Search Results (729)

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming heritage tourism, yet understanding how specific technological attributes drive on-site visitation remains critical for destination marketers and policymakers. Grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) model, this study investigates how VR vividness and interactivity (stimuli) influence perceived usefulness, immersion, ease of use, enjoyment, and certainty (organisms), ultimately shaping users’ on-site visitation intentions and behavioral involvement (responses) regarding Macao’s cultural heritage sites. Analyzing data from 230 users recruited via snowball sampling, the results indicate that the Ruins of St. Paul’s VR experience was the most popular (n = 113), followed by the Macao Museum (n = 95) and the Guia Fortress (n = 75). Structural equation modeling demonstrates that VR vividness and interactivity significantly influence user perceptions, which in turn impact on-site visitation intentions and behavioral involvement, with the sole exception of perceived enjoyment. These findings suggest that the “sense of presence” generated by VR significantly shapes on-site visitation intentions through internal cognitive (perceived usefulness, certainty) and combined cognitive–emotional (perceived immersion) organismic states. Conversely, perceived enjoyment has an insignificant effect on responses, while perceived ease of use, surprisingly, exerts a significant negative impact. The research offers actionable insights for developing immersive digital tools that bridge virtual engagement with tangible cultural heritage tourism in Macao. Full article

Background/Objectives: Museum collections constitute valuable material for investigating a wide range of histological processes. This results from the historical selection of unusual and advanced disease cases by museum curators, which are rarely encountered in contemporary clinical practice due to advances in medicine. Ancient DNA plays a crucial role in phylogenetic studies, as well as in analyses of population genetics. However, many commonly used DNA extraction techniques involve partial degradation of samples prior to DNA isolation. The use of non-destructive methods may enable the recovery of DNA appropriate for downstream analyses. Non-destructive methods of DNA extraction for research purposes are a recent development and facilitate genetic analyses of museum collections. ABO and Amel are examples of applications of the proposed method, although any set of primers can be used. ABO genotyping has been widely used in phylogenetic and population analyses. Methods: This study presents a non-destructive approach for PCR-based DNA extraction from preserved museum samples. Human tissue samples, filter materials used during preservation, and processed conservation fluids (after dilution and dialysis) were analyzed to determine ABO genotype and sex (based on Amelogenin). Results: The same replicable PCR profile (ABO blood group and sex determined by Amelogenin) was observed across all three sample types: tissues, filter papers, and conservation fluid. The use of a preservative solution is a new development, as it leaves the sample intact. However, this approach has a drawback: DNA diffuses into the preservative solution very slowly, and it takes several decades to reach a sufficient concentration. A major advantage of this approach is the ability to perform a PCR test without DNA preparation. Conclusions: Museum-derived samples represent a reliable source of DNA and can be effectively used in PCR-based analyses. The presented method works well with degraded DNA samples, combining an already established very short Amelogenin amplicon with PCR sequence-specific primers for ABO genotyping. Full article

Modern web and tourist maps use pictorial symbols to help users quickly and easily identify Points of Interest (POIs). Pictorial symbols are sometimes misinterpreted due to poor design choices. As a result, it is important to evaluate pictorial symbols with map users. This paper uses an online questionnaire to examine how different graphic parameters—such as frame outline, frame background, frame shape, color hue, and pictogram category (semantic, visual, or arbitrary)—are perceived by map users. The evaluation of pictograms includes three aspects: understanding, to capture the map reader’s opinion; preference, to investigate the map maker’s choice; and appropriateness, to document the evaluation of an existing map. Seven popular Points of Interest (POIs) were selected for the evaluation of pictorial symbols: Hotel, Restaurant, Parking, Museum, Airport, Hospital, and Church. Based on the questionnaire results and the statistical analysis of 520 responses, several conclusions were drawn. Users prefer symbols with a frame outline and a frame background. They also prefer symbols with a white background, which increases contrast and improves legibility. In contrast, users do not have a strong preference for a specific frame shape. In general, users can recognize symbol groups based on frame shape, but the effect is stronger when the color hue appears in the frame background or outline. The statistical analysis demonstrates that perceived appropriateness constitutes an objective measure related to comprehension. Furthermore, appropriateness is independent of the pictogram classification as semantic, visual, or arbitrary. Instead, it is determined by the graphic ability of the pictogram to represent a specific POI. This conclusion reaffirms the importance of designing successful semantic and visual pictograms or adopting those already familiar to map users, as familiarity has also been identified as an important factor by this research. Overall, this paper, based on user evaluations, provides practical insights to improve pictorial symbols on a tourist map. Full article

Contemporary cultural infrastructure globally faces a critical architectural challenge: balancing the demand for spatial adaptability (e.g., flexible layouts, interactive technologies) with the absolute necessity of inclusive access for diverse demographics. This tension is particularly acute in rapidly urbanizing environments. However, current research lacks integrated methodologies to systematically evaluate these intersecting issues. This paper addresses this gap by developing a systematic, multi-method framework for post-occupancy evaluation (POE). To empirically illustrate and test the applicability of this framework, a comparative multi-case study was conducted in Wuhan, China, focusing on two distinct exhibition hall typologies within the Hubei Science and Technology Museum and the Qintai Art Museum. Grounded in environmental psychology, the methodology systematically triangulates spatial mapping, behavioral observation, and semi-structured interviews. The empirical application reveals that while highly adaptive elements enhance curatorial flexibility, they frequently introduce unintended cognitive barriers that disproportionately exclude vulnerable visitor groups. For the international research community, this study contributes a culturally responsive evaluation protocol, providing researchers with operational tools to systematically decode the socio-spatial frictions between adaptable exhibition design and universal inclusivity. Full article

Museums are increasingly required to combine digital transformation with sustainability goals under conditions shaped by ecological pressures, resource constraints, and long-term heritage responsibilities. This paper examines museum digital transition as a problem of strategic governance rather than merely technological adoption. Drawing on an exploratory qualitative case study based on the Italian ECO ART programme, the research analyses participatory activities, best practices, and project materials related to green and digital transition in the cultural sector. The findings show that the main barriers concern governance, process design, skills continuity, and monitoring, rather than technology alone. In response, the paper proposes a strategic framework composed of a Sustainability Matrix and a Roadmap. The matrix connects technologies, processes, and people with the cultural, social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability, while the Roadmap structures digital planning from diagnosis to monitoring. This work argues that digital transformation can support sustainable and resilience-oriented heritage management only when it is planned as a low-impact, inclusive, and long-term organizational process. Full article

The goal of this paper is to present the design and preliminary development of a prototype for an inclusive evaluation tool aimed at gathering audience feedback in entertainment, cultural contexts and live events. The prototype consists of a flexible questionnaire and was designed as part of the SAFINA VITALITY research project. This research (“ACCESSMAP: design of a flexible system for feedback collection in accessibility to media, entertainment and cultural events”) was funded by PNRR ECS00000041 “Innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for the diffused economy in Central Italy”—PNRR—Missione 4, Componente 2—Investimento 1.5 “Creazione e rafforzamento di “ecosistemi dell’innovazione”—CUP D83C22000710005. Its aim consists of assessing visitors’ comprehension, appreciation and overall experience, with particular attention to accessibility. Building on the existing seminal research in reception studies and accessible design, this study reports on a pilot implementation of the questionnaire. The tool was adapted for being used at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero, a leading institution in tactile, multisensory and inclusive museum experiences. The questionnaire was designed to be accessible to a wide demographic, including visitors with and without disabilities. A preliminary site visit and consultation with the museum staff was made to inform the contextual adaptation of the tool, leading to a shift in focus to tactile engagement and reflecting the museum’s core strengths and needs of its audience. The instrument includes both quantitative and qualitative measures to explore, among others, memory retention, clarity of information, appreciation and perceived usefulness of accessibility features. This article discusses the rationale behind the tool’s design, its contextual adaptation, and its potential applications for museums and live events with an eye to accessibility. Rather than providing a definitive validation of the tool, this pilot study offers an initial exploration of its applicability to a multisensory museum context. In addition, it discusses the design rationale behind the tool, its contextual adaptation, and its potential for supporting accessible feedback collection in cultural settings. Full article

While digital heritage preservation often prioritizes visual fidelity, it frequently overlooks cultural narratives and emotional resonance. This study proposes a systematic human-centered design (HCD) framework integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to optimize Virtual Reality (VR) museums for ancient bronze vessels. By mapping 35 user requirements onto 25 technical parameters through the House of Quality (HOQ), the research identifies “Cultural Memory Inheritance,” “Artistic Expression,” and “Emotional Resonance” as the pivotal requirements. These findings suggest that technical specifications should serve as a foundation for narrative depth rather than as ultimate objectives. A synergistic strategy—comprising technical implementation, semantic translation, and effectiveness enhancement—is delineated to guide design priorities. Validated through a prototype VR system, this framework offers a replicable, data-driven methodology for cultural digitization, advocating for a value-oriented paradigm in immersive museum design grounded in authenticity and emotional engagement. Full article

This study presents a multi-analytical investigation of two Baroque gilded terracotta sculptures—Hercules and the Nemean Lion (Hercules A) and Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra (Hercules B)—attributed to Lorenzo Vaccaro (1655–1706) and preserved at the Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri in Naples. This research aimed to reconstruct the original manufacturing technique, characterize materials introduced by successive restoration interventions, and identify active degradation mechanisms. A systematic diagnostic approach integrating UV fluorescence imaging, digital optical microscopy, portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and spectrocolorimetry was applied. The original gilding system—comprising a ferruginous silico-aluminous terracotta substrate, a calcium sulfate ground, a lead-white imprimitura, an iron-rich bole, and a thin gold leaf—is consistent with documented Baroque mission gilding practices in Southern Italy. Analytical evidence further documented extensive non-original interventions, including copper-based artificial patination, bronze powder (porporina) integration, poly (vinyl acetate) adhesives, and acrylic protective coatings. Raman spectroscopy identified the in situ conversion of intentionally applied tenorite (CuO) to malachite (Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂) as an active degradation pathway. Spectrocolorimetric measurements quantified chromatic alterations of up to ΔE = 52 attributable to accumulated surface deposits. The proposed integrated methodology constitutes a replicable diagnostic framework for investigating gilded terracotta artefacts in museum collections. Full article

Against the backdrop of the growing emphasis on cultural confidence and the continuous expansion of cultural consumption, how local museums effectively transform local cultural resources into cultural and creative consumption behavior has become an important research issue. Taking the Luoyang Museum as the empirical context, this study integrates Place Attachment Theory (PALT) with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework to construct a research model of “place attachment–cultural participation–perceived authenticity/experience satisfaction–behavioral intention.” Based on 182 valid samples, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for empirical analysis. The results indicate that place attachment significantly and positively influences cultural participation; cultural participation significantly and positively affects experience satisfaction, perceived authenticity, and behavioral intention; experience satisfaction significantly enhances perceived authenticity; and perceived authenticity significantly promotes behavioral intention. Further analysis reveals that cultural participation plays a significant mediating role between place attachment and experience satisfaction, perceived authenticity, and behavioral intention. Perceived authenticity serves as a key mediator between cultural participation, experience satisfaction, and behavioral intention. In addition, multiple serial mediation paths, such as “cultural participation–experience satisfaction–perceived authenticity–behavioral intention,” are found to be significant. The findings demonstrate that place attachment does not directly translate into cultural consumption behavior, but instead operates through cultural participation to activate authenticity perception and experiential evaluation, which in turn influence behavioral intention. This study enriches the application of Place Attachment Theory and the S-O-R framework in the context of museum cultural consumption and provides both theoretical support and practical implications for enhancing the transformation capacity of cultural and creative products in local museums. This study enriches the application of Place Attachment Theory and the S-O-R framework in museum cultural consumption research and provides theoretical support and practical implications for enhancing the transformation capacity of cultural and creative products in local museums, particularly in promoting sustainable cultural consumption. Full article

Dissemination and conservation of cultural heritage have been challenged by continued accessibility in museums, where traditional information delivery systems are at times ineffective in terms if interaction with visitors. The current paper investigates RumiArt IA, a mobile application, to identify cultural objects in real-time, remaining fully in the scope of this line of research without relying on internet connectivity. The system, which is developed based on the Rumiñahui Museum and Cultural Center, Ecuador, uses transfer learning in the MobileNetV2 architecture with INT8 post-training quantization to identify 21 cultural artifacts spread across six thematic rooms. The experiment involved building a dataset of 36,000 images under diverse lighting conditions, viewing angles, and distances; furthermore, artificial transformations were explicitly crafted to simulate real museum conditions such as glass reflections and non-frontal capture angles. Quantization was used to reduce each model to 775 KB as compared with the 2.4 MB, with accuracy loss not reaching more than 0.5 percent (DKL < 0.05). Assessment of 9450 validation images yielded a general accuracy of 92.2%, with an inference time of 63 ms on current devices with a high throughput and 215 ms on mid-range hardware from 2020. Practical validation involving 50 visitors of the museum showed a success rate of 93.7%, with average user satisfaction at 8.5/10 and 87%, indicating they would recommend the application. An in-depth error study of the most difficult room (88.3% accuracy) indicated that 47% of the errors were due to the angles of the camera, which blocked out distinguishing features, and 22% were caused by display case reflections and the shadows of the visitors. These results indicate that end-to-end machine learning can provide consistent cultural heritage recognition in resource-constrained settings but its efficiency is susceptible to physical capture factors that cannot be resolved by data augmentation. Offline mode and low memory footprint (less than 90 MB when loaded on six models) of the system are especially relevant to application in situations where there is no guarantee of cloud connectivity. Full article

Chinese Haipai New Year paintings are an important part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage, and their digital preservation holds great significance. This paper proposes PSE-Net (Pyramid Scale Expansion Network), a deep learning-based segmentation method specifically designed to handle the complex textures and intricate compositions of these artworks. By constructing a dedicated large-scale dataset, we trained PSE-Net to achieve high-precision segmentation by incorporating attention mechanisms and multi-scale feature fusion to better capture detailed features. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing approaches (such as ResNet) in terms of segmentation performance, yielding superior results in edge preservation. This work establishes the first automated tool for the pixel-level analysis of Haipai New Year paintings, thereby facilitating museum digitization, art history research, and education. Furthermore, it offers new insights for the image processing and digital preservation of other traditional artworks. Full article

The genus Acanthosaura is characterized by a high level of cryptic species diversity and is subdivided into several species complexes. The phylogenetic relationships within the A. coronata complex remain unresolved due to the presence of cryptic lineages and limited molecular data for several species. In this study, these relationships are clarified using a molecular genetic analysis that integrates newly collected field samples and historical museum specimens with previously uncertain identification. Three mitochondrial genes (cyt b, COI, and ND2) from samples, including fresh collections of A. murphyi from Phu Yen Province (Vietnam) and museum specimens from Vietnam and Myanmar, were analyzed. In addition, morphological characters of the examined specimens with diagnostic traits of known species were compared. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the distinct species status of A. murphyi and enabled the taxonomic reassignment of previously undetermined museum specimens to this species. Specimens from Vietnam and Myanmar formed a single, well-supported clade, suggesting a broader distribution for A. murphyi than previously recognized. It is demonstrated for the first time that A. murphyi belongs to the A. coronata complex, together with A. coronata and A. cuongi, a result consistently supported by both genetic distances and phylogenetic tree topology. Full article

Existing scholarship on Sino-Western hybrid architecture (yanglou) has often treated Chinese elements as marginal, overlooking the agency of indigenous spatial logic. This study examines how traditional Chinese feng shui mediated the localization of Western architecture in the late Qing Dynasty through the case of the Tianjin Postal Museum. The research has three objectives: to distinguish Western architectural features from Chinese spatial rationales, to analyze the mediating mechanisms of feng shui, and to interpret the implications of this case for indigenous knowledge systems in the process of modernization. Using spatial semantic analysis based on UAV mapping and field surveys, the study finds that although the museum displays Western structural systems and proportional canons, its underlying spatial organization follows Chinese logic. This organization includes an enclosed courtyard, a north–south axis that structures dynamic and static zones, and re-signified elements such as the octagonal tower and parapet, which were repurposed to regulate qi and mitigate sha. The findings suggest that feng shui functioned as a pragmatic indigenous framework that enabled the creative appropriation of Western forms and challenged passive diffusion models of architectural modernization. Full article

