Impact of Induction Therapy on Preventing Early Acute Kidney Allograft Rejection: a Single-Center Experience Study

Objective: Acute rejection infrequently occurs among immunologically low-risk recipients within the first few weeks after transplantation, and the role of induction treatment in the frequency of acute rejection and graft loss remains debatable. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 208 kidney transplant recipients with low immunological risk, defined by living donortransplantation, no priortransplantation history, absence of preformed anti-HLA antibodies, and a negative lymphocyte crossmatch prior to transplantation. Demographic data, immunologic characteristics, and graft functions were analyzed concerning early acute rejection history. Results: Fifteen patients (7.2%) experienced acute rejection within two weeks post- transplantation. No correlation was found between the number of HLA mismatches and induction treatment with early acute rejection. The cumulative incidences of acute rejection in the no-induction and basiliximab groups were comparable at 7.8% and 6.4%, respectively. Donor age was markedly higher, and the tacrolimus trough level on the seventh day post-transplantation was significantly lower in the early acute rejection group; however, the significance was lost after adjustment. The incidence of graft loss was higher in the early acute rejection cohort than in the no-rejection cohort (33.3% vs. 3.1%, p0.001). Early acute rejection was the only independent risk factor for graft failure (HR 10.286, CI 1.944-54.409, p=0.006). Conclusion: Acute rejection within two weeks post-transplantation has been associated with suboptimal graft function in recipients with low immunological risk. Basiliximab does not provide additional advantages in preventing early acute rejection in patients with a low immunological risk on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression

Bit Segmentation of Non-Line of Sight Data in Optical Camera Communication Using U-Net

Baykal, Yahya/0000-0002-4897-0474; Ozkan, Cagla/0009-0003-2188-6314; Inan, Tolga/0000-0002-8612-122XOptical Camera Communication (OCC) utilizes image sensors to decode modulated light signals from light-emitting diodes (LEDs), offering a cost-effective solution for wireless communication. However, data extraction in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions is challenging due to signal distortions caused by obstacles and reflections. Traditional segmentation techniques, such as Otsu's thresholding and adaptive thresholding, are computationally efficient but struggle with lighting variations, background interference, and high-frequency distortions, limiting their effectiveness in real-world OCC applications. To address these limitations, we propose a U-Net convolutional neural network, trained on a diverse dataset covering various camera distances, lighting conditions, and reflection levels to improve segmentation accuracy. The proposed model achieves up to 25% BER improvement, outperforming traditional thresholding methods and ensuring more reliable bit extraction in challenging OCC environments. These advancements make deep learning a promising approach for improving OCC applications such as indoor positioning, smart transportation, and secure optical wireless communication

A Simulation-Informed Robust Optimization Framework for the Design of Energy Efficient Underwater Sensor Networks

Given that data generation rates of sensors might deviate from what is anticipated during the configuration phase due to several reasons such as event-driven data spikes, dynamic environmental conditions, propagation delay and data buffering, etc., designing robust transmission schemes is pivotal for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs). Despite advances in underwater technologies, UWSN optimization under traffic uncertainty remains underexplored. This paper presents a novel simulation-informed robust optimization framework for designing energy-efficient UWSNs. We begin with a comprehensive review of the literature that addresses uncertainty in system parameters for wireless network design, followed by an analysis of research focused on modeling the motion of underwater objects. Then, we propose simulating an intrusion detection environment that includes moving targets, such as autonomous underwater vehicles and submarines navigating along 3D routes. To improve simulation accuracy, real bathymetric data is used to define the interactions between system elements including vehicles, sensors, and ocean topography. Then, the expected data generation rates of sensors and the corresponding admissible intervals are determined using the results from multiple simulation runs. The resulting data set is used to determine and conduct comprehensive analyses on optimal deterministic and robust configurations, where the maximum battery allocated to a sensor is minimized. The scenario-based comparison of network functional time between deterministic and robust configurations indicates that the robust design substantially outperforms the deterministic configuration across all data rate realizations, even at the lowest level of deviation from the expectations

Effects of miRNAs in Inborn Error of Metabolism and Treatment Strategies

Metabolism is the name given to all of the chemical reactions in the cell involving thousands of proteins, including enzymes, receptors, and transporters. Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are caused by defects in the production and breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules, 19-25 nucleotides long, hairpin-shaped, produced from DNA. They play key roles in regulating gene expression of target mRNAs at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Altered expression of miRNAs has emerged as an additional molecular mechanism implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, this altered miRNA expression is also present in inherited metabolic diseases. A single miRNA can regulate targets associated with similar cellular processes and pathways, making miRNAs powerful therapeutics to restore the impaired cellular functions seen in disease phenotypes by enhancing the cellular response. Although the miRNA research field has advanced significantly in recent years, studies in IEM are still limited. Further research on miRNA expression specifically related to IEM may allow the identification of new biomarkers for the diagnosis, progression, and prognosis of diseases. In this review, the literature studies between miRNAs and IEMs, diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up, and treatment possibilities of miRNAs were analyzed. We present recent advances on miRNAs in IEM and an overview of current miRNA therapeutics for the clinic. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved

Assessment of the External Construct Validity of the Brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Core Set for Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease in a Turkish Population

Objectives: This study aimed to validate the Brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Set for chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) in a Turkish patient population, identifying the most common problems in ICF categories and testing its construct validity. Patients and methods: A total of 85 patients (28 males, 57 females; mean age: 64.4±12.2 years; range, 37 to 88 years) diagnosed with CIHD who were referred to our cardiac rehabilitation outpatient clinic were included in the cross-sectional study between February 2014 and August 2015. Brief ICF Core Set for CIHD, which includes 36 second-level categories, was used to assess the most common impairments. Correlations between these impairments and various clinical assessment scales were analyzed to test construct validity. Results: The most impaired categories in body functions were heart functions, blood pressure functions, exercise tolerance functions, blood vessel functions, sensations associated with cardiovascular and respiratory functions, and energy and drive functions. In the body structure component, the structure of the cardiovascular system was identified as a problem in 97.6% of patients. The activities and participation component revealed that moving around, remunerative employment, and carrying out daily routines were frequently problematic. All of the environmental factors were identified as both barriers and facilitators. Significant correlations were found between these categories and various clinical assessment scales. Conclusion: The Brief ICF Core Set for CIHD is a valid tool for assessing the multifaceted impact of CIHD in a Turkish patient population. This validation supports its use for comprehensive, patient-centered evaluations in clinical settings, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to managing CIHD

The Political Economy of Turkey-Iran Relations: a Discussion of Variegated Capitalism and Underperformance After the Jcpoa

[No abstract available

Turkey’s Energy Diplomacy and Instrumentalization of Hard Power

Regional instabilities have challenged Turkey’s energy diplomacy in its energy-rich neighbourhood. This article examines to what extent and how Turkey instrumentalized hard power politics to secure and diversify its natural gas imports for its domestic market and for its role as a potential export hub in its energy diplomacy. Four cases, namely pipeline projects, which are already under operation or planning to transport crude oil/natural gas from Azerbaijan, Russia, Iraq, and the Eastern Mediterranean, are presented to bring a plausible explanation for Turkey’s ascending inclination towards use or threat of force in its energy diplomacy between 2015 and 2022. This article argues that not only rationally calculated strategic interests to manage security-related threats that challenge access to energy resources for pipeline projects but also the foreign policy elite’s framing of material interests in energy projects in line with ideational factors in domestic politics function as filters in Ankara’s instrumentalization of hard power in energy diplomacy. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor ; Francis Group

Altered NRF2 Signalling in Systemic Redox Imbalance: Insights From Non-Communicable Diseases

The balanced activity of the cytoprotective transcription factor NRF2 is central for maintaining redox, metabolicenergetics, and proteome homeostasis, as well as for regulating inflammatory responses, among other functions. Activated NRF2 regulates the expression of hundreds of genes containing antioxidant response elements (AREs) or electrophile response elements (EpRE) in their regulatory regions, often promoting cytoprotection under stress conditions and contributing to defence against various pathologies and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The products of increased NRF2 activity, detected systemically, may originate from either the white blood cells, the cells of the vasculature or tissue-derived products that could be secreted into biological fluids. Therefore, assessing basal and inducible NRF2 activity in blood or other biofluids is crucial for inferring NRF2 responses in local and often inaccessible tissues. In previous work, we identified a panel of six biomarkers - Glutamatecysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), Glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), Haem oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), Sulfiredoxin 1 (SRXN1), and Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) - as indicators of NRF2 activity. In the current study, we assess their utility in a clinical setting to measure NRF2 activation in a disease context. Here we discuss findings on how NRF2 activity in accessible human samples can reveal its involvement in various NCDs and its connection to clinical aspects such as diagnosis, disease progression and response to therapy.COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) [ZI28TVQ2F1]This article is based upon work from COST Action CA20121-Bench to bedside transition for pharmacological regulation of NRF2 in non-communicable diseases (BenBedPhar) benbedphar.org, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, www.cost.eu). Fig. 1 was created in https://BioRender.com. Fig. 4 was created in EM>STRONG> /STRONG>/EM>BioRender under agreement number: PL28CWK3PN (Jakubowska, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/iez2dgy), and Fig. 7 under agreement number: ZI28TVQ2F1 (Jakubowska, M. (2025) https://BioRender.co m/a4kbrtz)

Dynamic Relief Provision Planning for En Route Refugees: Modeling Probabilistic Movements Using Migration Pull Drivers

Forced displacement crises have become a pressing humanitarian concern. Refugee movements expose individuals to dire living conditions with severe inaccessibility to essential resources. Humanitarian organizations play a vital role in alleviating these hardships through relief aid interventions. This study aims to optimize the fulfillment of recurring needs for geographically dispersed refugee groups en route to safe destinations. Here, capacitated mobile facilities are tasked with delivering relief aid to refugee groups periodically to ensure equitable service frequency. We formulate the problem as a Markov decision process with multinomial state-transition distributions, shaped by external migration pull factors such as safety conditions, road accessibility, and spatial proximity. The objective is to minimize the relocation and replenishment costs of mobile facilities, along with the deprivation costs faced by underserved refugees. We develop an approximate dynamic programming algorithm featuring a novel policy replication routine. To complement this offline method, we introduce a state-dependent variable threshold policy that enables high-quality, real-time relief provision. Using instances inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis, our results demonstrate the substantial value of stochastic modeling, yielding a 25% reduction in expected total costs compared to deterministic baselines and up to 12% savings through coordinated planning among humanitarian actors. The proposed methods remain effective under dispersed and cohesive refugee group dynamics and multi-destination migration scenarios. Furthermore, we uncover high-frequency traversal and service hotspots along migration paths to provide tactical insights for parameter calibration and resource prepositioning. Collectively, our findings offer practical insights for managing ongoing and future refugee migration crises.Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arascedil;timath;rma Kurumu [119M229]The authors received the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research has been funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBTAK) [Grant number 119M229]

Mimari Tasarım Sürecinde İletişim Dinamikleri: Disiplinlerarası Öğrenci Atölyesi Deneyimi Üzerine Bir Vaka Çalışması

