for the future development of anticancer 64Cu radiopharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aluminum smelter in the Žiar nad Hronom region of central Slovakia was a substantial source of pollution in the past. Five trees were sampled in close proximity to the smelter and the tree rings were chemically processed and analyzed with the PIXE technique. Elevated concentrations of Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Fe, and Zn were observed in tree rings, however, they did not show a significant correlation with PM, HF and SO2 emission rates. Concentration trends show a significant effect of the heartwood-sapwood boundary layer, where a substantial drop or increase was observed between tree-ring sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the study of chemical, physical, and electrochemical behavior of bismuth and oxygen-based thin films, produced through an unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UMS) technique in reactive phase, is presented. The main aim of this investigation is to analyze the influence of Ar/O2 gas flow on the microstructure, chemical composition, and corrosion properties of bismuth and oxygen-based thin films. Coatings were grown keeping the power at 50 W with a mixture of Ar:O2 (80/20) as constants, while the gas flow rate was varied taking values of 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 sccm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were carried out showing that films exhibited a polycrystalline Bi phase and no crystalline bismuth oxide phases. For elemental composition analysis, the Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) technique was used. The results suggested that film compositions were a mixture of metallic bismuth and amorphous bismuth oxide; moreover, chemical elemental distribution was studied using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) measurements determining that before the corrosion analysis, samples exhibited a uniform distribution of Bi and O. Finally, the influence of the gas flow on the films anticorrosive properties was discussed. Potentiodynamic polarization technique results revealed that the corrosive behavior highly depends on the sample production parameters; samples grown at 20 and 30 sccm showed the best corrosion resistance represented in lower corrosion current density. This behavior is probably due to the thickness of these films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of halogens and metals from roots to stems, leaves and grains of Oryza sativa rice plant collected in Northern Senegal (St Louis region) at the same stages of growth but at different salinity soil levels was investigated by measuring their elemental concentration by invasive instrumental techniques of neutron activation analysis and proton induced x-ray emission. The normalized elemental concentration of Na, Cl, K, (Cs, Rb, Sr, Sb, Ba Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sb was correlated with one of rare earth elements, La, Ce, Sm, Yb, Nd, Eu, Tb, Tm, and Lu) and the one of the heavy metals Hf, Ta and Th and to assess their subsequent distribution within the Oryza sativa rice plant in a particular salinity environment. The exploration of the experimental data was performed by applying machine learning techniques with Python to find their elemental correlations. This study shows that the accumulation of iron is highly correlated with the amount of rare earth elements and heavy metals investigated. We observe an inverse correlation between Fe and Cl concentrations in the roots and stems of the Oryza sativa rice plant, in which higher levels of Fe in the roots relative to stems correspond to lower levels of Cl. We also remark that there is no accumulation of rare earth elements in the root tissues of the different Oryza sativa rice plants studied. Whereas, in the stem, leaf, and grain organs there is a strong correlation between metal contents and rare earth elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vessels decorated with domed metal discs were extraordinarily rare and valuable commodities of the Late Bronze Age. Pottery adorned with bronze discs and tin first appeared in Hungary during the earlier Urnfield period (14th/13th century BC). A vessel adorned with three ring motifs inlaid with a high-tin alloy on its belly is known from Nagykanizsa-Bilkei-dűlő and a cup decorated with bronze domed discs was recovered from Grave 222 of the Vörs-Battyáni-Disznólegelő cemetery, both in southern Transdanubia. The decorative bronze discs similarly had a high tin content. The metal composition was analysed with particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy. Pendant ornaments of "white bronze", an alloy with a high tin content, are principally known from southern Transdanubia: the elemental composition of two pendants with bird protomes from Grave 51 of the Vörs-Battyáni-Disznólegelő cemetery and of a funnel-shaped pendant from the Pamuk hoard were examined by PIXE for compositional make-up, which indicated a high tin content for all three. These pendants had been worn as adornments. Tin was an important raw material in the production of bronze. Most of the vessels decorated with bronze discs were brought to light in the late Urnfield cemetery uncovered at Budapest-Békásmegyer (boot- and amphora-shaped vessels, a feeding vessel, resin balls). It seems likely that these vessels had once served ritual purposes. Regrettably, they have not yet been submitted to PIXE analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study is the first systematic survey of a large corpus of zinc white (ZnO) artists’ materials. Zinc white is a white pigment developed within the wave of 19th-century technological developments in the paint industry. The composition, particle morphology and size, and luminescence of 49 zinc white samples from artists’ materials were characterized, including three references of known synthesis methods (indirect and direct) and synthesized by the authors (ZnO nanosmoke). The corpus included historical and modern zinc white pigment powders and paint materials from the leading European and American color manufacturers. The study aims to characterize and evaluate the variability of the properties of zinc white and its paint formulations. The reference materials presented properties in agreement with the literature: indirect ZnO exhibited submicron prismoidal blue-luminescent particles of higher purity than direct ZnO, which had larger acicular green-luminescent particles. ZnO nanosmoke presented acicular (tetrapod-like) blue/green-luminescent nanoparticles. Composition, particle morphology, size, and documentary sources suggested a production via the indirect method for the analyzed corpus. However, the luminescence behavior was more complex to interpret. The fundamental emission of ZnO was not always detected, even in pure ZnO powders. Three trends were identified: smaller ZnO particles for the most recent samples; green luminescence connected to larger particle size; fewer trace elements, and of the same type (i.e., lead, sulfur) for historical materials. Another interesting finding was the detection of hydrozincite in some powders, likely a degradation product of ZnO. In terms of methodology, cathodoluminescence proved a valuable tool for pigment identification. The study provides a database of zinc white references for pigment and artwork analysis.

Blue sapphire has long been treated with heat to modify its blue color and attain greater value. However, the process of modifying the blue color in sapphire remains not well understood. The color-changing mechanism has traditionally been explained using the Intervalence Charge Transfer (IVCT) (Fe2+-Ti4+ and/or Fe2+-Fe3+) theory, wherein the blue color can be diminished by heat treatment in an oxidizing environment which alters Fe2+ (FeO) to Fe3+ (Fe2O3) and decreases the occurrence of the IVCT process. However, recently, the band gap theory has been proposed, suggesting that iron (Fe) in sapphire is always in the Fe3+ state, the blue color is caused by Fe3+-Ti4+ pair and the heat treatment does not affect Fe oxidation state. Therefore, in this study, eight magmatic sapphires from four localities were investigated for changes in blue color via color analysis, changes in spectra using XANES, and changes in chemical composition using PIXE both before and after heat treatment. The color analysis reveals a slight reduction in saturation (fading of blue) and a noticeable lightening after heat treatment, which corresponds with the high content of solid inclusions or trapiche samples. XANES data analysis using the LCF technique indicated insignificant changes in Fe oxidation state from 2+ to 3+ after heat treatment across all samples. However, when comparing the XANES data with color parameter L*a*b*, it is noted that the percentage of Fe oxidation state changes does not show a positive relationship with changes in blue based on color parameter b* (blue–yellow); rather, it shows a positive relationship with parameter L* (lightness). Microscopic observations also reveal the dissolution of clouds or minute particles around planes of ilmenite needles. It could be suggested that the changes in Fe oxidation state may not be directly related to changes in blue color but could be linked to the partial dissolution of Fe-bearing inclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of a selection of metal ornaments belonging to archaeological funerary goods from Patagonic Indigenous groups. They are part of the ‘Andrés Giai’ Collection, under the guard of the Museum of Patagonia (Nahuel Huapi National Park [PNNH]; National Parks Administration [APN]), Argentina. The absence of contextual information and its current conservation status motivated the design of an interdisciplinary methodology to develop an Integral Conservation Plan that considered the selection of analytical techniques. Here, we implemented complementary nondestructive characterisation techniques such as particle induced X‐ray emission (PIXE), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). We developed a methodology enabling us to characterise each piece with respect to its metallic composition and degradation products, and in certain cases, their manufacturing process. These findings have contributed with essential information for the tailored conservation treatment proposal. Moreover, they provided key information in regard to the reconstruction of contextual data for each piece. In addition, the methodology proposed for the Integral Conservation Plan takes into account an optimisation of the techniques to be used in order to minimise unnecessary handling of goods whilst ensuring an appropriate use of technological and economic resources whilst minimising time on potentially unconclusive measurements and results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first systematic survey of a large corpus of zinc white (ZnO) artists' materials. Zinc white is a white pigment developed within the wave of 19th-century technological developments in the paint industry. The composition, particle morphology and size, and luminescence of 49 zinc white samples from artists' materials were characterized, including three references of known synthesis methods (indirect and direct) and synthesized by the authors (ZnO nanosmoke). The corpus included historical and modern zinc white pigment powders and paint materials from the leading European and American color manufacturers. The study aims to characterize and evaluate the variability of the properties of zinc white and its paint formulations. The reference materials presented properties in agreement with the literature: indirect ZnO exhibited submicron prismoidal blue-luminescent particles of higher purity than direct ZnO, which had larger acicular green-luminescent particles. ZnO nanosmoke presented acicular (tetrapod-like) blue/green-luminescent nanoparticles. Composition, particle morphology, size, and documentary sources suggested a production via the indirect method for the analyzed corpus. However, the luminescence behavior was more complex to interpret. The fundamental emission of ZnO was not always detected, even in pure ZnO powders. Three trends were identified: smaller ZnO particles for the most recent samples; green luminescence connected to larger particle size; fewer trace elements, and of the same type (i.e., lead, sulfur) for historical materials. Another interesting finding was the detection of hydrozincite in some powders, likely a degradation product of ZnO. In terms of methodology, cathodoluminescence proved a valuable tool for pigment identification. The study provides a database of zinc white references for pigment and artwork analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital restoration of historical manuscripts centers on deciphering hidden writings, made imperceptible to the naked eye due to factors such as erasure, fading, carbonization, and aging effects. Recent advancements in modern technologies have significantly improved our ability to unveil and interpret such written cultural heritage that, for centuries, had remained inaccessible to contemporary understanding. This paper aims to present a critical overview of state-of-the-art technologies, engaging in discussions about perspectives and limitations, and anticipating future applications. Serving as a practical guide, this work seeks to assist in the selection of techniques for digitally restoring ancient writings. Additionally, potential and challenges associated with integrating these techniques with advanced machine-learning approaches are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although green vegetables are valuable sources of essential elements, and are safe in that they lack harmful elements, they are high in oxalic acid, increasing the risk of urolithiasis. We performed elemental analyses on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L), Malabar nightshade (Basella alba), and water Morning Glory (Ipomoea aquatica), which contain large amounts of oxalic acid, and compared the data to those of Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa var. perviridis), which is the second most commonly consumed green vegetable (after spinach) in Japan. We focused on concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Sr that suppress the formation of ureteral stones (calculi). The calcium concentration in spinach was 6 , 8 8 3 ± 3 6 7 μ g/g in leaves and 2 , 1 9 0 ± 1 5 9. 2 μ g/g in stalks, and the level in Japanese mustard spinach were 1 6 , 3 6 0 ± 9 5 7 μ g/g in leaves and 2 0 , 1 2 0 ± 1 , 2 2 6 μ g/g in stalks. The overall Sr concentration in Japanese mustard spinach was thus 10-fold higher than in spinach, but the Mg concentration was lower than that in spinach. The concentrations of Ca and Sr in Malabar nightshade and water Morning Glory were 3- to 5-fold higher than in spinach. As the former vegetables are consumed much less often than spinach, the risk of urolithiasis is low. We explored how the concentrations of these elements changed after boiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected seven types of green vegetables produced in 11 areas of Japan and analyzed their elemental concentrations. Halogen analyses were performed with and without prior chemical treatment. The most popular type of spinach exhibited the highest concentrations of Mg, K, and Zn, and the lowest concentrations of alkaline earths (Ca and Sr) and halogens (Cl and Br). Japanese mustard spinach, the second most consumed type of spinach in Japan, exhibited the highest concentrations of P, S, Ca, Fe, and Br and adequate amounts of other essential elements. The other five green vegetables had unique elemental concentrations. In particular, radish had the highest concentrations of Ca, Na, and Cl and the lowest concentrations of Mg, P, Cu, and Zn. Leaves and stalks were separately analyzed. Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn concentrations tended to be higher in leaves, and K, Na, and Rb concentrations were higher in stalks. Halogen (Cl and Br) concentrations in Japanese mustard spinach produced on farmland near the coast were remarkably high, suggesting an effect of sea salt. However, even in green vegetables produced near the coast, halogen uptake clearly differed by production area. The concentrations of Cl and Br in Japanese mustard spinach produced in two coastal areas were very high and were not removed by washing, but were mostly lost after boiling samples from Taneichi for 3 min. In contrast, there was no difference in Na concentrations among vegetables produced in coastal and inland areas. The concentrations of essential elements such as Mg, Ca, and Fe were clearly higher in green vegetables from small- versus large-scale production areas, perhaps attributable to differences in the farming methods employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method has enabled the elemental analysis of traditionally used medicinal plants in a specific region of Andhra Pradesh, India. These plants are frequently utilized for treating common ailments like diarrhea, jaundice, asthma, and leprosy. By using the PIXE method, the concentrations of constituent elements, including P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, and Sr, have been determined in selected medicinal plants. These findings provide a possible link to the therapeutic properties of the medicine, as the elemental concentrations have been found to be correlated with the curative capabilities of the plants. This study highlights the potential significance of trace elements in medicinal plants and their implications for treating various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper introduces the particle-induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE) of two Hajdúböszörmény-type situlae from the eponymous Hajdúböszörmény I hoard (collection of the Hungarian National Museum, Budapest) and Sényő (collection of the Jósa András Museum, Nyíregyháza). Both situlae are representative types of the period between 1080 and 960 BC, Ha B1, or the ‘Hajdúböszörmény hoard horizon’ of the Hungarian Late Bronze Age. The obtained results are significant in that they are the very first to characterise the classic Hajdúböszörmény-type situla from their core distribution area, i.e., the region where this metal vessel type was presumably produced. The paper is focused on a description of the elemental composition of these tin bronze vessels, with particular attention on the grouping of their accompanying elements and the ratio of tin. The PIXE results suggest that a rather homogenous raw material was used to produce and repair these objects, which can be correlated with the CG16 Copper Group. The ratio of tin was relatively high, mostly around 9–10 wt%; low values were only identified on one of the repaired parts of the Sényő situla and a secondarily attached copper rivet.

Copper (Cu) is a critical element for cancer cell proliferation and considerably accumulates in the nucleus. 64Cu2+ is an anticancer radiopharmaceutical that targets the copper requirement of cancer cells. However, intravenously injected 64Cu2+ ions primarily accumulate in the liver. Ligand complexation of 64Cu2+ may be a promising method for increasing tumor delivery by reducing liver uptake. In this study, we used three tripodal amine ligands [tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (Tren), diethylenetriamine (Dien), and tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA)] to enclose 64Cu2+ ions and compared their in vivo tumor and liver uptakes using a tumor-bearing xenograft mouse model of the extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma cell line TFK-1. We examined intracellular Cu distribution using microparticle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis of these compounds. 64Cu2+-Tren and 64Cu2+-Dien showed higher tumor uptake than 64Cu2+-TPMA and 64Cu2+ ions in TFK-1 tumors. Among the three 64Cu2+ complexes and 64Cu2+ ions, liver uptake was inversely correlated with tumor uptake. Micro-PIXE analysis showed that in vitro cellular uptake was similar to in vivo tumor uptake, and nuclear delivery was the highest for 64Cu2+-Tren. Conclusively, an inverse correlation between tumor and liver uptake was observed using three 64Cu2+ complexes of tripodal amine ligands and 64Cu2+ ions. These results provide useful information for the future development of anticancer 64Cu radiopharmaceuticals.

