Middle Anatolia Research Articles

Arpa ve Buğday Hasadından Sonra Bazı Yem Bitkilerinin İkinci Ürün Olarak Yetiştirilme İmkanları

The research was carried out at the experimental field of Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, and Department of Field Crops in 2003-2004. The aim of the study was to determine different forage sown as second crop after barley and wheat harvest in the irrigated areas of middle Anatolia in Turkey. Four forage (fodder beet, forage turnip, silage maize, silage sorghum) were used as a research material. Effect of the seeding time on the different forage was significant and higher yield and crude protein content were obtained from the seeding time after barley harvest. These forage can be grown as a second crop after barley under irrigated conditions.

High Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction and Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Adolescents after Elimination of Iodine Deficiency in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey

In the present study we evaluated the effects of iodine intake on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity, and goiter in two regions with different iodine status after two years of iodization in Turkey. In total 1733 adolescent subjects were enrolled into the study (993 from an iodine-sufficient area--the Eastern Black Sea Region (group 1) and 740 from an iodine-deficient area--Middle Anatolia (group 2)). We measured free thyroxine (FT(4)), thyrotropin (TSH), antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO), antithyroglobulin antibodies (Anti-Tg), and urinary iodine (UI), and examined the thyroid gland by ultrasound. Median urinary iodine excretion was found to be significantly different in group 1 and group 2 (139 micro/l vs 61micro/l, p < 0.001). Hyperthyroidism was more frequent in group 1 (3.6% vs 0.7%; p < 0.001), but the hypothyroidism rate was similar between groups (1.8% vs 1.4 %; p>0.05). The percentage of anti-Tg positive subjects was found to be 17.6% in group 1 and 6.4% in group 2; that of anti-TPO positive subjects was 4.3% in group 1 and 1.5% in group 2. The prevalence of antithyroid antibody (anti-Tg and/or anti-TPO) positivity was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (18.52% vs 6.62%; p < 0.001). Thyroid volumes of the hyperthyroid subjects in both groups were significantly higher than hypo- and euthyroid subjects. In conclusion, iodine supplementation in Turkey has resulted in the elimination of iodine deficiency in the Eastern Black Sea Region, and this has been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis and thyroid dysfunction.

Evaluation of the oral health status of the people aged 65 years and over living in near rural district of Middle Anatolia, Turkey

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of aged 65 years and over, and evaluate the level of edentulousness and study the factors that could have an influence on edentulism. The participants of this study were 215 patients; 94 males (47.3%) and 121 females (56.3%), aged 65 years and over. Each subject underwent a comprehensive dental and radiographic examination by one examiner. Periodontal attachment loss observed in the panoramic radiographs was divided into three diagnostic categories: infrabony defects, horizontal bone loss, and furcation lesions. The number of teeth with apical periodontitis lesions, the number of carious teeth, and restorations, type of dentures and wear duration, intrabony root remains, impacted teeth, smoking status, educational level and self-reported medical history of the participants were recorded. Extent of tooth loss was significantly higher in females than males and increased with increasing age ( p < 0.05). Tooth loss was significantly associated with educational levels; lower literacy level was found to be associated with a higher number of missing teeth ( p < 0.01). Also, as the educational levels of the participants increased, the number of infrabony defects, furcation lesions and number of carious teeth decreased ( p < 0.05). Low literacy level and female gender are found to be high-risk groups for tooth loss. Community-based oral disease prevention programs should be implemented to reduce the risk for tooth loss in this population.

Middle Anatolian Region Short-Term Load Forecasting Using Artificial Neural Networks

In recent years, several studies of short-term load forecasting using different of artificial neural network structures have been reported. In this paper, an application of short-term load forecasting is investigated by multilayer perceptron structure. Actual load and temperature data of the Middle Anatolian Region in the years 2002 and 2003 are used for this investigation. In this study, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and day type factors are used to construct the forecasting model. Also, load forecasting for the same region is obtained by the regression method to compare the effectiveness of the artificial neural network method.

