bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cross-Section of Expected Returns on Defaultable Assets
Authors: Kim Jungmu , Park Yuen Jung
Published: September 2020

This study examines the model regarding the relation between the expected returns of defaultable asset and default risk factors utilizing CDS (credit default swap). While the previous study estimates the expected returns of CDS using stock price and accounting data, this study introduces new estimation method using CDS term structure. Two factors incorporating market-wide distress risk and recovery risk are considered as the default risk factors. The results of analyzing the Korean corporate CDS market over the sample period from September 2009 to December 2016 are as follows. First, for the expected returns of CDS, there exists the negative risk premium related to market-wide distress risk covariance. Second, the finding of this negative risk premium is robust even after the market risk factors and liquidity factor are controlled for. Third, the negative premium related to recovery risk is observed but it is not statistically significant. These results imply that the investors consider the market-wide distress risk covariance as the main risk factor when pricing the Korean corporate CDSs and they require the reward taking risk as they invest CDS with the lower distress risk covariance. Therefore, our empirical results support the model that the covariance part between individual firm's distress risk and market-wide default risk changes is not diversifiable and thus the investors require the premium for this non-diversifiable risk.
The Determinants of Idiosyncratic Volatility
Authors: Khil Jaeuk , Kim Song Hee , Lee Eun Jung
Published: September 2020

We investigate the cross-sectional and time-series determinants of idiosyncratic volatility in the Korean market. In particular, we focus on the empirical relation between firms’ asset growth rate and idiosyncratic stock return volatility. We find that, in the cross-section, companies with high idiosyncratic volatility tend to be small and highly leveraged, have high variance of ROE and Market to Book ratio, high turnover rate, and pay no dividends. Furthermore, firms with extreme (either high positive or negative) asset growth rates have high idiosyncratic return volatility than firms with moderate growth rates, suggesting the V-shaped relation between asset growth rate and idiosyncratic return volatility. We find that the V-shaped relation is robust even after controlling for other factors. In time-series, we find that firm-level idiosyncratic volatility is positively related to the dispersion of the cross-sectional asset growth rates. As a result, this study is contributed to show that the asset growth is the most important predictor of firm-level idiosyncratic return volatility in both the cross-section and the time-series in the Korean stock market. In addition, we show how the effect of risk factors varies with industries.
Who Drive the Rise and Fall of the Bubbles in Korean Stock Market?
Authors: Kho Bong-Chan , Kim Jin-Woo
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we analyze the trading patterns of investors around the bubble events selected for stocks traded in Korean Stock Market from 1999 to 2013, whose holding period returns exceed 200% for 250 trading days prior to the event and then drop subsequently below -50% thereafter for the next 250 trading days. We examine whether individual investors, commonly known as noise traders, drive the bubbles, and whether institutional investors and foreign investors, known as informed traders, take an arbitrage position to shrink the pricing errors or ride the bubbles to maximize their profits. We also examine whether individual investors suffer losses due to their disposition effect even after the bubble bursts.

Major findings of this paper are as follows : First, we find that individual investors are actually shown to drive the bubbles in our full sample, whereas the burst of the bubbles are largely driven by institutional investors and foreign investors. In particular, it is shown for large-cap stocks that foreign investors take the lead in raising the price at an early stage of the bubbles and then institutional investors follow them until the bubble peak point. Second, for mid-cap and large-cap stocks, institutional investors are found to ride the bubbles from about 75 days prior to the bubble peak point, when foreign investors reverse their trades and start selling to realize profits. Such bubble riding behavior of institutional investors is consistent with the synchronization risk model of Abreu and Brunnermeier (2002, 2003), where it is optimal for informed traders to ride the bubbles until all of informed traders start selling at the bubble peak point. Third, individual investors are found to suffer losses as they keep buying the bubble stocks even after the bubble bursts due to their disposition effect.
Information Content of Skewness Risk Premium
Authors: Nam Seok Goo , Kang Byung Jin
Published: September 2020

The variance risk premium defined as the difference between risk neutral variance and physical variance is one of the most crucial information recovered from option prices. It does not, however, reflect the asymmetry in upside and downside movements of underlying asset returns, and also has limitation in reflecting asymmetric preference of investors over gains and losses. In this sense, this paper decomposes variance risk premium into downside - and upside-variance risk premium, and then derives the skewness risk premium and examines its effectiveness in predicting future underlying asset returns. Using KOSPI200 option prices, we obtained the following results. First, we found out that the estimated skewness risk premium has meaningful forecasting power for future stock returns, while the estimated variance risk premium has little forecasting power. Second, by utilizing our results of skewness risk premium, we developed a profitable investment strategy, which verifies the effectiveness of skewness risk premium in predicting future stock returns. In conclusion, the empirical results of this paper can contribute to the literature in that it helps us understand why variance risk premium, in most global markets except the US market, has not been successful in forecasting future stock returns. In addition, our results showing the profitability of investment strategies based on skewness risk premium can also give important implications to practitioners.
Market Liquidity and Momentum Profits : Evidence from the Korean Stock Market
Authors: Kim Changha , Lee Changjun
Published: September 2020

Previous literature in the Korean stock market has shown that the momentum effect is not observed during pre-2000 period while it is observed during post-2000 period. Given that market illiquidity has substantially decreased during post-2000 period, we examine whether the level of market illiquidity affect the momentum profits. The central findings are summarized as follows. First, our full-sample analysis shows that market liquidity is positively associated with momentum profits, meaning that the observed momentum effect during post-2000 period is related to the decrease in market illiquidity. Second, during pre-2000 period, when the market illiquidity is very high, the illiquidity of past losers is extremely high compared to that of past winners. However, there is no significant difference in illiquidity between winners and losers during post-2000 period. Third, based on this result, we conjecture that the momentum effect is related to the different compensation for liquidity risk between past losers and winners, and test whether this is indeed the case. We find significant momentum profits over the whole period when we consider the compensation for the liquidity risk of past losers and winners. In addition, during pre-2000 period, the return on momentum strategy that controls the liquidity risk is substantially higher than the actually observed momentum profits. In sum, our study suggests that the difference in compensation for liquidity risk between past losers and winners is very important in understanding the momentum effect in the Korean stock market.
Decomposition of the Business Cycle Shock and the Default Rate of SMEs in Korea
Authors: Park Jaesung James , Hong Joonkyo , Na Sumi
Published: September 2020

This paper, through a structural VAR identified by a long-run restriction which is imposed by a neoclassical growth model, decomposes the real price index of capital accumulation (= deflator for fixed capital accumulations/consumption expenditure deflator), labor productivity (= real GDP/total employee hours), and total employee hours into three business cycle shocks: (i) investment-specific technology shock, (ii) neutral technology shock, and (iii) non-technology shock, and explores which shock has played a significant role in contributing to decreases in the default rate of SMEs. Empirical results drawn from Korean data spanning from 2000:Q1 to 2016:Q2 indicate that when the two technology shocks arise by 1%p, the default rate decreases by 0.03%p to 0.05%p permanently. In contrast, the impact of the non-technology shock on the default rate is highly transitory : the default rate decreases by 0.02%p in response to the 1%p increment in non-technology shock but turns back to its initial level after about three quarters. These imply the technology shocks could account for the most of variations in the default rate of SMEs. Our empirical results, therefore, deliver the policy implication that SME financing should focus on innovative firms with aggressive funding.
Contemporaneous Correlation between the Return and the Change of Trading Volume
Authors: Kang Mhin , Chae Joon
Published: September 2020

This study demonstrates the contemporaneous correlation between return and the change of trading volume (CCRV) in the Korean stock market and analyzes the effect of trading volume change on the return and its volatility of individual stocks. Also, we examine the underlying reasons for CCRV in the Korean stock market. The empirical analysis covers individual stocks listed in KOSPI and KOSDAQ and their portfolios from 1989 to 2015. The main results are as follows. First, the CCRV in the Korean stock market dominantly appears positive. Second, at the individual stock level, the daily return volatility induced by CCRV accounts for 4.22% of the total daily return volatility. Third, the return volatility induced by CCRV is largely offset by well-diversified portfolios. Lastly, the ratio of positive CCRV decreases in stocks with very high or very low liquidity. The above result suggests that the illiquidity premium hypothesis is appropriate in explaining CCRV in the Korean stock market. In addition, the above results also indicate that the changes of trading volume can act as an idiosyncratic risk factor that can additionally intensify or weaken the response of the return toward the news. Furthermore, these results suggest that a strategy with sufficient consideration for CCRV is essential for the stock price prediction, the valuation of derivatives, and portfolio management.
Host response to the subtilase cytotoxin produced by locus of enterocyte effacement‐negative Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Tsutsuki Hiroyasu , Ogura Kohei , Moss Joel , Yahiro Kinnosuke
Published: September 2020

Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major bacterium responsible for disease resulting from foodborne infection, including bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. STEC produces important virulence factors such as Shiga toxin (Stx) 1 and/or 2. In the STEC family, some locus of enterocyte effacement‐negative STEC produce two different types of cytotoxins, namely, Stx2 and subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB). The Stx2 and SubAB cytotoxins are structurally similar and composed of one A subunit and pentamer of B subunits. The catalytically active A subunit of SubAB is a subtilase‐like serine protease and specifically cleaves an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone 78‐kDa glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78/BiP), a monomeric ATPase that is crucial in protein folding and quality control. The B subunit binds to cell surface receptors. SubAB recognizes sialic carbohydrate‐modified cell surface proteins as a receptor. After translocation into cells, SubAB is delivered to the ER, where it cleaves GRP78/BiP. SubAB‐catalyzed BiP cleavage induces ER stress, which causes various cell events including inhibition of protein synthesis, suppression of nuclear factor‐kappa B activation, apoptotic cell death, and stress granules formation. In this review, we describe SubAB, the SubAB receptor, and the mechanism of cell response to the toxin.
Genetic diversity of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in swamp buffalo
Authors: Sun T. , Wang S. , Hanif Q. , Chen N. , Chen H. , Lei C.
Published: September 2020

The swamp buffalo (Bubalus carabanensis) is mainly bred for meat, transport and rice cultivation in China and Southeast Asian countries. In the current study, we investigated the genetic diversity, maternal origin and phylogenetic relationship of swamp buffalo by analyzing 1,786 mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) sequences from China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. Our results indicated that the swamp buffalo can be divided into two major lineages (SA and SB with the sublineages) and three rare lineages (SC, SD and SE), which showed strong geographic differentiation. The SA1 lineage represented a major domestication event, which involved population expansion. Regions III and V showed higher haplotype diversity than the other regions, indicating that the regions of Southwest China and IndoChina are potential domestication centers for the swamp buffalo. In addition, the swamp buffalo showed a closer phylogenetic relationship to tamaraw. In conclusion, our findings revealed a high level of genetic diversity and the phylogenetic pattern of the swamp buffalo.
Towards humble geographies
Authors: Saville Samantha M.
Published: September 2020

This paper outlines the potential for a more “humble geography.” Most of us have been awed in some way by the world, humbled, but how often is that reflected in our work as geographers? As a thinking tool, “humble geographies” can combine insights and ethics from posthuman and feminist philosophies, participatory action research, and situated knowledges. Humility could helpfully contribute in debates seeking to improve geographic research practice. Humility, a quiet virtue, has potential to inspire change in the ways we relate with others and our institutions. Drawing on research experiences in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, I give some examples of humble geographies in practice that raise questions about the ideal balance between authority and humility. How can we be humble in the face of rising pressures to sell ourselves and our research as highly impactful and important – in short, anything but humble? My aim is to open a discussion as to how we can helpfully inject more humility into our work.
Learning From Gesture and Action: An Investigation of Memory for Where Objects Went and How They Got There
Authors: Hostetter Autumn B. , Pouw Wim , Wakefield Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2020

Speakers often use gesture to demonstrate how to perform actions—for example, they might show how to open the top of a jar by making a twisting motion above the jar. Yet it is unclear whether listeners learn as much from seeing such gestures as they learn from seeing actions that physically change the position of objects (i.e., actually opening the jar). Here, we examined participants' implicit and explicit understanding about a series of movements that demonstrated how to move a set of objects. The movements were either shown with actions that physically relocated each object or with gestures that represented the relocation without touching the objects. Further, the end location that was indicated for each object covaried with whether the object was grasped with one or two hands. We found that memory for the end location of each object was better after seeing the physical relocation of the objects, that is, after seeing action, than after seeing gesture, regardless of whether speech was absent (Experiment 1) or present (Experiment 2). However, gesture and action built similar implicit understanding of how a particular handgrasp corresponded with a particular end location. Although gestures miss the benefit of showing the end state of objects that have been acted upon, the data show that gestures are as good as action in building knowledge of how to perform an action.
Perspectives of Vietnamese, Sudanese and South Sudanese immigrants on targeting migrant communities for latent tuberculosis screening and treatment in low‐incidence settings: A report on two Victorian community panels
Authors: Degeling Chris , Carter Stacy M. , Dale Katie , Singh Kasha , Watts Krista , Hall Julie , Denholm Justin
Published: September 2020

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) elimination strategies in Australia require a focus on groups who are at highest risk of TB infection, such as immigrants from high‐burden settings. Understanding attitudes to different strategies for latent TB infection (LTBI) screening and treatment is an important element of justifiable elimination strategies.

Method

Two community panels were conducted in Melbourne with members of the Vietnamese (n = 11), Sudanese and South Sudanese communities (n = 9). Panellists were provided with expert information about LTBI and different screening and health communication strategies, then deliberated on how best to pursue TB elimination in Australia.

Findings

Both panels unanimously preferred LTBI screening to occur pre‐migration rather than in Australia. Participants were concerned that post‐migration screening would reach fewer migrants, noted that conducting LTBI screening in Australia could stigmatize participants and that poor awareness of LTBI would hamper participation. If targeted screening was to occur in Australia, the Vietnamese panel preferred ‘place‐based’ communication strategies, whereas the Sudanese and South Sudanese panel emphasized that community leaders should lead communication strategies to minimize stigma. Both groups emphasized the importance of maintaining community trust in Australian health service providers, and the need to ensure targeting did not undermine this trust.

Conclusion

Pre‐migration screening was preferred. If post‐migration screening is necessary, the potential for stigma should be reduced, benefit and risk profile clearly explained and culturally appropriate communication strategies employed. Cultural attitudes to health providers, personal health management and broader social vulnerabilities of targeted groups need to be considered in the design of screening programs.
Direct oral anticoagulants for cancer‐associated venous thromboembolisms: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Samaranayake Chinthaka B. , Anderson James , McCabe Colm , Zahir Syeda Farah , W. Upham John , Keir Gregory
Published: September 2020

Background

Several recent randomised controlled trials (RCT) have investigated the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in the treatment of malignancy‐associated venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Aims

This meta‐analysis combines all RCT data to determine the risks of recurrent VTE and bleeding with DOAC in patients with malignancy‐associated VTE compared with low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH).

Methods

The study followed PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were systematically searched from inception to 1 April 2020. References of reviews and relevant conference proceedings were searched by hand. Two authors independently evaluated study eligibility, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Direct and indirect meta‐analyses were performed.

Results

In four RCT with low risk of bias (2907 patients), high certainty evidence suggested that DOAC had a 37% reduction in risk of recurrent VTE compared with LMWH (direct pooled risk ratio (RR) 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44–0.91; I2 = 28%). No significant difference was observed in the risk of major bleeding with DOAC compared with LMWH (RR 1.31; 95% CI 0.83–2.07; I2 = 22%; moderate certainty evidence), including in patients in gastrointestinal and genitourinary malignancy. An increased risk of combined major or clinically relevant non‐major bleeding was seen with DOAC (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.09–2.12; I2 = 51%; low certainty evidence). Apixaban had the highest probability of being ranked the most effective and least bleeding risk among the DOAC.

Conclusion

DOAC are effective in treating malignancy associated VTE; however, caution is required in patients with high risk of bleeding. Apixaban had lower risk of bleeding compared to other DOAC in this population.
Polio – The old foe and new challenges: An update for clinicians
Authors: Bao Junchao , Thorley Bruce , Isaacs David , Dinsmore Nicole , Elliott Elizabeth J , McIntyre Peter , Britton Philip N
Published: September 2020

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 1988 has seen the impact of poliovirus decline from frequent global epidemics in the early 1900s to being now only endemic in two countries today. Global vaccination programmes and surveillance for the disease have resulted in the landmark eradication of two of the three poliovirus strains in the last 5 years. Australia continues to contribute to global surveillance efforts for the disease via the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit and the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance Network, which aim to detect cases of acute flaccid paralysis in children, the key clinical feature of poliomyelitis. Today, in the era of the polio ‘endgame’, there is growing recognition of non‐polio enteroviruses causing paralytic diseases that are polio‐like, particularly in children, with an increased need for awareness and vigilance by paediatric clinicians.
The Phillips Curve at the ECB
Authors: Eser Fabian , Karadi Peter , Lane Philip R. , Moretti Laura , Osbat Chiara
Published: September 2020

We explain the role of the Phillips Curve in the analysis of the economic outlook and the formulation of monetary policy at the ECB. First, revisiting the structural Phillips Curve, we highlight the challenges in recovering structural parameters from reduced‐form estimates and relate the reduced‐form Phillips Curve to the (semi‐)structural models used at the ECB. Second, we identify the slope of the structural Phillips Curve by exploiting cross‐country variation and using high‐frequency monetary policy surprises as instruments. Third, we present reduced‐form evidence, focusing on the relation between slack and inflation and the role of inflation expectations. In relation to the recent weakness of inflation, we discuss the role of firm profits in the pass‐through from wages to prices and the contribution of external factors. Overall, the available evidence supports the view that the absorption of slack and a firm anchoring of inflation expectations remain central to successful inflation stabilization.
Processes that enable public health professionals to organize preventive care support groups
Authors: Oichi Miki , Kamishima Tamotsu , Hirano Michiyo
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study examines the structure of the process that public health professionals (PHPs) use to organize preventive care groups for older adults and the elements that strengthen this process.

Design and Sample

The study was conducted using a quantitative descriptive design. Anonymous self‐administered questionnaires were distributed by mail to 919 PHPs, including nurses and social workers employed by local governments in a Japanese prefecture, who facilitated recreational groups for older adults for the purposes of preventive care.

Measures

Items related to the process and the awareness of support were based on previous research. The process structure was examined using exploratory factor analysis, while multiple logistic regression analysis was used to study strengthening elements.

Results

The process yielded six factors (encouraging clarity with respect to the group's activity policy; creating connections with other resources; fostering independence; encouraging activity evaluation; creating relationships with group members; understanding the strengths and weaknesses of communities and individuals) with a total of 23 items. Two of three indicators of awareness of support were significantly related to the process.

Conclusions

Understanding the importance of strengthening elements might improve support groups for older adults.
Blood utilization and clinical outcomes in pancreatic surgery before and after implementation of patient blood management
Authors: Frank Steven M. , Lo Brian D. , Yesantharao Lekha V. , Merkel Kevin R. , Qin Caroline X. , Cho Brian C. , Lee K.H. Ken , Wintermeyer Tyler L. , Hebbar Sachidanand , Burkhart Richard A. , Goel Ruchika , Gehrie Eric A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Over the past decade, patient blood management (PBM) programs have been developed to reduce allogeneic blood utilization. This is particularly important in pancreatic surgery, which has historically been associated with high transfusion requirements and morbid event rates. This study investigated blood utilization and clinical outcomes in pancreatic surgery before, during, and after the implementation of PBM.

Study Design and Methods

A total of 3482 pancreatic surgery patients were assessed in a 10‐year retrospective cohort study (2009‐2019) at a single academic center. Baseline patient characteristics, transfusion practices, postoperative morbidity (infectious, thrombotic, ischemic, respiratory, and renal complications), mortality, and length of stay were compared between patients in the pre‐PBM (2009‐2013), early‐PBM (2014‐2016), and mature‐PBM (2017‐2019) time periods. Multivariable analysis assessed the odds for composite morbidity/mortality.

Results

Comparing the mature‐PBM to pre‐PBM cohorts, transfused units per 100 discharged patients decreased by 53% for erythrocytes (155 to 73; P < .0001), 81% for plasma (79 to 15; P < .038), and 75% for platelets (10 to 2.5; P < .005). Clinical outcomes improved as well, with composite morbid event rates decreasing by more than 50%, from 236 in 1438 patients (16.4%) to 85 in 1145 patients (7.4%) (P < .0001). Mortality and length of stay remained unchanged. Compared to the pre‐PBM time period, early‐PBM was associated with a risk‐adjusted decrease in composite morbidity/mortality (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57‐0.93; P = .010), while mature‐PBM demonstrated a further incremental decrease (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.33‐0.57; P < .0001).

Conclusions

The implementation of PBM was associated with substantially decreased blood utilization in pancreatic surgery, without negatively impacting clinical outcomes.
Evaluation of Rainfall-Induced Landslides triggering using a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Fustos Ivo , Moreno-Yaeger Pablo , Vasquez Daniel , Morales Bastian , Silva Antonieta , Ramirez Elisa
Published: September 2020

In a large part of South America, slow landslides are triggered by extreme hydrometeorological conditions leading to, for instance, Rainfall-Induced Landslides – RILs. These RILs are common in urban areas and have a negative impact on the population and infrastructure development. Despite their importance, these events are little understood. We aimed at understanding the spatial distribution of RILs in the urban zone of Temuco, Chile (38.8°S, 72.6°W). The area has the typical hydrometeorological conditions of southern Chile. We conducted our assessment with a temporal analysis of shallow deformations, obtained by synthetic aperture radar interferometry (Sentinel 1 A/B). These shallow deformation rates were compared with satellite precipitation data (CHIRPS product) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). We identified active RIL-prone zones with deformation rates greater than 60 mm during the period 2014 to 2017, supporting theories of hydrometeorological control. Slow movements were observed in volcanic soils, suggesting the influence of their geotechnical characteristics. Our results can be extrapolated to the southern Andes (35°S-43°S), where a large number of volcanic-sedimentary units are susceptible to RILs. Finally, integration of our multidisciplinary approach will facilitate understanding of the local RIL dynamics, allowing a better risk management to decision-makers in South American and other developing countries.
Two possible candidate enzymes from Ulva lactuca-associated epiphytic bacteria obtained through PCR and functional evaluation
Authors: Ruiz-Toquica Jordan Steven , Comba-González Natalia Beatríz , Montoya-Castaño Dolly
Published: September 2020

Epiphytic bacteria from marine macroalgae synthesize enzymes of industrial and biotechnological interest. In this study, we obtained two DNA candidate fragments for lipid-degrading enzymes from the total DNA of Ulva lactuca-associated epiphytic bacteria. First, we evaluated a method for total bacterial DNA isolation from the surface of U. lactuca thalli. Then, we designed sets of primers and used them directly for PCR amplification. The resulting PCR products were sequence-analyzed and used for expression and functional evaluation with the Escherichia coli pBAD-TOPO system. We obtained high molecular weight and good quality total bacterial DNA that served as a template to identify a fragment corresponding to an Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase (or Thiolase), and a candidate fragment for a versatile “true” lipase. We expressed the possible “true” lipase gene fragment heterologously in Escherichia coli and obtained proof of hydrolytic activity on Tributyrin, Tween-20, and Olive-oil media. This study resulted in new knowledge on U. lactuca-associated epiphytic bacteria as possible brand-new sources of enzymes such as thiolases and “true” lipases. However, future studies are required to describe the characteristics and important applications of these candidate enzymes.
Effect of Purge on the Secondary Flow-Field of a Gas Turbine Blade-Row
Authors: Schreiner B. D. J , Wilson M. , Li Y. S. , Sangan C. M.
Published: September 2020

Turbine disc cooling is required to protect vulnerable components from exposure to the high temperatures found in the mainstream gas path. Purge air, bled from the latter stages of the compressor, is introduced to the turbine wheelspace at low radius before exiting through the rim-seal at the periphery of the discs. The unsteady, complex flowfield that arises from the interaction between the purge and mainstream gases modifies the structure of secondary flows within the blade passage. A computational study was conducted using an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navir–Stokes (RANS) solver, modeling an engine-representative turbine stage. Preliminary results were validated using experimental data from a test rig. The baseline secondary flowfield was described, in the absence of purge flow, demonstrating the classical rollup of the horseshoe vortex and subsequent convection of the two legs downstream. The unsteady behavior of the model was investigated and addressed, resulting in recommendations for modeling interaction phenomena in turbines. A superposed purge flow, resulting in egress through the upstream rim-seal, was shown to modify the secondary flowfield in the turbine annulus. The most notable effect of egress was the formation of a large plume forming near the pressure minima associated with the blade suction surface. The egress was turned by the mainstream flow, creating a vortical structure consistent in rotational direction to the pressure-side leg of the horseshoe vortex; the pressure-side leg was subsequently strengthened and showed an increased radial migration relative to the unpurged case. The egress plume was also shown to overwhelm the suction-side leg of the horseshoe vortex, reducing its strength.
Prosodic structurally conditioned variation of coarticulatory vowel nasalization in Mandarin Chinese: Its language specificity and cross-linguistic generalizability
Authors: Li Hongmei , Kim Sahyang , Cho Taehong
Published: September 2020

This study compares prosodic structural effects on nasal (N) duration and coarticulatory vowel (V) nasalization in NV (Nasal-Vowel) and CVN (Consonant-Vowel-Nasal) sequences in Mandarin Chinese with those found in English and Korean. Focus-induced prominence effects show cross-linguistically applicable coarticulatory resistance that enhances the vowel's phonological features. Boundary effects on the initial NV reduced N's nasality without having a robust effect on V-nasalization, whose direction is comparable to that in English and Korean. Boundary effects on the final CVN showed language specificity of V-nasalization, which could be partly attributable to the ongoing sound change of coda nasal lenition in Mandarin.
Sound field synthesis of arbitrary moving sources using spectral division method
Authors: Gao Hao , Shen Yuchen , Feng Xuelei , Shen Yong
Published: September 2020

The spectral division method (SDM) is one of several sound field synthesis techniques of spatial sound reproduction. The synthesis accuracy of SDM is usually higher than that of wave field synthesis (WFS). However, existing SDM-based sound field synthesis methods are developed for virtual sources moving uniformly along a straight trajectory. This Letter proposes a 2.5-dimensional SDM driving function for arbitrary moving sources. Numerical simulations have validated the driving function. The results indicate that the synthesis error of the SDM with the proposed driving function is lower than that of WFS, especially when the virtual source is close to the secondary sources.
Superposition of the uncertainties in acoustic responses and the robust design of active control systems
Authors: Elliott Stephen J. , Zhang Jin , Kwan Lai Chung , Cheer Jordan
Published: September 2020

The use of virtual sensing allows the frequency range of a local active noise control system located close to a listener's ears to be extended beyond what is possible when only controlling from remote physical sensors, particularly if head tracking is also used to determine the position of the virtual sensors. As the frequency range is extended, however, the uncertainties in the acoustic responses become more significant, and the design of multichannel adaptive controllers that are robustly stable to these uncertainties becomes more important. In order to fully characterise the uncertainties, a very large number of measurements would, in principle, need to be taken, due to the combination of all the possible changes in the acoustic environment. For uncertainties due to the simultaneous change in position of several objects within the acoustic environment, however, it is shown that the uncertainties can be accurately predicted by the superposition of these uncertainties, due to the change in position of the objects individually. This allows the uncertainty that is due to the change in position of a number of objects to be rapidly evaluated from a limited number of experiments and considerably simplifies the controller design process, which is illustrated here for an active headrest system using two different virtual sensing techniques.
Bacillus subtilis Modulates Its Usage of Biofilm-Bound Iron in Response to Environmental Iron Availability
Authors: Rizzi Adrien , Leroux Julie , Charron-Lamoureux Vincent , Roy Sébastien , Beauregard Pascale B. , Bellenger Jean-Philippe
Published: September 2020

Recent pieces of evidence suggest that Fe bound to the biofilm could assume at least two important functions, a local source of Fe for uptake and a support to extracellular metabolism, such as extracellular electron transfer. Our results show that
B. subtilis
can use biofilm-bound Fe for uptake only if it does not compromise Fe homeostasis of the biofilm, i.e., maintains a minimum Fe concentration in the biofilm for extracellular purposes. We propose a theoretical framework based on our results and recent literature to explain how
B. subtilis
manages biofilm-bound Fe and Fe uptake in response to environmental Fe availability. These results provide important insights into the management of biofilm-bound and environmental Fe by
B. subtilis
in response to Fe stress.
Evaluation of the Amplex eazyplex Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia
Authors: Huber Timo , Serr Annerose , Geißdörfer Walter , Hess Christina , Lynker-Aßmus Christian , von Loewenich Friederike D. , Bogdan Christian , Held Jürgen
Published: September 2020

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays are the gold standard for diagnosis of
Pneumocystis jirovecii
pneumonia (PCP). However, they are laborious and require skilled personnel. Therefore, execution outside regular working hours of the molecular biology laboratory is limited. The eazyplex
P. jirovecii
assay (PJA) uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of
P. jirovecii
. It is performed directly with respiratory specimens, without the need for special skills, and delivers a result within 3 to 25 min.
CD4
+
T Cell-Mimicking Nanoparticles Broadly Neutralize HIV-1 and Suppress Viral Replication through Autophagy
Authors: Zhang Gang , Campbell Grant R. , Zhang Qiangzhe , Maule Erin , Hanna Jonathan , Gao Weiwei , Zhang Liangfang , Spector Stephen A.
Published: September 2020

HIV-1 is a major global health challenge. The development of an effective vaccine and/or a therapeutic cure is a top priority. The creation of vaccines that focus an antibody response toward a particular epitope of a protein has shown promise, but the genetic diversity of HIV-1 hinders this progress. Here we developed an approach using nanoengineered CD4
+
T cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (TNP). Not only do TNP effectively neutralize all strains of HIV-1, but they also selectively bind to infected cells and decrease the release of HIV-1 particles through an autophagy-dependent mechanism with no drug-induced off-target or cytotoxic effects on bystander cells.
Four SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequences from Late April in Stockholm, Sweden, Reveal a Rare Mutation in the Spike Protein
Authors: Soratto Tatiany Aparecida Teixeira , Darban Hamid , Bjerkner Annelie , Coorens Maarten , Albert Jan , Allander Tobias , Andersson Björn
Published: September 2020

Here, we report four coding-complete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome sequences from Stockholm, Sweden, sampled in late April 2020. A rare variant at bp 23463 of the SARS-CoV-2 genome was found, which corresponds to the S1 subunit of the spike protein, changing an arginine (R) residue to histidine (H).
Calcium Binding Protein Ncs1 Is Calcineurin Regulated in Cryptococcus neoformans and Essential for Cell Division and Virulence
Authors: Squizani Eamim Daidrê , Reuwsaat Júlia Catarina Vieira , Lev Sophie , Motta Heryk , Sperotto Julia , Kaufman-Francis Keren , Desmarini Desmarini , Vainstein Marilene Henning , Staats Charley Christian , Djordjevic Julianne T. , Kmetzsch Lívia
Published: September 2020

Cryptococcus neoformans
is the major cause of fungal meningitis in HIV-infected patients. Several studies have highlighted the important contributions of Ca
2+
signaling and homeostasis to the virulence of
C. neoformans
. Here, we identify the cryptococcal ortholog of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (Ncs1) and demonstrate its role in Ca
2+
homeostasis, bud emergence, cell cycle progression, and virulence. We also show that Ncs1 function is regulated by the calcineurin/Crz1 signaling cascade. Our work provides evidence of a link between Ca
2+
homeostasis and cell cycle progression in
C. neoformans
.
63-year-old man with right biceps and right pectoralis major abscesses: an unusual case of pyomyositis
Authors: Tatsuno Sydney , Reed Tara , Tatsuno Eric , Lee Curtis
Published: September 2020

Pyomyositis is considered a great mimicker and masquerader. This case is of a 63-year-old man with diabetes who initially presented to the outpatient clinic afebrile with right shoulder pain. His work-up was negative, and he was discharged home. He subsequently presented to the emergency room (ER) two times for worsening right shoulder pain. During his first visit to the ER, his work-up was unremarkable, and he was discharged home. On his return to the ER, he was now febrile with inflammation involving his right upper extremity and right chest wall. Imaging studies of his right upper extremity and his right chest wall were consistent with multiple abscesses. Methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureuswas cultured from the abscess, and from blood and urine cultures. The diagnosis of pyomyositis was confirmed. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing pyomyositis and the importance of including it in the differential diagnosis, especially in an immunocompromised patient.
Survival case of acute and severe respiratory distress due to spontaneous tension gastrothorax
Authors: Asanaru Kunju Sanjan , Ravindra Prithvishree , Madabushi Vijay Ramya Kumar , Pattath Sankaran Priya
Published: September 2020

A 20-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and shortness of breath. She was in obstructive shock with absent breath sounds on the left haemithorax. Chest X-ray showed a large radiolucent shadow with absent lung markings and mediastinal shift to the right side with concerns for tension pneumothorax. Though tube thoracostomy was done on the left side of the chest, column movement was absent. To confirm the diagnosis CT with contrast was done that revealed a huge left side diaphragmatic defect with abdominal contents in the thorax and mediastinal structures are shifted to left. She underwent emergency laparotomy and postoperative period was uneventful.
Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia diagnosed by video capsule endoscopy in a patient with immunodeficiency presenting withMorganella morganiibacteraemia
Authors: Cunningham John M , Nepal Sansrita , Truesdale Aimee E
Published: September 2020

A 24-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic lower extremity oedema, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and recurrent pulmonary infections presented with sepsis from right lower extremity cellulitis. Blood cultures grewMorganella morganii. Laboratory evaluation revealed lymphopaenia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, a low CD4+ T-cell count and nutritional deficiencies resulting from protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). CT showed small bowel wall thickening in the jejunum and ileum. Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) was the likely diagnosis that explained her PLE and immunodeficiencies. Video capsule endoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for distal small bowel pathology and confirmed patchy areas of lymphangiectasia of the jejunum and ileum. Secondary causes of lymphangiectasia were ruled out. Clinically significant immunodeficiency from PIL has not been frequently documented, and this case adds to the literature of rare infections associated with PIL. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics resolved her septicaemia, while dietary modifications improved her oedema, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Acute liver failure masquerading an occult malignancy
Authors: Gogia Pooja , Doukas Sotirios , Porcelli Marcus , Gilbert Tricia
Published: September 2020

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare initial presentation of metastatic liver disease and is associated with high fatality. Our case report describes acute hepatic decompensation from an occult pancreatic malignancy. A 64-year-old man presented with abdominal distension for 2 weeks associated with decreased appetite and a weight loss of 13.6 kg, over the past 8 months. Significant admission labs were serum creatinine: 6.15 mg/dL, serum bilirubin: 27 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 316 u/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 198 u/L and serum alkaline phosphatase: 2121 u/L. He was admitted to the medical intensive care unit and was started on dialysis for acute renal failure. MRI of the abdomen showed multiple masses in the liver concerning for metastatic disease, cystic lesions in the pancreatic body and ascites. He underwent paracentesis and ascitic fluid analysis was positive for adenocarcinoma. CA 19-9 was 17 828 u/mL. The patient’s condition gradually deteriorated, and he died of cardiac arrest.
Unusual presentation of acute compartment syndrome of the forearm and hand
Authors: Maniar Ruchi , Hussain Ali , Rehman Mohammad Abdur , Reissis Nikos
Published: September 2020

A 49-year-old man was referred to orthopaedics with an acute onset of left forearm and hand swelling, widespread blisters and erythema after lying face down on the floor for an unknown period of time. He also presented with left wrist stiffness due to pain and clawing of the fingers and glove-type loss of sensation in the whole hand. Any attempt to straighten the fingers or extend the wrist exacerbated the pain. Symptoms deteriorated rapidly. Compartment syndrome was diagnosed and surgical fasciotomies of his left forearm and left hand were performed following multidisciplinary urgent discussions between plastic surgeons, microbiologists, anaesthetists and orthopaedic surgeons. The left forearm and left hand underwent extensive decompression and subsequent skin grafting and had good healing despite the initial skin presentation. The patient has made a satisfactory recovery and has required extensive hand physiotherapy and social care.
Osteomyelitis of frontal sinus, zygomatic bone and maxilla
Authors: Rai Anshul , Jain Anuj , Thukral Rishi
Published: September 2020

A 52-year male patient reported with loosening of right upper jaw. He has no pain or discharge, or any acute symptoms and systemic disease. Intraoral examination reveals necrosed maxillary bone. He also has no sickle cell disease, hepatitis, HIV or tuberculosis. 3D CT scan reveals destruction of maxilla, maxillary sinus, lateral nasal wall, superior and inferior orbital wall, zygoma and frontal bone(outer table). The clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis was made. Under general anaesthesia, sequestrectomy was done with the help of Weber-Ferguson incision with infraorbital extension for maxilla, maxillary sinus, zygomatic bone, lateral nasal wall and infraorbital and medial wall of orbit. Frontal sinus region sequestrectomy was done via bicoronal flap. The patient was completely diseased free after 4 years follow-up.
Giant nasal granuloma gravidarum
Authors: Shemen Larry , Falkowski Olga
Published: September 2020

Nasal granuloma gravidarum usually presents as a small vascular lesion on the septum or turbinates during pregnancy. We present a case of a giant nasal granuloma gravidarum and its management.
Using the Demographic Health Survey wealth index to create family planning market segments based on absolute income levels
Authors: Bellows Nicole , Weinberger Michelle , Reidy Meghan
Published: September 2020

Family planning market segmentation approaches typically include analysis by wealth, particularly when considering whether individuals can afford out-of-pocket expenses in the private sector. Most commonly, this is done using the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) wealth index, which uses arelativeapproach by summing household asset questions and categorising respondents into five groups from poorest to wealthiest within a country. In addition, the use ofabsolutemeasures, such as segmenting populations based on whether one lives below or above the International Poverty line, defined by the World Bank as US$1.90 per person per day, may provide further useful insights when designing strategies to ensure access to family planning. While such measures are not readily available in the DHS, a simple approach can be used to combine the wealth index and World Bank poverty lines to generate an absolute measure for an additional perspective when conducting family planning market segmentation. Family planning market size estimates were made for 24 low-income countries using wealth quintiles and World Bank poverty lines. The results show large variations in market size based on what measure is used, particularly for countries with a high density of poverty. Looking at both types of measures and understanding the reasons for the differences in market size estimates between the approaches can help lend a more nuanced understanding of the distribution of wealth and income in a country, leading to improved family planning market segmentation and ultimately to ensure more women have access to a method of their choice.