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Contribution to the Floristic Knowledge of the Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca, Mexico

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2017 — WHE8720DFE978

A comprehensive floristic inventory of the Sierra Mazateca, Oaxaca, Mexico, reveals 648 vascular plant species across 136 families and 389 genera, highlighting its rich biodiversity. Dominant angiosperm families include Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Rubiaceae, Melastomataceae, and Piperaceae, with Polypodiaceae as the most diverse fern family. Conducted between 1999 and 2002 in highland cloud forests (1,000–2,750 m), this study documents flora in varying successional stages due to land-use changes, contributing critical data for conservation efforts in this UNESCO World Heritage Site's originary habitat of Mesoamerica.

Contribution to the knowledge of the Bryophyte Flora of the Vatican City State: The Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy)

Vatican City — 2017 — WHED7CB2F1465

A pioneering study of the bryophyte flora at the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, Vatican City State, reveals 87 species, including one liverwort and six mosses new to Lazio Region. Among these, Zygodon forsteri—a European Vulnerable epiphyte—was identified, alongside other rare Italian species like Anthocerosagrestis. The research also analyzed life-forms in relation to the territory's ecological and climatic traits, contributing critical data for potential updates to the European and Mediterranean Red Lists of Bryophytes. This marks the first bryological exploration of a largely unstudied Vatican City State site.

Cooperative Principle Used By The Vendors Of Borobudur Temple In Communication With Foreign Tourists

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2017 — WHE0E139A7974

Vendors at Borobudur Temple, despite lacking formal English education, effectively communicate with foreign tourists using Grice's cooperative principle maxims of quality and relation. This study reveals that vendors rely on simple sentences to sell products, avoiding maxims of quantity and manner due to limited vocabulary. The research employed qualitative ethnomethodology, including interviews, observations, and conversation recordings, to explore how vendors learn English in their community and the linguistic strategies they employ. Key findings highlight the vendors' ability to adapt communication without formal schooling, offering insights into informal language acquisition and cross-cultural interaction at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Coprophilous fungi from dung of the Greater One-Horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park, India and its implication to paleoherbivory and paleoecology

Kaziranga National Park — 2017 — WHECE3D72090F

Researchers have identified coprophilous fungi, particularly Sporormiella, Saccobolus, Ascodesmis, Cercophora, and Sordaria, in the dung of the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) within Kaziranga National Park, India. This discovery marks the first documentation of these fungi in rhino dung across both forest and grassland habitats. The Sporormiella–Ascodesmis–Saccobolus assemblage is notably abundant, providing insights into the ecological relationships between rhinoceroses, flora, and other fauna. By analyzing fungal spore distribution, the study offers a novel approach to reconstructing past herbivory patterns (paleoherbivory) and ecosystem dynamics (paleoecology), with implications for understanding historical animal distributions in India and surrounding regions.

Coral Recruitment on a Local Scale in Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Estimated by Settlement Plates and Numerical Analysis

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2017 — WHE95E26EA7F8

Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, maintains its coral populations primarily through local recruitment, with most larvae traveling less than 400 meters and a maximum distance of 5.5 km. The study found that the recruitment of dominant coral species, such as Acroporidae, was positively correlated with nearby coral community abundance. By analyzing settlement plate data and combining it with numerical models for seawater flow and particle tracking, researchers determined that larvae supply comes mainly from the bay's immediate surroundings, suggesting self-sustaining coral populations within Amitori Bay.

Costruzione e percezione dello spazio rituale nel Mediterraneo antico : l'esempio dell'Africa romana

Dougga / Thugga — 2017 — WHE41F7204740

This interdisciplinary study reveals how ritual spaces in ancient Mediterranean cultures, particularly under Roman influence, evolved through the integration of bodily practices, ideological frameworks, and symbolic representations. Focusing on Dougga (Thugga) in Roman Africa, it demonstrates that 'romanization' transformed indigenous cultic landscapes, as seen in the Thinissut sanctuary and other sacred sites. The research employs epigraphic and archaeological evidence to analyze shifts in spatial organization, monumentalization of worship areas, and the embedding of polytheistic beliefs within Romanized contexts. By bridging religious history, anthropology, and archaeology, it offers a nuanced understanding of how cultural encounters reshaped ritual perceptions across civilizations.

