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Koleksiyondaki öğeler
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Scopus SJRQ2Experimental research on enhancing effectiveness in teaching the nature of seasons
Semercioğlu, Melike Güzin; Kalkan, Hüseyin
In recent years, studies by education researchers indicate that, despite various instructional methods to enhance the conceptual understanding of seasons, the reasons for the formation of seasons and the processes involved are still not fully grasped. This research aims to investigate the fundamental reasons for the difficulties in comprehending the formation of seasons and to develop possible solutions. To achieve this goal, a physical model based on the “Change in the Amount of Energy Falling onto a Unit Surface (CAEFUS)” of parallel beams of sunlight as Earth orbits around the Sun with a tilted axis of approximately 23.5 degrees was developed and applied to participants, and data were collected. These instructional processes were applied to experimental and control groups. The research was conducted on 148 eighth-grade students in a state school in Samsun (the city in Turkey) province. Exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze students' drawings and separate them into their most prominent elements. The quantitative data analysis, consisting of multiple-choice questions, utilized the SPSS 22.0 statistical program. According to ANOVA Results for SEMAT Achievement Scores, a significant difference was determined between the experimental and control groups (F = 7.625, p < 0.05). In addition, the control group mean in the pre-test fell below the experimental group mean in the pre-test. However, the mean of the experimental group in the post-test exceeded that of the control group (Pre-test‘e’ = 1.54, Pre-test‘c’ = 1.82; Post-test‘e’ = 3.21, Post-test‘c’ = 2.86). The data analysis revealed that the CAEFUS-based model significantly impacted the meaningful teaching of the nature of seasons. These results were thoroughly evaluated through a detailed comparison with the literature.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Validation of the Turkish Fear of War Scale (FOWARS): Psychometric Evidence and Associations with Tolerance of Uncontrollability, Psychological Symptoms, and Personality Traits
Kaya, Feridun; Türkkan, Tuğba
Growing geopolitical instability has led to increasing concerns about the psychological impact of war beyond directly affected populations, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate instruments to assess fear of war. In this study, we evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Fear of War Scale (FOWARS) and examine its associations with sociodemographic characteristics and personality traits. A total of 643 adults across two independent samples (sample 1 = 360; sample 2 = 283) completed the FOWARS, the Tolerance of Uncontrollability Questionnaire, the Next Big Five Inventory (BFI-2), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and a sociodemographic information form. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original two-factor structure of the FOWARS, with the Turkish version demonstrating satisfactory structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion-related validity, strong internal consistency, and measurement invariance across gender. Fear of war was negatively associated with tolerance of uncontrollability and positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition, fear of war was significantly associated with gender, socioeconomic status, agreeableness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. These findings expand the understanding of the individual determinants of fear of war, underscoring the importance of developing targeted interventions for vulnerable populations.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Vibrational Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometrics for Olive Oil Authentication: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
İlyasoğlu, Huri
Food authentication has become a critical issue for consumers, producers, and regulatory authorities, particularly for high-value products such as olive oil, which is highly susceptible to adulteration. In recent years, vibrational spectroscopy techniques, including mid-infrared (MIR), near-infrared (NIR), and Raman spectroscopy, have attracted significant attention as rapid and non-destructive analytical tools for assessing the authenticity of olive oil. When combined with multivariate chemometric approaches, these techniques enable the extraction of meaningful spectral fingerprints and the development of predictive models for adulteration detection. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of studies conducted over the past decade, with a focus on the application of vibrational spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics for the authentication of olive oil. The reviewed studies demonstrate that combining vibrational spectroscopy with chemometric methods offers advantages, including minimal sample preparation, rapid analysis, environmental sustainability, and potential suitability for routine quality control and official food inspection. The current limitations and future research directions are also highlighted to facilitate the extensive implementation of these techniques in olive oil authentication frameworks.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ1Entropy-based VIKOR and TOPSIS approaches for financial performance ranking: evidence from Turkish cement companies listed on Borsa Istanbul
Ayaydın, Hasan; Shırzadı, Said Abdullah; Balıkçı, Hasan Celal; Sharabati, Abdel-Aziz Ahmad; Barut, Abdulkadir
Assessing the financial performance of an enterprise is crucial for demonstrating the effectiveness of the management team, influencing investor decision-making regarding stocks, and meeting the expectations of lending institutions. Cement companies prioritise strengthening their capital structures to better withstand economic shocks. Additionally, these companies aim to use their resources more efficiently to reduce costs, increase sales, boost profits, and achieve faster growth. Accurate evaluations of the financial performance of cement companies are crucial for both the global economic landscape and their impact on the local economy. Consequently, financial performance evaluation models are essential for these companies to enhance their long-term financial results. However, to date, there appears to be no existing model that suggests periodic monitoring of the financial performance of cement companies based on their financial ratios. The current study seeks to analyze the TOPSIS and VIKOR multi-criteria decision-making methods, utilizing an entropy approach among publicly traded cement sector companies based on BIST, data between 2018 and 2020. The objective is to disclose the results of these companies and rank them based on key criteria. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted using the VIKOR method. The results indicated that the rankings produced by the TOPSIS and VIKOR methods were similar for 2020 and 2021, though they differed slightly in 2022 and 2023. Generally, BSOKE, KONYA, and BTCIM ranked as the top three companies in both methods, while CIMSA, BASCM, and CMENT ranked the lowest. Furthermore, companies such as AKCNS, CMENT, BUCIM, GOLTS, and NUHCM showed fluctuations in their performance. The study discusses managerial implications and provides recommendations for stakeholders.
AtıfOpenAlex4
İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1A novel SSI-based optimization framework for non-traditional TMDI system under near- and far-fault ground motions
Araz, Onur; Forcellini, Davide
Previous studies on the optimal parameter selection of non-traditional tuned mass damper inerter (N-TMDI) system have predominantly adopted a fixed-base assumption. However, neglecting soil–structure interaction (SSI) in practical applications may lead to significant design inaccuracies and reduced control performance of the N-TMDI system. To overcome this limitation, a new design framework is proposed for the tuning of N-TMDI systems installed in primary structures subjected to ground motion by explicitly considering SSI effects. The novelty of the proposed approach consists of performing a hybrid GA-PSO optimization algorithm to study the efficiency of N-TMDI system under near- and far-field ground motions. This study investigates the influence of varying mass and inerter ratios on the system's dynamic response through frequency-domain analyses. The performance of the N-TMDI system is subsequently validated using real earthquake records, with a specific focus on the comparative effects of near-fault and far-fault ground motions under diverse soil conditions. The results demonstrate that the inerter mass ratio is the most dominant factor in enhancing seismic protection, significantly reducing structural displacement and acceleration compared to conventional TMD. Furthermore, the findings reveal that SSI and the distinct characteristics of ground motions significantly modify the system's control efficiency. This research confirms the robustness of the optimized N-TMDI design, providing a reliable and efficient strategy for seismic structural control under varied seismic scenarios.
AtıfScopus1WoS1
İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ1Knowledge-awareness paradox in sustainable consumption: Attitudes and intentions toward green restaurants
Genç, Gökhan; Kızılcık, Onur; Akyürek, Suat
This study examines the effects of general environmental awareness and knowledge on patronage intention and intention to pay more, mediated by green restaurant attitude. Data were collected from 327 participants via a survey method and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), demonstrating robust measurement reliability and validity. The findings indicate that environmental awareness (value-based commitment) has a significantly stronger influence on the formation of green restaurant attitude than cognitive knowledge. Green restaurant attitude accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in patronage intention and emerged as its strongest positive predictor. This confirms that a positive attitude is a fundamental antecedent of restaurant choice. However, while the impact of positive attitude on willingness to pay more was significant, it was notably weaker than other observed relationships. This suggests that the willingness to incur additional costs for green products depends on factors extending beyond attitude alone. Furthermore, green restaurant attitude functions as a full mediator between the external variables (awareness and knowledge) and patronage intention. Consequently, green restaurants should focus marketing strategies on environmental awareness to build positive attitudes, while addressing additional factors, such as perceived value, to justify pricing policies.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ1Topo-climatic control on earlywood and latewood growth of Pinus sylvestris L. across the Eastern Black Sea (Türkiye) climatic barrier
Işık, Fatih; Eraslan, Selim; Köse, Nesibe
This study investigates the growth dynamics of Pinus sylvestris across the Zigana and Tersun Mountains in the Eastern Black Sea transition zone (Türkiye), elucidating the role of topography in modulating climate–growth relationships. By utilizing 476 increment cores from 239 trees across 12 sites, we developed tree-ring width (TRW), earlywood (EW), and latewood (LW) chronologies to evaluate growth responses along elevation and aspect gradients using moving correlation analysis and Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMM). Results reveal a pronounced topo-climatic differentiation: northern slopes of Zigana operate under cold-limited regimes, where growth is primarily governed by early-season temperatures (March–April). Conversely, southern slopes and the inland Tersun Mountains exhibit a shift toward moisture-limited regimes, with growth showing high sensitivity to May–June precipitation. Moving correlation analyses demonstrate a significant temporal transition since the late 1960s, where temperature-driven growth stimulation has been progressively replaced by an intensifying sensitivity to early-season moisture availability. GAMM results revealed non-linear growth responses to seasonal temperature and precipitation variability. The response curves indicated reduced growth under colder March–April conditions, with relative growth increasing markedly when March–April mean temperatures exceeded a model-estimated threshold of approximately 2.0–2.2 °C. May temperature showed a narrow statistical optimum around 7.5–9.7 °C, above which the estimated growth response declined. May–June precipitation promoted growth up to a model-dependent saturation threshold of approximately 300 mm, followed by a tendency toward saturation or decrease. Ultimately, the Eastern Black Sea climatic barrier generates high local-scale variability, rendering inland populations increasingly vulnerable to drought stress under ongoing climate warming. These findings underscore the necessity of topographic context in climate-growth studies and emphasize the urgent need for site-specific, climate-adaptive forest management strategies.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ1Machine learning-based multi-class classification of rock mass permeability using integrated geotechnical and geophysical parameters
Sari, Mahmut; Alemdag, Selcuk; Melek, Mesut; Seren, Aysel
In engineering applications, machine learning (ML) provides a promising approach when direct characterization of subsurface properties is challenging, time-consuming, and costly. This study developed a multi-class ML framework for classifying rock mass permeability based on Lugeon values using 86 observations from drilling and geophysical investigations at the Kırklartepe dam site in Bayburt, Türkiye. Seven predictors were considered: depth, Rock Quality Designation (RQD), joint frequency, Schmidt hammer hardness, P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity, and electrical resistivity. The observations were assigned to four permeability classes: very low, low, moderate, and high. Six classifiers were evaluated: Polynomial Kernel Support Vector Machine (P-SVM), Linear Discriminant Analysis, k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), AdaBoostM2, Bagged Trees, and Radial Basis Function SVM. Sequential Forward Feature Selection and Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation were used for feature selection and model evaluation, respectively. Robustness was further assessed using bootstrap confidence intervals, class-imbalance treatments, feature-selection stability, and learning curves. Among the baseline models, P-SVM using all seven predictors achieved the highest accuracy (79.07%), with a macro-F1 of 0.774 and the lowest Golden Distance (GD = 0.4372). When balanced class-wise performance was prioritized, k-NN with in-fold SMOTE achieved the lowest overall GD (0.4126) and a macro-F1 of 0.777. S-wave velocity and electrical resistivity were the most influential predictors. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively integrates geotechnical and geophysical data for rock mass permeability classification, providing a robust, data-driven decision-support approach that supports subsurface characterization and complements conventional permeability assessment in engineering applications.
AtıfOpenAlex1İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Comparison of Aluminum Composite Sandwich and Traditional Reinforced Concrete Slab Frame Systems in Terms of Dynamic and Global Behavior
Demirağ, Özgül; Öztekin, Ertekin
The high mass of traditional reinforced concrete (RC) slabs significantly increases seismic forces in buildings. While lightweight aluminum foam sandwich (AFS) composite slabs offer radical mass reduction, their global seismic performance and interaction with diaphragm flexibility in RC frames remain underexplored. This study presents a linear elastic comparative analysis of pure RC moment frames (1–6 stories), contrasting traditional slabs with AFS slabs under both rigid and semi-rigid diaphragm assumptions. All models were optimally designed to meet identical Eurocode serviceability and stability limits, ensuring a fair comparison via response spectrum analysis. Results show that AFS slabs reduce total structural weight by 33.5–45.9%. This mass reduction, combined with period elongation in semi-rigid models, substantially decreases elastic seismic demands: story shear forces are reduced by 30.9–45.1% for rigid-diaphragm models and by up to 64.3% for semi-rigid ones, while column axial loads decrease by up to 33.7%. All systems satisfied code drift and stability criteria. It is concluded that AFS slabs can dramatically lower seismic mass and elastic force demands while maintaining serviceability, with semi-rigid action providing additional reductions. These conclusions are derived from linear elastic analysis and are applicable to pure frame systems; nonlinear performance and behavior in dual systems require future investigation.
