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A total of 18 samples were collected from two different sites at different depths of Yamuna river bed in Delhi. Nine samples were collected at Site A (Palla Village) from three different locations at different depths of the river bed. A similar set of 9 samples were collected from Site B (Okhla barrage). All samples were analysed for atomic and weight percentage of elements using SEM-EDAX. The major elements found in the study were Si, O, Al and Nb. Si and O are found in a maximum amount in all the samples with a varying range of atomic percentage 25.3-89.27 and 55.09-95.78 respectively. The recorded atomic percentage of Nb was 0.32 while Al was 16.7-25.51. Site A, Palla is least affected by pollution while at Site B the presence of Al revealed contamination from pollutants. The weight percentage of the elements has also been calculated. SEM images of soil samples revealed the platy flakes, irregular and spongy structure of soil particles.

The traditional System of medicine comprises a wide variety of formulations for various ailments. It is essential to Standardize Ayurvedic drugs so that drugs having good quality can be used for better effect. Standardization is not only limited to the final preparation, but it also includes the materials used during the development and SOP adopted and the equipment used. The present study is an attempt to prepare anti anaemic herbomineral nanoceutical by two different processes, and to standardize and evaluate the haemopoietic effect of the prepared formulations and compare with a marketed formulation. Preparation was done based on Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia. Formulations were characterized by conventional methods and by AAS, XRD, EDAX, SEM, TGA, and IR. The toxicity and anti-anaemic effectiveness are evaluated by using albino Wister rats and histopathology and cytotoxicity studies. Products have a crystalline nature (XRD). TGA shows the decomposition temp of ferric oxide. SEM EDAX revealed surface smoothness and nano to the micro size of particles. AAS shows that the elements are within the prescribed limits. The in-process Standardization shows the effectiveness of adjuvants. There is an increase of haemoglobin and body weight on day 75 for first preparation than the Second and were comparable to that of standard. No toxicity in all rats and indicated no renal and gastrointestinal toxicity. The size, smoother surface, and the therapeutic effectiveness of the herbominerals prepared by the two methods can be attributed to the calcination steps and adjuvants. Thus, maybe dose reduction and rapid effect can be achieved.

The intent of this paper is to investigate the leaves extract of Hardwickia binata Roxb. (HBL) as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in aerated 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions using weight loss a...

Milk is one of the value-added nutritional products for animal health. Different types of milk are being used as a diet for different health benefits. Human milk also being used as trading milk for the nourishment of human health. In diary business, high value-added milk generally mixed with low-value milk for business trading. Consumption of these adulterated dairy products may cause an allergic response in certain individuals. In this study, we analyzed various milk samples, using gas chromatography (GC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) to identity the difference among milk samples. FT-IR analysis showed, all milk samples show common wavelength signal at 1384 cm-1 and also distinguish various wavelength spectral patterns (human: 1077 cm-1, donkey: 1092 cm-1, buffalo: 3435 cm-1, cow: 3450 cm-1 and goat: 3443 cm-1. GC analysis results also identified common and distinct profiles for the milk samples tested. SEM-EDAX showed the presence of unique metals such as human milk contains Si-8.82wt%, donkey contains Fe-6.24wt%, and buffalo contains Si-31.29 wt% and surprisingly cow showed a very low percentage of oxygen of about 33.76 wt% when compared to other kinds of milks. Taken together, results confirmed that kinds of milks samples can be distinguished using FT-IR, GC and SEM-EDAX techniques.

Corrosion of X80 steel was investigated in simulated acidizing fluids containing different concentrations of 3-(2-chloro-5,6-dihydrobenzo[b][1]benzazepin-11-yl)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-amine (3CDA) at different temperatures using weight loss and electrochemical techniques. X80 steel used corroded at higher rates in the uninhibited acid solution than in the inhibited solutions. Inhibition efficiency of 3CDA was highest (88.8%) at 10 × 10−5 M concentration at 30 °C and decreased as temperature decreased. Some intensifiers were added to improve the inhibition efficiency at high temperatures. The 3CDA acts as mixed type inhibitor and adsorbs spontaneously on steel surface by physical and chemical interactive forces. Techniques such as FTIR, SEM and EDAX were also employed to characterize the potential of 3CDA as efficient steel corrosion inhibitor for oilfield application. Keywords: Corrosion inhibitor, Adsorption, EIS, SEM/EDAX, FTIR

