Conservative accounting and linear information valuation models

Prior research using the residual income valuation model and linear information models has generally found that estimates of firm value are negatively biased. We argue that this could result from the way in which accounting conservatism effects are reflected in such models. We build on the conservative accounting model of Feltham and Ohlson (1995) and the Dechow, Hutton and Sloan (1999) (DHS) methodology to propose a valuation model that includes a conservatism-correction term, based on the properties of past realizations of residual income and other information. Other information is measured using analyst-forecast-based predictions of residual income. We use data comparable to the DHS sample to compare the bias and inaccuracy of value estimates from our model and from models similar to those used by DHS and Myers (1999). Valuation biases are substantially less negative for our model, but valuation inaccuracy is not markedly reduced

A cross-sectional study of retired Great British Olympians (Berlin 1936 - Sochi 2014):Olympic career injuries, joint health in later life, and reasons for retirement from Olympic sport

The relationship between Olympic career sport injury and the long-term musculoskeletal health of the elite athlete remains unclear. This study describes the lifetime prevalence of medical attention injuries that occurred during training and/or competition as part of the athlete’s Olympic career, reasons for retirement from Olympic sport, and the point prevalence of pain and osteoarthritis (OA) among retired Great Britain’s (GB) Olympians

Home Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The use of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in patients with incurable cancer remains controversial with significant variation worldwide. We aimed to systematically evaluate the literature from 1960 to 2018 examining the use of HPN in advanced cancer patients for all intestinal failure indications and assess the potential benefits/burdens of HPN in this cohort of patients. The primary end point was survival and secondary end points were quality of life and nutritional/performance status. Meta-analysis was performed with a random effects model, where suitable. Of 493 studies retrieved, 22 met the quality inclusion criteria. Studies were mainly conducted in Western countries (Italy, USA, Canada, Germany), including a total of 3564 patients (mean age 57.8 years). Mean duration for HPN was 5.0 mo. Mean overall survival was 7.3 mo. Patients with improved performance status survived for longer on HPN. Quality of life was sparsely reported though there was no observed negative impact of PN. HPN-related complications were reported in eight studies only and were mainly catheter-related blood stream infections. In conclusion, HPN is used for several indications in advanced cancer, though there is significant heterogeneity of results. Disparities in geographical distribution of the studies may reflect variation in accessing HPN

Detecting cover songs with pitch class key-invariant networks

Deep Learning (DL) has recently been applied successfully to the task of Cover Song Identification (CSI). Meanwhile, neural networks that consider music signal data structure in their design have been developed. In this paper, we propose a Pitch Class Key-Invariant Network, PiCKINet, for CSI. Like some other CSI networks, PiCKINet inputs a Constant-Q Transform (CQT) pitch feature. Unlike other such networks, large multi-octave kernels produce a latent representation with pitch class dimensions that are maintained throughout PiCKINet by key-invariant convolutions. PiCKINet is seen to be more effective, and efficient, than other CQT-based networks. We also propose an extended variant, PiCKINet+, that employs a centre loss penalty, squeeze and excite units, and octave swapping data augmentation. PiCKINet+ shows an improvement of ~17% MAP relative to the well-known CQTNet when tested on a set of ~16K tracks

Smartphone-delivered self-management for first-episode psychosis: the ARIES feasibility randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate a Smartphone-based self-management tool in Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services. DESIGN: A two-arm unblinded feasibility RCT. SETTING: Six NHS EIP services in England. PARTICIPANTS: Adults using EIP services who own an Android Smartphone. Participants were recruited until the recruitment target was met (n=40). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomised with a 1:1 allocation to one of two conditions: (1) treatment as usual from EIP services (TAU) or (2) TAU plus access to My Journey 3 on their own Smartphone. My Journey 3 features a range of self-management components including access to digital recovery and relapse prevention plans, medication tracking and symptom monitoring. My Journey 3 use was at the users' discretion and was supported by EIP service clinicians. Participants had access for a median of 38.1 weeks. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, follow-up rates and intervention engagement. Participant data on mental health outcomes were collected from clinical records and from research assessments at baseline, 4 months and 12 months. RESULTS: 83% and 75% of participants were retained in the trial at the 4-month and 12-month assessments. All treatment group participants had access to My Journey 3 during the trial, but technical difficulties caused delays in ensuring timely access to the intervention. The median number of My Journey 3 uses was 16.5 (IQR 8.5 to 23) and median total minutes spent using My Journey 3 was 26.8 (IQR 18.3 to 57.3). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment and retention were feasible. Within a trial context, My Journey 3 could be successfully delivered to adults using EIP services, but with relatively low usage rates. Further evaluation of the intervention in a larger trial may be warranted, but should include attention to implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN10004994

Comparing scalar-tensor gravity and f(R)-gravity in the Newtonian limit

Recently, a strong debate has been pursued about the Newtonian limit (i.e. small velocity and weak field) of fourth order gravity models. According to some authors, the Newtonian limit of $f(R)$-gravity is equivalent to the one of Brans-Dicke gravity with $\omega_{BD} = 0$, so that the PPN parameters of these models turn out to be ill defined. In this paper, we carefully discuss this point considering that fourth order gravity models are dynamically equivalent to the O'Hanlon Lagrangian. This is a special case of scalar-tensor gravity characterized only by self-interaction potential and that, in the Newtonian limit, this implies a non-standard behavior that cannot be compared with the usual PPN limit of General Relativity. The result turns out to be completely different from the one of Brans-Dicke theory and in particular suggests that it is misleading to consider the PPN parameters of this theory with $\omega_{BD} = 0$ in order to characterize the homologous quantities of $f(R)$-gravity. Finally the solutions at Newtonian level, obtained in the Jordan frame for a $f(R)$-gravity, reinterpreted as a scalar-tensor theory, are linked to those in the Einstein frame.Comment: 9 page