bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterorhabditis alii n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae), a novel entomopathogenic nematode from Egypt used against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Shamseldean M. S. M. , Abo-Shady N. M. , El-Awady Mohamed. A. M. , Heikal M. N. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Isolation of novel species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) with biocontrol potential against important insect pests is very important for the sustainable management of economic pests damaging food crops and providing protection to the agricultural environment. This study was aimed to new indigenous EPN isolates from Egyptian agricultural soils and studies its biocontrol potential for further use in the biological control programs. Five out of 15 soil samples obtained from a farm located at the Cairo–Alexandria desert highway was positive for the presence of EPN, using the greater wax moth baiting method.

Results
Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 4 of the nematode isolates suggested that they belong to the species Heterorhabditis indica. However, one isolate does not show a high similarity to any of the H. indica previously recorded in the database of the Gen Bank and hence was identified as a new Heterorhabditis species and was deposited at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and registered under accession no. (OP555450) under the name of Heterorhabditis alii. This new species was also registered in the ZooBank under the registration link of: LSID urn: lsid: zoobank.org: act: 306F9D57-CC30-4B8E-8B19-4F0E42B08F34. No males were found in this species. Morphological characterization using the light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirmed the identification of this nematode as a new species of the genus Heterorhabditis. Moreover, virulence of this new species against the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was tested in comparison with the foreign EPN species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HP88) and the local Heterorhabditis indica (Mango 2 isolate) and proved to be more effective against this devastative insect pest than the two compared species.

Conclusions
The present study found out a new species of the EPN genus, Heterorhabditis in Egypt. Our results were confirmed by both morphological and molecular analyses. The efficacy of this new species against the FAW proved to be a potent and safe biocontrol agent that can be used in biological control programs against this invasive insect pest of corn in Egypt and other global countries.
Value of MUNE versus compound muscle action potential in assessing motor unit loss in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Abdul-Muneem Safa Dheaa Al-Den , Kaddoori Hussein Ghani 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
The most prevalent nerve entrapment disorder, known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is brought on by wrist-based median nerve compression. Focal demyelination progresses to axonal dysfunction as the condition worsens. In order to detect motor unit (MU) loos, this study compares two motor unit number estimation (MUNE) techniques with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude. The CMAP amplitude and MUNE of the median nerve in 137 hands of 70 neurophysiologically approved CTS patients, aged 40.27 ± 10.06 years were examined. Another 90 hands from 56 healthy volunteers who are age- and gender-matched serve the control group.

Results
In contrast to 192.5 and 248.5 in controls, the median nerve values of incremental and adapted multipoint stimulation (aMPS) MUNE in CTS patients were, respectively, 111 and 133 (p < 0.0001). Patients with severe CTS compared to those with mild CTS using both methods had significantly lower MUNE. MUNE values are the same regardless of gender or hand dominance. In comparison to MUNE methods (cutoff values of 106.5 and 203, respectively), CMAP amplitude had a sensitivity and specificity of more than 60% in detecting MU loss (cutoff value of 6.85 mV). The CTS grading had no effect on the CMAP amplitude. MUNE values had positive with CMAP amplitude and negative with CTS grading and Phalen test positivity.

