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Risks of remote biometric identification systems in public places for law enforcement purposes under the AI Act regulation
Get PDFThe use of biometric technologies is becoming increasingly prevalent, serving purposes ranging from simple identity verification for granting or denying access to electronic devices or physical spaces, to more critical applications in the field of security. In the latter context, law enforcement institutions and officials are employing biometrics to prevent and control criminal activity. This technology proves highly effective in achieving such goals, as it enables the rapid identification of individuals, even within large crowds, based on specific physical or behavioural characteristics.
The anticipated security benefits of biometric systems are significant and, until now, largely unprecedented. However, their implementation also raises profound concerns regarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. This generates a contentious debate over whether the priority should lie with enhancing security—an imperative increasingly pressing due to the threats posed by terrorism and serious crime—or preserving individual liberties. The debate is particularly intense in relation to facial recognition-based biometrics, a technology widely adopted in numerous countries, where it has been shown to impose substantial restrictions on personal freedoms. Consequently, calls for its prohibition have emerged in certain contexts.
Despite these concerns, the European Union has opted to regulate biometric technologies under the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA). While the AIA initially seeks to prohibit real-time biometric systems due to their intolerable risks to fundamental rights, it includes several exceptions that may allow their use in specific scenarios. This creates the potential for the technology's application to expand beyond its original intent. Conversely, systems operating in a delayed mode are classified merely as high-risk, subject to less stringent requirements and safeguards, thereby heightening concerns that improper use could lead to mass surveillance.In light of the controversies surrounding this regulatory framework, this study examines the provisions of the AIA concerning remote biometric identification systems, with a particular focus on facial recognition technologies. It further analyses the implications of these systems for citizens' rights and freedoms, juxtaposed against the expected security benefits, to assess whether their use by states is justified or if their prohibition is warranted
Green finance and portfolio allocation: diversification benefits of green bonds and probabilistic modelling of climate risk
No full textWe propose an analysis of green bonds and their relationship with financial and climate risk. Two global green bond indices, Solactive and Bloomberg Barclays MSCI, are investigated, in terms of diversification benefits and co-movement with multiple market indices, particularly those of sectors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Solactive Green Bond Index consistently outperforms during the last seven years, including the pandemic. The impact of green-bond indices on otherwise traditional portfolios is also analysed, with portfolios that include green bonds always proving preferable in terms of risk. As for returns, overall, non-green portfolios perform better in times of market growth, while green portfolios achieve positive or less negative returns during downturns.
Next, climate risk in the corporate and government bond market is studied, focusing on Eurozone green and non-green bonds. We evaluate the impact on spreads of multiple potential risk drivers, selected in line with the ECB climate stress tests and the extant literature, including EU carbon allowances as a proxy of transition risk. We find that green and non-green bonds of the same issuer can differ in their exposure to the physical risk variables. Green bonds can be equally, less exposed than their non-green counterparts, or even provide protection against physical risk. Carbon allowances have no consistent impact on bond spreads. Based on these results, we apply a credit risk model incorporating climate risk.
The study concludes by exploring tail dependence, confirming the above findings for corporate bonds. For government bonds, it provides additional insight: green bonds from different countries exhibit divergent market treatment. Dutch and French green spreads closely mirror traditional counterparts, while German, Italian, and Spanish green bonds display less co-movement in tail events. Various explanations are suggested, including a "scarcity effect" linking the tail behaviour of green bonds to their scarcity relative to total government debt
"High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of low/favourable-intermediate risk prostate cancer: oncological and functional results"
Get PDFScopo dello studio
Risultati oncologici e funzionali della tecnica HIFU. Materiali e metodi
Singola coorte di pazienti con nuova diagnosi di neoplasia prostatica di rischio basso/intermedio-favorevole (sec. D’Amico) e con rifiuto/controindicazione a trattamento radicale/sorveglianza attiva.
Dopo trattamento HIFU, i pazienti sono stati sottoposti a periodiche valutazioni (con dosaggio del PSA, esplorazione rettale, uroflussometria e somministrazione di questionari di funzionalità urinaria, IPSS e QoL, e di funzionalità sessuale, IIEF-5) nonché una biopsia prostatica confermatoria mirata + random preceduta da mpMRI.
Risultati
Nel periodo di studio sono stati arruolati 20 pazienti, 8 con neoplasia prostatica a rischio basso e 12 con neoplasia prostatica a rischio intermedio-favorevole.
Il successo ablativo (obiettivo primario) è risultato pari all’85 % dei casi, con 3 casi di recidiva in-field e 2 casi di recidiva out-field. La sopravvivenza libera da trattamento radicale è risultata pari al 75 %, con un follow-up mediano di 20 (12-36) mesi. L’applicazione dei criteri di Phoenix di definizione della recidiva biochimica (PSA = nadir + 2 ng/mL) è risultata correlata a recidiva clinica in 4 dei 5 pazienti coinvolti. Infine, la risonanza magnetica multiparametrica ha mostrato una sensibilità, specificità, valore predittivo positivo, valore predittivo negativo e accuratezza nell’identificare la presenza di recidiva in-field pari a 86 %, 82 %, 75 %, 90 % e 84 %, rispettivamente (p = 0.019).
Tutti i pazienti sono risultati continenti, con miglioramento della funzionalità urinaria (IPSS mediano da 8 a 6) e peggioramento della funzionalità erettile (IIEF-5 mediano da 16 a 5).
Conclusioni
La nostra esperienza conferma la sicurezza e l’efficacia a medio termine dell’ablazione prostatica HIFU, sia da un punto di vista oncologico che funzionale (eccezion fatta per la funzionalità erettile). Inoltre, sia i criteri di Phoenix che la risonanza magnetica multiparametrica si sono dimostrati affidabili nel predire la recidiva clinica nei pazienti sottoposti ad HIFU.Aim of the study
Oncological and functional results related to HIFU technique
Materials and methods
Single cohort of patients with newly diagnosed low/favourable-intermediate risk (sec. D’Amico) prostate cancer and refusing/not suitable for radical treatment/active surveillance.
After HIFU, patients were submitted to scheduled evaluations with PSA, digital rectal examination, uroflowmetry and urinary function (IPPS and QoL) and sexual function (IIEF-5) questionnaires, as well as mpMRI followed by confirmatory targeted + random prostate biopsy.
Results
20 patients were enrolled during the study period, 8 with low risk and 12 with favourable-intermediate risk prostate cancer, respectively.
Successful ablation (primary end-point) was achieved in 85 % of cases, with in-field and out-field recurrence in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. At median follow-up of 20 (12-36) months, radical treatment free survival was 75 %. The application of Phoenix Criteria (PSA = nadir + 2 ng/mL) of biochemical recurrence predicted clinical recurrence in 4 out of 5 patients involved. Finally, mpMRI showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 86 %, 82 %, 75 %, 90 % e 84 %, respectively (p = 0.019) in detecting in-field recurrence.
All patients were full continent after HIFU, with improvement of urinary function (median IPPS from 8 to 6) and worsening of erectile function (median IIEF-5 from 16 to 5).
Conclusions
Our experience confirms safety ad mid-term efficacy of HIFU prostate ablation, from both oncological and functional (except for sexual function) side. Moreover, Phoenix Criteria and mpMRI resulted to be reliable in predicting clinical recurrence in patients treated with HIFU
AF4 as a passepartout technique for the characterization of nanosystems of medical interest
Get PDFNanomedicines (NMs) are therapeutic or diagnostic medicines with dimensions typically between 1 and 1000 nm. NMs have drawn attention due to their ability to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity compared to traditional drugs. Despite progress, many NMs struggle to transition from development to clinical use due to challenges like carrier toxicity, instability, and complex quality control (QC). The diverse nature of NMs makes difficult to establish universal analytical methods. Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) is a promising technique for separating and characterizing nanoparticles (NPs), polymers, and macromolecules in a wide array of analytical conditions. This research aims to explore the potential of AF4 as a passepartout technique in characterizing NMs during the various stages of their development. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the topic.
Chapter 2 focuses on Polydopamine (PDA) nanosystems, widely used in fields like drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and degradability although its structural diversity remains poorly understood. A miniaturized form of AF4, combined with multiple detectors, identified two distinct species formed during PDA synthesis. This breakthrough highlighted the ability of the technique to select optimal PDA nanoforms for clinical use.
