Unlocking the full potential of voltammetric data analysis: A novel peak recognition approach for (bio)analytical applications.

Bridging the gap between complex signal data output and clear interpretation by non-expert end-users is a major challenge many scientists face when converting their scientific technology into a real-life application. Currently, pattern recognition algorithms are the most frequently encountered signal data interpretation algorithms to close this gap, not in the least because of their straight-forward implementation via convenient software packages. Paradoxically, just because their implementation is so straight-forward, it becomes cumbersome to integrate the expert's domain-specific knowledge. In this work, a novel signal data interpretation approach is presented that uses this domain-specific knowledge as its fundament, thereby fully exploiting the unique expertise of the scientist. The new approach applies data preprocessing in an innovative way that transcends its usual purpose and is easy to translate into a software application. Multiple case studies illustrate the straight-forward application of the novel approach. Ultimately, the approach is highly suited for integration in various (bio)analytical applications that require interpretation of signal data.

Exploring the possibility of radiography in emission mode at higher energies: Improving the visualization of the internal structure of paintings / Explorando las posibilidades de la radiografía en modo de emisión a altas energías: Cómo optimizar la visualización de la estructura interna en pinturas

Summary We demonstrated in previous investigations that the internal structure of paintings can be visualized with conventional radiography in transmission mode when paintings have the proper stratigraphy. Unfortunately, there are many paintings that do not result in useful images. This problem can be solved by using radiography in emission mode. With this technique, the painting is irradiated with high energetic X-rays originating from an X-ray tube operating at 100 keV - 320 keV while inside the painting low energetic signals such as photoelectrons or characteristic photons are being generated. These signals escape from the top 10 µm of the painting and are able to illuminate the imaging plate. However, this technique has also some disadvantages. One of them is that it is not able to visualize underlying paintings. In this study, we explored the possibility to enhance the information depth by increasing the energy of the photon source from 100 keV up to 1.3325 MeV (i.e., 60Co source). At the same time, we also studied how the contrast between pigments is generated in emission mode. For this, we used mathematical simulation of particle transport in matter to understand the relation between input particle (particle type such as photon, electron or positron and the energy of the particle), the material being irradiated (element from which it is composed, thickness and density) and the output signal (generated particle types and energy). Finally, we will show that it is possible to image paintings using a 192Ir and even a 60Co source.

Resumen En investigaciones previas se ha demostrado que la estructura interna de las pinturas se puede visualizar satisfactoriamente con la radiografía convencional en modo de transmisión, siempre y cuando dichas pinturas tengan la estratigrafía adecuada. Desafortunadamente, hay muchos casos en los que la aplicación de este método no resultan en imágenes útiles. Este problema puede ser resuelto usando la radiografía en modo de emisión. Con esta técnica, la pintura se irradia con rayos X de alta energía originados en un tubo de rayos X trabajando entre 100 keV y 320 keV. Esto genera señales de baja energía (fotoelectrones o fotones característicos) en el interior de la pintura que, al escapar de las 10 μm superiores, pueden iluminar una placa de imágenes. No obstante, su aplicación también implica ciertas desventajas. Una de ellas es la incapacidad de visualizar las pinturas subyacentes. En este estudio, exploramos la posibilidad de incrementar la información obtenida a mayores profundidades aumentando la energía de la fuente de fotones desde 100 keV hasta 1.3325 MeV (fuente de 60Co). También estudiamos el impacto de esta energía en el contraste obtenido entre los pigmentos. Para esto, utilizamos la simulación matemática del transporte de partículas en la materia para comprender la relación entre partículas de entrada (fotones, electrones o positrones y la energía de las partículas), el material que se irradia (elemento del que está compuesto, espesor) y la señal de salida (tipos de partículas generados y energía). Finalmente, mostraremos que es posible crear imágenes de pinturas usando una fuente 60Co.

Large-Area Elemental Imaging Reveals Van Eyck's Original Paint Layers on the Ghent Altarpiece (1432), Rescoping Its Conservation Treatment.

A combination of large-scale and micro-scale elemental imaging, yielding elemental distribution maps obtained by, respectively non-invasive macroscopic X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) and by secondary electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and synchrotron radiation-based micro-XRF (SR µ-XRF) imaging was employed to reorient and optimize the conservation strategy of van Eyck's renowned Ghent Altarpiece. By exploiting the penetrative properties of X-rays together with the elemental specificity offered by XRF, it was possible to visualize the original paint layers by van Eyck hidden below the overpainted surface and to simultaneously assess their condition. The distribution of the high-energy Pb-L and Hg-L emission lines revealed the exact location of hidden paint losses, while Fe-K maps demonstrated how and where these lacunae were filled-up using an iron-containing material. The chemical maps nourished the scholarly debate on the overpaint removal with objective, chemical arguments, leading to the decision to remove all skillfully applied overpaints, hitherto interpreted as work by van Eyck. MA-XRF was also employed for monitoring the removal of the overpaint during the treatment phase. To gather complementary information on the in-depth layer build-up, SEM-EDX and SR µ-XRF imaging was used on paint cross sections to record micro-scale elemental maps.

Seasonal trends of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide over North Santa Clara, Cuba.

Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels were monitored simultaneously by means of Radiello passive samplers at six sites of Santa Clara city, Cuba, in the cold and the warm seasons in 2010. The dissolved ionic forms of NO2 and SO2 as nitrate and sulfite plus sulfate, respectively, were determined by means of ion chromatography. Analysis of NO2 as nitrite was also performed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. For NO2, significant t tests show good agreement between the results of IC and UV-Vis methods. The NO2 and SO2 concentrations peaked in the cold season, while their minimum levels were experienced in the warm season. The pollutant levels do not exceed the maximum allowable limit of the Cuban Standard 39:1999, i.e., 40 µg/m(3) and 50 µg/m(3) for NO2 and SO2, respectively. The lowest pollutant concentrations obtained in the warm season can be attributed to an increase in their removal via precipitation (scavenging) while to the decreased traffic density and industrial emission during the summer holidays (e.g., July and August).

Simulation and evaluation of the absorption edge subtraction technique in energy-resolved X-ray radiography applied to the cultural heritage studies / Simulación y evaluación de la técnica de sustracción del borde de absorción en un sistema radiográfico espectrométrico destinado al estudio del patrimonio cultural

ABSTRACT In this work the mathematical simulation of photon transport in the matter was used to evaluate the potentials of a new energy-resolved X-ray radiography system. The system is intended for investigations of cultural heritage object, mainly painting. The radiographic system uses polychromatic radiation from an X-ray tube and measures the spectrum transmitted through the object with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Manipulation of the data-set obtained allows constructing images with enhanced contrast for certain elements. Here the use of the absorption edge subtraction technique was emphasized. The simulated results were in good agreement with the experimental data.

RESUMEN En este trabajo se utilizó la simulación matemática del transporte de los fotones en la materia para evaluar las potencialidades de un nuevo sistema radiográfico destinado al estudio de obras del patrimonio cultural. Este sistema emplea una fuente de rayos X no monocromática y mide a nivel de píxel el espectro transmitido a través del objeto en estudio con un detector espectrométrico. El procesamiento del conjunto de datos obtenidos permite la construcción de imágenes con contraste realzado para ciertos elementos. En el presente trabajo se enfatizó en el uso de la técnica de sustracción del borde de absorción para el procesamiento de las imágenes. Los resultados de las simulaciones resultaron consistentes con las mediciones experimentales.