Search Results (57)

Conservation of historic buildings has long relied on traditional, reactive methods that address deterioration only after it occurs, often leading to irreversible damage. This study introduces an innovative approach that integrates Digital Twin (DT) technology with advanced machine learning algorithms to enable predictive and data-driven conservation. Focusing on Nottingham Cathedral, a Grade II listed Gothic Revival building, this research developed a 3D Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) enhanced with real-time environmental monitoring of temperature, humidity, and air quality. The collected data were analysed using MATLABR2024a to train and evaluate several predictive algorithms, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX) models. The NARX model achieved the highest accuracy (Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 0.19) in forecasting indoor environmental conditions. Findings indicate that maintaining an indoor temperature increase of 4–6 °C can effectively reduce relative humidity below 60%, minimising deterioration risks. The study demonstrates how integrating DT and machine learning offers a proactive framework for environmental optimisation and long-term preservation of heritage assets, moving conservation practice from reactive restoration toward predictive conservation. Full article

This article explores the reclamation of Khoisan identities in South Africa as a multifaceted process of cultural, spatial, and political resurgence. Framed within the country’s constitutional vision of a “Nation of Nations,” the research examines how Khoisan communities—historically marginalised and classified under apartheid as “Coloured”—are reasserting their Indigenous heritage through acts of cultural revival and place-based activism. Centred on Cape Town, the ancestral homeland and symbolic epicentre of both colonial encounter and Indigenous resurgence, the article theoretically investigates how creativity, heritage, and activism intersect in processes of reimagining, renaming, and retaking of place. Drawing on theories of visual sovereignty and re-placement, it analyses how visual and performative practices—ranging from protest art and language revitalisation to heritage occupations—function as decolonial acts that reclaim both the image and meaning of place. The article situates the Khoisan revival within broader global movements of Indigenous self-representation and argues that reclaiming place constitutes a living form of sovereignty, restoring relational networks between people, land, and identity. Ultimately, it demonstrates that contemporary Khoisan activism transforms visibility into agency, using culture and creativity as tools to rewrite belonging and to decolonise South Africa’s cultural landscape. Full article

“After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up” (Acts 15:16 NRSV). This verse, quoting Amos 9:11, is part of James’ speech to the Jerusalem “council” considering the issue of Gentile believers and their relationship to the Law. In some Pentecostal circles, especially those influenced by the “Latter Rain” revival of 1948, this verse has taken on a different force based on the Greek skēnē, literally a tent or traditionally “tabernacle.” This teaching is based on the “tabernacle of David” as described in 1 Chron. 16:1–6 and other places and likely the venue in which some of the original psalms were performed. Their argument is that this is part of a model for experiencing the dynamic presence of God in worship and the restoration of the NT church. It forms a theological basis or rationale for contemporary praise and worship with the use of musical instruments, lifted hands, dance, clapping, etc., following the Psalms. However, this interpretation of “David’s fallen tent” seems to fail interpretive tests such as context, authorial intention and audience understanding. This article discusses the interpretive challenges raised by Acts 15:16, how skilled interpreters have understood the “tent of David,” and some weaknesses in these readings. The argument of “Latter Rain” authors on the “Tabernacle of David” is explained and evaluated in the light of some other contemporary research and hermeneutical principles associated with typology. The Latter Rain position is found to have considerable strengths but overreaches in some key points especially by making structure too central. Full article

Urban green space (UGS) is a fundamental element of urban systems for enhancing the quality of urban life. UGS plays a pivotal role in promoting urban ecological sustainability if important criteria are integrated into urban planning programs. This paper explores the impacts of the ecological criteria on urban sustainability through UGS planning and examines these criteria within the context of the Adelaide Metropolitan Area as a case study. To address the study’s goals, a content analysis was conducted to identify the most critical criteria affecting urban ecological sustainability through UGS planning. Subsequently, based on the identified criteria, a household survey was conducted to evaluate the status of the case study concerning the ecological sustainability factors. In this stage, 100 responses were collected through a questionnaire survey. Then, based on the household survey results, a solution was provided to the challenging criteria by a local experts’ interview. For promoting urban ecological sustainability, ten criteria were identified as the most important and effective criteria based on the previous studies. Household survey data was analysed using one-sample T-test, multiple linear regression, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) model. The results indicated that the criteria of reviving ecological networks, water resources, and the protection of UGS with the score below standard average (which is 3), require practical guidelines and policies to enhance the sustainability of Adelaide Metropolitan Area. The regression analysis demonstrated that ecological landscape and design had the strongest positive effect on sustainability (adjusted R² = 0.685), while the geographically weighted regression highlighted biodiversity and vegetation as particularly influential in Plympton (local R² = 0.866) and Unley (local R² = 0.488). Expert interviews recommended strategies such as wastewater recycling, long-term conservation planning, and restoring ecological connectivity. This study provides a practical framework to guide urban planners and policymakers in enhancing ecological sustainability through UGS planning. Full article

