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Publications

Showing 26501 – 26520 of 30315 publications

Multifractal Fluctuations of Jiuzhaigou Tourists Before and After Wenchuan Earthquake

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2013 — WHE301D886DD1

A study on Jiuzhaigou Valley reveals that its tourism system exhibits long-term memory and multifractal characteristics, even after being significantly impacted by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Using the multifractal detrending moving average (MF-DMA) method, researchers analyzed temporal fluctuations in domestic and foreign tourist numbers before and after the earthquake. The findings indicate that while the tourism system was severely affected in the short term, it demonstrated resilience, restoring to its previous state without fundamental changes to its inherent dynamics. The study also identifies major sources of multifractality and quantitatively evaluates the earthquake's influence on the system's dynamics.

Multiple Lineages of Avian Malaria Parasites ( Plasmodium ) in the Galapagos Islands and Evidence for Arrival via Migratory Birds

Galápagos Islands — 2013 — WHE373232F9DA

A comprehensive screen of Galápagos birds revealed multiple lineages of avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium), with one lineage established across the archipelago while others appeared transient. Notably, two ephemeral lineages matched those found in migratory Bobolinks, suggesting a potential pathway for pathogen introduction via bird migration. The study combined molecular and microscopy techniques to analyze 3,726 endemic birds, uncovering that Galápagos birds may act as dead-end hosts due to the absence of gametocytes. These findings highlight the need for conservation strategies focused on mitigating introduced diseases, particularly those arriving through migratory species.

Multiple Sclerosis in the Mount Etna Region: Possible Role of Volcanogenic Trace Elements

Mount Etna — 2013 — WHEAB75320C49

A higher prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was observed in populations living on the eastern flank of Mount Etna, where exposure to volcanogenic trace elements is greater due to prevailing wind patterns, compared to those on the western flank. The study found a prevalence rate of 137.6 per 100,000 in the eastern region versus 94.3 per 100,000 in the west (p-value 0.04), with a borderline significant increase in incidence risk over the study period (1980-2009). While the exact role of trace elements in MS pathogenesis remains unclear, these findings suggest they may act as a co-factor. The research compared MS rates in six communities, analyzing prevalence and incidence trends to assess potential associations with volcanic emissions.

Multiscale coupling and multiphysics approaches in earth sciences: Applications

Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona — 2013 — WHEFB0A4E2E04

Research reveals that the Glarus thrust, a seminal geological structure in the Swiss Alps, represents a complex interplay of thermal (T), hydraulic (H), mechanical (M), and chemical (C) processes (THMC coupling). This km-scale rock package, pushed 40 km over its footwall as a solid body, exhibits a m-wide ductile shear zone with an ultralocalized central slip zone experiencing periodic extreme deformation akin to stick-slip events. The study demonstrates that such large-scale geological features emerge from non-conservative thermodynamic forces and can be characterized by the modified Gruntfest number (Gr), which measures dissipative processes reaching quasi-steady states. These findings highlight the importance of considering time and microstructure in THMC feedback simulations, providing a multiscale theoretical framework to understand earth's instabilities, including faults, folds, and convective patterns.

Multiscale impacts of forest degradation through browsing by hyperabundant moose (Alces alces) on songbird assemblages

Gros Morne National Park — 2013 — WHEEADD48EBFD

Intense moose browsing in Gros Morne National Park (GMNP) alters songbird assemblages at multiple spatial scales, with early successional species like the mourning warbler thriving in moose-browsed landscapes while forest interior specialists and generalists decline. The study used point count surveys and vegetation data to model bird occurrence across local, neighbourhood, and landscape scales, revealing that moose-induced habitat changes could lead to long-term declines in specialist and generalist species if browsing pressure persists. Management strategies aimed at reducing moose density are recommended to preserve the park's characteristic forest structure and bird assemblages.

Museale Spezialisierung und Nationalisierung ab 1830

Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin — 2013 — WHED2F59F1CB0

A successful reconstruction of the Neues Museum on Berlin's Museum Island, completed under David Chipperfield's guidance, serves as a model for balancing historical preservation with contemporary display. This achievement stems from an extensive research process that involved architects, curators, and conservators, leading to widespread acclaim. The publication, 'Museale Spezialisierung und Nationalisierung ab 1830,' compiles presentations from around the museum's reopening in 2009, offering new insights into its history, collections, architecture, and international significance within a European context.

