scholarly journals Automated Smartphone Threshold Audiometry: Validity and Time Efficiency

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (03) ◽  
pp. 200-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica van Tonder ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel ◽  
Faheema Mahomed-Asmail ◽  
Hermanus Myburgh ◽  
Robert H. Eikelboom
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Test Duration ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Adolescent Sample ◽  
Air Conduction

AbstractSmartphone-based threshold audiometry with automated testing has the potential to provide affordable access to audiometry in underserved contexts.To validate the threshold version (hearTest) of the validated hearScreen™ smartphone-based application using inexpensive smartphones (Android operating system) and calibrated supra-aural headphones.A repeated measures within-participant study design was employed to compare air-conduction thresholds (0.5–8 kHz) obtained through automated smartphone audiometry to thresholds obtained through conventional audiometry.A total of 95 participants were included in the study. Of these, 30 were adults, who had known bilateral hearing losses of varying degrees (mean age = 59 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 21.8; 56.7% female), and 65 were adolescents (mean age = 16.5 yr, SD = 1.2; 70.8% female), of which 61 had normal hearing and the remaining 4 had mild hearing losses.Threshold comparisons were made between the two test procedures. The Wilcoxon signed-ranked test was used for comparison of threshold correspondence between manual and smartphone thresholds and the paired samples t test was used to compare test time.Within the adult sample, 94.4% of thresholds obtained through smartphone and conventional audiometry corresponded within 10 dB or less. There was no significant difference between smartphone (6.75-min average, SD = 1.5) and conventional audiometry test duration (6.65-min average, SD = 2.5). Within the adolescent sample, 84.7% of thresholds obtained at 0.5, 2, and 4 kHz with hearTest and conventional audiometry corresponded within ≤5 dB. At 1 kHz, 79.3% of the thresholds differed by ≤10 dB. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between smartphone (7.09 min, SD = 1.2) and conventional audiometry test duration (3.23 min, SD = 0.6).The hearTest application with calibrated supra-aural headphones provides a cost-effective option to determine valid air-conduction hearing thresholds.

scholarly journals An Automated Speech-in-Noise Test for Remote Testing: Development and Preliminary Evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3S) ◽  
pp. 564-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Paglialonga ◽  
Edoardo Maria Polo ◽  
Marco Zanet ◽  
Giulia Rocco ◽  
Toon van Waterschoot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Test Duration ◽  
Adaptive Procedure ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Noise Test

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel, automated speech-in-noise test viable for widespread in situ and remote screening. Method Vowel–consonant–vowel sounds in a multiple-choice consonant discrimination task were used. Recordings from a professional male native English speaker were used. A novel adaptive staircase procedure was developed, based on the estimated intelligibility of stimuli rather than on theoretical binomial models. Test performance was assessed in a population of 26 young adults (YAs) with normal hearing and in 72 unscreened adults (UAs), including native and nonnative English listeners. Results The proposed test provided accurate estimates of the speech recognition threshold (SRT) compared to a conventional adaptive procedure. Consistent outcomes were observed in YAs in test/retest and in controlled/uncontrolled conditions and in UAs in native and nonnative listeners. The SRT increased with increasing age, hearing loss, and self-reported hearing handicap in UAs. Test duration was similar in YAs and UAs irrespective of age and hearing loss. The test–retest repeatability of SRTs was high (Pearson correlation coefficient = .84), and the pass/fail outcomes of the test were reliable in repeated measures (Cohen's κ = .8). The test was accurate in identifying ears with pure-tone thresholds > 25 dB HL (accuracy = 0.82). Conclusion This study demonstrated the viability of the proposed test in subjects of varying language in terms of accuracy, reliability, and short test time. Further research is needed to validate the test in a larger population across a wider range of languages and hearing loss and to identify optimal classification criteria for screening purposes.

Effectiveness of the Liberator? in reducing predation on wildlife by domestic cats

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 244 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Calver ◽  
S. R. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Positive Result ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Prey Animal ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Conservation Concern

We evaluated the effectiveness of the commercial collar-worn product the Liberator? in reducing the number of vertebrates pet cats bring home. Fifteen cats identified by their owners as hunters bringing home at least one prey animal per fortnight were included in the study, which was carried out in Perth, Western Australia over six weeks in November/December 2006 (southern hemisphere late spring/early summer). Each cat spent three weeks wearing a Liberator? and three weeks without it and the number of prey brought home by the cat during each period was recorded by its owner. Participating cats caught 91 prey (37 birds, 44 mammals and 10 herpetofauna). The Southern Brown Bandicoot was the only prey species of conservation concern. Liberators? made no statistically significant difference in the number of cats catching prey, but did reduce the overall number of prey caught. Cats wearing Liberators? caught only 38% of all birds, 40% of all herpetofauna and 30% of all mammals captured during the study. Despite this positive result several product failures occurred, so owners wishing to reduce predation by their cats will need to decide whether the Liberator? is a cost-effective option.

Lack of Effect of Ankle Position During the Nordic Curl on Muscle Activity of the Biceps Femoris and Medial Gastrocnemius

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Comfort ◽  
Amy Regan ◽  
Lee Herrington ◽  
Chris Thomas ◽  
John McMahon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽  
Hamstring Strain ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Male College

Context:Regular performance (~2×/wk) of Nordic curls has been shown to increase hamstring strength and reduce the risk of hamstring strain injury, although no consensus on ankle position has been provided.Objective:To compare the effects of performing Nordic curls, with the ankle in a dorsiflexed (DF) or plantar-flexed (PF) position, on muscle activity of the biceps femoris (BF) and medial gastrocnemius (MG).Participants:15 male college athletes (age 22.6 ± 2.1 y, height 1.78 ± 0.06 m, body mass 88.75 ± 8.95 kg).Design:A repeated-measures design was used, with participants performing 2 sets of 3 repetitions of both variations of Nordic curls, while muscle activity was assessed via surface electromyography (EMG) of the BF and MG. Comparisons of muscle activity were made by examining the normalized EMG data as the percentage of their maximum voluntary isometric contraction.Results:Paired-samples t test revealed no significant difference in normalized muscle activity of the BF (124.5% ± 6.2% vs 128.1 ± 5.0%, P > .05, Cohen d = 0.64, power = .996) or MG (82.1% ± 3.9% vs 83.5 ± 4.8%, P > .05, Cohen d = 0.32, power = .947) during the Nordic curls in a PF or DF position, respectively.Conclusion:Ankle position does not influence muscle activity during the Nordic curl; however, performance of Nordic curls with the ankle in a DF position may be preferential, as this replicates the ankle position during terminal leg swing during running, which tends to be the point at which hamstring strains have been reported.

scholarly journals THE EVALUATION OF CASCADING AND RADIAL MENUS FOR AUGMENTED REALITY IN A SMARTPHONE

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-435
Author(s):  
Wan Mohd Abrar ◽  
Hew Soon Hin ◽  
Wong Chee Onn
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Measured Time ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Radial Menus

The article describes an evaluation of cascading menu and radial menu in augmented reality (AR) on a smartphone. To evaluate the menus, we measured time to finish the tasks (in seconds) and usability (learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction) using the System Usability Scale Questionnaire. Data obtained is then analyzed using paired-samples t-test with repeated measures and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to find the statistically significant difference. Overall results showed a preference for the cascading menu type over the radial menu in terms of usability, different from other studies. Statistically, a significant difference was found performance-wise, which indicates that participants are more familiar with cascading menus which contributes to better task time. However, the performance improved the more prolonged the participants got used to the menu when it comes to the radial menu. For errors rates, it is found that the radial menu is less error-prone than cascading menu. This evaluation can help interface designers decide whether they should use the cascading menu or radial menu when designing an interface for AR on a smartphone. The research looks into filling the evaluation gap on the radial and cascading menu, specifically in augmented reality on a smartphone. While other studies have studied and evaluated the cascading menu and radial menu in other environments, this research, on the other hand, tested and evaluated the menu in an augmented reality environment instead of the more traditional desktop environment.

scholarly journals New Assessment Model of Pulse Depth Based on Sensor Displacement in Pulse Diagnostic Devices