Use of Vanga Bhasma can traced back from ancient era. Detailed description regarding the procedure is available in various Rasagranthas. Jarana is a special technique mentioned in recent Rasa treatises for Puti Lohas which is an intermediate stage between Shodhana and Marana. In this study, after performing both Samanya and Vishesha Shodhana, Vanga was subjected to Jarana using Ashwatha Twak as per the reference of Rasa Tarangini followed by Prakshalana to remove its alkaline nature. Later Vanga was subjected to Putapaka using Bhavana Dravya as Kumari Swarasa. Organoleptic and Elemental constitutions of both Jarita Vanga and Vanga Bhasma where analysed to see the differences and to observe the changes due to Samanya Shodhana and Vishesha Shodhana.

The aim of the present research was to investigate the influence of different biomasses and sewage sludge ash (at 650°C for 1000 h and 2000 h, respectively) on the surface of weld cladded (Cold Met...

This study has been made, in the context of a live problem at GNDTPP, Bathinda, Punjab, to evaluate to erosion wear behaviour of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and AlCrN-based coated AISI-304 & AISI-316...

The corrosion of aluminum specimens in Polygonatum odaratum (P. odaratum) extract was studied using weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, s...

In the present work, 2% and 6% carbon nanotubes (CNT) were reinforced in chromium oxide powder and were deposited on T22 steel using high velocity oxy-fuel spraying process. The effect of CNT reinforcement on hardness and porosity was investigated. The hardness was observed to be highest for coating reinforced with 6%CNT and hardness was found to increase with decrease in porosity. The coating microstructure and elements were characterised using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS), Elemental point analysis and X-ray mapping analysis. The constituents of the coating were identified using X-ray diffractometer. It was found that the CNT were uniformly distributed throughout Cr2O3matrix. The CNT were found to be chemically inert during the spraying process.

Three quinoxaline-based heterocycles namely, 6-methyl-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline (Q-CH3), 6-nitro-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline (Q-NO2) and 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline (Q-H) were evaluated as inhibitor for mild steel (MS) in 1 M HCl. Inhibition effectiveness of the Q-H, Q-CH3 and Q-NO2 tested using different computational simulations and experimental methods. Results showed that inhibition effectiveness of Q-H, Q-CH3 and Q-NO2increases with their concentration. Polarization results showed that Q-H, Q-CH3 and Q-NO2displayed anodic-type behaviour. Inhibition efficiencies of Q-H, Q-CH3 and Q-NO2 followed the order: 87.6% (Q-NO2)

Introduction: Swarna Bhasma (SB) is a charismatic Ayurvedic drug known for its miraculous therapeutic functions for protecting human health. Consistency in the efficacy and safety of SB has largely been attributed to its manufacturing process. The quality assurance of SB has been based on the parameters listed in ancient texts of Ayurveda, however, there is a need for machine-based, reliable and repeatable characterization methods for estimation of gold content, particle shape and size, etc. Methods: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of SB manufactured by Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan Pvt. Ltd. Jhansi, India. SB was characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive-ray analysis (EDX) and Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). Results: In XRD analysis, the diffraction pattern showed the presence of four major peaks at 2θ value of 37.170, 44.350, 64.530 and 77.500, which corresponds to gold as per the International Centre for Diffraction Database (ICDD) reference. The EDX results showed high purity of gold (97.40% w/w) in the sample along with Na, Fe, Al, K, Ag and Ca in trace amounts. The mean particle size of gold is found to be 2.633 μm by PSA. The particle size by SEM is in the range of 3-4 µm. The morphological characteristics of the gold particles were spherical and mostly irregular in shape and seen to be agglomerated. Conclusion: The physico-chemical analysis of each batch of samples of SB should be carried out by the manufacturing companies, to rule out variations during manufacturing practices for ensuring its therapeutic efficacy and safety.

The article considers the study of the role of bacteria in the surface oxidation of pyrite. The experiment provided the data on characteristic morphological changes of the surface and the first data on influence of a non-autonomous phase (NP) on bacterial oxidation.

