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El Finger Tapping Test (FTT) es una prueba neurofisiológica con largo bagaje en el campo de la neuropsicología, utilizada para examinar el control motor. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue validar una versión informatizada del FTT, estimando su validez concurrente con pruebas estandarizadas de ansiedad y ansiedad precompetitiva. Formaron parte del estudio 102 participantes, de los cuales 47 practicaban actividad físico-deportiva de forma habitual y 55 no. El 34’31% de la muestra fueron hombres y el 65’68% mujeres. Se utilizaron dos versiones informáticas del FTT, junto a los cuestionarios Inventario del Estado de Ansiedad en Competición-2 (CSAI2), Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (STAI), Inventario de Situaciones y Respuestas de Ansiedad (ISRA), Inventario de Ansiedad Competitiva (SCAT) y Cuestionario de Regulación Emocional (ERQ). Se encontraron correlaciones entre los pulsos de la modalidad clásica y versión movimiento y con algunas de las escalas de los cuestionarios utilizados como fue supresión emocional, ansiedad cognitiva y somática y, especialmente, autoconfianza. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de relieve la alta validez concurrente del programa. The Finger Tapping Test (FTT) is a neurophysiological test with a long history in the field of neuropsychology, used to examine motor control. The objective of the present investigation was to validate a computerized version of the FTT, estimating its concurrent validity with standardized tests of anxiety and precompetitive anxiety. A total of 102 participants took part in the study, of which 47 practiced physical activity and sports on a regular basis, and 55 did not. 34.31% of the sample were men and 65.68% were women. Two computerized versions of the FTT were used, along with the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory 2 (CSAI2), State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI), Situation and Response Anxiety Inventory (ISRA), Competitive Anxiety Inventory (SCAT) and Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Correlations were found between the pulses of the classic modality and movement version and with some of the scales of the questionnaires used, such as emotional suppression, cognitive and somatic anxiety, and, especially, self-confidence. The results show that the FTT has stability in terms of its evaluation, as well as high concurrent validity.

This study analyzes, for the first time, the psychometric properties of the Valencia Scale of Attitudes and Beliefs towards Hypnosis, Therapist Version (VSABTH-T) in its online version. Previous studies have analyzed the properties of this scale in its traditional version, but in none of the cases the invariance of the model has been studied. For this reason, and because of the advantages offered by online administration, it is important to analyze the psychometric properties of this version, with the aim of being able to use it in future studies, as well as to make comparisons over time. There were 154 participants, collecting the data in two temporal moments. After analyzing the factor structures proposed in the previous literature (eight factors and 37 items) no satisfactory results were reached for the online sample. An alternative model was formulated (eliminating eight items because they were considered crossloadings), with eight factors and 29 items, which presented satisfactory adjustment rates to the different groups (CFI = .92, TLI = .90–91, RMSEA = .06–07, SRMR = .07; χ2 = 562.60 for time 1 (χ2/df = 1.61) and χ2 = 600.93 for time 2 (χ2/df = 1.72), df = 349 for all samples, Bollen-Stine Bootstrap p = .02–07). The results indicated appropriate values of convergent, discriminant and composite reliability for most dimensions, and the temporal invariance of the factor structure was confirmed, an aspect that should be highlighted in the light of previous investigations. Taking the above into consideration, the option of optimizing the eliminated items could be considered, in order not to lose information regarding the content of the scale.

In this work, it is reported that thermal analysis techniques such as TG, DTA and X-ray thermodiffraction, performed in air or nitrogen atmosphere, are very useful for evaluating and characterizing the pigments and the supports used for the manufacture of wall paintings from the San Isidoro del Campo Monastery (fifteenth century) in which different scenes from the life of San Jeronimo are represented. The use of thermal techniques has allowed for collecting information on the technology and raw materials used in the manufacture of these wall paintings. The composition of the different colours forming the wall paintings is the following: blue by azurite, green by atacamite, red by iron oxide (hematite), cinnabar and ochre by iron oxyhydroxides (goethite), black by carbon and white by calcite. In all the colours, calcite and quartz were also identified. The paintings were performed by using the fresco technique. The support mortars are constituted of calcite, quartz and straw.

