Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu / Scopus Indexed Publications Collection
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/7148
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Article Interaction of Hazelnut-Derived Polyphenols With Biodegradable Film Matrix: Structural, Barrier, and Functional Properties(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026) Hızır-Kadı, I.; Demircan, E.; Özçelik, B.The study presents a sustainable approach to valorizing hazelnut processing by-products, specifically skins and shells, through their conversion into bioactive polyphenol-rich extracts using pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE), an environmentally friendly green technology. PHWE yielded extracts with total phenolic contents of 25.4 mg GAE/g dw (shell) and 83.7 mg GAE/g dw (skin), which were incorporated into biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol)/carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) films at concentrations of 1–3% (w/v). The resulting composites were comprehensively characterized in terms of structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. FTIR, DSC, and XRD analyses demonstrated strong hydrogen bonding, increased thermal stability, and reduced crystallinity due to polyphenol–polymer interactions. Phenolic incorporation enhanced UV-blocking capability, increased antioxidant activity by up to five-fold, and reduced oxygen permeability from 0.048 to 0.015 (cm3·mm·m−2·day−1·atm−1) (69% reduction, p < 0.05), compared to neat PVA while maintaining desirable transparency (>70%). Optimal formulations (HSkE-II) exhibited a 39% increase in elongation at break and improved flexibility without compromising film integrity. Application tests using fresh-cut apples, watermelon, and chicken revealed significant reductions in microbial growth (up to ~1.2 log CFU/g), lipid oxidation, and weight loss during storage, confirming the films’ potential for active food packaging. This work highlights an efficient valorization strategy for nut industry by-products and demonstrates their functional integration into sustainable biodegradable packaging systems. © 2025 by the authors.Article A Study of the Environmental Challenges En Marche Towards Net-Zero: Case Study of Turkish Steel Industry(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026) Özdamar, A.B.; Kaya, M.; Bektas, A.; Bhattacharyya, S.; Şahindoğan, M.; Birat, Jean-Pierre; Dutta, A.The Turkish steel industry aims to reduce its sectoral carbon dioxide (CO<inf>2</inf>) emissions by 55% by 2030, in line with Türkiye’s Paris Agreement commitments and the European Green Deal (EGD), and consistent with the ambition of the European Union’s economy-wide ‘Fit for 55’ emissions-reduction target. Türkiye faces significant challenges in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly as a developing country confronting the impacts of climate change and in the market situation, such as the effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, limited access to affordable raw materials, and rising operational costs. This study serves as a guideline for the Turkish steel sector’s roadmap towards modernization and eventual compliance with net-zero targets. The consideration and integration of new technologies planned for the Turkish steel industry, in both electric arc furnace (EAF) and blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) facilities, have been outlined in conjunction with green hydrogen and with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies. Four different scenarios were analysed to understand the reduction in CO<inf>2</inf> emissions: (1) In a Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario without any reduction, (2) 39.9% CO<inf>2</inf> emission reduction with the Moderate scenario, (3) 59.6% reduction with the Advanced scenario, and (4) 82.9% reduction in CO<inf>2</inf> emissions from the Turkish steel sector with the Net-Zero scenario. To quantify the uncertainty in these long-term projections, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted, generating probabilistic confidence intervals that reinforce the robustness and credibility of the net-zero pathway. The official roadmap for the sector is not available as of today; however, an in-depth discussion with a policy innovation leading to it is the objective of this study. © 2026 by the authors.Article Amino Acid Selection Altered Silver Nanoparticles Morphology and Formation of Silver Oxide Layers(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Bolat, Ş.; Sancak, Z.; Gumus, A.; Yazgan, I.Amino acids are not just monomers of proteins, but they can also carry biological functions. L-cysteine (Cys), L-proline (Pro), L-asparagine (Asn), and L-glutamic acid (Glu) were used to evaluate how different amino acid chemistries alter the morphology and size of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized in the presence of two carbohydrate ligands, which were lactose methoxyaniline (LMA) and galactose 5-aminosalicylic acid (G5AS). UV–vis, infrared (IR), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations revealed that the effect of amino acids on the characteristics of the AgNPs showed dependence on the carbohydrate ligand chemistry. In the case of LMA, AgNPs shifted from aggregates to anisotropic nanoparticles, larger aggregates, and a mixture of anisotropic and 1D nanoparticles in the presence of Cys, Glu, Asn and Pro amino acids, respectively. In contrast to this, the introduction of Cys and Asn caused the formation of cluster-like AgNPs and larger rounded nanoparticles, while G5AS-synthesized AgNPs were multigonal 0D particles. Moreover, Glu and Pro contributed the resistance of silver oxide formation on the particles. Antibacterial characterization showed that LMA_Glu_AgNPs were the most effective ones, while LMA_Cys_AgNPs and G5AS_Cys_AgNPs, which were the smallest AgNPs, did not show any significant antibacterial activity. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Article Dysfunctional K+ Homeostasis as a Driver for Brain Inflammation(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2024) Ozsoy, Nagihan; Dallas, Mark L.The central nervous system (CNS) relies on precise regulation of potassium ion (K+) concentrations to maintain physiology. This regulation involves complex cellular and molecular mechanisms that work in concert to regulate both intracellular and extracellular K+ levels. Inflammation, a key physiological response, encompasses a series of cell-specific events leading to inflammasome activation. Perturbations in K+-sensitive processes can result in either chronic or uncontrolled inflammation, highlighting the intricate relationship between K+ homeostasis and inflammatory signalling. This review explores molecular targets that influence K+ homeostasis and have been implicated in inflammatory cascades, offering potential therapeutic avenues for managing inflammation. We examine both cell-specific and common molecular targets across different cell types, providing a comprehensive overview of the interplay between K+ regulation and inflammation in the CNS. By elucidating these mechanisms, we identify leads for drug discovery programmes aimed at modulating inflammatory responses. Additionally, we highlight potential consequences of targeting individual molecular entities for therapeutic purposes, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach in developing anti-inflammatory strategies. This review considers current knowledge on K+-sensitive inflammatory processes within the CNS, offering critical insights into the molecular underpinnings of inflammation and potential therapeutic interventions. Our findings underscore the importance of considering K+ homeostasis in the development of targeted therapies for inflammatory conditions within the CNS. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Article Citation - Scopus: 1Assessing the Density of Wood in Heritage Buildings’ Elements Through Expedited Semi-Destructive Techniques(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Henriques, Dulce F.; Sen, Ali Umut; Gomes, Maria da GloriaFeatured Application The research presented and justified in this text aims to provide agents involved in the conservation and refurbishment of old timber elements in buildings with a correlation table for interpreting the readings obtained with penetration resistance testing equipment.Abstract Historically, wood has been among the main materials used in heritage buildings. However, the species and mechanical properties of these elements are often unknown. This uncertainty complicates safety assessment calculations, aggravated by the natural variability of the wood properties. The aim of this work is to assess the density of wooden elements in service using semi-destructive techniques that retain the integrity of structural elements. This research had two phases. First, penetration resistance tests were carried out on laboratory scale on Pinus sylvestris L. wood samples taken from 18th, 19th, and 20th century heritage buildings in Lisbon, Portugal. Later, a field study was carried out on wooden elements from the same buildings, involving needle penetration, core drilling, and moisture content determination tests. The laboratory test results showed a strong correlation between the needle penetration depth and wood density, with an R2 value of 0.76. The results of the field study indicated that the density estimated by the needle penetration test correlated effectively with the measured density of extracted cores after moisture correction, with an R2 of 0.99. In conclusion, the experimental results confirm that penetration resistance and moisture tests are reliable and practical for estimating wood density under in-service conditions.Article Yeast-Produced Human Recombinant Lysosomal Β-Hexosaminidase Efficiently Rescues Gm2 Ganglioside Accumulation in Tay–Sachs Disease(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Inci, O.K.; Leal, A.F.; Ates, N.; Súarez, D.A.; Espejo-Mojica, A.J.; Alméciga-Diaz, C.J.; Seyrantepe, V.Background: Tay–Sachs disease (TSD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the accumulation of GM2 ganglioside due to mutations in the HEXA gene, which encodes the α-subunit of β-Hexosaminidase A. This accumulation leads to significant neuropathological effects and premature death in affected individuals. No effective treatments exist, but enzyme replacement therapies are under investigation. In our previous work, we demonstrated the internalization and efficacy of human recombinant lysosomal β-hexosaminidase A (rhHex-A), produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, in reducing lipids and lysosomal mass levels in fibroblasts and neural stem cells derived from patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In this study, we further evaluated the potential of rhHex-A to prevent GM2 accumulation using fibroblast and neuroglia cells from a TSD patient alongside a relevant mouse model. Methods: Fibroblasts and neuroglial cell lines derived from a murine model and TSD patients were treated with 100 nM rhHexA for 72 h. After treatment, cells were stained by anti-GM2 (targeting GM2 ganglioside; KM966) and anti-LAMP1 (lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1) colocalization staining and incubated with 50 nM LysoTracker Red DND-99 to label lysosomes. In addition, GM2AP and HEXB expression were analyzed to assess whether rhHex-A treatment affected the levels of enzymes involved in GM2 ganglioside degradation. Results: Immunofluorescence staining for LysoTracker and colocalization studies of GM2 and Lamp1 indicated reduced lysosomal mass and GM2 levels. Notably, rhHex-A treatment also affected the expression of the HEXB gene, which is involved in GM2 ganglioside metabolism, highlighting a potential regulatory interaction within the metabolic pathway. Conclusions: Here, we report that rhHex-A produced in yeast can efficiently degrade GM2 ganglioside and rescue lysosomal accumulation in TSD cells. © 2025 by the authors.Article Understanding the Impact of Deep Learning Models on Building Information Modeling Systems: a Study on Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools †(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) Yönder,V.M.The power of the relationship between building information modeling (BIM) systems and advanced artificial intelligence models holds considerable weight for users of BIM. This relationship allows the generation, analysis, and deduction of insights from substantial construction digital data. This research explores the relationship between generative artificial intelligence (generative AI), deep neural nets, and the BIM systems, including its users. This study examines the correlation between generative artificial intelligence and BIM methodology by conducting a case study. Furthermore, this paper investigates the conceptual and practical use of generative AI components (e.g., text-to-image models, diffusion networks, deep neural networks, large language model, and generative adversarial network) in BIM systems via bibliometric analysis. © 2023 by the author.Article Citation - Scopus: 4An Investigation of Shopping Mall Design Requirements †(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) Çavka,H.B.Shopping malls may be considered as controversial structures since they sometimes fail to comply with the expectations of the project stakeholders throughout the project life cycle. New mall projects often attract the attention of people since such a structure has a potential to reshape the neighborhood it is located in; however, the impact is usually negative. On the other hand, the parties involved in mall projects may be subject to criticism from both the public and the industry during the design, construction, and operation. In this study we conducted semi-structured interviews with five managers of an international company that provides real estate services worldwide, and mainly focuses on managing shopping centers within the context of Turkiye. During the interviews, we collected insights on shopping mall design and criteria that have an impact on the operational success or failure. We analyzed the interview data to understand the shopping mall design requirements from the experts’ perspectives. We summarized our investigation under three main categories as location, shop and brand mix, and design. Analyzed data indicates that the requirements and use of shopping malls evolve and change over time. The change is driven by things such as changing habits and expectations of the users and new marketing approaches. Understanding such changes is essential for designers and investors to propose new design approaches and space compositions in order to be able to adapt to the changes. Through our analysis of the collected data, we provided insights on requirements and new trends that affect the design of malls. As further explained in this paper, our analysis indicates a number of important topics during design such as the need to design to fit ever-changing spatial needs, providing feel-good environment for users, correct placement of spaces and stores related to each other, designing circulation that supports commercial activities, and designing with a consideration of operation and maintenance. According to the collected data, the trend of shopping mall design is towards integration of hybrid uses, free forms, more open spaces, increased emphasis on gastronomy, and enabling socializing while leveraging technology and being more sustainable. © 2023 by the author.Article Citation - Scopus: 1Strategy for Revalorization of Cheese Whey Streams To Produce Phenyllactic Acid †(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) Meruvu,H.Cheese whey (CW) is the residual liquid waste from cheese manufacturing industries, and it is rich in diverse nutrients with the potential for usage as a growth matrix for sustaining lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation. Lactic acid (LA), phenyllactic acid (PLA), and their derivatives are green chemicals that can be produced by LAB metabolism with the revalorization of CW. LA and PLA are known for their antimicrobial properties, immunoregulatory functions, and production of biobased polymers (biodegradable plastics) like poly lactic acid and poly-phenyl lactic acid; hence, they find numerous applications in agricultural/food-based, pharmaceutical, biochemistry, or medical fields, as well as in antibiotic supplements in livestock feeds for animal husbandry. Herewith, we discuss our experimental strategy/concept (that can be implemented) for the microbial fermentation of cheese whey streams using robust LAB co-cultures to produce 3-PLA through sequential steps, adding a note upon their possible applications hereof. It is proposed that various food matrices, like raw cow milk, fermented cow milk, and fermented table olives, will be screened for the isolation of robust lactic acid bacteria that can be used as starter cultures for the fermentation of cheese whey liquids for producing augmented levels of LA and/or PLA. Moreover, we discuss the feasibility of practically producing PLA using an orchestrated assemblage of simple procedures, viz., isolating robust LAB strains from natural food matrices, tailoring LAB growth using a selective medium sustenance, adopting adaptive evolution procedures for improving resistance to higher temperatures and tolerance to lactic acid and/or cheese whey (low-cost substrate), and using FTIR and HPLC tools for analyzing the PLA content produced. Two Lactobacillus isolates (CM30_001 and CMW_10−3), sourced from raw cow milk and fermented cow milk whey, were found to produce 3-PLA contents of 39 mg/L and 32 mg/L in batch fermentation, using this proposed strategy. © 2023 by the author.Article Citation - WoS: 5Citation - Scopus: 6Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelet Content on Mechanical and Elevated-Temperature Tribological Performance of Self-Lubricating Ze10 Magnesium Alloy Nanocomposites(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2024) Kandemir,S.; Yöyler,S.; Kumar,R.; Antonov,M.; Dieringa,H.Magnesium (Mg) and graphene in alloy formulations are of paramount importance for lightweight engineering applications. In the present study, ZE10 Mg-alloy-based nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) having a thickness of 10–20 nm were fabricated via ultrasound-assisted stir casting. The effect of GNP contents (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.%) on the microstructure, Vickers hardness, and tensile properties of nanocomposites was investigated. Further, tribological studies were performed under a ball-on-disc sliding wear configuration against a bearing ball counterbody, at room and elevated temperatures of 100 °C and 200 °C, to comprehend temperature-induced wear mechanisms and friction evolution. It was revealed that the GNP addition resulted in grain coarsening and increased porosity rate of the Mg alloy. While the composites exhibited improved hardness by 20–35% at room temperature and 100 °C, a minor change was observed in their hardness and tensile yield strength values at 200 °C with respect to the GNP-free alloy. A notable improvement in lowering and stabilizing friction (coefficient of friction at 200 °C~0.25) and wear values was seen for the self-lubricating GNP-added composites at all sliding temperatures. The worn surface morphology indicated a simultaneous occurrence of abrasive and adhesive wear mode in all samples at room temperature and 100 °C, while delamination and smearing along with debris compaction (tribolayer protection) were the dominant mechanisms of wear at 200 °C. Inclusively, the results advocate steady frictional conditions, improved wear resistance, and favorable wear-protective mechanisms for the Mg alloy–GNP nanocomposites at room and elevated temperatures. © 2024 by the authors.