University of Vienna

The estrous cycle of female guinea pigs is characterized by a spontaneous ovulation and a subsequent active luteal phase that is physiologically well described. In contrast to other rodents, however, the effects of the cycle on stress responses and behavior are understudied in this species. This study examines the extent to which cortisol concentrations and behavior differ between the estrus and diestrus phases of two consecutive cycles in twelve female guinea pigs. In addition, the parameters were analyzed regarding repeatability to determine how far both physiological parameters and behavior are individually consistent throughout the cycle. Saliva samples to analyze cortisol concentrations were collected before and after a 15-minute dark-light test. The dark-light test and a 15-min sociality test were performed to analyze exploration, anxiety, and social interest. Cortisol concentrations were increased in estrus compared to diestrus. In the dark-light test, the cycle phase had no significant influence on locomotion or anxiety-like behavior. Locomotion and time spent with a conspecific in the sociality test were partly increased in estrus compared to diestrus. All behaviors were repeatable throughout the two investigated cycles. The results show that the estrous cycle of female guinea pigs can influence physiology and behavior to some extent, but that individual differences have a stronger influence on behavior than does the cycle. These findings contribute to the general understanding of physiological and behavioral changes during the estrous cycle, which are understudied not only in guinea pigs but in many mammalian species.

Objectives . This work investigates students’ mid- to long-term takeaways from the course “Communication and Soft Skills” conducted at a European university and relates insights to soft skills interventions in higher computing education described in the literature. A major objective was to situate findings from researching a student-centered course into a broad, international context of promoting soft skills. Research questions address the students’ view on the course’s lasting effects, students’ memories of the course, and the identification of success factors for promoting soft skills in higher computing education based on the current study. Participants and Method . Research encompassed an online survey with open and closed questions that had been emailed to 1,036 course graduates reaching back up to 21 semesters and receiving 101 responses. Following a parallel mixed methods design, quantitative findings were obtained using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analyzed via a qualitative content analysis. Findings . The study sheds light on which features of the course tend to stay on students’ minds and impact their way of being and acting in their jobs and in society. Our findings indicate that the experiential, student-centered nature of the course and the project-based didactics provided sustained whole-person learning as illustrated by versatile memories and self-reports about constructive changes in attitudes, behavior, skills, and knowledge of respondents. Based on our mixed methods study, we suggest implications for effective soft skills interventions. Conclusions . Only limited literature exists on long-term effects of promoting soft skills in computing-related higher education. This study is among the first to address this literature gap. Student-centered characteristics such as creating an equal environment, being listened to and included in decisions, working in teams on real projects, and getting immediate feedback turned out to leave lasting traces on students’ minds and behavior. The findings from our research contribute an evidence-based source of motivation for staff who are devoted to nourishing students’ soft or professional competencies aside from knowledge and technical skills.

Climate change has increased drought frequency and severity, impairing global plant growth and agricultural yield. To clarify selenium's (Se) potential in alleviating drought stress, we conducted a meta-analysis of 111 peer-reviewed studies covering 48 plant species, evaluating the associations between Se application and performance under water-limited conditions. Se supplementation was associated with a significant mitigation of biomass losses, with observed increases in shoot, root, and grain biomass of 21.2, 23.4, and 21.7%, respectively, and a 7.9% reduction in the root-to-shoot ratio. Efficacy varied with Se form, dose, and method; notably, Se(IV), concentrations ≥50 mg L-1, and root application were linked to the largest gains. Se treatment was also correlated with improved plant water status, photosynthetic capacity, and nutrient uptake, while reducing oxidative stress markers and enhancing osmoprotectant accumulation. These findings demonstrate that Se application effectively enhances drought tolerance, providing targeted insights for crop management in water-stressed environments.

The G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) exerts essential functions in cell growth and survival. Searching for a connection between GRK2 and the neurodegenerative Alzheimer disease (AD), we find increased aggregated serine-670-phosphorylated GRK2 (phospho-S670-GRK2) in brains of AD mice and patients with dementia likely due to AD. Harmful phospho-S670-GRK2 aggregation is induced by two hallmark proteins of AD: beta-amyloid and the neurofibrillary-tangle-inducing, TAU-P301L. Aggregated phospho-S670-GRK2 triggers aggregation of TOMM6 (translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 6), promotes mitochondrial dysfunction, and enhances beta-amyloid. Transgenic expression of inactive GRK2-K220R or a GRK-inhibitory peptide proves that neuropathological features are caused by GRK2 inactivation. Restoration of TOMM6 by neuron-specific TOMM6 expression reduces beta-amyloid plaques but enhances soluble beta-amyloid and increases mortality. In contrast, reconstitution of monomeric GRK2 and proteasomal phospho-S670-GRK2 degradation by small molecules counteracts neuropathological AD features, prevents neuronal loss, and improves survival. Thus, targeting of pathological GRK2 aggregation slows aging-induced neurodegeneration.

