Assessing the vulnerability of a forest ecosystem to climate change and variability in the western Mediterranean sub-region of Turkey: future evaluation

This study evaluates the multifactorial spatial modelling used to assess vulnerability of the Du¨ zlerc?am?(Antalya) forest ecosystem to climate change.This was done to produce data,to develop tools to support decisionmaking and the management of vulnerable Mediterranean forest ecosystems affected by climate change,and to increase the ability of these forest ecosystems to adapt to global change.Based on regionally averaged future climate assessments and projected climate indicators,both the study site and the western Mediterranean sub-region of Turkey will probably become associated with a drier,hotter,more continental and more water-deficient climate.This analysis holds true for all future scenarios,with the exception of RCP4.5 for the period from 2015 to 2030.However,the present dry-sub humid climate dominating this sub-region and the study area shows a potential for change towards more dry climatology and for it to become semiarid between 2031 and 2050 according to the RCP8.5 high emission scenario.All the observed and estimated results and assessments summarized in this study show clearly that the densest forest ecosystem in the southern part of the study site,characterized by mainly Mediterranean coniferous and some mixed forest and maquis vegetation,will very likely be influenced by medium and high degrees of vulnerability to future environmental degradation,climate change and variability.     

Analyzing dynamic curve widening on forest roads

Forest roads require important design specifications to ensure all-season access for various vehicles. Long and heavy log trucks can face serious maneuvering problems on forest roads due to insufficient amount of area to the left for road widening on horizontal curves. In order to provide safe and continuous shipment and transportation,appropriate curve widening areas should be provided for long vehicles along horizontal curves. In this study, a statistical model was developed to provide curve-widening solutions for long trucks(e.g., those with 18 wheels) considering various curve radius and deflection angles. The dynamic curve widening feature of Plateia 2013 program was employed to calculate curve widening for the specified vehicle. During the solution process, nine different horizontal curve diameters from 10 to 50 m(by 5 m intervals)and 17 different deflection angles from 90° to 170°(by 5°intervals) were evaluated to run horizontal curve-widening analysis. Using a multiple regression model, we made suitable predictions about curve widening. The curvewidening areas decrease as the horizontal curve radius increases, while increasing the deflection angle on horizontal curves increases curve widening areas. Clearly, the computer-based dynamic curve widening model developed in this study can be effectively used in determining optimum widening for horizontal curves by evaluating the number of alternatives that fit geometrical specifications and vehicle types.     

Thiamine status of feedlot cattle fed a high-concentrate diet

As thiamine status of ruminants is adversely affected by rumen acidity, this study investigated whether or not thiamine deficiency occurs in feedlot cattle fed a high concentrate diet. Fifty 1- to 2-year-old feedlot cattle fed a high concentrate diet (75% barley) for at least 3 mo (high concentrate diet group) and 15 healthy feedlot cattle of similar ages (control group) that were fed a low concentrate diet (30% barley) were used. Rumen fluid samples were obtained by rumenocentesis and their pH was determined with a portable pH meter. Blood samples taken from all animals from a jugular vein were used to determine erythrocyte transketolase enzyme activity, and hence thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) effect. Odor and mean pH values of ruminal fluid samples from the high concentrate diet and control group were acidic (pH 5.3) and aromatic (pH 6.1), respectively. The mean TPP effect % in the high concentrate diet group (47.2 ± 3.2) was significantly higher than in the control group (19.53 ± 2.5) (P < 0.001). The study provides evidence of a TPP effect in feedlot cattle fed a high concentrate diet.     

A rapid method to monitor fungicide sensitivity in the pecan scab pathogen, Fusicladium effusum

Commercial production of pecans in the southeastern U.S. relies on fungicide applications to control scab, caused by Fusicladium effusum. Under intense disease pressure, 10–15 applications may be made per season and the potential development of fungicide resistance is a major concern. A rapid method was developed to determine sensitivity of the pathogen to protectant chemicals based on conidia germination, and to fungicides active on post-appressorial pathogen stages based on micro-colony growth. This method uses conidia transferred directly from lesions to fungicide-amended media. Using this method, sensitivity profiles were determined for isolates from three non-treated orchards with little or no fungicide use histories and from 33 commercial orchards in 2008 with a history of fungicide use. Compared to the non-treated orchards, significant reductions in in vitro sensitivity were detected in 20 orchards to fentin hydroxide, in 4 orchards to dodine, in 6 orchards to thiophanate-methyl and in 20 orchards to propiconazole. The novel methodology will be useful for monitoring fungicide sensitivity of F. effusum populations and evaluating resistance management programs in commercial pecan orchards.     

Effects of Soil-Applied Materials on the Dry Weight and Boron Uptake of Maize Shoots (Zea Mays L.) Under High Boron Conditions

High concentrations of boron (B) in the soil, reduces plant growth, crops’ yield and quality. Regarding such problem, synergistic and antagonistic relations between the nutrients can be used to ameliorate the B toxicity. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of soil-applied zinc (Zn), nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), lime (CaCO₃), potassium (K), humic acid (HA), and humus on the dry weight and B uptake of maize shoots (Zea mays L.) under high-B containing soil conditions. Increasing doses of B (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg^?1 B) were applied to soil as borax (Na₂B₄O₇10H₂O), and boric acid (H₃BO₃). Positive correlations were found between B doses and the uptake amounts (r = 0.934**; – 0.964**). However, the correlations between the dry weight and B doses (r = ?0.314**; – r = ?0.495**) and between the dry weight and the uptake amounts (r = ?0.294*; – r = ?0.497**) were negative. Among the materials, Zn and humus exhibited positive correlations with dry weight values (r = 0.249*; r = 0.525**), and an effective increase (p < 0.01) in the dry weight amounts of maize shoots was observed under toxic B conditions.     

Dietary trans‐cinnamic acid application for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): II. Effect on antioxidant status,digestive enzyme,blood biochemistry and liver antioxidant gene expression responses

The present study investigated the effects of dietary trans‐cinnamic acid (TrCin) on growth performance, biochemical composition, fatty acid composition, blood biochemistry, antioxidant status, digestive enzyme and liver antioxidant gene (EF1α, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPX1, GPX4, GR and GST) expression responses of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Five experimental groups of fish with mean weights of 17.49 ± 0.08 g were used in the study; four of them were fed with TrCin‐supplemented diets (0.25 g/kg TrCin25, 0.50 g/kg TrCin50, 0.75 g/kg TrCin75 and 1.50 g/kg TrCin150), whereas an additive‐free basal diet served as the control (Cntr). At the end of the 60‐day feeding trial, the growth performance, biochemical composition and fatty acid composition were similar for all experimental groups. A decrease was observed in intestinal and stomach pH, serum triglyceride and AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels in fish fed with especially 0.50 g/kg TrCin‐supplemented diet. Moreover, dietary TrCin especially at 0.50 g/kg incorporation level significantly increased the serum SOD and liver SOD2, CAT, GST, GPX1, GPX4 and GR gene expression responses. As a conclusion, feeding rainbow trout for a period of 60 days with a diet containing 0.50 g/kg TrCin might be sufficiently enough to improve the levels of antioxidant enzymes and health status in fish.     

Effects of Sewage Sludge Amendment on Some Soil Properties,Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Raspberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus idaeus</Emphasis> L.)

This study was focused not only at the assessment of effects of different sewage sludge application rates on vegetative parameters and yield of raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) but also heavy metal accumulation in the soil and raspberry leaves. A three-year field study was set up in a completely randomized block design with five sewage sludge application rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0?kg of dry matter per plant) and three replications. One-year-old, virus free ‘Heritage’ saplings were used for the experiment. The results of this study clearly indicated that the sewage sludge application is an effective mean for improvement of vegetative growth, yield, soil and plant chemical properties of raspberry in light textured soils. In addition to macro-element contents, sewage sludge application also caused significant changes in micro-element content of soils. No adverse effects of these increases were observed on plants throughout the experimental period. The most effective application rate was found as 7.5?kg per plant for this ecological condition. It can be concluded that when properly treated and applied to farmland sewage sludge is not only disposed economically but also improved vegetative growth and yield of raspberry.     

A Comparative study of redox parameters and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of polycarbazole derivatives on carbon fiber microelectrode

In this study, N-Carbazole and its derivatives (N-Vinylcarbazole, N-Ethylcarbazole, N-Vinylbenzylcarbazole, and N-Benzylcarbazole) were electrochemically polymerized on carbon fiber microelectrodes (diameter ∼7 μm) by cyclic voltammetry within a potential range from 0.0 to 1.4 V. Redox parameters, Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were determined and also capacitance behaviors of polymers were examined via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS measurements of polycarbazole derivatives were given comparatively. The existence of a capacitance behavior is shown by Nyquist, Bode magnitude, Bode-phase, Admittance plots relationship. Although the highest low frequency capacitance (C_LF=12901 μA cm⁻²) and maximum phase angle of 81.9 ° at a frequency of 1 Hz were obtained for N-Vinylbenzylcarbazole, the lowest anodic and cathodic potential difference (ΔE=0.04 V) and double layer capacitance (C _dl =0.11 μA cm⁻²) were indicated in 0.1 M LiClO₄/PC.     

Resistance assessment of grapevine leaves to downy mildew with sporulation area scoring

The use of resistant individuals obtained through a breeding program, aimed at decreasing chemical treatments, is one of the most promising strategies for control of downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola in grapevine. In this study, 869 hybrid grape individuals, obtained by crossing the resistant Regent grape cultivar with sensitive Alphonse Lavallée, were tested after artificial inoculation of detached leaves by drops of the pathogen inoculum. Sporulation severity, as visual evaluation of sporulation density including necrosis, and sporulation incidence were scored to assess resistance level, then the sporulation area (mm²) was measured for each individual. The criterium of sporulation incidence could not describe all resistance levels. Sporulation area made it possible to measure the entire area in detail for how the pathogen spread at the inoculation site. Sporulation area was not fully consistent with sporulation severity. In this context, a new scale for sporulation area was developed to determine resistance level to the pathogen by taking into account the distribution of sporulation area values within those obtained from sporulation severity scales. Six categories ranging from 0 to 0.05 mm² (extremely resistant-ER) to ≥15.1 mm² (extremely sensitive-ES) were defined. 43 of the 869 individuals tested through the three evaluation criteria, in which no sporulation was observed, and 18 additional individuals with sporulation area of <0.05 mm² were scored in the ER group. Microscopic analysis confirmed findings for the ER group and other resistance levels. The authors suggest that the scale of sporulation area will be useful for assessment of resistance to downy mildew on grapevine leaves.