bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wastewater quality evaluation in terms of wastewater quality index using hybrid constructed wetland for treatment of dairy and municipal wastewater
Authors: Krishna Singh K. , Rakesh Vaishya C. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe world's most pressing problem is water shortage, which is made worse by fast industrialization and urbanization, especially in places like India where untreated effluent presents serious threats to human health and the environment. In order to treat dairy and municipal wastewater, this study assesses the efficacy of a two‐stage hybrid constructed wetland (CW) system. The WWQI is the primary focus of this evaluation over a range of mixing ratios. Before and after treatment, many physicochemical parameters were examined, including pH, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (), and nitrate nitrogen (). The hybrid CWs system dramatically lowers pollutant concentrations, according to the results, with combinations containing higher amounts of MWW showing the best results. The WWQI values, which change from “unfit for any uses” in untreated DWW to “excellent” quality in treated MWW, show these advancements. The results highlight the potential of hybrid CWs as an effective and sustainable wastewater treatment method, especially when it comes to maximizing the proportion of dairy to municipal wastewater. This study adds to our knowledge of efficient wastewater treatment techniques and highlights the significance of incorporating eco‐friendly technologies to tackle water scarcity issues.Practitioner Points
Hybrid Constructed Wetlands (HCWs) are effective in removing TSS, BOD, COD, TP, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen from dairy and municipal wastewater.
On the basis of HCWs performance determine the Wastewater Quality Index (WWQI) for four different ratio proportions of dairy and municipal wastewater.
This index is more useful for water quality status determination and treated water reuse for various purposes.
This also benefits sustainable treatment technology and contributes to achieving SDGs.
Understanding the Preamble, Objectives and Principles of the BBNJ Agreement: A Focus on the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits of Marine Genetic Resources
Authors: Gottlieb Hiroko Muraki , Kachelriess Daniel , Slobodian Lydia 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
An effective implementation of the Part II of The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) will require understanding the relevance of the legal interpretation tools referenced in the treaty text, as well as those intentionally not included (e.g., Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties). The Agreement’s Part II provides a new framework of information and benefit sharing of Marine Genetic Resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction and associated Digital Sequence Information and Traditional Knowledge. This chapter for the edited collection “Decoding Marine Genetic Resource Governance under the BBNJ Agreement” explores the three types of interpretation tools used in the Agreement: (1) preamble, (2) objectives (general and subject matter specific) and (3) principles. Each legal tool plays an important and distinct role in providing insights to the negotiators’ intent with a focus on Part II of the Agreement. The chapter urges stakeholders to understand the overall objective of the BBNJ Agreement, compromises made during the negotiations, and moreover, the innovative approaches employed in reaching consensus. Remembering and honoring the negotiators’ efforts to emphasize the “how” in operationalizing benefit sharing could avoid prolonged discussions that could delay effectively implementing the obligations to protect the largest ecosystem of the Earth.
Fuelling the Brunei Darussalam Economy: Opportunities for Islamic Financial Services
Authors: Besar Hairul Azrin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Since the establishment of the first bank in Brunei Darussalam, the banking industry has assumed its traditional role as a place of safekeeping, investment and clearing of financial transactions. During the 1980s banks served corporations as remittance institutions and Brunei’s window to settle international trade. The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a change of culture in the banking industry where banks were considered as a source of credit, contributing to the growth of personal debt and a source of funds to businesses. This chapter examines the historical development of banking in the country and the rise of Islamic finance in the 1990s. Ideally, Islamic finance, with its strict requirement of syariah compliance, emphasises the relationship between the respective transactions and its economic substance, which influences the economic development of the country significantly. With this premise, the study investigates the opportunities of Islamic financial instruments in contributing to the growth of Brunei’s economy. The movement towards a fair and inclusive financial structure through the offering of Islamic social financial instruments such as waqf and zakat is also scrutinised.
