Elliptic curves of large rank and small conductor

For r=6,7,...,11 we find an elliptic curve E/Q of rank at least r and the smallest conductor known, improving on the previous records by factors ranging from 1.0136 (for r=6) to over 100 (for r=10 and r=11). We describe our search methods, and tabulate, for each r=5,6,...,11, the five curves of lowest conductor, and (except for r=11) also the five of lowest absolute discriminant, that we found.Comment: 16 pages, including tables and one .eps figure; to appear in the Proceedings of ANTS-6 (June 2004, Burlington, VT). Revised somewhat after comments by J.Silverman on the previous draft, and again to get the correct page break

Analysis of Round Off Errors with Reversibility Test as a Dynamical Indicator

We compare the divergence of orbits and the reversibility error for discrete time dynamical systems. These two quantities are used to explore the behavior of the global error induced by round off in the computation of orbits. The similarity of results found for any system we have analysed suggests the use of the reversibility error, whose computation is straightforward since it does not require the knowledge of the exact orbit, as a dynamical indicator. The statistics of fluctuations induced by round off for an ensemble of initial conditions has been compared with the results obtained in the case of random perturbations. Significant differences are observed in the case of regular orbits due to the correlations of round off error, whereas the results obtained for the chaotic case are nearly the same. Both the reversibility error and the orbit divergence computed for the same number of iterations on the whole phase space provide an insight on the local dynamical properties with a detail comparable with other dynamical indicators based on variational methods such as the finite time maximum Lyapunov characteristic exponent, the mean exponential growth factor of nearby orbits and the smaller alignment index. For 2D symplectic maps the differentiation between regular and chaotic regions is well full-filled. For 4D symplectic maps the structure of the resonance web as well as the nearby weakly chaotic regions are accurately described.Comment: International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 201

Topological insight into the non-Arrhenius mode hopping of semiconductor ring lasers

We investigate both theoretically and experimentally the stochastic switching between two counter-propagating lasing modes of a semiconductor ring laser. Experimentally, the residence time distribution cannot be described by a simple one parameter Arrhenius exponential law and reveals the presence of two different mode-hop scenarios with distinct time scales. In order to elucidate the origin of these two time scales, we propose a topological approach based on a two-dimensional dynamical system.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Scintillating double beta decay bolometers

We present the results obtained in the development of scintillating Double Beta Decay bolometers. Several Mo and Cd based crystals were tested with the bolometric technique. The scintillation light was measured through a second independent bolometer. A 140 g CdWO_4 crystal was run in a 417 h live time measurement. Thanks to the scintillation light, the alpha background is easily discriminated resulting in zero counts above the 2615 keV gamma line of Thallium 208. These results, combined with an extremely easy light detector operation, represent the first tangible proof demonstrating the feasibility of this kind of technique.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure

Long term effectiveness of electrochemotherapy for the treatment of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a therapeutic approach based on the local application of electrical pulses that permeabilize cell membranes to enhance the uptake of low-permeant chemotherapeutic agents, thus increasing their cytotoxic effects. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with SCC of the lower lip were treated according to the European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy. Bleomycin (15,000 IU/m2 body surface area) was administered intravenously over a 1-minute period. Eight electrical pulses (amplitude, 1000 V/cm; duration, 100 μs) were generated and delivered at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz. Changes in tumor volume were used to assess treatment response. Results: Objective response (OR), complete response (CR), and partial response (PR) rates of 100%, 71.4%, and 28.6% respectively were demonstrated following a single session of ECT. ECT was well tolerated, and no adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Intravenous bleomycin-based ECT is a safe and effective therapy for SCC of the lower lip. ECT improves the quality-of-life of patients by preserving the function and the aesthetic appearance of the affected area. ECT provides a therapeutic option for elderly and frail patients who, due to their state of health, are not suitable for, or refuse surgical interventions

Effect of pore generator on microstructure and resistivity of Sb2O3 and CuO doped SnO2 electrodes

[EN] Sb(2)O(3)and CuO doped SnO(2)ceramic electrodes could be an alternative to the ones currently used ones in the electrooxidation process of water pollutants. The rise of electrode surface by introducing a porogen agent on the composition was analysed in order to increase the electrochemical active surface. For this reason, several substances were tested. Although the densification and total pore volume had similar values, the microstructures and the pore size distributions generated were strongly dependent on porogen nature. A total of five porogens were tested, but petroleum coke turned out to be the best option for these electrodes. It was found that the electrical resistivity depends on the nature of pore generator. Furthermore, its relation to the porosity can be modelled with Archie's or Pabst's equations.The authors are very grateful to the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Projects: CTQ2015-65202-C2-1-R and CTQ2015-65202-C2-2-R) and to the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), for their economic support.Sánchez-Rivera, M.; Gozalbo, A.; Pérez-Herranz, V.; Mestre, S. (2020). Effect of pore generator on microstructure and resistivity of Sb2O3 and CuO doped SnO2 electrodes. Journal of Porous Materials. 27(6):1801-1808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10934-020-00959-0S18011808276C.A. Martínez-Huitle, S. Ferro, Electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants for the wastewater treatment: direct and indirect processes. Chem. Soc. Rev. 35, 1324–1340 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1039/B517632HC.A. Kent, J.J. Concepcion, C.J. Dares, D.A. Torelli, A.J. Rieth, A.S. Miller, P.G. Hoertz, T.J. Meyer, Water oxidation and oxygen monitoring by cobalt-modified fluorine-doped tin oxide electrodes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 8432–8435 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja400616aM.P. Miranda, R. Del Rio, M.A. Del Valle, M. Faundez, F. Armijo, Use of fluorine-doped tin oxide electrodes for lipoic acid determination in dietary supplements. J. Electroanal. Chem. 668, 1–6 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2011.12.022M.A.Q. Alfaro, S. Ferro, C.A. Martínez-Huitle, Y.M. Vong, Boron doped diamond electrode for the wastewater treatment. J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 17, 227–236 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-50532006000200003J. Mora-Gómez, M. García-Gabaldón, E. Ortega, M.-J. Sánchez-Rivera, S. Mestre, V. Pérez-Herranz, Evaluation of new ceramic electrodes based on Sb-doped SnO2 for the removal of emerging compounds present in wastewater. Ceram. Int. 44, 2216–2222 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.10.178C.J. Evans, Industrial uses of tin chemicals, Chem. Tin, Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, 1998: pp. 442–479. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4938-9_12J. Molera, T. Pradell, N. Salvadó, M. Vendrell-Saz, Evidence of tin oxide recrystallization in opacified lead glazes. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 82, 2871–2875 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1999.tb02170.xP.P. Tsai, I.-C. Chen, M.H. Tzeng, Tin oxide (SnOX) carbon monoxide sensor fabricated by thick-film methods. Sensors Actuators B 25, 537–539 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1016/0925-4005(95)85116-XF. Li, J. Xu, X. Yu, L. Chen, J. Zhu, Z. Yang, X. Xin, One-step solid-state reaction synthesis and gas sensing property of tin oxide nanoparticles. Sensors Actuators B 165–169. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925400501009479S. Zuca, M. Terzi, M. Zaharescu, K. Matiasovsky, Contribution to the study of SnO2-based ceramics. J. Mater. Sci. 26, 1673–1676 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00544681M. BATZILL, U. DIEBOLD, The surface and materials science of tin oxide. Prog. Surf. Sci. 79, 47–154 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progsurf.2005.09.002G. Monrós. El color de la cerámica: nuevos mecanismos en pigmentos para los nuevos procesados de la industria cerámica, n.d. https://books.google.es/books/about/El_Color_de_la_cerámica.html?id=yfIogcGvdqUC&redir_esc=y . Accessed 29 Aug 2018E.R. Leite, J.A. Cerri, E. Longo, J.A. Varela, C.A. Paskocima, Sintering of ultrafine undoped SnO2 powder. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 21, 669–675 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2219(00)00250-8S. Mihaiu, O. Scarlat, G. Aldica, M. Zaharescu, SnO2 electroceramics with various additives. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 21, 1801–1804 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2219(01)00119-4C.R. Foschini, L. Perazolli, J.A. Varela, Sintering of tin oxide using zinc oxide as a densification aid. J. Mater. Sci. 39, 5825–5830 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JMSC.0000040095.03906.61M.S. Castro, C.M. Aldao, Characterization of SnO2-varistors with different additives. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 18, 2233–2239 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2219(97)00130-1A.-M. Popescu, S. Mihaiu, S. Zuca, Microstructure and electrochemical behaviour of some SnO2-based inert electrodes in aluminium electrolysis. Zeitschrift Für Naturforsch. A 57, 71–75 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1515/zna-2002-1-210M.R. Sahar, M. Hasbullah, Properties of SnO2-based ceramics. 30, 5304–5305 (1995)D. Nisiro, G. Fabbri, G.C. Celotti, A. Bellosi, Influence of the additives and processing conditions on the characteristics of dense SnO2-based ceramics. J. Mater. Sci. 38, 2727–2742 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024459307992M.-J. Sánchez-Rivera, CuO improved (Sn,Sb)O2 ceramic anodes for electrochemical advanced oxidation processes. Int. J. Appl. Ceram. Technol. (2018)B. Das, B. Chakrabarty, P. Barkakati, Preparation and characterization of novel ceramic membranes for micro-filtration applications. Ceram. Int. 42, 14326–14333 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.06.125I. Hedfi, N. Hamdi, M.A. Rodriguez, E. 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Archie, The electrical resistivity log as an aid in determining some reservoir characteristics. Trans. AIME. 146, 54–62 (1942)P. WAGNER, J.A. O’ROURKE, P.E. ARMSTRONG, Porosity effects in polycrystalline graphite. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 55, 214–219 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1972.tb11262.xH.El Khal, A. Cordier, N. Batis, E. Siebert, S. Georges, M.C. Steil, Effect of porosity on the electrical conductivity of LAMOX materials. Solid State Ionics. 304, 75–84 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssi.2017.03.028S. Tian-Ming, D. Li-Min, W. Chen, G. Wen-Li, W. Li, T.-X. Liang, New carbon materials Effect of porosity on the electrical resistivity of carbon materials. New Carbon Mater 28, 349–354 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(13)60087-6W. Pabst, E. Gregorová, Conductivity of porous materials with spheroidal pores. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 34, 2757–2766 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2013.12.04

