Eastern Austria Research Articles

The role of age in Austrians' perceptions of the frequency of use and likeability of lexical Teutonisms and Austriacisms

The article explores whether, and to what extent, there is empirical support for the folk linguistic belief, variously expressed by adult native speakers of German in Eastern Austria, that younger Austrians harbor more sympathetic attitudes toward the German variety and more negative attitudes toward the Austrian variety of the German language. Quantitative data were gathered through a questionnaire asking 115 Austrian participants to rate Austrian Standard German (ASG) and German Standard German (GSG) words in terms of frequency of use and likeability. Analyses of the data led to the conclusion that while between-group comparisons indicate that the older Austrians use and like the ASG words more, and the GSG words less, than their younger compatriots, within-group comparisons reveal that the youngest Austrians prefer the ASG words to the GSG words. By demonstrating that popular judgments about language are less simple than they appear on the surface, the article demonstrates the value of gathering empirical data to test these judgments.

Trade-Off between Foraging Activity and Infestation by Nest Parasites in the Primitively Eusocial BeeHalictus scabiosae

Diurnal activities ofHalictus scabiosaebees and their nest parasites (major bee-flies, cuckoo wasps, ichneumon wasps,Sphecodesbees, and velvet ants) were investigated at a study site with 159 nests in Eastern Austria. Foraging activity correlated with ambient temperature only before midday and decreased in the afternoon. The activity of nest-infesting parasites increased during the day and correlated with ambient temperature. The match factorfmbetween the ratios of the foraging activities ofH. scabiosaeand the ratios of aspects of morning temperature was assessed on three consecutive days with different weather. The activity patterns of halictine bees and their nest parasites differed: the parasites exhibited only small time windows in which their activities were synchronised with those of their hosts. The bees exhibited an anticyclic behaviour and collected food in times of low parasite pressure and decreased foraging activity when parasite pressure increased.

Leaf area of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) from different stands in eastern Austria studied by randomized branch sampling

Few tree size/leaf area correlations have been produced for hardwoods, where the extrapolation from individual branches to the whole tree is less straightforward than in conifers with more regular branching patterns. We used randomized branch sampling to estimate leaf area of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees of different stands, ages and areas in Austria. Cross-sectional areas (CSA) predicted 87–92% of leaf area variation, the best predictor being the sum of branch CSA. Leaf area was somewhat better correlated with CSA at breast height than at the base of the crown, and using sapwood instead of total CSA made little difference. While there was no effect of growth area, a stepwise regression model showed that dominant trees in pole-stage had, for unclear reasons, significantly higher leaf area/CSA relationships. A comparison with regressions produced from smaller beech trees in other parts of Europe suggests that the leaf area/basal area regression is generally valid for beech in central Europe.

Morphology and distribution of the Miocene dinoflagellate cyst operculodinium? Borgerholtense louwye 2001, emend.

The extinct, organic‐walled, proximochorate dinoflagellate cyst Operculodiniuml borgerholtense Louwye 2001 was first described from Miocene shallow‐marine deposits of northern Belgium, and has since been documented from the Miocene of the eastern North Atlantic, North Sea, Austria, Hungary, and Egypt. Conventional and confocal light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to reveal new details of the archeopyle, wall structure, and ornament. The archeopyle is shown to have well‐defined rather than rounded angles, a distinction we consider significant in assigning this species only provisionally to the genus. Operculodiniuml borgerholtense was a euryhaline neritic species highly tolerant of environmental stress, a feature consistent with its morphological variability. Present records indicate a tropical‐subtropical to temperate paleoclimatic distribution. It ranges from the upper Lower Miocene to upper Middle Miocene, and promises to be a useful Stratigraphic marker particularly in neritic settings where adverse paleoenvironmental factors have excluded other species.

Climate as main factor controlling the sequence development of two Pleistocene alluvial fans in the Vienna Basin (eastern Austria) — A numerical modelling approach

