Rural women and agrotourism in the context of sustainable rural development: A case study from Turkey

As in many developing countries also in Turkey, agriculture is on the center of rural development and rural women are on the center of agriculture. Although they are main part as a major labor force at every stage of agricultural activity and undertake responsibilities such as domestic task and childcare, women do not profit from social and economic benefits proportionate to the responsibilities they have undertaken. Agrotourism is an alternative activity in the rural development process, which combines agriculture and tourism, improves natural resources, contributes the rural area socially and economically. The aim of this study is to examine the participation conditions of rural women to the agrotourism activities, which is considered as an option in the context of sustainable rural development, and to identify the possible social and economic implications of agrotourism on the rural women’s life, after determining the situation and importance of rural women in the agricultural activity. This research was carried out in three villages of Kalecik district of Ankara and data gathered from group meetings and surveys.     

Removal and pre-concentration of phenolic species onto beta-cyclodextrin modified poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate-ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate) microbeads

Poly(Hydroxyethylmethacrylate-Ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate), poly(HEMA-EGDMA), microbeads with 150-200 microm in size, was prepared by suspension polymerization. Beta-cyclodextrin was modified onto the polymeric microbeads using glutaraldahyde activation in an acidic medium at pH=2.5. FT-IR and TGA were used for the characterization of modified polymers and the determination of the nature of the interaction between phenolic compounds and the modified polymeric microbeads. Plain and beta-cyclodextrin modified microbeads were used in adsorption-desorption studies of phenolic species in single solution. Adsorption capacities of the phenolic species onto the plain microbeads were found to be 28.2, 17.0, 14.3, 9.8, and 1.92 mg/g polymer for o-chloro phenol, p-nitro phenol, p-chloro phenol, o-nitro phenol, and phenol, respectively. However, for beta-cyclodextrin modified microbeads, adsorption capacity of phenolic species was determined as 274, 365, 128, 182, and 87 mg/g for phenol, o-nitro phenol, p-nitro phenol, o-chloro phenol, and p-chloro phenol, respectively. Desorption ratio for the phenolic species was more than 90%, except for o-nitro phenol. Detection limits of the phenolic species were improved at least 500-fold for UV-Vis spectrophotometric detection, after the pre-concentration of all phenolic species used in this study. Adsorption time for the phenolic species onto beta-cyclodextrin-modified poly(HEMA-EGDMA) microbeads was found to be reasonable short (10-60 min) and suitable for the applications. Also, synthesized microbeads were useful for the repeated use for the removal and pre-concentration of phenolic species.     

Classification of residential areas according to physical vulnerability to natural hazards: a case study of Çanakkale,Turkey

The selection of new settlement areas and the construction of safe buildings, as well as rendering built‐up areas safe, are of great importance in mitigating the damage caused by natural disasters. Most cities in Turkey are unprepared for natural hazards. In this paper, Çanakkale, located in a first‐degree seismic zone and sprawled around the Sartçay Delta, is examined in terms of its physical vulnerability to natural hazards. Residential areas are analysed using GIS (geographic information system) and remote‐sensing technologies in relation to selected indicators. Residential areas of the city are divided into zones according to an evaluation of geological characteristics, the built‐up area's features, and urban infrastructure, and four risk zones are determined. The results of the analysis show that the areas of the city suitable for housing are very limited. In addition, the historical centre and the housing areas near Sartçay stream are shown to be most problematic in terms of natural disasters and sustainability.     

Synthesis of Polylactide-b-Poly (Dimethyl Siloxane) Block Copolymers and Their Blends with Pure Polylactide

The synthesis of polylactide (PLA)-b-poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) linear block copolymers and their use in blends with pure-PLA are described. PLA-b-PDMS linear block copolymers were obtained by the transesterification reaction in chloroform solution between poly(dimethyl siloxane) bis (2-aminopropyl ether) (molecular weight 2,000?Da) with PLA in the presence of stannous octoate. Molecular weights (Mw) of the block copolymers were varied from 53,800 to 63,600?Da while that of pristine PLA was 73,600?Da. The copolymers obtained were purified by fractional precipitation and then characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR, GPC, viscometry and DSC techniques. Blends of pure PLA with PLA-b-PDMS block copolymers displayed improved elastic properties (elongation up to 140%) compared to pure PLA (elongation ~9%). Thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization of the blends were also conducted.     

Effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. on lipid peroxidation,antioxidant enzyme systems,and key liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats

In this study, we investigated the effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. extract (MCE) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems, and several liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated rats. Rats were divided into five groups. The first group (control group) was fed on standard feed. The rats in the other groups (CCl₄, MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200) were injected intraperitoneally with 0.8?mL?kg^?1 CCl₄. Moreover, rats in the MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200 groups were gavaged with 50?mg?kg^?1, 100?mg?kg^?1, and 200?mg?kg^?1 MCE, respectively. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, whole blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity levels were measured after 14 days of exposure. ALT and AST in the CCl₄ group increased significantly in comparison to the control group (p?4, MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200 groups at different significance levels. In conclusion, the findings suggest that, depending on the dose administered, MCE decreases CCl₄-induced damage and consequent oxidative stress in rats; it affects the antioxidant system positively.     

Potentiometric studies of mixed complexes of cobalt(II) and copper(II) with l‐Asparagine and adenine

A potentiometric titration technique has been used to determine the stability constants for the various complexes of Co(II) and Cu(II) with L‐asparagine and from DNA base, e.g. adenine. Stability constants of ternary systems have been evaluated by the method suggested by Irwing‐Rossotti. In addition, the conditional constants were calculated as a function of pH. The maximum values of the conditional formation constants were found to be in accordance with the mixed‐ligand complex formation constants in a determined pH region. Furthermore, the molar fractions of different species from mixed complexes were calculated by means of formation constants. The values of stability constants of mixed‐ligand complexes at 25°C are as follows: log K= 5.25 for Co(II)‐L‐asparagine‐adenine; log K= 9.30 for Cu(II)‐L‐asparagine‐adenine. The ionic strength was kept constant at I = 0.20 with NaClO₄.     

山海关海岸带盐生种子植物调查及生态应用探讨

对山海关滨海盐生植物及盐生植被景观和群落配置情况进行实地调查并参考历史文献,发现山海关滨海湿地共有盐生种子植物26科44属51种。结合山海关海岸带的气候、土壤理化性质及土地覆盖和利用的现状,选择乔、灌木类盐生植物3种,藤本类盐生植物1种,中生草本盐生植物5种,旱生草本盐生植物2种,湿生植物4种,共计15种作为滨海地区盐碱地改良和植被恢复的野生植物种类。     

Methane emission quantification from municipal waste landfills: models and computer software—a case study of Long An Province,Vietnam

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Vietnam has been one of the nations strongly affected by climate change; hence, finding and promoting solutions in order to adapt and proactively...