East Mediterranean Region Research Articles

Turunçgil yaprakbitleri (Hemiptera: Aphididae): bulaşıklık oranları, popülasyon dalgalanmaları, konukçu bitki ve yaş tercihleri

Citrus plantations are suffered from many different pest species in East Mediterranean Region. Among them, aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are one of the important groups. Some species such as Aphis gossypii Glover, Aphis spiraecola Patch, Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis (Toxoptera) aurantii (Boyer de Fanscolombe) and Myzus (Nectarosiphon) persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) cause harm especially young citrus orchards. This study aimed to investigate regional distribution, seasonal fluctuation, host and host age preferences within citrus species of these aphid species in 15 sub-regions from Adana, Hatay, Osmaniye and Mersin between 2007 and 2009. While the mandarin was more preferred than other citrus species, grapefruit was the least preferred citrus species among in all the three provinces. Among the citrus species in the Mersin region, A. spiraecola was the most common in lemons, while A. (T.) aurantii preferred mandarin compare to others. In Adana and Hatay regions, mandarin was the most preferred citrus species for all aphid species except M. (N.) persicae. Aphid preferences depending on the age showed differences in citrus age scale by region. A. (T.) aurantii, on the other hand, had the highest rate of presence between the ages of 11-20 in Hatay and between the ages 21-40 in Mersin. The prevalence of citrus varieties in Adana and Hatay parallelly affected the distribution of aphids. However, A. spiraecola was dominant aphid species on the lemon. Adana, which has a richer flora compared to Mersin and Hatay regions, has been determined the highest aphid density in different species. The fact that Aphis goosypii and A. spiraecola create up to 30-40% infections rate in citrus orchards not only in spring, but also in July, and intense again in autumn have made these pests harmful for four seasons.

Dyeing of wool yarn with natural dyes of Lactarius deliciosus and L. sanguifluus from Turkey

In recent years, the use of synthetic dyes and pigments in textile finishing companies has been discussed for their harmful effects on human health and environment. For this reason, the use of plant–based dyestuffs from the nature has begun to increase because of the biodegradability, non–toxicity, human health and waste water contamination. Natural dyes are substances synthesized by some plants, animals, lichens and fungi in nature. Fungal species, including lichenized fungi have been used as natural colorants in different parts of the world throughout the history. In this study, natural dyes were extracted from Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius sanguifluus collected from Osmaniye province (East Mediterranean region) of Turkey. Wool yarn (for carpet) was dyed with these natural dyes by using different mordants. CIELab (L*, a*, b*, c* and h), color differences (ΔE) and color strength (K/S) values of dyed wool yarns were determined. According to the dyeing results, cream and brown colors were obtained from L. deliciosus and L. sanguifluus respectively; the use of mordant (ferrous sulfate) increased the color strength of dye goods. This is the first study on dyeing of wool yarns with natural dyes obtained from L. deliciosus and L. sanguifluus collected from East Mediterranean (Osmaniye province) of Turkey.

DROUGHT EFFECTS ON LEAF CANOPY TEMPERATURE AND LEAF SENESCENCE IN BARLEY

Drought stress is a major threat on most of the agricultural crops grown in the East Mediterranean Region in the consequence of predicted global climate change (1). Therefore, improving essential cereal crops such as barley is extremely important for this region to increase yield production due to its economic interest and adaptability to dry environments (29). This two-year experiment was carried out in Kalar technical institute, in Garmian region, Iraq during the seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18. Canopy temperature depression (CTd) and leaf senescence traits (Onset of leaf senescence (SENonset) and End of leaf senescence (SENend)) were evaluated under irrigated and rain-fed conditions for five hybrid genotypes of barley. Canopy temperature was increased by drought by almost one degree Celsius on average for both years (P=0.002). Leaf senescence durations were also affected by water stress and advanced SENonset by around 34% (P=0.001) and SENend by around 10% (P=0.01) averaging over years. Genotypes 3//14 scored the highest canopy temperature depression and the latest onset of leaf senescence under drought for the cross year mean (P=0.05). Genotype 3//5 was also the latest to reach the end of leaf senescence averaging over years. Genotypes 3//14, 3//5 and 3//4 were generally appeared to have cooler canopy and later onset of leaf senescence than the genotypes 3//18 and 3//1 indicating the capability of these genotypes to have a better performance under water limitations comparing to other genotypes. Canopy temperature depression was positively associated with onset of leaf senescence under drought conditions averaging over years (R2=0.89; P=0.02), but not under irrigated conditions (R2=0.45; P=0.21). There was also a trend for a positive association between canopy temperature and the end of leaf senescence under drought conditions (R2=0.59; P=0.13) in 2018. These associations might be linked to genetic variations in water uptake and/or water-use efficiency.

