Beykoz Vocational School of Logistics

Psychodrama is an experiential psychotherapeutic method whose effectiveness has been validated through extensive qualitative and quantitative research, finding broad applicability in both clinical and sub-clinical contexts. Contemporary theorists and authors agree that action and spontaneity-creativity, the two conceptual foundations of psychodrama, constitute the therapeutic core underlying its effectiveness. However, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive explanation of the neural mechanisms through which action, spontaneity, and creativity exert their therapeutic effects. The recent and growing dialogue between neuroscience and psychotherapy is likely to shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying psychodrama. On the other hand, the action-oriented nature of psychodrama, which distinguishes it from other psychotherapy approaches, necessitates examining it through the lens of another discipline—ecological psychology. This article proposes an integrated neuro-psychodramatic model to elucidate the neuroscientific and psychological mechanisms underpinning spontaneity and creativity in psychodrama, highlighting how the ecological psychology concept of affordances, situated within the perception-action cycle framework, mediates psychodramatic spontaneity-creativity, and demonstrating how the neural bases of cognitive/behavioral flexibility parallel those underlying spontaneity-creativity. This integrative model enhances theoretical understanding, guides future empirical research, and aims to optimize psychodramatic therapeutic interventions within contemporary neuroscientific and psychological paradigms.

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.

The scalar quantum probe method developed by Horowitz and Marolf is applied to the cylindrically symmetric Curzon solution. The main cause for choosing the Curzon solution is that it is the best-known example that exhibits directional singularity. Interestingly the singularity at r=0, for the uncharged Curzon spacetime, which is classically very strong with a divergence rate of the order 1r10, becomes regular when examined using a scalar quantum field. The charged Curzon spacetime, however, due to the emergence of a second singularity off the r=0 singularity, does not regularize quantum mechanically. All three different charged versions, i.e., electric, magnetic, and dyonic, share the same feature.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the gold standard for treating large kidney stones. However, traditional scoring systems and logistic regression-based models have limited predictive power due to their reliance on linear assumptions. This study developed a machine learning and explainable artificial intelligence-based model incorporating multiple methodological approaches to predict surgical failure after percutaneous nephrolithotomy and compared it with classical methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 287 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy between January 2018 and January 2022. Demographic, laboratory, and imaging parameters (stone-to-skin distance, stone dimensions, stone count, etc.) were evaluated. Six different feature selection methods were employed (LASSO, RFE, SHAP, permutation importance, model-based importance, effect size). Multiple machine learning algorithms were tested with cross-validation; model interpretability was achieved through SHAP and LIME analyses. Performance was compared with logistic regression and existing scoring systems (GSS, CROES). In logistic regression analysis, presence of multiple stones was identified as an independent risk factor (OR: 1.66), while stone-to-skin distance was a protective factor (OR: 0.68). Among machine learning models, the Voting Classifier demonstrated the highest performance (AUC = 0.839, accuracy = 84.5%, F1 = 0.842), significantly outperforming both logistic regression (AUC = 0.812) and classical scoring systems such as GSS and CROES (AUC = 0.615-0.653). SHAP analysis revealed stone-to-skin distance and stone length in the anterior-posterior dimension as the most influential variables in model predictions. The explainable artificial intelligence-based multi-methodological approach provided higher accuracy and better interpretability in predicting percutaneous nephrolithotomy failure compared to classical methods. This clinically applicable and explainable decision support model offers innovative contributions to urological practice for pre-percutaneous nephrolithotomy risk stratification. Multicenter, prospective external validation studies are needed for generalizability of the findings.

Logo stylization is crucial in shaping a brand's visual identity. Sustainability has become integral to brand strategies, encompassing environmental, economic, and social aspects. This section explores how logo design conveys sustainability messages and influences marketing. This study analyzes sustainability-focused brand logos through visual and content analysis. Modern logos have evolved into strategic tools reflecting a brand's commitment to sustainability. Minimalist, nature-inspired designs enhance ecological awareness and reinforce brand value, balancing aesthetics with responsibility. Environmental certifications and sustainability-themed logos help brands align with corporate social responsibility and regulatory standards. Adopting eco-friendly practices strengthens brand image and supports sustainability initiatives. Future trends, including AI-driven design and nature-inspired graphics, will further embed sustainability into branding. Brands will continue to innovate in logo design to meet consumer expectations while minimizing impact.

The vision presented by OECD’s Forum on Tax Administration proposes a digital transformation of tax administration by embedding tax collecting process into the everyday activities that taxpayers use to service their needs rather than being an add-on process. The ATTACC project demonstrates how this could be achieved through Generic Radio Access Network (GRAN)-IoT-enabled cross-border trading. This project seeks to reduce frictions in international trade that stem from data duplication and complex administrative processes to deliver an automated cross-border tax and customs compliance capability and apply AI to analyze large datasets to spot discrepancies between declared income and actual financial activity.

BackgroundThe twin earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, on February 6, 2023, caused widespread devastation and loss of life. Beyond the physical destruction, such large-scale disasters often result in significant psychological trauma. This study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the prevalence and severity of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among adult Turkish survivors during the first 18 months post-disaster.MethodsFollowing PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search of Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between February 6, 2023, and May 30, 2025. Eligible studies included quantitative assessments of PTSD, depression, or anxiety using validated Turkish-language scales, with general adult population samples (N ≥ 370). Eight studies (N = 5,965) met inclusion criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for studies reporting prevalence of probable PTSD, while depression and anxiety outcomes were synthesized descriptively due to limited and heterogeneous data. Risk factors for psychological morbidity were also extracted and analyzed. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025644127).ResultsThe pooled prevalence of probable PTSD was 41% (95% CI: 32–52%). Reported PTSD rates ranged from 29 to 54%, and symptom severity remained high throughout the first year. Depression and anxiety were also widespread, with up to 40% screening positive for depression and 40–50% reporting moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms. Comorbidity between PTSD, depression, and anxiety was common. Significant risk factors included female gender, bereavement, home destruction, displacement, job loss, and low social support. Resilience was protective in some studies, though findings were inconsistent.ConclusionEighteen months after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, Turkish adult survivors continued to experience high levels of probable PTSD, depression, and anxiety. These findings highlight a prolonged mental health crisis and underscore the urgent need for sustained, targeted psychosocial interventions. Integrating mental health support into disaster preparedness and long-term recovery efforts is essential for mitigating psychiatric morbidity in future disasters.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025644127.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, curfews were implemented, leading to a shift towards home-based education and remote work for professionals such as teachers and engineers. This study compares the energy consumption of a house located in İzmir before and during the pandemic. Two scenarios were analyzed to assess energy consumption in a residential building: C1 as the reference case before COVID-19 and C2 as the case during COVID-19. The analysis showed that, in both cases, the domestic water heating load was prevalent during winter months, while the cooling load was prevalent during summer months. The energy consumption of interior lighting and equipment remains constant regardless of ambient weather conditions. It has been observed that electricity, natural gas, and water consumption increased during the pandemic. Additionally, the cooling loads of the house were found to be higher than the heating loads, resulting in an annual average increase of 2507 kWh for heating load and 586 kWh for water consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic.