A multi-technique approach for the characterization of decorative stones and non-destructive method for the discrimination of similar rocks

In this paper, a multi-technique approach, at different scale of observation, is used to characterize a group of decorative stones and to permit to distinguish rocks with similar aspect but coming from different areas. In particular, the samples under study are sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, widely used as building blocks of modern and historical constructions and sculptures. The petrographic and mineralogical features of such rocks were performed by optical microscopy and Raman and Fourier transform infrared absorbance spectroscopies. These techniques permitted to obtain a complete structural, textural, and mineralogical characterization. At elemental level, the investigation was carried out by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). In particular, XRF and Raman measurements were collected using portable instrumentations, whose advantages for the in situ analysis have been pointed out. The obtained results evidenced the high discriminant capability of the portable XRF for the decorative stones especially when this method is coupled with mineralogical and petrographic information. In this context, we propose to create a database for precious ornamental stones, which could be a starting point for a non-destructive characterization, even useful for provenance study and/or certification of origin. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Technological Analysis of Sicilian Prehistoric Pottery Production through Small Angle Neutron Scattering Technique

The Middle Bronze Age in Sicily (15th-13th century BC) represents a crucial moment in the evolution of Prehistoric pottery production. However, the scarcity of specific petrographic and chemical studies has represented until now a serious interpretative handicap for archaeologists. The recent study of an important Middle Bronze Age pottery complex from the site of Grotte di Marineo (Licodia Eubea, Catania), offers the possibility to add new significant data in this field. The analyses, carried out on a group of diagnostic samples represent 13% of the whole complex. This allowed us to obtain a precise characterization that surpassed the misleading identification based on the simple autoptic exam. In this context, this paper highlights the potentiality of the small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique as a non-invasive analytical tool for the study of technological aspects, in conjunction with other, more usual, methodologies such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to better investigate production technology of Middle Bronze Age Sicilian pottery

Early Use of Sotrovimab in Children: A Case Report of an 11-Year-Old Kidney Transplant Recipient Infected with SARS-CoV-2

Background: The use of virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies has been approved in fragile populations, including kidney transplant recipients, who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19. Sotrovimab is the only currently available anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody with activity against the new Omicron variant of concern. While sotrovimab has been approved in adolescents and adults, studies regarding its efficacy and safety in children aged less than 12 years old and weighing less than 40 kg are still lacking. Here, we report a first case of a child, who was treated early with sotrovimab after a kidney transplant. Case Report: At the end of January 2022, a 11-year-old male child underwent a deceased-donor kidney transplant and became infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first day after surgery. Due to the increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, based on the predominance of Omicron and the patient’s renal function, the child was treated with sotrovimab. The clinical course was successful and no adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions: For the first time, we report the well-tolerated use of sotrovimab in children under 12 years old. As the pandemic affects children across the globe, urgent data on sotrovimab dosing in children with a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 are needed

Technological Analysis of Sicilian Prehistoric Pottery Production through Small Angle Neutron Scattering Technique

The Middle Bronze Age in Sicily (15th-13th century BC) represents a crucial moment in the evolution of Prehistoric pottery production. However, the scarcity of specific petrographic and chemical studies has represented until now a serious interpretative handicap for archaeologists. The recent study of an important Middle Bronze Age pottery complex from the site of Grotte di Marineo (Licodia Eubea, Catania), offers the possibility to add new significant data in this field. The analyses, carried out on a group of diagnostic samples represent 13% of the whole complex. This allowed us to obtain a precise characterization that surpassed the misleading identification based on the simple autoptic exam. In this context, this paper highlights the potentiality of the small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique as a non-invasive analytical tool for the study of technological aspects, in conjunction with other, more usual, methodologies such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to better investigate production technology of Middle Bronze Age Sicilian pottery

Study of Late Roman and Byzantine Glass by the Combined use of Analytical Techniques

In the present work, we report on a detailed characterization of Late Roman and Byzantine (from 2nd to 8th century A.D.) glass specimen found in Catania (Sicily, Southern Italy) by the employment of two complementary techniques, namely scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectroscopy. The glass fragments come from archaeological excavations in the courtyard of St. Agata la Vetere\u27s church in Catania. In particular, compositional data were obtained by scanning SEM–EDS measurements and the investigation of the degradation on the surface of the glass specimen was made combining the SEM–EDS observations with those performed through FT-IR absorbance. The whole set of results contributed to define the provenance of the specimens. Furthermore, the data furnished new evidences of the technical development of glass production in Late Roman and Byzantine period in Catania

Early Use of Sotrovimab in Children: A Case Report of an 11-Year-Old Kidney Transplant Recipient Infected with SARS-CoV-2

Background: The use of virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies has been approved in fragile populations, including kidney transplant recipients, who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19. Sotrovimab is the only currently available anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody with activity against the new Omicron variant of concern. While sotrovimab has been approved in adolescents and adults, studies regarding its efficacy and safety in children aged less than 12 years old and weighing less than 40 kg are still lacking. Here, we report a first case of a child, who was treated early with sotrovimab after a kidney transplant. Case Report: At the end of January 2022, a 11-year-old male child underwent a deceased-donor kidney transplant and became infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first day after surgery. Due to the increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, based on the predominance of Omicron and the patient’s renal function, the child was treated with sotrovimab. The clinical course was successful and no adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions: For the first time, we report the well-tolerated use of sotrovimab in children under 12 years old. As the pandemic affects children across the globe, urgent data on sotrovimab dosing in children with a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 are needed