Zugl.: Diss. Natural Sc. Univ. of Berne, 1992. / Ed. commerciale de la thèse de Berne, 1992. Literaturverz.

This study presents the implementation of Middle East Technical University Neural Network (METU-NN) models for the ionospheric forecasting together with worldwide usage capability of the Internet. Furthermore, an attempt is made to include expert information in the Neural Network (NN) model in the form of neurofuzzy network (NFN). Middle East Technical University Neurofuzzy Network (METU-NFN) modeling approach is developed which is the first attempt of using a neurofuzzy model in the ionospheric forecasting studies. The Web based applications developed in this study have the ability to be customized such that other NN and NFN models including METU-NFN can also be adapted. The NFN models developed in this study are compared with the previously developed and matured METU-NN models. At this very early stage of employing neurofuzzy models in this field, ambitious objectives are not aimed. Applicability of the neurofuzzy systems on the ionospheric forecasting studies is only demonstrated. Training and operating METU-NN and METU-NFN models under equal conditions and with the same data sets, the cross correlation of obtained and measured values are 0.9870 and 0.9086 and the root mean square error (RMSE) values of 1.7425 TECU and 4.7987 TECU are found by operating METU-NN and METU-NFN models respectively. The results obtained by METU-NFN model is close to those found by METU-NN model. These results are reasonable enough to encourage further studies on neurofuzzy models to benefit from expert information. Availability of these models which already attracted intense international attention will greatly help the related scientific circles to use the models. The models can be architecturally constructed, trained and operated on-line. To the best of our knowledge this is the first application that gives the ability of on-line model usage with these features. Applicability of NFN models to the ionospheric forecasting is demonstrated. Having ample flexibility the constructed model enables further developments and improvements. Other neurofuzzy systems in the literature might also lead to better achievements.

This thesis analyzes the physical, communicational, and organizational dimensions of information system security process by taking the four-layer approach, which is composed of the policy, model, architecture, and mechanisms into account. Within this scope, according to the results of the security analysis of information systems in METU Informatics Institute, the policy, model, architecture, and mechanisms necessary to prepare a new security process were proposed. As a subcomponent of this proposed security process, the network security of the IS100 course was partially established, and the generated results were evaluated.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that is commonly characterized as deterioration of intellectual process and emotional responses and affects 1% of any given population. SNPs are single nucleotide changes that take place in DNA sequences and establish the major percentage of genomic variations. In this study, our goal was to identify SNPs as genomic markers that are related with schizophrenia and investigate the genes and pathways that are identified through the analysis of SNPs. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) analyse the whole genome of case and control groups to identify genetic variations and search for related markers, like SNPs. GWASs are the most common method to investigate genetic causes of a complex disease such as v schizophrenia because regular linkage studies are not sufficient. Out of 909,622 SNPs analysis of the dbGAP Schizophrenia genotyping data identified 25,555 SNPs with a p-value 5x10-5. Next, combined p-value approach to identify associated genes and pathways and AHP based prioritization to select biologically relevant SNPs with high statistical association are used through METU-SNP software. 6,000 SNPs had an AHP score above 0.4, which mapped to 2,500 genes suggested to be associated with schizophrenia and related conditions. In addition to previously described neurological pathways, pathway and network analysis showed enrichment of two pathways. Melanogenesis and vascular smooth muscle contraction pathways were found to be highly associated with schizophrenia. We have also shown that these pathways can be organized in one biological network, which might have a role in the molecular etiology of schizophrenia. Overall analysis results revealed two novel candidate genes SOS1 and GUCY1B3 that have a possible relation with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental design parameters on thermal comfort conditions in the METU Faculty of Architecture Building located in Ankara. The building had some problems in terms of indoor climatic conditions, both in winter and in summer. It was evident that some design parameters caused this undesirable situation. The study therefore focused on understanding and evaluating the effects of design-dependent elements such as thermal mass, the size and orientation of windows, shading and vegetation on thermal comfort conditions in the case study building. While conducting this study, data loggers were used to record temperature and humidity data in predetermined rooms. Data was collected during certain periods in July, August, and September 2006. The data collected was analyzed statistically and hypotheses were tested using ANOVA. This study showed that the effect of thermal mass was almost the same for the rooms investigated owing to the fact that the entire building had been constructed with concrete curtain walls. In terms of thermal performance the number and orientation of the exterior walls, orientation and size of windows, room heights and also sun shading with surrounding vegetation were most effective design parameters for the rooms investigated

This thesis is an attempt to present the sociological dimensions of high-technological work from the perspective of highly-qualified white-collar professionals under the conditions of &lsquo / new economy&rsquo / . This study tries to shed some light on the rapidly growing professional high-tech work and its interrelation with personal consequences. The pace of change and the acceleration of global informational economy have created a new kind of workforce, introduced new cultures of work, and witnessed diverse social transformations for more than twenty years. At the core of this research, it aims at providing a broad sociological perspective on the changes which are brought by the entry of a large number of well-educated young people into the workforce. New forms of work organization, employment, and the new cultures of work and identity that emerged in this industry is taken into consideration. Technopoles as a newly emerging concept for Turkey, are clusters where this so-called technological change could be clearly observed. METU-Technopolis is chosen as the field of research due to the widespread use of flexible production employment methods and highly qualified labor force.

Middle East Technical University (METU) campus has such an extensive area that reaching the necessary information which affects campus life, such as the locations of the buildings, classrooms, computer labs, and etc. may be very difficult for anyone who does not know the campus well, and even for a student, personnel or a graduate who had a long time in the campus. An interactive campus map and a database structure related to this map which can be accessed by multiple types of users on the Internet can display this information with its geographical locations, and will reduce the &quot / difficulty for reaching information&quot / widely. For this purpose, data of METU were collected from various sources, edited, organized, and inserted into data tables. An interactive campus map displaying the locations of the physical structures and facilities in the campus was created in Scalable Vector Grapics (SVG) standard, and published on the Internet. By JavaScript functions, the map can be browsed with map navigation tools, including zoom in, zoom out, move and information buttons, and layers control. There is a search section on the user interface, which allows users make queries to find building and classroom names, and list the buildings and facilities according to their usage and category types. Data are stored in PostgreSQL database, transmitted through PHP scripts, and can be edited by authorized users through the specialized web interfaces. Lastly, web-based implementation of the application is entirely based on open-source standards.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of gender, CGPA and amount of weekly Internet use on the acceptance of CMS (Course Management System). Specifically, the purpose is to investigate METU-ONLINE in a course given in PSPA (Political Science and Public Administration) department at METU. One questionnaire has been used in the study. The questionnaires have been distributed to 63 PSPA students who were enrolled to POLITICAL HISTORY (ADM3106) course during spring semester of 2007-2008 year. The data gathered from the students with questionnaires has been analyzed in SPSS 16.0 program with ANOVA method using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that students&rsquo / Cumulative GPA and amount of weekly Internet use have an effect on the perceived usefulness of METU-ONLINE.

The subject of presentation of archaeological resources is still a developing concept in Turkey. The concepts of educational value and concern, needs a more common recognition and more practice in this context. The same statement goes for the management of natural resources. However, proper public presentation of archaeological and natural resources and public education in those is crucial for the protection of these resources. Moreover, an integrated presentation, approaching the archaeological resources within their natural environment, is required for sustainability, a better preservation and interpretation of the resources. In this sense, this thesis proposes an application / a trail system for the integrated presentation of the archaeological and natural resources in the case of METU Campus Area in Ankara, Turkey. In this way, it aims to ensure the preservation of the resources by raising awareness through good interpretation and education.

The overall objective of this thesis is to assess the financial, technical and social feasibility of investing in modern Automated People Movers (APM) transportation systems, generally known as monorails, in METU campus which presents a unique opportunity to fulfill the modern-day transportation needs of METU campus. This study complements the Presidency Office&rsquo / s long term goal to integrate environmental, social and economic sustainability into the policies, practices and culture of the university and ultimately reduce the consumption of all resources on campus and traffic congestion and accidents. In this context, the consequent cost-benefit effects of the proposed monorail system on campus life were quantified in monetary expressions and the corresponding multi-criteria feasibility assessment including: Break-even Analysis, Cost Effectiveness Assessments and Cost Benefit Analysis have been done successfully. According to these analyses the overall capital cost of system is $46.5 million which covers the 24 months project construction period, and an additional annual operating and maintenance cost of $2 million will span the 30 year project life time. Three different scenarios were proposed for financing the project and relevant break-even points were determined for each of the scenarios. Eventually, it appears that based on the evaluations, constructing such a transit system in METU campus will be cost effective and will certainly enhance the transportation, and will contribute to the institutional improvements and environmental preservation schemes of METU campus.