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Seawater Exchange Processes through the Bays of Shirahama and Funaqui in Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2016 — WHE38F158199C

A study on Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan, reveals that the bays of Shirahama and Funauki exhibit distinct seawater exchange patterns driven by tidal cycles. During high tide, water flows from Funauki Bay to Shirahama Bay, while during low tide, the flow reverses. This bidirectional movement is influenced by differences in bay depth and length, creating a stable environment where low-salinity river water can persist near the surface of Funauki Bay during summer months. The research combines observational data, numerical analysis, and theoretical modeling to elucidate these processes, providing insights into the physical dynamics that govern seawater exchange in coastal ecosystems.

Sediment transport induced by tidal bores. An estimation from suspended matter measurements in the Sée River (Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, northwestern France)

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2016 — WHE63F9F3DDEE

Researchers have quantified the significant sediment transport induced by tidal bores, reaching up to 40 kg/m²/s, in the macrotidal estuary of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the difficulty of measuring suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) due to high turbulence and large SSC values. The study employed both direct and indirect (optical) methods for SSC measurements, calibrated in laboratory settings to ensure consistency and accuracy. By coupling these measurements with ADCP velocity data, scientists calculated instantaneous sediment transport associated with tidal bore passages, providing critical insights into the dynamics of sediment movement in such environments.

Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional, Hábitos Alimentares e condições socioeconômicas na Chapada dos Veadeiros no Brasil Central

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2016 — WHEA803909E08

A study reveals that food and nutritional security (SAN) varies significantly among municipalities in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region, with Cavalcante showing better conditions (55% of respondents) compared to Teresina de Goiás and Colinas do Sul (both 45%). The research highlights a concerning shift in dietary habits, where locally produced foods are being replaced by processed and industrialized products, particularly during breakfast and snacks. Socioeconomic challenges, including low income and limited education, further exacerbate food insecurity in these areas. The study employed the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), semi-structured interviews, and dietary assessments to uncover these trends.

Seismic Assessment of the World’s Tallest Pure-Brick Tower Including Soil-Structure Interaction

Gonbad-e Qābus — 2016 — WHE8CB0FAAAD5

A seismic assessment of the Gonbad-e Qabus tower, the world's tallest pure-brick structure, reveals significant vulnerability to earthquakes. The study found that low-frequency seismic records induce higher displacements and stresses than high-frequency ones, with maximum displacements reaching 27.57 cm during the Loma-Yerba earthquake. Stress contours exceeded the compressive and tensile strength of the tower's materials, indicating a critical need for seismic rehabilitation. Researchers employed finite-element modeling, nonlinear dynamic analysis, and experimental tests to determine mechanical properties of masonry blocks and surrounding soil, providing insights into the structure's performance under various seismic conditions.

Seismic safety evaluation and reinforcement design of Honjo Brick Warehouse

Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites — 2016 — WHE64374CDA1F

A structural assessment of the Honjo Brick Warehouse, built in 1896, reveals that its brick masonry and king post truss design can be reinforced to meet earthquake resistance standards for its planned use as a small city hall and museum. The study, which includes strength tests on brick masonry walls, vibration tests, anchor bolt reinforcement assessments, and ground condition investigations, confirms the warehouse's structural integrity after renovation. This finding is significant for reinvigorating local tourism by linking the Honjo site to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomioka Silk Mill, registered in 2014.

Selçukluların ilk dönemlerinde Merv Şehri ve önemi (1035-1092)

State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv” — 2016 — WHE7DC35CEB29

Merv, a city of strategic and cultural significance spanning from antiquity to the medieval period, played a pivotal role during the early Seljuk era (1035-1092). This study reveals that Merv served as both a political and military hub for the Seljuks, shaping their state's foundational principles. Under Çağrı Bey, it flourished as a center of trade along the Silk Road, uniting regions like Horasan, Batı Türkistan, and Mavera politically and culturally. However, neglect in later periods led to its decline, with lasting consequences for the Seljuks. The research employs historical analysis to highlight Merv's enduring importance, advocating for its revitalization today.

Selected studies on terrestrial vertebrate palaeoichnology of western Canada

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2016 — WHE7975CFCC61

A significant surge in the discovery of fossil vertebrate tracksites in western Canada, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia, has revealed groundbreaking insights into prehistoric animal behavior. Notable findings include the first recorded sauropod tracks in Canada, evidence of herding behavior among tyrannosaurs and ankylosaurs, and avian track sites spanning nearly the entire Cretaceous Period. Pathologies observed in footprints have also provided unique data on extinct species' health and biomechanics. These discoveries, drawn from formations like the Mountain Park Member of the Gates Formation and the Wapiti Formation, are filling critical gaps in the skeletal record of terrestrial vertebrates. The study highlights the spatial distribution of tracksites, with older sites concentrated around British Columbia's Rocky Mountains and younger ones in the Foothills and Plains regions. This research underscores the importance of ichnology in understanding extinct animals' behavior and ecology, offering a more comprehensive picture than skeletal remains alone.

