Due to rapidly growing population of Ankara city (Turkey) and traffic load, it is required to widen some of the existing highways. One of them is Ankara-EskiSehir (E-90) highway that connects highly populated areas to the city center. During widening, several cut slopes were formed along the highway route. However, some instability problems such as small-sized rock falls and rock detachments have occurred along a cut slope in highly jointed, folded and sheared limestone. They caused local degradation of the cut slope. The cut slope has a slope angle varying from 71&deg / to 84&deg / and contains several shear zones. In this study, the relationships between the existing detachment zones and various parameters (e.g. block size, point load strength index, weathering, shear zone, daylight zone) considered to be important for slope instability were investigated using GIS-based statistical landslide susceptibility analyses in order to predict the further aerial extension of the detachment zones with time. During the overlay analyses, statistical index and weighting factor methods were used by means of TNT-MIPS software. The outcomes of the analyses using both methods are compared and evaluated together with the field observations to check the reliability of the methods and to assess the detachment zones that may develop in the future. Additionally, limit equilibrium analyses were also carried out for the determination of the possible large scale mass failures. The overlay analyses indicate some risky zones where detachments are likely to occur in the future. On the other hand, the limit equilibrium analysis of the rock mass using Bishop simplified method shows that except one section no mass failure is expected in the cut slope. Suitable remediation measures which include the use of wire mesh, shotcrete, toe support, and concrete barrier blocks or catch/barrier fences are recommended for these zones.

The Eldivan ophiolite, in the Ankara Mélange, represents the remnant of an ocean basin that developed in the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan Ocean and collapsed the form the İzmir -Ankara-Erzincan suture zone (İAESZ) through continental block collision. Whole-rock and mineral geochemical evidence show supra-subduction zone tectonomagmatic affinity for the ophiolite, revealing this basin formed in the upper plate of an intra-oceanic subduction zone. Detrital zircon from the ophiolitic mélange sandstone and the overlying Karadağ Formation suggest the ophiolites maximum age is 143.2 (±2) Ma, and the overlying Karadağ Formation is 105.2 (±5) Ma. The angular unconformity between the ophiolite and Karadağ formation reveal that the Eldivan ophiolite was imbricated between 105.2 (±5) Ma and 143.2 (±2) Ma. Petrographic analysis of sandstone from the ophiolitic mélange reveals a source terrain of a volcanic arc rather than a continental source. Structural restoration of the sheeted dike complex reveals the back or intra-arc spreading ridge of the Eldivan ophiolite as NE-SW, oblique to the Sakarya-Pontide continental margin. Three phases of evolution for the Eldivan ophiolite are constrained by complied age data: a constructional, destructional, and suturing phase. The evolution is similar the Philippine Sea Plate and Mariana Trough and fits well within the framework of other eastern Mediterranean Tethyan ophiolites.

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND CONSUMPTION PROFILES OF ANKARA: A CASE STUDY IN ANKARA RESIDENTIAL AREAS This dissertation attempts to develop a social stratification model considering its spatial dimension for the households in the city of Ankara. The spatiality of social class has rarely been in the agenda of scholars and has not been explored empirically. For this reason, the study aims to test the hypothesis that social segregation in Turkish cities is empirically measurable and manifests itself in the common patterns of behaviours and similar conditioning of existence in the urban space. The focus of attention of the thesis is based on the relationship between the material inequalities of different social strata within its territorial context. If a class becomes a social reality, this must be shown in the formation of common patterns of behaviour and attitude, and manifests itself in urban space. In short the scope of the study is a twofold: Thesis questions are: (1) how and upon what basis social groups and strata can be located in the economic and socio-cultural structure of the society. This part of the study deals with the objective &amp / #8216 / &amp / #8217 / set&amp / #8217 / &amp / #8217 / of criteria / thesis question (2) whether the same coherency can be coincided in the space. This part deals with the analysis of the spatial dimension of social &amp / #8216 / &amp / #8217 / class&amp / #8217 / &amp / #8217 / which means segregation. Thesis findings provide sufficient evidence that the differences stemmed from the material possessions and consumption patterns of the urban households cannot be understood by employing the conventional instruments as such rural/urban, traditional/modern as the division of axes. New conceptualisation urgently is needed and consumption studies offer prospective and highly potential issue.

In dieser Arbeit wurden Vektorimpfstoffe auf der Basis rekombinanter Vacciniaviren hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zur Immunisierung gegen Infektionen mit Respiratorischen Synzytialviren (RSV) untersucht. Hierfür standen genetisches Material und Viruspräparationen des Respiratorischen Synzytialvirus des Rindes (BRSV, Stamm Odijk) sowie des Respiratorischen Synzytialvirus des Menschen (HRSV, Subtyp A2) sowie rekombinante Vacciniaviren MVA-HRSV-F bzw. MVA-HRSV-G zur Verfügung. Rekombinante MVA-Viren, welche die Gene der BRSV-Oberflächenproteine G und F (MVA-BRSV-F, MVA-BRSV-G, MVA-BRSV-Gneu), sowie Viren in welchen die Fremdgensequenzen durch Deletion wieder entfernt sind (Revertante Viren MVA-∆BRSV-F und MVA-∆BRSV-G), wurden gentechnologisch hergestellt. Alle rekombinanten MVA-Viren wurden molekular-virologisch charakterisiert und dienten zur Gewinnung und Prüfung von Testimpfstoffen im Tiermodell. Die Untersuchungen zeigen: 1. Alle neu konstruierten rekombinanten MVA-BRSV-Viren produzierten nach Infektion von Zellkulturen die erwünschten Zielantigene, die BRSV-Glykoproteine F und G. Für das durch MVA-Expression hergestellte BRSV-F-Glykoprotein konnte außerdem die biologische Funktionalität in einem Fusionstest in infizierten HeLa-Zellen nachgewiesen werden. 2. Die Charakterisierung der Genome aller MVA-BRSV- sowie MVA-HRSV-Vektorviren bestätigte die exakte Insertion der Fremdgensequenzen im anvisierten Genombereich und zeigte die genetische Stabilität der Virusisolate nach Passagierung. 3. Bei der Untersuchung des Wachstumsverhaltens von MVA-BRSV-F und MVA-BRSV-G zeigte sich die eingeschränkte Vermehrungsfähigkeit des Virus MVA-BRSV-G. Die Konstruktion und Untersuchung der revertanten Viren MVA-∆BRSV-F und MVA-∆BRSV-G belegte die Koproduktion des G-Proteins als Ursache des verminderten Replikationsvermögens. Dieser für ein mögliches Impfvirus erhebliche Nachteil konnte durch die Verwendung eines moderateren Vacciniavirus-Promotors zur Fremdgenexpression (rekombinantes Virus MVA-BRSV-Gneu) behoben werden. 4. Die Prüfung von Testimpfstoffen auf der Grundlage der rekombinanten MVA-HRSV-Viren in einem Maus-HRSV-Infektionsmodell zeigte, dass MVA-HRSV-Impfstoffe, im Gegensatz zu Impfstoffen aus mit Formalin-inaktiviertem HRSV, Immunantworten mit einem ausgewogenen TH1/TH2-assoziierten Zytokinprofil induzierten. Eine infolge von Immunisierung verstärkte Einwanderung eosinophiler Zellen (Marker für Immunpathogenese) in die Lungen HRSV-infizierter Tiere, konnte nach MVA-Impfung nicht beziehungsweise in nur sehr geringem Ausmaß festgestellt werden (OLSZEWSKA et al. 2004). 5. Wichtige erste Daten hinsichtlich der Verträglichkeit, Immunogenität und Schutzwirkung rekombinanter Impfstoffe auf der Basis von MVA-BRSV-F und MVA-BRSV-G konnten in einem Kälber BRSV-Infektionsmodell erhoben werden. Die zweimalige Immunisierung mit MVA-Impfstoff verlief bei allen Tieren ohne feststellbare Nebenwirkungen und die Anregung Vaccinia- bzw. BRSV-F-spezifischer Antikörper bestätigte die Immunogenität der Vektorvakzinen. Schließlich belegten klinische Daten, insbesondere die fehlende Fieberreaktion bei Impflingen nach BRSV-Belastungsinfektion, die Schutzwirkung der MVA-BRSV-Impfstoffe. Insgesamt unterstützen die erzielten Ergebnisse dieser Arbeiten die weitere präklinische und klinische Untersuchung von MVA-Vektorimpfstoffen zur wirksameren und sichereren Bekämpfung von Infektionen mit Respiratorischen Synzytialviren. / This study investigated vector vaccines based on recombinant vaccinia virus MVA for their suitability to immunize against infections with respiratory syncytial viruses. Genetic material and virus stocks of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV, Strain Odijk) and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV, Strain A2) and recombinant vaccinia viruses MVA-HRSV-F and MVA-HRSV-G were provided and used in this study. The project work included the genetical engineering of recombinant MVA expressing gene sequences encoding the BRSV surface proteins G and F (MVA-BRSV-F, MVA-BRSV-G, MVA-BRSV-Gneu) and the secondary generation of mutant viruses in which recombinant gene sequences have been removed (revertant viruses MVA-∆BRSV-F, MVA-∆BRSV-G). All recombinant MVA were carefully characterized in in vitro experiments and served for generation of vaccine preparations being tested in animal model systems. The investigations demonstrate: 1. All recombinant MVA-BRSV viruses produced the target antigens (BRSV-F and -G proteins) upon tissue culture infections. Functional activity of BRSV-F protein was demonstrated in a cell fusion assay using virus-infected HeLa cells. 2. The characterization of the genomes of all MVA recombinant viruses confirmed the correct insertion of foreign gene sequences into the target site of the MVA genome and demonstrated the genetic stability of the vector viruses upon tissue culture passage. 3. In vitro studies on virus growth revealed a reduced replicative capacity of the recombinant virus MVA-BRSV-G. Construction and growth analysis of revertant viruses MVA-∆BRSV-F and MVA-∆BRSV-G demonstrated that over expression of BRSV-G protein caused this replication deficiency which could be avoided by using a more moderate vaccinia virus promoter for transcriptional control of recombinant gene expression (recombinant virus MVA-BRSV-Gneu). 4. Upon characterization in a mouse-HRSV challenge model candidate vaccines based on recombinant MVA-HRSV viruses, in contrast to formalin inactivated HRSV, and induced a well balanced TH1 and TH2 cytokine profile. In addition, none of the MVA-HRSV-F vaccinated animals and only two of the MVA-HRSV-G immunized mice showed low-level eosinophilia in the lungs after HRSV challenge infection (OLSZEWSKA et al. 2004). 5. Vaccination experiments in the calf-BRSV challenge model generated first relevant data on safety, immunogenicity and protective capacity of MVA-BRSV recombinant vaccines. The repeated application of MVA vaccine was well tolerated by all vaccinated animals and the induction of vaccinia- and BRSV-F-specific antibody responses confirmed the immunogenicity of the MVA vector vaccines. Moreover, clinical data (lack of fever response in vaccines) suggested the protective capacity of MVA-BRSV immunization upon BRSV challenge. The obtained results from these studies clearly support further preclinical and clinical evaluation of recombinant MVA candidate vaccines to immunize against disease caused by RSV infections in cattle and humans.

