On an inverse problem for nonnegative and eventually nonnegative matrices

Let σ= (λ1,···λn)⊂C. We discuss conditions for which σ is the spectrum of a nonnegative or eventually nonnegative matrix. This brings us to study rational functions with nonnegative Maclaurin coefficients. A conjecture for special sets σ is stated and some evidence in support of this conjecture is given.