Construction cost indices are developed to measure the degree of price variations in construction material and labor costs. However, each specific type of construction is a combination of unique set of materials and labor. As such, the degree of price variations referring to each specific type of construction shall be measured by specific price indices, in order to achieve more accurate results. In Turkey, Producer Price Index (PPI) published by State Statistics Institute is commonly used for the escalation of building costs. This study aims to compare the existing cost indices as well as new alternative cost indices in terms of their adequacy for the representation of variations in the building costs in Turkey. The developed price indices will be tested to measure their fit with the cost of building projects, will be compared with the price indices published by the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement and also State Statistics Institute, and finally the most adequate price indices among the examined ones to be used for building projects will be selected. Moreover, models representing past price movements will be developed.

ABSTRACT THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM AND LONG SPAN TIMBER ROOF STRUCTURES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN STRUCTURAL TIMBER AND STEEL ERTASTAN, Evren M.S, in Building Science, Department of Architecture Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erc&uuml / ment ERMAN December 2005, 174 pages This thesis analyzes the performance of structural timber and steel in medium and long span roof structures. A technical background about roof structures including structural elements and roof structure types, span definitions, and classification of roof structures are discussed. Roof structures are detailed with traditional and the contemporary forms. The thesis comprises the comparison between structural timber and steel by using structural, constructional and material properties. Structural forms and the performance of timber and steel are discussed. The research also includes the roof structures built with structural timber in Turkey, application, marketing and examples in Turkey are indicated. In the conclusion part the performance criteria of timber and steel are summarized, the researcher has prepared a table to compare the performance of timber and steel. Keywords: Timber, Steel, Roof, Structure, Span

Σε αυτή την εργασία, αφού παρουσιαστεί αναλυτικά η τεχνολογία UWB, μελετούνται από τη βιβλιογραφία τρόποι για την εκτίμηση του ασύρματου καναλιού με χρήση δεδομένων εκπαίδευσης. Στη συνέχεια, υπάρχει μια ανάλυση της προσομοίωσης που έγινε με τη βοήθεια του λογισμικού MATLΑB η οποία υλοποιεί τον πομπό, το κανάλι και το δέκτη με εκτιμητή καναλιού και στο τέλος μελετάται η απόδοση του συστήματος. / This report presents the UWB impulse radio technology and contains a relevant study of channel estimation techniques. In next chapters there is a MATLAB simulation for the full system and the channel estimator subsystem and conclusions are made.

abstract: The Byrd Glacier region of Antarctica is important for understanding the tectonic development and landscape evolution of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). This outlet glacier crossing the TAM marks a major discontinuity in the Neoproterozoic-early Paleozoic Ross orogen. The region has not been geologically mapped in detail, but previous studies have inferred a fault to exist beneath and parallel to the direction of flow of Byrd Glacier. Thermochronologic analysis has never been undertaken across Byrd Glacier, and little is known of the exhumation history of the region. The objectives of this study are to assess possible differential movement across the inferred Byrd Glacier fault, to measure the timing of exhumation, and to gain a better overall understanding of the structural architecture of the TAM. Apatites and zircons separated from rock samples collected from various locations north and south of Byrd Glacier were dated using single-crystal (U- Th)/He analysis. Similar cooling histories were revealed with comparable exhumation rates of 0.03 ± 0.003 and 0.04 ± 0.03 mm/yr north and south of Byrd Glacier from apatite data and somewhat similar rates of 0.06 ± 0.008 and 0.04 ± 0.01 mm/yr north and south of Byrd Glacier from zircon data. Age vs. elevation regressions indicate a vertical offset of 1379 ± 159 m and 4000 ± 3466 m from apatite and zircon data. To assess differential movement, the Kukri Peneplain (a regional unconformity) was utilized as a datum. On-site photographs, Landsat imagery, and Aster Global DEM data were combined to map Kukri Peneplain elevation points north and south of Byrd Glacier. The difference in elevation of the peneplain as projected across Byrd Glacier shows an offset of 1122 ± 4.7 m. This study suggests a model of relatively uniform exhumation followed by fault displacement that uplifted the south side of Byrd Glacier relative to the north side. Combining apatite and zircon (U-Th)/He analysis along with remote geomorphologic analysis has provided an understanding of the differential movement and exhumation history of crustal blocks in the Byrd Glacier region. The results complement thermochronologic and geomorphologic studies elsewhere within the TAM providing more information and a new approach. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Geological Sciences 2011

