Retention Measurements Research Articles

Micro-Catchments, Macro Effects: Natural Water Retention Measures in the Kylldal Catchment, Germany

Floods are among the most devastating and financially burdensome natural disasters in Europe. The combined impact of climate change and land use change is expected to exacerbate and intensify the destructive consequences of river floods. In this study, we analysed the effects of wetland restoration on peak and base flows and on water quality in the Kylldal catchment of the Kyll River in the German Middle Mountains using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool+ (SWAT+). Monthly median daily discharge increases varied between 3% and 33% in the studied (micro)catchments. The higher median flow rates show that discharge peaks were attenuated and distributed over a longer period, making both extreme peak flows and low flows less common. Peak flows tended to decrease, with the largest effects between late fall and early spring when peak flow values decreased by up to 18%. The annual maximum peak flows in each of the three micro-catchments decreased by 12–24% on average. The occurrence of daily average flow rates larger than 1 m3 s−1 was up to 45% lower after wetland restoration. Low flows increased by up to 21% and 13% in the summer and fall, respectively, which suggests that drought risk also decreases after wetland restoration. Average nitrogen exports decreased by 38–50% in the project areas and by 20% at the catchment level. Average phosphorus exports decreased by 52–67% in the project areas and by 25% at the catchment level. The study highlights the potential of wetland restoration for improving hydrological services, mitigating flood risks, and enhancing water quality. Restoring and maintaining freshwater ecosystems and their natural sponge functions is crucial for effectively managing water resources and addressing the challenges posed by climate change and land use changes.

Faculty retention at a young medical school in crisis times and beyond: prospects, challenges and propositions from a mixed-methods study

BackgroundRetention of faculty constitutes a significant challenge for higher education institutions, especially in times of crisis. Lebanon has been experiencing economic recession since the end of its civil war in...

Asymmetric polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes: Influence of bottom section polycation on layer growth and retention mechanisms

It has been previously demonstrated that asymmetric polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) membranes are highly promising for use in water treatment due to their ability to combine a high selectivity with a high permeability. This is achieved by first coating a more open (highly permeable) bottom PEM to fill the pores of the support membrane, and subsequently a more dense (highly selective) top PEM. However, fundamental understanding on the interaction between top and bottom PEM section and the effect of the bottom section on the resulting membrane properties is still lacking. In this study, symmetric membranes with different polycations are prepared and compared with asymmetric membranes which contain an additional poly (allylamine hydrochloride)/poly (acryl amide) (PAH/PAA) top section. PEM layer growth was first studied with optical reflectometry, demonstrating that the growth of the top PEM section is dependent on the previously deposited bottom PEM section. Membrane performance was assessed with cross-flow measurements, where permeability and molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) measurements showed distinct differences for the symmetric membranes. Although these properties converge upon coating of the top section, differences remain. This can be explained by a contribution of the bottom section to hydraulic resistance and by intermixing of the top and bottom section. The degree of intermixing is attributed to differences in mobility of the used polycations. Single salt retention measurements even show that changing the bottom section polycation allows for tuning of the salt retention mechanism of the resulting asymmetric membranes. Whereas membranes with PAH in the bottom section are dominated by dielectric exclusion, membranes with Poly (vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride) (PVBTMAC) in the bottom section show a dominant Donnan exclusion. These observations were confirmed by varying both the salt concentration and the operational flux. Overall, our work demonstrates that asymmetric coating on different bottom PEM chemistries can be used as a promising tuning parameter in layer-by-layer coating. This allows for a more rational design of asymmetric PEM membranes, opening opportunities for tuning membranes towards specific applications.

Measures of retention in HIV care: A protocol for a mixed methods study.

Retention in HIV care is necessary to achieve adherence to antiretroviral therapy, viral load suppression, and optimal health outcomes. There is no standard definition for retention in HIV care, which compromises consistent and reliable reporting and comparison of retention across facilities, jurisdictions, and studies. The objective of this study is to explore how stakeholders involved in HIV care define retention in HIV care and their preferences on measuring retention. We will use an exploratory sequential mixed methods design involving HIV stakeholder groups such as people living with HIV, people involved in providing care for PLHIV, and people involved in decision-making about PLHIV. In the qualitative phase of the study, we will conduct 20-25 in-depth interviews to collect the perspectives of HIV stakeholders on using their preferred retention measures. The findings from the qualitative phase will inform the development of survey items for the quantitative phase. Survey participants (n = 385) will be invited to rate the importance of each approach to measuring retention on a seven-point Likert scale. We will merge the qualitative and quantitative findings phase findings to inform a consensus-building framework for a standard definition of retention in care. This study has received ethics approval from the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and among stakeholder groups. This study has limitations; we won't be able to arrive at a standard definition; a Delphi technique amongst the stakeholders will be utilized using the framework to reach a consensus globally accepted definition.

Telco Churn Anticipation Engine – A Predictive Attrition Model using Deep Learning

The Telecommunication Sector has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing industries, prioritizing customer satisfaction for business success. With a global reach, consumers have abundant service options, with pricing, flexibility, and customizability influencing their choices. Telecom companies strive to meet these demands through policies and services to attract and retain customers. However, customer churn remains a significant challenge, prompting telecom companies to monitor customer behaviors to predict subscription terminations. Churn prediction, facilitated by various algorithms, is crucial for organizational success. Therefore, there is a growing need to forecast potential churners to implement retention measures and maximize company revenue. . Key Words: Churn, Exploratory data analysis, RNN, CNN, DNN

First experience with measurement of phosphorus retention in the Lhotsk stream using TASCC method

First experience with measurement of phosphorus retention in the Lhotsk stream using TASCC method

Natural/Small Water Retention Measures: Their Contribution to Ecosystem-Based Concepts

The increasing incidence of droughts and heavy rainfall events is exacerbating conflicts between human and environmental demands for water. However, through providing multiple water-related ecosystem services and benefits simultaneously, Natural/Small Water Retention Measures (NSWRM) can mitigate such competing claims. Thus, they also contribute to the achievement of various Sustainable Development Goals and environmental targets set out in water- and agriculture-related policies of the European Union. In particular, NSWRM provide for the sound management of watersheds, which can significantly contribute to improved water quality and availability—as well as improving the resilience of agriculture and society. This paper demonstrates how NSWRM fit into the framework of ecosystem-based concepts, including Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM), Green Infrastructure (GI), Sustainable Land Management (SLM), Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), and Nature-based Solutions (NbS). NSWRM, as a distinct concept, bring added value to the other concepts by focussing on easy-to-implement, modestly sized, localised technical solutions to problems associated with water management, sediment, and nutrient loss. Through experience under the EU Horizon 2020 project OPTAIN (“OPtimal strategies to retAIN and re-use water and nutrients in small agricultural catchments across different soil-climatic regions in Europe”), we show what NSWRM are, how they are linked to each of the ecosystem-based concepts, and how they can help add value to these concepts. Fourteen case studies are drawn upon from diverse countries across Europe. As a result of this analysis, we present the potential for the application of NSWRM in the context of these concepts, while helping to identify planning tools, the expertise required, and potential funding mechanisms.

Turnover behavior and intention among dentists and medical doctors: a cross-sectional study in China

BackgroundRetention of doctors is a global challenge and doctors working in different departments may face different problems. The study aimed to explore the turnover behavior and intention and correlated factors among Chinese dentists and medical doctors in other clinical fields.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted online in 5 regions of China from March 12th to April 12th, 2020. The questionnaire included 3 parts, socio-demographic characteristics, turnover behavior and intention, and concerns about work-related factors. Chi-square test and/or Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were applied for comparison, and binary logistic regression was used for finding the factors.ResultsA total of 2428 eligible questionnaire were received, comprising 1954 responses from dentists and 474 from medical doctors. Rates of turnover behavior among dentists and medical doctors were 2.87% and 6.96%, respectively. Similarly, rates of turnover intention were 51.79% among dentists and 71.20% among medical doctors. Educational level was negatively correlated with turnover behavior of both medical doctors and dentists, and concern about salary was a unique negatively correlated factor for dentists. Age was negatively correlated with turnover intention in both medical doctors and dentists. Conversely, concerns about workload and doctor-patient relationship were positively correlated with turnover intention in both groups. Concern about salary was the distinct correlated factor of medical doctors’ turnover intention, while gender and annual household income were correlated with turnover intention among dentists.ConclusionsLow turnover rate but high turnover intention rate was the current status of Chinese doctors’ employment. Turnover behavior and intention were more optimistic among dentists than medical doctors. Factors related to turnover behavior and turnover intention were not identical among dentists and medical doctors. Therefore, personalized retention measures were necessary for dentists and medical doctors.

Low-temperature grapho-epitaxial La-substituted BiFeO3 on metallic perovskite

Bismuth ferrite has garnered considerable attention as a promising candidate for magnetoelectric spin-orbit coupled logic-in-memory. As model systems, epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films have typically been deposited at relatively high temperatures (650–800 °C), higher than allowed for direct integration with silicon-CMOS platforms. Here, we circumvent this problem by growing lanthanum-substituted BiFeO3 at 450 °C (which is reasonably compatible with silicon-CMOS integration) on epitaxial BaPb0.75Bi0.25O3 electrodes. Notwithstanding the large lattice mismatch between the La-BiFeO3, BaPb0.75Bi0.25O3, and SrTiO3 (001) substrates, all the layers in the heterostructures are well ordered with a [001] texture. Polarization mapping using atomic resolution STEM imaging and vector mapping established the short-range polarization ordering in the low temperature grown La-BiFeO3. Current-voltage, pulsed-switching, fatigue, and retention measurements follow the characteristic behavior of high-temperature grown La-BiFeO3, where SrRuO3 typically serves as the metallic electrode. These results provide a possible route for realizing epitaxial multiferroics on complex-oxide buffer layers at low temperatures and opens the door for potential silicon-CMOS integration.

Evaluating a smartphone-based symptom self-monitoring app for psychosis in China (YouXin): A non-randomised validity and feasibility study with a mixed-methods design.

Psychosis causes a significant burden globally, including in China, where limited mental health resources hinder access to care. Smartphone-based remote monitoring offers a promising solution. This study aimed to assess the validity, feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a symptom self-monitoring smartphone app, YouXin, for people with psychosis in China. A pre-registered non-randomised validity and feasibility study with a mixed-methods design. Participants with psychosis were recruited from a major tertiary psychiatric hospital in Beijing, China. Participants utilised the YouXin app to self-monitor psychosis and mood symptoms for four weeks. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention and outcome measures completeness. Active symptom monitoring (ASM) validity was tested against corresponding clinical assessments (PANSS and CDS) using Spearman correlation. Ten participants completed qualitative interviews at study end to explore acceptability of the app and trial procedures. Feasibility parameters were met. The target recruitment sample of 40 participants was met, with 82.5% completing outcome measures, 60% achieving acceptable ASM engagement (completing >33% of all prompts), and 33% recording sufficient passive monitoring data to extract mobility indicators. Five ASM domains (hallucinations, suspiciousness, guilt feelings, delusions, grandiosity) achieved moderate correlation with clinical assessment. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluation showed high acceptability of YouXin. Clinical measurements indicated no symptom and functional deterioration. No adverse events were reported, suggesting YouXin is safe to use in this clinical population. The trial feasibility, acceptability and safety parameters were met and a powered efficacy study is indicated. However, refinements are needed to improve ASM validity and increase passive monitoring data completeness.

