Effects of heat treatment on some properties of MDF (medium-density fiberboard)

This work investigated some mechanical, physical and free formaldehyde emission properties of heat-treated MDF. For this purpose, MDF panels were subjected to varying heat treatment temperatures (155°C, 165°C and 175°C), durations (2.5?h., 3.5?h. and 4.5?h.) and waiting times after hot pressing (30?min., 120?min. and 600?min). Thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA), free formaldehyde emission (FFE), bending strength (BS), modulus of elasticity (MOE), tensile strength perpendicular to fibers (TSPF) for treated and untreated samples were tested and evaluated statistically. Consequently, after the heat treatment values of tensile strength, bending strength and modulus of elasticity were almost negatively affected relatively, but the thickness swelling and water absorption and quantities of free formaldehyde were improved positively of MDF samples.     

Selective apoptotic behaviour of bovine herpesvirus 1 in an epithelial-like microenvironment

Apoptosis seems to play an important role in the pathogenic profile of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) infection. Nitric oxide (NO) is also important as a signal molecule. In this study, apoptosis was selectively induced in HEp-2 cells in the early stage [1-3 h postinfection (PI)] of BHV-1 multiplication, and this apoptotic process was realised through the caspase-8, and partially through the caspase-3, pathway. BHV-1 infection inhibited staurosporine- (SS-) induced apoptosis only if the SS was added at 6 h PI. The results of this study showed that the 'NO-apoptosis' relation was realised through the caspase-8 pathway ('outer membrane receptor' pathway) at a later stage of infection in apoptosis induced by BHV-1 + SS. Our previous report (Yazici et al., 2004) and this study together showed that BHV-1 might induce and inhibit cell-type-specific pathways of apoptosis.     

Limbal pseudotumor in a Cob Pony

A tumor-like tissue mass of lateral-limbal site in the right eye of a 12-year-old Cob Pony mare was presented for surgical removal. The mass, covering the lateral limbus, bulbar conjunctiva and part of the cornea, was surgically removed, and the corneal defect repaired with a pedicle bulbar conjunctival graft. The mass was inflammatory in nature containing mononuclear cells. No recurrence or complication occurred at 6- and 12-month follow-up examination.     

Prenatal development in greater mouse‐eared bat,Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

Order Chiroptera is the second largest mammal group after rodents. An understanding of the development of the bats, which is a very special mammal group in terms of their lifestyles, morphology and their ability to fly, is very important because most of the adult anatomical differences characterizing species occur during organogenesis. In this study, developmental stages were determined for Myotis myotis species based on external morphological characteristics from embryos obtained from wild‐caught pregnant females. The developmental stages of M. myotis were comparable with those of other bat species.     

The effect of dietary calcium concentration and particle size on performance, eggshell quality, bone mechanical properties and tibia mineral contents in moulted laying hens

1. A total of 72 H&;N Brown Nick laying hens, 76 weeks of age (moulted at 60 weeks of age), were randomly assigned into a 3?×?3 factorial arrangement with three limestone particle sizes and three dietary Ca concentrations (30, 36 and 42?g/kg Ca); with 8 replicates per treatments, and one hen (individual) per experimental unit.

2. Particle sizes of the limestone were: distributions smaller than 2?mm (Fine), between 2 to 5?mm (Medium), and larger than 5?mm (Large). The fine, medium and large limestone particles were all obtained from the same source, and sieve sizes used had screen sizes 2?mm and 5?mm.

3. The different concentrations of dietary Ca, particle size or interactions had no significant effect on egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake or feed conversion ratio.

4. The concentrations of dietary Ca and particle sizes had no significant effect on egg breaking strength, eggshell as % by weight of whole egg or eggshell thickness. The interactions between Ca concentrations and particle sizes had a significant effect on eggshell breaking strength, but not on other parameters.

5. Different dietary particle sizes had no significant effect on the Ca, P and Mg mineral contents of eggshell. While the different concentrations of Ca in diets had a significant effect on the P content of eggshell, they had no significant effect on Ca and Mg contents.

6. Different dietary concentrations of Ca had a significant effect on shear stress, and Ca and Mg contents of tibiae, but not other parameters. Also, dietary particle sizes had a significant effect on shear stress and Ca contents of tibiae. The interaction between Ca concentrations and particle sizes had a significant effect on tibia shear force and Ca content.

7. According to the results of this study, moulted brown laying hens should be fed 36?g/kg Ca and a medium limestone particle size (2–5?mm) in the diet to maintain performance, eggshell and bone quality.     

Removal of some cationic dyes from aqueous solutions by acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels

Acrylamide/itaconic acid (AAm/IA) hydrogels prepared by irradiating with γ radiating were used in experiments on the uptake of some cationic dyes such as basic red 5 (BR-5), basic violet 3 (BV-3) and brilliant cresyl blue (BCB). The removal of the cationic dyes to AAm/IA hyrogels is studied by batch adsorption technique. In the experiments of the adsorption, L3 type (Langmiur) adsorption in Giles classification system was found. Adsorption studies indicated that monolayer coverages of AAm/IA hydrogel by these dyes were increased with following order; BCB > BR-5 > BV-3.     

Modeling crop yield potential of Eastern Anatolia by using geographically weighted regression

Wheat is a very important cereal crop in Eastern Anatolia in terms of acreage and production. It is a staple food and plays an important role in people's livelihood. Drought often occurs in the region and it dramatically influences wheat yield. The yield also depends upon prevailing climatic conditions, rainfall, temperature and humidity. Crop-modeling studies to forecast crop yield are important not only for people now but for planning studies and precautionary measures for the future. Traditional decision support systems based on crop simulation models are normally site-specific. In order to address the effect of spatial variability of weather variables on crop production, we modeled wheat yield potential on certain climatic conditions by using Geographically Weighted Regression and Geographical Information Systems in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey.     

Effects of carbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance,eggshell quality,and bone parameters of laying hens fed on maize- and wheat-based diets

1. This study was conducted to determine the effects of enzyme supplementation of maize/wheat-based diets on the performance, egg quality, and serum and bone parameters of laying hens.

2. During the 12-week experimental period, a total of 72 laying hens aged 52 weeks were randomly distributed among 6 experimental groups. Each experimental group contained 4 replicates, each with three birds. The experiment was a randomised design consisting of a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, with three levels of wheat substitution and two levels of enzyme (xylanase: 1500.00 U/kg, β-glucanase: 100 000 U/kg, cellulase: 1 000 000 U/kg, α-amylase: 160 000 U/kg) inclusion in the diet. Wheat replaced 0, 50, or 100% of maize with or without 1.0 g/kg enzyme supplementation in iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric experimental diets.

3. Body weight, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, eggshell thickness, and the feed conversion ratio were adversely affected by the wheat-based diet. The eggshell quality parameters decreased with enzyme supplementation to the diet.

4. Wheat-based diets adversely affected calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the tibia, but the addition of the enzymes to the wheat-based diet prevented the negative effects of wheat-based diets on tibia mineralisation in laying hens. The wheat-based diets tended to reduce plasma mineral contents, and the addition of enzymes tended to affect plasma minerals and biomechanical properties of the tibia positively in laying hens.

5. These results indicate that wheat-based diets in aged laying hens adversely affected the mineral metabolism compared with maize-based diets, and the negative effects of wheat on bone mineralisation can be prevented by enzyme supplementation to the diets in laying hens.     

Effects of a meal feeding regimen and the availability of fresh alfalfa on growth performance and meat and bone quality of broiler genotypes

1. The aim of this study was to identify a feeding regimen that encourages good pasture use in slow (SG) and fast (FG) growing broiler genotypes under free-range management.

2. SG and FG birds fed on either an ad libitum (ADB) or a meal feeding (MEF) programme were given free outdoor access with or without fresh alfalfa from day 22 to 72 and from day 22 to 45, respectively. In two consecutive trials, 800 birds of each genotype were included in a factorial design using groups of 40 birds replicated 5 times.

3. Fresh alfalfa consumption did not improve growth performance and meat quality attributes, whereas the feeding regimen had significant implications. When compared with their ad libitum-fed counterparts, meal-fed birds showed a significantly lower body weight at a considerably lower feed consumption rate, leading to a more favourable feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the course of the experiment.

4. The MEF regimen with a strong feed limitation significantly increased crop and gizzard weight in both genotypes. In FG birds, water holding capacity, drip loss, cooking loss and pH 45 in the breast and thigh meat were adversely affected by MEF; however, feed restriction demonstrated benefits with significant decreases in muscle fat accumulation. In SG birds, decreases in protein and dry matter content of the breast and thigh muscle with meal feeding were conclusive.

5. In both genotypes, there was no treatment-related effect on meat yield, mineral composition of the meat or bone mechanical properties.

6. In conclusion, MEF, irrespective of alfalfa intake, may provide a viable method to decrease FCR; it may be able to contribute to the production of chickens with lean carcasses but it was not capable of improving overall meat quality.