Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yazarlar
- Uzun, Sevda(11)
- Gül, Abdulkadir(10)
- Baltacı, Cemalettin(9)
- Kaya, Selim(9)
- Kurnaz, Muammer(9)
- Ozturk, Samet(9)
- Çelik, Necati(9)
- Tuncer, Metin(8)
- Altuner, Elif Esra(7)
- Aydin, Aydanur(7)
- Barut, Abdulkadir(7)
- Cin, Aynur(7)
- Günen, Mehmet Akif(7)
- Ozdes, Duygu(7)
- Zaman, Tolga(7)
- Araz, Onur(6)
- Baltaci, Cemalettin(6)
- Bayrakdaroglu, Serdar(6)
- Bozbeyoglu, Pinar(6)
- Demirağ, Hatice(6)
- Karpuz, Ömer(6)
- Liu, Shuxiang(6)
- Merdan, Mehmet(6)
- Yilmaz, Coskun(6)
- Duran, Celal(5)
- Gulcin, Ilhami(5)
- Koçak, Tevfik(5)
- Pala, Fahrettin(5)
- Pilatin, Abdulmuttalip(5)
- Söyler, Mehmet(5)
- Topal, Fevzi(5)
- Tuncer, Gülsüm Zekiye(5)
- Türkkan, Tuğba(5)
- Uysal, Turan(5)
- Yapici, Ismail(5)
- Zengin, Gokhan(5)
- Çam, Alper Veli(5)
- Öztürk, Serkan(5)
- Şan, Murat(5)
- Şimşek, Ahmet Bahadır(5)
Yayınlar
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Fertility, family structure, and female labor force participation: evidence from Southern Europe and Türkiye
Beken, Hikmet Gülçin; Kirer Silva Lecuna, Hale
This study investigates how fertility, family structures, and institutional environments shape women’s labor force participation in Southern Europe (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal) and Türkiye. Using balanced panel data from 2015 to 2022 and fixed effects models with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, the analysis identifies a negative relationship between fertility and female employment, though only at marginal levels of statistical significance. Robustness checks using Ridge regression and principal component analysis confirm this finding across alternative specifications. Significant country-level fixed effects reveal considerable heterogeneity, with Portugal and Spain exhibiting higher baseline participation rates and Türkiye recording notably lower values. While the empirical model does not directly measure institutional support, childcare availability, or cultural norms, the comparative literature suggests that cross-country differences in these dimensions likely contribute to the observed patterns. The findings point to the potential importance of integrated policy approaches, including affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements, in supporting women’s employment alongside fertility.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Weight self-stigma, weight bias internalization, and eating attitudes in relation to body appreciation
Koçak, Tevfik; Kocyigit, Emine; Demirel Ozbek, Yagmur; Celik, İsa
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between weight self-stigma, weight bias internalization, eating attitudes, and body appreciation in young adults, and to ascertain the distinct impact of these variables on body appreciation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including young adults aged 19 to 35 years, comprising 69.6% females and 30.4% males. Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating weight self-stigma, internalization of weight bias, eating attitudes, and body appreciation. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to assess the additional impacts of weight-related stigma and eating attitudes on body appreciation, while adjusting for demographic and anthropometric factors. Results: Weight self-stigma, particularly the internalization of weight bias, showed a significant negative association with body appreciation. Weight self-stigma and its subdimensions (self-devaluation and fear of enacted stigma) had substantial negative correlations with body appreciation. These correlations encompassed the subdimensions of body appreciation, specifically general body appreciation and body image investment. While eating attitudes did not show a significant correlation with body appreciation at the bivariate level, they became a significant predictor in the hierarchical regression model, suggesting a conditional (suppression) effect after accounting for weight-related stigma and BMI. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the important function of weight-related stigma in diminishing body appreciation among young adults and stress the necessity of examining eating attitudes in conjunction with stigma-related factors. Interventions designed to enhance positive body image should focus on both internalized weight stigma and maladaptive eating-related attitudes.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Understanding Loyalty in the Aviation Sector: The Mediating Role of Perceived Value between Brand Equity and Loyalty
Okan, Serdar
This research examines the mediating role of perceived value in the relationship between brand equity and passenger loyalty, focusing on Turkish Airlines. Data were gathered from 569 passengers of Turkish Airlines and were analyzed by using EFA in SPSS and CFA in SmartPLS. The results indicate that brand equity significantly has an indirect impact on passenger loyalty (β = 0.112, P = 0.011). In addition, although brand equity has a positive effect on perceived value (β = 0.240, P < 0.001), perceived value also has a positive effect on loyalty (β = 0.493, P < 0.001). The results also indicate that perceived value partially mediates the effect of brand equity on loyalty (β = 0.118, P < 0.001). Such findings imply that post-flight communication with the company, passengers’ feedback opportunities and efficient service problem resolution might result in an increase of perceived value fostering customer loyalty. There appears to be a significant underestimation of the importance of the direct effect and of its impact on the indirect effects of brand equity. This study bridges the research gap by analyzing perceived value as a mediator between brand equity and loyalty, focusing on Turkish Airlines.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026A Non-Newtonian Extension of Laplace–Sumudu–Elzaki Transforms
Yalcin, Numan
Classical Laplace-, Sumudu-, and Elzaki-type transforms are formulated within additive analytical frameworks and do not naturally accommodate multiplicative scaling structures arising in non-Newtonian calculus. Motivated by this limitation, this study introduces a non-Newtonian Laplace–Sumudu–Elzaki transform (NNLSET) based on logarithmic scaling mechanisms, multiplicative measures, and power-type kernels. The proposed framework is constructed by replacing the classical measure dt with the multiplicative measure (Formula presented.) and the linear scaling structure (Formula presented.) with the nonlinear scaling structure (Formula presented.). Using the logarithmic transformation (Formula presented.), a canonical kernel representation of the form (Formula presented.) is derived, establishing a correspondence between multiplicative power-type kernels and weighted exponential structures in the logarithmic domain. Within an admissible weighted function framework, several analytical properties of the transform are established, including existence, boundedness, stability, uniqueness, restricted recoverability, and a logarithmic derivative representation associated with expressions of the form (Formula presented.). A comparative analysis with the classical Laplace–Sumudu–Elzaki framework, together with illustrative differential-equation examples, a representative nonlinear MEMS oscillator, and a numerical computation, is presented. The obtained results demonstrate that the NNLSET provides a mathematically consistent framework for the analysis of multiplicative structures, logarithmic scaling phenomena, and logarithmically structured differential equations. Its applicability is further illustrated through the analysis of a representative nonlinear MEMS oscillator.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Psychometric Validation of the Turkish Version of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index (T-PPFI) in Disaster Search and Rescue Volunteers
Çınar, Öznur; Cengiz, Ekrem
This study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the English version of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index into Turkish (T-PPFI). It was conducted among 604 disaster search and rescue volunteers who participated in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye. Exploratory factor analysis supported a three-factor, 15-item structure, and confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit for the three-factor model. Convergent and divergent validity were supported by a positive correlation with the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes (CompACT) and negative correlations with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). The T-PPFI showed acceptable internal consistency (total score α= .727; ω= .712) and high test-retest reliability over 14 days (r= .962). Gender measurement invariance analyses supported comparability of T-PPFI scores across men and women. Hierarchical regression analyses provided evidence for the incremental validity of the T-PPFI beyond AAQ-II and CompACT in predicting DASS-21 outcomes, and higher-order EFA supported construct-level discriminant validity. The findings suggest that the 15-item T-PPFI is a reliable and valid measure of psychological flexibility in Turkish disaster search and rescue volunteers. All rights reserved.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Citizen-Science Data Reveal Global Diversity Patterns in the Gecko Genus Hemidactylus
Kurnaz, Muammer; Berber, Ahmet Ali; Akbulut, Cansu
Understanding how species richness is distributed across space is a central goal of macroecology and biogeography. The gecko genus Hemidactylus ranks among the most speciose and broadly distributed of all squamate genera, with species spanning tropical and subtropical environments on most continents. Yet the large-scale structure of its diversity has rarely been examined at a global scale. Here we assembled georeferenced occurrence data for the genus from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF Access data is 14 March 2026) and, following cleaning and quality control, retained 143,858 records covering 157 currently recognized species (approximately 79% of the genus) to characterize broad-scale biodiversity patterns. Our analyses addressed the latitudinal diversity gradient, the distribution of species range sizes, continental richness, spatial clustering of diversity, and regional beta diversity. Richness declined steadily from the tropics toward the poles, producing a pronounced latitudinal diversity gradient (Pearson r = −0.71, p < 0.001). A generalized additive model captured a strong non-linear association between latitude and richness (deviance explained = 98.1%), consistent with tropical regions acting as principal centers of diversity. Range-size distributions were markedly right-skewed, with the majority of species restricted to comparatively small areas; however, these estimates co-varied strongly with per-species sampling effort (r = 0.90) and warrant cautious interpretation. We found only a weak, marginally significant association between range size and latitudinal midpoint, offering little support for Rapoport’s rule in the genus. At the continental scale, Hemidactylus diversity was overwhelmingly concentrated in Afro-Asian tropical regions (Asia, 93 species; Africa, 66), whereas Europe and Oceania supported few species (four each). Spatial analyses indicated significant autocorrelation in richness (Moran’s I = 0.56, p < 0.001) and well-defined diversity hotspots in East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, and regional beta diversity was high (Jaccard dissimilarity up to 0.97), reflecting pronounced faunal turnover among continents.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026From underground economy to surface tensions: Stakeholders’ perspectives on mine closures in Gümüşhane
Pınarbaşı, Işıl Esra; Demirbağ, Orkun; Örs, Şerife
Mine closures are not merely the end of an economic cycle but complex processes that produce long-term social, environmental, and psychosocial consequences. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of Social Impact Assessment (SIA), studies often underemphasize the closure phase and its social repercussions. This study investigates those social impacts in Gümüşhane, Türkiye, a historically mining-dependent region, through the lens of stakeholder theory and a qualitative fieldwork approach. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 21 participants including mine workers, company representatives, public officials, NGOs, media, and local community members, the study identifies significant transformations in six domains: economy, employment and education, land use, demographics, environment and health, and human rights. Findings reveal that mine closures led to income loss, unemployment, migration, weakening of social cohesion, environmental degradation, and violations of labor and participation rights. The exclusion of local stakeholders from closure planning exacerbated distrust and social fragmentation. Providing a nuanced understanding of the social dynamics surrounding mine closure, study contributes to the growing literature calling for more inclusive, just, and sustainable closure processes, and emphasizes the urgency of incorporating SIA as a mandatory and comprehensive practice including not only the opening but also the closure and post-closure stages of mining.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Starch-Based Microcapsules of Grape Pomace Phenolics: Physicochemical Characterization and Stability in Static In Vitro Digestion
Berktaş, Serap; İncegül, Yasemin; Çam, Mustafa
To protect phenolics of grape pomace, microencapsulation process was carried out with HI-CAP 100, Capsul TA, maltodextrin and potato starch. Encapsulation efficiencies of microcapsules were determined between 69–97%. TPC, TFC, and TAC values of starch-based microcapsules were in the ranges of 36–74 mg GAE/g, 14–28 mg CE/g, and 0.37–0.84 mg C3GE/g, respectively. Maltodextrin, with a value of 74.04 mg GAE/g, was determined to be the best coating material to retain grape pomace phenolics. Similar results were also seen in TFC (28.40 mg CE/g) and ABTS (128.2 mg TE/g) values. While water solubility values were found between 73–92% in microcapsules, grape pomace had 21.81%. The effects of coating materials on the release and bioaccessibility value of grape pomace phenolics encapsulated with different starch types in vitro digestion of oral, gastric and small intestine were investigated. Potato starch-coated microcapsules displayed the least TPC loss in gastric digestion and higher phenolics release in small intestine digestion. The microcapsule with the highest bioaccessibility in oral, gastric, and small intestine phases was Capsul TA, with values of 121%, 205%, and 120%, respectively. Additionally, potato starch-based microencapsulation of phenolics may provide alternative benefits like the slow and balanced release of phenolics in the digestive tract. Microcapsules with maltodextrin, Capsul TA and HI-CAP as coating material had amorphous structures, while potato starch resulted in crystalline structure in the microcapsules. Grape pomace phenolic starch-based microcapsules can be evaluated in the food and pharmaceutical industry depending on the intended use.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026The effect of dance intervention on cognitive functions and quality of life in patients with Chronic Stroke: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial
Cin, Aynur; Demirağ, Hatice; Hintistan, Sevilay
Objective This study aimed to determine the effect of dance interventions on cognitive functions and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. Methods This research used a single-blind randomized controlled trial design involving 40 chronic stroke patients at X State Hospital who were divided into a dance intervention group and a control group. The dance group was given 60 min of sessions three times a week for 12 weeks under the guidance of a dance instructor. Both groups were pre-tested and post-tested using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results The dance intervention group experienced significant improvements in SS-QOL sub-dimensions (energy activities, personality, social and family roles, thinking, language, mood) as well as MoCA scores compared to the control group which had deteriorated over time ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Dance interventions can significantly improve cognitive function and quality of life among chronic stroke patients. The study was registered on Clinical Trials (NCT06145503).
