1,140 research outputs found
Set-Codes with Small Intersections and Small Discrepancies
We are concerned with the problem of designing large families of subsets over
a common labeled ground set that have small pairwise intersections and the
property that the maximum discrepancy of the label values within each of the
sets is less than or equal to one. Our results, based on transversal designs,
factorizations of packings and Latin rectangles, show that by jointly
constructing the sets and labeling scheme, one can achieve optimal family sizes
for many parameter choices. Probabilistic arguments akin to those used for
pseudorandom generators lead to significantly suboptimal results when compared
to the proposed combinatorial methods. The design problem considered is
motivated by applications in molecular data storage and theoretical computer
science
Generalized packing designs
Generalized -designs, which form a common generalization of objects such
as -designs, resolvable designs and orthogonal arrays, were defined by
Cameron [P.J. Cameron, A generalisation of -designs, \emph{Discrete Math.}\
{\bf 309} (2009), 4835--4842]. In this paper, we define a related class of
combinatorial designs which simultaneously generalize packing designs and
packing arrays. We describe the sometimes surprising connections which these
generalized designs have with various known classes of combinatorial designs,
including Howell designs, partial Latin squares and several classes of triple
systems, and also concepts such as resolvability and block colouring of
ordinary designs and packings, and orthogonal resolutions and colourings.
Moreover, we derive bounds on the size of a generalized packing design and
construct optimal generalized packings in certain cases. In particular, we
provide methods for constructing maximum generalized packings with and
block size or 4.Comment: 38 pages, 2 figures, 5 tables, 2 appendices. Presented at 23rd
British Combinatorial Conference, July 201
Which groups are amenable to proving exponent two for matrix multiplication?
The Cohn-Umans group-theoretic approach to matrix multiplication suggests
embedding matrix multiplication into group algebra multiplication, and bounding
in terms of the representation theory of the host group. This
framework is general enough to capture the best known upper bounds on
and is conjectured to be powerful enough to prove , although
finding a suitable group and constructing such an embedding has remained
elusive. Recently it was shown, by a generalization of the proof of the Cap Set
Conjecture, that abelian groups of bounded exponent cannot prove
in this framework, which ruled out a family of potential constructions in the
literature.
In this paper we study nonabelian groups as potential hosts for an embedding.
We prove two main results:
(1) We show that a large class of nonabelian groups---nilpotent groups of
bounded exponent satisfying a mild additional condition---cannot prove in this framework. We do this by showing that the shrinkage rate of powers
of the augmentation ideal is similar to the shrinkage rate of the number of
functions over that are degree polynomials;
our proof technique can be seen as a generalization of the polynomial method
used to resolve the Cap Set Conjecture.
(2) We show that symmetric groups cannot prove nontrivial bounds on
when the embedding is via three Young subgroups---subgroups of the
form ---which is a
natural strategy that includes all known constructions in .
By developing techniques for negative results in this paper, we hope to
catalyze a fruitful interplay between the search for constructions proving
bounds on and methods for ruling them out.Comment: 23 pages, 1 figur
Using Structural Bioinformatics to Model and Design Membrane Proteins
Cells require membrane proteins for a wide spectrum of critical functions. Transmembrane proteins enable cells to communicate with its environment, catalysis, ion transport and scaffolding. The functional roles of membrane proteins are specified by their sequence composition and precise three dimensional folding.
The exact mechanisms driving folding of membrane proteins is still not fully understood. Further, the association between membrane proteins occurs with pinpoint specificity. For example, there exists common sequence features within families of transmembrane receptors, yet there is little cross talk between families. Therefore, we ask how membrane proteins dial in their specificity and what factors are responsible for adoption of native structure.
Advancements in membrane protein structure determination methods has been followed by a sharp increase in three dimensional structures. Structural bioinfomatics has been utilized effectively to study water soluble proteins. The field is now entering an era where structural bioinformatics can be applied to modeling membrane proteins without structure and engineering novel membrane proteins.
The transmembrane domains of membrane proteins were first categorized structurally. From this analysis, we are able to describe the ways in which membrane proteins fold and associate. We further derived sequence profiles for the commonly occurring structural motifs, enabling us to investigate the role of amino acids within the bilayer. Utilizing these tools, a transmembrane structural model was constructed of principle cell surface receptors (integrins). The structural model enabled understanding of possible mechanisms used to signal and to propose a novel membrane protein packing motif.
In addition, novel scoring functions for membrane proteins were developed and applied to modeling membrane proteins. We derived the first all-atom membrane statistical potential and introduced the usage of exposed volume. These potentials
allowed modeling of complex interactions in membrane proteins, such as salt bridges.
To understand the geometric preferences of salt bridges, we surveyed a structural database. We learned about large biases in salt bridge orientations that will be useful in modeling and design. Lastly, we combine these structural bioinformatic efforts, enabling us to model membrane proteins in ways which were previously inaccessible
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