No / Skin responds to environmental stressors via coordinated actions of the local neuroimmunoendocrine system. Although some of these responses involve opioid receptors, little is known about cutaneous proenkephalin expression, its environmental regulation, and alterations in pathology. The objective of this study was to assess regulated expression of proenkephalin in normal and pathological skin and in isolated melanocytes, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and melanoma cells. The proenkephalin gene and protein were expressed in skin and cultured cells, with significant expression in fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Mass spectroscopy confirmed Leu- and Met-enkephalin in skin. UVR, Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, and TLR2 agonists stimulated proenkephalin gene expression in melanocytes and keratinocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In situ Met/Leu-enkephalin peptides were expressed in differentiating keratinocytes of the epidermis in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle, in myoepithelial cells of the eccrine gland, and in the basement membrane/basal lamina separating epithelial and mesenchymal components. Met/Leu-enkephalin expression was altered in pathological skin, increasing in psoriasis and decreasing in melanocytic tumors. Not only does human skin express proenkephalin, but this expression is upregulated by stressful stimuli and can be altered by pathological conditions.

Quarry operators must continue to change and adapt environmental compliance methods to meet increasingly demanding regulations. To fulfill industry needs, a computer-based decision support system has been developed to facilitate legal and environmental decisions that mine operators are required to make with regards to stormwater. The comprehensive stormwater programming provides a model for subsequent programming in areas of environmental concern such as: air, groundwater, noise, aesthetics, vegetation, wetlands, hazardous wastes, storage tanks, and wildlife habitats. Operators will utilize the system's user-friendly interface consisting of mouse driven responses and limited keyboard entries on a desktop computer. The system is easy to upgrade according to the user's needs and changes in current laws and regulations. Data input models, user interfaces, and support of decision making are explained. Using this approach, the user has complete control over all steps of the decision making process. A stormwater example is selected to demonstrate the potential benefits of the support system to environmental decision makers. / Master of Science

This thesis investigates the implementation of circular economy principles in plastic waste management, focusing on challenges and strategies within the European context. The study highlights the significance of CE in transforming the plastic industry by promoting resource efficiency, waste reduction, and systemic collaboration among stakeholders. It explores the theoretical foundations of CE, the 9R framework, and waste hierarchy, alongside European regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, the Waste Framework Directive, and the Circular Economy Action Plan. Through a comparative analysis of two companies, one in Germany and one in Sweden, the research examines the diverse approaches to plastic waste management, emphasizing the role of regulatory compliance, partnerships, and consumer engagement. The findings reveal that while both companies are committed to circularity, their strategies differ based on market position, operational context, and customer dynamics. The study identifies key obstacles, such as inefficiencies in recycling systems, consumer behavior, and regulatory challenges, that hinder the full realization of CE principles. The thesis underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative solutions, and robust policy frameworks in advancing CE transitions. It is concluded that, although CE provides a promising framework for addressing plastic waste, achieving its full potential requires focused efforts across multiple sectors. Recommendations for future research include expanding case studies, exploring specific supply chain stages, and examining the long-term effectiveness of CE initiatives.

Background: Awareness on climate change and sustainability have increased rapidly in the past decades. Companies are expected to implement sustainability into their operations and disclose information on their sustainability operations. These expectations can be seen as external push factors resulting from various sources, including institutional requirements, such as EU-directives, and societal stakeholders, such as local communities and customers. Large firms in Europe will be required to report on their sustainability measures and operations while experiencing pushes from all the parties affected by or affecting the companies’ operations. The effect of these push factors shapes the sustainability implementation in service firms and expose the company to internal resistances in adapting sustainability as a core part of the company. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of sustainability implementation in service firms that results from a complex matrix of constantly evolving external forces. Method: This study is a qualitative study with a deductive reasoning. Data was collected by holding semi-structured interviews and conducting a thematic analysis based on the result. A conceptual framework was developed to present the linkages between the external push factors investigated. Conclusion: The study contributes to the understanding of the effects of the various external forces that shape the operations of companies. The findings highlight the impact of education and onboarding in awareness on internal sustainable development. The push from stakeholders can be seen through collaborations and engagements with all parties affected. As the operations of the companies are strongly shaped by current regulations, internal resistances arise from uncertainty and concerns of resources being misallocated leading to companies overlooking important areas of sustainable development.

The aim of the work is to value system of processing and use of intercompany regulations focused on accounting. To draft recommendation for a revision or drafting of new intercompany regulations that emerged from the comparison with current legislation and recommendations in the literature. The work analyzes the importance of intercompany regulations for the management of the company. In the theoretical part of the work are the internal guidelines generally characterized. There is also described the legislative context on which it is based. In the practical part are recommendations for changes in the guidelines or there are developed new internal directions of the company.

While asbestos has been called a 'miracle substance' because of its unique properties, asbestos has also caused cancer in those exposed to its indestructible fibres. This mix of benefits and costs has made the regulation of asbestos particularly difficult for policymakers; in both countries, regulation has been characterized by exceptional measures. In Canada, regulating asbestos has led to innumerable government studies, including the Ontario Royal Commission on Matters of Health and Safety Arising from the Use of Asbestos (1984). The Commission's Report was unique in its extensive scope and detail. Its three volume report included a detailed treatment of asbestos-related diseases, quantitative risk estimates, and assessments of current regulations. The regulatory history of asbestos in the US was also somewhat exceptional. It involved a protracted battle between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Management and Budget. Out of this battle came a House Subcommittee investigation into OMB interference in EPA rulemaking (1985). The comprehensiveness of the Royal Commission's Report is highly significant given that detailed scientific explanations of policy, and the criteria used to balance costs and benefits are usually not explicitly revealed by Canadian regulators. In this sense, the somewhat anomalous nature of the Commission's Report offers an especially detailed view of regulating hazardous substances in Canada. Like the Royal Commission Report, the House investigation provides an extraordinarily detailed look at the politics of regulating a hazardous substance. Out of these involved deliberations, though, emerge very different policies on asbestos. While the US has implemented a three-stage ban, Canadian regulators view asbestos primarily as an occupational problem. The workplace standards of the US, Ontario and Quebec differ, with the US being more stringent. The contributions of this paper stem from its balanced consideration of scientific and political determinants and its comparative nature. This balanced consideration illustrates the double impact of science. While science can set the boundaries of a policy debate, uncertain areas of scientific evidence are usually politicized by competing interests. Thus, the less science is certain, the more politics matters. Within the boundaries set by science, various political forces have an impact on the policy process. Policies are shown to emerge from very different interrelationships between state structures and societal actors, influenced by varying degrees of economic dependence on asbestos. Group theory alone fails to explain the divergent policy outcomes; so do neo-Marxist and institutionalist approaches. Thus, this study demonstrates the superiority of integrative approaches, as opposed to those which emphasize one causal variable at the expense of others. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate

Industries related to agricultural cooperatives record some of the highest injury rates in the U.S. Therefore, agricultural cooperatives are highly motivated to invest in occupational health and safety (OHS). This thesis examines the economic efficiency of OHS investments at agricultural cooperatives and identifies cooperative characteristics leading to greater economic efficiency of OHS investments. A multiple input-output data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to estimate technical efficiency. The effects of cooperative characteristics on the efficiency of OHS investments are estimated using ordinary least squares, censored regression, truncated regression, and the Simar and Wilson (2007) bootstrap procedure. Results show that the mean technical efficiency score was 0.833. Furthermore, a cooperative’s annual insurance premia has a significant, negative relationship with technical efficiency. In contrast, the experience levels of a cooperative’s top safety person and top managerial person and a location’s total workers employed have significant, positive relationships with efficiency in all estimated models. / North Dakota State University. Department of College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources

The transportation of anhydrous ammonia, which is classified as a hazardous material, poses risk to the transporter, surrounding communities, and the environment. The commercial transportation of anhydrous ammonia is highly regulated, while the private transport is not subject to the same degree of mandates. Given the regulatory policies, the current locations of licensed dealers of anhydrous ammonia within North Dakota may be leading to a scenario where a private transporter has an incentive to disobey these policies and thereby expose him/herself, the surrounding communities, and the environment to unnecessary risk. Three stylized counties were constructed to represent the attributes of the eastern, central, and western counties of North Dakota. Attributes included transportation infrastructure, population distribution, and crop composition. Mathematical programming techniques were then utilized to determine the number and optimal location of licensed dealers of anhydrous ammonia within these counties. The results were then compared and contrasted with the current locations of licensed dealers throughout North Dakota to determine if the regulatory policies are sufficient in that they are not encouraging unsafe actions of the transporters and thereby endangering the transporters, surrounding communities, and the environment. The results indicated that the current regulatory structure associated with the transportation of anhydrous ammonia is sufficient to limit incidents.

By the new Planning and Building Act that came into effect 2 May 2011, it became possible to use regulations of division into property units in detailed development plans. With these regulations, there is possible to regulate how an area will be divided into property units, which easements and utility easement that should be formed, amended or repealed and which facilities that should be joint facilities. Earlier, these regulations was an own form of plan – the real property plan – that was abolished when the new Planning and Building Act came into effect. However, older real property plans are still valid as detailed development regulations, according to the transitional regulations to the Planning and Building Act. The purpose with incorporating these regulations in the detailed development plan was to simplify the application by making it not necessary with double procedures to regulate these issues. Another advantage according to the preparatory works was that the property owners would only need to study one plan document to understand the consequences of the detailed development plan. When regulations of division into property units is used, some provision in the cadastral laws should be tested already during the plan procedure. During the implementation time of the plan, the cadastral authority is bounded by the testing of the provision that has been made during the plan procedure. The regulations of the division into property units is binding for cadastral procedures in the way that the cadastral authority cannot form property units in contravention of these regulations. Even at the building permit processes, the regulations of the division into property units is binding meaning that building permit cannot be given if the property does not correspond to the regulations of division into property units. Furthermore, the regulations of division into property units gives real property owners right to compulsory acquisition so that the division into property units corresponds to these regulations. The aim of this Master of Science thesis is to investigate how and to what extent the regulations of division into property units have been used in the Stockholm County since the new Planning and Building Act came into effect. A quantitative study of all 26 municipalities in the Stockholm County has been made. The study included all detailed developments plan that has been adopted between May 2011 and December 2015. The result was that the regulations of the division into property units have been used in 24 detailed development plans during this period. Only eight of the municipalities had used regulations of division into property units. Almost half of these 24 plans was plans for single-family properties where the regulation replaced a real property plan that was repealed. In general, it can be stated that regulations of division into property units is mostly used in plans for single-family properties. Interviews were made with several of those municipalities that uses regulations of division into property units to largest extent. The most common reason to use these regulations was to make it sure that the plan can be implemented in accordance with the intention of the municipality. There is also common that regulations of division into property units is used when municipalities change a plan that has no regulation of the minimum area of the property units. If part of a real property plan is repealed in order to make it possible to divide a property unit, a new regulation of real property formation can be used to guarantee that it will not be formed too many property units. Other reasons to use regulations of division into property units was to expand the possibility of compulsory acquisition, to solve questions of cooperation between property units and to create predictability when it comes to charges of costs for municipal streets. Interviews has also been made with municipalities who do not use regulations of division into property units. The main reasons to not use these regulations was that there is no need of it and that the flexibility is reduced if regulations of division into property units is used. In the thesis the conclusion is drawn that regulations of division into property units is especially suitable to use in conversion of holiday home areas to areas for permanent resident properties. In such detailed development plans, there are many property owners who can have different attitude to the planning. Thus, there may be a need of binding regulations to handle disputed situations. / Genom den nya plan- och bygglagen som vann laga kraft den 2 maj 2011 blev det möjligt att införa s.k. fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser i detaljplaner. Dessa bestämmelser kan reglera hur ett område ska vara indelat i fastigheter, vilka servitut, ledningsrätter och liknande särskilda rättigheter som ska bildas ändras eller upphävas samt vilka anläggningar som ska utgöra gemensamhetsanläggningar. Tidigare kunde dessa frågor regleras i en särskild planform – fastighetsplanen – som avskaffades i och med att nya PBL vann laga kraft. De fastighetsplaner som har vunnit laga kraft gäller dock alltjämt som detaljplanebestämmelser, enligt övergångsbestämmelser till PBL. Syftet med att inkorporera dessa bestämmelser i detaljplanen var att förenkla tillämpningen genom att det inte skulle krävas dubbla planförfaranden för att reglera de fastighetsrättsliga frågorna i detaljplaneområden. En annan fördel som lyftes fram under lagstiftningsarbetet var att den enskilde fastighetsägaren bara skulle behöva studera ett plandokument för att förstå konsekvenserna av detaljplanen. När fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser tillämpas ska vissa villkor i förrättningslagstiftningen prövas redan under detaljplaneförfarandet. Under detaljplanens genomförandetid är lantmäterimyndigheten bunden av den villkorsprövning som gjorts. Fastighetsindelningsbestämmelserna är också bindande vid lantmäteriförrättningar på så sätt att Lantmäteriet inte får besluta om någon annan fastighetsindelning än den som fastighetsindelningsbestämmelserna anvisar. Även vid bygglovsprövningar är fastighetsindelningsbestämmelserna bindande, vilket innebär att bygglov inte kan beviljas förrän en fastighet har anpassats till eventuella fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser. Fastighetsindelningsbestämmelserna ger också fastighetsägare rätt till inlösen av mark så att fastighetsindelningen anpassas till dessa bestämmelser. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka hur och i vilken utsträckning fastighetsindelningsbestämmelserna har tillämpats i Stockholms län sedan nya PBL vann laga kraft. En kvantitativ undersökning av samtliga 26 kommuner i Stockholms län gjordes. Undersökningen omfattade detaljplaner som antagits mellan maj 2011 och december 2015. Det visade sig att fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser har införts i 24 detaljplaner i Stockholms län under denna tidsperiod, fördelat på 8 kommuner. Nästan hälften av dessa planer har omfattat enstaka småhusfastigheter där den införda fastighetsindelningsbestämmelsen har ersatt en del av en fastighetsplan eller tomtindelning som upphävts. Överhuvudtaget kan konstateras att fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser framförallt tillämpas i detaljplaner för småhusbebyggelse. Intervjuer har genomförts med flera av de kommuner som tillämpar fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser i högst utsträckning. Den vanligaste anledningen till att använda fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser har varit att säkerställa att planen genomförs i enlighet med kommunens intentioner. Det är också vanligt förekommande att kommuner använder fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser för att man ändrar en detaljplan som saknar bestämmelser om minsta fastighetsstorlek. Om en del av en fastighetsplan upphävs för att möjliggöra avstyckning inom ett sådant detaljplaneområde kan en ny fastighetsindelningsbestämmelse införas för att garantera att det inte bildas för många nya fastigheter. Andra skäl till att tillämpa fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser har varit att utöka möjligheterna till tvångsvis markåtkomst, att klara ut fastighetssamverkansfrågor samt att skapa förutsägbarhet vid gatukostnadsuttag. Intervjuer har också genomförts med kommuner som inte tillämpar fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser. De främsta skälen till att kommuner avstår från att använda fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser är att det inte behövs och att flexibiliteten minskar om fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser används. I examensarbetet dras slutsatsen att fastighetsindelningsbestämmelser är särskilt lämpliga att användas i förnyelseområden. Detta beror på att i sådana detaljplaner finns det många fastighetsägare som kan ha olika inställning till planläggningen, vilket medför att det kan finnas behov av bindande bestämmelser för att kunna hantera tvistiga situationer.

Theses (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / This paper describes the redesigning processes of the National Building Regulations of South Africa. These processes are administered by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 (The Act). The application of the business processes and the Building Control Officers from various local authorities nation-wide who enforce the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 103 of 1977 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) with particular reference to implementation of core regulatory business processes within the building industry in Southern Africa. The investigation was largely motivated by the high number of injuries, deaths and/or human lives affected adversely and reported due to collapsing and defective buildings. These disasters occurred at various Local Authorities, in private residential homes, government-owned buildings, abandoned and commercial buildings, such as shopping malls, have been investigated and reported by the Building Regulator, i.e. the NRCS in collaboration with the Department of Labour’s Commission of Enquiry between the years 2012 and 2014. The reports show that in those sectors of building, the local authorities’ Building Control Officers, as the legislated enforcers of the Building Regulations (with the oversight role played by the NRCS), experienced the highest levels of non-compliance by various parties who are affected by the Building Regulations, i.e. building owners or their legal representatives, built-environment professional practitioners and builders. This study applies the interpretive approach underpinned by qualitative methodology where interviews were used to collect data from building owners, prospective building owners, building occupants, built-environment practitioners, Local Authorities’ building control officers and The Regulator of the National Building Regulations. The empirical findings revealed that there is a critical need for business process review and strategy shifts that advance objectivity and benefits to compliance, visibility and awareness of regulatory process, the highlights of possible endangerment of human life due to non-compliance, the outlining of sanctions for failure to comply, and stakeholder liaison. The output is a re-module of business processes that will enforce and maintain compliance of the building regulations of South Africa.