Nondestructive insights into composition of the sculpture of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti with CT.

PubMed

Huppertz, Alexander; Wildung, Dietrich; Kemp, Barry J; Nentwig, Tanja; Asbach, Patrick; Rasche, Franz Maximilian; Hamm, Bernd

2009-04-01

To assess the conservation status of, to gain information on the creation of, and to provide surface reformations of the core and the surface of the bust of the pharaoh-queen Nefertiti, considered to be one of the greatest treasures of ancient Egyptian art, with computed tomography (CT). Multisection CT was performed with 0.6-mm section thickness. Two- and three-dimensional reformations were made to depict the core and the surface separately. The stucco layer on the face and the ears was very thin, a maximum of 1-2 mm thick. The rear part of the reconstructed crown showed two thick stucco layers of different attenuation values, indicating that a multistep process was used to create the sculpture. Within the stucco, a great number of air-equivalent hypoattenuating areas, filamentous fissures parallel to the surface, and an inhomogeneous bonding between the layers were delineated. Nefertiti's inner face was not anonymous, but rather delicately sculpted by the royal sculptor Thutmose. The comparison to the outer face revealed differences, including the angles of the eyelids, creases around the corners of the mouth on the limestone surface, and a slight bump on the ridge of the nose. According to the beauty ideals of the Amarna period, the differences had positive and negative effects and can be read as signs of individualization of the sculpture. The potential material-related weaknesses of the sculpture that were revealed at imaging necessitate careful handling, with the avoidance of any focal pressure and shearing forces in the crown and the shoulders. CT imaging revealed construction techniques in Nefertiti's bust that had implications for conservation, as well as for an understanding of the artistic methods used in the creation of this masterpiece of art of the 18th dynasty.

Performance of Steel Stud Walls Subjected to Blast Loads

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

be used as load-bearing components or non-load-bearing components, and a variety of exterior finishes and internal sheathing may be used. From an...common sheathing materials such as drywall , oriented strand board (OSB), stucco, etc., utilizing conventional structural connections (e.g., slip

Sustainable wall construction and exterior insulation retrofit technology process and structure

DOEpatents

Vohra, Arun

2000-01-01

A low-cost process for exterior wall insulation retrofit, or new wall construction by stacking layers of fabric tube filled with insulating material against a wall and covering them with mesh and stucco provides a durable structure with good insulating value.

18. Detail view, greenhouse, north wall (Note the type of ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

18. Detail view, greenhouse, north wall (Note the type of stone used in the wall construction, the degradation of the interior stucco, and one of the pockets for a former floor joist). - John Bartram House & Garden, Greenhouse, 54th Street & LIndbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

17. Interior view, greenhouse, north wall taken from the ground. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

17. Interior view, greenhouse, north wall taken from the ground. Stucco-painted white-covered the interior walls in order to seal-off any drafts and to reflect the sunlight entering through the east-facing windows. - John Bartram House & Garden, Greenhouse, 54th Street & LIndbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Painter and Decorator: Apprenticeship Course Outline. Apprenticeship and Industry Training. 0409

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, 2009

2009-01-01

The graduate of the Painter and Decorator apprenticeship program is a certified journeyperson who will be able to: (1) apply coatings by brush, roller and spray to surfaces of wood, metal, brick, concrete, plaster, stucco and stone for decorative and protective purposes. This occurs in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial…

ETR CRITICAL FACILITY (ETRCF), TRA654. SOUTH SIDE. CAMERA FACING NORTH ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

ETR CRITICAL FACILITY (ETR-CF), TRA-654. SOUTH SIDE. CAMERA FACING NORTH AND ROLL-UP DOOR. ORIGINAL SIDING HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH STUCCO-LIKE MATERIAL. INL NEGATIVE NO. HD46-40-1. Mike Crane, Photographer, 4/2005 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

The Master Clock Building at USNO Infrastructure

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

type finish on top of about 3.5 inches of foam insulation. This along with cinder block, fiber glass insulation, and 5/8-inch-X drywall provides a...keep the building on temperature. The outside surface of the building is an “Exterior Finish Insulation Systems” (EFIS). This is made up of a stucco

Masonry Specialist III & IV, 3-20. Military Curriculum Materials for Vocational and Technical Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio State Univ., Columbus. National Center for Research in Vocational Education.

These military-developed curriculum materials consist of a course description, plan of instruction, study guides, and workbooks for use in training masonry specialists. Covered in the course blocks are laying concrete blocks, stone, and bricks as well as plaster, stucco, and tile. Course block III, on laying concrete blocks, stone, and bricks,…

Beyond the Stucco Tower: Design, Development, and Dissemination of the SPARK Physical Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKenzie, Thomas L.; Sallis, James F.; Rosengard, Paul

2009-01-01

School physical education plays an important role in public health. Nonetheless, there are few evidence-based, health-related, physical education programs and very little is known about how to disseminate them for widespread use. This article (a) presents background information and a review of the completed research on the SPARK (Sports, Play, and…

18. VIEW OF PARAPET AT NORTHEAST CORNER. PARAPET IS TREATED ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

18. VIEW OF PARAPET AT NORTHEAST CORNER. PARAPET IS TREATED LIKE A CLASSICAL ENTABLATURE WITH DENTILS AND REPETITIVE EGG AND DART ORNAMENTATION BELOW IT. FACE BRICK BELOW SEPARATES THE ARCHED WINDOWS OF THE 11TH FLOOR, PARAPET CORNICE IS ORIGINALLY MADE OF COPPER. PRESENT FINISH LOOKS LIKE STUCCO. - Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company Building, 1519 Franklin Street, Oakland, Alameda County, CA

Springwood: Birthplace and Home to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Teaching with Historic Places.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scholl, Charlotte Ofca

Springwood, the birthplace and home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, is a large, rambling structure faced with stucco and fieldstone, situated in a landscaped clearing on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River. Roosevelt was born there to a family of wealth and position on January 30, 1882. It is the only site in the U.S. where a president was born,…

Mineral resource of the month: Mica

USGS Publications Warehouse

Willett, Jason C.

2014-01-01

The mica mineral group includes 34 phyllosilicate minerals, all with a layered, platy texture. The mineral has been known for millennia: Mica was first mined in India about 4,000 years ago, where it was used primarily in medicines. The Mayans used it for decorative effect in stucco to make their temples sparkle in the sun. Today it is used in everything from electrical products to makeup.

