Estimates of covariance functions for growth from birth to 630 days of age in Nelore cattle

Weight records of Brazilian Nelore cattle, from birth to 630 d of age, recorded every 3 mo, were analyzed using random regression models. Independent variables were Legendre polynomials of age at recording. The model of analysis included contemporary groups as fixed effects and age of dam as a linear and quadratic covariable. Mean trends were modeled through a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of age. Up to four sets of random regression coefficients were fitted for animals' direct and maternal, additive genetic, and permanent environmental effects. Changes in measurement error variances with age were modeled through a variance function. Orders of polyno-mial fit from three to six were considered, resulting in up to 77 parameters to be estimated. Models fitting random regressions modeled the pattern of variances in the data adequately, with estimates similar to those from corresponding univariate analysis. Direct heritability estimates decreased after birth and tended to be lowest at ages at which maternal effect estimates tended to be highest. Maternal heritability estimates increased after birth to a peak around 110 to 120 d of age and decreased thereafter. Additive genetic direct correlation estimates between weights at standard ages (birth, weaning, yearling, and final weight) were moderate to high and maternal genetic and environmental correlations were consistently high. © 2001 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Estimates of covariance functions for growth of Nelore cattle applying a parametric correlation structure to model within-animal correlations

A total of 20,065 weights recorded on 3016 Nelore animals were used to estimate covariance functions for growth from birth to 630 days of age, assuming a parametric correlation structure to model within-animal correlations. The model of analysis included fixed effects of contemporary groups and age of dam as quadratic covariable. Mean trends were taken into account by a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of animal age. Genetic effects of the animal and its dam and maternal permanent environmental effects were modelled by random regressions on Legendre polynomials of age at recording. Changes in direct permanent environmental effect variances were modelled by a polynomial variance function, together with a parametric correlation function to account for correlations between ages. Stationary and nonstationary models were used to model within-animal correlations between different ages. Residual variances were considered homogeneous or heterogeneous, with changes modelled by a step or polynomial function of age at recording. Based on Bayesian information criterion, a model with a cubic variance function combined with a nonstationary correlation function for permanent environmental effects, with 49 parameters to be estimated, fitted best. Modelling within-animal correlations through a parametric correlation structure can describe the variation pattern adequately. Moreover, the number of parameters to be estimated can be decreased substantially compared to a model fitting random regression on Legendre polynomial of age. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oral cancer mortality trends in Brazilian geographical regions from 1996-2001

The purpose of this study was to analyse the oral cancer mortality trends in Brazil by geographic region, age and sex, from 1996 to 2001. The Brazilian Ministry of Health database DATASUS and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics were used as the source of data. Oral cancer mortality rates per 100,000 population were estimated. Statistical analyses comprised estimates of oral cancer mortality rates, grouped according to the study variables, in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001; also, the three-year periods 1996-1998 and 1999-2001 were analysed, allowing the oral cancer mortality trends between these two periods to be calculated. For comparison, in each geographical region, the ratio between two death rates (related to period or sex) was calculated. In the period 1996-2001, a total of 25,972 deaths due to oral cancer were reported, giving a mortality rate of 2.67. The rates for the periods 1996-1998 and 1999-2001 were 2.53 and 2.73, respectively, showing a slight increase in the rate. There was a predominance of oral cancer in males with a male/female ratio of approximately 4. All regions exhibited an increase in mortality rates, with the exception of the Southeast region. From 1996 to 2001, the average mortality rates were 3.55 and 3.58 for the Southeast and South regions, and 1.94, 1.41, and 0.86 for the Mid-West, Northeast, and North regions, respectively. Over the age of 40, oral cancer mortality rates were seen to increase rapidly with age. Oral cancer mortality increased in all regions, except in the Southeast, and was considerably higher among males and older individuals.

Tendencias y cambios en la inversión de las empresas internacionales en los países en desarrollo y particularmente en América Latina = Trends and changes in the investment of transnational corporations in the developing countries and particularly in Latin America

Incluye Bibliografía

Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2004: 2005 trends

Includes bibliography

Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2006: 2007 trends

Includes bibliography

Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2007: 2008 trends

Includes bibliography

Tendências econômicas e sociais na América Latina e no Caribe em gráficos = Economic and social trends in Latin America and the Caribbean in graphs = Tendencias económicas y sociales en América Latina y el Caribe en gráficos

Incluye Bibliografía

Natural resources within the Union of South American Nations: status and trends for a regional development agenda

Includes bibliography

Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Trends, Progress, and Challenges in Sustainable Consumption and Production, Mining, Transport, Chemicals and Waste Management

Includes bibliography

International migration: Trends and institutional frameworks from the African perspective

Incluye bibliografía

Caribbean trade and integration: trends and future prospects

Includes Bibliography

Trade in services in Latin America and the Caribbean: an analysis of recent trends

Includes bibliography

Trends in United States trade with Latin America and the Caribbean and trade policy towards the region

Includes Bibliography