Creating knowledge spillovers through knowledge-based festivals: the case of Mantua, Italy

Mantua and Sabbioneta — 2017 — WHE2071B369B0

Knowledge-based festivals, such as Italy's Festivaletteratura in Mantua, serve as dynamic hubs for knowledge creation and spillovers, extending their impact beyond the event itself. By leveraging a dual network structure—comprising local cultural organizations, firms, volunteers, and civic groups alongside an international creative community—the festival fosters innovation and attention. This study shifts focus from viewing festivals as transient events to recognizing them as permanent, regionally embedded knowledge generators. The research employs qualitative analysis to explore these networks' roles in disseminating knowledge, highlighting the festival's potential to drive cultural and economic development within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Creative clusters in the regeneration of Valletta and the cultural politics of Strait Street

City of Valletta — 2017 — WHE4C6B54CE1F

A creative cluster approach has shown potential for urban regeneration in Valletta, Malta, particularly along Strait Street. This study identifies key strengths and weaknesses in the strategy by analyzing policy documents and material constructs within a 'system-wide' framework. The research reveals that while the creative city model can foster cultural politics and development narratives, it also faces challenges rooted in the neighborhood's historically contentious background. By scrutinizing discursive and material elements, the study highlights the importance of understanding specificities to effectively implement regeneration strategies.

Creta Capta: Late Minoan II Knossos in Mycenaean History

Minoan Palatial Centres — 2017 — WHE6D542697DB

The Late Minoan II period (c. 1470–1420 BC) at Knossos marked a transformative phase in Aegean Bronze Age history, serving as the foundational experiment for Mycenaean palatial administration. This study reveals that Mycenaeans, upon gaining control of Knossos—previously an unmatched administrative center—adapted to ruling a complex palatial system, a novel experience for them. This period, often overshadowed by later Mycenaean dominance, provided the blueprint for mainland palaces that would shape Aegean politics for centuries. The research contextualizes the rise of Late Helladic III culture within this critical transition, emphasizing Knossos as a pivotal site in Mycenaean history rather than merely a Minoan legacy.

Crusader Acre in the Thirteenth Century: Urban Layout and Topography

Old City of Acre — 2017 — WHE146EF08829

Crusader Acre's thirteenth-century urban layout and topography can be reconstructed with unprecedented clarity, thanks to abundant contemporary sources and surviving fourteenth-century maps. The study reveals significant continuity from the Arab period but also identifies pronounced changes post-1191, particularly after Saladin's conquest. The term 'ruga,' central to Crusader-era city descriptions, is critically analyzed for accurate topographical interpretation. This reconstruction leverages a wealth of ecclesiastical and lay building records, providing a nuanced understanding of Acre's urban evolution during the Crusades.

Crustal extension in the Tongariro graben, New Zealand: Insights into volcano-tectonic interactions and active deformation in a young continental rift

Tongariro National Park — 2017 — WHE0F92DFF490

Research at the Tongariro graben, New Zealand, reveals that tectonic faulting dominates crustal extension over magma intrusion in this young continental rift. The study quantifies geological extension at 7 ± 1.2 mm/yr since 20 ka, with 78%–95% (5.8–7.0 mm/yr) attributed to tectonic activity and only 5%–22% (0.4–1.6 mm/yr) linked to dike intrusions, including volcanic eruptions and deep arrested dikes. Field observations and theoretical fault dislocation modeling were used to distinguish between tectonic and volcano-tectonic faults. These findings refine seismic and volcanic hazard assessments for the region and provide insights into volcano-tectonic interactions in similar continental rifts worldwide.

Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographic patterns of Seychellois Ligia isopods

Aldabra Atoll — 2017 — WHED6CE8588AD

Research on Ligia isopods at Aldabra Atoll and the Seychelles archipelago reveals the presence of highly divergent lineages, suggesting at least three novel species within this group. These findings indicate cryptic biodiversity and independent origins, challenging previous assumptions about species diversity in coastal invertebrates. The study employed mitochondrial and nuclear markers to analyze genetic diversity across inner and outer islands, uncovering distinct lineages closely related to known species complexes such as Ligia vitiensis and Ligia dentipes. This discovery highlights the potential for undocumented speciation events in Seychellois organisms, contributing to our understanding of phylogeographic patterns in highly biodiverse regions.

Cultivating Culture: Youth Food Movement in the Taos Pueblo Native American Community

Taos Pueblo — 2017 — WHE1A6D9C8D22

Local food systems at Taos Pueblo foster positive farming ideologies that reciprocally strengthen native identity and heritage preservation. A three-month ethnographic study involving 16 interviews and participant observation revealed how youth-led agricultural movements reinforce cultural pride, suggesting these systems could mitigate language loss and cultural erosion. The findings highlight a covert but significant link between food sovereignty and indigenous identity, offering potential strategies for community development and future quantitative research.

Cultural Heritage Documentation in SIS Environment: an Application for "Porta Sirena" in the Archaeological Site of Paestum

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula — 2017 — WHE43C6BE55CC

A Spatial Information System (SIS) integrating Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) and other advanced survey technologies demonstrates significant potential for enhancing the documentation, monitoring, maintenance, and conservation of cultural heritage sites. The study highlights how SIS can efficiently manage diverse data types, including raster imagery, 3D point clouds, and vector data, while connecting spatial elements to attribute tables. A case study at Paestum's 'Porta Sirena' archaeological site illustrates the practical efficiency of this approach, showcasing its utility for heritage documentation in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Cultural Spaces Research on Architecture and Identity

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra — 2017 — WHEA032473E69

A multidisciplinary approach to architectural research, particularly for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, can effectively engage students and foster comprehensive understanding. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in architecture education, as demonstrated by a course module at TU Wien focusing on the Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra in Albania. This module encouraged students to develop their own research projects, integrating various disciplines to analyze architectural identity. The research approach taught in this module emphasizes holistic analysis, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, thereby enhancing students' interest and capability in conducting independent research.

Current chemical composition of Lake Baikal water

Lake Baikal — 2017 — WHE5491A566A9

Lake Baikal's pelagic zone maintains stable ionic composition, with favorable conditions for hydrobiont growth, while its littoral areas face localized pollution near settlements and tourist hotspots. A study conducted between 2010 and 2015 analyzed water samples across eight expeditions, revealing consistent major ion concentrations, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and low levels of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals in the pelagic zone. However, eutrophication and pollution near urban areas like Listvyanka, Severobaikalsk, Baikalsk, and Slyudyanka were attributed to inadequate sewage treatment, tourism, and ship traffic. The research highlights the need for ongoing monitoring to address littoral zone degradation.

Current status of Harmful Termites (Isoptera) in Hoi An Ancient Town and Effectiveness of Control of Main Harmful Coptotermes with Bait BDM 10

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2017 — WHEBB10A3741B

Termite infestations pose significant threats to Hoi An Ancient Town, with Coptotermes gestroi identified as the most destructive species. A study of 178 buildings revealed that 4 species—C. gestroi, C. formosanus, C. ceylonicus, and Cryptotermes domesticus—were primary pests, affecting 57% of structures. Treatment with BDM10 bait proved highly effective, achieving 100% control across all treated buildings: 78% required only one application, while 20% needed a second treatment, and just 2.5% demanded a third due to severe damage. This research underscores the potential of targeted bait-based interventions for preserving heritage structures in termite-prone regions.

Cytogenetic Characterization of Eight Odonata Species Originating from the Curonian Spit (the Baltic Sea, Russia) Using C-Banding and FISH with 18S rDNA and Telomeric (TTAGG)n Probes

Curonian Spit — 2017 — WHE25D4FF9F1D

A unique cytogenetic study of eight dragonfly species from the Curonian Spit reveals that most share a conserved karyotype (2n = 25) with minor variations. Notably, Sympetrum vulgatum shows clear telomeric signals using FISH with the (TTAGG)n probe, suggesting the presence of canonical insect telomeric repeats despite their low copy number in this ancient order. The research employed C-banding and FISH techniques to map 18S rDNA clusters on autosomes while also investigating telomere organization. This finding challenges previous assumptions about Odonata telomere structure and underscores the need for further phylogenetic studies.

Cytomegaloviruses in a Community of Wild Nonhuman Primates in Taï National Park, Côte D’Ivoire

Taï National Park — 2017 — WHE4AB106A862

Researchers identified six novel cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) in wild nonhuman primates from Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, with no evidence of cross-species transmission. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CMVs in this region are strictly host-specific, despite intensified sampling. The study suggests long-term co-divergence between CMVs and their hosts, though other evolutionary processes like lineage duplication may also play a role. Investigators used PCR targeting betaherpesviruses to detect CMV DNA in 17 of 87 primates across seven species, including sooty mangabeys, Campbell's monkeys, and Diana monkeys.

D-Day

Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 — 2017 — WHE73492730C9

The Normandy landings of June 1944, pivotal to World War II's outcome and the shaping of modern geopolitical and economic landscapes, are analyzed through a comprehensive lens in this edited reference book. It reveals the immense logistical challenges faced by Allied forces—supplying tens of thousands of troops and vast amounts of equipment across beaches while dealing with mislandings, decimated command structures, and adverse weather conditions—that complicated pre-invasion planning. The work also dissects the elaborate Allied deception strategies, their execution, and their impact on battlefield dynamics. Through nine primary documents, including invasion plans and operational directives, it provides a detailed account of the battle's complexities, technical innovations, and human cost, offering new insights into the factors that determined its eventual success.