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Publications

Showing 23401 – 23420 of 30345 publications

Freedom Has a Face: Race, Identity, and Community in Jefferson’s Virginia by Kirt von Daacke (review)

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2015 — WHE0603151693

Kirt von Daacke's 'Freedom Has a Face: Race, Identity, and Community in Jefferson’s Virginia' challenges the prevailing narrative of racial segregation and disdain between free people of color and whites in Albemarle County, Virginia. The study reveals that, contrary to earlier theses, free people of color were integral to their community, with intimate social relationships, reputations for trustworthiness, and familial connections that extended well into the 1840s. Von Daacke's analysis, based on extensive primary sources such as private papers, court records, and census data, demonstrates how free individuals navigated legal restrictions, including prohibitions against interracial marriage, while maintaining visible roles in society. The work underscores the complexity of racial dynamics in pre-Civil War America and suggests that similar patterns may have existed elsewhere, inviting further scholarly exploration.

Freshwater Flux and Spatiotemporal Simulated Runoff Variability into Ilulissat Icefjord, West Greenland, Linked to Salinity and Temperature Observations near Tidewater Glacier Margins Obtained Using Instrumented Ringed Seals

Ilulissat Icefjord — 2015 — WHE1CE5FE84E9

A study of Ilulissat Icefjord, West Greenland, reveals that freshwater flux into the fjord is dominated by ice discharge from Jakobshavn Isbrae (85%), with runoff contributing 14% and other sources accounting for the remaining 1%. The research, spanning 2009–2013, used instrumented ringed seals to collect salinity and temperature data near tidewater glacier margins, providing unprecedented access to otherwise inaccessible waters. Simulated runoff showed significant spatiotemporal variability, correlating with observed hydrographic conditions in the upper fjord and southern arm. Notably, runoff spikes during late summer significantly altered salinity in the upper water column (0–50 m), while smaller variations had minimal impact. The study highlights the complex interplay between terrestrial runoff and glacial dynamics in shaping fjord conditions.

From a dispersed medieval collection to one international library: the virtual reconstruction of the monastic library of Lorsch

Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch — 2015 — WHEEF18CAADE3

A virtual reconstruction of the medieval monastic library of Lorsch, once dispersed across 73 institutions worldwide, has united 309 manuscripts into one international digital library. This project, part of the Bibliotheca Laureshamensis - digital initiative, utilized advanced digitization and cataloguing techniques to create freely accessible, high-resolution facsimiles enriched with detailed metadata. The study highlights how the dispersed nature of the collection influenced both technical workflows and the design of the Virtual Monastic Library, offering a groundbreaking model for preserving and studying fragmented historical libraries.

From Gabii and Gordion to Eretria and Methone: The Rise of the Greek Alphabet

Gordion — 2015 — WHEAD09A354CA

Recent discoveries from Methone, including three long inscriptions likely written in Eretrian script, provide crucial evidence for the diffusion of literacy and the evolution of the Greek alphabet. These findings challenge the traditional understanding that the Greek alphabet evolved directly from Phoenician scripts, suggesting instead a more complex prehistory with at least three distinct phases: Cretan, Euboean, and Ionian. The study proposes raising the chronology of the Middle and Late Geometric periods to reconcile this evidence. Additionally, the inscriptions indicate that Euboean script was already sophisticated enough to record complex texts like epic poetry by this time. This research sheds new light on the origins and spread of alphabetic writing in the Mediterranean world.

From Gesture to Myth: Artists’ techniques on the walls of Chauvet Cave

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2015 — WHEEB4AFE3AEA

Chauvet Cave's decorated walls, dating back approximately 36,000 years, reveal a sophisticated and homogeneous artistic tradition. The cave's artworks, comprising charcoal drawings, red paintings, engravings, and finger-traced designs, are organized into distinct panels that exhibit formal diversity while sharing common themes and compositions. Ethological studies highlight the central role of cave lions in the artists' symbolic vision, providing insight into their myths and worldview. The research employs a survey of techniques used across three colors (white, black, red) and integrates 14C dating to model human use of the cave accurately. This approach confirms the antiquity of certain components, such as torch-marks and charcoal, attributed to the Gravettian period, while also emphasizing the coherence and continuity of Chauvet's artistic expression.

From medieval Cairo to modern Masdar City: lessons learned through a comparative study

Historic Cairo — 2015 — WHEED650D182F

Traditional Arab-Islamic urbanism, often overlooked in modern development, holds valuable architectural and urban techniques that can be innovatively applied to contemporary cities. A comparative study of medieval Cairo and Masdar City in Abu Dhabi reveals the potential for reviving these heritage-based models while addressing modern challenges such as climate adaptation and sociocultural shifts. The research highlights the need for planners to balance narrow, winding streets—ideal for shade—in with wide, straight paths to enhance pedestrian permeability. It also underscores the importance of considering evolving social dynamics, including gender and spatial privacy concerns, when reintegrating historical urban designs into modern metropolises.

From Planning to Management of Cultural Heritage Sites: Controversies and Conflicts Between Unesco WHL Management Plans and Local Spatial Planning in South-Eastern Sicily

Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica — 2015 — WHEF97E8C0B34

A study of Syracuse and Pantalica, UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) in South-Eastern Sicily, reveals significant challenges in integrating supranational heritage management plans with local spatial planning. The research highlights that while UNESCO's protective frameworks aim to foster sustainable development, their effectiveness is often undermined by rigid local planning systems. This disconnect leads to conflicts between global conservation goals and regional development priorities, demonstrating the need for more adaptive and collaborative planning approaches.

From private to public

Australian Convict Sites — 2015 — WHEAB4386DC18

A comparative analysis of global penal colonies reveals that the decision-making processes for establishing convict destinations and transporting prisoners during the late 18th to 19th centuries were shaped by complex legal, administrative, political, cultural, and economic factors. This study highlights how different regions—including Southeast Asia, Latin America, Australia, Russia, and Japan—approached penal regimes, site selection, prisoner housing, transportation logistics, and the agency of officials, prisoners, and communities in shaping carceral landscapes. By drawing on archival sources from seven scholars across diverse geographical settings, the research underscores the spatial implications of these processes, offering a nuanced understanding of historical incarceration practices.

Functional redundancy of multiple forest taxa along an elevational gradient: predicting the consequences of non‐random species loss

Shiretoko — 2015 — WHE90597E1928

A study in Shiretoko National Park, Japan, reveals that while climate change may alter the taxonomic composition of plant and invertebrate communities along elevational gradients, functional redundancy—where different species perform similar ecological roles—may buffer ecosystem processes. Researchers found that functional turnover was generally lower than taxonomic turnover, suggesting that novel communities emerging due to rising temperatures could maintain critical ecosystem functions. However, non-random species loss from mammalian overgrazing/browsing significantly accelerated functional turnover, potentially eroding this redundancy and threatening ecosystem stability. The findings highlight the synergistic impacts of climate change and other environmental stressors on ecological communities.

Future of an icon: K'gari-Fraser Island, climate change and social expectations

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2015 — WHE398FD79F5F

K’gari (Fraser Island) faces significant threats from climate change, including rising sea levels and increased storm intensity, which jeopardize its World Heritage status. The study highlights that while the island's natural phenomena and ecological processes remain outstanding, social expectations and environmental pressures demand urgent adaptive management strategies to preserve its unique value. Wardell-Johnson’s research combines field observations with modeling to assess climate impacts on key features like dune systems and rainforests, emphasizing the need for proactive conservation planning to safeguard this iconic site.

Garden cities in the Jewish Yishuv of Palestine: Zionist ideology and practice 1905–1945

White City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern Movement — 2015 — WHEA56C1A493D

Zionist urban planning in Palestine from 1905 to 1945 was profoundly shaped by the Garden City Movement, adapting its principles to create a distinct Jewish urban fabric. This study reveals how Zionist leaders and settlers in Ottoman and British Mandatory Palestine selectively adopted Garden City concepts—originating from England and Germany—to establish a 'national paradigm' for Jewish settlement. While retaining core ideas like green spaces and low-density development, local adaptations incorporated traditional elements and public demands, diverging from Ebenezer Howard's original model. The influence of these adaptations is evident in the development of Ahuzat Bayit (Tel Aviv) and beyond, setting a precedent that persists in contemporary urban planning. This research highlights Palestine as an innovative laboratory for global urban planning ideas during the early 20th century.

Gastropods from upper Pliensbachian–Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) sediments of Causses Basin, southern France and their recovery after the early Toarcian anoxic event

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2015 — WHEF42930B8E2

A new gastropod species, Bathrotomaria kronzwilmesorum, was identified from Lower Jurassic sediments of the Causses Basin, southern France, revealing insights into post-anoxic event recovery. The study found that gastropod diversity peaked during the Bifrons and Aalensis zones, indicating brief periods of stable oxygen levels and favorable seabed conditions. However, diversity plummeted in the Variabilis–Pseudoradiosa zones, suggesting severe environmental instability that only allowed highly adaptive species to survive. The slow and discontinuous faunal recovery was attributed to the Causses Basin's geographic isolation, which restricted faunal exchange with western European seas, preventing faster colonization by more diverse Tethyan taxa. This research highlights the impact of physiographic factors on biodiversity resilience during ancient environmental crises.

Gathering of the Dead? The Early Neolithic Sanctuaries of Göbekli Tepe, Southeastern Turkey

Göbekli Tepe — 2015 — WHE34F194A950

Göbekli Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Turkey, challenges traditional narratives of Neolithic society by revealing sophisticated ritual practices linked to death and immortality. The study suggests that the site's sanctuaries were not merely places of burial but served as gathering points for communal rituals, possibly marking transitions between life and death. Researchers analyzed architectural features, artifact distributions, and symbolic representations to propose that these structures functioned as early Neolithic sanctuaries, predating the emergence of settled agricultural communities. The findings imply a complex social order with elaborate mortuary practices, reshaping our understanding of the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more structured societies.

