Histogram-based DNA analysis for the visualization of chromosome, genome and species information

We describe a novel approach to explore DNA nucleotide sequence data, aiming to produce high-level categorical and structural information about the underlying chromosomes, genomes and species. The article starts by analyzing chromosomal data through histograms using fixed length DNA sequences. After creating the DNA-related histograms, a correlation between pairs of histograms is computed, producing a global correlation matrix. These data are then used as input to several data processing methods for information extraction and tabular/graphical output generation. A set of 18 species is processed and the extensive results reveal that the proposed method is able to generate significant and diversified outputs, in good accordance with current scientific knowledge in domains such as genomics and phylogenetics.

Analysis and visualization of chromosome information

This paper analyzes the DNA code of several species in the perspective of information content. For that purpose several concepts and mathematical tools are selected towards establishing a quantitative method without a priori distorting the alphabet represented by the sequence of DNA bases. The synergies of associating Gray code, histogram characterization and multidimensional scaling visualization lead to a collection of plots with a categorical representation of species and chromosomes.

Transtextualidade na tradução de "Der mann im fahrstuhl / The mann in the elevator"

In an age where Babel has turned into transcultural communication, an interlingual approach – i.e. in English and in French – to the translating process from German to Portuguese appeared pertinent. Aiming at a refinement of the translating competence, this process consists in contrasting different linguistic and literary strategies through an intercultural and multi-etymological perspective. Thus, we settled upon Heiner Müller‘s play Der Auftrag. Erinnerung an eine Revolution (1980), on which the composer Heiner Goebbels has based himself to textually and musically dramatize an excerpt, Der Mann im Farhstuhl / The Man in the Elevator. A transcription of such excerpt in its source language, German, as well as its translation into English (Carl Weber, 1984, Performing Arts Publications, New York) and French (Jean Jourdheuil, Heinz Schwarzinger, Editions Minuit, Paris) can be found in the booklet that accompanies the CD – edited in 1988 by ECD (München: Records GmbH). It should be emphasized that such a creation allows a framing of Müller‘s text into a musical scenography and, therefore, encourages an intersemiotic contrast. This experience enabled us to come up with a unique imagery of Müller‘s piece of writing, by means of its dramatic and musical conversion and, simultaneously, lead us to stretch our textual consciousness to a multitude of intra-, extra- and interlinguistic elements.

Comparação do efeito da técnica de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva com a técnica de músculo energia no alongamento muscular dos isquiotibiais a curto prazo

Introdução: A aplicação das técnicas de Contrair-Relaxar com Contracção do Antagonista (CRCA) e de Músculo Energia (TME) promovem um aumento da flexibilidade muscular, contudo poucos estudos comparam a eficácia de ambas. Apresentam aspectos comuns como a contracção prévia do músculo a alongar sendo esta máxima na CRCA e uma percentagem da máxima na TME. Contudo, alguma evidência sugere que não existe correspondência entre a força produzida e a desejada pelo que este aspecto da TME carece de explicação. Objectivos: Confirmar se a técnica CRCA e a TME são efectivas no alongamento muscular dos isquiotibiais a curto prazo, caso sejam determinar qual a mais efectiva. Pretende-se ainda avaliar se a percepção ao esforço durante a aplicação da TME corresponde à força efectivamente realizada. Métodos: Efectuou-se um estudo experimental com 45 voluntários distribuídos aleatoriamente pelos grupos CRCA, TME e Controlo. Avaliou-se a amplitude articular passiva de extensão do joelho antes e depois de aplicar as técnicas, utilizando um goniómetro. Nos participantes submetidos à TME avaliou-se a percepção ao esforço, solicitando uma contracção submáxima isométrica de 40% medida através do dinamómetro de mão. Resultados: Verificou-se um efeito das técnicas entre as avaliações (Teste ANOVA medidas repetidas factor tempo: p<0,001) e entre os grupos (tempo*grupo: p<0,001). Comparando os grupos dois a dois, verificaram-se diferenças entre o grupo CRCA e o grupo Controlo (Teste Post Hoc Games-Howell: p=0,001) e entre o grupo TME e o grupo Controlo (p=0,009), não existindo diferenças entre os grupos CRCA e TME (p=0,376). Os grupos CRCA e TME obtiveram um ganho de 10,7º e de 11,4º respectivamente, não havendo diferenças significativas entre os ganhos (Teste T-Student Independente: p=0,599). Existiram diferenças significativas entre os 40% CMVI produzida e desejada (Teste Wilcoxon: p=0,018). Conclusão: Ambas foram efectivas no aumento da flexibilidade muscular dos isquiotibiais a curto prazo. Os efeitos foram comparáveis, mas dada a menor complexidade e menor solicitação a TME foi considerada mais eficiente. A percepção ao esforço durante a aplicação da TME não correspondeu ao esforço desejado, existindo uma tendência para a produção de intensidades de contracções maiores.

Optimization of River Water Quality Surveys by Multivariate Analysis of Physicochemical, Bacteriological and Ecotoxicological Data

This study aims to optimize the water quality monitoring of a polluted watercourse (Leça River, Portugal) through the principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). These statistical methodologies were applied to physicochemical, bacteriological and ecotoxicological data (with the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the green alga Chlorella vulgaris) obtained with the analysis of water samples monthly collected at seven monitoring sites and during five campaigns (February, May, June, August, and September 2006). The results of some variables were assigned to water quality classes according to national guidelines. Chemical and bacteriological quality data led to classify Leça River water quality as “bad” or “very bad”. PCA and CA identified monitoring sites with similar pollution pattern, giving to site 1 (located in the upstream stretch of the river) a distinct feature from all other sampling sites downstream. Ecotoxicity results corroborated this classification thus revealing differences in space and time. The present study includes not only physical, chemical and bacteriological but also ecotoxicological parameters, which broadens new perspectives in river water characterization. Moreover, the application of PCA and CA is very useful to optimize water quality monitoring networks, defining the minimum number of sites and their location. Thus, these tools can support appropriate management decisions.