Influence of road traffic noise peaks on reading task performance and disturbance in a laboratory context

The influence of fluctuating road traffic noise on perceived disturbance during a reading task as well as on performance, inside a living room with closed windows, is presented in this paper. Sixteen 2-min sound sequences were created combining two variables: the number of events (four levels varying from one to four car pass-bys) and the peak emergence above the background noise (four levels with a 5 dB(A) step) keeping limited variations of LAmax, 1s. The noise impact was evaluated through a reading task of texts synchronized with the sound sequences, for participants classified into fast or slow readers, and sensitive or non-sensitive to noise. The comprehension rate of the texts decreases as the background sound level increases. The reading speed decreases during the rising front of a peak, and goes back to its former regular reading speed during the descending front of the peak. This slowdown during the rising front reaches 14% for slow readers. The declared disturbance is higher for slow readers compared to fast readers, and higher for noise sensitive persons compared to non-sensitive persons. The influence of the acoustic indicators on the reading disturbance is very small compared to the influence of personal factors. There is even no influence of the number of events on this disturbance.

The significance of online learning in enhancing information technology literacy for Lubuklinggau City Vocational High School teachers

The use of Information Technology (IT) in State Vocational High School (SMK N) 4 Lubuklinggau city has not been greatly optimized. Similar deduction was obtained for existing learning facilities and media, despite wifi availability. Also, the motivation for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically declined, due to poor IT literacy among teachers. This circumstance is possibly observed from the students’ attitudes in participating in online classes, using Google Classroom and WhatsApp platforms. The assessment commenced with a pre-test, followed by a training on strengthening IT literacy as well as the development of Google Classroom and Kahoot in online learning. Subsequently, independent assignments and evaluations were conducted. The results showed an acceptable performance, with materials on "Strengthening IT Literacy", "The Development of Google Classroom in Online Learning" and "The Development of Kahoot in Online Learning", reporting 81.30, 82.72 and 82.69% comprehension rate, respectively.

Translation and Linguistic Validation of Outcome Instruments for Traumatic Brain Injury Research and Clinical Practice: A Step-by-Step Approach within the Observational CENTER-TBI Study

Assessing outcomes in multinational studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses major challenges and requires relevant instruments in languages other than English. Of the 19 outcome instruments selected for use in the observational Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in TBI (CENTER-TBI) study, 17 measures lacked translations in at least one target language. To fill this gap, we aimed to develop well-translated linguistically and psychometrically validated instruments. We performed translations and linguistic validations of patient-reported measures (PROMs), clinician-reported (ClinRO), and performance-based (PerfO) outcome instruments, using forward and backward translations, reconciliations, cognitive debriefings with up to 10 participants, iterative revisions, and international harmonization with input from over 150 international collaborators. In total, 237 translations and 211 linguistic validations were carried out in up to 20 languages. Translations were evaluated at the linguistic and cultural level by coding changes when the original versions are compared with subsequent translation steps, using the output of cognitive debriefings, and using comprehension rates. The average comprehension rate per instrument varied from 88% to 98%, indicating a good quality of the translations. These outcome instruments provide a solid basis for future TBI research and clinical practice and allow the aggregation and analysis of data across different countries and languages.

Effect of SME Food Entrepreneurs Knowledge on Halal Certification for Certified Awareness Using Partial Least Square

