Il problema del trattamento dell'infermo di mente autore di fatto-reato nel diritto penale italiano: prospettive di riforma

THE ISSUE OF THE TREATMENT OF MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS UNDER ITALIAN CRIMINAL LAW: POSSIBLE REFORMS The birth and history of the judicial psychiatric hospitals (ospedale psichiatrico giudiziario, hereinafter âOPGâ), so called since 1975 but well known since the late nineteenth century as criminal asylums (manicomi criminali), has been repeatedly addressed. This dissertation seeks to highlight that the subject matter has nowadays acquired undoubtful relevance and how the time is mature for a structural reform of the captioned discipline. This research project is, in particular, structured as follows: (i) an analysis of the historical genesis of the institute of OPG - since the ideological disputes of the mid nineteenth century to the so-called Gozzini Law 663 of October 10, 1986 - the consequences of problems that have given rise to changes in the regulation of the institutions involved and the subsequent discussions, (ii) analysis of constitutional law and the Supreme Court in respect of security measures and OPG, (iii) specific study of comparative profiles of the captioned matter and of the consequences of the adoption of the different measures and the situation of the institutions in various jurisdictions analyzed for the purpose of a better and more objective assessment of the Italian context; an interesting consideration is particularly dedicated to the analysis of the treatment of mentally disordered offenders in the legal system of England and Wales and to the analysis of data related to the population interned and structures of the mentioned territories dedicated to host such patients, (iv) analysis of the relationship between psychiatry and law, with particular attention to the psychiatric evaluation, of which is provided an analysis of the legal profiles, of the performance, the methods used for the assessment of mental illness and social danger and of the influence now exerted on decisions of the courts on the treatment of the mentally ill offenders, (v) portrait of the six OPG in the Italian territory, analysis of statistical data on population admitted to OPG in recent years - including the number of people interned there in recent years, the age and sex of the same, level of education, geographical area of origin, marital status and any number of children, length of stay, type of offense committed and suffered mental illness - and the staff working in OPG (vi) visits to the OPG of Castiglione, and analysis of data relating to the population of the same, the structure and internal organization of OPG, nurse engaged therein, treatment and other activities reserved for inmates, (vii) a summary of the issues and problems identified in the light of the various discussions developed in case law, criminal law doctrine and forensic psychiatry at national and European level, and the data collected in relation to the population interned and structures on the Italian territory. In the last part of this work the author has focused on the formulation of possible suggestions and proposals in relation to the legal concepts of imputability and social danger, as well as possible alternatives to the current system of safety features - also in relation to problematic categories such as alcoholics, chronic drug addicts and semi-mentally ill - and then browsed the reform proposals presented since now in the Italian Parliament. Finally, the author has turned her attention to recent regulatory changes since the enactment of Annex C to the DPCM April 1, 2008 to Art 3-ter of Law in February 2012, n. 9 (so called "Emptying prisons"), concerning "Measures for the final overcoming of judicial psychiatric hospitals" and the consequent agreements in Joint Conference. Having highlighted the problems the institutions of imputability and of social dangerousness, the main aporias of the current system of security measures, the possible amendments to the same suggested by the doctrine, relevant case law, the various reform proposals and , most recently, the scope of the Law of February 17, 2012 n.9, the research project suggests that, ultimately, a reform of the captioned matter in order to enable a treatment and intervention in the relevant fields more appropriate to the new choices of criminal policy, it is now improcrastinabile and necessary

Direct processing of PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 films on glass and polymeric substrates

This work was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under grant No. CMMI-1537262, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under the US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme Grant Number SFI/14/US/I3113, the China Scholarship Council, and the Department of Education and Learning NI through grant USI-082.This work reports on direct crystallization of PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT) thin films on glass and polymeric substrates, using pulsed thermal processing (PTP). Specifically, xenon flash lamps deliver pulses of high intensity, short duration, broadband light to the surface of a chemical solution deposited thin film, resulting in the crystallization of the film. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy show the existence of perovskite structure in nano-sized grains (≤5 nm). Local functional analysis by band excitation piezoelectric spectroscopy and electrostatic force microscopy confirm the presence of a ferroelectric phase and retention of voltage-written polarization for multiple days. Based on structural and functional analyses, strategies are discussed for optimization of pulse voltage and duration for the realization of crystalline ferroelectric thin films. For ∼200 nm-thick PZT films on glass substrates, 500 μs-long pulses were required for crystallization, starting with 100 pulses at 350 V, 10 or 25 pulses at 400 V and in general lower number of pulses at higher voltages (resulting in higher radiant energy). Overall power densities of >6.4 kW/cm2 were needed for appearance of peaks corresponding to the perovskite phase in the XRD. Films on glass processed at 350–400 V had a higher degree of 111-oriented perovskite grains. Higher applied radiant energy (through increased pulse voltage or count) resulted in more random and/or partially 001-oriented films. For ∼1 μm-thick PZT films on polymeric substrates, 10 to 25 250 μs-long pulses at voltages ranging between 200 to 250 V, corresponding to power densities of ∼2.8 kW/cm2, were optimal for maximized perovskite phase crystallization, while avoiding substrate damage.PostprintPeer reviewe

Maximizing information : a machine learning approach for analysis of complex nanoscale electromechanical behavior in defect-rich PZT films

F.Z. and B.J.R. gratefully acknowledge support from the China Scholarship Council and Science Foundation Ireland (US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme (SFI/14/US/I3113) and Career Development Award (SFI/17/CDA/4637) with support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland). A.N. gratefully acknowledges support from the Engineering and Physics Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through grants EP/R023751/1 and EP/L017008/1. A.K. gratefully acknowledges support from Department of Education and Learning NI through grant USI-082 and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council via grant EP/S037179/1. K.W., Y.Y., and N.B.G. gratefully acknowledge support from the US National Science Foundation through grant CMMI-1537262 and DMR-1255379. K.W. and N.B.G. also acknowledge support through DMR-2026976. This publication has emanated from research supported in part by a grant from Science Foundation Ireland under Grant numbers SFI/14/US/I3113 and SFI/17/CDA/4637.Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) based techniques probe material properties over microscale regions with nanoscale resolution, ultimately resulting in investigation of mesoscale functionalities. Among SPM techniques, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is a highly effective tool in exploring polarization switching in ferroelectric materials. However, its signal is also sensitive to sample-dependent electrostatic and chemo-electromechanical changes. Literature reports have often concentrated on the evaluation of the Off-field piezoresponse, compared to On-field piezoresponse, based on the latter's increased sensitivity to non-ferroelectric contributions. Using machine learning approaches incorporating both Off- and On-field piezoresponse response as well as Off-field resonance frequency to maximize information, switching piezoresponse in a defect-rich Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin film is investigated. As expected, one major contributor to the piezoresponse is mostly ferroelectric, coupled with electrostatic phenomena during On-field measurements. A second component is electrostatic in nature, while a third component is likely due to a superposition of multiple non-ferroelectric processes. The proposed approach will enable deeper understanding of switching phenomena in weakly ferroelectric samples and materials with large chemo-electromechanical response.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Direct Observation of Capacitor Switching Using Planar Electrodes

Ferroelectric polarization switching in epitaxial (110) BiFeO3 films is studied using piezoresponse force microscopy of a model in-plane capacitor structure. The electrode orientation is chosen such that only two active domain variants exist. Studies of the kinetics of domain evolution allows clear visualization of nucleation sites, as well as forward and lateral growth stages of domain formation. It is found that the location of the reverse-domain nucleation is correlated with the direction of switching in a way that the polarization in the domains nucleated at an electrode is always directed away from it. The role of interface charge injection and surface screening charge on switching mechanisms is explored, and the nucleation is shown to be controllable by the bias history of the sample. Finally, the manipulation of domain nucleation through domain structure engineering is illustrated. These studies pave the way for the engineering and design of the ferroelectric device structures through control of individual steps of the switching process

Effectiveness of Topical Immunosuppressants in Prevention and Treatment of Rejection in Face Allotransplantation

Background- The use of topical immunosuppressants has been anecdotally reported for the treatment of rejection in Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical Tacrolimus and Clobetasol in the prevention and treatment of rejection. Methods- Seventy-six hemiface allotransplants were performed, between ACI (RT1a) donors and LEW (RT1l) recipients. The animals were divided in 11 groups. With the exception of isografts (group 1) and allografts (group 2), the animals received systemic induction with Cyclosporine A and anti-αβ-TCR antibody for one week and were subsequently treated with topical tacrolimus or clobetasol, at the end of the induction therapy or at the first sign of rejection. Skin biopsies and samples of peripheral blood were performed at regular intervals. The lymphoid organs were harvested at the time of euthanasia. Flow Cytometry analysis was performed to monitor for rejection and to detect the presence of chimerism in the peripheral blood with the following markers: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45, CD11, CD25, αβ-TCR, γδ-TCR, ACI. The inflammatory infiltrate was characterized by immunostaining for presence of CD4+, CD8+, CD45+, CD11b/c+ and CD86+ cells. The expression of the following genes, Interleukine-2, Interleukine-13, Interleukine-15, Interferone-γ, Tumor 4 Necrosis-α and Transforming Growth Factor-β, was evaluated with TaqMan PCR. Results- Topical treatment increased the survival of the allograft in all groups. Best outcomes were obtained in the groups treated with systemic therapy and topical tacrolimus. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukine-2, Interferon- γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Transforming Growth Factor-β) correlated with clinical signs of rejection and the final outcomes. Clobetasol application was associated with a marked depletion of lymphocytic populations, as well as dermal and epidermal atrophy. Conclusions- Both topical tacrolimus and clobetasol were effective in treating episodes of acute rejection, and the bestoutcomes were achieved when their application was initiated following systemic immunosuppression. Topical tacrolimus proved to be a preferable adjunct agent to the systemic therapy by preventing both the local and systemic complications.Introduzione- L'impiego di immunosoppressione topica è stato episodicamente citato per il trattamento del rigetto negli Allotrapianti Compositi Vascolarizzati. Lo scopo di questa ricerca era quello di valutare l'efficacia di Tacrolimo e Clobetasolo topici nella prevenzione e nel trattamento del rigetto in un modello di trapianto di emifaccia nel ratto. Material e Metodi- Settanta-sei trapianti emifacciali sono stati eseguiti da ratti donatori ACI (RT1a) a ratti riceventi LEW (RT1l). Gli animali riceventi sono stati suddivisi in 11 gruppi. Ad eccezione dei gruppi degli isograft (gruppo 1), e degli allograft (gruppo 2) che non hanno ricevuto nessun trattamento immunosoppressivo, i restanti gruppi sono stati trattati con la terapia d’induzione con l’anticorpo monoclonale anti-αβ-TCR e Ciclosporina A per una settimana, seguita dal trattamento topico con Clobetasolo o Tacrolimo iniziato a 7 giorni o al primo segno di rigetto. Le biopsie della cute ed i prelievi ematici sono stati eseguiti ad intervalli regolari. Gli organi linfatici sono stati prelevati al momento dell’eutanasia degli animali. L’analisi citofluorimetrica e’ stata effettuata per monitorare il rigetto e la presenza del chimerismo nel sangue periferico con i seguenti marcatori: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45, CD11b/c, CD25, αβ-TCR, γδ-TCR, ACI. Gli infiltrati infiammatori sono stati caratterizzati con metodiche immunoistochimiche per la presenza di cellule CD4+, CD8a+, CD 45RA+, CD11b/c+ and CD86+. L’espressione 2 dei seguenti geni e’ stata valutata con Taq-Man PCR: Interleuchina-2, Interferone-γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Transforming Growth Factor-β, Interleuchina-13 ed Interleuchina-15. Risultati- Il trattamento immunosoppressivo topico ha prolungato la sopravvivenza degli allotrapianti in tutti i gruppi. Le sopravvivenze migliori sono state riscontrate nei gruppi trattati con Tacrolimo. L’espressione delle citochine proinfiammatorie (Interleuchina-2, Interferone-γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Transforming Growth Factor-β) ha correlato con i segni clinici del rigetto e con la sopravvivenza del trapianto. L’applicazione del Clobetasolo e’ stato associata con una marcata deplezione linfociatria ed atrofia dell’epidermide e del derma. Conclusioni- Entrambi i trattamenti topici si sono dimostrati efficaci nel trattamento degli episodi di rigetto acuto. I risultati migliori sono stati ottenuti quando l’applicazione della terapia topica ha seguito la terpia di induzione sistemica. Tacrolimo ha dimostrato di essere un migliore agente, come adiuvante alla terapia sistemica, in quanto il suo utilizzo non era associato a complicanze locali e sistemiche che si erano verificate con l’impiego di Clobetasolo

Effectiveness of Topical Immunosuppressants in Prevention and Treatment of Rejection in Face Allotransplantation

Background- The use of topical immunosuppressants has been anecdotally reported for the treatment of rejection in Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical Tacrolimus and Clobetasol in the prevention and treatment of rejection. Methods- Seventy-six hemiface allotransplants were performed, between ACI (RT1a) donors and LEW (RT1l) recipients. The animals were divided in 11 groups. With the exception of isografts (group 1) and allografts (group 2), the animals received systemic induction with Cyclosporine A and anti-αβ-TCR antibody for one week and were subsequently treated with topical tacrolimus or clobetasol, at the end of the induction therapy or at the first sign of rejection. Skin biopsies and samples of peripheral blood were performed at regular intervals. The lymphoid organs were harvested at the time of euthanasia. Flow Cytometry analysis was performed to monitor for rejection and to detect the presence of chimerism in the peripheral blood with the following markers: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45, CD11, CD25, αβ-TCR, γδ-TCR, ACI. The inflammatory infiltrate was characterized by immunostaining for presence of CD4+, CD8+, CD45+, CD11b/c+ and CD86+ cells. The expression of the following genes, Interleukine-2, Interleukine-13, Interleukine-15, Interferone-γ, Tumor 4 Necrosis-α and Transforming Growth Factor-β, was evaluated with TaqMan PCR. Results- Topical treatment increased the survival of the allograft in all groups. Best outcomes were obtained in the groups treated with systemic therapy and topical tacrolimus. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukine-2, Interferon- γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Transforming Growth Factor-β) correlated with clinical signs of rejection and the final outcomes. Clobetasol application was associated with a marked depletion of lymphocytic populations, as well as dermal and epidermal atrophy. Conclusions- Both topical tacrolimus and clobetasol were effective in treating episodes of acute rejection, and the bestoutcomes were achieved when their application was initiated following systemic immunosuppression. Topical tacrolimus proved to be a preferable adjunct agent to the systemic therapy by preventing both the local and systemic complications.Introduzione- L'impiego di immunosoppressione topica è stato episodicamente citato per il trattamento del rigetto negli Allotrapianti Compositi Vascolarizzati. Lo scopo di questa ricerca era quello di valutare l'efficacia di Tacrolimo e Clobetasolo topici nella prevenzione e nel trattamento del rigetto in un modello di trapianto di emifaccia nel ratto. Material e Metodi- Settanta-sei trapianti emifacciali sono stati eseguiti da ratti donatori ACI (RT1a) a ratti riceventi LEW (RT1l). Gli animali riceventi sono stati suddivisi in 11 gruppi. Ad eccezione dei gruppi degli isograft (gruppo 1), e degli allograft (gruppo 2) che non hanno ricevuto nessun trattamento immunosoppressivo, i restanti gruppi sono stati trattati con la terapia d’induzione con l’anticorpo monoclonale anti-αβ-TCR e Ciclosporina A per una settimana, seguita dal trattamento topico con Clobetasolo o Tacrolimo iniziato a 7 giorni o al primo segno di rigetto. Le biopsie della cute ed i prelievi ematici sono stati eseguiti ad intervalli regolari. Gli organi linfatici sono stati prelevati al momento dell’eutanasia degli animali. L’analisi citofluorimetrica e’ stata effettuata per monitorare il rigetto e la presenza del chimerismo nel sangue periferico con i seguenti marcatori: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45, CD11b/c, CD25, αβ-TCR, γδ-TCR, ACI. Gli infiltrati infiammatori sono stati caratterizzati con metodiche immunoistochimiche per la presenza di cellule CD4+, CD8a+, CD 45RA+, CD11b/c+ and CD86+. L’espressione 2 dei seguenti geni e’ stata valutata con Taq-Man PCR: Interleuchina-2, Interferone-γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Transforming Growth Factor-β, Interleuchina-13 ed Interleuchina-15. Risultati- Il trattamento immunosoppressivo topico ha prolungato la sopravvivenza degli allotrapianti in tutti i gruppi. Le sopravvivenze migliori sono state riscontrate nei gruppi trattati con Tacrolimo. L’espressione delle citochine proinfiammatorie (Interleuchina-2, Interferone-γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Transforming Growth Factor-β) ha correlato con i segni clinici del rigetto e con la sopravvivenza del trapianto. L’applicazione del Clobetasolo e’ stato associata con una marcata deplezione linfociatria ed atrofia dell’epidermide e del derma. Conclusioni- Entrambi i trattamenti topici si sono dimostrati efficaci nel trattamento degli episodi di rigetto acuto. I risultati migliori sono stati ottenuti quando l’applicazione della terapia topica ha seguito la terpia di induzione sistemica. Tacrolimo ha dimostrato di essere un migliore agente, come adiuvante alla terapia sistemica, in quanto il suo utilizzo non era associato a complicanze locali e sistemiche che si erano verificate con l’impiego di Clobetasolo