Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Red Pigments and Inks for the Characterization and Differentiation of Contemporary Prints

Prints are one of the most popular artistic forms. They consist of an original matrix that is printed on a paper support. The stamps are part of a series, and each series is composed of a particular number of prints. Many contemporary prints are made using oil inks and synthetic pigments (reds and yellows). Inks are mainly composed of pigments (organic or inorganic) and a binding medium. The analysis of inks has the potential to facilitate and complement the identification of stamps of different origins.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) are techniques that are typically available in museums and centers related to the study of works of art. Both can be classified as micro-destructive and provide complementary information about the organic and some inorganic compounds (FTIR), and the elemental composition (SEM-EDX). In this article, the two techniques were used to analyze the composition of red ink in prints. As a result of these analyses, it was possible to distinguish among nearly all of the pigments and inks, indicating that the composition of the red ink can be reliably used to differentiate between stamps of different origins in a series of prints.     

An even earlier (1717) usage of the expression “golden section”

In a previous article in this journal, Roger Herz-Fischler has pointed out an early usage of the expression “golden section” from 1789. In this note an even earlier usage from 1717 is discussed.     

The use of different dispersive Raman spectrometers for the analysis of uranium compounds

The performances of three different Raman spectrometers were compared and evaluated as a suitable tool for the analysis of a range of uranium compounds with a view to application in nuclear forensics. These included uranium ore concentrates of different chemical composition and uranium dioxide in the form of powder and sintered fuel pellet. The three spectrometers are termed as ‘portable’ or ‘hand-held’ from Ahura Scientific (785 nm), ‘Senterra’ from Bruker (532 and 785 nm), ‘T64000′ from HORIBA Jobin Yvon (488.0, 514.5, 647.1 and 752.5 nm). Figures of merit such as sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio and detection capability were compared. The portable Raman displayed fairly good sensitivity and process related impurities could be detected despite the miniaturisation but it was unable to measure darkly coloured powders such as calcined ore concentrates or uranium dioxide powder. The bench-top spectrometer Senterra had the best sensitivity for all the seven measured uranium compounds and the best signal-to-noise ratio for six of the compounds. Laboratory T64000 had the best resolution and at the same time resulting in the poorest sensitivity among the three spectrometers for all compounds measured. However, T64000 has very low level of noise therefore leading to better signal-to-noise that were comparable, if not better than the portable or Senterra. All industrial compounds measured in this study could not be measured with higher frequency laser thus impeding the observation of N–H or O–H vibration bands, of which the latter could be observed with laboratory synthesized material.     

基于改进极根学习机的回转窑煅烧带温度预测方法

针对传统算法预测回转窑煅烧带温度存在精度低、速度慢的问题,提出了基于改进极限学习机(ELM)的回转窑煅烧带温度预测方法。对ELM输入权值矩阵定义了变换系数,采用黄金分割法在给定区间内搜寻变换系数的最佳值,改进了ELM网络参数的确定方式,弥补了随机确定输入权值并且不作调整的缺陷,在保证ELM训练速度的前提下提高预测精度、减小模型随机性。实验结果表明,改进的ELM预测精度高、训练速度快、模型性能优,可满足工况恶劣的回转窑的生产需要。     

A simple method for removal of toxic dyes such as Brilliant Green and Acid Red from the aquatic environment using Halloysite nanoclay

This project explains an easy, simple and eco-friendly method to remove some toxic dyes like Brilliant Green and Acid Red from aquatic solution by technique of solid-phase extraction that uses Halloysite nanoclay eco-friendly solid phase as absorbent surface for adsorption of dye. The physical properties of the HNC such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface area analysis were studied. The best conditions like pH of the solution, HNC weight, contact shaking time, the temperature of the solution, and ionic strength were investigated for removal effectiveness. The experimental data of the adsorption process showed that HNC can remove most of the dyes within 30 min, with an adsorption capacity of 12.5 mg/g for A.R dye and 13.9 mg/g for B.G dye on HNC solid phase at optimum conditions. The removal process of dyes on HNC was studied kinetically and thermodynamically, and the data confirms that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was able to describe the adsorption process. Thermodynamic data confirms the process was spontaneous andexothermic in nature for A.R dye, while was spontaneous and endothermic in nature for B.G dye. Finally, the effectiveness of HNC was inspected by removing dyes from three various real samples, and the results showed high performance in removing dyes on HNC for four consecutive cycles.     

Effects of Green Apple (Golden Delicious) and Its Three Major Flavonols Consumption on Obesity,Lipids, and Oxidative Stress in Obese Rats

Obesity is becoming increasingly common all over the world and global strategies are accordingly being developed to prevent it. In order to support the strategies, the effects of green apple (Golden Delicious) and the consumption of its three major flavonols (quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-D-galactoside, and quercetin-3-rhamnoside) on body weight; the weight of liver, kidney, and spleen; some lipid parameters in serum; and total lipid ratios of liver and kidney and oxidative stress parameters of obese rats were studied. This study was conducted on two experimental groups: one of which was given an apple, and the other was given flavonols, in addition to their high-energy diet; along with a sham and a control rat group, for 4 weeks. According to results, there was no difference in body and organ weights between groups. The liver and kidney weights increased in obese rats, but there was no difference between the total lipid ratios in these organs. The addition of green apple and selected flavonols to the high-energy diet of rats was not sufficient to prevent the increase in body and organ weights, but it supported the reduction in some lipid fractions and in oxidative stress parameters of obese rats. Moreover, this study supported the argument that obesity causes most of the lipid fractions increase in serum and induces oxidative stress.     

活性艳红K-2G与环糊精相互作用的极谱伏安法研究

研究了单偶氮染料活性艳红K-2G的极谱伏安行为。实验表明：在底液为0．1mol／L的NaGl溶液中活性艳红K-2G有一稳定的、灵敏的还原峰,峰电位约为-0．78mV（vs．SEE）。用线性扫描二阶导数极谱法研究了活性艳红K-2G与不同环糊精的相互作用。采用“电流法”测定了包结常数,比较了不同类型环糊精的包结能力,初探了包结点的可能位置,并对其进行了理论分析。     

煌焦油蓝-溴酸钠体系催化动力学光度法测定痕量甲醛

基于H2SO4介质中甲醛催化NaBrO3氧化煌焦油蓝的褪色反应,建立了测定痕量甲醛的催化动力学分析方法。探讨了该方法的反应机理,对其反应条件进行了研究。测定线性范围为0．16～2．00μg／mL,检出限为8ng／mL。方法已应用于海产品水发液中痕量甲醛的测定。