AtıfScopus1WoS1OpenAlex1İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ2Multi-scale greening dynamics in Türkiye’s Ecoregions (2001–2024): the effects of elevation and land cover on NDVI change tendencies
Işık, Fatih; Eraslan, Selim
Understanding vegetation dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems is critical under the pressures of global climate change and anthropogenic activities. This study analyzes vegetation dynamics from 2001 to 2024 in Türkiye’s 13 biodiverse terrestrial ecoregions using a multi-scale approach, focusing not only on the main drivers, but also on the interactive and context-specific role of these factors. Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, integrated through a structured multi-scale framework, we applied statistical methods including the Mann–Kendall test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and LOESS curves optimized with leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) to objectively model non-linear dynamics. The results revealed statistically significant positive NDVI change tendencies in all 13 terrestrial ecoregions (Mann–Kendall test, p < 0.05). Forest-dominated ecoregions exhibited the strongest greening, with Sen’s slope values reaching +0.0032 NDVI year⁻1 in the Euxine–Colchic Broadleaf Forests, whereas steppe ecosystems showed more moderate increases (e.g., Central Anatolian Steppe: + 0.0019 NDVI year⁻1). Across elevation gradients, the most consistent and strongest greening occurred at mid-elevations (500–1500 m; τ ≈ 0.40–0.65), while change tendencies weakened and became more heterogeneous at higher elevations. Land-cover-based analysis further showed that natural vegetation types exhibited the strongest nationwide tendencies (“Trees”: τ = 0.71; “Shrubland”: τ = 0.66), whereas anthropogenically influenced classes displayed weaker or regionally variable responses. Beyond documenting general greening patterns, the original contribution of this study lies in introducing a structured multi-scale framework that integrates long-term MODIS NDVI time series (2001–2024) with ecoregion, elevation, and land cover contexts. This approach enables the objective identification of ecosystem-specific and scale-dependent vegetation dynamics that cannot be captured by conventional single-scale or linear trend-based analyses commonly applied in previous studies in Türkiye.
AtıfWoS1OpenAlex1
İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2018Scopus SJRQ3An Extended Approach of Particle Swarm Optimization for Shoreline Extraction from RASAT Imagery
Catal Reis, Hatice; Bayram, Bülent; Bozkurt, Salih; Ince, Abdulkadir; Demir, Nusret; Seker, Dursun Zafer
This study presents an extended shoreline detection approach from pansharpened images of Turkish RASAT satellite which covers red, green and blue bands of the optical spectrum with 15 m ground resolution and panchromatic band with 7.5 m spatial resolution. The Lake Ercek of Turkey has been selected as the study area, which is a tectonic lake and home to a variety of water birds. The satellite images of the lake taken in 2013 and 2014 were considered for analysis. The proposed shoreline extraction system consists of a sequence of image processing steps in which simple linear clustering (SLIC) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are the main components. SLIC was used to create superpixels that form basis for object-based image analysis while PSO was employed for classifying objects into corresponding classes. The resulting images still contained unwanted artefacts; therefore, a post-processing step was performed to improve the accuracy of segmentation by applying thresholding, morphological processing, and manual editing for noise removal. The proposed framework was applied on two temporal RASAT images to test the variations of defined parameter settings. The success of the proposed system was to obtain shorelines with satisfying accuracy without using NIR band. Finally, the extracted shorelines were vectorised and compared with manually digitized shorelines from pansharpened satellite images for accuracy assessment.
AtıfScopus3WoS2OpenAlex2İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ1Exposure to Violence and Therapeutic Communication in Nursing Students
Erol, Ahmet; Tuncer, Metin
Background: – Workplace violence negatively affects the professional development of nursing students. Objectives: – To investigate nursing students’ exposure to violence, violence-management competence, and therapeutic communication during clinical practice. Methods: – A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study involves 530 nursing students. Data were collected between September 2024 and February 2025 using a Sociodemographic Form, the Workplace Violence Competence Scale, and the Therapeutic Communication Skills Scale. Results: – Violence was reported by 32.8% of students, mainly verbal (60.9%) and psychological (47.1%), often by patients or relatives. Communication skills correlated positively with violence management competence, explaining 18.1% of the variance. Higher self-confidence, problem-solving, voluntary choice of profession, and prior education were associated with better outcomes. Conclusions: – Nursing students are at substantial risk of violence during clinical practice, and their ability to manage it is enhanced by therapeutic communication and supportive factors, underscoring the need to strengthen curricula and faculty preparation.
AtıfScopus1WoS1OpenAlex1İncele - Kitap BölümüYalnız künye2019Main reasons of government reforms in Turkey and the legislation/reform efforts between 1990 and 2007
Kalkişim, Hasan Mahmut
Introduction In today’s world where the idea of “the only thing that does not change is change itself” comes true, dazzling developments in the economic, technological, political, social, and cultural areas materialize, and administrative and economic transformations occur in parallel with these developments. The fact that the wind of change and transformation took place all over the world forced the countries to embrace this wind, and with this effect, the countries with the fear of falling behind began to redesign their economic, political, and administrative structures within the framework of this transformation. In this direction, various modern management approaches have been applied in different countries. Concepts such as total quality management, strategic management, learning organization, and accountability started to be used in the public administration of countries. “New Public Management Approach” which emerged in the international arena especially after the 1980s directs the reform efforts of the countries. In Turkey, citizens from the politicians, businessmen, and scientists to the bureaucrats, small shopkeepers, and ordinary people express that there is a need for the re-arrangement of public sphere, and public sphere needs to be designed in such a way that it provides services at a sufficient and effective level (Parlak, 2005: 182). Historically, the reform efforts in Turkey started in Ottoman Empire time. Reform efforts took the form of westernization after the political reforms made in the Ottoman Empire in 1839 (called Tanzimat in Turkish). Reform efforts did not change its….
- BildiriYalnız künye2018The Relationship between Corruption and Tax Burden: The Moderator Effect of Strength of Auditing and Reporting Standards
Yesilcelebi, Gul; Keyifli, Nazli
The aim of this study is to examine the moderator effect of strength of auditing and reporting standards on the relationship between corruption and tax burden in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The study was conducted on annual data during the period 2011–2015 about the corruption, tax burden and strength of auditing and reporting standards of OECD member countries. In this context, data of corruption (Corruption Perceptions Index – CPI) were collected from Transparency International – the Global Coalition against Corruption; data of tax burden were collected from International Monetary Fund (IMF) database, and data of strength of auditing and reporting standards were collected from The Global Competitiveness Reports. The study analysed the relationship between corruption and tax burden and the moderator effect of strength of auditing and reporting standards on the relationship between two variables by the panel data analysis. The results of this analysis showed that have significantly and a negative relationship between corruption and tax burden; strength of auditing and reporting standards have significantly and a positive strengthen relationship between corruption and tax burden.
AtıfScopus1WoS1OpenAlex2İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2025Scopus SJRQ1The 2023 Mw 7.8–7.7 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes were loosely slip-predictable
Vavra, Ellis; Fialko, Yuri; Bulut, Fatih; Garagon, Aslı; Yalvaç, Sefa; Yaltırak, Cenk
Understanding the behavior of large earthquakes over multiple seismic cycles is limited by short time spans of observations compared to recurrence intervals. Most of large instrumentally-recorded earthquakes have occurred on faults lacking well-documented histories of past events. The 2023 Mw 7.8–7.7 Kahramanmaraş earthquake doublet is exceptional as it ruptured multiple segments of the East Anatolian Fault (EAF) system, where historical records of devastating earthquakes span over two millennia. Here, we use historical earthquake records, measurements of interseismic deformation, and published slip models of the 2023 events to evaluate the recurrence patterns of large earthquakes. We compare slip deficit that accrued on each fault segment since the respective penultimate events to the average coseismic slip of the 2023 doublet. We find that the coseismic slip equaled to or exceeded the accumulated slip deficit, suggesting that the slip-predictable recurrence model applies as a lower bound on strain release during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
AtıfScopus12WoS11İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ2Cenozoic Lamprophyres From NE Türkiye: New Constraints on Post-Collisional Metasomatism and Alkaline Magma Origin in the Juvenile Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle
Arslan, Mehmet; Temizel, İrfan; Krmíček, Lukáš; Yücel, Cem
The Middle Eocene (~43 Ma) and Late Miocene (~6 Ma) lamprophyres cropping out as sills from NE Türkiye can be classified as alkaline lamprophyres. These lamprophyres exhibit moderate contents of K2O (2.22–2.59 and 2.58–2.98 wt%), K2O/Na2O ratios (0.78–1.14 and 0.62–0.94) and Mg# (40.55–46.32 and 56.93–61.52), respectively, and low concentrations of mantle compatible elements. The lamprophyres also have a moderate to relatively high abundance of rare earth elements (ΣREEs = 140–159 and 547–604 ppm, respectively) with significantly fractionated REE patterns (LaN/YbN = 6.82–9.10 and 65.17–71.31, respectively), and are enriched in large-ion lithophile and light REEs but depleted in high-field-strength and heavy REEs. The lamprophyres have homogeneous and moderately low (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.705048–0.705474 and 0.705252–0.705401, and nearly uniform εNd(i) values varying from −0.47 to 0.20 and 0.54 to 0.79 and εHf(i) values varying from 4.51–6.71 and 5.83–6.18, respectively. They also have a narrow and moderately high Δ7/4Pb range of 6.19–15.41 and 10.62–10.88 and Δ8/4Pb range of 49.56–56.14 and 46.86–47.99, respectively. Petrological modelling suggests that the parental magmas of both the Eocene and Miocene lamprophyres were generated by the low-degree partial melting of phlogopite-bearing spinel-garnet and amphibole-bearing garnet lherzolite sources, respectively. By integrating whole-rock trace elements and isotope compositions with regional geological observations, we propose that the post-collisional Middle Eocene and Late Miocene lamprophyres in the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt originated from the juvenile subcontinental lithospheric mantle sources metasomatized initially by Neotethyan subduction-related fluids during the Eocene, and subsequently overprinted by delaminated lithosphere-derived carbonate components in the Miocene. The lamprophyres likely record a temporal magmatic response to lithospheric delamination and regional thermal upwelling associated with Eocene extensional tectonics, followed by lithospheric thinning during the Miocene in a post-collisional tectonic setting.
AtıfScopus1OpenAlex1İncele - Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Quaternary palaeoenvironmental archives of the Indian subcontinent and their imprint on herpetofaunal biogeography: A multi-proxy synthesis
Kurnaz, Muammer
This review presents the first integrated proxy, mechanism and biotic-response framework for the Indian Quaternary, linking the Subcontinent's dense network of palaeoenvironmental archives to the biogeographic trajectory of its endemic herpetofauna. Speleothem δ18O records, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal sediment cores, Karewa and peninsular lake sequences, Siwalik and Narmada alluvium, and Kurnool cave deposits together document Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) variability on orbital, millennial, centennial and historical timescales (the historical band here denoting the past ∼2000 years, resolved by dated speleothem and documentary records). Against this proxy backbone, the fossil and molecular phylogeographic record of Indian amphibians and reptiles is evaluated as a biogenic assemblage here, the body of biological evidence (fossils, subfossils and the phylogeographic signatures of living taxa) that, like pollen or foraminifera, records past environmental conditions that complements geological and climatological archives. Three patterns emerge. At orbital scale, ISM variability aligns with Plio–Pleistocene diversification slowdowns in Western Ghats ranoids and with the Late Pliocene lineage divergence of the Himalayan toad Duttaphrynus himalayanus across the Thakkhola basin. Abrupt Holocene excursions, including the 8.2 ka and 4.2 ka events, are resolved at high precision in speleothem and marine archives but remain untested against coalescent demographic inference in Indian herpetofauna. Late Pleistocene aridity, most severe at the Last Glacial Maximum, coincides with community-level impoverishment in peninsular cave faunas at Kurnool, although the available evidence establishes co-occurrence rather than a demonstrated causal role for aridity relative to co-varying thermal and vegetation change. Three proxy-calibrated research priorities follow: microvertebrate taphonomy in Narmada and Karewa sequences, population genomics tied to speleothem chronology, and species-distribution hindcasting to the LGM, mid-Holocene and 4.2 ka intervals. The synthesis contributes to a biogenic assessment of Quaternary-to-Recent climate impacts on life on the Indian Subcontinent, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), and supports future projections of amphibian and reptile response to ongoing change.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Thermal Energy Storage Performance of EPCM-Impregnated Moss Biomass Placed in OKAL Chipboard for Use in Building Envelopes and Interior Space Separation
Can, Ahmet; Erata, Hüseyin; Gencel, Osman; Erol, Tuğçenur Bayraktar; Sarı, Ahmet; Batan, Nevzat
This study develops an innovative thermal energy storage approach for lightweight building systems by using eutectic phase change material (EPCM)-impregnated moss biomass (Cp/EPCM) in the internal voids of OKAL chipboard (OKS-Cp/EPCM). A high latent heat storage (LHS) capacity of 121.4 J/g was achieved with a 72% EPCM loading. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the OKS-Cp/EPCM decreased from 0.15074 W/m·K to 0.109 W/m·K. Thermal imaging results showed that the OKS-Cp/EPCM improved thermal comfort by reducing the surface temperature by approximately 10.5 °C in hot environments and providing an approximately 1 °C higher surface temperature in cold environments. However, TGA analyses revealed that the thermal resistance of the composite was limited. Relative humidity results also indicated that Cp/EPCM positively contributed to the moisture regulation performance of the board. Based on these results, OKS-Cp/EPCM offers a promising solution for the development of energy-efficient and thermally comfortable lightweight building elements.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Rethinking sexual response: are erogenous zones—including nipple stimulation—more than secondary stimuli? A meta-analysis
Yildiz Karaahmet, Aysu; Karakas, Sevda; Bilgic, Fatma Sule
Objectives: The nipple, a key erogenous zone in female sexual response, is often insufficiently considered in clinical practice, and scientific studies on nipple stimulation are limited. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the effect of nipple stimulation on sexual response and sexual satisfaction in young women. Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, studies were identified through a search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases without any year restrictions. Results: A total of nine studies (~1276 participants) were included in the systematic review. Of these, six studies (390 intervention, 441 control; n = 831) contributed to the meta-analysis of sexual response/orgasm outcomes, and six studies (655 intervention, 621 control; n = 1276) contributed to the meta-analysis of sexual satisfaction. Nipple stimulation significantly improved sexual response [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.51, P < .00001] and sexual satisfaction (SMD = 0.59, P = .005). Discussion: Nipple stimulation may be used as a supportive method to enhance sexual function and sexual satisfaction in young women. It may be considered as a complementary approach to sexual counseling and therapy, particularly for women experiencing sexual aversion, difficulty with arousal, and orgasm problems. This meta-analysis suggests that nipple stimulation may have a moderate positive effect on sexual response and sexual satisfaction in young women; however, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited age range of the included population and the heterogeneity across studies.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ4Covalent Immobilization of Glutathione-S-Transferase onto Magnetic Iron Nanoparticles via Epichlorohydrin Spacer Arm
Kemal Caglar, M.; Gulesci, Nuri; Bilgin, Ramazan; Yucebilgic, Guzide
This study examined the synthesis of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and the covalent immobilization of glutathione-S-transferase (GSTs) onto these nanoparticles using an epichlorohydrin (ECH) spacer arm, as well as the optimal reaction conditions for both free and immobilized enzymes and the reusability of the immobilized enzyme. The optimal pH values for free and immobilized enzymes were established as 7.0 and 6.0, respectively. It was found that the ideal temperature for both free and immobilized enzymes was 37 and 40°C, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the values of V_max for glutathione (GSH) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) substrates of free GSTs enzyme were measured as 204.8 U/mg prot. and 194.3 U/mg prot., respectively. The immobilized GSTs enzyme's CDNB and GSH substrates had V_max values of 33.29 U/mg prot. and 33.08 U/mg prot., respectively. The free GSTs enzyme's CDNB and GSH substrates have K_m values of 0.201 mM and 0.1873 mM, respectively. GSH and CDNB have K_m values of 0.3042 mM and 0.2523 mM, respectively. At various temperatures, we contrasted the thermal stability of free and immobilized GSTs. The immobilized GSTs enzyme retained 50% of its activity after 20 reuses. After 30 days of storage at 25°C and 4°C, it was discovered that 18% and 32% of the free GSTs enzyme activity were preserved, and 30 days of storage at 25°C and 4°C resulted in 20% and 41% preserved enzyme activity for the immobilized enzyme, respectively.
