Challenges in developing and implementing a decision support systems (ETÇAP) in forest management planning: a case study in Honaz and Ibradı, Turkey

Decision support systems (DSSs) are indispensable tools in preparing a forest management plan for a better combination of multiple forest values. This study attempted to develop and explain a stand-based forest management DSS (Ecosystem-based multiple-use forest planning [ETÇAP]) comprising a traditional simulation, linear programming (LP), metaheuristics and geographic information system. The model consists of five submodels; traditional management approach to handle inventory data, an empirical growth and yield model, a simulation to conceptualize management actions, a LP technique to optimize resource allocation and a simulated annealing approach to directly create a spatially feasible harvest schedule. The ETÇAP model has been implemented in a comparative two case study areas; Denizli–Honaz and Akseki–Ibrad?. Both simulation and optimization models outperformed to the traditional management plan. The periodical change of growing stock, allowable cuts, carbon sequestration and water production are used as performance indicators. The results showed that more amount of wood could be harvested over time compared to traditional level of harvesting. It could be concluded that various management strategies allowed managers to stimulate more decision options for better outputs through intertemporal trade-offs of management interventions as the model provided tools to quantify forest dynamics over time and space. Challenges exist to establish the functional relationships between forest structure and values for better quantification and integration into the management plans.     

Origin and distribution of facial nerve anatomy in van cats

This study aims to reveal the morphological properties of facial nerve and the middle ear in Van cats. Study material was composed of 6 female Van cats. Dissections were performed under a Zoom Stereo Microscope. There was no plexus buccalis in Van cats. The chorda tympani was observed to pass through an opening in the tympanic cavity, emerge through a small opening just behind the retroarticular process, and join the lingual nerve. A rounded anatomical formation with a size of 2.75 ± 0.3 mm was found to be located within the mastoid process of the temporal bone between the facial nerve and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The stapes nerve was not present. The geniculate ganglion was very prominent and about 1.00 mm high. The deep petrosal nerve was observed to emerge from the plexus tympanicus. The bulla tympanica was 18.96 ± 0.10 mm long, 13.03 ± 0.20 mm wide and 13.16 ± 0.20 mm high. After leaving the mandibular nerve, the n.tensoris tympani coursed caudally around the a.maxillaris, formed an ansa, entered the tympanic cavity through the canalis musculotubarius and reached an end in the m. tensor tympani. Due to the scarcity of studies on the middle ears of Van cats, it is thought that this study will fill a gap in the field of veterinary anatomy.     

Seminal plasma composition and its relationship with physical spermatological parameters of Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) semen: with emphasis on sperm motility

In this research, the mineral and organic composition of the seminal plasma, physical spermatological parameters and their physiological relationships were investigated in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The seminal plasma contained 98.14±5.23 mM L^?1 (Na⁺), 380.85±25.95 mM L^?1 (K⁺), 30.25±4.96 mg dL^?1 (Ca²⁺), 19.16±1.70 mEq L^?1 (Mg²⁺), 1.36±0.11 mg dL^?1 glucose, 0.37±0.08 g dL^?1 total protein, 12.02±1.18 mg dL^?1 cholesterol, 14.85±1.50 mg dL^?1 triglyceride and 43.5±9.56 mg dL^?1 urea. The following spermatological parameters were found: sperm volume 14.44±1.16 mL, sperm motility 80.60±1.55%, movement duration 67.68±4.32 s, density 15.43±0.72 × 10⁹ mL^?1, total density 337.43+45.86 × 10⁹ and pH 7.24±0.17. The Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions correlated negatively with spermatozoa motility (r=?0.453, P>0.05 and r=?0.192, P>0.05) respectively. The K⁺ ion correlated positively with spermatozoa motility (r=0.545, P>0.05). But a statistically significant correlation was not observed between sperm motility and seminal plasma parameters. The following correlations were observed between mineral and organic components. The Mg²⁺ was positively correlated with glucose and cholesterol (r=0.692, P<0.05 and r=0.680, P<0.05) respectively. A highly significant positive relationship was also found between Mg²⁺ and total protein (r=0.837, P<0.01). On the other hand, a significantly negative relationship was found between Ca²⁺ and triglyceride (r=?0.639, P<0.05). These parameters should be considered when developing procedures for either artificial fertilization or for cryopreservation of grass carp sperm.     

The harvest of the freshwater crayfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astacus leptodactylus</Emphasis> Eschscholtz in Turkey: harvest history,impact of crayfish plague,and present distribution of harvested populations

This review focuses on the present distribution of populations of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus that are harvested in Turkey. It also examines the history of this harvest and the impact that crayfish plague has had on them. Crayfish plague, caused by the fungus-like organism, Aphanomyces astaci Schikora, 1906, is a severe parasite of freshwater crayfish and has caused a lot of damage to A. leptodactylus populations in Turkey since 1984. Turkey was the largest provider of A. leptodactylus to Western Europe from 1970 (or possibly earlier) until 1986. For example, the peak production was reached in the early 1980s, with over 5,000 tonnes being exported in 1984. On the other hand, as a result of the crayfish plague the harvest of A. leptodactylus was reduced severely in most populations in Turkey after 1985. The harvest was only 320 tonnes in 1991. After the occurrence of crayfish plague in Turkey, in order to increase crayfish production uncontrolled A. leptodactylus stockings have been carried out in many waterbodies throughout Turkey. These introductions have caused an increase in the number of A. leptodactylus populations, but exploitation of A. leptodactylus is still under the pressure of the plague, although there has been a steady increase in crayfish production in recent years. The harvest increased to 2,317 tonnes in 2004. Fortunately, among those populations affected by crayfish plague, large amounts of A. leptodactylus can still be harvested from three lakes, ?znik (Bursa), E?irdir (Isparta) and Çivril (Denizli). Thus, it seems that A. leptodactylus has a degree of resistance to crayfish plague. It is therefore interesting to investigate the resistance of A. leptodactylus caught from these populations to crayfish plague.     