Mimari tasarım süreci farklı paydaşlarla bir arada çalışmayı gerektiren bir süreç olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Modern dünyanın gereklilikleri, teknolojik ve hızlı üretim beklentisi disiplinlerarası çalışma ortamlarını gerekli kılmaktadır. Disiplinler arası iş birliliği, farklı disiplinlerden gelen bireylerin perspektiflerini ve bilgi birikimlerini bir araya getirerek daha kapsamlı ve etkili tasarım çözümleri üretir. Mimarlık eğitiminde disiplinlerarası ortamların yer almasının önemine dikkat çekilmektedir. Ancak literatürde mimarlık eğitiminde disiplinler arası ortamlarla ilgili yapılan çalışmalar incelendiğinde iletişimin önemi ve gerekliliği üzerine durulsa da iletişim dinamiklerini inceleyen çalışmalar konusunda bir boşluk olduğu görülmektedir. Bu sebeple bu çalışma mimarlık eğitimine disiplinlerarası ortamların entegre edilmesi için iletişim dinamiklerini çatışma anları üzerinden inceleyerek literatüre katkı sağlamayı hedeflemektedir. Bu tez, disiplinlerarası ortamlardaki iletişim dinamiklerini incelemek için iki farklı disiplinlerarası öğrenci çalıştayı verilerine odaklanır. Ana hedef, mimarlık öğrencilerinin disiplinlerarası projelerde karşılaşılaşabilecekleri iletişim zorluklarına etkili bir şekilde yaklaşmalarını sağlayan dinamikleri belirlemektir. Bu sebeple öncelikle grup içi etkileşim ve dinamikleri analiz eder. İletişim dinamiklerinin analizi gözlem notları, çalıştay sırasında alınan video kayıtlarının tekrar izlenerek tutulan notlar ve çalıştay sonrası çatışma anları olarak belirlenen bazı kesitlerin katılımcılara izletilerek görüşlerinin alındığı birebir görüşme verilerine dayanır. Tüm süreç içerisindeki çatışma ve çatışma yöntemlerinin, çözüm yaklaşımlarının, bilişsel ve etkileşimsel sebeplere dayandığını öne sürer. Bu çatışma dinamikleri, çözüm stratejileri ve çözülemeyen çatışmaların dinamikleri analiz edilerek gruplandırılır. Bu çalışma, iletişim süreçlerini çatışma anları üzerinden analiz etmeye ve bu çatışmaların çözüm dinamiklerini incelemeye odaklanmaktadır. İletişim dinamiklerinin bütüncül olarak değerlendirilmesi gerektiğini ortaya koymakta ve bu doğrultuda, sözlü ve sözlü olmayan iletişim unsurlarını ortaya çıkarmak amacıyla konuşma analizinden elde edilen analitik araçlardan yararlanılarak çok modlu söylem analizi yöntemi kullanılmaktadır. Bulgular, çatışma yönetiminin çatışmanın doğasına bağlı olarak farklı etkiler yarattığını göstermektedir. Çatışmaların disiplin perspektif farklılıkları, teknik bilgi eksikliği, kişisel farklılıklar gibi bilişsel sebeplerin yanı sıra, söz kesme, sessizlik, aktif dinleme eksikliği, mimikler ve beden dili gibi etkileşimsel sebeplerle, çok katmanlı etkenlerden kaynaklandığını göstermektedir. Bu çatışmalar, kimi zaman öğrenme ve ortak anlam üretimi için bir zemin oluştururken, kimi zaman da çözüm üretilemeyen tıkanmalarla sonuçlanmaktadır. Çatışmaların çözülememesinin sebeplerinin tamamında etkileşimsel sebeplerin olduğunu ortaya koymakta ve iletişim dinamiklerini incelemektedir. İletişim dinamiklerinin kapsamlı analizi, disiplinlerarası ortamlarda ortak anlayışın sağlanabilmesi için sözlü ve sözlü olmayan iletişimi birlikte ele alan bütüncül yaklaşımların gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Buna göre konuşmalar sırasında sıra almak için bir geçiş yeri arama, çakışmaların yönetilmesindeki iletişim yaklaşımları, sessizlik süresinin yönetilmesi, konuşma sırasına yaklaşımlar, ses tonu gibi sözel iletişim unsurlar ile modelite kullanımları, çatışma anlarındaki jest, mimik ve beden dili yaklaşımları gibi sözlü olmayan iletişimlerin çatışma yönetimlerindeki etkinliği ortaya konmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, mimarlık öğrencilerinin sözlü ve sözlü olmayan iletişim yetkinliklerinin geliştirilebilmesine yönelik önerilere kısaca yer verilmiştir.The architectural design process is characterized by the necessity of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The demands of the modern world, coupled with technological advancements and rapid production expectations, require the establishment of interdisciplinary work environments. Such collaboration brings together the perspectives and expertise of individuals from various disciplines, ultimately generating more comprehensive and practical design solutions. The significance of integrating interdisciplinary environments into architectural education is underscored in the existing literature. However, a review of studies related to interdisciplinary settings in architectural education reveals a notable deficiency in research addressing communication dynamics. Consequently, this study aims to fill this gap by examining communication dynamics during the design process, with the goal of enhancing the efficient integration of interdisciplinary environments into architectural education, particularly in conflict situations. This thesis focuses on the data derived from two distinct interdisciplinary student workshops to investigate the communication dynamics within interdisciplinary environments. The primary objective is to identify the dynamics that enable architecture students to effectively navigate the communication challenges they may encounter in interdisciplinary projects. To achieve this, the study first analyzes group interactions and dynamics. The analysis of communication dynamics is informed by observation notes, memos generated from reviewing video recordings taken during the workshops, and data obtained from participant interviews regarding specific conflict instances shown to the participants after the workshops. The findings indicate that conflicts and the methods employed to resolve them are fundamentally rooted in cognitive and interactional factors. The study categorizes these conflict dynamics, solution strategies, and aspects of unresolved conflicts. It emphasizes the importance of a holistic evaluation of communication dynamics, employing the Multimodal Discourse Analysis method informed by analytical tools from Conversation Analysis to elucidate both verbal and non-verbal communication elements. The findings indicate that conflict management yields varying effects depending on the nature of the conflict. Conflicts arise from a multitude of factors, including cognitive aspects such as differing disciplinary perspectives, gaps in technical knowledge, and personal differences, as well as interactional elements like interruptions, silence, lack of active listening, facial expressions, and body language. While these conflicts can sometimes serve as a foundation for learning and the creation of shared meaning, they can also lead to unresolved blockages. The analysis reveals that the reasons behind unresolved conflicts are largely interactional and investigates the dynamics of communication. A thorough examination of these communication dynamics underscores the importance of holistic approaches that integrate both verbal and non-verbal communication to foster mutual understanding in interdisciplinary environments. As such, the effectiveness of various elements of verbal communication—such as seeking a transition relevance place to take the turn during conversations, conflict management approaches of communication, silence management, turn taking, and tone of voice—alongside non-verbal communication elements like modality use, gestures, facial expressions, and body language in moments of conflict, is highlighted. In this context, suggestions for enhancing the verbal and non-verbal communication competencies of architecture students are briefly discussed