A petro-chemical study of ancient mortars from the archaeological site of Kyme (Turkey)

Fourteen samples of ancient mortars (joint mortars and plasters) from the archaeological site of Kyme (Turkey) were studied by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and micro- Raman spectroscopy to obtain information about their composition.The study allowed us to identify a new type of plaster inside the archaeological site of Kyme, not detected by previous studies of this site, in which vegetable fibers were intentionally added to the mixture. The combination of a petrographic analysis on thin sections by polarized light microscopy with a chemical analysis, has allowed us to highlight similarities and differences between the mortars and to get information about the evolution of constructive techniques in the archaeological area

Mathematical Model to Predict the Affinity Between Aggregate/Bitumen

The stones used for the construction of road surfaces have a complex mineralogical and hence chemical composition. They are made up of several types of minerals put together. This generates a significant difference in adhesion with the bituminous binder. The aim of this study is to create a mathematical model able to predict the adhesion between bitumen and stone on the basis of contact angle measurements made on different pure minerals. The mathematical model used was developed keeping in mind the exponential bond that the minerals have with the corresponding bond angle. This model also confirmed the established fact that the lower the value of Δ, the better the adhesion between the bitumen and the aggregate

Physical mechanical consolidation and protection of Miocenic limestone used on Mediterranean historical monuments: the case study of Pietra Cantone (southern Sardinia, Italy)

The present work aims to study the consolidating and protective chemical treatments of the Pietra Cantone, a Miocenic (lower Tortonian) limestone widely used in important monuments and historical buildings of Cagliari (southern Sardinia, Italy). Similar limestones of the same geological period have also been used in several important monuments of Mediterranean area, i.e., Malta and Gozo Islands, Matera (central Basilicata, Italy), Lecce (southern Puglia, Italy) and Balearic Islands (Spain). The Pietra Cantone limestone shows problems of chemical–physical decay, due to their petrophysical and compositional char- acteristics: high porosity (on average 28–36 vol%), low cemented muddy-carbonate matrix, presence of phyllosil- icates and sindepositional sea salts (\3%). So, after placed in the monument, this stone is easily alterable by weath- ering chemical processes (e.g., carbonate dissolution and sulfation) and also by cyclic mechanisms of crystalliza- tion/solubilization of salts and hydration/dehydration of hygroscopic phases of the clay component. To define the mineralogical-petrographic features (composition, texture) of limestone, the clay and salt crystalline phases, the optical microscope in polarized light and diffraction anal- ysis were used. To define the petrophysical characteristics (i.e., shape and size distribution of porosity, surface area(SBET), matrix microstructures, rock composition) and interactions of chemical treatments with rock, SEM–EDS analysis and N2 porosimetry with BET and BJH methods were used. To evaluate the efficacy of Na/K-silicates, ethyl silicate consolidants and protective nano-molecular silane monomer water repellent, the mechanical strengths (uni- axial compressive strength, point load and flexural resis- tance), water/helium open porosity, water absorption and vapour permeability data determined before and after the chemical treatments of the Pietra Cantone samples from monument were compared

Microclimate monitoring of Ariadne's house (Pompeii, Italy) for preventive conservation of fresco paintings

