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Even subtle modifications in growth conditions elicit acclimation responses affecting the molecular and elemental makeup of organisms, both in the laboratory and in natural habitats. We systematically explored the effect of temperature, pH, nutrient availability, culture density, and access to CO2 and O2 in laboratory-grown algal cultures on growth rate, the ionome, and the ability to accumulate Fe. We found algal cells accumulate Fe in alkaline conditions, even more so when excess Fe is present, coinciding with a reduced growth rate. Using a combination of Fe-specific dyes, X-ray fluorescence microscopy, and NanoSIMS, we show that the alkaline-accumulated Fe was intracellularly sequestered into acidocalcisomes, which are localized towards the periphery of the cells. At high photon flux densities, Zn and Ca specifically over-accumulate, while Zn alone accumulates at low temperatures. The impact of aeration was probed by reducing shaking speeds and changing vessel fill levels; the former increased the Cu quota of cultures, the latter resulted in a reduction in P, Ca, and Mn at low fill levels. Trace element quotas were also affected in the stationary phase, where specifically Fe, Cu, and Zn accumulate. Cu accumulation here depends inversely on the Fe concentration of the medium. Individual laboratory strains accumulate Ca, P, and Cu to different levels. All together, we identified a set of specific changes to growth rate, elemental composition, and the capacity to store Fe in response to subtle differences in culturing conditions of Chlamydomonas, affecting experimental reproducibility. Accordingly, we recommend that these variables be recorded and reported as associated metadata.

Meteorites are excavated fragments from asteroid surfaces and planets, and determining their thermophysical properties is important since they contain valuable information about internal structures of their parent bodies. We investigated thermophysical properties of the Saricicek meteorite by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), measuring phase transition temperatures, enthalpy changes and specific heat capacities of samples and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), investigating weight change in a sample as a function of temperature or time. DSC results indicate that troilite alpha/beta and beta/gamma phase transition temperatures of the interior part of the meteorite were at 421.98 +/- 0.02 and 581.74 +/- 1.71 K, and troilite content of interior and crust parts of the meteorite were 0.28 and 0.02 wt%, respectively. Relict temperatures were calculated as 453 +/- 10, 465 +/- 17, and 588 +/- 55 K; specific heat capacities were measured as 779, 745, and 663 J kg(-1) K-1 at 300 K; and predicted as 568, 537, and 480 J kg(-1) K-1 at 200 K, for interior, edge, and crust, respectively. TGA results revealed that Saricicek's weight loss was 0.98% at 1170 degrees C, and water content and hydrogen abundance at 200-800 degrees C were 0.34% and 0.04%, respectively. Obtained results shed light on a thermal history of Saricicek's parent body and provide further knowledge on thermal alteration of 4 Vesta., Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [17-FEN-050]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [MFAG/113F035], This work was supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (project number 17-FEN-050). Ozan Unsalan acknowledges the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) that supported meteoritic studies in Turkey (project number MFAG/113F035). The authors gratefully thank Professor Akira Yamaguchi and Professor Guy Consolmagno for very detailed and constructive reviews. We are also indebted to Professor Dr. A. J. Timothy Jull for instructive insights and extensive editorial suggestions.

Consistent information on the current elemental composition of vegetation at global scale and the variables that determine it is lacking. To fill this gap, we gathered a total of 30 912 georeferenced records on woody plants foliar concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from published databases, and produced global maps of foliar N, P and K concentrations for woody plants using neural networks at a resolution of 1 km(2). We used data for climate, atmospheric deposition, soil and morphoclimatic groups to train the neural networks. Foliar N, P and K do not follow clear global latitudinal patterns but are consistent with the hypothesis of soil substrate age. We additionally built generalized linear mixed models to investigate the evolutionary history effect together with the effects of environmental effects. In this comparison, evolutionary history effects explained most of the variability in all cases (mostly > 60%). These results emphasize the determinant role of evolutionary history in foliar elemental composition, which should be incorporated in upcoming dynamic global vegetation models.

