Search

Changes in live weight or dimension for a period of time are explained by growth curves. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth curves in lambs of 6 (1st experimental group) and/or 5 genotypes (2nd group) created on the basis of Improved Valachian (IV) and Tsigai (T) breed. All lambs (n = 209 and 205) were kept from birth to 9 months of age in identical conditions. Lambs of both experimental groups were weighed at birth and then every week until weaning (8 weightings totally). After weaning only breeding ewe and ram lambs were weighed (6 times totally). The growth of lambs created on the basis of IV a T breeds showed linear course till weaning expressed in regression equation y = 0.2659x + 5.352 and y = 0.2404x + 4.7364 respectively (R2 = 0.985 and/or 0.9954; x - day of raising). Weight differences between genotypes grew after weaning. The average weight of lambs at the age of 150 days was 40.15 kg in the 1st group and 38.31 kg in the 2nd group respectively. The lowest weight was in purebred IV (38.13 kg) a T lambs (34.98 kg) and the highest in the purebred Lacaune lambs (43.82 kg and/or 44.29 kg). Differences between genotypes were statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). The differences among genotypes were even more marked at the age of 9 months. Growth of lambs from birth to the age of 9 months can be expressed in the best way by means of polynomic equation (R2 = 0.99 in both experimental groups). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective (SH) and objective health (OH) measures are associated with depressive symptomatology in older adults. We explored whether the discrepancy between SH and OH (operationalised as 'health asymmetry' with four categories: 'health optimistic', 'health pessimistic' and 'good health realistic' and 'poor health realistic') may also relate to depressive symptomatology 1) cross-sectionally, and 2) longitudinally, among older European adults. Adults (n = 26,520), aged 50+, from 11 European countries, were assessed over six waves of data collection (2006–2020) in the SHARE study. A hierarchical multi-level growth curve model explored whether health asymmetry was associated with depressive symptomology at baseline, and with depressive symptom trajectories across time, accounting for country of origin. At baseline, 11.8% of older adults were classified as health pessimistic, with 15.5% being health optimistic, 42.9% being poor health realistic and 29.8% being good health realistic. A positive linear trend in depressive symptomatology was noted across 14 years of SHARE data (β = 0.11, p <.001). Health pessimists displayed higher levels of depressive symptoms than both health realistic groups and health optimists. However, health pessimists experienced a less steep increase in depressive symptoms across time (β = − 0.10, p <.001), relative to good health realists. Health pessimists experience elevated levels of depressive symptoms, but show less growth in depressive symptomatology than expected. Further research is required to understand the underlying causes of the varying depressive symptom trajectories among these groups. • Health Asymmetry assesses agreement between objective and subjective health scores. • Health Asymmetry identifies health pessimists, optimists and realists. • Depressive symptoms in older adults vary significantly across European countries. • Cross-sectionally, health pessimists display highest levels of depressive symptoms. • Health pessimists show a less steep growth in symptoms than good health realists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of recently developed polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based optical system was tested for measuring optical density of microbial culture. The data showed that PDMS-based spectrometer is superior to “one drop” spectrometers in the accuracy, and has an advantage over conventional spectrometers in measuring dense culture without dilution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar eficiência de modelos de regressão aleatória (MRA) para detectar locus de características quantitativas (QTL) para características de crescimento, em suínos. Utilizou-se uma população divergente F2 Piau x Comercial. A eficiência da metodologia proposta na detecção de QTL foi comparada à da metodologia tradicional de regressão por intervalo de mapeamento. Para tanto, utilizaram-se MRA com efeitos aleatórios poligênicos, de ambiente permanente e de QTL, tendo-se utilizado o enfoque de matriz de covariância "identical‑by‑descent" associada aos efeitos de QTL. Testou-se a significância dos efeitos de QTL mediante a razão de verossimilhanças, tendo-se considerado o modelo como completo quando houve efeito de QTL, ou nulo, quando não. A comparação entre os modelos foi feita nas posições dos marcadores (seis marcadores microssatélites) e nas intermediárias, entre os marcadores. O MRA detectou QTL significativo na posição 65 cM do cromossomo 7 e, portanto, foi mais eficiente que a metodologia tradicional, que não detectou QTL significativo em nenhum dos fenótipos avaliados. A metodologia proposta possibilitou a detecção de QTL com efeito sobre toda a trajetória de crescimento, dentro da amplitude de idade considerada (do nascimento aos 150 dias).The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of random regression models (RRM) to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth traits in pigs. An outbreed F2 Piau x Commercial population was used. The efficiency of the proposed methodology for QTL detection was compared to the traditional methodology of regression interval mapping. In order to do that, RRM with random polygenic effects of permanent environment and of QTL were used with the approach of the covariance matrix identical‑by‑descent, associated to the QTL effects. The significance of QTL effects was tested by the likelihood ratio, considering the described model as being complete when there was significant QTL effect, and null, when there was not. Comparison between models was made at the positions of the markers (six microsatellite markers) and at the intermediate positions between them. The RRM allowed the detection of a significant QTL at the position 65 cM of chromosome 7 and, therefore, it was considered more efficient than traditional method, which did not identify any significant QTL in any of the evaluated phenotypes. The proposed methodology enabled the detection of QTL affecting all growth trajectory within the considered age range (from birth to 150 days)

The body weight records of 1221 heifers were used in this study collected from PT Taurus Dairy Farm Sukabumi from year 2001 until 2011. The records that could be used for analysis were 373 out of 1221 heifers, having completed data from birth to first mating period. Three different models i.e, Logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy were performed to analyze the growth rate of heifers. The results showed that the three models had different accuracy and heavily depend on age, environment and duration of recording. The body weights of sexual maturity and on certain ages were affected by the duration of recording. The Gompertz model was performed as the simpliest model in form of calculation. On the other hand, the Logistic was more difficult to calculate. All models indicated high accuracy with the determination coefficient (R2) more than 90%. Based on the comparison, the Gompertz and Logistic model are recommended for predicting the growth rate of heifers from birth to sexual maturity.

Objetivo: Modificar los resultados del Estudio longitudinal del crecimiento en Navarra (NA 09) mediante la exclusión en la muestra poblacional de los casos de obesidad; así como realizar un análisis comparativo con las curvas de crecimiento españolas e internacionales más cualificadas. Material y métodos: De los 930 participantes del NA-09 se han excluido todos los casos de obesidad según los estándares de Cole et al., siendo la muestra definitiva de 782 participantes (371 varones y 411 mujeres). Los resultados obtenidos se comparan con los estudios españoles de Serra-Majem et al (estudio enKid), Carrascosa et al (ESP 08) y NA 09, que no excluyen los casos de obesidad; así como, con las tablas del Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2000) y de la OMS (WHO, 2007) que aplican criterios de depuración de valores antropométricos poco saludables (obesidad y malnutrición). Resultados: Se exponen los valores medios modificados de la talla, peso e IMC con su distribución percentilada, en ambos sexos. Al compararlos con los estudios españoles se observa que los valores evolutivos de los percentiles 3 y 50 correspondientes a la talla, peso e IMC son prácticamente similares; sin embargo, los valores evolutivos del percentil 97 correspondientes al peso e IMC se van distanciando progresivamente. Al compararlos con los estándares internaciones los valores evolutivos de los percentiles 3, 50 y 97 correspondientes al IMC se intercalaban entre ambas referencias. Conclusiones: Para que las curvas y tablas de crecimiento puedan servir como patrones de referencia convendría también excluir en su elaboración a todos los pacientes con obesidad; ya que, de otra manera, podrían llegar a considerarse como estudios meramente descriptivos de una población con una reconocida tendencia al exceso de peso corporal y, por tanto, su aplicabilidad clínica quedaría en entredicho.Objective: To modify the results of the longitudinal study on growth in Navarra (NA 09) by censoring the obesity cases from the population sample as well as to perform a comparative analysis with the most qualified Spanish and international growth curves. Materials and methods: all the cases with obesity according to Cole et al. standards have been censored out of the 930 participants in NA-09, the final sample being 782 participants (371 males and 411 females). The results obtained were compared with the Spanish studies by Serra-Majem et al. (enKid study), Carrascosa et al. (ESP 08), and NA 09, which do not censor the obesity cases, and with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2000) table, and the WHO tables (WHO, 2007) that apply depuration criteria of the poorly healthy anthropometric data (obesity and malnutrition). Results: We present the mean values adjusted by height, weight, and BMI with their percentile distribution for both genders. When comparing with the Spanish studies, we observe that the evolutionary values of the 3d and 50th percentiles for height, weight, and BMI are virtually the same; however, the evolutionary values for the 97th percentile for weight and BMI tend to differ more and more. When comparing them to the international standards, the evolutionary values for the 3d, 50th, and 97th percentiles for BMI lay between both references. Conclusions: for the growth curves and tables to be useful as reference patterns, all obese people should be excluded from their elaboration; otherwise, they should be considered as only descriptive studies of a population with a recognized tendency to excessive body weight and thus their clinical applicability would be put in question.

The growth of Rhodotorula glutinis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was studied under optimal and stress cultivation conditions at 10°C and 20°C for 14 days. The method of image analysis was used to determine the size of colonies. The linear mixed effects model implemented in the statistical program S-PLUS was applied to analyse the repeated measurements. Two-phase kinetics was confirmed and the mean growth rates in the second linear phase under various stress conditions were estimated. The results indicated a higher growth rate of R. mucilaginosa than was that of R. glutinis under all cultivation conditions. The highest growth rate of was observed during the cultivation of R. mucilaginosa in media with 2% of NaCl at 20°C. The impact of neglecting the fact that repeated data are not independent and using the classical regression model instead of the mixed effects model was demonstrated through the comparison of the confidence intervals for the parameters based on both approaches. While the point estimates of the corresponding parameters were similar, the width of the confidence intervals differed substantially.

Los modelos de crecimiento de frutos describen la evolución de su tamaño a lo largo del período de desarrollo. Con fines de pronóstico, estos modelos permiten estimar en forma anticipada el tamaño que alcanzarán los frutos al momento de la cosecha. Para lograr estimaciones insesgadas del tamaño de frutos a cosecha es necesario un diseño adecuado de muestreo en la etapa de recolección de datos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el tamaño óptimo de muestra, compuesta por árboles (n) y frutos (m), para establecer modelos de crecimiento de frutos de naranjo 'Valencia late', que permitan estimar la distribución de tamaño a la cosecha. Se trabajó con el diámetro ecuatorial de frutos previo a la cosecha, proveniente de dos huertos comerciales ubicados en la provincia de Corrientes, Argentina, durante tres temporadas. Mediante modelos mixtos se estimaron las componentes de varianzas entre árboles y frutos, y posteriormente a partir de dos tipos de metodologías se determinó el tamaño de muestra óptimo. La variabilidad entre frutos fue superior a la variabilidad entre árboles. Para la determinación del patrón de crecimiento de frutos de naranjo 'Valencia late' mediante un muestreo bietápico, se sugiere seleccionar 7 árboles y 30 frutos de cada árbol, para lograr estimaciones del diámetro ecuatorial de frutos con una precisión entre el 2 y 3%.Fruit growth models are used, among other applications, to describe the evolution of fruit size throughout its development period. For forecasting, these models allow estimate in advance the size that will achieve the fruits at harvest. To have growth curves that provide unbiased estimate of the fruit size at harvest is necessary to design an appropriate sampling at the data collection stage for its construction. The objective of the present work was to determine the optimal sample size, consisting of trees (n) and fruits (m), to establish the growth patterns of orange fruits 'Valencia late' to estimate the size distribution at harvest. It was used the equatorial diameter of fruits before harvest, from two orchards located in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, during three seasons. Through mixed models were estimated components of variances between trees and fruits, and then from two types of methodologies was determined optimal sample size. The variability among fruits was higher than the variability between trees. To determine the growth pattern of orange fruit 'Valencia late' by sampling in two-stages, it is suggested to select 7 trees and 30 fruit per tree, for the estimative to reach equatorial diameter of fruit with an accuracy between 2 and 3%.

In Brazil, the production of sweet oranges has been threatened by the Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) incited by the gram-negative bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Wells). Commercial citrus groves in two counties at the Northwestern Paraná state were evaluated to estimate the disease progression by using parameterizations of nonlinear models. Groves of Citrus sinensis Osbeck, variety “Pêra”, “Valência”, “Natal” and “Folha Murcha” had all the plants evaluated for the presence of disease symptoms. Thereafter, different parameterizations of the Logistic and Gompertz models were fitted to these data. The goodness of fit was evaluated by the intrinsic (IN) and parameter-effects (PE) curvatures of Bates and Watts, the bias of Box and the Hougaard measures of skewness. In Loanda, the best model was the Fermi-Dirac, and in Nova Esperança the data were best fitted to the parameterization L5, which is also a parameterization from the Logistic model.A citricultura é afetada por diversas doenças, dentre as quais a Clorose Variegada dos Citros (CVC) causada pela bactéria Xylella fastidiosa (Wells). Para a região noroeste do Estado do Paraná, onde foi avaliada a CVC, propõe-se encontrar modelos não-lineares de curvas de progresso de incidência da CVC que representem o percentual de plantas acometidas pela doença. Para avaliar o comprometimento dos pomares com relação à doença, foram escolhidos pomares comerciais em dois municípios, onde foi determinada a proporção de plantas doentes. Foram selecionados talhões de laranja doce (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) nas variedades “Pêra”, “Valência”, “Natal” e “Folha Murcha” e a avaliação de todas as plantas do talhão foi realizada visualmente em relação à presença ou à ausência de sintomas de CVC. Para estimar o modelo que melhor se ajustou aos dados de progresso da proporção da doença em cada talhão, foram considerados modelos não-lineares decrescimento sigmoidal, o logístico e o de Gompertz, conforme sugerido na literatura. A escolha do melhor modelo foi com base em medidas de curvatura intrínseca e paramétrica de Bates e Watts, viés de Box e medida de assimetria de Hougaard. O modelo que melhor ajustou aos dados de Loanda foi o modelo de Fermi-Dirac e aos dados de Nova Esperança foi outra reparametrização do Modelo Logístico, denominado de L5.

This paper aims to assess important forest parameters, including tree density, diameter at breast height (DBH), and age distribution, investigate the dynamic growth of miombo tree species, and employ this information to design a management framework in miombo forests. The delineation of the management zones was based on unsupervised land cover classification that began with three zones where ground data was collected and increased to five zones. Eighteen circular plots (25.2 m radius) were randomly distributed over the study areas to assess the current situation and potential growth patterns for each species. The patterns of the six most representative tree species of miombo in Angola were described and we used KORFiT 2.4 software to fit data and develop growth curves for at least three miombo species. Growth function fitness was evaluated by root mean squared error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), significance of the parameters (p < 0.05), and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). The diameter distribution of miombo tree species resembled a typical distribution of uneven-aged forest stands; higher DBH classes had lower abundances of tree species. Logistic and Gompertz growth functions were the best fits for miombo tree species. Brachystegia spiciformis Benth., is suggested as a potential species for timber management in the region because they displayed high growth potential to more quickly reach an assumed minimum DBH of 20 cm. This study concluded that miombo forest stands present an irregular structure in which DBH distribution illustrated only two patterns: many small stems and a bimodal forest structure.

Different versions of the lognormal diffusion process with exogenous factors have been used in recent years to model and study the behavior of phenomena following a given growth curve. In each case considered, the estimation of the model has been addressed, generally by maximum likelihood (ML), as has been the study of several characteristics associated with the type of curve considered. For this process, a unified version of the ML estimation problem is presented, including how to obtain estimation errors and asymptotic confidence intervals for parametric functions when no explicit expression is available for the estimators of the parameters of the model. The Gompertz-type diffusion process is used here to illustrate the application of the methodology.

The aim of this study was to model sugarcane potential bud sprouting temporal evolution within the context of a 3x3x2 factorial experiment. Statistical modeling was accomplished by means of a three-parameter logistic model using nonlinear mixed models. The trial was carried out with seed cane from three varieties (LCP 85-384, CP 65-357 and CP 48-103), considering three harvesting dates (May, August, and October) and two seed cane origins (micropropagation and hot water treatment). Experimental units were distributed in a 3x3x2 completely randomized factorial arrangement with two replicates. The number of sprouts was recorded from the day after plantation up to the 21st day. The selection of effects associated with a particular parameter was made by means of backward selection. Once the significant effects were selected, the need for the corresponding random effect was tested. The same procedure was followed with the rest of the parameters. Heteroscedasticity was corrected using a power variance function and autocorrelation of residuals was included as an order 1 autoregressive model. After statistical modeling, the conclusion to be drawn is that the methodology of nonlinear mixed models is an adequate and powerful tool when analyzing data obtained from factorial experiments, where repeated measurements over a period of time have been recorded.El objetivo del trabajo fue modelar la evolución temporal de la brotación potencial en caña de azúcar, en el contexto de un experimento factorial 3x3x2. El modelado se hizo mediante el modelo logístico de tres parámetros, utilizándose modelos mixtos no lineales. Se trabajó con caña semilla de tres variedades (LCP 85-384, CP 65-357 y CP 48-103), tres épocas de cosecha (mayo, agosto y octubre) y dos orígenes de la semilla (micropropagación y propagación convencional por estacas termotratadas). Las unidades experimentales se ubicaron en un arreglo factorial 3x3x2 completamente aleatorizado con dos repeticiones. Se registró diariamente el número de yemas brotadas, desde el día siguiente al de plantación hasta los 21 días. En modelos mixtos, la selección de los efectos asociados con un parámetro particular se hizo mediante una selección hacia atrás. Una vez seleccionados los efectos significativos, se evaluó si el efecto aleatorio correspondiente era necesario. El mismo procedimiento se siguió con el resto de los parámetros. La heterocedasticidad se corrigió mediante una función de potencia de varianza, y para la autocorrelación de residuales se usó un modelo autoregresivo de orden 1. Luego del análisis, se concluye que el empleo de la metodología de modelos mixtos no lineales es una herramienta adecuada y poderosa para el análisis de datos obtenidos en experimentos factoriales donde se realizan mediciones repetidas cada cierto intervalo de tiempo.

