Let p be an odd prime. A method is described which given a structure M of finite similarity type produces a nilpotent group of class 2 and exponent p which is in the same stability class as M. Theorem. There are nilpotent groups of class 2 and exponent p in all stability classes. Theorem. The problem of characterizing a stability class is equivalent to characterizing the (nilpotent, class 2, exponent p) groups in that class.

We study descriptive set theory in the space ω1 ω 1 by letting trees with no uncountable branches play a similar role as countable ordinals in traditional descriptive set theory. By using such trees, we get, for example, a covering property for the class of Π 1 1 -sets of ω1 ω 1 . We call a family U of trees universal for a class V of trees if $\mathscr{U} \subseteq \mathscr{V}$ and every tree in V can be order-preservingly mapped (...) into a tree in U. It is well known that the class of countable trees with no infinite branches has a universal family of size ℵ 1 . We shall study the smallest cardinality of a universal family for the class of trees of cardinality ≤ℵ 1 with no uncountable branches. We prove that this cardinality can be 1 (under ¬CH) and any regular cardinal κ which satisfies ℵ 2 ≤ κ ≤ 2 ℵ 1 (under CH). This bears immediately on the covering property of the Π 1 1 -subsets of the space ω1 ω 1 . We also study the possible cardinalities of definable subsets of ω1 ω 1 . We show that the statement that every definable subset of ω1 ω 1 has cardinality $ or cardinality 2 ω1 is equiconsistent with ZFC (if n ≥ 3) and with ZFC plus an inaccessible (if n = 2). Finally, we define an analogue of the notion of a Borel set for the space ω1 ω 1 and prove a Souslin-Kleene type theorem for this notion. (shrink)

It is consistent with ¬CH that every universal theory of relational structures with the joint embedding property and amalgamation for P --diagrams has a universal model of cardinality ℵ 1. For classes with amalgamation for P --diagrams it is consistent that $2^{\aleph_0} > \aleph_2$ and there is a universal model of cardinality ℵ 2.

c.c.c. posets are characterised in terms of N-generic conditions. This characterisation can be applied to get simple proofs of many facts about c.c.c. forcing including $\operatorname{Con}(MA + \neg CH)$.

It is consistent that for many cardinals λ there is a family of at least λ + unbounded subsets of λ which have uniformization properties. In particular if it is consistent that a supercompact cardinal exists, then it is consistent that ℵ ω has such a family. We have applications to point set topology, Whitehead groups and reconstructing separable abelian p-groups from their socles.

We study descriptive set theory in the space $^{\omega_1}\omega_1$ by letting trees with no uncountable branches play a similar role as countable ordinals in traditional descriptive set theory. By using such trees, we get, for example, a covering property for the class of $\Pi^1_1$-sets of $^{\omega_1}\omega_1$. We call a family $\mathscr{U}$ of trees universal for a class $\mathscr{V}$ of trees if $\mathscr{U} \subseteq \mathscr{V}$ and every tree in $\mathscr{V}$ can be order-preservingly mapped into a tree in $\mathscr{U}$. It is well (...) known that the class of countable trees with no infinite branches has a universal family of size $\aleph_1$. We shall study the smallest cardinality of a universal family for the class of trees of cardinality $\leq\aleph_1$ with no uncountable branches. We prove that this cardinality can be 1 (under $\neg$CH) and any regular cardinal $\kappa$ which satisfies $\aleph_2 \leq \kappa \leq 2^{\aleph_1}$ (under CH). This bears immediately on the covering property of the $\Pi^1_1$-subsets of the space $^{\omega_1}\omega_1$. We also study the possible cardinalities of definable subsets of $^{\omega_1}\omega_1$. We show that the statement that every definable subset of $^{\omega_1}\omega_1$ has cardinality $<\omega_n$ or cardinality $2^{\omega_1}$ is equiconsistent with ZFC (if $n \geq 3$) and with ZFC plus an inaccessible (if $n = 2$). Finally, we define an analogue of the notion of a Borel set for the space $^{\omega_1}\omega_1$ and prove a Souslin-Kleene type theorem for this notion. (shrink)

A partially ordered set is called k-homogeneous if any isomorphism between k-element subsets extends to an automorphism of . Assuming the set-theoretic assumption ⋄, it is shown that for each k, there exist partially ordered sets of size ϰ1 which embed each countable partial order and are k-homogeneous, but not -homogeneous. This is impossible in the countable case for k ≥ 4.

It is consistent with $\neg\mathrm{CH}$ that every universal theory of relational structures with the joint embedding property and amalgamation for $\mathscr{P}^-(3)$-diagrams has a universal model of cardinality $\aleph_1$. For classes with amalgamation for $\mathscr{P}^-(4)$-diagrams it is consistent that $2^{\aleph_0} > \aleph_2$ and there is a universal model of cardinality $\aleph_2$.