Fearless: Allan Kawala

Allan Kawala ‘13 does not stand on the sidelines. He is an agent of change and is a leader at Gettysburg College and in his home country of Malawi. He has dedicated his life to making social change a reality. [excerpt

Efficiency evaluation of external environments control using bio-signals

There are many types of bio-signals with various control application prospects. This dissertation regards possible application domain of electroencephalographic signal. The implementation of EEG signals, as a source of information used for control of external devices, became recently a growing concern in the scientific world. Application of electroencephalographic signals in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) (variant of Human-Computer Interfaces (HCI)) as an implement, which enables direct and fast communication between the human brain and an external device, has become recently very popular. Currently available on the market, BCI solutions require complex signal processing methodology, which results in the need of an expensive equipment with high computing power. In this work, a study on using various types of EEG equipment in order to apply the most appropriate one was conducted. The analysis of EEG signals is very complex due to the presence of various internal and external artifacts. The signals are also sensitive to disturbances and non-stochastic, what makes the analysis a complicated task. The research was performed on customised (built by the author of this dissertation) equipment, on professional medical device and on Emotiv EPOC headset. This work concentrated on application of an inexpensive, easy to use, Emotiv EPOC headset as a tool for gaining EEG signals. The project also involved application of embedded system platform - TS-7260. That solution caused limits in choosing an appropriate signal processing method, as embedded platforms characterise with a little efficiency and low computing power. That aspect was the most challenging part of the whole work. Implementation of the embedded platform enables to extend the possible future application of the proposed BCI. It also gives more flexibility, as the platform is able to simulate various environments. The study did not involve the use of traditional statistical or complex signal processing methods. The novelty of the solution relied on implementation of the basic mathematical operations. The efficiency of this method was also presented in this dissertation. Another important aspect of the conducted study is that the research was carried out not only in a laboratory, but also in an environment reflecting real-life conditions. The results proved efficiency and suitability of the implementation of the proposed solution in real-life environments. The further study will focus on improvement of the signal-processing method and application of other bio-signals - in order to extend the possible applicability and ameliorate its effectiveness

САМООЦІНКА СТАРШОКЛАСНИКІВ ТА ЇХ КОМУНІКАТИВНА АКТИВНІСТЬ

Theoretical and empirical considerations undertaken in the present st udy refer to self-esteem and communication activities of secondary school students. Determining the level of self-esteem and communication skills of young people is extremely important as it can determine in this regard a direction of the educational work of school. Having high self-esteem determines young people’s active attitude towards challenges, affects the implementation of objectives and the approach to tasks. Communication activity is also important for the smooth social functioning of a human being. This article presents the author’s own research in the field of selfesteem and communication activity of secondary school students.В статье освещены теоретико-эмпирические основы самооценки и коммуникативной активности старшеклассников. Определение уровня самооценки и коммуникативных навыков молодежи является чрезвычайно важным, поскольку может определить направления воспитательной работы школы. Высокая самооценка молодежи определяет ее активное отношение к вызовам, влияет на реализацию поставленных целей и поиск путей их решения. Для нормального функционирования общественного человека важна его коммуникативная деятельность. Представлено результаты собственного исследования автора с этой проблемы.У статті висвітлено теоретично-емпіричні засади самооцінки й комунікативної активності старшокласників. Визначення рівня самооцінки і комунікативних навичок молоді є надзвичайно важливим, оскільки може визначити напрями виховної роботи школи. Висока самооцінка молоді визначає її активне ставлення до викликів, впливає на реалізацію поставлених цілей і пошук шляхів їх розв’язання. Для нормального функціонування суспільної людини важливою є її комунікативна діяльність. Представлено результати власного дослідження автора із означеної проблеми

Comparison between numerical methods for generalized Zakharov system

In this paper, two numerical methods has been applied to numerically solve the generalized Zakharov system (GZS). The spectral collocation method, which based on two dimensional Legendre polynomials (LCM) and the well-known differential transform method (DTM). Both of the proposed methods have high accuracy and have been successfully compared with Adomian decomposition method.Publisher's Versio

Et studie om hvordan bedrifter kan prestere bedre ved å ha en proaktiv tilnærming til bærekraft

As the strain on planet Earth is increasing, there is a heightened need for organizations to address the natural environment and come as close to zero emission levels as possible. The purpose of this study is to clarify the link between sustainability, competitive advantage and performance. Proactive environmental strategy (PES), is a theoretical construct that is getting more and more attention because it highlights the company's actions which proactively prevents emissions and pollution levels. This study combines the internal and the external antecedents view of proactive environmental strategy (PES). The internal view is based upon the resource based view, and the external view is based upon corporate social responsibility. The widely applied typology of Miles and Snow is present to check whether there are differences between the firms. This study applies a quantitative research design conducted within the Norwegian wood and forestry industry

Superconductivity near the Mott-Ioffe-Regel limit in the high-entropy alloy superconductor (ScZrNb)1−x_{1-x}(RhPd)x_x with a CsCl-type lattice

Theoretical analysis of the electronic structure of the high-entropy-type superconductor (ScZrNb)$_{1-x}$(RhPd)$_x$, $x \in (0.35, 0.45)$ is presented. The studied material is a partially ordered CsCl-type structure, with two sublattices, randomly occupied by Sc, Zr, Nb (first sublattice) and Nb, Rh, and Pd (second sublattice). Calculations were done using the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method with the coherent potential approximation (KKR-CPA) and take into account the substitutional disorder. Our total energy calculations confirm the preference for the partially ordered structure over the fully random {\it bcc}-type one. Electronic densities of states $N(E)$, dispersion relations, and McMillan-Hopfield parameters $\eta$ (electronic contribution to electron-phonon coupling) are studied as a function of composition. The computed increasing trends in $N(E_F)$ and $\eta$ with $x$ are opposite to what we expected based on the experimental results, where the decrease in the critical temperature with increasing $x$ was found. Very strong electron scattering due to disorder is observed, as the electronic dispersion relations are strongly smeared. As a result, the computed electronic lifetimes $\tau$ are very short, leading to a small mean-free path of electrons of the order of interatomic distance, which puts (ScZrNb)$_{1-x}$(RhPd)$_x$ near the Mott-Ioffe-Regel limit. The trend in $\tau(x)$ is similar to the trend observed experimentally in $T_c(x)$, suggesting that disorder may be the factor that influences $T_c$ in this series of alloys.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted in Physical Review

Comparison of smoothing filters in analysis of EEG data for the medical diagnostics purposes

This paper covers a brief review of both the advantages and disadvantages of the implementation of various smoothing filters in the analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) data for the purpose of potential medical diagnostics. The EEG data are very prone to the occurrence of various internal and external artifacts and signal distortions. In this paper, three types of smoothing filters were compared: smooth filter, median filter and Savitzky-Golay filter. The authors of this paper compared those filters and proved their usefulness, as they made the analyzed data more legible for diagnostic purposes. The obtained results were promising, however, the studies on finding perfect filtering methods are still in progress.Web of Science203art. no. 80

Samoocena a gotowość do zachowań asertywnych wychowanków instytucjonalnej pieczy zastępczej

The aim of the article is to determine the relationship between the self-esteem of alumni of institutional foster care and their readiness for assertive behavior. Alumni of these institutions usually spend several years there; they end this stage of their lives with different experiences and personal resources. Their life, both now and in the future, will depend on how they have been prepared to cope with life, and what personal qualities and social skills have been developed in them. Self-esteem is an important feature of a person, which largely determines his functioning, activities undertaken, life goals, and social relations. It is a feature on which a person’s assessment of the current situation depends, as well as his vision of his own future. Among the key social skills is assertiveness, which enables a person to function in harmony with oneself, achieve personal goals, and protect one’s own rights while respecting the respect and rights of others. In the case of alumni of institutional foster care, there are many indications that the family environment, peer group or comparing oneself with others can adversely affect their self-esteem, the formation of aggressive or submissive behavior.Celem artykułu jest określenie zależności między samooceną wychowanków instytucjonalnej pieczy zastępczej a ich gotowością do zachowań asertywnych. Wychowankowie tych placówek zazwyczaj spędzają w nich kilka lat; kończą ten etap swojego życia z różnym bagażem doświadczeń i różnymi zasobami osobistymi. Od tego, jak zostali przygotowani do radzenia sobie w życiu, jakie cechy osobiste oraz umiejętności społeczne zostały w nich rozwinięte, zależeć będzie ich życie, zarówno obecne, jak i przyszłe. Samoocena stanowi istotną cechę człowieka, w dużym stopniu warunkującą jego funkcjonowanie, podejmowane aktywności, cele życiowe i relacje społeczne. Jest cechą, od której zależy ocena przez człowieka aktualnej sytuacji, a także wizja własnej przyszłości. Do kluczowych umiejętności społecznych należy asertywność, umożliwia bowiem funkcjonowanie człowieka w zgodzie z samym sobą, realizację osobistych celów, ochronę własnych praw przy respektowaniu szacunku i praw innych ludzi. W przypadku wychowanków instytucjonalnej pieczy zastępczej istnieje wiele przesłanek, które wskazują na to, że środowisko rodzinne, grupa rówieśnicza czy porównywanie siebie z innymi może niekorzystnie wpływać na ich samoocenę, kształtowanie się zachowań agresywnych bądź submisyjnych

A importância da contabilidade nas finanças pessoais dos indígenas da etnia Karajá do Estado do Tocantins

Accounting covers several areas, such as tax, public, managerial, among others. In the area of personal finance, accounting becomes an ally, its methods and techniques generate useful information that contribute to personal financial success. The indigenous population of the Karajá ethnic group earns income through the sale of handicrafts, others are civil servants, among others, but they are populations that are in constant economic crisis. With this in mind, the work aims to demonstrate the importance of accounting in personal finance, verify the financial health of the Karajá population, and identify their main difficulties in planning and controlling their personal resources. The methodology adopted in this research is descriptive, bibliographical and qualitative. Data were collected through online questionnaires and made available to indigenous people living in the villages of Ilha do Bananal. The analysis found that the financial education of the Karajá people is in deficit, the lack of knowledge in the area of finance and the culture of the Karajá population affects the family budget and the planning of personal resources.A contabilidade abrange diversas áreas, como por exemplo, a tributária, a pública, gerencial, entre outras. Na área de finanças pessoais a contabilidade torna-se uma aliada, seus métodos e técnicas geram informações úteis que colaboram para o sucesso financeiro pessoal. A população índigena da etnia Karajá possui rendas através de vendas de artesanatos, outros são funcionários públicos, entre outros, porém são populações que estão em constante crise econômica. Tendo isso em vista, o trabalho tem como objetivo demonstrar a importância da contabilidade nas finanças pessoais, verificar a saúde financeira da população Karajá, e identificar suas principais dificuldades para planejar e controlar seus recursos pessoais. A metodologia adotada nesta pesquisa é descritiva, bibliográfica e qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados através de questionários onlines e disponibilizados para os indígenas que residem nas aldeias na Ilha do Bananal. A análise averiguou que a educação financeira do povo Karajá está em déficit, a falta de conhecimento na área de finanças e a própria cultura da população Karajá prejudica no orçamento familiar e no planejamento dos recursos pessoais

Prédictions d'activité dans les réseaux sociaux en ligne

National audienceOnline Platforms dedicated to social networking host new social phenomenons. Thus several keywords may suddenly take an unprecedented importance, reflecting the number of dis- cussions they have raised within a short time period. Such bursts in topic discussions are usually referred to as buzz events. We address in this paper the problem of predicting the activity volume associated to a given keyword without a priori knowledge on the underlying social network. To do so, we propose to define social netowrk on a content-centric way. Our approach is evaluated at "industrial scale" on two different social networks: Twitter, a platform with extremely fast dynamics (Kwak et al., 2010), and Tom's Hardware, a worldwide forum network focusing on new technology. The experiments conducted reveal that it is possible to predict activity volume associated to a keyword in social media with high accuracy