XRD analysis of patinas on the monument dedicated to Saint Oronzo, Lecce

The monument dedicated to Saint Oronzo is placed in the homonymous square in the city centre of Lecce (Southern Italy). This monument consists of an internal wooden structure that is completely covered with copper sheets, lying on a concrete base about 1.5 meters high, which is placed on a Roman column about 29 meters high. The restoration of this manufact started in June 2018 and, first of all, non-destructive analyses are planned as proposed in the time-schedule. In this paper, we show the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the patinas both of the statue and of the column in order to evaluate their composition

Gold leafs in 14th century Florentine painting

Gold leafs are typically present in paintings and frescoes of the Italian Renaissance in the 13th and 14th centuries. The chemical composition and thickness of gold leafs provide important information toward a better understanding of the technology of that epoch. The present paper discusses the results of non-destructive analysis carried out with a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) equipment on the 14th century panel Annunciation with Saints Catherine of Alexandria, Anthony Abbot, Proculus and Francis by the painter Lorenzo Monaco.L’application de feuilles d’or sur des tableaux et des fresques est typique de la Renaissance italienne aux xiiie et xive siècles. Leur composition chimique et leur épaisseur fournissent des informations importantes pour la compréhension des techniques de cette période. Ce travail discute les résultats des analyses non-destructives réalisées avec un système portable de fluorescence X à dispersion d’énergie (ED-FX) sur le panel du xive siècle Annonciation avec Saints Catherine d’Alexandrie, Anthony Abbot, Proculus et Francis par le peintre Lorenzo Monaco

In Situ Investigation of the Medieval Copper Alloy Door in Troia (Southern Italy)

This work describes experimental results concerning the chemical composition of the alloy patina and inlays from the medieval copper alloy door of the cathedral of Troia (southern Italy), dating back to 1127 CE. The analyses were conducted in situ with no sampling or sample preparation required, using a portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instrument. The compositional results show that the two door leaves were made using a binary alloy of copper and lead, while the nails, lion protomes, and handles have a different chemical composition. Moreover, the analyses revealed uniform concentrations of chlorine, probably due to cleaning treatments during the restoration. It is important to emphasise that the obtained results are the only ones related to this valuable masterpiece analysed

MODIFICATION OF Pd-H2 AND Pd-D2 THIN FILMS PROCESSED BY HE-NE LASER

We have performed experiments of absorption of hydrogen and deuterium gas by Pd thin films and we have studied the behavior of these samples compared with non processed ones. We have also employed, during the treatment, a continuous wave He-Ne laser to irradiate the samples inside the chamber in order to increase the gas absorption. By a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an electron probe micro analyzer (EDX) we have observed, on the surface of the treated samples, the presence of structures like spots and inside them different elements from Pd. By these results we can say that the gas loading has been a very important condition to produce “transmutation” elements and the laser action has been very interesting in order to increase the morphological modifications of the treated samples

Determinazione del livello di radon nella grotta della Zinzulusa, Castro (LE)

In questo lavoro sono riportati i risultati speri-mentali delle determinazioni di radon in acqua e in aria effettuate nella grotta della Zinzulusa (Castro, Lecce). Tale campagna di misura ha consentito di valutare i livelli di questo importante gas radioattivo in un famoso e suggestivo luogo turistico del Salento. I dati ottenuti, per la prima volta nella grotta, possono essere confrontati con i valori delle normative vigenti in materia di sicurezza sul posto di lavoro. Questo risultato è di basilare importanza per la salute dei turisti, delle guide e di tutti coloro che operano nella grotta

Relaxation from a voluntary contraction is preceded by increased excitability of motor cortical inhibitory circuits.

none3BUCCOLIERI A.; G. ABBRUZZESE; ROTHWELL JCBuccolieri, A.; Abbruzzese, Giovanni; Rothwell, J

Mortar Characterization and Radiocarbon Dating as Support for the Restoration Work of the Abbey of <i>Santa Maria di Cerrate</i> (Lecce, South Italy)

During the restoration work promoted by the FAI foundation (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) of the abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate (Lecce, Apulia, South Italy), multidisciplinary analyses have been realized to support conservators and art historians for the safeguard and valorization of the most important byzantine evidence (12th–13th century) in Apulia. In this paper, mortar samples have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to characterize the observed materials, directing conservators for the integration interventions with compatible realizations. Moreover, the samples were compared with specimens taken from local quarries and the nearest coastline area, and vegetal fibers, embedded into the mortars were analyzed by applying radiocarbon dating by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). It was thus possible to give a contribution to the historical-artistic research related to the building techniques, the ratio aggregates/binder and the employed materials of the mortars and the dating of the mural paintings between the end of the 12th century and the first half of the 13th century