Portable in practice: investigations using portable instrumentation for materials analysis and mapping of decorated architectural surfaces in the tablinum of the House of the Bicentenary at Herculaneum

MRS Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (33-34) ◽  
pp. 1831-1848
Author(s):  
Kiernan Graves ◽  
David Carson ◽  
Ilaria Catapano ◽  
Giacomo Chiari ◽  
Gianluca Gennarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Portable Instrumentation ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Roman Painting ◽  
Severe Deterioration ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Multi Disciplinary Team

ABSTRACTThe conservation of the architectural surfaces in the tablinum of the House of the Bicentenary at the ancient Roman site of Herculaneum is a collaborative project of the Getty Conservation Institute, the Herculaneum Conservation Project and the Soprintendenza Pompeii. The tablinum was selected as a case study given the significance, beauty, and severe deterioration of its decorated surfaces. A multi-disciplinary team with a wide range of expertise, comprised of conservators, chemists, geo-physicists, engineers, and conservation scientists, worked in partnership across a number of institutions with the objective to study the wall paintings in the tablinum. Scientists and conservators worked together to test the feasibility of portable techniques and in situ investigations to better understand Roman painting technology; identify previous restoration materials; determine the presence of alteration products; and characterize deterioration mechanisms commonly found on architectural surfaces at archaeological sites of the Vesuvian Region. The collection and interpretation of the instrumental data has been critical to the design and implementation of appropriate passive and remedial interventions to stabilize the architectural surfaces and mitigate deterioration. The paper will present the results of the investigations using portable instrumentation along with a discussion of the capabilities and limitations of each technique and the practical implications of their use for architectural surfaces on archaeological sites.

Site specific agricultural soil management with the use of new technologies

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Interface ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soil Variation ◽  
Soil Information ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>The Soil Science Institute of Thessaloniki produces new digitized Soil Maps that provide a useful electronic database for the spatial representation of the soil variation within a region, based on in situ soil sampling, laboratory analyses, GIS techniques and plant nutrition mathematical models, coupled with the local land cadastre. The novelty of these studies is that local agronomists have immediate access to a wide range of soil information by clicking on a field parcel shown in this digital interface and, therefore, can suggest an appropriate treatment (e.g. liming, manure incorporation, desalination, application of proper type and quantity of fertilizer) depending on the field conditions and cultivated crops. A specific case study is presented in the current work with regards to the construction of the digitized Soil Map of the regional unit of Kastoria. The potential of this map can easily be realized by the fact that the mapping of the physicochemical properties of the soils in this region provided delineation zones for differential fertilization management. An experiment was also conducted using remote sensing techniques for the enhancement of the fertilization advisory software database, which is a component of the digitized map, and the optimization of nitrogen management in agricultural areas.</p>

The Geological Sources and Transport of the Bluestones of Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

1991 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Thorpe ◽  
Olwen Williams-Thorpe ◽  
D. Graham Jenkins ◽  
J. S. Watson ◽  
R. A. Ixer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Stone Monuments ◽  
The North ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
South West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Contemporary Practice

Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain is one of the most impressive British prehistoric(c.3000–1500 BC) monuments. It is dominated by large upright sarsen stones, some of which are joined by lintels. While these stones are of relatively local derivation, some of the stone settings, termed bluestones, are composed of igneous and minor sedimentary rocks which are foreign to the solid geology of Salisbury Plain and must have been transported to their present location. Following the proposal of an origin in south-west Wales, debate has focused on hypotheses of natural transport by glacial processes, or transport by human agency. This paper reports the results of a programme of sampling and chemical analysis of Stonehenge bluestones and proposed source outcrops in Wales.Analysis by X-ray-fluorescence of fifteen monolith samples and twenty-two excavated fragments from Stonehenge indicate that the dolerites originated at three sources in a small area in the eastern Preseli Hills, and that the rhyolite monoliths derive from four sources including northern Preseli and other (unidentified) locations in Pembrokeshire, perhaps on the north Pembrokeshire coast. Rhyolite fragments derive from four outcrops (including only one of the monolith sources) over a distance of at least 10 km within Preseli. The Altar Stone and a sandstone fragment (excavated at Stonehenge) are from two sources within the Palaeozoic of south-west Wales. This variety of source suggests that the monoliths were taken from a glacially-mixed deposit, not carefully selected from anin situsource. We then consider whether prehistoric man collected the bluestones from such a deposit in south Wales or whether glacial action could have transported bluestone boulders onto Salisbury Plain. Glacial erratics deposited in south Dyfed (dolerites chemically identical to Stonehenge dolerite monoliths), near Cardiff, on Flatholm and near Bristol indicate glacial action at least as far as the Avon area. There is an apparent absence of erratics east of here, with the possible exception of the Boles Barrow boulder, which may predate the Stonehenge bluestones by as much as 1000 years, and which derived from the same Preseli source as two of the Stonehenge monoliths. However, 18th-century geological accounts describe intensive agricultural clearance of glacial boulders, including igneous rocks, on Salisbury Plain, and contemporary practice was of burial of such boulders in pits. Such erratics could have been transported as ‘free boulders’ from ‘nunataks’ on the top of an extensive, perhaps Anglian or earlier, glacier some 400,000 years ago or more, leaving no trace of fine glacial material in present river gravels. Erratics may be deposited at the margins of ice-sheets in small groups at irregular intervals and with gaps of several kilometres between individual boulders.‘Bluestone’ fragments are frequently reported on and near Salisbury Plain in archaeological literature, and include a wide range of rock types from monuments of widely differing types and dates, and pieces not directly associated with archaeological structures. Examination of prehistoric stone monuments in south Wales shows no preference for bluestones in this area. The monoliths at Stonehenge include some structurally poor rock types, now completely eroded above ground. We conclude that the builders of the bluestone structures at Stonehenge utilized a heterogeneous deposit of glacial boulders readily available on Salisbury Plain. Remaining erratics are now seen as small fragments sometimes incorporated in a variety of archaeological sites, while others were destroyed and removed in the 18th century. The bluestones were transported to Salisbury Plain from varied sources in south Wales by a glacier rather than human activity.

scholarly journals 237 Islands of memory, islands of trauma: The case of Dongzhou, Hengyang, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-254
Author(s):  
Gang Hong
Keyword(s):  
Media Analysis ◽  
Uneven Development ◽  
Cultural Trauma ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Place Memory ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Practical Implications

This paper examines the complex interaction between island histories and island geographies by presenting a case study of Dongzhou Island, Hengyang, China, contextualized through several critical island events. Employing a wide range of methods including archival research, textual and media analysis, field and map observations, semi-structured interviews, and informal interaction, the research is broadly framed in the problematic of geographical memory consisting of hard island memory, soft island memory, and lived island memory. Particular attention is paid to the construction of Dongzhou Island’s cultural trauma based on three difficult island histories: mass killing, radical planning, and uneven development. Findings indicate that these memories coexist on or about the island, in virtual isolation from each other. It is argued that while hard memory constructs the island as a petrified landmark, soft memories murmur about the forgotten or obscured pains of a small island that bears witness to the violence of war and progress. The theoretical and practical implications regarding the role of place memory in rejuvenating local cultures are also proposed.

Stability analysis of mobile cranes and determination of outriggers loading

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 938-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Romanello
Keyword(s):  
Stability Margin ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stability Behavior ◽  
Mobile Crane ◽  
Computer Codes ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop mathematical tools that are reliable and easily implementable in computer codes, which address the determination of the outriggers reaction of mobile cranes and the monitoring of the actual stability margin available during lift operations. Design/methodology/approach An algorithm that determines the load transmitted to the ground by a mobile crane with four outriggers has been developed. Static theory of rigid body is adopted for the development of the algorithm and the static indeterminancy, due to the presence of more than three outriggers, is eluded through the adoption of specific hypotheses. An analysis of crane stability is also performed, and a method to monitor the actual stability behavior during lift operations is suggested. Findings A case study is proposed to test the algorithm and outcomes show a good matching with the actual outriggers reaction measured during a test conduct in situ. Two indices are introduced as a measure of the stability margin. Research limitations/implications The method developed accounts only for gravitational forces statically applied. Future works should be addressed to extend the model to the effect of wind and inertial forces. Practical implications This paper supplies a reliable tool to assess, in the design phase of a lifting operation, the compliance between bearing capacity of the ground and loads transmitted by outriggers. The method proposed for the analysis of the stability behavior is suitable for the development of an anti-upset device. Originality/value This study contributes to efforts to increase safety during lifting operations with mobile cranes. The method proposed is applicable to cranes with any geometry of the outriggers pattern and is extensible to a number of outriggers greater than four. Furthermore, the evaluation of the measure in real time of the stability margin, is not affected by the data entered by the crane’s operator with the consequence that human factor does not affect this measure.

Field-Based Decisions on the Collection of Archaeological Materials: Monitoring and Ethics

Collections ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155019062095154
Author(s):  
Ellen Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Cultural Resource ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Archaeological Artifacts ◽  
Ways Of Life ◽  
Monitoring Information

Cultural resource managers are faced with increasing challenges regarding decisions to collect archaeological artifacts from site contexts. Increased visitation, information sharing through social media, and recreation contribute to challenges to preserving archaeological sites and the undisturbed artifacts they contain. Many National Park Service cultural resource managers and staff are directed to manage archaeological resources in-situ. To our tribal colleagues, archaeological sites and artifacts represent links to their oral histories and their ancestors. To others, artifacts provide insights to past ways of life and add an intangible and irreplaceable quality to archaeological sites. Under normal circumstances materials gathered during data recovery projects are curated as they should be. Grab-samples and artifacts from unexcavated archaeological contexts, that is surface collection, must be carefully evaluated prior to gathering archaeological materials, otherwise we run the risk of storing artifacts for decades that are not analyzed, curated, or used to further our knowledge about the past. This article presents a case study of how monitoring information and field-based decision-making guided the collection, but not the accession, of an archaeological artifact from an in-situ context.

Customer involvement in product development

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Melander
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Involvement ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
External Customer ◽  
Industrial Markets ◽  
Number Of Customers ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Being innovative and bringing new products to the market fast is important for firms to stay competitive. Customers are important for providing input to product developments in industrial markets. The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of how firms use Voice of the Customer (VoC) in product development and how VoC can complement other customer involvement methods. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a qualitative case study of a global leading and innovative firm, a maker of tools for the automotive industry. The study provides detailed insight into the implementation of VoC for product development. Findings The process of customer involvement in product development through VoC is explored. The study shows that by using the VoC method, firms can gather knowledge for input to product development projects while developing relationships with a larger number of customers. The findings point out that VoC can be modified to focus on customer needs related to product development as well as marketing efforts requiring cross-functional collaboration. The VoC method is suitable for combining with other customer involvement methods such as project involvement and pilot testing. Through VoC, firms have the chance to benchmark across industries and regions. Research limitations/implications The paper provides insights into the VoC process of customer involvement aimed at product development. The case study provides an illustration of how an industrial firm uses VoC in product development. The paper points out the importance of managing external (customer) involvement in product development and internal (cross-functional) collaborations. Practical implications A set of questions that firms can ask themselves before embarking on customer involvement has been developed. The paper shows that customers can be involved at a number of points in time, have a wide range of roles and contribute different knowledge. VoC is suitable for combining with other customer involvement methods. Originality/value The contribution of the paper consists of a case study illustrating how customer involvement in product development can be achieved through VoC. A number of customer involvement methods for product development are discussed for combining with VoC, showing how different methods are complementary in product development.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Changes in Infiltration and Aggregate Stability: A Case Study of a Subhumid Irrigated Cropland

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gergely Jakab ◽  
Endre Dobos ◽  
Balázs Madarász ◽  
Zoltán Szalai ◽  
Judit Alexandra Szabó
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Technical Improvement ◽  
Crop Fields ◽  
Extreme Precipitation Events ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Seedbed Preparation ◽  
Precipitation Events

Climate change is increasing the occurrence of extreme precipitation events and causing irregular precipitation patterns. This occurs in parallel with the degradation of crop fields, and triggers the occurrence of pluvial floods and droughts on the same field. Consequently, irrigation must be adapted to the changing soil properties. Detailed spatial and temporal measurements of changes in infiltration are required. This study aimed to quantify changes in infiltration for a subhumid irrigated cropland with various soil types (Phaeozem, Solonetz, Chernozem) and field conditions (seedbed and stubble) by simulating rainfall. As the soil structure determines hydrology, the aggregate stability/surface roughness was tested as a proxy of infiltration through photogrammetry. The soil losses caused by precipitation did not exhibit connections to changes in the surface roughness, and lower aggregate stability did not necessarily cause lower infiltration intensities, suggesting that sedimentation could only partly seal drainage pores. The final infiltration intensities varied within a wide range (0.2–28.4 mm h−1). Seedbed preparation did not increase the volume of micropores (<10 µm), which resulted in higher infiltration under stubble. Photogrammetry was found to be a potentially useful tool for measuring aggregate stability, however, further investigations on in situ soil surfaces are required for technical improvement.

scholarly journals Educational Knowledge Brokerage and Mobilization: The Marshall Memo Case

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel R. Malin ◽  
Vijay Keshaorao Paralkar
Keyword(s):  
Educational Research ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Research Production ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Knowledge Brokerage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Practical Implications

The importance of intermediation between communities primarily engaged in research production and those primarily engaged in practice is increasingly acknowledged, yet our understanding of the nature and influence of this work in education remains limited. Accordingly, this study utilizes case study methodology and aspires to understand the activities and signature product (the Marshall Memo) of a particularly influential mediator of current educational research, news, and ideas: Mr. Kim Marshall. The article also examines the memo’s meaning to subscribing educators. Data analyses suggest subscribers greatly appreciate several aspects of the memo, which was found to draw from a wide range of source material that varies in terms of its research centredness and its practical implications.

scholarly journals Geostatistical inverse modeling with very large datasets: an example from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) satellite

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1771-1785
Author(s):  
Scot M. Miller ◽  
Arvind K. Saibaba ◽  
Michael E. Trudeau ◽  
Marikate E. Mountain ◽  
Arlyn E. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Inverse Modeling ◽  
Initial Guess ◽  
In Situ Monitoring ◽  
Co2 Fluxes ◽  
Gas Fluxes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Fluxes

Abstract. Geostatistical inverse modeling (GIM) has become a common approach to estimating greenhouse gas fluxes at the Earth's surface using atmospheric observations. GIMs are unique relative to other commonly used approaches because they do not require a single emissions inventory or a bottom–up model to serve as an initial guess of the fluxes. Instead, a modeler can incorporate a wide range of environmental, economic, and/or land use data to estimate the fluxes. Traditionally, GIMs have been paired with in situ observations that number in the thousands or tens of thousands. However, the number of available atmospheric greenhouse gas observations has been increasing enormously as the number of satellites, airborne measurement campaigns, and in situ monitoring stations continues to increase. This era of prolific greenhouse gas observations presents computational and statistical challenges for inverse modeling frameworks that have traditionally been paired with a limited number of in situ monitoring sites. In this article, we discuss the challenges of estimating greenhouse gas fluxes using large atmospheric datasets with a particular focus on GIMs. We subsequently discuss several strategies for estimating the fluxes and quantifying uncertainties, strategies that are adapted from hydrology, applied math, or other academic fields and are compatible with a wide variety of atmospheric models. We further evaluate the accuracy and computational burden of each strategy using a synthetic CO2 case study based upon NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) satellite. Specifically, we simultaneously estimate a full year of 3-hourly CO2 fluxes across North America in one case study – a total of 9.4×106 unknown fluxes using 9.9×104 synthetic observations. The strategies discussed here provide accurate estimates of CO2 fluxes that are comparable to fluxes calculated directly or analytically. We are also able to approximate posterior uncertainties in the fluxes, but these approximations are, typically, an over- or underestimate depending upon the strategy employed and the degree of approximation required to make the calculations manageable.

Soil Chemical Analysis of Ancient Activities in Cerén, El Salvador: A Case Study of a Rapidly Abandoned Site

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jacob Parnell ◽  
Richard E. Terry ◽  
Payson Sheets
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
El Salvador ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Reasonable Accuracy ◽  
Chemical Signatures ◽  
Chemical Residues ◽  
Activity Areas

Activities performed over long periods of time tend to leave soil chemical residues as evidence of those activities. Some of the questions studied in this paper deal with the interpretive capabilities provided by chemical patterns. Soil samples from Cerén, El Salvador, a well-preserved site, were analyzed for extractable phosphorus and heavy metals. We compared in situ artifacts collected from the site with chemical signatures that indicate activity areas. We found that elevated concentrations of phosphorus were associated with food preparation, consumption, and disposal. Heavy metals were associated with the interior of the structure where pigments and painted gourds were found. In this case, where well-preserved, in situ artifacts were available for analysis, we found that chemical analysis was effective in locating human activity areas. Our findings indicate that chemical analysis can be used to guide interpretation in areas of poor artifact preservation with reasonable accuracy, and in archaeological sites that underwent gradual abandonment.

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