University for Continuing Education Krems

Background: Alcohol misuse is increasingly understood as a maladaptive form of affect regulation. This study examines the interplay between alcohol misuse, mental health symptoms, and age in a representative sample of Austrian adults, using network analysis to model these associations. Methods: Data from 2007 participants (49% women; average age of 48.2 ± 16 years), representative of the general Austrian population in terms of age, gender, federal state, and educational level, were analyzed using validated instruments: the CAGE questionnaire for alcohol misuse, PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, ISI-7 for insomnia, and PSS-4 for stress. Network analysis using a regularized Gaussian graphical model was conducted to explore interrelations among these variables alongside age. Centrality, stability, and gender-based network comparisons were assessed. Results: Overall, 21% of participants screened positive for alcohol misuse (CAGE ≥2). Bivariate analyses showed that individuals with suspected alcohol dependence reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia, and were younger. The regularized network analysis revealed a robust connection between alcohol misuse and depressive symptoms. Depression and anxiety emerged as central nodes in the network, while age was negatively associated with both alcohol misuse and psychopathological burden. No significant gender differences in network structure or global strength were found. Conclusions: Findings support the conceptualization of alcohol misuse as a dysfunctional affect regulation strategy, particularly in relation to depressive symptoms. These results align with transdiagnostic models of emotional dysregulation and reinforce the need for preventive interventions focused on emotion regulation skills, particularly among younger adults and individuals with comorbid mental health conditions.

Warming temperatures and nutrient pollution are increasingly affecting aquatic ecosystems, making it crucial to understand their combined impacts on food webs. Despite substantial research on the individual effects of these environmental stressors, there remains a notable gap in knowledge regarding their synergistic effects, particularly those on the production of essential fatty acids in periphyton, an important trophic base of aquatic food webs. We therefore conducted a factorial microcosm experiment in which we manipulated phosphate (PO4-P) levels and temperature to quantify their interactive effects on the content of periphyton omega-3 (ω3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω3), and their precursors α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3ω3) and linoleic acid (LIN, 18:2ω6). Our results indicated that phosphorus enrichment generally increased periphyton ω3 LC-PUFA content, whereas elevated temperature offset phosphate-driven gains in EPA content. At 25 °C, EPA content was higher at the high PO4-P enrichment level than at the low PO4-P level; at 30 °C, EPA content at the high PO4-P enrichment level converged to that observed at 25 °C under the low PO4-P condition, revealing a negative temperature × phosphate interaction. Such reductions in periphyton ω3 LC-PUFA content are likely to degrade basal food quality and undermine the stability of the trophic base of aquatic food webs. The results of this study underline the complex interplay between phosphorus enrichment and environmental warming on periphyton. By showing that a high level of PO4-P increased EPA content at 25 °C, but not at 30 °C, we have identified a thermal limit to nutrient benefits and call for joint temperature × phosphate targets to sustain basal ω3 LC-PUFA supply.

Introduction Engaging interest‐holders in health care evidence syntheses may make evidence syntheses more relevant, useful, and accessible. However, the best way(s) to engage interest‐holders within the evidence synthesis process remain unknown. A previous scoping review collated 291 publications that reported interest‐holder engagement in evidence syntheses, but conclusions were limited due to poor reporting. In the present scoping review, our aim was to identify and collate up‐to‐date publications focussed on interest‐holder engagement in healthcare evidence syntheses, describe reported methods of engagement, and compare the results with those from the previous review. Methods We updated a scoping review, following JBI guidance, using a pre‐published protocol that defined all key terminology in this field. We systematically searched five electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and SCOPUS). Searches were conducted from January 2016 to February 2024. Records were imported into Covidence and screened by pairs of independent reviewers, including any publications that reported engagement of interest‐holders in evidence syntheses. We extracted and coded key data relating to the evidence synthesis topic and ACTIVE framework domains (who was engaged, when, and in what way). Two reviewers independently made a judgment of the comprehensiveness of the description of methods of engagement, using a “traffic‐light” system, coding evidence syntheses with comprehensive descriptions as “green,” brief or partial descriptions as “amber,” and those with few details as “red”; disagreements were resolved through discussion. Additional detailed data relating to the engagement methods were extracted from “green” evidence syntheses. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion. Data were synthesized within tables, and narrative summaries were written to provide an overview of key methods of engaging interest‐holders within the identified evidence syntheses. Results We identified 302 publications published since the previous review. Most (272/302, 90%) reported interest‐holder engagement in a single evidence synthesis; of these, 74% (200/272) engaged patients and/or their carers, while 17% (46/272) engaged other interest‐holders only, and the remainder (26/272, 9.6%) was unclear. Over three‐quarters of the evidence syntheses were conducted either in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, or Australia (215/272, 79%). Most often (113/272, 42%), interest‐holders were engaged at both the initial (scope and question setting) and final (interpretation of results) review stages (referred to as a “top and tail” approach). Nineteen percent (51/272) were judged to provide a comprehensive (“green”) description of one or more method(s) or approach(es) to engagement in an evidence synthesis, enabling detailed data extraction and description. Most: engaged patients/public members and other interest‐holder groups (30/51, 59%); used a “closed” recruitment strategy (30/51, 59%); engaged interest‐holders during the stage of interpretation of findings (39/51, 76%); had at least one interest‐holder as a co‐author (27/51, 52%). Interest‐holders generally attended meetings at which no formal methods of engagement were used. It was common to engage interest‐holders in multiple activities throughout the review process. Discussion/Conclusion Our international team from the MuSE consortium has updated a previous scoping review, compiling the latest evidence on interest‐holder engagement in evidence syntheses. We collated 302 publications and described the methods of interest‐holder engagement reported in 51 evidence syntheses that we judged provided the most comprehensive information. Interest‐holders have been involved at all stages of the process, using a wide range of engagement approaches, but with no clear patterns linked to the type or focus of evidence syntheses. Most commonly, patients/public and professional interest‐holders were both engaged, but around one‐quarter of our examples only engaged patients/public members, and a small number only engaged professional interest‐holders. We identified some distinct engagement strategies and have used these to inform a potential decision tool to support the selection of engagement strategies. We propose recommendations in relation to the conduct and reporting of interest‐holder engagement in evidence syntheses and future research to advance this field.

Transnational education institutions promoting foreign curricula often claim to enhance international employability for local students, yet many assertions lack substantial evidence. This qualitative study investigates the study‐to‐work transitions of alumni from a binational university in Turkey, focusing on their motivations for selecting this university and their immediate labour market outcomes. The study introduces the concept of “exporting employability” through transnational education. The findings indicate that the extent to which transnational higher education institutions can “export” employability has limitations and largely depends on language skill development. Notably, nearly all graduates choose to work in their country of origin. By applying transnational social fields theory, this study illustrates how transnational education can offer a globally relevant yet locally applicable education, ultimately providing concrete evidence of transnational education's role in enhancing alumni employability and contributing to their labour market outcomes.

Animals in aquatic ecosystems impacted by global changes often face reduced availability of vital organic compounds, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA), vital for brain development and cognition. Cognitive skills are crucial for buffering the impacts of environmental stress on fitness, yet the link between the quality of diet and fitness-enhancing behaviours of individuals in food webs altered by global change remains unclear. We examined how dietary n-3 LC-PUFA affect brain development, social dominance, and growth in territorial juvenile salmonids in a large-scale model of a natural pre-alpine stream. For this assessment, we used wild fish whose diet quality was estimated using stable isotope analysis, and hatchery reared fish exposed to dietary treatments in a common-garden experiment. In both wild and common garden experiment fish, diets low in n-3 LC-PUFA led to a decreased content of n-3 LC-PUFA in brain tissue but did not affect brain mass, morphology (i.e., mass of brain regions), or neuron numbers. Fish with lower brain n-3 LC-PUFA content exhibited reduced competitiveness in social interactions and suboptimal habitat use, resulting in slower somatic growth. Our findings indicate that the limited availability of n-3 LC-PUFA in aquatic food webs may impair the behavioural flexibility of top aquatic consumers, possibly with negative impacts on their capacity to maintain high fitness in ecosystems altered by environmental change.

This chapter uses three practical case studies to demonstrate how the concepts, ideas, and methods described in the previous chapters can be applied. For each example, the initial situation is described, the approach and application of the methods used are explained, and the actual results achieved are detailed. Finally, a summary of the methodological approach and conclusions are provided for each case.

Due to the increasing complexity of processes and socio-technical process systems, there are a multitude of associated challenges that can play a role in the digitalization of processes. This chapter provides the reader with an overview of various topics and positions them in the context of this book. The topics addressed range from the challenges of modularly mapping complex process systems across multiple levels of abstraction, to the possibilities of directly executing process models using workflow engines, to the consideration of current technology trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or Artificial Intelligence (AI), and to considerations of how and whether social behaviors can be incorporated into process descriptions.

Business process modeling is the process of mapping segments of human-perceived reality and relating these segments to one another. The choice of a modeling language determines which concepts can be used to make these descriptions, i.e., what can be mapped. Modeling languages therefore provide the vocabulary and grammar needed to represent real-life situations in models. Following the history of modeling languages for business processes, this chapter provides an overview of the basic concepts and the application of various languages such as flowcharts, event-driven process chains, activity diagrams, BPMN, and PASS (S-BPM). It concludes with a comparison of the expressive power of these languages and a guide to an informed selection of a suitable language for a given application.

In this section, we summarize our key findings and the framework for holistic process digitalization and its further development. We embed these findings in initial situations from corporate practice and clarify the relationship between process management activities and socio-technical system design. Finally, organizational leaders learn about the success-critical factors influencing a holistic approach.

The individual aspects of process management are described using suitable models. To do this, the respective elements of a model and their relationships to one another are identified. They form the basis for developing a corresponding descriptive language. This language can be used to describe process systems from a specific perspective. In addition to the general aspects of modeling, examples of models relating to social/organizational, business, and technical or information technology aspects are outlined. Essential to process descriptions are the relationships between the models of the individual aspects. These relationships must be captured to obtain a holistic view.

This chapter describes the purpose of business processes and their integration into the organizational and technical environment. Based on the intentions an organization wishes to pursue with a process, the qualitative and quantitative objectives are defined. They are discussed in the context of digital transformation and continuous improvement activities. Finally, Business Process Management is considered from a corporate governance perspective.

The individual activities for identifying, describing, implementing, and deploying business processes require appropriate support tools. Depending on the models and notation constructs used, the individual tools offer appropriate assistance. The respective tools cover individual activity steps to a greater or lesser extent. This chapter explains the most common tools and their key areas of support.

The explanations regarding modeling and implementation preparation have laid the foundation for their implementation in operational operations by specifying effective and efficient processes. This chapter consequently deals with the creation of an execution environment and the execution of process instances in real-time operation. The conversion of the process specification into an executable process encompasses the activity sets of organizational implementation, IT implementation, and ongoing operation with monitoring. The starting point is process documentation as the result of the upstream activity bundles. When implementing the processes in the corporate organization and infrastructure, the modeled process activities are assigned to task owners (people, software systems, machines, and combinations thereof) who execute the activities during the runtime of process instances. With commissioning, the process, which is organizationally and technically embedded in the corporate environment, is transferred into daily business. As part of the monitoring process, its behavior is observed and analyzed using methods such as process mining. These evaluations link information back to relevant activity bundles for (continuous) improvement.

This chapter first deals with typical activities of business process management, from analysis and modeling to validation, optimization, and implementation, as well as ongoing operations and monitoring. Design Thinking then explores a methodological approach for creatively generating innovative ideas and solving complex problems, before relating it to the previously detailed Business Process Management activities.

Background While randomised controlled trials have established the efficacy of psychotherapy, their applicability to routine care is limited. Naturalistic studies offer ecological validity, but representative data for the effectiveness of psychotherapy in Austrian outpatient private settings are lacking. Aim This study examined psychotherapy outcomes under real‐world conditions in Austria. Method Austrian psychotherapists in outpatient private practice were invited to participate by enrolling patients in the study (recruitment: September 2020 to December 2023). Outcomes were assessed at the start of therapy (baseline assessment) and at the end of therapy or study (post assessment). Outcome questionnaires included the Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH), the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale‐7 (GAD‐7), and the Standardised Assessment of Severity of Personality Disorder (SAS‐PD). Results Eighty‐seven psychotherapists from the four psychotherapeutic clusters (psychoanalytic‐psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, behavioural) participated in the study. Of 163 patients completing the baseline‐assessment, 58 (35.6%) provided post‐assessment data (treated by 39 psychotherapists). Missing post‐assessment values were estimated using the Baseline Observation Carried Forward method, yielding small to moderate effect sizes ( d = 0.21 to 0.48), and the Expectation Maximisation method, resulting in small to large effects ( d = 0.32 to 1.08). Analyses based on the patients with complete baseline‐ and post‐assessment revealed small to large effects ( d = 0.36 to 1.03). Conclusions Results indicate that psychotherapy in Austrian private practice yields significant improvements in mental health. Future studies should investigate strategies to enhance recruitment to ensure a more comprehensive database for psychotherapy research in Austria.

Background Systematic reviews are fundamental to evidence-based medicine, but the process of screening studies is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when conducted by a single reviewer. False exclusions of relevant studies can significantly impact the quality and reliability of reviews. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have emerged as secondary reviewers in detecting these false exclusions, yet empirical evidence comparing their performance is limited. Methods This study protocol outlines a comprehensive evaluation of four AI tools (ASReview, DistillerSR Artificial Intelligence System [DAISY], Evidence for Policy and Practice Information [EPPI]-Reviewer, and Rayyan) in their capacity to act as secondary reviewers during single-reviewer title and abstract screening for systematic reviews. Utilizing a database of single-reviewer screening decisions from two published systematic reviews, we will assess how effective AI tools are at detecting false exclusions while assisting single-reviewer screening compared to the dual-reviewer reference standard. Additionally, we aim to determine the overall screening performance of AI tools in assisting single-reviewer screening. Discussion This research seeks to provide valuable insights into the potential of AI-assisted screening for detecting falsely excluded studies during single screening. By comparing the performance of multiple AI tools, we aim to guide researchers in selecting the most effective assistive technologies for their review processes. Systematic review registration (Open Science Framework): https://osf.io/dky26

Resource-rich developing nations frequently face the “paradox of plenty,” where mineral wealth fails to translate into broad-based economic development. This paper addresses this challenge in the context of North Macedonia, an EU candidate country with significant deposits of zinc, lead, and other critical minerals. While the country is a notable supplier of primary ores to the EU, it currently captures only a fraction of the potential value by exporting raw concentrates rather than processed metals. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic case for value chain upgrading. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative trade data analysis, comparative EU benchmarking, and macroeconomic modelling, we quantify the “value gap” at approximately $56 million annually, a 50% increase in export revenue achievable through the development of domestic refining capacity. Our analysis demonstrates that such a move could increase the mining sector’s contribution to GDP from 2.0% to 2.6% and nearly double employment in the sector. To address the complex, multi-dimensional nature of this policy choice, we introduce a novel theoretical contribution: the Resource Upgrading Decision Matrix (RUDM). This framework provides a structured methodology for evaluating upgrading opportunities across four key dimensions: Economic Feasibility, Strategic Importance, Sustainability & Social License, and Governance Complexity. By applying the RUDM to North Macedonia, we provide a clear, evidence-based roadmap for industrial policy that can guide the nation beyond extraction and toward sustainable economic transformation. JEL Classification: Q32, L72, O14, F23, O25

Circular economy emphasizes sustainability and resource efficiency by extending product life cycles and minimizing waste. This study explores the reuse of polyamide press felts from the paper industry for removing endocrine disruptors (EDCs) from water, aligning with circular economy principles. EDCs, as defined by the WHO, are external substances that disrupt endocrine functions and can cause adverse health effects even at very low concentrations. Common EDCs include industrial chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and natural hormones, with bisphenol A (BPA) and 17β-estradiol (E2) being particularly problematic in water due to their health risks. Polyamide, valued for its strength and durability, is widely used in press felts but becomes waste after its industrial use. Reusing these felts is both environmentally and economically beneficial, as the production of polyamide involves high costs and significant impacts. This study investigates the adsorption capacity of polyamide felts for BPA and E2, a process favored for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency in water treatment. Results show that polyamide felts achieve a 75% initial deposition efficiency, adsorbing up to 135 μg BPA and 130 μg E2 per gram of felt. Thus, reusing polyamide felts effectively reduces EDCs in water, supporting water security and advancing the circular economy.

This article examines how Kurdish Generation Z refugees negotiate belonging, identity, and political agency in digitally mediated environments. Drawing on multi-sited ethnography in London and Berlin (interviews, focus groups, digital observation; n = 25), it theorises digital habitus as durable orientations toward risk, visibility, and curation formed at the intersection of statelessness, surveillance, and platform affordances. Three findings stand out: first, I identify conditional identity, whereby youths strategically modulate language, symbols, and audience-specific visibility as political events and everyday expectations shift. Second, I show the rise of cultural pan-Kurdism, in which cross-regional solidarity coheres around music, dance, food, and language, generating greater engagement than overtly partisan content and sustaining a de-territorialised “Digital Kurdistan.” Third, I trace digital-cultural activism, with curation, translation, and circulation mobilised as political resources, and algorithmic reach and narrative presence valued alongside street mobilisation. Conceptually, the study demonstrates how digital habitus intertwines with radical habitus and how digital memory cultures sustain Kurdish visibility without territorial sovereignty. It advances debates in digital sociology, diaspora studies, and youth studies by specifying how platformed practices enable nationhood across, rather than between, host–home binaries.