Homogeneous symmetrical threshold model with nonconformity: independence vs. anticonformity

We study two variants of the modified Watts threshold model with a noise (with nonconformity, in the terminology of social psychology) on a complete graph. Within the first version, a noise is introduced via so-called independence, whereas in the second version anticonformity plays the role of a noise, which destroys the order. The modified Watts threshold model, studied here, is homogeneous and posses an up-down symmetry, which makes it similar to other binary opinion models with a single-flip dynamics, such as the majority-vote and the q-voter models. Because within the majority-vote model with independence only continuous phase transitions are observed, whereas within the q-voter model with independence also discontinuous phase transitions are possible, we ask the question about the factor, which could be responsible for discontinuity of the order parameter. We investigate the model via the mean-field approach, which gives the exact result in the case of a complete graph, as well as via Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, we provide a heuristic reasoning, which explains observed phenomena. We show that indeed, if the threshold r = 0.5, which corresponds to the majority-vote model, an order-disorder transition is continuous. Moreover, results obtained for both versions of the model (one with independence and the second one with anticonformity) give the same results, only rescaled by the factor of 2. However, for r > 0.5 the jump of the order parameter and the hysteresis is observed for the model with independence, and both versions of the model give qualitatively different results.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, accepted to Complexit

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in environmental biology: A Review

Acquiring information about the environment is a key step during each study in the field of environmental biology at different levels, from an individual species to community and biome. However, obtaining information about the environment is frequently difficult because of, for example, the phenological timing, spatial distribution of a species or limited accessibility of a particular area for the field survey. Moreover, remote sensing technology, which enables the observation of the Earth’s surface and is currently very common in environmental research, has many limitations such as insufficient spatial, spectral and temporal resolution and a high cost of data acquisition. Since the 1990s, researchers have been exploring the potential of different types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring Earth’s surface. The present study reviews recent scientific literature dealing with the use of UAV in environmental biology. Amongst numerous papers, short communications and conference abstracts, we selected 110 original studies of how UAVs can be used in environmental biology and which organisms can be studied in this manner. Most of these studies concerned the use of UAV to measure the vegetation parameters such as crown height, volume, number of individuals (14 studies) and quantification of the spatio-temporal dynamics of vegetation changes (12 studies). UAVs were also frequently applied to count birds and mammals, especially those living in the water. Generally, the analytical part of the present study was divided into following sections: (1) detecting, assessing and predicting threats on vegetation, (2) measuring the biophysical parameters of vegetation, (3) quantifying the dynamics of changes in plants and habitats and (4) population and behaviour studies of animals. At the end, we also synthesised all the information showing, amongst others, the advances in environmental biology because of UAV application. Considering that 33% of studies found and included in this review were published in 2017 and 2018, it is expected that the number and variety of applications of UAVs in environmental biology will increase in the future

Support for adults with disabilities

This paper is a hermeneutic analysis of selected academic publications. This paper examines a number of issues related to undertaking social roles by adults with disabilities and the problem of their postponed transition to adulthood, restricting or delaying developmental tasks typical of adulthood, which has negative implications and may exacerbate disability. Support provided by various entities and institutions may reduce existing barriers and enhance their social integration. Both positive and negative effects of using social support by people with disabilities have been pointed out. Sources of social support have been listed along with their specifics. The analysis included the disabled person’s gender, as it determines the nature of support and its reception. Finally, the need for personalised support was emphasised along with risks resulting from institutional discrimination. The role of local community was highlighted as it corresponds to the concept of community-based support and the need to promote various initiatives aimed at integration and normalisation of life for people with disabilities

Constraints on Language Learning : behavioral and neurocognitive studies with adults and children

This thesis will contribute to a body of experimental work addressing the question of whether language learning plays a role in certain fundamental design properties of natural languages. Methodologically, this thesis seeks to extend the artificial language learning paradigm, investigating whether learners are sensitive to the constraints embodied by key properties of languages. For example, we will explore whether communicative pressure influences the final outcome of language learning, namely how the structures that are acquired by individuals are transmitted to downstream generations. We will also explore how basic language learning constraints operate in different age groups and, importantly, cross-linguistically. Next to the behavioral experiments focusing on learning and its outcomes, we will look at preliminary electrophysiological correlates of basic compositional processing in the early stages of learning a miniature artificial language using electroencephalography (EEG). In this general introduction I will briefly discuss some of the relevant concepts and methods which will be used in three studies that constitute this thesis

Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities

This article describes the issues of the rights of persons with disabilities. It raises a subject of most important documents that regulate this issue. It provides the analysis of law in the international legislation acts, such as Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities also the Convention on the Rights of the Child and others etc. It refers not only to fundamental rights of persons, but also to protection of health, medical services, rehabilitation, employment and education

Physical Activity, Health and Physical Fitness of Students, Their Parents and Grandparents

The aim of the work was to compare physical activity, taking care of one’s health and self-evaluations of physical fitness and health of subjects from three successive generations. Research conducted between 2013–2017 embraced 1,580 subjects, including 400 students engaged in physical culture and health promotion, their 496 parents and 684 grandparents. The diagnostic survey method was used, applying a questionnaire, interview and observation. Standard statistical methods were applied: trait frequency, χ2 test and multiple correspondence analysis. It was found that physical activity, caring for one’s health and self-evaluation of health and physical fitness were more similar within one generation (male student vs. female student, mother vs. father, grandmother vs. grandfather) than between adjacent generations (students vs. parents, parents vs. grandparents). The behavior and self-evaluation of female students, analyzed within the same sex, were similar to those of their mothers and grandmothers; the behavior and self-evaluation of male students were similar to those of their fathers and grandfathers. Physical activity, caring for health and self-evaluation of physical fitness and health were determined by age, sex, marital status, place of residence and education. The continuation of research in this field is of major importance in the health prevention of Polish society

Między biologią a kulturą. Pojęcie rasy w polskiej refleksji XIX wieku

In the nineteenth century, the Polish reflection on race and derivative terms was strongly influenced by the Western thought. New achievements and terminology in the field of natural sciences were adopted. Gradually, there was a change of look at peoples, their origin and diversity. In the Enlightenment, while hierarchizing humankind, its biological variety was emphasized. The Romanticism focused on human culture and spirituality. The Positivism, in turn, based on the achievements of natural sciences, saw the basis for evaluation of human groups in biological criteria. The state of contemporary ideas and knowledge favoured the formulation of various racial theories, which also had their own political context. The analysis of Polish sources made it possible to show the specificity of the domestic view in this field. It was often critical, but also approving the division of humankind into lower and higher races. This resulted from the adoption of a Eurocentric point of view. Historiosophy, seeking factors determining a historical role of a given race, also contributed to the search for differences between the white nations of Europe.W XIX wieku polska refleksja na temat rasy i pojęć pochodnych podlegała silnym wpływom myśli zachodniej. Przyswojono sobie nowe osiągnięcia i terminologię z zakresu nauk przyrodniczych. Stopniowo doszło do przemiany spojrzenia na człowieka, jego pochodzenie i zróżnicowanie. W epoce oświecenia, hierarchizując gatunek ludzki kładziono nacisk na jego biologiczną rozmaitość. Romantyzm zwrócił się ku kulturze i duchowości człowieka. Pozytywizm natomiast, opierając się na osiągnięciach nauk przyrodniczych w kryteriach biologicznych widział podstawę wartościowania grup ludzkich. Stan ówczesnych wyobrażeń i wiedzy sprzyjał formułowaniu rozmaitych teorii rasowych, które miały także swój kontekst polityczny. Analiza polskich źródeł umożliwiła ukazanie specyfiki rodzimego spojrzenia w tej dziedzinie. Często było ono krytyczne, ale jednocześnie aprobujące podział ludzkości na rasy niższe i wyższe. Wynikało to z przyjęcia europocentrycznego punktu widzenia. Historiozofia upatrująca w danej rasie czynnik determinujący jej rolę w dziejach przyczyniła się także do poszukiwania różnic między białymi narodami Europy

Understanding politics and history through the images

Book Review: Heinz-Dietrich Fischer, Coverage of Political Occurrences in Asia. Pulitzer Prize Winning Articles, Cartoons and Photos. Berlin–Munster–Wien: LIT Verlag 2015 (pp. 234). ISBN 978–3-643–90592–5. Price: 89.90 EUR