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The characterization of lime mortars has become of primary importance in order to obtain information about the raw ingredients and building technology of ancient masonry structures. Five different samples from Anhui province, China, representing two types of lime mortar‐based materials: joint mortars between the bricks of the city wall and lime mortar sealing a tomb coffin, were collected for analysis. Archaeological information about the samples was reported and studies into the microtextural features and mineralogical compositions of those mortars were performed via a multi‐analytical approach. The joint lime mortars between the bricks of city walls, including Mingzhongdu city wall, Mingzhongdu Xihua gate foundation, Zhengyangguan city wall and She county city wall, were found to be aerial lime mortars. The lime mortar from Nanling Tieguai Song dynasty tomb was analysed and found to be a pozzolanic mortar consisting of lime, clay, sand and cocciopesto‐like materials. The analytical results serve as a critical reference for the maintenance and restoration of ancient city walls in Anhui province, and as a starting point for searching for ancient Chinese pozzolanic mortars and technology for making those mortars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yuzhen Palace is one of the nine palaces in the Ancient Building Complex built by order of the Yongle Emperor during the Ming dynasty. The buildings were built with dressed black bricks. As a result of the planned national South–North Water Diversion project, the water level in the Danjiangkou Reservoir that surrounds the Yuzhen Palace was expected to rise by approximately 15 m. To avoid submersion of the site, three gates were elevated by 15 m in 2013 and other buildings dismantled, for later reconstruction. The characterization of the construction materials has therefore become of primary importance. Here, we present results on the plasters of the Longhu Hall. The analysis of materials involved a multi‐analytical approach combining optical and electron microscopy with X‐ray and vibrational spectromicroscopies and thermogravimetry. The results indicated the use of two earthen plaster layers and a whitewash finish coating applied over a thin preparatory intermediate layer to improve the adherence of the finish coating to the earthen plaster. Ramie and straw fibres identified in the earthen plasters were added to reduce shrinkage and cracking during drying. The raw materials used and the application technique pointed to a well‐established construction industry using traditional earthen building materials together with lime technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic fragments from the archaeological excavation of the Iberian-Roman city of Basti (Spain) were studied from a geochemical point of view and by applying a statistical tool to X-ray fluorescence data to discover similarities between ceramic materials. The analysis of these samples was completed by performing a mineralogical analysis, textural observation, and by characterizing the porous system and the colour of the pieces. Our results enabled us to identify the source area of the clayey raw material in the surroundings of Basti and to estimate the firing temperature of the ceramics. Differences in the chemistry were confirmed by characteristics of the pastes and the mineralogical composition of the pieces. Some samples show black cores, which would suggest the presence of organic matter in the raw material and fast firing of the ceramics. The main types of temper were quartz grains and gneiss fragments, although carbonate grains were also identified. Our evidence suggests that most of the samples were well fired. New silicate phases were found to be present in several samples. The mercury intrusion porosimetry verified and confirmed the firing temperature of non-carbonated samples. Colorimetry showed that the colour of the ceramics varied according to the amount of CaO that they contained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of table and cooking ware, dating back to the Byzantine period of the ancient Greek colony of Cuma, were analysed by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, in order to reconstruct the main technological properties of these manufactures. The comparison of minero-petrographical data from these samples with those of some kiln wastes allowed us to hypothesize a local manufacture for most of the investigated specimens and to confirm the relative reference groups. A restricted number of samples did not link with the main groups, indicating a regional (or maybe extra-regional) production, in agreement with the widespread circulation of this high-medieval ceramic production in southern Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations carried out in Cuma by the Centre Jean Bérard archaeologists have uncovered a large quantity of pottery. This study is focused on cooking ware and on internal red-slip cookware, also known as Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano), dated from the first century bc to the first century ad. A comparison with the minero-petrographic composition of beach sands collected along the Bay of Naples coastline highlights the provenance of the temper from the Somma-Vesuvius area, marked by leucite-bearing scoriae and garnet. Petrochemical analyses allow us to distinguish two main groups of pottery characterized by different technological options based on the amount of temper and on the type of clay. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope data demonstrate improved accuracy in the production of Rosso Pompeiano, especially with regard to firing control, which was in a prevailing oxidizing atmosphere and in a narrow thermal range, between about 800 and 900°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study gathers mineralogical and isotopic geochemical data of 45 soil samples collected from the La Guardiense and Cantina di Solopaca wineries (Southern Italy) in order to provide useful information for the geotraceability of Falanghina white wine terroir . Mineralogical analyses show the ubiquitous presence of quartz, frequent and moderate contents of feldspars and phyllosilicates (i.e., illite/mica, kaolinite, and smectite). Rhizosphere soils from La Guardiense vineyards show a strontium isotope signature ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) ranging from 0.708604 to 0.711234 (average 0.710334; 1σ = 0.000943; n = 7) for the total fraction and a narrower range (from 0.706907 to 0.708807; average 0.708120; 1σ = 0.000641; n = 7) for the bioavailable one. For the rhizosphere soils collected from the vineyards of Cantina di Solopaca winery, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios range from 0.708268 to 0.712413 (average 0.710145; 1σ = 0.001622; n = 8) and from 0.707968 to 0.709157 (average 0.708384; 1σ = 0.000409; n = 8) for the total and the bioavailable fraction, respectively. Actually, the bioavailable Sr fraction shows a narrower range of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios compared to that of the total fraction, making the former more suitable for any study of wine traceability., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Quercetin is a hydrophobic molecule with short blood circulation times and instability. The development of a nano-delivery system formulation of quercetin may increase its bioavailability, resulting in greater tumor suppressing effects. Triblock ABA type polycaprolactone-polyethylenglycol- polycaprolactone (PCL-PEG-PCL) copolymers have been synthetized using ring-opening polymerization of caprolactone from PEG diol. The copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The triblock copolymers self-assembled in water forming micelles consisting of a core of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and a corona of polyethylenglycol (PEG). The core-shell PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles were able to incorporate quercetin into the core. They were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and NMR. The cellular uptake efficiency of human colorectal carcinoma cells was quantitatively determined by flow cytometry using nanoparticles loaded with Nile Red as hydrophobic model drug. The cytotoxic effect of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated on HCT 116 cells, showing promising results.

This research has focused on the assessment of the compositional features and mechanical and antifouling performances of two different mortars formulated for an underwater setting, and which contain Mg(OH) 2 as an antifouling agent. Regarding the mechanical characterization, the uniaxial compressive strength and flexural strength were measured. The composition of the materials was explored by differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TG), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRPD), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDS microanalysis. The assessment of the biological colonization was evaluated with colorimetric analysis and image analysis. The results suggest that both mortars have good mechanical resistance once set underwater. Moreover, the adding of Mg(OH) 2 improves the resistance toward biofouling; this was observed both in laboratory and sea-exposed specimens.

The present article provides chemical, paleontological and mineralogical data obtained during an archaeometric characterization of 40 samples (33 pottery sherds, 5 clay samples, 1 sand sample and 1 red earth pigment) collected in the Via dei Sepolcri ceramic workshop in Pompeii, Italy. The workshop was still active during the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the archaeometric data obtained in our investigation reveal distinct differences between pottery and geological raw materials belonging to an early 'Phase 1' production (from the beginning of the 1st century CE to the 62 CE earthquake) and a subsequent 'Phase 2' production (from the 62 CE earthquake to the 79 CE eruption). These data inform the discussions and interpretations presented in the article entitled "A pottery workshop in Pompeii unveils new insights on the Roman ceramics crafting tradition and raw materials trade", edited by Grifa et al. [1]., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships which have, or could be perceived to have, influenced the work reported in this article., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The Tomb of the Diver has been subject for many decades of fierce debate among archaeologists and classicists. Since its discovery in 1968, some scholars have considered it a unique example of the lost tradition of Greek painting, others have emphasized Etruscan or Italic parallels. More recently, a possible local production has been suggested. With the aim of trying to solve the archaeological question, an archaeometric comparison among this well-known artwork and several frescoed tombs coming from Hellenistic and Lucan necropolis was carried out. The multi-analytical study was focused on the identification of peculiar features of executive techniques and raw materials since the first period of the archaeological site. The analytical investigation has been preliminary based on a non-destructive approach, performed in-situ by portable equipment including imaging diagnostics and compositional spectroscopic techniques for identifying pigments and the conservation state of original painted surface; subsequently, a further deepening by using destructive techniques was performed in-lab for the mortar-based supports characterization. Archaeometric study suggested that technological choices slightly changed in a time span of about two centuries, highlighting important markers that allow clustering the contemporary artistic productions. Moreover, a comparison with mortars from temples decorations was provided to better understand the whole artistic context. The archaeometric data showed that the Tomb of the Diver could be traced back to a local artisanal tradition and therefore is neither Etruscan nor Greek, but the first and foremost an expression of the local elite culture of Paestum., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. The commercial affiliations do not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

The present research deals with the evaluation of a clinoptilolite-rich rock, occurring in the Nižný Hrabovec deposit (Slovakia), for high-value technological applications based on sorption and in vitro release of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., ibuprofen sodium salt). This georesource was surface modified (SMNZ) using four cationic surfactants. Results demonstrate that ibuprofen sorption is very fast and SMZNs can sorb up to ˜26 mg/g of drug as a function of the type of counterion and morphology of surfactant, as well as the hydrophobicity and molecular structure of the drug. Maximum sorption capacities observed for all SMNZs are fully comparable to other adsorbent carriers usually used for removal of contaminants in wastewaters. Sorption of ibuprofen is controlled by a dual mechanism: external anionic exchange and partition into the hydrophobic portion of the patchy bilayer. A prompt drug release in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) was also observed, making this natural material also suitable to provide rapid soothing effects in potential pharmacological applications. Comparing the results of this study with other recent investigations, a good technological performance of clinoptilolite-rich rock can be inferred despite the relatively low zeolite content (˜56 wt.%)., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Fourteen samples of tourmaline from the Real Museo Mineralogico of Federico II University (Naples) have been characterized through multi-methodological investigations (EMPA-WDS, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, and FT-IR spectroscopy). The samples show different size, morphology and color, and are often associated with other minerals. Data on major and minor elements allowed to identify and classify tourmalines as follows: elbaites, tsilaisite, schorl, dravites, uvites and rossmanite. Non-invasive, non-destructive FT-IR and in-situ analyses were carried out on the same samples to validate this chemically-based identification and classification. The results of this research show that a complete characterization of this mineral species, usually time-consuming and expensive, can be successfully achieved through non-destructive FT-IR technique, thus representing a reliable tool for a fast classification extremely useful to plan further analytical strategies, as well as to support gemological appraisals., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)