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Highlights: • A multi-approach methodology was used for a thorough examination of a prehistoric cup decorated with engravings, found at the Bronze Age settlement of Filo Braccio in Filicudi Island (Messina). • Photogrammetry and near-infrared (NIR) imaging were combined to create a metrically correct digital replica (with switchable texture); 3D and 2D views were exported to study the vessel’s morphology and decorations. • To enrich the visiting experience, the 3D model was integrated into a web-based viewer, and enriched with informative annotation, making it easily accessible through mobile devices and computers. Abstract: This paper presents a multidisciplinary study combining photogrammetry, near-infrared (NIR) imaging and archaeological analysis to analyse a 1900-1800 BC engraved cup, found at the Bronze Age site of Filo Braccio in Filicudi, Aeolian Islands, Italy. The artefact is unique within the contemporary ‘Capo Graziano’ culture, featuring a rare complex figural scene engraved along the exterior walls; the “scene” provides insights into the prehistoric culture of Filicudi and the Aeolian Islands. The study focused on generating an accurate three-dimensional (3D) model to i) support archaeological research on the artefact's engravings and ii) create engaging digital media for remote and on-site visitors. Photogrammetry used high-resolution photographs taken around the object and control points for metric accuracy assessment. This study also utilises NIR and visible light imaging to examine the engraved cup. The photogrammetric workflow provided a realistic 3D model textured with both visible and NIR data: the 3D model enabled to improve the reading of the engraved scene, revealing horizontal registers of figures, while NIR imaging highlighted material inhomogeneity. The resulting 3D model achieved a high level of detail, with 4381407 faces and a root mean square (RMS) reprojection error of approximately 3.9 μm. The NIR imaging revealed additional surface details not visible in the standard photographs. For dissemination, the optimised 3D model was uploaded to Sketchfab with informative annotations, enabling remote study and cultural promotion of the artefact. This multi-approach methodology offers a valuable tool for comprehensive artefact documentation and analysis, providing new insights into the artefact's complex figural scene.

Interaction is a dynamic process that evolves in real time. Participants interpret and orient themselves towards turns of speech based on expectations of relevance and social/conversational norms (that have been extensively studied in the field of Conversation analysis). A true challenge to Human Robot Interaction (HRI) is to develop a system capable of understanding and adapting to the changing context, where the meaning of a turn is construed based on the turns that have come before. In this work, we identify issues arising from the inadequate handling of the sequential flow within a corpus of in-the-wild HRIs in an open-world university library setting. The insights gained from this analysis can be used to guide the design of better systems capable of handling complex situations. We finish by surveying efforts to mitigate the identified problems from a natural language processing/machine dialogue management perspective.

Ingrown toenails account for roughly 20% of all foot problems in primary care. It is most common in young men, with nail care habits and footwear being major contributors. Onychocryptosis is typically caused by self-treatment attempts to cure the condition in its early stages. Its clinical features are frequently confused with other osseous and soft tissue abnormalities. The goal of this study was to provide perspectives on the management of pain and inflammation in Onychocryptosis using an Ozoile-based hydrogel formulation in a semi-occlusive bandage for 14 days, while incorporating natural pharmacological solutions into established protocols. The primary outcomes measured were pain reduction on NRS and stadiation according to the Al Kline Classification. The reduction was statistically significant, with a mean decrease in VAS score from 10 to 4 (p < 0.05), and Al Kline classification decreased by an average of 1.6 stages. 42% of patients recovered within the first 15 days of treatment, and 93% by the end of the scheduled treatment.

In this work, two different composite nanostructures, YAG:Ce and Ga0.9In0.1N, were prepared by the Urea Glass Route method and tested for the production of white light. The first composite was prepared by synthetizing the Ga0.9In0.1N nanoparticles in the presence of YAG:Ce nanoparticles. The second one was prepared by synthetizing YAG:Ce nanoparticles in the presence of Ga0.9In0.1N nanoparticles. These systems can be useful for the production of white light. X-ray Diffraction and Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopies (TEM and SEM) were used to evaluate their structural and morphological properties. Excitation and emission spectra, the quantum yield and colour of the emitted light were acquired to evaluate the optical properties of the systems.

Abstract Disruptions in the gut epithelial barrier can lead to the development of chronic indications such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Historically, barrier function has been assessed in cancer cell lines, which do not contain all human intestinal cell types, leading to poor translatability. To bridge this gap, we adapted human primary gut organoids grown as monolayers to quantify transcription factor phosphorylation, gene expression, cytokine production, and barrier function. In this work we describe and characterize a novel 96-well human gut organoid-derived monolayer system that enables quantitative assessment of candidate therapeutics. Normal human intestine differentiation patterns and barrier function were characterized and confirmed to recapitulate key aspects of in vivo biology. Next, cellular response to TNF-α (a central driver of IBD) was determined using a diverse cadre of quantitative readouts. We showed that TNF-α pathway antagonists rescued damage caused by TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that this system is suitable for quantitative assessment of barrier modulating factors. Taken together, we have established a robust primary cell-based 96-well system capable of interrogating questions around mucosal response. This system is well suited to provide pivotal functional data to support translational target and drug discovery efforts.

This article highlights the multianalytical study of exuded liquid from an ancient Egyptian sealed alabaster vase by Master's students in an applied chemistry for cultural heritage course. Master students are introduced to the field of Archaeometry that see the collaboration of experts in different areas of research such as conservators, curators of museums, physicists, chemists, etc. The sample is a residue exuded on the linen strip sealing an ancient Egyptian alabaster vase (inventory number S.8448) from the collection of the Museo Egizio in Turin (Italy). The students start to plan the noninvasive investigation by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for the inorganic compounds characterization, followed by the extraction of the organic components (such as oils, fats, and waxes) to be analyzed by high-resolution [superscript 1]H and [superscript 13]C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and 2D NMR correlation spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), and long-range heteronuclear correlation (HMBC) techniques and by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Reference standards, spectral databases, and published data on similar artifacts served as the basis for the interpretation of the instrumental results. The approach was introduced in the course of Applied Chemistry for Cultural Heritage for Master students in Archaeology (University of Palermo, Italy), where the need is to know how to approach the scientific investigation together with the conservation scientists and how to manage with a very low amount of sample. Pedagogically, the approach introduces students to the main techniques currently used in the field of Archaeometry while reinforcing fundamental concepts in sample collecting and multicomponent microsample analysis. This interdisciplinary approach provides a unique experience that demonstrates chemistry's broad applicability outside of the traditional laboratory. Students are guided to identify the inorganic and organic components of the exudate liquid: the first one is ascribable to clay minerals iron oxides, which could impart the brown color to the sample; the second one is ascribed to triglycerides of various kinds, which probably comes from vegetable oil.

In this work, two different composite nanostructures, YAG:Ce and Ga0.9In0.1N, were prepared by the Urea Glass Route method and tested for the production of white light. The first composite was prepared by synthetizing the Ga0.9In0.1N nanoparticles in the presence of YAG:Ce nanoparticles. The second one was prepared by synthetizing YAG:Ce nanoparticles in the presence of Ga0.9In0.1N nanoparticles. These systems can be useful for the production of white light. X-ray Diffraction and Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopies (TEM and SEM) were used to evaluate their structural and morphological properties. Excitation and emission spectra, the quantum yield and colour of the emitted light were acquired to evaluate the optical properties of the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction is a dynamic process that evolves in real time. Participants interpret and orient themselves towards turns of speech based on expectations of relevance and social/conversational norms (that have been extensively studied in the field of Conversation analysis). A true challenge to Human Robot Interaction (HRI) is to develop a system capable of understanding and adapting to the changing context, where the meaning of a turn is construed based on the turns that have come before. In this work, we identify issues arising from the inadequate handling of the sequential flow within a corpus of in-the-wild HRIs in an open-world university library setting. The insights gained from this analysis can be used to guide the design of better systems capable of handling complex situations. We finish by surveying efforts to mitigate the identified problems from a natural language processing/machine dialogue management perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Two Monterfortino helmets, recovered in the Mediterranean seabed, show unusual features with respect to the more common helmets of the same period and found in underwater environments. Hence, they were investigated by a multi-analytical approach, which allowed us to identify the compounds constituting the helmets and to make some considerations about their metallurgy, although all the metal was converted to degradation products. The helmets, originally made in bronze, have maintained their original shape because of copper sulphides formation. The observed differences in composition between the two helmets were attributed to the position modification, of one of them, into the seabed along centuries. For the first time, a microstructural investigation permits to reconstruct the history of the aging processes involved in the total oxidation of roman bronze helmet metal.

