Search Results (34)

The authors examine the transformative impact of technological advancements on the customary traditions associated with camels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with Emirati camel owners/breeders, focusing on the effects of innovations in breeding, racing, beauty contests, and heritage preservation. The findings reveal that genetic technologies have reshaped camel husbandry by enhancing desirable traits, while introducing commercialization. In camel racing, robotic jockeys, biometric monitoring, and GPS tracking have revolutionized training and competition, making the sport a highly regulated, technology-driven industry. Similarly, camel beauty contests have been influenced by genetic selection, aesthetic standards, and controversial cosmetic enhancements. While these advancements have increased the economic value of camels, they have also altered traditional perceptions, raising concerns about the commodification of Emirati heritage. Additionally, online platforms and digital tools have facilitated the global promotion of camels, fostering connections between owners/breeders and enthusiasts, while introducing new modes of engagement. The study demonstrates how technological progress both preserves and challenges the customary traditions associated with camels, offering insights into the intersection of modernization and cultural heritage in the UAE. Full article

Cultural heritage preservation and dissemination face significant challenges in the digital era, particularly in artifact representation, visitor experience personalization, and virtual exploration scalability. This paper presents a tool for the development of a virtual museum, introducing a new system that addresses the challenges of the design and arrangement of the virtual environment process with two integrated stages: (1) Museum Generator, a procedural tool for creating realistic and adaptable virtual museum environments and (2) Artwork Arrangement, an automated system that optimizes the placement of artifacts based on thematic and spatial considerations. The system is validated through a Grid Search Method experiment that seeks to identify the combination of genetic operators that maximizes performance in arranging artworks in a virtual museum and evaluate how modifications to these operators affect the performance of different evolutionary executions. Results indicate that the proposed approach provides an effective and scalable solution for contributing to the design and arrangement of a virtual environment for museums, fostering greater accessibility to cultural heritage and delivering personalized visitor experiences. Full article

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) arrived in Europe in the sixteenth century from the American continent and spread across the old continent as a result of adaptation to different climatic and geographical conditions, as well as selection for different cultivation techniques and eating habits. This expansion gave rise to a huge number of landraces, which have now been largely replaced by more productive cultivars. To avoid losing this genetic diversity heritage, it is essential to characterize the genetic resources at risk of extinction for correct in situ/ex situ conservation and as a first step toward promoting and relaunching their exploitation. In this article, we report the study of a group of Borlotti beans, both landraces and modern cultivars, which are typically cultivated in Northern Italy. The aim was to explore the variability within the assembled Borlotti panel to assess whether landraces have maintained their morphological and genetic identity over time during on-farm cultivation. In particular, we investigated whether it is possible to distinguish between landraces and commercial accessions, a topic that has so far been understudied, but in the field of conservation, it is particularly important because it allows for the prioritization of preserving genetic resources. We found distinctive traits among the various accessions, with only a few landraces maintaining their identity, many of which should more properly be defined as obsolete cultivars. Taken together, these data indicate that it is possible to establish a priority scale for in/ex situ conservation by comparing landraces and cultivars using morphological and genetic data. Furthermore, thanks to geographical isolation, on-farm conservation has proven to still be successful in maintaining the identity of landraces. Full article

In response to the inadequate color-matching effectiveness and the difficulty of restoring color intentions in cultural heritage recreation, a Cultural Color Interactive Genetic Algorithm (Cultural Color IGA) is proposed, which combines a color network model and a color harmony prediction model. First, the role of the color network model in providing color genes for subsequent design is emphasized. Then, a dataset of 10,743 color and color rating data points is used to train 12 color harmony prediction models, with the most efficient stacking model selected to improve the efficiency of user evaluation of color schemes. A prototype system for color regeneration is built in Python, and a user interface is designed. The example analysis is conducted using the Yungang Grottoes as the source of color imagery, and image colorization is tested. Independent experiments compare the proposed method with traditional IGA in terms of average fitness, maximum fitness, and evaluation time. Fuzzy evaluation is applied to assess the effectiveness of cultural heritage color regeneration design. The results show that the trained stacking model achieves an accuracy of 65.52% in color harmony prediction, outperforming previous methods. Compared to the traditional IGA algorithm, Cultural Color IGA reduces the number of user evaluations by 67.4%, improves the average fitness by 22.68%, and increases the maximum fitness by approximately 13.37%. Regarding cultural heritage color regeneration effectiveness, 80.6% of respondents considered the generated color schemes to be of good or higher quality. This method not only generates design solutions with high cultural representation and color harmony but also improves the efficiency and sustainability of the design process by reducing trial numbers and manual evaluation workload. It demonstrates the potential of digital technologies in the protection and sustainable application of cultural heritage color, offering valuable references for the digital preservation and innovative design of cultural heritage. Full article

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp), a quarantine pathogen in the European Union, severely threatens Mediterranean olive production, especially in southern Italy, where Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) has devastated Apulian olive groves. This study addresses the urgent need to identify resistant olive genotypes by monitoring 16 potentially tolerant genotypes over six years, assessing symptom severity and bacterial load. These genotypes, which survived in heavily infected areas, showed varied responses to Xfp; some maintained low symptom severity with minimal bacterial presence (high or undetectable Cq values), while others exhibited increased bacterial loads yet remained asymptomatic or showed limited canopy desiccation. SSR markers were used to investigate the genetic relationships among these genotypes and other widespread Mediterranean cultivars, showing genetic similarity with the resistant ones such as the Albanian Kalinjot and the Greek Leucocarpa, as well as with local Apulian cultivars, highlighting the potential of local and Mediterranean olive germplasm for Xfp resistance. This study integrates phenotypic responses with genetic knowledge to support the development of conservation strategies that will enhance the genetic diversity of Apulian olive cultivars. In addition, by focusing on the resilience of the different olive genotypes, this research aims to protect the traditional cultivars from the emerging threats, thus preserving the ecological and cultural heritage of the olive biodiversity of the Mediterranean region. Full article

The study of biodiversity is of fundamental importance in the context of environmental protection and eco-sustainable agriculture management. Its preservation has a key role and an extraordinary importance not only for the protection of potential gene pools, which is essential for selection and breeding programs, but also because local varieties are the expression of a territory and therefore reflect culture, knowledge, and tradition heritage. In this paper, 27 local cherry varieties collected in different areas of Sardinia were characterized and described from different perspectives, including pomology and genetics, using SSR markers. A complete framework on the biodiversity of cherry trees in Sardinia is presented, in order to support an objective assessment of different cultivar traits, namely those of agronomical interest, and to support the dissemination and conservation of the historical fruit tree cultivation heritage. Full article

As urbanization accelerates, many traditional villages face the threat of destruction or disappearance. To better protect and utilize the cultural heritage of traditional villages, it is essential to deeply analyze the inherent patterns of their spatial morphology. This paper selects Nihegou Village in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, China, as a case study. Utilizing the theory of spatial genes, a quantitative inheritance model was developed, integrating natural, physical, and intangible spatial factors. Through the collection of multidimensional spatial data, such as village topography, slope, and aspect, combined with GIS spatial analysis and the AHP-Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method, the spatial morphological characteristics and genetic inheritance of Nihegou Village were identified, decoded, and quantitatively assessed. Based on the assessment results, corresponding conservation and development strategies were formulated. The findings show that the formation and development of Nihegou Village’s spatial pattern are closely related to factors like the natural environment, social policies, and economic technologies. The terrain and the process of urban modernization have impacted the inheritance and development of Nihegou Village’s intangible spatial genes. The application of spatial quantitative analysis methods to formulate strategies for the preservation and inheritance of traditional village spatial characteristics not only provides theoretical guidance for village planning and conservation rooted in cultural heritage, but also effectively safeguards and revitalizes the spatial gene inheritance of Nihegou Village, contributing to the village’s sustainable development. Full article

The traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road carry rich historical and cultural heritage, holding significant humanistic and scientific value. However, with the rapid pace of urbanization and modernization, the inheritance and protection of the cultural landscapes in these traditional villages face numerous challenges. Based on this, this study focuses on Xiamen Village, a traditional village along the Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road, utilizing the perspective of the landscape gene information chain to reveal the performance and genetic characteristics of its unique and regionally distinctive cultural landscape genes. The study provides theoretical support for the protection and inheritance of cultural landscapes in traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road. The results show that: (1) The overall cultural landscape of Xiamen Village has been well preserved, with notable characteristics in environment, layout, architecture, and culture, demonstrating its rich historical and cultural accumulation, and offering high research and conservation value; (2) The landscape gene information chain of Xiamen Village plays a critical role in integrating the village’s cultural landscape. The landscape gene information elements and points express the village’s unique historical inheritance through regional culture and material forms. The “branch-like” structure of the landscape gene information corridors effectively connects the various landscape gene information points, while the landscape gene information network reflects the interaction between tradition and modernity; (3) The landscape gene information chain of Xiamen Village shows a relationship of coexistence between inheritance and change in its genetic characteristics. Although some landscape genes face challenges from modernization, their core traits have not been lost. The inheritance of the landscape genes is not static but adjusts and reconstructs within an evolving social and cultural context, reflecting adaptability and flexibility in response to modern demands. Full article

This study presents an innovative approach to sustainable timber construction by integrating traditional woodworking techniques with advanced robotic technology. The research focuses on three key objectives: preserving traditional craftsmanship, enhancing material conservation, and improving production efficiency. A meta-model-based framework is developed to capture the woodcrafts of mortise and tenon joints, which are prevalent in traditional Chinese wooden architecture. The study employs parametric design and robotic arm technology to digitize and automate the production process, resulting in significant improvements in material utilization and processing efficiency. Specifically, this study utilizes genetic algorithm strategies to resolve the problem of complex mortise and tenon craftsmanship optimization for robotic arms. Compared to conventional CNC machining, the proposed method demonstrates superior performance in path optimization, reduced material waste, and faster production times. The research contributes to the field of sustainable architecture by offering a novel solution that balances the preservation of cultural heritage with modern construction demands. This approach not only ensures the continuity of traditional woodworking skills but also addresses contemporary challenges in sustainable building practices, paving the way for more environmentally friendly and efficient timber construction methods. Full article

Autochthonous Italian pomegranate accessions are still underexplored, although they could be an important resource for fresh consumption, processing, and nutraceutical uses. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the local germplasm to identify genotypes with desirable traits. In this study, six old Italian pomegranate landraces and a commercial cultivar (Dente di Cavallo) were investigated, evaluating their fruit pomological parameters, physicochemical (TSS, pH, TA, and color) characteristics, sugar content, and aromatic profiles (HeadSpace Solid-Phase MicroExtraction (HS-SPME)) coupled with Gas Chromatographyass Spectrometry (GC–MS) of pomegranate juices. Significant differences were observed in the size and weight of the seed and fruits (127.50–525.1 g), as well as the sugar content (100–133.6 gL⁻¹), the sweetness (12.9–17.6 °Brix), and the aroma profiles. Over 56 volatile compounds, predominantly alcohols (56%), aldehydes (24%), and terpenes (9%), were simultaneously quantified. Large variability among the genotypes was also statistically confirmed. The results indicate a strong potential for commercial exploitation of this germplasm, both as fresh and processed fruit, and highlight its versatility for diverse applications. The genetic diversity of the autochthonous pomegranate accessions represents a precious heritage to be preserved and enhanced. This work represents a preliminary step toward a more comprehensive characterization and qualitative valorization of the Italian pomegranate germplasm. Full article

Many local chicken breeds are rapidly declining and even facing extinction due to a variety of factors such as indiscriminate crossbreeding, climate fluctuations, epidemic outbreak, and environmental changes. Developing effective preservation strategies is important to address this situation. The special reproductive characteristics and gamete morphology of chickens pose challenges for preserving genetic heritage through the cryopreservation of genetic materials. Currently, gonad and primordial germ-cell cryopreservation and transplantation are the most promising approaches, especially for the genetic information in the W chromosome of female birds. The study of establishing sterile recipients is crucial for increasing the efficiency of the colonization of transplanted donor tissues and cells. Several classical methods, including ovariectomy and testectomy, busulfan, and irradiation, have been employed to deplete endogenous germ cells in recipient males before transplantation. These methods rely on the toxicity of chemical reagents and physical stimulation to kill germ cells. Recent advances in gene-editing technology have introduced sterile hosts via the knocking out of genes relevant to germ cells’ development. This review explores state-of-the-art technologies for preparing infertile avian recipients (mainly chickens) and aims to provide guidance for the conservation of poultry genetic material and breed restoration. Full article

Landraces are considered a crucial component of biodiversity conservation, serving as a reservoir of genetic diversity. Consequently, the collection, cultivation, and detailed characterization of such landraces constitute an inherent aspect of the world’s natural resource heritage. This effort holds promise for the development of elite varieties capable of thriving amidst continuous global climate fluctuations. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the main agronomic attributes, physico-chemical properties, and functional quality traits of the major hot pepper landraces adapted to diverse climatic conditions in Tunisia. These landraces include ‘Dhirat’, ‘Semmane’, ‘Beldi’, ‘Nabeul’, ‘Jerid’, ‘Mahdia’, ‘Cayenne’, ‘Kairouan’, and ‘Baklouti’. Most of the pepper landraces exhibited satisfactory yields, ranging from 1163.25 to 1841.67 g plant⁻¹ in ‘Jerid’ and ‘Kairouan’, respectively, indicating robust productivity, especially under prevailing climatic changes and high temperatures during both growing cycles. The levels of antioxidants comprising capsaicinoids, carotenoids, phenolics, and tocopherols, as well as radical scavenging activity, emerged as key discriminating factors among pungent pepper landraces. Irrespective of genotype, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin constituted the major capsaicinoids, accounting for 44–91% of the total capsaicinoids content. Total capsaicinoids ranged from 1.81 µg g⁻¹ fw to 193.71 µg g⁻¹ fw, with ‘Baklouti’ and ‘Jerid’ identified as the most pungent landraces. Total carotenoids ranged from 45.94 µg g⁻¹ fw to 174.52 µg g⁻¹ fw, with ‘Semmane’ and ‘Jerid’ exhibiting the highest levels. Considerable variation was observed in β-carotene content, spanning from 3% to 24% of the total carotenoids. α-Tocopherol content ranged from 19.03 µg g⁻¹ fw in ‘Kairouan’ to 30.93 µg g⁻¹ fw in ‘Beldi’, exerting a notable influence on the overall tocopherol content. Conversely, the β- and γ-tocopherol isomers were detected at very low concentrations. The total vitamin C content ranged from 132 mg 100g⁻¹ fw in ‘Mahdia’ to 200 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw in ‘Nabeul’, indicating relatively low genetic variability. However, large variability was detected in total phenolics content, ranging from 168.58 mg GAE kg⁻¹ fw in ‘Beldi’ to 302.98 mg GAE kg⁻¹ fw in ‘Cayenne’. Landraces such as ‘Dhirat’, ‘Nabeul’, ‘Semmane’, ‘Kairouan’, ‘Cayenne’, and ‘Mahdia’ appear suitable for both fresh consumption and processing, owing to their favorable average fruit weight, soluble solids content, and bioactive content. Among the pepper landraces tested, ‘Cayenne’ achieved the highest value of radical scavenging activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions (RSAHF and RSALF), with variations ranging from 59% to 120% for RSAHF and from 4% to 63% for RSALF. This study aims to preserve and enhance the value of local genetic resources and contribute to identify desirable traits for incorporation into breeding programs to develop high-quality, high-yielding landraces and elite lines. Full article

