Grain size analyses in tin-lead glazes based on 2d-sections

A problem in the archaeometric classification of Catalan Renaissance pottery is the fact, that the clay supply of the pottery workshops was centrally organized by guilds, and therefore usually all potters of a single production centre produced chemically similar ceramics. However, analysing the glazes of the ware usually a large number of inclusions in the glaze is found, which reveal technological differences between single workshops. These inclusions have been used by the potters in order to opacify the transparent glaze and to achieve a white background for further decoration. In order to distinguish different technological preparation procedures of the single workshops, at a Scanning Electron Microscope the chemical composition of those inclusions as well as their size in the two-dimensional cut is recorded. Based on the latter, a frequency distribution of the apparent diameters is estimated for each sample and type of inclusion. Following an approach by S.D. Wicksell (1925), it is principally possible to transform the distributions of the apparent 2D-diameters back to those of the true three-dimensional bodies. The applicability of this approach and its practical problems are examined using different ways of kernel density estimation and Monte-Carlo tests of the methodology. Finally, it is tested in how far the obtained frequency distributions can be used to classify the pottery

Comparison studies of tin deposits (Priamurye, Russia) using the Aitchison’s methodology

A study of tin deposits from Priamurye (Russia) is performed to analyze the differences between them based on their origin and also on commercial criteria. A particular analysis based on their vertical zonality is also given for samples from Solnechnoe deposit. All the statistical analysis are made on the subcomposition formed by seven trace elements in cassiterite (In, Sc, Be, W, Nb, Ti and V) using the Aitchison’ methodology of analysis of compositional data

Microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni50 Mn37 Sn13 Heusler alloy ribbons

The Heusler alloy Ni50 Mn37 Sn13 was successfully produced as ribbon flakes of thickness around 7-10 μm melt spinning. Fracture cross section micrographs in the ribbon show the formation of a microcrystalline columnarlike microstructure, with their longer axes perpendicular to the ribbon plane. Phase transition temperatures of the martensite-austenite transformation were found to be MS =218 K, Mf =207 K, AS =224 K, and Af =232 K; the thermal hysteresis of the transformation is 15 K. Ferromagnetic L 21 bcc austenite phase shows a Curie point of 313 K, with cell parameter a=0.5971 (5) nm at 298 K, transforming into a modulated 7M orthorhombic martensite with a=0.6121 (7) nm, b=0.6058 (8) nm, and c=0.5660 (2) nm, at 150 K

Recuperant la història d'un estany recuperat [Ressenya del llibre Notes històriques i geogràfiques de l’antic estany de Sils: límits,termes i hidrònims, de Gabriel Mercadal i Corominas]

Ressenya del llibre del botànic Gabriel Mercadal i Corominas, 'Notes històriques i geogràfiques de l’antic estany de Sils: límits,termes i hidrònims', publicat per l' Ajuntament de Sils, l'any 2006. La primera gran aportació del llibre és la delimitació cartogràfica dels límits de l’estany a partir de diversa documentació cartogràfica antiga i el recull d’hidrònims originals dels cursos fluvials de l’estany