A deep learning approach for determining the chiral indices of carbon nanotubes from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images

Chiral indices determine important properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Unfortunately, their determination from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images, the most accurate method for assigning chirality, is a tedious task. We develop a Convolutional Neural Network that automatizes this process. A large and realistic training data set of CNT images is obtained by means of atomistic computer simulations coupled with the multi-slice approach for image generation. In most cases, results of the automated assignment are in excellent agreement with manual classification, and the origin of failures is identified. The current approach, which combines HRTEM imaging and deep learning algorithms allows the analysis of a statistically significant number of HRTEM images of carbon nanotubes, paving the way for robust estimates of experimental chiral distributions.Comment: for use of the discussed computer code, please contact the corresponding autho

The experience of inflammatory bowel disease patients with healthcare: A survey with the IEXPAC instrument

Inflammatory bowel disease; Patients experience; Chronic diseaseMalaltia intestinal inflamatòria; Experiència dels pacients; Malalties cròniquesEnfermedad intestinal inflamatoria; Experiencia de los pacientes; Enfermedades crónicasTo assess inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients' experience of chronic illness care and the relationship with demographic and healthcare-related characteristics.This cross-sectional survey used the Instrument to Evaluate the EXperience of PAtients with Chronic diseases (IEXPAC) questionnaire to identify parameters associated with a better healthcare experience for IBD patients. IEXPAC questionnaire responses are grouped into 3 factors - productive interactions, new relational model, and patient self-management, scoring from 0 (worst) to 10 (best experience). Scores were analyzed by bivariate comparisons and multiple linear regression models.Surveys were returned by 341 of 575 patients (59.3%, mean age 46.8 (12.9) years, 48.2% women). Mean (SD) IEXPAC score was 5.9 (2.0); scores were higher for the productive interactions (7.7) and patient self-management factors (6.7) and much lower for the new relational model factor (2.2). Follow-up by a nurse, being seen by the same physician, and being treated with a lower number of medicines were associated with higher (better) overall patient experience score, and higher productive interactions and self-management factor scores. A higher productive interactions score was also associated with patients receiving medication subcutaneously or intravenously. Higher new relational model scores were associated with follow-up by a nurse, affiliation to a patients' association, receiving help from others for healthcare, a lower number of medicines and a higher educational level.In patients with IBD, a better overall patient experience was associated with follow-up by a nurse, being seen by the same physician, and being treated with a lower number of medicines

ANALISIS YURIDIS SOSIOLOGIS PROSEDUR PENYELAMATAN KREDIT BERMASALAH BANK DANAMON BERDASARKAN PERATURAN BANK INDONESIA NOMOR 14/15/PBI/2012 TENTANG PENILAIAN KUALITAS ASET BANK UMUM (Studi Pada Kasus Konflik Bank Danamon Tanjung Balai Karimun Provinsi Kepualauan Riau Dengan Nasabah Bank Danamon)

Kasus mengenai penanganan kredit bermasalah di Bank Danamon sering mengalami permasalahan terutama dalam hal pelelangan. Kejadian tersebut dikarenakan bahwa Bank Danamon sering melakukan tindakan pelelangan tanpa pemberitahuan oleh nasabah serta tidak melakukan proses penyelamatan kredit bermasalah terlebih dahulu terhadap nasabah yang mengalami kredit bermasalah. Penelitian ini mengambil rumusan masalah Bagaimana prosedur penyelamatan kredit bermasalah yang dilakukan oleh PT.Bank Danamon dikaitkan dengan Peraturan Bank Indonesia Nomor 14/15/PBI/2012 Tentang Penilaian Kualitas Aset Bank Umum dan Apa faktor yang mendasari PT.Bank Danamon melakukan pelelangan terhadap jaminan nasabah. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan Yuridis Sosiologis. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian tersebut ada beberapa peraturan dari Bank Danamon yang tidak mengikuti prosedur dari BI serta terjadi ketidaksesuain dengan peraturan yang dikeluarkan oleh Bank Danamon pusat dengan tindakan yang dilakukan oleh Bank Danamon Tanjung Balai Karimun. Proses penyelamatan kredit bermasalah yang dilakukan oleh bank adalah dengan mengeluarkan surat penggilan yang berisi mengenai pelunasan pembayaran, Bank Danamon tidak melakukan restrukturisasi sebelum nasabah sendiri yang membuat permohonan untuk dapat restrukturisasi. Mengenai pelelangan Bank Danmon kurang melengkapi salah satu persyaratan untuk melakukan lelng yaitu tidak adanya surat pemberitahuan lelang kepada debitur sehingga pelelangan yang dilakukan oleh bank danamon kurang sempurna. Kesimpulannya bahwa Bank Danamon Tanjung Balai Karimun kurang menerapkan peraturan yang telah dikeluarkan oleh Bank Danamon Pusat. Saran, Bank Danamon Tanjung Balai Karimun dapat memperbaiki kinerja bank dan melakukan perbuatan sesuai dengan perturan yang telah dikeluarkan