The sustainable management of water resources requires experts and also citizens who understand the hydrosphere and its key functions. To educate the public about water-related issues, various water literacy concepts have been developed. However, many of these concepts are too complex for people to understand. In contrast, the ocean literacy framework effectively translates knowledge into behavioral changes and actions. The Danube River, known as the world’s most international river, has a catchment area shared by 19 countries. This river basin has experienced unprecedented landscape alterations, floods, droughts, and pollution events, highlighting the need for a new approach to environmental education. Additionally, globally, more people live near rivers than by the ocean. To empower members of riverside communities with water literacy, we aimed to adapt the ocean literacy principles into river literacy principles. In this study, we introduce a novel concept of river literacy, consisting of seven principles. This framework aims to support sustainable development goals through education and to restore and revive damaged freshwater habitats more effectively. The principles were tested in formal education across five countries. The results indicate that participants in river literacy programs became more motivated to protect rivers, and their understanding of fluvial geography and riverine pollution improved. Full article

Plants are constantly exposed to various environmental challenges, such as drought, flooding, heavy metal toxicity, and pathogen attacks. To cope with these stresses, they employ several adaptive strategies. This review highlights the potential of plant-derived smoke (PDS) solution as a natural biostimulant for improving plant health and resilience, contributing to both crop productivity and ecological restoration under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Mitigating effects of PDS solution against various stresses were observed at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels in plants. PDS solution application involves strengthening the cell membrane by minimizing electrolyte leakage, which enhances cell membrane stability and stomatal conductance. The increased reactive-oxygen species were managed by the activation of the antioxidant system including ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase to meet oxidative damage caused by challenging conditions imposed by flooding, drought, and heavy metal stress. PDS solution along with other by-products of fire, such as charred organic matter and ash, can enrich the soil by slightly increasing its pH and improving nutrient availability. Additionally, some studies indicated that PDS solution may influence phytohormonal pathways, particularly auxins and gibberellic acids, which can contribute to root development and enhance symbiotic interactions with soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi. These combined effects may support overall plant growth, though the extent of PDS contribution may vary depending on species and environmental conditions. This boost in plant growth contributes to protecting the plants against pathogens, which shows the role of PDS in enduring biotic stress. Collectively, PDS solution mitigates stress tolerance in plants via multifaceted changes, including the regulation of physico-chemical responses, enhancement of the antioxidant system, modulation of heavy metal speciation, and key adjustments of photosynthesis, respiration, cell membrane transport, and the antioxidant system at genomic/proteomic levels. This review focuses on the role of PDS solution in fortifying plants against environmental stresses. It is suggested that PDS solution, which already has been determined to be a biostimulant, has potential for the revival of plant growth and soil ecosystem under abiotic and biotic stresses. Full article

Arabian Gulf oyster reefs, dominated by the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata, function simultaneously as ecological keystones and cultural touchstones. Rapid coastal urbanization and escalating pollution now threaten reef integrity. This systematic review of 1400 publications distilled 42 rigorously screened studies (3%) that document reef distribution, ecological roles, contaminant burdens, and socio-historical context. The results show that reef structures stabilize sediments, enhance water clarity through exceptional filtration rates, and furnish nursery habitats for commercially important fisheries, while heavy metal bioaccumulation in oyster tissues indicates widespread coastal contamination. The Gulf’s economy and identity were historically anchored in pearling; contemporary restoration initiatives already deploying dozens of sustainable reef modules across hundreds of traditional dive sites seek to revive this heritage and bolster ecological resilience. Persistent knowledge gaps include comprehensive spatial mapping, the effects of climate change and pollutant interactions, and long-term restoration success in hypersaline conditions. An integrated management framework that couples stringent monitoring, pollution mitigation, adaptive restoration, and heritage-centered community engagement is essential to safeguard Gulf oyster ecosystems and the cultural narratives entwined with them. Full article

This study explores the revival of cotton (Gossypium spp. L.) farming in Italy through sustainable practices, addressing economic and water-related challenges by integrating cultivar selection, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation, and deficit irrigation under organic farming. Field trials evaluated two widely grown Mediterranean cultivars (Armonia and ST-318) under three irrigation levels (I-100: 100% crop water requirement; I-70: 70%; I-30: 30%) across two Sicilian soil types (sandy loam vs. clay-rich). Under I-100, lint yields reached 0.99 t ha⁻¹, while severe deficit (I-30) yielded only 0.40 t ha⁻¹. However, moderate deficit (I-70) maintained 75–79% of full yields, proving a viable strategy. AMF inoculation significantly enhanced plant height (68.52 cm vs. 65.85 cm), boll number (+22.1%), and seed yield (+12.5%) (p < 0.001). Cultivar responses differed: Armonia performed better under water stress, while ST-318 thrived with full irrigation. Site 1, with higher organic matter, required 31–38% less water and achieved superior irrigation water productivity (1.43 kg m⁻³). Water stress also shortened phenological stages, allowing earlier harvests—important for avoiding autumn rains. These results highlight the potential of combining adaptive irrigation, resilient cultivars, and AMF to restore sustainable cotton production in the Mediterranean, emphasizing the importance of soil-specific management. Full article

The fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral accentuated the sense that this architectural building is a symbol of unity and identity for the population. This symbol extends beyond its French and Christian origins, reflecting the universal nature of cultural heritage, which has the extraordinary ability to unite people across nations, transcending ideologies, religions, and political divisions. The reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral marks a profound milestone in the preservation of cultural heritage, embodying resilience, restoration, and the enduring significance of shared human history. This research examines the impacts of the restoration of the cathedral at national and global scales through the implementation of questionnaires to visitors to the cathedral’s inauguration. The restoration process, which gained extensive media coverage, not only revived the cathedral’s architectural grandeur but also sparked international discussions about heritage conservation. Through an analysis of the questionnaire results for different factors, this study highlights the complexities of managing a monumental heritage of this magnitude in a globalized world. It reflects the ethical, financial, and social challenges involved in major restoration projects, using Notre Dame as a paradigmatic example. The paper concludes that the reopening of the cathedral is not only a triumph of physical restoration but also a testament to humanity’s resilience in the face of adversity. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations while fostering a sense of collective responsibility. Full article

In recent decades, Japan has faced rural depopulation due to urban migration, resulting in widespread property abandonment, the “Akiyas”. This paper presents RE-HAK (Refurbish to Host in Akiyas), a blockchain-based framework promoting a circular economy (CE). RE-HAK enables occupants to live rent-free in Akiyas by completing AI-managed refurbishment milestones via smart contracts. Each milestone—waste removal, structural repairs, or energy upgrades—is verified and recorded on the blockchain. Benefits include: (1) rural economic revival through restoration incentives; (2) sustainable CE adoption; (3) preserving property values by halting deterioration; (4) safeguarding cultural heritage via traditional architecture restoration; and (5) transparent management through automated contracts, minimizing disputes. Findings from three case studies demonstrate RE-HAK’s adaptability across skill levels and project scales, though limitations such as rural digital literacy gaps and reliance on government support for scalability are noted. The framework advances Japan’s revitalization goals while offering a replicable model for nations facing depopulation and property abandonment, contingent on addressing technological and policy barriers. Full article

This article compares the precept revival movements in Korean and Japanese Buddhism in the early modern period. It examines how monks in both countries, in particular, in the Korean Hyujŏng lineage and the Japanese Shingon sect, restored and utilized the precept tradition to re-establish Buddhist identity in the midst of rapid political and social change. Although in different ways, Buddhism in the early modern period in both countries experienced state control and an anti-Buddhist milieu, making it difficult to maintain its religious identity. Various efforts were made to overcome this hardship, the most prominent of which was the precept revival movement. In the early 19th century, in Chosŏn Korea, Taeŭn and Paekp’a sought to restore the bhikṣu lineage by overhauling the bhikṣu ordination rituals through the “reception of the precepts through an auspicious sign” and “the reception of the ten wholesome precepts”, respectively, while in mid-to-late 18th-century Japan, the Shingon master Jiun advocated a return to the teachings of Śākyamuni through the Shōbō-ritsu movement. While both countries focused on precept revival as a way to solidify Buddhist religious identity, Korea emphasized the restoration of the bhikṣu lineage, while Japan, especially in the Shingon-shū, emphasized a return to the fundamental teachings of the Buddha. These differences stem from the unique historical backgrounds of the two countries and the distinctive developments of their Buddhist traditions. By comparing the precept revival movements in both countries, this study examines how different precept traditions influenced the identity of East Asian Buddhism in the early modern period and how these efforts have been fundamental in maintaining Buddhist orthodoxy into the modern era. Full article

