The genetical theory of evolution is best understood by a knowledge of the distribution of gene frequencies. The sequence of changes in genes, primarily due to effects of mutation, selection, migration, and many other environmental influences, would also gradually change gene frequencies after a long period of time. The distribution of gene frequencies is determined by application of theories of probability and mathematics. In particular, Wright's diffusion theory (14) and early works of Fisher (6,7) and Kolmegorov (9) play a central role. The aim of this thesis is to discover the evolutionary significance of mutation, selection, and random mating in the case of sex-linked factors when the generation structure of the population is overlapping. To facilitate the application of mathematical theory, we assume the population size at any time is large and constant denoted by N. Instead of discussing the individual genotype frequencies, we introduce a properly defined random variable U, approximately the proportion of "a" genes in the population. The first and second moments of the change in U during the birth-death event are obtained. For the diffusion process to work out, we let the time be a function of N, and by moment generating functions the diffusion equation (or Fokker-Planck equation) is justified when N tends to infinity. Following methods of solution given by Barucha-Reid (2), Kimura (8), Li (10), Moran (11,12), Watterson (13), and Wright (14), the density function for the "a" gene frequency is obtained. / Master of Science

Chickens exhibit considerable variation in morphological traits, with some populations having undergone intensive selection for uniqueness and uniformity. These populations are a source of experimental material to study the genetics of morphological traits. An important first step in such studies is to map the genes and the causal mutations that influence these traits. This research focused on gene mapping of 12 morphological traits including 4 intra-feather color patterns (Pattern, Columbian, Melanotic, and mottling), 2 inter-feather color patterns (Blue and chocolate), 2 forms of feathered-legs, polydactyly, dark brown eggshell color, vulture hock, and creeper. Ten backcross and/or F2 populations were designed to produce 1,880 individuals. An additional 339 DNA samples from other populations were included. The procedures for gene mapping were: 1. Pooling of DNA samples of backcross or F2 individuals based on their shared phenotypes, followed by microarray assays for genotyping, a cost-effective initial screen for the candidate genomic regions, 2. Linkage mapping to narrow the range of candidate genes, 3. Sequencing to identify the candidate mutations, 4. Diagnostic tests to confirm the association between the candidate mutation and the phenotype. Of the 12 traits studied, 3 (mottling, Blue, and chocolate) made progress into step 4. Complexities due to genomic context, modifiers, and environmental factors precluded step 4 for the first form of the feathered-leg gene, step 3 for the mapping of Melanotic, and earlier stages for the mapping of Pattern, Columbian, dark brown egg, vulture hock, and the second form of feathered-leg. These findings provide insights of the complexity of how background genome can influence the phenotypic expression of single genes (gene genetic background interactions) and an understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in morphogenesis. / Ph. D. / Chickens, one of the major protein sources in diets for humans, have a long cultural, sport and religious history since their initial domestication during the neolithic period. Darwin wrote of the importance of variation, which today we see for example in size of body, length of shank, number of toes, distribution of feathers, comb types, and plumage color patterns resulting in a plethora of breeds of chickens that differ in appearance. Some of these traits are "simply" inherited, which in the molecular era facilitates the study of relationships between DNA sequences and phenotypes. This dissertation focuses on identification of differences in DNA sequences among chickens responsible for these "simply" inherited phenotypes. The 12 phenotypes that were studied included 6 plumage color patterns (Pattern, Columbian, Melanotic, mottling, Blue, and chocolate), 2 forms of feathered-legs, polydactyly, dark brown eggshell color, vulture hock, and creeper. Designed were ten 3-generation populations to produce 1,880 chickens. An additional 339 DNA samples from other populations were included. Of the 12 phenotypes, 8 involved genotyping of pooled DNA samples, a cost-effective initial screen to target DNA sequences. This was followed by genotyping individual samples in 5 of the more promising studies. Candidate genes identified as associated with these 5 phenotypes underwent further studies which identified differences in DNA sequences associated with 4 of them (mottling, feathered-leg, Blue, and chocolate). These findings provide insights of how DNA sequences contribute to the phenotypic appearance of animals.