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Although they constitute twenty percent of Israel's citizens, Arabs have no significant opportunity to study their own language in Israel's academic institutions. Academic courses are conducted in Hebrew, the official language of the country. This has implications for the Arab students' academic achievement as well as for their sense of belonging on Israeli campuses. In the framework of a graduate program on exclusion, the Academic College of Education has recently introduced two courses in Arabic--a revolutionary experiment in the Israeli academic world. Based on interviews with twenty Arab students who participated in these courses, the research presented here demonstrates how these courses not only enhance the students' self-expression, participation, and self-confidence in the classroom; they also send a message to the Arab students that the college sees them and acknowledges their identity. The study has implications for the growing multi-cultural reality of academic institutions elsewhere in the world.

This study addresses the status and conduct of the Arab lecturer in Jewish-Hebrew academia in Israel, and how this impacts Arab students. The study is conducted through the self-research of a case study, in light of my having served as an Arab lecturer in Hebrew academia for more than two decades. The case study is based on my students' written reports submitted over the past three years, from two different courses. The findings indicate that an Arab lecturer who is proud of being an Arab and is confident in himself can increase the self-confidence of Arab students, encouraging them to speak and participate in class. One main factor that enhances Arab students is legitimizing the use of the Arab language in lessons, enabling them to participate and speak in Arabic. Combined, this leads to the legitimization of the Arab students' identity, enabling them to sound their voice.

Social exclusion, a pervasive and impactful phenomenon particularly prominent during preadolescence, has traditionally been construed through a moral deficiency lens. This study departs from prevailing research trends, casting a novel light on the phenomenon in the context of normative moral development. It elucidates the role of social exclusion in shaping moral growth during the preadolescence period. Through a series of 12 focus group discussions involving 140 children, this study unveils a nuanced perspective. Most participants perceived social exclusion as a requisite mechanism safeguarding group cohesion against uncooperative individuals, whose actions could impede the crystallization of distinct social norms. This article highlights how preadolescents apply social exclusion to those who have yet to transitioned from a juvenile moral stance characterized by dependence on authority figures to a more sophisticated, adaptable moral outlook factoring into social contexts when making decisions. Beyond its theoretical contributions to the moral development discourse, this study offers implications for identifying children prone to social exclusion and suggests innovative avenues for devising intervention strategies.

Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) supports production of 11-cis-retinaldehyde and its delivery to photoreceptors. It is found in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG), but the relative functional importance of these two cellular pools is debated. Here, we report RPE- and MG-specific CRALBP knockout (KO) mice and examine their photoreceptor and visual cycle function. Bulk visual chromophore regeneration in RPE-KO mice is 15-fold slower than in controls, accounting for their delayed rod dark adaptation and protection against retinal phototoxicity, whereas MG-KO mice have normal bulk visual chromophore regeneration and retinal light damage susceptibility. Cone pigment regeneration is significantly impaired in RPE-KO mice but mildly affected in MG-KO mice, disclosing an unexpectedly strong reliance of cone photoreceptors on the RPE-based visual cycle. These data reveal a dominant role for RPE-CRALBP in supporting rod and cone function and highlight the importance of RPE cell targeting for CRALBP gene therapies.

Synaptic function in neurons is modulated by local translation of mRNAs that are transported to distal portions of axons and dendrites. The metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is broadly expressed across cell types, almost exclusively as a nuclear long noncoding RNA. We found that in differentiating neurons, a portion of Malat1 RNA redistributes to the cytoplasm. Depletion of Malat1 using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) stimulates the expression of particular pre- and postsynaptic proteins, implicating Malat1 in their regulation. Neuronal Malat1 is localized in puncta of both axons and dendrites that costain with Staufen1 protein, similar to neuronal RNA granules formed by locally translated mRNAs. Ribosome profiling of cultured mouse cortical neurons identified ribosome footprints within a 5 region of Malat1 containing short open reading frames. The upstream-most reading frame (M1) of the Malat1 locus was linked to the GFP-coding sequence in mouse embryonic stem cells. When these gene-edited cells were differentiated into glutamatergic neurons, the M1-GFP fusion protein was expressed. Antibody staining for the M1 peptide confirmed its presence in wild-type neurons and showed that M1 expression was enhanced by synaptic stimulation with KCl. Our results indicate that Malat1 serves as a cytoplasmic coding RNA in the brain that is both modulated by and modulates synaptic function.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has held artificial intelligence competitions to tackle real-world medical imaging problems at least annually since 2017. This article examines the challenges and processes involved in organizing these competitions, with a specific emphasis on the creation and curation of high-quality datasets. The collection of diverse and representative medical imaging data involves dealing with issues of patient privacy and data security. Furthermore, ensuring quality and consistency in data, which includes expert labeling and accounting for various patient and imaging characteristics, necessitates substantial planning and resources. Overcoming these obstacles requires meticulous project management and adherence to strict timelines. The article also highlights the potential of crowdsourced annotation to progress medical imaging research. Through the RSNA competitions, an effective global engagement has been realized, resulting in innovative solutions to complex medical imaging problems, thus potentially transforming health care by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Keywords: Use of AI in Education, Artificial Intelligence © RSNA, 2024.

