Use of nanomaterials to conserve the stone of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena

[EN] The Roman Theatre of Cartagena is an important example of the monumental architecture of Hispania. Various types of local stone were used in its construction, including a type of sandstone known as Tabaire. This paper describes the physical characteristics of Tabaire. We also identify its deterioration patterns and study its consolidation using lime nanoparticles and silicon dioxide (ethyl silicate). Initial analyses using the imaging techniques Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Tomography (CT) show that it is an extremely porous, soft stone. The effectiveness of the consolidating treatments was verified using non-destructive methods based on identifying dispersion and penetrability in the substrate (OM and SEM) and detecting colour variation (CIE-L*a*b*) or minimally destructive methods, such as the peeling test and Shore-D hardness, to determine their effect on the characteristics of the material.[ES] El Teatro de Cartagena es un importante exponente de la arquitectura monumental de la Hispania romana. Para su construcción fueron utilizados diversos pétreos locales, entre ellos una arenisca conocida como Tabaire. Este artículo tiene como objetivo la caracterización física del Tabaire, así como la identificación de sus formas de deterioro y el estudio de su consolidación mediante nanopartículas de cal y de dióxido de silicio (silicato de etilo). Los análisis iniciales mediante técnicas de imagen como la Microscopía Óptica (OM), Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido (SEM) y Tomografía de Rayos X (CT) muestran que es una roca de elevada porosidad y escasa dureza. La eficacia de los tratamientos consolidantes se comprobó mediante métodos no destructivos, basados en la identificación de la dispersión y penetrabilidad en el sustrato (OM y SEM) y en la detección de la variación del color (CIE-L*a*b*), o mínimamente destructivos, como el peeling test y la dureza Shore-D, para conocer su incidencia en las características del material.Navarro-Moreno, D.; Martínez-Arredondo, A.; García-Vera, VE.; Lanzón, M. (2023). Uso de nanomateriales para la conservación de la piedra del Teatro Romano de Cartagena. Loggia, Arquitectura & Restauración. (36):106-119. https://doi.org/10.4995/loggia.2023.193601061193

Effect of temperature on geopolymer and Portland cement composites modified with Micro-encapsulated Phase Change materials

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Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the mechanical behavior of geopolymer concrete and Portland cement concrete containing micro-encapsulated phase change materials

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Blocking tumor-educated MSC paracrine activity halts osteosarcoma progression

Purpose: Human osteosarcoma is a genetically heterogeneous bone malignancy with poor prognosis despite the employment of aggressive chemotherapy regimens. Because druggable driver mutations have not been established, dissecting the interactions between osteosarcoma cells and supporting stroma may provide insights into novel therapeutic targets.Experimental Design: By using a bioluminescent orthotopic xenograft mouse model of osteosarcoma, we evaluated the effect of tumor extracellular vesicle (EV)-educated mesenchymal stem cells (TEMSC) on osteosarcoma progression. Characterization and functional studies were designed to assess the mechanisms underlying MSC education. Independent series of tissue specimens were analyzed to corroborate the preclinical findings, and the composition of patient serum EVs was analyzed after isolation with size-exclusion chromatography.Results: We show that EVs secreted by highly malignant osteosarcoma cells selectively incorporate a membrane-associated form of TGFβ, which induces proinflammatory IL6 production by MSCs. TEMSCs promote tumor growth, accompanied with intratumor STAT3 activation and lung metastasis formation, which was not observed with control MSCs. Importantly, intravenous administration of the anti-IL6 receptor antibody tocilizumab abrogated the tumor-promoting effects of TEMSCs. RNA-seq analysis of human osteosarcoma tissues revealed a distinct TGFβ-induced prometastatic gene signature. Tissue microarray immunostaining indicated active STAT3 signaling in human osteosarcoma, consistent with the observations in TEMSC-treated mice. Finally, we isolated pure populations of EVs from serum and demonstrated that circulating levels of EV-associated TGFβ are increased in osteosarcoma patients.Conclusions: Collectively, our findings suggest that TEMSCs promote osteosarcoma progression and provide the basis for testing IL6- and TGFβ-blocking agents as new therapeutic options for osteosarcoma patients

La calidad del aceite de oliva virgen: Posibles nuevos criterios para su evaluación

The present study consists in the evaluation of twenty five parameters for determining the influence of continuous system of pastes centrifugation, discontinuous press system and partial extraction system on obtaining of virgin olive oil, and their possible utilization as new quality parameters. Also, those indexes more related to quality than to spoilt degree (acid value, peroxide value and K270) were determined. The tested oils have been obtained in three oil-mills, from three different olive varieties, in two ripening states.El presente estudio consiste en la evaluación de veinticinco variables, para determinar la influencia que los sistemas de obtención del aceite de oliva virgen (sistema continuo de centrifugación de pastas, sistema discontinuo de prensas y sistema de extracción parcial) pueden tener sobre las mismas, así como su posible utilización como nuevos parámetros de calidad para estos aceites. Parámetros que estén más relacionados con los atributos de calidad que con el grado de deterioro (índice de acidez, índice de peróxidos y K270) de estos aceites. Los aceites ensayados se han obtenido en tres almazaras industriales a partir de tres variedades diferentes de aceitunas y en dos grados de madurez

The Influence of Incorporating Plastic within Concrete and the Potential Use of Microwave Curing; A Review

In recent decades, researchers have used plastic to replace natural aggregates (NAs), or as filler and fibre within the concrete. This particular paper puts forward a review that gives comprehensive consideration to the properties and drawbacks, of concrete that contains plastic. As such, it may be hypothesised that poor bond capacity and higher air content due to inclusion of plastic aggregate (PA) within concrete are the predominant factors that reduce the properties in terms of mechanics and durability. In that regard, this study has put forward a new method of curing using microwave irradiation for improvement with respect to those factors. So, that there can be further improvement with regard to overall durability with respect to advanced chemical and hydrophobic resistivity and enhanced performance for conventional concrete with respect to bonding and ductility

Rheology of Cementitious Materials: Alkali-Activated Materials or Geopolymers

A clear alternative to reach the goal of sustainable development in the Construction Sector is the development of alternative building materials to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in a more energetically as well as environmentally eco-efficient way. Alkaline cements (Alkali-Activated Materials, AAMs) and geopolymers meet these requirements; and they are based on the alkali activation of aluminosilicates (mainly waste and industrial by-products, such as blast furnace slag, fly ash and ceramic waste) in highly alkaline solutions. AAMs cements and concretes are notable for being very durable and mechanically resistant. However, to date their rheological behaviour is not well controlled and there is little understanding of it, with very disparate experimental data. Despite this, their rheological behaviour is not fully understood and little is known on the disparate data obtained in AAM pastes. Moreover, the common additives used in the preparation of OPC concretes and the rheology modifiers/controllers are also unstable in the AAMs systems. Understanding and controlling the rheology of the AAMs systems will ultimately determine whether they can be implemented in the market, and will open up greater competitive possibilities in a crisis-affected sector. A systematic study of the factors that affect the rheological properties of AAMs (pastes, mortars and concretes) is therefore necessary in order to ultimately develop more resistant and durable materials