Effect of the irradiation wavelength on the performance of nanoporous carbon as an additive to TiO2

We report the dependence of the photochemical activity of titania/carbon hybrid catalysts toward the degradation of phenol from solution using polychromatic light and filters. In all cases larger photooxidative efficiencies were obtained using light at 200 nm 200 nm. The photocatalytic runs carried out with the nonporous carbon alone confirmed a certain level of intrinsic photoactivity under both irradiation conditions. Nevertheless, a clear deactivation was evident after 60 min of irradiation suggesting that the photoactive sites in the carbon are either consumed or deactivated in the course of the reaction. The composition of the catalyst and the illumination conditions also have a strong effect on the nature of the degradation intermediates, with a marked regioselectivity toward ortho-substitution at high energy photons and when the carbon component is added to the catalyst composition.The authors thank Cordex (Portugal) for kindly supplying sisal. The financial support of the pluriannual funding to CQB (UID/MULTI/00612/2013), and MINECO (CTM2014/56770-R, AIB2010-PT00209) is also acknowledged. MAA and ASM thank FCT for their PhD (SFRH/BD/71673/2010) and Post-Doc (SFRH/BPD/86693/2012) fellowships, respectively. RJC thanks PCTI Asturias Fondos Feder for her Severo Ochoa fellowship. The authors thank Dr. Matos for fruitful discussion.Peer reviewe

Forecasting pharmaceutical expenditure in Europe : adjusting for the impact of rebates and discounts

European healthcare systems are under constant pressure to contain healthcare expenditure. Understanding future drug expenditure is an important consideration for payers when formulating policies. QuintileIMS publishes European forecasts that are underpinned by its audited volume data and publicly available list prices. With increasing price pressures, list to net price divergence is growing, although some of this information is commercially sensitive and thus not publicly available. The objective of this study was to further develop an established forecast to account for this divergence and explore its impact

Exploiting graphlet decomposition to explain the structure of complex networks: the GHuST framework

The characterization of topology is crucial in understanding network evolution and behavior. This paper presents an innovative approach, the GHuST framework to describe complex-network topology from graphlet decomposition. This new framework exploits the local information provided by graphlets to give a global explanation of network topology. The GHuST framework is comprised of 12 metrics that analyze how 2- and 3-node graphlets shape the structure of networks. The main strengths of the GHuST framework are enhanced topological description, size independence, and computational simplicity. It allows for straight comparison among different networks disregarding their size. It also reduces the complexity of graphlet counting, since it does not use 4- and 5-node graphlets. The application of the novel framework to a large set of networks shows that it can classify networks of distinct nature based on their topological properties. To ease network classification and enhance the graphical representation of them, we reduce the 12 dimensions to their main principal components. Furthermore, the 12 dimensions are easily interpretable. This enables the connection between complex-network analyses and diverse real applications