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Publications

Showing 17381 – 17400 of 30345 publications

Sobre história, cultura e tradição: das praxes à queima de fitas

Historic Centre of Évora — 2019 — WHE5D386CF443

Évora, a historic city in Portugal's Alentejo region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, stands out for its exceptionally well-preserved center, which serves as a significant cultural and economic hub. The study highlights Évora's role as a major tourist destination and academic center, with approximately 57,000 inhabitants, including around 10,500 students enrolled in the University of Évora. Key attractions such as the Templo Romano de Évora (Templo de Diana), Capela dos Ossos, Igreja da Sé de Évora, and Colégio do Espírito Santo contribute to its cultural significance and economic vitality. The research likely delves into the interplay between history, culture, and tradition in shaping Évora's identity, particularly focusing on practices like the 'queima de fitas' (burning of ribbons), which may hold symbolic or ritualistic importance.

Social and Life History Strategies of Tibetan Macaques at Mt. Huangshan

Mount Huangshan — 2019 — WHE17C3802B5A

Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) exhibit unique social and life history traits that offer valuable insights into macaque evolution. A 30-year study at Mt. Huangshan, China, revealed distinctive dominance styles, male social relationships, and reproductive systems in this species. These findings highlight opportunities for comparative studies in primate social behavior. The research underscores the importance of long-term observations in understanding complex social dynamics in long-lived species.

Social and Solidarity Economy, Women and Empowerment: The Case of Inzá Tierradentro Peasant Association

National Archeological Park of Tierradentro — 2019 — WHE0977E170CF

A study on the Inzá Tierradentro Peasant Association (ACIT) reveals that social and solidarity economy initiatives can significantly empower peasant women in Colombia, who have historically faced marginalization in economic opportunities. The research, grounded in qualitative methods and critical social theory, identifies key factors contributing to women's empowerment through an intersectional analysis of their roles within the association. Findings highlight how collective economic proposals, rooted in agrarian and gender studies, can address systemic barriers for women, offering a model for inclusive development in rural communities.

Social Factors Affecting Sustainable Shark Conservation and Management in Belize

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System — 2019 — WHECA9044D8B9

Shark conservation efforts in Belize face significant challenges due to conflicting perceptions and attitudes among stakeholders, which can undermine collaborative governance. A key finding is that demand for shark meat from neighboring countries, particularly during Lent, drives unsustainable fishing practices, complicating sustainable management. The study used qualitative methods, including key informant interviews and focus groups, to analyze stakeholder perspectives on shark-related activities, attitudes, and their influence on conservation policies. These divergent views highlight the need for a transboundary approach involving Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras to address shark conservation effectively at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef scale.

Sociality and tattoo skin disease among bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2019 — WHE77BD2A6033

A 34-year longitudinal study of bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, reveals that social associations with infected individuals significantly increase the risk of developing tattoo skin disease (TSD) in calves. The research demonstrates that calves with TSD in their second year of life were more likely to have associated with TSD-positive dolphins during their first year, unlike those without TSD. While metrics such as degree, time spent socializing, and group size did not show significant differences between infected and uninfected groups, the study highlights the epidemiological relevance of social network links in disease transmission. This finding underscores the potential of using social association networks to study the spread of skin diseases in bottlenose dolphins.

Socio-Ecological Factors Associated with Dengue Risk and Aedes aegypti Presence in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Galápagos Islands — 2019 — WHECB43101E3E

Dengue fever has emerged as a significant health threat in the Galápagos Islands, with periodic outbreaks reported since 2002. A 2014 study identified key socio-ecological factors associated with dengue risk and the presence of its primary vector, Aedes aegypti, in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal Island). The research found that 24% of respondents in PB and 14% in PA reported prior dengue infections, with more Ae. aegypti presence in PB homes. Risk factors for dengue included human movement patterns, household demographics, water quality issues, and dengue awareness. Housing conditions, mosquito control practices, and risk perception were significant predictors of Ae. aegypti presence. This was the first comprehensive study of its kind in the Galápagos, providing critical insights for public health interventions.

Socio-Material Archaeological Networks at Çatalhöyük a Community Detection Approach

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2019 — WHE78CB523141

A novel application of socio-material network analysis reveals that Çatalhöyük, a large Late Neolithic Near Eastern settlement, lacked hierarchical social stratification despite its size. This challenges traditional views of such megasites as proto-urban or failed urban experiments. The study, leveraging diverse data sets, demonstrates how individual houses were embedded within complex social networks, providing insights into early community formation and integration in Holocene agricultural societies.

Soil Salinity and Irrigation Water Quality Status in selected areas of Awash River Basin of Ethiopia. A Review.

Lower Valley of the Awash — 2019 — WHE4F225A4106

A review of soil salinity and irrigation water quality in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia, reveals significant spatial variability in salinity levels. Middle Awash areas exhibit severe salinity issues, rendering vast irrigated farmlands unproductive due to highly alkaline conditions and high sodium content. In contrast, upper and lower Awash regions show relatively better soil and water quality, with minimal salinity risks. The deterioration of irrigation water quality in middle Awash is attributed to the blending of low-quality water sources, including lakes and drainage water. The study underscores the need for targeted management strategies, including appropriate cropping systems and practices tailored to local soil conditions and salinity levels.

Solar Cell Enhancement with Organic Plasmonic Photovoltaics: Case Study of Lut Desert, Iran

Lut Desert — 2019 — WHE6090ADE692

A significant breakthrough in solar energy technology has been demonstrated through the enhancement of organic plasmonic photovoltaics, showcasing a notable increase in power conversion efficiency. This advancement, crucial for scaling up renewable energy solutions, was validated in a case study conducted in the Lut Desert, Iran. The research highlights the potential of solution-processed organic solar cells to overcome traditional silicon photovoltaics' limitations in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By incorporating plasmonic nanoparticles, the study achieved improved performance, offering a viable path toward more sustainable and economically feasible energy generation. Additionally, the discussion explores the feasibility of dedicating 2% of a site's area for power generation, providing insights into practical implementation on a broader scale.

Some problems of formation of the tourism industry at the Kazakh sectors of the Silk Routes

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — 2019 — WHE4E6353813F

Kazakhstan's unique heritage along the Silk Routes, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan and Tamgaly petroglyphs in Almaty, presents significant potential for tourism development. The study highlights that Kazakhstan is home to over a thousand years' worth of historical monuments and archaeological sites, attracting global attention from historians. A notable post-Soviet state program, 'Cultural Heritage,' has successfully restored dozens of landmarks, underscoring the country's rich cultural legacy. However, challenges persist in fully leveraging this potential for tourism growth, particularly within the context of international efforts to revive the Silk Road. The research employs a literature review method to explore these issues, emphasizing the need for strategic development to capitalize on Kazakhstan's unique historical assets.

Some Representative Subterranean Communities

Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno — 2019 — WHE3299A1F6B4

Subterranean ecosystems exhibit remarkable diversity, with distinct communities thriving in varied shallow and deep habitats. This study highlights representative subterranean communities across 15 globally significant sites, including Vjetrenica Cave (Bosnia & Herzegovina), showcasing their unique adaptations to environments like epikarst, calcrete aquifers, lava tubes, and phreatic aquifers. The research employs comparative analysis to elucidate the ecological characteristics of these communities, emphasizing their resilience in extreme conditions such as chemoautotrophic caves (Peştera Movile, Romania) and anchialine systems (Šipun, Croatia). By synthesizing data from temperate (Mammoth Cave, Kentucky) and tropical (Gua Salukkan Kallang, Sulawesi, Indonesia) cave habitats, the study underscores the broad ecological significance of subterranean life, offering insights into their evolutionary and environmental dynamics.

Sonic environment of Singapore Botanic Gardens and benchmarking with various urban gardens of the world

Singapore Botanic Gardens — 2019 — WHE5D7BCA48AE

Urban parks and gardens often serve as sanctuaries from the noise of city life, providing relatively quiet spaces amidst high traffic and commercial activity. A study measured the sonic environment of Singapore Botanic Gardens and compared it with other renowned urban gardens globally, including Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, Real Jardín Botánico in Madrid, St James’s Park in London, Old Botanical Gardens Hamburg, and Carlton Gardens in Melbourne. The research found that the noise levels (Leq) in Singapore Botanic Gardens were comparable to those of other urban parks, with cicada sounds, human activities, and water features dominating its acoustic landscape. Additionally, the study analyzed the sound levels of various water features like mini waterfalls and fountains, contributing valuable insights into the sonic diversity of these green spaces.

Sound Archaeology: A Study of the Acoustics of Three World Heritage Sites, Spanish Prehistoric Painted Caves, Stonehenge, and Paphos Theatre

Paphos — 2019 — WHE053E41140B

Ritual sites across human cultures, from prehistoric caves to ancient theatres, exhibit unique acoustic properties that contribute to their ritual significance. This study reveals that the Spanish Prehistoric Painted Caves (up to 40,000 years old) demonstrate diverse natural acoustics, including strong reverberation and bass effects, while Stonehenge's acoustics evolve with its design, creating noticeable changes as one moves toward the circle's center. In contrast, Paphos Theatre in Cyprus (2,000 years old) showcases intentional acoustic design, with optimal sound quality varying from front to back rows. The research employs a range of methods to address challenges in standard acoustic analysis, highlighting how sound shapes ritual spaces and enhances their contextual meaning.

Soundscape preferences of tourists in historical urban open spaces

Historic City of Yazd — 2019 — WHEF9A220AA88

Motorcycle and automobile noises significantly disrupt acoustic comfort in Yazd's historic squares, while sounds of children’s play, water, conversation, and businesses enhance it. A study involving 632 foreign tourists in Khan Square and Fahadan Square identified these key factors through surveys, correlation analysis, ANOVA, and multiple regression. The findings underscore the importance of managing urban soundscapes to improve environmental quality for tourism, particularly in UNESCO-listed heritage sites like Yazd.

Sources of technogenic pollution influence on phytotoxicity of arctic soils (B. Solovetsky island)

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2019 — WHECA67F91D07

Arctic soils near hydrocarbon storage on Bol'shoy Solovetskiy island exhibit significant phytotoxicity, as demonstrated by inhibited germination and growth of cress (Lepidium sativum L.), alongside a stimulating effect consistent with homeresis phenomena. Analysis of six soil samples—five contaminated and one control—revealed that respiratory activity in all samples did not exceed 52.5% of the control, underscoring the broader impact of technogenic pollution on soil health. The study recommends an integrated biotesting system as a preliminary screening tool for soils exposed to highly toxic contaminants, combining phytotoxicity assays with respiratory activity measurements.

Sources, distribution and fate of microfibres on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef — 2019 — WHE9E3D60C36C

A comprehensive study on the Great Barrier Reef reveals widespread contamination with microdebris, primarily microfibres, which constitute 86% of detected items. The research highlights non-random intake patterns of microdebris by coral reef fish, differing significantly in chemical composition, shape, and colour from that found in surface waters. Additionally, riverine discharge is identified as a likely source for inshore microdebris contamination but not for offshore locations. This study underscores the complexities in determining marine microdebris exposure and fate, providing critical insights to improve ecological assessments and prioritize source reduction efforts.

Sources, presence and potential effects of contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environments of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, Australia

Great Barrier Reef — 2019 — WHE02CF219208

A comprehensive review identifies significant gaps in monitoring and understanding of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Torres Strait, Australia. The study highlights that current management primarily addresses sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, while CECs—such as antifouling paints, coal dust, heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum hydrocarbons—pose growing risks due to increasing agricultural, urban, and industrial activities. The research underscores the urgent need for integrated databases and targeted monitoring programs to assess ecological risks, emphasizing predictive methods for risk prioritization. Spatial mapping of CEC sources is recommended to inform future risk assessments, ensuring a more holistic approach to marine conservation in these critical ecosystems.

Soviet Serial Apartment Buildings in Riga Historical Centre Streetscape. 1945–1990

Historic Centre of Riga — 2019 — WHE9172A765A9

Post-war Soviet-era apartment buildings in Riga's historic center, though often overlooked, contribute distinct architectural and urban qualities to the streetscape. Unlike historical mixed streetscapes, those dominated by Modern Movement serial housing exhibit notable differences, including similarities to large-scale housing block shortcomings. This study identifies these traits using the Maryland Inventory method, providing evaluation criteria for heritage specialists and cultural insights for the public. It challenges existing perceptions of post-war housing in UNESCO-listed sites, offering a nuanced understanding of its historical value.

Soy expansion in Brazil's Cerrado

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2019 — WHE57425C1112

Soy expansion is a significant driver of land conversion and Forest Code violations in Brazil's Cerrado biome, accounting for 22% of deforestation between 2003 and 2014. Despite restrictions under the Forest Code, 51% of soy farms violated these regulations, at a rate five times higher than other agricultural sectors. The study analyzed over 580,000 property boundaries covering 77% of the biome's eligible areas, using microwatersheds to assess potential pathways for future soy expansion on both old and new croplands. These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger environmental regulations and incentives to redirect soy production away from protected areas.

Space- and Ground-Based Geophysical Data Tracking of Magma Migration in Shallow Feeding System of Mount Etna Volcano

Mount Etna — 2019 — WHE35F0387886

A rapid magma migration event at Mount Etna, captured using space-based (MODIS and SENTINEL-2) and ground-based geophysical data, revealed that a lateral effusive eruption on 24 December 2018 was preceded by a persistent increase in summit activity. The study tracked thermal, seismic, and infrasonic changes in near real-time, showing that magma intruded along a ~2.0 km dyke at a speed of 0.15–0.20 m/s, shifting explosive activity from the summit to the volcano's flank. Satellite data estimated erupted lava volumes of 1.4 Mm³ (±0.5 Mm³) at the summit and 0.85 Mm³ (±0.3 Mm³) laterally, highlighting the potential of integrating satellite observations with ground-based geophysical monitoring to improve volcanic hazard assessments during eruptive crises.