Southeastern Anatolia Research Articles

The Impact of Innovative Technological Practices for Gifted Children's Education on Support Classroom Teachers' Attitudes and Opinions towards Technology Use

The aim of this study is to determine how innovative practices aimed at meeting the educational needs of gifted children, taught during activities, influence the attitudes and opinions of resource room teachers towards the use of technology in education. This study, conducted with 30 teachers working in the Southeastern and Eastern Anatolia Regions, employed a mixed-methods approach and included various activities such as animations, augmented reality, educational games, and STEAM. Data were collected through the attitude scale and diaries towards the use of technology in education. The results indicate that teachers' attitudes towards technology use did not differ by gender and that innovative applications were beneficial for all teachers. However, deficiencies were observed in teachers' ability to adapt to technologies related to coding, engineering, and STEAM. To address these deficiencies and keep technological knowledge and skills up to date, it is recommended to organize regular professional development programs and seminars.

Individual variation in Macrovipera lebetinus obtusa (blunt-nosed viper) venom from a limited area in Southeastern Anatolia (Türkiye)

Intraspecific variation in snake venom composition has been the subject of many studies, revealing the differences in venom proteomes according to age, diet, sex, and geographic region. Previous research on M. lebetinus venom mainly focused on protein purification, proteomic characterization, and biological activities. Although venom proteomes of its subspecies from different geographical areas were compared, it is a widespread species and there is limited knowledge regarding the individual venom variation of M. lebetinus in the same area. In this study, individual variation in M. lebetinus obtusa venom was investigated in terms of protein profiles, protease, phospholipase A2, ʟ-amino acid oxidase, hyaluronidase and phosphodiesterase, and hemolytic activities based on nine individuals collected in the province of Şanlıurfa (southeastern Türkiye). HPLC analysis indicated more striking differences compared to SDS-PAGE. Phosphodiesterase activity varied most between the individuals, followed by hyaluronidase and phospholipase A2. Hemolytic activity did not show significant alteration based on the blood agar method. The results of this initial study revealed that M. lebetinus venom shows variation between the individuals inhabiting the same habitat, which should be taken into account in the development of antivenoms and the clinical assessment of the bite cases.

The Three Pillars of De-development: Forced Displacement, Cultural Annihilation, and Economic Expropriation

The central argument and the vantage point of this article is that there is an indivisible and organic link between the economic and noneconomic aspects of dispossession or disarticulation in the state policies in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia (ESA), without the analysis of which the political economy of de-development in ESA cannot be veraciously understood. Nor could the region be analyzed from a decolonial lens because overlooking or negating this link hinders the pivotal aims and achievements of the decolonization scholarship: (1) excavating the significant historical power inequalities and (2) unearthing and impugning the sanitization or negation of plunder and the civilizing mission. An indispensable element of de-development in ESA is the nationalist population policies, which, among other things, include forced displacement of the autochthonic populaces in ESA. This article analyzes the fluxes in the socioeconomic and political features and structures of ESA and describes the demographic engineering-centered de-development policies implemented in the ESA, which have been thus far either eluded or analyzed devoid of their ramifications for socioeconomic features and structures in ESA by scholarly studies. In doing so, the article will employ a political economy approach as well as a longue durée mode of analysis.

Results of an application of sex attractant EFETOV-2 in Southeastern Anatolia of Türkiye (Turkey)

In recent years, intensive studies with or without the use of sex pheromones and sex attractants have significantly increased our knowledge on the Zygaenidae (Lepidoptera) fauna of Türkiye (Turkey). An application of sex attractants from the series ‘EFETOV-2’ (a patented name) synthesised at the Crimean Federal University has allowed us to detect some species hitherto unknown in Türkiye (for example Rhagades pruni ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) and Jordanita globulariae (Hübner, 1793)) and clarify many distributions. In this work we present new data on the results of testing the attractant EFETOV-2 (a racemic mixture of (2R)-butan-2-yl dodec-2-enoate and (2S)-butan-2-yl dodec-2-enoate) in some regions of Southeastern Anatolia of Türkiye. Determination of Zygaenidae species and their distribution ranges was carried out in Batman, Diyarbakır and Mardin Provinces in 2022–2024. Two Procridinae species, viz. Adscita obscura (Zeller, 1847) (31 males) and Jordanita anatolica (Naufock, 1929) (142 males), were attracted to the lures EFETOV-2 in all studied provinces.