Urban green spaces are one of the layers of urban pattern. The urban environment is created through the complex relationships between natural, social, economic, and politic dynamics. Similar to the urban environment, as a produced landscape, characteristics of urban green spaces vary according to the social, economic, cultural and ecological context of urban society. In the last few decades, the &ldquo / quality of urban life target&rdquo / included in the sustainability approach, has became an important touchstone to increase the quality of urban environment in today&rsquo / s world / with its tendencies of covering of perpetual subjective values and in addition to objective conditions to identify &ldquo / individual&rsquo / s satisfaction&rdquo / as a target the by, of keeping its evaluation scope broad and holistic, and of deriving supporting the daily life practices which derive from participatory processes. Among the quality of life perspective, urban green spaces are interpretated in a holistic and broad framework in boundaries of their contributions to the inhabitants&rsquo / well-being through their physical, social, economic and ecological links with life in a broad scale spectrum ranging from individual level to city scale. In today&rsquo / s urban environment, Ankara&rsquo / s urban green spaces are planned by the responsible agents within a narrow framework / separated from urban and urban life, lacked of this multi-scale and multi-dimensional perspective, stucked in the sectoral targets of institutions. At this point, the study identifies the priorities and conditions to re-establish a well-functioned planning process for the green spaces of Ankara with a particular attention to quality of life.

