Computing the Exponential of Large Block-Triangular Block-Toeplitz Matrices Encountered in Fluid Queues

The Erlangian approximation of Markovian fluid queues leads to the problem of computing the matrix exponential of a subgenerator having a block-triangular, block-Toeplitz structure. To this end, we propose some algorithms which exploit the Toeplitz structure and the properties of generators. Such algorithms allow to compute the exponential of very large matrices, which would otherwise be untreatable with standard methods. We also prove interesting decay properties of the exponential of a generator having a block-triangular, block-Toeplitz structure

L'evolution du cortege des mineraux argileux dans la sedimentation marine neogene du bassin occidental du Guadalquivir (Espagne du s.o.)

La depresión neógena de sedimentación marina del Bajo Guadalquivir resulta del hundimiento del zócalo durante el Mioceno final. En cuanto se asienta dicha depresión, está ocupada en su mayor parte por el manto de corrimiento submarino de Carmona, que la parte en tres "subestructuras": una depresión S. en el área subbética, una cúpula central al S y al SE de Sevilla, un surco N en el borde del Paleozoicode la Meseta ibérica.En las dos primeras, la sedimentación arcillosa se caracteriza por la abundancia de la montmorillonita. En la última, los minerales arcillosos predominantes siguen una evolución cíclica vertical : Montmorillonita - Illita - Kaolinita + Chlorita - Illita - Montmorillonita, interpretada mediante el acarreo de dos clases de materiales detríticos finos: - procedentes directamente de los continentes limítrofes de clima caluroso y de estaciones contrastadas, en cuanto a la abundancia de la Montmorillonita; - procedentes del mar, desde regiones más o menos próximas, de clima caluroso más húmedo, en cuanto a los sedimentos,entre los cuales predominan Iillita, Kaolinita y Chlorita.Por otra parte, los valores elevados de dichos minerales muestran que a fines del Mioceno superior II y a principios del Plioceno, el surco norte bético se abre a las influencias marinas, quedándose fuera del control continental de sedimentación durante ese corto período

L'evolution du cortege des mineraux argileux dans la sedimentation marine neogene du bassin occidental du Guadalquivir (Espagne du s.o.)

La depresión neógena de sedimentación marina del Bajo Guadalquivir resulta del hundimiento del zócalo durante el Mioceno final. En cuanto se asienta dicha depresión, está ocupada en su mayor parte por el manto de corrimiento submarino de Carmona, que la parte en tres "subestructuras": una depresión S. en el área subbética, una cúpula central al S y al SE de Sevilla, un surco N en el borde del Paleozoicode la Meseta ibérica.En las dos primeras, la sedimentación arcillosa se caracteriza por la abundancia de la montmorillonita. En la última, los minerales arcillosos predominantes siguen una evolución cíclica vertical : Montmorillonita - Illita - Kaolinita + Chlorita - Illita - Montmorillonita, interpretada mediante el acarreo de dos clases de materiales detríticos finos: - procedentes directamente de los continentes limítrofes de clima caluroso y de estaciones contrastadas, en cuanto a la abundancia de la Montmorillonita; - procedentes del mar, desde regiones más o menos próximas, de clima caluroso más húmedo, en cuanto a los sedimentos,entre los cuales predominan Iillita, Kaolinita y Chlorita.Por otra parte, los valores elevados de dichos minerales muestran que a fines del Mioceno superior II y a principios del Plioceno, el surco norte bético se abre a las influencias marinas, quedándose fuera del control continental de sedimentación durante ese corto período

In vivo localization at the cellular level of stilbene fluorescence induced by Plasmopara viticola in grapevine leaves