Most common building materials are polymer based. Thus toxic products evolving from burning polymers is the single most important factor in fire fatalities. Fire hazard calculations require modelling of heat generation, toxic combustion products generation and its transport in realistic building scenarios involving common building material. However, the thermal decomposition, combustion behaviour and chemical kinetics for common polymers like wood, plastics, rubber and textiles are extremely complex. In the present study, a methodology (STEM-LER: the Scalar Transport Equation based Model using the Local Equivalence Ratio concept) based on solving separate transport equations for the species and using the yield correlations obtained from bench-scale experiments to model the source terms is proposed to predict the products generation and its transport during enclosure fires. Modelling of complex solid phase degradation and chemical kinetics of polymers is bypassed by measuring the product yields as a function of equivalence ratio by burning the samples in a bench-scale combustion apparatus called Purser furnace. Since the accuracy of prediction depends upon the quality of the yield data obtained from the Purser furnace, attempts were also made to numerically investigate this bench-scale toxicity test method in order to understand its modus operandi. Finally, a preliminary assessment on the effect of cable fires on building evacuation for the simulated fire scenarios was carried out using a sophisticated evacuation model.

The focus of this thesis is on the prediction of sound attenuation through a lined duct, based on a mathematical model. Ducts with a single section as well as multi-segmented sections are discussed. The duct of interest has a rectangular cross-section as normally used for ventilation purposes. The mean flow in a ventilation duct is very low and can be neglected. In this thesis, two-dimensional analytical models are developed for sound transmission in a series of different duct configurations. Two models of the lining behaviour are considered, either locally-reacting or bulk-reacting. The models are used first to obtain the transverse and axial wavenumbers of various modes of the duct. The required finite numbers of wavenumbers are tracked using Müller’s method. The wavenumbers are traced from a very low frequency to high frequency using small frequency steps. It is found that, for a duct with a bulk-reacting lining, the number of modes with a transverse wavenumber below a particular value may exceed the corresponding number of modes in a duct with a locally-reacting lining. These additional modes are termed lining modes. The number of lining modes depends on the lining thickness. Dispersion curves are presented for both types of lining. The transmission of sound through the duct is then calculated using the mode-matching technique. The mode-matching model allows analysis of multi-modal wave propagation in the duct. The model is first developed for an infinitely long rigid duct with a finite length of lined insert. The estimation from the locally reacting model, that is widely available in the literature, is compared with the estimation from the newly developed bulk-reacting model. Although the locally reacting model often overestimates the performance of a bulk-reacting lining it is found that this is not always the case, especially for a small lining thickness and at lower frequencies where the locally reacting model may under-estimate the performance. The analytical model is then extended to a multi-segmented lining where the lined section is uniformly segmented with rigid walled sections in a periodic manner. For a bulk-reacting lining, the segmented arrangement renders the lining more similar to the behaviour of a duct with a locally-reacting lining and improves the peak attenuation. Little improvement is found in the case of a multi-segmented locally-reacting lining. The effect of duct height, lining thickness and lining flow resistivity on sound attenuation is studied using the analytical model. Experiments are presented which validate the analytical model.

The design of the physical learning environment (PLE) in Higher Education facilities, has been found to influence students’ satisfaction (Hill & Epps, 2010, Riley, 2013, Yang & Mino, 2013). With the initiation of the Teaching Excellence Framework, the consideration of students’ satisfaction is becoming more prominent. Beckers et al. (2016a) concluded that further research should explore preferences of students to identify if preferences differed between groups of students. Features of the PLE were identified that required further examination as to the impact they can have on students’ satisfaction, specifically, their individual requirements, which may be influenced by their personality traits. In the quality of the PLE; it was also noted that the sense of community is important. Utilising a sequential mixed methods design this research aimed to identify students’ specific requirements of their PLE. Case study methodology was adopted in Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), across the schools Art and Design, Built Environment, Engineering and Business. Surveys were used to examine relationships with features of the PLE, school specific requirements and personality traits. Factor analysis was conducted to identify components of the PLE. Focus groups were undertaken with students to explore students’ perceptions of the PLE and expand current understanding regarding students’ specific requirements. Utilising grounded theory analysis, features of the PLE were identified and a framework developed. The research found that there is a notable difference in preferences for features within the PLE between students in different schools, and that these differences may be due to the influence of personality traits. The research also identified a framework for defining what students perceive to be a quality PLE. Alongside which, features of the PLE that students identify as being important for the development of a sense of community were identified. The research has led to the development of a framework for the design of the PLE based on students’ specific requirements that can be used to inform universities of the aspects of design to consider in future developments or refurbishments. Validation of the findings of this research was also conducted to evaluate the usefulness of the final framework.

Submitted by Suelen Reis (suziy.ellen@gmail.com) on 2013-04-22T19:17:04Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao Olivia Dias2.pdf: 7958204 bytes, checksum: 06cde82657a4139e0987aa6b24317b5a (MD5) Dissertacao Olivia Dias 1.pdf: 7879098 bytes, checksum: 3c374b60ba42bf1dea0b2bffc05adf28 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Meirelles(rodrigomei@ufba.br) on 2013-05-11T15:38:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao Olivia Dias2.pdf: 7958204 bytes, checksum: 06cde82657a4139e0987aa6b24317b5a (MD5) Dissertacao Olivia Dias 1.pdf: 7879098 bytes, checksum: 3c374b60ba42bf1dea0b2bffc05adf28 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-11T15:38:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao Olivia Dias2.pdf: 7958204 bytes, checksum: 06cde82657a4139e0987aa6b24317b5a (MD5) Dissertacao Olivia Dias 1.pdf: 7879098 bytes, checksum: 3c374b60ba42bf1dea0b2bffc05adf28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / O estudo analisa as viagens enquanto fenômeno social que obteve expressivo crescimento no mundo ocidental, sobretudo, a partir da segunda metade do século XIX. A pesquisa teve como objetivos compreender as motivações das viagens realizadas por diversos estrangeiros que estiveram no Brasil e passaram pela Bahia no período; identificar e analisar o estabelecimento de serviços de hospedagem, alimentação e lazer, viabilizado devido à permanência temporária desses personagens em terras baianas. Constatei que a interface entre viagens, serviços e atrativos possibilitou que a cidade do Salvador se constituísse em núcleo receptor de visitantes das mais variadas nacionalidades. A presença desses atores sociais levou à formação e consolidação de novas atividades comerciais, voltadas para atendê-los. Essa dinâmica exerceu influência na intensificação e reconfiguração das representações do lugar, promovendo novas formas de ver e interagir com o outro. / Salvador

