Search Results (225)

The study investigates the contribution of technology (TECH), quantified by Internet penetration, in influencing tourism performance (TP) among the top ten touristic nations in Europe: France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Austria, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Using panel data from 2000–2022, the study includes additional structural controls like environment quality, gross domestic production (GDP) per capita, exchange rate (ER), and safety index (SI). The Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) is employed to capture heterogeneous effects at different levels of TP, and Driscoll–Kraay standard error (DKSE) correction is employed to make the analysis robust against autocorrelation as well as cross-sectional dependence. Spectral–Granger causality tests are also conducted to check short- and long-run dynamics in the relationships. Empirical results are that TECH and SI are important in TP at all quantiles, but with stronger effects for lower-performing countries. Environmental quality (EQ) and GDP per capita (GDPPC) exert increasing impacts at upper quantiles, suggesting their importance in sustaining high-level tourism economies. ER effects are limited and primarily short-term. The findings highlight the need for integrated digital, environmental, and economic policies to achieve sustainable tourism development. The paper contributes to tourism research by providing a comprehensive, frequency-sensitive, and distributional analysis of macroeconomic determinants of tourism in highly developed European tourist destinations. Full article

Milk lactose concentration has been proposed as a noninvasive indicator of metabolic health in dairy cows, particularly during early lactation when metabolic demands are elevated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between milk lactose levels and physiological, biochemical, and behavioral parameters in early-lactation Holstein cows. Twenty-eight clinically healthy cows were divided into two groups: Group 1 (milk lactose < 4.70%, n = 14) and Group 2 (milk lactose ≥ 4.70%, n = 14). Both groups were monitored over a 21-day period using the Brolis HerdLine in-line milk analyzer (Brolis Sensor Technology, Vilnius, Lithuania) and SmaXtec intraruminal boluses (SmaXtec Animal Care Technology^®, Graz, Austria). Parameters including milk yield, milk composition (lactose, fat, protein, and fat-to-protein ratio), blood biomarkers, and behavior were recorded. Cows with higher milk lactose concentrations (≥4.70%) produced significantly more milk (+12.76%) and showed increased water intake (+15.44%), as well as elevated levels of urea (+21.63%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (+22.96%), glucose (+4.75%), magnesium (+8.25%), and iron (+13.41%) compared to cows with lower lactose concentrations (<4.70%). A moderate positive correlation was found between milk lactose and urea levels (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), and low but significant correlations were observed with other indicators. These findings support the use of milk lactose concentration as a practical biomarker for assessing metabolic and physiological status in dairy cows, and highlight the value of integrating real-time monitoring technologies in precision livestock management. Full article

Introduction: The important factor in applying substances for inner ear therapy is the atraumatic execution, as well as effective concentration uniformly distributed in all regions of the cochlea within a reasonable time frame. This study investigates whether an additional cochlear opening (“second-hole technique”) can improve fluid distribution and reduce intracochlear pressure during dye delivery into the cochlear models and human petrous bone. Material and Methods: Three experimental setups were used: an uncoiled scala tympani model, a full-scale 3D-printed cochlear model, and a human petrous bone. In all cases, 1% methylene blue-stained saline was infused using a cochlear catheter (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) through the round window. Intracochlear pressure was measured via fiberoptic pressure sensors inserted through a burr hole (artificial cochlear models) or at the lateral semicircular canal (human petrous bone). A second hole was made on the helicotrema in the inner ear models or at the oval window of the human petrous bone to examine the effect of a second hole on intracochlear pressure and fluid distribution. Dye distribution and intracochlear pressure were measured in 3D artificial models at two flow rates (0.2 and 0.4 mL/h). The intracochlear pressure were measured in the human petrous bone at a fixed rate (0.4 mL/h). Results: The use of a second hole significantly improved dye distribution in 3D models at both flow rates (p < 0.05) and led to earlier saturation-level distribution. Intracochlear pressure remained significantly lower and more stable in models with a second hole (p < 0.05). In human petrous bones, pressure fluctuation was reduced by the second hole, though pressure still increased over time. Conclusions: Using a second-hole technique leads to a faster, uniform level of dye distribution throughout the cochlear models, as well as a lower intracochlear pressure, which can be assumed to be an essential factor for hearing preservation during dye application. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly threatened cancer patients and oncologic care. The rollout of vaccines emerged as a critical milestone, despite the initial lack of evidence regarding their safety and efficacy in this population. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the current evidence on COVID-19 vaccination in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). Methods: PubMed, Livivo, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were systematically reviewed for relevant publications on COVID-19 vaccination in the context of radiation oncology, published by 19 April 2024. The treatment effects were calculated as the proportion of seroconverted individuals. Results: A total of 22 studies published between 2021 and 2024 were included, covering various aspects of vaccination, including safety, tolerability, qualitative and quantitative humoral responses, cellular responses, vaccination efficacy, and booster vaccinations. Notably, patients undergoing RT exhibited a high willingness to receive vaccination. Vaccination was overall well tolerated and safe, with a low incidence of side effects, which were primarily mild. The primary meta-analysis showed a seroconversion proportion of 91% [95% CI: 84–96%] overall, with a somewhat higher proportion of 93% in patients receiving RT alone, compared to 90% in patients receiving either RT or RT combined with chemotherapy. Furthermore, immunization during RT led to a sustained increase in antibody titers, with a notable long-term persistence of IgG. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate excellent safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in patients receiving RT, who also exhibit a high willingness to be vaccinated. The outcomes observed are comparable to those in healthy controls and superior to those seen in patients receiving other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. The vaccination of radiation oncology patients in future pandemics or epidemics is strongly advocated even during active treatment. Full article

