New Insights into the Geochemical Processes Occurring on the Surface of Stuccoes Made of Slaked Lime Putty

The fresco technique performed with slaked lime putty as binding material has been well known since Antiquity. However, the geochemical processes that occur on the surface have been generally described as part of the carbonation process of the intonaco itself. When approaching this technique from experimental archaeology, it has been observed for the first time that during the execution period (from 0 to 20 h, approximately) the processes occurring on the surface of the stucco are different from those occurring inside. Furthermore, these processes lead to the formation of an epigenetic film of specific texture, stiffness and compactness. This study investigates the formation and evolution of this surface film using a series of slaked lime putty stucco test tubes. Samples were extracted at different intervals and subsequently analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results indicate that the development of the film, composed of an amorphous gel-like stratum and a micro-crystalline stratum, occurs in parallel to the carbonation occurring inside the stucco. Moreover, this process does not respond to the classical geological processes of calcium carbonate formation. It was also observed that its presence slows down the carbonation in the underlying strata (intonaco, intonachino, arriccio, etc.) and that the surface becomes more crystalline over time. The identification of this film has implications for the field of the conservation-restoration of fresco paintings and lime-based wall paintings

The nature and chronology of human occupation at the Galerías Bajas, from Cueva de Ardales, Malaga, Spain

The Cueva de Ardales is a hugely important Palaeolithic site in the south of the Iberian Peninsula owing to its rich inventory of rock art. From 2011-2018, excavations were carried out in the cave for the first time ever by a Spanish-German research team. The excavation focused on the entrance area of the cave, where the largest assemblage of non-figurative red paintings in the cave is found. A series of 50 AMS dates from the excavations prove a long, albeit discontinuous, occupation history spanning from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Neolithic. The dating of the Middle Palaeolithic layers agrees with the U/Th dating of some red non-figurative paintings in the entrance area. In addition, a large assemblage of ochre lumps was discovered in the Middle Palaeolithic layers. Human visits of the cave in the Gravettian and Solutrean can be recognized, but evidence from the Aurignacian and Magdalenian cannot be confirmed with certainty. The quantity and nature of materials found during the excavations indicate that Cueva de Ardales was not a campsite, but was mainly visited to carry out non-domestic tasks, such as the production of rock art or the burial of the dead

The outcome of boosting mitochondrial activity in alcohol-associated liver disease is organ-dependent.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) accounts for 70% of liver-related deaths in Europe, with no effective approved therapies. Although mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the earliest manifestations of alcohol-induced injury, restoring mitochondrial activity remains a problematic strategy due to oxidative stress. Here, we identify methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ) as a mediator for ALD progression and hypothesize that targeting MCJ may help in recovering mitochondrial fitness without collateral oxidative damage. APPROACH AND RESULTS C57BL/6 mice [wild-type (Wt)] Mcj knockout and Mcj liver-specific silencing (MCJ-LSS) underwent the NIAAA dietary protocol (Lieber-DeCarli diet containing 5% (vol/vol) ethanol for 10 days, plus a single binge ethanol feeding at day 11). To evaluate the impact of a restored mitochondrial activity in ALD, the liver, gut, and pancreas were characterized, focusing on lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, intestinal permeability, and microbiota composition. MCJ, a protein acting as an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration, is downregulated in the early stages of ALD and increases with the severity of the disease. Whole-body deficiency of MCJ is detrimental during ALD because it exacerbates the systemic effects of alcohol abuse through altered intestinal permeability, increased endotoxemia, and dysregulation of pancreatic function, which overall worsens liver injury. On the other hand, liver-specific Mcj silencing prevents main ALD hallmarks, that is, mitochondrial dysfunction, steatosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, as it restores the NAD + /NADH ratio and SIRT1 function, hence preventing de novo lipogenesis and improving lipid oxidation. CONCLUSIONS Improving mitochondrial respiration by liver-specific Mcj silencing might become a novel therapeutic approach for treating ALD.This work was supported by grants from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Programa Retos-Colaboración RTC2019-007125-1 (for Jorge Simon and Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar); Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Retos a la Sociedad AGL2017- 86927R (for F.M.); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Proyectos de Investigación en Salud DTS20/00138 and DTS21/00094 (for Jorge Simon and Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar, and Asis Palazon. respectively); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias co-founded by European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund, “Investing in your future” PI19/00819, “Una manera de hacer Europa” FIS PI20/00765, and PI21/01067 (for Jose J. G. Marin., Pau Sancho-Bru,. and Mario F. Fraga respectively); Departamento de Industria del Gobierno Vasco (for Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar); Asturias Government (PCTI) co-funding 2018-2023/ FEDER IDI/2021/000077 (for Mario F. Fraga.); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades MICINN: PID2020-117116RB-I00, CEX2021-001136-S PID2020-117941RB-I00, PID2020-11827RB-I00 and PID2019-107956RA-100 integrado en el Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y Innovación, cofinanciado con Fondos FEDER (for Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar, Francisco J Cubero., Yulia A Nevzorova and Asis Palazon); Ayudas Ramón y Cajal de la Agencia Estatal de Investigación RY2013-13666 and RYC2018- 024183-I (for Leticia Abecia and Asis Palazon); European Research Council Starting Grant 804236 NEXTGEN-IO (for Asis Palazon); The German Research Foundation SFB/TRR57/P04, SFB1382-403224013/ A02 and DFG NE 2128/2-1 (for Francisco J Cubero and Yulia A Nevzorova); National Institute of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 1U01AA026972-01 (For Pau Sancho-Bru); Junta de Castilla y León SA074P20 (for Jose J. G. Marin); Junta de Andalucía, Grupo PAIDI BIO311 (for Franz Martin); CIBERER Acciones Cooperativas y Complementarias Intramurales ACCI20-35 (for Mario F. Fraga); Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte FPU17/04992 (for Silvia Ariño); Fundació Marato TV3 201916-31 (for Jose J. G. Marin.); Ainize Pena-Cearra is a fellow of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/ EHU); BIOEF (Basque Foundation for Innovation and Health Research); Asociación Española contra el Cáncer (Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar and Teresa C. Delgado.); Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC Scientific Foundation) Rare Tumor Calls 2017 (for Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar); La Caixa Foundation Program (for Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar); Proyecto Desarrollo Tecnologico CIBERehd (for Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar); Ciberehd_ISCIII_MINECO is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.S

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

Local stone used on the Roman bridge of Martorell (Barcelona, Spain)

This work deals with the characterization of the materials used for the construction of the Roman bridge known as the Pont del Diable1 in Martorell-Castellbisbal (Catalonia, Spain). The Romans used the most easily available materials they could find close to the bridge site. Four different lithological types were identified in the material used to build the Roman part of the bridge: the red and white Buntsandstein sandstones of the Triassic formation from the Deveses stream (between Martorell and Castellví de Rosanes), the yellow bioclastic calcarenites from the Miocene formation located in Can Raimundet (Sant Llorenç d’Hortons) and the grey limestone from the Miocene formation in Costa Blanca (Castellbisbal). The first three were used for the construction of the bridge itself and the last was used not only to cut some ashlars of the honorific arch, but also to make the lime used for the mortar

Analysis of Catalonian silver coins from the Spanish War of Independence period (1808-1814) by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence

Between the years 1808 and 1814, the Spanish War of Independence took place. This period, locally known as “Guerra del Francès”, generated the need for money and consequently five mints were opened around the Catalan territory. To mark the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the war, an extensive campaign of Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence measurements of some of these “emergency coins” was carried out. Apart from the silver (major constituent of all the studied coins) it has been possible to recognize copper as main metal alloying element. Likewise, the presence of zinc, tin, lead, gold, platinum, antimony, nickel and iron has been also identified. The obtained results have been useful not only for the characterization of the alloys, but also to determine the differences and analogies between the emissions and for historical explanations

Estado de conservación y propuesta de restauración de la iglesia de Sant Vicenç (Tossa de Mar, Gerona)

La iglesia de Sant Vicenç está situada en el recinto amurallado de la ciudad vieja de Tossa de Mar (Gerona). El edificio es de estilo gótico y fue edificado el siglo XVI. En la construcción se emplearon dos tipos de aparejo: uno formado por piedra de origen local y de formas y tamaño irregulares, cementada con grandes cantidades de mortero de cal y otro que utilizó piedra tallada (sillares). El estado de conservación actual está relacionado con su orientación y viene marcada por el desguace que sufrió a mediados del siglo XIX con la correspondiente degradación de la obra. La utilización de materiales graníticos, de gran resistencia y poca alterabilidad ha contribuido al buen estado general de la mampostería. Los elementos escultóricos y arquitectónicos elaborados con areniscas son los que están en peor estado de conservación. A pesar de estar afectado por una atmósfera marina, el contenido en sales es relativamente bajo. Por todo ello es aconsejable una mínima intervención y una actuación limitada a los elementos constructivos y ornamentales que realmente lo necesiten. Todos los elementos pueden conservarse en su lugar y no parece necesaria una substitución.The Sant Vicenç church is located in the ancient town of Tossa de Mar (Gerona).It is a gothic building (XVI century). In their construction were used tow types of walls. A first type was formed with local stones of irregular forms and dimensions, cemented with a great quantity of lime mortar. The other type is formed by squared stones. The actual conservation state has relation with the orientation of the wall and their decay was accentuated for a supported dismantlement in the XIX century. The employment of granitic stones has contributed to the good conservation of the building. The sculptural and architectonic elements elaborated with sandstone show a worse conservation state. The content in soluble sales is relatively low. The intervention must be limited to the constructive and ornamenl elements that needed a restoration. It is not essentially to remove the altered material

Caracterización de estucos y pigmentos del establecimiento romano republicano de Can Tacó-Turó d’en Roïna (Montmeló-Montornès del Vallès, Barcelona)

El yacimiento de Can Tacó-Turó d’en Roïna es un enclave romano de carácter político-militar situado estratégicamente en una pequeña colina desde la cual se controlaba la Vía Hercúlea (después denominada Vía Augusta). El castellum fue construido a principios del siglo II a. C. y fue demolido un siglo más tarde. Un aspecto destacable de éste yacimiento ha sido el hallazgo de los restos de una decoración parietal de Primer Estilo Pompeyano considerada como uno de los ejemplares más antiguos localizados en Cataluña y en la península Ibérica. Esta decoración imita la apariencia de un conjunto de sillares revestidos con placas de mármol y perfilados con líneas rojas que parecen ser las juntas. El estudio de los estucos y pigmentos relacionados con esta decoración, nos permitirá interpretar la tecnología empleada durante esta primera fase de romanización. El análisis de las superficies pictóricas se ha llevado a cabo mediante fluorescencia de rayos X por dispersión de energías (EDXRF), difracción de rayos X (XRD) ymicroscopio electrónico de barrido (SEM-EDX). De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, se ha detectado principalmente la presencia de pigmentos tan preciados como el cinabrio (HgS), que en algunos casos se encuentra mezclado con una pequeña cantidad de hematites (Fe2O3). El estudio de los morteros utilizados en el estucado de las paredes se ha realizado fundamentalmente por medio de microscopio óptico de polarización (POM) y SEM-EDX. Según los resultados obtenidos podemos afirmar que son unos estucos con una carga de granulometría muy fina, componentes bien seleccionados (en su mayoría son fragmentos de calcita (CaCO3) que fueron añadidos intencionadamente) y una dosificación del orden de 1:3 (una parte de aglomerante y tres partes de arena). Asimismo, se ha puesto de manifiesto la superposición de morteros de diferente granulometría (argamasa y capas de preparación).The archaeological site of Can Tacó (Barcelona, Spain) is amilitary settlement which was strategically built on a small hill next to the old Via Augusta Roman road. The castellumwas erected sometime in early Roman times (second century B.C) and was demolished a century later. Among the numerous finds, the well preserved remains of a first Pompeian style painting stand out. This decoration, that imitates a free-stone wallwithmarble plates outlined by thin red lines, is considered of being one of the earliest Roman paintings recorded in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Catalonia).The study of the mortars and stucco related to this parietal decoration will enable us to understand the technology used by Romans to build this sort of elements in such an early date. Themethods selected for the characterization of the painted layerswere Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis system (SEM-EDS). According to the obtained results, the presence of the highly prized cinnabarí red pigment (HgS) has been detected,which sometimes appearmixedwith a lowamount of haematites (Fe2O3). Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM) and SEM-EDS were used to study the supporting materials. The results showed an extremely high quality lime mortar, with small grain size, well selected components (composed by crushed grains of calcite (CaCO3) which were intentionally added) and a component ratio of about 1:3 (one part of chalk and tree parts of sand). It has also been recorded the presence of superimposed layers (mortar and preparation layers) of different grain size