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Hydraulic Analysis of the Samarra-Al Tharthar System

Samarra Archaeological City — 2017 — WHE0306C021BC

A hydraulic analysis of the Samarra-Al Tharthar System reveals that sediment accumulation, particularly upstream of the Al Tharthar Regulator, threatens structural stability and reduces system efficiency. The study identifies a maximum permissible discharge of 8250 m³/s to prevent flooding in Baghdad while maintaining functionality. To address these challenges, researchers propose expanding the Al Tharthar Regulator's capacity by 7000 m³/s, dredging sediment islands, and constructing guide banks. These interventions could lower water surface levels during peak floods (15060 m³/s) to 68.51 m.a.m.s.l., ensuring long-term stability. The analysis utilized the Surface Water Modeling System (SMS10.1) with RMA-2 software for two-dimensional depth-averaged modeling, providing a data-driven approach to mitigating sediment-related risks in this critical UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hydrogeology of the Sterkfontein Cave System, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2017 — WHE2863D76D78

A significant rise in water levels within the Sterkfontein Cave system, reaching nearly 3 meters over two years starting from late-2009, has been linked to acidic and sulfate-rich mine water drainage from the nearby West Rand Goldfield. This phenomenon, observed since early-2010, posed potential threats to the UNESCO-listed fossil site's integrity. Through a comprehensive analysis of historical and recent potentiometric data, alongside hydrogeological and hydrochemical information, researchers have proposed that the cave system's maximum water level is constrained to approximately 1440 meters above mean sea level. The study also revealed notable increases in electrical conductivity (32%) and sulfate concentration (178%) in cave water compared to pre-2010 levels. While these changes indicate a distinct mine water impact, the magnitude of this impact on cave water chemistry is less pronounced than that observed in ambient karst groundwater, such as Zwartkrans Spring water. This research underscores the importance of continued monitoring and vigilance across various disciplines to understand the dynamic response of the water resources environment to hydrological and hydrogeological drivers, thereby informing the future hydroenvironmental management of Sterkfontein Cave and other nearby fossil sites.

Hydrological cycle and water balance estimates for the megadune–lake region of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes — 2017 — WHEEA342B96FC

A study of the Badain Jaran Desert in China reveals that megadunes and lakes maintain a dynamic hydrological balance despite arid conditions. The research identifies preferential flow within sand layers, driven by alternating coarse and fine sand, which facilitates deep water penetration and groundwater recharge. This process sustains lake water levels, with annual water storage in megadunes (7.5 mm) sufficient to offset evaporation losses. Precipitation events exceeding 15 mm, sparse vegetation, and high permeability of dune materials are critical for this balance. The findings highlight the significance of precipitation in arid desert hydrological cycles.

Hydrological Modeling Of Watersheds Using The Only Corresponding Competitor Method: The Case Of M'Zab Basin, South East Algeria

M'Zab Valley — 2017 — WHE977AC4E00F

A novel stochastic method, The Only Corresponding Competitor (OCC) method, demonstrates significant potential for adapting empirical hydrological models to diverse watersheds, including the M'Zab Basin in southeastern Algeria. This approach effectively simulates rainfall-runoff relationships under varying hydrological regimes, offering a versatile tool for water resource management and natural risk prevention. By leveraging OCC, researchers can refine existing models or integrate new data, enhancing collective understanding of catchment dynamics. The study highlights the method's adaptability and effectiveness in regions where traditional models may fall short.

I conti di Galeria (secoli XI–XIII)

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2017 — WHE933A4DF572

The Counts of Galeria, prominent in Roman politics from the early 11th to the mid-13th century, played a pivotal role during the papacies of Benedict IX and Benedict X. Graf Gerardo I, a key figure, held significant influence in Rome and southern Tuscany, collaborating closely with popes and the Abbots of Farfa while overseeing multiple castles. His brother, Graf Sassone of Civita Castellana, and their descendants maintained control over Civita Castellana until the late 11th century. The study reveals that the Gallery Castle likely reverted to papal ownership after Gerardo I's death, as documented in archives from San Paolo fuori le Mura. While other Counts of Galeria emerged sporadically in the 12th and 13th centuries, none matched the prominence of Gerardo I and Sassone. This research reconstructs the political dynamics of the period through archival sources, highlighting the Counts' role in shaping Roman and Tuscan governance.

Ichthyofaunal diversity of the Omo-Turkana basin, East Africa, with specific reference to fish diversity within the limits of Ethiopian waters

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2017 — WHE029B20FB41

A comprehensive survey of ichthyofaunal diversity in the Omo-Turkana basin, East Africa, reveals 31 fish species within Ethiopian waters, including new records for the region. The study highlights a richer species composition in the Omo River system compared to Lake Turkana, which exhibits higher fish abundance. Conducted amid proposed dam construction with potential ecological impacts, this research addresses critical gaps in documentation and provides an annotated checklist of native species. By focusing on Ethiopian waters, it offers valuable insights for conservation efforts and future environmental assessments in this understudied basin.

Icon as Chora: Spatial Aspects of Iconicity in Byzantium and Russia

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow — 2017 — WHEF9A81AB0AA

A groundbreaking study reveals that Byzantine and early Russian icons were conceptualized as spatial entities, not flat pictures, drawing from Plato's 'Chora'—a metaphysical space uniting material and spiritual realms. This 'Icon as Chora' framework explains the miracle-working power attributed to icons, exemplified by the Chora Monastery’s iconography in Constantinople. The research demonstrates how this spatial vision transformed into flat, symbolic representations post-Byzantium, particularly in 16th-century Russia with standardized icon-painting techniques. However, the original concept persisted unconsciously in Russian culture, resurfacing in literature (Dostoevsky, Tolstoy) and cinema (Tarkovsky). The study employs theological analysis of artefacts, iconography, and historical rituals to reconstruct this lost spatial perception.

Iconic Power, Dark Tourism, and the Spectacle of Suffering

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2017 — WHE09FC65BE0E

Dark tourism, which encompasses sites associated with violence and trauma, operates on a spectrum from entertainment-focused attractions to solemn memorials. This study examines how such sites balance education, commerce, and reflection, using two case studies: Ai Weiwei's temporary exhibition on Alcatraz and the display of genocidal evidence at S-21 and the Killing Fields in Cambodia. The research highlights the ethical complexities and emotional responses evoked by these locations, ranging from shock and horror to more commercialized forms of engagement. By analyzing the fluid spectrum of intensity in dark tourism, the study underscores its multifaceted nature, combining elements of activism, art, and memorialization.

Iconoclasm and strategic thought: Islamic State and cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria

Site of Palmyra — 2017 — WHE314C279E85

Islamic State's destruction of cultural heritage sites, including Palmyra, can be interpreted as a strategic move rather than mere iconoclasm. The study identifies three interconnected factors that define this strategy: the degradation and delegitimization of existing societal structures, the erasure of references to past societies, and an attempt to reconstruct society according to a new ideological vision. Additionally, Islamic State's actions exhibit both pragmatic and dogmatic elements, creating an inconsistent dichotomy within its rhetoric. This paradox arises when rigid doctrine clashes with the complexities of war, highlighting the strategic narrative underlying its cultural heritage policies in Iraq and Syria.

Ideal Theory after Auschwitz? The Practical Uses and Ideological Abuses of Political Theory as Reconciliation

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2017 — WHECB4052435F

Political theory can serve as a tool for making injustice bearable and resisting it meaningful, offering hope to democratic publics. This study challenges John Rawls' ideal theory of reconciliation, which risks defending unjust status quos due to its methodology. Instead, it proposes Theodor Adorno's approach as a more democratic alternative, providing practical uses for political theory beyond directing action while avoiding ideological abuses.

Identifying priority habitats and monitoring species for conservation and restoration of lentic Odonata habitats: assemblage nestedness on Amami‐Oshima Island, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2017 — WHE8F77E14C2F

A study on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan, identified significant nestedness in Odonata species composition among 10 ponds, with the most species-rich pond hosting 22 species and the poorest just 8. Rare species like Anax nigrofasciatus nigrofasciatus and Lyriothemis elegantissima were found exclusively in lush, forested habitats, while common species such as Ischnura senegalensis thrived in open-water environments. This nestedness pattern suggests that forest cover and emergent plants are critical for Odonata diversity, highlighting priority habitats and monitoring species for conservation efforts on the island.

Identifying the Influential Factors on Social Impact Assessment of Reconstruction Projects in Historic Site - A Case Study on Jameh Mosque Street, Yazd, Iran

Historic City of Yazd — 2017 — WHEE50D2C05D0

Reconstruction projects at historic sites, such as Jameh Mosque Street in Yazd, Iran, require tailored social impact assessments (SIAs) to balance heritage preservation with development. This study identifies key indicators for SIA in historic contexts, revealing that factors like cultural importance and feasibility differ significantly from those in new urban areas. Using analytic hierarchy process (AHP), descriptive statistics, and focus group methodology, researchers prioritized project impacts based on stakeholder consent and operational efficiency. The findings propose an improved SIA framework for heritage sites, ensuring sustainable development while preserving cultural value.

Idrīs ʿImĀd al-Dīn and medieval Ismaili historiography

Old Walled City of Shibam — 2017 — WHEBB5A9309C4

Idrīs ʿImĀd al-Dīn, a celebrated Ismaili historian born in the fortress of Shibam, Yemen, stands out for his significant contributions to medieval Ismaili historiography. His work, rooted in access to extensive archival documents such as decrees and letters, provides invaluable insights into the Ismaili movement's political fortunes, particularly during the reign of Queen Arwa of Yemen (1084–1138). Al-Dīn’s historiography uniquely blends Ismaili theology with Neoplatonism and other philosophical traditions, offering a distinct intellectual tradition that reflects the evolution of the Ismaili movement. This study highlights his role as a key figure in preserving and interpreting historical narratives, bridging theological discourse with political history.