Leading through Performance Management in the Brunei Darussalam Public Sector
Authors: Said Thuraya Farhana 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Brunei Darussalam has been undergoing significant changes as it takes on national and international challenges, particularly in diversifying its economy. These changes have provoked the need for a shift in the style and methods of government administration. In order to accomplish these reforms, performance management was initiated, falling under the umbrella of new public management. The primary goal of performance management is to improve performance by setting individual and team goals that are aligned with National Development Plans and Wawasan Brunei 2035 (Brunei Vision 2035). Performance management practices, such as strategic planning, balanced scorecards and key performance indicators, have been integrated into public sector organisations in order to measure the attainment or otherwise of objectives and targets achieved. However, aligning goals with the different levels of management within public sector organisations has proved to be a multifaceted and non-linear process as organisations have historically diverse and complex roles and strategic goals. Despite performance management being perceived as a solution to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the public sector, it is necessary to understand how this practice, developed in a Western context, can be implemented for improvement in developing countries like Brunei, especially with different political and institutional systems that might constrain its implementation. This chapter provides insights into how performance management was introduced and implemented within Brunei’s public sector, and assesses the extent to which it has brought about intended changes in the organisations, that is whether performance management was implemented ceremonially or instrumentally.
Exploring the Potential of Community-based Agritourism in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Chin Wei Lee , Musa Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to explore the potential of community-based agritourism in Brunei Darussalam. Agritourism is developing across Southeast Asia as an important form of tourism. However, it is not integrated into Brunei’s national tourism framework as in other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states where there are designated areas for agritourism to be developed and assistance for the local farming community. This study applies a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to leverage the strengths and opportunities, rectify the weaknesses and overcome the threats of community-based agritourism in Brunei. A total of 23 respondents—volunteers, government officials and farm owners from three small farms in remote villages—were interviewed. This study reveals that community-based agritourism has led to positive impacts in four main facets—economic, environmental, sociocultural and educational—all of which greatly benefit farm owners, villagers, farmers and local youth. Although agritourism farms struggle from internal and external disadvantages such as funding deficiencies and small-scale production, those problems can be eased with more support from public and relevant organisations to secure the operations of farms. Grassroots initiatives can achieve state-wide significance if incorporated into the nation-building strategy as supporting a growing sector.
Spawning and larval development of the mesophotic octocoral Swiftia exserta in aquaria
