Browsing by WoS Q "Q1"

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A Comparative Analysis of Single- and Dual-Backbone Deep Learning Architectures with Explainable AI for Cherry Leaf Disease Classification
(Nature Portfolio, 2026) Guzel, Mehmet Serdar; Sevindik, Mustafa; Ekinci, Fatih; Kumru, Eda; Akata, Ilgaz; Demir, Ozge; Altay, Huseyin Tayyip
Accurate differentiation of visually similar cherry leaf diseases remains a major challenge in precision agriculture due to overlapping symptom patterns and environmental variability. This study presents a comprehensive deep learning-based framework for multi-class cherry leaf disease classification, integrating systematic architectural comparison, statistical validation, and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) analysis. Contrary to the common assumption that increased architectural complexity enhances performance, our results show that dual-backbone architectures consistently fail to outperform single-backbone models. A dataset comprising 4,995 cherry leaf images across five categories-brown spot, leaf scorch, healthy leaf, purple leaf spot, and shot hole disease-was used to evaluate multiple convolutional neural network architectures under fully standardized conditions. ResNet50 achieved the highest classification accuracy (98.20%), followed by EfficientNetB2 (98.00%) and DenseNet121 (97.50%), while the best dual-backbone model reached only 97.30% despite increased complexity. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a significant discrepancy between overall accuracy and macro-averaged recall (p = 0.00195, r = 0.89), demonstrating that accuracy systematically overestimates class-wise detection performance in multi-class scenarios. Grad-CAM-based explainability analysis further revealed that DenseNet-based models produce compact and semantically coherent activation maps aligned with disease-relevant regions, whereas dual-backbone architectures exhibit fragmented attention patterns associated with feature redundancy and gradient interference. These findings indicate that interpretability fidelity does not scale with architectural complexity and that coherent single-backbone feature hierarchies provide a superior balance between performance, interpretability, and generalization. The proposed framework offers both methodological and practical insights for developing reliable and scalable artificial intelligence systems in agricultural disease diagnostics.
A New Simulation Modelling Approach to Continuous Berth Allocation
(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2013) Esmer, Soner; Yildiz, Gokalp; Tuna, Okan
Within the international supply chain and logistics system, ports are an important ring of the basic transport activities. Thus, any shortage in or lack of well-planned orders encountered in the port operation processes is most likely to affect the whole logistic system, which eventually will cause undesirable delays in deliveries. This study aims at developing a simulation modelling approach to continuous berth allocation in Port of Izmir Alsancak, which has continuous quayside with two main wharfs perpendicular to each other. The simulation models which serve to evaluate the proposed modelling approach have been developed in ARENA 10.0 Simulation Software. The results of the conducted computational experiments showed that the proposed modelling approach provides more accurate and realistic estimates of performance measures, such as average berth utilisation, average ship waiting time in a queue, and the average number of ships in queuing up to get container terminals.
A Sequel About the Expansion of the Cinematic Universe: An Analysis on Avatar: The Way of Water
(IGI Global, 2023) Seçmen, E.A.
The narrators and the designers of the art of cinema build a universe from scratch according to the scenario. In the construction of this universe, cinematographic elements must reach a harmonious unity. The universe should not only contain content within itself, but also new and original content according to the previous design. Avatar, which was released in 2009, presented the planet Pandora in which the story takes place and its own universe with many elements to the audience. Avatar: The Way of Water, which was released in December 2022, also shows that this created universe has many more parts waiting to be discovered. The main purpose of this research is to reveal how Avatar: The Way of Water, which was shot as a sequel, uses methods in the expansion of the cinematic universe. This study, designed as an exploratory field research with descriptive analysis method, proves how the sequel structure of a universe created from scratch can be enriched in itself. © 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved.
A Theoretical Model Test of Emotional and Cognitive Reactions to Sexual Trauma
(Springer, 2024) Salcioglu, Ebru; Kuzgun, Tubanur Bayram; Simsek, Omer Faruk
Peri- and post-trauma emotional and cognitive reactions play a pivotal role in PTSD. Illuminating the complex relationship among them necessitates a sound theoretical and statistical approach that ensures valid measurement and theory testing. Taking such an approach this study examined the relationships among peri-trauma sense of control and emotional reactions, post-trauma fear, helplessness, shame and guilt responses, and PTSD in 601 women with a history of perceived sexual trauma exposure. Participants completed an online survey involving reliable and valid measures of perceived severity of sexual trauma, post-trauma fear due to a sense of ongoing threat to safety, and sense of helplessness in life, trauma-related shame, and guilt cognitions. A theoretical model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling. The measurement and structural models provided a good fit to the data. Levels of sense of control during trauma predicted peri-trauma distress levels. Peri-trauma emotions had direct effects on post-trauma fear, helplessness, and shame, but not on guilt cognitions. Fear, sense of helplessness, and shame had direct effects on PTSD and mediated the association between peri-trauma emotions and PTSD. Although guilt cognitions had direct effects on PTSD, they were not mediators. These findings suggested that peri-trauma emotions play a role in PTSD as long as they induce chronic fear for safety, a sense of helplessness in life, and shame. Trauma-focused psychological interventions designed to overcome fear and shame, reduce helplessness, and restore a sense of control over one's life would be effective in improving PTSD in survivors of sexual violence.
Age-Related Changes in Saccade Behavior
(Nature Portfolio, 2026) Boz, Hatice Eraslan; Tüfekci, Işıl Yağmur; Koçoğlu, Koray; Akkoyun, Müge; Ekin, Merve; Akdal, Gülden
Some studies have highlighted the impact of age on the saccade properties. This study aimed to investigate whether prosaccade and antisaccade metrics vary with age. The participant groups included 49 young adults, 25 middle-aged adults, and 31 older adults. Participants were instructed to look at the stimulus in the prosaccade task and to look in the opposite direction for 1000 milliseconds (ms) in the antisaccade task. Both prosaccade and antisaccade latencies were prolonged in older and middle-aged adults compared to younger adults. The rates of correct antisaccades were lower in older and middle-aged adults than in younger adults and lower in older adults than in middle-aged adults. Regression analyses showed that prosaccade latencies increased by more than 1 ms per year, and antisaccade latencies increased by more than 2 ms per year. These findings suggest a linear association between age and saccade latency throughout adulthood. In addition, antisaccade measures, particularly correct antisaccade rates, appeared to be more sensitive to age-related differences in oculomotor and inhibitory control than prosaccade measures were.
An Integrated TFN-Marcos Model for Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Digital Transformation and Maturity in Higher Education Institutions
(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2026) Sahin, Ersin; Gorcun, Omer Faruk; Gorcun, Ozhan; Kolemen, Cansu Sahin; Tirkolaee, Erfan Babaee
Digital transformation has become critical for today's universities' competitiveness and sustainable development. However, the success of digital transformation processes is directly related to investments in technological infrastructure, the accurate measurement of corporate digital maturity, and the effective management of these processes. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate digital maturity and the effectiveness of digital transformation processes in universities with a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach. To accurately address the ambiguity arising from uncertainty and expert judgments, Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (TFNs) and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS) method are combined. In addition, a SWOT analysis is performed to systematically specify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that shape the strategic digital transformation directions of universities. The developed model is then applied to a set of criteria wherein universities are assessed under various dimensions, such as digital infrastructure, human resources, governance, digital culture, and innovation. The findings reveal that universities with high levels of digital maturity can carry out their digital transformation processes more effectively and sustainably. It is also demonstrated that the proposed methodology is able to efficiently deal with strategic planning of digital transformation and maturity in higher education institutions.
Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Ethics in Educational Processes: Solution Suggestions and Results
(Univ Malaga, 2024) Kolemen, Cansu Sahin; Şahín Kölemen, Cansu
Artificial intelligence is a technology used to imitate the human-like thinking and decision-making abilities of computer systems. This technology enables computers to perform complex tasks such as data analysis, learning, problem solving and decision making. It is used in the field of education as well as in every field. While the use of artificial intelligence in the field of education provides advantages such as providing personalized learning experiences to students, providing teachers with intuition about student performance and developing educational materials, the ethical dimension should not be ignored. Therefore, the aim of this study is to produce solutions to ethical problems in the teaching and evaluation processes of artificial intelligence technologies in education. Qualitative research method was used in this study. It has adopted the phenomenological research approach among qualitative research methods. The concept of phenomenon is also the ethics of artificial intelligence. The working group consists of teachers, educational technologists and academicians. When selecting the working group, it was taken into consideration that there were teachers who use artificial intelligence applications in education and academics and technologists working in this field. Document analysis and focus group interviews were used as data collection tools. Content analysis was performed on the data obtained. According to the results of the study, ethical problems encountered with the use of artificial intelligence in education were identified and solution suggestions were offered.
Case Report: Physiological and Psychological Underpinnings of Muscle Dysmorphia Using EEG, GSR, and Eye-Tracking
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Cinaroglu, Metin; Ulker, Selami Varol; Yilmazer, Eda; Sayar, Goekben Hizli; Hızlı Sayar, Gökben
Background Muscle dysmorphia (MD), a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), involves an obsessive preoccupation with perceived insufficient muscularity despite an objectively muscular physique. While its psychological features are well-documented, physiological and attentional underpinnings remain underexplored.Objective This exploratory, proof-of-concept case series examines the psychological, physiological, and attentional characteristics of individuals with varying experiences of MD using a multimodal approach combining electroencephalography (EEG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and eye-tracking technologies.Methods Three male participants were purposefully selected to represent distinct clinical profiles: one with active MD and steroid use, one in sustained remission from MD, and one with no MD history. Participants completed validated psychological scales (MDDI, BIDQ, STAI, RSES) and were exposed to personalized visual stimuli (past, current, and idealized body images). A triangulated recording protocol was used to capture EEG, GSR, and eye-tracking data during stimulus exposure.Results Participants with current and past MD showed elevated beta wave activity, increased skin conductance, and attentional biases toward muscular regions, corresponding with higher self-reported distress and anxiety. In contrast, the control participant exhibited stable physiological responses and emotionally neutral reactions. Triangulated data revealed coherent patterns across subjective and physiological domains, supporting the internal validity of the findings despite the small sample.Conclusion These findings illustrate the potential of multimodal assessment in identifying candidate psychophysiological markers of MD. While not generalizable, this case-series provides a valuable framework for future hypothesis-driven research and supports the need for gender-specific diagnostic and intervention strategies in muscle dysmorphia.
Children with Learning Disorders Discourse with Their Mothers: The Role of Maternal Affectivity and Psychopathology Symptoms
(Springer, 2023) Alsancak-Akbulut, Cansu; Celik, Cihat; Erden, Gulsen
This study aimed to examine the role of maternal affectivity and psychopathology symptom severity on conversational styles of mothers and their children with learning disorders during recounting stressful events. 30 Turkish mothers and their children with learning disorders (n(boy) = 20, n(girl) = 10) aged between 7 and 14 included in this study. Mother-child dyads conversed about stressful events that children experienced at school and their conversation style was coded for high elaboration and low elaboration. Maternal affectivity and psychopathology symptom severity were also measured via self-report. Lower levels of negative affectivity predicted maternal high elaboration. Maternal positive affectivity and psychopathology symptom severity did not predict mother-child dyads' conversational style. These preliminary findings suggested that lower levels of negative affectivity, reflecting on mothers being sincere and calm, provide mothers with a warm environment for elaborating on the stressful event - even though the children were not able to respond with high elaboration.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Muscle Dysmorphia and Anabolic Steroid-Related Psychopathology: A Randomized Controlled Trial
(MDPI, 2025) Cinaroglu, Metin; Yilmazer, Eda; Ulker, Selami Varol; Sayar, Gokben Hizli; Hızlı Sayar, Gökben
Background/Objectives: Muscle dysmorphia (MD), a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder, is prevalent among males who engage in the non-medical use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). These individuals often experience severe psychopathology, including mood instability, compulsivity, and a distorted body image. Despite its clinical severity, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated structured psychological treatments in this subgroup. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol in reducing MD symptoms and associated psychological distress among male steroid users. Results: Participants in the CBT group showed significant reductions in MD symptoms from the baseline to post-treatment (MDDI: p < 0.001, d = 1.12), with gains sustained at follow-up. Large effect sizes were also observed in secondary outcomes including depressive symptoms (PHQ-9: d = 0.98), psychological distress (K10: d = 0.93), disordered eating (EDE-Q: d = 0.74), and exercise addiction (EAI: d = 1.07). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Significant group x time interactions were found for all outcomes (all p < 0.01), indicating CBT's specific efficacy. Discussion: This study provides the first RCT evidence that CBT significantly reduces both core MD symptoms and steroid-related psychopathology in men engaged in AAS/PED misuse. Improvements extended to mood, body image perception, and compulsive exercise behaviors. These findings support CBT's transdiagnostic applicability in addressing both the cognitive-behavioral and affective dimensions of MD. Materials and Methods: In this parallel-group, open-label RCT, 59 male gym-goers with DSM-5-TR diagnoses of MD and a history of AAS/PED use were randomized to either a 12-week CBT intervention (n = 30) or a waitlist control group (n = 29). CBT sessions were delivered weekly online and targeted distorted muscularity beliefs, compulsive behaviors, and emotional dysregulation. Primary and secondary outcomes-Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI), PHQ-9, K10, EDE-Q, EAI, and BIG-were assessed at the baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. A repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were used to analyze time x group interactions. Conclusions: CBT offers an effective, scalable intervention for individuals with muscle dysmorphia complicated by anabolic steroid use. It promotes broad psychological improvement and may serve as a first-line treatment option in high-risk male fitness populations. Future studies should examine long-term outcomes and investigate implementation in diverse clinical and cultural contexts.