Predicting HR Churn with Python and Machine Learning

Employee turnover imposes a substantial financial burden, necessitating proactive retention strategies. The aim is to leverage HR analytics, specifically employing a systematic machine learning approach, to predict the likelihood of active employees leaving the company. Using a systematic approach for supervised classification, the study leverages data on former employees to predict the probability of current employees leaving. Factors such as recruitment costs, sign-on bonuses, and onboarding productivity loss are analysed to explain when and why employees are prone to leave. The project aims to empower companies to take pre-emptive measures for retention. Contributing to HR Analytics, it provides a methodological framework applicable to various machine learning problems, optimizing human resource management, and enhancing overall workforce stability. This research contributes not only to predicting turnover but also proposes policies and strategies derived from the model's results. By understanding the root causes and timing of employee departures, companies can proactively implement measures to mitigate turnover, thereby minimizing the associated financial and operational burdens.

Dynamic behavior analysis and ensemble learning for credit card attrition prediction

Credit card attrition imposes a substantial business cost for financial institutions. Early and accurate prediction of customer churn allows banks to take proactive retention measures. However, modeling credit card attrition presents complex challenges given evolutionary customer spending behaviors. This paper puts forth a robust methodology harnessing dynamic behavior analysis along with ensemble learning to capture non-static patterns in transaction data. Explainability techniques further enable interpretation of attrition likelihood on an individual customer basis. Rigorous experiments demonstrate significant predictive performance improvements attained using the proposed approach.

An Automated Hanging Water Column for Water Retention Measurements

An Automated Hanging Water Column for Water Retention Measurements

Pilot Randomized Trial of a Caregiver-Mediated Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention in Part C Early Intervention

Few studies examine the effectiveness of community-based early interventions in unselected samples of autistic children, especially those from minoritized backgrounds. These types of studies require attention to strategies for recruitment, retention, data collection, and support for community providers beyond those used in university-based trials. We conducted a pilot trial of Project ImPACT, a promising caregiver-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention, in partnership with the early intervention system in a poor, large city. We assessed recruitment and retention strategies, training protocol, and measurement battery. We recruited representative provider and family samples, and had good measure completion among retained participants. Retention varied by study arm, providers had relatively poor fidelity to the intervention despite substantial support, and our measures did not appear sensitive to change. Lessons learned include the need for (a) a ramp-up training period prior to starting the study, (b) intensive implementation supports, and (c) additional strategies for family retention.

Qualification of W heavy alloys as plasma facing material

Highly loaded divertor regions in fusion experiments are exposed to high particle and power fluxes. Therefore, tungsten with its excellent thermal and physical properties is a preferred plasma facing material for this application. For divertor areas with moderate steady-state heat flux up to 10 MW/m2 the excellent high-temperature resistance of W is not absolutely necessary. 95–97 % W heavy alloys containing Ni, Cu or Fe could be used from the aspects of plasma wall interaction and their thermomechanical properties. In this study we present results of thermo-mechanical characterisations like measurement of thermal conductivity and tensile tests at elevated temperatures as well as results of high heat flux performance tests at adiabatic and steady-state loading. Finally, we discuss results of deuterium retention measurements.

Evaluation of the Impact of a Naturally Occurring Beta Hemoglobin Variant, Hb G-Makassar, on Mature Red Blood Cell Function and Pathology in a Sickle Cell Disease Mouse Model

