Comparative levels and survival of naturally occurring microorganisms deposited on surfaces through handling and aerial fallout a preliminary report

Death rates of microorganisms deposited on surfaces of stainless steel and electronic components by handling and aerial fallout - Decontamination technique

Recovery of Viable Microorganisms from Solids. I - Model Systems

Solidification process for recovering viable microorganisms to aid spacecraft sterilization procedure

Financial distress, corporate takeovers and the distress anomaly

Purpose: This paper examines the relation between takeover likelihood and the documented underperformance of distressed company stocks while exploring two competing hypotheses. The failure risk explanation predicts lower returns to distressed firms with high probability of being acquired because the acquisition reduces risk and investors\u27 required return. Conversely, the agency conflicts explanation predicts lower returns when acquisition is unlikely. Design/methodology/approach: The likelihood of receiving a takeover bid is estimated, and portfolio tests explore the underperformance of distressed company stocks relative to non-distressed stocks across varying levels of takeover likelihood. Predictive regressions subsequently examine the relation between distress, takeover exposure and future firm operating performance including how the relation is affected by state anti-takeover laws. Findings: Distressed stocks underperform non-distressed company stocks by economically and statistically significant margins when takeover likelihood is low, yet there is no evidence of underperformance among distressed stocks with moderate or high takeover exposure. Consistent with agency conflicts playing a key role, distressed firms that are disciplined by takeover threats invest more, use more leverage and experience higher future profitability. State-level anti-takeover legislation limits this disciplinary effect, however. Originality/value: The results show that the well-documented distress anomaly is driven by a subset of distressed firms whose managers face limited pressure from the external takeover market. The evidence casts doubt on the failure risk explanation and suggests that agency conflicts play a key role

Cryptocurrency return reversals

Analysing a set of 200 cryptocurrencies over the period from 2015 to 2019, we document a significant return reversal effect that holds at the daily, weekly, and monthly rebalancing frequencies and is robust to controls for differences in size, turnover, and illiquidity. Moreover, the reversal effect persists during both halves of our sample period and following periods of both high and low market implied volatility. Consistent with the effect being driven by a combination of market inefficiency and compensation for liquidity provision, we find reversals are most pronounced among smaller capitalization and less liquid cryptocurrencies

Bilayered Calcium Sulfate/Calcium Phosphate Space-Making Composites with Multiple Drug Delivery Capabilities

The present invention provides for bilayered composites that provide for sustained drug delivery and support to recovering tissue(s) and areas surrounding, such as with bone tissue. The two layers degrade at separate rates, thereby providing sustained mechanical support and tailored drug delivery

An insight into friction stir consolidation process mechanics through advanced numerical model development

Friction stir consolidation (FSC) is a solid-state process adopted to recycle machining scraps with aim to reduce the adverse impact of obtaining metals from their primary source. FSC was also applied to offer plausible new routes for alloying and upcycling from powder and scrap metal and thus drew the attention of many researchers. During FSC process, a rotating tool with a certain force is applied to a given chips batch enclosed in a die chamber turning it into a consolidated billet. It is assumed that favorable process conditions for chips bonding are acquired by the combined effect of friction, stirring action, and pressure of the tool. However, the real process is quite complex, and it can be understood only by developing proper solid bonding criteria through numerical modeling that can forecast the consolidation process. Therefore, in this research, an attempt was made to implement different existing bonding criteria. Some of these were good enough to predict favorable conditions for sound bonding of particular case studies, however a uniform criteria with a single threshold value that is applicable to all case studies could not be achieved. Therefore, this study suggests for a new approach to accurately predict the bonding integrity of the FSC process

the place of belsey mark iv fundoplication in the era of laparoscopic surgery

Objectives: Laparoscopic fundoplication to correct or avoid gastroesophageal reflux decreased Belsey Mark IV fundoplication (BMIV) dramatically worldwide. The purpose of this paper was to determine the role of BMIV and its current indications. Methods: We reviewed all patients who underwent fundoplication between April 1997 and December 2001. All patients underwent a complete work-up included barium meal, endoscopy, 24-h pH-metry and manometry preoperatively. Results: Sixty-two consecutive fundoplications were performed. There were 23 males and 39 females. Forty-six patients were treated by laparoscopic approach (37 patients with total and nine patients with partial fundoplication). BMIV was preferred in 16 patients with the following indications: reoperations for failed oesophageal surgery (5), hiatal hernia fixed in the chest (4), epiphrenic oesophageal diverticula (3), diffuse oesophageal spam (2), hiatal hernia associated with bullous emphysema (1), leiomyoma of the oesophago ‐ gastric junction (1). Excellent to good results were reported in 14 patients and poor in two. Follow-up was completed in all patients. Conclusions: BMIV remains a valid fundoplication although the current indications are now limited. The technique is to be considered an additional, but necessary, weapon for thoracic surgeons with interest in oesophageal disease. q 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved