A systematic study of laser ablation efficacy as a low-invasive cleaning technique for Cu-based alloys

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Cloud based sensor network for environmental monitoring

This paper describes a complete infrastructure for environmental monitoring, which is based on a cloud architecture. The proposed system employs small button-like battery-operated sensors, which connect through a wireless link to small receivers capable of routing data to the cloud system. Cloud data can be accessed in real time through smart-phones and downloaded for further analyses. Each button-like sensor is capable of measuring temperature and humidity for more than one year without attendance. All data are sent to the receiver and in addition stored inside the button memory so that the system can work also in the absence of power and Internet connection. The architecture takes advantage of the μPanel environment, which is conceived to work also with unreliable and slow Internet connections and permits to implement a cloud-based infrastructure with the capability to control the sensors locally and in absence of Internet connectivity. The proposed architecture is currently used in different museums to monitor the local environment inside the display rooms, but the system can be easily extended to open environments without additional costs

Multi-disciplinary Consensus Statement Document Vaccinal prevention in adult patients with diabetes mellitus

open8noopenIcardi G.; Francia F.; Di Bartolo P.; Mannino D.; Alti E.; Purrello F.; Sesti G.; Sessa A.Icardi, G.; Francia, F.; Di Bartolo, P.; Mannino, D.; Alti, E.; Purrello, F.; Sesti, G.; Sessa, A

Laser cleaning of Cu-based artefacts: laser/corrosion products interaction

This study aims to develop a low invasive and selective laser cleaning procedure for the removal of reactive corrosion products on Cu-based artefacts without damage the substrate. In a preliminary step, laser cleaning was performed on two typologies of artificially corroded copper reference samples. The effect of the variation of laser parameters as pulse duration and output power, was thus evaluated on an oxide layer, simulating a protective patina, and a hydroxychloride layer, simulating a reactive corrosion products layer to be removed. The optimized cleaning procedure was validated on an archaeological artefact, a bronze coin. Morphological, microchemical and microstructural characterizations were performed by means of optical microscopy, confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, before and after laser cleaning. The experimental findings show that laser cleaning, in optimized conditions, can reduce the thickness of the hydroxychloride layers slightly affecting the oxide layers. The difference in the interaction with laser radiation of these two layers seems to be mainly related to the difference in grain size and porosity. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, in order to define the real feasibility of the laser cleaning procedure, a further validation on real artefacts is mandatory due to the variation in thickness and composition of the corrosion products formed during long-lasting uncontrolled degradation processes.</p

In situ EIS measurements on Colombian bronze statues

An in situ assessment of the conservation state of some bronze statues exposed outdoor has been carried out in Colombia, in the historical site surrounding the Puente de Boyacá. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have been performed by using a portable electrochemical interface and by using measuring probes, specifically designed to be capable of working also on slanted surfaces, to be non invasive, and to be removable without damaging the statues with the final aim of developing a long-lasting maintenance methodology for this important complex of Colombian bronze statues

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p &lt; 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p &lt; 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p &lt; 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p &lt; 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p &lt; 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Sensing properties of biochar

In this chapter different novel applications of biochar as electrochemical and chemical sensors are presented

A remotely accessible laboratory for corrosion training

Developing laboratory experiments to teach students the problems related to the corrosion of metallic artifacts is a challenging problem. Corrosion processes develop over weeks with sudden corrosion rate changes so students should be able to look after the specimens on a regular basis and this is often not compatible with their other duties. This project tries to address this problem by arranging an infrastructure capable of letting students to both remotely observe the corrosion evolution, but also to act on the corrosion process by changing the parameters with affect the corrosion itself. The infrastructure deploys a double level authorization procedure so that it is possible to have several corrosion tests running in parallel with all the audience capable of following their evolutions, but only specific students enabled to change the parameters of a specific experiment. This permits to all the class to observe the effect of different events and allows them writing reports and discussing the effect of the different parameters

Innovative procedure based on 18O isotopes and time of flight - secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToFSIMS) analyses for assessing laser interaction mechanisms on copper alloys

Resumen del trabajo presentado a la 13th International Conference on Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks, celebrada en Florence (Italia) del 12 al 16 de septiembre de 2022.The authors would like to acknowledge the CSIC Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform “Open Heritage: Research and Society (PTIPAIS)” for its support and the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC) – EUROCORR Young Scientist Grant Selection Committee 2016, that stimulated and cofunded the initial collaboration that subsequently produced this research.N

Biochar addition to inorganic binders

Cement based composites have a low conductivity and a reduced capacity to absorb electromagnetic waves. This latter feature becomes a serious problem with the multiplication of wireless telecommunication devices in our modern lives. Therefore, many researches aimed at enhancing the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of cementitious composites through the addition of conductive carbonaceous nano/microparticles. Carbon dioxide emissions in the construction industry are a serious concern and account from 4 to 6% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions yearly [1]. One of the potential solutions to address this issue is to transform building materials in carbon sinks. Depending on the type of feedstock and preparation conditions, biochar has the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 870 kg CO2 equivalent per tonne dry feedstock [2]. Thus, biochar can be mixed with cement or other inorganic binders to sequester carbon for a long time. In addition, in the pre-cast industry, biochar incorporation can be associated to carbon mineralization process to increase the CO2 of the obtained products. Recently, internal curing has been proposed, it is based on saturated porous aggregates that constitute reservoirs inside a concrete and provide water for concrete curing internally [3]. The same concept was applied to biochar to partially replace cement powder in Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), enhancing its hydration due its internal curing ability and favoring nucleation of hydrated cement phases. These effects were also observed on magnesium phosphate cements and in activated slags. Finally, when entrapping bacteria in biochar, self-healing of cracks was possible in mortars because of calcium carbonate precipitation. Therefore, this short review aims at providing a survey of recent researches dealing with carbonaceous materials produced from different sources of biochars used for increasing electromagnetic shielding properties of cementitious materials, as well as to favor cement paste late hydration and to make them act as carbon sinks. At the really end, a short survey on the presented patents on these topic is exposed