Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Senecio lorenthii.

The isolation and NMR spectra of otosenine (1) and seneciphylline (2) from Senecio lorenthii are reported.     

Effects of dietary humic acid on growth performance,haemato‐immunological and physiological responses and resistance of Rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss to Yersinia ruckeri

This study investigated the effects of dietary humic acid sodium salt on growth performance, haemato‐immunological and physiological responses, and resistance of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss to Yersinia ruckeri. The experimental fish were divided into four groups; three of them were fed with humic acid incorporated diets (0.3% H3, 0.6% H6, 1.2% H12) and an additive free basal diet served as the control. Growth performance and haematological parameters of rainbow trout were not affected by humic acid supplemented diets (p > 0.05). However, dietary humic acid especially with 0.6% incorporation significantly increased stomach pepsin, intestinal trypsin and lipase activities p < 0.05. Following 60 days of feeding trial, fish were challenged with Yersinia ruckeri for 20 days. At the end of the challenge period, significantly higher (p < 0.05) survival rates were found in the 6% humic acid group compared to all other experimental treatment. Thus humic acid might replace antibiotics in diets for rainbow trout to control yersiniosis.     

Identifying the driver of pulsating aurora

Pulsating aurora, a spectacular emission that appears as blinking of the upper atmosphere in the polar regions, is known to be excited by modulated, downward-streaming electrons. Despite its distinctive feature, identifying the driver of the electron precipitation has been a long-standing problem. Using coordinated satellite and ground-based all-sky imager observations from the THEMIS mission, we provide direct evidence that a naturally occurring electromagnetic wave, lower-band chorus, can drive pulsating aurora. Because the waves at a given equatorial location in space correlate with a single pulsating auroral patch in the upper atmosphere, our findings can also be used to constrain magnetic field models with much higher accuracy than has previously been possible.     

Deficit irrigations during soybean reproductive stages and CROPGRO-soybean simulations under semi-arid climatic conditions

This study was carried out to determine the effect of water stress on five different generative stages of soybeans and to evaluate the CROPGRO-soybean model under semi-arid climatic conditions. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Harran University research field in 2003 and 2004 growing seasons. Plants received full irrigation during vegetative stages, after which it was cut off at different reproductive stages (treatments): R_1-2, beginning of flowering and full bloom; R₃, beginning of pod; R₄, full pod; R₅, beginning of seed; and R₆, full seed. The control treatment was full irrigation throughout. Observed yields ranged from 1955 (R₆) to 3684 kg ha⁻¹ (control) in 2003, and from 1867 (R₆) to 3952 kg ha⁻¹ (control) in 2004, respectively. Generally, in both of the years any water stress imposed on soybeans in three different generative stages (R₃, R₅, and R₆) resulted in substantial yield reduction compared with full irrigation; yield reduction was greatest at the R₆ stage. Biomass and 1000 seed weight also showed significant difference. Overall, CROPGRO-soybean simulated parameters from all treatments were higher compared with observed ones. Although simulated yield results were close to measured ones, they could not track observed yield patterns. Generally, the CROPGRO-soybean simulation model failed to satisfactorily mimic observed soybean yield, biomass, and 1000 seed weight and therefore it is suggested not to be used for similar scenarios and climatic conditions.     

Feasibility of using eggplant (Solanum melongena) stalks in the production of experimental particleboard

This study examined possible feasibility of eggplant (Solanum melongena) stalks in the production of particleboard. Three-layer experimental particleboards with density of 0.53, 0.63, 0.73 and 0.78 g/cm³ were manufactured from eggplant stalks using certain ratios of urea formaldehyde (UF) and melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives. Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), thickness swelling (TS) properties of the boards were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed in order to examine possible feasibility of these stalks in commercial particleboard manufacturing. The experimental results have shown that production of general purpose and furniture grade particleboard used in dry conditions using eggplant stalks is technically viable. The results of the study demonstrate that eggplant stalks can be an alternative raw material source for particleboard industry.     

Seroprevalence of hypodermosis in cattle in some provinces of Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hypodermosis in cattle in the east and southeast of Turkey. For this purpose, a total of 634 sera samples of cattle were collected from Malatya, Elazig and Diyarbakir provinces of east and southeast of Turkey from November 2005 to February 2006. The sera were analyzed using a Hypodermin C antigen by means of indirect ELISA. One hundred and forty eight (23.3%) out of 634 cattle were seropositive for hypoderma antibodies. The highest percentage of seropositivity were detected at Elazig province (26.3%) followed by Malatya (22.3%) and Diyarbakir provinces (22.1%). The seropositivity rate was higher in female (31%) than male (14.1%). When the mean is considered by animal breed, the highest seropositivity was detected at local breed (27.7%) following crossbreed (26.8%) and purebreed (19.7%). There was a positive relation between age and seropositivity. Seropositivity rate was 15.9% in 2 and under ages while these rates were 38.1% and 30.4% in 3-4 ages and 5 and up ages, respectively.     

Three-Dimensional X-ray Reflections from Anthracite and Meta-Anthracite

Careful analysis of x-ray scattering intensities of demineralized metaanthracites and high-rank anthracites formed during the Pennsylvanian geological period has revealed the presence of three-dimensional (hkl) reflections of graphite, demonstrating unequivocally that coals graphitize with metamorphism. Graphitization has been observed also with a coal formed before the Cambrian period, much earlier than most coals. A significant degree of graphitization occurs by coalification when the graphite-like layers attain a size of 25 to 30 angstroms as compared to 100 A or more by the heat treatment of amorphous carbons.     

Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds during Composting of Poultry Litter

The objective of this study was to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during composting of poultry litter. The VOCs produced from in-vessel composting with a controlled aeration system were tested using the F-ITR method by VOC analyzer. Alkanes and alkylated benzenes were emitted in the highest amounts from poultry litter, while aldehydes, terpenes, ketones were emitted in much lesser amounts. Studies showed that VOCs generation was the greatest early during the composting process and greatly reduced thereafter. Composting temperatures were found to affect VOCs. All VOCs were least with the high temperatures generated during composting.     

The Effect of Total Anthocyanins Extracted From Sweet Cherry Cultivars on Carbonic Anhydrases and Antioxidant Activity

Total anthocyanins were extracted from eleven sweet cherry cultivars grown in Sakarya, Turkey. In vitro inhibition effects of extracted total anthocyanins on purified carbonic anhydrase I and II were investigated by using CO₂ as a substrate. The results showed that all extracted total anthocyanins inhibited the hCA I and hCA II enzyme activities. Among all cultivars, ‘Merton Premier’ was found to be the most active one against both hCA I (IC₅₀?=?0.83?µg/mL) and hCA II (IC₅₀?=?1.16?µg/mL). Additionally, the DPPH activities of the extracts were investigated as antioxidant properties. The results exhibited that ‘Churchill’ and ‘Merton Premier’ have high antioxidant activity with 74.102% and 73.503% DPPH activity, respectively.