Reliability of forensic evidences for presence of inorganic gunshot residue (iGSR) on a given surface strongly depends on the performance of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) method. This article presents the results from a study of the effect of SEM/EDS working parameters on the method performance and quality of iGSR data, as well as a development of a database of iGSR encountered in R Kosovo. The optimal working parameters of SEM/EDS were established by one-variable-at-a-time approach and the method was validated according to ASTM1588-10. The precision, trueness, and expanded uncertainty for PbBaSb particles were estimated and the method was assessed as a "fit for purpose" with a satisfactory performance (z-score

The aim of this study is to evaluate the microhardness, relative surface roughness, and elemental changes of resin-based dental restorative materials (RDRMs) after gastric acid treatment. Five different RDRMs (Group 1 [Filtek Z550], Group 2 [Beautifil II], Group 3 [Vertise Flow], Group 4 [Dyract XP], Group 5 [Fuji II LC]) were used. Samples were formed by using plexiglass molds of 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness. A total of 50 samples (n = 10) for microhardness tests and a total of 15 samples (n = 3) for scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were prepared. All samples of each group were treated to gastric acid, simultaneously. A Vickers microhardness tester was used to evaluate the microhardness of the upper surfaces of each sample. SEM–EDX system was used for microstructure and elemental composition detection. The SEM–EDX, microhardness and relative surface roughness analysis were made prior to treatment in gastric acid for 14 days and analysis were repeated on the 14th day. As the difference in the microhardness values of RDRMs was compared, the time-dependent variation in all RDRMs was found to be statistically significant. It was observed that a drastic decrease in microhardness values was in Beautifil II, Filtek Z550, Vertise Flow, Fuji II LC, and Dyract XP, respectively. Average decrease rate of microhardness values compared to the initial state can be listed from high to low as Beautifil II (%35.72), Vertise Flow (% 28.88), Fuji II LC (% 21.09), Dyract XP (%17.60), and Filtek Z550 (% 16.58). As a result, in in-vitro conditions gastric acid decreased microhardness while increasing the relative surface roughness of RDRMs.

This study compared the topography of different titanium surface structures (TiO2 nanotube and grain) with similar elemental compositions (TiO2 and fluorine [F]) on the Ti surface. High magnification indicated that the surfaces of the control and etching groups were similar to each other in a flat, smooth form. The group anodized for 1 h was observed with TiO2 nanotubes organized very neatly and regularly. In the group anodized for 30 min after etching, uneven wave and nanopore structures were observed. In addition, MTT assay showed that the F of the surface did not adversely affect cell viability, and the initial cell adhesion was increased in the 2.8% F‐incorporated TiO2 nanograin. At the edge of adherent cells, filopodia were observed in spreading form on the surfaces of the anodizing and two‐step processing groups, and they were observed in a branch shape in the control and etching groups. Moreover, cell adhesion molecule and osteogenesis marker expression was increased at the F‐incorporated TiO2 nanostructure. In addition, it was found that the expression of p‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p‐cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) increased in the TiO2 nanograin with the nanopore surface compared to the micro rough and nanotube surfaces relative to the osteogenic‐related gene expression patterns. As a result, this study confirmed that the topographic structure of the surface is more affected by osteogenic differentiation than the pore size and that differentiation by specific surface composition components is by CREB. Thus, the synergy effect of osteogenic differentiation was confirmed by the simultaneous activation of CREB/ERK.

In this study, thermoluminescence (TL) characterization of fossils of sauropod dinosaur bone, dinosaur eggshells, and associated sediments were recorded for the first time. The fossil bone was collected from the Bagwanya intertrappean sediments in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. TL was recorded using 60 Co gamma ray exposure at different doses. Fossils of dinosaur bone, dinosaur eggshells, and associated sediments were irradiated using 60 Co gamma rays at different doses from 0.15 kGy to 19 kGy. The linear dose-response curve of the irradiated sample was obtained for a dose ranging from 0.15 kGy to 9.5 kGy. These geological samples were characterized further using X-ray diffraction for confirmation with phase, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and wavelength dispersive-X-ray fluorescence for determination of the elemental composition in parts per million to percentage levels.

International audience; Colloids (1‐1000 nm) are important phosphorus (P) carriers in agricultural soils. However, most studies are based on colloids from soil waters extracted in the laboratory, thus limiting the understanding of the natural transfer of colloidal P along the soil‐to‐stream continuum. Here, we conducted a field study on the colloidal P in both natural soil waters and their adjacent stream waters in an agricultural catchment (Kervidy‐Naizin, western France). Soil waters (10‐15 cm, Albeluvisol) of two riparian wetlands and the adjacent stream waters were sampled monthly during wet seasons of the 2015–2016 hydrological year (7 dates in total). Ultrafiltration at three pore sizes (5 kDa, 30 kDa and 0.45 μm) was combined with ICP‐MS to investigate variability in colloidal P concentration and its concomitant elemental composition. Results showed that colloidal P represented on average 45% and 30% of the total P (< 0.45 μm) in the soil waters and stream waters, respectively. We found that colloidal P was preferentially associated with i) organic carbon in the fine nanoparticle fraction (5‐30 kDa) and ii) Fe‐oxyhydroxides and organic carbon in the coarse colloidal fraction (30 kDa ‐ 0.45 μm). The results confirmed that colloidal P is an important component of total P in both soil waters and stream waters under field conditions, suggesting that riparian wetlands are hotspot zones for the production of colloidal P at the catchment scale which have the potential to be transported to adjacent streams. We emphasize that these findings were based on limited sampling times and further longer‐term monitoring and application of tracer or isotope methods would be necessary to better assess colloidal P variations and its transfer from soils to streams.

BACKGROUND The elemental composition of herbal infusions and teas has not been sufficiently investigated. It could potentially be used for defining fingerprints for individual herbal / tea infusions, differentiation of botanical families, detecting the influence of packaging, and other purposes. The objective of this study was to determine the elemental composition, including the trace element content, of various herbal infusions and teas by means of total reflection X‐ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF), with a chemometrics approach using principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS This study determined the elemental composition of various herbal infusions and teas, including trace elements, using total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF). The methodology for the sample preparation was established, including the multiple‐steepings procedure for the two tea samples (Oolong and Pu‐erh). Data from 29 samples were collected. We hypothesized that the elemental content of infusions could reflect certain features, such as the influence of processing and the type of tea. CONCLUSION A chemometric approach (PCA) was applied, and differences between teas and herbal infusions were found. This was further corroborated by explicit differentiation of one botanical family, Theaceae. The influence of packaging (tea bags) on herbal material was identified. The three types of tea (Camellia sinensis) appeared to be separated with PCA, and elemental concentrations in Pu‐erh changed with multiple steepings.

Micro X-ray fluorescence (mu-XRF) analysis of otoliths was evaluated as a method to estimate the proportion of stocked one-summer-old whitefish Coregonus lavaretus L. in catches of adult fish (n = 20) ascending the River Kemijoki to spawn. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis was applied as control. Polished otoliths were scanned with mu-XRF to obtain strontium maps that were used to infer visually the provenance of the whitefish. Thirteen of the fish showed signs of being stocked as one-summer-old fingerlings. LA-ICP-MS was applied to determine the elemental composition in a spot outside the core of the otolith. The results were largely consistent with the visual inspection of the mu-XRF mapped otoliths. In conclusion, mu-XRF mapping successfully identified whitefish stocked as one-summer-old fingerlings. The vast majority of whitefish returning to the River Kemijoki to spawn were stocked fish.

Manure elemental composition determination is essential to develop farm nutrient budgets and assess environmental risk. Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometers could facilitate hazardous waste-free, rapid, and cost-effective elemental concentration determinations. However, sample moisture is a problem for elemental concentration determination by X-ray methods. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of sample moisture content, predict moisture content, and correct for moisture effect on elemental concentration determinations in livestock manure. Oven-dried manure samples (n = 40) were ground and adjusted to five moisture ranges of (w/w moisture) 10%, 10-20%, 20-30%, 40-50%, and 60-70%. Samples were scanned by PXRF for 180 s using a vacuum (1,333 Pa) and without a filter. The presence of moisture negatively affected elemental determination in manure samples. Calibrations (n = 200) were prepared using random forest regression with detector channel counts as independent variables. A three-step validation was performed using all the data, random cross-validation and external validation. The back end of the spectrum (14-15 keV) had strong predictive power (r

This article presents the results of analyses carried out on a lot of 11 fragments of Bronze Age ceramics discovered in the site from Băile Figa (Beclean town, Transylvania, Romania), where salt exploitation occurred. The samples were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, on the basis of which the morphology and distribution of the inclusions in the ceramic paste was established. Likewise, the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, producing microphotographs for each sample, and on the basis of the X-ray spectra, the elemental composition in gravimetric percentages was established. Through the micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, on the basis of characteristic group vibrations, it was possible to ascertain the nature of the compounds from the ceramic samples. These analyses will contribute to the reconstruction of the prehistoric technologies for salt exploitation.

Free PMC article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/31428337/ [Correction added on 8 July 2019, after first online publication: New affiliation was added for Jorge Machado, José Fernando Gonçalves, and Paulo Vaz‐Pires.] The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) culture has been expanding, thereby leading to a greater importance of hatcheries. Broodstock conditioning is very important in the hatchery process, in which diet composition may have a strong influence on the offspring production and quality. Therefore, the current study evaluated elemental composition and bioaccessibility of oysters fed different ratios of dietary seaweed (SW) and microalgae. The dietary conditioning consisted of direct replacement of microalgae by SW at four substitution levels (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100% diet). It was observed that oysters fed 100% SW had the highest levels of Be, Cu, Zn, Sr, and Cd. The most important trend was a concentration decline of most elements with progressively lower levels of SW substitution for microalgae in the feeds. No Cd or Pb hazard (contents below 1.0 mg/kg for Cd and 1.5 mg/kg for Pb) was found in oyster meat. Regarding elemental bioaccessibility, values were similar, near 100% in the cases of Cu, Br, and I. Only for Mn and Pb, bioaccessibility percentages deviated more from 100%. Indeed, the value for Pb was 50% ± 7% (initial group), and for Mn, all values were equal or lower than 29% ± 2% (final group of oysters fed microalgae). It was observed that Mn, Cd, and Pb bioaccessibility increased with a growing share of microalgal biomass in the feed. Therefore, this study showed that SW incorporation into the feed influences elemental composition and bioaccessibility of the oysters. The current study was supported by Project INNOVMAR— Innovation and Sustainability in the Management and Exploitation of Marine Resources (NORTE‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐000035) within the line “INSEAFOOD, Innovation and valorization of seafood products,” funded by the Northern Regional Operational Programme (NORTE2020) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Moreover, the study was funded by the project AQUAMAX (Ref. 16‐02‐01‐FMP‐0047). This work was also supported by the following Postdoctoral Grants: Ref.: SFRH/BPD/102689/2014 (“Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,” FCT) for the author Carlos Cardoso, Ref.: SFRH/BD/129795/2017 (“Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,” FCT) for the author Joana Matos, and DIVERSIAQUA (MAR2020) for the author Cláudia Afonso. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Background The elemental profile of the Marselan wine cycle was studied with a single ion-beam technique, namely particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Samples were collected from all of the major stages involved in the wine cycle, including soil, vine plant, grape, and different stages of wine processing. Results The results show the influence of field practices on the elemental composition of leaves, branches, grapes, and soil. Mechanisms of element precipitation and elimination from the wine were identified through the changes in the elemental concentrations measured during the post-harvesting processes. The concentrations of some elements, such as Al, Si, K, and Ni, did not vary for grapes collected at different maturation stages. On the other hand, changes in the concentrations of Si, Cl, Ca, Cu, and K were observed right after the maceration and pressing processes in young wine. Finally, the reduction in the Cu concentration during the last stages of the wine cycle is related to its precipitation in the storage tanks. Conclusions It was found that field practices and winemaking processes played distinct roles in the elemental composition of grapes and wine from different preparation stages. Moreover, PIXE proved to be a suitable analytical tool for the analysis of the whole wine cycle because it handles solid and liquid samples in a clean and straightforward manner. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Objectives To serially evaluate morphologic and elemental composition changes to diamond burr tips (DBTs) comparing two sterilization protocols. Animals studied A total of 300 fresh cadaver porcine globes. Procedures Six DBTs were randomly, equally assigned into Group 1 or 2, and then analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) at 0, 25, 50, and 100 cycles. Diamond burr debridement (DBD) was performed for 120 seconds on corneal stroma using the Algerbrush®. DBTs were cleaned, and then: Group 1 was sterilized by Germinator 500™; and Group 2 underwent ultrasonic cleaning and pre-vacuum autoclave. A cycle is defined as one DBD, cleaning and sterilization protocol. Data were quantified using custom MatLab program. Results Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy revealed minor buildup of sulfur on both groups. Group 1 displayed major buildup of carbon and calcium. All DBTs were stippled with inorganic particulate at baseline. Particulates were no longer present on Group 2 by 25 cycles, but remained on Group 1 at all time points. There was significantly more buildup on Group 1 at all time points (P = 0.0000, 0.0009, and 0.0003 for 25, 50, and 100 cycles, respectively). More damage to Group 2 at all time points (P = 0.003, 0.002, and 0.003 for 25, 50, and 100 cycles, respectively) was observed. Conclusions No significant damage to Group 1 DBTs was noted after 100 cycles, however, particulate matter is not adequately removed using this sterilization technique. Ultrasonic cleaning is warranted between DBDs to achieve adequate particulate removal prior to sterilization; greater damage occurs with this technique which supports replacing DBTs regularly.

