A Meta-Analytic Integration of What Matters in Training Transfer

Estimates demonstrate that 52- 92% of acquired learning is lost within a year following training (Arthur, Bennett, Stanush, & McNelly, 1997; Saks, 2002), wasting billions in organizational spending on training each year (Miller, 2012, 2013, 2014). As such, research on training transfer has garnered attention from theoretical and empirical research alike (e.g., Baldwin & Ford, 1988; Blume, Ford, Baldwin, & Huang, 2010; Ford & Weissbein, 1997; Tracey, Tannenbaum, & Kavanagh, 1995) to better understand the factors which enhance the process of training transfer. Among the various factors that have been identified as important, factors of the work environment have received much attention in the recent research. In fact, empirical work has shed light to the roles of organizational support and motivation to transfer in predicting training transfer. Beyond this basic understanding, research is needed to explore the nature of transfer in different evaluation contexts and the differential effects of various levels of support. Thus, the current dissertation uses meta-analytic techniques to examine the extent to which four factors of work environment support predict training transfer as it differs in context. First, motivation to transfer, organizational support, supervisor support, peer support and opportunities to perform all correlate moderately and positively with training transfer (ρ=0.15-0.38); interestingly, the nature of the relationships between work environment characteristics, motivation to transfer, and training transfer does not appear to differ significantly even when transfer is evaluated a year following training (ρ=0.25-0.57), yet are based on low k. Second, motivation to transfer was found to fully mediate two relationships- organizational support and peer support- to training transfer. Interestingly, although not explained by motivation to transfer, supervisor support explains the most variance (i.e., 31% of R) of work environment support factors in explaining transfer. Moderator analyses attempted to explore the impact of transfer task, industry type, and timing of the predictor assessment in relation to training; however, insufficient k was reported for fair comparisons to be made across groups. Ultimately, this study aims to inform theory and impact the state of the science such that practitioners can feel confident that the time and effort spent in ensuring training transfer is well-spent

The effect of movement variability on putting proficiency during the golf putting stroke

Movement variability has been considered important to execute an effective golf swing yet is comparatively unexplored regarding the golf putt. Movement variability could potentially be important considering the small margins of error between a successful and a missed putt. The aim of this study was to assess whether variability of body segment rotations influence putting performance (ball kinematic measures). Eight golfers (handicap range 0–10) performed a 3.2 m level putt wearing retro-reflective markers which were tracked using a three-dimensional motion analysis system sampling at 120 Hz. Ball roll kinematics were recorded using Quintic Ball Roll launch monitor. Movement (segment) variability was calculated based on a scalene ellipsoid volume concept and correlated with the coefficient of variation of ball kinematics. Statistical analysis showed no significant relationships between segment variability and putting proficiency. One significant relationship was identified between left forearm variability and horizontal launch angle, but this did not result in deficits in putting success. Results show that performance variability in the backswing and downswing is not related to putting proficiency or the majority of ball roll measures. Differing strategies may exist where certain golfers may have more fluid movement patterns thereby effectively utilising variability of movement. Therefore, golf instructors should consider movement variability when coaching the golf putt

Reliability of an experimental method to analyse the impact point on a golf ball during putting

This study aimed to examine the reliability of an experimental method identifying the location of the impact point on a golf ball during putting. Forty trials were completed using a mechanical putting robot set to reproduce a putt of 3.2 m, with four different putter-ball combinations. After locating the centre of the dimple pattern (centroid) the following variables were tested; distance of the impact point from the centroid, angle of the impact point from the centroid and distance of the impact point from the centroid derived from the X, Y coordinates. Good to excellent reliability was demonstrated in all impact variables reflected in very strong relative (ICC = 0.98–1.00) and absolute reliability (SEM% = 0.9–4.3%). The highest SEM% observed was 7% for the angle of the impact point from the centroid. In conclusion, the experimental method was shown to be reliable at locating the centroid location of a golf ball, therefore allowing for the identification of the point of impact with the putter head and is suitable for use in subsequent studies

Dovetailing

Dovetailing is told from a limited third person point of view focused on Samantha. She is the protagonist in a group of four primary characters who include Matt, Adam, and Dylan. They are the four employees of Furniture Town and are present throughout the entire novel. Stan the Sidewinder is a local UFC fighter who is visiting his hometown (the setting of the novel), Las Cruces, New Mexico, for a promotional tour. Las Cruces is a small, shabby, and largely Catholic town near the border of Mexico. Samantha\u27s struggle to find her way while surrounded by underachieving college-aged men and an increasing awareness of the falseness and staging of reality to which she begrudgingly contributes during her job as salesperson, are the primary narrative arcs. A large part of the novel is spent introducing and exploring the setting of both Las Cruces and Furniture Town, since a major theme of the book is the fetishization of commodity and how this affects relationships and individual perspectives of their lives and the world in which they live. Dylan, Adam, and Matt, although secondary characters, have their own full narrative arcs. Dylan is attempting to work through new and unexplored homosexual feelings; Adam is recently divorced and struggling to maintain a close relationship with his young son; and Matt is dealing with an injury that has forced him into a different career and caused tension in his romantic relationship with Leslie. Ultimately, this is a story about the way real human relationships are subordinated and tainted by our relationships to the throwaway items (and jobs) of contemporary life

Probing a Neural Network Model of Sound Change for Perceptual Integration

The cross-linguistic tendency for contrast shifts to occur between some cues more than others has been investigated typologically and experimentally (Yang 2019), but with less attention in computational modeling. This paper adapts a human experimental paradigm (Kingston et al. 2008) to the speech perception component of a neural network model of sound change (Beguš 2020) to better understand how it processes acoustic cues in the context of Yang’s proposal that auditory dimensions affect which cues are more likely to undergo contrast shift. Piloting this neural network probing technique, I find evidence that the model integrates different pairs of English stop voicing cues than humans do, suggesting that further amendments to the model are necessary to implement Yang (2019)’s account. In general, these results highlight potential acoustic processing differences between humans and the model under investigation, a Convolutional Neural Network, which is commonly used in spoken language applications

Adults with Low Vision: Continuing Education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Students

Low vision is a condition that occurs when an individual has some amount of usable vision, but their visual functioning is impaired and interferes with their ability to carry out desired tasks (Lampert & Lapolice, 1995, p. 885). Impairments in vision cause disruptions in areas of daily living including work and leisure, routines, habits, roles, and social participation. There is a great need for holistic and client-centered occupational therapy in low vision rehabilitation services to improve an individual\u27s functional performance and overall quality of life. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on low vision definitions and medical conditions, the variety of current low vision rehabilitation programs, low vision professionals, assistive technology, driving, and reimbursement. Various textbooks were obtained and provided useful background knowledge regarding occupational therapy for low vision. Credible internet sites were accessed for relevant clinical resources. Additional information was gained from attending a DriveSmart Symposium in Aberdeen, SD and completing an Assistive Technology II Practicum at the North Dakota School for the Blind. In addition, theories and models of occupational therapy practice were explored. It was determined that the Ecological Model of Occupation (Kramer, Hinojosa, & Royeen, 2003) and the Human Activity Assistive Technology Model (Cook & Hussey, 2002) would best guide occupational therapy practice for individuals with low vision. Through this process, it was determined that occupational therapists must be informed about this growing area of service need and further educate themselves on various aspects of low vision and the role of occupational therapy. The educational product developed through this scholarly project process is a Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation and supplemental lecture notes containing information regarding low vision disorders, the low vision rehabilitation process including occupational therapy\u27s role in evaluation, treatment planning, and interventions, low vision and driving, and family and caregiver education. This educational presentation is intended for education of occupational therapy students and practitioners

One step closer to achieving inclusive design: design considerations for clients with low vision

While the low-vision population in America continues to increase, few empirical studies have been completed investigating how environmental factors affect a low-vision person’s ability to perceive the interior environment accurately. By using quantitative research methods to understand the critical relationship between contrast levels within the built environment and the ability of the low-vision and normal-sighted population to perceive that environment accurately, researchers can investigate safer and more inclusive interior spaces. Specifically, this study explores the environmental factor of contrast and how varying levels of contrast within interior spaces might affect the behaviour of low-vision participants within the interior environment. The findings demonstrate a preference among normal-sighted and low-vision participants for high-contrast environments, and their innate cues of high contrast.Peer Reviewe

PHI-010 - Beating the bugs: the role of microbiology tests in antimicrobial stewardship in spinal cord injury units

Background: Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) aim to optimize the prescription of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), reduce Clostridioides difficile infections, and lower antibiotic expenditures. Although ASPs are implemented in Veterans Health Administrations (VHAs) in the US, they are not targeted at the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) population, which, relative to other patient populations, is more vulnerable to AMR. The goals of the study were to (1) assess the effectiveness of microbiology testing as a strategy to combat AMR and (2) assess the potential for collaboration among ASP leaders and SCI prescribers for implementation of ASPs in SCI units in VHAs

Exposure to coronavirus news on mainstream media: The role of risk perceptions and depression

Objective The mainstream media tend to rely on news content that will increase risk perceptions of pandemic outbreaks to stimulate public response and persuade people to comply with preventive behaviours. The objective of this study was to examine associations between exposure to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news, risk perceptions, and depressive symptoms. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected from 501 participants who were ≥18 years. Exposure to COVID-19 news was assessed as our exposure variable. We screened for depression (outcome variable) with the Patient Health Questionnaire and examined the roles of risk perceptions. Multiple linear regressions and mediation analysis with 1000 bootstrap resamples were conducted. Results Participants were 55.29% female, 67.86% White with mean age 32.44 ± 11.94 years. After controlling for sociodemographic and socio-economic factors, news exposure was positively associated with depressive symptoms β = .11; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.02–0.20. Mediation analysis showed that perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 mediated 34.4% of this relationship (β = .04; 95%CI = 0.01–0.06). Conclusion Perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 can serve as a pathway through which exposure to COVID-19 news on mainstream media may be associated with depressive symptoms. Based on our findings, we offered recommendations for media–health partnership, practice, and research