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Showing papers by "Danube University Krems published in 2007"


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 2007-Stroke
TL;DR: The Gugging Swallowing Screen offers a quick and reliable method to identify stroke patients with dysphagia and aspiration risk and provides less discomfort for those patients who can continue with their oral feeding routine for semisolid food while refraining from drinking fluids.
Abstract: Background and Purpose— Acute-onset dysphagia after stroke is frequently associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. Because most screening tools are complex and biased toward fluid swallowing, we developed a simple, stepwise bedside screen that allows a graded rating with separate evaluations for nonfluid and fluid nutrition starting with nonfluid textures. The Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) aims at reducing the risk of aspiration during the test to a minimum; it assesses the severity of aspiration risk and recommends a special diet accordingly. Methods— Fifty acute-stroke patients were assessed prospectively. The validity of the GUSS was established by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. For interrater reliability, 2 independent therapists evaluated 20 patients within a 2-hour period. For external validity, another group of 30 patients was tested by stroke nurses. For content validity, the liquid score of the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was compared with t...

441 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: With the proposed categorization, this article tries to untangle the visualization of time-oriented data, which is such an important concern in Visual Analytics.

343 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
09 Dec 2007
TL;DR: This paper introduces a concept for designing visual analytics frameworks and tailored visual analytics systems for time and time-oriented data, and presents a number of relevant design choices.
Abstract: Time is an important data dimension with distinct characteristics that is common across many application domains. This demands specialized methods in order to support proper analysis and visualization to explore trends, patterns, and relationships in different kinds of time-oriented data. The human perceptual system is highly sophisticated and specifically suited to spot visual patterns. For this reason, visualization is successfully applied in aiding these tasks. But facing the huge volumes of data to be analyzed today, applying purely visual techniques is often not sufficient. Visual analytics systems aim to bridge this gap by combining both, interactive visualization and computational analysis. In this paper, we introduce a concept for designing visual analytics frameworks and tailored visual analytics systems for time and time-oriented data. We present a number of relevant design choices and illustrate our concept by example.

52 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The usually recommended iCa(2+) levels in the HD extracorporeal circuit did not guarantee the complete overcoming of thrombogenicity, prevention of hemostasis, and complement activation.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) controlled by ionized calcium (iCa(2+)) would overcome thrombogenicity, prevent hemostasis, and complement activation during hemodialysis (HD). RCA was performed in 10 patients during 10 HD sessions using a polysulfone membrane in an effort to keep iCa(2+) at dialyzer outlet at < or =0.4 mmol/L. Compared to baseline, plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complexes rose significantly at 240 min, and tissue factor and complement C5a component levels at 30 and 240 min of the procedure. Thrombocyte count declined significantly at 30 and 240 min, while activated clotting time (ACT) did not increase significantly, and platelet factor 4 as well as von Willebrand factor levels did not alter significantly. While ACT correlated significantly with some thrombogenicity markers, iCa(2+) did not correlate with ACT, changes in hemostasis, or C5a. We conclude the usually recommended iCa(2+) levels in the HD extracorporeal circuit did not guarantee the complete overcoming of thrombogenicity, prevention of hemostasis, and complement activation.

21 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Concentrations of mediators can be efficiently modulated with the MDS using small quantities of specific adsorbents, and TNF adsorption was not influenced by the presence of excess TNF receptors.
Abstract: Background: The Microsperes-Based Detoxification System (MDS) represents a flexible therapeutic option for various diseases, depending on the specificity of the adsorbents applied. A potential application of the MDS is the supportive therapy of sepsis. Methods: Microadsorbents for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were prepared by immobilization of anti-TNF antibodies on cellulose (1–10 µm) and applied in an experimental set-up using a pool of human plasma (1 liter) spiked with TNF (800 pg/ml) and its soluble receptors (1,000 pg/ml each). Removal of TNF was compared using a plasma filter and the albumin-permeable filter Albuflow. Results: Addition of 4 (2) g of adsorbent to the filtrate circuit reduced TNF concentrations in the pool by 80% (64%). Removal rates did not differ significantly for the different filters. TNF adsorption was not influenced by the presence of excess TNF receptors. Conclusions: Concentrations of mediators can be efficiently modulated with the MDS using small quantities of specific adsorbents.

