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This paper presents the authentication analysis of a bronze bust of Napoleon I, attributed to the Italian artist Renzo Colombo (1856–1885) based on his signature and other casting and molding inscriptions. The bust was made using the lost wax technique and artificially patinated in the Pinédo variant workshop. This study combined historiographical research (using the specialized literature) with data from auction catalogs. These were compared with photographs of the entire bust and close-up images of key areas, including anthropomorphic features, clothing, inscriptions, and structural and ornamental details. The condition of the bust and its historical and chemical characteristics were assessed through direct analysis with magnifying tools and indirect analysis using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the archaeometric and chemometric authentication of a Renaissance-style oil painting on linen canvas, with plaster and barium sulphate-based primer preparation and bone glue as binder. By optical microscopy (OM), stereomicroscopy (SOM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), a series of archaeometric characteristics were identified: the grain size of the chemical components of the paint layers, the 3D porosity distribution of the pigments, the degree of penetration between the paint layers and the varnish and between the varnish and the oxidatively anchored dirt, and the typology of the craquelure (craquelure network arrangement and morphology). By correlating the results obtained, it was possible to estimate the period of the painting as 1660 ± 3 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damascus steel was used in the manufacture of swords and hunting knives before medieval times. The original method of the manufacturing of this type of steel has been lost to time. The research set out to create Damascus steel knives reconstituted according to the recipe from documents written many years ago. The study of Damascus steel provided an opportunity to observe in detail the laborious process of manufacturing this material, which involves free forging and pressure welding of different layers of steel to obtain a particularly strong and durable finished product. To carry out this research, two types of steel were selected to create Damascus steel: AISI 1095 and 15N20 steel. During this study, a functional furnace was built, able to contribute by heating the samples to the hot forging process of these two different materials. By applying a complex process of heating and forging and then repeating this process, the layers of steel were welded together, resulting in an extremely resistant material with a unique aesthetic appearance. Sample processing and the laboratory tests were performed on the obtained Damascus steel to evaluate its mechanical properties, including processing the results using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2023 and simulation in Ansys 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article concerns the possibilities of adapting selected historic educational complexes (XX General Secondary School and Mechanical Technical Secondary School No. 15), located in the historical urban layout of the city of Krakow, for the purposes of implementing a scientific project entitled "School of the future: modular and mobile Green Classroom system." The work presents the research objectives, research methods, and general assumptions of the "Green Classrooms" system as new educational spaces, which are to be a modular structure that meets both the educational and social-behavioural needs of children and adolescents. Selected school buildings were also analysed, taking into account their history, architectural and urban composition, conservation conditions, and those resulting from planning documents. The summary determines whether the selected facilities and the plots on which they are located can be adapted for the needs of the scientific project and the "Green Classes" system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the fascinating legends and excellent properties of Damascene blades, the study of Damascus steel provided the opportunity to observe in detail the laborious process of manufacturing this material, which involves forging and welding different layers of steel to obtain a particularly strong and durable final product. To carry out this research, high-quality materials were selected from a catalog of steels, with a particular focus on achieving the best results. In this case, two types of steel were chosen to create genuine Damascus steel: AISI 1095 and 15N20 steel. Both materials have been selected for their individual properties, such as strength and durability, which contribute to the ultimate quality of Damascus steel. This rigorous selection of materials ensured a high-quality and authentic product. Additional studies, such as finite element analysis and strength of materials, were conducted to understand and evaluate the behaviour of Damascus steel under various scenarios and loadings. Processing and laboratory tests were carried out on the obtained Damascus steel to evaluate its mechanical properties, including the processing of the results using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2023 and simulation in Ansys 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the evolution of the concentration level for four particle size groups of microaerosols (1.0, 2.5, 4.0 and 10.0 µm) in correlation with the microclimatic characteristics (temperature, humidity, lighting, pressure and concentration in CO2 and O2) in three active areas of the Targu Ocna Saltworks, currently used in treatments with solions (hydrated aerosols): in the vicinity of the walls of the old mining salt room, where there is a semi-wet static regime (SSR); in the transition area between the old rooms of exploitation with the semi-wet dynamic regime (DSR); and in the area of the waterfall and the marshy lake with the dynamic wet regime (DWR). The first and last halochamber are the ones recommended for cardio–respiratory, immuno–thyroid and osteo–muscular conditions, as well as in psycho–motor disorders. Based on questionnaires carried out over the course of a year, between 1 September 2021–31 August 2022, in two periods of stationing/treatment: a cold one (15 September 2021–15 December 2021) and a warm one (1 May 2022–30 July 2022), correlated with the data from the Salina medical office, achieved the profile of the improvement rate of the patients' ailments depending on the type of treatment (working regime in halochambers). These studies have allowed the optimization of the treatment conditions in the artificial surface halochambers in order to reduce