Search

Simple Summary: The heat-loving paper wasp Polistes dominula builds small nests in sheltered places in quite differing habitats, providing a favorable microclimate for brood development. Their careful choice of the nesting site enables them to keep the nest and brood temperature above the ambient air temperature. In temperate Austrian (Central European) climates, the cooling efforts of the adult wasps keep the mean comb temperature from exceeding approximately 39 °C, which seems to be a threshold for optimal development. Measurement of the nest and the body temperature of the wasps at typical nesting sites revealed a close relationship with the air temperature at the nests but a suboptimal correlation with climate data from a local standard weather station or model-generated macroclimate data. The comparison emphasizes the importance of microclimate measurements if it is to judge the vulnerability of insects to climate change. The paper wasp Polistes dominula is a thermophilic species originating from the Mediterranean climate, but is now widely spread in Europe. They live in quite differing habitats; and as synanthropic species, they have been established in human settlement areas. They build a single small comb at protected places with a favorable microclimate. We measured the temperature of the wasps, the nests and their environment at typical nesting sides in Austria (Europe) in the temperate climate, in order to reveal relationships between nest and body temperature and the habitats' microclimate. The temperatures of the comb and of the wasps' body were in a wide range (~20–37 °C) above the ambient air temperature at the nest. This is an advantage as higher temperatures accelerate the development speed of the brood. However, the mean comb temperature did not exceed approximately 38.6 °C. This was managed by cooling efforts of the adult wasps. The ambient air temperature near the nest (~1–2 cm) was always clearly elevated above the ambient air temperature at a local standard weather station in the habitat. A comparison with climate-model-generated macroclimate data revealed the necessity of measuring microclimate data for a reliable description of the insects' thermal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: During overwintering diapause, the gynes of paper wasps (Polistes sp.) are mainly dormant in sheltered hibernacles, protecting them against predators and adverse weather conditions but hardly against low temperatures. By measuring the temperature inside hibernacles occupied by species from both Mediterranean (Italian; P. dominula, P. gallicus) and temperate (Austrian; P. dominula) climates (mean hibernacle temperatures: 8.5 °C and 3.2 °C, respectively), we were able to calculate the energetic demand of overwintering. The cumulative energetic costs differed between the populations. Costs were lowest for the P. dominula population from the cooler Austrian winter climate and significantly higher in P. dominula and P. gallicus from the warmer Italian climate. The lower costs of the temperate species were a result of the lower winter temperature and physiological acclimation processes. Energetic calculations with an assumed temperature increase of up to 3 °C due to climate change predict a dramatic increase of up to 40% in overwintering costs in all species. Gynes of paper wasps (Polistes sp.) spend the cold season in sheltered hibernacles. These hibernacles protect against predators and adverse weather conditions but offer only limited protection against low temperatures. During overwintering diapause, wasps live on the energy they store. We investigated the hibernacles' microclimate conditions of species from the Mediterranean (Italy, P. dominula, P. gallicus) and temperate (Austria, P. dominula) climates in order to describe the environmental conditions and calculate the energetic demand of overwintering according to standard metabolic rate functions. The temperatures at the hibernacles differed significantly between the Mediterranean and temperate habitats (average in Austria: 3.2 ± 5.71 °C, in Italy: 8.5 ± 5.29 °C). In both habitats, the hibernacle temperatures showed variance, but the mean hibernacle temperature corresponded closely to the meteorological climate data. Cumulative mass-specific energetic costs over the studied period were the lowest for the temperate P. dominula population compared with both Mediterranean species. The lower costs of the temperate species were a result of the lower hibernacle temperature and acclimation to lower environmental temperatures. Model calculations with an increased mean temperature of up to 3 °C due to climate change indicate a dramatic increase of up to 40% in additional costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of local initiatives and developmental funding programs, interprofessionality is now included in national curricula in the German-speaking countries. Based on the 3P model (presage, process, product), this position paper presents the development of interprofessional education in recent years in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and places it in an international context. Core aspects as legal frameworks, including amendments to occupational regulations as well as the formation of networks and faculty development are basic requirements for interprofessional education. New topics and educational settings take shape in the process of interprofessional education: patient perspectives and teaching formats, such as online courses, become more important or are newly established. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on interprofessional education is explored as well. Among many new interprofessional courses, particularly the implementation of interprofessional training wards in Germany and Switzerland are positive examples of successful interprofessional education. The objective of interprofessional education continues to be the acquisition of interprofessional competencies. The main focus is now centered on evaluating this educational format and testing for the corresponding competencies. In the future, more capacities will be required for interprofessional continuing education and post-graduate education. Structured research programs are essential to ascertain the effects of interprofessional education in the German-speaking countries. In this position paper the GMA committee on interprofessional education encourages further advancement of this topic and expresses the aim to continue cooperating with other networks to strengthen and intensify interprofessional education and collaboration in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) a synthetic, high production volume chemical identified as endocrine disruptor and toxic to reproduction is mainly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, in epoxy resins, polyvinylchloride, thermal papers as color developer, and is present in a wide range of consumer goods such as food packaging materials, storage containers, and cash receipts. Due to its effects on health and legal restrictions, BPA is increasingly replaced by other bisphenols. In this study, BPA and 13 alternatives including BPS, Bisphenol F (BPF), Bisphenol B (BPB), Bisphenol C (BPC), Bisphenol Z (BPZ), Bisphenol M (BPM), Bisphenol P (BPP), Bisphenol AF (BPAF), Bisphenol FL (BPFL), Bisphenol C12 (BPC12), Tetramethylbisphenol A (tmBPA), 4,4-bisphenol (BP-4,4), and p,p-oxybisphenol were analyzed in thermal paper cash receipts (content) and migration studies were carried out in BPA-free labelled reusable plastic drinking bottles using a sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method. The receipts contained almost only BPA and BPS, whereas BPS was found in all samples ranging at levels up to 38 μg/g. BPA was detected at low concentrations, only in one sample 11,000 μg/g were found, exceeding the EU limit of BPA in thermal paper of 0.02% per weight. In leaching solutions from the drinking bottles BPA, BPS and BPF were found at concentrations up to 0.047 μg/L BPA, 0.043 μg/L BPS, and <0.01 μg/L BPF. No other analogues were detected. However, these levels identified are far below the legal limits. In addition, a theoretical exposure assessment was conducted indicating that exposures were within the current regulatory guidelines., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: In August 2018, neratinib – an oral, irreversible pan-HER-tyrosine-kinase inhibitor – was approved by the European Commission for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2 overexpressed/amplified (HER2+) breast cancer who completed trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy within the last year. Despite recent improvements in long-term outcome, there is still an unmet need to further reduce the risk of recurrence, especially in patients with poor response to neoadjuvant treatment. Summary: National and international guidelines included recommendations for using neratinib. Based on the health technology assessment for neratinib, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) in Germany has granted an added benefit for neratinib compared with the standard "watch and wait" strategies. Inclusion in the Reimbursement Code, however, was rejected by the Austrian social insurance companies in July 2020, and neratinib is now in the "No Box" for individual head physician reimbursement. Key Messages: We analysed the value of extended adjuvant therapy with neratinib in early HER2+/HR+ breast cancer based on current data and made recommendations for the evidence-based and economical use of neratinib in Austria. In particular, prognostic factors associated with an increased risk of recurrence following standard therapy are considered. Extended adjuvant therapy should be offered primarily to nodal-positive patients at surgery. For nodal-negative patients, neratinib therapy may be considered in case of large and/or inflammatory primary tumours (T3–4) without pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. For all other patients, neratinib may be considered depending on additional risk factors on an individual basis that should be evaluated by interdisciplinary tumour conferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article emphasizes the crucial role of language proficiency as well as language sensitivity, especially within multilingual classroom environments, underlining the significance of adhering to the Common European Reference of Languages (CEFR) as a means of fostering global cohesion. It underscores the importance of aligning Ukraine' s educational strategies with international standards, particularly emphasizing the value of foreign language education. Furthermore, the paper stresses the necessity for foreign language teachers to acquire adequate didactical and methodological competencies, an awareness for language sensitivity, and intercultural understanding. It describes Austria' s successful implementation of the CEFR in language assessment, illustrating its pivotal role in standardized examinations and its broad international recognition. Specifically, the article outlines the structure of Austria' s Matura exam for foreign languages, which evaluates reading, listening, language in use, and writing, with a mandatory requirement to achieve a B2 level of CEFR proficiency. It suggests that standardized assessment formats, based on CEFR levels, mitigate stigmatization and ensure fairness in evaluation. Consequently, the paper recommends integrating the CEFR into Ukraine' s educational system to foster language proficiency and enhance language sensitivity in multilingual classrooms. It advocates training programs for language teachers on CEFR implementation and assessment, with the aim of fostering European unity through language education. The article suggests incorporating CEFR principles into Ukraine' s educational reform «New Ukrainian School», and underscores the importance of collaboration between Austrian and Ukrainian educators and researchers in achieving this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This paper provides an initial exploration of Ukrainian–Russian bilingualism in the context of the war-affected migration from Ukraine to Austria and Germany. While extensive research exists on various aspects of Ukrainian– Russian bilingualism in relation to Ukraine itself, thus far no studies have been conducted on this bilingualism in the diasporic context, i.e., as a language of the first and subsequential generations with a migrant background in Austria and Germany. Methods: To address this research gap, our paper examines the language attitudes of two respondent groups with a Ukrainian background in the two countries: migrants and refugees who left Ukraine after 2014 and those who left after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. In the framework of a sociolinguistic survey, we describe their current attitudes regarding the use of Ukrainian and Russian, among others, in relation to the actual and intended use of the language(s) in the multilingual context of migration. The survey eliciting information on demographic information, language proficiency, language attitudes and language use was conducted on 406 Ukrainians in two host countries (Austria: n = 103; Germany: n = 306). First, we compared self-rated proficiency in Ukrainian and Russian as well as attitudes and use of these languages. Second, we applied a network modelling analysis to determine the nature of relationships between these variables. Results and discussion: The results indicated that proficiency in Ukrainian and in Russian were the strongest nodes in the model affecting language use and language attitudes toward the respective languages. Our data analysis focused on the pragmatic and symbolic value of Russian and Ukrainian playing a crucial role in the language vitality in multilingual settings. The paper discusses the imbalanced correlation of the symbolic and pragmatic value of Ukrainian and Russian in the diasporic Ukrainian communities. While Ukrainian has gained a higher symbolic status, Russian maintains a better pragmatic one, despite its negative symbolic status. However, we anticipate that the increasing symbolic value of Ukrainian and the diminishing value of Russian will lead to an increase in the use of Ukrainian also in Russian-dominant bilingual groups of Ukrainian migrants and refugees, even as an insider-code in hermetic minority groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the complex relationship between leadership styles, organizational performance, and employee retention across different economic systems. Furthermore, it seeks to illustrate how different leadership approaches impact organizational dynamics within different economic contexts. Employing a mix of case study and qualitative methodologies, the research investigates the multiple organizations in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, utilizing a structured analysis on the collected data. The methodology is designed to capture the nuanced ways in which leadership influences key organizational outcomes, including employee loyalty and organizational efficacy. The findings suggest that transformational leadership universally enhances organizational performance and employee retention, yet the effectiveness of leadership styles is significantly shaped by cultural and economic factors. In conclusion, this research paper indicates that adaptable, context-aware leadership is crucial for navigating the complexities of global economic systems, highlighting the need for leaders to tailor their approaches according to the environment in which it operates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Austria tries to reach its decarbonisation targets by 2050. The significant attention lies in the carbon intensity of transport, with commuting of particular interest. The paper presents E-Commuting practices that are suitable tools to intervene in these journeys; however, it seems to be difficult. Exploring and understanding the commuting system of everyday lives is crucial. It is through this understanding that alternative avenues for intervention arise, for example into the practice of flexible working models. To understand the influence of e-commuting, the questionnaire via WhatsApp of 685 respondents was conducted, which considered an understanding of work and the commute necessary. The aim of the paper was to explore the workers' routines for in-office days and work-from-home days. The results show that the employees want to work remotely full or in hybrid mode and this trend is going forward. The employees are more productive with flexibility mode – 73.08%; they wish more flexibility in terms of returning to the cubicle – 71.79%; they desire the same amount of time of flexibility and going into the cubicle – 70.51%. Finally, in the case of any flexibility in their current organization, they would consider looking for another job that did not require return to the cubicle with the same salary – 53.85%. [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]

