Unsatisfying Situation Research Articles

International Students' Mental Health Care in China: A Systematic Review.

International students in China are facing difficulties while adapting their Chinese culture, and their life is influenced by the widespread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and caring for their mental health is currently challenging. As a result, our aim is to explore the current mental health care of this minority in China and to provide useful suggestions for future research and institutes. We used the systematic review method, and it was conducted on 11 existing pieces of literature. Our results confirm the unsatisfying psychological situation of international students and the lack of research in this area. We focus on the causes and symptoms of mental problems and explore the effectiveness of methods.

Crediting pull requests to open source research software as an academic contribution

Like any other scientific discipline, the High Performance Computing community suffers under the publish or perish paradigm. As a result, a significant portion of novel algorithm designs and hardware-optimized implementations never make it into production code but are instead abandoned once they served the purpose of yielding (another) publication. At the same time, community software packages driving scientific research lack the addition of new technology and hardware-specific implementations. This results in a very unsatisfying situation where researchers and software developers are working independently, and the traditional peer reviewing is reaching its capacity limits. A paradigm shift that accepts high-quality software pull requests to open source research software as conference contributions may create incentives to realize new and/or improved algorithms in community software ecosystems. In this paper, we propose to complement code reviews on pull requests to scientific open source software with scientific reviews, and allow the presentation and publication of high quality software contributions that present an academic improvement to the state-of-the-art at scientific conferences.

Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management (JCOM)

Postoperative cognitive impairment is among the most common medical complications associated with surgical interventions – particularly in elderly patients. In our aging society, it is an urgent medical need to determine preoperative individual risk prediction to allow more accurate cost–benefit decisions prior to elective surgeries. So far, risk prediction is mainly based on clinical parameters. However, these parameters only give a rough estimate of the individual risk. At present, there are no molecular or neuroimaging biomarkers available to improve risk prediction and little is known about the etiology and pathophysiology of this clinical condition. In this short review, we summarize the current state of knowledge and briefly present the recently started BioCog project (Biomarker Development for Postoperative Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly), which is funded by the European Union. It is the goal of this research and development (R&D) project, which involves academic and industry partners throughout Europe, to deliver a multivariate algorithm based on clinical assessments as well as molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers to overcome the currently unsatisfying situation.

Personalized risk prediction of postoperative cognitive impairment – rationale for the EU-funded BioCog project

Postoperative cognitive impairment is among the most common medical complications associated with surgical interventions – particularly in elderly patients. In our aging society, it is an urgent medical need to determine preoperative individual risk prediction to allow more accurate cost–benefit decisions prior to elective surgeries. So far, risk prediction is mainly based on clinical parameters. However, these parameters only give a rough estimate of the individual risk. At present, there are no molecular or neuroimaging biomarkers available to improve risk prediction and little is known about the etiology and pathophysiology of this clinical condition. In this short review, we summarize the current state of knowledge and briefly present the recently started BioCog project (Biomarker Development for Postoperative Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly), which is funded by the European Union. It is the goal of this research and development (R&D) project, which involves academic and industry partners throughout Europe, to deliver a multivariate algorithm based on clinical assessments as well as molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers to overcome the currently unsatisfying situation.

Fracture toughness for engineering application: There is a need for more suitable testing standards

Fracture toughness testing standards such as ASTM E1820 or ASTM E 1921 ISO 12350 are seldom used in practice. Estimates of KIc or JIc by empirical correlations with classical Charpy impact tests are much more popular and often preferred. The reasons for this unsatisfying situation is that the standard procedures of fracture toughness testing are much more demanding than the Charpy test, in terms of costs, test material, test equipment and expertise of the laboratory personal, whereas the much simpler CV-test still delivers useful estimates. However, between standard fracture toughness testing and classical Charpy impact testing there is a wide space for possible new tests that are similarly simple as Charpy tests and similarly informative as a fracture toughness tests. In the present paper, some suggestions for such more practical fracture toughness tests are made.