Within museum depots, the largest part of all heritage collections is stored. Often, the preservation of highly sensitive objects is an ongoing challenge, as the materials are constantly subjected to and influenced by ever-present environmental factors—above all the surrounding climate and other physicochemical processes. Biological degradation is also a major risk for collections. Fungal infestation poses a particular threat, in many regions increasingly the result of climate change. Models for damage prediction and risk assessment are still underdeveloped and require a more substantial database. Approaching this need, nine museum depots and archives were selected in this study. Two years of monitoring the indoor microclimate with thermohygrometric sensors, investigating fungal abundance and diversity through culture-dependent and -independent (metagenomics) approaches, and the collection of relevant additional information resulted in a vast amount of diverse data. The main fungal genera identified through cultivation were Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria and Epicoccum. The cultivation-independent approach identified Aspergillus, Pyronema, Penicillium, Xenodidymella and Blumeria as the main taxa. Data analyses indicated that key drivers involved in similarities, patterns and differences between the locations were their geographic location, immediate outdoor surroundings and indoor (micro)climatic fluctuations. The study also sheds light on a possible shift in focus when developing strategies for preventing mold growth in collection depots beyond the prevailing path of tightest possible climate control. Full article

Aspergillus terreus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a major cause of aspergillosis. Its clinical significance is heightened by high mortality rates, dissemination, and resistance to amphotericin B, complicating treatment. The present study investigates the distribution of A. terreus in Tyrolean (Austria) soils and explores potential environmental factors influencing its uneven prevalence. Soil samples from the eastern and western parts of Tyrol were analyzed using soil extraction plating, the soil immersion tube method, and A. terreus-specific qPCR. The results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of A. terreus in the eastern region. Soil parameters, including pH, moisture, organic matter, total carbon, and nitrogen, were assessed for potential correlations with fungal distribution. The presence of A. terreus was significantly associated with lower pH, decreased total carbon and nitrogen, and lower soil density. Random sampling across Austria indicated a lower environmental frequency of A. terreus outside of Tyrol. The susceptibility profiles of amphotericin B, posaconazole, isavuconazole, and voriconazole were determined according to EUCAST guidelines, showing that 98.3% of isolates were wild type for amphotericin B, 100% wild type for voriconazole, 100% resistant to posaconazole, and 87.2% resistant to isavuconazole. Full article

This study investigates the use of adaptive cluster sampling (ACS) for estimating bark stripping damage in forests, employing the Hansen–Hurwitz (HH) and Horvitz–Thompson (HT) estimators. Through simulations, we analysed the total, summer, and new bark stripping damage with varying grid sizes and sample sizes in eight full-censused stands in Northern Styria/Austria. The results showed that the HT estimator consistently had lower standard errors (SEs) (variability of the sample mean from the true population mean) than the HH estimator. SEs decreased with increasing grid space for new and summer damages, but increased for total damage up to 35 m, then remained stable. Inclusion probabilities (IP) were highest for total damage. ACS showed precision gains, particularly for rare and clustered damages like new damage, but did not achieve the target SE of 10%. Adaptive sampling is most beneficial for monitoring rare and clustered events, though precision remains limited, especially for new damage. The study suggests ACS is suitable for rare damage types (e.g., summer and new bark stripping wounds) but requires further refinement to meet operational precision targets. Future work should focus on integrating adaptive designs with practical field methods, such as fixed-radius plots and refined damage criteria. Full article

After COVID-19 infection, about 30% of people have clinically persisting symptoms, characterized as Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC). One of the most reported symptoms in PCC is cognitive dysfunction, yet there are only a few studies investigating long-term effects on different domains of cognitive function. A total of 107 young adults, university students aged 18–34 years, participated. In total, 68.2% had contracted SARS-CoV-2; 21.9% showed PCC. Three groups were compared: no-C19 (COVID-19-negative controls), C19 (COVID-19-recovered without PCC) and PCC. Attention and executive function were measured with the Vienna Test System (Schuhfried^®, Mödling, Austria). In verbal working memory, the PCC group had a significantly lower performance with a moderate effect. The rate of below-average performance was higher in PCC (56.2%) compared to no-C19 (20.6%) and C19 (15.8%). In divided attention and response inhibition, PCC also showed lower performance, 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively, than no-C19 and C19. The co-occurrence of decreased cognitive functions was pronounced in PCC. The present study revealed significant long-lasting cognitive dysfunction in PCC in young adults, two years after COVID-19 infection. Verbal working memory was significantly impaired, and a lower performance was found in divided attention and response inhibition. In addition, there was an increased reaction time in most cognitive tasks, demonstrating cognitive slowing in young people with PCC. Full article

Background/Objectives: The eating window concept has been understudied in children, with no reports from Austria. This study explored meal timing and its association with obesity-related variables in a sample of Viennese schoolchildren. The effect of a healthy intervention on obesity variables according to the daily eating window was assessed. Methods: The EDDY study included 138 third-grade students from three Vienna schools. Baseline meal timing was assessed using self-administered questionnaires, and the daily eating window—the time between the first and last meal—was calculated and categorized into tertiles. Anthropometric and body fat measurements were taken at baseline and after 21 months. Baseline outcomes were compared between children with long (LEW; 3rd tertile) and short (SEW; 1st tertile) eating windows using adjusted linear regression analysis. Longitudinal changes were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures. Results: The median age was 7.9 years, and 26.8% were classified with overweight/obesity. The children’s eating window spanned 11:40 h, from 7:00 to 19:00. More than half (52.2%) reported fasting 1–2 h before bed. Children had four daily meals; 16.4% skipped breakfast, while 51.5% ate it regularly. Meal timing variables did not differ by weight status. Children with a LEW (≥12:05 h) had lower BMI-SDS (−0.66) and fat mass index (−1.06) than those with a SEW (≤11:05 h). No longitudinal changes in BMI-SDS, fat mass index, or waist-to-height ratio were observed across eating window tertiles following the intervention. Conclusions: In a non-representative sample of Viennese children, the eating window ranged from 9:30 to 13:30 h, similar to Austrian adults but differing from other Western European countries. Full article

Recent research underscores the positive effects of nature exposure on health and well-being. Growing evidence also links biodiversity within these environments to enhanced health outcomes, as diverse ecosystems may offer a broader range of multi-sensory stimuli. This experimental field study investigated the effects on psychological and physiological outcomes linked to spending time in a forest compared to an urban environment. Sixty-six healthy participants were randomly assigned to spend 20 min in either a forest environment with alternating tree species richness in the Wienerwald near Vienna, Austria, or an urban environment. Psychological data were collected using validated scales, and saliva cortisol samples were taken before and after the intervention. Findings showed that the forest visit significantly reduced negative emotions, enhanced positive affect, and lowered cortisol levels more effectively than the exposure to the urban environment. However, increased tree diversity within the forest setting did not further amplify these benefits. These results suggest potential mental health and stress reduction benefits of forest exposure in the case of the Wienerwald, supporting the consideration of nature-based interventions in urban public health initiatives. While forest biodiversity appears to have limited additional effects, future research could further investigate its role in nature-based interventions and forest therapy practices. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of adding ethanol to diesel fuel on particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions in the Perkins 854E compression-ignition engine. Tests were carried out under European Stationary Cycle (ESC) conditions using the Horiba Mexa 1230 PM analyzer (HORIBA, Ltd., Kyoto, Japan) for particulate measurement and the AVL CEB II analyzer (AVL, Graz, Austria) for NO_x concentration. The engine under investigation featured direct injection, turbocharging, a common-rail fuel supply system, and complied with the Stage IIIB/Tier 4 emission standard. Two types of fuel were used: conventional diesel fuel (DF) and diesel with a 10% ethanol additive by volume (DFE10). In addition to emissions measurements, key engine performance parameters, such as torque, effective power, and fuel consumption, were analyzed. The ESC test was specifically chosen to isolate the influence of the fuel’s properties by avoiding the effects of changes in combustion control strategies. Due to the lower calorific value of DFE10 compared to DF, a slight increase in fuel consumption was observed under certain operating conditions. Nevertheless, overall engine performance remained largely unchanged. The test results showed that the use of DFE10 led to a significant 44% reduction in particulate matter emissions and a moderate 2.2% decrease in NO_x emissions compared to conventional diesel fuel. These findings highlight the potential of ethanol as a diesel fuel additive to reduce harmful exhaust emissions without negatively affecting the performance of modern diesel engines. Full article

Background/Objectives: The impact of cold temperature on heart failure (HF) decompensations in continental climate zones is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association between daily temperature and the subsequent frequency of HF decompensations in an emergency department (ED) in Eastern Austria. Methods: A systematic retrospective medical chart review of all admissions to the ED of a tertiary care center within 12 months was conducted. Maximal daily temperature and further meteorological data were obtained from the National Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics. Results: Among 32.028 ED admissions, there were 1.248 HF decompensations. Median maximal daily temperature ranged from 4.3 °C in January to 28.7 °C in August, and the frequency of decompensations ranged from 65 in August to 143 in January. Maximal daily temperature correlated negatively with the number of decompensations on the subsequent day (beta = −0.07 [95% confidence interval, −0.09 to −0.05], p < 0.001). The association remained significant in a multivariate linear regression model adjusted for other meteorological parameters (adjusted beta = −0.07 [−0.10 to −0.04], p < 0.001). Moreover, it was present across HF with preserved (n = 375; beta = −0.08 [−0.14 to −0.03], p = 0.004) and reduced (n = 331; beta = −0.08 [−0.13 to −0.02], p = 0.005) ejection fraction, but not with mildly reduced ejection fraction (n = 160; beta = −0.03 [−0.07 to 0.01], p = 0.200). Conclusions: In a European continental climate zone region, lower temperature was associated with a linear increase in subsequent HF decompensations. The sequelae of climate change on HF decompensations may burden healthcare systems in the future and should be systematically investigated in further studies. Full article

Background: Recent global disruptions have exposed the vulnerability of international supply chains, prompting a shift toward regionalization to enhance economic resilience. As a European Union (EU) member, Croatia has an opportunity to strengthen its integration into EU regional value chains (RVCs), fostering economic stability and competitiveness. This study examines Croatia’s integration into EU RVCs and its economic impact. Methods: Using panel data from the UNCTAD–Eora database (2000–2019), this study applies panel data quantile regression (PDQR) to analyse Croatia’s trade relationships with EU Member States. Unlike traditional regression models, PDQR captures variations in trade dynamics across different levels of economic activity, providing a more detailed understanding of Croatia’s trade resilience. Results: The findings show that Croatia’s trade integration strengthens at higher economic quantiles (τ = 0.75–0.85), reflecting its ability to scale exports during economic expansions. Lower quantiles (τ = 0.05–0.25) display stable but less dynamic trade patterns, suggesting a need for targeted policy interventions to enhance supply chain resilience. Strong trade linkages with Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy highlight Croatia’s comparative advantage in high-value trade sectors. Conclusions: Croatia’s integration into EU RVCs supports economic resilience and competitiveness. These findings provide insights for policymakers to optimize trade participation and mitigate vulnerabilities. By demonstrating the benefits of quantile-based trade analysis, this study advances the discourse on regional economic integration. Full article

Background: In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University Dental Clinic Vienna switched from routine medical care to emergency operation mode. The study aims to retrospectively compare the characteristics of pediatric patients’ emergency visits before, during, and after lockdown. Methods: All pediatric emergencies that presented at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry in the period from the 7 January 2020 to the 31 July 2020 were recorded. Patients were subclassified into three groups with regard to their time of presentation (group 1: before lockdown, group 2: during lockdown, group 3: after lockdown). Then, pediatric patients’ purposes for emergency visit, diagnoses, and the treatments practiced were compared. Results: The number of patients was significantly lower during lockdown but increased again afterward. During lockdown, significantly more patients presented with dental pain, the diagnosis “Extraction: tooth not restorable” increased, and extractions were significantly more often the treatment of choice (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The presented study is the first research on pediatric dental emergency visits during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria. The results highlight the negative impact of the pandemic on pediatric dental care as the number of treatments decreased, elective treatments were postponed, and the diagnosis and prognosis of teeth deteriorated. Full article

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) characterized by various clinical symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and extraintestinal manifestations, which negatively affect a patient’s quality of life. Both mainly occur in adolescence and young adulthood and therefore affect women in their sexually active period. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of IBD on female sexuality and attitudes towards contraception. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey study was conducted at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, which included questions on demographics, gynecological patient history, contraceptive choices, and fertility, as well as the Female Sexual Functionality Index (FSFI). Results: A total of 83 female patients with IBD (CD: n = 47, UC: n = 36) and 340 healthy control participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years were investigated. Demographic parameters did not differ between the groups; however, mean FSFI scores were significantly lower in the patient group (p < 0.001). Significantly fewer patients in the IBD group used contraception (p = 0.008). No significant differences regarding conception rates and infertility rates were noted between patients with IBD and control participants (p = 0.533 and p = 0.506, respectively). Conclusions: Female sexuality is significantly impaired in patients with IBD. Women with IBD do not receive sufficient information regarding contraception and should be screened for sexual dysfunction to optimize their quality of life. Full article