@unpublished{Wehner2026, author = {Wehner, Stefanie}, title = {Regional and gendered aspects of migration: Data-exploration from a multi-local field survey in Ghana (Northern, Eastern and Greater Accra Region)}, doi = {10.15475/mitrawa.upa7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-20299}, pages = {25 Seiten}, year = {2026}, abstract = {This study assesses the perception of migrants and migrant households on drivers and structures of translocal mobility and their consequences for livelihoods in Ghana. A bi-local survey was conducted to collect data on households and migrants in the area of origin (AoO) and individuals in the area of destination (AoD). The survey at the AoO was conducted in two research areas (Gushiegu Municipal District in the Northern Region and Fanteakwa District in the Eastern Region). Thesample then covered 75\% migrant households and 25\% non-migrant households, both randomly selected. The collected data provides information on almost 1,000 migrants and 2,000 non-migrants. Since Greater Accra Region was identified as one major destination, this region was selected as an Area of Destination. In Accra, 50 migrants from Eastern and Northern Region each were randomly selected from the previous survey database. The perception of migrant households and migrants themselves on migration was assessed using descriptive statistics. Over 95\% said migration is essential to secure their livelihood and that migration improves the standard of living of the households. The study elucidates the challenges encountered by rural households in agriculture and the strategies implemented to address these issues. The predominant challenges confronting farmers include the escalating costs of agricultural inputs, the prevalence of pests and diseases, and fluctuations in environmental conditions. Moreover, the research highlights robust translocal networks that extend beyond mere financial remittances, encompassing an intangible web of communication, emotions, and aspirations. By traversing spatial and gender dimensions, the study unveils the extensive diversity of migration aspects, demonstrating that migration exerts markedly different impacts on women compared to men and has varying implications for households in the Northern Region versus the Eastern Region. It is evident that female migrants from Northern Ghana constitute the most vulnerable group, grappling with severe food insecurity. In contrast, translocal networks in the Eastern Region facilitate families in leveraging remittances for diversification of their economic base, thereby enhancing their capacity for future development, while those in the Northern region are essential for addressing the existential needs of families.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{CompaoreDabireSanglietal.2025, author = {Compaore, Georges and Dabire, Bonayi Hubert and Sangli, Gabriel and Azianu, Komi Ameko and Minoungou, Abdoul Kader and Zoma, Vincent}, title = {Analysis of the practices, structures and processes of translocal mobility systems in Burkina Faso}, number = {6}, doi = {10.15475/mitrawa.upa6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-15862}, pages = {23 Seiten}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This report presents the results of the project "Migration and Translocality in West Africa (MiTra|WA)" with reference to translocal practices in Burkina Faso. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the study ran from 2022 to 2024. The general objective of the project is to analyse the multiple links between the rural areas of departure and urban reception of migrants as well as the impacts on the development of these localities. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative component consisted of two types of surveys. First, a household survey in the migrants' area of origin (AoO) to identify the migrants' belonging to these households. In the second phase, a telephone survey was conducted among migrants in the destination areas (AoD). Then, the focus was on socio-economic data as well as translocal interactions and network relationships. The qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews with key actors in the different areas of departure and destination of migrants. These include migrants, local administrative officials, leaders of NGOs, associations, community and religious leaders. The results show that migration is a phenomenon experienced by many households in rural areas. There are as many internal migrants as there are international migrants. Of the 537 households surveyed, 405 (75.4\%) have at least one migrant. The age structure of migrants shows a predominantly young structure of migrants (82\% who are under 40 years old). According to gender, migration is strongly male-dominated (82\%). Men are more inclined to international migration (56\%). Female migration is precocious. A large proportion of migrants (41\%) have no level of education and are mostly single (50\%). Translocality, conceptualized in this study as the multifaceted links between the places of departure, transit and residence of migrants, is apprehended through telephone contacts between migrants and their place of origin, in addition to the different forms of mobility: mobility of people, financial resources (remittances), material resources (transfers in kind), intangible resources (ideas, practices, etc.). Exchanges are often bidirectional. Telephone contacts represent 86\% of migrants. Migrants visit the household in the area of origin more frequently (41.8\%) than they receive household members at their destination (33.9\%). More than 66.6\% of migrants transfer remittances to their households in rural areas. With regard to the 4-level translocality intensity indicator (Wehner 2022), it can be concluded that over 50\% of migrants are located at the two highest levels. Hence, translocality is an important feature of rural-urban migration in Burkina Faso.