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Abstract: In this paper we deliver a report on the study of microbiological damage found on the pages of a 16th-century book. Our aim is to describe the procedures needed to ensure a conservative approach to the restoration of valuable books and objects of art made from, or supported on, paper. The techniques employed to evaluate and describe the damage observed, as well as the organisms responsible for biodeterioration, are discussed. A range of sampling techniques and instruments were utilised, including swabs and adhesive tape. Conventional methods, such as classic culturing and the direct microscopic observation of sampled material, were coupled with DNA-fingerprinting and phylogenetic analysis. We postulated that the purple stains which migrate through the pages with a felted consistency (Fig. 2), based on all the information obtained using traditional and molecular means, were caused by a cellulolytic fungus producing purple essudates, characterised by echinated conidia and Hülle cells. These elements were consistent with the discovery of both A. versicolor and A. nidulans using molecular techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we investigate the profile of the 18MeV proton beam from the IBA 18/9 cyclotron at the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève. The profile of the beam has a large impact on the isotope yields obtained from liquid or solid targets. The beam shape may be controlled by a beam-line, comprising beam focusing elements and diagnostic tools. To design the beam-line it is vital to have a good knowledge of the beam’s transverse emittance as it exits the cyclotron. We have installed havar foils at various positions in the beam path, and analysed the irradiated foils by autoradiography. These measurements show that the beam shape varies considerably from one exit port to another, and have allowed us to estimate the beam’s emittance, divergence, and the position of its focii. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the evaluation of seismic site effects due to the local topographical and geotechnical characteristics. The amplification of surface motions is calculated by a numerical method combining finite elements in the near field and boundary elements in the far field (FEM/BEM). The numerical technique is improved by time truncation. In the first part of this article, the accuracy and the relevance of this optimized method are presented. Moreover, parametric studies are done on slopes, ridges and canyons to characterize topographical site effects. The second part deals with sedimentary valleys. The complexity of the combination of geometrical and sedimentary effects is underlined. Extensive parametrical studies are done to discriminate the topographical and geotechnical effects on seismic ground movement amplifications in two-dimensional irregular configurations. Characteristic coefficients are defined to predict the amplifications of horizontal displacements. The accuracy of this quantitative evaluation technique is tested and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the rate of approximation for the Bézier variant of certain operators. Here we estimate the rate of convergence in simultaneous approximation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An extension of some smooth parametrized Newton-like method to the semismooth case is presented in this paper. Thus, the problems due to the fact the B-differential is singular are solved. These methods are shown to be superlinear convergence. Some numerical experiments are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]