Anatolia Region Research Articles

The morphological and chemical variability of Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna L.) fruits in Turkey

Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna L.) is naturally distributed in southeast Europe, Anatolia, the Caucasus and Western Himalayas. In Turkey, there are many isolated populations in the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean, and Central Anatolian Regions. Many of the small populations in Turkey are endangered. In this study, the morphological and chemical characteristics of Turkish hazelnut fruits collected from seven populations were researched. In this regard, considering the morphological characteristics of fruits and kernels, significant differences were observed between the populations. Length, width, thickness, and weight averages were 15.98 mm, 15.38 mm, 12.00 mm and 1.4651 g in the fruits, and 13.03 mm, 11.22 mm, 7.64 mm and 0.5047 g in the kernels, respectively. The average shell thickness was 1.92 mm, shell weight was 0.9604 g, and kernel ratio was 35.16%. Statistically significant differences were found out between the populations whose chemical contents were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the average fat content, protein, starch, and ash were 64.1%, 15.9%, 10.2 g, and 2.5%, respectively. According to the averages in the obtained fatty acids, the main fatty acids were oleic acid (79.53%), linoleic acid (11.34%), palmitic acid (5.68%), and stearic acid (2.03%), while the rest of other oils were found in trace amounts. Overall, our results suggest that the information relating to morphological and chemical characteristics of Turkish hazelnut can be useful for discriminating among populations.

Prediction of flood routing results in the Central Anatolian region of Türkiye with various machine learning models

Prediction of flood routing results in the Central Anatolian region of Türkiye with various machine learning models

Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198–1196 bc

The potential of climate change to substantially alter human history is a pressing concern, but the specific effects of different types of climate change remain unknown. This question can be addressed using palaeoclimatic and archaeological data. For instance, a 300-year, low-frequency shift to drier, cooler climate conditions around 1200 bc is frequently associated with the collapse of several ancient civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East1–4. However, the precise details of synchronized climate and human-history-scale associations are lacking. The archaeological–historical record contains multiple instances of human societies successfully adapting to low-frequency climate change5–7. It is likely that consecutive multi-year occurrences of rare, unexpected extreme climatic events may push a population beyond adaptation and centuries-old resilience practices5,7–10. Here we examine the collapse of the Hittite Empire around 1200 bc. The Hittites were one of the great powers in the ancient world across five centuries11–14, with an empire centred in a semi-arid region in Anatolia with political and socioeconomic interconnections throughout the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean, which for a long time proved resilient despite facing regular and intersecting sociopolitical, economic and environmental challenges. Examination of ring width and stable isotope records obtained from contemporary juniper trees in central Anatolia provides a high-resolution dryness record. This analysis identifies an unusually severe continuous dry period from around 1198 to 1196 (±3) bc, potentially indicating a tipping point, and signals the type of episode that can overwhelm contemporary risk-buffering practices.

Trichinella infections in animals and humans of Iran and Turkey.

Trichinellosis is considered as a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by different species of the small nematodes of the genus Trichinella. The present study aimed to provide a broad review for exploring Trichinella sp. infection in humans and animals of Iran and Turkey. Additionally, we aimed to explore bases for trichinellosis prevention and control. Two reports of human trichinellosis following the consumption of meat of wild boar are available in the northern Iran. A large outbreak of trichinellosis and some other sporadic cases are reported mainly as a result of eating wild boar or pork meat from Turkey, where T. britovi is present. Field studies show that Trichinella sp. infections occur in wild carnivores of Iran, particularly the golden jackal (Canis aureus) as the most frequently infected species. T. britovi has been reported to be present elsewhere in Iran in wild mammals, where wild boar is the main source of Trichinella sp. infection. In Turkey, Trichinella spp. has been reported from animals including both domesticated and wild pigs and gray wolf (Canis lupus). However, current data on the distribution of Trichinella taxa are fragmentary in the Anatolian region.