This thesis investigates the effects of urban land use on transportation system performance in terms of various land use factors such as density, mixed or single land use, jobs-housing balance, street patterns, transit accessibility. Reviewed studies show that urban land use has considerable effects on transportation system performance measures which are average travel distances per person, level of service, air quality, gasoline consumption etc. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that one of the basic reasons behind increasing auto dependency and outcoming problems in recent years is lack of coordination between land use and transportation system. The obtained results are used to analyze land use impacts on transportation system of Ankara. Urban transportation planning decisions, deficiencies in implementation and resulted problems are discussed in terms of land use and transportation interaction. Possible land use regulations which can contribute to relieve transportation problems of Ankara are proposed.

The realization of planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of water supply systems pictures one of the largest infrastructure projects of municipalities / water distribution networks should be designed very meticulously. Genetic algorithm is an optimization method that is based on natural evolution and is used for the optimization of water distribution networks. Genetic algorithm is comprised of operators and the operators affect the performance of the algorithm. Although these operators are related with parameters, not much attention has been given for the determination of these parameters for this specific field of water distribution networks. This study represents a novel methodology, which investigates the parameters of the algorithm for different networks. The developed computer program is applied to three networks. Two of these networks are well known examples from the literature / the third network is a pressure zone of Ankara water distribution network. It is found out that, the parameters of the algorithm are related with the network, the case to be optimized and the developed computer program. The pressure penalty constant value varied depending on the pipe costs and the network characteristics. The mutation rate is found to vary in a range of [0.0075 &ndash / 0.0675] for three networks. Elitism rate is determined as the minimum value for the corresponding population size. Crossover probability is found to vary in a range of [0.5 &ndash / 0.9]. The methodology should be applied to determine the appropriate parameter set of genetic algorithm for each optimization study. Using the method described, fairly well results are obtained.

The present study aims to investigate the composition of historical plasters to get information about their material characteristics and their technology. Plaster samples were obtained from four Ankara Citadel houses built in late Ottoman period. In order to determine the raw material characteristics and mineralogical properties of plasters / chemical analyses, optical observation of cross sections, petrographic analyses of thin sections, elemental analyses by ICP-OES, X-ray powder diffraction analyses for the determination of mineral phases, thermogravimetric analyses and FTIR analyses were carried out. Interpretation of all the analytical examination was used to understand the composition and unique character of plaster samples studied. Observation of thin sections revealed more plaster layers than those observed in cross sections. Up to twelve layers could be observed with different colours, such as blue, red, yellow, green, white and brown. Generally, thicknesses of white plaster layers were found to be thicker than the others. In two samples, two black boundaries between plaster layers were identified which could be an indication of the use of asphalt for isolation purposes, like dampness proofing or heat insulation. Soluble salt contents of the plaster samples were in the range 3.04%-9.22%, with an average being 6.62%. The anions identified were Cl-, SO42-. In few samples, PO43-, NO2- and NO3- were found. Binder was found to be lime and gypsum. The amount of binder in terms of total calcium oxide, CaO, was found to be in the range of 33.5-43.6%, with an average being 37.9%. Amount of aggregate was about 62.1% as average. The main minerals identified in plaster samples were calcite and gypsum. Gypsum might be added to increase the strength of the plaster. Beside calcite and gypsum, quartz and pozzolanic activity related mineral, Opal-A, were found in some of the samples. In red plaster layers hematite mineral was also identified. Other colour effective elements were found to be Fe, Sb, Mn, Cu, Cr and Ni. Presence of organic additives was observed but clear identification was not established.

