A novel visualization tool for art history and conservation: Automated colorization of black and white archival photographs of works of art

This paper describes the use of a customized algorithm for the colorization of historical black and white photographs documenting earlier states of paintings. This study specifically focuses on Pablo Picasso's mid-century Mediterranean masterpiece La Joie de Vivre, 1946 (Musée Picasso, Antibes, France). The custom-designed algorithm allows computer-controlled spreading of color information on a digital image of black and white historical photographs to obtain accurate color renditions. Expert observation of the present state of the painting, coupled with stratigraphic information from cross sections allows the attribution of color information to selected pixels in the digitized images. The algorithm uses the localized color information and the grayscale intensities of the black and white historical photographs to formulate a set of equations for the missing color values of the remaining pixels. The computational resolution of such equations allows an accurate colorization that preserves brushwork and shading. This new method is proposed as a valuable alternative to the use of commercial software to apply flat areas of color, which is currently the most common practice for colorization efforts in the conservation community. Availability of such colorized images enhances the art-historical understanding of the works and might lead to better-informed treatment.     

ABSTRACTS

Abstract

The deterioration of Bronze Age objects from the archaeological site at Fort-Harrouard (France) has been studied, firstly, in relation to their external appearance and the elemental composition of the sound metal. A relationship between the composition of the corroded surface and the underlying sound metal was deduced. In addition, examination of metallographic sections of one of the bronzes allowed the differentiation of corrosion processes which are related to the shape of the object: the stratification of the corrosion products and the intergranular and transgranular corrosion processes. The existence of a pseudomorphic microstructure suggests that the mechanism of deterioration may be stratigraphic, which may be explained by the growth of the corrosion products in fissures which do not involve periodic precipitation.     

VCR attitudes and behaviors by length of ownership

A random sample telephone survey of 579 VCR owners revealed that length of VCR ownership was related to attitudes, behaviors, and communication technology ownership. The longer the VCR presence, the more likely respondents were (a) to express positive altitudes about watching and recording network television; (b) to record television shows; (c) to perform higher level recording behaviors (e.g., recording a program while watching another); (d) to record sports programs, news magazines, and public television shows; and (e) to seek particular tapes at the video store. The results support the contention that VCR adopters are not a monolithic group and that familiarity may cause the newest adopters to reinvent the way they use the VCR.     

Characterization of the corrosion layer on iron archaeological artefacts from K2 (825–1220 AD), an archaeological site in South Africa

Abstract

A study of the composition and phase distribution of the corrosion layers on three ferrous objects, excavated at K2 (Bambandyanalo), an archaeological site in South Africa, was conducted. The objective of the study was to obtain information that can contribute to conservation procedures to be performed on the iron artefacts from this site. Examination of cross sections by means of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy coupled to a scanning electron microscope (SEM–EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed the same corrosion composition and structure for all the objects under study, namely an internal layer adjacent to the metal surface with ghost inclusions and an external layer containing quartz grains. The study also revealed that the presence of magnetite (Fe₃O₄), maghemite (γFe₂O₃), and lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) within the internal layer is the only difference between the chemical compositions of iron corrosion products within the two layers. The results also made it possible to retrace the corrosion history during burial and long-term storage.     

Course Grade as a Measure of the Effectiveness of One-Shot Information Literacy Instruction

SUMMARY

In an attempt to gauge the effectiveness of their information literacy program, librarians at Stephen F. Austin State University began comparing average course grades in course sections that receive IL instruction to grades in sections that do not. The results varied, revealing no clear benefit to information literacy instruction. We discuss possible explanations for inconsistent results and suggest improvements to this methodology that may make it more effective.     

Recording the war effort: immigrant communities in Latin America and the memory of the Great War

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to analyse the initiatives undertaken by some immigrant communities residing in Latin America to record their mobilisation around the First World War. After the armistice, European communities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and other countries gathered detailed information about their activities during the conflict, published as profusely illustrated books of remembrance, offered to their governments as proof of their loyalty. The article intends to establish the peculiar nature of these publications as records of the war effort, and analyse the agents and processes of their elaboration, and their role as commemorative but also as archival documents.     

A note on the analysis of metal threads

Abstract

The present work demonstrates by means of two practical examples the extreme importance of examination of cross sections of metal threads to obtain an overview of their structure and of the different materials employed in their manufacture. Problems that might be caused by disturbance of surface features during polishing were prevented by covering the sample before embedding with a layer of nickel, using electroless deposition. Results from scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) showed that, although the mean chemical composition of both metal wires is the same, their metallurgical structure is completely different: one consisting of pure silver with inclusions of copper particles and the other a silver–copper alloy.     

Data Collection System for Tracking Hospital Librarians’ Productivity

Abstract

Librarians gather data on multiple aspects of their work. Much of the data collection revolves around the library’s resources, but what may be passed over during this data collection is information on how librarians are expending their time and effort. A group of librarians from a community hospital system designed a Microsoft Access database to collect such data and has been recording librarians’ efforts for more than three years. The librarians use the data in annual reports and can track trends to evaluate service priorities and maximize effective use of the librarians’ time.     

Oral history and the medical librarian

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the "oral history," as a technique for creating records or source materials for medical historians. The unique aspects of this technique include the ability to supplement the written record with candid commentary, to create a record or collection of information about an individual or a specific subject area in those instances where a prior record does not exist, and to capture a sample of the personality of the person being interviewed by preservation of the tape recording.There is a lack of unanimity regarding the definition, limits, and goals of oral history. Some individuals insist that the oral historian must in fact be a trained historian and deplore the thought of librarians utilizing this technique.It is the feeling of the author that the interviewer's professional "label" is frequently unimportant, if that individual has prepared himself adequately for the interview. The ideal set of circumstances which combines the oral history memoir with the acquisition and review of the respondent's papers can be handled well by the librarian with the interest and time to conduct such a program.There is general agreement that the time has come when reasonable standards for this technique must be developed if the various programs are to command the interest and respect of those who will use these increasing collections of data. On a more practical level, it is only natural that those who are asked to provide financial support for oral history programs will demand evidence of attention to some sort of standards.     

Investigation of Fogging on Glass Display Cases at the Royal Ontario Museum

ABSTRACT

Shortly after a major renovation at the Royal Ontario Museum, it was noticed that the glass panels in many of the new display cases exhibited fogging or hazing on the surface, sometimes in very specific patterns. Cleaning removed the fogging temporarily, but it began to reappear within 12 months. An investigation of fogged glass panels in display cases was undertaken to understand the source of the fogging and to develop an appropriate cleaning method. This included the analysis of residues from glass panels in several galleries, and surface imaging and compositional analysis of glass panels. The fogging residues on the glass panels consist mainly of sodium salts of organic acids and inorganic anions. Sources of the sodium in the residues include air particulate matter and the glass itself. The organic acids and inorganic anions that form salts with the sodium cations likely originate from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter in the air. Examination of the fogging patterns on the glass panels revealed that the sodium salts grow on marks made during cleaning attempts and the manufacturing process. These cleaning and manufacturing marks contain greasy residues that encourage crystal growth. Because of the variation in surface cleanliness, panels with more cleaning and manufacturing residues appear to be heavily fogged while those with less may appear to be unfogged in the museum display cases. A cleaning protocol was tested on two of the glass panels, and was found to remove all traces of grease and fogging residue.     

Powdered Cellulose Poultices in Stone and Wall Painting Conservation - Myths and Realities

Abstract

Cellulose poultices are frequently used in stone and wall painting conservation for the purposes of soluble salt extraction, consolidation and cleaning. They have the reputation of being easy and pleasant to work with, have a neutral pH, high water absorption and plasticity, exhibit good conformance and adhesion to the substrate, and in most cases leave minimal residues after clearance. The cellulosic materials from which they are composed range from cotton wool, blotting paper or newspaper, to cellulose powders, the latter now by far the most common form of cellulose used today by conservators. Drawbacks of these products include poor water retention when applied to vertical surfaces, a tendency to redistribute salts further into the object substrate, and poor long-term treatment effectiveness for salt extraction. Hence cellulose poultices are used frequently due to good working properties, but apparently are in some situations not very effective. In this paper, existing knowledge of these poultices is outlined, followed by investigations undertaken to fill some of the knowledge gaps. Investigations include characterization of poultice properties such as pore size distribution and workability, and of moisture transport processes within poultice/substrate systems including moisture penetration depth, moisture distribution, and poultice shrinkage during drying. Cellulose powder products known under the trade name Arbocel^®, extensively tested and used in conservation over several decades, were a particular focus. Resulting guidelines include counter-intuitive measures such as (when used for salt extraction purposes) the use of thinner poultices to reduce drying shrinkage and salt redistribution further into the substrate. The relatively uniform pore size distribution (around 10 μm) of Arbocel^® poultices makes them more appropriate for salt extraction on substrates with a medium-coarse pore size (i.e. 15 μm and above), while on fine porous substrates (10 μm and below), the extraction will not be as efficient.     

基于学术不端检测系统构建作者信用档案的设想

针对学术不端行为治理难的问题,提出基于学术不端检测系统构建作者信用档案的设想,阐述作者信用档案构建的意义、前提及其基础数据库的架构,并归纳出严重的学术不端行为及其认定方法:档案建立初期,基础数据库可尝试记入严重的、好认定的学术不端行为,并且行为的认定不受时间的约束;在档案中给予学术行为定性或者定量的评价还欠科学,只提供严重学术不端行为者的信息,供核验者参考.     

Library tools at the nurses' station: exploring information-seeking behaviors and needs of nurses in a war veterans nursing home

Objectives:Analyze the information-seeking practices and identify the information and education needs of nurses in a war veterans nursing home. Develop an online toolkit for use at the nurses'' stations to meet nurses'' health information needs.Methods:Investigators employed mixed methods to determine the health information needs of the participating nurses at the skilled nursing facility using an online questionnaire and in-person observations. Resulting data was compared to determine how nurses'' self-reported data corresponded with investigator observations.Results:Twenty-seven out of a total of thirty-five nurses responded to the online questionnaire. The study principal investigator also observed a total of twelve nurses working across all shifts. The online questionnaire asked nurses to identify when they need health information for an acute clinical scenario. Nurses self-reported feeling most confident in assessing falls and pain, followed by medication adherence and skin integrity. Issues most frequently encountered during observation of nurses were falls, interventions surrounding cognitive ability or dementia, and use of antibiotics. Nurses reported and were observed to consult colleagues most frequently, followed by drug handbooks and relying on nursing experience.Conclusion:Nurses in skilled nursing facilities will benefit from ready online access to current drug handbooks as well as information resources surrounding commonly encountered clinical issues and stated needs. An outcome of this project is an online toolkit site using a LibGuide created specifically for this purpose. Researchers purchased laptop computers that were installed at each of the nurses'' stations to provide ready access to the toolkit site.     

Process Text Guides for Summarizing and Evaluating Empirical Studies

ABSTRACT

This article presents a model for creating library information literacy process text guides designed to help students summarize and evaluate quantitative empirical articles. Process text guides contain two strands of strategically embedded activities designed to simulate the processes used by “good readers.” One strand of exercises is included to help students develop the abilities to summarize an empirical research article by having them locate the main ideas of each of the article's paragraphs. A second strand of activities includes more evaluative questions about each of the sections of a research article—abstract, introduction, methodology, results and discussion, and references. Process text guides may be presented throughout a semester or quarter as handouts in library sessions and/or as online information literacy modules. An actual article from a peer-reviewed journal in psychology was used to create a sample process text guide.     

Use of Polarised Light Microscopy to Improve Conservation of Parchment

ABSTRACT

The preservation state of parchment primarily depends on the structure of the collagen fibre network, which in turn is responsible for optical anisotropy, i.e. birefringence. Polarised light microscopy can therefore be used as a non-invasive technique that allows recording of birefringence distribution in the parchment, which directly relates to stress–strain distribution. Using samples from diverse sources (commercial parchment, parchment used by restorers for book binding, and parchment fabricated for the purpose of this study), we assessed the capability of polarised light microscopy for various diagnostics. We performed, for instance, identification of gelatinised regions, layered or ?brous regions in parchment cross section, qualitative analysis of parchment fat content (lipids), observation of stress-induced patterns resulting from tensile tests, and observation of water diffusion. These proof-of-principle experiments extend the capability of polarised light microscopy far beyond its common use and open the path to its deployment in conservation studies.     

国际赠书个别登录的价格确定

对于国际赠书个别登录的价格确定，本文提出按定价或参照定价把美元兑换成人民币进行登录是最佳选择意见。这种方法便于图书馆加强对国际赠书的管理，使国际赠书个别登录的价格更趋向规范化、合理化和科学化。     

网格技术对电子文件利用的影响及思考

网格技术对电子文件利用的影响将是前所未有的,它能为电子文件利用构造统一平台、信息资源共享、海量数据处理、知识管理、特色服务等.同时,网格技术应用于电子文件利用会面临思想认识、标准化、网格结构体系、网格安全等一系列问题,需要认真研究,加以解决.