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Comparison of cat owners' pain perception and Feline Grimace Scale results: The role of demographic factors
No full textAğrı yönetiminin etkili şekilde uygulanması hayvanın yaşam kalitesine, hastalığın seyrine, tedavinin başarısına olumlu katkı sağlamaktadır. Etkili ve eksiksiz uygulanan ağrı yönetimi hem hastayı hem de veteriner hekimi koruyan önemli stratejik bir uygulamadır. Kediler, doğaları gereği daha bireysel ve içe dönük canlılardır ve ağrıyı doğrudan değil, dolaylı yollarla ifade ederler. Bu durum, sahiplerinin ve veteriner hekimlerin kedilerin ağrılarını fark etmelerini güçleştirerek gecikmelerine sebep olmaktadır. Bu nedenle ağrıyı ortak ölçütte anlayabilmek, uygulanan analjezik tedaviye verilen yanıtı değerlendirebilmek ve ağrı yönetimi sürecinin yönlendirebilmek amacıyla Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) gibi ağrı ölçekleri geliştirilmiş ve klinik kullanımda yerini almıştır. Bu çalışma, kedi sahiplerinin kedilerinin ağrı düzeylerini ne düzeyde doğru tahmin edebildiklerini ve bu tahmin düzeyini etkileyen demografik faktörleri ortaya koymak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada toplam 10 adet soru hazırlanmış ve özel bir kliniğe başvuran kedi sahipleri ile yüz yüze yapılan anket şeklinde gerçekleşmiştir. Çalışma toplam 50 adet kedi sahibine anket uygulaması ile yapılmıştır. Ankete katılan her kedi sahibinin kedisi, ayrıca FGS skalası ile ağrı düzeyi skorlanmıştır. Daha sonra, kedi sahiplerinin ağrı düzeyi tahminleri ile FGS ölçeğinde çıkan ağrı düzeyi arasındaki korelasyon istatistiksel olarak hesaplanmıştır. Kedi sahiplerinin skorları ile FGS sonucu arasındaki korelasyon, Pearson korelasyon testi ile ölçülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, kedi sahiplerinden “kadın” cinsiyetindekiler, “40 yaş ve altındakiler”, “kedi bakmaya başlayalı 5 yılı aşmamış olanlar” ve “kedi sahiplenmeden önce tereddüt ederek sahiplenenler”in ağrı tahminleri ile FGS skoru arasındaki korelasyon anlamlı bulunmuştur. Elde edilen bulgular, kadın kedi sahiplerinin, 40 yaş ve altındaki bireylerin, kedisine beş yıldan kısa süredir bakanların ve kediyi sahiplenmeden önce tereddüt edenlerin ağrı tahminleri ile FGS skorları arasında anlamlı bir korelasyon olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca, kısırlaştırılmış, melez ırk, ileri yaşlı, daha önce hastalık geçirmiş ve akut bir sorun nedeniyle kliniğe getirilen kedilerin sahiplerinin ağrı tahminleri ile FGS skoru arasında da anlamlı bir korelasyon saptanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, FGS ölçeğinin gelecekte kliniklerde rutin olarak kullanılabilmesi anlamında oldukça gelecek vadetmektedir. Fakat gelecekte bu alanda yapılacak çalışmaların daha kapsamlı ve daha fazla sayı ve ölçekte yapılması FGS’nin kliniklerde kullanım olanaklarını artıracağı düşünülmektedir.Effective application of pain management contributes positively to the animal's quality of life, the course of the disease, and the success of the treatment. Effective and complete pain management is an important strategic application that protects both the patient and the veterinarian. The fact that dogs are more social than cats and have more developed communication skills with people makes it easier for them to express their pain. In contrast, cats are naturally more individual and introverted creatures and do not express pain directly but indirectly. This situation makes it difficult for owners and veterinarians to notice the pain of cats, causing delays. For this reason, pain scales such as the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) have been developed and have taken their place in clinical use in order to understand pain in a common criterion, to evaluate the response to the applied analgesic treatment, and to guide the pain management process. This study was conducted to reveal the extent to which cat owners can accurately estimate the pain levels of their cats and the demographic factors affecting this estimation level. A total of 10 questions were prepared in the study and a face-to-face survey was conducted with cat owners who applied to a private clinic. The study was conducted with a survey application to a total of 50 cat owners. Each cat owner participating in the survey also had their cat scored for pain using the FGS scale. Then, the correlation between the cat owners’ pain level estimates and the pain level on the FGS scale was calculated statistically. The correlation between the cat owners’ scores and the FGS result was measured using the Pearson correlation test. According to the results obtained, the correlation between the pain estimates and the FGS score of cat owners who were “female”, “aged 40 and under”, “those who had started looking after a cat for less than 5 years” and “those who hesitated before adopting a cat” was found to be significant. In addition, the correlation between the pain levels and the FGS score of “spayed”, “mixed breed”, “older”, “those who had previously experienced the disease” and “cat owners who brought their cats to the clinic with an acute problem” was found to be significant. The results obtained are quite promising in terms of the routine use of the FGS scale in clinics in the future. However, it is thought that future studies in this field that are more comprehensive and in larger numbers and on a larger scale will increase the possibilities of using FGS in clinics
