Existence Of Distortions Research Articles

The neutrality principle and the economic efficiency of tax policy: an exploratory study of the legal-economic approach

This study explores the relationship between economic efficiency and the principle of fiscal neutrality and seeks to analyse the application of these concepts in public policy. Economic efficiency is considered one of the main objectives of tax policy and aims at the optimal allocation of public resources. The principle of neutrality seeks to avoid, in response to the effect of tax law enforcement, the existence of distortions in the economy and agents' behaviour. Legal-economic analysis is used to evaluate tax policies, considering the impact of legal rules on decisions and preferences. On the other hand, harmonising efficiency and neutrality criteria are currently considered a real challenge and essential for an exemplary implementation of tax policy. However, it is recognised that no tax is entirely neutral and ex-ante and ex-post analysis is critical to assessing the effectiveness of tax policies.

Investigation of electronic structure, morphological features, optical, colorimetric, and supercapacitor electrode properties of CoWO4 crystals

Cobalt tungstate (CoWO4) crystals were synthesized by the co-precipitation (CP) and polymeric precursor (PP) methods with posterior heat treatment at 800 °C for 4 h. The electronic structure, morphological features, optical, colorimetric, and supercapacitive properties were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement data, micro-Raman spectra, and Fourier transform-infrared spectra proved the crystallization of both CoWO4 materials with a wolframite-type monoclinic structure. Rietveld refinement data were employed as input data to simulate all clusters found in this crystalline structure as well as electron density maps. These results indicated the existence of distortions in both octahedral [CoO6] and [WO6] clusters, yielding an inhomogeneous charge distribution in the monoclinic lattice. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques show the presence of asymmetrical CoWO4 crystals. The ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed optical band energy values of 2.84 and 2.89 eV for CoWO4 crystals prepared by the CP and PP methods, respectively. Colorimetric results indicated that the CoWO4 crystals have a desirable feature for the development of blue inorganic pigments. The experimental specific capacitance measurements of CoWO4 crystals as an electrode (CP and PP) were 192.5 Fg−1 and 249.1 Fg−1 at 40 mV s−1 and 5 mV s−1 in an electrode with 0.4 mg and 0.8 mg of electroactive materials in 1 M Na2SO4 solution, respectively.

Assessment on the Evaluation of Learning in Medical Education

The evaluation of learning has been the subject intriguing, full of stigmas historically constructed. Sometimes (most) is seen as instrument of punishment, coercion, discipline. The nature is classified as descriptive exploratory approach with mixed quantitative and qualitative. To collect data, questionnaires were given to students and teachers from 1st to 4th year course and consultation with the instruments of Student Performance Evaluation (AD). Treatment of qualitative data was by content analysis. It was observed that there are similarities between the objectified and practice, teachers and students recognize the systematic evaluation used as a component in the construction of knowledge, however, is not fully understood the operationalization process of this design evaluation by the subjects involved in research, because existence of distortions in its implementation by students and teachers compromising the pedagogical dimension of assessment, for example the “standardization” of the considerations made in relation to student performance. These factors credibility in AD by students showed decline throughout the course. However the traditional evaluation culture is still present in moments of assessment because the talks are still noticeable feeling of fear of exposing opinions. It was therefore concluded that no action needs to AD in practice between in accordance with the theory, for example, with skills that motivate teachers to the correct implementation of the proposal. It is also necessary to make the student realize the process as responsible for the results in individual and collective performances of AD.

Critical evaluation of the performance assessment model of Brazilian electricity distribution companies

This study presents a critical view of the performance evaluation model of Brazilian distribution service operators(DSOs) conducted in the 4th. Cycle of Periodic Tariff Review (TN 66/2015-SRM/SGT/ANEEL). More mature regulation models were used as parameters for the development of this work, besides the scientific references on the methodology used in Brazil (Data Envelopment Analysis - DEA). Alternative analyzes were developed with the same data used by the regulator to compare the official results and those in this research. The results indicate that measures used by the regulator can be refined through the suggested contributions, among them: removal of variables with zeroed data; inclusion of environmental variables to correct the model; removal of weight restrictions. The results indicate the existence of distortions between theory and other regulation references, and its application in the Brazilian model.

Stitching Method for Distorted Image Based on SIFT Feature Matching

In the image stitching process, for existence of distortion in obtaining images using ordinary camera, or distortion caused by the camera optical axis, which perpendicular to the object, a stitching method based on SIFT feature matching for images with distortions was put forward in this paper. A distortion correction of the acquired image was executed before image stitching. Then, extract the SIFT feature points on the corrected image, match the feature points, and complete the image stitching in the end. Experimental results show that, the proposed method can reduce the ghosting effect of the mosaic image to a certain extent.

Optimal Research and Development Expenditure: A General Equilibrium Approach

How much should be spent in research and development (R&D)? How should R&D vary over the business cycle? In this paper we answer both questions in the context of a calibrated dynamic general equilibrium model with Schumpeterian endogenous growth. Firstly, we demonstrate that, although the existence of distortions in a decentralized economy produces underinvestment in R&D, a simple proportional subsidy to R&D spending alone cannot restore the first best allocation. The optimal proportional R&D subsidy attains a second best allocation in which R&D spending exceeds its first best level. Secondly, we show how the observed procyclicality of R&D is socially inefficient. However, the welfare loss due to this dynamic inefficiency is much smaller than the loss due to underinvestment in R&D.

Three-dimensional structure analysis of opaline photonic crystals by angle-resolved reflection spectroscopy

It is important to check distortion in an opaline photonic crystal, since it may affect the photonic band structure and optical properties of the crystal. In this paper, we demonstrate that the existence of distortion can be checked by measuring both angle-resolved reflection spectra produced by two-dimensional (2D) diffraction and mirror reflection spectra. The lattice constant (a2D) determined by 2D diffraction is derived from the periodicity in the surface plane of the opaline crystal. In contrast, the lattice constant (am) determined from the mirror reflection spectra results from the periodicity in the direction perpendicular to the surface. Therefore, the existence of distortion can be checked by comparing these two lattice constants (a2D and am). The measurements revealed that the structure of an opaline photonic crystal composed of polystyrene (PS) spheres had the structure shrunken approximately 4% in the direction perpendicular to the surface. The origin of this distortion is discussed in terms of shrinkage of the PS spheres.

Measuring the Welfare Cost of Climate Change Policies: A Comparative Assessment Based on the Computable General Equilibrium Model GEMINI-E3

Measuring the welfare cost of climate change policies is a real challenge, raising difficult issues of micro- and macro-economics: cost-benefit analysis on the one hand, foreign trade and international specialization on the second hand. At the domestic level the possible existence of distortions, in particular in the fiscal system, may either increase or alleviate the welfare cost of a climate change policy, as illustrated by the debate on “double dividend”. Effects on the prices in international markets and distorted competition between countries committed to abate (Annex B) and uncommitted countries affect both the sharing of the burden, in particular through the change in the terms of trade, and the allocation of activities with the frequently waved threat of “delocalization”. Based on a companion theoretical analysis, the present paper aims at putting order in the welfare analysis of climate change policy and to present and compare various estimations, issuing from macro- or computable general equilibrium models. Beside the global welfare cost, the paper focuses on the marginal abatement cost and its relation to the carbon price. Most present conceptual and applied analysis is based on the case of a single domestic household-consumer. Taking into account several consumers raises new challenges, concerning equity but even more fundamentally the mere definition of fiscal distortion, which have not yet been really addressed.

Numerical computation of distortions in magnetic fields and induced currents in physiological solutions produced by microscope objectives

AbstractIdentifying distortions produced by commonly employed microscope objectives and their components in uniform DC and 60 Hz AC magnetic fields is important in imaging studies involving exposure of cells to spatially uniform or nonuniform magnetic fields. In this study, DC and 60 Hz AC magnetic flux densities were numerically computed in the presence of finite element models of various components of commonly utilized microscope objectives, as well as a model of a complete objective. Also computed were the distortions in the current density induced by an applied time‐varying magnetic field in a physiological buffer contained within a Petri dish. We show that the magnetic flux density could be increased up to 65% in the presence of the nickel–chrome plating of an objective housing and that the presence of ferromagnetic components like a screw or spring could produce peaks that are 7% higher than the undistorted value of magnetic flux density. In addition, a slight tilt of 1% in the objective with respect to the magnetic field could cause a 93% deviation in magnetic flux density from the unperturbed value. These results correlate well with previously published experimental measurements that showed the presence of significant and sometimes asymmetric distortions in both DC and 60 Hz magnetic fields. Moreover, this study further reports that induced current density changed up to 37% compared to values in the absence of the objective. The existence of distortions in applied magnetic fields and induced currents could affect the interpretation of results of cell function studies if it is assumed that the cells are exposed to uniform magnetic flux densities in the presence of a microscope objective. Such assumptions of uniform magnetic flux density could also account for the lack of reproducibility in several studies that examined changes in intracellular calcium by imaging techniques. Bioelectromagnetics 22:463–469, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Optimal income tax in the presence of status effects

The existence of distortions from individuals competing to attain social status by using consumption signals justifies some measure of income tax as a counter-acting distortion. The question posed here is whether it also constitutes a reason for a more progressive income tax schedule. The answer is found to be broadly negative if progressiveness is interpreted as a more convex tax schedule, unless the rich are more concerned with status-seeking than the poor. On the other hand, status-seeking makes the optimal tax schedule steeper so that redistribution is increased. Essentially, the analysis of status-seeking based on a signaling approach confirms and strengthens the existing view of an optimal tax schedule, and can be incorporated into the Diamond [American Economic Review 88 (1998) 83–95] approach.

The Optimal Size of Public Spending and the Distortionary Cost of Taxation

Feldstein (1997) reviews his and others' contributions in the distortionary costs of taxation, arriving at a remarkable estimate that the cost per incremental dollar of government spending is a very high $2.65. Kaplow (1996) argues that it is optimal to supply a public good whenever the benefit/cost ratio exceeds one, contrary to the orthodox position since Pigou (1928) that the benefits of public goods must exceed their direct costs by an amount sufficient to outweigh the distortionary costs of taxation. This paper largely reconciles these two apparently opposing positions. The large distortionary costs exist on the revenue side but is largely offset by the negative distortionary costs or distributional gain on the spending side. However, both Kaplow's and Feldstein's arguments have to be subject to important qualifications. Additional arguments relevant to the central public finance question How big should the public spending be? are also reviewed. The prevalence of environmental disruption effects, the existence of burden-free taxes on diamond goods, and the importance of relative-income effects all favor the lowering of the required benefit/cost ratio for public goods and, as a rule, more public spending. The reason for the difference between the existence of distortion (in comparison to a lumpsum tax) as emphasized by Browning and Liu (1998) and the unitary marginal cost of public fund is also explained graphically.