Accurate localization of phytoalexins is a key for better understanding their role. This work aims to localize stilbenes, the main phytoalexins of grapevine. The cellular localization of stilbene fluorescence induced by Plasmopara viticola, the agent of downy mildew, was determined in grapevine leaves of very susceptible, susceptible, and partially resistant genotypes during infection. Laser scanning confocal microscopy and microspectrofluorimetry were used to acquire UV-excited autofluorescence three-dimensional images and spectra of grapevine leaves 5–6 days after inoculation. This noninvasive technique of investigation in vivo was completed with in vitro spectrofluorimetric studies on pure stilbenes as their fluorescence is largely affected by the physicochemical environment in various leaf compartments. Viscosity was the major physicochemical factor influencing stilbene fluorescence intensity, modifying fluorescence yield by more than two orders of magnitude. Striking differences in the localization of stilbene fluorescence induced by P. viticola were observed between the different genotypes. All inoculated genotypes displayed stilbene fluorescence in cell walls of guard cells and periclinal cell walls of epidermal cells. Higher fluorescence intensity was observed in guard-cell walls than in any other compartment due to increased local viscosity. In addition stilbene fluorescence was found in epidermal cell vacuoles of the susceptible genotype and in the infected spongy parenchyma of the partially resistant genotype. The very susceptible genotype was devoid of fluorescence both in the epidermal vacuoles and the mesophyll. This strongly suggests that the resistance of grapevine leaves to P. viticola is correlated with the pattern of localization of induced stilbenes in host tissues

A Spectral Algorithm with Additive Clustering for the Recovery of Overlapping Communities in Networks

This paper presents a novel spectral algorithm with additive clustering designed to identify overlapping communities in networks. The algorithm is based on geometric properties of the spectrum of the expected adjacency matrix in a random graph model that we call stochastic blockmodel with overlap (SBMO). An adaptive version of the algorithm, that does not require the knowledge of the number of hidden communities, is proved to be consistent under the SBMO when the degrees in the graph are (slightly more than) logarithmic. The algorithm is shown to perform well on simulated data and on real-world graphs with known overlapping communities.Comment: Journal of Theoretical Computer Science (TCS), Elsevier, A Para\^itr

c-Jun reprograms Schwann cells of injured nerves to generate a repair cell essential for regeneration.

The radical response of peripheral nerves to injury (Wallerian degeneration) is the cornerstone of nerve repair. We show that activation of the transcription factor c-Jun in Schwann cells is a global regulator of Wallerian degeneration. c-Jun governs major aspects of the injury response, determines the expression of trophic factors, adhesion molecules, the formation of regeneration tracks and myelin clearance and controls the distinctive regenerative potential of peripheral nerves. A key function of c-Jun is the activation of a repair program in Schwann cells and the creation of a cell specialized to support regeneration. We show that absence of c-Jun results in the formation of a dysfunctional repair cell, striking failure of functional recovery, and neuronal death. We conclude that a single glial transcription factor is essential for restoration of damaged nerves, acting to control the transdifferentiation of myelin and Remak Schwann cells to dedicated repair cells in damaged tissue

Analysis and design of randomised clinical trials involving competing risks endpoints

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In randomised clinical trials involving time-to-event outcomes, the failures concerned may be events of an entirely different nature and as such define a classical competing risks framework. In designing and analysing clinical trials involving such endpoints, it is important to account for the competing events, and evaluate how each contributes to the overall failure. An appropriate choice of statistical model is important for adequate determination of sample size.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We describe how competing events may be summarised in such trials using cumulative incidence functions and Gray's test. The statistical modelling of competing events using proportional cause-specific and subdistribution hazard functions, and the corresponding procedures for sample size estimation are outlined. These are illustrated using data from a randomised clinical trial (SQNP01) of patients with advanced (non-metastatic) nasopharyngeal cancer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this trial, treatment has no effect on the competing event of loco-regional recurrence. Thus the effects of treatment on the hazard of distant metastasis were similar via both the cause-specific (unadjusted <it>csHR </it>= 0.43, 95% CI 0.25 - 0.72) and subdistribution (unadjusted <it>subHR </it>0.43; 95% CI 0.25 - 0.76) hazard analyses, in favour of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjusting for nodal status and tumour size did not alter the results. The results of the logrank test (<it>p </it>= 0.002) comparing the cause-specific hazards and the Gray's test (<it>p </it>= 0.003) comparing the cumulative incidences also led to the same conclusion. However, the subdistribution hazard analysis requires many more subjects than the cause-specific hazard analysis to detect the same magnitude of effect.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The cause-specific hazard analysis is appropriate for analysing competing risks outcomes when treatment has no effect on the cause-specific hazard of the competing event. It requires fewer subjects than the subdistribution hazard analysis for a similar effect size. However, if the main and competing events are influenced in opposing directions by an intervention, a subdistribution hazard analysis may be warranted.</p