Commodities in History: Theoretical Reflections and Empirical Case Studies
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2025) Gursoy, Ozgur Burcak
Comparative Efficacy of Brief Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026) Çınaroğlu M.; Yılmazer E.; Ülker S.V.; Hızlı Sayar G.; Çınaroğlu, Metin; Yılmazer, Eda; Hızlı Sayar, Gökben; Ülker, Selami Varol
Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most established psychological treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), yet many patients do not achieve full remission. Brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy represents a theoretically distinct alternative, but direct controlled comparisons remain limited. This study examined the short-term efficacy of brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy and CBT relative to a waitlist control in adults with GAD. Methods: In a three-arm randomized controlled trial, 60 adults with DSM-5-diagnosed GAD were allocated to brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy (12 weekly sessions), CBT (12 weekly sessions), or a waitlist control. Assessments were conducted at pre-treatment and post-treatment. The primary outcome was anxiety severity measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms (BDI-II), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), functional impairment (WHODAS 2.0), and therapeutic alliance (Working Alliance Inventory). Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs and effect size estimates. Results: Both active treatments produced significantly greater reductions in anxiety than the waitlist control, with large effect sizes. Mean BAI scores decreased by 14.5 points in the psychoanalytic group and 16.3 points in the CBT group, compared to minimal change in the waitlist condition. Similar patterns were observed for depressive symptoms, quality of life, and functional impairment, with both therapies outperforming waitlist controls on all secondary outcomes. No statistically significant differences were found between CBT and brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy on any outcome measure. Therapeutic alliance ratings were high and comparable across the two active treatments. Conclusions: Brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy and CBT were both effective short-term treatments for GAD and superior to no treatment, with no significant differences between the two modalities at post-treatment. These findings suggest that time-limited psychoanalytic psychotherapy may represent a promising short-term therapeutic option to CBT for GAD, expanding treatment options for patients and clinicians. © 2026 by the authors.
Coping Strategies and Psychological Outcomes Following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analytic Synthesis
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026) Cinaroglu, Metin; Yilmazer, Eda
Background The 2023 Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquakes caused unprecedented devastation across southern T & uuml;rkiye, resulting in widespread psychological distress among survivors. Identifying coping strategies linked to better mental health outcomes is essential for guiding post-disaster support. Objective To systematically synthesize quantitative evidence on associations between coping strategies and psychological outcomes (PTSD/trauma symptoms, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic growth [PTG]) among adult survivors of the 2023 earthquakes, and to meta-analyze associations reported in at least two independent studies. Methods Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a preregistered OSF protocol (osf.io/7z2pe), four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and DergiPark) were searched for quantitative studies published in Turkish or English. Ten cross-sectional studies (total N = 6,223) met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized form, study quality was appraised with an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for coping-outcome pairs reported in >= 2 studies; remaining associations were summarized descriptively. Results Meta-analytic evidence indicated that resilience was consistently associated with lower psychological distress, including post-earthquake trauma severity (pooled r = -0.44), depression (r = -0.41), anxiety (r = -0.43), and overall distress across four studies (r = -0.42). Perceived social support/support-seeking coping was moderately associated with lower PTSD/trauma-related symptoms (pooled r = -0.31). Religious coping (pooled r = -0.21) and positive reappraisal (pooled r = -0.19) showed small inverse associations with PTSD symptoms but with substantial heterogeneity. In single-study analyses, meaning-centered coping and self-compassion were associated with higher PTG, suggesting potentially important pathways that require replication. Conclusion Coping processes are meaningfully linked to psychological adjustment after the Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquakes. The most robust evidence supports resilience and social support as protective correlates of lower distress. Evidence for religious coping and positive reappraisal is suggestive but heterogeneous, and PTG-related findings remain preliminary due to limited replication. Longitudinal and intervention-based research is needed to clarify causal mechanisms and inform culturally responsive disaster mental health programs.
