<p>In this thesis a FIR filter generator has been designed. The program generates FIR filters in the form of VHDL-files. Four different filter structures have been implemented in the generator, Direct Form (DF), Differential Coefficients Method (DCM), polyphase filters and (2-by-2) filters. </p><p>The focus of the thesis was to implement filter structures that create FIR filters with as low power consumption and area as possible. </p><p>The generaterator has been implemented i C++. The C++ program creates text-files with VHDL-code. The user must then compile and synthesize the VHDL-files. The program uses an text-file with the filter coefficients as input.</p>

In this thesis a FIR filter generator has been designed. The program generates FIR filters in the form of VHDL-files. Four different filter structures have been implemented in the generator, Direct Form (DF), Differential Coefficients Method (DCM), polyphase filters and (2-by-2) filters. The focus of the thesis was to implement filter structures that create FIR filters with as low power consumption and area as possible. The generaterator has been implemented i C++. The C++ program creates text-files with VHDL-code. The user must then compile and synthesize the VHDL-files. The program uses an text-file with the filter coefficients as input.

Today, population census results are not only fundamental for population counting but also for providing various information to many organizations and people who make research and take decisions about human-related issues. However, statistics produced on the basis of administrative divisions in Turkey are inadequate to meet the needs of most In this study, a new census geography is aimed for Turkey using Geographic Information Systems and Multi Criteria Decision Making methodologies. This new census geography is for statistical purposes only, independent from legal boundaries and generated by the concept of small area statistics. New rules and methodologies are created by taking the United States and the United Kingdom systems as models to reach to the main aim, and then they are applied on a case study area, &Ccedil / ankaya District in Ankara. Through this application process, firstly all the collected graphical and nongraphical raw data are geo-referenced and combined in a common geodatabase. Secondly, this geodatabase is used to understand the differentiation of quality of life indicators across the case study area. This pattern is then used to draw the boundaries of small statistical units of the new census geography in terms of the previously defined population sizes. In conclusion, a nationwide standard census geography hierarchy, which ranges between national level at the top and block level at the bottom, is proposed for use in 2010 Population Census and afterwards.

The general aim of this research is to investigate approaches to: •improve small area market demand (i.e. SAMD) prediction accuracy for the purchase of automobiles at the level of each Census Collection District (i.e. CCD); and •enhance understanding of meso-level marketing phenomena (i.e. geographically aggregated phenomena) relating to SAMD. Given the importance of SAMD prediction, and the limitations posed by current methods, four research questions are addressed: •What are the key challenges in meso-level SAMD prediction? •What variables affect SAMD prediction? •What techniques can be used to improve SAMD prediction? •What is the value of integrating these techniques to improve SAMD prediction? To answer these questions, possible solutions from two broad areas are examined: spatial analysis and data mining. The research is divided into two main studies. In the first study, a seven-step modelling process is developed for SAMD prediction. Several sets of models are analysed to examine the modelling techniques’ effectiveness in improving the accuracy of SAMD prediction. The second study involves two cases to: 1) explore the integration of these techniques and their advantages in SAMD prediction; and 2) gain insights into spatial marketing issues. The case study of Peugeot in the Sydney metropolitan area shows that urbanisation and geo-marketing factors can have a more important role in SAMD prediction than socio-demographic factors. Furthermore, results show that modelling spatial effects is the most important aspect of this prediction exercise. The value of the integration of techniques is in compensating for the weaknesses of conventional techniques, and in providing complementary and supplementary information for meso-level marketing analyses. Substantively, significant spatial variation and continuous patterns are found with the influence of key studied variables. The substantive implications of these findings have a bearing on both academic and managerial understanding. Also, the innovative methods (e.g. the SAMD modelling process and the model cube based technique comparison) developed from this research make significant contributions to marketing research methodology.

Introdução. A influência de fatores sócioeconômicos na epidemia pelo HIV/Aids tem sido discutida na literatura científica. Objetivo. Estudar a mortalidade por Aids segundo condições sócioeconômicas no município de São Paulo, no período de 1994 a 1999, entre homens e mulheres de 15 a 49 anos (15 a 24; 25 a 49). Método. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico tendo como unidades de análise os 96 distritos e 5 áreas homogêneas, classificadas segundo o índice social para cada distrito. Foram utilizados dados secundários do PROGRAMA DE APRIMORAMENTO DAS INFORMAÇÕES DE MORTALIDADE DO MUNICÍPIO (PRÓ – AIM), estimativas populacionais do censo de 1991 e os índices sociais do Mapa da exclusão/inclusão social para a cidade. Foram calculados os coeficientes de mortalidade por Aids por sexo e idade, em cada ano e área. Foi analisada a correlação entre o logarítmo dos coeficientes de mortalidade por Aids e os índices de exclusão/inclusão social nos 96 distritos. A tendência da mortalidade por Aids foi analisada na série histórica, nas 5 áreas homogêneas. Resultados. Foi encontrada correlação negativa estatisticamente significativa entre o log dos coeficientes de mortalidade por Aids e o índice de eqüidade entre homens e mulheres de 15 a 49 anos, ao longo de todo o período. Observou-se uma tendência à correlação positiva significativa entre o índice de qualidade de vida e a mortalidade masculina por Aids, entre 1994 e 1998, tornando-se negativa no ano de 1999. A redução da mortalidade por Aids observada após a introdução da moderna terapêutica anti-retroviral, entre 1996 e 1999, foi maior na área mais incluída: 60% entre os homens de 25 a 49 anos e 53% entre as mulheres da mesma idade. Os menores percentuais de queda foram observados nas áreas mais excluídas: 50% na AH5 entre homens de 25 a 49 anos, e 33% na AH3, entre as mulheres da mesma idade. Os percentuais de queda foram menores na população feminina em todas as áreas. Conclusões. A despeito da terapia anti-retroviral gratuita em todo município, a queda na mortalidade por Aids apresentou diferenças em relação às áreas geográficas. Essa redução foi menor na população vivendo em áreas de exclusão social e sendo mais lenta entre as mulheres em todas as áreas. Nos distritos onde foi maior a concentração de mulheres chefes de família não alfabetizadas observou-se também uma maior mortalidade por Aids, entre homens e mulheres. A vulnerabilidade feminina em relação ao HIV/Aids tem sido amplamente discutida na literatura científica. Alguns fatores como desigualdade no acesso aos cuidados de saúde e menor aderência ao tratamento podem estar relacionados com essas diferenças. A mortalidade por Aids nas diferentes áreas deve ser também estudada de acordo com a dinâmica da epidemia, a incidência e a letalidade nessas áreas, que podem explicar achados dessa mortalidade e diferenças entre áreas de inclusão e de exclusão. / Background. The role of the socioeconomic factors in the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been a subject of discussion in the scientific literature. Objective. The aim of the present study was to analyse AIDS mortality of persons aged 15-49 years old (15-24; 25-49) among men and women, in São Paulo city between 1994 and 1999, by socioeconomic conditions of geographic areas. Methods. Small area ecological study in the 96 districts and the five areas classified in level 1 to 5, better to worse socioeconomic conditions, drawn from city social exclusion map. Using 1991 population census, the city mortality information system (PROGRAMA DE APRIMORAMENTO DAS INFORMAÇÕES DE MORTALIDADE DO MUNICÍPIO) and socioeconomic indices for each district from city social exclusion map. We calculated the AIDS mortality rates by year, sex and age for each geographic area. The correlation between the rate of AIDS mortality and measures social exclusion was calculated for 96 districts over the period. The AIDS mortality trend was examined in the five areas. Results: The rate of AIDS mortality was correlated negatively with the equity index both males and females aged 15 to 49 years old over the period . Among men, a positive correlation was observed between the rate of AIDS mortality and the quality of life index. Reduction of mortality after the implementation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (1996-1999) was greater in the area of higher socioeconomic status (level 1) for both males (60%) and females (53%) aged 25-49. Whereas less decrease was observed in areas of lower socioeconomic conditions for both males and females. Mortality decrease more slowly for woman in all areas. Conclusions: Despite free antiretroviral therapy, differences in AIDS mortality are observed in relation to neighborhood-level socio economic conditions. The decrease in AIDS mortality was lowest in areas with disadvantaged socioeconomic status and among women. Inequalities in health-care access or poor adherence to treatment could explain the differences. These findings may also reflect, in part, differences in HIV/AIDS incidence in the geographic areas .

Introdução. Atualmente, inquéritos de saúde de base populacional utilizam diferentes estratégias para a obtenção de dados, como as entrevistas domiciliares e telefônicas, com a finalidade de monitorar fatores de risco e avaliar o acesso e utilização dos serviços de saúde, sendo essenciais no planejamento de políticas públicas em saúde. Objetivo. Estudar a aplicação de algumas ferramentas estatísticas utilizadas para a comparação de estimativas obtidas por diferentes inquéritos, construção de ajustes de pósestratificação e aplicação de técnicas de estimação em pequenas áreas, utilizando dados de inquéritos de saúde de base populacional realizados em áreas do Estado de São Paulo. Metodologia. Utilizando o módulo survey do pacote estatístico Stata nas versões 10.0 e 11.0 foram feitos três trabalhos. O primeiro (artigo 1) comparou estimativas segundo tipo de inquérito (domiciliar ISA-Capital 2008 e telefônico VIGITEL-SP 2008) por meio de regressão de Poisson ajustada por idade e escolaridade. O segundo (artigo 2) comparou ajustes de pós-estratificação utilizando distintos conjuntos de variáveis e três diferentes estratégias (ponderação por célula, técnica rake e uma terceira técnica combinada entre o ajuste por célula e a técnica rake). O terceiro (artigo 3) utilizou cinco técnicas (diretas e indiretas) de estimação em pequenas áreas para a obtenção de prevalências de características de saúde para uma área menor do Município de São Paulo (Distrito de Saúde do Butantã). Resultados. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre as estimativas obtidas pelo VIGITEL e ISA-Capital para as prevalências de realização de mamografia no último ano. No entanto, para as estimativas globais de realização do exame de Papanicolaou alguma vez na vida, no último ano e de mamografia na vida, foi possível verificar diferenças, com prevalências de cobertura superiores entre as entrevistadas pelo inquérito telefônico (artigo 1). Aplicando a técnica de pós-estratificação rake, foram observadas as maiores reduções de vício, principalmente quando consideradas as variáveis sociodemográficas, associadas a cada uma das características de saúde analisadas (artigo 2). As estimativas de pequenas áreas de diferentes características de saúde obtidas por meio da calibração e via modelagem, considerando os fatores associados a cada uma delas, foram as que tiveram maior semelhança com as prevalências consideradas como sendo os verdadeiros valores populacionais (artigo 3). Conclusões. Os resultados das comparações entre os inquéritos sinalizam a tendência de superestimação de alguns indicadores de cobertura de mamografia e de Papanicolaou nos dados de pesquisa via telefone, apontando para a necessidade de novos estudos que também contribuam para o melhor entendimento dos vícios e possíveis correções com novos ajustes de pós-estratificação (artigo 1). Apesar dos ajustes de pós-estratificação não corrigirem totalmente as estimativas, as diferenças encontradas não devem ser consideradas um impedimento para a realização dos inquéritos via telefone fixo, uma vez que eles contribuem para o direcionamento de ações e novas políticas de saúde no Brasil (artigo 2). A utilização de técnicas de estimação em pequenas áreas permite o uso de determinada pesquisa, que a princípio não tenha sido desenhada para tal objetivo, identificando necessidades de determinadas regiões, contribuindo para a implantação de ações preventivas e intervenções em saúde pública em nível local (artigo 3) / Introduction. Nowadays population-based health surveys employ different strategies in order to obtain data, such as household and telephone interviews with the purpose of monitoring risk factors and evaluate the access and utilization of health services, being essential in planning public health policies. Objective. Study the implementation of some statistical tools used for comparison of estimates obtained by different surveys, creation of post-stratification adjustments and small-area estimation techniques, using data from different population-based health surveys conducted in areas of the state of São Paulo. Methodology. Using the svy commands of Stata (10.0 and 11.0), three studies were carried out. The first (paper 1) compared estimates according to the type of the survey (household survey ISACapital 2008 and telephone survey VIGITEL-SP 2008) using Poisson regression analysis adjusted by age and education. The second (paper 2) compared post-stratification adjustments utilizing different sets of variables and three different strategies (cell weighting technique, rake technique and a third \"combined\" between the rake and cell weighting). The third (paper 3) used five (direct and indirect) small-area estimation techniques for the calculation of prevalence of health characteristics for a smaller area of São Paulo (Butantã Health District). Results. There were no statistically significant differences between the estimates obtained by VIGITEL and ISACapital for the prevalence of mammography in the year prior to the interview. However, estimates for the global results of the Pap smear at least once in life and in the past year as well as, mammography in life, we observed differences, with higher prevalence rates among respondents by telephone (paper 1). Applying the rake post-stratification technique, the largest reductions were observed in bias, especially when taking into account sociodemographic variables associated with each health characteristic analyzed (paper 2). The estimates for small areas obtained by calibration and regression, considering the factors associated with each health characteristic, were the ones most similar to the prevalence considered to be the true population values (paper 3). Conclusions. The results of the comparisons between the two surveys indicate the trend of overestimation in some indicators of prevalence of mammography and Pap smear via telephone survey, indicating a concern for further studies that also contribute to a better understanding of the bias and possible corrections with new post-stratification adjustments (paper 1). Despite the post-stratification adjustments do not completely correct the estimates, it should not be considered an impediment, since the telephone surveys contribute to the direct actions and new health policies in Brazil. (paper 2). The use of smallarea estimation techniques allows extrapolating the utilization of a research that had not been designed for such a purpose, identifying the needs of a particular region, contributing to the implementation of preventive interventions in public health at the local level. (paper 3)