Gender and climate change in the Indian Himalayas: global threats, local vulnerabilities, and livelihood diversification at the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2015 — WHE0E4018E726

Climate change disproportionately affects women farmers in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, threatening their livelihoods through altered temperature patterns, precipitation, and snowmelt. This study reveals that while traditional subsistence strategies—such as agriculture, livestock rearing, and migration—remain vulnerable to climate shifts, ecotourism offers a viable alternative to strengthen women's economic assets and community resilience. The research employs a gender-focused case study approach, integrating insights on inter-group diversity to propose policy-relevant frameworks for climate adaptation that prioritize social equity. Findings underscore the need for transformative perspectives in climate science and policy modeling to address gender justice in mountain ecosystems.

Genes of the extinct Caucasian bison still roam the Białowieża Forest and are the source of genetic discrepances between Polish and Belarusian populations of the European bison,Bison bonasus

Białowieża Forest — 2015 — WHE441FD9E000

A groundbreaking genetic analysis reveals that the European bison population in Belarusian part of Białowieża Forest carries genes from the extinct Caucasian bison, unlike its Polish counterpart. This discovery challenges the assumption that both populations belong to the Lowland genetic line (LB). Researchers used 19 microsatellite markers and 1512 bovine SNP markers to compare DNA samples from Polish and Belarusian bison, as well as extinct Caucasian bison. The study found significant genetic differences between the two populations, with the Belarusian population showing traces of Caucasian origin. These findings suggest that the global LB line population is only half its officially recognized size, necessitating urgent conservation actions to preserve this unique lineage within Białowieża Forest.

Genetic Diversity Among Populations of the Medicinal Plant Achillea fragrantissima (Asteraceae) in Egypt

Saint Catherine Area — 2015 — WHE149EE043BA

A study of the medicinal plant Achillea fragrantissima in Egypt revealed significant genetic diversity among 20 populations, with distinct clustering patterns based on both morphological traits and ISSR markers. Populations from high-elevation mountainous regions, such as South Sinai's Saint Catherine Area, exhibited higher genetic variability, including unique ISSR markers linked to desirable traits like plant size, seed yield, and vigor. These findings highlight the potential for targeted conservation and commercial use of A. fragrantissima, particularly in populations with traits beneficial for cultivation and medicinal applications.

Genetic diversity of Kenyan native oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus )

Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest — 2015 — WHEB36C4A4F8E

Kenyan native oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus) exhibit significant genetic diversity, with higher within-population variation (89%) compared to among-population differences. The study analyzed 71 isolates from three forests—Kakamega, Arabuko Sokoke, and Mount Kenya—and identified three species (P. djamor, P. floridanus, P. sapidus) using AFLP markers and ITS sequences. Arabuko Sokoke showed the highest genetic diversity (0.27), while commercial cultivars matched natural populations in diversity levels (0.24). This broad diversity suggests potential for developing native strains suitable for sustainable cultivation.

Genetic Evidence Supports the Multiethnic Character of Teopancazco, a Neighborhood Center of Teotihuacan, Mexico (AD 200-600)

Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan — 2015 — WHE925DD0C864

Genetic analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from Teopancazco, a neighborhood center within the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan, reveals that multiethnicity was a defining feature of its population from AD 200 to 600. The study, combining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data with stable isotope and paleodietary analyses, identifies three distinct population groups: locals from Teotihuacan, residents from nearby regions like Tlaxcala-Hidalgo-Puebla, and individuals from distant areas including coastal plains. This genetic diversity persisted across Teopancazco's history, though a genetically differentiated group emerged during the Transitional phase. The research also suggests neolocal post-marital residence patterns in adults but highlights greater male heterogeneity among infants, hinting at sex-specific cultural practices. Comparisons with other heterogeneous native groups and populations from the 'Teotihuacan corridor,' Oaxaca, and the Maya region further support Teopancazco's multiethnic character, aligning with archaeological evidence.

Genetic structure of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) population: Are tigers in Sikhote‐Alin and southwest Primorye truly isolated?

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2015 — WHE3EA2DA6A1A

A genetic analysis of Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East reveals that tigers in southern and northern Sikhote-Alin are more closely related than those separated by less than 10 km, indicating a significant barrier to tiger movement between Southwest Primorye and southern Sikhote-Alin. The study used noninvasive sampling of feces, hair, and blood from 63 identified individuals across three regions, analyzing nuclear DNA at nine microsatellite loci. This suggests that despite proximity, geographical or ecological factors may effectively isolate these populations.

Genetics of Rapid and Extreme Size Evolution in Island Mice

Gough and Inaccessible Islands — 2015 — WHE5B9EA2D903

House mice on Gough Island have evolved the largest body size among wild populations within just a few hundred generations, primarily through accelerated growth during the first six weeks of life. Researchers identified 19 quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked to body weight and growth rate by comparing these mice with a smaller-bodied subspecies using genetic mapping in F2 intercrosses. While the effects of these QTL are modest and additive, this study reveals that rapid size evolution can be genetically complex, even under natural conditions. Comparisons with laboratory-selected mouse strains suggest parallels between natural and artificial selection for body size, though distinct loci contribute to the trait in each context. This work advances our understanding of the genetic basis of extreme body size evolution in island ecosystems.