17 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that prognosis in an individual with rheumatoid arthritis depends on many factors and the determination of independent prognostic factors for progression of rheumatism is a valuable tool in early arthritis to select patients for more aggressive therapy.
Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis may take an unfavourable course leading to rapid functional decline in a certain percentage of patients. Early identification of these patients is desirable. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory parameters for their value in the prediction of bad outcome. A total of 172 patients with early arthritis were followed for 3 years. Higher initial values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor, serum concentration of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, Larsen score of feet, disease activity score, and swollen and tender joint count predicted worse outcome. An association with the presence of IgA rheumatoid factor or anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide could not be established. We conclude that prognosis in an individual with rheumatoid arthritis depends on many factors. The determination of independent prognostic factors for progression of rheumatoid arthritis is a valuable tool in early arthritis to select patients for more aggressive therapy.

17 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: This chapter introduces methods and tools for formalizing CPGs and proposes a methodology to reduce the human effort needed in the translation from original textual guidelines to formalized processable knowledge bases.
Abstract: Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are important means to improve the quality of care by supporting medical staff. Modeling CPGs in a computerinterpretable form is a prerequisite for various computer applications to support their application. However, transforming guidelines in a formal guideline representation is a difficult task. Existing methods and tools demand detailed medical knowledge, knowledge about the formal representations, and a manual modeling. In this chapter we introduce methods and tools for formalizing CPGs and we propose a methodology to reduce the human effort needed in the translation from original textual guidelines to formalized processable knowledge bases. The idea of our methodology is to use Information Extraction methods to help in the semi-automation of guideline content formalization of treatment processes. Thereby, the human modeler will be supported by both automating parts of the modeling process and making the modeling process traceable and comprehensible. Our methodology, called LASSIE, represents a novel method applying a stepwise procedure. The general idea is to use this method to formalize guidelines in any guideline representation language by applying both general steps (i.e., languageindependent) and language-specific steps. In order to evaluate both the methodology and the Information Extraction system, a framework was implemented and applied to several guidelines from the medical subject of otolaryngology. The framework has been applied to formalize the guidelines in the formal Asbru plan representation. Findings in the evaluation indicate that using semi-automatic, stepwise Information Extraction methods are a valuable instrument to formalize CPGs.

17 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
04 Jul 2007
TL;DR: An empirical study assessing the contribution of an interactive InfoVis method based on a spring metaphor (GRAVI), exploratory data analysis (EDA) and machine learning (ML) to ease understanding indicates that the three methods are complementary and should be used in conjunction.
Abstract: The evaluation of Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques can help to identify specific strengths and weaknesses of these methods. The following article describes the results of an empirical study assessing the contribution of an interactive InfoVis method based on a spring metaphor (GRAVI), exploratory data analysis (EDA) and machine learning (ML) to ease understanding. The application domain is the psychotherapeutic treatment of anorectic young women. The three methods are supposed to support the therapists in finding the variables which influence success or failure of the therapy. To conduct the evaluation we developed a report system which helped subjects to formulate and document in a self-directed manner the insights they gained when using the three methods. The results indicate that the three methods are complementary and should be used in conjunction.

17 citations


Book ChapterDOI
22 Nov 2007
TL;DR: This half-day tutorial will introduce this multi-disciplinary field of Visual Analytics by discussing its key issues of analytical reasoning, perception & cognition, visualization interaction, computation mining, the visual analysis process, and show potential application areas.
Abstract: Visual Analytics is an emerging area of research and practice that aims for supporting analytical reasoning by interactive visual interfaces. The basic idea is the integration of the outstanding capabilities of humans in terms of visual information exploration and the enormous processing power of computers to form a powerful knowledge discovery environment. In the course of our half-day tutorial we will introduce this multi-disciplinary field by discussing its key issues of analytical reasoning, perception & cognition, visualization interaction, computation mining, the visual analysis process, and show potential application areas.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The microspheres-based detoxification system (MDS) is a combined membrane-adsorption system for extracorporeal blood purification in which adsorbent microparticles are recirculated in an extracornoreal filtrate circuit and magnetic fluorescent microparticle are added as markers to the adsorbENT circuit to guarantee first fault safety.