Are official reports sufficient? Official registration rates of patients with tuberculosis in Sivas, Middle Anatolia

The main goal of this retrospective study was to re-evaluate all available records of clinical and laboratory data of patients with tuberculosis (TB) in Sivas province, Middle Anatolia, Turkey. TB registration data held at health institutions in Sivas province were compared and matched with data obtained from the local official TB registries from January 2000 to December 2001. Of the 536 TB cases found in 2000 and 2001, 255 (47.6%) were officially registered. Of the 127 cases with smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB), only nine cases labelled as smear-positive were registered in local dispensaries. The incidence of unregistered cases with smear-positive PTB found by this study was approximately 40-fold and eightfold greater than the incidence of registered cases for 2000 and 2001, respectively. There were many more unofficially recorded TB patients compared with officially recorded cases in Sivas province between 2000 and 2001. The results of this study are disappointing and alarming for Turkey's national TB control programme, at least for its regional applications.

Determination of Usnic Acid in Some Rhizoplaca Species from Middle Anatolia and their Antimicrobial Activities

Three species of lichens, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca (Sm.) Zopf, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma (DC.) Leuckert & Poelt and Rhizoplaca peltata Ramonds Leuckert, were collected from middle Anatolia, Erciyes Mountain (Kayseri) in Turkey. Their usnic acid amounts were determined by HPLC in acetone extracts. In addition, antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Enterococcus faecalis (RSKK 508), Proteus mirabilis (Pasteur Ens. 235), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was shown that, as the usnic acid amount increased, the antimicrobial activities increased too. The usnic acid contents of Rhizoplaca species varied between 0.19-4.0% dry weight.

Ehl-i sünnet geleneğine bağlı bir Orta Anadolu köyünde halk inançları ve uygulamaları

In this study, it is examined folk beliefs and practices in a middle Anatolian village. In first part of the paper, there has been main information on research design, problem, methods, and sampling. In second part, it is classified folk beliefs and practices into four chapters: 1. Beliefs and Practices on Significant Life Cycles, 2. Beliefs and Practices on Collective Prayers, 3. Beliefs and Practices on Living-Lifeless Beings, Events, and Phenomenons, 4. Beliefs and Practices on Traditional Folk Medicine. Every chapter is divided into some subheads and determined main belies and practices, such as birth, marriage, death, collective prayers, animals, fire, human body, gender, objects, plants, trees, fortune, stone and water cults, darkness, special days, months, and seasons, atmosphere events, house, fertility, and traditional folk medicine. In final part, it is presented results of the study by comparisons with studies completed before

Organic Soils in the Arid Small Catchments in the Middle Anatolia Region of Turkey

Organic Soils in the Arid Small Catchments in the Middle Anatolia Region of Turkey

New records of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Turkey

A survey of scale insects was carried out in Ankara, in Middle Anatolia, Turkey from 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three species belonging to 5 families were recorded. Eleven of these species are new record for Turkey, namely; Exaeretopus agropyri (Hadzibejli), Exaeretopus formiceticola Newstead, Exaeretopus tritici Williams, Chortinaspis subterraneus (Lindinger), Diaspidiotus elaeagni (Borchsenius), Diaspidiotus sulci Balachowsky, Rhizaspidiotus canariensis (Lindinger), Acanthococcus devoniensis (Green), Acanthococcus tavignani Goux, Acanthococcus variabilis Goux, Neomargarodes festucae Archangelskaya and Porphyrophora minuta Borchsenius.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Middle Anatolia: a multicentre study of clinical features and outcome measures

A Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak emerged from 2001 to 2003 in the Middle Anatolia region of Turkey. This study describes the clinical characteristics and outcome features of CCHF patients admitted to four tertiary care hospitals in Turkey. Definitive diagnosis was based on the detection of CCHF virus-specific IgM by ELISA or of genomic segments of the CCHF virus by RT-PCR. Related data were collected by a retrospective chart review. Hospital costs were extracted from the final discharge bills. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the independent predictors of mortality. CCHF virus-specific antibodies or genomic segments were detected in the sera of 99 cases. Seven cases that were treated with ribavirin were excluded from the study. Cases were mostly farmers (83 cases, 90 %), and 60 % had a tick-bite history before the onset of fever. Impaired consciousness and splenomegaly were independent predictors of a fatal outcome.

