pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Happiness: Also known as ‘life-satisfaction’ and ‘subjective well-being’

Happiness is a main goal, most individuals reach out for a happy life and many policy
makers aim at greater happiness for a greater number. This pursuit of happiness calls for
understanding of conditions for happiness and for that reason the subject has received
much attention in the history of western thought. The study of happiness has long been a
playground for philosophical speculation. By lack of empirical measures of happiness, it
was not possible to check propositions about the matter. Hence, understanding of
happiness remained speculative and uncertain. During the last decades, survey-research
methods introduced by the social sciences have brought a break-through. Dependable
measures of happiness have developed, by means of which a significant body of
knowledge has evolved. This chapter presents an account of this field.
The literature on happiness can be framed within some key-questions that can be
ordered as steps in the process for creating greater happiness for a greater number. 1)
What is happiness precisely? 2) Can happiness be measured? 3) How happy are people
presently? 4) What causes us to be happy or unhappy? 5) Can happiness be raised
lastingly
Hybrid fiber reinforcement and crack formation in cementitious composite materials

The use of different types of fibers simultaneously for reinforcing cementitious
matrices is motivated by the concept of a multi-scale nature of the
crack propagation process. Fibers with different geometrical and mechanical properties
are used to bridge cracks of different sizes from the micro- to the macroscale.
In this study, the performance of different fiber reinforced cementitious
composites is assessed in terms of their tensile stress-crack opening behavior. The
results obtained from this investigation allow a direct quantitative comparison of
the behavior obtained from the different fiber reinforcement systems. The research
described in this paper shows that the multi-scale conception of cracking and the
use of hybrid fiber reinforcements do not necessarily result in an improved tensile
behavior of the composite. Particular material design requirements may nevertheless
justify the use of hybrid fiber reinforcements.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH / BD / 36515 / 200
Cognitive radio simplex link management for dynamic spectrum access using GNU radio

The explosion of new wireless communication technologies and services has led to the increase in spectrum demand. The fixed spectrum allocation approach has resulted in current day spectrum scarcity and poorly utilized licensed spectrum. In order to overcome these problems, a new concept of accessing the spectrum, defined as dynamic spectrum access (DSA), is proposed. DSA mechanism enables unlicensed or cognitive users (CUs) to temporarily utilize a spectrum hole for a period of time. In this work, DSA based on cognitive radio (CR) technology is chosen due to its features of able to sense, learn, adapt and react according to the environment. The proposed design of the system consists of four main functional blocks: spectrum sensing, spectrum management, spectrum decision and data transmission. Spectrum management is further divided into three parts: spectrum identification, synchronization and link management. This paper focuses on the establishment of link management module in simplex mode. The implementation is done using GNU Radio and USRP SDR platform. The GMSK based and IEEE 802.15.4 standard radios, equipped with DSA capability using CR technique, have been developed and tested. The results show that the link module has successfully maintained CU’s seamless communication while the DSA mechanism offers significant improvement in terms of achieved packet rate ratio (PRR)
Does Happiness Differ Across Cultures?

There is a longstanding discussion on whether happiness is culturally relative or not. The available data suggest that all humans tend to assess how much they like their lives. The evaluation draws both on affective experience, which is linked to gratification of universal human needs and on cognitive comparison, which is framed by cultural standards of the good life. The overall appraisal seems to depend more on the former than on the latter source of information. Conditions for happiness appear to be quite similar across the world and so are the consequences of enjoying life or not. There is more cultural variation in the valuation of happiness and in beliefs about conditions for happiness. The greatest variation is found in how happy people are
The United Nations and the regions: third world report on regional integration

This unique book investigates the implications of the rising importance of supra-national regional organizations for global governance in general, and for the United Nations, in particular. It touches upon issues such as regional representation at the UN, high-level dialogues with regional organisations, as well as the coordination of UN member states’ voting behaviour in the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council. The book further explores the regional dimension and coordination of UN operations in areas such as peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. The contributions to the book are both in-depth chapters and shorter viewpoints, written by a combination of academics, policy-makers at regional organizations, and experts from international think tanks. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of global governanc
Using Simulations as a Starting Point for Constructing Meaningful Learning Games

For many school administrators and decision makers, the term “video games” holds numerous cultural associations which make their adoption in the education space challenging. Additionally, the term is so broad that it can sometimes be difficult to communicate explicitly a desire to build learning experiences that go beyond the Drill and Kill edutainment titles that currently dominate most people’s perceptions of educational games. By contrast, the term “simulations” is often well respected among educators, particularly in the natural sciences. With “simulation” already being a full genre of video games, it would seem natural that researchers are beginning to explore the overlaps between simulation games and pedagogical goals that go beyond those found in Drill and Kill games. In this chapter, we survey some of the relevant research concerning both simulations and video games and outline practical pathways through which we can leverage the interest and frameworks designed for simulation construction to facilitate the introduction of video game concepts and experiences into the classroom environment. In particular, we report on the use of Starlogo TNG, a graphical programming environment in which kids themselves can create simulation-based video games, for deepening children’s understanding of scientific concepts
Long-Term Soil Fertility Trials in Niger, West Africa

Soils of tropical Africa have been formed mainly from Pre-Cambrian materials and others from erosion process. Because of the type of parent material, the soils are characterized by poor native fertility surface crusting and low water holding capacity. \ud
In Africa 65% of the agricultural land, 31% of the permanent pasture land, and 19% of the forest and woodland is affected by human-induced soil degradation. Nutrient depletion is the most important element in the land degradation equation. \ud
With increasing population pressure on the land, the traditional farming system (natural fallow) to restore soil fertility is no longer possible. The present farming systems are unsustainable and destructive to the environment with negative plant nutrient balances resulting to mining of nutrients. \ud
Many long term trials show that although application of mineral fertilizers is an effective mean of increasing yields in arable farming systems, mineral fertilizers alone cannot sustain yields in the long run. When mineral fertilizers are combined with crop residue or manure, added to cereal-legume intercrops or rotated, sustainable production can be obtained. \ud
Any future interventions redressing distorted nutrient budgets, to be sustainable have to develop an integrated nutrient management, conceptualized as the judicious manipulation of the nutrient inputs and outputs processes
Building capacity for modeling in Africa

The use of models in decision support is important as field experiments provide empirical data on responses to only a small number of possible combinations of climate, soil, and management situations. Yet, crop modeling by African scientists so far has been limited. Therefore, to build the capacity of African scientists in the use of decision support systems, a provision was made for training within two main projects: Water Challenge Project (WCP) and Desert Margins Programme (DMP), jointly led by TSBF-CIAT (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture) and International Centre for Research in the Semiarid Tropics (ICRISAT). A unique approach to training on modeling was developed and was based on four main pillars: (a) learning by doing, (b) integrated follow-up, (c) continuous backstopping support and (d) multi-level training embedded in a series of three training workshops. Although crop models are useful they have limitations. For instance, they do not account for all of the factors in the field that may influence crop yield and inputs must be accurate for simulated outputs to match observations from the field. Thus it is imperative that these issues are carefully considered and weighted before attempting to evaluate the predictability of a crop model. However, the use of crop models and decision support systems in concert with experiments can provide very useful alternative management options for resource-poor farmers in Africa and other regions across the glob
Experiments and data for model evaluation and application

Crop models and decision support systems can be very useful tools for scientists, extension educators, teachers, planners and policy makers to help with the evaluation of alternative management practices. Many of the current crop ­models respond to differences in local weather conditions, soil characteristics, crop management practices and genetics. However, computer-based tools require inputs in order to provide reliable results. Especially for those new to crop modeling, the data requirements are sometimes somewhat overwhelming. In this chapter we provide a clear and concise summary of the input data requirements for crop modeling. We differentiate between requirements for model evaluation, model application and model development and improvement. For model inputs we define daily weather data, soil surface and profile characteristics, and crop management. For model evaluation and improvement we define crop performance data as it relates to growth, development, yield and yield components, as well as additional observations. We expect that this chapter will make the use and application of crop models and ­decision support systems easier for beginning modelers as well as for the more advanced user
The Rotary Aero-Engine from 1908 to 1918

The rotary aero engine is a special type of air-cooled radial engine, where the cylinders are arranged like the spokes of a wheel and turn around the crankshaft. The propeller is connected to the cylinders, while the crankshaft is fixed to the frame. The rotary aero engine, developed in 1908, set new standards of power and light weight within the aircraft industry. It was adopted by many pioneer aviators and widely used to set records of endurance, speed and height. Many aero engine manufacturers produced different models and variants of this type of engine, which was extensively used until the end of the First World War. The latest evolution of the rotary engine was the counter-rotary arrangement, which was devised and designed by the Siemens-Halske company. The distinctive feature of this type of engine was that the engine body (with cylinders and propeller) rotated in one direction while the crankshaft rotated in the opposite one. This result was obtained by using a bevel gear mechanism. However, rotaries were quickly and definitively replaced in 1918 by new kinds of conventional engine, which were developed in the same period by other manufacturers. The main features of rotary and counter-rotary aero engine and the performance limits that caused their decline will be described in this paper. The rotary engine will be compared with the conventional one in terms of power output, specific consumption, weight and inertia loads transferred to the frame
Permafrost - physical aspects and carbon cycling, databases and uncertainties

Permafrost is defined as ground that remains below 0°C for at least 2 consecutive years. About 24% of the northern hemisphere land area is underlain by permafrost. The thawing of permafrost has the potential to influence the climate system through the release of carbon (C) from northern high latitude terrestrial ecosystems, but there is substantial uncertainty about the sensitivity of the C cycle to thawing permafrost. Soil C can be mobilized from permafrost in response to changes in air temperature, directional changes in water balance, fire, thermokarst, and flooding. Observation networks need to be implemented to understand responses of\ud
permafrost and C at a range of temporal and spatial scales. The understanding gained from these observation networks needs to be integrated into modeling frameworks capable of representing how the responses of permafrost C will influence the trajectory of climate in the future
Discrete Topological Transformations for Image Processing

Topology-based image processing operators usually aim at transforming an image while preserving its topological characteristics. This chapter reviews some approaches which lead to efficient and exact algorithms for topological transformations in 2D, 3D and grayscale images. Some transformations which modify topology in a controlled manner are also described. Finally, based on the framework of critical kernels, we show how to design a topologically sound parallel thinning algorithm guided by a priority function
Variability of carbon dioxide and methane in the epilimnion of Lake Kivu

We report a dataset of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and methane concentrations (CH4) in the surface waters of Lake Kivu obtained during four cruises covering the two main seasons (rainy and dry). Spatial gradients of surface pCO2 and CH4 concentrations were modest in the main basin. In Kabuno Bay, pCO2 and CH4 concentrations in surface waters were higher, owing to the stronger influence of subaquatic springs from depth. Seasonal variations of pCO2 and CH4 in the main basin of Lake Kivu were strongly driven by deepening of the epilimnion and the resulting entrainment of water characterized by higher pCO2 and CH4 concentrations. Physical and chemical vertical patterns in Kabuno Bay were seasonally stable, owing to a stronger stratification and smaller surface area inducing fetch limitation of wind driven turbulence. A global and regional cross-system comparison of pCO2 and CH4 concentrations in surface waters of lakes highlights the peculiarity of Kabuno Bay in terms of pCO2 values in surface waters. In terms of surface CH4 concentrations, both Kabuno Bay and the main basin of Lake Kivu are at the lower end of values in lakes globally, despite the huge amounts of CH4 and CO2 in the deeper layers of the lake.status: publishe
The philosophy of computer games

In striving to establish a theoretical framework for the academic study of games it is crucial that we, as game researchers, consider carefully the core concepts that pervade our work. Certain metaphors provide the very foundations upon which future research is to be built. If we are to move forward, we have to, as is the case with any developing field of study, take certain concepts as given. These are the tools of our trade. They allow us to progress without having to constantly try to re-invent the proverbial wheel. A great deal of work has recently gone into defining our object of study. Efforts at synthesising and refining previous game definitions undertaken by Juul (2005) and Salen and Zimmerman (2003) have been of great use in this respect. But the conceptual awareness I am advocating here delves deeper than definitions. It strikes at the assumptions that these definitions and other basic concepts that underlie our thinking about games take\ud
as given.peer-reviewe
Patient-specific modelling in orthopedics: from image to surgery

In orthopedic surgery, to decide upon intervention and how it can be optimized, surgeons usually rely on subjective analysis of medical images of the patient, obtained from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or other techniques. Recent advancements in computational performance, image analysis and in silico modeling techniques have started to revolutionize clinical practice through the development of quantitative tools, including patient#specific models aiming at improving clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment. Anatomical and surgical landmarks as well as features extraction can be automated allowing for the creation of general or patient-specific models based on statistical shape models. Preoperative virtual planning and rapid prototyping tools allow the implementation of customized surgical solutions in real clinical environments. In the present chapter we discuss the applications of some of these techniques in orthopedics and present new computer-aided tools that can take us from image analysis to customized surgical treatment
Causation in Descartes’ Les Météores and Late Renaissance Aristotelian Meteorology

Over 70 years ago, Étienne Gilson showed the parallels between Descartes’ Les\ud
météores and the Coimbrans’ textbook that was based on Aristotle’s Meteorology. The topics treated in Descartes’ work follow those found in the frequently-taught Jesuit textbook. They both discussed the formation of clouds, rain, rainbows and other lights in the sky, minerals and salts, and the cause of winds and earthquakes. The similarities do not end at the structure and topics treated that Gilson pointed out but extend to large portions of the treatises’ content. To be sure, differences appear, but many Aristotelian meteorological concepts are found throughout Descartes’ treatise without being changed at all or only in a minor way. Descartes’ Les météores was neither revolutionary, nor was it intended to be revolutionary
Radon in air and water

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste and that can only be detected with special equipment. It is produced by the radioactive decay of radium, which in turn is derived from the radioactive decay of uranium. Uranium is found in small quantities in all soils and rocks, although the amount varies from place to place. Radon decays to form radioactive particles that can enter the body by inhalation. Inhalation of the short-lived decay products of radon has been linked to an increase in the risk of developing cancers of the respiratory tract, especially of the lungs. Breathing radon in the indoor air of homes contributes to about 15,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States and 1,100 in the UK (HPA 2009). Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.\u
Arsenic in groundwater and the environment

Awareness of the problems associated with arsenic in drinking water and the environment has grown significantly over the last two decades or so and today an enormous literature exists documenting its occurrence, behaviour and impacts in many places across the globe. The mobilisation of arsenic in the environment occurs through a complex combination of natural biogeochemical reactions and human interactions. Most recognised problems are generated by mobilisation and transport under natural conditions, but mobilisation has also been caused, or exacerbated, by mining, fossil-fuel combustion and use of synthetic arsenical compounds (pesticides, herbicides, crop desiccants and arsenic-based additives in livestock feed). Arsenical pesticides and herbicides have been used much less over the last few decades, and more recent restrictions have been imposed on the use of arsenic in wood preservation (e.g. European Communities’ Directive 2003/2/EC), but the legacy of such sources may still pose a localised threat to the environment.\u
Selenium deficiency and toxicity in the environment

Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring metalloid element, which is essential to human and other animal health in trace amounts but is harmful in excess. Of all the elements, selenium has one of the narrowest ranges between dietary deficiency (40 gday1) and toxic levels (400gday1) (WHO, 1996), which makes it necessary to carefully control intakes by humans and other animals, hence, the importance of understanding the relationships between environmental exposure and health. Geology exerts a fundamental control on the concentrations of selenium in the soils on which we grow the crops and animals that form the human food chain. The selenium status of populations, animals, and crops varies markedly around the world as a result of different geological conditions. Because diet is the most important source of selenium in humans, understanding the biogeochemical controls on the distribution and mobility of environmental selenium is key to the assessment of selenium-related health risks. High selenium concentrations are associated with some phosphatic rocks, organic-rich black shales, coals, and sulfide mineralization, whereas most other rock types contain very low concentrations and selenium-deficient environments are far more widespread than seleniferous ones. However, health outcomes are not only dependent on the total selenium content of rocks and soils but also on the amount of selenium taken up into plants and animals—the bioavailable selenium. This chapter demonstrates that even soils containing adequate total amounts of selenium can still produce selenium-deficient crops if the selenium is not in a form ready for plant uptake
Being occupied in the everyday

This chapter draws on the stories told by elder New Zealanders as a way of illuminating the deeply contextual, habitual, relational and precarious nature of engaging in everyday occupations. In the telling we hear how routines matter because they give shape and structure to a day. Having a purpose, however, calls one into engaged activity with enthusiasm. Everyday occupations offer connectedness in time and with others. They can give a sense of continuity which stretches back into the distant past and which projects forward into the future. Memories and deeply held social customs matter. As such, those important to one‟s life who have died still stay as part of the livings‟ relational context. Paradoxically, we also hear how the ordinariness of familiar occupations is the context for the unfamiliar to be made visible. Precariousness is ever-present. These and other complexities of being in the everyday in advanced age, such as aloneness, and intergenerational relationships are analyzed vis-à-vis occupation using both a phenomenological and a transactional perspective. It is only by understanding the holistic, contextual nature of engaging in everyday occupations that one comes to recognize that when working with older people one must sensitively listen and think before acting. A transactional perspective provides the conceptual tools to support this practice