This thesis investigates the significant factors affecting municipal solid waste (MSW) generation in Turkey. For this purpose, both spatial and non-spatial tech&not / niques are utilized. Non-spatial technique is ordinary least squares (OLS) regression while spatial techniques employed are simultaneous spatial autoregression (SAR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). The independent variables include socio-economic, demographic and climatic indicators. The results show that nearer provinces tend to have similar solid waste generation rate. Moreover, it is shown that the effects of independent variables vary among provinces. It is demonstrated that educational status and unemployment are significant factors of waste generation in Turkey.

ABSTRACT A GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR p-HUB CENTER PROBLEM WITH STOCHASTIC SERVICE LEVEL CONSTRAINTS Eraslan Demirci, S&uuml / kran M.Sc., Department of Industrial Engineering Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Sedef Meral December 2010, 170 pages The emphasis on minimizing the costs and travel times in a network of origins and destinations has led the researchers to widely study the hub location problems in the area of location theory in which locating the hub facilities and designing the hub networks are the issues. The p-hub center problem considering these issues is the subject of this study. p-hub center problem with stochastic service level constraints and a limitation on the travel times between the nodes and hubs is addressed, which is an uncapacitated, single allocation problem with a complete hub network. Both a mathematical model and a genetic algorithm are proposed for the problem. We discuss the general framework of the genetic algorithm as well as the problem-specific components of algorithm. The computational studies of the proposed algorithm are realized on a number of problem instances from Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) data set and Turkish network data set. The computational results indicate that the proposed genetic algorithm gives satisfactory results when compared with the optimum solutions and solutions obtained with other heuristic methods.

In this thesis, transverse vibration of a cracked beam on an elastic foundation and the effect of crack and foundation parameters on transverse vibration natural frequencies are studied. Analytical formulations are derived for a beam with rectangular cross section. The crack is an open type edge crack placed in the medium of the beam and it is uniform along the width of the beam. The cracked beam rests on an elastic foundation. The beam is modeled by two different beam theories, which are Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and Timoshenko beam theory. The effect of the crack is considered by representing the crack by rotational springs. The compliance of the spring that represents the crack is obtained by using fracture mechanics theories. Different foundation models are discussed / these models are Winkler Foundation, Pasternak Foundation, and generalized foundation. The equations of motion are derived by applying Newton&#039 / s 2nd law on an infinitesimal beam element. Non-dimensional parameters are introduced into equations of motion. The beam is separated into pieces at the crack location. By applying the compatibility conditions at the crack location and boundary conditions, characteristic equation whose roots give the non-dimensional natural frequencies is obtained. Numerical solutions are done for a beam with square cross sectional area. The effects of crack ratio, crack location and foundation parameters on transverse vibration natural frequencies are presented. It is observed that existence of crack reduces the natural frequencies. Also the elastic foundation increases the stiffness of the system thus the natural frequencies. The natural frequencies are also affected by the location of the crack.

Stroke, a major cause of death and disability, is described as interruption or severe reduction of blood flow in cerebral arteries. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis is a risk factor for stroke. Combination of multiple environmental and genetic risk factors is thought to increase susceptibility to the development of this disease. Therefore, investigation of the polymorphisms of drug metabolizing enzymes is of crucial importance to determine the molecular etiology of the disease. The main objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between polymorphisms of enzymes causing oxidative stress (CYP2E1, FMO3 and NOS3) and enzymes protecting against oxidative stress (GST and NQO1), and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke risk. The study population consisted of 245 unrelated ischemic stroke patients and 145 healthy control subjects. There was no statistically difference between the patient and control groups in terms of age and gender. Hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity were found to be at least 2 times more common in stroke patients than controls. While total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol level were higher in stroke patients, HDL-cholesterol level was lower in stroke patients when compared to controls. In the case-control analyses for the risk of ischemic stroke, CYP2E1*5B mutant allele, *5B was found to be associated with the development of disease (Odds Ratio / OR=7.876, 95%CI=1.025-60.525, P=0.019). In addition, significant difference was observed between stroke patients and controls with respect to CYP2E1*5B genotype distribution (OR=0.869, 95%CI=1.044-62.339, P=0.017). On the other hand, in the NQO1*2 polymorphism, together with NQO1 heterozygote (*1*2), NQO1 homozygote mutant (*2*2) genotype was found protective against ischemic stroke (OR=0.627, 95%CI=0.414-0.950, P=0.027). The risk of hypertensive individuals having stroke was highest in the FMO3 472GA group (OR=6.110, P=0.000). In diabetics, GSTP1 313AG genotype was found to be the highest risk factor for stroke (OR=3.808 P=0.001). On the other hand, NQO1 *1*2 heterozygote genotype was associated with 5 times increased risk for stroke in smokers (OR=5.000, P=0.000). In addition GSTM1 present genotype constituted 8 times increased stroke risk in obese individuals (OR=8.068, P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and smoking were significant risk factors for stroke. On the other hand, HDL-cholesterol and having NQO1 *1*2 heterozygote genotype were found to be protective factors against stroke.

ABSTRACT A LABORATORY MODEL STUDY ON SETTLEMENT REDUCTION Effect OF STONE COLUMNS IN SOFT CLAY S&uuml / nnetcioglu, Mehmet Emrah M.Sc., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ufuk Ergun August 2012, 177 pages An experimental study was conducted in order to examine settlement reduction ratios of footing supported by both floating and end bearing type of stone columns. For the floating types, tests were done with varying column lengths of one and two widths of footing (L=B,2B). Tests were conducted in 200 mm* 200 mm* 200 mm cubic loading tanks. The reinforcement effect was achieved by the installation of four stone columns with 20 mm diameter under 70 mm* 70mm model footing. Parameters such as area replacement ratio (a_s), loading plate dimensions, consolidation and vertical pressures applied, and the relative density (D_R) of the granular column were kept constant, the column length (L) was set as the only variable in the experimental tests conducted. In the tests, footing settlements together with subsurface settlements at depths equal to footing width (B) and two times the footing width (2B) were measured by specially designed telltales. The settlement reduction ratios both at surface and subsurface were evaluated in order to determine the effect of column length on settlement improvement. It has been found out that as the column length increases the settlement reduction ratios decrease for all depth intervals. However, there exists a threshold column length (L=2B), beyond which the composite ground demonstrates little settlement improvement.

Le vote pour le mouvement réformateur est-il un vote pour la démocratie ? Dans ce mémoire, nous avons mis à l’épreuve l’hypothèse selon laquelle le caractère plus démocratique des partis associés au mouvement réformateur tend automatiquement à attirer les électeurs plus démocrates. Pour ce faire, nous avons utilisé des données de sondage qui nous ont aidés à dégager les attitudes et les caractéristiques des électeurs et à les mettre en relation avec leur vote. Ainsi, nous avons dressé le portrait de l’électorat iranien et nous en avons mis en évidence les caractéristiques sociodémographiques déterminant le vote. Nos résultats montrent que, conformément à nos hypothèses et à l’interprétation générale qui est faite des élections iraniennes, l’âge et le niveau d’éducation présentent une corrélation avec le choix électoral dans le sens attendu, qui prévoit qu’un électorat plus jeune et plus éduqué vote pour le mouvement réformateur. En revanche, en ce qui concerne le sexe et le degré d’urbanisation, nos résultats vont à l’encontre de nos hypothèses et des suppositions liées au comportement électoral en Iran. Nous démontrons que les femmes sont en réalité plus nombreuses à voter pour le mouvement conservateur et que les choix électoraux des habitants des villes et de ceux des villages ne diffèrent pas. Nous avons également vérifié la relation entre les attitudes et le vote. Nos résultats révèlent que les électeurs ayant une attitude plus positive envers la démocratie, reconnaissant plus de droits aux femmes, moins religieux et économiquement plus libéraux, sont plus nombreux à voter pour le mouvement réformateur. Nous reconnaissons, en conclusion, l’impact des attitudes envers la démocratie sur le choix électoral en Iran ainsi que l’effet d’autres attitudes liées à l’égalité, à la religion et à l’économie. Nous affirmons surtout que ces attitudes départagent aussi bien, sinon mieux, la population iranienne par rapport à ses choix électoraux que les caractéristiques telles que le sexe ou le degré d’urbanisation. / Is voting for the reform movement in Iran tantamount to voting for democracy? It is conceived that the more democratic characteristics of the reformist political parties in Iran; automatically provide them with the support of the more democratically oriented voters. In this thesis, we put this theory to the test. To do so, we use survey data (World Values Survey 2001) to identify voters’ attitudes and attributes in relation to their vote choice. We first depict the Iranian electorate by exploring the sociodemographic determinants of their vote. Only some of our hypothesis based on the general understandings and mainstream analysis of elections in Iran are validated. Age and education seem to have an impact in vote choice. Younger and more educated voters tend to vote in bigger numbers for the reformist movement. Contrary to our assumptions though, women tend to vote more for the conservative movement and urbanism has no effect on the vote. Then, in order to answer the initial question of this research we study the correlation between the respondents’ attitudes and their votes. We demonstrate that a positive attitude toward democracy, according equal rights to women, a lower level of religiosity, and economic liberalism are all positively correlated with a vote in favour of the reformist movement. We therefore illustrate the importance of the attitudes, particularly those toward democracy, in the electoral behaviour of Iranian voters. We also point out the impact of other attitudinal factors concerning equality, religion and economy. Our results tend to indicate that these factors are at least just as useful that factors such as sex or urbanism, into portraying the stratification of the Iranian society with regards to its vote choice.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of conceptual change oriented instruction accompanied by demonstrations and gender on tenth grade students&rsquo / understanding of gases concepts, and attitudes toward chemistry. Hundred tenth grade students from two classes taught by the same teacher in a public high school were enrolled in the study in the Fall semester of 2003-2004. Control group students were taught by traditionally designed chemistry instruction (TI), while experimental group students were instructed by conceptual change oriented instruction accompanied by demonstrations (CCID). Gases Concept Test and Attitude Scale toward Chemistry were administered to both groups as a pre-test and post-test to assess the students understanding of gases concepts and students&rsquo / attitudes toward chemistry, respectively. Science Process Skills Test was given at the beginning of the study to determine students&rsquo / science process skills. Learning Style Inventory was also given to all students to determine their learning styles. After treatment, interviews were conducted with the teacher and several students from the two groups. The hypotheses were tested by using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that CCID caused significantly better acquisition of the scientific conceptions related to gases than TI. There was no significant effect of the treatment on the students&rsquo / attitudes toward chemistry. No significant effect of gender difference on students&rsquo / understanding the concepts about gases and students&rsquo / attitudes toward chemistry was found. Science process skill was determined as a strong predictor in understanding the concepts related to gases.

This thesis studies interactions between coupled acoustic domain(s) and enclosing rigid or elastic boundary. Boundary element-finite element (BE-FE) sound-structure interaction models are developed by coupling frequency domain BE acoustic and FE structural models using linear inviscid acoustic and elasticity theories. Flexibility in analyses is provided by discontinuous triangular and quadrilateral elements in the BE method (BEM), and a rectangular plate and a triangular shell element in the FE method (FEM). An analytical formulation is developed for an extended fundamental sound-structure interaction problem that involves locally reacting sound absorptive treatment on interior elastic boundary. This new formulation is built upon existing analytical solutions for a configuration known as the cavity-backed-plate problem. Results from developed analytical formulation are compared against those from independent BE-FE analyses. Analytical and BE-FE analysis results for a selection of cavity-plate(s) interaction cases are given. Single- and multi-domain BE analyses of cavity-Helmholtz resonator interaction are provided as an alternative to modal method of acoustoelasticity. A discrete-form of the existing BE acoustic particle velocity formulation is presented and demonstrated on a basic case study. Both the existing and the discretized BE acoustic particle velocity formulations could be utilized in acoustic studies. A selection of case studies involving fundamental configurations are studied both analytically and computationally (by BE or BE-FE methods). These studies could provide a basis for benchmark case development in the field of acoustics.

