Good Life Research Articles

Neuro-Abilities and a Good Life

Neuro-Abilities and a Good Life

Investigating the CMAS corrosion resistance and thermal cycling failure behavior of porous thermal barrier coatings with different morphologies prepared by plasma spraying

This study investigates the influence of two-phase powder feeding spacing on the thermal cycling and CMAS corrosion resistance of the thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Porous thermal barrier coatings with varying microstructures were prepared using the embedded micro agglomerated particle (EMAP) coating preparation method, which is based on conventional yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings. The method involved changing the powder feeding spacing. TBCs' failure mode and microstructure are investigated under complex service conditions. The corrosion resistance, thermal cycling life, hardness, and elastic modulus of TBCs are investigated by thermal cycling-CMAS experiments and isothermal corrosion tests. The EMAP coating has a good service life in the thermal cycling-CMAS tests, with a lower hardness, lower elasticit modulus and larger surface roughness than conventional coatings. This research aims to provide a strategy to optimize structure for TBCs with excellent comprehensive performance.

Counting the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people participate in their communities and culture.

This study aimed to determine the proportion of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participating in cultural events and activities and determine the demographic and socio-cultural characteristic associated with participation. The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (2014-15) was used to measure prevalence of participation in cultural events and activities. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to measure associations. Socio-cultural factors were selected by matching survey items to the 12 socio-cultural factors described in the Good Spirit Good Life Framework, a culturally validated quality-of-life tool for older people. Majority (62.0%) of survey respondents 45-years and older participated in cultural events (e.g., ceremonies, funerals/sorry business, NAIDOC week activities, sports carnivals, festivals/carnivals) or were involved in organisations. Many (58.5%) also participated in activities (e.g., fishing, hunting, gathering wild plants/berries, arts/crafts, music/dance/theatre, writing/telling of stories). In regression models including demographic and cultural variables, participation in cultural events was highest amongst people living remotely (OR=2.71), reporting recognition of homelands (OR=2.39), identifying with a cultural group (OR=3.56), and those reporting having a say in their communities (OR=1.57), with similar odds seen for participation in activities. Participation was inversely proportional to increasing age, with a greater proportion of females participating in events and males in activities. The social lives of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were characterised by the widespread participation in cultural events and activities. These findings provide important insights to services as they support older people to live a good life.

Disability and Achievement: A Reply to Campbell, Nyholm, and Walter.

In this article, I explore the impact of disability on one of life's goods: achievement. Contra Campbell, Nyholm, and Walter. I argue that construing the magnitude of achievements in terms of subjective effort trivializes what it means to achieve. This poses a problem for the authors' argument that disability, in general, does not reduce access to this good. I draw on an alternative construal of achievement that I have proposed elsewhere to show that, indeed, many disabilities do not restrict access to achievement. I defend this argument against an objection that it problematically relativizes the achievements of persons with disability, and I close with general lessons for future work.

Wilhelm von Humboldt’s theory of Bildung as a moral conception of the good life

While the concept of Bildung has acquired international currency in educational and philosophical studies, its moral implications have been obscured by existing educational accounts. I present the moral implications inherent in the term through specific reference to the early works of Wilhelm von Humboldt. In contrast to previous scholarships, where Humboldt’s theory of Bildung has been deployed for drawing on the account of the true end of the human being and the inner process of interaction between the self and the world, I draw on Bildung as a moral conception of promoting a good life for others. To illustrate this conception, I (a) demonstrate the basic structure of Humboldt’s theory of Bildung by examining its four core components, (b) reconstruct Humboldt’s notion of virtue balanced state of various faculties as a moral ideal (c) consider Humboldt’s philosophical historiography to illustrate how Bildung can be mediated at individual and collective levels, and (d) present the concrete forms of the obligation to promote the good lives of others in his anthropological writings.

The political implications of state neutrality as a range concept

ABSTRACT The idea that the state ought to be neutral towards different conceptions of the good life has been an influential principle in liberal theory since the 1970s. It has, however, been subject to criticism by communitarians, multiculturalists and liberal perfectionists. Recently, Peter Balint has attempted to defend state neutrality against its liberal critics as the adequate interpretation of the liberal project by redefining it as a range concept. By arguing that neutrality always occurs within a specific range of permissible conceptions of the good life, Balint provides a convincing rebuttal of neutrality’s critics. In this paper I argue that while neutrality as a range concept provides an adequate account of state neutrality, it also makes it vulnerable to a new line of critique. Since the range of neutrality cannot be deduced from the principle of neutrality itself, neutrality is subject to political developments beyond its own control. I will start by clarifying the notion of neutrality as a range concept. Secondly, I will demonstrate that Balint’s notion of the range concept finds ample support in the wider literature on neutrality. Thirdly, I will argue that, as a range concept, neutrality ultimately depends on politically constituted value judgments.

Assessing the Good Lives Model in the Japanese Context: Findings from the Primary Human Goods Survey of Incarcerated People and General Population in Japan

Assessing the Good Lives Model in the Japanese Context: Findings from the Primary Human Goods Survey of Incarcerated People and General Population in Japan

Neglected Components in Dominant Accounts of a Good Life? — Disagreements among Maasai Pastoralists

AbstractLists of basic needs necessary for a decent human life have found their way into approaches to sustainable development such as the “Safe and Just Space for Humanity” framework. The “dominant” conceptions of a decent human life have been criticised by social groups which find themselves at the margins of public debates such as the Degrowth or Post-colonial movements. According to the latter, the dominant conceptions neglect certain values which are necessary constituents of a decent human life: meaningful activities, convivial activities, and relationships of certain quality (love, respect, harmony, care) towards human and other-than-human beings. With this paper, we present results of interviews with male Maasai pastoralists in a village in Northern Tanzania in which we elicited what they consider as requirements for a good human life. According to our results, Maasai pastoralists disagree about the necessary constituents of a decent human life as well, replicating the controversy from the international debates between the proponents of the dominant approaches and their critics from Post-colonial and Degrowth movements.

A good life with spina bifida: experimental evidence on how question order influences outcomes when asking about quality of life

A good life with spina bifida: experimental evidence on how question order influences outcomes when asking about quality of life

Regional comparison of the structure of human well-being related to ecosystem services in coastal areas of Japan: possible effect of anxiety unique to the ria coast

AbstractPeople living in coastal areas have the advantage of accessing a high level of ecosystem services, but are also exposed to the dangers inherent in living by the sea in an area prone to natural disasters. To achieve sustainable utilization of the high ecosystem services of coastal areas, establishment of an effective marine policy based on regional characteristics of human–nature interactions is essential. We compared the structure of perceived satisfaction for five components of human well-being (‘Security’, ‘Basic material for a good life’, ‘Good social relations’, ‘Health’, and ‘Freedom of choice and action’) derived from coastal ecosystem services among three sites in Japan (Wakasa, Sanriku, and Shima) that share the same natural and social backgrounds: highly dependent on fisheries industry, located in the same climate regime (temperate zone), and have similar topographical features (ria coast). Structural equation modeling using the results from questionnaire surveys showed that the three sites shared a common basic structure of the interactions among the five components of human well-being. However, the intensity of interactions among components differed among the three sites. Questionnaire surveys on anxiety about natural disasters and future access to marine ecosystem services were simultaneously conducted at the three sites. The site-specific anxieties were responsible for the difference in the interactions among the five components of human well-being. We propose a method that quantitatively evaluates both positive (satisfaction) and negative (anxiety) aspects of respondents’ subjective assessment as a useful tool for understanding the diversity of human–nature interactions caused by the region-specific natural and social backgrounds of coastal areas.

(The Importance of Knowledge and Work in Islamic Thought) A Study of the Stages of Spiritual Purification According to Imam Al-Ghazali

Science occupies great importance in Islamic thought. Science and learning are considered an essential part of Islamic teachings, and this importance appears in several aspects,Among them is thatScience as a means of understanding religion :Science is a means of understanding the teachings of the Islamic religion. Islam encourages thinking and rational research to understand the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, enabling Muslims to direct their lives and actions in accordance with the directives of their religion,And also to encourageResearch :Islam encourages scientific research and the use of reason in understanding the nature of the universe and God’s signs in it. Muslims are encouraged to study the natural and social sciences and all fields that are useful in developing human knowledge. Science and community development :Islam views science as playing a crucial role in the progress and development of society. It encourages the use of science and technology in the service of humanity, in improving living conditions and promoting social and economic progress, science and piety :Islam views science as a means to achieve piety, that is, a close connection with God and living according to His teachings. The search for and acquisition of knowledge is a form of worship, and Islam promotes people’s understanding that achieving knowledge leads to deeper piety, knowledge, and individual and collective excellence. :Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge and achieving excellence in its field. It glorifies academic achievement and individual and collective skills as means of serving society and making positive contributions, science and justice :Islam promotes the use of science to achieve justice in society. The Islamic religion expects those with knowledge to contribute to serving justice, ensuring the rights of individuals, and achieving balance in society. In Islamic thought, science is linked to religion and lifeAlyumiaIt encourages Muslims to use science as a means to achieve personal well-beingAnd socialAt the same time To serve God and his creation. This is what Imam Al-Ghazali argued in the content of the research, where:Not all knowledge is science. For example, our life experiences do not include direct observation and practical activity, which do not go beyond the pure description of facts and processes, and which do not go beyond monitoring their external aspects only. That Work is all the activities that a person practices, whether physical or mental, with the aim of production in the institution in which he works, whether governmental or private, or the work may be in a personal profession or craft. The concept of work in Islam: Work is everything that brings benefit to the believer, and this benefit may be material, worldly, or moral in the hereafter. Work has great importance and great status in Islam, and through it the Muslim obtains a great reward and reward, as it is considered worship and compliance with the commands of God Almighty, so through it Life flourishes, the country is prospered, and stability is achieved for the individual and society as a whole. Work in Islam is considered a type of jihad for the sake of God, and its goal is not just to collect money, but rather it is an act of worship that brings goodness to the Muslim, and what is required of him is to strive hard in life seeking the doors of sustenance. And to adhere to God’s limits and not disobey His commands, as good deeds are what guarantee a good life and strength for a person.

Caffeinated aspirations: social mobilities and specialty coffee baristas in Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper explores the work experiences of specialty coffee baristas in São Paulo, Brazil, considering specifically the role of passion and aspiration. Through ethnographic profiles of four baristas, it reveals how the pursuit of a good life through employment extends beyond immediate economic gain, but that there are complexities in converting forms of capital within the café workplace which are shaped by Brazil’s social context and distinct histories and hierarchies around food service labor. Success and longevity in the position was shaped by baristas’ preexisting capital, and heavily mediated by socioeconomic status; although certain baristas faced more precarious trajectories, they called upon discourses of passion to mitigate challenges inherent in lower-waged food service work. By exploring the experiences and aspirations of baristas in Brazil, this paper sheds light on the complex dynamics of social mobility and labor in emerging connoisseur and artisan markets.

Defending aesthetic internalism: Liking, loving, and wholeheartedness

Abstract Aesthetic internalism claims a link between judgement and motivation: aesthetic judgements bring with them motivations to act in characteristic ways. Critics object that there is a difference between merely liking something and judging it to be aesthetically good, and that it is our likings, not our aesthetic judgements, that motivate us. This paper develops a version of aesthetic internalism that can respond to this criticism. Wholehearted aesthetic judgements are characterized by stability, attention, and motivation. Making such judgements is an important part of a good life, and so at least some aesthetic judgements are motivating. So we have reason to think that this version of aesthetic internalism is true. This paper defends wholehearted aesthetic internalism against objections, and assesses an argument from aesthetic internalism to aesthetic non-cognitivism. While wholehearted aesthetic internalism can only offer qualified support to non-cognitivism, it nonetheless offers a number of fruitful avenues for further work.

Planetary Boundaries Nurturing the Grand Narrative of the Right to a Healthy Environment?

The profound changes in Earth systems dynamics are affecting the health of the entire planet and the realization of a broad range of human rights. In this paper, we propose that the grand narrative of human rights including the legal right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment recognized by the United Nations in 2022 requires the acknowledgment of the interconnected challenges posed by planetary crises. We discuss how planetary boundaries (PB) research can provide evidence-based arguments and clarify State duties concerning their international human rights law commitments. The economic, social and cultural rights are deeply connected with the right to a healthy environment. Human rights to water, food, or health, for example, can all be understood in the context of Earth systems change. Civil and political rights go beyond individuals to include also collective action and participation to tackle planetary social-ecological challenges. Gaps remain in human rights law concerning some of the PBs, which risks overlooking the interconnected drivers of ecosystem degradation. Clearer legal standing and justification for legal demands, for example concerning the impacts of water use, land use and deforestation, are needed to tackle PB overshoot. States must act at various spaces including the global economic systems and the global supply chains of goods and services for humanity to reach planetary safe and just spaces. Weaving international human rights law and advances at various geographical scales on the right to a healthy environment with PB provides a powerful tool for defending the prerequisites of good life for everyone, everywhere.

'We have so much to offer': Community members' perspectives on autism research.

Autism research is changing. Autistic activists and researchers want Autistic people in the community to have more of a say about what is researched and how. But we haven't asked people in the community what they think. This study used the information obtained from 55 community members, including Autistic people, their families, and professionals working with Autistic people, from an existing study on their priorities for autism research. We re-looked at what was said to see if we could understand community members' views and experiences of autism research. People agreed strongly that research can play a powerful role in shaping good Autistic lives. They also felt that big changes were needed for research to do this. Some of these changes were that researchers should stop thinking about autism narrowly and in a negative way, where Autistic people are seen as the problem. Researchers need to think more about how to improve systems, experiences and how other people respond to Autistic people. They also want the autism community to be more involved in what is researched and how it is researched. The findings from our study here highlight the potential for research to be positive when Autistic people and their families are listened to, approached with understanding, and are respected and valued as individuals in the research process.

Nickel-cobalt-chromium ternary transition metal hydroxide for supercapacitors

Metal hydroxide is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. And third metal introduction can improve its electrochemical performance. In this paper, the Cr was introducing into NiCo-LDH by one-step hydrothermal method. In addition, the influence of Cr content on the electrochemical performance was investigated. The results show that maximum specific capacitance of 2712 F g−1 with the ratio of Ni: Co: Cr of 1:1:0.05, higher than pure NiCo-LDH of 1676 F g−1. In addition, the assembled NiCoCr-0.05//YP50 supercapacitor devices can reach an energy density of 27.38 Wh kg−1 with a good cycle life.

Sustainable Workforce in a Green Era: Indonesia’s Energy Sector Transition

The purpose of this study is to determine and analyze the effect of renewable energy transition variables and economic viability in the Indonesian employment industry on the balance of business sustainability through social and environmental development as an intervening variable. The subjects of this study are small, medium, and large industry owners in Indonesia, totaling 5,993,566 business units. The variables in this study are independent variables, namely the variables of renewable energy transition and economic viability in the Indonesian labor industry, while the dependent variable is the balance of business sustainability, and the intervening variable is the variable of social and environmental considerations. The results of the data analysis are made through SEM analysis through SMART PLS 4.0 software. From the results of existing research, it is concluded that partially renewable energy transition variables and viability variables in the Indonesian labor industry have a direct effect on the balance of business sustainability and social and environmental consideration variables. Simultaneously, the renewable energy transition variable and the viability variable in the Indonesian labor industry indirectly affect the business sustainability balance variable through social and environmental considerations as intervening variables. With the renewable energy transition process, it will have an impact on people's good social lives because there is no threat of environmental damage or natural disasters, so the environment is safe, the industry creates a technology transfer process, and it increases economic viability in the labor industry in Indonesia in order to create quality human resources. With this transition process, trained human resources are needed and are also able to adapt well to the transition process and technology transfer in order to balance the sustainability of industrial businesses.

The Symbolic Meaning of the Batara Munasiah Dance and Its Relevance to Generation Z Characters in South Sulawesi

The aim of this research is firstly to analyze and explain in a complex way the meaning of denotation, connotation, and myth contained in the Batara dance and secondly, namely the relevance of the Batara dance to the character of Generation Z in South Sulawesi. The research method used is qualitative from the perspective of Roland Barthes' Semiotics theory. The data collected also used a participatory observation process, structured interviews unstructured interviews, and content analysis which still has a connection and relationship with a dance performance, especially the Batara Munasiah dance. The results of the research explain the explanation of the meaning contained in the Batara Munasiah Dance performance in terms of denotation, connotation, and myth. Explaining the Batara dance starts from the history of the development of the Batara dance itself to its relationship and relevance to the character of Generation Z in South Sulawesi. As for the meaning contained in the Batara dance, as follows: (1) a feeling of gratitude towards God Almighty, (2) happiness when given a good life, (3) the process of approaching oneself with God Almighty, nature, and the social environment around (4 ) Respect for oneself/self-control in behavior and relationships, (5) respect for elders, (6) always involve God Almighty in all our activities both when starting and finishing them. The second covers a relationship or relevance to the lifestyle of Generation Z today: (1) Forms of worship of God Almighty, (2) Forms of socializing with the environment and surrounding community, (3) Maintaining the values of ancestors that are still relevant. and provide a positive reflection of life, (4) Always pray and hope only in God Almighty, (5) a simple lifestyle and character is a good thing.

Glycerol Triacetate-Based Flame Retardant High-Temperature Electrolyte for the Lithium-Ion Battery.

Rechargeable batteries that can operate at elevated temperatures (>70 °C) with high energy density are long-awaited for industrial applications including mining, grid stabilization, naval, aerospace, and medical devices. However, the safety, cycle life, energy density, and cost of the available high-temperature battery technologies remain an obstacle primarily owing to the limited electrolyte options available. We introduce a flame-retardant electrolyte that can enable stable battery cycling at 100 °C by incorporating triacetin into the electrolyte system. Triacetin has excellent chemical stability with lithium metal, and conventional cathode materials can effectively reduce parasitic reactions and promises a good battery performance at elevated temperatures. Our findings reveal that Li-metal half-cells can be made that have high energy density, high Coulombic efficiency, and good cycle life with triacetin-based electrolytes and three different cathode chemistries. Moreover, the nail penetration test in a commercial-scale pouch battery using this new electrolyte demonstrated suppressed heat generation when the cell was damaged and excellent safety when using the triacetin-based electrolyte.

Accounting for a better world: towards a conceptual framework to enable corporate reporting to contribute to the sustainability of the good life

Purpose The aim of this paper is to propose a basis upon which accounting reporting can be developed to reflect real values and the real economy. It aims to address the environmental considerations discussed in the UN debate (Bebbington and Unerman, 2020) and the concern for a “better life-world”, which is the theme of this special issue. Design/methodology/approach Addressing the task involves the application of the philosophy of pragmatic constructivism (which explains how people can relate to their reality in ways that lead to successful action) and the philosophical concept of the “good life” (which establishes the values to be pursued through action and so defines action success). Also, it outlines the necessary characteristics of measurement frameworks if they are to be effective in the development and control of human practices to achieve desired values. Findings This paper proposes a conceptual framework for guiding the measurement of how a sustainable good life has improved and/or deteriorated as a result of organisational activities. It outlines a system of concepts on basic and instrumental values for analysing the condition of maintaining a sustainable good life in real terms. This is related to the financial results and societal regulations to analyse and adjust controls according to the real economic goals. Also, it provides a system of value measurands to produce valid information about the development of a sustainable good life. The measurand makes accounting reporting reflect the conditions of the good life that constitute the real economy instead of merely the financial economy driven by shareholder capitalism. Providing tools to analyse whether the existing practices of business and social regulations promote or counteract the real economic goals of producing a sustainable good life means the measurement system proposed makes the invisible hand of the market visible. Originality/value The mechanism proposed to enable accounting reporting to reflect real values and the real economy is a new conceptual framework that will allow accounting to more fully realise its potential to contribute to a “better world”. In aiming to serve a sustainable good life, accounting reporting will inherently foster ethical social practices.