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A multi-analytical approach was employed for the first time to study the stone materials, wall paintings and related degradation forms in the Cathedral of Gerace (Reggio Calabria, southern Italy). With an area of around 1898 square meters, the Gerace Cathedral is the largest in Calabria: its construction dates back to the Norman era (between 1085 and 1120), and currently displays distinct features of Greek and Latin architectural orders. Despite having undergone numerous restorations, the church perfectly preserves its original buildings materials. Following an extensive site inspection campaign, supported by the experts dealing with building restoration, several areas were selected for analyses. Both in situ investigations and laboratory tests were carried out on micro-fragments using Non-Destructive and Micro-Destructive Techniques (NDTs and MDTs). The first step involved an inspection through InfraRed Thermography (IRT) in order to map the internal walls of the Cathedral and identify zones with potential degradation phenomena. Subsequently, a more in-depth study was designed based on the thermographic results, and laboratory tests were carried out on micro-fragments and powders to characterize the different kinds of materials (i.e., stones, mortars, plasters and pigments) and decay agents (i.e., salts and efflorescences). Thirty-one samples were subjected to a complementary analytical approach which included Polarizing Optical Microscopy (POM), Ion Chromatography (IC), X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with microanalysis (EDS). The results allowed us to preliminarily characterize the different materials from which the Cathedral was built, determine its state of conservation and provide a better knowledge of the entire building, revealing details not visible to the naked eye which are important for future conservation interventions. As for the state of conservation, the integrated use of various techniques enabled the detection of rising damp generally correlated with the occurrence of water infiltration and migration phenomena which appear to affect a large part of the building, causing noticeable damage (i.e., loss of surface material, micro-cracks, white salt efflorescence, etc.). The characterization of the materials carried out on mortars, plasters, and pigments also confirmed the local origin of the raw materials. However, the provenance of the studied marbles and crystalline limestones, could not be established and, therefore, further in-depth studies are required.

In the last decades there have been several studies on cultural heritage regarding the performance of protective and consolidating coatings for the prevention of decay. A coating must have several characteristics such as: efficiency, breathability, and must be durable and reversible. In this research work we tried to verify the performance of a commercial protective product such as Fosbuild FBLE 200, which is composed of a TiO2 nanopowder dispersed in an aqueous solution of an acrylic polymer. This product, which exhibits depolluting, antimicrobial, water-repellent and self-cleaning characteristics, has been applied on different lithotypes such as: Carrara marble, Noto and Comiso stone and exhibited in two different outdoor environments such as Catania and Palermo. These two cities are mostly affected by pollution produced by vehicular traffic; moreover, Catania is also affected by pollution produced by the activity of Mount Etna.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how a disciplinary approach is an excellent tool in the field of forensic investigations, capable of answering the questions posed by the institution and obtaining as different and as much information as possible on the findings analyzed, reconstructing the history of often decontextualized artifacts. In the present work, the results of the FTIR-ATR and SEM-EDX analyses performed on micro-fragments and powders taken from a marble bas-relief, seized by the Cosenza Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Anti-Counterfeiting (Calabria, Italy), are reported.

The contribution shows the first results of ongoing research on the origins and prehistoric assumptions of the well-known Etruscan and Roman harbour of Pyrgi, an ancient Ceretan harbour in southern Etruria. In the light of recent land and submarine investigations, traces of ancient frequentations and contacts dating back to the Neolithic era are emerging when the coastal morphology and environmental characteristics of the site were very different from the current ones. The Etruscan port of Pyrgi, which continues its historical history in Roman and Medieval times, appears as the heir of one or more landing points frequented perhaps already in the Middle Neolithic. As part of this contribution, around 60 obsidian finds (waste resulting from the manufacture of arrowheads) were analyzed using the LA-ICP-MS technique (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). The comparison between the data obtained on the archaeological finds and the bibliographic data relating to the geological obsidians of the peri-Tyrrhenian area allowed the identification of the provenance of the finds. In particular, most of the finds can be attributed to the Aeolian area, highlighting the leading role played by the Aeolian archipelago in the development of trade of this material. Other sources of supply have been identified on the island of Palmarola and in Sardinia (Monte Arci) although with a lower incidence. The discovery of numerous findings in obsidian from overseas, which took place in the area immediately surrounding Pyrgi, offers different suggestions about the origin of the docking place, with traces of centuries-old frequentation, extended from the Neolithic to the modern era.

This paper deals with the formulation of innovative mortars for the consolidation of archeological structures in underwater environment. The research was conducted within the frame of the MaTaCoS project (Advanced materials and technologies applied to the conservation of underwater cultural heritage) funded by MISE (Italian Ministry of Economic Development). The project concerns the design of advanced tools and methods for the protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, through specific cleaning and consolidating procedures to be applied directly in situ. The fishpond of the archaeological site of Castrum Novum (Santa Marinella, Rome, Italy) was chosen as a pilot site for experimentation. It is a structure on the coastline, composed of only one tank, with an average immersion of 0.37 m below the sea level, and developing with an NE/SW orientation. The masonry structures reach the maximum thickness at the apex of the fishpond (4.70 m) and consist of a concrete conglomerate composed of slightly rough stones of medium size bound with non-hydraulic mortar. Selected mortars' fragments taken from the fishpond were characterized by means of minero-petrographic technique in order to define their main constituents from a compositional and textural point of view and also to identify the various degradation processes, mainly biological colonization. Starting from the acquired information, innovative mortars were formulated with the addition of two different anti-fouling additives aimed to slow down the above-mentioned degradation. The efficacy of the anti-fouling products was tested on specimens settled in laboratory environment (artificial marine environment). This information could be useful both for the definition of restoration interventions and for planning preservation protocols to be applied in this peculiar environment.

Background and purpose Rehabilitation plays a central role in stroke recovery. Besides conventional therapy, technological treatments have become available. The effectiveness and appropriateness of technological rehabilitation are not yet well defined; hence, research focused on different variables impacting recovery is needed. Results from the literature identified cognitive reserve (CR) as a variable impacting on the cognitive outcome. In this paper, the aim was to evaluate whether CR influences the motor outcome in patients after stroke treated with conventional or robotic therapy and whether it may influence one treatment rather than another. Methods Seventy-five stroke patients were enrolled in five Italian neurological rehabilitation centres. Patients were assigned either to a robotic group, rehabilitation by means of robotic devices, or to a conventional group, where a traditional approach was used. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after rehabilitation treatment of 6 weeks through the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Motricity Index (MI) and the Barthel Index (BI). CR was assessed at baseline using the Cognitive Reserve Index (CRI) questionnaire. Results Considering all patients, a weak correlation was found between the CRI related to leisure time and MI evolution (r = 0.276; P = 0.02). Amongst the patients who performed a robotic rehabilitation, a moderate correlation emerged between the CRI related to working activities and MI evolution (r = 0.422; P = 0.02). Conclusions Our results suggest that CR may influence the motor outcome. For each patient, CR and its subcategories should be considered in the choice between conventional and robotic treatment.

Aortic aneurysms are not commonly reported among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of a 47-year-old Filipino female diagnosed with SLE 17 years ago maintained on prolonged oral steroids, azathioprine, and hydroxychloroquine. She also had lupus nephritis, secondary hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She initially presented with a week-long watery nonbloody diarrhea with associated diffuse crampy abdominal pain and generalized weakness. She was admitted for a week at a provincial hospital and was given an unrecalled antibiotic with resolution of symptoms. Upon discharge, however, she experienced two weeks of severe right lower quadrant pain radiating to the back and left lower quadrant, with no history of diarrhea, vomiting, dysuria, and fever. Complete blood count showed slight leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Abdominal imaging revealed a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection. An atherosclerotic mechanism was primarily considered, but a vasculitic process was likewise considered due to elevated acute phase reactants. The initial plan was Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) but due to financial limitations, an exploratory laparotomy with infrarenal endoaneurysmorrhaphy was eventually performed. Intraoperative findings were a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection up to the proximal right common iliac artery and an abscess compartment within the false lumen in the anterior aortic wall. Abscess culture yielded high growth of Salmonella group B. Micrographs of the aortic wall biopsy showed fibrin deposition necrosis and calcification with peripheral viable cellular infiltrates consisting of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Inadvertently placing an endovascular graft in an infected aortic aneurysm would have led to graft infection and catastrophic morbidity. We highlight the significance of having a high index of suspicion for infectious causes of aortitis among immunocompromised patients presenting with aneurysm prior to pursuing an endovascular versus an open approach for repair.

Aortic aneurysms are not commonly reported among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of a 47-year-old Filipino female diagnosed with SLE 17 years ago maintained on prolonged oral steroids, azathioprine, and hydroxychloroquine. She also had lupus nephritis, secondary hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She initially presented with a week-long watery nonbloody diarrhea with associated diffuse crampy abdominal pain and generalized weakness. She was admitted for a week at a provincial hospital and was given an unrecalled antibiotic with resolution of symptoms. Upon discharge, however, she experienced two weeks of severe right lower quadrant pain radiating to the back and left lower quadrant, with no history of diarrhea, vomiting, dysuria, and fever. Complete blood count showed slight leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Abdominal imaging revealed a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection. An atherosclerotic mechanism was primarily considered, but a vasculitic process was likewise considered due to elevated acute phase reactants. The initial plan was Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) but due to financial limitations, an exploratory laparotomy with infrarenal endoaneurysmorrhaphy was eventually performed. Intraoperative findings were a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection up to the proximal right common iliac artery and an abscess compartment within the false lumen in the anterior aortic wall. Abscess culture yielded high growth of Salmonella group B. Micrographs of the aortic wall biopsy showed fibrin deposition necrosis and calcification with peripheral viable cellular infiltrates consisting of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Inadvertently placing an endovascular graft in an infected aortic aneurysm would have led to graft infection and catastrophic morbidity. We highlight the significance of having a high index of suspicion for infectious causes of aortitis among immunocompromised patients presenting with aneurysm prior to pursuing an endovascular versus an open approach for repair.

II deterioramento dei manufatti lapidei e ceramici sommersi è un processo che si sviluppa attraverso eventi fisici, chimici (abrasione, deposizione, ossidazione e riduzione ) e biologici attraverso la colonizzazione biologica da parte di microrganismi prima e di macrorganismi successivamente (Lopez-Arce et al. 2013, Aloise et al. 2013), in quanto i materiali forniscono un substrato di attacco per la loro crescita. In un recente progetto PRIN dal titolo "Approcci innovativi per lo studio sperimentale di manufatti ceramici “sommersi" sono stati valutati gli effetti delle diverse condizioni di giacitura dei reperti ceramici e del conseguente deterioramento, mediante uno studio multidisciplinare (chimico, mineralogico, fisico) su provini ceramici che riproducono sperimentalmente le caratteristiche di composizione e struttura di campioni archeologici rinvenuti all’interno di relitti sommersi. I campioni preparati sono stati posti in due vasche che simulavano due diverse condizioni di fondali marini caratterizzate da condizioni ambientali ossidanti e riducenti. La sperimentazione ha mostrato anche che i provini di ceramica sommersi presentano una colonizzazione che varia secondo il tipo di materiali, manifattura degli stessi (es. preparazione e cottura delle ceramiche) e l'ambiente in cui essi si trovano (es. profondità, ambiente aerobico o anaerobico, copertura ecc .). Infatti, è stato osservato che la colonizzazione è avvenuta in maniera differente nei i vari tipi di impasti e in tempi brevi, a secondo delle condizioni ambientali (maggiore in ambiente aerobio e minore in ambiente riducente anaerobico), in base alla loro composizione, mentre il tempo di esposizione sembra solo intensificare il processo di colonizzazione. Per quanto riguarda i gruppi coinvolti in ambiente ossidante si nota una maggiore biodiversità con alghe verdi e brune quali componenti del phytobenthas, barnacles, briozoi e molluschi bivalvi e policheti come zoobenthos, con scarsa microfauna e foraminifera. Per quanto riguarda i batteri, la maggior parte degli isolati sono batteri eterotrofi ubiquitari, mentre sono stati raramente osservati batteri solfo-ossidanti. Tali microrganismi quando rilevati, sono stati in grado di ossidare sperimentalmente il tiosolfato in solfato, e anche se non in quantità rilevanti, hanno precipitato cristalli di gesso sulla superficie di provini di marmo immersi nello stesso terreno. In ambiente riducente, i differenti campioni esposti, presentavano una minore colonizzazione rispetto ai rispettivi campioni in ambiente ossidante. La biodiversità di conseguenza appariva ridotta anche se presenti alghe verdi e brune, raramente, policheti e barnacles. Inoltre, i batteri solfato-riduttori sono stati sempre isolati e le prove svolte hanno dimostrato che oltre che capaci di ridurre il solfato a H2S, precipitavano fasi carbonatiche per più calcite. Tali dati, sebbene preliminari, confermano quindi un coinvolgimento batterico, già nelle prime fasi di immersione in acqua; essi aderendo sulla superficie favoriscono, da una parte l’adesione sulla superficie dei macrorganismi, ma contribuiscono già nelle fasi iniziali alla precipitazione di fasi minerali sui reperti archeologici sommersi e ai processi di formazione di concrezioni minerali.