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{KloepfWehner2024, author = {Kl{\"o}pf, Tobias and Wehner, Stefanie}, title = {Vulnerabilities and capacities : dealing with coastal flooding in Ghana´s Volta Region}, number = {2}, address = {Passau}, doi = {10.15475/mitrawa.upa2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-14597}, pages = {14 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Coastal flooding events pose an existential threat to populations around the world, particularly in the Global South. As a result of climate change and other, direct forms of anthropogenic interference, the magnitude and frequency of such floodings is predicted to continuously increase in the near future. Therefore, it is important to understand the vulnerability of affected people to implement appropriate measures. This research presents a case study on coastal flooding and its impact on livelihoods in the Volta Region of Ghana. The paper utilizes a vulnerability framework that focuses on exposure, susceptibility, as well as the capacities to anticipate, cope with, and recover from the effects of natural hazards. Based on a qualitative approach, the study focusses on those households who were directly affected of a severe tidal flood in November 2021, leading to a total destruction of their property. The research was conducted in March, July and August 2022. It revealed that the studied group had low capacity to anticipate and had no contingency plans in case of relocation. Further, we discovered different strategies that people applied to deal with the situation eight months after the flood event. Most households applied (short term) coping strategies to reestablish their former marine-based livelihood systems. Adaption in terms of long-term adjustment of their livelihoods played only a minor role and could be found in form of out-migration in a limited number of households.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{PantaleonOsuna2024, author = {Pantale{\´o}n Osuna, {\´A}lvaro}, title = {Climate change as a driver of migration? A comparative case study in eastern and northern Ghana}, number = {1}, address = {Passau}, doi = {10.15475/mitrawa.upa1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-14585}, pages = {12 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Academic studies and media reports have pointed to climate change as a dominant factor responsible for future mass migrations from and within the Global South. In response to the deterministic nature of their estimates and predictions, this research explores the link that migrants establish between the environmental changes they experience and migration as a climate adaptation strategy. Furthermore, the overlaps between the profile and migratory behavior of those who manifest a greater presence of climate change in their migratory processes and their counterparts are analysed to identify potential unique climate migration patterns and practices. The quantitative analysis of data gathered in the context of the Mitra|WA project in Ghana's Eastern and Northern Regions in 2022 reveals that, while migration is not predominantly propelled by climate change climate, it does not constitute a new form of mobility demarcated from existing migration patterns and practices. This paper provides an opportunity to redirect future research towards the factors that determine the agency of individuals in response to climate hazards and to explore the role of climate change in a set of drivers of migration in a West African setting.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{Rosowski2021, author = {Rosowski, Udo}, title = {{\"U}bersicht {\"u}ber die Arbeitsverh{\"a}ltnisse im {\"o}sterreichischen Kohlebergbau nach dem Berggesetz von 23. Mai 1854}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-9049}, pages = {57 Seiten}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Eine zusammenfassende Darstellung der sozialen Lage der Bergleute im {\"o}sterreichischen Bergbau existiert bisher noch nicht. Mit dieser Arbeit sollen einige Aspekte des Arbeitsverh{\"a}ltnisses der {\"o}sterreichischen Bergleute nach Inkrafttreten des Allgemeinen Berggesetzes beleuchtet werden.}, language = {de} } @unpublished{Lucke2016, author = {Lucke, Robin Jan}, title = {How Securitization Theory Can Benefit from Psychology Findings}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-6216}, pages = {20 Seiten}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Securitization Theory has been applied and advanced continuously since the publication of the seminal work "Security - A New Framework for Analysis" by Buzan et al. in 1998. Various extensions, clarifications and definitions have been added over the years. Ontological and epistemological debates as well as debates about the normativity of the concept have taken place, furthering the approach incrementally and adapting it to new empirical cases. This paper aims at contributing to the improvement of the still useful framework in a more general way by amending it with well-established findings from another discipline: Psychology. The exploratory article will point out what elements of Securitization Theory might benefit most from incorporating insights from Psychology and in which ways they might change our understanding of the phenomenon. Some well-studied phenomena in the field of (Social) Psychology, it is argued here, play an important role for the construction and perception of security threats and the acceptance of the audience to grant the executive branch extraordinary measures to counter these threats: availability heuristic, loss-aversion and social identity theory are central psychological concepts that can help us to better understand how securitization works, and in which situations securitizing moves have great or little chances to reverberate. The empirical cases of the 9/11 and Paris terror attacks will serve to illustrate the potential of this approach, allowing for variances in key factors, among them: (point in) time, system of government and ideological orientation. As a hypotheses-generating pilot study, the paper will conclude by discussing further research possibilities in the field of Securitization.}, subject = {Securitization}, language = {en} } @unpublished{Yakouchyk2018, author = {Yakouchyk, Katsiaryna}, title = {Belarusian State Ideology: A Strategy of Flexible Adaptation}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-6028}, pages = {20 Seiten}, year = {2018}, abstract = {While in some Eastern European countries a wave of colored revolutions challenged existing political orders, Belarus has remained largely untouched by mass protests. In Minsk, the diffusion of democratic ideas leading to the mobilization of population meets a stable authoritarian regime. Nevertheless, the stagnating democratization process cannot be only attributed to the strong authoritarian rule and abuse of power. Indeed, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko still enjoys popularity by a large part of the population. Although international observers report that elections in Belarus have never been free and fair, few commentators doubt that Lukashenko would not have won in democratic elections. This evidence suggests that the regime succeeded in building a strong legitimizing basis, which has not been seriously challenged during the last two decades. This paper explores the authoritarian stability in Belarus by looking at the patterns of state ideology. The government effectively spreads state ideology since the early 2000s. Ideology departments have been created in almost all state institutions. The education sector has been affected by the introduction of the compulsory course "The Fundamentals of Belarusian State Ideology" at all universities, and increasing attention to the patriotic education at schools. Based on document analysis, I trace the creation of "ideological vertical" in Belarus and focuse on the issue of ideology in education and youth policy sectors.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{Ratusny2018, author = {Ratusny, Armin}, title = {Flussterrassen und Hochwasser in Passau und die 'Hohe Kunst' regionaler Geomorphologie und Landschaftsgeschichte, eine Suche nach der Wahrheit oder: Noch eine (gedruckte) Katastrophe im Katastrophenjahr 2013}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-5321}, pages = {26}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Der Beitrag rezensiert den Aufsatz von Dieter Anhuf: Der Naturraum Passaus - Gepr{\"a}gt durch (Hoch-)Wasser und Eis. In: W. Gamerith, D. Anhuf, E. Struck (Hrsg.): Passau und seine Nachbarregionen. Orte, Ereignisse, Verbindungen - ein geographischer Wegweiser. Regensburg 2013, S. 13-24.}, language = {de} } @unpublished{ZwicklbauerSeifertGranitzer2016, author = {Zwicklbauer, Stefan and Seifert, Christin and Granitzer, Michael}, title = {DoSeR - A Knowledge-Base-Agnostic Framework for Entity Disambiguation Using Semantic Embeddings}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-3670}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Entity disambiguation is the task of mapping ambiguous terms in natural-language text to its entities in a knowledge base. It finds its application in the extraction of structured data in RDF (Resource Description Framework) from textual documents, but equally so in facilitating artificial intelligence applications, such as Semantic Search, Reasoning and Question \& Answering. In this work, we propose DoSeR (Disambiguation of Semantic Resources), a (named) entity disambiguation framework that is knowledge-base-agnostic in terms of RDF (e.g. DBpedia) and entity-annotated document knowledge bases (e.g. Wikipedia). Initially, our framework automatically generates semantic entity embeddings given one or multiple knowledge bases. In the following, DoSeR accepts documents with a given set of surface forms as input and collectively links them to an entity in a knowledge base with a graph-based approach. We evaluate DoSeR on seven different data sets against publicly available, state-of-the-art (named) entity disambiguation frameworks. Our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches that make use of RDF knowledge bases and/or entity-annotated document knowledge bases by up to 10\% F1 measure.}, language = {de} } @unpublished{Kreitmeier2012, author = {Kreitmeier, Wolfgang}, title = {Asymptotic optimality of scalar Gersho quantizers}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus-27080}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In his famous paper Gersho stressed that the codecells of optimal quantizers asymptotically make an equal contribution to the distortion of the quantizer. Motivated by this fact, we investigate in this paper quantizers in the scalar case, where each codecell contributes with exactly the same portion to the quantization error. We show that such quantizers of Gersho type - or Gersho quantizers for short - exist for non-atomic scalar distributions. As a main result we prove that Gersho quantizers are asymptotically optimal.}, subject = {Maßtheorie}, language = {en} } @unpublished{KreitmeierLinder2011, author = {Kreitmeier, Wolfgang and Linder, Tamas}, title = {Entropy Density and Mismatch in High-Rate Scalar Quantization with R{\´e}nyi Entropy Constraint}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus-26132}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Properties of scalar quantization with \$r\$th power distortion and constrained R\'enyi entropy of order \$\alpha\in (0,1)\$ are investigated. For an asymptotically (high-rate) optimal sequence of quantizers, the contribution to the R\'enyi entropy due to source values in a fixed interval is identified in terms of the "entropy density" of the quantizer sequence. This extends results related to the well-known point density concept in optimal fixed-rate quantization. A dual of the entropy density result quantifies the distortion contribution of a given interval to the overall distortion. The distortion loss resulting from a mismatch of source densities in the design of an asymptotically optimal sequence of quantizers is also determined. This extends Bucklew's fixed-rate (\$\alpha=0\$) and Gray \emph{et al.}'s variable-rate (\$\alpha=1\$)mismatch results to general values of the entropy order parameter \$\alpha\$}, subject = {Maßtheorie}, language = {de} } @unpublished{KreitmeierLinder2011, author = {Kreitmeier, Wolfgang and Linder, Tamas}, title = {High-Resolution Scalar Quantization with R{\´e}nyi Entropy Constraint}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus-23787}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We consider optimal scalar quantization with \$r\$th power distortion and constrained R\'enyi entropy of order \$\alpha\$. For sources with absolutely continuous distributions the high rate asymptotics of the quantizer distortion has long been known for \$\alpha=0\$ (fixed-rate quantization) and \$\alpha=1\$ (entropy-constrained quantization). These results have recently been extended to quantization with R\'enyi entropy constraint of order \$\alpha \ge r+1\$. Here we consider the more challenging case \$\alpha\in [-\infty,0)\cup (0,1)\$ and for a large class of absolutely continuous source distributions we determine the sharp asymptotics of the optimal quantization distortion. The achievability proof is based on finding (asymptotically) optimal quantizers via the companding approach, and is thus constructive.}, subject = {Maßtheorie}, language = {de} }