Danube University Krems

About: Danube University Krems is a education organization based out in Krems, Niederösterreich, Austria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Stroke & Population. The organization has 498 authors who have published 1572 publications receiving 68797 citations.

How to Move from Power-Based to Dialogic Relations? Lessons from Roma Women.

Abstract: In its growth strategy for the coming decade, the EU recognises the Roma as one of several groups especially affected by poverty and social vulnerability. So far, many efforts to reverse this social exclusion have failed; imposed solutions based on power relations have ignored Roma voices and suggestions from the community. As a result, the EU now emphasises the urgency of identifying measures that can effectively help their situation. This article draws on data from a qualitative longitudinal case study of predominantly Roma schools in Spain. It shows how the move from power-based relations with Roma families to more dialogic ones has helped overcome both social and educational exclusion. Two dimensions are identified that facilitate this transition: demonopolisation of the expert knowledge and recognition of the Roma culture. By introducing dialogic relations, these schools have encouraged more Roma women to participate in different domains; they have also increased their academic expectations, moved beyond society's prejudice towards the Roma, and helped new role models to emerge.

Fighting Against Stroke in Latin America: A Joint Effort of Medical Professional Societies and Governments.

Abstract: Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Latin America, a region with countless gaps to be addressed to decrease its burden. In 2018, at the first Latin American Stroke Ministerial Meeting, stroke physician and healthcare manager representatives from 13 countries signed the Declaration of Gramado with the priorities to improve the region, with the commitment to implement all evidence-based strategies for stroke care. The second meeting in March 2020 reviewed the achievements in 2 years and discussed new objectives. This paper will review the 2-year advances and future plans of the Latin American alliance for stroke. Method: In March 2020, a survey based on the Declaration of Gramado items was sent to the neurologists participants of the Stroke Ministerial Meetings. The results were confirmed with representatives of the Ministries of Health and leaders from the countries at the second Latin American Stroke Ministerial Meeting. Results: In 2 years, public stroke awareness initiatives increased from 25 to 75% of countries. All countries have started programs to encourage physical activity, and there has been an increase in the number of countries that implement, at least partially, strategies to identify and treat hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle risk factors. Programs to identify and treat dyslipidemia and atrial fibrillation still remained poor. The number of stroke centers increased from 322 to 448, all of them providing intravenous thrombolysis, with an increase in countries with stroke units. All countries have mechanical thrombectomy, but mostly restricted to a few private hospitals. Pre-hospital organization remains limited. The utilization of telemedicine has increased but is restricted to a few hospitals and is not widely available throughout the country. Patients have late, if any, access to rehabilitation after hospital discharge. Conclusion: The initiative to collaborate, exchange experiences, and unite societies and governments to improve stroke care in Latin America has yielded good results. Important advances have been made in the region in terms of increasing the number of acute stroke care services, implementing reperfusion treatments and creating programs for the detection and treatment of risk factors. We hope that this approach can reduce inequalities in stroke care in Latin America and serves as a model for other under-resourced environments.

Release and cellular origin of extracellular vesicles during circulation of whole blood over adsorbent polymers for lipid apheresis.

Abstract: Whole blood lipid apheresis is clinically applied in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia to reduce low density lipoprotein and other apolipoprotein B 100 containing lipoproteins. Here, the hemocompatibility of two polyacrylate-coated polyacrylamide-based polymers for lipid apheresis by evaluating the adhesion of blood cells to the adsorbent polymers, their respective activation, as well as the release of microvesicles during circulation of whole blood over the polymers was studied. Characterization of the adsorbents by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed differences with respect to their surface morphology and their surface chemical composition. Despite these differences, equivalent amounts of leukocytes and platelets adhered to both polymers during circulation of whole blood over the adsorbent columns. The release of phosphatidylserine-exposing microvesicles, in contrast, increased significantly with increasing surface roughness and with the amount of polyacrylate groups at the adsorbent surface. The majority of microvesicles generated during blood-material contact were platelet-derived, and their release was associated with enhanced thrombin generation. Microvesicles were present in free and in cell-bound form, and 75% of all monocytes, but only 0.2% and 2.3% of red blood cells and platelets, respectively, were associated with microvesicles, pointing to a role of monocytes in the clearance of released microvesicles. Taken together, microvesicles are sensitive indicators for biomaterial-induced activation of blood cells in apheresis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 636-646, 2017.

Planar Magnetostrictive Micromechanical Actuator

Abstract: A magnetostrictive actuator approach based on micromechanical structures is presented. Planar geometries are designed, comprising V-shaped beams and lever transmissions. Several V-shaped beams are stacked in parallel and two of such stacks are placed facing each other. Both are connected to a lever beam. When a magnetic field is applied, the magnetostriction of the active material leads to an elongation/shortening of the V-shaped beams. The lever transmission converts the magnetically induced elastic energy into a reliable in-plane displacement. The overall dimensions of the devices are in the range of 4 mm $\times 2$ mm $\times 0.4$ mm and hence, way smaller compared with state-of-the-art magnetostrictive actuators. For a magnetic flux density of 14 mT, a stroke displacement of 10.2 $\mu $ m was achieved. With a spring stiffness of 5.56 N/m obtained from simulations, a theoretical area specific work of 72 $\mu $ J/ $\mathrm{m}^{2}$ was accomplished.