Certain hydrogel forming de novo proteins that utilize different crosslinking methods are studied experimentally on a rheometer. The stress reaxation modulus of CRC, a telechelic, triblock protein, is shown to be that of a stretched exponential function with a value of β ≅ 0.5. The insertion of an integrin binding domain and changes in pH within the range 6.5–8.5 are shown not to significantly affect the resulting rheological behavior. A selective chemical crosslinker is used on CRC hydrogel systems and is shown to change the rheological behavior of the system to that of a combination of a chemically and physically crosslinked system. Chemically crosslinked hydrogels composed of W6, a wheat gluten-based protein, demonstrate a storage modulus weakly dependent on the angular frequency that is much greater than the loss modulus, with a modulus concentration dependence of c^9/4.

Certain hydrogel forming de novo proteins that utilize different crosslinking methods are studied experimentally on a rheometer. The stress reaxation modulus of CRC, a telechelic, triblock protein, is shown to be that of a stretched exponential function with a value of β ≅ 0.5. The insertion of an integrin binding domain and changes in pH within the range 6.5–8.5 are shown not to significantly affect the resulting rheological behavior. A selective chemical crosslinker is used on CRC hydrogel systems and is shown to change the rheological behavior of the system to that of a combination of a chemically and physically crosslinked system. Chemically crosslinked hydrogels composed of W6, a wheat gluten-based protein, demonstrate a storage modulus weakly dependent on the angular frequency that is much greater than the loss modulus, with a modulus concentration dependence of c^9/4.

We propose a situation in which a single employee is responsible for processing incoming claims to an insurance company that can be classified as being one of two possible types. More specifically, we consider a priority-based system having separate buffers to store high priority and low priority incoming claims. We construct a mathematical model and perform queueing analysis to evaluate the performance of this priority-based system, which incorporates the possibility of claims being redistributed, lost, or prematurely processed.

We propose a situation in which a single employee is responsible for processing incoming claims to an insurance company that can be classified as being one of two possible types. More specifically, we consider a priority-based system having separate buffers to store high priority and low priority incoming claims. We construct a mathematical model and perform queueing analysis to evaluate the performance of this priority-based system, which incorporates the possibility of claims being redistributed, lost, or prematurely processed.

A wide range of dynamic systems can be approximated as linear and time invariant, for which a wealth of tools are available to characterize or modify their dynamic characteristics. Experimental modal analysis (EMA) is a procedure whereby the natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes which parameterize vibratory, linear, time invariant systems are derived from experimentally measured response data. EMA is commonly applied in a multitude of applications, for example, to generate experimental models of dynamic systems, validate finite element models and to characterize dissipation in vibratory systems. Recent EMA has also been used to characterize damage or defects in a variety of systems. The Algorithm of Mode Isolation (AMI), presented by Drexel and Ginsberg in 2001, employs a unique strategy for modal parameter estimation in which modes are sequentially identified and subtracted from a set of FRFs. Their natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode vectors are then refined through an iterative procedure. This contrasts conventional multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) identification algorithms, most of which attempt to identify all of the modes of a system simultaneously. This dissertation presents a hybrid multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) implementation of the algorithm of mode isolation that improves the performance of AMI for systems with very close or weakly excited modes. The algorithmic steps are amenable to semi-automatic identification, and many FRFs can be processed efficiently and without concern for ill-conditioning, even when many modes are identified. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated on noise contaminated analytical response data from two systems having close modes, one of which has localized modes while the other has globally responsive modes. The results are compared with other popular algorithms. MIMO-AMI is also applied to experimentally obtained data from shaker excited tests of the Z24 highway bridge, demonstrating the algorithm's performance on a data set typical of many EMA applications. Considerations for determining the number of modes active in the frequency band of interest are addressed, and the results obtained are compared to those found by other groups of researchers.

The mechanisms and kinetics of combustion of waste wood as well as the phases during combustion processes are important to eliminate these wastes without any possible damage to environment. In the present study, combustion mechanisms, activation energy and pre-exponential constants, and phases of combustion were investigated for untreated natural pine and treated Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), plywood and particleboard samples that involve some chemicals and additives. Waste wood samples were heated in air at 10, 20 and 30oC/min heating rates in a Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) from room temperature to 900oC. Thermogravimetry (TG) and Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) curves for all samples were obtained. The gases formed during combustion reactions were directly fed to a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) instrument coupled to TGA. Emission characteristics of the samples were determined in-situ by using the FTIR spectrums. As a result of TG analysis, thermal decomposition of treated samples was observed at lower temperatures as compared to the untreated pine sample because of the catalyzing effects of the chemicals in the treated samples. Therefore, there were less flammable products, lower weight losses in the main oxidation region, decrease in the max. weight loss temperatures and formation of more char for treated samples as compared to untreated pine sample. In other words, chemicals used during production of these samples lead to decrease in the combustibility of the treated samples. Thermal kinetic constants for the samples were calculated by using Coats Redfern and Broido Methods. In order to find out the mechanisms responsible for the oxidation of the waste wood samples in different regions, six solid state mechanisms of Coats Redfern Method were tested. As a result of FTIR analysis of the emitted gases from TG analysis, several chemical groups were detected from pine and treated samples. Combustion of all samples revealed some gases containing aromatics, C-H groups, CO2 and CO. However, there were some toxic and carcinogenic gases like formaldehyde, isocyanate group, ammonia, phenyl group and benzoylbromide among the emissions of treated samples which need utmost attention when recovering energy from treated waste woods.

In this study, anisotropic shells of revolution subject to symmetric and unsymmetrical static loads are analysed. In derivation of governing equations to be used in the solution, first order transverse shear effects are included in the formulation. The governing equations can be listed as kinematic equations, constitutive equations, and equations of motion. The equations of motion are derived from Hamilton&rsquo / s principle, the constitutive equations are developed under the assumptions of the classical lamination theory and the kinematic equations are based on the Reissner-Naghdi linear shell theory. In the solution method, these governing equations are manipulated and written as a set called fundamental set of equations. In order to handle anisotropy and first order transverse shear deformations, the fundamental set of equations is transformed into 20 first order ordinary differential equations using finite exponential Fourier decomposition and then solved with multisegment method of integration, after reduction of the two-point boundary value problem to a series of initial value problems. The results are compared with finite element analysis results for a number of sample cases and good agreement is found. Case studies are performed for circular cylindrical shell and truncated spherical shell geometries. While reviewing the results, effects of temperature and pressure loads, both constant and variable throughout the shell, are discussed. Some drawbacks of the first order transverse shear deformation theory are exhibited.

In this study, process development for glucose isomerase (GI) was aimed. In this context, firstly, thermostable xyl genes, PCR amplified from Thermus thermophilus and Pyrococcus furiosus cells, were recombined to the E.coli BL21 (DE3) and P.pastoris strains, respectively. But significant increase in the term of GI activity compared with wild type cells only detected in recombinant E.coli strain so this strain was selected for further experiments. Then, the effect of different natural and artificial inducers on the production of rGI under control of LacUV5 promoter was investigated in laboratory-scale bioreactors. Lactose was shown to be more efficient in the term of operon induction for long time bioprocesses. Thereafter, in order to increase thermostable rGI production rate, to achieve high cell density culture of E.coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS pRSETA::xylT as well as to evade acetate accumulation, the effect of exponential feeding strategy of carbon source on the production of thermostable GI enzyme, cell concentration and acetate formation by recombinant E.coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS was investigated at four sets of fed-batch bioreactor experiments at three different predetermined specific growth rates 0.1 h-1 (M-0.1), 0.15 h-1 (M-0.15), 0.2 h-1 (M-0.2) and a glucose based exponential feeding at specific growth rate of 0.15 h-1(G-0.15) were performed by recombinant E.coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS cells. The highest biomass was obtained in M-0.15 condition as 9.6 kg m&minus / 3 at t=32 h and the highest rGI activity was achieved in M-0.1 operation as A=16399 U L-1 at t=32 h of bioprocess. Moreover, peptide ligand with specific affinity toward histidin-tag peptide was selected by phage display technology. Isothermal titration calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance analyses were carried out to determine peptide-peptide interaction properties.

