0000000000434594
AUTHOR
Marco Ferretti
The use of a European coinage alloy to compare the detection limits of mobile XRF systems. A feasibility study
The investigation of archaeological and historical materials makes use of techniques that, though borrowed from other fields of research and industrial production, frequently have to be 're-invented' because of peculiar characteristics of the analysed objects. Artistic relevance, limited movability, compositional and structural heterogeneity radically change the experimental approach and often require ad hoc designed equipment. These considerations also apply to x-ray fluorescence, especially regarding mobile systems. The extensive development and use of mobile spectrometers has produced an extremely diversified context and created the need for common criteria to evaluate their performances…
X-ray fluorescence investigation of gilded and enamelled silver: The case study of four medieval processional crosses from central Italy
Abstract The presence of multilayered structures is common in such cultural artefacts as paintings, corroded metals, objects that underwent a whatever form of surface qualification. One of the most usual and complete ways to investigate such structures is observing a cross section, which requires sampling. There are however situations where at least part of the stratigraphic information can be derived non-destructively: the literature shows that X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has frequently been used, in recent years, for this purpose, with special regard to paintings and gilded metals. Aim of this paper is to further explore the suitability of XRF-based techniques to characterise multilayered st…
The PAPIA system
In 1983 an Italian research program was begun for the design, simulation and construction of a multiprocessor image processing system. After a first phase devoted to the comparison of suggested and existing systems and to the definition of a set of benchmarks, a new system was defined. The structure of this new system is introduced here: it is based on a fine-grained pyramid of processors built up by means of a pyramidal cell implemented on a VLSI multiprocessor chip. The peculiarities and the capabilities of the processing element are highlighted. The complete hardware and software system has been fully designed and is described. A first working prototype has been built and is now operatio…
New human remains of Archaic Homo sapiens and Lower Palaeolithic industries from Visogliano (Duino Aurisina, Trieste, Italy).
New human remains have been found during recent excavations conducted in the lower section of Visogliano dolina (Trieste, Italy). They are represented by teeth and a fragment of particularly robust mandible that for their morphological and morphometrical characters can be generically attributed to archaic Homo sapiens. The lithic industry is formed by flakes, carinated points, scrapers, choppers and chopping tools and is characteristic of the Italian Pebble Culture. Sediments, pollen and faunal remains indicate that this part of the deposit was formed during interglacial climatic conditions in the early, but not initial phase of Middle Pleistocene (isotopic stadium 13 or 11).
Non-destructive Approach to Multilayer Objects: XRF Analysis of Gilt and Enamelled Metals of the Medieval Cross of Rosciolo
Abstract The penetration of X-rays is usually a limitation to the application of XRF analysis to multilayered materials, however it is possible, by software tools based on the fundamental parameters method, to overcome this problem and estimate thickness and composition of each layer. The cross of Rosciolo is a significant example of multilayer object: it is made of a wood core with attached gilt silver sheets and decorated with enamels. Measurements were carried out in situ and the PyMCA software was employed. The values of gilding thickness, Au/Hg ratios and Cu content in the silver sheets, and enamel's composition are discussed.
Eliciting stakeholders’ preferences towards numerical control of invasive alien mammals: a factorial survey approach with the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) in Italy.
Management schemes for invasive mammals that may involve direct shooting of animals must possess two fundamental attributes for working: being attractive for voluntary hunters, who often replace professional gamekeepers, and being accepted by the general public, which would otherwise delegitimize agencies. Traditionally, surveys are adopted to elicit the management preferences of these two stakeholders and to inform policy-makers. However, they suffer from social desirability bias and factorial surveys, where respondents evaluate hypothetical scenarios describing alternative management options, are supposed to be a more effective tool. We tested the effectiveness of factorial surveys to mea…