Archivio della ricerca della Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna
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Genetic Etiology Influences the Low-Frequency Components of Globus Pallidus Internus Electrophysiology in Dystonia
Get PDFBackground
Elevated low-frequency activity (4–12 Hz) within the globus pallidus internus (GPi) has been consistently associated with dystonia. However, the impacts of the genetic etiology of dystonia on low-frequency GPi activity remain unclear; yet it holds importance for adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment.
Methods
We compared the properties of GPi electrophysiology acquired from 70 microelectrode recordings (MER) trajectories of DYT-GNAL, DYT-KMT2B, DYT-SGCE, DYT-THAP1, DYT-TOR1A, DYT-VPS16, and idiopathic dystonia (iDYT) patients who underwent GPi-DBS surgery across standard frequency bands.
Results
DYT-SGCE patients exhibited significantly lower alpha band activity (2.97%) compared to iDYT (4.44%, p = 0.006) and DYT-THAP1 (4.51%, p = 0.011). Additionally, theta band power was also significantly reduced in DYT-SGCE (4.42%) compared to iDYT and DYT-THAP1 (7.91% and 7.00%, p < 0.05). Instead, the genetic etiology of dystonia did not affect the spatial characteristics of GPi electrophysiology along MER trajectories.
Conclusion
Considering the genetic etiology of dystonia in closed-loop DBS treatments and utilizing theta and alpha activity for GPi stimulation may optimize clinical outcomes. MER-based DBS lead placement can proceed independently of the underlying genetic cause
On the Breathability of Epidermal Polymeric-Printed Tattoo Electrodes
Get PDFTattoo sensors offer many of the features of next-generation epidermal devices. They are ultrathin and conformable electrodes that have been shown to record high-quality biosignals from the skin. Moreover, they can be fabricated through large-area processing such as printing. Here, we report on printed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) tattoo electrodes breathability. Epidermal devices require a breathable interface to ensure a physiological transepidermal water loss for reduced skin inflammation and discomfort of the user. In this work, we deeply examine the polymeric tattoo sensor’s permeability properties with complementary experiments. By assessing the water permeance, the water-vapor transmission rate, and the impedance spectroscopy of polymeric tattoo electrodes, we show that they are intrinsically breathable, establishing a dry interface with the skin. The stability of such a dry interface is shown through the recording of muscle activity during sport when the sweat rate is much higher. While breathability is often hindered in conventional epidermal sensors, in PEDOT:PSS tattoo electrodes, it lies at the core of a stable sensor performance
Opinion of the European Copyright Society on the Scope of the Pastiche Exception in EU Copyright Law (CG and YN v Pelham GmbH and Others, Case C-590/23)
Get PDFIn its questions for preliminary ruling, the German Federal Court of Justice asked for clarification as regards the definition of pastiche under EU copyright law; and, in essence, whether and how this concept applies to musical sampling. In the present Opinion, the European Copyright Society takes the view that pastiche is an autonomous concept of EU law. Article 5(3)(k) InfoSoc Directive (ISD) should be read as an overarching provision including three forms of permitted use that share their underlying nature but shall be judged differently. The meaning of pastiche cannot be understood as a mere imitation of an artistic style and it need not entail an explicit interaction with the original work. The presence of humour or mockery is not a necessary requirement for the application of the pastiche exception. Also, the expression resulting from the exercise of the pastiche exception need not itself be an original work. Finally, the intention of the user to create pastiche plays no role in the review of the legality of any given use. At the same time, legitimate forms of pastiche need to have their own features that are distinguishable from the copyrighted expression in pre-existing works used as source materials. Overall, the use of the pastiche exception for purposes of musical sampling, as in the underlying Metall auf Metall case, complies with all the three steps of Art. 5(5) ISD
Biodegradable Piezoelectric Micro‐ and Nanomaterials for Regenerative Medicine, Targeted Therapy, and Microrobotics
Get PDFPiezoelectric micro- and nanomaterials can generate local electrical signals whensubjected to mechanical stress, a phenomenon that can be exploited to triggerbeneficial effects at the cell and tissue level. In recent years, research on bio-degradable piezoelectric material has gained momentum, as these materials candegrade after fulfilling their function. Thus, they promise to considerably impactregenerative medicine, targeted therapy, and microrobotics, with better chancesto match regulatory requirements with respect to their nondegradable coun-terparts. This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent advancements inbiodegradable piezoelectric micro- and nanomaterials, focusing on their piezo-electric mechanisms, material types, and methods to enhance their properties.Current characterization techniques, emphasizing both piezoelectricity andbiodegradability at the micro/nano scale, are also discussed. Furthermore, it isdiscussed how to use these materials in intelligent platforms for regenerativemedicine and responsive drug delivery systems. The application of piezoelectricmicro- and nanomaterials in microrobotics is also examined, particularly theirpotential for minimally invasive procedures. Finally, challenges and futuredirections are highlighted, underscoring the importance of biodegradable pie-zoelectric materials as versatile platforms for advancing biomedical technologies.REVIEWwww.small-science-journal.comSmall Sci. 2025, 5, 2400439 2400439 (1 of 35) © 2024 The Author(s). Small Science published by Wiley-VCH Gmb
Formal Approaches for Modeling and Analysis of Business Process Collaborations
Get PDFThe paper introduces a general framework for handling BPMN graphical (semi-formal) models used for describing business process collaborations. It offers a systematic and architecturally comprehensive synthesis of the authors’ prior work on the direct formalization of business process collaborations, the specification of their properties, and their verification and animation. The results exposed in this paper (and many others, indeed) have a direct “causal link” with what the authors learned collaborating with Rocco De Nicola; methodologies and techniques to the specification and design of complex systems and one of Rocco’s scientific career “constants”: formality
A scoping review of machine learning models to predict risk of falls in elders, without using sensor data
Get PDFObjectives: This scoping review assesses machine learning (ML) tools that predicted falls, relying on information in health records without using any sensor data. The aim was to assess the available evidence on innovative techniques to improve fall prevention management. Methods: Studies were included if they focused on predicting fall risk with machine learning in elderly populations and were written in English. There were 13 different extracted variables, including population characteristics (community dwelling, inpatients, age range, main pathology, ethnicity/race). Furthermore, the number of variables used in the final models, as well as their type, was extracted. Results: A total of 6331 studies were retrieved, and 19 articles met criteria for data extraction. Metric performances reported by authors were commonly high in terms of accuracy (e.g., greater than 0.70). The most represented features included cardiovascular status and mobility assessments. Common gaps identified included a lack of transparent reporting and insufficient fairness assessments. Conclusions: This review provides evidence that falls can be predicted using ML without using sensors if the amount of data and its quality is adequate. However, further studies are needed to validate these models in diverse groups and populations
Multiscale and multidisciplinary method for plant selection to design green urban and peri-urban areas
Get PDFThe planning and design of urban and peri-urban green spaces necessitate careful consideration of various factors, encompassing climatic and agronomic parameters, botanical and eco-physiological characteristics of ornamental plants, and interactions between buildings and green elements. These green areas, along with their composition, play a crucial role in providing essential ecosystem services within urban environments. The process of designing and planning green spaces is a complex, multidisciplinary endeavor, involving professionals such as architects, agronomists, botanists, hydrologists, and civil engineers. The initial steps involve evaluating the area and its location and prioritizing environmental and municipal constraints in the analysis. The selection of plants is heavily influenced by soil and climate parameters. In cases where the area is already green, a meticulous assessment of each plant is essential to determine whether preservation or substitution is more appropriate. Upon completion of the site analysis, the design of the future green area must consider its environmental and social functions, potential ecosystem services, its role within the broader context, compositional aspects, and the judicious use of plant species and materials. This paper proposes a working method that is both multidisciplinary and multiscale, aiming to create sustainable, effective green areas that thrive even in challenging conditions linked to human impact and climate change
Digital health for environmentally sustainable cancer screening
Get PDFThis study explores the role of digital health in promoting environmental sustainability through a pilot study performed in rural areas in Tuscany (Italy). A multi-screening model, based on a mobile multi-screening unit (MMSU) and digital health tools, was deployed to reduce the travelled distances required for cancer screening. Serving 19 municipalities in a mountainous area, the MMSU reduced patient and caregivers’ travel, cutting CO2-equivalent emissions by over 90% compared to conventional healthcare models. The project demonstrates how integrating digital health technologies, such as telemedicine for data transmission and centralised reporting, can enhance healthcare accessibility and environmental sustainability. By consolidating multiple screenings into one visit, the MMSU model offers a scalable solution for reducing healthcare’s carbon footprint while addressing barriers to care in underserved areas. This pilot study highlights the potential of digital health to align service delivery with environmental objectives, contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable healthcare innovation