In my thesis I argue that Gogol's "The Nose" and Rushdie's Midnight's Children are texts in which both authors are acutely aware of the fact that they write within a larger discursive framework, supported and developed by the privileged and ruling class of both societies. These grand narratives are in fact selected interpretations of reality, which circulate in the public sphere, designating the desired 'readings' of various sociocultural phenomena. By means of reiteration and enforcement through governmental powers, the privileged narratives produce and inscribe meaning onto objects and events, turning them into icons with very specific and restricted signification. In this way, truth and meaning are under control of select individuals and interest groups. I propose that Gogol in "The Nose" and Rushdie in Midnight's Children use nasal discourse to discern the manipulative process of ideological intervention, which selectively labels specific discourse and interpretation as the truth, and imposes it upon the life and history of the governed community. To utilize the olfactory in a manner challenging the dominant narratives, the authors construct nasal images as essentially ambiguous. In this way they point out to the fluid and unstable nature of reality. In the world of their fiction, reality does not have a singular meaning; every sign is open to interpretation, producing a new meaning, depending on the circumstances of the interpretative act. The nose itself is chosen for this symbolic function for two reasons: the physiognomic tradition of reading faces nests moral ambiguity in the nose, and scent is the most ambiguous of sensory stimuli. Chapter I focuses on the structural role of the olfactory, in Chapters III and IV I discuss how Rushdie and Gogol employ and adapt physiognomic theory to constitute the olfactory as ambiguous images. In Chapters V and VI show that both authors install the olfactory-introduced ambiguity into the very foundations of their texts.

Arrays of broadly-selective chemical sensors, also known as electronic noses, have been developed during the past two decades as a low-cost and high-throughput alternative to analytical instruments for the measurement of odorant chemicals. Signal processing in these gas-sensor arrays has been traditionally performed by means of statistical and neural pattern recognition techniques. The objective of this dissertation is to develop new computational models to process gas sensor array signals inspired by coding and learning mechanisms of the biological olfactory system. We have used a neurodynamic model of the olfactory system, the KIII, to develop and demonstrate four odor processing computational functions: robust recovery of overlapping patterns, contrast enhancement, background suppression, and novelty detection. First, a coding mechanism based on the synchrony of neural oscillations is used to extract information from the associative memory of the KIII model. This temporal code allows the KIII to recall overlapping patterns in a robust manner. Second, a new learning rule that combines Hebbian and anti-Hebbian terms is proposed. This learning rule is shown to achieve contrast enhancement on gas-sensor array patterns. Third, a new local learning mechanism based on habituation is proposed to perform odor background suppression. Combining the Hebbian/anti-Hebbian rule and the local habituation mechanism, the KIII is able to suppress the response to continuously presented odors, facilitating the detection of the new ones. Finally, a new learning mechanism based on anti-Hebbian learning is proposed to perform novelty detection. This learning mechanism allows the KIII to detect the introduction of new odors even in the presence of strong backgrounds. The four computational models are characterized with synthetic data and validated on gas sensor array patterns obtained from an e-nose prototype developed for this purpose.

In my thesis I argue that Gogol's "The Nose" and Rushdie's Midnight's Children are texts in which both authors are acutely aware of the fact that they write within a larger discursive framework, supported and developed by the privileged and ruling class of both societies. These grand narratives are in fact selected interpretations of reality, which circulate in the public sphere, designating the desired 'readings' of various sociocultural phenomena. By means of reiteration and enforcement through governmental powers, the privileged narratives produce and inscribe meaning onto objects and events, turning them into icons with very specific and restricted signification. In this way, truth and meaning are under control of select individuals and interest groups. I propose that Gogol in "The Nose" and Rushdie in Midnight's Children use nasal discourse to discern the manipulative process of ideological intervention, which selectively labels specific discourse and interpretation as the truth, and imposes it upon the life and history of the governed community. To utilize the olfactory in a manner challenging the dominant narratives, the authors construct nasal images as essentially ambiguous. In this way they point out to the fluid and unstable nature of reality. In the world of their fiction, reality does not have a singular meaning; every sign is open to interpretation, producing a new meaning, depending on the circumstances of the interpretative act. The nose itself is chosen for this symbolic function for two reasons: the physiognomic tradition of reading faces nests moral ambiguity in the nose, and scent is the most ambiguous of sensory stimuli. Chapter I focuses on the structural role of the olfactory, in Chapters III and IV I discuss how Rushdie and Gogol employ and adapt physiognomic theory to constitute the olfactory as ambiguous images. In Chapters V and VI show that both authors install the olfactory-introduced ambiguity into the very foundations of their texts.

