Let $X$ be an $n$-dimensional, finite, simply connected CW complex and set $\alpha_X =\limsup_i \frac{\log\mbox{ rank}\, \pi_i(X)}{i}$. When $0\lt \alpha_X\lt \infty$, we give upper and lower bound for $ \sum_{i=k+2}^{k+n} \textrm{rank}\, \pi_i(X) $ for $k$ sufficiently large. We show also for any $r$ that $\alpha_X$ can be estimated from the integers rk$\,\pi_i(X)$, $i\leq nr$ with an error bound depending explicitly on $r$.

The notion of shape fibration with the near lifting of near multivalued paths property is studied. The relation of these maps---which agree with shape fibrations having totally disconnected fibers---with Hurewicz fibrations with the unique path lifting property is completely settled. Some results concerning homotopy and shape groups are presented for shape fibrations with the near lifting of near multivalued paths property. It is shown that for this class of shape fibrations the existence of liftings of a fine multivalued map, is equivalent to an algebraic problem relative to the homotopy, shape or strong shape groups associated.