Pietra ratio (Pietra index), also known as Robin Hood index, Schutz coefficient (Ricci-Schutz index) or half the relative mean deviation, is a good measure of statistical heterogeneity in the context of positive-valued data sets. In this thesis, two novel methods namely "adjusted jackknife empirical likelihood" and "extended jackknife empirical likelihood" are developed from the jackknife empirical likelihood method to obtain interval estimation of the Pietra ratio of a population. The performance of the two novel methods are compared with the jackknife empirical likelihood method, the normal approximation method and two bootstrap methods (the percentile bootstrap method and the bias corrected and accelerated bootstrap method). Simulation results indicate that under both symmetric and skewed distributions, especially when the sample is small, the extended jackknife empirical likelihood method gives the best performance among the six methods in terms of the coverage probabilities and interval lengths of the confidence interval of Pietra ratio; when the sample size is over 20, the adjusted jackknife empirical likelihood method performs better than the other methods, except the extended jackknife empirical likelihood method. Furthermore, several real data sets are used to illustrate the proposed methods.

Background: Variation exists in quality of life (i.e., utility) estimates depending on the utility elicitation method utilized. Using the EQ-5D, VAS, and HUI-III, the aim of this thesis was to determine whether these measures adequately capture HRQOL in a CRC population and assess the relationship between utility estimates generated. Methods: A mixed methods study design was employed to collect health status scores and interview data from a sample of 50 CRC patients in Toronto, Ontario. Results: Mean utility scores between the EQ-5D and HUI-III were identical at 0.76 (95% CI), with an overall VAS score of 0.72 (95% CI). Conclusion: The fact that the EQ-5D and HUI-III resulted in identical mean utility scores provides assurance for future studies using these tools in CRC. However, many factors that CRC patients identify as important to their HRQOL are not captured by these instruments. These findings have implications for informing economic evaluations.

Background: Variation exists in quality of life (i.e., utility) estimates depending on the utility elicitation method utilized. Using the EQ-5D, VAS, and HUI-III, the aim of this thesis was to determine whether these measures adequately capture HRQOL in a CRC population and assess the relationship between utility estimates generated. Methods: A mixed methods study design was employed to collect health status scores and interview data from a sample of 50 CRC patients in Toronto, Ontario. Results: Mean utility scores between the EQ-5D and HUI-III were identical at 0.76 (95% CI), with an overall VAS score of 0.72 (95% CI). Conclusion: The fact that the EQ-5D and HUI-III resulted in identical mean utility scores provides assurance for future studies using these tools in CRC. However, many factors that CRC patients identify as important to their HRQOL are not captured by these instruments. These findings have implications for informing economic evaluations.

Objetivo: Apresentar e discutir métodos para estimar prevalências ajustadas em pesquisas clínicas e epidemiológicas, bem como desenvolver rotinas computacionais em SAS e R. Métodos: No contexto de estudo transversal, foi simulada uma amostra de 2.000 observações independentes, considerando o desfecho dicotômico diabetes, sexo como a variável de exposição e idade como variável de ajuste. As estimativas de prevalências ajustadas (IC 95%) foram estimadas pelos métodos de predição condicional e marginal, utilizando as rotinas desenvolvidas em SAS e R. O método Delta foi usado para construir os intervalos de confiança. Os resultados foram comparados com aqueles do SUDAAN (SAS-Callable), Stata e a macro %ADJ_PROP (SAS). Resultados: No exemplo simulado, 68,2% são do sexo feminino e a idade média (DP) foi 57,6 (5,0) anos, sendo 54,2 (3,9) anos em homens e 59,2 (4,6) anos em mulheres. A estimativa da prevalência global do desfecho foi de 25,3% (IC 95%:23,4-27,3); sendo 13,8% (IC 95%:11,7-16,7) e 30,7% (IC 95%:28,3-33,2), respectivamente para homens e mulheres. As estimativas de prevalências ajustadas por idade, por meio do método de predição condicional, foram de 19,6% (IC 95%:16,2-23,6) para homens, e 23,6% (IC 95%:21,2-26,1) para mulheres. Pelo método de predição marginal, as estimativas foram de 22,4% (IC 95%:18,7-26,5) para homens, e 26,3% (IC 95%:24,1-28,6) para mulheres. Conclusão: A discrepância entre as estimativas não ajustadas é devida ao confundimento pela idade. Estimativas livres de confundimento podem ser obtidas por meio das prevalências ajustadas pela idade. No entanto, a estimativa pelo método de predição condicional não engloba a prevalência global. Em virtude disso, o método de predição marginal é, geralmente, mais adequado. A rotina desenvolvida na versão para R é uma alternativa aos softwares comerciais. / Objective: To present and discuss methods to estimate adjusted prevalences for clinical and epidemiological research, and develop computational routines in SAS and R. Methods: In the context of cross-sectional study, it was simulated a sample of 2,000 independent observations, considering the dichotomous outcome diabetes, sex as the exposure variable and age as an adjustment variable. Adjusted prevalences were estimated by the conditional and marginal methods, using routines developed in SAS and R. Confidence intervals were constructed using the Delta method. The results were compared with those of the SUDAAN (SAS-callable), Stata and macro %ADJ_PROP (SAS). Results: In simulated example, 68.2% are female and the mean (SD) age was 57.6 (5.00) years old, being that 54.2 (3.94) years for men and 59.2 (4.60) years in women. The estimated global prevalence of outcome was 25.3% (CI 95%: 23.4-27.3) and 13.8% (CI 95%: 11.7-16.7) and 30.7% (CI 95%: 28.3-33.2), respectively for men and women. Estimates of adjusted prevalence for age, through the conditional method, were 19.6% (CI 95%: 16.2-23.6) for men, and 23.6% (CI 95%: 21,2-26.1) for women. For marginal method, the estimates were 22.4% (CI 95%: 18.7-26.5) for men and 26.3% (CI 95%: 24.1-28.6) for women. Conclusion: The observed discrepancy in estimates by sex, unadjusted, can be attributed to confounding due to difference in age distribution between sexes. Comparable estimates (without confounding) of the prevalences can be obtained through prevalence adjusted for age. However, the estimate for the conditional method does not comprise the global prevalence. As a result, the marginal method is in general more suitable. The developed routines can be useful for estimating adjusted prevalences, particularly the R version (an alternative to commercial software).

Objetivo: Apresentar e discutir métodos para estimar prevalências ajustadas em pesquisas clínicas e epidemiológicas, bem como desenvolver rotinas computacionais em SAS e R. Métodos: No contexto de estudo transversal, foi simulada uma amostra de 2.000 observações independentes, considerando o desfecho dicotômico diabetes, sexo como a variável de exposição e idade como variável de ajuste. As estimativas de prevalências ajustadas (IC 95%) foram estimadas pelos métodos de predição condicional e marginal, utilizando as rotinas desenvolvidas em SAS e R. O método Delta foi usado para construir os intervalos de confiança. Os resultados foram comparados com aqueles do SUDAAN (SAS-Callable), Stata e a macro %ADJ_PROP (SAS). Resultados: No exemplo simulado, 68,2% são do sexo feminino e a idade média (DP) foi 57,6 (5,0) anos, sendo 54,2 (3,9) anos em homens e 59,2 (4,6) anos em mulheres. A estimativa da prevalência global do desfecho foi de 25,3% (IC 95%:23,4-27,3); sendo 13,8% (IC 95%:11,7-16,7) e 30,7% (IC 95%:28,3-33,2), respectivamente para homens e mulheres. As estimativas de prevalências ajustadas por idade, por meio do método de predição condicional, foram de 19,6% (IC 95%:16,2-23,6) para homens, e 23,6% (IC 95%:21,2-26,1) para mulheres. Pelo método de predição marginal, as estimativas foram de 22,4% (IC 95%:18,7-26,5) para homens, e 26,3% (IC 95%:24,1-28,6) para mulheres. Conclusão: A discrepância entre as estimativas não ajustadas é devida ao confundimento pela idade. Estimativas livres de confundimento podem ser obtidas por meio das prevalências ajustadas pela idade. No entanto, a estimativa pelo método de predição condicional não engloba a prevalência global. Em virtude disso, o método de predição marginal é, geralmente, mais adequado. A rotina desenvolvida na versão para R é uma alternativa aos softwares comerciais. / Objective: To present and discuss methods to estimate adjusted prevalences for clinical and epidemiological research, and develop computational routines in SAS and R. Methods: In the context of cross-sectional study, it was simulated a sample of 2,000 independent observations, considering the dichotomous outcome diabetes, sex as the exposure variable and age as an adjustment variable. Adjusted prevalences were estimated by the conditional and marginal methods, using routines developed in SAS and R. Confidence intervals were constructed using the Delta method. The results were compared with those of the SUDAAN (SAS-callable), Stata and macro %ADJ_PROP (SAS). Results: In simulated example, 68.2% are female and the mean (SD) age was 57.6 (5.00) years old, being that 54.2 (3.94) years for men and 59.2 (4.60) years in women. The estimated global prevalence of outcome was 25.3% (CI 95%: 23.4-27.3) and 13.8% (CI 95%: 11.7-16.7) and 30.7% (CI 95%: 28.3-33.2), respectively for men and women. Estimates of adjusted prevalence for age, through the conditional method, were 19.6% (CI 95%: 16.2-23.6) for men, and 23.6% (CI 95%: 21,2-26.1) for women. For marginal method, the estimates were 22.4% (CI 95%: 18.7-26.5) for men and 26.3% (CI 95%: 24.1-28.6) for women. Conclusion: The observed discrepancy in estimates by sex, unadjusted, can be attributed to confounding due to difference in age distribution between sexes. Comparable estimates (without confounding) of the prevalences can be obtained through prevalence adjusted for age. However, the estimate for the conditional method does not comprise the global prevalence. As a result, the marginal method is in general more suitable. The developed routines can be useful for estimating adjusted prevalences, particularly the R version (an alternative to commercial software).

Work is focused on economics evaluation during using electrolytic adjusted water (EUV). This adjusted water is used instead of conventional chemical preparatories which are usually used for killing pathogenic microorganisms (desinfection).

Diante dos problemas econômicos e sociais ocasionados pelo fenômeno da inflação nas últimas décadas, foi instituído, no Brasil, em 1994, o Plano Real, cujo objetivo era controlar os altos níveis de inflação vivenciados nas últimas décadas e alcançar a estabilidade econômica. Nesse contexto, a obrigatoriedade das práticas de correção monetária institucionalizadas foi destituída e institui-se Lei proibindo a publicação de demonstrações contábeis corrigidas. Iniciou-se, então, o processo de desinstitucionalização das práticas contábeis de correção monetária nas empresas brasileiras. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o processo de desinstitucionalização das práticas contábeis de correção monetárias em empresas brasileiras. Os pressupostos teóricos utilizados nesta pesquisa foram baseados na teoria institucional que representa uma abordagem sociológica interpretativa do comportamento humano, que reconhece fenômenos de racionalidade limitada e o caráter político da ação social. Esta abordagem fundamenta-se num modelo político, no qual o comportamento social é pautado pela legitimização e pela conformidade a padrões socialmente impostos pela socialização dos indivíduos, pelos contextos das organizações e pelos mercados. Os modelos utilizados nas análises empíricas foram baseados nas abordagens propostas por Oliver (1992) e DiMaggio e Powell (1983). A estratégia de pesquisa utilizada compreendeu aplicação de questionários e entrevistas numa população de 118 empresas brasileiras, de grande porte, constantes da Revista Exame 500 Maiores Empresas e teve como principais respondentes os contadores e gerentes de controladoria. Foram utilizados a técnica estatística multivariada Análise Fatorial, o teste ANOVA one way e o teste Kruskal-Wallis. Constatou-se que o uso e manutenção das práticas contábeis de correção monetária, no contexto brasileiro, mantêm um relacionamento estreito como fatores isomórficos: coercitivos e normativos. Sendo que as variáveis mais relevantes foram: a) obrigatoriedade imposta pela lei; b) poder institucional das entidades reguladoras; c) regulamentação do governo; e d) recomendações das empresas consultoria e auditoria. Em relação ao grau de influência das pressões políticas, funcionais e sociais no processo de desinstitucionalização destacam: a) diminuição dos índices de inflação na economia; b) mudança das leis sobre publicação; c) declínio da exigência por parte do mercado financeiro; d) custos de manter a prática; e) surgimento de novas tecnologias contábeis; f) níveis de inflação no período (mês e ano); e g) harmonização internacional das práticas contábeis. A estratégia de realizar entrevistas como os gestores das empresas que mantiveram ou ainda mantém a prática contábil de correção monetária representou um recurso de grande utilidade no delineamento do fenômeno pesquisado. Pois possibilitou, basicamente, a triangulação dos resultados. Portanto, a explicação do processo de desinstitucionalização das práticas contábeis de correção monetária é decorrente de uma combinação distinta de fatores institucionais. Sendo que os fatores observados estão aderentes aos pressupostos da teoria institucional e estão em consonância com os resultados das pesquisas realizadas no mercado americano e no Reino Unido. / In face of the economic and social costs caused by inflation in previous decades, Plano Real was brought to being in Brazil in1994. Its aim was to control the existing high inflation rates and reach economic stability. In this scenario, the enforced use of institutionalized inflation adjusted practices was withdrawn and a law is passed to forbid the issuance of adjusted accounting statements. The process of desinstitutionalization of accounting practices then began in Brazilian enterprises. This thesis aimed at analyzing the desinstitutionalization of accounting practices of inflation adjustment in Brazilian enterprises. The theoretical framework used is based on the institutional theory that represents a sociological approach to interpret human behavior; it acknowledges limited rationality phenomena and the political attribute of the social action. This approach is based on a political model in which social behavior is guided by legitimization and compliance to social patterns imposed by the socialization of individuals, by the scenario of enterprises and by the markets. The models used in the empirical analyses were founded on the approaches proposed by Oliver (1992), and DiMaggio & Powell (1983). The research strategy comprised questionnaires and interviews, carried out with a population of 118 enterprises listed among the top 500 according to Revista Exame 500 Maiores Empresas, and the main respondents were accountants and controllership managers. Data Reduction Analysis, ANOVA one way test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Analysis shows that, as for the Brazilian scenario, the use and continuance of inflation-adjusted practices bear close relationship with isomorphic institutional factors: coercive and regulatory. The most relevant variables were: (i) law enforcement; (ii) institutional power of regulatory organizations; (iii) governmental regulation; and (d) advice by consulting and auditing offices. Regarding the level of influence of political, functional and social pressure for the desinstitutionalization, we can emphasize: (a) the decrease of inflation rates in the economy; (b) the changes in laws on disclosure; (c) lack of demand by financial markets; (d) costs to keep the practice; (e) the emergence of new accounting technologies; (f) levels of inflation in the period (month/year), and (g) international harmonization of accounting practices. The strategy of interviewing managers of enterprises that performed or still perform inflation-adjusted practices proved a very useful tool in the characterization of the phenomenon researched. It made the triangulation of results possible. Thus, the explanation of the process of desinstitutionalization of inflation adjustment practices results from a distinct combination of institutional aspects. These adhere to the assumptions of the institutional theory and are in agreement with the results of research carried out in the markets in The USA and The United Kingdom.

O presente estudo tem por objetivo investigar as características e implicações da divulgação voluntária das medidas de desempenho não-GAAP \"EBITDA\" e \"EBITDA Ajustado\" em relatórios financeiros preparados conforme IFRS no cenário corporativo brasileiro. A principal preocupação relacionada a divulgações voluntárias é se de fato estas informações garantem a qualidade do processo decisório dos usuários. A natureza do estudo é empírico-teórica com abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa. Os dados documentais foram extraídos de três fontes: Thomson Reuters; relatórios anuais e press releases disponibilizados no site de cada companhia; e formulários de referência disponibilizados no site da CVM. A amostra selecionada é a do índice IBrX 100 e os dados analisados são dos períodos trimestrais e anuais de 2014 e 2015. Para coleta das percepções sobre o uso e divulgação das métricas estudadas, aplica-se o questionário semiestruturado com sócios de firmas BigFour. Os principais resultados qualitativos sugerem, em linhas gerais: que o uso e divulgação das medidas estudadas tem ocorrido de forma ampla, consistente e regular; que 79% dos ajustes adicionais efetuados pelas companhias por meio do EBITDA Ajustado são consequência de princípios e regras contábeis vigentes conforme IFRS; que os ajustes adicionais mais comuns efetuados pelas companhias são Impairment, Provisões, Correção de Erros e Equivalência Patrimonial; e que o uso e divulgação das medidas investigadas se faz necessário uma vez que a contabilidade não é suficiente para prover aos seus usuários uma medida que forneça o desempenho isolado da atividade operacional de uma companhia. Pode-se concluir com base nos resultados quantitativos deste estudo que empresas de maior porte, que aderem a níveis de governança corporativa e que possuem receitas líquidas menores, estão mais propensas a divulgar as medidas \"EBITDA\" e \"EBITDA Ajustado\". As evidências advindas deste estudo podem ser úteis para colaborar com a discussão atual de órgãos reguladores e normatizadores ao apontar o papel informativo de medidas alternativas de mensuração, mas não deixando de alertar que estes números necessitam ser acompanhados e fiscalizados pelos entes e instituições cabíveis. / The present study aims to investigate the characteristics and implications of the voluntary disclosure of non-GAAP performance measures \"EBITDA\" and \"Adjusted EBITDA\" in financial reports prepared under IFRS in the Brazilian corporate scenario. The main concern related to voluntary disclosures is whether this information actually guarantees the quality of the user\'s decision-making process. The nature of the study is empirical-theoretical with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Documentary data were extracted from three sources: Thomson Reuters; annual reports and press releases made available on each company\'s website; and reference forms available on the CVM website. The selected sample is the IBrX 100 index and the data analyzed are from the quarterly and annual periods of 2014 and 2015. To collect the perceptions about the use and disclosure of the metrics studied, the semi-structured questionnaire is applied with partners of BigFour firms. The main qualitative results suggest, in general lines: that the use and disclosure of the measures studied has occurred in a broad, consistent and regular way; that 79% of the additional adjustments made by the companies through Adjusted EBITDA are a consequence of accounting principles and rules according to IFRS; that the most common additional adjustments made by the companies are Impairment, Provisions, Errors and Equity Method; and that the use and disclosure of the measures investigated becomes necessary since accounting is not sufficient to provide its users with a measure that provides the isolated performance of a company\'s operating activity. It can be concluded from the quantitative results of this study that larger companies, which adhere to levels of corporate governance and have lower net revenues, are more likely to disclose the measures \"EBITDA\" and \"Adjusted EBITDA\". Evidence from this study may be useful to collaborate with the current discussion of regulators and regulators by pointing out the informative role of alternative measures of measurement, while noting that these figures need to be monitored and monitored by appropriate bodies and institutions.

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the adoption of a simple trend-following quantitative method improves the risk-adjusted returns across various asset classes within a South African market setting. A simple moving average timing model is tested since 1925 on the South African equity and bond markets and within a tactical asset allocation framework. The timing solution when applied to the JSE All Share Index, RSA Government Bond Index and within an equally weighted portfolio improved returns, while reducing risk. Testing the model within sample by decade highlighted periods of inferior return performance providing evidence to support prior research (Faber, 2007) that the timing model acts as a risk reduction technique with limited to no impact on return. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The diagnostic value of children's play was investigated. The question explored was "Can maladjusted children be discriminated from adjusted children through observation of their play therapy behavior?" The play of 15 maladjusted and 15 adjusted children 5 to 10 years of age was compared during an initial 36-minute play therapy session. Three scales of the Play Therapy Observational Instrument (PTOI)—emotional discomfort, social inadequacy, and use of fantasy-- were used to rate the children's play. The children in the maladjusted group were referred by their parents for counseling and their teachers reported the children had exhibited one or more problem behaviors indicative of emotional disturbance. The children in the adjusted group were recommended by their teachers as exhibiting none of the problem behaviors and their parents did not believe their children needed counseling. Discriminant function equations predicted correct group membership for 23 of the 30 children during the second 12-minute time segment and for the entire play session. The analysis showed the play behaviors on the emotional discomfort scale of the PTOI items discriminated maladjusted and adjusted children. During the second and third 12-minute time segments and when all three time segments were combined, maladjusted children's play expressed significantly more dysphoric feelings, conflictual themes, play disruptions, and negative self-disclosing statements than were expressed by the adjusted children (p < .01, .03, .01, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups on play behaviors measured by the social inadequacy play and use of fantasy play scales of the PTOI. Positive correlations were found between the children's age and social inadequacy play behaviors and between the social status of the parents' occupations and social inadequacy play behaviors. The results also suggested a negative correlation between the social status of parents' occupations and the use of fantasy play scores. A negative correlation was present between the use of fantasy and the social inadequacy play scores.