A multidimensional outlook to energy investments for the countries with continental shelf in East Mediterranean Region with Hybrid Decision Making Model based on IVIF logic

This study aims to identify the influencing factors of the effectiveness in energy investment. For this purpose, 8 different countries with continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) are considered. Firstly, 9 different criteria are defined based on the literature review. The significance levels of these factors are determined by considering hesitant interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) DEMATEL based on 2-tuple linguistic values (2TLV). Therefore, the motivation of this study is to figure out the weights of the criteria for the energy investment projects. Also, the main contributions to the literature are to propose a set of criteria for defining the indicators of the efficiency and to construct a novel decision-making model based on IVIF technique in these projects. The main justifications of this hybrid method can be given as the importance of the distribution, political stability, and technological capacity for the effectiveness in energy investment. Furthermore, hesitant TOPSIS method is used to evaluate these 8 countries regarding the effectiveness in energy investments. It is concluded that Israel and Turkey are the most successful countries in this framework. It is recommended that these countries should have an effective pipeline to transfer the reserves to other countries. Also, these countries in this region should pay attention to political stability. Moreover, countries with energy reserves in the EMR should make the necessary investments to improve their technological infrastructure. Hence, seismic exploration and drilling vessels should be obtained by these countries so that the energy reserves can be located and obtained effectively.

Speleothem record from Pentadactylos cave (Cyprus): new insights into climatic variations during MIS 6 and MIS 5 in the Eastern Mediterranean

A new paleoclimate record from Cyprus gives valuable insights into climatic variations during Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 6–5 for the East Mediterranean region. Two stalagmites from Pentadactylos cave in the Kyrenia mountain range (800 m altitude) in Cyprus grew from 174.6 ± 0.7 to 112.2 ± 0.5 ka BP with major hiatuses at 163–142 and 132–128 ka. During early MIS6 the stalagmite suggests through a relatively low growth rate (57–5 mm/ka) and variable, but rather negative d18O that climate conditions were highly variable on a millennial scale, with wet and cold climate conditions during Sapropel 6 deposition. At the end of MIS6 (141–132 ka), growth rate varied from 123 to 18 mm/ka and less negative δ 18 O c suggests general dry/cold conditions followed by a growth stop during H11. The onset of MIS5e is marked by the highest growth rate (217 mm/ka). The most negative δ18O values at the onset and during the Eemian wet period in Cyprus are driven mostly by the source effect (Sapropel 5) and enhanced rainfall amounts. Stable conditions during MIS 5e were rather short as shown in the growth and isotopic signal, consistent with other EM records. After 122 ka, growth decreased drastically (8–2 mm/ka) and a slow deterioration of the soil cover is suggested from continuously less negative δ13C values. Fluid inclusion d18O shows a clear shift (4–5‰) between end-MIS 6 and MIS 5e. Clumped isotopes measurements indicate kinetic effects between calcite and water of up to ∼1‰. After correction for kinetic effects using Δ47, a minimum estimate for the MIS 6–5 temperature shift in the EM is ca. 9 °C. Similarly, drastic changes in rainfall amounts are inferred from measured (fluid inclusion) and calculated water d18O.

Phenotypes and natural history of food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome in the east Mediterranean region

Background: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a rare non-IgE mediated food allergy. Objective: To delineate the differences in the spectrum of culprit foods, remission patterns, and predictors among varying cultures. Methods: We reviewed demographics, culprit foods, outcomes, and predictors in 81 children with a diagnosis of FPIES who were followed up between 2015 and 2020. Results: Eighty-one patients (55.6% boys) were enrolled, including 72 with acute FPIES and 9 with chronic FPIES. Hen's egg was the most common culprit food (36.6%), followed by fish (26.9%), and cow's milk (21.5%). Interestingly, cow's milk was significantly prevalent in chronic FPIES cases (p = 0.006). The most common clinical symptoms were vomiting (100%), pallor (63.4%), and lethargy (55.9%). Emergency department visits were noted in 39 patients (41.9%), of whom 37 (39.8%) were treated with intravenous (IV) fluid. The subjects were followed up for a median (interquartile range) of 19.4 months (12.3-41.2 months), and 26 subjects (32.1%) achieved tolerance. The median (interquartile range) age at tolerance was 2.5 years (2.1-3.2 years). With regard to the culprit foods, hen's egg was observed more frequently in the subjects with resolved FPIES cases (p = 0.008), whereas fish FPIES cases were high in the persistent group (p = 0.001). IgE sensitization of the culprit food was found to be an independent risk factor for the persistence of FPIES (odds ratio 4.855 [95% confidence interval, 1.131-20.844]; p = 0.034). Conclusion: In our cohort, unlike other published series, hen's egg and fish were the two most common culprit foods. Fish differed from other culprit foods, with significantly delayed onset and persistence, and may create a model that allows for the understanding of the disease.

Cross-nationality importance performance analysis of Middle East all-inclusive mass tourism destination image

PurposeThe paper aims to analyze cognitive attributes affecting the overall destination image perception of British, German and Russian tourists toward Antalya, a well-positioned mass tourism destination in the East Mediterranean region dominated by an all-inclusive (AI) system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an empirical study using a structured questionnaire conducted in the summer of 2018 with 274 British, 179 German and 231 Russian tourists departing to their respective source markets from Antalya International Airport. The mean values are used as performance and correlation coefficients of the relationship between each cognitive image dimension and overall image evaluation is used to express importance.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights that these three nationalities prefer Antalya as an AI holiday destination for different reasons and that each nationality demands attention to different factors of the destination for improvement or preservation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides specific recommendations for AI destinations such as Antalya for the German, British and Russian source markets. When other source markets or types of destinations are considered, the findings of this study should be re-considered. Utilization of the original and modernized importance performance analysis (IPA) plot interpretations in this research reveals a deeper understanding of current findings and provides a new perspective for further research and guidance for destination managers and marketers.Practical implicationsUtilization of both original and modernized IPA plot interpretation in this research not only reveals a deeper understanding of current findings but also provides a new perspective for future studies and guidance for destination managers and marketers.Originality/valueUnlike the majority of destination image research, this study of destination image based on individual nationalities enables tailor-made destination image development according to diversified importance and performance of destination attributes affecting the overall destination image for each nationality.

The political economy of Euro - Mediterranean cooperation in the gas market: The role of domestic stakeholders and the European Commission

The EU internal and external energy policy has triggered heated debate among policymakers, regulators, academia and industrial stakeholders over recent decades. This study illustrate how the pro-competitive EU led reform in the gas sector have been unsuccessful in shaping both the Internal gas market as well as the gas sector in the Euro- Mediterranean region. The gas sector in Europe is characterised by its inertia and relative backwardness, compared to the other energy sectors (electricity and renewable energy). Since the Russia-Ukraine gas disputes and recent gas discoveries in the East Mediterranean region, matters related to Euro- Mediterranean gas cooperation are back at the forefront of the energy agenda. The changing nature of the EU external energy policy in the Mediterranean region is analysed in this paper by looking at the influence that EU economic interests and approaches had on the southern neighbourhood. Here we show that the political economy of the gas industry requires the development of long-term relationship with exporting countries in the Mediterranean basin (and elsewhere), because of markets' incompleteness. The paper further explores the role that EU actions play as rule promoter to provide a valid template for the emerging regulatory framework in the region. Our study shows that, while the changing relationship with the southern neighbourhood can be described as part of the process of progressive securitization of energy matters, the model promoted with the Internal Energy Market (IEM), and endorsed by the EC also outside its borders, partially contradicts the reference model in the region, fails to provide a valid alternative template and therefore might negatively impact on energy security. Member States’ gas policies appear to have a greater traction compared to the EC, also in consideration of their vast and long-term economic commitments.

Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) popülasyonlarında nikotinik asetilkolin reseptör genlerinin karşılaştırılması

Nikotinik asetilkolin reseptörleri (nAChRs) böcek sinir sisteminde hızlı kolinerjik sinaptik taşınmada görevlidirler. Neonikotinoid grubu insektisitler de bu reseptörleri hedef alarak böceklerin ölmesine neden olurlar. Bu çalışmada, Doğu Akdeniz Bölgesi’nden toplanan bazı Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) popülasyonlarında nAChR α1, α3 ve α4 genleri karşılaştırılarak filogenetik ilişkiler ortaya konulmuştur. Denemede Karataş-Gossypium hirsutum (Adana), Aydıncık-Solanum lycopersicum, Erdemli-S. lycopersicum, Samandağ-Cucumis sativus (Hatay) ve Kumluca-Capsicum annum (Antalya)’dan toplanan beş örnekle çalışmalar yürütülmüştür. nAChR α1, 3 ve 4 genleri tüm popülasyonlar için karşılaştırıldığında α1 genleri arasında bir farklılık belirlenmezken; α3 geninde referans gene (full α3) göre tüm popülasyonlarda V147I, A227T ve T534I aminoasitlerinde ve α4 geninde Aydıncık’ta S401G ve referans gene (full α4) göre tüm popülasyonlarda G198E spesifik aminoasit değişimleri belirlenmiştir. NCBI’dan seçilen aynı gen bölgeleriyle yapılan filogenetik analizlerde bu çalışmada çalışılan her gen kendi gen ailesi içerisinde yer almıştır. Elde edilen bu verilerin neonikotinoid grubu insektisitler nokta mutasyona dayalı dirençle ilgili ileride yürütülebilecek çalışmalara ışık tutması amaçlanmıştır.

Effects of long-term phosphorus fertilizer applications on soil carbon and CO2 flux

ABSTRACT Long-term agricultural research with annual and perennial cropping systems provides significant insight into the carbon sequestration potential of agriculture in the East Mediterranean region of Anatolia. This study explored the effect of different application rates of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on the storage and quality of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil CO2 flux to assess the relationship between SOC and P application. The study was based on the hypothesis that long-term P fertilization can affect carbon sequestration in soil and impact soil CO2 flux. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) analyze the effect of long-term inorganic chemical P fertilization on SOC content and (ii) estimate the effect of long-term P fertilization on CO2 flux. Under crop rotation, corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (CW system) were exposed to four fertilizer doses (0, 50, 100, and 200 kg ha−1), which were repeated annually over 20 years. During plant growth, bare soil and treated soil CO2 fluxes were determined several times. The results demonstrated that P fertilizer did not have a direct impact on the SOC of the summer-maize growing season and had a positive impact on SOC during the winter-wheat growing season. P fertilization levels have positive impact on atmospheric CO2 capture and increased SOC content.

Revisiting the Britain-US-Turkey triangle during the transition from Pax Britannica to Pax Americana (1947-1957)

ABSTRACT This article analyses the triangular relations between Britain, the United States and Turkey in the volatile Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region at the advent of the Cold War. It examines the political, economic and military strategies that enabled Turkey to adapt to the transitional period from the Pax Britannica to the Pax Americana (1947–1957) in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. By focusing on this turbulent decade extending from the Truman Doctrine (1947) to the Eisenhower Doctrine (1957), this study posits that the transition from the waning influence of Britain to the coalitional hegemony of the United States was protracted and multi-layered. In this context, Turkey had to walk a diplomatic tightrope while managing certain aspects of continuity and change in a volatile region.

Intraspecific Variations in Functional and Molecular Traits of Near-Endemic Onopordum alexandrinum Boiss. in Natural and Anthropogenic Habitats along the Western Mediterranean Coast of Egypt: Implications for Conservation.

Onopordum alexandrinum is a near-endemic to Egypt and neighboring countries. Its habitats are designated as priority sites for conservation in the south and east Mediterranean regions. We hypothesize that variation in morphological, reproductive, and molecular traits could provide a survival strategy that allows the species to occupy landscapes including anthropogenic habitats (barley and abandoned fields) and natural habitats (sand dunes and desert plateau) with different soil resources along the western Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The results indicated that plant functional traits associated with high rates of resource acquisition and growth (e.g., high values of vegetative height and specific leaf area, and low values of leaf dry matter content) occurred in populations located in abandoned fields with high soil resources. The genetic diversity analyses indicated similarity in genetic diversity of the present populations of O. alexandrinum in barley and abandoned fields with those of sand dunes. However, the genetic structures of these populations were different from those of natural desert plateau, which suggests reduced rates of gene flow. In this framework, it is essential to monitor and reduce the anthropogenic activity which will not only support the conservation of genetic diversity within populations but will also help ensure the resilience of O. alexandrinum in the face of environmental and climatic changes.

Yerel, yabani ve ticari kabakgillerde külleme hastalık etmenlerinin belirlenmesi, tanılanması ve dayanıklılığın araştırılması

Cucurbits are crucial vegetable groups significantly produce in Turkey and world-wide. Powdery mildew (PM) pathogens cause economic losses in cucurbits production areas. There are not studies on resistant cucurbit varieties against to PM disease caused byPodosphaera xanthii and Golovinomyces cichoracearum. The aim of this study is to identify genetically resistant plants from landraces, wild and commercial cucurbits such as pumpkin, melon, watermelon, cucumber collected between West and East Mediterranean regions of Turkey. The PM agents were maintained on susceptible cucumber variety, Baccara. The maintained PM pathogen is identified as Podosphaera xanthii in microscopic, morphological and molecular studies. A total of 34 local, wild and commercial cucurbit species were inoculated with P. xanthi. The inoculated cucurbit plants were examined by trypan blue, diamino benzidine and 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocynin iodide (DiOC6) staining methods during first 3 days post inoculation (dpi). On the other 7th, 14th and 21st dpi, disease developments were scored according disease scale, susceptible and resistant cucurbits’ genotypes were found. The pathogenicity test results revealed that VT18, Meltem F1, Poyraz F1 and 348 commercial cucumber varieties and Adana courgette, Kaledran cucumber 1 and Kaledran cucumber 2 landraces were the most resistant cucurbit genotypes. However, these pathogenicity tests have also resulted Kaledran melon 2 was the most susceptible landrace genotype against P. xanthii. In future studies, these resistant local, wild, and commercial genotypes will be able to use against destructive PM pathogens as sources of resistance.

Map-based uncertainty analysis for exploration using basin modeling and machine learning techniques applied to the Levant Basin petroleum systems, Eastern Mediterranean

The Levant Basin of the East-Mediterranean region contains a biogenic petroleum system and possibly an underlying thermogenic system. The application of a new map-based uncertainty and sensitivity analysis that integrates a large set of geological parameters demonstrates that a connection between an Upper Cretaceous thermogenic petroleum system and the shallower Oligo-Miocene reservoirs is highly possible in the southern part of the basin (offshore Israel and southern Lebanon) where hydrocarbon fluids are generated from the Campanian source rock and charge the overlying Oligo-Miocene reservoir interval through faults. Estimates of volumes of expelled hydrocarbons combined with regional analysis of the Eocene top seal integrity indicates that the most prospective zones correspond to the southern offshore Lebanon and offshore Israel. In the northern part of the Levant Basin (offshore central and northern Lebanon), petroleum fluids potentially generated by the Campanian source rocks remain trapped under the Eocene seal or they migrate towards the margins of the basin. Our approach is based on applications of machine learning techniques and robust statistical analyses to petroleum systems modeling, focusing on spatial uncertainty analysis. It may be used on similar frontier or emerging hydrocarbon provinces to help de-risking the petroleum systems.

Knowledge and attitude of primary care physicians towards obstructive sleep apnea in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in primary care. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common sleep disorders in the world, and it is estimated that only 10 to 20% of OSA cases are diagnosed. Primary care physicians (PCP) play an important role in screening for OSA. Knowledge of sleep disorders among PCP varies widely and has been generally reported as low. In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards OSA among primary care physicians in the Middle East and North Africa regions. A cross-sectional study using the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) self-administered questionnaire was distributed to PCP attending the Lebanese Society of Family Medicine annual conference, the Lebanese Society of Internal Medicine annual conference, and World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) East Mediterranean region conference. Of 300 physicians approached, 256 (85%) completed the questionnaires. The range of possible scores was 0 to 18. The mean total knowledge score with standard deviation (SD) was 12.6 (2.5). Internal medicine specialists showed a higher mean knowledge score of 14.1 (2.3) compared to general/family medicine specialists 12.4 (2.4) and other specialties 11.9 (2.8), p = 0.001. Though 78% of all physicians felt confident in identifying patients with OSA, only 26% felt confident in managing patients with continuous positive airway pressure. Overall, there was a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitude. There were gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding managing patients with OSA. Training in managing patients with OSA is needed.

Language choice and identity: An investigation based on the comparison of language attitudes from two different localities

This current research tries to compare and contrast the language attitudes of Arabic-Turkish bilinguals from Mersin and Hatay cities located in the East Mediterranean Region of Anatolia. The quantitative results of the language attitude surveys conducted in the two cities by two different researchers (Author, 2019 and Kocaoglu, 2019) are compared, and qualitative conclusions which can be generalized to the population of Arabic-Turkish bilinguals are obtained. Two different but related themes (language choices and the sense of belonging to a social/cultural identity of the two participant groups) consist of the main focus. Four sets of questions for the identity theme and seven sets of questions for the language choice theme were determined from the surveys and the means of each group for every question were compared and interpreted. The comparison reveals that Arabic-Turkish bilinguals from Hatay interiorize Arabic language more than Arabic-Turkish bilinguals from Mersin. The first group is more inclined to use Arabic in their professional career and transfer it to the new generations. Keywords: Language choice; social/cultural identity; language attitudes; Arabic-Turkish bilingualism

Entomological Survey for the Detection of Sand Fly Fauna and Vector Species in the Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Endemic Area in East Mediterranean Region of Turkey, Mersin Province.

Cutaneous (CL) and visceral (VL) forms of leishmaniasis, transmitted by sand flies, are seen in all countries located in Mediterranean Basin including Turkey. In this study, we aimed to conduct an entomological survey for the detection of sand fly fauna and vector species in Mersin province, one of the important endemic areas for CL in Turkey. In total, 912 sand fly specimens were collected in 2010 and 2011 using CDC light traps. Nine Phlebotomus (Diptera: Psychodidae) and three Sergentomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae) species were detected. Of the collected Phlebotomus sand flies, P. sergenti Parrot, 1917 (30.1%) was the most dominant followed by P. alexandri Sinton, 1928 (18.2%), P. neglectus/syriacus Tonnoir Adler (12.0%), P. tobbi Adler & Theodor, 1930 (11.7%), and P. papatasi Scopoli, 1786 (10.2%), while S. minuta Rondani, 1843 (11.3%) was the dominant species among Sergentomyia. During the field work in 2011, female specimens (n = 81) were screened for the presence of Leishmania promastigotes by midgut dissection, and all were found negative. The rest of the collected female specimens (n = 334) were pooled according to species (P. alexandri, P. neglectus/syriacus, P. papatasi, P. sergenti, P. simici, and P. tobbi) and location (Mut, Silifke, and Anamur). In total, 29 pools were generated and real-time ITS1 PCR assay was performed to detect and identify natural Leishmania Ross, 1903 (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatida) infection. Two pools, both from Mut town, containing P. sergenti specimens were found positive and Leishmania tropica Ross, 1903 was identified as an infectious agent for both pools. In conclusion, the sand fly fauna was determined in an endemic area for CL. The detection of L. tropica DNA in P. sergenti specimens showed the possible vectorial role of this species in Mersin province.

Seed dispersal of wild radishes and its association with within-population spatial distribution

