Model characterizing sports game referees

The question concerning such a person who is forced to work in the conditions of increased stress and about work safety still is a psycho-physiological part of a broader problem. Referees of sports games can also be added to this group as this occupation has become their profession. Today, there is a situation that in order to enroll the most suitable individuals in this job position it is necessary to select the candidates for sports game referees according to strictly worked-out criteria. The aim of the study was to investigate the abilities characterizing high quality sports game referees. 18 international level referees of sports games in Latvia were selected as subjects of the research. To state the subjects' physical ability, functional state, psychological peculiarities the following were applied: a computerized testing device "Omega" was used to assess the functional state of the body; situation alertness, psycho-emotional stability, self-regulation ability and motivation were stated with the help of tests used in sport psychology; simple reactions and the quickness of alternative reaction were measured using the computer system Vienna Test System. 16 parameters of each subject were obtained, and they were processed using Factor analysis - closed variant of the main components with the following turning of the referent axis according to the Varimax criterion. With the Factor analysis nine main factors were obtained characterizing sports game referees. Their contribution in the common dispersion is 93.7%. Seven factors of higher value were interpreted, and they were as follows: choice reaction time, its contribution in the dispersion 30.31%; functional state of the body and readiness (17.92%); correctness of the answers in choice reaction time test (the quality of the decisions made) 15.40%; the simple reaction time (9.02%); IQ coefficient (7.20%); psychological preparedness (5.01%) and the ability to concentrate (4.80%). The quickness of the alternative reaction and the quality of the decision made in this situation were the most important abilities characterizing high quality referees. The second most significant parameter is the functional and physical abilities of referees. Psychological ability and preparedness are important for referees. It is supposed that developing the above mentioned components a more successful preparation of sport game referees will be possible.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Alpha-protein kinase 3 (ALPK3)-truncating variants are a cause of autosomal dominant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of heterozygous truncating ALPK3 variants (ALPK3tv) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and confirm their pathogenicity using burden testing in independent cohorts and family co-segregation studies. METHODS AND RESULTS : In a discovery cohort of 770 index patients with HCM, 12 (1.56%) were heterozygous for ALPK3tv [odds ratio(OR) 16.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.89-29.74, P < 8.36e-11] compared to the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) population. In a validation cohort of 2047 HCM probands, 32 (1.56%) carried heterozygous ALPK3tv (OR 16.17, 95% CI 10.31-24.87, P < 2.2e-16, compared to gnomAD). Combined logarithm of odds score in seven families with ALPK3tv was 2.99. In comparison with a cohort of genotyped patients with HCM (n = 1679) with and without pathogenic sarcomere gene variants (SP+ and SP-), ALPK3tv carriers had a higher prevalence of apical/concentric patterns of hypertrophy (60%, P < 0.001) and of a short PR interval (10%, P = 0.009). Age at diagnosis and maximum left ventricular wall thickness were similar to SP- and left ventricular systolic impairment (6%) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (31%) at baseline similar to SP+. After 5.3 ± 5.7 years, 4 (9%) patients with ALPK3tv died of heart failure or had cardiac transplantation (log-rank P = 0.012 vs. SP- and P = 0.425 vs. SP+). Imaging and histopathology showed extensive myocardial fibrosis and myocyte vacuolation. CONCLUSIONS : Heterozygous ALPK3tv are pathogenic and segregate with a characteristic HCM phenotype

Martyrology: a critical examination of the role of theological traditions in the narrative construction of the martyr

This thesis presents a socio-theological analysis of the process by which a martyr is made and presents an analytical framework for a theological analysis of martyrdom, as well as demonstrating the fruits that such analysis can bring. Building on the social constructivist view that the martyr is a narrative construct and martyrdom a particular way of imagining an individual’s death rather than an historical event, this thesis demonstrates the operation of theological conceptualisations of the meaning and significance of martyrdom, which it terms martyrologies. These martyrologies profoundly affect how the martyr is imagined and consequently the model of discipleship they represent to others. Martyrs have a unique power to validate a cause and to embody the possibility of extreme conviction and resistance in a way which can mobilise and radicalise their communities. This thesis argues that critical analysis of these martyrologies is therefore imperative if we are to understand their role in defining the martyr and therefore shaping the way that the martyr’s community interpret and engage with their reality. Four martyrologies, rooted in the emergence of martyrdom in the early church, are presented and, through their critical examination, a methodological framework for their future analysis is exhibited and recommended. The theological ideas sustaining these martyrologies are shown to be radicalising, morally challenging, and logically and theologically incoherent. Most importantly, this thesis attends to the phenomenon of popular martyrdom, particularly prevalent in Latin America. It explains the martyrology responsible and, controversially, shows why this martyrology is in fact entirely orthodox, challenging the Church’s opposition to it. It also shows, however, that its claim that the basis for martyrdom can be a political cause makes this martyrology not only a threat to political theology, but even a potentially radicalising tool.</p

Mapping Settlements in the Wildland Urban Interface: A Decision Tree Approach

The wildland–urban interface (WUI) is the area where human-built structures intermingle or abut wildland vegetation. Maps of the WUI are important for resource management, particularly related to wildfire mitigation, but are often based on spatially coarse data such as housing counts from census blocks. Here, three decision tree models are used to create maps of human settlements for use in delineating the WUI. The first model uses statistics derived from image objects; the second model uses data related to topography, amenities, and accessibility; and the third model uses all available data. The accuracy of the models was evaluated in terms of the percentage of actual structures that fall within the area delineated as settlements. Overall, the three decision models performed similarly, although the third decision tree model was the best. For delineating settlements, all three decision tree models represent an improvement over a null model and the Radeloff et al. (2005) WUI mapping methodology and perform similar to the Wilmer and Aplet (2005) WUI mapping methodology. The models are also more flexible than many existing models, as they allow users to trade off accuracy and the size of the delineated settlement. The strategies described here can potentially yield improved maps of the WUI over larger areas