Unsupervised Lesion Detection via Image Restoration with a Normative Prior

Unsupervised lesion detection is a challenging problem that requires accurately estimating normative distributions of healthy anatomy and detecting lesions as outliers without training examples. Recently, this problem has received increased attention from the research community following the advances in unsupervised learning with deep learning. Such advances allow the estimation of high-dimensional distributions, such as normative distributions, with higher accuracy than previous methods.The main approach of the recently proposed methods is to learn a latent-variable model parameterized with networks to approximate the normative distribution using example images showing healthy anatomy, perform prior-projection, i.e. reconstruct the image with lesions using the latent-variable model, and determine lesions based on the differences between the reconstructed and original images. While being promising, the prior-projection step often leads to a large number of false positives. In this work, we approach unsupervised lesion detection as an image restoration problem and propose a probabilistic model that uses a network-based prior as the normative distribution and detect lesions pixel-wise using MAP estimation. The probabilistic model punishes large deviations between restored and original images, reducing false positives in pixel-wise detections. Experiments with gliomas and stroke lesions in brain MRI using publicly available datasets show that the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art unsupervised methods by a substantial margin, +0.13 (AUC), for both glioma and stroke detection. Extensive model analysis confirms the effectiveness of MAP-based image restoration.Comment: Extended version of 'Unsupervised Lesion Detection via Image Restoration with a Normative Prior' (MIDL2019

Evaluation of habits of mind in music education: scale development study

The aim of this study is to develop a scale enabling the determination and evaluation of the learning habits of mind displayed by music teacher candidates in the individual instrument education course. The scale form which was created for this purpose was presented to 10 experts who have a PhD degree in music education. As a result of the feedback from the experts, the scale form was shaped. The 41-item trial form was applied to 241 music teacher candidates who received music teacher training in 3 universities in the first stage of the scale development, and 223 music teacher candidates who received the same training in 3 universities in the second stage. A total of 464 people were reached. By analyzing the data obtained, a final scale form having 7 dimensions, and 27 items was reached. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients were found to be 0.897 and 0.906 for Exploratory Factor Analysis (AFA) and For Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), respectively

Visual Feature Attribution using Wasserstein GANs

Attributing the pixels of an input image to a certain category is an important and well-studied problem in computer vision, with applications ranging from weakly supervised localisation to understanding hidden effects in the data. In recent years, approaches based on interpreting a previously trained neural network classifier have become the de facto state-of-the-art and are commonly used on medical as well as natural image datasets. In this paper, we discuss a limitation of these approaches which may lead to only a subset of the category specific features being detected. To address this problem we develop a novel feature attribution technique based on Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks (WGAN), which does not suffer from this limitation. We show that our proposed method performs substantially better than the state-of-the-art for visual attribution on a synthetic dataset and on real 3D neuroimaging data from patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). For AD patients the method produces compellingly realistic disease effect maps which are very close to the observed effects.Comment: Accepted to CVPR 201

Evaluation of methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in veterinary journals with amstar

The complete and transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses increases the quality of such studies. Although there are different tools to examine methodological quality, little research has been conducted on the quality of these studies in animal health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complete reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in veterinary journals with "A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews" (AMSTAR). The journal"s impact factor, the number of authors, the number of studies included, and the research period were extracted as article characteristics. Total quality scores were calculated according to the AMSTAR tool, and scores were compared using the aspects of the articles. This study assessed 207 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 130 veterinary journals. AMSTAR quality scores were higher for meta-analyses with fewer than five authors compared to studies with five or more authors (P=0.009). Our findings indicate that about half of all studies (51.2%) were of moderate quality regarding methodology and reporting. According to the evaluation with AMSTAR, 64.6% of systematic reviews and meta-analyses were of high quality. In conclusion, the reporting quality of the studies was good, but generally, there was insufficient information on assessing publication bias

An investigation of sense of school belonging and fear of negative evaluation in academic environments among adolescents with learning difficulties

Bu araştırma öğrenme güçlüğü tanısına sahip olan 6. 7. ve 8. sınıf düzeyindeki ergenlerin okula aidiyet duyguları ile akademik ortamlarda olumsuz değerlendirilme korkularının cinsiyet, sınıf düzeyi ve özel eğitim alma süresine göre farklılık gösterip göstermediğinin belirlenmesi ve okula aidiyet duygusu ile akademik ortamlarda olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Ankara il merkezinde bulunan özel eğitim ve rehabilitasyon merkezlerinde öğrenme güçlüğü tanısı ile destek eğitim alan 220 ergen oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma, nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden değişkenler arası ilişkiyi açıklaması nedeniyle korelasyonel araştırma modelinde yapılandırılmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri “Genel B lg Formu “Okula A d yet Duygusu lçeğ ve “Akadem k Ortamlarda Olumsuz Değerlend r lme Korkusu lçeğ kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Araştırmada öğrenme güçlüğü tanısına sah p olan ergenler n okula a d yet duygusu puanları ile olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu ölçeğinin bilişsel etki ve davranışsal etki boyutları arasında pozitif yönlü zayıf bir ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca özel eğitim desteği alma süresi bir yıl olan ergenlerin okul aidiyetleri özel eğitim desteği alma süresi dört yıl olanlara göre daha yüksektir. Akademik ortamlarda olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu puanları ise cinsiyete göre farklılaşmaktadır. Elde edilen bu bulgular doğrultusunda kızların olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu puanları erkeklere göre daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir.The aim of this study is to determine whether the sense of belonging to school and the fear of negative evaluation in academic environments of 6th, 7th and 8th grade adolescents with a diagnosis of learning disability differ according to gender, grade level and duration of special education and examine the relationship between adolescents' sense of belonging to school and fear of negative evaluation in academic environments. In this study, it was studied with students who were diagnosed with learning difficulties, who were in inclusive environments, attending special education and rehabilitation centers. The research was structured in the correlational research model due to the explanation of the relationship between variables, which is one of the quantitative research methods. The data of the research was collected by using Demographic Information Form, Sense of School Belonging Scale and Fear of Negative Evaluation in Academic Environments Scale. According to research findings, it was determined that there is a weak positive relationship between the sense of belonging to school scores of adolescents with learning disabilities and the cognitive effect and behavioral effect dimensions of the fear of negative evaluation. In addition, adolescents who receive special education support for one year have a higher sense of belonging to school than those who receive four years. A statistically significant difference was found between the scores of adolescents fear of negative evaluation in academic environments and gender. In line with these findings, it was determined that girls' fear of negative evaluation scores was higher than boys

The Examination of Academic Support Perception and Stress Related to Academic Expectation of Teacher Candidates

DergiPark: 326042trakyasobedThe aim of this study was to examine academic support perception and stress related to academic expectation of teaching candidates. Forth grade students in departments of German, science, English, music, pre-school, psychological counseling and guidance, art, Turkish, classroom, social sciences teaching in faculty of education and physical education and sports teaching in faculty of sport sciences at Mugla Sitki Kocman University participated in the study. Students Academic Support Scale, developed by Mazer and Thopson (2011), adapted to Turkish language by Arslan and Akın (2014), was used to find out perceived academic support. Academic Expectation Stress Inventory, developed by Ang and Huan (2006), adapted to Turkish language by Akın, Abacı and Çetin (2009), was used to find out level of academic expectation stress. Data was analyzed by using independent t test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson Moment Correlation. Significant differences were found between genders in terms of informational, esteem, motivational and venting support, and expectation of self. Significant differences were found between some of departments in terms of academic support and academic expectation stress. Significant correlations were found between academic support and academic expectation stress. Public Personnel Selection Examination markedly affects the careers of teacher candidates, includes them in a difficult competition and causes teacher candidates and their families to have great expectations. With the results of this study, it can be said that perceived support of teacher candidates may cause pressure and increase academic expectation stressBu çalışmanın amacı, öğretmen adaylarının akademik destek algısı ve akademik beklentilere yönelik stres düzeylerinin incelenmesidir. Araştırmaya Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Almanca öğretmenliği, fen bilgisi öğretmenliği, İngilizce öğretmenliği, müzik öğretmenliği, okul öncesi öğretmenliği, psikolojik danışmanlık ve rehberlik öğretmenliği, resim öğretmenliği, Türkçe öğretmenliği, sınıf öğretmenliği, sosyal bilgiler öğretmenliği ve Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi Beden eğitimi ve spor öğretmenliği dördüncü sınıf öğrencileri katılmıştır. Araştırmaya katılan öğrencilerin akademik destek algılarının belirlenmesi için Mazer ve Thompson (2011) tarafından geliştirilen, Arslan ve Akın (2014) tarafından Türkçeye uyarlanan, Öğrenci Akademik Destek Ölçeği Türkçe Formu kullanılmıştır. Katılımcıların akademik beklentilere yönelik streslerinin belirlenmesi için Ang ve Huan (2006) tarafından geliştirilen, Akın, Abacı ve Çetin (2009) tarafından Türkçeye uyarlanan Akademik Beklentilere Yönelik Stres Envanteri kullanılmıştır. Veriler, bağımsız t test, one-way ANOVA ve Pearson Product Moment Correlation kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Cinsiyetler arasında bilgi, saygı, motivasyon ve rahatlatma desteği ile kişisel beklentilere yönelik stres boyutlarından anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur. Katılımcıların bölümlerine göre akademik destek ve stres değerlerinde anlamlı farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Akademik destek ile akademik beklentilere yönelik stres arasından anlamlı ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Kamu Personeli Seçme Sınavı, öğretmen adaylarının kariyerini önemli derecede etkilemekte, öğretmen adaylarını zorlu bir yarışa dâhil etmekte, ailelerin ve adayların büyük bir beklenti içerisine girmesine neden olmaktadır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına bakıldığında, öğretmen adayları tarafından algılanan desteğin bir baskı unsuru oluşturabildiği ve akademik beklentilere yönelik stres düzeylerini artırdığı söylenebili

Modeling and fabrication of electrostatically actuated diaphragms for on-chip valving of MEMS-compatible microfluidic systems

This paper presents an analytical model to estimate the actuation potential of an electrostatic parylene-C diaphragm, processed on a glass wafer using standard microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) process technology, and integrable to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based lab-on-a-chip systems to construct a normally-closed microvalve for flow manipulation. The accurate estimation of the pull-in voltage of the diaphragm is critical to preserve the feasibility of integration. Thus, we introduced an analytical model, in a good agreement with the finite element method (FEM), to extend the solution of the pull-in instability by including the effect of nonlinear stretching for multilayered circular diaphragms. We characterized the operation of fabricated diaphragms with a 300 mu m radius for the parameters, including pull-in voltage (221 V on average), opening and closing response times (in microseconds), repeatability (more than 50 times), and touch area (25.3% +/- 2.6% at pull-in potential). The experimental pull-in voltage shows close accuracy with the predicted results. Moreover, the diaphragm, sealed with a PDMS microchannel, was tested under fluid flow to prove the applicability of microfluidic integration. The hybrid fabrication method enables the realization of optically transparent and durable electrostatic microvalves for complex functioning of polymer-based microfluidic systems, as the extended analytical formulation permits accurate modeling of operation.This paper presents an analytical model to estimate the actuation potential of an electrostatic parylene-C diaphragm, processed on a glass wafer using standard microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) process technology, and integrable to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based lab-on-a-chip systems to construct a normally-closed microvalve for flow manipulation. The accurate estimation of the pull-in voltage of the diaphragm is critical to preserve the feasibility of integration. Thus, we introduced an analytical model, in a good agreement with the finite element method (FEM), to extend the solution of the pull-in instability by including the effect of nonlinear stretching for multilayered circular diaphragms. We characterized the operation of fabricated diaphragms with a 300 µm radius for the parameters, including pull-in voltage (221 V on average), opening and closing response times (in microseconds), repeatability (more than 50 times), and touch area (25.3% ± 2.6% at pull-in potential). The experimental pull-in voltage shows close accuracy with the predicted results. Moreover, the diaphragm, sealed with a PDMS microchannel, was tested under fluid flow to prove the applicability of microfluidic integration. The hybrid fabrication method enables the realization of optically transparent and durable electrostatic microvalves for complex functioning of polymer-based microfluidic systems, as the extended analytical formulation permits accurate modeling of operation

