Perception Test Research Articles

A Large-Scale Study of the Relationship Between Degree and Type of Hearing Loss and Recognition of Speech in Quiet and Noise.

Understanding speech in noise (SIN) is the dominant complaint of individuals with hearing loss. For decades, the default test of speech perception in routine audiologic assessment has been monosyllabic word recognition in quiet (WRQ), which does not directly address patient concerns, leading some to advocate that measures of SIN should be integrated into routine practice. However, very little is known with regard to how SIN abilities are affected by different types of hearing loss. Here, we examine performance on clinical measures of WRQ and SIN in a large patient base consisting of a variety of hearing loss types, including conductive (CHL), mixed (MHL), and sensorineural (SNHL) losses. In a retrospective study, we examined data from 5593 patients (51% female) who underwent audiometric assessment at the Stanford Ear Institute. All individuals completed pure-tone audiometry, and speech perception testing of monaural WRQ, and monaural QuickSIN. Patient ages ranged from 18 to 104 years (average = 57). The average age in years for the different classifications of hearing loss was 51.1 (NH), 48.5 (CHL), 64.2 (MHL), and 68.5 (SNHL), respectively. Generalized linear mixed-effect models and quartile regression were used to determine the relationship between hearing loss type and severity for the different speech-recognition outcome measures. Patients with CHL had similar performance to patients with normal hearing on both WRQ and QuickSIN, regardless of the hearing loss severity. In patients with MHL or SNHL, WRQ scores remained largely excellent with increasing hearing loss until the loss was moderately severe or worse. In contrast, QuickSIN signal to noise ratio (SNR) losses showed an orderly systematic decrease as the degree of hearing loss became more severe. This effect scaled with the data, with threshold-QuickSIN relationships absent for CHL, and becoming increasingly stronger for MHL and strongest in patients with SNHL. However, the variability in these data suggests that only 57% of the variance in WRQ scores, and 50% of the variance in QuickSIN SNR losses, could be accounted for by the audiometric thresholds. Patients who would not be differentiated by WRQ scores are shown to be potentially differentiable by SIN scores. In this data set, conductive hearing loss had little effect on WRQ scores or QuickSIN SNR losses. However, for patients with MHL or SNHL, speech perception abilities decreased as the severity of the hearing loss increased. In these data, QuickSIN SNR losses showed deficits in performance with degrees of hearing loss that yielded largely excellent WRQ scores. However, the considerable variability in the data suggests that even after classifying patients according to their type of hearing loss, hearing thresholds only account for a portion of the variance in speech perception abilities, particularly in noise. These results are consistent with the idea that variables such as cochlear health and aging add explanatory power over audibility alone.

Virtual reality perceptual training can improve the temporal discrimination ability of swinging during softball batting.

Perception and action uncoupling in fastball sports anticipatory training is often criticized. Nevertheless, perception-only training offers distinct advantages, such as flexibility concerning time, place, and injury limitations. Therefore, the effectiveness of this training approach warrants evaluation. This study developed a virtual reality (VR) training system based on the idea that the two visual pathways in the brain are associated with visual information attributes, rather than perception or action. A key feature of this study's perception-only training was its presentation of not only the opponent's kinematics but also the ball's flight information (the attributes that guide hitting) to train the visual system necessary for real situations. Seventeen female softball batters were assigned to two groups: a training group (N = 9) and a control group (N = 8). Only the training group underwent the VR anticipatory skill training to discriminate the different ball speeds. Both groups completed a perception test and an action test on the VR during the pre- and post-training periods. The perception test assessed response accuracy (RA) in discriminating ball speed, and the action test assessed the temporal difference in swing onset (delta onset). Comparison of these two outcome variables between groups revealed that perception-only training improved both perceptual and action responses. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of perception-only training and emphasized the need for its thoughtful utilization and design.

Assessment of Executive Functions in School Considering Motor and Sociodemographic Factors: A Joint Vision for School-Based Occupational Therapists and School Staff

Executive functions (EFs) and motor skills are essential for many school and daily tasks. Many school-based occupational therapists need help addressing EFs. The current study aims to provide new insights into the relationship between executive functions and motor development by considering confounding factors. Ninety-six second-grade children were tested in one state-funded (public) school and another state-subsidised private school. Children were assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2), Neuropsychological Assessment of Executive Functions in Children, and Test of Perception of Differences–R. Families completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, and teachers completed a previous questionnaire and subsequently evaluated the information the occupational therapist provided. Mixed results were obtained regarding the correlation between motor and executive skills. Furthermore, children who received worse scores on the MABC-2 had more difficulties on the EFs tests. The Impulsivity Control Index was not correlated with any motor variable. Our results show that sociodemographic variables (except gender) correlate more with EFs than motor skills. The teachers showed a high degree of agreement with the occupational therapist (4.0 ± 0.8), even in children with good academic performance. They expressed the need for additional training and classroom interventions. A joint vision of motor-executive functioning can facilitate the design of effective interventions, especially in schools with more disadvantaged populations.

Validation of a New Digital and Automated Color Perception Test.

Although color vision deficiencies are very prevalent, there are no ideal methods for assessing color vision in all environments. We compared a new digital and automated method that quantifies color perception for the three protan, deutan, and tritan axes with two of the most commonly used color tests in daily practice: the Ishihara 38 plates test and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test. One hundred patients underwent a triple examination composed of the new DIVE Color Test, the Ishihara test, and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test. The DIVE Color Test was performed twice in forty participants to assess its repeatability. In the trichromatic group, the mean age stood at 20.57 ± 9.22 years compared with 25.99 ± 15.86 years in the dyschromatic group. The DIVE and Ishihara tests exhibited excellent agreement in identifying participants with color deficiency (Cohen's kappa = 1.00), while it was 0.81 when comparing DIVE and Farnsworth. The correlation between the global perception values of Farnsworth (TES) and DIVE (GCS) was 0.80. The repeatability of the DIVE Color Test was high according to Bland-Altman analysis with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83. According to Ishihara, the DIVE Color Test proved to be an effective and reproducible tool for red-green color vision deficiency detection, capable of determining the severity of the defect in each of the three axes faster and more accurately than both Ishihara and Farnsworth.

Development of the Children's English and Spanish Speech Recognition Test: Psychometric Properties, Feasibility, Reliability, and Normative Data.

The Children's English and Spanish Speech Recognition (ChEgSS) test is a computer-based tool for assessing closed-set word recognition in English and in Spanish, with a masker that is either speech-shaped noise or competing speech. The present study was conducted to (1) characterize the psychometric properties of the ChEgSS test, (2) evaluate feasibility and reliability for a large cohort of Spanish/English bilingual children with normal hearing, and (3) establish normative data. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate speech perception in children (4-17 years) and adults (19-40 years) with normal hearing using the ChEgSS test. In Experiment 1, data were collected from Spanish/English bilingual and English monolingual adults at multiple, fixed signal-to-noise ratios. Psychometric functions were fitted to the word-level data to characterize variability across target words in each language and in each masker condition. In Experiment 2, Spanish/English bilingual adults were tested using an adaptive tracking procedure to evaluate the influence of different target-word normalization approaches on the reliability of estimates of masked-speech recognition thresholds corresponding to 70.7% correct word recognition and to determine the optimal number of reversals needed to obtain reliable estimates. In Experiment 3, Spanish/English bilingual and English monolingual children completed speech perception testing using the ChEgSS test to (1) characterize feasibility across age and language group, (2) evaluate test-retest reliability, and (3) establish normative data. Experiments 1 and 2 yielded data that are essential for stimulus normalization, optimizing threshold estimation procedures, and interpreting threshold data across test language and masker type. Findings obtained from Spanish/English bilingual and English monolingual children with normal hearing in Experiment 3 support feasibility and demonstrate reliability for use with children as young as 4 years of age. Equivalent results for testing in English and Spanish were observed for Spanish/English bilingual children, contingent on adequate proficiency in the target language. Regression-based threshold norms were established for Spanish/English bilingual and English monolingual children between 4 and 17 years of age. The present findings indicate the ChEgSS test is appropriate for testing a wide age range of children with normal hearing in either Spanish, English, or both languages. The ChEgSS test is currently being evaluated in a large cohort of patients with hearing loss at pediatric audiology clinics across the United States. Results will be compared with normative data established in the present study and with established clinical measures used to evaluate English- and Spanish-speaking children. Questionnaire data from parents and clinician feedback will be used to further improve test procedures.

Assessment of Sensory Processing Issues in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Experiences of Maltreatment.

This study aims to identify the sensory characteristics of children with both developmental disabilities such as ASD and ADHD and a history of child maltreatment (DM group), children with developmental disabilities (DD group), and typically developed children (TD group). The sensory characteristics of 24 children were assessed through virtual reality and self-administered questionnaires. The results elucidated that the duration of gazing at the "teacher" (60-75 s) was significantly different with the DM group's gaze being shorter than the DD group's gaze (p = 0.042). The duration of the "others" gaze (45-60 s) was also significantly different with the DM group's gaze being longer than the DD and TD groups' gaze (p = 0.018; p = 0.030). Additionally, the scores for tactile sensitivity, taste/smell sensitivity, under-responsive/seeks sensation, and the total short-term sensory profile were significantly different between the DM-DD and DD-TD groups. The scores of the heart rate perception test and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness were significantly lower in the DM and DD groups. In conclusion, children who have experienced trauma and developmental disabilities may have different sensory characteristics than children with only developmental disabilities or none, implying the need for further research and tailored care.

Effects of hazard type and confidence level on hazard perception in young male drivers: an ERP study.

Hazard perception refers to a driver's ability to identify potential hazards on the road. Although studies have shown that overconfidence affects drivers' ability to perceive hazards, the neural processing of hazard perception in overconfident drivers under different hazard types has rarely been investigated. A mixed experimental design of 2 (hazard type: hazards, no hazards) × 2 (driver group: overconfident driver, control group) was used. A total of 120 images (60 with hazards and 60 without hazards) were presented to 25 overconfident drivers and 25 drivers in the control group. Reaction time, response accuracy, P200 (200-250 ms), and N2 (280-330 ms) components were measured via event-related potential (ERP) technology. Response times of overconfident drivers are slower than those of the control group regardless of hazard types. The P200 latency of overconfident drivers was longer than that of their peers in hazard situations, while the P200 latency was similar between the two groups in no-hazard situations. Although a significant interaction was found on the N2 amplitude, no significant differences were found between the two groups in both hazard and no-hazard situations. Overconfident drivers have worse hazard perception performance in hazard situations with slower reaction times and greater P200 latencies than their peers. More importantly, P200 amplitude and N2 amplitude are sensitive to hazard types, while P200 amplitude and N2 latency can discriminate between driver groups. The findings help understand the negative impact of overconfidence on young drivers and contribute to the development and training of hazard perception tests.

Testing in Noise Based on the First Adaptive Matrix Sentence Test in Slovak Language

This study deals with an acoustic perceptual test performed on the basis of adaptive matrix tests, which represent a modern and reliable tool that can be used not only in perceptual phonetics but also for detecting problems related to hearing. The tests used, based on the first Slovak adaptive matrix, provided extensive test material, which was evaluated through a series of tests implemented according to ICRA (International Collegium of Rehabilitative Audiology) guidelines. Healthy listeners took part in the tests, and, during the tests, they listened to prepared sentence stimuli simultaneously with noise. Out of a total number of 30 tests, 15 tests met the demanding criteria. The tests were evaluated from the point of view of the word recognition score, the slope of the psychometric curve function, and also the threshold values corresponding to word recognition at the levels of 20%, 50%, and 80%. We also investigated and compared the impact of two different testing strategies (open and closed test format) and also the impact of experience or unfamiliarity with the test routine used. The created tests achieved SRT50 = −7.03 ± 0.79 dB and a slope of 13.13 ± 1.60%/dB.

Validation of the acoustic change complex (ACC) prediction model to predict speech perception in noise in adult patients with hearing loss: a study protocol

BackgroundSpeech perception tests are essential to measure the functional use of hearing and to determine the effectiveness of hearing aids and implantable auditory devices. However, these language-based tests require active participation and are influenced by linguistic and neurocognitive skills limiting their use in patients with insufficient language proficiency, cognitive impairment, or in children. We recently developed a non-attentive and objective speech perception prediction model: the Acoustic Change Complex (ACC) prediction model. The ACC prediction model uses electroencephalography to measure alterations in cortical auditory activity caused by frequency changes. The aim is to validate this model in a large-scale external validation study in adult patients with varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) to confirm the high predictive value of the ACC model and to assess its test–retest reliability.MethodsA total of 80 participants, aged 18–65 years, will be enrolled in the study. The categories of severity of hearing loss will be used as a blocking factor to establish an equal distribution of patients with various degrees of sensorineural hearing loss. During the first visit, pure tone audiometry, speech in noise tests, a phoneme discrimination test, and the first ACC measurement will be performed. During the second visit (after 1–4 weeks), the same ACC measurement will be performed to assess the test–retest reliability. The acoustic change stimuli for ACC measurements consist of a reference tone with a base frequency of 1000, 2000, or 4000 Hz with a duration of 3000 ms, gliding to a 300-ms target tone with a frequency that is 12% higher than the base frequency. The primary outcome measures are (1) the level of agreement between the predicted speech reception threshold (SRT) and the behavioral SRT, and (2) the level of agreement between the SRT calculated by the first ACC measurement and the SRT of the second ACC measurement. Level of agreement will be assessed with Bland–Altman plots.DiscussionPrevious studies by our group have shown the high predictive value of the ACC model. The successful validation of this model as an effective and reliable biomarker of speech perception will directly benefit the general population, as it will increase the accuracy of hearing evaluations and improve access to adequate hearing rehabilitation.

Evaluating the effect of a blended collaborative/game-based learning strategy for skill reinforcement on undergraduate engineering

This study evaluates the implementation of a collaborative/game-based learning strategy on final year B.Sc. students focused on reinforcing the Taylor theorem (a mathematical concept previously learned, usually forgotten over time and widely used in chemical engineering) and analyses its effect on their academic performance. To this end, the design of educational card games based on basic rules was proposed to students in their fifth semester (as soon as the mathematical concept is covered in their courses) and applying these games to students in the eighth semester as a reinforcement tool (who needed to apply the concept again). A mixed quasi-experimental design was carried out in which the performance and perception of the students were evaluated. The instruments used were a validated Likert-type perception test with an alpha of 0.91 and a knowledge test applied before and after the intervention. It was found that the retention rate of this mathematical concept went from 22.6% to 50%, showing an improvement in learning Taylor's series. Compared to the traditional class, the game significantly improved performance, promoting the development of skills such as creativity, innovation, participation, leadership, goal management and motivation and was recognised by the students as an innovative way of learning. In conclusion, implementing unconventional collaborative learning strategies improves academic performance and promotes skill development in engineering students.

Variability in Receptive Language Development Following Bilateral Cochlear Implantation.

The primary aim was to investigate the variability in language development in children aged 5-7.5 years after bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) up to the age of 2 years, and any impact of the age at implantation and additional noncognitive or anatomical disorders at implantation. Data of 84 congenitally deaf children that had received simultaneous bilateral CI at the age of ≤ 24 months were included in this retrospective study. The results of language comprehension acquisition were evaluated using a standardized German language acquisition test for normal hearing preschoolers and first graders. Data on speech perception of monosyllables and sentences in quiet and noise were added. In a monosyllabic test, the children achieved a median performance of 75.0 ± 12.88%. In the sentence test in quiet, the median performance was 89 ± 12.69%, but dropped to 54 ± 18.92% in noise. A simple analysis showed a significant main effect of age at implantation on monosyllabic word comprehension (p < .001), but no significant effect of comorbidities that lacked cognitive effects (p = .24). Language acquisition values correspond to the normal range of children with normal hearing. Approximately 25% of the variability in the language acquisition tests is due to the outcome of the monosyllabic speech perception test. Congenitally deaf children who were fitted bilaterally in the 1st year of life can develop age-appropriate language skills by the time they start school. The high variability in the data is partly due to the age of implantation, but additional factors such as cognitive factors (e.g., working memory) are likely to influence the variability.

The Effect of Tone Changes on The Interjection of ‘Aiya’ (哎呀) in Attitude and Emotional Signals

The purpose of this research is to prove that modification of the interjection ‘Aiya’ [哎呀] at certain intonation signals a different attitude. As a result, this study focuses on the different emotional expressions that the Chinese word aiya might convey. Re-searchers employed recording methods with the PRAAT application. Furthermore, the researcher presented 40 respondents who were Mandarin students to give a direct as-sessment of the original and the manipulated interjection. The perception test is carried out by playing five interjection utterances without telling the respondent which sound is the initial utterance. The first sentence has the results of happy emotional attitudes. When it is raised and lowered to 4 semitones, there is a balanced variation of emotions. However, when it was raised to 8 semitones, the test results show an emotional attitude of disappointment, and when lowered to 8 semitones, showed an emotional attitude of impressed. An increase of one tone point can create a positive impression. Then, if there is a decrease, it will make a negative impression. However, because of the vast variation in everyone's perception, generating these conclusions is still impossible. This is where the suggestion appears for future researchers to continue this research and make this research a reference.

Percepcija samoglasniških opozicij pri dijakih pomurskih srednjih šol

The article presents the reception and recognition of vowels. A survey in form of a perception test was conducted among the pupils of four high schools in the Pomurje region, i.e. Murska Sobota, Ljutomer and Lendava. The obtained results were analysed and compared with the research carried out among the students of Slavonic and Slovene studies (Tivadar 2004a). The study shows that pupils are not doing well at distinguishing vowel quality, while the length of individual vowels hardly ever influences the distinction between the semantic properties of words. Of all subjects involved in the study, the pupils from the Lendava grammar school had most difficulties with vowel recognition, while it is also interesting to note that vowels were better recognised by female pupils (by as much as 17 %).

From first encounters to longitudinal exposure: a repeated exposure-test paradigm for monitoring speech adaptation.

Perceptual difficulty with an unfamiliar accent can dissipate within short time scales (e.g., within minutes), reflecting rapid adaptation effects. At the same time, long-term familiarity with an accent is also known to yield stable perceptual benefits. However, whether the long-term effects reflect sustained, cumulative progression from shorter-term adaptation remains unknown. To fill this gap, we developed a web-based, repeated exposure-test paradigm. In this paradigm, short test blocks alternate with exposure blocks, and this exposure-test sequence is repeated multiple times. This design allows for the testing of adaptive speech perception both (a) within the first moments of encountering an unfamiliar accent and (b) over longer time scales such as days and weeks. In addition, we used a Bayesian ideal observer approach to select natural speech stimuli that increase the statistical power to detect adaptation. The current report presents results from a first application of this paradigm, investigating changes in the recognition accuracy of Mandarin-accented speech by native English listeners over five sessions spanning 3 weeks. We found that the recognition of an accent feature (a syllable-final /d/, as in feed, sounding/t/-like) improved steadily over the three-week period. Unexpectedly, however, the improvement was seen with or without exposure to the accent. We discuss possible reasons for this result and implications for conducting future longitudinal studies with repeated exposure and testing.

