Chemical Characterization of Vitreous Finds from Cosenza Cathedral (Calabria – Italy) by the Combined Use of Analytical Techniques

AbstractThis article presents an archaeometrical research carried out on twenty-six vitreous finds collected in the Cosenza Cathedral (Calabria, Italy). The glasses have been subdivided in two typo-chronological groups. The first group is composed of 14 vitreous samples dating to the 4th–6th century AD. The second group includes twelve samples; seven are stems of funnel-shaped hanging lamps which date between the 12th and the 13th century AD, two are bottlenecks of balsamaria and three are concave bases. The aims of this study were the determination of the chemical composition of vitreous finds and the individuation of the primary glass sources. The samples were characterized through Electron Probe Micro Analyser with Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The data confirm that all the finds of the first group are "silica-soda-lime" type glasses characterized by a high content of Na2O and a low content of K2O and MgO. On the contrary, the samples of the second group, showing higher contents of K2O and MgO, are vegetable silica-soda-lime glasses. Their composition confirms the typological attribution to the medieval period

Vitreous Tesserae from the Four Seasons Mosaic of the S. Aloe Quarter in Vibo Valentia–Calabria, Italy: A Chemical Characterization

This work reports the results of the archaeometrical investigation performed on twenty glass tesserae collected in 2018, during the restoration of the Four Seasons mosaic, which dates between the second and the third century AD, in the archaeological area of the S. Aloe quarter in Vibo Valentia (Calabria, Italy). The coloured glass tesserae were analysed through a micro-analytical approach using an Electron Probe Micro Analyser withWavelength-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The aims of the study were (1) the determination of the chemical composition and the technology of glass mosaic tesserae production; (2) the individuation of colouring and opacifying agents used for the production of the glass tesserae. The glasses show the typical soda–lime–silica composition. EPMA-WDS results prove the use of Sn–Pb antimonates to create yellow glass, and of cuprite to obtain the red colour. Copper and cobalt were employed in both green and blue glasses to produce dierent shades of colour (grey, tints of green, dark and light blue)

Estudo dos líquenes como bio-indicadores de metais pesados no meio ambiente da Igreja dos Santos Juanes de Valência

The lichens do to their symbiont nature have unic characteristics that confer them a key role as a bioindicators of the environmental contamination. Many investigations have been done using epiphytic lichens as a bioindicators, but only a few of them have used crustose epilithic lichens. The main objective of this work is to show the air quality of Valencia and corroborate the efficacy of the crustose epilithic lichens as a bioindicators of the air pollution. With this objective it has been analyzed the heavy metals inside the lichens growing on the façade of the Santos Juanes church in Valencia situated in the nerve centerof the city.Los líquenes debido a su naturaleza simbionte poseen unas características únicas que les confieren un papel clave como bioindicadores de la contaminación ambiental. Se han realizado muchos trabajos utilizando líquenes epifíticos como bioindicadores, pero tan solo unos pocos estudios han utilizado líquenes epilíticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es poner de manifiesto la calidad del aire de la ciudad de Valencia y corroborar la eficacia de los líquenes epilíticos crustáceos como bioindicadores de la contaminación ambiental. Para ello se analizan los metales pesados encontrados en los líquenes que crecen sobre la fachada de la Iglesia de los Santos Juanes de Valencia situada en el centro neurálgico de la ciudad.Os Líquenes, devido à sua natureza simbiótica, possuem características únicas que lhes conferem um papel crucial como bio-indicadores de contaminação ambiental. Existem muitos trabalhos que utilizam líquenes epifíticos como bio-indicadores, no entanto, poucos se centram no uso de líquenes epilíticos. O estudo realizado tem como objectivo por em manifesto a qualidade do ar da cidade de Valencia e corroborar a eficiência dos líquenes epilíticos crustosos como bio-indicadores da contaminação ambiental. Para tal, analizaram-se os metais pesados presentes em líquenes que crescem na fachada da Igreja dos Santos Juanes de Valência, situda no centro nevrálgico da cidade

Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements in the Muscle of the Blackmouth Catshark Galeus melastomus from Mediterranean Waters

Environmental pollution, particularly in the marine environment, has become a significant concern due to the increasing presence of pollutants and their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the bioaccumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) from different areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Trace elements are of interest due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential for bioaccumulation. This research aims to assess the distribution and accumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of G. melastomus and investigate their potential impact on the deep-sea environment of the Mediterranean. The focused areas include the Ligurian Sea, the northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea, the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Pantelleria Waters, and the Gela Waters. Samples were collected following established protocols, and trace element analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The study provides data on the concentrations of 17 trace elements, namely aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, zinc, selenium, strontium, lead, chromium, iron, barium, bismuth, and uranium. The findings contribute to a better understanding of trace element bioaccumulation patterns in elasmobranch species, specifically G. melastomus, and highlight the potential risks associated with chemical contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. This research emphasizes the importance of studying the impacts of pollutants on marine organisms, particularly those occupying key ecological roles, like sharks, to support effective conservation and management strategies

Population-level benefits of increasing influenza vaccination uptake among Italian older adults: results from a granular panel model

BackgroundThe impact of seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) on mortality is still controversial; some studies have claimed that increasing vaccination coverage rates is beneficial, while others have found no significant association. This study aimed to construct a granular longitudinal dataset of local VCRs and assess their effect on pneumonia- and influenza-related (P&I) mortality among Italian adults aged ≥ 65 years.MethodsNUTS-3 (nomenclature of territorial units for statistics) level data on SIV coverage were collected via a survey of local data holders. Fixed- and random-effects panel regression modeling, when adjusted for potential confounders, was performed to assess the association between local SIV coverage rates and P&I mortality in older adults.ResultsA total of 1,144 local VCRs from 2003 to 2019 were ascertained. In the fully adjusted fixed-effects model, each 1% increase in vaccination coverage was associated (P < 0.001) with a 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3–0.9%) average over-time decrease in P&I mortality. With an annual average of 9,293 P&I deaths in Italy, this model suggested that 56 deaths could have been avoided each year by increasing SIV coverage by 1%. The random-effects model produced similar results. The base-case results were robust in a sensitivity analysis.ConclusionOver the last two decades, Italian jurisdictions with higher SIV uptake had, on average, fewer P&I deaths among older adults. Local policy-makers should implement effective strategies to increase SIV coverage in the Italian senior population

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

The provenance of obsidian artefacts from the Middle Kingdom harbour of Mersa/Wadi Gawasis, Egypt, and its implications for Red Sea trade routes in the 2nd millennium BC

This paper presents the results of the geochemical analysis carried out on the obsidian artefacts discovered at the archaeological site of Mersa/Wadi Gawasis, located along the Egyptian Red Sea coast, in between the modern cities of Safaja and Quseir. During the 12th and 13th Dynasties of Egypt the site hosted a port city from where the Egyptian expeditions set sail directed to the south, on both edges of the Red Sea. Six obsidian artefacts collected during the 1970s’ research carried out at the site by A. Sayed, were geochemically analysed, together with five geological samples from the obsidian Kusrale source in Eritrea. The major element concentrations were determined by SEM-EDS analysis and the trace element concentrations were obtained by LA-ICP-MS method, a micro-destructive technique, capable of chemically characterizing the volcanic glass. A comparison of geochemical results obtained on the archaeological artefacts and geologic samples, together with the literature data on different geological obsidian outcrops from the Horn of Africa and the southwestern Arabian peninsula, allowed us to determine the provenance of the Mersa/Wadi Gawasis obsidian artefacts in both the Kusrale source of Eritrea, and the volcanic area of Dhamar Reda in Yemen. These results can provide further insights on ancient trade routes along the Red Sea during the early second millennium BC

Archaeometric Study of the White Marbles from “Madonna Della Febbre” Altar in San Domenico Church (Cosenza, Southern Italy)

San Domenico Church was built between 1441 and 1468 and represents one of the most important historical buildings of the Cosenza area (Calabria, Southern Italy) thanks to its architectonic style and the works inside, such as the “Madonna della Febbre”, a notable marble altar dated back to the XVI century. The church, as well as the sculptural group, underwent various interventions over time, unfortunately scarcely documented; thus, in this paper, the characterization of six white marble samples coming from the altar, was carried out to determine their provenance. The samples were analyzed by means of complementary methodologies well known in the archaeometric field: polarized optical microscopy (POM); an electron probe micro analyzer coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EPMA-EDS); inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The results provided important information about the “Madonna della Febbre” altar, suggesting the presence of different typologies of marbles and hypothesizing their possible provenance, including Carrara and Docimium. It was not clear if these marbles were re-used materials but, regardless, the reported information adds precious elements to the history of the entire architectonic complex, providing new issues to be deepened