Acute alcohol consumption is associated with increased interatrial electromechanical delay in healthy men

Background: Acute alcohol consumption can cause atrial fibrillation in patients with, and without, heart disease. Increased atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) has been associated with atrial fibrillation. We evaluated the atrial conduction properties by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography in healthy men following acute alcohol intake. Methods: Thirty healthy male volunteers were included in this study. Baseline ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, and TDI echocardiographic findings were compared to readings taken one hour after drinking six 12-oz cans of beer (76.8 g of ethanol). Results: Although the blood pressure and heart rate remained similar before and one hour after alcohol intake, Pmax and Pd values were significantly prolonged (114.2 &#177; 10.4 vs 100.8 &#177; 10.6, p = 0.002; 50.6 &#177; 9.6 vs 34.5 &#177; 8.8, p < 0.0001). Interatrial EMD was significantly increased after drinking alcohol compared to the baseline (19.8 &#177; 9.2 vs 14.0 &#177; 5.5 ms, p < 0.0002). Conclusions: Acute moderate alcohol intake was associated with an increased interatrial EMD obtained by TDI echocardiography. This finding may help explain how these patients express increased susceptibility to atrial fibrillation. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 6: 682&#8211;686

An examination of research in the field of music performance anxiety on the scale of Turkey

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Türkiye genelinde geçmişten günümüze, müzikal performans kaygısı alanında yapılmış olan tez ve araştırma makalelerinin incelenmesidir. Bu amaçla, araştırmada kullanılan veriler YÖK Ulusal Tez Merkezi, Dergi Park, TR Dizin ve Google Akademik veri tabanları kullanılarak alan yazın taraması ile elde edilmiştir. Alan yazın taraması sonucunda farklı düzeylerde yirmi beş tez ve yirmi makaleye ulaşılmıştır. Tez ve araştırma makaleleri yapıldıkları üniversite, yıl, düzey, yöntem ve teknikler bakımından içerik analizine tabi tutulmuştur. Bulgulardan elde edilen sonuçlar, müzikal performans kaygısı alanında 2009 yılından günümüze yapılan yirmi beş tezin yarısından fazlasının yüksek lisans düzeyinde olduğunu, yirmi dört üniversitede birer tez yapılırken Marmara Üniversitesinde altı tezin yapıldığını göstermiştir. Ayrıca, tezlerin çok yüksek oranda nicel araştırma desenleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirildiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bununla birlikte, müzikal performans kaygısı alanında 2012 yılından günümüze yazılan yirmi araştırma makalesinin tamamına yakınının nicel araştırma yöntemi ve derleme türünde oluşturulduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. 1988-2021 yılları arasında yapılan üç bine yakın tez ve çok sayıda araştırma makalesi içerisinde müzikal performans kaygısı ile ilgili sadece yirmi beş tezin olması ve çok az sayıda makale üretilmesine dikkat çekilmiştir. Ayrıca Türkiye'deki araştırmalarda ağırlıklı olarak müzik performans kaygısının tek değişkenli ve boyutlu olarak ele alındığı ve çalışmaların tarama modeliyle gerçekleştirildiği gözlenmiştir.The aim of this research is to examine the thesis and research articles in the field of musical performance anxiety from past to present throughout Turkey. For this purpose, the data used in the research were obtained by literature review using YÖK National Thesis Center, Dergi Park, TR Index and Google Scholar databases. As a result of the literature review, twenty-five theses and twenty articles at different levels were reached. Thesis and research articles were subjected to content analysis in terms of university, year, level, methods and techniques. The results obtained from the findings showed that more than half of the twenty-five theses made in the field of musical performance anxiety since 2009 are at the master's level, while one thesis was made in twenty-four universities, six theses were made in Marmara University. In addition, it was concluded that the theses were carried out using quantitative research designs at a very high rate. However, it was concluded that almost all of the twenty research articles written in the field of musical performance anxiety since 2012 were created in quantitative research method and compilation type. It was noted that there were only twenty-five theses and very few articles produced among nearly three thousand theses and many research articles made between 1988 and 2021. In addition, it has been observed that in studies in Turkey, music performance anxiety is mainly handled as univariate and dimensional, and the studies are carried out with a survey model