Simultaneous PIXE and RBS data analysis using Bayesian inference with the DataFurnace code

Native American quillwork collections remain little studied due to the limited availability of quillwork material for sampling. In this paper we explore the use of non-invasive Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) to characterise metallic residues in a set of modern porcupine quills prepared with a range of metallic mordants. PIXE analysis was used to determine the concentrations of various mordants present, while RBS analysis allowed additional information on the depth-profiling of the mordants at the surface of the quills to be obtained.

To investigate the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease, we administered aluminum to healthy rats and examined the aluminum uptake in the brain and isolated brain cell nuclei by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. Ten days after the last injection, Al was detected in the rat brain and in isolated brain cell nuclei by PIXE analysis. Al was also demonstrated in the brain after 15 months of oral aluminum administration. Moreover, Al was detected in the brain and isolated brain cell nuclei from the patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Silver impregnation studies revealed that spines attached to the dendritic processes of cortical nerve cells decreased remarkably after aluminum administration. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic inclusion bodies in the hippocampal nerve cells 75 days after the injection. These morphological changes in the rat brain after the aluminum administration were similar to those reportedly observed in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Our results indicate that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by irreversible accumulation of aluminum in the brain, as well as in the nuclei of brain cells.

Particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of biological materials: Precision, accuracy and application to cancer tissues

Elemental investigation of Syrian medicinal plants using PIXE analysis

Imaging Ni segregation in synthetic diamond using ionoluminescence (IL) and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE)

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the total amount of trace elements in retina from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6). Concentration of trace elements within individual retinal areas in frozen sections of the fellow eye was established with the use of two methodologies: (1) particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) in combination with 3D depth profiling with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and (2) synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) microscopy. The most abundant metal in the retina was zinc, followed by iron and copper. Nickel, manganese, chromium, cobalt, selenium and cadmium were present in very small amounts. The PIXE and SXRF analysis yielded a non-homogenous pattern distribution of metals in the retina. Relatively high levels of zinc were found in the inner part of the photoreceptor inner segments (RIS)/outer limiting membrane (OLM), inner nuclear layer and plexiform layers. Iron was found to accumulate in the retinal pigment epithelium/choroid layer and RIS/OLM. Copper in turn, was localised primarily in the RIS/OLM and plexiform layers. The trace elements iron, copper, and zinc exist in different amounts and locations in the rat retina.

Characterisation of the variations of tint and the adhesion of pigments onto the surface of mortar

The major and trace element compositions of several minerals and their surrounding groundmass in the volcanic rocks from the post-caldera Nea-Kameni island of the Santorini volcanic complex, Aegean Sea, have been determined, in-situ with particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis with an electron microprobe (EMP). The lavas are typically calc-alkaline dacites. All samples are porphyritic with a phenocryst mineralogy dominated by plagioclase, augite, hyperstene and Ti-magnetite. The phenocrysts range in size from 200 μm to 2.5 mm. The PIXE and EMP analyses were done on sections polished with diamond paste

ABSTRACTThe Ion Micro-Analysis Group (IMAG) in Livermore conducts quantitative trace elemental analysis with PIXE and depth profiling with IBS using an MeV ion microbeam. The system has the capability to produce two-dimensional trace element and IBS images. PIXE analyses have been conducted on HgI2 and PbI2 crystals and detector materials in order to identify and quantify near surface trace contaminants. IBS measurements have been conducted to investigate elemental depth distributions in various materials. The results of measurements on several different samples are reported and a discussion of factors affecting quantitative in vacuo microanalysis of these materials is presented.

In this paper a complex study of the capabilities of Particle‐Induced X‐ray Emission (PIXE) technique for the determination of major, minor and trace constituents of metallurgical, biological and environmental samples has been done. The elements identified in the metallurgical samples (steels) using PIXE were: K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, W, Ga, As, Pb, Mo, Rb, In, Rh, Zr, Pd, Nb, Sn and Sb. In the investigated biological and environmental samples (vegetals leaves, soil and mosses) PIXE analysis allowed determination of: S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg and Pb.

Characterization of surface layers produced by ion implantation of nitrogen in bulk aluminium

We investigated element accumulation in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices. Fungal spores and mycelia growing in monoxenic cultures were analyzed. The elemental composition was quantified using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) in combination with scanning transmission ion microscopy. In the spores, Ca and Fe were associated mainly with the spore wall, while P and K showed patchy distributions and their concentrations were correlated. Excess of P in the hyphal growth medium increased the P and Si concentrations in spores and increased the K/Ca ratio in spores. Increased P availability decreased the concentration of Zn and Mn in spores. We concluded that the availability of P influences the uptake and accumulation of several elements in spores. It is demonstrated that PIXE analysis is a powerful tool for quantitative analysis of elemental accumulation in fungal mycelia.

Evaluation of the remaining spent extraction solvent in vermiculite after leaching tests via PIXE analysis

PIXE and RBS analysis of sediments from El-Kansera barrage on Oued Beht river in Morocco

Influence of orange juice in the levels and in the genotoxicity of iron and copper