Galatians who entered into Anatolia in about 280 B.C., in order to help the Bithynian king Nicomedes I against his brother Zipoetas, had a significant role in the history of the ancient Asia Minor. Archaeological material that were recovered from different sites such as Gordion, Pessinus and Tavion and fort settlements mostly dating to the late Hellenistic Period are the most important sources that provide information on their presence in Galatia region named after them. The main purpose of this thesis is to bring together all the archaeological, historical and epigraphical data to present in a coherent way and examine the fort settlements around Ancyra attributed to the Galatians. It both aims to understand the Galatians archaeologically and also by applying new methods such as Visibility Analysis through GIS studies, it hopes to materialize some of the assumptions regarding settlement systems. In order to achieve these, after a thorough presentation of the archaeological and historical data, the forts surveyed around Ancyra are described individually and then studied as a system with the help of Visibility Analysis. The thesis also confirms the presumed relationship between the location of the forts and the topography as well as identifying criteria for choice of location for ancient settlements.

Over the recent years, the learning capacity and knowledge creation ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been increasingly highlighted. Cluster concept represents as a geographical agglomeration where SMEs overcome the structural constraint and develop inter-firm relationships based on the trust. The trust based inter-firm relations increase the opportunity of SMEs to establish cooperation and competition linkages. The present study investigated SMEs in textile sector to identify the inter-firm relationships in Adana Organized Industry Zone. The aim of this study is development of policy recommendations for promoting inter-firm relationships of SMEs. First, we present the theoretical perspective of various approaches the cluster concept, strategic elements of cluster, advantages of clustering and competitive and cooperation advantages. Then we explain the SMEs concept mainly emphasized on the basic weaknesses of SMEs. In this regard, we analyze the main characteristics of textile SMEs in AOSB based on the innovative performance and inter-firm relations. Two main aspects are concluded from the survey results. Textile SMEs in AOSB require developing more relationships with firms and institutions to constitute cooperation and higher innovation services to gain competitiveness.

In this study, the newspapers such as H&uuml / rriyet, Milliyet, Radikal, Posta, AkSam, Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Star, G&uuml / neS, Takvim, D&uuml / nya, G&ouml / zc&uuml / and Yeni Asir are considered liberal or left leaning. The newspapers such as Akit, Milli Gazete, Yeni Asya, Anayurt, T&uuml / rkiye, Yeni Safak, D&uuml / nden Bug&uuml / ne Terc&uuml / man, Vakit and Zaman are considered conservative or Islamic newspapers. The period chosen for this analysis is between 28.12.1998 and 15.06.2006, and all the news items published in this period are scrutinised in the archive of the Parliament Library, where there is a special category for the news on homosexuality and homosexuals. First, the news items of the newspapers mentioned above are categorised as presented in the tables prepared. Through these tables, a general perspective on the press coverage in Turkey is revealed by the analysis of the evaluations of the general features of this coverage on homosexuality and homosexuals. Second, an extensive textual analysis is carried out by analysing the news texts regarding three common events covered in most of the newspapers mentioned above to reflect a more accurate and detailed account of the representation of homosexuality and homosexuals in the Turkish Daily Press. Moreover, in-depth interviews are conducted with homosexuals to find out their point of view on the portrayal of themselves in the Turkish Daily Press. Finally, the findings of the analysis of the press coverage of homosexuality and homosexuals, and the findings of the interviews are compared.

In this study, different from previous studies, the explanatory power of Student-t distribution is compared to normal distribution by employing both standard GARCH and EGARCH models to dollar/ lira (USD/TRY) exchange rate. Then the impact of Central Bank of Republic of the Turkey&rsquo / s (CBRT) decisions and actions on both the level of exchange rate and the volatility is investigated. Moreover the relationship between volatility and market liquidity is examined using spot foreign exchange (FX) market volume as a proxy. The results reveal that, in contrast to preceding findings, Student-t could not capture the leptokurtic property better than normal distribution does. Furthermore, an increase in Turkish government benchmark bond rates, CBRT FX purchase interventions and announcement of suspending/ decreasing-the-amount-of FX auctions lead Turkish lira to depreciate. Because of the significant positive leverage effect, the results of GARCH and EGARCH variance equations differ so much. Thereby the results should be evaluated cautiously. In addition it is observed that, only EGARCH model gives significant results when the spot market trading volume is included in the models

ABSTRACT PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HEXOKINASE ISOENZYMES FROM Rhizopus oryzae Dedeoglu, Didem MS., Department of Biotechnology Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Haluk Hamamci Co-supervisor: Dr. Seyda A&ccedil / ar February 2007, 116 pages Glycolysis is the central metabolic pathway for living organisms. Its regulation is important for the yield of the end products which are industrially important. These end products, like lactic acid produced by Rhizopus oryzae, are industrially important. Rhizopus oryzae is a filamentous fungus producing lactic acid and ethanol. The lactic acid yield of R. oryzae is low (&amp / #61566 / 70 %) compared to that of lactic acid bacteria (&amp / #61502 / 95 %) still it is noteworthy because R. oryzae produces only the L (+) form of lactic acid which can be metabolized in the human body. The yield of an industrial process should be high for the feasibility of the production of a particular product. If a way can be found increase the flux through the glycolysis the yield of lactic acid may increase as well. Keeping this in mind we wanted to focus on the first step of glycolysis, hexokinase of R. oryzae. Hexokinase catalyzes the reaction that converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. In this study for the first time the two isoenzymes of hexokinase of R. oryzae were purified and characterized by biochemically and kinetically Hexokinase has two isoenzymes. The purified enzymes (isoenzymes1 &amp / isoenzymes2) obeyed Michealis-Menten Kinetics. The Km value of purified isoenzyme 1 is 0.16 mM and isoenzyme 2, 0.21 mM at pH 7.70 for glucose. The Km value of isoenzyme1 for fructose was 28.8 mM. Essentially isoenzyme 2 can not utilize fructose. None of the isoenzymes were inhibited by trehalose-6-phophate.The monomer moleculer weight of isoenzymes were estimated SDS PAGE analysis. There were two different values for molecular weight of isoenzmye 1 / 62.9 and 42.5 kDa and two values for isoenzyme 2 / 56.2 and 41.6 kDa

Optical properties of the seas surrounding Turkey (i.e. Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Aegean Sea) are investigated utilizing the data collected from years 2001-2005. Pigment, light (irradiance), absorption samples were collected and analyzed. SeaWiFS and MODIS satellite observations between years 1997-2006 has been collected, processed and analyzed. High temporal and spatial variability is observed in the optical properties of the three basins. The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Seas are the two typical examples of the Case I and the Case II waters, respectively. SeaWiFS and MODIS derived chlorophyll data obtained during the time period where the data were coexistent (2002-2004) gave consistent results. Thus, data from both sensors are used to establish temporal continuity. Optical classification of the water types based on the Jerlov model shows that the Mediterranean has clear (Type 1) and very clear water type characteristics and the Black Sea and the Marmara waters are turbid (Type 5). Absorption from yellow substance (or so-called CDOM) does not optically dominate the Mediterranean allowing accurate estimation of pigment concentrations by remote sensing methods. This study is further extended to analyze the main contributing phytoplankton groups to the bio-optical characteristics in the three basins. HPLC measurements show that the diatoms are the main group in the Black Sea ecosystem. Whereas in Mediterranean Cyanophyta dominates. Phytoplankton group compositions in the offshore and coastal regions of the Mediterranean do not show considerable difference. The main differences are the higher Prymnesiophyceae (nearly two times higher then the offshore) and lower Cyanophyta contribution in the coastal regions compared to offshore regions.

Computation of temporal variation of clear water scour is important for the design of bridge foundations. Previous studies conducted for determining equilibrium scour depth at bridge abutments indicated that very long flow duration was needed to achieve equilibrium scouring situations. However, the corresponding durations in the prototype conditions may yield considerably greater values than time to peak of the design flood. Therefore, there is a need to estimate the temporal variation of scour depth. An experimental study was carried out to observe temporal variation of scour depth and contours around vertical-wall and wing-wall abutments. The results of the experiments have been interpreted. A semi-empirical model has been developed for determining time-dependent variation of clear water scour depth at vertical-wall abutments. This approach is based on the application of sediment continuity equation to the scour hole around the vertical-wall abutment. To this end, time-dependent geometric features of the scour hole were investigated and a recent sediment pickup function was used to formulate the rate of sediment transport out of the scour hole. The results of the proposed model were compared with those of some empirical models. The findings of the model agree well with the experimental results.

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.

This thesis aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the speaking exam at a Turkish University. For this study, data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, the students&rsquo / speaking exam results, TOEFL exam results and departmental speaking exam scores. The results of the questionnaire were used to explore the face validity of the speaking exam. The interviews conducted to examine the content validity of the exam were analyzed in detail and common points from each interview were highlighted. To determine the predictive validity of the exam, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Simple Linear Regression Analysis were conducted. Furthermore, to investigate the construct validity of the exam correlation coefficients between speaking test scores and TOEFL subtest scores were calculated. To estimate the intra and inter-rater reliability level of the exam, correlation coefficients were calculated as well. The analysis of the results of the questionnaire indicated that the exam has satisfactory face validity. Moreover, the results of the interviews showed that the exam possesses the quality of content validity to a moderately high degree. It was found out that the speaking exam given in preparatory year education does not seem to predict the performances of the students in the departmental speaking exam. Moreover, the statistical analyses done to investigate the construct validity of the exam indicated that there are very low correlations between the speaking exam scores and the other subtests. It was discovered that the inter-rater reliability of the exam was not as satisfactory as it was expected as the inter-rater reliability of one pair was found relatively low. However, the speaking exam seemed to have satisfactory intra-rater reliability.

ABSTRACT PHOTO-OXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF ABS COPOLYMER G&uuml / zel, Aylin M.S., Department of Polymer Science and Technology Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Teoman Tin&ccedil / er Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Cevdet Kaynak September 2009, 55 pages Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer is one of the most popular copolymer having an elastomeric butadiene phase dispersed in rigid amorphous styrene and semi-crystalline acrylonitrile. Due to double bonds in the polybutadiene phase, ABS copolymers are very sensitive to photo-oxidative degradation. Photo-oxidation of butadiene rubber phase results in the formation of chromorphores and these chromorphores act as initiators in photo-oxidative degradation and after a while ABS starts yellowing. In this work, the relationship between the UV light and the yellowing of ABS samples was also investigated with respect to time. In this study, pure, light stabilized and commercial ABS samples were aged under UV light. As the UV light intensity increased from 800 to 2800 &amp / #61549 / W/cm2, yellowing of the samples were increased for pure ABS. This increase in yellowing of the samples was about 27 times higher compared to lower energy. In this study, UV stabilizers IRGANOX 1076 (sterically hindered phenolic antioxidant), IRGAFOS 168 (hydrolycally stable phosphite stabilizer) and TINUVIN P (hydroxyphenol benzotriazole) were used alone or in combination with each other. Pure ABS samples, commercial ABS samples and UV stabilized ABS samples were aged under the same UV light. UV aging degradation was followed by measuring the yellowness of the samples at certain time intervals. Yellowness of the samples was followed by using Coloreye XTH Spectrometer. Degradation in ABS, however, was followed by using FTIR with an increase in the peak area of carbonyl groups in the ABS matrix. Both color analysis and the FTIR analysis showed that combination of the IRGANOX 1076 and IRGAFOS 168 stabilizers gave the best stabilization. This revealed that combination of phenol and phosphate containing stabilizer is the most useful combination to prevent photo-oxidative degradation of ABS copolymer. Additionally, vegetable oil was applied to the surface of a new set of ABS samples and these samples were aged for 700 h. Yellowing tendency of these samples was compared with the yellowing tendency of ABS samples that are directly aged for 500 h. It was clearly observed that samples with oil smeared had more resistance to UV radiation with respect to others. This shows that oil acts protective layer to the UV light and oxygen and slow down the photo-oxidative degradation. Lastly some commercial ABS samples were compared to each other with respect to their yellowing tendency. Commercial ABS samples coded as K, L, A, B, C and D were aged under UV light at about 500 h. Sample A showed the best resistance against the yellowing among the other commercial ABS samples.