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Showing 18361 – 18380 of 30345 publications

Experimentation of visual augmented reality for visiting the historical monuments of the medina of Fez

Medina of Fez — 2018 — WHE43359807CE

A prototype Android mobile application leveraging visual augmented reality (AR) was successfully developed to enhance the tourist experience at the Medina of Fez. The application serves as an interactive pocket guide, overlaying digital information onto the physical environment to provide richer historical context for visitors. By integrating multiple software and hardware technologies, AR transforms the way users perceive and engage with historical monuments. The prototype's adaptability—achieved by simply replacing its database—demonstrates potential for broader application across other cities, making it a scalable solution for heritage tourism. This study highlights the transformative impact of AR in cultural preservation and visitor engagement.

Exploiting Mining Centers

Historic Town of Ouro Preto — 2018 — WHEE329517E3C

Mining centers played a pivotal role in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of Latin America during colonial times. Research highlights that while Mexico's mining regions, such as Zacatecas and Guanajuato, became vital sources of wealth for the Spanish Empire due to their rich deposits of silver, gold, platinum, iron, and copper, Colombia experienced more moderate growth driven by its Antioquia province's gold reserves. Ouro Preto, a once rough mining town in Minas Gerais, Brazil, evolved into a significant hub of Baroque culture and architecture by the late 18th century. Unlike Mexico, Colombia's economic history is characterized by gradual growth rather than boom-bust cycles typical of regions with massive mineral deposits.

Exploring city image: residents’ versus tourists’ perceptions

City of Verona — 2018 — WHE396988BB86

A comparative analysis of city image perceptions between residents and tourists in Verona, Italy, reveals striking similarities in their views on services, leisure, security, and entertainment. The only notable divergence lies in municipal facilities, where residents exhibit greater criticism than tourists. This study, conducted through questionnaires addressing four dimensions of city image, addresses a significant gap in the literature by comparing perceptions in a medium-sized destination—a rarity in urban studies. It also enhances a previously used scale to include both resident and tourist perspectives, providing a robust tool for future research. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and destination management organizations, highlighting Verona's strengths while identifying areas for improvement.

Exploring Households’ Recycling Behaviour in a World Heritage City, Melaka

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2018 — WHE5F7C3ED927

A study on recycling behavior in Melaka reveals that household recycling is strongly influenced by attitudes toward recycling, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and commitment to the environment. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework, researchers found that incorporating environmental commitment significantly improved the model's explanatory power, achieving an R² value of 66.7%. The findings suggest that policies aimed at promoting sustainable recycling behavior should focus on fostering positive attitudes and strengthening individuals' sense of responsibility toward the environment. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers in heritage cities seeking to enhance household sustainability practices.

Exploring New Antioxidant and Mineral Compounds from Nymphaea alba Wild-Grown in Danube Delta Biosphere

Danube Delta — 2018 — WHED1350A2D39

A first-of-its-kind study identifies 27 antioxidant and mineral compounds, including rutin and p-coumaric acid, in Nymphaea alba from the Danube Delta Biosphere. The research highlights significant variations in polyphenol (19.42 mg EqGA/100 mg extract) and flavonoid (0.97 mg EqQ/100 mg extract) content across plant parts, with fruit and flower extracts exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity. Using ultrasonic extraction, the study also reveals that macroelement and microelement concentrations vary by anatomical part, contributing novel insights into the phytochemistry of Nymphaeaceae family plants in Romania.

Exploring the Egg Lake /?Eghés tu Landscape and the Lake One Trail A Collaboration with Knowledge Holders in Wood Buffalo National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2018 — WHE3D8FADB1A6

Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), renowned for its wildlife and natural heritage, harbors significant cultural heritage that has remained underrecognized. A collaborative study involving Cree and Chipewyan knowledge holders and a Parks Canada archaeologist reveals the profound cultural significance of traditional trails within the park, such as the Lake One Trail. This research demonstrates that Aboriginal cultural landscapes are equally vital to WBNP's identity as its natural values. By documenting the trail's cultural meanings and stories, the study proposes a framework for revising UNESCO's commemorative statement to better reflect this dual heritage.

Exploring tourists’ soundscape emotion and its impact on sustainable tourism development

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement — 2018 — WHEDF47EC6200

Tourists' positive emotional response to soundscape significantly enhances their pro-environmental behavior, highlighting the pivotal role of acoustic environments in promoting sustainable tourism development. This finding underscores a critical link between human-environmental interactions and conservation efforts, particularly in destinations rich with diverse auditory experiences like Kulangsu, a historic international settlement. The study employed empirical analysis to demonstrate that positive soundscape emotions amplify the significance of determinants driving pro-environmental actions, contrasting starkly with negative emotional responses. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers and tourism stakeholders aiming to leverage soundscape design for ecological sustainability.

Expressionism in Lithuania

Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939 — 2018 — WHE441730F6DE

Expressionism played a pivotal role in shaping modernist art in Lithuania, emerging as a defining element of the national school of art during Kaunas' interwar period (1919-1939). This study reveals that Lithuanian expressionism was not an isolated movement but was deeply influenced by German expressionism, particularly through Marianne Werefkin's connections to Vilnius and Kaunas. Despite its significance, Lithuanian expressionism has been historically understudied, with nationalist art discourses until the late 20th century failing to contextualize or analyze its manifestations comprehensively. The research employs a critical analysis of Lithuanian art history, challenging traditional narratives by examining how expressionism was understood and integrated into the broader modernist narrative across the 20th century.

Factors Affecting Population Composition and Social Organization of Wild Ungulates in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park — 2018 — WHEECF1D74AF2

Chitwan National Park's ungulate populations exhibit significant variation in group sizes and social organization, primarily influenced by habitat structure, predation pressure, and human disturbances. Chital form the largest groups (13.76 in winter, 11.01 in summer), while sambar and muntjac tend to be more solitary or in smaller groups (1.86–2.45 for sambar). Female-biased age and sex ratios were observed across all species, with wild boar showing the highest proportion of young individuals and gaur the lowest. Larger groups are predominantly found in less disturbed open areas with high predatory pressure, whereas smaller groups or solitary individuals dominate highly disturbed forest regions. These findings underscore the critical role of habitat management and monitoring human disturbances to enhance long-term conservation strategies for ungulate populations in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Factors influencing bacterial microbiome composition in a wild non-human primate community in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

Taï National Park — 2018 — WHE6B12D30E52

A groundbreaking study reveals that the gut microbiomes of nine sympatric non-human primate species in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, are shaped by host species, social group dynamics, and parentage, rather than direct social relationships. Surprisingly, chimpanzees exhibited unique phylogenetic overdispersion patterns, contrasting with the expected clustering seen in other monkey species. This suggests distinct ecological or physiological factors influencing their microbiome composition. The research employed a comparative approach to analyze microbiome data across species, providing insights into the complex dispersal routes and evolutionary pressures shaping these microbial communities.

Factors influencing the habitat use of sympatric albatrosses from Macquarie Island, Australia

Macquarie Island — 2018 — WHED15A6449EF

Research on sympatric albatrosses from Macquarie Island reveals that black-browed albatrosses are more vulnerable to climate-driven changes due to their shorter breeding cycle and morphological traits, which limit flight efficiency. The study tracked 47 albatrosses—black-browed (Thalassarche melanophris), grey-headed (T. chrysostoma), light-mantled (Phoebetria palpebrata), and wandering (Diomedea exulans)—over 1994–2009, finding that habitat overlap was greatest near the island during breeding but varied widely in nonbreeding periods. All species utilized productive frontal regions and mesoscale eddies, with optimal residence times linked to moderate wind speeds, enhancing aerodynamic performance. These findings highlight potential risks for black-browed albatrosses as climate shifts alter Southern Ocean wind patterns and Subantarctic Front dynamics.

Farmers survey of wild mammals species implicated in crop damage in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR-Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo): severity and control strategies

Okapi Wildlife Reserve — 2018 — WHE569E9E7F17

A survey of farmers in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo revealed that primates, including species of guenons and baboons, along with elephants, cause significant crop damage during the maturation and fructification stages of maize, cassava, and bananas. Farmers primarily rely on guarding their fields to mitigate this damage. The study, conducted between June and August 2010, interviewed 210 farmers from seven tribes using probabilistic surveys and structured interviews. It highlights the severe impact of wild mammals on agricultural productivity in the region, emphasizing the need for effective control strategies to protect both crops and wildlife.

Farmers’ Willingness to Cultivate Traditional Rice in Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Anuradhapura District

Sacred City of Anuradhapura — 2018 — WHEB48B4A5168

A significant majority of farmers in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka, are willing to cultivate traditional rice over improved varieties, with 67% of male farmers and 65.6% of families affected by non-communicable diseases showing a preference for traditional cultivation. This shift is driven by awareness of the medicinal and nutritional benefits of traditional rice, alongside factors such as land extent, farm gate price, farmer age, education level, farming experience, and system. The study, which surveyed 100 traditional and 100 non-traditional rice growers using stratified sampling, also found that varietal attributes, personal factors (including presence of diseases), market conditions, and production systems significantly influence the selection of traditional rice varieties. These findings suggest a growing recognition among farmers of the health advantages and adaptability of traditional rice, particularly in response to environmental and health challenges.

