Deviations in influenza seasonality: odd coincidence or obscure consequence?

AbstractIn temperate regions, influenza typically arrives with the onset of colder weather. Seasonal waves travel over large spaces covering many climatic zones in a relatively short period of time. The precise mechanism for this striking seasonal pattern is still not well understood, and the interplay of factors that influence the spread of infection and the emergence of new strains is largely unknown. The study of influenza seasonality has been fraught with problems. One of these is the ever-shifting description of illness resulting from influenza and the use of both the historical definitions and new definitions based on actual isolation of the virus. The compilation of records describing influenza oscillations on a local and global scale is massive, but the value of these data is a function of the definitions used. In this review, we argue that observations of both seasonality and deviation from the expected pattern stem from the nature of this disease. Heterogeneity in seasonal patterns may arise from differences in the behaviour of specific strains, the emergence of a novel strain, or cross-protection from previously observed strains. Most likely, the seasonal patterns emerge from interactions of individual factors behaving as coupled resonators. We emphasize that both seasonality and deviations from it may merely be reflections of our inability to disentangle signal from noise, because of ambiguity in measurement and/or terminology. We conclude the review with suggestions for new promising and realistic directions with tangible consequences for the modelling of complex influenza dynamics in order to effectively control infection

Measurement of the Atmospheric Muon Spectrum from 20 to 3000 GeV

The absolute muon flux between 20 GeV and 3000 GeV is measured with the L3 magnetic muon spectrometer for zenith angles ranging from 0 degree to 58 degree. Due to the large exposure of about 150 m2 sr d, and the excellent momentum resolution of the L3 muon chambers, a precision of 2.3 % at 150 GeV in the vertical direction is achieved. The ratio of positive to negative muons is studied between 20 GeV and 500 GeV, and the average vertical muon charge ratio is found to be 1.285 +- 0.003 (stat.) +- 0.019 (syst.).Comment: Total 32 pages, 9Figure

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY OF 1,2,5-TRIMETHYL-4-N-ARYLIMINO(AMINO)PIPERIDINES AND 4-(N-ARYL-N-ETHOXYCARBONYL)AMINOPIPERIDINES

Some urethanes containing gamma-N-piperidyl substituents were synthesized fron the respective 4-N-arylimino(amino)piperidines and ethylchloroformate. The starting materials and the resultant ethyl-N-(1,2,5-trimethylpiperidyl-4)-N-aryl (hetaryl) carbamates were tested for bactericidal, fungicidal, and herbicidal activities which were shown to be related to the structure of the compounds in question. Some ethyl-N-(1,2,5-trimethylpiperidyl-4)-N-aryl-carbamates had action on the central nervous system. The compounds under study had no profound analgetic effect. The structure of the compounds was evidenced by spectral assays. The parameters for NMR- and mass-spectra are also outlined

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY OF 1,2,5-TRIMETHYL-4-N-ARYLIMINO(AMINO)PIPERIDINES AND 4-(N-ARYL-N-ETHOXYCARBONYL)AMINOPIPERIDINES

Some urethanes containing gamma-N-piperidyl substituents were synthesized fron the respective 4-N-arylimino(amino)piperidines and ethylchloroformate. The starting materials and the resultant ethyl-N-(1,2,5-trimethylpiperidyl-4)-N-aryl (hetaryl) carbamates were tested for bactericidal, fungicidal, and herbicidal activities which were shown to be related to the structure of the compounds in question. Some ethyl-N-(1,2,5-trimethylpiperidyl-4)-N-aryl-carbamates had action on the central nervous system. The compounds under study had no profound analgetic effect. The structure of the compounds was evidenced by spectral assays. The parameters for NMR- and mass-spectra are also outlined