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Showing 25241 – 25260 of 30315 publications

Paul Laxton and Richard Rodger, Insanitary City: Henry Littlejohn and the Condition of Edinburgh

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2014 — WHEB1B5F5B4DA

A groundbreaking 1865 report by Sir Henry Littlejohn, Edinburgh's first medical officer of health, exposed the severe public health crises in the city's Old Town, revealing conditions so dire that they surpassed even those of Manchester and Liverpool. The study, analyzed by Laxton and Rodger, combines historical records, maps, and contemporary photographs to demonstrate how systemic neglect, political inertia, and extreme poverty led to widespread disease and deprivation. It highlights the political underpinnings of public health failures, offering a seminal contribution to epidemiological investigation and social reform in 19th-century Scotland.

Peculiarities of soil cover in the subalpine belt of the Putorana Plateau

Putorana Plateau — 2014 — WHECE51ED5964

A distinct soil classification emerges for the subalpine belts of the Putorana Plateau, revealing cryometamorphic soils (granuzems) and organic-accumulative soils as dominant in mountain tundra, alongside abrazems. In contrast, lowland forest-tundra areas are characterized by cryoturbated soils (cryozems), primarily developing on sandy loamy glaciolacustrine deposits. This study leverages a substantive-genetic classification framework, integrating morphological and physicochemical data to elucidate the unique soil dynamics shaped by subaerial aeolian processes in these high-altitude ecosystems.

People

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2014 — WHE46AD851A93

A rare glimpse into the life of Tsenhor, a funerary priest (choachyte) serving in the necropolis of ancient Thebes, reveals her social background and professional role. Her archive documents her dual marriages and surviving children, including hints at the early demise of an eldest son from her first marriage. This study reconstructs her family history amid the Persian administrative context following Egypt’s conquest by Cambyses, offering insights into post-conquest social dynamics in Thebes. By analyzing archival records, it bridges personal narratives with broader historical shifts.

People, Places and Spaces: Education in Robert Owen’s New Society

New Lanark — 2014 — WHE46A74CF557

Robert Owen's educational innovations at New Lanark, particularly his emphasis on experiential learning and play-based education, significantly influenced social reform agendas of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Unlike traditional formal education, Owen prioritized informal learning, drawing inspiration from Pestalozzi's methods while distinguishing himself from contemporaries like Andrew Bell and Joseph Lancaster. The study examines how spatial factors—such as New Lanark's strategic location on a prime water power site, the cultural geography of mid-Wales, and migration patterns from Wales and the Scottish Highlands—informed Owen's educational approach. It highlights the small-scale yet impactful design of his Institute and School within the broader community, offering insights into how environmental context shaped his social experiments.

Perennial border reconstruction in the castle park in Lednice

Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape — 2014 — WHE2D16AB3C86

A meticulously reconstructed perennial border in the Lednice castle park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, reflects the original design principles and botanical aesthetics of landscape architect Markéta Roder-Müller. The project successfully documented the evolution of the flower bed over time, analyzed Müller’s design approaches, and provided a blueprint for renewal that was implemented in autumn 2010. This work preserves the historical integrity of the site while offering practical insights into sustainable perennial border restoration techniques.

Performance-Based Assessment of the Arsenal de Milly of the Medieval City of Rhodes

Medieval City of Rhodes — 2014 — WHE296C2C04C0

A performance-based assessment (PBA) of the Arsenal De Milly, a significant unreinforced masonry structure within the Medieval City of Rhodes, reveals critical insights into its seismic vulnerability. The study, employing advanced modeling strategies—including finite element analysis, equivalent frame approach, and macro-block modeling—demonstrates that the structure's response to earthquakes varies significantly depending on the method used. Nonlinear static procedures, as proposed by the PERPETUATE project, were pivotal in this assessment. Microtremor measurements further refined the mechanical parameters of the models, enhancing their accuracy. The findings underscore the importance of tailored seismic analysis methods for preserving cultural heritage assets, particularly those with complex soil foundations and high mass values.

Pergamon – Bericht über die Arbeiten in der Kampagne 2011

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape — 2014 — WHEBB181105A8

Excavations at Pergamon's North Hang revealed it as a historically significant, bustling suburban area with strategic importance, contradicting its current isolated status. The 2011 campaign uncovered late Byzantine necropolises, ancient graves, a quarry, and pathways, providing insights into local transportation and settlement patterns. Additionally, the Southostnekropole excavation expanded understanding of burial practices, grave forms, and anthropological data from the Hellenistic period. Geoarchaeological studies further reconstructed historical environmental scenarios, while the Tumulus Taşdam Tepe excavation uncovered a double-layered tomb likely from the 4th century BCE, offering crucial insights into pre-Hellenistic social structures in Pergamon's surroundings.

Persistent Scatterer Interferometry Processing of COSMO-SkyMed StripMap HIMAGE Time Series to Depict Deformation of the Historic Centre of Rome, Italy

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2014 — WHEAC0D3CB396

A study using advanced radar imaging reveals significant ground deformation in Rome's historic center, with vertical velocities exceeding -7.0 mm/year in areas of recent urbanization near the Tiber River. This deformation persists despite previous observations and is linked to the consolidation of compressible soil deposits. Researchers analyzed over 310,000 radar targets using COSMO-SkyMed StripMap HIMAGE data (2011–2013) with the Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS), correlating findings with archaeological ruins, restoration activities, and building morphology. The study highlights ongoing structural challenges in Rome's historic monuments, including the Roman cistern on Oppian Hill.

Petrocephalus boboto and Petrocephalus arnegardi, two new species of African electric fish (Osteoglossomorpha, Mormyridae) from the Congo River basin

Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua — 2014 — WHE833E87210D

Researchers have identified two new species of African electric fish, Petrocephalus boboto and Petrocephalus arnegardi, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Odzala-Kokoua National Park. These discoveries were made through a combination of morphological analysis—such as distinct black body spots, electroreceptor cluster patterns, and fin ray counts—and comparative molecular studies involving 21 other Petrocephalus species. P. boboto is distinguished by its unique triphasic electric organ discharge waveform and three specific black spots on its body, while P. arnegardi, though similar to the holotype of P. binotatus, differs in mouth size and interorbital width. Molecular analysis further confirmed their genetic distinctiveness, revealing deep evolutionary lineages within the genus. This study highlights the biodiversity of the Congo River basin and underscores the importance of thorough taxonomic research in understanding species diversity.

Petrogenesis of magmatism in the Yandong region of Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang: geochemical, geochronological, and Hf isotope constraints

Xinjiang Tianshan — 2014 — WHEAE52D91288

A groundbreaking study reveals that the Yandong porphyry Cu deposit in Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang, formed around 335 million years ago during a period of intense magmatic activity. The research, utilizing SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating, geochemical analysis, and Hf isotope data, demonstrates that these magmatic rocks exhibit adakitic characteristics—high Al2O3, La/Yb ratios, and Sr contents, alongside low Y and HREE contents—suggesting their origin from the partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab. The study proposes that the Palaeo-Tianshan oceanic crust subducted northward beneath the Dananhu-Tousuquan arc belt during the early Carboniferous, with subsequent hybridization by peridotite in the mantle wedge playing a pivotal role in forming the deposit's relatively closed magma system.

Petrographic Characterization and Provenance Determination of the Crystalline Marbles Used in the R oman City of B anasa ( M orocco): New Data on the Import of Iberian Marble in R oman North Africa

Archaeological Site of Volubilis — 2014 — WHEF3D2888479

A significant import of Iberian marble to Roman North Africa has been confirmed through a detailed archaeometric study of crystalline marbles used in the ancient city of Banasa, Morocco. The research, combining mineralogical-petrographic analysis and stable isotope analyses, identified multiple classical marble sources including Carrara, Mount Penteli, Paros, Marmara, and potentially Mount Filfila (Algeria). This finding challenges previous assumptions about Roman trade routes in the region, suggesting a broader network of marble procurement. The study also employed cathodoluminescence microscopy to verify potential alternative origins, providing new insights into the economic and cultural exchanges during the Roman period.

Phénomènes torrentiels et transferts sédimentaires autour du massif du Tanargue, de l’âge du fer au petit âge de glace (PAG) (Cévennes vivaraises, France)

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2014 — WHEAD207F2C60

A study of the Cévennes' Tanargue massif reveals that land-use changes between the late 18th and late 19th centuries significantly altered the sensitivity of slopes to erosion, leading to alternating phases of intense sediment production and periods of calm. By combining historical analysis with geomorphological methods, researchers mapped and dated gravel deposits to reconstruct landscape dynamics and assess the speed of bedload transfer during the Little Ice Age (PAG). This provides key chronological markers for interpreting erosion rhythms since 3000 BP, placing the PAG within a longer morphogenetic evolution. The findings highlight the profound impact of human activity on sediment flux in Mediterranean agro-pastoral landscapes.

Phosphorus limitation during a phytoplankton spring bloom in the western Dutch Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea — 2014 — WHE3F72EB3C07

Phosphorus (P) was the primary limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth during the spring bloom in the western Dutch Wadden Sea, with diatoms exhibiting potential Si–P co-limitation. This finding emerged from controlled bioassay experiments conducted in April 2010 at a long-term monitoring site (NIOZ-Jetty, Marsdiep), which analyzed changes in phytoplankton biomass, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), and stable isotope incorporation. Unlike previous studies relying solely on monitoring data—yielding inconsistent results due to variability in years, seasons, and methods—this study used multiple experimental approaches over six days per bioassay to conclusively demonstrate P limitation. The dynamic shifts in phytoplankton species composition and grazing activity further highlighted their role in structuring net growth during this critical period.

Photo Contest Promotes Public Appreciation of Biology

Manú National Park — 2014 — WHE6FA85D68D1

A photo contest by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) highlighted the broader impacts of biological research, including its role in fishery restoration and climate change studies. The 2013 Faces of Biology contest featured three winners whose work demonstrates how photography aids ecological documentation and public engagement. Andrew Muir's first-place image documented researchers identifying lake trout morphotypes to support Great Lakes fishery restoration, emphasizing the importance of visual records in ecological research. Benjamin Blonder's second-place photo showcased a student measuring tree branches in Peru’s Manú National Park, contributing data on forest carbon dynamics crucial for climate change understanding. Benjamin Drummond’s third-place image depicted an inmate technician rearing endangered butterflies, illustrating the Sustainability in Prisons Project’s role in conservation and education. The contest underscores photography's dual value as a scientific tool and a means to communicate research impact.

Phrygian Aspects of Lydian Painted Pottery from Sardis

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe — 2014 — WHE161763F21B

Lydian painted pottery from Sardis reveals significant Phrygian influences alongside Greek and Anatolian elements. This cultural mixing, which includes distinct motifs and painting conventions, is a defining characteristic of Lydian pottery. The study identifies these Phrygian aspects through detailed analysis of local pottery traditions during the Mermnad rule (7th–6th centuries BCE), particularly under King Croesus. By examining the eclecticism of Sardis' pottery, researchers distinguish Phrygian features from broader Anatolian and Greek influences, highlighting the complex cultural interactions in this region.

Phylloporia yuchengii sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from Western Tien Shan Mountains of Uzbekistan Based on Phylogeny and Morphology

Western Tien-Shan — 2014 — WHEFD3C12D384

A new fungal species, Phylloporia yuchengii, has been identified and described from the alpine ecosystems of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains in Uzbekistan. This discovery is significant as it differentiates itself from other Phylloporia species through unique morphological traits, including a hard corky consistency with a thick base (up to 3.5 cm), an azonate pileal surface, and distinct basidiospores measuring 3.2-4 × 2.3-3 µm. Phylogenetic analysis based on nLSU sequences further supports its classification as a distinct lineage within the Phylloporia clade with strong genetic support. The study combines morphological examination with phylogenetic analysis to establish this new species, contributing valuable data to the understanding of fungal biodiversity in the Western Tien-Shan region.

Phylogenetic relationships of Semaphore geckos (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae: Pristurus) with an assessment of the taxonomy of Pristurus rupestris

Socotra Archipelago — 2014 — WHE594C24569F

A molecular phylogeny of the genus Pristurus reveals that P. rupestris is polyphyletic, comprising two highly divergent clades: an eastern clade found in coastal Iran and northern Oman/UAE, and a western clade distributed from central Oman through Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The study, based on 1845 base pairs of mitochondrial (12S) and nuclear genes (acm4, cmos, rag1, rag2) from 80 individuals representing 18 species and three subspecies, demonstrates that the clades are genetically distinct with no shared alleles. Morphological analysis showed differentiation but no diagnostic characters. The eastern clade is formally designated P. rupestris, while the western clade is tentatively labeled Pristurus sp. 1 due to insufficient data from its type locality. The phylogeny also suggests Socotra Archipelago was colonized independently at least twice.

Phylogeography of the manybar goatfish, Parupeneus multifasciatus, reveals isolation of the Hawaiian Archipelago and a cryptic species in the Marquesas Islands

Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands — 2014 — WHE32026A7B57

A genetic analysis of the manybar goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) across the Pacific Ocean reveals significant biogeographic isolation in the Marquesas Islands, suggesting the presence of a cryptic species. The study, based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences from 637 specimens across 15 locations, found no genetic structure within Hawaii and the North Pacific but identified strong divergence (4.12% sequence difference) between the Marquesas population and others. This indicates long-standing isolation, contrasting with the high dispersal capacity inferred for this species. Additionally, the Line Islands showed affiliation with southern Pacific populations, supporting their role as a biogeographic transition zone. The findings underscore the unique marine biodiversity of the Marquesas Islands within UNESCO's Te Henua Enata.

Physiological Temperature Thresholds and Heat-Related Hiker Assists: Preventive Search and Rescue in Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park — 2014 — WHEFBAE8F676F

Heat-related hiking emergencies in Grand Canyon National Park are frequent, leading to significant resource demands. Research indicates that physiological temperature thresholds play a critical role in these incidents. The Preventive Search and Rescue Team (PSAR) conducts around 750 hiker assists and 300 search and rescue missions annually. This study likely focuses on identifying specific temperature limits that trigger heat-related emergencies, providing crucial data for preventive measures. By analyzing physiological responses to heat exposure, the research aims to inform strategies that can mitigate risks and optimize resource allocation in search and rescue operations.

Piperaceae do Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brasil

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2014 — WHEFBA150B4DB

Research in the Cerrado Protected Areas of Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, Brazil, identified four new species of Piperaceae, contributing significantly to the region's biodiversity. The study focused on Capões de Mata (isolated forest patches) and Mata de Galeria (gallery forests), documenting a total of 11 species—seven from the genus Piper and four from Peperomia. It included an identification key, distribution notes, and photographs to aid taxonomy. This work expands the known flora of the Cerrado biome, particularly in understudied protected areas.