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Vers l'assistance à l'exploration pertinente et réaliste d'environnements 3D très denses

Amiens Cathedral — 2015 — WHE6A14706605

A novel approach to navigating dense 3D environments, such as the intricate point cloud of Amiens Cathedral, leverages visual saliency and photometric entropy to guide virtual camera movements. The study introduces a Gaussian mixture-based model for visual saliency, which enhances the relevance and fluidity of camera control during both local framing and global exploration. This method ensures realistic movement while avoiding obstacles, tested in simulations and real-world scenarios with robotic systems. Additionally, an assisted exploration technique allows users to define zones of interest, combining hierarchical control laws to optimize navigation paths. These innovations address the challenges posed by highly detailed 3D environments, offering tools for more intuitive and effective virtual exploration.

Vertebrate tracks in Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene (?) carbonate aeolianites, Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos — 2015 — WHE44A1D6E85B

A significant discovery of vertebrate tracks, including those likely made by dwarf hippopotami and dwarf elephants, was uncovered in Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene carbonate aeolianites near Paphos, Cyprus. These tracks, ranging from 5 to 23 cm in diameter, provide a rare opportunity to correlate fossilized footprints with the island's endemic fauna, which included the dwarf hippopotamus Phanourios minor and the dwarf elephant Elephas cypriotes. The study examined cross-bedded aeolianite exposures near Agia Solomoni Church and within the Tombs of the Kings, analyzing sedimentary structures to reconstruct ancient coastal dune environments. While absolute dating remains pending, the tracks' size and morphology strongly suggest they were made by these now-extinct species, offering insights into Cyprus's late Pleistocene ecosystem.

Very shallow dyke intrusion and potential slope failure imaged by ground deformation: The 28 December 2014 eruption on Mount Etna

Mount Etna — 2015 — WHEEDAC8AB739

A rare instance of very shallow dyke intrusion beneath Mount Etna's New Southeast Crater, accompanied by potential slope failure, was captured during the 28 December 2014 eruption. Ground deformation patterns, including local displacements and synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) data, revealed a complex interaction between magmatic intrusion and gravitational instability on the volcano's upper eastern side. While GPS and DInSAR analyses identified a NE-SW oriented intrusion beneath the crater, the observed deformation could not be fully explained by this model alone, suggesting an additional slope failure component. This study highlights the dynamic interplay between magmatic processes and structural instability in volcanic systems.

Vibration Frequencies Extraction of the Forth Road Bridge Using High Sampling GPS Data

The Forth Bridge — 2015 — WHEB64AD4B757

A novel method using high-sampling GPS data successfully extracted vibration frequencies from the Forth Road Bridge, revealing distinct frequency responses under different loading conditions. The study demonstrated that GPS can reliably capture 3D deflections and accurately extract structural frequencies, with height displacement time series providing more stable results than lateral displacements. Key frequencies of 0.105 Hz and 0.269 Hz were identified from both lateral and height data, correlating well under ambient circulation, strong wind, and trial loadings with two 40-ton lorries. This approach offers a robust tool for real-time structural monitoring.

Vienne et l'opéra impérial baroque. Un système, une symbolique

Historic Centre of Vienna — 2015 — WHE8564708230

During the reign of Leopold I (1658) to Charles VI (1740), Vienna emerged as a pivotal center for Baroque Italian opera, leveraging its status as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The study reveals that imperial operatic performances were not merely artistic expressions but part of a structured system designed to glorify the Habsburg dynasty. These performances, characterized by their exceptional quality and symbolism, drew from antique and Christianized mythologies, reinforcing the dynasty's historical mission through deliberate staging. The research identifies three key pillars supporting this system: the poeta Cesareo, the composer, and the stage designer, all contributing to a cohesive narrative that integrated music, drama, and visual artistry to serve imperial propaganda.

Violent Delights, Violent Ends: Sex, Race, and Honor in Colonial Cartagena de Indias

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena — 2015 — WHE851B8A0B5F

Colonial Cartagena de Indias women strategically manipulated sexual and gendered norms to navigate Spanish judicial systems, leveraging rhetoric around sex and honor to advance their cases. Nicole von Germeten's analysis of 24 judicial cases from the late 16th to early 19th centuries reveals how these women—spanning enslaved, wealthy, black, white, peninsulares, and creole backgrounds—exploited colonial legal biases for personal benefit. While the study offers detailed insights into a small sample of cases involving sexual violence, honor killings, witchcraft, adultery, and estupro, its narrow focus on womanhood as a transgenerational marker may overlook broader social dynamics of race, power, and class. The work contributes to early modern Caribbean historiography but risks generalizations due to limited primary evidence and analytical detachment from Cartagena's historical context.

Violent enclosures, violated livelihoods: environmental and military territoriality in a Philippine frontier

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park — 2015 — WHE21CA1CD101

This research reveals how overlapping environmental and military governance in the buffer zone of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park exacerbates livelihood vulnerabilities for indigenous communities, particularly the Tagbanua. The study demonstrates that 'violent enclosures'—where conservation and military interventions converge—create coercive governance structures that criminalize local behavior, merging ecological and political control. By analyzing local experiences in Palawan, Philippines, the authors show that these contested frontiers, though seemingly less governable, are highly politicized spaces where scarce resources are tightly managed. The findings underscore the need for policy makers to critically engage with how governance processes yield structural violence, enabling indigenous peoples to navigate the double bind of overlapping enclosures. This work contributes to understanding the complex interplay between conservation, militarization, and agrarian change in protected areas.

Virtual Modeling for Architecture: teaching today digital representation techniques to tomorrow’s professional designers

The Porticoes of Bologna — 2015 — WHE536A0DC85C

A collaborative learning environment integrating virtual modeling techniques significantly enhances students' preparedness for professional architectural design. The study demonstrates that teaching advanced digital representation skills, such as those applied to the UNESCO-listed Porticoes of Bologna, bridges traditional architectural training with modern computational tools. By involving students in the 3D digitization of this cultural heritage site, the research highlights the practical advantages and challenges of adopting these methodologies in academic settings. The approach not only consolidates technical skills but also fosters a deeper understanding of architectural visualization, offering a scalable model for future education.

Virunga National Park - Steder og rettigheder for gorillaer og mennesker i Afrika

Virunga National Park — 2015 — WHE5ED82A32A6

This article reveals how historical human rights and animal rights campaigns, including the Congo Reform Movement's 'Atrocity Meetings' and Dian Fossey's fight for mountain gorilla protection, share structural similarities that may have contributed to the current eco-crisis threatening Virunga National Park. The study argues that these campaigns, while groundbreaking in their advocacy, also carry a shared responsibility for environmental degradation. It uses the 2014 documentary 'Virunga' as a rhetorical model to propose alternatives. The research approach combines historical analysis with critical examination of advocacy strategies, linking past and present ecological challenges.

Visions, Reliquaries, and the Image of “Becket’s Shrine” in the Miracle Windows of Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church — 2015 — WHEDF549F5F04

A re-evaluation of the 13th-century stained-glass panels in Canterbury Cathedral's Trinity Chapel reveals that they depict scenes from Benedict of Peterborough's miracle collection, rather than the shrine of Thomas Becket. The study identifies a fictive shrine from a clerk's vision and a personal reliquary owned by the wife of the Earl of Hertford, both linked to Becket's relics. This challenges the traditional interpretation that these panels represent Becket's shrine, suggesting instead a decentralized early cult with widespread dissemination of clothing relics in local churches. The findings are supported by comparisons to contemporary stained glass, book illumination, and wall paintings.

Visiting Cultural Heritage with a Tour Guide Robot: A User Evaluation Study in-the-Wild

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2015 — WHE1B2E1F2E14

A user evaluation study at the Royal Alcázar in Seville revealed that while individual technical features of a fully autonomous tour guide robot, FROG, may function flawlessly in controlled settings, they can fail to integrate smoothly when deployed in real-world scenarios. This is due to unpredictable interactions from visitors, highlighting the challenges of deploying advanced social robots in dynamic environments. The study involved both invited and spontaneous visitors who provided feedback on their experiences and attitudes toward FROG's autonomous guidance system.

Visitor preferences toward scheduled bus use in natural and protected areas

The Dolomites — 2015 — WHE250E0612E9

A combination of incentives for alternative transportation systems (ATS) and disincentives against car use effectively promotes sustainable mobility in natural areas, according to a study conducted in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research found that integrating 'carrot and stick' approaches—rewarding ATS while penalizing automobile access—significantly influences visitor behavior, leading to more balanced visitation patterns. Using a stated preference survey, the study analyzed how visitors responded to various management strategies, providing actionable insights for administrators aiming to reduce car dependency in protected landscapes.

Visitor understanding of the UNESCO world heritage brand: a comparative analysis

Studenica Monastery — 2015 — WHED479AD46A7

A comparative analysis of visitor awareness and motivation regarding UNESCO World Heritage Sites reveals that while visitors from Serbia and Morocco exhibit higher pre-visit awareness of the World Heritage brand compared to those in the USA, this awareness does not translate into increased site visitation. The study, which surveyed visitors at Studenica Monastery (Serbia), Independence Hall (USA), and Volubilis (Morocco), found that World Heritage status alone does not motivate tourism decisions. Despite a segment of visitors being aware of the brand, they are not driven to visit specific sites due to this recognition, suggesting the World Heritage List may function more as a symbolic or political tool than an economic driver. This challenges the assumption that the UNESCO World Heritage designation significantly boosts tourism.