the stationary period and optimize the treatment cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original method of manufacturing Damascus steel has been forgotten over time. Due to differences in the raw material used and the manufacturing techniques, some of the current attempts at replicating Damascus steel have failed. The study of Damascus steel provided the opportunity to observe in detail the laborious process of manufacturing this material, which involves the free forging and welding of different layers of steel to obtain a particularly strong and durable final product. To carry out this research, high-quality materials were selected from a catalogue of steels, with a particular focus on achieving the best results. In this case, two types of steel were chosen to create Damascus steel: AISI 1095 and 15N20 steel. Both materials have been selected for their individual properties, such as mechanical resistance and durability, which contribute to the ultimate quality of Damascus steel. This rigorous selection of materials ensured a high-quality and authentic product. Throughout this study, a functional furnace was built capable of contributing to the welding and forging processes of these two different materials. This furnace played a crucial role in obtaining true Damascus steel. By applying a complex process of heating and forging and then repeating this process, the layers of steel were welded together, resulting in a final material that is extremely strong and has a unique aesthetic appearance. Processing and laboratory tests were carried out on the obtained Damascus steel to evaluate its mechanical properties, including the processing of the results using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2023 and simulation in Ansys 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, there is an increasing need for ceramic materials that have a variety of applications in the environment, for precision tools, and for the biomedical, electronics, and environmental industries. However, in order to obtain remarkable mechanical qualities, ceramics have to be manufactured at a high temperature of up to 1600 °C over a long heating period. Furthermore, the conventional approach presents issues with agglomeration, irregular grain growth, and furnace pollution. Many researchers have developed an interest in using geopolymer to produce ceramic materials, focusing on improving the performances of geopolymer ceramics. In addition to helping to lower the sintering temperature, it also improves the strength and other properties of the ceramics. Geopolymer is a product of polymerization involving aluminosilicate sources such as fly ash, metakaolin, kaolin, and slag through activation using an alkaline solution. The sources of the raw materials, the ratio of the alkaline solution, the sintering time, the calcining temperature, the mixing time, and the curing time may have significant impacts on the qualities. Therefore, this review aims to study the effects of sintering mechanisms on the crystallization of geopolymer ceramics, concerning the strength achieved. A future research opportunity is also presented in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of the Carpathian Foothills is a culturally interesting region with many small settlement structures. The specificity of spatial values was influenced by the natural and cultural environment as well as the historically accumulating multicultural heritage, an important element of which is the architecture with roots anchored in Galicia. After the first partition of Poland in 1772, the territory of south-eastern Poland became part of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. Another political decision strengthened the architectural influence in this area of the Carpathians. The next two partitions and political changes resulting from the decisions of the Congress of Vienna outlined the final shape of Galicia's borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an assessment of the effect of isothermal annealing of Sn whisker growth behavior on the surface of Sn0.7Cu0.05Ni solder joints using the hot-dip soldering technique. Sn0.7Cu and Sn0.7Cu0.05Ni solder joints with a similar solder coating thickness was aged up to 600 h in room temperature and annealed under 50 °C and 105 °C conditions. Through the observations, the significant outcome was the suppressing effect of Sn0.7Cu0.05Ni on Sn whisker growth in terms of density and length reduction. The fast atomic diffusion of isothermal annealing consequently reduced the stress gradient of Sn whisker growth on the Sn0.7Cu0.05Ni solder joint. It was also established that the smaller (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 grain size and stability characteristic of hexagonal η-Cu6Sn5 considerably contribute to the residual stress diminished in the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 IMC interfacial layer and are able to suppress the growth of Sn whiskers on the Sn0.7Cu0.05Ni solder joint. The findings of this study provide environmental acceptance with the aim of suppressing Sn whisker growth and upsurging the reliability of the Sn0.7Cu0.05Ni solder joint at the electronic-device-operation temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the post-war reconstruction of many Eastern European cities, shaped as a result of the actions of German town planners at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, in many cases consisted of negation, non-continuation or abandonment of previously set development directions. The subject of studies in this text will be the city of Poznań, which continued to develop in the post-war period on the basis of spatial arrangement created as a result of actions of Joseph Stübben in the years 1902-1918. The post-war reconstruction of the city after 1945 preserved its main urban layout created during the modernization period with the participation of a German town planner. The structure of the city preserved in this way consisted mainly of multi-family residential buildings. Urban planning and architectural activities as part of the reconstruction of the city after 1945 were aimed at continuing this concept. A critical analysis of these activities is planned in the following text. Housing construction was an important matter in the period of socialism in Eastern Europe, which on the one hand, supported propaganda activities, but on the other hand, increased the prestige of the authorities, which contributed funds to building new houses for the so-called "working class". "The investor on behalf of the state were housing cooperatives, which were responsible for the preparation of project documentation, which was ordered from state design offices. The post-war reconstruction of the city of Poznań, with the use of complementary buildings, became an interesting experimental field for architects and town planners. The research presented in the text will aim to refer to the creative attitudes of the time, as well as to confront the activities on these issues carried out during the communist period and in the post-1989 period. The aforementioned urban and architectural activities can be treated as an important element of the concept of heritage protection, seen through the prism of over 100 years of history of the concept of a modern city created by Joseph Stübben at the beginning of the 20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of humanistic values in the contemporary configuration of cities. Today's times put us in a privileged position as we can observe deep and clear changes happening very quickly. Visible changes are reflected not only in society and culture, but also in the space of developing cities, towns, and metropolises. While characterizing contemporary urban trends and ideas, the philosophical trends that contribute to them and the values on which they are based were discussed. Corrections are also shown, which usually start with slight dissonances and initially slight differences in the content of theses, and as a result lead to completely different views on the world. Contemporary determinants of postmodernism, deconstructivism, ecological ideas, sustainable development, social integration and participation, high-tech, digital, and smart city are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solder interconnection in three-dimensional (3D) electronic packaging is required to undergo multiple reflow cycles of the soldering process. This paper elucidates the effects of multiple reflow cycles on the solder joints of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) lead (Pb)-free solder with the addition of 1.0 wt.% kaolin geopolymer ceramics (KGC). The samples were fabricated using powder metallurgy with the hybrid microwave sintering method. Apart from using conventional cross-sectioned microstructure imaging, advanced synchrotron real-time in situ imaging was used to observe primary IMC formation in SAC305-KGC solder joints subjected to multiple reflow soldering. The addition of KGC particles in SAC305 suppressed the Cu6Sn5 IMC's growth as primary and interfacial layers, improving the shear strength after multiple reflow soldering. The growth rate constant for the interfacial Cu6Sn5 IMC was also calculated in this study. The average growth rate of the primary Cu6Sn5 IMCs decreased from 49 µm/s in SAC305 to 38 µm/s with the addition of KGC particles. As a result, the average solidified length in the SAC305-KGC is shorter than SAC305 for multiple reflow soldering. It was also observed that with KGC additions, the growth direction of the primary Cu6Sn5 IMC in SAC305 changed from one growth to two growth directions. The observed results can be attributed to the presence of KGC particles both at grains of interfacial Cu6Sn5 IMCs and at the surface of primary Cu6Sn5 IMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the issue of restitution of destroyed architectural monuments that remains disputable. Based on compliance with the world practice of restitution that is recognized at the legislative level, an example of restitution of a unique object of Ukraine is described – St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, destroyed in the period of the militant atheism of the 1930s. Specialists of the Ukrrestavratsiia Corporation completely reconstructed the volume of the destroyed St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral and St. Michael's bell tower. The work focuses on one of the aspects of the accomplished rehabilitation activities – state-of-the-art technologies for performing mural paintings that imitate ancient Rus frescoes and baroque mural paintings. Reproducing the image-bearing concept of mural painting was one of the most challenging tasks, taking into consideration that photographic materials and evidence of interior decoration were not sufficient on the one hand, and the fact that the cathedral and monastery are functional – on the other, that imparted its peculiarity and called for painting the murals using up-to-date durable painting technologies. For these reasons, instead of the sophisticated and less durable technique of the ancient Rus frescoes, mural painting was used in the image-bearing system of frescoes, but in the state-of-the-art techniques of Keim’s process or mineral painting. The possibilities of strengthening and monitoring cracked masonry structures that are the base of reconstructed frescoes are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation and restoration of heritage structures represents a highlighted issue, the main challenge being to bring the cultural objective to its original state, or as close as possible to it by using eco-friendly materials with lover impact on the environment and human health. Within this study, the calcium zincate nanoparticles have been synthesized starting from the eggshels wastes through the precipitation method. For this purpose, the raw eggshells were washed for organic traces removal and disolved in concentrated HCl solution to form CaCl2. The Ca(Zn(OH)3)2•2H2O was obtained by adding into the chemical reaction media a solution of zinc acetate dihydrate previously dissolved in 100mL of methanol under vigorous stirring at room temperature and precipitating with NaOH 12M solution. The white precipitate was characterized by field emmision scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analyses (DTA-TG). The Scherrer equation result showed the nanometric size of calcium zincate crystallite, about 23nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the centuries-old process of ancient Chinese wall paintings genesis from the Han period to the Tang, Song and Yuan periods. The iconographic concept and execution technologies of the Han period funeral wall paintings, the Tang and Song period religious Mogao paintings and the Tang and Yuan period funeral paintings are analyzed. The genesis of ancient Chinese wall paintings was to change the philosophical and religious direction, the gradual inclusion and dissemination of iconography along with mythological and religious plots of realistic stories from the life of the emperor, the nobility, soldiers in battle, ordinary people in scenes of work, the appearance of portrait images of historical figures. The canonical foundations and thematic genres of Chinese painting, common to paintings on wall, paper and silk, gradually formed. There was a departure from the Han prefabricated funerary "stone fresco", where the painting was modeled in relief, towards the planar frescoes of the Tang and Song eras, the colour palette, plot, compositional construction gradually became more complicated, the level of detail increased. Ancient Chinese wall paintings are an integral part of traditional Chinese art, as evidenced by the inclusion of the most famous sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work relates to a composition of an additive mortar with a volumetric weight below 250kg/mc, the thermal conductivity coefficient below 0,08kcal/m×h×°C, mechanical strengths more than 7daN/cm² with self-cleaning effect after commissioning. In order to obtain a selfcleaning effect over time by eliminating chromatic deviations, the composition of ZnO, TiO2 and the three colored ceramics mixture is reformulated by optimizing the content based on color adjustment, by using a specialized software and CIE L*a*b* colorimetry for pressed bulk powders, at the medium one given by the patina. The composition optimization is performed by modifying, as appropriate, the addition rate of eggshell powder by a reformulated percentage related to the three fine colored ceramic powders. The freshly prepared mortar is applied to the restoration of the historical monument's facades through physical-structural and chromatic reintegration interventions. Depending on the conservation state of the apparent structures, two stages with differentiated specific operations are used: for surfaces without gaps, but chromatically degraded and with deposits of embedded dirt, it is spread with a trowel in the form of thin plasters on fiberglass mesh and in case of damage with deep lacunars areas the consolidation of the mobile structures will be first executed and grouting with a simple mortar based on river sand, expanded perlite, Portland cement and water in gravimetric ratio sand:perlite:cement:water = 2:1:2:5. After strengthen the same thin plasters will be applied on the fiberglass mesh. The new mortar allows the accomplishing of a series of advantages both in the processes of paste obtaining, as well as during commissioning and after, respectively within the period of integration in the tourist circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research was conducted on a copper disc-butted axe, with a surface decoration made of a tin-based alloy, which was found east of the Carpathian Mountains in the Moldavian Plateau. This unique piece is thought to belong to the Middle Bronze Age in the Western Carpathians—Wietenberg, Suciu de Sus and Otomani–Füzesabony cultures. In order to evaluate the application process and the origin of the ores used, the surface and volume phase variation of the concentration of the metal components of the basic alloy (copper) and of the ornament was analysed using optical microscopy (OM), stereomicroscopy (SM) and SEM-EDX. The archaeometric features, formed both during its use and during its lying in the archaeological site, were identified and later used in archaeometallurgical evaluations and in determining the preservation condition of the two components (axe and ornament) on the surface, interface and in stratigraphic section. Experimental data revealed that, after its casting in porous silicon stone moulds, the object was coated with a thin film by immersion in an easily fusible tin alloy, which included copper as the major alloying component and arsenic and iron as minor components. After finishing the shiny white coat, a beautiful decoration was applied by incision and engraving. Used as a battle axe, it also had a rank function, as it belonged to the community leaders. The data prove the ability of ancient craftsmen to design and process copper alloys to obtain authentic extremely beautiful artefacts, which provide new possibilities to reveal the social and symbolic function of certain ancient bronze objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of research and preservation of Chinese historical gardens with small forms is due to several factors. The unique heritage of Chinese landscape design, represented by the gardens of Suzhou, is today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an international tourist attraction. It is a source of research on traditional Chinese landscape design techniques based on the principles of Feng Shui, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucian doctrines. All Chinese gardens had been developed with the use of established rules and techniques, among which the authors have described eight main ones that are present in the gardens of Suzhou. The scientific novelty of the research consists in analyzing and concretizing a list of the main techniques of traditional Chinese landscape design and argumentation of the revealed techniques with specific examples of gazebos in the gardens of Suzhou. The methods of figurative expressiveness of pavilions in different regions of China are systematized. Comparison of historical and modern Chinese pavilions demonstrated the narrowing of figurative means, the use of a narrow range of historical prototypes (mainly in the east and southeast), in which the national features of the small-scale architecture are vividly pronounced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teak wood (Tectona grandis Linn F.) is known for its high natural resistance to attack by microorganisms. For this reason, teak wood is used for restoration works. This paper provides an assessment of the extraction capacity of various organic solvents and the chemical and physical-structural characteristics of extracts of teak wood with an age of 40 years. On the basis of literature data, we selected the solvents with potential synergetic activity in preservation treatments. For this purpose we used the SEM-EDX and GC+MS methods, assisted by computerized processing software, and corroborated the data obtained from these two instrumental techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a series of methods and techniques of investigation used in the valorisation of the special avifaunistic protection areas (SPA), which also integrate historical monuments, included in the list of sites of community importance (SCI) belonging to the Natura 2000 ecological network in Iasi county. One of the analysed aspects consists in monitoring the evolution of their conservation status, which calls for new technological discoveries regarding the instrumental analysis techniques and current methodological systems of processing / operation. The analyses used are those based on the Geographic Information System (GIS), which allow the geographical and cartographic representation of the characteristics contained in the relational databases, making possible the visual representation of the distribution of the natural assets and of the historical monuments in the study areas. The results of these analyses have a special impact on tourism and the development of disadvantaged areas, managing to identify the weaknesses induced by pollution and the anthropic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyses the specifics of the stylistics of the external and internal decoration of the outstanding theaters of Romania, Ukraine and Poland; defines the role of the Viennese school in this process; describes the problems of preserving these unique objects and describes the process of complex restoration of Odesa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet by specialists from the Ukrrestavratsiia Corporation. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the analysis of the construction processes of Odesa Theater of Opera and Ballet and the Municipal Theater (Teatr Miejski) in Cracow to prove the generality of trends in theatre construction in the second half of the 19th century; the replacement of wooden structures with various metal ones, and analysis of the principles of operation of the different types of metal structures. The reasons for the emergency state of theatres have been ascertained. The procedure for the conduct of the restoration measures and the effectiveness of their results was analyzed. The paper aims to emphasize the importance of the National Theater of Iasi as an element of cultural heritage and educational factor, in the context of other theaters built based on the projects of Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer. The National Theater of Iași is a real architectural jewel and a charming local party for its leisure visitors. This architectural monument houses a curtain of great beauty. The ceiling that is painted by Al. Goltz with pastel colors that represent paradisiacal allegories, being represented nymphs and angels, framed in the rococo structure. The Great Hall of the theater which has 740 seats and has a stable, lodges and balconies. This building was considered one of the most successful constructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality in the urban environment of Iași City has declined rapidly in recent years, which requires new research focused on the effects of pollution, both on the ambiental air and on human health, as well as on apparent changes in building surfaces, including historical ones. It is common knowledge that permanent exposure to urban atmosphere triggers degradation processes on the surfaces of natural stone monuments, especially on porous stone surfaces. This research was done on samples of porous calcareous rocks similar to the natural stone used in numerous historical monuments of Iasi City. These samples were film-coated with various commercially available hydrophobization solutions. Moreover, these samples were exposed in the immediate vicinity of a road junction with intensive and growing traffic. After about seven months of exposure, the apparent changes in the treated surfaces were compared with the untreated control surfaces (control samples) subjected to the same urban air exposure conditions over the same period of time to assess the effectiveness of the coating treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Authentication of Cultural Heritage Works. The paper presents the expertise of authenticating a painting by Nicolae Grigorescu through the involvement of multi-analytical techniques, in order to identify and evaluate some archaeometric and chemometric characteristics of the pictorial materials and of the support, used in determining the age. The painting is made with oil colors on pressed cardboard, with preparation based on chalk powder and animal glue. The painting presents two elements as being counterfeit, which have attracted suspicions, namely the signature of the author (presenting a semi-transparent covering veil), and, on the back, a writing of dating, performed by a very controversial art historian. The investigation was carried out by direct analysis with magnification devices, in reflected UV (ultraviolet), VIS (visible), and NIR (near- infrared) light, and by OM, SEM-EDX, and μ-FTIR. The results showed that the painting is authentic and belongs to Nicolae Grigorescu, and the dating established previously by Amelia Pavel through the writing on the back is certain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the experimental data obtained on two groups of students, one witness, in two normal classrooms and respectively in the outdoor gymnasium and another in the same type of rooms, but with halochamber regime, differentiated on gender and age, including children born in 2006 and 2007, at the age with the highest growth rate. Starting from the fact that the solions reformulated in situ act on the body through inhalation and absorption at the skin level, it offers a remedy for many conditions, as halotherapy is a complementary and / or alternative method of protecting the airways and improving the morpho-structural characteristics of the skin of the human body. An original system was used to process the experimental data regarding the evolution of the characteristics studied, expressed as a percentage increase, allowed a good highlighting of the effect of saline aerosols/solions on the morpho-structural type biometric characteristics (weight, height, thoracic perimeter), pulse and blood pressure in children, depending on age and gender. It has been shown that girls interact more strongly with solions, and register higher values for most of the studied parameters than boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imni Tomb is one of the most important tombs in Lisht, which was called Ist tawy in ancient Egyptian language. It is located about 60 km south west of the Egyptian capital Cairo, its history dating back to the Middle Kingdom that included two phases, the 11th Dynasty and the 12th Dynasty between 2050 to 1710 B.C. El-Lisht was investigated in 1882 by Egyptologist Gaston Maspero. The tomb suffered from salt weathering. The salt crystals can be seen clearly and starkly in the form of thick crust on the exposed surface of the tomb limestone and on the painted inscriptions. It led to losing some inscriptions and damaging others. Crystallized salts appeared in several forms; fluffy, needle, prismatic and cubic form. This proposal aimed to study the action of salts in Imni tomb, through studying the types of salts, the building materials and the nature of bed rock surrounding the tomb. types of salts formed were investigated to identify their origin, source and the crystallization process as well as studying the quality of building materials in the tomb, the bedrock to see the impact of salt weathering on them, and to determine the root causes of the problem and to develop a proposal for treatment and conservation. This study was carried out by using a variety of methods of analysis and examination. Physical properties of the building materials of Tomb. Generally, the results indicated that Calcite (CaCO3) was the main component of the Imni tomb and Halite (NaCl) was the main crystalized salt on the surface. The main source of these salts is the mother rock, where the salts are present in abundance and density. Salts crystallization in-between the minerals grains or below the exterior surface was the main cause of deterioration the exterior polish surface of the limestone blocks and what they had of painted inscriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galata Church is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Iasi City, Romania, was being built predominantly from geological period of Cenozoic (Sarmatian) calcareous rocks, locally known as the Repedea Limestone and Scheia Sandstone. These rocks are composed of different facies and microfacies types and were deposited on a beach environment. This paper presents a number of data regarding the present status of wall of enclosure conservation based on petrographic and sedimentological microscopic analysis that were correlated with microscopic analysis of lithic materials from the current open pits from Iasi area, from where the stone used was extracted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the aesthetic and chromatic impact of hydrophobic treatments carried out on a series of old geomaterials, dating back to the XVII and XIX centuries. The materials in question have been utilized in the construction of two historic monuments. Throughout the evaluation proceedings regarding the state of conservation of the monuments in question, a number of porous surfaces were identified, such as calcareous rock and ornamental terracotta. The aim of the article is to evaluate the hydrophobic degree obtained by applying certain pellicles, in keeping with the modern principles of scientific conservation. During the experiments, an array of different commercially available hydrophobic additives was used. The tests were performed in laboratory conditions, with the purpose of presenting the chromatic interaction between surface and product. The main techniques used for the analysis during the experiments were: CIE L* a* b*, OM and exposure to UV radiation in laboratory conditions. The results obtained are analyzed and discussed, with the purpose of evaluating the efficiency of hydrophobic solutions, taking into consideration the chromatic deviation, as compared to exposure to UV radiation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 317-320, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sedimentological study was carried out at the lake of Ayamé, with the purpose of determining, by using granulometric and mineralogical characteristics, the origin, the transport process and the space distribution of sediments. In the lake of Ayamé one distinguishes in the downstream sector a prevalence of mud and fine sands. In the upstream sector sands are mainly middle to coarse in size. The muds are localized in the vicinities of the banks, while sands are found in the principal channel of the lake. The minerals found in the sediments are heavy minerals (amphibole, tourmaline, diopside and epidote) and light minerals (quartz and feldspaths). The morphoscopy of the quartzes revealed the prevalence of rounded and bright particles, representing a lake transport over a relatively long distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the conjoint MO, SEM-EDX and micro-FTIR analyses conducted on two spearhead discovered in Stuhule? and Hui (Vaslui County, Romania), attributed to the Bronze-Age Sabatinovka culture, in order to authenticate and establish the state of preservation, and to establish the manufacturing technique (the archaeometalurgical procedure) and the provenance of the raw materials, based on the chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subcarpathians represent the transition unit between mountain and plateau and they are rich in salt deposits. They are situated between the Valleys of Moldova (N) and Motru (V). Mine salt has been exploited since the Neolithic and it still represents an important source of raw materials for the rural population. Salt deposits were created in the lagoon areas situated near the mountain frame. The local climate favoured water evaporation and the depositing of salt, which was covered by eroded materials from Eastern and Southern Carpathians. The high degree of salinity was provided by the warm and dry climate. Local factors led to a chemical differentiation between the Subcarpathian deposits and Transylvanian Depression deposits. Ancient exploitations, dating back in history, have recorded continuity until nowadays. Most amounts of salt are used in chemical industry. In terms of ethnomanagement, it is worth reminding household uses: for preserving vegetables, meat; for making cheese; for sprinkling hays, etc. On local level, it is distributed on short distances and only rarely transported on long distances (dozens or hundreds of kilometres). Maps were generated for the main salt deposits within the Romanian Subcarpathian area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Our article presents the results of the analyses we performed by corroborating the Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Xray Analysis and micro Fourier Transformed InfraRed Analysis techniques to identify the archaeo-metallurgic casting and ornamentation procedure of a decorated disk-butted axe, which was discovered recently east of the Carpathian mountains, in the Moldavian Plateau. There are few known axes of that type found (A1, according to the usual typologies), as they are specific to the Middle Bronze Age period west of the Carpathians-the Wietenberg, Suciu de Sus, and Otomani-Füzesabony cultures. The experimental data on the item under study revealed the fact that after casting it in molds made from porous silicone-based stone, the object was coated with a thin layer, by immersing it in a lightly fusible tin alloy, whose main alloy component was copper and arsenic and iron as secondary components. After refining the shiny white layer, they applied a beautiful decoration pattern made by incision and engraving. This battle axe was an indication of higher status, such items usually being owned by community leaders. This important fact proves that the ancient metallurgic craftsmen were able to elaborate and manufacture various alloys from which they made beautiful objects and it also offers a new insight into the social and symbolic function of certain antique bronze items. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:918-927, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most archaeological bronze items discovered in recent years in Moldova and Dobrogea (Romania) have corrosion crusts on their surface, concentrically or radially stratified. This phenomenon, known as the Liesegang effect, manifests itself differently in regard to its extension, stratification and disposition, according to the base alloy composition, the nature of the primary patina and the conservation state at abandonment, as well as to the soil conditions and soil aggressiveness. In our study, in which we used OM and SEM-EDX analysis, we found a 3D spatial distribution of the different Liesegang effects, each layer being formed from a separate dominant compound, contaminated with the main compound of the neighboring layer. The objects that are totally corroded, without a metallic core, it has a central gray-colored compound, which contains chlorine and l tin, with a greatly reduced composition of copper, compared to the base alloy, over which there formed mineralized layers of cuprite, malachite, azurite, nantokite, atacamite, paratacamite etc. . The morphology and distribution of the layers is determined by the shape of the original object and the processing technique used for its manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the influence of aerosols and respectively that of the in situ resulted solions in dynamic halochambers on the staturo-ponderal growth and on some functional characteristics of children by practicing controlled and systemic sportive games during gym classes, individually and in teams with subjects between 10 and 15 years old. As a reference, children of the same age and with the same schedule were used for the gym classes, but the activities were developed in open air and in gyms, under normal conditions, without aerosols. The study underlined the fact that the saline aerosols and the solions formed in situ in the gym halochamber atmosphere, at a level of over 0.600mg/m³, allowed an improvement of the staturo-ponderal gowth more in girls than in boys and visibly superior for both genders in comparison with the youth who trained for three years outdoors or in gyms, in normal conditions, without aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the experimental results obtained by combining noninvasive techniques (OM, SEM/EDX, XRF) to analyze three artifacts made of copper alloys discovered in a inhumation tomb (2) and in the soil profile (1) in archaeological sites from Neamt County Romania. To uncover the mechanism of alteration thereof during their longtime underground stay in specific chemical conditions and under the influence of other pedological factors, the corrosion products must be identified. The excess of the chloride ion, from burial site, disturbs the Liesegang effect, transforming the bulk in a stratified sponge structure with chlorapatite and hydroxyapatite. Some of the compounds from primary and secondary patina can be found on the surface of the bulk, as color stains. The presence of alloy components (Cu, Sn, Pb, Zn, Fe, etc.) and of the underground contamination components, allowed us to establish the origin of the ore, the manufacture technology and we identified other materials which affected the artifacts after abandonment. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper presents the way we used non-destructive methods - optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy, combined with energy dispersing X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) - in our research on the morphology of corrosion crusts, the distribution of primary and secondary compounds, the presence of microstructures of contamination from the archaeological site of two metallic artifacts dated to the 2nd and 3rd century A.C.: an iron buckle and a copper alloy pendant, found in the Văleni necropolis, Boteşti, Neamţ county. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the analyses conducted using the SEM-EDX and micro-FTIR co-assisted techniques, on several metallic artefacts unearthed during the excavations at the (L)Ibida archaeological site in Slava Rusă, Tulcea County, Romania, that took place between 2001 and 2008. The data produced is of use in identifying several archaeometrical structural and compositional features which allow for the identification of the origin of the ores, of the alloy type, and of the manufacturing technology. A series of new data is thus produced, that can consolidate the three databases of scientific conservation of metallic artefacts (iarchaeometallurgy/ archaeometry/historiography, ii-museum exhibiting, iiiitinerate/ transfer/exchange/trade). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our paper we present a series of aspects regarding the use of NaCl solions in various traditional therapies and, more recently in improving human performance. Their beneficial effects on the membranes of internal organs and on the pulmonary hilum level is well known. The role of alkali and alkaline earth chloride microelements in the adjustment of biochemical processes and the harmonization of vital organ functions of the human and animal body is also well known. In that respect, the paper provides a summary of the knowledge in the field and evaluates the aerosol concentration, using corroborated data obtained from the laser particle counter (type SIBATA GT 321) and by the differential conductometry method, under three operating halochamber modes: 240 h after initial operation start (static duty), after 48 h of ventilation with warm air (dynamic operating duty) and another 24 h after ventilation end (static operation duty). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the correlation between the characteristics of some new artificial surface halochambers with multiple users, which concern several latest inventions of its authors, and the lifespan evolution of the NaCl solions, under static and dynamic conditions. The study aims at evaluating the aerosol concentration using corroborated data from the laser particle counter, type SIBATA GT 321, and the differential conductometry method, under three operating modes of halochambers: after 240 h after its being set to operation (static duty), after 48 h of ventilation with warm air (dynamic operating duty) and after other 24 h after ventilation end (static operation duty). These halochambers generate NaCl solions implying for physical dispersion into the atmosphere of the nanostructures from the surface parallelipipedic blocks or micro-crystals obtained by the recrystallized NaCl and from rock salt, by the erosion process and taking over of micro-crystals by conventional aerial currents under static conditions and by vent blowers under dynamic conditions. The aerosol level obtained by these halochambers is higher to that presented by the literature for salt mines and dynamic devices for aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first of a series of new researches on the NaCl aerosols, which includes the bibliographical analysis and synthesis regarding the structure, the form and the sizes of the particles of the NaCl aeroions in correlation with the production procedures. There are also analyzed some practical applications pointed out both by some ancient Greek and Roman texts and by the presentday literature; at the same time there is underlined the existence, even from Antiquity, of an ethnoscience which led to the current knowledge in the halotherapy field. Concerning the artificial sources of the aerosols employed in the multiple-usage halochambers, there have been taken into consideration the most well-known procedures which are based on the mechanical separation or erosion, followed by the physical dispersion in the atmosphere; on the breaking of the gas bubbles in the sparging with air or other inert gases by means of the supersaturated saline solutions; on the atomization of the saturated saline solutions in the vacuum centrifugal air separators and the carrying-away of the superficial particles resulted from solvolyses and the consecutive anhydrizations of the structures from the surface of the halite blocks. These procedures will be included in the subsequent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the impact of metallic pieces being in contact with wood, as structural elements, used in the obtaining of the artifact. There are studied, based on old samples the reciprocal effect obtained at the wood-metal interface, the diffusion and segregation area of metallic cations in wood and the protective role of some wood volatile components on metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the correlations between thermal, hygroscopic and sonic parameters modifications of the components from the preparation layers of the indoor frescoes, after two years from the restoration of the Church of Probota Monastery (Romania), more precisely the old layers of arriccio and intonaco, that were subject to the interventions of consolidation, stabilization and structural reintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the physical-structural and chemical modifications of the components from the preparation layers of the indoor frescoes, after the restoration of the church of Probota Monastery (Romania), especially the old layers of „arriccio" and „intonaco", that were subject to the interventions of consolidation, stabilization and structural reintegration. Both structural elements were analyzed in order to determine several characteristics: the ratio lime/sand, the carbonating degree, the total compactness of the sample, the total porosity of the sample, the area of the BET surface, the capillary ascension, the permeability of the water vapors and the superficial cohesion. Moreover, the samples were analyzed using IR spectroscopy, that indicates the absorption bands specific to all water types and also by thermal derivatography evaluating the activation energy and the reaction order for the temperature domains specific to the elimination of some physically bound water types (hygroscopic water, mainly the reversible component). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing production of modern medication emerges as a new source of environmental pollution. The scientific community is interested in developing alternative, ecological therapies in asthma. Halotherapy proved its benefits in asthma diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and may represent a reliable therapeutic addition to the allopathic treatment, due to its ecological and environment-friendly nature, in order to prevent or prolong the time to exacerbations in patients with asthma. We aimed to review up-to-date research regarding halotherapy benefits in asthma comprehensively. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE for studies that evaluated the exposure of asthmatic patients to halotherapy. Eighteen original articles on asthma were included. Five studies in adults and five in children assessed the performance of hypertonic saline bronchial challenges to diagnose asthma or vocal cord dysfunction in asthmatic patients. Three papers evaluated the beneficial effects of halotherapy on mucociliary clearance in asthmatic adults. The therapeutic effect of halotherapy on acute or chronic asthma was appraised in three studies in adults and one in children. The preventive role was documented in one paper reporting the ability of halotherapy to hinder nocturnal asthma exacerbations. All studies seem to sustain the overall positive effects of halotherapy as adjuvant therapy on asthma patients with no reported adverse events. Halotherapy is a crucial natural ally in asthma, but further evidence-based studies on larger populations are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response of the human body to implanted biomaterials involves several complex reactions. The potential success of implantation depends on the knowledge of the interaction between the biomaterials and the corrosive environment prior to the implantation. Thus, in the present study, the in vitro corrosion behavior of biocompatible carbonitride-based coatings are discussed, based on microstructure, mechanical properties, roughness and morphology. TiCN and TiSiCN coatings were prepared by the cathodic arc deposition method and were analyzed as a possible solution for load bearing implants. It was found that both coatings have an almost stoichiometric structure, being solid solutions, which consist of a mixture of TiC and TiN, with a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The crystallite size decreased with the addition of Si into the TiCN matrix: the crystallite size of TiCN was 16.4 nm, while TiSiCN was 14.6 nm. The addition of Si into TiCN resulted in smaller Ra roughness values, indicating a beneficial effect of Si. All investigated surfaces have positive skewness, being adequate for the load bearing implants, which work in a corrosive environment. The hardness of the TiCN coating was 36.6 ± 2.9 GPa and was significantly increased to 47.4 ± 1 GPa when small amounts of Si were added into the TiCN layer structure. A sharp increase in resistance to plastic deformation (H3/E2 ratio) from 0.63 to 1.1 was found after the addition of Si into the TiCN matrix. The most electropositive value of corrosion potential was found for the TiSiCN coating (−14 mV), as well as the smallest value of corrosion current density (49.6 nA cm2), indicating good corrosion resistance in 90% DMEM + 10% FBS, at 37 ± 0.5 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]