Long‐Distance Asthenospheric Transport of Plume‐Influenced Mantle From Afar to Anatolia

AbstractThe origin of widespread volcanism far from plate boundaries and mantle plumes remains a fundamental unsolved question. An example of this puzzle is the Anatolian region, where abundant intraplate volcanism has occurred since 10 Ma, but a nearby underlying plume structure in the deep mantle is lacking. We employed a combination of seismic and geochemical data to link intraplate volcanism in Anatolia to a trail of magmatic centers leading back to East Africa and its mantle plume, consistent with northward asthenospheric transport over a ∼2,500 km distance. Joint modeling of seismic imaging and petrological data indicates that the east Anatolian mantle potential temperature is higher than the ambient mantle (∼1,420°C). Based on multiple seismic tomography models, the Anatolian upper mantle is likely connected to East Africa by an asthenospheric channel with low seismic velocities. Along the channel, isotopic signatures among volcanoes are consistent with a common mantle source, and petrological data demonstrate similar elevated mantle temperatures, consistent with little cooling in the channel during the long‐distance transport. Horizontal asthenospheric pressure gradients originating from mantle plume upwelling beneath East Africa provide a mechanism for high lateral transport rates that match the relatively constant mantle potential temperatures along the channel. Rapid long‐distance asthenospheric flow helps explain the widespread occurrence of global intraplate magmatism in regions far from deeply‐rooted mantle plumes throughout Earth history.

The effects of dyadic coping strategies and dyadic conflict resolution styles on postpartum depression of mothers in heterosexual marriages in Turkey.

The authors of this study aimed to determine the effects of coping strategies and conflict resolution styles on postpartum depression in heterosexual mothers in the postpartum period in Turkey. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 369 mothers with babies aged 1-12 months. The study was carried out between October 1, 2021, and December 1, 2021, in the pediatric outpatient clinic of the Medical Faculty Hospital of a province in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Seventy-four (20.1%) mothers had scores above the depression scale cu-off point (>13). Having problems in marriage, getting a low score on the spouse's self-perception scale of dyadic coping with stress, and having negative, nonsubmissive, and retreating conflict resolution styles were found to be important factors associated with postpartum depression (p < .05). The incidence of postpartum depression was found to be associated with having problems in the marriage, not having good dyadic coping strategies, and having negative conflict resolution styles.

Researcher as knowledgeable other in the planning phase of a lesson study in mathematics

It is seen that there are few studies on the role of the knowledgeable other when the literature on Lesson Study [LS] is examined. However, for LS to be better understood and applied in different cultures, the role of the knowledgeable other in LS process should be clarified. This study aimed to determine the role of the researcher as the knowledgeable other in the planning phase of LS in the Turkish context. The study used a qualitative research method of action research design. The study participants were two mathematics teachers selected by convenience sampling and working in a public middle school in one of Turkey's central districts of a big city in the Central Anatolian Region. The data were collected by video-camera recording and analyzed by content analysis. As a result of the study, it was determined that the knowledgeable other contributed to the teachers participating in the study within the framework of the following seven themes: teaching approach, mathematical process skills, planning, student recognition knowledge, material use, guidance, and questioning. At the end of the study, there was a discussion on these themes, and some suggestions were made.

Context and Shape: Geographical and Chronological Distribution of Handled Stamp Seals in Anatolia and Northern Levant

This article focuses on handled stamp seals, their typological classification, archaeological contexts and geographic distribution. By analyzing a total of 679 seals (302 from good archaeological contexts) over a time period from the Early Bronze Age to the Iron Age, it was possible to point out that specific shapes can be considered typical for the Anatolian region, while others were adopted from Anatolia in the Levant or belong to specific site productions. The data have shown that of the three predominant types (Stalk, Domed and Modelled Domed Knob Seals), probably only one passed from Anatolia to the Northern Levant with a consequent proliferation of variants. All other types of handled stamp seals didn’t provide sufficient data in archaeological contexts to better define the dynamics of production or geographical displacement: therefore, it was only possible to present the general data and propose some hypotheses.

Phenolic Constituents, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Clustering Analysis of Propolis Samples Based on PCA from Different Regions of Anatolia.

This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical composition and biological activity of propolis samples from different regions of Türkiye to characterize and classify 24 Anatolian propolis samples according to their geographical origin. Chemometric techniques, namely, principal component analysis (PCA) and a hierarchical clustering algorithm (HCA), were applied for the first time to all data, including antioxidant capacity, individual phenolic constituents, and the antimicrobial activity of propolis to reveal the possible clustering of Anatolian propolis samples according to their geographical origin. As a result, the total phenolic content (TPC) of the propolis samples varied from 16.73 to 125.83 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram (GAE/g) sample, while the number of total flavonoids varied from 57.98 to 327.38 mg quercetin equivalent per gram (QE/g) sample. The identified constituents of propolis were phenolic/aromatic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid), phenolic aldehyde (vanillin), and flavonoids (pinocembrin, kaempferol, pinobanksin, and apigenin). This study has shown that the application of the PCA chemometric method to the biochemical composition and biological activity of propolis allows for the successful clustering of Anatolian propolis samples from different regions of Türkiye, except for samples from the Black Sea region.

Diameter-Height Growth Performance of Natural Species of Central Anatolian Forest Steppe in Terms of Influencing Site Conditions

Trees' height (H) and diameter (D) growth depend on many factors and vary between species. This study examined H and D growth of Juniperus excelsa, J. foetidissima, Pinus nigra, Quercus cerris and Q. pubescens, growing naturally in the Central Anatolian forest steppe and the site conditions (human impact, woody plant coverage, tree density, altitude, exposure) that influence H and D growth. The present study hypothesises that the decline of height growth might indicate limited rainfall in the region. Two datasets were distinguished for the statistical analysis: the first comprised maximum height (MH) and diameter (MD), human impact, woody plant coverage, and tree density of the sampling plots, and the second comprised all measured Hs and Ds of the sampling plots, exposition, and altitude. Variance and correlation analysis were applied to both datasets to determine the relationships between parameters. Non-linear regression analysis was applied to both datasets to provide H-prediction equations. According to the results of statistical analyses applied to two datasets, each tree species reacted differently to the site conditions. However, the most relevant relationship was found between height and diameter growth for all species. The MH-MD and D-H of P. nigra (except the altitude) and Quercus cerris + Q. pubescens (except the human impact) did not respond to any of the site conditions remarkably, while those of J. foetidissima responded to all of the site conditions examined. The H and D of each species were affected by the exposure. While the highest number of trees was found on N-exposed slopes, the heights trees of each species were found on N- and NW-exposed slopes. The results of non-linear regression analysis applied on both datasets of H-prediction equations of each species involved different parameters, even though the diameter was the only relevant variable for height prediction. Although it is not possible to reach a definite conclusion for other species within the scope of this study, P. nigra had a shorter height in Central Anatolia than in areas with better environmental conditions. Height growth might indicate water limitations of Central Anatolian region, but genetic code might be an important factor of how a species will cope with drought.

Two New Ferula (Apiaceae) Species from Central Anatolia: Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata

Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata are two novel endemic species discovered in the Konya and Kırşehir provinces of the central Anatolian region of Türkiye. These two new species are described by morphological, ecological, carpological, and phytochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. F. turcica and F. latialata are morphologically distinct from F. szowitsiana by their habit, the stalk of the terminal umbella, and the mericarp size, as well as by the profile of their secondary metabolite markers and phylogenetic placement. The phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer in ribosomal DNA belonging to both new taxa were conducted to reveal the evolutionary relationships of the new species. Their relationships with the other related species and proposed conservation status were reviewed. The morphological, molecular, and phytochemical evidence supported the hypothesis that Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata are two new distinct species.

The Effect of Using Interactive Simulation in Science Laboratory on Knowledge Levels of Science Laws and Computational Thinking Skills

Today, teaching strategies and methods changing with technology require a radical transformation in the teaching of science laws, which form the basis of science subjects. In this study, computational thinking skills, which will allow students to use information and communication technologies in today's conditions and the effect of these skills on their knowledge levels about science laws were examined. A university in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey served as the institution that provided the study sample, which consisted of 61 science preservice teachers who were enrolled in the university's Science Teaching Department. In this study, pretest-posttest control group design, one of the experimental designs, was used. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 30 people assigned to the experimental group and 31 participants assigned to the control group. To collect data, an achievement test with 20 questions aiming to measure the success levels of science laws by the researchers and the "Computerized Thinking Scale" for university students was used. At the end of the research process, it was concluded that the achievements of the students in the experimental group were significantly different from the students in the control group, and there was a significant difference in favor of the experimental group in all sub-dimensions of computational thinking and computational thinking.

The Situation of Students' COVID-19 Vaccination and Their Views on Vaccination: Turkey Case

Background: This research aimed to define the status of young university students in Turkey with the COVID-19 vaccine and their ideas about it. Methods: This descriptive and quantitative study was conducted on 602 undergraduate students of a state university in the central Anatolian region of Turkey in the spring semester of the 2021 - 2022 academic year. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with the students using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers based on the literature. The chi-square test, percentage, and number were used to analyze the data. Results: Of the research participants, 89.7% were COVID-19-vaccinated. Also, 86.7% of vaccinated students had the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, 72.96% had two vaccine doses, and 59.5% had doubts about the vaccine. Conclusions: Opinions about vaccines are affected by some sociodemographic characteristics and expert information.

Evaluation of biochemical and molecular response of onion breeding lines to drought and salt stresses

Onion is the most important crop in the Alliaceae family which is diversely used all over the world. Türkiye is the 5th largest onion producer with the production of 2.24 million tons, but onion production is under threat due to climatic changes especially in the Anatolia region. Therefore, in the present study, six onion breeding lines were investigated to quantify the biochemical and gene expressional changes under drought and salt stresses. Plants were divided into control, salt stress, and drought stress to apply stress treatment under semi-controlled greenhouse conditions. Current study showed that salt stress restricted the uptake of minerals from the soil. Study also revealed that under both stresses the chlorophyll a and b contents were stable in K41, U47 and U49 breeding lines. Moreover, gene expression for stress related genes showed that K41 and U47 breeding lines showed tolerance to drought and salt stress by adequately regulating their SOD, CAT, AOX, WRKY70 and NAC29 gene expressions, moreover highest antioxidant enzymatic activity was also observed in these breeding lines under drought and salt stress. The H2O2 concentration was highest in the sensitive breeding lines suggesting the sensitivity to both stresses. PCA analysis revealed that breeding lines K41, U47 and U49 showed tolerance to both stresses. These results can further used to understand onion stress tolerance mechanism and it may enable onion breeders for the development of abiotic stress resilient onion cultivars.

The variation of geomagnetic field intensity in Central Anatolia during the Neogene-Quaternary period

SUMMARY A detailed palaeointensity study was performed using the modified Thellier method on 18 Quaternary and Neogene volcanic units, ages ranging from 0.08 to 5.98 Ma, in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Robust data, which were estimated from 12 lava units in the study area, significantly increase the database of palaeomagnetic data, directions and absolute palaeointensity for the Anatolian region covering the time window back to ∼6 Ma. Previous studies sensitively dated the samples, except for one site dated in this study. The palaeointensity (VDM) value from the upper Miocene site estimated as 48.6 ± 9.2 μT (10.1 × 1022 ± 1.9 Am2) fits well into the Neogene VDM range in the data archives. For Pliocene samples with an age of 4.7 Ma, the palaeointensity was calculated to be 21.0 ± 4.7 μT. For these samples, an inclination of +42.9° was determined, and together with the results of low palaeointensity and normal polarity, this corresponds to the Nunivak or Sidufjall subchrons. These are normal polarity chrons within the Gilbert Chron which predominantly has reversed polarity. Palaeodirectional data and field strength with age between 0.08 and 2.57 Ma clearly showed the Brunhes and Matuyama Chrons in the Pleistocene. Three new data with 25.0 ± 7.9 μT (age 1.84 Ma), 59.7 ± 8.2 μT (age 2.15 Ma) and 79.6 ± 19.3 μT (age 2.57 Ma) from the early Pleistocene period significantly contribute to global data archives, which lack palaeointensity data from similar latitude range. The average VDM values for nine Pleistocene sites were calculated to be 51.5 ± 16.4 μT (10.3 × 1022 ± 3.7 Am2). According to the comparison of our data with the palaeointensity database, field model record and previous studies of the Pleistocene, significantly high field strength obtained from Central Anatolia, located in the Northern Hemisphere, could have occurred due to asymmetry between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during the Pleistocene.

Performance assessment of subsurface drainage systems in the Harran Plain of the South‐East Anatolian region of Turkey

AbstractThe purpose of performance assessment of subsurface drainage systems is to achieve efficient and effective system performance by providing relevant feedback to the management of the drainage system at all levels. Therefore, it assists management in determining whether performance is satisfactory and, if not, what corrective actions need to be taken and where to rectify the situation. In this study, approximately 30% of the drainage systems built in the Harran Plain were monitored during one irrigation season in 2017. The fluctuation of the water table was measured daily at a total of 33 subcentres. In addition, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH values were measured by taking water samples from six collectors once a week. Drain flow measurements were carried out at three collector outlets. According to the SEW30 (sum of excess water at depths less than 30 cm) indicator, 82% of the monitored areas had good, medium‐good drainage and moderate drainage. The seasonal average water table depth of the monitored area was found to be approximately 120 cm. The data show the existence of a drainage system that creates an aerated soil layer suitable for all shallow‐ and deep‐rooted, water‐resistant, and sensitive plants in all of the monitored areas. Generally, the salinity of drainage water is much higher than that of irrigation water. This value was up to 25 times higher in some collector outlets. This finding has raised suspicions that salty groundwater is being pumped into the drainage system.

