Root biomass and carbon storage in oriental spruce and beech stands in Artvin, Turkey

In this study, influence of slope position (south-facing vs. north-facing), species type and sampling time on fine(0-2 mm), small (2-5 mm) and coarse (5-10 mm) root biomass and carbon storage of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) and oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) were investigated. Mean total root biomass of oriental spruce was 20160 kg ha-1 in south-facing slopes and 17140 kg ha-1 in north-facing slopes. Mean total belowground C storage of oriental spruce was 7861 kg ha-1 in south-facing slopes and 6840 kg ha-1 in north-facing slopes. Similarly, biomass and C storage of oriental beech were 17190 and 6690 kg ha-1 in south-facing slopes, and 13260 and 5200 kg ha-1 in north-facing slopes, respectively. Oriental spruce had significantly higher fine root biomass than did oriental beech in south-facing slopes. Fine root biomass was significantly higher in fall than in spring in south-facing slopes

Land-use type and slope position effects on soil respiration in black locust plantations in Artvin, Turkey

In this study, influences of aspect, land-use type, and sampling time on soil respiration were investigated in black locust plantation and adjacent grassland sites in Murgul-Artvin, Turkey. Both sites were heavily affected from acid rain produced by a nearby copper smelter. Soil respiration was measured approximately monthly in three sampling plots in each sites from January 2005 to November 2005 using the soda-lime technique. Mean daily soil respiration ranged from 0.22 to 2.37 g C m-2 d-1. Mean soil respiration in black locust plantations and grassland sites were 0.74 and 1.03 g C m-2 d-1, respectively. Soil respiration was significantly higher in grassland sites than in black locust plantation sites. Seasonal changes in soil respiration were related to soil moisture and temperature changes. Mean annual soil respiration rate correlated positively with surface soil (0-15 cm) sand (P < 0.05) and organic matter content (P < 0.1), and correlated negatively with mean surface soil clay and silt contents (P < 0.1). Overall, our results indicate that grassland sites have higher soil biological activity compared to black locust plantation sites

Murgul yalancı akasya ağaçlandırmalarının ve bitişiğindeki otlak alanların yüzeysel akış, infiltrasyon kapasitesi ve erozyonu önleme bakımından karşılaştırılması

Yüzeysel akış ve infiltrasyon kapasitesi, erozyonla taşınan sediment miktarını, havzaların su verimini, toprakta depolanan su miktarını ve taşkın ve sellerin oluşmasını doğrudan etkileyen, hidrolojik döngünün önemli bileşenlerinden biridir. Bu çalışmada, Artvin-Murgul yöresinde asit zararına maruz kalmış sahalarda yapılan yalancı akasya ağaçlandırmalarının yüzeysel akış ve sediment taşınmasını önlemedeki etkileri hemen bitişiğindeki otlak alanları ile karşılaştırmak suretiyle araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla, 6 adet yüzeysel akış parseli akasya sahasında ve 6 adet de bitişiğindeki yoğun otlatmaya maruz kalmış otlak alanlarında alınmıştır. Yüzeysel akış parsellerinin uzunluğu 4 m, genişliği 1,5m ve toplam büyüklüğü ise 6,9 m2 olarak alınmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda akasyalık sahaların yüzeysel akış ve erozyonu önlemede çayırlık (kontrol) alanlara göre 5 kat daha etkili olduğu saptanmıştır. Akasya alanları, çayırlık alanlara kıyasla daha yüksek infiltirasyon kapasitesi ve kümülatif infiltirasyon göstermiştir. İlkbahar ve sonbahar mevsimlerindeki infiltirasyon yaz mevsimindekinden daha fazladır. Elde olunan sonuçlar akasya ağaçlandırmasının erozyonu ve yüzeysel akışı önlemede çayır alanlarına göre çok daha etkili olduğunu göstermektedir.Surface runoff and infiltration capacity are two important parts of the hydrological cycle that directly influence sediment removal, water flux of watershed, water stored in soil and flooding. In this study, black locust plantations, subjected to acid rain, in Artvin-Murgul (established in 1996) have been investigated for the purposes of surface runoff and sediment removal compared to adjacent grasslands. For these purposes, six runoff plots in black locust stands and the other six in heavily grazed grasslands were established. The length of the surface runoff plot was 4 m and the width was 1.5 m, the total area of it was 6.9 m2 . Surface runoff and sediment removal were five-fold lower in black locust stands compared to controls (grasslands). Black locust stands had relatively higher infiltration capacity and cumulative infiltration rate compared to grasslands. Infiltration rate was lower in summer than in spring and fall. Our results indicate that black locust stands have better ability to prevent erosion and surface runoff compared to adjacent grasslands

Evaluation of Artvin-Murgul black locust plantations in terms of biomass production, carbon storage, soil quality improvement and erosion control compared to adjacent grassland areas

Black locust plantations in Artvin-Murgul (established in 1996) were investigated for the purposes of: 1) wood production, 2) above- and belowground biomass, 3) carbon storage, 4) soil quality improvement, 5) erosion control and economic value. For these purposes, soil samples were taken from black locust plantation sites and adjacent grassland (control) sites, and soil respiration, soil infiltration, surface runoff, sediment removal, water holding capacity, soil organic matter, texture, pH, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg contents were determined in both areas. Sample trees were cut to determine aboveground biomass and carbon storage. Root samples were taken to determine root biomass and root carbon storage. Surface runoff and erosion were five-fold lower in black locust stands compared to controls (grasslands). Soil quality improvements in black locust areas were not significantly higher than in grasslands. Grasslands had higher soil respiration rates compared to black locust areas. Soil organic matter did not differ significantly between grasslands and black locust areas. Above- and belowground carbon storage were higher in black locust areas than in grassland

Mirtazapine-Related manic / hypomanic shift: Mini review and case report

Mirtazapine-related manic / hypomanic shift: mini review and case report Mirtazapine is a pharmacological agent frequently used both as an antidepressant and as a hypnotic sedative agent. However, manic shift, an important side effect of other antidepressants, has not been adequately addressed in the treatment of mirtazapine, and the evidence has been only available from case reports. This mini-review and case report aimed to compile case reports on mirtazapine related manic shifts and to report a case where a manic shift was determined relatively early compared to that in these cases

Artvin yöresi doğu ladini (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.) ormanlarının ips typographus (L.) saldırısına maruz kalmasında ağaçların fizyolojik durumu, yetişme ortamı ve meşcere silvikültürel özelliklerinin etkisi

This present project investigated the impact, extent and severity of bark beetle on Oriental spruce at tree and stand level through an extensive plot network on a portion of Hatila National Park in Artvin. In order to compare the behavior and effects of Ips. typographus on managed and unmanaged area, the Project was carried out in Hatila (unmanaged) and in Saçinka (managed) areas. Soil and stand characteristics of highly, moderately and not damaged (control) spruce stands on the north- and south-facing sites and at two slope positions (top slope-mean altitude 1700 m and bottom slope- 2100 m) on each aspect were determined in Hatila and Saçinka. The influences of aspect and slope position on bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) populations, body length and weight in Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis) dominated stands in was only investigated in Hatila Valley National Park using pheromone traps. The effects of Ips. typographus damage on litter quality and decomposition rates of Oriental Spruce were also determined in Hatila. Results have showed that (1) bark beetle population, length and weight were significantly higher on south sapect and at top slope stands on each aspect. (2) soil and stands characteristics can be used as predictors of the vulnerability of oriental spruce stands to attack by Ips typographus, but the relationships between Ips typographus attack rates and site characteristics of spruce stands vary significantly according to aspect and slope position. (3) Ips typographus damage on Oriental spruce can accelerate litter decomposition rates by increasing N concentration and decreasing C:N and lignin:N ratios. With higher sand content and rainfall, this may result in leaching soil nutrients through the soil, and in turn this can influence nutrient cycling, soil productivity, soil chemistry, species dynamics and ecosystem development.Burada sunulan projede, Doğu Ladini ormanlarına oldukça büyük zararı olan Ips typographus’un etkisi, boyutu ve şiddeti bireysel Ladin ağacı ve meşcere düzeyinde Artvin Hatila Milli Parkında gerçekleştirilecek büyük kapsamlı parsel ağı ile ortaya konmaya çalışılmıştır. Silvikültürel müdehale gören alanlar ile uzun bir süre hiçbir silvikültürelmüdehale görmeyen alanlarda, Ips typographus’un etkisini ve davranışını karşılaştırmak amacıyla, proje çalışması Hatila (müdehale görmemiş alan olarak) ve Saçinka (müdehale gören alan olarak) çalışma alanlarında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Doğu Ladininin saf olarak yayılış gösterdiği Hatila ve Saçinka alanlarının kuzey ve güney bakısının en alt (ortalama 1700 m) ve en üst yükseltilerinde (ortalama 2100 m), çok zarar, az zarar ve kontrol amaçlı deneme parselleri (20 x 20 m) alınarak toprak ve meşcere özellikleri belirlenmiştir. Bakı ve yükseltinin böceğin popülasyonu, boyu ve ağırlığı üzerine olan etkisi feremon tuzakları kullanılarak sadece Hatila çalışma alanında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yine aynı çalışma alanında, böcek zararının Doğu Ladini ibre ölü örtüsü ve genel ölü örtü ayrışma seyri üzerine olan etkisi araştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar incelendiğinde: (1) kabuk böceğinin popülasyonun, ağırlığın ve boyun güney bakılarda ve üst yükseltilerde daha fazla olduğu bulunmuştur. (2) Doğu Ladininin bazı meşcere (yaş, çift kabuk kalınlığı gibi) ve toprak özelliklerinin (besin elementleri gibi), Ips typographus’un saldırı hassasiyetinin belirleyicisi olarak kullanılabiliceği, fakat Ips typographus’un saldırı oranları ile meşcere yetişme ortamı özellikleri arasındaki ilişkilerin bakı ve yükseltiye bağlı olarak değişiklik gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. (3) Ips typographus’un ağaçlara verdiği zarar, ibrelerin azot (N) konsantrasyonunun yükselmesine, karbon ve C:N ve lignin:N oranının azalmasına neden olarak, zarar gören Doğu Ladini meşcerelerinde ibre ayrışmasını hızlandırmıştır. Yüksek kum miktarına ve yağışa sahip olan bu alanlarda, hızlı meydana gelen ölü örtü ayrışması ve bu olumsuz yetişme ortamı şartları, toprakta besin elementlerinin yıkanmasına neden olabilecektir, bunun da zaman içinde besin elementlerinin döngüsünü, toprak verimliliğini, toprak kimyasını, tür dinamiğini ve ekosistem gelişmesini etkileyebileceği sonucuna varılmıştır

