Environmentally benign alternatives: Plasma and enzymes to improve moisture management properties of knitted PET fabrics

Effects of enzymatic and atmospheric plasma treatments individually and their combinations on knitted PET fabrics were investigated in terms of hydrophilicity, surface modification and moisture management properties. Cutinase from Humicola Insolens, lipase from Candida SP and atmospheric plasma with air and argon gases were applied to PET fabrics. To evaluate results, moisture management tester (MMT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized. Wicking heights of samples were measured by wicking test method. Improved moisture management properties were observed with environmentally benign processes compared to the untreated ones. Especially combined treatments have given the same or slightly better results than those of conventional alkaline treatments. Fabrics treated with plasma and then followed by enzymatic incubations have significantly improved the wetting time, absorption rates and spreading speed results.     

A comparison of the growth and survival of two freshwater crayfish species, Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz and Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), under different temperature and density regimes

Growth experiments carried out with two juvenile crayfish species, Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz and Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), at different temperatures and densities highlighted the problem of cannibalism under conditions aimed at intensifying crayfish production. Cannibalism proved to be much lower in A. leptodactylus than P. leniusculus, suggesting that the former might be the better candidate for astaciculture. In the first of two population survival trials, A. leptodactylus showed a higher survival rate than P. leniusculus, with 26% of P. leniusculus surviving in the first replicate, compared to 42.3% of P. leniusculus, and 40.76% surviving in the second replicate, compared to 47.6% of P. leniusculus. The same trend was observed in the second experiment, with P. leniusculus showing survival rates of 48.5 and 55.3% (first and second replicates, respectively) in comparison to 65.2 and 68.2%, respectively, for A. leptodactylus. It is therefore highly likely that if P. leniusculus were to become established in Turkey, it would outcompete the native A. leptodactylus even if it were not to be devastated by the crayfish plague that has decimated the native species. The experiments also highlighted the problem of differential growth, with some juveniles hardly growing at all while others reached a relatively large size. The range in carapace length (CL) was 9–18 mm for A. leptodactylus and 8.5–18.5 mm CL for P. leniusculus at the end of the first experiment. While both species grew quickly, P. leniusculus hatched earlier, giving it an advantage over A. leptodactylus; consequently, by the end of the summer, the juveniles of the former were larger than those of A. leptodactylus. Specific growth rate values showed that the juveniles of the two species had similar growth rates. The results also revealed that growth was not significantly affected by density in both species at 15°C, but at 25°C, growth was significantly better at a density of 234 juveniles m⁻² than at 468 juveniles m⁻², and better at 468 juveniles m⁻² than at 937 juveniles m⁻² (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). We conclude that P. leniusculus is a good candidate for aquaculture as it has a rapid growth rate and early hatching and maturity; however, its aggressive behavior may make it a less attractive proposition than A. leptodactylus, which is also fast growing but less aggressive. This study is a part of PhD study of M.M. Harlıoğlu, who is supported by Fırat University Elazığ, Turkey.     

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.     

The efficacy of selected biological and chemical control agents against Heterobasidion abietinum on Abies cilicica

The efficacy of 30% aqueous urea solution, borax powder and spore suspensions of Phlebiopsis gigantea and Trichoderma harzianum against establishment of artificially inoculated Heterobasidion abietinum on Abies cilicica was tested both in the field and in a simulated stump treatment experiment carried out in a growth chamber. In the field, in each of the four selected stands 20 fresh stumps per control agent were treated and 20 stumps were left as untreated controls. In two of the stands, the treatments were applied in June and in the two others in November. Stumps were sampled twice, at 6‐ and 12‐months after treatment. In the growth chamber, 10 log pieces per treatment and control were used, and sampling performed after 6‐week incubation. Results of the urea and borax treatments were consistent between the experiments; the mean efficacies were 98.8 and 99.4% in the growth chamber, and 80.2–91.3 and 89.4–90.1% in the two samplings of the field experiment, respectively. Despite the high efficacies of the P. gigantea (85.9%) and T. harzianum (97.5%) treatments in the growth chamber, efficacies of these biological control agents in the field were 47.1–49.2 and 61.3–65.5%, respectively.     

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.     

Immunohistochemical studies on the splenic lobe of the pancreas in young Japanese quails (Coturnix c. japonica)

The splenic lobe (Lobus splenicus) of the pancreas of young meat-type quails (Coturnix c. japonica) was examined by immunohistochemical and light microscopic methods. The endocrine cells are mainly grouped as alpha, beta and mixed islets. A large region consisting of alpha cells is located in the central region of the splenic lobe whereas numerous beta islets are detected in the periphery of the splenic lobe. Alpha islets are in the majority composed of toluidine blue positive A cells and a few toluidine blue negative D and / or avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) endocrine cells. Beta islets contain only a few toluidine blue negative B and a few D cells. Immunohistochemical staining of the splenic lobe reveal in the centre of beta islets numerous insulin immunoreactive cells and scarcely in alpha islets, exocrine tissue and / or among acinar cells. Somatostatin immune-reactive cells form a circular layer in the periphery of beta islets whereas these cells are uniformly distributed throughout the alpha islet parenchyma and exocrine tissue. In conclusion, the morphology but also the endo- and exocrine functions of the splenic lobe of quails are similar to observations in other avian species such as chicken, duck, goose and pigeon.     

Determining the Internal Connection Ratios by MRI and Their Effects on Grafted Rooted Vine Growing Features of cvs. Merlot and Syrah

This experiment was carried out to determine the percentage of internal connection between rootstock and scion in graft union with nondestructive and noninvasive MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) method and to follow performance status according to internal connection ratios of the grafted rooted vines after planting to vineyard field. Research was established in a factorial randomized block design and carried out with cvs. Merlot and Syrah grafted onto 110?R rootstock and 4 different internal (MRI) connection levels in 3 replications. The percentages of grafted rooted vine internal determination by MRI by four sides (13.75%) in graft union were found to be very low than others at the pre-planting stage. An increase in the internal connection ratio in the majority of the grafted rooted vines was determined after the vegetative growth phase. Therefore, the internal connection ratios of the graft union of rooted vines of cvs. Merlot and Syrah varieties showed a tendency to increase during the second year of development. Again in both cultivars, loss rate of grafted rooted vines showed a decreasing tendency depending on increase of internal connection ratio of graft union. As a result, in case of decrease of MRI costs, it is thought that grafted rooted vine producers may have the opportunity to supply better quality seedlings to vine growers using MRI techniques.     

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.     

Antibacterial activity of seed proteins of Robinia pseudoacacia

A low molecular weight cationic peptide was isolated from Robinia pseudoacacia seed and tested in vitro against seven bacteria (Corynebacterium michiganense, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, Pseudomonas syringae pv syringae, Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris, and Escherichia coli). The peptide inhibited the growth of the tested strains. The effective concentrations required for 50% inhibition of bacterial growth ranged between 20 and 120 microg ml(-1) protein. S. aureus was found to be the most sensitive strain, however, E. coli was not affected much when compared with others. Reduction of antibacterial activity of the peptide with CaCl2 addition into the growth medium was also observed.