高校科研成果市场化转化现状探讨

如何加强高校科研成果市场转化，促进更多科研成果实现市场价值，是国家与高校面临的重要问题。本文主要分析我国高校科研成果市场化转化的现状，认为高校科研成果市场化转化并不理想，并初步探讨了背后的原因。 At present, both Chinese government and universities are confronted with one important question: how to strengthen the marketization transformation and realize the market value of university research achievements? This paper analyzes the current situation of marketization transformation of university research achievements, on the basis of which the paper concludes that the mar-ketization transformation of university research achievements is not that satisfying, and further explores the reasons behind the unsatisfying situation.

Runtime Vectorization Transformations of Binary Code

In many cases, applications are not optimized for the hardware on which they run. Several reasons contribute to this unsatisfying situation, such as legacy code, commercial code distributed in binary form, or deployment on compute farms. In fact, backward compatibility of ISA guarantees only the functionality, not the best exploitation of the hardware. In this work, we focus on maximizing the CPU efficiency for the SIMD extensions. The first contribution was originally published in the International Conference on Embedded Computer Systems: Architectures, Modeling and Simulation, SAMOS XV, July 2015, Agios Konstantinos, Greece. It is a binary-to-binary optimization framework where loops vectorized for an older version of the processor SIMD extension are automatically converted to a newer one. It is a lightweight mechanism that does not include a vectorizer, but instead leverages what a static vectorizer previously did. We show that many loops compiled for x86 SSE can be dynamically converted to the more recent and more powerful AVX; as well as, how correctness is maintained with regards to challenges such as data dependencies and reductions. We obtain speedups in line with those of a native compiler targeting AVX. The second contribution is the runtime vectorization of loops in binary codes that were not originally vectorized. For this purpose, we use open source frameworks that we have tuned and integrated to (1) dynamically lift the x86 binary into the Intermediate Representation form of the LLVM compiler, (2) abstract hot loops in the polyhedral model, (3) use the power of this mathematical framework to vectorize them, and (4) finally compile them back into executable form using the LLVM Just-In-Time compiler. In most cases, the obtained speedups are close to the number of elements that can be simultaneously processed by the SIMD unit. The re-vectorizer and auto-vectorizer are implemented inside a dynamic optimization platform; it is completely transparent to the user, does not require any rewriting of the binaries, and operates during program execution.

Anti-RAINBOW dye-specific antibodies as universal tools for the visualization of prestained protein molecular weight markers in Western blot analysis.

Western blotting is one of the most widely used techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry. Prestained proteins are used as molecular weight standards in protein electrophoresis. In the chemiluminescent Western blot analysis, however, these colored protein markers are invisible leaving researchers with the unsatisfying situation that the signal for the protein of interest and the signal for the markers are not captured simultaneously and have to be merged in an error-prone step. To allow the simultaneous detection of marker proteins we generated monoclonal antibodies specific for the protein dyes. To elicit a dye rather than protein specific immune response we immunized mice sequentially with dye-carrier protein complexes, in which a new carrier protein was used for each subsequent immunization. Moreover, by sequentially immunizing with dye-carrier protein complexes, in which different but structurally related dyes were used, we could also generate an antibody, termed anti-RAINBOW, that cross-reacted even with structurally related dyes not used in the immunizations. Our novel antibodies represent convenient tools for the simultaneous Western blot detection of commercially available prestained marker proteins in combination with the detection of any specific protein of interest. These antibodies will render obsolete the anachronistic tradition of manually charting marker bands on film.

