Shooting strategies and effectiveness after offensive rebound and its impact on game result in Euroleague basketball teams

Offensive rebound dominance has been widely shown as a key factor to success in basketball, since provide an extra attack. However, knowledge on how these second-options may results more effective is scarce. Thus, we aimed to discover the influence of shooting after offensive rebound on effectiveness, comparing differences between winners and losers. The sample consisted of 3010 shot attempts from Euroleague-Top-16. Variables pertaining to shooting effectiveness, shooting zone, and game result were registered through systematic observation. Statistical analyses included series of binomial logistic regression analyses. Results showed that shooting effectiveness increases by 67% when shooting after offensive rebound (OR= 1.67; p< 0.01). Additionally, winning teams were more effective after offensive rebound compared to losers (OR= 1.43; p= 0.03). Particularly, winners significantly scored more from the outside than defeated (OR= 3.40; p< 0.01), not finding differences in the inside (p= 0.62). In general, findings point out important advantages of shooting after offensive rebound, showing differences between winners and losers tactics. Thus, it is suggested developing specific tactical behaviours after offensive rebound situations to increase scoring opportunities and winning chances.

Inside game ball transitions according to player’s specific positions in NBA basketball

The purposes of this study were to identify players’ relationships and detecting ball transitions patterns according to their specic position when using inside pass, in the National Basketball Association (NBA) competition. In total, 808 inside passes (ball possession score dierences below 10 points) from 25 matches (NBA Playos, 2011) were analysed through systematic observation. A decision tree analysis (Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) was used to identify ball transitions patterns regarding specific players’ position (roots) and passer-receiver interactions (predictors). We detected strong pass and reception sequences of movements according to players’ specific position, especially when including interactions between perimeter and post players. Game conditions such as reception zone, pass distance, reception attitude, and defensive helps were also inuenced by players’ position. Current results point out the outside-inside coordination as an essential key to success in the NBA. It is recommended developing game dynamics focused in taking advantage of the high and low-post positions, as well as performing supporting actions in the weak side to enhance inside pass options. ese ndings may have implications in basketball training and competition process, contributing in a better understanding of collective strategies which leads to an accurate designing of practices task focused on increasing inside game options and players’ decision-making according to specific competition constraints.

The Role of Graduality for Referring Expression Generation in Visual Scenes

International audienceReferring Expression Generation (reg) algorithms, a core component of systems that generate text from non-linguistic data, seek to identify domain objects using natural language descriptions. While reg has often been applied to visual domains, very few approaches deal with the problem of fuzziness and gradation. This paper discusses these problems and how they can be accommodated to achieve a more realistic view of the task of referring to objects in visual scenes

Platinum–rhodium–tin/carbon electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation in acid media: effect of the precursor addition order and the amount of tin

Carbon-supported Pt x –Rh y –Sn z catalysts (x:y:z = 3:1:4, 6:2:4, 9:3:4) are prepared by Pt, Rh, and Sn precursors reduction in different addition order. The materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques and are evaluated for the electrooxidation of ethanol in acidic media by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and anode potentiostatic polarization. The influence of both the order in which the precursors are added and the composition of metals in the catalysts on the electrocatalytic activity and physico-chemical characteristics of Pt x –Rh y –Sn z /C catalysts is evaluated. Oxidized Rh species prevail on the surface of catalysts synthesized by simultaneous co-precipitation, thus demonstrating the influence of synthesis method on the oxidation state of catalysts. Furthermore, high amounts of Sn in composites synthesized by co-precipitation result in very active catalysts at low potentials (bifunctional effect), while medium Sn load is needed for sequentially deposited catalysts when the electronic effect is most important (high potentials), since more exposed Pt and Rh sites are needed on the catalyst surface to alcohol oxidation. The Pt3–Rh1–Sn4/C catalyst prepared by co-precipitation is the most active at potentials lower than 0.55 V (related to bifunctional effect), while the Pt6–Rh2–Sn4/C catalyst, prepared by sequential precipitation (first Rh and, after drying, Pt + Sn), is the most active above 0.55 V.The authors thank the Brazilian National Council of Technological and Scientific Development-CNPq (Grants: 402243/2012-9, 303630/2012-4, 474261/2013-1, 407274/2013-8, and 310282/2013-6) for the scholarships and financial support for this work

Construction status and prospects of the Hyper-Kamiokande project

The Hyper-Kamiokande project is a 258-kton Water Cherenkov together with a 1.3-MW high-intensity neutrino beam from the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The inner detector with 186-kton fiducial volume is viewed by 20-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and multi-PMT modules, and thereby provides state-of-the-art of Cherenkov ring reconstruction with thresholds in the range of few MeVs. The project is expected to lead to precision neutrino oscillation studies, especially neutrino CP violation, nucleon decay searches, and low energy neutrino astronomy. In 2020, the project was officially approved and construction of the far detector was started at Kamioka. In 2021, the excavation of the access tunnel and initial mass production of the newly developed 20-inch PMTs was also started. In this paper, we present a basic overview of the project and the latest updates on the construction status of the project, which is expected to commence operation in 2027

Prospects for neutrino astrophysics with Hyper-Kamiokande

Hyper-Kamiokande is a multi-purpose next generation neutrino experiment. The detector is a two-layered cylindrical shape ultra-pure water tank, with its height of 64 m and diameter of 71 m. The inner detector will be surrounded by tens of thousands of twenty-inch photosensors and multi-PMT modules to detect water Cherenkov radiation due to the charged particles and provide our fiducial volume of 188 kt. This detection technique is established by Kamiokande and Super-Kamiokande. As the successor of these experiments, Hyper-K will be located deep underground, 600 m below Mt. Tochibora at Kamioka in Japan to reduce cosmic-ray backgrounds. Besides our physics program with accelerator neutrino, atmospheric neutrino and proton decay, neutrino astrophysics is an important research topic for Hyper-K. With its fruitful physics research programs, Hyper-K will play a critical role in the next neutrino physics frontier. It will also provide important information via astrophysical neutrino measurements, i.e., solar neutrino, supernova burst neutrinos and supernova relic neutrino. Here, we will discuss the physics potential of Hyper-K neutrino astrophysics

Transições da bola de jogo interior de acordo com o jogador posição específca em basquete NBA

Te purposes of this study were to identify players’ relationships and detecting ball transitions patterns according to their specifc position when using inside pass, in the National Basketball Association (NBA) competition. In total, 808 inside passes (ball possession score diferences below 10 points) from 25 matches (NBA Playofs, 2011) were analysed through systematic observation. A decision tree analysis (Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) was used to identify ball transitions patterns regarding specifc players’ position (roots) and passer-receiver interactions (predictors). We detected strong pass and reception sequences of movements according to players’ specifc position, especially when including interactions between perimeter and post players. Game conditions such as reception zone, pass distance, reception attitude, and defensive helps were also infuenced by players’ position. Current results point out the outside-inside coordination as an essential key to success in the NBA. It is recommended developing game dynamics focused in taking advantage of the high- and low-post positions, as well as performing supporting actions in the weak side to enhance inside pass options. Tese fndings may have implications in basketball training and competition process, contributing in a better understanding of collective strategies which leads to an accurate designing of practices task focused on increasing inside game options and players’ decision-making according to specifc competition constraints.Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue identifcar las relaciones entre los jugadores y detectar los patrones de transición del balón en función de la posición específca de juego durante el uso del pase interior en la National Basketball Association (NBA). Se analizaron un total de 808 pases interiores (diferencia en el marcador por debajo de 10 puntos) correspondientes a 25 partidos (Playofs de la NBA, 2011) a través de observación sistemática. Se utilizó un análisis de árbol decisional (Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) para identifcar los patrones de transición de la pelota en función de la posición específca de los jugadores (raíces) y las interacciones pasador-receptor (predictores). Se detectaron secuencias de movimientos bien defnidas entre pasador y receptor de acuerdo a sus posiciones de juego, especialmente si se incluían relaciones entre jugadores del perímetro y del poste. Las condiciones del juego como la zona de recepción, distancia de pase, actitud del receptor, y las ayudas defensivas estuvieron infuenciadas por las posiciones de los jugadores. Estos resultados señalan la coordinación del juego exterior-interior como un aspecto esencial para el éxito en la NBA. Se recomienda desarrollar un juego dinámico centrado en aprovechar la ventaja de las posiciones de poste alto y poste bajo, así como realizar acciones de apoyo en el lado débil para aumentar las opciones de pase interior. Las conclusiones del presente estudio podrían por tanto tener implicaciones en el proceso de entrenamiento y competición de baloncesto, contribuyendo al entendimiento de las estrategias colectivas de los jugadores y con ello al diseño de tareas de práctica centradas en el aumento de las opciones de juego interior y a la mejora de la toma de decisiones de los jugadores que respondan a las demandas específcas de la competición.Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi identifcar as relações entre jogadores e detectar padrões de transição da bola de acordo com o jogador posição específca em uso de passe interior em National Basketball Association (NBA). Foram analisados um total de 808 passes interiores (diferença na pontuação abaixo de 10 pontos) por 25 jogos (NBA Playofs, 2011) através da observação sistemática. A análise da árvore de decisão (Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) foi utilizado para identifcar padrões de transição da bola dependendo do jogador posição específca (raízes) e passador-receptor interações (preditoras). Sequências de movimentos bem defnidos entre passer e receptor de acordo com suas posições de jogo, especialmente se as relações entre os jogadores de perímetro e poste incluídos foram detectados. As condições de jogo como a área de recepção, distância para passar, atitude do receptor, e as ajudas defensivas foram infuenciados pelas posições dos jogadores. Estes resultados indicam a coordenação do jogo de fora para dentro, como um aspecto essencial para o sucesso na NBA. Recomenda-se a desenvolver um jogo dinâmico centrado aproveitar as posições do pólo de poste alto e baixo, bem como as acções de apoio ao lado fraco para aumentar dentro opções de passagem. Os resultados deste estudo poderiam, portanto, ter implicações para o processo de treinamento e competição de basquete, contribuindo para a compreensão das estratégias coletivas dos jogadores e, assim, a prática do design tarefa focada em opções aumentando dentro do jogo e melhorar a tomada de decisão dos jogadores que atendam às demandas específcas da competição

High nitrogen doped graphenes and their applicability as basic catalysts

Trabajo presentado en la International Conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials, celebrada en Riva del Garda (Italia) del 2 al 5 de septiembre de 2013.Great emphasis has been dedicated to the electronic properties of graphene. These properties can be modified by introducing heteroatoms such as boron or nitrogen in the carbon structure during or after graphene synthesis process. In this work we study the nitrogen doping effect of graphene on the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction of ethanol. Nitrogen atoms were introduced via insitu reduction of graphite oxides of various grain sizes (10, 100 and 200 mesh) which had been previously prepared following a modification of the brodie method. The obtained GO were treated under an inert atmosphere (50 mL/min N2) and in a reaction mixture of NH3 (10 mL/min), N2 (50 mL/min) and H2 (6 mL/min). All samples were heated until 773 K although one of them was also heated at 1173 K. The resulting materials were characterized by Raman, XPS, XRD, etc. XRD results proved both successful graphite oxidation (interlayer spacing increases from 0.35 to 0.67 nm) and GO reduction (002 reflection peak disapears in all cases but for GO10 sample which partially recovers its graphitic nature). A Raman spectrum of one of the original graphite (G100) and its corresponding reduced GO (in inert atmosphere and in NH3) is depicted in Fig. 1. The parent graphite with strong G band and very small D gave an intensity ratio ID/IG of about 0.04. This is quite different for the reduced GO and at the same time dependent on the reduction atmosphere. Higher ID/IG ratio was observed for the nitrogen doped sample owing to the structure disorder caused by the presence of N atoms. XPS gave insights on the amount and type of nitrogen incorporated after the treatment which was dependent on graphite particle size and treatment temperature (Table 1). These characteristics are in agreement with the behaviour of samples in the dehydrogenation reaction of ethanol.Peer Reviewe

High nitrogen doped graphenes and their applicability as basic catalysts

N-doped and un-doped graphene samples were synthesized starting from natural graphite of different particle sizes (10, 100 and 200 mesh) by oxidation and further thermal treatment under ammonia and inert atmospheres, respectively. Samples were thoroughly characterized by TEM, XRD, Raman and XPS. The nature and quantity of nitrogen species introduced were dependent on starting materials, reduction atmosphere (NH3 or inert) and temperature. All samples were employed as basic catalysts in the dehydrogenation reaction of ethanol. Acetaldehyde was the main product obtained owing to the basicity induced by the presence of N atoms in the graphene layers. Conversion increased with higher N at.% and lower number of stacked graphene sheets. Catalysts with highest ratio between both factors gave highest conversion values.Authors acknowledge financial support from the projects CTQ 2011-29272-C04-01 and 03 and project 2011/PUNED/0001.Peer Reviewe

Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time

AimsAmid changing marijuana policies in the Southern Cone, we examined relationships between marijuana-related risk factors and marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay from 2001 to 2016.MethodsUsing cross-sectional surveys from 8th, 10th, and 12th graders and weighted time-varying effect models, we estimated associations between perceived risk (no/low risk versus moderate/great risk) and perceived availability (easy/very easy versus difficult/very difficult/not able to obtain) of marijuana, and any past-month marijuana use.ResultsIn all countries, marijuana use increased over time and adolescents who perceived no/low risk and easy availability had higher odds of use. In Argentina, the bivariate risk/use association weakened from 2001 (OR = 15.24, 95%CI = 9.63, 24.12) to 2004 [OR = 3.86 (2.72, 5.48)] and strengthened until 2011 [OR = 8.22 (7.56, 10.30)]; the availability/use association strengthened from 2005 [OR = 5.32 (4.05, 6.98)] to 2009 [OR = 20.77 (15.57, 27.70)] and weakened until 2014 [OR = 11.00 (9.11, 13.27)]. In Chile, the risk/use association weakened from 2001 [OR = 7.22 (6.57, 7.95)] to 2015 [OR = 5.58 (4.82, 6.48)]; the availability/use association weakened from 2001 [OR = 5.92 (4.96, 7.06)] to 2015 [OR = 4.10 (3.15, 5.34)]. In Uruguay, the risk/use association weakened from 2003 [OR = 34.22 (22.76, 51.46)] to 2016 [OR = 6.23 (4.96, 7.83)]; the availability/use association weakened from 2005 [OR = 29.13 (13.39, 63.39) to 2007 [OR = 9.42 (3.85, 23.07)], and strengthened until 2016 [OR = 22.68 (12.03, 42.76)].ConclusionsOverall, the association between risk and use weakened in all countries, suggesting risk perceptions became a weaker determinant of marijuana use. Perceived availability remained strongly associated with use and may become an increasingly important driver of use (particularly in Uruguay and Argentina)