Well-being Centers and Global Happiness

Several well-being and happiness research centers and policy units have been established in the last decade at major universities. For example, Harvard’s School of Public Health established the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness in 2016, while Oxford University launched its Wellbeing Research Centre in 2019. In Europe, the Danish Happiness Research Institute was founded in 2013 as an independent think tank. In the Netherlands, Erasmus University houses the Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Institute and the World Database of Happiness. Erasmus University established the first chair in Social Conditions for Human Happiness in 2000. We should also call attention to the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. While it does not have “happiness” or well-being” in its title, its director, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, is a founding editor of the World Happiness Report and has played an important role in developing global well-being thinking

New Partnerships in the Scholarly Communication System and the Open Source Toolkit

Community-supported open source projects such as Hydra, Fedora and Blacklight create opportunities for collective advancement and strategic support and sustainability for essential digital library infrastructure. Commitment to and participation in the development of stable platforms, however, opens and strengthens partnerships for libraries and their collaborators. Reciprocally, partnerships built on such platforms expand the range of potential use cases and feed back neatly into the community development model. The Center for Digital Research and Scholarship (CDRS) at Columbia University Libraries has been developing project-based partnerships with allied groups in the broader landscape of scholarly communication that draw upon the organizational commitments to contribute to the growth and proliferation of these platforms. CDRS and its partners attained two related project milestones in 2015: (1) The Modern Language Association and CDRS completed an NEH-funded pilot project (HumCORE) to couple digital research repository technology and service infrastructure with a society-supported disciplinary-focused community hub for scholars; (2) In partnership with the Columbia University Press, the Columbia Libraries refreshed the search and discovery interface for the Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) database. The presenters will explore the rationale that led to the development of these projects and the infrastructure choices made to support them. The presenters will also explore the hoped-for impacts and effects of such projects as they may inform use case development for the open source projects themselves

Investigation of fanless PCs: design and optimization

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on January 14, 2010).Thesis advisor: Dr. James Bryan.Includes bibliographical references.M.S. University of Missouri--Columbia 2009.Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Mechanical and aerospace engineering.The purpose of this research is to fundamentally explore the limitations of natural convection as it pertains to the cooling of desktop personal computers (PCs) and, in particular, maximize total thermal loads while minimizing the volume of the complete package. This research is directed towards the ultimate goal of finding the optimum design of a sealed, Fanless personal computer conforming to the Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF). The work presented herein has developed the foundational tools and knowledge base required to accomplish the stated goal from a thermal perspective. This was realized in three unique investigations: heat sink optimization, thermal spreading analysis, and heat pipe implementation study. A program was developed utilizing a cumulative empirical correlation database to output optimized heat sink designs. A look at lumped capacitance, as well as numerical, analytical, and experimental comparisons for spreading resistance revealed good results for simple analytical approximations as a design tool. Finally, heat pipe implementation was looked at from several common design assumption angles allowing for several valuable conclusions to be made on heat pipe placement in any future Fanless PC design

Efficiency and accuracy validation for incremental changes of a large-scale protein structure database [abstract]

Abstract only availableProteins, the essential building blocks of organisms, have many important roles, from providing structure to aiding movement and digestion. The construction of proteins involves one or more polypeptide chains that fold into complicated 3D structures. Each protein has a unique shape and some specific functions, which are intricately and irrevocably connected. In order to aid the study of structure-function relationships, ProteinDBS developed at the University of Missouri-Columbia presents a fast structure retrieval system to find proteins with such structural similarities. To present the most accurate results, ProteinDBS features automatic weekly updates of its system from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) which has over 76,000 protein chains and continuously grows the database size at least linearly. This research focuses on the efficiency and accuracy of protein structure retrieval using the ProteinDBS system as the size of the dataset grows. The investigation examines changes in results arising from the addition of new proteins to the system and illuminates the reasons for differences among search results. First, the system automatically checks protein domains and folds after insertion of new proteins. Testing proteins collected from various plants, such as maize and soybean, are validated against both the original dataset and the new, larger dataset. The systems compares the results from both sets of data to determine the changes in the composition of the result set, including the proliferation of newly inserted proteins, and the relative ordering of proteins in the ranked results. The analysis provides a thorough investigation of the effect the dataset has on protein structure retrieval and suggests areas for future improvement of the algorithmic designs of ProteinDBS in feature extraction, database indexing, and result ranking.National Science Foundation, University of Missouri-Columbia Research Counci

Environmental Barcoding Reveals Massive Dinoflagellate Diversity in Marine Environments

Rowena F. Stern is with University of British Columbia, Ales Horak is with University of British Columbia, Rose L. Andrew is with University of British Columbia, Mary-Alice Coffroth is with State University of New York at Buffalo, Robert A. Andersen is with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Frithjof C. Küpper is with the Scottish Marine Institute, Ian Jameson is with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Mona Hoppenrath is with the German Center for Marine Biodiversity Research, Benoît Véron is with University of Caen Lower Normandy and the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Fumai Kasai is with the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Jerry Brand is with UT Austin, Erick R. James is with University of British Columbia, Patrick J. Keeling is with University of British Columbia.Background -- Dinoflagellates are an ecologically important group of protists with important functions as primary producers, coral symbionts and in toxic red tides. Although widely studied, the natural diversity of dinoflagellates is not well known. DNA barcoding has been utilized successfully for many protist groups. We used this approach to systematically sample known “species”, as a reference to measure the natural diversity in three marine environments. Methodology/Principal Findings -- In this study, we assembled a large cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) barcode database from 8 public algal culture collections plus 3 private collections worldwide resulting in 336 individual barcodes linked to specific cultures. We demonstrate that COI can identify to the species level in 15 dinoflagellate genera, generally in agreement with existing species names. Exceptions were found in species belonging to genera that were generally already known to be taxonomically challenging, such as Alexandrium or Symbiodinium. Using this barcode database as a baseline for cultured dinoflagellate diversity, we investigated the natural diversity in three diverse marine environments (Northeast Pacific, Northwest Atlantic, and Caribbean), including an evaluation of single-cell barcoding to identify uncultivated groups. From all three environments, the great majority of barcodes were not represented by any known cultured dinoflagellate, and we also observed an explosion in the diversity of genera that previously contained a modest number of known species, belonging to Kareniaceae. In total, 91.5% of non-identical environmental barcodes represent distinct species, but only 51 out of 603 unique environmental barcodes could be linked to cultured species using a conservative cut-off based on distances between cultured species. Conclusions/Significance -- COI barcoding was successful in identifying species from 70% of cultured genera. When applied to environmental samples, it revealed a massive amount of natural diversity in dinoflagellates. This highlights the extent to which we underestimate microbial diversity in the environment.This project was funded by Genome Canada and the Canadian Barcode of Life Network. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Biological Sciences, School o

Poster Introductions III--Antipsychotic Utilization in British Columbia from 1997 to 2006

This study examined the prevalent use of antipsychotic medication in British Columbia from 1997 to 2006 among individuals aged 20 and above. Utilization data were obtained from BC’s PharmaNet system – a provincially maintained database that contains prescription dispensation records and demographic information for individuals residing in BC. Using the American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification, claim records for Antipsychotics, Atypical Antipsychotics, Butyrophenones, Phenotiazines, Thioxanthenes, and Miscellaneous Antipsychotics were identified in the PharmaNet dataset. Individuals who filled at least 1 antipsychotic prescription in a given year were counted as prevalent users. Results were examined across gender and several age groupings. Preliminary analyses of the results provide evidence for increasing prevalent use from 1997 to 2006. Similarly, initial results suggest prevalent use increases with age, with older age groups (75 and above) exhibiting dramatic jumps in utilization. Results will be discussed in light of the various indications for the use of antipsychotic medications and the various health concerns associated with its prolonged use, particularly among the elderly. Joseph H. Puyat is an MSc student in the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. He was a project manager and researcher at the Center for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addictions (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University where he worked on various projects including the analysis of the BC provincial prescription database to examine the pharmacoepidemiology of psychotropic drugs, and, the development of supported self-management strategies for the treatment of mood disorders. Before joining CARMHA, he conducted studies on aggression and violence among students groups and wrote research reports examining social psychological processes shaping the Filipino youth\u27s self-concept

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) in tracking surgical sponges and reducing wrong-site surgeries

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb. 19, 2008).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dr. Luis Occeña, Thesis Supervisor.Includes bibliographical references.M.S. University of Missouri--Columbia 2008.Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Industrial engineering.There has been some promising research in the use of RFID technology to ensure that medical sponges are not mistakenly left in surgical patients--estimated to occur once in every 10,000 open cavity surgeries. However, the issues of human error and retained sponges were raised during trials. I propose to research the possibility of having a continuously scanning RFID system. This system would eliminate the human interaction of the current handheld scanning devices. With the human interaction no longer a factor in the process, scanning the cavity too early to detect all of the sponges used or scanning at a distance too great for the tags to be read will no longer be of any concern. RFID tags also have the possibility to assist in decreasing the number of wrong-site surgery occurrences--estimated at one in every 112,994 operations. Each patient would have an RFID tag with a unique identification number corresponding to a database with his or her procedure information. The tag will be scanned when the patient enters the operating room and the corresponding information will then be displayed. The proof-of-concept research performed shows promising findings that it is possible to have a continuously scanning RFID system for the detection of surgical sponges. The paper also describes the development of a software program that utilizes RFID tags to increase the availability of information in the operating room to decrease the chances of wrong-site surgeries. Further development will need to be performed before either proposal can have a clinical trial

Jogállamiság és rendőrség = Policing and Rule of Law

A kutatás keretében összesen hat rendezvényt (ebből négy nemzetközi konferenciát) szerveztünk; kutatóink 28 konferencián tartottak előadást (ebből 19 esetben nemzetközi rendezvényen vagy külföldön, több esetben olyan magas presztízsű intézményekben, mint a Columbia University, University College London, vagy a Max Planck Institut). Az OTKA rendszerben rögzített 56 darabon túlmenően a 2010-ben várhatóan megjelenő munkákkal együtt több mint 60 publikáció készült el, amelyből 21 idegen nyelvű, illetve külföldi megjelenésű. Több publikáció olyan, magas presztízsű „peer-reviewed” fórumokon jelent meg, mint a European Journal of Criminology, European Yearbook of Human Rights, Human Rights Review, vagy a Comparative Law Review. Megjelentettünk két szerkesztett kötetet, két egyszerzős monográfiát, öt többszerzős monográfiát és egy folyóirat különszámot. A tervek szerint 2010-ben emellett megjelenik még egy egyszerzős és egy társszerzős magyar, valamint egy angol nyelvű monográfia. A kutatók két németországi tanulmányúton is részt vettek. | Under the auspices of the OTKA Research Grant six conferences were organised (four of which were international). Our researchers presented papers at 28 workshops and conferences (19 times at international events at prestigious academic institutions like Columbia University, University College London, Max Planck Institut, etc.). Besides the 56 items registered in the OTKA publications database, the number of published and forthcoming publications reach 60, 21 of which appeared in international fora, including prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as the European Journal of Criminology, the European Yearbook of Human Rights, the Human Rights Review or the Comparative Law Review. We have published two edited volumes, two monographs, five co-authored monographs and a journal special issue. In 2010 two further monographs (one in English, published in France) and one co-authored monograph are expected to be published. Two of our researchers have held visiting fellowships at Max Planck Institutes in Germany

Design In Weak Rock Masses: Nevada Underground Mining Operations

A major focus of ground control research presently being conducted by the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to incorporate data on weak rock masses into existing design relationships, with an emphasis on updating the span design curve for manned entries and the overbreak curve for longhole entries. Both curves were originally developed at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. The original database has been augmented by information from mines throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. The common factor in all these mines is the presence of a weak back and/or walls. In most cases, the ore zone is the weakest rock unit and must be stabilized so that the mineral-bearing rock can be extracted safety. The current NIOSH research attempts to provide rock mechanics tools to assist a mine operator in making economic decisions that will also ensure a safe working environment. This paper documents the Nevada database with a special emphasis on Nevada underground gold mines.2005830

An analysis of the impact of the A+ schools program on student enrollment, certificate or degree completion and transitioning to a four-year university

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 23, 2010).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Ruth Ann Roberts.Vita.Ed. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2009 .The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of the A+ Schools Program on students utilizing A+ funds to enter a mid-western community college, obtain a certificate or an associate degree, and/or transition to a four-year institution. This study utilized pre-existing data gathered by the A+ Coordinator and the Assistance Institutional Researcher at the mid-western community college and the Department of Higher Education database. Participants consisted of A+ students and non-A+ students enrolled full-time at a mid-western community college in the state of Missouri during the initial eleven years in which the A+ Program incentives were made available. No significant impact of the A+ Schools Program was found on increased enrollment or the three measures of success at the mid-western community college. Comparing statewide data identified a significant difference between A+ and non-A+ students who enrolled in all public community colleges in Missouri. While data reflecting gender differences for certificate attainment was lacking, the research found no significant difference among gender categories of A+ students and non-A+ students regarding enrollment or the three measures of success. Recommendations include: (a) increase connections with K - 16 educators, (b) encourage all high schools in Missouri to adopt A+ Schools Program requirements, (c) promote vocational programs, and (d) develop a common framework for effective collection, analysis and use of data on student outcomes at the community college level.Includes bibliographical reference