WoS İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12573/394
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Article Structural Optimization for Robotic Concrete Construction: A Systematic Review(MDPI, 2026) Gürer, Ethem; Pektaş, Ömer Korkut; Alaçam, Sema; Güzelci, Orkan Zeynel; Çevik, Ayşe Nesligül; Türel, Ahmet; Özdemir, SalihConcrete construction is associated with high environmental impact and geometric limitations imposed by conventional formwork, which has led to growing interest in combining structural optimization with robotic fabrication. In this study, structural optimization refers to computational methods such as topology optimization, shape optimization, and form finding that aim to improve material efficiency and load-bearing performance by modifying the geometry of structural elements. This systematic review investigates how these optimization approaches are translated into fabrication-aware design workflows for robotic concrete construction. Following a PRISMA-based methodology, 90 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed. The review focuses on fabrication routes including (i) 3D concrete printing, (ii) 3D-printed formwork, (iii) shotcrete-based additive manufacturing, and (iv) controlled casting systems, and examines how each route constrains geometry representation, design decisions, toolpath generation, and robotic execution. The review analyzes design-to-fabrication workflows that link optimized structural geometry to production logic and process control. Key findings indicate that incorporating fabrication constraints at early design stages can support buildability and potential material efficiency, while reinforcement integration and quality control remain critical challenges for structural reliability. The review also highlights the increasing role of in situ sensing and feedback-driven automation in improving process stability. Overall, the study clarifies current practices, limitations, and emerging directions for integrating structural optimization with robotic concrete fabrication.Article Radar Resolution Enhancement Based on Burg-Aided MIMO-DBS and Burg-Aided MIMO-SAR †(MDPI, 2026) Bekar, Muge; Bekar, Ali; Baker, Christopher John; Gashinova, Marina; Pirkani, AnumAutonomous systems require sensors that provide high-resolution imagery in adverse lighting and weather conditions for advanced situational awareness. In this regard, radars are a mandatory component of autonomous systems. Although Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radars provide high angular resolution beyond that of their actual physical dimension, much higher cross-range resolutions are required, especially in traffic congested areas, to differentiate and recognize closely positioned targets. The motion of the MIMO radar platform can be exploited to obtain higher cross-range resolution in the off-boresight direction, using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS) techniques, but improvements in the boresight direction, the most crucial direction for path planning, require the use of super-resolution techniques. This paper proposes a technique that combines the Burg algorithm with MIMO-SAR and MIMO-DBS radar data to enhance the cross-range resolution in the boresight direction and to achieve further enhanced cross-range resolution in off-boresight directions. The proposed technique is applied to both frequency domain and time domain data in back-projection (BP) and DBS image formation processing. A comprehensive comparison is made, with evaluation of corresponding performance and operational complexity. The performance of the technique is validated through simulation, lab-based and real-world experiments at a frequency of 77 GHz.Article Functional Characterization of Loss of RNF43 Reveals Neuronal Defects in a Caenorhabditis Elegans Model(MDPI, 2026) Kazan, Hasan Huseyin; Turkyilmaz, Zafer; Ekim, Burcu; Kaya, Cem; Ergun, Mehmet Ali; Sonmez, Kaan; Güzel, SinemRing finger protein 43 (RNF43) encodes a transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligase that negatively regulates canonical Wnt signaling and is classically associated with serrated polyposis syndrome and colorectal cancer. In this study, regarding a homozygous truncating RNF43 variant (NM_001305545.1:c.1906C>T; p.Gln636Ter) in a patient segregating with a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype characterized by developmental delay, neonatal hypotonia, recurrent seizures, progressive microcephaly, and bilateral optic atrophy, the loss of polarity defective 1 (plr-1), an ortholog of RNF43, was modeled in Caenorhabditis elegans and the phenotype was primarily characterized. The results demonstrated that loss of the plr-1 disrupted gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic axon organization, reduced locomotor speed calculated from 60 s recordings, and altered developmental growth. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of RNF43 and support a dosage-dependent developmental role.Article A Steel-Reinforced Recycled Thermoplastic Composite for Wind Turbine Towers: Experimental and Full-Scale Validation(MDPI, 2026) Ciftci, Cihan; Altikaya, Hasan TolgaThe increasing demand for sustainable and lightweight structural systems has motivated the development of alternative materials for wind turbine tower applications, where conventional steel structures are associated with high material consumption and environmental impact. In this study, a novel steel-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composite system is proposed as an alternative structural solution. To enable the design and practical application of such composite systems, the mechanical properties of the recycled thermoplastic matrix were experimentally characterized. Compression and tensile tests revealed average yield strengths of approximately 32 MPa in compression and 7.8 MPa in tension. To account for the environmental conditions encountered in field applications, the temperature-dependent mechanical behavior of the material was investigated. Since the critical mechanical response of the thermoplastic matrix in the composite system is governed by compression rather than tension, the study was limited to compression tests under elevated temperatures. The results show that the compressive yield strength decreases to approximately 31 MPa at 55 degrees C. An analytical model based on the transformed-section approach was also developed to predict the flexural behavior of the composite section and was validated through three-point bending tests, with an analytically predicted yield load of approximately 31.5 kN showing good agreement with experimental results. To assess structural applicability at a larger scale, a full-scale composite wind turbine tower was designed and manufactured, and its dynamic performance was evaluated through field measurements under natural wind loading conditions. The results indicate that the composite tower exhibits comparable dynamic behavior to a conventional steel tower, with a first natural frequency of approximately 3.08 Hz compared to 2.89 Hz for the steel tower, along with enhanced damping characteristics. These findings demonstrate that steel-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composites offer a promising and sustainable alternative for wind turbine tower applications, with potential for broader use in structural systems.Article The Effect of Video Modeling on Gymnastics-Based Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(MDPI, 2026) Bozdag, Berkan; Sonmez, Huseyin Gazi; Turan, Ebru; Aldhahi, Monira I.; Kilinc, Omer; Ergin, Murat; Kocak, Calik VeliBackground and Objectives: While the effectiveness of video modeling (VM) in teaching academic, daily living, and social skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently investigated, studies examining the use of VM in teaching gymnastics-based motor skills are limited. This study aimed to examine the effects of VM on the acquisition and maintenance of a gymnastics-based motor skills in preschool children with ASD. Methods: The study employed a multiple-probe method across participants in a single-subject research design. Three preschool children diagnosed with mild ASD participated in this study. Baseline, intervention, and follow-up data were systematically collected and analyzed. Social validity data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with parents and special education teachers. Results: The percentage of correct responses increased throughout the VM intervention sessions, and all participants reached the proficiency criterion. Follow-up data collected after the intervention showed that the acquired skill was maintained, and the percentages of correct responses ranged from 80% to 100%. Social validity findings revealed that both teachers and parents perceived VM as an effective and feasible teaching approach for teaching motor skills to children with ASD. Conclusions: The research findings demonstrate that VM is an effective and socially valid teaching method for teaching and maintaining gymnastics-based motor skills in preschool children with ASD. These results contribute to the existing literature by demonstrating the applicability of video modeling in the context of gymnastics-based training.Article Performance Evaluation of Multi-Modal Radar Signal Processing in Dense Co-Existent Environments(MDPI, 2026) Norouzian, Fatemeh; Bekar, Muge; Bekar, Ali; Gashinova, Marina; Pirkani, AnumThe wide-scale deployment of radars, distributed across a platform and across multiple platforms for reliable 360 degrees situational awareness (SA), introduces the challenge of radar interference. Interference can broadly be categorised as self-interference (between radars mounted on the same platform) and mutual interference (signals received from radars on other platforms). Both types of interference impede the reliability of SA delivered by such systems, particularly in dense environments where numerous radars operate simultaneously within the same frequency band. This work presents a comprehensive evaluation of a multi-modal beamforming approach that combines unfocused synthetic aperture radar with the traditional Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output beamformer to enhance radar resolution and suppress interference. Additionally, various aspects of sensor configurations defining hardware and software capabilities of state-of-the-art radars are discussed, and a systematic analysis of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio at each step of the processing is presented. Extensive simulations and experimental results in both automotive and maritime environments are shown to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Article Strategic Modeling of Hybrid Smart Micro Energy Communities: A Decision-Oriented Approach(MDPI, 2026-02-10) Perez-Sanchez, Modesto; Coronado-Hernandez, Oscar E.; McNabola, Aonghus; Erdfarb, Alex; Ramos, Helena M.; Demircan, Isil; Koca, KemalHybrid renewable energy systems are increasingly important for enabling sustainable and resilient energy supply in rural smart communities, yet existing tools often lack the ability to integrate environmental variability, multi-technology interactions, and economic-environmental assessment in a unified framework. This study presents Hybrid Smart Micro Energy Community (HySMEC), a novel modeling approach that combines high-resolution meteorological data, technology-specific generation models, detailed demand characterization, and financial analysis to evaluate hybrid configurations of hydropower, solar PV, wind, battery storage, and grid interaction. Hourly simulations capture seasonal dynamics and system behavior under realistic technical efficiencies, investment costs, and emission factors, enabling a transparent assessment of energy flows, self-consumption, and grid dependence. The results show that hybrid systems can achieve competitive economic performance, low Levelized Costs of Energy, and significant CO2 emission reductions across diverse rural community profiles, even when space or demand constraints are present. The analysis confirms the technical feasibility and environmental benefits of integrating multiple renewable sources with storage, highlighting the importance of self-consumption ratios in improving system profitability. Overall, HySMEC provides a robust and scalable tool to support data-driven design and optimization of distributed energy systems, offering valuable insights for researchers, planners, and decision-makers involved in sustainable rural energy development.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Raster Orientation Effects on the Adhesion of iCVD-Deposited PSA Thin Films on FDM-Printed PLA(MDPI, 2026-01-30) Yilmaz, Kurtulus; Gursoy, Mehmet; Gunes, Aydin; Karaman, MustafaThe adhesion performance of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) thin films on additively manufactured polymers is strongly governed by surface anisotropy induced during printing. In this study, PSA thin films based on 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) and acrylic acid (AA) were deposited by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) onto fused deposition modeling (FDM) printed PLA substrates with different raster orientations (0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees). The deposited films exhibited high optical transparency on glass, and thicknesses consistent with the targeted deposition. Adhesion performance was evaluated using tensile and three-point bending tests, revealing a strong dependence on raster orientation. The 0 degrees raster orientation yielded the highest shear adhesion strengths, reaching 12.03 N/cm2 under tensile loading and 4.59 N/cm2 under bending, along with the largest failure displacements. In contrast, specimens printed at 90 degrees exhibited an approximately 47% reduction in tensile shear adhesion strength and limited deformation prior to failure. SEM analysis showed that raster alignment parallel to the loading direction promoted extensive adhesive deformation and PSA fibrillation, whereas higher raster angles resulted in predominantly interfacial debonding. These results demonstrate that raster orientation is a critical design parameter for tuning PSA adhesion on FDM-printed PLA substrates without modifying adhesive chemistry.Article Frequency-Based Deep Occlusion Awareness Instance Segmentation(MDPI, 2026-02-26) Guzel, Yasin; Aydin, Zafer; Talu, Muhammed FatihOne major challenge faced by deep learning-based methods that detect target objects in the form of bounding boxes is object occlusion. High degrees of occlusion significantly diminish the accuracy of instance segmentation. Nonetheless, complex-valued Fourier descriptors can robustly represent object boundaries using minimal information. In this study, the impact of integrating Fourier descriptors-renowned for their strong representational capacity-with deep network models (UNet) that exhibit high generalization performance on instance segmentation accuracy was investigated. Within the scope of the research, nine network models were designed based on different strategies for utilizing frequency components. These variants fall into four strategy families: (i) UNet-style spectrum regression on fixed low-frequency windows (FUNet), (ii) magnitude-guided frequency selection/ROI construction (FUNet-Thr, FUNet-BBox), (iii) sequence models over tokenized FFT coefficients (BiLSTM Patch/Sorted), and (iv) encoder-only spectrum predictors with different depth/capacity (EncoderFFT1/2). To fairly evaluate the models' performance in segmenting objects subjected to disruptive factors (e.g., occlusion, blurring, noise), a specialized synthetic dataset was prepared. The task is formulated as single-target (single-instance), single-class segmentation. This dataset, automatically generated according to initial parameter values, contains images of objects moving at various speeds within a single frame. Among these models, the one termed FUNet, which relies on partial matching of central frequency components, achieved the highest segmentation accuracy despite the disruptive effects. Under the challenging Dataset 8 setting, the proposed FUNet achieved the highest overlap-based performance (Dice = 0.9329, IoU = 0.8842) among Attention U-Net, U-Net, and FourierNet, with statistically significant gains confirmed by paired per-image tests.Article Citation - WoS: 3Citation - Scopus: 3A Novel Biomass-Derived Reductant for Nitric Acid Dissolution of Manganiferous Iron Ore: Comparative Assessment of Organic Reductants(MDPI, 2025-12-31) Top, Soner; Altiner, Mahmut; Vapur, Huseyin; Kursunoglu, Sait; Stopic, SreckoThis study investigates the selective dissolution of manganese from a manganiferous iron ore using nitric acid (HNO3) in the presence of various organic reductants. A series of leaching experiments was performed to evaluate the effects of temperature, reductant type, and leaching time on Mn recovery, with particular emphasis on biomass (horse dung) and tartaric acid as novel reducing agents. The dissolution behaviour of Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, and Al was systematically examined, revealing that Mn extraction was strongly enhanced in the presence of reductants, while Fe dissolution remained below 10% under all conditions. The maximum Mn dissolution exceeded 90% at 90 degrees C using biomass and reached nearly 85%-90% with tartaric acid at elevated temperatures. Kinetic studies were conducted by applying reaction order models and the shrinking core model. The results indicated that Mn dissolution in HNO3 medium is predominantly controlled by surface chemical reaction, with Arrhenius analysis yielding activation energies of 27.74 kJ/mol for biomass and 21.26 kJ/mol for tartaric acid. These relatively low values confirm the efficiency of organic reductants in facilitating Mn reduction and dissolution. To sum up, comparison of reductant efficiency revealed that, at the lowest concentrations, the dissolution of Mn followed the sequence glucose > sucrose > oxalic acid > tartaric acid > maleic acid > biomass > citric acid > acetic acid. At the highest concentrations, the trend shifted, with citric acid emerging as the most effective, followed by tartaric acid > oxalic acid > glucose > sucrose > maleic acid > biomass > acetic acid.