Search Results (110)

Ornamental fountains in the Alhambra and Generalife (Granada, Spain) constitute complex socio-ecological systems where water, stone, and biological communities interact, making them highly vulnerable to biodeterioration caused by phototrophic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms. Conventional chemical biocides, although widely applied, present significant drawbacks including toxicity, material degradation, ecological imbalance, and limited long-term effectiveness. In this context, this study evaluated the potential of algicidal bacteria as a sustainable alternative for controlling phototrophic growth in heritage environments. Water samples from eight ornamental fountains were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing to characterize bacterial communities and identify taxa previously reported with algicidal activity. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess relationships between microbial community structure and biofilm development. In parallel, functional screening assays using filtered fountain waters against Chlorella vulgaris were performed to evaluate intrinsic inhibitory capacity. The most active sample was selected for bacterial isolation and further validation through co-culture assays, cell density measurements, and pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometry. A total of 18 genera with reported algicidal capacity were detected, representing a substantial fraction of the microbiome across all samples. However, no significant association was found between these taxonomic metrics and biofilm development, highlighting a decoupling between taxonomic composition and functional activity. The most active isolate, identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain LIG25, caused a rapid decline in photosynthetic efficiency and achieved more than 98% inhibition of algal growth. These findings demonstrate that ornamental fountain microbiomes represent a reservoir of native biocontrol agents and support the development of eco-friendly strategies for cultural heritage conservation. Full article

This paper presents an outline of a historical stone: the Marble of Campiglia, from Tuscany (Italy). A comprehensive review of the literature and archival documents, combined with a new detailed field survey, allowed us to revise the geological setting and exploitation history of this cultural heritage marble, which has been sporadically utilized from Etruscan times to the present day. The Campiglia Marittima Marble (CMM) has a thermal-metamorphic origin associated with the intrusion of a granitic pluton dated to approximately 5.4 Ma. This process gave rise to a marble with peculiar textural, grain size, and fracturing characteristics that influenced extraction techniques and methodologies. The primary exploitation periods of the CMM as an ornamental stone were the Etruscan-Roman era, the Renaissance, and the nineteenth century; currently, it is used exclusively for industrial purposes. A significant number of ancient quarries are located on the western slope of Monte Rombolo, likely attributable to the high variety of commercial marble types available in the area and its strategic location, which facilitated transport routes to the Tyrrhenian Sea. This research aims to bring attention to this historical marble and may support, alongside the potential reopening of selected quarries for restoration purposes, the preservation of the authenticity of the historical artefacts in which it was employed. Full article

Quartzites containing malachite–azurite mineralization identified in the Kırşehir region (Central Anatolia, Türkiye) are located within the Kırşehir Massif. This study aims to comprehensively characterize the mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical, and gemological properties of these quartzites and to evaluate their potential as ornamental and decorative stones. Due to their characteristic green and blue colors, malachite and azurite possess significant aesthetic value. Their occurrence within silica-rich and mechanically resistant quartzites enhances the visual appearance of the host rock while maintaining its structural integrity. Petrographic observations indicate that the quartzites exhibit a granoblastic texture composed of interlocking quartz crystals. Malachite–azurite mineralization is structurally controlled by NW–SE-trending fracture systems and occurs predominantly as fracture-filling and cavity-coating phases, indicating an epigenetic origin related to post-metamorphic fluid circulation. Geochemical analyses reveal that the samples are dominated by SiO₂ (~95.33 wt.%), with CuO (~1.77 wt.%) and elevated Cu contents (3205 ppm) confirming the presence of copper carbonate mineralization. Although the high silica content contributes to overall mechanical strength, the relatively low Mohs hardness (3–4) and chemical sensitivity of malachite and azurite represent important limitations. Quantitative gemological measurements further indicate that quartz-rich domains exhibit high hardness values (up to ~907 HL), whereas malachite–azurite-bearing zones display significantly lower hardness (~735 HL) due to fracture-controlled heterogeneity and the presence of softer carbonate phases. Surface brightness measurements show moderate to high gloss values (~73–80 GU), with noticeable improvement following epoxy impregnation. These results demonstrate that while the material exhibits favorable optical properties, its mechanical performance is strongly influenced by mineralogical contrasts and structural discontinuities. Quartzites bearing malachite–azurite mineralization are therefore suitable primarily for decorative stones, ornamental objects, and small-scale jewelry applications rather than high-quality gemstones. The striking color contrast between azurite, malachite, and quartz enhances their visual appeal, and with appropriate stabilization techniques, their durability and economic value can be partially improved. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable solutions in civil construction has driven the use of industrial waste in the formulation of new materials. This study evaluated the alterability of artificial stone slabs produced with 87% ornamental stone waste (Dumont Quartzite and Preto São Gabriel Granite) and 13% epoxy matrix, using the vacuum vibro-thermo-compression technique. Alterability was tested against staining agents, chemical attack, wetting and drying cycles, UV radiation, salt crystallization, three-point flexural strength test after freeze–thaw cycles, and natural weathering. Quantitative results revealed high physical stability, with mass loss varying only between 0.11% and 0.23% in wetting and drying cycles. In salt crystallization, mass loss ranged from 0.38% to 0.47%, lower than the rates of 0.87% and 1.36% reported in the literature for similar materials. Regarding mechanical performance, freeze–thaw cycles caused reductions in flexural strength between 11.66% and 31.59%; however, the stones maintained final strength values above 20 MPa, classifying them as very high-strength materials. The results indicated good physical and chemical stability of the materials, with low mass loss and preservation of mechanical properties, except under UV radiation and natural weathering, which caused significant chromatic alterations. The data obtained demonstrate the viability of applying these stones in indoor environments, promoting the valorization of waste and contributing to the circular economy. Full article

This study presents a comparative evaluation of three modern surveying techniques—UAV photogrammetry, static tripod-based LiDAR scanning, and handheld mobile LiDAR—applied in the context of historic monument restoration. The focus is on analysing workflow efficiency, data accuracy, and adaptability to complex architectural features, including interior wall paintings, which are integral to the monument’s heritage value. Particular attention is given to how each technique captures surface texture, color fidelity, and material deterioration. The study also examines performance around intricate architectural elements such as vaulted ceilings, apses, cornices, columns, and carved stone portals, where occlusions, tight clearances, and fine ornamentation challenge coverage and resolution. By evaluating the strengths and limitations of each approach, the research highlights methodological considerations relevant for conservation professionals. The results indicate that the Static TLS is the most demanding workflow, requiring complex total station integration for control and station points. It produced the highest data density, with acquisition rates of one million points per second, making it the most hardware-intensive and difficult to manipulate. UAV photogrammetry provided a balanced middle-ground; it required minimal physical effort during acquisition and produced datasets that were significantly easier to manage. Handheld SLAM LiDAR emerged as the most productive solution for rapid coverage. While the handheld scanner’s image quality was lower than the photogrammetry, it still provided enough detail for the structural assessment and documentation needed. Although the point cloud lacked the extreme geometric detail provided by the TLS, the FARO Connect software made georeferencing and data manipulation significantly more efficient. Full article

This article examines the painted Torah ark as a form of material religion through which early modern rural Jewish communities shaped sacred space and articulated religious belonging. Focusing on a group of wooden synagogues in rural Franconia, Bavaria, and Württemberg, decorated between 1732 and 1740 by a school of painters led by the itinerant painter Eliezer-Zusman of Brody, the study analyzes a rare shift from carved-wood or stone arks to fully representational painted structures. Drawing on visual analysis, architectural context, and comparison with Eastern European precedents, the article argues that painted ark decoration functioned simultaneously as a practical substitute for carving, a strategy for creating unified interior environments, and a means of intensifying devotional experience. The replication of compositional schemes from the Chodorów (now Khodoriv, Ukraine) synagogue in Ruthenia to Bechhofen in Bavaria demonstrates a deliberate process of artistic and religious transfer from Eastern to Central Europe. This transfer reflects both the economic limitations of small German Jewish communities and their aspiration to appropriate the visual prestige of Eastern European synagogue art. More broadly, the case highlights how painted ornament could reshape ritual space and materialize cultural mobility, contributing to wider discussions of material religion, migration, and the circulation of sacred forms in early modern Europe. Full article

Portable Buddhist shrines refer to small-scale mobile or assembled shrines, typically made of wood, stone, clay, and metal. They were initially used as temporary ritual sites or ornamental attachments for temples and stupas, later becoming independent objects of devotion. This art form, the origins of which can be traced to ancient India and later diverse regional traditions, has been discovered in significant quantities along the Silk Road and neighboring regions. Previously, scholarly attention centered primarily on exquisite wall shrines, stupa-shaped shrines, and stele-shaped shrines. However, when factors such as the spatial arrangement and ritual functions of mobile ritual sites are taken into account, along with the materials and techniques employed in creating Buddhist shrines, artifacts such as badge-style bronze Buddha statues, painted silk banners, and wooden panel paintings may also be classified as portable Buddhist shrines. Accordingly, portable Buddhist shrines can be divided into three forms: pedestal, hanging, and open–close or mother–child. A key reason for this expanded classification is that all such forms are functionally and stylistically linked to large-scale cave temples. Moreover, these shrines share a common visual grammar, defined by the dynamic integration of images and texts and the mutual imitation and complementarity of statue and painting. This represents a quintessential example of cross-cultural dissemination and the coexistence of local traditions in Buddhist art. Full article

Compact carbonate stones are widely used in architectural heritage for their aesthetic value and cultural significance, yet their long-term durability in saline environments remains insufficiently understood, particularly when assessed using standard salt crystallization tests developed primarily for porous lithotypes. This study investigates salt-induced deterioration in Portoro limestone, a compact ornamental carbonate extensively employed in historic architecture, considering four commercial varieties representative of heritage applications. Salt crystallization tests were performed using saturated sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions following the relevant European standard procedure, with the protocol extended to 45 cycles to capture delayed deterioration processes. Both untreated specimens and samples subjected to controlled thermal pre-conditioning at 300 °C and 500 °C were tested to activate latent microstructural weaknesses. Material decay was assessed through mass variation, porosity changes, surface observations, Leeb rebound hardness and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements. Results demonstrate that deterioration is primarily controlled by salt type and microstructural characteristics rather than by total porosity. Sodium sulphate induced severe internal damage and abrupt structural failure associated with mirabilite crystallization, often following a prolonged phase of apparent stability. In contrast, sodium chloride causes mainly superficial effects with negligible mechanical impact. Thermal pre-conditioning accelerated damage development, while non-destructive techniques revealed internal deterioration well before visible damage occurred. These findings indicate that standard crystallization tests may be inadequate for low-porosity stones and that extended-cycle approaches provide a more reliable framework for durability assessment in saline environments. Full article

Mite species of the genus Cenopalpus are phytophagous pests associated with fruit and ornamental crops. Although the genus is primarily distributed in the Palearctic region, increasing international trade of plant material has created repeated opportunities for its unintentional transport across borders. To support improved awareness of emerging biosecurity risks, international quarantine interception records were analyzed from Australia, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States of America. A total of 98 interceptions were documented between 1981 and 2024, exclusively reported by New Zealand, South Africa, and the USA, while no Cenopalpus spp. mites were intercepted in Australia, Laos, Malaysia, or Singapore. Six species were identified, with Cenopalpus pulcher being the most frequently detected, followed by C. lanceolatisetae and C. officinalis. Interceptions were primarily associated with fruit crops, particularly apples and stone fruits, frequently with origins in Europe and the Middle East. Several records represent the first detection of Cenopalpus in trade originating from countries within Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. Taxonomic uncertainty associated with Cenopalpus mites likely limits accurate identification in interception records, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic expertise. The implications of these findings for plant biosecurity programs, including surveillance and diagnostic priorities, are discussed. Full article

Blue calcite mineral formations occurring within Paleozoic marbles of Central Anatolia have been investigated in terms of their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, as well as their potential for use as ornamental stones or decorative objects. XRD analyses of samples with different color tones (white, grayish-blue, and blue) revealed that the white sample contains only calcite, the grayish-blue samples include calcite and dolomite, while the blue sample contains calcite and quartz. XRF and ICP-MS analyses indicate a marked enrichment of trace elements such as Fe, Cr, and Ni in the blue sample, and Mn and Fe in the grayish-blue samples, suggesting these elements may influence the observed color variations. The presence of dolomite in grayish-blue samples and quartz in the blue sample corresponds to elevated MgO and SiO₂ contents, respectively. Based on their distinct colors, textures, transparency, and other aesthetic properties, the grayish-blue and blue marbles show significant potential for use as decorative stones or ornamental objects. Full article

The growth of microalgae poses a significant threat to the preservation of stone heritage, particularly in ornamental fountains and water-related architecture. Traditional chemical cleaning methods, such as quaternary ammonium compounds and chlorine-based solutions, are often ineffective and can be harmful to both the environment and cultural properties. In response, biocleaning, which involves the use of live microorganisms and is part of biorestoration, is gaining prominence in cultural heritage conservation, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. The use of microorganisms antagonistic to microalgae growth has been extensively studied in environmental biotechnology to eliminate harmful algae, though its application in heritage conservation remains limited. This review summarizes current knowledge on bacteria capable of inhibiting microalgae growth, discussing their mechanisms, effectiveness, and potential applications, alongside the environmental and economic benefits and challenges of these methods. By collating and critically assessing available information, this paper aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for conservators, restorers, and researchers interested in innovative and sustainable approaches to combat biodeterioration in stone heritage, thereby fostering the development of effective and environmentally sustainable treatments for such culturally significant properties. Full article

