Prediction of pine mistletoe infection using remote sensing imaging: A comparison of the artificial neural network model and logistic regression model

In this study, the prediction of pine mistletoe distribution in Scots pine ecosystems was explored using remote sensing variables to compare the multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network (ANN) and logistic regression (LR) model performances. For this purpose, 109 sample plots were distinguished in pure Scots pine forests (natural) in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Distinguishing mistletoe-infected stands (69) and uninfected stands (40) was performed with field observations. The variables acquired from Landsat 8 (Level 1) images were used as independent variables for independent-sample t-test, MLP ANN and LR models. Remote sensing variables indicated that mistletoe-infected stands were in drier areas with a lower vegetation-leaf area index. Based on the performance results of both models, the sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of the MLP ANN model were superior to those of the LR model. The prediction percentages (SEN, SPE, PPV and NPV) of mistletoe-infected stands were better than the prediction percentages of uninfected stands. The prediction accuracies of LR and MLP ANN models were 74.3% and 89.6%, respectively. However, all remote sensing variables were included in the prediction equation of the MLP ANN model, while the thermal infrared 1 (TIRS1) variable was included in the LR model. In the MLP ANN model, the TIRS1 variable also had the highest normalized importance (100%). The area under the curve (AUC) value for identifying the mistletoe-infected stands of Scots pine forests used by the MLP ANN model (0.892 ± 0.034) was higher than in the LR model (0.838 ± 0.039), explaining the more accurate predictions obtained from the MLP ANN model. The MLP ANN model showed much better performance than the LR model. The results of this study are expected to make important contributions to the identification of potential mistletoe-infected areas.     

Biochemical changes and sensory assessment on tissues of carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>, Linnaeus 1758) during sale conditions

In this study, some biochemical changes of carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758) tissues were investigated. Studies have been carried out on carp which have regional economical importance. Storage temperature and time are the most important factors that affect the quality of fish during sales. It was observed that the temperature varied between 9 and 12°C in sale conditions. In addition, we assumed the arrival time of the fish at the fish market to be 0 (zero) h. Biochemical analyses [malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase activity] of carp tissues (muscle, liver, heart, spleen, brain) were carried out on fish which were held for 24 and 48 h, as well as on fresh fish (0 h). In addition, sensory analysis was conducted by a panel consisting of experienced judges of sensory evaluation. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) increases in MDA levels were found in liver, muscle, brain and spleen tissues when comparing the 0- and 24-h groups. But there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) increase in MDA level in heart tissue of carp after 24 h. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in MDA levels in muscle, spleen and heart tissues when comparing the 24- and 48-h groups. In the group examined at 24 h, it was observed that there were statistically significant differences from the 0 h group values (P < 0.05) for catalase (CAT) activity in muscle, brain, spleen and heart tissues. The decreases in CAT activity in liver and spleen tissues were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) between the group examined at 24 h compared with the group examined at 48 h. Carp maintained good quality during the selling conditions up to 24 h. This experiment deals with the effects of post-slaughter time and storage temperature on carp tissues. It is concluded that by considering the storage temperature (9–12°C) and storage time (post-slaughter) the product maintained acceptable quality up to 24 h. There was significant deterioration of sensory quality, as a result of changes in chemical constituents.     

Soil disinfestation options in Aydın province,Turkey, strawberry cultivation

Two field experiments were conducted in the two successive seasons of 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 in strawberry-growing areas of Aydin province of Turkey to (a) compare soil solarization and metam sodium (MS) combinations with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF); and (b) evaluate strawberry fruit yield, soilborne disease and weed control efficacy. Disinfestation treatments were as follows: (i) raised bed solarization for about 6 weeks, (ii) raised bed solarization for 3 weeks, (iii) raised bed solarization for 2 weeks + MS (50 ml m^-2), (iv) MS (50 ml m^-2) with LPDE (v) MS (100 ml m^-2) with LDPE, (vi) MS (50 ml m^-2) with VIF, (vii) MS (100 ml m^-2) with VIF. Results indicated that Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium spp. were the major fungal pathogens isolated from the crown of dead or dying plants in both cropping seasons. MS treatment (100 ml m^-2) through the drip irrigation system under LDPE sheet or VIF reduced soilborne diseases significantly while reduced dosage of MS (50 ml m^-2) under LDPE or VIF and in combination with 2-week soil solarization controlled the soilborne diseases to a greater extent than soil solarization treatments. All treatments controlled the following weed species: Portulaca oleracea, Amaranthus spp., Poa annua, Alopecurus myosuroides, Matricaria chamomilla, Digitaria sanguinalis, Raphanus raphanistrum, Seteria verticillata, Chenopodium album, Stelleria media, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Echinochloa cruss-galli, Veronica hederifolia, Lamium amplexicaule and Silybum marianum. None of the treatments provided acceptable control of horseweed (Conyza canadensis). Metam sodium application (100 ml m^-2) significantly increased yields by 18.5% and 14.5% in the 2005/2006 and 21.6% and 18.5% in the 2006/2007 season under LDPE and VIF, respectively, while marketable fruit yield was not significantly increased by soil solarization treatments in either trial. There was no significant difference between MS applications under LDPE and VIF for the weed and disease control, and marketable fruit yield.     

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.     

Novel life stage targets against plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), in apple integrated pest management

In this study the authors employed the plant-insect-chemistry (PIC) triad to investigate two novel life stage targets against the plum curculio (PC), Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), in apple integrated pest management (IPM). Laboratory treated apple bioassays were used to determine if the insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides novaluron and tebufenozide have physiological effects on PC larvae following adult exposure. Curative activity bioassays were conducted for IGR, neonicotinoid, oxidiazine and organophosphate insecticides on PC larvae post-infestation, and fruit penetration profiles of insecticides were developed. The results revealed that novaluron exhibits activity on PC larvae via vertical transmission following exposure of mated females to treated substrate. Surface treatments of azinphos-methyl, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam to preinfested fruit resulted in significant reductions in larval emergence. For all compounds, 50% or more of the total recovered active ingredient was from apple skin, and for azinphos-methyl, indoxacarb and thiamethoxam it was greater than 80%. For azinphos-methyl, novaluron, methoxyfenozide and thiacloprid, however, active ingredient was recovered from every section of the apple, from skin to core. Implications for twenty-first century IPM are discussed.     

Effects of slaughter methods on physical,biochemical and microbiological quality of rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis> and mirror carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> filleted in pre-, in- or post-rigor periods

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and mirror carp Cyprinus carpio were slaughtered by either percussion or asphyxiation. For determination of the physical (texture value) and biochemical quality attributes [pH, lactic acid, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and malondialdehyde (MDA) values] of trout and carp, the fish were filleted immediately (within 2 h), 12 h after harvest (pre-rigor), 24 and 36 h after harvest (in-rigor), and finally 48 and 60 h after harvest (post-rigor). For microbiological quality attribute (mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria count) analyses, the fish were filleted immediately (within 2 h) after harvest (pre-rigor), 24 h after harvest (in-rigor) and 48 and 72 h after harvest (post-rigor). By percussion slaughtering followed by pre-rigor filleting, it was possible to process rainbow trout and mirror carp without inflicting excessive handling stress. Percussion slaughter delayed onset of rigor and the percussion-slaughtered fish exhibited a long pre-rigor period (≈24 h), giving plenty time for pre-rigor processing. Percussion slaughtering and pre-rigor filleting of fish was considered to be superior to the traditional asphyxiation slaughtering with respect to texture, TVB-N and MDA attributes.     

Flavor, color, and vitamin C retention of pulsed electric field processed orange juice in different packaging materials

Effects of packaging materials, storage temperature, and time on the stability of pulsed electric field (PEF) processed orange juice were investigated. Single-strength orange juice was treated with PEF at an electric field strength of 35 kV/cm for 59 micros using an integrated pilot plant scale PEF processing and glovebox packaging system. The retention of eight orange juice aroma compounds, color, and vitamin C in glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene were evaluated at 4 and 22 degrees C for 112 days. Packaging material had a significant effect (p < or = 0.05) on the retention of orange juice aroma compounds, color, and vitamin C. PEF-treated orange juice had a shelf life of >16 weeks in glass and PET at 4 degrees C.     

Radon Survey and Exposure Assessment in Karaca and ?al Caves, Turkey

Radon concentration and gamma activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides were determined and presented for two tourist caves (Karaca and Çal caves) in this study. These caves are reported to receive about 77,000 visitors during the summer season in 2007. It was seen that mean radon activity concentrations for the winter and summer seasons for the Karaca cave is 1,023 and 823 Bq/m³ and for the Çal cave is 264 and 473 Bq/m³. Mean ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations are found to be 43, 19, and 262 Bq/kg for the Karaca cave and 31, 27, and 460 Bq/kg for the Çal cave. Doses received by the cave guides due to radon were estimated to be 2.9 mSv/year for the winter season and 2.3 mSv/year for the summer season for the Karaca cave. Same values were estimated for the Çal cave, and the results were found to be 0.6 mSv/year for the winter season and 1.1 mSv/year for the summer season. Annual effective doses received by the visitors in both caves were estimated to be in the order of ??Sv/year because of the short exposure time comparing the cave guides. Although the reported values are below the recommended values, both groups are exposed to possible radiological risk during their stay inside the cave, since prolonged exposure to high radon concentration has been linked to lung cancer.     

Predators of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marchalina hellenica</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Marchalinidae) on pine forests in Turkey

The honeydew of Marchalina hellenica is collected by honeybees for pine honey production, which is of great economic importance in Turkey. During 2009–2011 we investigated the predators of M. hellenica, which is distributed mainly in the areas with a Mediterranean climate – in the Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. The findings showed that M. hellenica has many predators in the studied areas and that these play an important role in the forest ecosystem. These predators are: Anystis baccarum (L.) (Acarina: Anystidae); Allothrombium triticium Zhang and Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing (Acarina: Trombidiidae); Neoleucopis kartliana (Tanasijtshuk) (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae); Myrrha octodecimguttata (L.), Rodolia cardinalis Mulstant, Scymnus subvillosus (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Dichochrysa genei (Rambur), Dichochrysa prasina (Burmeister) and Chrysoperla lucasina (Lacroix) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae); Wesmaelius subnebulosus (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), Cardiastethus nazarenus Reuter and Elatophilus pachycnemis Horváth (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). The most efficient and common predator was N. kartliana, here recorded for the first time from Turkey.     

TEMPO-treated CNF Composites: Pulp and Matrix Effect

This study examined the effects of matrix (PVA and Si) on the properties of TEMPO-treated nanocomposites preparing from different pulp sources (Kraft and NaBH₄ treated Kraft). Chemical characterization and crystallization were determined via FT-IR, thermal stability via TGA and morphological alterations via SEM. UTM and DTMA were used to measure the Young’s and storage moduli. The real and imaginary parts of permittivity and electric modulus were evaluated using an impedance analyzer. After interaction, prominent vibrations and alteration of crystallinity were seen. Storage and Young’s moduli decreased after Si and PVA interaction. The Si-TOCN films showed higher permittivity properties and all of the films followed a similar trend of significantly dropping ε' and ε'' values at high frequency. The PVA-TOCN films had mechanical advantages at room temperature compared to the Si-TOCN films. However, the Si-TOCN films had better thermomechanical properties at high temperatures. NaBH₄ revealed favorable effects on mechanical properties of the films.