Tectonics, climate, base level and source lithology are the main controlling factors on alluvial fan development and evolution. In this study a numerical model approach was used to investigate climate-induced aggradation and degradation cycles, the influence of tectonic subsidence, and the impact of an axial main river on Austria's largest Pleistocene alluvial fan setting, the Mitterndorf Basin, eastern Austria. A simulation time frame of 25 ka was applied. Climatic variations were mainly modelled through variations in sediment supply, whereas the impact of subsidence was modelled through variations in slip rates along faults. Incision and aggradation tendencies of the axial main river were modelled by rising or lowering of the water level. The sequence development and geometry of Mitterndorf Basin's alluvial fans are mainly controlled by Pleistocene climate oscillations. Cold periods generally led to a decrease in vegetation cover and to an increase of periglacial weathering processes which is associated with abundant sediment release and aggradation on fan surface. In contrast, decreasing sediment supply and increasing precipitation during warmer periods led to fan degradation. Our models indicate that the alluvial fan development is primarily affected by the distinct sediment supply pulses during phases of short climatic perturbations. Subsidence becomes the determining factor again when models approach a steady-state behaviour. Similarly, the impact of the axial main river becomes more important during simulated warm periods when sediment release to the drainage basin is low. The overall basin slope additionally controls the evolution of fan and drainage. Variations in sediment supply and subsidence do also significantly control the long term evolution of the drainage network during simulated warm periods and thus control the sequence preservation potential of fans and therefore its long term sequence evolution.

Major and trace element geochemistry of superficial sediments and suspended particulate matter of shallow saline lakes in Eastern Austria

General geochemical parameters of water, superficial sediments, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were determined from small shallow saline lakes (soda ponds) as well as from lake Neusiedlersee in eastern Austria. Additionally, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to determine the distribution of major, rare earth and other trace elements in superficial sediments and SPM. Chemical results show remarkable differences in salinity and ionic strength between the investigated ponds. Anthropogenic effects, such as drawdown of ground water level and a loss of lake water due to drainage, are clearly reflected in obtained chemical and geological data. Due to a strong dependence of the complexation and scavenging behavior of the rare earth elements (REE) on ionic strength, a significant difference between REE concentrations in soda ponds with different anthropogenic impact was found. The content and composition of authigenic evaporitic minerals in superficial sediments and SPM clearly differ with a fluctuating water level and salt concentration. Furthermore, we determined the distribution of major and trace elements in superficial sediments of a nearby fluvial system. Our results show a clear correlation between REE superficial sediment concentrations in anthropogenically degraded soda ponds and fluvial system. Therefore, we assume that REE concentrations of sediments and SPM are suitable for the study of geochemical changes of inland saline lakes due to anthropogenic impacts on water balance.

Risk factors for lameness in cubicle housed Austrian Simmental dairy cows

Austrian dairy farming is characterised by predominant use of Simmental cows on small-scale farms. Our aim was to identify lameness risk factors related to housing and management in cubicle housed Austrian dairy cows. Furthermore, we used animal-based parameters (ABP) as integrated measures of cubicle quality and feeding management. The first author visited 30 farms in eastern Austria with 24–54 cows (mean = 35) in the milking herd during winter housing period, and collected data on housing, management, behaviour, and lameness via direct observations and an interview (part of Welfare Quality ® project). Mean lameness prevalence was 31% (range 6–70%). Data were analysed using logistic regression with generalised estimating equations (GEE). The final model was based on 832 cows and included six risk variables, five ABP, and the significant confounders ‘county’ and ‘lactation number’. Odds for lameness increased with decreasing lying comfort, except for cubicle width. The following lying-related factors were significant in the final model (odds ratios (OR) in brackets): mats/mattresses as opposed to deep bedded cubicle base (1.61), length of lying area (OR 186–191 vs. <178 cm = 0.72) and cubicle width (1.18). Lying-related ABP included abnormal lying behaviour (1.36), cow comfort index (0.76), and duration of rising (2.17). Other significant housing and management characteristics included slatted flooring (1.31), herd size (0.63), and no access to an outdoor loafing area (0.57). Regarding metabolic parameters, cows with a body condition score >3.5 had at least 0.39 lower odds of being lame, while cows with suboptimal milk protein content (<3.2% or >3.8%) had 1.37 times higher odds. Odds for lameness clearly increased with age (OR lactation ≥4 vs. 1 = 3.38). In sum, lying comfort and nutrition are key areas for lameness prevention on modern dairy farms in Austria with herd sizes above 30 cows.

MORPHOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MIOCENE DINOFLAGELLATE CYST OPERCULODINIUM? BORGERHOLTENSE LOUWYE 2001, EMEND.

Abstract The extinct, organic-walled, proximochorate dinoflagellate cyst Operculodinium? borgerholtense Louwye 2001 was first described from Miocene shallow-marine deposits of northern Belgium, and has since been documented from the Miocene of the eastern North Atlantic, North Sea, Austria, Hungary, and Egypt. Conventional and confocal light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to reveal new details of the archeopyle, wall structure, and ornament. The archeopyle is shown to have well-defined rather than rounded angles, a distinction we consider significant in assigning this species only provisionally to the genus. Operculodinium? borgerholtense was a euryhaline neritic species highly tolerant of environmental stress, a feature consistent with its morphological variability. Present records indicate a tropical—subtropical to temperate paleoclimatic distribution. It ranges from the upper Lower Miocene to upper Middle Miocene, and promises to be a useful stratigraphic marker particularly in ne...