The characterization of “Fava Santorinis” as a PDO product does not protect the cultivated genetic material that produces this product, since this is not registered as a traditional cultivar in the National Common Catalogue. The failure to include this information presents a significant hazard to the genetic diversity of these cultivars, potentially resulting in the loss of their distinct traits, reduced crop yields, and quality. Furthermore, it seeks to comply with established procedures for characterizing and subsequently register this traditional cultivar in the National List of Varieties. The “Santorini Fava” (Lathyrus sp.) is a renowned agricultural product that is unique to Santorini, and it has played a pivotal role in upholding the island’s traditional agriculture. Today, the local agricultural cooperation continues the cultivation of this crop, preserving it as an indispensable facet of the island’s cultural heritage. The objective of the project M16SYN2-00135 is to guarantee and secure this indigenous variety, from which the PDO product in question originates, by applying official description protocols and making use of the existing know-how for the description of the genetic material, the definition of the landrace, and its description for registration in the National Catalog of Varieties. At the same time, the sustainable management of viral diseases and the rational management of its seed production will lead to an increase in productivity, its stabilization, and ultimately, its shielding. The product will be utilized by the cooperative contributing to the sustainability of the holdings and the prevention of commercial exploitation of the traditional variety beyond the area of origin based on the best practices for the preservation of the varieties. Full article

This study delves into the complex relationships between indigenous dog breeds in the Balearic Isles and their human counterparts, specifically breeders and owners. Using Canonical Correlation Analysis, the research examines variables such as breed registries and the number of breeders/owners, uncovering significant correlations within registries. For example, an increase in female auxiliary registrations corresponds to a decline in foundational registrations, indicating shifts in breed documentation dynamics. Similarly, a rise in definitive female registrations coincides with a decrease in foundational female registrations, suggesting increased pedigree awareness across generations. Beyond registries, the study explores the correlation between breeders/owners and various initial records, highlighting that a notable increase in breeders positively influences initial registrations, definitive totals, and overall counts, underscoring their crucial role in early breed stages. Gender preferences in registrations are noted, with a historical bias towards female entries during foundational stages gradually shifting in favor of males in definitive registrations. In conclusion, the research underscores the interconnected roles of breeders, owners, and comprehensive registries in preserving genetic diversity among Balearic dog breeds, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to address gaps in genealogical data for a more accurate understanding of breed dynamics. Full article

Recovering minority olive tree varieties helps preserve genetic diversity and contributes to sustainable agriculture practices. The International Olive Council has recognized the importance of conserving olive tree genetic resources and the European Union’s Horizon Europe program has identified the preservation of crop diversity as a priority for sustainable food systems. In the work presented herein, old olive groves in the province of Huesca (NE Spain), managed according to the traditional model, were surveyed, sampled, and analyzed using molecular characterization techniques (based on EST-SNPs markers). Twenty-nine new varieties were identified and deposited in IFAPA’s World Germplasm Bank of Olive Varieties. In the first step towards their valorization, eight single-varietal oils from Alto Aragon varieties were produced and characterized, and their organoleptic properties were evaluated, paving the way for the production of differentiated quality oils. Furthermore, ancient olive trees were selected and 3D scanned to promote their protection as singular or monumental trees and for oleo-tourism purposes. The reported findings highlight the rich olive-growing heritage of this northernmost frontier of olive tree cultivation in Spain. Full article