scholarly journals Non-Destructive Analysis of Mummification Balms in Ancient Egypt, Based on EPR of Vanadyl and Organic Radical Markers of Bitumen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles-Emmanuel Dutoit ◽  
Laurent Binet ◽  
Hitomi Fujii ◽  
Agnes Lattuati-Derieux ◽  
Didier Gourier
Keyword(s):  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Organic Radical ◽  
Natural Bitumen ◽  
Phase Detection ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Paramagnetic Probes ◽  
Human Mummy ◽  
Non Destructive

The black matter employed in funeral context by ancient Egyptian is a complex mixture of plant-based compounds with variable amounts of bitumen. Asphaltene, the most resistant component of bitumen, contain Vanadyl porphyrins and carbonaceous radicals which can be used as paramagnetic probes to investigate embalming materials without sample preparation. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) at X-band, combining in-phase and out-of-phase detection schemes, provides new information in a non-destructive way about the presence, the origin, and the evolution of bitumen in these complex materials. It is found that the relative EPR intensity of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins is sensitive to the origin of the bitumen. The presence of non-porphyrinic vanadyl complexes in historical samples is likely due to the complexation of VO2+ ions by carboxylic functions at the interface between bitumen and other biological components of the embalming matter. The absence of such oxygenated vanadyl complex in natural bitumen and in one case of historical human mummy acquired by a museum in the 19th century reveals a possible, non-documented, ancient restoration of this mummy by pure bitumen. The linear correlation between in-phase and out-of phase EPR intensities of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins in balms and in natural bitumen, reveals a nanostructuration of radicals and vanadyl porphyrin complexes, which was not affected by the preparation of the balm. This points to the remarkable chemical stability of paramagnetic probes in historical bitumen in ancient Egypt.

scholarly journals Non-Destructive Analysis of Mummification Balms in Ancient Egypt, Based on EPR of Vanadyl and Organic Radical Markers of Bitumen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles-Emmanuel Dutoit ◽  
Laurent Binet ◽  
Hitomi Fujii ◽  
Agnes Lattuati-Derieux ◽  
Didier Gourier
Keyword(s):  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Organic Radical ◽  
Natural Bitumen ◽  
Phase Detection ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Paramagnetic Probes ◽  
Human Mummy ◽  
Non Destructive

The black matter employed in funeral context by ancient Egyptian is a complex mixture of plant-based compounds with variable amounts of bitumen. Asphaltene, the most resistant component of bitumen, contain Vanadyl porphyrins and carbonaceous radicals which can be used as paramagnetic probes to investigate embalming materials without sample preparation. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) at X-band, combining in-phase and out-of-phase detection schemes, provides new information in a non-destructive way about the presence, the origin, and the evolution of bitumen in these complex materials. It is found that the relative EPR intensity of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins is sensitive to the origin of the bitumen. The presence of non-porphyrinic vanadyl complexes in historical samples is likely due to the complexation of VO2+ ions by carboxylic functions at the interface between bitumen and other biological components of the embalming matter. The absence of such oxygenated vanadyl complex in natural bitumen and in one case of historical human mummy acquired by a museum in the 19th century reveals a possible, non-documented, ancient restoration of this mummy by pure bitumen. The linear correlation between in-phase and out-of phase EPR intensities of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins in balms and in natural bitumen, reveals a nanostructuration of radicals and vanadyl porphyrin complexes, which was not affected by the preparation of the balm. This points to the remarkable chemical stability of paramagnetic probes in historical bitumen in ancient Egypt.

Nitroxyl Modified Tobacco Mosaic Virus as a Metal-Free High-Relaxivity MRI and EPR Active Superoxide Sensor

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madushani Dharmarwardana ◽  
André F. Martins ◽  
Zhuo Chen ◽  
Philip M. Palacios ◽  
Chance M. Nowak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Mosaic Virus ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Cellular Respiration ◽  
Organic Radical ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Metal Free ◽  
Disease States

Superoxide overproduction is known to occur in multiple disease states requiring critical care yet non-invasive detection of superoxide in deep tissue remains a challenge. Herein, we report a metal-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) active contrast agent prepared by “click conjugating” paramagnetic organic radical contrast agents (ORCAs) to the surface of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). While ORCAs are known to be reduced <i>in vivo</i> to an MRI/EPR silent state, their oxidation is facilitated specifically by reactive oxygen species—in particular superoxide—and are largely unaffected by peroxides and molecular oxygen. Unfortunately, single molecule ORCAs typically offer weak MRI contrast. In contrast, our data confirm that the macromolecular ORCA-TMV conjugates show marked enhancement for <i>T<sub>1</sub></i> contrast at low field (<3.0 T), and <i>T<sub>2</sub></i> contrast at high field (9.4 T). Additionally, we demonstrated that the unique topology of TMV allows for “quenchless fluorescent” bimodal probe for concurrent fluorescence and MRI/EPR imaging, which was made possible by exploiting the unique inner and outer surface of the TMV nanoparticle. <a>Finally, we show TMV-ORCAs do not respond to normal cellular respiration, minimizing the likelihood for background, yet still respond to enzymatically produced superoxide in complicated biological fluids like serum.</a>

When Ancient Egyptians Copied Egyptian Work

2020 ◽  
pp. 146-162
Author(s):  
Tamás A. Bács
Keyword(s):  
Visual Culture ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Artistic Activity ◽  
Ancient Egyptian

Repetition or the practice of copying preeminently structured artistic activity in ancient Egypt. Besides its role in training, as a technique of learning to practice an art, and also serving documentary purposes in creating record copies, it served as a conscious artistic strategy in the act of representation. Different modes of the practice coexisted, such as replication or the effort to reproduce perfect replicas, differential reproduction that encouraged variation as well as emulation and could result in transformation, and finally eclectic imitation that characterized “archaism.” What were deemed as appropriate to serve as models for imitation in ancient Egyptian visual culture at any moment depended not only on the particular aesthetic and historical contexts but also on their accessibility, be it physical or archival.

EPR INVESTIGATIONS OF CuO-B2O3-PbO-Ag2O GLASSES

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (05) ◽  
pp. 747-753
Author(s):  
VIOREL TIMAR ◽  
RALUCA CICEO-LUCÃCEL ◽  
OCTAVIA HULPUŞ ◽  
IOAN ARDELEAN
Keyword(s):  
Copper Content ◽  
Structural Modification ◽  
Magnetic Interactions ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Distorted Octahedral ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
Paramagnetic Probes ◽  
Parallel Band ◽  
Electron Paramagnetic ◽  
Epr Experiments

Glasses of the x CuO · (100 - x)[3 B 2 O 3· 0.9 PbO · 0.1 Ag 2 O ] system, with 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 10 mol %, were prepared and investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. Structural details of different diamagnetic vitreous systems may be revealed by the Cu 2+ ions, frequently used as paramagnetic probes in EPR experiments. The shape and the intensity of the recorded EPR lines are dependent on the CuO content. The EPR spectra are asymmetric, with characteristics for Cu 2+ (3d9) ions in axially-distorted octahedral symmetric sites. Due to the interaction of the unpaired electron spin (s = 1/2) with the nuclear one (I = 3/2) of Cu 2+ ions, the characteristic hyperfine structure (hfs) is visible for small concentrations of CuO in both spectra bands (parallel and perpendicular). The increasing of copper content in the samples generates the EPR absorption spectra modification, the hfs being resolved in the parallel band of the spectra in whole compositional range, while in the perpendicular band, hfs disappear for x > 3 mol %. This fact indicates the structural modification in Cu 2+ vicinity and possible magnetic interactions.

scholarly journals Intracellular Hypoxia of Tumor Tissue Estimated by Noninvasive Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Oximetry Technique Using Paramagnetic Probes

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuko Matsumoto ◽  
Ken-ichiro Matsumoto ◽  
Shingo Matsumoto ◽  
Fuminori Hyodo ◽  
Anastasia L. Sowers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Paramagnetic Probes ◽  
Electron Paramagnetic

The royal mummies of ancient Egypt:An odyssey of discoveries and a fascinating source of data

1970 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Bauduer
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Age At Death ◽  
Valuable Source ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Egyptian History ◽  
Source Of Information

Thanks to mummification, the physical remains of many rulers of ancient Egypt are still observable today and constitute a valuable source of information. By evaluating the age at death and sometimes elucidating the degree of kinship and circumstances of death, our knowledge of ancient Egyptian history becomes more precise. Different pathologic conditions have been found and the evolution of the mummification process can be seen through time.The most spectacular discovery was that of Tutankhamen’s mummy, the single totally undisturbed tomb, associated with a fabulous treasure.The mummy of Ramses II has been extensively studied, the only one that flew to Paris where an irradiation was delivered in order to eradicate a destructive fungal infection.The identification of Akhenaten’s mummy and the explanation for his peculiar appearance are still unsolved problems.Noticeably, many Royal mummies remain of uncertain identity or undiscovered hitherto.

Libraries in Ancient Egypt, c.1600–800 BCE

2019 ◽  
pp. 244-318
Author(s):  
Fredrik Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Rare Case ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Archaeological Remains ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Historical Individual ◽  
Indirect Sources

The chapter surveys the evidence for ancient Egyptian libraries during the period 1600–800 BCE. It looks at both private and institutional libraries, defined as collections of papyri with literary texts, with a notable focus on archaeological context, and the use and materiality of manuscripts. Given the paucity of archaeological remains of temple and palace libraries, many indirect sources play a key role in the analysis, including book labels, administrative titles, and patterns of transmission for literary texts. Private libraries are better attested, and here the main groups are described with a particular focus on their importance for reconstructing the circulation and reception of literature. Finally, the chapter includes a rare case study where an historical individual and his family can be identified as the owners of a private library.

Ancient Egyptian Plant-Remains in the Manchester Museum

1987 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 245-246
Author(s):  
Renate Germer
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Plant Remains

This article provides a complete, analytical list, with provenance and date, of the plant-remains from ancient Egypt in the Manchester Museum.

A World Without Play?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Egyptian Iconography

Social status, religious affiliations and beliefs, wealth, power, aspirations, and desires were all expressed through ancient Egyptian iconography, but children and the process of growing up are rarely the main focus of artistic compositions. While the selectiveness of ancient sources may mean that we cannot reconstruct an accurate or comprehensive picture of the experience of childhood in ancient Egypt, figured ostraca and other imagery at least provide insights into the contribution children made to the economy and to family life in antiquity. This chapter explores the contexts in which children were depicted, to show that the lived reality of youth is accessible at least insofar as it was relevant to the medium, intended audience, or the context in which images were displayed.

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