Mersin Province Research Articles

Seismic hazard analysis of Mersin Province, Turkey using probabilistic and statistical methods

Nearly 108-km lengths of Mersin shores are composed of natural beaches. The region is located between major tourist centers. In the future, this region is thought to be built with a great number of tourist facilities. Turkey’s largest seaport, Atas refinery (Mersin International Port) is located in Mersin. Recently, Mersin is becoming of great importance to Turkey as the latter plans to construct its second nuclear power plant in the region. Therefore, as nuclear power plants are built to withstand environmental hazards, it is very important to analyze the seismic risk of the areas where the nuclear power plant will be constructed. The region is located between the East Anatolian Fault Zone and Center Anatolian Fault Zone. Based on the Turkey Earthquake Regions Map, Mersin is divided into second-, third-, and fourth-degree earthquake regions. In this study, we sampled earthquakes of magnitude of 4.0 or greater between 01 Jan 1900 and 31 Dec 2010 in the area; seismic hazard of Mersin province was estimated with probabilistic and statistical methods. The study area was selected as the coordinates between 36.03° and 37.42° North and 32.57° and 35.16° East. On the study area, different scaled magnitude values in the last 110 years converted to a common scale (Mw) and earthquake catalog was re-compiled and also seismic sources that may affect the area was determined. In this study, the seismic hazards of the region were obtained using the methods of probability and statistics. This study used three different attenuation relationships. Using the attenuation relationships suggested by Boore et al. (Seismol Res Lett 68(1):128–153, 1997) and Kalkan and Gulkan (Earthquake Spectra 20:1111–1138, 2004), the largest ground acceleration which corresponds to a recurrence period of 475 years was found as 0.08–0.09 g and Akkar and Cagnan (Bull Seismol Soc Am 100 6:2978–2995, 2010), 0.04 g for bedrock at the central district. When computing for seismic hazard curves, Mut district appears to have a greater seismic hazard compared with other districts. Moreover, according to the attenuation relationships, seismic hazard curves corresponding to a recurrence period of 475 years were obtained for the Mersin Central, Mut, Erdemli, Camliyayla, and Tarsus districts.

Arabis kaynakiae (Brassicaceae), a new species from South Anatolia, Turkey

A new species, Arabis kaynakiae Daşkın (Brassicaceae), is described and illustrated from Turkey. The species grows on calcareous rocks in the Gülnar district (C4 Mersin province) in south Anatolia. It is allied to Arabis carduchorum, A. androsacea and A. alanyensis. The description, diagnostic characters and identification key are provided and its relationship with closely related taxa is discussed. The ecology and conservation status of the new species, in addition to the geographical distribution of the species and other related species are also presented.

Prevalence and risk factors of Internet addiction in high school students

In this study, the prevalence and risk factors of Internet addiction in high school students was investigated. This cross-sectional study was performed in the Mersin Province in 2012. The study sample consisted of students attending high school in the central district of Mersin. The data were summarized by descriptive statistics and compared by a binary logistic regression. Our study population included 1156 students, among whom 609 (52.7%) were male. The mean age of the students was 16.1 ± 0.9 years. Seventy-nine percent of the students had a computer at home, and 64.0% had a home Internet connection. In this study, 175 (15.1%) students were defined as Internet addicts. Whereas the addiction rate was 9.3% in girls, it was 20.4% in boys (P < 0.001). In this study, Internet addiction was found to have an independent relationship with gender, grade level, having a hobby, duration of daily computer use, depression and negative self-perception. According to our study results, the prevalence of Internet addiction was high among high school students. We recommend preventing Internet addiction among adolescents by building a healthy living environment around them, controlling the computer and Internet use, promoting book reading and providing treatment to those with a psychological problem.

Volatile compounds of selected white and black myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) types from Mediterranean region of Turkey

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is a valuable plant for consumption in various fields such as culinary, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, therapeutical and industrial traits, and has become an important plant in the Meditarranean region of Turkey. The volatile compounds of 7 myrtle fruits including white (4 types) and black (3 types) were compared using headspace/solid phase micro extraction-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS/SPME-GC/MS) techniques. Fruits were collected from Tarsus district of Mersin province in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Thirty-one (31) compounds were detected and among the detected volatiles aldehydes, esters, alcohols, terpenes and other compounds were detected in various percentages in myrtle types. However, ester compounds were not detected in black myrtle types. Hexanal, alpha pinene, phenol and eucalyptol were detected both in white and black myrtle types in higher percentages. Key words: Myrtle, Myrtus communis L., volatiles, headspace, solid phase micro extraction (SPME), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Determination of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype Distribution in Mersin Province, Turkey

