A decision forest based feature selection framework for action recognition from RGB-Depth cameras

In this paper, we present an action recognition framework leveraging data mining capabilities of random decision forests trained on kinematic features. We describe human motion via a rich collection of kinematic feature time-series computed from the skeletal representation of the body in motion. We discriminatively optimize a random decision forest model over this collection to identify the most effective subset of features, localized both in time and space. Later, we train a support vector machine classifier on the selected features. This approach improves upon the baseline performance obtained using the whole feature set with a significantly less number of features (one tenth of the original). On MSRC-12 dataset (12 classes), our method achieves 94% accuracy. On the WorkoutSU-10 dataset, collected by our group (10 physical exercise classes), the accuracy is 98%. The approach can also be used to provide insights on the spatiotemporal dynamics of human actions

An Analysis of The Movie Things to Come from the Perspective of Reality Therapy

This article aims to analyze the film Things to Come, directed by Mia Hansen-Love, through the basic concepts of Reality Therapy. The behaviors of the main characters in the study were evaluated through the basic concepts of Reality Therapy and the scenes were analyzed in the context of Reality Therapy by sharing dialogues from the scenes thought to be related to these concepts. Descriptive analysis method and document analysis technique, one of the qualitative research methods, were used. Today, movies, proverbs, idioms and song lyrics can be used as a therapeutic instrument in the field of psychology. In this sense, it is aimed to present Reality Therapy from a different perspective by associating the movie as a therapeutic element with the basic concepts of Reality Therapy. Using movies in the field of psychology and analyzing them in the context of theories can provide great benefits to prospective psychologists and psychological counselors, especially during their undergraduate education. It may be useful to gain different perspectives, to make film analyses within the framework of different theories, to make use of movies that have a therapeutic effect related to the experiences of the counselees in the teaching of psychological counseling and personality theories courses at universities in addition to traditional methods, in order to better learn and internalize the theories. It can be concluded that the film supports the theoretical knowledge of Reality Therapy and is appropriate in terms of its emphasis on the basic concepts

Investigation of Different Laboratory Aging Methods of Bituminous Mixtures

The predicted performance and service life of the pavement depend largely on the properties of bitumen used in the mixtures. The most important feature of bitumen, which has profound effect on the performance of the road is durability. The durability of bitumen is expressed as the resistance to aging. In this study, the bituminous mixture aging was performed instead of bitumen aging in order to represent the aging in the field in the best possible way. The aim of this paper is to evaluate different proposed laboratory aging methods (NCHRP 09-52, NCHRP 09-54 and RILEM) in relation with the current Standard AASHTO R30 (Standard Practice For Mixture Conditioning of Hot Mix Asphalt standard) and to make comparison with the samples performance taken from the field in terms of Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS). The level of aging has also been compared with the samples taken from recently constructed pavement surface and from the five years old pavement surface. Results depicted that, laboratory aging methods revealed the field aging properties on the unaged bitumen. Based on the results, 2 hours forced draft oven aging at 135°C is recommended as short term aging condition because, 2 hours or 4 hours short term forced draft oven aging did not yield significant variation in terms of ITS values. Additionally, 120 hours (5 days) oven aging of compacted samples at 85°C can be recommended as long term aging condition

Macular Findings Obtained by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose. To examine the macular findings obtained with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Materials and Methods. The macular SD OCT images of 190 premature infants were analyzed. Data regarding central foveal thickness (CFT), cystoid macular edema (CME), and cyst grading were compared. The relationships of CFT with gestational age and birth weight were investigated. Results. The results were obtained from 358 eyes of 179 infants (81 females and 98 males) of a mean gestational age of 30.9±2.7 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1609±477 g. ROP was diagnosed in 126 eyes and CME in 139 eyes. A significantly greater percentage of eyes with ROP were found to have CME (54%) compared to eyes without ROP (31%; P=0.001). The incidence of CME was 46.3% for stage 1 ROP, 57.1% for stage 2, and 87.5% for stage 3. There was a weakly inverse correlation between CFT, gestational age, and birth weight (P=0.025, r=-0.227; P=0.002, r=-0.182, resp., Spearman correlation test). Conclusions. High-quality SD OCT images can be obtained from premature infants using the iVue system. Severity and frequency of CME in premature infants increase as stage of ROP increases

Determination of Yield and Yield Characteristics of Some Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes Under Supplemental Irrigation Conditions in Van

