What role can Stability Policing play in total defence and building resilience?

Threats to peace, stability and human rights of states and civil societies are increasingly of a non-military nature and fending them off requires adopting innovative approaches. These encompass, first and foremost, veering from the strictly military- and security-centred focus applied hitherto and looking at more comprehensive and holistic responses. Furthermore, they seek to include all stakeholders within a state, including its military, the civil apparatus, the civilian populace, and private enterprises in a common defensive effort, namely the concept of total defence. Creating and improving positive interaction amongst relevant stakeholders and increasing their chances of successfully absorbing and surviving external shocks and attacks showcases another significant notion, namely resilience, not only in its acceptation within the Alliance, but in a wider understanding of the term. Stability Policing as a spearheading concept expanding the reach of NATO into the policing remit and as a cutting-edge deployable military capability is defined as suggesting, describing, and highlighting possible roles and contributions to both endeavours. Stability Policing offers innovative avenues of approach and a policing mindset by applying relevant police-related ways and means, and its “blue lens”, and thus contributes to achieving the overarching goal of identifying, deterring, stopping, and countering threats, including those of a hybrid nature and in grey zones, also below the threshold of war

D2.1 User requirements and needs and gaps analysis report

This report has been submitted by Fondazione Scuola di Pace di Monte Sole (Italy) as deliverable D2.1 within the framework of H2020 project "SO-CLOSE: Enhancing Social Cohesion through Sharing the Cultural Heritage of Forced Migrations" Grant No. 870939.This report illustrates the main findings of the SO-CLOSE WP2 collective research, based on participatory methods and group reflections (co-creation and focus groups).The idea is to enlighten coherences and resources as well as questionable and problematic points, in order to help WP3, WP4 and WP5 with new and tested ideas together with suggestions to mitigate possible obstacles, misunderstandings and mistakes. The text starts illustrating a short analytical premise and it then covers the 4 main SO-CLOSE fields of interest: historical memory, social cohesion, cultural heritage and methods and tools for sharing between native and refugee/asylum seekers communities

Gross, Fine and Visual-Motor Skills in Children with Language Disorder, Speech Sound Disorder and Their Combination

Increasing evidence shows that children with Communication Disorders (CDs) may show gross, fine, and visual-motor difficulties compared to children with typical development. Accordingly, the present study aims to characterize gross, fine and visual-motor skills in children with CDs, distinguishing children with CDs into three subgroups, i.e., with Language Disorders (LD), Speech Sound Disorders (SSD), and LD + SSD. In Experiment 1, around 60% of children with CDs (4 to 7 years; 21 with LD, 36 with SSD, and 90 with LD + SSD) showed clinical/borderline scores in balance skills, regardless of the type of communication deficit. However, children with LD, SSD, and LD + SSD did not differ in gross and fine motor skills. In Experiment 2, a higher percentage of children with CDs (4 to 7 years; 34 with LD, 62 with SSD, 148 with LD + SSD) obtained clinical/borderline scores in Visual Perception skills. Moreover, children with LD + SSD performed significantly worsen in Visual Perception and Fine Motor Coordination skills compared to children with SSD only. Our results underlined that CDs are generally associated with gross motor difficulties and that visual-motor difficulties are related to the type of communication deficit. Paying earlier attention to the motor skills of children with CDs could help clinicians design effective interventions

[Is mammography useful in the detection of breast cancer in women 35 years of age or younger?]

Breast cancer in women 35 years old or younger is unusual. It accounts for 1-3.6% of all breast cancers but is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women 15-35 years old. The diagnostic delay, with T2 or more advanced cancer at clinical presentation, is due to the patient's age and the opinion of low mammographic reliability for cancer diagnosis in this age group. To assess the usefulness of mammography in breast cancer patients aged 35 years or younger, we reviewed the clinical, mammographic and histologic data of 65 cancers collected in 7 breast diagnosis and counseling centers in Lombardy. Fifty-three patients (81.5%) were referred for a palpable breast mass, which was a T2 or more advanced cancer in 23 cases. Mammography showed malignant patterns (spiculated opacities, clusters of microcalcifications, casting, branching and ductal type calcifications) in 31 patients (47.7%). Mammography was not definitive but correctly suggested further examinations in 30 women and it had only 4 false negatives. Ultrasonography performed in 43 patients was negative in 3 (7%), pathologic and pathognomonic for cancer in 27 (62.8%) and pathologic but not indicative of malignancy in 13 (20.2%). The cytologic or histologic diagnosis of breast cancer was made under US guidance in 24 cases. In women aged 35 years or younger mammography was effective in identifying breast cancers; US and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) complete mammography. We believe that mammography can be a valuable screening tool in young women at high risk for breast cancer because of family history

Extrastriate visual cortex in idiopathic occipital epilepsies: The contribution of retinotopic areas to spike generation

none14noOBJECTIVES: To provide insight into the pathophysiology of idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsies (ICOEs), by mapping the contribution of retinotopic visual areas to the generation and sustainment of epileptic activity. METHODS: Thirteen patients affected by ICOEs (mean age = 10.9 years) underwent a video electroencephalography-functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) study. A flexible-related fMRI analysis was applied to estimate the shape of the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response in each patient. Second-level analysis was performed using the interictal EEG discharge (IED)-specific response shape for the ICOE group. The resulting fMRI t-maps were warped to the Population-Average, Landmark- and Surface-based (PALS)-B12 atlas in Caret. For localization purposes, functional results were plotted and compared against 19 retinotopic areas for each hemisphere. A correlation analysis was performed between the hemodynamic maps and electroclinical variables. RESULTS: The shape of the group-averaged hemodynamic response in ICOE patients showed an earlier time-to-peak and a more pronounced undershoot than the canonical hemodynamic response function (HRF). The random-effect analysis showed positive hemodynamic changes in the bilateral temporooccipital network. With regard to the retinotopic subdivision of the visual cortex, the primary visual area was consistently spared. Conversely, an extensive involvement of the occipitotemporal cortex, including the fusiform gyrus, and the occipitoparietal areas was observed. Moreover, a linear relationship was detected between the occipital spike-density and BOLD increases at the postcentral gyrus and temporooccipital cortex. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data indicate that both the ventral and dorsal visual pathways are involved in spike generation in ICOEs, to extents that vary between patients, and reinforce the concept of benign childhood seizure susceptibility syndrome as a substrate for ICOEs. Finally, these results underscore the need for appropriate neuropsychological testing in these children, aimed at revealing selective impairments in functions subserved by both visual pathways.Meletti, Stefano; Ruggieri, Andrea; Avanzini, Pietro; Caramaschi, Elisa; Filippini, Melissa; Bergonzini, Patrizia; Monti, Giulia; Vignoli, Aglaia; Olivotto, Sara; Mastrangelo, Massimo; Santucci, Margherita; Gobbi, Giuseppe; Veggiotti, Pierangelo; Vaudano, Anna ElisabettaMeletti, Stefano; Ruggieri, Andrea; Avanzini, Pietro; Caramaschi, Elisa; Filippini, Melissa; Bergonzini, Patrizia; Monti, Giulia; Vignoli, Aglaia; Olivotto, Sara; Mastrangelo, Massimo; Santucci, Margherita; Gobbi, Giuseppe; Veggiotti, Pierangelo; Vaudano, Anna Elisabett

7q11.23 Microduplication Syndrome: Clinical and Neurobehavioral Profiling

7q11.23 Microduplication (dup7q11.23) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder due to a recurring 1.5 to 1.8 Mb duplication of the Williams–Beuren Syndrome critical region. Dup7q11.23 has been associated with several neuro-behavioral characteristics such as low cognitive and adaptive functioning, expressive language impairment, anxiety problems and autistic features. In the present study, we analyze the clinical features of ten individuals in which array-CGH detected dup7q11.23, spanning from 1.4 to 2.1 Mb. The clinical characteristics associated with dup7q11.23 are discussed with respect to its reciprocal deletion. Consistent with previous studies, we confirm that individuals with dup7q11.23 syndrome do not have a homogeneous clinical profile, although some recurring dysmorphic features were found, including macrocephaly, prominent forehead, elongated palpebral fissures, thin lip vermilion and microstomia. Minor congenital malformations include patent ductus arteriosus, cryptorchidism and pes planus. A common finding is hypotonia and joint laxity, resulting in mild motor delay. Neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment confirm that mild cognitive impairment, expressive language deficits and anxiety are recurring neurobehavioral features. New insights into adaptive, psychopathological and neurodevelopmental profiles are discussed

Electroclinical features of MEF2C haploinsufficiency-related epilepsy: A multicenter European study

Purpose: Epilepsy is a main manifestation in the autosomal dominant mental retardation syndrome caused by heterozygous variants in MEF2C. We aimed to delineate the electro-clinical features and refine the genotype phenotype correlations in patients with MEF2C haploinsufficiency. Methods: We thoroughly investigated 25 patients with genetically confirmed MEF2C-syndrome across 12 different European Genetics and Epilepsy Centers, focusing on the epileptic phenotype. Clinical features (seizure types, onset, evolution, and response to therapy), EEG recordings during waking/sleep, and neuroimaging findings were analyzed. We also performed a detailed literature review using the terms "MEF2C", "seizures", and "epilepsy". Results: Epilepsy was diagnosed in 19 out of 25 (-80%) subjects, with age at onset <30 months. Ten individuals (40%) presented with febrile seizures and myoclonic seizures occurred in-50% of patients. Epileptiform abnormalities were observed in 20/25 patients (80%) and hypoplasia/partial agenesis of the corpus callosum was detected in 12/25 patients (-50%). Nine patients harbored a 5q14.3 deletion encompassing MEF2C and at least one other gene. In 7 out of 10 patients with myoclonic seizures, MIR9-2 and LINC00461 were also deleted, whereas ADGRV1 was involved in 3/4 patients with spasms. Conclusion: The epileptic phenotype of MEF2C-syndrome is variable. Febrile and myoclonic seizures are the most frequent, usually associated with a slowing of the background activity and irregular diffuse discharges of frontally dominant, symmetric or asymmetric, slow theta waves with interposed spike-and-waves complexes. The haploinsufficiency of ADGRV1, MIR9-2, and LINC00461 likely contributes to myoclonic seizures and spasms in patients with MEF2C syndrome

Security theory and practice: The Total Defence 21st century.COM – building a resilient society

Introduction: "When we started working on the issue entitled “The Total Defence 21st century. COM – building a resilient society”, we did not know then how topical this issue would become. We were aware of its importance, especially since 2014, which was the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. However, we did not think that the need to build an effective concept of total/comprehensive defence, and then its implementation, would become so pressing in February 2022. Two of the three general regularities in the history of international relations have also become extremely topical. We are talking about the clash between imperial and polyarchic tendencies, and nations’ desire to express their independence and identity, and as a result, to have their own state. It can be assumed that in order to achieve this goal, as well as for small and medium-sized states to be able to defend themselves against the forces of empires and effectively deter them, they must use the concept of total/comprehensive defence, in its improved, 21st century version."(...