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Sägearbeiten eines Elternbeiratsmitglieds für einen Weihnachtsbasar sind versichert
No full text§ BSG, Urteil vom 05.12.2023 – Az. B 2 U 10/21
Graph Gaussian Processes for Efficient Robust Monte Carlo Tree Search
No full textOne of the major challenges in applying machine learning-based optimization algorithms in practice is their efficiency, which is measured in runtime and sample efficiency. Unfortunately, these two measures do not go hand in hand, but there are two poles: model-based Reinforcement Learning (RL), which is fast but requires many calls to some oracle, and Bayesian Optimization (BO), which has a high computation time but is very sample efficient. Additionally, both methods are at risk of oracle-misspecification: the oracle used for learning may differ from the final application. We derive Graph Gaussian Process Monte Carlo Tree Search (GUMTREES), an algorithm combining Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS), a model-based RL method, with BO, leading to an efficient algorithm that is easily enhanced to the robust setting. In a simple experiment, we demonstrate the superior performance of our algorithm
Aerosol properties and aerosol–radiation interaction in clear-skies over Germany for the period from 2003 to 2020
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Richtlinie zur Gewährung und Verlängerung eines Promotionsstipendiums an der Hochschule Bonn Rhein Sieg
No full textThe role of green infrastructure quality for healthier and biodiverse cities: A One Health approach for reconciling people and wildlife needs
No full textIn the upcoming decades, urban areas are expected to undergo significant expansion and transformation in order to accommodate the growing proportion of the world's population living in cities. This challenge presents a unique opportunity to rethink our cities and to shift from development patterns that have resulted in urban environments associated with environmental degradation and disconnection to nature and instead embrace transformative changes that promote healthier and more resilient cities where people and nature thrive. Urban green infrastructure is one of the main strategies to achieve this goal, given the potential of various types of green spaces and structures for delivering several ecosystem services benefitting not only human health and wellbeing but also biodiversity conservation. However, limited knowledge remains on the quality necessary to effectively provide the range of benefits expected by green infrastructure and also on possible trade-offs among beneficiaries with different needs. This doctoral thesis addressed these research gaps through two main questions: a) which and how green spaces characteristics are associated with mental health and wellbeing and wildlife support outcomes, and b) what are the synergies and trade-offs between human health and wildlife dimensions in urban green spaces.
Through a systematic review, green space features that reportedly affected human mental health or wildlife support in previous studies were compiled. Then, the holistic One Health approach was used as a basis for the development of a framework connecting quality attributes of green spaces with human mental health and wellbeing and wildlife support in the urban context.
To apply this framework in a case study in Brazil, the first step required a cross-cultural adaptation of the selected psychometric scales for measuring psychological restoration in the target population. Specifically, the Perceived Restorativeness Scale and the Restoration Outcomes Scale were translated into Portuguese and validated using samples from Porto Alegre and São Paulo cities located in southern and southeastern Brazil. The psychometric properties of both scales presented adequate internal consistency and model fit indexes, which remained consistent across participants’ gender and city of residency. Besides the intended application in this doctoral study, the provision of these newly-validated versions of such measures creates opportunity for the expansion of research on restorative environments in the poorly studied Global South, particularly in Brazil.
In São Paulo, Brazil, a case study was carried out utilizing indicators and metrics identified in the systematic review to analyze the relationships outlined in the developed framework. The primary factors affecting user restorativeness were perceived safety and naturalness of parks. These perceptions were associated with park characteristics such as tree canopy coverage, presence of water bodies, and signs of vandalism. The presence of natural water bodies presented a clear mutual benefit for psychological restoration and support to birds (as representative of wildlife species). In contrast, whereas parks with higher tree canopy coverage offered greater potential for restoration to users, outcomes for bird assemblages were distinct depending on the metric selected. Summing up, the findings point out the necessity of a heterogeneous network of green spaces that are purposely planned and managed considering the synergies and trade-offs between human and wildlife requirements.
In conclusion, the results of this doctoral thesis confirm the important role of green space quality in providing benefits to humans and animals. It also stresses the advantage of applying the One Health approach also to the urban context and, more specifically, to green infrastructure, enabling the identification of mutually beneficial effects and potential trade-offs between the environment, humans, and animals, and ultimately the implementation of truly multifunctional spaces and solutions
Management of Climate-Related Hazards in Germany through Adaptive Social Protection: The Case of the Ahr Valley Flooding in 2021
No full textIn July 2021, unprecedented water levels affected Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. From July 12 to 15, 2021, a storm complex stalled over the European region, leading to heavy rain and flooding. In Germany, a month’s rainfall fell within 48 hours. Soils were heavily saturated after a wet spring, leading to extraordinary water levels. Due to its surrounding landscape, the Ahr river meanders through the steep rocky vineyards. People settled and built in the areas close to the river, which overflowed its banks. More than 130 died. The floodwaters destroyed critical public infrastructure. Buildings collapsed, roads and railways were destroyed, and thousands lost their homes, causing billions of euros in economic loss. The recovery efforts in Germany continue three years after the disastrous event, despite well-developed response procedures and highly established social protection systems.
Through the literature review using a qualitative case study approach, the article assesses the floods’ impact on the Ahr valley and analyzes climate-related flood hazard management processes in Germany. The theoretical framework focuses on policies and programs reducing communities' vulnerability to climate-related hazards while promoting long-term resilience and sustainable development. Transformative change is possible along four building blocks, namely data and information systems, programs, institutional arrangements, and partnerships, as well as finance. Germany can reduce the disaster risk of climate-related flood hazards by strengthening its control and management capacities as well as enhancing readiness and resilience against future climate-related threats