In this work, it is reported that thermal analysis techniques such as differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis are very useful for evaluating metals threads and fibres used in the manufacture of historical artifacts. Thermal analysis has been used to characterize the silk, cotton and linen employed as supports and the copper, silver and aluminium as the metallic components in the studied threads. Other organic compounds, mainly added for the conservation of the threads, have also been characterized., The financial support of the Spanish Commission Interministerial of “Economia y Competitividad” (Plan Estatal 2013–2016 Retos–Proyectos I+D+i) under Project BIA2014-55318-R is also acknowledged.

This work comprises an exhaustive study of Spanish decorative leathers dating from the 12th to 14th centuries. These paintings are considered a key example of a crucible of artistic styles: Gothic, Islamic and Florentine Trecento. The goal of this work was to use the scientific information provided by a number of experimental techniques – namely EDX, micro-FTIR, micro-Raman and micro-XRD – to assess the dating of the wooden vault, leather preparation and filling fibres. Another goal was to assess the artistic technique based on the characterization of pigments and the differentiation between original materials and those added throughout its history. Gypsum was the original preparation layer extended over the leather. A new preparation stratum was added in further interventions with the artwork. The original pictorial materials and those used during refurbishments have been identified. Original pigments were: red lead, Mars red, red lake, cinnabar, lapis lazuli, red ochres, raw sienna, white lead and charcoal black. Gilding was also found. Pigments added during restoration were: barite, emerald green, rutile, anatase, Mars red, cadmium red, lithopone, cadmium yellow, charcoal black and orpiment.

In this research, characterization of materials either added during restoration or formed by environmental contamination in the Seville City Hall, built with calcarenite stone, was investigated by thermal methods. Three different mortars for restoration have been characterized: (a) lime micro-mortar for internal consolidation of mortar itself, (b) mortar for reconstruction of deteriorated areas and (c) mortar with Portland cement. Acrylate polymer as consolidant and protection used was characterized. Addition of gypsum or “white cement” has been also applied in the restoration. Altered materials as black crusts constituted by gypsum, calcite and organic compound were determined by thermal analysis. Patina with high concentration of hydrated calcium oxalate, and the transformation mechanism of calcium oxalate into calcium carbonate and formation of calcium oxide produced by decomposition of the calcite were also characterized in the studied monument by thermal analysis. The patina with hydrated calcium oxalate produced by high biological activity was also studied.

This work suggests a way of differentiation between the natural or synthetic origin of inorganic materials that were historically used in the Cultural Heritage field. An exhaustive review of different reported procedures of synthesis of pigments was conducted, as well as a review of the accompanying minerals in case of natural pigments. The natural or synthetic origin of the pigments studied in this work was performed through the characterization of the accompanying minerals, in the case of the natural pigments, or the trace elements that are present as part of synthesis by-products or washing/purifying reagents and/or reactants that have only been partly removed in the final steps of these processes. This work characterized red pigments due to their wide variety, complexity and possibility of use in different mixtures. The following pigments were studied: cinnabar-vermilion, red lead and iron pigments. Also mixtures of these pigments between them and with red lake were also studied. Natural cinnabar was accompanied by silicon oxide (opal, chalcedony or quartz), calcite, clay minerals and, sometimes, pyrite. K together with S indicated a synthetic pigment (vermilion) obtained through the wet method. Nevertheless, K has not been found in layers containing only vermilion in our samples. The presence of Sn in some cases indicated vermilion that came from the dry process. K from the synthesis always appeared in the red lead pigment. The red natural ochre was confirmed by presence of clay minerals and iron. It should be said that Ca and S, and sometimes Al and K, were usually found in Mars red pigment. The presence of Al and Ca allowed the identification of carmine lake., The financial support of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Secretaria de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (BIA2014-55318-R) is also acknowledged.

The chromatic characterization of the external part of the sculpture showed homogeneity values in the majority of the colored zones. The optical microscopy study showed different layers in the painting cross-sections. The complex polychromy was attributed to several restoration processes carried out along the time. The composition of the different layers of painting cross-sections was studied using the micro-Raman technique. The micro-Raman technique was very useful in characterizing some pigments that are difficult to determine by other experimental techniques. The study showed the presence of several pigments that had been applied in ancient and recent times.

A portable XRD/XRF system and complementary laboratory techniques were employed to improve the knowledge of the procedures used to create Roman and Arabic wall paintings. Integrated physico-chemical investigations were conducted on fragments of artworks collected from the archaeological excavation of the Patio de Banderas in the Reales Alcazares' Palace of Seville (Spain), and a comparative study on the pigments from both historical periods was performed. As a result, pigments such as vermilion, red ochre, yellow ochre, green earth, Egyptian blue, carbon and phosphor-based black pigments were detected in Roman samples; however, in the Arabic fragments, only haematite was observed. In addition, the size and shape of the particles of the wall paintings were studied with an XRD 2-dimensional detector and SEM-EDX. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd., This work was supported by project BIA 2009-12618, EU-ARTECH (contract number RII3-CT-2004-506171), MEC/FULLBRIGHT 2007 and JAE Doc 088. The authors gratefully acknowledge C2RMF staff (especially Dr. Jacques Castaing), Miguel Angel Tabales from the RealesAlcazares of Seville, Cristina Gallardo from the Materials Science Institute of Seville, Almudena Muñoz (architect) for their assistance and the useful comments from the reviewers. Samples were provided by Miguel Angel Tabales.

Pyrophyllite is a raw material of significant interest due to its large number of applications. Most of these applications require a thermal transformation of pyrophyllite; this thermal transformation implies the release of structural OH groups and the formation of new phases. In this paper, we report on the dehydroxylation of pyrophyllite and the reversibility of the process. A value of 224±16 kJ/mol for the dehydroxylation of pyrophyllite was obtained. In addition, it was observed that the partially or totally dehydroxylated pyrophyllite suffered a partial reversible rehydroxylation when cooled to room temperature. This rehydroxylation was substantiated by thermogravimetric measurements, while infrared spectroscopic studies showed that, during the rehydroxylation, the intensity of the OH band at 3675 cm -1 increased as two new bands at 3690 and 3702 cm -1 appeared. This rehydroxylation process was heavily influenced by the particle size of the pyrophyllite. Thus, smaller particles (

This paper describes one of the first case studies using micro-diffraction laboratory-made systems to analyse painting cross-sections. Pigments, such as lead white, vermilion, red ochre, red lac, lapis lazuli, smalt, lead tin yellow type I, massicot, ivory black, lamp black and malachite, were detected in cross-sections prepared from six Bartolomé Esteban Murillo paintings by micro-Raman and micro-XRD combined with complementary techniques (optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, and FT-IR). The use of micro-XRD was necessary due to the poor results obtained with conventional XRD. In some cases, pigment identification was only possible by combining results from the different analytical techniques utilised in this study.

The employment of synchrotron techniques complemented by conventional laboratory systems has allowed us to deepen and improve our knowledge of Roman wall painting procedures. The palette identified in wall paintings from Pompeii and Herculaneum from the second century bc includes goethite, hematite, cinnabar, glauconite, Egyptian blue, and other components such as calcite and aragonite. Proof of the use of organic binders is provided by FTIR and PY–GC/MS. Therefore, the possibility of the use of ‘a secco’ techniques cannot be ruled out. Pigments in wall paintings are usually found in small percentages and conventional X-ray diffractometers do not detect them. Synchrotron radiation – high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction has allowed identification with only a few micrograms of sample.

A complete characterisation of fibres used in Spanish artwork is necessary to provide a complete knowledge of these natural fibres and their stage of degradation. Textile samples employed as painting supports on canvas and one sample of unprocessed plant material were chosen for this study. All the samples were investigated by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD). Flax and cotton have the Cellulose I structure. The values of the crystalline index (CI) were calculated for both types of fibres. The structure of Cellulose IV was associated with the unprocessed plant material. The information obtained by SR-XRD was confirmed by laboratory techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Tin amalgam, which is obtained by pouring mercury onto a sheet of tin, has been used in the production of reflective coatings for mirrors. The corrosion processes of the amalgam layer were investigated in several mirrors from historical buildings located in southern Spain using SEM/EDS, XPS, and GID. Mercury and Sn 4+ are present as spheres on the amalgam surface due to the evaporation process (∼5 nm). The profile shows a mixture of Sn 2+ and Sn 4+ . The original amalgam was composed of a binary alloy of tin and mercury (Hg0.1Sn0.9) and metallic tin. In this paper the tin oxidation mechanism of the amalgam is described. Liquid mercury is volatile and evaporates slowly, leaving fine tin particles that oxidize easily, forming tin monoxide (SnO) and tin dioxide (SnO 2 ). The mercury-rich phase accelerates the corrosion of the tin-rich phase.

Illuminated Arabic manuscripts have been studied, employing two laboratory-made X-ray diffraction (XRD) systems developed recently in the C2RMF laboratory. The validity of the micro-XRD and XRD portable systems for the study of this type of artworks has been demonstrated. A common observation in all the analyses is the presence of calcite and rutile; also, hematite, goethite, cinnabar, brass, anatase and barite were detected in the various colours. Differences between the results obtained by both techniques due to acquisition mode are discussed. In addition, other techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and micro-Raman were used for the complete characterization of the manuscripts.

An extensive overview of the complementary use of micro-FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy in the Cultural Heritage studies is described in this work. The samples have been prepared using the cross-section technique. This technique allows the examination of a large portion of a single paint layer in its original condition. A variety of pigments from samples belonging principally to the Cultural Heritage of Southern Spain were characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy using visible excitation sources and micro-FTIR spectroscopy. The pigments studied comprise blue (azurite, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue), red (vermilion, haematite, red ochre, red lead, etc.), ochre and yellow (goethite, orpiment, realgar, etc.), green (malachite, copper resinate), and white (calcite, gypsum, white lead, titanium white, barite, lithopone) pigments, among others. An orientation is given for their appropriate and unequivocal characterization. Characterization by micro-FTIR and micro-Raman presents difficulties with some pigments. In these cases, analysis by EDX solves most of these doubts. The combined use of both spectroscopic techniques, together with SEM–EDX microanalysis, provides one of the most useful methods in the characterization (and possible dating) of materials used in Cultural Heritage.

Characterization of four amalgam surfaces, with different alteration degrees from Andalusia historical mirrors, has been carried out by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and other spectroscopic techniques (SEM/EDX, XPS, and REELS). The combination of all these techniques allows determining the corrosion state of the amalgams. The results show that the amalgams are composed in all cases of a binary alloy of tin and mercury. As mercury has high vapour pressure at RT, it slowly segregates and eventually evaporates, it leaves finely divided particles of tin that easily can be oxidize, forming tin monoxide (SnO) and tin dioxide (SnO2). In one of the samples, most of the amalgam remains unoxidized, since Hg0.1Sn0.9 and metallic Sn phases are the major components; in two other samples, Hg0.1Sn0.9 and Sn phases are not detected while SnO2 and SnO phases appear. Finally, in the last studied sample, only SnO2 phase is detected. The surface analyses of these samples by XPS show that, for most of them an unique chemical species (Sn4+) is found.

