A census for curves and surfaces with diophantine stability over finite fields

An algebraic variety defined over a field is said to have Diophantine stability for an extension of this field if the variety does not acquire new points in the extension. Diophantine stability has a growing interest due to recent conjectures of Mazur and Rubin linked to the well-known Lang conjectures, generalizing the celebrated Faltings theorem on rational points on curves of genus grater or equal than 2. Their framework is characteristic zero, and we shall focus on the analogous and related questions in positive characteristic. More precisely, the aim of the thesis is to initiate the study of Diophantine stability for curves and surfaces defined over finite fields. First we prove the finiteness of the finite field extensions where an algebraic variety can exhibit Diophantine stability (DS) in terms of its Betti numbers (the genus in the case of curves, the Hodge diamond in the case of surfaces, etc.) Then, we analyze the existence of curves with Diophantine stability. More precisely, for curves of genus g<=3 we give the complete list of (isomorphism classes of) DS-curves, and we also provide data on the candidate Weil polynomials for DS-curves of genus g=4 and 5. For curves of large genus, we exhibit certain families of DS-curves: Deligne-Lusztig curves, Carlitz curves, .... Finally, we also aim to make a contribution on surfaces defined over finite fields with Diophantine stability. From the classification of surfaces of Enriques-Munford-Bombieri we derive partial results and a census of DS-surfaces.Es diu que una varietat algebraica definida sobre un cos té estabilitat diofantina per a una extensió d'aquest cos si la varietat no adquireix punts nous a l'extensió. L'estabilitat diofantina té un interès creixent a causa de les recents conjectures de Mazur i Rubin vinculades a les conegudes conjectures de Lang, generalitzant el famós teorema de Faltings sobre punts racionals de corbes de gènere major o igual a 2. El seu marc de treball és en característica zero, i en aquesta tesi ens centrem en les qüestions anàlogues i d'altres relacionades en característica positiva. Més precisament, l'objectiu de la tesi és iniciar l'estudi de l'estabilitat diofantina per a corbes i superfícies definides sobre cossos finits. Primer, demostrem la finitud de les extensions de cossos finits on una varietat algebraica pot presentar estabilitat diofantina (DS) en funció dels seus nombres de Betti (el gènere en el cas de les corbes, el diamant de Hodge en el cas de les superfícies, etc.) Després, analitzem l'existència de corbes amb estabilitat diofantina. Més precisament, per a les corbes de gènere g <= 3 donem la llista completa (de classes d'isomorfisme) de corbes DS i també proporcionem dades sobre els polinomis de Weil candidats per a les corbes DS de gèneres g = 4 i 5. Per a les corbes de gènere gran, exposem algunes famílies de corbes DS: corbes de Deligne-Lusztig, corbes de Carlitz, .... A continuació, també fem una contribució sobre superfícies definides sobre cossos finits amb estabilitat diofantina. De la classificació de superfícies d'Enriques-Munford-Bombieri obtenim resultats parcials i un cens de superfícies DSPostprint (published version

Evaluation of a commercially available reverse transcription-PCR enzyme immunoassay (Enterovirus Consensus kit) for the diagnosis of enterovirus central nervous system infections

ABSTRACTA commercial reverse transcription (RT)-PCR amplification method was compared with culture for the diagnosis of enterovirus meningitis. In total, 99 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were examined with the Enterovirus Consensus kit and shell vial culture. RT-PCR allowed the amplification of enterovirus cDNA and its detection in a microtitre plate by hybridisation. Clinical information and CSF analysis were used to resolve the discrepancy in results. The detection limit of the RT-PCR assay was determined with the Third European Union Concerted Action Enterovirus Proficiency Panel. There were 34 truepositive CSF specimens. Of these, RT-PCR detected 33 (sensitivity 97%), while culture detected 19 (sensitivity 54.5%). RT-PCR failed to detect one culture-positive specimen that contained inhibitors. When samples from the Third European Union Concerted Action Enterovirus Proficiency Panel were tested, the RT-PCR method gave identical results to those expected. The Enterovirus Consensus kit was rapid and statistically more sensitive than culture (p < 0.01) for the detection of enteroviruses in CSF, and may offer considerable benefits in the clinical management of patients with enterovirus meningitis

Usefulness of Herpes Consensus PCR methodology to routine diagnostic testing for herpesviruses infections in clinical specimens

The purposes of the study were to assess the usefulness of simultaneously amplifying herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6 DNA in various clinical specimens and to analyze clinical events in patients presenting positive results. A total of 763 clinical samples obtained from 758 patients, including 115 cerebrospinal fluids, 102 aqueous fluids, 445 swabs from genital (152), oro-facial (138) and other (155) skin lesions, 96 eye swabs and 5 bronchoalveolar lavages, were tested by using the Consensus polymerase chain reaction methodology. The clinical files of the patients were consulted retrospectively. 171 of the 758 patients (22.5%) were positive for at least one of the six target viruses: herpes simplex virus 1 (n = 95), varicella-zoster virus (n = 40), herpes simplex virus 2 (n = 21), herpes simplex virus 1 plus herpes simplex virus 2 (n = 8), cytomegalovirus (n = 4), Epstein-Barr virus (n = 1), human herpesvirus 6 (n = 1), and herpes simplex virus 1 plus human herpesvirus 6 (n = 1). The Consensus methodology enabled the rapid and accurate detection of herpesviruses in various clinical specimens and provided a reliable tool in the diagnosis of herpetic infections

The Use of Arthrocentesis in Patients with TMJ Dysfunction

Aim: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of Arthrocentesis as a medical therapy in patients with TMJ dysfunction. Material and Method: There are studied the clinical signs in 10 patients with the TMJ disfunction, before and after treatment with Arthrocentesis. The patients before Arthrocentesis had pain in TMJ region, click, and difficulties in mouth opening. To evaluate the pain is used Visual Analog Scale. The patients are treated and followed up in Maxilo Facial Service, French Hospital ―Claude Bernard, University Hospital Center, Tirana. Results: Through the lavage of the intra-articular space, it is seen the improvement in mouth opening till 35 mm, and the pain in TMJ was reduced. Conclusions: The use of Arthrocentesis was shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving the mouth opening in patients with TMJ disfunction, so we suggest the use of it in these series of patients.Keywords: Arthrocentesis, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, TMJ

The Use of Arthrocentesis in Patients with TMJ Dysfunction

Aim: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of Arthrocentesis as a medical therapy in patients with TMJ dysfunction. Material and Method: There are studied the clinical signs in 10 patients with the TMJ disfunction, before and after treatment with Arthrocentesis. The patients before Arthrocentesis had pain in TMJ region, click, and difficulties in mouth opening. To evaluate the pain is used Visual Analog Scale. The patients are treated and followed up in Maxilo Facial Service, French Hospital ―Claude Bernard, University Hospital Center, Tirana. Results: Through the lavage of the intra-articular space, it is seen the improvement in mouth opening till 35 mm, and the pain in TMJ was reduced. Conclusions: The use of Arthrocentesis was shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving the mouth opening in patients with TMJ disfunction, so we suggest the use of it in these series of patients

Propuesta metodológica mediante ANP para la evaluación de las memorias de sostenibilidad del sector agroalimentario español

[EN] Sustainability reports are jointly used as a communication tool of CSR and accountability to all stakeholders and society. However, they receive heavy criticism on both fronts. In light of the im-portance of this practice, a methodology for assessing the communication capabilities of the sustainability reports of companies in the Spanish food sector is developed using the Analytical Network Process (ANP). The results allow identifying weaknesses and opportunities for improvement of these reports, as well as of the relationship of the company with their respective stakeholders[ES] Las memorias de sostenibilidad se utilizan, conjuntamente, como una herramienta de comunicación de la RSC y rendición de cuentas a las partes interesadas y a toda la sociedad. No obstante, reciben numerosas críticas en ambos sentidos. Dada su importancia, se desarrolla una metodología de evaluación de la capacidad de comunicación de las memorias de sostenibilidad de las empresas del sector agroalimentario español, utilizando el Proceso Analítico en Red (Analytic Network Process, ANP). Los resultados permiten determinar las debilidades y oportunidades de mejora de cada memoria, así como, de la relación de la empresa con sus respectivos grupos de interés.Baviera Puig, MA.; García Martínez, G.; Gómez Navarro, T. (2014). Propuesta metodológica mediante ANP para la evaluación de las memorias de sostenibilidad del sector agroalimentario español. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 14(1):81-101. doi:10.7201/earn.2014.01.04S8110114

Spinal Infections: An Update

Spinal infection poses a demanding diagnostic and treatment problem for which a multidisciplinary approach with spine surgeons, radiologists, and infectious disease specialists is required. Infections are usually caused by bacterial microorganisms, although fungal infections can also occur. The most common route for spinal infection is through hematogenous spread of the microorganism from a distant infected area. Most patients with spinal infections diagnosed in early stages can be successfully managed conservatively with antibiotics, bed rest, and spinal braces. In cases of gross or pending instability, progressive neurological deficits, failure of conservative treatment, spinal abscess formation, severe symptoms indicating sepsis, and failure of previous conservative treatment, surgical treatment is required. In either case, close monitoring of the patients with spinal infection with serial neurological examinations and imaging studies is necessary