The efficacy of suppressive antibiotic treatment in patients managed non-operatively for periprosthetic joint infection and a draining sinus

Objectives: Patients with prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) not suitable for curative surgery may benefit from suppressive antibiotic therapy (SAT). However, the usefulness of SAT in cases with a draining sinus has never been investigated. Methods: A multicentre, retrospective observational cohort study was performed in which patients with a PJI and a sinus tract were eligible for inclusion if managed conservatively and if sufficient follow-up data were available (i.e. at least 2 years). SAT was defined as a period of > 6 months of oral antibiotic therapy. Results: SAT was initiated in 63 of 72 (87.5 %) included patients. Implant retention during follow-up was the same in patients receiving SAT vs. no SAT (79.4 % vs. 88.9 %; pCombining double low line0.68). In total, 27 % of patients using SAT experienced side effects. In addition, the occurrence of prosthetic loosening in initially fixed implants, the need for surgical debridement, or the occurrence of bacteremia during follow-up could not be fully prevented with the use of SAT, which still occurred in 42 %, 6.3 %, and 3.2 % of cases, respectively. However, the sinus tract tended to close more often (42 % vs. 13 %; pCombining double low line0.14), and a higher resolution of pain was observed (35 % vs. 14 %; pCombining double low line0.22) in patients receiving SAT. Conclusions: SAT is not able to fully prevent complications in patients with a draining sinus. However, it may be beneficial in a subset of patients, particularly in those with pain or the hindrance of a draining sinus. A future prospective study, including a higher number of patients not receiving SAT, is needed

Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—including 17 interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets—is a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. SDG7 calls for action to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Here we characterize synergies and trade-offs between efforts to achieve SDG7 and delivery of the 2030 Agenda as a whole. We identify 113 targets requiring actions to change energy systems, and published evidence of relationships between 143 targets (143 synergies, 65 trade-offs) and efforts to achieve SDG7. Synergies and trade-offs exist in three key domains, where decisions about SDG7 affect humanity’s ability to: realize aspirations of greater welfare and well-being; build physical and social infrastructures for sustainable development; and achieve sustainable management of the natural environment. There is an urgent need to better organize, connect and extend this evidence, to help all actors work together to achieve sustainable development. On 5 September 2015, the 193 members states of the United Nations (UN) adopted a new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda succeeds the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and features 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets, which UN member states have committed to implement by 2030. Energy was not explicitly referred to in the MDGs, and came to be referred to as the ‘missing’ MDG. During the operational period of the MDGs and negotiation of the 2030 Agenda, it was increasingly recognized that energy underpins economic and social development, without which it would not be possible to eliminate poverty. This change in status made sustainable energy provision and access one of the central themes of the 2030 Agenda, whose preamble calls for “universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy” and recognizes that “social and economic development depends of the sustainable management of our planet’s natural resources”. SDG7 is accompanied by five targets to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services (7.1); increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (7.2); double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (7.3); enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology (7.a), and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology (7.b). By understanding the complex links between the SDGs and their constituent targets, researchers can better support policymakers to think systematically about interactions between the different SDGs, including how actions to achieve each goal affect each other within and between sectors. Studies to date have lacked a target-level approach or have focussed on only a few of the SDGs. Here we present a formative attempt by an interdisciplinary group of researchers to identify the full range of goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda that call for changes in energy systems, and characterize evidence of synergies or trade-offs between delivery of each of the 169 targets and efforts focussed on pursuit of SDG7 and each of its constituent targets. The purpose of this Perspective is not to provide definitive answers. Instead we aim to lay a foundation for systematic (and context-specific) exploration of the interlinkages between each of the SDG targets, in the context of decision-making about development and the transformation of energy systems

Elements in the Canine Distemper Virus M 3′ UTR Contribute to Control of Replication Efficiency and Virulence

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the genus Morbillivirus and the family Paramyxoviridae. The Morbillivirus genome is composed of six transcriptional units that are separated by untranslated regions (UTRs), which are relatively uniform in length, with the exception of the UTR between the matrix (M) and fusion (F) genes. This UTR is at least three times longer and in the case of CDV also highly variable. Exchange of the M-F region between different CDV strains did not affect virulence or disease phenotype, demonstrating that this region is functionally interchangeable. Viruses carrying the deletions in the M 3′ UTR replicated more efficiently, which correlated with a reduction of virulence, suggesting that overall length as well as specific sequence motifs distributed throughout the region contribute to virulence