A Statistical Look into how Common Soccer Metrics Influence Expected Goal Measures in the Professional Game

The advent of sports analytics has ignited a fervor across all sporting disciplines, particularly soccer, where clubs are sprinting to harness vast data reserves to elevate team performance, spearhead effective marketing endeavors, and bolster financial gains crucial for club expansion. Much like Billy Beane\u27s transformative Moneyball approach, soccer clubs are in pursuit of innovative strategies to transcend financial limitations and achieve triumph. In soccer, where goals are scarce commodities, heightened offensive efficacy becomes imperative. Presently, one metric stands out as pivotal in gauging a team\u27s goal-scoring success: expected goals (xG). This metric quantifies the likelihood of a given shot or opportunity culminating in a goal, making it a linchpin in a team\u27s offensive strategy. Maximizing expected goals becomes paramount for teams aiming to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities during matches. Crucially, the first step in reshaping tactical approaches hinges on identifying the most influential variables in predicting expected goals. To this end, this study employs an array of machine learning methodologies, including Ridge, Lasso, Elastic Net, and Group Lasso models. The objective is to unveil the key predictor variables that significantly impact team (offensive) performance, often delineating the thin line between championship glory and defeat. With the aim of predicting xG, this research also incorporates modified bootstrap techniques to compute prediction intervals for the regularized machine learning models. By delving into the intricate fabric of soccer analytics, this study seeks to empower clubs with actionable insights, fostering a new era of strategy and competitive edge on the field

Undergraduates\u27 Perceptions of Campus Response to Sexual Assault: A Butler University Case Study

Sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses is a pervasive and long-standing problem. As such, students’ views of campus climate, safety, and their universities’ response and prevention policies and practices remain paramount. Using an anonymous survey, the current research examines how undergraduate students at Butler University perceive the campus climate regarding sexual assault and misconduct and how they interpret and assess the university’s response. The questionnaire posed a series of questions concerning students’ knowledge and access to resources, general feelings of safety, and interpretation of university responses. Findings suggest that most respondents believe their university handles sexual assault and misconduct moderately well, but most respondents do not feel comfortable navigating campus resources. Qualitative findings reveal an underlying belief that survivors are not always adequately supported at the university and that students do not trust university resources to meet the needs of someone who has experienced sexual assault or misconduct. Institutional policies and practices are discussed as a way to affect meaningful change on this college campus

Repatriation in the Modern Museum World: Practical Problems Surrounding Decolonization of Collections

Museums are home to many artifacts that allow us to learn about and understand people from around the world. However, many artifacts kept in Western (primarily North American and European) museums have origins steeped in colonial ideas of cultural superiority and collections acquired through ethically questionable means. Many institutions have been working to decolonize their collections by evaluating their objects\u27 cultural origins and repatriating some pieces when possible. By repatriating (returning) objects of cultural patrimony as specified by laws such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), museums uphold their ethical duties and improve the quality of their collection. However, many museums have struggled to repatriate due to practical, ideological, and bureaucratic barriers. As part of my ethnographic research, including participant observation and interviews at two Indianapolis museums, I have engaged in the repatriation process and analyzed the challenges that modern museums face as they work to decolonize their collections and exhibit spaces. Through ethnographic and historical research, I have been able to highlight some of the major challenges that museums face during the repatriation process and many of the ways that they have been able to strive for successful repatriation

Healing Harmonies: Music Therapy and Dementia

Dementia continues to plague the elderly population. It is a leading cause of death for this age group, and yet we still can only provide treatments to maintain and prolong the disease’s symptoms. Music therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment option for dementia patients as it is almost universally accessible, and a popular pastime for a large part of society. Integrating music into treatment regimens over traditional conversational therapies, reduces agitation and anxiety, improves cognitive functioning and language skills, and improves overall quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Thus, providers should encourage, and patients should participate in musical therapy to combat dementia as it progresses

The Active Self: Healing the perceptions of lifetime physical activity

Physical activity is not always perceived in a positive light or feel accessible to all. There are many barriers for individuals to being physically active, but this does not have to be the case. Whether it be the assumed time commitment, energy individuals think it takes or not knowing where to start, these barriers can keep people from a physically active lifestyle. This research breaks down some of the barriers to change people’s perceptions of lifetime physical activity

Breaking Bonds: Effect of the Loss of Parental Rights on Prison Admission in the United States, 2000-2019

This paper investigates the relationship between termination of parental rights (TPR) and prison admission rates in the United States over the period from 2000 to 2019. Grounded in social bond and labeling theories, the study explores how the loss of parental rights influences the likelihood of parents to offend or reoffend and whether such a relationship differs between men and women. Using state-level administrative data, fixed-effects regression models are employed to analyze the impact of TPR rates on prison admissions, while accounting for time-varying socioeconomic factors (poverty rate, unemployment, and TANF maximum benefit). Findings indicate a positive causal effect association between TPR and incarceration, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support parents both in and out of prison. Additionally this study adds context to the ongoing literature on incarcerations effects on social bond and labeling theories on parenting

Say Goodbye to Weight and Hello to Much More

Obesity is a complex disease that is prevalent in the United States. Recently, the Food & Drug Administration approved the use of injectable antidiabetic medications for chronic weight management. Specifically, semaglutide, saxenda, and tirzepatide are effective at helping people lose weight by making them feel fuller and less hungry. These medications were initially indicated to treat type 2 diabetes. They lower blood sugar levels by activating the release of insulin. These drugs also regulate parts of the brain that control hunger and appetite. Many patients experience rapid weight loss with these medications, which in turn reduces their risk for major cardiovascular events and improves their overall mental health. However, without a healthy lifestyle patients need to stay on the drug indefinitely to keep their weight off. Serious adverse effects have been reported with long term use such as gastrointestinal and kidney issues. It is hard to balance the negative health effects of obesity with the improved health benefits that come with the use of these drugs while also considering the potential risks

Architectural Hippies or Healthcare Visionaries?

Human beings increasingly lack interaction with nature in modern civilizations due to urbanization and lifestyle preferences. Research has shown that biophilic elements, like greenery, natural light, etc., create healing environments that alleviate stress, enhance emotional well-being, and promote recovery. This forms the basis of the Biophilic hypothesis, which states that being around nature is imperative for the well-being of humans. This article explores the transformative potential of biophilic design in healthcare settings, explaining its profound impact on patient outcomes and well-being. Several bodies of research prove that introducing biophilic elements in hospitals has led to shorter postoperative stays, reduced administration of pain relief drugs, lower stress levels for people with chronic diseases, and improved overall well-being of patients. Using Virtual Reality (VR) to simulate biophilic environments has shown promise in significantly reducing patient stress and anxiety levels. The fusion of architecture and nature holds immense promise in transforming healthcare spaces into vibrant ecosystems that prioritize holistic patient well-being

Analysis of Medication Error Trends Occurring During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, medication errors were the leading cause of preventable harm in hospitals, negatively impacting approximately 1.5 million American patients each year.1 Since then, over thirty novel COVID-19 treatments have been authorized for patient use, introducing new challenges and exacerbating existing factors that contributed to medication errors.2 This research aims to identify and analyze medication error trends associated with COVID-19 related medications, vaccines, and treatment algorithms. To determine the most prominent medication errors occurring in the United States healthcare system during the beginning stages of the pandemic, literature reviews were conducted to identify the active treatments and vaccinations used for the SARS CoV2 virus and the known medication safety issues associated with these regimens were analyzed. A questionnaire was then distributed to members of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices to assess the most persistent errors found to be occurring in hospitals across the nation. Missed doses of treatments and failure to engage in barcode medication administration were found to be the most prevalent errors across participants. The most common causes of errors in the study emerged as miscommunication and issues related to staff training and education. The responses were categorized and analyzed to formulate an updated list of the most frequent medication errors at the time, which validated the original identified errors from the literature review and recognized new concerns. The objective of this research is to assess recurring medication errors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and pinpoint additional errors unique to COVID-19 treatments. This research seeks to understand how the surge in contemporary COVID-19 treatment options impacts medication safety for patients receiving medical care in American hospitals. This data can aid in medication error prevention and elimination strategies outside the context of the pandemic, thus reducing patient mortality rates, length of hospital stays, and medical expenses