The aim of this study is to find some indications about social exclusion in some neighbourhoods in Ankara. Social exclusion has increasingly gained importance as a concept in contemporary social sciences. To attain this aim, firstly, a theoretical framework, through which theories of the concept of social exclusion, main dynamics and differences of this concept from the concept of poverty were discussed. Secondly, a field work was carried out in some squatter settlements in Ankara known as &ldquo / poor&rdquo / , to see whether there is social exclusion perceived and lived, by analysing recent immigrants&rsquo / daily life experiences of urban poverty and social exclusion. In this study, a qualitative approach formed the basis and in-depth interview were collected. The in-depth interviews were realized with 8 men, as heads of households, and 7 women, as spouses of heads of households, living in squatter settlements in Ankara in February and March 2007. All interviews were recorded and transcribed for the analysis Since De Haan&rsquo / s (1998) theory of social exclusion shaped the theoretical fame, his methodology and operationalization of social exclusion&rsquo / s multi-dimensionality were adapted in an attempt to identify experiences and &ldquo / examples&rdquo / of excluded and processes forming their exclusions. In conclusion, two main indicators&rsquo / , gender and ethnicity, impacts on the respondents&rsquo / experiences and perceptions of social exclusion appeared as follows: Gender has not appeared as a striking indicator that makes women perceive themselves as excluded. The reason for this has to be seen in the fact that do not have had any serious experiences of social exclusion. They did not mention any conditions of exclusion in terms of economic, social, cultural and political participation in the society that would lead to the experience of exclusion or to a perception of themselves as excluded. The recent women migrants interviewed have a very limited social interaction and direct participation in the social and local life. A reason might be seen in the existing patriarchal system still controlling gender roles in general and a lack of trust of the interviewed women migrants towards their social environment. Ethnicity, however, as an indicator has more determining effects on the respondents&rsquo / experiences of exclusion and on their perception of being excluded. Forcibly migrated Kurdish respondents&rsquo / experiences after migration to Ankara indicate that, their ethnic identity is a dynamic factor since: first, it results in exclusion from economic and social domains of life, though it does not make them be the &ldquo / poorest&rdquo / second, it makes them perceive themselves as excluded from these domains. Thus, at the last stage, it leads them into a kind of &ldquo / isolation&rdquo / from society, as response to exclusive attitudes of the society. In reaction they form ethnic based &ldquo / semi-isolated communities&rdquo / which can be described as: strong ethnic and familial/kinship-ties determining their social, cultural, economic life and also their geographical living spaces.

Housing price studies is the first step of housing market analysis. Prices are determined at the intersection point of supply and demand curves, which determine equilibrium point that represents equilibrium price and quantity level. At a point in time demand factors are more important in determining the prices because short-run supply curve is almost vertical. However, in the long run supply of housing, and its certain attributes, will increase if price premium arises in the previous periods. In most of the studies, house prices are analyzed by using hedonic price index technique, which enables us to have information about the demand side of housing sector. In the hedonic price framework, heterogeneous goods are considered as aggregations of characteristics, and implicit marginal prices for these characteristics are calculated. When &lsquo / Hedonic Price Analysis&rsquo / is applied to the housing sector, it shows us the price of each housing attribute and gives information about the preferences and willingness to pay of the people for each attribute. Therefore, at the end of such an analysis it is possible to see which attributes are valued most by house buyers in the city. The aim of this thesis is to reveal the implicit prices of housing attributes in the housing market of Ankara, for the year 2006, with the purpose of gaining more information about the demand side of the housing sector. For this purpose, hedonic pricing method is used with the data that are extracted from appraisal reports which include information about main attributes and estimated price of each dwelling unit.