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de avaliar o perfil de crescimento e de deposição de nutrientes nas penas, nos músculos, nos ossos e na pele de machos e fêmeas de frangos de corte das linhagens Ross e Cobb, no período de 1 a 56 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 1920 pintos, alojados em boxes de um galpão experimental, em piso. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, fatorial (2 x 2), sendo 2 linhagens e 2 sexos, 4 repetições de 120 aves cada. As aves foram alimentadas com ração, formuladas para atender às exigências nutricionais das aves nas diferentes fases de criação. As aves foram abatidas semanalmente, após um jejum de 24 horas e, em seguida, foram depenadas, evisceradas e realizadas a separação dos ossos, da pele e dos músculos, estes foram pesados e armazenados em câmara fria. Após, foram moídos e liofilizados para realizar as análises laboratoriais. Os parâmetros de peso e de deposição de nutrientes obtidos semanalmente foram estimados em função da equação de Gompertz, e as taxas de crescimento por meio das derivadas das equações. Houve interação (PThe objective of this work was to study the profile of growth and nutrient deposition on muscles, bones and skin of Ross and Cobb male and female broiler chicken from the age of one day to 56 days. We used 1920 chicks raised in experimental boxes. The experimental design was randomized in a factorial model (2 x 2), with 4 replications of 120 birds each. The birds were fed with diets formulated to supply the nutrient requirements according to each breeding phase. The birds were slaughtered weekly, after 24 hours of fasting, then they were completely plucked and feather samples were collected. The birds were eviscerated and after separating the skin and muscles from the bones, they were weighed, identified and stored in a cold chamber. Thereafter, the samples were ground and freeze-dried to be analyzed in laboratory. There was an interaction (P

OBJETIVOS: Descrever e analisar comparativamente os dados antropométricos de crianças indígenas Suruí, Xavánte e Wari' menores de 60 meses, a partir dos conjuntos de curvas de crescimento NCHS/1977 e WHO/2005. MÉTODOS: A antropometria seguiu técnica padronizada e os dados foram convertidos em escores z utilizando-se os programas Epi-Info (Versão 3.4) e WHO-Anthro (Versão Beta). Os índices estatura/idade (E/I), peso/idade (P/I) e peso/estatura (P/E) foram os descritores do estado nutricional em todas as crianças menores que 60 meses e também o índice de massa corporal (IMC) nas de 24-59 meses. RESULTADOS: As prevalências de E/I < -2 escores z foram: crianças Suruí, 31,4 (NCHS/1977) e 38,6% (WHO/2005); Xavánte, 30,9 e 42,3%; Wari', 61,7 e 68,3%. As prevalências de P/I < -2 escores z foram: crianças Suruí, 12,4 (NCHS/1977) e 8,5% (WHO/2005); Xavánte, 16,5 e 11,6%; Wari', 51,7 e 45,0%. As prevalências de P/E < -2 escores z para as crianças Suruí foram nulas (NCHS/1977 e WHO/2005); para as Xavánte, 1,7 e 3,3%; e para as Wari', 1,7% e nula. As prevalências de P/E > 2 escores z para as crianças Suruí foram 3,9 (NCHS/1977) e 3,9% (WHO/2005); Xavánte, nula e 0,8%; Wari', nulas para ambas as curvas. Nas crianças Suruí de 24 a 59 meses o percentual com escore z > 2 para o IMC foi de 5,4% (WHO/2005); Xavánte, 9,5%; Wari', 0%. CONCLUSÕES: Há diferenças importantes nos resultados da avaliação nutricional, a depender do conjunto de curvas utilizadas, ainda que o emprego de ambas revele elevadas prevalências de desnutrição. Sugere-se que, inclusive para fins de comparabilidade, estudos com populações indígenas apresentem seus resultados utilizando os dois conjuntos de curvas de crescimento.OBJECTIVES: To perform a comparative analysis of anthropometric data from Suruí, Xavánte and Wari' indigenous children under 60 months of age using the NCHS/1977 and the WHO/2005 growth curves. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements followed standard procedures and the data obtained were converted into z scores using the Epi-Info (Version 3.4) and WHO-Anthro (Version Beta) softwares. The indices height/age (H/A), weight/age (W/A) and weight/height (W/H) were descriptors of nutritional status for all children under 60 months of age, as well as the body mass index (BMI) for children 24-59 months old. RESULTS: The frequencies of Suruí children < -2 z scores for H/A were 31.4 (NCHS/1977) and 38.6% (WHO/2005); Xavánte 30.9 and 42.3%; Wari' 61.7 and 68.3%. The frequencies of Suruí children < -2 z scores for W/A were 12.4 (NCHS/1977) and 8.5% (WHO/2005); Xavánte 16.5 and 11.6%; Wari' 51.7 and 45.0%. None of the Suruí children were < -2 z scores for W/H (NCHS/1977 and WHO/2005); the frequencies of Xavánte children were 1.7 and 3.3% and Wari' 1.7 and 0.0%. The frequencies of Suruí children > 2 z scores for W/H were 3.9 (NCHS/1977) and 3.9% (WHO/2005); Xavánte 0.0 and 0.8%; Wari' 0.0 and 0.0%. The frequency of Suruí children aged 24-59 months > 2 z scores for BMI was 5.4% (WHO/2005); Xavánte 9.5%; and Wari' 0.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed important differences in the results from nutritional assessment, according to the set of growth curves used; however, the use of both growth curves revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition. Therefore, future studies with indigenous populations should present their results using two sets of growth curves to allow consistent comparison.

Infant size at birth is a useful indicator to evaluate fetal growth in relation to gestational age. There is no standard model to create anthropometric reference curves in neonates, but the method chosen could determine the reference values estimated. We describe the methods used to construct population-based reference curves of birth weight for gestational age in Catalonia, Spain. These methods included detection of implausible values of birth weight for gestational age by a probabilistic cluster model, utilization of the Generalized Additive Model for Location and Scale method to obtain smoothed percentiles and z-scores, and calculation of 95% confidence intervals by bootstrapping. To our knowledge, these are the first reference curves in neonates constructed through a method allowing asymmetric distributions with kurtosis to be modelled. Estimation of confidence intervals is useful to determine which reference intervals can be employed to assess newborn size.La evaluación del tamaño en el nacimiento es uni ndicador útil para evaluar elcrecimiento fetal en relación con la edad gestacional. No hay un modelo estándar para crear curvas de referencia antropométricas en recién nacidos, pero el método escogido podría determinar los valores de referencia estimados. Describimos los métodos utilizados para elaborar las curvas de referencia poblacionales del peso al nacer según la edad gestacional en Cataluña, España. Estos métodos incluyen la detección de los valores inverosímiles de peso al nacer para la edad gestacional mediante un modelo probabilístico de agrupaciones, la utilización del modelo Generalized Additive Model for Location and Scale para la obtención de los percentiles alisados, y las puntuaciones z y el cálculo de los intervalos de confianza del 95% mediante remuestreos. Hasta donde conocemos, éstas son las primeras curvas de referencia en recién nacidos en las cuales se ha utilizado un método que permite modelar distribuciones asimétricas con curtosis. La valoración de intervalos de confianza es útil para determinar los intervalos de referencia que pueden emplearse para evaluar el tamañoo del recién nacido.

En este artículo se propone una metodología de modelamiento conjunto de tratamientos con niveles cuantitativos medidos en el tiempo, a través de la combinación de las metodologías de superficie de respuesta y curvas de crecimiento. Se realiza la estimación de los parámetros del modelo propuesto, los cuales miden el efecto de los factores asociados al modelo de superficie de respuesta de segundo orden a lo largo del tiempo. Se plantea y juzga las diferentes hipótesis de interés y, finalmente, con el modelo ajustado se encuentran las condiciones de optimización de un conjunto de tratamientos a través del tiempo. Por último, se presenta una aplicación, analizada mediante curvas de crecimiento por .

A methodology is suggested to jointly model treatments with quantitative levels measured in time, by combining the response surface and the growth curve techniques. The model’s parameters are estimated; these measure the effect through time of the factors related to the second order response surface model. The hypothesis of interest are formulated and tested. Additionally, by means of the fitted model, the optimality conditions throughout time are established for a set of specific treatments. As a final step, an application previously analyzed with growth curves by Kshirsagar & Boyce (1995) is now assessed with the proposed model.En este artículo se propone una metodología de modelamiento conjunto de tratamientos con niveles cuantitativos medidos en el tiempo, a través de la combinación de las metodologías de superficie de respuesta y curvas de crecimiento. Se realiza la estimación de los parámetros del modelo propuesto, los cuales miden el efecto de los factores asociados al modelo de superficie de respuesta de segundo orden a lo largo del tiempo. Se plantea y juzga las diferentes hipótesis de interés y, finalmente, con el modelo ajustado se encuentran las condiciones de optimización de un conjunto de tratamientos a través del tiempo. Por último, se presenta una aplicación, analizada mediante curvas de crecimiento por Kshirsagar & Boyce (1995).

Cell culturing methods are increasingly used to reduce and replace the use of live animals in biomedical research and chemical toxicity testing. Although live animals are avoided when using cell culturing methods, they often contain animal-derived components of which one of the most commonly used is foetal bovine serum (FBS). FBS is added to cell culture media among other supplements to support cell attachment/spreading and cell proliferation. The safety, batch-to-batch variation, and ethical problems with FBS are acknowledged and therefore world-wide efforts are ongoing to produce FBS free media. Here, we present the composition of a new defined medium with only human proteins either recombinant or derived from human tissues. This defined medium supports long-term culturing/routine culturing of normal cells and of cancer cells, and can be used for freezing and thawing of cells, i.e . for cell banking. Here, we show for our defined medium, growth curves and dose response curves of cells grown in two and three dimensions, and applications such as cell migration. Cell morphology was studied in real time by phase contrast and phase holographic microscopy time-lapse imaging. The cell lines used are human cancer-associated fibroblasts, keratinocytes, breast cancer JIMT-1 and MDA-MB-231 cells, colon cancer CaCo-2 cells, and pancreatic cancer MiaPaCa-2 cells as well as the mouse L929 cell line. In conclusion, we present the composition of a defined medium without animal-derived products which can be used for routine culturing and in experimental settings for normal cells and for cancer cells, i.e. our defined medium provides a leap towards a universal animal product free cell culture medium., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Models considered in the current special issue represent valuable additions to the statistical toolbox of prevention researchers for many types of research questions and designs. Their appropriate use, however, depends on critical evaluation relative to previously existing techniques. This evaluation includes (a.) model choice involving "right-sizing" of the model relative to the amount and quality of data at hand, (b.) examination of the external validity of identified associations relative to observed or latent subgroups, (c.) confirmation of the reasonableness of the functional form assumed by the model, and (d.) identification of influential or outlying observations which unduly affect model fit or parameter estimates. Models in this issue allow for testing of new types of hypotheses in prevention research, and can constitute counterarguments to existing statistical practice. These models may, however, in turn be the object of critical examination of counterarguments a reasonable skeptic may offer., (© 2023. Society for Prevention Research.)

Child growth measurements are critical vital signs to track, with every individual child growth curve potentially revealing a story about a child's health and well-being. Simply put, every baby born requires basic building blocks to grow and thrive: proper nutrition, love and care, and medical health. To ensure that every child who is missing one of these vital aspects is identified, growth is traditionally measured at birth and each well-child visit. While the blue and pink growth curves appear omnipresent in pediatric clinics, it is surprising to realize that their use only became standard of care in 1977 when the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) adopted the growth curve as a clinical tool for health. Behind this practice lies a socioeconomically, culturally, and politically complex interplay of individuals and institutions around the world. In this review, we highlight the often forgotten past, current state of practice, and future potential of this powerful clinical tool: the growth reference chart, with a particular focus on clinical genetics practice. The goal of this article is to understand ongoing work in the field of anthropometry (the scientific study of human measurements) and its direct impact on modern pediatric and genetic patient care., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Opuntia joconostle is a semi-wild cactus cultivated for its fruit. However, the cladodes are often discarded, wasting the potentially useful mucilage in them. The mucilage is composed primarily of heteropolysaccharides, characterized by their molar mass distribution, monosaccharide composition, structural features (by vibrational spectroscopy, FT IR, and atomic force microscopy, AFM), and fermentability by known saccharolytic commensal members of the gut microbiota. After fractionation with ion exchange chromatography, four polysaccharides were found: one neutral (composed mainly of galactose, arabinose, and xylose) and three acidic, with a galacturonic acid content from 10 to 35% mol . Their average molar masses ranged from 1.8 × 10 5 to 2.8 × 10 5 g·mol -1 . Distinct structural features such as galactan, arabinan, xylan, and galacturonan motifs were present in the FT IR spectra. The intra- and intermolecular interactions of the polysaccharides, and their effect on the aggregation behavior, were shown by AFM. The composition and structural features of these polysaccharides were reflected in their prebiotic potential. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria were not able to utilize them, whereas members of Bacteroidetes showed utilization capacity. The obtained data suggest a high economic potential for this Opuntia species, with potential uses such as animal feed in arid areas, precise prebiotic, and symbiotic formulations, or as the carbon skeleton source in a green refinery. Our methodology can be used to evaluate the saccharides as the phenotype of interest, helping to guide the breeding strategy.

Abstract The analysis of nonlinear function-valued characters is very important in genetic studies, especially for growth traits of agricultural and laboratory species. Inference in nonlinear mixed effects models is, however, quite complex and is usually based on likelihood approximations or Bayesian methods. The aim of this paper was to present an efficient stochastic EM procedure, namely the SAEM algorithm, which is much faster to converge than the classical Monte Carlo EM algorithm and Bayesian estimation procedures, does not require specification of prior distributions and is quite robust to the choice of starting values. The key idea is to recycle the simulated values from one iteration to the next in the EM algorithm, which considerably accelerates the convergence. A simulation study is presented which confirms the advantages of this estimation procedure in the case of a genetic analysis. The SAEM algorithm was applied to real data sets on growth measurements in beef cattle and in chickens. The proposed estimation procedure, as the classical Monte Carlo EM algorithm, provides significance tests on the parameters and likelihood based model comparison criteria to compare the nonlinear models with other longitudinal methods.

