A plea for an upgrade to the digital craft of the historian and digital methodology for discovering the past

This essay aims to bid analogue historians assume that digitisation is the first step to creating historical heritage based on the new language of Science: Computer Science. As we know, Humanities disciplines cannot easily be encapsulated in a few understandable numbers and names. However, historians must boost Artificial Intelligence (such as Transkribus) and Neural Networks to let the Machine infer meaning from the digitised historical primary source and become the most powerful tool to help historians understand what happened in the Past. Historians (collaborating with data scientists, expert annotators, librarians, archivists, and others, who are crucial to the successful management of digital data collection) have to create the primary ontology, starting from coding manuscripts into digital text, as the Biscari Archive (Italy) study case

Seismic Microzonation Studies in the City of Ragusa (Italy)

The geotechnical zonation of the subsoil of the city of Ragusa suggests a high vulnerability of the physical environment added to site amplification of the ground motion phenomena. These elements concur on the definition of the Seismic Geotechnical Hazard of the city of Ragusa that should be correctly evaluated, through geo-settled seismic microzoning maps. Based on the seismic history of Ragusa, the following scenario events have been considered: the “Val di Noto” earthquake of January 11, 1693 (M=7.3), the “Etna” earthquake of March 1, 1818 (M=5.9), the 1895 earthquake (IMAX= 7 EMS), the Modica earthquake of January 23, 1980 (MW = 4.63) and the “Sicilian Earthquake” of December 13, 1990 (ML=5.6). Despite of its lower magnitude, a medium size, local earthquake, such as the 1990 “Sicilian” event, has to be accounted for the seismic hazard assessment of Ragusa, since it may cause heavy damage to the most urbanized area. According to historical data, the epicentre of this earthquake was located in the sea. This earthquake is considered a tectonic earthquake and is associated to the strike-slip segment of the Ibleo-Maltese fault system. This fault system is the major seismogenic structure of Eastern Sicily, and it is considered the responsible of the major historical earthquakes which struck this area in the past. According to the response spectra obtained through the application of the 1-D non-linear models, the city of Ragusa has been divided into some zones with different peak ground acceleration at the surface. Shaking maps for the central area of the city of Ragusa were generated via GIS for the scenario earthquakes. The maps represent an important tool for the seismic improvement of the buildings, indispensable for the mitigation of the seismic risk

Sensor-Based Rehabilitation in Neurological Diseases: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends

Background: As the field of sensor-based rehabilitation continues to expand, it is important to gain a comprehensive understanding of its current research landscape. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis to identify the most influential authors, institutions, journals, and research areas in this field. Methods: A search of the Web of Science Core Collection was performed using keywords related to sensor-based rehabilitation in neurological diseases. The search results were analyzed with CiteSpace software using bibliometric techniques, including co-authorship analysis, citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis. Results: Between 2002 and 2022, 1103 papers were published on the topic, with slow growth from 2002 to 2017, followed by a rapid increase from 2018 to 2022. The United States was the most active country, while the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology had the highest number of publications among institutions. Sensors published the most papers. The top keywords included rehabilitation, stroke, and recovery. The clusters of keywords comprised machine learning, specific neurological conditions, and sensor-based rehabilitation technologies. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of sensor-based rehabilitation research in neurological diseases, highlighting the most influential authors, journals, and research themes. The findings can help researchers and practitioners to identify emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration and can inform the development of future research directions in this field

Anatomical landmarks for ultrasound‐guided rectus femoris diagnostic nerve block in post‐stroke spasticity

Introduction/Purpose To determine the location of the rectus femoris (RF) motor branch nerve, as well as its coordinates with reference to anatomical and ultrasound landmarks. Methods Thirty chronic stroke patients with stiff knee gait (SKG) and RF hyperactivity were included. The motor nerve branch to the RF muscle was identified medially to the vertical line from anterior superior iliac spine and the midpoint of the superior margin of the patella (line AP) and vertically to the horizontal line from the femoral pulse and its intersection point with the line AP (line F). The point of the motor branch (M) was located with ultrasound, and nerve depth and subcutaneous tissue thickness (ST) were calculated. Results The coordinates of the motor branch to the RF were 2.82 (0.47) cm medially to the line AP and 4.61 (0.83) cm vertically to the line F. Nerve depth and subcutaneous tissue thickness were 2.71 (0.62) cm and 1.12 (0.75) cm, respectively. Conclusion The use of specific coordinates may increase clinicians' confidence when performing RF motor nerve block. This could lead to better decision-making when assessing SKG in chronic stroke patients

Rehabilitation interventions for glioma patients: a mini-review

Glioma is a group of tumors that originate from glial cells within the central nervous system and comprise 27% of all tumors and 80% of malignant tumors. With remarkable progress in surgical practices, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, patients with glioma are experiencing greater survival times, which means they need more rehabilitative care. In fact, people with this condition may experience a variety of symptoms that can affect their functions and drastically reduce their quality of life. In fact, patients suffering from glioma has a distinctive symptom complex highlighting the requirement for customized care. Growing evidence shows that rehabilitation therapy can improve the functional prognosis and quality of life of glioma patients. However, there is limited evidence of the success of rehabilitation protocols designed specifically for individuals with glioma. It is essential to determine the most comprehensive rehabilitation programs as well as the sufficient resources, dosage, and duration. The goal of this mini-review was to classify and map rehabilitation interventions used to treat multiple disabling sequalae in individuals affected by glioma. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the rehabilitation protocols used for this population, so that clinicians have a guide to support treatment and an inspiration for further research. This document is intended to be a reference point for professionals involved in the management of adult patients with gliomas. Further exploration is needed to form improved care models for recognizing and addressing functional restrictions in this population

Visuoperception test predicts pathologic diagnosis of Alzheimer disease in corticobasal syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To use the Visual Object and Space Perception Battery (VOSP) to distinguish Alzheimer disease (AD) from non-AD pathology in corticobasal syndrome (CBS). METHODS: This clinicopathologic study assessed 36 patients with CBS on the VOSP. All were autopsied. The primary dependent variable was a binary pathologic outcome: patients with CBS who had primary pathologic diagnosis of AD (CBS-AD, n = 10) vs patients with CBS without primary pathologic diagnosis of AD (CBS-nonAD, n = 26). We also determined sensitivity and specificity of individual VOSP subtests. RESULTS: Patients with CBS-AD had younger onset (54.5 vs 63.6 years, p = 0.001) and lower memory scores on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2 (16 vs 22 points, p = 0.003). Failure on the VOSP subtests Incomplete Letters (odds ratio [OR] 11.5, p = 0.006), Position Discrimination (OR 10.86, p = 0.008), Number Location (OR 12.27, p = 0.026), and Cube Analysis (OR 45.71 p = 0.0001) had significantly greater odds of CBS-AD than CBS-nonAD. These associations remained when adjusting for total Mattis Dementia Rating score, disease laterality, education, age, and sex. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated significant accuracy for Incomplete Letters and all VOSP spatial subtests, with Cube Analysis performing best (area under the curve 0.91, p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CBS, failure on specific VOSP subtests is associated with greater odds of having underlying AD. There may be preferential involvement of the dorsal stream in CBS-AD. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that some subtests of the VOSP accurately distinguish patients with CBS-AD from those without AD pathology (e.g., Cube Analysis sensitivity 100%, specificity 77%)

Rapidly progressive atypical parkinsonism associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neuron disease

Objective To report the rare but distinct clinical and neuropathological phenotype of non-familial, rapidly progressive parkinsonism and dementia associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with motor neuron disease (FTLD-MND). Methods Subjects included two 70-year-old women presenting with rapidly progressive severe postural instability, axial-predominant parkinsonism, oculomotor dysfunction and frontal-predominant dementia with language impairment and pseudobulbar palsy. One had diffuse weakness without signs of lower motor neuron disease. Post-mortem evaluations included immunohistochemistry with antiphospho-TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and genetic analysis of the TARDBP and PGRN genes. Results Subjects died within 14 months from symptom onset. TDP-43-positive neuronal intracytoplasmic inclusions were prominent in the primary motor cortex, granule cell layer of the hippocampus, and several cranial and spinal cord nuclei. TDP-43 globular glial inclusions (GGI) were identified in one case. There were no mutations in PGRN or TARDBP genes. Conclusions FTLD-MND due to TDP-43-proteinopathy should be considered in patients with rapidly progressive parkinsonism and dementia phenotype, especially when aphasia and/or weakness are also present

Impaired β-glucocerebrosidase activity and processing in frontotemporal dementia due to progranulin mutations.

Loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN) are a major autosomal dominant cause of frontotemporal dementia. Most pathogenic GRN mutations result in progranulin haploinsufficiency, which is thought to cause frontotemporal dementia in GRN mutation carriers. Progranulin haploinsufficiency may drive frontotemporal dementia pathogenesis by disrupting lysosomal function, as patients with GRN mutations on both alleles develop the lysosomal storage disorder neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and frontotemporal dementia patients with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN) also accumulate lipofuscin. The specific lysosomal deficits caused by progranulin insufficiency remain unclear, but emerging data indicate that progranulin insufficiency may impair lysosomal sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes. We investigated the effects of progranulin insufficiency on sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes in the inferior frontal gyrus of FTD-GRN patients using fluorogenic activity assays, biochemical profiling of enzyme levels and posttranslational modifications, and quantitative neuropathology. Of the enzymes studied, only β-glucocerebrosidase exhibited impairment in FTD-GRN patients. Brains from FTD-GRN patients had lower activity than controls, which was associated with lower levels of mature β-glucocerebrosidase protein and accumulation of insoluble, incompletely glycosylated β-glucocerebrosidase. Immunostaining revealed loss of neuronal β-glucocerebrosidase in FTD-GRN patients. To investigate the effects of progranulin insufficiency on β-glucocerebrosidase outside of the context of neurodegeneration, we investigated β-glucocerebrosidase activity in progranulin-insufficient mice. Brains from Grn-/- mice had lower β-glucocerebrosidase activity than wild-type littermates, which was corrected by AAV-progranulin gene therapy. These data show that progranulin insufficiency impairs β-glucocerebrosidase activity in the brain. This effect is strongest in neurons and may be caused by impaired β-glucocerebrosidase processing

Preferential tau aggregation in von Economo neurons and fork cells in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with specific MAPT variants.

Tau aggregation is a hallmark feature in a subset of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Early and selective loss of von Economo neurons (VENs) and fork cells within the frontoinsular (FI) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) is observed in patients with sporadic behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) due to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), including FTLD with tau inclusions (FTLD-tau). Recently, we further showed that these specialized neurons show preferential aggregation of TDP-43 in FTLD-TDP. Whether VENs and fork cells are prone to tau accumulation in FTLD-tau remains unclear, and no previous studies of these neurons have focused on patients with pathogenic variants in the gene encoding microtubule-associated protein tau (FTLD-tau/MAPT). Here, we examined regional profiles of tau aggregation and neurodegeneration in 40 brain regions in 8 patients with FTLD-tau/MAPT and 7 with Pick's disease (PiD), a sporadic form of FTLD-tau that often presents with bvFTD. We further qualitatively assessed the cellular patterns of frontoinsular tau aggregation in FTLD-tau/MAPT using antibodies specific for tau hyperphosphorylation, acetylation, or conformational change. ACC and mid-insula were among the regions most affected by neurodegeneration and tau aggregation in FTLD-tau/MAPT and PiD. In these two forms of FTLD-tau, severity of regional neurodegeneration and tau protein aggregation were highly correlated across regions. In FTLD-tau/MAPT, VENs and fork cells showed disproportionate tau protein aggregation in patients with V337 M, A152T, and IVS10 + 16 variants, but not in patients with the P301L variant. As seen in FTLD-TDP, our data suggest that VENs and fork cells represent preferentially vulnerable neuron types in most, but not all of the MAPT variants we studied

Remote timed up and go evaluation from activities of daily living reveals changing mobility after surgery

Background: Mobility impairment is common in older adults and negatively influences the quality of life. Mobility level may change rapidly following surgery or hospitalization in the elderly. The timed up and go (TUG) is a simple, frequently used clinical test for functional mobility; however, TUG requires supervision from a trained clinician, resulting in infrequent assessments. Additionally, assessment by TUG in clinic settings may not be completely representative of the individual's mobility in their home environment. Objective: In this paper, we introduce a method to estimate TUG from activities detected in free-living, enabling continuous remote mobility monitoring without expert supervision. The method is used to monitor changes in mobility following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: Community-living elderly (n = 239, 65-91 years) performed a standardized TUG in a laboratory and wore a wearable pendant device that recorded accelerometer and barometric sensor data for at least three days. Activities of daily living (ADLs), including walks and sit-to-stand transitions, and their related mobility features were extracted and used to develop a regularized linear model for remote TUG test estimation. Changes in the remote TUG were evaluated in orthopaedic patients (n = 15, 55-75 years), during 12-weeks period following THA. Main results: In leave-one-out-cross-validation (LOOCV), a strong correlation (p = 0.70) was observed between the new remote TUG and standardized TUG times. Test-retest reliability of 3-days estimates was high (ICC = 0.94). Compared to week 2 post-THA, remote TUG was significantly improved at week 6 (11.7 +/- 3.9 s versus 8.0 +/- 1.8 s,p &lt;0.001), with no further change at 12-weeks (8.1 +/- 3.9s, p = 0.37). Significance: Remote TUG can be estimated in older adults using 3-days of ADLs data recorded using a wearable pendant. Remote TUG has discriminatory potential for identifying frail elderly and may provide a convenient way to monitor changes in mobility in unsupervised settings.</p