Glass backed with a tin–mercury alloy, commonly called the amalgam mirror, was the dominant mirror used from the 15th century until the beginning of the 20th century. In this work, a qualitative analysis of the crystalline phases of the alloy surface of ancient mirrors was done using the grazing incidence X-ray diffraction technique (GID). Their morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the elemental analyses were done by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to characterize the atomic composition of the surfaces. Our results indicate that the amalgam is composed of a binary alloy of tin and mercury (Hg 0.1 Sn 0.9 ). Mercury is volatile and slowly evaporates, leaving finely divided particles of tin that are easily oxidized, forming romarchite (SnO) and cassiterite (SnO 2 ).

Roman ceramics of two hydraulic mortars used to build the pond and water channel of Mithraeum house from Merida (Spain) have been studied. The sizes of the ceramic fragments found were different in both of the samples studied, showing different behaviour in the reactions with the lime. The X-ray diffraction of the ceramic shows the presence of quartz, mica (biotite), anorthite and hematite accompanied by amorphous phase, being observed scarce vitrification. The presence of mica confirms a firing temperature for manufacturing the ceramic below 900°C. In one of the ceramics studied, X-ray diffraction did not show calcite. However, in the FTIR appear bands that could be assigned to carbonates absorptions and likewise, carbonates were identified in the DTA-TG curves. Ca and small quantities of Si and Al were also identified by SEM-EDX on the surface of the pores that could be due to an amorphous phase formed in the reaction of lime with the Si and Al of the ceramic. On the other hand, in other ceramic samples carbonates (about 10%) were detected. The carbonates have been found filling the pores, sometimes accompanied by a new calcium-aluminium-silicate phase produced by the reaction between the lime and the amorphous phase of the ceramic. The carbonates and the new phases formed inside the pores are responsible for the decrease of the porosity and for the formation of new phases during the heating of the ceramics.

This paper presents the novel application of recently developed analytical techniques to the study of paint layers on sculptures that have been restored/repainted several times across centuries. Analyses were performed using portable XRF, μ-XRD and μ-Raman instruments. Other techniques, such as optical microscopy, SEM-EDX and μ-FTIR, were also used. Pigments and other materials including vermilion, minium, red lac, ivory black, lead white, barium white, zinc white (zincite), titanium white (rutile and anatase), lithopone, gold and brass were detected. Pigments from both ancient and modern times were found due to the different restorations/repaintings carried out. μ-Raman was very useful to characterise some pigments that were difficult to determine by μ-XRD. In some cases, pigments identification was only possible by combining results from the different analytical techniques used in this work. This work is the first article devoted to the study of sculpture cross-section samples using laboratory-made μ-XRD systems.

An Arabic manuscript, supposed to be from the 14th century, was investigated and its components (pigments and dyestuffs) characterised using micro-Raman and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, the latter employing a portable XRF/X-ray diffraction (XRD) system. The presence of anatase, rutile, calcite, barite, zinc oxide, carbon black, vermilion, hematite, goethite, β-naphthol, copper phthalocyanine, pigmosol green and a brass-based pigment was detected in the different zones of the illuminated manuscript. The detection of titanium oxides, barite and organic synthetic colourants such as β-naphthol and copper phthalocyanine and derived compounds provides indisputable indication of forging, repainting or retouching after the 19th century in the image of the manuscript. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., The authors acknowledge assistance from the C2RMF-AGLAE staff (especially Dr Jacques Castaing), English editing from one the reviewers and financial support from contracts MEC/FECYT 2007, JAE Doc 088, the program EU-ARTECH (FP6, European Union, contract RII3-CT-2004-506171) and the projects MAT2008-02008MAT (National I+D+I 008-2011) and P08-HUM04188 (Excellency).

An essential component of an advanced democracy is civil participation at all levels of administration. Water Framework Directive has proposed a substantial reform in European legislation on water and has revolutionised the management of water supply through democratic inclusion of citizens. Through this new legal aim of water management we have encountered various forms of participation which will be of use to many Water Supply Companies, and Consumer Associations. One example of participation and collaboration is that which was achieved between Consumer Associations and Málaga's Water Supply Company (EMASA). In this presentation we will explain how this was managed and describe those social agents involved, the roles each took and the specific actions undertaken.