We show that it is consistent relative to ZF , that there is no well-ordering of R while a wide class of special sets of reals such as Hamel bases, transcendence bases, Vitali sets or Bernstein sets exists. To be more precise, we can assume that every projective hypergraph on R has a maximal independent set, among a few other things. For example, we get transversals for all projective equivalence relations. Moreover, this is possible while either DC ω 1 holds, or countable choice for reals fails. Assuming the consistency of an inaccessible cardinal, “projective” can even be replaced with “ L ( R ) ” and we can add that any instance of AC in L ( R ) has a choice function. This vastly strengthens the consistency results obtained in [6] , [11] or [15] .

Purpose This study aims to investigate how students from non-English-medium undergraduate backgrounds successfully transition into English-medium business master’s programmes. It addresses a gap in the international business education literature by examining how multiple interrelated factors combine to shape these transitions, moving beyond linear, variable-centred approaches. Design/methodology/approach Integrating the ROAD-MAPPING framework with crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (csQCA), this study analysed data from 35 Chinese business pre-master's students who had completed a pre-sessional English programme at a Sino-British joint venture university. Six conditions derived from the framework were examined: Roles of English in relation to Other languages, Academic Discipline, (Language) Management, Agents, Practices and Processes, and Internationalisation and Glocalisation. Findings The analysis identifies Practices and Processes (active pedagogical engagement) as a necessary condition for a successful short-term academic transition. Furthermore, the results reveal three sufficient configurations, reflecting different combinations of academic readiness, language confidence, institutional support and learner agency. Originality/value By operationalising ROAD-MAPPING within a configurational method, this study provides a holistic understanding of transition to English-medium business master’s programmes as a multidimensional learning process. It illustrates how the framework can be extended from a descriptive heuristic to a diagnostic-analytical approach and offers data-driven insights into learner adaptation in internationalised business education.

This study examines the lived experiences of family caregivers navigating the legal and emotional complexities of Austria's newly enacted Dying Decree Law. A qualitative interview study was conducted with nine family caregivers (eight women) of people seeking assisted suicide (PSAS) in Austria. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling through multiple recruitment channels. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis (supported by MAXQDA). Seven overarching themes emerged: (1) Dynamics of Dying and Saying Goodbye; (2) Inclusion versus Exclusion in the Decision-Making Process; (3) Role Negotiation and Responsibilities; (4) Bureaucratic and Legal Barriers; (5) Social Exclusion and Stigmatisation; (6) Support Needs and Structures; and (7) Ramifications in the Post-Mortem Phase. Family caregivers reported a lack of formal guidance, often leading to isolation and exhaustion. Open communication was repeatedly highlighted as essential in order to honour the PSAS's wishes and alleviate family caregivers' grief. Family caregivers function as advocates and bureaucratic managers while simultaneously serving as carers who provide the PSAS with physical and emotional support. Rather than relying on the legal framework alone, public policy should also formally acknowledge this dual role and deliver government‑led structural support for family caregivers to lessen their emotional and bureaucratic burden. Family caregivers of PSAS were central to this research. We interviewed family caregivers about their experiences with assisted dying under Austria's Dying Decree Law, and incorporated their suggestions for addressing the identified challenges and improving support structures. Their contributions were integral to the study's findings and its focus on enhancing support structures for family caregivers within assisted dying systems.

Abstract Myrmeleontini is a widespread antlion tribe within the lacewing family Myrmeleontidae, well known for its larvae building cone‐shaped pits in sandy soil to trap prey. The monophyly of the tribe is well supported, but the monophyly of many genera within the tribe as well as the definition of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus has long been questioned. Here, we present a phylogenomic analysis of Myrmeleontini with emphasis on the Eurasian fauna, using ultraconserved elements (UCE) data. Our results recovered Myrmeleon as a diverse grade, with Baliga Navás, Callistoleon Banks, Euroleon Esben‐Petersen, Hagenomyia Banks and Megistoleon Navás deeply nested within it. Based on our sampling of type species of many genera (including those synonymized with Myrmeleon ) and detailed morphological comparisons, we provide a new phylogeny‐based classification of Myrmeleontini. Accordingly, Myrmeleon s. str . only refers to the formerly recognized M. formicarius group from Palaearctic region. The status of 12 genera that were previously considered as junior synonyms of Myrmeleon is restored (i.e., Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n ., Bordus Navás stat. rev ., Callistoleon Banks stat. rev ., Cocius Navás stat. rev ., Enza Navás stat. rev ., Macroleon Banks stat. rev ., Moreyus Navás stat. rev ., Morter Navás stat. rev ., Neleon Navás stat. rev ., Neseurus Navás stat. rev ., Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev . and Tafanerus Navás stat rev .), while Neohornius stat. rev ., previously treated as a subgenus of Myrmeleon, is herein elevated to genus. Additionally, based on comprehensive sampling from the Oriental region, five new genera from this region are described, that is, Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n ., Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n . Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n ., Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n . and Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n .