Background: While most studies assessing psychotherapy efficacy are randomized-controlled trials conducted in research institutions or short clinical treatments, the understanding of psychotherapy effectiveness under regular, clinically representative conditions, particularly in outpatient practice, remains limited. Representative data examining the effectiveness of psychotherapy under real-world conditions in Austria is lacking. Aims and Methods: This paper introduces a naturalistic observational combined process- and outcome study, implementing a dual-perspective approach through standardised pre- and post-treatment questionnaires and evaluating changes in the therapeutic alliance after each session. Further, semi-structured qualitative interviews aim to illuminate the personal experiences of patients and therapists. The primary objective of the presented study is to discern whether symptoms markedly decrease following therapy. A significant secondary goal is to trace the therapeutic alliance's evolution from both patient and therapist viewpoints, emphasising the alliance-outcome association and gender dynamics within the pairs. This paper discusses the project's feasibility after three years and shares key insights. Discussion: Recruitment for this study has posed substantial challenges due to psychotherapists' concerns regarding data protection, extensive documentation, and philosophical reservations about the study design. Consequently, we recruited fewer participants than initially planned. Despite these hurdles, qualitative data collection has shown notable success. Given psychotherapists' busy schedules and reluctance to participate, more potent external incentives or a legal obligation may be necessary to encourage participation in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging energy transition is particularly described as a move towards a cleaner, lower-carbon system. In the context of the global shift towards sustainable energy sources, this paper reviews the potential and roadmap for hydrogen energy as a crucial component of the clean energy landscape. The primary objective is to present a comprehensive literature overview, illuminating key themes, trends, and research gaps in the scientific discourse concerning hydrogen production and energy policy. This review focuses particularly on specified geographic contexts, with an emphasis on understanding the unique energy policies related to renewable energy in Brazil, Austria, and Germany. Given their distinct social systems and developmental stages, this paper aims to delineate the nuanced approaches these countries adopt in their pursuit of renewable energy and the integration of hydrogen within their energy frameworks. Brazil exhibits vast renewable energy potential, particularly in wind and solar energy sectors, positioning itself for substantial growth in the coming years. Germany showcases a regulatory framework that promotes innovation and technological expansion, reflecting its highly developed social system and commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Austria demonstrates dedication to decarbonization, particularly through the exploration of biomethane for residential heating and cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Experts are a favorite source of information in the news media as they have the ability to provide balanced and authoritative comments on important issues. However, two factors cast doubt on the extent to which such experts can actually provide balanced information: conflicts of interest and areas of expertise. In this paper, we analyze the use of expert voices during the COVID pandemic in two Austrian broadsheet papers. Methods: We examine the use of reporting verbs employed to indicate the journalists' stance towards the expert comments as well as the relationship of those comments to the experts' fields of expertise and to any potential conflicts of interest. Results: Our analysis shows that the media uncritically reported experts that had considerable conflicts of interest, while others were permitted to comment on topics far outside their particular fields. Conclusions: In the absence of journalistic scrutiny, distance, and context, both of these practices are likely to have led audiences to take the experts' comments at face value and therefore to have embraced unbalanced information that amplified official narratives, to the exclusion of alternative voices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: The aim of the paper is to compare the performance of economic researchers in Austria, Romania and the Visegrad 4 (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) using performance indicators of researchers from the Scopus and SciVal databases. In the comparison of countries, Austria is included as a benchmark country, while the other five countries represent the countries of the former Eastern bloc. In the study, the definition of an economic researcher is based on indicators that can be obtained from databases. The study focuses first on the statistical properties of the indicators and then groups' researchers from countries using these indicators. Purpose of the article: Paper pursued two goals. First, by presenting the relationships between the data obtained from the Scopus/SciVal databases, to present the most important key indicators, then to group the researchers with the help of the analyzed indicators, and to compare the publication performance of the chosen countries. A researcher is considered to be an economic researcher in the study whose at least thirty percent of the published articles in the SCImago database are in the subject areas of Business, Management, and Accounting and Economics, Econometrics, and Finance. Methods: Three methods were used to perform the study. First, principal component analysis, multicollinearity analysis with variance inflation factor (VIF), and partial correlation analysis were performed using the correlation matrix. Second, using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) ranking procedure, researchers from each country were ranked using indicators. Finally, the distribution of ninths and tenths of ranked researchers was analyzed for each country. Three data sets were used for the analysis. A representative sample proportional to the population of a country, followed by the principle known in team sports that each country nominates the same number of athletes, and finally a dataset of all selected researchers. Findings & value added: The first most important result can be stated that the stochastic linear relationships that can be described with the three data sets are very similar, the causal relationships are also the same. Based on the principal component analysis, the indicators can be divided into two groups: the component consisting of raw data and the component consisting of reference-based variables. In this case, too, the three datasets resulted in the same groups of variables. Of the eight indicators, two proved to be collinear: all references and the Hirsch index of all publications. A comparison of researchers from countries showed that economic researchers in Austria perform best, and researchers from other countries only follow in each dataset. The results are similar; it is difficult to rank between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Teoria y Realidad Constitucional is the property of Editorial UNED 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.)

Background: A healthy diet is a critical factor in maintaining long-term health. In addition to a health-promoting food environment, the nutrition health literacy (NHL) and food literacy (FL) of the population are important in this context. This paper describes the development and validation of two short instruments to measure the nutrition literacy of the population, used in the Austrian Nutrition Literacy Survey 2021. Methods: An instrument to measure NHL (Nutrition Health Literacy Scale; NHLS) has been adapted and further developed. To measure FL, the Self-perceived Food Literacy Scale by Poelman et al. has been modified and shortened (SPFL-SF). Validation of the instruments was based on data from a web survey conducted in Austria in 2021 with almost 3,000 participants aged 18 years and older. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the factorial validity/dimensionality of the instruments. Additionally, internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, ordinal alpha, and McDonald's omega. Results: Both instruments demonstrate excellent data-model fit. The NHLS also shows excellent internal consistency (α = 0.91), while the SPFL-SF displays a sufficient internal consistency for all (α between 0.70 and 0.89) but one sub-dimension (resisting temptation α = 0.61). Furthermore, the distribution of the items indicates that the measures are understandable and suitable, as evidenced by the absence of missing values in the sample. In addition, the items of both instruments differ in their level of difficulty or agreement. Conclusions: The NHLS and SPFL-SF are reliable and valid instruments for measuring NHL and FL in the general adult population. The brief instruments measuring the different aspects of nutrition literacy can be easily used in nutritional or evaluation studies. Further work is required to investigate other aspects of validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood hazard mapping is currently in a transitional phase involving the use of data and methods that were traditionally in the domain of local studies in a regional or nationwide context. Challenges include the representation of local information such as hydrological particularities and small hydraulic structures, as well as computational and labour costs. This paper proposes a methodology of flood hazard mapping that merges the best of the two worlds (local and regional studies) based on experiences in Austria. The analysis steps include (a) quality control and correction of river network and catchment boundary data; (b) estimation of flood discharge peaks and volumes on the entire river network; (c) creation of a digital elevation model (DEM) that is consistent with all relevant flood information, including riverbed geometry; and (d) simulation of inundation patterns and velocities associated with a consistent flood return period across the entire river network. In each step, automatic methods are combined with manual interventions in order to maximise the efficiency and at the same time ensure estimation accuracy similar to that of local studies. The accuracy of the estimates is evaluated in each step. The study uses flood discharge records from 781 stations to estimate flood hazard patterns of a given return period at a resolution of 2 m over a total stream length of 38 000 km. It is argued that a combined local–regional methodology will advance flood mapping, making it even more useful in nationwide or global contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Person-centred healthcare focuses on placing the beliefs and values of service users at the centre of decision-making and creating the context for practitioners to do this effectively. Measuring the outcomes arising from person-centred practices is complex and challenging and often adopts multiple perspectives and approaches. Few measurement frameworks are grounded in an explicit person-centred theoretical framework. Aims: In the study reported in this paper, the aim was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure the experience of person-centred care by service users (patients)–The Person-centred Practice Inventory-Care (PCPI-C). Methods: Based on the 'person-centred processes' construct of an established Person-centred Practice Framework (PCPF), a service user instrument was developed to complement existing instruments informed by the same theoretical framework–the PCPF. An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used to construct and test the instrument, working with international partners and service users in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Australia and Austria. A three-phase approach was adopted to the development and testing of the PCPI-C: Phase 1 –Item Selection: following an iterative process a list of 20 items were agreed upon by the research team for use in phase 2 of the project; Phase 2 –Instrument Development and Refinement: Development of the PCPI-C was undertaken through two stages. Stage 1 involved three sequential rounds of data collection using focus groups in Scotland, Australia and Northern Ireland; Stage 2 involved distributing the instrument to members of a global community of practice for person-centred practice for review and feedback, as well as refinement and translation through one: one interviews in Austria. Phase 3: Testing Structural Validity of the PCPI-C: A sample of 452 participants participated in this phase of the study. Service users participating in existing cancer research in the UK, Malta, Poland and Portugal, as well as care homes research in Austria completed the draft PCPI-C. Data were collected over a 14month period (January 2021-March 2022). Descriptive and measures of dispersion statistics were generated for all items to help inform subsequent analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using maximum likelihood robust extraction testing of the 5-factor model of the PCPI-C. Results: The testing of the PCPI-C resulted in a final 18 item instrument. The results demonstrate that the PCPI-C is a psychometrically sound instrument, supporting a five-factor model that examines the service user's perspective of what constitutes person-centred care. Conclusion and implications: This new instrument is generic in nature and so can be used to evaluate how person-centredness is perceived by service users in different healthcare contexts and at different levels of an organisation. Thus, it brings a service user perspective to an organisation-wide evaluation framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a practical method that combines low-cost camera systems with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to accomplish a comprehensive but economically feasible underwater survey of large hydropower infrastructures. Typically, inspecting reservoirs entails draining them off to allow for visual inspections, which are time-intensive, pose risks to operators' safety and are associated with generation losses. In this regard, ROVs are a much safer and more efficient alternative to traditional methods. The study was conducted at the Pack reservoir in Austria, where a reference framework was set up using terrestrial laser scanning and checkerboard markings for the above-water components. A ROV equipped with a GoPro camera and lighting system for the underwater recordings has been employed. Via a close-range photogrammetric approach, it was possible to generate 3D point clouds of the submerged infrastructure with a survey-grade accuracy level. Various strategies were explored to perform bundle block adjustment (BBA), among these were strategies where ground control points (GCPs) were used, strategies without the use of GCPs but pre-calibrated initial camera parameters and strategies with a combination of using both GCPs and pre-calibrated camera parameters in the BBA. The deployment of an inspection technique using low-cost sensors that can generate highly detailed three-dimensional models of submerged infrastructure areas is presented and discussed, allowing easy detection and localization for maintenance inspection, all while being cost-effective. The paper strengthens the suggestion of best practices that optimize camera settings, considering the effect of electronic image stabilization, suggesting its avoidance, and using advanced calibration methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry work, which is considered one of the most demanding and dangerous professions in the world, is claiming more and more lives. In a country as small as Austria, more than 50 forestry workers are killed in accidents every year, and the number is increasing rapidly. This serves as a catalyst for us to implement more stringent measures for workplace safety in order to achieve the sustainability objective of SDG 3, which focuses on health and well-being. This study contributes to the analysis of occupational accidents and focuses on two large real-world datasets from both the Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBf) and the Austrian Workers' Compensation Board (AUVA). Decision trees, random forests, and fully connected neural networks are used for the analysis. By exploring different interpretation methods, this study sheds light on the decision-making processes ranging from basic association to causal inference and emphasizes the importance of causal inference in providing actionable insights for accident prevention. This paper contributes to the topic of explainable AI, specifically in its application to occupational safety in forestry. As a result, it introduces novel aspects to decision support systems in this application domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a border river, the Thaya not only separates the Czech and Austrian territories, but also requires joint management. One long-term cross-border problem is pollution by waste-water from the Pernhofen factory, which has flowed from Austria to Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic. This paper traces the resolution of the problem in bilateral relations since the 1960s. The most serious incident occurred in the year 1984, as the pollution caused a massive die-off of the fish stock in Nové Mlýny reservoirs, and the problem required discussion on the political level. In general terms, this paper illustrates the possibilities of environmental diplomacy in the regional agenda during and after the Cold War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the explanatory potential of the social origins theory advanced by L. Salamon and H. Anheier. This examination follows two tracks. The first track is a comparative investigation of the conceptual affinity between the social origins, on one hand, and the theories of welfare regimes and varieties of capitalism, on the other. We argue that the conceptual affinity between these three theories lies in the fact that they explore what could be referred to as vertical and horizontal interactions between state and market. Vertical interactions are based on the legitimate coercion by government authorities, while horizontal relations develop at the initiative of their autonomous members. The social origins approach introduces yet another essential dimension, that of civic self-organization, into the analysis of vertical and horizontal interactions embodied in state/market relationships. Similarity of underlying conceptual foundations might suggest that all three theories would generate similarly strong academic interest in reexamining their analytical tools and applying their approaches to the diversity of new social and economic realities. The literature indicates that both the welfare regimes and varieties of capitalism have generated robust academic discussions, whereas the conceptual and analytical potential of the social origins remains relatively less explored. It has become particularly evident in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which gave rise to a number of studies that apply the frameworks of the welfare regimes and varieties of capitalism to examine cross-country differences in government social welfare policies. However, the social origins theory seems not to have generated comparably rich research testing its explanatory power in the new conditions triggered by the pandemic challenges. To address this gap, the paper follows a second track which investigates pandemic-induced transformations in nonprofit sectors of Germany, Austria, UK and USA – countries representing three "basic" nonprofit regimes immediately corresponding to Esping-Andersen's welfare state typology: welfare partnership, social democratic and liberal. Applying the analytical lens of the social origins approach, we look at how the impact of the pandemic moved the measurable parameters of nonprofit sectors: the scope of the third sector, the volunteer share of the workforce, the extent of nonprofits' engagement in the provision of social services, and the share of government financial support for the sector. We further look at the pandemic-induced changes in the composition of the "tool kit" employed in government-nonprofit cooperation. Thus, testing the explanatory potential of the social origins approach, we observe that responses to pandemic challenges have contributed to a degree of convergence of both liberal and social democratic nonprofit regimes with the welfare partnership pattern. However, path dependency, which is suggested by the regimes' "moorings" embedded in the social origins approach, remains strong enough to explain the observed viability of the core features typical of "basic" nonprofit regimes in times of the pandemic crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, Islamic education and the religiosity of young Muslims have received considerable attention in academic research in German-speaking countries. However, an analysis of the different learning environments of religious education and their respective significance has yet to be carried out so far. Using Austria as an example, this paper explores these different processes of religious education among Muslim adolescents. Based on qualitative guided interviews, the experiences and learning processes in the family, in the mosque, in the school, and online are depicted from the learners' perspective. In this way, this paper assigns Muslim adolescents a constitutive role in the analysis. In this context, we discuss how the understanding of education, pedagogical approaches, and person-centredness differs in the learning environments of Muslim religious education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to study the Wachau Valley in Austria as a representative Cultural Landscape under threat from extreme hydrometeorological hazards linked to climate change. The primary objective is to investigate the impacts and assess the vulnerability associated with the events of heavy rain and flooding. The methodology employed consists of an investigation of recorded past events impacting the Wachau; a vulnerability ranking system; a climate time series analysis based on earth observation products; and future hazard maps at territorial level, developed with outputs from regional and global climate models. The investigation we carried out provides a vulnerability assessment of two terraced areas with a surface of about 10,000 m2 in total, characterized by the presence of dry stone walls, with different state of conservation in the Municipality of Krems (Wachau). In addition, climate projections at territorial level for the extreme climate indices R20mm, R95pTOT, and R×5day—selected for investigating the likelihood of increases/decreases in events of heavy rain and large basin flooding—are provided, with a spatial resolution of ~12 km for the near and far future (2021–2050; 2071–2100) under stabilizing (RCP 4.5) and pessimistic (RCP 8.5) scenarios. The results indicate a general increase for the three indices in the studied areas during the far future under the pessimistic scenario, suggesting a heightened risk of heavy rain and flooding. These findings aim to inform policymakers and decision-makers in their development of strategies for safeguarding cultural heritage. Furthermore, they serve to assist local stakeholders in enhancing their understanding of prioritizing interventions related to preparedness, emergency response, and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crafts sector, traditionally characterized by its adherence to heritage and small-scale familial enterprises, confronts an array of unprecedented challenges stemming from rapid technological advancement, globalization, climate change, and shifting demographics. This article presents a pioneering investigation into the profound and transformative effects of digitalization on the crafts sector, offering novel insights into the future trajectory of this industry. Through an explorative approach, we critically examine and interrogate the social imaginary underpinning the crafts sector, shedding light on the intricate interplay between tradition and innovation. Leveraging an inter- and transdisciplinary framework, our research brings together academics, experts, and practitioners from diverse regions in Italy and Austria to explore the nexus of digitalization and craft futures. We introduce three future scenarios for the crafts sector, each delineating varying degrees of digitalization and their potential implications. Employing a mixed-method approach encompassing expert interviews, a Delphi survey, focus groups, and scenario development, our study offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted landscape of craft futures. Furthermore, through the visualization of these scenarios, we provide a tangible platform for envisioning and engaging with the myriad possibilities that lie ahead. By synthesizing innovative methodologies from future studies and social imaginaries with a specific focus on the crafts sector, our research offers a robust analytical framework for navigating the complex dynamics of digitalization and envisioning transformative futures. This paper not only illuminates the disruptive forces unleashed by digitalization but also provides strategic insights to inform future decision-making processes within the crafts sector and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Raumforschung und Raumordnung is the property of Oekom Verlag GmbH 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 Kemija u Industriji is the property of Croatian Society of Chemical Engineers 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.)

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to compare a degree of beta-convergence between V4 countries and EU28 at national and NUTS 2 level. Methodology/Approach: We will make this comparison separately for each indicator (gross domestic product at current market prices, unemployment rate and disposable income of households.). To evaluate beta-convergence differences at national and regional level, we will compare the data for the V4 countries and for Germany and Austria. To show convergence, we approximated the GDP growth trend in individual countries, using a trend line for three different time periods. Findings: Our results point to persistent disparities between regions. They have confirmed that the cohesion policy in the regions of the V4 countries should promote innovations and investments into less developed and predominantly agricultural regions, complete the necessary backbone infrastructure and develop a high-quality regional education. At regional level, the implementation of high value-added programs may be hampered by institutional factors and a lack of capacity to make the necessary infrastructure or human capital investments. Our analysis showed that differences in regional performance are also accompanied by significant differences in investigated indicators. Research Limitation/Implication: Limitations of the paper are at first missing data for Poland to the year 2013. Second limit of the article are data from regions, because data are related to the palce of residence of its branch. Originality/Value of paper: Paper is full original, also a data analysis does not copy any other articles neither article in a journal nor paper on conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an updated and current picture of the history of research carried out by scholars affiliated with Austrian universities and institutions on late antique caskets found in the territories of the provinces of Noricum and Pannonia. The central figure in this research was Helmut Buschhausen who, notably in his monograph on the subject, collected a large number of casket mounts found particularly in the Pannonian provinces. Starting with Buschhausen's research, this paper focuses on the evolution of studies carried out in Austria on late Roman caskets to define the status quaestionis , also in consideration of the research carried out in this area by Hungarian scholars. The description of an interesting case study concerning the casket mounts found at the Austrian site of Traismauer (Augustianis) allows us to take stock of current studies of late antique caskets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose novel transdisciplinary STEAM practices to enable students and teachers to model architecture using technology. Architectural modelling can foster students' mathematical knowledge and computational thinking while connecting them to other disciplines such as culture and history. Our study focuses on enabling architectural, cultural, and historical diversity in educational practices. Moreover, the study tries to foster participants' modelling skills and innovative technology use as augmented reality and 3D printing. Thus, this paper will describe three case studies from Austria, Libya, and Indonesia and how these STEAM practices were used in different ways to allow participants to express their diversities through modelling diverse architectural constructions cross-culturally. We followed a qualitative data analysis approach for the participants' interviews, questionnaires and artefacts including architectural modelling, disciplines connections and lesson plans. The data analysis resulted in emerging themes emphasizing STEAM practices' possibilities to connect architecture to culture and history and highlighting the participants' cultural diversities in each of the three case studies.

The research study voyage commences with the foundational objective of fitting a suitable Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (GARCH) model to assess market volatility, a fundamental pillar of financial analysis. This research embarks on an ambitious quest to predict and understand stock market volatility within the realms of the DJIA and S&P 500 of USA and ATX index of Austria using different sophisticated GARCH models. The dataset used in this study comprises daily stock market data for two key indices: the S&P 500 Index, representing the USA stock market, and the ATX Index, representing the Austria stock market. Additionally, the DJIA Index, another representative of the USA stock market, was included. The dataset consists of 5967 daily observations over the specified time period from January 3, 2000, to September 21, 2023. The observation of results, analysis and discussion depicts that PARCH model shows most promising results and found suitable to model the volatility patterns of the selected indices. The findings and methodologies presented in this paper can be seen as a solid foundation upon which to build future investigations, refining our ability to anticipate market movements and make informed decisions in an uncertain financial landscape. In closing, this research not only contributes to the body of knowledge in financial econometrics but also underscores the importance of modeling long-term stock market behavior with precision and diligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper represents an evaluation essay regarding the position of Austria- Hungary within the Triple Alliance. Even though it was regarded as a great power, in this essay I argue that the weak link of the Triple Alliance was Austria-Hungary, as a result of its internal problems and strategic position. Austria-Hungary was a multinational empire, weakened by ethnic disputes and economic backwardness, as a result of a conservative style of rule by the Habsburg dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Türkiyat Mecmuasi is the property of Istanbul University, Institute of Turkish Studies 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.)

Religious education in schools was, for a long time, liturgically shaped until liturgical formation was no longer seen as a task of schools but of parish catechesis in many countries. Current approaches try to develop a liturgical didactic that is adapted to the school as a place of learning. Based on the confessional model of religious education in Austria, this paper shows the challenges and significance of liturgical formation in reference to Pope Francis' letter Desiderio Desideravi. In combining perspectives of religious education and liturgical studies, the necessary conditions for liturgical formation to succeed are shown. A didactic of Catholic liturgy that builds on established didactics and strives for liturgical formation on the cutting edge is presented, adapted to the setting of schools and distinct from parish catechesis. One way of responding to the lack of experience is with the help of performative didactics to enable practical experiences that, framed in reflection, form the basis for engagement with the liturgy. Such a liturgical didactic aims at enabling competence in matters of worship, considering all people, if a renewed understanding of liturgy is taken seriously, according to which worship is the celebration of the whole assembly and therefore requires a corresponding participation of all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyse the definition of the new 'buzzword' of Social Business in general, as well as to analyse its contribution to the refugee integration and touch upon their challenges and barriers they encounter. In the past few years, Austria has witnessed a massive increase in the number of asylum-seeking refugees, which has sparked a heated debate about the methods of their integration process. Politicians have proposed several measures, still problems such as social inclusion or effective and targeted integration into the labor market have remained untouched. In order to answer the research questions, this study applies the qualitative method and is based on both primary and secondary data. The data is gathered from 10 interviews of social businesses in the field of refugee integration in Austria. Based upon this finding, it is of the utmost importance that social businesses garner the attention of the government and policies which should support their creation and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Demographic change and the rise of diabetes mellitus are leading to a projected increase in the prevalence of chronic wounds. People suffering from chronic wounds experience significant losses in their health-related quality of life. Health systems struggle to meet the needs of these persons, even in high-income countries. This paper explores wound nurses' perspectives on their professional practice in Austria. They play a key role as they do much of the treatment work, contribute to advancing the field, and enable interprofessional coordination. Their perspectives enable insights into how a health system provides care for elderly and chronically ill people. Methods: We used the Constructivist Grounded Theory framework to analyse transcripts of 14 semi-structured qualitative interviews with nurses who work in different treatment settings. Results: We identified three themes. Firstly, the interviewees characterise working with patients as a balancing act between offering enough support to build a trustful relationship while protecting themselves against the overwhelming situation of caring for a chronically ill person. Secondly, the interviewees compensate for nonexistent care pathways by building informal networks with doctors, which requires delicate relationship work. Thirdly, the study participants must prove their competence in every new professional encounter. Their need for professional autonomy clashes with the traditional doctor-nurse hierarchy. Based on these insights, we propose a grounded theory that conceives of nursing practice in terms of 'acts of negotiations'. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that wound nurses in Austria operate in an institutional environment whose outdated imagination of the nursing role is at odds with the care demands that arise from a growing number of elderly and chronically ill people. We detailed the 'acts of negotiation' nurses deploy to compensate for this situation. We identify areas for policy intervention to strengthen the autonomy of wound nurses, including access to statutory health insurance billing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources (RES) can provide valuable flexibility potential for multiple markets and grid services in the future. In this paper, the focus lies on the development of algorithms for an optimal dispatch and bidding of a RES-based virtual power plant (VPP) by considering current short-term and balancing market conditions in Austria, as well as a proposed redispatch market. Specifically, different pricing and bidding strategies for a redispatch market are compared and their feasibility is analyzed. The attractiveness of different pricing models and remuneration mechanisms for redispatch, as well as the influence of the redispatch call probability on the bidding behavior of the VPP, is investigated. The simulation of the bidding behavior is carried out using linear optimization techniques. The paper describes the algorithms as well as the assumptions for market rules in redispatch, balancing and short-term electricity markets. The results show that the probability to be activated for redispatch and thus the required incentives depend highly on the location of the plant. Pre-curtailment of the plant to offer positive redispatch is not recommended as the prices would need to be set at up to 200–300% of the day-ahead price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruptions in agri-food systems caused by crises, such as the COVID-19-pandemic, reveal the vulnerability of global food supply chains. Such crises might consequently impact consumer perceptions about the relevance of local food production and consumption. In this light, this study aims to (i) identify whether the COVID-19 outbreak led to short-term changes in perceptions about local food consumption and (ii) capture how the role of local agri-food systems is perceived in times of crisis. For the first purpose, this study analyzes two waves of survey data collected from an Austrian sample (n = 351) to compare pre-and post-COVID-19 levels of consumer values, beliefs, and attitudes towards local food. For the second purpose, the paper assesses consumer perceptions about the reliability and resilience of the local agri-food sector in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The results reveal that while consumer perceptions driving local food consumption at an early phase of the pandemic remained stable at large, the perceived relevance of the local agri-food sector attenuated. Consumers showed strong beliefs in the local agriculture as a reliable and trustworthy partner during the pandemic guaranteeing food supply security. Based on these findings, the paper discusses how these insights into consumer perceptions in response to macro-level disruptions might help to better understand short-term demand-side implications of other forms of external crises affecting local food production and supply. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for practitioners and avenues for future research to determine implications from a long-term perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The SARS-CoV2 pandemic as well as the implementation of public health measures to decrease the spread of the virus re-sparked the call for "virtual" health or "distance" treatments. This paper aimed to assess the use of video consultations, the up-to-dateness of practice websites, and the views of GPs on whether eHealth is a positive aspect for the future of their practices in publicly -funded primary healthcare facilities in Austria. Methods: The cross-sectional online questionnaire, part of the PRICOV-19 study, was conducted from December 2020 until July 2021. We randomly recruited 176 GP practices across Austria. Descriptive statistics as well as binary logistic regression models were applied to examine the associations between telemedicine use and practice factors. Results: Compared with before the pandemic (3.8%), 7.6% of publicly funded GP practices have been using video consultations since the pandemic. In line with this, 93.9% of the practices had no increase in video consultation use. Fewer than half (44.3%) had an up-to-date webpage, and 27.8% assumed that the pandemic might have been a positive driver for eHealth in their practices. Positive associations with video consultation use could be found in practices with fewer patients aged 70 years and over than the average and more patients with chronic diseases than the average. Conclusion: The use of video consultations in general practice and the readiness for other telemedicine approaches are both very low in Austria. Austria has to urgently follow the example of countries with a transparent and comprehensive national digital health strategy that includes video consultation. Without a proper payment system, patient inclusion, and support with regard to administrative and organizational aspects, no substantial change will occur in spite of an increase in need due to the pandemic and changes in the patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CEPS Journal is the property of University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education 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.)

News podcasts have emerged as a relevant medium, contributing to the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of information in mass media discourse. This paper presents an analysis of the sociodemographic backgrounds, professional profiles, role perceptions, and values of news podcasters based on an online survey of 195 participants in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The results reveal that news podcasters are predominantly male, middle-aged, and academically educated with no journalistic socialization or journalistic working experience. In terms of self-images and values, news podcasters emphasize the importance of education, information, and entertainment, while rejecting conventional concepts like criticism and control. Overall, they demonstrate a strong orientation towards the needs of their audiences and strive to be responsive to their preferences. Yet, the monetization of content through financing models such as sponsoring or native advertisement is not established on a broad scale. These findings shed light on the unique characteristics of news podcasters and provide insights into their status in a rapidly changing media environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely information about the need to thin forests is vital in forest management to maintain a healthy forest while maximizing income. Currently, very-high-spatial-resolution remote sensing data can provide crucial assistance to experts when evaluating the maturity of thinnings. Nevertheless, this task is still predominantly carried out in the field and demands extensive resources. This paper presents a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to detect the necessity and urgency of carrying out thinnings using only remote sensing data. The approach uses very-high-spatial-resolution RGB and near-infrared orthophotos; a canopy height model (CHM); a digital terrain model (DTM); the slope; and reference data, which, in this case, originate from spruce-dominated forests in the Austrian Alps. After tuning, the model achieves an F1 score of 82.23% on our test data, which indicates that the model is usable in a practical setting. We conclude that DCNNs are capable of detecting the need to carry out thinnings in forests. In contrast, attempts to assess the urgency of the need for thinnings with DCNNs proved to be unsuccessful. However, additional data, such as age or yield class, have the potential to improve the results. Our investigation into the influence of each individual input feature shows that orthophotos appear to contain the most relevant information for detecting the need for thinning. Moreover, we observe a gain in performance when adding the CHM and slope, whereas adding the DTM harms the model's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, several countries have implemented paid parental leave for parents. This paper discusses the correlation between paid parental leave—which in Austria corresponds with receiving childcare benefits—and changing gender role attitudes in different-gender parent couples. It draws on evidence from 42 semi-structured couple interviews (n = 42, 2021–2022) in which couples were asked how they arranged childcare, employment, and household chores and how they reached agreements with employers. The empirical data were first analyzed based on content and then by applying constructivist-informed grounded theory to investigate whether and how gender affected couples' efforts to reconcile childcare, employment, and household chores and how employers responded to parental arrangements that challenged traditional gender role attitudes. Compared to other countries, Austria offers rather generous childcare benefits, including long leave periods. In addition, Austria has introduced a partnership bonus for parents who share childcare benefits 50:50 or 60:40. However, the number of couples who take advantage of these benefits is still low. In the presented research, parents who succeeded in sharing these childcare benefits were interviewed. All interviewees had taken at least five months of paid parental leave. The data were analyzed using a content-oriented approach and by applying informed grounded theory. The results show that a substantial number of fathers continued working in minor employment while receiving childcare benefits, in line with the prevailing assumption among employers that the man is the main family breadwinner. By contrast, mothers had to strongly insist that they could continue working during the early transition to parenthood. However, on an individual level and in specific domains, Austrian parents were able to successfully overcome traditional gender inequalities in reconciling work and family with the support of the newly implemented childcare benefits. The observation that in Austria, the share of fathers who take the income-related form of parental leave is higher than that of fathers who claim other forms of childcare benefits points to the importance of all parents having access to well-compensated parental leave, regardless of their income level before the birth of a child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the procedure of employing novel software tools within a series of participatory workshops designed for measuring and monitoring the resilience of Austria's socioeconomic system based on network analysis and systems research. This study employs the principles of the four-stage adaptive cycle to quantify the perspectives of major stakeholders regarding resilience readiness in Austrian society and to explore the implications. At the FASresearch company in Vienna, 278 representatives from 15 key sectors of Austrian society were asked to estimate the resilience of their respective sectors and identify the key resilience factors for each sector. Results pinpoint the most critical stakeholders and resilience factors, highlight the importance of quality relationships among stakeholders, and indicate that while stakeholders accurately perceive the stages of growth (r), equilibrium (K), and regeneration (α), they tend to underestimate the significance of the final (Ω) stage of the adaptive cycle, characterized by disturbance and collapse of outdated systems. Improved recognition and preparation for each stage may result in the increased resilience of each sector to potential crises in the future. Notably, perspectives regarding resilience in the face of a crisis were gathered prior to the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, in addition to fulfilling an analytic-diagnostic function, resilience monitoring techniques are also intended as an adaptive tool for novel resilience management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper future changes of surface water availability in Austria are investigated. We use an ensemble of downscaled and bias-corrected regional climate model simulations of the EURO-CORDEX initiative under moderate mitigation (RCP4.5) and Paris Agreement (RCP2.6) emission scenarios. The climatic water balance and its components (rainfall, snow melt, glacier melt and atmospheric evaporative demand) are used as indicators of surface water availability, and we focus on different altitudinal classes (lowland, mountainous and high alpine) to depict a variety of processes in complex terrain. Apart from analysing the mean changes of these components, we also pursue a hazard risk approach by estimating future changes in return periods of meteorological drought events of a given magnitude as observed in the reference period. The results show, in general, wetter conditions over the course of the 21st century over Austria on an annual basis compared to the reference period 1981–2010 (e.g. RCP4.5 + 107 mm, RCP2.6 + 63 mm for the period 2071–2100). Considering seasonal differences, winter and spring are getting wetter due to an increase in precipitation and a higher fraction of rainfall as a consequence of rising temperatures. In summer only little changes in the mean of the climatic water balance conditions are visible across the model ensemble (e.g. RCP4.5 ±0 mm, RCP2.6 -2 mm for the period 2071–2100). On the contrary, by analysing changes in return periods of drought events, an increasing risk of moderate and extreme drought events during summer is apparent, a signal emerging within the climate system along with increasing warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was created as a result of the observed instability of external emigration data from Croatian official data in comparison to data from the statistical offices of the European Union (Eurostat) and Germany (DESTATIS). In this study, the author presents a descriptive analysis of alternative data sources (big data), which could be useful for determining emigration flows from Croatia to Austria and Germany, as well as for estimating and forecasting. The second goal of this paper is to show that this approach can be useful for assessing the degree of cultural assimilation/integration of Croatian emigrants using the tools of Google Trends and Facebook Analytics. To estimate the model, linear regression was used to measure the correlation between the number of searches (x) and the number of moves (y) evidenced by the official statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]