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Publications

Showing 28481 – 28500 of 30315 publications

Characterization of Salmonella Occurring at High Prevalence in a Population of the Land Iguana Conolophus subcristatus in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Galápagos Islands — 2011 — WHE39936A67B0

A high prevalence (98.4%) of Salmonella was found in a population of land iguanas, Conolophus subcristatus, on the Galápagos Islands, with 14 different serovars identified among four subspecies. Predominant serovars included S. Poona, S. Pomona, S. Abaetetuba, and S. Newport, with genetic analysis revealing varying degrees of relatedness. All isolates were pan-susceptible to antimicrobials, suggesting a natural interaction between the pathogen and the host, potentially established before exposure to environmental factors influenced by antimicrobial use. The study utilized cloacal swabs from 63 iguanas on Santa Cruz Island, employing serotyping and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for characterization.

Characterization of Xylanase of Cladosporium cladosporioides H1 Isolated from Janggyeong Panjeon in Haeinsa Temple

Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks — 2011 — WHEAA5FC46CB9

Researchers discovered that Cladosporium cladosporioides H1, the most abundant microbe in Janggyeong Panjeon at Haeinsa Temple, produces a 20 kDa xylanase enzyme with notable stability below 60°C and optimal activity under acidic conditions. This finding holds potential for developing strategies to preserve organic cultural heritage environments, particularly those containing wooden artifacts like the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks. The study characterized the enzyme's properties, providing insights into its behavior under varying temperature and pH conditions, which could inform conservation efforts.

Characterization of Xylanase of Fungi Isolated from Janggyeong Panjeon in Haeinsa Temple

Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks — 2011 — WHE1E0E028AA5

A study on the UNESCO-listed Haeinsa Temple's Janggyeong Panjeon, which houses ancient wooden Tripitaka Koreana blocks, identified five fungal species—Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium citreonigrum, Penicillium toxicarium, Aspergillus versicolor, and Acremonium alternatum—that produce xylanase enzymes capable of degrading organic materials like cellulose, xylan, and lignin. These fungi thrive even at low temperatures (20°C) and in high humidity conditions (up to 80%), posing a risk to the cultural heritage site. Notably, xylanases from C. cladosporioides and P. toxicarium exhibited thermal stability under acidic conditions, while others showed lower thermostability. These findings suggest potential strategies for preserving organic cultural heritage by controlling microbial degradation, offering insights into conservation methods and biocontrol alternatives.

Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter Inside the Refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church, Home of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper”

Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci — 2011 — WHE77FAB2FF8B

A year-long study at the Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan revealed that indoor particulate matter (PM) concentrations were significantly lower than outdoor levels, with PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 reduced by 88% and 94%, respectively, primarily due to an effective ventilation system. While gasoline vehicles, urban soil, and wood smoke contributed minimally to indoor organic carbon (OC), fatty acids and squalane showed high indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios, suggesting a dominant indoor source. This research highlights the role of both outdoor pollution infiltration and indoor emissions in affecting cultural heritage, offering insights for conservation strategies.

Chemical Variability of Essential Oils in Natural Populations of Cupressus dupreziana

Tassili n'Ajjer — 2011 — WHE0E470219F1

A comprehensive analysis of the chemical variability in essential oils from Cupressus dupreziana, an endemic species in Tassili n'Ajjer (Central Sahara, Algeria), reveals that genetic factors are unlikely to be the primary cause of its population decline. The study identified 32 terpenoids, with alpha-pinene, delta-3-carene, and germacrene-D being dominant, and used these markers to map chemotypic variability across 164 trees from 26 natural populations. This chemical diversity suggests that desertification, rather than genetic factors, is the main threat to this species' survival in the Tassili n'Ajjer region.

Chironomidae from Gough, Nightingale and Tristan da Cunha islands

Gough and Inaccessible Islands — 2011 — WHEECBD0A20AD

A striking shift in historical biogeography challenges the dominance of vicariance, favoring oceanic dispersal as the primary explanation for disjunct distributions across taxa. This study reveals that the chironomid fauna of Gough, Nightingale, and Tristan da Cunha islands in the South Atlantic consists of just six species, with molecular dating supporting dispersal over tectonic events. Among these, Telmatogeton goughi (male/female) and Clunio jonesi (male) are marine, while others like Limnophyes minimus and Allocladius lusciniolus dominate the parthenogenetic fauna. Key morphological differences distinguish each species, including T. goughi's proximity to T. sanctipauli and C. jonesi's unique gonostylus structure.

Chora, Volume Six

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2011 — WHE5F68B33B95

Chora, Volume Six, offers a multidisciplinary exploration of the cultural and historical roots of architecture, revealing how diverse conceptual frameworks—ranging from Fritz Lang's futuristic visions to Jesuit perspectives on imperial Chinese gardens—shape architectural thought. The volume examines cross-cultural tensions, such as the Christian appropriation of Aztec symbolism, and delves into phenomenal experiences in iconic structures like the Gothic church of Saint-Denis and the Palace of Minos at Knossos. It also scrutinizes contemporary beliefs through a psychoanalytic lens, questioning modern sustainability concepts. By synthesizing essays on architecture's origins, education, and representation—spanning Vitruvius to Stendhal—the work highlights the interplay between history, symbolism, and materiality in architectural discourse.

Christ's golden voice: the chapels of St. Martial and St. John in the Palace of the Popes, Avignon

Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge — 2011 — WHE1447278195

A fourteenth-century chronicler's description of the papal palace in Avignon, particularly its chapels of St. Martial and St. John, reveals a building of architectural marvel with 'marvelous paintings.' This study focuses on these chapels, providing insights into their significance during the papacy's relocation to Avignon in the 14th century. The research approach involves analyzing historical texts and visual elements, offering a unique perspective on the palace's artistic and cultural importance.

Christian Responses to Roman Art and Architecture: The Second-Century Church amid the Spaces of the Empire (review)

Archaeological Site of Olympia — 2011 — WHED7C06C6989

A groundbreaking approach to understanding early Christian discourse reveals how second-century Christians engaged with Roman art and architecture, not as isolated texts but within lived experiences. By juxtaposing literary works with archaeological remains—such as the fountain at Olympia and the Sebasteion at Aphrodisias—the study demonstrates that both verbal and visual forms of expression served as 'pious addresses' to the emperor, reflecting shared ideals. Unlike conventional methods that treat material culture as mere illustration, this research integrates textual and physical evidence creatively, avoiding historical connections while illuminating the discursive world in which these artifacts were produced. The findings challenge traditional interpretations of apology, redefining it not as opposition but as dialogue within Greco-Roman culture.

Climate Change and the Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Review of Impacts Theory

Sceilg Mhichíl — 2011 — WHE488E1F1918

A theoretical framework predicting climate change impacts on archaeological sites reveals significant vulnerabilities, particularly for buried remains. This study identified key knowledge gaps in current research, especially regarding the effects of climatic shifts on subterranean archaeological features. By applying a matrix of potential impacts to Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ireland, it highlighted how rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns could threaten both surface structures and hidden artifacts. The findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies that account for these complex interactions, bridging theoretical models with practical site management.

Clustering and classification of infrasonic events at Mount Etna using pattern recognition techniques

Mount Etna — 2011 — WHE0E399CCF76

A novel pattern recognition system using infrasonic waveform features successfully clustered and classified explosive volcanic events at Mount Etna, enabling automatic vent identification without traditional location algorithms. The study extracted key features—peak frequency, quality factor, and peak-to-peak amplitude—to create a 3D 'feature space' where three distinct clusters were identified using the DBSCAN algorithm. These clusters correlated with specific source vents or volcanic activity types, validated by semblance location methods and volcanological data. A Support Vector Machine model trained on these clusters achieved accurate event classification, demonstrating potential for real-time monitoring advancements in volcanic hazard assessment.

Co-adapting societal and ecological interactions following large disturbances in urban park woodlands

Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea — 2011 — WHE0BF93D4662

Large disturbances in urban park woodlands can trigger co-adaptive societal and ecological responses that reshape both social and natural systems. This study demonstrates how such disturbances—whether natural (e.g., a tornado) or anthropogenic (e.g., land-use changes)—alter interactions between society and ecology, often leading to shifts in plant community composition and management practices. Using the Panarchy model, researchers analyzed two case studies: Cherokee Park in Louisville, where bottom-up societal responses post-tornado restored native plant dominance, and Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro, where top-down interventions during the 18th century created a vast urban forest. Current threats like fire in Tijuca Forest again elicit societal action to protect native species. These examples highlight how disturbances can drive co-adaptation, altering structures and processes in both social and ecological domains.

Co-occurrence of Neusticosaurus edwardsii and N. peyeri (Reptilia) in the Lower Meride Limestone (Middle Triassic, Monte San Giorgio)

Monte San Giorgio — 2011 — WHE88FAA98B5B

A groundbreaking discovery at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland, has revealed the co-occurrence of two pachypleurosaurid species, Neusticosaurus edwardsii and N. peyeri, in the Lower Meride Limestone (Middle Triassic). This challenges the long-held hypothesis that only one anagenetic lineage existed for Neusticosaurus species in this region, prompting a reevaluation of their evolutionary history. The study, based on recent excavations in the Cassina beds, updates the stratigraphic distribution of these reptiles and provides new insights into their phylogenetic relationships.

Cold and transition season cloud condensation nuclei measurements in western Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park — 2011 — WHE9CF74F6F86

Aerosol measurements in Mesa Verde National Park, western Colorado, reveal that while total particle concentrations show a positive correlation with mid-tropospheric atmospheric pressure to the west, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations do not exhibit similar statistical relationships. The study, conducted during the Inhibition of Snowfall by Pollution Aerosols (ISPA-III) field campaign in 2009, combined ground-based sampling and airborne measurements to characterize aerosols in a rural continental environment. Findings suggest that sampled aerosols had low hygroscopicity with minimal variation over time or space along the Western Slope, indicating limited impact from large-scale wind direction on CCN properties.

Collapse of South Africa's penguins in the early 21st century

Robben Island — 2011 — WHE1043DAC5AE

South Africa's African penguin population experienced a dramatic decline from approximately 56,000 breeding pairs in 2001 to around 21,000 by 2009, marking a 60% loss over eight years. This collapse reduced the global population to just 26,000 pairs, prompting the species' classification as Endangered. The decline was driven primarily by a shift in prey distribution—anchovy and sardine populations shifted southeastward around 2000, creating a mismatch with penguin breeding grounds in the Western Cape. While long-term trends correlated with combined prey biomass, recent declines exceeded expectations due to this spatial mismatch, highlighting the vulnerability of marine-dependent species to environmental shifts. The study analyzed survival rates at key colonies like Dassen Island and Robben Island, revealing significant drops from 2002/2003 to 2006/2007, further emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts.

Collecting Cultural Intelligence: The Tactical Value of Cultural Property

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley — 2011 — WHED51A18F68F

The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues by the Taliban in 2001 underscores the strategic significance of cultural heritage as both a vulnerability and a tool in modern conflicts. This study reveals that cultural property, when understood through an intelligence lens, can serve as a tactical asset—highlighting its dual role as a target for destruction or manipulation while also providing insights into adversarial motivations, ideological markers, and operational strategies. The research employs a counterintelligence framework to analyze the Bamiyan incident, demonstrating how the deliberate targeting of cultural landmarks reflects broader geopolitical and theological objectives. By integrating archaeological, historical, and intelligence data, the study illustrates the intersection of cultural heritage preservation with national security, offering a novel perspective on the tactical value of intangible and tangible cultural assets in post-Cold War conflicts.

Collections management at the Joggins Fossils Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site: a new model?

Joggins Fossil Cliffs — 2011 — WHE80FBCB3823

A pioneering collaborative model for managing geological and palaeontological collections at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site has been developed, bridging the efforts of a non-profit organization (Joggins Fossil Institute) and a governmental institution (Nova Scotia Museum). This innovative approach leverages provincial legislation to create a robust data management system (Mini-MIMS) and an accessible public database. The model emphasizes partnership, ensuring sustainable curation while making scientific collections more transparent and available for research and education.

Colonization of the Galápagos Islands by plants with no specific syndromes for long‐distance dispersal: a new perspective

Galápagos Islands — 2011 — WHE01294E4787

A groundbreaking study challenges the long-held assumption that plant colonization of isolated islands requires specific dispersal syndromes. Analyzing 251 native genera (509 angiosperm species) in the Galápagos Islands, researchers found that 36% of successful colonists—including many dry-fruit-bearing plants—lacked specialized traits for animal, wind, or water dispersal. This suggests that unpredictable long-distance dispersal mechanisms, previously overlooked, played a significant role in island colonization. The study combines floristic data, diaspore traits, phylogenetic corrections, and palaeobotanical records to infer 372 colonization events, with proportions of dispersal syndromes remaining consistent even when excluding human-mediated introductions.

Commemorative events and heritage in former capitals: a case study of Melbourne

Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens — 2011 — WHEE5DF08B641

Former capitals, despite losing their political and administrative functions, continue to attract tourists due to their cultural heritage, architectural integrity, and role in commemorative events. This study highlights Melbourne's enduring appeal as Australia's first capital (1901–1927), showcasing its grand public buildings—such as the UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition Building—as key sites for heritage tourism and significant historical celebrations. The research proposes three explanatory frameworks: cultural heritage, built structure preservation, and commemorative event staging. Melbourne's Centenary of Federation (2001) exemplified this, with major recreations and the establishment of Federation Square, a precinct dedicated to celebrating its former capital status. The findings underscore how former capitals leverage their historical significance to sustain tourism and cultural identity.

Comment on ‘García‐Santos G, Bruijnzeel LA. 2011. Rainfall, fog and throughfall dynamics in a subtropical ridge top cloud forest, National Park of Garajonay (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain). Hydrological Processes 25: 411–417’

Garajonay National Park — 2011 — WHE754943B051

A critical evaluation of a 2011 study on hydrological dynamics in Garajonay National Park's cloud forest reveals significant discrepancies with prior research at the site. The study, which analyzed rainfall, fog, and throughfall data from an upper watershed plot, was found to have methodological limitations—including large data dispersion and flawed assumptions—that undermined its conclusions. These issues cast doubt on the reported magnitudes of hydrological variables, highlighting the need for rigorous validation in future research. Published as a comment in Hydrological Processes, this analysis underscores the importance of robust methodologies in studying subtropical cloud forests.