Heterostyly in Linum aretioides

WOS: 000321228000012The petal width; sepal, pistil, and stamen lengths; and changes in pollen sizes associated with heterostyly of different morphs in populations of Linum aretioides Boiss. were investigated. Fruit sets were compared in 2 populations and it was investigated whether the Bozdag population has a heteromorphic incompatibility system. It was observed that the stamen lengths of thrum morphs of Bozdag were shorter than those of thrum morphs of Babadag. Pistil lengths of both morphs of Bozdag were longer than those of morphs of Babadag. Pollen shapes of both morphs were prolate-spheroidal and subprolate, respectively, in the Bozdag population and subprolate in the Babadag population. It was determined that pollen exine in the short-styled and long-styled flowers was dimorphic. The pollen bore a marginal ring of 4 to 8 spinules in the thrum morphs and of 3 to 7 spinules in the pin morphs. It was found that the highest rates of fruit set occurred during cross-hand pollination from pin morphs to thrum morphs and from thrum morphs to pin morphs (77.77% and 71.42%, respectively). It was shown that in L. aretioides self-pollinations and pollinations between plants of the same morph are incompatible.TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [104T340]We would like to extend our thanks to TUBITAK (Project no: 104T340) for its financial support

Helichrysum unicapitatum (Asteraceae), a new species from Turkey

WOS: 000290293800007Helichrysum unicapitatum S.G. Senol, O. Segmen & B. Ozturk (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from the SW province of Anatolia, Turkey. It grows on crystalline calcareous rocks between Evran Tepe and Karababa Tepe (1800-2300 m), situated within the Denizli Babadag (Cadmus) Mountain Range. Helichrysum compact urn seems to be its closest relative and their affinities are discussed based on morphological data and DNA sequences (nrDNA ITS and ETS).Spanish governmentSpanish Government [CGL2006-01765/BOS]The authors are in indepted to Beril Sumer enol who drew the illustrations and maps, to Dr. Arne A. Anderberg (Swedish Museum of Natural History, Sweden) for his constructive comments, and to Ms Figen Ozturk for the manuscript reading. This work has been partly financed by the Spanish government (CGL2006-01765/BOS)

Effect of a carbon black surface treatment on the microwave properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/carbon black composites

A surface treatment was applied to carbon black to improve the electrical and microwave properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)-based composites. Three different formamide solutions with 1, 2, and 3 wt % concentrations were prepared to modify the surface chemistry of carbon black. Microwave properties such as the absorption loss, return loss, insertion loss, and dielectric constant were measured in the frequency range of 812 GHz (X-band range). Composites containing formamide-treated carbon black exhibited enhancements in the electrical conductivity, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness, and dielectric constant values when compared to composites with untreated carbon black. In addition, increases in the formamide solution concentration and carbon black content of composites resulted in an increase in the electrical conductivity, EMI shielding effectiveness, and dielectric constant values. The percolation threshold concentration of PET composites shifted from a 3 to 1.5 wt % carbon black composition with the surface treatment. The best EMI shielding effectiveness was around 27 dB, which was obtained with the composite containing 8 wt % carbon black treated with a 3 wt % formamide solution. Moreover, this composition gave the lowest electrical resistivity and the highest dielectric constant among the produced composites. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

An ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Turkey), a city on the silk road where cultures meet

Abstract Background Studies of ethnobotanical usages in south-eastern Turkey are rare. To widen this field of knowledge, we conducted an ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Mardin Province), Turkey. Methods The field study was completed during three years (2007–2010). Our aim was to document the ethnobotanical uses of local plants and to make an ethnobotanical inventory of uncommon plants using qualitative interviews. Results During field studies, 368 voucher specimens were collected in the investigated area. Ninety-two traditionally used plant species were reported from Midyat and surrounding vicinities in Turkey. Among the 92 taxa (129 usages), 35% were used for medical purposes, 22% for food, 13% for animal fodder, 7% as ornamental plants and dyes, 6% as brooms, 4% for latex and as fragrance, 4% for herbal tea, molasses and wine preparation, 3% for agricultural purposes, and 6% for other purposes. Comparative assessment showed that Teucrium polium (0.51), Matricaria aurea (0.26), Alcea setosa (0.21), and Malva neglecta (0.21) have the highest recorded UVs, and the following taxa had UVs between 0.10–0.20: Anthemis cotula (0.12), Allium cepa (0.13), Alcea striata subsp. striata (0.14), Crupina crupinastrum (0.12), Papaver rhoeas (0.13), Salvia multicaulis (0.14), Thymbra spicata (0.11), and Vicia pannonica subsp. striata (0.15). We reported the ethnobotanical usages of 21 taxa for the first time, in addition to indicating usages previously recorded in the literature. We also recorded four endemic plant usages in the area: Alkanna trichophila var. mardinensis, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea stapfiana, and Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis. They have variable leaf and flower morphology that are used traditionally. They are present as well-developed populations and thus their conservation status is not compromised. Additionally, Thymbra sintenisii is a recorded species that is classified as a rare and extensively used species in the region. Conclusions These results contribute to the fundamental knowledge of ethnobotanical usages in Midyat. To date, ethnobotanical studies have not been carried out in this region. This investigation uncovered usages of endemic medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge of Midyat communities living in a mixed culture. The people of Midyat, Batman, and Şırnak are Turkish citizens from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac. We compared our data with results from other studies conducted in Turkey, particularly in south-eastern and eastern regions, as well as with studies from bordering countries, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Iran. Nonetheless, more work needs to be conducted to extend the present knowledge for locals to contribute to and evaluate economic potential in the region