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jang-Han Bae ◽  
Young Ju Jeon ◽  
Jong Yeol Kim ◽  
Jaeuk U. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Depth Index ◽  
Significant Difference

An accurate assessment of the pulse depth in pulse diagnosis is vital to determine the floating and sunken pulse qualities (PQs), which are two of the four most basic PQs. In this work, we proposed a novel model of assessing the pulse depth based on sensor displacement (SD) normal to the skin surface and compared this model with two previous models which assessed the pulse depth using contact pressure (CP). In contrast to conventional stepwise CP variation tonometry, we applied a continuously evolving tonometric mechanism at a constant velocity and defined the pulse depth index as the optimal SD where the largest pulse amplitude was observed. By calculating the pulse depth index for 18 volunteers, we showed that the pulse was deepest atCheok(significance level:P<0.01), while no significant difference was found betweenChonandGwan. In contrast, the two CP-based models estimated that the pulse was shallowest atGwan(P<0.05). For the repeated measures, the new SD-based model showed a smaller coefficient of variation(CV≈7.6%)than the two CP-based models (CV≈13.5% and 12.3%, resp.). The SD-based pulse depth assessment is not sensitive to the complex geometry around the palpation locations and temperature variation of contact sensors, which allows cost-effective sensor technology.

scholarly journals Bupropion for Treatment-Resistant Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khai Tran ◽  
Sarah C. McGill ◽  
Jennifer Horton
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Treatment Resistant Depression ◽  
Augmentation Therapy ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Resistant Depression ◽  
Laboratory Test Abnormality

Switching to monotherapy after failure with a first antidepressant resulted in no significant difference in efficacy and tolerability among bupropion, sertraline, and venlafaxine. In treatment-resistant depression, augmentation of previous treatment with bupropion did not result in significant differences in remission compared with switching to bupropion monotherapy, augmentation with aripiprazole, or augmentation with buspirone. Switching to bupropion monotherapy or augmentation with bupropion was associated with significantly higher incidence of anxiety, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and increased blood pressure, but lower incidence of increased appetite, increased weight, somnolence, akathisia, and laboratory test abnormality compared to augmentation with aripiprazole. Augmentation therapy with bupropion or aripiprazole may be a cost-effective option relative to switching to bupropion in treatment-resistant depression. Among the monotherapies, switching to vortioxetine appeared to be the most cost-effective option relative to other medications such as agomelatine, bupropion, venlafaxine, or sertraline; bupropion, venlafaxine, and sertraline monotherapies were not significantly different from one another in terms of cost-effectiveness.

scholarly journals Comparison of the SITA Faster–a new visual field strategy with SITA Fast strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1185-1191
Author(s):  
Chao-Xu Qian ◽  
◽  
Qing Cun ◽  
Yi-Jin Tao ◽  
Wen-Yan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Visual Field Defects ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Mean Deviation ◽  
Test Duration ◽  
Altman Analysis ◽  
Bland Altman Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Probability Plots ◽  
Field Defects

AIM: To compare visual field defects using the Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) Fast strategy with SITA Faster strategy, a newly developed time-saving threshold visual field strategy. METHODS: Ninety-three participants (60 glaucoma patients and 33 normal controls) were enrolled. One eye from each participant was selected randomly for the study. SITA Fast and SITA Faster were performed using the 24-2 default mode for each test. The differences of visual field defects between the two strategies were compared using the test duration, false-positive response errors, mean deviation (MD), visual field index (VFI) and the numbers of depressed test points at the significant levels of P<5%, <2%, <1%, and <0.5% in probability plots. The correlation between strategies was analyzed. The agreement between strategies was acquired by Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Mean test durations were 246.0±60.9s for SITA Fast, and 156.3±46.3s for SITA Faster (P<0.001). The test duration of SITA Faster was 36.5% shorter than SITA Fast. The MD, VFI and numbers of depressed points at P<5%, <2%, <1%, and <0.5% in probability plots showed no statistically significant difference between two strategies (P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed a high correlation for MD (r=0.986, P<0.001) and VFI (r=0.986, P<0.001) between the two strategies. Bland-Altman analysis showed great agreement between the two strategies. CONCLUSION: SITA Faster, which saves considerable test time, has a great test quality comparing to SITA Fast, but may be not directly interchangeable.

Employing Personal Reading Logs through Short Stories to Enhance Students’ L2 Reading Comprehension Achievement

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Eliyas Sulaiman Mohandas ◽  
Nik Mastura Nik Ismail Azlan ◽  
Salwa Othman ◽  
Muhammad Aizat Azhari
Keyword(s):  
Short Stories ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
P Value ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Reading Score ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

This study aims to investigate whether the use of six selected short stories throughout the duration of a 14-week course could enhance students’ reading comprehension achievement at the end of the semester. Out of the six short stories read, three were chosen as in-class assignments known as ‘Personal Reading Logs’ (hereafter, PRLs). One group of semester two Diploma students taking a reading skills course was selected through a convenience sampling method. A pre-test was conducted by having the students answer a past semester reading quiz of which the results would then be compared to their post-test (final reading exam) results. A paired samples t-test revealed no significant difference in the reading scores of the pre-test and the post-test, t (17) = -.265, p > .05. Since the p-value was bigger than 0.05, this indicated that the mean reading score of the post-test (M = 50.556) was not significantly higher than the mean reading score of the pre-test (M = 49.722). Therefore, the null hypothesis which stated that there was no difference in the mean score of the pre-test and post-test was retained. Overall, the result refuted the findings of other studies promoting the effectiveness of using short stories to enhance L2 reading comprehension achievement.

Melatih Kepemimpinan Perangkat Desa Kebonharjo Kulonprogo: Membangun Sikap Anti Korupsi

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Adi Heryadi ◽  
Evianawati Evianawati
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Sample Test ◽  
Corruption Perception ◽  
Measuring Tool

This study aims to prove whether transformational leadership training is effective for building anti-corruption attitudes of villages in Kebonharjo village, subdistrict Samigaluh Kulonprogo. This research is an experimental research with one group pre and posttest design.Subject design is 17 people from village of 21 candidates registered. Measuring tool used in this research is the scale of anti-corruption perception made by the researcher referring to the 9 anti-corruption values with the value of reliability coefficient of 0.871. The module used as an intervention made by the researcher refers to the transformational leadership dimension (Bass, 1990). The data collected is analyzed by statistical analysis of different test Paired Sample Test. Initial data collection results obtained sign value of 0.770 which means> 0.05 or no significant difference between anti-corruption perception score between before and after training. After a period of less than 1 (one) month then conducted again the measurement of follow-up of the study subjects in the measurement again using the scale of anti-corruption perception. The results of the second data collection were analysed with Paired Samples Test and obtained the value of 0.623 sign meaning p> 0.05 or no significant difference between post test data with follow-up data so that the hypothesis of this study was rejected.

Investigating the Effect of Cognitive-behavioral Stress Management on Occupational Performance among Women with Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-159
Author(s):  
Arezoo Shayan ◽  
Mansoureh Refaei ◽  
Farkhondeh Jamshidi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management ◽  
Behavioral Stress ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Treatment of breast cancer can be accompanied by long-term consequences affecting women’s participation in many tasks. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) program on occupational performance of women with breast cancer. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, conducted between Feb 3 and Oct 26, 2016, 104 women with breast cancer who had referred to Imam Khomeini clinic in Hamadan, and who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (20-60 years old, married, suffering from grade 1-3 breast cancer with a history of recent surgery) were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups of 52 using a permuted block size of four. The intervention group took part in four 60-minute sessions of CBSM over four weeks. The study data were collected using a demographic information form and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The statistical analyst was masked to intervention allocation. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: A significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the mean scores of occupational performance (p=0.02) and satisfaction (p=0.005) after the intervention. Each variable was measured at three time points (before the intervention, immediately and 2 weeks after intervention). A significant difference was observed in the two groups’ mean scores of performance (p=0.026) and satisfaction (p=0.01), irrespective of the time of assessment. Conclusion: The CBSM program promoted the occupational performance immediately and two weeks after the intervention in women with breast cancer. This technique can be used as a complementary method alongside medical therapies in oncology centers.

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