Infrared Ellipsometry Analysis of Heritage Photographic Prints

[EN] Focusing on the photographic archive of Julian Carrillo (Mexico), we study and characterize the photographic processes of a set of 13 photographs dated between 1884 and 1925. By using infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry, we classified a selected set of photographs according to its kind of binder. Thus, we recognized for each photograph, the presence of proteins, and therefore, the particular photographic process. Furthermore, we have identified the presence of baryta layer, the use of plasticizer, and the eventual coating utilized to protect the photograph, whose composition was based in natural organic components, mainly shellac, beeswax, or camphorNieto-Villena, A.; Martinez, JR.; Flores-Camacho, JM.; Lastras-Martinez, A.; De La Cruz-Mendoza, JA.; Ortega-Zarzosa, G.; Valcarcel Andrés, JC.... (2018). Infrared Ellipsometry Analysis of Heritage Photographic Prints. Studies in Conservation. 63(8):466-476. https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2018.1476962S466476638Brambilla, L., Riedo, C., Baraldi, C., Nevin, A., Gamberini, M. C., D’Andrea, C., … Toniolo, L. (2011). Characterization of fresh and aged natural ingredients used in historical ointments by molecular spectroscopic techniques: IR, Raman and fluorescence. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 401(6), 1827-1837. doi:10.1007/s00216-011-5168-zCasoli, A., & Fornaciari, S. (2014). An analytical study on an early twentieth-century Italian photographs collection by means of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Microchemical Journal, 116, 24-30. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2014.04.003Cattaneo, B., Chelazzi, D., Giorgi, R., Serena, T., Merlo, C., & Baglioni, P. (2008). Physico-chemical characterization and conservation issues of photographs dated between 1890 and 1910. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 9(3), 277-284. doi:10.1016/j.culher.2008.01.004Daher, C., Paris, C., Le Hô, A.-S., Bellot-Gurlet, L., & Échard, J.-P. (2010). A joint use of Raman and infrared spectroscopies for the identification of natural organic media used in ancient varnishes. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 41(11), 1494-1499. doi:10.1002/jrs.2693Edwards, H. G. M., Farwell, D. W., & Daffner, L. (1996). Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopic study of natural waxes and resins. I. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 52(12), 1639-1648. doi:10.1016/0584-8539(96)01730-8Fujiwara, H. (2007). Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. doi:10.1002/9780470060193Hendriks, K., & Ross, L. (1988). Chemical Treatments of Discoloured Photographic Prints: Image Manipulation or Legitimate Restoration? The Journal of Photographic Science, 36(3), 132-132. doi:10.1080/00223638.1988.11736990Mallégol, J., Gardette, J.-L., & Lemaire, J. (2000). Long-term behavior of oil-based varnishes and paints. Photo- and thermooxidation of cured linseed oil. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 77(3), 257-263. doi:10.1007/s11746-000-0042-4Nieto-Villena, A., Martínez, J. R., de la Cruz-Mendoza, J. A., Valcárcel-Andrés, J. C., Ortega-Zarzosa, G., Solbes-García, Á., & Vázquez-Martínez, E. (2018). Atomic force microscopy as a tool for binder identification in ancient photographic processes. Surface and Interface Analysis, 50(4), 496-505. doi:10.1002/sia.6408Ostroff, Eugene. 1966. “Restoration of Photographs by Neutron Activation.” Science 154 (3745): 119–123. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/154/3745/119.Othmer, Kirk, ed. 2005. Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Vol. 17, 5th ed. New York: Wiley.Ricci, C., Bloxham, S., & Kazarian, S. G. (2007). ATR-FTIR imaging of albumen photographic prints. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 8(4), 387-395. doi:10.1016/j.culher.2007.07.002Sifontes, Á. B., Cañizales, E., Toro-Mendoza, J., Ávila, E., Hernández, P., Delgado, B. A., … Cruz-Barrios, E. (2015). Obtaining Highly Crystalline Barium Sulphate Nanoparticles via Chemical Precipitation and Quenching in Absence of Polymer Stabilizers. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2015, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2015/510376Stulik, Dusan, Herant Khanjian, Alberto de Tagle, and Alexandra M. Botelho. 2002. “Investigation of Jean-Louis-Marie-Eugene Durieu’s Toning and Varnishing Experiments: A Non-Destructive Approach.” ICOM Committee for Conservation 13th Triennial Meeting, Río de Janeiro, 658–663.Price, Beth A., and Boris Pretzel, eds. 2009. Infrared and Raman Users Group Spectral Database. 2007 ed. Vol. 1 & 2. Philadelphia: IRUG. Accessed June 20, 2014. http://www.irug.org/.Vila, A., & Centeno, S. A. (2013). FTIR, Raman and XRF identification of the image materials in turn of the 20th century pigment-based photographs. Microchemical Journal, 106, 255-262. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2012.07.01

Generación de escenarios de riesgo sísmico en una zona transfronteriza del Pirineo

Se presenta la evaluación del daño sísmico esperado, a nivel estadístico, en los municipios de la zona pirenaica formada por las comarcas de Saint-Béat y Luchon (Francia) y de la Val d’Aran (España). Esta zona ha sido seleccionada por la actividad sísmica observada y por su importante carácter turístico. El análisis de la vulnerabilidad sísmica de los edificios se realiza mediante los índices de vulnerabilidad RISK-UE. Este método define unos tipos constructivos basándose en las clases de vulnerabilidad de la escala de intensidades EMS-98. A partir de estos índices de vulnerabilidad y para un determinado nivel de acción sísmica se estima mediante funciones semi-empíricas la distribución del daño físico. Se han identificado las tipologías constructivas más representativas de los edificios residenciales de la zona, y su distribución por unidades de estudio, asociándolas a índices de vulnerabilidad, así como en edificios singulares; dicha información se ha integrado en un SIG. El escenario se ha hecho a partir de las intensidades observadas e interpretadas del terremoto de Vielha en 1923 (VIII). La repartición de los estados de daño físico directo obtenida servirá para estimar otros aspectos como daños a la población y costes económicos. Estos resultados serán útiles para la prevención y la protección civil

Generación de escenarios de riesgo sísmico en una zona transfronteriza del Pirineo

Se presenta la evaluación del daño sísmico esperado, a nivel estadístico, en los municipios de la zona pirenaica formada por las comarcas de Saint-Béat y Luchon (Francia) y de la Val d’Aran (España). Esta zona ha sido seleccionada por la actividad sísmica observada y por su importante carácter turístico. El análisis de la vulnerabilidad sísmica de los edificios se realiza mediante los índices de vulnerabilidad RISK-UE. Este método define unos tipos constructivos basándose en las clases de vulnerabilidad de la escala de intensidades EMS-98. A partir de estos índices de vulnerabilidad y para un determinado nivel de acción sísmica se estima mediante funciones semi-empíricas la distribución del daño físico. Se han identificado las tipologías constructivas más representativas de los edificios residenciales de la zona, y su distribución por unidades de estudio, asociándolas a índices de vulnerabilidad, así como en edificios singulares; dicha información se ha integrado en un SIG. El escenario se ha hecho a partir de las intensidades observadas e interpretadas del terremoto de Vielha en 1923 (VIII). La repartición de los estados de daño físico directo obtenida servirá para estimar otros aspectos como daños a la población y costes económicos. Estos resultados serán útiles para la prevención y la protección civil

Infrared Ellipsometry Analysis of Heritage Photographic Prints

<p>Focusing on the photographic archive of Julian Carrillo (Mexico), we study and characterize the photographic processes of a set of 13 photographs dated between 1884 and 1925. By using infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry, we classified a selected set of photographs according to its kind of binder. Thus, we recognized for each photograph, the presence of proteins, and therefore, the particular photographic process. Furthermore, we have identified the presence of baryta layer, the use of plasticizer, and the eventual coating utilized to protect the photograph, whose composition was based in natural organic components, mainly shellac, beeswax, or camphor.</p

