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.     

Design of Neural Network Predictor for the Physical Properties of Almond Nuts

In this study, an adaptive neuro fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) based predictor was designed to predict the physical properties of four almond types. Measurements of the dimensions, length, width and thickness were carried out for one hundred randomly selected samples of each type. With using these three major perpendicular dimensions, some physical parameters such as projected area, arithmetic mean diameter, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, volume, shape index and aspect ratio were estimated. In in a various Artificial Neural Network (ANN) structures, ANFIS structure which has given the best results was selected. The parameters analytically estimated and those predicted were given in the form of figures. The root mean-squared error (RMSE) was found to be 0.0001 which is quite low. ANFIS approach has given a superior outcome in the prediction of the Physical Properties of Almond Nuts.     

Estimation of green bean yield, water deficiency and productivity using spectral indexes during the growing season

Field experiments were carried out in the 2004 and 2005 growing seasons on drip irrigated dwarf green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, humilis). Soil water content (SWC), spectral reflectance and yield were monitored. Based on these data crop evapotranspiration (ETc), soil water deficit index (SWDI), water use efficiency (WUE) and four separate spectral indexes were calculated. In order to determine use opportunities of spectral indexes for estimation of yield, SWDI and WUE, some statistical analyzes were made. Results showed that spectral indexes could be used for monitoring of yield, SWDI and WUE. Especially, Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) had the highest correlations with all three of the parameters. The estimation procedure which was given in this study has a potential use either during, or at the end of the growing season. Estimated values of WUE and SWDI were 3.2 (kg m^?3) and 0.12, respectively, through SAVI and the given procedure, indicates the optimal water use and yield conditions for dwarf green beans. At this situation, probably ETc was 580 mm and yield was 25.5 t ha^?1.     

Antioxidant secoiridoids from fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus L.)

Recently, a number of studies on health benefits associated with natural compounds have been demonstrated. Phenolics in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. The fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is used as a raw material by pharmaceutical industries for the preparation of homeopathy tinctures. The potential antioxidant activities of two secoiridoids from root bark of fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus L.) were investigated to evaluate their potential value as the natural products for foods or cosmetic applications. In this study, antioxidant activities were measured by 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH·) scavenging, superoxide anion (O ₂ ^·? ) radical scavenging, total antioxidant activity, reducing activity, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging and ferrous metal chelating activity assays. These secoiridoids, as antioxidants neutralized the activities of radicals and inhibited the peroxidation reactions of linoleic acid emulsion. Total antioxidant activity was measured according to ferric thiocyanate method. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol and trolox, a water-soluble analog of tocopherol, were used as the reference antioxidant compounds. Ligustroside (3.70 × 10^?3 M) and oleuropein (3.80 × 10^?3 M) showed 71.9, 82.4, 80.7 and 90.4% inhibition on lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, at the concentrations of 10 and 20 μg/mL. On the other hand, 20 μg/mL of standard antioxidant such as α-tocopherol (4.64 × 10^?3 M), trolox (7.98 × 10^?3 M), BHA (10.08 × 10^?3 M) and BHT (9.06 × 10^?3 M) exhibited 61.5, 29.8, 74.4 and 71.2% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. In addition, ligustroside and oleuropein had effective DPPH·, ABTS^·+ and superoxide anion radicals scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, total reducing power and metal chelating on ferrous ions activities. Also, those various antioxidant activities were compared to BHA and BHT, α-tocopherol and trolox that are references antioxidants.     

Characterization of Pseudoperonospora cubensis isolates from Europe and Asia using ISSR and SRAP molecular markers

Downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis is a major disease of cucurbits worldwide. New genotypes of the pathogen have recently appeared in the USA, EU and Israel causing breakdown of genetic resistance, expansion of host range, and the appearance of a new A2 mating type. Seventy-eight P. cubensis isolates were collected during 1996–2011 from cucurbits fields in different regions of Turkey, Israel and the Czech Republic and genetic diversity was analysed using highly polymorphic ISSR and SRAP molecular markers. The data acquired showed remarkable genetic diversity within and among the isolates. While isolates from Turkey and Czech Republic exhibited uniform genetic background, the isolates from Israel were clearly distinguished from the others. The results may indicate on migration and/or frequent sexual reproduction of the pathogen in Israel. Moreover the selected markers can be suggested for monitoring genetic diversity within P. cubensis isolates in further studies.     

Empirical modelling of tensile strength of woven fabrics

Aesthetic properties of fabrics have been considered as the most important fabric attribute for years. However, recently there has been a paradigm shift in the domain of textile material applications and consequently more emphasis is now being given on the mechanical and functional properties of fabrics rather than its aesthetic appeal. Moreover, in certain woven fabrics used for technical applications, strength is a decisive quality parameter. In this work, tensile strength of plain woven fabrics has been predicted by using two empirical modelling methods namely artificial neural network (ANN) and linear regression. Warp yarn strength, warp yarn elongation, ends per inch (EPI), picks per inch (PPI) and weft count (Ne) were used as input parameters. Both the models were able to predict the fabric strength with reasonably good precision although ANN model demonstrated higher prediction accuracy and generalization ability than the regression model. The warp yarn strength and EPI were found to be the two most significant factors influencing fabric strength in warp direction.     

Human Foetal Sacral Length Measurement for the Assessment of Foetal Growth and Development by Ultrasonography and Dissection

This study investigated the value of prenatal ultrasonographic measurements of sacrum as a predictor of in utero development and gestational age (GA), and to make a comparison between the data obtained by ultrasonography and dissection. A prospective cross-sectional study of ultrasonography was conducted in 186 pregnant women with uneventful single pregnancies. GA ranged from 14 to 40 weeks, and the relationships of sacrum length (SL) with GA, femur length (FL), biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC) and abdominal circumference (AC) were evaluated. In addition, the sacral bones of 101 spontaneously aborted foetuses aged from 13 to 39 weeks were dissected and measured. The relationship of the results with GA was investigated. There was a linear relationship between the ultrasonographic measurements of the SL and the GA (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001), the FL (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001), the BPD (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001), the HC (R2 = 0.92, P < 0.001) and the AC (R2 = 0.90, P < 0.001). The rate of increase of SL was significantly higher before 28 weeks of gestation than in later pregnancy, with a correlation coefficient between SL and GA of 0.96 and 0.88, respectively. The SL measurements obtained by dissection were similar to those of ultrasonography. There was a linear relationship between the SL and the GA (R2 = 0.96, P < 0.001) and the correlation coefficients between SL and GA were 0.97 before 28 weeks of gestation, and 0.94 in later weeks. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high correlation between the SL, GA and other standard measurements of foetal growth, and suggests that SL measurement is a valuable predictor of GA in the foetuses with normal growth.     

Embryonic and larval development of black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi,Boulenger, 1895) under laboratory conditions

The embryonic and larval development of black skirt tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, are described under controlled laboratory conditions. In addition, major histomorphological changes and the allometric growth patterns during larval development have been described. The laboratory‐reared broodstock, that is 1 year of age, were spawned. Hatching occurred 20–21 h after spawning at 24 ± 0.5°C. The cleavage was finished in 2 h and the early blastula stage occurred at 2:04 hours after spawning. The gastrulation started at 3:20 hours and 30% epiboly was observed at 3:34 hours after spawning. Eight‐somite stage was observed at 08:33 hours. And embryonic developmental stage was completed at 21 h after spawning. The newly hatched larvae were 1442 ± 14.3 μm in mean total length (TL). The mouth opened at 3 days after hatching (DAH). The yolk sac had been totally absorbed and the larvae started to swim actively within 3–4 days. Notochord flexion began at 11 DAH. The metamorphosis was completed and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 32 DAH. In this paper, the full developmental sequence from egg to juvenile of G. ternetzi is described for the first time.     

Matrix metalloproteinase expression in sheep with listerial meningoencephalitis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In this study, we investigated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes antigens and detected the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-7 in the brains of 22 sheep with clinical signs and histopathological findings characteristic of listerial meningoencephalitis. Archived sections from the brainstem, cerebrum, and cerebellum were stained for immunohistochemistry. L. monocytogenes antigens were located mainly in the cytoplasm of neutrophils and some macrophages and/or extracellularly within microabscesses of the brainstem. MMP-9 was mainly immunolocalised in the endothelial cells, microglial cells, and neurons especially in inflammatory areas. MMP-7 immunoreactivity was detected in perivascular cuffs, microglial cells, and only a few neurons. Overall, immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues is a useful tool for the diagnosis of encephalitic listeriosis caused by L. monocytogenes, and MMP-9 and MMP-7 may contribute to the pathogenesis of listerial meningoencephalitis.