•The Pisões archaeological site: an ancient roman construction in the Iberian Peninsula.•Microstructural and chemical-mineralogical characterization of ancient mortars.•Good state of conservation, ...strength and durability of these mortars.•Careful selection of the materials and skilled craftsmanship.
The analytical characterization of mortar samples from the roman archaeological site of Pisões, located in Southern Portugal, were carried out by means of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetry (TGA-DTA), optical and electron scanning microscopy (SEM-EDS), potentiometry and combustion analysis.
The Pisões archaeological complex includes a villa rustica, characterized by well-preserved mosaics and thermal baths, as well as a mill and a mausoleum. Countryside villae epitomized the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula for over six centuries (2nd century BCE–4th century CE). Nevertheless, most of the Roman villae identified in Portugal have not yet been systematically explored and studied.
This study provides valuable data on the construction materials and techniques used in Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula. The careful selection of raw materials and the use of natural and artificial pozzolanic materials can explain the favourable state of conservation, mechanical strength and long-term durability of these mortars.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are multilayer solutions which provide an enhanced thermal performance to the building envelope. However, significant anomalies can be detected ...on ETICS facades, in some cases shortly after the application of these systems. This study intends to evaluate and compare the durability of six commercially available ETICS after two years of outdoor exposure at both urban and maritime conditions in Portugal. The systems were characterized by means of non-destructive testing (i.e., visual and microscopic assessment, water transport properties, thermal conductivity, surface roughness), thus allowing to evaluate the performance loss throughout natural aging. The bio-susceptibility and aesthetic properties (color and gloss) were also investigated. Results showed that the performance and durability of the complete system is significantly affected by the rendering system formulation. The lime-based specimens obtained the highest rate of mold development after one year of aging in a maritime environment, becoming considerably darker and with lower surface gloss. Fungal analysis of this darkish stained area indicated the presence of mold species of the genera Alternaria, Didymella, Cladosporium and Epicoccum, and yeasts of the genera Vishniacozyma and Cystobasidium. An increase of both capillary water absorption and water vapor permeability was also registered for the aged lime-based specimens. Acrylic-based systems obtained lower capillary water absorption after aging and greater dirt deposition on their surfaces, especially in urban conditions. These systems had also higher color variation and surface gloss decrease and slightly higher mold growth, when compared with those aged in a maritime environment. Finally, no mold growth was detected on the silicate-based specimens after two years of aging. However, these specimens obtained higher capillary water absorption and lower vapor permeability after aging, possibly leading to moisture accumulation within the system. Results contribute towards the development of ETICS with enhanced performance and durability.
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•ETICS were exposed for two years at both urban and maritime environments in Portugal.•The durability was assessed considering the ETICS condition throughout natural aging.•The bio-susceptibility and the aesthetic properties after aging were investigated.•The durability of the complete system was significantly affected by the rendering system formulation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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•Recover the cohesion loss of limestone through compatible nanolime consolidants.•Synthesis and characterization of new nanolimes, dispersed in different solvents.•Model relating ...solvent properties and porosity of the limestone to be treated.•Solvent modification to improve in-depth deposition and effectiveness of nanolimes.
Consolidation treatment is a common practice in the field of conservation. However, when considering calcareous materials, there is a lack of efficient and durable consolidants.
Colloidal dispersions of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles, commonly known as nanolimes, can effectively recover the superficial loss of cohesion. However, they do not always guarantee in-depth mass consolidation.
The aim of this paper is to give directions for improving in-depth deposition of nanolime dispersions when applied on limestone. A conceptual model, correlating the drying rate and the kinetic stability of nanolimes dispersed in different solvents, to the porosity of the limestone to be treated, is conceived. This model can help to select a suitable nanolime solvent depending on the substrate.
Nanolimes were synthetized and dispersed in different solvents (ethanol, isopropanol, butanol and water). The morphology and size of the lime nanoparticles were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The kinetic stability of the nanolime was assessed by Uv–vis spectroscopy. The porosity of the limestones were determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), measuring as well their moisture transport properties.
The model was validated by applying the different nanolimes to two limestones with very coarse (Maastricht limestone) and very fine porosity (Migné limestone). The absorption and drying kinetics and the deposition of the nanolimes within the treated limestones were investigated by phenolphthalein test, optical microscopy and SEM-EDS analysis.
The results show that, as suggested by the model, less stable dispersions (as obtained by higher boiling point solvents e.g. butanol) are more suitable for coarse-pore limestones, while for fine limestones, more stable nanolime dispersions (as obtained by low boiling point solvents e.g. ethanol) should be preferred. Suggestions are given for further improvement and fine tuning of the nanolimes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Density management diagrams (DMD) are graphic models that describe the forest stand dynamics, and they are extremely useful to regulate tree density. This study aimed to develop a DMD for Eucalyptus ...dunnii stands located in the municipality of Rio Negrinho, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Plots of 400 m² were inventoried at the ages of 2, 3 and 4 years. The following variables were determined for the stands: the basal area per hectare, the number of trees per hectare and the geometric mean diameter. The Reineke model (1933) was fitted and its intercept value recalculated to define the maximum density line, reaching a determination coefficient of 0.5461. With the elaborated DMD of the current stand, a thinning can be simulated at 5.8 years with a cut at 7 years, taking into consideration a diametric increase of 2.41 cm. In addition, another scenario was simulated with thinning occurring at 4 and 6 years and a cut at 7.5 years. With the execution of this work, the DMD proved to be an efficient tool for the elaboration of forest management plans.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FFLJ, IZUM, KILJ, NMLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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•Assessment of water resistance, mould susceptibility and surface properties of ETICS.•Moisture content influence on the thermal conductivity of the insulation layer.•Definition of ...ETICS performance parameters.•Contribution towards the development of ETICS with improved durability.
