39 research outputs found
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Exports and imports of forest products, 1907
Gerald W. Williams Collectio
How Sandcastles Fall
Capillary forces significantly affect the stability of sandpiles. We analyze
the stability of sandpiles with such forces, and find that the critical angle
is unchanged in the limit of an infinitely large system; however, this angle is
increased for finite-sized systems. The failure occurs in the bulk of the
sandpile rather than at the surface. This is related to a standard result in
soil mechanics. The increase in the critical angle is determined by the surface
roughness of the particles, and exhibits three regimes as a function of the
added-fluid volume. Our theory is in qualitative agreement with the recent
experimental results of Hornbaker et al., although not with the interpretation
they make of these results.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, revte
Aging in humid granular media
Aging behavior is an important effect in the friction properties of solid
surfaces. In this paper we investigate the temporal evolution of the static
properties of a granular medium by studying the aging over time of the maximum
stability angle of submillimetric glass beads. We report the effect of several
parameters on these aging properties, such as the wear on the beads, the stress
during the resting period, and the humidity content of the atmosphere. Aging
effects in an ethanol atmosphere are also studied. These experimental results
are discussed at the end of the paper.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure
Self-similar community structure in organisations
The formal chart of an organisation is designed to handle routine and easily
anticipated problems, but unexpected situations arise which require the
formation of new ties so that the corresponding extra tasks can be properly
accomplished. The characterisation of the structure of such informal networks
behind the formal chart is a key element for successful management. We analyse
the complex e-mail network of a real organisation with about 1,700 employees
and determine its community structure. Our results reveal the emergence of
self-similar properties that suggest that some universal mechanism could be the
underlying driving force in the formation and evolution of informal networks in
organisations, as happens in other self-organised complex systems
Greater male variability in daily energy expenditure develops through puberty
There is considerably greater variation in metabolic rates between men than between women, in terms of basal, activity and total (daily) energy expenditure (EE). One possible explanation is that EE is associated with male sexual characteristics (which are known to vary more than other traits) such as musculature and athletic capacity. Such traits might be predicted to be most prominent during periods of adolescence and young adulthood, when sexual behaviour develops and peaks. We tested this hypothesis on a large dataset by comparing the amount of male variation and female variation in total EE, activity EE and basal EE, at different life stages, along with several morphological traits: height, fat free mass and fat mass. Total EE, and to some degree also activity EE, exhibit considerable greater male variation (GMV) in young adults, and then a decrease in the degree of GMV in progressively older individuals. Arguably, basal EE, and also morphometrics, do not exhibit this pattern. These findings suggest that single male sexual characteristics may not exhibit peak GMV in young adulthood, however total and perhaps also activity EE, associated with many morphological and physiological traits combined, do exhibit GMV most prominently during the reproductive life stages
Greater male variability in daily energy expenditure develops through puberty
There is considerably greater variation in metabolic rates between men than between women, in terms of basal, activity and total (daily) energy expenditure (EE). One possible explanation is that EE is associated with male sexual characteristics (which are known to vary more than other traits) such as musculature and athletic capacity. Such traits might be predicted to be most prominent during periods of adolescence and young adulthood, when sexual behaviour develops and peaks. We tested this hypothesis on a large dataset by comparing the amount of male variation and female variation in total EE, activity EE and basal EE, at different life stages, along with several morphological traits: height, fat free mass and fat mass. Total EE, and to some degree also activity EE, exhibit considerable greater male variation (GMV) in young adults, and then a decrease in the degree of GMV in progressively older individuals. Arguably, basal EE, and also morphometrics, do not exhibit this pattern. These findings suggest that single male sexual characteristics may not exhibit peak GMV in young adulthood, however total and perhaps also activity EE, associated with many morphological and physiological traits combined, do exhibit GMV most prominently during the reproductive life stages