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, currently affecting around 17--25 million people worldwide. The typical neuropathological hallmarks of AD are amyloid beta (Abeta) deposition, presence of neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal cell death. Evidence from ongoing studies on the pathogenesis of AD, suggests that several different mechanisms are involved in neurons loss and thus decline of cognitive function. These include the metabolism of amyloid peptide, inflammation, cholesterol metabolism, and hormonal factors. / I have focused on the role of inflammation in the progression of AD. The inflammation hypothesis is based on findings of (1) elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, TNFalpha, (2) the reduced levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, like IL-10 in CSF and the blood of AD patients, and (3) activated microglia in the histological section of the patient's brain. On the other hand, the effects of the ApoE gene and differential age of onset between the two sexes suggested a modulation role for cholesterol and sex hormone like estrogen, which may influence the inflammatory response in the brain, so as to modulate the risk of AD. / In this project, the genetic risk factors predisposing to AD were investigated by genetic association studies of candidate genes. Candidate genes were shortlisted by two approaches. (I) Linkage-based candidate genes: Candidate genes were identified from reported loci with linkage to AD genome scan studies. Previous linkage studies of AD families revealed linked loci at 1p36, 1q23, 3p14, 4q32, 6p21, 6q27, 9q22, 10q24, 13q32, 15q26, 19q13 and 21q22. Several candidate genes from these loci including TNFalpha-related genes, TLR2, IGF-1, IFNalpha and MTHFR were selected for this project. (II) Hypothesis-based candidate genes: Candidate genes were selected according to their possible involvement in the inflammation hypothesis of AD. Under the hypothesis-based candidate gene approach, genes that might contribute to the inflammatory response of amyloid deposition were identified. These genes were validated by their expression level in the central nervous system. A further priorization step was carried out to select those genes showing a higher degree of inter-individual variation. Therefore, these genes were more likely to have a genetic/inherited variation at the population level. In other words, they are more likely to be the predisposition genes than genes without inter-individual variation (house-keeping genes are examples of genes showing little inter-individual variation). In this project, genes involved in the inflammatory pathway in the brain, such as IL-10 and HLA-A, and also genes that interact with the inflammatory pathway such as cholesterol related enzymes and estrogen receptors were investigated under the hypothesis-based approach. / This project is based on a case-control genetic association study which comprised of NINCDS-ADRDA diagnosed Chinese patients with AD (n=259) and age-matched non-demented subjects (n=248). Three genes PTGS2 (encoding for COX-2), MxA and ESR1 were selected for an intensive study by investigating their linkage disequilibrium pattern and using tagSNP strategy. TagSNPs selected for each gene were genotyped to investigate their association with the risk of AD. / This study showed that MTHFR, IL-10, HLA-A, CYP46A1, PTGS2 (COX-2) and ESR1 were associated with the risk of AD, and MxA, identified for the first time, was associated with the age of onset of AD. In conclusion, the results of my study further suggested the roles of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AD. / Ma Suk Ling. / "June 2006." / Advisers: Linda C. W. Lam; Nelson L. S. Tang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1417. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-204). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Introdução: O Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) é um instrumento importante para o monitoramento de defeitos congênitos (DC) ao nascer, porém há falhas de preenchimento dessa informação e possivelmente são registrados nas Declarações de Nascido Vivo (DN) os DC mais aparentes, o que pode subestimar a prevalência dos mesmos. A linkage de bancos de dados do SINASC e do SIM (Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade) permite recuperar as informações sobre DC registrados no SIM complementando os dados e fornecendo uma estimativa mais real da prevalência dos DC. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de DC em uma coorte de nascidos vivos (NV) vinculando-se os bancos de dados do SIM e do SINASC. Método: Estudo descritivo para avaliar as DN como fonte de informação sobre DC. A população de estudo são os NV hospitalares do 1º semestre de 2006 de mães residentes e ocorridos no Município de São Paulo no período de 01/01/2006 a 30/06/2006 e óbitos neonatais provenientes da coorte. As diferenças entre portadores e não portadores de DC foram testadas através do risco relativo, valor de p e IC 95%. Resultados: Os defeitos congênitos mais prevalentes segundo o SINASC foram: malformações congênitas e deformidades do aparelho osteomuscular (44,7%), malformação congênita do sistema nervoso (10,0%) e anomalias cromossômicas não classificadas em outra parte (8,6%). Através da linkage, houve uma recuperação de 48 casos (80,0%) de DC do aparelho circulatório, 11 casos (73,3%) de DC do aparelho respiratório e 5 casos (62,5%) de outros DC do aparelho digestivo. O SINASC fez 55,2% das notificações de DC e o SIM notificou 44,8%, mostrando-se importante para a recuperação dos dados de DC presentes na Declaração de Óbito (DO). A taxa de prevalência para os DC da coorte segundo o SINASC foi de 75,4/10.000 NV; com os dados corrigidos pelo SIM, essa taxa passou para 86,2/10.000 NV. As variáveis idade da mãe, idade gestacional, tipo de parto, Apgar, sexo e peso ao nascer mostraram-se associadas à presença de DC (p<0,001). Não foi encontrada associação entre anos de estudo, estado marital, paridade, filhos mortos anteriores, pré-natal, tipo de gravidez, raça/cor e a presença de DC. Conclusão: A complementação dos dados pelo SIM fornece um perfil diferente da prevalência de DC do que aquele que seria registrado apenas pelo SINASC, mostrando a importância do uso conjunto das duas fontes de dados. / Introduction: Live Birth Information System (SINASC) is an important instrument to monitor birth defects (BD) at the birth, however it has fulfilling imperfections of this information and they are probably registered in the Birth Certificates (BC) the BD more apparent, what can under estimate the prevalence of the some ones. The linkage of the data of SINASC and of SIM (Mortality Information System) allows the recovery of information about BD registered in SIM complementing the data and supplying a more real estimate of the prevalence of BD. Objective: Come with the prevalence of BD in a cohort of live birth (LB) associating the data base of SIM and the SINASC. Methods: Descriptive study to evaluate BD as source of information about BD. The population of study is the LB hospital of 1° semester of 2006 of resident mothers and that had happened in São Paulo city in the period from 01/01/2006 to 06/30/2006 and neonatal deaths from the cohort. The differences of carriers and not carrying of BD had been tested through the relative risk, p value and CI 95%. Results: According to SINASC the most prevalent birth defects were: birth defects and osteomuscular system deformity (44,7%), birth defects of nervous system (10,0%) and cromossomics anomalies not classified in another part (8,6%). Through linkage, it had a recovery of 48 cases (80,0%) of BD of circulatory system, 11 cases (73,3%) of BD of respiratory system and 5 cases (62,5%) of other BD of digestive system. SINASC made 55,2% of the notifications of BD and SIM notified 44,8%, showing its importance to recovery data of BD presents in Death Certificate (DC). The tax of prevalence for the BD of cohort according to SINASC was 75,4/10.000 LB; with all the data corrected by SIM, this tax changed for 86,2/10.000 LB. The variable age of mother, pregnancy age, birth type, Apgar, sex and weight at birth are associated to the presence of BD (p<0,001). Association between the years of study, marital status, parity, previous dead children, prenatal, pregnancy type, race and the presence of BD were not found. Conclusion: Data complementing by SIM supplies a different profile of prevalence of BD from those ones that would be registered only by SINASC showing the importance of the usage of two data sources.

Introdução: O Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) é um instrumento importante para o monitoramento de defeitos congênitos (DC) ao nascer, porém há falhas de preenchimento dessa informação e possivelmente são registrados nas Declarações de Nascido Vivo (DN) os DC mais aparentes, o que pode subestimar a prevalência dos mesmos. A linkage de bancos de dados do SINASC e do SIM (Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade) permite recuperar as informações sobre DC registrados no SIM complementando os dados e fornecendo uma estimativa mais real da prevalência dos DC. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de DC em uma coorte de nascidos vivos (NV) vinculando-se os bancos de dados do SIM e do SINASC. Método: Estudo descritivo para avaliar as DN como fonte de informação sobre DC. A população de estudo são os NV hospitalares do 1º semestre de 2006 de mães residentes e ocorridos no Município de São Paulo no período de 01/01/2006 a 30/06/2006 e óbitos neonatais provenientes da coorte. As diferenças entre portadores e não portadores de DC foram testadas através do risco relativo, valor de p e IC 95%. Resultados: Os defeitos congênitos mais prevalentes segundo o SINASC foram: malformações congênitas e deformidades do aparelho osteomuscular (44,7%), malformação congênita do sistema nervoso (10,0%) e anomalias cromossômicas não classificadas em outra parte (8,6%). Através da linkage, houve uma recuperação de 48 casos (80,0%) de DC do aparelho circulatório, 11 casos (73,3%) de DC do aparelho respiratório e 5 casos (62,5%) de outros DC do aparelho digestivo. O SINASC fez 55,2% das notificações de DC e o SIM notificou 44,8%, mostrando-se importante para a recuperação dos dados de DC presentes na Declaração de Óbito (DO). A taxa de prevalência para os DC da coorte segundo o SINASC foi de 75,4/10.000 NV; com os dados corrigidos pelo SIM, essa taxa passou para 86,2/10.000 NV. As variáveis idade da mãe, idade gestacional, tipo de parto, Apgar, sexo e peso ao nascer mostraram-se associadas à presença de DC (p<0,001). Não foi encontrada associação entre anos de estudo, estado marital, paridade, filhos mortos anteriores, pré-natal, tipo de gravidez, raça/cor e a presença de DC. Conclusão: A complementação dos dados pelo SIM fornece um perfil diferente da prevalência de DC do que aquele que seria registrado apenas pelo SINASC, mostrando a importância do uso conjunto das duas fontes de dados. / Introduction: Live Birth Information System (SINASC) is an important instrument to monitor birth defects (BD) at the birth, however it has fulfilling imperfections of this information and they are probably registered in the Birth Certificates (BC) the BD more apparent, what can under estimate the prevalence of the some ones. The linkage of the data of SINASC and of SIM (Mortality Information System) allows the recovery of information about BD registered in SIM complementing the data and supplying a more real estimate of the prevalence of BD. Objective: Come with the prevalence of BD in a cohort of live birth (LB) associating the data base of SIM and the SINASC. Methods: Descriptive study to evaluate BD as source of information about BD. The population of study is the LB hospital of 1° semester of 2006 of resident mothers and that had happened in São Paulo city in the period from 01/01/2006 to 06/30/2006 and neonatal deaths from the cohort. The differences of carriers and not carrying of BD had been tested through the relative risk, p value and CI 95%. Results: According to SINASC the most prevalent birth defects were: birth defects and osteomuscular system deformity (44,7%), birth defects of nervous system (10,0%) and cromossomics anomalies not classified in another part (8,6%). Through linkage, it had a recovery of 48 cases (80,0%) of BD of circulatory system, 11 cases (73,3%) of BD of respiratory system and 5 cases (62,5%) of other BD of digestive system. SINASC made 55,2% of the notifications of BD and SIM notified 44,8%, showing its importance to recovery data of BD presents in Death Certificate (DC). The tax of prevalence for the BD of cohort according to SINASC was 75,4/10.000 LB; with all the data corrected by SIM, this tax changed for 86,2/10.000 LB. The variable age of mother, pregnancy age, birth type, Apgar, sex and weight at birth are associated to the presence of BD (p<0,001). Association between the years of study, marital status, parity, previous dead children, prenatal, pregnancy type, race and the presence of BD were not found. Conclusion: Data complementing by SIM supplies a different profile of prevalence of BD from those ones that would be registered only by SINASC showing the importance of the usage of two data sources.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Pennsylvania State University, 2002. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 9, 2005). Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Márcio Katsumi Oikawa / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Computação, 2016. / Através do relacionamento probabilístico de bases de dados é possível obter informações que a análise individual ou manual de bases de dados não proporcionaria. Esse trabalho visa encontrar, através do relacionamento probabilístico de registros, doadores de sangue da base de dados da Fundação Pró-Sangue (FPS) no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), nos anos de 2001 a 2006, favorecendo assim a manutenção de hemoderivados da instituição, inferindo se determinado doador veio à óbito. Para tal, foram avaliadas a eficiência de diferentes chaves de blocking que foram aplicadas em um conjunto de softwares gratuitos de record linkage e no software implementado para uso específico do estudo, intitulado SortedLink. Nos estudos, os registros foram padronizados e apenas os que possuíam dados da mãe cadastrados foram utilizados. Para avaliar a eficiência das chaves de blocking, foram selecionados 100.000 registros aleatoriamente das bases de dados SIM e FPS, e adicionados 30 registros de validação para cada conjunto. Sendo que o software SortedLink, implementado no trabalho, foi o que apresentou os melhores resultados e foi utilizado para obter os resultados dos possíveis pares de registros na base total de dados, 1.709.819 de registros para o SIM e 334.077 para o FPS. Além disso, o estudo também avalia a eficiência dos algoritmos de codificação fonética SOUNDEX, tipicamente utilizado no processo de record linkage, e do BRSOUND, desenvolvido para codificação de nomes e sobrenomes oriundos da língua portuguesa do Brasil. / Through probabilistic record linkage of databases is possible to obtain information that the individual or manual analysis of databases do not provide. This work aims to find, through probabilistic record relationship, blood donors from the database of Fundação Pró-Sangue (FPS) in the Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) from Brazil, in the year 2001 to 2006, thus favoring maintenance blood products of the institution, inferring whether a donor came to death. For this purpose, we evaluated the effectiveness of different blocking keys that were applied to a set of free software record linkage and a software implemented for specific use of the study, entitled SortedLink. In the studies, the records were standardized and only those who had registered mother information were used. To assess the effectiveness of blocking keys were selected randomly 100, 000 records of SIM and FPS databases, and added 30 validation records for each set. Since the SortedLink software, implemented in this work, showed the best results, it was used to obtain the results of the possible pairs of records in the total database, 1.709.819 records from SIM and 334.077 from FPS. In addition, the study also evaluated the efficiency of SOUNDEX phonetic encoding algorithms, typically used in the record linkage process and the BRSOUND, developed for encoding names and surnames derived from the Portuguese language of Brazil.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-12-23T15:57:01Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Laura Branquinho do Nascimento - 2016.pdf: 6736189 bytes, checksum: 8c0c7f22816171022b1f547c1aaddf86 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-12-26T12:57:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Laura Branquinho do Nascimento - 2016.pdf: 6736189 bytes, checksum: 8c0c7f22816171022b1f547c1aaddf86 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-26T12:57:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Laura Branquinho do Nascimento - 2016.pdf: 6736189 bytes, checksum: 8c0c7f22816171022b1f547c1aaddf86 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-01 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Introduction: dengue is the most important arboviral disease in the world and a major health challenge in Brazil. The hyperendemic scenario with large epidemics led to an increase in severe forms of the disease, including special groups such as pregnant women. Dengue infection during pregnancy has been associated with the development of unfavorable maternal and infant outcomes, however, few studies have addressed this association and usually with a small sample size. Objective: to evaluate the epidemiological profile of pregnant women reported with dengue and the symptomatic infection caused by dengue virus during pregnancy as a factor associated with premature birth, low birth weight and congenital malformations in live births in Brazil. Methods: a descriptive study of dengue probable cases reported in pregnant women in Brazil with onset of symptoms between 2007 and 2015 was conducted from data of National Reportable Disease Information System (SINAN). We then carried one retrospective cohort study based on a probabilistic linkage between databases from SINAN and Live Birth Information System (SINASC) from 2007 to 2013. The linkage was performed for pregnant women with a positive or negative laboratory specific test for dengue and all live births using the the Fine-Grained Record Integration and Linkage (FRIL) software. Additionally, an external reference group was randomly selected for each dengue positive case among newborns from the same municipality of residence and year of the onset of symptoms of the case. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between symptomatic dengue during pregnancy and adverse outcomes in live births, adjusted for relevant covariates. Results: 43,772 probable dengue cases in pregnant women were reported during the study period. The proportion of cases per trimester of gestation presented a similar distribution, with a slightly higher frequency in the second trimester of pregnancy (32.6%). The risk of death due to dengue was higher in pregnant women when compared to women childbearing age not pregnant (RR: 3.95; 95% CI 3.07 to 5.08, p <0.001), reaching a risk of 8.55 (95% CI: 6.08 to 12.02, p <0.001) in the third trimester of pregnancy. 3,898 live births in the group of positive pregnant women from 1,283 municipalities were included in the retrospective cohort study. The distribution of birth weight was similar among all study groups, ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 kg in 50% of newborns. The adjusted odds ratio for preterm birth was higher in the group of pregnant women positive for dengue than negative group compared in all trimesters (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.49; p = 0.006). The incidence of congenital malformations was <1% in all groups. Conclusions: this is the first study based on national data and establishes the baseline of the evaluated outcomes in live births before the introduction of Chikungunya and Zika virus in the country. Our findings reinforce the dengue as a major problem for pregnant women, indicating increased risk for death from the disease and preterm birth in live births, but not to congenital malformations or low birth weight. / Introdução: a dengue é a arbovirose de maior relevância mundial e um dos principais desafios de saúde no Brasil. O cenário de hiperendemicidade, com epidemias de grande magnitude e aumento de formas graves da doença levou também ao aumento de casos em grupos especiais, como as gestantes. A infecção por dengue durante a gestação tem sido associada ao desenvolvimento de desfechos maternos e infantis desfavoráveis, no entanto, essa evidência decorre de poucos estudos e com tamanhos de amostras reduzidos. Objetivo: avaliar o perfil epidemiológico das gestantes notificadas com dengue e a infecção sintomática pelo vírus da dengue na gestação como fator associado à prematuridade, baixo peso ao nascer e malformações congênitas nos nascidos vivos no Brasil. Métodos: um estudo descritivo dos casos prováveis de dengue em gestantes no Brasil, com início dos sintomas entre 2007 e 2015, foi realizado a partir de dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan). Em seguida, foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo baseado em um relacionamento probabilístico dos dados registrados no Sinan e no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (Sinasc), no período de 2007 a 2013. Esse relacionamento foi realizado a partir das gestantes confirmadamente positivas e negativas para dengue e nascidos vivos usando o programa Fine-Grained Record Integration and Linkage (FRIL). Adicionalmente, um grupo de referência externo foi selecionado aleatoriamente entre nascidos vivos dos municípios de residência dos casos de dengue, no mesmo ano de início de sintomas. A regressão logística multivariada foi realizada para verificar a relação entre dengue sintomática durante a gestação e desfechos desfavoráveis em nascidos vivos, ajustadas para covariáveis relevantes. Resultados: 43.772 casos prováveis de dengue em gestantes ocorreram no período do estudo. A proporção de casos por trimestre de gestação apresentou distribuição semelhante, com freqüência ligeiramente maior no segundo trimestre da gravidez (32,6%). O risco do óbito por dengue foi maior na população de gestantes que na população de mulheres em idade fértil não gestante (RR: 3,95; IC 95% 3,07-5,08, p<0,001), sendo observado um risco relativo de 8,55 (IC95%: 6,08-12,02, p <0,001) para as gestantes no terceiro trimestre. 3.898 nascidos vivos do grupo de gestantes positivas provenientes de 1.283 municípios foram incluídos no estudo de coorte retrospectivo. A distribuição do peso ao nascer foi similar entre todos os grupos de estudo, variando de 2,8 a 3,5 Kg em 50% dos recém-nascidos. O odds ratio ajustado de prematuridade foi maior no grupo de gestantes positivas para dengue do que o grupo negativo, na comparação de todos os trimestres agregados (OR 1,26; IC 95% 1,06-1,49; p= 0,006). A incidência de malformações congênitas foi <1% em todos os grupos. Conclusões: este é o primeiro estudo realizado com dados nacionais e estabelece a linha de base dos desfechos em nascidos vivos antes da introdução dos vírus Chikungunya e Zika no País. Nossos achados reforçam a dengue como um importante problema para as gestantes, indicando risco aumentado para o óbito pela doença e prematuridade nos nascidos vivos, mas não para malformações congênitas ou baixo peso ao nascer.

The aim of this descriptive research was to determine the methods of case linkage (methods to link murder cases to each other as well as to link the murder series to one offender) employed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate serial murder in South Africa and to comprehensively explain them. A qualitative approach was employed with a multi-method data collection process which included case study, interviews and literature review in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the subject. The methods of case linkage are explained within three phases of a serial murder investigation: the identification phase, the investigation and apprehension phase, and the trial and sentencing phase. The main findings of the study revealed the need for further training of the SAPS members and the need for a Standing Operating Procedure to be implemented to specifically govern the system of investigation for a serial murder case. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

La thèse conduit une analyse cinématique des mécanismes spatiaux allant de mécanismes sphériques aux mécanismes spatiaux sur-contraints basés sur la méthode matricielle D-H et l’applique pour explorer le comportement rigide de pliabilité et de mouvement des modèles d’origami. Dans ce processus, la pliabilité rigide du motif origami en torsion triangulaire est d’abord examinée sur la base de la cinématique du réseau de mécanismes 4 R sphériques et de nouveaux mécanismes 6 R sur-contraints dérivés par la technique du kirigami. Ensuite, la cinématique du mécanisme de Bricard 6 R plan-symétrique est analysée et ses variations de bifurcation sont discutées. Après cela, les résultats sont appliqués pour étudier le pliage symétrique de l’origami de la waterbomb à six plis à panneau épais, qui est modélisé sous laforme d’un réseau de mécanismes de Bricard 6 R plan-symétriques. Le comportement de mouvement de sa tessellation correspondante de feuille de zéro-épaisseur est démontré par unréseau de mécanismes 6 R sphériques. Enfin, le comportement de mouvement de la forme cylindrique fermée de l’origami de la waterbomb est analysé à travers une étude paramétrique, en le modélisant comme un réseau fermé de mécanismes 6 R sphériques. Ces études aident à approfondir la compréhension de la cinématique des mécanismes spatiaux et du mouvement rigide de l’origami, et à jeter les bases des applications techniques des mécanismes spatiaux et des motifs d’origami rigides. / This dissertation conducts kinematic analysis of spatial linkages ranging from spherical linkages to overconstrained linkages based on the D-H matrix method, and applies it to explore the rigid foldability and motion behaviour of origami patterns. In this process, the rigid foldability of triangle twist origami pattern is firstly examined based on the kinematics of spherical 4 R linkage network and new overconstrained 6 R linkages are derived by kirigami technique. Then the kinematics of the plane-symmetric Bricard 6 R linkage is analyzed and its bifurcation variations are discussed. After that, the results are applied to study the symmetric folding of six-crease thick-panel waterbomb origami, which is modelled as a network of planesymmetric Bricard 6 R linkages. The motion behaviour of its corresponding tessellation of zerothickness sheet is demonstrated by a network of spherical 6 R linkages. Finally, the motion behaviour of the closed cylindrical form of waterbomb origami is investigated through a parametric study, by means of modelling it as a closed network of spherical 6 R linkages. These studies help to deepen the understanding of spatial linkage kinematics and rigid origami motion, and lay the foundation for engineering applications of spatial linkages and rigid origami patterns.