Ahi Evran University

About: Ahi Evran University is a education organization based out in Kırşehir, Turkey. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Density functional theory & Ab initio. The organization has 842 authors who have published 2270 publications receiving 21904 citations.

Evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against the sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae)

Abstract: The sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is one of the most destructive pests of plane trees (Platanus spp.) worldwide. This pest is a major nuisance in Europe since plane trees are very popular in parks. Thirteen entomopathogenic fungal strains including 4 isolates of Beauveria bassiana, 2 isolates of Beauveria pseudobassiana, 6 isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae, and 1 isolate of Isaria fumosorosea were screened against adults and nymphs of C. ciliata under controlled laboratory conditions in order to test their efficacy and search for an effective and safe biocontrol agent strategy. Each isolate was applied with a conidial concentration of 1 × 107 conidia mL-1 to adults and nymphs of the pest. B. bassiana isolate KTU - 24 showed the highest mortality for both adults and nymphs with 86% within 2 weeks after inoculation. This isolate also caused the highest mycosis for adults and nymphs with 83% and 80%, respectively. Mortalities of the other fungal isolates ranged from 43% to 86% and from 36% to 73% for adults and nymphs. Therefore, B. bassiana KTU - 24 was selected for further dose mortality tests based on its high virulence and mycosis value. Dose-response mortality bioassays using 5 different concentrations (1 × 104, 1 × 105, 1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 conidia mL-1) were performed to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) of this isolate. Based on probit analysis, the LC50 values of isolate B. bassiana KTU - 24 were calculated as 5.51 × 105 and 3.96 × 105 conidia mL-1 against adults and nymphs, respectively. Consequently, B. bassiana KTU - 24 appears to be a promising candidate for further investigations as a biocontrol agent against C. ciliata.

Synthesis of cationic N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide brushes on silicon wafer via surface‐initiated RAFT polymerization

Abstract: Surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide (DMAPMA) on the silicon wafer was conducted in attempt to create controllable cationic polymer films. The RAFT agent-immobilized substrate was prepared by the silanization of hydroxyl groups on silicon wafer with 3-aminopropylthriethoxysilane (APTS) and by the amide reaction of amine groups of APTS with ester groups of 4-cyano-4-((thiobenzoyl) sulfanyl) pentanoic succinimide ester (CPSE); followed by the RAFT polymerization of DMAPMA using a “free” RAFT agent, that is, 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CPAD) and an initiator, that is, 4,4′-azobis-4-cyanopentanoic acid (CPA). The formation of homogeneous tethered poly(N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide) [poly(DMAPMA)] brushes, whose thickness can be tuned by reaction time varying, is evidenced by using the combination of grazing angle attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and water contact-angle measurements. The calculation of grafting parameters from the number-average molecular weight, Mn (g/mol) and ellipsometric thickness, h (nm) values indicated the synthesis of densely grafted poly(DMAPMA) films and allowed us to predict a polymerization time for forming a “brush-like” conformation for the chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011

Climate Warming and Past and Present Distribution of the Processionary Moths (Thaumetopoea spp.) in Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa

Abstract: Pine processionary moth, Thaumetopea pityocampa, is a model insect indicator of global warming, the northwards and upwards range expansion of this Mediterranean species being directly associated with the recent warming up. The knowledge about the drivers of moth expansion is synthesized. A first standardized mapping of the northern expansion edge, from Western Europe to Turkey, is presented, then detailed for 20 countries of Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa, including future trends. Additional data about the responses of the other Thaumetopoea species are given. Finally, the chapter points out the importance of the man-mediated introductions in the expansion process.