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.

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.

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 β-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.

Higher Playing Times Accumulated Across Entire Games and Prior to Intense Passages Reduce the Peak Demands Reached by Elite, Junior, Male Basketball Players

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different factors on the external peak demands (PD) encountered by elite, junior, male basketball players in games, including the (1) total playing time during games and (2) playing time accumulated directly prior to each PD episode. Workload variables included the PD for total distance, distance covered in different intensity zones, accelerations >2 m·s-2 (ACC), decelerations <-2 m·s-2 (DEC), and PlayerLoad. PD were calculated across different sample durations for each variable. Linear mixed models were used to identify differences in PD between groups based on playing times. PD for total distance (5-min window), high-speed running (>18 km·h-1) distance (2-min window), and ACC (30-s, 45-s, 1-min, 2-min, and 5-min windows) were significantly (p < .05) higher for players who completed lower total playing times (16.6 ± 2.4 min) than players who completed higher total playing times (25.0 ± 3.4 min). The PD for total distance (30-s, 45-s, 1-min, and 2-min windows), high-speed running distance (30-s and 5-min windows), and PlayerLoad (1-min and 2-min windows) were significantly (p < .05) higher for players who accumulated lower playing times before each PD episode than players who accumulated higher playing times before each PD episode. Players who undertake less playing time overall and prior to each PD episode can reach higher peak external loads aggregated across varied time windows. These findings can inform tactical coaching decisions during games for high external loads to be accomplished during important passages of play.

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Update of the consensus document of the AEEH, AEC, SEOM, SERAM, SERVEI, and SETH

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver neoplasm and one of the most common causes of death in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. In parallel, with recognition of the clinical relevance of this cancer, major new developments have recently appeared in its diagnosis, prognostic assessment and in particular, in its treatment. Therefore, the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH) has driven the need to update the clinical practice guidelines, once again inviting all the societies involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease to participate in the drafting and approval of the document: Spanish Society for Liver Transplantation (SETH), Spanish Society of Diagnostic Radiology (SERAM), Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI), Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) and Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). The clinical practice guidelines published in 2016 and accepted as National Health System Clinical Practice Guidelines were taken as the reference documents, incorporating the most important recent advances. The scientific evidence and the strength of the recommendation is based on the GRADE system.

VI consensus document by the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society

The goal of the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society (La Sociedad Española de Trasplante Hepático) is to promote and create consensus documents about current topics in liver transplantation with a multidisciplinary approach. To this end, on October 20, 2016, the 6th Consensus Document Meeting was held, with the participation of experts from the 24 authorized Spanish liver transplantation programs. This Edition discusses the following subjects, whose summary is offered below: 1) limits of simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation; 2) limits of elective liver re-transplantation; and 3) liver transplantation after resection and hepatocellular carcinoma with factors for a poor prognosis. The consensus conclusions for each of these topics is provided below.

VI consensus document by the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society

The goal of the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society (La Sociedad Española de Trasplante Hepático) is to promote and create consensus documents about current topics in liver transplantation with a multidisciplinary approach. To this end, on October 20, 2016, the 6th Consensus Document Meeting was held, with the participation of experts from the 24 authorized Spanish liver transplantation programs. This Edition discusses the following subjects, whose summary is offered below: 1) limits of simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation; 2) limits of elective liver re-transplantation; and 3) liver transplantation after resection and hepatocellular carcinoma with factors for a poor prognosis. The consensus conclusions for each of these topics is provided below.

Examining choking in basketball: effects of game outcome and situational variables during last 5 minutes and overtimes

This study examined choking in basketball by identifying the effects of game outcome and situational variables during the last 5 min. and overtimes of close games. The sample consisted of two 5 min. segments (last 5 min. of the game, n = 147, of which 97 did not go into overtime; 5 min. of overtime, n = 50) drawn from 147 games from the Spanish Professional Basketball League (2007 to 2011). The following game-related statistics were gathered: 3- and 2-point field goals and free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), offensive and defensive rebounds, assists, recovered balls, turnovers, blocks (both made and received), and fouls committed and received. The results suggested the need to account for the temporal structure and multi-skilled nature of the task when devising appropriate interventions.