My Trip to the XXI Congress of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2013 — WHE7C826B02AB

The XXI Congress of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (EACMFS) highlighted Korea's growing influence in craniofacial surgery, particularly in jaw surgery and congenital facial deformity treatment. The congress, held in Dubrovnik, Croatiafeatured presentations by Korean physicians, demonstrating advanced techniques in hemifacial microsomia and microtia. The event also showcased international collaboration among surgeons from diverse regions, including Europe, Japan, and Korea. Attendees engaged in academic sessions, networking, and cultural activities, with a notable folk performance during the opening ceremony. The congress underscored the importance of cross-border knowledge exchange in advancing craniofacial surgery while offering a unique blend of scientific and cultural experiences.

Myths of Wilderness in Contemporary Narratives: Environmental Postcolonialism in Australia and Canada by Kylie Crane (review)

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2013 — WHEF7A789C36C

Kylie Crane's monograph challenges the myth of wilderness as pristine, revealing its role in erasing Indigenous histories in Australia and Canada. By analyzing six contemporary narratives—spanning fiction, memoir, and nature writing—the study exposes how settler perspectives perpetuate the absence of Indigenous voices in environmental discourse. Crane employs thematic criticism and narratology to dissect constructions of wilderness, contrasting Australian and Canadian narratives with dominant U.S. models. A key finding is the trope of survival in wilderness literature, which paradoxically reinforces colonial legacies by marginalizing Indigenous presence. The study critiques the 'post-settler' framework for its limitations but contributes valuable insights into how wilderness narratives shape environmental postcolonialism.

Narratives of Adversity: Jesuits on the Eastern Peripheries of the Habsburg Realms (1640-1773) by Paul Shore (review)

Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments — 2013 — WHE2EA7664029

A review of Paul Shore's 'Narratives of Adversity: Jesuits on the Eastern Peripheries of the Habsburg Realms (1640-1773)' reveals that Jesuit efforts to revive Catholicism in eastern Slovakia and northeastern Hungary were significantly shaped by political dynamics, state support, and violent repression. The study highlights a pivotal turning point in the 1670s when Habsburg centralization and anti-non-Catholic measures benefited Jesuits, who often served as chaplains for Habsburg armies. Despite their strategic alliance with the state, Jesuits faced persistent opposition from Protestant communities and were eventually expelled after the Rákóczi rebellion (1703–1711). Shore argues that while the Jesuits maintained a narrative of resilience, their mission lacked ambition and creativity in later years, ultimately becoming obsolete due to external pressures. The analysis is based on extensive archival research, including diaries and records from Jesuit residences.

National Memorial Sites and Personal Remembrance: Remembering the Dead of Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek at the ECCC in Cambodia

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2013 — WHE2F5052284C

A significant shift is observed in the perception and commemoration of Cambodia's memorial sites, particularly Tuol Sleng (S-21) and Choeung Ek, from symbols of repression under the Khmer Rouge regime to places of peace and reflection. This transformation is notably influenced by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), which facilitated a process of historical reckoning and personal remembrance. The study employs qualitative research methods, including interviews with survivors and analysis of ECCC proceedings, to explore how these sites have become venues for public memory and reconciliation. This approach highlights the role of formal legal processes in shaping societal narratives around trauma and loss.

National Parks and ICCAs in the High Himalayan Region of Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

Sagarmatha National Park — 2013 — WHE34B9602192

Nepal's high Himalayan national parks, including Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), present a unique case where indigenous peoples, such as the Sharwa (Sherpa) community, have sustained and even developed Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) despite lacking state recognition or coordination. This resilience offers Nepal an opportunity to reform its laws and policies to align with international standards for ICCA recognition, set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), while also respecting indigenous rights and contributions to conservation. The study highlights the political ecology of ICCAs in these regions, emphasizing the need to reverse historical marginalization and dispossession of indigenous peoples to foster inclusive and effective protected area governance.

Natural landscape valuation of Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie City

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2013 — WHE96A6DFE17A

A comprehensive valuation of the natural landscape in Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Zhangjiajie City, reveals its total economic value to be approximately 89.01 billion RMB (2011 data), significantly surpassing previous estimates and current tourism revenue. The study, published in Acta Ecologica Sinica, highlights that the landscape's value is predominantly derived from usage (79.30 billion RMB) with a notable non-usage component (9.71 billion RMB). Researchers employed the travel cost method for usage value assessment and contingent valuation method for non-usage value, emphasizing the urgent need for ecological conservation amid rising tourism pressures. This finding underscores the critical importance of integrating economic valuation into sustainable development strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Natural Regeneration of Beech Forests in the Strict Protected Area of the Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2013 — WHEF938D308A8

A decade-long study reveals that natural regeneration of beech forests in the strict protection zone of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, is significantly influenced by passive protection measures. The research, conducted from 1998 to 2009 on a permanent experimental plot, found a fourfold increase in beech seedlings—rising from 3,556 to 12,694 per hectare—with beech becoming the dominant species among young growth. However, most of these seedlings exhibit poor quality, raising doubts about their long-term survival under current conditions. The study also introduced a novel approach using three-dimensional visualization to analyze crown structures and regeneration dynamics, providing more intuitive insights into forest development. To ensure sustainable management in protected areas, particularly amid climate change, the authors advocate for expanding monitoring networks with permanent plots across all protected forests.

Natural resources, livelihoods, and reserve management: a case study from sundarbans mangrove forests, bangladesh

The Sundarbans — 2013 — WHECACF277A3F

Residents of the Sundarbans mangrove forests, a UNESCO World Heritage and Ramsar site, significantly depend on ecosystem services for both cash income and subsistence. The study reveals that local households generate income by selling products like fish, honey, and nipa palm, while also relying on natural resources for food, fresh water, and timber. However, improved resource management—such as reducing corruption and enforcing better laws—could substantially boost residents' livelihoods without compromising biodiversity conservation. This case study highlights the delicate balance between sustainable development and ecological preservation in one of the world's largest mangrove ecosystems.

Natural versus anthropogenic subsidence of Venice

Venice and its Lagoon — 2013 — WHE5CC2CECE0C

Venice's subsidence shows distinct natural and anthropogenic components, with natural processes contributing 0.9 ± 0.7 mm/year due to heterogeneous subsoil, while human activities cause localized displacements ranging from -10 to 2 mm/year. This distinction was achieved using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) with C-band and X-band satellite data, revealing the effectiveness of high-resolution sensors in monitoring short-term movements linked to urban interventions.

Nature‐based rural tourism and its economic benefits: a case study of Kinabalu National Park

Kinabalu Park — 2013 — WHEA64543D0B9

A study reveals that tourism significantly contributes to the economic growth of local communities around Kinabalu National Park, Sabah. Residents express strong willingness to engage in tourism activities, highlighting its role in employment creation and improving living standards. However, concerns about sustainability, particularly regarding infrastructure provision, are raised. The research underscores the need for stakeholders to implement thoughtful policies that balance economic benefits with the park's limited carrying capacity. This case study provides valuable insights into the economic impact of nature-based rural tourism and advocates for government intervention to address future challenges.

Naval power and the Province of Senegambia, 1758–1779

Island of Gorée — 2013 — WHE5CD3A3F867

British efforts to establish and maintain the Province of Senegambia (1765–1779) as West Africa's first formal colony were undermined by a flawed coastal patrol scheme, compounded by dysfunctional local governance and insufficient resources. Despite its profitability in gum arabic and slave trading, the province faced persistent Franco-British rivalry, particularly due to France's stronghold on the nearby island of Gorée. Naval power was central to British operations, yet systemic failures—including neglect from London—hindered its effectiveness.

Nearshore thermal gradients of the Colorado River near the Little Colorado River confluence, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2010

Grand Canyon National Park — 2013 — WHE5B77D59BCB

A study of the Colorado River near its confluence with the Little Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park found no significant thermal gradients between nearshore environments and the mainstem, despite expectations that such gradients could influence fish habitat-seeking behavior. The research, conducted over 10 to 27-day periods in summer and fall 2010 across four geomorphic unit types, used high-precision instruments (0.2°C accuracy) but detected no persistent temperature differences greater than this threshold. This lack of substantial gradients contrasts with the known importance of thermal variability for native fish species, such as the endangered humpback chub, which are adapted to warmer, seasonal water conditions. The study highlights the limited understanding of nearshore thermal dynamics in dam-regulated river systems and their potential ecological implications.

Necessity of Urban Transformation in Introverted Historic Textures

Historic City of Yazd — 2013 — WHE2AB9073BCD

Urban transformation in Yazd's historic courtyard houses can reconcile conservation with modernization, challenging restrictive policies that isolate introverted Islamic neighborhoods. The study reveals that by critically re-evaluating existing regulations and integrating new technologies, these traditional structures can adapt to contemporary lifestyles while preserving their unique spatial patterns. Analyzing recent physical remodeling efforts, the research proposes controversial yet practical solutions to connect private courtyards with street networks, advocating for policies that balance heritage preservation with urban redevelopment.

Neogosseidae (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida) from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2013 — WHEA7C9F98A75

A recent survey of meiofauna in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, uncovered two species of Neogosseidae (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida), one of which is proposed as new to science. Using differential interference contrast and scanning electron microscopy, researchers identified Neogossea acanthocolla, originally described from Brazil, and Kijanebalola devestiva sp. n., revealing fine anatomical details that necessitate a revision of diagnostic traits for the genera Kijanebalola and Neogossea, as well as the entire Family Neogosseidae. This study not only expands our understanding of the biodiversity within this protected area but also provides crucial insights for future phylogenetic studies of Gastrotricha, enhancing the selection and precision of morphological trait coding.