Overcoming Adverse Selection: How Public Intervention Can Restore Market Functioning

The paper provides a first analysis of market jump starting and its two-way interaction between mechanism design and participation constraints. The government optimally overpays for the legacy assets and cleans up the market of its weakest assets, through a mixture of buybacks and equity injections, and leaves the firms with the strongest legacy assets to the market. The government reduces adverse selection enough to let the market rebound, but not too much, so as to limit the cost of intervention. The existence of a market imposes no welfare cost. (JEL D82, D83, G01, G31, H81)

Crystallization Fouling Of The Aqueous Two-Component System CaSO\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e/CaCO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e

Solutions, which cause fouling problems, consist mostly of more than one single component. Up to now only few studies concerning the fouling phenomena in such multicomponent systems exist. Therefore batch and continuous experiments with the aqueous two-component system CaSO4/CaCO3 were carried out, investigating especially the influence of pH-value on the fouling behaviour. As measure for the crystalline deposit the fouling resistance Rf was used. The composition of the obtained fouling layers were analysed by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further the strength of the crystalline deposits were determined in abrasion experiments. The measured abrasion was correlated with crushing strength values. In the fouling experiments a strong effect of the pH-value on crystallization fouling was observed. Lowest fouling tendency was seen for experiments at pH 7.0. At different pH-values the crystalline layers showed big differences in their macroscopic as well as in their microscopic structure. As it could be seen with the SEM the crystals differed in their size but also in their shape. Below pH 6.0 only calcium sulphate was detected by x-ray diffraction, which agrees with the saturation theory. At higher pH values besides calcium sulphate also calcium carbonate was found in different modifications. The different layer composition leads to different strength of the layers. Highest strength values in the crystalline upper and middle layer were measured for crystalline scales grown at pH 7.0, followed by layers at pH 6.5. At the moment it is difficult to correlate the fouling behaviour clearly to the different experimental conditions

Numerical Simulation of the Fouling on Structured Heat Transfer Surfaces (Fouling)

The objective of this work is to make a contribution to a good and fast prediction of the crystal growth on flat and structured heat transfer surfaces. For the numerical simulation the CFD code Fluent is used. The simulation enables an unsteady calculation of the fouling process and a realistic description of the temporal modification of the flow and temperature fields due to the continuous crystal growth. The numerical simulation of the crystal growth is based on models for the calculation of the deposition (Krause, 1993) and removal (Bohnet, 1990) mass rates. Based on experimental results of Hirsch (Bohnet et. al., 1999), a model was developed which enables the calculation of the density of the fouling layer not only as a function of the local position within the fouling layer, but also as a function of the time-dependent total thickness of the fouling layer. In addition a model was developed, that enables a realistic distribution of the heat flux along the heat transfer surface during the simulation. All models are implemented into the simulation with the help of the programming user interface of the CFD code. During the experimental and numerical investigations the operating parameters like flow rate, surface temperature, concentration of the salt solution and geometry of the flow channel are varied. The induction period and the effects of aging which occur with almost all fouling processes are not considered. Result of the numerical simulation is the prediction of the fouling resistance as function of time. In view of the complexity of the fouling process during the incrustation of heat transfer surfaces and the fact that not all influences from the used models could be considered the agreement between calculated and experimentally obtained data is satisfactory

Toxicity Analysis in the ADEBAR Trial: Sequential Anthracycline-Taxane Therapy Compared with FEC120 for the Adjuvant Treatment of High-Risk Breast Cancer

Background: Data from meta-analyses have shown taxane-containing therapies to be superior to anthracycline-based treatments for high-risk breast cancer. Patients and Methods: The ADEBAR trial was a multicenter phase Ill trial in which patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer were prospectively randomized for either sequential anthracycline-taxane or FEC120 therapy. Patients received 4x epirubicin (90 mg/m(2)) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)) every 3 weeks (q3w), followed by 4x docetaxel (100 mg/m(2)) q3w (EC-Doc arm), or 6x epirubicin (60 mg/m(2)) and 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 8 and cyclophosphamide (75 mg/m(2)) on days 1-14, q4w (FEC arm). We compared both arms with respect to toxicity and feasibility. Results: Hematological toxicity was found significantly more often in the FEC arm. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 11.3% of patients in the FEC arm and in 8.4% of patients in the EC-Doc arm (p = 0.027). Non-hematological side effects of grade 3/4 were rarely seen in either arm. Therapy was terminated due to toxicity in 3.7% of the patients in the EC-Doc arm and in 8.0% of the patients in the FEC arm (p = 0.0009). Conclusion: The sequential anthracycline-taxane regimen is a well-tolerated and feasible alternative to FEC120 therapy

Fouling pathways in emulsion polymerization differentiated with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) integrated into the reactor wall

Emulsion polymerization fouling at hot interfaces is studied in situ, making use of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The resonator crystal is heated with a ring-shaped thermal pad from the back, turning it into a plate with elevated temperature. Configured to be one of the walls of a small reactor for emulsion polymerization, this resonator is prone to heat-transfer fouling, similar to regular heated parts of process equipment. The fouling kinetics is readily quantified with this QCM. During polymerization at constant temperature (80 °C), some deposition is always observed. However, a film with a thickness of less than 1 μm (determined gravimetrically with the QCM) is sometimes found, which stabilizes the surface against the deposition of much thicker layers. When reaction fouling proceeds directly to thick deposits, a small increase in resonance bandwidth often occurs a few minutes prior to the main transition, presumably caused by coagulum formed in the bulk making first contact with the surface. Furthermore, particle fouling is studied with temperature ramps on nonreactive dispersions. Fouling, if present, is readily observed

Comparison of the release of nitrogen gases (NH3, N2O, N2) after application of fermentation residues

Anhand von acht Laborversuchen wird die Wirkung von Einflussfaktoren auf die Freisetzung von Stickstoffgasen nach einer Gärrestapplikation demonstriert und werden dazu Vergleiche zwischen den Gasen vorgenommen. Übereinstimmungen ergaben sich bei der NH3- und N2O-Freisetzung in Bezug auf die Temperatur und die Art der Düngung. Unterschiede zeigten sich im zeitlichen Verlauf der Gasfreisetzungen und in der Reaktion auf die Applikationsmethode, die Bodenfeuchte, die Gärrest-N-Menge und den Zusatz von Stroh sowie eines Nitrifikations­inhibitors. Die N2O- und N2-Freisetzungen nahmen mit steigender Bodenfeuchte zu. Im hohen Bodenfeuchte­bereich stieg besonders die N2O-Freisetzung an und lag über der Freisetzung von N2. Der Zusatz von Stroh zur Gärrestapplikation kann einen differenzierten Einfluss auf die N2O- und N2-Freisetzungen ausüben, der offensichtlich vom Bodenfeuchtegehalt abhängig ist. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2015.03.02, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2015.03.02On the basis of eight laboratory experiments, the effect of factors is demonstrated on the release of nitrogen gases after fermentation residue application and comparisons between gases are made. Similarities where found in the behaviour of NH3 and N2O release with respect to the influence of temperature and the applied fertilizer. Differences occurred in the temporal dynamics of gas release and in response to the application method, the soil moisture content, the rate of fertilizer N application and the addition of straw and a nitrification inhibitor. The N2O and N2 release increased with increasing soil moisture. At high soil moisture, particularly N2O release increased and was partially above the release rate of N2. The addition of straw to the application of fermentation residue showed a differential influence on N2O and N2 release, which is obviously dependent on soil moisture content. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2015.03.02, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2015.03.0

The glueball among the light scalar mesons

In our phenomenological analysis of the spectroscopy of light scalar mesons we do not find compelling evidence for the existence of the low mass \kappa(900) or \sigma(600) states nor for f_0(1370) as single resonance. If the f_0(980) and and f_0(1500) are taken as members of the q qbar nonet there remains a broad object formed by f_0(400-1200) and f_0(1370) which is a glueball candidate gb(1000).Comment: Talk (by W.O.) given at the QCD 02 9th International High-Energy Physics Conference in QuantumChromoDynamics (Montpellier 2-9th July 2002), 4 page

Seasonal variations in the diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumors: a national cancer registry study in austria

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Seasonal variations in cancer diagnosis could already be demonstrated in prostate and breast cancer. The reasons for this observed seasonal pattern are still unclear. The health care system or other determinants such as the protective function of vitamin D3 in carcinogenesis could be assumed as one explanation. Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common developed malignancy among young men. The aim of our study was to investigate, for the first time, the seasonal variations in the clinical diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumors. We have been able to confirm that the frequency of monthly newly diagnosed cases of testicular cell tumors in Austria has a strong seasonality, with a significant reduction in the tumor incidence during the summer months and an increase during the winter months. ABSTRACT: We conducted a retrospective National Cancer Registry study in Austria to assess a possible seasonal variation in the clinical diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). In total, 3615 testicular cancer diagnoses were identified during an 11-year period from 2008 to 2018. Rate ratios for the monthly number of TGCT diagnoses, as well as of seasons and half-years, were assessed using a quasi-Poisson model. We identified, for the first time, a statistically significant seasonal trend (p < 0.001) in the frequency of monthly newly diagnosed cases of TGCT. In detail, clear seasonal variations with a reduction in the tumor incidence during the summer months (Apr–Sep) and an increase during the winter months (Oct–Mar) were observed (p < 0.001). Focusing on seasonality, the incidence during the months of Oct–Dec (p = 0.008) and Jan–Mar (p < 0.001) was significantly higher compared to the months of Jul–Sep, respectively. Regarding histopathological features, there is a predominating incidence in the winter months compared to summer months, mainly concerning pure seminomas (p < 0.001), but not the non-seminoma or mixed TGCT groups. In conclusion, the incidence of TGCT diagnoses in Austria has a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rate during the winter months. These findings may be explained by a delay of self-referral during the summer months. However, the hypothetical influence of vitamin D3 in testicular carcinogenesis underlying seasonal changes in TGCT diagnosis should be the focus of further research