Abstract: Integrated ecosystem management is challenging due to many, often conflicting, targets and limited resources to allocate. A valuable and straightforward approach is to integrate an ecosystem services assessment in a cost-effectiveness analysis as method to evaluate and compare the cost-effectiveness of several management scenarios to reach one or more objectives and take into account the potential effects on other ecosystem functions and services. Nevertheless, this method is not commonly used in ecosystem management evaluation but can provide an alternative for the frequently used but often contested cost-benefit analysis (which requires the step of assigning a monetary value to each benefit). The aim of this study is to apply the cost-effectiveness analysis in combination with an ecosystem services assessment on a real case-study (comparing alternative management strategies for estuaries) to derive lessons learned to go from theory to practice. The application of this method for the case-study reveals many remaining challenges such as data availability and knowledge to assess ecosystem effects of management measures. Nevertheless, the analysis demonstrates that this method can be used for making a more integrated evaluation and supporting better-informed management decisions.

Abstract: Despite the importance of biosphere reserves in Iran's livelihood and welfare, the economic significance of Hara Biosphere Reserve has never been comprehensively studied. This study examines the current importance of Hara Biosphere Reserve (HBR) in local livelihood and welfare. Using a household survey, data were collected through a questionnaire, key informant interviews and direct observations. Two hundred and forty-four households were randomly selected from 10 villages through proportional sampling. Results showed that non-environmental income was the first driver of the total income, poverty alleviation and narrowing income inequality gap. Park income was the second. The results also showed that excluding park income from total income would significantly increase headcount poverty, widen the poverty gap, and raise the Gini coefficient. Wealthier households had the greatest absolute income from the environment, including forest, fishing and fodder. However, the poorest group had smallest absolute income from these sources. Thus, the study demonstrated that wealthier households are responsible for the overharvesting of environmental resources. Interestingly, the study showed that wealthier households are more dependent on profitable environmental incomes sources while the poorest are more dependent on non-profitable ones. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Recently, the original benchmarking methodology of the Sustainable Value approach became subjected to serious debate. While Kuosmanen and Kuosmanen (2009b) critically question its validity introducing productive efficiency theory, Figge and Hahn (2009) put forward that the implementation of productive efficiency theory severely conflicts with the original financial economics perspective of the Sustainable Value approach. We argue that the debate is very confusing because the original Sustainable Value approach presents two largely incompatible objectives. Nevertheless, we maintain that both ways of benchmarking could provide useful and moreover complementary insights. If one intends to present the overall resource efficiency of the firm from the investor's viewpoint, we recommend the original benchmarking methodology. If one on the other hand aspires to create a prescriptive tool setting up some sort of reallocation scheme, we advocate implementation of the productive efficiency theory. Although the discussion on benchmark application is certainly substantial, we should avoid the debate to become accordingly narrowed. Next to the benchmark concern, we see several other challenges considering the development of the Sustainable Value approach: (1) a more systematic resource selection, (2) the inclusion of the value chain and (3) additional analyses related to policy in order to increase interpretative power.

Abstract: In this study, a combination of elemental analytical techniques (MA-XRF and SEM-EDX) were used to localize arsenic sulfide pigments within a 17th-century Dutch painting and in the stratigraphy of an 18th-century Flemish polychrome sculpture. Once located, Raman spectroscopy was used to obtain the vibrational signature of the arsenic sulfide pigments employed. By means of the latter analytical technique and due to the very distinctive Raman scattering signal of the various arsenic sulfide compounds, it was possible to identify the arsenic-based pigments as natural orpiment and amorphous arsenic sulfide. In the latter case, based on the minor bands observed and the good condition of the paint layers, it was possible to identify pararealgar, the orangey-yellow to yellow degradation product of realgar, as the initial arsenic sulfide material used for the synthesis of the amorphous pigment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that combined pararealgar/amorphous arsenic sulfide Raman spectra are reported in historical samples. Therefore, this would be the first identification of pararealgar as the starting material to produce amorphous, arsenic sulfide pigments used in artworks.

Abstract: The early growth stages of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond on a solgel TiO2 film with buried ultra dispersed diamond seeds (UDD) have been studied. In order to investigate the diamond growth mechanism and understand the role of the TiO2 layer in the growth process, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-filtered TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) techniques were applied to cross sectional diamond film samples. We find evidence for the formation of TiC crystallites inside the TiO2 layer at different diamond growth stages. However, there is no evidence that diamond nucleation starts from these crystallites. Carbon diffusion into the TiO2 layer and the chemical bonding state of carbon (sp2/sp3) were both extensively investigated. We provide evidence that carbon diffuses through the TiO2 layer and that the diamond seeds partially convert to amorphous carbon during growth. This carbon diffusion and diamond to amorphous carbon conversion make the seed areas below the TiO2 layer grow and bend the TiO2 layer upwards to form the nucleation center of the diamond film. In some of the protuberances a core of diamond seed remains, covered by amorphous carbon. It is however unlikely that the remaining seeds are still active during the growth process.

Abstract: The energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) spectra of several carbon allotropes (non-hydrogenated and hydrogenated face-centered cubic (FCC) carbon, rhombohedral carbon, glitter, hexagonite and lonsdaleite) are calculated within the supercell-core-excited density functional theory approach. In particular an experimental ELNES spectrum of new diamond (n-diamond) [Konyashin et al., Diamond Relat. Mater. 10, (2001) 99102] is compared with the ELNES spectra of FCC carbon, rhombohedral carbon and the so-called glitter structure. Our calculations show that the ELNES spectrum considered in that publication cannot be that of FCC carbon.

Abstract: Objective. The aim was to evaluate the optical properties, mechanical properties and aging stability of yttria-stabilized zirconia with different compositions, highlighting the influence of the alumina addition, Y2O3 content and La2O3 doping on the translucency. Methods. Five different Y-TZP zirconia powders (3 commercially available and 2 experimentally modified) were sintered under the same conditions and characterized by X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Translucency (n = 6/group) was measured with a color meter, allowing to calculate the translucency parameter (TP) and the contrast ratio (CR). Mechanical properties were appraised with four-point bending strength (n = 10), single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB) fracture toughness (n = 8) and Vickers hardness (n = 10). The aging stability was evaluated by measuring the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation (n = 3) after accelerated hydrothermal aging in steam at 134 degrees C, and the transformation curves were fitted by the Mehl-Avrami-Johnson (MAJ) equation. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's HSD test (alpha = 0.05). Results. Lowering the alumina content below 0.25 wt.% avoided the formation of alumina particles and therefore increased the translucency of 3Y-TZP ceramics, but the hydrothermal aging stability was reduced. A higher yttria content (5 mol%) introduced about 50% cubic zirconia phase and gave rise to the most translucent and aging-resistant Y-TZP ceramics, but the fracture toughness and strength were considerably sacrificed. 0.2 mol% La2O3 doping of 3Y-TZP tailored the grain boundary chemistry and significantly improved the aging resistance and translucency. Although the translucency improvement by La2O3 doping was less effective than for introducing a substantial amount of cubic zirconia, this strategy was able to maintain the mechanical properties of typical 3Y-TZP ceramics. Significance. Three different approaches were compared to improve the translucency of 3YTZP ceramics. (C) 2016 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Some volatile organic compounds (VOCs), generated and accumulated in exhibition cases, are capable of inducing degradation in historical artifacts. In this context, it is of special importance to distinguish between VOCs emitted by the construction materials and/or the historical objects, with the ultimate goal of proposing an appropriate mitigation strategy. To pursue this goal, a comprehensive analysis based on solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been optimized. The sampling setup used in this study does not require any modification of the exhibition design, and the testing remained nearly invisible and unobtrusive to museum visitors. This methodology has been applied to an issue encountered at the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Institution), where an unpleasant smell was detected in airtight exhibition cases already on display containing sensitive historical objects. The analysis of the volatiles emitted by construction materials allowed for identification of characteristic markers emitted by each material, and the ability to identify their overall contribution in the exhibition case. Via this method, SPME-GC-MS confirmed via the detection of some specific markers that the unpleasant smell was released by one of the construction materials and had accumulated in the exhibition case. In addition, due to the measurements taken in different positions around the exhibition cases, results were useful to point out the range of efficiency of the sorbent material placed in some of the exhibition cases as a first attempt of mitigation technique. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Abstract: MA-XRF is a novel macroscopic imaging technique originally developed for easel paintings and recently made available to glass conservators. This paper discusses the first real-life contribution of MA-XRF imaging to a conservation intervention of stained-glass panels. The six panels under study belong to the cathedral building since their creation in 1555-1559 AD. MA-XRF appeared an outstanding tool for first-line screening of stained-glass windows, providing readily interpretable information on glass type, coloring and alteration processes. In particular, the chemical imaging technique allowed distinguishing unambiguously the surviving original glass panes from later additions, thereby ensuring a correct historical understanding. From a more practical point of view, the experiments supplied accurate schemes that can be directly incorporated in condition reports and assist designing the ensuing conservation approach. (C0 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The methodology of protecting the European stained glass windows against environmental risk (e.g. meteorological factors, air pollution, microorganisms) by means of an external glazing is not new. In spite of many scientific studies carried out in the last 20 years, some questions were still up for discussion. The European VIDRIO (20022005) project gave an answer to these questions. The research carried out by the different project partners established a new multidisciplinary approach aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the protective glazing systems and their effects on stained glass windows conservation, and finally at assessing the most appropriate strategy to preserve stained glass windows. Scientific results showed that the so-called isothermal glazing (i.e. ventilation by the air coming from the inside of the building) protected efficiently the ancient stained glass window from environmental attack (i.e. rain, pollutants, condensation, thermal shocks) with very limited secondary effects. The scientific research highlighted that its efficiency was strongly related to the technical design of the protective system. In particular, the ventilation and the size of the interspace had to be carefully considered. The research developed within the VIDRIO project was turned into general recommendations to the owners and practitioners on the best practice for the stained glass windows future conservation.

Abstract: Historical buildings and castles that have been turned nowadays into museums, as an exhibition area for precious cultural heritage (CH) items, need more attention since they are CH objects by themselves. Moreover, the preservation techniques require often, significant interventions; however such changes are not always possible or are very limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of outdoor air pollution on the composition of particulate matter and gases inside the museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow, Poland. During this study a combination of micro and trace analysis techniques were applied, including energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). An intensive transport of air pollutants coupled with accumulation of the particles inside the museum was noticed (considerably higher in winter than summer). A high content of carbon and organic matter agglomerated with inorganic particles was determined. Those particles are of special concern because of their adhesive properties and reactivity. It was also noted that the conditions inside the museum favour the reaction of the particles with gaseous pollutants. It was especially the case for nitrate particles.