Search Results (225)

This paper presents the results of laboratory research regarding the influence of the structure and color of decorative renders on the accuracy of measurements conducted using Leica ScanStation P40 terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). The study examined whether and how differences in render structure and color (brightness) affect the quality of data acquired via TLS. The color and brightness measurements of the test fields were performed using a flatbed scanner. The RGB color and luminance analysis of the test fields were conducted using the software “ImageJ” version 1.54g. The measurements were conducted for light-colored renders (average brightness from 143 to 243). The research found no clear relationship established between the type and color of render and the accuracy of laser scanning. The results indicate increased measurement dispersion with decreasing render brightness. It was found that the standard deviation of distance measurements for Scratched-type renders is approximately 26% higher than for Roughcast-type render. Full article

Two gold-decorated wooden sculptures of Qing Dynasty collected in Qianjiang Cultural Administration Institute, Chongqing, China, holds significant cultural value. Although in appearance they were preserved completely, the wooden bodies exhibited a certain degree of decay with severe peeling of the surface painted layer and gold lacquer layer. In this study, the samples from the sculptures were characterized by microscopy, SED–EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer) analysis, and Raman spectroscopy, while the preservation state of wooden core was assessed through the fluorescence microscopy and NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) chemical analysis methods. Findings reveal that the raw material for wooden sculpture is cypress, and holocellulose content of wooden core is as low as 32%. The raw materials for red pigment include cinnabar (HgS) and hematite (Fe₂O₃). There are multiple layers of lacquer and gold can be observed. There is a layer made of clay, gypsum, or brick ash beneath the lacquer layer and colored layer. The gold layer on the surface adopted traditional Chinese gilding technique which is called sticking gold. This study provides insights into the material properties and technological features of these wooden sculptures, offering a reference for future protection of similar sculptures. Full article

This study presents the first systematic investigation of ancient Egyptian votive animal mummy wrappings, based on the analysis of an extensive dataset encompassing specimens from various museum collections and archaeological contexts. The research addresses the long-standing neglect and fragmented understanding of the wrapping chaîne opératoire and aims to establish a consistent terminology, as the different stages of the wrapping sequence, bundle shapes, and decorative patterns have often been described vaguely. Through an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates photogrammetry, colorant identification, textile analysis, and experimental archaeology, the study explores the complexity of wrapping practices across their different stages. This approach offers new insights into the structural logic, raw material selection, and design conventions behind this production. The analysis reveals that the bundles exhibit standardized shapes and decorative patterns grounded in well-established visual criteria and manufacturing sequences. These findings demonstrate that the wrappings reflect a codified visual language and a high level of technical knowledge, deeply rooted in Egyptian tradition. The study also emphasizes its economic implications: the wrapping significantly enhanced the perceived value of the offering, becoming the primary element influencing both its material and symbolic worth. Ultimately, this work provides an interpretative framework for understanding wrapping as an essential medium of ritual sacralization for votive animal mummies, allowing the individual prayer to be effectively conveyed to the intended deity. Consequently, this research marks a significant step forward in advancing the technical, aesthetic, and ritual insight of wrapping practices, which preserve a wealth of still-overlooked information. Full article

Despite extensive research on the effect of nitrogen flow rate on titanium nitride (TiN) coating properties, its influence on esthetic and engineering performance through microstructure control remains insufficiently explored. To simultaneously meet the requirements for surface strengthening and decorative esthetics in high-end stainless-steel crafts, TiN coatings were deposited on 304L stainless-steel substrates using multi-arc ion plating. The regulatory mechanisms and synergistic evolution laws of nitrogen flow rates (100, 200, and 300 sccm) on the microstructure, decorative properties (color and gloss), and engineering performance (adhesion strength, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance) of the coatings were investigated. At a nitrogen flow rate of 200 sccm, the coating exhibited a uniform and dense columnar crystal structure, as well as a saturated golden hue with high surface gloss. Additionally, the film–substrate adhesion, microhardness, tribological properties, and corrosion resistance reached optimal levels. In contrast, excessively low (100 sccm) or high (300 sccm) nitrogen flow rates resulted in coarse particles and blurred grain boundaries owing to uncontrolled droplet ejection or target poisoning, respectively, thereby deteriorating both appearance and engineering performance. These findings can inform the optimization of TiN coatings, enabling the design of surfaces that simultaneously meet esthetic and high-performance engineering requirements. Full article

