Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Einsatz künstlicher neuronaler Netze bei der kurzfristigen Lastprognose

To yield the optimum benefit from the various possibilities for trading electricity in the intended liberalised electricity market, the planning process of utilities or other companies for meeting the actual demand must be based on a reliable load forecast. In this context, a brief survey of artificial neural networks applied to load forecasting is presented. The advantages, compared especially to conventional multiple regression, of these networks are discussed. The typical features of load forecasting systems based on artificial neural networks, which have already been successfully applied in some cases, will be characterised concisely. Furthermore, current problems regarding the use of such networks are discussed. These mainly result from the fact, that the development of such systems is based, to a great extent, on trial and error. Finally, an appropriate design scheme is introduced, which is essential for the broad based commercial application of individually adapted systems, although the details still need to be developed.
Measurements of fitness in thoroughbred racehorses using field studies of heart rate and velocity with a global positioning system.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Field based studies of changes in fitness are difficult to conduct in galloping Thoroughbreds. Measurements of heart rate (HR) and real time velocity with a global positioning system (GPS) could provide a method for routine field studies of fitness. OBJECTIVE To investigate measurements of fitness in the field without using multiple, standardised steps of increasing velocity in the exercise test. METHODS Twelve healthy 3- to 5-year-old Thoroughbreds were used in the study of reliability, and twelve 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in the investigation of the effect of training. Five second averages of velocity and HR were recorded during a typical fast exercise training session, using a GPS and Polar HR monitor. A standardised exercise test protocol was not used. Regression analyses using trot and gallop data were used to calculate velocities at HR of 200 beats/min (V200), and at maximal HR (VHRmax). Data were collected on consecutive 'fast' day training sessions to assess the reliability of measurements. The effect of training was investigated with fitness tests in weeks 2 and 6 of 'fast' training. Absolute and relative differences were calculated to evaluate reliability, and paired t tests were used to detect an effect of training. RESULTS VHRmax, V200 and HRmax were reliable measurements of fitness, with mean differences of 2% or less. Reliability of VHRmax was not dependent on VHRmax. VHRmax and V200 both increased significantly with training (P<0.01), but there was no effect of training on HRmax. There were no significant changes in the slope or intercept of the regression equations after training. CONCLUSIONS Velocity and HR measurements during field gallop exercise provided reliable measures of fitness which enabled a measurement of the response to training. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE This approach offers a simple, noninvasive method for monitoring adaptations to training in the field.
Severe bridging fibrosis of the colon in a man with inflammatory bowel disease

history of alcohol abuse underwent colo− noscopy for the investigation of anal in− continence and urgency of defecation. He had a history of inflammatory bowel dis− ease (ulcerative colitis) and psoriasis from the age of 33 and was on long−term treatment with mesalazine. He had had several severe recurrences of his inflam− matory bowel disease that had to be treated with corticosteroids (predniso− lone), the last episode occurring at the age of 53. Endoscopy of the colon did not reveal any lesions suggestive of a recurrence of the ulcerative colitis, but there was severe bridging fibrosis in the left colon and the sigmoid colon; there were also areas with pseudopolyps and a moderately severe stricture that was difficult to pass with the colonoscope (l" Fig. 1). Histological examination of the biopsies only showed some discrete inflammation within the lamina propria (l" Fig. 2). The patient was still in remission. Further neurologi− cal examination showed the incontinence to be multifactorial, due to neuritis asso− ciated with the history of diabetes and alcohol abuse. Endoscopy with biopsy is an interesting method for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. It is also possible to determine disease ac− tivity and the effect and efficacy of medi− cal treatment using this method [1]. In this case we were confronted with a se− vere bridging fibrosis that had resulted from longstanding ulcerative colitis with several recurrences. Ulcerative colitis is an immunologically mediated disease characterized by chronic inflammation, which results in mucosal damage. Me− senchymal cells are thought to play an important role in the fibrotic process [2].
Expectations and the Valuation of Shares

This is a study using a unique body of expectations data collected over the decade of the 1960s. After describing the data, this paper first looks at the extent of consensus among those financial institutions providing the forecasts and measures the accuracy of the forecasts. We then ask if the forecasts are consistent with the hypothesis that tile expectations are "rational". We then turn to the relationship of the forecasts to security valuation. We develop our own variant of the popular capital asset pricing model using a framework suggested by Ross for this arbitrage model. Alternative specifications are developed relating expected returns to risk variables and relating securities prices to expectations and risk variables. We find that the expectations data of the sort we have collected do appear to influence security prices in the manner suggested by the theory. We also find that the expected security returns implied by the expectations data are related to "systematic" risk measures appropriately defined. Nevertheless, we find that, even when a variety of systematic influences are used, other risk measures, possibly related to their own variance of the securities, appear to play some role in security valuation.
Cellular pathology of hilar neurons in Ammon's horn sclerosis

In addition to functionally affected neuronal signaling pathways, altered axonal, dendritic, and synaptic morphology may contribute to hippocampal hyperexcitability in chronic mesial temporal lobe epilepsies (MTLE). The sclerotic hippocampus in Ammon's horn sclerosis (AHS)‐associated MTLE, which shows segmental neuronal cell loss, axonal reorganization, and astrogliosis, would appear particularly susceptible to such changes. To characterize the cellular hippocampal pathology in MTLE, we have analyzed hilar neurons in surgical hippocampus specimens from patients with MTLE. Anatomically well‐preserved hippocampal specimens from patients with AHS (n = 44) and from patients with focal temporal lesions (non‐AHS; n = 20) were studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CFLSM) and electron microscopy (EM). Hippocampal samples from three tumor patients without chronic epilepsies and autopsy samples were used as controls. Using intracellular Lucifer Yellow injection and CFLSM, spiny pyramidal, multipolar, and mossy cells as well as non‐spiny multipolar neurons have been identified as major hilar cell types in controls and lesion‐associated MTLE specimens. In contrast, none of the hilar neurons from AHS specimens displayed a morphology reminiscent of mossy cells. In AHS, a major portion of the pyramidal and multipolar neurons showed extensive dendritic ramification and periodic nodular swellings of dendritic shafts. EM analysis confirmed the altered cellular morphology, with an accumulation of cytoskeletal filaments and increased numbers of mitochondria as the most prominent findings. To characterize cytoskeletal alterations in hilar neurons further, immunohistochemical reactions for neurofilament proteins (NFP), microtubule‐associated proteins, and tau were performed. This analysis specifically identified large and atypical hilar neurons with an accumulation of low weight NFP. Our data demonstrate striking structural alterations in hilar neurons of patients with AHS compared with controls and non‐sclerotic MTLE specimens. Such changes may develop during cellular reorganization in the epileptogenic hippocampus and are likely to contribute to the pathogenesis or maintenance of temporal lobe epilepsy. J. Comp. Neurol. 414:437–453, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Which Types of Analyst Firms Make More Optimistic Forecasts?

Research optimism among securities analysts has been attributed to incentives provided by underwriting activities. We examine how analysts' forecast optimism varies with the business activities used to fund research. We find that analysts at firms with underwriting and trading businesses are actually less optimistic than those at pure brokerage houses, who perform no underwriting. The relatively less optimistic forecasts for underwriting firms are not fully explained by bank reputation. Nor is the relative optimism of brokerage firms explained by the types of clients they serve (retail or institutional). We conclude that sales and trading activities used to fund research create strong incentives for analyst optimism.
A Revised View of Service Quality Dimensions

This research examined two major issues of concern to service marketers; the dimensions hat comprise service quality and the approach to service quality measurement. On the basis of two empirical investigations, one a replication of SERVQUAL and the second employing a revised set of service quality items, it was con- cluded that in the retail banking sector, (1) performance measures, as opposed to performance and expectation measures, are a superior and efficient method for measuring service quality, and (2) service quality is comprised of three underlying dimensions related to process, wt- comes, and tangibles. As well, features that enhanced the customers use of the service appeared to be related to service quality.
Determinants of Internet Financial Reporting : An Empirical Investigation on UAE Public Listed Companies

The main purpose of this study is to provide insights into the use of Internet for disseminating financial information among UAE publicly listed companies and to put some lights on the factors that affect such companies in adopting financial disclosure through internet. The findings show that UAE companies are still to some extent placed behind those in other developed countries and even with other developing countries. This study additionally examined the effect of three factors namely firm size, leverage and profitability on internet financial reporting (IFR). A linear regression analysis is applied for this purpose. Findings reveal that profitability and leverage do not significantly influenced internet financial reporting. The result also shows that there is a significant positive linkage between the amount of financial disclosure through internet and size of companies.
Industry perspectives on Plug-&-Play Spacecraft Avionics

This paper describes the methodologies and findings from an industry survey of awareness and utility of Spacecraft Plug-&-Play Avionics (SPA). The survey was conducted via interviews, in-person and teleconference, with spacecraft prime contractors and suppliers. It focuses primarily on AFRL's SPA technology development activities but also explores the broader applicability and utility of Plug-&-Play (PnP) architectures for spacecraft. Interviews include large and small suppliers as well as large and small spacecraft prime contractors. Through these “product marketing” interviews, awareness and attitudes can be assessed, key technical and market barriers can be identified, and opportunities for improvement can be uncovered. Although this effort focuses on a high-level assessment, similar processes can be used to develop business cases and economic models which may be necessary to support investment decisions.
The influence of ethical trading policies on consumer apparel purchase decisions

Purpose – To explore the extent to which consumers' ethical concerns impact upon apparel purchase decisions and highlight the value of The Gap's corporate code of conduct in meeting these concerns.Design/methodology/approach – Face‐to‐face questionnaires were conducted with Scottish consumers in February 2003. Respondents were recruited from central shopping areas using a convenience sampling method.Findings – Despite consumers possessing a high level of awareness of ethical issues, results reveal that factors such as price, quality and style have a greater influence on their apparel purchase behaviour than their concerns about the ethical practices of the supplier.Research limitations/implications – As the study was exploratory in nature and consisted of Scottish consumers only, generalisations of the results should be approached with some caution.Practical implications – Provides a useful insight into The Gap's corporate code of conduct and the extent to which such codes meet the ethical concerns of con.
Algorithmic trading: issues and preliminary evidence

Based on the December 2010 conference on market microstructure, organized with the help of the Institut Louis Bachelier, this guide brings together the leading thinkers to discuss this important field of modern finance. It provides readers with vital insight on the origin of the well-known anomalous "stylized facts" in financial prices series, namely heavy tails, volatility, and clustering, and illustrates their impact on the organization of markets, execution costs, price impact, organization liquidity in electronic markets, and other issues raised by high-frequency trading. World-class contributors cover topics including analysis of high-frequency data, statistics of high-frequency data, market impact, and optimal trading. This is a must-have guide for practitioners and academics in quantitative finance.
TrustMUSE: a model-driven approach for making trust management widely applicable

Trust is a fundamental building block of human behavior for dealing with complex situations. The world of distributed computer systems and especially the Internet have become increasingly complex, resulting in the proposition of using trust in them as well. The research done in this domain has increased significantly in the last years, producing the new field of trust management. Current results in trust management focus on the establishment of procedures for various threats and different domains, including e-commerce, networked systems, sensor networks, etc. These frameworks are still theoretical, and there are only limited possibilities to compare the performance of various solutions. To learn more about the possibilities of trust management it is necessary to deploy trust management frameworks into real-world settings. The deployment is currently hindered by the high complexity of individual trust management frameworks, the difficulties to relate the solutions to real-world requirements, and the high amount of uncategorized solutions to select from. This work addresses these problems and provides the TrustMUSE system as a solution approach. The TrustMUSE system applies a meta model to decrease the complexity of individual trust management frameworks and modularize them into clearly defined functional elements. These elements are specified over standardized APIs that enable trust management experts to provide their implementations in combinable way. Through our process, these implementations can be annotated with standardized attributes that translate trust management functionality into architectural qualities and services. These attributes translate implementation details into terms that are familiar to the stakeholders responsible for designing software systems. We integrated the individual components of our approach into a tool that helps narrowing down the number of trust management implementations applicable to specific application scenarios, and helps browsing and comparing them until specific implementations can be added to the target software. Our tool not only decreases the time necessary to find an applicable solution for specific application scenarios but also provides extensive information regarding trust management procedures and possibilities, thereby helping the tool’s users to gain a better understanding of the domain and the capabilities of trust management. We created the model-driven approach for trust management by investigating available research in the domain and applying grounded theory to it. On top of the meta model we developed processes and tools that address the transition of theoretical trust management research into applied software design. We developed the components of the TrustMUSE system by applying user-centered design, continuously inviting our target users to provide feedback on our iterative prototypes. In our final evaluation the participating users were able to provide trust management framework designs similar to those of domain experts, thereby illustrating the soundness of our approach.
Service Innovation in the Non-Profit Sector