Pines are edifying woody species for forest habitats, having crucial importance for ecosystems in both cold (boreal or mountainous) and warm (Mediterranean and tropical) areas. Pine trees include about 120 species, many of which have had an important ornamental role. Despite their ecological importance, many pine forests are threatened by increasing deforestation and habitat degradation, leading to progressive declines in species distribution and genetic diversity worldwide. Humans have used pine wood since the Stone Age, gradually discovering their outstanding medical properties. This review synthesizes global knowledge on the medicinal potential of pines. Using a comprehensive literature survey of major international scientific databases, we evaluated documented traditional and modern medical applications across all regions where pines naturally occur. The vast majority (86) of pine species were described as having medicinal properties, and the uses of the main pine species in representative regions of all continents supporting forest vegetation were examined. Various organs or secretions (needles, branches, bark, buds, cones, seeds, pollen, roots, wood, sap, resin, pitch, etc.) have been used to prevent or treat numerous diseases or to strengthen the organism. Their reported therapeutic activities include antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumor, antimicrobial, skin-protective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiallergenic, laxative, circulatory-enhancing, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-aging, and antithrombotic effects. Given the remarkable phytochemical diversity and broad pharmacological value of these species, the conservation of pine genetic resources and natural habitats is urgent. Protecting these species is essential not only for maintaining ecosystem resilience but also for preserving their substantial pharmaceutical and industrial potential. Full article

Variegated Cymbidium lancifolium is a highly valued ornamental plant sought after in local and international markets. The commercial production of variegated C. lancifolium through traditional propagation methods faces significant challenges, such as low propagation rates and prolonged growth periods. This study aims to develop effective in vitro propagation techniques for variegated C. lancifolium through asymbiotic seed germination to enhance production efficiency and meet market demand. We examined the effects of various plant growth regulators and coconut water (CW) on in vitro seed germination. The highest germination percentage (46.8%) was recorded in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 50 mL/L CW, 4.0 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2.3 µM kinetin (KN), and 2.9 µM gibberellic acid (GA₃). Seed-derived rhizomes were placed on MS medium containing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and NAA for proliferation. Among the auxins, NAA was the most effective, significantly increasing rhizome proliferation, with the highest number (17.4) and length (2.1 cm) observed at 5.0 µM. The rhizome explants were cultured in MS medium enriched with kinetin (KN), N⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine (2-IP), and N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) to promote plantlet regeneration. Of the cytokinins tested, BA at 10.0 µM resulted in the highest rate of plantlet regeneration (79.4%), the greatest number of plantlets (4.4 per culture), and notable plantlet height (8.5 cm). We obtained plantlets with dark green leaves, light green leaves, and distinct variegation patterns. They were transferred to three different substrate mixtures for acclimatization. The substrate made of orchid stone (30%), wood bark (30%), coconut husk chips (20%), and perlite (20%) supported the highest survival rate (95.9%). This study successfully established optimized in vitro propagation techniques for variegated C. lancifolium, enabling enhanced germination, rhizome proliferation, and plantlet regeneration to meet the growing market demand. Full article

This study explores the reuse of Ornamental Stone Waste (OSW) in water-based drilling fluids, investigating its potential as a substitute for bentonite. To enhance stability and rheology, OSW particles were functionalized with terephthalic acid (TPA) and combined with xanthan gum (XG). Characterization confirmed successful surface modification, with increased stability at a basic pH. However, rheological analysis showed that the physical mixing of OSW-TPA with XG resulted in low viscosity and poor yield stress, indicating weak interactions. All formulations exhibited shear-thinning behavior. Future work will focus on promoting chemical interactions to form nanocomposite structures and improve fluid performance. Full article

Background: In an increasingly digitized supply chain landscape, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face mounting challenges in regard to delivering differentiated and responsive customer experiences. This study investigates the role of Industrial Internet of Things-enabled coopetition networks (IIoT-CNs) in enhancing the customer experience and value cocreation among SMEs. Grounded in Service-Dominant Logic, this research explores how interfirm collaboration and real-time data integration influence key performance indicators (KPIs), including perceived product quality, delivery timeliness, packaging standards, and product performance. Methods: An experimental design involving SMEs in Portugal’s ornamental stone sector contrasts traditional operations with digitally integrated coopetition practices. Results: While individual KPI improvements were not statistically significant, regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between IIoT-CN participation and the overall customer experience. The reduced variance in the performance metrics further suggests increased consistency and reliability across the network. Conclusions: These findings highlight IIoT-CNs as a promising model for SME digital transformation, contingent on trust, interoperability, and collaborative governance. This study contributes empirical evidence and practical insights for advancing customer-centric innovation in SME-dominated supply chains. Full article