Local-currency debt and currency internationalization dynamics: A nonlinear framework

The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between the exposition of emerging countries to original sin and the internationalization process of their currency in a nonlinear framework. For that purpose, we use a panel dataset of 12 emerging countries from 2005Q4 to 2018Q3, and we implement two complementary methodologies: a multiplicative interaction model and a dynamic panel threshold model. We investigate the impact of the measures of the currency internationalization process on the ability of emerging countries to issue debt in local currency. We show that the Economic size and the institutional quality of emerging countries, as well as the FX turnover of their currency, interact when explaining the share of local-currency external debt. Moreover, our results reveal the existence of thresholds beyond which there is a change in the evolution of original sin, notably for the economic size and the governance index of emerging countries

Reactivation of Microbial Strains and Synthetic Communities After a Spaceflight to the International Space Station: Corroborating the Feasibility of Essential Conversions in the MELiSSA Loop

To sustain human deep space exploration or extra-terrestrial settlements where no resupply from the Earth or other planets is possible, technologies for in situ food production, water, air, and waste recovery need to be developed. The Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) is such a Regenerative Life Support System (RLSS) and it builds on several bacterial bioprocesses. However, alterations in gravity, temperature, and radiation associated with the space environment can affect survival and functionality of the microorganisms. In this study, representative strains of different carbon and nitrogen metabolisms with application in the MELiSSA were selected for launch and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) exposure. An edible photoautotrophic strain (Arthrospira sp. PCC 8005), a photoheterotrophic strain (Rhodospirillum rubrum S1H), a ureolytic heterotrophic strain (Cupriavidus pinatubonensis 1245), and combinations of C. pinatubonensis 1245 and autotrophic ammonia and nitrite oxidizing strains (Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC19718, Nitrosomonas ureae Nm10, and Nitrobacter winogradskyi Nb255) were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for 7 days. There, the samples were exposed to 2.8 mGy, a dose 140 times higher than on the Earth, and a temperature of 22 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C. On return to the Earth, the cultures were reactivated and their growth and activity were compared with terrestrial controls stored under refrigerated (5 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C) or room temperature (22 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C and 21 degrees C +/- 0 degrees C) conditions. Overall, no difference was observed between terrestrial and ISS samples. Most cultures presented lower cell viability after the test, regardless of the type of exposure, indicating a harsher effect of the storage and sample preparation than the spaceflight itself. Postmission analysis revealed the successful survival and proliferation of all cultures except for Arthrospira, which suffered from the premission depressurization test. These observations validate the possibility of launching, storing, and reactivating bacteria with essential functionalities for microbial bioprocesses in RLSS

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Internationalization of emerging market currencies and original sin evidence

This article investigates the impact of the internationalisation of emerging market currencies on original sin, which is the inability of emerging countries to borrow abroad in local currency. The objective is to assess the role of measures of internationalisation on the currency structure of debt for a set of emerging market countries. We show the favourable impact of the internationalisation process on original sin for the period 2005–2018 using two different measures with a dynamic panel data empirical analysis. The main determinants are the foreign exchange (FX) turnover of the currencies, the economic size of the issuing country, and the Volatility Index (VIX). In this way, we highlight network effects between the functions of a currency. The tests also highlight the existence of inertia in the use of a currency for financial transactions. Finally, the results provide evidence on the role of derivative instruments in supporting the use of emerging market currencies in bond market

Der Born Judas : Legenden, Märchen und Erzählungen

gesammelt von M. J. bin Gorion. [Übertr. von Rahel Ramberg

Antibiotic susceptibility testing and species identification of Nocardia isolates: a retrospective analysis of data from a French expert laboratory, 2010-2015

International audienceObjectives: Nocardia, a Gram-positive bacterium, is responsible for rare and severe infections. Accurate microbiological data are essential to guide antibiotic treatment. Our primary objective was to describe species identification and results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for Nocardia isolates analysed over a 6-year period. Secondary objectives were to study temporal trends in species distribution and AST results.Methods: We retrospectively analysed results from Nocardia isolates sent between January 2010 and December 2015 to a French laboratory dedicated to Nocardia (Observatoire Français des Nocardioses). Species identification was obtained by amplification and sequencing of a 600bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene (for all isolates) and of hsp65 (when required). AST was performed using disk diffusion.Results: We included 793 Nocardia isolates, mostly from the lungs (53.8%). The most frequent species were N. farcinica (20.2%), N. abscessus complex (19.9%) and N. nova complex (19.5%). The proportion of N. farcinica increased significantly over time from 13% in 2010 to 27.6% in 2014. Linezolid, amikacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, minocycline, and imipenem were the most frequently identified active antibiotics with, respectively, 0% (0/734), 2.9% (21/730), 5.4% (40/734), 9.4% (69/734) and 19.5% (143/732) of isolates not susceptible. N. farcinica was frequently not susceptible to cefotaxime (118/148, 79.7% of the isolates), but only about 5% of N. cyriacigeorgica and N. abscessus complex isolates were not susceptible to cefotaxime.Conclusions: In this first epidemiological study of Nocardia isolated from human samples in France, N. farcinica was the species most frequently identified and its prevalence increased over time