Annual Compliance Research Articles

Estimating the actual emission cost in an annual compliance cycle: Synergistic generation and carbon trading optimization for price-taking generation companies

The annual compliance cycle of the carbon trading system gives generation companies (GenCos) the flexibility to buy allowances at preferred times rather than the same time that emissions happen. How to estimate the actual emission cost under fluctuating carbon prices and make better generation decisions become challenges for GenCos. A synergistic generation and carbon trading optimization method is proposed in this paper with a non-speculative dynamic (NSD) carbon trading strategy. The NSD strategy utilizes stochastic dynamic programming to make optimal carbon trading decisions and to provide accurate emission cost estimations for GenCos to make generation decisions. To control risks, the NSD strategy forbids intentional speculations in the carbon market but allows both buying and selling of allowances according to the yearly total emissions estimated by the generation strategy. A risk control scheme by adjusting the allowance-emission balancing period is proposed so that GenCos can smoothly shift between the traditional daily-balanced carbon trading strategy and the NSD strategy. Properties of the NSD strategy are analyzed and proved theoretically under some sufficient conditions, which makes the strategy interpretable and trustworthy. Numerical simulations verify that the proposed method can help GenCos lower their emission costs and improve their overall profits in a year.

Methods to Track Effective Doses from Airborne Radioactive Emissions for Compliance with 40 CFR 61, SUBPART H.

US Department of Energy national laboratories can play an integral role in not only the advancement of science but also in the treatment of various medical conditions through research and development activities conducted at radioisotope production facilities. A project has been underway at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2016 whose mission is to produce and supply the radioisotope 227Ac, which is used in a radiopharmaceutical developed to treat certain types of prostate cancer and bone metastases. Production activities result in the environmental release of airborne radioactive emissions, which are governed by Clean Air Act regulations described in 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart H. Stack 3039, the source that emits radioactive effluents from 227Ac production, is subject to additional requirements outlined in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) N13.1-1969 due to its grandfathered status. Radioactive emissions are limited to levels below those that would cause annual compliance dose standards for members of the public to be exceeded and stack 3039 to lose its grandfathered status. To allow for maximum production of 227Ac without exceeding relevant dose limits, monthly tracking of project emissions and resulting CAP88-PC modeled effective doses to a maximally exposed individual have been implemented. Four years of tracking data were compiled and analyzed to identify additional methods that could be used to estimate project doses more frequently, potentially further optimizing 227Ac production while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations.

Going Commando as Part of a Multifaceted Intervention to Reduce CAUTIs in Critically Ill Children

Background and Objectives: Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a source of preventable harm in children. Insertion and maintenance bundles have significantly reduced CAUTIs, but infections still occur. Starting in mid-2019, we experienced an increase in CAUTIs in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The objective was to identify preventable causes of CAUTI and develop and test interventions to reduce them. Methods: This quality improvement project was initiated in the PICU of a large tertiary children’s hospital. Interdisciplinary rounds led by the hospital epidemiologist and unit nursing leader with the bedside nurse occurred weekly (starting October 2019) for patients with urinary catheters in place for greater than three days. Discussions included strategies to optimize maintenance of the urinary catheter and identify catheters that could be removed. Additional interventions included no diapers for patients with a urinary catheter (starting March 2021) and use of a urine collection device that prevented both urine stasis in the drainage tube and retrograde flow of urine into the bladder (starting August 2021). Hand hygiene and CAUTI prevention bundle compliance was measured by direct observation of staff. CAUTIs were identified by prospective surveillance by infection prevention using standard definitions. The rate of CAUTIs over time was analyzed using statistical process control charts. Results: The baseline CAUTI rate (January 2017 - June 2019) was 0.5 infections/1000 catheter days with an average of 349 days between CAUTIs. Between July 2019 and February 2021, the CAUTI rate increased to 3.3 with an average of 88 days between CAUTIs. Annual compliance with hand hygiene and the CAUTI prevention bundle elements remained above 90% throughout all time periods. No improvement was seen after the institution of weekly interdisciplinary rounds. Starting in March 2021 after removal of diapers and implementation of the urine collection device that prevented retrograde flow, the CAUTI rate decreased to 0.9 and an average of 200 days between CAUTIs. Currently, it has been 512 days since the last CAUTI. Conclusion: CAUTIs decreased after removing diapers in children with urinary catheters and use of the urine collection device. Removal of diapers likely reduced stool contamination around the catheter and urethral opening. The urine collection device prevented inadvertent retrograde flow of urine into the bladder. These interventions could augment current CAUTI prevention strategies.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Ketidakpatuhan Masyarakat Dalam Melaporkan SPT Tahunan Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi (Literature Riview)

The phenomenon of non-compliance in reporting annual tax notice has become a serious concern in the tax system. The study aims to identify and examine several factors that influence public non-compliance in reporting annual tax notice, compliance strategies and personal Annual reporting arrangements. Through the analysis of related literature, the study investigates the psychological, social, economic, and regulatory factors that potentially affect tax compliance. The findings of previous research, analysis of tax regulation, public perception of tax justice, income, educational level, and other factors are the main focus in exploring the aspects that affect non-compliance behaviour. The results show that public awareness in the personal Annual notice letter report remains low even though the ratio has increased. By understanding these factors, the author hopes to provide deeper knowledge to governments and relevant agencies in designing more effective strategies to improve tax compliance. Implications of this research include better policy development as well as more appropriate persuasive efforts to promote awareness and enforcement of tax systems to be efficient.

Cooperative management of an emission trading system: a private governance and learned auction for a blockchain approach

Although blockchain technology has received a significant amount of cutting-edge research on constructing a novel carbon trade market in theory, there is little research on using blockchain in carbon emission trading schemes (ETS). This study intends to address existing gaps in the literature by creating and simulating an ETS system based on blockchain technology. Using the ciphertext-policy attributed-based encryption algorithm and the Fabric network to build a platform may optimize the amount of data available while maintaining privacy security. Considering the augmentation of information interaction during the auction process brought about by blockchain, the learning behavior of bidding firms is introduced to investigate the impact of blockchain on ETS auction. In particular, implementing smart contracts can provide a swift and automatic settlement. The simulation results of the proposed system demonstrate the following: (1) fine-grained access is possible with a second delay; (2) the average annual compliance levels increase by 2% when bidders’ learning behavior is considered; and (3) the blockchain network can process more than 350 reading operations or 7 writing operations in a second.

Impact of compliance to oral cysteamine treatment on the costs of Kidney failure in patients with nephropathic cystinosis in the United Kingdom

BackgroundNephropathic Cystinosis (NC), a rare disease characterised by intra-lysosomal accumulation of cystine, results in progressive kidney failure (KF). Compliance to lifelong oral cysteamine, the only therapy, is often compromised. The relationship between compliance and costs of NC has not been previously formally assessed. The present study evaluates the impact of compliance on lifetime (direct) costs of treating KF in NC patients in the United Kingdom.MethodsA three-state (KF-free, post-KF, death) partitioned survival model was developed for hypothetical ‘Good Compliance’ (GC) and ‘Poor Compliance’ (PC) cohorts. Survival in the KF-free state was determined by a published regression function of composite compliance score (CCS). The CCS is a summation of annual compliance scores (ACS) over treatment duration prior to KF. ACSs are indexed on annual (average) leukocyte cystine levels (LCL). The Poor Compliance cohort was defined to reflect NC patients in a previous study with a mean LCL of 2.35 nmols nmol half-cystine/mg protein over the study period – and an estimated mean ACS of 1.64 over a 13.4 year treatment duration. The Good Compliance cohort was assumed to have an ACS of 2.25 for 21 years. Major KF costs were evaluated – i.e., dialysis, kidney transplants, and subsequent monitoring.ResultsThe mean CCS was 47 for the GC and 22 for the PC cohort respectively, corresponding to estimated lifetime KF costs of £92,370 and £117,830 respectively – i.e., a cost saving of £25,460/patient, or £1,005/patient for every 1-unit improvement in CCS.ConclusionThis analysis indicates that lifetime costs of KF in NC can be reduced through improved treatment compliance with oral cysteamine.

Gathering Trainee Feedback to Improve Programs With Low Annual ACGME Survey Content Area Compliance: A Pilot Study.

Systematically investigating annual Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Resident/Fellow Survey results by directly gathering trainee feedback could uncover training program problems and clarify misunderstandings as they arise, leading to faster corrective actions and program improvement. The Focus Group Forum (FGF) was created based on the utilization-focused evaluation approach to systematically gather comprehensive, high-quality, actionable trainee feedback on specific annual ACGME survey results and involve trainees in program improvement (Henry Ford Hospital, 2021). Trainees from programs with survey results indicating <80% compliance within several content areas were invited to attend FGF sessions. During FGF sessions, neutral moderators experienced in conducting focus groups and creating psychologically safe spaces and neutral scribes gathered trainee feedback on survey results through structured, iterative discussions and an anonymous electronic polling system. Summaries of FGF findings were created, combined with actual annual ACGME survey data, and used to develop recommended corrective actions and monitoring plans. In 2021, 6 training programs had survey results below the institution's compliance threshold for 4-8 of the 9 content areas. Of the 180 trainees (from the 6 programs) invited to attend an FGF session, 79 (44%) participated. Five key issues were identified: misinterpretation of several survey questions, lack of knowledge of institutional policies and procedures, perceived inability to share feedback with faculty, feelings of being overwhelmed with administrative duties, and lack of sufficient protected time for educational activities and requirements. The authors are developing an FGF process for faculty so that all stakeholders have a voice regarding annual ACGME survey results. They are also improving scheduling processes so that feedback from experienced trainees who are leaving the institution will not be missed and developing longer-term processes for tracking outcomes since time for implementing corrective actions before the next ACGME survey is limited.

Real-World Experiences with Taliglucerase Alfa Home Infusions for Patients with Gaucher Disease: A Global Cohort Study.

Taliglucerase alfa is an enzyme replacement therapy approved for Gaucher disease. We assessed the duration/compliance/safety of such home infusions in commercial use in four countries where home infusion programs are available. The treatment duration/compliance study included 173 patients (Israel, 58; US, 61; Brazil, 48; Australia, 6) who received ≥1 taliglucerase alfa home infusion through 6/2021. The median age at home therapy initiation was 38 (range, 2-87) years; 58% were females. The median treatment duration (at home) was 2.7 (range, 0.04-9.0) years. The annual compliance rate was stable (≥95%) throughout the study period. A search of the Pfizer global safety database (through 6/2021), identified 19 adverse events (AEs) as related to "definite home use" and 14 to "possible home use" of taliglucerase alfa; 42.4% of these AEs were serious; none were fatal. Twelve serious AEs in five separate case reports were considered treatment related: one case of chest discomfort/pain and hypertension and one case of erythema associated with a toe blister, for which causality could not be excluded; pain in extremity; projectile vomiting and chills, alongside excessive eye blinking; and an infusion-related AE (pruritus). In conclusion, this real-life global study demonstrated that taliglucerase alfa home infusions are safe with high compliance rates.

Cost-benefit analysis of ballast water treatment for three major port clusters in China: evaluation of different scenario strategies

IntroductionThe expansion of maritime trade has led to the introduction of invasive species into aquatic ecosystems through ballast water discharge. China, being a major player in global trade and manufacturing, has experienced negative impacts on its coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.MethodsThis study examines the cost‒benefit trade-offs of ballast water management policies for major port clusters in China and other global ports. This paper evaluates compliance costs for individual vessels and fleets under different policy scenarios and ballast water treatment system (BWTS) installation strategies.ResultsThe onboard BWTS installation strategy appears to be more cost-effective under the existing International Maritime Organization (IMO) policy. However, with stricter global discharge requirements or a substantial increase in BWTS capital and operating costs, strategies based on port location could prove more beneficial due to potential economies of scale. Notably, ships with high ballast water discharge volumes, like bulk carriers, are potentially better equipped to cope with future policy shifts. In the face of stricter regulations in China, projected annual compliance cost increases range from $456 million (cost data based on China) to $1.205 billion (cost data based on US).DiscussionPolicymakers are advised to adopt a comprehensive view of ballast water management policies, taking into account the trade-offs between compliance costs and environmental risks. Other essential factors, such as advancements in BWTS technology, fuel consumption, emissions, and maintenance costs, also demand careful consideration in policy development.

Compliance calendars keep track of key deadlines

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Keeping up with all of the external and internal compliance deadlines throughout the year can certainly be challenging, and an annual compliance calendar can prove invaluable. A panel of compliance professionals shared their strategies for developing and implementing compliance calendars when they spoke at the annual convention for the National Association for Athletics Compliance. The panelists included Wispeny Ellis, M.S., Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and Student‐Athlete Services at Palm Beach Atlantic University; William Winter, M.S., J.D., Assistant Director for Compliance Services at Stanford University; and Mark Staunton, Assistant AD for Compliance at the University of Richmond. Ryan Qualls, Assistant AD for Compliance at Columbia University, was the moderator. The following excerpt of their discussion was edited for space and clarity.

Bioavailability-based Environmental Quality Standards for metals under the Water Framework Directive

Metals are naturally present in surface waters. By considering the bioavailability of a metal in an aquatic environment, we can more precisely predict the effect of a selected metal on aquatic organisms. This enables us to make a more reliable assessment of the compliance of the metal's concentration in inland surface waters with the environmental quality standard for that metal. In addition to complex-forming inorganic and organic ligands, the bioavailability of metals in water is also influenced by physicochemical conditions in the water. Metals occur in different concentrations and in different forms in aquatic environments. This is referred to as metal speciation. The bioavailability of a metal in water depends mainly on its speciation. Normally, a dissolved free metal ion is more bioavailable than a metal ion bound in a complex. The risks posed by given metals to aquatic environments are addressed under EU legislation in the Water Framework Directive (Council of the European Union, 2000) (WFD). The WFD’s purpose is to direct Member States to protect and improve the status of all water bodies throughout the European Union. Directive 2013/39/EC (Council of the European Union, 2013), which refers to priority substances as regards water policy, supplements the WFD and the Directive on environmental quality standards (Council of the European Union, 2008). For nickel and lead, Directive 2013/39/EC sets the annual average environmental quality standards (AA-EQS) for inland surface waters, which refer to biologically available concentrations of metals (AA-EQSbioavailable). In this way, uniform environmental quality standards for the entire European Union are determined for metals, allowing for a compliance assessment of metals for surface waters. In the article, we have presented an analysis of inland surface water monitoring data for nickel and lead, examining how the introduction of AA-EQSbioavailable affects the consistency of monitoring data for these metals. We used monitoring data from 2018 to 2021. To calculate bioavailable concentrations for nickel and lead, we used the bioavailability assessment model bio-met bioavailability tool v.2.3 (Bio-met, 2017). Additionally, for lead, we used equations (1), (2), and (3) to calculate the bioavailable concentration (European Commission, 2019). Based on the analysis conducted, we recommend the utilization of the bio-met model instead of the equations for calculating the concentration of bioavailable lead in the context of the annual compliance assessment of inland surface water monitoring data carried out by ARSO. Using the mentioned bioavailability assessment model, we have provided an upgrade in the methods used to assess metal’s concentration compliance with the EQS for that metal for surface waters. As a result, the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC relating to biologically available concentrations of metals could be transferred to the Slovenian legal system.

Variação no cumprimento das sentenças proferidas pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos

The main objective of this research is the promotion of human rights and the democratization of the Latin American region through a new monitoring tool of the judgements of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). The study introduces a new approach to measure the annual compliance rate of the judgements of the IACHR by analyzing direct and indirect responsibility as a new criterion of evaluation. Consecutively, this work will help to supervise the judgments of the IACHR to its member states. In addition, it is important to emphasize that the tribunal orders reparations measure when there is a violation of human rights to compensate the damage caused, and thus the importance of their respective compliance.

Results of Lung Cancer Screening in a Rural Setting: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to determine the performance of the lung cancer screening (LCS) program using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in a rural community.MethodologyWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LCS at a rural healthcare institution from September 1, 2016, through December 31, 2019, to determine the utilization of screening, rate of positivity, rate of cancer detection, and patient compliance.ResultsA total of 1,474 patients underwent initial LCS, and 1,776 LCS examinations were performed using LDCT. Of 1,776 tests performed, 375 (21.1%) were categorized as positive (Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System III or higher), with 215 of the 375 (57.6%) being lost to follow-up. A total of 29 malignancies were identified (in 1.6% of all LCS tests) during the study period, with 23 (82.8%) malignancies being low-stage malignancies (stage I or II), 24 (79.3%) malignancies potentially surgical candidates (stage IIIA or less), and five (17.2%) malignancies being non-surgical candidates based on stage (stage IIIB or IV). A total of 28.7% of all patients eligible for repeat screening had at least one repeat annual test. Overall, 9.9% of all patients eligible for two repeat annual tests had a second repeat annual test.ConclusionsLCS using LDCT is effective in detecting lung cancer in a rural setting. However, compliance with repeat annual screening and recommendations for further workup is low. This may be exacerbated by healthcare and socioeconomic issues prevalent in rural communities. The use of LCS patient coordinators and dedicated tracking software may improve compliance with repeat annual screening and compliance with recommendations when LCS tests are positive.

Compliance to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination

We evaluated compliance to the ACIP pneumococcal vaccination recommendations issued in 2014 for adults aged ≥ 65 years and in 2012 for adults with high-risk (HR) conditions. The MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases (January 2007-June 2019) were used to identify the cohorts of interest. Analyses for adults aged ≥ 65 years were adjusted to account for missing vaccination history. Two HR cohorts were identified. The HR1 cohort included patients with immunocompromising conditions, functional or anatomic asplenia, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant. The HR2 cohort included patients with chronic heart, lung, or liver disease; diabetes mellitus; alcoholism; cirrhosis; or cigarette smoking. Full compliance for those aged ≥ 65 years or in the HR1 cohort was defined as receipt of PCV13 and PPSV23, and partial compliance was defined as receipt of PCV13 or PPSV23. For those in the HR2 cohort, full compliance was defined as receipt of PPSV23. Annual compliance rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.Among those aged ≥ 65 years, partial compliance at 4 years post index was 53% and full compliance was 17% in adjusted analyses. In subjects ≥ 65 years receiving the first vaccination, 42% received the second vaccination by year 4. For the HR1 cohort, partial compliance was 19% and full compliance was 5% at 6 years post index date. For the HR2 cohort, full compliance was 20% at 6 years, with the highest rate in patients with diabetes (27%) and the lowest rate in patients with alcoholism (8%).Additional efforts are needed to maximize compliance to the ACIP pneumococcal vaccine recommendations among adults ≥ 65 years of age and adults with HR conditions including streamlined recommendations and single-dose vaccines. These efforts may subsequently reduce the incidence and burden of pneumococcal disease.

A guide for chief compliance officers of registered investment advisers on how to develop, conduct and maintain an effective and robust annual testing programme

Every investment advisory firm is unique. Each has a different organisational structure, strategy and service offering and different operational approaches, personnel dynamics and company cultures. There is only one thing I can think of that is consistent from firm to firm: every investment adviser that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has to adhere to the same set of rules and regulations. Under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Investment Advisors Act, advisers are required to maintain policies and procedures, conduct an annual review to support those policies and procedures, and designate an individual at the firm as a chief compliance officer (CCO) to administrator the policies and annual review, often referred to in its entirety as a compliance programme. Accomplishing the task of this compliance programme can feel daunting considering that the SEC’s rules and regulations are vast, intricate and confusing. With this in mind, I developed a methodology for tackling the annual compliance review that — time and time again — has made my clients’ jobs easier. This approach is based on simplicity, practicality and customisation. I use it with every one of our clients. And it is my goal to share it with every new, newish and multi-hatted CCO to help make their lives easier.

Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of Heartworm Preventive Compliance and Revenue in Veterinary Practices in the United States.

Background: Heartworm disease (HWD) is a potentially fatal condition caused by the nematode Dirofilaria immitis. It is endemic in North America, and the American Heartworm Society recommends that owned dogs be on a Food and Drug Administration-approved HWD preventive year-round. The objective of this study was to compare the 12-month HWD preventive purchase compliance rates of injectable moxidectin (ProHeart® 6) and the dose equivalent in monthly HWD preventives and their associated economic value to the veterinary hospital.Methods: This study used retrospective anonymized transactional data of 7,926,392 unique dogs from 3,737 companion animal practices across the US for the period 2014–2017. Compliance was defined using American Heartworm Society guidelines. Comparisons were purchases of a 6-month moxidectin injection or six doses of any monthly HWD or HWD combination preventive product, tracked for the next preventive purchase 5–7 months later. Total revenue, HWD prevention cost, 12-month repurchase compliance, and patient retention were calculated. Data were expressed on an annualized basis. Compliance comparisons were calculated based on proportion analysis with the SAS ProbNorm function (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC), using a two-sided t-test, at the 5% level of significance (P < 0.05).Results: At 51.7%, annual compliance with injectable moxidectin was higher than the dose equivalent in monthly HWD preventives, which was 24.4% (P = 0.0001). Eighty-five percent of patients on injectable moxidectin recorded additional transactions during the first visit (average invoice of $161), compared with only 55% of pet owners who purchased monthly HWD prevention (average invoice $141) or monthly HWD combination (average invoice of $171). The average costs of 6 months of HWD preventives were as follows: injectable moxidectin, $48 (29.7% of the total visit invoice); monthly HWD prevention, $45 (31.0% of the total invoice); and monthly HWD combination, 95 (55.6% of the total visit invoice). Finally, dogs receiving injectable moxidectin had a higher proportion of patients with repeat injections within 12 months between 2014 and 2017, with 68% retention rate after 4 years. In comparison, the six-dose monthly HWD cohort retention rate dropped to 55% by 2017.Conclusions: Dogs receiving injectable moxidectin had higher HWD preventive compliance, generated more practice revenue, and had a higher rate of practice retention compared with monthly HWD products.

The effect of change in educational model on surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis

Background/Aim: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the important steps in preventing surgical site infections. Compliance with the guidelines is particularly important and there are problems in this regard. Innovative approaches are needed in education. In our study, the effects of the novel face-to-face training and feedback model, with which we obtained positive results, were shown. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, surgical site infections and the use of antibiotics in surgical prophylaxis in all patients undergoing certain operations were examined in pre-determined departments. The quarterly or annual changes in compliance rates were compared with the new education model. Results: A total of 3697 clean surgeries were assessed in three departments. The cardiovascular surgery department had annual compliance rates of 2.5% and 8.6% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, which increased between 2012-2017 from 64.5%, 90.7%, 85.4%, 98.8%, 90.6% to 97.4%, respectively (P<0.001), with the new training model. In the Orthopedics and Traumatology department, within eight 3-month periods between 2014 and 2016, compliance rates increased from zero to 92.4% (P<0.001). The general surgery department had a 3.3% compliance rate at the beginning of 2015, which increased up to 98.3%, 95.3%, 96.8% and 93.5% in three-month intervals in 2017 (P<0.001). No significant changes were identified in surgical site infection rates. Conclusion: Continuous training, monitoring and feedback is required for guideline compliance in surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. We think narrow-scoped and target-oriented face-to-face training is effective and applicable.

Research on the Structural Mutation of Carbon Emission Allowance Trading Price of China

This paper conducts theoretical and empirical research on the structural mutation of China’s carbon emission allowance trading price. Firstly, it analyzes the possibility of price mutation from the perspective of market mechanism through theoretical analysis. Secondly, the Bai-Perron Multiple Breakpoint Test method is used to test the autoregressive model of the carbon valence sequence. It is found that the carbon emission price series of each pilot have multiple structural mutations, and the breakpoints often occur around the annual compliance date. It is believed that the compliance requirement is the direct internal factor that causes the sudden change in the carbon emission price structure. Combined with the observation of market transaction characteristics and the direction of price sudden changes, the analysis of the deeper internal causes of price sudden changes in the market lies in the poor ability of enterprises to actively manage quotas, low market transaction activity, and excessive total supply of quotas. Based on the problems and reasons reflected by the empirical test results, this paper finally puts forward three rationalization suggestions for the improvement of the carbon emission allowance trading market.

Abstract IA10: The Prevent Anal Cancer Study: the assessment of novel opportunities for anal cancer screening during COVID-19

Abstract Cervical cancer screening began 70 years ago in high-resource settings and it has substantially lowered cervical cancer incidence in those settings; even so, incidence remains very high in many low and middle-income settings. As screening for other human papillomavirus-associated cancers is considered, self-screening approaches may lower some barriers to screening including cost, reluctance to access clinics, and examination embarrassment. The Prevent Anal Cancer (PAC) Study is recruiting men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people who have sex with men, aged ≥25 years in three cities in the United States (Chicago, Houston, and Milwaukee) to test anal self-exams and compliance with home-based self-swabbing. The PAC Study is comprised of two randomized clinical trials: NCT03489707 and NCT04090060. It is recruiting 1200 HIV+ and HIV- persons through 2023: 400 in Milwaukee to test home-based self-swabbing and 400 each in Chicago and Houston to test anal self-exams (ASEs). The Milwaukee cohort will evaluate compliance with annual home-based self-swabbing vs clinic-based HPV DNA specimen collection and determine factors associated with annual screening compliance; estimate the influence that home-based vs clinic-based screening has on the uptake of high-resolution anoscopy; estimate the association between high-risk HPV persistence and anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL); and estimate the association between HPV-16/host DNA methylation and anal HSIL. The Chicago/Houston cohort will be taught about anal anatomy, pathology, and the procedure for an ASE. The primary objective is to compare the participant’s ASE result with the clinician’s gold-standard Digital Anal Rectal Exam (DARE) to determine concordance, sensitivity and specificity. A secondary objective uses mathematical modeling to estimate the cost-effectiveness, impact on survival and health-related quality-of-life of ASE and DARE. Enrollment in both studies was suspended due to COVID-19. Due to concerns about potential COVID-19-related confounding of key associations, a 437-person online cohort of the same target populations was enrolled to assess COVID-19 impact over 5 longitudinal surveys. This presentation will provide an overview of anal cancer incidence, the PAC Study protocols, how COVID-19 may impact the studies’ results, and data collected to date to assess that impact. This study is supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (US). Citation Format: Alan G. Nyitray. The Prevent Anal Cancer Study: the assessment of novel opportunities for anal cancer screening during COVID-19 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA10.

Service charge management at the dawning of the age of the professional statement

PurposeThe paper provides a snapshot analysis on the state of service charge management at the point in which its regulatory framework by RICS changed from a voluntary code of practice to a mandatory professional statement.Design/methodology/approachThe data consist of a unique eight-year longitudinal study of service charge statements and practice (2010–2017). Because of the confidential nature of such business-sensitive information, this is a priceless study of real-world practice over such a long period and is able to illustrate both annual compliance and the year-on-year changes. Given this, it is recognised that data are skewed in favour of compliance because they are derived from an actively managed portfolio.FindingsThe results continue to illustrate long-running problems of non-compliance with “required” metrics. Given the inherent bias in the data, this is especially difficult to excuse. The paper also analyses the results in the light of the new RICS professional statement, which requires mandatory compliance. Whilst some of the metrics are advisory, there remain questions over how RICS might realistically enforce so many practitioners to change their existing performance and how willing the institution might be to actually prosecute failure. It also revisits the issue of institutionalised benchmarking of standards. Intriguingly, there are islands of almost perfect compliance, which offers an interesting contrast and raises further research questions on why some practitioners provide such exemplary work.Research limitations/implicationsThe data are derived from the clients of a UK property management consultancy. This does preclude any randomness to the sampling. However, the richness of the data and the methodology adopted provide valid data.Originality/valueThis work offers both unique data and an eight-year longitudinal analysis, but also a timely comparison with the requirements within a new RICS professional statement. This shift in regulatory regime reinforces the value of the work.