Over 40 years ago, scientists imagined ways cloning could aid conservation of threatened taxa. The cloning of Dolly the sheep from adult somatic cells in 1996 was the breakthrough that finally enabled the conservation potential of the technology. Until the 2020s, conservation cloning research efforts yielded no management applications, leading many to believe cloning is not yet an effective conservation tool. In strong contrast, domestic taxa are cloned routinely for scientific and commercial purposes. In this review, we sought to understand the reasons for these divergent trends. We scoured peer-reviewed and gray literature and sent direct inquiries to scientists to analyze a more comprehensive history of the field than was analyzed in previous reviews. While most previous reviewers concluded that a lack of reproductive knowledge of wildlife species has hindered advances for wider conservation applications, we found that resource limitations (e.g., numbers of surrogates, sustainable funding) and widely held misconceptions about cloning are significant contributors to the stagnation of the field. Recent successes in cloning programs for the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii), the world’s first true applied-conservation cloning efforts, are demonstrating that cloning can be used for significant conservation impact in the present. When viewed alongside the long history of cloning achievements, these programs emphasize the value of investing in the science and resources needed to meaningfully integrate cloning into conservation management, especially for species with limited genetic diversity that rely on the maintenance of small populations for many generations while conservationists work to restore habitat and mitigate threats in the wild. Full article

Cloning from historically cryopreserved cells offers a potential means to restore lost genetic variation or increase the representation of particular lineages within bottlenecked species, provided such biobanked materials are archived for such genetic rescue applications. One species for which cloning can provide genetic management benefits is Przewalski’s horse, Equus przewalskii. All ~1800 living Przewalski’s horses, distributed across ex situ breeding facilities and in situ reintroduction sites, are descended from one or more of the five founder lineages established by the 12 horses captured from the wild between 1898 and 1947. Since the 1970s, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Biodiversity Bank’s Frozen Zoo^® (Escondido, CA, USA) has biobanked cells or tissues of 575 individuals spanning many generations. A pedigree analysis of a subset of deceased individuals represented in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Biodiversity Bank’s Frozen Zoo^® revealed an underrepresented male that lived from 1975 to 1998, Studbook Number 615 (also known as Kuporovitch), who would be of high value for breeding if cloned. Here, we report that two healthy clones were produced from this cell line using cross-species somatic cell nuclear transfer from 2020 to 2023. Their identification as clones was verified by a standard horse-pedigree genotyping panel, and, for one clone, a whole genome sequencing comparison to the original donor was performed. This is the first time that multiple healthy clones surviving the perinatal period have been produced for an endangered species. Full article

The Santa Faz Pilgrimage, with over 600 years of history and as Spain’s second most significant pilgrimage, is at a critical point due to urbanization and inadequate planning. This study explores revitalizing and enhancing the historical Santa Faz routes, integrating cultural tourism, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic benefits. Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the pilgrimage impacts Alicante’s cultural landscape yet faces pressure from modern urban development. Using a multidisciplinary approach aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the study proposes alternative routes, such as a “green route” through ancient paths and water routes, a Villafranqueza route, and one from the former Monastery of Los Ángeles. These paths would be revived through local reforestation, sustainable tourism infrastructure, and rest areas for pilgrims. The restoration of the Santa Faz paths is seen as vital for cultural heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and job creation, with both opportunities and challenges in integrating these routes into the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes. The study advocates modifying the urban plan and promoting employment in heritage and tourism management, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and cross-disciplinary collaboration to secure the long-term preservation and development of these culturally significant spaces. Full article

This study examines historical water management practices as a means of addressing climate change, focusing on the Tyski Stream catchment in Upper Silesia, Poland, a region marked by extensive urbanization and industrial evolution. It investigates the effectiveness of historical hydrotechnical systems, such as bead-like ponds from the 15th to 18th centuries, in enhancing water retention, reducing flood risks, and supporting ecosystem services. In a critical period, over 54 years (1827–1881), the number of reservoirs decreased from 142 to 31 (the area of ponds decreased from 161 to 32 ha). Throughout the entire period, between 1748 and 2017, the surface area of the analyzed reservoirs decreased from 163 ha to 16.8 ha. This was related to progressive industrialization, urban sprawl, and changes in legal frameworks, such as land ownership laws, leading to ecosystem degradation, loss of biodiversity, and altered hydrological processes. The research emphasizes the potential of reviving historical water management systems on natural processes to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By analyzing historical cartographic resources, this study assesses the feasibility of reconstructing lake systems in areas with similar topographic and hydrological features. It also stresses the necessity of community engagement and securing widespread social and political support to ensure public acceptance and the success of renaturation initiatives. The findings indicate that restoring these systems can offer diverse benefits, including improved water management, enhanced biodiversity, and greater urban resilience, while addressing the socio-political complexities of implementing large-scale environmental restoration projects. The aim of this study is to utilize archival materials for engineering solutions to prevent flooding and enhance water retention. Full article