Navy Activity-Level Energy Systems Planning Procedure (A-LESP) Users Manual.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

1-in. stucco, air space 1.95 0.512 0.5-in. gypsum or plasterboard 0.56 1.78 Insulating drapes 1.72 0.58 ROOFS 2-in. insulation, 1-in. wood, air space...3 Annual Dry Bulb Degree Hours Above 780 F ............................ 267 -’ Table SDI Energy Conversion Units...A-LESP SURVEY DATE 5/83 Langleys 400 OPT. FEASIBILITY (YES/NO) Yes Dry bulb degree hours greater NES 180 MBtu/yr than 780 F 10,000 SIR 1.81_ Cooling

PBF contextual view shows relationship between PBF Control Building (PER619, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

PBF contextual view shows relationship between PBF Control Building (PER-619, in foreground at right) and SPERT-I Control Building (PER-601). Walkway with railing connects to waste reduction operations support building (PER-632), built in 1981. Note paneled stucco siding applied to PER-619 after 1980. Original concrete block is exposed at corner. Date: July 2004. INEEL negative no. HD-41-9-2 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, SPERT-I & Power Burst Facility Area, Scoville, Butte County, ID

'Stucco' Walls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

This projected mosaic image, taken by the microscopic imager, an instrument located on the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity 's instrument deployment device, or 'arm,' shows the partial clotting or cement-like properties of the sand-sized grains within the trench wall. The area in this image measures approximately 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) wide and 5 centimeters (2 inches) tall.(This image also appears as an inset on a separate image from the rover's navigation camera, showing the location of this particular spot within the trench wall.)

6. Oblique view from liftbed truck, showing northwest and southwest ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. Oblique view from lift-bed truck, showing northwest and southwest facades; projecting hip roof section supported by masonry pillars marks location of former porte cochere, removed in 1937; that portion wall beneath this roof section, containing visible double doors, is of frame and stucco construction, scored and tinted to imitate sandstone masonry; interior space formed by this enclosure of portion of former porte cochere now contains restrooms; view to southeast, 65mm lens. - Southern Pacific Depot, 559 El Camino Real, San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA

Mineral resource of the month: hydraulic cement

USGS Publications Warehouse

van Oss, Hendrik G.

2012-01-01

Hydraulic cements are the binders in concrete and most mortars and stuccos. Concrete, particularly the reinforced variety, is the most versatile of all construction materials, and most of the hydraulic cement produced worldwide is portland cement or similar cements that have portland cement as a basis, such as blended cements and masonry cements. Cement typically makes up less than 15 percent of the concrete mix; most of the rest is aggregates. Not counting the weight of reinforcing media, 1 ton of cement will typically yield about 8 tons of concrete.

Mineral resource of the month: mica

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hedrick, J.B.

2008-01-01

Humans have been using mica for millennia. Mica was first mined in India about 4,000 years ago, where it was used primarily in medicines, and some Hindu physicians still incorporate biotite mica into medicines today. Early civilizations also used mica for decorations, as windows and as surfaces on which to draw or paint. Maya temples were decorated with mica pigments, which were incorporated into the stucco to make it sparkle in the sun. In North America, ancient inhabitants adorned gravesites and burial mounds with animal figures made of mica.

The RiSE climbing robot: body and leg design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, A.; Goldman, D. I.; Full, R. J.; Buehler, M.

2006-05-01

The RiSE robot is a biologically inspired, six legged climbing robot, designed for general mobility in scansorial (vertical walls, horizontal ledges, ground level) environments. It exhibits ground reaction forces that are similar to animal climbers and does not rely on suction, magnets or other surface-dependent specializations to achieve adhesion and shear force. We describe RiSE's body and leg design as well as its electromechanical, communications and computational infrastructure. We review design iterations that enable RiSE to climb 90° carpeted, cork covered and (a growing range of) stucco surfaces in the quasi-static regime.

Hygrothermal Properties of Cross Laminated Timber and Moisture Response of Wood at High Relative Humidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

AlSayegh, George

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is a new wood-based material composed of cross laminated wood boards that form a structural panel. This study focuses on identifying the appropriate methods to determine the hygrothermal properties of CLTs fabricated with Canadian and European Lumber. The laboratory tests carried out in this study will help establish heat, air and moisture response properties to be used for hygrothermal simulation to assess the durability of CLTs in building envelope construction. Measurement of water vapour permeability, liquid water absorption, sorption isotherms, thermal conductivity, and air permeability were performed on three Canadian CLT specimens composed of Hem-Fir, Eastern Spruce-Pine-Fir, and Western Spruce-Pine-Fir and one European specimen composed of Spruce. The hygrothermal properties of CLT, considered in this study, appear to be similar to commonly used wood specimens reported in the literature. However, liquid water absorption coefficients of CLT were found to be generally lower than common wood species, possibly due to the presence of glue between the wood layers which limits the moisture movement across the specimen. On the other hand, the air permeability across the CLT specimens varied due to the glue discontinuity within the specimen which led some CLTs to be permeable, however all the European specimens were found to be impermeable. This study also critically analyzed the significance of equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of wood at high relative humidity, measured by means of a pressure plate apparatus and humidity chambers, on the moisture management performance of a wood-frame stucco wall, using the hygrothermal simulation tool hygIRC-2D. The simulation results indicate that the prediction of the moisture response of a wood-frame stucco wall assembly depends significantly on the method adopted to derive the EMC of wood at high RH.

Stone material investigations of the Riga Stock Exchange building

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igaune-Blumberga, S.; Vitina, I.; Lindina, L.; Timma, I.; Barbane, I.

2011-12-01

This paper deals with the stone material investigation of former Riga Stock Exchange building and presents the following aspects: characterization of materials, analyses of mortars for sealing and cladding of artificial marble, decors, bricks, render of sealing, analyses of soluble salts, analyses of deteriorated granite surface of foundation. The last damage by fire was in 1979 which caused the collapse of the roof and consequently an infiltration of rain water. The conditions of the objects were found in very bad condition-deterioration represented by salt efflorescence's, cracking and in very large areas there was a complete loss of the artificial marble (stucco marble).

Interface bonding of shotcrete reinforced brick masonry assemblages. Volume 2: Appendices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, D. W.; Kahn, L. F.

1982-09-01

The first of four appendices contains interviews with local masonry experts. It is reported that when stucco is applied to masonry walls, an increased resistance to lateral and implane forces results. The dangers of a solfate attack on brick masonry are examined, and it is pointed out that exposure to sulfate attack for 50 to 100 years can destroy the physical strength of a cement product. Distinctions are drawn between large core, small core, and double row core brick, and it is noted that the predominate brick used is the large core. The other appendices contain design, construction, and material properties for 46 specimens, a generalized finite element analysis, and plots for four specimens.