Beaches are one of the important land forms and the most important feature of coastal morphology. Coastal soil samples contain the most economically important mineral accumulations. The total land mass of the earth we can live only on 30% of our planet. Our survival is threatened the non-biodegradable wastes were accumulated in the coastal region. Accumulation of non-biodegradable wastes also affects tides. Tides are one of the most important phenomena in the world they move in and out around twice a day. However, full moon and new moon day also affect the sea level and may cause both higher and lower tides. In this present study, concentrated the variation of coastal soil samples of kanyakumari district in full moon and new moon day. The qualitative identification of minerals were carried out by using FTIR and XRD techniques. The observed XRD patterns indicate quartz, feldspar, calcite, kaolinite, hematite and illite. SEM image of coastal soil sample was taken at 20kv with different magnification shows different morphology. Mineralogical studies in FTIR and XRD confirm the variation of minerals in full moon and new moon day. In FTIR study the absorption frequencies of the peak and band tentative assignments are different in full moon and new moon day. Elemental composition study i.e. EDAX clearly shown the elemental variations in full moon and new moon day. Morphological study (SEM) clearly showed the different structure in different magnification.

The Washington family struggled financially in the years following the untimely death of George's father, Augustine, in 1743. Accordingly, they invested in social strategies that allowed the family to compensate for their economic stress by demonstrating gentility, displays of refined etiquette, and fashionable apparel. A gentleman's hair was a crucial component of these efforts. George and his three brothers each found ways to express their status through their respective hair styles which is reflected by the recovery of 209 wig hair curlers from George's boyhood home (Ferry Farm, Fredericksburg, Virginia). The spatial distribution of these curlers reflects activity areas related to wig hair maintenance. Some of the curlers exhibited preserved residue from this maintenance. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence were used to examine residues on the ceramic curlers. Evidence for two types of hair powder was documented on three different curlers. One consisted of lime plaster and starch and the other of calcium carbonate and kaolin clay. Both of these recipes reflect an effort to economize costs associated with hair dressing and demonstrate the thriftiness of the mid-eighteenth century Washington family hair budget.

The data presented in this article are related to the scanning electron microscope and elemental studies in the four species of Bignoniaceae namely Tecoma gaudichaudi DC (Sample 1), Tecoma capensis (Thunb.) Lindl. (Sample 2), Tecoma stans (L.) Juss.Ex Kunth (Sample 3), Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) (Sample 4). The SEM images were obtained for permanent record. The abaxial and adaxial surfaces of each species were carefully studied. In addition to this, the consistent occurrence of anomocytic stomata in all four species of this family shows that morphological and taxonomically all the species are very close and intimate.The elemental data on leaf samples of all four species were performed and total eight important components were present such as C, O, Mg, Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca. These elements are useful, so identification of inorganic components of these species defiantly helps to promote as dietary elements. Keywords: Bignoniaceae, Tecoma, Tabebuia, Tecoma gaudichaudi DC, Tecoma capensis (Thunb.) Lindl, Tecoma stans (L.) Juss.ex Kunth, Tabebuia rosea (Bertol), Scanning electron microscopy, Elemental analysis

Qualitative analysis was carried out to determine the major and minor constituent minerals present incoastal soil samples collected from west cost of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu by FT-IR, XRD andSEM/EDAX techniques. From the IR absorption band and the locations of the different peaks, theminerals were identified with the available literature. In addition to the band positions, the sharpness ofbands was helpful in the identification of mineral components. Identification and estimation ofmineralogical composition were carried out by XRD. XRD technique to yield more information about theminerals. FT-IR and XRD methods were non destructive and can be used in the identification ofmineralogical composition. SEM analysis showed the coastal soil samples have different morphologicalstructures like spherical (Al-Si-O), tubular (Si-O), triangular (Fe-Al-Si-O), platy (Ca-Si-O), nearlyspherical (Fe-Ti-O) and irregular (Ca-Al-Si-O) shapes. Elemental analysis (EDAX) confirmed thepresence of silicon in large quantities than the other oxides such as Al, Ca, Fe and Ti.

The results of FT-IR, SEM–EDAX and EPR investigations of some binders used in classical paintings and artificial aged binders, i.e. linseed oil, hen yolk and linseed oil/hen yolk are presented and discussed. Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide as well as nitrogen oxides were used as aging agents. Accordingly, the FT-IR spectra of all binders showed a set of characteristic modifications. This makes it possible to select the most representative bands which, acting as sui generis fingerprints, provided evidence of certain specific combinations for each binder and the polluting agents. The EPR spectroscopy was helpful in choosing the most appropriate chemical reactions whose products were identified in the corresponding FT-IR spectra. Moreover, the SEM–EDAX data allowed us to establish that, in the case of CO 2 aging, the patina consists of finely dispersed carbon aggregates. Within this context, the most plausible chemical reactions explaining the observed changes were proposed and discussed.

Background To explore underlying mechanism of urinary stones formation, the composition and microstructure of urinary stones were analyzed systematically with a large sample study from China. Materials and methods A total of 2437 urinary stones were obtained from the urology department at our Hospital. The composition of the stones was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Meanwhile, the microstructure and element distribution were observed with scanning electron microscopy combined with element distribution analysis (SEM-EDAX). Results Urinary stones were classified into eight types, that were consisted of calcium oxalate stones (1301/2437, 53.39%), calcium phosphate stones (131/2437, 5.38%), anhydrous uric acid stones (434/2437, 17.81%), magnesium ammonium phosphate stones (12/2437, 0.49%), sodium urate stones (5/2437, 0.21%), brushite stones (4/2437, 0.16%), cystine stones (3/2437, 0.12%) and mixed stones (547/2437, 22.45%, ten subtypes were included). Under SEM, they displayed distinct microstructures: plank-like, brick-like, polyhedron or paliform crystals for calcium oxalate stones, similar sized echin-sphere or rough bulbiform or tree bark-like crystals for calcium phosphate stones, rotten-wood-like or petrous crystals for anhydrous uric acid stones, globular or gallet-like crystals for magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, sawdust-like crystals for sodium urate stones, broken-wood-like crystals for brushite stones, stacking hexagonal cystine crystals for cystine stones, and two or more of the above crystals for mixed stones. Meanwhile, they also presented distinct elemental composition and distribution by EDAX. Conclusions Urinary stones can be classified into eight types, and exhibit a diversity of microstructure and elemental compositions in China. The formation process of different types of urinary stones may be diverse.

International audience; To help the archaeologists study and date the archaeological silver coins excavated from burial soil, al-Ukhdoud castle, Najran, Saudi Arabia, it was necessary to reveal the impeded decorations and the inscriptions on these coins. For that it was necessary to remove the soiled deposits, encrustations, and corrosion layers covering these coins. To succeed in developing and establishing conservation processes for these coins, various tests were performed on the coins to assess their statement and condition. XRD analysis was used to characterize the coins. Also, scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) attached with energy- dispersive X-ray analyser (EDAX) was used to identify and analyse the corrosion products on the selected coins. Various selected cleaning processes that were suggested to remove the soiled deposits, encrustations, and corrosion layer covering these coins were tested. Mechanical cleaning, alkaline Rochelle salt, alkaline dithionite reduction technique, and electrolytic reduc- tion techniques were tested. To evaluate the suggested cleaning processes used in this study, the coins before, while, and after the cleaning processes were investigated by various methods. SEM with EDAX and XRD tech- niques were used to characterize the coins before and after the final conservation. The results showed that the most adequate method that can be used safely and successfully for cleaning of the studied coins is as the follow- ing. In the beginning, the loosely corrosion layer on the coins has to be removed mechanically. Then, the coins should be treated with alkaline Rochelle salt technique. Finally, after finishing the treatments, the coins should be rinsed, dried, and isolated. The conservation processes used in this study can be applied effectively, safely, and successfully for cleaning and removing the soiled deposits, encrustations, and corrosion layers covering the coins in this treasure and the simulated archaeological coins. The archaeological and historical study of the decorations and inscriptions that appeared on the surface of the coins after their conservation process confirms that these coins belong to kingdoms of Qataban and Ḥimyar. The revealed decorations and inscriptions confirm that a part of the coins belong to Qataban kingdom which returns back to the first century BCE until the middle of the first century CE. The other part of the coins belongs to Ḥimyar kingdom which returns back to the first century BCE until the second century CE. The study confirms that the coins of this hoard date back to the period between last quarter of 1st century BCE-from the ruling time of the Ḥimyarite king, Shamnar Yuhan'im, to the end of the 2nd century CE-from the ruling time of the Himyarite king, Tha'ran Ya'ub. This study can be a guide for the con- servators who seek to cleaning processes for simulated coins. Also this study provides archaeologists and histo- rians with very important materials that can help them interpret many questions, mysteries, missing information, a lot of historical facts, and secrets about the economic and technical developments during the an- cient times in Najran city.

