20 results on '"Gerhard Weis"'
Search Results
2. Pheromone Pre-seeding for the Construction of RFID Antenna Structures Using ACO.
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Gerhard Weis, Andrew Lewis, Marcus Randall, and David Victor Thiel
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- 2010
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3. Using XMPP for ad-hoc grid computing - an application example using parallel ant colony optimisation.
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Gerhard Weis and Andrew Lewis
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- 2009
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4. Optimising efficiency and gain of small meander line RFID antennas using ant colony system.
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Andrew Lewis, Gerhard Weis, Marcus Randall, Amir Galehdar, and David Victor Thiel
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- 2009
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5. Local search for Ant colony system to improve the efficiency of small meander line RFID antennas.
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Gerhard Weis, Andrew Lewis, Marcus Randall, Amir Galehdar, and David Victor Thiel
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- 2008
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6. Evolution of data infrastructure for effective integration and management of environmental and ecosystem data
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Gerhard Weis, Wilma Karsdorp, Mosheh Eliyahu, Andrew Cleland, Javier Sanchez Gonzalez, Jenny Mahuika, Siddeswara Guru, and Edmond Chuc
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business.industry ,Environmental resource management ,Environmental science ,Ecosystem ,business - Abstract
The Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) is Australia's national research infrastructure to observe, monitor and support the study and forecasting of continental-scale ecological changes. TERN data are classified under two themes: Ecology and Biogeophysical. The Ecology theme relates predominantly to plot-based ecological observations conducted as a one-off, repeated surveys and sensor-based measurements. The Biogeophysical theme-related data collections are inclusive of point-based time-series eddy-covariance based micrometeorological measurements from flux towers; and continental and regional scale gridded data products related to remote sensing, soil and landscape ecology.Integrating and querying data from different data sources are complicated. Furthermore,The advancement of technology has transformed the mode of data collection. For instance, mobile sensors (drones) of various sizes are used more in recent times to sample the environment. The user-centric data handling mechanisms of different types of datasets are dissimilar, requiring heterogeneous data management practices alongside ease of access to data for users bundled with tools and platforms to interrogate, access, analyse and share analysis pipelines.TERN is developing data e-infrastructure to support holistic capabilities that not only manage to store, curate and distribute data. But, enable processing based on user needs, linking consistent data to various analysis tools and pipelines and acquisition of data skills. The infrastructure would allow collaboration with other national and international data infrastructures and ingest data from partners including state and federal government institutes by adopting domain standards for metadata and data management and publications.For effective data management of plot-based ecology data, we have developed an ontology-based on O&M and Semantic Sensor Network Ontology with an extension to support basic concepts of ecological sites and sampling. Besides, controlled vocabularies for observed properties, observation procedures and standard lists for taxa, geology, soils etc. will supplement the ontology.The biogeophysical data is managed using domain standards in the data and metadata management. Each of the data products is represented in a standard file format and hosted in an OGC standard web services. All datasets are described and catalogued using ISO standards. An overarching discovery portal allows users to search, access and interact with data collections. The user’s interaction with data can be at the collection level, on a spatial map and via web services and Application Programming Interface (API).TERN has also developed a cloud-based virtual desktop environment, CoESRA, accessible from a web browser to enable easy access to the computing platform with tools for the ecosystem science community. The advantage is that it allows access to all TERN data in a compute environment for performing analysis and synthesis activities from a single managed platform.
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- 2020
7. The Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory: Where ecology meets big data
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Hamish Holewa, Lynda E. Chambers, Rachel Warren, Shawn W. Laffan, Gerhard Weis, Jeff Price, Erin Graham, Henry A. Nix, Willow Hallgren, Brendan Mackey, Jeremy VanDerWal, Linda J. Beaumont, and Andrew Bowness
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0106 biological sciences ,Engineering ,Environmental Engineering ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Climate change ,Cloud computing ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Upload ,Environmental Science(all) ,Species distribution modelling ,Virtual Laboratory ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Data collection ,business.industry ,Ecological Modeling ,Environmental resource management ,Biodiversity ,Variety (cybernetics) ,Environmental niche modelling ,Ecological Modelling ,Transparency (graphic) ,business ,Software - Abstract
Advances in computing power and infrastructure, increases in the number and size of ecological and environmental datasets, and the number and type of data collection methods, are revolutionizing the field of Ecology. To integrate these advances, virtual laboratories offer a unique tool to facilitate, expedite, and accelerate research into the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. We introduce the uniquely cloud-based Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL), which provides access to numerous species distribution modelling tools; a large and growing collection of biological, climate, and other environmental datasets; and a variety of experiment types to conduct research into the impact of climate change on biodiversity.Users can upload and share datasets, potentially increasing collaboration, cross-fertilisation of ideas, and innovation among the user community. Feedback confirms that the BCCVL's goals of lowering the technical requirements for species distribution modelling, and reducing time spent on such research, are being met. BCCVL facilitates and expedites modelling of climate change's impact on biodiversity.BCCVL integrates numerous species distribution modelling tools and myriad datasets.BCCVL negates the need for advanced programming and modelling expertise.BCCVL allows for increases in productivity and complexity of experimental design.BCCVL facilitates the sharing of data promoting transparency in the research process.
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- 2016
8. Antithrombotic therapy in peripheral arterial disease
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Christine Espinola-Klein, Gerhard Weißer, Volker Schmitt, Melanie Schwaderlapp, and Thomas Munzel
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peripheral arterial disease ,antithrombotic therapy ,antiplatelet drugs ,rivaroxaban ,major adverse cardiovascular events ,major adverse limb events ,Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system ,RC666-701 - Abstract
BackgroundPatients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke as well as major adverse limb events (MALE) such as amputation and acute limb ischemia. Therefore, prevention of thrombotic events is crucial to improve the prognosis of PAD patients. This review article concludes current evidence and guideline recommendations about antithrombotic therapy in PAD patients.Antithrombotic therapy is highly effective to reduce MACE and MALE events in PAD patients. Recently, the concept of dual pathway inhibition (low-dose rivaroxaban plus acetylic salicylic acid (ASA) has been tested in the COMPASS and VOYAGER-PAD trial. Compared to ASA alone dual pathway inhibition was superior to prevent MACE and MALE. After peripheral revascularization, in particular the risk for acute limb ischemia was reduced. In contrast, the risk for major bleeding is increased. Therefore, current guidelines recommend the combination of low-dose rivaroxaban and ASA in PAD patients with low bleeding risk. In patients with high bleeding risk, a single antiplatelet drug (preferable clopidogrel) is indicated. In patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease and indication for oral anticoagulation, no additional antiplatelet drug is necessary, as this would increase the risk of bleeding without improving the prognosis.ConclusionAntithrombotic treatment reduces MACE and MALE and is recommended in all patients with PAD. Individual bleeding risk should always be considered based on the current data situation and an individual benefit-risk assessment must be carried out.
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- 2022
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9. Differential Inhibition of Platelet Reactivity by Dual Therapy With Aspirin and Low-Dose Rivaroxaban in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Pilot Study
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Kerstin Jurk, Korbinian F. Rothenaicher, Kathrin Groß, Heidi Rossmann, Gerhard Weißer, Irene Schmidtmann, Thomas Münzel, and Christine Espinola-Klein
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peripheral arterial disease ,platelets ,rivaroxaban ,clopidogrel ,acetylsalicylic acid ,Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system ,RC666-701 - Abstract
Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) benefit from combination therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 100 mg, one time per day) plus low-dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg, two times per day) compared to ASA monotherapy. In particular, major adverse cardiac and limb events were significantly reduced after peripheral endovascular revascularization (EVR). In this pilot study, the platelet activation status in vivo and platelet reactivity in vitro were longitudinally analyzed by flow cytometric assays and calibrated automated thrombography in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from 10 patients with PAD receiving ASA (100 mg, one time per day) before EVR, ASA plus clopidogrel (75 mg, one time per day) after EVR, and ASA plus rivaroxaban (2.5 mg, two times per day) during a long-term follow-up. Platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel was compared to additional 10 patients with stable PAD and clopidogrel (75 mg, one time per day) monotherapy. ASA plus rivaroxaban treatment resulted in a significantly decreased thrombin peak in PRP for two triggers, namely, low concentration of tissue factor (TF) and thrombin, compared to ASA monotherapy. TF-controlled thrombin generation was additionally characterized by a significantly prolonged lag time in PRP and platelet-free plasma during ASA plus rivaroxaban combination therapy. In comparison, ASA plus clopidogrel treatment presented a significant reduction of the thrombin peak in PRP, which was less pronounced than during subsequent ASA plus rivaroxaban therapy. Platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel was observed for 60% of patients receiving ASA plus clopidogrel and clopidogrel monotherapy, respectively. Blocking of CD36 on the platelet surface further reduced the thrombin peak in PRP induced by TF for all three therapy regimes. Platelet activation in vivo and in response to the GPVI-agonist convulxin or thrombin in vitro was similar, whereas integrin αIIbβ3 activation and α-granule release induced by the PAR-1 activating peptide TRAP-6 were significantly diminished during ASA plus rivaroxaban treatment compared to ASA monotherapy. In conclusion, the data of this pilot study indicate an inhibitory effect of rivaroxaban on the thrombin propagation phase of CD36-sensitive platelet thrombin formation in patients with PAD treated with ASA plus rivaroxaban combination therapy, which is associated with decreased PAR-1 but not thrombin-mediated platelet activation.
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- 2022
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10. Using Ant Colony Optimisation to Construct Meander-Line RFID Antennas
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Amir Galehdar, Marcus Randall, Gerhard Weis, Andrew Lewis, and David V. Thiel
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Engineering ,business.industry ,Design tool ,Meander line ,Tracking system ,Ant colony ,Antenna efficiency ,Computer engineering ,Hardware_GENERAL ,Antenna element ,Radio-frequency identification ,business ,Simulation ,Computer Science::Information Theory ,Intuition - Abstract
A method increasingly used to uniquely identify objects (be they pieces of luggage, transported goods or inventory items in shops and warehouses), is Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID). One of the most important components of RFID systems is the antenna and its design is critical to the utility of such tracking systems. Design engineers have traditionally constructed small antennas using their knowledge and intuition, as there is no simple analytical solution relating antenna structure to performance. This, however, does not guarantee optimal results, particularly for larger, more complex antennas. The problem is ideally suited to automated methods of optimisation. This chapter presents an overview of the automatic design of antennas using the meta-heuristic known as Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO). Apart from a description of the necessary mechanics ACO needs to effectively solve this problem, a novel local search refinement operator and a multi-objective version of the problem are also described. The latter is used to optimise both antenna efficiency and resonant frequency. Computational results for a range of antenna sizes show that ACO is a very effective design tool for RFID antennas.
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- 2009
11. SIENA: Semi-automatic semantic enhancement of datasets using concept recognition
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Andreea Grigoriu, Amrapali Zaveri, Gerhard Weiss, and Michel Dumontier
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Ontology ,Semantic enhancement ,Gene ,Deep learning ,Machine learning ,Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 - Abstract
Abstract Background The amount of available data, which can facilitate answering scientific research questions, is growing. However, the different formats of published data are expanding as well, creating a serious challenge when multiple datasets need to be integrated for answering a question. Results This paper presents a semi-automated framework that provides semantic enhancement of biomedical data, specifically gene datasets. The framework involved a concept recognition task using machine learning, in combination with the BioPortal annotator. Compared to using methods which require only the BioPortal annotator for semantic enhancement, the proposed framework achieves the highest results. Conclusions Using concept recognition combined with machine learning techniques and annotation with a biomedical ontology, the proposed framework can provide datasets to reach their full potential of providing meaningful information, which can answer scientific research questions.
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- 2021
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12. Local search for Ant colony system to improve the efficiency of small meander line RFID antennas
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David V. Thiel, Amir Galehdar, Andrew Lewis, Marcus Randall, and Gerhard Weis
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Computer science ,business.industry ,Ant colony optimization algorithms ,Ant colony ,law.invention ,Computer engineering ,law ,Path (graph theory) ,Combinatorial search ,Local search (optimization) ,Algorithm design ,Dipole antenna ,Antenna (radio) ,business - Abstract
The efficient design of meander line antennas for RFID devices is a significant real-world problem. Traditional manual tuning of antenna designs is becoming impractical for larger problems. Thus the use of automated techniques, in the form of combinatorial search algorithms, is a necessity. Ant colony system (ACS) is a very efficient meta-heuristic that is commonly used to solve path construction problems. Apart from its own native search capacity, ACS can be dramatically improved by combining it with local search strategies. As shown in this paper, applying local search as a form of structure refinement to RFID meander line antennas delivers effective antenna structures. In particular, we use the operator known as backbite, that has had previous application in the construction of self-avoiding walks and compact polymer chains. Moreover, we apply it in a novel, hierarchical manner that allows for good sampling of the local search space. Its use represents a significant improvement on results obtained previously.
