A subsampling method for the computation of multivariate estimators with high breakdown point

All known robust location and scale estimators with high breakdown point for multivariate sample's are very expensive to compute. In practice, this computation has to be carried out using an approximate subsampling procedure. In this work we describe an alternative subsampling scheme, applicable to both the Stahel-Donoho estimator and the estimator based on the Minimum Volume Ellipsoid, with the property that the number of subsamples required is substantially reduced with respect to the standard subsampling procedures used in both cases. We also discuss some bias and variability properties of the estimator obtained from the proposed subsampling process

Osteosarcoma in the Skull of a Holstein Heifer

A-2-years-old heifer showed a mass on the frontal part of the skull. Cytological analysis displayed pleomorphic, polyedric and fusiform cells with extracellular hyaline material. Histologically, the excised mass showed proliferation of spindle-to-polyhedral cells that exhibited anisocytosis and anisocaryosis. Osteoid substance was demonstrated by Masson´s thricromic stain. Tumoral cells and osteoid expressed osteocalcin. This case report communicates a very rare osteosarcoma in the corneal process of a young heifer. As the heifer was previously dehorned, it is possible that this procedure was a predisposing factor for malignant growth.Fil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Guidi, Maria Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Gimeno, Eduardo Juan. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

EQUITY SCHEMES IN SOUTH AFRICA: BENEFITS DELIVERED TO FARM WORKERS AS FUNCTION OF COMMERCIAL FARMERS' STRATEGY

With the end of Apartheid, the South African Government created and corrected agricultural factor and product market failures in its attempt to improve the distribution of wealth and incorporate previously disadvantaged farmers into the mainstream of agricultural activities. Some commercial farmers responded strategically to the new equity-based policies on factor and product markets by initiating equity-schemes with farm workers in order to maintain/increase their profits given the new local economic and political environment and global competition. Hence, most equity-schemes are organized according to the commercial farmers' capacities. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the organizational structure of the equity-schemes as a function of the commercial farmers strategy (production vs. marketing). This study is based on interviews of emerging farmers, former and present farm workers, commercial farmers, non-Governmental Organizations and Governmental agencies. The results show that equity-schemes tend to benefit commercial farmers but the degree to which farm workers' gain access to factor and product markets depends on commercial farmers' strategy. Then, the paper assesses alternative organizational structures of equity-schemes to maximize the benefits delivered to farm workers. Finally, utilizing the Peterson-Wysocki-Harsh Model, the issues of why the Government policies have not accomplished its objectives are discussed and recommendations to broaden the implementation of equity-schemes are suggested.Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital,

Is Self-Sufficiency for Womens Collegiate Athletics a Hoop Dream?: Willingness to Pay for Mens and Womens Basketball Tickets

Universities spend almost $2 billion subsidizing their collegiate sports programs.� Even the most popular women’s sport, basketball, fails to break even. An application of Becker’s theory of customer discrimination is used to calculate the relative preference for men’s basketball for both men and women. Median willingness to pay for men’s basketball relative to women’s basketball is 180% greater for men and 37% greater for women.� Pricing each sport at its revenue maximizing price, revenues from women’s basketball are only 43% of that for men, even at a school with historically strong demand for women’s sports.Basketball; Becker; reservation price; revenue; customer discrimination; cross marketing; NCAA