ABSTRACT
We investigate the impact of recurring fair value versus amortized cost measurement for accounting recognition purposes on the timeliness of insurers' other-than-temporary (OTT) impairments ...of non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (NAMBS) around the 2007–2009 financial crisis. Unlike largely predetermined amortized cost measurement, recurring fair value measurement requires firms to invest in information and control systems to assess relevant economic conditions and estimate fair values quarterly. We expect these systems discipline insurers' OTT impairments. Exploiting statutory requirements that PC (life) insurers measure securities with NAIC designations from 3 to 5 at fair value (amortized cost) and disclose security-level accounting information, we predict and find that PC insurers record timelier OTT impairments of the same NAMBS with NAIC designations of 3 to 5 than life insurers. We predict and find weaker evidence of spillover effects to the timeliness of OTT impairments of the same NAMBS with NAIC designations of 1 or 2.
JEL Classifications: G22; M41.
Data Availability: Data are available from public sources cited in the text.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
A large number of works in egocentric vision have concentrated on action and object recognition. Detection and segmentation of hands in first-person videos, however, has less been explored. For many ...applications in this domain, it is necessary to accurately segment not only hands of the camera wearer but also the hands of others with whom he is interacting. Here, we take an in-depth look at the hand segmentation problem. In the quest for robust hand segmentation methods, we evaluated the performance of the state of the art semantic segmentation methods, off the shelf and fine-tuned, on existing datasets. We fine-tune RefineNet, a leading semantic segmentation method, for hand segmentation and find that it does much better than the best contenders. Existing hand segmentation datasets are collected in the laboratory settings. To overcome this limitation, we contribute by collecting two new datasets: a) EgoYouTube-Hands including egocentric videos containing hands in the wild, and b) HandOverFace to analyze the performance of our models in presence of similar appearance occlusions. We further explore whether conditional random fields can help refine generated hand segmentations. To demonstrate the benefit of accurate hand maps, we train a CNN for hand-based activity recognition and achieve higher accuracy when a CNN was trained using hand maps produced by the fine-tuned RefineNet. Finally, we annotate a subset of the EgoHands dataset for fine-grained action recognition and show that an accuracy of 58.6% can be achieved by just looking at a single hand pose which is much better than the chance level (12.5%).
In hydrological modelling, classification of catchments is a fundamental task for overcoming deficits in observational datasets. Most attention on this issue has focussed on identifying the ...catchments with similar hydrological responses for streamflow. Yet, effective methods for catchment classification are currently lacking in respect to Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), a water quality constituent that, at increasing concentrations, is threatening nutrient sensitive environments. Pattern recognition, using standard Artificial Neural Network algorithm is applied, as a novel approach to classify datasets that are considered to be suitable proxies for biological and anthropogenic drivers of observed DIN releases. Eleven gauged Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments within Queensland Australia are classified using spatial datasets extracted from ecosystem (e.g. original ecosystem responses to biogeographic, land zone, land form, and soil type attributes) and land use maps. To evaluate the performance of the examined spatial datasets as a proxy for deductive classification, the classification process is repeated inductively, using observed DIN and streamflow data from gauging stations. The ANN-PR method is seen to generate the same classification score format for the differing dataset types, and this facilitates a direct comparison for model output for observed data corroborations. The Kruskal-Wallis test for independence, at p > 0.05, identifies the deductive classification approach as a predictor for classification using DIN observations, which lacks an independence from each other at a p value of 0.01 and 0.02. This study concludes that an ANN-PR method can integrate the ecosystem and land use mapping data to deductively classify the GBR catchments into four regions that also have similar patterns of DIN concentrations. Due to the uniform availability of the mapping data, the findings provide a sound basis for further investigations into the transposing of knowledge from gauged catchments to ungauged areas.
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•Artificial Neural Network Pattern Recognition (ANN-PR) can classify catchments.•ANN-PR facilitates direct comparison of continuous vs categorical datasets.•Land use and ecological processes are a proxy for their influence on water quality.•ANN-PR results for proxy data corroborated with water quality, not stream flows.•ANN-PR and proxy data method may be suitable for catchment classification for DIN.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The forthcoming Internet of Things is already at the doorstep, with over 50 billion devices connected locally. This requires expansion and growth in existing Cloud infrastructure. Among many ...solutions, Fog computing offers optimal one. It is due to its scalable architecture and reduced latency properties. Implementing Fog has its own challenges. One of the questions indicate acute shortage of training datasets in the real world. Hence many simulators provide the much-needed insight to system design. iFogSim is currently providing reliable simulation scenarios with easy to use interface. Its applications in different fields are growing exponentially. This paper comprises of Fog architecture and its associated iFogSim interface Additionally This paper covers most notable areas where iFogsim is providing reliable results.
•Modification of equivalent cross-section approach for catchment modelling.•Comparison of semi-distributed and lumped conceptual modelling.•Reduction of computational units in distributed ...hydrological modelling.•Analysis of impact of climate and land use on soil moisture dynamics.
Physically based distributed hydrological models are useful for simulating the spatial distribution of hydrologic fluxes across the catchment under various climate and land cover change scenarios. However, complexities associated with their implementation at large scales make their applications limited. Previously, an equivalent cross-section (ECS) based distributed hydrological modelling approach was developed for first order sub-basins to reduce the computational time/effort. Here, the ECS approach is modified for semi-distributed hydrological modelling at the catchment scale. The modelling approach is implemented for a 314 km2 McLaughlin catchment located in south-eastern New South Wales (NSW), Australia that consists of 822 first order sub-basins. A 26 year long streamflow record simulated using an ECS based modelling approach are compared against daily observed streamflow and four calibrated lumped conceptual hydrologic models, and found to be consistent. Further, the simulated actual evapotranspiration and soil moisture from the ECS approach are compared against the Australian Water Availability Project (AWAP) model simulations and results found to be consistent. In addition, the temporal dynamics of simulated soil moisture from the ECS approach is consistent with the satellite derived European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI) surface soil moisture data. In the ECS based semi-distributed modelling, all parameters are derived from the actual topographic and physiographic information of the catchment and none of the parameters is calibrated. Therefore, this approach has the advantage of simulating streamflow in ungauged catchments compared to lumped conceptual models. The impact of spatially distributed climatic forcing and land cover on soil moisture is investigated across four landforms (upslope, midslope, footslope and alluvial-flats) and at various soil depths. Our results show increase of mean soil moisture in shallow layers of upslope toward alluvial-flats. However, mean soil moisture in deeper horizons remained almost constant across all landforms. The variability of daily soil moisture at surface soil layers is higher than the deeper soil layers for all landforms. Our results illustrated that disaggregation of a catchment to a series of ECS at the scale of first order sub-basins, captures dynamics of soil moisture and actual evapotranspiration across the landscape and results are consistent with the climatology, land cover type, topography and soil hydraulic properties. Further, the use of ECS approach in the McLaughlin catchment reduced the number of computational units by 40 times in comparison to 3-d grid based distributed modelling setup.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
ABSTRACT
We examine how personal lending relationships between lenders and managers are affected by information and accounting environments of borrowing firms. We address this question by exploring ...whether, following managerial turnover, lenders migrate with the manager from the firm where a relationship developed (origin firm) to the manager's new firm (destination firm). We find that the opacity of the external information environment of the destination firm significantly increases the probability of lenders' co-migration, while accounting irregularities at both the destination and origin firms decrease it. We also show that co-migration is affected by a lender's monitoring efficiency. A lender's monitoring efficiency increases its co-migration probability when a manager moves to an opaque firm, but not when she moves to a transparent one. When the destination or origin firm experiences accounting irregularities, even lenders with strong monitoring capabilities are mostly reluctant to continue their relationship with a migrating manager.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Although many young people demonstrate resilience and strength, research and clinical evidence highlight an upward trend in mental health concerns among those aged 12 to 25 years. Youth-specific ...digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) aim to address this trend by providing timely access to mental health support for young people (12–25 years). However, there is a considerable gap in understanding young people user experiences with digital interventions. This review, co-designed with Australia’s leading mental health organization Beyond Blue, utilizes a systematic methodology to synthesize evidence on user experience in youth-oriented digital mental health interventions that are fully or partially guided. Five relevant online databases were searched for articles published from 2018 to 2023, yielding 22,482 articles for screening and 22 studies were included in the present analysis. User experience outcomes relating to satisfaction and engagement were assessed for each included intervention, with experience indicators relating to usefulness, usability, value, credibility, and desirability being examined. Elements associated with positive/negative outcomes were extracted. Elements shown to positively influence user experience included peer engagement, modern app-based delivery, asynchronous support, and personalized content. In contrast, users disliked static content, homework/log-keeping, the requirement for multiple devices, and social media integration. Asynchronous interventions showed high satisfaction but faced engagement issues, with combined asynchronous/synchronous interventions reporting better completion rates. DMHIs offer a promising platform for youth mental health support and has the potential to dramatically increase the reach of interventions through the adoption of technological and user experience best practices. While young people respond positively to many aspects of intervention modernization, such as interactive, app-based design, other concepts, such as social media integration, they need to be adopted by the field more cautiously to ensure trust and engagement.