Trabajo presentado en el 88 National Congress of the Italian Geological Society: Geosciences on a changing planet: learning from the past, exploring the future, celebrado en Nápoles (Italia), del 7 al 9 de septiembre de 2016, The decay of pottery in underwater environments is a complex phenomenon so far poorly investigated, since a multitude of factors is involved. Degradation forms in seawater imply not only a variation in the physico-mechanical and chemical properties of the material, but also an aesthetic alteration, due to superficial deposits, which can determine to the illegibility of the artifacts. In this context, it is crucial to determine to what extent these decay factors, mainly attributable to biological growth, could affect the durability of pottery and what are the effects of cleaning procedures. Several fragments of pottery from the submerged archaeological site of Baia (Naples, South Italy) were collected and subject to different investigations. The interaction between the biological colonization and the archaeological materials was evaluated by means of stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Then, considering that carbonatic encrustations are the main degradation products identified, some chemical and mechanical cleaning procedures have been tested for their removal. In order to check the most suitable method, some petrophysical properties were measured, such as surface roughness and ultrasonic velocity in order to evaluate change occurring in pottery properties after the removal of the degradation layers.

Trabajo presentado en el 5th YOuth in COnservation of CUltural Heritage, celebrado en Madrid (España) del 21 al 23 de septiembre de 2016

Trabajo presentado en el IX Congresso Nazionale AIAR, celebrado en Arcavacata di Rende (Italia) del 9 al 11 de marzo de 2016, The decay of materials in underwater environments has been poorly understood for its complexity, since a multitude of factors are involved including hydrodynamic variables, hydrochemical and geochemical features, sedimentary dynamics and biological communities [Fernández-Montblanc et al. 2014, La Russa et al. 2015]. This work is focused on the study of the deterioration processes derived from the biological colonization in seawater conditions, in geomaterials broadly used in cultural heritage. To this end, two types of marble (the Italian Carrara and the Spanish Macael), broadly used in cultural heritage, were subjected to an environment exposition test. Samples were submerged for one and a half year in a submarine archaeological area in the Bay of Cadiz (southern Spain), Bajo del Chapitel, considered as Cultural Interest and recognized as Archaeological Zone in the General Catalogue of the Andalusian Historical Heritage. This area includes remains of the shipwreck Bucentaure, sunken during the Trafalgar Battle (1805), along with remains of Roman and Punic ships. Three types of conditions were considered simulating the original position in which archaeological objects could be exposed in the sea bottom (Type I-fully exposed to seawater, Type II-half-buried and Type III-covered, simulating burial). The characterization of Carrara and Macael marbles by polarized optical microscopy and fluorescence and diffraction X-ray techniques showed differences in grain size and mineral composition. The biological colonization and the interaction with the substrate was investigated under stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy revealing that the extension of the colonization and the decay associated was more related to the type of exposure underwater condition than to the intrinsic characteristics of the materials. The largest bio-cover was observed in those samples subjected to the condition Type I (30-35%). This colonization consisted of superficial deposits and encrustations mainly attributable to remains of serpulids tubes and barnacle shells, that cause aesthetic damage and micro-fractures subparallel to the marble surface. In addition, the bioerosion phenomena in the form of microperforations (micro-pitting), was also detected in the three types of conditions, but with more intensity in Macael and Carrara samples fully exposed and half-buried. The origin of these microperforations is probably attributable to the action of endolithic microorganisms. This study constitutes an ideal assessment of biodeterioration processes in underwater cultural heritage, which could contribute to improve conservation measures aimed to the in situ preservation (Rule 1 of the Annex of the UNESCO 2001 Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage) and musealization of underwater archaeological sites., Community of Madrid for financing Geomateriales2 program (P2013/MIT2914), CEI-Moncloa UCM-UPM, Applied Petrology for Heritage Stone Materials Conservation Research Group.

This work was aimed to evaluate the features of mortar samples taken from the underwater archaeological area of Baia (Naples, Italy), an important site, where the remains of the ancient Roman city of Baiae and Portus Iulius are submerged after bradyseism events, started from 4th century AD. Several architectural structures are still preserved into the submerged environment, such as: luxurious maritime villas, imperial buildings, private houses, thermae, tabernae and warehouses. In particular, some samples were collected from the masonry walls belonging to a building of the underwater area called Villa a Protiro. A first archaeometric approach has been applied to analyse twelve archaeological mortars samples in order to define: textural features, chemical composition and raw materials used for their production. For this purpose different analytical methods were used, such as, polarizing optical microscope (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS)., This work was financially supported by national national research project “COMAS” (Planned COnservation, “in situ”, of underwater archaeological artifacts), funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR).