Essays in corporate finance and innovation

This Ph.D. dissertation consists of three independent chapters in corporate finance and innovation. The first chapter studies how in-group biases of patent examiners - an important set of regulators - affect their decisions to grant patents. Additionally, it highlights the costs of these biased decisions for inventors, startups, and the economy. The second chapter studies how limited investor attention affects analyst coverage of firms and thereby, information provision to the financial markets. The last chapter documents that firms punish female inventors for their “as-good-asrandom” creative failures more harshly than they punish men. These differences in punishment cause early-stage female inventors to exit innovation at higher rates than their male colleagues

THE ROLE OF PRINT ADVERTISING DURING PRODUCT RECALL CRISIS

A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence (which can cause costly legal penalties) and to improve or avoid damage to publicity. Recalls are costly to a company because they often entail replacing the recalled product or paying for damage caused by use, although possibly less costly than consequential costs caused by damage to brand name and reduced trust in the manufacturer. Product recalls are pervasive economic phenomenon, which occur frequently and can have devastating consequences for the recalling firm. This paper documents the significance of product recalls, and of advertising as a means of recall communication. This paper presents taxonomy of the major modes of advertising encountered in product recall campaigns. Additionally, certain prescriptive admonitions are suggested for each of the three dominant print modes; direct mail, display ads, and point-of-sales messages. Finally, a series of basic generalizations about recall print advertising are advanced.Â

Foundation System for “ Akshardham” to Control Deformations Related to Probable Liquefaction

The paper presents a system of foundation for 38.0 m high monumental unique structure “ Akhsardham” on bank of “Yamuna” river at Noida ,New Delhi(India). The design is outcome of interaction of ideological requirements of Architects, Seismologist, Geotechnical and Structural engineers, as well as those empirical rules of Vastu- Shastra for religious places. The structure is typical flexible stone monument. It is located on alluvium of “Yamuna” river in seismic Zone IV of Bureau of Indian standards. The preliminary exploration report indicated liquefaction potential and suggested deep foundations. The engineering priests decided against use of steel for the structure expected to exist for 2-3 countries. The authors reviewed soil report, got quick check tests to for analysis of probability of liquefaction. Based on this studies and deliberations with the above agencies evolved economical massive foundation to fulfill requirements without compromising safety. The construction over foundation is in full swing

Comparison Of Root Canal Irrigation Systems In Reducing Intracanal Microorganisms Using Saline-An In Vitro Study

Mechanical and chemical debridement plays an important role in reducing intracanal microorganisms. Effective root canal irrigation depends on both the root canal irrigant and irrigation system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the debridement efficiency of four root canal irrigation systems, Endovac®, PiezoFlow™, EndoActivator® and traditional needle irrigation using saline as an irrigant. Seventy-five, single canal, extracted, mature teeth were selected. Teeth were standardized to canal lengths of 15 mm and instrumented to Master Apical File size #40 with 4% taper. Teeth were mounted in a centrifuge tube using PVS impression material. Teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=15) and one control group (n=15). The root canals were inoculated with 24-hour culture of Streptococcus mutans and incubated for 72 hours. Saline was delivered via each of the irrigation systems at the rate of 7 ml/min using a precision syringe pump. Immediately following the treatment, samples were collected from the untreated control and the experimental groups and plated on agar plates. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD multiple comparison tests. All the experimental groups were significantly better than the control group (p\u3c0.0001). Among the experimental groups, Endovac® and PiezoFlow™ were significantly better in reducing microorganisms compared to needle and EndoActivator® groups (p\u3c0.05). There was no statistical difference between Endovac® and PiezoFlow™. Debridement efficiency of Endovac® and PiezoFlow™ is better than needle and EndoActivator® irrigation systems using saline as an irrigant. Funded by Alexander Fellowship, VCU School of Dentistry

Pathways for sustainable urban waste management and reduced environmental health risks in India: winners, losers and alternatives to Waste to Energy in Delhi

This paper examines the shift toward centralized waste-to-energy (WTE) as a singular solution to Delhi's solid waste crisis and describes a transdisciplinary research process that sought to understand how and why this dominant waste management pathway emerged. It also sought to engage with and facilitate debate on the potential for alternative waste management pathways, which may better address combined environmental and social justice concerns. We explain the emergence of a transforming narrative that reframed waste from a risk to a resource, reflecting and reinforcing the dominant trajectory of socio-technical-ecological change in urban development, and reconfiguring waste related infrastructure to involve public private participation and WTE technology. Drawing on empirical studies, involving local residents, wastepickers associations, NGOs, and government officials, we discuss implications of WTE projects in Delhi. We argue that the current WTE focused approach, without modification, may simply displace health hazards across time, space and social groups and exacerbate social justice concerns. The dominant narrative on waste management priorities appear to make certain health risks protected and recognized whilst others are made invisible. We make the case for possible alternative waste management scenarios, institutional and regulatory arrangements that may better address environmental health and social justice concerns. These are summarized under eight principles for reframing urban waste management policy challenges in the context of sustainable urban development. These principles include a reframing of waste management through a sustainability lens that links currently divergent initiatives on environmental health and social justice. It involves an appreciation of complex socio-material flows of waste, the need to move beyond perspectives of waste management as an environmental policy issue alone, appreciation in policy development that the informal sector will remain a key player despite attempts to formalize waste management and the need to provide incentives for diverse waste management strategies that move beyond the private

Assessment patient satisfaction after total knee replacement in Indian population

Background: We aim to assess the satisfaction of patients after total Knee replacement in Indian population. Tоtаl knee Аrthrорlаsty is most commonly performed for osteoarthritis, and also for other knee diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Knee reрlасement surgeries helрs tо restоre nоrmаl meсhаniсs during level wаlking аs well аs mоre demanding аnd соmрlex асtivities suсh аs stаir negоtiаtiоn. Раtient sаtisfасtiоn rаtes fоr the рrосedure hаve been reроrted between 81-97%. However, this leаves а signifiсаnt роrtiоn оf the TKR рорulаtiоn аs dissаtisfied with the оutсоmes оf the reрlасed knee. Methods: Patients were assessed at opd visit or with telephonic conversation and scores are calculated and mentioned in excel sheet. Post surgery satisfaction (PSS) score is the score created to measure the satisfaction after total hip replacement. This score contains different questionnaires. These questions include inquiry about relief of pain, ability to do daily routine activities, requirement of walking aids etc. Score contains total 7 questions. Results: Out of 55 patients we found through this study that about 92.7% were classified as satisfied while 7.3% patients were dissatisfied. Satisfaction rate is more as compared to dissatisfaction rate. Conclusions: In present study we have tried to eliminate other factors responsible for dissatisfaction such as hospital ward cleanliness, hospital administration, patient and hospital staff communication. we recommend total knee replacement surgery for end stage arthritis and it is more beneficial to the patients in terms of improvement in post-operative pain and function

Assessment patient satisfaction after total hip replacement in Indian population

Background: We aim to assess the satisfaction of patients after total hip replacement in Indian population. Nоwаdаys tоtаl hiр аrthrорlаsty is the finаl treаtment орtiоn рrоvided tо раtients with unsаlvаgeаble, severely аrthritiс, раinful аnd defоrmed hiрs. Раtient sаtisfасtiоn hаs been meаsured in multiрle оrthораediс рrосedures, inсluding tоtаl hiр аrthrорlаsty. THА is а соmmоn surgiсаl рrосedure thаt imрrоves the lives оf раtients with end-stаge аrthritis by deсreаsing раin, аnd imрrоving mоtоr function and mоbility аs measured by vаlidаted heаlth-relаted оutсоme tооls. Methods: Patients were assessed at OPD visit or with telephonic conversation scores are calculated and mentioned in excel sheet. Post-surgery satisfaction score is the score created to measure the satisfaction after total hip replacement. This score contains different questionnaires. These questions include inquiry about relieve of pain, ability to do daily routine activities, requirement of walking aids etc. Score contains total 7 questions with answers. Results: Out of 95 patients we found through this study that about 92.63% of patients are satisfied after total hip replacement. 7.37% of patients are dissatisfied. Satisfaction rate is more as compared to dissatisfaction rate. Conclusions: In present study we have tried to eliminate other factors responsible for dissatisfaction such as hospital ward cleanliness, hospital administration, patient and hospital staff communication. We recommend total hip replacement surgery for end stage arthritis and is more beneficial to the patients in terms of improvement in post-operative pain and function

Radiological and functional outcome of conservatively managed middle one third clavicle fractures

Background: We aim to assess radiological and functional outcome of conservatively managed middle one third clavicle fractures in Indian population. Clavicle fractures represent 2% to 10% of all fractures. In middle third clavicle fractures, conservative management is the commonest approach. In uncomplicated non displaced midshaft fractures, patients treated non operatively with these conservative measures have fewer complications and a timely recovery as those treated operatively. Conservative management is a simpler yet effective mode of management in middle one third clavicle fractures. Methods: Patients managed conservatively for clavicle fractures were assessed on OPD basis with follow up chest X-ray with bilateral shoulder AP view for radiological signs of union and assessing percent shortening and two questionnaires. Constant shoulder score which assess pain, degree of function, range of motion and muscular force and, simple shoulder test, self administered questionnaire defining one or more affirmative answers to find the satisfaction after treatment modality which were tabulated in Microsoft excel sheets. Results: Out of the 55 patients enrolled in the study 52 showed signs of union at 6 months follow up with mean fracture union time of 13.9 weeks. At 6 months follow up Mean Constant Shoulder score was 87.1 with excellent outcome in 67.67 percent patients and using Simple Shoulder Test satisfaction rate was found to be 78.18 percent. Conclusions: Solid evidence in favour of non-operative treatment for fractures with remaining contact of the bone fragments. Non-surgical management of middle third clavicle fractures yield excellent results. Clear indications for conservative treatment versus surgical fixation of displaced midshaft fractures have not finally been established yet. We recommend conservative management for uncomplicated middle one third clavicle fractures

ISLAMIC FINANCE-AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT Islamic finance is one of the most rapidly growing segments of the global financial system however in many countries it is still at its embryonic stage. There are only three million Muslims in UK and it is the hub of Islamic finance as compared to India which has a Muslim population of 160 million. This paper provides with an introduction on Islamic finance/banking and how it can be accommodated with the conventional system and how they can be run parallel to each other. It also gives examples of companies like Taurus Mutual Fund which launched the first actively Managed Equity Oriented Sharia compliant diversified fund. Islamic Finance will be a challenge for all Banks to understand and accommodate the needs of such clients, regulators to formulate policies and procedures for Islamic finance and academicians to produce trained work force in this area. India being a developing country has a lot of scope for growth and Islamic finance can be one of the ways for India to gain a brighter future

Static & Thermal Analysis of Piston for Single Cylinder Diesel Engine by Ansys : A Review

The main objective of this present research work is to investigate and analyze the stresses which are acting on the piston. The parameter which is used for analysis is temperature, operating pressure and properties of materials. Piston in internal combustion engine play most important role because it transfers the force which is produced during the combustion of fuel to crankshaft due to which it converts the pressure energy into mechanical energy. Piston fails due to thermal and mechanical stresses which are produced under the running condition of engine. The boundary conditions are applied for static and thermal analysis which includes pressure on piston head during working period and uneven temperature distributions occurs from head of piston to skirt of piston. The 3D-model will be created using SOLIDWORKS2018.the 3D model will be imported in the Ansys software for geometry and meshing purposes then the FEM Analysis will be done on ANSYS software. Analysis will help to change the existing design for reduce the weight. Finite Element Analysis is the best method for analyzing the stresses in piston