No description available.

Research projects in Optimality Theory tend to take a synchronic view of a particular generalisation, and set their standards for rigour in typological terms (see for example Suzuki 1998 on dissimilation, Crosswhite 2001 on vowel reduction). The goal of this thesis is to use Stratal OT to take a diachronic view of multiple generalisations within the morpho-phonology of one language, namely Latin, with the principal empirical aim of producing an analysis that is demonstrably true to all the attested facts of the generalisations in question. To that end, I have written PyOT, a computer program implementing the OT calculus and a theory of phonological representations, which I use in this work to model the histories of Lachmann’s Law, rhotacism and the phonologically conditioned allomorphy of the -alis/aris- suffix as active generalisations within the phonological component of the grammar. Appendix A gives the results of the computer model applied to a dataset consisting of 185 attested Latin forms, which suffice to illustrate the exact conditions of the generalisations in question. I show that producing a complete analysis of the three generalisations I have chosen to model entails analysis of other generalisations that interact with them, including the treatment of the Indo-European voiced aspirates in Latin (which interacts with rhotacism), and reduplication in forming perfect stems (which interacts with Lachmann’s Law). Constraint rankings sufficient to model these interactions, and consistent with the general conditions of the interacting generalisations have been included in the model. The intention is for this work to illustrate both the utility of formal phonological theory in advancing hypotheses within historical-comparative linguistics, and the potential of PyOT as a tool for producing Optimality-Theoretic models of (eventually) a language’s entire phonology.

Based on a Ph.D. thesis in the Dept. of Electrical Engineering, 1968. / Bibliography: p.73-74.

In this thesis, the learning of probabilistic relationships between stimulus-action pairs is investigated under the probability learning paradigm. The effect of reward is investigated in the first three experiments. Additionally, the effect of context and uncertainty is investigated in the second and third experiments, respectively. The fourth experiment is the replication of the second experiment with a group of Parkinson patients where the effect of dopamine medication on probability learning is studied. In Experiment 1, we replicate the classical probability learning task by comparing monetary and non-monetary reward feedback. Probability learning behavior is observed in both monetary and non-monetary rewarding feedback conditions. However, no significant difference between the monetary and non-monetary feedback conditions is observed. In Experiment 2, a variation of the probability learning task which includes irrelevant contextual information is applied. Probability learning behavior is observed, and a significant effect is found between monetary and non-monetary feedback conditions. In Experiment 3 / a probability learning task similar to that in Experiment 2 is applied, however, in this experiment, stimulus included relevant contextual information. As expected, due to the utilization of the relevant contextual information from the start of the experiment, no significant effect is found for probability learning behavior. The effect of uncertainty observed in this experiment is a replication of the reports in literature. Experiment 4 is identical to Experiment 2 / except that the subject population is a group of dopamine medicated Parkinson patients and a group of age matched controls. This experiment is introduced to test the suggestions in the literature regarding the enhancement effect of dopamine medication in probability learning based on positive feedback conditions. In Experiment 4, probability learning behavior is observed in both groups, but the difference in learning performance between Parkinson patients and controls was not significant, probably due to the low number of subject recruited in the experiment. In addition to these investigations, learning mechanisms are also examined in Experiments 1 and 4. Our results indicate that subjects initially search for patterns which lead to probability learning. At the end of Experiments 1 and 4, upon learning the winning frequencies, subjects change their behavior and demonstrate maximization behavior, which makes them prefer continuously one option over the other.

Probability learning is the ability to establish a relationship between stimulus and outcomes based on occurrence probabilities using repetitive feedbacks. Participants learn the task according to the cue-outcome relationship, and try to gain in depth understanding of this relationship throughout the experiment. While learning is at the highest level, people rely on their working memory. In this study 20 participants were presented a probability learning task, and their prefrontal cortex activity was measured with functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. It was hypothesized that as participants gain more knowledge of the probabilities they will learn cue-outcome relationships and therefore rely less on their working memory. Therefore as learning precedes a drop in the fNIRS signal is expected. We obtained results confirming our hypothesis: Significant negative correlation between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity and learning was found. Similarly, response time also decreased through the task, indicating that as learning precedes participants made decisions faster. Participants used either the frequency matching or the maximization strategy in order to solve the task in which they had to decide whether the blue or the red color was winning. When they use the frequency matching strategy they chose blue at the rate of winning for the blue choice. When they use the maximization strategy they chosed blue almost always. Our task was designed such that the frequency for blue to win was 80%. We had hypothesized that the people in frequency matching and maximization groups would show working memory differences which could be observed from the fNIRS signal. However, we were unable to detect this type of behavioral difference in the fNIRS signal. Overall, our study showed the relationship between probability learning and working memory as depicted by brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex which widely known as the central executive component of working memory.

