Examining the Role of Fan Support on Home Advantage and Home Win Percentage in Professional Women's Basketball.

Our main aim in this study was to analyze any differences in Win Percentages at Home (HW) that might represent a Home-Court Advantage (HA) in women's professional basketball. A secondary objective was to analyze how team ability might modify the HA effect by comparing any interaction effect between HW and team ability in games played with and without fans. We collected data from first Spanish female basketball divisions, using a linear mixed model (LMM) for repeated measures to identify differences between time periods (games with fans vs. games without fans) for HA and HW. When comparing games with and without fans, we found no significant HA and HW differences (p = .283 and p = .872, respectively). In fact, interestingly, we observed higher win values when fans were absent. Additionally, during the COVID-19 shut down stage, HA increased; but it returned to pre-pandemic levels afterward, with no significant differences between these periods (p = .482). Similarly, while HW seemed to increase during the COVID-19 shut down period and continued improving in the post-pandemic phase, there were actually no statistically significant differences (p = .772). Higher HA and HW were evident without fans during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period when fans were present in women's professional basketball. During the post-pandemic period, HA decreased upon fans' return, while HW continued increasing. We discuss possible bases for these unexpected findings.

Using the Mooney Space to Characterize the Non-Affine Behavior of Elastomers.

The formulation of the entropic statistical theory and the related neo-Hookean model has been a major advance in the modeling of rubber-like materials, but the failure to explain some experimental observations such as the slope in Mooney plots resulted in hundreds of micromechanical and phenomenological models. The origin of the difficulties, the reason for the apparent need for the second invariant, and the reason for the relative success of models based on the Valanis-Landel decomposition have been recently explained. From that insight, a new micro-macro chain stretch connection using the stretch tensor (instead of the right Cauchy-Green deformation tensor) has been proposed and supported both theoretically and from experimental data. A simple three-parameter model using this connection has been suggested. The purpose of this work is to provide further insight into the model, to provide an analytical expression for the Gaussian contribution, and to provide a simple procedure to obtain the parameters from a tensile test using the Mooney space or the Mooney-Rivlin constants. From different papers, a wide variety of experimental tests on different materials and loading conditions have been selected to demonstrate that the simple model calibrated only from a tensile test provides accurate predictions for a wide variety of elastomers under different deformation levels and multiaxial patterns.

Impact of Spectators, League and Team Ability on Home Advantage in Professional European Basketball.

Our aim in this study was to examine the impact of fans (vs. no fans), geographical location of league, and team ability on home winning percentage (HW%) or home advantage (HA) in professional European basketball. Data were collected from five prestigious professional, national basketball leagues within Europe (Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece and Israel) across 16 regular seasons (2005-2006 to 2020-2021). We conducted comparisons between matches with and without fans, location of leagues, team ability (High, Medium, Low), and combinations of these factors via non-parametric tests (e.g., Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis). We found significantly greater HA during matches with fans for leagues in Germany (p = .001), Italy (p = .012) and Spain (p = .002). For matches with fans, HA and HW% were significantly different between several, but not all, leagues for high (p < .05), medium (p < .05) and low (p < .02) team abilities. In conclusion, HA and HW% were enhanced by spectator attendance, with this phenomenon varying by location/region and team ability. Consideration of these multiple contextual factors may assist coaches and sport organizations to develop key strategies for enhanced team success.

A Narrative Review of the Most Demanding Scenarios in Basketball: Current Trends and Future Directions.

Since the analysis of most demanding scenarios (MDS) in basketball has improved the practical knowledge about match demands and possible impacts for the training process, it seems important to summarize the scientific evidence providing useful information and future directions related to MDS. This review assesses the results reflected in the available literature about the MDS in basketball, synthesizing and discussing data from scientific papers, and then providing relevant insights about terminology, sex and sample size, competition category, workload variables recorded, technology used, method of calculation, time windows analyzed, and activities evaluated related to MDS. Therefore, the present narrative review would be of practical use for coaches, scientists, athletes as well as strength and conditioning trainers exploring the current trends and future directions related to MDS in basketball.

Prediction of injuries, traumas and musculoskeletal pain in elite Olympic and Paralympic volleyball players.

The study aimed to identify the prevalence and location of injuries, traumas, and musculoskeletal complaints in Paralympic and Olympic volleyball players with different impairments and initial playing positions (sitting/standing); and to identify the predictors of the abovementioned variables using a multivariate CRT model. Seventy-five elite volleyball players from seven countries took part in the study. They were divided into three study groups: (SG1)-lateral amputee Paralympic volleyball players, (SG2)-able-bodied Paralympic volleyball players, (SG3)-able-bodied Olympic volleyball players. The prevalence and location of the analyzed variables were assessed with surveys quessionaires, while game-related statistics was interpreted based on the CRT analysis. Regardless of the impairment or initial playing position, both the humeral and knee joints were found to be the most frequent locations of musculoskeletal pain and/or injuries in all studied groups, followed by LBP. Players from SG1 and SG3 were characterized by an almost identical prevalence of reported musculoskeletal pain and injuries, what was not noted in SG2. Extrinsic compensatory mechanism (playing position) may be a crucial variable for prediction of musculoskeletal pain and injuries in volleyball players. Lower limb amputation seems to impact the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints. Training volume may predict the prevalence of LBP.

CO2 emissions and global value chains indicators:new evidence for 1995-2018.

Globalization and the configuration of production processes around Global Value Chains (GVCs) have become key factors for explaining the recent evolution of environmental and economic indicators. Indeed, previous research found evidence on the significant impact of GVCs indicators (participation and position) on CO2 emissions. Additionally, results obtained in previous literature vary depending on the time period and geographical areas considered. In this context, the main aims of this paper are to analyze the role the GVCs in explaining the evolution of CO2 emissions, and to identify possible structural breaks. This study uses the Multiregional Input-Output framework to calculate a position indicator and two different measures of participation in GVCs (interpreted either as trade openness or international competitiveness). The analysis useS Inter-Country Input-Output tables (ICIO) as main database, which includes 66 countries and 45 industries and covers the period 1995-2018. It is first concluded that upstream positions in GVCs are associated to lower global emissions. Additionally, the effect of participation depends on the measure used: trade openness is linked to lower emissions, while a higher competitiveness in international trade leads to higher emissions. Finally, two structural breaks are identified in 2002 and 2008, revealing that position is significant in the two first subperiods, while participation becomes significant from 2002 onwards. Thus, policies to mitigate CO2 emissions might to be different before and after 2008: currently, reductions in emissions can be achieved by increasing value-added embodied in trade while decreasing the volume of transactions.

Influence of game and quarter results on external peak demands during games in under-18 years, male basketball players.

To quantify and compare the external peak demands (PD) encountered according to game result (win vs. loss), quarter result (win vs. tie vs. loss), and quarter point difference (± difference in score) in under-18 years (U18), male basketball players. Thirteen basketball players had external load variables monitored across 9 games using local positioning system technology, including distance covered, distance covered in different intensity zones, accelerations, decelerations, and PlayerLoad™. PD were calculated across 30-s, 1-min, and 5-min time windows for each variable. Linear mixed models were used to compare PD for each variable according to game result (win vs. loss), quarter result (win vs tie vs loss), and quarter point difference (high vs. low). External PD were comparable between games that were won and lost for all variables and between quarters that were won and lost for most variables (p > 0.05, trivial-small effects). In contrast, players produced higher (p < 0.05, small effects) 1-min high-speed running distance and 5-min PlayerLoadTM in quarters that were won compared to quarters that were lost. Additionally, high quarter point differences (7.51 ± 3.75 points) elicited greater (p < 0.05, small effects) external PD (30-s PlayerLoadTM, 30-s and 5-min decelerations, and 1-min and 5-min high-speed running distance) than low quarter point differences (-2.47 ± 2.67 points). External PD remain consistent (trivial-small effects) regardless of game result, quarter result, and quarter point difference in U18, male basketball players. Accordingly, external PD attained during games may not be a key indicator of team success.

Analysis of the evolution of ultra-filtered water quality in a drinking water distribution system by particle size distribution: Influence of pre-ozonation.

An experimental drinking water distribution system (DWDS) was used to evaluate the evolution of particle size distribution (PSD) and basic quality parameters of ultrafiltered water with or without pre-ozonation. An ultrafiltration (UF) module was set up, associated with a pre-ozonation system (3.7 g O3 /m3 ). The permeate was circulated in the DWDS (300 m; 0.9 m/s) with 0.4 mg/L of chlorine, and the analysis of the PSD was performed using a ß-variable mathematical model. A better control of membrane fouling was obtained with pre-ozonation, and PSD was necessary to observe water quality differences between permeates and in the DWDS. A decrease in particle concentration of 1.8 logarithms was obtained with the application of UF membranes, while a decrease of only 1.2 logarithms was obtained with pre-ozonation. The system without pre-ozonation showed a higher efficiency at removing smaller particles (around 2 µm), with the absence of particles larger than 23 µm during both stages. The PSD revealed a worsening of water quality in the DWDS with an increase of particles smaller than 5 µm during the application of UF membranes, while with pre-ozonation, all particle sizes analyzed increased their concentration. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Pre-ozonation led to a better control of membrane fouling, but a worsening of permeate quality according to particle size distribution. Pre-ozonation does not improve the turbidity, dissolved organic carbon or UV254 removal capacity of ultrafiltration during drinking water treatment. Particles size distribution reveals the deterioration of water quality in a drinking water distribution system better than turbidity or DOC. Ozone prior to ultrafiltration membranes led to a worsening of permeate quality, more significant in the drinking water distribution system.

Subcuticular suture and incisional surgical-site infection in elective hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery: an open-label, pragmatic randomized clinical trial (CLOSKIN trial).

BACKGROUND: Subcuticular suture has proven to reduce superficial incisional SSI (si-SSI) in clean surgery. However, question remains regarding clean-contaminated procedures. The aim of this study is to assess if subcuticular suture is superior to staples in reducing si-SSI incidence in elective HBP surgery. METHODS: Single-centre, open-label, parallel, pragmatic randomized clinical trial conducted at a referral tertiary Hospital between January 2020 and April 2022. Patients eligible for elective HBP surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to subcuticular suture or surgical staples wound closure using a minimisation method based on previously confirmed risk factors. The primary endpoint was the incidence of si-SSI. Considered secondary endpoints were major postoperative morbidity in both groups, additional wound complications, median hospital length of stay and need for re-hospitalisation. RESULTS: Of the 379 patients, 346 patients were randomly assigned to receive skin closure with staples (n = 173) or subcuticular suture (n = 173). After further exclusion of 11 participants, 167 and 168 patients, respectively in the control and the experimental group received their allocated intervention. For the primary endpoint, no significant differences in si-SSI rate were found: 17 (9.82%) staples group vs. 8 (4.62%) in subcuticular suture group (p = 0.062). Subset analysis confirmed absence of significant differences. As for secondary endpoints, overall wound complications did not differ significantly between two procedures: 19 (10.98%) vs. 10 (6.35%) (p = 0.127). There were no treatment related adverse events. However, occurrence of si-SSI contributed to major postoperative morbidity in both groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018) and to a substantially prolonged postoperative hospitalization (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Subcuticular suture might offer a relative benefit for skin closure reducing incidence of si-SSI after elective HBP surgery, although this was found not to be clinically relevant. Yet, this should not be interpreted as equivalence among both treatments. Therefore, wound closure strategy should not be based only on these grounds. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN Registry number ISRCTN37315612 (registration date: 14/01/2020).

Analysis of defensive playing styles in the professional Chinese Football Super League.

