Clinical Phenotype of Cerebral Palsy Depends on the Cause: Is It Really Cerebral Palsy? A Retrospective Study

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood. Still, the precise definition in terms of causes and timing of the brain damage remains controversial. Several studies examine the clinical phenotype of cerebral palsy types. The aim of our study was to determine to what extent the clinical phenotype of cerebral palsy patients depends on the underlying cause. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical phenotype, abnormalities during pregnancy, and cerebral palsy cause of 384 patients, treated at Charité-Medicine University, between 2015 and 2017. The cause of cerebral palsy was identified in 79.9% of cases. Causes prior to the perinatal period were, compared to perinatal brain damage, associated significantly with different comorbidities. The term cerebral palsy does not describe a single disease but is an umbrella term covering many different diseases. Depending on the cause, a varying clinical phenotype can be found, which offers great potential in terms of individual treatment and preventing comorbidities.

Characteristics of “chūnibyō” identified by a questionnaire

Background “Chūnibyō” is a term that represents a distinctive, transient mental state during puberty in Japan, but its characteristics and precise definition have not been standardized. Increased awareness of chūnibyō could lead to a better environment for those who experience it. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of and problems related to chūnibyō using an anonymous questionnaire. Materials and methods An anonymous online questionnaire was conducted in February 2021 in Japan. In total, 314 volunteers completed the anonymous online questionnaire. Respondents were divided into the chūnibyō group (n = 122) and the non-chūnibyō group (n = 192), and the questionnaire responses were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the responses were compared between the chūnibyō with problems subgroup (n = 82) and the other subgroup (n = 232). The main outcome was the identification of the chūnibyō group based on the responses to the item “I have experienced chūnibyō” or “I have been told that I exhibited chūnibyō”. Results The median age of the chūnibyō group was 31 years old; this group was predominantly male (n = 79, 64.8%) and had a relatively high proportion of respondents with any problems (n = 82, 67.2%). The chūnibyō group had higher proportions of respondents who felt that academic tests did not reflect their true worth (n = 58 (47.5%) vs. n = 66 (35.4%), p = 0.024), who felt uncomfortable in the world (n = 77 (61.1%) vs. n = 67 (34.9%), p<0.001), and who had an imaginary/fantasy friend or boyfriend/girlfriend (n = 39 (32.0%) vs. n = 10 (5.2%), p<0.001). The results were similar between the chūnibyō with problems subgroup and the other subgroup. Eighty respondents (25.4%) had negative impressions of chūnibyō, whereas twenty-one respondents (6.7%) had positive impressions. Conclusions This study is the first to report the characteristics of chūnibyō by collecting the experiences and thoughts of people who experienced chūnibyō.

Cyberweapons

This chapter explains tactical offensive cyberoperations to derive a precise definition of cyberweapons. The definition will be used to explore implementable options for cyber arms control and functional cyber norms, it will help to delineate important research gaps and red lines and to identify novel options for an application of international humanitarian law to strategic cyberwarfare, such as an application of the human shield rule to ban commercial information technology from military units.

What is digital activism anyway?

In recent decades, digital activism has received a lot of scholarly and journalistic attention. Even so, there remains no firm consensus on its precise definition and scope. This paper addresses this conceptual haziness and contends that there are analytical issues and conceptual implications in the openness of the term and its description as digital, as 'digitality' is neither the sole nor the primary feature along which activism has changed. Drawing on extant practices of digital activism and conceptual approaches to its scope, the paper aims to (1) critically discuss & highlight a range of conceptual obscurities in digital activism scholarship, (2) provide a glimpse into the concept’s evolution, and, through these (3) suggest that the term (incl. synonyms) suffers from myriad conceptual and epistemological fallacies: omissions of the concept’s complexity (e.g. hybridity, rhizomatism, multi- mediality), implications of digital dualism and therefore potentially technological determinism, and the invitation of stigma, luddite sentiment, and other social constructions of the technologies to which the term is attached.

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL REHABILITATION INTERACTIONS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ITS EVALUATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF PROBATION OFFICERS SERVICE FOR ADULTS

The effectiveness of social rehabilitation arouses a plethora of emotions both in the public opinion and in the environments connected with the activities supporting the processes of secondary socialization. This issue is still current and gives rise to emotions, which stems from multiple dilemmas referring to its scope, the factors influencing its level, the possibilities of measuring it, or even the precise definition thereof. In this article the attempt is undertaken to depict the complexity of the evaluation process as regards the effectiveness of social rehabilitation treatments. The review of the criteria allowing for the estimation of social rehabilitation effects is conducted, plus the reference is made to the results of findings over the effectiveness of treatments as carried out by the probation officers for adults, along with the mention of practice.

Commentary on the use of the reproduction number R during the COVID-19 pandemic

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reproduction number [Formula: see text] has become a popular epidemiological metric used to communicate the state of the epidemic. At its most basic, [Formula: see text] is defined as the average number of secondary infections caused by one primary infected individual. [Formula: see text] seems convenient, because the epidemic is expanding if [Formula: see text] and contracting if [Formula: see text]. The magnitude of [Formula: see text] indicates by how much transmission needs to be reduced to control the epidemic. Using [Formula: see text] in a naïve way can cause new problems. The reasons for this are threefold: (1) There is not just one definition of [Formula: see text] but many, and the precise definition of [Formula: see text] affects both its estimated value and how it should be interpreted. (2) Even with a particular clearly defined [Formula: see text], there may be different statistical methods used to estimate its value, and the choice of method will affect the estimate. (3) The availability and type of data used to estimate [Formula: see text] vary, and it is not always clear what data should be included in the estimation. In this review, we discuss when [Formula: see text] is useful, when it may be of use but needs to be interpreted with care, and when it may be an inappropriate indicator of the progress of the epidemic. We also argue that careful definition of [Formula: see text], and the data and methods used to estimate it, can make [Formula: see text] a more useful metric for future management of the epidemic.

Skizzen, Entwürfe, Konzepte, Arbeitsmanuskripte, Fassungen, Revisionen

Despite numerous studies of Felix Mendelssohn Barthody's compositional process as well as critical editions of many of his compositions, the relevant terminology is still in need of more precise definition. This applies in particular to the term "Fassung(en)" or "version(s)", which should be used to denote a self-contained and concluded state of a composition which manifests itself through dissemination, performance or publication. The present study supports this working hypothesis with several case studies and suggests a new term, "Konzept" (rough copy or preliminary concept) for a preceding compositional phase. It also argues that more precise terminology enhances our understanding of Mendelssohn's compositional process.

What Is a Safe Area? Definition, Typology and Empirical Cases

In today’s conflicts, the number of people needing physical protection is at an all-time high. Often, protection is provided by the creation of safe areas. Although the notion largely disappeared after the Srebrenica genocide, safe areas have continued to exist empirically. Recently, safe areas had a minor revival in academic analysis and in the political rhetoric vis-à-vis Syria. Yet, fundamental gaps remain as it is still unclear what a safe area actually is and whether all safe areas function in the same way. This article develops a precise definition and comprehensive typology of safe areas. The definition is based on considerations regarding geographical limitation and location, target group, kind of provided protection, involved actors, and effective existence. Furthermore, four ideal types of safe areas are identified based on a division between belligerents’ consent/international presence and different geographical sizes. This is complemented by an extensive collection of empirical cases since 1900.

Interpersonal Chemistry: What Is It, How Does It Emerge, and How Does It Operate?

Although chemistry is a well-known, sought-after interpersonal phenomenon, it has remained relatively unexplored in the psychological literature. The purpose of this article is to begin articulating a theoretically grounded and precise definition of interpersonal chemistry. To that end, we propose a conceptual model of interpersonal chemistry centered around the notion that when two or more individuals experience chemistry with one another, they experience their interaction as something more than the sum of their separate contributions. Our model stipulates that chemistry encompasses both behavior (i.e., what chemistry “looks like”) and its perception (i.e., what it “feels like”). The behavior involves interaction sequences in which synchronicity is high and in which people’s goals are expressed and responded to in supportive and encouraging ways. The perception of chemistry includes cognitive (i.e., perception of shared identity), affective (i.e., positive affect and attraction), and behavioral (i.e., perceived goal-relevant coordination) components. We review existing research on chemistry as well as supporting evidence from relevant topics (e.g., attraction, similarity, perceived partner responsiveness, synchrony) that inform and support this model. We hope that this conceptual model stimulates research to identify the circumstances in which chemistry arises and the processes by which it affects individuals, their interactions, and their relationships.

Serum Leptin and Resistin Levels in Knee Osteoarthritis—Clinical and Radiologic Links: Towards Precise Definition of Metabolic Type Knee Osteoarthritis

Obesity is considered a major risk factor for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Apart from the mechanical effect of obesity via increase in mechanical overload of weight-bearing joints, an association with hand OA has been observed. There has been increasing interest in the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of OA in the recent years. It has been suggested that their systemic effects link obesity and OA. In this regard, the aim of the current study was measurement and analysis of serum levels of leptin and resistin in patients with knee OA with different body mass index (BMI). Seventy-three patients with primary symptomatic knee OA at the age between 35 and 87 years (mean age 66 years) were included in the study (67 women and 6 men). The patients were from 2nd to 4th radiographic stage according to Kellgren–Lawrence scale. 43 patients were with concomitant obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, mean values 38.34 ± 8.20) and 30 patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2 (mean values 25.07 ± 2.95). Eleven individuals with different BMIs, including cases with obesity but without radiographic knee OA, were examined as a control group. Serum levels of leptin and resistin were measured via ELISA method. In patients with knee OA and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, serum levels of leptin (39.546 ± 12.918 ng/mL) were significantly higher as compared with healthy individuals (15.832 ± 16.531 ng/mL, p < 0.05) and the patients with low BMI (p < 0.05). In patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2 the levels of leptin (13.010 ± 10.94 ng/mL) did not differ significantly from the respective values in the control group (p = 0.48). Serum levels of resistin were also higher in knee OA patients in comparison with healthy controls, but the difference was statistically significant only for patients with high BMI (2.452 ± 1.002 ng/mL in the group with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; 2.401 ± 1.441 ng/mL in patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2; 1.610 ± 1.001 ng/mL in the control group, p < 0.05). A correlation was found between the serum levels of leptin and radiographic stage of OA, i.e., higher leptin levels were present in the more advanced 3rd and 4th radiographic stage, while for resistin a correlation was observed in the patient subgroup with BMI < 30 kg/m2. Serum leptin and resistin levels and clinical characteristics were analyzed in patients with different clinical forms of OA. Novel clinical correlations have been found in the current study in patients with isolated knee OA vs. cases with presence of other disease localizations. It has been observed that patients with isolated knee OA were significantly younger and had higher BMI as compared with cases in whom OA is combined with other localizations i.e., spondyloarthritis ± presence of hip OA and with generalized OA. This supports the hypothesis that presence of obesity promotes earlier development of knee OA as an isolated localization of the disease in younger patients before appearance of osteoarthritic changes at other sites. The levels of leptin and resistin in isolated knee OA were also higher. Serum levels of leptin and resistin in combination with patients’ clinical characteristics suggest existence of different clinical and laboratory profile through which more precise definition of metabolic phenotype of knee OA would be possible. Considering the fact that obesity is a modifiable risk factor that has an impact on progression of knee OA, different approaches to influence obesity may offer potential for future disease-modifying therapeutic interventions.