There have been revisions in the composition of swine diets in the last two decades that not only improved production profitability but also had potential environmental benefits. Among other changes, the use of phytase in feed has enabled lower total P concentrations. Nitrogen, specifically protein, concentrations are expected to be lower, and certain trace elements were also expected to change. In this study, analyses of 1195 swine slurry manure samples from various barn types in Manitoba, Canada, collected from 1997 to 2002 were compared with similar analyses from 2010 and 2017. Concentrations of P were significantly lower in 2017, from a median in sow barns of 28.0 g kg dry weight (dw) in 1998 to 2002 to 20.6 g kg dw in 2010 and 2017, and from a median in feeder finisher barns of 24.1 g kg dw in 1998 to 2002 to 18.7 g kg dw in 2010 and 2017. Total N levels did not change with time, but the fraction of manure N that was NH decreased. Zinc concentrations were consistently higher in nursery manures than in other swine manures and increased from a median of 2800 mg kg dw in nursery barns in 1998 to 2002 to 5580 mg kg dw in nursery barns in 2010 and 2017. Concentrations of most other trace elements decreased over this time period. With the exception of Zn from nursery barns, these temporal changes should lessen the potential for environmental consequences from swine manure application to land.

To survive in terrestrial and aquatic environments, spiders often rely heavily on their silk. The vast majority of silks that have been studied are from orb-web or cob-web weaving species, leaving the silks of water-associated spiders largely undescribed. We characterize transcripts, proteins, and silk fibres from the semi-aquatic spider Dolomedes triton. From silk gland RNAseq libraries, we report 18 silk transcripts representing four categories of known silk protein types: aciniform, ampullate, pyriform, and tubuliform. Proteomic and structural analyses (scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, contact angle) of the D. triton submersible egg sac reveal similarities to silks from aquatic caddisfly larvae. We identified two layers in D. triton egg sacs, notably a highly hydrophobic outer layer with a different elemental composition compared to egg sacs of terrestrial spiders. These features may provide D. triton egg sacs with their water repellent properties.

Iron carbides and nitrides have aroused great interest in researchers, due to their excellent magnetic properties, good machinability and the particular catalytic activity. Based on these advantages, iron carbides and nitrides can be applied in various areas such as magnetic materials, biomedical, photo- and electrocatalysis. In contrast to their simple elemental composition, the synthesis of iron carbides and nitrides still has great challenges, particularly at the nanoscale, but it is usually beneficial to improve performance in corresponding applications. In this review, we introduce the investigations about iron carbides and nitrides, concerning their structure, synthesis strategy and various applications from magnetism to the catalysis. Furthermore, the future prospects are also discussed briefly.

An investigation of a numismatic collection of silver denarii from the early Piast dynasty was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The studied coins, minted between 995 and 1020 ad under the rules of Boleslaus the Brave and Mieszko II Lambert, belong to the collection of the National Museum in Krakow. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy imaging and mapping have been used for recording a visual image of the surface chemistry based on vibrational spectra and accurately representing the distribution of chemical compounds, respectively. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was used to study the surface topography of the coins and characterize their elemental composition. Differences in the distribution of the identified chemical compounds were detected in heterogeneous areas of the denarii. Corrosion effects, associated to many factors including the alloy composition, the metallographic structure, the manufacturing processes, and the environment were also observed and identified.

The elemental composition of discrete powdered sediment samples can be measured by the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) system that is installed in XRF core scanners. Because an appropriate sample carrier for powdered samples is currently not available, for example, for the ITRAX XRF core scanner, such a carrier is presented in this technical note. The designed sample carrier can hold 30 sample cups with a volume of 0.88 cm3 each. A maximum of 5 sample carriers, that is, 150 samples, can be measured in one run. The sample cups and carriers are optimized for a measurement procedure with a step size of 5 mm and variable count times up to 100 s per sample. With this setting, data are collected from an area of 100 mm2 in the center of the sample thereby ensuring a good representativeness of the signal because potential sample inhomogeneity is accounted for. Because the described sample carrier system allows rapid element analyses of discrete powdered environmental samples with an XRF core scanner, it may in some cases represent a time- and cost-efficient alternative to conventional XRF analyses.

There is a generally accepted view that there is an obvious distinction between proto-porcelain and stamped stoneware. However, some early shards unearthed from the Dongtiaoxi region (northern Zhejiang) inspire people to rediscuss the relationship between them, because it is difficult to identify them as proto-porcelain or stamped stoneware. In this work, we have collected samples from three of the earliest kiln sites (Piaoshan, Beijiashan and Nanshan) in the Dongtiaoxi region. We have analysed the chemical composition, firing temperature and phase composition of the samples. Comparing samples from the three kiln sites, we find that, from Piaoshan and Beijiashan to Nanshan, there has been progression in the manufacturing technology. The Shang proto-porcelain and the stamped stoneware from Nanshan have similar raw materials, firing temperatures and body phase compositions—and they have obviously different decorative appearances, such as glazing or stamping. For ceramics from Piaoshan and Beijiashan, there is no clear distinction between glazed and unglazed samples. We believe that in the Dongtiaoxi region, the difference in the decoration between proto-porcelain and stoneware became obvious up to the time of the Nanshan production but that, subsequently, two different paths for the development of high-fired ceramics began to diverge.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the nest materials, some physical characteristics and the elemental composition of the nest of Dolichovespula saxonica (Fabricius, 1793). The nest surfaces were observed with a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the inner surface of the D. saxonica nest the medium thickness of the fibers in the envelope and comb varied between 7.14 and 26.9 μm, respectively and averaged 16.4 μm. In the outer surface of the nest the medium thickness of the fibers in the envelope and comb were between 3.52 and 5.70 μm, respectively and averaged 4.63 μm. The nitrogen concentration of the nest of D. saxonica was 0.616% and the amount of protein was 3.08%. The percentages of the fibers, saliva, oil and the water absorption capacity were calculated as 67–70%, 23–30%, 12–18% and 110–140%, respectively. However, the amount of the element Cadmium (Cd) in the nest was found to have a value of 0.2 ppm. The major compounds of wasp nests are plant fibers, saliva and oil. However, the concentrations and ratios of the nest material compounds depend on the plant variety, place of origin, and time of harvest as well as on the processing and saliva conditions. The colors of the nest are beige, cream and grey with long dark brown lines. As a result of our study, we have found that the rates and quantities of physical characteristics, elemental composition and the fibers in the envelope and comb of the nest of D. saxonica change with environmental conditions.

This study hypothesised that there may be induction of pitting corrosion or microbially-induced corrosion on stainless steel (SS) dairy-processing surfaces by biofilms of common milk sporeformers such as Bacillus sporothermodurans and Geobacillus stearothermophilus. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micrographs generated from energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to observe pitting corrosion and to find the elemental composition and distribution on the control and pitted surfaces. From SEM images and energy-dispersive spectroscopy micrographs, it was observed that pitting corrosion on SS could be induced by biofilms of both B. sporothermodurans and G. stearothermophilus.

The analysis of ceramic materials has been proven to be an indispensable tool for indirectly approaching past people and societies through their cultural remnants, allowing inferences about their technology, and their interaction with their surrounding physical and social environments. Pottery products acquire their characteristic properties during the manufacture process. Compositional (mineralogical and chemical) and microstructural analyses have become an integral part of interdisciplinary archaeological research, underlining the importance of compositional and technological comparative studies. As damages must be avoided to the archeological artifacts under study, nondestructivity is an essential requirement for the scientific methods operating in this research field. Therefore, the aim of this publication is to correlate 2 nondestructive techniques, namely, computed microtomography and X-ray microfluorescence in the structural characterization and investigation of the elemental composition of ceramic samples from 2 different Brazilian archaeological sites. Computed microtomography allowed to differentiate the various materials with different densities that compose the samples. These materials had their elemental composition revealed by X-ray microfluorescence technique, where several tempers used during the manufacturing process were identified. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.