Visual Landscape Management of Scenic Peucang Island and Ujung Kulon Peninsula in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2015 — WHE30E48F7DBE

A comparative analysis of Ujung Kulon National Park’s scenic landscapes revealed that the Ujung Kulon Peninsula exhibits superior visual quality compared to Peucang Island, with Area Cibom classified as a preservation priority (Class 1) due to its exceptional natural beauty and ecological value. Conversely, Cidaon and Peucang Island were categorized under partial retention (Class 3), indicating moderate management requirements. The study employed a comprehensive assessment framework integrating landscape structure, visual quality, and resource management strategies to evaluate these areas' suitability for tourism while balancing conservation needs. This research underscores the importance of targeted visual landscape management to sustain ecological integrity amid increasing recreational demand in protected zones.

Visuality, Coloniality and Modernism in the Gran Chaco: Assessing Grete Stern's Indigenous Photographs

Chaco Culture — 2015 — WHE0DE78E8077

Grete Stern's indigenous photographs from Argentina's Gran Chaco region represent a pivotal aesthetic and ethical shift in visual representations of the area, moving away from the anthropological gaze of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These images, rooted in modernist photography and humanist concerns, challenge previous narratives by focusing on the photographs themselves rather than Stern's biography. The study reveals how Stern's work contributed to the aestheticization of indigenous communities, influencing contemporary photographers like Guadalupe Miles. By analyzing these photographs within historical and visual contexts, the research highlights their enduring impact on representations of Argentina's indigenous cultures.

Visualización tridimensional hiperrealista e interactiva: Cámara Santa y Joyas de la Catedral de Oviedo

Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias — 2015 — WHE0BD8F41230

Advanced 3D modeling techniques have revolutionized the visualization of cultural heritage, enabling hyper-realistic and interactive representations of architectural monuments and sculptures. This study demonstrates that combining 3D scanning, photogrammetry, texture mapping, and 3D imaging software can produce images of unprecedented quality for heritage preservation. The integration of these technologies with platforms like Unity allows for enhanced interactivity across devices such as smartphones, tablets, and augmented reality systems, while also paving the way for future applications in holodisplays and auto-stereoscopic 3D television. This approach not only serves as an invaluable tool for professionals but also offers a novel means of engaging with heritage sites like the Camera Santa and Jewels of the Cathedral of Oviedo.

Visualizing Visualisation: Spatial Conceptualisation as a stepping stone in the transition of Real-Virtual World Interactionism

City of Valletta — 2015 — WHE235AB8D5C6

This research demonstrates the potential of spatial conceptualization as a bridge between real and virtual worlds, highlighting its role in immersive interactionism. The study introduces the DIKA model, which facilitates the transition from real space to interactive 3D environments using gaming engines like Minecraft. By leveraging point clouds and voxel/TIN models, the paper showcases the creation of a 3D model of Valletta, illustrating how spatial data can be visualized in virtual reality (VR) settings. The findings underscore the challenges and opportunities in integrating non-technical disciplines into virtual environments, suggesting that while technology has advanced rapidly, the full transition remains incomplete. This work provides a foundational approach for future studies on real-virtual world interactionism.

Waardestelling in de Nederlandse monumentenzorg 1981-2009

Van Nellefabriek — 2015 — WHEA68C440511

A multidisciplinary approach to value assessment is essential for effective conservation of built heritage, as it integrates architectural, spatial, social, and technical aspects alongside historical and cultural values. This study, focusing on the period 1981-2009 in the Netherlands, identifies that value assessments should not only address historical values but also relate them to material and physical attributes of monuments. Through a multiple-case study involving five Dutch sites—including the Van Nelle factory—a comprehensive value assessment process is proposed, drawing parallels with art restoration practices while adapting them for built heritage conservation. The research concludes that such an approach enhances the development and review of conservation plans, supporting a more efficient and holistic preservation strategy.

Wailing Walls and Iron Walls: The Western Wall as Sacred Symbol in Zionist National Iconography

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2015 — WHEF81913FACC

The Western Wall emerged as a pivotal symbol in the crystallization of Zionist nationalism during the 1929 riots, marking a critical juncture in the conflict between Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine. This study reveals how the Wall's sacred imagery was strategically employed by Zionist leaders to forge a distinct national identity, contrasting traditional Jewish practices with modern nationalist aspirations. Saposnik's analysis of primary sources, including diaries like Colonel Frederick Kisch's, demonstrates that the riots were not merely a clash over religious rights but a defining moment where the Wall became central to shaping Zionist ideology and territorial claims. The research highlights how this symbolic transformation contributed to the construction of a modern Jewish national consciousness, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Waiting for the Second Coming: The New Photographic Collection of the American Colony Archives

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2015 — WHE73FB3CEB29

A significant photographic collection from the American Colony Archives in Jerusalem, depicting Biblical Palestine and local traditions, has been digitized and made accessible to the public. This collection, comprising 7,000 to 10,000 photographs—including the largest known set of albums produced by the Colony's photo department—offers a unique visual record of late 19th-century Jerusalem and its surroundings. The archives, housed in what is now the American Colony Hotel, document the transition of the utopian Christian community from a messianic sect to a thriving business, engaging in photography as one of its income-generating ventures. The images capture landscapes, biblical themes, and local life, including Bedouins and traditional costumes, providing valuable insights into the cultural and historical context of the region during that period.