Constructing and Standardizing Cognitive Test in Artist Competition Rule for Epee Referees

The research aimed at constructing and standardizing a cognitive test in competition rules for epee referees as well as identifying the validity of these tests. The problem of the research lies in the lack of cognitive tests made for fencing referees. The researchers used the descriptive method on (50) referees and the pilot study was conducted on (3) while constructing subjects (47) and standardizing subjects were (45). The test was distributed, collected, and treated using proper statistical operations to conclude that there are differences between referees in their level that proves the validity of this test to measure cognitive knowledge of competition rules.

Longitudinal changes in Super League match locomotor and event characteristics: A league-wide investigation over three seasons in rugby league

The 2019 and 2020 Super League (SL) seasons included several competition rule changes. This study aimed to quantify the difference between the 2018, 2019 and 2020 SL seasons for duration, locomotor and event characteristics of matches. Microtechnology and match event data were analysed from 11 SL teams, comprising 124 players, from 416 competitive matches across a three-year data collection period. Due to an enforced suspension of league competition as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions, and subsequent rule changes upon return to play, season 2020 was divided into season 2020a (i.e. Pre-COVID suspension) and season 2020b (i.e. Post-COVID suspension). Duration, locomotor variables, and match events were analysed per whole-match and ball-in-play (BIP) periods with differences between seasons determined using mixed-effects models. There were significant (ρ ≤ 0.05) reductions in whole-match and BIP durations for adjustables and backs in 2019 when compared to 2018; albeit the magnitude of reduction was less during BIP analyses. Despite reduced duration, adjustables reported an increased average speed suggesting reduced recovery time between bouts. Both forwards and adjustables also experienced an increase in missed tackles between 2018 and 2019 seasons. When comparing 2019 to 2020a, adjustables and backs increased their average speed and distance whilst all positional groups increased average acceleration both for whole-match and BIP analyses. When comparing 2020a to 2020b, all positional groups experienced reduced average speed and average acceleration for both whole-match and BIP analyses. Forwards experienced an increased number of tackles and carries, adjustables experienced an increased number of carries, and backs experienced an increased number of missed tackles when comparing these variables between season 2020a and 2020b. Rule changes have a greater effect on whole-match duration and locomotor characteristics than those reported during BIP periods which suggests the implemented rule changes have removed stagnant time from matches. Amendments to tackle related rules within matches (e.g., introduction of the ‘six-again’ rule) increases the number of collision related events such as carries and tackles.

Synaptic plasticity-dependent competition rule influences memory formation

Memory is supported by a specific collection of neurons distributed in broad brain areas, an engram. Despite recent advances in identifying an engram, how the engram is created during memory formation remains elusive. To explore the relation between a specific pattern of input activity and memory allocation, here we target a sparse subset of neurons in the auditory cortex and thalamus. The synaptic inputs from these neurons to the lateral amygdala (LA) are not potentiated by fear conditioning. Using an optogenetic priming stimulus, we manipulate these synapses to be potentiated by the learning. In this condition, fear memory is preferentially encoded in the manipulated cell ensembles. This change, however, is abolished with optical long-term depression (LTD) delivered shortly after training. Conversely, delivering optical long-term potentiation (LTP) alone shortly after fear conditioning is sufficient to induce the preferential memory encoding. These results suggest a synaptic plasticity-dependent competition rule underlying memory formation.

Optimization of Velocity Mode in Buslaev Two-Contour Networks via Competition Resolution Rules

<p>In computer networks based on the principle of packet switching, the important transmitting function is to maintain packet queues and suppress congestion. Therefore, the problems of optimal control of the communication networks are relevant. For example, there are users, and no more than a demand of one user can be served simultaneously. This paper considers a discrete dynamical system with two contours and two common points of the contours called the <em>nodes</em>. There are <em>n</em> cells and particles, located in the cells. At any discrete moment the particles of each contour occupy neighboring cells and form a cluster. The nodes divide each contour into two parts of length and (non-symmetrical system). The particles move in accordance with rule of the elementary cellular automaton 240 in the Wolfram classification. Delays in the particle movement are due to that more than one particle cannot move through the node simultaneously. A competition (conflict) occurs when two clusters come to the same node simultaneously. We have proved that the spectrum of velocities contains no more than two values for any fixed <em>n , d</em> and <em>l</em>. We have found an optimal rule which minimizes the average velocity of clusters. One of the competition clusters passes through the node first in accordance with a given competition rule. Two competition resolutions rules are introduced. The rules are called input priority and output priority resolution rules. These rules are Markovian, i.e., they takes into account only the present state of the system. For each set of parameters <em>n, d</em> and <em>l</em>, one of these two rules is optimal, i.e., this rule maximizes the average velocity of clusters. These rules are compared with the left-priority resolution rule, which was considered earlier. We have proved that the spectrum of velocities contains no more two values for any fixed <em>n, l,</em> and <em>d</em>. We have proved that the input priority rule is optimal if , and the output priority rule is optimal if .</p>

The impact of rule changes on the competitive activity indices in Greco-Roman wrestling

Objective – to reveal the impact of competition rule changes on the indices of athletes’ competitive activity. Methods. A total of 117 final fights of highly qualified athletes were analyzed. The following indices were recorded: the duration of bouts; number of technical actions; real attempts (the number of attempts made); estimated attempts (number of attacks implemented); the effectiveness of technique used in a stance and in “referee’s” position (determined by dividing the number of successful attacks by the number of real attempts to perform reception and multiplied by 100 %); the effectiveness of defence in a stance and in “referee’s” position (this is the division of the number of reflected attacks by the number of real attempts to execute a hold and multiplied by 100 %); the effectiveness of executed holds (scored: 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 4 points, 5 points). Results. The results obtained allowed to establish that the most performed TAs on the ground are rolling sideways, but they were most successful at OG-2016 (47 % of all TAs) and OG-1996 (41 %). This percentage is explained by the fact that rolling sideways are the most common, and all wrestlers pay great attention to their improvement. At present, attacking actions prevail in the competitive techniques, the bout is conducted constantly at a high pace; techniques are performed after previous preparation when the athlete is confident that the action will be performed; high-class wrestlers tend to execute more technical and tactical actions on the ground than in the stance, and all this significantly reduces the entertainment of the modern Greco-Roman wrestling. Modern studies have shown that the key characteristics of highly skilled wrestlers fitness with an equal amount of tactical and technical actions are their speed-strength capabilities and special endurance. Conclusion. It is established that today there remain significant problems for the specialists of Greco-Roman wrestling in the need to modernize the competition rules in order to improve the performance and entertainment of wrestling bouts. Keywords: technical fitness, Olympic Games, highly skilled wrestlers, competition rules.

Game-play characteristics differ between the European Super League and the National Rugby League: Implications for coaching and talent recruitment

Objectives To compare the game-play characteristics between the European Super League and the National Rugby League competitions. Methods Eleven team performance indicators were extracted from each match played by every European Super League and National Rugby League team over their respective 2016 season. Data were averaged, classified according to competition (two levels: European Super League and National Rugby League) and modelled using univariate and multivariate techniques. Specifically, effect size statistics enabled between group comparisons, while non-metric multidimensional scaling enabled multivariate insights into competition dissimilarity. Results Seven of the 11 performance indicators showed ‘large’ to ‘very large’ effects. Notably, National Rugby League game-play generated fewer ‘line breaks’, ‘errors’, ‘tackles’ and ‘dummy half runs’ relative to European Super League game-play ( d > 1.2). Despite the National Rugby League generating fewer ‘all runs’ ( d = 1.27 [0.57–1.95]), game-play in this competition generated greater ‘all run distances’ relative to the European Super League ( d = 1.78 [1.02–2.51]). Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed clear multivariate competition dissimilarity, with European Super League and National Rugby League teams orienting distinctive positions on the ordination surface. Further, there was a greater spread in the relative positioning of National Rugby League teams compared to European Super League teams, indicating greater team dissimilarity within the National Rugby League. Conclusions Our observations may be explained by differing competition rule interpretations, in addition to differing game strategies and player skill capabilities. Both coaches and talent recruitment managers associated with these competitions may consider our data to assist with the identification and recruitment of suitable players from these respective competitions.

COMPETITION RULE OF THE MULTI-CRITERIA APPROACH: WHAT CONTRACTORS IN CHINA REALLY WANT?

Recent years have witnessed the diversifying means of competitive bidding, where the client plays a critical role in the determination of competition rule. It is widely recognized that the competition rule should be placed on a win-win basis to ensure that both the client and contractors are well considered with respect to their interests. Nevertheless, a vast majority of biddings fail to take account of what contractors really want. Using the methods of literature review and content analysis, 34 tender evaluation factors are proposed to compose the competition rule in China. Contractors’ opinions on these factors are collected by virtue of questionnaire survey. Based on the Pareto law, it is found that the competition rule encompasses eleven key factors, and the composition varies slightly between public and private sectors. The Hotelling’s T test is conducted on those key factors in common. The implication is that contractors can use indifferent factors (e.g., credit rating, construction plan, completeness of bid components, timely payment to workers) to improve competitiveness, while the client may utilize different factors to diversify the competition rule. This paper probably presents an earliest effort put to examine the acceptability of competition rule in the construction context.