Arrays of broadly-selective chemical sensors, also known as electronic noses, have been developed during the past two decades as a low-cost and high-throughput alternative to analytical instruments for the measurement of odorant chemicals. Signal processing in these gas-sensor arrays has been traditionally performed by means of statistical and neural pattern recognition techniques. The objective of this dissertation is to develop new computational models to process gas sensor array signals inspired by coding and learning mechanisms of the biological olfactory system. We have used a neurodynamic model of the olfactory system, the KIII, to develop and demonstrate four odor processing computational functions: robust recovery of overlapping patterns, contrast enhancement, background suppression, and novelty detection. First, a coding mechanism based on the synchrony of neural oscillations is used to extract information from the associative memory of the KIII model. This temporal code allows the KIII to recall overlapping patterns in a robust manner. Second, a new learning rule that combines Hebbian and anti-Hebbian terms is proposed. This learning rule is shown to achieve contrast enhancement on gas-sensor array patterns. Third, a new local learning mechanism based on habituation is proposed to perform odor background suppression. Combining the Hebbian/anti-Hebbian rule and the local habituation mechanism, the KIII is able to suppress the response to continuously presented odors, facilitating the detection of the new ones. Finally, a new learning mechanism based on anti-Hebbian learning is proposed to perform novelty detection. This learning mechanism allows the KIII to detect the introduction of new odors even in the presence of strong backgrounds. The four computational models are characterized with synthetic data and validated on gas sensor array patterns obtained from an e-nose prototype developed for this purpose.

The Best PhD Thesis in the Faculties of Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine and Science (University of Hong Kong), Li Ka Shing Prize,1997-1999 / published_or_final_version / abstract / Pathology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Pathology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Akademisk avhandling--Karolinska institutet, Stockholm. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Errata slip inserted. Bibliography: p. [130]-132.

- / -

Orientador: Regina Helena Garcia Martins / Banca: Alcione Ghedini Brasolotto / Banca: Silke Anna Theresa Weber / Banca: Norimar Hernandes Dias / Banca: João Ferreira de Mello Júnior / Resumo: Disfonias infantis acometem de 6 a 24% das crianças, tendo como etiologias principais as desordens funcionais e os nódulos vocais. A obstrução nasal crônica participa na fisiopatologia dos distúrbios da voz, sendo importante fator predisponente e responsável por processo inflamatório, ressecamento de mucosas e acúmulo de secreções sobre as pregas vocais. Estudar as implicações da obstrução nasal crônica sobre as qualidades vocais de crianças de 4 a 12 anos. Foram compostos dois grupos de estudo: grupo obstrução nasal (GON) composto por 60 crianças de 4 a 12 anos com sintomas importantes de obstrução nasal crônica atendidas nos ambulatórios de ORL e um grupo controle (GC), com similaridade de gênero e faixa etária, composto por 60 alunos saudáveis, sem sintomas nasais, vocais ou auditivos, escolhidos por sorteio, provenientes de escolas públicas. Os grupos foram subdivididos igualmente em três faixas etárias (4 a 6; 7 a 9; 10 a 12 anos). Os pais responderam um questionário contendo perguntas sobre as qualidades vocais de seus filhos. Todas as crianças foram submetidas à análise vocal perceptivo-auditiva (escala GRBASI, cálculo do Tempo Máximo de Fonação-TMF, ataque vocal, coordenação pneumofonoarticulatória e qualidade da ressonância), avaliação acústica vocal (freqüência fundamental, porcentagem de jitter, porcentagem de shimmer, PPQ, APQ, NHR e SPI), avaliação da acuidade auditiva (pesquisa das emissões otoacústicas transientes e/ou audiometria tonal limiar); e avaliação videoendoscópica (nasofibroscopia e telelaringoscopia). Os grupos foram similares em idade e gênero, GC (31M e 29 F) e GON (35M e 25F); p>0,05. As informações fornecidas pelos pais indicaram índice de disfonia de 76,6% em GON e de abuso vocal de 68,3%. No Grupo GON oito crianças (13,34%) apresentaram hipoacusia condutiva leve, timpanometria tipo B e ausência... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Dysphonia affects 6 to 24% of children, with functional disorders and vocal nodules as its main etiologies. Chronic nasal obstruction participates in the physiopathology of dysphonia, and it is a predisposing factor, responsible for inflammatory processes, mucosal over drying and secretion accumulation on the vocal folds. To study the effects of chronic nasal obstruction on children's vocal quality. Two study groups were formed: nasal obstruction group (NOG), consisting of 60 children aged 4 to 12 years with important symptoms of chronic nasal obstruction, who were cared for at the ORL outpatient units; and a control group (CG), similar in gender and age range, consisting of healthy students without nasal, vocal or auditory symptoms, who were randomly selected from public schools. The groups were equally distributed into three sub-groups by age range (4 to 6; 7 to 9; 10 to 12 years). The parents answered a questionnaire containing questions concerning their children's vocal qualities. All the children were submitted to perceptual auditory analysis (GRBASI scale, Maximum Phonation Time-MPT, vocal attack, pneumo-phono-articulatory coordination and resonance quality), acoustic vocal analysis (Multi-Speech 3700 software, fundamental frequency (fo), jitter percentage, shimmer percentage, PPQ, APQ, NHR and SPI; auditory acuity assessment (transient otoacoustic emissions and/or threshold tone audiometry); and videoendoscopic assessment (nasofibroscopy and telelaryngoscopy). The groups were similar as regards age and gender, CG (31M and 29F) and NOG (35M and 25F);p>0.05. The information provided by the parents showed a dysphonia rate of 76.6% in NOG, and a vocal abuse rate of 68.3%. Eight children from NOG (13.34%) showed mild conductive hypoacusia, type-B tympanometry and absence of otoacoustic emissions. Laryngeal lesions were detected in 35 children from NOG (58%), of which inflammatory... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-12-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:30:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 labio_rb_me_botfm.pdf: 925310 bytes, checksum: 0463bed933636ad67fa256fe2a54cec9 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Disfonias infantis acometem de 6 a 24% das crianças, tendo como etiologias principais as desordens funcionais e os nódulos vocais. A obstrução nasal crônica participa na fisiopatologia dos distúrbios da voz, sendo importante fator predisponente e responsável por processo inflamatório, ressecamento de mucosas e acúmulo de secreções sobre as pregas vocais. Estudar as implicações da obstrução nasal crônica sobre as qualidades vocais de crianças de 4 a 12 anos. Foram compostos dois grupos de estudo: grupo obstrução nasal (GON) composto por 60 crianças de 4 a 12 anos com sintomas importantes de obstrução nasal crônica atendidas nos ambulatórios de ORL e um grupo controle (GC), com similaridade de gênero e faixa etária, composto por 60 alunos saudáveis, sem sintomas nasais, vocais ou auditivos, escolhidos por sorteio, provenientes de escolas públicas. Os grupos foram subdivididos igualmente em três faixas etárias (4 a 6; 7 a 9; 10 a 12 anos). Os pais responderam um questionário contendo perguntas sobre as qualidades vocais de seus filhos. Todas as crianças foram submetidas à análise vocal perceptivo-auditiva (escala GRBASI, cálculo do Tempo Máximo de Fonação-TMF, ataque vocal, coordenação pneumofonoarticulatória e qualidade da ressonância), avaliação acústica vocal (freqüência fundamental, porcentagem de jitter, porcentagem de shimmer, PPQ, APQ, NHR e SPI), avaliação da acuidade auditiva (pesquisa das emissões otoacústicas transientes e/ou audiometria tonal limiar); e avaliação videoendoscópica (nasofibroscopia e telelaringoscopia). Os grupos foram similares em idade e gênero, GC (31M e 29 F) e GON (35M e 25F); p>0,05. As informações fornecidas pelos pais indicaram índice de disfonia de 76,6% em GON e de abuso vocal de 68,3%. No Grupo GON oito crianças (13,34%) apresentaram hipoacusia condutiva leve, timpanometria tipo B e ausência... / Dysphonia affects 6 to 24% of children, with functional disorders and vocal nodules as its main etiologies. Chronic nasal obstruction participates in the physiopathology of dysphonia, and it is a predisposing factor, responsible for inflammatory processes, mucosal over drying and secretion accumulation on the vocal folds. To study the effects of chronic nasal obstruction on children's vocal quality. Two study groups were formed: nasal obstruction group (NOG), consisting of 60 children aged 4 to 12 years with important symptoms of chronic nasal obstruction, who were cared for at the ORL outpatient units; and a control group (CG), similar in gender and age range, consisting of healthy students without nasal, vocal or auditory symptoms, who were randomly selected from public schools. The groups were equally distributed into three sub-groups by age range (4 to 6; 7 to 9; 10 to 12 years). The parents answered a questionnaire containing questions concerning their children's vocal qualities. All the children were submitted to perceptual auditory analysis (GRBASI scale, Maximum Phonation Time-MPT, vocal attack, pneumo-phono-articulatory coordination and resonance quality), acoustic vocal analysis (Multi-Speech 3700 software, fundamental frequency (fo), jitter percentage, shimmer percentage, PPQ, APQ, NHR and SPI; auditory acuity assessment (transient otoacoustic emissions and/or threshold tone audiometry); and videoendoscopic assessment (nasofibroscopy and telelaryngoscopy). The groups were similar as regards age and gender, CG (31M and 29F) and NOG (35M and 25F);p>0.05. The information provided by the parents showed a dysphonia rate of 76.6% in NOG, and a vocal abuse rate of 68.3%. Eight children from NOG (13.34%) showed mild conductive hypoacusia, type-B tympanometry and absence of otoacoustic emissions. Laryngeal lesions were detected in 35 children from NOG (58%), of which inflammatory... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)