Energy efficient cosine similarity measures according to a convex cost function

We propose a new family of vector similarity measures. Each measure is associated with a convex cost function. Given two vectors, we determine the surface normals of the convex function at the vectors. The angle between the two surface normals is the similarity measure. Convex cost function can be the negative entropy function, total variation (TV) function and filtered variation function constructed from wavelets. The convex cost functions need not to be differentiable everywhere. In general, we need to compute the gradient of the cost function to compute the surface normals. If the gradient does not exist at a given vector, it is possible to use the sub-gradients and the normal producing the smallest angle between the two vectors is used to compute the similarity measure. The proposed measures are compared experimentally to other nonlinear similarity measures and the ordinary cosine similarity measure. The TV-based vector product is more energy efficient than the ordinary inner product because it does not require any multiplications. © 2016, Springer-Verlag London

The effects of using an interactive whiteboard on the academic achievement of university students

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the use of an interactive whiteboard on the academic achievement of university students on the topic of electricity in a science and technology laboratory class. The study was designed as a pretest/posttest control group experimental study. Mean, standard deviation and t- tests were used for data analysis. An independent groups t-test was used to test for the differences between the pretest and posttest mean of experimental and control group. No significant difference was observed between the academic achievement of the students in the experimental group, who were taught with both interactive whiteboard and laboratory practices, and the control students, who experienced only laboratory practices. The posttest standard deviation values in the experimental group were relatively lower than those in the control group. The electric motor, electric bell, and generation of the induction current models were prepared on the computer by the researchers using Macromedia Flash 8, and its application was undertaken by the students on the interactive whiteboard (smart board). It was seen that although interactive whiteboard use might not significantly alter students' academic achievement, it encouraged them to participate more in the lesson, created an interesting and enthusiastic atmosphere, and led to more enjoyable lessons. At the same time, many students from the experimental group stated that the interactive simulations and virtual experiments were superior to real experiments and enabled them to better visualize the topic. © 2011 HKIEd APFSLT

The Effect of Simulated Transportation on Biochemical Plasma Parameters of Japanese Quails

The effect of the duration of simulated transportation on blood SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), GSH-Px (Glutathione Peroxidase), AST (Aspartate Transaminase), ALT (Alanine Transaminase), GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase), LDH (Lactic Dehydrogenase) enzyme levels and NO (Nitric Oxide) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) product levels was investigated in Japanese quails. Simulated transportation was carried out with a road simulator which was calibrated for Turkish roads conditions. Animals were loaded into well ventilated carrier boxes and carried at 2 and 5 h on the simulator. Blood samples were collected from 10-weeks-old Japanese Quails just after transportation. A significant (p<0.05) increase in all measured plasma parameters (except GGT) at 5 h transportation was observed. However, all of the plasma parameters have not shown a significant increase at 2 h transportation. This transportation duration might be the evidence of the time duration in still safe zone for Japanese Quails for that condition

An unusual co-presentation of rhinolithiasis and squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal cavity

PubMedID: 21911298Rhinoliths are nasal stones that result from mineralisation of salts around an endogenous or exogenous nidus within the nasal cavity. They are uncommon nasal masses and usually unilateral and single, situated in the floor of the nose. The patient typically presents with nasal obstruction, facial pain and foul-smelling nasal secretion. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma with rhinolithiasis has not been previously reported in the English-language literature. In this article, we present a 63-year-old man, who had unilateral rhinolithiasis with squamous cell carcinoma within the nasal cavity. © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery

Use of the genogram technique in counseling with Turkish families

Genograms are widely used in practice because they are efficient tools that provide us with a profound understanding of our clients'family patterns, repetitive behaviors related to them, the effects their families have on their choices, and so on. However, not many of these applications have been reported and shared with other professionals. The aim of this study was to report experiences of using genogram technique in counseling with Turkish families. Case illustrations are discussed and a set of recommendations and ideas for further studies of this useful technique is provided. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Analysis of the roles of smoking and allergy in nasal polyposis

Objectives: Recent studies on the etiopathogenesis of nasal polyps have shown that smoking and nonallergenic inhalants such as occupational dust exposure cause chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. These factors may be associated with nasal polyps. The aim of this study was to use laboratory tests to investigate the effects of smoking and allergens on the development of nasal polyps. Methods: The study included 60 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of nasal polyposis who were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery at our clinic and 25 smoker and 25 nonsmoker participants who constituted a control group. Results: In the patient and control groups, the mean absorbance value for cotinine in smokers was found to be statistically significantly lower than that in nonsmokers. There was a significant difference between the groups with respect to blood cotinine positivity. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of allergy parameters. In the regression model, smoking was found to be the only significant risk factor for the development of nasal polyps, independent of smoking duration, absorbance value, or cotinine positivity. Conclusions: Smoking restriction and avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke by patients with nasal polyps may be an important strategy in the prevention and recurrence of nasal polyposis. No direct relationship was determined between allergy and nasal polyposis. © 2012 Annals Publishing Company. All rights reserved

Adjunctive use of mitomycin C in endoscopic revision dacryocystorhinostomy

PubMedID: 22896931Objectives: Success rates for revision dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) are lower than primary DCR. Scarring of the sac may limit the surgeon's ability to achieve good nasal and lacrimal mucosa apposition. The aims of this study were to assess the long term safety and efficacy of intra-operative use of adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) treatment in endoscopic revision DCR surgery over 12-24 (mean 17) months. Methodology: This was a prospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series that included 20 adult patients (20 eyes) with failed primary external DCR who underwent revision surgery under assisted local anaesthesia. During revision endoscopic DCR, intra-operative adjunctive MMC (0.2 mg/mL) was applied to the osteotomy site of the lacrimal sac and scar tissue surrounding the surgical osteum for 5 minutes. Results: The surgical success rate was determined based on the patency of the nasolacrimal system by irrigation and resolution of patient symptoms. Endoscopic revision DCR surgery with MMC was successful in 90% of cases (18 of 20 cases). No adverse effects (eg, abnormal nasal bleeding, mucosal necrosis, infection) or any other surgical adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Adjunctive intra-operative MMC application with endoscopic DCR surgery had a good success rate in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction that required revision surgery. Further large, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings