Hydrologic models generally represent the most dominant processes since they are mere simplifications of physical reality and thus are subject to many significant uncertainties. As such, a coupling strategy is propose...Hydrologic models generally represent the most dominant processes since they are mere simplifications of physical reality and thus are subject to many significant uncertainties. As such, a coupling strategy is proposed. To this end, the coupling of the artificial neural network （ANN） with the Xin＇anjiang conceptual model with a view to enhance the quality of its flow forecast is presented. The approach uses the latest observations and residuals in runoff/discharge forecasts from the Xin＇anjiang model. The two complementary models （Xin＇anjiang ＆ ANN） are used in such a way that residuals of the Xin＇anjiang model are forecasted by a neural network model so that flow forecasts can be improved as new observations come in. For the complementary neural network, the input data were presented in a patterned format to conform to the calibration regime of the Xin＇anjiang conceptual model, using differing variants of the neural network scheme. The results show that there is a substantial improvement in the accuracy of the forecasts when the complementary model was operated on top of the Xin＇anjiang conceptual model as compared with the results of the Xin＇anjiang model alone.展开更多
Similarly to what happens in other European countries, Portugal has been feeling the need to rethink its public state subsidy scheme to media. In this context, this paper presents an analysis of the impacts arising fr...Similarly to what happens in other European countries, Portugal has been feeling the need to rethink its public state subsidy scheme to media. In this context, this paper presents an analysis of the impacts arising from the provision of such subventions in local and regional media, questioning if the state support system is adequate to the business reality and contributing to improving it. Hence, this work reflects regional realities in the national context, being also, in a greater scale, a mirror of the models prevalent in Europe, a continent marked by significant state intervention. This study also establishes a diverse set of information, including an intensive collection of empirical data on the impact of direct incentives on the companies＇ performance, product quality, market competitiveness and pluralism of voices in the regional and local information market, based on a case study on the Portuguese state support system and the analysis of 21 local and regional media companies. In fact, the results of this research point out that, although these incentives are considered by the affected media companies as very important, having positive impacts regarding the improvement of journalistic products （such as online presence on the Intemet）, maintaining human resources and promoting the pluralism of voices; they do not seem to be adequately efficient to provide a sustainable growth in local and regional media.展开更多
The recent financial crisis has led to a vigorous debate about the pros and cons of fair-value accounting （FVA）. This debate presents a major challenge for FVA going forward and standard setters＇ push to extend FVA...The recent financial crisis has led to a vigorous debate about the pros and cons of fair-value accounting （FVA）. This debate presents a major challenge for FVA going forward and standard setters＇ push to extend FVA into other areas. In this article, we highlight three important issues as an attempt to make sense of the debate. First, much of the controversy results from confusion about what is new and different about FVA. Second, while there are legitimate concerns about marking to market （or pure FVA） in times of financial crisis, it is less clear that these problems apply to FVA as stipulated by the accounting standards, be it IFRS or U.S. GAAP. Third, historical cost accounting （HCA） is unlikely to be the remedy. There are a number of concerns about HCA as well and these problems could be larger than those with FVA.展开更多
文摘Hydrologic models generally represent the most dominant processes since they are mere simplifications of physical reality and thus are subject to many significant uncertainties. As such, a coupling strategy is proposed. To this end, the coupling of the artificial neural network （ANN） with the Xin＇anjiang conceptual model with a view to enhance the quality of its flow forecast is presented. The approach uses the latest observations and residuals in runoff/discharge forecasts from the Xin＇anjiang model. The two complementary models （Xin＇anjiang ＆ ANN） are used in such a way that residuals of the Xin＇anjiang model are forecasted by a neural network model so that flow forecasts can be improved as new observations come in. For the complementary neural network, the input data were presented in a patterned format to conform to the calibration regime of the Xin＇anjiang conceptual model, using differing variants of the neural network scheme. The results show that there is a substantial improvement in the accuracy of the forecasts when the complementary model was operated on top of the Xin＇anjiang conceptual model as compared with the results of the Xin＇anjiang model alone.
文摘Similarly to what happens in other European countries, Portugal has been feeling the need to rethink its public state subsidy scheme to media. In this context, this paper presents an analysis of the impacts arising from the provision of such subventions in local and regional media, questioning if the state support system is adequate to the business reality and contributing to improving it. Hence, this work reflects regional realities in the national context, being also, in a greater scale, a mirror of the models prevalent in Europe, a continent marked by significant state intervention. This study also establishes a diverse set of information, including an intensive collection of empirical data on the impact of direct incentives on the companies＇ performance, product quality, market competitiveness and pluralism of voices in the regional and local information market, based on a case study on the Portuguese state support system and the analysis of 21 local and regional media companies. In fact, the results of this research point out that, although these incentives are considered by the affected media companies as very important, having positive impacts regarding the improvement of journalistic products （such as online presence on the Intemet）, maintaining human resources and promoting the pluralism of voices; they do not seem to be adequately efficient to provide a sustainable growth in local and regional media.
文摘The recent financial crisis has led to a vigorous debate about the pros and cons of fair-value accounting （FVA）. This debate presents a major challenge for FVA going forward and standard setters＇ push to extend FVA into other areas. In this article, we highlight three important issues as an attempt to make sense of the debate. First, much of the controversy results from confusion about what is new and different about FVA. Second, while there are legitimate concerns about marking to market （or pure FVA） in times of financial crisis, it is less clear that these problems apply to FVA as stipulated by the accounting standards, be it IFRS or U.S. GAAP. Third, historical cost accounting （HCA） is unlikely to be the remedy. There are a number of concerns about HCA as well and these problems could be larger than those with FVA.
