The development of new bio-friendly alternatives for wood conservation is of great interest and necessary for environmental protection. In this paper, the preparations based on the propolis extract and silicon compounds were used as green wood preservatives. The wood was treated with 15% propolis extract (EEP) and two propolis-silane preparations, namely, EEP-VTMOS/TEOS (EEP with vinyltrimethoxysilane and tetraethyl orthosilicate) and EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS (EEP with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate and tetraethyl orthosilicate). The aim of the research was to determine the properties of treated wood, which was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the resistance against brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana and the mechanical properties of treated wood were also determined. The analysis of phenolic compounds concentration in treated wood indicated that phenols were in greater extent leached from wood treated with the propolis extract than from wood impregnated with the propolis-silane preparations. The presence of silicon in treated wood both before and after leaching was confirmed by CP MAS NMR measurements. In turn, AAS and XRF analyses indicated that the degree of Si leaching from wood impregnated with EEP-VTMOS/TEOS was approximately two times lower than from EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS treated wood. The results of chemical analyses confirmed that the constituents of the propolis-silane preparations formed permanent bonds with wood. In turn, the results of the antifungal efficacy against C. puteana showed that the propolis extract and the propolis-silane preparations limited the fungus activity, even the wood was subjected to leaching procedure. The treated wood showed an increase in bending strength and a decrease in the modulus of elasticity compared to untreated wood. The obtained results indicate that the propolis-silane preparations can be promising green wood preservatives, harmless for the natural environment.

Iberian ‘warrior’ stelae have captured the imagination of researchers and the public for more than a century. Traditionally, stelae were considered ‘de-contextualised’ monuments, and research typically focused on the study of their iconography, paying little or no attention to their immediate contexts. As a result, despite the large number of these stelae known to date (c. 140) and the ample body of literature that has dealt with them, fundamental questions remain unanswered. This paper aims to demonstrate the potential of a multidisciplinary and contextual approach to push forward the research agenda on these monuments through a case study. Firstly, we introduce the Mirasiviene stela and the methods deployed for its investigation, which include a variety of digital imaging techniques, petrography, pXRF, intensive survey and multiscalar spatial analysis. Secondly, we discuss the results in relation to three main topics: stela biography, social practices and landscape context. Comparisons to the well-known nearby Bronze Age and Iron Age site of Setefilla are made throughout the discussion. Ultimately, this paper makes a case for the stelae of Mirasiviene and Setefilla being polyvalent monuments made by local artisans, that served both as landmarks and memorials in connection with dense late second and early first millennium BCE settlement patterns in the region. Probably linked to elites, ‘houses’ or kin groups of this time, stelae were set in symbolically charged places, liminal spaces nearby water, burials and pathways, attracting a range of ritual activities throughout the centuries. The study of the newly discovered Mirasiviene stela shows that multidisciplinary, cutting-edge non-destructive archaeology can shed significant new light on these prehistoric monuments, thus providing a glimpse of what in our opinion is a paradigm shift in the research of similar monuments throughout Europe.

Representations of ships, sailors and seafarers are common in many ancient societies. They were carved, drawn or painted on a great variety of raw materials -stone, wood, metal, textiles and pottery -and can be found in settings such as caves, tombs or royal palaces. Their presence at these sites raises the possibility that these images of maritime life have symbolic or ritual connotations.This paper presents examples of representations of Phoenician and Punic ships from the first millennium BC, in an attempt to understand the role of both their creators and their audiences. These images are subsequently analysed in more detail, focusing on their technical features and their historical contexts. This paper concludes with a consideration of the social and religious aspects of ancient Mediterranean navigation.introduction Representations of ships, sailors and seafarers are frequent in many ancient societies. Navigation was a very common means of transport in antiquity; it was more efficient and safer than land transport and facilitated the moving of greater volumes, where this was needed. The representations of ships were carved, drawn, or painted on raw materials such as stone, wood, metal, textiles and pottery, and are found in a variety of contexts, for instance caves, tombs and royal palaces. This paper sets out to explore the symbolic connotations and ritual implications of these representations. We focus on a selection of ancient Mediterranean images, mainly Phoenician and Punic ships dated around the middle of the first millennium BC. 1 Moreover, to reinforce and enrich our arguments about Phoenician and Punic ship representations, we are going to refer to some Egyptian examples as their civilization is rich in such evidence.

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stiffness and pulse wave velocity / Aorta and carotid arteries 137 (0.94 to 1.01) p = 0.096; Obesity OR = 0.47 (0.29 to 1.77) p = 0.003 and Diabetes OR = 2.41 (1.15 -5.05) p = 0.020. Conclusions: According to the results obtained, genetic polymorphisms variables were not in the multivariate analysis equation to determine the increase of the PWV, which can be explained either by being included in the selected variables such as hypertension, or on the other hand, they may not have enough strength to remain in the equation. So, according to this study, PWV has much more to do with behaviors and traditional risk factors than the genetic heritage.P883 Endothelial dysfunction, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index are correlated in subjects with systemic arterial hypertension?

This article presents studies on iron speciation in the pottery obtained from archaeological sites. The determination of iron forms Fe(II) and Fe(III) has been provided by a very simple test that is available for routine analysis involving the technique of molecular absorption spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) in the acid leachable fraction of pottery. The elemental composition of the acid leachable fraction has been determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Additionally, the total concentration of the selected elements has been determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with energy dispersion (EDXRF). The results of the iron forms’ determinations in archaeological pottery samples have been applied in the archaeometric studies on the potential recognition of the pottery production technology, definitely going beyond the traditional analysis of the pottery colour.

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