The use of External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) significantly increased in the last decades due to their enhanced thermal properties, low installation cost and ease of application, not only in new constructions but also for thermal retrofitting of building facades. These multilayer rendering systems are constantly exposed to weathering agents and anthropic factors which can lead to physical-mechanical and aesthetical anomalies and thus affect their durability. However, possible synergetic effects among these agents are often neglected by international technical documents on the evaluation of the effectiveness and durability of ETICS. With the aim of filling this gap, moisture transport properties (capillary water absorption, water vapor permeability, water absorption under low pressure, and drying kinetics), thermal conductivity, mould susceptibility and surface properties (color, gloss, and roughness) of twelve commercially available ETICS were assessed and discussed. Possible links between these factors were analyzed and ETICS performance parameters were defined. Results demonstrate that a deeper knowledge of the correlation among ETICS properties can effectively contribute to the evaluation of the efficiency and long-term durability of these systems.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This research aims to evaluate the intervention techniques currently adopted for the traditional timber frame wall, using a case study in downtown Lisbon.
Different rehabilitation solutions were ...identified and assessed through a multi-criteria decision analysis using dedicated software (M-Macbeth, Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical-Based Evaluation technique).
Five evaluation criteria, i.e. material compatibility and permanence, structural reliability and authenticity, and visual-tactile appearance, were selected for this specific context. A multidisciplinary panel of experts in conservation science were consulted for defining the performance descriptors, evaluation levels, and weightings of these criteria.
Results show that Macbeth is a useful decision-aid capable of handling multiple outputs generated from qualitative expert judgments. Lastly, the predominance of five best-scoring interventions within three design-related scenarios is discussed.
•Overview of rehabilitation techniques for traditional timber frame walls in Pombalino buildings (late 18th century);•Ranking of repair and strengthening measures through a multi-criteria model;•Presenting a multi-criteria procedure capable of evaluating different construction techniques within design-related scenarios;•Recommendations for best rehabilitation techniques for these traditional structural components.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Amblyomma ticks are vectors of both Rickettsia rickettsii and R. parkeri in the Americas, where capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the main hosts in urban areas, thus contributing to the ...transmission of spotted fever. Herein, we studied: (i) the seasonal dynamics and abundance of ticks in areas where capybaras live, (ii) the effect of environmental variables on tick abundance, and (iii) the presence of Rickettsia-infected ticks. Between September 2021 and September 2022, we sampled ticks using cloth-dragging at 194 sites on the shore of Lake Paranoá in Brasília, Brazil. We measured environmental data (season, vegetation type, canopy density, temperature, humidity, and presence or vestige of capybara) at each site. Nymphs and adults were morphologically identified to the species level, and a selected tick sample including larvae was subjected to genotypic identification. We investigated Rickettsia-infected ticks by PCR (gltA, htrA, ompB, and ompA genes) and associations between tick abundance and environmental variables using Generalized Linear Models. A total of 30,334 ticks (96% larvae) were captured. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma, with A. sculptum comprising 97% of the adult/nymphs. Genotype identification of a larval sample confirmed that 95% belonged to A. dubitatum. Seasonal variables showed significant effects on tick abundance. Most larvae and nymphs were captured during the early dry season, while the adults were more abundant during the wet season. Vegetation variables and the presence of capybaras showed no association with tick abundance. Rickettsia parkeri group and R. bellii were identified in A. dubitatum, while A. sculptum presented R. bellii. We conclude that: (i) Amblyomma ticks are widely distributed in Lake Paranoá throughout the year, especially larvae at the dry season, (ii) the abundance of Amblyomma ticks is explained more by climatic factors than by vegetation or presence of capybaras, and (iii) A. dubitatum ticks are potential vectors of R. parkeri in Brasília.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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•Prebiotic chocolate milk beverage submitted to Ohmic heating.•No effect on the chemical stability of Galactooligosaccharide.•Greater microbial inactivation and bioactive compounds ...generation.•Lower energy expenditure compared to conventional treatment.
Among the emerging prebiotics, galactooligosaccharide (GOS) has a remarkable value with health-promoting properties confirmed by several studies. In addition, the application of ohmic heating has been gaining prominence in food processing, due to its various technological and nutritional benefits. This study focuses on the transformative potential of ohmic heating processing (OH, voltage values 30 and 60 V, frequencies 100, 300, and 500 Hz, respectively) in prebiotic chocolate milk beverage (3.0 %w/v galactooligosaccharide) processing. Chemical stability of GOS was assessed along all the ohmic conditions. In addition, microbiological analysis (predictive modeling), physical analysis (color and rheology), thermal load indicators assessment, bioactivity values, and volatile compound was performed. HPAEC-PAD analysis confirmed GOS stability and volatile compound evaluation supported OH's ability to preserve flavor-associated compounds. Besides, OH treatments demonstrated superior microbial reduction and decreased thermal load indicators as well as the assessment of the bioactivity. In conclusion, OH presented was able to preserve the GOS chemical stability on chocolate milk beverages processing with positive effects of the intrinsic quality parameters of the product.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP