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The exquisite frequency selectivity and amplification characteristics of mammalian hearing intimately depend on the fast electromechanical motion of the outer hair cells in the cochlea. This membrane based process, termed electromotility, is driven by the protein prestin which is uniquely present in the OHC lateral wall. Voltage dependent motility, in OHCs and mammalian cells expressing prestin, is accompanied by intramembranous charge movement which is widely considered a signature of electromotility and prestin function. How prestin converts changes in membrane potential into axial length changes of OHCs is currently not understood at the molecular level. Many electromotility models predict that prestin conformational changes are the underlying mechanism connecting charge movement and motility. Currently, however, only indirect evidence for a prestin conformational change is available. Various experiments have indicated that the oligomeric states of prestin may be an important determinant of function. Numerous reports have provided varying estimates of prestin oligomeric state. However, estimates have been based on measurements performed outside the membrane making, firm biophysical conclusions difficult. Biophysical studies of prestin function have demonstrated its dependence on membrane properties. Alterations of membrane cholesterol affect voltage dependence of charge movement and motility. In addition cholesterol manipulations cause spatial redistribution of prestin and possibly change prestin oligomeric state. However, the underlying cause for prestin sensitivity to cholesterol and its relation to membrane distribution is unknown. We have applied single molecule fluorescence (SMF) imaging, single particle tracking (SPT), and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to investigate prestin interactions at the molecular level. The results of our SMF experiments have suggested that prestin forms mainly tetramers and dimers in the cell membrane. Using SPT to map the trajectories of prestin in the membrane, we have found that prestin undergoes diffusion in and hops between membrane confinements of varying size. In addition, we have found that cholesterol affects the size and confinement strength of the compartments but does not affect the diffusivity within the compartments. Finally, using a combination of electrophysiology and FRET we have demonstrated that prestin undergoes voltage dependent structural changes. In total, our results refine our molecular understanding of prestin function.

This is a thesis written for a master's degree at the Computer Vision Laboratory, University of Linköping. An abstract outer product is defined and used as a bridge to reach 2:nd and 4:th order tensors. Some applications of these in geometric analysis of range data are discussed and illustrated. In idealized setups, simple geometric objects, like spheres or polygons, are successfully detected. Finally, the generalization to n:th order tensors for storing and analysing geometric information is discussed.

This thesis extends the use of neural-network-based model reference adaptive control to systems that occur as cascades. In general, these systems are not feedback linearizable. The approach taken is that of approximate feedback linearization of upper subsystems whilst treating the lower-subsystem states as virtual actuators. Similarly, lower-subsystems are also feedback linearized. Typically, approximate inverses are used for linearization purposes. Model error arising from the use of an approximate inverse is minimized using a neural-network as an adaptive element. Incorrect adaptation due to (virtual) actuator saturation and dynamics is avoided using the Pseudocontrol Hedging method. Using linear approximate inverses and linear reference models generally result in large desired pseudocontrol for large external commands. Even if the provided external command is feasible (null-controllable), there is no guarantee that the reference model trajectory is feasible. In order to mitigate this, nonlinear reference models based on nested-saturation methods are used to constrain the evolution of the reference model and thus the plant states. The method presented in this thesis lends itself to the inner-outer loop control of air vehicles, where the inner-loop controls attitude dynamics and the outer-loop controls the translational dynamics of the vehicle. The outer-loop treats the closed loop attitude dynamics as an actuator. Adaptation to uncertainty in the attitude, as well as the translational dynamics, is introduced, thus minimizing the effects of model error in all six degrees of freedom and leading to more accurate position tracking. A pole-placement approach is used to choose compensator gains for the tracking error dynamics. This alleviates timescale separation requirements, allowing the outer loop bandwidth to be closer to that of the inner loop, thus increasing position tracking performance. A poor model of the attitude dynamics and a basic kinematics model is shown to be sufficient for accurate position tracking. In particular, the inner-outer loop method was used to control an unmanned helicopter and has subsequently been applied to a ducted-fan, a fixed-wing aircraft that transitions in and out of hover, and a full-scale rotorcraft. Experimental flight test results are also provided for a subset of these vehicles.

Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus, is an obligate intracellular pathogen. Recent studies show that the complete genome sequence of Orientia tsutsugamushi have been determined. However, the early signaling events involved in the entry of O.tsutsugamushi into mammalian cells remains a challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that adherence ability and comparison of three major outer membrane protein TSA56, TSA47 and TSA22 of O.tsutsugamushi. Through expression and purification of three type-specific antigen 56-kDa (include TSA56-antigen domain I, TSA56-antigen domain III), 47-kDa and 22-kDa of O. tsutsugamushi , antiserum immunoblots from 22 clinical O. tsutsugamushi-infected patients and in vitro adhesion assay of E.coli overexpression outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi , the antiserum titer and adherence ability of bacterial outer membrane proteins are determined. The data show that antiserum titer against three major outer membrane proteins of O. tsutsugamushi was markedly higher in TSA56 compared to TSA47 and TSA22. In adhesion assay, adhesion of host cells by TSA56 was readily than TSA47 and TSA22. Furthermore, adhesion experiment and antiserum titer against antigen-domain I (ADI) region (19-114 aa) in the extracellular domain of TSA56 was also significantly higher than previously reported antigen-domain III(ADIII) region (237-366 aa) which facilitates the invasion of O. tsutsugamushi through interaction with fibronectin .Taken together, these results clearly indicate that O. tsutsugamushi exploits TSA56-mediated bacterial adhesion, abundant antiserum titer and ADI region of TSA56 may draw another adhesion site (except for previously reported ADIII) to invade eukaryotic host cells.

Traditional Dwellings in Ankara Citadel have an important place among both Anatolian and Ankara Traditional Dwellings, reflecting certain characteristics of their own. Citadel Area, as one of the oldest settlements in Ankara, has been hosting both residential and commercial activities for a very long period of time. Today, the area has regained its popularity / as a commercial, cultural and tourism center with the potential of its remaining values from the past and conservation movements held in the area starting from 1970&amp / #8217 / s. Within these circumstances, the residential pattern inside Citadel area, the boundaries of which are strictly defined by historical fortress walls, carries the highest risk in the area. At this point, main factors threatening the existing pattern can be categorized in four titles, which also constitute the definition of the problem that the thesis is going to deal with. First factor is the rapid change in original use of traditional dwellings in the Outer Citadel due to the pressure derived from the increase in tourism, commercial and cultural activities in the area. Second factor is the assignment of gastronomic function as the most popular and major function among new functions of restored traditional dwellings in the area. The third factor is the disappearance of original characteristics and values of traditional dwellings due to restoration projects, which is caused by the discordant relation of the spatial, functional requirements of gastronomic use with the original characteristics, spatial capacity of traditional dwellings. Last factor is the present physical situation of traditional dwellings, which doesn&amp / #8217 / t correspond with their physical situation in the projects approved by the Board of Conservation of Ankara. Outer Citadel is the study area for the problem with its clear boundaries, which is actually a buffer zone between the commercial, cultural, tourism zone outside the Citadel Area and Inner Citadel, in which the existing residential pattern, mostly preserving its original characteristics and use, is located. This thesis mainly intends to point out how the original characteristics, values and spatial quality of traditional dwellings are affected from the gastronomic function in both positive and negative ways within the context of contemporary understanding and methods of conservation. Discordances and problems between the approved restoration projects and the restoration implementations are another subject of the thesis. The thesis starts with an introduction chapter, informing about the theoretical framework established for the study, the definition and aim, which also informs about the methodology followed. Second chapter consists of a historical research on Ankara Citadel and examinations on the present situation of the area, traditional dwellings in Ankara Citadel and other developments in the city which have an effect on Citadel Area and traditional dwellings. Third chapter includes the analyses of traditional dwellings chosen for the study with their evaluations, in which the original characteristics and values these dwellings are also indicated. Fourth chapter consists of the analyses of the restoration projects of the traditional dwellings again with their evaluations, considering both the present situation and the original characteristics and values. Thesis ends with a conclusion chapter, which makes a general evaluation of the study within the context of modern conservation approaches.

<p>This is a thesis written for a master's degree at the Computer Vision Laboratory, University of Linköping. An abstract outer product is defined and used as a bridge to reach 2:nd and 4:th order tensors. Some applications of these in geometric analysis of range data are discussed and illustrated. In idealized setups, simple geometric objects, like spheres or polygons, are successfully detected. Finally, the generalization to n:th order tensors for storing and analysing geometric information is discussed.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2001. / "August 2001." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-149). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 120-130.

In this thesis, the Mechanical properties of polypropylene yarn of outer protection layer on Submarine High Voltage Cable, twisted around submarine cable,is determined on various conditions at ABB Company. In the first step, tensile tests are done with polypropylene yarn specimens with and without Bitumen at Room temperature. In the second step,tensile tests are done with polypropylene yarn specimens with and without Bitumen and with knotted polypropylene yarn namely: the Fishermen’s knot, the Weaver’s knot, the Square knot and the Overhand knot at Warm Condition (60˚c) and Cold Condition(-5˚c). In the final step,it is proposed to obtain numerical solution using FEM analysis with ABAQUS Software to obtain the hoop stress , the yarn stresses from twisting cable and analyzing of the cylindrical buckling in the buckling torsion and buckling bending on the outer layer of submarine cable with polypropylene material that is mixed with Bitumen.