Selection and Resource Allocation Model for Upgrading Fire Safety of Historic Buildings

Venice and its Lagoon — 2016 — WHE85C14DA356

A novel selection and resource allocation model has been developed to optimize fire safety upgrades for historic buildings, addressing budget constraints while ensuring effective protection. The model integrates innovative tools to solve real-world budget allocation challenges, demonstrated through a case study of the Mount Athos Monasteries. This approach provides a systematic framework for designers to balance trade-offs in fire protection design under limited resources, offering a practical solution for preserving cultural heritage from fire hazards.

Selling EthniCity

City of Quito — 2016 — WHE2131B630EA

The edited volume 'Selling EthniCity' reveals how urban cultural politics in the Americas, from colonial times to contemporary consumer societies, commodify ethnicity for economic and identity purposes. It demonstrates that ethnic heritage is increasingly leveraged as a marketable asset, reshaping urban landscapes while raising questions about authenticity and memory. The study employs comparative case studies—ranging from carnival celebrations in post-Katrina New Orleans to gentrification in U.S. neighborhoods—to analyze how ethnicity is performed, consumed, and contested. Key findings include the tension between heritage preservation (e.g., Quito’s historic center) and commercialization, as well as the role of digital media in re-ethnicizing urban spaces. The research combines ethnographic observation, cultural analysis, and critical discourse studies to expose the complexities of identity politics in globalized cities.

Semantische Frames zur empirischen Erfassung sozialer Repräsentationen : ein diskurslinguistischer Ansatz zur Untersuchung der Wahrnehmung der Straßburger Neustadt durch die lokale Bevölkerung

Strasbourg, Grande-Île and Neustadt — 2016 — WHEC3905F0048

This study reveals a disconnect between the increasing media attention and UNESCO World Heritage Site designation of Strasbourg's Neustadt—once an imperial quarter—and its perception by local residents. While the area is being actively valorized, particularly due to its potential inclusion in UNESCO’s heritage list since 2010, local social representations do not align with this narrative. The research employs an interdisciplinary discourse-linguistic approach, combining questionnaires and interviews with psychosociological theories (e.g., 'central nucleus theory' and the 'silent zone hypothesis') and lexicometic methods to analyze semantic frames in discourse. These frameworks help uncover the content, structure, and dynamics of how residents perceive Neustadt, shedding light on the cognitive and social dimensions of urban heritage interpretation.

Senecio sangayensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae): a striking new species from the Ecuadorian highlands

Sangay National Park — 2016 — WHE590CE205B5

Researchers have identified Senecio sangayensis, a striking new species of plant endemic to the eastern Ecuadorian Cordillera. This discovery is notable for its unique racemiform synflorescence, characterized by dense cymose-corymbs subtended by triangular-ovate bracts, and its distinctive life-history strategy. The species was found in the páramo ecosystems of Sangay National Park. Preliminary assessment indicates that Senecio sangayensis is Endangered (EN) under IUCN criteria, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this rare and ecologically significant plant.

Serengeti IV: Sustaining Biodiversity in a Coupled Human-Natural System

Serengeti National Park — 2016 — WHE4C82143861

A landmark volume, 'Serengeti IV: Sustaining Biodiversity in a Coupled Human-Natural System,' reveals that traditional conservation strategies often conflict with sustainable livelihoods, necessitating a rethinking of protected area management. The study synthesizes 27 multiyear investigations across the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, highlighting the intricate interplay between ecological processes—such as wildebeest migrations and fire regimes—and socioeconomic dynamics in surrounding human-occupied landscapes. Key findings include the critical role of protected areas like Serengeti National Park as baselines for evaluating system resilience, the rarity of win-win solutions for conservation and agriculture, and the profound impact of wildebeest on ecosystem structure, particularly following rinderpest eradication. The research employs a combination of long-term ecological data, modeling (e.g., structural equation modeling), and conceptual analysis to address fundamental questions about biodiversity dynamics, habitat use, and climate change impacts.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) populations

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2016 — WHE1F6F37B447

Toxoplasma gondii infection is unlikely to be a major contributor to reproductive failure in New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), according to a study analyzing seroprevalence across mainland and sub-Antarctic populations. The research tested archived sera from 55 sea lions using ELISA, latex agglutination tests (LAT), and Western blot validation, revealing five positive cases—all from mainland locations (Otago Peninsula and Stewart Island). Notably, two adult females exhibited high antibody titres over consecutive years, while no sub-Antarctic Enderby Island sea lions tested positive. While T. gondii does not appear to significantly impact reproduction in these threatened populations, the study underscores the need for ongoing surveillance to assess potential subclinical effects. The findings also suggest that commercially available tests, with species-specific threshold adjustments, could serve as a reliable and cost-effective tool for monitoring exposure in New Zealand sea lions.