Elderly people with hearing loss and cognitive decline: speech perception performance in noise.

To verify the influence of verbal intellectual-cognitive skills on speech perception in noise, in elderly with sensorineural hearing loss, considering education, age, and degree of hearing loss. 36 elderly between 60 and 89 years old with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. After psychological assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS-III), they were grouped into (GI) 24 elderly without cognitive alteration and (GII) 12 elderly with risk of cognitive alteration. They underwent otorhinolaryngological assessment, audiological interview, pure tone audiometry, and assessment of speech perception in noise using the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT-Brazil). The Mann-Whitney U statistical test compared the results between the groups, and the Spearman correlation verified the variable's age, degree of hearing loss, and level of education. There was no difference between the groups in the ability to perceive speech in noise, except in the noise on the left condition, in which GII showed better performance in HINT-Brazil. The degree of hearing loss and level of education influenced the perception of speech in noise. The level of education was correlated with the WAIS-III results. The decline in verbal intellectual-cognitive skills did not affect speech perception of noise in the elderly with hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss and level of education influenced the performance of the elderly in the speech perception test in noise. Performance in verbal cognitive skills varied according to the level of education.

Effects of relational and instrumental messaging on human perception of rattlesnakes.

We tested the effects of relational and instrumental message strategies on US residents' perception of rattlesnakes-animals that tend to generate feelings of fear, disgust, or hatred but are nevertheless key members of healthy ecosystems. We deployed an online survey to social media users (n = 1,182) to describe perceptions of rattlesnakes and assess the change after viewing a randomly selected relational or instrumental video message. An 8-item, pre-and post-Rattlesnake Perception Test (RPT) evaluated perception variables along emotional, knowledge, and behavioral gradients on a 5-point Likert scale; the eight responses were combined to produce an Aggregate Rattlesnake Perception (ARP) score for each participant. We found that people from Abrahamic religions (i.e., Christianity, Judaism, Islam) and those identifying as female were associated with low initial perceptions of rattlesnakes, whereas agnostics and individuals residing in the Midwest region and in rural residential areas had relatively favorable perceptions. Overall, both videos produced positive changes in rattlesnake perception, although the instrumental video message led to a greater increase in ARP than the relational message. The relational message was associated with significant increases in ARP only among females, agnostics, Baby Boomers (age 57-75), and Generation-Z (age 18-25 to exclude minors). The instrumental video message was associated with significant increases in ARP, and this result varied by religious group. ARP changed less in those reporting prior experience with a venomous snake bite (to them, a friend, or a pet) than in those with no such experience. Our data suggest that relational and instrumental message strategies can improve people's perceptions of unpopular and potentially dangerous wildlife, but their effectiveness may vary by gender, age, religious beliefs, and experience. These results can be used to hone and personalize communication strategies to improve perceptions of unpopular wildlife species.

Ab. No. 93 Prevalence of Learning Disability in School-Going Kids of Government School in District Patiala, Punjab

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of learning disability in school-going children from the IIIrd –Vth class of government schools by using the Learning Disability Diagnostic Inventory (LDDI). The study contributes to expanding the role of physiotherapy in multidisciplinary teams by fostering effective therapeutic approaches to promote balanced development of children with learning disability. Methods: A total of 80 students belonging to the class III-V between the 8-11 years of age group from different government schools were selected as participants in the present study. Methods: The study was conducted using convenience sampling method. A detailed questionnaire was used to document each student’s academic performance. The students were then subjected to a series of assessments, including visual auditory perception tests and an IQ based (Colored Progressive Matrices) CPM test followed by LDDI filled by the teacher of each student. The data was analysed through descriptive statistics and inferences. Results: The findings of the study were that out of total 80 students the prevalence of Learning Disability in Writing domain constitutes (10%), Reading (7.5%), Speaking (21.25%),Reasoning (6.25%),Listening (25%), Arithmetic disability (8.75%). Students of primary class IIIrd-Vth were at higher risk of learning disability in government schools. Conclusion: The study concluded that the learning disability is more prevalent in early aged students between age of 8-11. Institutional based educational strategies are required for appropriate modifications in education and teaching techniques. Implications: The present study helps in making early diagnosis of learning disability at school level and further widens the spectrum for planned effective therapeutic interventions to enhance the academic performance of students with learning disability and enhance the overall quality of life.

