bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Path planning for multiple agents in an unknown environment using soft actor critic and curriculum learning
Authors: Sun Libo , Yan Jiahui , Qin Wenhu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPath planning can guarantee that agents reach their goals without colliding with obstacles and other agents in an optimal way and it is a very important component in the research of crowd simulation. In this article, we propose a novel path planning approach for multiple agents which combines soft actor critic (SAC) algorithm and curriculum learning to solve the problems of single policy, slow convergence of the policy in an unknown environment with sparse rewards. The path planning task is set as lessons from easy to difficult, and the neural network of the SAC algorithm is arranged to learn in sequence, and finally the neural network can be fully competent for the path planning task. We also stack the state information to address the problems caused by limited observation for policy learning, and design a comprehensive reward function to make agents reach their goals successfully and avoid collisions with static obstacles and other agents. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach can plan smooth and natural paths for multiple agents, and furthermore, our model has a certain generalization ability and a better adaptability to the changes in a dynamic environment.
Laparoscopic diverticulectomy of perforated right‐sided colonic diverticulitis
Authors: Bouzid Ahmed , Kardoun Nizar , Fourati Kais , Amar Mohammed Ben , Boujelbene Salah 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe perforation of the right‐sided colonic diverticulitis (RSCD) is a rare surgical emergency with highly variable clinical presentations. The preoperative distinction between acute appendicitis and perforated diverticulitis represent a dilemma for surgeon. The laparoscopic repair is a feasible method instead of ileocecectomy in selected cases.
Pillararene‐Based Supramolecular Vesicles for Stimuli‐Responsive Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Chen , Li Hang , Dong Jiangtao , Chen Yuxia , Luan Xingkun , Li Xiaona , Du Xuezhong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSupramolecular vesicles (SMVs) self‐assembled from the supra‐amphiphiles, consisting of two scaffolds linked together through noncovalent interactions, can realize stimuli‐responsive controlled release of encapsulated drugs for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and minimized side effect of drugs. Pillararenes (PAs), an emerging kind of macrocyclic hosts in 2008, are easy to modify with a variety of functionalities. SMVs from PAs and specific guests mainly based on the host–guest interactions have attracted increasing attention because of their drug delivery and controlled drug release. A great progress in the construction and stimuli‐responsive drug delivery of the PA‐based SMVs has been made since the first work was reported in 2012. This review summarizes the major achievements of the PA‐based SMVs for stimuli‐responsive drug delivery over the past 5 years, including the microstructures of SMVs, multiple stimuli‐responsive SMVs, prodrug SMVs from prodrug PAs and guests, bola‐type SMVs, multifunctional SMVs, glucose‐responsive SMVs for insulin delivery, novel SMVs from responsive PAs, thermo‐responsive SMVs, and ternary SMVs, for chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and other biological applications. The future challenges and research directions of PA‐based SMVs are also outlined from the points of views of the fundamental research, biological applications, and clinical applications of PA‐based SMVs.
Dipole‐Dipole and Anion‐π+ Interaction Manipulation Synergistically Enhance Intrinsic Antibacterial Activities of AIEgens
Authors: Jiang Guoyu , Hu Rong , Li Chunbin , Gong Jianye , Wang Jianguo , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Qin Anjun , Zhong Tang Ben 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPathogenic bacteria infections, especially multidrug resistant bacteria infections have aroused worldwide attention due to their severe threats to human beings. Thus, the development of highly effective antibacterial reagents is very important. However, the design of antimicrobials is still quite challenging for the lack of a universal design strategy. Here, a synergistic manipulation strategy of dipole‐dipole and anion‐π+ interaction is proposed for constructing highly efficient antimicrobials with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) feature. Firstly, four anion‐π+‐type AIE luminogens were designed and synthesized. Due to the electron‐donating and hydrophilic characteristic of methoxy groups, 3MOTPO containing three methoxy groups showed the largest dipole moment (5.06 Debye) and dual anion‐π+ interactions in the solid state. Driven by both dipole‐dipole and anion‐π+ interactions, 3MOTPO showed the strongest bacterial binding ability and the best antibacterial activities (MIC90=3.76 μM). The work offers a deep insight into the rational design of highly efficient antimicrobials for luminescence‐guided antibacterial study.