Settlement Duration and Materiality: Formal Chronological Models for the Development of Barnhouse, a Grooved Ware Settlement in Orkney

Heart of Neolithic Orkney — 2016 — WHE873C61D816

A Grooved Ware settlement at Barnhouse, Orkney, likely began as a planned foundation in the late 32nd century cal BC and was abandoned by the early 29th century cal BC, with Structure 8 being the last element to be left. Bayesian chronological modeling based on radiocarbon dating of 62 samples revealed varied house durations and replacements, challenging previous understandings of the site's development. The pottery from Barnhouse, among the earliest dated Grooved Ware, shows remarkable consistency in design and manufacture, with notable changes including the introduction of large coarse ware vessels and applied dimpled circular pellets around 3025–2975 cal BC. This study provides significant insights into the emergence of Grooved Ware and its role in social strategies during the Late Neolithic period.

Sewers, Archaeobotany, and Diet at Pompeii and Herculaneum

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2016 — WHE9A0C155408

A cosmopolitan diet emerged in Pompeii and Herculaneum during the last centuries BC, replacing earlier local food traditions. This insight comes from archaeobotanical analysis of sewer deposits beneath Cardo V at Herculaneum, revealing diverse plant remains that reflect a varied and internationally influenced diet among residents of small apartments above. Comparative evidence from Pompeii supports this trend, illustrating how regional food economies evolved over time. The study highlights the significance of urban sewers as repositories for understanding dietary shifts in ancient societies.

Shandong Province and tourism: an examination of World Heritage Sites

Mount Taishan — 2016 — WHE9023856CAA

Shandong Province, China, is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS): the temple and cemetery of Confucius and the Kong family mansion in Qufu, and Mount Taishan. The study evaluates these sites against UNESCO's ten criteria for WHS designation, finding that Mount Taishan meets seven criteria, including its role as a masterpiece of human creativity, its significance in landscape design, and its representation of traditional human settlement. Both sites are also linked to living cultural traditions with universal significance. While Shandong Province promotes tourism through a Mandarin-language website, the study highlights the need for strategic efforts to maximize the benefits of these WHS for the region. The research focuses on the criteria met by each site and suggests targeted strategies to enhance their impact on local tourism.

Shaping the Ordnance Office Collections at the Tower of London: The impact of colonial expansion, diplomacy, and donation in the early nineteenth century

Tower of London — 2016 — WHE524AC8BAD4

British colonial expansion, diplomatic activities, and military successes significantly reshaped the Ordnance Office collections at the Tower of London during the early 19th century. This period saw a shift toward greater public access and historical accuracy in the museum's displays, extending beyond the well-documented New Horse Armoury to include broader aspects of the collection. The study highlights how these changes reflected national trends while being driven by overseas acquisitions and territorial growth.

Shifts in taxonomic and functional microbial diversity with agriculture: How fragile is the Brazilian Cerrado?

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2016 — WHE1CB70001F7

Agricultural practices significantly alter the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbes in the Cerrado biome, one of Brazil's most critical grain-producing regions. A study using shotgun metagenomics revealed that conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) systems, introduced 23 years ago for soybean/maize cultivation, reduced macroporosity and microbial biomass while increasing Proteobacteria dominance—particularly Rhizobiales and Bradyrhizobium—likely due to soybean inoculation. In contrast, native Cerrado soils showed higher diversity of Rhizobium, Azospirillum, and other taxa, alongside greater functional diversity. CT systems, despite harboring more taxonomic sequences, exhibited reduced functional profiles, suggesting a potential trade-off in microbial efficiency. The findings underscore the fragility of the Cerrado's soil microbial community beneath its resilient vegetation, highlighting the need for sustainable agricultural practices to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Short-stop visitation in Shark Bay World Heritage Area: an importance–performance analysis

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2016 — WHE90B9577B0A

Visitors to Shark Bay World Heritage Area can achieve high satisfaction with natural attractions and educational facilities, even when visitor infrastructure is minimal. A study using importance-performance analysis (IPA) found that visitors to the stromatolite viewing-boardwalk in Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve rated their experience positively despite limited facilities, highlighting the potential for short-stop tourism sites to thrive without extensive development. Visitors expressed a strong desire for updated interpretive signs or an educational mobile app, suggesting targeted improvements could enhance engagement. The IPA approach proved effective in identifying management priorities before implementing changes, offering a practical tool for sustainable tourism planning.

Should I stay or should I go? Initiation of joint travel in mother–infant dyads of two chimpanzee communities in the wild

Taï National Park — 2016 — WHE7D97A47E87

Chimpanzee mothers and infants employ distinct signals to initiate joint travel, with infants shifting from vocal to gestural communication as they develop. A study comparing two wild chimpanzee communities revealed low concordance in maternal gestural production both within and between groups, suggesting that gestures arise from social negotiation rather than genetic or ritualized learning. Researchers recorded 442 actions, 599 intentional gestures, and 80 vocalizations over 156 days, proposing a new theory of gestural acquisition where signals are shaped through shared understanding in real-time interactions.