Performance analysis of elite men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams

The purpose of the present study was to identify which game-related statistics discriminate winning and losing teams in men's and women's elite wheelchair basketball. The sample comprised all the games played during the Beijing Paralympics 2008 and the World Wheelchair Basketball Championship 2010. The game-related statistics from the official box scores were gathered and data were analysed in 2 groups: balanced games (final score differences ≤ 12 points) and unbalanced games (final score differences >13 points). Discriminant analysis allowed identifying the successful 2-point field-goals and free-throws, the unsuccessful 3-point field-goals and free-throws, the assists and fouls received as discriminant statistics between winning and losing teams in men's balanced games. In women's games, the teams were discriminated only by the successful 2-point field-goals. Linear regression analysis showed that the quality of opposition had great effects in final point differential. The field-goals percentage and free-throws rate were the most important factors in men's games, and field-goals percentage and offensive rebounding percentage in women's games. The identified trends allow improving game understanding and helping wheelchair basketball coaches to plan accurate practice sessions and, ultimately, deciding better in competition.

Comparison of five wastewater COD fractionation methods for dynamic simulation of MBR systems

Five different wastewater COD fractionation methods were employed for simulating an experimental MBR wastewater treatment plant using WEST. The predictions of dynamic simulations using as input the data obtained according to each influent characterization methodology were compared with the results of the experimental system and differences between experimental and predicted values were analyzed in order to select the fractionation method which provides the best fitting and minimizes errors. Three of these methods were based on the determination of the biodegradable fractions using respirometric assays of real wastewater filtered through 0.45- and 0.22-μm pore size filters or adding a previous flocculation step before filtration. Moreover, a method based on physicochemical analyses and another one based on theoretical coefficients were also compared. Simulated system performance and effluent quality greatly depended upon the influent characterization and the proper model calibration. Thus the importance of selecting a suitable fractionation methodology is high, especially in MBR systems working at specific operational conditions that may alter COD fractions. In this study, MLSS in the bioreactors and sludge supernatant COD concentrations were better predicted when the influent characterization was based on respirometric methods. Both the method based on theoretical coefficients and the physicochemical method underestimated the particulate inert fraction and therefore, also the MLSS concentrations. Moreover, these results showed that for a correct effluent COD prediction in MBR systems, it is necessary to take into account that the membrane retained part of the soluble inert fraction.

Removal performance of heavy metals in MBR systems and their influence in water reuse

The removal performance of heavy metals by two experimental full-scale membrane bioreactors (microfiltration and ultrafiltration) and the influence of activated sludge total suspended solid (TSS) concentration were studied under real operational conditions. Influent and effluent Be, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, Sn, Sb, Pb and U concentrations were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. An average contamination rate for most of the analysed heavy metals was observed in raw wastewater, resulting in effluents without limitation for reuse in agricultural destinations according to Spanish law. Removal efficiencies up to 80% were obtained regardless of whether microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes were used, except for As, Mo and Sb. The removal yields of different heavy metals can be strengthened by increasing the activated sludge TSS concentration, mainly at concentrations above 10 g/L.

Game related statistics which discriminate between winning and losing under-16 male basketball games

The aim of the present study was to identify the game-related statistics which discriminate between winning and losing teams in under-16 years old male basketball games. The sample gathered all 122 games in the 2004 and 2005 Under-16 European Championships. The game-related statistics analysed were the free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), 2- and 3-points field-goals (both successful and unsuccessful) offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks, assists, fouls, turnovers and steals. The winning teams exhibited lower ball possessions per game and better offensive and defensive efficacy coefficients than the losing teams. Results from discriminant analysis were statistically significant and allowed to emphasize several structure coefficients (SC). In close games (final score differences below 9 points), the discriminant variables were the turnovers (SC = -0.47) and the assists (SC = 0.33). In balanced games (final score differences between 10 and 29 points), the variables that discriminated between the groups were the successful 2-point field-goals (SC = -0.34) and defensive rebounds (SC = -0. 36); and in unbalanced games (final score differences above 30 points) the variables that best discriminated both groups were the successful 2-point field-goals (SC = 0.37). These results allowed understanding that these players' specific characteristics result in a different game-related statistical profile and helped to point out the importance of the perceptive and decision making process in practice and in competition. Key pointsThe players' game-related statistical profile varied according to game type, game outcome and in formative categories in basketball.The results of this work help to point out the different player's performance described in U-16 men's basketball teams compared with senior and professional men's basketball teams.The results obtained enhance the importance of the perceptive and decision making process in practice and in competition.