Multiple Ensembles of the Hydrogen‐bonded Network in Ethylammonium Nitrate versus Water from Vibrational Spectral Dynamics of SCN− Probe
Authors: Biswas Aritri , Mallik Bhabani S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe performed classical molecular dynamics simulations to monitor the structural interactions and ultrafast dynamical and spectral response in the protic ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) and water using the nitrile stretching mode of thiocyanate ion (SCN−) as the vibrational probe. The normalized frequency distribution of the nitrile stretch in SCN− attains an asymmetric shape in EAN, indicating the existence of more than one hydrogen‐bonding environment in EAN. Further, we computed the 2D IR spectrum from classical trajectories, applying the response function formalism. Spectral diffusion dynamics in EAN undergo an initial rattling of the SCN− inside the local ion‐cage occurring at a timescale of 0.10 ps, followed by the breakup of the ion‐cage activating molecular diffusion at 7.86 ps timescale. In contrast, the dynamics of structural reorganization occur at a timescale of 0.58 ps in H2O. Hence, the time dependence of the frequency‐frequency correlation function decay hints at the local molecular structure and ultrafast ion dynamics of the SCN− probe. The loss of frequency correlation read from the peak shape changes in the 2D correlation spectrum as a function of waiting time is faster in H2O than in EAN due to the enhanced structural ordering and higher viscosity of the latter. We provide an atomic‐level interpretation of the solvation environment around SCN− in EAN and water, which indicates multiple ensembles of the hydrogen bond network in EAN.
Interaction energy in the Poisson–Boltzmann plus hole approximation in asymmetric complex plasmas
Authors: Martynova Inna A. , Iosilevskiy Igor L. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe analyse two‐component electroneutral systems of classical finite‐sized macroions with the charge Z ≫ 1 and point oppositely charged microions with a unit charge. The article deals with a modification of the Debye–Hückel plus hole approximation when nonlinear screening effect is taken into account in asymmetric complex plasmas. We calculate the interaction energy in the Poisson–Boltzmann plus hole approximation considering the interaction of all particles (both inside and outside the hole). This energy has a greater value than some previous results. In addition, we subdivide all hole microions into two types, free microions and bound ones, and show a significant reduction of an effective macroion charge Z* in comparison with its initial charge Z due to the nonlinear screening by a thin high‐concentration bound microions envelope. We demonstrate that this procedure increases the Debye radius that takes the screening by microions and macroions outside the hole into account.
Interactions among solvent, anion acceptor, and supporting electrolyte salt in fluoride shuttle battery electrolyte based on nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Konishi Hiroaki , Takekawa Reiji , Minato Taketoshi , Ogumi Zempachi , Abe Takeshi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractFluoride shuttle batteries (FSBs) are promising next‐generation rechargeable batteries. To analyze the detailed local environment in the electrolytes of FSBs, the dynamics of the molecules and ions in an electrolyte, prepared using 2, 4, 6‐trimethoxyboroxine (TMBX)—a liquid‐type anion acceptor, were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance. The results indicated that TMBX could be mixed with the solvent (bis[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl]ether (tetraglyme, G4)); however, it did not interact with G4. In contrast, when cesium fluoride (CsF) was added to TMBX/G4, TMBX interacted with CsF, and a TMBX‐F− ion was formed. TMBX‐F− interacted and cooperatively diffused with G4.
Quantification of greenhouse gas emission from wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Bai Ruolin L. , Jin Lei , Sun Shurui R. , Cheng Yang , Wei Yi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this study, a new quantitative approach of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is established. It is developed based on three categories of WWPTs: (1) energy and chemical consumption; (2) final disposal of biosolids; and direct GHG emission from treatment processes, which is helpful to better estimate the GHG emission pathways. The developed approach can provide actual results of GHG emission in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) from wastewater treatment process. Then, this method is applied to a municipal WWPT, where the GHG emission from the processes of final treatment, biological treatment, and anaerobic digestion, at the southside of Guelph city in Canada. The results show that there are 6743.8 CO2 eq.kg/day of CO2 and 1924.48 CO2 eq.kg/day of N2O emissions from aeration tank/activated sludge system. The biological treatment and anaerobic digestion release 74177.58 CO 2eq.kg/day of CH4, 7258.5 CO2 eq.kg/day of CO2, and 59022.6 CO2 eq.kg/day of CH4, 3493.24 CO2eq.kg/day of CO2. If the methane, which discharged from biological treatment and anaerobic digestion, is captured and burned for energy regeneration, then it can produce 12937.9 CO2 eq.kg/day of CO2. The total amount of GHG indicates that about 80% GHG is emitted from the final disposal field while 9% and 11% GHG is emitted from biological treatment and anaerobic digestion, respectively. Therefore, based on the calculated results, engineers can put forward suggestions to optimize operation conditions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Task shifting cesarean sections in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zakhari Andrew , Konci Rea , Nguyen Dong Bach , Amar‐Zifkin Alexandre , Smith Jessica Papillon , Mansour Fady W. , Krishnamurthy Srinivasan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundSafe and timely access to cesarean section (CS) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) remains a significant challenge.ObjectivesTo compare maternal and perinatal outcomes of CS by non‐physician clinicians (NPCs) versus physicians in LMIC.Search strategy and Selection criteriaA systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), Web of Science, and LILACS was performed from inception to January 2022.Data collection and analysisData were extracted by two independent reviewers and meta‐analysis was performed when possible.Main resultsTen studies from seven African countries were included. There was no significant difference in maternal mortality for CS performed by NPCs versus physicians (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–2.14, P = 0.8, I2 = 70%, P < 0.05, eight studies, n = 20 711) or in perinatal mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.86–1.61, P = 0.3, I2 = 88%, n = 19 716). Despite heterogeneous clinical settings between providers, there was no difference in the rates of wound infection or re‐operation, although there was a higher rate of wound complications (such as dehiscence) in the NPC group (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.21–2.95, P = 0.005, n = 6507).ConclusionsNPCs have comparable maternal and neonatal outcomes for CS compared with standard providers, albeit with increased odds of wound complication.PROSPERO RegistrationCRD42020217966.
Effect of long noncoding RNA CCAT2 on drug sensitivity to 5‐fluorouracil of breast cancer cells through microRNA‐145 meditated by p53
Authors: Zhang Ziyun , Wang Xuedong , Wang Yueping , Zhou Daoping , Wu Huaiguo , Cheng Wei , Wang Qingping , Zheng Guopei , Wang Ji , Gu Juan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe current study was set out to investigate the mechanism by which silenced long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) colon cancer‐associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) modulates the cell growth, migration, invasion, and drug sensitivity of breast cancer (BC) cells to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) with the involvement of miR‐145 and p53. First, high CCAT2 expression was presented in BC cells and tissues. Subsequently, the links between CCAT2 expression and BC clinicopathological features were analyzed. Highly‐expressed CCAT2 was linked to lymph node metastasis, positive progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and Ki‐67 of BC cells. Then, the gain‐ and loss‐of‐function approaches were performed to measure the regulatory role of CCAT2 in the biological processes of BC cells. Silencing of CCAT2 suppressed in vitro cell growth, proliferation, invasion, migration abilities, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation, increased cell apoptosis, and enhanced drug sensitivity of BC cells. Silencing of CCAT2 upregulated miR‐145, which was poorly expressed in drug‐resistant BC cells. p53 can bind to the miR‐145 promoter region and increase miR‐145 expression. Upregulation of miR‐145 induced by silencing of CCAT2 can be invalidated by p53‐siRNA. To conclude, p53‐induced activation of miR‐145 could be inhibited by CCAT2, while overexpression of CCAT2 could improve the drug resistance of BC cells to 5‐Fu.
