Ancient Woods, Trees and Forests

2022 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Saproxylic Insects ◽  
Wood Pasture ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Precious Resource ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Effective Conservation ◽  
Geographical Locations

As trees age, they become ecologically richer and more full of life. The process of a tree, wood or forest becoming ‘ancient’, however defined, involves a vast and subtle web of relations – among the trees themselves, with other organisms, with the wider landscape and with human beings. A single tree can provide a vast array of habitats which are an integral part of the complex co-evolutionary relationships evolved over its lifetime and later during its sometimes long afterlife. From ancient times until today, trees and woods have inspired artists, writers and scientists; they have shaped cultures and reverberated through belief systems. Yet worldwide, forest cover has declined dramatically over the last 1,000 years, and what remains has been more or less altered from its original condition. Today, ‘virgin forests’ are only to be found at a few sites unreachable by humans, and even then they are affected by climate change, atmospheric pollution and species extinctions. The aim of this book is to help an understanding of the web of connections relating to ancient trees and woodlands, and to offer techniques to ensure effective conservation and sustainability of this precious resource. This book considers the key issues from a range of different aspects and varied geographical locations, beginning with fundamental concepts and reflecting on the strengths and limitations of the idea of ancient trees. Individual chapters then deal with cultural heritage, the archaeology of trees, landscape history, forest rights, tree management, saproxylic insects, the importance of dead wood, practical conservation and monitoring, biodiversity, and wood pasture among many other themes. Fresh perspectives are put forward from across Europe as far as Turkey, as well as Great Britain. Overall, given the urgent need to discover, understand, conserve and restore ancient woodlands and trees, this publication will raise awareness, foster enthusiasm and inspire wonder.

The Place of Traditional Artists in the Preservation of Nigerian Art

2018 ◽  
pp. 75-88
Author(s):  
Victoria N Osuagwu
Keyword(s):  
Belief Systems ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Art World ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Economic Resource ◽  
The People ◽  
Traditional Artists ◽  
Global Art ◽  
Source Of Information

Human beings have always left signs of their activities behind them. These signs take both tangible and intangible forms, including buildings, sites, sculptural works, antiquities, rock art paintings, belief systems, and traditions. The people of this millennium have recognized the remains of our fore-bears namely archaeological, architectural monuments, sites, and cultural works as an integral part of the cultural heritage of all humanity. They also recognized the fact that heritage is an invaluable source of information about the lives and activities of human beings and their artistic and technical capabilities over the centuries. The Nigerian Ancient Art Tradition which spans eight thousand years is a product of diverse artists from Dufuna, Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Owo, Benin, Tada, etc. Also remarkable are the sculptural works created by late Susanne Wenger (an Austrian) and her New Sacred Art Movement in Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which gave meaning to open spaces within the grove. This paper examines the role played by these artworks to project Nigeria to the global art world. The benefits to Nigeria and the global art traditions and recommendations on how to revive this dwindling economic resource will also be examined. The approach used was to study the artworks produced by some of these artists. Some of the findings were that the works were carefully done with suitable materials that have withstood climate change.

scholarly journals Lasy wybranych dużych obszarów leśnych = The forests in selected examples of Poland’s Large Forest Areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-483
Author(s):  
Roman Zielony
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Proper Noun ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The 1960S

Key issues for spatial planning and development, nature protection and forestry in Poland relate to the problems encountered in determining the area of forests included within – and the boundaries of – what are known as the Large Forest Areas (LFAs) in Poland. Even as overall forest cover in the country has increased steadily – by about 2.5 million ha overall – since 1945, the data available for the LFAs relate to measurements made as long ago as in the 1960s and 1970s. Even then, it is often unclear whether it is total areas or areas of forest that are being referred to in relation to the LFAs. There is thus an urgent need for meas-urements to be updated, with a view to the present-day boundaries of the Areas being delim-ited. Some 80‑100 LFAs are in fact distinguished in Poland, in line with definitions relating to total area exceeding 10,000 ha (100 km2) and forest cover exceeding 35%. While many of the LFAs received Proper-Noun names at one point or another in their histories, as used locally in a given region, and in guides and publications, there are also less culturall-defined areas that still await naming. Efforts to determine the boundaries of the LFAs at this point allow, not only for renewed or de novo determination of their overall areas and areas of forest, but also for an advancement of our knowledge regarding any items of cultural heritage that may be present within LFAs. Such data will be useful or essential as new physiographic, economic and tourist guide-studies are developed; and they will encourage and facilitate the more-detailed analysis and assess-ment of forest management taking place within the limits of the LFAs. In line with the effort made to achieve the above goals, this article details selected problems encountered with the delimitation of forest boundaries and areas, as these are exemplified by the Polish LFAs of the Białowieża, Bolimów, Borki, Knyszyn, Kampinos, Noteć, Romincka, Tuchola, Łuków and Chojnów Forests. Figures for overall area and area of forest were indeed obtained and are presented here for the selected examples of LFAs, which are also augmented by the so-called Dobrzejewice and Lubniewice Forests not distinguished in this way before now.

scholarly journals The Fountain of Youth: A tale of parabiosis, stem cells, and rejuvenation

Open Medicine ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Conese ◽  
Annalucia Carbone ◽  
Elisa Beccia ◽  
Antonella Angiolillo
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Blood Circulation ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Aged Mouse ◽  
Molecular Signaling ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Stem And Progenitor Cells ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Fountain Of Youth

AbstractTransfusion (or drinking) of blood or of its components has been thought as a rejuvenation method since ancient times. Parabiosis, the procedure of joining two animals so that they share each others blood circulation, has revitalized the concept of blood as a putative drug. Since 2005, a number of papers have reported the anti-ageing effect of heterochronic parabiosis, which is joining an aged mouse to a young partner. The hallmark of aging is the decline of regenerative properties in most tissues, partially attributed to impaired function of stem and progenitor cells. In the parabiosis experiments, it was elegantly shown that factors derived from the young systemic environment are able to activate molecular signaling pathways in hepatic, muscle or neural stem cells of the old parabiont leading to increased tissue regeneration. Eventually, further studies have brought to identify some soluble factors in part responsible for these rejuvenating effects, including the chemokine CCL11, the growth differentiation factor 11, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, and oxytocin. The question about giving whole blood or specific factors in helping rejuvenation is open, as well as the mechanisms of action of these factors, deserving further studies to be translated into the life of (old) human beings.

Advocacy for patients with neuropathic pain

2019 ◽  
pp. 347-360
Author(s):  
Ligia Onofrei ◽  
A. Gordon Smith
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
System Level ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Key Issues

Pain is a nearly universal yet highly individual experience, with broad determinants including genetic factors, mechanism of injury, medical comorbidities, social aspects, and variations in coping styles and belief systems. In this chapter we examine how pain impacts individuals, healthcare providers who care for individuals with pain, and the overall health system with an emphasis on the importance of advocacy at each level. Key issues include the importance of continuing research in developing effective treatments with minimal side effects, improving access to and understanding of complementary and alternative treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, developing continuing medical education programmes that empower physicians in the management of complex pain disorders, developing educational materials for patients that enable them to participate in the prevention and/or treatment of pain disorders, and integrating efforts within and across institutions and at a health system level.

East and West, Past and Present

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57
Author(s):  
Connie Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Human Suffering ◽  
The People ◽  
The World ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
East And West ◽  
The Ancient Chinese ◽  
Peter Drucker ◽  
Chinese Philosophers ◽  
Elton Mayo

This paper explores the sayings and stories of the ancient Chinese philosophers Guanzi, Hanfeizi, Xunzi and Yanzi. Their way of ruling the state and managing the people are analysed and discussed in line with thoughts from the mainstream and modern Western management gurus, such as Warren Bennis, Peter Drucker, Mary Parker Follett, Douglas McGregor, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Elton Mayo, and Jeffrey Pfeffer. Striking similarities call for addressing key issues in human resource management. East and west thinkers across 3000 years are identified. The principles-based ruling and management were found difficult to be taken seriously in ancient times as it is today. However, these principles must be rekindled to protect organisations and the world from mischievous behaviour that has caused much human suffering.

scholarly journals Some Social Attitudes to Personality with Implications for Psychotherapy

1966 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 492-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Relationship ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Belief System ◽  
Interpersonal Problems ◽  
Social Attitudes ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Will Power ◽  
The One ◽  
And Control

The patient and the psychiatrist often have different belief systems about personality and its functions. The one held by the patient is derived at least in part, from the values and attitudes toward people of a business-dominated society. Examples of several attitudes are discussed. First, that everyone should be able to solve his own personal and interpersonal problems without assistance. This exaggerated and narrow individualism leads to increasing alienation, reluctance to enter therapy and difficulty in the establishment of a therapeutic relationship. Second, the notion that will power is an entity which can influence and control thoughts, feelings and behaviour leads to much useless effort on the part of the patient. Third, emotions are considered inferior to reason and are distrusted, making the psychiatrist's work of helping patients to recognize and accept their feelings much more difficult. Many self-attitudes are derived from commercial values and the view of human beings as commodities. The belief system derived from business is materialistic, mechanical, limiting and anti-humanistic. The belief system held by the psychiatrist is humanistic and oriented toward a full-valued, integrated individual. These opposing systems may interfere with communication and hence with therapy. The psychiatrist is not always free from the harmful assumptions held by the patient.

Dialogue Beyond Belief: The Role of Participation in Religious Practices as the Meeting Point for Muslim Christian Encounter

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Azdajic
Keyword(s):  
Belief Systems ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Normative Beliefs ◽  
Sociological Approach ◽  
Natural Context ◽  
Islam And Christianity ◽  
Actual Participation

In spite of a commendable proliferation of Muslim-Christian initiatives in recent years, progress has been slow. Islam and Christianity are essentially two rival belief systems each claiming doctrinal and theological superiority. Any serious dialogue that goes deeper into these issues and attempts to discover new hermeneutical bridges inevitably reaches its explanatory limit. In this article, I argue that there may perhaps be new ways to overcome this historic standstill. Borrowing from insights gained from a sociological approach to the study of religion, it becomes evident that it is necessary to distinguish between religion as a set of normative beliefs and the concrete implementation of those beliefs through religious practices. The application of theory into authentic forms of embodied religiosity is the responsibility of believers themselves. They concretize the normative prescriptions through a contextualized, local interpretation that is both pragmatic and meaningful in order to make sense of their everyday lives. To understand religion intellectually, it is necessary to consider its fundamental anthropological dimension. Hence, the study of religion must ultimately include the study of human beings in their natural context and from their point of view. Moreover, I provide evidence that true insight is contingent upon actual participation in the religious practices themselves. Building on this argument, this article suggests that Muslim-Christian relations would significantly benefit from including shared participation in sacred religious performances as part of the strategy for a successful encounter.

Nursing: a spiritual perspective

1997 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 496-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Long
Keyword(s):  
Belief Systems ◽  
Spiritual Healing ◽  
Holistic Care ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Healthy Communities ◽  
Unconditional Positive Regard ◽  
Global Nature ◽  
The Right ◽  
Human Spirituality

This article explores and examines the fundamental need for nurses to include the promotion of the spiritual dimension of the health of human beings as well as the physical, mental and social facets if they truly wish to engage in holistic care. The author attempts to define the phenomenon of spirituality, aware of the dilemma that many individuals face when thinking and reflecting on this very personal and intangible issue. To be spiritual is to become fully human, the article argues, and the reverse is also true. Spirituality in health is inextricable in each person’s search for the discovery of the truth about self and the meaning and purpose of life. Healthy communities are the product of healthy individuals who sow spiritual seeds such as unconditional positive regard, acceptance, respect and dignity for the benefit and advancement of individuals and humankind as a whole. The global nature of the phenomenon of spirituality is also shown by using examples of people who demonstrate compassion and communion with other human beings, in other countries in times of suffering, war and disaster. Compassion and empathy is expressed and experienced for victims of earthquakes that happen miles from home and far removed from personal or religious beliefs. Yet at such times we are all connected in the tapestry of life by our own human spirituality and earthiness. Abstract themes like compassion and justice are treated in the text within the context of spirituality. The author argues that being just and fair means that all patients have the right to achieve spiritual healing regardless of their belief systems, culture or creed. The works of some spiritual philosophers are used to reflect on this integral aspect of human caregiving. Historical symbols of spirituality are examined. The need for nurses to explore and reflect on the paradoxical concepts involved in their own spirituality is highlighted. Nurses are the essential providers of care and, therefore, the paper argues, guardians of that essential humanity that ensures that patients never become less than full human beings, whatever their condition, faith, culture or belief, or whoever they may be. The author contends that this responsibility is uniquely essential to being a nurse.

The Tecolotl and the Chiquatli: Omens of Death and Transspecies Dialogues in the Aztec World

Ethnohistory ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-479
Author(s):  
León García Garagarza
Keyword(s):  
Sixteenth Century ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Contact Period ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Linguistic Context ◽  
Public Spheres ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Ancient Times

Abstract This essay examines some instances of interspecific dialogues between owls and human beings recorded in Nahuatl-language sources from the sixteenth century. Since ancient times, owls have been considered omens of death in Mexico. This article analyzes the cultural and linguistic context of this belief among the contact-period Nahuas: the import of tetzahuitl (omens) in the animistic worldview of the Aztecs, as well as the characteristic semantic pair in tecolotl, in chiquatli (“the owl, the barn owl”) to signify the lethal activities of the most representative messengers of the Lords of Death and Destiny, Mictlantecuhtli and Tezcatlipoca. Moreover, the essay shows how the ancient Nahuas considered the intelligibility of animal languages and engaged in active dialogues with the animal representatives of the gods, a form of communication that encompassed both the private and public spheres, as in these dialogues matters of disease, pollution, and warfare came into consideration.

scholarly journals A Study of Autobiographies: Confessions, Facts, Fiction and Hypothesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-461
Author(s):  
Mohammed Osman Abdul Wahab ◽  
Nisar Ahmad Koka ◽  
Mohammed Nurul Islam
Keyword(s):  
World Literature ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Movie Stars ◽  
The World ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Ancient Times

Since ancient times, man has attempted to express his inner feelings, covetousness and inclination to the world through various mediums e.g. poetry, drama, story, etc. Literature is one of the outcomes of the man’s efforts to reveal his aspirations to the world. Literature has avalanche of the widespread genre which is always subject to precisely apprehend and assimilate. Biography and autobiography are the two different genres of literature. The life of an individual is full of sweet and bitter experiences. There are incidences in an individual’s life which he or she never wants to share with anybody. Politicians, Rulers, Socialites, Movie Stars and other public personalities are also normal human beings. They too have their personal share of problems in their lives and in an attempt to resolve those issues they sometimes commit mistakes and even crimes which they never want anyone to know. Sometimes they commit these mistakes, misdemeanours, felonies or crimes because of their lustful desires or inclinations.  The present paper is a result of interest and curiosity to know if individuals share such information in their autobiographies.

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