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family and the RNA genome e x hibit high genetic heterogeneity. Six major genotypes were phylogenetically determined and each genotype contains different subtypes. The distribution of HCV genotypes varies geographically throughout the world. Determination of viral genotype has great importance in the selection of antiviral therapy, treatment duration and monitoring the response to treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in Mersin province located at the Southern part of Turkey. A total of 236 patients (137 females, 99 males; mean age: 53.28 ± 14.99 years) with chronic HCV infection who were admitted to Mersin University Hospital Microbiology Laboratory during March 2010-May 2012 period were included in the study. The patients were anti-HCV (ELISA; Abbott Laboratories, USA) and HCV-RNA (Cobas TaqMan 48, Roche Diagnostic, USA) positive. HCV genotype analysis was determined by using a commercial LiPA kit (Line Probe Assay; AMPLIQUALITY HCV-TS; AB Analitica, Italy) based on the reverse hybridization of amplification products of viral 5'-UTR region. Out of the 236 patients, genotype 1b was observed in 84.7% (n= 200), genotype 3a in 4.2% (n= 10), genotype 1 in 3.8% (n= 9), genotype 1a/1b in 2.1% (n= 5), genotype 4a in 2% (n= 2), genotype 1a in 1.7% (n= 4), genotype 2b in 1.3% (n= 3), genotype 2 in 0.4% (n= 1), genotype 2a/2c in 0.4% (n= 1) and genotype 6 in 0.4% (n= 1). In the cases infected with genotype 1b, statistically significant differences were detected between gender distribution with the mean serum ALT (46.14 IU/L in females, 63.9 IU/L in males; p= 0.029) and HCV-RNA (634 x 103 IU/L in females, 20 x 105 IU/L in males; p= 0.005) levels. This was the first study that reflected the distribution of HCV genotypes in southern Turkey region. Genotype 1b, associated with poor prognosis and which had the highest prevalence in Turkey, was also determined as the most common genotype with a rate of 84.7% in our region. In addition, low rates of genotype 1a, 2b, 3a and 4a which were identified with low frequency in our country and newly introduced genotype 6 were also demonstrated.

Determination of volatile aroma compounds of &lt;i&gt;Ganoderma lucidum&lt;/i&gt; by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS)

This study was conducted at Horticulture Department of Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey during 2010-2011. Fresh sample of Ganoderma lucidum collected from Mersin province of Turkey was used as material. Volatile aroma compounds were performed by Headspace Gas Chromatography (HS-GC/MS). Alcohols, aldehydes, acids, phenol, L-Alanine, d-Alanine, 3Methyl, 2-Butanamine, 2-Propanamine were determined. 1-Octen-3-ol (Alcohol) and 3-methyl butanal (Aldehyde) were identified as major aroma compounds.

A new species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) from Turkey

Astragalus silifkeense Dinc, Aytac & Dogu, sp. nov. (Fabaceae, sect. Astragalus Bunge) is described as a new species from Silifke (Mersin Province), in southern Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is closely related to A. columnaris Boiss., endemic to Denizli in western Anatolia, and A. gilvus Boiss. in Ankara Province, Turkey. Taxonomic descriptions, as well as pollen and seed characters of the new species, are presented. The new species grows in an open Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carriere forest. The geographical distribution of the new species, along with that of A. columnaris and A. gilvus, is shown. The new species is compared with is relatives A. columnaris and A. gilvus.

Evaluation of Fattening Performance of Holstein Cattle at Different Initial Weights Under Summer Season Conditions in the District of Silifke of Mersin Province

Evaluation of Fattening Performance of Holstein Cattle at Different Initial Weights Under Summer Season Conditions in the District of Silifke of Mersin Province

The land snail fauna of Mut District (Mersin Province, Turkey)

The land snail fauna of the Mut District was surveyed during the spring (April-May) of 2008. A total of 31 species and subspecies-9 (29%) of them endemics-belonging to 26 genera and 14 families were determined from 41 localities. Dominant families were Enidae, Orculidae, and Hygromiidae. Humidity, vegetation, and habitat type were the determinants of species richness in the study area. Species composition, according to cluster and multivariate analyses, was also found to be affected by the altitude factor.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacterial Strains Isolated From Patients with Community Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in Mersin