Rheological Behaviour and Time Dependent Characterisation of Gilaboru Juice (Viburnum opulus L.)

The flow curves and time-dependent rheological behaviour of gilaboru ( Viburnum opulus L.), a traditional drink in the middle Anatolia region of Turkey, with different solid concentrations (59.7, 56.3, 53.1, 43 and 35°Brix) were studied at different temperatures (5-60°C) using a controlled stress rheometer. Gilaboru samples exhibited thixotropic behaviour for all concentrations, both in the forward and backward measurements were characterised by the power law. A single equation was proposed for the apparent viscosity 1. Temperature played a major role in determining the magnitudes of the apparent viscosity 1. The completely destructed gilaboru samples flow curves were also measured after subjecting the samples to a high shear rate for 2h. After eliminating thixotropy by shearing, samples showed shearthinning properties that fitted well to the power law model. Three models were used to describe the time-dependent behaviour, namely, the second-order structural kinetic, Weltman and first-order stress decay models. Among the models, the first-order stress decay model fitted well compared to the second- order structural kinetic and Weltman models.

Akdeniz ve İç Anadolu Bölgesi'nde Ceutorhynchus Germar, 1824 ve Tychius Germar, 1817 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) cinslerine bağlı türler üzerinde faunistik çalışmalar Faunistic studies on genera Ceutorhynchus Germar, 1824 and Tychius Germar, 1817 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Mediterranean and Middle Anatolia Regions of Turkey

Faunistic studies on genera Ceutorhynchus Germar,1824and Tychius Germar, 1817 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)in Mediterranean and Middle Anatolia Regions of Turkey In this study, 45 species belonging the genera Ceutorhynchus and Tychius are identified from Mediterranean and Middle Anatolia Regions. Detailed distribution of these species in this two regions are given. Tychius striatulus Gyllenhal, 1836 is a new record for Turkey

Trickle and sprinkler irrigation of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) in the Middle Anatolian Region in Turkey

The potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is widely planted in the Middle Anatolian Region, especially in the Nigde-Nevsehir district where 25% of the total potato growing area is located and produces 44% of the total yield. In recent years, the farmers in the Nigde-Nevsehir district have been applying high amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizers (sometimes more than 900 kg N ha −1) and frequent irrigation at high rates in order to get a much higher yield. This situation results in increased irrigation and fertilization costs as well as polluted ground water resources and soil. Thus, it is critical to know the water and nitrogen requirements of the crop, as well as how to improve irrigation efficiency. Field experiments were conducted in the Nigde-Nevsehir (arid) region on a Fluvents ( Entisols) soil to determine water and nitrogen requirements of potato crops under sprinkler and trickle irrigation methods. Irrigation treatments were based on Class A pan evaporation and nitrogen levels were formed with different nitrogen concentrations. The highest yield, averaging 47,505 kg ha −1, was measured in sprinkler-irrigated plots at the 60 g m −3 nitrogen concentration level in the irrigation treatment with limited irrigation (480 mm). Statistically higher tuber yields were obtained at the 45 and 60 g m −3 nitrogen concentration levels in irrigation treatments with full and limited irrigation. Maximum yields were obtained with about 17% less water in the sprinkler method as compared to the trickle method (not statistically significant). On the loam and sandy loam soils, tuber yields were reduced by deficit irrigation corresponding to 70% and 74% of evapotranspiration in sprinkler and trickle irrigations, respectively. Water use of the potato crop ranged from 490 to 760 mm for sprinkler-irrigated plots and 565–830 mm for trickle-irrigated treatments. The highest water use efficiency (WUE) levels of 7.37 and 4.79 kg m −3 were obtained in sprinkle and trickle irrigated plots, respectively. There were inverse effects of irrigation and nitrogen levels on the WUE of the potato crops. Significant linear relationships were found between tuber yield and water use for both irrigation methods. Yield response factors were calculated at 1.05 for sprinkler methods and 0.68 for trickle methods. There were statistically significant linear and polynomial relationships between tuber yield and nitrogen amounts used in trickle and sprinkler-irrigated treatments, respectively. In sprinkler-irrigated treatments, the maximum tuber yield was obtained with 199 kg N ha −1. The tuber cumulative nitrogen use efficiency (NUE cu) and incremental nitrogen use efficiency (NUE in) were affected quite differently by water, nitrogen levels and years. NUE cu varied from 16 to 472 g kg −1 and NUE in varied from 75 to 1035 g kg −1 depending on the irrigation method. In both years, the NH 4-N concentrations were lower than NO 3-N, and thus the removed nitrogen and nitrogen losses were found to be 19–87 kg ha −1 for sprinkler methods and 25–89 kg ha −1 for trickle methods. Nitrogen losses in sprinkler methods reached 76%, which were higher than losses in trickle methods.