Quality of antenatal and childbirth care in rural health facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania: an intervention study

To assess the impact of an intervention consisting of a computer-assisted clinical decision support system and performance-based incentives, aiming at improving quality of antenatal and childbirth care. Intervention study in rural primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania. In each country, six intervention and six non-intervention PHC facilities, located in one intervention and one non-intervention rural districts, were selected. Quality was assessed in each facility by health facility surveys, direct observation of antenatal and childbirth care, exit interviews, and reviews of patient records and maternal and child health registers. Findings of pre- and post-intervention and of intervention and non-intervention health facility quality assessments were analysed and assessed for significant (P < 0.05) quality of care differences. Post-intervention quality scores do not show a clear difference to pre-intervention scores and scores at non-intervention facilities. Only a few variables had a statistically significant better post-intervention quality score and when this is the case this is mostly observed in only one study-arm, being pre-/post-intervention or intervention/non-intervention. Post-intervention care shows similar deficiencies in quality of antenatal and childbirth care and in detection, prevention, and management of obstetric complications as at baseline and non-intervention study facilities. Our intervention study did not show a significant improvement in quality of care during the study period. However, the use of new technology seems acceptable and feasible in rural PHC facilities in resource-constrained settings, creating the opportunity to use this technology to improve quality of care.

Visualizing chemistry - IT-based learning in chemistry education

Learning chemistry is often difficult for students regarding the contents of this natural science. The reason behind this is mostly the degree of abstraction which is necessary to understand the procedures and invisible functional backgrounds of macroscopic processes. Until now this problem has been approached by using pre-built and fixed chemical models and chemical language without subject-specific meaning unknown to the student. To counter this unsatisfying situation it is necessary to find a new way to teach chemistry. In modern society the use of new media like PCs, Tablet-PCs and Smartphones is very common among today´s students, and thus it is necessary and absolutely essential to implement those media in modern education. Using these media as a supplement of education is nothing new, but using it as an integrated component in educational training with a whole new form of teaching is a big challenge. The students have to acquire professional (chemical) expertise in combination with media skills as well, not only in chemistry lessons but interdisciplinary with other subjects like Information-Technology or Art. The aim of a project dealing with these needs and requirements is highlighting the inclusion of all aspects of new media in chemistry education and conveyance of skills to depict chemical sub-microscopic processes in conjunction with other subjects of school education. The didactics of chemistry of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is designing an educational programme for students using Tablet-PCs, PCs and art materials which let students literally see chemical processes with self-made models, drawings, 3D-models rendered with CAD-programs, role-playings, blogs for exchanging ideas and data, self-designed virtual and physical experiments, tutorials and presentations.

Merging Limited Perspectives

SummaryFor almost 40 years, the relationship between corporate environmental performance (CEP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been analyzed in hundreds of empirical studies without yielding conclusive results. A major reason for this unsatisfying situation is the use of different measurement and theoretical approaches. Our article provides a literature review of existing measurement approaches for CEP and CFP as well as an examination of available theories and factors regarding the causal relation, direction, and potential moderators and mediators of the CEP‐CFP relationship. In essence, we provide a synopsis by mapping not only the varying measurement approaches, but also the limited perspectives of the theories and factors about the relationship. With this synopsis, we aim to enhance the design of future studies through a metamodel that merges the limited perspectives of the theories and the factors on the CEP‐CFP link.

The stiff total knee replacement: Evaluation and treatment

Stiffness after TKR is a frustrating complication that has many possible causes. Though the definition of stiffness has changed over the years, most would agree that knee flexion of less than 75° and a 15° lack of extension constitutes stiffness. This presentation will focus on the potential causes of a stiff TKR, intraoperative tips to avoid this outcome, the postoperative evaluation and management, and the results of revision for a stiff TKR. The management of this potentially unsatisfying situation begins preoperatively with guidance of the patient’s expectations; it is well known that preoperative stiffness is strongly correlated with postoperative lack of motion. At the time of surgery, osteophytes must be removed and the components properly sized and aligned in all planes. Flexion/extension gaps must be equalized and soft-tissue balancing must be attained. One must avoid overstuffing the tibiofemoral and/or patellofemoral compartments with an inadequate bone resection. Despite these surgical measures and adequate pain control and rehabilitation, certain patients will continue to frustrate our best efforts. These patients likely have a biological predisposition for formation of scar tissue. Other potential causes for the stiff TKR include complex regional pain syndrome or joint infection. Close follow-up of a patient’s progress is crucial for the success in return of ROM. Should motion plateau early in the recovery phase, the patient should be evaluated for manipulation under anesthesia. At our institution, most manipulations are performed within 3 months postop under an epidural anesthetic; on occasion, patients will stay overnight for continuous epidural pain relief and immediate aggressive PT. The results of re-operations for a stiff TKR are variable due to the multiple etiologies. A patient with arthrofibrosis with a clear cause of stiffness, such as component malposition, malrotation, or overstuffing of the joint, has a greater chance of regaining motion than arthrofibrosis without a clear cause. Although surgical treatment with open arthrolysis, isolated component, or complete revision can be used to improve TKR motion, results have been variable and additional procedures are often necessary.

Application of the Multimodal Discourse Analysis Theory to the Teaching of College English Listening and Speaking

Faced with the social high demand for students’ English listening and speaking ability and the present unsatisfying situation of college English listening and speaking teaching, we propose a new teaching model of college English listening and speaking–multimodal teaching model based on the multimodal discourse analysis theory. The results of the experiment show that the multimodal teaching model does better than the traditional one in the following three aspects: 1) promoting students’ intrinsic motivation for English learning; 2) improving students’ practical ability to use English; 3) strengthening students’ autonomous English learning ability. Besides, the newly-designed multimodal teaching model is more popular among students than the traditional one.

Nanoscale Metallic Iron for Environmental Remediation: Prospects and Limitations.

The amendment of the subsurface with nanoscale metallic iron particles (nano-Fe0) has been discussed in the literature as an efficient in situ technology for groundwater remediation. However, the introduction of this technology was controversial and its efficiency has never been univocally established. This unsatisfying situation has motivated this communication whose objective was a comprehensive discussion of the intrinsic reactivity of nano-Fe0 based on the contemporary knowledge on the mechanism of contaminant removal by Fe0 and a mathematical model. It is showed that due to limitations of the mass transfer of nano-Fe0 to contaminants, available concepts cannot explain the success of nano-Fe0 injection for in situ groundwater remediation. It is recommended to test the possibility of introducing nano-Fe0 to initiate the formation of roll-fronts which propagation would induce the reductive transformation of both dissolved and adsorbed contaminants. Within a roll-front, FeII from nano-Fe0 is the reducing agent for contaminants. FeII is recycled by biotic or abiotic FeIII reduction. While the roll-front concept could explain the success of already implemented reaction zones, more research is needed for a science-based recommendation of nano-Fe0 for subsurface treatment by roll-fronts.

Anti-TNF therapy: what have we learned in 12 years?

