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Publications

Showing 23941 – 23960 of 30345 publications

Revisiting the Dragon Princess: Her Role in Medieval Engi Stories and Their Implications in Reading the Lotus Sutra

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine — 2015 — WHEB4E3EF3A4D

A new interpretation of the Dragon Princess from the Lotus Sutra challenges long-held assumptions about her role and transformation, revealing an intrinsic connection between medieval Japanese engi stories and Buddhist scriptural narratives. Unlike previous studies that emphasized her sudden sex change and metamorphosis into a Buddha, this research highlights her depiction in the Heike Nokyo sutra's Devadatta chapter frontispiece, where she offers a jewel to the Buddha without physical transformation. The study also proposes an alternative etymology for 'engi,' linking it to the Buddhist term nid?na (origin or provenance), which encompasses scriptural narratives about the origins of sermons and miracles linked to the Buddha's past lives. This reinterpretation provides fresh insights into the intersection of medieval Japanese storytelling and Buddhist doctrine, particularly in visual and textual representations preserved at Itsukushima Shrine.

Revitalization Of The 1970s Within The ‘Old Town’ In Kraków

Historic Centre of Kraków — 2015 — WHEE772652BB7

A study on the revitalization of 1970s buildings within Kraków’s UNESCO-listed Old Town reveals significant challenges posed by structural inaccuracies, which exceeded standard tolerance values. The research focuses on two structures—a multi-level garage and an office building—where the application of a new aluminum façade was impeded by these issues. The findings highlight the need for precise technical solutions in urban revitalization projects to balance historical preservation with modern architectural demands. The study also outlines the criteria used to select appropriate technologies, providing insights into the complexities of integrating contemporary designs within protected heritage areas.

Rheology of the lithosphere beneath the central and western Tien Shan

Western Tien-Shan — 2015 — WHE1C3D9C6DBC

Research on the Western Tien-Shan reveals that the lithosphere beneath this region exhibits remarkable insensitivity to lateral temperature variations, with strength variations limited to a factor of 2 to 4 despite significant temperature differences. This suggests that the strength-controlling portion of the lithosphere is not strongly dependent on temperature, contrasting with expectations for high-temperature creep mechanisms. The study utilized crustal velocity data and seismic tomography to model strain rates and gravitational potential energy variations, estimating an effective viscosity lower bound of approximately 10^22 Pa s. Plastic deformation of dry, pyroxene-rich lower crust may also contribute to this temperature-insensitive strength profile.

Riflessioni con Vincenzo Cabianca sulle Isole Eolie

Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) — 2015 — WHEA2225950D9

Aeolian Islands' landscape, shaped by unique geophysical and volcanic processes, faces challenges from tourism and development. This study reflects on the significance of cultural heritage and insularity, emphasizing the need to protect scientific heritage through landscape planning. It explores how small island ecosystems, particularly those influenced by volcanic activity, require tailored approaches to balance conservation with human activities. The research highlights the importance of international collaboration in preserving these unique landscapes for future generations.

River tourism and boat graveyards along the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi — 2015 — WHE34BDB77E4C

Abandoned boats along the Canal du Midi pose significant environmental and aesthetic challenges. These derelict vessels, including pleasure boats, houseboats, and barges, contribute to visual pollution through decay and oil spills, contrasting sharply with the site's renowned beauty. The study highlights the impact of river tourism on heritage conservation, emphasizing the need for better waste management to preserve the landscape's charm and ecological integrity.

Robotic Mapping of Cultural Heritage Sites

Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square — 2015 — WHEA74FC0A8F0

Robotic mapping using the mobile robot Irma3D demonstrates significant advancements in automating 3D modeling of cultural heritage sites, including the Würzburg Residence. Equipped with a camera and laser scanner, the robot streamlines data acquisition and registration processes, addressing challenges posed by massive datasets. The study highlights its effectiveness through testing at two renowned sites: Ostia Antica and the Würzburg Residence, showcasing its potential to revolutionize archaeological documentation.

Rom im Exil – Die fiktiven Räume des Matteo Giovanetti in Avignon

Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge — 2015 — WHE843E92C7DB

Matteo Giovanetti's surviving frescoes in Avignon's 14th-century papal palace represent a groundbreaking advancement in illusionistic painting, creating complex architectural perspectives and fictitious spaces that transform small chapels into expansive, scenic landscapes. These works, depicting St Martial and St John the Baptist and Evangelist, were designed to replace Rome's significant churches during papal processions, reflecting the political and religious shift of the papacy to Avignon. Giovanetti's technique, characterized by its depth and realism, predates similar developments in Renaissance art, establishing him as a pioneer in illusionistic representation.

Roof cracks investigation and cracking mechanism analysis of Niuchang ancient cave in Longyou, Southeast China

Longmen Grottoes — 2015 — WHEB7EF5B117C

Longmen Grottoes, including the Niuchang ancient cave, exhibit unique geological and mechanical characteristics that distinguish them from other global heritage sites. These include large-scale structures, shallow burial depths, weak rock masses, inclined roofs, and distinct sculpted pillars, all of which provide valuable natural laboratories for studying rock mechanics and engineering geology. The caves' proximity without connection, overlapping levels, and varied time-dependent deformations under different environmental conditions—such as underwater, half-underwater, or dry—offer rare insights into long-term rock stability. Despite extensive research on short-term water effects on rock deformation, knowledge gaps persist regarding the durability of rock masses over centuries or millennia. This study highlights the Niuchang cave's structural integrity and cracking mechanisms, underscoring its significance for both academic inquiry and practical preservation efforts.

Roost Site Selection of the Common Crane in Its Largest European Stop-Over Site

Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta — 2015 — WHEDE058D1275

Common Cranes in Hortobágy National Park (Hungary) prefer only 44% of suitable wetlands for roosting, with site selection driven by conservation management, wetland type and size, and disturbance factors. Artificially flooded marshes and large fishponds, managed through controlled flooding or drainage aligned with migratory periods, are critical for supporting Crane staging. This study highlights the importance of species-specific wetland management to sustain mass migrations of wetland birds in one of Europe's largest stop-over sites.

Roskilde Domkirke. Styring af sognekirke og turistattraktion

Roskilde Cathedral — 2015 — WHE8D6BB5DA37

A new governance model for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exemplified by Roskilde Cathedral, emerges as a potential trend balancing religious and cultural heritage functions. The 2013 reorganization of the cathedral's governance network, including the establishment of a new foundation, reflects an adaptive approach to managing sites that straddle the intersection of Denmark's religious and museum sectors. This study highlights how such structures can navigate the dual demands of preserving historical significance while accommodating tourist attractions, offering insights into sustainable heritage management for similar globally recognized landmarks.

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — 2015 — WHE80C68C4E28

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), houses the largest plant and fungal collections on Earth, playing a pivotal role in documenting global plant diversity and economic botany for over 250 years. A key achievement is its Millennium Seed Bank Project, which secured seeds of 10% of wild plant species across 54 countries by 2010, ensuring genetic conservation. Kew's Breathing Planet Program, launched in 2009, employs seven science-based strategies to drive global plant conservation and improve livelihoods. Through its work in taxonomy, economic botany, molecular phylogenetics, and restoration ecology, RBG Kew exemplifies institutional resilience, contributing significantly to both scientific knowledge and practical conservation efforts.

Running rings round Troy: Recycling the ‘Epic Circle’ in Hellenistic and Roman art

Archaeological Site of Troy — 2015 — WHE0ECF4535AD

Hellenistic and Roman artists frequently reinterpreted the 'Epic Cycle'—a collection of narratives about Troy—not only through poetry but also visually, adding new dimensions to these ancient tales. While original works are scarce, surviving sculptures, mosaics, and paintings reveal that Epic Cycle themes were highly popular among political and social elites, as evidenced by commissioned works like Hieron II's Iliad mosaics in the 3rd century BC. The study reinterprets these visual 'testimonia' not to reconstruct lost narratives but to explore how art paralleled contemporary literary concerns, offering a unique lens on ancient reception of epic stories.

Safeguarding “Negative Historical Values” for the Future?: Appropriating the Past in the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2015 — WHE37350FEABE

Auschwitz-Birkenau, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, serves not only as a testament to historical atrocities but also as a tool for shaping future societal values. This study reveals how the site's material evidence has been transformed into a didactic framework, guiding interpretations of the past and projections toward a 'better future.' By analyzing conservation paradigms from the 1970s to the 1990s, including ecological management and buffer zone strategies, the research demonstrates how temporal references on the site have been mediated. This process has significant implications for understanding historical authenticity and its role in constructing collective memory.

