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Winter in climatic regions with low temperatures is a challenge for overwintering insects. They are exposed to temperature extremes, which directly cause mortality or lead to energy depletion. The winter hibernaculum of paper wasp gynes protects from predators and rain, but only poorly from ambient temperature. In order to detect physiological adaptations to differing climates, we compared the respiratory metabolism of overwintering gynes of two polistine species from the Mediterranean climate in Italy (Polistes dominula and Polistes gallicus), and of one species from the temperate climate in Austria (Polistes dominula). The wasps' CO2 emission was measured with stop‐flow respirometry in a temperature range from 2.5 to 20 °C. The mass‐specific standard (resting) metabolic rate, the main type of metabolism of the dormant insects during overwintering, increased exponentially with ambient temperature but was suppressed in comparison to individuals measured in the summer, which conserves the energy stores. In addition, it was lower in the Mediterranean species (P. dominula and P. gallicus) in comparison to the temperate species (P. dominula), especially at higher temperatures. The active metabolic rate was suppressed to a similar amount. The suppressed metabolism of the overwintering Mediterranean gynes could be an adaptation to the higher winter temperatures to prevent a premature depletion of the energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an empirical study of what solidarity in a Western European healthcare system means today. Drawing upon empirical research on the 2015 refugee cohort's health needs and their health‐seeking behaviour, it unites claims from the literature on solidarity in the fields of migration and healthcare. I argue that the Austrian healthcare system not only is an example of 'civic solidarity' in the form of institutionalised obligations to citizens but that it also enacts political forms of solidarity and produces political inclusion for marginalised groups such as refugees. My findings show that being entitled to and accessing services in the healthcare system holds meaning beyond the provision of care: It enables to act autonomously, to build familiar relationships with Austrian institutions, inclusion via the personal electronic health card and to support others in the same solidaristic system. These insights can be used to raise awareness about the inclusional function of healthcare services among practitioners. They also show how solidarity‐based healthcare systems can be a motor for shaping positive relationships between immigrants and the host country, and point to additional modes of solidarity in the context of forced migration next to civil society and nonstate support structures. This paper builds upon ethnographic data that were collected between 2018 and 2020 in Vienna, Austria (observational notes before, during and after medical consultations with refugees; interviews with them; interviews with healthcare practitioners and other care providers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the role of municipal and provincial public social spending for local income inequality after taxes and transfers in Austria. We utilize a spatial multi‐level model, which allows us to analyze the contribution of three spatial scales (municipal, district, and provincial level) to municipal income inequality. Our analysis shows that the effect of public social spending on local Gini indices does not only differ across provinces but also across municipalities which indicates that the potential cushioning effect of social expenditure is highly localized. Further splitting total public social expenditure into three distinct categories (education, health, social protection) reveals that spending on social protection has the highest effect on local inequality across all provinces, while health spending does not exert a discernible influence in any province. The method and results presented in this paper are of international interest for policymakers and researchers who aim to investigate whether the same patterns hold true in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

That parties fulfil their pre‐election pledges once they are in government is a fundamental idea of many democracy models. This paper addresses the question of whether the government/opposition status of their party affects how much citizens want governments to fulfil their promises. We hypothesize that interest‐driven, rational voters are more likely to prefer their own party to keep its promises and investigate whether this rationale is impacted by public opinion and expert views. The analysis is based on a survey experiment conducted in Australia and Austria. It finds that voters broadly adhere to the democratic principle of expecting pledge fulfilment but, at the same time, some take a rational approach to government promises. The opinions of the public and experts mitigate but do not change this effect. Another key finding is the significant difference in the preference for promise keeping versus promise breaking between government and opposition voters in the Austrian case, the country with the more heterogeneous and polarized political system. This paper contributes to the literature on voters' attitudes on democracy and pledge fulfilment by showing that voters are normatively driven but a significant number of voters deviate and instead follow the rational voter logic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide novel findings regarding the distributional effects of the global financial and economic crisis and how redistribution operated during this time, using detailed data for Austria. We construct distributional national accounts for the period 2004–2016 by combining survey data, tabulated tax data, and detailed national accounts data. The comprehensive data set allows us to analyze the distribution of macroeconomic income growth across the income distribution and to explore the evolution of income inequality over time. Our results suggest that as the distribution of growth changed over time, this had considerable repercussions for inequality, which started to decline at the very beginning of the economic and financial crisis, but increased again after 2012. We find that capital income largely determined both the level and the dynamics of income inequality. Government spending was found to play a key role for redistributive effects across the income distribution. In particular, in‐kind transfers redistributed pre‐tax income to a large extent. Our results show further that individuals with lower educational levels and younger individuals faced negative growth in pre‐tax income over the years and also benefited considerably from redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on Eurographics conference held from Monday 4th to Friday 8th September, 2006 at Vienna, Austria is presented. Several social events, a chamber orchestra, live classical music with a touch of Viennese culture marked the opening session. Other events included animation shows, presentation of papers by the members of International Programme Committee, industry talks and games competition. Photographs of the event, sponsored by Nokia, ATI, SONY and others is also presented.

The euro crisis has sparked changes in the EU's economic governance framework and a crisis of legitimacy across the union. While the institutional repercussions of the crisis have been studied before, the democratic impact at the national level has received much less attention. This paper aims to fill this gap, focusing on the procedural changes that the EU's new economic governance (NEG) framework has brought to national budgetary decision‐making. Building upon the Varieties of Democracy framework, the paper adds empirical nuance and conceptual clarity to the notion of 'throughput legitimacy' and its components: openness, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. Detailed case studies of post‐crisis Austria, Italy and Portugal show that the NEG improved access to national budgetary decision‐making and enhanced executive scrutiny, while excessive complexity remains the Achilles' heel of EU fiscal rules. We submit that these procedural changes are too meaningful to be overlooked in post‐crisis debates about EU democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights the Sixth International Congress of Plant Protection held in Vienna, Austria in September 1967. Participants and papers submitted in the congress; Papers on the practical use of herbicides; Other papers on weed control.