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.     

Determination of Energy Input-Output Analysis in Plum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus domestica</Emphasis> L.) Production

The aim of this research is to compose the energy input-output analysis of plum in Nevsehir province in Turkey. This research was conducted at the plum cultivating facilities during the 2015–2016 production seasons in Nevsehir province of Central Anatolian Region in Turkey. The agricultural input energies and output energies used in plum cultivation were calculated to determine the energy input-output analysis. According to the research findings, the energy inputs in plum cultivation were calculated respectively 3920?MJ ha^?1 (44.99%) chemical fertilizers energy, 1618.91?MJ ha^?1 (18.58%) diesel fuel energy, 1125.85?MJ ha^?1 (12.92%) chemicals energy, 1069.20?MJ ha^?1 (12.27%) machinery energy, 723.24?MJ ha^?1 (8.30%) human labour energy and 255?MJ ha^?1 (2.93%) irrigation water energy. Production output plum yield were calculated as 12,112.50?MJ ha^?1. The energy output/input ratio, specific energy, energy usage efficiency and net energy calculations were calculated respectively as 1.39, 1.37?MJ kg^?1, 0.73?kg MJ^?1 and 3400.30?MJ ha^?1.     

Obtaining medical textiles including microcapsules of the ozonated vegetable oils

In this paper, it was aimed to obtain disposable medical textiles having antibacterial and wound healing properties, as well as biological adaption. For this purpose, the St. John’s Wort oil and flax seed oil were ozonated, and the oils were capsulated with arabic gum. The produced ozonated oils were characterized through FTIR and TGA analyses, as well as the properties of antibacterial, wound healing, and biological adaption were investigated. The produced microcapsules were examined via optical microscope and FTIR. The characterized microcapsules of the ozonated oils were applied to the textiles with padding method. After the applications, the fabrics were researched with SEM and FTIR analyses; in addition the antibacterial and wound healing properties and biological adaption of the textiles were also investigated. The results showed that the St. John’s Wort oil and flax seed oil were successfully ozonated and microcapsulated. The microcapsules of the oils could be applied to the fabric samples with the determined application recipe. The ozonated oils and the fabric samples applied microcapsules of the ozonated oils gained high antibacterial and wound healing property. In addition, the fabric samples were produced as having biological adaptation.     

Effect of Oyster Mushroom,Pleurotus ostreatus,Extract on Hemato‐Immunological Parameters of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The current study investigated the effects of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, extract on immunological and hematological parameters of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The fish were fed diets containing 0 (control), 1, and 2% supplementation of the oyster mushroom extract for 6 wk. Blood samples were collected weekly for the first 6 weeks. After 6 wk of feeding, the fish were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and mortality was recorded. The results of this study showed that feeding rainbow trout an oyster mushroom extract–supplemented diet stimulated phagocytic activity of phagocytic cells, lysozyme activity, and myeloperoxidase activity in serum, but it did not significantly affect the total serum immunoglobulin level. At the same time, a significant increase was found in the number of neutrophils, monocytes, and total white blood cells. Fish fed the diet supplemented with oyster mushroom extract showed reduced mortalities following L. garvieae infection compared with controls. These results show that supplementation of fish diets with oyster mushroom extract at 1 and 2% concentrations significantly imrpoves hematological parameters and modulates the immune response against L. garvieae in rainbow trout.     

The effects of cyclophosphamide and its uroprotective agents, mesna and hyperbaric oxygen, on urinary bladder motility in guinea pigs

The aim of this research was to observe the effects of cyclophosphamide and its uroprotective agents, mesna and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), on the motility of urinary bladder muscle in guinea pigs. In the experimental groups, mesna and cyclophosphamide were intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 21.5 mg/kg and 68.1 mg/kg, respectively. For the combination of mesna and cyclophosphamide, one dose of mesna was injected 20 min before cyclophosphamide administration and three additional injections of mesna were repeated every three hours. A total of 8 HBO exposures were performed at 2.8 ATA for 90 min twice daily for another experimental group. In the HBO and cyclophosphamide combined group 5 HBO exposures were given prophylactically before cyclophosphamide. The combination of mesna, HBO and cyclophosphamide was administered by the same procedure. The contractions obtained in response to acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-4) M) in the control group were reduced using cyclophosphamide and HBO individually, but not by mesna. However, the contractions belonging to the various combinations of these three agents were not different from those seen in the control group. On the other hand, the combinations of cyclophosphamide, mesna and HBO showed higher responses to ACh than the groups in which cyclophosphamide and HBO were used individually, while the responses elicited by the cyclophosphamide and HBO combination were greater than those seen in the group treated with HBO only.