Forty-seven decorated samples of Archaic pottery excavated at a Heracles sanctuary (Thebes, Boeotia) were studied through a combined surface and body approach, using non-destructive techniques. Most of the samples were archaeologically classified as Theban/Boeotian, others as Corinthian and a few as possibly Euboean. The techniques employed were optical microscopy and SEM–EDAX (micromorphology and compositional analysis of the surfaces) and XRF for the analysis of the ceramic body. The results provided information on the technological level of the collected pottery as well as on the relation of the chemistry and micromorphology of the pigments, aimed at assisting provenance studies.

Museums need to maintain appropriate and stable environment for protection and preservation theircollection. Conditions in exhibition, storage and garden areas need monitoring and modificationwherever possible to ensure safety and preservation of the museum collection. Because of its highdurability against the different deterioration factors, the stone artifacts in the museum gardens are socommon. The aim of this paper is to highlight on the stone artifacts, which are displaying in theNubian museum garden in Aswan city, to evaluate the current exhibition status. Collectinginformation about the museum garden environment and Aswan city studied. Samples from a selectedstone relief’s investigated and analyzed by using XRD, SEM (EDAX), LOM and FTIR, for evaluationof the status. Recommendations for the stone relief's exhibition in the Nubian museum gardenpresented.

Objective: Tobacco, which annually kills 4.9 million people worldwide at present, is estimated to take 10 million lives every year by 2020 and India has been cited as the country with highest incidence. Multiple studies have been done to study the effects of tobacco on soft tissue with very few on hard tissues. So, in this study we evaluated the effects of tobacco on teeth by determining the weight % of various ions. Material & Methods: This preliminary study was designed including various categories according to habits. The samples of teeth were analyzed under the advanced SEM-Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-rays to examine the change in ionic composition of enamel in tobacco users and non-users. Results: Increase in weight % of ions like Sulphur (S), Magnesium (Mg) and Aluminium (Al) was noted depending on the habit. The weight % of these ions was highest in category II with a mixed habit of gutka, kharra, tobacco lime quid and smoking as compared to other groups. The weight % of these ions was also significantly more in category III and IV as compared to category I of unstained teeth. Conclusion: The results showed that there is a chemical alteration induced by tobacco in teeth, i.e., increase in levels of Al, S, Mg. It is postulated that this may result in the increase of these ions in saliva in due course of time. Ions like Al and S are known to make a cell more prone towards carcinogenesis. So, increase in concentration of these ions in saliva may make a cell prone towards carcinogens.

A set of fragments of metallic artefacts from the medieval period excavated from Ciudad Real in Spain has been studied. The objects are gilded copper buckles with a champleve enamelling decoration. The composition of predominantly blue-coloured enamels has been analysed using three non-destructive techniques, SEM-EDAX (scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission). Analyses show that Co is responsible for the blue colour. The results of the two techniques are compared, as well as the main components which constitute the enamel. Analyses suggest that Cu is responsible for red colour.

Macrocystis pyrifera was used for the recovery of Zn2+ and Cd2+ from slightly acidic solutions (i.e., pH 4). Sorption isotherms were obtained from mono- and bi-component solutions. For the study of metal desorption, EDTA, HNO3 and Ca(NO3)2 were used as eluents. Metal release (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+) was monitored in order to evaluate ion exchange mechanisms. After metal sorption/desorption steps the sorbent was characterized using SEM-EDAX analysis. SEM-EDAX analysis also allowed identifying the presence of elements such as Si, Al, Co, Ag, S, P, and Fe in the cell wall. Zinc desorption was almost complete when using 0.1 M nitric acid solution and the sorbent was not significantly damaged by the acidic treatment. Cadmium was completely removed from loaded sorbent when using EDTA, but at the expense of a partial degradation of the biomass as evidenced by the decrease in the intensity of the C and O peaks (SEM-EDAX).