Fauna and ecology of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) from Wrangel Island Nature Reserve (Chukotka, Russia)

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2018 — WHE400540344E

A study of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) on Wrangel Island, conducted during 2006 and 2015 surveys, reveals the presence of five species, with one, Dolichopus humilis, being the only circum-Arctic representative. The research highlights that Chrysotus komovi and Dolichopus terminasianae are newly recorded for Chukotka, while Hydrophorus alpinus and Rhamphium beringiense exhibit hypoarctic distribution patterns. Notably, the abundance of these flies in 2015 is linked to favorable summer weather conditions, suggesting climate warming's impact on Arctic ecosystems. The study employed net sweeping and yellow pan traps, with the latter yielding most specimens (650 out of 780). Photographs of species and habitats are included.

Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2018 — WHE079A19BB98

A study at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, reveals that red foxes adjust their foraging behavior significantly in response to olfactory cues from apex predators like gray wolves. Specifically, foxes increased the amount of food left uneaten (giving-up density) by 34% and reduced time spent foraging per day by 29% when exposed to wolf urine. This adaptive behavior suggests that mesopredators use olfaction to assess risk and balance foraging efficiency with fitness costs, potentially facilitating coexistence between competing predators. The research highlights the ecological importance of large carnivores and underscores the need for understanding these processes to manage land sustainably amid growing human impact.

Feasting at Poverty Point with Poverty Point Objects

Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point — 2018 — WHE52C1E57EDE

Ritualized feasting events best explain the distinctive archaeological record of Poverty Point. This study identifies key signatures of feasting—such as vast artifact diversity, well-designed earthworks, and millions of baked-clay objects (Poverty Point Objects)—as integral to understanding the site's cultural practices. The research draws on archaeological and anthropological frameworks to argue that these features were central to periodic communal gatherings, with Poverty Point Objects playing a specific role in the feasts.

Federal Conservation Units in Brazil: The Situation of Biomes and Regions

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2018 — WHE7A947E6C38

Brazil's federal conservation units (FCUs) cover 9.06% of the national territory, protecting diverse ecosystems but with significant disparities across biomes and regions. Notably, while the Amazônia biome has 14.57% of its area under FCU protection, the Pantanal Conservation Area lags behind with only 0.98%. The study analyzed public data on FCUs, revealing that the Northern Region hosts 84.8% of resident households and 79.2% of the area under FCU management, highlighting regional and biome-specific inequalities in conservation efforts. Public agent concentration is higher in the Southeastern region and Mata Atlântica biome, underscoring the need for better data organization to enhance public management efficiency.

Feeding the city: a comparative study of agricultural production in Bronze Age systems of Western Asia

Hattusha: the Hittite Capital — 2018 — WHE1D56A1C3F9

Bronze Age urban societies in Western Asia relied on low-input, low variance farming systems that exhibited significant agricultural variation to sustain their populations. A comparative study of Hattusha in Central Anatolia and Tell Brak in north-eastern Syria revealed distinct crop management strategies tailored to environmental conditions. At Hattusha, cereals were grown under multiple regimes, suggesting resource pooling from diverse rural areas, while at Tell Brak, different cultivars were likely cultivated in specific landscape zones to maximize yields in marginal environments. The research, based on archaeobotanical analysis of stored charred macro-remains and stable isotope analysis, demonstrates that agriculture was a dynamic system adapted to social and environmental challenges, playing a crucial role in supporting urban populations.

Feeling Stone

Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas — 2018 — WHEE78BC95CE5

The study 'Feeling Stone' challenges anthropocentric perspectives by highlighting the profound temporal and existential gap between human existence and geological time. It reveals that stone, enduring for billions of years, serves as a stark reminder of humanity's brief tenure on Earth, contrasting our fleeting history with the Hadean epoch's inhuman span. The research explores how human hands interact with stone, creating art and tools, while also questioning whether stone itself possesses agency or memory beyond its role as a passive material shaped by human intervention. Through philosophical inquiry and archaeological examples like Cueva de las Manos in Argentina, the study examines the universal impulse to engage with lithic substances, suggesting that both humans and stones may share creative and narrative qualities. This approach blends geology, anthropology, and phenomenology to redefine our relationship with stone, moving beyond its symbolic representation of endurance or silence.

Ficus Species in the Sangha Trinational, Central Africa

Sangha Trinational — 2018 — WHEFBF9D6154D

A comprehensive inventory of Ficus species in the Sangha Trinational, Central Africa, reveals 27 distinct species and two subspecies. This study provides a detailed identification key, illustrations, descriptions, and habitat information for these fig species, contributing significantly to our understanding of their diversity within tropical forests. The research employs thorough field surveys and morphological analysis, offering valuable insights into the rich botanical composition of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.