The particulate matter (PM) concentration and composition, the PM10, PM2.5, PM1 fractions, were studied in the urban area of Genoa, a coastal town in the northwest of Italy. Two instruments, the continuous monitor TEOM and the sequential sampler PARTISOL, were operated almost continuously on the same site from July 2001 to September 2004. Samples collected by PARTISOL were weighted to obtain PM...

The properties of many biological materials often depend on the spatial distribution and concentration of the trace elements present in a matrix. Scientists have over the years tried various techniques including classical physical and chemical analyzing techniques each with relative level of accuracy. However, with the development of spatially sensitive submicron beams, the nuclear microprobe t...

The Geant4 toolkit was used to perform benchmark Monte Carlo simulations of proton micro-tomography imaging. A phantom an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) target designed, based on experimental data. Simulations STIM (Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy) and PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) tomography were performed. Quantitative images obtained from the TomoRebuild JPIXET software pack...

The existing external beamline at the Microanalytical Centre of Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) in Ljubljana has been upgraded order to extend capabilities towards in-air PIXE imaging across relatively large sample surface area (∼1 cm2) with lateral resolution sub 100 µm. For that purpose, a doublet magnetic quadrupole lenses was installed on together newly designed exit nozzle 200 nm Si3N4 window...

The metallic prosthesis used in orthopaedic surgery undergo degradations some years after their implantation. This phenomenon induces metallic element transfer in surrounding tissues. On postmortem and per-operatory samples, we have taken tissues around hip or knee prosthesis. We have determined the composition of the implanted prosthesis by spark spectrometer. In the first step, we manufacture...

This study examines and compares three pieces of Renaissance style gold and enamelled jewelry owned by the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD, USA. These are a 16th century Hat Badge of Adam and Eve, a 19th century Fortitude Pendant and a Diana Pendant presumed to be of the 16th century (The Walters Art Gallery, Jewelry, Ancient to Modern (Viking, New York, 1979)), Ref. [1]. PIXE spectroscopy w...

Metal patch test is often used in clinical settings when metal-induced contact dermatitis is suspected. However, the transdermal permeation behavior of metal ions from the patch test remains unclear. Current patch tests using high concentrations of metal salt solutions have some side effects, e.g. acute skin reactions to high concentrations of metal salt. To resolve these, estimating metal ion ...