Safranboluyu Ziyaret Eden Yabancı Turistlerin Destinasyon İmajı Algıları

City of Safranbolu — 2015 — WHEFDB0B2C25D

Foreign tourists visiting Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Ottoman architecture and natural beauty, generally perceive the city positively, with high satisfaction levels regarding its image, tourist guiding services, and transportation infrastructure. However, this satisfaction varies significantly based on demographic factors such as age, gender, and nationality. The study, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 400 foreign tourists, provides critical insights for sustainable preservation, revitalization, and management of historic sites, offering actionable recommendations for local authorities, managers, and investors.

Sailing Through the Sacraments: Ethnic and Cultural Geographies of a Port and Its Churches-Cartagena de Indias

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena — 2015 — WHEF9A6EA9FF0

A unique analysis of parish books from Cartagena de Indias Cathedral reveals the complex ethnic and cultural dynamics within a slave society, challenging rigid racial hierarchies. These records, maintained by naval chaplains, document sacraments performed across diverse groups—including Spaniards, Creoles, Africans, free people of color (pardos libres), and enslaved individuals—exposing fluid social boundaries and the agile navigation of racial fissures within a frontier society. The study maps distinct geographical spaces developed along the coast and in the port city, illustrating how Africans, Europeans, and Indigenous peoples collectively created a multicultural 'tropical Babylon.' This work underscores the adaptability of institutions like the navy, military, and church in incorporating marginalized groups, thereby reshaping the theoretical caste system.

Salt marshes to adapt the flood defences along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast

Wadden Sea — 2015 — WHE3A71CD1D54

Salt marshes along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast can significantly reduce wave heights, even under extreme conditions, potentially lowering the need for dike reinforcement amid accelerated sea level rise. Explorative modeling by the Netherlands Wadden Region Delta Programme demonstrated that a salt-marsh zone in front of existing dikes could mitigate flood risks while keeping pace with rising sea levels. A salt marsh potential map identified stretches with favorable abiotic conditions and existing seminatural marshes, though integration into flood defenses depends on conservation agreements and cost-benefit analyses. This study highlights the dual role of salt marshes—enhancing natural resilience and reducing infrastructure demands—while addressing practical challenges in their implementation.

Samarkand, Maracanda, Zariaspa : la lente formation d’équivalences toponymiques

Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures — 2015 — WHE8375B4BD11

A comprehensive analysis of the toponymic evolution of Samarkand reveals the gradual formation of equivalences between its historical names—Maracanda and Zariaspa. The study, dedicated to Pierre Chuvin's extensive work on Central Asian heritage, sheds light on the linguistic and cultural layers underlying the city's identity. By examining ancient texts and archaeological evidence, researchers trace how these names emerged and intertwined over centuries, offering a nuanced understanding of Samarkand's historical significance as a crossroads of cultures.

San Fernando Batteries in Portobelo - Panama: building materials characterization and the environmental impact evaluation

Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo — 2015 — WHE64669683D7

Preliminary findings from mineralogical and petrographic analyses reveal critical insights into the degradation of construction materials at the San Fernando Batteries, a 17th–18th century Spanish fortress on Panama's Caribbean coast. Using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM-EDX), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), researchers identified environmental impacts on the site’s conservation. The study, part of a collaboration between ISAC-CNR, the Patronato de Portobelo y San Lorenzo, and the University of Ferrara, aims to safeguard this UNESCO-listed heritage by understanding how materials like stone and mortar deteriorate due to climate and pollution. These methods provide a foundation for targeted preservation strategies.

Sandra Langereis, De woordenaar. Christoffel Plantijn, ‘s werelds grootste drukker en uitgever (1520-1589)

Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex — 2015 — WHEAE3AFDAAD5

A comprehensive biography of Christoffel Plantijn, one of the world's greatest printers and publishers during the 16th century, reveals his significant impact on Dutch society and the publishing industry. Published as part of the 'Sleutelfiguren' series by Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds, this well-researched work examines Plantijn's extensive business activities, family history, intellectual contributions, and the broader historical context of the Low Countries during a period marked by confessional and political conflicts. The study, spanning nearly 400 pages, balances readability for a general audience with deep scholarly engagement, supported by detailed annotations and source surveys in an appendix. While some academic readers may find the lack of detailed names frustrating, the book effectively weaves together multiple historical themes to illuminate Plantijn's legacy.

Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes — 2015 — WHEE32620E3BC

Groundwater depletion is accelerating in the Badain Jaran Desert, China, despite some recent increases in soil water due to climate-driven rainfall. A study using satellite altimetry and hydrological models found that lake levels and groundwater storage have declined significantly from 2003 to 2009, with long-term depletion outpacing short-term gains. If unchecked, this trend threatens the survival of fragile desert oases, posing ecological and environmental risks.