O objetivo dessa tese foi avaliar a expressão de citocinas Th1 (IL-12 e INF), citocinas Th2 (IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10) e das citocinas pró-inflamatórias IL-18, IL-1 e TNF no fluido gengival de pacientes com periodontite crônica portadores da doença de Crohn (DC), de retocolite ulcerativa idiopática (RCUI) e em indivíduos saudáveis (o grupo controle, GC). Como objetivo secundário, avaliamos a função dos neutrófilos no fluido gengival desses pacientes através da mensuração das metaloproteinases da matriz -8, -9 (MMP-8 e MMP-9) e da atividade da elastase. Quinze pacientes com DC (idade média 38.2 11.4 anos), 15 pacientes com RCUI (idade média 45.0 10.5 anos) e 15 pacientes saudáveis (idade média 42.1 7.8 anos) participaram desse estudo. Todos os dentes presentes, com exceção dos terceiros molares, foram examinados. Profundidade de bolsa (PB), nível de inserção clínica (NI), presença de placa e de sangramento a sondagem foram avaliados em seis sítios por dente. Em cada paciente, o fluido de 4 sítios com periodontite (PB  5 mm e NI 3mm) e de 4 sítios com gengivite (PB 3 mm e NI  1 mm) foram coletados através de pontas de papel absorvente pré-fabricadas. O sistema LUMINEX foi utilizado na mensuração das IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNF, INF, MMP-8 e MMP-9. A IL-18 foi analisada através do ensaio ELISA e a atividade de elastase através de uma reação enzimática. O soro desses pacientes também foi analisado e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi utilizado na análise da correlação entre as citocinas no soro e no fluido gengival. Nos sítios com gengivite, a quantidade total de IL-4 foi significativamente menor no grupo RCUI do que no grupo GC (p=0.016). Nos sítios com periodontite, a quantidade total de IL-4 foi significativamente menor no grupo DC do que no grupo GC (p=0.029). A quantidade total da IL-6 (p=0.028) assim como sua concentração (p=0.044) foram significativamente maiores no grupo RCUI do que no grupo GC. No soro, os níveis da IL-18 foram significativamente mais altos nos grupos DC (p=0.011) e RCUI (p=0.019) do que no grupo GC. No grupo RCUI, a IL-18 do soro se correlacionou positivamente com a IL-1 do fluido gengival (r=0. 667, p=0.01). Concluindo, nos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal, os níveis da IL-4 estavam mais baixos no fluido gengival e os níveis da IL-18 estavam aumentados no soro quando comparados aos controles. A função dos neutrófilos foi similar entre os pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal e os controles. Com exceção da correlação positiva entre a IL-18 sérica e a IL-1 no fluido gengival dos pacientes com retocolite ulcerativa idiopática, não houve correlação entre as diversas citocinas mensuradas no soro e as citocinas mensuradas no fluido gengival nos controles nem nos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal. Não houve a caracterização de um padrão de resposta Th1 ou Th2 no fluido gengival dos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal. / The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the expression of Th1 cytokines (IL-12 and INF-γ), Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-18, IL-1 and TNF-α in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from Crohns disease (CD) patients, ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and healthy individuals (control group, CG) who had chronic periodontitis. Besides, we measured elastase activity, matrix metalloproteinase -8 and -9 (MMP-8 and -9) to address the neutrophil function in the GCF. Fifteen CD patients (mean age 38.2  11.4 years), 15 UC patients (mean age 45.0  10.5 years) and 15 systemically healthy controls (mean age 42.1  7.8 years) were enrolled in this study. All the present teeth, except for the third molars were examined. Probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), presence of plaque and presence of bleeding on probing were assessed in six sites per tooth. In every subject, GCF from 4 gingivitis sites (PPD  3mm and CAL  1mm) and from 4 periodontitis sites (PPD  5mm and CAL 3mm) were collected with filter strips. The data were reported as total amount and concentration. IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNFα, INFγ, MMP-8 and MMP-9 were analyzed by the Luminex analyzer. IL-18 was analyzed using a commercially available ELISA assay and the elastase activity by an enzymatic reaction. The serum was also analysed and the correlations between the cytokines in the GCF and in the serum were calculated by Pearson correlation analysis. In gingivitis sites, the total amount of IL-4 was significantly lower in the UC group than in the CG group (p=0.016). In periodontitis sites, the total amount of IL-4 was significantly lower in CD group than in the CG group (p=0.029). The total amount of IL-4 was lower in UC group than in CD group (p=0.077). Similarly, IL-4 concentrations in both CD (p=0.096) and UC (p=0.064) groups were lower than in CG group. IL-6 total amount (p=0.028) and IL-6 concentration (p=0.044) were significantly higher in the UC group than in the CG group. In the serum, IL-18 levels were significantly higher in CD (p=0.011) and UC (p=0.019) groups than in the CG group. In UC group, there was a positive correlation between serum IL-18 levels and IL-1 in the GCF (r=0. 667, p=0.01). In conclusion, IBD patients had lower IL-4 levels in the GCF and higher IL-18 levels in the serum than healthy controls. The neutrophil function in IBD patients is similar to controls. Except for the positive correlation between IL-18 in the serum and IL-1 in the GCF, there was no correlation between the cytokines in serum and in the GCF either in IBD patients or in controls. There was not a Th1 or Th2 polarization in the GCF from IBD patients.

The concept of sustainable construction is increasingly being recognised, not only as a way to reduce the environmental impact of construction, but as a valuable business strategy. Stakeholders such as companies, professional bodies, government and the education sector all have the ability to have an influence on sustainability as it is being incorporated into agendas by the government and firms. Educational institutions can take it one step further by preparing future construction professionals to enter into a changing-and hopefully sustainable industry. This research focuses on the impact that education can have on this preparation with the use of psychological constructs. This thesis contributes to original knowledge by outlining the development of a measurement tool designed specifically to tap into sustainable construction attitudes. This tool was also used to assess the level of sustainability within built environment curriculum. The research was conducted in four phases, with phase four making the contribution to knowledge. All phases were carried out using a sequential mixed methodology where quantitative data was collected in phases one and two and qualitative interviews were carried out in phase three. In phase four, quantitative data was collected before and after the intervention and subsequently analysed. This was followed by qualitative data in the form of reflective student essays. A phenomenographic approach was used to analyse qualitative data, which investigates the different ways individuals can experience or understand something. The conclusions drawn from phase four were that the quantitative results indicated that student attitudes did not improve positively after the project. However, phenomenography revealed that all students experienced increased knowledge and attitudes did indeed change. With relation to psychological constructs, it was determined that the personality traits 'conscientiousness' and 'agreeableness' were associated with sustainabilitv the most. Emotional intelligence was found to be most significant with social issues of sustain ability followed by environmental issues which lends support to the view that emotional intelligence can extend from caring about others to caring for the environment.