Chapter 3 discusses antimicrobial NPs. Nanosilver-based antimicrobials, combined with PDA, show potential in combating bacterial resistance. AF4, in conjunction with light scattering and spectrophotometric detection, streamlined the synthesis, purification, and characterization of these NPs, therefore acting as an eco-friendly multi-purpose tool.
Chapter 4 examines the behavior of magnetic NPs in biological environments, focusing on stability and protein binding. AF4 allowed to study real-time interactions between MNPs and human serum albumin, addressing key safety concerns.
Chapter 5 finally focuses on peptide-based drugs and their aggregation states. AF4 was crucial in assessing stability of liraglutide to aggregation, providing accurate insights into potential aggregation phenomena, which is a vital factor for regulatory approval of its various formulations
Chemical diffusion master equations: analytical solutions and applications
Get PDFThis thesis is the compilation of 3 of mine and my supervisor’s research, that are present in Chapters 4, 5 and 6 from the corresponding papers (Lanconelli et al., 2023, Lanconelli and Perçin, 2024a) and (Lanconelli and Perçin, 2024b) respectively. Our work is centered around the model, which is called the Chemical Diffusion Master Equation (CDME), which enables us to assign probabilities to different configurations of particles undergoing in a reaction of interest at time t. Due to this nature of the model, the model fits into the category of stochastic hybrid systems, where continuous dynamics and discrete events coexist in the same process, which makes the analysis more realistic and more complex compared to other well known models such as Chemical Master Equation (CME) (see (Erban and Chapman, 2020, del Razo et al., 2022)). Because the model is very complex most of the time the research including CDME is only focused at computer simulations. However in Chapters 4 and 5 we report a general method to treat the system analytically for any reaction where the reaction and diffusion are considered to be independent. This is very important given the low abundance of such solutions. Moreover we believe seeing an explicit solution gives better insights on how the parameters of the model plays a role. Moreover as will be seen in Chapter 6, the CDME of a reaction-diffusion system where the reaction and diffusion are not independent will be reported and solved explicitly with an approach particular to the process considered
Early maternal and paternal vocal interactions following preterm birth: the role of birth weight, parental role and affective and stress symptomatology.
Get PDFPreterm birth can be a profoundly stressful event for parents, complicating their transition to parenthood and the assumption of parental roles. Concerns regarding infant’s health and future outcomes as well as the emotional strain of early separation from the hospitalized newborn can affect parental stress and affective symptoms, negatively influencing parent-infant relationships and subsequent development. A critical element of early interactions is Infant-Directed Speech (IDS), a linguistic register characterized by unique linguistic and paralinguistic features that influence and sustain infants' cognitive and emotional growth. Given its affective nature, IDS is particularly responsive to fluctuations in parents’ emotional states. This PhD thesis includes a collection of four empirical studies that examine parental IDS directed toward full-term (FT) and preterm (PT) infants during the first year postpartum. The research focuses on factors influencing early interactions, including parental postnatal symptoms and the severity of prematurity, distinguishing between extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The first three chapters present a theoretical framework on premature birth and IDS. Chapter one details preterm birth risk factors and intervention strategies. Chapter two addresses parental adaptation challenges and mental health risks, while chapter three examines IDS characteristics and the influence of parental and infant risk factors on interaction patterns. The four empirical studies reveal significant findings regarding IDS in preterm contexts, demonstrating that lower birth weight and higher maternal depression may be associated with diminished affective salience and less engaging interaction styles. Additionally, the research highlights differences and similarities in IDS characteristics between mothers and fathers, emphasizing the importance of paternal involvement in fostering positive parent-infant relationships. This research offers some insights into how preterm birth and parental emotional well-being could influence the quality of early vocal interactions, informing clinical interventions aimed at supporting positive communication with premature infants
Blank space: demographic estimation data-sparse contexts
Get PDFThis thesis explores novel approaches for the estimation of demographic outcomes in contexts where data are limited. In the first part, we investigate the potential of an emerging non-traditional data source for demographic research: online genealogies. Harnessing FamiLinx, a big genealogical database with over 86 million observations, we show that the availability of accurate and non-missing demographic information in online genealogical data is selective. Our findings reveal that individuals with a non-missing value in a demographic variable are more likely to present non-missing data in the other demographic variables, and to be embedded in family networks, whose members exhibit demographic information of superior quality and completeness.
In the second part, we develop a Bayesian method for estimating the total fertility rate (TFR) indirectly from defective data. By combining online genealogical data from FamiLinx populations with information from more reliable sources, the proposed method allows to obtain TFR estimates for seven European countries and the United States during the historical period 1751-1910, a time when many of these countries lacked well-functioning civil registration systems. In the third part, we build a Bayesian model for the estimation of subnational male and female TFRs. Using real data from the United States and simulated data from Australia, we demonstrate that the proposed method can produce reasonably accurate TFR estimates in contexts, such as small areas, where data tend to be sparse and highly variable. Throughout the second and third parts of this thesis, we leverage indirect estimation techniques within a flexible Bayesian modeling framework. This approach allows to incorporate multiple data sources, to capture regularities in demographic trends over time and space, and to account for uncertainty
Beyond remembrance: commemorating the Srebrenica genocide through coffee rituals
Get PDFIn Bosnia and Herzegovina, coffee drinking is a deeply rooted social ritual representing hospitality, quality time and togetherness. This ritual may assume a functional dimension when adapted to the complex post-traumatic socio-political context. Artistic initiatives such as the nomadic monument ŠTO TE NEMA (‘Why aren’t you here?’), the documentary drama ‘My Thousand Year Old Land’, and the commemorative performance ‘8372’ (including its subsequent versions) re-semanticise the coffee ritual to convey the sense of human loss and address the Srebrenica genocide (1995), which resulted in the killing of more than 8,000 Bosniak men.
Bosnian coffee traditions are inherently interactive; a feature artists purposefully integrate to create a space of engagement for wider audiences. In these art initiatives, the coffee ritual functions as a mnemonic strategy for reimagining the very idea of remembrance and contributing to the shift in monumentalisation. Contemporary artists develop inclusive and community-driven forms to remember past events and create broad access to them, which traditional monuments have failed to achieve. In the Bosnian case, artists challenge rigid, hegemonic, and homogenising narratives, breaking away from political elite influence.
This research aligns with third-wave memory studies, which emphasise agency and memory-making as contested processes, integrating more inclusive and future-oriented elements that can bring about positive social changes in transnational memory politics rather than solely concentrating on the traumatic past. Moreover, it extends Rigney’s (2018) memory-activism nexus by exploring art’s role in fostering social transformation. I argue that specific art forms foster empathy in divided societies (and beyond) by addressing human loss and providing access to otherwise restricted spaces and memories. Finally, the proposed methodological framework aims to support the examination of alternative commemorative art and memory artivist practices that emerge in contexts marked by violence, conflict, and international crimes, including genocide
Legal structure of the digital Euro
Get PDFThis thesis explores the comprehensive legal, technical, and regulatory aspects derived from the upcoming implementation and issuance of the digital euro, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed by the European Union. To achieve so, this study provides relevant context on the current legal scenario for digital payments, including the applicable law that needs to be considered, the emergence of new digital means of payment, and the opportunity for the issuance of a CBDC in the euro zone.
To achieve a holistic analysis on the legal structure of the digital euro, this thesis is structured into seven chapters, one for each of the relevant themes included in the Proposal for the establishment of the digital euro. Thus, key aspects such as the legal tender status of the digital euro, its interaction with euro banknotes and coins, as well as its validity as a means of payment within the European Union are addressed, intertwined with other related topics, such as its distribution, the technical features is set to offer, and the improvements in terms of privacy that the digital manifestation of the single currency is meant to bring to the citizenry of the European Union.
The conclusion of this thesis evaluates the prospected changes in the text of the Proposal, as identified in the previous chapters, as well as the recommendations of legal nature that have been provided through the analysis in the thesis. Finally, future lines of research are identified to complete the study of the legal implications of the issuance of the digital euro.Questa tesi esplora gli aspetti giuridici, tecnici e normativi derivanti dall'imminente implementazione ed emissione dell'euro digitale, una moneta digitale della banca centrale (CBDC) progettata dall'Unione Europea. A tal fine, questo studio fornisce un contesto rilevante sull'attuale scenario legale dei pagamenti digitali, compresa la legge applicabile che deve essere presa in considerazione, l'emergere di nuovi mezzi di pagamento digitali e l'opportunità dell'emissione di un CBDC nell'eurozona.
Per ottenere un'analisi olistica della struttura giuridica dell'euro digitale, questa tesi è strutturata in sette capitoli, uno per ciascuno dei temi rilevanti inclusi nella Proposta per la creazione dell'euro digitale. Vengono così affrontati aspetti chiave come il corso legale dell'euro digitale, la sua interazione con le banconote e le monete in euro, nonché la sua validità come mezzo di pagamento all'interno dell'Unione europea, intrecciati con altri argomenti correlati, come la sua distribuzione, le caratteristiche tecniche che si propone di offrire e i miglioramenti in termini di privacy che la manifestazione digitale della moneta unica è destinata a portare ai cittadini dell'Unione europea.
La conclusione di questa tesi valuta le modifiche prospettate al testo della Proposta, come individuato nei capitoli precedenti, nonché le raccomandazioni di natura giuridica che sono state fornite attraverso l'analisi della tesi. Infine, vengono individuate le linee di ricerca future per completare lo studio delle implicazioni legali dell'emissione dell'euro digitale.Esta tesis explora los amplios aspectos legales, técnicos y regulatorios derivados de la próxima implantación y emisión del euro digital, una moneda digital de banco central (CBDC) diseñada por la Unión Europea. Para lograrlo, este estudio proporciona un contexto relevante sobre el escenario legal actual de los pagos digitales, incluyendo la legislación aplicable que debe tenerse en cuenta, la aparición de nuevos medios de pago digitales y la oportunidad de la emisión de una CBDC en la zona euro.
Para lograr un análisis holístico sobre la estructura jurídica del euro digital, esta tesis se estructura en siete capítulos, uno por cada uno de los temas relevantes incluidos en la Propuesta para el establecimiento del euro digital. Así, se abordan aspectos clave como el curso legal del euro digital, su interacción con los billetes y monedas en euros, así como su validez como medio de pago dentro de la Unión Europea, entrelazados con otros temas relacionados, como su distribución, las características técnicas que pretende ofrecer, y las mejoras en términos de privacidad que la manifestación digital de la moneda única pretende aportar a la ciudadanía de la Unión Europea.
La conclusión de esta tesis evalúa los cambios previstos en el texto de la Propuesta, identificados en los capítulos anteriores, así como las recomendaciones de carácter jurídico que se han aportado a través del análisis de la tesis. Por último, se identifican futuras líneas de investigación para completar el estudio de las implicaciones jurídicas de la emisión del euro digital
High-precision stellar astrophysics: testing models of stellar structure using asteroseismic, astrometric, and spectroscopic constraints
Get PDFStellar evolutionary models are crucial for much of astrophysical research, including nucleosynthesis, exoplanetary systems, and Galaxy formation. However, their internal structures have only recently been tested through asteroseismic observations, enabling precise analysis of stellar interiors. This PhD thesis explores the internal structure and evolution of low-mass core helium burning (CHeB) stars using advanced asteroseismic and Bayesian methods, aiming to refine our understanding and evaluate non-standard models that challenge traditional paradigms. The research begins with the identification of eleven red giant stars in the field, revealing complex oscillation spectra indicative of very low-mass CHeB stars. These stars feature a helium core of ~0.5 and a lighter hydrogen-rich envelope, resulting in a higher coupling factor between internal pressure and gravity mode cavities compared to red clump stars. This work demonstrates the potential of asteroseismology to identify low-mass CHeB stars, advancing our understanding of stellar evolution and mass loss. The thesis also investigates the formation of such stars, focusing on the anomalously low-mass CHeB star KIC4937011 in the open cluster NGC 6819. This Li-rich star, about 1 less massive than others at the same evolutionary stage, offers a unique opportunity to explore its formation pathway. Using Bayesian techniques and binary stellar population models, this Thesis suggests that KIC4937011 formed from a common-envelope phase where the companion star did not survive, leading to significant mass loss. This finding provides insights into the evolution of stars like subdwarf B stars and metal-rich RR Lyrae. Additionally, the research examines asteroseismic signatures of structural variations near the convective core of low-mass CHeB stars, revealing how these glitches influence oscillation spectra by employing semi-analytical models. Overall, this work significantly advances our understanding of low-mass CHeB stars and their evolutionary histories, contributing to broader studies of stellar evolution and the Milky Way’s formation