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The imposition of water quality controls may affect the economy chiefly by altering aggregate production and changing the factor payments, These two effects could not only reallocate resources among production possibilities, but also could change the distribution of benefits of production among members of the society. This study attempted to provide a workable theory to establish an empirical test of the impacts of water quality controls on family income distribution. It consists of two separate areas: first, to analyze methodologies of measuring income distribution changes, and , second, to develop a theoretical model that is useful for empirical tests of the impacts of different water quality controls. A number of alternative probability density functions have been proposed as models of personal income distribution. The lognormal, displaced lognormal, gamma, and beta distribution functions were considered as appropriate methodologies, since each allows more productive power for income distribution as suggested in the past literature. Detailed information on income distribution can be extracted from the approximations of the distribution functions. One of the objectives of the research was to evaluate the different methodologies for usefulness. The gastwirth bounds for Gini coefficient were used as the test of goodness to fit; the beta density was clearly superior to the other densities for the SMSA data. Next, a theoretical model was constructed, emphasizing the production sector and the distribution sector. Water quality controls were introduced in the production process as a negative input. Water quality data were collected for all states, and indices of quality were estimated using analysis of variance techniques. The equilibrium conditions in commodity and factor markets generated the first impacts of water quality controls on total output and factor payments in the economy. The specific assumption was made as a theoretical bridge connecting family income distribution and factor payments in the distribution sector. It was assumed that a family's income equals total payments received from owned labor and capital in the production process. Thus, changes in factor payments and total output were included in the distribution equations. Water quality controls would, therefore, effect family income distribution through changes in total output and changes in factor payment. The simultaneous equation regression results for 72 SMSA's were not conclusive. It appeared that water quality parameter may effect the wage rate and total output, if the parameter was not, in fact, a surrogate for other excluded variables in the system. The effect of wage changes on income distribution was not significant, but changes in total output appeared to be the most significant variable in the distribution equations. In an attempt to account for the many variables which might be expected to effect income distribution, factor analysis was performed on the SMSA's. Two groups of SMSA's were identified and regressions were performed for these groups. Results from these regressions were similar in sign to the results from the 172 observations regressions, although many of the coefficients were not significant. Interpreting the results of the research was somewhat difficult, even though some results did appear consistent among all regressions. It does appear that there is some evidence to indicate that water quality controls lead to less equal family income distribution. Better data are required from more complete and accurate analysis. The principle thrust of the study was to develop a model to organize the complexity of economic causality with respect to income distribution change and water quality policy. It appeared that this type of systematic econometric approach can be fruitful in analyzing income distribution change.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

This study examines the "off-the-job" behavior of individuals in office-level leadership positions across the Big 4 audit firms in the U.S. In their leadership role, the managing partner is responsible for setting the tone at the top of an office through formal communication of firm-wide policies and an informal example through their behavior and preferences. Given this role, I predict that engagements conducted within offices led by individuals who are willing to break the rules will exhibit characteristics synonymous with increased audit risks. Relying on their history of legal infractions to identify rule-breaking behavior, I find managing partners with prior infractions are associated with engagements that reflect increased misstatement risk and detection risk (i.e., lower auditor effort). Additional tests reveal that the results are concentrated in offices that are located further away from alternative governance mechanisms within the same audit firm. Importantly, after controlling for the risk of misstatement, I find the pricing of misstatement risk declines significantly on engagements in offices with infraction managing partners. The results are robust to alternative measures of managing partners' prior infractions and the use of entropy balancing techniques, along with several other robustness tests. Collectively, my study contributes to our limited knowledge of the quality control structures in place at large audit firms and provides a potential mechanism for tone at the Big 4 audit firms to vary across offices. / Doctor of Philosophy / In their leadership role, office managing partners are the "top executive" appointed to lead the Big 4 audit offices across the U.S. While audit firms have reputation and litigation incentives to provide high quality audits, these incentives do not necessarily apply to individual auditors. Therefore, audit firms are required to formalize a system of quality controls—including leadership and tone at the top—to ensure promote professional skepticism, stress quality service, and reduce overall audit risk on engagements. Relatedly, during inspections, the PCAOB examines whether the actions and communications by managing partners in local leadership positions demonstrate a commitment to audit quality and compliance with applicable regulations and professional standards. Grounded in revealed preference theory, I rely on a managing partner's history of legal infractions to identify offices led by partners with impulsive, risk-taking, and present-oriented personalities. Criminology and psychology research empirically validate the cross-situational consistency of individual behavior and decisions over time and in different settings. In other words, individuals who commit legal infractions—including less severe traffic violations such as parking tickets—exhibit a preference or propensity to break the rules. To the extent that an individual's leadership style is influenced by their personal ethics, values, and attitudes, I expect variation in a managing partner's history of legal infraction to reflect variation in their leadership style and office tone towards audit risk on engagements. Consistent with this prediction, I find managing partners with prior infractions are associated with engagements that reflect increased misstatement risk and detection risk (i.e., lower auditor effort). Additional tests reveal that the results are concentrated in offices that are located further away from alternative governance mechanisms within the same audit firm. Importantly, after controlling for the risk of misstatement, I find the pricing of misstatement risk declines significantly on engagements in offices with infraction managing partners. The results are robust to alternative measures of managing partners' prior infractions and the use of entropy balancing techniques, along with several other robustness tests. Collectively, my study contributes to our limited knowledge of the quality control structures in place at large audit firms and provides a potential mechanism for tone at the Big 4 audit firms to vary across offices.

A tomografia por emissão de pósitrons associada à tomografia computadorizada (PET/CT) é um dispositivo que combina as características de medicina nuclear (PET) e de radiologia (CT) obtendo imagens metabólicas (PET) e anatômicas sobrepostas (CT). Combinando as duas tecnologias de exames, o exame PET / CT permite aos médicos diagnosticar com maior precisão e identificar o câncer, doenças cardíacas e distúrbios cerebrais. O radiofármaco 18FFAc (fluoroacetato) é promissor para a detecção de tumores primários de próstata e de mama, utilizando a técnica de PET/CT. Estudos recentes mostram a eficácia do 18F-FAc na detecção de tumores que têm baixa captação de 18F-FDG (fluordesoxiglicose). O fluoroacetato é um substrato para a acetil-CoA sintase, enzima que metaboliza ácido fluorocitrato que não é mais metabolizado, levando à inibição da aconitase e do ácido tricarboxílico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um radiofármaco emissor de pósitron, 18F-FAc no IPEN-CNEN/SP em um acordo com o Hospital AC-Camargo / São Paulo. O íon fluoreto (18F-) foi produzido, usando os cíclotrons Cyclone 30 e 18 da IBA localizados no IPEN-CNEN/SP, através da irradiação de água enriquecida em 18O com prótons e dose integrada de 30μAh. A marcação do 18F-FAc foi realizada em um módulo de síntese TRACERlab MXFDG (GE), utilizando kits adquiridos da ABX. O controle de qualidade radioquímico de 18F-FAc foi realizado por cromatografia em camada fina TLC-SG 25 folhas de alumínio em tiras (1,5 x 12 cm ) usando como solvente clorofórmio:metanol (1:1). Para o controle de qualidade radionuclídico, amostras de 18F-FAc e 18F-Fluoreto foram analisadas por espectroscopia de raios-gama. A avaliação dos solventes residuais foi realizada por cromatografia em fase gasosa e a análise de kryptofix foi realizada por TLC utilizando tiras de TLC-SG, metanol:clorofórmio (9:1) como solvente e padrões de kryptofix 2.2.2. Os estudos de biodistribuição foram realizados com 18FFAc injetado em camundongos swiss sadios. Um procedimento reprodutível foi desenvolvido para o preparo do 18F-FAc com um rendimento de marcação de 37% (não corrigido) e 52% (corrigido para o decaimento) e estabilidade de 19 horas. A análise de controle de qualidade mostrou que o produto tinha as exigências adequadas para utilização, com pureza radioquímica superior a 99,9%. Os estudos de biodistribuição em animais sadios mostraram a esperada captação em todos os órgãos medidos com eliminação renal e intestinal. / PET / CT (positron emission tomography / computed tomography) is a device that combines the features of diagnostic nuclear medicine (PET) and Radiology (CT) superimposing metabolic (PET) and anatomical (CT) images. By combining the two technologies examinations, the PET/CT scan allows physicians to diagnose more accurately and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. The radiopharmaceutical 18F-FAc (fluoroacetate) is promising for application in detection of primary tumors of prostate and breast, using PET-CT techniques. Recent studies are showing the efficacy of the 18F-FAc in the detection of tumors that have low uptake of 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). The fluoroacetate is a substrate for the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthase that metabolizes acid fluorcitric that, not being metabolized, causes inhibition of aconitase and inhibition of tricarboxylic acid. The aim of this work was to develop a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical, 18F-FAc at IPEN-CNEN/SP in agreement with Hospital AC-Camargo/ São Paulo. The 18F-fluoride ion was produced using the Cyclone 30 and 18 cyclotrons from IBA located at IPEN-CNEN/SP, by irradiating enriched 18O water with protons with integrated dose 30μAh. The labelling of 18F-FAc was performed in a synthesis module TRACERlab MXFDG (GE), using kits purchased from ABX. The radiochemical quality control of 18F-FAc was performed by Thin Layer Chromatography using TLC-SG 25 aluminium sheets strips (1.5 x 12 cm) and chloroform:methanol (1:1) as the solvent. For the radionuclidic quality control, samples of 18F-FAc and 18F-Fluoride were analysed by gama-ray spectroscopy. The evaluation of the residual solvents was performed by gas chromatography and the analysis of kryptofix was performed by TLC using TLC-SG strips, methanol:chloroform (9:1) as solvent and kryptofix 2.2.2 standards. Biodistribution studies were performed with 18F-FAc injected into healthy Swiss mice. A reliable procedure was developed for preparation of 18F-FAc with a labelling yield of 37% (uncorrected) and 52% (corrected for decay) and stability of 19 hours. The quality control analysis showed that the product had the proper requirements for use, with radiochemical purity exceeding 99.9%. The biodistribution studies in healthy animals showed the expected uptake results in all the measured organs with intestinal and renal elimination.

A tomografia por emissão de pósitrons associada à tomografia computadorizada (PET/CT) é um dispositivo que combina as características de medicina nuclear (PET) e de radiologia (CT) obtendo imagens metabólicas (PET) e anatômicas sobrepostas (CT). Combinando as duas tecnologias de exames, o exame PET / CT permite aos médicos diagnosticar com maior precisão e identificar o câncer, doenças cardíacas e distúrbios cerebrais. O radiofármaco 18FFAc (fluoroacetato) é promissor para a detecção de tumores primários de próstata e de mama, utilizando a técnica de PET/CT. Estudos recentes mostram a eficácia do 18F-FAc na detecção de tumores que têm baixa captação de 18F-FDG (fluordesoxiglicose). O fluoroacetato é um substrato para a acetil-CoA sintase, enzima que metaboliza ácido fluorocitrato que não é mais metabolizado, levando à inibição da aconitase e do ácido tricarboxílico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um radiofármaco emissor de pósitron, 18F-FAc no IPEN-CNEN/SP em um acordo com o Hospital AC-Camargo / São Paulo. O íon fluoreto (18F-) foi produzido, usando os cíclotrons Cyclone 30 e 18 da IBA localizados no IPEN-CNEN/SP, através da irradiação de água enriquecida em 18O com prótons e dose integrada de 30μAh. A marcação do 18F-FAc foi realizada em um módulo de síntese TRACERlab MXFDG (GE), utilizando kits adquiridos da ABX. O controle de qualidade radioquímico de 18F-FAc foi realizado por cromatografia em camada fina TLC-SG 25 folhas de alumínio em tiras (1,5 x 12 cm ) usando como solvente clorofórmio:metanol (1:1). Para o controle de qualidade radionuclídico, amostras de 18F-FAc e 18F-Fluoreto foram analisadas por espectroscopia de raios-gama. A avaliação dos solventes residuais foi realizada por cromatografia em fase gasosa e a análise de kryptofix foi realizada por TLC utilizando tiras de TLC-SG, metanol:clorofórmio (9:1) como solvente e padrões de kryptofix 2.2.2. Os estudos de biodistribuição foram realizados com 18FFAc injetado em camundongos swiss sadios. Um procedimento reprodutível foi desenvolvido para o preparo do 18F-FAc com um rendimento de marcação de 37% (não corrigido) e 52% (corrigido para o decaimento) e estabilidade de 19 horas. A análise de controle de qualidade mostrou que o produto tinha as exigências adequadas para utilização, com pureza radioquímica superior a 99,9%. Os estudos de biodistribuição em animais sadios mostraram a esperada captação em todos os órgãos medidos com eliminação renal e intestinal. / PET / CT (positron emission tomography / computed tomography) is a device that combines the features of diagnostic nuclear medicine (PET) and Radiology (CT) superimposing metabolic (PET) and anatomical (CT) images. By combining the two technologies examinations, the PET/CT scan allows physicians to diagnose more accurately and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. The radiopharmaceutical 18F-FAc (fluoroacetate) is promising for application in detection of primary tumors of prostate and breast, using PET-CT techniques. Recent studies are showing the efficacy of the 18F-FAc in the detection of tumors that have low uptake of 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). The fluoroacetate is a substrate for the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthase that metabolizes acid fluorcitric that, not being metabolized, causes inhibition of aconitase and inhibition of tricarboxylic acid. The aim of this work was to develop a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical, 18F-FAc at IPEN-CNEN/SP in agreement with Hospital AC-Camargo/ São Paulo. The 18F-fluoride ion was produced using the Cyclone 30 and 18 cyclotrons from IBA located at IPEN-CNEN/SP, by irradiating enriched 18O water with protons with integrated dose 30μAh. The labelling of 18F-FAc was performed in a synthesis module TRACERlab MXFDG (GE), using kits purchased from ABX. The radiochemical quality control of 18F-FAc was performed by Thin Layer Chromatography using TLC-SG 25 aluminium sheets strips (1.5 x 12 cm) and chloroform:methanol (1:1) as the solvent. For the radionuclidic quality control, samples of 18F-FAc and 18F-Fluoride were analysed by gama-ray spectroscopy. The evaluation of the residual solvents was performed by gas chromatography and the analysis of kryptofix was performed by TLC using TLC-SG strips, methanol:chloroform (9:1) as solvent and kryptofix 2.2.2 standards. Biodistribution studies were performed with 18F-FAc injected into healthy Swiss mice. A reliable procedure was developed for preparation of 18F-FAc with a labelling yield of 37% (uncorrected) and 52% (corrected for decay) and stability of 19 hours. The quality control analysis showed that the product had the proper requirements for use, with radiochemical purity exceeding 99.9%. The biodistribution studies in healthy animals showed the expected uptake results in all the measured organs with intestinal and renal elimination.

Despite federal, state, and local efforts to combat environmental injustices resulting from heavy industrial activity and high air pollution levels, there is a widespread tendency for hazardous industrial activities to locate near low-income, underrepresented ethnic populations in the United States. The Houston Ship Channel, a port containing the largest concentration of Petrochemical Facilities in the United States, evidences this tendency and provides a stellar example of the nexus between poverty, race, industrial location, and air pollution levels. As a result of the heavy industrial activities in the East Houston area adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel, the surrounding residential area’s air quality levels are significantly poor in relation to federal, state, and local standards. Not coincidentally, these neighborhoods are predominantly low-income and Hispanic in makeup. Unfortunately, there exist few or no federal or state accountability and enforcement mechanisms to resolve this serious problem. In addition, Houston’s lack of zoning and weak land use regulations provides little opportunity for the situation to improve. Although community organization efforts have succeeded in terms of mobilization, education, and consensus building, more effective local planning tools, supported by federal regulations and applied research, would serve to remove the roadblocks that have hindered the advancement of policies promoting enhanced air quality controls, and thus improve the quality of life of the residents of East Houston. / text

Följs kravspecifikationerna? I följande uppsats analyseras och granskas om producenter följer kraven i kravspecifikationen, som modeföretaget skickar med orderbeställningen. Med syfte att, genom en kvalitativ samt experimentell undersökning, komma fram till om kraven som gäller tunna trikåtröjor av mörk kulör, i modeföretagets kravspecifikation, uppfylls vid produktion. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer med kunniga inom områdena, kvalitettester, trikåmaterial, produktion utomlands och kravspecifikationer, kunde författarna få svar på om det sker att producenter bortser från krav i kravspecifikationen och varför dem troligtvis gör det. Genom en experimentell undersökning har författarna utgått från standarder i kravspecifikationen samt testat och analyserat två tröjor från 2014 års säsong med två tröjor från 2015 års säsong, för att bedöma om de skiljde sig åt, då de skall vara producerade utifrån samma kravspecifikation. I resultatet presenteras den experimentella undersökningen; hur författarna gick tillväga för att få fram det mest sanningsenliga resultatet samt citat från de kvalitativa intervjuerna. Citaten styrker författarnas spekulationer och teorier om att somliga producenter bortser från krav i kravspecifikationen. Vidare i diskussion- och analyskapitlet analyseras och diskuteras resultat med teorier och citat. De slutsatser som författarna kan dra utifrån de kvalitativa intervjuerna och den experimentella undersökningen är, att det är vanligt förekommande, att producenter medvetet väljer att bortse från vissa krav i kravspecifikationen. Dock görs det inte endast för att tjäna pengar, utan det handlar likaså om att hålla deadlines och att hålla sin kund nöjd, för att på så vis behålla relationen. Det kan också handla om olika kulturskillnader och språksvårigheter i kommunikationen där kravspecifikationerna inte är tillräckligt tydligt förklarande, vilket resulterar i att producenten får vidta åtgärder och uppskatta själv vad kunden efterfrågar. / Do the producers follow the specifications? This study analyses and reviews if producers follow the requirements of the fashion company’s specification. The purpose was to, through a qualitative and experimental research, decide if all the requirements that involve dark coloured thin knitted t-shirts, of the company's specifications are applied during the production. Through interviews with people with great knowledge within the subjects; quality controls, knitted materials, production abroad and specifications, the authors’ got answers to whether producers ignore the requirements in the specification, as well as why. Through an experimental study, following the standards in the specifications, two shirts from season 2014 and two shirts from season 2015 were examined and compared, to see if they differed. All shirts were supposed to be produced by the same specifications. In the result, the experimental study presents; how the authors proceeded to truthful results. Quotes from the qualitative interviews are also presented. The quotations prove the authors' speculations and theories, regarding the issue of some manufacturers ignoring requirements in the specifications. Furthermore, in the discussion- and analysis chapter, results are analysed together with theories and quotes. The conclusions that can be drawn from the qualitative interviews and the experimental study, is that it is a common problem. Producers deliberately choose to overlook certain requirements in the specifications. However, it is not only in order to make more money, but it is also about managing deadlines and keeping customers satisfied, in order to maintain relationships. The problem is also based on cultural differences and language difficulties in communication, where the specifications are not sufficiently clear enough, resulting in the producer must take action and appreciate what the customer wants.

Examensarbete.