Archaeometric identification of Maltese imports in prehistoric Sicily : Zebbug phase pottery from Licata-Caduta (Agrigento)

During the study of a pottery assemblage collected at the Sicilian site of Licata-Caduta (Agrigento), continuously occupied between the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, some ceramics presented typologies, fabrics and surface treatments alien to Sicilian repertoires and closer to Maltese productions. Sampled for petrographic (OM) and chemical (XRF) analyses one artefact turned out to be produced in Malta and imported into Sicily. The search for its chronological and cultural placement has led to the discovery of the first certified Zebbug phase import in Sicily.peer-reviewe

Evaluation of the technological features of late roman cooking ware classes from Akrai (Syracuse, Sicily)

In this work, a provenance and technological investigation on cooking-ware potteries from the ancient Greek -Roman town of Akrai (Palazzolo Acreide, Syracuse, Sicily) has proposed. A multi-methodological approach have been used to study the manufacture quality of analysed materials; in detail, petrograp hic, mineralogical, spectroscopic, chemical, porosimetric and micro-morphological analyses have been applied. The study providesfundamental contribute in archeological issues related to circulation in Sicily of cooking -ware productions during Late Roman Age; in fact, the obtained results allow to recognize in the site the presence of different well-known cooking-ware Roman productions, highlighting interesting questions about the technological and manufacture properties of this class of materials

The satiating power of sustainability: the effect of package sustainability on perceived satiation of healthy food

Purpose This research investigates the influence of package sustainability on food satiation perception. Design/methodology/approach Research hypotheses were tested through three experimental studies. Findings Three experimental studies show that food quality is associated to higher perceived food satiation (preliminary study); that a food packaged in a sustainable package is perceived as more satiating than the same food packaged in a non-sustainable package and that this effect is explained by the higher perceived quality triggered by the presence of a sustainable package (Study 1); and that the positive relationship between higher perceived quality and perceived satiation is verified only for healthy but not for unhealthy foods (Study 2). Originality/value The present research advances knowledge on the highly debated issue of sustainable food packages. By proposing that consumers might perceive a healthy food presented in a sustainable package as more satiating, the authors show another extrinsic packaging cue modifying consumers' perception, namely package sustainability

Effect of bicarbonate on growth of the oleaginous microalga Botryococcus braunii

The effect of bicarbonate, produced by the enzymatic hydration of CO2 from postcombustion fumes, was investigated on Botryococcus braunii growth. The NaHCO3, supplied to cultures in the role of inorganic carbon source is proposed as a more eco-sustainable alternative to gaseous CO2. The salt was provided to the cultures at the final concentration of 0.5-1.5-2.5 g L-1. The growth rate was considered for specific time intervals (T0-T5, T5-T10 and T0-T10) showing values significantly higher in the culture supplemented with 2.5 g L-1 bicarbonate. The doubling times were also considered in all experimental cultures showing a faster doubling for the period T0÷T5. The increase in pH drives the increase in growth in the experimental conditions in which the salt was added. The results suggest that bicarbonate is able to promote the algal growth, therefore it can be considered a valid alternative to CO2 gas

Visuo-auditory interactions in the primary visual cortex of the behaving monkey: Electrophysiological evidence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Visual, tactile and auditory information is processed from the periphery to the cortical level through separate channels that target primary sensory cortices, from which it is further distributed to functionally specialized areas. Multisensory integration is classically assigned to higher hierarchical cortical areas, but there is growing electrophysiological evidence in man and monkey of multimodal interactions in areas thought to be unimodal, interactions that can occur at very short latencies. Such fast timing of multisensory interactions rules out the possibility of an origin in the polymodal areas mediated through back projections, but is rather in favor of heteromodal connections such as the direct projections observed in the monkey, from auditory areas (including the primary auditory cortex AI) directly to the primary visual cortex V1. Based on the existence of such AI to V1 projections, we looked for modulation of neuronal visual responses in V1 by an auditory stimulus in the awake behaving monkey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Behavioral or electrophysiological data were obtained from two behaving monkeys. One monkey was trained to maintain a passive central fixation while a peripheral visual (V) or visuo-auditory (AV) stimulus was presented. From a population of 45 V1 neurons, there was no difference in the mean latencies or strength of visual responses when comparing V and AV conditions. In a second active task, the monkey was required to orient his gaze toward the visual or visuo-auditory stimulus. From a population of 49 cells recorded during this saccadic task, we observed a significant reduction in response latencies in the visuo-auditory condition compared to the visual condition (mean 61.0 vs. 64.5 ms) only when the visual stimulus was at midlevel contrast. No effect was observed at high contrast.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data show that single neurons from a primary sensory cortex such as V1 can integrate sensory information of a different modality, a result that argues against a strict hierarchical model of multisensory integration. Multisensory interaction in V1 is, in our experiment, expressed by a significant reduction in visual response latencies specifically in suboptimal conditions and depending on the task demand. This suggests that neuronal mechanisms of multisensory integration are specific and adapted to the perceptual features of behavior.</p

Visualization and quantification of weathering effects and water uptake processes in natural building stones by using neutron imaging

Calcarenites are the most widely used natural building stones in Sicily. They are frequently subjected to very intense degradation due to salt growth [1, 2]. This process is often responsible for strong modifications of their pore network [3] and has a great influence in the mechanical properties and the durability of materials [4]. In addition, as water transport has a key role in the degradation processes, the quantification and visualization of fluidflow into the pore network of degraded stones represent useful tools in understanding the weathering process. Classical approaches are usually performed by applying laboratory test routines for the determination of water absorption parameters. However, they cannot provide a description of the local distribution of water inside the stone. In this framework, neutron imaging has been demonstrated as a powerful technique for the visualization and quantification of the water distribution in partially saturated porous media [5]. Moreover, the possibility to perform dynamic measurements allowed monitoring the water uptake as function of time and to explore the complex processes involved in fluid transport [6-8]. In this study neutron radiography has been used with the aim of: a) monitoring and visualizing the fluidflow patterns inside porous structure of a local calcarenite widely used as building and replace stone in several Cultural Heritages, namely Sabucina Stone; b) quantifying the water distribution as function of time, in order to understand the effects of weathering on the behavior of the stone against water. In detail, samples of un-weathered and artificially weathered[9] Sabucina Stone have been scanned with neutron imaging technique at the IMAGINE beam line located at the Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (CEA/CNRS) in Saclay (France). Capillary water uptake has been monitored over time in samples subjected to different salt crystallization cycles. Beside the qualitative data acquired from the raw neutron images (Figure 1(a)), quantitative results have been obtained thanks to the image processing of the radiographs (Figure 1(b)) [10]. First of all, the evolution of the wetting front position over time has been observed and the penetration coefficient has been determined. The results demonstrated that changes in the hydric properties of the stone occurred with the intensification of the degradation process. Even if a good agreement with standard capillary absorption test has been obtained [11], the non-perfect linearity of capillary uptake process has been evaluated, due to the evidence of preferential flow paths. Therefore, neutron images have been processed in order to obtain quantitative water distributions as function of time. The contour plot of the water content value highlighted that degraded stones absorbed greater volumes of water than the un-weathered ones, due to the strong modification of their pore structure. Moreover, in weathered samples the quicker and deeper vertical spreading of the water was associated with an intense horizontal migration through pores enlarged by the degradation mechanisms. Finally, side effects, probably due to the more intense action of the degradation process close to the sample surface, were evidenced, determining different capillarity absorption properties for the inner and surface regions. In conclusion, neutron radiography has allowed a better understanding of the deterioration mechanisms affecting physical properties of building stones, supplying relevant data for planning powerfully actions to improve their durability. References: [1] M. Steiger, S. Asmussen. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta2008; 72: 4291. [2] G.W. Scherer. Cement and Concrete Research1999; 29:1347. [3]S. Raneri, V. Cnudde, T. De Kock, H. Derluyn, G. Barone, P. Mazzoleni. Europen Journal of Mineralogy2015; 27: 279 [4] S. Yu, C.T. Oguchi. Engineering Geology2010; 115: 226. [5] E. Perfect, C.L.Cheng, M. Kanga, M.Z. Bilheux, J.M. Lamanna, M.J. Gragg, D.M. Wright. Earth-Science Reviews2014; 129:120. [6] G. Barone G, V. Crupi, F. Longo, D. Majolino, P. Mazzoleni, S. Raneri, J. Teixeira, V. Venuti. Journal Instrumentation2014; 9: C05024. [7] V. Cnudde, M. Dierick, J. Vlassenbroeck, B. Masschaele, E. Lehmann, P. Jacob, L. Van Hoorebeke. Nucl.Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 2008; 266:155. [8] M. Dierick, J. Vlassenbroeck, B. Masschaele, V. Cnudde, L. van Hoorebeke, A. Hillenbach. Nucl.Instrum.Methods Phys. Res. A2005; 542:296. [9] UNI EN 12370, Natural stones test methods: Determination of resistance to salt crystallisation, UNI ed., Milano, 2001. [10] F.H. Kim, D. Penumadu, D.S. Hussey. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng.2012; 138:147.G. [11] G. Barone, P. Mazzoleni, G. Pappalardo, S. Raneri. Construction and Building Materials2015; 95:355

Enabling sustainable plant-forward transition: European consumer attitudes and intention to buy hybrid products

Although recommendations for a transition towards more plant-forward diets have been proposed and despite consumers reporting willingness to reduce meat consumption, consumer behaviour is frequently less environmentally sustainable than recommended. This calls for simpler strategies that may lead to a more optimistic view on both supply and demand side by using less rigid and more flexible approaches, such as hybrid products, combining meat and plant-based ingredients. Against this milieu, present study examines for the first-time in a cross-cultural context (Denmark, Spain, UK) and on a large consumer sample (N = 2766), attitudes and intention to buy hybrid products, while taking into account consumers individual traits related to meat attachment, health consciousness and environmental self-identity. Results show that hybrid products could be a crucial driver for enabling a successful plant-forward transition, as the meat element in these products, together with consumers’ affinity and pleasure-seeking attitudes towards meat, would facilitate consumers’ acceptance of more sustainable alternatives. Indeed, our results show that sensory perceptions play a major role in mediating the effect of consumers’ attitudes on intention to buy hybrid products. Conversely, consumers’ environmental self-identity and health consciousness have minimal to no effect on consumers’ attitudes towards hybrid products. Thus, the results of our study support the value of strategies centring on bringing the best of two worlds: the pleasurable sensory characteristics of the meat realm, and the healthiness and sustainability benefits of the plant realm. In this sense, hybrid products could be an elegant initial approach adopted by practitioners and supported by policy makers to enable a more nuanced transition from fully meat-based to plant-forward diets

Domestic food practices: A study of food management behaviors and the role of food preparation planning in reducing waste

Recent research has started to show the key role of daily food provision practices in affecting household food waste. Building on and extending these previous contributions, the objective of this paper is to investigate how individuals' everyday practices regarding food (e.g., shopping, cooking, eating, etc.) lead to food waste, and how policy makers and the food industry can implement effective strategies to influence such practices and ultimately help consumers reduce food waste. The research performs three Studies; a critical incident qualitative study (Study 1; N = 514) and a quantitative, survey-based study (Study 2; N = 456) to identify and examine relevant food management behaviors associated with domestic waste. Lastly, findings from a field experiment (Study 3; N = 210) suggest that a specific educational intervention, directed at increasing consumers' perceived skills related to food preparation planning behaviors, reduces domestic food waste. Implications of the research for policy makers and the food industry are discussed

Petro-archaeometric characterization of potteries from a kiln in Adrano, Sicily

Background: This work is part of a wide scientific project finalized to characterize the Sicilian pottery productions from Greek to Roman Age. In this prospective, local reference groups have been analysed in order to create a database of the circulation and production centres in Sicily during this period. In this framework, a set of 28 waste pottery fragments (III-II century B.C.) from a pit found during excavations at the fortification of Adrano (Sicily) have been studied. Characterization of the samples has been obtained by macroscopic, petrographic (OM), mineralogical (XRD) and chemical (XRF) analyses. Results: Macroscopic analysis of the studied potteries has allowed to distinguish four groups on the basis of grain size, porosity and clay paste color. Petrographic and mineralogical analysis, carried out on a selection of representative samples have allowed us to obtain useful information on the production technology of the studied samples. Moreover, information about raw materials and provenance of clay sediments has been obtained by comparing chemical data of the analysed samples with locally outcropping clay sediments reference data. Finally, chemical results on Adrano potteries have been compared with kiln wastes from Siracusa and Gela. Conclusions: The aim of the present work is to obtain fabric characterizations and technological information on a local reference group of ceramic specimens manufactured in Adrano (Sicily). Petrographic and mineralogical results allow us to esteem high firing temperature suggesting a good technological level of local production; in addition, chemical data suggest a local provenance of raw materials used in the production of the studied samples. The comparison with local production from Siracusa and Gela highlights several differences in the use of raw material and in the technological levels achieved in the different sites, over time. Therefore, this work provides a valuable contribution in defining the local scenario of ceramic production in South-Eastern Sicily during the Hellenistic Age and in producing local reference groups in the petro-archaeometric studies of archaeological potteries

3D Graphic for promoting Cultural Heritages: the example of Petraro archaeological site in Villasmundo (Melilli-Siracusa, Sicily)

This work is part of a wider project aimed to studying and promoting the archeological area of “Petraro” in Villasmundo (Melilli – SR), in collaboration with LegambienteMelilli – Sezione TimpaDdieri. Explored for the first time in 1967 by the archeologist Giuseppe Voza[1], the site exhibits the remains of an interesting prehistoric fortified village dated at XVI – XV sec. B. C.; this structure has been evaluated as an unicum in Sicily for its architectonical characteristics and archeological records[2].Unfortunately, for many years, the area has been abandoned and made inaccessible to visitors, causing an important degrade of the site. In the last decade, the use of virtual reconstruction of Cultural Heritage has become a recurring custom for visualization of several features of an archaeological site[3, 4]. In particular, 3D computer graphics have been interpreted as a useful tool for the understanding of prehistoric remains[5], often characterized by bad preservation and absence of documentary sources. For aforementioned, the aim of this paper is to present the results of a virtual model of the prehistoric village of Petraro and the archeological records recovered in the site. In this context, 3D modeling could clarify some features of the area and offer a new tool for promoting this archeological site