This study aims to predict the impact of the understanding of halal certification by Small Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs on the intention to conduct halal certification. This study was conducted in the Cooperative and SME Office of Surakarta City. The Halal Certification Comprehension Rate was assessed using three variables. We had knowledge of halal (PGT), perceived halal certification advantages (MNF), and perceived halal certification procedures (PROS). Structural Equation Model-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was used for data analysis. The results show that SMEs have a good knowledge of halal and agree that halal certification is beneficial to their businesses. We found, though, that the processes for handling Halal Certification are relatively complex. Based on the study, the perception of Halal Certification Benefits (MNF) is significantly affected by the intention of SMEs to conduct Halal Certification (NHL). The other two results show a positive correlation. However, they are not statistically significant.This study aims to predict the impact of the understanding of halal certification by Small Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs on the intention to conduct halal certification. This study was conducted in the Cooperative and SME Office of Surakarta City. The Halal Certification Comprehension Rate was assessed using three variables. We had knowledge of halal (PGT), perceived halal certification advantages (MNF), and perceived halal certification procedures (PROS). Structural Equation Model-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was used for data analysis. The results show that SMEs have a good knowledge of halal and agree that halal certification is beneficial to their businesses. We found, though, that the processes for handling Halal Certification are relatively complex. Based on the study, the perception of Halal Certification Benefits (MNF) is significantly affected by the intention of SMEs to conduct Halal Certification (NHL). The other two results show a positive correlation, but they are not statistically significant.

Effect of SME Food Entrepreneurs Knowledge on Halal Certification for Certified Awareness Using Partial Least Square

This study aims to predict the impact of the understanding of halal certification by Small Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs on the intention to conduct halal certification. This study was conducted in the Cooperative and SME Office of Surakarta City. The Halal Certification Comprehension Rate was assessed using three variables. We had knowledge of halal (PGT), perceived halal certification advantages (MNF), and perceived halal certification procedures (PROS). Structural Equation Model-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was used for data analysis. The results show that SMEs have a good knowledge of halal and agree that halal certification is beneficial to their businesses. We found, though, that the processes for handling Halal Certification are relatively complex. Based on the study, the perception of Halal Certification Benefits (MNF) is significantly affected by the intention of SMEs to conduct Halal Certification (NHL). The other two results show a positive correlation. However, they are not statistically significant.This study aims to predict the impact of the understanding of halal certification by Small Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs on the intention to conduct halal certification. This study was conducted in the Cooperative and SME Office of Surakarta City. The Halal Certification Comprehension Rate was assessed using three variables. We had knowledge of halal (PGT), perceived halal certification advantages (MNF), and perceived halal certification procedures (PROS). Structural Equation Model-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was used for data analysis. The results show that SMEs have a good knowledge of halal and agree that halal certification is beneficial to their businesses. We found, though, that the processes for handling Halal Certification are relatively complex. Based on the study, the perception of Halal Certification Benefits (MNF) is significantly affected by the intention of SMEs to conduct Halal Certification (NHL). The other two results show a positive correlation, but they are not statistically significant.

Perceived Effectiveness of Potential Music Piracy Warnings

Because music piracy from the internet imposes fines upon individuals, it is important to construct and test warnings in an effort to curb potentially illegal behavior. Each icon contained an eighth note to denote music, action symbol ( upload or download), a prohibition symbol ( slash or cross), and/or a computer for context. Four icons that initially met the ISO 67% comprehension rate were combined with various signal word and consequence messages, yielding 60 test stimuli. Results revealed that participants generally viewed the icon with a computer for context and download symbol with a prohibitive slash as opposed with a cross (“X”) symbol as more effective, than icons with an upload symbol. Signal words conveying the presence of a risk (i.e., IMPORTANT and STOP) received higher perceived effectiveness ratings than NOTICE. Increasing the number of consequences in the warning led to greater perceived warning effectiveness ratings. Hence, a possible warning for music piracy is suggested, with its implications discussed.

Preliminary Findings on the Computer-Administered Multiple-Choice Online Causal Comprehension Assessment, a Diagnostic Reading Comprehension Test

The computer-administered Multiple-Choice Online Causal Comprehension Assessment (MOCCA) for Grades 3 to 5 has an innovative, 40-item multiple-choice structure in which each distractor corresponds to a comprehension process upon which poor comprehenders have been shown to rely. This structure requires revised thinking about measurement issues (e.g., reliability and interpretation of incorrect responses for diagnostic purposes). Using data from a pilot study, the article presents descriptive statistics on correct responses, incorrect responses, and comprehension rate. It also presents reliability data for correct responses and incorrect responses as well as construct validity data on correct responses. Implications for diagnosis and remediation of poor inferential comprehension are discussed.