THE ‘CRUCIFIED AND DEPOSED CHRIST’ OF MUSEO DIOCESANO OF PALERMO, ITALY. SCIENTIFIC STUDIES OF A SICILIAN PAPIER-MȂSCHÉ POLYCHROME SCULPTURE

In this paper we describe scientific investigations on the artwork ‘Crucified and deposed Christ’ from the Diocesan Museum of Palermo. Multidisciplinary studies were carried out to obtain interesting information about constitutive materials and executive techniques of XVIII century Sicilian papier mâsché, as well as about the sculpture state of conservation and the recognition of the previous treatments.Examination of the polychrome sculpture was both non-invasive (IRR, IRC, UV fluorescence, EDXRF spectroscopy X-Radiography) and micro invasive (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy SEM-EDX).SEM-EDX results showed the use of materials like…

Effects of tributyltin(IV) chloride on fertilization of Styela plicata (Ascidiacea: Tunicata): II. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies

The morphological aspects of Styela plicata fertilization after treatment with tributyltin(IV) chloride are described by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy investigations. Alterations have been shown both on female and male gametes; spermatozoa, all the egg envelopes and the mitochondria of the egg cortical cytoplasm are modified in relation to incubation time. As a consequence, the damage to gametes blocks sperm-egg interaction and fertilization does not occur. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Complexes of amphiphilic cyclodextrins and tributiltin(IV) porphyrin derivatives as potential nanotherapeutics against melanoma.

Organometallic complexes with biological molecules. XVII. Triorganotin(IV) complexes with amoxicillin and ampicillin.

Novel triorganotin(IV) complexes of two β-lactamic antibiotics, 6-[D-(-)-β-amino-p-hydroxyphenyl-acetamido]penicillin (=amoxicillin) and 6-[D-(-)-α-aminobenzyl]penicillin (=ampicillin), have been synthesized and investigated both in solid and solution states. The complexes corresponded to the general formula R3Sn(IV)antib·H2O (R=Me, n-Bu, Ph; antib=amox=amoxicillinate or amp=ampicillinate). Structural investigations about configuration in the solid state have been carried out by interpreting experimental IR and 119Sn Mössbauer data. In particular, IR results suggested polymeric structures both for R3Sn(IV)amox·H2O and R3Sn(IV)amp·H2O. Moreover, both antibiotics appear to behave as monoanion…

Human Topoisomerase I interaction with DNA on flexible nylon substrate for malaria diagnosis

The study of interaction between human Topoisomerase I (hTopo I) and the appropriate sequences of DNA is shown, with the aim to realize a biosensor for malaria diagnosis. Topoisomerases alter the topological state of DNA by catalysing the breaking and rejoining of DNA strands1. The ligase activity is fundamental for our biosensing strategy, revealing the pathology. hTopo I was chosen as a model system for the Plasmodium analogous. The biosensor is a new flexible and easy to degrade biochip printed on nylon by dip-pen lithography (DPL). It is realized exploiting the high specificity of complementary ssDNA2 and hTopo I ligase activity. DPL operation needs ultra-low amounts of DNA (0.5 µL) to …

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE RESTORATION OF SANTA CHIARA FROM THE SANTA CATERINA D’ALESSANDRIA MONASTERY IN PALERMO, ITALY

The aim of this research was to assess the techniques and the materials used to realize the canvas painting Santa Chiara, from the Santa Caterina d’Alessandria Monastery and to verify the state of preservation, the possible decay processes and previous restorations. Consequently, an integrated analytical approach based on the use of non-invasive (diffused, indirect and ultraviolet light investigations) and micro-invasive techniques (optical microscopy, OM, scanning electron microscopy, SEM-EDX, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy FT-IR spectroscopy) were used. The oil painting on canvas dated XVI century: data suggests traditional painting technique, characterized by two priming prepar…

New Insight on Medieval Painting in Sicily: The Virgin Hodegetria Panel in Monreale Cathedral (Palermo, Italy)

: The Virgin Hodegetria, located in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova in Monreale, near Palermo (Italy), probably dating the first half of the 13th century, is one of the earliest examples of medieval panel painting in Sicily. A diagnostic campaign was carried out on the panel aiming to identify the constituting materials and the executive technique, as well as to assess the state of conservation for supporting the methodological choice of the restoration intervention. Both non invasive (X-ray radiography, digital microscope, multispectral imaging, ED-X-ray fluorescence) and micro-invasive (polarised light microscopy, ESEM-EDX, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy) analyses w…

CCDC 757617: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: T.S.B.Baul, A.Paul, L.Pellerito, M.Scopelliti, C.Pellerito, P.Singh, P.Verma, A.Duthie, D.de Vos, R.P.Verma, U.Englert|2010|J.Inorg.Biochem.|104|950|doi:10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2010.05.001

CCDC 215838: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: A.Szorcsik, L.Nagy, A.Deak, M.Scopelliti, Z.A.Fekete, A.Csaszar, C.Pellerito, L.Pellerito|2004|J.Organomet.Chem.|689|2762|doi:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2004.05.045

CCDC 298656: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: G.Casella, T.Fiore, E.Foresti, M.M.A.Mohamed, L.Nagy, C.Pellerito, M.Scopelliti, L.Pellerito|2008|Inorg.Chim.Acta|361|1754|doi:10.1016/j.ica.2006.11.013