Ultrasonic Doppler Based Silent Speech Interface Using Perceptual Distance

Moderate performance in terms of intelligibility and naturalness can be obtained using previously established silent speech interface (SSI) methods. Nevertheless, a common problem associated with SSI has involved deficiencies in estimating the spectrum details, which results in synthesized speech signals that are rough, harsh, and unclear. In this study, harmonic enhancement (HE), was used during postprocessing to alleviate this problem by emphasizing the spectral fine structure of speech signals. To improve the subjective quality of synthesized speech, the difference between synthesized and actual speech was established by calculating the distance in the perceptual domains instead of using the conventional mean square error (MSE). Two deep neural networks (DNNs) were employed to separately estimate the speech spectra and the filter coefficients of HE, connected in a cascading manner. The DNNs were trained to incrementally and iteratively minimize both the MSE and the perceptual distance (PD). A feasibility test showed that the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) and the short-time objective intelligibility measure (STOI) were improved by 17.8 and 2.9%, respectively, compared with previous methods. Subjective listening tests revealed that the proposed method yielded perceptually preferred results compared with that of the conventional MSE-based method.

Android-based English teaching material application at State Polytechnic of Fakfak

One of the ways to attract students' interest in learning English is to use interactive teaching materials. However, the teaching materials used at State Polytechnic of Fakfak are still in the form printed materials which seem inefficient to be used during the Covid 19 pandemic because the all the teaching process is online. Therefore, one of the solutions to implement mobile learning. Using mobile learning provides the users accessing material through smartphones and learning through mobile learning applications anywhere and anytime. This study aims to develop teaching materials in the form of an Android-based English Learning Application at Department of Informatics Management at the State Polytechnic of Fakfak, West Papua. The method used in this study is the Waterfall method, where a software development model is carried out sequentially, which means that one stage is carried out after the previous stage is completed. With the teaching materials in the Android-based English course, it can help the educators to carry out their duty as a lecturer to handle learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic. The result of this study is an Android-based English Learning Application that is functionally tested using the Black Box method. Based on the test results, the application is functioning properly. This is proved by the feasibility test using distributed questionnaires to 40 students of the Department of Informatics Management. There are 96% of students stated that the application can be operated easily and is satisfying

The BOOST Paediatric Advance Care Planning Intervention for Adolescents with Cancer and Their Parents: Development, Acceptability and Feasibility

Background Although advance care planning (ACP) has been widely recommended to support patient and family engagement in understanding the patient’s values, preferences and goals of care, there are only a few models in paediatric oncology that capture ACP as a process of behaviour change. We aimed to develop and test the acceptability and feasibility of BOOST pACP (Benefits of Obtaining Ownership Systematically Together in paediatric Advance Care Planning) – an intervention to improve ACP in adolescents with cancer, their parents and paediatric oncologists. Methods Several methods informed the intervention development process: 1) Problem identification: interviews with 11 healthcare professionals working in paediatric oncology; 2) Identification of evidence: literature review of existing pACP tools and barriers and facilitators in performing pACP; 3) Logic model and 4) Intervention design: collaborative expert meetings with researchers and professionals in pACP; 5a) Acceptability test of the materials: interviews with 9 healthcare professionals, 4 adolescents and young adults with cancer and 6 parents; 5b) Feasibility test of core intervention components with 3 families, including interviews about their experiences. Results The BOOST pACP intervention was iteratively developed and adapted, based on feedback from families, healthcare professionals, and pACP experts (e.g., components were changed, deleted, and added; formulation of themes and associated questions were amended to enhance acceptability). The core components of the BOOST pACP intervention include: 4 ACP conversation sessions with the adolescent and/or parent(s) provided by a trained facilitator, structured by interactive conversation cards covering different ACP themes, followed by a transfer of information from the intervention facilitator to the paediatric oncologist. Core intervention components were deemed feasible by all participating families. Conclusion The BOOST pACP intervention was developed by close involvement of both adolescent patients and their parents, healthcare professionals and pACP experts. The final intervention and supporting materials are considered appropriate and feasible. Its effectiveness in improving parent-adolescent communication on ACP themes is currently being tested in a multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Researchers aiming to develop a complex psychosocial intervention for a vulnerable target group could use the step-by-step approach described in this paper.

Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum (HEARTS): A feasibility test of an online class co-designed and co-taught with autistic people

This study tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a six-session online class on healthy relationships for autistic individuals ages 18–44 years old ( N = 55). The content of the Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum class was informed by formative research with 25 autistic individuals, and developed collaboratively by two non-autistic professionals and seven autistic self-advocates. Fifty-five autistic people participated in Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum and completed pre- and post-surveys. The study found that it was feasible to deliver Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum online. Pairing an autistic and non-autistic person to co-teach was well-received. Participants decreased hostile automatic thoughts ( p < 0.05), involvement in dating abuse in intimate relationships ( p < 0.05), fight-or-flight response ( p < 0.05), and rejection sensitivity ( p < 0.001). Participants experienced improved flourishing ( p < 0.001), coping with rejection and jealousy ( p < 0.001), motivation to engage with others for socializing ( p < 0.05), self-compassion ( p < 0.05), and positive thinking ( p < 0.05). Scores on a measure of interpersonal competence did not change, and loneliness did not decrease. The majority of participants reported high satisfaction with the class. Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum is a promising healthy relationships promotion class that should be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial. Lay abstract The Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum class is unique because autistic people helped to develop it and co-taught it. It is an online, six-session class. The class was piloted in 2020–2021 with 55 autistic people who were ages 18–44 years old. This feasibility study found that most people who took the class liked it. Surveys filled out by the students before and after the class showed that they became less sensitive to rejection, used more positive thinking skills, and were more interested in being social. However, the class may not have made them feel less lonely. The team that invented the class is using the feedback to improve it. The class holds promise for improving the quality of friendships and dating relationships for autistic adults and should be tested further.

Evidence-Based Decision Support for a Structured Care Program on Polypharmacy in Multimorbidity: A Guideline Upgrade Based on a Realist Synthesis

Evidence-based clinical guidelines generally consider single conditions, and rarely multimorbidity. We developed an evidence-based guideline for a structured care program to manage polypharmacy in multimorbidity by using a realist synthesis to update the German polypharmacy guideline including the following five methods: formal prioritization in focus groups; systematic guideline review of evidence-based multimorbidity/polypharmacy guidelines; evidence search/synthesis and recommendation development; multidisciplinary consent of recommendations; feasibility test of updated guideline. We identified the need for a better description of the target group, decision support, prioritization of medication, consideration of patient preferences and anticholinergic properties, and of healthcare interfaces. We conducted a systematic guideline review of eight guidelines and extracted and synthesized recommendations using the Ariadne principles. We also included 48 systematic reviews. We formulated and agreed upon 34 recommendations for the revised guideline. During the feasibility test, guideline use enabled 57% of GPs to identify problems, leading to medication changes in 49% and self-assessed improvement in 56% of patients. Although 58% of GPs felt that it was too long, 92% recommended it. Polypharmacy should be systematically reviewed at least annually. Patients, family members, and healthcare professionals should monitor and adjust it using prospective process validation, taking into account patient preferences and agreed treatment goals.

Pengembangan Multimedia Interaktif Berbasis Pendekatan Saintifik pada Materi Bangun Datar untuk Siswa Kelas IV Sekolah Dasar

This study aims to produce interactive multimedia based on scientific approach on plane shape material for the fourth grade elementary school students. This is a research and development using a 4-D model consisting of 4 stages, namely: defining, designing, developing, and disseminating. This research data collection technique is based on the results of the assessment by three experts, namely: expert on material, expert on media, and linguists. The expert's assessment shows that interactive multimedia meets the eligibility criteria. At the product feasibility test stage in a small group consisting of nine students, it was found that interactive multimedia met the eligibility criteria with an average score of 3.01 with a maximum score of 4.0. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the interactive multimedia design based on the scientific approach developed in this study is proven to be feasible and can be used for fourth grade elementary school students.

Feasibility test of STEM at home prototype kit as science project-based learning media for Junior High School students

To promote the application of the STEM approach in science learning, it is necessary to provide cheap, easy-to-obtain, and effective STEM project support materials. In addition, science teachers should try to plan and implement STEM in their teaching, even for simple projects. To overcome the problem of the length of time on projects in science teaching, we propose "STEM at Home", a term which means that STEM projects are carried out by students at home under the supervision of parents or families. In order for this home project-based learning to be effective, we have prepared a STEM at Home Kit and Worksheet for Junior High Schools students. We chose the topic Simple . The STEM at Home Kit and Worksheet that have been developed, have received expert approval as learning media that are suitable for use. One-to-one evaluation with 3 participants, and small group evaluation with 14 participants, were carried out to obtain feedback on students’ difficulties in using the product, their perceptions of the product, and their perceptions of the potential impact produced by the instructional product. The results of these evaluation showed that the STEM at Home Project Kit and Worksheet are valid and practically used in science learning, especially on the topic of Simple Machines

Pengembangan Multimedia E-Learning Berbasis Aplikasi Kekinian pada Pembelajaran Geometri untuk Siswa Kelas XII MIPA SMAN 4 Kota Tangerang

