Using TMS-EEG to assess the effects of neuromodulation techniques: a narrative review

Over the past decades, among all the non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, those aiming for neuromodulatory protocols have gained special attention. The traditional neurophysiological outcome to estimate the neuromodulatory effect is the motor evoked potential (MEP), the impact of NIBS techniques is commonly estimated as the change in MEP amplitude. This approach has several limitations: first, the use of MEP limits the evaluation of stimulation to the motor cortex excluding all the other brain areas. Second, MEP is an indirect measure of brain activity and is influenced by several factors. To overcome these limitations several studies have used new outcomes to measure brain changes after neuromodulation techniques with the concurrent use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalogram (EEG). In the present review, we examine studies that use TMS-EEG before and after a single session of neuromodulatory TMS. Then, we focused our literature research on the description of the different metrics derived from TMS-EEG to measure the effect of neuromodulation

The role of neurophysiological tools in the evaluation of ischemic stroke evolution: a narrative review

Ischemic stroke is characterized by a complex cascade of events starting from vessel occlusion. The term “penumbra” denotes the area of severely hypo-perfused brain tissue surrounding the ischemic core that can be potentially recovered if blood flow is reestablished. From the neurophysiological perspective, there are local alterations—reflecting the loss of function of the core and the penumbra—and widespread changes in neural networks functioning, since structural and functional connectivity is disrupted. These dynamic changes are closely related to blood flow in the affected area. However, the pathological process of stroke does not end after the acute phase, but it determines a long-term cascade of events, including changes of cortical excitability, that are quite precocious and might precede clinical evolution. Neurophysiological tools—such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or Electroencephalography (EEG)—have enough time resolution to efficiently reflect the pathological changes occurring after stroke. Even if they do not have a role in acute stroke management, EEG and TMS might be helpful for monitoring ischemia evolution—also in the sub-acute and chronic stages. The present review aims to describe the changes occurring in the infarcted area after stroke from the neurophysiological perspective, starting from the acute to the chronic phase

Can climate policy enhance sustainability?

Implementing an effective climate policy is one of the main challenges for the future. Curbing greenhouse gas emissions can prevent future irreversible impacts of climate change. Climate policy is therefore crucial for present and future generations. Nonetheless, one may wonder whether future economic and social development could be harmed by climate policy. This paper addresses this question by examining recent developments in international climate policy and considering different levels of cooperation that may arise in light of the outcomes of the Conference of the Parties held in Doha. The paper analyses how various climate policy scenarios would enhance sustainability and whether there is a trade-off between climate policy and economic development and social cohesion. This is done by using a new comprehensive indicator, the FEEM Sustainability Index (FEEM SI), which aggregates several economic, social, and environmental indicators. The FEEM SI is built into a recursive-dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the world economy, thus offering the possibility of projecting all indicators into the future and of delivering a perspective assessment of sustainability under different future climate policy scenarios. We find that the environmental component of sustainability improves at the regional and world level thanks to the implementation of climate policies. Overall sustainability increases in all scenarios since the economic and social components are affected negatively yet marginally. This analysis does not include explicitly climate change damages and this may lead to underestimating the benefits of policy actions. If the USA, Canada, Japan and Russia did not contribute to mitigating emissions, sustainability in these countries would decrease and the overall effectiveness of climate policy in enhancing global sustainability would be offset

A survey on lifestyle and level of biomarkers of environmental exposure in residents in Civitavecchia (Italy)

Background. The assessment of individual exposure to toxicants in industrially contaminated areas is difficult when multiple productions are active close to residential areas. Two thermoelectric power plants and a large harbor have been operating since the ’60s in the area of Civitavecchia (North of Rome). Methods. The ABC (Ambiente e Biomonitoraggio nell’area di Civitavecchia, Environment and Biomonitoring in Civitavecchia) program involved, in the period 2013-2014, residents in Civitavecchia and in the nearby municipalities (Santa Marinella, Allumiere, Tolfa and Tarquinia). They were randomly selected from the Municipal Register’s data and their residence addresses were geocoded using GIS techniques. Biomonitoring of the following urinary metals, Sb, Be, Mo, Cd, Sn, W, Ir, Pt, Hg, Tl, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rh, Pd, As were performed. Glucose and lipid metabolism, liver, renal, and endocrine function were evaluated through blood laboratory tests. Tests of lung function were also carried out as well as saturometry (oxygen rate in the blood with an illuminated sensor placed on the fingertip), anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Information on individual characteristics, histories of exposure, such as the consumption of local food, occupational history, lifestyle and medical history were collected through a validated questionnaire. Samples of nails and hair were also collected. The biological material (blood, urine, nails and hair) was stored in a biobank for future analysis related to the possible mechanisms of biological damage. The study protocol received the approval of the local ethics committee. Results. A total of 1177 residents were enrolled (58% female, 60% with a secondary or graduate school degree). No particular differences in metal concentrations based on the municipality of residence were observed. For arsenic, mercury, lead, and tungsten some differences between the two geographical areas were observed, probably due to different diet, lifestyle (e.g., alcohol consumption, smoking, use of jewelry and piercings, tattoos, physical activity, hormonal and mineral supplements, and drugs), and occupational exposure. Conclusions. The undergoing study on the association between biomarkers concentration and pollutants concentrations − estimated using a dispersion modeling approach, and adjusting for personal characteristics and concomitant other environmental exposure − could clarify the individual exposure of the residents in this industrial area

Indagini su Antonio Mollari architetto prima e dopo l’exploit triestino: 1789/99-1807/23 / Surveys on the architect Antonio Mollari before and after his “exploit” in Trieste: 1789/99-1807/23

La scoperta, presso la Biblioteca di Bassano, di una “Distinta” autografa dei propri lavori inviata da Mollari a Canova (1807) e, nel Fondo Consiglio d’Arte dell’Archivio di Stato di Roma, del “Transunto” dei Titoli prodotti ai fini dell’aggregazione al Corpo degli Ingegneri Pontifici (1817), ha permesso di ricostruire, integrando i dati sinora disponibili, il curriculum dell’architetto all’epoca della sua entrata in servizio presso l’Ufficio pesarese di Acque e Strade. Quanto emerso dai due manoscritti ha dato spunto a un’apposita campagna di indagini negli Archivi di Macerata e di alcuni Comuni (Corridonia, Pollenza e Tolentino) della Provincia, dirette al controllo di quelle notizie e ad acquisire ulteriori informazioni sull’attività svolta da Mollari prima del periodo triestino (1789-1799) e nel decennio susseguente il rientro (1807) nelle Marche, sia come tecnico del Dipartimento del Musone e della Delegazione pontificia, sia come libero professionista.La ricerca, comprensiva di sopralluoghi e verifiche catastali, ha portato ad assegnargli con sufficiente certezza numerose opere “adespote” (Convento di San Francesco, casa Rioli, Palazzo Tomassini, ex Monastero ed Educandato delle Clarisse, Palazzo Foglietti, ecc. a Corridonia; Palazzo Cherubini a Civitanova) nonché altri edifici a Macerata e nel suo hinterland, delimitando il ruolo svolto in due fabbriche di Valadier (la Collegiata di S. Pietro a Corridonia e il Palazzo Ugolini a Macerata) che per l’Ospedale di S. Salvatore giungerà invece alla riduzione del progetto originario. The discovery at the Library of Bassano, in a letter written by Mollari to Canova (1807), of a list of his works and in the ‘Consiglio d’Arte’ collection (at the State Archives in Rome), of the “Transunto” of the titles presented for his inscription in the Papal Engineering Corps (1817), has consented the reconstruction (with the integration of existing data), of the architect’s curriculum, up until his entry into service at the Office of Pesaro. What emerged from the two manuscripts has provided insight for further research in the State Archives of Macerata and archives of other municipalities (Corridonia, Pollenza and Tolentino), with the intention of verifying information and the acquiring new data on Mollari’s activities before leaving for Trieste (1789-99) and in the decade after his return (1807) to the Marche region, both as a technician in the Territorial department of the Musone and the papal delegation as well as an independent practitioner.The research, including site inspections and consultation of land titles, has permitted to accrediting of several previously unknown works ( Monastery of St. Francis, Rioli House, Tomassini Mansion, Convent of the Clarisse and girls’ boarding school, Count Foglietti Palace, etc. in Corridonia; Cherubini Mansion in Civitanova) and the design of other buildings in Macerata and its hinterland. While also collecting evidence of his role in two of Valadier’s buildings (the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Montolmo, Ugolini Palace in Macerata), and his work for re-dimensioning Valadier’s original project for the Hospital of S. Salvatore in Montolmo