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Showing 16241 – 16260 of 30345 publications

CFD Analysis Considering Regional Topography and Measurement of Thermal Environment in Gassho-Style Houses in Shirakawa Village

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama — 2019 — WHE623C1CF778

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis reveals that the topographic features of the Shohgawa River Valley significantly influence the thermal environment within Gassho-style houses, a renowned Japanese vernacular architecture. The study demonstrates that these houses, particularly in Shirakawa Village, are not only adapted to local climate and culture but also optimized for passive thermal performance through their unique design. By integrating regional topography into CFD models, researchers identified how the valley's terrain affects temperature distribution and airflow within the houses, offering insights into their resilience against harsh winter conditions. This finding underscores the importance of considering geographical context in architectural studies, providing a deeper understanding of how traditional designs can be both culturally significant and environmentally efficient.

Challenges of sustainable tourism in ancient cities: a case study based on Kandy, Sri Lanka

Sacred City of Kandy — 2019 — WHE552C9D80B1

Sustainable tourism in ancient cities, particularly UNESCO World Heritage Sites, faces significant challenges that hinder its effective implementation. A case study of Kandy, Sri Lanka, reveals critical obstacles to sustainable practices, offering valuable insights for other heritage localities. The research employs a qualitative approach to analyze these challenges, providing actionable recommendations for balancing tourism development with cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. This study underscores the need for strategic planning to ensure that ancient cities can benefit from tourism while maintaining their historical integrity.

Challenges to the Free Access to the Holy Sites

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2019 — WHE08887529E3

A critical analysis of the challenges to free access to holy sites in Jerusalem reveals that while historical decrees and international resolutions have long sought to guarantee religious freedom, post-1967 policies—particularly Israel's designation of the Old City as antiquities—have significantly restricted renovations and access for Muslims and Christians. The study highlights how geopolitical tensions, legal frameworks (e.g., the Protection of Holy Places Law), and historical disputes (e.g., the 1929 Western Wall conflict) continue to complicate efforts to preserve religious rights in Jerusalem. Methodologically, it draws on historical records, legal texts, and international resolutions to trace the evolution of access restrictions.

Change in heathland fire sizes inside vs. outside the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, over 50 years of fire-exclusion policy: lessons for REDD+

Bale Mountains National Park — 2019 — WHE51358CFA6D

Over the past 50 years, fire-exclusion policies within Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, have led to a significant reduction in heathland fire sizes compared to areas outside the park. This study reveals that strict fire management has effectively mitigated large-scale fires, offering valuable insights for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) strategies. Researchers analyzed fire regimes using remote sensing data and field observations, comparing trends inside and outside the park. The findings highlight the potential of protected areas to serve as models for sustainable land management in regions prone to frequent fires.

Changes in carbon storages of Fagus forest ecosystems along an elevational gradient on Mt. Fanjingshan in Southwest China

Fanjingshan — 2019 — WHE66F9B89D2F

Beech (Fagus) forests on Mt. Fanjingshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southwest China, exhibit significant variation in carbon storage across an elevational gradient (1095–1930 m). Total ecosystem carbon pools range from 190.5 to 504.3 Mg C ha⁻¹, with biomass and soil contributing the most (33.7–73.9% and 23.9–65.5%, respectively), while litter and woody debris contribute minimally (<4%). Notably, ecosystem carbon storage increases significantly with elevation, driven primarily by rising biomass and woody debris, whereas litter and soil carbon show no elevational trend. Climate and stand age emerge as key drivers of these patterns in Guizhou Province's beech forests, contrasting with global trends where stand age dominates. This study underscores the importance of local climate and stand age in shaping carbon accumulation, providing critical data for regional carbon budgets and conservation strategies.

Changing aesthetics and the affluent elite in urban tourism place making

City of Valletta — 2019 — WHE6E230D3E6D

Urban tourism destinations, particularly those shaped by affluent elites, increasingly adopt 'styled-for-status' aesthetics that reflect the preferences of wealthy groups. This shift is driven by processes of commodification and mediatisation, where tourists and other stakeholders unconsciously align with elite aesthetic norms under neoliberal influences. The study introduces the concept of 'aesthetic common sense,' illustrating how both top-down placemaking (structural design) and bottom-up place-making (human agency) contribute to this phenomenon. Valletta, Malta's capital, serves as a case study, demonstrating how such dynamics create visually cohesive yet status-driven urban landscapes that influence tourism experiences.

Changing Eruptive Styles at the South-East Crater of Mount Etna: Implications for Assessing Lava Flow Hazards

Mount Etna — 2019 — WHE2DF2A70D38

A significant shift in the eruptive style of Mount Etna's South-East Crater (SEC) since 2011 has been identified, marked by longer and more voluminous lava flows that pose increased hazards to tourist facilities. Analyzing 154 well-documented eruptions from 1998 to 2018, researchers found a cumulative lava volume of approximately 135 million cubic meters, with an average output rate of 0.21 m³/s. This change has led to a revised hazard map covering around 15 km², extending down to altitudes as low as 1,500 meters above sea level. The study highlights the need for updated hazard assessments and territorial planning to mitigate risks in at-risk areas.

Changing Petroglyphs – Changing Beliefs?

Rock Art of Alta — 2019 — WHE0E04261A40

Analysis of the Rock Art of Alta reveals distinct diachronic morphological and stylistic changes in petroglyphs, depicting humans, animals, spirits, and boats, over 5000 years. These variations suggest shifts in beliefs, rituals, identities, and technological advancements, reflecting both continuity and discontinuity in stories and cultural practices within a small geographic area. The study highlights the influence of outside contacts, including agricultural societies from southern Scandinavia and foragers from eastern Fennoscandia, on how people in the Alta fjord region understood their environment. Changes in boat depictions also indicate evolving coastal mobility, resource exploitation, and social networks.

Chapter Seventeen. St. Peter (ca. 10–64 CE ) and St. Paul (5–67 CE ) at the Basilica di San Pietro, the Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura, and the Abbazia delle Tre Fontane

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2019 — WHE4B5DA1547A

Archaeological and historical analysis at the Basilica di San Pietro, Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura, and Abbazia delle Tre Fontane reveals significant insights into the lives of St. Peter (ca. 10–64 CE) and St. Paul (5–67 CE), two foundational figures in early Christianity. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating epigraphic, architectural, and textual evidence to reconstruct their movements, activities, and the development of Christian worship sites during their lifetimes. Key findings include the identification of possible burial locations and the evolution of liturgical practices at these UNESCO World Heritage Sites, shedding light on the transition from pagan to Christian traditions in Rome.

Characterisation of major histocompatibility complex class IIa haplotypes in an island sheep population

St Kilda — 2019 — WHEE4FB7F5072

Research on St. Kilda's unmanaged Soay sheep population reveals limited diversity in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class IIa haplotypes, with only eight distinct haplotypes identified across seven loci. The study, spanning 15 years, used a stepwise sequencing approach to characterize alleles at DRB1 and DQA/DQB loci in 118 sheep, confirming haplotype consistency in an additional 94 individuals. Evidence of historic positive selection was found at multiple loci, though no single locus captured the full extent of expressed variation. This work highlights the genetic structure of a unique island population, offering insights into immune diversity and evolutionary pressures in unmanaged ecosystems.

Characterization of color production in Xalla's palace complex, Teotihuacan

Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan — 2019 — WHEC82D998682

A multi-analytical approach revealed that the chromatic palette used in Xalla's palace complex, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Teotihuacan, predominantly featured iron oxides such as hematite and yellow ochre, alongside malachite, celadonite, and glauconite. The study, led by Linda R. Manzanilla, expanded the known corpus of raw materials by identifying jarosite, bone white, and mica as aggregates. By combining microscopic and spectroscopic techniques with functional analysis of polished lithic artifacts, researchers proposed a four-phase production process for pigmenting materials, from crushing raw materials to applying and finishing painted surfaces. This research enhances our understanding of the sophisticated color production techniques employed in ancient Teotihuacan.

Characterizing the behaviour of surge- and non-surge-type glaciers in the Kingata Mountains, eastern Pamir, from 1999 to 2016

Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) — 2019 — WHECC3A26E866

Glaciers in the Kingata Mountains, part of Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs), exhibit dynamic and spatially variable behavior despite being considered stable in high-mountain Asia. A study analyzing satellite data from 1999 to 2016 identified four advancing glaciers and 13 surge-type glaciers among 28 studied, revealing complex responses to climatic changes. Surge dynamics show similarities with nearby Karakoram glaciers, suggesting hydrological and thermal controls influence their behavior. Non-surge glaciers are primarily controlled by topography, with north-facing basins characterized by steep, avalanche-fed areas transitioning to recession, while south-facing glaciers maintain broader accumulation zones due to higher precipitation capture. This first synthesis of glacial motion in the region provides a baseline for future change assessment.

Chemical and Biochemical Onslaught of Anthropogenic Airborne Species on the Heritage Monument of the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal — 2019 — WHE6D91F0B2C0

A groundbreaking study reveals that the Taj Mahal, one of the world's most iconic heritage monuments, is under siege from highly reactive nano-sized carbon particles—far smaller and more chemically aggressive than previously recognized particulate matter. These nanoparticles, generated by anthropogenic sources in a smoggy environment, produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to air and sunlight. Combined with deposits from cyanobacteria and plant matter, these ROS trigger rapid chemical reactions on the marble surface, accelerating degradation. The research employs modern physico-chemical analysis to characterize these airborne threats, offering new insights into the complex chemistry behind the monument's deterioration under current environmental conditions.

Chemical Composition of the Oils as an Indicator of Ecosystem Development: a Case Study of Tannu-Ola Ranges

Uvs Nuur Basin — 2019 — WHEC8D6BAD378

The rise of the Tannu-Ola Range during the Pliocene (5.3–3.6 million years ago) marked a significant shift in substance migration mechanisms within the Uvs Nuur Basin, transitioning from dominant water migration to enhanced biogenic processes due to Cenozoic aridization and cooling. This geological event divided Tuva into two distinct basins—Central Tuvan and Uvs-Nuur—each with unique accumulation and transformation patterns. The study analyzed oil chemical composition as an indicator of ecosystem development, revealing that the Tannu-Ola Range, a block-structured horst-anticlinorium uplift, acted as a major climate barrier, altering regional hydrological and biogenic cycles. The research integrates geological, tectonic, and geochemical data to reconstruct past environmental dynamics in Central Asia.

Children’s Independent Trips on Weekdays and Weekends: Case Study of Québec City

Historic District of Old Québec — 2019 — WHE5F063B4E86

Children's independent mobility (CIM) is significantly higher on weekdays, particularly in urban environments and for those with older siblings. A study analyzing origin-destination data from Québec City revealed that weekend trips are rarely independent, contrary to expectations due to increased free time and parental availability. Key factors promoting CIM include shorter distances, the presence of an older sibling, and more urbanized settings. The research, which examined 979 weekday and 315 weekend trips for children aged 9–11 across five built environment types, challenges assumptions about weekend mobility while highlighting critical determinants of independent travel behavior.

Chimpanzee feeding ecology and fallback food use in the montane forest of Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2019 — WHEA5CAE5FAF5

Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, exhibit distinct feeding patterns influenced by seasonal fluctuations in food availability. Unlike lower-elevation forests, where figs are a minor component of the diet, chimpanzees here rely heavily on figs, particularly Ficus lutea, and consume flowers at seasonally high rates. Terrestrial herbaceous vegetation serves as a consistent 'filler' fallback food (FBF). This study, primarily using observational data with support from fecal analyses, reveals that higher-elevation montane forests, characterized by lower productivity and resource diversity, significantly shape chimpanzee foraging behavior. These findings contrast sharply with those from lower-altitude sites, highlighting the unique ecological dynamics of montane environments.

Choice Structuring Properties of Natural Resource Theft: An Examination of Redwood Burl Poaching

Redwood National and State Parks — 2019 — WHE88D3E86C2C

Redwood burl poaching in Redwood National and State Parks is influenced by specific choice structuring properties that guide offenders' decision-making. Offenders preferentially target burls located low to the ground, near roads, illicit markets, and at higher elevations relative to road access. These factors create a micro-level pattern of criminal behavior that increases vulnerability of trees to insects, disease, and death. The study employs choice structuring analysis to dissect these patterns, offering insights that could inform targeted prevention strategies to mitigate this growing threat to one of Earth's longest-living tree species.

Chromatographic, Microscopic, and Spectroscopic Characterization of a Wooden Architectural Painting from the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2019 — WHEA915715B10

A comprehensive analysis of wooden architectural paintings from the Summer Palace in Beijing reveals the use of blood as a binding medium and identifies emerald green and ultramarine pigments. The study employed advanced techniques, including scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and morphological microscopy, to systematically characterize the morphology and material composition of these ancient decorative artworks. These findings provide crucial insights into the preparation techniques used in the renowned Summer Palace, offering a scientific basis for restoration efforts and archaeological research.

Churches and States

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2019 — WHE99E706C19D

A comparative analysis of the 19th-century reconstruction of San Paolo fuori le Mura and the ongoing debates surrounding the rebuilding of Notre Dame reveals striking parallels that could inform contemporary architectural and political discussions. The study highlights how historical reconstructions, particularly those involving UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are often entangled with complex power dynamics between religious institutions and states. By examining the case of San Paolo fuori le Mura—a site within the Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights—this research underscores the need for a nuanced approach to preservation that balances historical integrity with evolving societal values.

Ciclos culturales y astronómicos en Xochicalco, Morelos

Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco — 2019 — WHE54E4DE0DAC

Research at Xochicalco reveals sophisticated calendar systems akin to those used by central Mexican and Oaxacan societies during the 6th century CE, with over 115 dates inscribed on its reliefs. The study builds upon Alfonso Caso's foundational work (1967), refining and organizing day signs while addressing a critical gap in Mesoamerican calendrical studies: whether the site's inhabitants recognized the difference between the tropical year (365.2422 days) and the civil year (365 days). Through rigorous analysis of glific texts on stones, the research explores how Xochicalco's advanced astronomical knowledge—evidenced by precise solar cycle calculations—may have influenced cultural, agricultural, and religious practices, while also questioning whether the slight annual drift was corrected or tolerated. This work sheds light on the precision and societal significance of calendrical systems in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica.