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Historical monuments (palaces, churches, protected urban areas, so on) are integral part of the national cultural heritage which need activities and measures to protect them. The Banloc complex, located in the west of Romania, encompasses five buildings: the castle, the hunting pavilion, the kitchen, housekeeper house, and the stall. This study involves historical, architectural, structural and physical-chemical investigations with the aim of finding the correct restoration solutions, in good agreement with the Venice Charter, respectively the Nara Charter. Being affected by time and by the seismic sequence (Mw 5.6), the restoration of the building is absolutely necessary for recovering the functionality, structural solution and highlighting the artistic elements. Some analytical techniques, as: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Wavelength Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), optical microscopy (OM), and zoom microscopy, Infrared spectroscopy Fourier Transformed (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, have been used in this paper in order to clarify the main aspects about the structure, composition and morphological of the samples collected from Pavilion building. The oxides composition, and the possible organic impurities has been identified by WDXRF amd FTIR/Raman spectra, respectively. The microscopy images revealed the colours, fissures, cracks and even holes due to the time weathering processes, and damages they suffered in time.

This study investigates the potential of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) as additives to improve the durability and physical properties of cement-based mortars, with a focus on freeze-thaw resistance. Three LDH types—MgAl-LDH, CaAl-LDH, and ZnAl-LDH—were synthesized and incorporated into mortar at a 1/1000 w/w ratio. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (WDXRF) were used to characterize the LDHs, and the effects of the additives on mortar density, water absorption, and durability under 30 freeze-thaw cycles were examined. Results revealed that MgAl-LDH provided the best freeze-thaw resistance, likely due to its smaller crystallite size and enhanced cement hydration. CaAl-LDH offered moderate improvements, while ZnAl-LDH negatively impacted the mortar's mechanical integrity, leading to higher degradation. The study demonstrates the potential of LDH additives—particularly MgAl-LDH—in improving the durability of cementitious materials, although further optimization is required to enhance long-term performance and resistance to environmental stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on our previous expertise on ceramic artifacts, several archaeometric methods applied to some samples collected from the Dudești archaeological site (Oltenia region, Romania) are reported for the first time in the literature. The chemical composition, and microstructural and morphological characterization of these samples offer important conclusions about the processing conditions. Some specific techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), optical microscopy (OM), stereomicroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy provide compositional information about composition and the decay processes. Additionally, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method helps to estimate pore sizes and specific surface areas. A thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/TDG) was used to establish details regarding the production technology and also the raw materials source used to make the ceramics. The obtained results indicated that the ceramics are based on a paste of muscovite and feldspar, with high plasticity, together with quartz and hematite/goethite and calcite, the latter in very low concentrations. According to the obtained results, we could assume that clays from the investigated samples had a low concentration of calcium. Gypsum is present as paste in a very low concentration, identified by the presence of a sulphate group in WDXRF. In the same context, iron oxides have a significant impact on the firing atmosphere of iron-rich clay, resulting in blackening under reducing conditions and a reddish coloration under oxidative conditions. The use of hematite and gypsum as pigments further contributes to the color variations in the pottery. The consistent firing temperature range of 200–600 °C in Dudești pottery implies a standardized production process, the variation in color being dependent on the specific reducing/oxidative regime conditions (reducing atmosphere followed by rapid oxidation). This relationship between clay composition and local sources suggests a connection to Neolithic pottery production in the region and their color depending on the reducing/oxidative regime conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a structural analysis of two pottery fragments belonging to the Hamangia phase III Ceamurlia culture, discovered in a settlement with several living levels on the northern shore of Lake Techirghiol, at the Minerva – Paloda Hill. From two ceramic fragments, fired in a reducing atmosphere, samples were taken to perform X-ray diffraction (XRD) and wavelength‐dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectra (WDXRF) analyzes to determine the crystalline structure and composition of the ceramic materials. Digital optical microscopy was used to observe the details of the fracture surfaces of these ceramic fragments. This work contributes to the knowledge of the techniques and materials used by the Hamangia civilization in the manufacture of ceramic vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to conduct a novel investigation of ceramic samples from the Trophaeum Traiani Monument in Romania using various nuclear analytical techniques such as WDXRF, XRD, neutron diffraction, and neutron tomography, which will be complemented by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy data. The experimental data gathered revealed the mineral and chemical composition of the object's surface, identifying quartz, hematite, calcite, and graphite. The employment of non-destructive techniques with high penetration capabilities is adequate in examining the spatial distribution and phase composition of the samples, providing valuable insights into their composition and structure without altering their integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone tissue sampled from a patient suffering from osteoarthritis was characterized using X-ray diffraction and nanoindentation. Structural and chemical analysis of bone and cartilage samples showed their crystalline and/or amorphous character, and presence of crystalline phases such as hydroxyapatite Ca5(PO4)3(OH), monetite CaHPO4 and brushite CaPO3(OH).2H2O in various proportions was found. Nanometric crystallite sizes in the range of 1.68 to 17.61 nm were found in the crystalline phases identified in studied bones. Measurements of microhardness (2 MPa) and Young modulus (21 MPa) on cartilage samples along with the anatomical axis of the tibia showed one order differences compared to parameters of cartilage samples measured perpendicular to the long axis of the tibia (57 MPa for microhardness and 368 MPa for Young modulus). Correlations of measured parameters with orthopedic pathology were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the simultaneous presence of lead and magnesium in hydroponic culture on the growth of Salix alba offshoots was studied. Present study used biological material collected from area of Targoviste city, specifically from the bank of the Ialomita River. Willow offshoots, having the same number of internodes and same diameter, were collected. The hydroponic cultures were made with three water types as hydroponic substrate, tap water, flowing water and water, lead and magnesium being added in gravimetric ratios of 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.5% (w / w). Experiments were mounted so that each glass with a certain composition of hydroponic culture held three willow offshoots in the same conditions; environmental parameters (temperature °C and relative humidity %) were continuously monitored; sampling procedure was followed for further analytical investigations. As a general conclusion, there was a smaller number of leaves and roots when concentration of lead and magnesium was 0.5%. The type of water had an important influence on the development of Salix alba offshoots during experiments. Guaiacol peroxidase activity was experimentally determined at the end of the fourth day of willow monitoring. This time was considered enough for the hydroponic system to reach equilibrium. The graphical representation of guaiacol peroxidase activity shows the same pattern with a small difference when tap water was used as solvent. At the end of experiment, solid material (roots and leaves separately sampled) was dried at 60°C some hours and then digested in a mixture of oxygenated water (H2O2 30%) and nitric acid (HNO3 67%). Liquid homogeneous samples obtained were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), concentrations of zinc, cadmium, and selenium was determined. Thus, presence of significant quantities of magnesium and lead was tested for the influence on levels of cations with different reactivity reactivity, as zinc, cadmium and selenium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the study of bioactivity for two compositions of SiO2-CaO-P2O5 glasses by X-ray diffraction analysis. In order to determine the bioactive properties, glass samples were tested by soaking for different times in simulated body fluid. The aim of study was to establish the rate of apatite growth to the surface of the glasses. In order to determine the antimicrobial activity of the samples, a glass doped with silver from the same ternary system was analyzed. The research consisted of testing the antiseptic properties of glass on two reference cultures of bacteria most commonly found in hospital-acquired infections (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). It was found that the glass bacteriostatic activity increases with the concentration of silver in its composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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