Non-profit organisations are valued because they provide services that address unmet needs. Nonprofits who engage in social entrepreneurship augment their contributions through new services, programmes, enterprises and revenue generated. It is not surprising, therefore, for policy makers to encourage social entrepreneurship, service innovations and social enterprises. However, not all nonprofits seek to innovate by creating revenue-generating social enterprises. They may continue to devote themselves to specific fields and existing practices through other forms of service innovations instead. The intent of nonprofits in starting new services is investigated through a two-pronged quantitative and qualitative research approach. In the quantitative section, a survey is conducted on non-profit organisations in Singapore to measure their intentions in initiating social enterprises and the influence of organisational attributes on these intentions. Entrepreneurship research suggests that under certain conditions, organisations engage in entrepreneurship through new ventures, projects, and innovations. Hence, it is of interest when incumbent nonprofits engage in social entrepreneurship and to find out the key variables that influence their decisions or intentions to create social enterprises. are key attributes either social or service The interviews that the need the organisation stay relevant and serve their better takes precedence over other factors such as availability of funding and having the relevant capabilities within the organisation. has policy implications for policy makers seeking to foster innovativeness within the nonprofit
Pulse Width Modulation based sliding mode controller for boost converter

This paper proposes a sliding mode controller for Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) based boost converter. The boost converter is modeled dynamic equations describing the converter are derived and sliding mode controller is designed. The performance of the controller is compared with conventional PID controller. Given a system with large variations of input voltage and load it is necessary to guarantee good performance of the system. Simulation results prove the robustness of converter with sliding mode controller when tested against step load changes and input voltage variations comparable to standard control techniques.
Reference values for mental health assessment instruments: objectives and methods of the Leiden Routine Outcome Monitoring Study.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) was developed to establish the outcome of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments through repeated assessments before, during and after treatment. Although standardization of psychiatric assessments and their reference values are essential for patient care, for various ROM instruments reference values are not available. The aim of the Leiden ROM Study is to generate reference values for 22 ROM instruments, covering generic and specific mood, anxiety and somatoform (MAS) disorders, for the general population. This article describes the extensive process of recruitment, as well as baseline characteristics of patient versus non-patient groups. METHOD Cross-sectional study in randomly selected participants aged 18-65 years from the Dutch population, included through general practitioners. RESULTS Extensive demographic, psychosocial, mental health, and biological data from 1302 participants, recruited via general practitioners, were collected during a two-hour standardized assessment including observer-rated and self-report scales. These data will be compared with corresponding data from 7840 patients with psychopathology who were referred to secondary care. On-going quality control and calibration ensured maintenance of high quality during data collection. CONCLUSIONS This reference group study for mental health assessments is the first study of this size carried out in the Netherlands. The results of this study are expected to be of value to secondary psychiatric care because they allow the indication of progress in health, treatment effect and possible termination of treatment. Additionally, the reference values can be used by primary care physicians as decision threshold for referral to specialized mental health care and vice versa.
A study on influencers of total sales revenue of generic pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia

This paper empirically examines the influence of firms’ one-year lagged of total new products (t-1), one-year lagged profitability (t-1), and market share of new products to firms’ amount of sales revenue in pharmaceutical generic companies in Indonesia. The data used in this study was panel dataset, gathered from six large pharmaceutical generic companies in Indonesia, during the period 2006 to 2010. The regression analysis method uses fixed effect models, with generalized least squares (GLS) method. The result shows that firms’ one-year lagged of total new product (t-1), one-year lagged profitability (t-1), and market share of new products to be positive and affect significantly the firms’ sales revenue in the pharmaceutical generic companies in Indonesia.
TRADE-OFF BETWEEN FREIGHT EXPEDITING AND SAFETY STOCK INVENTORY COSTS

This paper develops an analytical model for evaluating the trade-off between transportation and inventory costs when shipping freight between a supplier and manufacturing plant under uncertainty. This uncertainty can result from deviations from forecasted material demand, travel time variability or the failure of suppliers to meet their production schedules. Equations are developed for the inventory costs associated with safety stock, and the transportation costs associated with regular and expedited shipments. The optimal trade-off between these costs is derived, and its sensitivity to model parameters is evaluated. This paper shows that a small safety stock can reduce freight expediting costs substantially by reducing the likelihood of stocking-out. Despite the desirability of keeping small levels of inventory in just-in-time production, it is generally desirable to hold some safety stock. The need for excessive inventory can be reduced with various just-in-time techniques, but inventory should not be eliminated entirely. (Author)