Comparison of beam generation techniques using a phase only spatial light modulator

Whether in art or for QR codes, images have proven to be both powerful and efficient carriers of information. Spatial light modulators allow an unprecedented level of control over the generation of optical fields by using digital holograms. There is no unique way of obtaining a desired light pattern however, leaving many competing methods for hologram generation. In this paper, we test six hologram generation techniques in the creation of a variety of modes as well as a photographic image: rating the methods according to obtained mode quality and power. All techniques compensate for a non-uniform mode profile of the input laser and incorporate amplitude scaling. We find that all methods perform well and stress the importance of appropriate spatial filtering. We expect these results to be of interest to those working in the contexts of microscopy, optical trapping or quantum image creation

The assessment and examination of organizational stressors in sport performers

Organizational stressors are prevalent within competitive sport participation and can elicit a number of undesirable consequences for sport performers who encounter them if they are not sufficiently addressed. It is, therefore, imperative that psychologists have evidence-based research that can inform their understanding of the organizational stressors that sport performers encounter, so that psychologists can, ultimately, help sport performers to address such stressors. To provide such research, the purpose of this thesis was to assess and examine the organizational stressors that sport performers encounter via a series of seven related studies. Following an introduction to the thesis, Chapter Two provides a literature review of the concepts, definitions, and theories of stress, and the psychometric issues evident in organizational stressor research. Chapter Three (Study One) reports a meta-interpretation of the studies that have identified the organizational stressors encountered by sport performers, and presents the findings as a taxonomic classification. This synthesis with taxonomy illustrates the large number and wide range of organizational stressors that sport performers encounter and provides the most accurate, comprehensive, and parsimonious classification of organizational stressors to date. In addition, the findings are valid, generalizable, and applicable to a large number of sport performers of various ages, genders, nationalities, sports, and standards. In the context of the thesis, Chapter Three is of primary importance in shaping and informing the research in the later chapters. For example, Chapter Four (Studies Two to Five) describes the development and validation of an Organizational Stressor Indicator for Sport Performers (OSI-SP), which is conceptually underpinned by the findings of Study One. In Chapter Four, Study Two reports the development of the indicator via the recruitment of an expert and usability panel to assess the content validity and applicability of an initial item pool. Study Three analyses the subsequent 96 items forwarded from Study Two with exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) and the results illustrate a five-factor structure (viz. Goals and Development, Logistics and Operations, Team and Culture, Coaching, Selection) and 33 items. Using confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), Studies Four and Five provide support for this five-factor structure. Study Five also provides evidence for the concurrent validity of the indicator and its invariance across different groups. A main conclusion of Chapter Four is that the OSI-SP is a valid and reliable measure of a comprehensive range of organizational stressors that sport performers encounter. Using this indicator, a series of multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) were conducted in Study Six to examine sport performer’s individual demographic differences in organizational stressors. This study is reported in Chapter Five and reveals that individual demographic differences do affect the dimensions of goals and development, logistics and operations, team and culture, coaching, and selection organizational stressors. Specifically, significant differences are evident between males and females; team, individual, and team and individual based sport performers; and individuals competing at national or international, regional or university, and county or club levels. Expanding the focus from stressors to the wider stress process, Chapter Six (Study Seven) reports an investigation of the moderating effect of coping on the relationship between organizational stressors encountered in competitive sport and the outcomes that individuals experience. Multiple regression in this study indicated the following main effects: the dimensions of many organizational stressors had a main effect on negative affect; problem-focused coping had a main effect on positive and negative affect; emotion-focused coping had a main effect on negative affect; and avoidance coping had an inverse main effect on positive affect. The moderated hierarchical regression analyses conducted in this study revealed one significant interaction between emotion-focused coping and the frequency and duration of stressors on intensity of stressors; and three significant interactions between avoidance coping and the frequency and duration of stressors on positive affect. These findings provide an insight into which coping styles buffer the impact of organizational stressors at different stages of the stress process. Following this final study, Chapter Eight provides a summary of the studies presented in this thesis; a discussion of the theoretical contributions, practical implications, strengths and limitations, and future research directions; and a conclusion. Overall, this programme of research provides a greater understanding of organizational stressors and their relationships with other constructs and further components of the stress process; therefore, advancing theoretical and scientific knowledge in this area. Practically, the findings presented in this thesis can be incorporated into stress management interventions to, ultimately, address the heightened prevalence of organizational stressors in competitive sport and, in doing so, negate the undesirable consequences that they can create

Motivated grouping in grades four, five and six

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University, 1946. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

Alcohol and Other Addictive Behaviors Among Bariatric Surgery Patients

Research has repeatedly highlighted a high rate of comorbidity of addictive behaviors in both clinical and non-clinical samples. While polydrug use has received significant attention in recent years, less is known about rates of comorbidity with behavioral addictions such as eating, work, exercise, or sex. Individuals with a history of bariatric surgery may provide a unique opportunity to examine the potential co-occurrence of addictive behaviors. High rates of food addiction symptoms and changes in alcohol use patterns post-surgically have highlighted a potential gap in our understanding of bariatric patients and their needs post-surgically. Using a composite measure of addictive behaviors, the Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire (SPQ), this study examined prevalence of alcohol and other addictive behaviors in individuals with a history of bariatric surgery and the psychosocial correlates that are associated with such problems. The present study found elevated rates of substance use and alcohol use problems when compared to rates in the literature. In addition, the SPQ alcohol score was found to be strongly correlated to measures of alcohol consumption quantity and frequency and other measures of alcohol related problems. This provides preliminary support for SPQ alcohol subscale validity in bariatric samples. Finally, several psychosocial correlates of alcohol use problems were examined. As hypothesized, gender, history of cannabis use, parental history of alcohol problems, and history of daily smoking all had significant associations to CAGE scores. Mean alcohol quantity and frequency variables decreased pre- to post-surgery. Time elapsed since surgery was not significantly correlated with post-surgical alcohol quantity and frequency or with SPQ alcohol subscale scores. Present study findings can inform future research to better understand the relationships between eating and other addictive behaviors in a post-surgical sample of bariatric surgery patients

Sports performers' perspectives on facilitating thriving in professional rugby contexts

ObjectivesThe desire and apparent ‘need’ to succeed can drive a win-at-all-costs mentality in individuals who operate in sport. This approach has given rise to environments where the pursuit of high-level performance has been at the expense of athlete welfare. To redress this balance and to inform the creation and maintenance of sporting environments that promote both high performance and athlete well-being, we sought to (i) provide an exploration of the environmental factors that may promote player thriving in professional sport, and (ii) offer suggestions for how key stakeholders can support these mechanisms.DesignA qualitative research methodology underpinned by ontological relativism and epistemological constructionism.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 players from an English professional rugby union club.ResultsThematic analysis generated thirteen factors that players perceived to promote thriving. These factors were underpinned by two general ideas: (i) Establishing Bonds between Teammates and (ii) Establishing a Connection to the Coaching Staff and the Club.ConclusionsThe findings provide the first insight into the type of environment professional rugby players believe can facilitate their development and sporting success. The factors generated in the analysis highlight the players’ desire to operate within an integrated, inclusive, and trusting environment, and a variety of suggestions are forwarded for how this can be achieved. To promote thriving in a professional sport that requires emotion and passion to succeed on the pitch, it appears that rugby union organizations must appeal to the sensitivities and welfare of players off it

Organisational stressors, coping, and outcomes in competitive sport

Organizational stressors are associated with positive and negative outcomes in extant literature; however, little is known about which demands predict which outcomes. Extant theory and literature also suggests that coping style may influence an individual’s resilience or vulnerability to stressors and, subsequently, their psychological responses and outcomes. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to examine the main effects of organizational stressors and coping styles on various outcomes (e.g., positive and negative affect, performance satisfaction). Sport performers (n = 414) completed measures of organizational stressors, coping styles, positive and negative affect, and performance satisfaction. Multiple regression analyses revealed positive relationships of both goals and development stressors (duration and intensity) and team and culture stressors (frequency and intensity) on negative affect. Furthermore, problem-focused coping was positively related to positive affect, and emotion-focused coping was positively related to negative affect. This study furthers theoretical knowledge regarding the associations that both organizational stressors (and their dimensions) and coping styles can have with various outcomes, and practical understanding regarding the optimal design of stress management interventions

School-Based Service Delivery Models and Interventions for Handwriting

This project was part of a research initiative in collaboration with Wendi Trummert, DrOT, OTR/L, a practicing school-based occupational therapist in the Puyallup School District. The purpose of our project was to compare the effectiveness of certain service delivery models and intervention approaches to improve handwriting outcomes for school-aged children. Our search of the literature yielded a total of 20 applicable research studies, which utilized a wide variety of models and approaches. There was limited research specifically comparing service delivery and/or specific components of handwriting interventions. Our findings indicated that there are a variety of effective service delivery models and approaches to handwriting interventions. Furthermore, direct practice was a consistent component of programs producing handwriting improvements. A recommendation for future research is to directly compare service delivery models and intervention approaches to handwriting. This would allow practitioners to identify which specific aspects of service delivery could best support handwriting for students. Our knowledge translation products were specifically designed for our collaborating practitioner to present to her colleagues within the Puyallup School District. These products included a prepared in-service presentation detailing our research and findings, handouts regarding service delivery and approaches, and an annotated bibliography including relevant research articles to inform practitioners. Post-product responses and feedback were overall positive from our collaborator, although we were not able to receive feedback from colleagues who participated in the presentation due to time constraints