Economic Evaluation of Mohair Production in Ankara Province

Angora goat is the most important goat breed that spread from Central Asia to Anatolia and became a part of Turkish culture. Angora goat, which is thought to have been brought to Anatolia in the 13th century, is intensively raised in the Central Anatolian region, especially in Ankara and its surroundings. In this study, it is aimed to give information about the distribution of the goat population according to Ankara province and its districts, the amount and price of mohair purchase by years, and the fiber quality of Angora goats raised in the region. According to the findings, it has been observed that there is an increase in the number of Angora goats in Ankara parallel with the total number of small ruminants in Türkiye. When the farms that are members of the Ankara Sheep and Goat Breeders' Association are examined, Ankara goat breeding is carried out in almost all districts of Ankara. The number of Ankara Goats, which was approximately 158 thousand in 2012, reached approximately 289 thousand in 2021. Between 2016 and 2021, a total of 48814.00 kg of mohair was obtained from Ankara Goats in Ankara. Furthermore, when mohair prices are analyzed in dollars, it is determined that the highest price was in 2019, and the amount of subsidy given by the State decreased over the years. In terms of literature, we can say that there are not enough new studies on Angora goats and that up-to-date studies are needed. The fact that Ankara is suitable for goat breeding due to its geography and that the importance of goat breeding for those living in rural areas in cultural terms has ensured the continuity of Ankara Goat production. Although the goat population seems to be increasing in the last 10 years, there has been a serious decrease compared to the beginning of the 1900s. Necessary studies should be done properly in order to increase the Angora goat population.

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE ON THE PERFORMANCE AND MOTIVATION OF EMPLOYEES (A STUDY ON SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS)

Ponte Academic JournalMar 2023, Volume 79, Issue 3 INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE ON THE PERFORMANCE AND MOTIVATION OF EMPLOYEES (A STUDY ON SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS)Author(s): SEFA YILDIZ ,HAKKI ULUCANJ. Ponte - Mar 2023 - Volume 79 - Issue 3 doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.3.3 Abstract:The present study aims to examine the effect of the organizational climate perceived by the employees working in the Sports Services unit of the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports on their job performance and motivation. In this research, the data were obtained from 502 employees working in the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in 13 provinces located in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. The ‘’Personal Information Form’’, ‘’Organizational Climate Scale’’, ‘’Job Performance Scale’’ and ‘’Job Motivation Scale’’ were used as measurement tools in the present study. All the scales are in 5-point Likert type. The statistical package program SPSS.25 was used in the analysis of the data. T-test and F-test were used to examine the differences between variables. Regression analysis was performed to measure the effect levels. As a result of the analyses, it was observed that the organizational climate, job performance and motivation perceptions of the employees did not make a difference based on the variables of gender and title, while differences were found based on the variables of marital status, age, education and working year. It has been concluded that the organizational climate perceptions of the employees have a positive and significant effect on their performance and motivation. Download full text:Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution Username Password

Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolian Regions of Türkiye, 2016-2021

Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolian Regions of Türkiye, 2016-2021

Morphological and molecular evidence for the recognition of Allocreadium bursensis n. sp. (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from Angora loach Oxynoemacheilus angorae from Turkey.

This is the first study reporting parasites from the freshwater cyprinid Oxynoemacheilus angorae (Steindachner 1897) caught in Nilüfer Stream, Bursa, in the Northwest Anatolian Region of Turkey. Allocreadium bursensis n. sp. was described from the intesine of O.angorae based on morphological and genetic characteristics. Allocreadium bursensis n. sp. was differentiated from other Allocreadium spp. in having a combination of external (ventral and oral suckers ratio; body length and width and its ratio to forebody) and internal (cirrus pouch position; uterus extension in hindbody; egg size; disposition of anterior border of vitellarium; esophagus length) features. Phylogenetic hypotheses based on maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inferrence, and neighbor joining analyses of sequence data strongly supported the hypothesis that A. bursensis is nested within the clade of Allocreadium species hosted by cypriniform fish, and it is more closely related to the Far Eastern species A. pseudoisoporum (Primorsky region, Russia) than to the African A. apokryfi. According to genetic p-distances, the taxonomic status of trematodes collected in Turkey was established as independent relative to nine of the valid Allocreadium spp.: 1.8-5.8% in 28S gene and 18.8-22.6% in cox1 gene. The present study increases the number of Allocreadium species and their definitive hosts recorded in Turkey and raises the number of Palearctic representatives of Allocreadium spp. to 26.