A counterexample to the local-global principle of linear dependence for abelian varieties

Let A be an abelian variety defined over a number field k. Let P be a point in A(k) and let X be a subgroup of A(k). Gajda in 2002 asked whether it is true that the point P belongs to X if and only if the point (P mod p) belongs to (X mod p) for all but finitely many primes p of k. We answer negatively to Gajda's question.Comment: 3 page

The multilinear support problem for products of abelian varieties and tori

Let G be the product of an abelian variety and a torus defined over a number field K. The aim of this paper is detecting the dependence among some given rational points of G by studying their reductions modulo all primes of K. We show that if some simple conditions on the order of the reductions of the points are satisfied then there must be a dependency relation over the ring of K-endomorphisms of G. We generalize Larsen's result on the support problem to several points on products of abelian varieties and tori

The order of the reductions of an algebraic integer

Let K be a number field, and let a be a non-zero element of K. Fix some prime number l. We compute the density of the following set: the primes p of K such that the multiplicative order of the reduction of a modulo p is coprime to l (or, more generally, has some prescribed l-adic valuation). We evaluate the degree over K of extensions of the form K(\zeta_m, \sqrt[n]{a}) with n\leq m, which are obtained by adjoining a root of unity of order l^m and the l^n-th roots of a, as this is needed for computing the above density.Comment: revised and rewritten; new tables of examples checked with sage; the revisions include the referee's comment

The prime divisors of the number of points on abelian varieties

Let A,A' be elliptic curves or abelian varieties fully of type GSp defined over a number field K. This includes principally polarized abelian varieties with geometric endomorphism ring Z and dimension 2 or odd. We compare the number of points on the reductions of the two varieties. We prove that A and A' are K-isogenous if the following condition holds for a density-one set of primes p of K: the prime numbers dividing #A(k_p) also divide #A'(k_p). We generalize this statement to some extent for products of such varieties. This refines results of Hall and Perucca (2011) and of Ratazzi (2012).Comment: results generalized; to appear in Journal de Theorie des Nombres de Bordeau

Two variants of the support problem for products of abelian varieties and tori

Let G be the product of an abelian variety and a torus defined over a number field K. Let P and Q be K-rational points on G. Suppose that for all but finitely many primes p of K the order of (Q mod p) divides the order of (P mod p). Then there exist a K-endomorphism f of G and a non-zero integer c such that f(P)=cQ. Furthermore, we are able to prove the above result with weaker assumptions: instead of comparing the order of the points we only compare the radical of the order (radical support problem) or the l-adic valuation of the order for some fixed rational prime l (l-adic support problem).Comment: 13 pages; v2 results generalized; v3 incorporated referee comments, final version to appear in Journal of Number Theor

Applying logistic regression analysis to identify patient’s satisfaction predictors with general practitioner assistance: evidence from four Italian regions.

In the last years the interest for patient experience with health care services largely increased. Several surveys have been conducted in order to observe if health care systems answer to the overall patient needs. In 2000 World Health Organization challenged modern health care providers to ensure responsiveness to patients, i.e. to deliver also non-health assistance (respect for dignity, confidentiality, prompt attention, quality of amenities, access to social support networks, choice of provider, etc.). Poor evidence is available in Italy about connections between perceived quality and the capability of the healthcare system to respond to patients’ needs. This work aims at investigating patient experience with General Practitioner (GP) assistance and at measuring the impact of personal and organizational characteristics on overall satisfaction and on willingness to recommend. In 2009 a sample survey was conducted in four regions of Italy (Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, and Liguria). About 15.000 citizens answered to a large questionnaire related to Primary Care services, including a section dedicated to General Practitioner (GP) assistance. A logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze which are the predictors of overall satisfaction with GP, focusing mainly on variables related to patient’s expectations, continuity of care and organizational aspects (e.g. scheduled access, waiting time, health case history, etc.) and if there are differences across the four Italian Regions. Econometric analysis has been carried out through both ordered logistic regression and generalised ordered logit models. The inhabitants of the four Italian Regions refer a nice experience with GP assistance: more than 85% of them judged excellent or good the overall service. Generally, in some regions patient expectations affect more the willingness to recommend GP to friends or family members than the overall judgement on service. Besides, the findings provide convincing evidence that GP is a nodal point in the continuity of care process .: patient satisfaction, general practitioner, organizational aspects, continuity of care

Plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations in epileptics under monotherapy

Plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations were determined by radio-immunoassay in 112 adult epileptics who were taking carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, or sodium valproate in long-term monotherapy, and in 19 controls. No significant difference was found between the groups, but some epileptics taking carbamazepine and primidone showed low values. Serum concentrations of carbamazepine did not correlate with the concentrations of plasma arginine vasopressin. In conclusion, there was no evidence of a stimulating effect of chronic carbamazepine medication or a special inhibiting effect of phenytoin on the release of vasopressin arginine from the posterior pituitary

Lacosamide: a new approach to target voltage-gated sodium currents in epileptic disorders

The mechanism of action of several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) rests on their ability tomodulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium currents that are responsible for fast action potentialgeneration. Recent data indicate that lacosamide - a compound with analgesic and anticonvulsanteffects in animal models - shares a similar mechanism. When compared with other AEDs, lacosamidehas the unique ability to interact with sodium channel slow inactivation without affecting fastinactivation. This article reviews these findings and discusses their relevance within the context ofneuronal activity seen during epileptiform discharges generated by limbic neuronal networks in thepresence of chemical convulsants. These seizure-like events are characterized by sustained dischargesof sodium-dependent action potentials supported by robust depolarizations thus providingsynchronization within neuronal networks. Generally, AEDs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine andlamotrigine block sodium channels when activated. By contrasts, lacosamide facilitates slowinactivation of sodium channels both in term of kinetics and voltage-dependency. This effect may berelatively selective for repeatedly depolarized neurons such as those participating in seizure activity inwhich the persistence of sodium currents is more pronounced and promotes neuronal excitation. Theclinical effectiveness of lacosamide has been demonstrated in randomized placebo-controlled doubleblindparallel-group, adjunctive-therapy trials in patients with refractory partial seizures. Furtherstudies should determine whether lacosamide effects in animal models and in clinical settings are fullyexplained by its selective action on sodium current slow inactivation or whether other effects (e.g.,interactions with the collapsin-response mediator protein 2) play a contributory role

The Loma Negra braqui-anticline: A Quaternary folding structure in the Central Precordillera, San Juan province

Sobre el piedemonte oriental de la sierra de Talacasto, en Precordillera Central, se reconocieron numerosas evidencias de fallamiento activo y plegamiento cuaternario. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados preliminares de los estudios geomorfológicos realizados en el anticlinal de Loma Negra y se describen las principales estructuras de deformación cuaternarias reconocidas. La expresión morfotectónica de las fallas activas identificadas incluye escarpas de fallas a contrapendiente y a favor de la misma, distintos niveles de abanicos aluviales colgados y/o basculados, discordancias progresivas, plegamiento reciente en depósitos fangloméradicos pleistocenos y control de la red de drenaje. Las evidencias morfotectónicas identificadas en los depósitos cuaternarios indican una deformación progresiva hacia el este, con predominio de fallamiento inverso y plegamiento que migra en este sentido.Several evidences of Quaternary active faulting and folding were recognized on the eastern piedmont of the Sierra de Talacasto in Central Precordillera. In this paper we present the preliminary results of geomorphological studies carried out in the Loma Negra anticline and major Quaternary deformation structures are described. Morphotectonic expression of the identified active faults includes counter-slope or favor-slope scarps and different levels of hanging and / or tilted alluvial fans, progressive unconformities, recent folding of Pleistocene fanglomerates and control of the drainage network. Morphotectonic evidence in the Quaternary deposits indicates a progressive deformation eastward, dominated by reverse faulting and folding that migrate in this sense.Fil: Perucca, Laura Patricia A.. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicas y Naturales. Instituto de Geologia "dr.emiliano Aparicio". Gabinete de Neotectonica y Geomorfologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; ArgentinaFil: Pantano Zuñiga, Ana Vanesa. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicas y Naturales. Instituto de Geologia "dr.emiliano Aparicio". Gabinete de Neotectonica y Geomorfologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; ArgentinaFil: Vargas, Nicolás. CHISÑANCO SRL.; Argentin