<p>Disturbances introduced in wall-bounded flows can grow and lead to transition from laminar to turbulent flow. In order to reduce losses or enhance mixing in energy systems, a fundamental understanding of the flow stability and transition mechanism is important. In the present thesis, the stability, transition mechanism and early turbulent evolution of wall-bounded flows are studied. The stability is investigated by means of linear stability equations and the transition mechanism and turbulence are studied using direct numerical simulations. Three base flows are considered, the Falkner-Skan boundary layer, boundary layers subjected to wall suction and the Blasius wall jet. The stability with respect to the exponential growth of waves and the algebraic growth of optimal streaks is studied for the Falkner-Skan boundary layer. For the algebraic growth, the optimal initial location, where the optimal disturbance is introduced in the boundary layer, is found to move downstream with decreased pressure gradient. A unified transition prediction method incorporating the influences of pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence is suggested. The algebraic growth of streaks in boundary layers subjected to wall suction is calculated. It is found that the spatial analysis gives larger optimal growth than temporal theory. Furthermore, it is found that the optimal growth is larger if the suction begins a distance downstream of the leading edge. Thresholds for transition of periodic and localized disturbances as well as the spreading of turbulent spots in the asymptotic suction boundary layer are investigated for Reynolds number Re=500, 800 and 1200 based on the displacement thickness and the free-stream velocity. It is found that the threshold amplitude scales like Re^-1.05 for transition initiated by streamwise vortices and random noise, like Re^-1.3 for oblique transition and like Re^-1.5 for the localized disturbance. The turbulent spot is found to take a bullet-shaped form that becomes more distinct and increases its spreading rate for higher Reynolds number. The Blasius wall jet is matched to the measured flow in an experimental wall-jet facility. Both the linear and nonlinear regime of introduced waves and streaks are investigated and compared to measurements. It is demonstrated that the streaks play an important role in the breakdown process where they suppress pairing and enhance breakdown to turbulence. Furthermore, statistics from the early turbulent regime are analyzed and reveal a reasonable self-similar behavior, which is most pronounced with inner scaling in the near-wall region.</p>

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία βρίσκεται στον ευρύτερο χώρο της μαθηματικής στατιστικής θεωρίας των γραφημάτων. Κύριος στόχος μας, όπως αναφέρει και ο τίτλος, είναι η μοντελοποίηση γραφημάτων, με απώτερο σκοπό την προσαρμογή, προσομοίωση και διάγνωση αυτών μέσω μοντέλων εκθετικών τυχαίων γραφημάτων. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο δίνει μια συνοπτική παρουσίαση της διατύπωσης του προβλήματος και της θεωρίας των μοντέλων των εκθετικών τυχαίων γραφημάτων. Η βασική ιδέα είναι να θεωρήσουμε ως τυχαίες μεταβλητές τους δυνατούς δεσμούς μεταξύ των κόμβων ενός δοθέντος γραφήματος. Η γενική μορφή ενός μοντέλου εκθετικά τυχαίου γραφήματος καθορίζεται από κάποιες υποθέσεις σχετικές με τις εξαρτήσεις μεταξύ αυτών των τυχαίων μεταβλητών. Παρουσιάζουμε κάποιες διαφορετικές υποθέσεις εξάρτησης και τα αντίστοιχα μοντέλα, όπως τα γραφημάτα Bernoulli, τα δυαδικώς - ανεξάρτητα και τα τυχαία γραφήματα Markov. Επίσης, εξετάζουμε την ενσωμάτωση των χαρακτηριστικών, που μπορούν να έχουν οι κόμβοι, σε μοντέλα κοινωνικής επιλογής, δηλαδή, σε περιπτώσεις που οι συνδέσεις του γραφήματος μπορούν να προβλέψουν τα χαρακτηριστικά των κόμβων. Συνοψίζουμε κάποιες καινούργιες υποθέσεις εξάρτησης, που είναι πολυπλοκότερες των πρώτων τέτοιων υποθέσεων της σχετικής βιβλιογραφίας. Συζητούμε τις διαδικασίες της στατιστικής εκτίμησης, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των νέων μεθόδων για την εκτίμηση της μέγιστης πιθανοφάνειας Monte Carlo. Τέλος, παρουσιάζουμε τις νέες προδιαγραφές για μοντέλα εκθετικών τυχαίων γραφημάτων, που έχουν προτείνει οι Snijders et al., οι οποίες βελτιώνουν σημαντικά τα αποτελέσματα της προσαρμογής εμπειρικών δεδομένων για εκθετικά μοντέλα ομοιογενών τυχαίων γραφημάτων Markov. Επιπλέον, οι νέες αυτές προδιαγραφές μας βοηθούν να αποφύγουμε το πρόβλημα του σχεδόν-εκφυλισμού, που συχνά παρεμβάλλεται στη διαδικασία της προσαρμογής μοντέλων εκθετικών τυχαίων γραφημάτων Markov, ιδιαίτερα όταν αυτά προέρχονται από εμπειρικά δεδομένα, που έχουν υψηλό βαθμό μεταβατικότητας. Η μελέτη μιας τέτοιας νέας στατιστικής με υψηλότερης τάξης μεταβατικότητα επιτρέπει την εκτίμηση των παραμέτρων των μοντέλων των εκθετικών γραφημάτων σε πολλές (αλλά όχι όλες) περιπτώσεις, στις οποίες διαφορετικά θα ήταν αδύνατο να εκτιμηθούν οι παράμετροι των μοντέλων των ομοιογενών γραφημάτων Markov. Στο δεύτερο, τρίτο και τέταρτο κεφάλαιο της εργασίας εφαρμόζουμε τις παραπάνω μεθόδους, αντιστοίχως, για τρείς αναλύσεις εμπειρικών δεδομένων: το δίκτυο Florentine, το δίκτυο Faux Magnolia High και τα δίκτυα IPRED και SWPAT. Σε αυτά τα κεφάλαια, παρουσιάζουμε τις διαδικασίες της προσαρμογής, προσομοίωσης και διάγνωσης με παράθεση των αντίστοιχων εντολών, χρησιμοποιώντας τα πακέτα statnet - ermg και sna, τα οποία δουλεύουν στο περιβάλλον του πακέτου ελεύθερου λογισμικού R. Τέλος, στο παράρτημα της εργασίας δίνουμε μια σύντομη εισαγωγή στο περιβάλλον R και σε κάποιες γενικές εντολές αυτού. / This specific project has to do with mathematical statistical graph theory. Our main target is to fit, simulate and diagnose models through exponential random graph models. In the first chapter we give a short presentation of the problem and the theory of exponential random graph models. The main idea is to consider each tie of a given network (graph) as a random variable. The general form of an exponential random graph model is defined from some relative assumptions that have to do with the dependence between those random variables. We present some different dependence assumptions and the corresponding models, such as Bernoulli graphs, dyadic-independent and Markov random graphs. We also examine the incorporation of the characteristics that a node may have in social networks. We also discuss the process of statistical estimation, including three new methods for the estimation of Monte Carlo maximum likelihood. Finally, we present new specifications for exponential random graph models, which Snijders et al. have proposed. These new specifications allow us to avoid the problem of degeneration. In the second, third and fourth chapter we apply the above methods in order to analyze Florentine network data, Faux Magnolia High data and IPred And Swpat data. In those chapters, we present the procedures of fit, simulate and diagnose exponential random graph models displaying the corresponding commands of statnet-ergm and sna packages that work in R. Finally we give a short introduction to R and to some relative commands.