Using Artificial Neural Network and Multiple Linear Regression for Predicting the Chlorophyll Concentration Index of Saint John’s Wort Leaves

This research investigates and compares artificial neural network and multiple linear regression for predicting the chlorophyll concentration index of Saint John’s wort leaves (Hypericum perforatum L.). Plants were fertilized with 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha^?1 nitrogen [34% nitrogen ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)]. Chlorophyll concentration index of each leaf was measured using SPAD meter. Afterwards, rgb (red, green, and blue color) values of all leaf images were determined by image processing. Values obtained were modeled using both multiple regression analysis and artificial neural networks. Using multiple regression analysis R² values were between 0.61 and 0.97. Coefficient of determination values (R²) using artificial neutral network values were found to be 0.99. Artificial neutral network modeling successfully described the relationship between actual chlorophyll concentration index values and predicted chlorophyll concentration index values.     

Seed composition of soybeans grown in the Harran region of Turkey as affected by row spacing and irrigation

This study was conducted to determine the effects of row spacing (RS) and irrigation (IR) on protein content, oil content, and fatty acid composition of soybeans grown in the Harran region of Turkey. Oil content of the seed varied from 20.9 to 22.3%. Oil and protein contents were both affected by year. RS and IR affected protein and oil contents significantly (P < 0.01) in both years. RS of 70 cm had the highest protein content, followed by RS of 60, 40, and 50 cm, respectively. IR every 3rd day resulted in the highest level of protein, followed by 6th, 9th, and 12th day irrigation, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between protein and oil content was -0.791 in 1998 and -0.721 in 1999. RS (P < 0.01) and IR (P < 0.01) influenced oleic and linoleic acid contents significantly. Interactions of RS and IR were also found to be significant (P < 0.05) for the oleic and linoleic acid contents of soybeans.     

Response of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to different tillage systems and intra-row spacing

The earliness is of great importance to cotton production in Mediterranean-type environments due to detrimental effects of autumn rainfall on lint quality. However, farmers commonly avoid early sowing due to risks of cold soil temperature and waterlogging after sowing in spring. Ridge-tillage system is one approach to increase soil temperature and mitigate adverse effects of waterlogging. The ridge-tillage system is also advantageous in reducing inputs in tillage operations. However, a limited experimental data are available about the effects of ridge-tillage system on earliness of harvesting, lint yield and quality of cotton in the Mediterranean-type environments. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine how ridge-tillage (RT)-planting system and intra-row spacing affect cotton lint yield, earliness and fiber quality compared with conventional tillage (CT)-planting system. Field experiments were conducted on a clay soil (Vertisol) in Hatay province (36°39′N–36°40′E, 83 m a.s.l.) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey during 2000 and 2001. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot with three replications with tillage systems as main plots and intra-row spacings (13, 17, 21 and 25 cm) as subplots. The effects of tillage systems on lint yield and earliness were inconsistent among years. The RT-planting system resulted in 13.5% higher lint yield and 14.5% more earliness in 2001 when abundant rainfall occurred after sowing, while significant effects of tillage systems were not observed in 2000. The intra-row spacings significantly affected lint yield and earliness in both years. The earliness increased with closer spacing, while the highest lint yield was obtained from 17 cm intra-row spacing in both years. However, the fiber quality parameters were not significantly affected by tillage systems, intra-row spacings and tillage system × spacing interaction in both years. Finally, the results suggest that RT-planting system with 17 cm intra-row spacing can be used in cotton production instead of CT-planting system in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Ridging in 17 cm intra-row spacing also seems to be suitable to mechanical harvesting.     

Genetic relationships among perennial and annual Cicer species growing in Turkey as revealed by allozymes

Allozyme polymorphisms were used to assess genetic variation and relationships among ten Cicer species (annuals and perennials) growing in Turkey. Using seven enzyme systems, 12 putative scorable loci were detected and surveyed for polymorphism in an accession collection including wild and cultivated forms. Variation was generally low within accessions and species, but common between species. Cluster analysis based on the pairwise genetic distance coefficients among accessions and species using UPGMA revealed two species clusters; one includes three perennials (C. montbretii, C. isauricum and C. anatolicum) and the other contains six annuals (C. pinnatifidum, C. bijugum, C. judaicum, C. echinospermum, C. reticulatum and C. arietinum) and one perennial species (C.incisum). Grouping obtained in allozyme analysis appears to be consistent with the classification these species into three sections. However, contrary to relationships obtained in previous studies, three perennial species from section Polycicer were relatively distant to the group containing annuals. One perennial species, C. incisum from section Chamaecicer, clustered with annuals showing a close similarity. The grouping of six annual species was consistent with the previous reports of relationships. The relationships deduced between perennials and annuals appear to shed light on the evolution of annual habit from perennial habit.     

Micronutrient composition of field‐grown dry bean and wheat inoculated with Azospirillum and Trichoderma

Micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition in humans are severe problems in many developing countries, particularly in areas with calcareous soils. There is almost no information on whether inoculation with plant growth–promoting Azospirillum and/or Trichoderma can help to reduce this problem by increasing the mineral concentration of the seeds. Field experiments were conducted in Tokat (Turkey) in 2001–2002 to determine whether inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense, Trichoderma harzianum, sole or in combination, and/or the application of P fertilizers can enhance micronutrient concentrations of field‐grown bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). In beans, Azospirillum inoculation combined with P fertilization significantly (p < 0.05) increased seed concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Cu, from 8.8, 22.6, and 7.0 mg kg^–1 in the control to 10.3, 28.3, and 11.0 mg kg^–1, respectively. Trichoderma inoculation alone significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu and the cumulative plant uptake of Fe and Zn in 45‐day‐old bean plants. However, it significantly (p < 0.05) increased bean‐seed Cu content and accumulation. The double inoculation resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher micronutrient concentrations than Trichoderma inoculation alone in 45‐day‐old plants. In contrast to beans, the effects of microbial inoculations were less in wheat. However, dual inoculation significantly (p < 0.05) increased Zn content by 45% and Zn accumulation by 40% above the uninoculated control. Inoculation with plant growth–promoting microorganisms appears to be a promising strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies.     

Immunolocalization of some HOX proteins in immature and mature feline testes

Homeobox (HOX) proteins are known for their critical role in body shape formation and tissue differentiation of developing vertebrate embryos. Recent research has shown that HOX proteins have many physiological roles such as cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and cell differentiation in adults, as well as the development of the vertebrate nerve and reproductive system. This study was conducted to determine the possible physiological functions and expression intensities of HOXA10, HOXA11, HOXB6 and HOXC6 proteins in the male reproductive system (testes, epididymis and deferens ducts), which are important for the continuity of some specific cat breeds in different age ranges. In the study, a total of 18 testicular tissues were used, divided into two groups: less than 6 months (immature) and more than 1 year (mature). Tissue samples were then subjected to immunohistochemical staining with protein-specific antibodies examined in the study. In the findings obtained in the research; it was observed that HOXA10, HOXA11, HOXB6 and HOXC6 produced different intensities of immunolocalization in the epididymis and ductus deferens layers in the immature and mature testicular cells. In addition, it was found that HOXA10 immunoreaction was also seen in some vascular endothelial cells. As a result, it was concluded that the HOX proteins could contribute to the physiological functions of testes, epididymis and ductus deferens and affect male fertility.     

Polycondensation reaction and its mechanism during lignocellulosic liquefaction by an acid catalyst: a review

The increase in the residue content resulting from polycondensation would be adverse to the utilization of lignocellulose and to the quality of products obtained from liquefied lignocellulosic material.The yield of the residue formed from liquefaction and the mechanism of polycondensation were reported mainly by Lin,Yamada and Kobayashi.The major products of cellulosic liquefaction are levulinic acid and hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) derivatives under polyhydric alcohols and phenolated compounds under phenols.The cleavage of the β-O-4 bonds is the major reaction pathway of lignin liquefaction under various liquefying reagents regardless of whether they contain acid catalysts or not.The break up compounds by decomposition are polymerized to substances with high molecular weight by polycondensation in lignocellulosic liquefaction.The molecular weight of condensed residues increases almost linearly as a function of liquefaction time at the later stage of lignocellulosic liquefaction.The longer the time required,the greater the content of new residue generated by polycondensation during the entire process of liquefaction.We conclude that the condensed residues may stem from the interaction of degraded lignin and cellulose components in wood or from the products of two major components reacting with liquefying reagents.     