Ten ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the collection of the Museo delle Culture in Lugano (Switzerland) were analyzed to identify the materials used in their production. These Japanese artworks were traditionally created with colors derived from minerals and plants, mixed with diluted animal glue and applied to paper using wooden matrices. Due to their fragility, non-invasive external reflection infrared spectroscopy and imaging analysis were employed. Spectral data were compared with reference samples of Japanese pigments and existing literature, reflecting the growing interest in the characterization of ukiyo-e prints. Within the limits of the non-invasive approach, several colorants were identified, including akane (madder), suo (sappanwood), yamahaji (Japanese sumac), kariyasu (Eulalia), and kio (orpiment), along with a proteinaceous binding medium. The extensive use of bero-ai (Prussian blue), applied both as a pure pigment and in mixtures, was confirmed. Notably, mica was detected in the background of one print, providing the first analytical evidence of the kirazuri decorative technique, which produces a sparkling, silver-like effect. Ultraviolet-induced fluorescence imaging further contributed to the assessment of conservation status, revealing faded decorative motifs and signs of previous water damage. Full article

Identifying the mineral pigments used in the decoration of prehistoric pottery is a significant step for understanding the evolution of the technological practices over time. On the Balkan Peninsula during late prehistory, the techniques used for red and dark-colored decorations underwent a significant transformation. In the Early Neolithic period, pottery was often decorated with dark-toned paints, ranging from deep red to brown. However, this approach declined noticeably during the Chalcolithic period, when red pigment pseudo-incrustation became the predominant decorative method. This study aims to identify the mineral pigments used in red and dark decorations on Neolithic and Chalcolithic pottery from Bulgaria and to trace possible technological, regional, or chronological variations in their composition. A total of 34 ceramic sherds, decorated in shades from red to brown and black, were analyzed using two complementary spectroscopic techniques: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). LIBS data were further evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to classify materials based on elemental composition. The results indicate that red decorations are consistently composed of hematite and remain compositionally stable regardless of the region, time period, or application technique. In contrast, dark decorations contain various combinations of iron oxides (magnetite and hematite) and manganese oxides, often including barium-rich manganese compounds—potentially indicating pigment provenance. Additionally, the dark decorations display regional differences. Full article

This study used a targeted metabolomics approach to examine changes in metabolites within green tea infusions fermented by G. lucidum (TFG) and evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties of TFG. Fermentation decreased tea polyphenols, flavonoids, caffeine, soluble sugars, theaflavins, and catechins, while increasing free amino acids and theabrownins. The microbial bioconversion process led to the generation of decorated flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, nucleotides, and amino acids. This process shifted the tea’s taste from bitter and astringent to mellow, primarily due to the transformation of flavonoid glycosides, caffeine, catechins, 5′-guanosine monophosphate, 5′-uridine monophosphate, and theabrownins. Volatile metabolites added woody, floral, sweet, and fruity aromas. Reduced gallic acid and catechins lowered antioxidant activity, whereas increased theabrownins enhanced lipid-lowering activity and imparted a reddish-brown color. These findings indicate that fermentation significantly affects the flavor, aroma, and lipid-lowering ability of green tea infusion. Full article

The potters of Qallaline (or Kallaline, from qallāl, meaning “potters” in Arabic), a district of Tunis (Tunisia) near the now-vanished Bab Kartâjanna gate, produced tiles from the 16th century until the end of the 19th century, with peak activity in the 18th century. These tiles, made from local clay, feature decorations influenced by Hafsid art, the Castilian Renaissance, the Spanish Baroque of the Valencia region, and Ottoman styles. Their characteristic color palette combines green, blue, and ochre. Representative sherds from various 18th-century sites were analyzed using SEM-EDS, portable XRF (pXRF), and Raman microspectroscopy. The results were compared with tiles from earlier (16th-century Iznik, Türkiye), contemporary (18th-century Tekfur Palace, Istanbul, Türkiye), and later (19th-century Naples, Italy) productions used for similar purposes. The chemical signature of the different cobalt ores used appears to depend primarily on the production period. The pastes used in Iznik, Tekfur, and Qallaline ceramics exhibit different compositions. Qallaline potters employed three types of pastes, varying in calcium content, which were used either separately or together within the same tile. In some cases, tin was also present in association with lead. The cobalts used at Qallaline originate from different sources than those used contemporaneously in Meissen (Saxony), as well as from those used in the decoration of Iznik tiles one or two centuries earlier, which are themselves comparable to the cobalt used in Persian mīnā’ī. The As, Ni, and Mn contents are similar to those of the cobalt employed at the Royal Manufacture of Sèvres, believed to have come from the Giftain Valley in Catalonia. Full article

