Search Results (162)

In 1897, King Leopold II of Belgium opened the Brussels International Exposition, which, in the Palace of the Colonies, showcased objects and people from the Congo Free State. They were displayed as the property of the King, who was the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908. The Palace of the Colonies was a combination of classically inspired imperial architecture and references to the Congo. The exposition was a huge success. As a result, the King built Africa Palace, a permanent ethnographic museum dedicated to his idea of Congo. It was located adjacent to his palace in Tervuren, now a suburb outside of Brussels. In 2018, the museum reopened as AfricaMuseum. This paper examines the inherent colonial frame of AfricaMuseum, both physically and ideologically, that continue to limit a significant socio-political shift for the museum, and the contemporary art pieces by Congolese and Burundian artists that have been tasked with the heavy lifting in shifting the narrative. Full article

Background/Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known opportunistic pathogen that causes a wide range of infections, from cutaneous blemishes to potentially fatal systemic diseases. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria highlights the critical need for alternative therapeutic methods that target virulence factors rather than growth. Methods: The antibacterial activity of 3-fluorocatechol (3-FC) against bacterial and fungal pathogens (e.g., Candida albicans) was determined by broth microdilution to establish the lowest inhibitory concentration. The antibiofilm impact of 3-FC against S. aureus was evaluated using crystal violet staining and viable colony counts, followed by scanning electron microscopy to visualize the biofilm architecture. The methanol extraction method was used to quantify staphyloxanthin synthesis in S. aureus cells. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking was used to evaluate 3-FC binding interactions and provide mechanistic insight into its impacts on S. aureus biofilms and virulence-associated factors. Results: Although the study showed that 3-FC exhibits weak antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC > 2048 µg/mL), it shows effective inhibition of up to 86.5% at sub-inhibitory doses during the initial stage of biofilm formation. The CFU enumeration also confirms the significant reduction of viable cell count of S. aureus in the presence of sub-MIC of 3-FC. The SEM analysis confirms disruption of the S. aureus biofilm architecture in the presence of a sub-MIC of 3-FC. Furthermore, the eradication of mature S. aureus biofilm at a sub-MIC dose of 3-FC was 60.6%. 3-FC significantly reduced staphyloxanthin formation, a vital antioxidant pigment that contributes to bacterial pathogenicity, with a maximal suppression of 66.3% at 2048 µg/mL. Molecular docking analyses provide further insight into the molecular basis of 3-FC activity, revealing strong binding affinities with numerous S. aureus virulence regulators and enzymes, suggesting interference with quorum-sensing, adhesion, and oxidative-stress response pathways. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings indicate that 3-FC has antibiofilm and antivirulence properties against S. aureus. Furthermore, this study suggests 3-FC as a viable structural scaffold for the development of a novel anti-infective agent to treat chronic staphylococcal infections. Full article

This study builds on a previously developed typo-morphological method used for the rural architecture of the “Capo Due Rami” area and tests its transferability to the northern sector of Sabaudia within the Pontine reclamation system. Beyond the historical, typological, and landscape dimensions explored earlier, this research adds a further analytical component focused on the relationship between settlement form and territorial planning. This extension represents the major methodological contribution of the study, allowing the repetitive structure of Opera Nazionale Combattenti farm units to be interpreted not only as a building system but also as an implicit territorial-planning device. The case study, located in the northern sector of Sabaudia, explores the relationships between the colonial settlements of the Opera Nazionale Combattenti (ONC), the agrarian framework, and the reclamation infrastructures, interpreting the repetition of settlement models as an implicit form of territorial planning. Using an integrated framework based on field surveys, archival materials, and multiscale cartographic analyses, the observation sheets show how architectural features, land-division schemes, and reclamation infrastructures are structurally interrelated. The results show that this new analytical dimension enhances the method’s interpretative capacity, highlighting the role of typological standardization in shaping the spatial and cultural structure of the reclaimed landscape. They reveal the morphological and functional consistency between architecture and landscape. Overall, the investigation confirms the coherence and replicability of the expanded approach. It shows that rural architecture is not only the material expression of a productive model but also an active agent in constructing and regulating the Pontine agrarian territory. Rural building emerges not only as the material outcome of a productive model but also as an active agent in shaping the agrarian territory. The research helps establish a comparative framework for interpreting Italian rural landscapes, supporting the valorization of vernacular heritage and reflection on the implicit planning principles embedded in typological architecture. Full article

Zinc sulfide nanomaterials (ZnS NMs) are widely used in many important technological applications, and the performance efficiency is determined by the nanostructure, size, and shape. This indicates that achieving a desirable surface architecture is pivotal for any application. One of the efficient and cost-effective techniques, the hydrothermal method, offers uniform size, specific shape, and bulk synthesis capability. This research deals with the preparation of ZnS NMs exhibiting unique surface structures such as spherical, nano-pentagon, and nano-hexagon shapes through employing different zinc precursors and surfactants. The obtained material’s crystal structure was classified as cubic sphalerite and exhibited high purity, as analyzed by XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, and XPS. Furthermore, the synthesized ZnS NMs were tested for their shape-dependent biosensing application, such as specific antibacterial tests against routine human pathogens such as E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus. Several antibacterial methods, such as bacterial colony plate count, growth inhibition analysis, and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) measurements were carried out. The results confirmed that the antibacterial action in the method employed was dependent on three factors: the NM shape, concentration, and type/nature of bacteria. Especially, the prepared ZnS NMs exhibited excellent antibacterial sensing characteristics, as observed from the lower MIC values in the range of 15.6~250 µg/mL. Full article

The importation of prefabricated buildings into colonies was a prevalent practice during the British colonial expansionist venture. However, in post-colonial Nigeria today, many of these prefabricated houses have either been largely modified or have vanished without architectural or written records. This undocumented disappearance poses a challenge to the development of architectural restoration proposals for the remaining few, especially with the authenticity of materials, as well as their morphology, configuration, use, and function being heavily contested. Among the remaining few that have undergone layers of modifications and are on the verge of total collapse is the Egbo Egbo Bassey House, imported and built in Old Calabar between 1883 and 1886 and declared a National Monument of Nigeria in 1959. Given the dearth of architectural and historical data, this paper aims to reconstruct its architectural morphology, chronological modification, and historical uses and functions, with the view of developing an evidence-based architectural restoration proposal for its adaptive reuse. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 16), archival research at the National Museum (archival file ID: TF128/C.25/A and TF120/C.20/A), and a measured architectural survey, which was performed using laser tapes and laser rangefinders. Annotated building images were captured using a Canon 5D Mark III and a DJI Marvic 3 drone. Comparative analysis with two other exemplars of prefabricated houses in the region was also conducted to consolidate oral, archival, and field data. Three architectural modification stages, namely 1886, 1959, and 2012, were determined for the analytical framework. Architectural outputs include measured 2-dimensional drawings (scale 1:50) and 3-dimensional models for the three historical stages. The accuracy of each model was ensured through methodical triangulation and confidence rubric ratings. The result of this paper provides a replicable inquiry methodology, which can be used to develop an evidence-based workflow for developing a restoration proposal for architectural heritage in contexts where architectural and historical data are not available or contested. As a limitation, this research does not include an analysis of wood typology, structural testing, and statistical analysis of material. Full article

