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Showing 12801 – 12820 of 15962 publications

Motivational factors impacting rural community participation in community-based tourism enterprise in Lenggong Valley, Malaysia

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley — 2020 — WHE2CD5F5C453

A key insight from this study is that self-determination and perceived competence, alongside strong social networks and mutual cooperation, are critical motivational factors for rural residents' sustained participation in community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) in Lenggong Valley, Malaysia. These findings highlight the importance of intrinsic motivation and social capital in fostering long-term commitment to CBTEs. The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining observations of 32 participants during the initiation phase with focus group discussions involving 15 participants after 12 months. This longitudinal perspective provided valuable insights into the cognitive evaluation and social dimensions influencing community engagement in tourism initiatives.

Mount Wutai: Visions of a Sacred Buddhist Mountain

Mount Wutai — 2020 — WHE964336459E

Mount Wutai emerges as a pivotal site of cultural, religious, and political interaction for Inner Asian Buddhists. Wen-shing Chou's work highlights its significance as a sacred Buddhist mountain, showcasing its role in shaping spiritual practices, artistic traditions, and political dynamics across centuries. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating historical analysis with art history to elucidate the mountain's influence on Buddhist culture and its enduring legacy.

Mountain Glaciers of the Russian North: Changes over the Past Decades under Climate Variations

Putorana Plateau — 2020 — WHE41F2D80A0A

A comprehensive review reveals that mountain glaciers in the Russian North, including those on the Putorana Plateau, have significantly retreated over recent decades due to climate change. The study, spanning from 1966 to 2019, found a clear trend of increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation from south to north, leading to a reduction in both the area and mass of glaciers across the region. This pattern is particularly pronounced in small glacial systems, which exhibit varied responses based on size, morphology, and bedding despite similar climate conditions. The research utilized satellite imagery (Landsat, ASTER, Sentinel-2) and expeditionary data to compare historical records with contemporary observations, highlighting the dominant role of temperature as a key factor in glacier dynamics under prolonged warming trends.

Movement of Sterile Melon Flies in Okinawa, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2020 — WHE38B57591A1

A study on the movement of sterile melon flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae) in Okinawa, Japan, reveals that these insects could rapidly expand their distribution northward through natural flight, potentially aided by wind. The research, conducted between 1972 and 1993, aimed to evaluate the possibility of re-invasion after a successful eradication program. Flies were captured in coastal regions across multiple islands, including Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island, during summer, fall, and winter. The findings suggest that once established on an island, melon flies can quickly spread to adjacent areas, posing a risk of re-establishment in previously eradicated regions.

Moving legs: A workflow on how to generate a flexible endopod of the 518 million‐year‐old Chengjiang arthropod Ercaicunia multinodosa using 3D ‐kinematics (Cambrian, China)

Chengjiang Fossil Site — 2020 — WHE490DF0DC49

A groundbreaking reconstruction of limb movement in the 518-million-year-old arthropod Ercaicunia multinodosa from China’s Chengjiang Fossil Site reveals how its endopods could have flexed inward, offering new insights into early arthropod locomotion. Unlike prior two-dimensional analyses, this study leverages high-resolution micro-CT scanning to capture the fossilized limb’s three-dimensional structure, followed by 3D visualization and animation techniques. Researchers used Amira for surface modeling, SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author for postprocessing, and Autodesk Maya with X_ROMM to simulate limb articulation, proposing multiple plausible movement patterns. This method bridges gaps in fossil morphology, enhancing our understanding of Cambrian arthropod behavior.

Moving still: Bicycles in Ranchhod Oza’s photographs of 1950s Stone Town (Zanzibar)

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2020 — WHE8A8D37D629

Bicycles in Ranchhod Oza’s photographs of 1950s Stone Town (Zanzibar) serve as more than mere symbols of modernity; they reflect the material aspects of daily life and placeness in a cosmopolitan Indian Ocean port city. The study highlights how bicycles, whether carrying people or goods, or serving as stage props, embody movement and potential, offering insights into Oza’s photographic style and Zanzibar’s cultural and historical context. By analyzing these images, the research reveals bicycles' role in capturing the essence of Stone Town's dynamic urban landscape during a transformative period.

Mozambique Island, Cabaceira Pequena and the Wider Swahili World: An Archaeological Perspective

Island of Mozambique — 2020 — WHEAF205C307B

Recent archaeological excavations on the northern coast of Mozambique, including Mozambique Island and Cabaceira Pequena, reveal insights into the cosmopolitan nature of Swahili society at the time of Portuguese first contact. The study suggests that Swahili culture in this region was deeply integrated within a broader maritime cultural landscape centered around oceanic connections in the Indian Ocean Trade Network. While Swahili archaeology is well-established in Tanzania and Kenya, this research begins to address gaps in understanding northern Mozambique's role in the Swahili world. Preliminary findings highlight the diversity of communities, arts, cultures, and beliefs that characterized Swahili society, incorporating influences from Africa, India, the Middle East, and the Far East.

Mr. Jefferson’s University (Chapter 7)

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2020 — WHE044B894FCF

The University of Virginia, designed by Thomas Jefferson, embodies the Enlightenment's interconnectedness of knowledge through its meticulous architectural planning. This complex, one of Jefferson's most significant achievements, serves as a tangible representation of his intellectual vision, surpassing even Monticello in its expression of his philosophical ideals. The university's structure reflects both romantic and quixotic elements, offering a glimpse into the 18th century while remaining a dynamic educational space. Unlike Monticello, which evolved organically, Jefferson's university was meticulously planned down to the last detail, blending chance and design in a way that invites further study.

Mujeres campesinas de Inzá- Tierradentro, Cauca: una mirada desde los feminismos decoloniales

National Archeological Park of Tierradentro — 2020 — WHE68CE022469

The Comitê de Mulheres of the Asociación Campesina de Inzá Tierradentro (Cauca, Colombia) exemplifies decolonial feminist resistance through its territorial defense and community-building efforts. This study highlights how their dynamics challenge hegemonic colonial discourses by fostering autonomous, popular models that empower subaltern subjectivities. Using a decolonial feminist lens, the research interprets the committee's role in reconstructing social fabric and strengthening communal autonomy, offering an alternative to traditional power structures. The approach combines critical analysis with ethnographic insights, emphasizing grassroots agency in reshaping knowledge and being.

Multi-decadal shoreline change in coastal natural world heritage sites – a global assessment

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve — 2020 — WHE57F25BAF7A

A global assessment of shoreline change in coastal Natural World Heritage Sites (NWHS) reveals that 14% of these sites exhibit significant and rapid erosion or accretion, with mean rates of -3.4 meters per year and +3.5 meters per year, respectively. These extreme changes are primarily driven by sediment redistribution influenced by natural coastal morphodynamics—such as the opening of inlets (e.g., Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve) or alongshore sediment transport gradients—and human interventions like sand nourishment or river damming. The study, utilizing satellite-derived shoreline datasets from 1984 to 2016, found that low-lying vegetated tidal systems and deltas at the mouths of large rivers are particularly vulnerable. While relative sea-level rise correlates with shoreline retreat in some regions (e.g., Wadden Sea), its global impact on NWHS remains uncertain but is a growing concern. The findings underscore the need for future management plans to account for these dynamics, which threaten heritage values and coastal communities.

Multi-Hazard Exposure Mapping Using Machine Learning for the State of Salzburg, Austria

Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg — 2020 — WHE4EC2F24817

Researchers developed multi-hazard exposure maps for flooding and landslides in the State of Salzburg, Austria, using machine learning techniques—specifically support vector machines (SVM) and random forest (RF). The study identified 13 key influencing factors, including elevation, slope, rainfall, and land cover. Random Forest outperformed SVM in accuracy, achieving an R-Index of 0.90 for landslides and 0.87 for floods, compared to SVM's 0.89 and 0.87 respectively. These maps provide critical tools for urban planners and risk managers to better identify and mitigate high-risk regions affected by both hazards.

Multi-Scale Monitoring of Rupestrian Heritage: Methodological Approach and Application to a Case Study

The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera — 2020 — WHEEF9D516CE5

A significant correlation between indoor and outdoor environmental parameters was identified, offering new opportunities for the systematic monitoring of rupestrian heritage. The study applied a multi-scale methodological approach to analyze data from three platforms: indoor, close-range outdoor, and meteorological stations, including weather forecasts from the COSMO 5 model. This approach allowed researchers to characterize the relationships between microclimatic conditions inside and outside rupestrian churches, such as those in Matera, which host vulnerable wall paintings. By leveraging data from readily available sources, this method provides a robust framework for assessing the impact of environmental factors on these precious cultural assets.

Multi-temporal SAR and optical change detection with COSMO-SkyMed and Copernicus Sentinels for digital recording of cultural heritage at risk

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2020 — WHE136953BA56

A multi-technique and multi-platform approach using COSMO-SkyMed SAR and Sentinel-2 optical data demonstrates significant advantages for monitoring cultural heritage at risk. In Nasca, Peru, high-resolution COSMO-SkyMed imagery (3 m) captured detailed damage from a truck crossing linear geoglyphs, surpassing the capabilities of Sentinel-2 (10 m). Conversely, Sentinel-2 proved effective in Cyrenaica, Libya, for screening wider regions and assessing urban sprawl impacts. This study highlights the complementary strengths of SAR and optical data, offering precise damage detection while enabling broader landscape assessments, thus advancing digital recording techniques for heritage conservation.

Multi-Year Concentrations, Health Risk, and Source Identification, of Air Toxics in the Venice Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon — 2020 — WHEB09A8B822F

A multi-year study of the Venice Lagoon revealed relatively homogeneous spatial distribution of toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) across three construction sites, with a slight decrease in PAH and PM10 concentrations observed over time. The research, conducted between 2010 and 2015, identified benzo(a)pyrene and dibenzo(A,H)anthracene as the primary contributors to carcinogenic risk, predominantly in particulate phases. The study employed low-volume sequential aerosol samplers for PM10 and high-volume air samplers for PAH analysis, utilizing ICP-MS and GC-HRMS techniques respectively. Diagnostic ratios were calculated to investigate PAH sources, providing critical insights into air quality impacts near construction activities such as the MOSE mobile dams project.

Multidisciplinary Analysis of the Vernacular Settlements in Ushguli (Upper Svaneti, Georgia)

Upper Svaneti — 2020 — WHECD3471797B

A multidisciplinary analysis reveals that the vernacular settlements of Ushguli, located at the highest point of human occupation before the permanent snowed highlands separating Georgia from Russia, exhibit unique urban morphological features distinct from classical urban elements. These settlements, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, display an overlapping of private and public spaces without a standard concept of streets or squares, significantly influencing their vernacular architecture. The study, conducted under the Project 3D Past, employs a combination of architectural analysis, urban morphology, and historical research to elucidate these original features, which are shaped by the Svan's history of conflict and isolation.

Multiple hazards and paths to eruptions: A review of the volcanic system of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy)

Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) — 2020 — WHE757F894F8E

A comprehensive review of Vulcano, one of Italy's Aeolian Islands, reveals significant gaps in quantitative hazard assessments despite extensive studies on its volcanic system. The research identifies potential underestimations in the range of natural variability for hazards such as eruption magnitude and multi-hazard impacts, which could inform future risk evaluations. By developing a conceptual model of Vulcano's feeding system, the study links main hazards and outlines possible paths to eruptions, providing an updated snapshot of volcanic hazard knowledge that supports decision-making.

Multiple phase churches in Cappadocia

Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia — 2020 — WHEAF1256EB31

A detailed analysis of two rock-cut churches in Cappadocia—Timios Stavros Monastery and Sarıca 2—reveals their multi-phase evolution, offering insights into their functional adaptations and spatial relationships. Despite the absence of historical documentation, the study establishes a relative chronology for these 10th to 11th-century sites by examining architectural changes, expansions, and aesthetic shifts. The research suggests that these modifications reflected broader trends such as demographic changes, patron influences, or evolving liturgical needs, while also proposing specialized functions for unique spatial configurations, including monastic and hermitage uses.

Multiscientific Approach for the Characterization and Assessment of the Degradation State of the Historical Al-Shafi'i Mosque Walls (Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah — 2020 — WHEC2A4FDF1B8

A multiscience approach reveals the degradation state of Al-Shafi'i Mosque's historic walls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study identified fossiliferous limestone and coral stone with mud-lime mortar as key construction materials, providing critical data for targeted conservation efforts. Using a combination of physical, mechanical, mineralogical, chemical, petrographic, and morphological analyses—including visual inspection, microscopy (OM, PM), SEM-EDX, and XRD—the research offers a comprehensive assessment of the mosque's structural integrity. These findings are pivotal for planning effective preservation measures to safeguard this UNESCO-listed heritage site.

Multiscientific-based Approach to Diagnosis and Characterization of Historic Stone-masonry Walls: The Mausoleum of Al-Imam Al-Shafi'i, Cairo (Egypt)

Historic Cairo — 2020 — WHE49A859359A

A comprehensive, multiscience-based study of the Mausoleum of Al-Imam Al-Shafi'i in Historic Cairo reveals critical insights into the mineralogical composition, fabric morphology, and physical-mechanical properties of its 13th-century Ayyubid-era stone masonry. The research identifies key factors contributing to damage, decay, and alteration phenomena, linking structural behavior to material composition and microstructure. This analysis provides foundational data for evidence-based conservation strategies, employing advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), petrographic microscopy, and thin-section examination. The study's integrated diagnostic approach combines in-situ investigations with experimental testing on core samples, offering a robust framework for the preservation of this UNESCO-listed site.

Multitemporal hyperspectral tree species classification in the Białowieża Forest World Heritage site

Białowieża Forest — 2020 — WHE2BDA99F062

Multitemporal hyperspectral imaging can significantly enhance the accuracy of tree species classification in temperate forests, with early summer acquisitions achieving the highest precision. A study in the Białowieża Forest World Heritage site demonstrated that while single-date classifications reached overall accuracies of 83–94%, combining multiple time points (early and late summer, autumn) slightly improved results to 84–94%. The research used Support Vector Machines to classify seven species, revealing that tree size influenced classification accuracy for some species like birch and oak. These findings suggest that while multitemporal data can refine species mapping, identifying optimal acquisition windows may still be more efficient given the scarcity of hyperspectral datasets.