Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 August 14

= August 14 =

carbon date testing
I would like to know if a painting can be carbon tested or another type test can be done. Also how close to the day or year, that results from test will yield ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Colmorewiki (talk • contribs) 01:28, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * A look through Radiocarbon dating tells me that a margin of error of plus or minus 30 years (!) is the very best one could ever expect. --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  01:53, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The difficulty is that forgers are aware of this technology and will buy old, nearly worthless paintings of about the right age, strip the paint off and re-use the canvas for their fakes. Since only organic material can be dated in this manner, the largely inorganic paint doesn't affect the result. SteveBaker (talk) 06:08, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * A number of tests can be performed on paintings (including the canvas and the stretcher) to analyse the time frame. These include microscopic analysis of the craquelure, weave dating of the canvas used, chemical analysis of the pigments / binders / varnishes used, UV- and X-ray scans, IR reflectography, duroflexometry, spectroscopy, dendrochnology (for paintings on wood panels) and radiocarbon dating.
 * Radiocarbon dating is also destructive as the samples have to be converted, generally to gaseous or liquid form. In simple terms, you would need to cut out a not-so-little square from the Mona Lisa to date the painting:o(  Added to that is the problem that many artists used "old" canvases (either an old roll or by simply painting on top of some stuff they were dissatisfied with).  Dating the organic bits (including the error margin) is simply too imprecise, as Steve notes above.  --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 07:29, 14 August 2013 (UTC)

Longest LRT line
What's the longest LRT line in the world? (Excluding branches, etc.... or put it another way, whatg's the longest ride you can make on an LRT vehicle without having to transfer?) Tom pw (talk) (review) 15:21, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I assume you mean London Regional Transport. --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  22:12, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Looking at LRT, I'm guessing Light Rail Transit. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:47, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes I do mean Light Rail Transit :-) Tom pw (talk) (review) 02:03, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think I was tripped up by your "line in the work". I'm now getting you may have meant "world".  --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  11:39, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * How did I miss that one... thanks! Tom pw (talk) (review) 01:49, 16 August 2013 (UTC)


 * If you are willing to include trams, the Tram article mentions the Belgian Coast Tram as being the longest at 68 km (42 miles) in length. Richard-of-Earth (talk) 08:52, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Beaten by the Central Line of the London Underground at 46 miles (74 km) with 49 stations. There used to be another 6.5 miles on the eastern end that you had to change trains for, but that closed in 1994 and is now the Epping Ongar Railway. Not sure if it counts as an "LRT" though. Alansplodge (talk) 16:56, 15 August 2013 (UTC)

Puckering
What is the cause of puckering of the anus as people get older especially women. Some of them look horrible.86.177.63.179 (talk) 15:41, 14 August 2013 (UTC)

Seriously? It might be because of the same reason they get wrinkled, because they age. But in my opinion this is not a question for the ref desk.  Miss Bono  [zootalk]  16:17, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * So where else could it be asked?--86.177.63.179 (talk) 16:34, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * See our hemorrhoid article, if you're up for it. Looie496 (talk) 16:43, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I don't know. Maybe a doctor or a specialist. But I already gave you a reasonable answer.   Miss Bono  [zootalk]  16:37, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I dont have a distorted anus so how could i go to a doctor and ask about the phenomenon? I thought the reference desks could point me in the right direction. Obviously not ):--86.177.63.179 (talk) 00:29, 15 August 2013 (UTC)

anal‒vaginal
Is it physically possible to have anal‒vaginal sex? --66.190.69.246 (talk) 18:31, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * This is where Double penetration dildos come in handy. --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  22:09, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * This is where WP:DNFTT comes in. --jpgordon:==( o ) 22:37, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I was referring to forcible use of such implements on OPs of this type, even male ones. --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  00:10, 15 August 2013 (UTC)

I assuming hatting this is a better choice than advocating rape. μηδείς (talk) 00:15, 15 August 2013 (UTC)

How do you attach a metal bookplate to a book?
I hope to buy a bookplate similar to these. It says, "Secure them to your work with eyelets or brads." I know what those are...but how do you attach something to a book cover with them? --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 22:42, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * With a gun. μηδείς (talk) 02:24, 15 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Oh. Seems fair enough. I guess I'll use a sticker one. --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 03:04, 15 August 2013 (UTC)


 * If you can find a local fabric store they'll do it for you. μηδείς (talk) 03:41, 15 August 2013 (UTC)


 * One warning, don't put that on any valuable book, or one which may ever be, since that will dramatically reduce it's value to a collector. StuRat (talk) 07:58, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I'm fairly certain that the ones listed on that page are not intended for being fixed to a book, but for being fixed to a catalogue drawer or bookshelf or the like, using screws or nails or rivets through the two holes at the sides. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 15:41, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I agree with Stephan, those things are not bookplates. Richard Avery (talk) 06:34, 16 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I agree with the OP. They are similar. μηδείς (talk) 20:37, 16 August 2013 (UTC)