On the Prediction of Smart Contracts\u2019 Behaviours

Smart contracts are pieces of software stored on the blockchain that control the transfer of assets between parties under certain conditions. In this paper we analyze the bahaviour of smart contracts and the interaction with external actors in order to maximize objective functions. We define a core language of programs with a minimal set of smart contract primitives and we describe the whole system as a parallel composition of smart contracts and users. We therefore express the system behaviour as a first logic formula in Presburger arithmetics and study the maximum profit for each actor by solving arithmetic constraints

Dementia-related genetic variants in an Italian population of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD) is the most common form of early-onset dementia. Although three major genes have been identified as causative, the genetic contribution to the disease remains unsolved in many patients. Recent studies have identified pathogenic variants in genes representing a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in causative genes for other degenerative dementias as responsible for EOAD. To study them further, we investigated a panel of candidate genes in 102 Italian EOAD patients, 45.10% of whom had a positive family history and 21.74% with a strong family history of dementia. We found that 10.78% of patients carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, including a novel variant, in PSEN1, PSEN2, or APP, and 7.84% showed homozygosity for the ε4 APOE allele. Additionally, 7.84% of patients had a moderate risk allele in PSEN1, PSEN2, or TREM2 genes. Besides, we observed that 12.75% of our patients carried only a variant in genes associated with other neurodegenerative diseases. The combination of these variants contributes to explain 46% of cases with a definite familiarity and 32% of sporadic forms. Our results confirm the importance of extensive genetic screening in EOAD for clinical purposes, to select patients for future treatments and to contribute to the definition of overlapping pathogenic mechanisms between AD and other forms of dementia

Shoot type and light exposure influence carbon partitioning in peach cv. elegant lady

Carbon partitioning and translocation in one year old fruiting limbs of 'Elegant Lady' peach (Prunus persica L. (Batsch)) was studied, as affected by source (leaves on actively growing extension shoots (EXT), leaves on lateral shoots at nodes carrying (F) or not carrying (NF) fruit), and by light regime (full sun or 5 d 70% shade conditioning), five times during the season (2, 4, 7, 11, 17 weeks after full bloom (WAFB)). Growing shoot apices were the strongest sinks early in the season (2 WAFB), with the EXT apices capable of attracting more carbon (C) and over longer distances, than the NF or F ones. The major source of newly synthesized carbohydrates for fruit growth 2 WAFB was the F lateral shoot, i.e. the most important C contributor for fruit growth well into stage II (11 WAFB in this study). EXT shoots began contributing to fruit growth before the NF shoots: 4 WAFB on, they exported to the fruits in amounts similar to the F shoots. This contribution was even larger 17 WAFB, when the F shoots retained more C than the other two shoot types. The NF shoots exported to growing apices 2 WAFB, but export decreased 4, 7, and 11 WAFB, compared with the other treatments. NF shoots contributed to fruit growth in the same amounts as the EXT shoots 17 WAFB, and more than the F shoots. Shade did not consistently affect patterns of carbon partitioning within limb components, except for the F treatment, where it diminished C export to the fruit in the first four treatment dates. Partitioning within fruit components (mesocarp, endocarp and seed) followed the fruit growth curve, with more C allocated to endocarp tissues at 11 WAFB (stage II). Results are in agreement with, and substantiate, earlier findings concerning the effects of fruit position on the limb, and competition for carbon with active vegetative sinks on fruit development

A computer science approach to managing security in health care.

The security of electronic medical information is very important for health care organisations, which have to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information provided. This paper will briefly outline the legal measures adopted by the European Community, Italy and the United States to regulate the use and disclosure of medical records. It will then go on to highlight how information technology can help to address these issues with special reference to the management of organisation policies. To this end, we will present a modelling example for the security policy of a radiological department

Correctness and completeness of the SRP_IC refutation procedure: revised version

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). Biblioteca Centrale / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal