National University of Ireland, Maynooth
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Do sports analytics affect footballer pay?
Get PDFLabor economists aspire to understand how workers' productivity impacts pay. While professional football is a well-established domain to explore this relationship, so far, research has relied on basic productivity measures. Football is now awash with advanced and granular performance metrics that can allow a deeper understanding of the pay-performance relationship. We specify a salary model considering the newly available data and use sophisticated performance measures to explain contracted salaries in the English Premier League and Italian Serie A. We make a methodological breakthrough by identifying a sample of players who are in the first year of a new contract only. This results in a much tighter relationship between pay and performance. We estimate different salary equations using both basic and advanced performance statistics. Our main findings are, first, that few of our advanced performance metrics help to explain player salary and, second, that there is misalignment between individual performance determinants of team points and player salaries.
JEL codes
J41, Z2
An Investigation Into the Measurement of Injury Severity in Running‐Related Injury Research: A Scoping Review
Get PDFUnderstanding injury severity is essential to inform injury prevention practice. The aims of this scoping review were to investigate how running‐related injury (RRI) severity is measured, compare how it differs across studies, and examine whether it influences study outcomes (i.e., injury rates and risk factor identification). This scoping review was prospectively registered with Open Science Framework. A systematic electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscuss, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases. Included studies were published in English between January 1980 and December 2023, investigated RRIs in adult running populations, and included a measure of injury severity. Results were extracted and collated. Sixty‐six studies were included. Two predominant primary criteria are used to define injury severity: the extent of the effect on running and/or the extent of the physical description. When secondary definition criteria are considered, 13 variations of injury severity measurement are used. Two approaches are used to grade injury severity: a categorization approach or a continuous numerical scale. Overall, the measurement of RRI severity is relatively inconsistent across studies. Less than half of studies report incidence rates per level of injury severity, while none report specific risk factors across levels, making it difficult to determine if the approach to measuring injury severity influences these study outcomes. This lack of information is possibly contributing to inconsistent rates of RRIs reported, and the lack of clarity on risk factors
Personalized strategies of neurostimulation: from static biomarkers to dynamic closed-loop assessment of neural function
Get PDFDespite considerable advancement of first choice treatment (pharmacological, physical therapy, etc.) over many decades, neurological disorders still represent a major portion of the worldwide disease burden. Particularly concerning, the trend is that this scenario will worsen given an ever expanding and aging population. The many different methods of brain stimulation (electrical, magnetic, etc.) are, on the other hand, one of the most promising alternatives to mitigate the suffering of patients and families when conventional treatment fall short of delivering efficacious treatment. With applications in virtually all neurological conditions, neurostimulation has seen considerable success in providing relief of symptoms. On the other hand, a large variability of therapeutic outcomes has also been observed, particularly in the usage of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) modalities. Borrowing inspiration and concepts from its pharmacological counterpart and empowered by unprecedented neurotechnological advancement, the neurostimulation field has seen in recent years a widespread of methods aimed at the personalization of its parameters, based on biomarkers of the individuals being treated. The rationale is that, by taking into account important factors influencing the outcome, personalized stimulation can yield a much-improved therapy. Here, we review the literature to delineate the state-of-the-art of personalized stimulation, while also considering the important aspects of the type of informing parameter (anatomy, function, hybrid), invasiveness, and level of development (pre-clinical experimentation versus clinical trials). Moreover, by reviewing relevant literature on closed loop neuroengineering solutions in general and on activity dependent stimulation method in particular, we put forward the idea that improved personalization may be achieved when the method is able to track in real time brain dynamics and adjust its stimulation parameters accordingly. We conclude that such approaches have great potential of promoting the recovery of lost functions and enhance the quality of life for patients
From Dr. Seuss to Barbie’s cancellation: brand’s institutional work in response to changed market logics
Get PDFResearch on brand activism does not fully inform us about how established brands are transforming in response to the ever-changing political, cultural, and social norms. To answer this gap, our paper investigates 24 established brands in the entertainment industry, within 18 mother companies, targeting children to unveil these dynamics. Using institutional theory as our
enabling lens, our paper first traces the changes in the institutional logic guiding the market leading to threatening the brand’s
legitimacy. We then uncover how these brands came under attack for violating the changing market logics through passive
exclusion and representation offence. Forced to sustain their legitimacy, the brands direct their institutional work towards
conducting structural interactive strategies. These strategies create symmetry across a spectrum of stakeholders: consumers,
employees, and communities. We label these strategies: revamping, surgerying, and attaching. The strategies enable brands
to sustain legitimacy amid change. Our findings contribute to the literature on legitimacy repairs and maintenance, brand
activism, and children-related marketing. We also provide managerial recommendations on conducting structural changes
A Frequency Domain-Based Control Methodology for Performance Assessment and Optimisation of Heterogeneous Arrays of Wave Energy Converters
Get PDFThe development of wave energy absorption technology has progressed to a stage where researchers and industry companies are assessing the potential performance of wave energy converter (WEC) farms. Besides the evident financial benefits of deploying WECs in farms, numerous analytical and experimental studies have shown that the average power production of WEC arrays can surpass that of isolated devices when an appropriate layout and control strategy are implemented. However, optimising the layout, shapes of devices, and control strategy for WEC arrays requires extensive investigation, with computational costs being a major challenge.This paper introduces an innovative approach for the rapid assessment of heterogeneous WEC array performance in the frequency domain, operating under a new optimal centralized constrained control strategy. This frequency-domain method holds promise for faster simulation/optimisation compared to traditional time-domain approaches. The framework integrates hydrodynamic modeling with optimal constrained control, addressing optimisation problems for both array layout and individual WEC design, in order to maximise wave power absorption. The proposed performance function combines time-averaged power production with wave frequency distribution functions and wave propagation direction roses, providing a comprehensive representation of sea states. The paper includes examples illustrating the approach and validates it against previous time-domain simulations for homogeneous and heterogeneous arrays
Flywheel resistance training promotes unique muscle architectural and performance‐related adaptations in young adults
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the skeletal muscle hypertrophic, architectural, and performance-related adaptations in response to volume-matched, total-body flywheel versus traditional resistance training in a randomized, non-exercise controlled study in physically active young adults. Thirty-one healthy young adults (24 ± 3 y) were randomized to 10 weeks of traditional resistance training (TRT; n = 7F/5M), flywheel training (FWRT; n = 7F/4M), or a habitual activity control (CON; n = 5F/3M). Maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVIT), one repetition-maximum (1RM) for the free weight squat and bench press, three repetition work maximum (3Wmax) for the flywheel squat and bench press, countermovement jump height, and broad jump distance, as well as site-specific muscle hypertrophy, fascicle length (FL), and pennation angle, were measured. Both TRT and FWRT increased MVIT (p ≤ 0.021) and FFM (p ≤ 0.032) compared to CON. However, TRT promoted superior improvements in free weight squat and bench 1RM (p < 0.001), and FWRT improved flywheel 3Wmax squat and bench (p < 0.001). FWRT increased the FL and cross-sectional area of the distal VL, countermovement jump height, and broad jump distance (p ≤ 0.048), whereas TRT increased the pennation angle and cross-sectional area of the proximal VL. Therefore, 10 weeks of volume-matched, total-body traditional, and flywheel resistance training similarly increased maximal isometric strength and fat-free mass. However, FWRT promoted unique skeletal muscle architectural adaptations that likely contributed to region-specific VL hypertrophy and jump performance improvements. Thus, FWRT provides a novel training stimulus that promotes architectural adaptations that support improved athletic performance in a manner that is not provided by traditional resistance exercise training
Design of Broadband H-plane Horn Antenna with High-Order Mode Based on Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) Technology
Get PDFThis paper presents the development of a high-order mode, low-profile, broadband H-plane horn antenna utilizing substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology to increase its bandwidth. The design strategically modifies the antenna's hO rn dimensions and incorporates high-order modes, thereby introducing resonant frequencies over a range of bands and significantly broadening its operational bandwidth. Furthermore, enhancements in the antenna's bandwidth and radiation properties are achieved through the extension of the waveguide aperture, modification of electromagnetic boundary conditions, and integration of impedance-matching structures. The antenna demonstrates a notable performance, with a reflection coefficient below -10 dB in the 30–52 GHz range, and a relative bandwidth of 53.6%. Additionally, it maintains a consistent gain of over 10 dBi across the operating frequency band with excellent directional radiation characteristics. The proposed SIW-based high-order mode H-plane horn antenna offers high bandwidth, low profile, and ease-of-manufacturing attributes, making it suitable for millimeter-wave applications in the Ka-band
Resistance exercise lowers blood pressure and improves vascular endothelial function in individuals with elevated blood pressure or stage-1 hypertension
Get PDFLifestyle modifications are the first-line treatment recommendation for elevated blood pressure (BP) or stage-1 hypertension (E/S1H) and include resistance exercise training (RET). The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of a 9-wk RET intervention in line with the current exercise guidelines for individuals with E/S1H on resting peripheral and central BP, vascular endothelial function, central arterial stiffness, autonomic function, and inflammation in middle-aged and older adults (MA/O) with untreated E/S1H. Twenty-six MA/O adults (54 ± 6 yr; 16 females/10 males) with E/S1H engaged in either 9 wk of 3 days/wk RET ( n = 13) or a nonexercise control (Con; n = 13). Pre- and postintervention measures included peripheral and central systolic (SBP and cSBP) and diastolic BP (DBP and cDBP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR), heart rate variability (HRV), and C-reactive protein (CRP). RET caused significant reductions in SBP {mean change ± 95% CI = [−7.9 (−12.1, −3.6) mmHg; P < 0.001]}, cSBP [6.8 (−10.8, −2.7) mmHg; P < 0.001)], DBP [4.8 (−10.3, −1.2) mmHg; P < 0.001], and cDBP [−5.1 (−8.9, −1.3) mmHg; P < 0.001]; increases in FMD [+2.37 (0.61, 4.14)%; P = 0.004] and CO [+1.21 (0.26, 2.15) L/min; P = 0.006]; and a reduction in TPR [−398 (−778, −19) mmHg·s/L; P = 0.028]. RET had no effect on cfPWV, BRS, HRV, or CRP relative to Con ( P ≥ 0.20). These data suggest that RET reduces BP in MA/O adults with E/S1H alongside increased peripheral vascular function and decreased TPR without affecting cardiovagal function or central arterial stiffness.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is among the first studies to investigate the effects of chronic resistance exercise training on blood pressure (BP) and putative BP regulating mechanisms in middle-aged and older adults with untreated elevated BP or stage-1 hypertension in a randomized, nonexercise-controlled trial. Nine weeks of resistance exercise training elicits 4- to 8-mmHg improvements in systolic and diastolic BP alongside improvements in vascular endothelial function and total peripheral resistance without influencing central arterial stiffness or cardiovagal function
Sex differences in gray matter, white matter, and regional brain perfusion in young, healthy adults
Get PDFCerebrovascular and neurological diseases exhibit sex-specific patterns in prevalence, severity, and regional specificity, some of which are associated with altered cerebral blood flow (CBF). Females often exhibit higher resting CBF, but understanding the impact of sex per se on CBF is hampered by study variability in age, comorbidities, medications, and control for menstrual cycle or hormone therapies. A majority of studies report whole brain CBF without differentiating between grey and white matter, or without assessing regional CBF. Thus, fundamental sex differences in regional or whole-brain CBF remain unclarified. While controlling for the above confounders, we tested the hypothesis that females will exhibit higher total grey and white matter perfusion as well as regional grey matter perfusion. Adults 18-30 years old (females=22, males=26), were studied using arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans followed by Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12) analysis in Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM12) to quantify CBF relative to brain volume. Females displayed 40% higher perfusion globally (females =62±9, males=45±10mL/100g/min, p<0.001), grey matter (females=75±11, males=54±12mL/100g/min, p<0.001), and white matter (females=44±6, males=32±7mL/100g/min, p<0.001). Females exhibited greater perfusion than males in 67 of the 68 regions tested, ranging from 14-66% higher. A second MRI approach (4D flow) focused on large arteries confirmed the sex difference in global CBF. These data indicate strikingly higher basal CBF in females at global, grey, and white matter levels and across dozens of brain regions, and offer new clarity into fundamental sex differences in global and regional CBF regulation prior to aging or pathology
Fully-distributed optimization with Network Exact Consensus-GIANT
Get PDFWe consider a fully-distributed optimization problem involving multiple collaborative agents, where the global
objective is to minimize a sum of local cost functions. Agents
are part of a communication network and can only exchange
information with their neighbors. We introduce a novel optimization algorithm called NEC-GIANT, which improves over both
GIANT, a popular federated learning algorithm, and Network GIANT, our previously proposed fully-distributed counterpart
of GIANT. NEC-GIANT extends GIANT to the fully-distributed
scenario, removing the need for a central server to orchestrate the
agents. Unlike the existing Network-GIANT, which suffers from
the inefficiency of standard asymptotic consensus, the novel NEC GIANT is based on finite-time distributed consensus and retains
all the convergence properties of the original GIANT. Numerical
simulations prove the efficiency and superiority of the proposed
algorithm in terms of both iterations and machine run-time