The metallome has been involved in the pathological investigation into ocular tissue for decades; however, as technologies advance, more information can be ascertained from individual tissue sections that were not previously possible. Herein, a demonstration of complementary techniques has been utilized to describe the distribution and concentrations of essential metals in both wildtype (WT) and rhodopsin (Rho−/−) ocular tissues. The multimodal approach described is an example of complementary datasets that can be produced when employing a multifaceted analytical approach. Heterogenous distributions of copper and zinc were observable within both WT and Rho−/− tissue by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and the distributions of further trace elements notoriously problematic for ICP-MS analysis (phosphorous, Sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron, and aluminum) were analysed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE).

Abstract In this work, we tested a setup of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) excited by proton-induced quasi-monochromatic X-rays (proton-induced XRF (PIXRF)) as a low-radiation dose analytical technique for precious cultural heritage samples. The low-dose performance of the PIXRF is experimentally assessed in comparison with the performance of a conventional XRF. For this assessment, we prepared test samples, which simulated original Japanese paintings with copper-bearing pigments. By introducing a figure-of-merit, the PIXRF is found to potentially give a better performance in terms of the radiation dose to the sample and the limit of detection, albeit the degraded multi-elemental analytical capability. PIXRF can be a cost-effective method to perform low dose measurements of precious samples, if introduced in an existing PIXE facility.

For the purposes of comparison among different equipments and laboratories involved in atomic-nuclear methodologies applied in arts and archaeometry, a special mockup canvas painting was made with dozens of pigments of different colors and varnishes of different types and manufacturers. This study evaluate two different XRF equipment and PIXE methods as complementary tools to examine canvas paintings. Twenty-four inorganic substances of this mockup canvas were measured in three different laboratories, LEC, LFNA, and LAMFI for the identification of the key elements. In this paper, net count ratios and standard percentage deviations between lines are shown, as well as examples of sensibility to low-content elements that can be used for distinguishing pigments, and a comparison of the penetration of these techniques. The results show the differences between the pXRF and PIXE methodologies and between the two pXRF geometry/equipments employed.

The metallome has been involved in the pathological investigation into ocular tissue for decades; however, as technologies advance, more information can be ascertained from individual tissue sections that were not previously possible. Herein, a demonstration of complementary techniques has been utilized to describe the distribution and concentrations of essential metals in both wildtype (WT) and rhodopsin (Rho−/−) ocular tissues. The multimodal approach described is an example of complementary datasets that can be produced when employing a multifaceted analytical approach. Heterogenous distributions of copper and zinc were observable within both WT and Rho−/− tissue by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and the distributions of further trace elements notoriously problematic for ICP-MS analysis (phosphorous, Sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron, and aluminum) were analysed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty six glass items excavated at Cârlomăneşti and Pietroasa Mică, Buzău County, Romania (3rd c. BC – 1st c. AD) were analysed for their chemical composition using external PIXE-PIGE at AGLAE accelerator, Paris and external PIXE at the 3 MV Tandetron™ accelerator, Măgurele, to reveal the raw materials and manufacturing procedures, trying to reconstruct the links between the Geto-Dacian populations and the Hellenistic, Celtic and Roman ones during that historical time. The archaeological hypothesis was that these vitreous artefacts were luxury goods imported as such, made of fresh glass. The analyses showed that the objects were shaped from natron glass, with recipes typical for the Hellenistic period. Occasionally, glass recycling indicators were evidenced. Hints about the decolorizers (antimony, manganese) or chromophores (manganese, iron, cobalt, copper) were obtained. This archaeometric study is a pioneering one, considering the absence from the literature of compositional data on glass finds discovered in Geto-Dacian settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The k0-based neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) and Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) have been performed for 48 automobile window glass samples in forensic applications. A total of 29 elements determined by both k0-NAA and PIXE techniques in the glass are: Al, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sc, Si, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Ti, Yb, Zn and Zr. The car glass samples were grouped using Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering method. Based on dataset of the samples analyzed along with statistical analysis using Principal Component Analysis method, the results of grouping by car brand indicated that the only k0-NAA dataset was well grouped by vehicle maker. Moreover, the Factor Analysis results also suggested that REEs contributed highly to the grouping with percentage variability of 20.88%, on the other hand, the macro elements had a high level of clustering according to the car model from different vehicle makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue sapphire has long been treated with heat to modify its blue color and attain greater value. However, the process of modifying the blue color in sapphire remains not well understood. The color-changing mechanism has traditionally been explained using the Intervalence Charge Transfer (IVCT) (Fe2+-Ti4+ and/or Fe2+-Fe3+) theory, wherein the blue color can be diminished by heat treatment in an oxidizing environment which alters Fe2+ (FeO) to Fe3+ (Fe2O3) and decreases the occurrence of the IVCT process. However, recently, the band gap theory has been proposed, suggesting that iron (Fe) in sapphire is always in the Fe3+ state, the blue color is caused by Fe3+-Ti4+ pair and the heat treatment does not affect Fe oxidation state. Therefore, in this study, eight magmatic sapphires from four localities were investigated for changes in blue color via color analysis, changes in spectra using XANES, and changes in chemical composition using PIXE both before and after heat treatment. The color analysis reveals a slight reduction in saturation (fading of blue) and a noticeable lightening after heat treatment, which corresponds with the high content of solid inclusions or trapiche samples. XANES data analysis using the LCF technique indicated insignificant changes in Fe oxidation state from 2+ to 3+ after heat treatment across all samples. However, when comparing the XANES data with color parameter L*a*b*, it is noted that the percentage of Fe oxidation state changes does not show a positive relationship with changes in blue based on color parameter b* (blue–yellow); rather, it shows a positive relationship with parameter L* (lightness). Microscopic observations also reveal the dissolution of clouds or minute particles around planes of ilmenite needles. It could be suggested that the changes in Fe oxidation state may not be directly related to changes in blue color but could be linked to the partial dissolution of Fe-bearing inclusions.

For a long time, due to no finding of kiln site, there has always been controversy over the provenance of proto-porcelain unearthed in Northern China. Here, PIXE was used to determine the chemical compositions of proto-porcelain of Xia and Shang Dynasty unearthed from Erlitou and Yinxu sites as well as the kiln sites in Zhejiang Province. Compared with the samples from kilns, the provenance of proto-porcelain from Erlitou and Yinxu was studied by the self-developed FCA program. It is found that proto-porcelain of Xia Dynasty unearthed from Erlitou might not origin from Piaoshan kiln in Zhejiang, and that only a small part of proto-porcelain of Shang Dynasty unearthed from Yinxu might come from Huzhou and Deqing in Zhejiang, while the vast majority should have other sources. It provided a new and reliable analytical method for studying the provenance of ancient ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of multivariate analysis is extremely useful when dealing with large datasets and can be applied also in provenance studies. In this work, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied for the first time to the study of the provenance of lapis lazuli rocks used for glyptic art in ancient times, on a database including four different sources in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Siberia and Myanmar. Results of the application of PCA on µ-PIXE data collected in mineralogical phases contained in lapis lazuli rocks, in particular diopside and pyrite, confirmed the role of some trace element contents as characteristics for different provenances, i.e. as provenance markers. As an additional important result, PCA seems to strengthen the role of previously found weaker markers (i.e. trace elements not sufficient alone to distinguish univocally among provenances) such as, for example, the coexistence of high Ti, V, Cr and Mn concentrations in diopside in Afghan lapis lazuli. This can be relevant when other discriminant phases like pyrite cannot be found in the sample or are not suitable for analysis. Moreover, for geological purposes and to try to distinguish among different quarries inside an extraction area, a study on intra-provenance variability was carried out on diopside data for Myanmar and Siberian samples. The separation into three groups for Myanmar samples, previously identified by means of minero-petrographic and elemental analysis, is confirmed and a partial differentiation was identified also for samples coming from the two Siberian areas of Sludyanka River and Malaya Bistraya River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around one third of all known protein molecules contain a small number of metal atoms which are often crucial to the biological function of the molecule. Identifying and quantifying these is not possible using commonly available analysis tools and there is a growing awareness that a majority of the metal atoms in the over 38,000 metalloprotein structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank are misidentified, with major consequences for the interpretation of protein function and mechanism. In the 1990s the authors developed a method for the identification and quantification of metals in liquid and crystalline protein samples by combining microbeam Proton Induced X-ray Emission and Rutherford backscattering. This has been used on overexpressed and purified proteins and has addressed many critical metal identification problems in structural biology. The capability has recently been extended to provide high throughput capability. In this paper we give an overview of the methodology and provide a critical evaluation of accuracy and detection limit and provide guidance on the optimisation of sample preparation and analysis conditions for these measurements. The discussion will be illustrated using some recent results illustrating the power of this method to answer biological questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• Both PM 2.5 and PM10 collected in Amman recorded higher lead concentrations in workdays than in weekends. • Lead emitted into Amman's atmosphere is mostly fine particulates. • Both PM 2.5 and PM 10 collected in Amman contain divalent lead. Lead (Pb) is a carcinogenic element, and it originates in the atmosphere from various natural and anthropogenic sources. This work aims to provide further insights about the presence of lead in Amman's atmosphere. Air particulate matter (PM) samples were collected in two fractions (PM 2.5 and PM 10) simultaneously on Teflon filters in an urban area in Amman, Jordan. Elemental quantification and chemical speciation of Pb were performed using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) techniques, respectively. Elemental quantitative analysis using PIXE showed that Pb concentrations increased during workdays regardless of the aerosol particle size fraction. The average Pb concentration was 2.9 ± 1.7 ng/m3 and 3.9 ± 2.0 ng/m3 in PM 2.5 and PM 10 , respectively. Based on XANES measurements, it was shown that both PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Amman contain divalent lead (Pb (II)), most likely as PbSO 4 , PbS and PbO compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The K X-ray productions for the Mg, Al, Ti, Cr, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb thin films, the L X-ray productions for the Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Ta, W, Pb, Bi targets and the M X-ray productions for the Ta, W, Pb, and Bi films were investigated using 44.8 MeV, 56 MeV, 67.2 MeV, 78.4 MeV and 89.6 MeV 56Feq+ accelerated beams. The obtained experimental data were compared with the PWBA and ECPSSR theoretical values calculated with the ISICS11 code. A sharp increase in the cross sections for the target elements close to iron is observed. In this way, the X-ray production cross section for the selected chemical element in the PIXE analysis can be maximized with the irradiation mode selection – the energy and species of the incident ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we tested a setup of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) excited by proton-induced quasi-monochromatic X-rays (proton-induced XRF (PIXRF)) as a low-radiation dose analytical technique for precious cultural heritage samples. The low-dose performance of the PIXRF is experimentally assessed in comparison with the performance of a conventional XRF. For this assessment, we prepared test samples, which simulated original Japanese paintings with copper-bearing pigments. By introducing a figure-of-merit, the PIXRF is found to potentially give a better performance in terms of the radiation dose to the sample and the limit of detection, albeit the degraded multi-elemental analytical capability. PIXRF can be a cost-effective method to perform low dose measurements of precious samples, if introduced in an existing PIXE facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ninety seven Late Antique pottery shards excavated at Histria, Romania (4th −7th c. AD) were investigated using PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) and Optical Microscopy (OM). This study aimed to offer answers on raw materials and technological choices and to provide additional insights on the provenance of these artefacts, broadening our knowledge on fine red slip ware from this period. The pottery fragments subjected to archaeometric analyses originate from tableware with typology well described in the archaeological literature, mostly manufactured in Oriental or North-African workshops, and imported to Histria alongside other commodities. The statistical analysis of the PIXE data was generally coherent with the suggested typological attribution and provenance of the original vessels. The petrographic characterization classified the shards into six groups according to the matrix, carbonatic concretions or ceramoclasts. Clues about the firing temperatures were suggested by particular clasts or by the untransformed carbonatic concretions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ion beam analysis (IBA) is an established method to determine the concentration and the distribution of elements in art and archaeological objects. However, especially for organic specimens, caution must be taken to avoid harmful effects. In this work, the possible modification of recent calf parchment samples by proton beam irradiation was investigated applying fluences (given as deposited charge per unit area) both within and beyond the usual analytical practice. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) were employed to assess changes, inspected from the surface of the samples. Although both techniques are apt to detect alterations of parchment in general, in the case of particles, which deposit the majority of their energy below the surface these techniques could not detect changes at low fluences. However, a simple “bath test” (short immersion in liquid) proved that disintegration within the material had already happened. After the “bath test”, OCT and digital 3D microscopy were used to check the discontinuities in the material, especially for low fluences when the visual inspection might have missed them. Unfortunately, simply monitoring organic objects such as parchment during or after ion beam irradiation, non-destructively, is not sufficient to claim absolute harmlessness, as some studies in the past did. In line with our former findings using electron microscopy on cross sections, we found that 2.3 MeV protons with a deposited charge of 0.5 µC/cm2 caused no changes affecting the integrity of parchment but 2 µC/cm2 apparently did under the applied experimental conditions. To ensure the required analytical signal at a relatively low deposited charge, the detection system must be optimized for efficiency. Nevertheless, since the variability of the historic materials and the measurement set-ups are considerable, these values cannot be taken as absolutes, but only as guides, both for further IBA studies and for studies conducted in the past.

The impact of cold air plasma on cellulosic Ichnocarpus frutescens is investigated, with varied irradiation periods of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 min, at 1 kV. Before plasma irradiation, the IFS fiber was extracted from the plant’s stem using 4% dil. NaOH solution. The impact of plasma irradiation on fibers was evaluated using PIXE, XRD, Raman, FT-IR, and SEM. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis reveals that IFS fiber holds Si, S, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, each with unique therapeutic qualities. The high concentrations of K, Ca, and Sc were estimated to be 419,310 ± 488, 256,665 ± 2408, and 363,210 ± 423 ppm, respectively, exploring applications in biomedical terrain. XRD analysis revealed the increase in the percentage of crystalline when IFS fiber was irradiated with cold plasma for 1.5 min. However, with an increase in the irradiation time, the percentage of crystalline decreases. The values of microstrain, FWHM, crystallite size, azimuth angle, and helix angle were evaluated for each irradiated IFS sample and the change in these parameters indicates molecular interaction between IFS fiber and plasma. Presence of amide (R-NH2), halogens, hydrocarbons, and carbonyl groups in the plasma-exposed IFS fiber were established from FT-IR and Raman spectra. The presence of amine (NH2) and nitrile (NO3) groups indicates the molecular interaction of plasma with IFS fiber. SEM of both pristine and plasma-irradiated IFS fiber revealed the presence of defects caused by irradiation. The results will aid in utilizing IFS fiber as potential reinforcement in composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastes from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are disposed and dismantled in recycling plants where chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) is different from all the other working places. A first identification of airborne contaminants, associated with size-segregated particles in the fine (aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm) and coarse (aerodynamic diameter in the range 2.5–10 µm) fractions, sampled in two sectors of a WEEE facility, was performed. In the two areas of the plant, disassembly and shredding processes produced large amounts of dust, causing mass concentrations of airborne particles particularly high when activities intensified. Analyses of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Ba, and Pb were performed on PM samples collected by a streaker sampler. PM was collected with hourly and 30-min time resolution in the two sectors of the plant for three consecutive days, night and day. Organic substances belonging to the classes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxy- and nitro- derivatives (oxy-PAHs and nitro-PAHs), organophosphorus compounds (OPEs), polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs), and novel-brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were extracted and identified in PM samples collected by PM10 impactors. Particle sampling period for organic analyses was 4 h per day in the same three days, in each sector of the plant, during the working hours. High time resolution records of elemental composition were useful for highlighting the elements strongly depending on the productive process. During working hours, Pb and Ba concentrations reached higher levels and drastically decreased during the night. Their distribution in the coarse and fine fractions consistently increased and decreased, meaning that both fractions were linked to the working activity. Si, as main component of glass, was the most abundant element at both the areas. Though all the elements were below the permissible exposure limits recommended by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA's PELs), the concentration of Pb was significantly high, especially at the shredding zone (21.9 µg/m3). The major organic constituents, among the classes of compounds investigated, were organophosphorus compounds (OPEs), especially in the coarse fraction of PM. In particular, triphenylphosphate (TPhP), deriving from computer video display units, was the most abundant organic compound. Interestingly, phenanthrene contributed to 60% of the total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), at both the sampling sites. Airborne plastic dust can be a source of PAHs. Products made of polyethylene recycled from post-commercial waste contain high concentrations of phenanthrene, present as impurities. The present study represents a preliminary investigation on WEEE plants airborne PM composition and additional research is necessary to confirm the data, but it is worth developing a method, as high particle concentrations, together with absorbed genotoxins, could constitute an occupational health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welding and cutting of metals produce large amounts of particulate matter (PM), which poses a significant health risk to exposed workers. Appropriate biological markers to estimate exposure are of great interest for occupational health and safety. Here, hair and nail samples from metal workers were analyzed, which appear to be more suitable than blood or urine samples for assessing long-term exposure. Four workshops working with steel components were included in the study. The hair and nail samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the concentrations of 12 elements. At the workplaces, the concentrations of 15 elements in particulate matter were determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques. The hair and nail samples of the workers contained significantly higher metal concentrations than the analytical results of a nonexposed control group. The most significant difference between the groups was found for Ti, Mn, Fe, and Co. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion beam analysis (IBA) methods refer to a set of analytical techniques based on the interactions of energetic ions, produced by a particle accelerator, with matter. The result of such interactions is the emission of characteristic radiation, X and gamma rays, and charged particles, which, upon detection, provide valuable information on the absolute concentration and depth distribution of the elements in the bombarded material. Moreover, IBA techniques can be performed while maintaining the object to be investigated at atmospheric pressure, without placing it in vacuum, in an analysis chamber, with the impinging ion beam extracted from the in-vacuum beamline of the accelerator, avoiding the need of invasive sampling and greatly easing the object positioning, thus allowing precious and big or large artefacts to be studied. This feature has opened the way for applications of IBA techniques for compositional analysis in cultural heritage studies, providing detailed and complete information about elemental compositions and depth distributions of analysed materials that are otherwise difficult or impossible for other analytical techniques. In this paper, the basic principles of the main IBA techniques applied to cultural heritage, namely, particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), particle induced Gamma-ray emission (PIGE), and Rutherford or elastic backscattering spectrometry (RBS/EBS), will be recalled, and specific and practical details on how these techniques can be used for analysing cultural heritage objects with external beam set-ups will be provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate-poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) microspheres (PVA/PVAc-PAMPS microspheres) by copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS), followed by saponification. The obtained size distribution was between 9 and 152 micrometers. An unconventional method as proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) complemented by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the biodegradability of microspheres in simulated body fluid (SBF). A continuous loos of sulfonate groups during soaking up to 21 days was determined. Loading of PVA/PVAc-PAMPS microspheres with Doxorubicin resulted in a capacity of 5.9 ± 0.2 mg per gram of microspheres in 24 h, also resulted in an adsorption kinetics well described by the pseudo second order model. Desorption data fitted using the Ritger-Peppas equation showed an anomalous release mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of ten trace elements in the range Ca to As in the scalp hair of schizophrenics were analyzed using Particle Induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. Thirty males and females with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia and an equal number of age-matched controls of both genders were chosen. The samples were excited with a proton beam of 2.5 MeV and spectra were scanned by a Si (Li) detector. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference in the concentration of six trace elements (Ca, Zn, Se, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cu) in scalp hair of schizophrenia patients compared to controls, implying a disruption in the homeostasis of these elements. A plausible correlation of this imbalance with the etiology and pathology of schizophrenia is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presence of heavy metals in soil and atmospheric dust of coal mines have adverse effects on human health through inhalation, dermal contact and ingestion exposure. These effects include lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections in children and chronic bronchitis in adults. This study presents the concentration of heavy metals in soil of Dukki and Sharigh coal mines in Balochistan and health risks through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact of soil. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) was used for investigation of heavy metals in soil of coal mines. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact of soil were calculated for children and adults.The average values of Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn in soil of Dukki and Sharigh coal mines were found above the permissible limits recommended by Grade I of Environmental Quality Standard.The results show that highest risk is associated with soil ingestion among children followed by adults. The highest risk through ingestion (HQing) was observed for Cr (5.31E-02 for adults, 4.58E-01for children) in Dukki coal mines and lower was found for Zn (4.63E-08 for adults, 1.56E-07 for children) in Sharigh coal mines. The values of HQ were found less than one which show that adults and children are experiencing non-carcinogenic effects.Carcinogenic risk for Cr was found1.03E-02 (for adults) and 1.04E-02 (for children) in Dukki coal mines while in case of Sharigh coal mines, carcinogenic risk was 6.77E-04 (for adults) and 5.77E-03 (for children). The carcinogenic risk for Cr was found higher than permissible limits(1 × 10−6 to 10−4) and found lower for Ni. Therefore, the conditions of Dukki and Sharigh coal mines are unsatisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to experimentally validate PIXE modelling using the Geant4-ANSTO model (" G4-ANSTO "), distributed for the first time in Geant4 11.0, as well as the Geant4 default model (" G4-default "), for targets bombarded with carbon ions of energies up to 3 MeV/amu, an energy range of importance for PIXE applications. The experimental validation was performed using a variety of target materials, spanning a broad atomic number range. The reference experimental measurements were performed at the ANSTO heavy ion microprobe beamline ANTARES. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first benchmarking investigation for PIXE simulations in Geant4 utilising carbon ions and it is significant for PIXE-based elemental analysis, encompassing archaeological samples, gas samples, environmental and planetary samples for geological and planetary research studies. It is also of relevance for any physics application, requiring the modelling of particle induced atomic de-excitation or atomic de-excitation only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using composite sorbents based on natural and synthetic zeolites in relation to a mixture of cations (cesium, strontium and cobalt) was studied as a result of the conducted research. The most effective was the use of a composite sorbent (clinoptilolite—50%: zeolite NaX—50%). This composite sorbent showed high sorption capacity: the sorption of cesium was 80.0%, strontium was 70.3%, cobalt was 78.6%. The technique was developed based on the PIXE (Proton Induced X-ray Emission) method and allowed for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the content of cations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) belong to the group of metalloenzymes that remove superoxide anion radicals and they have been identified in three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea and Eucarya. SODs in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, Gloeobacter violaceus CCALA 979, and Geitlerinema sp. ZHR1A were investigated. We hypothesized that iron (FeSOD) and/or manganese (MnSOD) dominate as active forms in these cyanobacteria. Activity staining and three different spectroscopic methods of SOD activity bands excised from the gels were used to identify a suitable metal in the separated samples. FeSODs or enzymes belonging to the Fe-MnSOD superfamily were detected. The spectroscopic analyses showed that only Fe is present in the SOD activity bands. We found FeSOD in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 while two forms in G. violaceus and Geitlerinema sp. ZHR1A: FeSOD1 and FeSOD2 were present. However, no active Cu/ZnSODs were identified in G. violaceus and Geitlerinema sp. ZHR1A. We have shown that selected spectroscopic techniques can be complementary to the commonly used method of staining for SOD activity in a gel. Furthermore, the occurrence of active SODs in the cyanobacteria studied is also discussed in the context of SOD evolution in oxyphotrophs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been identified for biological functions due to the presence of various minerals and metals in them. A study was conducted to determine selected elements in a medicinal plant dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) from selected sites of AJK (Azad Jammu and Kashmir) by using PIXE (particle induces x-ray emission) technique. The elements detected were Al, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, S, and Zn whose concentrations respectively ranged as 4.9–33, 672–1995.6, 23–163, 0.03–1.55, 0.42–4.10, 18–75, 516–1893, 11–34.35, 3.30–11.00, 23.5–70 mg/kg. Toxic elements were not detected in studied samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of the rose (15th century) of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, France, offered a unique opportunity to investigate the color and chemical composition of these emblematic medieval French stained glasses with non-destructive analyses. The obtained results are aimed at complementing the knowledge from art historians and thus together trying to compensate for the total absence of archives on the construction of the rose. Comparison with the glasses of the nave (13th century) reveals an important evolution of the aesthetics based on new types of glasses: new colors and extensive use of flashed glass. The systematic study of the chemical composition of both sides of each glass piece revealed that about half of the studied glasses were flashed. For non-flashed glasses, this comparison allowed evaluating the influence of glass surface weathering, although very moderate, on the composition variability. In light of the variability criteria, the multivariate analysis of the chemical composition allowed inferring that most glasses originate from the same production glasshouse. The new colors result from the original composition of flashed glass, allowing superimposing otherwise incompatible redox states of the coloring transition elements. The comparison with the glasses of the nave reveals the glass technology evolution that occurred over two centuries and allowed the production of new glasses for the medieval glaziers at the eve of the Parisian Renaissance.

A scientific investigation of the relationship between the raw material characteristics, phase composition, and firing temperature of celadon in the developing and mature stages of the Zhanggongxiang kiln was conducted. The results indicate that the celadon glaze of the developing stage and mature stage of Zhanggongxiang kiln experienced the transformation from calcium glaze to calcium-alkali glaze. Except for one sample in the developing stage, whose firing temperature was lower than 1200 °C, the firing temperatures of the other Zhanggongxiang kiln celadon samples were higher than 1200 °C. The ratio between the contents of mullite and quartz in the body of mature stage samples was higher than that in the developing stage, which was related to the differences in raw materials and firing temperatures in the two stages. Compared with the developing stage, the raw material characteristics and firing process of celadon in the mature stage were more uniform and stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]