Activation of h‐BN and SiC monolayer sheets through foreign atom substitution; a comparative study based on ab‐initio method
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Rafique Muhammad , Soomro Amir Mahmood , Kumar Mahesh 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHere, we studied two different 2D monolayer systems (i.e., h‐BN and SiC), which exhibit unique electronic and magnetic properties. We analyzed the effects of Transition Methods (TM) doped atoms (i.e., Mn, Ni, and Sc) on the single vacancy (SV) h‐BN and SiC systems using first principles calculations. Through comparison we found that Mn substitution in SV h‐BN and SiC can modify their electronic and magnetic properties having larger magnetic moment as compared to other dopants (i.e., Ni and Sc.). Band structure and PDOS plots confirmed that TM doping in SV h‐BN can convert the pure h‐BN (insulator) to semiconductor, metal, or semi‐metal, it is also observed from the results that Mn‐doped h‐BN has higher band gap approximately equal to Eg ~ 2.7 eV during the negative spin and has smaller band gap, that is, (Eg ~ 1.1 eV) during the positive spin. Similarly doping with the TM atoms on the SV SiC monolayer system can convert pure SiC to metal or half metal. In addition, Mn‐doped SiC showed semimetal property having 0 eV band gap. These finding will help us to vary the electronic and magnetic properties of the pure h‐BN and SiC sheets which can be used for the opto‐electronic and spintronic applications.
Use of a habituation–dishabituation test to determine canine olfactory sensitivity
Authors: Moser Ariella Y. , Brown Wendy Y. , Bizo Lewis A. 
Published: August 2022

The habituation–dishabituation (H–D) paradigm is an established measure of sensory perception in animals. However, it has rarely been applied to canine olfaction. It proposes that animals will lose interest in, or habituate to, a stimulus after successive exposures but will regain interest in, or dishabituate to, a novel stimulus if they can perceive it. This study assessed an H–D test's practicability to determine dogs' olfactory detection thresholds (ODTs) for a neutral odorant. A random selection of mixed‐breed pet dogs (n = 26) participated in two H–D tests in a repeated‐measures crossover design. They were first habituated to a carrier odor and then presented with either ascending concentrations of n‐amyl acetate in the known ODT range (experimental condition) or repeated carrier odor presentations (control condition). No single odor concentration elicited dishabituation in the majority of the dogs. However, individual dogs dishabituated at differing experimental concentrations significantly more often than in the control condition (p = .012). These findings provide some tentative support for using this method in studying canine olfaction. However, further assessment and refinement are needed before it can be a viable alternative to traditional ODT measurement.
Accuracy of reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification in diagnosing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tian Wen , Ren Xingxiang , Gao Xu , Zhang Yuanyuan , Chen Zhihai , Zhang Wei 
Published: August 2022

AbstractNucleic acid molecular diagnostic technology plays an important role in the detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). However, no relevant reports have been published on the accuracy of reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and reverse‐transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) in the diagnosis of SFTS. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis and systematic review to evaluate the accuracy of the two methods. On June 19, 2022, we comprehensively searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scoups, Ovid, Proquest, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wan Fang Data, Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (Sinomed), VIP Database, and Reading Showing Database for articles on nucleic acid diagnostic techniques, such as RT‐PCR and RT‐LAMP, used to diagnose SFTS. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14.0 and Meta‐Disc 1.4. Sixteen articles involving 2942 clinical blood samples were included in the analysis. RT‐PCR and RT‐LAMP were used as index tests, whereas RT‐PCR or other detection methods were used as reference standards. The pooled values for the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios of the RT‐PCR test were 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92–0.99), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00), 483.87 (95% CI: 58.04–4033.76), and 0.03 (95% CI:0.01–0.08), respectively. Those for the RT‐LAMP test were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91–0.97), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.93–1.00), 111.18 (95% CI: 13.96–885.27), and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03–0.09), respectively. Both RT‐PCR and RT‐LAMP have high diagnostic value in SFTS and can be applied in different scenarios for laboratory confirmation or on‐site screening.
