Photonic Methods Applied to Heritage Conservation in Argentina

As part of an ongoing program performed in collaboration with museums and institutions of Argentina, we present results on the application of laser based techniques and 3D imaging methods for material characterization, cleaning and documentation of cultural heritage objects, particularly the collections of public museums located in different regions of the country. In this work, we present results on the application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for material characterization of objects found in the ex-detention, torture and extermination center called Club Atletico (Instituto Espacio Memoria) of Buenos Aires. We also show laser cleaning applications to archaeological objects found in Patagonia and in the city of Buenos Aires. Finally, we present a 3D system developed for recording and documentation of artworks. It is based on digital photogrammetry and uses low cost devices and free software for data processing. This 3D system has measurement tools and thepossibility of creating deterioration maps in the virtual model. We present examples of the applications of this 3D system to artworks from argentine museums.Facultad de IngenieríaCentro de Investigaciones Óptica

Photonic Methods Applied to Heritage Conservation in Argentina

As part of an ongoing program performed in collaboration with museums and institutions of Argentina, we present results on the application of laser based techniques and 3D imaging methods for material characterization, cleaning and documentation of cultural heritage objects, particularly the collections of public museums located in different regions of the country. In this work, we present results on the application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for material characterization of objects found in the ex-detention, torture and extermination center called Club Atletico (Instituto Espacio Memoria) of Buenos Aires. We also show laser cleaning applications to archaeological objects found in Patagonia and in the city of Buenos Aires. Finally, we present a 3D system developed for recording and documentation of artworks. It is based on digital photogrammetry and uses low cost devices and free software for data processing. This 3D system has measurement tools and thepossibility of creating deterioration maps in the virtual model. We present examples of the applications of this 3D system to artworks from argentine museums.Facultad de IngenieríaCentro de Investigaciones Óptica

3D Recording and Interpretation for Maritime Archaeology

This open access peer-reviewed volume was inspired by the UNESCO UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology International Workshop held at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia in November 2016. Content is based on, but not limited to, the work presented at the workshop which was dedicated to 3D recording and interpretation for maritime archaeology. The volume consists of contributions from leading international experts as well as up-and-coming early career researchers from around the globe. The content of the book includes recording and analysis of maritime archaeology through emerging technologies, including both practical and theoretical contributions. Topics include photogrammetric recording, laser scanning, marine geophysical 3D survey techniques, virtual reality, 3D modelling and reconstruction, data integration and Geographic Information Systems. The principal incentive for this publication is the ongoing rapid shift in the methodologies of maritime archaeology within recent years and a marked increase in the use of 3D and digital approaches. This convergence of digital technologies such as underwater photography and photogrammetry, 3D sonar, 3D virtual reality, and 3D printing has highlighted a pressing need for these new methodologies to be considered together, both in terms of defining the state-of-the-art and for consideration of future directions. As a scholarly publication, the audience for the book includes students and researchers, as well as professionals working in various aspects of archaeology, heritage management, education, museums, and public policy. It will be of special interest to those working in the field of coastal cultural resource management and underwater archaeology but will also be of broader interest to anyone interested in archaeology and to those in other disciplines who are now engaging with 3D recording and visualization

Application of 3D Laser Scanning to the Preservation of Fort Conger, a Historic Polar Research Base on Northern Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada

Fort Conger, located in Quttinirpaaq National Park, Ellesmere Island, is a historic landmark of national and international significance. The site is associated with many important Arctic expeditions, including the ill-fated Lady Franklin Bay Expedition of the First International Polar Year and Robert Peary’s attempts to claim the North Pole. Although situated in one of the most remote locations on earth, Fort Conger is currently at risk because of the effects of climate change, weather, wildlife, and human activity. In this paper, we show how 3D laser scanning was used to record cultural features rapidly and accurately despite the harsh conditions present at the site. We discuss how the future impacts of natural processes and human activities can be managed using 3D scanning data as a baseline, how conservation and restoration work can be planned from the resulting models, and how 3D models created from laser scanning data can be used to excite public interest in cultural stewardship and Arctic history.Fort Conger, situé dans le parc national Quttinirpaaq, sur l’île d’Ellesmere, est un lieu historique d’importance nationale et internationale. Ce site est lié à de nombreuses expéditions arctiques importantes, dont l’infortunée expédition de la baie Lady Franklin relevant de la première année polaire internationale et les tentatives de revendication du pôle Nord par Robert Peary. Bien qu’il se trouve dans l’un des endroits les plus éloignés du globe, Fort Conger subit actuellement les risques découlant des effets du changement climatique, des conditions météorologiques, de la faune et de l’activité humaine. Dans cette communication, nous montrons comment un scanneur laser 3D a permis de répertorier les caractéristiques culturelles avec rapidité et précision malgré les conditions difficiles qui ont cours à ce site. Nous discutons de la manière dont les incidences futures des processus naturels et de l’activité humaine peuvent être gérées à l’aide des données 3D comme données de base, comment les travaux de conservation et de restauration peuvent être planifiés à partir des modèles qui en résultent et comment les modèles 3D créés à partir des données de scannage laser peuvent rehausser l’intérêt du grand public à l’égard de la gérance culturelle et de l’histoire de l’Arctique

On virtual auras:The cultural heritage object in the age of 3D digital reproduction

Making three-dimensional (3D) models for public-facing cultural heritage applications currently concentrates on creating digitised models that are as photo-realistic as possible. The virtual model should have, if possible, the same informational content as its subject, in order to act as a ‘digital surrogate’. Many cultural heritage objects have, to borrow an old term, aura: an affectual power to engender an emotional response in the viewer. The term ‘digital surrogate’ is commonly used when talking about 3D models in cultural heritage applications. Exploring the meaning of this term is highly valuable. The E-Curator project and subsequent work by Mona Hess has demonstrated the potential for 3D scanning technology for professional cultural heritage (CH) purposes and there are clear advantages to working in the digital realm. Visitors to CH institutions—members of the public with no privileged access to the exhibits—will have a very different experience to that of a CH professional

New Opportunities in Digital Archaeology: The Use of Low-Cost Photogrammetry for 3D Documentation of Archaeological Objects from Banks Island, NWT

This thesis investigates the use of low-cost three-dimensional (3D) modelling programs (Agisoft Photoscan and 123D Catch) to create and disseminate digital replicas of archaeological features and artifacts in the context of the Ikaahuk Archaeology Project, a community-based archaeology project on Banks Island, Northwest Territories. It aims to 1) assess the benefits and challenges of low-cost photogrammetry for in-situ documentation of hunter-gatherer archaeological features; 2) determine the usefulness of low-cost photogrammetry for replicating small-scale artifacts in comparison to 3D scanning methods; and 3) explore how Internet media can be used to disseminate 3D models. This thesis demonstrates that low-cost methods of 3D modelling are sufficiently able to replicate many types of archaeological objects, and are accessible due to their low cost, ease of use, and compatibility with online dissemination. As a result low-cost 3D modelling has a promising future in archaeological documentation, conservation, and engagement with non-specialist audiences

Comparative analysis of the Photorhabdus luminescens and the Yersinia enterocolitica genomes: uncovering candidate genes involved in insect pathogenicity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Photorhabdus luminescens </it>and <it>Yersinia enterocolitica </it>are both enteric bacteria which are associated with insects. <it>P. luminescens </it>lives in symbiosis with soil nematodes and is highly pathogenic towards insects but not to humans. In contrast, <it>Y. enterocolitica </it>is widely found in the environment and mainly known to cause gastroenteritis in men, but has only recently been shown to be also toxic for insects. It is expected that both pathogens share an overlap of genetic determinants that play a role within the insect host.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A selective genome comparison was applied. Proteins belonging to the class of two-component regulatory systems, quorum sensing, universal stress proteins, and c-di-GMP signalling have been analysed. The interorganismic synopsis of selected regulatory systems uncovered common and distinct signalling mechanisms of both pathogens used for perception of signals within the insect host. Particularly, a new class of LuxR-like regulators was identified, which might be involved in detecting insect-specific molecules. In addition, the genetic overlap unravelled a two-component system that is unique for the genera <it>Photorhabdus </it>and <it>Yersinia </it>and is therefore suggested to play a major role in the pathogen-insect relationship. Our analysis also highlights factors of both pathogens that are expressed at low temperatures as encountered in insects in contrast to higher (body) temperature, providing evidence that temperature is a yet under-investigated environmental signal for bacterial adaptation to various hosts. Common degradative metabolic pathways are described that might be used to explore nutrients within the insect gut or hemolymph, thus enabling the proliferation of <it>P. luminescens </it>and <it>Y. enterocolitica </it>in their invertebrate hosts. A strikingly higher number of genes encoding insecticidal toxins and other virulence factors in <it>P. luminescens </it>compared to <it>Y. enterocolitica </it>correlates with the higher virulence of <it>P. luminescens </it>towards insects, and suggests a putative broader insect host spectrum of this pathogen.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A set of factors shared by the two pathogens was identified including those that are involved in the host infection process, in persistence within the insect, or in host exploitation. Some of them might have been selected during the association with insects and then adapted to pathogenesis in mammalian hosts.</p

