PIXE

Selenium ( Se ) concentrations in plasma, urine, and feces were determined by PIXE analysis before and after intravenous (iv) / oral (po) administration of sodium selenite (a dose equivalent to 2 mg/kg of selenium) to rats. The concentration-time profiles of Se were analyzed by a pharmacokinetic approach. The plasma Se profile after iv injection was biphasic and well-fit to a 2-compartment open model, showing two half lives (t1/2). The first t1/2 was about 0.3 hr and the second t1/2 was 6.9 hrs. The plasma concentration reached almost basal level after about 80 hrs of injection. On the other hand, plasma profiles after po administration showed absorption rate-limiting elimination. The bioavailability of oral sodium selenite (about 49%) and significantly higher amount of fecal Se excretion indicated relatively poor intestinal absorption of sodium selenite, compared to the previously published data. Urinary Se excretion was almost comparable between iv and po groups. The total recover...

RIASSUNTO
La straordinaria qualita presente nei colori dipinti sulla ceramica preistorica siciliana viene esaminata in termini della composizione dei pigmenti e dellc loro possibili fonti, con particolare riguardo alle decorazioni nere ampiamente presenti in ogni periodo. Yen­gono richiamati e confrontati con particolare dettaglio i dati finora ottenuti da campioni ceramici del Tardo-Neolitico (stile di Serra d' Alto), de! Primo Eneolitico (stile di S. Cono - Piano Notaro/Spatarella, Conzo e Serraferlicchio) e del Bronzo Antico (stile Castelluccio) e che hanno mostrato la presenza di manganese nelle decorazioni nere c l'elevata percen­tuale di ferro nelle decorazionj rosse. Le inclagini, non distruttive, sono state effcttuate adoperando la strumentazione portatile (sistema PIXE-alfa) realizzata dal laboratorio LANDIS - fNFN de! Laboratorio Nazionale de! Sud di Catania. L'elevato tenore in Man­ganese presente in alcunc classi ceramiche suggerisce l'uso diretto del minerale. Yiene avanzata l'ipotesi della possibile provenienza locale di deua materia prima. L'effettuazio­ne di alcune di queste misure e stata eseguita presso i locali del Museo Archeologico Regionale di Licata e dimostra l'utilita di questa tecnica in situ.

SUMMARY
The extraordinary quality of the colour present in prehistoric sicilian painted ceramics is examined in terms of the elemental composition of their pigments and their possible sources. The data, in particular, from ceramic samples of the Late Neolithic (Serra d' Alto style). the Early Eneolithic (San Cono-Piano Notaro/Spatarclla, Cunzo and Serraferlicchio styles) and the Early Bronze Age (Castclluccian style) demonstrate the presence of manganese (Mn) in black decoration and an elevated percentage of iron (Fe) in red decoration in each period. This non-destructive analysis was performed using new, portable instruments (PlXE-alpha system) by the LANDlS-INFN laboratory of the Laboratorio Nazionale del Sud (Catania). Several measurements were made at the facilities or the Museo Archeologico Regionale (Licata. AG) and facilities of the Soprintendenza ai BB.CC.AA. di Catania to demonstrate the usefulness of this technique on site.

Scanning transmission ion microscopy tomography (STIM-T) was carried out on diatom cells with the aim of displaying their 3D structure and performing density measurements on their silica skeleton. Two software packages were compared for data reduction: TomoRebuild, based on a simple filtered backprojection algorithm, and DISRA, an iterative program. Silicon carbide microfibres of known density were also analysed as reference specimens. Similar results were obtained with both algorithms, demonstrating the ability of STIM-T to provide density measurements at the cell level without requiring any standard calibration samples. This unique feature stresses the interest of STIM-T to accurately normalise X ray emission micro-tomography data from synchrotron radiation (SXRF: synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence) or ion beam sources (PIXE: particle induced X-ray emission). Possible enhancements of the DISRA code are discussed in order to facilitate its use for the reconstruction of future PIXE/STIM tomography data. A ''nanoprobe'' coupled to a Singletron Ò accelerator, allowing a spatial resolution of a few tens of nanometers, is going to be built in the coming months at the Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan (CENBG). This new facility will bring promising applications in imaging and analysis at the sub-cellular level.

The pdf format of the book can be downloaded at: https://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/download.asp?id={3A9B6471-80CF-42D8-86D5-D0E8C9914488}
Chapter Abstract:
The vast majority of the studies on Boian pottery (Early Eneolithic in Southern Romania: c. 5000-4500 cal BC) are limited to analyses of shape and decoration with the aim of establishing periodisation and chronology. Only few studies are concerned with technological aspects, such as the composition of the paste and pigments. This article aims to contribute to the latter by looking at pottery samples originating from recent preventive excavations (2012) undertaken at the Nanov-‘Vistireasa 3’ settlement, attributed to the Boian-Spanţov phase (c. 4800-4500 cal BC). To this end, several archaeometric measurements were used to analyse the ceramic paste and white and red pigments. The results of this study indicate a common production for the majority of the pottery samples analysed and an exotic provenance for one sherd in particular. Different types of clay were used as building materials (hearths, walls). The chosen samples of white pigments were based on two main groups of compounds: four samples had calcium-based compositions in combination with low silicon-based products, and one sample had a high concentration of aluminium-silicates resulting from the presence of kaolinite. The red pigments were iron-based but with a high variability of the adjacent compounds.

Archaeometric analyses on conical and decorated cap helmets from the Bronze Age are presented. The helmets are dated to the 14-12th century BC according to associated finds in hoards. Alloy composition, material structure and manufacturing processes are determined and shed light on the earliest development of weaponry production in Central and Eastern Europe. Analyses were carried out using light and dark field microscopy, SEM-EDXS, PIXE, TOF-ND and PGAA. The results allowed reconstructing the manufacturing process, the differences between the cap of the helmets and their knobs (i.e. alloy composition) and the joining technique of the two parts.

El conjunto de hebillas procedentes del yacimiento Ermita Virgen de la Torre (Vicálvaro, Madrid) ha sido estudiado con diferentes técnicas analíticas para determinar la composición de las mismas, confirmar su cronología y horizonte cultural y establecer comparaciones técnicas con hebillas similares halladas en otros yacimientos como Calatrava la Vieja (Ciudad Real). Las técnicas con haces de iones, PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) y RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy), y la microscopía electrónica (SEM y SEM-EDX) se han utilizado con el objetivo de establecer la composición elemental de cada una de las muestras y la distribución en profundidad de los elementos. De esta forma se ha determinado que el conjunto contiene materiales de bronce y latón y algunos de ellos presentan una capa de dorado superficial. Por otra parte, la Cromatografía de Gases ha permitido separar los diferentes componentes orgánicos presentes en restos de un material negro de aproximadamente 4 mm ubicado en la superficie dorada. Además de servir para el estudio arqueométrico, los datos obtenidos han sido de gran ayuda a la hora de abordar la adecuada restauración de las piezas.

The results of elemental analysis of 19 glass vessels dating to the early Islamic periods which are kept in the National Museum of Iran are presented in this paper. The samples were discovered during archeological excavations in several Islamic sites. Elemental analysis of these samples is performed by micro-PIXE technique and major and minor elements of these samples are measured. Glass type, raw material used in their production process and colorant of the glasses in diverse sites are investigated and determined based on our results. The results show that almost all glasses found in all sites are high soda-lime-silica glasses. Since the amounts of magnesium oxide and potassium oxide in all analyzed samples except one sample are more than 2.5%, it is clear that the ashes obtained from halophytic plants are considered as supplying source for sodium oxide. Also, our chemical composition results have been combined and compared with the reported results from Iraq, Syria and Egypt. This comparison shows that glass vessels of Iran tend to cluster together in a distinctive group, particularly with regard to their Al 2 O 3 and P 2 O 5 contents.

Nickel ion release from NiTi shape memory alloy is an issue for biomedical applications. This study was planned to study the effect of C⁺ implantation on nickel ion release and affinity of calcium phosphate precipitation on NiTi alloy. Four annealed samples are chosen for the present study; three samples with oxidation layer and the fourth without oxidation layer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra reveal amorphization with ion implantation. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) result shows insignificant increase in Ni release in simulated body fluid (SBF) and calcium phosphate precipitation up to 8×10¹³ions/cm². Then Nickel contents show a sharp increase for greater ion doses. Corrosion potential decreases by increasing the dose but all the samples passivate after the same interval of time and at the same level of VSCE in ringer lactate solution. Hardness of samples initially increases at greater rate (up to 8×10¹³ions/cm²) and then increases with lesser rate. It is found that 8×10¹³ions/cm² (≈10¹⁴) is a safer limit of implantation on NiTi alloy, this limit gives us lesser ion release, better hardness and reasonable hydroxyapatite incubation affinity.

