A direct method to obtain a realization of a polynomial matrix and its applications

[EN] In this paper we present a Silverman-Ho algorithm-based method to obtain a realization of a polynomial matrix. This method provides the final formulation of a minimal realization directly from a full rank factorization of a specific given matrix. Also, some classical problems in control theory such as model reduction in singular systems or the positive realization problem in standard systems are solved with this method.Work supported by the Spanish DGI grant MTM2017-85669-P-AR.Cantó Colomina, R.; Moll López, SE.; Ricarte Benedito, B.; Urbano Salvador, AM. (2020). A direct method to obtain a realization of a polynomial matrix and its applications. Revista de la Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales Serie A Matemáticas. 114(2):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13398-020-00819-1S1151142Anderson, B.D.O., Bongpanitlerd, S.: Network Analysis and Synthesis, A Modern Systems Theory Approach. Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersey (1968)Benvenuti, L., Farina, L.: A tutorial on the positive realization problem. IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 49(5), 651–664 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2004.826715Bru, R., Coll, C., Sánchez, E.: Structural properties of positive linear time-invariant difference-algebraic equations. Linear Algebra Appl. 349, 1–10 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-3795(02)00277-XCantó, R., Ricarte, B., Urbano, A.M.: Positive realizations of transfer matrices with real poles. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. II Expr. Br. 54(6), 517–521 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1109/TCSII.2007.894408Cantó, R., Ricarte, B., Urbano, A.M.: On positivity of discrete-time singular systems and the realization problem. Lect. Notes Control Inf. Sci. 389, 251–258 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02894-6_24Climent, J., Napp, D., Requena, V.: Block Toeplitz matrices for burst-correcting convolutional codes. RACSAM 114, 38 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13398-019-00744-yDai, L.: Singular Control Systems. Lecture Notes in Control and Information Sciences. Springer-Verlag, New York (1989)Golub, G.H., Van Loan, C.F.: Matrix Computations, Fourth edn. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (2013)Henrion, D., Šebek, M.: Polynomial and matrix fraction description. In: Control Systems, Robotics and Automation, vol. 7, pp. 211-231, (2009). http://www.eolss.net/Sample-Chapters/C18/E6-43-13-05.pdfHo, B.L., Kalman, R.E.: Effective construction of linear state-variable models from mput/output functions. Regelungstechnik 14(12), 545–548 (1966)Kaczorek, T.: Weakly positive continuous-time linear systems. Lect. Notes Control Inf. Sci. 243, 3–16 (1999)Kaczorek, T.: Positive 1D and 2D Systems, vol. 431. Springer, London (2002)Kaczorek, T.: Externally and internally positive singular discrete-time linear systems. Int. J. Appl. Math. Comput. Sci. 12(2), 197–202 (2002)MATLAB, The Math Works, Inc., Natick, Massachusetts, United States. Official website: http://www.mathworks.comMcCrory, C., Parusinski, A.: The weight filtration for real algebraic varieties II: classical homology. RACSAM 108, 63–94 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13398-012-0098-ySilverman, L.: Realization of linear dynamical systems. IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 16(6), 554–567 (1971)Virnik, E.: Stability analysis of positive descriptor systems. Linear Algebra Appl. 429(10), 2640–2659 (2008

Origin of Shifts in the Surface Plasmon Resonance Frequencies for Au and Ag Nanoparticles

Origin of shifts in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) frequency for noble metal (Au, Ag) nanoclusters are discussed in this book chapter. Spill out of electron from the Fermi surface is considered as the origin of red shift. On the other hand, both screening of electrons of the noble metal in porous media and quantum effect of screen surface electron are considered for the observed blue shift in the SPR peak position.Comment: 37 pages, 14 Figures in the submitted book chapter of The Annual Reviews in Plasmonics, edited by Professor Chris D. Geddes. Springer Scinec

HIV Types, Groups, Subtypes and Recombinant Forms: Errors in Replication, Selection Pressure and Quasispecies

HIV-1 is a chimpanzee virus which was transmitted to humans by several zoonotic events resulting in infection with HIV-1 groups M P, and in parallel transmission events from sooty mangabey monkey viruses leading to infections with HIV-2 groups A H. Both viruses have circulated in the human population for about 80 years. In the infected patient, HIV mutates, and by elimination of some of the viruses by the action of the immune system individual quasispecies are formed. Along with the selection of the fittest viruses, mutation and recombination after superinfection with HIV from different groups or subtypes have resulted in the diversity of their patterns of geographic distribution. Despite the high variability observed, some essential parts of the HIV genome are highly conserved. Viral diversity is further facilitated in some parts of the HIV genome by drug selection pressure and may also be enhanced by different genetic factors, including HLA in patients from different regions of the world. Viral and human genetic factors influence pathogenesis. Viral genetic factors are proteins such as Tat, Vif and Rev. Human genetic factors associated with a better clinical outcome are proteins such as APOBEC, langerin, tetherin and chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and HLA B27, B57, DRB1{*}1303, KIR and PARD3B. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Cytokeratin expression during mouse embryonic and early postnatal mammary gland development

Cytokeratins are intermediate filament proteins found in most epithelial cells including the mammary epithelium. Specific cytokeratin expression has been found to mark different epithelial cell lineages and also to associate with putative mammary stem/progenitor cells. However, a comparative analysis of the expression of cytokaratins during embryonic and postnatal mammary development is currently lacking. Moreover, it is not clear whether the different classes of putative mammary stem/progenitor cells exist during embryonic development. Here, we use double/triple-label immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry to systematically compare the expression of cytokeratin 5 (K5), cytokeratin 6 (K6), cytokeratin 8 (K8), cytokeratin 14 (K14) and cytokeratin 19 (K19) in embryonic and early postnatal mouse mammary glands. We show that K6+ and K8+/K14+ putative mammary progenitor cells arise during embryogenesis with distinct temporal and spatial distributions. Moreover, we describe a transient disconnection of the expression of K5 and K14, two cytokeratins that are often co-expressed, during the first postnatal weeks of mammary development. Finally, we report that cytokeratin expression in cultured primary mammary epithelial cells mimics that during the early stages of postnatal mammary development. These studies demonstrate an embryonic origin of putative mammary stem/progenitor cells. Moreover, they provide additional insights into the use of specific cytokeratins as markers of mammary epithelial differentiation, or the use of their promoters to direct gene overexpression or ablation in genetic studies of mouse mammary development

Efficacy, Tolerability, and Biomarker Analyses of Once-Every-2-Weeks Cetuximab Plus First-Line FOLFOX or FOLFIRI in Patients With KRAS or All RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The Phase 2 APEC Study

published_or_final_versio

A Variant of TNFR2-Fc Fusion Protein Exhibits Improved Efficacy in Treating Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis

Etanercept, a TNF receptor 2-Fc fusion protein, is currently being used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, 25% to 38% of patients show no response which is suspected to be partially due to insufficient affinity of this protein to TNFα. By using computational protein design, we found that residue W89 and E92 of TNFR2 were critical for ligand binding. Among several mutants tested, W89Y/E92N displayed 1.49-fold higher neutralizing activity to TNFα, as compared to that of Etanercept. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based binding assay revealed that the equilibrium dissociation constant of W89Y/E92N to TNFα was 3.65-fold higher than that of Etanercept. In a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), W89Y/E92N showed a significantly better ability than Etanercept in reducing paw swelling and improvement of arthritic joint histopathologically. These data demonstrate that W89Y/E92N is potentially a better candidate with improved efficacy in treating RA and other autoimmune diseases

Star forming dwarf galaxies

Star forming dwarf galaxies (SFDGs) have a high gas content and low metallicities, reminiscent of the basic entities in hierarchical galaxy formation scenarios. In the young universe they probably also played a major role in the cosmic reionization. Their abundant presence in the local volume and their youthful character make them ideal objects for detailed studies of the initial stellar mass function (IMF), fundamental star formation processes and its feedback to the interstellar medium. Occasionally we witness SFDGs involved in extreme starbursts, giving rise to strongly elevated production of super star clusters and global superwinds, mechanisms yet to be explored in more detail. SFDGs is the initial state of all dwarf galaxies and the relation to the environment provides us with a key to how different types of dwarf galaxies are emerging. In this review we will put the emphasis on the exotic starburst phase, as it seems less important for present day galaxy evolution but perhaps fundamental in the initial phase of galaxy formation.Comment: To appear in JENAM Symposium "Dwarf Galaxies: Keys to Galaxy Formation and Evolution", P. Papaderos, G. Hensler, S. Recchi (eds.). Lisbon, September 2010, Springer Verlag, in pres

Individualism and stock price crash risk

Employing a sample of 26,473 firms across 42 countries from 1990 to 2013, we find that firms located in countries with higher individualism have higher stock price crash risk. Furthermore, individualism can be transmitted by foreign investors from overseas markets to influence local firms’ crash risk, and can exacerbate the impact of firm risk taking and earnings management on crash risk. Moreover, the positive relation between individualism and crash risk is amplified during the global financial crisis and attenuated by enhanced country-level financial information transparency and the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards