Deep Learning based Domain Adaptation

Recent advancements in Deep Learning (DL) has helped researchers achieve fascinating results in various areas of Machine Learning (ML) and Computer Vision (CV). Starting with the ingenious approach of [Krizhevsky et al., 2012a] where they have utilized processing powers of graphical processing units (GPU) to make training large networks a viable choice in terms of training time, DL has had its place in different ML and CV problems over the years since. Object detection and semantic segmentation [Girshick et al., 2014a; Girshick, 2015; Ren et al., 2015], image super resolution [Dong et al., 2015], action recognition [Simonyan and Zisserman, 2014a] etc. are few examples to that. Over years, many more new and powerful DL architectures have been proposed: VGG [Simonyan and Zisserman, 2014b], GoogleNet [Szegedy et al., 2015], ResNet [He et al., 2016] are examples to most commonly used network architectures in the literature. Our focus is on the specific task of Supervised Domain Adaptation (SDA) using Deep Learning. SDA is a type of domain adaptation where target and source domains contain annotated data. Firstly, we look at SDA as a domain alignment problem. We propose a mixture of alignment approach based on second- or higher-order scatter statistics between source and target domains. Although they are different, each class has two distinctive representation in source and target domains. Proposed mixture alignment approach aims to reduce within class scatters to align same classes from source and target while maintaining between-class separation. We design and construct a two stream Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) where one stream receives source data and second one receives the target with matching classes to implement within class alignment. We achieve end-to-end training of our two-stream network together with alignment losses. Next, we propose a new dataset called Open Museum Identification Challenge (Open MIC) for SDA research. Office dataset [Saenko et al., 2010a] is commonly used in SDA literature. But one main drawback of this dataset is that results have saturated, reaching 90+% accuracy. Limited number of images is one of the main causes of high accuracy results. Open MIC aims to provide a large dataset for SDA while providing challenging tasks to be addressed. We also extend our mixture of alignment loss from frobenius norm distance to Bregman divergences and the Riemannian metric to learn the alignment in different feature spaces. In the next study, we propose a new representation to encode 3D body skeleton data into texture like images by using kernel methods for Action Recognition problem. We utilize these representations in our SDA two stream CNN pipeline. We improve our mixture of alignment losses to work with partially overlapping datasets to let us use other datasets available for Action Recognition as additional source domain even if they only partially overlap with the target set. Finally, we move to a more challenging domain adaptation problem: Multimodal Conversation Systems. Multimodal Dialogue dataset (MMD) [Saha et al., 2018] provides dialogues between a shopper and retail agent. In these dialogues, retail agent may also answer with specific retail items such as cloths, shoes etc. Hence flow of the conversation is a multimodal setting where utterances can contain both text and image modalities. Two level RNN encoders are used to encode a given context of utterances. We propose a new approach to this problem by adapting additional data from external domains. For improving text generating capabilities of the model, we utilize French translation of the target sentences as an additional output target. For improving image ranking capabilities of the model, we utilize an external dataset and find nearest neighbors of target positive and negative images. We set up new encoding methods for these nearest neighbors for assigning them to correct target class, positive or negative

The Role of Immigration as a Social Network on Shaping Entrepreneurship Tendency: A Research on Balkan Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Turkey

The main purpose of the current study is to explain immigration concept and the effects of social networks occurring in the grounds of immigration on the entrepreneurship tendencies of immigrant entrepreneurs especially for the sampling of Balkan immigrant entrepreneurs. Keeping this main purpose in mind, interviews were made with 17 Balkan immigrant entrepreneurs. First of all, the data obtained from this research show that social networks occurring in the grounds of immigration are used by immigrant entrepreneurs in a specific way for forming work conception, providing necessary information and support to set up business, supplying with required finance and choosing the staff. Besides, the results of this research display that Balkan immigrant entrepreneurs living in Turkey would rather make use of group dynamics and sources on the basis of individual pragmatism than keep and protect them as a closed social network.Key words: I m m i g r a n t s ; I m m i g r a t i o n entrepreneurship; Social networks; Balkan immigrant

Utjecaj dodatka praha sluzi chia sjemenki (Salvia hispanica L.) na neka fizikalno-kemijska i reološka svojstva ayrana

