A Framework of Happiness Survey and Evaluation of Gross National Happiness

Happiness surveys based on self-report can generate unreliable data due to respondents’ imperfect retrospection, vulnerability to context, and arbitrariness in measuring happiness. To overcome these problems, this article proposes to incorporate a method of measuring happiness, which is developed by Ng (1996) based on Edgeworth’s notion of “Just Perceivable Increment†of happiness, with the Day Reconstruction Method developed by Kahneman et al (2004a) to form a new happiness survey procedure. Distinguished from many surveys that simply ask respondents to rate their subjective wellbeing on a given scale, this happiness measuring method provide detailed instructions to help respondents determine and use their personal happiness units, which are interpersonally comparable, in measuring happiness. While the Day Reconstruction Method helps avoid the effects of imperfect retrospection and external disturbances, the proposed method of measuring happiness can help reduce the arbitrariness in self-measurement and derive accurate, coherent and interpersonally comparable happiness metrics. Therefore, data collected from such a survey can be used as a more reliable informational foundation for the evaluation of gross national happiness.Happiness survey, Day Reconstruction Method, Just Perceivable Increment, Wellbeing, Gross National Happiness

Evolutionary Dynamics of the Market Equilibrium with Division of Labor∗

Recently, a growing literature, known as the new classical economics, attempts to resurrect the classical economic thoughts on division of labor within an analytical framework inherited from neoclassical economics. The paper inspects the feasibility of this approach and finds that the current analytical framework of the new classical economics is not able to spell out how individuals’ decisions on specialization are coordinated and how division of labor is realized in a large and decentralized economy. Evolutionary dynamics are then introduced into the existing models. Using a simple economy for example, the paper shows that the equilibrium network of division of labor predicted by the new classical economics is supported by evolutionary stability and can be realized by the outcome of evolutionary processes, such as Replicator Dynamics. Mutation is important in the realization of division of labor since it provides an approach for the economy to escape from an initial state of autarky. The study implies that the inherent evolutionary process of the market constructs an “invisible hand”, which can spontaneously coordinate self-interested individuals’ decentralized decisions on specialization to discover an efficient order of division of labor in a large economy.division of labor, evolutionarily stable strategy, replicator dynamics, mutation

Measures of the Dynamics of G Protein Interaction With the Ribosome With Applications to Antibiotic Screening

Ribosomes catalyze protein synthesis via the translation cycle, in which the translation initiation is recognized as a key step to regulate the process. The functional complexes of the bacterial ribosome undergo large conformational changes during the initiation of protein synthesis. Dramatic progress in the elucidation of ribosome structure by both X-ray crystallography and cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) has provided some of the best evidence for such changes. At the same time, detailed rate studies of initiation, even though for the most part incomplete, have shown this process to be complex, multistep reactions, raising the question of the extent to which specific structural changes can be assigned to specific steps described in the proposed kinetic mechanism. By using fluorescence stopped-flow, quenched flow and FRET approaches to elucidate the kinetic mechanism of initiation, particularly the formation of a 70S initiation, we have found that following GTP hydrolysis by IF2 bound within a 70S complex, the G-domain moves toward L11-NTD, leading to increased FRET efficiency, and that Pi is released following such movement. Our results also showed that two G-proteins, IF2 and EF-Tu, can bind to the ribosome simultaneously during the transition from initiation to elongation. In vitro fluorescence assays were also developed to identify biologically active thiopeptide precursor compounds as potential new antibiotics. It is shown that some of these precursors represent novel compounds with respect to their ability to bind to ribosomes. These findings provide not only insight into the mechanism of action of thiopeptide compounds, but also demonstrate the potential of such assays for identifying novel lead compounds that might be missed using conventional inhibitory screening protocols

Bluetooth-base Worm Modeling And Simulation

Bluetooth is one of the most popular technologies in the world in the new century. Meanwhile it attracts attackers to develop new worm and malicious code attacking Bluetooth wireless network. So far the growth of mobile malicious code is very fast and they have become a great potential threat to our society. In this thesis, we study Bluetooth worm in Mobile Wireless Network. Firstly we investigate the Bluetooth technology and several previously appeared Bluetooth worms, e.g. Caribe , Comwar , and we find the infection cycle of a Bluetooth worm. Next, we develop a new simulator, Bluetooth Worm simulator (BTWS), which simulates Bluetooth worm\u27 behaviors in Mobile wireless networks. Through analyzing the result, we find i) In ideal environment the mobility of Bluetooth device can improve the worm\u27s propagation speed, but combining mobility and inquiry time issue would cause a Bluetooth worm to slow down its propagation under certain situation. ii) The number of initially infected Bluetooth devices mostly affects the beginning propagation speed of a worm, and energy issue can be ignored because the new technology can let Bluetooth device keeping work for a long time. iii) Co-channel interference and setting up monitoring system in public place can improve the security of Bluetooth wireless network

Data Gaps in Evidence-Based Research on Small Water Enterprises in Developing Countries

This paper assess the literature on small water enterprises -- water delivery operations that predominantly provide water at the community level. A research agenda is recommended to advance knowledge on effective SWE service

Parallel Contour Path Planning for Complicated Cavity Part Fabrication using Voronoi-based Distance Map

To generate parallel contour path for direct production of complicated cavity component, a novel path planning based on Voronoi-based distance map is presented in this paper. Firstly, the grid representation of polygonal slice is produced by hierarchical rasterization using graphics hardware acceleration and divided into Voronoi cells of contour by an exact EDT (Euclidean distance transformation). Then, each VCI (Voronoi cell of inner contour) is further subdivided into CLRI (closed loop region of inner contour) and OLRI (open loop region of inner contour). Closed paths for each CLRI and the block merging VCO (Voronoi cell of outer contour) and all OLRIs are generated by local and global isoline extraction, respectively. The final path ordered in circumferential and radial directions is obtained by sorting and connecting all individual paths. In comparison with conventional methods such as pair-wise intersection and Voronoi diagram, the proposed algorithm is numerically robust, can avoid null path and self-intersection because of the application of distance map and discrete Voronoi diagram. It is especially used for FGM (Functionally Graded Material) design and fabrication.Mechanical Engineerin