Investigation of twisted monofilament cord properties made of nylon 6.6 and polyester

A tire is a composite of rubber and reinforcing materials. Polymeric materials used as reinforcing components are usually synthetic yarns. These synthetic yarns have high tenacity, they are made of continuous multifilaments. The yarns are converted in the cord form to provide desired mechanical, thermal and adhesion properties by a series of conversion processes. Besides of multifilament synthetic cords, there are some specific areas in which single ply monofilament cords have been utilized as a reinforcing element. In this study, new cord structures have been developed by using monofilament yarns and by imitating multifilament cords. New cord structures exhibited some very interesting cord properties compared to both single ply monofilament cord and multifilament cords. Monofilament yarns having diameter between 0.23 and 0.50 mm have been twisted together from 3 to 6 plies based on mixed Taguchi model to form cords. Nylon 6.6 and Polyester monofilament yarns have been selected because of common application of their multifilament counterpart yarns in tire carcass and capply. The twisted monofilament cords have been adhesive treated to produce cords ready to adhere rubber. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, adhesion with rubber, fatigue properties under dynamic conditions, retention of properties after curing and microscopic analysis of the cords have been analyzed. The cords have been found to possess some benefits for tire carcass, breaker, belt and belt protective layer applications with their superior fatigue performance, cut resistance, stiffness, ligth weigth etc.     

Low-Cost Synthesis of Organic–Inorganic Hybrid MSU-3 from Gold Mine Waste for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Adsorption

Amine-grafted MSU-3 mesoporous silica samples were synthesized from pure and waste silica sources and their CO₂ adsorption performances were evaluated. The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). CO₂ adsorption capacities of the samples at different temperatures were determined by TGA. The amine-modified MSU-3 synthesized from waste exhibited the highest CO₂ adsorption capacity of 1.32 mmol/g at 25 °C and 1 bar, depending essentially on the porous texture and the amine content of the material. The CO₂ adsorption isotherms of the synthesized samples were measured by a static volumetric method. Adsorption isotherm indicated that the amine-modified samples presented significantly higher CO₂ adsorption capacity than the pure samples. The Avrami kinetic model fitted the experimental data well and suggested that complex reaction mechanism or the appearance of multiple reaction pathway occurred in the CO₂ adsorption.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract CO₂ uptake capacities and TEM images of the amine modified samples

     

The effect of feeding system on fattening performance,slaughter, and carcass characteristics of Norduz male kids

The study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding systems on fattening performance, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male Norduz kids. In the study, 20 male Norduz kids weaned at 2.5 months of age were divided into two groups after weaning. The first group was reared under semi-intensive conditions (SI) on a mixture of pasture and concentrate, and the second group was reared under extensive conditions (E) on pasture only. SI group had higher final weight (35.30 kg versus 32.81 kg), daily weight gain (153.10 g versus 132.14 g), and warm carcass yield (44.84% versus 46.55%) compared to the E group although there were no significant differences. Body organs, carcass parts, prime cuts, and chemical composition of the chop area did not also differ in two groups significantly. As a conclusion, this study showed that semi-intensive feeding systems improved kid fattening performance and carcass characteristics.     

Effect of different zinc application methods on grain yield and zinc concentration in wheat cultivars grown on zinc‐deficient calcareous soils

The effect of six different zinc (Zn) application methods on grain yield and concentrations of Zn in whole shoots and grain was studied in wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum, L. cvs. Gerek‐79, Dagdas‐94 and Bezostaja‐1 and Triticum durum, Desf. cv. Kunduru‐1149) grown on severely Zn‐deficient calcareous soils (DTPA‐extractable Zn: 0.12 mg‐kg^‐1 soil) of Central Anatolia which is the major wheat growing area of Turkey. Zinc application methods tested were: a) control (no Zn application), b) soil, c) seed, d) leaf, e) soil+leaf, and f) seed+leaf applications. Irrespective of the method, application of Zn significantly increased grain yield in all cultivars. Compared to the control, increases in grain yield were about 260% with soil, soil+leaf, and seed+leaf, 204% with seed and 124% with leaf application of Zn. In a similar manner, biomass production (dry weight of above‐ground parts) was increased by Zn treatments. The highest increase (109%) was obtained with the soil application and the lowest increase (40%) with the leaf application. Significant effects of Zn application methods were also found on the yield components, i.e., spike number.m^‐2, grain number‐spike^‐1, and thousand kernel weight. Spike number.m^‐2 was affected most by Zn applications, particularly by soil and soil+leaf applications. Concentrations of Zn in whole shoots and grain were greatly affected by different Zn treatments. In plants without added Zn, concentrations of Zn were about 10 mg‐kg^‐1 both in shoots and grain and increased to 18 mg‐kg^‐1 dry weight (DW) by soil application of Zn, but not affected by seed application of Zn. Soil+leaf application of Zn had the highest increase in concentration of Zn in shoot (82 mg‐kg^‐1 DW) and grain (38 mg‐kg^‐1 DW). Soil application of Zn was economical and had long‐term effects for enhancing grain yield of wheat grown on Zn deficient soils. When high grain yield and high Zn concentration in grains are desired, soil+leaf application of Zn was most effective method of Zn application.     

