bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Full-scale semi-centralized wastewater treatment facilities for resource recovery: operation, problems and resolutions
Authors: Tang Xianchun , Wen Yexuan , He Yi , Jiang Haixin , Dai Xiaohu , Bi Xuejun , Wagner Martin , Chen Hongbin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The first full-scale semi-centralized wastewater treatment and resource recovery system based on source separation was implemented from 2014. To assess the operation performance, operating costs and resolve the problems faced in this system, the latest operation data from April 2017 to September 2018 was investigated. The results show that greywater and blackwater modules exhibited good removal performance for organics and nutrients, although misconnection between pipelines existed and influent loading rates fluctuated. The effluent could meet reuse standards. The biogas production rates of raw sludge could reach 7.27–10.9 m3 gas·per cubic raw sludge. The specific cost of treated water was higher than in a conventional treatment system. Power consumption made a major contribution to the total cost with a proportion of 55.3%–94.2%. After optimizing and considering the comprehensive efficiencies, the costs would be affordable. The dewatered sludge of the anaerobic digestion module has been applied to agricultural and landscaping soil. It is suggested that organics in blackwater could be recovered as volatile fatty acids with high-efficiency anaerobic fermentation and used as an external carbon source for short-cut biological nitrogen removal. In conclusion, the semi-centralized system will be a feasible and sustainable alternative for conventional treatment systems in future.
A combined experimental and numerical approach to the assessment of floc settling velocity using fractal geometry
Authors: Moruzzi R. B. , Bridgeman J. , Silva P. A. G. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Sedimentation processes are fundamental to solids/liquid separation in water and wastewater treatment, and therefore a robust understanding of the settlement characteristics of mass fractal aggregates (flocs) formed in the flocculation stage is fundamental to optimized settlement tank design and operation. However, the use of settling as a technique to determine aggregates' traits is limited by current understanding of permeability. In this paper, we combine experimental and numerical approaches to assess settling velocities of fractal aggregates. Using a non-intrusive in situ digital image-based method, three- and two-dimensional fractal dimensions were calculated for kaolin-based flocs. By considering shape and fractal dimension, the porosity, density and settling velocities of the flocs were calculated individually, and settling velocities compared with those of spheres of the same density using Stokes' law. Shape analysis shows that the settling velocities for fractal aggregates may be greater or less than those for perfect spheres. For example, fractal aggregates with floc fractal dimension, Df = 2.61, floc size, df &gt; 320 μm and dp = 7.5 μm settle with lower velocities than those predicted by Stokes' law; whilst, for Df = 2.33, all aggregates of df &gt; 70 μm and dp = 7.5 μm settled below the velocity calculated by Stokes' law for spheres. Conversely, fractal settling velocities were higher than spheres for all the range of sizes, when Df of 2.83 was simulated. The ratio of fractal aggregate to sphere settling velocity (the former being obtained from fractal porosity and density considerations), varied from 0.16 to 4.11 for aggregates in the range of 10 and 1,000 μm, primary particle size of 7.5 μm and a three-dimensional fractal dimension between 2.33 and 2.83. However, the ratio decreases to the range of 0.04–2.92 when primary particle size changes to 1.0 μm for the same fractal dimensions. Using the floc analysis technique developed here, the results demonstrate the difference in settlement behaviour between the approach developed here and the traditional Stokes' law approach using solid spheres. The technique and results demonstrate the improvements in understanding, and hence value to be derived, from an analysis based on fractal, rather than Euclidean, geometry when considering flocculation and subsequent clarification performance.
Down-Regulation of DDR1 Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits EMT through Phosphorylation of Pyk2/MKK7 in DU-145 and Lncap-FGC Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Azizi Reza , Fallahian Faranak , Aghaei Mahmoud , Salemi Zahra 
Published: April 2020

Background:In cancer cells, re-activation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) program through Discoidin Domain Receptor1 (DDR1) leads to metastasis. DDR1-targeted therapy with siRNA might be a promising strategy for EMT inhibition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DDR1 knockdown in the EMT, migration, and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. For this purpose, the expression of DDR1 was down regulated by the siRNA approach in LNcap-FGC and DU-145 prostate cancer cells.Methods:Immunocytochemistry was carried out for the assessment of EMT. E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Bax, Bcl2, and the phosphorylation level of Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) and Map Kinase Kinase 7 (MKK7) was determined using the western blot. Wound healing assay was used to evaluate cell migration. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the apoptosis rate in siRNA-transfected cancer cells.Results:Our findings showed that the stimulation of DDR1 with collagen-I caused increased phosphorylation of Pyk2 and MKK7 signaling molecules that led to the induction of EMT and migration in DU-145 and LNcap- FGC cells. In contrast, DDR1 knockdown led to significant attenuation of EMT, migration, and phosphorylation levels of Pyk2 and MKK7. Moreover, DDR1 knockdown via induction of Bax expression and suppression of Bcl-2 expression induces apoptosis.Conclusion:Collectively, our results indicate that the DDR1 targeting with siRNA may be beneficial for the inhibition of EMT and the induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer.
Combined Effect of Vaccinium nilgiriensis Bark Extract and 680nm Laser Irradiation in Inducing Breast Cancer Cell Death
Authors: George Blassan P. , Chandran Rahul , Thamburaj Suman , Parimelazhagan Thangaraj 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Cancer refers to a collection of diseases where cells begin to multiply
uncontrollably. Breast cancer is the most predominant malignancy in women. Herbal
medicine is one of the important health care system in most of developing countries. Many
studies have shown that naturally occurring compounds may support the prevention and
treatment of various diseases, including cancer. Some of the plant extracts and isolated
compounds shown photosensitizing activities and reduces cell proliferation whereas some
revealed photoprotective effects.

Objectives:
The biological properties and medicinal uses of
extracts and bioactive compounds from V. nilgiriensis have not been investigated. This study
aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of V. nilgiriensis in combination with 680 nm laser
irradiation on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Methods:
The inverted microscopy, ATP and LDH
assay were used to analyze the cellular morphology, proliferation, cytotoxicity after the
treatment with V. nilgiriensis bark extract. The diode laser of wavelength 680nm and 15 J/cm2
fluency have been used for laser irradiation. The activity of apoptotic proteins was studied
using ELIZA and nuclear damage by Hoechst staining.

Results:
The exposure of V.
nilgiriensis extracts with laser irradiation at 680 nm increases the cytotoxicity and decreases
the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The results of the Hoechst stain indicated nuclear damage.
Our study proved that V. nilgiriensis holds a strong cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells
alone and in combination with laser irradiation by upregulating the expression of apoptotic
proteins such as caspase 3, p53 and Bax.

Conclusion:
The results from this study showed that
the bark ethyl acetate of V. nilgiriensis and in combination with laser is effective in
preventing breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Further work is warranted to isolate the
bioactive compounds from V. nilgiriensis bark extract and study the effect of compounds in
the cell death induction. Due to the cytotoxic properties, V. nilgiriensis can be considered as a
potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.
Targeted Protein Degradation: An Emerging Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer
Authors: Barghout Samir H. 
Published: April 2020

:Drug discovery in the scope of cancer therapy has been focused on conventional agents that nonselectively induce DNA damage or selectively inhibit the activity of key oncogenic molecules without affecting their protein levels. An emerging therapeutic strategy that garnered attention in recent years is the induction of Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) of cellular targets by hijacking the intracellular proteolysis machinery. This novel approach offers several advantages over conventional inhibitors and introduces a paradigm shift in several pharmacological aspects of drug therapy. While TPD has been found to be the major mode of action of clinically approved anticancer agents such as fulvestrant and thalidomide, recent years have witnessed systematic endeavors to expand the repertoire of proteins amenable to therapeutic ablation by TPD. Such endeavors have led to three major classes of agents that induce protein degradation, including molecular glues, Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) and Hydrophobic Tag (HyT)-based degraders. Here, we briefly highlight agents in these classes and key advances made in the field with a focus on clinical translation in cancer therapy.
Wearable Technology to Quantify the Nutritional Intake of Adults: Validation Study
Authors: Dimitratos Sarah M , German J Bruce , Schaefer Sara E 
Published: April 2020

Background
Wearable and mobile sensor technologies can be useful tools in precision nutrition research and practice, but few are reliable for obtaining accurate and precise measurements of diet and nutrition.

Objective
This study aimed to assess the ability of wearable technology to monitor the nutritional intake of adult participants. This paper describes the development of a reference method to validate the wristband’s estimation of daily nutritional intake of 25 free-living study participants and to evaluate the accuracy (kcal/day) and practical utility of the technology.

Methods
Participants were asked to use a nutrition tracking wristband and an accompanying mobile app consistently for two 14-day test periods. A reference method was developed to validate the estimation of daily nutritional intake of participants by the wristband. The research team collaborated with a university dining facility to prepare and serve calibrated study meals and record the energy and macronutrient intake of each participant. A continuous glucose monitoring system was used to measure adherence with dietary reporting protocols, but these findings are not reported. Bland-Altman tests were used to compare the reference and test method outputs (kcal/day).

Results
A total of 304 input cases were collected of daily dietary intake of participants (kcal/day) measured by both reference and test methods. The Bland-Altman analysis had a mean bias of −105 kcal/day (SD 660), with 95% limits of agreement between −1400 and 1189. The regression equation of the plot was Y=−0.3401X+1963, which was significant (P<.001), indicating a tendency for the wristband to overestimate for lower calorie intake and underestimate for higher intake. Researchers observed transient signal loss from the sensor technology of the wristband to be a major source of error in computing dietary intake among participants.

Conclusions
This study documents high variability in the accuracy and utility of a wristband sensor to track nutritional intake, highlighting the need for reliable, effective measurement tools to facilitate accurate, precision-based technologies for personal dietary guidance and intervention.
Developing a Taxonomy of Communication Techniques and Aids Used By Healthcare Providers During Patient Consultations: Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Shersher Violetta , Haines Terry P , Williams Cylie , Willoughby Louisa , Sturgiss Elizabeth , Weller Carolina 
Published: April 2020

Background
Currently, there is no available standardized taxonomy of defined communication techniques and aids used by healthcare providers during patient consultations. It is challenging to identify communication techniques that contribute to effective healthcare provider and patient consultations and to replicate communication interventions in research.

Objective
The aim of this paper is to describe a protocol for the development and pilot of a taxonomy of communication techniques and aids used by healthcare providers during patient consultations.

Methods
A systematic review will be completed to identify eligible studies. Extracted techniques and aids will be organized into a preliminary taxonomy by a multidisciplinary team. The preliminary taxonomy will be piloted by two groups: research assistants trained in taxonomy application and healthcare providers and healthcare professional students not trained in taxonomy use. The pilot will use custom developed video footage of health provider and patient interactions. Interrater validity and interview feedback will be used to inform a Delphi panel of multidisciplinary healthcare providers and patient experts when they convene to finalize the preliminary taxonomy.

Results
This study was funded in November 2017 by the Monash University Interdisciplinary Research Seed Funding Scheme. Data collection commenced in March 2018, and data analysis is in progress. We expect the results to be published in 2021.

Conclusions
This is the first known attempt to develop a defined and standardized taxonomy of communication techniques and aids used by healthcare providers in patient consultations. The findings will be used to inform future research by providing a detailed taxonomy of healthcare providers’ communication techniques and standardized definitions.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/16801
A Scalable System for Passively Monitoring Oral Health Behaviors Using Electronic Toothbrushes in the Home Setting: Development and Feasibility Study
Authors: Shetty Vivek , Morrison Douglas , Belin Thomas , Hnat Timothy , Kumar Santosh 
Published: April 2020

Background
Dental disease (including dental caries and periodontal disease) is largely preventable and closely linked to inadequate oral health behaviors. Digital health technologies have great potential for unobtrusively monitoring brushing behaviors in home settings and promoting optimal oral self-care routines at scale.

Objective
The aim of this study is to leverage the ubiquity of electronic toothbrushes and smartphones with the development of a Remote Oral Behaviors Assessment System (ROBAS) and evaluate its feasibility for passively tracking brushing behaviors in real-world settings.

Methods
We developed ROBAS by linking inertial sensors contained within consumer electronic toothbrushes to a scalable software platform comprised of a smartphone app linked to a cloud platform. First, the criterion validity of ROBAS for accurately capturing brushing details was established in a laboratory setting. Next, real-world performance and usability were evaluated in a stratified community sample of 32 participants who used ROBAS daily for 1 month and maintained a diary of their brushing episodes. Semistructured interviews at baseline and exit captured the user experience. We used regression models and Bland-Altman analyses to assess the criterion validity, functionality, accuracy, and consistency of ROBAS.

Results
Using a stopwatch as the criterion reference, ROBAS showed a mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of 1.8%, an estimated bias of 0.64 seconds that was not statistically distinguishable from zero (95% CI –0.93 to 2.22 seconds, SE 0.79), and a connection failure rate of 6.7% (95% CI 0.8%-22.1%, SE 4.6%). In real-world testing, ROBAS showed close agreement with the daily diary recordings of brushing episodes; estimated average discrepancies between the diary and ROBAS were 0.13 sessions per day (95% CI 0.01-0.26, SE 0.06), 8.0 seconds per brushing session (95% CI 1.4-14.7, SE 3.3), and 30 seconds of brushing per day (95% CI 9.3-50.1, SE 10.0). Retrospective self-reports produced substantially higher estimates of brushing frequency and duration compared to ROBAS measurements. Participants reported ROBAS was easy to use and expressed an interest in receiving ROBAS-delivered feedback on their brushing behaviors. Most participants were bothered by the use of an additional study phone, and some reported connectivity-related issues.

Conclusions
ROBAS has a high criterion validity for measuring oral health behaviors. It can accurately and reliably monitor brushing patterns in home settings for extended periods. Unobtrusive data collection through ROBAS sets the stage for automated coaching and optimization of oral self-care practices at the individual and population level.
AUTOMATED CONTROL OF THE ADAPTATION PROCESS TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN CADETS
Authors: Bezkishkiy E. N. , Nikolaenko I. O. , Zagarov E. S. , Tyagnerev A. T. , Linchenko S. N. , Zhmakin I. A. , Chebotov S. A. 
Published: April 2020

Introduction. Characteristic features of tense and dangerous activities of ship and vessel specialists require constant development of their medical and psychophysiological following-up including at the stage of studying at a university and mastering a marine specialty. Complex education program for cadets often results in dysadaptation disorders and disability for successful completion. Therefore, early detection and prevention of these disorders are extremely necessary. Purpose of work: assessment of the possibilities of using an automated system for dynamic control of the process of adaptation to educational activities among cadets of marine specialties.Materials and methods. In the course of the work, 120 cadets were examined in the initial period of their education at universities. The studies were carried out using an automated system of screening monitoring of functional state, designed on a modular basis and developed for Navy orders’ use.The research results showed that automated systems of psychophysiological control available at the Navy make it possible to perform diagnostics of maladaptive manifestations in cadets, to carry out objective assessment and detail the revealed violations, and to forecast further dynamics of the functional state. This was evidenced by the presence of a statistically confirmed relationship between the integral indicators of the functional state recorded by the automated system and expert assessments of adaptation to educational and training activities at the university.Conclusion. The automated system of dynamic control of the functional state and working capacity tested in this work can be effectively used in medical and psychophysiological support of cadets to assess the process of their adaptation to educational activities.
VARIETIES OF INTERPERSONAL BEHAVIOR OF RUSSIAN SEAFARERS DURING WORK IN INTERNATIONAL CREWS
Authors: Lupachev V. V. , Kubasov R. V. , Bogdanov R. B. , Kubasova E. D. 
Published: April 2020

Introduction. The psycho-emotional sphere is one of the most prone to the hard conditions of maritime labor. When working in the sea on ships of foreign companies, there are often violations of working conditions. It can cause the emergence of socio-psychological conflicts that turn into psycho-emotional stress. In this regard, the study of the emotional sphere of Russian seafarers working on ships under the flags of foreign states is very relevant.Objective: to determine the characteristics of the state of the emotional sphere of Russian sailors when working in international crews and justify the need for its correction in the voyage and inter-voyage periods.Materials and methods. The psycho-emotional state of Russian seafarers who worked on ships of foreign companies was studied in real-time mode during a sea voyage using the method of «Diagnostics of interpersonal relationships» by T. Leary, adapted by L. N. Dog.Results and its discussion. A rather high level of emotional stress was found during the voyage, probably due to the difficulty of communicating with foreign sailors, the severity of work and, as a result, the occurrence of conflict situations.Conclusion. Emotional stress can result in the emergence of neurotic reactions in seafarers. For work on ships flying a foreign flag, it is recommended to conduct a careful selection of crews and not allow the conclusion of contracts with psychologically unstable persons.
CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF INDICATORS OF ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND VARIABILITY OF THE HEART RHYTHM IN SEAFARERS OVER TIME DURING THE ARCTIC VOYAGE
Authors: Ishekov A. N. , Ishekov N. S. 
Published: April 2020

Introduction.The paper presents a correlation analysis between indicators of variability of heart rhythm and electroencephalogram among professional seafarers and expedition members who first set out on an Arctic voyage. The purpose of the work is to evaluate the compensatory-adaptive reactions of the brain and autonomic regulation of heart in seafarers and expedition members in the Arctic.Material and methods. Studies were carried out among groups of men of research vessels and expedition members of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University (NArFU) in the amount of 70 people. The subjects were divided into two groups – these are seafarers of the Professor Molchanov research vessel and the Neotrazimy marine rescue tugboat, as well as members of the NArFU expedition who participated in the Arctic marine expedition for the first time. To solve the tasks at the same time, an electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rhythm variability (HRV) were measured at the beginning of the voyage (65 N) and at the end on the 20–30th day (78 N). Subsequently, a statistical analysis of the indicators and the calculation of correlations between groups were carried out.The results of the studyshowed that at the beginning of the flight, the subjects had high indicators of regulating body systems, due to the specifics of the influence of negative factors in the high latitudes of the Arctic. However, by the end of the month, a tendency towards a decrease in indicators of cardiac activity regulation and central nervous system (CNS) was observed in the group of seafarers. The obtained correlation relationships between the indicators can be used to control the adaptation of seafarers who first set out on an Arctic voyage.
CHANGES IN THE POWER OF THE EEG THETA RHYTHM IN PERSONS OF DANGEROUS PROFESSIONS DURING SANATORIUM-RESORT CARE
Authors: Evstafeva E. V. , Bykov A. A. , Bielalov V. V. , Zhelezhova I. O. , Trusov V. N. 
Published: April 2020

Purpose of work: to evaluate the reactivity of the spectral density of electroencephalogram theta rhythm power in military seafarers of the submarine fleet during the sanatorium-resort rehabilitation.Materials and methods: on the first and 20th day of the sanatorium-resort rehabilitation on the basis of the Crimean Sanatorium-Resort Complex and Sudak Health Center, the background activity of the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded with closed eyes and when performing a cognitive task in 60 seafarer divers.Results: analysis of variance showed significant changes in the spectral power of the EEG theta rhythm density in all experimental situations studied. In conditions of relative rest, the changes were expressed mainly in a decrease in the theta rhythm power. At the same time, when performing a cognitive task, multidirectional changes in the spectral density of the theta rhythm power were noted: an increase in the fronto-parietal direction of the predominantly left hemisphere and a decrease in other regions of the cerebral cortex.