Green Earth Research Articles

Curcuma longa extract - Haldi: A safe, eco-friendly natural cytoplasmic stain.

Background:Eosin is most widely used synthetic dye belonging to the xanthene group. These dyes are efficient but are hazardous to human and animal health. With the increasing awareness of a green earth, it is advisable to use more of eco-friendly and biodegradable material which can be effectively achieved by the use of natural dyes obtained from plants and other natural sources. Turmeric, available as Curcuma longa (domestic), has long been in use in the subcontinent as a spice and flavoring agent in most food preparations. Its health benefit as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory has been successfully established by several researchers. The intense yellow color imparted by turmeric inspired us to explore its efficacy as a potential alternative for eosin in routine histopathological procedures.Aim:The aim of this was to explore the efficacy of turmeric extract as a stand-alone counterstain for hematoxylin and its comparative assessment with routine H and E staining.Materials and Methods:The rhizomes of C. longa were cut into small pieces, dried and milled. This powder was dissolved into alcohol and centrifuged using a centrifugal machine. The supernatant was then collected with the help of micropipette. This supernatant was used as a counterstain for hematoxylin.Results:The data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U test with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15.0 (SPSS Inc.,). The P value obtained was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05).Conclusion:Although eosin is the most efficient counterstain for hematoxylin, turmeric can also be used as an alternative for eosin.

Bernard Malamud's God's Grace-A Study in Eco Literature

At the turn of the century, the Earth is facing a serious ecological crisis. The most pressing problems in the form of global warming, chronic resource dwindling, destruction of the flora and the fauna and the extinction of species move us all to the verge of a swan song to “Nature”. If we want to bequeath a safe and green earth to our progeny, it is mandatory that we create an awareness among today's generation about the protection of the environment and its fragile Eco system. This paper attempts to create such an awareness among the readers by re-reading Bernard Malamud's novel, God's Grace from an earth centered approach. It is hoped that Eco reading of such popular texts can enhance environmental literacy among us. Eco criticism or Eco literature as a separate discipline has gained momentum in the 1990's. In its nascent stages of growth, it was a communion of American critics dealing with American literature. Later, they have founded their association ASLE (Association for the study of Literature and Environment) and their journal ISLE (Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment) to propound their theories and verify their results. Hence, Eco literature is seen as a fusion of ecology and literature or how man's relationships with his physical environment are reflected in literature. This refreshing interdisciplinary combination of a natural science and a humanistic discipline has the sole aim of preserving nature and ensuring the survival of man and his eco-partners.

Preface for Thematic Section: Green Rare Earth Elements—Innovations in Ore Processing, Hydrometallurgy, and Electrolysis

Preface for Thematic Section: Green Rare Earth Elements—Innovations in Ore Processing, Hydrometallurgy, and Electrolysis

Identification of green pigments from fragments of Roman mural paintings of three Roman sites from north of Germania Superior

Roman mural green pigment painting fragments from three Roman sites in the north of the Roman province Germania Superior: Koblenz Stadtwald Remstecken (KOSR), Weisenthurm “Am guten Mann” (WEIS) and Mendig Lungenkarchen (MELU), dating from second and third centuries AD were analyzed. The experiments were performed nondestructively using synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-MA-XRF), synchrotron-based scanning micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-μ-XRF), synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Correlation between SR-MA-XRF, SR-μ-XRF elemental map distributions and optical images of scanned areas was mainly found for the elements Ca, Fe and K. With XRF, Fe and K were identified correlated with green pigment, but in samples from two sites, Mendig Lungenkarchen and Weisenthurm “Am guten Mann”, also Cu was detected in minor concentration. The results of SR-XRD and Raman spectroscopy were limited to one sample from Weisenthurm “Am guten Mann”. In this sample, green earth and calcium carbonate were identified by SR-XRD and, additionally, malachite by Raman spectroscopy.

Polychromy Analysis on Cypriot Archaic Statues by Non- and Micro-Invasive Analytical Techniques

The polychromy of limestone and terracotta statues from Cyprus attributed to the sixth to fifth centuries bc is analysed using non- and micro-invasive techniques in order to shed light on the use of pigments during the studied period. The strengths and limitations of these methods for the present application are discussed. The identified pigments are iron-containing compounds (red, yellow, green earths and iron–manganese black). No copper-containing compounds were detected on the studied objects, despite the wide availability of copper minerals in Cyprus.

Topography and Frontier: Gibellina's City of Art

Topography and Frontier: Gibellina's City of Art

Influence of different media on shoot regulation, shoot multiplication and callus induction in long pepper (Piper longum L.)

An experiment on tissue culture studies in long pepper ( Piper longum L.) was carried out in the year 1999-2001, to develop suitable protocol for plant multiplication technique at Green Earth Biotechnologies Ltd., Jigani Industrial Area, Bengaluru in collaboration with UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. The concentration of 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) for 60 seconds to achieve disinfection of leaf segment explants was found effective, giving maximum survival (10.02 %) and minimum contamination (0.70 %). MS media containing BAP (1.5 mg/lit.) + 2,4-D (1.0 mg/lit.) from leaf explants gave higher (9.72 %) response for calli induction, 1.54 mg amount of callus with green colour and very good score of callus. BAP 3.0 mg/lit. was ideal for the better proliferation and regeneration of shoot (40 %).The Highest number of multiple shoots (2.00), Length of shoot (1.04 cm) and number of leaves per shoot (3.00), was produced using BAP (1.0 mg/lit.) + NAA(0.1 mg/lit.). Best results for shoot were observed with the MS media combination containing BAP at 1.5 mg/lit., Kinetin at 1.0 mg/lit. and IAA at 0.5 mg/lit., gave the maximum number of buds per calli (36.00) and number of shoots (5.20) and length of shoots (1.62 cm). The in vitro rooting was achieved with the application of NAA at 1.0 mg/l 70 per cent rooting, number of primary roots (2.40) length of primary root (2.00) and number of secondary roots (2.00).

Tuning the Phase and Optical Properties of Ultrathin SnSx Films

Novel materials suitable for optoelectronics are of great interest due to limited and diminishing energy resources and the movement toward a green earth. We report a simple film growth method to tune the S composition, x from 1 to 2 in semiconductor ultrathin SnSx films on quartz substrates, that is, single phase SnS, single phase SnS2, and mixed phases of both SnS and SnS2 by varying the sulfurization temperature from 150 to 500 °C. Due to the ultrathin nature of the SnSx films, their structural and optical properties are characterized and cross-checked by multiple surface-sensitive techniques. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) shows that the single phase SnS forms at 150 °C, single phase SnS2 forms at 350 °C and higher, and mixed phases of SnS and SnS2 form at temperature between. GIXRD shows structures of SnS film and SnS2 film are orthorhombic and 2H hexagonal, respectively. To complement the GIXRD, the reflection high energy electron diffraction pattern analysis shows that both pure pha...

Raman spectroscopy of green minerals and reaction products with an application in Cultural Heritage research

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for the characterization of materials and is of valuable use in archaeometrical research in general. Green compounds of natural or synthetic origin are found in many research areas, ranging from mineralogy, to pigment identification, to corrosion studies. However, a detailed and comprehensive database of spectra and references is still missing in the literature. This paper provides both, a literature review and downloadable Raman spectra of reference products, to the researcher dealing with green materials in cultural heritage. Moreover, it tackles nomenclature issues. The collected spectra are discussed in relation to the preliminary/commercial identification of the material itself and to the published data. Practical aspects regarding the laser wavelength selection are also discussed with regards to the comparison to published reference spectra.The range of studied green materials is wide and encompasses Cu containing compounds (natural and synthetic, more or less known as pigments or degradation products, including polymorphs of the same formula), Fe based (green earths and synthetic organic pigments), modern Cr and Co green pigments.This approach is illustrated by analysing a cross section of a green zone of the Early Netherlandish panel painting ‘Ghent Altarpiece’ by the Van Eyck brothers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Non-destructive in situ analysis of polychromy on ancient Cypriot sculptures