Effects of some egg characteristics on the mass loss and hatchability of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs

1. This study was conducted to examine some egg characteristics and determine the effects of eggshell thickness and eggshell porosity on water loss and hatchability of eggs in ostriches. 2. Shell thickness did not correlate significantly with hatchability. However, eggs of low shell thickness lost more mass (13.03%) than those with intermediate (11.22%) and high (10.36%) shell thickness. Mass loss during incubation was higher in hatched (11.98%) than unhatched eggs (11.09%). Shell thickness was negatively correlated to egg mass loss (r = -0.65). 3. The pore density was correlated with hatchability. Hatchability was 50% lower in eggs with low pore densities (40.93%) than with high densities (80.94%). Pore density was positively correlated with egg mass loss (r = 0.63). Incubation mass losses of hatched and unhatched eggs were not significantly different. 4. Mean eggshell water vapour conductance (G) value and shell conductance constant (k) were 87.77 +/- 4.21 mg H2O/d/Torr and 2.44 respectively (n = 15). 5. Because of eggshell functional properties and resulting low egg mass loss hatchability is low when ostrich eggs are artificially incubated. The mass of eggs used in the experiment was relatively high and their eggshell water vapour conductance was low. As a result, egg incubation mass loss was lower than it should be. It is concluded that incubator humidity should be low (25%) to allow enough mass loss during incubation from the eggs.     

First Report on the Frequency and Molecular Detection of Neuropathogenic EHV-1 in Turkey

There has been an increase in outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in the United States and Europe. However, the presence and frequency of neuropathogenic EHV-1 in Turkish horses are not known at present. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of EHV-1 and neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 in the Marmara Region of Turkey. Samples were analyzed for the presence of EHV-1 and neuropathogenic EHV-1 by real-time PCR TaqMan probe assays. Overall detection rate of EHV-1 was 45.5% (51 of 112). The detection rates were 70.5% (24 of 34) in aborted fetuses, 53.3% (8 of 15) in neonatal deads, 66.6% (4 of 6) in foals, 40% (2 of 5) in dead mares, and 25% (13 of 52) in living mares. Overall detection rate of neuropathogenic EHV-1 was 7.8% (4 of 51), and the real-time PCR results were confirmed by sequencing. Neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 were detected in the brain and lung of two mares with neurological disease but without a history of abortion, in the brain of a foal that died of respiratory disorder, and in the nasal swab from a mare with a history of abortion. On histopathology, nonpurulent meningoencephalitis, hemorrhages, and vasculitis were seen in the brain. In conclusion, results of this study indicated, for the first time, that the neuropathogenic EHV-1 is circulating in the Marmara Region of Turkey. The results of this study also show that the current risk for non-neuropathogenic strains is high, whereas risk for the neuropathogenic EHV-1-G₂₂₅₄ strain seems to be low. As outbreaks of EHV-1 continue in the Marmara region of Turkey, surveillance for neuropathogenic EHV-1 genotype should be maintained.     

Molecular and pathological investigations of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections in horses in Turkey

The aim of the present study was to investigate abortion storms that occurred in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2008-2009 using a real-time PCR. Two aborted foetuses were necropsied and histo-pathological findings reported herein. Ten lungs, 3 brains and one nasal swab from 10 aborted foetuses, 6 nasal swabs and 3 vaginal swabs from aborting mares were included in this study. EHV-1 was isolated from the lung, liver and brain of 1 aborted foetus. EHV-1 DNA was detected in the lungs, livers and spleens of 2 necropsied foetuses and in 3 lungs from 10 foetuses submitted for diagnosis. A brain from one of the aborted foetuses was also positive for EHV-1 DNA. EHV-4 DNA was detected only in a nasal swab of one of the tested foetuses. Neither EHV-1 nor EHV-4 DNA was detected in the swabs of aborting mares. Sequence analysis of the glycoprotein B of the strains was performed and a phylogenetic tree was generated. The results indicated that 4 of the 5 Turkish EHV-1 strains (TR02, TR03, TR04 and TR05) clustered together; the fifth strain (TR01) was slightly removed from the group and clustered with other EHV-1 from various origins. Single nucleotide polyporphism (SNP in ORF30) associated with neuropathogenesis was not detected in any of the strains. At necropsy, sub-milier focal necrosis in the liver and spleen was observed. Microscopically, focal coagulation necrosis and marked eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes localised around the necrotic areas in the liver. Severe coagulation necrosis in white pulp of the spleen was also observed.     

Pathogenicity,Morpho-Species and Mating Types of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria</Emphasis> spp. causing Alternaria blight in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia</Emphasis> spp. in Turkey

Alternaria genus includes many plant pathogens on numerous hosts, causing leaf spots, rots and blights. Alternaria blight has been observed as one of the important fungal diseases of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) as well as its wild relatives (P. terebinthus, P. lentiscus, P. khinjuk, P. atlantica, P. mutica) in Turkey. Alternaria species were sampled from Pistacia spp. hosts from different geographic regions in Turkey during field trips in late spring to early fall of 2013. Alternaria blight symptoms were observed mainly on fruits and rarely on leaves. Four hundred and twenty two of the isolates were morphologically defined as A. alternata, A. tenuissima, A. arborescens and also intermediate morpho-species between A. alternata/A. arborescens. Pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed with host inoculations on detached fruits. Mating types of 270 isolates of Alternaria spp. from the collection were identified using a PCR-based mating type assay that amplifies either a MAT1-1 or a MAT1-2 fragment from the mating locus. Although a strongly clonal population structure was expected due to the putative asexual reproduction of these fungi, both idiomorphs were detected at equal frequencies at several different spatial scales. The distribution of mating types within each geographic region, within host species as well as in overall collection was not significantly different from 1:1. Amplified fragments of partial idiomorph sequences were obtained for representative isolates. Parsimony trees were depicted based on sequence data of mating type genes for these representative isolates as well as some other Alternaria species obtained by Genebank. Several point mutations presented a few clusters which are supported by high bootsrapped values. The Alternaria blight disease agents both from cultivated and wild hosts were pathogenic on pistachio which may cause difficulties to control the disease because of extensity of pathogen sources. Besides, equal mating type distribution of the pathogen at both geographic and host species levels suggests a potential for sexual reproduction of Alternaria spp. in Turkey.