Granulometric and heavy mineral investigations of sediments along the coastal region from Ullal beach to Suratkal beaches along western coast of Karnataka were undertaken systematically. Texturally the beach sediments were medium size sand in the southern region, where as fine size sand was observed in the northern region. Unimodal, moderately sorted to moderately well sorted, symmetrically skewed and mesokurtic nature was observed in the southern region of the study area. In the northern sector, the grain size distribution was observed to be unimodal, moderately well sorted to well sorted, coarse skewed and mesokurtic in nature. As far as organic carbon and calcium carbonate contents are concerned, the trend showed an increase from south to northern region. The concentration of heavy minerals in the southern region was higher compared to the study area of northern region. Further the heavy mineral concentration was more at either side of the mouth bar of the Netravathi River. Subsequent to heavy mineral separation the ilmenite fraction was isolated using magnetic isodynamic separator. It was further characterized by chemical analysis of major constituents such as TiO2 and FeO. A mineralogical and morphological investigation of the mineral was evaluated using techniques such as SEM and EDAX .The degree of alteration of ilmenite was investigated using X.R.D analysis.

Coal mine restoration projects increase public perception of mining companies. Spain has relatively few examples of completed opencast mine rehabilitation projects. This study seeks to obtain the use of mine spoils from coal mines in Teruel. The studied mine spoils may be used as raw material for the Spanish ceramic industry, located in the provinces of Castellon, Valencia and Teruel. This study specifically discusses the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Lower Cretaceous materials from coal deposits in Estercuel basin, around Teruel and Castellon in Spain. These provinces have a large ceramic industry. A characterization of mine spoils from coal deposits has been carried out. This characterization is based on the data of both mineral and chemical analysis. The mineralogical characterization was complemented with SEM/EDAX. The study of the chemical composition allows the evaluation of the applicability of the studied mine spoils to the following industries: refractory, fine clay, red clay for pavement and coating, and heavy clay. The clay used for refractory industry has the highest compositional demand. The positive results obtained on this set of preliminary tests lead us to envisage new research programs, focusing on testing these mine spoils on a semi-industrial scale.

The Ritratto muliebre, referring to Venus, is a panel painting, oil on wood, attributed to unknown artist and probably dated to the second half of 16th century, today conserved in the Galleria Interdisciplinare Regionale della Sicilia—Palazzo Mirto of Palermo. The aim of this research was to assess the techniques used to decorate the wooden painting and to verify the state of conservation of the artwork's materials but also to identify the previous treatments. This study was the essential condition to plane and perform the correct restoration. For this reason, an integrated analytical approach based on the use of non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques was used, with the aim to obtain a characterization of the wooden panel, to elucidate the painting technique, including the stratigraphic sequence of the pigments and the organic binders, the state of preservation, the possible decay processes, and the possible additions made during previous restorations. In addition to the imaging diagnostics techniques and the microchemical spot tests, micro-fragments of the painted material, original or not, were analyzed by several analytical techniques: optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDAX), FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of all analyses revealed that the portrait is a small panel painting made by an unknown painter in the second half of 16th century, with a traditional painting technique: a single wooden panel, two preparatory layers (“ammannitura”), a sort of priming (“imprimitura”), an underdrawing, a paint layer composed of oil as binding medium and pigments common in 16th century.

The importance of the Río Mayer Formation (Lower Cretaceous, prodelta to marine outer shelf) in the hydrocarbon development of the Austral Basin (Patagonia, Argentina) has been recognized by several authors. This unit plays a key-role as source rock and caprock in the "Inoceramus inferior-Springhill" petroleum system, the most important in the basin. In this work we demonstrate that the composition of the Río Mayer Formation highly matches with the requirements to be considered for shale-oil/gas exploitation. The unit studied mainly consists of laminated black siliciclastic mudtones and shales with interbedded marlstones and sandstone levels, and in subsurface shows TOC values up to 3% and kerogen types between II and III. Compositional studies from outcrops of this unit are almost absent and constitute the main focus of this contribution. A total of ten detailed sedimentological logs were measured from the field and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), standard petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determination of major elements in clay minerals by EDAX were carried out in order to characterize the composition of the Río Mayer Formation. XRD analyses (in fine-grained sediments) indicate a composition dominated by quartz and calcite, with minor proportions of feldspars and clays. Marine sediments are dominated by illite and chlorite, and commonly accompanied by mixed layered illite-smectite (IS), while the prodelta is smectite-dominated with more than 90% of this clay. Both, authigenic and detrital clays were identified using SEM-EDAX. Sandstones of the Río Mayer Formation are generally lithic and feldspar graywackes. Provenance analyses in sandstones make possible the discrimination of four groups of samples differentiated by their ages and palaeoenvironments. In comparison with other important shale-reservoirs from North America (Barnett, Marcellus, Woodford, Haynesville and Doig), the composition of the unit studied have more quartzitic composition, reflecting in a high brittleness index (BI) that result in a clear brittle pattern. Fil: Richiano, Sebastián Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; Argentina Fil: Varela, Augusto Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; Argentina Fil: Gómez Peral, Lucia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; Argentina Fil: Cereceda, Abril. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; Argentina Fil: Poire, Daniel Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; Argentina

This paper reported a simple and effective process of bonding-friendly Parylene C-caulked PDMS (pcPDMS) for low-permeability required microfluidics. Parylene C was deposited into PDMS matrix at an elevated temperature (higher than 135°C) to caulk the permeable sites. The so-prepared pcPDMS can be directly bonded with oxygen plasma treatment just as pristine PDMS. SEM EDAX and Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were introduced to characterize the Parylene C caulked status in the PDMS matrix based on the specific Cl element component and the firstly-found temperature-sensitive autofluorescence of Parylene C. The preliminary results indicated that the present bonding-friendly pcPDMS can successfully suppress the diffusion of small molecules into the PDMS matrix.

A series of CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared and characterized by TPR, surface area, metal area, XRD and SEM–EDAX analysis. These systems were evaluated in the development of a methanol steam reforming catalyst (MSR). A correlation of activity and stability of MSR catalysts with the Cu/Zn ratio derived by SEM–EDAX analysis is observed. The stable activity of these catalysts is also supported by the method of preparation, low temperature reducibility and the presence of reversibly oxidizable Cu species observed by TPR of fresh and used catalysts.

The study aims at determining the damage extend of parchment in the presence of iron-gall inks under artificial ageing conditions. Samples of parchment from goat skin were marked with two different iron-gall inks prepared according to simple traditional recipes, both containing iron sulfate and Gallic acid, while one of them additionally contained gum. The samples were then subjected to artificial ageing at 80oC in the presence of humidity (RH=80%). For a reliable evaluation of results, reference samples of neighboring parchment areas (no ink, identical ageing conditions) were analyzed in parallel with SEM-EDAX, FTIR and MHT thermal analysis. L'étude vise à évaluer la progression des dommages de l'encre ferro-gallique sur le parchemin, pendant un vieillissement artificiel. Des échantillons de parchemin sur peau de chèvre ont été marqués avec deux encres ferro-galliques de préparation traditionnelle, les deux contenant du sulfate de fer et de l'acide gallique; une des deux contenait en outre de la gomme. Les échantillons ont ensuite été vieillis à 80° avec un RH de 80°. Pour une meilleure évaluation des résultats, des échantillons ont été analysé par SEM-EDAX, FTIR et MHT.

Nell’apparato vulcanico vicano, scheelite e ferberite si rinvengono all’interno di un proietto sienitico, associate con titanite, apatite, magnetite corrosa, cheralite, hellandite e stillwellite. La roccia mostra anche segni di alterazione in prodotti argillosi contenenti un minerale di Th, U e Ti, probabilmente thorutite. La genesi di queste mineralizzazioni e chiaramente secondaria alla formazione della roccia sienitica ed e dovuta alla circolazione postdeposizionale di fluidi ricchi in F e probabilmente P, ed altri elementi quali Ti, Th, U, W e terre rare.

An attempt is made to study the hot corrosion behaviour of Inconel 617 under mixed salt environment (Na2SO4, NaCl and/or V2O5) at 900 and 1000 °C. The results were analysed and discussed with respect to mass change, XRD, optical image and SEM/EDAX. The oxide scales are enriched with Ni, Cr, Mo and Co at elevated temperatures. The presence of V2O5 in the salt mixture is found to be the most influencing corrosion species for hot corrosion.

An antibacterial dimethylamino-chalcone embedded multiblock copolymer (PCL-PEG) was synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR, SEM and SEC and the compound was characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. A 10% copolymer composite was prepared and casted as film to be used as a biomaterial and the copolymer films without the compound acted as control. TGA, DSC, AFM, SEM and EDAX analysis were performed for the above samples. Surface roughness (Ra) of the copolymer composite film was less when compared to the copolymer film which indicated the proper distribution of chalcone in the composite film. copolymer composite film was hydrophilic compared to copolymer film. Antibacterial adhesion studies were performed for copolymer composite polymer film and evaluated using CFU measurement and SEM analysis. Copolymer composite film shows promising antibacterial adhesion compared to the copolymer film. Hence the copolymer composite film can be used as a new biomaterial endowed with antibacterial properties. � 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

The interaction of metals and biological materials is of interest for reasons such as metal recovery, toxicity and production of high-value products such as gold and platinum nanoparticles. Understanding the way in which metals interact with the biomass surface and intracellular components provides insights into the biosorption and bioaccumulation processes and increases the potential for process optimisation. Three technologies are available for the qualitative visualisation of metal–biomass interactions in South Africa, namely, micro-PIXE, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays. Each technique provides unique information and has specific shortcomings which should be taken into account when selecting the appropriate technology. This paper focuses on evaluating the various techniques.

A mineralogical and morphological investigation was conducted on unstabilised sun-dried adobes (UBs) taken from rural constructions in Asti (North West Italy) that date the nineteenth century. Since not all soils can be used for housing material, an evaluation and a characterization of their constituents play important roles in developing efficient and durable adobe building materials. A particle size distribution, XRD, TG–DTA, SEM–EDAX analysis and porosimetry were carried out to characterize the constituent materials of UBs and to compare them with several other soils collected in the Asti and Alba areas. More than fifty different soils have been sampled from neighbouring outcrops and quarries around the rural constructions. The most significant samples, with a granularity close to the UBs grain size distribution, were selected and their mineralogical composition compared with the adobe composition. The comparison allowed the original sites of the UB raw earth to be identified.

The chemical constituents of snow from a 3 m pit sampled at a coastal Antarctic site were characterised by means of PIXE and SEM-EDAX. Oxygen isotope dating revealed that the pit spanned an 8-year period, from 1986 to 1994. Concentrations measured by PIXE ranged from less than 1 ng g−1 of H2O for Cu, and Zn to several tens of ng g−1 for Si, S and Cl. The major elements found were Si, S, Al, and Na, which contributed more than 75% of the element loading. Snow layers with elevated Cl concentration were regularly found along the pit. The mineralogy of the insoluble particles determined by SEM-EDAX analyses showed that quartz, plagioclase and clays were the prevalent minerals. The proportion of each element in the insoluble phase was comparable with that previously found in similar studies.

The SEM-EDAX analysis of the interaction of Shipley's positive photoresist AZ-1350J with thick film pastes DP 9596 and DP 1441 is reported. The interaction is found to make the resistor surface smoother and conductor surface denser than those of processed conventionally. The gold from DP 9596 (Pt-Au) paste is also observed to pass through the photoresist during firing and settle underneath on alumina substrate in the form of 0.5 μm sized grains. The interaction is found useful for fabricating microlines and cantilevered structures for sensor development.

Changes in the topography and distribution of the chemical constituents in the microspaces of oxide type catalysts and prereduced catalysts have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDAX) before and after six years of use in industrial ammonia synthesis reactors.

The 37 different formulations of bodyfiller available in New Zealand were surveyed using SEM-EDAX, visible microspectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy and density. The data were treated according to the method of Smalldon and Brown [1]. SEM-EDAX was found to be the most discriminating technique. A consideration of variation between batches was made. It was concluded that the large variations between batches makes an identification of the make of bodyfiller impractical.

In order to identify the premature biodegradation causes of paint applied in 2013 on a railway bridge, top coat layers applied have been investigated by XRF and SEM-EDAX techniques after 32 years, corresponding to periods of operation under identical climatic conditions of 4.5 years and 3.5 years respectively. By analysis of the experimental results obtained, it has been found that by using suitable painting materials (titanium content of about 7.5 % - TiO2 for UV protection) an exploitation period of more than 30 years could be obtained. Low-carbon (low polymer) and titanium dyeing materials with significant content of soluble salts have a low durability and anticorrosive protection capability. They degrade relatively fast both by top coat degradation and by intense increases of biofouling.