Mapping of the Influenza-A Hemagglutinin Serotypes Evolution by the ISSCOR Method

Analyses and visualizations by the ISSCOR method of influenza virus hemagglutinin genes of different A-subtypes revealed some rather striking temporal relationships between groups of individual gene subsets. Based on these findings we consider application of the ISSCOR-PCA method for analyses of large sets of homologous genes to be a worthwhile addition to a toolbox of genomics - allowing for a rapid diagnostics of trends, and ultimately even aiding an early warning of newly emerging epidemiological threats.Comment: 26 pages with figures (Figs. 1-4 in the main text, and Figs. S1-S5 in supplementary materials

Large Scale Daily Contacts and Mobility Model - an Individual-Based Countrywide Simulation Study for Poland

In this study we describe a simulation platform used to create a virtual society of Poland, with a particular emphasis on contact patterns arising from daily commuting to schools or workplaces. In order to reproduce the map of contacts, we are using a geo-referenced Agent Based Model. Within this framework, we propose a set of different stochastic algorithms, utilizing available aggregated census data. Based on this model system, we present selected statistical analysis, such as the accessibility of schools or the location of rescue service units. This platform will serve as a base for further large scale epidemiological and transportation simulation studies. However, the first approach to a simple, country-wide transportation model is also presented here. The application scope of the platform extends beyond the simulations of epidemic or transportation, and pertains to any situation where there are no easily available means, other than computer simulations, to conduct large scale investigations of complex population dynamics.Agent Based Model, Educational Availability, Daily Commuting, Social Network, Virtual Society Simulations

Regeneração natural em sub-bosque de Corymbia citriodora no Noroeste do Estado do Paraná.

O desenvolvimento de espécies nativas plantadas em consórcio com eucaliptos, ou regeneradas naturalmente em povoamentos dessas espécies, vem sendo acompanhado em propriedades rurais do noroeste do estado do Paraná. Esses sistemas se destacam por constituir uma opção para a recuperação da cobertura florestal em ambientes degradados pela pecuária e agricultura intensivas, propiciando rentabilidade econômica, com possibilidade de atender a legislação ambiental para Reserva Legal. O presente trabalho visa conhecer o potencial de recomposição da vegetação nativa em sub-bosque de Corymbia citriodora, nas condições ambientais e de uso do solo daquela região. Assim, foi avaliada a composição florística e a estrutura da vegetação formada sob a rebrota de um povoamento dessa espécie, situado em São Pedro do Paraná (PR). Foram encontradas cinquenta e três espécies oriundas de regeneração natural numa densidade de 4.725 plantas por hectare. As plantas, identificadas até o nível de espécie, foram enquadradas segundo seu grupo ecológico e/ou usos potenciais. Foram observados parâmetros estruturais que mostraram o elevado potencial de regeneração natural e crescimento da vegetação em sub-bosque de C. citriodora, indicando que, com manejo adequado, essa espécie pode ser usada como uma facilitadora para fins de recomposição de vegetação nativa

Mid-Infrared Imaging of NGC 6334 I

We present high-resolution (<0.5") mid-infrared Keck II images of individual sources in the central region of NGC 6334 I. We compare these images to images at a variety of other wavelengths from the near infrared to cm radio continuum and speculate on the nature of the NGC 6334 I sources. We assert that the cometary shape of the UCHII region here, NGC 6334 F, is due to a champagne-like flow from a source on the edge of a molecular clump and not a due to a bow shock caused by the supersonic motion of the UCHII region through the interstellar medium. The mid-infrared emission in concentrated into an arc of dust that define the boundary between the UCHII region and the molecular clump. This dust arc contains a majority of the masers in the region. We discuss the nature of the four near-infrared sources associated with IRS-I 1, and suggest that one of the sources, IRS1E, is responsible for the heating and ionizing of the UCHII region and the mid-infrared dust arc. Infrared source IRS-I 2, which has been thought to be a circumstellar disk associated with a linear distribution of methanol masers, is found not to be directly coincident with the masers and elongated at a much different position angle. IRS-I 3 is found to be a extended source of mid-infrared emission coming from a cluster of young dusty sources seen in the near-infrared.Comment: Accepted for publication by the Astrophysical Journal, 27 pages, 9 figure