The whole Mediterranean was a site of carbonate deposition during Miocene. Unlike other Miocene basins in the Mediteranean, the importance of Mut Basin lies in its tectonically undisturbed nature that provides excellent exposures to study sequence stratigraphic architecture and carbonate sedimentology. Opening of Mut Basin began during Oligocene / carbonate deposition started during Early Miocene. The pre-Miocene rocks are characterized by (from bottom to top), 1. ophiolites and Mesozoic limestones, 2. Eocene lacustrine limestones, 3. Burdigalian fluvial sandstones and conglomerates. The carbonate deposition began in Miocene, settling on the preexisting topography. Carbonates have been deposited in a ramp setting, where several sequences formed. The ramp was partly subaerially exposed during Early Miocene due to relative sea level fall / however, no significant lowstand deposits were developed. The subsequent sea level rise caused transgressive deposits to overlie this ramp sequence. The patch reefs on this ramp exhibit a keep-up type depositional setting. As the transgression continued, the basin topography controlled the type of depositional setting. Hence, a transition from ramp to reefal margin type setting occurred. In landward direction the topographically low areas became back reef lagoonal part of this reefal margin. A mature reefal environment formed during highstand times, which is characterized by a rich coral fauna / algal flora in the basinward side. Some of the patch reefs of the ramp transformed into pinnacle reefs. Diagenetic alterations are mostly related to duration and degree of sea level fall, and therefore related to sequence boundaries. The Miocene carbonates in the study area consist of six sequences which may be used for correlation with other Miocene carbonates of the Mediterranean region.

This thesis aims to discuss the concept of Assisted Reproduction Technology and its social and affective impacts. Women will be at the center of this research as it has been thought that emotional stressors are mostly effective on them. In the present work, an investigation will be carried out among women who have used assisted reproduction technology methods and women who are able to reproduce and conceive &ldquo / naturally&rdquo / . The comparison of these two groups will illuminate problematical aspects of assisted reproduction technology. The research will be based on two sets of questionnaires designed for each group of women. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data were used. These analyses will not only lead us to compare infertile and fertile women&rsquo / s responses and evaluate the consequences of emergent assisted reproduction technology but also to assess its social and emotional impacts.

Memoria (para optar al grado de magíster en derecho mención en derecho penal) / El contrato simulado como modalidad de comisión de delitos y no como delito independiente -- El delito del Artículo 466 del Código Penal. Otorgamiento de contrato simulado en perjuicio de los acreedores como modalidad comisiva de insolvencia punible -- El delito del Artículo 471 No. 2. Otorgamiento de contrato simulado en perjuicio de otro como modalidad comisiva de defraudación

Cloning of trees using somatic embryogenesis could have a major impact on tree breeding and commercial plantation forestry. To initiate somatic embryogenesis in Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold. subspecies pallasiana), one-year old cones containing immature seeds were collected from eight trees located in METU campus, Ankara. Embryogenic tissues were derived from immature zygotic embryos excised from the seeds. The zygotic embryos at the time of collection were at the precotyledonary stage of development. For this study, Douglas-fir cotyledon revised medium (DCR) supplemented with 13.6&micro / M 2,4-D, 2.2&micro / M BAP, 0.5 g/L casein hydrolysate, 0.25 g/L L-glutamine and 3% sucrose was used. The media was solidified with 0.2% gelrite. Embryogenic tissue initiation was calculated for each genotype and collection date. Overall initiation frequencies were recorded as 0.92% for 2004 and 1.96% for 2005. Highest initiation frequency was calculated for 5-July 2005 sampling time (4.06). ANOVA revealed significant differences between trees and collection date for initiation frequencies. Also, ECL (Established cell lines) recorded after five subcultures. Overall, 0.38% and 0.62% of the initial explants were converted into ECLs for 2004 and 2005 respectively.

In vitro micropropagation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) by using direct and indirect organogenesis was the aim of this study. Also, the effect of plant growth regulators on growth parameters, such as corm production, sprouting time and germination ratio were investigated in ex vitro conditions. For in vitro regeneration of saffron, the effects of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) were tested initially. It was observed that 0,25 mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L BAP combination was superior for indirect organogenesis while 1 mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L BAP combination was favorable for direct organogenesis. During the improvement of direct organogenesis experiments, BAP (1 mg/L) without 2,4-D stimulated further shoot development. For adventitious corm and root induction, NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) and BAP combinations were tested. Although a few corm formations were achieved, root development was not observed with these treatments. Further experiments with the culture medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and 5% sucrose was effective on obtaining contractile root formation and increasing corm number. As a result, the overall efficiency was calculated as 59.26% for contractile root formation, 35.19% for corm formation and 100% for shoot development. In ex vitro studies, 50 mg/L IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) , 50 mg/L kinetin and 200 mg/L GA3 (gibberellic acid) were used. These applications were not as efficient as expected on assessed growth parameters.