Lingual arch bar application for treatment of rostral mandibular body fractures in cats

Objective: To describe a lingual arch bar technique for fixation of rostral mandibular body fractures and report outcome in 16 cats. Study Design: Original study. Animals: Cats (n=16) with rostral mandibular body fracture (10 bilateral, 6 unilateral) just caudal to the canine teeth. Methods: Orthodontic wire (Dentaurum^®; 0.9 mm) was used as a lingual arch bar by contouring it to the shape of the lingual side of the alveolar margin, and secured by circum‐mandibular wires passed interproximal to teeth. Stability of fixation, occlusion, tolerance to the lingual arch bar, degree of secondary gingivitis/periodontitis, and ability to eat were evaluated clinically, and fracture union was assessed radiographically. Results: The lingual arch bar was well tolerated. Eleven cats without a feeding tube were able to eat within 24 hours. Time to fracture union and appliance removal ranged from 28 to 64 days (mean, 42.5 days). Malocclusion of the rostral part of the fracture occurred in 5 cats; however only 1 required correction. Conclusions: Intraoral stabilization of rostral mandibular fractures using a lingual arch bar is a simple and effective method for the treatment of rostral mandibular fractures just caudal to the canine teeth.     

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Prunus microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa analyzed by simple sequence repeats (SSRs)

Prunus microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa is a deciduous shrub well adapted to severe winter and dry-hot summer conditions. As the first step to explore the genetic and horticultural potential of P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa, we used SSRs to elucidate the genetic variation within its populations dispersed in upper Mesopotamia. We also investigated its phylogenetic relationship with economically important Prunus species; almond, apricot, sweet cherry, peach and plums. Using 47 amplifying SSR primer pairs, 63 P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa genotypes sampled from five locations and 15 cultivars belonging to other Prunus species were assayed. The cross-species transportability of SSRs was 96% indicating a high degree of homology between P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa and the other Prunus species. The genetic distance between P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa genotypes belonging to a particular geographic site was lower than that between genotypes of different geographic origins. Cluster analysis differentiated P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa genotypes according to their geographic sites and separated them from the other Prunus species. P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa and sweet cherry, the subgenus Cerasus, were located in the same major cluster, the other Prunus species, belonging to the subgenera Amygdalus and Prunus, were located in another one. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that genetic variation among individuals within populations (59.10%) was much higher than among Prunus groups (29.28%) and among P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa populations of different geographic sites (11.61%). The results indicate a substantial genetic diversity in P. microcarpa C.A. Mey. subsp. tortusa and the need of exploring a wider area to increase the chance of finding a particular genotype.     

The role of goats as reservoir hosts for bovine herpes virus 1 under field conditions

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV1) is the cause of economically significant viral infections in cattle. Respiratory symptoms associated with the infection are known as Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR). Sheep and goats are less sensitive to the infection although their role in inter-species viral transmission under field conditions is subject to controversy. The objective of this study was to investigate seroprevalence of BoHV1 infections in cattle, sheep, and goats raised together for at least a year. Blood serum samples were taken from 226 cattle, 1.053 sheep, and 277 goats from 17 small- to medium-scale farms. BoHV1-specific antibody presence and titers were determined using virus neutralization test. In total, 73 of the 226 cattle (32.3%) were seropositive. The infection was detected in 13 of the 17 farms. Infection rates ranged from 5.8 to 88.8%. Only one of the 1053 sheep (0.09%) was seropositive. However, 58 of the 277 (20.9%) goats were seropositive. Goat samples taken from 8 of the 17 farms were seropositive with infection rates ranging from 17 to 38.9%. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation in infection rates between cattle and goats but not sheep. These results suggest that goats may be more sensitive to the BHV1 infection than sheep and the role of goats as possible reservoirs for BoHV1 in the control and eradication of BHV1 in cattle should be considered in future studies.