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Valorization of pomegranate peel waste through pyrolysis-liquid-assisted ultrasound extraction: antioxidant, antibacterial and targeted phytochemical characterization
Gül, Abdulkadir; Aydoğmuş, Ercan; Özgen, İnanç; Yılmaz, Fırat; Deniz, Sermin; Arslanoğlu, Hasan
Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel is a phenolic-rich processing by-product, but its valorization commonly relies on conventional solvents. This study examined an integrated approach in which pomegranate peel pyrolysis liquid (PP-PL) was repurposed as the extraction medium for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of the same biomass. The methodological originality lies specifically in using biomass-derived PP-PL in UAE. Results: PP-PL-assisted extract (PP-E) and an aqueous control extract (AQ-E), prepared from the same peel batch under identical UAE conditions, were compared. The apparent gravimetric recovery of PP-E was 202.5 g kg−1. PP-E showed approximately two-fold higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than AQ-E. In vitro agar well diffusion screening revealed the largest inhibition zone for PP-E against Staphylococcus aureus at 80 g L−1 (22.65 ± 1.50 mm), whereas AQ-E produced no detectable inhibition zones against the tested strains at the same concentration. PP-E achieved DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS+ (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical-scavenging values of 92.42 ± 0.25% and 97.00 ± 0.17%, respectively, and showed pronounced total antioxidant capacity and iron(III) ion (Fe3+)- and copper(II) ion (Cu2+)-reducing capacities. Targeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) using authentic standards quantified six phenolics, with ellagic acid as the predominant analyte (2015.10 mg kg−1 extract). Conclusion: Integration of pomegranate peel pyrolysis with PP-PL-assisted UAE generated an extract exhibiting in vitro antioxidant properties and antibacterial potential in agar well diffusion screening, providing an alternative route for pomegranate peel valorization. This strategy supports the further development of biomass-derived extraction media for recovering value-added compounds from agro-industrial residues.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Carbon footprint assessment and reduction strategies of a university campus in Turkey
Türle, İbrahim; Celen, Pınar
As key institutions and significant energy consumers, universities have a critical responsibility to lead efforts in energy efficiency and renewable energy use to reduce their environmental impact. In this regard, the Gümüşhane University carbon probe has produced the first study that makes it possible to identify the sources of greenhouse gas emissions and provides the opportunity to track, measure, and suggest reduction strategies in the years to come. The carbon footprint of Gümüşhane University from 2017 to 2023 has been calculated and examined in this paper. The IPCC and DEFRA conversion factors served as the foundation for the computations. The results showed that the university's use of natural gas and electricity was responsible for almost all of its carbon emissions. According to the IPCC and DEFRA, the 2017 emissions were 4999.93 and 4667 tCO2e, respectively. Following a move to online instruction in 2020, emissions decreased to 3894 tCO2e under DEFRA and 4365.44 tCO2e under IPCC. However, as campus life resumed its pre-pandemic pace in 2022 and 2023, emissions rose again, surpassing 5252.04 tonnes of CO₂e by 2023 using the IPCC method and 4042 tonnes of CO₂e using the DEFRA method. These results suggest that universities need to focus on their energy consumption patterns in order to reduce their carbon emissions, for example by placing greater emphasis on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and balanced consumption. The outcomes of this research will act as a guideline not only for Gümüşhane University to help it reach its sustainability goals, but also for other university administrations when formulating effective carbon reduction strategies, and for institutions seeking to measure or benchmark their environmental performance.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Chemical Profiling of Essential Oils and Evaluation of Enzyme Inhibition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities in Both Methanol Extract and Essential Oils of Centaurea oltensis
Aygül, İmdat; Akşit, Berfin
The phytochemical composition and biological activities of Centaurea oltensis, an endemic species in Türkiye, were studied. GC–MS/FID analysis identified 128 compounds representing 99.2% of the EO, with decanoic acid (15.1%), α-pinene (7.9%), and sabinyl acetate (5.4%) as the principal constituents. GC–MS/FID analysis identified 128 compounds representing 99.2% of the essential oil (EO), with decanoic acid (15.1%), α-pinene (7.9%), and sabinyl acetate (5.4%) as the principal constituents. LC–MS/MS analysis of the methanol extract (ME) revealed high concentrations of ferulic acid (2410 µg/g dw) and chlorogenic acid (1170 µg/g dw), together with caffeic, salicylic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids. The ME exhibited potent carbonic anhydrase-II inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.028 µg/mL) and significant α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.255 mg/mL). The EO showed strong acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values of 0.0145 µg/mL and 0.204 µg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant assays, including DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, demonstrated superior activity of the ME, correlating with its higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EO displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.02 mg/mL) and moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Overall, C. oltensis demonstrated considerable chemical diversity and promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and enzyme inhibitory potential for future pharmacological and therapeutic applications.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Institutional Determinants of Regional Poverty in Turkey: Evidence from Advanced Causality Analysis
Çiçen, Yıldırım Beyazıt
Poverty continues to be one of the major issues in Turkey, as in many other countries, with a large portion of the population – especially in rural areas – living below the poverty line. Those living in poverty have limited access to key public services such as education, healthcare and housing, which consequently exacerbates social and economic inequalities within society. The gap between wealthy and impoverished groups within society is continually expanding, primarily due to institutional factors that perpetuate this inequality. Drawing on data from 2009 to 2019, this study offers an empirical analysis of the role of institutions in shaping poverty in Turkey. The study applies the panel causality test developed by Juodis et al. (2021) to assess the influence of institutional structures on regional disparities. Infant mortality rates, the number of associate and bachelor’s degree graduates and the number of convicts are considered key indicators of institutional performance. The statistical analysis reveals a significant correlation between these variables and the 50% poverty rate. The findings suggest that strengthening the institutional framework is essential for addressing regional poverty in Turkey.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Analysis of microstructural properties and durability characteristics of geopolymer mortars with mining waste
Aksüt, Yavuz Selim; Kaya, Yusuf; Sünnetçi, Kadir
The growing environmental concerns over resource depletion and carbon emissions from cement production have accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives to conventional concrete. In this context, geopolymers have emerged as promising binders, particularly through the utilization of aluminosilicate-rich industrial wastes to reduce environmental impact and support waste recycling. This study examines the mechanical and durability properties of geopolymer mortars produced by partially replacing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) with mining waste (MW) at ratios of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The mixtures were activated using 10 M sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate under standard water curing conditions. Mechanical strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), freeze–thaw resistance, and sulfate durability were evaluated. The optimum performance was obtained with 20% MW, which achieved a 30.4% increase in flexural strength and 18% in compressive strength at 7 days. This mixture also showed the lowest mass (10.69%) and strength loss (18.36%) after 50 freeze–thaw cycles. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed enhanced gel formation and microstructural densification. The findings demonstrate that controlled use of MW not only improves durability but also promotes sustainable binder development in geopolymer technology.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Psychometric validation of the Turkish Short form of the disaster resilience scale for individuals
Doğru, Salih
Purpose This study adapts and validates the Short Form of the Disaster Resilience Scale for Individuals (DRSi-SF) into Turkish, aiming to provide a practical tool for assessing disaster preparedness in high-risk contexts. Method Data were collected from 505 adults across Türkiye, a country highly exposed to earthquakes, floods, and landslides. The DRSi-SF was translated and back-translated, with linguistic equivalence confirmed via paired t-tests and correlations. Psychometric analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency, concurrent validity testing with the Disaster Risk Perception Scale, and measurement invariance across gender and disaster experience groups. Findings and Conclusion The Turkish DRSi-SF retained its original three-factor structure—knowledge, readiness, and action—with acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.906, RMSEA = 0.074) and reliability (α = 0.71). Disaster resilience correlated positively with risk perception, supporting concurrent validity. Measurement invariance was established at configural, metric, and scalar levels across groups, enabling meaningful subgroup comparisons. Practical implications The DRSi-SF offers a brief, scalable instrument for policymakers, emergency agencies, and NGOs to identify resilience levels, inform preparedness strategies, and target interventions. Its brevity facilitates integration into e-government systems, mobile applications, and community-based screenings. Originality This is the first Turkish adaptation of the DRSi-SF, aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and providing a culturally relevant, psychometrically sound tool applicable to other hazard-prone regions.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Enhanced Computational Efficiency in Solving Delay Fractional Partial Differential Equations Through the Yang Decomposition Method
Ali, Mustafa Ahmed; Merdan, Mehmet
This study presents the Yang Transform Adomian Decomposition Method (YTADM), a semi-analytical framework for solving one-dimensional linear and nonlinear delay fractional partial differential equations involving the Caputo fractional derivative. The proposed method combines the Yang transform with the Adomian decomposition method to construct recursive solution series while efficiently handling delayed nonlinear terms. The applicability of the proposed framework is demonstrated through several examples, including proportional-delay Burgers-type equations, and its convergence properties are analyzed. The obtained results show that YTADM yields rapidly convergent semi-analytical approximations and provides an effective framework for solving one-dimensional delay fractional partial differential equations.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Evaluation of Factors Affecting Innovation in Developed and Developing Countries by MCDM
Salad, Liban Daud; Seyhan, Nazll
This study comparatively analyzes the economic, social, and technological factors determining the innovation performance of developed and developing countries within a holistic multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework, using data from 2013 and 2021. The criterion weights determined by CRITIC and SWARA, and the WEDBA results, indicate a significant structural shift between the periods. In developed countries, R&D expenditures, patent production, and intellectual property protection are key determinants of innovation performance; while in developing countries, digital infrastructure, human capital, and education investments stand out. The findings reveal that innovation policies based on strategic priorities specific to country groups are more effective.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Multi level throttled attention for accurate and efficient classification of retinal diseases in OCT images
Celik, Kemal; Celik, Fatih
The classification of retinal diseases using Optical Coherence Tomography images has gained significant attention in recent years. However, due to the heterogeneity of retinal disorders, achieving high classification accuracy remains challenging. While deep learning has improved the identification of various ophthalmic conditions, accurate and early diagnosis is still critical for effective clinical decision-making. Additionally, reducing computational complexity is essential for building scalable diagnostic systems. To address these challenges, we propose a novel Multi-level Throttled Attention (MLTA) model that first applies attention to extract important features, followed by throttling to filter out redundant or less useful features. This process is applied at multiple stages, operating on both Convolutional Neural Network layers and Transformer architectures, and then fuses them finally. This approach optimizes feature selection by preserving the most informative retinal features while discarding redundant ones from multi-level feature maps. As a result, the model enhances classification performance while reducing computational overhead. We evaluate our proposed model on two benchmark OCT datasets: OCT2017 and OCTID, achieving accuracy scores of 99.59 ± 0.04% and 99.71 ± 0.03%, respectively. Our method outperforms existing CNN-based and Vision Transformer-based models, demonstrating superior accuracy and efficiency through this hierarchical attention.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Fully automated 3D volumetric analysis of masticatory muscles in a pediatric population: A CT-based normative morphometric study
Kanber Uzun, Özlem; Ertemoğlu Öksüz, Canan; Kalkışım, Şahi Nur; Palancı, Özgür; Yıldırım, Yusuf İslam
The masticatory muscles play a fundamental role in craniofacial growth and development, yet normative volumetric data encompassing all four muscles across the full pediatric age range remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to establish age- and sex-specific normative reference values for the volumetric development of masticatory muscles in a normal pediatric population (0–17 years) using a fully automated 3D segmentation method. This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 258 normal pediatric individuals stratified into four age groups based on biomechanical milestones (0–5, 6–9, 10–13, and 14–17 years). Bilateral volumes of the masticatory muscles were automatically calculated using TotalSegmentator in the 3D Slicer environment. Two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were applied. All muscles showed significant volume increases with age (p < 0.001), with the masseter demonstrating the greatest increase (199%). No sex differences were observed in 0–5 years; significant male-favoring differentiation began from 6 to 9 years. The temporalis muscle exhibited a biphasic sex differentiation pattern, with no significant difference at 10–13 years despite significance at 6–9 and 14–17 years. The highest sex-related effect sizes were observed in the pterygoid muscles (medial pterygoid ηp² = 0.176; lateral pterygoid ηp² = 0.160). Bilateral asymmetry analyses revealed left-sided favoring in the masseter, a lateralization trend in the temporalis (exploratory), right-sided favoring in the medial pterygoid, and sex-specific lateralization in the lateral pterygoid. These findings provide a large-scale CT-based normative reference for pediatric masticatory muscles, demonstrating muscle-specific volumetric patterns and variable sex differentiation, with normative ranges supporting clinical decision-making in dentistry, craniofacial surgery, and pediatric radiology.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Comparative Mechanical and Thermal Performance of Graphene- and Silver Nanoparticle-Reinforced PLA Fabricated by FDM 3D Printing
Karabudak, Filiz
The increasing demand for high-performance and multifunctional polymer materials has driven interest in improving the mechanical properties of polymer components produced through additive manufacturing. This study aims to systematically investigate and comparatively evaluate the effects of low-content nanofiller incorporation on the structural, thermal, and mechanical performance of PLA-based materials produced via fused deposition modeling (FDM), with a focus on identifying filler-dependent behavior under different loading conditions. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) composites reinforced with 0.5 wt.% graphene (Gr) and 0.5 wt.% silver (Ag) nanoparticles, added separately, were produced using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and comparatively investigated. Each nanofiller was incorporated individually into PLA-based filaments, and standard test specimens were fabricated via 3D printing. Structural, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile, compressive, and three-point bending tests, along with SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, DSC, and TGA analyses. The results showed that pure PLA exhibited typical brittle behavior and a single-stage thermal degradation profile. The tensile strength of pure PLA was 41.93 MPa, and the flexural strength was 70.76 MPa. The addition of 0.5 wt.% graphene led to noticeable improvements, particularly in flexural properties, while only a minimal (almost negligible) increase was observed in tensile strength, with tensile strength increasing to 42.24 MPa (+0.74%) and flexural strength increasing to 110.78 MPa (+56.6%). In contrast, 0.5 wt.% Ag exhibited mixed and load-dependent mechanical behavior, with slight improvements in flexural strength but reductions in tensile and compressive properties, where tensile strength decreased to 22.13 MPa (−47.2%) while flexural strength increased to 112.06 MPa (+58.3%). Structural and thermal analyses indicated that both nanofillers did not significantly alter the PLA matrix chemically, while contributing to controlled changes in material properties primarily through physical interactions. The novelty of this work lies in the comparative evaluation of graphene and silver nanoparticle reinforcement at a fixed low loading level within FDM-processed PLA, combined with a comprehensive and correlated analysis of mechanical, structural, and thermal behavior on the same specimen sets, enabling a clearer understanding of filler-dependent performance mechanisms in additively manufactured nanocomposites. Overall, it was concluded that low-rate nanofiller additions, when properly dispersed, may lead to selective improvements in the performance of PLA-based composites depending on filler type and loading mode, and show potential for advanced engineering applications such as lightweight structural components, functional sensors, and additive-manufactured parts requiring tailored mechanical performance and multifunctionality.