This paper reports the investigation of six microsamples collected from the vault of the San Panfilo Church in Tornimparte (AQ). The aim was to detect the composition of the pigments and protective/varnishes, and to investigate the executive technique, the conservation state, and the evidence of the restoration works carried out in the past. Six microsamples were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The investigations were carried out within the framework of the Tornimparte project “Archeometric investigation of the pictorial cycle of Saturnino Gatti in Tornimparte (AQ, Italy)” sponsored in 2021 by the Italian Association of Archeometry (AIAr).

The wreck of the Punic ship exhibited at the Archaeological Park of Lilybaeum (Marsala, Italy) is a unique example in the world. In this paper, the investigation of some metal finds (30 nails and 3 fragments of sheathings) belonging to the wreck of the Punic ship is reported. Portable X-ray fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy allowed us to identify the elements and compounds constituting them and make some deductions about their composition. X-ray diffractometry, polarised optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the collected micro-samples allowed us to explain the degradation that occurred in the underwater environment.

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Abstract Co-doped Ce3+, Cr3+ and Pr3+ yttrium–aluminium–gallium garnet powders of various sizes were obtained by co-precipitation method. The microstructure and morphology were investigated by XRPD, TEM and gas porosimetry. The luminescence properties were studied by excitation and emission spectra, quantum yield and decay times. Thermoluminescence measurements were performed to evaluate the activation energy, traps redistribution and frequency factor. Limitation in the energy transfer between dopant ions in the small particles, traps depth and surface defects were considered and investigated as responsible for the quenching of persistent luminescence. The phosphors annealed at 1100 °C show the optimal persistent luminescence and nano-particle size.

In this work, a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal method under mild conditions is investigated for the preparation of the Eu3+:YPO4 (5 mol % Eu) luminescent material, which belongs to a large family of phosphates that, when doped with lanthanide ions, acquire specific luminescence properties used primarily as phosphors for modern light sources and as optical markers. Crystalline Eu3+:YPO4 nanopowders are obtained in very short times (as little as 5 min) compared to conventional methods without the need for additional calcination treatment. Moreover, varying the reaction time (up to 30 min) and temperature (up to 240 °C) results in different nanocrystal morphologies and sizes, which can be tuned by controlling the reaction parameters, thus potentially tuning the optical properties of the nanoparticles. The resulting nanopowders exhibit intense emission at an excitation wavelength of 396 nm, and their optical properties, studied by measuring both excitation and emission spectra, luminescence lifetimes, and quantum yields, are comparable to those obtained by conventional heating. These results suggest that the MW-assisted hydrothermal process optimized in this work is a powerful strategy to produce single-phase Eu3+:YPO4 (5 mol % Eu) luminescent nanopowders with a low degree of hydration, monodisperse tuned morphology and narrow particle size distribution in much shorter times than previously reported (5–30 min). So we have developed a faster and more energy-efficient way of producing these materials, which could potentially be used for security purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ingrown toenails account for roughly 20% of all foot problems in primary care. It is most common in young men, with nail care habits and footwear being major contributors. Onychocryptosis is typically caused by self-treatment attempts to cure the condition in its early stages. Its clinical features are frequently confused with other osseous and soft tissue abnormalities. The goal of this study was to provide perspectives on the management of pain and inflammation in Onychocryptosis using an Ozoile-based hydrogel formulation in a semi-occlusive bandage for 14 days, while incorporating natural pharmacological solutions into established protocols. The primary outcomes measured were pain reduction on NRS and stadiation according to the Al Kline Classification. The reduction was statistically significant, with a mean decrease in VAS score from 10 to 4 (p <0.05), and Al Kline classification decreased by an average of 1.6 stages. 42% of patients recovered within the first 15 days of treatment, and 93% by the end of the scheduled treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The “Trionfo della morte” is a detached fresco painting dated at the half of the XV century. Its history is strictly connected with the history of Palermo and it is considered a symbol of the late Gothic period. Some small areas of the fresco were analyzed using a combination of non-invasive techniques and hand-held instrumentations (multispectral imaging analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and IR spectroscopy). The characterization of the nature of pigments used in its realization and restoration works was performed and some indications about its conservation state were obtained. More interestingly, some hidden details were revealed on the mysterious painting. They constitute additional evidence of the preciousness of the fresco.