Animal welfare education in Turkey

Veterinary medical education in Turkey began in 1842 and is now offered by 17 universities. Since 1895, topics related to animal welfare have been covered as part of the curriculum in courses titled Deontology, Health Inspection, and Laws of Veterinary Medicine. During the 2004/2005 academic year, for the first time, animal welfare was included as a separate course as part of the curriculum in two veterinary faculties. As a result of curriculum adjustment efforts at both national and international levels, the animal-welfare course is now expected to be required for all veterinary students in Turkey. This study reports on the development of animal-welfare curricula in veterinary medical education in Turkey and describes the historical events from which the appreciation of it arose.     

On the magnitude and dynamics of eddy covariance system residual energy (energy balance closure error) in subsurface drip-irrigated maize field during growing and non-growing (dormant) seasons

We investigated the magnitude and dynamics of the eddy covariance system (ECS) residual energy (energy balance closure error) for a subsurface drip-irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) field in 2005 and 2006 growing and non-growing (dormant) seasons. The corrections for coordinate rotation, oxygen, frequency, and Webb–Pearman–Leuning corrections improved the slope of the total convective energy (latent heat + sensible heat) with respect to the net available energy (from 0.68 to 0.84), but the data filtering (for horizontal and frictional wind speeds higher than 2 m s^?1 and lower than 0.2 m s^?1) had little effect on the slope. Also, the number of data points available for the analyses was reduced by 53 % after filtering. Overall, the daytime residual energy varied between ?100 and 200 W m^?2 during the dormant seasons and between ?500 and 600 W m^?2 during the growing seasons. Most of the nighttime residual energy ranged within ±40 W m^?2 during the calendar year in 2005 and within ?60 and 20 W m^?2 in 2006. During nighttime, the total convective energy is vertically distributed with respect to (R _n ? G), indicating that the total convective energy is independent of the variations in (R _n ? G). Secondly, it was observed that nighttime residual energy did not show any seasonal variation patterns throughout the two consecutive years and confined mostly within a narrow range of ±40 W m^?2, showing no dependency on seasonal changes in surface conditions. The maximum variation in residual energy was usually around frictional wind speed of 0.3–0.5 m s^?1 (varying between ?150 and 300 W m^?2) and then decreasing to a range of ±100 W m^?2 at higher frictional wind speeds. On average, the residual energy decreased by about 33 W m^?2 (after the intercept) for every 1.0 m s^?1 increase in frictional wind speed, whereas the residual energy decreased by about 4 W m^?2 (after the intercept) for every 1.0 m s^?1 increase in horizontal wind speed. Similar diurnal residual energy distribution patterns, with different magnitudes, were observed during growing and dormant seasons. Even though a slight decrease in residual energy was observed with increase in leaf area index (LAI) in both growing seasons, LAI did not have considerable influence on the seasonal variation in the residual energy. The residual energy was also evaluated by separating the data into morning and afternoon hours. We observed that the root-mean-squared difference value is slightly greater for the morning data than the afternoon, indicating greater residual energy in the morning hours due to weaker turbulent mixing than the afternoon. Overall, significant reduction in the available evapotranspiration data after applying a series of corrections possess challenges in terms of utilization of ECS for in-season irrigation management and crop water requirement determinations that needs to be further researched and addressed.     

Remote sensing and in situ-based estimates of evapotranspiration for subirrigated meadow,dry valley,and upland dune ecosystems in the semi-arid sand hills of Nebraska,USA

Water consumed through evapotranspiration (ET) impacts local and regional hydrologic regimes on various spatial and temporal scales. Estimating ET in the Great Plains is a prerequisite for effective regional water resource management of the Ogallala (High Plains) Aquifer, which supplies vital water resources in the form of irrigation for extensive agricultural production. The Sand Hills region of Nebraska is one of the largest grass-stabilized eolian (windblown) sand dune formations in the world, with an area of roughly 50,000–60,000 km² that supports a system of five major land cover types: (1) lakes, (2) wetlands (with lakes, ~5%), (3) subirrigated meadows (water table is within ~1 m of surface; ~10%), (4) dry valleys (water table is 1–10 m below surface; ~20%), and (5) upland dunes (water table is more than 10 m below surface; ~65%). Fully understanding the hydrologic regime of these different ecosystems is a fundamental challenge in regional water resource assessment. The surface energy and water balances were analyzed using Bowen Ratio Energy Balance Systems (BREBS) at three locations: (1) a meadow, (2) a valley, and (3) an upland dune. Measurement of the energy budget by BREBS, in concert with Landsat remote sensing image processing for 2004 reveals strong spatial gradients between sites in latent heat flux that are associated with undulating topographic relief. We find that daily estimates of ET from BREBS measurements and remote sensing agree well, with an uncertainty within 1 mm, which is encouraging when applying remote sensing results across such a broad spatial scale and undulating topography.     

Properties of modified ethylene terpolymer/poly(lactic acid) blends based films

In order to explore an alternative method instead of plasticization for improving the toughness, flexibility and processability of PLA based packaging films, two different kinds of modified polyethylene based elastomers, such as glycidyl methacrylate or maleic anhydride functionalized ethylene-acrylate based elastomers, were melt blended with PLA. Their properties were compared with conventional PEG plasticized PLA. The chemical interaction between end groups of PLA and epoxide or maleic anhydride functional groups of elastomers was shown by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy showed that up to 20 % PEG loading, one phase morphology was achieved, however beyond this point, a phase separation was observed for plasticized PLA. For PLA/elastomer blends, a two-phase morphology was obtained as a result of immiscible nature of PLA and elastomers. Tensile and dynamic mechanical properties indicated that elastomer based blends were better than plasticized PLA independently from elastomer type. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis exhibited that the T _g value was remarkably lowered in the plasticized PLA; however, it did not change in the case of elastomers. In terms of oxygen permeability and biodegradability, plasticized PLA was found to be better than elastomer based blends.     

Pharmacokinetics of levamisole in the red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of levamisole were determined in red‐eared slider turtles after single intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) administration. Nine turtles received levamisole (10 mg/kg) by each route in a three‐way crossover design with a washout period of 30 days. Blood samples were collected at time 0 (pretreatment), and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hr after drug administration. Plasma levamisole concentrations were determined by a high‐performance liquid chromatography assay. Data were analyzed by noncompartmental methods. The mean elimination half‐life was 5.00, 7.88, and 9.43 hr for IV, IM, and SC routes, respectively. The total clearance and volume of distribution at steady state for the IV route were 0.14 L hr^?1 kg^?1 and 0.81 L/kg, respectively. For the IM and SC routes, the peak plasma concentration was 9.63 and 10.51 μg/ml, respectively, with 0.5 hr of T_max. The bioavailability was 93.03 and 115.25% for the IM and SC routes, respectively. The IM and SC route of levamisole, which showed the high bioavailability and long t_1/2?z, can be recommended as an effective way for treating nematodes in turtles.     

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.     

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.     

Identification and pathogenicity of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot disease on sweet cherry in Province of Turkey

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Sweet cherry leaf spot, caused by Alternaria spp., causes significant yield losses to sweet cherry production globally. This study was aimed at...     

Comparison of the arterial blood gas,arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension during sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia in rabbits

The effects of sevoflurane or isoflurane on arterial blood gas, arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation and end-tidal CO2 tension were monitored during induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in 10 premedicated New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits.For induction, the anaesthetic agents were delivered via a face-mask. After induction was completed, an endotracheal tube was introduced for maintenance of anaesthesia for a period of 90 minutes. Changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gas, arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation, blood pH and end-tidal CO2 tension were recorded. Although sevoflurane and isoflurane produce similar cardiopulmonary effects in premedicated rabbits, sevoflurane provides a smoother and faster induction because of its lower blood/gas partition coefficient. Thus sevoflurane is probably a more suitable agent than isoflurane for mask induction and maintenance. Its lower blood solubility also makes sevoflurane more satisfactory than isoflurane for maintenance of anaesthesia because it allows the anaesthetist to change the depth of anaesthesia more rapidly.     

The effects of organophosphate insecticide diazinon on malondialdehyde levels and myocardial cells in rat heart tissue and protective role of vitamin E

Diazinon is an organophosphate insecticide has been used in agriculture and domestic for several years. Vitamin E (200 mg/kg, twice a week), diazinon (10 mg/kg, per day), and vitamin E (200 mg/kg, twice a week)+diazinon (10 mg/kg, per day) combination was given to rats orally via gavage for 7 weeks. Body and heart weights, malondialdehyde (MDA) level in heart tissue and ultrastructural changes in myocardial cells were investigated at the end of the 1st, 4th, and 7th weeks comparatively with control group. When diazinon-treated group was compared to control group body and heart weights were decreased significantly at the end of the 4th and 7th weeks. It was observed that, at the end of 1st, 4th, and 7th weeks there was a statistically significant increase in MDA levels when diazinon- and vitamin E +diazinon-treated groups were compared to control group. While at the end of the 1st week statistically significant changes were not being observed, at the end of 4th and 7th weeks statistically significant decrease was detected in MDA levels when vitamin E+diazinon-treated group was compared to diazinon-treated group. In our electron microscopic investigations, while vacuolization and swelling of mitochondria myocardial cells of diazinon-treated rats were being observed, swelling of several mitochondria were observed in vitamin E+diazinon-treated rats. We conclude that vitamin E reduces diazinon cardiotoxicity, but vitamin E does not protect completely.