The paper presents the results of electron microscope studies of parchment of Old Russian manuscripts from the collection of the Russian National Library. The stratified distribution of elements over the thickness of parchment revealed by... more
The paper presents the results of electron microscope studies of parchment of Old Russian manuscripts from the collection of the Russian National Library. The stratified distribution of elements over the thickness of parchment revealed by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis allows to identify technological features involved in producing this material medium of textual monuments. Treatment with calcium-based compounds, egg white, pumice, salt, alumina sand, etc., was determined.
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This study reconstructed the technical chaîne operatoire of silver seed bead production in the Maikop culture on the basis of tracewear analysis and experimental research using silver beads from the Early Bronze Age dolmen... more
This study reconstructed the technical chaîne operatoire of silver seed bead production in the Maikop culture on the basis of tracewear analysis and experimental research using silver beads from the Early Bronze Age dolmen (c. 3200–2900 bce) in kurgan 2 at Tsarskaya (1898). The results demonstrate that such beads were produced as a “garland” lost wax casting, when a garland of beads is formed on a hollow dry stalk (straw) that burns out during the casting process. The technology of “garland” casting is an original and, probably, the earliest solution in history that helped address the issue of large‐scale production of uniform cast precious metal seed beads. It is not yet clear whether this technology was originally developed in the Caucasus or brought here from Western Asia, where the Maikop culture has its roots.
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The paper presents the results of nondestructive studies of metal objects from the Chernaya Mogila (Black Grave) mound (10th century, Chernigov) from the collection of the State Historical Museum: a helmet, spearhead, sword fragment, and... more
The paper presents the results of nondestructive studies of metal objects from the Chernaya Mogila (Black Grave) mound (10th century, Chernigov) from the collection of the State Historical Museum: a helmet, spearhead, sword fragment, and conglomerate of sintered weapons. In order to analyze the artifacts internal structure, assess their preservation, clarify the manufacturing technology and localize possible decorations, a complex of visualization methods was used. It includes X-ray computer tomography, synchrotron radiography, and tomography performed on the “KSRS-Kurchatov” synchrotron radiation source, and neutron tomography carried out at the IR-8 neutron source research reactor. The data obtained made it possible to reveal the design, ornamental, and technological features of the studied weapon items.
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This paper presents the results of the study of metal threads found in the fourteenth-century burials in slabbed graves located atop of the plateau of Eski-Kermen. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determined the metal of... more
This paper presents the results of the study of metal threads found in the fourteenth-century burials in slabbed graves located atop of the plateau of Eski-Kermen. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determined the metal of the threads in question as high-grade silver. The results of scanning electron microscopy of the surface morphology of the artefacts allowed the one to suggest a variant of reconstruction of the sequence of technological operations in the manufacture of the metal threads in question. The feature of all the metal threads under study is very even outer and inner surface and stable thickness and width of the metal band. In all cases, gold inclusions were stretched in the mass of metal along the long edge of the bands. Cast metal was flattened into a thin band. Parallel scratches along the butt end of the threads suggest that rolled out metal was cut with a tool with a thin, sharp blade leaving scratches along the course of the blade. Semi-finished produ...
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In 2020, the excavations of the fourteenth-century burials in slabbed graves 5/2020 and 8/2020 located in front of the main basilica in the central area of the town atop of the plateau of Eski-Kermen discovered metal threads of thin... more
In 2020, the excavations of the fourteenth-century burials in slabbed graves 5/2020 and 8/2020 located in front of the main basilica in the central area of the town atop of the plateau of Eski-Kermen discovered metal threads of thin strips of precious metal spirally wound round the core. The present research analyses the material of this core. It is known that most often the strips of precious metal were wound around the core with protein base (silk, wool, or hair) or with cellulose base (linen, cotton, or hemp). The samples of three metal threads were analysed, though no preserved organic core was found in one of the samples. Electron microscopy of the threads recorded their fibrous core, thus showing that the base of metal threads was not hair, skin, or tendons. Further, the core material was investigated by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The research detected trace amounts of two amino-acids, glycine and alanine, which appeared in silk fibroin only. The results of this s...
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In 2018–2019, the excavations of an aisleless church dated from the tenth to thirteenth centuries and located in quarter II on the territory of a provincial Byzantine town atop of the plateau of Eski-Kermen discovered fragments of... more
In 2018–2019, the excavations of an aisleless church dated from the tenth to thirteenth centuries and located in quarter II on the territory of a provincial Byzantine town atop of the plateau of Eski-Kermen discovered fragments of wall-plaster with polychrome painting. There are several shades of green, two shades of red, white (beige), yellow (ochre), and grey-brown colours. This paper presents the results of studies of the colour layer, determines pigments and cohesive colour components, and uncovers the features of the painting technique applied to the walls of the church. Four groups of samples were selected for the study featuring: 1 – white, 2 – yellow, 3 – red, and 4 – green colours. The elemental composition of the colour layer was studied by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX). The phase constitution of the samples was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) method with the use of diffractometers operated in a tr...
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ABSTRACT The structure of porphyrin-fullerene dyad ZnDHD6ee monolayers formed on the surface of aqueous subphase in a Langmuir trough and transferred onto solid substrates has been studied. The data obtained are interpreted using... more
ABSTRACT The structure of porphyrin-fullerene dyad ZnDHD6ee monolayers formed on the surface of aqueous subphase in a Langmuir trough and transferred onto solid substrates has been studied. The data obtained are interpreted using simulation of the structure of isolated molecules and their packing in monolayer and modeling of diffraction patterns from molecular aggregates having different sizes and degrees of order. Experiments on the formation of condensed ZnDHD6ee monolayers are described. The structure of these monolayers on a water surface is analyzed using π-A isotherms. The structure of the monolayers transferred onto solid substrates is investigated by electron diffraction and atomic force microscopy. The unit-cell parameters of two-dimensional domains, which are characteristic of molecular packing in monolayers and deposited films, are determined. Domains are found to be organized into a texture (the molecular axes are oriented by the [001] direction perpendicular to the substrate). The monolayers contain a limited number of small 3D domains.
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This article presents the results of technical studies of the oil painting by the artist of German origin Werner Tübke “Hiroshima I” (1958). The creative heritage of this author has not been studied enough and represents scattered data on... more
This article presents the results of technical studies of the oil painting by the artist of German origin Werner Tübke “Hiroshima I” (1958). The creative heritage of this author has not been studied enough and represents scattered data on the technology of painting and artistic techniques. The aim of this work was to determine the art materials and painting technology described in his diaries, using the example of his only painting represented in Russia: “Hiroshima I”. For this purpose, an in situ approach was implemented using some simple museum instrumentations—UV-induced visible luminescence, infrared reflectography (IRR), radiography, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and polarizing microscopy using microprobes. As a result, the pigment composition of the painting layers could be determined, the painting technology refined, and a previously unknown hidden portrait of Werner Tübke’s father revealed.
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This article presents the results of technical and technological studies of the oil painting by the artist of German origin Werner Tübke “Hiroshima I" (1958). The creative heritage of the author has been little studied and represents... more
This article presents the results of technical and technological studies of the oil painting by the artist of German origin Werner Tübke “Hiroshima I" (1958). The creative heritage of the author has been little studied and represents scattered data on the technology of painting and artistic techniques. The aim of the work was to determine the artistic materials and painting technolo-gy described in his diaries, using the example of his only painting in Russia – “Hiroshima I". For this purpose, an integrated approach was used using non–invasive control methods - photo in the light of visible luminescence, infrared reflectography (IRR), radiography, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), as well as infrared-Fourier spectroscopy (FT-IR) and polarizing microsco-py using microprobes. As a result, the pigment composition of the painting layers was deter-mined, the painting technology was refined, and a previously unknown hidden portrait of Werner Tübke's father was revealed.
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ABSTRACT Monolayers of porphyrin-fullerene dyad molecules with zinc atoms incorporated into the porphyrin ring (ZnDHD6ee) on the surface of aqueous subphase and on Si substrates have been investigated by the X-ray standing-wave method and... more
ABSTRACT Monolayers of porphyrin-fullerene dyad molecules with zinc atoms incorporated into the porphyrin ring (ZnDHD6ee) on the surface of aqueous subphase and on Si substrates have been investigated by the X-ray standing-wave method and X-ray reflectometry. The experiments have been performed under laboratory conditions and on synchrotron radiation sources (KMC-2 station of BESSY II (Berlin) and Langmuir station at the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”). Depth distributions of Zn atoms and electron density in the monolayer film are calculated. On the basis of the analysis of these distributions, it is concluded that ZnDHD6ee dyad molecules in monolayers have preferential orientation. The data obtained indicate that the molecules in monolayer film retain their orientation when the monolayer is transferred from a liquid subphase surface onto a solid substrate.
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The results of studying a biconical glass bead (14th century) found during excavations by the Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, at the settlement of Rostislavl (urban district of Kolomna, Moscow oblast) in 2018 are... more
The results of studying a biconical glass bead (14th century) found during excavations by the Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, at the settlement of Rostislavl (urban district of Kolomna, Moscow oblast) in 2018 are presented. The studied bead specimen differs significantly from all beads traditionally found during excavations in this region. A combination of a complex of imaging methods (X-ray and neutron tomography), large-scale X-ray fluorescence mapping of the distribution of elements, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and phase analysis allow us to determine that the bead decoration was formed by several layers of materials of different composition. Quantitative information about the base composition and trace components is obtained by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It is revealed that the bead was made by combining separate layers of the base and decorating material from glasses of two cla...
