University of Graz

About: University of Graz is a education organization based out in Graz, Steiermark, Austria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Quantum chromodynamics. The organization has 17934 authors who have published 37489 publications receiving 1110980 citations. The organization is also known as: Carolo Franciscea Graecensis & Karl Franzens Universität.

Visual rating of age-related white matter changes on magnetic resonance imaging: scale comparison, interrater agreement, and correlations with quantitative measurements.

Abstract: Background and Purpose— To provide further insight into the MRI assessment of age-related white matter changes (ARWMCs) with visual rating scales, 3 raters with different levels of experience tested the interrater agreement and comparability of 3 widely used rating scales in a cross-sectional and follow-up setting. Furthermore, the correlation between visual ratings and quantitative volumetric measurement was assessed. Methods— Three raters from different sites using 3 established rating scales (Manolio, Fazekas and Schmidt, Scheltens) evaluated 74 baseline and follow-up scans from 5 European centers. One investigator also rated baseline scans in a set of 255 participants of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study (ASPS) and measured the volume of ARWMCs. Results— The interrater agreement for the baseline investigation was fair to good for all scales (κ values, 0.59 to 0.78). On the follow-up scans, all 3 raters depicted significant ARWMC progression; however, the direct interrater agreement for this task wa...

Posttraumatic stress disorder and health-related quality of life in long-term survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract: Objective Intensive care often means exposure to physical and psychological stress, with long-lasting emotional sequelae for most patients. Psychiatric morbidity and negative effects on health-related quality of life were assessed in long-term survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Method Forty-six long-term survivors were enrolled in a psychiatric follow-up study. All patients had received standard, protocol-driven treatment during intensive care. The median follow-up time was 8 years after treatment. DSM-IV was used for psychiatric diagnosis. Psychological tests were performed to measure posttraumatic stress symptoms; depression; state anxiety; somatization; symptoms regarding concentration, attention, and short-term memory; social support; and health-related quality of life. Results At time of discharge, 20 of the patients suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and four from sub-PTSD. At follow-up, 11 patients continued to suffer from PTSD and eight from sub-PTSD. The patients with PTSD demonstrated a pronounced tendency for somatization and state anxiety. Among the groups with PTSD, sub-PTSD, and no PTSD, there were no statistically significant differences regarding social support and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction. Those with PTSD showed major impairments in some dimensions of health-related quality of life, whereas those without PTSD had scores that were in the range of the general population. Except for duration of stay on the intensive care unit, neither age, gender, sociodemographic variables, premorbid psychopathology, nor initial severity of illness discriminated between the groups. Conclusions Long-term survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome seem to face a major risk of PTSD and major impairments in health-related quality of life in the long term.

Five Characteristics of Youth Unemployment in Europe: Flexibility, Education, Migration, Family Legacies, and EU Policy

Abstract: Current levels of youth unemployment need to be understood in the context of increased labor market flexibility, an expansion of higher education, youth migration, and family legacies of long-term unemployment. Compared with previous recessions, European-wide policies and investments have significantly increased with attempts to support national policies. By mapping these developments and debates, we illustrate the different factors shaping the future of European labor markets. We argue that understanding youth unemployment requires a holistic approach that combines an analysis of changes in the economic sphere around labor market flexibility, skills attainment, and employer demand, as well as understanding the impact of family legacies affecting increasingly polarized trajectories for young people today. The success of EU policy initiatives and investments will be shaped by the ability of national actors to implement these effectively.

Pulsatile Non-Newtonian Flow Characteristics in a Three-Dimensional Human Carotid Bifurcation Model

Abstract: Numerical analysis of flow phenomena and wall shear stresses in the human carotid artery bifurcation has been carried out using a three-dimensional geometrical model. The primary aim of this study is the detailed discussion of non-Newtonian flow velocity and wall shear stress during the pulse cycle. A comparison of non-Newtonian and Newtonian results is also presented. The applied non-Newtonian behavior of blood is based on measured dynamic viscosity. In the foreground of discussion are the flow characteristics in the carotid sinus. The investigation shows complex flow patterns especially in the carotid sinus where flow separation occurs at the outer wall throughout the systolic deceleration phase. The changing sign of the velocity near the outer sinus wall results in oscillating shear stress during the pulse cycle. At the outer wall of the sinus at maximum diameter level the shear stress ranges from -1.92 N/m2 to 1.22 N/m2 with a time-averaged value of 0.04 N/m2. At the inner wall of the sinus at maximum diameter level the shear stress range is from 1.16 N/m2 to 4.18 N/m2 with a mean of 1.97 N/m2. The comparison of non-Newtonian and Newtonian results indicates unchanged flow phenomena and rather minor differences in the basic flow characteristics.