In this study, chia seed mucilage powder (MP) was added into ayran drinks at different ratios (0.05, 0.10 and 0.15%, w/v), and its effect on physicochemical, rheological, microbiological and sensory properties of ayran drinks was determined during 10 days of storage at 4±1 °C. MP addition did not influence their major chemical composition significantly (p>0.05). Increasing MP ratio in drinks decreased the colour L* values of drinks while increasing their colour a* and b* values. Addition of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15% MP reduced serum separation values of drinks by 25, 67 and 83%, respectively. The apparent viscosity value of control samples was 103.20 cP and increased to 134.25, 185.35 and 223.38 cP in ayran drinks with 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15% MP, respectively. The obtained results indicated that chia seed MP up to 0.05% can be used in ayran drink production to reduce serum separation and improve viscosity without any adverse effect on sensory liking scores.U ovom istraživanju, prah sluzi chia sjemenki (MP) dodan je u ayran napitke u različitim omjerima (0,05, 0,10 i 0,15 %, w/v) te je ispitivan njegov učinak na fizikalno-kemijska, reološka, mikrobiološka i senzorska svojstva ayran napitaka tijekom 10 dana skladištenja na 4±1 °C. Dodatak MP nije značajno utjecao na njihov glavni kemijski sastav (p>0,05). Povećanje omjera MP u pićima smanjilo je L* vrijednosti boje pića dok je povećalo njihove a* i b* vrijednosti boje. Dodatak 0,05, 0,10 i 0,15 % MP smanjio je vrijednosti sinereze napitaka za 25, 67 odnosno 83 %. Prividna viskoznost kontrolnih uzoraka bila je 103,20 cP i porasla je na 134,25, 185,35 i 223,38 cP u ayran napicima s 0,05, 0,10 i 0,15 % MP. Rezultati su pokazali da se MP chia sjemenki do 0,05 % može koristiti u proizvodnji ayrana, kako bi se smanjila sinereza i poboljšala viskoznost bez ikakvih negativnih učinaka na senzorska svojstva

Hydrogel Implant Causing Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Case Report

Objective: One of the new treatment methods for lumbar degenerative disc disease is percutaneous application of a hydrogel implant into the intervertebral disc. The aim of this method is to increase the disc height, to widen the neural foramen, and to decrease discogenic pain and leg pain caused by root compression. However, there may be serious complications related to intervertebral hydrogel implants that have been increasingly used during the last few years because of their minimally-invasive nature. A case with lumbar root compression due to hydrogel implant is being reported.Case Report: A 61-year-old male was admitted with severe left leg pain due to compression of the left L5 root by a hydrogel implant that had been percutaneously introduced into the L4-5 disc level 6 months ago. On magnetic resonance imaging, a lesion compressing the left L5 root at the L4-5 disc level and mimicking a disc herniation was seen. It was hypointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on T2-weighted sections. The implant was removed by an open surgery.Conclusion: An intervertebral hydrogel implant swells up by absorbing water from adjacent tissues. Actually, this is the main mechanism of action by which it provides an increase of disc height. However, if it swells up excessively, it may spill over through the spinal canal and thus cause root or dural sac compression and neurological compromise

Co-occurrence of Chiari Type 1 Malformation, Syringomyelia, Anterior Thoracic Meningocele And Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Very Rare Case Report

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease associated with neurological and skeletal dysplasias. It is known that anterior thoracic meningocele, which is a rare pathology, may be associated with NF-1. Chiari type 1 malformation (CM-1) is a developmental disorder possibly caused by mesodermal deficiency frequently leading to syringomyelia. CM-1 may also be associated with NF-1. However, no case in which all of these four pathologies occur together has been reported in the literature.Case Report: We present a 45-year-old female with known NF-1 without any neurological signs or symptoms. In her thoracic imaging performed for multinodular goiter investigation, an anterior thoracic meningocele was seen. Her spinal and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations revealed presence of CM-1 and syringomyelia as well. Although the patient was not neurologically compromised, surgical treatment for CM-1 and syringomyelia was offered because of the width of the syringomyelia. However, the patient did not accept the operation.Conclusion: Although NF-1 may be associated with CM-1/syringomyelia or anterior thoracic meningocele, there was no case with all of these pathologies together reported in literature. This case reminded us that NF-1 cases, even in the absence of any neurological complaints, must be evaluated for a possible presence of spinal and brain pathologies

Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Patients with Cervical Canal Stenosis without Radiologic Evidence of Trauma: Evaluation of 15 Consecutive Cases

Objective: Cervical spinal canal stenosis is a well-known risk factor for spinal cord injury. In some patients, spinal cord injury is the first symptom of spinal stenosis. Therefore, some authors recommend preventive decompression of the spinal canal in asymptomatic patients with spinal stenosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the outcome of patients with spinal cord injury associated with cervical spinal canal stenosis and the rate of previously asymptomatic patients.Material and Methods: Data of 15 consecutive patients were evaluated. Improvement of neurological deficits during followup was accepted as good outcome and mortality and unchanging neurological deficits were accepted as worse outcome.Results: All patients were male, aged between 44 and 85 years. High-energy traumas caused injury in 7 of the cases and low-energy traumas in the others. Nine cases had central cord injury and 6 had other types of traumas. Only 2 patients had been diagnosed with minor symptoms associated with cervical canal stenosis before trauma, while the other patients had been asymptomatic. One patient did not consent to undergo an operation and two others could not be operated because of their general status; the latter 2 patients died. The other 12 patients were decompressed 0 to 40 days after trauma. Two other patients with severe transverse-type cord injury also died postoperatively. The other patients were followed for 1 to 48 months (22.7±17.7 months). In 2 patients, neurological deficits had not improved on last follow-up. Deficits had completely or partly improved in the other patients, including the one who had not accepted the operation. Central cord injury had a significantly better prognosis than other types (p=0.0019). Age, cervical canal diameter, and motor and sensory scores of the American Spinal Injury Association scale, type of trauma, and level of spinal cord injury were not significantly different in the patients with good and worse prognosis.Conclusion:The rate of asymptomatic patients before trauma was very high in patients with spinal cord injury associated with cervical spinal canal stenosis. Therefore, the treatment decision must be carefully assessed in asymptomatic cervical spinal stenosis patients. Catastrophic consequences of spinal trauma may be seen in patients with cervical spinal canal stenosis even in asymptomatic patients. Central cord syndrome had a good prognosis in these patients. Other types of injuries such as transverse and motor types had a worse outcome

Spontaneous Acute Subdural Hematoma due to Intracranial Hypotension Secondary to Lumboperitoneal Shunt: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective:To report a rare case with spontaneous intracranial acute subdural hematoma due to overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid after lumboperitoneal shunting and to review the literature on this topic.Case report: A 53-year-old lady with spontaneous acute subdural hematoma developing 3 years after lumboperitoneal shunting for treatment of benign intracranial hypertension is reported. She was treated with shunt removal and hematoma evacuation.Material and Methods: We found 16 cases with intracranial bleeding developing spontaneously or after mild head injury after lumboperitoneal shunting. The characteristics of the patients were recorded, the outcome was given according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale, and a Glasgow Outcome Scale score from 1-3 was accepted as worse outcome. The factors affecting outcome were evaluated.Results: There were 10 females and 7 males aged 59.7±15.1 years. In most cases, the primary disease treated by lumboperitoneal shunting was hydrocephalus or benign intracranial hypertension. In 12 of the cases, the bleeding happened into the subdural space and in 5 into other compartments (intracerebral or subarachnoid bleeding). Five of the cases died, and 62.5% had a worse outcome. The only factor affecting outcome was the time span from lumboperitoneal shunting to intracranial bleeding. This time was significantly shorter in the patients with worse outcome (3.7 versus 38.6 months).Conclusions: Lumboperitoneal shunting may cause serious complications such as intracranial bleeding due to overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid via shunt. Patients with lumboperitoneal shunting must be followed very closely for development of intracranial hypotension especially during the first few months after shunting

Clinical Outcomes and Factors Affecting the Outcome of Decompressive Craniectomy: Analysis of 50 Cases

Objective: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is used as the last-stage method in the treatment of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). However, clinical outcomes reported in the literature are contradictory.Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 50 increased ICP cases that had been diagnosed and undergone DC at our hospital between February 2011 and February 2017. The patients’ characteristics such as age, sex, presence of comorbidities, pre- and postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, blood pressure, hemoglobin values, radiological findings, DC time, width of craniectomy, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were recorded. According to their outcome, the patients were divided into two groups with good (GOS = 4-5) and poor (GOS = 1-3) prognosis, respectively, according to their last examination. It was evaluated whether these parameters showed significant differences between the groups and between the deceased patients and survivors.Results: A total of 50 patients (35 male and 15 female) had been treated with DC. The mean age was 40.5±22.2 years. Head trauma was the etiology of increased ICP in 68% of the cases (n=34). The median of preoperative GCS was 6 (range: 3-15), and the mean midline shift on admission was 10.3±5.1 mm. Seventy-two percent of the cases (n=36) were treated with DC on the day of admission from the emergency department. The median of postoperative GCS was 7 (range: 3-15). The patients were followed up for a mean of 24.4 days in the ICU, and 30 patients were lost after a mean of 24.6 days. The survivors were followed up for a mean of 7.4±12.5 months. Factors affecting survival periods were age of the patient, short edge length of the DC (not long edge) and early postoperative GCS score after the DC. The comparison between survivors and deceased patients showed that the mean age of survivors was significantly lower than that of deceased patients (p=0.047). Postoperative GCS scores after DC were significantly lower in the patients who had died (p=0.0001).Conclusion: Age, short edge length of the craniectomy and postoperative neurological status are factors affecting surgical outcomes. These factors can play a role in selecting patient candidates who have to receive DC