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Showing 29121 – 29140 of 30315 publications

Terminal Ordovician carbon isotope stratigraphy and glacioeustatic sea-level change across Anticosti Island (Quebec, Canada)

Anticosti — 2011 — WHEC8F8CA8E4F

A detailed carbon isotope analysis of Ordovician-Silurian boundary strata on Anticosti Island, Quebec, reveals that the Hirnantian positive carbon isotope excursion—characteristic of global records—peaks at ~4.5‰ in carbonate rocks. This excursion, coupled with glacioeustatic sea-level fluctuations, suggests that sea-level drawdown and subsequent rise were not perfectly synchronized with the isotopic shift. The study proposes that the entire Hirnantian Stage on Anticosti is confined to the Laframboise and lower Fox Point Members, supported by a combined litho- and chemostratigraphic approach. Discontinuities in the isotope curve across proximal-to-distal transects further indicate diachroneity in sedimentary deposits, with oncolite beds transgressing westward while Becscie limestones prograded eastward. The findings align with the 'weathering' hypothesis for the Hirnantian carbon isotope excursion, providing insights into terminal Ordovician climate dynamics.

Terrain characterisation of Heard, McDonald and Macquarie Islands using multi-frequency Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data

Heard and McDonald Islands — 2011 — WHEAD2A8AEA9D

Multi-frequency Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data demonstrates significant potential for generating high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), detecting coastlines, and mapping land cover in remote and cloud-affected regions like the UNESCO-listed Heard and McDonald Islands. This study highlights that X- and L-band SAR data differ in their capacity to extract elevation information, with implications for terrain characterization. By comparing newly generated DEMs with existing models derived from NASA JPL TOPSAR and RADARSAT-1 data, researchers found that InSAR provides valuable insights into surface dynamics and land cover changes. This approach is particularly advantageous for Antarctic studies, where traditional remote sensing methods face limitations due to persistent cloud cover.

Testes size, testosterone production and reproductive behaviour in a natural mammalian mating system

St Kilda — 2011 — WHE7E4C18CCC8

A study on St. Kilda, Scotland, reveals that testes size is a significant predictor of testosterone levels and reproductive behavior in male Soay sheep during the rutting season. The research found a strong positive relationship between testes size (measured before seasonal enlargement) and circulating testosterone levels, suggesting that the demand for sperm production plays a crucial role in regulating androgen levels. Unlike conventional hypotheses, body condition or competitive ability did not independently influence testosterone levels. This integration of sperm production capacity with testosterone output also affected male aggression and mate-seeking behavior, indicating a tight phenotypic link between these traits.

The Abbey Church at Vézelay and the Cult of Mary Magdalene: “invitation to a journey of discovery”

Vézelay, Church and Hill — 2011 — WHEB48DBFCEF5

A distinguished collection of essays, honoring architectural historian Paul Crossley, sheds new light on the Abbey Church at Vézelay and its significance within the medieval cult of Mary Magdalene. The volume integrates recent discoveries, fresh interpretations, and critical debates, offering profound insights into the cultural and religious landscape of the Middle Ages. By analyzing the church's architecture, liturgy, and symbolic elements, scholars from the U.S. and Europe provide a nuanced understanding of its role in medieval devotion and memory. This work serves as both a tribute to Crossley's scholarly breadth and a valuable resource for contemporary medieval studies.

The Abbot’s House at Westminster

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church — 2011 — WHE800F087552

A comprehensive architectural and documentary analysis reveals the dynamic evolution of Westminster Abbey's Abbot's House, tracing its development from medieval origins through centuries of modifications. This 1911 study leverages unprecedented access to abbey muniments—both pre- and post-Reformation—to reconstruct the complex's history with greater precision than previous works. The research highlights the abbey's continuous building activity, as evidenced by frequent references to structural work in historical accounts, and underscores how the abbot's growing status necessitated increasingly grander accommodations for diplomatic and ceremonial purposes. As dean of the abbey, J. Armitage Robinson's insider perspective enabled a nuanced understanding of the architectural transformations that shaped this significant surviving medieval structure.

The Ahmedabad Urban Development Plan-making Process: A Critical Review

Historic City of Ahmadabad — 2011 — WHE1B4C166FCF

A critical review of Ahmedabad's urban development plan-making process reveals significant gaps in analytical rigor, transparency, and clarity. The study highlights a mismatch between stated objectives and the means to achieve them, suggesting that current planning approaches lack scientific precision. This analysis serves as a benchmark for planners in India and other developing countries, advocating for more transparent and evidence-based planning methodologies.

The application of gis technology in cultural heritage conservation planning - A case study of Hongcun

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2011 — WHE276C1B5743

GIS technology revolutionizes cultural heritage conservation planning by enabling efficient data management, spatial analysis, and dynamic monitoring. This study demonstrates how GIS can transform traditional approaches by integrating building and socio-economic data into a spatial database, facilitating the creation of thematic maps for value assessment and conservation strategy formulation. The established technical route enhances administrative oversight, ensuring effective preservation and management of heritage sites like Hongcun. By leveraging GIS's spatial capabilities, this method shifts from static planning to adaptive, data-driven conservation, offering a scalable model for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Arts of the Missions of Northern New Spain, 1600–1821 (review)

San Antonio Missions — 2011 — WHEE147A1BC35

A comprehensive review of 'The Arts of the Missions of Northern New Spain, 1600–1821' reveals its significant contribution to understanding the cultural and artistic fusion during the Spanish colonial period in regions spanning modern-day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, and northern Mexico. The book goes beyond traditional art history by contextualizing religious artistic traditions within their geographical, social, and historical milieu. It features scholarly essays by experts across multiple disciplines, including archaeology, ethnohistory, and architectural history, which explore the complex dynamics of mission life, indigenous societies, and the influence of landscape on mission building. The inclusion of detailed exhibition catalogs, conservation insights, and discussions on specific artistic traditions, such as metalwork and basketry, enriches the narrative. However, a notable omission is the lack of comprehensive maps to illustrate place names mentioned throughout the articles.

The Attitudes of Tourists towards the Environmental, Social and Managerial Attributes of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park — 2011 — WHE67DCFFC5EF

International tourists visiting Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, express high satisfaction with their experience but are concerned about potential future changes that could alter the park's pristine environment and iconic African wilderness. Research indicates that tourists with strong ecocentric attitudes—prioritizing environmental conservation—are more likely to support management actions aimed at controlling tourism impacts, access, and preserving local culture. These findings highlight the significance of balancing tourism growth with conservation efforts to address pressing challenges such as poaching, habitat degradation, wildlife diseases, and population pressure in surrounding communities. The study employed a survey-based approach to assess visitor attitudes toward environmental, social, and managerial attributes of the park.

The biodiversity of subaerophytic phototrophic biofilms from Maltese hypogea.

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum — 2011 — WHEC8CDCB7C97

Research reveals that subaerial phototrophic biofilms in Maltese hypogea, particularly within the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and other catacombs, are dominated by non-heterocytous (Oscillatorialean) cyanobacteria. These microorganisms exhibit cytomorphological and genetic similarities to those found in Mediterranean caves and catacombs, suggesting a widespread distribution of related biofilm communities in such environments. The study employed advanced microscopy techniques, including light microscopy, epifluorescent microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), alongside 16S rRNA gene sequencing to isolate and characterize cyanobacterial, microalgal, and chemoorganotrophic bacterial strains. Phylogenetic analyses further confirmed the relatedness of these microorganisms to those in other Mediterranean lithic surfaces.

The caranto paleosol and its role in the early urbanization of Venice

Venice and its Lagoon — 2011 — WHE4C7A9F647F

A buried calcic paleosol, known as 'caranto,' has been identified as a crucial substrate for Venice's early urbanization and building foundations. This subsurface layer, formed during the Late Glacial period, exhibits high compressive and shear strength, supporting structures dating back to the Gothic era (12th–15th centuries A.D.). The study provides geochemical, sedimentological, paleoecological, and chronological analyses of the caranto paleosol and related deposits based on recent coring of the Venetian Lagoon. These findings offer a historical framework for understanding modern environmental changes in Venice, particularly as rising sea levels threaten the city.

The case of the 1981 eruption of Mount Etna: An example of very fast moving lava flows

Mount Etna — 2011 — WHE2773D08A4C

The 1981 eruption of Mount Etna exhibited an unusually high lava discharge rate of 640 m³/s, significantly faster than typical flank eruptions. This exceptional flow threatened the town of Randazzo and was reconstructed using historical photogrammetric data to analyze its temporal evolution, cumulative volume, and discharge trends. The study suggests that the high discharge rate resulted from a dike intercepting a shallow magma reservoir, leading to its rapid emptying. Comparing Etna's behavior with other high-discharge volcanoes provides insights into eruptive mechanisms, offering potential strategies for mitigating future risks in populated areas.

The Cathedral of Bourges: A Witness to Judeo-Christian Dialogue in Medieval Berry

Bourges Cathedral — 2011 — WHE3CC9FC1098

Bourges Cathedral stands as a unique medieval testament to Judeo-Christian dialogue, with its architecture and art reflecting a rare period of respectful interaction between the two faiths. Built between 1195 and 1232, the cathedral features an equal distribution of Hebrew and Christian scriptural figures in its clerestory windows, a departure from typical anti-Jewish imagery seen elsewhere. Its spandrel sculptures, depicting events from Creation to Noah, incorporate midrashic perspectives, further emphasizing this dialogue. The study highlights the role of William of Bourges, a converted Jewish scholar, and his network of Christian Hebraists in fostering this interaction. While the cathedral's building campaigns and interfaith engagement waned simultaneously, it remains a tangible witness to this historically significant period.

The Cévennes‐Vivarais Mediterranean Hydrometeorological Observatory database

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2011 — WHE096385672E

The Cévennes-Vivarais Mediterranean Hydrometeorological Observatory (CVMHO) has developed a comprehensive database to improve the understanding and prediction of flash floods, which are common and devastating in Mediterranean regions. Established in 2000, CVMHO employs long-term observation strategies—spanning over a decade—using both operational systems and specialized research instrumentation in the Cévennes-Vivarais region of France. The database, accessible via the SEVnOL interface on the CVMHO website, provides critically analyzed hydrometeorological products that support scientific research. This work addresses critical gaps in predicting extreme weather events by integrating detailed observational data, offering valuable insights for disaster risk management and climate science.

The changing funerary world of Roman Cyrene

Archaeological Site of Cyrene — 2011 — WHEE3700B1BC5

Roman Cyrene's funerary culture underwent profound transformations during the Roman period, marked by significant changes in tomb designs and burial practices. A statistical analysis of data from the Southern Necropolis revealed intricate relationships between portrait-busts/niches and other burial features, offering new insights into chronological trends and cultural evolution. The study contextualizes these findings within the broader socio-historical framework of Cyrene, providing a comprehensive understanding of how Roman influence reshaped funerary traditions in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Characteristics of the HafenCity Project - as a model for the European port city development -

Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus — 2011 — WHE861B34977A

Hamburg's HafenCity Project is emerging as a transformative model for 21st-century European port city development, addressing urban decay and suburbanization through strategic reurbanization. The project aims to expand Hamburg's central urban area by 40% with 155 hectares of mixed-use spaces, integrating residential, commercial, cultural, and leisure facilities while preserving the historic character of Speicherstadt and leveraging its waterfront location along the Elbe River. This study analyzes HafenCity's goals, the roles of local authorities and developers (GHS), and urban planning strategies to determine its potential as a blueprint for sustainable port city regeneration in Europe. By examining draft masterplans and reurbanization trends, the research evaluates how HafenCity balances tradition with innovation to foster cultural value and urban vitality.

The Characterization of Helicobacter pylori DNA Associated with Ancient Human Remains Recovered from a Canadian Glacier

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2011 — WHE64ACE440DA

A novel Helicobacter pylori strain, recovered from the stomach tissue of the Kwäday Dän Ts'ìnchi individual—a 17th to 19th-century human remains found in the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, British Columbia—reveals a hybrid vacA allele structure. This ancient strain combines Western (s2) and Asian/Native American (m1d/m2a) genetic markers, suggesting historical contact between European and Indigenous populations in northwestern Canada. Phylogenetic analysis links the strain to previously documented Native American and Asian H. pylori lineages, indicating shared ancestry with early migrants to the Americas. The study provides the first ancient vacA sequence data for this bacterium, offering insights into its evolutionary history and geographic dispersion.

The Complex Relationship between Tiwanaku Mortuary Identity and Geographic Origin in the South Central Andes

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2011 — WHE6FBC6CF763

A groundbreaking analysis reveals that the Tiwanaku polity's influence (AD 500–1000) triggered distinct identity shifts among incorporated peoples, with local inhabitants in San Pedro de Atacama deliberately reshaping their social identities to align with distant Tiwanaku power structures. This contrasts with Chen Chen, where immigrants from the Tiwanaku heartland were interred alongside locals without such conscious identity manipulation. The study leverages isotope and biodistance analyses, cranial modification data, mortuary artifacts, and burial treatments to demonstrate how bioarchaeological evidence can unravel complex interactions between material culture, geographic origin, and identity formation in ancient Andean societies.

The conservation status of Sabellaria alveolata (L.) (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) reefs in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2011 — WHEA407143308

Sabellaria alveolata reefs in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, the most extensive intertidal biogenic structures in Europe, have shown a continuous deterioration in health status, particularly in their central regions. This decline correlates with the colonization of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and increased silt deposition on the reef. The study, conducted before and after mussel farming expansions in 2001 and 2007, employed a spatial Health Status Index (HI) that integrated physical and biological parameters to assess the reef's condition. Findings indicate that trophic competition between cultivated and wild suspension-feeders, altered hydrodynamics leading to increased silt deposition, and recreational oyster harvesting with associated reef trampling are key factors contributing to reef fragmentation and degradation. This study underscores the need for targeted management strategies to conserve these vital biogenic structures.

The contribution of Kraków archaeologists to excavating Nea Paphos, the ancient capital of Cyprus

Paphos — 2011 — WHEAD4AD348D4

Archaeological research at Nea Paphos, Cyprus, introduced a revised five-phase chronology for Hellenistic pottery, challenging prior architectural hypotheses. Ceramological studies by Kraków archaeologists, part of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology's excavation led by Wiktor Andrzej Daszewski, provided critical data supporting some theories while prompting re-evaluations in others. The study also marked the 40th anniversary of Daszewski's excavations and announced the launch of the Paphos Agora Project under new direction.