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An implantable micro-system for neural prosthesis control and sensory feedback restoration in amputees
Get PDFIn this work, the prototype of an electronic bi-directional interface between the Peripheral
Nervous System (PNS) and a neuro-controlled hand prosthesis is presented. The system is
composed of two Integrated Circuits (ICs): a standard CMOS device for neural recording and
a High Voltage (HV) CMOS device for neural stimulation. The integrated circuits have been
realized in two different 0.35μm CMOS processes available fromAustriaMicroSystem(AMS).
The recoding IC incorporates 8 channels each including the analog front-end and the A/D
conversion based on a sigma delta architecture. It has a total area of 16.8mm2 and exhibits
an overall power consumption of 27.2mW. The neural stimulation IC is able to provide biphasic
current pulses to stimulate 8 electrodes independently. A voltage booster generates a
17V voltage supply in order to guarantee the programmed stimulation current even in case
of high impedances at the electrode-tissue interface in the order of tens of k. The stimulation
patterns, generated by a 5-bit current DAC, are programmable in terms of amplitude,
frequency and pulse width. Due to the huge capacitors of the implemented voltage boosters,
the stimulation IC has a wider area of 18.6mm2. In addition, a maximum power consumption
of 29mW was measured. Successful in-vivo experiments with rats having a TIME
electrode implanted in the sciatic nerve were carried out, showing the capability of recording
neural signals in the tens of microvolts, with a global noise of 7μVrms , and to selectively
elicit the tibial and plantarmuscles using different active sites of the electrode.
In order to get a completely implantable interface, a biocompatible and biostable package
was designed. It hosts the developed ICs with the minimal electronics required for their
proper operation. The package consists of an alumina tube closed at both extremities by
two ceramic caps hermetically sealed on it. Moreover, the two caps serve as substrate for
the hermetic feedthroughs to enable the device powering and data exchange with the external
digital controller implemented on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) board. The
package has an outer diameter of 7mm and a total length of 26mm. In addition, a humidity
and temperature sensor was also included inside the package to allow future hermeticity
and life-time estimation tests.
Moreover, a wireless, wearable and non-invasive EEG recording system is proposed in order
to improve the control over the artificial limb,by integrating the neural signals recorded from
the PNS with those directly acquired from the brain. To first investigate the system requirements,
a Component-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) device was designed. It includes a low-power 8-
channel acquisition module and a Bluetooth (BT) transceiver to transmit the acquired data
to a remote platform. It was designed with the aimof creating a cheap and user-friendly system
that can be easily interfaced with the nowadays widely spread smartphones or tablets by means of a mobile-based application. The presented system, validated through in-vivo experiments, allows EEG signals recording at different sample rates and with a maximum
bandwidth of 524Hz. It was realized on a 19cm2 custom PCB with a maximum power consumption
of 270mW
Analisi dell’espressione della fosfoERK quale strumento di indagine per la caratterizzazione della sensibilità alle sostanze d’abuso in linee di ratti geneticamente selezionati
Get PDFClinical studies indicate that genetically determined personality traits, such as sensation
seeking and impulsivity, are associated with increased drug addiction liability. Thus, in spite
of the fact that for instance a prolonged ethanol exposure is an essential precondition to
develop the disease, genetic factors account for about 50-60% of the risk of developing
alcoholism. These observations have stimulated the use of selected strains and lines of
rodents as models to investigate genetically determined differences in behavioral and
neurochemical traits related to addictive disorders. Among those, the Roman high (RHA)- and
low (RLA)-avoidance rats are selectively bred for rapid vs poor acquisition of active
avoidance, respectively, and differ markedly in emotional reactivity, coping style, and
behavioral and neurochemical responses to a number of drugs of abuse such as morphine,
ethanol and psychostimulants. On the other hand, one of the most efficacious approaches to
model several aspects of alcoholism is represented by the use of rat lines selectively bred
for high ethanol preference or excessive ethanol drinking that represent well-suited
experimental models to investigate the biological bases of alcoholism by virtue of their
predictive, face, and construct validity. In particular, Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats
constitute one of these rat lines selectively bred for excessive ethanol intake. Thus, when
given a choice between 10% (v/v) ethanol and water, under the standard, home cage 2-bottle
regimen, with unlimited access for 24 h/day, sP rats display a clear preference for the
ethanol solution and daily consume 6 to 7 g/kg of pure ethanol.
Among the kinases and transcription factors that have been deeply investigated in the recent
years for their involvement in the molecular basis of addiction, the extracellular signalregulated
kinase (ERK) occupies a strategic position, both at the cytoplasmic and nuclear
level. In fact, activation of ERK is critical for memory formation and consolidation in
different tasks such as conditioned taste aversion and fear conditioning, but it also appears
critical in synaptic plasticity, as well as in synapse formation and function. Activation of ERK
is also critical for long-term potentiation, a phenomenon of long-lasting synaptic plasticity
that allows the characterization of the role of transduction molecules in the processes of
learning and formation of long-term memories. In addition, in mature neurons, activation of
ERK is involved in the mechanism of action of addictive drugs and its expression in dopaminerich
terminal areas plays a critical role in several of their psychopharmacological effects,
including their ability to sustain acquisition of conditioned place preference. However, some controversial findings still remain on the effects of morphine on ERK phosphorylation in the
nucleus accumbens. Similarly, the issue of genetically determined differences among pairs of
rat lines selectively bred for rapid vs slow acquisition of active avoidance (RHA vs RLA) and
for high vs poor ethanol preference or excessive ethanol drinking (sP vs sNP) has never been
systematically investigated. Hence, in order to gain insights on the differential sensitivity in
terms of activated ERK in brain structures of the mesolimbic system and extended amygdala
of such rat lines, the present study was devoted to investigate these issues by assessing the
ability of morphine to activate ERK phosphorylation in the shell (AcbSh) and core (AcbC) of
the nucleus accumbens (Acb) of Roman RHA and RLA, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats as well
as in CD-1 mice and C57BL6J mice. This study was also aimed at comparing the effects of
acute cocaine administration in Roman rats, and of ethanol administration in sP vs sNP rats,
on ERK phosphorylation in Acb, prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IL) prefrontal cortex (PFCx)
and nuclei of the extended amygdala (BSTL, CeA and BLA).
The results of these experiments demonstrate 1) that morphine significantly decreased Acb
pERK expression, as determined by counting the number of pERK positive cells/area, in RLA,
Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats, 2) failed to either decrease or increase this measure in
Acb of RHA rats and 3) significantly increased pERK expression in both CD-1 and C57BL6J
mice. Ethanol (1 g/kg) significantly increased pERK immunoreactivity in AcbSh and AcbC of sP
but not sNP rats. Conversely, ethanol failed to affect pERK expression in PrL and IL PFCx as
well as in BSTL and CeA of both sP and sNP rats. In RHA but not RLA rats, cocaine (5 mg/kg)
increased pERK in the IL PFCx and AcbSh, two areas involved in its acute effects, but did not
modify pERK in the PrL PFCx and AcbC, which mediate the chronic effects of cocaine.
These findings suggest that the lack of stimulation of pERK expression observed in RHA rats
after morphine administration may be of considerable importance and significance, given the
enhanced responsiveness of these animals to the neurochemical and behavioral effects of
morphine; these findings also confirm previously reported differential effects of morphine
on ERK phosphorylation in the Acb of rats vs mice and call for further experiments to
elucidate the significance of the property of morphine to either increase and decrease pERK
expression in rodents’ AcbSh and AcbC. The results also show that ethanol activated ERK
differentially in Acb and PFCx of sP and sNP rats and indicate that selective breeding of
these rat lines resulted in a double dissociation of the effects of acute ethanol on ERK phosphorylation in brain regions critical for ethanol’s psychopharmacological effects.
Furthermore, these results extend to pERK expression previous findings on the greater
sensitivity to acute cocaine of RHA vs RLA rats and confirm the notion that genetic factors
influence the differential responses to addictive drugs. In conclusion, these findings support
the view that the genetically selected rat lines represent a valid model to investigate the
neural basis of the individual vulnerability to drug addiction and that pERK phosphorylation in
nuclei of extended amygdala represents a valuable dynamic marker of drug-induced neuronal activation
Effetto nell’auto-somministrazione dell’agonista sintetico del recettore cannabinoide CB1, WIN 55,212-2, nel modello animale di depressione della bulbectomia olfattoria (OBX)
Get PDFDepression frequently coexists with substances abuse, including heavy or problematic cannabis use. To mimic this comorbidity, we combined the olfactory bulbectomy model of depression with intravenous drug self-administration procedure to verify whether depressive-like rats display higher voluntary intake of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN, 12.5 μg/kg/infusion). The olfactory-bulbectomized rat is a well-established model that exhibits a high degree of behavioural and neurochemical similarity to depression.
Male Lister Hooded rats were either olfactory-bulbectomized (OBX) or sham-operated (SHAM), and following 21 days they were implanted with intravenous catheters. A 3-week period is necessary for the development of a depressive-like phenotype following OBX surgery, which was verified by means of the motility and sucrose preference test. Indeed, the presence of anhedonia and hypermotility in response to a novel aversive environment are two hallmarks of OBX rats. Only OBX rats displaying a depressive-like phenotype were allowed to self-administer WIN by lever-pressing under a continuous (FR-1) schedule of reinforcement in 2h daily sessions, as previously described (Fattore et al. 2001).
Our results show that both OBX and SHAM rats developed stable WIN intake. Yet, rates of responding for WIN was constantly higher in OBX than in SHAM rats starting soon after the first week of training. This finding is in line with previously reported higher intake of methamphetamine (Kucerova et al. 2011) and oral nicotine (Vieyra-Reyes et al. 2008) in OBX than in SHAM animals, which confirms the hypothesis of higher drug intake in depressive-like conditions. Finally, response latency (defined as time elapsed from commencement of the experimental session until the first active lever press) was
significantly different between the two groups. More specifically, response latency was shorter in OBX than SHAM rats from day 9 onward, which suggests that after initial exposure to the CB1 receptor agonist the bulbectomized rats may be more motivated than controls to obtain it. Moreover, analysis of temporal patterns of responses revealed quantitative but not qualitative differences between OBX and SHAM rats during self-administration training, since the response rate was typically slow and evenly distributed throughout the 2h test session in both groups. These findings showed that olfactory bulbectomy markedly affects cannabinoid self-administration, likely through a reduction of the cannabinergic rewarding effects to which animals compensate by increasing WIN intake.
A number of human and animal studies demonstrated a causal link between altered serotonin 5-HT1B receptor activity and development of neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression and drug addiction Therefore, we evaluated the effect of acute pre-treatment with the serotonin 5-HT1B receptor agonist CGS-12066B (CGS, 2.5-10 mg/kg) on the WIN self-administration. Acute intraperitoneal (IP) pre-treatment with CGS (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) did not significantly modify WIN intake in OBX and SHAM rats. Moreover, since WIN self-administration was shown to be associated to an increased dopamine transmission in the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) (Fadda et al., 2006), we used the in vivo microdialysis technique to test whether OBX and SHAM rats displayed similar increase in dopamine levels within the NAc shell in response to a challenge of WIN at a dose (0.3 mg/kg, IP) that mimics the daily mean amount of drug typically self-administered by trained rats. We found that, contrary to SHAM rats, dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens of OBX rats did not increase in response to a WIN challenge, suggesting a dopaminergic dysfunction in bulbectomized rats. Altogether our results suggest that WIN is not affected by acute stimulation of 5-HT1B receptors, and that a dopaminergic rather than a 5-HT1B mechanism is likely to underlie enhanced WIN self-administration in OBX rats.
To verify whether prolonged stimulation of CB1 receptors could affect the depressive-like phenotype of OBX rats, we also investigated the effect of chronic (2-weeks) treatment with WIN 55,212-2 (0.5 mg/kg, IP) in OBX and SHAM. Although not statistically significant, a trend was found as concerns a potential antidepressive effect of chronic WIN administration in OBX rats. Finally, a [3H]CP-55,940 binding autoradiography study was performed to investigate CB1 receptor-mediated signaling in the brain of olfactory bulbectomized rats. A reduced functionality of CB1 receptors was detected in the caudate-putamen and in the nucleus accumbens core, which confirmed an altered CB1 receptor-mediated limbic signaling in OBX rats.
Fattore et al. (2001) Psychopharmacology 156: 410-416.
Kucerova et al. (2011) Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 15:1503-1511.
Vieyra-Reyes et al. (2008) Brain Res. Bull. 77: 13-28.
Fadda et al. (2006) Neuroreport 17: 1629-1632
Biomonitoraggio umano: effetti sub-clinici da Piombo e Cadmio sull’accrescimento
Get PDFObjectives: The aims of this study are: 1) to assess the exposure to Pb and Cd
in Sardinian children by hair analysis; 2) to detect any possible sub-clinical impact on
growth due to exposure to these heavy metals; 3) to evaluate the individual
susceptibility to absorption by using genetic polymorphisms involved in Pb and Cd
metabolisms,.
Methods: The total sample consists of 144 children of both sexes (11-14
years), living in different municipalities of Sardinia (Italy) of Sulcis-Iglesiente area,
Sant’Antioco and Iglesias, collected from January and March 2013.
The Anthropometric variables considered are height, sitting height, estimated
lower limb length (height minus sitting height) and cephalic circumference. The
environmental variables are hair lead and cadmium concentrations (PbH, CdH),
proxy of socioeconomic status (SES), proxy of nutritional status as upper arm
muscle area (UMA), upper arm fat area (UFA), body mass index (BMI) and Σ 5
skinfolds. In order to detect possible associations between genetic factors and
heavy metal concentration, the following genetic polymorphisms were studied: δ-
aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), vitamin D receptor (VDR), DNAmethyltransferase
1 gene (DNMT1) and DNA-methyltransferase 3 gene (DNMT3).
Hair Lead (PbH) and cadmium (CdH) concentrations were assessed by
inductively coupled plasma atomic mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Statistical analyses : For each sample, it has been calculated the descriptive
statistics for anthropometric and sociodemographic variables, and the hair lead and
cadmium level.
One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significant
differences between the samples for all the considered variables. To evaluate the
sub-clinical impact on growth, we carried out a multivariate ridge regression
analysis with the anthropometric measures (height, sitting height, estimated lower
limb length) as dependent variables and demographic variables, proxy of
socioeconomic, proxy of nutritional status, levels of PBH and CDH, polymorphisms
genetic as independent variable.
Results: Statistically significant differences (p<0,01) in elemental
concentration levels between the two study sites were found. Hair of children from
Iglesias exhibited much higher concentration values for Cd and Pb compared to
Sant'Antioco children.
Multivariate ridge regression analyses indicates a sub-clinical impact of
cadmium and lead on growth, but failed to reveal any association between lead and
cadmium levels and genetic polymorphisms.
Conclusions: The results support the use of hair lead and cadmium levels as a
biomarker to assess either differences between samples from different
environmental background or the impact of subclinical lead on the physical growth
of children. No significant association between alleles at genetic polymorphisms
taken into consideration and lead and cadmium concentrations levels was
observed. However, further studies using larger population samples and genetic
polymorphisms covering a wider range of enzymatic and metabolic aspects are
needed for definite conclusions to be drawn
Methodology for the definition of a sytem of actions based on the use of discrete choice models, for the renewal of historic centres through the consideration of the needs of local communities. A case study concerning the city of Cagliari.
Get PDFNowadays, conservation of old town centres is one of the main goals of several planning processes. For this reason, planning and historic centres' preservation can be considered synergetic concept (Frank &Petersen, 2002) and activities. Old city centres lost the role of residence and centres of services, so it important to trigger a process of reuse of historic centres through promotion of influence that residents have on social, economic and cultural vitality of the human fabric. Indeed, the role of residents in the requalification of historic centres is not sufficiently considered and it is understimated. Residents have an important role given that they can assure a high quality of life in historic centres, as they are the most important owners of the inner city, both because they have an interest in a high quality of life in the area where they live, and an economic interest related to the requalification given that the value of a building in a redeveloped area is higher than in a degradate zone
Atomistic investigation of morphology and optoelectronic properties of bismuth sulfide nonostructures
Get PDFNanostructured metal sulfides (MS) have attracted great interest in
recent years because of the possibility to synthesize nanoparticles from
solution and tuning their optoelectronic properties through quantum
confinement phenomena. A large number of applications have been
reported in the field of solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lithium-ion
batteries, thermoelectric devices, sensors, fuel cells and nonvolatile
memory devices. Among the large family of semiconductor sulfides,
the present Thesis is focussed on bismuthinite. The choice was motivated
by a combination of factors. Its non-toxicity, low cost synthesis
and high absorption properties make Bi2S3 a promising material for
several application, such as solid-state semiconductor-sensitized solar
cells. The intrisic anisotropy in the crystal structure of this material
facilitates the formation of elongated nanostructures, in particular
nanorods, nanoribbons, and nanowires. These structures find important
applications in many nanodevices, for example field emitters,
solar cells, and lithium-ion batteries.
On the other hand, researchers are still far from a complete understanding
of Bi2S3 properties. The colloidal synthesis of bismuthinite
nanostructures, although cheap and environmentally friendly, does
not allow a perfect control on stoichiometry and surface passivation.
The large majority of the experimental studies does not report photoluminescence
of the nanocrystals, which indicates the presence of
trap states and a low defect tolerance of the material. These facts
cause a lower efficiency of the devices based on Bi2S3 nanoparticles
with respect to anologous system based on other nanomaterials (e.g
Sb2S3 in solid-state sensitized solar cells). The absence of linear optical
data makes more difficult to investigate the electronic structure of
the material by means of spectroscopic techniques. Ab initio atomistic
simulations represent a valid alternative to get an insight on the
optoelectronic properties of bismuth sulfide. Despite some computational
work on bulk Bi2S3 is already present in literature, there are
currently no ab initio studies concerning nanostructures of this material.
Such lack of information motivates the work of the present
thesis that focuses on the investigation of morphology and electronic
properties of Bi2S3 nanocrystals.
The thesis is organized as follows. In the first chapter the main differences
and advantages of nanostructured materials over the bulk counterpart
are presented. I put the accent on metal sulfide nanocrystals,
in particular those of the Bi2S3 family (pnictogen chalcogenide) and
their application in several fields of physics, environmental science,
and engineering. A section is reserved to report the development
of elongated semiconductor nanostructures and their peculiarity with
respect to nanocrystals with lower aspect ratio.
The second chapter describes the computational and experimental
methods used in this study. The basic concepts of density functional
theory and its implementation in quantum-chemistry codes are reported.
A description of the synthesis and spectroscopic methods
used to check the validity of the theoretical predictions is also given.
For the detailed list of the basis sets, pseudopotentials, and exchangecorrelation
functionals used in each calculation I refer to the end of
Chapter 3 and 4.
Chapter 3 deals with the bulk properties of Bi2S3. Atomic and crystal
cell relaxation are performed. Also I investigated electronic properties
from the calculation of the band structure, density of states, and
efficient mass. These simulations are an important preliminary to
the study of Bi2S3 nanostructures. By comparing my results with
the previous studies present in literature it is possible to validate
the method (functionals, pseudopotentials, etc) and proceed with the
study of unexplored systems.
Chapter 4 investigates the properties of Bi2S3 nanostructures. First,
I focus on elongated nanoribbons (that are the building blocks of the
crystal structure) and study saturated and unsaturated nanocrystals
of finite size in comparison with one-dimensional infinite ones. By
means of (time-dependent) density functional theory calculations it
is demonstrated that the optical gap can be tuned through quantum
confinement with sizable effects for nanoribbons smaller than three
nanometers. A comparison with Sb2S3, shown that Bi2S3 nanostructures
have similar tunability of the band gap and a better tendency of
passivating defects at the (010) surfaces through local reconstruction.
Then, the focus shifts over ultrathin nanowires formed by the aggregation
of a small number of nanoribbons, with lateral sizes as small as
3 nm as in fact observed by transmission electron microscopy. Their
electronic properties are investigated finding that surfaces induce peculiar
1D-like electronic states on the nanowire edges that are lo- cated
300 meV above the valence band. Sulfur vacancies are also responsible
for localized states a few hundreds meV below the conduction
band. The possibility to remove the surface-induced intragap states
is further investigated by passivating the surfaces of the nanowires
with carboxylic and amine groups that are commonly employed in
colloidal synthesis. The small methylamine and acetic acid molecules
are expected to fully passivate the surfaces of the nanowires removing
the edge states and restoring a clean band gap.
Conclusions are finally reported in Chapter 5. The results of the
present Thesis provide a characterization of the energetics and optoelectronic
properties of bismuth sulfide nanostructures showing the
relevance of surface defects and suggesting a possible route for improving
optoelectronic properties of Bi2S3 nanostructures by tuning
the size of the ligand molecules
Explaining intellectual property: the emergence of intangible property contract regulation in the XXI century
Get PDFThe rise of the digital environment and the Internet during the last decades
resulted in a number of novel issues in the field of intellectual property rights
(IPRs) and Internet contract (IC) regulation. Many doctrinal approaches have
attempted to elaborate adequate models for the management of IPRs and IC
implementation. From the technical point of view, several solutions to
managing IPRs and implementing IC exist. We still miss, however, a fullyfledged
theoretical framework that articulates the features of the new kinds of
property that arise in relation to digital goods and the role of users’ input. The
lack of a legal and regulatory theory of new kinds of property is often at the
origin of provisions that are not very accurate or stringent to the users who
are held accountable and responsible for their actions. The aim of this
dissertation is to suggest basic subject-matter design principles that should be
taken into account when drafting and enacting intellectual property and
contract laws:
Principle 1: Provide precise, clear, and unambiguous definitions of
key concepts and terms such as intangible property, intangible property
rights, intangible property works and goods, IPM. This principle is needed for
achieving a certain level of legal certainty and limiting the scope of the laws
implementation. The analysis of existing intellectual property (IP) and IC
laws in different jurisdictions across continents suggests that according to the
development and creation of new forms of creativity it is possible to defining
core terms of intangible property protection.
Principle 2: Enforce IP legislation in the context of intangible property
provisions. The review of legal regimes under various legal frameworks as
well as the overview of legislation in the U.S. and in Europe suggests that
intangible property provisions tend to change the allocation of rights
previously embodied in the respective national IP laws. Particularly
significant shifts can be observed in areas such as rights of use, access,
communication and traditional user privileges such as fair use or the 'right' to
make private copies. Thus, it is crucial to carefully design the framework
applicable to IPM, provide appropriate mechanisms for the effective
enforcement of rights, analyse the interplay of the exception regime with the other core elements of the IP framework.
Principle 3: Enforce IC discretion with regard to principles of contract
law and remedies and adhere to the principle of the new transaction
environment. IC frameworks provide some degrees of flexibility in new
method of manifesting contractual intention and analytical process of
establishing the contents of a contract. Establishing the obligations of the
parties should carefully consider the analytical process of defining the
contents of a contract, thereby following the principle of contractual intention
(PCI). Among the usual options to be considered are the analytical process of
establishing the obligations of the parties, the incorporation of descriptions of
the contractual subject matter and assertions as to its quality or performance
and liability perspective. In addition, the interplay among the liability
provisions and the other elements of the framework, including scope and
exceptions, must be equilibrated.
Principle 4: The monitoring and review of the effects of the IPM need
to incorporate necessary procedures and tools of intangible property rights
protection. It is crucial to establish mechanisms that take into account the
effects of Internet innovations. Such processes and tools might include
technical, legislative and procedure review and might focus, among others
things, on the core zones of concern outlined in the context of this dissertation
with special attention on the IPM.
In sum, IP and IC law might provide a helpful structure for intangible
property regulation with these principles in mind. The discussion of the
various options and approaches helps to determine the necessary components
and infrastructure of the IPM
Una testimonianza silenziosa.Storia della Chiesa cattolica in Tunisia dal Trattato del Bardo alla ‘rivoluzione dei gelsomini’
Get PDFThe work examines the change involving the Church in Tunisia from the period of the
Protectorate to the present through the fundamental moments of independence (1956) and the
signing of the ‘Modus vivendi’ (1964).
In the first structure of the “modern” Church, a fundamental role was played by the
complex figure of the French Cardinal Charles-Allemand Lavigerie who, while giving strong
impulse to setting up disinterested charitable social initiatives by the congregations (Pères
Blancs, Soeurs Blanches and others), also represented the ideal of the ‘evangelizing’ (as well
as colonial) Church which, despite its declared will to avoid proselytism, almost inevitably
tended to slip into it.
During the French Protectorate (1881-1956) the ecclesiastic institution concentrated
strongly on itself, with little heed for the sensitivity of its host population, and developed its
activities as if it were in a European country. From the social standpoint, the Church was
mostly involved in teaching, which followed the French model, and health facilities. In the
Church only the Pères Blancs missionaries were sincerely committed to promoting awareness
of the local context and dialogue with the Muslims. The Catholic clergy in the country linked
its religious activity close to the policy of the Protectorate, in the hope of succeeding in
returning to the ancient “greatness of the African Church”, as the Eucharistic Congress in
Carthage in 1930 made quite clear. The Congress itself planted the first seed in the twentyfive-
year struggle that led the Tunisian population to independence in 1956 and the founding
of the Republic in 1957.
The conquest of independence and the ‘Modus vivendi’ marked a profound change in the
situation and led to an inversion of roles: the Catholic community was given the right to exist
only on the condition that it should not interfere in Tunisian society. The political project of
Bourguiba, who led the Republic from 1957 to 1987, aimed to create a strongly egalitarian
society, with a separation between political and religious powers. In particular, in referring to
the Church, he appeared as a secularist with no hostility towards the Catholics who were,
however, considered as “cooperators”, welcome so long as they were willing to place their
skills at the service of the construction of the state. So, in the catholic Community was a
tension between the will of being on the side of the country and that of conserving a certain
distance from it and not being an integral part of it. In this process of reflection, the role of the
Second Vatican Council was fundamental: it spread the idea of a Church open to the world
and the other religions, in particular to Islam: the teaching of the Council led the
congregations present in the country to accept the new condition. This new Church that
emerged from the Council saw some important events in the process of “living together”, of
“cultural mixing” and the search for a common ground between different realities. The almost
contemporary arrival of Arab bishops raised awareness among the Tunisians of the existence of Christian Arabs and, at the same time, the Catholic community began considering their
faith in a different way.
In the last twenty years the situation has continued to change. Side by side with the priests
present for decades or even those born there, some new congregations have begun to operate,
albeit in small numbers: they have certainly revitalized the community of the faithful, but they
sometimes appear more devoted to service “within” the Church, than to services for the
population, and are thus characterized by exterior manifestations of their religion.
This sort of presence has made it possible for Bourguiba's successor, Ben Ali (president
from 1987 to 2011), to practice forms of tolerance even more clearly, but always limited to
formal relations; the Tunisians are still far from having a real understanding of the Catholic
reality, with certain exceptions connected to relations on a personal and not structured plane,
as was the case in the previous period.
The arrival of a good number of young people from sub-Saharan Africa, most of all
students, belonging to the JCAT, and personnel of the BAD has “Africanized” the Church in
Tunisia and has brought about an increase in Christians' exterior manifestations; but this is a
visibility that is not blatant but discreet, with the implicit risk of the Church continuing to be
perceived as a sort of exterior body, alien to the country; nor can we say, lacking proper
documentation, how it will be possible to build a bridge between different cultures through
the “accompaniment” of Christian wives of Tunisians. Today, the Church is living in a
country that has less and less need of it; its presence, in the schools and in health facilities, is
extremely reduced. And also in other sectors of social commitment, such as care for the
disabled, the number of clergymen involved is quite small.
The ‘revolution’ in 2011 and the later developments up to the present have brought about
another socio-political change, characterized by a climate of greater freedom, but with as yet
undefinable contours. This change in the political climate will inevitable have consequences
in Tunisia’s approach to religious and cultural minorities, but it is far too soon to discuss this
on the historical and scientific planes
Redundant analog to digital conversion architectures in CMOS technology
Get PDFThe operation of modern electronic devices in different fields as communications, signal processing, and sensor interface is critically affected with robust, high performance and scalable Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADCs), that can be considered as one of the main blocks in many systems, since they are mandatory to make the link between the analog outside world and the evermore-ubiquitous digital computer world. The design of these ADCs come distinct tradeoffs between speed, power, resolution, and die area embodied within many data conversion architectural variations.
The flash ADC structure are often the base structure for high-speed operation and simple architecture analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). As the input signal is applied to (
Shaping the Mediterranean basin: islands, coastlines and cultures across time. Mediterranean Geoarchaeology Workshop
No full textBy bridging approaches and methodologies from geosciences, archaeology and history, geoarchaeology is transforming our understanding of the history and cultures that have shaped the Mediterranean basin over millennia. The sheer diversity of current research offers an excellent opportunity for moving beyond geographical frontiers and to begin addressing the needs of a multifaceted and evolving Mediterranean world. This workshop calls upon environmental scientists, archaeologists and historians to discuss and share research advances in the geoarchaeology of Mediterranean islands and coastlines. The workshop will address issues, challenges and prospects of current research on Mediterranean island and coastal environments