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Research Interests: Geology and Excavation
Background Fundamental restoration of sculptures must include the research of pollution composition and exhibit surface condition as well as accurate identification of the materials of sculptures, bas-reliefs and coatings. In the recent... more
Background Fundamental restoration of sculptures must include the research of pollution composition and exhibit surface condition as well as accurate identification of the materials of sculptures, bas-reliefs and coatings. In the recent years, studies of marble objects aimed at identification of contamination nature and composition have been developed. It should be noted that some exhibits have individual features as objects of restoration due to complex exposure to the environment, e.g. to fire. Results The article describes the results of surface contamination study on two exhibits from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts collection. Marble relief sculpture “The Flagellation of Christ” was the main object of the study. Glazed terracotta (majolica) “Madonna Friedrichshain” was studied as a control sample with the same type of contaminations but with less sensitive surface. According to the results of different gas chromatography and X-ray fluorescence analyses, pollution compound...
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Inks of historical documents from the collection of the Russian National Library and model samples on paper and polymer were studied by transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The results of... more
Inks of historical documents from the collection of the Russian National Library and model samples on paper and polymer were studied by transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The results of substantially nondestructive analysis of inks make transmission electron micro-scopy an efficient tool for studying large arrays of manuscripts.
Представлен методологический подход к комплексным электронно-микроскопическим исследованиям металлических объектов культурного наследия, разработанный в процессе изучения различных экспонатов из ведущих музеев России. Применение... more
Представлен методологический подход к комплексным электронно-микроскопическим исследованиям металлических объектов культурного наследия, разработанный в процессе изучения различных экспонатов из ведущих музеев России. Применение предложенного методологического подхода позволило как историкам, так и археологам получать углубленную детальную информацию, в значительной мере дополнившую данные, имеющиеся на сегодняшний день.
Presented are the results of analysis of paleoanthropological materials — two teeth with gilded surface — found in catacomb 62 (Excavation III) of the Zmeyskiy burial ground (Stn Zmeyskaya, Kirovsky District, North Ossetia — Alania). The... more
Presented are the results of analysis of paleoanthropological materials — two teeth with gilded surface — found in catacomb 62 (Excavation III) of the Zmeyskiy burial ground (Stn Zmeyskaya, Kirovsky District, North Ossetia — Alania). The burial is dated to the 11th–12th c. This material is unique both for the area and the cultural tradition, and for the specified period. The scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray micro-analysis, gas chromatography mass-spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used. It has been determined that gilding was performed using organic binders — a mixture of animal fat, linseed and hemp oils. Based on the coating weakness, as well as traces of gilding detected on the dentin below the enamel layer, it has been concluded that the gilding process was postmortem. The analysis of composition of gold (Au 86.2 wt%, Ag 13.2 wt%), micro- and trace impurities, and its comparison with published data made it possible to attr...
The article presents the results of the trace-wear analysis and elemental composition of the arks of the pendant seals of 1700—1801 from the charters of Russian Emperors Peter the Greate, Catherine I, Peter II, Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth... more
The article presents the results of the trace-wear analysis and elemental composition of the arks of the pendant seals of 1700—1801 from the charters of Russian Emperors Peter the Greate, Catherine I, Peter II, Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna, Catherine the Greate and Paul I. The objects were studied in terms of their iconography, technological features, and metal composition. Comparison with historical documents shows that in the manufacture of all the arks the masters followed the iconography, regulated by decrees, and in general the artifacts reflect heraldic innovations of different periods. The peculiarities of the technological methods of the master jewelers of different periods, used in the production of these status items, have been identified. The evolution of the technology of making Russian seal arks has been revealed. The earliest ark (1700) was identified as belonging to the European technological tradition. The other arks belong to a different technological traditio...
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This paper analyzes the results of studies carried out at the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, using the methods of neutron and X-ray synchrotron tomography from the point of view of the preservation state of metal... more
This paper analyzes the results of studies carried out at the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, using the methods of neutron and X-ray synchrotron tomography from the point of view of the preservation state of metal objects. Objects damaged by corrosion and exposure to fire were the focus of this study. To identify regions of metal preservation, the diffraction contrast on grains of metal, observed in tomographic projections, was used. The simultaneous use of neutron and synchrotron imaging is shown to be a powerful tool for identification of the constituents of an object.
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The science of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) critically depends on the performance of the X-ray laser and on the quality of the samples placed into the X-ray beam. The stability of biological samples is limited and key biomolecular... more
The science of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) critically depends on the performance of the X-ray laser and on the quality of the samples placed into the X-ray beam. The stability of biological samples is limited and key biomolecular transformations occur on short timescales. Experiments in biology require a support laboratory in the immediate vicinity of the beamlines. The XBI BioLab of the European XFEL (XBI denotes XFEL Biology Infrastructure) is an integrated user facility connected to the beamlines for supporting a wide range of biological experiments. The laboratory was financed and built by a collaboration between the European XFEL and the XBI User Consortium, whose members come from Finland, Germany, the Slovak Republic, Sweden and the USA, with observers from Denmark and the Russian Federation. Arranged around a central wet laboratory, the XBI BioLab provides facilities for sample preparation and scoring, laboratories for growing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, a Bio S...
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The formation of the complex of cytochrome c (Cytc) with a phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) in mitochondria is a crucial event in apoptosis development. There are two viewpoints on the structure of the complex. (1) Cytc is bound on the... more
The formation of the complex of cytochrome c (Cytc) with a phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) in mitochondria is a crucial event in apoptosis development. There are two viewpoints on the structure of the complex. (1) Cytc is bound on the surface of the lipid bilayer. (2) The complex is a hydrophobic nanoparticle Cytc-CL formed by Cytc molten globule, covered by CL monolayer.1 In the present work, we attempted to bridge the gap between these two structures. We investigated the interaction between Cytc and Langmuir monolayers of CL. The surface pressure increase during incorporation of Cytc into CL monolayer obeys the equation: π = π0 + Δπ∞[1 - exp(-βt)], where β is pseudo-first-order rate constant of Cytc binding, directly proportional to the initial Cytc concentration c0. Parameters Δπ∞ and the rate β measured in different conditions were virtually equal for natural bovine CL and peroxidation-resistant tetraoleoyl CL in all experiments. Surface area-surface pressure isotherms of Cytc alone and in combination with a CL monolayer were similar in shape. Apparently, the protein exposes hydrophilic groups to the water phase and hydrophobic to the air or to the hydrocarbon chains of CL. The 30% ethanol dramatically accelerated the adsorption of Cytc on the water surface. The protein-lipid surface films showed, in compression-expansion cycles, that hysteresis loops were observed always when Cytc present, reproducible in repeating cycles. Taken together, our data show that when incorporated in a lipid monolayer or after adsorption on the water-air interface, Cytc undergoes conformational transition. In that, one part of the globule sphere becomes predominantly hydrophobic and the other, hydrophilic and charged ("stratified" Cytc). We hypothesize that in CL-containing bilayer membranes, Cytc incorporation into the lipid monolayer would result in membrane folding with subsequent formation of either catalytically reactive "bubbles" inside the bilayer, formed by Cytc-CL, or the appearance of hydrophilic pores. The role of lipid peroxidation catalyzed by Cytc-CL in the appearance of pores and apoptosis is also discussed.
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A combination of X-ray tomography at different wavelengths and X-ray fluorescence analysis was applied in the study of two types of bone tissue changes: prolonged presence in microgravity conditions and age-related bone growth. The... more
A combination of X-ray tomography at different wavelengths and X-ray fluorescence analysis was applied in the study of two types of bone tissue changes: prolonged presence in microgravity conditions and age-related bone growth. The proximal tail vertebrae of geckos were selected for investigation because they do not bear the supporting load in locomotion, which allows them to be considered as an independent indicator of gravitational influence. For the vertebrae of geckos no significant differences were revealed in the elemental composition of the flight samples and the synchronous control samples. In addition, the gecko bone tissue samples from the jaw apparatus, spine and shoulder girdle were measured. The dynamics of structural changes in the bone tissue growth was studied using samples of a human fetal hand. The hands of human fetuses of 11–15 weeks were studied. Autonomous zones of calcium accumulation were found not only in individual fingers but in each of the investigated ph...
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This paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of structural changes in the caudal vertebrae of... more
This paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of structural changes in the caudal vertebrae of Turner's thick-toed geckos by computer microtomography and X-ray fluorescence analysis. We present algorithms used for the reconstruction of tomographic images which allow to work with high noise level projections that represent typical conditions dictated by the nature of the samples. Reptiles, due to their ruggedness, small size, belonging to the amniote and a number of other valuable features, are an attractive model object for long-orbital experiments on unmanned spacecraft. Issues of possible changes in their bone tissue under the influence of spaceflight are the subject of discussions between biologists from different laboratories around the world.
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Journal of Applied Crystallography. 0021-8898. research papers. Volume 36 Part 3 Number 1 Pages 727-731 June 2003 Received 29 August 2002 Accepted 20 January 2003 Online 16 April 2003 Total reflection X-ray fluorescence ...