Trial Registration CRD42023405812
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Several methods are used to delineate channel networks. The most widely used are the contributing area method, area‐slope method, and grid network ordering method. The number of delineated channels ...depends on the threshold adopted when using each method. However, the appropriate threshold value required to delineate channel networks, and their corresponding accuracies, are still uncertain. The consistency between the delineated channels and actual channels can be evaluated by carrying out extensive field surveys, but these require significant time and cost. Accurate knowledge of delineated channel networks is vital, and is achievable more efficiently and simply. A new method of calculating the accuracy of delineated channel networks is introduced in this study. Channel cross‐section profiles throughout the channel network were examined and three new incision indices were derived: an incised channel index, a partially incised channel index, and a nonincised channel index. The indices were found useful for setting appropriate threshold values for actual channel networks. Three small catchments in Wellington, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, were investigated in this study.
Key Points
Verification of delineated channel network
Incision indices for checking the accuracy of channel network
Appropriate thresholds for delineating channels
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
To extend and monitor loans, banks collect detailed and proprietary information about the financial prospects of their customers, many of whom are local businesses and households. Therefore, banks' ...loan portfolios contain potentially useful information about local economic conditions. We investigate the association between information in loan portfolios and local economic conditions. Using a sample of U.S. commercial banks from 1990:Q1 to 2013:Q4, we document that information in loan portfolios aggregated to the state level is associated with current and future changes in statewide economic conditions. Furthermore, the provision for loan and lease losses contains information incremental to leading indicators of state-level economic activity and recessions. Loan portfolio information also helps to improve predictions of economic conditions at more granular levels, such as at the commuting zone level. We discuss the relevance of these findings for economic analysis and forecasting, and the relation of our study to prior work on the informativeness of accounting information about the macroeconomy.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NMLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The computational effort associated with physically based distributed hydrological models is one of their major limitations that restrict their application in soil moisture and land surface flux ...simulation problems for large catchments. In this work, a new approach for reducing the computational effort associated with such models is investigated. This approach involves the formation of equivalent cross sections, designed in a manner that ensures comparable accuracy in simulating the hydrological fluxes as a fully distributed simulation. Single or multiple equivalent cross sections are formulated in each Strahler's first‐order subbasin on the basis of topographic and physiographic variables representing the entire or part of the subbasin. An unsaturated soil moisture movement model based on a two‐dimensional solution of the Richards' equation is used for simulating the soil moisture and hydrologic fluxes. The equivalent cross‐section approach and the model are validated against observed soil moisture data in a semiarid catchment and found consistent. The results indicate that the equivalent cross‐section approach is an efficient alternative for reducing the computational time of distributed hydrological modeling while maintaining reasonable accuracy in simulating hydrologic fluxes, in particular dominant fluxes such as transpiration and soil evaporation in semiarid catchments.
Key Points
An approach to reduce the computational time in distributed hydrological model
Validation is done against observed soil moisture data
Soil moisture model is based on a 2‐D solution of the Richards' equation
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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