This paper focuses on the study of the arena wall decoration in the amphitheater at the archaeological site of Viminacium. The architectural characteristics of the amphitheater, along with the spectacle iconography, have made this finding one of the most interesting discoveries at Viminacium, as well as in a wider context. A multidisciplinary approach that included an iconographic and archaeological study, as well as Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), and Raman and Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, was applied to determine the palette of the pigments used for the arena wall decoration and understand the iconography and its context in more detail. Among the commonly used earth pigments (yellow, red, brown, and green colors), copper-based pigments (green and blue Egyptian blue), and the most precious ones for the period—namely, cinnabar and lapis lazuli—were identified. The applied analytical techniques enabled a tentative suggestion of the origin of the raw materials of some of the pigments that were used, such as marine sediments or rocks from different destinations. Due to the fact that the Viminacium amphitheater constitutes a typical example of a provincial building reserved for public spectacles, the results of this study will significantly contribute to our understanding of the function of the amphitheaters in the Danubian region, as well as throughout the Roman world. Full article

A novel self-healing brass powder/waterborne acrylic decorative coating for wooden substrates was developed, in which γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH570)-modified brass powder (with a coupling agent concentration of 6% and reaction solution pH of 5) was employed as the filler, and melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin-encapsulated water-based paint microcapsules were utilized as the healing agent. The brass powder content and the core–wall ratio of the topcoat microcapsules were identified as the predominant factors affecting both the optical and mechanical properties of the self-healing brass powder/waterborne acrylic coating on Basswood surfaces. Therefore, the brass powder content was selected as the primary influencing factor. With concentration gradients of 0.5%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 9%, and 10%, and under constant conditions of 3% microcapsule content and room temperature curing, the effect of brass powder content on the properties of self-healing microcapsule coatings with different core–wall ratios was investigated. The waterborne acrylic wood coating containing 3% brass powder and 3% microcapsules with a core–wall ratio of 0.58:1 exhibited superior overall performance. This optimized formulation not only maintained excellent optical properties but also significantly enhanced mechanical performance, while preserving outstanding aging resistance, liquid resistance, and self-healing capability. The coating demonstrated the following comprehensive performance metrics: a glossiness of 24.0 GU, color difference (ΔE) of 2.13, chromatic aberration (ΔE*) of 13.68, visible light reflectance of 0.5879, dominant wavelength of 587.47 nm, visible light transmittance of 74.33%, pencil hardness of H grade, impact resistance of 2 kg·cm, adhesion rating of class 2, surface roughness of 2.600 μm, along with excellent aging resistance and liquid resistance properties, while achieving a self-healing efficiency of 19.62%. The coating also exhibited a smooth and uniform microscopic morphology, with the chemical bonds of both the modified brass powder and microcapsules remaining intact within the coating matrix. Full article

A thermochromic cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) mixture was prepared using epoxies. The structural color of the CLCN film was tuned by changing the concentration of a chiral dopant and the polymerization temperature. It was found the yellow CLCN film can be used as a sensor for the discrimination of methanol and ethanol which was proposed to be driven by the difference between the solubility parameters. Moreover, a colorful pattern was prepared based on the thermochromic property of the CLC mixture, which could be applied for decoration and as a sensor for chloroform. Full article

