A heuristic to minimize the cardinality of a real-time task set by automated task clustering

International audienceWe propose in this paper a method to automatically map functionalities (blocks of code corresponding to high-level features) with real-time constraints to tasks (or threads). We aim at reducing the number of tasks functions are mapped to, while preserving the schedulability of the initial system. We consider independent tasks running on a single processor. Our approach has been applied with fixed-task or fixed-job priorities assigned in a Deadline Monotonic (DM) or a Earliest Deadline First (EDF) manner

Caratterizzazione molecolare di norovirus GIV ed altri virus enterici in molluschi bivalvi : uno studio preliminare

I virus enterici si replicano nell’intestino umano e possono essere eliminati dagli individui infetti ad elevate concentrazioni; pertanto i reflui urbani possono trasportare una grande quantità di patogeni responsabili di infezioni oro-fecali e contaminare le acque superficiali, incluse quelle marine. I molluschi bivalvi eduli sono spesso implicati nella trasmissione di malattie gastroenteriche di origine virale in quanto, essendo organismi filtratori, rappresentano un potenziale serbatoio di agenti patogeni e sostanze tossiche. Nonostante i miglioramenti delle tecniche per il trattamento delle acque reflue e la classificazione delle aree di allevamento e raccolta dei molluschi, il rischio di trasmissione di patogeni enterici associato al consumo di molluschi bivalvi filtratori rappresenta una problematica sanitaria di grande attualità. Lo scopo del presente studio è stato quello di valutare la contaminazione virale di sei diversi gruppi di virus enterici in molluschi eduli lamellibranchi

Initial impact of SARS-Cov-2 vaccination on healthcare workers in Italy. Update on the 28th of march 2021

In Italy, the COVID-19 vaccination campaign started in December 2020 with the vaccination of healthcare workers (HCW). To analyse the real-life impact that vaccination is having on this population group, we measured the association between week of diagnosis and HCW status using log-binomial regression. By the week 22–28 March, we observed a 74% reduction (PPR 0.26; 95% CI 0.22–0.29) in the proportion of cases reported as HCW and 81% reduction in the proportion of symptomatic cases reported as HCW, compared with the week with the lowest proportion of cases among HCWs prior to the vaccination campaign (31 August-7 September). The reduction, both in relative and absolute terms, of COVID-19 cases in HCWs that started around 30 days after the start of the vaccination campaign suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are being effective in preventing infection in this group

Characterization of quasiparticle relaxation times in microstrips of NbReN for perspective applications for superconducting single-photon detectors

The study of the flux-flow instability in superconducting materials has recently gained renewed attention due to its potential implications for the use of the analyzed materials as micrometer-sized superconducting detectors for single photons. The values of the quasiparticle relaxation time (τE) measured for these detectors are affected by pinning properties. Here, we report electric transport properties of NbReN microstrips of different quality. For the strip characterized by high resistivity, and large critical currents and pinning, we estimate a value of τE that is almost two orders of magnitude larger compared to that of another strip with a smaller value for the critical current, for which we measure τE ∼ 12 ps. This low value is comparable to those reported in the literature for microstrips made of other highly-disordered superconductors. Our results suggest that NbReN microstrips have great potential for the realization of superconducting single-photon detectors, depending on further optimization of their fabrication process and the superconducting properties affected by it

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent hospital admission and death at different time intervals since first dose of COVID-19 vaccine administration, Italy, 27 December 2020 to mid-April 2021

To assess the real-world impact of vaccines on COVID-19 related outcomes, we analysed data from over 7 million recipients of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose in Italy. Taking 0–14 days post-first dose as reference, the SARS-CoV-2 infection risk subsequently decreased, reaching a reduction by 78% (incidence rate ratios (IRR): 0.22; 95% CI: 0.21–0.24) 43–49 days post-first dose. Similarly, hospitalisation and death risks decreased, with 89% (IRR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.09–0.15) and 93% (IRR: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.04–0.11) reductions 36–42 days post-first dose. Our results support ongoing vaccination campaigns

Differences in the incidence and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection between Italian and non-Italian nationals using routine data

Objectives: This study was to compare the incidence and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection between Italian and non-Italian nationals. Study design: We retrospectively analysed data from the COVID-19 Italian integrated surveillance system (14 September 2020 to 17 October 2021). Methods: We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of infection and, among cases, the HRs of death, hospitalisation and subsequent admission to intensive care unit in non-Italian nationals relative to Italian nationals. Estimates were adjusted for differences in sociodemographic characteristics and in the week and region of diagnosis. Results: Of 4,111,067 notified cases, 336,265 (8.2%) were non-Italian nationals. Compared with Italian nationals, non-Italians showed a lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (HR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.81). However, once diagnosed, they were more likely to be hospitalised (HR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.87-1.92) and then admitted to intensive care unit (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.13), with differences larger in those coming from countries with a lower human development index. Compared with Italian cases, an increased rate of death was observed in non-Italian cases from low-human development index countries (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.23-1.62). The HRs of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes slightly increased after the start of the vaccination campaign. Conclusions: Underdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis in non-Italian nationals could explain their lower incidence compared with Italians and, among cases, their higher probability to present clinical conditions leading to worse outcomes. Facilitating early access to vaccination, diagnosis and treatment would improve the control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and health outcomes in this vulnerable group

COVID-19 integrated surveillance in Italy: Outputs and related activities

OBJECTIVES: to describe the integrated surveillance system of COVID-19 in Italy, to illustrate the outputs used to return epidemiological information on the spread of the epidemic to the competent public health bodies and to the Italian popu-lation, and to describe how the surveillance data contributes to the ongoing weekly regional monitoring and risk assessment system. METHODS: the COVID-19 integrated surveillance system is the result of a close and continuous collaboration between the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), the Italian Ministry of Health, and the regional and local health authorities. Through a web platform, it collects individual data of laboratory confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and gathers information on their residence, laboratory diagnosis, hospital-isation, clinical status, risk factors, and outcome. Results, for different levels of aggregation and risk categories, are published daily and weekly on the ISS website, and made avail-able to national and regional public health authorities; these results contribute one of the information sources of the regional monitoring and risk assessment system. RESULTS: the COVID-19 integrated surveillance system mon-itors the space-time distribution of cases and their character-istics. Indicators used in the weekly regional monitoring and risk assessment system include process indicators on com-pleteness and results indicators on weekly trends of newly di-agnosed cases per Region. CONCLUSIONS: the outputs of the integrated surveillance system for COVID-19 provide timely information to health authorities and to the general population on the evolution of the epidemic in Italy. They also contribute to the continuous re-assessment of risk related to transmission and impact of the epidemic thus contributing to the management of COV-ID-19 in Italy