Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Conference in Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics 2014 ( PED 2014 ) Experimental evidence of the “ Faster Is Slower ” effect

The Faster-Is-Slower effect (Helbing et al (2000)) is an important instance of self-organized phenomenon in pedestrian dynamics. Despite this, an experimental demonstration is still lacking. We present controlled tests where a group of students are asked to exit a room through a door. Instead of just measuring the evacuation times, we have analyzed the probability distribution of the time lapses between consecutive individuals. We show how it displays a power-law tail. This method displays clearly the Faster Is Slower effect, and also allows to assess the impact of several tactics that can be put in place to alleviate the problem. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of PED2014.
Reducing Simply Generated Trees by Iterative Leaf Cutting

We consider a procedure to reduce simply generated trees by iteratively removing all leaves. In the context of this reduction, we study the number of vertices that are deleted after applying this procedure a fixed number of times by using an additive tree parameter model combined with a recursive characterization. Our results include asymptotic formulas for mean and variance of this quantity as well as a central limit theorem.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of Albizia amaraleaves from Lindi region, Tanzania.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aqueous Albizia amara leaf extract is used by traditional healers for treatment of diarrheal diseases. Aim of study:To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chromatographic fractions obtained from Albizia amara leaf extract on microorganisms. Materials and methods:Chloroform and chloroform-methanol fractions were eluted from silica gel column chromatography, monitored by TLC and evaluated for antimicrobial activity using the disk diffusion method on the following microorganisms; Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Diameters of zones of inhibition were used to indicate antimicrobial activity.Results:Antimicrobial activity was observed to increase with polarity of eluting solvent system. Fractions eluted by less polar solvent systems did not show antimicrobial activity against any of the tested microorganisms. Fractions eluted with the mobile phase with higher methanol concentration showed the broadest antimicrobial spectrum by inhibiting all the tested microorganisms. The most susceptible bacteria were E.coli and S. typhi, and the least susceptible was K. pneumoniae while the most susceptible of the fungi was C. neoformans.Conclusion: Polar fractions displayed broadest antimicrobial activity; hence, aqueous leaf extracts of the plant reported to be used in traditional medicine is supported by the findings of this study. Importance of fractionating crude extracts to obtain full picture of biological activity is emphasized and cytotoxic studies to determine toxicity of the fractions and isolation of the active compound(s) are recommended.
Nutrient fluxes in fish larvae : use of tracer studies and modelling techniques

A mechanistic simulation model of fish larval growth should contribute to a better understanding of growth and metabolism of fish larvae. It should also assist in studying the nutritional requirements and developing feeding strategies. A model was developed that simulates growth and biochemical composition in time. The model is driven by feed intake, with absorbed nutrients being used for energy production and biosynthesis, based on the stoicheometry of intermediary metabolism. Model simulations suggest that imbalanced dietary amino acid (AA) profiles and dietary lipid excess may lead to suboptimal growth in fish larvae culture. Tracer studies have therefore been used to study AA and lipid metabolism in fish larvae. In addition, modeling techniques have been also used in these studies, to better interpret results obtained. Digestive capacity, as well as utilization of different AA, fatty acids and lipid classes, has been studied using radiolabeled nutrients (normally with C) using a tube-feeding technique. This method allows quantification of the tracer that is present in faeces, retained in tissues and catabolised. Another method, combining the use of live food in which proteins are labeled with a stable isotope and a spectroscopic/spectrometric technique that allows determination of the isotopic enrichment in individual AA, can be used to estimate ideal dietary indispensable AA profiles. Together these two types of techniques that allow the study of nutrient fluxes have lead to important advances in the understanding of fish larvae nutritional physiology and growth.
Effect of Different Levels of Blood Meal on Broiler Performance During Two Phases of Growth

2 Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of blood meal in broiler diets during starter (0-4 weeks) and finisher (5-6th week) phases of growth. Fresh blood was boiled at 100°C for 45 min and then dried in an hot air oven at 55°C for 6 days and ground into meal. The chemical composition of the dried blood meal was 92% dry matter, 80% crude protein, 8.5% total ash, 1.2% ether extract, 1.3% crude fibre, 9% nitrogen free extract, 0.28% calcium, 0.25% phosphorus, 1.98% sodium chloride and 2850 Kcal kg 1 metabolizable energy. Amino acid profile revealed that sufficient quantity of almost all essential amino acids was present in blood meal. Chemical score of the blood meal was 13. Isoleucine was the Ist limiting amino acid and methionine was the 2nd limiting amino acid. Three hundred, day-old broiler chicks were reared in deep litter house system using completely randomized design. Five different isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental mash diets were prepared with five levels 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6% of blood meal, designated as A, B, C, D and E, respectively, for starter phase. Five corresponding finisher diets were used during the finisher phase. The chickens were randomly allocated to five dietary treatment groups having three replicates of 20 birds in each group. Weight gain was higher (p 0.05). The results indicated that inclusion of blood meal (3%) in broiler diets reduced the relative cost per unit weight gain. It may be suggested that blood meal upto 3% can be incorporated in broiler diets without any adverse effect on production parameters during starting and finishing stages of growth.
EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY AND SELF PURIFICATION POTENTIAL OF TAJAN RIVER USING QUAL 2 E MODEL

Received 19 April 2005; revised 5 June 2006; accepted 30 June 2006 ABSTRACT Tajan River is among significant rivers of Caspian Sea water basin. Pollution sources that threaten the quality of water in Tajan River may be classified in to two categories namely point and non-point sources. Major pollutants of latter category are Mazandaran wood and pulp, Paksar dairy products and Sari Antibiotic production factories, as well as 600-dastgah residential area. On the other hand, non-point sources whose waste is considered as a distributed load consist of Sari municipal wastewater and agriculture-related pollutants that are drained towards the river. In order to model the quality of river flow, Qual2E model is taken in to consideration. Considering TDS, the river quality is completely acceptable in cold seasons. However, in spring and summer the value of this parameter is increased and this causes some restrictions in the use of this water for irrigation of specific sensitive crops. Agricultural activities and consequent irrigated waters are the major causes of higher reported TDS values in warm seasons. Current status of DO is completely acceptable and this is highly related to the relative high value of width on depth ratio along the river. BOD and COD locate in a fairly poor condition. Quality deterioration is more noticeable in cold seasons. Higher rate of precipitation and consequent greater runoff generation towards the river basin justify the relative increase of mentioned parameters in fall and winter. Generally, non-point pollution sources are more contributed in deterioration of Tajan River water quality.
Frictional evolution, acoustic emissions activity, and off‐fault damage in simulated faults sheared at seismic slip rates

We present a series of high‐velocity friction tests conducted on Westerly granite, using the Slow to HIgh Velocity Apparatus (SHIVA) installed at Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia Roma with acoustic emissions (AEs) monitored at high frequency (4 MHz). Both atmospheric humidity and pore fluid (water) pressure conditions were tested, under effective normal stress σneff in the range 5–20 MPa and at target sliding velocities Vs in the range 0.003–3 m/s. Under atmospheric humidity two consecutive friction drops were observed. The first one is related to flash weakening, and the second one to the formation and growth of a continuous layer of melt in the slip zone. In the presence of fluid, a single drop in friction was observed. Average values of fracture energy are independent of effective normal stress and sliding velocity. However, measurements of elastic wave velocities on the sheared samples suggested that larger damage was induced for 0.1 < Vs<0.3 m/s. This observation is supported by AEs recorded during the test, most of which were detected after the initiation of the second friction drop, once the fault surface temperature was high. Some AEs were detected up to a few seconds after the end of the experiments, indicating thermal rather than mechanical cracking. In addition, the presence of pore water delayed the onset of AEs by cooling effects and by reducing of the heat produced, supporting the link between AEs and the production and diffusion of heat during sliding. Using a thermoelastic crack model developed by Fredrich and Wong (1986), we confirm that damage may be induced by heat diffusion. Indeed, our theoretical results predict accurately the amount of shortening and shortening rate, supporting the idea that gouge production and gouge comminution are in fact largely controlled by thermal cracking. Finally, we discuss the contribution of thermal cracking in the seismic energy balance. In fact, while a dichotomy exists in the literature regarding the partitioning between fracture and heat energy, the experimental evidence reported here suggests that both contribute to fault weakening and off‐fault damage.
Positive and Negative Effects of Friendship at the Workplace

Author Matěj Štěpánek Title Positive and Negative Effects of Friendship at the Workplace Year 2015 Language English Pages 65 + 4 appendices Name of Supervisor Satu Lautamäki This thesis studies friendship at the workplace and its effects, perceptions and influences on productivity, working atmosphere and job satisfaction. Attention is paid also to negative relations at the workplace an d their possible solutions. The topic connects business studies with business psych ology; therefore the theoretical background is rather abstract and case-sensitive. Friendship is a voluntary interpersonal tie for mut ual benefits and gains. The costs and gains of friendship are changing throughout the lifetime of the friendship, therefore a measurement is introduced – the strengt h of the friendship. The strength of the friendship determines the deepness and the quality of the tie and has a significant effect on the workplace. The theoretical study of the thesis focuses on the foundation of friendship, its benefits, negative effects, maintenance, possible c onfli ts and usages. The section describing benefits and negative effects explain ho w friendship affects the working atmosphere and job satisfaction from the po int f view of the concerned person. The section regarding friendship maintenanc e and workplace conflict studies possible conflicting situations requiring c ertain precautions. The final section studies possible usage of friendship as a m anagerial tool. The empirical study of the thesis explains a small scale research done in four different countries to demonstrate different attitu des towards friendship and interpersonal relations. Six different interviews s how different working cultures, as well as attitude towards friendship at the workp lace. In the end of the study, the Hofstede’s model is presented to explain the connec tions and effects of culture on the results. All companies presented very gaining models of frie ndship handling at the workplace, expressing both positive and negative at titudes. In Finland, the management & leadership model is widely in use and the hierarchical distance is low, while in the Czech Republic or Slovakia the hi rarchical distance is rather authoritative. Also the attitude towards friendship at the workplace changes a lot, for example in Italy it is seen rather negatively.
Shortest Path Prioritized Random Deflection Routing (SP-PRDR) in Optical Burst Switched Networks

Optical Burst Switching (OBS) aims to provide higher utilization and flexibility than circuit switching at a lower cost and complexity than the current optical paradigm of multiple Optical-Electronic-Optical conversions. We introduce a new routing protocol for Optical Burst Switching, Shortest Path Prioritized Random Deflection Routing (SP-PRDR), that aims to lower blocking probabilities for all ranges of input loads, topologies and routing matrices while only using state information from traditional Internet Protocol technologies. We show, through analysis and simulation, that blocking probability in OBS networks is significantly reduced by SP-PRDR, with negligible impact on average delay. Additionally, unlike other schemes, we show that the worst case blocking probability of SP-PRDR is provably upper-bounded by the blocking probability of standard OBS.
A Study of the Effect of Picture Word Inductive Model and Mathematics Self- Efficacy on Management of Teaching Algebraic Identity to Students of Fadak Girls' High School in District 1 of Tehran, Iran

One of the most important aspects of training courses is to consider how education is provided and how it is managed. The main purpose of the present study has been to determine the effect of picture word inductive model and mathematics self-efficacy on teaching algebraic identity. In order to conduct the study, 60 female students of the first grade of a high school in district 1 of Tehran city were selected through simple random sampling; and one class was selected as control group and another one as experimental group. The research methodology has been applied and quasi-experimental in terms of purpose and data collection respectively. The instruments included Hackett Betz’s (1989) self-efficacy questionnaire containing 51 questions, and in order to assess their progress, two tests in the form of picture word inductive model (geometric shapes of algebraic identities) and traditional form were administered, and in order to review the educational effects of picture word inductive model, a 40-item test were employed. The reliability coefficient calculated for the self-efficacy questionnaire was 0.916, and for the picture word inductive model was 0.919. In the descriptive statistics section, the obtained data has been presented in the form of tables, mean, standard deviation and variance, and in the inferential statistics section, the independent T-test has been employed. The results revealed that the picture word inductive model and mathematics self-efficacy affects
Reconciling leaf physiological traits and canopy flux data: Use of the TRY and FLUXNET databases in the Community Land Model version 4

[1] The Community Land Model version 4 overestimates gross primary production (GPP) compared with estimates from FLUXNET eddy covariance towers. The revised model of Bonan et al. (2011) is consistent with FLUXNET, but values for the leaf-level photosynthetic parameterVcmaxthat yield realistic GPP at the canopy-scale are lower than observed in the global synthesis of Kattge et al. (2009), except for tropical broadleaf evergreen trees. We investigate this discrepancy betweenVcmaxand canopy fluxes. A multilayer model with explicit calculation of light absorption and photosynthesis for sunlit and shaded leaves at depths in the canopy gives insight to the scale mismatch between leaf and canopy. We evaluate the model with light-response curves at individual FLUXNET towers and with empirically upscaled annual GPP. Biases in the multilayer canopy with observedVcmaxare similar, or improved, compared with the standard two-leaf canopy and its lowVcmax, though the Amazon is an exception. The difference relates to light absorption by shaded leaves in the two-leaf canopy, and resulting higher photosynthesis when the canopy scaling parameterKn is low, but observationally constrained. Larger Kndecreases shaded leaf photosynthesis and reduces the difference between the two-leaf and multilayer canopies. The low modelVcmaxis diagnosed from nitrogen reduction of GPP in simulations with carbon-nitrogen biogeochemistry. Our results show that the imposed nitrogen reduction compensates for deficiency in the two-leaf canopy that produces high GPP. Leaf trait databases (Vcmax), within-canopy profiles of photosynthetic capacity (Kn), tower fluxes, and empirically upscaled fields provide important complementary information for model evaluation.
A Mathematical Model of a Lithium/Thionyl Chloride Primary Cell

A 1-D mathematical model for the lithium/thionyl chloride primary cell was developed to investigate methods of improving its performance and safety. The model includes many of the components of a typical lithium/thionyl chloride cell such as the porous lithium chloride film which forms on the lithium anode surface. The governing equations are formulated from fundamental conservation laws using porous electrode theory and concentrated solution theory. The model is used to predict 1-D, time dependent profiles of concentration, porosity, current, and potential as well as cell temperature and voltage. When a certain discharge rate is required, the model can be used to determine the design criteria and operating variables which yield high cell capacities. Model predictions can be used to establish operational and design limits within which the thermal runaway problem, inherent in these cells, can be avoided.
The Impact of International Human Resource Management Practices on Short-term International Assignments: A Case of SMEs in Sri Lanka

Empirical knowledge gap on short-term assignments and their outcomes encourage us to investigate the relationship between post-assignment behavioural performances and given pre-assignment HRM support as the main objective of this paper. Individual HRM functional level analysis, moderation effects of purpose of assignments, and the synergy effects of HRM practices were included for testing three specific objectives with the theoretical perspectives of high performance work practices, contingencies and system approaches. The results partially confirm that the relationship between individual HRM practices and behavioural performance. Among six HRM practices recruitment, training and compensation were positively significant. Synergistic effects of such practices were not confirmed while the purpose of assignments also did not moderate this HRM-performance relationship.
EFFECTS OF BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN ON THE PATTERN OF MILK YIELD WITHIN AND BETWEEN INJECTION INTERVALS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Twenty-four West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used to study the pattern of milk yield response torecombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) administered in a sustained-delivery vehicle. The goats weredivided equally into four treatment groups, each comprising of six does. The first group (control, T0)received no rbST while the other groups received rbST (T1, 20 mg; T2, 40 mg; T3, 60 mg) injected at 2-week intervals commencing from the 7th week postpartum for 6 weeks. Pattern of milk yield responseto rbST was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by rbST dose, day from rbST treatment, order of rbSTtreatment and parity. Milk yield of treated goats increased from day 1 of treatment, peaked betweenday 5 and day 8 after treatment and progressively decreased until day 14 of treatment but that of thecontrol decreased progressively from day 1 till day 14 of treatment. The mean relative response ofDMY to rbST treatment for T1, T2 and T3 exceeded T0 by 50.36, 68.00 and 71.16 % respectively andsignificantly affected the shape of the lactation curve, thus, improving persistency of lactation. Thepatterns of DMY for T1, T2 and T3 were well-fitted by the Wood’s equations: Y = 16.628n1. 728e-0.439n (R2= 63.1), Y = 25.198n0. 836e-0.239n (R2 = 75.6) and Y = 0.008n9. 081e-1.352n (R2 = 42.3) respectively. Theadministration of 40 mg dose of rbST appears to elicit DMY response that favoured milk yield persistency.But since highest DMY was observed with 60 mg dose of rbST, estimation of optimal dose thatwould elicit maximum DMY response may be required in order to validate the statement. Our findingssuggest that rbST administration to WAD goats after peak of lactation can enhance milk yield, galactopoiesisand persistency of lactation indicating higher milk yield in extended lactation.
An interventional study on sleep hygiene among medical students

Background: Sleep deprivation, a common problem among undergraduate students, leads to daytime sleepiness and poor academic performance. The purpose of this study is to describe sleep hygiene among medical students and to measure effect of sleep hygiene educational intervention. Methods: An interventional cross-sectional study was carried out from September to October, 2015 among II MBBS students, Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. Excessive daytime sleepiness was assessed by the Epworth sleepiness scale. Predesigned questionnaire was administered as pretest followed by health educational intervention session to 100 subjects selected by simple random sampling, and a post test two weeks later. Data entered in MS Excel 2007, was analyzed using IBM SPSS 20. Difference in means tested by paired t test and Chisquare test was used to test association between variables, with p value <0.05 considered significant. Results: 100 study subjects, 48 of 7 semester and 52 of 5 semester, had a mean (+SD) age in years, 20.2±0.58 and19.71±0.61 respectively. 57% were females. A statistically significant association between daytime sleepiness prevalence by semester was found. (Pretest X 2 = 7.83, post test X 2 = 7.19, p value <0.01). Weekend sleep schedules showed 2 hours increase than weekdays, in 40% (5 semester) and 30% (7 semester). 20% of study subjects had Epworth score 10-24, so expert medical advice is needed. A statistically significant difference was observed in sleep hygiene post intervention (t=2.010, p= 0.05). Conclusions: Daytime sleepiness was the most common problem encountered in this study. Sleep hygiene education promotes healthy sleeping habits.
Shear Strength and Stiffness Degradation of Geomaterials in Cyclic Loading

Cyclic loading on civil structures can lead to a reduction of strength and stiffness in the loaded materials. The life span of many cyclically loaded structures such as wind turbines, high-speed train tracks and bridges strongly depends on the foundation. The soils and rocks in the foundation can be subjected to cyclic loads from natural and human sources. In order to evaluate the fatigue behaviour of geomaterials, this paper presents static and cyclic triaxial test results for several geomaterials. It was concluded that cyclic loading on different geomaterials can cause different types of effects. The shear strength of cohesionless crumbled limestone increases during cyclic loading; while for cohesive materials, such as gypsum and mortar, the strength decreases. The strength decrease can be seen as a degradation of the cohesion. The most significant factor in the cohesion reduction was found to be the number of applied cycles. It was also noticed that the friction angle for sands does not reduce under cyclic loading. A fatigue limit was not found for cohesive geomaterials; neither a dependence of the strength reduction on the cyclic loading ratios.