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Publications

Showing 2501 – 2520 of 15962 publications

Measurement and inversion of urban multi-area ambient temperature under the protection demand of Longmen Grottoes, China

Longmen Grottoes — 2025 — WHE83B564AF75

A significant escalation of the urban heat island (UHI) effect, reaching up to 10 °C in Luolong District's core and a 2.3 °C decline in the Luo River's cold island effect, has been identified near the Longmen Grottoes, posing potential risks to cultural heritage. This study employed temperature inversion and urban-rural gradient analysis techniques to assess land surface temperatures from 2001 to 2024. Findings indicate a strong linear correlation between UHI intensity and impervious surface density, as well as green space coverage in the urban area. The research provides critical local environmental data for proactive heritage conservation strategies in metropolitan regions.

Measuring pulsar profile variations with 2D Gaussian process regression

Jodrell Bank Observatory — 2025 — WHEDFAD846410

Researchers using advanced Gaussian process regression techniques have identified significant pulsar profile variations in 21 out of 26 observed pulsars, with 11 showing previously documented correlations to spin-down rates and seven exhibiting new evidence of such correlations. The study, conducted at Jodrell Bank Observatory, employed a computationally efficient 2D Gaussian process model to enhance sensitivity by simultaneously tracking time- and phase-correlated signals in pulsar magnetospheres. Notably, PSR B0740–28 displayed complex profile shape changes that switch between quasi-stable states, challenging current understanding of the underlying physical processes.

Media, Power and Heritage Policy: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Himeji Castle’s Entry Fee Proposal

Himeji-jo — 2025 — WHEA512541A25

A critical discourse analysis of media coverage reveals how strategic language and authoritative quotes shape public perception around Himeji Castle's proposed foreign tourist fee increase, framing it as essential for sustainable tourism while omitting diverse perspectives. The study highlights the media's role in influencing policy debates and public opinion, situating this discourse within broader socio-economic tensions between economic benefits and cultural preservation. Using Norman Fairclough's three-level model—textual, discursive practice, and social practice—the research underscores the need for balanced tourism practices that preserve heritage while addressing local and global interests.

Megaliths as the oldest preserved monuments in Europe

Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan — 2025 — WHE7FF77547A1

Megaliths, among the oldest preserved monuments in Europe, serve as profound indicators of ancient societies' technical prowess and cultural significance. These structures, including notable complexes like Stonehenge, Carnac stones, and the Treasury of Atreus, reveal advanced engineering capabilities, social organization, and deep astronomical knowledge tied to solar and lunar cycles. Megaliths functioned as religious sites, tombs for elites, and communal gathering places, playing pivotal roles in shaping collective identity and national pride. Beyond their historical value, they bolster local economies through tourism while facing critical preservation challenges from natural degradation and human activity. This study underscores the dual importance of megaliths—both as symbols of cultural heritage and economic assets—highlighting urgent conservation needs to safeguard these irreplaceable landmarks for future generations.

Memories and Social Struggles in Contemporary Bolivia

City of Potosí — 2025 — WHEA38EAD9E9F

Collective memories serve as powerful platforms structuring activism during periods of intense social struggle and political change, according to research on Bolivia's contemporary conflicts. The study reveals that activists leverage historical narratives—such as the anti-colonial rebellion of Tupac Katari and Bartolina Sisa, the War of the Pacific, and the rise and fall of Potosí—as constitutive and instrumental tools in their movements. These memories exhibit path-dependent continuity, shaping activism during the 'Gas War' (2003), conflicts in El Alto, and the 2010 civic strike in Potosí. The analysis employs three case studies to demonstrate how such narratives are mobilized to make sense of contemporary struggles, offering an innovative framework for understanding memory's role in social movements.

Memories of indenture: An analysis of representations of indentured labour at the Aapravasi Ghat and the 1860 heritage centre

Aapravasi Ghat — 2025 — WHE986C9CBEF2

A comparative analysis of exhibitions at Aapravasi Ghat (Mauritius) and the 1860 Heritage Centre (South Africa) reveals how these sites shape memories of indentured labor, a transnational system that dispersed populations across continents. The study highlights their role in fostering connective memory through narratives tied to democratic nation-building and postcolonial identities, while also exploring diasporic networks and contemporary interpretations of historical materials. By adopting a transnational oceanic framework, the research demonstrates how these sites can reimagine indenture's representations, suggesting new directions for museum practices to engage with this complex history.

Mental Maps and Sacred Spaces: An Empirical Analysis of Late Medieval Towns of the Baltic Sea Region, 1420–1520

Medieval Town of Toruń — 2025 — WHE31803AA6BE

Late medieval towns along the Baltic Sea, including Toruń (Thorn), exhibited a practical emphasis on the visibility of religious landmarks in their mental landscapes. Despite local variations, urban dwellers integrated nominally Christian elements—such as named spaces or structures—into their daily spatial cognition, reflecting a deeper role for faith in shaping physical perception. The study analyzed written sources from Åbo (Turku), Reval (Tallinn), Stockholm, Stralsund, and Toruń between 1420–1520, revealing how religious elements were not merely symbolic but functionally significant in urban navigation and social life.

Mercury is a Messenger

Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija — 2025 — WHEF75B90E9E9

Mercury's pivotal role in early photography, particularly in the development of daguerreotype plates and silver extraction through amalgamation, is highlighted as a critical yet often overlooked element. This study traces the transatlantic trade networks involving mercury and silver, emphasizing the imperial relationships and labor histories that underpinned these processes. By focusing on visual representations of mining labor at three sites—Almadén in Spain, Pachuca in Mexico (then New Spain), and Almaden in California—the research uncovers the human cost associated with mercury extraction, including mistreatment and resistance. The findings challenge conventional narratives by presenting a more global and nuanced perspective on 'American' photography, rooted in complex labor dynamics and mineral dependencies.

Mesozoic-Cenozoic Intramountain Basins of the Tien Shan and Western Transbaikalia: Comparative Characteristics and Correlation of Events Article 1. Question Formulation. Intramountain Basins of the Gissar-Alai and Central Tien Shan

Western Tien-Shan — 2025 — WHE2E744105C6

A comparative analysis of Mesozoic-Cenozoic intramountain basins in the Eurasian intracontinental orogen reveals that these regions, including the Western and Central Tien Shan, were zones of dispersed shear flow. This dynamic process led to the formation and evolution of a system of depressions and uplifts, driven by the redistribution of rock masses during rheid deformation under conditions of vertical and lateral rheological heterogeneity in the crust. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, including geological analysis, structural and tectonic research, geomapping, lithological section descriptions, experimental tectonophysics, and magnetotelluric sounding, to elucidate regional geodynamic development features. This first article in a series sets the foundation for further exploration of depressions in Western Transbaikalia and broader correlations of events.

Mesrob z Kaffy († 1624) – ostatni przedunijny arcybiskup „wszystkich Ormian obojga płci, mieszkających we Lwowie, Kijowie, Łucku i Zamościu”

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin — 2025 — WHE363ACFC73B

Mesrop of Kaffa (†1624) stands as the last pre-Union Armenian archbishop overseeing communities across Lviv, Kiev, Lutsk, and Zamość before the union with the Holy See. Born in a mixed Armenian-Ruthenian family in Moldavia, his life traversed Crimea, Armenia, and Poland, where he was ordained and rose through ecclesiastical ranks. His journey—marked by pilgrimages, manuscript searches, and formal appointments—culminated in his recognition as archbishop of Lviv in 1623. Mesrop’s legacy includes patronage of Armenian churches, notably founding an altar in Kamieniec Podolski, and a documented will in Kipchak-Armenian ethnolect. The study reconstructs his life through historical records, including royal decrees and chronicles, offering insight into the socio-religious dynamics of pre-Union Armenian communities in Eastern Europe.

Messung des Geschiebetransportverhaltens in der Donau in der Wachau mittels aktiver Tracer

Wachau Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHEF92F6D9ED3

A groundbreaking tracer study on the Danube River in Austria's Wachau Cultural Landscape revealed that sediment transport is significantly influenced by particle size, starting position, and hydrological conditions, as well as local river morphology. The research, employing 45 VHF-tagged tracers over 17 months, found that smaller particles are transported farther on average, providing critical insights into sediment dynamics. This method achieved a remarkable >99% recovery rate, offering a robust foundation for sustainable sediment management and riverbed stabilization strategies.

Metahuman social media influencers and the endorsement of cultural city brands

City of Safranbolu — 2025 — WHED2B90D687E

Metahuman social media influencers (SMIs) significantly enhance brand loyalty for cultural city brands more effectively than human influencers, primarily by elevating brand charisma, which subsequently strengthens brand reputation and loyalty. This sequential pathway—charisma driving reputation, then loyalty—was demonstrated in randomized experiments conducted across two UNESCO World Heritage cities, Rome and Safranbolu, using Instagram and Facebook platforms. Notably, the positive impact of metahuman SMIs on brand charisma diminished when participants were already familiar with the cultural city brand. The study leverages Social Influence Theory and Meaning Transfer Theory to provide actionable insights for marketers, suggesting that metahuman SMIs could be a scalable tool for promoting lesser-known cultural destinations globally. While limited by controlled online samples, this research offers a novel approach to influencer strategy in social media advertising.

Metaphisic of Boundary Spaces: The Bolshoi Solovetsky Island in the Letters of Father Pavel Florensky (1934–1937)

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2025 — WHECDBC57AD1A

Father Pavel Florensky's letters from Bolshoi Solovetsky Island (1934–1937) reveal the island as a unique 'boundary space'—a microcosm and macrocosm where existence, time, and meaning intersect. His reflections depict it as a liminal zone between being and non-being, nature and existence, while his experiences of temporal distortion and existential emptiness elevate this setting to a tragic metaphor for life's perversion. The island emerges as both a world center (ecumene) and a space of profound semiotic significance, embodying Florensky's philosophical vision of unity between man and the universe. This analysis underscores how physical isolation materializes internal discord, reinforcing ancient wisdom about mutual reflection in existence.

Metric-Based Comparative Analysis of Seljuk and Byzantine Architectural Practices in Medieval Anatolia

Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği — 2025 — WHE6C0DB38610

A comparative analysis of Seljuk and Byzantine architectural practices in medieval Anatolia reveals a dynamic interplay between the two traditions, marked by mutual adoption and adaptation of structural and decorative innovations. The study demonstrates that Seljuk architects integrated Byzantine techniques—such as monumental masonry and mosaic work—into Islamic artistic frameworks, while post-Byzantine structures incorporated Seljuk elements like geometric patterns and muqarnas. This synthesis produced a hybrid architectural style that significantly influenced Ottoman design and broader Islamic aesthetics. The research employs a metric-based framework to evaluate aesthetic and structural principles across emblematic sites, including the Great Mosque of Divriği, the Green Mosque in Bursa, and Hagia Sophia, uncovering the sociopolitical dynamics underpinning these exchanges.

Metrología y Construcción Arquitectura Tebana de la XVIII Dinastía

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2025 — WHEC53E63F061

A study of Ancient Thebes' religious architecture from the 18th Dynasty reveals precise metrological relationships and geometric modules underlying its design, centered around the Egyptian royal cubit (0.523 m). By analyzing dimensions, plans, and proportional relationships in temples and tombs, researchers identified a consistent modular system that reflects both ritual and functional concepts. This metrological framework aids conservation efforts by enabling accurate reconstruction of damaged or missing elements and facilitating the recontextualization of dispersed architectural pieces. The findings bridge modern restoration practices with ancient Egyptian design principles, offering insights into spatial organization and the philosophical underpinnings of Theban architecture.

Micranops lacustris

Garamba National Park — 2025 — WHE0294D87300

A comprehensive taxonomic reassessment of the beetle species Micranops lacustris reveals its widespread distribution across northern sub-Saharan Africa, extending from Gambia and Senegal in the west to regions near Lake Victoria in Uganda. The study confirms new records for Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Senegal, and South Sudan, while synonymizing Scopaeus fragilis under M. lacustris based on morphological analysis of type specimens. Researchers examined authentic syntypes from multiple collections, including those from the Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago) and the Natural History Museum (London), to validate taxonomic decisions. The species is characterized by its light brown to medium brown coloration, macropterous morphology, and distinct aedeagal structures in males. Collected using light traps, M. lacustris demonstrates flight capability, contributing to its broad geographic range.

Microbial Community Analysis and Environmental Association in Cave 6 of the Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes — 2025 — WHE7B43E06406

A high-throughput sequencing analysis of microbial communities within Cave 6 of the Yungang Grottoes revealed significant microenvironment-specific diversity and functional risks. The study identified Ascomycota-dominated fungi and Proteobacteria-rich bacteria, with the highest diversity near areas of external interaction—such as lighting windows—and the lowest in red pigment zones, likely under heavy metal stress. Human-associated microbes (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella, Malassezia) indicated anthropogenic pollution on statue surfaces. Functional predictions (PICRUSt2) highlighted elevated biodegradation risks in dust accumulation and inter-statue areas, enriched with organic-degrading and acid-producing taxa like Rubrobacter and Cladosporium. Microbial distribution was strongly influenced by environmental openness, substrate type, and human impact, offering critical insights for targeted conservation strategies.

Microclimate characteristics and tourist carrying capacity of Phong Nha cave, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park — 2025 — WHE3560C9E117

Phong Nha Cave's tourist carrying capacity is determined to be up to 3,780 visitors per day under optimal conditions, with recovery times of 497 minutes in summer and 318 minutes in winter. This study marks the first application of the Lobo method using microclimate indicators—temperature, relative humidity (RH), and CO₂ concentrations—to assess environmental impact in a Vietnamese cave system. Continuous monitoring revealed significant seasonal variations, with average visitor stay times of 7.8 minutes in summer and 12.7 minutes in winter. These findings provide actionable guidelines for sustainable tourism management in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and offer a scalable model for other show caves in Vietnam.

Microclimate effects and outdoor thermal comfort of green roof types in hot and dry climates: Modelling in the historic city of Yazd, Iran

Historic City of Yazd — 2025 — WHED031E56775

Intensive green roofs significantly enhance thermal comfort and modify microclimate parameters in Yazd, Iran's hot and arid climate, outperforming extensive green roofs and non-vegetated roofs. Simulation using the ENVI-met model revealed that intensive green roofs reduced air temperature, mean radiant temperature, and longwave radiation while increasing wind speed and relative humidity, creating more comfortable conditions (PMV = 0.18) during early morning hours (7:00–9:00 am). However, despite these improvements, all scenarios remained classified as 'very hot' or 'hot,' indicating limited effectiveness under Yazd's extreme climatic conditions, characterized by high temperatures, intense radiation, and severe water scarcity. The study suggests that while green roofs can ameliorate microclimate and thermal comfort, their practical application in such harsh environments is not advisable.

Microgeographic diversity does not drive macroevolutionary divergence in bite force of the Ibiza wall lizard, Podarcis pityusensis

Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture — 2025 — WHE0099FD69A6

Despite extensive research on microgeographic phenotypic variation, this study reveals that such diversity does not necessarily translate into macroevolutionary divergence. Using the Ibiza wall lizard, Podarcis pityusensis, as a model, researchers analyzed bite force and morphology across 11 populations with varying degrees of evolutionary isolation. Surprisingly, the two major clades of P. pityusensis, isolated for over 100,000 years, showed negligible phenotypic differences in bite force, contradicting expectations. The study also found that environmental selective pressures drive form-function evolution differently by sex: natural selection is more influential on females, while males exhibit both natural and sexual selection influences. This research highlights the complexity of form-function-environment relationships, demonstrating how convergence at greater evolutionary scales can obscure microevolutionary diversity.