Impacto do uso da verificação eletroacústica dos aparelhos de amplificação sonora individual na percepção de fala e desempenho do usuário nas atividades diárias

ABSTRACT Purpose: to assess the impact of electroacoustic verification on the satisfaction level and speech recognition in quiet and noise of hearing aid users. Methods: 24 individuals who had been using the device for at least 1 year and had not previously performed electroacoustic verification were assessed. In the first session, participants responded to the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids validation questionnaire and indicated their satisfaction level on a visual analog scale. They were, then, subjected to speech perception tests in quiet and noise and electroacoustic verification, returning after 3 months and repeating the first stage assessments. The Wilcoxon test and paired t-test were used for data analysis, with significance set at p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: the visual analog scale assessment, the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids score, the speech perception threshold in quiet and noise, and the signal/noise ratio improved after 3 months. Conclusion: individuals who had been using the device for at least 1 year had a substantial improvement in their satisfaction level and speech perception in quiet and noise after the electroacoustic verification.

PELATIHAN PENGGUNAAN PLATFORM MICROSOFT SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN DARING

The unconducive pandemic situation has greatly affected various aspects of human life, including education. Learning that used to be done face-to-face must change to online learning. Online learning is distance learning based on internet network technology such as video conference, video call or text chat. The ability to use devices that can support the online learning process is needed by students in order to have a better learning experience. An application that can facilitate students in collaborating, communicating, and sharing learning documents is Microsoft Teams. Based on the results of the perception test conducted, it was found that the participants were familiar with several software that support online learning process. But for Microsoft platform itself, they are not familiar with and understand its use. To overcome the students' problems, a service activity was carried out to provide training on the use of Microsoft Teams application. Training activities were carried out twice and the evaluation process was carried out by giving assignments and working on pre-test and post-test questions. Various features from Microsoft are used by the students for online learning, including conversation features, meeting, cloud storage (onedrive), collaboration on the same worksheet in Microsoft Office, and so on. From the results of working on pre-test and post-test questions, it shows that there is an increase in students' skills in using the Microsoft Teams application.

Perception, Practice, and Attitude Toward Prostate-specific Antigen Test Among Sudanese Urologists

Background: The introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has revolutionized the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC). However, there is a wide variation in the daily practice of PSA testing with ongoing efforts to increase its sensitivity. This study aims to evaluate the attitude of Sudanese urologists toward the PSA test in their daily practice.&#x0D; Methods: An online questionnaire was formed and sent to the academic group of Sudanese urologists; it was left for two months with weekly reminders. The group contains 135 members. Data were then collected and analyzed.&#x0D; Results: Of the 135 members, 83 (61.5%) responded to the questionnaire, all were males, with 43% of them being consultants, and 37% having an experience between 5 and 10 years. Most participants (85%) use the test according to international guidelines, the majority (60%) counsel patients before the test, with 72% finding the test more than 50% reliable. In addition, &gt;33% face problems when requesting PSA with &gt;29% of them finding it unreliable. Moreover, in &gt;13%, the test is unavailable. Nearly all participants (95%) think that there is a need for national guidelines to regulate the use of PSA tests.&#x0D; Conclusion: For the diversity of practice toward the PSA test and the unavailability of adjunct methods that increase its sensitivity, there is a need for national guidelines to regulate the use of the test in the context of other clinical factors.