1,721,005 research outputs found
When paleopathology meets cosmetics. A unique example of nail care in a last century mummy
No full textThe byzantine fresco of Dormitio Virginis (12th century): diagnosis and conservation by means of innovative materials
No full textByzantine monks, who settled in eastern Sicily after the conquest of Emperor Justinian,
brought on the island figurative languages and architecture that influenced all the artistic
future. An extraordinary example of Byzantine culture in Sicily is described by a beautiful
pictorial artwork (12th century), inside the monastery of Santa Maria del Rogato in Alcara Li
Fusi (Messina), representing the only fresco in Sicily of the "Dormitio Virginis".
The technical peculiarity that characterizes the fresco painting, together with its severe decay
conditions (related to a cohesion loss of the preparatory layer and of the painting itself), make
this artwork an exceptional case of study, finalized to the knowledge of the original materials
and to project accurate intervention actions of restoration. Samples have been investigated by
optical and SEM-EDS microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, in order to
throw light, on the painting technique, the original constituent materials (pigments and
binders) and their state of conservation. Afterwards, taking into account the problems relative
to conservation and the technical peculiarities observed in the artwork, the research has been
carried out to find suitable consolidant materials, for a sustainable protection intervention. In
fact, consolidation and conservation of historic mortars and frescoes require materials, which
are compatible with the components originally used. The application of nanolime offers such
possibility, especially for frescoes restoration [1]. In the present work, a pure and notcommercial
nanolime was employed, produced by a new and innovative method of synthesis,
recently patented [2]. The nanolime suspension, dispersed in alcohols, thanks to the reduced
particles size, was perfectly compatible, stable, penetrating and extremely reactive in air,
avoiding whitening of the treated surfaces and leading to a complete conversion into CaCO3,
by simple reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide [3]. Consolidation of mortar by a
combined treatment of nanolime with esters of silicic acid were evaluated too. The calcium
carbonate nanoparticles formed after the nanolime treatment catalyze the gel formation
resulting in improved mechanical properties [4]. Finally, tests to evaluate the efficacy of
treatments in terms of water absorption and re-cohesion of original materials were carried out,
together with a comparison with consolidants already used in conservation interventions
Monitoring urban air particulate matter genotoxicity by plant systems and human cells in vitro: a comparative analysis
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Nuovi dati sulle fibre di anfibolo di fluoro-edenite rinvenute nell'ambiente di Biancavilla.
No full textNew data on the amphibole fibres detected in Biancavilla environment (Catania, Sicily, Italy)
No full textPaleopathology of a 19th century mummy of a nobleman from Popoli, central Italy
Full text linkA natural, well-preserved mummy belonging to a 35-40 years old male was found in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Popoli, Abruzzo region, central Italy. His fine clothes and burial location suggested that he was of high social status and had an important role in the church community. Most likely, he was a nobleman and a member of the Holy Trinity congregation. Two artifacts, a medallion and a relic of Saint Philomena, helped to date back the individual's time of death to the early 1800's. To conduct scientific analyses the body was secured to a cardboard layer by a plastic film and submitted to external examination, digital radiology, and computed tomography scanning, as well as histologic examination of samples obtained by video endoscopy. Anthropological investigations allowed us to observe pathological conditions as poor dental health, pulmonary pathology and a left renal stone. The renal stone was endoscopically removed and submitted to binocular stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy also with microanalysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The ovoid mass measured 22x16x15 mm, showing surface spherical buds and a nucleus of sharpedged crystals with concentric laminations. Chemical elements were C, O, N, Ca, P, K, S, Cl, Na, arranged in calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite) (90%) and calcium phosphate (hydroxylapatite) (10%). The stone composition indicates a high animal protein intake by the subject, confirming that he belonged to high social class. The co-existence of caries, without major arthritic changes indicates that this man lived a life free from extensive labour. In fact, his death appears to be related to infectious complications of renal urolithiasis
Monitoring urban air particulate matter (fractions PM 2.5 and PM 10) genotoxicicity by plant and human cells cultures: a comparative analysis
No full textA microanalytical SEM-EDS method applied to the quantitative chemical compositions of fibrous amphiboles.
No full textIn this work, a new micro-analytical SEM-method to perform quantitative chemical analyses of mineral fibers is described. The method makes it possible to correct the EDS results of fiber analyses, obtained by means of the conventional procedure (i.e., ZAF) utilizing, as compositional reference “standards,”������������������������ small fragments of massive crystals�s� s� s� s� s� whose composition was previously determined by Electron Microprobe (EMPA). The method reduces the errors in evaluating the chemical composition of fibers due to two principal effects: “absent mass” and “reduced absorption” ” related to the small size of the fibers. The correct quantitative analyses of the fibers were obtained on the base of: a) the trends (i.e., regression equations) of the element concentrations in the “standard fragments” ” (as obtained by ZAF correction) versus the fragment sizes; b) the setting of correction factors through the ratio between the true element concentrations (as determined by EPMA in the massive crystal) and the apparent element concentrations revealed by the regression equations; and c) the evaluation of the correction factor errors through the residual dispersions (standard deviation σ) around the curves.
The method was applied for the first time on the fluoro-edenite amphibole fibers found in Biancavilla area, to obtain quantitative chemical analyses. The unequivocal chemical characterization of this fibrous material is extremely important to verify their effective toxicity in environmental and health issues. The micro-analytical method was also applied to fibers of fluor-richterite amphibole to confirm its validity on fibers with higher compositional variability
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