Les études sur la migration des personnes provenant des pays en voie de développement utilisent souvent des approches macro-économiques où l’on décrit le fondement de la décision des émigrants de quitter leur pays natal à partir de critères économiques. Après avoir observé que plusieurs Brésiliens à Montréal invoquaient souvent d’autres raisons pour expliquer leur migration, nous avons choisi de concentrer notre recherche sur ses aspects. Les Brésiliens appartenant à la classe moyenne décident souvent de migrer à Montréal afin d’avoir un mode de vie différent de celui qu'ils connaissaient au Brésil, c'est-à-dire trouver l'équilibre entre la vie privée et professionnelle. Ainsi, le but de cette recherche était de savoir, entre autres, quels étaient les aspects pris en considération lors de la décision de migrer et si leurs priorités ont changé après l'arrivée à Montréal. En nous concentrant sur le cas de Brésiliens dont la migration est davantage liée à un désir de changement de valeurs, nous proposons une approche différente de celles qui estiment que la recherche de gains financiers constitue la principale motivation de ces migrants. / Studies on the migration of people from developing countries often use macroeconomic approaches that describe the basis for emigrants’ decision to leave their native land in economic terms. I found that many Brazilians in Montreal often invoked other kinds of reasons for their migration, and so I focus on these in the thesis. Middle-class Brazilians often decide to migrate to Montreal in order to have a way of life different from what they knew in Brazil, to find a balance between personal and professional life. The purpose of this research is to find out, among other things, what factors affected their decision to migrate and whether their priorities changed after arriving in Montreal. This study uses the lifestyle migration approach and seeks to disprove the supposition that Brazilians migrating to Montreal is only for financial gain.

Cette recherche s’interroge sur la manifestation du nationalisme, en tant qu’idéologie politique, dans les espaces publics, surtout dans un contexte où l'État, le gouvernement et les partis politiques sont des entités imbriquées. Il est soutenu qu’un parti politique peut promouvoir une idéologie nationale dans sa construction des espaces publics. Grâce à une étude de trois projets de construction promus par l’AKP depuis son arrivée au pouvoir en Turquie en 2002, c’est-à-dire le Musée Panorama 1453, le pont Yavuz Selim Sultan et la mosquée de Çamlıca, l’analyse soutient la construction d’une idéologie néo-ottomane. Si cette idéologie ne rompt pas complètement de l’identité turque comme distincte du monde arabe, elle diverge néanmoins du sécularisme kémaliste promu lors de la première République. L’idéologie hégémonique turque promouvoit désormais une plus grande emphase sur le passé ottoman, sur la visibilité de la religion islamique dans les espaces publics et un retour en force d’Istanbul, l’ancienne capitale ottomane. Pour parvenir à cette conclusion suite à un court séjour de terrain, des photographies ont été prises afin d’illustrer le propos. S’il s’avère que tous les espaces ne sont pas égaux en matière de symbolisme, aucun des espaces étudiés ne s’est avéré neutre de sens. / This research focuses on the manifestation of nationalism, as political ideology, in public spaces. It is argued that a political party can promote a national ideology in its construction of public spaces, especially in a context where state, government and political are intertwined entities. Thanks to a study of three construction projects promoted by the AKP since it came to power in Turkey in 2002, ie the Panorama 1453 Museum, the Yavuz Selim Sultan Bridge and the Çamlıca Mosque, the analysis supports the construction of a neo-Ottoman ideology. If this ideology does not completely break with the paradigm of a Turkish identity as distinct from the Arab world, it nevertheless diverges from the Kemalist secularism promoted during the first Republic. Turkish hegemonic ideology now promotes a greater emphasis on the Ottoman past, on the visibility of the Islamic religion in public spaces and a favouritism of Istanbul, the former Ottoman capital. To reach this conclusion following a short field trip, photographs were taken to illustrate the subject. If it turns out that not all spaces are equal in terms of symbolism, none of the spaces studied has turned out to be meaningless.