Article
Archaeology
Alessia Andreotti, Ilaria Bonaduce, Emma Cantisani, Ilaria Degano, Bahadir Duman, Tommaso Ismaelli, Barbara Salvadori, Silvia Vettori
Summary: The study focuses on the ancient repairs of the Monumental Nymphaeum in Turkey. Bonding mortars used in the repairs were analyzed using a multi-analytical protocol. The analysis revealed the use of calcite as aggregates for the inorganic part, and the presence of organic ingredients such as egg, beeswax, and Pinaceae resin. The findings were compared with ancient literary sources and previous scientific investigations to highlight functional and chronological differences.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anitha Rajagopal, Subashini Rajakannu
Summary: The study focused on analyzing the active compounds in Cassia auriculata Linn. which exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic properties, laying the foundation for potential new antimicrobial and anti-diabetic drugs for future clinical research.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
A. Rita, A. L. Monteiro, R. M. Albuquerque, M. Santos, J. C. Ribeiro, L. M. Madeira, S. Sanches
Summary: Spent caustic discharges contribute to increased oil and grease content in refinery wastewater, leading to higher treatment costs; a case study on Sines refinery found that processing high kerosene cut acid crude oil may increase effluent management cost by up to 3 euro/ton of processed crude oil. Spent caustic O&G effluents typically consist of organic contaminants with low molecular weight, aromatic and polar arrangements like phenolic groups and naphthenic acids, highlighting the importance of identifying suitable technologies for treatment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jittra Singthong, Ratchadaporn Oonsivilai
Summary: This research investigated the structural and rheological properties of Yanang gum, a polysaccharide gum composed mainly of xylan. It was found to exhibit shear-thinning flow behavior and may be beneficial as a natural gum for food products.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Eleni Kargioti, Evangelia Vouvoudi, Christina Nannou, Dimitrios Bikiaris, Dimitra Lambropoulou
Summary: This study investigated old varnishes from six paintings in the collection of the Teloglion Foundation of Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece using three analytical techniques. It identified the compounds of the varnishes and the source of the protective layers, successfully carrying out a conservation effort for one painting based on the obtained results.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Colantonio, Paola Baldassarri, Pasquale Avino, Maria Luisa Astolfi, Giovanni Visco
Summary: Palazzo Valentini, the headquarters of Citta Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, is located in a significant position in the Roman archaeological and urban contexts. One of the aristocratic buildings on the site, domus A, has a deteriorating mosaic floor, the causes of which were investigated through various analyses. The findings contribute to a better understanding of Roman mosaic construction, conservation issues, and appropriate solutions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jianxun Wu, Chao Ma, Weilai Zhang, Weifeng Chang, Yahe Zhang, Quan Shi
Summary: In this study, molecular characterization of sulfur compounds in a whole crude oil was conducted using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. The crude oil was separated into different fractions and different sulfur compounds were identified and characterized. The study found that the type and content of sulfur compounds vary significantly among the different distillation fractions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyoung-Hwan Choi, Dong-Jin Seo, Yu-Jin Kim, San-Seong Cho, Yu-Jin Han, Inchan Yang, Chel-Woo Kim, Kyeongseok Oh, Jung-Chul An, Joo-Il Park
Summary: The removal of nitrogen from coal tar pitch (CTP) was evaluated using NiMo/γ-alumina and CoMo/γ-alumina catalysts. Mass spectrometry was used to analyze the chemical species of CTP and the treated products. The results showed that a single-stage hydrodenitrogenation treatment had low nitrogen removal performance, but combining hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation resulted in significantly improved nitrogen removal performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Nuzhat Javed, Sana Muhammad, Shazia Iram, Muhammad Wajahat Ramay, Shaan Bibi Jaffri, Mariem Damak, Gyorgy Fekete, Zsolt Varga, Andras Szekacs, Laszlo Aleksza
Summary: The current energy crisis and waste management problems have led to the investigation of alternative solutions. This study explored the feasibility of pyrolysis of commonly used plastics as a way to recover energy and manage plastic waste. Results showed that pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) resulted in flammable liquid products with high fuel conversion yields. The calorific values of these products were comparable to diesel and gasoline, making them potential fuel alternatives. Implementing this study could mitigate energy and environmental issues in developing countries and create entrepreneurship opportunities.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shunmugiah Mahendran, Subbiah Sankaralingam, Pandiaraj Maheswari, Pandian Annalakshmi, Jeyaraj Pandiarajan, Parthasarathy Seethapathy, Balasundaram Harinathan, Selvam Palpperumal, Natarajan Yasothkumar, Sakthivel Venkatesh
Summary: This study investigated the anticancer and antioxidant properties of phycocyanin isolated from Spirulina. The results showed that phycocyanin exhibited effective scavenging role and displayed anticancer activity against HeLa cells. The physiochemical characterization of phycocyanin was also conducted, revealing its structural backbone. This study introduces phycocyanin as a potentially useful anticancer and antioxidant agent and provides a new path for future researchers to combat diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nisha Sogan, Smriti Kala, Neera Kapoor, B. N. Nagpal
Summary: The study investigated the larvicidal activity of Spergula arvensis extracts against the malarial vector An. culicifacies. Among the extracts, the methanol extract showed the highest larvicidal activity. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of various compounds in the methanol extract, with significant effects on the larvae's midgut. This suggests that Spergula arvensis could be a potential eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for controlling An.culicifacies larvae.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tayyab Ali, Fatma Hussain, Muhammad Naeem, Ajmal Khan, Ahmed Al-Harrasi
Summary: This study utilized nanotechnology to explore the enhanced bioactivities of freshly prepared Nigella sativa L. nanosuspensions and the phytochemical profile of N. sativa seed ethanolic extract. The results showed that nanosuspension exhibited higher antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and hemolytic activities compared to the extract. The study demonstrated that nanosuspension increased the bioavailability of bioactive plant compounds.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Husanai Jantapaso, Pimonsri Mittraparp-arthorn
Summary: This study analyzed the phytochemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity of rambutan peel extracts obtained by water extraction, revealing their potential as a source of natural bioactive compounds for various applications.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
M. Venkatesan, Abd Elnaby Kabeel, Sriharikota Chandra Sekhar, Ravishankar Sathyamurthy, Muthu Manokar Athikesavan
Summary: Seaweeds, primitive plants and macroalgae, typically grow in shallow water areas such as backwaters, estuaries, and seas. They attach to coral reefs, rocks, and other substrata. Researchers collected seaweeds from the Kanyakumari region and processed them to extract methanol using the Saccharification method. The highest yield of methanol (51.2%) was obtained with a substrate concentration of 15% and a time duration of approximately 48 hours. The study focused on producing methanol from a high concentration and choice of seaweed (Sargassum wightii).
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Valle, Maria Elena de la Calle, Howbeer Muhamadali, Katherine A. Hollywood, Yun Xu, Jonathan R. Lloyd, Royston Goodacre, Domingo Cantero, Jorge Bolivar
Summary: Metabolic engineering can enhance the production of hydrogen and ethanol by modifying Escherichia coli. Metabolomics platforms can identify metabolic bottlenecks, and various strategies can increase hydrogen production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Paola Lucero-Gomez, Eleonora Balliana, Virginia Farinelli, Silvia Salvini, Leila Signorelli, Elisabetta Zendri
Summary: This study analyzed the indoor behavior of temperature and relative humidity in the temporary exhibition space of the Gallerie dell'Accademia Museum in Venice. The analysis showed that the current use of an adapted air conditioning system and the hygrothermal inertia of the building ensured a stable environment suitable for the conservation of fragile artworks with little fluctuations.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Francesca Caterina Izzo, Carolina Rigon, Maria Luisa Vazquez De agredos Pascual, Pilar Campins-Falco, Henk van Keulen
Summary: The Ancient Maya believed in life after death and prepared dead bodies during burial ceremonies. This research identifies the pigments and binders used by the Maya in the preparation of body ointments used to paint human bones. The study found that red ochre and cinnabar were the main pigments used, along with a mixture of vegetable drying oil and an aromatic compound as binders. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the cultural and social customs of the pre-Hispanic civilization and their relevance today.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giulia Moro, Cedrix J. Dongmo Foumthuim, Marco Spinaci, Ettore Martini, Dafne Cimino, Eleonora Balliana, Peter Lieberzeit, Flavio Romano, Achille Giacometti, Rui Campos, Karolien De Wael, Ligia Maria Moretto
Summary: There is an urgent need for sensing strategies to screen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous matrices. Changes in fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (SAM) with different architectures were studied upon exposure to both long and short-chain PFAS. The applicability of fluorinated SAM in PFAS sensing was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltam-metric techniques, supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Pinhole/defect-free fluorinated SAM were found to be applicable to long-chain PFAS screening using a switch-on sensing strategy, while a switch-off sensing strategy was reported for screening of both short/long-chain PFAS.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Laura Pagnin, Elisabetta Zendri, Francesca Caterina Izzo
Summary: Understanding the degradation behavior of artists' alkyd paints is crucial for their conservation. In this study, surface-level identification and bulk identification of organic compounds in the paints before and after accelerated aging were performed using ATR-FTIR and Py-GC/MS techniques, respectively. The results provide new insights into the degradation behavior of alkyd paints when exposed to ozone, aiding in the development of specific preventive and conservation strategies.
Article
Polymer Science
Laura Pagnin, Rosalba Calvini, Katja Sterflinger, Francesca Caterina Izzo
Summary: This study evaluated analytical and statistical strategies to investigate the degradation processes of acrylic and styrene-acrylic paints after exposure to ozone and relative humidity. The combination of FTIR and Py-GC/MS results using data fusion methods and principal component analysis allowed for a better understanding of the chemical impact and degradation patterns of the paints, providing specific information for conservation practices.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Falchi, Martina Corradini, Eleonora Balliana, Elisabetta Zendri
Summary: Rising damp of salty water in coastal areas is a well-known degradation factor for historical masonries, especially in Venice. The increase in flooding events and direct contact with salty water exacerbate this decay. This paper proposes a non-invasive and economically sustainable approach to evaluate the effects of rising damp at an urban scale.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessia Andreotti, Francesca Caterina Izzo, Ilaria Bonaduce
Summary: The archaeometrical study of Saturnino Gatti's wall paintings focused on the study of the organic component, in order to understand the original binders used and the products used for restoration. Through non-invasive and multi-band imaging techniques, Gatti's original painting technique was identified, and the materials used in restoration were analyzed using mass spectrometry. The analysis revealed the presence of synthetic organic materials, with paraffin being commonly used as a coating/consolidant.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Beatrice Menegaldo, Daniela Aleccia, Gert Nuyts, Aria Amato, Emilio Francesco Orsega, Giulia Moro, Eleonora Balliana, Karolien De Wael, Ligia Maria Moretto, Victoria Beltran
Summary: This study conducted a multi-analytical analysis of a Barbelli painting, revealing his painting materials and techniques, and providing reference data for studying his other works.
STUDIES IN CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marco Destefani, Laura Falchi, Elisabetta Zendri
Summary: The study investigated the formulation and properties of NHL-based mortars with salt inhibitor agents. The addition of brick powder increased the salt resistance but also increased the water intake during freeze-thaw tests. The use of DTPMP decreased the water uptake but worsened the salt resistance, while chitosan maintained good workability and slightly increased the salt resistance.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Teodora Raicu, Fabiana Zollo, Laura Falchi, Elisabetta Barisoni, Matteo Piccolo, Francesca Caterina Izzo
Summary: The study evaluated the potential of K-means clustering to identify mixtures of pigments by analyzing corrected images of paintings. This method could provide preliminary information, streamline the research process, and guide sampling collection. The study found that samples taken from mixtures might be sufficient for analysis, as primary colors could be concomitantly analyzed.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Erik Guillermo Morales Toledo, Teodora Raicu, Laura Falchi, Elisabetta Barisoni, Matteo Piccolo, Francesca Caterina Izzo
Summary: The study aimed to expand and confirm the knowledge on the painting materials used by Guido Cadorin through a multi-analytical approach. Various non-invasive and destructive techniques were employed to identify the composition of the paints, preparation layer, binding media, and varnish layers, as well as assess the state of conservation. The results enrich the understanding of the artist's profile and can guide future conservation treatments for the artworks.
Article
Art
Nathalie Debono, Roberta De Angelis, Francesca Caterina Izzo
Summary: Water drip marks are often found on wall paintings and perceived as stains. This study focuses on the deposition process of water drips on painted surfaces and its potential implications for conservation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Rosa Costantini, Eleonora Balliana, Davide Dalla Torre, Fabio Arico, Elisabetta Zendri
Summary: This study investigated the effects of ethanol and isopropanol solutions on silk artifacts and found that there were no significant chemical and physical changes on silk fibers even after immersion for 180 minutes. However, solutions containing BZK significantly increased the water wettability of silk.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Dafne Cimino, Raffaella Lamuraglia, Ilaria Saccani, Michela Berzioli, Francesca Caterina Izzo
Summary: Urban art plays a significant role in the social life and appearance of modern cities as a shared expression of street art between artists, citizenship, and municipalities. However, the durability of urban and street artworks is often compromised by environmental factors. This study aimed to understand the stability of unstable paints used in these artworks and proposed the use of anti-UV coatings to enhance their resistance to outdoor conditions.
Article
Anthropology
Julia Becher, Alex Schoeman, Gavin Whitelaw, Stephen Buckley, Jean-Pierre Celliers, Sara Cafisso, Matthias Belser, Maxime Rageot, Cynthianne Spiteri
Summary: This study represents the first application of Organic Residue Analysis (ORA) to southern African early farming pottery to gain a deeper understanding of past human behavior and subsistence patterns. The study found evidence of dairy processing and multi-purpose functionality of the ceramics. It also discovered potential medicinal use and the involvement of dung in pottery sealing and mending.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Jon Clindaniel, Matthew Magnani
Summary: Large sources of digital trace data have become important in the study of material culture. The authors introduce a computational method to observe digital formation processes and highlight the importance of accounting for these processes in studies utilizing digital trace data.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Rebecca A. G. Reid, Miranda M. E. Jans, Lesley A. Chesson, Rebecca J. Taylor, Gregory E. Berg
Summary: Chemical treatment of skeletal remains can reduce overall DNA quality and quantity but has no significant impact on stable isotope ratio analysis. Examination of treated and untreated human remains through histological and stable isotope analysis reveals that treated remains exhibit better preservation compared to untreated remains. Stable isotope ratio analysis is viable for both treated and untreated remains, regardless of their origin.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Laura Tome, Eneko Iriartec, Antonio Blanco-Gonzalez, Margarita Jambrina-Enriquez, Natalia Eguez, Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera, Carolina Mallola
Summary: This paper presents the outcomes of a microcontextual geoarchaeological study conducted on earthen dwellings from the Early Iron Age village of Cerro de San Vicente. The study employed soil micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis, XRD, and XRF analyses to investigate various aspects of the dwellings, including construction materials, site formation processes, and daily life practices. The results have shed light on the construction layers, floor use, maintenance, repaving, periods of abandonment and decay, and the presence of lipid biomarkers associated with dwelling functionality. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of ancient construction practices and the utilization of domestic spaces during the Early Iron Age.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)