Flood risk management (FRM) is facing various challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity losses. Traditional structural FRM measures are now not always feasible as responses to these challenges. One answer might be the use of policy experiments to promote innovation. This paper aims to assess and to explain why innovations in FRM are rarely implemented. We analysed seven innovative strategies across Austria that combine several different approaches. Each is concerned with risk reduction systems designed to save space, time and possible rising costs. The research used 76 qualitative standardised semi‐structured interviews with key FRM experts conducted between 2012 and 2021 in order to examine transition pathways through time. The results show that there exist numerous drivers and barriers to debating, designing and implementing FRM innovations. The capture of transition pathways nevertheless shows the system shift from a more traditional understanding towards a transformative path, which created new understandings of the role of the different actors in FRM as well as new institutional settings. However, these policy experiments were still led by the relevant public administrations as they are the main funders, the principal actors in the planning and implementation phases in the realisation of many of these innovations. Flood risk management (FRM) is facing various challenges, such as climate change or biodiversity losses. One answer might be the use of policy experiments to promote innovation. This paper aims to assess and to explain why innovations in FRM are rarely implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented innovative steel‐concrete‐steel composite (SCSC) plate is being researched at TU Wien, Institute of Structural Engineering, Research Unit Steel Structures. The research aim is to use the SCSC plate for single‐track short‐span railway bridges in Austria. The SCSC plate is projected to be a load‐bearing structure in transverse direction, transferring the loads to the main steel girders of the cross section. Based on finite element analyses using ABAQUS, the complex load‐bearing behaviour of the SCSC plate will be described in this paper. In addition, an engineering model will be presented to reproduce the ABAQUS calculation results. With a spring framework model it is possible to consider cyclic loading and inelastic slip. This yields an increase of the global vertical displacements, which are discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populist radical right‐wing parties (PRRPs) in Western Europe have almost without exception shifted their position on distributive issues, abandoning their earlier support for a minimal welfare state in favor of higher social spending. Recent studies suggest that PRRPs' distributive preferences go beyond the clash between simply expanding or retrenching welfare; instead, they defend a specific welfare state that focuses on consumption policies for the "deserving." Drawing on this literature and the welfare paradigm literature, this paper suggests that PRRPs are not only welfare chauvinist but that they promote what we call a "dualistic" welfare state: protectionism for the "deserving" and neoliberal for the "undeserving." To unpack PRRPs' welfare attitude and verify their influence on welfare reforms, this study focuses on two cases in which a PRRP cooperated with governing parties: Denmark (2009–2011) and Austria (2017–2019). The study confirms that PRRPs pursued a coherent but dual approach to welfare state distribution. Policy negotiations show that PRRPs successfully pursue austerity and workfare measures for social policies targeting the "undeserving," while preserving and expanding consumption policies for the "deserving." This paper thus contributes to the research on PRRPs' welfare attitudes and, more broadly, the recent welfare transformations in Western Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: Some parents with learning difficulties are supported by child welfare in raising their child. Many mothers and fathers with learning difficulties have their child removed.This paper is the first published research about being a mother and being father with learning difficulties in Austria. There is not enough good quality support for parents with learning difficulties in Austria.We interviewed six mothers and five fathers with learning difficulties and asked them about who supports them and how. We also asked them what it means to them to be a mother or a father.Most parents said that they get the wrong support and are being checked on by child welfare. One mother said that she gets very helpful support.Being a mother with learning difficulties is different to being a father with learning difficulties. Mothers who have lived with their child feel that they are the main caregivers, but fathers sometimes feel excluded from their child's life. Background: Many parents with learning difficulties face high rates of child welfare intervention and child removal. In contrast to other high‐income countries, there has not been any published research on the lives of mothers and fathers with learning difficulties from an Austrian perspective. After presenting an insight into the international literature and the Austrian context, original empirical findings relevant to providing professional support for parents with learning difficulties are introduced. Method: As part of a larger qualitative study, ten individual parents with learning difficulties (six mothers and four fathers) were interviewed to gain insight into their experience of motherhood and fatherhood. During the interviews, participants were asked to visualise their social networks through network maps that were then included into analyses. The current paper primarily engages with parents' experience of professional practice based on a hermeneutic analysis of latent and manifest meanings. Findings: The study results reinforce the relevance of social networks, including (a lack of) professional parenting support, and gendered parental self‐understandings in relation to barriers for parents with learning difficulties in Austria. Parents often experienced surveillance from child welfare professionals and referred to "being checked on" as well as receiving "the wrong support". Only one study participant experienced the (flexible and self‐determined) support provided to her family as helpful. Mothers and fathers with learning difficulties face, at times, quite different challenges in the parenting role. The findings highlight a maternal self‐understanding as being primarily responsible for their child, while fathers often felt excluded from their child's life. Conclusions: Support services need to acknowledge the relevance of gendered parenting roles and intersections of multidimensional disadvantages. The parenting support currently available to mothers and fathers with learning difficulties (if available at all) needs radical improvement and nationwide support structures need to be installed in collaboration with families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the early incorporation of reinforced concrete in the architecture of Historicism in Austria–Hungary. Spanning the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the research illuminates the period's stylistic pluralism and the transformative impact of reinforced concrete. The paper examines the integration of reinforced concrete into traditional forms, providing detailed case studies and architectural examples. It navigates through various aspects, including the evolution of reinforced concrete during the historicist period, its adoption in notable structures, and its documentation in contemporary literature. Case studies, such as the Lutheran Church in Battyánd (now Puconci, Slovenia), the Roman Catholic Church in Topolya (now Bačka Topola, Serbia), and the former Synagogue in Český Krumlov, Czechia, showcase the innovative ways reinforced concrete addressed structural challenges while adhering to historicist aesthetics. The research concludes by reflecting on the transformative role of reinforced concrete in challenging the conventions of Historicism, paving the way for modern architectural expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate policy integration (CPI) is regarded in the literature as key to combatting climate change. It has been critically discussed to what extent climate policy is integrated in different policy fields at the European and the national level. In this paper, we analyze the expectations toward CPI from the perspective of stakeholders focusing on two fields in Austria — energy and land use. We combine CPI approaches with social‐ecological transformation research, which highlights obstacles for CPI, which can be found in the polity, leading to conflicts between different actor groups or institutions. More specifically, we examine, through a process of co‐production of knowledge together with stakeholder groups, how CPI functions in its categories of horizontal and vertical policy integration, cooperation and conflict, reporting, vision, uncertainties, and reflexivity. Results show that policy integration remains contested, alternative visions to economic growth are needed and communication with policy‐makers needs to be improved. Furthermore, reflexive learning is central for the success of CPI. Finally, it matters who has access and who plays a role in governance structures. Co‐production of knowledge can play a crucial role, but faces a challenging tension between being inclusive and losing its transformative capacities. A shift from a narrow focus on policy making to consider the limiting or enabling structural conditions for interaction between a wide variety of stakeholders is required. Instead of reflexive learning how to best accommodate the powerful interest groups, this could increase the space for reflexive and adaptive policy integration aimed at achieving normative climate targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an agent‐based modeling and simulation approach to model the forest fuel supply chain for heating purposes (i.e., heating plants). The paper focuses on the simulation of the processes of timber harvesting by forest enterprises and the competition of heating plants for the limited resource of wood chips. In particular, the work identifies different stakeholders having an adaptive behavior—with respect to the overall market conditions and timber prices. The agent‐based model developed here—called SimFoMa—uses three types of agents—forest enterprises, heating plants, and traders. The agents are interacting in an environment that has rich information on the forests and road network. The SimFoMa model is applied to a test area, the province of Carinthia, Austria. We defined six different simulation scenarios that cover different market situations—from increasing timber prices, volatile market conditions, or decreasing market conditions—and evaluated the harvest patterns, transport distances and the forest itself. The paper utilizes the agent‐based modeling methodology to model the agent's adaptive behavior of the forest fuel supply chain and to model the competition of heating plants for forest fuels. To evaluate this phenomena we mainly analyze transport distances of the simulation runs. For the test area of Carinthia, the experiments show that the behavior of small forest owners influences the supply of forest fuels. Timber prices not meeting the expectations of small forest owners might not motivate them to produce timber and forest fuels. On the long run the overall forest fuel supply does not meet the demand in the test area Carinthia—hence it relies on biomass imports. Furthermore, we witnessed increasing transport distances from harvest site to heating plant. Recommendations for Resource ManagersThe results of the spatial Agent‐based simulation of the forest fuel market with agents competing for the limited resource forest biomass show that transport distances for forest fuels can vary and may increase over time. Hence, the planning of the forest fuels supply and the respective transport distances is crucial to reduce the carbon footprint of the timber for heating purposes.As small forest owners produce timber on a more irregular basis (based on the price in the market), the motivation of small forest owners is crucial for the steady supply of biomass for heating purposes—for the case of Carinthia.In the long run it is not possible to fulfill the demand of biomass for heating purposes for Carinthia, without imports of timber. Again, crucial is the motivation of small forest owners to produce timber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consideration of uncertainties in bridge structural engineering is a growing topic because it provides valuable information on the reliability of bridges in time while addressing life‐cycle aspects. Utilization of nonlinear finite element method (NLFEM) and Monte Carlo (MC) type simulation is essential for modelling of the concrete bridge random behaviour and its reliability assessments. This contribution describes keystones of a complex methodology for statistical, reliability and risk analyses of concrete structures including advanced nonlinear finite element analysis, uncertainty propagation and degradation modelling. It presents virtual simulation used on the way from assessment of experimental results to reliability analysis of a bridge structure, based on randomization of nonlinear fracture mechanics finite element analysis. Keystones of complex methodology are material parameters identification, nonlinear computational modelling, uncertainties propagation, surrogate modelling, degradation modelling, and safety formats. The paper describes methodology and for a routine complex assessment utilizing developed software tools and practical application of the approach for selected case studies of concrete bridges from Austria and the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing risks from natural hazards in alpine regions in Austria OEBB‐Infra and Hoffmann‐Consult have developed a consistent methodology for condition assessment, prediction, and life cycle optimization of protective structures. Based on a thorough assessment of the asset stock standardized life cycles for key structures like rockfall and avalanche protection structures have been derived. The developed life cycle models allow a generalized assessment of asset condition, residual service life, and remaining asset value. In contrast to typical transport assets, protective structures are both subject to natural aging processes and random events with a certain occurrence rate. Beyond standardized life cycles on network level an adjustment to project level is necessary to account for actual condition development and asset specific events. The paper provides an overview on the developed generic life cycle with application to rockfall protection structures with prices 2022 in Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Successful long‐term treatment of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is challenging. We investigated the effects of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation (MIR) and an individualized self‐training program delivered by an app on spasticity in pwMS. Methods: First, we assessed the efficacy of 4‐week MIR in ambulatory pwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale < 7.0) with moderate to severe lower limb spasticity (defined by ≥4 points on the Numeric Rating Scale for spasticity [NRSs]) in a cohort of 115 pwMS at seven rehabilitation centers in Austria. In the case of a clinically relevant improvement in spasticity of ≥20% on the NRSs following MIR (n = 94), pwMS were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the newly designed MS‐Spasticity App or to a paper‐based self‐training program for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was change in NRSs (German Clinical Trials Registry DRKS00023960). Results: MIR led to a significant reduction of 2.0 points on the NRSs (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5–2.0, p < 0.000). MIR was further associated with a statistically significant improvement in spasticity on the Modified Ashworth Scale, strength, and all mobility outcomes. Following MIR, self‐training with the MS‐Spasticity App was associated with a sustained positive effect on the NRSs, whereas paper‐based self‐training led to a worsening in spasticity (median NRSs difference = 1.0, 95% CI = 1.7–0.3, p = 0.009). The MS‐Spasticity App was also associated with a significantly better adherence to self‐training (95% vs. 72% completion rate, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In pwMS, MIR is able to significantly improve lower limb spasticity, strength, and mobility. Following MIR, an individually tailored antispasticity program delivered by an app leads to sustained positive long‐term management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyse the impact of the implementation of a child tax credit in Austria in 2018. We combine microsimulation techniques, labour supply modelling and dynamic general equilibrium modelling to make an ex ante evaluation of the reform, accounting also for behavioural responses of individuals. We show that although the macroeconomic effect of the Austrian reform is expected to be relatively small, accounting for feedback effects on a micro‐level is very important, especially when analysing socioeconomic and policy‐relevant indicators, such as poverty and inequality. When focusing on the distributional implications and the impact on poverty, our analysis highlights that the first‐round effects of the child tax credit substantially underestimate the increase in household income for households with children. Additionally, we find that when accounting for second‐round effects, the loss in tax revenues is partly offset. The estimated self‐financing effect of the reform is estimated to be about 13 per cent. Our results also indicate that part of the associated tax decrease can be potentially captured by the employer, meaning that gross wages are expected to fall slightly. Therefore, in the medium term, some households without children might suffer a small reduction in their disposable income. Overall, our analysis highlights the importance of accounting for second‐round effects when analysing tax reforms ex ante. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particular challenges of current construction sites / Besondere Herausforderungen aktueller Großbaustellen Ch. Anhalt, A. Karlbauer: Tunnelling on the new VDE 8.1 Ebensfeld-Erfurt Railway Line Using the Example of the Eierberge Tunnel / Tunnelbau auf der Neubaustrecke VDE 8.1. Ebensfeld-Erfurt am Beispiel Tunnel Eierberge H. Gamsjäger: Södermalm Tunnel Stockholm - a border walk / Södermalmstunnel Stockholm - ein Grenzgang M. Müller, P. Bargmann: Geological and logistics challengers facing 26 km of TBM tunnelling on the Pinglu Tunnel in China / Geologische und logistische Herausforderungen beim 26 km TMB-Vortrieb des Pinglu Tunnels in China V. Weiß, M. Holzhuber: Stuttgart 21 large scale project - the new Wendlingen-Ulm railway line - partnership based implementation of large-scale projects in a difficult environment / Großprojekt Stuttgart 21 - Neubau strecke Wendlingen Ulm - partnerschaftliche Abwicklung von Groß projekten in einem besonders anspruchsvollen Umfeld Innovation and creativity for project optimisation in tunnel construction / Innovation und Kreativität zur Projektoptimierung im Tunnelbau H. G. Jodl: Tunnel projects need cooperation / Tunnelprojekte brauchen Kooperation M. Eder: Innovative models of contract award - ITA paper / Innovative Vergabemodelle - ITA Papier W. Purrer: Incentive for project optimisation / Anreiz für Projektoptimierung Ch. Sauer: Client's view / Stellungnahme Auftraggeber A. Leitner: Planning engineer's view/ÖBA / Stellungnahme Planer/ÖBA J. Arnold: Contractor's view / Stellungnahme Auftragnehmer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the assignment of scores to research output items, such as articles, books, contributions to conference proceedings, doctoral dissertations, etc., under four distribution criteria: the advancement of pure and applied scientific research, the advancement of innovative problem solving, the dissemination of scientific knowledge, and the coverage of the cost of the research. These scores are to be used in the allocation of research funds to the faculties of a university. The present paper describes the experiments carried out within the framework of the Decision Analysis and Support Project of the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria. It summarizes the vivid discussions triggered by the experiment, and it also presents the results of an additional experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Computer‐based assessment allows for the monitoring of reader behaviour. The identification of patterns in this behaviour can provide insights that may be useful in informing educational interventions. Objectives: Our study aims to explore what different patterns of reading activity exist, and investigates their interpretation and consistency across different task sets (units), countries, and languages. Three patterns were expected: on‐task, exploring and disengaged. Methods: Using log data from the PISA 2012 digital reading assessment (9226 students from seven countries), we conducted hierarchical cluster analyses with typical process indicators of digital reading assessments. We identified different patterns and explored whether they remained consistent across different units. To validate the interpretation of the identified patterns, we examined their relationship to performance and student characteristics (gender, socio‐economic status, print reading skills). Results and Conclusions: The results indicate a small number of transnational clusters, with unit‐specific differences. Cluster interpretation is supported by associations with student characteristics—for example, students with low print reading skills were more likely to show a disengaged pattern than proficient readers. Exploring behaviour tended to be exhibited only once across the three units: It occurred in the first unit for proficient readers and in later units for less skilled readers. Major Takeaways: Behavioural patterns can be identified in digital reading tasks that may prove useful for educational monitoring and intervention. Although task situations are designed to evoke certain behaviours, the interpretation of observed behavioural patterns requires validation based on task requirements, assessment context and relationships to other available information. Lay Description: What is already known about the subject matter?: Students differ in how they read, comprehend and use digital information.Indicators from process data provide insight about how students engage with digital reading tasks. What does this paper add to the subject matter?: Based on multiple process indicators, a small number of clusters indicating different behavioural activity can be distinguished.These clusters can be described as on‐task, passive, hasty, exploring, disengaged, persistent and lost interest.A meaningful interpretation of the clusters must consider the requirements of the underlying tasks. Implications for practice and/or policy: Knowledge of how students engage with digital resources may provide useful feedback for teachers to guide students' learning or intervene when they struggle.Educational monitoring: The high comparability of country‐specific results suggests an invariant set of solution strategies in the digital reading assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study digitalised an assessment instrument of receptive vocabulary knowledge, GraWo‐KiGa, for use in Austrian kindergartens. Using a mixed‐methods approach, this study looks at 85 kindergarteners in their last year (age M = 5.79 years, 51.8% male, 71.8% L1 German), to find out (a) whether the form of digital assessment employed meets the required quality criteria and is comparable to the print version and (b) how instructors and children perceive its practicality and comprehensibility, as well as which version kindergarteners prefer. The results reveal that the digital assessment tool is both reliable (α = 0.85) and valid (convergent validity: r = 0.43; discriminant validity: r = 0.31). Results of the digital and print version were comparable (r = 0.83). Although children found both versions easy to use, most of them reported the digital version to be easier and also preferred. In light of the numerous benefits that digital assessments offer in terms of administration, evaluation, feedback and motivation, the digital version of GraWo‐KiGa has great potential in easing kindergarten teachers' assessment procedures. However, due to the limited availability of digital resources, the print version will remain highly relevant in the future. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Proper assessment is the basis of individualised support.Digital assessment procedures can ease the assessment process and motivate children, even in kindergarten.In German‐speaking countries, digitalisation has barely reached kindergarten.The print version of GraWo‐KiGa reliably and validly assesses receptive vocabulary in kindergarteners in their last year.What this paper adds GraWo‐KiGa digital meets the necessary quality criteria in terms of reliability and validity and is comparable to its print version.GraWo‐KiGa is practical in use for both children and kindergarten teachers.Most kindergarteners preferred the digital version over the print version. Teachers benefit from easy administration and evaluation, quick results, and a pleasant screening procedure for the kids.Implications for practice and/or policy Digital assessment tools in kindergarten have the potential to support kindergarten teachers in their regular assessment processes.In kindergarten, the use of GraWo‐KiGa digital allows children at risk of developing reading comprehension difficulties to be identified quickly and economically.Digital assessments enable rapid and targeted allocation of children to support programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Their pioneering subsidence analysis illuminates the importance of time diachronous salt evacuation and diapirism during the deposition of post-salt carbonate platform and time-equivalent inter-platform deeper water facies units. OUTLOOK The subsidence analysis by Strauss et al. (2020), establishes that salt tectonics are significant in the NCA. In the central NCA proper raft tectonics on an inclined base of Haselgebirge, in combination with lateral salt extrusion and evacuation, may have created half-graben structures - despite possible earlier welds (see also Neubauer et al., 2017). The ground-breaking paper by Strauss et al. (2020), clearly demonstrates that salt tectonics play an even more significant role in the sedimentary and early deformational history of the Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA) than previously thought. [Extracted from the article]

Climate change and the predicted warmer temperatures and more extreme hydrological regimes could affect freshwater ecosystems and their energy pathways. To appreciate the complex spatial and temporal interactions of carbon cycling in flowing waters, ecosystem metabolism (gross primary production [GPP] and ecosystem respiration [ER]) must be resolved at the scale of an entire river network. Here, we propose a meta‐ecosystem framework that couples light and temperature regimes with a reach‐scale ecosystem model and integrates network structure, catchment land cover, and the hydrologic regime. The model simulates the distributed functioning of dissolved and particulate organic carbon, autotrophic biomass, and thus ecosystem metabolism, and reproduces fairly well the metabolic regimes observed in 12 reaches of the Ybbs River network, Austria. Results show that the annual network–scale metabolism was heterotrophic, yet with a clear peak of autotrophy in spring. Autochthonous energy sources contributed 43% of the total ER. We further investigated the effect of altered thermal and hydrologic regimes on metabolism and ecosystem efficiency. We predicted that an increase of 2.5°C in average stream water temperature could boost ER and GPP by 31% (24%–57%) and 28% (5%–57%), respectively. The effect of flashier hydrologic regimes is more complex and depends on autotrophic biomass density. The analysis shows the complex interactions between environmental conditions and biota in shaping stream metabolism and highlights the existing knowledge gaps for reliable predictions of the effects of climate change in these ecosystems. Plain Language Summary: Organic carbon is one of the main source of energy sustaining riverine ecosystems. It can be internally produced by autotrophic organisms, or subsidized from the adjacent terrestrial ecosystem. Understanding the fraction of organic carbon which is metabolized within a stream network rather than exported to downstream ecosystems, and how such fraction is controlled by the thermal and hydrologic regime, is crucial to predict the whole ecosystem function, the ecosystem services it can provide, and the regional (and global) carbon cycling. Through the development of a mathematical model applied to a well‐monitored river network, the paper addresses this fundamental question and attempts to predict how these energetic fluxes might be affected by climate change. Key Points: The framework simulates temporal dynamics of ecosystem metabolism at the stream network scaleThe effect of climate change on network‐scale metabolism and carbon spiraling is investigatedA temperature increase of 2.5 C will boost ecosystem respiration and gross primary production by 31% (24%–57%) and 28% (5%–57%), respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the articles featured in the journal "Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology" (UOG) since 1986. It states that the research on the translabial or transperineal/perineal ultrasound was introduced by Heinz Koelbl of Austria and Gabriel Schaer of Switzerland in 1986. It mentions that a paper which describes the bladder neck appearances before and after the anti-incontinence surgery was first published by Sarah Creighton in 1994.

In order to understand the overall picture, the different technologies for the use of thin‐walled prefabricated elements in bridge construction as well as the first‐time application of them in a bridge project in Austria are described in this paper. Thereafter a newly developed construction method for the on‐site fabrication of lightweight box‐shaped segments from thin‐walled concrete elements, strengthened with steel girders, is explained with the focus lying on the construction of a prototype in a 1:1 scaling. The conceptional design, the manufacturing in a prefabrication plant in Austria and the transport to a construction site are illustrated. Finally, an application example of the new technology is shown based on a design using the incremental launching method. The research confirms the feasibility of the on‐site assembly of segments from thin‐walled prefabricated elements and that this construction method, once minor constructive details will be solved in the ongoing research project, has great potential for a broad application in bridge construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legal context is constitutive for the legitimacy of HRM practices. In this paper, we use an institutional work approach to investigate how a legal mandate requiring employers to state the minimum pay in job advertisements in Austria was translated into a legitimate HRM practice over time. In this process, HR practitioners translated the law into an HRM practice going well beyond the legal requirements. In contrast to merely constraining HRM practice, we find HR practitioners actively engaging with the legal context. In the discursive struggle over a legitimate translation of the law into practice, actors speaking 'for HRM' were mostly HRM consultants and service providers building on an individualist and unitarist frame of reference for employment relations. Our findings contribute to a contextualized understanding of HRM practices by considering the interaction of HR practitioners and legal context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and rationale: Ageism in nursing, particularly regarding oldest‐old adults (age ≥80 years), adversely affects patient safety and care quality. Nurse education can reduce ageist attitudes. Swedish and Austrian nursing students' attitudes towards adults age ≥80 years have not been assessed. Aims: To analyse attitudes towards adults age ≥80 years among nursing students from universities in Sweden and Austria. Design: A prospective cross‐sectional survey including the four‐factor, 26‐item validated Ageing Semantic Differential scale and demographic questions. Methods: A pen‐and‐paper survey was administered to nursing students at the Medical University of Graz, Austria (May–June 2019); an online survey was conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (January–June 2020). Demographic data were analysed descriptively; means and individual item ratings were calculated for each country. Multiple logistic regression was performed for each factor of the instrument: (1) Instrumentality, (2) Autonomy, (3) Acceptability and (4) Integrity. Six independent variables were included in the regression analysis. Results: In total, 136 Austrian and 222 Swedish students responded (88% women). Compared with Austrian students, Swedish students were older and had more positive attitudes about oldest‐old adults. Swedish students' median factor ratings (7‐point scale) were 3.62 (Factor 1), 3.50 (Factor 2), 2.71 (Factor 3) and 3.80 (Factor 4). Austrian students' median ratings were 4.25 (Factor 1), 3.83 (Factor 2), 3.28 (Factor 3) and 4.00 (Factor 4). Regression analyses showed that the variables country, older family member/acquaintance, and age were associated with the different factors. Discussion: Compared with Austrian students, Swedish students' attitudes towards oldest‐old adults were more favourable. We discussed the findings at individual, interpersonal/intergroup and societal/cultural levels and present implications for education and research. Conclusions: Nurse education should address ageism as a multilevel phenomenon, and include the person‐centred care perspective. Further research comparing nursing students' attitudes from different cultures is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst the link between young people's well‐being and the creative arts is strengthening, there is a lack of research which focuses on the roles that artists play to help teachers and parents engage young people in the creative arts. This paper explores the benefits of and barriers to artists working in education in six European countries (England, Iceland, Germany, Greece, Italy and Austria). Using the '5A's model of creativity' and a view of professional development taking place within 'landscapes of practice', the data were analysed in order to explain how creativity is operationalised in the different contexts. Our study highlights the need for policy at a national and transnational level to value the creative arts in order to help teachers cross boundaries and utilise the full potential of the creative arts in schools. Our study also highlights that further research is needed into how artists shape teaching and curriculum and how schools engage parents in the creative arts in order to build an evidence‐base relating to young people's positive mental health that can affect policy at these levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I take a simple game-theoretic view of educational production within universities to frame a discussion of pedagogical power, effort, and influence in Australian higher education. After introducing the stylised game structure, I first compare the role of teachers in Australian universities to that of university teachers elsewhere in the world, in terms of Australian academics' power in pedagogical affairs relative to the power of the higher-education institutions within which they operate. I then review some existing empirical evidence using Australian data that sheds light on the role of both teacher inputs and student inputs in creating educational outcomes, and discuss some new evidence on students' perceptions of teacher influence. The paper concludes with some recommendations for changes to the current system designed to improve student outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The layer of protection analysis (LOPA) is a well‐established and valuable tool to assess process risk in a plant. Due to the complexity of the method, the composition of the team evaluating a safety scenario bears the inherent risk of subjective judgment and may influence the outcome significantly. Factors influencing the results of the analysis are the experience and knowledge of team members, but also national regulations and standards. Thus, LOPA gives a good basis for process safety risks but needs to be accompanied by additional considerations. The aim of this paper is to share experiences of the practical application of LOPA in existing plants and review scenarios of Process Safety Incidents. The comparison of results between five Borealis ammonia plants located in France and Austria has revealed significant differences in approach and result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the role of soil moisture and other controls in runoff generation is important for predicting runoff across scales. This paper aims to identify the degree of non‐linearity of the relationship between event peak runoff and potential controls for different runoff generation mechanisms in a small agricultural catchment. The study is set in the 66 ha Hydrological Open Air Laboratory, Austria, where discharge was measured at the catchment outlet and for 11 sub‐catchments or hillslopes with different runoff generation mechanisms. Peak runoff of 73 events was related to three potential controls: event precipitation, soil moisture and groundwater levels. The results suggest that the hillslopes dominated by ephemeral overland flow exhibit the most non‐linear runoff generation behaviour for its controls; runoff is only generated above a threshold of 95% of the maximum soil moisture. Runoff generation through tile drains and in wetlands is more linear. The largest winter and spring events at the catchment outlet are caused by runoff from hillslopes with shallow flow paths (ephemeral overland flow and tile drainage mechanisms), while the largest summer events are caused by other hillslopes, those with deeper flow paths or with saturation areas throughout the year. Therefore, the response of the entire catchment is a mix of the various mechanisms, and the groundwater contribution makes the response more linear. The implications for hydrological modelling are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is integral part of the Special Issue on "Existing Concrete Structures: Structural Health Monitoring and Testing for condition assessment." It deals with vibration‐based methods (VBMs) for damage localization that approach the problem of structural integrity management through the analysis of the dynamic response of the structure under ambient or forced vibrations. In the last years, these methods received a widespread interest in the structural health monitoring (SHM) community due to the possibility to use them for continuous SHM and real time damage identification. The performance of these methods is commonly verified on numerical models or laboratory specimens that, by their nature, cannot reproduce all the sources of uncertainties found in practice. The availability of data recorded on a real benchmark, the S101 bridge in Austria, enabled the comparison of three well known vibration‐based time‐invariant methods for damage localization, namely, the curvature method, the interpolation error method, and the strain energy method. The bridge, built in the early 1960, is a typical example of a European highway bridge. Responses to ambient vibrations were recorded both in the undamaged and in several different damage scenarios artificially inflicted to the bridge. This paper reports the results of the application of the three mentioned methods of damage localization to this case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a review of testing methods and a classification of strategies and tools in terms of technologies and techniques applied to the monitoring of tunnels. In particular, the topic is contextualized through a brief introduction in Chapter 1, followed by defect taxonomy and degradation mechanisms in Chapters 2 and 3, respectively. Chapters 4 and 5 are related to monitoring strategies and technologies. The former consists of purpose‐based categorization of monitoring policies, while the latter consists of classification of monitoring methods including nondestructive and semidestructive techniques as well as of classification of various types of sensors also based on the physical or chemical quantity measured. General rules of implementation and operation of tunnel monitoring systems are presented taking into account international expert knowledge as well as contemporary practical experience in Austria. Considered issues are related to the fib Model Code 2020 (MC2020) focused on evaluation of structural performance assisted by monitoring and testing. Chapter 6 presents challenges related to the monitoring implementation and operation. Chapter 7 discusses about monitoring characteristics in new tunnel, including data acquisition‐transmission and specific monitoring techniques. Chapter 8 instead treats a particular topic related to considerations related to monitoring characteristics of existing tunnel under investigation. Concluding remarks and references finally close the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a sufficient statistics framework for analyzing the welfare effects of disability insurance (DI). We derive social‐optimality conditions for the two main DI policy parameters: (i) eligibility rules and (ii) benefit levels. Applying this framework to two restrictive DI reforms in Austria, we find that tighter DI eligibility rules triggered higher fiscal cost savings and lower insurance losses. Hence, tighter DI eligibility rules dominate DI benefit reductions in scaling back the Austrian DI system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the perspective of memory studies, this paper analyzes the unique Austrian mechanisms and mentalities regarding its Nazi memory across generations, as reflected in Eva Menasse's Dunkelblum (2021). This novel is another of Menasse's critical observations of Austria's collective silence and distinctive processes of discarding, deforming, and depositing its Nazi history and memory. Exceeding the scope of family history and memory, Dunkelblum portrays how a fictive Austrian city on the country's border with Hungary functions as a witness and participant of the Nazi Holocaust and a potential recorder of the memory. The novel also discloses and analyzes Austria's complex and controversial phases of denial, evasion, and subsequent acknowledgment of its deeds in the Nazi Holocaust. Different from the war generation, a new generation retrieves, preserves, and transmits the local memory through diverse mnemonic techniques and thus explores the collaboration, silence, and agony of its hometown and its nation during the Nazi regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the simulation of inundated areas for a region of 84,000 km2 from estimated flood discharges at a resolution of 2 m. We develop a modeling framework that enables efficient parallel processing of the project region by splitting it into simulation tiles. For each simulation tile, the framework automatically calculates all input data and boundary conditions required for the hydraulic simulation on‐the‐fly. A novel method is proposed that ensures regionally consistent flood peak probabilities. Instead of simulating individual events, the framework simulates effective hydrographs consistent with the flood quantiles by adjusting streamflow at river nodes. The model accounts for local effects from buildings, culverts, levees, and retention basins. The two‐dimensional full shallow water equations are solved by a second‐order accurate scheme for all river reaches in Austria with catchment sizes over 10 km2, totaling 33,380 km. Using graphics processing units (GPUs), a single NVIDIA Titan RTX simulates a period of 3 days for a tile with 50 million wet cells in less than 3 days. We find good agreement between simulated and measured stage–discharge relationships at gauges. The simulated flood hazard maps also compare well with local high‐quality flood maps, achieving critical success index scores of 0.6–0.79. Key Points: Second‐order accurate scheme discretizing the full shallow water equations at a resolution of 2 m for a stream network of 33,880 km lengthStreamflow adjustment for regionally consistent flood peak probabilities and automatic estimation of boundary conditions for arbitrary domain tilingModel accuracy comparable to local models (critical success index scores of 0.6–0.79) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid‐19 crisis has hit SMEs particularly hard. Numerous business models (BM) have been limited or rendered downright impossible due to decreased social contact. SMEs can respond to this exogenous crisis via temporary business model innovation (BMI). This empirical study investigates these temporary BMs using a multiple case study approach based on five SMEs in Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein who within a short period of time applied their core competencies and networks to integrate new BMs, which were in some cases very different from existing ones. These had a positive effect on strategic flexibility, and if desired can also be incorporated into the firm long‐term. The paper contributes to SME crisis management during the Covid‐19 pandemic by pointing out and developing a successful management mechanism that allows to survive a crisis or even improve during this time. Moreover, we contribute to BMI literature by explaining temporary BMI as a new form of BMI. It also makes clear to managers that temporary BMs add value to firms and create new revenue streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social impacts of novel technology can, parallel to environmental and economic consequences, influence its sustainability. By analyzing the case of hydrogen production by advanced alkaline water electrolysis (AEL) from a life cycle perspective, this paper illustrates the social implications of the manufacturing of the electrolyzer and hydrogen production when installed in Germany, Austria, and Spain. This paper complements previous environmental and economic assessments, which selected this set of countries based on their different structures in electricity production. The paper uses a mixed method design to analyze the social impact for the workers along the process chain. Appropriate indicators related to working conditions are selected on the basis of the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The focus on workers is chosen as a first example to test the relatively new Product Social Impact Life Cycle Assessment (PSILCA) database version 2.0. The results of the quantitative assessment are then complemented and compared through an investigation of the underlying raw data and a qualitative literature analysis. Overall, advanced AEL is found to have least social impact along the German process chain, followed by the Spanish and the Austrian. All three process chains show impacts on global upstream processes. In order to reduce social impact and ultimately contribute to Sustainable Development, policymakers and industry need to work together to further improve certain aspects of working conditions in different locations, particularly within global upstream processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looking at accounting reforms in central government, the paper investigates how key actors (senior managers responsible for developing and/or implementing change) account for the related change outcomes subsequent to implementation. Using aggregated data from three countries (the UK, Italy, and Austria), and a mixed‐methods approach, the study investigates which rhetorical strategies are used to construct ex‐post legitimation or delegitimation of the changes, and how these strategies are associated with different perceived outcomes of change. Building on previous literature, possible strategies for ex‐post (de‐)legitimation and outcomes of change are identified. The study finds that radical change (leading to new accounting systems bedding down with accompanying new interpretative schemes) is associated with ex‐post legitimation based on rationalization. In contrast, incremental change (introducing new accounting tools, but not resulting in changed interpretative schemes) is often connected with narratives criticizing (or delegitimating) the change. The study contributes to the scant body of literature focusing on ex‐post legitimation of accounting change. How managers justify change in relation to its outcomes provides useful insights for the current situation when, as a consequence of crisis and austerity, new roles and relevancies for accounting and control systems continue to emerge. It is argued that for change to be substantive, it is not only essential that the actual systems and structures of accounting are adjusted, but it is critical that the way people interpret and make sense of accounting information (and consequently take decisions) is also modified. The particular challenges of achieving this in a period of crisis are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the context of recent moves to develop a shared history of Australia and New Zealand (Australasia), this paper identifies a religious dimension in the re-emerging shared history that is connected with other dimensions of the relationship. Building on this recent work, it uncovers the interconnectedness of Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists and Baptists on opposite sides of the Tasman and finds some strength and consistency in the connections over the last 150 years. Starting with an examination of the denominations' attempts at institutional connection and cooperation, the paper moves onto an analysis of the exchange of personnel and ideas between them. It will also argue that these “religious” links strongly imply the existence of substantial “secular” links at both institutional and grass-roots levels. Finally, other areas for future research into trans-Tasman Christian linkages are briefly proposed and introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While labour geography notes that subsidiaries of multinational companies (MNCs) exploit workers, studies in vocational education show that the international subsidiaries perform education and training. Often, the latter strand of literature relates to cases of MNCs from countries with 'dual' apprenticeships that combine comprehensive vocational education and training (VET) of vocational schools/universities and companies. This is how VET is practiced in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The VET literature also explores how transfer of 'dual' practices from these countries of origin can contribute to skilling employees in the host countries. Starting from these conceptual approaches, this paper takes a different perspective. It asks how training activities of MNCs with headquarters in countries where companies hardly combine their in‐house trainings with vocational schools, perform training activities in Germany where 'dual' apprenticeship is the prevalent institutional environment. Besides 'dual' VET, the study also includes MNCs' 'dually' coordinated training activities with universities. The topic of MNCs' training activities in such complex structured institutional environments has hardly been researched until now. Methodologically, the study is based on case studies and uses qualitative research approaches for the evaluation of interviews. The results illustrate a spectrum of different kinds of training by presenting three case studies and show how they relate to the particular institutional context in Germany. The discussion and conclusion integrate the results in further findings of the study and literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Beton- Und Stahlbetonbau is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Beton- Und Stahlbetonbau is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since digital media such as smartphones, tablets or laptops are available in almost every household in industrialised countries, parents are challenged to integrate them into their everyday family life. To gain more information on parents' mediation of digital media, the relationships between their educational intentions, objectives and their children's use of digital media were investigated in consideration of the children's age. Overall, 150 Austrian parents with children aged one year and a half to six years participated in the study (two groups were formed based on the age of the children: toddlers and preschool children). They filled in a questionnaire on their intentions and rules for their children's use of media. Moreover, the parents provided information concerning their objectives for digital media use and the kind of activities for which their children use interactive digital toys or passive digital media. Results show that parents' intentions of their children's media use is mainly to gain time for household chores or work. Whereas the age of the children does not seem to be of great importance to parents concerning the media regulation, the results for the objectives and activities parents want their children to do with digital media do indeed differ between the two age‐groups. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topicAverage households in industrialised countries are well equipped with digital media technologies.Digital media increasingly become a part of young children's living environment.Parents find it necessary to prevent their children from potential negative effects of digital media use and try to implement rules eg, concerning the time spent with media or content restrictions.What this paper addsParents' intentions for their children's digital media use as well as the rules they apply for the use of digital media do not differ between toddlers and preschool children.Parents' objectives for their children's use of digital media as well as why and for which purpose their children should use interactive digital toys and passive digital media differs between toddlers and preschool children.Implications for practice and/or policySupport is needed for parents on digital media use with toddlers together.Awareness for digital media use in connection to the rules and objectives needs to be created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lower-of-cost-or-market principle implies that assets may be sold above book value, by which hidden reserves are disclosed. To avoid taxation of these hidden reserves, in German-speaking countries companies are allowed to transfer them to a newly purchased asset within a fixed time period. In this paper, the optimal timing of hidden reserves transfers is developed with special attention to the term structure of interest rates and interest rate risk, and using the replicating principle known from the field of finance. The paper presents one model under certainty and, as a generalization of this model, another model under interest rate risk. In both models, the criterion used for decision-making is the value of the right to transfer, which can be interpreted as the initial cost of a replicating/hedging strategy for tax payments saved/incurred. In the model under certainty, the net present value concept is used to derive the value of the right to transfer. The procedure used in the model under interest rate risk is a combination of flexible planning and the no-arbitrage approach common in derivatives pricing. It is shown that the right to transfer hidden reserves with flexible timing is equivalent to an American-style exchange option. In addition, the impact of term-structure volatility on the value of the right to transfer is analyzed. The technique presented in this paper can also be used to solve other timing problems resulting from trade-offs between early and late tax payments/tax benefits. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ÖBB trough bridges with UHPFRC‐composite slab In the railway system of the Austrian Railway Association there are a lot of single span steel bridges with short span (<20 m) and without ballast bed. One of these bridges was the Auenbachbrücke, situated on the railway track Zeltweg–St. Paul in the Lavanttal (Kärnten, Austria), which should be replaced by a modern bridge structure with ballast bed. The main task in the design of the bridge construction was to maintain the existing top of the rails as well as the bottom height of the construction due to flood prevention issues. This task could be solved by using a steel trough bridge with transversal orientated UHPFRC‐composite slab, as shear connection crown dowels were used. In the present paper, the bridge construction is presented and the statically calculation as well as the corresponding testing are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Geomechanik und Tunnelbau is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)