Mold contamination is one of the critical factors threatening the safety of paper-based cultural relics. Current detection methods rely predominantly on offline analysis, facing challenges such as low efficiency and limited real-time accuracy, which hinder their effectiveness in meeting the technical requirements of cultural heritage preventive conservation. This study proposes a hyperspectral imaging (HSI)-deep learning integrated fungal segmentation framework for deterioration detection in paper-based artifacts. Firstly, the HSI data was reduced to three dimensions via Locally Linear Embedding (LLE) manifold learning to construct 3D pseudo-color imagery, effectively preserving discriminative spectral features between fungal colonies and substrates while eliminating spectral redundancy. Secondly, a hybrid architecture synergizing Feature Pyramid Networks (FPN) with Vision Transformers was developed for semantic segmentation, leveraging CNN’s local feature extraction and Transformer’s global context modeling to enhance fungal signature saliency and suppress background interference. Innovatively, a dynamic sparse attention mechanism is introduced, optimizing attention allocation through the TOP-K algorithm to screen regions richer in mold information spatially and spectrally, thereby improving segmentation accuracy. Semantic segmentation experiments were conducted on papers infected with different molds. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves excellent performance in mold segmentation, providing technical support for mold detection and preventive conservation of cultural relics. Full article

Al-Madafah (the guesthouse) is a cornerstone of the cultural and social fabric of Sweida Province in southern Syria. Rooted in the Druze community’s history following their settlement in Jabal al-Arab in the 17th century, these structures have served as spaces for hospitality, cultural exchange, political resistance, and community cohesion. Despite their significance, scholarly research on Madafahs in Sweida remains limited. This article examines their architectural design, socio-cultural roles, and historical evolution to uncover this understudied tradition and advance conservation efforts for this heritage. Combining archival research, case studies, and oral histories from residents and experts, this study employs narrative analysis to decode the cultural meanings embedded in these spaces. Findings reveal that Madafahs are more than architectural landmarks; they serve as living embodiments of resilience, cultural pride, and communal identity, fostering social cohesion, while their basalt stone construction reflects Jabal al-Arab’s vernacular heritage. Historically, they hosted revolutionary activities against colonial rule. Today, urbanisation and economic pressures threaten their traditional role, yet they endure as symbols of continuity. This study highlights Madafahs as valuable heritage sites and cradles for narratives of magnanimity and defiance. Collaborative efforts between stakeholders and policymakers could revitalise these spaces, ensuring that their legacy persists amid modern challenges. Full article

The British colonial contact with Nigeria was dotted with diverse paradoxes. In the realm of architecture, it was a period punctuated with the importation of prefabricated buildings into many slave and palm oil trading towns, such as Old Calabar in southern Nigeria. Unfortunately, today, many of these prefabricated colonial architectural heritages have gone into extinction, except for a few which are also on the verge of collapse. One of the remaining few on the verge of collapse is the Egbo Egbo Bassey House built between 1883 and 1886 and declared a National Monument of Nigeria in 1959. Currently, there is no literature on the historical and architectural data of this building, besides those scattered over several files in archival records. Therefore, this paper aims at the holistic documentation of the National Monument. Two categories of data were considered in the documentation processes—namely the building historical data and geometrical data. Historical data were collected through archival research and interviews, while the geometrical data were collected through close-range photogrammetry and manual measurements. The result of this paper contributes to the current geographical dearth of literature on British prefabricated architectural heritage, which punctuated a very important period in the architectural history of the world. Full article

Stingless bees, particularly Tetragonula pagdeni, are vital for both ecosystems and the economy due to their pollination services and nest products. However, little is known about their nesting habits. This study investigated the nesting ecology of Tetragonula pagdeni in West Bengal, India. The species was found inhabiting a variety of landscapes, including agricultural, forest, rural, semi-urban, and urban areas, with a greater abundance in rural areas featuring mixed vegetation. Colonies, which were eusocial, perennial, and cavity-nesting, occupied diverse substrates, including tree trunks, building walls, rock crevices, electric poles, and field ridges—tree trunks and walls being the most common. Wild nests were located at heights ranging from 0 to 13.46 m, mostly around 2 m. Nest entrances varied in shape (circular, oval, slit-like, or irregular), with a longest opening axis of 10.50 ± 2.94 mm, and were oriented in multiple directions. Internally, nests measured 198.31 ± 86.36 mm in length and 142.73 ± 17.28 mm in width. Nests featured brood zones surrounded by honey and pollen pots, along with structure-supporting elements like the involucra and pillars. Brood cells were light brown and oval; those for workers and drones were similar, while queen cells were larger. Honey pots were light to dark brown, oval, dome-shaped, or irregular. Each involucrum was a thin, flat sheet, and the pillar was short, narrow, thread-like. These findings offer valuable insights into the distribution, nesting behaviour, and nest architecture of Tetragonula pagdeni, supporting its conservation and sustainable management. Full article

