bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Care Spending After Initiating Sacubitril-Valsartan vs Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers for Heart Failure Treatment
Authors: Hwang Catherine S. , Desai Rishi J. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Levin Raisa , Kattinakere Sreedhara Sushama , Rome Benjamin N.
Published: February 2025

Importance

For patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), treatment with sacubitril-valsartan, an angiotensin receptor−neprilysin inhibitor, has become increasingly preferred over angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). However, sacubitril-valsartan is much more expensive than generic ACE-I/ARBs. It is unknown whether the high cost of sacubitril-valsartan is offset by lower spending on hospitalizations and other treatments.

Objective

To compare total and out-of-pocket health care spending among Medicare beneficiaries initiating sacubitril-valsartan vs ACE-I/ARBs for HFrEF.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a cohort study using data from Medicare fee-for-service claims with propensity score matching of Medicare beneficiaries with HFrEF. Data analysis was performed from November 2022 to December 2023.

Exposure

Initiation of sacubitril-valsartan or an ACE-I/ARB. Patients were matched by propensity score based on 104 covariates, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, baseline annual spending, and baseline use of health care services.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Mean total and out-of-pocket health care expenditures during the 365 days after initiating sacubitril-valsartan or an ACE-I/ARB. Censoring for incomplete follow-up was addressed using Kaplan-Meier probability weighting. Cost differences, cost ratios, and 95% CIs were calculated using a nonparametric bootstrapping method with 500 samples drawn with replacement.

Results

Among 13 755 matched pairs of Medicare patients with HFrEF (mean [SD] age, 77.5 [7.5] years; 5138 [39%] 80 years or older; 9949 females [36%] and 17 561 males [64%]), mean annual total health care spending per person was similar for sacubitril-valsartan initiators and ACE-I/ARB initiators (difference, $701; 95% CI, −$132 to $1593). Sacubitril-valsartan initiators had higher prescription drug costs (difference, $1911; 95% CI, $1704 to $2113), lower inpatient costs (difference, −$790; 95% CI, −$1468 to −$72), lower outpatient costs (difference, −$330; 95% CI, −$664 to −$11), and higher annual out-of-pocket spending (difference, $109; 95% CI, $13 to $208).

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found that Medicare beneficiaries initiating sacubitril-valsartan to treat HFrEF had similar total health care spending as those initiating ACE-I/ARBs; higher prescription drug spending was offset by lower inpatient and outpatient spending. However, sacubitril-valsartan use was associated with higher patient out-of-pocket costs, which may exacerbate health disparities and limit access and affordability.
Minnesota Law Brings Transparency to the 340B Drug Pricing Program
Authors: Nikpay Sayeh , McGlave Claire , Gildemeister Stefan
Published: February 2025

This Viewpoint discusses the need for visibility into results of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program and reviews first data from Minnesota.
Meconium-Related Obstruction and Clinical Outcomes in Term and Preterm Infants
Authors: Rook Jordan M. , Chervu Nikhil , Calkins Kara L. , Benharash Peyman , DeUgarte Daniel A.
Published: February 2025

Importance

Textbooks attribute 80% of meconium-related small bowel obstructions to cystic fibrosis and 15% of colonic obstructions to Hirschsprung disease. It is unknown whether these estimates are accurate, particularly among preterm infants, whose immature bowel predisposes them to meconium-related obstruction (MRO).

Objective

To estimate the incidence of MRO by type and to assess its association with clinical outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study of live-born infants included in the National Inpatient Sample from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020, used survey weighting methods to estimate the national incidence of MRO by etiology. Data were analyzed from November 27, 2023, to November 12, 2024.

Exposure

MRO.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was diagnosis with MRO. Secondary outcomes included mortality, need for abdominal surgery, hospitalization duration, and cost. Multivariable regression models were developed to evaluate characteristics associated with MRO and to assess the association of MRO of prematurity with clinical outcomes after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Of 3 550 796 infants, 51.2% were male and 46.7% were privately insured. Overall, 9.1% (n = 322 499) were born preterm. Of 1844 (0.1%) infants treated for MRO, 41 (2.2%) had cystic fibrosis, 60 (3.3%) had Hirschsprung disease, and 1743 (94.5%) had neither predisposing condition. Preterm infants were at highest risk for MRO, with 4.7 MRO cases per 100 000 births associated with cystic fibrosis, 4.7 MRO cases per 100 000 births associated with Hirschsprung disease, and 187.3 MRO cases per 100 000 births associated with neither predisposing condition. Among infants with neither cystic fibrosis nor Hirschsprung disease, those with gestational ages from 28 weeks to 31 weeks 6 days were most likely to develop MRO compared with term infants (adjusted odds ratio, 6.08 [95% CI, 4.27-8.67]). Among preterm infants, having an MRO was associated with a 4.2 percentage point increase in the probability of abdominal surgery (95% CI, 3.1-5.4 percentage points), a 7.3-day increase in length of stay (95% CI, 5.8-8.8 days), and a $23 215 increase in hospitalization costs (95% CI, $17 739-$28 690) compared with infants who did not have an obstruction, with no change in mortality rate (0.1 percentage point change [95% CI, −0.6 to 0.8 percentage points]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of over 3.5 million infants, MRO was most likely to occur among preterm infants without cystic fibrosis or Hirschsprung disease. These infants more frequently required surgery and had longer and more costly hospitalizations, indicating a need for dedicated prevention and treatment pathways for this understudied disease.
Advocates say suit could cripple progress in enforcement of parity
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: February 2025

Advocacy groups in the addiction and mental health communities worry that the recent progress they have seen in enforcement of the federal insurance parity law could be derailed by a lawsuit filed last month by a group representing large employers. The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) is suing the three federal agencies that issued final regulations around parity last September, alleging that several components of the final rule constitute an overreach from the original intent of the parity law enacted in 2008.
The Sackler Settlement: Is it really over?
Authors: Kent Rob
Published: February 2025

Having worked on drug policy for almost twenty years, I am intimately familiar with the role the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma, played in igniting the opioid epidemic that has plagued the United States for more than two decades and cost us almost one million lives. While the Sackler family did not single‐handedly start this mess, they certainly played a leading role. The addiction care system was broken when they received federal government approval to market their opioid as a non‐addictive way to manage long‐term and chronic pain and killer drug exposed the vulnerabilities.
Researchers fight back against NIH overhead cap
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2025

On February 7, the White House announced that it was cutting all indirect costs (overhead) for National Institute of Health (NIH) grants to 15%. Academic medical centers and researchers count on a much higher percentage to pay overhead bills, which include things like heating and air conditioning. When the White House earlier that week announced that it would cut grants, the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) immediately launched a website providing information to researchers (see “CPDD launches website supporting researchers,” ADAW February 10 2025, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adaw.34403).
The Role of Fluorine‐Functionalized Organic Spacers for Defect Passivation and Low‐Dimensional Phase Formation in 3D MAPI Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Semerci Ali , Urieta‐Mora Javier , Driessen Sander , Buyruk Ali , Hooijer Rik , Molina‐Ontoria Agustín , Alkan Bülent , Akin Seckin , Fanetti Mattia , Balakrishnan Harishankar , Hartschuh Achim , Tao Shuxia , Martín Nazario , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Emin Saim , Ameri Tayebeh
Published: February 2025

Widespread application of organic‐inorganic halide perovskites (OIHP) still faces a major obstacle in mitigating moisture‐induced degradation. Integrating organic spacers, as defect passivation facilitators along with low‐dimensional phase (LDP) formation is an effective approach to enhance the efficiency and robustness of 3D methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPI) in photovoltaics (PV). Here, the formamidinium cation (FA+) employing 3,5‐difluorobenzene‐1‐carboximidamidium iodide (2F), 4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzene‐1‐carboximidamidium iodide (3F), and 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzene‐1‐carboximidamidium iodide (5F) organic spacers as passivation layer in 3D/LDP OIHP solar cells is utilized. Fluorine atom position and quantity in organic spacers change the optoelectronic characteristics of the perovskites, enhancing hydrophobicity, facilitating LDP formation, and augmenting dipole moments, thereby facilitating charge separation processes. PV performance analysis reveals that 3F‐treated 3D/LDP devices achieve the highest efficiency of 19.22%. Experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) studies attribute the higher performance of 3F‐modified devices to effective LDP formation, enhanced passivation of defect states at perovskite surfaces and grain boundaries, the highest dipole moment and lowest band gap among the evaluated spacers. The stability tests show that, after 1000 h, 3F‐ and 5F‐modified 3D/LDP OIHP devices retain over 85% of their initial efficiency. This research opens novel avenues for designing appropriate organic spacers to attenuate defects in 3D/LDP PV devices.
Record Efficiency of β‐Phase PVDF‐MXene Composites in Thin‐Film Dielectric Capacitors
Authors: FitzPatrick James , Bera Sumit , Inman Alex , Cabrera Alessandra , Zhang Teng , Parker Tetiana , Mohammadlou Bita Soltan , Roslyk Iryna , Ippolito Stefano , Shevchuk Kateryna , Kadam Sujit A. , Pradhan Nihar R. , Gogotsi Yury
Published: February 2025

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a semicrystalline polymer used in thin‐film dielectric capacitors because of its inherently high dielectric constant and low loss tangent. Its dielectric constant can be increased by the formation and alignment of its β‐phase crystalline structure, which can be facilitated by 2D nanofillers. 2D carbides and nitrides, MXenes, are promising candidates due to their notable dielectric permittivity and ability to increase interfacial polarization. Still, their mixing is challenging due to weak interfacial interactions and poor dispersibility of MXenes in PVDF. This work explores a novel method for delaminating Ti3C2Tx MXene directly into organic solvents while maintaining flake size and quality, as well as the use of a non‐solvent‐induced phase separation method for producing both dense and porous PVDF‐MXene composite films. A deeper understanding of dielectric behavior in these composites is reached by examining MXenes with both mixed and pure chlorine terminations in PVDF matrices. Thin‐film capacitors fabricated from these composites display ultrahigh discharge energy density, exceeding 45 J cm−3 with 95% efficiency. The PVDF‐MXene composites are also processed using a green and sustainable solvent, propylene carbonate.
Neural Network‐Assisted End‐to‐End Design for Full Light Field Control of Meta‐Optics
Authors: Chi Hanbin , Hu Yueqiang , Ou Xiangnian , Jiang Yuting , Yu Dian , Lou Shaozhen , Wang Quan , Xie Qiong , Qiu Cheng‐Wei , Duan Huigao
Published: February 2025

Meta‐optics, with unique light‐matter interactions and extensive design space, underpins versatile and compact optical devices through flexible multi‐parameter light field control. However, conventional designs struggle with the intricate interdependencies of nano‐structural complex responses across wavelengths and polarizations at a system level, hindering high‐performance full‐light field control. Here, a neural network‐assisted end‐to‐end design framework that facilitates global, gradient‐based optimization of multifunctional meta‐optics layouts for full light field control is proposed. Its superiority over separated design is showcased by utilizing the limited design space for multi‐wavelength‐polarization holography with enhanced performance (e.g., ≈6 × structural similarity index experimentally). By harnessing the dispersive full‐parameter Jones matrix, orthogonal tri‐polarization multi‐wavelength‐depth holography is further demonstrated, breaking conventional channel limitations. To highlight its versatility, non‐orthogonal polarizations (>3) are showcased for arbitrary polarized‐spectral multi‐information processing applications in display, imaging, and computing. The comprehensive framework elevates light field control in meta‐optics, delivering superior performance, enhanced functionality, and improved reliability, thereby paving the way for next‐generation intelligent optical technologies.
Anti‐icing Performance of Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Periodic Micro‐nano Structures Directly Induced by Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Li Shang , Su Xuan , He Zhongyuan , Gu Junyi , Diao Yan , Xu Jie , Guo Bin
Published: February 2025

Herein, this paper presents a simple and unique method for the fabrication of superhydrophobic and anti‐icing stainless steel surfaces by using femtosecond laser. Femtosecond laser is used to etch the stainless steel surface with the single‐line array, inducing the generation of periodic micro‐nano structures on the laser scanning path. Then the surface energy of the specimen is lowered with fluoroalkyl silane solution to ultimately obtain the superhydrophobic sample surface with excellent anti‐icing properties. The contact angle of the modified sample surface reaches up to 154°, and the rolling angle is only 4°, showing excellent superhydrophobicity. Moreover, the surface can effectively delay the freezing time of water droplets. The freezing time of the water droplet is extended by 122% compared with the original surface which is only polished, and the ice adhesion strength of the water droplet after complete freezing is only 19.4 kPa. This study provides a simple method for preparing superhydrophobic and anti‐icing surfaces by single‐line array femtosecond laser etching, which eliminates the complicated steps of hydrophobic pattern designing and multiple processing processes. It also provides a new idea for the preparation of superhydrophobic and anti‐icing surfaces in the field of femtosecond laser etching.
Burn‐Induced Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Aggravates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy by Tryptophan‐Kynurenine Mediated AHR Pathway Activation
Authors: Gao Shan , Leng Yan , Qiu Zhen , Li Kai , Li Jun , Peng Jian , Xie Weiguo , Lei Shaoqing , Xia Zhongyuan
Published: February 2025

The hypermetabolic response associated with burns is characterized by skeletal muscle atrophy and an increased incidence of disability and death. Significant remodeling of the gut microbiota occurs after severe burn trauma. However, the specific mechanisms by which gut microbiota contribute to burn‐induced muscle atrophy remain unexplored. The results showed that the disruption of the gut microbiota exacerbated skeletal muscle atrophy. Fecal metabolite analysis revealed perturbations, primarily within the tryptophan (Trp) metabolic pathway. Animal models further demonstrated that gut microbiota disorder enhanced the expression of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO‐1) in the colon, ultimately resulting in Trp depletion and increased kynurenine (Kyn) levels in the serum and skeletal muscle. Excessive colonic Kyn is released into circulation, transported into skeletal muscle cells, and binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), consequently triggering AHR nuclear translocation and initiating the transcription of skeletal muscle atrophy‐related genes. Notably, serum samples from patients with burns exhibited Trp depletion, and Trp supplementation alleviated skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with burns. This study, for the first time, demonstrates that gut microbiota dysbiosis upregulates colonic IDO‐1, promotes Trp‐Kyn metabolism, and exacerbates burn‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy, suggesting that Trp supplementation may be a potential therapeutic strategy.
Selenium Electrophilic Center Responsive to Biological Electron Donors for Efficient Chemotherapy
Authors: Qin Xiaoyu , Guo Junxian , Li Hui , He Hanlong , Cai Fei , Chen Xinyan , Chen Mingkai , Chen Tianfeng , Ma Li
Published: February 2025

Designing drugs to intelligently respond to different ratio of biological electron donors/receptors in cancer cells and normal cells is a promising strategy to achieve highly effective and less toxic chemotherapy. Herein by employing metal center to active the selenium‐containing electrophilic center drug Ru(phtpy‐NO2)(phenSe)Cl (RuSe) with strongly polarization characteristics are synthesized which can efficiently shuttle electrons from biological electron donors to convert to oxidative stress. The rate of electron transfer at the selenium electrophilic center is 1.81 times higher in cancer cell environments compared to normal cell environments. This results in the selenium electrophilic center being 14.98 times more lethal to cancer cells than to normal cells. Experimental results demonstrate that the transport of electrons process is carried out via selenium radicals intermediate and the rate of electron transport is positively correlated with the polarization properties of the electrophilic center atoms. The selenium electrophilic center transports bioactive electrons to generate a large number of superoxide anions leading to DNA damage and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential which further activates the p53 signaling pathway and amplifies the cancer cell‐killing effect after transporting bioactive electrons. This work provides a new avenue for the design of efficient and less toxic chemotherapeutic agents.
Adrenal High‐Expressional CYP27A1 Mediates Bile Acid Increase and Functional Impairment in Adult Male Offspring by Prenatal Dexamethasone Exposure
Authors: Cao Jiangang , Hu Wen , Chen Yawen , Ailikaiti Aihemaitijiang , Zhang Ziyi , Rong Lingbo , Yu Hong , Wang Hui
Published: February 2025

Prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) can impact adrenal corticosteroid synthesis in adult offspring. Furthermore, the adrenal gland can autonomously synthesize bile acids, but local bile acids accumulation has cytotoxic effects. This study found that PDE increased histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) levels in the promoter region of cholesterol 27 hydroxylase (CYP27A1) and its expression, as well as total bile acids (TBA) concentrations and enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and inhibit steroid synthesis in adult male offspring rat adrenal glands. However, it is reversed in females. Tracing back to the prenatal stage and in combination with cellular experiments, it is further revealed that dexamethasone can regulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR)/SET binding protein 1 (SETBP1)/CYP27A1 signal pathway, consequently cause intracellular increase of bile acids. Finally, administration of nilvadipine (CYP27A1 inhibitor) to male offspring for 4 weeks after birth resulted in the reversal of PDE‐induced adrenal morphological and functional damage. In conclusion, PDE induces fetal adrenal corticosteroid dysfunction in adult male offspring by upregulating CYP27A1 promoter region H3K27ac levels and expression in the adrenal gland through the GR/SETBP1 signaling pathway. This effect persists beyond birth, leading to bile acids local increase and subsequent enhancement of ERS, ultimately inducing cellular dysfunction in adult adrenal glands.
Tracking Active Site Formation during Oxidative Activation of Copper‐Exchanged Zeolites for Methane‐to‐Methanol Conversion
Authors: Brenig Andreas , Fischer Jörg W. A. , Klose Daniel , Jeschke Gunnar , van Bokhoven Jeroen A. , Sushkevich Vitaly L.
Published: February 2025

The evolution of active sites in Cu‐zeolites for the CH4‐to‐CH3OH conversion has been investigated during oxidative treatment in O2. Three samples with different frameworks but comparable Cu loadings and Si/Al ratios have been prepared to assess the influence of topology on material oxidizability and the nature of the generated Cu(II) species. Complementary spectroscopic studies highlight that isomeric Cu(II) centers hosted within different topologies are characterized by distinct formation rates. In turn, the framework‐specific kinetics of Cu(II) site generation regulate the overall oxidation potential of the individual zeolites. Apart from the topology, the formation rate of different Cu(II) species is governed by their specific structure, with dimeric Cu(II) centers ([Cu2(µ‐O)]2+) being generated faster than monomeric ([CuOH]+, Cu2+) ones. Elevated temperatures accelerate the evolution of Cu(II) monomers but cause [Cu2(µ‐O)]2+ to undergo autoreduction. The reversibility of this process is framework‐dependent. Consequently, even though two types of [Cu2(µ‐O)]2+ form at low temperatures in each material, only specific ones remain after high‐temperature treatment. The autoreduction of [Cu2(µ‐O)]2+ is accompanied by its transient reduction by hydrocarbon residues, originating from the preceding treatment in CH4. The oxidative decomposition of these impurities yields H2O, which adsorbs on [Cu2(µ‐O)]2+ masks their spectroscopic fingerprints, and renders them inactive.
In Situ High‐Temperature Phase Elucidation of Secondary Particles and Segregating Nanoparticles with Surface Coating‐Networking Architecture for High‐Voltage Cathode Life at High Rate
Authors: Palanisamy Manikandan , Mench Matthew M.
Published: February 2025

Secondary microparticles are synthesized using a Mn1.5Ni0.5(OH)2CO3 precursor, which undergoes thermal decomposition and calcination, releasing CO2 and H2O gaseous species. In situ high‐temperature phase elucidation confirms the least degree of disordered phase LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 cathode without rock‐salt impurity phase and having insignificant content of Mn3+ to stable Fd m structure. Raman spectrum shows a band at 590 cm−1 (F2g(3)) without splitting, confirming spinel compound derived with disordered phase. Microscopic analyses reveal secondary microparticles and segregated primary nanoparticles having surface coating‐conducting network architecture. Cyclic voltammograms of primary nanoparticles show well‐resolved two redox peaks at 4.7 V compared to secondary microparticles, confirming superior kinetic reversibility for Ni2+ to Ni3+ and Ni3+ to Ni4+ redox process. At 20C discharge, segregated primary nanoparticles exhibit a discharge flat voltage profile at 4.3 V and deliver a high reversible capacity of 100 mAh g−1 for the 12th cycle and 86 mAh g−1 for the 1000th cycle, while secondary microparticles deliver 70 mAh g−1 for 12th cycle and declined its cycle operation at 250th cycle with the capacity of < 5 mAh g−1. Results confirm a strong potential for use as a highly durable, cobalt‐free, high‐voltage cathode capable of high‐rate discharge in LIBs.
A General Strategy for the Synthesis of Metal‐Backboned Molecules with Different Metals
Authors: Wu Yanruzhen , Zhang Yifeng , Zeng Kaiwen , Cheng Xiangran , Song Jiatian , Peng Huisheng
Published: February 2025

Metal‐backboned molecules have been recently explored as a new class of materials with remarkable physical and chemical properties. However, their backbones are mainly composed of Ni atoms and poses challenges in incorporating a wide range of metallic elemental species, which has severely hindered their further development. Herein, we have designed a general synthesis strategy and obtained new metal‐backboned molecules with a variety of metals including Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Pt in the backbones through a ligand‐assisted strategy under screening reaction conditions. The metal backbone with seven Cu atoms has been carefully demonstrated for the synthesis. The intriguing optical properties, electronic band gaps and thermal properties for the metal‐backboned molecules have been further explored. This work provides a new avenue on the synthesis of high‐performance metal‐backboned molecule materials for promising applications in the future.
Performance Comparison of PVDF‐Based Unimodal and Bimodal Electret Air Filters via Solution‐Blowing and Electro‐Blowing Methods
Authors: Calisir Mehmet Durmus
Published: February 2025

In this study, unimodal and bimodal PVDF nano/micro‐fibrous filter mats are produced using electro‐blowing (EB) and solution‐blowing (SB) techniques. Fiber diameters are controlled by adjusting solution concentrations (10 and 20 wt%) and applying an electric field. Nanofibers from low‐concentration solutions using EB averaged 236 nm, while fibers from high‐concentration solutions via SB reached around 1 μm. Both methods result in fiber bundles, with EB forming finer bundles and SB producing thicker ones. Defects such as droplets and beads are observed in SB, decreasing with the electric field and lower solution concentration. Bimodal mats show fiber distributions centered around 250 nm and 1 μm. FTIR analysis reveals similar crystallization, with all samples dominated by the β‐phase and finer nanofibers increasing peak intensities. Filtration tests for PM0.3 at 15.83 cm/s show Sample A (EB) achieves the highest efficiency (95.95%) but also the highest resistance (250.33 Pa). Among bimodal samples, four‐layered ABAB mats show the best quality factor (QF) with 84.67% efficiency and 145.25 Pa pressure drop, while Sample A + B achieves 88.24% efficiency with a lower pressure drop (169.50 Pa). Corona discharge treatment enhances filtration efficiency, with the sample ABAB reaching 94.55% efficiency and a 151.83 Pa pressure drop after treatment.
Enhancing plant morphological trait identification in herbarium collections through deep learning–based segmentation
Authors: Ariouat Hanane , Sklab Youcef , Prifti Edi , Zucker Jean‐Daniel , Chenin Eric
Published: February 2025

Premise

Deep learning has become increasingly important in the analysis of digitized herbarium collections, which comprise millions of scans that provide valuable resources for studying plant evolution and biodiversity. However, leveraging deep learning algorithms to analyze these scans presents significant challenges, partly due to the heterogeneous nature of the non‐plant material that forms the background of the scans. We hypothesize that removing such backgrounds can improve the performance of these algorithms.

Methods

We propose a novel method based on deep learning to segment and generate plant masks from herbarium scans and subsequently remove the non‐plant backgrounds. The semi‐automatic preprocessing stages involve the identification and removal of non‐plant elements, substantially reducing the manual effort required to prepare the training dataset.

Results

The results highlight the importance of effective image segmentation, which achieved an F1 score of up to 96.6%. Moreover, when used in classification models for plant morphological trait identification, the images resulting from segmentation improved classification accuracy by up to 3% and F1 score by up to 7% compared to non‐segmented images.

Discussion

Our approach isolates plant elements in herbarium scans by removing background elements to improve classification tasks. We demonstrate that image segmentation significantly enhances the performance of plant morphological trait identification models.
Understanding the Population Dynamics of Dusky Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Through Long‐Term Monitoring
Authors: Coronel‐Montigel B. M. , Loizaga R. , Degrati M.
Published: February 2025

Estimates of apparent survival and abundance are crucial for understanding the population dynamics of sentinel species. To achieve this, it is necessary to establish a baseline of these parameters for effective management planning in areas strongly impacted. This is the case of the dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), a species inhabiting the Argentine coasts. In Golfo Nuevo, information on the demographic parameters of this species, which coexists with tourism activities, remains insufficient. In this study, the abundance of dusky dolphins in Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentina, was estimated through long‐term monitoring using the mark‐recapture model for open populations (POPAN model). Moreover, the apparent survival rate of this species was estimated for the first time through live recaptures using the Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) model. Photo‐identification surveys were conducted from 2004 to 2022, and models were built using the MARK program, selecting the best models based on the lowest AIC. Our results suggest that in Golfo Nuevo, the apparent survival rate is high, around 0.95 ± 0.01, whereas the local abundance reached 2862.81 individuals throughout the entire sampling period. The number of individuals showed an increase with an average annual change rate of 4.65%. These findings represent a baseline estimate of abundance, apparent survival and population trend for dusky dolphins. However, future studies should prioritize estimates of site fidelity and emigration to achieve accurate estimations of true survival rates for the species. Our results contribute to the understanding of dusky dolphin population dynamics and can be considered in management and conservation projects at the local level.
The Former Pelagic Longline Fishery of a Large‐Scale Marine Protected Area
Authors: Kerry Chris , Metcalfe Kristian , Brown Judith , Richardson Andrew J. , Laptikvoksky Vladimir , Reeves Stuart , Weber Nicola , Weber Sam B.
Published: February 2025

The establishment of large‐scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) has emerged as one of the defining trends in ocean conservation over recent decades. To assess the potential benefits of such designations, it is necessary to understand the nature of the threats that have been excluded. Here, we summarise over 25 years of historical catch and effort data for a pelagic longline fishery that formerly operated within the recently designated LSMPA surrounding Ascension Island (UK), using data compiled from logbooks and observer programmes. Licenced fishing by foreign vessels (primarily flagged to Taiwan and Japan) operated intermittently in the Ascension Island exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between 1988 and 2016, with catch peaking at over 5000 t year−1 in the early 1990s. Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) was the dominant species targeted (76% of total catch weight) whilst oceanic sharks (e.g. blue shark Prionace glauca) and other predatory pelagic finfish (e.g. longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox) appear to have presented a sizable bycatch risk, accounting for 37% of total individuals caught in local observer data. The fishery displayed strong seasonality, with two thirds of activity occurring between December and March and was consistently concentrated in the northwest of the EEZ. This distribution closely aligns with recent satellite‐derived vessel tracking data which suggests that a regional longline fishing hotspot remains in the high seas area adjacent to the northwest of the Ascension Island MPA. Our results suggest that predatory pelagic fish and sharks will be the most direct beneficiaries of the Ascension Island MPA, although the high mobility of these species may lessen any conservation impacts, given intense the fishing effort in adjacent high seas areas. While illegal fishing remains a potential threat, the spatiotemporal predictability of the historic fishery may be useful in identifying areas of elevated risk for targeted enforcement in this large, remote MPA.
Event‐triggered security control of networked switched systems under denial‐of‐service attacks: A dual‐channel transmission case
Authors: Du Xian , Jia Peilin , Wang Wanchen , Lian Jie , Li Hao
Published: February 2025

The paper investigates the event‐triggered security control of networked switched systems (NSSs) under denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks through dual‐channel transmission. To actively defend against DoS attacks, a Stackelberg game is employed to characterize the interaction between the defender and the DoS attacker, with the defender assuming the role of leader and the attacker as follower. Furthermore, a simulated annealing algorithm is utilized to obtain the Stackelberg equilibrium solution, from which packet loss rates of dual channels are derived. In order to optimize communication resources and prevent asynchronous switching caused by triggering conditions, a novel event‐triggered mechanism is proposed. Considering the open‐loop and asynchronous scenarios caused by DoS attacks, zero‐input and hold‐input control strategy along with an appropriate switching law are jointly designed to ensure the almost sure stability of NSSs. Finally, a practical example involving the networked continuous stirred tank reactor system is provided to validate the effectiveness and superiority of our proposed method.
Ökobilanzielle Bewertung von Wohnbauten – Teil 2: Detailbetrachtungen und Ausblick
Authors: Vukadinovic Mario , Lützkendorf Thomas , Maas Anton , Schlitzberger Stephan , Höttges Kirsten , Dorff Frederic , Lange Georg , König Holger
Published: February 2025

Die Reduktion von Treibhausgasemissionen im Bau‐ und Gebäudebereich, einschließlich vor‐ und nachgelagerter Branchen, ist zentral für den Klimaschutz und die nachhaltige Entwicklung. In Deutschland wird intensiv diskutiert, wie Anforderungen zur Begrenzung der Emissionen im Lebenszyklus von Gebäuden in das Ordnungsrecht integriert werden könnten. Das Förderprogramm „Klimafreundlicher Neubau“ (KFN) nutzt bereits konkrete Berechnungsansätze und Anforderungsniveaus, die auf den Regeln und Datengrundlagen des Indikators „Treibhausgase und Primärenergie im Lebenszyklus“ des Qualitätssiegels Nachhaltiges Gebäude (QNG) basieren. Im zweiten Teil der Beitragsreihe werden die Resultate einer Analyse der Lebenszyklus‐Emissionen von Wohnbauten vorgestellt, die Teil des Forschungsberichts „Klimafreundliche Wohnbauten – Erprobung und Weiterentwicklung von Grundlagen der Ökobilanzierung“ sind. Thematisiert werden die Anteile gebäudebezogener sowie nutzungsbedingter Emissionen, der Einfluss von Kellern und Tiefgaragen, die Wahl der Bezugsfläche sowie die Auswirkungen von PV‐Anlagen unter veränderten klimatischen Bedingungen. Es wird auch diskutiert, welche Konsequenzen diese Erkenntnisse für Planungsprozesse und Produktentwicklungen haben. Ein Ausblick auf die nächsten Schritte und erwartbare Veränderungen rundet den Beitrag ab. Die Autoren laden ein, sich mit den Empfehlungen auseinanderzusetzen, um einen Beitrag zur Minderung der Emissionen im Bau‐ und Gebäudebereich zu leisten.
Using Adaptive Learning Platform Data in a Flipped Classroom for Early Detection and Tutoring of Low‐Performing Students
Authors: Kaw Autar , Yalcin Ali , Clark Renee
Published: February 2025

This article explores the use of adaptive learning platform (ALP) data to conduct early identification and provide support to students who have a low‐performance outcome (C or lower) in a numerical methods engineering course. The data from assigned ALP lessons for two semesters was used to create decision‐tree models to identify students who would benefit from advising and tutoring support. In the following two semesters, low‐performing students were identified early in the semester and provided with support, and their performance was compared to their peers. The best‐performing prediction model achieved an accuracy of 85% in predicting low‐performing students in the third week of the course. The support included weekly one‐on‐one tutoring and advising sessions. Although only 23% of the identified students accepted support, they scored one‐third a letter grade better than those who did not. Additionally, students who received support were invited to participate in a focus group at the end of the semester. Positive outcomes reported included improved understanding of course material, higher academic performance, advice on learning strategies, and guidance on non‐course‐related topics like internships and employment. Although most students valued receiving personalized invitations, a few felt singled out as low‐performing. Students acknowledged the significance of individualized support, gave advice on how to word the invitation emails, and made helpful suggestions for improving help sessions, particularly in terms of personalization and recognizing their heavy academic workload.
Changing terminology on forms can increase disclosures by employees
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2025

Replacing the term “disability” with “qualifying condition” on disclosure forms can significantly increase the disability disclosure rate for employees, according to a study led by Northern Illinois University Psychology Professor Alecia Santuzzi.
Inorganic Solid‐State Electrolytes in Potassium Batteries: Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Authors: Masese Titus , Kanyolo Godwill Mbiti
Published: February 2025

Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are increasingly attractive owing to their high voltage and projected low cost. However, the advancement of KIBs has been constrained by challenges related to electrolyte stability and interface compatibility. Traditional liquid electrolytes pose significant risks, including leakage and flammability, prompting a shift towards solid‐state electrolytes, which offer improved energy density, safety and thermal stability. This Perspective explores the current state of inorganic solid‐state electrolytes entailing oxides, chalcogenides, halides and hydrides. We delve into their recent advancements, identifying key challenges and future research opportunities, with the aim of advancing the development of high‐performance all‐solid‐state potassium batteries.
Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes as Microscopic‐Cables to Boost Discharge Performance of Li‐O2 Batteries
Authors: Huang Haoshen , Zhou Huafeng , Wu Nuowen , Yu Haiyang , Gao Weibo , Shi Jianghuan , Song Jiahao , Zheng Yayun , Chen Zhengfei , Liu Zixuan
Published: February 2025

A simple carbon black (Ketjenblack, KB)‐multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite was fabricated and used as the air cathode in a Li‐O2 battery where MWCNTs primarily serve as microscopic cables to enhance long‐range electronic conductivity. With optimal KB:MWCNTs mass ratios, the composite exhibited significantly improved specific capacity (up to 10611 mAh/gcarbon under 100 mAh/gcarbon), rate capability (up to 9598 mAh/gcarbon under 500 mAh/gcarbon) and cyclability than pristine KB, owing to the synergy of KB's abundant surface area for accommodation of discharge products and MWCNTs’ long‐range electronic conductivity to guide even and compact deposition of discharge products, and mitigate passivation/clogging of the air cathode surface during discharge. This strategy of using MWCNTs as microscopic cables could also be applied for other commercial materials to construct high‐performance and low‐cost air cathodes.
Comparing Interface Conditions for a 3D–0D Multiscale Interface Coupling With Applications in Tissue Perfusion
Authors: Bociu L. , Broussard M. , Guidoboni G. , Prada D. , Strikwerda S.
Published: February 2025

Many pathologies are related to hemodynamic changes occurring at the microvascular level, where small vessels pierce the tissue, perfusing it with blood. Since there is a large number of vessels of small caliber, it is impractical to model the fluid flow through each one of them separately, as it is done in the case of large arteries using, for example, the Navier–Stokes equations. As an alternative, tissue perfusion is modeled here via three‐dimensional (3D) partial differential equations (PDEs) for fluid flow through deformable porous media, where blood vessels are modeled as pores within a deformable solid representing the tissue. Since it is known that the local perfusion is related to the systemic features of surrounding blood circulation, we couple the PDE system with a zero‐dimensional (0D) lumped circuit model, obtained by the analogy between fluid flows in hydraulic networks and current flowing in electrical circuits. An important feature in this multiscale 3D–0D coupling is the specification of interface conditions between the 3D and the 0D parts of the system. In this article, we focus on two types of interface conditions driven by physical considerations, and compare the behavior of the solutions for the two different scenarios.
Dynamic Model of Malware Propagation Based on Community Structure in Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Jouyban Morteza , Hosseini Soodeh
Published: February 2025

Heterogeneous networks are used as models for many real‐world networks and systems due to their diversity in structures, characteristics, and connections. Consequently, the study of these networks helps to better understand the vulnerabilities and the malware propagation in real complex systems. In this paper, the impact of community structure, which is one of the main characteristics of heterogeneous networks, on malware propagation is investigated. The Vulnerable‐Unprotected‐Malfunctioned‐Recovered‐Vulnerable (VUMRV) model is used to simulate the dynamics and the propagation process. The process of density change among network members in all states of communities and the entire network, as well as the effect of the secured mechanism, is analyzed. The equilibrium points are obtained by solving the differential equations equivalent to the proposed model. In addition, the basic reproduction number as a metric is computed by using the next generation matrix method to determine the potential impact of the malware and its epidemic spread in the network. Numerical simulations are performed to validate and compare the theoretical results, and analyze the combined impact of the network topology and security strategies on the final epidemic situation. The results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of using the community structure property of heterogeneous networks as a malware propagation control method.
Photochemical Surface Degradation in Spiropyran based films
Authors: Feringa Ruben , Martinelli Jacopo , Browne Wesley Richard
Published: February 2025

Functional coatings based on molecular photoswitches hold promise in photoswitching of surface properties and especially solvent contact angles. Combining molecular photoswitches with other components allows for formation of shape forming amorphous rather than crystalline surfaces. Here, a potentially polymerisable thioctic acid unit was combined with a spiropyran photochromic switch (spiropyran thioctic ester (SPTE)) to form amorphous photoswitchable films. The photochromism of the films shows reversibility, however, we show that the increase in surface polarity observed upon switching with UV light is due in large part to degradation at the surface that does not occur in the bulk of the films.  Vibrational spectroscopy reveals that the initial photoswitching to the merocyanine state is followed by degradation. We show that the surface sensitivity of the technique used to monitor switching is critical to observing the changes that are responsible for the change in surface polarity.
Surrounding superficial esophageal cancer masked by Candida esophagitis that was difficult to distinguish from Candida esophagitis alone: A case report
Authors: Takahashi Shunsuke , Kono Mitsuhiro , Fujiwar Yasuhiro
Published: February 2025

During the initial diagnosis of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a 70‐year‐old man was treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Two years after the first ESD, follow‐up endoscopy revealed that the extent of hyperkeratosis gradually expanded over the following 4 years; however, biopsies conducted only detected Candida mycelia and no cancer at that time and every 6 months for 4 years. Despite initiating fluconazole treatment for persistent Candida esophagitis 6 years after the first ESD, the lesions did not resolve, and the second ESD was performed 6 years after the first ESD, which revealed squamous cell carcinoma. This case highlights that esophageal cancer should be considered when localized, hyperkeratotic Candida esophagitis is unresponsive to antifungal treatments, especially with a history of esophageal cancer or high‐risk factors such as drinking alcohol and smoking.
Alkaline Earth Metal Nitride Chalcogenides, Ca6N2Se3, Sr6N2Se3 and Sr6N2Te3
Authors: Sun Guowei , Niewa Rainer
Published: February 2025

The novel isotypic hexagonal alkaline earth metal nitride chalcogenides Ca6N2Se3, Sr6N2Se3 and Sr6N2Te3 (R
(No.167); Z=6) were synthesized from Ca(Sr)/Na flux at 1173 K. The compounds belong to the rare class of ternary metal nitride chalcogenides. The structures feature the shortest Ca/Sr−N bonds within the regular trigonal antiprismatic coordination (Ca−N: 235.17(8); Sr−N: 251.20(6) pm). Two crystallographic distinct nitrogen atoms are coordinated in a trigonal antiprism and a twisted trigonal prism, respectively, and are alternatively condensed via trigonal trans‐faces to form one‐dimensional chains
. The chalcogenide ions in comparison realize rather ambiguous environments. Raman spectroscopic data are reported.
N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis((1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)methyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine ligands as versatile scaffolds for second coordination sphere design
Authors: Pochet Corentin , Laurent Tristan , Wang Mengmeng , Rotaru Aurelian , Robeyns Koen , Garcia Yann , Singleton Michael
Published: February 2025

The polypyrazole‐containing ligands, N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis((5‐tert‐Butyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)methyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine (L1) and N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis((5‐Phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)methyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine (L2) were synthesized and shown to form hexadentate monometallic coordination compounds with Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ metal ions. Exchange studies with the metal ions show binding preference in the order of Ni2+>Co2+/Cu2+>Zn2+. The compounds were confirmed by NMR, UV‐Vis studies and the X‐ray crystals structures of [Co(L1)](PF6)2, [Ni(L1)](PF6)2, [Cu(L1)]ClPF6, [Zn(L1)](PF6)2 and [Ni(L2)]Cl2. In the solid state, the arrangement of the bulky pyrazole units leads to the formation of two distinct cationic pockets containing the N‐H groups of the pyrazoles. These cationic pockets are found to bind Cl‐ or PF6‐ counterions through hydrogen bonding and anions titrations revealed good affinity for Cl‐ and Br‐. The compounds can be deprotonated up to two times using mild organic bases, highlighting the potential of these ligands to tune the electronic properties of the metal center.
Synthesis of Quinolino[4,3‐j]phenanthridines and their Photophysical Characterization
Authors: Schumann Felix R. , Podlech Joachim
Published: February 2025

Quinolino[4,3‐j]phenanthridines were synthesized from para‐terphenyl‐2,2′′‐diamines, which were obtained by cross‐coupling reactions. The diamines were converted into amides and ortho‐cyclized to quinolino[4,3‐j]phenanthridines using Morgan‐Walls reactions. Prolonged reaction times were required in these electrophilic substitution reactions to overcome the respective deactivated intermediates formed after the first ortho fusion. Optophysical properties were determined by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and calculated by quantum chemical calculations. The compounds exhibit rather small HOMO/LUMO gaps and a remarkable bathochromic shift of luminescence upon protonation, what makes these compounds promising candidates for optoelectronic applications.