Accurate computations with Wronskian matrices

In this paper we provide algorithms for computing the bidiagonal decomposition of the Wronskian matrices of the monomial basis of polynomials and of the basis of exponential polynomials. It is also shown that these algorithms can be used to perform accurately some algebraic computations with these Wronskian matrices, such as the calculation of their inverses, their eigenvalues or their singular values and the solutions of some linear systems. Numerical experiments illustrate the results

Accurate computations with Wronskian matrices of Bessel and Laguerre polynomials

This paper provides an accurate method to obtain the bidiagonal factorization of Wronskian matrices of Bessel polynomials and of Laguerre polynomials. This method can be used to compute with high relative accuracy their singular values, the inverse of these matrices, as well as the solution of some related systems of linear equations. Numerical examples illustrating the theoretical results are included. © 2022 The Author

High relative accuracy through Newton bases

Bidiagonal factorizations for the change of basis matrices between monomial and Newton polynomial bases are obtained. The total positivity of these matrices is characterized in terms of the sign of the nodes of the Newton bases. It is shown that computations to high relative accuracy for algebraic problems related to these matrices can be achieved whenever the nodes have the same sign. Stirling matrices can be considered particular cases of these matrices, and then computations to high relative accuracy for collocation and Wronskian matrices of Touchard polynomial bases can be obtained. The performed numerical experimentation confirms the accurate solutions obtained when solving algebraic problems using the proposed factorizations, for instance, for the calculation of their eigenvalues, singular values, and inverses, as well as the solution of some linear systems of equations associated with these matrices

Total positivity and accurate computations with Gram matrices of Said-Ball bases

In this article, it is proved that Gram matrices of totally positive bases of the space of polynomials of a given degree on a compact interval are totally positive. Conditions to guarantee computations to high relative accuracy with those matrices are also obtained. Furthermore, a fast and accurate algorithm to compute the bidiagonal factorization of Gram matrices of the Said-Ball bases is obtained and used to compute to high relative accuracy their singular values and inverses, as well as the solution of some linear systems associated with these matrices. Numerical examples are included

Accurate Computations with Collocation and Wronskian Matrices of Jacobi Polynomials

In this paper an accurate method to construct the bidiagonal factorization of collocation and Wronskian matrices of Jacobi polynomials is obtained and used to compute with high relative accuracy their eigenvalues, singular values and inverses. The particular cases of collocation and Wronskian matrices of Legendre polynomials, Gegenbauer polynomials, Chebyshev polynomials of the first and second kind and rational Jacobi polynomials are considered. Numerical examples are included. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Ultrasonic characterization of the pulmonary venous wall: echographic and histological correlation

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques is used to prevent recurrences of human atrial fibrillation. Visualization of the architecture at the venoatrial junction could be crucial for these ablative techniques. Our study assesses the potential for intravascular ultrasound to provide this information. Methods and Results: We retrieved 32 pulmonary veins from 8 patients dying from noncardiac causes. We obtained cross-sectional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with a 3.2F, 30-MHz ultrasound catheter at intervals on each vein. Histological cross-sections at the intervals allowed comparisons with ultrasonic images. The pulmonary venous wall at the venoatrial junction revealed a 3-layered ultrasonic pattern. The inner echogenic layer represents both endothelium and connective tissue of the media (mean maximal thickness, 1.4±0.3 mm). The middle hypoechogenic stratum corresponds to the sleeves of left atrial myocardium surrounding the external aspect of the venous media. This layer was thickest at the venoatrial junction (mean maximal thickness, 2.6±0.8 mm) and decreased toward the lung hilum. The outer echodense layer corresponds to fibro-fatty adventitial tissue (mean maximal thickness, 2.15±0.36 mm). We found a close agreement among the IVUS and histological measurements for maximal luminal diameter (mean difference, -0.12±1.3 mm) and maximal muscular thickness (mean difference, 0.17±0.13 mm) using the Bland and Altman method. Conclusions: Our experimental study demonstrates for the first time that IVUS images of the pulmonary veins can provide information on the distal limits and thickness of the myocardial sleeves and can be a valuable tool to help accurate targeting during ablative procedures

Trends and determinants of time in bed in Geneva, Switzerland

STUDY OBJECTIVES: There is limited information regarding sleep duration and determinants in Switzerland. We aimed to assess the trends and determinants of time in bed as a proxy for sleep duration in the Swiss canton of Geneva. METHODS: Data from repeated, independent cross-sectional representative samples of adults (≥ 18 years) of the Geneva population were collected between 2005 and 2011. Self-reported time in bed, education, monthly income, and nationality were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: Data from 3,853 participants (50% women, 51.7 ± 10.9 years) were analyzed. No significant trend was observed between 2005 and 2011 regarding time in bed or the prevalence of short (≤ 6 h/day) and long (> 9 h/day) time in bed. Elderly participants reported a longer time in bed (year-adjusted mean ± standard error: 7.67 ± 0.02, 7.82 ± 0.03, and 8.41 ± 0.04 h/day for 35-50, 50-65, and 65+ years, respectively, p < 0.001), while shorter time in bed was reported by non-Swiss participants (7.77 ± 0.03 vs. 7.92 ± 0.03 h/day for Swiss nationals, p < 0.001), participants with higher education (7.92 ± 0.02 for non-university vs. 7.74 ± 0.03 h/day for university, p < 0.001) or higher income (8.10 ± 0.04, 7.84 ± 0.03, and 7.70 ± 0.03 h/day for < 5,000 SFr; 5,000-9,500 SFr, and > 9,500 SFr, respectively, p < 0.001). Multivariable-adjusted polytomous logistic regression showed short and long time in bed to be positively associated with obesity and negatively associated with income. CONCLUSION: In a Swiss adult population, sleep duration as assessed by time in bed did not change significantly between 2005 and 2011. Both clinical and socioeconomic factors influence time in bed

Corporate Culture and long-terme survival of Spanish innovative firms

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how firms can enhance their innovative capabilities and become more resilient. The current business environment requires a specific type of management for companies to remain competitive and innovation plays a key role in this respect. However, this means that a particular kind of corporate culture must promote innovation in the firm. This innovation culture is likely to be present in innovative companies that have survived in the long term (at least 50 years) and be the source of an adaptive advantage.2017-1

Extracellular vesicles from airway secretions: New insights in lung diseases

Lung diseases (LD) are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Although it is known that chronic airway inflammation and excessive tissue repair are processes associated with LD such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or idiopathic pulmonary fibro-sis (IPF), their specific pathways remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous na-noscale membrane vesicles with an important role in cell-to-cell communication. EVs are present in general biofluids as plasma or urine but also in secretions of the airway as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), induced sputum (IS), nasal lavage (NL) or pharyngeal lavage. Alterations of airway EV cargo could be crucial for understanding LD. Airway EVs have shown a role in the pathogenesis of some LD such as eosinophil increase in asthma, the promotion of lung cancer in vitro models in COPD and as biomarkers to distinguishing IPF in patients with diffuse lung diseases. In addition, they also have a promising future as therapeutics for LD. In this review, we focus on the importance of airway secretions in LD, the pivotal role of EVs from those secretions on their pathophysiology and their potential for biomarker discovery

Conductance of Sidewall-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes: Universal Dependence on Adsorption Sites

We use density functional theory to study the effect of molecular adsorbates on the conductance of metallic carbon nanotubes (CNT). The five molecules considered (NO2, NH2, H, COOH, OH) lead to very similar scattering of the electrons. The adsorption of a single molecule suppresses one of the two available transport channels at the Fermi level while the other is left undisturbed. If more molecules are adsorbed on the same sublattice, the remaining open channel may or may not be blocked, depending on the relative position of the adsorbates. If the relative positions satisfy a simple geometric condition, this channel remains fully open independently of the number of adsorbed molecules.Peer reviewe