Digital restoration of colour cinematic films using imaging spectroscopy and machine learning.

Digital restoration is a rapidly growing methodology within the field of heritage conservation, especially for early cinematic films which have intrinsically unstable dye colourants that suffer from irreversible colour fading. Although numerous techniques to restore film digitally have emerged recently, complex degradation remains a challenging problem. This paper proposes a novel vector quantization (VQ) algorithm for restoring movie frames based on the acquisition of spectroscopic data with a custom-made push-broom VNIR hyperspectral camera (380-780 nm). The VQ algorithm utilizes what we call a multi-codebook that correlates degraded areas with corresponding non-degraded ones selected from reference frames. The spectral-codebook was compared with a professional commercially available film restoration software (DaVinci Resolve 17) tested both on RGB and on hyperspectral providing better results in terms of colour reconstruction.

Combining elemental and immunochemical analyses to characterize diagenetic alteration patterns in ancient skeletal remains.

Bones and teeth are biological archives, but their structure and composition are subjected to alteration overtime due to biological and chemical degradation postmortem, influenced by burial environment and conditions. Nevertheless, organic fraction preservation is mandatory for several archeometric analyses and applications. The mutual protection between biomineral and organic fractions in bones and teeth may lead to a limited diagenetic alteration, promoting a better conservation of the organic fraction. However, the correlation between elemental variations and the presence of organic materials (e.g., collagen) in the same specimen is still unclear. To fill this gap, chemiluminescent (CL) immunochemical imaging analysis has been applied for the first time for collagen localization. Then, Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and CL imaging were combined to investigate the correlation between elemental (i.e., REE, U, Sr, Ba) and collagen distribution. Teeth and bones from various archeological contexts, chronological periods, and characterized by different collagen content were analyzed. Immunochemical analysis revealed a heterogeneous distribution of collagen, especially in highly degraded samples. Subsequently, LA-ICP-MS showed a correlation between the presence of uranium and rare earth elements and areas with low amount of collagen. The innovative integration between the two methods permitted to clarify the mutual relation between elemental variation and collagen preservation overtime, thus contributing to unravel the effects of diagenetic alteration in bones and teeth.

Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) and normalized difference image (NDI) data processing: An advanced method to map collagen in archaeological bones.

In the present study, an innovative and highly efficient near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) method is proposed to provide spectral maps able to reveal collagen distribution in large-size bones, also offering semi-quantitative estimations. A recently introduced method for the construction of chemical maps, based on Normalized Difference Images (NDI), is declined in an innovative approach, through the exploitation of the NDI values computed for each pixel of the hyperspectral image to localize collagen and to extract information on its content by a direct comparison with known reference samples. The developed approach addresses an urgent issue of the analytical chemistry applied to bioarcheology researches, which rely on well-preserved collagen in bones to obtain key information on chronology, paleoecology and taxonomy. Indeed, the high demand for large-sample datasets and the consequent application of a wide variety of destructive analytical methods led to the considerable destruction of precious bone samples. NIR-HSI pre-screening allows researchers to properly select the sampling points for subsequent specific analyses, to minimize costs and time and to preserve integrity of archaeological bones (which are available in a very limited amount), providing further opportunities to understand our past.

Mitigating strategies and nursing response for cancer care management during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian experience.

AIM: To describe our response to the COVID-19 emergency in a cancer centre to enable other nursing organizations to determine which elements could be useful to manage a surge of patients in their own setting. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the most challenging healthcare scenarios faced to date. Managing cancer care in such a complex situation requires a coordinated emergency action plan to guarantee the continuity of cancer treatments for patients by providing healthcare procedures for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals in a safe environment. PROCEDURES: We describe the main strategies and role of nurses in implementating such procedures. RESULTS: Nurses at our hospital were actively involved in COVID-19 response defined by the emergency action plan that positively contributed to correct social distancing and to the prevention of the spread of the virus. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICIES: Lessons learned from the response to phase I of COVID-19 have several implications for future nursing and health policies in which nurses play an active role through their involvement in the frontline of such events. Key policies include a coordinated emergency action plan permitting duty of care within the context of a pandemic, and care pathway revision. This requires the rapid implementation of strategies and policies for a nursing response to the new care scenarios: personnel redistribution, nursing workflow revision, acquisition of new skills and knowledge, effective communication strategies, infection control policies, risk assessment and surveillance programmes, and continuous supplying of personal protective equipment. Finally, within a pandemic context, clear nursing policies reinforcing the role of nurses as patient and caregiver educators are needed to promote infection prevention behaviour in the general population.

Non-invasive characterisation of molecular diffusion of agent into turbid matrix using micro-SORS.

This study proposes a non-invasive analytical method to study the molecular diffusion of a chemical agent into a turbid matrix with an emerging analytical technique, micro-Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (micro-SORS). Here, the micro-SORS concept has been extended from the analysis of chemically distinct stratified layers to the studies and monitoring of the absorption and diffusion processes, addressing a key analytical need in a number of areas including polymer, pharmaceutical, forensic and biomedical sciences. In Cultural Heritage the knowledge of the penetration depth of a polymer used to consolidate or to protect an object, or the absorption depth of solvents used during a cleaning procedure is crucial for the performance evaluation of restoration methods and their safety towards the work of art. To date the most common protocol for obtaining this type of information comprises the application of stratigraphical analysis on cross-sections prepared after taking a small amount of sample from the work of art. This approach is destructive and may lack of statistical meaning, since the analytical information is limited to the micro area of sampling. To overcome these drawbacks, in this study micro-SORS was successfully used, for the first time, to non-invasively characterise the penetration of a polymer and of a viscous solvent into a gypsum substrate, permitting the reconstruction of the diffusion trends of the products into the matrix and the evaluation of their performances.

Analyses of trace amounts of dyes with a new enhanced sensitivity FTIR spectroscopic technique: MU-ATR (metal underlayer ATR spectroscopy).

The identification of organic dyes is a challenging task in all the fields such as the forensic and conservation sciences, especially in cases where the amount of sample is extremely small. In this paper we propose a new enhanced FTIR method (MU-ATR metal underlayer ATR spectroscopy), which we believe is the first of its kind, for the analysis of a few ng of dyes. With this method, dyed fiber micro-extracts can be analyzed using a commercial FTIR microscope with a fixed incident angle, obtaining the same separation between the different classes of dyes investigated as we obtained analyzing pure dyes in transmission mode. Moreover, the new enhancement method has been validated on a real sample dated back to the 1893, showing how it can be promising for the analysis of trace amounts of organic substances in artistic samples such as dyes in paintings or textiles, varnishes and organic residues on archaeological objects.

New Frontiers in Application of FTIR Microscopy for Characterization of Cultural Heritage Materials.

We present an overview of recent advances in the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microscopy for analysis of complex, multicomponent, and multilayer samples such as those typically encountered in the field of heritage materials. This technique is particularly useful since it allows identification and localization of both organic and inorganic (if IR active) compounds. New improvements have been possible thanks to the introduction of ad hoc sample preparation methods to obtain either thin or cross sections that allow both avoidance of contamination from organic embedding resin and improvement of the quality of the acquired spectra. Moreover, integrated use of spectra registered in the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) regions allows better comprehension of cross section composition. Data interpretation has been improved thanks to the development of chemometric methods for elaboration of hyperspectral data. A new and very promising field is the development of enhanced FTIR methods for detection of trace components in microextracts. These systems, allowing detection of extractable organic compounds from about 0.1 mg of sample, will be extremely useful in the future for analysis of natural and synthetic colorants, varnishes extracted, for instance, from cotton swabs used during cleaning of paintings, and organic residues on archeological remains.

Single and multiplexed immunoassays for the chemiluminescent imaging detection of animal glues in historical paint cross-sections.

The characterization of the organic components in a complex, multilayered paint structure is fundamental for studying painting techniques and for authentication and restoration purposes. Proteinaceous materials, such as animal glue, are of particular importance since they are widely used as binders, adhesives and for gilding. Even though proteins are usually detected by chromatographic and proteomic techniques, immunological methods represent an alternative powerful approach to protein analysis thanks to the high specificity of antigen-antibody reactions. Our previous studies demonstrated that ovalbumin and casein could be localized in paint cross-sections with high sensitivity and good spatial resolution (i.e. within the single painting layers) by using chemiluminescent (CL) immunochemical microscope imaging. In the present research work, we describe for the first time the immunolocalization of collagen (the main protein of animal glue) in paint cross-sections by CL imaging microscopy. Two different analytical protocols have been developed, allowing either the detection of collagen or the simultaneous detection of collagen and ovalbumin in the same paint sample. The assays were used to detect collagen and ovalbumin in cross-sections from model samples and historical paintings (a wall painting dated to 1773-1774 and a painted wood panel of the Renaissance period) in order to achieve information on paint techniques and past restoration interventions.

Development of innovative embedding procedures for the analyses of paint cross sections in ATR FITR microscopy.

We report the development of innovative embedding procedures for the analysis of paint cross sections by attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform IR microscopy. This technique was chosen because it is widely employed for the characterization and spatial location of organic and inorganic components in artistic samples. Moreover, the performance of the technique may be critically affected by sample preparation in terms of surface morphology and the presence of contamination. First, we evaluated the use of KBr as a barrier to contamination by the embedding synthetic medium. In this way, the sample cross section can be polished by means of a sample holder, which allows a controlled pressure to be applied to the sample, thus improving the reproducibility and quality of the surface cross section. In addition, argon ion milling was used for the polishing of samples embedded in KBr, and provided very promising results in terms of surface planarity and reduction of superficial contamination by KBr. Finally, the use of NaCl as an alternative to KBr was proposed thanks to its advantages in terms of hygroscopicity, cost, and toxicity. In addition, cross sections embedded in NaCl were characterized by greater hardness, a feature that allowed us to obtain improved contact with the ATR crystal.

New advances in the application of FTIR microscopy and spectroscopy for the characterization of artistic materials.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is one of the most widely applied techniques for the investigation of cultural heritage materials. FTIR microscopy is well established as an essential tool in the microdestructive analysis of small samples, and the recent introduction of mapping and imaging equipment allows the collection of a large number of FTIR spectra on a surface, providing a distribution map of identified compounds. In this Account, we report recent advances in FTIR spectroscopy and microscopy in our research group. Our laboratory develops, tests, and refines new and less-studied IR spectroscopy and microscopy methods, with the goal of their adoption as routine analytical techniques in conservation laboratories. We discuss (i) the analysis of inorganic materials inactive in the mid-IR region by means of far-IR spectroscopy, (ii) the development of new methods for preparing cross sections, (iii) the characterization and spatial location of thin layers and small particles, and (iv) the evaluation of protective treatments. FTIR spectroscopy and microscopy have been mostly used in the mid-IR region of 4000-600 cm(-1). Some inorganic pigments, however, are inactive in this region, so other spectroscopic techniques have been applied, such as Raman spectroscopy. We suggest an alternative: harnessing the far-IR (600-50 cm(-1)). Our initial results show that far-IR spectroscopy is exceptionally useful with mural paintings or with corrosion products from which larger sample quantities can generally be collected. Moreover, the inorganic composition of a sample can be characterized by the presence of several compounds that are inactive in the mid-IR range (such as sulfides, oxides, and so forth). Stratigraphical analyses by FTIR microscopy can be hindered by the process of cross section preparation, which often involves an embedding organic polymer penetrating the sample's porous structure. Here, the polymer bands may completely cover the bands of organic compounds in the sample. However, a correct methodological approach can prevent such limitations. For example, it is always advisable to analyze the sample surface before preparing the cross section in order to characterize the preparation layers and the varnish layers, which are generally applied to the surface of a painting both to protect it and improve the color saturation. Furthermore, the innovative use of IR-transparent salts as embedding material for cross sections can prevent contamination of the embedding resin and improve detection of organic substances. Another key point in the use of FTIR microscopy in artwork analysis is spatial resolution. The high-energy output of a new integrated FTIR microscope enhances the ability to characterize and spatially locate small particles and thin layers. Moreover, the new configuration proves extremely useful in the evaluation of protective treatments, because larger areas may be analyzed in less time in comparison to traditional systems, allowing the collection of more statistical data.

Attenuated total reflection micro FTIR characterisation of pigment-binder interaction in reconstructed paint films.

The interaction of pigments and binding media may result in the production of metal soaps on the surface of paintings which modifies their visible appearance and state of conservation. To characterise more fully the metal soaps found on paintings, several historically accurate oil and egg yolk tempera paint reconstructions made with different pigments and naturally aged for 10 years were submitted to attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) microspectroscopic analyses. Standard metal palmitates were synthesised and their ATR spectra recorded in order to help the identification of metal soaps. Among the different lead-based pigments, red lead and litharge seemed to produce a larger amount of carboxylates compared with lead white, Naples yellow and lead tin yellow paints. Oil and egg tempera litharge and red lead paints appeared to be degraded into lead carbonate, a phenomenon which has been observed for the first time. The formation of metal soaps was confirmed on both oil and egg tempera paints based on zinc, manganese and copper and in particular on azurite paints. ATR mapping analyses showed how the areas where copper carboxylates were present coincided with those in which azurite was converted into malachite. Furthermore, the key role played by manganese in the production of metals soaps on burnt and raw sienna and burnt and raw umber paints has been observed for the first time. The formation of copper, lead, manganese, cadmium and zinc metal soaps was also identified on egg tempera paint reconstructions even though, in this case, the overlapping of the spectral region of the amide II band with that of metal carboxylates made their identification difficult.

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of products arising from pyrolysis of amino acids in the presence of hexamethyldisilazane.

Alpha-amino acids were pyrolysed at 600 degrees C in the presence of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and the formed volatile products were analysed on line by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, norleucine, methionine, phenylalanine yielded principally the trimethylsilyl (TMS) ester of the parent amino acid. TMS esters of carboxylic acids arising from reductive deamination were observed for serine, threonine and aspartic acid. Decarboxylation resulted in the formation of amines which represented abundant products released from tyrosine, cysteine and methionine. Cyclic compounds arising from the condensation of two amino acids were revealed as characteristic products of glycine, alanine, serine, proline and hydroxyproline. Degradation products of the side chain were released at relatively high levels from tryptophane, tyrosine and hystidine. Since each amino acid produced a characteristic distribution of TMS products, in-situ pyrolysis/silylation with HMDS may find application as a screening technique for the detection of amino acids and related materials in complex matrices. The potentiality of the procedure was tested on a dipeptide (Tyr-Leu).

Use of mechanical devices for the intermaxillary registration in edentulous patients treated with implants.

This article describes the use of three devices that replace the wax rims in the registration of the intermaxillary position and of the vertical dimension of occlusion in completely edentulous patients who have been treated with Brånemark implants. The devices consist of a mechanical "tooth" that can be adjusted in all three dimensions of space and of two plates that support the registration material. The mechanical tooth is connected to an abutment in the anterior region and a contact is established with a tooth in the opposite jaw at the vertical dimension in which the patient will be restored. This allows the operator to position the mandible in the centric relation in a condition of neuromuscular deprogramming and in the absence of posterior interferences. The two metal plates are then fixed to the posterior abutments, one on each side, and support the wax and zinc oxide eugenol paste used to register the intermaxillary position just established.

AIDS: a major health problem among young Italian women.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Italian women and to assess its impact on mortality. Further, to assess the incidence of AIDS and the main characteristics of women affected by AIDS: with particular attention to those aged 25-34 years, and to identify differences in these characteristics compared with men infected with AIDS. METHODS: Incidence data were derived from the Italian National Register of AIDS Cases (RAIDS). The most recent complete data refer to cases diagnosed to the end of 1994. Mortality data were collected from the Italian mortality database, which is held by the Italian National Census Bureau (ISTAT) and processed by the Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the National Institute of Health of Italy (Istituto Superiore di Sanitá; ISS). The most recent mortality data refer to 1992, but projections were made to obtain mortality data up to 1994. All the rates were standardized by age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 26 957 cases of AIDS, 21 441 men (79.5%) and 5516 women (20.5%), diagnosed before the end of 1994 were reported to RAIDS. The majority of cases and deaths occurred in individuals aged 25-34 years. The incidence of AIDS among women increased from 2.1 per 100 000 in 1987 to 17.2 per 100 000 in 1994. The sex ratio (men:women) fell from 5.2 in 1987 to 2.9 in 1994. In 1992, AIDS was the second most common cause of death (slightly behind cancer and ahead of traffic accidents) in Italy, but was the most common cause in three regions of northern Italy (Liguria, Lombardia and Emilia). CONCLUSIONS: Although the AIDS epidemic in the past has predominantly affected young men, AIDS is now rapidly becoming a major health problem for young women in Italy. Moreover, as these women are at reproductive age, this may have important consequences in terms of increased morbidity and mortality among children.

Differences in cancer mortality trends between four neighboring north-eastern areas and Italy, 1970-1990.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The present report combines descriptive statistics (partly never published) on four neighboring areas of north-eastern (NE) Italy [Friuli-Venezia Giulia (1970-89) and Veneto (1970-87) regions and the provinces of Trento (1970-89) and Bolzano (1971-90)], and all Italy (1970-89). The aim was to highlight potential differences in mortality trends and promote a more systematic sharing of data and methodologies. METHODS: Death certificates stratified by cause, sex, age and residence were obtained from official publications of the Italian Central Institute of Statistics. Absolute numbers of deaths from different causes, age-standardized rates (on the basis of the European standard population) and percentage of change over the examined period for both sexes were computed for each geographic area. RESULTS: Unfavorable trends were seen for neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract, lung, breast, colorectum, bladder, kidney and pancreas and cutaneous malignant melanoma. Increases in most of these neoplasms were more marked in the 4 NE areas than in Italy, especially with respect to cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract in both sexes and cancer of the lung and ovary in women. In Bolzano, rates of neoplasms associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption were lower and less steeply increasing than in the other NE areas, most notably Trento, therefore, contributing to produce the lowest overall cancer mortality rates of NE areas. Cancers of the stomach, uterus, and testis and Hodgkin's disease presented consistent downward trends in all examined areas. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of mortality trends across areas is consistent with elevated and still increasing cancer rates in the 4 NE areas considered, especially for tobacco and alcohol-related neoplasms and skin melanoma. Preventive strategies, based on epidemiologic knowledge, especially against tobacco and heavy alcohol consumption, and intense intermittent sun exposure, seem to be priorities and may benefit from systematic sharing of information, expertise and intervention tools in NE Italy. At least part of the lack of cancer deaths in Bolzano must be attributable to the deaths of Bolzano residents abroad (especially in Austria) and/or to differences in coding practices. This should be elucidated in future studies.

