In search of the tree spirit : evolution of the sacred tree (ficus religiosa)

This thesis investigation, as suggested by its title, is a search for Something presumed to be missing, lost, forgotten or perhaps concealed. Catalyzed mainly by an urgency to seek a solution to the present universal problem of increasing deforestation, or 'desacralization' of the environment, this investigation is a search for explanation and integration, dedicated to recovering that ideal or rationale which led to a successful form of tree protection known as the sacred tree

http://www.corp.at/archive/CORP2017_74.pdf

Land administration is a proper tool to identify the resources of a country and to document physical and legal properties connected to it. Land administration constitutes a basic requirement for land governance processes, like land management or land use planning (Mattsson and Mansberger, 2017). Therefore, development work in numerous countries of the south often includes the setup of a land administration system. During the last 20 years, the World Bank, for example, financed a large number of projects related to the implementation of land administration systems in Africa, in Asia, and in South-Eastern Europe. However, experience showed that the beneficiaries of land administration systems did not always meet to combat poverty. Due to the security of land use, also agro-industrial companies rent land, which often common land or land used by nomads. This “land grabbing” is an upcoming phenomenon that is increasingly endangering the life of underprivileged groups. Raising awareness for the problem is a significant part of dealing with the situation. However, a change can only happen, if the people making the decisions and designing the processes are aware of the problem and if they try to find alternative approaches avoiding land grabbing. Thus, the challenges of land administration have to be included into the education of experts. The paper discusses challenges connected to the implementation of land administration systems in developing countries with a focus to the situation in Africa. Afterwards the authors discuss practical experience gained from a capacity-building project in Ethiopia

The Effect of Potential-based Land Tax on Land Utilization

Land as a scarce resource requires efficient allocation, which includes efficiency in producing the highest value and efficiency in consumption conforming to people’s willingness-to-pay. Thus methods for controlling proper land utilization are essential for societies to reach sustainability. Like in many countries land and property tax in Austria is based on the profit that everyone could achieve using the land. This concept of a productivity-based land tax was developed centuries ago, when land in European economies was mainly used for agriculture. The implementation was simple, because soil quality, which is the main factor for possible productivity, could be determined. However, economies changed and the profit from agricultural areas – and thus the value of agricultural land – decreased with the effect that also the utilization of former agricultural areas altered. Therefore, also an adjustment in the tax system seems to be appropriate. In the paper the effects of such a change will be discussed. Determination of land tax should be objective and fair. The value of land is an objective criterion and since it reflects the wealth of the land owner it is also a fair measure. The value of land can be defined in different ways but the obvious meaning should be the market value, i.e., the revenue that will be gained if the land is sold. The market value is based on a number of factors including general economic situation and location, but one of the most prominent factors is potential use. Areas that allow a highly profitable use have a higher market value than areas with many restrictions on the use, e.g., due to regulations on groundwater protection or monument conservation. Austria has a large number of data sources that are suitable to determine land value in a mass appraisal approach (Muggenhuber et al., 2013). The implementation would be simple from a technical perspective, even if comprehensive political discussions are required. Land and real properties are also commodities within the capital market with rather stabile asset values over time. Thus, they also can serve as parking place for investments with minimal maintenance costs.. Therefore, people may purchase land in residential areas as a financial investment without improving the land with the consequence that the municipality is forced to create additional residential areas and provide the necessary infrastructure. This stresses the budget of the municipality and has a negative effect on resource management. If land tax is based on the potential of the land, land owners may rethink their strategy. The tax causes financial losses of the potential is not exhausted. Potential buyers will have an interest in the land, because they want to utilize the potential now. In addition, the political decision makers explicitly see the monetary effect of their decisions, and the beneficiaries become visible for the public

Adapting the Surveying Curriculum to New Dimensions of the Profession

Today the surveying profession is very different from what it was twenty years ago. Recent technological innovations, globalization, and global land-related challenges have allowed a wide range of advances in the surveying profession. The vision is to promote surveying practices that can enhance the quality of services in a variety of tracks in the land profession. According to the new adjacent professional areas and the needs of the labor market, academic courses for surveyors have to be adapted to meet the broader scope of the surveying profession and to supply highly qualified land professionals. This paper outlines the new challenges for the surveying profession and highlights the core skills, competencies, and knowledge that should be highly valued to produce competent experts. Furthermore, this paper suggests a common structure of a surveying curriculum to capture the new academic themes for better adaptation to the broader scope of the surveying profession

Lipopolysaccharide-reactive immunoglobulin E is associated with lower mortality and organ failure in traumatically injured patients

Antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM have been associated with protection from LPS effects in vivo. We investigated the presence of IgE and anti-LPS in 32 patients that had experienced severe traumatic injury and in 35 healthy volunteers; we also investigated whether IgE anti-LPS was associated with important clinical events. Plasma samples were collected daily from patients in the intensive care unit and on one occasion from volunteers; the samples were assayed for IgE anti-LPS. IgE anti-LPS was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal anti-human IgE as the capture antibody. Detection was accomplished with biotin-labeled LPS (Escherichia coli J5 mutant) followed by streptavidin-peroxidase with 2,2\u27-azino(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)sulfonic acid as the substrate. The assay was demonstrated to be specific for IgE and LPS-biotin by nonreactivity of control sera with high-titer anti-LPS IgG and IgM and by inhibition with unlabeled LPS. IgE anti-LPS was detected in 1 of 35 healthy controls (2.9%o) and 25 of 32 traumatically injured patients (78%) (P \u3c 0.001). The presence of IgE anti-LPS was associated with a lower incidence of death (P = 0.026) and of renal failure (P = 0.0012). There was no apparent temporal relationship between detection of IgE anti-LPS and clinical events. IgG anti-LPS was detected more frequently in patients that were positive for IgE anti-LPS (P = 0.06) but was not associated with clinical events. The inability to detect IgE anti-LPS may be related to adverse clinical events through depletion of specific IgE due to LPS exposure after trauma or through saturation of the assay by IgE with other specificities. We have reported increased total IgE concentrations in these patients (J. T. DiPiro, R. G. Hamilton, T. R. Howdieshell, N. F. Adkinson, and A. R. Mansberger, Ann. Surg. 215:460-466, 1992)

Toolbox for the Development of Cadastral and Registration Proclamation for Second Level Certification Program in Ethiopia

Land together with its fixtures is the single most important asset in almost all societies. In Ethiopia land is also playing a pivotal role for sustainable development. Large scale cadastral projects supporting sustainable development and increased investments are planned all over the country as part of the countr

Prolonged gastroparesis after corrective surgery for Wilkie's syndrome: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Wilkie's syndrome, a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, is related to anatomical and mechanical factors associated with the reduction of retroperitoneal fat padding. The diagnostic challenges of identifying vascular constriction between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery have been answered by advances in the field of computed tomography. Despite diagnostic confusion with intestinal dysmotility syndrome, conservative therapy with nutritional supplementation is the initial approach and duodenojejunostomy is favoured if non-surgical treatment fails.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of a 49-year-old woman with Wilkie's syndrome with persistent symptoms of gastroparesis for 15 months following corrective surgery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Open and laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy have been described as the best surgical treatment options for Wilkie's syndrome, but further work needs to be done for patients with refractory symptoms of gastroparesis after these corrective surgeries.</p

The Importance of Environmental Criteria for Kaunas City Pedestrian Zones

Pedestrian streets are public areas, where vehicle traffic is completely or partially restricted. In these parts of the city, people can take a walk, shop and ride bikes. Many scientific publications can be found on the social and economic significance of public areas; however, while seeking for the economic city growth and social advancement it is important not to waste natural resources and not to endanger ecological balance. It is noticed that environmental criteria are mentioned only as components of coherence and which have to interact with each other. Still, the pedestrian zones, as public areas intended for people, have to be safe (in the case of motor and non-motor vehicles) and protected from the vehicle emissions and noise. In addition, trees and green zones as well as the overall cleanliness are significant for the maintenance of ecological balance. Therefore, pedestrian zones not only have to meet economic and social needs but also should be a place that would be pleasant to come back to. The object of this article are the main pedestrian zones of Kaunas city. The research was conducted by applying the analysis and synthesis research methods

Sustainable and Equitable Land Management Legal Framework, Planning Tools, Assessment

Spatial Planning, Land Use Planning, Land Management Instruments, Urban Land Management, Urban Planning, Cadastral Development, Sustainable Mobility Transition, Public Value Capture, Geoinformatics.This new volume of European Academy of Land Use and Development (EALD) contains broad view and interdisciplinary peer reviewed articles that inform the reader of most recent scientific investigations in Land Management. The spectrum of contributions cover: regulations, governance and implementation of land management along with assessment of relevant data.Some of the key highlights include various scientific and practical approaches, applied methods and systems together with a discussion and understanding of the government’s role in various European countries.Committed to sustainability, the articles entailed give evidence to Europe as an experimental ground for land management issues as well as allows for collaboration in pursuit of best practices.We support open access (free download), what about you