Background: Gene based therapy may provide a cure for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD); base editing is a novel strategy with the ability to directly edit the mutation responsible for disease. The sickle hemoglobin (HbS) point mutation cannot be converted to wild-type HBB by an adenine base editor, however it can be converted to a naturally occurring hemoglobin variant, HbG-Makassar (HbG). HbG is a non-pathogenic, non-sickling hemoglobin variant. In vitro crystal structure analysis of HbG shows that it is highly similar to that of wildtype hemoglobin (HbA). However, few HbGG individuals (with no overt red cell disease) and no HbSG individuals have been identified; thus, the red blood cells (RBCs) of HbGG and HbSG individuals have not been evaluated functionally. The Makassar base editing strategy produces greater than 80% homozygous Hb-G product and has been evaluated in vitro, however erythroid culture of edited hematopoietic stem cells do not produce fully mature, enucleated red cells. Therefore, mouse models of HbGG and HbSG could be used to evaluate the function of mature, enucleated HbGG or HbSG RBCs. Methods: A humanized beta globin locus mouse (Townes) with the Makassar allele was created at by knocking-in the Makassar point mutation to generated WT/Makassar heterozygotes (HbAG) which were backcrossed to generated HbGG homozygotes. HbSG genotypes were subsequently generated by crossing to HbSS Townes mice. We analyzed the red cell function of HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbGG, and HbSG mice. Whole blood was collected through terminal enucleation. Complete blood counts were measured on a hematology analyzer (Heska and, ADVIA). Red cell deformability (elongation index, EI) was measured using oxygen gradient ektacytometry (LoRRCA) under normoxic (EImax) and hypoxic (EImin) conditions. Viscosity measurements were obtained on a Beckman cone and plate viscometer. Percent sickle cells were quantified through chemically induced sickling with sodium metabisulfite and counted by an individual blinded to genotype using light microscopy. Kidney, liver, and spleen were fixed, preserved in paraffin, stained using hematoxylin and eosin stains and imaged using a Keyence microscope. Flow cytometry was performed on bone marrow and whole blood to determine the erythroid maturation and mitochondrial retention of RBCs. Analysis was performed with Stata 18.0 (College Station) across genotypes using Dunn Pairwise test with statistically significant values being selected at adjusted p < 0.05. Results Homozygous HbG mice (HbGG) had comparable white blood cell count (WBC) and absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) to that of mice with homozygous HbA (HbAA). HbGG mice had lower hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in comparison to mice with HbAA. HbGG mice had a higher percentage of dense RBCs than HbAA mice. HbSG mice had comparable values to HbAS mice for MCV but had significantly lower hemoglobin and ARC. HbSG mice had significantly higher values for WBC, and % dense RBCs against HbAS mice. HbSS and HbSG mice had comparable values for hemoglobin, and ARC. Hematocrit to viscosity ratio (HVR) shows comparable oxygen transport effectiveness of HbGG, HbSG, HbAS and HbSS RBC. Further red cell function testing is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Mitochondrial retention was highest in HbSS mice, followed by HbSG, while HbAS, HbAA, and HbGG had similar values. Microscopy analysis of renal sections of HbGG and HbSG mice sacrificed at 24-28 weeks did not show the characteristic morphologic changes seen in HbSS mice at 24-28 weeks. Conclusions- HbGG appears functionally similar to HbAA, with minimal sickling under hypoxia, no anemia, normal spleen size, and no organ damage at 24 weeks of age. HbGG does exhibit signs of dehydration, as evidenced by elevated %DRBC and reduced RBC deformability. RBC function, sickling under hypoxia, Hb, WBC, ARC, and mitochondrial retention measures places HbSG as intermediate in severity between HbAS and HbSS. However, organ pathology, spleen and liver weights for HbSG were more comparable to HbAS than HbSS. Base editing strategies to install Makassar therefore can potentially lead to >90% of RBCs that have therapeutic benefit due to rheological properties comparable to HbAA and can be seen as a promising treatment strategy for patients with sickle cell disease.

Evaluation of a carepartner-integrated telehealth gait rehabilitation program for persons with stroke: study protocol for a feasibility study

BackgroundDespite family carepartners of individuals post-stroke experiencing high levels of strain and reduced quality of life, stroke rehabilitation interventions rarely address carepartner well-being or offer training to support their engagement in therapeutic activities. Our group has developed creative intervention approaches to support families during stroke recovery, thereby improving physical and psychosocial outcomes for both carepartners and stroke survivors. The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of an adapted, home-based intervention (Carepartner Collaborative Integrative Therapy for Gait-CARE-CITE-Gait) designed to facilitate positive carepartner involvement during home-based training targeting gait and mobility.MethodsThis two-phased design will determine the feasibility of CARE-CITE-Gait, a novel intervention that leverages principles from our previous carepartner-focused upper extremity intervention. During the 4-week CARE-CITE-Gait intervention, carepartners review online video-based modules designed to illustrate strategies for an autonomy-supportive environment during functional mobility task practice, and the study team completes two 2-h home visits for dyad collaborative goal setting. In phase I, content validity, usability, and acceptability of the CARE-CITE-Gait modules will be evaluated by stroke rehabilitation content experts and carepartners. In phase II, feasibility (based on measures of recruitment, retention, intervention adherence, and safety) will be measured. Preliminary effects of the CARE-CITE-Gait will be gathered using a single-group, quasi-experimental design with repeated measures (two baseline visits 1 week apart, posttest, and 1-month follow-up) with 15 carepartner and stroke survivor dyads. Outcome data collectors will be blinded. Outcomes include psychosocial variables (family conflict surrounding stroke recovery, strain, autonomy support, and quality of life) collected from carepartners and measures of functional mobility, gait speed, stepping activity, and health-related quality of life collected from stroke survivors.DiscussionThe findings of the feasibility testing and preliminary data on the effects of CARE-CITE-Gait will provide justification and information to guide a future definitive randomized clinical trial. The knowledge gained from this study will enhance our understanding of and aid the development of rehabilitation approaches that address both carepartner and stroke survivor needs during the stroke recovery process.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 05257928. Registered 25 February 2022.Trial statusThis trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 05257928) on March 25, 2022. Recruitment of participants was initiated on May 18, 2022.

Opportunities and limitations for Nature-Based Solutions in EU policies – Assessed with a focus on ponds and pondscapes

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are growing in popularity to mitigate and adapt to climate change, enhance biodiversity, and secure human well-being. However, the emergence of NBS has not generated equal attention for all ecosystems. One such neglected ecosystem are ponds and pondscapes (i.e. groups of ponds in a landscape), which are deteriorating in quality and diminishing in quantity. As the European Union (EU) is regarded as influential in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of NBS, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of 38 EU policies to identify opportunities and limitations for the implementation of ponds and pondscapes as NBS. We focus our analysis on ponds and pondscapes, but their prevalence in different landscapes and their multitude of benefits allows us to also make some inferences about the implications of the EU policy context for NBS at large. We find that EU policies strengthen NBS linked to existing and potential Natura 2000 sites, as well as to ecosystems protected through the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives and Water Framework Directive. However, if ecosystems fall outside of these already established policies – as is the case with the vast majority of ponds and pondscapes – their implementation as NBS may be hampered. We also find that the EU emphasises natural water retention measures and carbon-rich ecosystems for climate change adaptation and mitigation, but mostly does not explicitly include ponds and pondscapes despite their potential contributions. Other findings are that the EU’s Horizon Europe research policy will likely influence which ecosystems will be used and financed as NBS, while the exact ambition and selection of NBS rests with lower-level authorities or individuals. Therefore, further studies tracing the impact of the supra-national EU policy framework at lower governance levels are vital.

