Austrian Federal Railways

The subject of the study is the inspection of the scene in the context of detecting staged crimes. The object of the study is the practical aspects of the inspection of accident sites, accompanied by attempts to falsify the actual circumstances of the event. The author examines in detail the mechanisms for detecting dramatizations, the impact of modern technologies and the need for constant updating of professional competencies of law enforcement officers. Special attention is paid to a comprehensive approach to the study of the forensic features of the scene, including psychological and technological aspects. This article discusses the actual issue of the occurrence of a crime and the identification of this fact during the inspection of the scene. The connection between the theoretical significance and the practical applicability of the previously proposed methods for solving this problem is identified and determined. The terminology, methodology and availability of concepts in this field are investigated. The research methodology presented in this article includes an integrated approach to studying the problem of detecting staged crimes at the scene. It is based on an analysis of existing scientific approaches and practical activities of law enforcement officers. The work was carried out on the basis of theoretical analysis, a review of legal and specialized literature, as well as personal practical experience. The main conclusions of the study are aimed at developing recommendations for improving tactical and methodological approaches to conducting an inspection of the scene of an accident, which will improve the quality of the preliminary investigation and ensure the objectivity of the final results. The article defines staging as an attempt to disguise the actual circumstances of a crime by changing the situation and providing false information. The main signs of staging are investigated, such as the discrepancy of individual details with the general appearance of the crime scene, the presence of unnecessary traces or their complete absence, as well as techniques for establishing genuine events through the professional eye of the investigator, and includes a comparison of existing methods proposed by leading Russian scientists. It also provides a comparison of the normative provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation with empirical observations and examples from judicial and criminal practice.

AbstraktDer Betonbau ist ein hochkomplexer Prozess, der durch irreversible Ausführungsschritte und fragmentierte Lieferketten geprägt ist und daher hohe Anforderungen an das Qualitätsmanagement stellt. Ortbeton gilt als „Special Process“, da viele kritische Eigenschaften nur zerstörend oder nach Fertigstellung überprüfbar sind, was präventive und systemorientierte Steuerung erforderlich macht. Dieser Beitrag zeigt die Rolle der Ausführungsplanung gemäß fib Bulletin 44 sowie des Systems Approach to Quality (SAQ) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung internationaler Best Practices, etwa der Methodik von DPR Construction. Wesentliche Elemente sind die Identifikation von Quality Creation Points (QCPs), Schnittstellenmanagement, Checklisten, projektspezifische Richtlinien, gezielte Schulungen und Baustelleninspektionen. Kollaborative Prozesse und digitale Werkzeuge wie BIM gewährleisten eine konsistente Qualität über fragmentierte Lieferketten hinweg. Die Anwendung dieser Prinzipien in zentraleuropäischen Infrastrukturprojekten, insbesondere im Bahnbau, zeigt, dass ein systemischer, lebenszyklusorientierter und kollaborativer Ansatz die Ausführungszuverlässigkeit erhöht, Fehler reduziert, Termine einhält und langlebigen, normgerechten sowie wirtschaftlichen Betonbau sicherstellt.

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> A comprehensive in-situ dataset of low-level Arctic clouds was collected in the Fram Strait during the HALO-(AC)³campaign in spring 2022 using the research aircraft Polar 6. The clouds observed at altitudes below 1000 m were frequently in a mixed-phase state. We demonstrate that despite comparable optical properties, classic mixed-phase clouds (MPC) and mixed-phase haze (MPH) can be distinguished on the basis of their microphysical properties. While the thermodynamic phases of the particles within the MPH are similar to those in the MPC, the supercooled droplets observed in MPC are replaced by large (&gt; 3 &micro;m) wet aerosol particles in MPH. Furthermore, the particle number concentration measured in MPH is reduced by approximately 3 orders of magnitude compared to MPC. MPH is observed in subsaturated air with respect to water, suggesting that the small liquid particles are haze droplets and are in equilibrium below the activation threshold to form cloud droplets. Chemical analysis suggested that the haze particles contained significant amounts of sea salt. Additional in-situ measurements with an optical particle counter indicated that their number concentration was two times larger over the sea ice compared to the open ocean. Furthermore, measurements of the vertical distribution of the thermodynamic phases in low-level Arctic clouds revealed a characteristic structure, with a liquid regime frequently occurring at the top of the atmospheric boundary layer, followed by MPCs, and an MPH layer below. The findings from this study enhance our understanding of the microphysical composition of clouds in mixed-phase conditions.

The Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) shows a large albeit heavily fragmented distribution across Europe and Asia. Austrian populations belong to the distinct subspecies D. nitedula intermedius, which has only been found in the eastern Alpine region. Information on the occurrence of this subspecies is very rare and at the outset of this study most records dated back several decades. The aim of this research was to collect and critically analyse all published records on D. n. intermedius in Austria and revise its distribution range combining data research, field work and citizen science. The species’ current distribution was assessed via a nest box study and a nationwide citizen science program. A total of 168 records could be obtained, with 78 recent detections (2021–2024) from the project. Citizen science proved to be a highly efficient method to obtain records, whereas nest box occupancy was low even in the core area of the species’ confirmed range. While a suspected decline of D. n. intermedius in the Alpine foothills was reaffirmed, new occurrences in the south could be documented. The main area of the current Austrian forest dormouse distribution is located in the Central Alps.

Krafttraining ist für jedes Alter sinnvoll als Ergänzung eines Trainings jeglicher Sportart, aber auch zur Stabilisierung des Körpers im Alltag und damit verbundener Sturzprophylaxe. Für Erwachsene und Senioren ist dies ein längst bekanntes und umgesetztes Wissen, für Kinder sind die mannigfaltigen Vorteile im sportlichen, medizinischen und psychischen Bereich erst in den letzten Jahren erarbeitet worden. Bedenken, dass negative Auswirkungen überwiegen könnten, wurden mittlerweile durch viele Studien zerstreut, so dass es heute nurmehr um die gute Planung und kindgerechte Umsetzung des Krafttrainings geht.

Nonenhanced T 1 -w sequences such as magnetization-prepared 2 rapid acquisition gradient echo (MP2RAGE) and derived fluid and white matter suppression (FLAWS) have demonstrated high performance for detecting brain parenchymal and cervical spine demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis. However, their potential for identifying optic nerve (ON) demyelination remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of compressed sensing-accelerated (CS) MP2RAGE-FLAWS imaging for detection of ON demyelination lesions compared with T2-w fat-saturated (FS) TSE imaging in a clinical setting. We conducted a retrospective study of magnetic resonance scans acquired on patients with central nervous system demyelinating disorders between January and December 2022. Inclusion criteria were the acquisition in the same session of a brain CS-MP2RAGE-FLAWS imaging and a combination of axial + coronal T2-w FS orbital sequences. A 4-step radiological analysis-including blinded and consensus readings-assessed ON lesion detection. The reference standard was the final reading session of radiologists using the entire patient file. Sensitivities and specificities of both sequences were computed and compared using McNemar χ 2 tests. Thirty-nine patients (mean age: 43 ± 14 years; 25 women) were analyzed, including 34 with multiple sclerosis, 2 with MOGAD (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease), 1 with NMOSD (neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder), and 2 with indeterminate demyelinating disease. Among the 78 ONs analyzed, 64 lesions were detected with CS-MP2RAGE-FLAWS as opposed to 37 with 2D T2-w FS imaging, corresponding to a total of 41 and 27 affected nerves, respectively. CS-MP2RAGE-FLAWS exhibited higher sensitivity for overall detection of ON lesions compared with 2D T2-w FS imaging (97.5% vs 67.5%, P = 0.001) without reducing the specificity. Improved lesion detectability with CS-MP2RAGE-FLAWS was significant compared with 2D T2-w FS in intraorbital and intracanalicular segments (respectively, 92.3% vs 50% and 96.3% vs 66.7%; P < 0.05). There was no difference in sensitivity ( P = 0.69) or specificity ( P = 0.99) regarding the intracranial segment analysis. CS-MP2RAGE-FLAWS sequence improves ON lesion detection compared with conventional 2D T2-w FS, especially in the intraorbital segment, while simultaneously providing whole-brain and cervical spinal cord imaging at no additional time cost.

Electrical heating rods are state of the art heating systems to keep railway turnouts clear from ice and snow. Installation, maintenance and procurement is easy. Operational experience of several decades show good efficacy up to moderate wintry weather conditions. However, the energy efficiency is low. A significant amount of heat does not contribute to snow and ice removal but is transferred directly to the environment. Anthropogenic climate change will most likely lead to less days with snowfall but increased short-term snowfall intensity. Future turnout heating systems therefore would need increased capabilities of snow and ice removal. In contrast, overall energy efficiency must be increased to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, explicitly required by the EU energy efficiency directive. Inductive heating of railway turnouts is considered a potential heating method to achieve higher energy efficiency in railway infrastructure. To obtain a well-founded overview of the current scientific knowledge and for future decision-making, this paper presents a scoping review of scientific publications of the last 14 years about inductive turnout heating systems. Technical design approaches and operating parameters of several inductive heating systems are compared. Expressed drawbacks of inductive heating used in railroad infrastructure and so far unanswered topics regarding electromagnetic exposition and health safety as well as electromagnetic interference are pointed out. Additional investigations need to be carried out before inductive heating can be considered as a preferred future heating method for railway turnouts.