The hot hand phenomenon in amateur golf : examination of psychological momentum : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

This dissertation explored the notion of the hot hand phenomenon and psychological momentum in the sport of amateur golf within two separate but interrelated studies. Study one investigated the hot hand phenomenon with a sample of amateur golfers (N - 3238). Participant's hole-by-hole scores for rounds played over a two-year period were analysed. The results showed performance on a hole was influenced by prior performance for a greater number of golfers than would expected by chance, thus supporting the notion of the hot hand phenomenon. The results are discussed in relation to previous hot hand research. The aim of Study Two was to investigate reasons behind individual and gender differences in psychological momentum after an error. A selection of participants from study one were assigned to a negative momentum, negative facilitation, or no-momentum group, by virtue of how they tend to perform after an error and posted questionnaires measuring fear of failure, telic dominance, rumination, trait anxiety, self-confidence, perfectionism, and motivation orientation. The results suggest an individual's self-confidence, telic dominance, and task orientation influence ones performance after an error. These findings provide some supporting evidence for the Vallerand et al.'s (1988) antecedents-consequences psychological momentum model and Taylor and Demick's (1994) multidimensional model of momentum

Low thrust chemical orbit to orbit propulsion system propellant management study

Low thrust chemical propulsion systems were sized for transfer of large space systems from LEO to GEO. The influence of propellant combination, tankage and insulation requirements, and propellant management techniques on the LTPS mass and volume were studied. Liquid oxygen combined with hydrogen, methane or kerosene were the propellant combinations. Thrust levels of 445, 2230, and 4450 N were combined with 1, 4 and 8 perigee burn strategies. This matrix of systems was evaluated using multilayer insulation and spray-on-foam insulation systems. Various combinations of toroidal, cylindrical with ellipsoidal domes, and ellipsoidal tank shapes were investigated. Results indicate that low thrust (445 N) and single perigee burn approaches are considerably less efficient than the higher thrust level and multiple burn strategies. A modified propellant settling approach minimized propellant residuals and decreased system complexity, in addition, the toroid/ellipsoidal tank combination was predicted to be shortest

Determining the Relationship Between Seizure-Free Days and Other Predictors of Quality of Life in Patients with Dravet Syndrome and Their Carers from FFA Registration Studies

INTRODUCTION Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare, lifelong epileptic encephalopathy characterised by frequent and severe seizures associated with premature mortality. Typically diagnosed in infancy, patients also experience progressive behavioural, motor-function and cognitive decline. Twenty percent of patients do not reach adulthood. Quality of life (QoL) is impaired for both patients and their carers. Reducing convulsive seizure frequency, increasing convulsive seizure-free days (SFDs) and improving patient/carer QoL are primary treatment goals in DS. This study explored the relationship between SFDs and patients' and carers' QoL to inform a cost-utility analysis of fenfluramine (FFA). METHODS In FFA registration studies, patients (or their carer proxies) completed the Paediatric QoL inventory (PedsQL). These data were mapped to EuroQol-5 Dimensions Youth version (EQ-5D-Y) to provide patient utilities. Carer utilities were collected using EQ-5D-5L and mapped to EQ-5D-3L to align patient and carer QoL on the same scale. Linear mixed-effects and panel regression models were tested and Hausman tests identified the most appropriate approach for each group. On this basis, a linear mixed-effects regression model was used to examine the relationships between patient EQ-5D-Y and clinically relevant variables (age, frequency of SFDs per 28 days, motor impairments and treatment dose). A linear panel regression model examined the relationship between SFDs and carer QoL. RESULTS After adjustment for age and underlying comorbidities, the patient regression model showed that SFDs per 28 days was a significant predictor of QoL. Each additional patient-SFD increased utility by 0.005 (p < 0.001). The carer linear panel model also showed that increasing SFDs per 28 days was a significant predictor of improved QoL. Each additional SFD increased carer utility by 0.014 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This regression framework highlights that SFDs are significantly correlated with both patients' and carers' QoL. Treatment with effective antiseizure medications that increase SFDs directly improves QoL for patients and their carers

Ambient interaction and situational influence: case studies in public sites.

An audience's direct physical intervention is widely believed to be instrumental in the field of interactive art. However, this long established expectation faces new challenges through the increasing accessibility of a growing diversity of interactive technologies and ubiquitous smart media. Such innovations are often fully integrated components of interactive public artworks, many of which do not directly involve audiences or individuals as key agents in the functional or aesthetic realisation of the work. Based on three case studies of interactive artworks in public places, this article identifies an important characteristic of interactivity in interactive art, through the largely unexplored concept of 'Ambient Interaction' in which artworks are embodied and enacted through environmental conditions and situational influences rather than exclusively through people's intentional and direct physical engagement

Proceedings of the Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference (SPARC) 2011

These proceedings bring together a selection of papers from the 2011 Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference(SPARC). It includes papers from PhD students in the arts and social sciences, business, computing, science and engineering, education, environment, built environment and health sciences. Contributions from Salford researchers are published here alongside papers from students at the Universities of Anglia Ruskin, Birmingham City, Chester,De Montfort, Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester

Platelet count and transfusion requirements during moderate or severe postpartum haemorrhage

Limited data exist on platelet transfusion during postpartum haemorrhage. We retrospectively analysed a consecutive cohort from a single centre of 347 women with moderate or severe postpartum haemorrhage, transfused according to national guidelines. Twelve (3%) women required a platelet transfusion. There were no differences between women who did and did not receive platelets with respect to age, mode of initiation of labour or mode of delivery. Women receiving a platelet transfusion had a lower median (IQR [range]) platelet count at study entry than women who did not receive platelets before haemorrhage (135 (97–175 [26–259])×109.l−1 vs 224 (186–274 [91–1006])×109.l−1), respectively), and at diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage (median 114 (78–153 [58–238])×109.l−1 vs 193 (155–243 [78–762])×109.l−1 respectively). Six women were thrombocytopenic pre-delivery. The cause of haemorrhage that was associated with the highest rate of platelet transfusion was placental abruption, with three of 14 women being transfused. If antenatal thrombocytopenia or consumptive coagulopathy were not present, platelets were only required for haemorrhage > 5000 ml. Early formulaic platelet transfusion would have resulted in many women receiving platelets unnecessarily. Using current guidelines, the need for platelet transfusion is uncommon without antenatal thrombocytopenia, consumptive coagulopathy or haemorrhage > 5000 ml. We found no evidence to support early fixed-ratio platelet transfusion