Researchers tend to use their own or favourite gene names in scientific literature, even though there are official names. Some names may even be used for more than one gene. This leads to problems with ambiguity when automatically mining biological literature. To disambiguate the gene names, gene normalization is used. In this thesis, we look into an existing gene normalization system, and develop a new method to find gene candidates for the ambiguous genes. For the new method a lexicon is created, using information about the gene names, symbols and synonyms from three different databases. The gene mention found in the scientific literature is used as input for a search in this lexicon, and all genes in the lexicon that match the mention are returned as gene candidates for that mention. These candidates are then used in the system's disambiguation step. Results show that the new method gives a better over all result from the system, with an increase in precision and a small decrease in recall.

In wireless communication systems, we may encounter many problems. One of the main issues is noise interference. To overcome the problem, the sender can use the Convolutional coding method to encode the data, and the receiver can utilize the Viterbi algorithm for decoding and correction purposes. Due to the high complexity of the Viterbi algorithm, the VLSI structure of Viterbi decoder will consume large amounts of power, leading the portable devices to short standby time and high operating temperature. In order to solve these problems we have to design a low power decoder. As a matter of fact, the Viterbi decoder can be actually shutdown when no noise interference exists. As a consequence, we use a detection circuit to determine whether the signal is influenced by noise. If the signal is interfered, we choose the Viterbi decoder to perform the decoding process. Otherwise, we utilize a low cost decoder to lessen the power consumed at the receiver end. In addition, dynamic adjustment of SMU module is also developed and implemented in the proposed decoder. SMU module consumes the most power in Viterbi decoder. So, our developed and goal is to reduce the usage of SMU module. If noise distribution is not so dense, we don¡¦t have to use high decoding ability to decode section data. Therefore, the registers in SMU can be decreased. Clock gating technique is adopted in this thesis to shutdown these idle registers to reduce the power consumption of SMU. The proposed decoder has been implemented and synthesized using the Artisan TSMC 0.13£gm standard cell library. Compared with the traditional Viterbi decoder, the proposed decoder can achieve 25% and nearly 60% power saving when the SNR is 1dB and 8dB respectively, with 6% area reduction. According to the above experimental results, we can say that the proposed decoder is able to reduce power consumption.

Class normalization is a process that can be used to organize the structure of object schema to increase the cohesion of classes while minimizing the coupling between them. This research proposes a method to apply the rule of class normalization to class modeling during the object-oriented systems analysis and design process. A real-world case is presented to illustrate the concepts, application, and the advantages of using the proposed method. Utilizing this method in class modeling can help the system developer ensure the class diagram in third object normal form and thereby enhance the effectiveness of system development.

Object-Oriented analysis and design approach has become the mainstream of today¡¦s systems development technique. The Class Diagram in Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the major tool for modeling the class structure in the object-oriented system analysis and design process. Once the class diagram is constructed, class normalization needs to be performed to eliminate the anomalies for the designing a database. However, the detailed guideline for performing class normalization is lacking. Therefore, this study presents a class normalization methodology based on object normal forms proposed by Ambler (1996). Two real-world cases are presented to illustrate the concepts, application, and the advantages of using the proposed method. Using this methodology in class modeling will help system developers normalize the class design in advance, and thereby enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of system development.

微陣列矩陣晶片是一門現今被廣泛使用在許多領域的生物醫學研究，在本文，我們主要是對寡核甘酸微陣列矩陣晶片資料的正規化感興趣。為了比較不同的正規化方法，我們致力於模擬更接近真實寡核甘酸微陣列矩陣晶片的資料。在資料的模擬上，我們主要是根據Li和Wong的模型來進行模擬，並利用階層法來設定模型的參數。最後為了判別正規化方法的好壞，我們模擬了100組資料，並且利用四個判斷準則來做比較。模擬的結果表示，我們所提出的新方法 (LOESS to Average)，一般來說都比其他的正規化方法來的好。 / Microarray technology is now widely used in many areas of biomedical research. In this thesis, we are interested in the normalization for oligonucleotide Microarray data. We aimed to simulate more realistic oligonucleotide microarry data in order to compare different normalization methods. The data simulation was based on Li and Wong's model with a hierarchical setup for parameters. In order to compare normalization methods, 100 data sets were simulated data. The performance of ten normalization methods was assessed based on four comparison criteria. Simulation results suggest that our new proposed normalization method, LOESS to Average, is generally a better method than other normalization methods.

Tumors are similar to organs, with unique physiology giving rise to an unusual set of transport barriers to drug delivery. Cancer therapy is limited by non-uniform drug delivery via blood vessels, inhomogeneous drug transport into tumor interstitium from the vascular compartment, and hindered transport through tumor interstitium to the target cells. Four major abnormal physical and physiological properties contribute to these transport barriers. Accumulated solid stress compresses blood vessels to diminish the drug supply to many tumor regions. Immature vasculature with high viscous and geometric resistances and reduced pressure gradients leads to sluggish and heterogeneous blood flow in tumors to further limit drug supply. Nonfunctional lymphatics coupled with highly permeable blood vessels result in elevated hydrostatic pressure in tumors to abrogate convective drug transport from blood vessels into and throughout most of the tumor tissue. Finally, a dense structure of interstitial matrix and cells serves as a tortuous, viscous, and steric barrier to diffusion of therapeutic agents. In this dissertation, I discuss the origins and implications of these barriers. I then highlight strategies I have developed for overcoming these barriers by modulating either drug properties or the tumor microenvironment itself to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of drugs in tumors. / Engineering and Applied Sciences

The Sweden Democrats are very clear in what way they want to be described as; as the only opposition party in the Swedish parliament. Is it possible that Swedish media helps in creating that description? This essay examines in what way Swedish media are describing the Sweden Democrats in condition to the establishment. By doing a discourse analysis, the essay will find out which discourse that is dominating about the Sweden Democrats in the two Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen. The results shows that the dominate discourse is describing the party as an outsider in relationship to the establishment, but that in the same time a normalization is going on in times where the elections are far away. It also shows that it's only in the question about immigration that this 7-to-1 picture is described, which also is the party’s main question. In other political questions, media shows a picture of a party that try to widen their politics to a direction towards both of the blocks.

Even though aid is a cornerstone of the Egyptian-American relationship, there is little research about economic aid's role in achieving US objectives, especially in producing policy alignment that would normalize Israel. Likewise, an under-studied derivative question is how the stipulation to maintain peace with Israel affected the (1) economic and structural processes of aligning Egypt with the American vision of `market-democracy' and (2) Egyptian critical assessments of the (non-military) effects associated with alignment into the American orbit? I argue that a reforming and democratizing narrative was used to transform Egypt into a stable "market-democracy" whose prosperity entailed pursuit of a "warm" peace. The transformation depended upon a dual strategy, combining the targeting of "natural allies" among a complicit elite as well as on privatization to align businesses, territories, civil organizations, and institutions or segments therein with American interests. The strategy's success in achieving alignment was also its weakness. Dependence on an autocratic elite for the implementation of reforms had the counter-effects of facilitating corruption and of reducing regime incentives to expand its constituencies of support beyond direct beneficiaries of the neoliberal privatizing changes. Instead of debate and engagement with opposing views to build new alliances, the strategy superseded and avoided sites of opposition. Therefore, contrary to the original aim of aid provision, the peace remained cold while its normalization dimensions became discursive triggers used as prisms with which to judge aid, the neoliberal reformist agenda, as well as normalization. The new partnerships provoked the production of competing conceptualizations of the proper relationship between the state and its citizens, conveyed in legal and constitutional re-definitions and re-distributions of rights and duties, as well as in divergent nationalist visions for Egypt's future. These competing ideas ranged between a nationalism that is globalizing, free-market, US- and regime-supported and another vision that is traditional, historically-informed, and socio-culturally-sensitive. Normalization's connection with aid had the counter-theoretical effect of reducing aid's ability to engender Gramscian hegemony. The US strategy of targeting allies and of privatization to effect normalization could not overcome extant socio-political forces whose discourses charged that aid produced anything but subordination (taba'iyya) - which differed significantly from promises of "peace, stability, and growth". Ultimately, even "reforming and democratizing" aid efforts could not disguise the subordinating effects of market and political alignment, and thus were not sufficient to elicit a new "common sense."

This study intends to investigate the experiences of labeling on people with a ADHD diagnos and how individuals with an ADHD diagnosis handles labeling. In today's society normality is is something that is pursued and the individuals that do not meet the normality are perceived as deviant. The study is conducted with a qualitative method and is based on three autobiographies where individuals with an ADHD diagnosis writes about their life. The study deals with postmodern constructivism which is explaining that the normalization and deviances are constantly changing, both depending on time and context. The results and analysis of this study are presented under three main headings that are related to the study's research questions. Based on the findings in the empirical data concrete sub headings have been developed to gain structure. The analysis of the empirical data is based on Becker's (2006) labeling theory and is strengthened by the concepts of normalization, deviance and outsiders. The results of the study shows that individuals with an ADHD diagnosis often are labeled based on their difficulties. What is revealed in the study is that labeling takes place in different contexts and that labeling mainly took place in the school environment and in society’s construction of the norm following behavior. Another thing the study shows is that labeling does not occur as frequently in the home enviroment as in school and society’s construction. It also reveals that the actual diagnosis has a significant impact on how labeling is handled and how individuals value themselves.

Background The most common reading disability is dyslexia. This reading disability encompasses various symptoms such as poor spelling outcomes, reading fluency and difficulties in expressing oneself. Failur to diagnose children coping with dyslexia is a potential risk of discrimination and social exclusion. Aim The aim of this Master thesis is to explore if the primary school teachers in Prishtina are conscious of the term dyslexia. This provides a better understanding of teacher’s perceptions about dyslexia and to which extent they are aware of it. An additional purpose is to investigate teachers’ awareness of their responsibilities to provide equal opportunities for these children. Method A qualitative research, using an open-ended and semi-structured questionnaire had been utilized to collect data about teacher’s awareness and knowledge concerning dyslexia and its issues. The texts provided by the surveys were subjected to thematic analysis. Result The results of the presented qualitative research helped to understand the awareness of the primary teachers in Prishtina concerning the term dyslexia. The findings showed that most of the teachers heard about dyslexia, but demonstrated clear misconceptions of what dyslexia is. Even though the majority of teachers had misconception of dyslexia, more than half of them considered their role as very important to provide equal opportunities for children coping with dyslexia. Conclusion One of the significant findings to emerge from this thesis is that the primary teacher's of Prishtina have misconceptions about dyslexia. The results of this study support the idea that due to the lack of knowledge among teachers about dyslexia, children coping with dyslexia might be at risk of discrimination and exclusion comparing to other children.