Detection of Natural Enemies of the Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Southeastern Anatolia Region, Turkey1

Abstract A survey was conducted between 2019 and 2022 to identify natural enemies of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in the provinces of Şırnak, Siirt, Batman, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, and Kilis in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Sampling using several different techniques was conducted in agricultural, nonagricultural, and forested areas throughout the duration of the study. We identified natural enemies of B. tabaci, which causes significant crop losses in Turkey and worldwide, with the objective of reducing chemical control in favor of promoting biological control of the pest in the coming years. In our survey, we collected and identified 37 species of predators and 2 species of parasitoids as natural enemies. Of those, the greatest number of species were from the family Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). Coccinella septempunctata (L.), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), and Orius laevigatus (Fieber) were found in all provinces surveyed.

Fusarium species and assessments of mycotoxin (deoxynivalenol), in wheat seeds from different regions of Türkiye

Wheat cultivation is important in Turkish agriculture, which ranks 10th among international wheat producers, and is an important wheat exporter, particularly to Europe. Fusarium-related threats, such as Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and Fusarium Crown and Root Rots (FCR, FRR), and related mycotoxin seed contamination, jeopardize product quality. This study analysed 65 wheat seed samples for presence of Fusarium species, from cultivars of Triticum aestivum (bread wheat) and T. durum (durum wheat) collected from seven regions of Türkiye. PCR with specific primers, and phylogenetic analyses of TEF1-α segments, discriminated Fusarium species. Levels of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in flour samples were also evaluated. Out of 195 Fusarium isolates, the prominent species included F. graminearum (32% of isolates), F. proliferatum (16%), F. avenaceum (11%), F. clavum (11%), and F. verticillioides (7%). Less frequently isolated species were F. oxysporum (6%), F. acuminatum (3%), F. ramigenum (3%), F. culmorum (3%), F. poae (2%), F. sambucinum (2%), F. tricinctum (2%), Fusarium sp. FTSC12 (2%), F. andiyazi (1%), and F. equiseti, F. incarnatum, and F. fasciculatum (each 0.5%). Five of the 65 samples tested positive for DON, with two exceeding the European Commission threshold for mycotoxin contamination; one bread wheat from the Black Sea region, known for its annual rainfall, and a durum wheat sample from southeastern Anatolia, which had the highest detected DON level of 1730 μg kg-1. Among these samples F. graminearum was the predominant species. As F. andiyazi and F. ramigenum are not normally associated with wheat plants, a pathogenicity test was conducted with two isolates of each of these species, revealing no pathogenicity on the durum wheat cultivar ‘San Carlo’. These results provide a basis for managing fungal threats and mycotoxin contamination, safeguarding the quality of wheat grain as an essential agricultural product.

Level of hesitation of parents about childhood vaccines and affecting factors: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

BackgroundHesitancy rates for childhood vaccines are increasing on a global scale. It was reported in previous studies that many factors affect vaccine hesitancy. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of childhood vaccination hesitancy in parents and to determine the factors affecting it.MethodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 parents who had at least one child aged two years and younger, who applied to Family Health Centers in the city of Mardin in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, between January and March 2022. The “Parental Attitudes Towards Childhood Vaccines (PATCV) Questionnaire” was used to collect the data, which were analyzed by using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 22.0 program. The Logistic Regression Analysis was used to determine the factors affecting parental attitudes toward childhood vaccines.ResultsA total of 32.0% of the parents were found to be hesitant about vaccinations and 3.4% did not have at least one vaccination for their children. Significant relationships were detected between income status, education status, thoughts about vaccinations, parents having adult vaccinations, hesitant to have self-vaccination, considering vaccine necessary, and parental attitudes towards childhood vaccinations (p < 0.05). According to the Regression Analysis, parents who had adult vaccinations had reduced hesitation about childhood vaccines 0.506 times (p = 0.032; OR = 0.506; 95%CI = 0.271–0.943). Considering the vaccine necessary reduced the hesitation about childhood vaccines by 0.440 times (p = 0.011; OR = 0.440; 95%CI = 0.234–0.828).ConclusionsThe hesitations of parents about childhood vaccines were found to be high. The reasons for vaccine hesitancy must be examined in detail and strategies must be developed in this regard.