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- 2008
13. Embracing the Non-Wood Forest Products Potential for Bioeconomy—Analysis of Innovation Cases across Europe
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Gerhard Weiss, Alice Ludvig, and Ivana Živojinović
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case studies ,Europe ,innovation system ,institutional innovations ,policy ,non-timber forest products ,Agriculture - Abstract
This article focuses on the potential role of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) which are so far largely neglected within forest-related bioeconomy research and policy. From an innovation system perspective, we look at the barriers for NWFPs development and propose how they can be supported. We analyse 20 innovation cases in Europe, based on the analysis of documents and semi-structured interviews with experts involved in the cases. Results show that there is no “one” innovation system supporting NWFPs, but support is given rather erratically through certain programmes from various sectoral or regional innovation systems (forestry, agriculture, nature conservation or rural or regional development). There is a pronounced neglection of the institutional system towards NWFPs, resulting in a lack of statistics, research, education and training programmes and focused support structures. However, our results show rich potential of NWFPs in the forest bioeconomy for private forest owners and producers. These activities can range from a collection of NWFPs for subsistence to collectively organized production relevant to rural areas. Most of these are product innovations, some are service or social innovations, while some combine different innovation types. From some successful examples we derive suggestions for how to improve innovation support structures.
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- 2023
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14. Exploring evolving spiritual values of forests in Europe and Asia: a transition hypothesis toward re-spiritualizing forests
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Jeanne-Lazya Roux, Agata A. Konczal, Andreas Bernasconi, Shonil A. Bhagwat, Rik De Vreese, Ilaria Doimo, Valentino Marini Govigli, Jan Kašpar, Ryo Kohsaka, Davide Pettenella, Tobias Plieninger, Zahed Shakeri, Shingo Shibata, Kalliopi Stara, Takuya Takahashi, Mario Torralba, Liisa Tyrväinen, Gerhard Weiss, and Georg Winkel
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cultural ecosystem services ,relational values ,sacred forests ,spiritual values of forests ,spirituality ,transition hypothesis ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
The development of societies, including spiritual development, is closely connected to forests. The larger interrelations among changing societies, transforming forest landscapes, and evolving spiritual values related to forests have yet to be extensively considered. Addressing this research gap is important to avoid the neglect of spiritual values in forest policy and management. Our exploratory study investigates spiritual values of forests from European and Asian perspectives, assessing 13 countries. Based on expert knowledge from 18 interdisciplinary experts, we first define forest spiritual values (forest spirituality). We then elaborate on the idea that forest spirituality evolves as societies and landscapes change, and propose a transition hypothesis for forest spirituality. We identify indicators and drivers and portray four stages of such a transition using country-specific examples. We find that during a first stage (“nature is powerful”), forest spirituality is omnipresent through the abundance of sacred natural sites and practices of people who often directly depend on forests for their livelihoods. An alternative form of spirituality is observed in the second stage (“taming of nature”). Connected to increasing transformation of forest landscapes and intensifying land-use practices, “modern” religions guide human–nature interrelations. In a third stage (“rational management of nature”), forest spirituality is overshadowed by planned rational forest management transforming forests into commodities for the economy, often focusing on provisioning ecosystem services. During a fourth stage (“reconnecting with nature”), a revival of forest spirituality (re-spiritualization) can be observed due to factors such as urbanization and individualizing spirituality. Our core contribution is in showing the connections among changing forest perceptions, changing land-use governance and practices, and changing forest spirituality. Increasing the understanding of this relationship holds promise for supporting forest policy-making and management in addressing trade-offs between spiritual values and other aspects of forests.
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- 2022
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15. Potentials and Opportunities of Wild Edible Forest Fruits for Rural Household’s Economy in Arasbaran, Iran
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Sajad Ghanbari, Gerhard Weiss, Jinlong Liu, Ivan Eastin, Omid Fathizadeh, and Gholamhosein Moradi
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non-timber forest products (NTFPs) ,food ,livelihood ,management ,processing ,marketing ,Plant ecology ,QK900-989 - Abstract
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute to local people’s livelihood in many regions around the world. This article investigates the types of NTFPs collected, processed, and traded in the Arasbaran region of Iran, the roles of these products in household economies, and the potential contribution to rural household economies through the collection, processing, and marketing of NTFPs. Data were collected using household and community surveys as well as through secondary sources on the role of NTFPs within Arasbaran forests in Iran. The main NTFPs harvested by local people were fruits. The fruits from 14 woody species, including trees and shrubs, were harvested by local people. The average share of forest-harvested fruit to household income was 27 percent. The mean annual income derived from the harvest and sale of sumac and reddish blackberry in the sample rural household incomes was USD 1822 and USD 142, respectively. In regard to processing efficiency, plum, cornelian cherry, and sumac exhibited the highest processing efficiency. Better policy support would be needed along the whole value chain, starting with the forest management plans, to include fruit species. In addition, measures to support processing facilities as well as to promote trade and marketing beyond the local area would be highly important to develop the potential of forest fruits and other NTFPs. Besides technical and financial support, measures should include regulatory revisions as well as information, training, and awareness raising.
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- 2022
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16. Age-related diagnostic value of D-dimer testing and the role of inflammation in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis
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Jürgen H. Prochaska, Bernd Frank, Markus Nagler, Heidrun Lamparter, Gerhard Weißer, Andreas Schulz, Lisa Eggebrecht, Sebastian Göbel, Natalie Arnold, Marina Panova-Noeva, Iris Hermanns, Antonio Pinto, Stavros Konstantinides, Hugo ten Cate, Karl J Lackner, Thomas Münzel, Christine Espinola-Klein, and Philipp S. Wild
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Previous reports have investigated the impact of age on D-Dimer testing in elderly individuals with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but data on the age-related diagnostic value of D-dimer in a sample covering a broad age range are limited. The present study determined age-specifically the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer and compared it to C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, in 500 patients with suspected DVT from the VTEval project (NCT02156401). Sensitivity of D-dimer was lower in patients 0.05). In conclusion, these data outline a clinically-relevant limitation of D-dimer testing among younger patients with suspected DVT indicating a necessity for age-adapted cut-off values. Further research is required to decrypt the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology and diagnosis of venous thrombosis.
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- 2017
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17. 'Denn wir, die wir Abendländer waren, sind nun Orientalen geworden …'. Selbst- und Fremdwahrnehmungsprozesse in der Zeit der Kreuzzüge
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Gerhard Weißhäupl
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Kreuzzüge ,Kreuzzugsmythen ,Selbst- und Fremdwahrnehmung ,Verhältnis zwischen ChristInnen und MuslimInnen im 12. Jahrhundert ,Königreich Jerusalem ,Wilhelm von Tyrus ,The crusades ,myths about the crusades ,self-perception and external perception ,relationships between Christians and Muslims in the 12th century ,Kingdom of Jerusalem ,William of Tyre ,Education (General) ,L7-991 ,Religion (General) ,BL1-50 - Abstract
ENGLISH: The crusaders who had settled in Jerusalem after its conquest in 1099 soon saw themselves as Orientals (cf. Fulcher of Chartres), which also had positive effects concerning their attitude towards the local residents, in particular concerning the Muslim population (in terms of a policy of balance among the non-Latin population, far-reaching equality among different groups and the ensurance of legal certainty). Proof of these claims can also be found among Muslim writers, such as Usama Ibn Munqidh and Ibn Dschubair. The example of the chancellor and archbishop William of Tyre shows how old Occidental prejudices and stereotypes regarding Muslims as heathens and idolators could indeed be vanquished. It is a fact that Wilhelm himself acknowledged Muslims as faithful and righteous citizens. This change in attitude certainly allows us to draw conclusions that are highly relevant for our present-day religious education. DEUTSCH: Nur wenige Jahre nach der Eroberung Jerusalems 1099 fühlen sich die im Königreich Jerusalem sesshaft gewordenen Kreuzfahrer bereits als Orientalen (vgl. Fulcher von Chartres), was auch positive Folgen im Verhalten gegenüber der einheimischen Bevölkerung, im Besonderen gegenüber den MuslimInnen zeitigt (Politik des Ausgleichs unter den NichtlateinerInnen, weitgehende Gleichbehandlung der verschiedenen Gruppen, Schaffung von Rechtssicherheit). Belege dafür finden sich auch bei muslimischen Autoren (Usama Ibn Munqidh, Ibn Dschubair). Das Beispiel des Kanzlers und Erzbischofs Wilhelm von Tyrus zeigt, wie die alten okzidentalen Feindbilder über die Muslime als Götzendiener und Heiden durchbrochen werden. Wilhelm kann Muslime als Gottgläubige und Gerechte anerkennen. Aus diesen Wandlungsprozessen lassen sich auch Folgerungen für den Religionsunterricht der Gegenwart ableiten.
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- 2016
18. New Values of Non-Wood Forest Products
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Gerhard Weiss, Marla R. Emery, Giulia Corradini, and Ivana Živojinović
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non-wood forest products (nwfps) ,non-timber forest products (ntfps) ,service-dominant logic (sdl) ,value creation ,innovation ,actor networks ,case studies ,industrialised countries ,Plant ecology ,QK900-989 - Abstract
The role of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in industrialised country economies has declined in the past, but they are generating renewed interest as business opportunities. In a forest-based bio-economy frame, NWFPs can contribute to human nutrition, renewable materials, and cultural and experiential services, as well as create job and income opportunities in rural areas. Applying a service-dominant logic (SDL) approach to analysis of NWFPs, this article aimed to understand how new goods and services are co-created through networks of public and private actors in specific institutional, social, and cultural contexts. This focus sheds light on the experiences associated with NWFP harvest and use, revealing a fulsome suite of values and economic opportunities that include but are greater than the physical goods themselves. Turning the SDL lens on in-depth case studies from Europe and North America, we show dimensions of forest products that go beyond commercial values but are, at the same time, constituent of commercial activities. SDL provides a new view on customer relations, service provision to businesses, and policy measures for innovation support for non-wood forest products.
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- 2020
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19. Governance of private forests in Eastern and Central Europe: An analysis of forest harvesting and management rights
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Laura Bouriaud, Liviu Nichiforel, Gerhard Weiss, Agron Bajraktari, Milic Curovic, Zuzana Dobsinska, Predrag Glavonjic, Vilém Jarský, Zuzana Sarvasova, Meelis Teder, and Zinta Zalite
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forest management planning, private forests, governance, owners participation, harvesting, eastern, central and baltic europe, property rights ,Forestry ,SD1-669.5 - Abstract
A property rights-based approach is proposed in the paper to underline the common characteristics of the forest property rights specification in ten ECE countries, the specific patterns governing the harvesting of timber in private forestry and the role of the forest management planning in determining the content of the property rights. The analysis deals with the private forests of the individuals (non industrial ownership) from ten countries, covering 7.3 million ha and producing yearly some 25 million m3 timber. The study shows that the forest management rights in private forests belong to the State and that the withdrawal rights on timber, yet recognised in the forest management plans, are in reality strongly restricted from an economic viewpoint. The forest management planning is the key instrument of the current forest governance system, based on top-down, hierarchically imposed and enforced set of compulsory rules on timber harvesting. With few exceptions, the forest owners have little influence in the forest planning and harvesting. The rational and State-lead approach of the private forest management has serious implications not only on the economic content of the property rights, but also on the learning and adaptive capacity of private forestry to cope with current challenges such the climate change, the increased industry needs for wood as raw material, or the marketing of innovative non wood forest products and services. The study highlights that understanding and comparing the regime of the forest ownership require a special analysis of the economic rights attached to each forest attribute; and that the evolution towards more participatory decision-making in the local forest governance can not be accurately assessed in ECE region without a proper understanding of the forest management planning process.
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- 2013
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20. Public Preferences Across Europe for Different Forest Stand Types as Sites for Recreation
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David M. Edwards, Marion Jay, Frank S. Jensen, Beatriz Lucas, Mariella Marzano, Claire Montagné, Andrew Peace, and Gerhard Weiss
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Delphi ,Europe ,forest management ,public preference ,recreation ,structural attribute ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
A Delphi survey involving experts in forest preference research was carried out to derive scores for the recreational value of 240 forest stand types across Europe. The survey was organized around four regional panels: Great Britain, Nordic Region, Central Europe, and Iberia. In each region, 60 forest stand types were defined according to five forest management alternatives (FMAs) on a continuum of management intensity, four phases of development (establishment, young, medium, and adult), and three tree species types (conifer, broadleaved, and mixed stands of conifer and broadleaved). The resulting scores were examined using conjoint analysis to determine the relative importance of the three structural attributes (FMA, phase of development, and tree species type), and each level or component of the attributes. The findings quantify the extent to which forest visitors prefer a degree of management to unmanaged forest nature reserves across the four regions. Phase of development was shown to make the highest contribution to the recreational value of forests while the contribution of tree species type was shown to be relatively unimportant. While the results are indicative, they provide evidence to support long-term retention and low-impact silviculture in forests where recreation is a primary objective of management.
- Published
- 2012
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