Academic procrastination is a common phenomenon among contemporary college students. This behavior seriously affected the graduation, physical and mental of college students. Playing games is a kind of procrastination behavior, which refers to short-term happiness through games and avoiding the pain caused by academic writing. The purpose of this article is to help students pay attention to using idle games to regulate emotions to reduce the frequency of academic writing procrastination. In terms of game design, the game type chosen is idle games. The study used the method of emotion regulation skill trend chart to divide the procrastinators into two groups for the experiment. The conclusion is that serious games based on learning emotion regulation can help procrastinators to improve their emotion regulation skills and reduce the frequency of procrastination to a certain extent.

Incremental idle clickers is a genre of games where gameplay revolves aroundsimple interactions like clicking the screen repeatedly to accumulatecurrency. The clicking action is often automatized by the game. This thesisinvestigates qualities that make interactions in incremental idle clickerscompulsive and motivating. The incremental idle clickers genre adoptsmechanics and interactions that were experienced as compelling, motivatingand anxiety-inducing. The “idle” mechanic allows the game to run withoutplayer interaction and proved to be central in relation to the playerexperience. Through a user-centered design-process, the compulsive andmotivating nature can be suggested to emerge from three major experiencesof the genre, “Monotony”, “Intrusive omnipresence” and “Demanding”. Theresult includes a discovery of the ambiguous tension and balance betweeninteractivity and interpassivity in the genre. Finding this balance may provebeneficial to the player experience. I identified ethical challenges concerningthe game depriving players of satisfying gameplay.

OpenStack is currently the most popular open source platform for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) clouds. OpenStack lets users deploy virtual machines and other instances, which handle different tasks for managing a cloud environment on the fly. A lot of cloud platform offerings, including the Ericsson Cloud System, are based on OpenStack. Despite the popularity of OpenStack, there is currently a limited understanding of how much resource is consumed/needed by components of OpenStack under different operating conditions such as number of compute nodes, number of running VMs, the number of users and the rate of requests to the various services. The master thesis attempts to model the resource demand of the various components of OpenStack in function of different operating condition, identify correlations and evaluate how accurate the predictions are. For this purpose, a physical OpenStack is setup with one strong controller node and eight compute nodes. All the experiments and measurements were on virtual OpenStack components on top of the main physical one. In conclusion, a simple model is generated for idle behavior of OpenStack, starting and stopping a Virtual Machine (VM) API calls which predicts the total CPU utilization based on the number of Compute Nodes and VMs.

The purpose of this study is to examine the unsustainable aspects we have identified within the genre of “incremental games”. These games commonly rely on the concept of infinite exponential growth which is inherently unsustainable. We were therefore interested in evaluating the following question: how would one design an incremental game to illuminate this unsustainability and how would that in turn affect the gameplay? In order to design the game we firstly decided to base it on the fishing industry since it gave us a direct connection to man’s effect on the environment. We thereafter connected the player’s fishing activity to a real-world based limit to growth which meant that the more the player expanded his or her fishing fleet, the more the population of fish began to shrink and ultimately collapse. This gave the game a definite ending, which is something we found lacking in other games in the genre since in those games the resources can continue to grow indefinitely. After the design portion of our study we evaluated the game on a number of participants. Our results seem to indicate that the game has good potential since the majority of participants gave positive feedback regarding the game and gameplay. The sustainability aspect of the game was identified as particularly interesting and worth continued exploration. However, some of the participants did not understand the purpose of the game and there are certain areas of improvement that would make the game even more clear in its efforts to illuminate the genre’s inherent unsustainability. / Denna studie undersöker ohållbarheten som vi har identifierat som central för genren “inkrementella spel”. Dessa spel bygger oftast på oändlig exponentiell tillväxt - ett koncept som är fundamentalt ohållbart. Därför var vi intresserade över att undersöka följande fråga: hur skulle man kunna designa ett inkrementellt spel för att belysa denna ohållbarhet och hur skulle det i sådana fall påverka spelupplevelsen? För att designa spelet utgick vi från temat av fiskeindustrin eftersom det gav oss en direkt koppling till människans påverkan på miljön. Sedan kopplade vi spelarens fiskeaktivitet med en verklighetsbaserad gräns till tillväxt, vilket innebar att ju mer spelaren utökade sitt fiskande desto fortare började fiskpopulationen krympa och tillslut kollapsa. Spelet har därmed ett definitivt slut, något som andra spel inom genren ofta saknar i och med att antalet resurser kan fortsätta växa för evigt. Efter designfasen av studien utvärderades spelet med hjälp av ett antal deltagare. Resultatet av denna utvärdering visar att spelet har god potential, då majoriteten av deltagarna gav generellt positiv respons till spelet och spelupplevelsen. Deltagarna identifierade hållbarhetsaspekten med spelet som särskilt intressant och något som bör utforskas vidare. Dock visade det sig att två deltagare inte förstod syftet med spelet och förbättringsområden finns som skulle göra spelet ännu tydligare i att framhäva genrens ohållbarhet.

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Computer based simulation models have often been used to study the multimodal freight transportation system. But these studies have not been able to dynamically couple the various modes into one model; therefore, they are limited in their ability to inform on dynamic system level interactions. This research thesis is motivated by the need to dynamically couple the multimodal freight transportation system to operate at multiple spatial and temporal scales. It is part of a larger research program to develop a systems modeling framework applicable to freight transportation. This larger research program attempts to dynamically couple railroad, seaport, and highway freight transportation models. The focus of this thesis is the development of the coupled railroad and seaport models. A separate volume (Wall 2010) on the development of the highway model has been completed. The model railroad and seaport was developed using Arena® simulation software and it comprises of the Ports of Savannah, GA, Charleston, NC, Jacksonville, FL, their adjacent CSX rail terminal, and connecting CSX railroads in the southeastern U.S. However, only the simulation outputs for the Port of Savannah are discussed in this paper. It should be mentioned that the modeled port layout is only conceptual; therefore, any inferences drawn from the model's outputs do not represent actual port performance. The model was run for 26 continuous simulation days, generating 141 containership calls, 147 highway truck deliveries of containers, 900 trains, and a throughput of 28,738 containers at the Port of Savannah, GA. An analysis of each train's trajectory from origin to destination shows that trains spend between 24 - 67 percent of their travel time idle on the tracks waiting for permission to move. Train parking demand analysis on the adjacent shunting area at the multimodal terminal seems to indicate that there aren't enough containers coming from the port because the demand is due to only trains waiting to load. The simulation also shows that on average it takes containerships calling at the Port of Savannah about 3.2 days to find an available dock to berth and unload containers. The observed mean turnaround time for containerships was 4.5 days. This experiment also shows that container residence time within the port and adjacent multimodal rail terminal varies widely. Residence times within the port range from about 0.2 hours to 9 hours with a mean of 1 hour. The average residence time inside the rail terminal is about 20 minutes but observations varied from as little as 2 minutes to a high of 2.5 hours. In addition, about 85 percent of container residence time in the port is spent idle. This research thesis demonstrates that it is possible to dynamically couple the different sub-models of the multimodal freight transportation system. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed by future research. The principal challenge is the development of a more efficient train movement algorithm that can incorporate the actual Direct Traffic Control (DTC) and / or Automatic Block Signal (ABS) track segmentation. Such an algorithm would likely improve the capacity estimates of the railroad network. In addition, future research should seek to reduce the high computational cost imposed by a discrete process modeling methodology and the adoption of single container resolution level for terminal operations. A methodology combining both discrete and continuous process modeling as proposed in this study could lessen computational costs and lower computer system requirements at a cost of some of the feedback capabilities of the model This tradeoff must be carefully examined.

Propõe-se um controlador difuso Takagi-Sugeno com índice de desempenho H \'INFINITO\' para regulagem da marcha lenta em motores de ciclo Otto. Obtém-se uma representação difusa do motor de ciclo Otto operando em marcha lenta. Esse modelo é utilizado para a síntese do controlador. O controlador difuso com desempenho H \'INFINITO\' é projetado para rejeitar o efeito de distúrbios de cargas externas sobre a rotação do motor em regime de marcha lenta. As ações de controle, posição da borboleta de aceleração e ponto de ignição, são limitadas a uma faixa de operação específica para a marcha lenta. O controlador projetado apresenta ação de controle por realimentação de estados. Os ganhos de realimentação para cada regra do controlador difuso são obtidos a partir de um problema de otimização formulado através de LMIs. / It is proposed an Otto cicle engine idle speed H \'INFINITE\' Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy control. It is presented an Otto cicle engine idle speed fuzzy model. This model is then used to control design. The H \'INFINITE\' fuzzy control is designed to reject external load disturbance effect at idle speed engine rotation. A specifc idle speed operation range is defined to both actions control, throttle plate position and spark advance. A state feedback control is designed. A LMI optmization problem is used to find the state feedback gains at each fuzzy control rule.

Resource Leveling Problem (RLP) aims to minimize undesired fluctuations in resource distribution curves which cause several practical problems. Many studies conclude that commercial project management software packages can not effectively deal with RLP. In this study a branch and bound algorithm is presented for solving RLP for single and multi resource, small size networks. The algorithm adopts a depth-first strategy and stores start times of non-critical activities in the nodes of the search tree. Optimal resource distributions for 4 different types of resource leveling metrics can be obtained via the developed procedure. To prune more of the search tree and thereby reduce the computation time, several lower bound calculation methods are employed. Experiment results from 20 problems showed that the suggested algorithm can successfully locate optimal solutions for networks with up to 20 activities. The algorithm presented in this study contributes to the literature in two points. First, the new lower bound improvement method (maximum allowable daily resources method) introduced in this study reduces computation time required for achieving the optimal solution for the RLP. Second, optimal solutions of several small sized problems have been obtained by the algorithm for some traditional and recently suggested leveling metrics. Among these metrics, Resource Idle Day (RID) has been utilized in an exact method for the first time. All these solutions may form a basis for performance evaluation of heuristic and metaheuristic procedures for the RLP. Limitations of the developed branch and bound procedure are discussed and possible further improvements are suggested.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This work had as objective evaluate the use of Alexander grass silage as an alternative for substitution of sorghum silage in feedlot finishing steers. Twelve animals, with average weight and age initial of 245 kg and 20 months, respectively, pertaining to Nellore (N), Charolais (C), 21/32 N 11/32 C, 21/32 C 11/32 N, 43/64 N 21/64C e 43/64 C 21/64N genetic groups, were used. The diet was composed by roughage:concentrate relation of 50:50 (on dry matter basis), containing different sources of roughage: Alexander grass silage or sorghum silage, besides of concentrated compound by wheat bran, soybean meal, corn grain, limestone, sodium chloride and urea. The intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber didn t differ between roughage sources, presenting average values of 10.18; 1.28; .20; 4.96 and 2.51 kg/day, respectively. However, ether extract intake per metabolic size and percentage of body weight were greater for animals that consumed sorghum silage, showing values of 2.74 and 2.36 g/metabolic size and .06 and .05 kg/100 kg of live weight. Similar behavior was observed for digestible energy intake, presenting values of 346.87 and 302.83 g/metabolic size and 8.10 and 7.02 kg/100 kg of live weight. Average daily weight gain, body condition and food conversion weren t influenced by roughage source, showing average values of 1.31 kg; 4.05 points and 7.78 kg of DM/weight gain, respectively. The use of different sources of roughage didn t affect the time spent with feeding, rumination and idle, presenting averages of 4.29; 11.52 and 8.06 h, respectively. The number of meals and time of daily meals (minutes) also weren t affect by treatments, showing values of 7.72 and 35.79. the number of chewed by ruminal bolus, time of chew per bolus, number of bolus, number of daily chew and total chewing time expressed in h/day didn t differ (P>.05) between treatments, presenting average values of 59; 53; 550.44; 32,059.5 and 12.36, respectively. The use of Alexander grass is a viable alternative to substitute sorghum silage without any variation on ingestive behavior and animal response. / Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o uso da silagem de capim papuã como alternativa de substituição a silagem de sorgo, na terminação de bovinos em confinamento. Foram utilizados 12 animais com peso e idade média inicial de 245 kg e 20 meses, respectivamente, pertencentes aos grupos genéticos Nelore (N), Charolês (C), 21/32 N 11/32 C, 21/32 C 11/32 N, 43/64 N 21/64C e 43/64 C 21/64N. A dieta foi composta por relação volumoso:concentrado de 50:50 (base na matéria seca), contendo diferentes fontes de volumoso: Silagem de capim papuã ou silagem de sorgo , além do concentrado composto por farelo de trigo, farelo de soja, milho em grão, calcário calcítico, cloreto de sódio e uréia. O consumo diário de matéria seca; proteína bruta; extrato etéreo; fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido não diferiram entre as fontes de volumosos, sendo os valores médios de 10,18; 1,28; 0,20; 4,96 e 2,51 kg/dia, respectivamente. No entanto, o consumo de extrato etéreo por tamanho metabólico e por percentual de peso corporal foram maiores para os que consumiram silagem de sorgo, obtendo valores de 2,74 e 2,36 g/tamanho metabólico e 0,06 e 0,05 kg/100 kg de peso vivo. Mesmo comportamento foi observado para o consumo de energia digestível, apresentando valores de 346,87 e 302,83 g/tamanho metabólico e 8,10 e 7,02 kg/100 kg de peso vivo. O ganho médio diário, escore corporal final e a conversão alimentar não foram influenciados pelo tipo de volumoso, sendo os valores médios de 1,31 kg; 4,05 pontos e 7,78 kg de MS/kg de ganho de peso, respectivamente. O uso dos diferentes tipos de volumoso, não interferiu no tempo de alimentação, ruminação e ócio com médias de 4,29; 11,52 e 8,06 h, respectivamente. As variáveis número de refeições e tempo de refeições diárias (minutos), também não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos, sendo respectivamente 7,72 e 35,79. O número de mastigadas por bolo ruminal, tempo de mastigada por bolo (segundos), número de bolos, número de mastigadas diárias e tempo de mastigação total expressos em h/dia, não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos, apresentando respectivamente valores médios de 59; 53; 550,44; 32.059,5 e 12,36. O uso da silagem de capim papuã é uma alternativa viável para substituir a silagem de sorgo, não alterando o comportamento ingestivo e a resposta animal. Alimentação. Tempo de ruminação. Ócio. Ganho médio diário.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different sources of carbohydrates (corn, soybean hulls and wheat bran) on ingestive behavior of twenty four steers with initial average of age and weight of 20 months and 330 kg and Charolais or Nellore predominance. The time spent in feeding activities (214min./day) and total rumination (458min./day) weren t influenced by diet carbohydrate sources. The animals in the wheat bran treatment spent less time in total idling (678min.) in relation to the corn (768min./day) and soybean hulls treatment (774min./day). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was higher for the animals fed with soybean hulls and wheat bran (5.18 and 5.42 kg/day respectively) compared with those who received corn as a carbohydrate source (3.35kg/day), however the non-fibrous carbohydrates intake was higher for this source of carbohydrate (4.29kg/day), intermediate for wheat bran (2.53kg/day) and lower for those in soybean hulls treatment. The steers fed with soybean hulls presented less intake of digestible energy (27.62Mcal/day) in relation to the corn (35. 5 Mcal/day) and wheat bran (33. 25 Mcal/day) treatments. Rumination efficiency of NDF was higher for soybean hulls (11.92g/min.) and wheat bran (10.23g/min.) compared to corn (7.68g/min.). The chewing time per ruminal bolus was lower for soybean hulls (0.88min./bolus) compared to the diets containing corn (0.96min./bolus) and wheat bran (0.95min./bolus). The animals with Charolais predominance presented higher feeding periods (29.41min.) in relation to the steers with Nellore predominance (24.95min.). The sources of carbohydrates tested didn t influence the feeding and total rumination time of the animals. The animals with Nellore predominance remain less time in lying idling, present longer periods of feeding and spend more time in chewing per ruminal bolus. / Objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar a influência de diferentes fontes de carboidratos (milho, casca de soja ou farelo de trigo) sobre o comportamento ingestivo de 24 novilhos castrados com idade e peso médio inicial de 20 meses e 330 kg das predominâncias Charolês ou Nelore. Os tempos despendidos com alimentação (214min./dia) e ruminação total (458min./dia) não foram influenciados pelas fontes de carboidratos. Os animais do tratamento farelo de trigo permaneceram menos tempo em ócio total (678min.) em relação ao milho (768min./dia) e a casca de soja (774min./dia). O consumo da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foi maior para os animais alimentados com casca de soja e farelo de trigo (5,18 e 5,42kg/dia respectivamente) comparado aos que receberam milho como fonte de carboidrato (3,35kg/dia), no entanto o consumo de carboidratos não-fibrosos foi superior para esta fonte de carboidrato (4,29kg/dia), intermediário para o farelo de trigo (2,53kg/dia) e inferior para aqueles do tratamento casca de soja. Os novilhos alimentados com casca de soja apresentaram menor consumo de energia digestível (27,62 Mcal/dia) em relação aos tratamentos milho (35,5 Mcal/dia) e farelo de trigo (33,25 Mcal/dia). A eficiência de ruminação FDN foi superior para a casca de soja (11,92g/min.) e farelo de trigo (10,23g/min.) em comparação ao milho (7,68g/min.). O tempo de mastigações por bolo ruminal foi menor para a casca de soja (0,88min./bolo) em comparação as dietas contendo milho (0,96min./bolo) e farelo de trigo (0,95min./bolo). Os animais de predominância Charolês apresentaram maiores períodos de alimentação (29,41min.) em relação aos novilhos de predominância Nelore (24,95min.). As fontes de carboidrato testadas não influenciam o tempo de alimentação e de ruminação total dos animais. Novilhos de predominância Nelore permanecem menos em ócio deitado, apresentam períodos de alimentação mais demorados e gastam mais tempo de mastigação por bolo ruminal.