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This work investigates births to white, African American and Hispanic adolescents in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, Florida, from 1992 to 1997 in two age groups - 13 to 17 year-olds and 18 to 19 year-olds - using spatial statistical techniques along with key informant interviews to provide insights into the utility of the research findings. The research developed a method for estimating the adolescent population in inter-census years, which was used to determine denominators for calculating teen birth rates. It also developed a composite deprivation index using socioeconomic indicators at the census block group level. The index provided context for hot and cold spot analysis, areas where expected teen birth rates were statistically higher or lower than expected. The association between socioeconomic deprivation in a neighborhood and rates of teen births was inconclusive, indicating a need for further research. Next steps include investigating individual-level risk and protective factors using multi-level modeling and cluster analysis as alternate analytic methods, and conducting ethnographic investigation to help provide context to the neighborhoods.

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Adult women bear a disproportionate burden of overweight and obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Precise information to understand disease distribution and assess determinants is lacking. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to: (i) analyze the prevalence of adult female overweight and obesity combined in lower-level administrative units; (ii) analyze the effect modification of educational attainment and age on the association between household wealth and adult female overweight and obesity; (iii) synthesize qualitative research evidence to describe contextual factors contributing to female overweight and obesity at different life stages. Bayesian and logistic regression models were constructed with Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data to respectively estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and assess the interaction of education on the association between household wealth and overweight. The synthesis of qualitative research studies was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and findings were grouped by themes. Prevalence estimates revealed heterogeneity at second-level administrative units in the seven SSA countries examined, which was not visible in first-level administrative units. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity ranged from 7.5 – 42.0% in Benin, 1.4 – 35.9% in Ethiopia, 1.6 – 44.7% in Mozambique, 1.0 – 67.9% in Nigeria, 2.2 - 72.4% in Tanzania, 3.9 – 39.9% in Zambia, and 4.5 - 50.6% in Zimbabwe. Additionally, education did not have a statistically significant modifying effect on the positive association between household wealth and overweight in the 22 SSA countries eligible for the study. Body shape and size ideals, barriers to healthy food choices and physical activity were key themes in the research synthesis encompassing four SSA countries. Positive symbolism, including beauty, was linked to overweight and obesity in adult women. Among adolescents, although being overweight or obese was not accepted, girls were expected to be voluptuous. Body image dissatisfaction and victimization characterized the experiences of non-conforming women and girls. Barriers to healthy nutrition included migration and the food environment. Whereas, barriers to physical activity included ageism. While additional work is encouraged to validate the prevalence estimates, overweight and obesity interventions must consider whether the determinants identified in this study are relevant to their context to inform improved outcomes.