Application of Rapid Prototyping to the Investment Casting of Test Hardware (MSFC Center Director's Discretionary Fund Final Report, Project No. 98-08)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, K. G.; Wells, D.

2000-01-01

Investment casting masters of a selected propulsion hardware component, a fuel pump housing, were rapid prototyped on the several processes in-house, along with the new Z-Corp process acquired through this project. Also, tensile samples were prototyped and cast using the same significant parameters. The models were then shelled in-house using a commercial grade zircon-based slurry and stucco technique. Next, the shelled models were fired and cast by our in-house foundry contractor (IITRI), with NASA-23, a commonly used test hardware metal. The cast models are compared by their surface finish and overall appearance (i.e., the occurrence of pitting, warping, etc.), as well as dimensional accuracy.

Micro-attenuated total reflection spectral imaging in archaeology: application to Maya paint and plaster wall decorations.

PubMed

Goodall, Rosemary A; Hall, Jay; Sharer, Robert J; Traxler, Loa; Rintoul, Llew; Fredericks, Peter M

2008-01-01

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) attenuated total reflection (ATR) imaging has been successfully used to identify individual mineral components of ancient Maya paint. The high spatial resolution of a micro FT-IR-ATR system in combination with a focal plane array detector has allowed individual particles in the paint to be resolved and identified from their spectra. This system has been used in combination with micro-Raman spectroscopy to characterize the paint, which was found to be a mixture of hematite and silicate particles with minor amounts of calcite, carbon, and magnetite particles in a sub-micrometer hematite and calcite matrix. The underlying stucco was also investigated and found to be a combination of calcite with fine carbon particles, making a dark sub-ground for the paint.

Acoustical and thermal performance of exterior residential walls, doors, and windows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sabine, H.J.; Lacher, M.B.; Flynn, D.R.

1975-11-01

Laboratory tests of sound transmission loss, thermal transmittance, and rate of air leakage were conducted on full scale (9 feet high x 14 feet wide; 2.7 x 4.3 meters) specimens of typical residential exterior wall constructions, either unbroken or penetrated by a door or window. The walls were of wood frame construction with gypsum board drywall interior finish and exterior finishes of wood siding, stucco, or brick veneer. Additional accoustical tests were run on a number of individual doors and windows. A total of 109 acoustical tests and 48 thermal tests are reported. The resultant data are compared with literaturemore » data on similar constructions. Correlations developed among the several quantities measured will assist more rational design where both energy conservation and noise isolation must be considered. (130 references) (auth)« less

Image statistics for surface reflectance perception.

PubMed

Sharan, Lavanya; Li, Yuanzhen; Motoyoshi, Isamu; Nishida, Shin'ya; Adelson, Edward H

2008-04-01

Human observers can distinguish the albedo of real-world surfaces even when the surfaces are viewed in isolation, contrary to the Gelb effect. We sought to measure this ability and to understand the cues that might underlie it. We took photographs of complex surfaces such as stucco and asked observers to judge their diffuse reflectance by comparing them to a physical Munsell scale. Their judgments, while imperfect, were highly correlated with the true reflectance. The judgments were also highly correlated with certain image statistics, such as moment and percentile statistics of the luminance and subband histograms. When we digitally manipulated these statistics in an image, human judgments were correspondingly altered. Moreover, linear combinations of such statistics allow a machine vision system (operating within the constrained world of single surfaces) to estimate albedo with an accuracy similar to that of human observers. Taken together, these results indicate that some simple image statistics have a strong influence on the judgment of surface reflectance.

Periurban Trypanosoma cruzi–infected Triatoma infestans, Arequipa, Peru

PubMed Central

Bowman, Natalie M.; Kawai, Vivian; Waller, Lance A.; Cornejo del Carpio, Juan Geny; Benzaquen, Eleazar Cordova; Gilman, Robert H.; Bern, Caryn

2006-01-01

In Arequipa, Peru, vectorborne transmission of Chagas disease by Triatoma infestans has become an urban problem. We conducted an entomologic survey in a periurban community of Arequipa to identify risk factors for triatomine infestation and determinants of vector population densities. Of 374 households surveyed, triatomines were collected from 194 (52%), and Trypanosoma cruzi–carrying triatomines were collected from 72 (19.3%). Guinea pig pens were more likely than other animal enclosures to be infested and harbored 2.38× as many triatomines. Stacked brick and adobe enclosures were more likely to have triatomines, while wire mesh enclosures were protected against infestation. In human dwellings, only fully stuccoed rooms were protected against infestation. Spatially, households with triatomines were scattered, while households with T. cruzi–infected triatomines were clustered. Keeping small animals in wire mesh cages could facilitate control of T. infestans in this densely populated urban environment. PMID:17073082

Inferring Ancient Technology and Practices of the Elite Maya Kingship Through the Application of Materials Engineering Characterization Modalities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, Kristina Alyssa

This project focuses on the characterization of materials from burial offerings and painted decoration in a royal Maya tomb at El Zotz, Guatemala, and their association with mortuary rituals. Archaeological findings included vessels, jade masks, organic materials (wood, cord, and textiles), specular hematite cubes, shells with powdered cinnabar, green (malachite) painted stucco assumed to have decorated the wooden bier where the king was resting, and caches of lip-to-lip Aguila Orange bowls containing human phalanges. This paper describes findings from non-invasive and non-destructive analytical techniques including XRF, VPSEM-EDS, and XRD, emphasizing the potential of these combined technologies in the identification of organic and inorganic markers to infer burial customs. The nature and location of the findings, the evidence of pigment coloration on the bones employing hematite and cinnabar, and the indication of exposure of the bones to high temperatures suggest highly complex, even protracted mortuary practices of Maya elite.

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Spectroscopy as Tools for Nondestructive Analysis of Works of Art

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Comelli, Daniela; D'Andrea, Cosimo; Valentini, Gianluca; Cubeddu, Rinaldo; Colombo, Chiara; Toniolo, Lucia

2004-04-01

A system for advanced fluorescence investigation of works of art has been assembled and integrated in a characterization procedure that allows one to localize and identify organic compounds that are present in artworks. At the beginning of the investigation, fluorescence lifetime imaging and spectroscopy address a selective microsampling of the artwork. Then analytical measurements of microsamples identify the chemical composition of the materials under investigation. Finally, on the basis of fluorescence lifetime and amplitude maps, analytical data are extended to the whole artwork. In such a way, information on the spatial distribution of organic materials can be inferred. These concepts have been successfully applied in an extensive campaign for analysis of Renaissance fresco paintings in Castiglione Olona, Italy. Residue of various types of glue and stucco left from a restoration carried out in the early 1970s was localized and classified. Insight into the technique used by the painter to make gilded reliefs was also obtained.

Statistical analysis of archeomagnetic samples of Teotihuacan, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soler-Arechalde, A. M.

2012-12-01

Teotihuacan was the one of the most important metropolis of Mesoamerica during the Classic Period (1 to 600 AC). The city had a continuous growth in different stages that usually concluded with a ritual. Fire was an important element natives would burn entire structures. An example of this is the Quetzalcoatl pyramid in La Ciudadela (350 AC), it was burned and a new structure was built over it, also the Big Fire at 570 AC, that marks its end. These events are suitable to archaeomagnetic dating. The inclusion of ash in the stucco enhances the magnetic signal of detrital type that also allows us to make dating. This increases the number of samples to be processed as well as the number of dates. The samples have been analyzed according to their type: floor, wall, talud and painting and whether or not exposed to fire. Sequences of directions obtained in excavations in strict stratigraphic control will be shown. A sequence of images was used to analyze the improving of Teotihuacan secular variation curve through more than a decade of continuous work at the area.

Development of a New Ferrous Aluminosilicate Refractory Material for Investment Casting of Aluminum Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Chen; Jones, Sam; Blackburn, Stuart

2012-12-01

Investment casting is a time-consuming, labour intensive process, which produces complex, high value-added components for a variety of specialised industries. Current environmental and economic pressures have resulted in a need for the industry to improve current casting quality, reduce manufacturing costs and explore new markets for the process. Alumino-silicate based refractories are commonly used as both filler and stucco materials for ceramic shell production. A new ceramic material, norite, is now being produced based on ferrous aluminosilicate chemistry, having many potential advantages when used for the production of shell molds for casting aluminum alloy. This paper details the results of a direct comparison made between the properties of a ceramic shell system produced with norite refractories and a typical standard refractory shell system commonly used in casting industry. A range of mechanical and physical properties of the systems was measured, and a full-scale industrial casting trial was also carried out. The unique properties of the norite shell system make it a promising alternative for casting aluminum based alloys in the investment foundry.

Influence of environmental factors on removal of oxides of nitrogen by a photocatalytic coating.

PubMed

Cros, Clement J; Terpeluk, Alexandra L; Crain, Neil E; Juenger, Maria C G; Corsi, Richard L

2015-08-01

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from combustion processes have elevated concentrations in large urban areas. They cause a range of adverse health effects, acid rain, and are precursors to formation of other atmospheric pollutants, such as ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and inorganic aerosols. Photocatalytic materials containing a semi-conductor that can be activated by sunlight, such as titanium dioxide, have been studied for their ability to remove NOx. The study presented herein aims to elucidate the environmental parameters that most influence the NOx removal efficiency of photocatalytic coatings in hot and humid climate conditions. Concrete samples coated with a commercially available photocatalytic coating (a stucco) and an uncoated sample have been tested in a reactor simulating reasonable summertime outdoor sunlight, relative humidity and temperature conditions in southeast Texas. Two-level full factorial experiments were completed on each sample for five parameters. It was found that contact time, relative humidity and temperature significantly influenced both NO and NO₂removal. Elevated concentrations of organic pollutants reduced NO removal by the coating. Ultra-violet light intensity did not significantly influence removal of NO or NO₂, however, ultra-violet light intensity was involved in a two-factor interaction that significantly influenced removal of both NO and NO₂.

Compositional and quantitative microtextural characterization of historic paintings by micro-X-ray diffraction and Raman microscopy.

PubMed

Romero-Pastor, Julia; Duran, Adrian; Rodríguez-Navarro, Alejandro Basilio; Van Grieken, René; Cardell, Carolina

2011-11-15

This work shows the benefits of characterizing historic paintings via compositional and microtextural data from micro-X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD) combined with molecular information acquired with Raman microscopy (RM) along depth profiles in paint stratigraphies. The novel approach was applied to identify inorganic and organic components from paintings placed at the 14th century Islamic University-Madrasah Yusufiyya-in Granada (Spain), the only Islamic University still standing from the time of Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain). The use of μ-XRD to obtain quantitative microtextural information of crystalline phases provided by two-dimensional diffraction patterns to recognize pigments nature and manufacture, and decay processes in complex paint cross sections, has not been reported yet. A simple Nasrid (14th century) palette made of gypsum, vermilion, and azurite mixed with glue was identified in polychromed stuccos. Here also a Christian intervention was found via the use of smalt, barite, hematite, Brunswick green and gold; oil was the binding media employed. On mural paintings and wood ceilings, more complex palettes dated to the 19th century were found, made of gypsum, anhydrite, barite, dolomite, calcite, lead white, hematite, minium, synthetic ultramarine blue, and black carbon. The identified binders were glue, egg yolk, and oil.

Hydroxyapatite and Other Calcium Phosphates for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage: A Review

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

The present paper reviews the methods and the performance of in situ formation of calcium phosphates (CaP) for the conservation of materials belonging to cultural heritage. The core idea is to form CaP (ideally hydroxyapatite, HAP, the most stable CaP at pH > 4) by reaction between the substrate and an aqueous solution of a phosphate salt. Initially proposed for the conservation of marble and limestone, the treatment has been explored for a variety of different substrates, including sandstones, sulphated stones, gypsum stuccoes, concrete, wall paintings, archaeological bones and paper. First, the studies aimed at identifying the best treatment conditions (e.g., nature and concentration of the phosphate precursor, solution pH, treatment duration, ionic and organic additions to the phosphate solution, mineralogical composition of the new CaP phases) are summarized. Then, the treatment performance on marble and limestone is reviewed, in terms of protective and consolidating effectiveness, compatibility (aesthetic, microstructural and physical) and durability. Some pilot applications in real case studies are also reported. Recent research aimed at extending the phosphate treatment to other substrates is then illustrated. Finally, the strengths of the phosphate treatment are summarized, in comparison with alternative products, and some aspects needing future research are outlined. PMID:29617322

Shape and Construction of Brick Vaults. Criteria, Methods and Tools for a Possible Catalogue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brumana, R.; Condoleo, P.; Grimoldi, A.; Landi, A. G.

2017-05-01

The use of cloister vaults in the construction of noble buildings, as covering elements for square or rectangular rooms, is widespread and well-known. The geometric continuity at the intrados makes generally possible the execution all over the span of frescoes, stucco and decorations. The construction of brick vaults, from the late Middle Age, was sped up by limiting the centering to the wooden planks arches that were instrumental in the profile determination. Nowadays, the availability of several procedures, phases and tools for carrying out a survey allows to draw reliable assumptions about the construction methods and the execution time. It is mandatory to determine the properties of the binders, the shape and dimensions of the bricks, and to carry out a comparison between the geometry of the intrados surface and the evidences emerging at the extrados. The support of the laser scanner technique allows to accurately identify the surface profile and thickness. All these indications, in turn, are useful, in view of an interpretation of the structural behavior, to identify weaknesses, and to highlight contributing factors of instability (if any). The paper focuses on a well-documented case, the Magio Grasselli palace in Cremona in which the cloister vaults of two main rooms show different construction systems, although they were built almost at the same time. The thermographic recordings and laser-scanner surveys highlight the various arrangements used for the cloister vaults.

Washoff of cypermethrin residues from slabs of external building material surfaces using simulated rainfall.

PubMed

Trask, Jennifer R; Harbourt, Christopher M; Miller, Paul; Cox, Megan; Jones, Russell; Hendley, Paul; Lam, Chung

2014-02-01

The use of pesticides by homeowners or pest-control operators in urban settings is common, yet contributions of washoff from these materials are not easily understood. In the present study, cypermethrin, formulated as Cynoff EC (emulsifiable concentrate) and Cynoff WP (wettable powder) insecticides, was applied at typical rates to 10 different building material surfaces to examine its washoff potential from each surface. Using an indoor rainfall simulator, a 1-h rainfall event was generated and washoff samples were collected from 3 replicates of each surface type. Washoff was analyzed for cypermethrin using gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. An analysis of variance for a split-plot design was performed. Many building materials had similar water runoff masses, but asphalt resulted in significantly reduced average water runoff masses (73% less). The Cynoff WP formulation generally produced greater cypermethrin washoff than the Cynoff EC formulation. In addition, results for both the WP and EC formulations indicated that smoother surfaces such as vinyl and aluminum siding had higher washoff (1.0-14.1% mean percentage of applied mass). Cypermethrin washoff from rough absorptive surfaces like concrete and stucco was lower and ranged from 0.1 to 1.3% and from 0 to 0.2%, respectively, mean percentage of applied mass. Both building material surface and formulation play a significant role in cypermethrin washoff. © 2013 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Photothermal coherence tomography for 3-D visualization and structural non-destructive imaging of a wood inlay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavakolian, Pantea; Sfarra, Stefano; Gargiulo, Gianfranco; Sivagurunathan, Koneshwaran; Mandelis, Andreas

2018-06-01

The aim of this research is to investigate the suitability of truncated correlation photothermal coherence tomography (TC-PCT) for the non-destructive imaging of a replica of a real inlay to identify subsurface features that often are invisible areas of vulnerability and damage. Defects of inlays involve glue-rich areas, glue-starved areas, termite attack, insect damage, and laminar splitting. These defects have the potential to result in extensive damage to the art design layers of inlays. Therefore, there is a need for an imaging technique to visualize and determine the location of defects within the sample. The recently introduced TC-PCT modality proved capable of providing 3-D images of specimens with high axial resolution, deep subsurface depth profiling capability, and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, in this study the authors used TC-PCT to image a fabricated inlay sample with various natural and artificial defects in the middle and top layers. The inlay in question reproduces to scale a piece of art preserved in the "Mirror room" of the Castle Laffitte in France. It was built by a professional restorer following the ancient procedure named element by element. Planar TC-PCT images of the inlay were stacked coherently to provide 3-D visualization of areas with known defects in the sample. The experimental results demonstrated the identification of defects such as empty holes, a hole filled with stucco, subsurface delaminations and natural features such as a wood knot and wood grain in different layers of the sample. For this wooden sample that has a very low thermal diffusivity, a depth range of 2 mm was achieved.

Measured airtightness of 24 detached houses over periods of up to three years

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Proskiw, G.

1995-09-01

Regular airtightness tests were performed on 24 new houses, over periods of up to three years, to evaluate their air barrier systems and to search for evidence, air barrier degradation. Ten of the houses were constructed with polyethylene air barriers while the remaining 14 used an early version of the Airtight Drywall Approach (ADA). The 24 project houses were architecturally similar and of approximately equal size and general layout; stucco was the predominate exterior wall finish. All were exposed to similar terrain shielding. The study found that the airtightness of the polyethylene air barrier houses remained stable over their respectivemore » monitoring periods. Although two of the ten houses demonstrated possible, albeit slight, evidence of airtightness degradation, the magnitude of these changes was small and judged not to be of practical significance. With respect to the critical issue of air barrier degradation, no evidence could be found to indicate polyethylene is unsuited for use as an air barrier material in residential construction. For example, all but one of the polyethylene houses met the airtightness requirements of the Canadian R-2000 Standard for energy efficient housing at the end of their monitoring periods. The study found that the airtightness of the 14 ADA houses also remained stable over their monitoring periods. Although six of the 14 houses displayed possible, but slight, evidence of airtightness degradation, the magnitude of the changes was small and not of practical significance. It was concluded that no evidence could be found to indicate that the ADA system is unsuited for use in residential construction. All 14 ADA houses met the airtightness requirements of the R-2000 Program at the end of their respective monitoring periods.« less

Sulphate release from construction and demolition material in soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abel, Stefan; Wessolek, Gerd

2013-04-01

In Berlin and many other cities soils are heavily influenced by anthropogenic activities and deposited substrates. A widespread technical substrate in technosols is construction and demolition material from residential and industrial buildings. Existing rubble landfills without sealing facilities pose threats to ground water quality. In the central city of Berlin rising sulphate concentrations of groundwaters (up to 1200 mg/L) are measured since more than two decades. Previous studies point out that the high sulphate concentrations are mainly attributed to World War II rubble. The major part of debris was deposited in form of landfills and contains approximately 0.3 wt% gypsum. The scope of our research is to determine mechanisms of sulphate release from debris material, interactions between sulphate release, soil hydraulic properties and potential sinks of sulphur. To estimate equilibrium concentration and kinetics of sulphate release of various debris components batch and column experiments are conducted. The same method is applied to determine potential adsorptive character of common debris components. To analyse the impacts of soil hydraulic properties on sulphate leaching we carry out soil column experiments with defined upper and lower boundary conditions, varying water flow velocity and induced preferential flow. Simultaneously we monitor sulphate concentration of soil leachate in a 2 m³ lysimeter. First results of the batch experiments show that gypsum from broken stucco is the main source of sulphate in the observed technosols. Other components as mortar and slag show a quite low sulphate release. Similar results are found within the column experiments. For brigs medium and strongly time dependent sulphate release is determined. Concentrations up to 1500 mg/L are measured in the soil leachate from the lysimeter.

MAJOR TRANSPORT MECHANISMS OF PYRETHROIDS IN RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS AND EFFECTS OF MITIGATION MEASURES

PubMed Central

Davidson, Paul C; Jones, Russell L; Harbourt, Christopher M; Hendley, Paul; Goodwin, Gregory E; Sliz, Bradley A

2014-01-01

The major pathways for transport of pyrethroids were determined in runoff studies conducted at a full-scale test facility in central California, USA. The 6 replicate house lots were typical of front lawns and house fronts of California residential developments and consisted of stucco walls, garage doors, driveways, and residential lawn irrigation sprinkler systems. Each of the 6 lots also included a rainfall simulator to generate artificial rainfall events. Different pyrethroids were applied to 5 surfaces—driveway, garage door and adjacent walls, lawn, lawn perimeter (grass near the house walls), and house walls above grass. The volume of runoff water from each house lot was measured, sampled, and analyzed to determine the amount of pyrethroid mass lost from each surface. Applications to 3 of the house lots were made using the application practices typically used prior to recent label changes, and applications were made to the other 3 house lots according to the revised application procedures. Results from the house lots using the historic application procedures showed that losses of the compounds applied to the driveway and garage door (including the adjacent walls) were 99.75% of total measured runoff losses. The greatest losses were associated with significant rainfall events rather than lawn irrigation events. However, runoff losses were 40 times less using the revised application procedures recently specified on pyrethroid labels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:52–60. © 2013 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. PMID:24105831

Archaeomagnetic studies in central Mexico—dating of Mesoamerican lime-plasters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hueda-Tanabe, Y.; Soler-Arechalde, A. M.; Urrutia-Fucugauchi, J.; Barba, L.; Manzanilla, L.; Rebolledo-Vieyra, M.; Goguitchaichvili, A.

2004-11-01

For the first time results of an archaeomagnetic study of unburned lime-plasters from Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan in central Mesoamerica are presented. Plasters made of lime, lithic clasts and water, appear during the Formative Period and were used for a variety of purposes in floors, sculptures, ceramics and supporting media for mural paintings in the Oaxaca and Maya area. In Central Mexico, grinded volcanic scoria rich in iron minerals is incorporated into the lime-plasters mixture. Samples were selected from two archaeological excavation projects in the Teopancazco residential compound of Teotihuacan and the large multi-stage structure of Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, where chronological information is available. The intensity of remanent magnetization (natural remanent magnetization (NRM)) and low-field susceptibility are weak reflecting low relative content of magnetic minerals. NRM directions are well grouped and alternating field demagnetization shows single or two-component magnetizations. Rockmagnetic experiments point to fine-grained titanomagnetites with pseudo-single domain behavior. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements document a depositional fabric, with normal to free-surface minimum AMS axes. Characteristic mean site directions were correlated to the paleosecular variation curve for Mesoamerica. Data from Templo Mayor reflect recent tilting of the structures. Teopancazco mean site declinations show good correspondence with the reference curve, in agreement with the radiocarbon dating. Dates for four stages of Teotihuacan occupancy based on the study of lime-plasters range from AD 350 to 550. A date for a possible Mazapa occupation around AD 850 or 950 is also suggested based on the archaeomagnetic correlation. The archaeomagnetic record of a plaster floor in Teopancazco differed from the other nearby sites pointing to a thermoremanent magnetization; comparison with the reference curve suggests dates around AD 1375 or 1415. The burning of the stucco floor likely occurred during a late re-occupation of the site by the Aztecs. Our results suggest that archaeomagnetic dating can be applied to lime-plasters, which are materials widely employed in Mesoamerica.

Mortality among unionized construction plasterers and cement masons.

PubMed

Stern, F; Lehman, E; Ruder, A

2001-04-01

Plasterers perform a variety of duties including interior and exterior plastering of drywall, cement, stucco, and stone imitation; the preparation, installation, and repair of all interior and exterior insulation systems; and the fireproofing of steel beams and columns. Some of the current potential toxic exposures among plasterers include plaster of Paris, silica, fiberglass, talc, and 1,1,1-trichloroethylene; asbestos had been used by the plasterers in the past. Cement masons, on the other hand, are involved in concrete construction of buildings, bridges, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, highways, streets and roads, floors and pavements and the finishing of same, when necessary, by sandblasting or any other method. Exposures include cement dust, silica, asphalt, and various solvents. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) and proportionate cancer mortality ratios (PCMRs) were calculated for 99 causes of death among 12,873 members of the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association who died between 1972 and 1996 using United States age-, race-, and calender-specific death rates. Statistical significance (P value) of results was based upon the Poisson distribution. Among plasterers, statistically significant elevated mortality was observed for asbestosis, where the PMR reached 1,657 (P < 0.01) with eleven observed deaths and less than one death expected, for lung cancer (PCMR = 124, P < 0.01), and for benign neoplasms (PMR = 210, P < 0.05). Among cement masons, statistically significant elevated mortality was observed for cancer of the stomach (PCMR = 133, P < 0.01), benign neoplasms (PMR = 132, P < 0.01), and poisonings (PMR = 159, P < 0.05). Except for poisonings, which were not thought to be occupationally related, all of the statistically significant results occurred among those members who entered the union prior to 1950. However, the risk for lung cancer among plasterers was still elevated among those entering the union after 1970 as was the risk for stomach cancer among cement masons who entered the union after 1950. The present study suggests that plasterers and cement masons still have elevated risks for certain diseases, especially lung and stomach cancer. Therefore, union members currently living should be screened for asbestos-related diseases and educated about the future risks for these diseases.

Probable Earthquake Archaeological Effects in the ancient pyramids of Quetzalcóatl and Sun in Teotihuacán (Central Mexico)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez-Lopez, Raul; Rodríguez-Pascua, Miguel Angel; Garduño-Monroy, Victor Hugo; Oliveros, Arturo; Giner-Robles, Jorge L.; Silva, Pablo G.

