bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What kind of history teaching may promote intercultural competence in culturally-diverse societies? Teachers’ reflections from a case of conflict
Authors: Hajisoteriou Christina , Solomou Emilios A. , Antoniou Mary 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionIn our globalised world, the goal of cultivating a rigid national identity through school history should be replaced by the goals of developing global citizenship and safeguarding democracy. School history should thus balance the feeling of belonging to the state with the feeling of being a global citizen by building students’ intercultural competence through historical thought, conscience, and empathy. To this end, the main purpose of this research is to examine teachers’ perceptions of the best teaching strategies and practices to cultivate students’ intercultural competence through history education.MethodsThe study is implemented in Cyprus, as it provides for a context of conflict, in which history education is called to play a catalytic role in building reconciliation. Interviews were carried out with 18 high-school history teachers.ResultsBased on teachers’ perspectives, three thematic categories emerged from the data analysis; namely: (a) history teaching through an interdisciplinary approach, (b) history teaching through historical sources, and (c) history teaching through collaborative learning.DiscussionThe study bears wider implications for history curricula, teaching methodologies, and teachers’ training.
Sex modifies the predictive value of computed tomography combined with serum potassium for primary aldosteronism subtype diagnosis
Authors: Wu Yingxing , Wu Zuxiang , Rao Jingan , Hu Huan , Chen Zhiqiang , Hu Chenkai , Peng Qiang , Li Ping 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the predictive value of the CT findings combined with serum potassium levels for primary aldosteronism (PA) subtype diagnosis, with a particular interest in sex differences.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we eventually included 482 PA patients who underwent successful adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and had available data. We diagnosed the subjects as having either unilateral (n = 289) or bilateral PA (n = 193) based on AVS. We analyzed the concordance rate between AVS and adrenal CT combined with serum potassium and performed a logistic regression analysis to assess the prevalence of unilateral PA on AVS.ResultsThe total diagnostic concordance rate between CT findings and AVS was 51.5% (248/482). The prevalence of hypokalemia in men and women was 47.96% (129/269) and 40.85% (87/213), respectively. The occurrence of unilateral lesions on CT and hypokalemia was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of unilateral PA [odds ratio (OR) 1.537; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.364–1.731; p &lt; 0.001]. In male participants, G2 (bilateral lesion on CT and normokalemia), G3 (unilateral lesion on CT and normokalemia), G4 (bilateral normal on CT and hypokalemia), G5 (bilateral lesion on CT and hypokalemia), and G6 (unilateral lesion on CT and hypokalemia) were significantly increased for the prevalence of unilateral PA on AVS (G2: OR 4.620, 95% CI 1.408–15.153; G3: OR 6.275, 95% CI 2.490–15.814; G4: OR 3.793, 95% CI 1.191–12.082; G5: OR 16.476, 95% CI 4.531–59.905; G6: OR 20.101, 95% CI 7.481–54.009; all p &lt; 0.05), compared with G1 (patients with bilateral normal on CT and normokalemia). However, among female participants, we found an increased likelihood for unilateral PA in patients with unilateral lesions on CT and hypokalemia alone (OR 10.266, 95% CI 3.602–29.259, p &lt; 0.001), while no associations were found in other groups (all p &gt; 0.05). Sex had a significant effect on modifying the relationship between unilateral PA and the combination of CT findings and serum potassium (p for interaction &lt;0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, our results indicated that CT findings combined with serum potassium levels have a great value for predicting the subtype of PA and are stronger in men.
Increased brain iron in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: a whole-brain analysis
Authors: Hu Hao , Zhou Jiang , Fang Wei , Chen Huan-Huan , Jiang Wen-Hao , Pu Xiong-Ying , Xu Xiao-Quan , Gu Wen-Hao , Wu Fei-Yun 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundTo investigate the whole-brain iron deposition alternations in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).MethodsForty-eight patients with TAO and 33 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging scans and clinical scale assessments. QSM values were calculated and compared between TAO and HCs groups using a voxel-based analysis. A support vector machine (SVM) analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of QSM values in differentiating patients with TAO from HCs.ResultsCompared with HCs, patients with TAO showed significantly increased QSM values in the bilateral caudate nucleus (CN), left thalamus (TH), left cuneus, left precuneus, right insula and right middle frontal gyrus. In TAO group, QSM values in left TH were positively correlated with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores (r = 0.414, p = 0.005). The QSM values in right CN were negatively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores (r = -0.342, p = 0.021). Besides that, a nearly negative correlation was found between QSM values in left CN and MoCA scores (r = -0.286, p = 0.057). The SVM model showed a good performance in distinguishing patients with TAO from the HCs (area under the curve, 0.958; average accuracy, 90.1%).ConclusionPatients with TAO had significantly increased iron deposition in brain regions corresponding to known visual, emotional and cognitive deficits. QSM values could serve as potential neuroimaging markers of TAO.
Impact of land use changes on the land surface thermal environment in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, China
Authors: Zhang Yujia , Cai Haisheng , Zhu Taifeng , Guo Xigen , Zeng Jiaxi , Huang Liang 
Published: November 2023

Throughout human history, human activities have resulted in land use and land cover changes (LUCC) and can have a direct impact on the land surface thermal environment (LSTE). In the existing studies, the holistic nature of changes in land use and land cover (LULC) has been neglected in favor of focusing on the interactions between different LULC types and the land surface thermal environment. This study used ArcGIS Pro 3.0, ENVI 5.3, and SPSS software to construct a contribution index model and stepwise regression equation to investigate the relationship between LULC type, structure, and pattern changes and LSTE changes in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China, from 1990 to 2020. The findings revealed that 1) rapid urbanization has led to a surge in the area of built-up land and a decrease in the area of arable land in Nanchang; between 1990 and 2020, the area of built-up land in Nanchang increased by 433.29 km2, while the area of arable land decreased by 291.99 km2; 2) The land surface temperature (LST) was divided into five classes according to the equal spacing method, and the areas with the highest and lowest temperature classes were the high temperature zone and the low temperature zone, respectively. Over the past 30 years, the LSTE in Nanchang has gradually deteriorated, with the area of the low temperature zone shrinking by 554.2 km2 and the area of other classes appearing to increase significantly; 3) the contribution index and stepwise regression equation demonstrate that the primary reasons for the worsening of the LSTE are an increase in the scale of cultivated land and construction land. It was found that rationalization of urban LULC type, structure, and pattern can effectively reduce land surface temperature.
Cytotoxic effects of heavy metals on functional attributes of boar sperm: an in vitro study
Authors: Kadirvel Govindasamy , Diengdoh Jasmine , Deori Sourabh , Dewry Raju Kumar , Abedin Sayed Nabil , Moirangthem Prabha 
Published: November 2023

Objective: Reproductive toxicology is a field that deals with the effects of heavy metals on various aspects of reproduction, including sperm count, motility, viability, spermatogenesis, follicular atresia, hormonal imbalance, and oocyte maturation, among others. The present study was carried out to examine the effects of heavy metals, viz., arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and fluoride (F), on boar sperm quality parameters in vitro.Materials and Methods: Forty (40) ejaculates from six (6) boars, averaging eight ejaculates per boar, were collected with the gloved hand technique using a dummy sow. Six (6) different concentrations were selected for the in vitro study: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µM for As and Pb, and 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mM for F. The ejaculates were co-incubated with heavy metals at these different concentrations and assessed after different incubation periods (0, 0.5, and 1 h) for sperm functional attributes, viz., sperm progressive motility, viability and membrane integrity, and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The combined effects of heavy metals on sperm functional attributes were also evaluated at different doses (5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM/μM for As–Pb; 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM/mM for As–F; and 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM/mM for Pb–F).Results: The present study revealed a highly significant (p &lt;0.001) decrease in sperm progressive motility, viable sperm, membrane integrity, and sperm MMP in samples treated with heavy metals under different incubation periods; furthermore, the longer the incubation time, the greater the toxicity. There was also a significant (p &lt;0.05) decrease in sperm motility, membrane integrity, and MMP in the samples treated with combined heavy metals (As–Pb, As–F, and Pb–F), as compared to the control, after different incubation periods. A significant (p &lt;0.05) reduction in sperm quality attributes was recorded even at the lowest concentrations in the case of heavy metal combinations.Conclusion: It can be concluded that As, Pb, and F are toxic to boar spermatozoa in vitro, causing reductions in sperm functional attributes in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
Optimal combination of MYCN differential gene and cellular senescence gene predicts adverse outcomes in patients with neuroblastoma
Authors: Tan Jiaxiong , Wang Chaoyu , Jin Yan , Xia Yuren , Gong Baocheng , Zhao Qiang 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionNeuroblastoma (NB) is a common extracranial tumor in children and is highly heterogeneous. The factors influencing the prognosis of NB are not simple.MethodsTo investigate the effect of cell senescence on the prognosis of NB and tumor immune microenvironment, 498 samples of NB patients and 307 cellular senescence-related genes were used to construct a prediction signature.ResultsA signature based on six optimal candidate genes (TP53, IL-7, PDGFRA, S100B, DLL3, and TP63) was successfully constructed and proved to have good prognostic ability. Through verification, the signature had more advantages than the gene expression level alone in evaluating prognosis was found. Further T cell phenotype analysis displayed that exhausted phenotype PD-1 and senescence-related phenotype CD244 were highly expressed in CD8+ T cell in MYCN-amplified group with higher risk-score.ConclusionA signature constructed the six MYCN-amplified differential genes and aging-related genes can be used to predict the prognosis of NB better than using each high-risk gene individually and to evaluate immunosuppressed and aging tumor microenvironment.
DNA barcoding of marine fish species in the waters surrounding Hainan Island, northern South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Jinxia , Xu Lei , Du Feiyan , Tang Quehui , Wang Lianggen , Ning Jiajia , Huang Delian , Li Yafang , Liu Shuangshuang , Wang Xuehui 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionHainan Island is encompassed within the shallow waters of the tropical continental shelf in China, which is recognized as a significant hotspot for fish biodiversity. Despite extensive research conducted on marine fish taxonomy surrounding Hainan Island, there remains a substantial gap between our current understanding and the actual fish diversity within this oceanic area.MethodsIn this study, we employed DNA barcoding and molecular identification approaches to explore the species diversity and distribution pattern of marine fish in both the northern and southern sea areas of Hainan Island in the northern South China Sea.ResultsA total of 186 sequences were obtained from the collected marine fish samples in the two sea areas surrounding Hainan Island. Through DNA identification, it was confirmed that all 186 sequences corresponded to typical fish species found in the northern South China Sea, all sequences represented a total of 56 species, 47 genera, 34 families, and 17 orders. The average Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distances within species, genus, family, order and class were 0.15%, 6.53%, 13.17%, 16.95% and 24.81%, respectively.DiscussionOur investigation in the northern sea areas of Hainan Islands identified a total of 33 distinct species, while the southern sea areas exhibited 29 distinct species, with only 5 species found to be shared between both regions. These findings clearly indicate a significant disparity in the species composition of fish communities between the northern and southern sea regions.
18 months follow-up of deep molecular response 4.5 (MR4.5) with nilotinib in patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: a prospective, multi-center study in China
Authors: Wen Bingbing , Zhang Yuming , Lin Haiqing , Lou Jin , Tu Chuangqing , Jiang Yirong , Liu Xiaolian , Chen Yan , He Huiqing , Liu Zelin , Xie Xiaoling , Huang Wangxiang , Pang Liping , Du Xin 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionEarly stable deep molecular response (DMR) to nilotinib is associated with goal of treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP). It is important to early distinguish between patients who can achieve a DMR and those who are fit for TFR.MethodsWe performed a multicenter study to explore the early cumulative MR4.5 rate at 18 months with nilotinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP (ND-CML-CP) in China. Of the 29 institutes, 106 patients with ND-CML-CP received nilotinib (300 mg BID).Results and discussionThe cumulative MR4.5 rate of nilotinib treatment at 18 months was 69.8% (74/106). The cumulative MMR and MR4.0 rates for nilotinib at 18 months were 94.3% (100/106) and 84.9% (90/106), respectively. Patients with an ultra-early molecular response (u-EMR) at 6 weeks were not significantly different in obtaining DMR or MMR by 24 months compared with those without u-EMR (p = 0.7584 and p = 0.9543, respectively). Our study demonstrated that nilotinib treatment in patients with ND-CML-CP contributed to obtain high early MR4.5.
Action-rule-based cognitive control enables efficient execution of stimulus–response conflict tasks: a model validation of Simon task performance
Authors: Otani Yoshitaka , Katagiri Yoshitada , Imai Emiko , Kowa Hisatomo 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThe human brain can flexibly modify behavioral rules to optimize task performance (speed and accuracy) by minimizing cognitive load. To show this flexibility, we propose an action-rule-based cognitive control (ARC) model. The ARC model was based on a stochastic framework consistent with an active inference of the free energy principle, combined with schematic brain network systems regulated by the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), to develop several hypotheses for demonstrating the validity of the ARC model.MethodsA step-motion Simon task was developed involving congruence or incongruence between important symbolic information (illustration of a foot labeled “L” or “R,” where “L” requests left and “R” requests right foot movement) and irrelevant spatial information (whether the illustration is actually of a left or right foot). We made predictions for behavioral and brain responses to testify to the theoretical predictions.ResultsTask responses combined with event-related deep-brain activity (ER-DBA) measures demonstrated a key contribution of the dACC in this process and provided evidence for the main prediction that the dACC could reduce the Shannon surprise term in the free energy formula by internally reversing the irrelevant rapid anticipatory postural adaptation. We also found sequential effects with modulated dip depths of ER-DBA waveforms that support the prediction that repeated stimuli with the same congruency can promote remodeling of the internal model through the information gain term while counterbalancing the surprise term.DiscussionOverall, our results were consistent with experimental predictions, which may support the validity of the ARC model. The sequential effect accompanied by dip modulation of ER-DBA waveforms suggests that cognitive cost is saved while maintaining cognitive performance in accordance with the framework of the ARC based on 1-bit congruency-dependent selective control.
Considerable effects of lateralization and aging in intracortical excitation and inhibition
Authors: Bai Zhongfei , Zhu Feifei , Lou Xiaoyu , Zhang Jack Jiaqi , Jin Minxia , Qin Wenting , Tang Chaozheng , Li Jie , Lu Jiani , Lin Jianhua , Jin Lingjing , Qi Qi , Fong Kenneth N. K. 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionFindings based on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electromyography (TMS-EMG) to determine the effects of motor lateralization and aging on intracortical excitation and inhibition in the primary motor cortex (M1) are inconsistent in the literature. TMS and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) measures the excitability of excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the brain cortex without contamination from the spine and muscles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of motor lateralization (dominant and non-dominant hemispheres) and aging (young and older) and their interaction effects on intracortical excitation and inhibition within the M1 in healthy adults, measured using TMS-EMG and TMS-EEG.MethodsThis study included 21 young (mean age = 28.1 ± 3.2 years) and 21 older healthy adults (mean age = 62.8 ± 4.2 years). A battery of TMS-EMG measurements and single-pulse TMS-EEG were recorded for the bilateral M1.ResultsTwo-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to investigate lateralization and aging and the lateralization-by-aging interaction effect on neurophysiological outcomes. The non-dominant M1 presented a longer cortical silent period and larger amplitudes of P60, N100, and P180. Corticospinal excitability in older participants was significantly reduced, as supported by a larger resting motor threshold and lower motor-evoked potential amplitudes. N100 amplitudes were significantly reduced in older participants, and the N100 and P180 latencies were significantly later than those in young participants. There was no significant lateralization-by-aging interaction effect in any outcome.ConclusionLateralization and aging have independent and significant effects on intracortical excitation and inhibition in healthy adults. The functional decline of excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the M1 is associated with aging.
Electroencephalogram measured functional connectivity for delirium detection: a systematic review
Authors: Hanna Angelica , Jirsch Jeffrey , Alain Claude , Corvinelli Sara , Lee Jacques S. 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveDelirium is an acute alteration of consciousness marked by confusion, inattention, and changes in cognition. Some speculate that delirium may be a disorder of functional connectivity, but the requirement to lay still may limit measurement with existing functional imaging modalities in this population. Electroencephalography (EEG) may allow for a more feasible approach to the study of potential connectivity disturbances in delirium. We conducted a systematic review to investigate whether there are EEG-measurable differences in brain functional connectivity in the resting state associated with delirium.MethodsMedline, PubMed, PsychInfo, Embase and CINAHL were searched for relevant articles containing original data studying EEG functional connectivity measures in delirium.ResultsThe search yielded 1,516 records. Following strict inclusion criteria, four studies were included in the review. The studies used a variety of EEG measures including phase lag index, coherence, entropy, shortest path length, minimum spanning tree, and network clustering coefficients to study functional connectivity between scalp electrodes. Across connectivity measures, delirium was associated with decreased brain functional connectivity. All four studies found decreased alpha band connectivity for patients with delirium. None of the studies directly compared the different motor subtypes of delirium.SignificanceThis systematic review provides converging evidence for disturbances in oscillatory-based functional connectivity in delirium.
Induced radioactivity in AB-BNCT: an analysis of the different facilities worldwide
Authors: Capoulat M. E. , Kreiner A. J. 
Published: November 2023

The global effort to establish Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) facilities involves various accelerator technologies and neutron-producing targets, each characterized by different properties of the primary beam and neutron spectra they generate. With an emphasis on long-term sustainability, it is essential to minimize the production of residual radioactivity to the lowest possible level, particularly given their intended use in a hospital environment. This paper aims to quantitatively assess the residual radioactivity in these facilities, taking into account both primary and secondary activation. Primary activation primarily arises from the interaction of the proton or deuteron beam and the neutron-producing target. Secondary activation results from neutron-induced reactions on the elements exposed to the neutron flux, with the Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) being the most exposed one. To assess activation, we evaluated a representative group of target-BSA configurations. Primary activation was calculated based on cross-sectional data and the corresponding target materials. Neutron activation was assessed using Monte Carlo simulations with the MCNP 6.1 code. Regarding target activation, our findings indicate that 9Be targets working with protons of less than 10 MeV represent the cleanest option, while 7Li targets working with protons lead to the highest activation levels. As for BSA activation, the neutron energy is a crucial factor. In the case of standard BSA materials, higher neutron energy results in an increased number of potential reactions that produce radioactive products. Additionally, our findings suggest that radioactivity induced by impurities and minor components in alloyed materials cannot be disregarded and must be taken into account in radioactivity calculations. In summary, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of activation of the commonly used targets and BSA materials, aimed at contributing to the optimization of AB-BNCT facilities from a radiological perspective.