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In order to understand the painting technique and the materials used by the so-called Maestro di Castelsardo, three panels belonging to the Retablo of Castelsardo have been investigated by means of integrated non-destructive and microdestructive techniques. The obtained results represent the first technical contribution on paintings by such important and representative artist in the context of the Catalan figurative culture in Sardinia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper represents the "state of the art" on sustainability in construction materials. In Part 1 of the paper, issues related to production, microstructures, chemical nature, engineering properties, and durability of mixtures based on binders alternative to Portland cement were presented. This second part of the paper concerns the use of traditional and innovative Portland-free lime-based mortars in the conservation of cultural heritage, and the recycling and management of wastes to reduce consumption of natural resources in the production of construction materials. The latter is one of the main concerns in terms of sustainability since nowadays more than 75% of wastes are disposed of in landfills.

This review presents "a state of the art" report on sustainability in construction materials. The authors propose different solutions to make the concrete industry more environmentally friendly in order to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and consumption of non-renewable resources. Part 1-the present paper-focuses on the use of binders alternative to Portland cement, including sulfoaluminate cements, alkali-activated materials, and geopolymers. Part 2 will be dedicated to traditional Portland-free binders and waste management and recycling in mortar and concrete production.

The ammonium salts of oxamate (AmOxam) and monomethyloxalate (AmMeox), structurally related to ammonium oxalate (AmOx), were synthesized and characterized as protecting agents/filler for calcareous stone substrates. Both compounds featured an improved solubility in water and alcoholic-water mixtures with respect to AmOx. While AmOxam is stable in aqueous solution and reacts with calcite to afford the corresponding insoluble calcium oxamate (CaOxam), AmMeox spontaneously undergoes hydrolysis to give ammonium monohydrogen oxalate hemihydrate (AmBiox) and calcium oxalate (CaOx). Both compounds have been tested for the restoration of naturally weathered marble and biomicritic limestone. The formation of a superficial layer of CaOxam and CaOx was observed on stone samples treated with AmOxam and AmMeox, respectively, depending on the solvent mixture. A quantum-mechanical study was carried out at DFT level in order to investigate the nature of the interactions occurring between the lithic substrate (calcite) and the passivating agents, showing how the structural modifications on oxalic acid derivatives can be exploited to fine-tune their interaction with the calcite surface., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)