Creativity and fixation in the real world: Three case studies of invention, design and innovation

This paper reports on the design of three novel products: a hand saw, electrical plug and bicycle wheel. Each case study draws on interviews with the designers and analysis of their prototypes. The focus is on how the product ideas originated, how and why they changed and why those changes weren’t made earlier. In emphasising the nature of creative work throughout long and complex projects, three themes are emphasised: (1) creative challenges and creative blocks can result from earlier breakthroughs (which makes them difficult to overcome); (2) multiple design spaces co-evolve at different levels of detail (not just simple problem- and solution-spaces); (3) those developing new ideas need to recognise and accept those ideas (not just generate and develop them)UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant number EP/K008196/1

Development of a Robotic Positioning and Tracking System for a Research Laboratory

Measurement of residual stress using neutron or synchrotron diffraction relies on the accurate alignment of the sample in relation to the gauge volume of the instrument. Automatic sample alignment can be achieved using kinematic models of the positioning system provided the relevant kinematic parameters are known, or can be determined, to a suitable accuracy. The main problem addressed in this thesis is improving the repeatability and accuracy of the sample positioning for the strain scanning, through the use of techniques from robotic calibration theory to generate kinematic models of both off-the-shelf and custom-built positioning systems. The approach is illustrated using a positioning system in use on the ENGIN-X instrument at the UK’s ISIS pulsed neutron source comprising a traditional XYZΩ table augmented with a triple axis manipulator. Accuracies better than 100microns were achieved for this compound system. Although discussed here in terms of sample positioning systems these methods are entirely applicable to other moving instrument components such as beam shaping jaws and detectors. Several factors could lead to inaccurate positioning on a neutron or synchrotron diffractometer. It is therefore essential to validate the accuracy of positioning especially during experiments which require a high level of accuracy. In this thesis, a stereo camera system is developed to monitor the sample and other moving parts of the diffractometer. The camera metrology system is designed to measure the positions of retroreflective markers attached to any object that is being monitored. A fully automated camera calibration procedure is developed with an emphasis on accuracy. The potential accuracy of this system is demonstrated and problems that limit accuracy are discussed. It is anticipated that the camera system would be used to correct the positioning system when the error is minimal or notify the user of the error when it is significant

The search for the slave ship Meermin : developing a methodology for finding inter tidal shipwrecks

Text in English with abstracts in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosaThis thesis describes the development of a methodology to find inter tidal shipwrecks. The discussion revolves around finding a particular shipwreck – that of the Dutch slaver Meermin. The story of the revolt on the Meermin helps to focus the search and development of the methodology to find inter tidal shipwrecks as the Meermin was wrecked in this zone. The thesis contextualises the search and the story by discussing not only maritime archaeology in South Africa, but also looking at slave ship archaeology and the history of slavery at the Cape. One of the key techniques for finding shipwrecks is the use of magnetometers. The discussion defines the types of magnetometers available to archaeologists and how magnetometry was applied during the search for the Meermin. This inevitably includes an examination of the shipwrecks wrecked in the area of the Meermin episode as well as the way this region has changed over time. The results of the magnetometer searches (which included airborne, handheld and marine magnetometers) are discussed as well as the ground truthing of the results. The latter involved excavation and the development of excavation strategies, and excavation results are scrutinized. In the final analysis the search for the Meermin is further contextualised by considering the various impacts the project has had in other spheres.Hierdie tesis beskryf die ontwikkeling van ‘n metodologie waarmee skeepswrakke in die inter-gety sone opgespoor kan word. Die Hollandse slaweskip, Meermin, is die fokus van die diskussie. Die storie van die slawe opstand op die Meermin help om die ontwikkeling en soektog na skeepswrakke in die inter-gety sone te verskerp, aangesien dit in hierdie sone was waarin die Meermin gestrand het. Die soektog en storie van die Meermin word gekontekstualiseer deur die bespreking van die ontwikkeling van maritieme argeologie in Suid Afrika, die argeologie van slawe skepe en ‘n kort geskiedenis van slawerny aan die Kaap. Magnetometers is een van die belangrikste tegnieke gebruik vir die opspoor van skeepswrakke. Die tipes magnetometers wat deur argeoloë gebruik word, word gedefinieër asook hoe magnetometers gedurende die soektog na die Meermin gebruik is. Daar word ook gekyk na die ander skepe wat in die area van die Meermin gestrand het en die veranderinge wat deur die jare in die streek plaasgevind het. Die resultate van die magnetometer soektogte (insluitend vliegtuig, draagbare en mariene magnetometers) word bespreek so wel as die opgrawings van die resultate. Hierdie opgrawings het noodwendig gelei tot die ontwikkeling van opgrawings tegnieke. Die resultate van die opgrawings word bespreek. Die finale analise kontekstualiseer die soektog na die Meermin met ‘n bepeinsing van die menige impakte wat die projek gehad het.Le thisisi icacisa ngenkqubela kulwazi-nkqubo lokufumana iinqanawa ezaphuka phakathi kokuzala nokurhoxa kolwandle. Ingxoxo zimalunga nokufunyanwa kwenqanawa ethile eyaphukayo – kanye leyo yayithutha amakhoboka amaHolani i-Meermin. Ibali lovukelo kwi-Meermin liyasinceda siqwalasele uphando nenkqubela kulwazi-nkqubo lokufumana iinqanawa ezaphuka phakathi kokuzala nokurhoxa kolwandle njengoko i-Meermin yaqhekeka kanye kulo mmandla. Ithisisi le isicacisela kanye ngophando nembali ngokuxoxa hayi ngobunzululwazi ngezakudala emanzini eMzantsi Afrika nje kuphela, koko iphinde ijonge ngobunzululwazi ngezakudala kwinqanawa yokuthutha amakhoboka nembali yobukhoboka eKapa. Obunye bobuqili obuphambili ekufumaneni iinqanawa eziqhekekileyo kukusetyenziswa kwezixhobo zokulinganisa iintshukumo. Ingxoxo ibalula iindidi zezixhobo zokulinganisa iintshukumo ezisetyenziswa ziinzululwazi ngezakudala nendlela ekwasetyenziswa ngayo ukulinganiswa kwentshukumo ngethuba kuphandwa i-Meermin. Ngokuqhelekileyo oku kuquka ukucutyungulwa kweenqanawa ezaqhekekayo ziqhekeka kummandla wesehlo esisodwa se-Meermin kunye nendlela le ngingqi eguquke ngayo emveni koko. Iziphumo zophando ngezixhobo zokulinganisa iintshukumo (ziquka ezo zasesibhakabhakeni, ezibanjwa ngesandla nezasemanzini) ziyaxoxwa kunye neziphumo zenyani yenene. Le yokugqibela iquka ukwembiwa nenkqubela kwindlela zokomba, iziphumo zokomba nazo ziqwalaselwe. Kuye kwaphinda kwacaciswa kwintlahlela yokugqibela kuphando lwe-Meermin kuqwalaselwa iimpembelelo ezithile umsebenzi othe wangquzulena nazo nakwezinye iindawo.Anthropology and ArchaeologyM.A. (Archaeology