Determining the energy usage efficiency and economic analysis of broiler chickens raised under organic conditions

This study was conducted to determine the energy usage efficiency of broiler chickens raised under organic conditions. To accomplish this goal, the energy input-output of every 1,000 broiler chickens raised in organic conditions was calculated. Efficiency of energy use, energy productivity, specific and net energy for broiler chickens were calculated as 0.30, 0.03 kg/MJ, 35.36 MJ/kg and –75557.96 MJ/1,000 bird, respectively. If we were to categorize the energy input total that was consumed, 9.57% was direct, 90.43% was indirect, 89.57% was renewable and 10.43% was non-renewable. In this sense, organic broiler production cannot be deemed as economically viable considering the energy usage. Feed energy was observed as the highest rate of total energy input. To reduce feed energy input, chicks should not be kept under stress and total output energy should be increased by increasing bird production number. Benefit-cost ratio was determined as 2.41

New chromosomal data, karyotype asymmetry and polyploid variations of some Gundelia (Asteraceae) species from Turkey

The genus Gundelia is currently represented with 18 species, of which 16 are in Turkey. In genus Gundelia, the chromosomal data were reported from 12 species. In the present study, it is aimed to eliminate the deficiencies in the knowledge about chromosomal data of Gundelia species. In Genus Gundelia, only a single chromosome number had been detected as 2n=18 so far. The chromosome numbers of four species were reported here for the first time: G. armeniaca, G. cappadocica, G. siirtica, and G. tehranica. In addition, the polyploidy in the genus was rare and G. anatolica was identified as the first polyploid species. All karyotypes except G. tehranica were symmetrical, consisting of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. Secondary constrictions were observed in the distal regions of the long arms of the longest metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. Thus, the chromosomal data of all Turkish Gundelia species were completed. In conclusion, the present study presented new data into the karyological records relating the karyotype evolution and interspecific relations of genus Gundelia

Haplophyllum ermenekense (Rutaceae), a new species from Turkey

A new species of Haplophyllum, Haplophyllum ermenekense (Rutaceae) is described and illustrated in line drawing. It grows on stony slopes of Ermenek town, Karaman province, in southern Turkey. It is compared with the closely related species H. myrtifolium. H. ermenekense is distinguished from the morphologically similar H myrtifolium chiefly by sepal shape, petal size, capsule size, presence of capsule hair and appendage form. On the other hand, the seed coat and pollen grains surface of H. ermenekense and H. myrtifolium are demonstrated in SEM photographs. In addition to the detailed description, the illustration, distribution map, conservation status and ecology of the new species are also provided

Linum aksehirense (sect. Dasylinum, Linaceae), a new species from Central Anatolia (Turkey)

Linum aksehirense (Linaceae) is described as a new species known from the slopes of the Sultan Mountains in the Akşehir district of Konya in Central Anatolia (Turkey). It is most similar to L. pubescens Banks & Sol. and L. anisocalyx P.H.Davis, from which it is easily distinguished by its stem leaf shape, sepal shape and petal colour. Seed and pollen surface ornamentations were photographed under SEM microscopy to explore micromorphological characters distinguishing the new species from close relatives. In addition, photographs of living material, a distribution map, ecological details, and an identification key are provided

Comparative Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Effects of Stem and Flower Extracts of Rhaponticoides iconiensis (Hub.-Mor.) M.V.Agab. & Greuter

Asteraceae is an exceedingly large and widespread family of flowering plants. The family has more than 1100 genus and 2500 species worldwide. Centaurea, is one of the largest and most diverse genera of this family. Rhaponticoides iconiensis is one of the species from this genera and endemic for Konya (Turkey). It was reported that various species from Centaurea genus has showed considerable cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines. To the best of our knowledge, there are not any phytochemical and cytotoxic activity studies on this species. Therefore, in this study the cytotoxic effects of methanol extracts of steam and flowers of R. iconiensis were evaluated against A-549, HEPG2, MCF-7, COLO-205 and BEAS-2b cell lines by MTT and SRB methods. Both methods supported each other. Extracts were cytotoxic on all cell lines except A549. Consequently both of the methanol extracts partioned to n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-buthanol sub-extracts. Then cytotoxic effect of these sub-extracts also evaluated. In result, n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate sub-extracts obtained from methanol extracts of steam and flower of plant is more effective against cancer cell lines than methanol extracts itself. The phytochemical and activity studies on this species are on going

HPLC-PDA DETERMINATION OF PSEUDO TARAXASTEROL (Ψ-TARAXASTEROL) IN DIFFERENT COUSINIA SPECIES

Active contours are now established as a technique for extracting salient contours from an image. Unfortunately the original technique suffers from many problems. A novel model-based dual active contour, a method of integrating global shape information with two active contours, has been developed to overcome the primary problems; sensitivity to initialisation and undesirable attractions by insignificant localised or regionalised features. The model guides the technique to avoid insignificant minima and is relinquished when the energy minimum is sufficiently compatible. The technique then finally operates as a pair of conventional active contours, ensuring that only image information is extracted, consistent with the original technique