As tangible relics of modern colonial history, Manchurian regime (Manchukuo) architecture of Changchun possesses both historical commemorative value and tourism and cultural functions. Public perception and sentiment regarding this heritage in the contemporary social media context are key dimensions for evaluating the effectiveness of cultural regeneration. Existing research on Manchurian regime architecture has focused primarily on historical research and architectural form analysis, with limited research examining the diverse public interpretations of its cultural value through multi-platform social media data. This study aims to systematically explore the public’s cognitive characteristics, sentimental attitudes, and themes of interest regarding Changchun’s Manchurian regime architecture using online ethnographic data, providing empirical support for optimizing cultural regeneration pathways for Manchurian regime architectural heritage. The study collected data from 1 January 2020 to 20 September 2025, using the keyword “Changchun Manchurian regime architecture”. Using Python crawlers, the study extracted 334 original videos and 18,156 related comments from Douyin, Ctrip, and Dianping. The analysis was conducted using word frequency statistics, SnowNLP sentiment analysis, LDA topic modeling, and multidimensional visualization. The study found that (1) word frequency statistics show that the public has multiple concerns about the historical symbols, geographical positioning, cultural and tourism functions, and national emotions of Manchurian regime architecture; (2) SnowNLP analysis shows that positive comments account for 71%, neutral comments account for 11%, and negative comments account for 18%; (3) the optimal number of topics was determined to be five through perplexity and consistency indicators, namely “historical narrative and imperial power symbols”, “emotional experience and historical reflection”, “visit experience and service facilities”, “site distribution and regional space”, and “explanation and tour evaluation”; (4) the corpus can be divided into five time period stages, namely S1 (2020)–S5 (2024–2025), reflecting the shift in public attention from “space-facilities” to in-depth reflection on “emotion-history”. Full article

Geophysical techniques are a core toolkit of modern archeology, thanks to their effectiveness in reconstructing important pieces of evidence for buried ruins, which are relics of the past usage of an inspected site. Some methodological approaches and advancements are proposed for investigating the site of Gela, which was one of the most important western Greek colonies, founded in 689–688 BC on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy. The ancient settlement was developed on a hill, mostly flat on the top, and over its sides. The archeological evidence discovered so far in the acropolis of the city can be attributed to two main architectural typologies: urban blocks and archaic temples. Based on these targets, a geophysical protocol has been tested, utilizing passive seismic, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods. Where the lowest physical contrast was expected among possible archeological remains and burying soil (close to the urban blocks area), the three geophysical techniques have been jointly applied, while an innovative support-to-interpretation approach for GPR datasets is proposed and developed over both kinds of archeological targets. Our experimental outcomes underline the effectiveness (and possible weaknesses) of the two geophysical investigation strategies against various targets producing different signal-to-noise responses, thanks to the synergistic contributions from multi-method and multi-depth approaches. The integrated use of GPR, ERT, and passive seismic methods allowed the reconstruction of complementary information, with each method compensating for the limitations of the others. This combined approach provided a more robust and comprehensive understanding of the subsurface features than would have been achieved through the application of any single technique. Full article

Habitat complexity plays a critical role in coral reef ecosystems by enhancing habitat availability, increasing ecological resilience, and offering coastal protection. Structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry has become a standard approach for quantifying habitat complexity in reef monitoring programs. However, a major bottleneck remains in the two-dimensional (2D) classification of benthic cover in three-dimensional (3D) models, where experts are required to manually annotate individual colonies and identify coral species or taxonomic groups. With recent advances in deep learning and computer vision, automated classification of benthic habitats is possible. While some semi-automated tools exist, they are often limited in scope or do not provide semantic segmentation. In this investigation, we trained a convolutional neural network with the ResNet101 architecture on three years (2015, 2017, and 2019) of human-annotated 2D orthomosaics from Kiritimati, Kiribati. Our model accuracy ranged from 71% to 95%, with an overall accuracy of 84% and a mean intersection of union of 0.82, despite highly imbalanced training data, and it demonstrated successful generalizability when applied to new, untrained 2023 plots. Successful automation depends on training data that captures local ecological variation. As coral monitoring efforts move toward standardized workflows, locally developed models will be key to achieving fully automated, high-resolution classification of benthic communities across diverse reef environments. Full article

The generation of high-quality test cases remains challenging due to combinatorial explosion and difficulty balancing exploration-exploitation in complex parameter spaces. This paper presents a novel Hybrid Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm that uniquely combines ABC optimization with Simulated Annealing temperature control and adaptive scout mechanisms for automated test case generation. The approach employs a four-tier categorical fitness function discriminating between boundary-valid, valid, boundary-invalid, and invalid values, with first-occurrence bonuses ensuring systematic exploration. Through comprehensive empirical validation involving 970 test suite generations across 97 parameter configurations, the hybrid algorithm demonstrates 68.3% improvement in fitness scores over pairwise testing (975.9 ± 10.6 vs. 580.0 ± 0.0, p < 0.001, d = 42.61). Statistical analysis identified three critical parameters with large effect sizes: MutationRate (d = 106.61), FinalPopulationSelectionRatio (d = 42.61), and TotalGenerations (d = 19.81). The value discrimination system proved essential, uniform weight configurations degraded performance by 7.25% (p < 0.001), while all discriminating configurations achieved statistically equivalent results, validating the architectural design over specific weight calibration. Full article

The optimization capabilities of Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs) remain largely unexplored, which has limited their practical use in video anomaly recognition compared to conventional 3D-CNNs. To address this gap, we introduce a novel hybrid optimization framework that combines a Minimax Ant System (MMAS) for hyperparameter selection with a modified DARTS strategy for adaptive tuning of the 3D KAN architecture. Unlike existing approaches, our method simultaneously optimizes both learning dynamics and architectural configurations, enabling KANs to better exploit their expressive power in spatiotemporal feature extraction. Applied to a three-class video dataset, the proposed approach improved model accuracy to 87%, surpassing the performance of a standard 3D-CNN by 6%. Full article

Casablanca, Morocco’s largest Atlantic port city, faces increasing exposure to floods, drought, and other risks that align with legacies of urban transformations carried out during the colonial period. This study examines how early-20th-century interventions—including the canalization and burial of the Oued Bouskoura, extensive coastal reclamation, and the implementation of rigid zoning—were associated with a reconfiguration of the city’s hydrology and coincide with persistent socio-spatial inequalities. Using historical cartography, archival sources, and GIS-based overlays of colonial-era plans with contemporary hazard maps, the analysis reveals an indicative spatial correlation between today’s high-risk zones and areas transformed under the Protectorate, with the medina emerging as one of the most vulnerable districts. While previous studies have examined either colonial planning in architectural or contemporary climate risks through technical and governance lenses, this article illuminates historically conditioned relationships and long-term associations for urban resilience. In doing so, it empirically maps spatial associations and conceptually argues for reframing heritage not only as cultural memory but as a climate resource, illustrating how suppressed vernacular systems may inform adaptation strategies. This interdisciplinary approach provides a novel contribution to postcolonial city research, climate adaptation and heritage studies by proposing a historically conscious framework for resilience planning. Full article