The study focuses on the characterization of polychromy on limestone sculptures from Cyprus, attributed to the Cypro-Archaic—end of the Hellenistic periods. Polychromy components were identified by integrating digital microscopy, imaging under ultraviolet (UV) light, visible-induced luminescence (VIL), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and fibre optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS). Data acquisition was performed directly in exhibition rooms at the Cyprus Museum (Nicosia) and the Paphos District Archaeological Museum (Paphos). Among the identified materials, there are iron-containing (red, yellow, green) and copper-containing (green and blue) pigments. The precision of pigment identification by non-destructive techniques is discussed, and specific pigment names are proposed: red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide-hydroxide, green earth and Egyptian blue. Interesting results were obtained by VIL, which allowed identifying traces of Egyptian blue otherwise undetectable with the naked eye. Complementary, this study discusses advantages and problems of combined and separate use of portable XRF and FORS, raising the question of their complementarity and interchangeability for the purposes of pigment identification.

Pigment characterization of drawings and painted layers under 5th–7th centuries wall mosaics from Ravenna (Italy)

Abstract The results of a multi-analytical investigation on preparatory drawings below three late antique wall mosaics in Ravenna (Italy) are reported and discussed. Examinations were made on two sinopiae in mosaic substrates detached from the apse of the basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe and on the undercoloring characterizing some finds of wall mosaics coming from the basilicas of St. Agata Maggiore and St. Croce. Due to the historic and archaeological relevance of the finds, the research was carried out mainly through noninvasive techniques, such as fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Analyses by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman micro-spectroscopy (μRaman) were only performed on incoherent material and small loss particles in the interstices among the tesserae. In some selected painted area, visible-induced infrared luminescence (VIL) was employed to verify if Egyptian blue was used and how was distributed, if present. By comparing the results obtained with the different techniques, a proposal about the nature of the pigments was formulated: the pigments employed to make the sinopiae from St. Apollinare in Classe are iron-based pigments, while the analyses of the undercoloring show a more complex character, where the use of a broader palette of pigments was recognized (red ochre, green earth, Egyptian blue).

Pigments and colours: An inside look at the painted decoration of the Macedonian funerary monuments

The funerary monuments located in the area of ancient Macedonia (Northern Greece), namely the monumental Macedonian tombs, as well as the decorated chamber and cist tombs form a remarkable source of evidence about late Classical and Hellenistic painting. They preserve simple or more elaborate compositions executed with the employment of techniques developed at the end of the 5th and during the 4th centuries BCE.In the framework of the NARNIA Project, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the painted decoration of these tombs was applied combining archaeological research and archaeometric techniques of material study and characterisation. Different analytical techniques have been used in order to determine the techniques and materials employed in the wall paintings in several funerary structures. Specifically, the surface and stratigraphy of the painting were examined with optical microscopy, polarised light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the chemical composition of the inorganic materials was determined through the application of micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore an investigation of the use of Egyptian blue in the decoration of selected monuments has been conducted through the in situ application of the non-invasive technique which combines visible induced luminescence (VIL) infrared imaging.In the course of this study, the information obtained through the analysis and the review of the literature has revealed the pigments employed in the painted decoration of eighteen funeral monuments. The mainly inorganic colouring materials vary from natural, such as hematite and goethite, calcite and carbon black, to the synthetic Egyptian blue. The coloured arsenal employed by the ancient painters is further enriched by other minerals, such as the red cinnabar and realgar, as well as an arsenic based yellow pigment. Green earth was also used, despite the availability of copper based green minerals. Lastly, the presence of Egyptian blue in the monuments has provided invaluable information regarding the spatial distribution of the pigment and allowed a further comprehension of the decorative motifs.

Fungal-Induced Deterioration of Mural Paintings: In Situ and Mock-Model Microscopy Analyses.

Fungal deterioration of frescoes was studied in situ on a selected Serbian church, and on a laboratory model, utilizing standard and newly implemented microscopy techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray confirmed the limestone components of the plaster. Pigments used were identified as carbon black, green earth, iron oxide, ocher, and an ocher/cinnabar mixture. In situ microscopy, applied via a portable microscope ShuttlePix P-400R, proved very useful for detection of invisible micro-impairments and hidden, symptomless, microbial growth. SEM and optical microscopy established that observed deterioration symptoms, predominantly discoloration and pulverization of painted layers, were due to bacterial filaments and fungal hyphal penetration, and formation of a wide range of fungal structures (i.e., melanized hyphae, chlamydospores, microcolonial clusters, Cladosporium-like conidia, and Chaetomium perithecia and ascospores). The all year-round monitoring of spontaneous and induced fungal colonization of a "mock painting" in controlled laboratory conditions confirmed the decisive role of humidity level (70.18±6.91% RH) in efficient colonization of painted surfaces, as well as demonstrated increased bioreceptivity of painted surfaces to fungal colonization when plant-based adhesives (ilinocopie, murdent), compared with organic adhesives of animal origin (bone glue, egg white), are used for pigment sizing.

Scientific face of the artwork: Investigation of the pigments and plasters of the wall paints of some ottoman mosques by FTIR and EDXRF techniques

The characterization of the pigments and plasters of the wall paints of some Ottoman Mosques have been performed using combined Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry (both in reflection and transmission modes) techniques. The colored wall paints were obtained from Fatih Mosques of Istanbul-Turkey and Pristina-Kosovo, and Suleymaniye Mosque of Istanbul-Turkey, during the restoration periods of the mosques. The investigations show that the plaster used on the walls has mixed gypsum-lime binders. The pigments identified in wall paints are: cinnabar (HgS), lead red (Pb3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) in red colors, ultramarine blue (Na8-10Al6Si6O24S2-4) as blue and green earth as green colors. The results provide a basis for future restoration of the wall paints.Keywords: Pigments, Plasters, FTIR spectroscopy, EDXRF

Scientific face of the artwork: Investigation of the pigments and plasters of the wall paints of some ottoman mosques by FTIR and EDXRF techniques

The characterization of the pigments and plasters of the wall paints of some Ottoman Mosques have been performed using combined Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry (both in reflection and transmission modes) techniques. The colored wall paints were obtained from Fatih Mosques of Istanbul-Turkey and Pristina-Kosovo, and Suleymaniye Mosque of Istanbul-Turkey, during the restoration periods of the mosques. The investigations show that the plaster used on the walls has mixed gypsum-lime binders. The pigments identified in wall paints are: cinnabar (HgS), lead red (Pb 3 O 4 ) and hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) in red colors, ultramarine blue (Na 8-10 Al 6 Si 6 O 24 S 2-4 ) as blue and green earth as green colors. The results provide a basis for future restoration of the wall paints. Keywords: Pigments, Plasters, FTIR spectroscopy, EDXRF

Scientific face of the artwork: Investigation of the pigments and plasters of the wall paints of some ottoman mosques by FTIR and EDXRF techniques

The characterization of the pigments and plasters of the wall paints of some Ottoman Mosques have been performed using combined Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry (both in reflection and transmission modes) techniques. The colored wall paints were obtained from Fatih Mosques of Istanbul-Turkey and Pristina-Kosovo, and Suleymaniye Mosque of Istanbul-Turkey, during the restoration periods of the mosques. The investigations show that the plaster used on the walls has mixed gypsum-lime binders. The pigments identified in wall paints are: cinnabar (HgS), lead red (Pb3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) in red colors, ultramarine blue (Na8-10Al6Si6O24S2-4) as blue and green earth as green colors. The results provide a basis for future restoration of the wall paints.Keywords: Pigments, Plasters, FTIR spectroscopy, EDXRF

Emerging Environment Friendly, Magnesium-Based Composite Technology for Present and Future Generations

Magnesium is the lightest and one of the most abundant elements in the universe. In addition, magnesium possesses several other benefits like excellent castability, high damping capacity, good electromagnetic shielding, and excellent machinability. These inherent characteristics of magnesium-based materials ensure fuel economy, reduced CO2 emissions, and a greener earth. Furthermore, as magnesium-based materials are almost 35% lighter than aluminum-based materials, a tremendous surge in magnesium demand over the next 5 years is expected. One way in which the engineering capabilities of magnesium and its alloys can further be enhanced is to use composite technology. The addition of nanoparticles, for example, leads to enhanced tensile, compressive, fatigue, creep, dynamic, tribological, and corrosion properties. In addition, amorphous and hollow reinforcements can also enhance targeted mechanical/physical properties. Accordingly, the present study will highlight the key capabilities of magnesium-based composite technology. An attempt is made to summarize on the size effects and type of reinforcements such as metallic or ceramic nanoparticles, and amorphous and hollow reinforcements on the microstructural and mechanical properties of monolithic pure magnesium.

Residence Energy Control System Based on Wireless Smart Socket and IoT

To avoid resources on green earth being exhausted much earlier by human beings, energy saving has been one of the key issues in our everyday lives. In fact, energy control for some appliances is an effective method to save energy at home, since it prevents users from consuming too much energy. Even though there are numerous commercial energy-effective products that are helpful in energy saving for particular appliances, it is still hard to find a comprehensive solution to effectively reduce appliances’ energy consumption in a house. Therefore, in this paper, an intelligent energy control scheme, named the residence energy control system (RECoS) is proposed, which is developed based on wireless smart socket and Internet of Things technology to minimize energy consumption of home appliances without deploying sensors. The RECoS provides four control modes, including peak-time control, energy-limit control, automatic control, and user control. The former two are operated for all smart sockets in a house, while the latter two are used by individual smart sockets, aiming to enhance the functionality of energy control. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can save up to 43.4% of energy for some appliances in one weekday.

Analysis of Financial Fraud of Listed Company in China: A Case Study of Dandong Xintai Electric Co., Ltd.

With the development of China’s economy, more and more malignant cases of financial fraud in China listed companies happen frequently, such as the financial frauds of Guangxia, green earth and Wanfu, which make a great impact on the normal operation of the securities market and the confidence of investors. On June 1, 2016, CSRC officially announced the administrative punishment to Xintai Electric Co. which made Dandong Xintai Electric Co. become the first one which was delisted because of financial fraud. This paper tries to do deep analysis on the major inducements and methods of financial cheating of Xintai Electric Co. so that we can find out some preventive means to reduce the occurrence of financial fraud to prevent the investors from unnecessary losing.

Synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence applied to fragments of Roman mural paintings

Roman wall fragments dating from 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, from two sites of the Roman province of Germania Superior, near the present day towns of Wössingen (Baden-Württemberg) and Mülheim-Kärlich (Rheinland-Pfalz), were analyzed with synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-MA-XRF) at the FLUO beamline (ANKA Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). Lead, iron, copper, calcium, potassium, among other elements, were detected and are correlated with red, blue, yellow and green pigments. In the fragments from Mülheim-Kärlich, red has high correlation with Pb (red lead pigment), Fe and Ca were detected in 2 different hues of yellow respectively, and Cu is correlated with the blue pigment. The green pigment investigated in the Wössingen's fragments has high correlation with Fe and K, indicating the use of green earth, and the red pigment is correlated with iron, indicating the use of the red ochre. Synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence applied in fragments of wall paintings has shown to be a fast, non-destructive and effective technique in the identification and discrimination of the pigments, plaster, different layers and impurities in paintings through the 2D elemental distribution.