14 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
26 Jul 2007
TL;DR: Results confirm the assumption that the system does not provide objective results, but has the potential to increase the spectator experience by giving audience members the feeling of being part of the voting process.
Abstract: We present a novel concept for an audience voting system for judged sports events. It is based on wireless wearable motion sensors utilizing the natural behaviour of sports spectators -clapping and cheering. This paper describes initial results from a user study that guided our design process. We further present two preliminary prototypes focusing on hardware and design feasibility respectively. Results confirm our assumption that the system does not provide objective results, but has the potential to increase the spectator experience by giving audience members the feeling of being part of the voting process.

13 Jul 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors study the use of translators and technical communicators in real translation working environments and determine when, to what extent and with what consequences the tools available can best be used.
Abstract: Translators play a key role in the growing market for intercultural technical communication and translation technologies can assist them in several areas of their work. However, there has been little study as yet of the use of such technologies in real translation working environments. The author’s current research seeks to address this situation and determine when, to what extent and with what consequences the tools available can best be used. How can translators and technical communicators best utilise technology to improve the way they work and increase their efficiency, yet without compromising their creativity or lowering the required quality of their products?


Proceedings Article
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: A secondary analysis of the Austrian data of a Eurobarometer data set is presented and addresses questions of penetration and usage of new information and communication technologies and gives strong support to consider Users and Non-Users not as homogenous groups in future research.
Abstract: The paper presents a secondary analysis of the Austrian data of a Eurobarometer (conducted in all member states of the EU) data set and addresses questions of penetration and usage of new information and communication technologies. Before going into the empirical analysis we provide a brief theoretical analysis of the digital divide concept, based on a literature overview. Up to now, research on digital divide analyized predictors of this phenomenon only separately without considering interaction effects. Our analysis aims to develop various types of Users and Non-Users by combining demographics and information about internet usage in a cluster analysis. Results give strong support to consider Users and Non-Users not as homogenous groups in future research. A more differentiated view has to be applied: combinations of attributes can yield in deprivation in a double or even tripel sense, so that some groups are harder to reach by ICTpolicies than others.

Proceedings Article
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: A new typology of Internet users is developed on basis of a recently conducted telephone survey in Austria, validated by using elements of the Theory of planned behaviour and can be embedded in a larger, multilevel model of collective behaviour.
Abstract: The paper aims to develop a new typology of Internet users on basis of a recently conducted telephone survey in Austria (January 2007, N=529, representative sample). In comparison to existing typologies, we elaborate our typology not by concentrating on duration or frequency of internet usage but by location of usage. Considering the location of usage, we can get hints about peoples motivation and interest in the internet, their types of usage and their internet literacy.The typology is validated by using elements of the Theory of planned behaviour. We can confirm the strong influence of the main determinants on behaviour as postulated by the Theory of planned behaviour, namely attitudes toward behaviour, behavioural control and social norms. By concentrating on individual behaviour, our approach is settled on the micro-level of explanation of collective phenomena. Thus our results can be embedded in a larger, multilevel model of collective behaviour.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The 1st International Conference on Advancement and Recommendations for Stroke Management (ICARSM) was held in China from March 10–12, 2007, and was the biggest neurological academic conference held in West China.
Abstract: The 1st International Conference on Advancement and Recommendations for Stroke Management (ICARSM) was held in China from March 10–12, 2007. The World Stroke Organization (WSO), Chinese Neurology Society (CNS) and Chinese Stroke Society (CSS) co-organized this conference with West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Professor Chuanzhen Lu, President of CNS, and Professor Michael Brainin acted as Chairs of the conference. Professor Ming Liu and Professor Suming Zhang served as executive chairpersons. (Fig. 1) Approximately 1000 participants from China and Vietnam attended the conference. Professor Michael Brainin, Professor Bo Norrving, Professor Peter Sandercock from the University of Edinburgh, UK, Professor Stephen Davis, Dr Owen White and Dr Bernard Yan from Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia, and all the standing committee members of CNS and CSS gave lectures. Over 20 delegates reported their research results at the conference. Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the world. In China, the clinical practice for stroke prevention and treatment is widely varied. The conference was also a part of the WSO China education program. The aim of the conference was to introduce the advancement on evidence-based clinical practice for stroke, and to enhance the academic linkage between China and the world. It was the biggest neurological academic conference held in West China. We had excellent participant feedback. The Education Committee of the WSO presented their ‘ABC of Stroke Management Program’ again, a presentation which had been successfully presented at last year’s International Stroke Conference in South Africa. (Fig. 2) This program is a compilation of lectures aiming at improving hospital management of acute stroke and has been presented as a CD in English and Chinese. Due to an educational grant from EBEWE Pharma, these lectures are now accessible free of charge at the WSO Education website.

01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: Im Beitrag werden einige Grunde fur Initiativen zu „Open Educational Resources“ (OER) fur den Hochschulsektor zusammengestellt and kritisch beleuchtet, und mogliche didaktische Konsequenzen im Zusammenhang with dieser Bewegung diskutiert.
Abstract: Im Beitrag werden einige Grunde fur Initiativen zu „Open Educational Resources“ (OER) fur den Hochschulsektor zusammengestellt und kritisch beleuchtet. Daran anschliesend werden mogliche didaktische Konsequenzen im Zusammenhang mit dieser Bewegung diskutiert. Im dritten Teil des Beitrages werden didaktische Aspekte von Anforderungen an OER Initiativen diskutiert. 1 Aspekte der OpenCourseWare (OCW) Initiative Als das Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) im April 2001 seine OpenCourseWare Initiative [W01] offentlich bekannt machte, reichten die Reaktionen von Uberraschung bis zu Verwirrung: Warum sollte eine solch prestigetrachtige Institution ihre Kursinhalte frei zur Verfugung stellen? Gibt sie damit nicht ihr wesentliches Kapital der Konkurrenz preis? Kritiker/innen wurden nicht mude, die schlechte Umsetzung (tatsachlich bestehen viele Inhalte – vorerst? – blos aus einem Syllabus, d.h. aus einer Zusammenstellung von Uberschriften zu den Kursinhalten) sowie mogliche (kultur-)imperialistische Hintergedanken (die ganze Welt soll mit MITInhalten „sozialisiert“ werden) zu beanstanden. In der Zwischenzeit hat sich die Situation jedoch soweit entwickelt, dass wohl der folgende Spruch zutrifft: „Die Hunde bellen, doch die Karawane zieht weiter“: Schatzungen zufolge, standen mit Herbst 2006 am Hochschulsektor mehr als 2500 Lehrgange von uber 200 Universitaten und Hochschulen alleine aus den USA, China, Japan und Frankreich zur Verfugung [Wi06 ]. Davon stellte das MIT damals noch den uberwiegenden Teil von 1.550 Kursen. In der Zwischenzeit beteiligen sich am 2005 gegrundeten OpenCourseWare Consortium [W02] bereits mehr als 120 Universitaten [W03]. In einem Referat auf der Konferenz "Open Educational Resources Institutional Challenges", an der Universitat Obertate de Catalunya (UOC, Barcelona 22.-24. November 2006), zahlte Shigeru Miyagawa, Professor fur Linguistik am MIT, 7 Vorteile der OCW-Initiative fur das MIT auf [W04]: 1. Es wird damit weltweit das Image des MIT verbessert. Diese Initiative brachte (und bringt immer noch) dem MIT enormes Echo in der Presse [W05]. 2. Es wird ein gewisser Stolz innerhalb der MIT-Community erzeugt, der insbesondere in der Bindung der Absolventen/innen (Alumni) an das MIT

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Pausits et al. as mentioned in this paper propose a Student Relationship Management Modell (SRM) which is eine Hochschulstrategie, e.g., zur Optimierung der Beziehungsqualitat zwischen hochschule and Studierenden auf lange Sicht eingesetzt wird.
Abstract: Die klarere Positionierung der wissenschaftlichen Weiterbildung und die Ver­schar­fung des Wettbewerbs am Weiterbil­dungsmarkt zwingen Hochschulen, diesen Bereich zu uberdenken und strategisch auszurichten. Die gleichzeitige Profilierung der Orga­nisation ermoglichen dabei fur Hochschulen adaquate Wettbewerbsstrate­gien wie z.B. Dienst­leistungs- und Kundenorientierung. Um diese in die Praxis um­zu­setzen, benotigen Hochschulen ein entsprechendes Managementmodell. Das Student Relationship Management Modell ist eine Hochschulstrategie, die zur Optimierung der Beziehungsqualitat zwischen Hochschule und Studierenden auf lange Sicht eingesetzt wird. Das Modell basiert auf der Einteilung der Bezie­hungs­dauer in unterschiedliche Phasen. Durch diese Differenzierung erfahrt die Bezie­hung zwischen Hochschule und Studierenden eine hohere Transparenz und ermog­licht der Hochschule, die eigenen Leistungen besser an den Kunden der wissenschaftlichen Weiterbildung auszurichten. 11.07.2007 | Attila Pausits (Krems)

01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: A conceptual proposition for structuring quality management at universities in a chronological and consequential manner in order to establish a holistic quality management system is developed.
Abstract: This article develops a conceptual proposition for structuring quality management at universities in a chronological and consequential manner in order to establish a holistic quality management system. The proposition is based on the practice of university continuing education conceptualized as a service within the profit sector of public higher education. Hence, market orientation and customer focus are central quality requirements. Existing instruments for quality management in university continuing education are assigned to the stages of quality planning, quality control, quality assessment, quality assurance.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A substantial functional diagnosis seems to be essential before considering and starting a therapy with oral applainces, and the position of the dentist trained in functional analysis is high and should be strengthened in the field of sleep medicine.
Abstract: Zur Therapie des obstruktiven Schlafapnoe-Syndroms existieren unterschiedliche Optionen, abhangig vom Schweregrad der Erkrankung und individuellen patientenbezogenen Faktoren. Seit mehr als einem Jahrzehnt haben Unterkieferprotrusionsschienen und andere intraorale Gerate einen zunehmenden Stellenwert in der Behandlung des Schlafapnoe-Syndroms. Uber die Wirkungen einer derartigen Therapie auf das Kauorgan und uber Notwendigkeit und Inhalt einer differenzierten anamnestischen, klinischen und apparativen Funktionsdiagnostik wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit nachgedacht. Untersucht wurden 20 Patienten mit einem gesicherten obstruktiven Schlafapnoe-Syndrom mittels Abformung von Ober- und Unterkiefer, mit zentrischer Bissnahme und arbitrarer Montage der Modelle im Artikulator. Angaben zu Anamnese, Muskelbefund, neurologischem Befund und Zahnstatus wurden in einem Befundblatt dokumentiert. Die Ergebnisse verweisen auf eine grose Zahl von Funktionsstorungen, so dass eine fundierte Funktionsdiagnostik des Kiefergelenkes vor Einleitung einer Therapie mit einer Protrusionsschiene obligat erscheint. Der Stellenwert der funktionsanalytisch orientierten zahnmedizinischen Diagnostik im Bereich der Schlafmedizin ist hoch und bedarf der weiteren Starkung.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this article, a non-invasive optical detection system was developed to monitor the extracorporeal venous bloodstream for the presence of released microparticles, both ferromagnetic and fluorescently labeled.
Abstract: A microsphere-based detoxification system (MDS) [1,2] is an adsorption system, whereby microadsorbent particles having diameters of 1–20 µm circulate in an extracorporeal filtrate circle. A thin-wall hollow-fiber membrane filter separates the microparticle-plasma suspension from the bloodstream. For patient safety, it is necessary to have a means to detect membrane ruptures that could lead to a release of microparticles into the patient’s bloodstream, causing critical side effects. A non invasive optical detection system was developed to monitor the extracorporeal venous bloodstream for the presence of released microparticles. For detection purposes, polymeric microspheres, both ferromagnetic and fluorescently labeled, are suspended with the adsorbent particles. In the case of a membrane rupture, the labeled particles would be released together with the microadsorbent [2]. A high effective magnetic trap collect the ferromagnetic marker beats in the focus of an optical fluorescence detection device where the signal output is proportional to the trapped amount of labeled particles. A simulation model based on fluidic, gravitational and magnetic forces was developed to analyze the motion and sedimentation of the marker particles in the magnetic trap. The simulation results show excellent accordance to the laboratory experiments.