The influence of personification representation in learning materials on retention of learned knowledge

In this master thesis, we studied the effect of the use of graphical personification in multimedia learning materials on positive and negative affect, and retention and transfer of the acquired knowledge. According to the Cognitive-Affective Theory of Learning with Media, graphical personification, as one of the main forms of emotional design, could increase the learning outcomes by means of elevated positive affect. The theoretical section of the thesis describes the underlying theories of emotions, emphasizing the Cognitive-Affective Theory of Learning with Media. The respective subsections are dedicated to cognitive multimedia learning principles, emotional design and the Cognitive Load Theory. The experimental section describes a replication and an extension of the original study by Mayer and Estrella. In our experiment, we used an incomplete 2 x 3 between-subject design with independent factors being the use of personification in learning materials (three levels) and the presence of eye tracker in the experimental setup (two levels). We have found no significant effect of graphical personification in learning materials on positive affect, retention or transfer of acquired knowledge. The participants that were given learning materials containing personification and were subject to eye tracking..

Observed changes in 6MWD stratified by baseline prediction quartiles.

<p>Solid horizontal lines indicate medians and shaded boxes indicate interquartile ranges. Vertical lines encompass the ranges of values in all groups except for the “stable” group, where the vertical lines cover 1.5 times the interquartile range and exclude two outlying values (not shown) at -116.8 and 131.4 meters. 6MWD = six minute walk distance; Δ6MWD = annualized change in six meter walk distance; m = meters.</p

Forest plot of radiographic bone fill in comparison of MIS with regenerative material versus MIS alone.

<p>Forest plot of radiographic bone fill in comparison of MIS with regenerative material versus MIS alone.</p

Risk of bias summary.

<p>Review authors' judgement about each risk of bias item for each included study. Red, green, and yellow refer to high risk of bias, low risk of bias, and unclear risk of bias, respectively.</p

Risk of bias graph.

<p>Review authors’ judgments about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies. Red, yellow, and green refer to high risk of bias, unclear risk of bias, and high risk of bias.</p

Individualized Prediction of Changes in 6-Minute Walk Distance for Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

<div><p>Background</p><p>Deficits in ambulatory function progress at heterogeneous rates among individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The resulting inherent variability in ambulatory outcomes has complicated the design of drug efficacy trials and clouded the interpretation of trial results. We developed a prediction model for 1-year change in the six minute walk distance (6MWD) among DMD patients, and compared its predictive value to that of commonly used prognostic factors (age, baseline 6MWD, and steroid use).</p><p>Methods</p><p>Natural history data were collected from DMD patients at routine follow up visits approximately every 6 months over the course of 2–5 years. Assessments included ambulatory function and steroid use. The annualized change in 6MWD (Δ6MWD) was studied between all pairs of visits separated by 8–16 months. Prediction models were developed using multivariable regression for repeated measures, and evaluated using cross-validation.</p><p>Results</p><p>Among n = 191 follow-up intervals (n = 39 boys), mean starting age was 9.4 years, mean starting 6MWD was 351.8 meters, and 75% had received steroids for at least one year. Over the subsequent 8–16 months, mean Δ6MWD was -37.0 meters with a standard deviation (SD) of 93.7 meters. Predictions based on a composite of age, baseline 6MWD, and steroid use explained 28% of variation in Δ6MWD (R² = 0.28, residual SD = 79.4 meters). A broadened prognostic model, adding timed 10-meter walk/run, 4-stair climb, and rise from supine, as well as height and weight, significantly improved prediction, explaining 59% of variation in Δ6MWD after cross-validation (R² = 0.59, residual SD = 59.7 meters).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>A prognostic model incorporating timed function tests significantly improved prediction of 1-year changes in 6MWD. Explained variation was more than doubled compared to predictions based only on age, baseline 6MWD, and steroid use. There is significant potential for composite prognostic models to inform DMD clinical trials and clinical practice.</p></div

Comparison of Multivariable models for annualized change in 6MWD.

<p>Comparison of Multivariable models for annualized change in 6MWD.</p

Forest plot of PD reduction in comparison of MIS with regenerative material versus MIS alone.

<p>Forest plot of PD reduction in comparison of MIS with regenerative material versus MIS alone.</p

Observed changes in 6MWD stratified by baseline prediction quartiles.

<p>Solid horizontal lines indicate medians and shaded boxes indicate interquartile ranges. Vertical lines encompass the ranges of values in all groups except for the “stable” group, where the vertical lines cover 1.5 times the interquartile range and exclude two outlying values (not shown) at -116.8 and 131.4 meters. 6MWD = six minute walk distance; Δ6MWD = annualized change in six meter walk distance; m = meters.</p

Study design.

<p>Changes in 6MWD were studied over approximate 1-year follow-up intervals (8–16 months). If a patient had multiple qualifying intervals, all such intervals were included in the analyses. 6MWD = six-minute walk distance.</p