WoS İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12573/394

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Unveiling the Therapeutic Role of 3D-Cultured Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Diabetic Foot Ulcers through Transcriptomic Integration and Fibroblast Modulation
(Springer, 2026) Ozturk, Esengul; Bicer, Mesude
Background Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus and remain difficult to manage due to chronic inflammation, defective angiogenesis, delayed tissue repair, which increase the risk of recurrence and limb amputation. Standard treatments, such as debridement, infection management, pressure off-loading and revascularization, are commonly used, however; these interventions often inadequate to fully restore effective wound repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted remarkable interest due to their potential regenerative ability and paracrine activity. Nevertheless, the molecular interaction between MSCs and fibroblasts under hyperglycemic conditions has not been fully elucidated. Objective This study aimed to examine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with DFUs and MSC-related regenerative mechanisms using transcriptomic datasets (such as GSE143735, GSE199939, and GSE217709). Methods and results Differentially expressed genes and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed to determine central regulatory genes. Four key genes including CXCL1, MMP9, THBS1, and POSTN were recognized as hub genes related to inflammatory response, extracellular matrix reorganization, and angiogenesis. For experimental validation, L929 murine fibroblasts were exposed to high-glucose conditions to set-up an in vitro diabetic model and subsequently treated with MSCs with/without a 3D platform. Hyperglycemic conditions significantly reduced fibroblast proliferation and migration downregulated the expression of the identified hub genes and enhanced apoptotic activity. MSC treatment partially increased cellular function, while MSCs embedded into 3D culture enhanced a more pronounced recovery in both gene expression patterns and functional assays. Conclusions These findings suggest that high glucose impair fibroblast functions for wound repair, while 3D-cultured MSCs enhance regenerative responses and may represent a promising strategy for diabetic wound healing.
TEffectBayes: A Nextflow Pipeline for Exploring the Potential Effect of Transposable Elements in Gene Regulatory Network with Multi-Omic Bayesian Network Model
(Springer Heidelberg, 2026) Karakülah, Gökhan; Güner, Hüseyin; Kutlu, Necati Kaan
Transposable elements (TEs) are critical contributors to gene regulatory networks, yet their repetitive and abundant nature complicates efforts to elucidate their precise regulatory roles. While existing computational tools facilitate systematic identification of associations between TEs and gene expression, these methods typically cannot account for confounding variables or capture causal and directional interactions. To address these limitations, we developed TEffectBayes, a Nextflow-based pipeline leveraging a multi-omic Bayesian network (BN) framework designed to systematically infer directional, probabilistic regulatory dependencies involving TEs. TEffectBayes integrates diverse omics datasets, including RNA-seq-derived gene and locus-specific TE expression, along with ChIP-seq-based histone modification data processed via custom R and Python scripts. Integrated multi-omic datasets are subsequently employed to build gene-centric Bayesian models, enabling robust inference of context-dependent, probabilistic relationships between TEs, chromatin modifications, and gene expression. TEffectBayes thus provides a reproducible and scalable computational framework for unraveling the complex regulatory landscape shaped by TEs. In summary, TEffectBayes supports systematic prioritization of TE-chromatin-gene regulatory candidates for downstream benchmarking and experimental validation, enabling hypothesis-driven follow-up studies in diverse biological contexts. The pipeline, along with comprehensive user tutorials and example datasets, is publicly accessible at https://github.com/nkaan-kutlu/TEffectBayes.
Targeting Cholinergic Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation through Rationally Designed Thieno[3,2-d]Pyrimidine Hybrids
(Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 2026) Acar, Ozden Ozgun; Acar, Busra; Senol, Halil; Tokali, Feyzi Sinan; Sen, Alaattin; Demir, Yeliz; Cakir, Furkan
Neurodegenerative diseases involve the convergence of cholinergic dysfunction, neuronal loss, and sustained neuroinflammatory responses, necessitating the development of multifunctional therapeutic agents. In this study, a series of novel thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine-phenolic Mannich base hybrids were rationally designed, synthesized, and evaluated as dual cholinesterase inhibitors with neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory potential. The synthesized compounds exhibited potent inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar range. Among them, compounds 5 and 9 emerged as the most active derivatives, displaying Ki values of 8.79 and 14.11 nM for AChE and 7.04 and 11.75 nM for BChE, surpassing the reference inhibitors tacrine and donepezil. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations supported the experimental findings, and Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) binding free energy calculations further confirmed their superior binding affinities compared with donepezil. Cytotoxicity profiling in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and RAW 264.7 and THP-1 immune cells identified a narrow sub-cytotoxic concentration window (EC05-EC10 = 1.2-2.1 mu M), ensuring biological effects independent of nonspecific cell damage. Within this range, both compounds exerted pronounced antineuroinflammatory activity. Notably, compound 9 significantly downregulated pro-inflammatory mediators, reducing IL-1 beta, IL-6, and NF-kappa B1 gene expression by up to 2.78-, 3.37-, and 4.84-fold, respectively. Consistently, it suppressed nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages to levels comparable with ascorbic acid and markedly decreased Iba1 expression in activated THP-1 cells. This integrated enzymatic, computational, and cellular investigation identifies compounds 5 and 9 as promising multifunctional lead combining dual cholinesterase inhibition with robust anti-neuroinflammatory activity. The results provide a strong foundation for future in vivo studies and further optimization toward disease-modifying agents for neurodegenerative disorders.
Prosocial Behavior as Bridge and Buffer: Exploring Its Dual Role between Stress and Mental Health in Emerging Adults
(Springer, 2026) Coskun, Muhammet; Arslan, Gokmen; Genc, Emel; Caprara, Gian Vittorio
The present study investigated the dual role of prosocial behavior among emerging adults in a non-Western cultural con-text. Within this scope, first, adaptation and validation of the Adult Prosocialness Behavior Scale (PBS) was carried out for Turkish population. Then, it tested both mediating and moderating functions of prosocial behavior in the links from stress to subjective wellbeing (SWB) and quality of life. To this end, a sample of 419 emerging adults (41.3% males and 58.7% females) completed an online survey. Results revealed Turkish version of the APBS to be a reliable and valid mea-surement tool for assessing prosocial behavior. Regarding the main hypotheses, serial multiple mediation analysis revealed that perceived stress predicted quality of life through the sequential pathway of prosocial behavior and SWB. Additionally, the moderated-mediation analysis confirmed the moderating role of prosocial behavior in the relationship between stress. Nevertheless, moderated mediation index did not reveal a significant conditional indirect effect of prosocial behavior for the indirect path from stress on quality of life through SWB. Overall, findings suggest that prosocial behavior plays a dual role as both a 'bridge' (mediator) and a 'buffer' (moderator) in the relationship between stress and mental health.
Recent Progress in the Beneficiation of Iron-Manganese Ores: An Overview
(Pleiades Publishing Ltd, 2025) Top, Soner
Iron-manganese (Fe-Mn) ores are essential for steelmaking, ferroalloy production, and emerging energy technologies, yet their beneficiation is challenging due to the close association of Fe and Mn oxides and their overlapping physicochemical properties. This review assesses key processing strategies, including gravity separation, magnetic methods, flotation, reduction roasting, and selective reductive leaching. Physical beneficiation offers limited upgrades, being constrained by mineral liberation and ore texture. Reduction roasting with carbonaceous or hydrogen reductants exploits the different reduction stabilities of Fe and Mn oxides, creating magnetic contrasts for effective separation. Hydrometallurgical techniques based on reductive leaching also show strong potential, particularly with biomass-derived or organic reductants, achieving manganese recoveries often above 90-99%. A central focus is the use of Ellingham and Eh-pH diagrams as predictive tools for selective separation. Ellingham diagrams outline the thermodynamic stabilities of Fe and Mn oxides, guiding roasting design, while Eh-pH diagrams describe dissolution behavior under varying acidity and redox conditions, enabling leaching optimization. Integrating these frameworks with experimental evidence demonstrates how thermodynamic and electrochemical principles can improve process selectivity. No single technique universally addresses Fe-Mn beneficiation challenges; instead, hybrid flowsheets combining physical, thermal, and hydrometallurgical routes tailored to ore characteristics are most effective. Future research should prioritize low-carbon and sustainable approaches such as hydrogen roasting, bio-reductant leaching, and zero-waste systems. This review thus provides both a synthesis of current advances and a roadmap for sustainable Fe and Mn resource recovery.