AIM: This study objected to determination of distribution of bacterial agents, resistance proportions in community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) in center of Mersin province and objected to regional treatment guide towards to our evidence. MATERÝAL AND METHOD: In this study, included patients of pre-diagnosed as UTI based on clinical and laboratory in 11 health care centers between 11/01/2008–07/01/2009. Health care centers were checked for as daily and delivered appropriate urine samples for this study which collected sterile urine collection bottles. Urine samples were cultured including ≥leukocyte/mm3 with thoma slides, as a result of culture, samples of being on one type bacterial growth and ≥105 cfu/mL have done statically analysis. RESULTS: Totally 480 samples were collected and 311 (64.8%) of them evaluated to as statistic significant. In bacterial culture analysis, E. coli (80.7%) was the most commonly identified and as descending order found to Klepsiella spp. (8.7%), CNS (7.8%), Proteus spp. (1.9%), Enterobacter spp. (0.6%), and Pseudomonas spp. (0.3%). ESBL was determined to 10.0% of E. coli isolates, 3.7% of Klepsiella spp. isolates and also IBL was determined in two Enterobacter spp. isolates. Oxacillin resistance in CNS isolates was found as 12.5%. Imipenem resistance in Gram negative uropatogens was not detected and resistant rates were detected; 0.3% in amikacin, 0.7% in cefoperazone/sulbactam, 2.8% in cefoxitin, 6.3% in nitrofurantoin, 10.8% in ceftriaxone, 16.7% in ciprofloxacin, 16.7% in cefuroxime, 42.2% in cotrimoxazole, 97.6 % in amoxicillin clavulanic acid, and 94.4% in ampicillin sulbactam. There were no detected to resistance to glycopeptides and linezolid in gram positive agents. CONCLUSION: Ampicillin, ampicillin sulbactam, amoxicillin clavulanic acid, and cotrimoxazole antibiotics were out of the being preference for reason of resistance rates in UTI empirical treatment in our region.

Analysis of human milk to assess exposure to PAHs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in the vicinity Mediterranean city Mersin, Turkey

Assessment of human exposure to environmental persistent organic pollutants such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) based on the levels in human breast milk provides a reasonable tool not only to assess the contaminant burden in mothers but also to assess potential exposure of breast-fed neonates. There are limited data on levels of PCBs and OCPs in humans but no previous reports from Turkey on chemically determined levels PAHs in human milk. The aim of this study was to report the levels and accumulation profiles of OCPs, PCBs and PAHs in 47 breast milk samples obtained from a Mediterranean city, Mersin. High resolution analyses were performed by a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC–MS). Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (4.4′-DDE) was the dominant pollutant. Beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (ß-HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4.4′-DDT), dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, oxy-chlordane, cis-heptachlorepoxide were the other main OCPs detected. Mean levels of ΣPCB congeners and WHOPCB-TEQ were 9.94 and 0.001ng/g lipid, respectively. PCB 153 showed the highest concentration (3.37ng/g lipid), followed by PCB 138 and 180. For the dioxin-like PCBs, PCB 118 was the dominant (0.97ng/g lipid). Naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and fluoranthene were the major PAHs among the 16 PAHs detected. The estimated daily intakes of DDTs, PCBs, HCHs and HCB were not exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI) proposed by the Health Canada Guideline. These results indicate that the neonates of Mersin city are exposed to persistent organic pollutants analyzed in this study. However, neonates born in Mersin province are less exposed than the ones born in other regions, considering OCP and PCB levels in breast milk.

Analysis of energy use for banana production: A case study from Turkey

This study was undertaken to evaluate the energy inputs for banana production to identify the highest energy consuming operations, and to examine the energy equivalents of inputs and output in banana production in the Mersin province of Turkey. Data were collected from 89 banana growers via a questionnaire. Results showed that the total energy inputs and outputs were 51560.05 and 98024.88 MJha -1 , respectively. Electricity was the highest input energy responsible for 27.55% of the total energy consumed in the banana production. Electricity, farmyard manure and use of machinery were the most important inputs for banana production, while human labour (although intensively used), accounted for small energy inputs due to conversion factor used. According to research results, energy output-input ratio was calculated as 1.90 MJha -1 , specific energy as 0.99 MJkg -1 , energy productivity as 1.00 kgMJ -1 , energy intensiveness as 1.23 MJTL -1 and net energy yield as 46464.83 MJha -1

Possible Logistic and Sociodemographyc Factors on Breast Cancer Screening in Turkey: Lessons from a Women’s Health Project in Mersin Province

Mortality from breast cancer is decreasing partly owing to early detection. In Mersin province in our country, local health authorities launched an education program on sexual diseases and breast cancer early detection for women over 15 years of age. After the educational session, clinical breast examination was offered by a nurse or physician, and if suspicious they were recommended to apply a specialist for further examination. Here, we report the results on those women with abnormal clinical breast examination. In this second project, socio-demographic variables were investigated such as educational level and place of living,parameters to measure the success of previous project, whether they followed the recommendation themselves, whether mammograms were reported in accordance with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS). Of 3,793 women recruited, mean age was 42.2 years, 42.3%were younger than 40.0 years. Majority (88.5%) were married, graduate of primary school (60.6%), without a job(91.2%), and inhabiting in the province (38.7%). Of the population, 98.1% believe in the importance of screening in the treatment of breast cancer. According to 70.3%,monthly breast self-examination enables early detection, 33.5% believe that clinical breast examination detects cancer early, and 35.5% think that annual mammography can detect it early. Among 2,183 women 40 years of age or over, 41.5% had mammography at once before participating in the first project. Breast self-examination was being carried out by 56.6% on a monthly basis. After an abnormal breast examination, 86.4% applied to hospitals for specialist examination. Reasons for declining to seek for further examination among 410 women answering were as follows:42.0% did not accept, 27.0% did not know it was important, 16.6% because of economical reasons, and 5.0% were too shy to be examined. Being older, being married, being the graduate of primary and secondary school, residing in rural areas, having a mammogram positively affected the decision in univariate analyses (p<0.05). All but educational level (p=0.059) remained significant in multivariate analysis. Mammography was reported in accordance with BIRADS in only 45 (1.2%). Awareness of population on breast cancer early detection can be raised through education. Generally, women follow professional recommendation from professionals. Mammography reporting among radiologist in accordance with BIRADS is rare. Successful early detection of breast cancer may be obtained by public education together with improving detection methods.

Current status of red palm weevil in Turkey

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most serious pest of palms in Turkey. Weevil infestation was first detected in Turkey in summer 2005 in parks and gardens of Mersin province, along the Mediterreanean coast of Turkey. Following the discovery of the pest, destruction of infested plant material, prophylactic insecticide chemical treatments, as well as adult weevil trapping were carried out on palm plantations. Traps containing a commercial aggregation pheromone were hung on palm trees at a high density, in order to monitor the pest infestation and reduce the weevil population by mass trapping. A significant decrease in the number of trapped beetles and destruction of infested plant material was observed in 2009 and continued in the following years in several cities in Turkey. Therefore, it has been observed that mass trapping and curative pesticide applications have played a significant role in the suppression of R. ferrugineus populations in palm plantations.

Vulnerability of Megacephala (Grammognatha) euphratica euphratica Latreille Dejean, 1822 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in natural and disturbed salt marsh and salt meadow habitats in Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the differentiation between populations inhabiting Megacephala euphratica euphratica & Dejean, 1822 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in natural and disturbed salt marsh habitats in Goksu (Mersin Province) and Cukurova (Adana Province) Deltas in Turkey, for the period of 2005 and 2010. Correlation between anthropogenic effects (cattle grazing and drainage channels) and population dynamics of M. e. euphratica was calculated. Population dynamic of M. e. euphratica was not stable during the study years in the disturbed salt marsh and was found as rapidly descent according to the natural habitat. Cluster analysis used to quantify the associations of population of M. e. euphratica between sampling years showed that variation of the population of insect species in the natural habitats was not different from each other in the different years as much as in the disturbed habitats. The results showed that population density of the species were more rapidly decreased in the disturbed salt marsh habitats than the natural ones. Threatened category of M. e. euphratica was investigated according to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Categories and its current situation in terms of being a threatened species was also discussed. Keywords: Distribution, ecology, habitat preferences, IUCN, threatened factors,Megacephala euphratica euphratica.

Womens literacy and extension education in rural eastern Mediterranean Turkey

In spite of an increasing number of projects and campaigns in public policies to higher, the schooling ratio among girls have been applied in Turkey since 1997, societal gender disequalities are still very important problems of education. Especially in rural areas there are thousands of girls who cannot complete education even elementary school system. Morever, informal education opportunities are also insufficient for women. The primary purposes of this research were to determine the level of women’s participation in formal and informal education programs in rural areas of Mersin province, and to determine the efficiency level and income generation capacity of training programs designated for women in the area. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used to investigate the relationships between several socio-demographic and educational variables. Research findings showed that the young women wanted to educate their daughters for reaching better living conditions when they become adults. The major constraints for educating girls are poor living conditions for rural families and difficulties in meeting school expenditures. In addition, women’s participation to various training programs was quite low, and most of the women found the training not useful because it provided information which was practically unusably for their daily life. Key words: Rural women, extension education, A±nformal education, literacy, Mersin/Turkey.

A comparative study on activity selection with multi-criteria decision-making techniques in ecotourism planning.

Ecotourism is a nature- and culture-based type of tourism. Ecotourists demand more environmentally aimed tourism experiences. Ecotourism practices should result in a non-consumptive use of natural and cultural resources. However, while ecotourism activities contribute to the visited area by generating economic benefits and educational opportunities, they may affect some resources negatively. For this reason, ecotourism must be managed by sustainability principles. Resource managers have to apply ecological, economic, social and cultural criteria when choosing their alternative ecotourism activities regarding sustainability. Inappropriate activities may damage cultural and natural elements of visited areas. To consider all dimensions of the ecotourism, planners should use multi-criteria decision-making techniques and participatory approaches to take into account social, economic and environmental dimensions of ecotourism. The techniques designed in this paper consider decision makers, the public, and sector experts’ preferences in choosing alternative activities of ecotourism planning. They were evaluated using ELECTRE I (Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality), ELECTRE III and AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) techniques to address the same decision-making problems in the Cehennemdere Valley in the Mersin province. By using the AHP, ELECTRE I and III models, the preferences of stakeholders could be clarified, the ranks of the activities could be generated concerning multiple criteria, and the results of these techniques could be compared with respect to using them for sustainable ecotourism planning. This research demonstrates that the results of different decision techniques may differ when applied to the same problem. Key words: Sustainable ecotourism planning, analytic hierarchy process, ELECTRE I, ELECTRE III, Cehennemdere Valley, multi-criteria decision making.

The Prevalence of Three Viruses Infecting Fig in Southern Turkey

In a survey of four fig-growing provinces of Turkey (Adana, Hatay, Sanliurfa and Mersin), 132 samples were tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess the presence of Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 1 (FLMaV-1), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 2 (FLMaV-2) and Fig mosaic virus (FMV). All samples were negative in PCR to FLMaV-1, whereas FLMaV-2 and FMV were detected in six (4.5%) and 10 (7.6%) of the samples, respectively. Both viruses were found in fig trees collected in the provinces of Adana, Hatay and Sanliurfa, but no infection was found in Mersin province. Sequence analysis of amplified DNA showed a level of nucleotides variability ranging from 1 to 10% for FLMaV-2 and from 6 to 17% for FMV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Turkish FLMaV-2 isolates in one cluster together with other near-eastern FLMaV-2 isolates previously reported in GenBank.

A new species of Odaginiceps Fiers, 1995 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae) from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey

Male and female of Odaginiceps korykosensis sp. n. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae), collected in the intertidal zone of Kızkalesi beach along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey (Mersin Province), are described. The new species is the fifth member of the genus and can easily be distinguished from the other species by the presence of four setae/spines on the second endopodal segment of P4 and by the structure of the caudal rami. Previously, representatives of the genus Odaginiceps have been reported from Gulf of Mexico, off Bermuda and Kenya. Odaginiceps korykosensis sp. n. is the first record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea.

Karst Surface Features of the Hard Laminated Crust (Caliche Hardpan) in the Mersin Area, Southern Turkey

The study area is located in the Mersin province where caliches are widespread and occur in a variety of forms such as powdery, nodular, tubular, fracture-infill, laminar crust, hard laminated crust (caliche hardpan), pisolithic crust. The hard laminated crust shows distinctive karst surface features of karren. These include kamenitza, rillenkarren, solution pit and solution enlarged fracture (kluftkarren). First two karst features are common and closely associated with dome- and ridge-like morphologies termed caliche tepees or pseudo-anticlines. Kamenitzas or solution basins are dish-shaped depressions with flat bottom and sharp and overhanging sides which resulted from ponding water mostly at the top of caliche tepees. Rillenkarren are solutional flutes separated by sharp angular ridges, with length of less than 15 cm. They are well developed on the inclined surfaces of surface irregularities at or near the top of caliche tepees and form from sheet flow. Solution pits are narrow, cylindrical shaped karst troughs formed by stemflow drainage beneath trees. The kluftkarrens are products of dissolution by channelised surface water flowing along a fracture. The coexistence of caliche and karst features is important to indicate a climatic change from semiarid to humid conditions.