AIDS as a leading cause of death among young adults in Italy.

The objective of this study is to describe the impact of AIDS on the mortality of young adult (aged 25 to 44 years) in Italy, at both the national and regional level. We analyzed the official mortality data for Italy: the most recent data available being from 1990. General mortality trends show that while mortality among young women is still decreasing (i.e. from a standardized rate of 83.8 per 100,000 in 1980 to 68.4 in 1990), mortality among young men began to rise in the mid-1980s, after a steady decrease over many years. Among the 25-34 year olds, however, this reversal in trend is more marked, notwithstanding a decrease or stabilization in most major causes of death. In fact it coincides with the appearance and spread of AIDS in Italy, which has affected young men in particular. (The peak age group for AIDS deaths is the 25-34 year olds). Mortality data from 1990 reveal that AIDS is the fourth leading cause of death in Italy among men between the ages of 25 and 44 years. Among 25-34 year-old men, however, AIDS is the second leading cause of death, after road accidents. AIDS also contributes greatly to the general mortality in individual regions, both among 25-44 year-old men (Lombardy, Liguria, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany), and especially among 25-34 year-old men (Lombardy, Liguria, Lazio, Sardinia, where it is the number one cause of death, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Veneto, where it is the number two cause of death).

Mortality from skin melanoma in Italy and Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, 1970-1989.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Substantial upward trends for skin cancer mortality have been observed in most European countries in the last two decades. The distinction, however, between cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and non-melanomatous skin cancers on the basis of death certification is unreliable. METHODS: In order to assess the trends of CMM, analysis of the specific code for CMM (International Classification of Disease VIII and IX:172) was coupled with analysis of total skin cancer mortality rates, standardized on the 1981 Italian Census population, at all ages and in selected age groups (15-44, 45-64 and 65-84 years). The analyses were carried out for the whole of Italy and for Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG), a region in North-East Italy with a high proportion of fair-complexioned individuals, elevated frequency of sunbathing, and especially good diagnostic standards. RESULTS: In 1985-89 skin cancer mortality rates in men at all ages, as compared to 1970-74, were 33% higher in Italy and 46% higher in FVG. In women, there was a rise of 22% in Italy and 94% in FVG. More marked upward trends were observed in young and middle aged adults, especially among women in FVG (over 300% increase). In absolute terms, approximately 3000 more Italians died from skin cancers in 1985-89 as compared to 1970-74, about half of them prematurely (i.e., < 65 years). CMM was mentioned in death certifications for skin cancer increasingly often in all age groups, particularly in FVG. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of mortality trends from skin cancer is consistent with a substantial rise of CMM-related deaths. The sensitivity of death certification with respect to CMM diagnosis is also increasing, especially in FVG. A public health strategy with the aim of reducing intermittent intense exposure to ultraviolet light, especially in children, is urgent in Italy as CMM represents one of the few causes of premature death with unfavorable trends.

[The impact of AIDS on mortality in Italy]. / L'impatto dell'AIDS sulla mortalità Italiana.

Using the official mortality data, collected by ISTAT, and the data of the Italian Register of AIDS cases, in Istituto Superiore di Sanità, three arguments have been developed: 1) Study of causes according to which ISTAT could classify deaths from AIDS: the leading cause appears to be "Deficit of Cell Immunity" (I.C.D. 279.1). 2) Study of the under-estimation of official data with respect to those of the specific system. Under-estimation decreased over the years, reaching 20% in 1987 and 6% in 1988. 3) Analysis of the general mortality trend in all of Italy and in particular metropolitan areas, with a high concentration of cases, such as Rome and Milan; there is evidence of a possible influence of AIDS deaths on mortality of young age classes particularly notable among single males.