Effect of Seeding After Barley and Wheat Harvest on Yield Components of Forage Turnip (Brassica rapa L.) Cultivars

This research was carried out at the experimental field of Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, and Department of Field Crops in 2003 - 2004. The aim of the study was to determine forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.) cultivars sown as second crop after barley and wheat harvest in the irrigated areas of middle Anatolia in Turkey. Seeding was done after barley and wheat harvest. Four forage turnip cultivars (Agressa, Volenda, Polybra and Siloganova) were used as a research material. Effect of the seeding time on the forage turnip cultivars was significant and higher leaf and root yield were obtained from the seeding time after barley harvest. The highest root and leaf yield were obtained from Volenda cultivar. This cultivar can be grown as a second crop after barley under irrigated conditions.

Evaluation of selected basalts from the point of alkali–silica reactivity

Basaltic rocks are potential rocks for alkali–silica reaction (ASR). The objective of this study is to determine reactivity of the basalts of different compositions and textures. The study was carried out on basalts that are widespread in the Middle Anatolian Region of Turkey. They form the major source of local crushed rock aggregates. Early Quaternary Melendiz volcanites, Quaternary Karataş volcanites and İğredağ basalts were selected around the Niğde Region, and the experimental studies were conducted on these rocks. The samples were collected as being representative of 11 different basalt types. The basalts were firstly classified according to their petrographical and chemical composition. Petrographic techniques and accelerated mortar bar test were then used to evaluate the potential alkali reactivity of the basalt aggregates. The basalts having acidic-intermediate character and matrix that is mainly composed of volcanic glass are potentially suitable for alkali–aggregate reaction (AAR) according to the standard values.

04/02210 The spontaneous combustion characteristics of Turkish lignite and correlation of the self-heating process with the actual fire: Guyaguler, T. et al. CIM Bulletin, 2003, 96, (1070), 75–79

Fires due to self-heating of coal have been a real problem since the beginning of mining. In order to minimize the harmful effect of fires caused by spontaneous combustion (sponcom), the tendency of coal for sponcom should be analyzed in detail. This paper presents the results of such research, which had two objectives: firstly, to determine the spontaneous combustion characteristics of lignites of all underground (u/g) mines of Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKl) in the laboratory and secondly, to use these self-heating characteristics to predict the stage and progress of actual mine fires. Representative samples of 16 different lignite seams were prepared for tests in the laboratory. Crossing-point temperature and adiabatic oxidation methods were utilized to characterize the spontaneuos combustion risks. During the experiment, time and temperature were measured, and released gases were continously recorded. Sponcom results obtained by both methods were in close agreement with each other, and it was determined that Turkish lignites are susceptible to spontaneous combustion with medium to high risk. All the information obtained from the laboratory tests was utilized to predict the progress of an actual mine fire. Finally, a fairly good correlation was established between the spontaneous combustion test results and an actual mine fire caused by self-heating. Observations of CO emissions during an actual mine fire, which occurred in the Middle Anatolian Lignite mine, supported the suggested prediction method. This prediction method is currently being used in all TKl's u/g mines.

Evaluation of selected basalts from Niğde, Turkey, as source of concrete aggregate

Basaltic rocks have been widely used as aggregate for various purposes. They show a variety of textural and mineralogical characteristics that may affect their physico-mechanical properties as well as their use as construction material. The study presented in this paper was carried out on basalts that are widespread in the Middle Anatolian Region of Turkey and that comprise the major source of local crushed rock aggregates. To determine the suitability of the basalts as alternative aggregate resource, Early Quaternary Melendiz Volcanites, Quaternary Karataş volcanites andİğredağ basalts were selected around the Niğde Region. The experimental studies were conducted on these rocks. The samples were collected as being representative of 11 different types of basalt. The physico-mechanical properties of the basalts of different compositions and textures, and the properties of their aggregates were determined. The results were then compared with the typical acceptance limits in international usage. Although olivine basalts have better aggregate quality compared to other basalts, most of the basalts were found to be suitable for production of crushed rock aggregates for concrete production.

Investigation of the incidence of hepatitis E virus among pregnant women in Turkey.

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Middle Anatolia, identify the factors that affect being HEV positive and to study the effects of HEV positivity on mother and fetus. The study included 245 pregnant women who applied to various health centers and 76 cases in the same age range as the control. Blood samples taken from the cases were tested in terms of anti-HEV, IgM and IgG using the microELISA method. None of the blood samples tested revealed anti-HEV IgM positive, an indicator of acute infection, while 31 pregnant women (12.6%) and nine cases in the control group (11.8%) were found to have anti-HEV IgG positive (P > 0.05). It was seen that in pregnant women such factors as advanced age, lower educational and income levels and rural residence were correlated with higher anti-HEV IgG positive values (P < 0.05). HEV infection is endemic in Afyon and its vicinity. There were no statistical differences between pregnant women and non-pregnant women at similar ages in terms of HEV seropositivity. It can be suggested that pregnancy does not constitute a predisposition to HEV infection.

Fermentative aroma in wines from &lt;em&gt;Vitis vinifera&lt;/em&gt; cv. Kalecik karasi in relation with inoculation with selected dry yeasts

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;This study was carried out to investigate the effect of addition of selected &lt;em&gt;S. cerevisiae&lt;/em&gt; yeasts on cv. Kalecik karasi wines. Kalecik karasi grown in Middle Anatolia is a native grape variety of &lt;em&gt;Vitis vinifera&lt;/em&gt;. Inoculation with the selected yeasts produced higher amounts of ethanol compared to spontaneous fermentation and repressed the non-&lt;em&gt;Saccharomyces&lt;/em&gt; yeasts earlier. The total concentration of flavour compounds increased by using selected wine yeasts. Higher alcohols were abundant compounds and isoamyl alcohol levels varied from 75 to 132 mg/l. The addition of &lt;em&gt;S. cerevisiae&lt;/em&gt; yeasts produced higher concentrations of 4-vinyl phenol and isoamyl acetate. Wines were also analysed by sensory evaluation. Those obtained with selected yeasts differed from the control wine in triangle test. The most preferred wine was the one produced by commercial &lt;em&gt;S. cerevisiae&lt;/em&gt; in the ranking test.&lt;/p&gt;

Prevalence of tinea capitis in primary schools in Turkey.

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of tinea capitis in Middle Anatolia. Between February 2000 and April 2000, a school survey of 4760 primary school children was carried out and 34 cases of tinea capitis were clinically diagnosed. Sixteen (0.3%) of them were diagnosed both clinically and using culture. Eighteen cases (52.9%) were diagnosed microscopically whereas the remaining 16 cases (47.0%) had a clinical diagnose. We also isolated and identified the following species of fungi causing the infection: Trichophyton verrucosum (five cases), T. rubrum (three), T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (three), Microsporum canis (three) and T. tonsurans (two). We detected a higher rate of infection than that of the country's average.