Application of empirical mode decomposition, particle swarm optimization, and support vector machine methods to predict stream flows.

Modeling stream flows is vital for water resource planning and flood and drought management. In this study, the performance of hybrid models constructed by combining least square support vector machines (LSSVM), empirical model decomposition (EMD), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) methods in modeling monthly streamflow was evaluated. For establishing the models, 42 years of monthly average streamflow data was used in two hydrometer stations located in the Konya Closed Basin, covering 1964 to 2005. Lagged streamflow values ​​were selected as inputs according to partial autocorrelation values ​​in establishing the models. The dataset was divided into 70% training and 30% testing. Model performances were evaluated according to mean square error, root mean square error, correlation coefficients, scatter plot, and Taylor and Violin diagrams. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the PSO-LSSVM and EMD-LSSVM models were slightly more successful than the single LSSVM model, and the best model was obtained with the EMD-PSO-LSSVM. In addition, in estimating monthly stream flows, 1-, 9-, 10-, 11-, and 12-month lagged streamflow values were the input combination that gave the best results in semi-arid climatic regions. This result demonstrated that EMD improved the performance of both LSSVM and PSO-LSSVM models by 1% to 5% based on correlation coefficient (R) values.

Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in Children with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A Retrospective Study and A Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyze the outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum (CCA). A literature review and a retrospective analysis of our cochlear implant database were performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To the best of our knowledge, in the English literature, there was only one case reported with CCA who had undergone CI surgery. This case had Donnai-Barrow syndrome. In the Cukurova University School of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology database, 5 of the 1317 patients who underwent CI surgery who had CCA were selected. The patients' demographic characteristics, operative findings, surgical outcomes, and additional disabilities were investigated. The patients' preoperative and postoperative Listening Progress Profile (LiP) and Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS) tests were done to analyze the auditory performances. RESULTS: The participants of the study were 5 (0.38%) individuals (2 male and 3 female patients; ages 5.5, 7.5, 8, 9, and 12 years). Two of the patients had total agenesis, and the other three had partial agenesis of the CCA. In the histories of the patients, one patient had parental consanguinity, and one had febrile convulsion. No patient had an additional disability. None had experienced device failure. No patients were non-users or limited users of cochlear implants. Postoperative LiP and MAIS test scores were improved for all patients nearly as the patients without any deformity. They showed normal auditory performance in the analysis in their postoperative 48 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients who had CCA are good candidates for CI surgery.

Effects of topical oxiconazole and boric acid in alcohol solutions to rat inner ears.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the ototoxicity of topical oxiconazole and boric acid in alcohol solutions. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled animal study. SETTING: Research laboratory. METHOD: Fifty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups consisting of 10 animals each. The right tympanic membranes were perforated, and baseline and posttreatment distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were performed. RESULTS: The solutions were applied through the external ear canal to the middle ear twice a day for 14 days. The rats in group I and group II received 0.1 mL of oxiconazole-containing solution drops and 4% boric acid in alcohol solution drops, respectively. Group III received gentamicin solution (40 mg/mL) (ototoxic control), group IV received saline solution, and group V was followed without any medication. The baseline DPOAE results of the right ears of all animals tested were normal. Animals in groups I, II, IV, and V showed no statistically significant change in the DPOAE amplitudes. The rats in the gentamicin group showed a significant decrease. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that topically used oxiconazole and boric acid in alcohol solutions to the middle ear appear to be safe on the inner ear of rats. The safety of these drugs has not yet been confirmed in humans. Caution should be taken when prescribing these drugs, especially to patients who had tympanic membrane perforation. Ear drops should be chosen more carefully in an external ear infection for patients with tympanic membrane perforation to avoid ototoxicity.

Factors contributing to limited or non-use in the cochlear implant systems in children: 11 years experience.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and etiologic factors of non-use and limited use of cochlear implants. The patients' age, gender, duration of implantation and additional disabilities were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 413 (200 males, 213 females) pediatric patients (age under 16) implanted in our clinic between January 2000 and December 2011, 12 limited user/non-user cochlear implanted patients were selected who had a follow-up of at least 24 months. Preoperative and postoperative listening progress profile (LiP) and meaningful auditory integration scale (MAIS) tests were performed to analyze the auditory performances of the patients. RESULTS: In total of 12 recipients (2.90%) (7 male and 5 female patients; age range, 5-13 years), 4 (0.96%) patients were non-users and 8 (1.93%) patients were limited users. The patients had some additional disabilities as autism, cerebral palsy, moderate mental retardation, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ossified cochlea due to meningitis and learning disability-lack of family interest. None had experienced device failure. In the postoperative 24th month, listening progress profile and meaningful auditory integration scale test scores were better in the limited users as expected. CONCLUSIONS: It should always be considered in patients with additional factors like autism, mental-motor retardation, learning disabilities that they will show limited development from cochlear implantation. These patients are potential limited/non-users. These patients require unique rehabilitation and provide high family and educational interest.

Features of unilateral hearing loss detected by newborn hearing screening programme in different regions of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Newborn hearing screening (NHS) works well for babies with bilateral hearing loss. However, for those with unilateral loss, it has yet to be established some standard rules like age of diagnose, risk factors, hearing loss degree. The aim of this study is to identify the demographic characteristics of newborns with unilateral hearing loss to obtain evidence based data in order to see what to be done for children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL). METHOD: Newborn hearing screening data of 123 babies with unilateral hearing loss, 71 (57.7%) male and 52 (42.3%) female, were investigated retrospectively. Data provided from the archives of six referral tertiary audiology centers from four regions in Turkey. Data, including type of hearing loss; age of diagnosis; prenatal, natal and postnatal risk factors; familial HL and parental consanguinity was analyzed in all regions and each of the Regions 1-4 separately. RESULT: The difference between data obtained in terms of gender and type of hearing loss was detected as statistically significant (p<0.05). While UHL was significantly higher in females at Region 1, and in males at other Regions of 2-4; SNHL was the most detected type of UHL in all regions with the rate of 82.9-100.0%. There were not significant differences between regions in terms of the degree of hearing loss, presence of risk factors, family history of hearing loss, age at diagnosis and parental consanguinity (p>0.05). Diagnosis procedure was completed mostly at 3-6 months in Region 4; whereas, in other regions (Regions 1-3), completion of procedure was delayed until 6 months-1 year. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the effect of postnatal risk factors, i.e. curable hyperbilirubinemia, congenital infection and intensive care is relatively high on unilateral hearing loss, precautions should be taken regarding their prevention, as well as physicians and other health personnel should be trained in terms of these risks. For early and timely diagnosis, families will be informed about hearing loss and NHS programme; will be supported, including financial support of diagnosis process. By dissemination of the NHS programme to the total of country by high participation rate, risk factors can be determined better and measures can be increased. Additionally, further studies are needed with more comprehensive standard broad data for more evidence based consensus.