This research was carried out to investigate the adaptability abilities of some barley varieties in Van ecological conditions in the winter growing season of 2020-2021. Sixteen genotypes were grown according to randomized block design with three replications. The quantity of supplemental irrigation was equivalent to a total precipitation of 114 mm. According to the results obtained, the number of days to spike was 167.67-175.66 days, plant height 63.37-91.85 cm, number of spikes per square meter 403.67-619.67, lodging 0-10%, chlorophyll ​​​​45.34- 53.09 SPAD units, maturity period 36.0-36.7 days, canopy temperature 30.0-30.4 oC, spike length 7.30-9.96 cm, number of spikelets per spike 33.8-21.7, number of fertile spikelets 7.13-15.73, thousand grain weight 36.67-45.83 g, hectolitre weight 62.30 – 66.10 kg/hl, biological yield ​​20.36-20.45 t/ha, and grain yield 3.08–6.98 t/ha. The highest grain yield was obtained from two row barley varieties; Calabey, Akar, Tosunpasa and Asil. The highest biological yield was measured in Anka-11 and Aydanhanim cultivars

Assessment of Nano-toxicity and Safety Profiles of Silver Nanoparticles

Nanotoxicology, which is related with toxic potentials of nanoparticles (NPs) and their adverse effects on living organisms and environment, is a sub-branch of toxicology discipline. Nano-toxicity of NPs depends on their doses, unique chemical, and physical properties. Nowadays, silver (Ag) NPs are used in many consumer and scientific applications such as antimicrobial and pharmaceutical applications, water purification systems, textile industry, and food packaging processes. However, the information that about their nano-toxic potentials is still not complete, and it is considered that several parameters of Ag NPs such as size, shape, surface, and stability affect the toxic potential in different ways. Nano-toxic potentials of Ag NPs were mentioned as in vivo, in vitro, and in silico the studies. In this chapter, it was evaluated the common unique properties of NPs are related with nanotoxicology such as size, surface area and modifications, shape, agglomeration status, and dose

Comparison of adjacent segment degeneration in patients using cervical cage and disc prosthesis in anterior cervical surgery

Aim: To examine the prevalence of adjacent segment degeneration associated with the use of cages and disc prostheses in patients who underwent cervical disc surgery via an anterior cervical approach. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients who underwent cervical disc surgery via an anterior cervical approach at our clinic between 2018 and 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of implant used: those with a cervical cage (Group 1) and those with a cervical disc prosthesis (Group 2). Patients' demographic and clinical details, including age, gender, smoking habits, follow-up durations, and any additional comorbid diseases, were recorded. Radiological evaluations focused on degeneration rates in the segments adjacent to where either the cage or disc prosthesis was implanted. Results: In the study comparing two groups, participants' average ages were 48.9 in Group 1 and 48.1 in Group 2 (p=0.720). Group 1 had a higher proportion of smokers (p=0.052) and more discopathy (p=0.196). In terms of disc degenerations, variations existed but were not statistically significant (p=0.259). Utilizing the Pfirrmann grading, Group 1 had more Grade III degeneration (p=0.088) and a significantly higher presence of ossification or osteophytes (p=0.038). Both groups showed high rates of adjacent segment degeneration, yet Group 1 had notably more proximal degeneration (p=0.012). Stenosis and facet hypertrophy differences were not significant (p=0.417, p=0.071). Follow-up duration averaged around 38 months for both groups (p=0.929). Conclusions: No substantial difference in the overall incidence of adjacent segment degeneration between the two procedures. Nevertheless, further large-scale and long-term studies are essential to draw comprehensive conclusions regarding the optimal surgical intervention for cervical disc ailments

Magnetic resonance imaging study; does the olfactory bulb volume change in major depression?

Goal: The olfactory region function disorders and olfactory bulb volume changes in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders are defined. In this study, the olfactory bulb values of patients diagnosed with major depression in accordance with DMS-IV criteria, are measured with MRI, and these values are compared with the values of healthy volunteers to see if there are any statistically significant changes.Method: The study was carried out with 20 healthy volunteers and 20 patients who had been diagnosed with acute major depression in accordance with ‘diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders’ (DMS) IV criteria and have been getting treatment for more than 2 years in Istanbul Education and Research Hospital. 1,5 Tesla MRI were used in 40 cases, and the olfactory bulb volume on two hemispheres were measured separately.Results: Contrary to the former studies, we found no statistically significant difference between the olfactory bulb volume measurements of the control group and the group diagnosed with major depression

A rare case of cervical epidural extramedullary plasmacytoma presenting with monoparesis

Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders are characterized by production of a large number of plasma cells in the bone marrow. On the other hand, plasmacytoma results from proliferation of abnormal plasma cells in the soft tissue or skeletal system. Neurological complications are frequently observed in these diseases. The most commonly known complications among those complications are spine fractures, spinal cord compressions, and peripheral neuropathies. Although neurological involvements are common in plasmacytomas, extramedullary spinal epidural localizations have been reported very rarely. In this case report, we aimed to present a plasmacytoma case that presented with acute onset of upper extremity monoparesis. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with complaints of sudden weakness and numbness in her left arm following neck and left arm pain. Emergency cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural mass and the patient underwent emergency surgery. The patient showed improvement post-operatively and the pathology was reported as plasmacytoma. Following hematology consultation, systemic chemotherapy was initiated and radiotherapy was planned after wound healing