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Showing 17681 – 17700 of 30345 publications

The use of underwater viewing deck of the semi-submersible whalewatching vessel Yellow Submarine at Península Valdés, Argentina as a platform of opportunity for scientifc research with the southern right whale, Eubalaena australis

Península Valdés — 2019 — WHE033680CF4E

A semi-submersible whalewatching vessel, the Yellow Submarine, operating off Puerto Pirámides, Península Valdés, Argentina, offers a unique platform for scientific research on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). The study assessed its underwater viewing deck's potential to collect detailed data on whale behavior, age class, sex, photo-identification opportunities, and observation duration. While the vessel provides exceptional underwater visibility of whales in this critical calving ground, key limitations include short observation windows and reduced visibility during spring. This research highlights the Yellow Submarine as a valuable tool for advancing cetacean studies, particularly in challenging environmental conditions.

The Validity of Lagosuchus Talampayensis Romer, 1971 (Archosauria, Dinosauriformes), from the Late Triassic of Argentina

Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks — 2019 — WHEF4AE4B7470

A reassessment of the fossil record from the Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks, Argentina, reveals that Lagosuchus talampayensis, a key 'proto-dinosaur' species, is not distinct but shares critical anatomical traits with Marasuchus lilloensis. This finding, based on new observations of the holotype's femoral head morphology, suggests L. talampayensis is a senior synonym of M. lilloensis. The study challenges previous classifications and sheds light on early dinosauromorph diversity in the Late Triassic Chañares Formation, refining our understanding of dinosaur precursors' evolutionary relationships.

The Value to Visitors of Improving Visibility at Mesa Verde and Great Smoky National Parks

Mesa Verde National Park — 2019 — WHE76273E69F0

Improving visibility at Mesa Verde National Park can significantly enhance visitor experiences and willingness to pay, according to research applying contingent ranking methodology. This approach, rooted in Lancastrian consumer behavior theory, analyzes how visitors rank alternatives based on attributes like air quality, providing a robust measure of non-market benefits. While the study acknowledges potential biases in survey responses, it offers valuable insights into the economic value of preserving scenic resources in national parks.

The vanishing paths of African artefacts: Mapping the Parisian auction market for "primitive" objects in the interwar period

Royal Palaces of Abomey — 2019 — WHE77F806BA9C

African artifacts, particularly those from the Royal Palaces of Abomey, held significant value during the 1930s financial crisis despite being generally undervalued in the interwar Parisian auction market. This study reconstructs the commercial paths of these objects by analyzing auction records and catalogues from Hôtel Drouot, identifying key actors and comparing prices with other 'primitive' artifacts. The research highlights how European collector preferences influenced market dynamics, with African items often fetching lower hammer prices—except for Abomey's royal objects, which served as stable investments.

The virtuous integration of Geoscience research and educational projects: examples from the Piemonte region

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — 2019 — WHEE8236FFAAB

Involving students in field research activities significantly enhances their disciplinary knowledge, soft skills, and awareness of the relevance of geosciences in daily life. This was demonstrated through a project integrating geoscience research with educational initiatives in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Piedmont's vineyard landscapes (Langhe-Roero and Monferrato) and the Sesia Val Grande Global Geopark. The study, conducted as part of Italy's MIUR Plan for enhancing scientific degrees (PLS 2015-17), employed inquiry-based learning, cooperative activities, and multimedia tools to engage upper secondary education students and teachers. Satisfaction questionnaires confirmed that this approach effectively improved student engagement and understanding, highlighting the potential of integrating research with outreach in geoscience education.

The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2019 — WHE888804AFEC

Climate change poses significant threats to microbial ecosystems, including those in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Microorganisms, responsible for half of Earth's primary production and crucial to the survival of all macroscopic life, are highly vulnerable to changing environmental conditions such as extreme weather events, rising temperatures, sea levels, and ocean acidification. A review highlights that these changes could disrupt the delicate balance supporting microbial mats and stromatolites in Shark Bay, which are evolutionarily significant. The study emphasizes the need for focused research to understand the resilience of these ecosystems and to implement conservation strategies. It underscores the broader importance of including microorganisms in climate change discourse due to their pivotal role in both mitigating and exacerbating climate impacts.

The Worlds of Junípero Serra: Historical Contexts and Cultural Representations

Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro — 2019 — WHE57E5AC0086

This volume offers a nuanced exploration of Junípero Serra's life and legacy, challenging polarizing narratives by contextualizing his missionary career within the complex political, cultural, and religious landscapes of early modern Majorca, New Spain, and 19th-century United States. It reveals how Serra's use of baroque aesthetics shaped Catholic spaces on empire's fringes and highlights miscommunications between his paternal authority model and Native Californian practices, underscoring the intentional withholding of knowledge by Indigenous peoples. The collection also examines Anglo-American reappropriations of Serra while noting an opportunity to further explore Mexican interpretations and broader imperial contexts.

Theatre architecture. A synthesis of arts in theatre

Mantua and Sabbioneta — 2019 — WHEB9834D8B65

The 16th-century European theatre underwent significant transformation, with the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza and subsequent developments leading to the Italian Baroque Theatre. Sabbioneta's All' Antica arrangement marked a pioneering attempt to create a theatre space that integrated both viewer and actor as active participants in performance. Mantua's Baroque theatre hall advanced this concept, foreshadowing Richard Wagner's later approach and Peter Brook's synthesis of arts in performances like Mahabharata. This study highlights the evolutionary trajectory of theatre architecture, emphasizing its functional and artistic innovations that redefined the relationship between performer and audience.

Theoretical Model of Restoration of Bardzrakash Monastery Complex of the X-XIII Centuries

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin — 2019 — WHE1F7554D711

A theoretical model for the restoration of Bardzrakash Monastery Complex, dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, reveals key architectural features and planning organization. The study proposes solutions for the eastern and western facades of the small church, substantiates tholobate and dome shapes, and determines the contours of Surp Astvatsatsin church's facades. It also presents a hypothesis on the completion of the monastery gavit's main part. The model is based on analysis of building ruins, measurement data, photofixation, and descriptions, with chronologically and territorially close monuments like Goshavank, Haghartsin, and Haghpat serving as analogues for reconstructing lost elements.

Thermal Comfort Characteristic of 5 Patterns of a Persian Garden in a Hot-Arid Climate of Shiraz, Iran

The Persian Garden — 2019 — WHEAEE40ADE3B

A Persian garden's design significantly impacts thermal comfort in hot-arid climates, such as Shiraz, Iran. Research demonstrates that the End.E-W pattern, featuring strategically placed pavilions, mitigates heat stress more effectively than other patterns by reducing mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET). This is achieved through altering shortwave radiation and sky view factor, which prevents intense afternoon sun exposure on pathways. The study used Envi-met 3.1 for environmental simulations and the Rayman model to calculate PET, revealing that orientation and pavilion placement are critical in enhancing thermal comfort in urban parks.

Thermal Performance Analysis of Exterior Wall Materials of Huizhou Residential Buildings Adapted to Local Climate

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2019 — WHE843256E8C5

A comparative analysis of four types of exterior wall materials used in Huizhou residential buildings, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Xidi and Hongcun, reveals that traditional rowlock cavity walls made from black bricks and yellow mud exhibit superior thermal performance. These walls demonstrated a heat transfer coefficient of 1.892 W/m²•K, outperforming modern alternatives such as cement brick rowlock cavity walls (2.821 W/m²•K), composite walls in Hongcun Village (2.024 W/m²•K), and solid walls in Jicun Village (3.588 W/m²•K). The study, conducted through field surveys, tests, and laboratory experiments, provides quantitative data on the thermal properties of these materials, offering a foundation for developing eco-friendly building solutions that align with local climatic conditions.

Thermotectonic History of the Kluane Ranges and Evolution of the Eastern Denali Fault Zone in Southwestern Yukon, Canada

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2019 — WHE70F2C3EED8

A new thermotectonic history of the Kluane Ranges and the Eastern Denali Fault Zone (EDFZ) reveals three distinct phases of cooling and exhumation over the last 100 million years. Rapid cooling occurred from ~95 to 75 million years ago, followed by a period of slow cooling until ~30 million years ago, with renewed rapid cooling continuing to the present. This study used apatite (U-Th)/He, zircon He, and fission-track dating, along with thermal history modeling, to constrain exhumation rates, which are highest near the EDFZ but lower than in the central Denali Fault Zone. The findings suggest that landscape evolution in the Kluane Ranges is directly linked to tectonic processes such as terrane accretion, flat-slab subduction, and transpressional deformation.

Three dominating hypocrealean fungi of the ‘white mold spots’ on acrylic varnish coatings of the murals in a Koguryo tomb in China

Complex of Koguryo Tombs — 2019 — WHECC85D4601A

Researchers have identified three dominant hypocrealean fungi responsible for the seasonal 'white mold spots' on acrylic varnish coatings used to protect murals in the Wu-Kui Tomb, a Koguryo World Heritage Site. Two known species, Acremonium camptosporum and Sarocladium kiliense, along with a novel taxon, Leptobacillium muralicola, were distinguished through morphological comparison and phylogenetic analysis of LSU and ITS sequence data. The study employed both culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to characterize the fungal community, revealing that L. muralicola can be differentiated by its colonial color changes from greyish white to greenish white over time and a distinct conidial length-to-width ratio. This finding sheds light on the microbial factors contributing to the deterioration of cultural heritage sites.

Three Types of Invisibility: The Acropolis of Athens

Acropolis, Athens — 2019 — WHE5499E4F7F8

A groundbreaking analysis of the Acropolis of Athens reveals that its iconic monuments, designed to symbolize Athenian democracy and glory, were paradoxically more or less invisible during their heyday in 400s BCE. The study identifies three distinct types of invisibility—literal occlusion, situational visibility, and ideological concealment—that challenge traditional art historical narratives. By examining ancient texts and architectural contexts, the research demonstrates how visibility was contingent on factors such as light, perspective, and political symbolism. This finding reshapes our understanding of the Acropolis's role in Classical Greek culture and its enduring legacy.

Thriving or surviving? The isotopic record of the Wrangel Island woolly mammoth population

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2019 — WHEA81BFF008A

New isotopic analysis of Wrangel Island woolly mammoths reveals that their population did not face deteriorating forage quality or quantity before extinction, contrary to prior suggestions. Carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope data from 77 radiocarbon-dated specimens show that the island's mammoths maintained stable nitrogen values akin to their Beringian ancestors until their demise around 4000 years ago. However, their carbon isotope signatures suggest a lower need for cold-adaptive strategies compared to Siberian mammoths. Increased mid-Holocene weathering of rock formations, indicated by sulfur isotopes, may have contributed to water quality issues or even catastrophic starvation events, potentially playing a role in their extinction.

Tibet im 18. Jahrhundert. Wo lag die Macht und wer war der Herrscher?

Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa — 2019 — WHE6F5A6D1049

A key insight from this study is that the Dalai Lama's role as a sacral ruler, embodying both political authority and religious salvation, was crucial in stabilizing Tibet's governance during the 18th century. The research reveals how the Dalai Lama unified conflicting social and ideological differences through his dual function as a reincarnated figure of salvation and an earthly emanation of Avalokites´vara, while also legitimizing foreign rule by integrating it into a priest-patron framework. The study employs historical analysis to explore Tibet's hierarchical structure, highlighting the tension between Buddhist moral principles and political action, which was managed through narrative unity and institutional consolidation, such as the establishment of central monasteries and pilgrimage sites.

Tidal Flow Asymmetry and Discharge of Lateral Tributaries Drive the Evolution of a Microtidal Meander in the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

Venice and its Lagoon — 2019 — WHE4C527B88F6

A meandering channel in the Venice Lagoon evolves under asymmetric tidal flows, developing depositional patterns akin to fluvial meanders dominated by flood or ebb currents. Enhanced sediment and water fluxes from lateral tributaries, sourced from wind-wave exposed tidal flats, critically influence erosional and depositional dynamics within these sheltered meanders. The study used 2-D and 3-D numerical models to analyze natural and anthropogenically induced changes in tidal flow asymmetries over the past 120 years, comparing results with historical and modern field data. Findings highlight how increased tidal asymmetry reduces the morphological effects of the nondominant flow, while lateral tributaries significantly alter meander development.

Tierradentro: visiones y tensiones en torno al patrimonio arqueológico

National Archeological Park of Tierradentro — 2019 — WHEDC07847585

A monolithic, state-protected vision of archaeological heritage often overlooks the diverse cultural and political perspectives of local communities, leading to conflicts rooted in historical inequalities. This study reveals that the establishment of the Tierradentro National Archaeological Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has failed to foster meaningful dialogue among stakeholders—including peasants, indigenous groups, and government authorities—despite its potential to bridge differing interpretations of archaeological heritage. The research employs ethnographic methods to analyze these tensions, highlighting how local communities' historically configured perspectives are frequently disregarded in favor of a singular scientific narrative. The findings underscore the urgent need for inclusive approaches that recognize the multifaceted significance of archaeological sites beyond mere scientific information, while addressing systemic exclusions that perpetuate social inequalities.

Timber-Framing Construction in Herculaneum Archaeological Site: Characterisation and Main Reasons for its Diffusion

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2019 — WHE35429E1815

Archaeological evidence from Herculaneum reveals that timber-framing construction, known as opus craticium, was widely used during the Augustan Principate due to high demand for new constructions and repairs. The technique's pervasiveness is attributed to rapid urban development and the need for durable structures, while its preservation is linked to the anaerobic conditions created by the 79 AD Vesuvian eruption. This study highlights a dichotomy between historical accounts of timber-framing and actual construction practices, using literature review and on-site analysis, with Casa a Graticcio serving as a key example.

Time and communicative code of pilgrimage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the second half of the 18th century)

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2019 — WHE8321F35B94

Pilgrimage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the second half of the 18th century exhibited distinct seasonal patterns, with two primary waves occurring in May-June and August. Analysis of material donations revealed that while total sums increased during peak pilgrimage periods, the largest contributions shifted from prayers and list recordings during low-activity months to relic veneration during high-activity months. This study deciphers the communicative code of pilgrimage, demonstrating how spatial arrangements within the Lavra facilitated close contact with relics through worship, prayer orders, and rituals like holy water sprinkling. The findings highlight the interplay between pilgrim needs and the Lavra's infrastructure in shaping religiosity.