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.

Extracellular vesicles are associated with C-reactive protein in sepsis

Abstract: There is increasing evidence that C-reactive protein (CRP) can mediate inflammatory reactions following the transformation of functionally inert pentameric CRP (pCRP) into its structural isoform pCRP* and into monomeric CRP (mCRP). This conversion can occur on the membranes of apoptotic or activated cells or on extracellular vesicles (EVs) shed from the cell surface. Here, we characterized the association of CRP with EVs in plasma from sepsis patients using flow cytometry, and found highly elevated levels of total EV counts and CRP+ EVs as compared to healthy individuals. We further assessed the ability of PentraSorb CRP, an extracorporeal device for the adsorption of CRP, to deplete free CRP and CRP+ EVs. Treatment of septic plasma with the adsorbent in vitro resulted in almost complete removal of both, free CRP and CRP+ EVs, while total EV counts remained largely unaffected, indicating the detachment of CRP from the EV surface. EVs from septic plasma elicited a release of interleukin-8 from cultured human monocytes, which was significantly reduced by adsorbent treatment prior to EV isolation. Our findings provide evidence that CRP+ EVs exhibit pro-inflammatory characteristics and can contribute to the spreading of inflammation throughout the circulation on top of their pro-coagulant activity.

Preparation, Characterization, and Modeling of Ultrahigh Coercivity Sm–Co Thin Films

Abstract: Isotropic Sm–Co thin films with different SmxCoy phases (1:7, 1:5, and 2:7) are prepared by triode sputtering of targets of variable composition. A room-temperature coercivity value of 6.8 T is achieved in the film with the SmCo5 phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 3D atom probe analyses of films that comprise this compound reveal the presence of Sm-rich 4-nm-sized precipitates within grains and along grain boundaries. Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy/high-resolution high-angle annular dark-field (STEM/HAADF) imaging show that stacking faults occur within SmCo5 grains, which correspond to local phase variants including Sm2Co7, Sm5Co19 and SmCo3. The contribution to domain wall pinning of precipitates and stacking faults, as well as grain boundaries between misaligned grains, is discussed semi-quantitatively. Micromagnetic simulations are carried out to evaluate the influence of stacking faults and grain boundaries on magnetization reversal. The results indicate that the high coercivity values achieved can mainly be attributed to the strong pinning of magnetic domains at the grain boundaries of randomly oriented SmCo5 nanograins.

Critical Factors for Open Data Publication and Use: A Comparison of City-level, Regional, and Transnational Cases

Abstract: There is a lack of research concerning the factors influencing the success or failure of open data initiatives. Based on the results of two workshops, we provide a list of 47 success factors for open data publication and 18 success factors for open data use. We further use three case studies (ENGAGE, Open NY, and Open Vienna) to examine how the criticality of factors varies depending on the geographical level and other characteristics of the open data initiative. The cases, representing open data initiatives at city, regional, and transnational levels, point at different categories of critical success factors. Our key conclusions are that 1) the criticality of the factors depends considerably on the context of the open data initiative; 2) a number of success factors appear to be more universally applicable than others; 3) the factors that are critical to all three cases are derived from many different success factor categories, which suggests that open data initiatives should adopt an interdisciplinary approach, and 4) further work is needed to detail the success factors for open data publication and use in other contexts.

The Knowledge Society and Diversification of Higher Education: From the Social Contract to the Mission of Universities

Abstract: A further opening of universities towards social stakeholder groups is a part of the modernization agenda in the European Higher Education Area. This ambition is often overwritten with the concept of ‘Third Mission’. The third mission bundles all activities outside the academic environment and promotes interaction with other target groups. Typical areas of the third mission are continuing education, technology transfer and innovation, and the social engagement of the university as an institution. Future positioning of higher education institutions will take place more over their third mission strategies and activities. This article considers the third mission as a widening of teaching and research, introduces possible activities and calls for a systematic and strategic examination of the subject as well as for an integration into rankings. Furthermore, the article aims to stimulate critical reflection on the third mission indicators, so that the third mission becomes a more relevant part of the social contract.

Psychotherapy via the Internet: What Programs Do Psychotherapists Use, How Well-Informed Do They Feel, and What Are Their Wishes for Continuous Education?

Abstract: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the provision of psychotherapy around the world. The common format of delivering in-person psychotherapy is replaced by psychotherapy via the Internet to a great extent. This study examined how well Austrian psychotherapists feel informed about the use of the Internet in psychotherapy, where additional information needs exist, and which software is used. A link to an online survey was sent to all psychotherapists providing a valid email address in the official list of licensed psychotherapists at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in Austria. A total of 1547 people took part in the survey. The results show that psychotherapy via the Internet was primarily offered via Skype and Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the majority of the therapists felt well-informed about psychotherapy via the Internet; however, several therapists stated that they wish to have further information on data protection and security. Overall, the study shows that Austrian psychotherapists coped well with the rapid change from the provision of psychotherapy through personal contact to psychotherapy via the Internet. Security and data protection aspects of therapy via the Internet should be addressed in training and further education of psychotherapists. As this study was conducted online, it might have caused some respondent bias towards a higher participation of psychotherapists with higher preference for new technologies.