Two decades ago, the available treatment options were not effective for many persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. At this time RA patients had a significantly decreased life expectancy due to a relatively incontrolled inflammatory activity of RA combined with an increased incidence of comorbidities and severe treatment-related side effects. After 5 years of disease duration, a considerable percentage of patients became unemployed. The available disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were able to slow disease progression, but they could not stop it. This unsatisfying situation changed significantly at the beginning of the 1990s, when treatment options for RA patients expanded to include TNF blockers. These blockers were shown to significantly decrease not only the inflammatory activity of RA, but also the radiographic progression. This breakthrough in therapeutic options was fostered by the pioneering research of Prof. Sir Ravinder Maini and Prof. Sir Marc Feldman working at the Kennedy Institute in London, who introduced a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNFα in the treatment of RA patients. Since these early clinical trials, TNF inhibitors have radically changed the entire therapeutic approach, not only for RA but also for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). While the focus once was symptom mitigation, rheumatologists now seek control of disease progression. Today, TNF inhibitors effectively suppress and control the inflammation driving these diseases, and thereby prevent irreversible tissue damage and disability. Radiographic studies are showing that progressive joint damage can be halted under certain conditions in some patients. These conditions and patients are currently being elucidated. New frontiers include early diagnosis and referral; optimizing treatment regimens; identifying patients at risk of rapidly progressing disease; and instituting early, rapid TNF blockade in these patients. Using combination therapy with TNF inhibitors and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs – specifically methotrexate – at an early stage of RA, disease progression can be stopped or at least significantly retarded. The four articles in this supplement present up-to-date information, current data, and the best thinking on anti-TNF therapy in RA, AS, and PsA. Since research over the past decade revealed that these three disorders share an inflammatory mechanism fueled especially by TNF, efforts to produce viable TNF inhibitors have accelerated. Josef S Smolen and Paul Emery, in their article ‘Infliximab: 12 Years of Experience’, expound upon the record of efficacy and safety amassed for this TNF inhibitor. Research on infliximab, which began with the first randomized controlled study in a rheumatic disease, stimulated most of the development of TNF neutralizing therapies. The authors summarize the major trials in RA, AS, and PsA that contributed to this body of evidence. In the second article, ‘Understanding Emerging Treatment Paradigms in Rheumatoid Arthritis’, Ferdinand C Breedveld and Bernard Combe assert that most patients with RA are undertreated. They outline accumulating data showing that intensive treatment in the early stages of RA can slow or stop disease progression, and they describe alternatives to traditional step-up approaches and to sequential monotherapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Next, Georg Schett and colleagues focus on bone and cartilage injury in all three diseases, with an emphasis on key knowledge arising from TNF research and how it has paved the way for future advances. Their article, ‘Structural Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Traditional Views, Novel Insights Gained from TNF Blockade, and Concepts for the Future’, explores the different pathologies as well as radiographic data for the interaction between inflammation and structural progression. Lastly, Paul P Tak and I discuss innovative approaches – with TNF inhibitors but also with other biologic agents – to inflammatory arthritides, including new targets within the inflammatory cascade, agents designed to affect associated pathways, and improved management strategies involving early diagnosis and referral. In the article ‘Advances in Rheumatology: New Targeted Therapeutics’, we explore the variable response to targeted therapy and consider how best to integrate these advanced therapies into daily practice. Our goal with the present supplement is to provide a valuable, current resource from which additional dialog may spring. We all agree that optimal treatment, initiated sooner, may reduce costs and risks to patients, and therefore achieve our common ambition – to help the patient and to attain low disease activity or remission in persons with inflammatory arthritis.

Adversarial models in paging

The classical online paging problem mathematically abstracts memory management systems. Early worst-case results for paging algorithms leave a significant gap to practical experience: Many “reasonable” algorithms, such as Least Recently Used, are empirically superior to “intuitively inferior” ones, like First-In First-Out or Flush When Full. But they have identical theoretical worst-case performance guarantees. Moreover, these guarantees do not adequately reflect empirical evidence. To overcome this unsatisfying situation, many adversarial models intended to reflect the “typical” situation have been proposed. This article surveys the most prominent of them.

S13-01 - Delirium in the general hospital: Why and how cl-psychiatry must tackle a major health care problem

Delirium in patients older than 70 years is a frequnet problem on somatic wards in the general hospital, leading to adverse events such as falls, and/or prolonged length of hospitals stay.Albeit c-l-psychiatrists and geriatricians since long have advocated the necessitiy to improve this situation, nothing really happens.This lecture discusses problems, perils and pitfalls of this unsatisfying situation and tries to answer questions such as whether guidelines could be of help here, and whether pilot projects could be useful to lead the field further. The latter issue will be illustrated with two examples from Germany.

Stiffness After TKR: How to Avoid Repeat Surgery

Stiffness after total knee replacement (TKR) is a frustrating complication that has many possible causes. Although the definition of stiffness has changed over the years, most would agree that flexion <75° and a 15° lack of extension constitutes stiffness. The management of this potentially unsatisfying situation begins preoperatively with guidance of the patient's expectations; it is well-known that preoperative stiffness is strongly correlated with postoperative lack of motion. At the time of surgery, osteophytes must be removed and the components properly sized and aligned and rotated. Soft tissue balancing must be attained in both the flexion/extension and varus/valgus planes. One must avoid overstuffing the tibiofemoral and/or patellofemoral compartments with an inadequate bone resection. Despite these surgical measures and adequate pain control and rehabilitation, certain patients will continue to frustrate our best efforts. These patients likely have a biological predisposition for formation of scar tissue. Other potential causes for the stiff TKR include complex regional pain syndrome or joint infection. Close follow-up of a patient's progress is crucial for the success in return of range of motion. Should motion plateau early in the recovery phase, the patient should be evaluated for manipulation under anesthesia. The results of reoperations for a stiff TKR are variable due to the multiple etiologies. A clear cause of stiffness such as component malposition, malrotation, or overstuffing of the joint has a greater chance of regaining motion than arthrofibrosis without a clear cause. Although surgical treatment with open arthrolysis, isolated component, or complete revision can be used to improve TKR motion, results have been variable and additional procedures are often necessary.

On what it is to fly can tell us something about what it is to live.

The plurality of definitions of life is often perceived as an unsatisfying situation stemming from still incomplete knowledge about 'what it is to live' as well as from the existence of a variety of methods for reaching a definition. For many, such plurality is to be remedied and the search for a unique and fully satisfactory definition of life pursued. In this contribution on the contrary, it is argued that the existence of such a variety of definitions of life undermines the very feasibility of ever reaching a unique unambiguous definition. It is argued that focusing on the definitions of specific types of 'living systems'-somehow in the same way that one can define specific types of 'flying systems'-could be more fruitful from a heuristic point of view than looking for 'the' right definition of life, and probably more accurate in terms of carving Nature at its joints.

Assessing impacts of organic production on pork and beef quality.

Abstract Organic livestock farming is based on a low-input production method, aiming to provide meat of a high product and process quality rather than maximizing production. Such high meat quality corresponds to the expectations of consumers, who are both seeking a premium product and who are willing to pay premium prices. This review focuses on the question of whether organic pork and beef production currently meet consumer demands, and it elaborates the potentials and limitations for producing high-quality meats under the current organic framework. Although defined by specific and basic guidelines, organic livestock production is characterized by largely heterogeneous farming conditions that allow for huge differences in the availability of nutrient resources, the implementation of feeding regimes, the use of genotypes, etc., all of which variously impact meat production. Correspondingly, there is substantial variation in the quality of organic meat entering the marketplace. According to the available literature, the quality of organic pork and beef was inconsistent and often fell short of expectations, as it is often similar to the quality of conventionally produced meat. Obviously, organic guidelines play a minor role with respect to meat quality. On the other hand, there is evidence that less intensified production systems may present suitable preconditions that would yield meats of high eating quality assumed that the relevant pre- and post-farmgate factors are considered and balanced within quality assurance systems. However, the trade value of carcasses is determined primarily by lean meat and cut composition while qualitative traits of meat are of no relevance. Neither does continuous recording of qualitative traits take place nor is an outstanding meat quality rewarded by higher prices. Of the various parameters, the intramuscular fat is highly related to palatability traits in both pork and beef and could be used to distinguish between different levels of eating quality. Despite the fact that many consumers express their wish for high-quality meats, the payment and marketing systems counteract all efforts to follow consumer demands and fail to communicate adequately differentiated meat palatability. It is concluded that only a direct assessment of qualitative traits and a payment system that honours meat quality grades that are above average can contribute so as to improve the currently unsatisfying situation. This, however, requires a shift in the paradigm from a guideline-oriented to an output-oriented approach, and the implementation of a systematic approach for an effective and efficient balancing of the multiple variables and complex interactions within each farming system.