Resumo: Os objetivos deste trabalho foram identificar as funções matemáticas que melhor se ajustam para descrever o crescimento de fêmeas da raça Canchim e do grupo genético MA (filhos de touros da raça Charolesa e vacas ½ Canchim + ½ Nelore), e estimar a herdabilidade dos parâmetros A e k da curva que melhor se ajustou aos dados e a correlação genética desses com a idade (IPP) e o peso (PPP) ao primeiro parto e idade (ISP) e peso (PSP) ao segundo parto. As funções não lineares Brody, Richards, Von Bertalanffy e duas alternativas de Gompertz e de Logístico foram ajustadas pelo método de Gauss Newton e procedimento NLIN do SAS, a dados peso-idade de 1.923 bovinos da raça Canchim e MA, nascidos de 1972 a 2006, com pesagens no mínimo até os 37 meses de idade e no máximo até os 100 meses de idade e com pelo menos sete pesagens. A comparação entre os modelos foi realizada com base na interpretação biológica dos parâmetros e nos avaliadores de qualidade de ajuste. A estimação dos parâmetros genéticos foi feita pelo método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, utilizando análises uni e bicaracterísticas com modelos que incluíram o efeito fixo de grupo de contemporâneos e o efeito aleatório aditivo direto. Os modelos Brody e Von Bertalanffy ajustaram aos dados peso-idade, enquanto que os demais não convergiram, sendo que o modelo Brody foi escolhido para a obtenção dos parâmetros A e k de cada animal. As estimativas de herdabilidade obtidas foram 0,32 ± 0,05; 0,12 ± 0,04; 0,12 ± 0,04; 0,43 ± 0,06; 0,19 ± 0,06 e 0,44 ± 0,06, para A, k, IPP, PPP, ISP e PSP, respectivamente. Estes resultados sugerem que é possível, mas difícil obter mudanças na curva de crescimento dos animais pela seleção. As estimativas de correlação genética dos parâmetros A e k com as idades e os pesos aos partos sugerem que a seleção para modificar A deve provocar mudanças no ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objectives in this study were to identify the mathematical function that best fits the growth of Canchim and MA (offspring of Charolais bulls and ½ Canchim + ½ Nelore cows) females, and to estimate the heritability of parameters A and k of the function that best fitted the data and the genetic correlations of these parameters with age (IPP) and weight (PPP) at first calving and age (ISP) and weight (PSP) at second calving. Brody, Richards, Von Bertalanffy and two alternatives of Gompertz and of Logistic non-linear models were fitted by Gauss Newton method and NLIN procedure of SAS. Weight-age data of 1,923 females born from 1972 to 2006, with weighing at least at 37 months of age and at most at 100 months of age, and with at least seven weighing were used. The comparison between the models was based on the biological interpretation of parameters and measures of quality of adjustment. The genetic parameters were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method using one and two-trait analyses with animal models that included the fixed effect of contemporary group and the random additive direct effect. The Brody and the Von Bertalanffy models adjusted the weight-age data well, while the others did not converge, and the Brody function was chosen to obtain the parameters A and k of each animal. The heritability estimates were 0.32 ± 0.05, 0.12 ± 0.04, 0.12 ± 0.04, 0.43 ± 0.06, 0.19 ± 0.06 and 0.44 ± 0.06 for A, k, IPP, PPP, ISP and PSP were, respectively. These values suggest that it is possible, but difficult to obtain changes in the pattern of the growth curve of the animals by selection. Estimates of genetic correlation of parameters A and k with the other traits suggest that selection to change A should cause changes in the same direction in PPI, PPP, ISP and PSP, and that changes in k, if they occur, should also be followed by changes in the other traits, but in the opposite direction / Orientador: Maurício Mello de Alencar / Coorientador: Alfredo Ribeiro de Freitas / Banca: Danísio Prado Munari / Banca: Lenira El Faro Zadra / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-01-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:54:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gaviolli_vrn_me_jabo.pdf: 597637 bytes, checksum: 970dfc2e9d73c9379c7a724eab7ac345 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Os objetivos deste trabalho foram identificar as funções matemáticas que melhor se ajustam para descrever o crescimento de fêmeas da raça Canchim e do grupo genético MA (filhos de touros da raça Charolesa e vacas ½ Canchim + ½ Nelore), e estimar a herdabilidade dos parâmetros A e k da curva que melhor se ajustou aos dados e a correlação genética desses com a idade (IPP) e o peso (PPP) ao primeiro parto e idade (ISP) e peso (PSP) ao segundo parto. As funções não lineares Brody, Richards, Von Bertalanffy e duas alternativas de Gompertz e de Logístico foram ajustadas pelo método de Gauss Newton e procedimento NLIN do SAS, a dados peso-idade de 1.923 bovinos da raça Canchim e MA, nascidos de 1972 a 2006, com pesagens no mínimo até os 37 meses de idade e no máximo até os 100 