392 Evaluation of Assessment Strategy on Student Retention of Knowledge in Sequential Animal Science Courses

Abstract As students progress through their undergraduate education, information from previous classes culminate to lay a foundation for academic success in upper-level courses. However, there is a lack of evidence and implementation for formative assessment methods in undergraduate education. Traditional summative assessments are often cited as being high stress by students and are studied for by cramming material. Both high stress and cramming can reduce long-term knowledge retention in the average student, which is problematic when students need to retrieve this knowledge for future classes. Thus, our objective was to evaluate student knowledge retention coming from a prerequisite course divergent in assessment strategy and/or environment. The prerequisite course, ANEQ 328: Foundations of Animal Genetics, used either 4-unit exams or 16 weekly quizzes with identical questions to assess learning of course material. The course was either delivered in person or online, covered the same material, and all students received the same post-test at the end of the semester. Furthermore, in the quiz-based courses students were surveyed at the end of the semester to gather perceptions of learning with varying course formats. In the subsequent course, ANEQ 330: Principles of Animal Breeding, the same post-test from ANEQ 328 was given as a pre-test. On the pre-test, students were asked to indicate in which year and semester they completed ANEQ 328 so an assessment type and environment could be identified. Scores on the pre-test were analyzed as a measurement of retention across courses, and effects of time elapsed between courses, the type of assessment strategy used, and the physical environment in which the class was delivered were considered. Time between courses impacted retention, as students who took ANEQ 330 within two semesters of ANEQ 328 had higher scores (P < 0.05) than all other timepoints. Student retention was not different between students who took the prerequisite course online or in-person (7.65 ± 0.19 and 7.61 ± 0.23, respectively). Additionally, student retention was not impacted by whether the prerequisite course used quiz or exam-based assessment strategies (7.58 ± 0.16 and 7.89 ± 0.33, respectively). These data indicate that both assessment strategies are interchangeable when considering impacts on long-term retention; however, survey data showed that formative assessments, such as quizzes, are better received than summative assessments, as they help to ease testing anxiety, better pace student learning, and provide consistent feedback. Therefore, instructors may choose to use formative assessments to improve student perceptions of learning without impacting knowledge retention.

23 Musical Training May Not Enhance Cognitive-Motor Integration in Healthy Young Adults

Objective:Hand and arm functions have been associated with cognition in healthy young and older adults (Vasylenko et al., 2018) and in patients with Parkinson's disease (Bezdicek et al., 2014). Music training has been proposed to integrate motor and cognitive functions by engaging motoric, sensory, perceptual, and various cognitive domains (Wan & Schlaug, 2010). In this study, we examined if performance on fine and gross motor tasks is predicted by cognitive measures of memory, attention, and executive functions, and whether this relationship varies by the extent of musical training in healthy young participants.Participants and Methods:Forty five healthy young participants were recruited (M = 22.32, SD = 4.10; 78% female). Participants completed fine (Grooved pegboard) and gross motor (Box and Blocks) measures as well as cognitive measures (Rey auditory verbal learning test, Stroop, Trail making, and D2 cancellation), and the musical training subscale of the Goldsmith Musical Sophistication Index. Two multiple regression models were conducted assessing cognitive measures as predictors of fine and gross motor functions, with musical training as a covariate in both models.Results:Musical training was normally distributed across participants (M = 23.47, SD = 10.28). The results of the first model assessing the role of cognitive measures as predictors of fine motor function indicate a moderate fit (F(5,36) = 3.32, R = 0.55, explaining .32 of variance, p < .05), with memory (B = 2.75, SE = 0.82, p < .005) and sustained attention (B = 0.09, SE = 0.03, p < .01) as moderate predictors. These cognitive measures were also found to predict gross motor function (F(5,36) = 3.06, p < .05, R = 0.55, explaining .30 of the variance), with memory retention (B = 2.49, SE = 0.83, p < .001) and sustained attention (B = 0.07, SE = 0.03, p < .05) as moderate predictors. In both models, musical training was not a significant predictor.Conclusions:We found that both fine and gross hand motor functions are predicted by cognitive measures of memory retention and sustained attention. Our results support previous findings associating cognition and motor function, with attention being relevant in young adults and memory a predictor in older adults (Vasylenko et al., 2018). We corroborate these findings for hand function, but did not find executive functions to be implicated, which were previously reported as a predictor only for older adults. While musical training has been suggested to enhance the cognitive-motor relationship as it involves motor skills as well as engages various cognitive domains (Wan & Schlaug, 2010), prior musical training was not found to affect this relationship. While music background did not predict better hand motor function, it did account for more interpersonal variance. The results suggest that for most amateur musicians, including those with years of experience, musical training may not affect the association between cognition and both fine and gross hand motor skill. The current findings indicate that while musical training can be an enriching experience, it may not (exclusively) enhance motor-cognitive integration. Different outcomes may be found with more extreme levels of music training, or a different age group.