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Biolcati V, Woolley J, Lévêque É, Rossi A, Hoffmann AG, Visentin A, Macháin PÓ, Iacopino D. Establishing the original order of the poems in Harward's Almanac using paleography, codicology, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and statistical analysis. HERITAGE SCIENCE 2023; 11:265. [PMID: 38107975 PMCID: PMC10724310 DOI: 10.1186/s40494-023-01107-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
This work presents the results of a transdisciplinary analysis performed on Harward's Almanac (Dublin, 1666), an extremely rare volume currently housed in the National Library of Ireland. The uniqueness and historical value of the Almanac is related to the presence of nineteen handwritten poems, entered by an anonymous scribe. These record textually important English clandestine satire circulating anonymously in Dublin in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. Following a comprehensive historical assessment, it appeared evident that the current order of leaves was incorrect. To reconstruct the correct order of the leaves, and hence the likely sequence in which the manuscript poems were inscribed, this study employed a codicological/paleographic analysis complemented by analytical (X-ray fluorescence, XRF) and statistical (Self Organizing Map, SOM) investigation. Specifically, point XRF analysis was carried out for each handwritten page of the Almanac, allowing identification of ink elemental compositions (iron-based ink) and successfully supporting the validity of historical hypotheses on the poems' order of inscription. The statistical organization of XRF data by SOMs allowed easy bi-dimensional visualization of the data set (54 points) and identification of ink similarities, once more validating the historical assessment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40494-023-01107-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Biolcati
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings Complex, Dyke Parade, Cork, T12R5CP Ireland
- Modern Irish Department, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, T12K8AF Ireland
| | - James Woolley
- Department of English, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042 USA
| | - Élodie Lévêque
- Centre de Recherche Histoire Culturelle et Sociale de l’Art (HiCSA), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2 rue Vivienne, 74002 Paris, France
| | - Andrea Rossi
- School of Computer Science & IT, Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Western Road, Cork, T12 XF62 Ireland
| | - Anna Grace Hoffmann
- Modern Irish Department, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, T12K8AF Ireland
| | - Andrea Visentin
- School of Computer Science & IT, Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Western Road, Cork, T12 XF62 Ireland
| | - Pádraig Ó Macháin
- Modern Irish Department, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, T12K8AF Ireland
| | - Daniela Iacopino
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings Complex, Dyke Parade, Cork, T12R5CP Ireland
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Terzano R, Denecke MA, Falkenberg G, Miller B, Paterson D, Janssens K. Recent advances in analysis of trace elements in environmental samples by X-ray based techniques (IUPAC Technical Report). PURE APPL CHEM 2019; 91:1029-1063. [PMID: 32831407 PMCID: PMC7433040 DOI: 10.1515/pac-2018-0605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Trace elements analysis is a fundamental challenge in environmental sciences. Scientists measure trace elements in environmental media in order to assess the quality and safety of ecosystems and to quantify the burden of anthropogenic pollution. Among the available analytical techniques, X-ray based methods are particularly powerful, as they can quantify trace elements in situ. Chemical extraction is not required, as is the case for many other analytical techniques. In the last few years, the potential for X-ray techniques to be applied in the environmental sciences has dramatically increased due to developments in laboratory instruments and synchrotron radiation facilities with improved sensitivity and spatial resolution. In this report, we summarize the principles of the X-ray based analytical techniques most frequently employed to study trace elements in environmental samples. We report on the most recent developments in laboratory and synchrotron techniques, as well as advances in instrumentation, with a special attention on X-ray sources, detectors, and optics. Lastly, we inform readers on recent applications of X-ray based analysis to different environmental matrices, such as soil, sediments, waters, wastes, living organisms, geological samples, and atmospheric particulate, and we report examples of sample preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Terzano
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Melissa A. Denecke
- The University of Manchester, Dalton Nuclear Institute, Oxford Road, Manchester M14 9PL, UK
| | - Gerald Falkenberg
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Photon Science, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bradley Miller
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Enforcement Investigations Center, Lakewood, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - David Paterson
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Koen Janssens
- Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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Spatially resolved (semi)quantitative determination of iron (Fe) in plants by means of synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:3341-50. [PMID: 23392411 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-6768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plant growth and development; hence determining Fe distribution and concentration inside plant organs at the microscopic level is of great relevance to better understand its metabolism and bioavailability through the food chain. Among the available microanalytical techniques, synchrotron μ-XRF methods can provide a powerful and versatile array of analytical tools to study Fe distribution within plant samples. In the last years, the implementation of new algorithms and detection technologies has opened the way to more accurate (semi)quantitative analyses of complex matrices like plant materials. In this paper, for the first time the distribution of Fe within tomato roots has been imaged and quantified by means of confocal μ-XRF and exploiting a recently developed fundamental parameter-based algorithm. With this approach, Fe concentrations ranging from few hundreds of ppb to several hundreds of ppm can be determined at the microscopic level without cutting sections. Furthermore, Fe (semi)quantitative distribution maps were obtained for the first time by using two opposing detectors to collect simultaneously the XRF radiation emerging from both sides of an intact cucumber leaf.
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Bazin D, Daudon M, Combes C, Rey C. Characterization and some physicochemical aspects of pathological microcalcifications. Chem Rev 2012; 112:5092-120. [PMID: 22809072 DOI: 10.1021/cr200068d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D Bazin
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France.
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Vincze L, Somogyi A, Osan J, Vekemans B, Torok S, Janssens K, Adams F. Quantitative trace element analysis of individual fly ash particles by means of X-ray microfluorescence. Anal Chem 2002; 74:1128-35. [PMID: 11924974 DOI: 10.1021/ac010789b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A new quantification procedure was developed for the evaluation of X-ray microfluorescence (XRF) data sets obtained from individual particles, based on iterative Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Combined with the high sensitivity of synchrotron radiation-induced XRF spectroscopy, the method was used to obtain quantitative information down to trace-level concentrations from micrometer-sized particulate matter. The detailed XRF simulation model was validated by comparison of calculated and experimental XRF spectra obtained for glass microsphere standards, resulting in uncertainties in the range of 3-10% for the calculated elemental sensitivities. The simulation model was applied for the quantitative analysis of X-ray tube and synchrotron radiation-induced scanning micro-XRF spectra of individual coal and wood fly ash particles originating from different Hungarian power plants. By measuring the same particles by both methods the major, minor, and trace element compositions of the particles were determined. The uncertainty of the MC based quantitative analysis scheme is estimated to be in the range of 5-30%.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Vincze
- Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp (UIA), Belgium
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