BackgroundThe wild radishes, Raphanus raphanistrum and R. pugioniformis (Brassicaceae) are native to the East Mediterranean region. However, whereas R. raphanistrum is widely distributed worldwide, the endemic R. pugioniformis is limited to specific habitats. In R. raphanistrum the diaspores of the indehiscent fruits comprise glabrous, light, single-seeded segments, whereas the intact fruits of R. pugioniformis are heavy and covered with spiny backward-pointing trichomes. We aimed to investigate whether the structure of the diaspores was directly associated with long- and short-range dispersal in R. raphanistrum and R. pugioniformis, respectively. We further surveyed within-population spatial distributions, to test the hypothesis that short- and long-range dispersal contribute to a patchy vs. uniform distribution patterns of R. pugioniformis and R. raphanistrum, respectively.ResultsThe results indicated that dispersal by wind and run-off water was substantially lower for diaspores of R. pugioniformis than for those of R. raphanistrum diaspores. Supporting the hypothesis that backward-pointing trichomes promote adherence to soil particles, the displacement on soil surface of R. pugioniformis fruits depended on their orientation relative to wind direction. Furthermore, trichome removal from fruits of R. pugioniformis significantly reduced wind velocity needed to remove fruits that were placed on soils typical of the species’ natural habitats. The spatial-distribution survey results indicated a patchy distribution of R. pugioniformis populations as compared with the more uniform arrangement in the studied populations of R. raphanistrum; consistent with the unidirectional vs. homogeneous wind dispersal of the respective diaspores, with respect to wind direction. In addition, R. pugioniformis population sizes changed less between years than those of R. raphanistrum.ConclusionsOverall, our results indicate that fruit structure is strongly linked to dispersal ability and spatial distribution of the two closely related wild radish species. Whereas R. raphanistrum inhabits homogenous sandy soil habitats, the distribution range of R. pugioniformis includes heterogeneous environments in which growth niches are scarcer. We suggest that the different modes of dispersal have evolved as adaptive traits appropriate to the species’ specific habitats.

Thermal comfort models and perception of users in free-running school buildings of East-Mediterranean region

This paper explores the impact of natural ventilation on the indoor thermal environment through an extensive field survey of educational architecture in Cyprus performed both during the winter and summer periods. The study included seasonal indoor and outdoor monitoring of physical parameters, as well as a questionnaire-based survey. The study shows that the naturally ventilated spaces on the upper floor demonstrate operative temperature below the acceptable comfort zone during the winter period, while during the summer period, the findings show the vulnerability of the occupants to summertime temperatures. During the winter, a closed classroom shows the best results in terms of operative temperature; however, this conflicts with the air quality. During the summer, the case of cross-ventilation, both during the day and night, is the most efficient and operative way to passively cool educational premises. Moreover, the results of the subjective survey demonstrate that most students feel comfortable in both the winter and summer demonstrating high thermal tolerance. The results of the current study can be applied to inform strategies for the improvement of thermal comfort and reduction of energy use in educational buildings, as well as the design of new educational buildings.

Teaching with Images among the Jews and Manichaeans of Late Antique Mesopotamia

Although much has been written about the art of the famous synagogue at Dura-Europos, its rootedness in Mesopotamia has gone largely unexplored. This study looks south along the local trade routes to Iranian Babylonia and examines evidence available about the religious function of Durian Jewish and Sasanian Manichaean pictorial art as part of a shared regional development of techniques of instruction. It reveals that the distinctly different forms of pictorial art used by these two communities in mid-third-century Mesopotamia are nevertheless comparable based on their didactic function. They both: (1) displayed a visual library of doctrinal subjects, that is, they captured, in pictorial form, a large sample of core tenets which were also recorded in the respective sacred texts of these religions; (2) fulfilled a primarily didactic function, that is, their pictorial genres (narrative scenes, didactic portraits, and diagrams in the Manichaean case) played a dominantly instructional role; and (3) effectively supplemented oral instruction, that is, the paintings were sermonized about and discussed in light of living interpretations. I argue that these correlations result not from direct influence between the two communities, but rather from a shared approach to what images can do for a religion. The Jewish and Manichaean paintings in question emerged simultaneously and in relative closeness to one another. While the Jewish archeological records of the painted synagogue are all but silent, various characteristics of the mid-third-century Manichaean paintings are noted in literary records, including what they portrayed and, most importantly for this study, the pedagogical reasons for how and why they were used. As evidenced by Iranian, Coptic, and Syriac textual sources from between the mid-third and the late fourth and early fifth centuries, the founding prophet of Manichaeism, Mani (active from 240 to 274/277 CE), not only wrote down his own teachings, but also created visual representations of them on a solely pictorial scroll—the Book of Pictures—that he and his highest-ranking elects used in the course of oral instructions while missionizing across greater West Asia and the East Mediterranean region.