AIM: Describing and measuring different team styles of play during matches is a key step towards a more predictive and prescriptive performance analysis. The current study aimed to identify and measure different defensive playing styles associated with technical-tactical and physical performance indicators in professional football via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). METHODS: The sample comprised all 240 matches played in the Chinese Football Super League (CSL) during the 2018 season. RESULTS: Seventeen key performance indicators (KPIs), 15 defense-related and 2 physical-related were identified from a total of 62 defensive performance indicators, which significantly differed between when teams lost and did not lose (p<0.05, ES=0.03-0.22). Then the PCA model based on 17 KPIs (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value being 0.81), outputted 8 factors representing 7 different styles of play (factor 6 and 8 represented one style) and explaining 83.01% of the total variance. Of all styles, defense close to own goal, including clearance, ball gain in the zone 1, deep completion and unsuccessful cross of the opponent, was the most dominant style (31.92% of the total variance). The champion of the league showed better scores in all styles of play, while the last ranked team got the highest score in defense close to the own goal style. CONCLUSION: The study indicated that a team's defensive style could be defined by specific KPIs, and teams are suggested to attune their styles consciously rather than maintaining a consistent strategy so as to achieve better performance. Moreover, such categorization of defensive styles could be used during scouting and match preparation.

Maternal Supplementation with a Cocoa Extract during Lactation Deeply Modulates Dams' Metabolism, Increases Adiponectin Circulating Levels and Improves the Inflammatory Profile in Obese Rat Offspring.

High-flavonoid cocoa consumption has been associated with beneficial properties. However, there are scarce data concerning the effects of maternal cocoa intake on dams and in their progeny. Here, we evaluated in rats whether maternal supplementation with a high-flavan-3-ol cocoa extract (CCX) during lactation (200 mg.kg-1.day-1) produced beneficial effects on dams and in their normoweight (STD-CCX group) and cafeteria-fed obese (CAF-CCX group) adult male offspring. Maternal intake of CCX significantly increased the circulating levels of adiponectin and decreased the mammary gland lipid content of dams. These effects were accompanied by increased energy expenditure and circulating free fatty acids, as well as by a higher expression of lipogenic and adiponectin-related genes in their mammary glands, which could be related to a compensatory mechanism to ensure enough lipid supply to the pups. CCX consumption programmed both offspring groups towards increased plasma total adiponectin levels, and decreased liver weight and lean/fat ratio. Furthermore, CAF-CCX progeny showed an improvement of the inflammatory profile, evidenced by the significant decrease of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) circulating levels and the mRNA levels of the gene encoding the major histocompatibility complex, class II invariant chain (Cd74), a marker of M1 macrophage phenotype, in the epididymal white adipose tissue. Although further studies are needed, these findings can pave the way for using CCX as a nutraceutical supplement during lactation.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on match performances in the National Basketball Association.

This study aimed to compare differences in the match performances between home and away games during pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown and to identify the key factors to match success with and without spectators. The sample consisted of 1,549 basketball matches including 971 games of the 2019-2020 regular season before the COVID-19 lockdown and 578 ghost matches of the 2020-2021 regular season after the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent t-test was used to explore the differences before and after COVID-19 while univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the key factors to match success between matches with and without spectators. Our study identified that offensive rebounds were the only indicator differentiating between home and away games after the COVID-19 lockdown. Furthermore, home teams won more matches than away matches before the COVID-19 whereas home advantage had no impact on winning matches after the COVID-19. Our study suggested that crowd support may play a key role in winning games in the NBA. Furthermore, independently of the pre-and post-COVID19 pandemic, free throws made, three-point field goals made, defensive rebounds, assists, steals, personal fouls, and opponent quality were key factors differentiating between win and loss. Coaches and coaching staff can make informed decisions and well prepare for basketball match strategies.

The evaluation of playing styles integrating with contextual variables in professional soccer.

Purpose: Playing styles play a key role in winning soccer matches, but the technical and physical styles of play between home and away match considering team quality in the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the technical and physical styles of play between home and away matches integrating with team quality in the CSL. Materials and methods: The study sample consists of 480 performance records from 240 matches during the 2019 competitive season in the CSL. These match events were collected using a semi-automatic computerized video tracking system, Amisco Pro®. A k-means cluster analysis was used to evaluate team quality and then using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the playing styles between home and away matches according to team quality. Differences between home and away matches in terms of playing styles were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results: Our study found that PC1 presented a positive correlation with physical-related variables such as HIRD, HIRE, HSRD, and HSRE while PC2 was positively associated with the passing-related variables such as Pass, FPass, PassAcc, and FPAcc. Therefore, PC1 typically represents intense-play styles while PC2 represents possession-play styles at home and away matches, respectively. In addition, strong teams preferred to utilize intensity play whereas medium and weak teams utilized possession play whenever playing at home or away matches. Furthermore, the first five teams in the final overall ranking in the CSL presented a compensated technical-physical playing style whereas the last five teams showed inferior performance in terms of intensity and possession play. Conclusion: Intensity or possession play was associated with the final overall ranking in the CSL, and playing styles that combine these two factors could be more liable to win the competition. Our study provides a detailed explanation for the impact of playing styles on match performances whereby coaches can adjust and combine different playing styles for ultimate success.

Analysis of Pacing Behaviors on Mass Start Speed Skating.

The mass start speed skating (MSSS) is a new event for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. Considering that the event rankings were based on points gained on laps, it is worthwhile to investigate the pacing behaviors on each lap that directly influence the skater's ranking at the end of the race. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the pacing behavior on the MSSS. The aim of this study was to analyze the pacing behaviors and performance on MSSS regarding skaters' level (SL), competition stage (semi-final/final) (CS), and gender (G). All the male and female races in the World Cup and World Championships were analyzed during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. As a result, a total of 601 skaters (male = 350 and female = 251) from 36 games (male = 21 and female = 15) were observed. The one-way ANOVA for repeated measures was used to compare skaters' pacing behavior on each lap, and the three-way ANOVA for repeated measures was used to identify the influence of SL, CS, and G on skaters' pacing behaviors and total time spent. In general, the results showed that the pacing behaviors from fast to slow were group one (laps 4, 8, 12, 15, 16), group two (laps 5, 9, 13, 14), group three (laps 3, 6, 7, 10, 11), and group four (laps 1 and 2) (p ≤ 0.001 for all groups). For CS, the total time spent in the final was less than the semi-final (p ≤ 0.001). For SL, top-level skaters spent less total time than the middle-level and low-level skaters (p ≤ 0.002), while there was no significant difference between the middle and low levels (p = 0.214). For G, the male skaters spent less total time than females on all laps (p ≤ 0.048). Current findings could help coaching staff to better understand the pacing behaviors regarding SL, CS, and G. In particular, the identified performance trends may allow controlling for pacing strategy and decision making before and during the race.

A double-blinded, randomized, parallel intervention to evaluate biomarker-based nutrition plans for weight loss: The PREVENTOMICS study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Growing evidence suggests that biomarker-guided dietary interventions can optimize response to treatment. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the PREVENTOMCIS platform-which uses metabolomic and genetic information to classify individuals into different 'metabolic clusters' and create personalized dietary plans-for improving health outcomes in subjects with overweight or obesity. METHODS: A 10-week parallel, double-blinded, randomized intervention was conducted in 100 adults (82 completers) aged 18-65 years, with body mass index ≥27 but <40 kg/m2, who were allocated into either a personalized diet group (n = 49) or a control diet group (n = 51). About 60% of all food was provided free-of-charge. No specific instruction to restrict energy intake was given. The primary outcome was change in fat mass from baseline, evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Other endpoints included body weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis markers, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, physical activity, stress and eating behavior. RESULTS: There were significant main effects of time (P < 0.01), but no group main effects, or time-by-group interactions, for the change in fat mass (personalized: -2.1 [95% CI -2.9, -1.4] kg; control: -2.0 [95% CI -2.7, -1.3] kg) and body weight (personalized: -3.1 [95% CI -4.1, -2.1] kg; control: -3.3 [95% CI -4.2, -2.4] kg). The difference between groups in fat mass change was -0.1 kg (95% CI -1.2, 0.9 kg, P = 0.77). Both diets resulted in significant improvements in insulin resistance and lipid profile, but there were no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Personalized dietary plans did not result in greater benefits over a generic, but generally healthy diet, in this 10-week clinical trial. Further studies are required to establish the soundness of different precision nutrition approaches, and translate this science into clinically relevant dietary advice to reduce the burden of obesity and its comorbidities. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04590989).

Characterizing player's playing styles based on player vectors for each playing position in the Chinese Football Super League.

Characterizing playing style is important for football clubs on scouting, monitoring and match preparation. Previous studies considered a player's style as a combination of technical performances, failing to consider the spatial information. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the playing styles of each playing position in the Chinese Football Super League (CSL) matches, integrating a recently adopted Player Vectors framework. Data of 960 matches from 2016-2019 CSL were used. Match ratings, and 10 types of match events with the corresponding coordinates for all the line-up players whose on-pitch time exceeded 45 minutes were extracted. Players were first clustered into eight positions. A player vector was constructed for each player in each match based on the Player Vectors using Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF). Another NMF process was run on the player vectors to extract different types of playing styles. The resulting player vectors discovered 18 different playing styles in the CSL. Six performance indicators of each style were investigated to observe their contributions. In general, the playing styles of forwards and midfielders are in line with football performance evolution trends, while the styles of defenders should be reconsidered. Multifunctional playing styles were also found in high-rated CSL players.

The role of the agricultural sector in Ghanaian development: a multiregional SAM-based analysis.

Ghana shows remarkable differences in employment and welfare between the southern and northern regions. The promotion of policy focus on the development of the northern regions requires the elaboration of specific databases describing the regional economies. Hence, this work outlines the construction of a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for Ghana for the year 2015 with a high disaggregation of sectors, household income groups and education levels across 10 administrative regions. Linear multisectoral models have been applied to this SAM to estimate socio-economic impacts of potential final demand policies down to a regional level in the Ghanaian economy. Further on, the structural path analysis is used to investigate the role played by different agriculture commodities in transmitting income to different types of households. The results allow for an identification of the most suitable sectors to be promoted due to their ability to generate the highest increases in output, employment and value added in the rest of the economy, as well as those with a significant impact on household income generation. As a result, the primary sector will play a key role in the economic and employment growth of the country. Notably, sorghum and millet, pulses, tobacco, cotton and fibres can be considered favourable crops for development in the Northern region.

Fluctuations in External Peak Demands Across Quarters During Basketball Games.

The purpose of this study was to compare external peak demands (PDs) across quarters (Q) in basketball. Thirteen elite, junior, male basketball players were monitored using electronic performance tracking systems. There were studied intervals for different time windows to determine the external PD for distance (m); player load; distance covered in four different zones; accelerations; and decelerations. A mixed linear model was run to identify differences among quarters, and the auto-correlation function was carried out to determine fluctuations across the whole game. The results showed significant differences between Q1 vs. Q2 for distance, player load, and standing-walking distance; between Q1 vs. Q3 for distance, player load, and HSR; between Q1 vs. Q4 for distance, player load, standing-walking, and HSR; and between Q3 vs. Q4 for distance and player load. These findings suggest that external PD for running-based demands (distance, player load, and high-speed running) decrease across basketball games with the most notable declines occurring between the first and fourth quarters. Nevertheless, it is important to note that non-significant differences were found between quarters for several external PD variables (jogging, running, acceleration, and deceleration) across different time windows. Findings from the present study reinforce the importance of considering specific PD variables for different functions due to the specific insight each provides.