Il breviario di Martino I d’Aragona (1396-1410). Contributo alla storia del ms. Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Rothschild 2529

Poblet Monastery — 2017 — WHED05DD40AC7

A Breviary from the Poblet Monastery, commissioned by King Martin I of Aragon (1396–1410), was not intended for the king himself but for his son, Martin I of Sicily. This revelation emerged from analyzing unpublished and previously unassociated documents linked to the Rothschild manuscript 2529 in Paris. The study traces its ownership through Margaret of Prades before it was acquired by Alfonso the Magnanimous. Additionally, the Lenten ferial lessons in the Breviary deviate from standard Cistercian practices, reflecting Martin I of Aragon's detailed instructions.

Illustrating architecture: the spatio-temporal dimension of Gerrit Rietveld's representations of the Schröder House

Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House) — 2017 — WHE220E85E008

Gerrit Rietveld's axonometric projections of the Schröder House reveal a groundbreaking approach to architectural representation, privileging abstract conceptual relationships over traditional perspective or photography. These illustrations, devoid of contemporaneous descriptions, demonstrate how Rietveld used axonometry to explore architecture's potential beyond physical presence, influenced by scientific explorations of perceptual space and modernist critiques like Piet Mondrian. By adjusting vertical dimensions to maintain dimensional accuracy, Rietveld developed a system of logical equivalency that correlated abstract geometries with material habitation, offering an alternative concept for architecture rooted in spatial and auxiliary domestic elements.

Image processing and analysis of radar and lidar data: new discoveries in Verona southern lowland (Italy)

City of Verona — 2017 — WHE32686D8EC0

Advanced image processing of lidar and radar data has uncovered previously undetected archaeological features in the southern lowland of Verona, Italy, offering new insights into Bronze Age landscapes. This non-invasive approach successfully identified evanescent marks—faint traces left by ancient human activity—that traditional optical sensors often miss. The study highlights how modern agricultural practices, while contributing to discoveries, have also eroded the archaeological record, making remote sensing techniques crucial for preserving and studying these proto-historic sites. By analyzing vast areas without physical disturbance, lidar and radar data provide a promising method for uncovering hidden layers of history in plain environments.

Imagining an Old City in Nineteenth-Century France: Urban Renovation, Civil Society, and the Making of Vieux Lyon

Historic Site of Lyon — 2017 — WHEF52BA916F9

Nineteenth-century urban renovations in Lyon, driven by state initiatives under the Second Empire, inadvertently sparked a localist movement that sought to preserve the city's distinctive, antiquarian architectural heritage. This study reveals that cultural elites in Lyon used antiquarian discourse to assert that the city's narrow, crooked streets were integral to its identity, fearing their erasure by Parisian influences. Contrary to traditional narratives focusing on state-led urban transformations, this research highlights the role of civil society and antiquarian history as modern phenomena shaping urban development. The analysis combines urban history with cultural studies to illustrate how local pride and anxiety drove the preservation movement that gave rise to Vieux Lyon.

Imagining Localities of Antiquity in Islamic Societies

Site of Palmyra — 2017 — WHE768DD9BBA3

Both the French restoration of Palmyra's Temple of Bel in the early 20th century and its destruction by ISIS in 2015 were ideological acts aimed at reviving an imagined past, reflecting globalized heritage ideals. The study highlights how these actions, while seemingly opposite, share a common logic that erases diverse layers of history—French efforts erased 1,800 years of Christian and Muslim heritage, while ISIS targeted the reconstructed temple. To move beyond problematic global heritage discourses, the article proposes an alternative framework for understanding how Muslims have valued ancient localities over time, emphasizing varied engagements with antiquity in Islamic societies.

Impact Assessment of Pollutant Emissions in the Atmosphere from a Power Plant over a Complex Terrain and under Unsteady Winds

San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano — 2017 — WHE548AF2DF31

A proposed natural gas-fired power plant in the mountainous Republic of San Marino, near the Adriatic Sea, demonstrates spatially confined environmental impact despite high NOx emissions. Simulations using advanced atmospheric models (SPRAY, SWIFT, SURFPRO) under varying meteorological conditions revealed that pollutant dispersion is largely limited to a single peak where the plume interacts with Mount Titano's hillside, 5 km from the plant. This finding suggests minimal widespread environmental impact, even under worst-case scenarios, due to the complex terrain and land-sea breeze dynamics. The study adheres to Italian and European regulatory frameworks, providing critical insights for sustainable energy development in small, topographically challenging regions.

Impact of Cocos Ridge (Central America) subduction on the forearc drainage system

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park — 2017 — WHEC4C2B2A1F9

Subducting the Cocos Ridge beneath Central America deflects rivers away from its crest, shaping the drainage patterns of the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves/La Amistad National Park. This study reveals that such subduction influences forearc drainage systems, with rivers above the ridge flanks diverging while those over its broad crest show minimal deflection. The modern drainage system in Costa Rica and Panama suggests the Cocos Ridge has been subducting for at least 1.8 million years. Researchers used a combination of three-dimensional finite-element modeling of ridge subduction and landscape evolution models to demonstrate how subducting topographic highs alter drainage patterns, providing insights into the onset and history of ridge subduction.