Efficacy and safety of anakinra in colchicine-resistant or -intolerant familial mediterranean fever: A single-center real-life experience
No full textFamilial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent febrile attacks and serositis. While colchicine is the primary treatment for FMF, some patients present resistance or intolerance with respect to this drug. Anakinra-an IL-1 receptor antagonist-has demonstrated efficacy in colchicine-resistant or -intolerant FMF patients. Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment duration, response to therapy, dose interval modifications, and long-term outcomes in FMF patients treated with anakinra. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 68 FMF patients who were colchicine-resistant or -intolerant and received anakinra treatment. Results: The median patient age was 40.2 years, with a predominance of female patients (57.3%). The median follow-up duration for patients treated with anakinra was 34.2 months. Anakinra dosing was successfully extended in 30.8% of patients. Eight patients discontinued anakinra due to remission, with a median remission duration of 18.4 months. In a subgroup analysis of 57 patients treated with anakinra for at least 12 months, a significant decrease was observed in Pras scores at 0 months, 3 months, and 12 months, as well as in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C-reactive protein, and Serum Amyloid A values (all p < 0.001). Statistically significant decreases in 24 h proteinuria values were found between 0 and 3 months, 3 and 12 months, and 0 and 12 months (p = 0.011, p = 0.006, and p = 0.007, respectively). Anakinra use in pregnancy and kidney transplant recipients was well tolerated. Dose extension and treatment discontinuation in remission are feasible strategies. Conclusions: These findings support the use of anakinra as a good treatment option in selected patients
Evaluation of olive processing wastes in terms of zero discharge and green energy production.
No full textOlive oil production generates large volumes of solid and liquid waste with high organic load, acidity, and toxic phenolic compounds. Conventional disposal methods cause serious environmental problems such as groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and inefficient use of resources. This study investigates a sustainable management approach for olive processing waste based on the zero discharge principle, integrating gasification and organic rankine cycle (ORC) systems for green energy production. The system operates with a biomass feed rate of 440 kg/h, produces 60 kg/h of biochar, and is powered by a thermal input of 2000 kWh. The ORC unit operates at 15% electrical efficiency, generating 240 kW of electricity and 1360 kW of thermal energy. Mass and energy balance analyses show that nearly 100% of the waste can be converted into valuable outputs. Water recovery from olive mill wastewater was achieved through thermal evaporation. The biochar by-product can be utilized as a soil amendment or fuel additive. Economic feasibility analyses based on cost data demonstrate that profitability depends on electricity sale prices and the conversion of biochar into value-added products. A comparison of different biomass feedstocks reveals variability in cost but no significant difference in energy conversion efficiency. This research presents a viable, circular economy-oriented model for the olive oil industry in terms of sustainable waste valorization, water recovery, and renewable energy production
Sleep quality and disruptive factors in intensive care units: A comparison between mechanically ventilated and spontaneously breathing patients
No full textBackground Sleep disturbances are common in intensive care units (ICUs) and negatively impact patient outcomes. Understanding differences in sleep quality and disrupting factors between patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) and spontaneously breathing patients (SBP) is essential for improving ICU care. Aim To compare sleep quality and sleep-disrupting factors between patients receiving MV and SBP during their ICU stay. Study Design This observational study was conducted in a 16-bed ICU in T & uuml;rkiye. A total of 186 ICU patients (62 receiving MV and 124 SBP) were included. Sleep quality and disrupting factors were assessed using the Modified Freedman Sleep Quality Questionnaire (mFSQQ) and Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) at 24-h admission (T0) and pre-discharge (T1). Results Sleep quality scores were significantly lower in patients receiving MV than in SBP (p < 0.05). At T0, patients receiving MV experienced greater sleep disruptions due to pain and vital sign monitoring, while SBP had more disturbances from nursing interventions, medication administration and alarms (p < 0.05). By T1, sleep disturbances from pain, medical interventions and diagnostic procedures had significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.05); however, environmental factors such as noise, lighting and staff conversations remained major disruptors. Repeated measures analysis showed a significant time effect for sleep disruptions from pain, nursing interventions, vital sign monitoring and medication administration (p < 0.001), while no time effect was found for noise, light or staff conversations. Conclusion Although patients receiving MV had lower sleep quality, ICU environmental factors were a major source of sleep fragmentation for all patients. These findings emphasise the need for ICU-wide and targeted interventions to optimise sleep quality. Relevance to Clinical Practice Implementing tailored sleep protocols and optimising ICU care can reduce sleep disruptions, enhance patient comfort and improve recovery by addressing both patient-specific and environmental factors
Development of a new method for multidisciplinary design optımızation of aircraft
No full textHava taşıtlarında yüksek aerodinamik performansın yanında hafiflik de önemli bir faktördür. Kütlenin artması daha fazla yakıt ve güç ihtiyacı doğurmaktadır. Bu nedenle tasarım sürecinde geometrinin optimum şekilde olması için deneme-yanılma yerine optimizasyon algoritmalarının kullanımını bir gerekliliktir. Hava taşıtlarında başarılı bir tasarım için çok disiplinli model üzerinden optimizasyon yapılması öne çıkmaktadır. Herhangi bir disiplinde oluşan bir tasarım değişikliği bir başka disiplindeki bir davranışı doğrudan etkilemektedir. Bu tez çalışmasında, optimizasyon işlemi için çok sayıda iterasyon gerekeceğinden, yapay sinir ağları (YSA) yöntemi kullanılarak vekil model oluşturulmuş ve optimizasyon bu vekil modeller üzerinden gerçekleştirilmiştir. Vekil model oluşturmak için gerekli veri seti, sistematik bir deney tasarım yöntemi olan Latin Hiperküp örneklemesi modifiye edilerek, vekil modelin daha iyi tahmin yapabileceği bir model elde edilmiştir. YSA'nın daha iyi tahmin yapabilmesi için YSA'nın gizli katman ve nöron sayıları ve ağırlık katsayıları optimize edilmiştir. Optimizasyon işlemini gerçekleştirmek için, NSGA-II algoritması, Levenberg Marquardt (LM) algoritması ile hibrit bir şekilde kullanılarak hem NSGA-II'nin evrimsel çeşitliliğinden hem de LM’ nin lokal optimumu yakalama gücünden faydalanan hibrit bir kod elde edilmiştir. Bu tez çalışmasında, birinci çalışma olarak literatürde sıkça kullanılan Agard 445.6 kanadı üzerinde çift yönlü akışkan - katı etkileşimi (AKE) kullanarak çok disiplinli bir çalışma ile kanadın süpürme açısı ve sivrilik oranı optimize edilerek hem ağırlığı azaltılması hem de aerodinamik verimliliğinin arttırılması amaçlanmaktadır. İkinci çalışma olarak, kanat iç elemanlarında kiriş ve nervür elemanlarının konum optimizasyonu işlemi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Tek yönlü akışkan - katı etkileşimi kullanılarak yapılan bu çalışmada, kanat kütlesi azaltılırken aynı zamanda kanadın birinci doğal frekansı arttırılmıştır.In aircraft, alongside high aerodynamic performance, lightness is also a crucial factor. An increase in mass leads to higher fuel and power requirements. Therefore, the use of optimization algorithms instead of trial and error during the design process becomes a necessity to ensure the geometry is optimized. For a successful design of aircraft, performing optimization through a multidisciplinary model is emphasized. A design change in any discipline directly affects behavior in another discipline. In this thesis, due to the need for numerous iterations during the optimization process, surrogate models were created using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and optimization was performed through these surrogate models. To create the necessary dataset for the surrogate model, the systematic design of experiments method, Latin Hypercube Sampling, was modified to obtain a model that could provide better predictions. The ANN’s prediction capability was enhanced by optimizing the number of hidden layers, neurons, and weight coefficients. To execute the optimization process, a hybrid code was developed by combining the NSGA-II algorithm with the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm, thus benefiting from both the evolutionary diversity of NSGA-II and the local optimum capture capability of LM. In this thesis, the first study was conducted on the widely used Agard 445.6 wing by employing bi-directional fluid-structure interaction (FSI) to carry out a multidisciplinary analysis. The wing’s sweep angle and taper ratio were used as variables. As a result of the study, both the weight of the wing was reduced, and its aerodynamic efficiency was increased. In the second study, the placement optimization of spar and rib elements within the wing was conducted. In this study, using one-way fluid-structure interaction, the wing mass was reduced while simultaneously increasing the wing first natural frequency
Acoustic performance prediction by machine learning: Application on felt materials
No full textOtomotiv endüstrisinde artan konfor beklentileriyle birlikte akustik performans kritik bir odak noktası haline gelmiştir. Bu doğrultuda akustik beklentilere uygun malzemeler sunan, hızlı ve doğru bir şekilde ölçüm yapabilen tedarikçiler sektörde ön plana çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, ses yalıtımı amacıyla kullanılan keçe malzemelerin ses yutum katsayısını tahmin etmek için doğrusal regresyon, rastgele orman, k-en yakın komşu, aşırı gradyan artırma ve destek vektör regresyonu olmak üzere beş farklı makine öğrenmesi algoritmasının performansı karşılaştırılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında hazır bir veri seti kullanılmamış olup, tüm veriler epoksi keçe malzeme ile hazırlanan numuneler üzerinden gerçekleştirilen akustik performans ölçümlerinden elde edilmiş, bu çalışma kapsamında özgün bir veri seti oluşturulmuş, 5-katlı çapraz doğrulama ile model performansları değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, aşırı gradyan artırma algoritmasının diğer algoritmalara kıyasla tüm performans metriklerinde en iyi sonuçları sağladığını göstermektedir. Tahmin performansının iyileştirilmesi için modele hiperparametre optimizasyonu ve özellik mühendisliği uygulanmış ve tahmin performansında yaklaşık %7’lik iyileşme sağlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma, makine öğrenmesi tekniklerinin akustik performansı hızlı ve doğru bir şekilde tahmin etme potansiyelini vurgulamaktadır. Empedans tüpü testi, alfa kabin testi gibi ampirik yöntemler ve analitik yöntemlerle karşılaştırıldığında, makine öğrenmesi temelli tahmin modellerinin zaman, iş gücü ve maliyet açısından sağladığı avantajlar, bu teknolojinin endüstriyel süreçlerdeki önemini daha belirgin hale getirmektedir.In the context of the automotive industry, there is an increasing focus on acoustic performance, given the mounting expectations of comfort among consumers. In this context, suppliers of materials that meet acoustic expectations and can make measurements quickly and accurately are of the utmost importance in the sector. In this study, the performance of five distinct machine learning algorithms – namely linear regression, random forest, k-nearest neighbour, extreme gradient boosting and support vector regression – was compared to estimate the sound absorption coefficient of felt materials used for sound insulation. The present study did not make use of a ready-made dataset; rather, all data were obtained from acoustic performance measurements performed on samples prepared with epoxy felt material. In addition, an original dataset was created within the scope of this study, and model performances were evaluated with 5-fold cross-validation. The findings indicate that the extreme gradient boosting algorithm consistently yields optimal results across all performance metrics when benchmarked against other algorithms. Hyperparameter optimization and feature engineering were applied to the model to improve the prediction performance, and approximately 7% improvement was achieved in prediction performance. Consequently, this study underscores the potential of machine learning techniques to expeditiously and accurately estimate acoustic performance. In comparison with empirical methods, such as impedance tube testing and alpha cabin testing, and analytical methods, the advantages of machine learning-based prediction models in terms of time, labour and cost become more apparent. This technology is therefore of great importance in industrial processes
Pollen in fresh bat guano and investigation of their sources: The case of Bursa province-Oylat Cave