Sensitive Hybrid Plasmonic Refractive Index Sensor Based on Ag Cross-Grating Nanoantenna and Au Quantum Dot upon SiO2 Nanowire
(IOP Publishing Ltd, 2026) Sanli, Atif Kerem; Kilic, Veli Tayfun; Tabaru, Timucin Emre
This study presents a distinctive hybrid plasmonic sensor architecture combining a silver (Ag) cross-shaped nanoantenna with a gold (Au) quantum dot (QD) for enhanced refractive index sensing applications. The structure consists of a silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrate and a cylindrically shaped SiO2 wire on it, topped with a silicon nitride (Si3N4) dielectric layer and an Ag cross grating, with an Au QD positioned at the center. Using free and open source 3D Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations, exceptional electric field enhancement at the resonant wavelength of approximately 639-667 nm is demonstrated. The optimized structure achieves remarkable quality factors (Q-factors) exceeding 267 for biological media, representing among the highest reported values for plasmonic sensing structures. Unlike conventional red-shift sensors, our design exhibits a distinctive blue-shift sensing behavior arising from hybrid plasmonic mode coupling, achieving sensitivities ranging from 190 to 344 nm RIU-1 for various analytes, including water, blood, PDMS, body fat, ethanol, and glass. The ultrasharp resonances (FWHM similar to 2.3 nm) combined with intense field enhancement make this design highly suitable for biosensing applications.
Production of Waste-Based Lightweight Geopolymer Concretes Using Calcined Bentonite, Fly Ash, Slag, and Expanded Polystyrene Granules
(Taylor & Francis Inc, 2026) Top, Soner; Nussrat Shukur Shukur, Yasir; Vapur, Hüseyin
This study investigates the production of environmentally friendly lightweight geopolymer concretes utilizing fly ash (FA) as the primary precursor with calcined calcium bentonite (CCB), ferrochrome slag (SG), and expanded polystyrene (EPS) as supplementary components. A Box-Behnken design was employed to investigate the combined effects of CCB and SG additions, along with the solid-to-liquid ratio, on the compressive strength. Moderate CCB incorporation, particularly around 10%, improved mechanical performance, achieving strengths above 48 MPa, with a maximum of 51.33 MPa at 90 degrees C for a mix containing 5% CCB and 5% SG. Higher CCB dosages (>20%) reduced strength due to matrix dilution, while SG showed limited contribution at elevated levels. Incorporation of EPS granules reduced density to as low as 1292 kg/m & sup3;, yet compressive strengths between 25 and 30 MPa were maintained in mixes with 10% CCB and 0.3% EPS. SEM-EDX analysis confirmed dense geopolymer matrices in FA-CCB composites, whereas SG particles appeared less integrated. These results confirm the potential for producing high-strength, lightweight geopolymer concretes through the effective valorization of waste. The combined use of FA, CCB, SG, and EPS offers a sustainable pathway for resource-efficient construction that supports circular resource utilization.
Pressure-Induced Polyamorphic Transition and Stepwise Ordering to Superhard B-Doped Diamond-like BC3
(Elsevier Science SA, 2026) Durandurdu, Murat
We employ constant-pressure ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the pressure-induced phase transformations of amorphous BC3, which initially possesses a graphite-like layered structure. Our simulations reveal a first-order polyamorphic transition marked by a significant volume collapse and an increase in atomic coordination from a predominantly sp(2) network to a dense, tetrahedrally coordinated sp(3) network. Subsequent thermal annealing of the high-pressure phase uncovers a multi-step ordering process involving a metastable paracrystalline intermediate that bridges the high-density amorphous state and a thermally induced boron-doped diamond-like phase. All high-pressure phases are quenchable to ambient conditions, importantly retaining their semiconducting electronic structures across these transformations. Mechanical characterization demonstrates substantial stiffening, with bulk moduli ranging similar to 252 to 323 GPa. These findings illuminate novel and accessible routes to superhard semiconducting BC3 phases stabilized by pressure and temperature, with the boron-doped diamond-like phase identified as a metastable superhard semiconductor that is thermodynamically favored over the amorphous precursor but kinetically accessible only via the stepwise pathway described. This offers promising directions for advanced material design under extreme conditions.
Parametric Study on the Behavior of CFRP-Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams with Cut Circular Web Openings in Shear Spans
(Nature Portfolio, 2026) Yagmur, Eren
Web openings in reinforced concrete deep beams are often necessary for functional purposes but substantially reduce structural performance. Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthening is commonly employed to mitigate these effects. Previous studies typically examined openings in regions without stirrups or assumed closed stirrup configurations, overlooking the frequent stirrup damage that occurs in practice due to the high shear reinforcement in deep beams. In this study, three specimens from a prior experimental program were modeled in ABAQUS, and the numerical results were validated against experimental data. Openings of varying diameters were introduced by cutting reinforcements, and the beams were subsequently strengthened with CFRP laminates, and a parametric study was conducted. Results showed that increasing opening diameter markedly reduces load-carrying capacity and energy absoption, while thicker CFRP laminates partially restore performance. For example, a 300 mm opening in a 500 mm high unstrengthened beam reduced load capacity by 56% and energy absorption by 87%. Even when the opening diameter was less than one-third of the beam height, 1.8 mm CFRP laminates provided only limited improvement. Deep beam performance was strongly influenced by web opening size, and the effectiveness of CFRP strengthening was limited when stirrup integrity was compromised.
Integrative Bioinformatics Prediction of West Nile Virus-Derived microRNAs Reveals Potential Host Regulatory Interactions
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2026) Demirci, Muserref Duygu Sacar; Orhan, Mehmet Emin; Erginkoc, Altay Nida; Saçar Demirci, Müşerref Duygu
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus linked to severe neuroinvasive disease. Although host and vector microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in viral infection, the presence and functional relevance of WNV-encoded miRNAs remain largely unexplored. Here, we developed an integrative bioinformatics pipeline that combines multiple miRNA prediction algorithms with secondary structure screening and host transcriptomic data to identify high-confidence candidate WNV-derived mature miRNAs. Overlap-based confidence scoring and differential expression support from RNA-seq datasets prioritized a small subset of putative miRNA-mRNA interactions with potential roles in infection-associated gene regulation. A competitive endogenous RNA network constructed from predicted mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA targets highlighted pathways involving innate immunity, GPCR and Wnt signaling, RNA degradation, and viral replication. Together, these findings provide a reproducible computational workflow and nominate testable regulatory interactions for future experimental validation.
Feasibility Analysis of Granitic Rocks for Use in the Dimension Stone Industry
(Univ Zagreb, FAC Mining, Geology & Petroleum Engineering, 2026) Koken, Ekin
This study presents two objective evaluation tools for assessing the feasibility of granitic rocks in dimension stone applications. The developed methods integrate fundamental physical and mechanical properties, including dry density (rho d), effective porosity (ne), P-wave velocity (Vp), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and Böhme abrasion value (BAV). Feasibility analyses based on the conditional formatting (CF) and ranking method RM reveal that the adopted input parameters are essential for determining the suitability of granitic rocks as dimension stones. The strong relationship between the CF and RM results highlights their consistency and broad applicability. Both methods exhibit good agreement with the recommendations of the American standard for granitic rocks. Consequently, the suggested methods provide practical guidance for selecting suitable rock exposures in field studies, also offering a time- and energy-efficient decision-making framework for the dimension stone industry. To comprehensively evaluate the strengths and limitations of the proposed approaches, it is recommended that these tools be applied to a wider range of dimension stone types and geological settings.
Harnessing Raw Materials in Cement Plants for the Production of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement
(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2026) Atasever, Muhammet; Erdogan, Sinan Turhan
Reliance on kaolinite clay in limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) can create availability issues. This study compared a kaolinitic clay obtained from an industrial pit with four other clays used as sources of silica in cement plants, exploring their potential for LC3 production. Three cements were prepared; gray, white, and a composite cement with slag, to investigate the interaction and synergy between the clinker and clay in LC3. Inert quartz was used to replace the clay, limestone, or both components of the mixtures, to evaluate their separate and combined effects on strength, mineralogy, and heat evolution. Several of the LC3 mortars made with the non-kaolinite clays had higher 1-7 d strengths, by up to 60 %, than the LC3 with gray cement and kaolinite which reached similar to 48 MPa strength at 28 d). Carboaluminate formation depends on clinker type, while its quantity is influenced more by the type of calcined clay.
Effects of a Period and a Contact Angle on Absorption Performance of Hemispherical-Shell-Shaped Organic Photovoltaic Cells
(SPIE-Soc Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, 2026) Hah, Dooyoung
For wearable electronics applications, organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are good candidates as sources of renewable energy. Many efforts have been devoted to increasing energy conversion efficiency in OPV cells, and improvement in light retention has been one of the main research directions. Within this context, our group recently proposed an OPV cell structure with a hemispherical-shell-shaped (HSS) active layer and discovered that it has high potential for substantial enhancement in absorption performance. As a continuation of the study, this paper reports an in-depth investigation of the proposed device, examining the effects of several design parameters on its absorption performance. Using finite element analysis, it is found that the absorption performance depends on the periodicity type, and that a hexagonal type results in higher absorption than a square one due to its closer shape resemblance to a circular cross-section. The absorption performance is also affected by a contact angle, i.e., the angle made between a sphere and a flat part of the structure. It is learned that the average integrated absorption generally increases along with the contact angle, which saturates at around 80 deg of contact angle. Lastly, the effects of a cell period are studied, and it turns out that the average integrated absorption decreases as the period increases. It is also observed that at high incidence angles (>similar to 75 deg ), an array with a shorter period results in lower absorption than one with a longer period owing to a partial obstruction issue. All of these results support the understanding that the primary contribution of absorption enhancement in the proposed HSS structure comes from improved light retention rather than from a simple advantage in active layer volume. It is envisaged that these study outcomes will provide important guidelines in the design of HSS OPV cells.
Environmental Sustainability in Fragile States: The Role of Corruption Control, Political Stability, and Household Consumption in Somalia
(Springer, 2026) Mohamed, Amir Mohamud; Warsame, Abdimalik Ali; Dirie, Khadar Ahmed
The maintenance of environmental sustainability represents a worldwide pressing issue, especially for Somalia as an emerging nation that deals with environmental degradation because of unstable political leadership combined with corruption and financial limitations. This study analyzes the impact of corruption control, political stability, and household consumption on environmental degradation in Somalia. The study employs the kernel regularized machine learning method (KRLS) and a time-varying Granger causality approach. The KRLS addresses regression and classification tasks without depending on assumptions of linearity or additivity, whereas the time-varying Granger causality fixes instabilities caused by structural breaks, regime shifts, and provides a cause-effect relationships for specific years. The empirical results of the KRLS indicate that corruption control enhances environmental quality by reducing environmental degradation, whereas household consumption impedes it. Additionally, political stability has no discernible impact on environmental degradation. The time-varying Granger causality result revealed no significant causality from corruption control to environmental degradation in the forward and rolling windows. Two episodes of Granger causalities (2009-2011 and 2013-2016) are observed from corruption control to environmental degradation, and one episode of causality (2001-2004) from political stability to environmental degradation was detected in the recursive result. Finally, four episodes of causalities (2005-2007, 2008-2011, and 2014-2015) are observed from household consumption to environmental degradation in Somalia in the recursive result. This could be justified by the fact that climate consequences-droughts and floods-inhibit livelihood sources such as livestock and agriculture. Hence, people put pressure on forests in search of alternative income sources. Nevertheless, the study delivers practical recommendations to policymakers about using governance structures and economic decisions along with institutional mechanisms for creating sustainable environmental practices.
Comparative Analysis of Material Footprints in Electricity Generation of Deep Learning-Based Prediction Model and Energy Development Scenarios
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2026) Celik, Yasin; Unlu, Ramazan; Algorabi, Omer; Kocakaya, Mustafa Nabi; Aktog, Mehmet Arif; Namli, Ersin
Escalating global production and consumption are driving rapid growth in energy demand, increasing pressure on finite natural resources. In response, this study proposes a data-driven framework that integrates deep learning-based electricity demand forecasting with economy-wide input-output material footprint analysis to support long-term energy planning and policymaking. The innovative aspect of this framework is its ability to jointly assess future electricity generation and related material requirements within a single analytical structure. A comparative analysis is conducted for Türkiye, Germany, and Spain, evaluating the material footprint of electricity generation across renewable and fossil-based energy sources under business-as-usual (BAU) and alternative energy development scenarios. The forecasting models demonstrate strong predictive performance, achieving Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) values of 1.39% for Türkiye, 4.39% for Germany, and 3.90% for Spain, significantly outperforming conventional statistical methods. Scenario-based results indicate that sustainability-oriented pathways (ST and GCA) can reduce material requirements by approximately 20-30% compared to the BAU scenario, particularly for metal-intensive inputs such as iron and refined oil. The findings underscore the importance of integrating material footprint considerations into energy transition strategies and provide practical insights for policymakers seeking to balance energy security with resource sustainability. The study highlights the value of integrated analytical approaches in supporting more resilient and resource-efficient energy systems.
Borax-Doped Fe2O3 and CeO2 Nanoparticles Regulate Dose-Dependently Inflammation, the Cell Cycle, and Migration in LPS-Activated THP-1 Cells
(Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 2026) Sulak, Mine; Ceylan Ekiz, Yağmur; Şen, Alaattin; Acar, Büşra; Çelik Turgut, Gurbet; Aktaş Pepe, Nihan
This study examined the biological effects of borax-doped Fe2O3 and CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated THP-1 cells. The morphology and composition of the nanocomposites were confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Cell viability (resazurin and crystal violet assays), apoptosis/necrosis (annexin V/propidium iodide [PI]), cell cycle (flow cytometry), migration (scratch assay), and inflammatory response (Iba1 immunofluorescence staining, inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] activity, and RT-PCR) were evaluated. The particle sizes ranged from 21.34 to 33.47 nm (Fe2O3-B-NPs) and 31.07 to 36.62 nm (CeO2-B-NPs). The IC10 and IC50 dose ranges were defined for each nanocomposite and applied across different cell lines to evaluate dose-dependent biological effects. Fe2O3-B-NPs altered cell cycle progression, increasing the number of S phase cells. Both nanocomposites promoted migration at low doses but inhibited it at high doses. CeO2-B-NPs reduced Iba1 levels, whereas Fe2O3-B-NPs increased inflammatory marker levels at higher concentrations. CeO2-B-NPs suppressed TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta gene expression at the IC50 dose, while both nanocomposites reduced iNOS activity. These results indicate that the dose-dependent effects of nanocomposites should be carefully evaluated.
A Conceptual Framework for Social Sustainability in Facade Design
(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2026) Utkan, Muharrem Melih; Metin, Buket
This research examines how participatory design can be used to bring social sustainability principles into the facade design industry, where technical and economic priorities often dominate. Drawing on a review of literature and five semi-structured interviews with architects, facade consultants, and facade system designers in Türkiye, the study identifies recurring gaps in timing, collaboration, and responsibility that limit the consideration of social sustainability criteria. These gaps are then used as the basis for a conceptual framework that maps social sustainability principles across the phases of facade design and specifies points where participatory methods could make a difference. The conceptual framework is intended as an exploratory step: it does not offer universal rules, but a structured way of thinking about where and how participation can be introduced in a fragmented and highly technical design process. The contribution lies in extending participatory design research into a specialized design industry context and showing how social sustainability can be translated from broad principles into practical interventions. While the study is based on a small sample and situated within the Turkish industry, the approach points to opportunities for further testing and adaptation in other design environments where collaboration is limited and social concerns remain underdeveloped.
Wireless Communication System Design for Point Machine Detection and Monitoring in Railways
(Springer, 2026) Talu, Burak; Cetin, Fatih; Kilic, Veli Tayfun; Elden, Burakhan; Sanlier, Saban Duran
This paper reports on a wireless communication system that is used in railways to instantly detect and continuously monitor point machine positions. Also, with the system the position information is transmitted wirelessly to a train driver. The designed system is composed of TX and RX units. It has a compact structure and is fully modular. The TX unit of the system is placed near the railway point machines and the RX unit is located on a train. The designed system was constructed, and measurements were obtained on-site. Results show that the system point machine position data were accurately transmitted at 1350 m range which is much longer than the safe braking distance of a train. In addition, the measured 1 s data sampling time of the system allows the driver to continuously monitor current RPM positions as well as state changes. The maximum delay was found to be 3 s in the limit range of the communication. It is found that the system has a low power consumption and the designed system can work for long hours. The findings indicate that the designed wireless communication system has a high potential to be used in railways to prevent accidents and contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of operations.
Views on Climate Change, Climate Action and Mental Health, in Young People with and without Existing Depression Symptoms: A Qualitative Study
(Elsevier, 2026) Kaya, M. Siyabend; Hawkins, Ed; McCabe, Ciara
Background: Youth mental health is in crisis. Climate change has the potential to tip more young people into depression and anxiety. Knowing how young people with and without depression symptoms view climate change could guide interventions to mitigate against climate induced mental health issues. Materials and Methods: We carried out in-depth, semi-structured interviews with (N = 27) young people aged 18-25 (M-age = 20.3 years). Participants were grouped as healthy controls (C, N = 16, < 16 score on Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, MFQ) or had high depression symptoms (HD, N = 11, >= 27, MFQ). Using thematic analysis, we explored participants views on climate change, climate action, climate messaging, climate agency and mental health. Results: From the interviews, eight key themes emerged: (1) Negative environmental events - Climate change was understood as ranging from weather changes to natural disasters. (2) Mental health impacts - Most participants reported increased anxiety and depression, with the HD group being more pessimistic about climate change prevention. (3) Benefits of action - Focus on individual efforts. (4) Non-disruptive vs. disruptive actions - Preference for non-disruptive solutions. (5) Hope and Fear in climate messaging - balance is needed. (6) Local and global action - Emphasis on combining both approaches. (7) Leadership - Responsibility placed on politicians, institutions, and environmentalists. (8) Shared responsibility - Families, educators, governments, and celebrities all have a role in climate action. Conclusion: These findings offer valuable insights into the perspectives of young people with and without existing symptoms of depression. Notably, identifying differences-such as varying levels of climate pessimism-based on depression status highlights the importance of climate communication strategies that not only effectively address climate change but also safeguard youth mental health. This is important as those with existing depression symptoms may be more vulnerable to the psychological impacts of climate change.
Understanding the Role of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome Associated FLCN-1 In Cilia
(Springer Nature, 2025) Pucak, Damla; Kaplan, Oktay I.; Cevik, Sebiha

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