The industrial revolution 4.0 gave birth to an education era 4.0 which demands the use of cyber technology in the learning process, so that output matches the needs and demands of the times. The existence of abstract concepts and difficulty imagining spatial aspects become obstacles for students of class XII MIPA at SMAN 4 Kota Tangerang in learning to paint slices of space. Therefore, it takes the development of learning media that is able to help students learn it easily but is packaged in an interesting, exciting, fun way and in accordance with the direction of education 4.0. This research is a development research that aims to develop and determine the feasibility of multimedia e-learning based on Screencast O Matic and Powerpoint assisted by Geogebra and Kahoot in learning geometry for XII MIPA of SMAN 4 Kota Tangerang students . Using the Four-D development model which includes the define, design, develop, and disseminate stages, the developer does not do the dissemination stage because what is done is only a product feasibility test. At the develop stage, an expert assessment was carried out consisting of an assessment of aspects of the content, media, language, and teacher / practitioner assessment and finally a development test. Based on the expert's assessment, the average score for the content aspect is 4.52 (Very Feasible), the media aspect is 4.22 (Very Appropriate), and the language aspect is 4.23 (Very Feasible). Based on the students' responses to the development test, it was obtained that the material aspects were 4.29 (very feasible), the media aspects were 4.11 (feasible), and the language aspects were 4.1 (feasible).

Feasibility Study Fishing Tour Project in Dongkal Village, East Pondok Jagung, North Serpong, South Tangerang City, Banten

The purpose of writing a feasibility study paper on fishing tourism business is to assist the village government in realizing increased economic growth for the community around village. The author also wants to carry out several feasibility measurements in a project development by analyzing, viewing and measuring several measurement indicators using the Net Present Value method, Internal Return Rate, Cost Benefit Ratio, Return on Investment, and Return on Investment Period. Based on the results of the analysis of the financial feasibility test with this method, the authors use a loan interest rate of 11% per year to operate. From the calculation results obtained a positive number of Net Present Value of Rp. 493,276 million, the value of the Internal Rate of Return 12.1388% > 11% (Interest Rate), the value of the Cost Benefit Ratio 1.5165 > 1, with a payback period of 3.0825 years < 5 years (Bank loan repayment period).

PENGEMBANGAN MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN INTERAKTIF MATEMATIKA KELAS VI SD/MI

Abstrak: Studi ini bertujuan untuk : (1) menghasilkan produk media pembelajaran interaktif berbasis Macromedia Flash Profesional 8 yang berkualitas pada mata pelajaran matematika materi geometri untuk siswa kelas VI MIN Padang Bulan Rantauprapat yang layak digunakan dalam pembelajaran (2) mengetahui efektifitas penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif berbasis Macromedia Flash Profesional 8 pada mata pelajaran matematika materi geometri untuk siswa kelas VI MIN Padang Bulan Rantauprapat. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian pengembangan yang menggunakan model pengembangan produk Borg dan Gall yang dipadu dengan model pengembangan pembelajaran Dick dan Carey. Model ini meliputi enam tahapan, yakni: studi literatur, perencanaan atau desain pengembangan, pengembangan produk, validasi ahli, uji coba, revisi, produk akhir. Data tentang kualitas produk pengembangan ini dikumpulkan dengan angket. Data-data yang dikumpulkan dianalisis dengan teknik analisis deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil pengembangan media interaktif menunjukan validasi ahli menunujukkan bahwa keseluruhan rata-rata dikategorikan “Sangat Baik” dan uji kelayakan menunujukkan bahwa keseluruhan rata-rata dikategorikan “Sangat Baik”. Hasil pengujian hipotesis membuktikan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara hasil belajar siswa yang dibelajarkan dengan menggunakan media pembelajaran interaktif Macromedia Flash dengan hasil belajar siswa yang dibelajarkan dengan pembelajaran konvensional. Kata kunci: Media Pembelajaran Interaktif, Matematika Abstrack: This study aims to: (1) produce a qualified interactive learning media based Macromedia Flash profesional 8 in mathematics material geometry for students of class VI MIN Padang Bulan Rantauprapat are eligible for use in learning (2) determine the effectiveness of the use of interactive learning media-based Macromedia flash profesional 8 in mathematics materials for students of class VI geometry MIN Padang Bulan Rantauprapat. This type of research is the development of research that uses models Borg and Gall product development combined with learning development model of Dick and Carey. This model includes six stages, namely: literature studies, planning or design development, product development, validation expert, testing, revision, the final product. Data about the quality of the products of this development are collected by questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. The results of development of Interactive LearningMedia by Experts’ validation indicate that the overall average categorized "Very Good" And the Feasibility test indicate that the overall average categorized "Very Good". Hypothesis testing results show that there are significant differences between the students learning outcomethat to be learned by using Macromedia Flash Interactive Learning Media and Students learn outcometo be learned by conventional learning. Keywords: Interactive Learning Media, Mathematic