The commencement of the use of coins in trade exchanges and economic and administrative systems in the East has
always been considered as one of the important mysteries of the ancient economy that was one of the main goals of
Alexander the Great and subsequently the Seleucids. Additionally, the way in which economic policies changed during
the Seleucid era is one of the important issues, which is addressed in the present paper. One of the methods that can
help us to study this economy is the use of the PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission) analysis as a non-destructive
and high-sensitivity method to identify small-amount elements. This method is used to identify the elements in the
coins and to get a better understanding of the qualitative and quantitative stagnation and prosperity of the coinage in
this era. This paper also investigates the differences between the amount of elements in the coins minted by four main
mints in the three main geographical regions of the Seleucids in their eastern and western parts, providing valuable
information about the changes in the monetary system, and the economic, political, and technological conditions of the
coinage. The results obtained from the PIXE analysis of 72 Seleucid coins maintained in the Hamadan Museum
showed that the eastern mints probably used different ores compared to western mints. The results also indicated that
the Seleucids' policies in relation to coinage have been constant from the time of Seleucus I to Alexander I Balas and
the main changes in the coinage and the decline in the fineness of the coins by the addition of copper began from
Demetrius II.

The evidence that the Vinland Map is a modern forgery is not supported by the bi-pyramidal shape of the anatase crystals shown in the transmission electron micrograph of the ink of the Map. The proposed presence of a modern pigment was related to the identification of the anatase shown in the micrograph as having a rounded regular crystalline shape as contrasted to the bi-pyramidal shape that this paper has identified .

Tang sancai is one of the most important types of Chinese ceramics. To determine the provenance of Tang sancai is important to study ancient trade and other issues. In this paper we compare ICP-MS trace elements and TIMS Sr–Nd isotopes of visibly similar Tang ...

Archival research and forays into the stores of the Civic Museum of Catania have led to the rediscovery of fragments of bronze statuary deriving from the two most important local collections of the eighteenth century: the collection of the Prince of Biscari and that of the Benedictine monks. Although these are only disiecta membra, the fragments in Catania contribute significantly to the understanding of bronze statuary of the Roman period. The examination of them has led to a more complete study of  technical, typological and chronological aspects.

This paper contributes to an understanding of the distances and choices involved in raw material procurement strategies by Upper Palaeolithic communities through a Pyrenean geo-archaeological case study. Methodologically, it involved using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) with a focused proton beam to determine the concentration and distribution of elements in geological samples from three natural primary outcrops belonging to two geological formations outcropping in the French side of the Pyrenees. While it was not possible to distinguish the formation through reference to major and minor elements, some variations were revealed at the trace elemental level. With the aim to determine if these elements were associated with the Si matrix or to a specific inclusion, elemental maps were acquired, and the elemental composition of the identified inclusions were also determined. These chemical signatures were then compared to those generated from archaeological artefacts from sites in northern Spain as a means of reconstructing the catchment areas used by prehistoric groups for their chert procurement. The results indicate the existence of trans-Pyrenean long distance procurement strategies during the Magdalenian (13,700 to the 18,800 cal BP).

Samples of obsidian from 15 different volcanic sources in Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido were subjected to analysis using the PIXE–PIGME method. Eighteen elements were resolved for each source, and a series of statistical techniques was used to assess the distinctiveness of the sources. It was found that the sources could be separated into three groups, each with sub-sources that are virtually indistinguishable from each other. The first group of four sources originates in the Shinshu area, the second group of two sources is from the Izu Islands, and the third group contains two sources on Kyushu. Each of these groups is easily distinguished from the others. Finally, nine obsidian artefacts from three archaeological sites were analysed and compared with these sources. Eight of these could be allocated to a source, while one proved to be from an unknown source.