Background: Ariadne's house, located at the city center of ancient Pompeii, is of great archaeological value due to the fresco paintings decorating several rooms. In order to assess the risks for long-term conservation affecting the valuable mural paintings, 26 temperature data-loggers and 26 relative humidity data-loggers were located in four rooms of the house for the monitoring of ambient conditions. Results: Data recorded during 372 days were analyzed by means of graphical descriptive methods and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results revealed an effect of the roof type and number of walls of the room. Excessive temperatures were observed during the summer in rooms covered with transparent roofs, and corrective actions were taken. Moreover, higher humidity values were recorded by sensors on the floor level. Conclusions: The present work provides guidelines about the type, number, calibration and position of thermohygrometric sensors recommended for the microclimate monitoring of mural paintings in outdoor or semi-confined environments. © 2012 Merello et al.; licensee Chemistry Central Ltd.This work was partially supported by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion) under projects HAR2010-21944-C02-01 and HAR2010-21944-C02-02.Merello Giménez, P.; García Diego, FJ.; Zarzo Castelló, M. (2012). Microclimate monitoring of Ariadne's house (Pompeii, Italy) for preventive conservation of fresco paintings. Chemistry Central Journal. 6:145-161. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-6-145S1451616Ribera A, Olcina M, Ballester C: Pompeya Bajo Pompeya, las Excavaciones en la Casa de Ariadna. Valencia: Fundación MARQ; 2007.World Monuments Fund: World Monuments Watch: 100 Most Endangered Sites. New York: World Monuments Fund; 1996.Anter KF: Colours in Pompeiian cityscape: Adding pieces to the puzzle. Color Res Appl 2006,31(4):331–340.Harris J: Protecting Pompeii and the Italian heritage in 2012. http://www.i-italy.org/bloggers/18935/protecting-pompeii-and-italian-heritage-2012Augusti S: La Tecnica Dell’antica Pittura Parietale Pompeiana. Napoli: Gaetano Macchiaroli Editore; 1950.Miriello D, Barca D, Bloise A, Ciarallo A, Crisci GM, De Rose T, Gattuso C, Gazineo F, La Russa MF: Characterisation of archaeological mortars from Pompeii (Campania, Italy) and identification of construction phases by compositional data analysis. J Arch Sci 2010, 37:2207–2223.Castriota M, Cosco V, Barone T, De Santo G, Carafa P, Cazzanelli E: Micro-Raman characterizations of Pompei’s mortars. J Raman Spectrosc 2008,39(2):295–301.Maguregui M, Knuutinen U, Castro K, Madariaga JM: Raman spectroscopy as a tool to diagnose the impact and conservation state of Pompeian second and fourth style wall paintings exposed to diverse environments (House of Marcus Lucretius). J Raman Spectrosc 2010,41(11):1400–1409.Genestar C, Pons C, Más A: Analytical characterisation of ancient mortars from the archaeological Roman city of Pollentia (Balearic Islands, Spain). Anal Chim Acta 2006, 557:373–379.Duran A, Perez-Maqueda LA, Poyato J, Perez-Rodriguez JL: A thermal study approach to roman age wall painting mortars. J Therm Anal Calorim 2010,99(3):803–809.Pérez MC, García Diego F-J, Merello P, D’Antoni P, Fernández Navajas A, Ribera Lacomba A, Ferrazza L, Pérez Miralles J, Baró JL, Merce P, D’Antoni H, Curiel Esparza J: Ariadne’s house (Pompeii, Italy) wall paintings: a multidisciplinary study of its present state focused on a future restoration and preventive conservation. 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Nullit\ue0 dei contratti collettivi di lavoro

Il contributo esamina le problematiche legate alla contrattazione collettiva nel pubblico impiego e si sofferma in particolare sul tema delle invalidit\ue0 della contrattazione collettiva per contrasti di vario tipo con la contrattazione superiore o con norme imperative di legge. Dopo aver ricordato come l'art. 40 d.lg. 165/2001 preveda la nullit\ue0 delle clausole dei contratti integrativi difformi , si tratta la questione relativa all'ampiezza del concetto di difformit\ue0. Pone inoltre il quesito se la nullit\ue0 delle singole clausole comporti la nullit\ue0 dell'intero contratto. Il contributo rilevate le differenze dei sistemi di contrattazione nei settori pubblico e privato, si sofferma sulla questione della responsabilit\ue0 civile e contabile dei dirigenti che abbiano stipulato o applicato contratti nulli

Balancing Systems and Flexibility Tools in European Gas Markets

This report investigates on the creation of wholesale markets for natural gas, viewed as a consequence of balancing needs following market liberalization

What future for European energy networks?

European energy networks are experiencing a wave of changes of ownership. Does this fact have a consequence from a regulatory point of view