No full textPolenler çeşitli vektörler aracılığıyla dağıtılmakta ve pek çok farklı alanda bulunabilmektedirler. Son yıllarda yapılan çalışmalar ile mağaralardaki polen birikimi çok önemli düzeylerde bulunmuştur. Mağara içerisine bu polen girdisini sağlayan ve mağara içerisinde polen dağılımını büyük oranda gerçekleştiren canlılar yarasalardır. Fakat günümüzde mağaraların bir kısmı turizme kazandırılmakta, turistik ziyaretler sonucunda mağaralar zarar görmekte ve insanlar mağara içi polen dağılımını etkilemektedir. Bu tez çalışması ile mağara içerisindeki polen dağılımına ilişkin veriler aylık guano örneklemesi ve Tauber tuzağı ile elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca taze yarasa guanosunun palinolojik içeriği belirlenmiş ve bulgular dış ortama yerleştirilen Durham ve Tauber örneklemelerinden elde edilen verilerle karşılaştırılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, Bellis, Campanulaceae, Centaurea, Lamiaceae, Nerium, Fragaria, Portulacca, Scrophulariaceae, Iridaceae, Zea, Cirsium, Sonchus asper, Vicia ve Anthemis nobilis taksonlarına ait polenler sadece guano örneklerinde belirlenmiştir. Yarasa guanosunun aeropalinolojik verileri büyük oranda yansıttığı, bölge florası ve ziraat gibi insan faaliyetleri hakkında kullanılan diğer metodlara kıyasla daha detaylı palinolojik veriler sağladığı ortaya konmuştur.Pollen is distributed by various vectors and can be found in many different environments. Recent studies have revealed significant levels of pollen accumulation in caves. Bats are the primary creatures responsible for introducing pollen into these caves and facilitating its distribution within these environments. However, the development of some caves for tourism has led to damage resulting from visitor activities, which in turn affects the distribution of pollen within the caves. In this thesis study, data on pollen distribution inside the cave were collected through monthly guano sampling and the use of Tauber trap. Additionally, the palynological content of fresh bat guano was determined, and the findings were compared with data obtained from outdoor Durham and Tauber sampling. As a result, pollen belonging to the taxa Bellis, Campanulaceae, Centaurea, Lamiaceae, Nerium, Fragaria, Portulacca, Scrophulariaceae, Iridaceae, Zea, Cirsium, Sonchus asper, Vicia, and Anthemis nobilis were identified only in guano samples. The bat guano data were found to largely reflect aeropalynological data and provide more detailed palynological data than other methods used to study regional flora and human activities, such as agriculture
(Un)sustainable science: Greening practices in research, clinical microbiology, and veterinary laboratories locally and globally
No full textHealth care, veterinary, and research facilities produce tremendous amounts of waste and account for a significant proportion of their institutions' energy and water use. The majority of municipal solid waste produced by these facilities gets unsustainably disposed of, including exportation to lower-income countries, and most of the plastic waste is nonrecyclable and nondegradable. The produced waste not only results in excessive carbon emissions harming planetary health but also poses direct harm to human health, broadens global inequities, and produces avoidable economic costs. Greening up laboratories by reducing waste production and water and energy use offers many benefits and does not have to be time or resource intensive. Sustainable practices to green up laboratories include reusing materials, decreasing energy use by choosing low-energy settings and shutting off equipment when not in use, installing low-flow faucets to decrease water use, proper sorting of waste, environmentally conscious purchases of supplies, and avoiding unnecessary medical and veterinary tests.Medical, research, and veterinary laboratories produce significant amounts of waste, causing massive carbon emissions. This article provides practices that institutions and laboratories can implement to green up their facilities, and it gives a global perspective on health care waste management
Optimization of electric vehicle charging stations using OCPI standards
No full textElektrikli araçların (EV) giderek artan şekilde benimsenmesi, verimli, ölçeklenebilir ve birlikte çalışabilir EV şarj istasyonu altyapılarına duyulan ihtiyacı artırmaktadır. EV kullanımının yaygınlaşmasıyla birlikte, istasyon seçiminin optimizasyonu, gerçek zamanlı veri entegrasyonu ve şarj noktası operatörleri (CPO'lar) ile e-mobilite hizmet sağlayıcıları (EMSP'ler) arasındaki birlikte çalışabilirlik gibi kritik sorunlar ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Açık Şarj Noktası Arayüzü (OCPI) standardı ile Doğrusal Programlama (LP), Benzetilmiş Tavlama (SA), Parçacık Sürü Optimizasyonu (PSO) ve Pekiştirmeli Öğrenme (RL) gibi ileri hesaplamalı optimizasyon yöntemlerini bütünleştiren kapsamlı bir optimizasyon çerçevesi önermektedir. Bu bağlamda, Flutter ve Dart kullanılarak geliştirilen bir prototip mobil uygulama tanıtılmaktadır. Uygulama, güç erişilebilirliği, birim şarj maliyeti, mesafe ve aracın şarj durumu (SoC) gibi temel parametreler doğrultusunda çevredeki sekiz EV şarj istasyonunu değerlendirmek ve sıralamak üzere tasarlanmıştır. Her bir optimizasyon yöntemi için 0 ile 1 arasında değişen istasyon puanları hesaplanmakta; kullanıcı dostu bir arayüz aracılığıyla kullanıcı konumu, istasyon konumları ve ilgili ölçütler görsel olarak sunulmaktadır. Önerilen çözüm, kullanıcıların karar verme süreçlerini optimize etmekle kalmayıp, her bir optimizasyon algoritmasının pratik koşullar altında etkinliğine ve uygunluğuna ilişkin değerli bilgiler de sunmaktadır. Ayrıca uygulama, sonuçların CSV dosyaları olarak dışa aktarılmasına olanak sağlayarak, ileri düzey analizler veya daha geniş sistem entegrasyonları için kullanım imkanı sunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, EV şarj altyapılarında bütünleşmiş optimizasyon çerçevelerine ilişkin mevcut boşlukları ele almakta ve birlikte çalışabilirlik standartlarının ileri düzey optimizasyon teknikleriyle pratik uygulamasını göstererek alana önemli katkılar sağlamaktadır.The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) highlights the critical need for efficient, scalable, and interoperable EV charging station infrastructure. As EV utilization expands, significant challenges arise in terms of optimal station selection, real-time data integration, and interoperability among charging point operators (CPOs) and e-mobility service providers (EMSPs). This study proposes a comprehensive optimization framework integrating the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) standard with advanced computational optimization methods, including Linear Programming (LP), Simulated Annealing (SA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Reinforcement Learning (RL). A mobile application was developed using Flutter and Dart to dynamically evaluate and rank eight nearby EV charging stations based on essential parameters such as power availability, charging cost, distance, and vehicle state of charge (SoC). The application computes station scores ranging from 0 to 1 for each optimization method, providing a comparative analysis through an intuitive interface that visually presents the user's location, station locations, and relevant metrics. This proposed solution optimizes user decision-making processes and provides insights into the performance and applicability of each optimization algorithm under real-world conditions. Additionally, the application enables exporting results to CSV files, supporting further analysis and integration with broader systems. This research significantly contributes to addressing existing gaps in integrated optimization frameworks within EV charging infrastructures, illustrating the practical implementation of interoperability standards in conjunction with advanced optimization techniques
The effects of microemulsion formulations of some botanical acaricides on life table parameters of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
No full textThe microemulsion formulations of essential oils, including orange oil, neem oil, and a terpenoid blend, have demonstrated high efficacy in controlling Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae), causing significant mortality and reducing egg-laying, while also enhancing their persistence. Besides using bio-acaricides, biological control agents also show promise for T. urticae control in IPM programs. However, their compatibility with the effective predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) remains unstudied. The current study evaluated the lethal effects of the microemulsion formulations of essential oils and the microbial-derived substance milbemectin (used as a positive control) at different exposure times on eggplant leaves. To evaluate their relative fitness on A. swirskii, biological observations were conducted on A. swirskii exposed after the 168-hour waiting period, which is determined safe for the essential oil formulations under controlled conditions (16-hour light/8-hour dark photoperiod at 27 +/- 1 degrees C and 70 +/- 5% humidity). The results showed that the development time of the offspring was not significantly affected by the essential oil formulations or milbemectin when compared to the control group. The longevity of A. swirskii females were not significantly shortened by essential oil formulations (21-24 days), while it was significantly reduced on leaves treated with milbemectin (8 days). While the mean fecundity and oviposition days were not significantly affected by essential oil formulations, no oviposition was observed on leaves treated with milbemectin. Based on the two-sex life table analysis, the net reproductive rate (R0=7, 8, 8 offspring), the intrinsic rate of increase (r=0.139, 0.149, 0.139 d-1), and the finite rate of increase (lambda=1.15, 1.16, 1.15 d-1) and the mean generation time (T =14, 14, 15 d) for A. swirskii treated with orange oil, neem oil, and terpenoid blend, respectively, were statistically similar to those observed in the control group (R0=7 offspring, r= 0.124 d-1, lambda= 1.13 d-1; T= 15). These findings indicate that the essential oil formulations can be effectively integrated into pest management programs involving the release of A. swirskii following a 168-hour waiting period.Gıda Tarım ve Hayvancılık Bakanlığı Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı - Türkiye
Tarımsal Araştırmalar ve Politikalar Genel Müdürlüğü (TAGEM) - Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı - 580