Foreign banks and the bank lending channel

We provide new evidence on bank ownership and transmission of monetary policy using bank‐level data on 453 banks in Central and Eastern European economies between 1998 and 2012. Only domestic banks adjust loans to changes in monetary policy, while foreign banks do not. Conventional wisdom says that this is because foreign banks can rely on parent banks' funding to insulate against monetary policy shocks. In this paper we document an alternative explanation. Deposits in foreign banks do not react to monetary policy, hence the bank lending channel is only triggered in domestic banks. (JEL E50, F36, G21

The dust origin of the Broad Line Region and the model consequences for AGN unification scheme

We propose a very simple physical mechanism responsible for the formation of the Low Ionization Line part of the Broad Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei. It explains the scaling of the Broad Line Region size with the monochromatic luminosity, including the exact slope and the proportionality constant, seen in the reverberation studies of nearby sources. The scaling is independent from the mass and accretion rate of an active nucleus. The mechanism predicts the formation of a dust-driven wind in the disk region where the local effective temperature of a non-illuminated accretion disk drops below 1000 K and allows for dust formation. We explore now the predictive power of the model with the aim to differentiate between this model and the previously proposed mechanisms of the formation of the Broad Line Region. We discuss the expected departures from the universal scaling at long wavelength, and the role of the inclination angle of the accretion disk in the source. We compare the expected line profiles with Mg II line profiles in the quasars observed by us with the SALT telescope. We also discuss the tests based on the presence or absence of the broad emission lines in low luminosity active galaxies. Finally, we discuss the future tests of the model to be done with expected ground-based observations and satellite missions.Comment: Based the talk presented during the COSPAR 2014 meeting, Advances in Space Research (in press

A novel Coltivirus-related virus isolated from free-tailed bats from Côte d’Ivoire is able to infect human cells in vitro

Background: Zoonotic transmission events play a major role in the emergence of novel diseases. While such events are virtually impossible to predict, wildlife screening for potential emerging pathogens can be a first step. Driven by recent disease epidemics like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and Ebola, bats have gained special interest as reservoirs of emerging viruses. Methods: As part of a bigger study investigating pathogens in African bats we screened animals for the presence of known and unknown viruses. Results: We isolated and characterised a novel reovirus from blood of free-tailed bats (Chaereophon aloysiisabaudiae) captured in 2006 in Côte d’Ivoire. The virus showed closest relationship with two human pathogenic viruses, Colorado tick fever virus and Eyach virus, and was able to infect various human cell lines in vitro. Conclusion: The study shows the presence of a coltivirus-related virus in bats from Sub-Sahara Africa. Serological studies could help to assess its impact on humans or wildlife health

Clinical applications of perfusion computed tomography, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in detection of early lesions in ischemic stroke

Metody obrazowania ośrodkowego układu nerwowego (OUN), a w szczególności tomografia komputerowa (CT, computed tomography) i rezonans magnetyczny (MR, magnetic resonace) ostatnio bardzo intensywnie się rozwinęły. Takie techniki, jak badanie perfuzyjne CT, MR oraz obrazowanie dyfuzyjne MR, dają zupełnie nowe możliwości w diagnostyce zmian niedokrwiennych mózgu. Te sposoby badania pozwalają uwidocznić ogniska udarów niedokrwiennych w ich najwcześniejszej fazie oraz określić stosunek wielkości strefy zawału i penumbry, co jest cenną informacją w kwalifikacji pacjentów do ewentualnego leczenia trombolitycznego. Celem niniejszej pracy jest przybliżenie możliwości zastosowania nowoczesnych technik diagnostyki we wczesnym okresie udaru niedokrwiennego mózgu.In recent years there has been a rapid development of new imaging methods of central nervous system, based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Such techniques as CT and MR perfusion as well as diffusion MR create new possibilities in diagnostics of cerebral ischemia. These methods enable to visualize ichemic foci in the very early stage of stroke. Moreover they allow to define the extent of infarction and penumbra areas, which is very important in selecting the candidates for thrombolytic treatment. The aim of this paper is to discuss application of new imaging methods in early stage of ischemic stroke

Wartość obrazowania dyfuzyjnego MR za pomocą aparatu niskopolowego w ostrym okresie udaru niedokrwiennego mózgowia

Background: Early detection of ischemic changes in the brain is significant for prompt initiation of suitable, especially thrombolytic, treatment. Until recently, the essential diagnostic method was computerized tomography (CT), despite its limited value in detecting and assessing ischemic area extent. CT perfusion, magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion, and diffusion MR (DWI, diffusion weighted imaging) are currently considered the most sensitive methods. Until recently, DWI was available only in modern, high-field MR units (1.5-3 Tesla). The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of low-field DWI performed with a modern low-field MR system (with appropriate software) in patients with early ischemic stroke. Material/Methods: Forty patients with clinically diagnosed ischemic stroke were examined 1-12 hours after onset of symptoms. In all patients, non-contrast CT followed by DWI was performed. The time between both studies did not exceed 30 minutes. After 2 weeks, follow-up MR (FLAIR, T2 and Tl-weighted images) was performed in 36 patients. Results: Foci of increased signal intensity, localized in the cerebral hemispheres and posterior fossa, were detected on the DWI images of 30 patients. Follow-up MR studies confirmed ischemic lesions in 24 cases. Among the 10 patients in whom ischemic changes had not been diagnosed in DWI examination, the follow-up MR revealed such in 4 cases. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DWI were calculated as 87.5%, 50% and 78%, respectively. Conclusions: DWI examination with a low-field MR system enables efficient detection of brain lesions in the early stage of ischemic stroke