Knowledge of the Oestroidea and Muscoidea fauna of Greece and Cyprus remains fragmentary, with substantial parts of the two countries having never been systematically surveyed. The present study verifies the presence of Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) in Cyprus and records 16 new species from Greece, belonging to five calyptrate families: [Anthomyia illocata Walker, 1856 (Muscoidea: Anthomyiidae); Scathophaga lutaria (Fabricius, 1794) (Muscoidea: Anthomyiidae); Fannia pallitibia (Rondani, 1866); Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Muscoidea: Fanniidae); and Coenosia sp. nov. 1, Coenosia sp. nov. 2, Lispe flavicincta Loew, 1847, Lispe nuba Wiedemann, 1830, Lispe orientalis Wiedemann, 1824, Lispe cf. sericipalpis (Stein, 1904), Potamia littoralis Robineau–Desvoidy, 1830 (Muscoidea: Muscidae); Apodacra radchenkoi Verves and Khrokalo, 2015, Craticulina tabaniformis (Fabricius, 1805), Miltogramma rutilans Meigen, 1824, Nyctia lugubris (Macquart, 1843) (Oestroidea: Sarcophagidae), and Linnaemya lithosiophaga (Rondani, 1859) (Oestroidea: Tachinidae)]. These records are based on the examination of 152 dry-pinned specimens from 58 localities, collected between 1978 and 2026 across Greece and Cyprus using a combination of passive (animal-baited traps, UV-bright pan traps) and active (hand collecting, net sweeping) sampling methods, together with insect material from the entomological collections of the National Museum of Natural History Goulandris and the Melissotheque of the Aegean. In addition, the first checklists of the family Fanniidae and the subfamily Scathophaginae for Greece and Cyprus are presented. Collectively, the findings presented expand the documented diversity of Greek and Cypriot Calyptratae and refine the current understanding of their biogeographic patterns, providing an updated framework for taxonomic, ecological, forensic, and other applied entomological research within the two countries. Full article

Illyrian helmets represent a key element of Iron Age martial culture in the western Balkans, reflecting technological knowledge, workshop traditions, and long-distance cultural exchange. Based on the currently available archaeological record, Illyrian helmets are first attested in contexts dating to the 8th–7th centuries BC, with finds concentrated in Greece and the central and western Balkans, including Macedonia, Albania, Dalmatia, and the wider interior. Over time, the form developed into several variants (Types I–IIIB). This study presents the elemental characterization of the total set of 27 Illyrian helmets excavated in Albania and currently preserved in local museum collections, a region where the later types are particularly well attested. As the helmets are intact and exhibited in museums, portable in situ XRF analysis was employed. The main research questions addressed how the alloy composition, including minor and trace elements, reflects local metallurgical practices and distinguishes Illyrian helmets from similar helmets in neighboring regions. The results indicate the consistent use of bronze alloys dominated by copper (89–95%) with low- to medium-tin contents (3.5–9.9%), consistent with established alloying practices for durable protective equipment. Minor and trace elements, including iron (up to 1.5%), lead (up to 0.76%), arsenic (up to 0.09%), zinc (up to 1.17%), and antimony (up to 2.36%), likely reflect metallurgical choices, recycling practices, or impurities linked to regional copper deposits. Principal Component Analysis of four retained components, collectively accounting for 88.5% of the total variance, confirms a broadly standardized bronze tradition, with compositional outliers suggesting locally variable ore sources or recycling rather than systematic typological change. These elemental signatures, particularly the association of arsenic, antimony, zinc, and iron, suggest regional metallurgical characteristics consistent with Albanian sulphide ore deposits, while the overall compositional homogeneity supports the hypothesis of centralized production at workshops such as Epidamnus and Apollonia. Full article