The development of sustainable and functional nanocomposites has attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their broad spectrum of potential applications, including wood preservation. Also, a global goal is to reuse the large volumes of waste for environmental issues. In this context, the aim of the study was to obtain soda lignin particles, to graft ZnO nanoparticles onto their surface and to apply these hybrids, embedded into a biodegradable polymer matrix, as protection/preservation coating for oak wood. The organic–inorganic hybrids were characterized in terms of compositional, structural, thermal, and morphological properties that confirm the efficacy of soda lignin extraction and ZnO grafting by physical adsorption onto the decorating support and by weak interactions and coordination bonding between the components. The developed solution based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and lignin-ZnO was applied to oak wood specimens by brushing, and the improvement in hydrophobicity (evaluated by water absorption that decreased by 48.8% more than wood, humidity tests where the treated sample had a humidity of 4.734% in comparison with 34.911% for control, and contact angle of 97.8° vs. 80.5° for untreated wood) and UV and fungal attack protection, while maintaining the color and aspect of specimens, was sustained. L.ZnO are well dispersed into the polymer matrix, ensuring a smooth and less porous wood surface. According to the results, the obtained wood coating using both a biodegradable polymeric matrix and a waste-based preservative can be applied for protection against weathering degradation factors, with limited water uptake and swelling of the wood, UV shielding, reduced wood discoloration and photo-degradation, effective protection against fungi, and esthetic quality. Full article

The challenges of globalization and urbanization increasingly impact the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL), yet fine-grained and quantitative methods for evaluating HUL remain limited. Adopting a human-centered perspective, this study introduces a novel framework to quantitatively evaluate HUL through the lens of Historical Appearance Integrity (HAI). An evaluation system comprising four key dimensions (building materials, building colors, decorative details, and streetscape morphology) was constructed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). An Elo rating system was subsequently applied to quantify the scores of the indicators. A prediction model was developed based on transfer learning and feature fusion to estimate the scores of the indicators. The model achieved accuracies above 93% and loss values below 0.2 for all four indicators. The framework was applied to the Inner Qinhuai Historical Character Area in Nanjing for validation. Results show that the spatial distribution of HAI in the area exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. On a 0–100 scale, the average HAI scores were 23.17 for primary roads, 27.73 for secondary roads, and 46.93 for branch roads. This study offers a fine-grained, automated approach to evaluate HAI along urban streets and provides a quantitative reference for heritage conservation and urban renewal strategies. Full article

Porcelain ware typically undergoes multiple firing stages, including decoration firing at temperatures that depend on the desired effect. Conventional decorative firing in gas tunnel kilns takes up to 90 min, whereas microwave heating offers a faster alternative, of around 50 min firings for both low- (~800 °C) and high-fire colors (~1200 °C). However, temperature assessment during microwave firing remains challenging. This study investigates the color changes in overglaze-decorated hard microwave and conventional porcelain firing. Decals with temperature-sensitive pigments (silver and blue) were applied to the porcelain pieces. Color coordinates (L*, a*, b*) were analyzed, comparing microwave and electrically fired samples with the gas-fired reference counterparts. Microwave-fired samples required lower temperatures to match the color of electrically fired samples. Electrically fired pieces at 900 °C are visually comparable to those processed in both a microwave furnace and a gas kiln at the same temperature of 800 °C. Color differences among different heating methods decrease as firing temperature increases. Microwave firing allows similar decorative results to be achieved as with conventional gas firing, while being faster and more energy efficient. Microwave porcelain firing is thus a viable and eco-friendly alternative for porcelain decoration, and the decals’ color changes can be used for temperature assessment during firing. Full article

A well-designed visual environment in community third places has significant positive effects on residents’ emotional well-being. Only a few studies have examined these effects; therefore, this study comprehensively explores the effect of the visual environment on emotions through perception evaluations and physio-logical feedback data in a community café. The results show that light color temperature, light illuminance, spatial scale, interface decoration, illumination mode, and table and chair layout have significant effects on perception evaluation, while physiological feedback is significantly affected by light illuminance, spatial scale, illumination mode, and indoor plants. Neutral or warm light color temperatures, moderate or larger spatial scales, more interface decorations, and arranged table and chair layouts can significantly enhance positive emotions such as joy and optimism. Larger or smaller spatial scales, mixed or natural illumination modes, and fewer indoor plants significantly improve the fixation count and saccade count. In addition, there is a weak correlation between perception evaluation of emotions and physiological feedback. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis for improving the visual environment of the community third places and promoting the emotional recovery of residents. Full article