2010-05-01

Teotihuacán was one of the blooming and greater cities of the Prehispanic cultural period within the central valley of México and one of the best archaeological findings of the Earth. During the period of splendour (Middle-Late Classic Period, 350-650 AD), almost 125.000 inhabitants lived in a vast city with more than 2000 stucco and block buildings, including the great religious and ceremonial pyramids: the Great Sun Pyramid, built between 1- 150 AD, the Moon Pyramid, built during a large time span (1-650 AD) and the outstanding Quetzalcóatl Pyramid (Feathered Snake Temple), built in two phases: the first original edifice built before 350 AD and the second one mainly are repairs of the west side and dated post-350 AD. The Quetzalcóatl Pyramid (Q- pyramid) shows a quadrangular base of ca. 3500 m2 with an extraordinary decoration of feathered snakes (attributed to the God Quetzalcóatl) and lizards. The second phase of construction consisted in a townhouse façade covering the west side of the pyramid (post 350AD), up to now with no evidence to justify such annexed wrapper of this west side. This ceremonial building was built within the Citadel, a complex area of Teotihuacán with residential and common zones as well (i.e. market). A detailed view of the steps of the west side stairs, displays different patterns of deformation affecting the blocks of the stair. The original and ancient stair exhibits rotated, overturned and displaced blocks, being stronger this deformation at the base of the pyramid. Moreover, the upper corners of the blocks appear broken in a similar form than the seismic-related feature defined as dipping broken corners or chipped corners. However, the horizontal disposition of the blocks suggests lateral vibration between them from horizontal shaking propagation. Besides, this feature appears lesser evident affecting the lower blocks of the annexed west façade, the only originally preserved ones. We have carried out a systematic measurement of this feature across the original west stairs of the Q- pyramid and the first stair level of the Sun pyramid. Furthermore, these horizontal dipping broken corners were also described affecting the new stairs of the annexed façade of the Q- pyramid. This suggests that seismic shaking could produce that deformation with a relative date of 350 AD post-quem. More data are necessary to properly test the earthquake occurrence and to bracket a probable intensity value.

Development and Optimization of Gas-Assisted Gravity Drainage (GAGD) Process for Improved Light Oil Recovery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dandina N. Rao; Subhash C. Ayirala; Madhav M. Kulkarni

This is the final report describing the evolution of the project ''Development and Optimization of Gas-Assisted Gravity Drainage (GAGD) Process for Improved Light Oil Recovery'' from its conceptual stage in 2002 to the field implementation of the developed technology in 2006. This comprehensive report includes all the experimental research, models developments, analyses of results, salient conclusions and the technology transfer efforts. As planned in the original proposal, the project has been conducted in three separate and concurrent tasks: Task 1 involved a physical model study of the new GAGD process, Task 2 was aimed at further developing the vanishing interfacialmore » tension (VIT) technique for gas-oil miscibility determination, and Task 3 was directed at determining multiphase gas-oil drainage and displacement characteristics in reservoir rocks at realistic pressures and temperatures. The project started with the task of recruiting well-qualified graduate research assistants. After collecting and reviewing the literature on different aspects of the project such gas injection EOR, gravity drainage, miscibility characterization, and gas-oil displacement characteristics in porous media, research plans were developed for the experimental work to be conducted under each of the three tasks. Based on the literature review and dimensional analysis, preliminary criteria were developed for the design of the partially-scaled physical model. Additionally, the need for a separate transparent model for visual observation and verification of the displacement and drainage behavior under gas-assisted gravity drainage was identified. Various materials and methods (ceramic porous material, Stucco, Portland cement, sintered glass beads) were attempted in order to fabricate a satisfactory visual model. In addition to proving the effectiveness of the GAGD process (through measured oil recoveries in the range of 65 to 87% IOIP), the visual models demonstrated three possible multiphase mechanisms at work, namely, Darcy-type displacement until gas breakthrough, gravity drainage after breakthrough and film-drainage in gas-invaded zones throughout the duration of the process. The partially-scaled physical model was used in a series of experiments to study the effects of wettability, gas-oil miscibility, secondary versus tertiary mode gas injection, and the presence of fractures on GAGD oil recovery. In addition to yielding recoveries of up to 80% IOIP, even in the immiscible gas injection mode, the partially-scaled physical model confirmed the positive influence of fractures and oil-wet characteristics in enhancing oil recoveries over those measured in the homogeneous (unfractured) water-wet models. An interesting observation was that a single logarithmic relationship between the oil recovery and the gravity number was obeyed by the physical model, the high-pressure corefloods and the field data.« less

Digitalization of the exceptional building and decorative stones collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrière, Ludovic; Steinwender, Christian

2014-05-01

The Natural History Museum Vienna (NHMV) owns one of the largest building, decorative, and ornamental stones collections in Europe. This important collection dates back to the 19th century and was initiated by curator Felix Karrer after a donation of the "Union-Baugesellschaft" (Karrer, 1892). It contains rock samples used for the construction of most of the famous buildings and monuments in Vienna and in the entire Austria and surrounding countries, as well as from other famous constructions and antique (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, etc.) monuments in the world. Decorative stones that were used for the inside parts of buildings as well as artificial materials, such as stucco, tiles, and building-materials like gravel, are also part of this collection. Unfortunately, most specimens of this collection cannot be displayed at the NHMV (i.e., only 500 specimens are visible in the display Hall I) and are therefore preserved in storage rooms, and not accessible to the public. The main objective of our project of digitalization is to share our rock collection and all treasures it contains with the large majority of interested persons, and especially to provide knowledge on these rocks for people who need this information, such as people who work in cultural, architectural, scientific, and commercial fields. So far 4,500 samples from our collection have been processed with the support of the Open Up! project (Opening up the Natural History Heritage for Europeana). Our database contains all information available on these samples (including e.g., the name of the rock, locality, historic use, heritage utilization, etc.), high-quality digital photographs (with both top and bottom sides of the samples), and scanned labels (both "old" NHMV labels and other (original) labels attached to the samples). We plan to achieve the full digitalization of our unique collection within the next two years and to develop a website to provide access to the content of our database (if adequate funding is obtained), - a unique way to show the public these thousands of objects, and also to facilitate the work of architects and stone/building conservation workers who need information about these (historical) stones. This website would be a bridge between our "museum and scientific expertise" and people from the "culture, renovation, and architecture" fields. We see our database & website as a crossover media between "geology" and the numerous fields in which rocks are used, knowing that we will provide information on where these stones were/are excavated as well as the place where they were/are used. Such type of information is also of interest for historians and archaeologists. References: Karrer F. 1892. Führer durch die Baumaterial-Sammlung des k. k. naturhistorischen Hofmuseums in Wien. Verlag von R. Lechner's k. u. k. Hof- und Univ.-Buchhandlung, Wien. 304p.

Polyphasic approach to characterize heterotrophic bacteria of biofilms and patina on walls of the Suburban Bath of the Herculaneum's archaeological excavations in Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ventorino, V.; Pepe, O.; Sannino, L.; Blaiotta, G.; Palomba, S.

2012-04-01

Built between the walls of Herculaneum excavations, one of the world's most important archaeological sites, and the sea in the early 1st cent. AD, the Suburban Bath is one of the best thermal complexes better preserved in ancient times. The entrance opens onto a large courtyard that leads into a hallway well lit by a skylight, impluvium, with a portrait of "Apollo". From this room you can access various parts of the thermae, all beautifully preserved. A single room, mostly occupied by the pool, serving both apodyterium (dressing room) that frigidarium. Among tepidarium and frigidarium there's a room elegantly decorated with stucco and marble. The vestibule opens to the right, through a corridor, onto a waiting room with a floor in signinum opus and into a praefurnium (oven for heating). A large pool of tepidarium, connected with laconicum, a small circular room for the baths sweat, is also present. The calidarium, as usual, has a small tank for hot water and a basin for washing in cold water. Behind the calidarium is the praefurnium, an environment with the boiler for heating the bath. Although the suburban baths are well preserved, unfortunately in you can observe the development of visible microbial coatings. During the biodeterioration process, secondary colonization of wall is due to heterotrophic bacteria and fungi that induce deterioration cause structural as well as aesthetic damage such as the discoloration of materials, the formation of crusts on surfaces and the loss of material. This investigation was carried out sampling the surfaces of walls of different rooms in the Suburban Thermae according to Italian legal procedures. Depending on the samples typology, sampling was carry out using sterile nitrocellulose membranes pressed on the surface of the walls, sterile swabs or with sterile tweezers by tearing out surface material. The samples were suspended in physiological solution and immediately refrigerated until analysis. Isolated colonies grown on PCA plates were purified in the same growth medium by streaking and differentiated by assessing their morphological (phase-contrast microscopy) and biochemical characteristics (Gram-stains KOH-lysis and catalase activity). Cultural-based method allow us to identify by 16S and 26S rRNA partial sequence analysis, heterotrophic bacteria belonging to different genera as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Microbacterium. By using this approach, Bacillus-related species (B. benzoevorans, B. megaterium and B. pumilis and B. megaterium/B. simplex group) as well as Aeromonas sobria/Aeromonas salmonicida/Aeromonas hydrophila group, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Microbacterium esteraromaticum were isolated in different sample points analysed. DGGE analysis of PCR amplified V3 region of rDNA from DNA directly recovered from samples of biofilms and patina, enabled identification of bacterial species not found using culturable technology, as those closest related to Aeromonas, Paenibacillus, Brevibacterium, Exiguobacterium, Microbacterium, Brevibacterium, Stenothophomonas and Streptomyces. Combination of culture-dependent and independent methods provide a better characterization of heterotrophic microbiota that colonize the surface of ancient decorated walls and can contribute to understand the potential of biodeterioration activity by heterotrophic microorganisms.

Synthesis of Pure Ca(OH)2 Nanoparticles and Superhydrophobic Suspensions: Consolidation and Waterproofing of Architectural Heritage Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madrid Mendoza, Juan Antonio

El objetivo de esta tesis es investigar sobre la sintesis, propiedades y aplicaciones de las nanoparticulas de Ca(OH)2 para consolidar materiales patrimoniales arquitectonicos. Las nanoparticulas de Ca(OH)2 se han utilizado recientemente en la conservacion del patrimonio, aunque algunos aspectos de la sintesis no son completamente comprendidos. En el presente estudio, hemos desarrollado metodos optimizados para obtener nanoparticulas de alta pureza mediante sintesis de fase homogenea y heterogenea utilizando diferentes materiales de partida. Se han realizado del orden de cien sintesis en diferentes condiciones para comprobar la validez y fiabilidad del metodo sintetico. Los resultados confirman que la temperatura de reaccion tiene una gran influencia en el tamano y la morfologia de las nanoparticulas de Ca(OH)2. Ademas, se ha investigado la estabilidad de las nanoparticulas a lo largo del tiempo en mezclas de 2-propanol / agua, en las que se encontro que la ausencia de agua era critica para evitar la aglomeracion de Ca(OH)2. Una vez dispersas en 2-propanol, las nanoparticulas se han utilizado para consolidar sustratos reales (piedra, adobe y estuco) confirmando su alto rendimiento en terminos de consolidacion superficial y - cuando se mezcla con ciertos surfactantes - en reduccion de la absorcion de agua. Asimismo, se ha investigado el uso de nanoparticulas modificadas basadas en M(OH)2, donde M=Ca2+, Mg2+, con el objetivo de mejorar tanto la cohesion superficial como la durabilidad de los materiales patrimoniales (p. ej. piedra Tabaire). Finalmente, el tratamiento de consolidacion basado en nanoparticulas puras de Ca(OH)2 se utilizo en emplazamientos con valor patrimonial, como edificios historicos y yacimientos arqueologicos (Teatro Romano de Cartagena) obteniendo resultados satisfactorios. The aim of this thesis is to investigate on the synthesis, properties and applications of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles to consolidate architectural heritage materials. Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles have recently been used in heritage conservation, although some aspects of the synthesis are not fully-understood. In the present study, we have developed optimised methods for obtaining high-purity nanoparticles based on homogenous and heterogeneous phase synthesis using different starting materials. Around one hundred syntheses have been performed to test the validity and reliability of the synthetic method in different conditions. The results confirm that the reaction temperature has a great influence on the size and morphology of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles. Besides, the nanoparticles stability has been investigated over time in 2-propanol / water mixtures, in which the absence of water was found to be critical to avoid Ca(OH)2 agglomeration. Once dispersed in 2-propanol, the nanoparticles have been used to consolidate real substrates (stone, adobe and stucco) confirming their high performance in terms of surface consolidation and - when mixed with certain surfactants - water absorption. Likewise, the use of modified nanoparticles based on M(OH)2, where M=Ca2+, Mg2+, has been investigated with the aim of improving both the surface cohesion and durability of heritage materials (e.g. Tabaire stone). Finally, the consolidation treatment consisting in pure Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles has been used in cultural heritage sites, such as historical buildings and archaeological monuments (Roman Theatre of Cartagena) leading to satisfactory results.