The virome ofGerman bats: comparing virus discovery approaches

Bats are known to be reservoirs of several highly pathogenic viruses. Hence, the interest in bat virus discovery has been increasing rapidly over the last decade. So far, most studies have focused on a single type of virus detection method, either PCR, virus isolation or virome sequencing. Here we present a comprehensive approach in virus discovery, using all three discovery methods on samples from the same bats. By family-specific PCR screening we found sequences of paramyxoviruses, adenoviruses, herpesviruses and one coronavirus. By cell culture we isolated a novel bat adenovirus and bat orthoreovirus. Virome sequencing revealed viral sequences of ten different virus families and orders: three bat nairoviruses, three phenuiviruses, one orbivirus, one rotavirus, one orthoreovirus, one mononegavirus, five parvoviruses, seven picornaviruses, three retroviruses, one totivirus and two thymoviruses were discovered. Of all viruses identified by family-specific PCR in the original samples, none was found by metagenomic sequencing. Vice versa, none of the viruses found by the metagenomic virome approach was detected by family-specific PCRs targeting the same family. The discrepancy of detected viruses by different detection approaches suggests that a combined approach using different detection methods is necessary for virus discovery studies.Peer Reviewe

Comparison of 454 Ultra-Deep Sequencing and Allele-Specific Real-Time PCR with Regard to the Detection of Emerging Drug-Resistant Minor HIV-1 Variants after Antiretroviral Prophylaxis for Vertical Transmission

Background: Pregnant HIV-infected women were screened for the development of HIV-1 drug resistance after implementation of a triple-antiretroviral transmission prophylaxis as recommended by the WHO in 2006. The study offered the opportunity to compare amplicon-based 454 ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) and allele-specific real-time PCR (ASPCR) for the detection of drug-resistant minor variants in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Methods: Plasma samples from 34 Tanzanian women were previously analysed by ASPCR for key resistance mutations in the viral RT selected by AZT, 3TC, and NVP (K70R, K103N, Y181C, M184V, T215Y/F). In this study, the RT region of the same samples was investigated by amplicon-based UDS for resistance mutations using the 454 GS FLX System. Results: Drug-resistant HIV-variants were identified in 69% (20/29) of women by UDS and in 45% (13/29) by ASPCR. The absolute number of resistance mutations identified by UDS was twice that identified by ASPCR (45 vs 24). By UDS 14 of 24 ASPCR-detected resistance mutations were identified at the same position. The overall concordance between UDS and ASPCR was 61.0% (25/41). The proportions of variants quantified by UDS were approximately 2–3 times lower than by ASPCR. Amplicon generation from samples with viral loads below 20,000 copies/ml failed more frequently by UDS compared to ASPCR (limit of detection = 650 copies/ml), resulting in missing or insufficient sequence coverage. Conclusions: Both methods can provide useful information about drug-resistant minor HIV-1 variants. ASPCR has a higher sensitivity than UDS, but is restricted to single resistance mutations. In contrast, UDS is limited by its requirement for high viral loads to achieve sufficient sequence coverage, but the sequence information reveals the complete resistance patterns within the genomic region analysed. Improvements to the UDS limit of detection are in progress, and UDS could then facilitate monitoring of drug-resistant minor variants in the HIV-1 quasispecies

Radial Velocity Studies of Close Binary Stars. IX

Radial-velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital velocity variations are presented for the eighth set of ten close binary systems: AB And, V402 Aur, V445 Cep, V2082 Cyg, BX Dra, V918 Her, V502 Oph, V1363 Ori, KP Peg, V335 Peg. Half of the systems (V445 Cep, V2082 Cyg, V918 Her, V1363 Ori, V335 Peg) were discovered photometrically by the Hipparcos mission and all systems are double-lined (SB2) contact binaries. The broadening function method permitted improvement of the orbital elements for AB And and V502 Oph. The other systems have been observed for radial velocity variations for the first time; in this group are five bright (V<7.5) binaries: V445 Cep, V2082 Cyg, V918 Her, KP Peg and V335 Peg. Several of the studied systems are prime candidates for combined light and radial-velocity synthesis solutions.Comment: 17+ pages, 2 tables, 4 figure

mPSQed: A Software for the Design of Multiplex Pyrosequencing Assays

Molecular-based diagnostic assays are the gold standard for infectious diseases today, since they allow a rapid and sensitive identification and typing of various pathogens. While PCR can be designed to be specific for a certain pathogen, a subsequent sequence analysis is frequently required for confirmation or typing. The design of appropriate PCR-based assays is a complex task, especially when conserved discriminating polymorphisms are rare or if the number of types which need to be differentiated is high. One extremely useful but underused method for this purpose is the multiplex pyrosequencing technique. Unfortunately there is no software available to aid researchers in designing multiplex pyrosequencing assays. Here, we present mPSQed (Multiplex PyroSeQuencing EDitor), a program targeted at closing this gap. We also present the design of an exemplarily theoretical assay for the differentiation of human adenovirus types A–F using two pyrosequencing primers on two distinct PCR products, designed quickly and easily using our software