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to examine whether accounting students foster changing attitudes and broader critical thinking when a new and transformative subject comprising sustainability, the environment, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is included as part of their master's course. Methodology/approach: To determine these perceived transformative outcomes, this study relies on qualitative data derived through the written reflections of students. Reflective journals provide the voice of students, and the rich data were analysed the-matically through the NVIVO software. Findings: The reflections show that new and transformative student outcomes emerge that can stimulate meaningful action. These outcomes included changing attitudes, self-efficacy to bring about positive change, developing critical thinking, and a greater understanding of how business practices can impact the environment. Most students also noted that they would prefer to work for a business that does not harm the environment. Originality/value: There has been limited research on the attitudes of accounting students when contemporary issues such as sustainability, the environment, and the SDGs are presented in an accounting degree. The findings have added student opinions to the previous research that calls for developing a definition of accounting beyond its technical practice.

Objective: To describe the various options available for preserving female and/or male fertility, taking into account both social and medical aspects, and to identify the effects of different natural products on male infertility extracted from plants. Methods: We reviewed the literature and included full-text publications in English provided by international biomedical databases, including Sciences Direct, Google Scholar, OVID, PubMed, and MEDLINE between 2016 and 2023. Search terms, such as fertility preservation, in vitro maturation, cryopreservation, plants for the treatment of male infertility, were taken from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Boolean operators were used to improve sensitivity. Results: 112 papers were identified in the initial search, of which 18 were excluded due to duplication. After reviewing titles and abstracts, 70 papers were finally included. The main findings of this study are presented under three key themes: gametogenesis, fertility preservation techniques, and plant-based alternatives. Regarding gametogenesis, significant progress has been made in understanding oocyte and sperm maturation, with optimized conditions improving maturation rates and motility. For fertility preservation, techniques such as rescue in vitro maturation and cryopreservation have shown the enhanced outcomes, particularly in maintaining gamete quality. Lastly, plant-based alternatives, including extracts and essential oils, have demonstrated potential in reducing oxidative stress, improving sperm motility, and supporting oocyte development, thus providing a promising complementary approach to conventional methods. Conclusions: Fertility preservation is achieved in a variety of ways, including oocyte and embryo vitrification and sperm cryopreservation, and the use of plant-based treatment of male infertility.

OBJECTIVES: An estimated 14-23% of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) incur multiple lifetime TBIs. The relationship between prior TBI and outcomes in patients with moderate to severe TBI (msTBI) is not well delineated. We examined the associations between prior TBI, in-hospital mortality, and outcomes up to 12 months after injury in a prospective US msTBI cohort. METHODS: Data from hospitalized subjects with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3-12 were extracted from the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury Study (enrollment period: 2014-2019). Prior TBI with amnesia or alteration of consciousness was assessed using the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method. Competing risk regressions adjusting for age, sex, psychiatric history, cranial injury and extracranial injury severity examined the associations between prior TBI and in-hospital mortality, with hospital discharged alive as the competing risk. Adjusted HRs (aHR (95% CI)) were reported. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed the associations between prior TBI, mortality, and unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score 1-3 (vs. 4-8)) at 3, 6, and 12 months after injury. RESULTS: Of 405 acute msTBI subjects, 21.5% had prior TBI, which was associated with male sex (87.4% vs. 77.0%, p=0.037) and psychiatric history (34.5% vs. 20.7%, p=0.010). In-hospital mortality was 10.1% (prior TBI: 17.2%, no prior TBI: 8.2%, p=0.025). Competing risk regressions indicated that prior TBI was associated with likelihood of in-hospital mortality (aHR=2.06 (1.01-4.22)), but not with hospital discharged alive. Prior TBI was not associated with mortality or unfavorable outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: After acute msTBI, prior TBI history is independently associated with in-hospital mortality but not with mortality or unfavorable outcomes within 12 months after injury. This selective association underscores the importance of collecting standardized prior TBI history data early after acute hospitalization to inform risk stratification. Prospective validation studies are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02119182.

This article explores the complex and often contradictory experiences of the Druze community in Israel, specifically examining how military service has shaped their identity and integration into Israeli society. While military service is typically viewed as a means of achieving social equality and inclusion, the Druze continue to face discrimination despite fulfilling their national obligations. Using semi-structured interviews, this study investigates the implications of the Druze’s compulsory conscription, focusing on concepts of reciprocity, convertibility, and identity politics. Findings reveal that while military service reinforces the Israeli identity among Druze youth, it fails to provide the expected access to equal rights and full citizenship, thus perpetuating their marginalized status within an ethno-republican state.

This article explores elite high school identities among Palestinian youth in Israel, a stigmatised national ethnic minority. Two research questions guide this study: how do high school students in an elite school perceive and encounter their identity and how does their elitism interact with their identity as members of a stigmatised national group? This qualitative examination is based on 15 interviews with high school students. While their elite identities bear some of the same characteristics of elites elsewhere, this research uncovered some aspects which are unique to this group including careful planning for the future and hyper-excellence, individualistic along with collectivist orientations and holding a critical social-political consciousness that reflects a sense of unease. Findings contribute to knowledge about the relationship between elite education, class, and the reproduction of elite identity by examining an under-researched case study: elites among the Arab Palestinian minority in Israel.

The aim of this study was to examine relationships between Bedouin Arab teachers and non-Bedouin Arab teachers from rural villages who work together in schools in northern Israel. These relationships were examined from the perspective of the Bedouin teachers. This qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews, as a means for identifying challenges faced by Bedouin teachers when attempting to become an integral part of the school staff. The interviews were conducted with 31 Bedouin teachers (28 women and three men) from Arab schools where the Bedouins are a minority, and who speak a distinct Arabic dialect that distinguishes them from the majority. The findings indicate that the Bedouin teachers are often offended and embittered by the condescending attitudes of the other Arab teachers towards them, as the Bedouins are clearly expected to conduct themselves and their work in line with the rules and codes of the majority. While the Bedouins, as with any typical minority group, resent this attitude, they make great efforts to adapt themselves to fit into the rural hegemonial space. In their strive to be accepted and become an integral part of the school, the Bedouin teachers often make a conscious effort to replace their unique dialect with that of the rural (Fellah) Arabic that is spoken in the school's village - in an effort to be accepted by the staff, students, and parents.

This article presents findings from a self-research study based primarily on verbal and written feedback from the students. The aim was to examine comprehensive academic discussion of my experiences developing Freirean dialogic teaching. A brief review of the principles of critical pedagogy and a definition of dialogic teaching according to Freire is offered and a dialogic lesson is described along with a discussion of the difficulties and challenges faced. The approach was effective and found to be essential in the academy, especially in teacher-training although the work would need to be adapted to the needs and constraints of each population group.

ContextWolfram syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the WFS1 gene. It is characterized by central diabetes insipidus, juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus (DM), optic atrophy (OA), and deafness. The natural history of WS is variable, even within the same family and with the same variant.ObjectiveTo report the phenotypes of five patients of Druze origin, all carrying the same autosomal recessive pathogenic variant in the WFS1 gene.Patients & methodsFive patients belonging to three core families were enrolled. Clinical, biochemical, and genetic data were retrieved retrospectively from their medical files.ResultsAll five patients carried the same previously reported homozygous WFS1 pathogenic variant: c.2649del, p.Phe884fs. In all patients, the first presentation was DM at a mean age of 5.2 years (range 4–7), diagnosed initially as type 1 DM with negative anti-pancreatic autoantibodies, and all were treated with insulin by either pump or multiple injections. All five patients had OA that appeared at a mean age of 12.3 years (range 4–30). Three had hearing loss and neurological involvement, and none had diabetes insipidus. One patient was treated with a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist with a good response.ConclusionsThis is the first report of a founder pathogenic variant in the WFS1 gene in the Druze population in Israel. Our findings imply that molecular analysis is warranted in children presenting with DM and negative pancreatic antibodies. The identified variant should be considered for genetic testing in individuals of Druze ancestry diagnosed with young-onset non-autoimmune diabetes. Early diagnosis of WS is important for therapeutic approaches, especially since novel medications are becoming available.

Abstract Secreted phosphosprotein 1 (SPP1)High tumor‐associated macrophages (TAM) are abundant tumor myeloid cells that are immunosuppressive, pro‐tumorigenic, and have a highly negative prognostic factor. Despite this, there is a lack of efficient TAM‐specific therapeutics capable of reducing SPP1 expression. Here, on a phenotypic screen is reported to identify small molecule SPP1 modulators in macrophages. Several hits and incorporated them into a TAM‐avid systemic nanoformulation are identified. It is shown that the lead compound (CANDI460) can down‐regulate SPP1 in vitro and in vivo and lead to tumor remissions in different murine models. These findings are important as they offer a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting TAM.

Thousands of Syrian healthcare professionals have been forced to leave Syria since the onset of the uprisings in March 2011 and subsequent descent into conflict. Initially, many stayed in the eastern mediterranean region; however, as the conflict became increasingly protracted and employment policies for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) became increasingly restrictive, some moved elsewhere, particularly to Germany and the United Kingdom, both of which have aimed to capitalise on both refugee and diaspora HCPs to support human resources gaps in their health systems. Our aim is to explore the different policy practices towards Syrian refugee and diaspora HCPs in the eastern mediterranean and European regions. Methods: We completed a narrative literature review and held a closed, virtual workshop in November 2022 in which 45 participants, most of whom had lived experience in the different refugee hosting contexts, participated. This allowed us to probe the primary themes arising from the literature review and the authors’ observations and present our findings as case studies. Results: We explore through case studies from countries near Syria (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt) and in Europe (Germany, UK) different policies which support or restrict entry into the health workforce. For host countries, those which implement policies that support retraining, accreditation and entry into the workforce have the potential for sustained and cost-effective benefit to their health systems; the impact of this on the HCPs and health system needs further exploration. Without such policies, Syrian HCPs are forced to work in the informal health sector such as in Lebanon or Egypt, leading to potential exploitation and security risks. Discussion: Now is an important opportunity to support Syrian and other refugee HCPs who have been forced to leave their homes to capitalise on their skills to explore the impacts of potentially effective policies and interventions. Such policies that aim to invest in refugee HCPs’ skills, further develop their aptitudes, and potentially establish a connection between them and their homeland in a mutually beneficial manner for both health systems in exile and in their homeland. Nonetheless, this topic still has large research gaps and remains in need of urgent research and data, particularly in view of the fall of the Syrian regime in December 2024 and its potential impacts.

الأهداف: تعد القراءة الحجازية بصمة صوتية مميزة من مئات السنين، حيث إنها تعكس العاطفة والحزن إضافة إلى مناسبتها للأذان. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى بحث مدارس القراءة الحجازية والعوامل المؤثرة فيها. وتركز أيضا على أصل وأعلام وتأثير وأثار القراءة إضافة إلى تصنيف علمائها. المنهجية: تتبع هذه الدراسة المنهج العلمي الوصفي والاستقرائي والتاريخيّ؛ لفهم نشأة مدرسة القراءة الحجازية وتأثيرها، وتأثير أعلام القراءة المكية والمدنية. النتائج: أظهرت الدراسة دوران أسانيد قراءة الأئمة العشرة المنقولة بالتواتر على أشهر الصحابة من أعلام الحجاز (عثمان وعلي وأبي بن كعب وابن مسعود وزيد بن ثابت وأبي موسى الأشعري وأبي الدرداء) وكذلك الأثر العظيم للمدرسة الحجازية في القراءات على كافة الأمصار والعصور. الخلاصة: تحمل قراءة الحجازية للقرآن الكريم قيمة تاريخية وثقافية ودينية كبيرة، وتعتبر جزءًا لا يتجزأ من تراث اللغة العربية والإسلام. ومن الواضح أنها امتازت بالتواتر والثبات في الرواية عبر الأجيال، مما يجعلها من أكثر القراءات استقرارًا، حيث تجعل النص القرآني ينغمس في جماليات اللغة العربية الفصحى والبلاغة، إضافة إلى أن القراءة الحجازية بدت جزءًا من التواصل مع الإرث الثقافي والديني للمسلمين.