Dietary Energy Intake and Presence of Aberrant Crypt Foci Are Associated with Phospholipid, Purine, and Taurine Metabolite Abundances in C57BL/6N Mouse Colon
Authors: Chatelaine Haley A. , Ramazani Cynthia A. , Spencer Kyle , Olivo‐Marston Susan , Bailey Michael T. , McElroy Joseph , Hatzakis Emmanuel , Mathé Ewy A. , Kopec Rachel E. 
Published: August 2022

ScopeColon metabolomes associated with high‐fat (H) versus energy‐restricted (E) diets in early colorectal cancer (CRC) models have never been directly compared. The objectives of this study are to elucidate metabolites associated with diet, aberrant crypt foci (ACF), and diet:ACF interaction, using a lifetime murine model.Methods and resultsThree‐week‐old mice consumed control (C), E, or H initiation diets for 18 weeks. ACF formation is initiated weeks 16–21 with azoxymethane injections, followed by progression diet crossover (to C, E, or H) through week 60. Colon extracts are analyzed using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐HRMS). Metabolites associated with diet, ACF, or diet:ACF are determined using regression models (FDR‐adjusted p‐value <0.05). No metabolites are significantly associated with initiation diets, but concentrations of acylcarnitines and phospholipids are associated with C, E, and H progression diets. Purines, taurine, and phospholipids are associated with ACF presence. No significant associations between metabolites and diet:ACF interaction are observed.ConclusionsThese results suggest that recent, rather than early‐life, diet is more closely associated with the colon metabolome, particularly lipid metabolism. Results from this study also provide candidate biomarkers of early CRC development and provide support for the importance of early diet on influencing pre‐CRC risk.
Sustainability management and social license to operate in the extractive industry: The cross‐cultural gap with Indigenous communities
Authors: Boiral Olivier , Heras‐Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Brotherton Marie‐Christine 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis study aims to analyze the role of cross‐cultural differences between Indigenous communities and extractive organizations with regard to the sustainability measures these organizations employ. Although Indigenous communities are important stakeholders, especially in remote areas where extractive organizations are mainly located, these organizations' relationships with Indigenous communities have been overlooked in the literature on sustainability management. Drawing on a qualitative study based on 25 semi‐structured interviews with Canadian respondents, the findings show how cross‐cultural issues tend to create misunderstandings that can seriously undermine organizations' social license to operate and their initiatives for sustainability. Those issues—which include cultural differences in terms of connectedness with nature, spiritual and historical attachment to a specific territory, reliance on written documents, and conception of time—are analyzed through the lenses of practitioners with significant experience in the relationships between extractive organizations and Indigenous communities. This paper proposes measures to better manage this cross‐cultural gap. The study contributes to the literature on corporate sustainability by going back to the roots of this concept and by shedding more light on the importance of a specific category of stakeholders that tends to be overlooked in the managerial literature.
Biosynthesized Nanocomposite of Bacterial Nanocellulose—Tacca leontopetaloides Starch for Sustainable UV Resistant Film
Authors: Suwanmajo Thapanar , Taokaew Siriporn 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPolysaccharide nanocomposites have extensive applications and potential to replace non‐degradable petroleum products. Nanocellulose and starch isolated from Tacca leontopetaloides are composited by the environmentally friendly means of in situ biosynthesis in a one‐step process. Low concentration ranges are selected to provide culture medium with low viscosity (<1 Pa s). Supplementing medium with 0.75% w/v of Tacca starch resulted high yield (5.8 g L−1), crystallinity (89%), and tensile strength (104 MPa). Meanwhile, wettability, water vapor permeability (WVP), and water absorption capacity (WAC) vary depending on the starch content. At the highest tested starch content (1.5% w/v), yield, WVP, and WAC drop to 4 g L−1, 1.7 × 10–9 g m−1 Pa−1 h−1, and 311%, respectively. Due to the suitable fiber arrangement and porosity, UV resistances of the composites are enhanced by Tacca starch. The fabricated nanocomposites are anticipated to use as UV resistant film to protect the oxidative rancidity by UV lights.