Esp in Action: Application of LEM in Gaziantep Industry Through Online Language Teaching

The study was conducted in Gaziantep, an industrial city in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkiye. This study was a joint effort of Gaziantep University and a company that participated in many international activities. Through fieldwork and literature reviews, it was determined that there are no foreign language studies towards business people and business English in Gaziantep. The objectives of this study, was aimed at business people and the business world, were determined based on this preliminary research and existing foreign language teaching studies; the goal was to determine how to close the language gap in the business world. Distance education was used to make the study easy to access; for participants to be able to access the training program at any time and place. After necessary procedures were established, the employees who could participate in the project were determined. The employees' primary needs and foreign language levels were determined with a pre-test and a need analysis. A training model was developed accordingly, and the eight-week training was started. The training content was organized according to the lean educational method, considering the needs of all participants, and the efficiency of the method in question was examined. Training content, incorporating technological tools and interactive materials, was planned to ensure that participants enjoyed learning throughout the course. The success of the training was evaluated based on findings obtained by comparing pre-test and post-test results. In light of these findings, it has been proven that language success can be increased quickly by using the lean educational method effectively. It has been determined that great success can be achieved quickly with the lean educational method, a training model used to achieve rapid success in areas for adult groups and the business world. In addition, this study determined that people with time constraints could easily participate in the program with distance education and save time while doing so.

Effect of Land Use/Land Cover Maps on CN Method: Case Study over Kahramanmaras

The impact of Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) data obtained from various spatial resolution satellites on the distribution of the Curve Number (CN) across Kahramanmaras using the Soil Conservation Service (SCS)-CN technique was investigated in this research. This study aimed to examine the effect of LULC on runoff due to increasing urbanization in the last century and the conversion of forest areas to agricultural lands. CORINE data with a spatial resolution of 100 m, and Sentinel-2A data with spatial resolutions of 10, 20, and 60 m were utilized in the analysis. The results reveal that only the average CNs of the products are in close proximity, while there are significant discrepancies in the CN variation over the maps as the spatial resolution increases. The Sentinel-2A satellite findings revealed higher CN values compared to the CORINE dataset over the study area where three geographical regions, namely the Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia. Additionally, the results show that an increase in urbanization triggers surface runoff potential and reduces it in agricultural and forest areas in the city. Thus, the updated and higher spatial resolution of LULC promises accurate flood forecasting and/or more scientific potential drought estimation as well as other hydrological applications.

A comparison of the risk analyses for harvesting activities under different conditions

Today, it is mandatory for all employers to conduct risk analysis because of legal regulations and the increased importance attached to occupational safety and health (OSH) by society. Each harvesting unit has a unique topography, climate, type of machine or equipment, tree species, harvesting time (summer/winter), and external threats. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully identify the potential risks for each harvesting unit. This study compared the risk scores of forest harvesting in the Black Sea, Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Southeastern Anatolia regions of Türkiye with different geographical conditions. The risk analysis was conducted with a total of 338 harvesting workers from these regions. Twenty-nine hazards, categorized into six main classes, were identified via literature review, field observations, and expert opinions. Risk analysis was performed using the L-type matrix method. After that, the Chi-square test analyzed whether the risk scores determined for each geographic region differed or not. The results revealed significant differences in the results of risk analyses of harvesting activities between regions (c2 = 97.357; p&lt;.001). While these differences were determined generally in the physical, psychosocial, and worker-related hazard classes, an obvious difference in biological or chemical hazard classes was not determined statistically. The results of the risk analysis obtained from the study will contribute to the identification of the risks that should be taken into consideration primarily for the examined regions and the implementation of measurements. Moreover, this study serves as a model for conducting risk analysis for other regions, to facilitate informed decision-making concerning OSH.

Regional variations in psoriatic arthritis: Insights from a nationwide multicenter analysis in Türkiye.

The study aimed to investigate and compare clinical features, disease activity, and the overall disease burden among psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients across seven distinct geographic regions in Türkiye. A multicenter cross-sectional study involving 1,134 PsA patients from 25 referral centers across seven regions was conducted. Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, joint involvement, extra-articular manifestations, and disease activity measures were evaluated across regions. A total of 1134 PsA patients from seven different geographic regions in Türkiye participated in this study. The highest number of participants was from the Marmara region (n=409), with subsequent representation from Central Anatolia (n=370), Aegean (n=139), Mediterranean (n=60), Black Sea (n=60), Eastern Anatolia (n=60), and Southeastern Anatolia (n=36) regions. There were significant variations in demographic profile, including age, body mass index, age of disease onset, educational status, comorbidities, and family history of both psoriasis and PsA. Clinical features, such as enthesitis, dactylitis, uveitis, and joint involvement, demonstrated significant variation across regions. Additionally, disease activity measures, including pain, patient and physician global assessments, acute phase reactants, disease activity indices, quality of life, and functional status, displayed considerable regional differences. This nationwide study revealed substantial regional diversity in demographic data, clinical characteristics, disease activity, and quality of life among PsA patients in Türkiye. These findings stress the need to customize treatment approaches to address regional needs and to conduct further research to uncover reasons for disparities. It is crucial to enhance region-specific approaches to improve patient care and outcomes for PsA.