The growth patterns of different anatomic structures in the human body vary in terms of growth amount over time, growth rate and growth periods. The oral and pharyngeal structures, also known as vocal tract structures, are housed in the craniofacial complex where the cranium/brain follows a distinct neural growth pattern, and the face follows a distinct somatic or skeletal growth pattern. Thus, it is reasonable to expect the oral and pharyngeal structures to follow a combined or mixed growth pattern. Existing parametric growth models are limited in that they are mainly focused on modeling one particular type of growth pattern. In this paper, we propose a novel composite growth model using neural and somatic baseline curves to fit the combined growth pattern of select vocal tract structures. The method can also determine the overall percent contribution of each of the growth types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric studies on European red deer (Cervus elaphusL.) living in sub-Mediterranean areas are rare. In this paper, we provide the first morphometric description of red deer from Apennine living in Prato Province, as well as a description of its skeletal growth pattern. We analysed 18 body, cranial and antler measurements from 905 deer carcasses, collected during 12 hunting seasons (2000–2012). The body size of red deer from Prato appeared comparable to that of other populations from Northern Apennine and Central Alps. A significant variation in weight during the hunting season was detected only in adult stags: they were estimated to lose 23% of their eviscerated body weight from the beginning of the rutting season until the end of winter. The relationship between eviscerated body weight (EW) and whole body weight (WW) was highly significant in both sexes within every age class (R2always higher than 0.75), thus linear regressions were assessed in order to estimate EW from WW, allowing to complete datasets when such information is missing. Growth equations were utilised to describe the development of a subset of skeletal measures (height at shoulder, hind foot length, mandible length, head–trunk length) commonly collected on hunted cervids. Hind foot length was the measure which first ceased to grow and with the highest growth constant; although the relationship between cohort hind foot length and environmental, climatic and demographic variables has to be tested for red deer from Apennine, these bones appeared a suitable biological indicator for long-term monitoring of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Under production conditions, the effect of two technologies of milk replacers on growth curves (up to 90 days) of developing Siboney de Cuba females was evaluated. For that purpose, 30 females were used, randomly divided, at their arrival to the rearing unit, into two groups (15 animals each). For growth analysis, linear (linear, square linear and square logarithmic models) and non-linear (logistic, Gompertz and Richards) regression models were tested. For linear models, gains were estimated by the least square method. For non-linear ones, the interactive method of Marquardt was applied. The best adjustment was determined from different statistical criteria. ANOVA was applied for weights and daily mean gains, reached in different moments. The square logarithmic model had the best fit of growth, with R2 => 0.93 and P < 0.001 in both treatments, from which the performance of liveweight increase in other group of animals may be predicted, with the use of similar combinations per treatment. Daily mean gain and liveweight, up to 90 d, differed in both treatments after a month of birth. For females of the second treatment, daily mean gains were near 500 g/animal/d, and liveweight was around 69.2 kg up to weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine the development of tourism in Tuscany's municipalities, using a methodology to detect common growth curves from yearly time series (2000-2013) of the number of arrivals. The analysis is based on a partition of Tuscany into 262 areas derived from a partial aggregation of the original 287 municipalities. The work is carried out by finding a criterion to detect common time patterns of arrivals across territories, classifying territories according to such similarities in patterns, and verifying whether areas in the same group are also spatially contiguous. The study confirms the presence of heterogeneity in the growth patterns of different areal units. There is a general stability of the classical tourism destinations which are renowned worldwide. Other destinations have been developing due to exploiting the demand for rural tourism, interest in nature, environment and landscape, and so on. The growth patterns are derived by means of a special approach of finite mixture modelling: the group based trajectory model, a semiparametric method that aims to detect common patterns in longitudinal data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-frequency data and derived catch at age matrices are used in north Atlantic albacore ( Thunnus alalunga ) stock assessment conducted within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Growth is assumed to follow the von Bertalanffy model with the assumption that growth parameters are constant over time and the same for all fish. However, individual growth variability is an important factor not considered and affecting the input into the modelling of the population. This study describes a Bayesian hierarchical model applied to model the individual variability in the parameters asymptotic length ( L ∞ ) and growth rate ( K ) of the von Bertalanffy growth model for North Atlantic albacore. The method assumes that the L ∞ and K values for each individual fish are drawn from a random distribution centered on the population mean values, with estimated variances. Multiple observations of spine diameter at age for individual fish were obtained by direct reading of spine sections collected in 2011 and 2012. A suite of back calculation methods were then applied to the measurements of annuli diameters in the aged individuals observed to back-calculate lengths at each age. The von Bertalanffy model was fitted to the measured and back-calculated lengths. Models with and without individual growth variability were compared using the deviance information criterion (DIC) to find the best model. Normal and log-normal error distribution models were used to analyse the data. Additionally, subsamples of the data were used to evaluate whether an unbalanced age-distribution in the data affects estimates of growth parameters. It was found that North Atlantic albacore asymptotic length ( L ∞ ) varies significantly between individual fish but not individual rate growth ( K ), for all back-calculation methods. Furthermore, negatively correlated relationships between von Bertalanffy growth parameters of asymptotic mean ( L ∞ ) and growth rate (K) were estimated for North Atlantic albacore with the array of models explored. The overall estimated values of K and population mean L ∞ parameters were similar to values estimates in previous north Atlantic albacore growth studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under production conditions, the effect of two technologies of milk replacers on growth curves (up to 90 days) of developing Siboney de Cuba females was evaluated. For that purpose, 30 females were used, randomly divided, at their arrival to the rearing unit, into two groups (15 animals each). For growth analysis, linear (linear, square linear and square logarithmic models) and non-linear (logistic, Gompertz and Richards) regression models were tested. For linear models, gains were estimated by the least square method. For non-linear ones, the interactive method of Marquardt was applied. The best adjustment was determined from different statistical criteria. ANOVA was applied for weights and daily mean gains, reached in different moments. The square logarithmic model had the best fit of growth, with R2 => 0.93 and P < 0.001 in both treatments, from which the performance of liveweight increase in other group of animals may be predicted, with the use of similar combinations per treatment. Daily mean gain and liveweight, up to 90 d, differed in both treatments after a month of birth. For females of the second treatment, daily mean gains were near 500 g/animal/d, and liveweight was around 69.2 kg up to weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present study was to continue to build and refine the Opportunity-Propensity (O-P) model of achievement by using it to explain well-known achievement disparities between schools that differ in terms of their racial and ethnic composition. The O-P model categorizes predictors into antecedent factors (e.g., family SES, parent educational aspirations), opportunity factors (e.g., content coverage and teaching style), and propensity factors (e.g., prior knowledge and motivation). To refine the model further, the authors did the following: (a) added predictors in each category that have not been examined to date; (b) used hierarchical linear modeling to explain growth in knowledge between two assessment points; (c) identified similarities and differences in the models for two content areas (i.e., math and reading); and (d) identified similarities and differences in the models for two age levels (i.e., 3rd grade and 8th grade). Results showed that the combination of new and established predictors accounted for approximately 50% of the variance in the rate at which knowledge grew in both math and reading at both age levels. In addition, the variance explained by the racial and ethnic composition of schools when this variable was entered as the sole predictor of achievement was substantially reduced after antecedent, opportunity, and propensity factors were entered in subsequent models. However, the coefficients for certain school compositions remained significant even after such controls, and the models differed somewhat between content areas (math and reading), and age levels (3rd and 8th grade). Findings are discussed in terms of the implications of these results for building and refining the O-P model further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives.Black Caribbean and Black African adolescents in England face academic and social challenges that might predisposition them to engaging in more risky behavior. This study explored the growth trajectories of risky behavior among adolescents in England over 3 years (14/15, 15/16, and 16/17 years of age) to determine the extent to which ethnic groups differed. Design.Data were taken from the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England database (N= 15,770). This database contained eight different ethnic groups. Risky behavior was defined by an 8-item scale that represented three classes of risky behavior. Individual theta scores for risky behavior were calculated for individuals at each time point and modeled over time. Interaction terms between sex, year, ethnicity, and class were also examined. Results.Findings confirmed previous research that showed ethnic group differences in means. They also demonstrated that there are differences in slopes as well, even after controlling for class. In fact, class appeared to have areverseeffect on the risky behavior of black adolescents. Further, Black adolescent groups werenotengaging in higher levels of risky behavior as compared to white adolescents (the dominant population). In actuality, Mixed adolescents engaged in the highest levels of risky behavior which was a notable finding given that the Mixed group has recently began to receive a more focused attention by scholars and the government of England. Conclusion.It is important that social workers and policy-makers recognize ethnicity in making general preventative decisions for adolescents. Second, class does not have a common effect on adolescent problem behaviors as often believed. Finally, black adolescents’ communities might contain important protective factors that ought to be extensively explored. Conversely, Mixed adolescents’ communities might contain more risk factors that ought to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Most head circumference growth references are useful during the first years of life, but they are also useful for older children when screening for developmental, neurological, and genetic disorders. We aimed to develop head circumference growth reference charts for age, height, and waist circumference for Turkish children aged 5-1 8 years. Methods: Head circumference, height, and waist circumference measurements were obtained from 5079 students aged 5-1 8 years from İzmit, Kocaeli Province, Turkey. The LMS method was used to construct reference centile curves. Results: Head circumference measurements were strongly correlated with height (r=0.74), weight (r=0.76), and waist circumference (r=0.68). The mean head circumference values for boys were larger than those for girls at all ages. Compared with data from the United States, the World Health Organization, and other studies from Turkey, our data showed a decrease in head circumference at all ages for both sexes. Conclusion: Local growth charts can be used to evaluate head circumference growth in older Turkish children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies / Sodobna Pedagogika is the property of Association of Slovenian Educationalists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To examine nutritional and growth outcomes in very preterm infants with a birthweight (BW) of ≤1300 g before and after the introduction of enhanced enteral and parenteral nutrition protocols.Methods: A comparison of two historical cohorts.Results: There were 153 infants in cohort 1 and 118 in cohort 2. A total of 19% were growth restricted at birth in both cohorts. Feeds advanced more quickly in cohort 2, with decreased duration of central lines and TPN; breastmilk fortification occurred sooner. Calorie and protein intakes were increased during all of the first 14 days of life. Adverse clinical outcomes were unchanged, including NEC. The proportion of infants discharged <10th percentile of expected weight, decreased from 23% to 9%. In cohort 2, the z-score for body weight decreased by 0.39, compared to an average 1.03 in cohort 1 (p < 0.001). Head circumference and body weight were also significantly improved at discharge (p < 0.01), but length was improved to a lesser degree.Conclusion: Early and enhanced postnatal intravenous and enteral feeding can provide good postnatal growth among very immature infants without adverse effects. Calorie and particularly protein intake in early life could probably be further optimised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micromoina arboricola , one of the smallest moinids on record, is currently known from a single tree hole in a tropical forest, containing a small volume of humic water, in quasi absolute darkness. We test whether it has been refuted to this environment by superior competitors, or whether it is genuinely adapted to this life space by culturing it in its native environment, and in a clear water environment supplemented with algal food, yeast and fermented fish ration. Only maturation time is similar between both treatments. Total offspring, number of clutches, average clutch size and longevity are higher in the humic treatment. Population growth is initially higher in the clearwater treatment, but then collapses. In the humic treatment there is a steady ascent towards a stable plateau. We conclude that the species is better adapted to its microcosm than to a ‘normal’ aquatic biotope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate postnatal growth is important for young bats to develop skilled sensory and locomotor abilities, which are highly associated with their survival once independent. This study investigated the postnatal growth and development of Scotophilus kuhlii in captivity. An empirical growth curve was established, and the postnatal growth rate was quantified to derive an age-predictive equation. By further controlling the fostering conditions of twins, the differences in the development patterns between pups that received maternal care or were hand-reared were analyzed to determine whether the latter developed in the same manner as their maternally reared counterparts. Our results indicate that both forearm length and body mass increased rapidly and linearly during the first 4 weeks, after which the growth rate gradually decreased to reach a stable level. The first flight occurred at an average age of 39 days with a mean forearm length and body mass of 92.07% and 70.52% of maternal size, respectively. The developmental pattern of hand-reared pups, although similar to that of their maternally reared twin siblings, displayed a slightly faster growth rate in the 4th and 5th weeks. The heavier body mass of hand-reared pups during the pre-fledging period may cause higher wing loading, potentially influencing the flight performance and survival of the bats once independent. Zoo Biol. 35:35-41, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the growth of 26 Akkeci (White goat = Saanen × Kilis (Bi) crossbreed) female kids by measuring their body weight, withers height, body length, heart girth depth, heart girth width, heart girth circumference, leg circumference and volume index in two-week intervals from birth to 500 days of age and by using different growth models (Monomolecular, Gompertz, Weibull and Richards). An approximate volume index was calculated by multiplying the values of heart girth depth, body length and heart girth width. The best one among these models was determined in respect of RMS (square root of Residual Means Squares which is calculated from the Square Root of Error Mean Square in ANOVA), R2%, Adjusted R2%, Mallow's Cpstatistic, and asymptotic correlation coefficients criteria. As a result, it was determined that Weibull growth model (which is not concerned with Weibull statistical distribution but is related to parameters of Weibull distribution) was suitable for the above-mentioned material and studied traits.

A correction is presented to the article "DERIVATIVE PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS FOR REPRESENTING THE TIME DYNAMICS OF LONGITUDINAL AND FUNCTIONAL DATA" published in previous issue.