Conclusions
When identifying motor nerve involvement in CTS patients, the MUNE technique is more accurate than a standard motor nerve conduction study (NCS). It was emphasized that MUNE evaluation in determining MU loss in the early stages of CTS may be helpful in diagnosis and treatment. There was no correlation between handedness and the number of MUs as determined by MUNE techniques. Both methods almost equally identify MU loss and have the same sensitivity and specificity.
Reframing sustainability initiatives in higher education
Authors: Husic Diane White 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAmidst the ever-changing and increasingly complex challenges facing the planet and humanity, there is a growing need to educate the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders who are global citizens with sustainability mindsets. Universities have come a long way in developing sustainability programs – both in the curriculum and in terms of campus operations. Many research universities are highly focused on cutting-edge science and technology to address global challenges, and funders are looking for that innovation and entrepreneurialism. These are noteworthy efforts, but do they give students what they need or want? Has the commercialization and corporatization of college campuses led to a shift away from the notion that higher education is a public good that benefits society, not just individuals? Beyond the technical expertise, 21st century challenges demand that the workforce be diverse and capable of recognizing and tackling ethical, cultural, and equity issues for a sustainable and just future. An ethics-driven and interdisciplinarity curriculum framed around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), civic engagement, and experiential learning that allows students to put their knowledge into action is needed to prepare individuals for such a workforce. This paper provides both a critique of areas in which higher education is falling short of its responsibilities and some translatable models and opportunities for improvements in reframing sustainability initiatives on campus, including in the curriculum.Policy and Practice Recommendations• Campus leaders and faculty should take note of surveys of younger generations, especially Gen Z and Gen alpha, as they provide valuable insights into what youth are focused on and what knowledge and set of skills they desire to become innovative problem solvers and builders of more resilient communities.• To prepare the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders, high impact practices that move knowledge to action are needed.• Sustainability topics should be incorporated across the curriculum on campuses, not just in certain majors.• Higher education needs to re-embrace the notion of service to the public good and work collaboratively across institutions and sectors to address complex societal challenges.
Teacher candidates’ views of future SSI instruction: a multiple case study
Authors: Kinskey Melanie , Newton Mark 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe instructional approach of incorporating socioscientific issues (SSI) into science teaching has been found to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills among K-12 students. Preparation for how to facilitate SSI in the classroom, however, is limited, resulting in very few classrooms across the United States providing opportunities for K-12 students to grapple with these real-world problems. In this manuscript we compare the integration of socioscientific issues (SSI) within two different undergraduate course contexts: a science methods course that is part of an elementary educator preparation program and a science content course designed for secondary future educators. Through this comparison we aim to provide science education researchers and science teacher educators with empirical support related to how the delivery of SSI influences elementary to secondary teacher candidates’ views of SSI as they relate to student engagement, teacher effectiveness, and curricula. Leveraging a mixed methods case study approach, data from each course context were collected through Likert-type surveys and open-ended responses. Findings suggest exposure to SSI pedagogies in science methods and content courses influence teacher candidates’ views in different ways and we must consider field and course-based work occurring simultaneously while teacher candidates are learning about SSI-based instruction. Implications for this are discussed.
An atypical presentation of ulcerative colitis: case report
Authors: Saoji Avanti , Kavishwar Madhura , Unki Praveen , Rathi Surbhi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Bloody diarrhea in children often indicates a severe gastrointestinal illness. Although infections are the most likely cause, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a close mimic. IBD generally presents with chronic and persistent symptoms requiring long-term treatment. Hence, acute or atypical presentations may mislead the physician leading to delays in diagnosis. We report the case of an atypical presentation of ulcerative colitis.

Case presentation
We present the case of a 6-year-old girl with acute symptoms of bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and tenesmus for 5 days. The child came to us after the non-resolution of symptoms after treatment from a local practitioner. The child was found to have signs of chronic malnutrition and clubbing on general examination. After ruling out infective causes, the child was evaluated further by colonoscopy, which revealed lesions suggestive of ulcerative colitis, and hence started on topical and oral treatment for the same.

Conclusion
Awareness about the disease and its atypical presentations like poor growth, anemia, or extraintestinal manifestations is necessary, especially in primary healthcare and resource-poor settings as it can lead to early diagnosis, referral, and treatment initiation.
Gamification in physiotherapy and rehabilitation education: a narrative review
Authors: Dereli Muge , Kahraman Turhan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
For learning activities that commence and continue with the effect of motivation, novel and entertaining learning methods are developed by considering needs. As a result of the student-centered learning approach gaining importance, gamification has emerged that transfer game components to subjects. Gamification in education health professions improves students’ knowledge levels and clinical skills. Therefore, gamification techniques are integrated into physiotherapy education. This review aims to examine the effects of gamification techniques in physiotherapy and rehabilitation education.

Summary
Educational escape rooms reinforce academic achievement by enabling students to use their problem-solving skills in subjects; it provides the evaluation of practical skills by reducing anxiety and stress levels of physiotherapy students in exams. Educational board games motivate physiotherapy students, facilitate recall of information, and increase academic achievement. Online quizzes encourage physiotherapy students to study day to day in their subjects, increasing their achievement and participation in subjects. Gamified websites and gamified physiotherapy case studies motivate students, while virtual reality-based games used in practice subjects facilitate the learning process.
Development of a new design methodology for slab track systems
Authors: Aly Mohamed Hafez , Elnaga Islam Mahmoud Abou , Soliman Ahmed Abdul Hay , Diab Muhammad Ahmad 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOwing to the rapid increase in the demands of train speed and axle loads, the slab track has been introduced to replace the ballast in the classical ballasted track with reinforced concrete slab or asphalt-bearing layer to improve the track stability, strength, and durability. This paper aims to develop a new methodology for estimating the rail deformations for the most common slab track systems (BÖGL, Shinkansen, and RHEDA 2000. This methodology yielded the first design aid for slab track systems based on design equations and graphs for high-speed systems. Using a regression analysis of more than 300 finite element models which are validated by experimental tests, the relationship between the rail deflection, modulus of elasticity for subgrade and replacement, and the replacement thickness was determined for the most common slab tracks under the American (AREMA) and European (EN) loads. According to EN, it was found that the minimum modulus of elasticity for subgrade to fulfill the rail deflection criterion without a replacement soil ranges from 128 to 143 MPa for the most common slab track systems; meanwhile, for AREMA, it ranges from 59 to 70 MPa. Furthermore, for these slab track systems, one simple design chart was introduced to aid engineers with the design of the slab track replacement layer according to each design code.
Pharmaceutical Industry Payments to Medical Oncologists in the Netherlands: Trends and Patterns Provided by an Open-Access Transparency Data Set
Authors: Schnog J.B. , Samson M.J. , Gersenbluth I. , Duits A.J. 
Published: February 2024

PURPOSE
Health care expenditure related to oncologic treatments is skyrocketing although many treatments offer marginal, if any, clinical benefit. Financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) resulting from pharmaceutical industry (pharma) payments to physicians is increasingly recognized as a predictive factor for regulatory board approval and guideline incorporation of low-value treatments. We sought to study the extent to which pharma payments to medical oncologists occur in the Netherlands, the amount of money involved, and whether these occur more frequently and are higher for key opinion leaders (KOLs).

METHODS
In our cross-sectional retrospective database study, we used several Dutch open-access databases and extracted data registered between 2019 and 2021.

RESULTS
A cumulative amount of €899,863 was paid to 48.8% of the 408 registered medical oncologists. Over time, there was a marked decline in both the proportion of medical oncologists receiving payments (from 40.4% in 2019 to 19.1% in 2021) and the mean annual value of payments (from €2,962 in 2019 to €2,188 in 2021) with the latter mainly resulting from a decline in hospitality-related transactions. KOLs were more likely to receive industry payments and received a higher median payment value.

DISCUSSION
Our findings should contribute to the increasing awareness in the Netherlands of the potential effects of fCOI.
Challenges and Solutions to Support Oncology Professionals Serving Underserved Populations With Cancer in the United States: Results From the ASCO Serving the Underserved Task Force
Authors: Patel Manali I. , Hinyard Leslie , Merrill Janette K. , Smith Kimberly T. , Lei Jennifer , Carrizosa Daniel , Kamaraju Sailaja , Hlubocky Fay J. , Kalwar Tricia , Fashoyin-Aje Lola , Gomez Scarlett L. , Jeames Sanford , Florez Narjust , Kircher Sheetal M. , Tap William D. 
Published: February 2024

PURPOSE Little data exist regarding approaches to support oncology professionals who deliver cancer care for underserved populations. In response, ASCO developed the Serving the Underserved Task Force to learn from and support oncology professionals serving underserved populations. METHODS The Task Force developed a 28-question survey to assess oncology professionals' experiences and strategies to support their work caring for underserved populations. The survey was deployed via an online link to 600 oncology professionals and assessed respondent and patient demographic characteristics, clinic-based processes to coordinate health-related social services, and strategies for professional society support and engagement. We used chi-square tests to evaluate whether there were associations between percent full-time equivalent (FTE) effort serving underserved populations (<50% FTE v ≥50% FTE) with responses. RESULTS Of 462 respondents who completed the survey (77% response rate), 79 (17.1%) were Asian; 30 (6.5%) Black; 43 (9.3%) Hispanic or Latino/Latina; and 277 (60%) White. The majority (n = 366, 79.2%) had a medical doctor degree (MD). A total of 174 (37.7%) had <25% FTE, 151 (32.7%) had 25%-50% FTE, and 121 (26.2%) had ≥50% FTE effort serving underserved populations. Most best guessed patients' sociodemographic characteristics (n = 388; 84%), while 42 (9.2%) used data collected by the clinic. Social workers coordinated most health-related social services. However, in clinical settings with high proportions of underserved patients, there was greater reliance on nonclinical personnel, such as navigators (odds ratio [OR], 2.15 [95% CI, 1.07 to 4.33]) or no individual (OR, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.14 to 5.72]) for addressing mental health needs and greater reliance on physicians or advance practice practitioners (OR, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.11 to 5.81]) or no individual (OR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.09 to 3.35]) for addressing childcare or eldercare needs compared with social workers. Prioritization of solutions, which did not differ by FTE effort serving underserved populations, included a return-on-investment model to support personnel, integrated health-related social needs screening, and collaboration with the professional society on advocacy and policy. CONCLUSION The findings highlight crucial strategies that professional societies can implement to support oncology clinicians serving underserved populations with cancer.
Circulating and Imaging Biomarkers of Radium-223 Response in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Saylor Philip J. , Otani Keisuke , Balza Rene , Ukleja Jacob , Pleskow Haley , Fisher Rebecca , Kusaka Erika , Otani Yukako S. , Badusi Priscilla Oluwakemi , Smith Matthew R. , Meneely Erika , Olivier Kara , Lowe Alarice C. , Toner Mehmet , Maheswaran Shyamala , Haber Daniel A. , Yeap Beow Y. , Lee Richard J. , Miyamoto David T. 
Published: February 2024

PURPOSE Radium-223 improves overall survival (OS) and reduces skeletal events in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but relevant biomarkers are lacking. We evaluated automated bone scan index (aBSI) and circulating tumor cell (CTC) analyses as potential biomarkers of prognosis and activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with bone metastatic CRPC were enrolled on a prospective single-arm study of standard radium-223. 99mTc-MDP bone scan images at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months were quantitated using aBSI. CTCs at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months were enumerated and assessed for RNA expression of prostate cancer–specific genes using microfluidic enrichment followed by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The median OS was 21.3 months in 22 patients. Lower baseline aBSI and minimal change in aBSI (<+0.7) from baseline to 2 months were each associated with better OS ( P = .00341 and P = .0139, respectively). The higher baseline CTC count of ≥5 CTC/7.5 mL was associated with worse OS (median, 10.1 v 32.9 months; P = .00568). CTCs declined at 2 months in four of 15 patients with detectable baseline CTCs. Among individual genes in CTCs, baseline expression of the splice variant AR-V7 was significantly associated with worse OS (hazard ratio, 5.20 [95% CI, 1.657 to 16.31]; P = .00195). Baseline detectable AR-V7, higher aBSI, and CTC count ≥5 CTC/7.5 mL continued to have a significant independent negative impact on OS after controlling for prostate-specific antigen or alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSION Quantitative bone scan assessment with aBSI and CTC analyses are prognostic markers in patients treated with radium-223. AR-V7 expression in CTCs is a particularly promising prognostic biomarker and warrants validation in larger cohorts.
Hot-Melt Extrusion: from Theory to Application in Pharmaceutical Formulation—Where Are We Now?
Authors: Patil Hemlata , Vemula Sateesh Kumar , Narala Sagar , Lakkala Preethi , Munnangi Siva Ram , Narala Nagarjuna , Jara Miguel O. , Williams Robert O. , Terefe Hibreniguss , Repka Michael A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHot-melt extrusion (HME) is a globally recognized, robust, effective technology that enhances the bioavailability of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients and offers an efficient continuous manufacturing process. The twin-screw extruder (TSE) offers an extremely resourceful customizable mixer that is used for continuous compounding and granulation by using different combinations of conveying elements, kneading elements (forward and reverse configuration), and distributive mixing elements. TSE is thus efficiently utilized for dry, wet, or melt granulation not only to manufacture dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, or granule-filled sachets, but also for designing novel formulations such as dry powder inhalers, drying units for granules, nanoextrusion, 3D printing, complexation, and amorphous solid dispersions. Over the past decades, combined academic and pharmaceutical industry collaborations have driven novel innovations for HME technology, which has resulted in a substantial increase in published articles and patents. This article summarizes the challenges and models for executing HME scale-up. Additionally, it covers the benefits of continuous manufacturing, process analytical technology (PAT) considerations, and regulatory requirements. In summary, this well-designed review builds upon our earlier publication, probing deeper into the potential of twin-screw extruders (TSE) for various new applications.
Graphical Abstract
Effect of a critical magnetic field on the control of scalar neutral boson pair production in the context of Lorentz-symmetry violation
Authors: Jirón Andrés G. , Obispo Angel E. , Espinoza Loayza J. D. , Quispe Juan Carlos , Castro L. B. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This study investigates the production of neutral scalar boson pairs in static electromagnetic fields resulting from Lorentz-symmetry violation (LSV), with a focus on the parity-even sector of the CPT-even photon sector in the Standard Model Extension (SME). Utilizing a cross-configuration involving inhomogeneous static electric fields and homogeneous static magnetic fields, the analysis of the probability of bosons pair production identifies three different regimes determined by a critical magnetic field. Below the critical value, creation is exponentially suppressed; at the critical value, the number density of created bosons remains constant, and above the critical field, there is exponential amplification. This behavior prompts an additional investigation using von Neumann entanglement entropy to analyze fluctuations in the bosonic vacuum.
Quasi-exactly solvable potentials in Wigner-Dunkl quantum mechanics
Authors: Quesne C. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
It is shown that the Dunkl harmonic oscillator on the line can be generalized to a quasi-exactly solvable one, which is an anharmonic oscillator with

known eigenstates for any

. It is also proved that the Hamiltonian of the latter can also be rewritten in a simpler way in terms of an extended Dunkl derivative. Furthermore, the Dunkl isotropic oscillator and Dunkl Coulomb potentials in the plane are generalized to quasi-exactly solvable ones. In the former case, potentials with

known eigenstates are obtained, whereas, in the latter, sets of

potentials associated with a given energy are derived.