The Effect of Breathing Exercises Using a Breathing Exercise Device and Virtual Reality Applications During Pregnancy and Labor on Labor.

The study aimed to determine the effects of breathing exercises using a breathing exercise device and virtual reality applications during pregnancy and labor on labor pain, duration, and birth satisfaction. This study was planned as a single-blind randomized controlled experimental study. The study was conducted with a total of 114 pregnant women who were randomized between September 2022 and May 2023 at a maternity hospital in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. The participants were divided into three groups: the breathing exercise group (39), the virtual reality group (37), and the control group (38). The data were collected by using the descriptive information form, labor observation form, visual analog scale, and Birth Satisfaction Scale. The incidence of average pain scores and labor duration were lower in the intervention groups when compared with the control group (P < .05). The average birth satisfaction scores of pregnant women in both experimental groups were determined to be higher than those in the control group (P < .05). The research results show that breathing exercises using a breathing exercise device during pregnancy and labor and virtual reality applications shorten the duration of labor, reduce labor pain, and increase birth satisfaction.

Effect of calcium contamination on lignosulfonate mud, lime mud, and potassium chloride mud

A significant amount of the oil produced in Turkiye is extracted from the Southeastern Anatolia Region. In the drilling operations conducted around Batman and Diyarbakir, which are key areas for oil production in this region, formation-related problems are encountered, leading to increased drilling costs and time loss. The primary issues among these problems are the wellbore stability and the contamination of drilling mud with clay and calcium. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted in wells A-1, A-2, and A-3 located in region A, and well B-1 located in region B in the Batman and Diyarbakir areas. The investigations observed formation-related well stability issues and contamination of drilling mud with calcium and clay. Drilling mud experiments based on actual well data were conducted to address the changes in formation-related drilling mud. In wells A-1 and B-1, the drilling of formations containing gypsum and anhydrite was carried out using lignosulfonate mud, during which heavy calcium contamination occurred in the system mud, causing problems in the drilling operations. In well A-2, the drilling of gypsum and anhydrite in the Kayaköy formation, and shale and marl formations in the Kastel and Karadut formations, was done using KCl/Polymer mud. Experiments conducted on the drilling mud observed changes in the mud and examined the issues arising in the drilling operations. In well A-3, the drilling of rocks belonging to the same formations was performed, and lime mud was used in this well to counteract the possibility of gas influx, calcium contamination, and carbonate-bicarbonate contamination. The calcium concentration ranged from 120 to 800 mg/l in A-1 well, 80–800 mg/l in A-2 well, 440–680 mg/l in A-3 well, and 160–720 mg/l in B-1 well. Although calcium entrance to the drilling mud is inevitable during the drilling of calcium-bearing formation, this study shows that it is possible to drill these formations safely by the interventions at right times by the drilling fluid engineer.

PLANTS UNDER THE RISK DROUGHT AND DESERTIFICATION IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA (TURKEY)

This study examines the impact of climate change on the semiarid region of Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, which borders the northern Arabian deserts. The region faces significant risks of desertification due to the expansion of arid zones, affecting precipitation, evaporation, water resources, and vegetation. The loss of biodiversity is already a critical issue, exacerbated by drought conditions. Agricultural productivity is threatened as drought reduces water availability, leading to lower yields and quality of crops. Economic consequences include increased food prices, farmer losses, and potential migration. The study aims to identify at-risk agricultural products and propose measures to combat drought and ensure food security. KEY WORDS: Climate change, drought, desertification, soil, evaporation, endangered species

Peer Bullying and Psychiatric Diagnoses in Adolescents with Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, peer bullying rates and NSSI characteristics in adolescents who engage in self-injuring behavior. Materials and Methods This case-controlled cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 March 2020 and 1 May 2021 in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Paediatrics outpatient clinic of a hospital in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The data of 50 adolescents with NSSI and 60 adolescents without NSSI attending school were compared. The data in the study were obtained using sociodemographic form prepared by the researchers, the Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Interview Schedule for School-Age Children—Present and Lifetime Version—Dsm–5, Peer Bullying Scale Adolescent Form and Self-Injurious Behaviour Assessment Inventory. Results Fifty adolescents (70% female) with a mean age of 15.4 years (S.D. = 1.4) with NSSI were included as case group and 60 adolescents (66.7% female) with a mean age of 15.5 years (S.D. = 1.3) without NSSI were included as control group. Banging/hitting self was the most common NSSI method, while affect regulation was the most common function. In the case group, verbal, isolation and damage to belongings among the victim subtypes in the last year were found to be significantly higher than in the control group. It was found that there was a positive correlation between the variety of self-injury methods and bullying exposure scores in adolescents with NSSI. Depression disorders, anxiety disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses were found to be more prevalent in the group with NSSI. Conclusions Based on the finding, it was found that psychiatric diagnoses are more common in adolescents with NSSI, peer bullying subtypes are seen at a higher rate, and as bullying scores increase, the variety of NSSI methods also increases. It is thought that providing psychiatric evaluation and treatment for adolescents with NSSI, establishing cooperation with school and family for peer bullying, developing preventive mental health policies and effective intervention programmes may be beneficial.

Evaluation of home health services provided to children in Batman province

Aims: To evaluate the home health services provided to children in Batman, a province in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkiye, where the birth rate and consanguineous marriages are high. Methods: For this descriptive and cross-sectional study, data from 460 patients aged 0-18 years who received services from the Home Health Unit of Batman Training and Research Hospital between January 10, 2018, and January 10, 2023, were retrospectively scanned through the Hospital Information Management System. Results: 57.6% of the patients were male and 42.4% were female. The mean age of the patients was 10.64±4.5 years; the proportion of patients aged 0-6 years was 20%, 7-12 years was 41.1%, and 13-18 years was 38.9%. Mental retardation was observed in 15%, cerebral palsy in 42.8%, hydrocephalus in 7.8%, epilepsy in 17%, spina bifida/meningocele/meningomyelocele in 4.1%, neuromuscular and motor disorders (paresis/plegia, etc.) in 10.4%, and osteogenesis imperfecta in 3%. While 99.6% of reasons for physician visits were non-emergency, the most common reason for visits by non-physician health personnel was dressing and monitoring of fever, pulse, and blood pressure, at 94.8%. The proportion of patients in need of nursing services was 98.7%; the proportion of patients with pressure sore signs was 87.8%; and the proportion of fully dependent patients was 93.9%. Conclusion: To provide home health services more effectively and efficiently, it is necessary to increase social awareness, improve health literacy to eliminate regional differences, and expand telehealth applications. For better quality service delivery, it is of vital importance to provide periodic training to those engaged in patient care, especially on managing bed sores. In this way, home health services for children can become more accessible and effective.

ERRATUM (An erratum has been prepared for the following articles in the 33rd volume and 2nd issue of Current Research in Dental Sciences in 2023.)

Erratum An erratum has been prepared for the following articles in the 33rd volume and 2nd issue of Current Research in Dental Sciences in 2023. - In the article titled "Özyurt E, Kurt A. Effect of Different Teas on Surface Roughness of Conventional and Bulk-Fill Composite Resins Beverage Effect on Composite Resins. Curr Res Dent Sci. 2023; 33(2): 84-89", a patient consent draft was added inadvertently, even though there was no participant. - In the article titled "Keleş ZH, Ozan G. Effect of preheating on the microhard- ness and depth of cure of two composite resins with and without BIS-GMA. Curr Res Dent Sci. 2023; 33(2): 79-83", a patient consent draft was added inadvertently, even though there was no participant. - In the article titled “Yamalı AY, Turhan Bal B. Properties and clinical applications of lithium disilicate ceramics. Curr Res Dent Sci. 2023; 33(2): 122-130” although the article titled is a compilation, a patient consent draft was mistakenly included. - In the article titled "Eriş Derkuş F, Yılmaz UN. Demographic Analysis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Methods of Maxillofacial Trauma Cases in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey: Retrospective and Comparative Analysis. Curr Res Dent Sci. 2023; 33(2): 103-107", it was forgotten to write Dicle University in the sections left as XXX in the Methods section for the sake of article blindness. - Since the study titled “Yıldızer Keriş E. Comparison of Articular Eminence Steepness in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Disc Disorders. Curr Res Dent Sci. 2023; 33(2): 117-121” was retrospective, patient consent could not be obtained and this information was forgotten to be added. - In the article titled “Şener E, Baksı Şen G. 3D Modelling and virtual planning technologies in dentistry. Curr Res Dent Sci. 2023; 33(2): 131-134” although the article titled is a compilation, a patient consent draft was mistakenly included.

Comparison of Skull Morphometric Characteristics of Simmental and Holstein Cattle Breeds.

This study aimed to reveal the morphological characteristics of pure Holstein and Simmental skulls and to obtain reference values for morphometric analysis. Moreover, 54 skulls from 12- to 14-month-old male Holstein (n = 25) and Simmental (n = 29) cattle were collected from Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia Region between 2023 and 2024. Linear measurements indicated that Holsteins had longer skulls compared to Simmentals. Holsteins exhibited significantly higher values for the greatest length of nasals and the shortest skull length. The facial breadth was wider in Holsteins and statistically distinctive between the breeds. Holsteins had a more oval orbital bony roof, while Simmentals exhibited a wider orbital structure. The orbital index was higher in Holsteins, distinguishing between the two breeds. It was observed that Simmental cattle had a wider occipital region. This difference is likely due to the larger lateral appearance of the Simmental skull, which has more body weight and provides a larger surface area for muscle attachment. These differences not only aid in breed identification but also offer insights into the functional adaptations of each breed. Future research should explore the genetic and environmental factors contributing to these morphological traits, further enriching our knowledge of cattle morphology and its implications for breeding and conservation efforts.

Examining long-term fuel and land use patterns at Ziyaret Tepe, Türkiye using an integrated analysis of seeds, wood charcoal, and dung spherulites

This study presents the results of a combined dendrological, macrobotanical, and dung spherulite analysis of flotation samples collected from Bronze Age, Late Assyrian, and post-Assyrian contexts at the site of Ziyaret Tepe, located on the southern bank of the Tigris River in southeastern Anatolia. The results of this study show shifting fuel resource exploitation between pre-urbanized phases of the site (ca. 3000–1600 BCE), the urbanized Late Assyrian occupation (882–611 BCE), and the ruralized post-Assyrian (ca. 611 BCE–1500 CE) re-occupations of the site. During the Late Assyrian period, Ziyaret Tepe is thought to have been the location of the city of Tušhan, an important provincial capital of the Neo-Assyrian empire. Evidence for local deforestation near the Tigris River and expanding reliance on dung fuel use during this period indicate overexploitation of fuel resources as larger populations and extractive imperial economic policies placed heavier pressure on local land use. Qualitative dendrological data provides evidence for the intensification of fuelwood harvesting during this period, while textual evidence documented an expansive program of timbering to the north of the site intended to fuel imperial construction projects in the Assyrian heartland. Following the abandonment of Tušhan and the collapse of the Neo-Assyrian empire, local fuel resource exploitation during subsequent occupations of the site shifted towards the direct management of wood fuel resources and increasing reliance on rural pastoralism.

The Effect of Different Nitrogen Doses on Growth Attributes of Some Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Cultivars Grown as Second Crop

Objective: The current study investigated the impact of different N doses on growth traits of some sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars grown as second crop. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted according to randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangements and three replications. Three sunflower cultivars (‘Bosfora’, ‘P64LE119’, and ‘LG5582’) and four N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg ha-1 pure N) were included in the study and data relating to different growth traits were recorded. Results: The results revealed that individual effects of cultivars and N doses exerted significant impacts on the studied growth traits, whereas their interactive effects were significant for some of the studied parameters. The earliest emergence duration was recorded under 150 and 200 kg ha-1 N. Similarly, the earliest head formation, flowering initiation and seed filling duration were recorded for ‘Bosfora’ cultivar with 200 kg ha-1 N. Conclusion: The earliest physiological maturity was recorded for ‘P64LE119’ cultivar, whereas the widest head diameter and the highest head weight was noted for ‘LG5582’ cultivar under 200 kg ha-1 N application. Overall, ‘Bosfora’ cultivar under 200 kg ha-1 N application performed better for head formation, flowering initiation, and seed filling duration, whereas cultivar ‘LG5582’ under 200 kg ha-1 N application performed better for head diameter and head weight.It is recommended that cultivars ‘Bosfora’ and ‘LG5582’ should be provided 200 kg ha-1 N for better growth in southeastern Anatolia.