Searching for momentum in NBA triplets of free throws

ABSTRACT

The literature on momentum is still undecided, with mixed results whether momentum exists or is only perceived to exist (“hot hand fallacy”). We explore whether momentum exists by looking at cases in which a basketball player has three consecutive free throws. A free throw is a well-defined task executed in a stable environment, allegedly giving momentum optimal chances to occur. Taking 14 NBA seasons we collected over 4500 three-free-throw sets (triplets). We obtained the outcomes of the shots as well as some additional variables about the player and the game: the player’s average free-throw percentage, home or away, and the game score and the quarter when the free throws were attempted. We first analyse the hit rates in the three shots and then proceed to regression analysis that also controls for the abovementioned variables. We address several concerns raised in the literature. All comparisons and analyses yield the same conclusion that there is no evidence for momentum in the data.     

中国大陆侨资与外资发展比较研究——基于2005——2008数据分析

对近年来中国FDI数据与国侨办侨资企业数据库进行全面比较和深入研究发现,近年来的中国侨资企业发展大大超过外资成长:新批侨资企业数量连续大幅度增加且大大超过外资成长;新增侨资在全国FDI中的比重逐年提高;侨资企业平均投资额大增,并且在制造业中比重下降;新批侨资企业主要来源地分布较广,位次变化显著.这一转变根本的原因在于,大多数侨资企业在一二十年的中国经济高速快车上不断壮大,经营规模与产业层次得到提升,与世界企业的差距大大缩小,国际竞争力日益增强。这一重大转变在这次研究中首次被揭示,应引起有关部门的重视。政策取向必须随着新的形势变化应适时调整,高度重视侨资企业的发展。     

休闲与物理学创造的双向互动性

休闲是科学诞生的基本条件之一。作为时间形态存在着的休闲（闲暇时间）是物理学创造活动得以进行的基本保证,而作为实践形态而存在的休闲则极大地推动了物理学的突飞猛进,并通过技术的中介,给人类社会带来了高度的物质文明和精神文明,反过来在延长了休闲时间的同时,又丰富了休闲的内容与方式。在当今知识爆炸时代与信息化时代,无论是对任何一门学科的教学而言,学校主管部门特别是具体授课者,都应该力求做到得心应手地给学生＂留下空间＂。因为只要有了空间,学生就不仅能够在积极向上、形式各异、多姿多彩的校园文化这个心灵的驿站中,获得精神的慰藉,从而陶冶了情操、恢复了体能、增强了交际能力;而且还能够充分利用课余的闲暇时间,在开放性、交互性、共享性、协作性和自主性的信息化环境中,积极主动地去猎取适合发展自己个性特长的有关知识,进而使他们的知识结构,能够跟得上新知识、新学科与日俱增的时代步伐。     

Screening for risk of low energy availability in athletic and recreationally active females in Ireland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Low energy availability (LEA) results in physiological adaptations, which can contribute to unfavourable health outcomes. Little information exists on risk of LEA in active individuals competing in different sports or levels of competition. The aims of this study were to (1) identify risk of LEA in females competing at different levels of competition and (2) investigate associations between risk of LEA, illness and dietary habits. Methods: The validated questionnaire, ‘Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire’ was distributed online (November 2016–February 2017) to assess risk of LEA. Twenty-nine additional questions collected information on demographics, illness history and dietary habits. Participants were considered at risk of LEA if they attained a score of?≥?8 and were grouped into: (i) international; (ii) provincial/inter-county; (iii) competitive; and (iv) recreationally active. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to explore differences between those at risk or not at risk of LEA. Results: Risk of LEA was identified in 40% (n?=?331) of 833 participants and was 1.7 and 1.8 times more likely in international and provincial/inter-county athletes compared to those who were recreationally active (International: odds ratios (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) 1.12–2.54; Provincial/inter-county: OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.20–2.77). In participants at risk of LEA, missing >22 days of training during the previous year due to illness occurred 3 times more frequently (OR 3.01, 95%CI 1.81–5.02). Conclusion: Risk of LEA was widespread in this heterogeneous sample. Awareness of LEA and the development of appropriate energy management strategies to ensure athlete health across levels of competition are required.     

A historical analysis of academic development using the theoretical lens of Pierre Bourdieu

This paper provides a history of academic development by examining how a South African institution coped with the potent social forces confronting it before the collapse of apartheid. Theoretically, it draws on the framework of Pierre Bourdieu and engages with a paper written a decade ago by Naidoo, who also used Bourdieu to understand institutional change in South Africa in the late 1980s. Through contrasting the habitus of two professors, it is argued that academic development helps to preserve the autonomy of the university field by refracting forces impinging on it from the economic and political realms.     

Identifying needs and enhancing learning about climate change adaptation for water professionals at the post-graduate level

Using a participatory learning approach, we report on the delivery and evaluation of a climate change and risk assessment tool to help manage water risks within the agricultural sector. Post-graduate water-professional students from a range of countries, from both developed and emerging economies were involved in using this tool. Our approach included participative learning tools – group discussion, software, and risk matrices. The materials developed met the needs of the students, allowing these students to incorporate their learning and adapt the package of materials for use in their home countries. Analysis of evaluations show that the tools and materials are particularly useful and emphasizes the need for sound learning materials and tools, funding to deliver training, and policy support to accelerate education and adoption of authentic climate change adaptation practices. The expected benefits for water professionals about climate change will be translated into improved socioeconomic and environmental outcomes if adopted.     

Teachers' perspectives of changes in their practice during a technology in mathematics education research project

Teachers' perception of changes to their teaching practice, with respect to digital technology use in secondary school mathematics, during their participation in a research project are reported. Two case studies are presented of teacher perspectives illustrative of the range of perceived changes teachers made to their practice and positions along the ‘path of change’ during their participation in the project. Participating in a project supportive of teacher change and resulting in perception of substantial change was necessary, but not sufficient, to meet the goal of transformative use of digital technologies to increase the level of cognitive demand experienced by students.     

Change management and the SENCo role: developing key performance indicators in the strategic development of inclusivity

This article follows an earlier publication highlighting the changing role of special educational needs co‐ordinators (SENCos) in England. SENCos are now required to manage change strategically and deliver inclusive school cultures. School‐based action research undertaken by a teacher studying for the postgraduate National Award for SEN Co‐ordination (NASENCO) is featured in the article; a strategic review of resource allocation increased the availability and quality of interventions for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The commentary which frames the study acknowledges that many SENCos are not yet members of a senior school management team (SMT) despite their mandated strategic whole‐school remit. Featuring the process through which one SENCo has strived to enhance SEND provision and develop context‐specific key performance indicators brings official guidance on the SENCo's role in strategic change management into sharp focus, raising questions that should concern both SMTs and non‐SMT SENCos.     

Facing the ”Literacy” Issue:

No abstract available for this article.     

中印两国勘探开发境外能源战略比较研究

由于中国和印度都面对着同样的国际环境,且基本国情相似,特别是在能源安全方面都面临着相同或相似的问题,即近年来经济呈现高速和持续增长,能源问题,尤其是石油问题已成为制约中印经济发展的最大瓶颈,中印都积极面向全球部署本国的能源战略,为迅猛增长的经济谋求充足的能源保障。我国的能源战略应向石油进口渠道多样化及多方面与石油输出国乃至消费国加强合作的途径发展。