Recent Advances in Health Biotechnology During Pandemic

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in 2019, cut the epoch that will make profound fluctuates in the history of the world in social, economic, and scientific fields. Urgent needs in public health have brought with them innovative approaches, including diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. To exceed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various scientific authorities in the world have procreated advances in real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based diagnostic tests, rapid diagnostic kits, the development of vaccines for immunization, and the purposing pharmaceuticals for treatment. Diagnosis, treatment, and immunization approaches put for- ward by scientific communities are cross-fed from the accrued knowledge of multidisciplinary sciences in health biotechnology. So much so that the pandemic, urgently prioritized in the world, is not only viral infections but also has been the pulsion in the development of novel approaches in many fields such as diagnosis, treatment, translational medicine, virology, mi- crobiology, immunology, functional nano- and bio-materials, bioinformatics, molecular biol- ogy, genetics, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and artificial intelligence technologies. In this review, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of various scientific areas of health biotechnology are discussed

The Sariçiçek Howardite Fall in Turkey: Source Crater of HED Meteorites on Vesta and İmpact Risk of Vestoids

The Sariçiçek howardite meteorite shower consisting of 343 documented stones occurred on 2 September 2015 in Turkey and is the first documented howardite fall. Cosmogenic isotopes show that Sariçiçek experienced a complex cosmic ray exposure history, exposed during ~12–14 Ma in a regolith near the surface of a parent asteroid, and that an ~1 m sized meteoroid was launched by an impact 22 ± 2 Ma ago to Earth (as did one third of all HED meteorites). SIMS dating of zircon and baddeleyite yielded 4550.4 ± 2.5 Ma and 4553 ± 8.8 Ma crystallization ages for the basaltic magma clasts. The apatite U-Pb age of 4525 ± 17 Ma, K-Ar age of ~3.9 Ga, and the U,Th-He ages of 1.8 ± 0.7 and 2.6 ± 0.3 Ga are interpreted to represent thermal metamorphic and impact-related resetting ages, respectively. Petrographic, geochemical and O-, Cr- and Tiisotopic studies confirm that Sariçiçek belongs to the normal clan of HED meteorites. Petrographic observations and analysis of organic material indicate a small portion of carbonaceous chondrite material in the Sariçiçek regolith and organic contamination of the meteorite after a few days on soil. Video observations of the fall show an atmospheric entry at 17.3 ± 0.8 kms-1 from NW, fragmentations at 37, 33, 31 and 27 km altitude, and provide a pre-atmospheric orbit that is the first dynamical link between the normal HED meteorite clan and the inner Main Belt. Spectral data indicate the similarity of Sariçiçek with the Vesta asteroid family (V-class) spectra, a group of asteroids stretching to delivery resonances, which includes (4) Vesta. Dynamical modeling of meteoroid delivery to Earth shows that the complete disruption of a ~1 km sized Vesta family asteroid or a ~10 km sized impact crater on Vesta is required to provide sufficient meteoroids ≤4 m in size to account for the influx of meteorites from this HED clan. The 16.7 km diameter Antonia impact crater on Vesta was formed on terrain of the same age as given by the 4He retention age of Sariçiçek. Lunar scaling for crater production to crater counts of its ejecta blanket show it was formed ~22 Ma ago

Retrospective evaluation of pregnancy outcomes with maternal epilepsy

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and obstetric outcomes of pregnant women with epilepsy at a tertiary center. Material and Methods: A total of 81 pregnant women with epilepsy were included in this retrospective cohort study. Clinical characteristics and obstetric outcomes were evaluated. Results: The mean maternal age of our cohort was 28.81±5.2 years, mean gravida was 1.78±1.17, mean gestational week at delivery was 37.8±2.07, and mean birth weight was 2973±688.8 g with 4 (4.9%) preterm deliveries. Gestational diabetes mellitus was observed in 2 cases. Fetal growth restriction was detected in 3 (3.7%) cases. Ten neonates (12.3%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and no congenital chromosomal/structural anomalies were detected in any of the cases. Intrauterine fetal demise was observed in 1 (1.2%) case. The mean duration of epilepsy was 8.14 ± 5.8 years. Antiepileptic drugs were continued in 59 (72.8%) cases (11 polytherapy and 48 monotherapy). Six cases (7.4%) had seizures during pregnancy, and all 6 cases included patients who used medications during pregnancy. Conclusion: Favorable outcomes can be achieved in pregnant women with appropriately managed epilepsy