Criticality Investigations for the Fixed Bed Nuclear Reactor Using Thorium Fuel Mixed with Plutonium or Minor Actinides
(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2009) Sahin, Suemer; Sahin, Haci Mehmet; Acir, Adem; Al-Kusayer, Tawfik Ahmed
Prospective fuels for a new reactor type, the so called fixed bed nuclear reactor (FBNR) are investigated with respect to reactor criticality. These are (1) low enriched uranium (LEU); (2) weapon grade plutonium + ThO2; (3) reactor grade plutonium + ThO2; and (4) minor actinides in the spent fuel of light water reactors (LWRs) + ThO2. Reactor grade plutonium and minor actinides are considered as highly radioactive and radio-toxic nuclear waste products so that one can expect that they will have negative fuel costs. The criticality calculations are conducted with SCALE5.1 using S-8-P-3 approximation in 238 neutron energy groups with 90 groups in thermal energy region. The study has shown that the reactor criticality has lower values with uranium fuel and increases passing to minor actinides, reactor grade plutonium and weapon grade plutonium. Using LEU, an enrichment grade of 9% has resulted with k(eff) = 1.2744. Mixed fuel with weapon grade plutonium made of 20% PuO2 + 80% ThO2 yields k(eff) = 1.2864. Whereas a mixed fuel with reactor grade plutonium made of 35% PuO2 + 65% ThO2 brings it to k(eff) = 1.267. Even the very hazardous nuclear waste of LWRs, namely minor actinides turn out to be high quality nuclear fuel due to the excellent neutron economy of FBNR. A relatively high reactor criticality of k(eff) = 1.2673 is achieved by 50% MAO(2) + 50% ThO2. The hazardous actinide nuclear waste products can be transmuted and utilized as fuel in situ. A further output of the study is the possibility of using thorium as breeding material in combination with these new alternative fuels. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Determining the Type of a Solution to the Fully Pythagorean Fuzzy Linear Equations System: Exact, Restricted, or Relaxed Approximate Solution
(Springer Nature, 2025) Temelcan, G.T.; Ergenecosar, Gizem Temelcan
In engineering and social research, linear systems are commonly used to address real-life problems of various dimensions. Therefore, many studies start by developing linear systems and then finding their solutions. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Pythagorean fuzzy sets in capturing and representing complex forms of uncertainty, particularly when understanding the distinctions between membership and non-membership is crucial. This paper pioneers the finding a solution for a general (square or nonsquare) Fully Pythagorean Fuzzy Linear Equations System (FPFLES) with arbitrary triangular Pythagorean fuzzy numbers and fills a critical gap in the existing literature. Since an FPFLES consists of the sum of the multiplications of each arbitrary parameter and variable, and the fuzzy multiplication operation includes the min and max operators, a nonlinearity situation is observed in each equation. To overcome this situation, a transformation from fuzzy multiplication to inequalities is applied, and thus, a mixed integer programming (MIP) problem is formed. Depending on whether the MIP problems created by changing the constraints have an optimal solution, FPFLES has an exact solution or an approximate solution. The types of solutions are examined using a distance measure definition available in the literature. This paper also defines restricted and relaxed approximate solutions for FPFLES by determining whether the left-hand sides obtained from the substitution of solutions are completely covered by the right-hand sides of the equations. The approach is illustrated with some numerical examples, and the numerical results are analyzed within the distance measure to determine the closeness between the left-hand and right-hand sides of the system. © The Author(s) 2025.
Divergent Developmental Performance of Turkey and South Korea: An Appraisal from Political Economy Perspective
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2023) Erdogdu, M. Mustafa
Turkey's per capita income was nearly three times South Korea's in 1962. Dramatic change has been observed since then. South Korea has transformed into an innovative economy approaching the global technology frontier in only a few decades. Turkey, on the other hand, has attained limited success with missed opportunities and has fallen behind. This article asks why this spectacular success was observed in South Korea, but not in Turkey. It seeks an answer by concentrating on certain variables that may explain this outcome. Assuming that primarily different types and capacities of societies and states explain the variations in economic performance, the article examines in particular, the institutional foundations of Turkish and Korean societies.
Effects of Mindfulness on Test Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis
(Frontiers Media Sa, 2024) Yilmazer, Eda; Hamamci, Zeynep; Turk, Fulya
Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on test anxiety across diverse age groups and intervention modalities. Methods: Rigorous inclusion criteria were applied to select studies focusing on MBIs as the independent variable, with test anxiety as the outcome. A comprehensive search across multiple databases yielded 18 primary studies, contributing 20 comparisons. Data were extracted on study characteristics, sample sizes, and intervention details, and were analyzed using a random-effects model. Results: The analyses incorporated 1,275 participants, with MBIs demonstrating a moderate to large negative effect on test anxiety (effect size = -0.716; 95% CI: -1.383 to -0.049). Moderation analysis indicated that mean age, number of sessions, and intervention delivery mode did not significantly influence effect sizes. Publication bias assessment suggested the presence of bias via Egger's regression (p = 0.025), though Begg and Mazumdar's test and Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill method indicated no missing studies. Conclusion: MBIs are effective in reducing test anxiety, though results should be interpreted with caution due to potential publication bias and unexplained heterogeneity. The impact of MBIs did not vary significantly with participant age, number of sessions, or delivery mode.
Efficacy of Left Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Improving Negative Symptoms and Acutely Enhancing Attention Functions
(Cambridge University Press, 2025) Noyan, H.; Eskikurt, G.; Verkhovets, A.; Zeren, N.; Yesilkaya, H.; Ucok, A.
Emotion Regulation and Visual Attention in Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Multimodal Study Using EEG, GSR, and Eye-Tracking
(BMC, 2026) Ulker, Selami Varol; Cinaroglu, Metin; Yilmazer, Eda; Sayar, Gokben Hizli
BackgroundBody Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by obsessive preoccupation with perceived physical flaws, often accompanied by emotional dysregulation and attentional biases. Despite increasing clinical recognition, the neurophysiological and attentional mechanisms underlying BDD remain poorly understood.MethodsThis study employed a multimodal experimental design to compare individuals with BDD (n = 27) and healthy controls (n = 27). Participants completed standardized psychometric assessments and were exposed to emotionally valenced facial and body-related images while undergoing electroencephalography (EEG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and eye-tracking. Group-by-valence interactions were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVAs.ResultsThe BDD group showed significantly higher depression, anxiety, body image disturbance, and suppression scores, alongside reduced cognitive reappraisal and self-efficacy. EEG analyses revealed increased N170 amplitudes, attenuated P300 amplitudes, and greater right-sided frontal alpha asymmetry, suggesting early hypervigilance, reduced evaluative processing, and affective withdrawal. GSR data indicated heightened sympathetic arousal and delayed physiological recovery. Eye-tracking data descriptively indicated gender-specific attentional patterns within the BDD group, with females allocating greater visual attention to facial and lower-body regions and males showing increased fixation on muscular upper-body features; such patterns were not observed in the control group.ConclusionBDD is associated with dysregulated multisystem responses to appearance-related stimuli, characterized by neural hyperreactivity, impaired cognitive-emotional regulation, and gender-related patterns of visual attention. These findings support the utility of integrating psychophysiological and attentional markers into individualized assessment and intervention strategies for BDD.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.
Enforcement of the Anti-Racism Legislation of the European Union Against Antigypsyism
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2019) Sayan, Pinar
The European Union (EU) became a pioneer of the promotion of human rights and democratic values especially during the last decades. However, the members of the EU are not immune from the human rights violations including the areas of "equality" and "non-discrimination" that are related to racism, discrimination and xenophobia. "Antigypsyism", a form of racism, is among the most challenging human rights areas for the member states despite all recent initiatives. In this research, the use of EU competences to combat antigypsyism is analysed with case studies. It is argued that the use of the competences is limited.