A viewpoint on amalgamation classes

We provide a self-contained introduction to the classical theory of universal-homogeneous models (also known as generic structures, rich models, or Fra\"iss\'e limits). In the literature, most treatments restrict consideration to embeddings among finite structures. This is not suitable for some applications. We take the notion of morphisms as primitive and we allow structures to have arbitrary cardinality

Generic expansions of countable models

We compare two different notions of generic expansions of countable saturated structures. One kind of genericity is related to model-companions and to amalgamation constructions \'a la Hrushovski-Fra\"iss\'e. Another notion of generic expansion is defined via topological properties and Baire category theory. The second type of genericity was first formulated by Truss for automorphisms. We work with a later generalization, due to Ivanov, to finite tuples of predicates and functions

Model theory of Steiner triple systems

A Steiner triple system (STS) is a set S together with a collection B of subsets of S of size 3 such that any two elements of S belong to exactly one element of B. It is well known that the class of finite STS has a Fraïssé limit MF. Here, we show that the theory T*Sq of MF is the model completion of the theory of STSs. We also prove that T*Sq is not small and it has quantifier elimination, TP2, NSOP1, elimination of hyperimaginaries and weak elimination of imaginaries

Oxidative Stress Is Increased in Combined Oral Contraceptives Users and Is Positively Associated with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

Information concerning the mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation in young healthy women predisposing eventually to future diseases is scarce. We investigated the relationship of oxidative stress and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in fertile-age women by oral combined contraceptive (OC) use. Caucasian Italian healthy non-obese women (n = 290; 100 OC-users; 190 non-OC-users; mean age 23.2 \ub1 4.7 years) were analyzed. Blood hydroperoxides, as oxidative stress biomarkers, were assessed by Free Oxygen Radical Test (FORT). Serum hsCRP was determined by an ultra-sensitive method (hsCRP). Markedly elevated oxidative stress ( 65400 FORT Units) was found in 77.0% of OC-users and 1.6% of non-OC-users, odds ratio (OR) = 209, 95% CI = 60.9-715.4, p < 0.001. Elevated hsCRP levels 65 2.0 mg/L, considered risky for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), were found in 41.0% of OC-users and 9.5% of non-OC-users, OR = 6.6, 95%CI 3.5-12.4, p < 0.001. Hydroperoxides were strongly positively correlated to hsCRP in all women (rs = 0.622, p < 0.001), in OC-users (rs = 0.442, p < 0.001), and in non-OC-users (rs = 0.426, p < 0.001). Women with hydroperoxides 65 400 FORT Units were eight times as likely to have hsCRP 65 2 mg/L. In non-OC-users only, hydroperoxides values were positively correlated with weight and body mass index, but negatively correlated with red meat, fish and chocolate consumption. Our research is the first finding a strong positive correlation of serum hydroperoxides with hsCRP, a marker of low-grade chronic inflammation, in young healthy women. Further research is needed to elucidate the potential role of these two biomarkers in OC-use associated side-effects, like thromboembolism and other CVDs

Thermodynamic modeling of the Pb + Bi melt evaporation under various pressures and temperatures

The composition of the vapor phase and the partial pressures of vapor components have been defined at pressures from 102 to 107 Pa and in the temperature range from 500 to 3000 K. Diagrams of liquid-vapor phase equilibria for the Pb-Bi system have been constructed. A good agreement between experimental results and the carried out calculations on the Pb-Bi phase diagrams is observed. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

AURIX TC277 Multicore Contention Model Integration for Automotive Applications

The ability to produce early guaranteed performance (worst-case execution time) estimates for multicores, i.e. before software from different providers gets integrated onto the same critical system, is pivotal. This helps reducing lately-detected costly-to-handle timing violations. An existing methodology creates ‘copy’ (surrogate) applications from the execution in isolation of each target application. Surrogate applications can be used to upperbound multicore contention delay, and hence WCET estimates in multicores. However, this methodology has only been shown to work on a simulation environment. In this paper we show the work we have carried out to adapt this technology to a real multicore processor for the space domain.The research leading to this work has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 programme under grant agreement No 644080 (SAFURE), by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under grant TIN2015-65316-P and the HiPEAC Network of Excellence. Jaume Abella and Enrico Mezzetti have been partially sup-ported by MINECO under Ramon y Cajal and Juan de la Cierva-Incorporaci´on postdoctoral fellowships number RYC-2013-14717 and IJCI-2016-27396 respectively.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

BsmI, ApaI and TaqI Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene (VDR) and Association with Lumbar Spine Pathologies: An Italian Case-Control Study.

Three adjacent single nucleotide polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), and TaqI (rs731236) are commonly studied in several pathologies. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of VDR BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies in an Italian cohort of 266 patients with lumbar spine disorders assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 252 asymptomatic controls. The exposure to putative risk factors was evaluated by a questionnaire. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP and TaqMan\uae SNP Genotyping Assay. The results were statistically adjusted for the identified conventional risk factors. The three SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium. For all cases BbAaTT was a 3-fold risk factor OR = 3.38), whereas bbAATT (OR = 0.22), and bbaaTT (OR = 0.47) genotypes were found to be protective. Specifically, for patients affected by disc herniation only (n = 88) and all lumbar pathologies excluding stenosis and/or spondylolistesis (n = 215) B allele, Bb, Aa, and BbAaTT genotypes were risky, whereas b allele, bb, aa, and bbaaTT genotypes were protective. In patients affected by osteochondrosis with or without disc hernation (n = 50), T allele, Aa, and bbAaTT genotypes were risky, whereas t allele, AA, tt genotypes were protective. In patients affected by stenosis and/or spondylolistesis (n = 51) no significant associations were found. This is the first study showing an association of the three genetic VDR variants BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI and lumbar spine pathologies. Our study contributes to delineate genetic risk factors for specific subgroups of patients with lumbar spine pathologies highlighting the importance of haplotype analysis, and of detailed clinical evaluation of the patients for identification of genetic biomarkers

Measles and rubella in Italy, e-learning course for health care workers

Introduction. Since 2003, strategic plans for the elimination of measles and congenitalrubella have been adopted in the World Health Organization European Region. In Italy,a network of reference laboratories for measles and rubella (MoRoNet) has been recentlyimplemented to ensure high-quality laboratory investigation for the confirmation ofcases and outbreaks. Training among health care workers (HCWs) is one of the tasks ofMoRoNet and an e-learning course was produced to improve the knowledge on internationaland national elimination plans and laboratory surveillance for measles and rubella.Methods. The course, based on the problem based learning methodology, was offeredfree of charge. Data about all participants and those who completed the course havebeen collected and analysed.Results. 5822 participants enrolled and 3995 (69%) completed the course; comparisonbetween pre- and post-test shows a significant improvement in knowledge. The averagescore obtained from the satisfaction questionnaire is 4.5 out of 5.Discussion and conclusions. Course’s results are satisfactory, and data show a significantimprovement in knowledge among participants. Most of them were satisfied withcontent, learning methodology and platform. Moreover, this course represents one ofthe possible strategies to overcome resistance and mistrust about vaccinations amongHCWs

Refinement of Techniques Metallographic Analysis of Highly Dispersed Structures

Flaws are regularly made while developing standards and technical specifications. They can come out as minor misprints, as an insufficient description of a technique. In spite the fact that the flaws are well known, it does not come to the stage of introducing changes to standards. In this paper shows that in the normative documents is necessary to clarify the requirements for metallurgical microscopes, which are used for analysis of finely-dispersed