Nonverbal pre-performance expressions of professional darts players distinguish between good and poor performance

The present research attempted to extend prior research that showed that thin-slices of pre-performance nonverbal behavior (NVB) of professional darts players gives valid information to observers about subsequent performance tendencies. Specifically, we investigated what kind of nonverbal cues were associated with success and informed thin-slice ratings. Participants (N = 61) were first asked to estimate the performance of a random sample of videos showing the preparatory NVB of professional darts players (N = 47) either performing well (470 clips) or poorly (470 clips). Preparatory NVB was assessed via preparation times and Active Appearance Modeling using Noldus FaceReader. Results showed that observers could distinguish between good and poor performance based on thin-slices of preparatory NVB (p = 0.001, d = 0.87). Further analyses showed that facial expressions prior to poor performance showed more arousal (p = 0.011, ƞ2p = 0.10), sadness (p = 0.040, ƞ2p = 0.04), and anxiety (p = 0.009, ƞ2p = 0.09) and preparation times were shorter (p = 0.001, ƞ2p = 0.36) prior to poor performance than good performance. Lens model analyses showed preparation times (p = 0.001, rho = 0.18), neutral (p = 0.001, rho = 0.13), sad (rho = 0.12), and facial expressions of arousal (p = 0.001, rho = 0.11) to be correlated with observers’ performance ratings. Hence, preparation times and facial cues associated with a player’s level of arousal, neutrality, and sadness seem to be valid nonverbal cues that observers utilize to infer information about subsequent perceptual-motor performance.

Mathematical Model of Person Judgment, Part 1 - Manuscript

We present the first part of a fully parametrized mathematical model of person judgment, in an attempt to streamline and better organize theory in this research area. The model integrates several key concepts from Kenny’s (1994) Weighted Average Model and Brunswik’s (1956) lens model with one another. It incorporates time as a continuous variable and also accounts for target-effects, situation-effects, target by situation interaction-effects, randomness overall and between-target differences in randomness. All of these can influence the average level of a substance variable that may be observed by perceivers („cues“) and thus inform their judgments of targets. We discuss the model’s implications with regard to reliability, inter-rater agreement, and predictive validity. We also explain how the model connects to – and sometimes helps specify – several important concepts from the person judgment literature.

Mathematical Model of Person Judgment: Part 1 (Cue Emergence)

We present the first part of a fully parametrized mathematical model of person judgment, in an attempt to streamline and better organize theory in this research area. The model integrates several key concepts from Kenny’s (1994) Weighted Average Model and Brunswik’s (1956) lens model with one another. It incorporates time as a continuous variable and also accounts for target-effects, situation-effects, target by situation interaction-effects, randomness overall and between-target differences in randomness. All of these can influence the average level of a substance variable that may be observed by perceivers („cues“) and thus inform their judgments of targets. We discuss the model’s implications with regard to reliability, inter-rater agreement, and predictive validity. We also explain how the model connects to – and sometimes helps specify – several important concepts from the person judgment literature.

Anticataract activity of pioglitazone by using in-Vitro goat lens model

In the present study we have selected antioxidants agents like Pioglitazone and Ascorbic acid were subjected for anti-cataract activity by in vitro glucose induced cataract model. In the procedure, goat lenses was incubated along with the aqueous humor solution containing 55mM glucose with Enalpril as a standard compound and Pioglitazone with varied concentration for the time interval of 72 hours at room temperature. There was a formation of blur layer on the goat eyeball occurs after 10-12 hours and this process complete after 72 hours. The cataract inducing lenses showing higher level of Na, MDA (P<0.001) along with the decreases in sodium-potassium ATPase activity and water-soluble protein content. The goat lenses treated with Ascorbic acid 40 µg/ml and Pioglitazone in concentrations of 15, 30, and 60 µg/ml showed increased protein content and prevent the formation of cataract.

Enterprise integration models: Advantages and challenges of implementation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

The relevance of the study of the choice of enterprise integration model is related to the need to solve various problems faced by Ukrainian enterprises in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including: reduction in profitability, reduction in investment, increase in the level of costs for ensuring the protection and safety of employees, the transition to environmental and savings production, and others. The purpose of the study is to analyse the existing Ukrainian and foreign business models based on synergy and integration, which allows creating a business structure. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is general scientific and specific methods used to solve the problem of operation, integration, and development of enterprises in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper summarises the problems faced by Ukrainian enterprises amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is proposed as one of the ways out of the crisis of Ukrainian enterprises after the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to business models based on synergy and integration with the formation of a business structure. For this purpose, Ukrainian and foreign models of creating business structures based on synergy and integration are summarised. The following models developed by Ukrainian researchers are identified: the model of a horizontally integrated business structure; the model of a vertically integrated business structure; the model of a globally integrated business structure; the model of a conglomerate-integrated business structure. The following models developed by foreign researchers are also summarised: a model for quantifying the impact of enterprise integration on the results of its activities; an information model; a model for designing and implementing an integrated enterprise system; a “three-lens” model; a business case model; a model for inter- and intra-organisational cooperation

The impact of line-of-sight structures on measuring H0 with strong lensing time delays

ABSTRACT Measurements of the Hubble–Lemaitre constant from early- and local-Universe observations show a significant discrepancy. In an attempt to understand the origin of this mismatch, independent techniques to measure H0 are required. One such technique, strong lensing time delays, is set to become a leading contender amongst the myriad methods due to forthcoming large strong lens samples. It is therefore critical to understand the systematic effects inherent in this method. In this paper, we quantify the influence of additional structures along the line of sight by adopting realistic light-cones derived from the cosmoDC2 semi-analytical extragalactic catalogue. Using multiple-lens plane ray tracing to create a set of simulated strong lensing systems, we have investigated the impact of line-of-sight structures on time-delay measurements and in turn, on the inferred value of H0. We have also tested the reliability of existing procedures for correcting for line-of-sight effects. We find that if the integrated contribution of the line-of-sight structures is close to a uniform mass sheet, the bias in H0 can be adequately corrected by including a constant external convergence κext in the lens model. However, for realistic line-of-sight structures comprising many galaxies at different redshifts, this simple correction overestimates the bias by an amount that depends linearly on the median external convergence. We therefore conclude that lens modelling must incorporate multiple-lens planes to account for line-of-sight structures for accurate and precise inference of H0.

Development of a potent embryonic chick lens model for studying congenital cataracts in vivo

Congenital cataracts are associated with gene mutations, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here we reported an embryonic chick lens model that closely recapitulates the process of cataract formation. We adopted dominant-negative site mutations that cause congenital cataracts, connexin, Cx50E48K, aquaporin 0, AQP0R33C, αA-crystallin, CRYAA R12C and R54C. The recombinant retroviruses containing these mutants were microinjected into the occlusive lumen of chick lenses at early embryonic development. Cx50E48K expression developed cataracts associated with disorganized nuclei and enlarged extracellular spaces. Expression of AQP0R33C resulted in cortical cataracts, enlarged extracellular spaces and distorted fiber cell organization. αA crystallin mutations distorted lens light transmission and increased crystalline protein aggregation. Together, retroviral expression of congenital mutant genes in embryonic chick lenses closely mimics characteristics of human congenital cataracts. This model will provide an effective, reliable in vivo system to investigate the development and underlying mechanism of cataracts and other genetic diseases.