Permafrost conditions in the Mediterranean region since the Last Glaciation

The relatively warm climate conditions prevailing today in the Mediterranean region limit cold geomorphological processes only to the highest mountain environments. However, climate variability during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene has led to significant spatio-temporal variations of the glacial and periglacial domain in these mountains, including permafrost conditions. Here, we examine the distribution and evolution of permafrost in the Mediterranean region considering five time periods: Last Glaciation, deglaciation, Holocene, Little Ice Age (LIA) and present-day. The distribution of inactive permafrost-derived features as well as sedimentary records indicates that the elevation limit of permafrost during the Last Glaciation was between 1000 m and even 2000 m lower than present. Permafrost was also widespread in non-glaciated slopes above the snowline forming rock glaciers and block streams, as well as meter-sized stone circles in relatively flat summit areas. As in most of the Northern Hemisphere, the onset of deglaciation in the Mediterranean region started around 19-20 ka. The ice-free terrain left by retreating glaciers was subject to paraglacial activity and intense periglacial processes under permafrost conditions. Many rock glaciers, protalus lobes and block streams formed in these recently deglaciated environments, though most of them became gradually inactive as temperatures kept rising, especially those at lower altitudes. Following the Younger Dryas glacial advance, the Early Holocene saw the last massive deglaciation in Mediterranean mountains accompanied by a progressive shift of permafrost conditions to higher elevations. It is unlikely that air temperatures recorded in Mediterranean mountains during the Holocene favoured the existence of widespread permafrost regimes, with the only exception of the highest massifs exceeding 2500-3000 m. LIA colder climate promoted a minor glacial advance and the spatial expansion of permafrost, with the development of new protalus lobes and rock glaciers in t

Nanoscale imaging of buried topological defects with quantitative X-ray magnetic microscopy

Resumen del póster presentado a la IX Reunión del GEFES (Grupo Especializado de Física del Estado Sólido) de la Real Sociedad Española de Física, celebrado en Cuenca del 13 al 15 de enero de 2016.Angular dependence of magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy has been used as the basis of a novel imaging technique that provides quantitative descriptions of magnetic configurations with nanometric lateral resolution (canting angles relative to surface normal and sense). This method is applied to study magnetic stripe domains of ferromagnetic NdCo5 layers in which canting angles are found to decrease from 65° to 22° as Nd-Co thickness increases from 55 to 120 nm. Element specific X-ray images of a NdCo/Permalloy bilayer have allowed us to characterize independently the magnetization at each layer. Complex topological defects (merons or ½ skyrmions) have been identified within the stripe pattern of the NdCo film that are only partially replicated by the permalloy overlayer. These results open possibilities for the characterization of deeply buried magnetic topological defects, nanostructures and devices.Peer Reviewe

Quantitative X-ray magnetic microscopy: from parallel stripe domains to buried topological defects

Resumen del trabajo presentado al APS March Meeting, celebrado en Baltimore, Maryland (USA) del 14 al 18 de marzo de 2016.Magnetic transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) is a powerful imaging technique that can produce element specific images of magnetic domains with nanometric lateral resolution. Here we present a novel imaging method in which the angular dependence of the magnetic contrast in a series of high resolution TXM images is used to obtain quantitative descriptions of the magnetization (canting angles and sense). This has been applied first to analyze parallel stripe domains in weak perpendicular anisotropy ferromagnetic NdCo5 layers of different thickness, and in NdCo5/Permalloy bilayers. Then, our method has been used to identify complex topological defects (merons or 1/2 skyrmions) in a NdCo5 film that are only partially replicated by the Permalloy overlayer. Meron propagation in trilayers (across the thickness) and in hexagonal networks (across bifurcations) will be discussed in terms of their topological characteristics (chirality and polarity).Work supported by Spanish grant FIS2013-45469.Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background: Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods: The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results: A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion: Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)