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Happiness down the ages: theory and philosophy
No full textThis chapter describes the intermittent interest in human happiness throughout time: higher during relative peace and prosperity than in periods of war and turmoil, and it explores the elusive nature of happiness, Eudaimonia, Hedonism, and Stoicism from Greek and Roman civilizations into the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the development of English Utilitarianism, to Moore and Russell in the twentieth century, and the emergence of Positive Psychology in 1998. Academic study and public awareness of happiness has since increased, coincidentally with equality and economic progress, but will this continue—was the period between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 2008 financial crisis a peak in Western civilization? Will there be a return to the general trend of philosophers and psychologists focusing more on human misery and disorder
A film bulk acoustic resonator oscillator based humidity sensor with graphene oxide as the sensitive layer
No full textA film bulk acoustic wave resonator (FBAR) is a type of resonator with high frequency and small dimensions, particularly suitable for use as a sensor for physical and biochemical sensing with high sensitivity. FBAR-based sensors have been extensively studied, however they commonly use discrete devices and network analyzers for evaluation, and therefore are far from being able to be used in practical applications. This paper reports the design and analysis of an FBAR-based Pierce oscillator and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based frequency counter, and the use of the oscillator as a humidity sensor with the frequency counter as the measuring circuit. Graphene oxide (GO) is used as the sensitive film to improve the sensitivity. The resonant frequency of the oscillator with a GO film shows a linear decrease with an increase in relative humidity, with a sensitivity of ca. 5 kHz per %RH (relative humidity) in the range of 3%RH to 70%RH, and a higher frequency shift is induced above 70%RH. The FBAR oscillator sensor shows excellent stability and repeatability, demonstrating the feasibility and potential sensing application using the integrated FBAR chip and simple frequency counter, particularly suitable for portable electronics
Flexible surface acoustic wave respiration sensor for monitoring obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
No full textObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has received much attention in recent years due to its significant harm to human health and high morbidity rate. A respiration monitoring system is needed to detect OSAS, so that the patient can receive treatment in a timely manner. Wired and wireless OSAS monitoring systems have been developed, but they require a wire connection and batteries to operate, and they are bulky, heavy and not user-friendly. In this paper, we propose the use of a flexible surface acoustic wave (SAW) micro sensor to detect and monitor OSAS by measuring the humidity change associated with the respiration of a person. SAW sensors on rigid 128° YX LiNbO3 substrate are also characterized for this application. Results show both types of SAW sensors are suitable for OSAS monitoring with good sensitivity, repeatability and reliability, and the response time and recovery time for the flexible SAW sensors are 1.125 and 0.75 s, respectively. Our work demonstrates the potential for an innovative flexible micro sensor for the detection and monitoring of OSAS
Data management and visualization for cluster-based grid operations
No full textThe increase of electricity demand has raised requirements of more reliable and efficient grid operations as well as higher security of supply. Meanwhile, the transition towards clean and sustainable energy supply systems in the present power systems is under the spotlight [1]–[3]. High penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs), which are usually in the form of distributed generation (DG), can be expected. The RESs-based DG units can reside in distribution level, whose original purpose is to distribute power from electricity utilities to end users. Presently, to cope with the power penetration in distribution level, conventional power grids are being evolved into the smarter ones, known as smart grids. A smart grid is proposed to overcome the arising environmental and technical challenges [4], [5]. To smarten the grid, information and communication technologies are incorporated into the conventional power grids. They allow the cooperation of heterogeneous grid components, e.g. control centers and DG units, or users, e.g. operators and customers. Decentralization of grid control architecture is possible [6], and many actors can actively participate in the operation of the grid
A comparative study of Western and Vietnamese modern poetry
No full textThis thesis moves from a study of poetic theory to poetic practice and examines the interaction between Western and Vietnamese poetry of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in relation to specific issues, forms and individual poets.As a Vietnamese student studying in England, I have found at least two main areas of interest and concern: one is the impact of Western poetry on Vietnamese poetry, and the other is the acknowledgement by some Western poets that they have been profoundly influenced by Eastern writing. With my native awareness of Eastern ideologies in poetry, I also examine non-Western literary traditions and avant-garde approaches in the light of these parallels. To the best of my knowledge, no previous research has ever been conducted in this area.In Chapter 1, Western theories and the practice of Imagism are considered. These are crucial areas in terms of offering a new approach to East-West borrowing, understanding and misunderstanding. Chapter 2 compares Imagist poetry with Haiku, a Japanese traditional form, and proposes a way of understanding Pound’s Imagist poems according to Zen and Eastern culture. Chapters 3 and 4 indicate parallel Western and Eastern innovations in literature and society in Vietnam from the 1930s onwards. I find that there have been different ‘wars’ in modern Vietnamese poetry as Vietnamese poets have struggled with ‘writing a poem’ and ‘being a poet’. Those ‘wars’ are between ancient Chinese poetry and Vietnamese script poetry; between Eastern ideologies of morality and beauty and Western concepts of freedom in poetry; between traditional Vietnamese poetry and Thơ mới (‘New Poetry Movement’) in Vietnam, which was influenced by French Symbolism; and the resistance of Vietnamese ‘poetic rules’ to the shocks that Dada, conceptual arts and American Experimental poetry brought to Vietnam. Chapter 5 studies Gertrude Stein’s writing as a suggested innovative technique for Vietnamese poets. Chapter 6 compares and contrasts Mina Loy with a visual artist, René Magritte; here, surrealist concepts of subjects and objects are considered alongside feminist poetry in Vietnam as suggestions for breaking through the mediaeval ideologies and prejudice of modern Vietnamese poetry
Unearthing the challenges and trends in global talent recruitment as a catalyst for business development.
No full textPerformance analysis of FPGA based maximum power point tracking algorithms for photovoltaic applications
No full textThis paper investigates design and implementation of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm for Photo Voltaic (PV) applications on Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. The algorithm is developed by means of Hardware Description Language (Verilog). Algorithms were simulated on MODELSIM software and synthesized using ALTERA Quartus II software. Furthermore, hardware implementation is done using ALTERA Cyclone II FPGA starter board to verify the performance of the designed algorithms. The paper will investigate whether FPGA is a suitable hardware platform for real time MPPT controller
Impact of storytelling on school readiness and socio emotional development of preschool age children
No full textThe aim of the present study was to compare the social and emotional adjustment of preschool children prior and after the implementation of storytelling in a preschool classroom. The sample of the study consisted of 12 preschool children to whom five stories about emotions were narrated during a five week period. Participants’ levels of socio emotional adjustment and school readiness were assessed prior and after the experiment so that differences that could be attributed to the impact of storytelling could be defined.The results indicated that storytelling impacts positively on participants’ understanding and management of emotions as well as their social skills. By so doing, it increases their school readiness. An important finding of the present study is that this improvement occurs independently of the participants’ level of learning difficulties. Subsequently the level of preschoolers’ school readiness could increase, even in populations with learning difficulties and/or socioeconomic disadvantage.Furthermore, the findings of the present study assist practitioners and parents to gain a better understanding of the value of storytelling as a didactic approach to increase pupils' emotional and social skills especially in societies facing socioeconomic crisis
Plasmon enhancement on photocatalytic hydrogen production over the Z-scheme photosynthetic heterojunction system
No full textDirect evidence of plasmon for enhanced H2 production is observed in photocatalytic water reduction by using TiO2/WO3 electrospun nanofibers decorated with Au nanoparticles. The H2 production rate of the as-prepared composite nanofibers was greatly enhanced compared with pure TiO2 nanofibers (S0) and TiO2/WO3 nanofibers (S1). The enhanced activities were mainly attributed to the Schottky effect and Z-scheme photosynthetic heterojunction system, in this system, WO3 as a hole collector and Au as an electron collector, promoting effective charge separation. More importantly, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) effect of Au further promoted charge separation and absorption of visible light. On the basis of the Z-scheme photosynthetic heterojunction system, the synergistic effect of Schottky and SPR effect further improve the performance of photocatalytic H2 production, which were directly evidenced by photocurrent, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectrometer (UPS) analysis. Besides, the synthesis route delivered three-dimensional sheets on the basis of interwoven nanofibrous networks, which can be readily recycled for the circular application of a potent photocatalyst system
The scope of male rape: A selective review of research, policy and practice
No full textMuch work has been undertaken to publicize the plight of female rape survivors, but until recent years the rape and sexual assault of adult males received little research or public attention. The aim of this paper is to selectively review the literature on male survivors of sexual violence highlighting, where relevant, timely implications for policy and practice. First, changes in UK legislation relating to male rape are discussed, with cross-national comparisons made against United States, Australian and Canadian statute to overview developing definitions and legal good practice. Second, prevalence issues relating to the under-reporting and long-term consequences of male sexual victimization are outlined. Third, the current dearth of UK service provision for male rape survivors is reported. Finally, literature on how male rape myth acceptance, victim blaming and homophobia relate to the secondary victimization of male survivors is considered. Suggestions for continued research in this developing area of work are made