meses de idade e com pelo menos sete pesagens. A comparação entre os modelos foi realizada com base na interpretação biológica dos parâmetros e nos avaliadores de qualidade de ajuste. A estimação dos parâmetros genéticos foi feita pelo método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, utilizando análises uni e bicaracterísticas com modelos que incluíram o efeito fixo de grupo de contemporâneos e o efeito aleatório aditivo direto. Os modelos Brody e Von Bertalanffy ajustaram aos dados peso-idade, enquanto que os demais não convergiram, sendo que o modelo Brody foi escolhido para a obtenção dos parâmetros A e k de cada animal. As estimativas de herdabilidade obtidas foram 0,32 ± 0,05; 0,12 ± 0,04; 0,12 ± 0,04; 0,43 ± 0,06; 0,19 ± 0,06 e 0,44 ± 0,06, para A, k, IPP, PPP, ISP e PSP, respectivamente. Estes resultados sugerem que é possível, mas difícil obter mudanças na curva de crescimento dos animais pela seleção. As estimativas de correlação genética dos parâmetros A e k com as idades e os pesos aos partos sugerem que a seleção para modificar A deve provocar mudanças no... / The objectives in this study were to identify the mathematical function that best fits the growth of Canchim and MA (offspring of Charolais bulls and ½ Canchim + ½ Nelore cows) females, and to estimate the heritability of parameters A and k of the function that best fitted the data and the genetic correlations of these parameters with age (IPP) and weight (PPP) at first calving and age (ISP) and weight (PSP) at second calving. Brody, Richards, Von Bertalanffy and two alternatives of Gompertz and of Logistic non-linear models were fitted by Gauss Newton method and NLIN procedure of SAS. Weight-age data of 1,923 females born from 1972 to 2006, with weighing at least at 37 months of age and at most at 100 months of age, and with at least seven weighing were used. The comparison between the models was based on the biological interpretation of parameters and measures of quality of adjustment. The genetic parameters were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method using one and two-trait analyses with animal models that included the fixed effect of contemporary group and the random additive direct effect. The Brody and the Von Bertalanffy models adjusted the weight-age data well, while the others did not converge, and the Brody function was chosen to obtain the parameters A and k of each animal. The heritability estimates were 0.32 ± 0.05, 0.12 ± 0.04, 0.12 ± 0.04, 0.43 ± 0.06, 0.19 ± 0.06 and 0.44 ± 0.06 for A, k, IPP, PPP, ISP and PSP were, respectively. These values suggest that it is possible, but difficult to obtain changes in the pattern of the growth curve of the animals by selection. Estimates of genetic correlation of parameters A and k with the other traits suggest that selection to change A should cause changes in the same direction in PPI, PPP, ISP and PSP, and that changes in k, if they occur, should also be followed by changes in the other traits, but in the opposite direction

The objective behind this study was to mathematically analyse, model and forecast the vital rates (mortality and fertility) of Nepal. In order to attain this goal, the data have been converted into tables and analysed intensively using several softwares such as Mocrosoft Excel, SPSS, Mathematica. The margin of error of data has been analysed. In Chapter 4, the error and uncertainity in the data have been analysed using Bayesian analysis. The reliability of the data of Nepal has been compared with the reliability of the data of Germany. The mortality and fertility conditions of Nepal have been compared from two angles. Data on India (particularly north India) have provided comparison on the socio-economic grounds whereas data on Germany(with accurate and abundant data) have provided comparison on the ground of data availability and accuracy. Thus in addition to analysing and modeling the data, the regional behaviour has been studied. The limited and defective data of Nepal have posed a challange at every stage and phase. Because of this very long term forecasting of mortality could not be made. But the model has provided a lot of information on the mortality for the years for which the data were lacking. But in the comming future, with new data at hand and with the new models developed here, it could be possible to do long term projections. In the less developed world, rural and urban areas have a big impact on the mortality and fertility of a country. The rural and urban effects on mortality and fertility have been studied individually. While analyzing the mortality scene of Nepal, it has been observed that the mortality is decreasing. The decrease is slow, but it reflects the advancement in medical facilities and health awareness. The fertility is also decreasing. There is a decrease in the number of children per woman and per family. This decrease is more pronounced in the urban areas as compared to the rural areas. This also reflects that the family planning programmes launched are showing results, particularly in urban areas.

Background: Neonates born with low birth weight or preterm are at an increased risk of long-term adverse health outcomes. Research studies on the association of fish consumption during pregnancy and birth outcomes, have led to inconsistent conclusions. Maternal dietary intakes during pregnancy have a significant impact on foetal development and growth. The aim of this project is to determine levels of maternal fish intake at <18 weeks during pregnancy and to determine the association with birth outcomes in pregnant women from Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: This Master‘s study is nested in a larger study with a longitudinal observational research design was conducted on 250 pregnant women in Johannesburg, South Africa. For this Master‘s study, data from the first 102 participants were used. Data for this study were collected early in pregnancy (<18 week‘s gestation) and at birth. The birth data were collected by the study mid-wife. Maternal fish consumption during early pregnancy was measured using a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (QFFQ). Correlation analysis was used to examine the association between maternal fish consumption during early pregnancy and neonatal anthropometry (birth weight, crown heel length and head circumference) and gestational age at birth. Results: Majority (88.1%) of the mothers were black South Africans between the ages of 18 and 39 with a mean age of 28 ± 5 years. At enrolment, the mean BMI of the women was 27.8±5.8kg/m2 having a mean height of 158.8±6.7cm and a mean weight of 70.4±15.2kg. Most of them were unmarried (45.4%), living in households of 2 – 5 members (86.3%), wage-earning (44.6%) and had Grade 11 or 12 schooling (58.4%). Most (76.5%) of the pregnant women consumed fish rarely (once a month) and the overall median fish intake was 4.8g/day (0; 25). In the study sample 12.5% of new-borns had a low birth weight (<2500g), the percentages of preterm births were 1.0% - extremely preterm (<28 weeks), 2.0% - very preterm (28 – <32 weeks) and 10.0% - moderate to late preterm (32 – 37 weeks). The mean birth weight was 2999.2±624.4g with boys having a mean birth weight of 3157.3±571g and girls at 2819±671g. The new-borns‘ mean gestational age at birth was 38.8±2.4weeks (271.6days). The percentage of new-born head circumference ≤ 31.49cm was 9.2% and the mean head circumference was 34.3±3.6cm with the boys having a mean head circumference of 34.5±2.4cm and the girls 34.1±4.3cm. In this study sample, 3.7% of new-borns were born with crown heel length of 31 – 40cm and the mean crown heel length mean was 49.5±4.6cm with the boys having a mean crown heel length of 49.8±4.9cm and the girls having mean crown heel length of 49.3±4.3cm. In this study, there were no statistically significant associations between fish consumption at early pregnancy and birth outcomes such as gestational age at birth (r=0.051; p=0.625), birth weight (r=-0.043; p=0.695) and crown heel length (r=0.008; p=0.943). There was a positive association between maternal fish consumption in early pregnancy and head circumference of the new-born which tended towards statistical significance (r=0.193; p=0.079). Conclusions: In this study of pregnant women living in Johannesburg, a few women consumed fish at early pregnancy compared with women who did not consume fish during pregnancy. We found no statistically significant association in this study between fish consumption at early pregnancy and birth outcomes. / Life and Consumer Sciences / MCS (Consumer Science)