Ion beam analysis methods for determining major and minor element concentrations in artefacts

Two quantitative analytical techniques, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), based on MeV ion beams from a Van de Graaff accelerator have been used in an archaeometric determination of major and minor element concentrations in patinated flint artefacts and a meta! fragment found during excavation of a viking settlement. A red/ brown patination on an artefact surface that had developed subsequent to exposure by flaking 6200 years ago was demonstrated to be associated with a significantly higher Fe concentration at the surface compared to the bulk and further this Fe was concentrated in the microfissures along the grain boundaries through which ground water percolates into the flint. Another type of patination, brown and purple/red spots or so-called seaweed spots, on flint artefacts that had been excavated from a site that had been flooded by sea were found to be associated with high concentrations of manganese and in the case of a modern sample from which seaweed had been removed, also iodine. Although this does not confirm that seaweed spots are actually due to seaweed the result suggests they are due to the action of marine organisms. The composition of a meta! fragment, that was found during excavation of a viking-age settlement, and suspected of having been soldered was determined to be chiefly Fe with minor components Sn and Pb. The Pb/Sn concentration ratio of about 2 at. % corresponds to an alloy like modern tinplate which suggests the specimen might be of modern origin

Mixing of ultracold atomic clouds by merging of two magnetic traps

We demonstrate a method to make mixtures of ultracold atoms that does not make use of a two-species magneto-optical trap. We prepare two clouds of 87Rb atoms in distinct magnetic quadrupole traps and mix the two clouds by merging the traps. For correctly chosen parameters the mixing can be done essentially without loss of atoms and with only minor heating. The basic features of the process can be accounted for by a classical simulation of particle trajectories. Such calculations indicate that mixing of different mass species is also feasible, opening the way for using the method as a starting point for making quantum gas mixtures.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures. Fig. 10 corrected. Fig. 13 updated with more points and better statistics. A couple of paragraphs rephrased and typos corrected. References update

Non-histaminergic and mechanical itch sensitization in atopic dermatitis

Chronic or episodic severe itch is recurrent in atopic dermatitis (AD). Nonhistaminergic itch pathways are suggested to dominate in AD itch, contributing to an "itch-scratch-itch cycle" that prolongs and worsens itch, pain, and skin lesions. We hypothesized that nonhistaminergic neuronal sensitization contributes to itch in AD. Hence, we compared sensitivity with thermal, mechanical, and chemical pruritic stimuli in patients with AD and controls. The study comprised 25 patients with AD with chronic itch and 25 healthy controls. Questionnaires on itch characteristics were administered, and sensory tests were conducted intralesionally, extralesionally, and in homologous areas of controls. Thermal and mechanical quantitative sensory testing (QST) as well as histamine and cowhage provocations were performed. Subsequently, hyperknesis and vasomotor reactivity were assessed. Average itch and associated pain among patients with AD were 60.7 ± 4.3 and 39.7 ± 5.2 (VAS0-100), respectively. Patients experienced significantly higher itch from cowhage both intralesionally and extralesionally compared with controls, whereas histamine-evoked itch intensity was not significantly different between groups. No group differences were found for thermal quantitative sensory testings or pain evoked by itch provocations. Patients had decreased mechanical detection thresholds intralesionally and increased mechanical pain sensitivity intralesionally and extralesionally. Lastly, patients exhibited intralesional and extralesional hyperknesis before chemical itch provocations and augmented hyperknesis after itch provocations. Increased itch in response to cowhage (but not histamine) suggests nonhistaminergic pathway-specific itch sensitization in AD, whereas increased susceptibility to mechanically evoked itch and pain, particularly intralesionally suggests sensitization of mechanosensitive circuitry not normally associated with itch. Drugs targeting the nonhistaminergic (PAR2/TRPA1) itch pathway and itch sensitization are promising for treating AD itch