A versatile microfadometer for lightfastness testing and pigment identification

The design and experimental method for the use of a novel instrument for lightfastness measurements on artwork is presented. The new microfadometer design offers increased durability and portability over the previous, published design, broadening the scope of locations at which data can be acquired. This reduces the need for art handling or transportation in order to gain evidence-based risk assessments for the display of light-sensitive artworks. The instrument focuses a stabilized high powered xenon lamp to a spot 0.25 millimeters (FWHM) while simultaneously monitoring color change. This makes it possible to identify pigments and determine the lightfastness of materials effectively and non-destructively. With 2.59mW or 0.82 lumens (1.7 x107 lux for a 0.25mm focused spot) the instrument is capable of fading Blue Wool 1 to a measured 11 ΔEab value (using CIE standard illuminant D65) in 15 minutes. The temperature increase created by focused radiation was measured to be 3 to 4°C above room temperature. The system was stable within 0.12 ΔEab over 1 hour and 0.31 ΔEab over 7 hours. A safety evaluation of the technique is discussed which concludes that some caution should be employed when fading smooth, uniform areas of artworks. The instrument can also incorporate a linear variable filter. This enables the researcher to identify the active wavebands that cause certain degradation reactions and determine the degree of wavelength dependence of fading. Some preliminary results of fading experiments on Prussian blue samples from the paint box of J. M. W Turner (1755-1851) are presented

Photochemical colour change for traditional watercolour pigments in low oxygen levels

An investigation for light exposure on pigments in low-oxygen environments (in the range 0–5% oxygen) was conducted using a purpose-built automated microfadometer for a large sample set including multiple samples of traditional watercolour pigments from nineteenth-century and twentieth-century sources, selected for concerns over their stability in anoxia. The pigments were prepared for usage in watercolour painting: ground and mixed in gum Arabic and applied to historically accurate gelatine glue-sized cotton and linen-based papers. Anoxia benefited many colorants and no colorant fared worse in anoxia than in air, with the exception of Prussian blue and Prussian green (which contains Prussian blue). A Prussian blue sampled from the studio materials of J.M.W. Turner (1775 − 1851) was microfaded in different environments (normal air (20.9% oxygen) 0, 1, 2, 3.5, or 5% oxygen in nitrogen) and the subsequent dark behaviour was measured. The behaviour of the sample (in normal air, anoxia, and 5% oxygen in nitrogen) proved to be consistent with the 55 separately sourced Prussian blue samples. When exposed to light in 5% oxygen in nitrogen, Prussian blue demonstrated the same light stability as in air (at approximately 21°C and 1 atmosphere). Storage in 5% oxygen is proposed for ‘anoxic’ display of paper-based artworks that might contain Prussian blue, to protect this material while reducing light-induced damage to other components of a watercolour, including organic colorants and the paper support

Establishing Optimal Tools for an Anatomy Laboratory on the Six-Point Mastery Learning Model

Roseman University of Health Sciences (RU) is establishing a new College of Medicine in Southern Nevada with the goal of transforming Medical Education and Healthcare delivery. To this end, facilities and resources for an integrated anatomy education need to be established, considering best practices for anatomy education. At Roseman University the six-point learning mastery model is at the center of the process of delivering the study materials. This combination of anatomy lab design and educational resources, i.e., plastinated human organs, anatomical models, simulators and virtual anatomy tools, within our block curriculum, will allow for an innovative and inclusive competency-based anatomy education

Micro-fading spectrometry: an ivestigation into display of traditional watercolour pigment in anoxia

In this work a novel micro-fading instrument has been developed that has increased structural stability, hence increasing the portability over previously reported instruments of this type. Using this instrument several new experimental methods have been developed and applied for the investigation of the photosensitivity of painted samples and coloured works of art (with particular focus on the effects of anoxic housing). The colour fading and reversion behaviour of a traditional Prussian blue pigment ground in gum Arabic was investigated for the first time in 0%, 2%, 3.5%, 5%, 10% or 21% oxygen concentrations. Results from this investigation indicated that the previously reported deleterious effects of reduced oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) for Prussian blue may only become relevant at oxygen lower levels (beginning at an hypoxic oxygen level above 2% and below 3.5%). An extension of the investigation to a large sample set of Prussian blues indicated that relatively low concentrations of oxygen (around 5%) may be tolerated by Prussian-blue containing works of art

Micro-fading spectrometry: investigating the wavelength specificity of fading

A modified microfading spectrometer incorporating a linear variable filter is used to investigate the wavelength dependence of fading of traditional watercolour pigments, dosimeters and fading standards at a higher spectral resolution and/or sampling than had previously been attempted. While the wavelength dependence of photochemical damage was largely found to correlate well with the absorption spectra of each material, exceptions were found in the case of Prussian blue and Prussian green pigments (the latter includes Prussian blue), for which an anti-correlation between the spectral colour change and the absorption spectrum was found

Clinical management and outcomes of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma - Experience from a sarcoma specialist unit.

Ovarian sarcomas account for 1% of all ovarian malignancies and amongst these, primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma is the rarest subtype. Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma has a very poor prognosis, with less than 20% of patients being alive at 5 years. Only a few cases have been published in the literature and there is very limited knowledge on the clinical behaviour and optimal management of these tumours. We have performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database to identify all primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma diagnosed and treated at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust between 1998 and 2020. Sixteen patients were identified from our database and fifteen were eligible for the analysis. Twelve patients presented with localized disease and underwent initial surgery and three patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Recurrence-free survival post-surgery was 16 months. Eight patients received first-line chemotherapy and four patients received second-line chemotherapy. Two patients had indolent metastatic disease and benefited from local therapies only. The median overall survival in the metastatic setting in our cohort was 51 months, which is consistent with previously published cases. Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. This study is the largest case series of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma published to date, providing clinically important information regarding survival and metastatic rate as well as treatment outcomes in the metastatic setting

Advances in multispectral and hyperspectral imaging for archaeology and art conservation

Multispectral imaging has been applied to the field of art conservation and art history since the early 1990s. It is attractive as a noninvasive imaging technique because it is fast and hence capable of imaging large areas of an object giving both spatial and spectral information. This paper gives an overview of the different instrumental designs, image processing techniques and various applications of multispectral and hyperspectral imaging to art conservation, art history and archaeology. Recent advances in the development of remote and versatile multispectral and hyperspectral imaging as well as techniques in pigment identification will be presented. Future prospects including combination of spectral imaging with other noninvasive imaging and analytical techniques will be discussed

Clonogenic growth of human breast cancer cells co-cultured in direct contact with serum-activated fibroblasts

INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence suggests that fibroblasts play a pivotal role in promoting the growth of breast cancer cells. The objective of the present study was to characterize and validate an in vitro model of the interaction between small numbers of human breast cancer cells and human fibroblasts. METHODS: We measured the clonogenic growth of small numbers of human breast cancer cells co-cultured in direct contact with serum-activated, normal human fibroblasts. Using DNA microarrays, we also characterized the gene expression profile of the serum-activated fibroblasts. In order to validate the in vivo relevance of our experiments, we then analyzed clinical samples of metastatic breast cancer for the presence of myofibroblasts expressing α-smooth muscle actin. RESULTS: Clonogenic growth of human breast cancer cells obtained directly from in situ and invasive tumors was dramatically and consistently enhanced when the tumor cells were co-cultured in direct contact with serum-activated fibroblasts. This effect was abolished when the cells were co-cultured in transwells separated by permeable inserts. The fibroblasts in our experimental model exhibited a gene expression signature characteristic of 'serum response' (i.e. myofibroblasts). Immunostaining of human samples of metastatic breast cancer tissue confirmed that myofibroblasts are in direct contact with breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Serum-activated fibroblasts promote the clonogenic growth of human breast cancer cells in vitro through a mechanism that involves direct physical contact between the cells. This model shares many important molecular and phenotypic similarities with the fibroblasts that are naturally found in breast cancers

The Emergence and Development of Association Football: Influential Sociocultural Factors in Victorian Birmingham

This article explores the interdependent, complex sociocultural factors that facilitated the emergence and diffusion of football in Birmingham. The focus is the development of football in the city, against the backdrop of the numerous social changes in Victorian Birmingham. The aim is to fill a gap in the existing literature which seemingly overlooked Birmingham as a significant footballing centre, and the ‘ordinary and everyday’ aspects of the game’s early progression. Among other aspects, particular heed is paid to the working classes’ involvement in football, as previous literature has often focused on the middle classes and their influence on and participation in organized sport. As the agency of the working classes along with their mass participation and central role in the game’s development is unfolded, it is argued that far from being passive cultural beings, the working classes, from the beginnings, actively negotiated the development of their own emergent football culture