Effect of mulching dates modified for nature conservation on the yield and nitrogen fixation of green manure lucerne crops

Organically managed fields are highly attractive for wild animals of open agricultural landscapes because of a high percentage of green covered fields; for example, by green manures, catch crops and underseeds. Forage legumes are the main source of nitrogen in organic farming. Forage legumes are also important habitats for wild animals. The main ecological disadvantage is frequent mowing of forage crops. Increasing the time without disturbance in favour of wild animals may also decrease crop productivity and increase weed pressure. Here, we studied the effect of modified mulching dates on yield, nitrogen fixation and weed colonisation of lucerne green manure under pannonian site conditions during two vegetation periods in Eastern Austria. We compared a natural treatment, where the first mulching took place two weeks earlier and the second mulching two weeks later than in a conventional treatment with the latter. While in the first year the shoot dry-matter yield (−1.5 t ha−1), nitrogen yield and the amount of fixed nitrogen (−44 kg N ha−1) in lucerne were significantly lower in the natural than in the conventional treatment at the first cut, no differences could be detected in the second year. The seasonal amount of nitrogen fixation as well as the percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) at both cuts did not differ between the treatments. The natural treatment also had no disadvantageous effects on weed coverage. Our results show that prolonging the period without disturbance in lucerne crops had no adverse agronomic effects with only one exception: the 14-day shorter development period in the natural treatment at the first cut decreased shoot yield and nitrogen fixation compared with the conventional treatment in the first year, when weather conditions were humid before the first cut and dry afterwards. We therefore recommend shifting mulching dates and prolonging cutting intervals in lucerne on organic farms under pannonian site conditions in favour of wild animals.

Lifetime prevalence and impact of stalking: Epidemiological data from Eastern Austria

Background and Objectives: Community-based studies of stalking in European countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was to replicate the epidemi- ological study by Dressing and colleagues, which analyzed a sample drawn from a mid- dle-sized German city (Dressing et al., 2005) by using a general population sample (urban as well as rural citizens) from Eastern Austria. Methods: In a survey of 401 persons from Eastern Austria we tried to replicate the study on the lifetime and point prevalence of stalking in a German urban community. The survey included a stalking questionnaire and the WHO-5 well-being scale. Results: Nearly 11% of the respondents (n = 43, 37 women, 6 men) reported having been stalked. Victims scored significantly lower on the WHO-5 well-being scale. We found no significant differences in stalking and well-being between rural and urban areas. Conclusions: Epidemiological data on stalking collected in an Austrian community closely resemble the data derived from a community-based sample in a middle-sized Ger- man city. We also inquired about the living environment of the participants (rural or urban), but found no difference between the two. Furthermore, the lifetime prevalence of being a stalking victim is associated with currently impaired psychological well-being as measured by the WHO-5 Well-being Index.

Effect of catch crops on N dynamics and following crops in organic farming

Green manure catch crops promote the sustainability of agricultural systems by reducing soil erodibility and by nutrient uptake and transfer to the following main crops. This effect efficiently reduces the risk of nitrate leaching. Biological nitrogen fixation by legume catch crops is an additional benefit, mainly in organic farming. Such crops may, however, reduce nitrogen uptake from the soil and increase nitrate leaching. Additionally, under drought conditions, their extra water consumption may outweigh the beneficial effects. To determine the best catch crop management in stockless organic farming under dry, Pannonian site conditions in eastern Austria, four treatments were compared in 2002 and 2004: (1) legumes: field pea, common vetch and chickling vetch, (2) non-legumes: phacelia, oil radish and turnip, (3) a legume and non-legume mixture (all mentioned components), and (4) a bare fallow control. Our results show that catch crop biomass and N yield, biological N fixation, and crop N uptake from the soil were about 4 times higher under moderately dry conditions in 2002 than under drought conditions in summer and autumn 2004. In 2002, the legume/non-legume mixture had the highest biomass and N yield and the highest biological N fixation. Both the legume/non-legume mixture and the non-legumes were more efficient than legumes in N uptake from the soil (+32 kg N ha−1); and in reducing both soil inorganic N contents by −45 kg N ha−1 and nitrate concentrations in soil solution by −20 mg N L−. These findings show that the legume/non-legume mixture combined the positive effects of non-legumes and legumes. In 2004, catch crop effects did not differ except for their above-mentioned effect on inorganic N contents. The only pre-crop effect was that of legumes compared with non-legumes on spring barley grain dry matter of +0.6 Mg DM ha−1 and grain N yield of +17 kg N ha−1 in 2005. The water consumption of catch crops never adversely affected the following crops.

Transmission of a Stolbur Phytoplasma by the Agalliinae Leafhopper Anaceratagallia ribauti (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae)

AbstractSeventeen Auchenorrhyncha species were studied for their ability to transmit stolbur phytoplasma. Adult insects were collected alive in Bois Noir infected vineyards, transferred to Vicia faba seedlings (two leaf stage) in cylindrical pot cages and kept in a growth chamber at 23°C (L16:D8). After 5 weeks, plants were inspected visually and sampled for PCR analysis. Anaceratagallia ribauti, Dryodurgades reticulatus and Euscelis incisus were also reared in the laboratory. Insects trapped in the vineyard were allowed to oviposit on V. faba seedlings. Hatching nymphs were transferred to cubical breeding cages containing potted V. faba seedlings and stolbur‐infected Convolvulus arvensis collected in the vineyard. Plants in these cubical cages were routinely tested by PCR for stolbur infections. Adults raised in these cubical cages were subjected to further pot cage experiments with V. faba seedlings. In five of 40 experiments with field‐trapped A. ribauti, stolbur transmission was observed. Laboratory‐reared A. ribauti transmitted stolbur phytoplasma to seven of 23 broad beans in the cubical breeding cages. Laboratory‐reared A. ribauti adults transmitted stolbur phytoplasma in one of 13 pot cage experiments. No transmission of stolbur phytoplasma with any other Auchenorrhyncha species was observed. Furthermore, we characterized Austrian stolbur isolates by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis of the tuf gene. Plant samples were collected in 17 symptomatic vineyards all over eastern Austria. Vicia faba plants from transmission experiments were also analysed. All isolates belonged to tuf‐type II.

Häufigkeit des Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis-Virus und von Rickettsien in Zecken aus dem Burgenland (Österreich)

Large areas of the Central European country Austria are known to be endemic for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). However, so far only limited data are available for the prevalence, distribution and species composition of rickettsiae of the spotted fever group in Austria. In the present study 306 ticks were collected in summer 2007. Location of sampling was Neudörfl, a known TBEV endemic area in the district of Burgenland in Eastern Austria. 286 ticks belonged to the species Ixodes ricinus and 20 ticks were identified as Dermacentor spp. Detection of TBEV and rickettsial species was done by polymerase chain reaction. We were not able to detect TBEV in any of the ticks examined. However 16 ticks, exclusively of the species Ixodes ricinus showed positive results for rickettsiae. 14 out of 16 rickettsia-positive ticks contains sufficient DNA for a sequence determination. The sequencing of the citrate synthase genes resulted exclusively in the identification of Rickettsia helvetica. The results show that TBEV was not at all or in a low frequency circulating in a known endemic area in summer 2007. However, for the first time the prevalence of 5.7% of Rickettsia helvetica was determined in a tick population in Eastern Austria.

Biocultural aspects of gender differences in body composition and obesity during childhood and adolescence

Gender differences in body composition, the prevalence in overweight and obesity as well as in physical activity patterns were tested among 3003 children and adolescents aging between 6 and 18 years (x = 12.1 +/- 3.6) in Vienna and rural parts of Eastern Austria. As to be expected, the absolute and relative amount of body fat was significantly higher among girls of nearly all age groups, while boys exhibited a significantly higher amount of lean or fat free body mass. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was markedly higher among prepubertal girls, however significantly lower among younger and older adolescent girls aging 11 years and older in comparison to their male counterparts. This was however only true of adolescents originating from Austria. Considering adolescents with a background of migration originating from Turkey or the Near East, a significantly higher amount of overweight and/or obesity was found among girls. Therefore, biocultural factors have to be considered to explain gender differences in obesity during childhood and adolescence.

Loess deposits and the conservation of the archaeological record—The Krems-Wachtberg example

Recent archaeological excavations at the Upper Palaeolithic open-air site of Krems-Wachtberg in eastern Austria exposed a late Pleistocene loess sequence. An interdisciplinary sampling strategy was applied to the 8-m high North profile. The extraordinary conservation of a Gravettian living floor with several complex features is discussed in this paper.

Antioxidative Properties of Thymus vulgaris Leaves: Comparison of Different Extracts and Essential Oil Chemotypes

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) is a subshrub from the Lamiaceae family with plants that are rich in essential oils and antioxidative phenolic substances. Twelve accessions originating from southern France and the variety 'Deutscher Winter' were grown in an experimental field in eastern Austria. Leaf samples from these plants as well as from a commercial thyme rich in thymol were analyzed for their essential oil and the antioxidative potential in various extracts. The assays for antioxidative activity were the total phenolics according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method, DPPH decoloration, and Fe(3+) reduction (FRAP). Both extraction techniques used, in the water bath at 40 degrees C and in the ultrasonic bath at room temperature, proved to be efficient. The best results were obtained with 60% ethanol as extractant. In the comparison of the different accessions the less active and the most active of these extracts differed by factors of 2.1 and 2.6 in the total phenolics and FRAP assay, respectively, and by factors 1.5-2.0 in the DPPH assay. Rosmarinic acid accounted for 22-55% of the antioxidant activity in the ethanolic extracts. Essential oils with high proportions of the phenolic components thymol and/or carvacrol showed the highest antioxidant activity. Ethanolic extracts from the residues after distillation were considerably lower in antioxidant activity than the respective extracts from the dried leaves. Extracts with CH2Cl2 in the ultrasonic bath contained volatiles in proportions close to the essential oil but displayed very low antioxidant activity.

Optimal location of wood gasification plants for methanol production with heat recovery

Second generation biofuels from wood gasification are thought to become competitive in the face of effective climate and energy security policies. Cost competitiveness crucially depends on the optimization of the entire supply chain—field-wheel involving optimal location, scaling and logistics. In this study, a linear mixed integer programming model has been developed to determine the optimal geographic locations and sizes of methanol plants and gas stations in Austria. Optimal locations and sizes are found by the minimization of costs with respect to biomass and methanol production and transport, investments for the production plants and the gas stations. Hence, the model covers competition in all levels of a biofuel production chain including supply of biomass, biofuel and heat, and demand for bio- and fossil fuels. The results show that Austria could be self-sufficient in the production of methanol for biofuels like M5, M10 or M20, using up to 8% of the arable land share. The plants are optimally located close to the potential supply of biomass (i.e. poplar) in Eastern Austria, and produce methanol around 0.4 € l−1. Moreover, heat production could lower the methanol cost by 12%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Variability of the Volatile Oil Composition in a Population of Silaum Silaus from Eastern Austria

The volatiles present in the above ground parts of Silaum silaus (L.) Schinz et Thell. (Apiaceae), pepper saxifrage, were analysed by GC/MS and GC. The fractions investigated were the distilled oil, n-hexane extracts and solid phase microextracts (SPME) of the different plant parts. Myristicin was the main volatile compound in the fruits, followed by ( E)-β-ocimene. The leaves and stems contained α-pinene, myristicin, ( Z)-β-ocimene and ( E)-β-ocimene as major compounds in the essential oil. Additionally, in a root headspace sample 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde was the main compound.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy as an Isolated Bariatric Procedure: Intermediate-Term Results from a Large Series in Three Austrian Centers

Gastric sleeve resection was initially planned as the first step of bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch but it continues to emerge as a restrictive bariatric procedure on its own. We describe intermediate results in a series of 126 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies (LSG) compiled from three bariatric centers in eastern Austria. The stomach was laparoscopically reduced to a "sleeve" along the lesser curvature over a 48-Fr bougie. Special attention was placed on complete resection of the gastric fundus. After a mean follow-up of 19.1 months, patients had lost between 2.3 and 27 kg/m(2) or between 6.7% and 130% of their excessive weight. Sixty four percent of the patients lost >50% of their excess weight within an average of 20 months. Seven percent of the patients had an excess weight loss <25% and were therefore considered as failures. The only major surgical complication was leakage of the staple-line needing revision (three times). There were no operative mortalities. The final place of LSG in bariatric surgery is still unclear, but our results and those of others show that LSG can be a viable alternative to established procedures.

Delivery strategies for blood products supplies

We introduce a problem faced by the blood bank of the Austrian Red Cross for Eastern Austria: how to cost-effectively organize the delivery of blood products to Austrian hospitals? We investigate the potential value of switching from the current vendee-managed inventory set up to a vendor-managed inventory system. We present solution approaches based on integer programming and variable neighborhood search and evaluate their performance.