Authors: Johnstone Julia W. , Jenkins William G. , Jankiewicz Mackenzy , Quigley Jonathan M. , Frometa Janessy , Salgado Enrique , Higgins Ben , Demopoulos Amanda W. J. , Gardner Christopher L. , Etnoyer Peter J. , Benson Kristopher G. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill injured mesophotic and deep-sea environments over a vast area. In order to restore mesophotic and deep-sea coral species impacted by the spill, information on fundamental ecosystem processes such as reproduction is needed. During expeditions in 2021 and 2022, fragments of the mesophotic octocoral Swiftia exserta were collected from the northern Gulf of Mexico and transported to aquaria at federal facilities in South Carolina, Florida, and Texas. In fall of 2021 and 2022, several of these fragments spawned in captivity, providing an opportunity to learn about their reproduction and inform future restoration activities. Broadcast spawning occurred on 19 and 20 October, 2021, and on 20 days from 29 September to 7 November, 2022. These spawning events permitted detailed observations of spawning behavior and timing, and yielded over 2,400 oocytes. Individual spawns were preceded by a distinctive “spawning posture” in the polyps, lasting between five minutes and two hours, and may have been cued by light. Swiftia exserta larvae settled and developed at comparable rates to other broadcast spawning octocorals, becoming swimming planulae by three days post spawn (dps) and starting to settle by 14 dps. These observations represent the first such records for S. exserta and, more broadly, for any mesophotic coral in the Gulf of Mexico, providing important insights for the restoration of these species. This investigation lays the foundation for future work to explore the influences of seasonal environmental variables, such as light and temperature, on spawning and reproductive seasonality in this species.
Sphingosine kinase 1 inhibition aggravates vascular smooth muscle cell calcification
Authors: Razazian Mehdi , Bahiraii Sheyda , Jannat Isratul , Tiffner Adéla , Beilhack Georg , Levkau Bodo , Voelkl Jakob , Alesutan Ioana 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Medial vascular calcification is common in chronic kidney disease patients and linked to hyperphosphatemia. Upon phosphate exposure, intricate signaling events orchestrate pro-calcific effects in the vasculature mediated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) produces sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and is associated with complex effects in the vascular system. The present study investigated a possible involvement of SPHK1 in VSMC calcification. Experiments were performed in primary human aortic VSMCs under pro-calcific conditions, with pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of SPHK1 or SPNS2 (a lysolipid transporter involved in cellular S1P export), as well as in Sphk1-deficient and wild-type mice treated with cholecalciferol. In VSMCs, SPHK1 expression was up-regulated by pro-calcific conditions. Calcification medium up-regulated osteogenic marker mRNA expression and activity as well as calcification of VSMCs, effects significantly augmented by co-treatment with the SPHK1 inhibitor SK1-IN-1. SK1-IN-1 alone was sufficient to up-regulate osteogenic signaling in VSMCs during control conditions. Similarly, the SPHK1 inhibitor PF-543 and SPHK1 knockdown up-regulated osteogenic signaling in VSMCs and aggravated VSMC calcification. In contrast, co-treatment with the SPNS2 inhibitor SLF1081851 suppressed osteogenic signaling and calcification of VSMCs, effects abolished by silencing of SPHK1. In addition, Sphk1 deficiency aggravated vascular calcification and aortic osteogenic marker expression in mice after cholecalciferol overload. In conclusion, SPHK1 inhibition, knockdown, or deficiency aggravates vascular pro-calcific signaling and calcification. The reduced calcification after inhibition of S1P export suggests a possible involvement of intracellular S1P, but further studies are required to elucidate the complex roles of SPHKs and S1P signaling in calcifying VSMCs.
Cytolethal distending toxin-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates from Mexican children harbor different cdt types causing CDT-induced epithelial pathological phenotypes
Authors: Huerta-Cantillo Jazmin , Chavez-Dueñas Lucia , Zaidi Mussaret Bano , Estrada-García Teresa , Navarro-Garcia Fernando 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs), encoded by cdtABC genes, have DNase activity leading to cellular and nuclear distention, resulting in actin remodeling, irreversible cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of target cells. PCR cdt-positive Escherichia coli strains have been isolated from children with diarrhea worldwide. However, toxin production and biological activity of cdt
+ strains are rarely confirmed. Here, we characterized the biological activity of cdt
+
E. coli of clinical isolates from Mexican children with severe diarrhea and its relationship with the harbored cdt type. Ten isolates from seven patients containing cdt
+
E. coli, one isolate from a patient containing cdt

−

E. coli, and a prototype CDT-producing E. coli were used to determine the harbored cdt-type, cell distention, actin remodeling and cell cycle arrest on epithelial cells. Three isolates harbored cdt type I, one type II, two type III, two type IV and two simultaneously type II and III. Lysates from eight cdt
+
E. coli isolates caused cell distention, actin cytoskeletal remodeling and cell cycle arrest but two isolates from the same patient harboring simultaneously cdt type II/III did not. The cdt genes were necessary and enough to cause the cytolethal distending pathology. Mutants in cdtAB

I

C (O86:H34 strain; cdt-I) and cdtAB

II

C (isolate; cdt-II) were complemented by cdtAB

II

C genes and both recovered the CDT-induced phenotypes. Transformation of E. coli BL21 by cdtAB

II

C genes caused this cytolethal distending pathology. These data indicate that cdt + E. coli isolates are potentially dangerous bacteria to cause serious epithelial cell damage and cell death to aggravate childhood diarrhea.
Recycling the recyclers: strategies for the immobilisation of a PET-degrading cutinase
Authors: Fritzsche Stefanie , Popp Marcus , Spälter Lukas , Bonakdar Natalie , Vogel Nicolas , Castiglione Kathrin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Enzymatic degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) represents a sustainable approach to reducing plastic waste and protecting fossil resources. The cost efficiency of enzymatic PET degradation processes could be substantially improved by reusing the enzymes. However, conventional immobilisation strategies, such as binding to porous carriers, are challenging as the immobilised enzyme can only interact with the macromolecular solid PET substrate to a limited extent, thus reducing the degradation efficiency. To mitigate this challenge, this work compared different immobilisation strategies of the PET-degrading cutinase ICCGDAQI. Immobilisation approaches included enzyme fixation via linkers to carriers, the synthesis of cross-linked enzyme aggregates with different porosities, and immobilisation on stimulus-responsive polymers. The highest degradation efficiencies were obtained with the pH-responsive material Kollicoat®, where 80% of the initial enzyme activity could be recovered after immobilisation. Degradation of textile PET fibres by the cutinase-Kollicoat® immobilisate was investigated in batch reactions on a 1 L-scale. In three consecutive reaction cycles, the product yield of the released terephthalic acid exceeded 97% in less than 14 h. Even in the fifth cycle, 78% of the maximum yield was achieved in the same reaction time. An advantage of this process is the efficient pH-dependent recovery of the immobilisate after the reaction, which integrates seamlessly into the terephthalic acid recovery by lowering the pH after hydrolysis. This integration therefore not only simplifies the downstream processing, but also provides a cost-effective and resource-efficient solution for both enzyme reuse and product separation after PET degradation, making it a promising approach for industrial application.
The incidence of acute kidney injury in very-low-birth-weight infants treated early with caffeine
Authors: Tzvi-Behr Shimrit , Schlesinger Noam , Ben-Shalom Efrat , Frishberg Yaacov , Kasirer Yair 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, longer hospitalization, and a higher risk for future kidney damage. Caffeine treatment has reportedly been associated with a decreased AKI occurrence. However, previous studies lack uniformity regarding dosage and timing of administration. This study aimed to assess AKI incidence in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants (< 1500 g) treated with early high-dose caffeine and to identify risk factors associated with AKI.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study of VLBW preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. All VLBW infants born < 32 weeks of gestation were treated with a standardized caffeine regimen (20 mg/kg bolus; in the first hour of life, maintenance 10 mg/kg/day). Maternal and infant data including clinical, demographic, and laboratory measurements were retrieved from electronic medical records.

Results
Of 311 VLBW infants admitted, all had adequate serum creatinine and urine output data. Of 301 patients included for analysis, 41 (14%) were diagnosed with AKI, while only 12/301 (4%) were diagnosed during the first week of life. Sixteen infants (5%) had > 1 AKI episode. Seven (7/41, 17%) had AKI stage 1 and seventeen infants (17/41, 42%) had stages 2 and 3. In univariate analysis, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and hemodynamic instability during the first week of life were more prevalent in the AKI group. Infants with AKI were born with lower birth weights, at earlier gestational weeks, and had lower APGAR and higher CRIB II scores. NEC was the only significant risk factor associated with AKI in multivariate analysis. They also had a higher risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), longer hospitalization, and higher mortality rate.

Conclusions
The incidence of AKI in a cohort of VLBW infants universally treated early with caffeine was 14%, while only 4% had AKI during the first week. Infants with AKI had worse outcomes (BPD and mortality) and longer hospitalization.

Graphical abstract
Seroepidemiology (2018–2024) and epidemic spread of an emerging human parvovirus B19 genotype 1 (subtype 1a2) variant in Hungary, 2023/2024
Authors: Tóth Fruzsina , Moser Tímea , Boros Ákos , Balázs Benigna , Takáts Károly , Pankovics Péter , Reuter Gábor 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
An unusually large number of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infections were reported in European countries in 2023/2024, but the genetic background of this B19V epidemic strain is unknown. In this study, there was a larger number of confirmed B19V infections (five in 2021, eight in 2023, and 59 in 2024) and higher IgG seroprevalence (41.4% in 2022 and 54.3% in 2024) in Transdanubia, Hungary, in 2024 compared to 2018-2023. A B19V genotype 1a2 variant (prototype, 1338/HUN/2024, PQ155933) with common and unique nucleotide insertions in the untranslated regions of the genome and nonsynonymous and synonymous mutations in the coding region (NS1 and VP1) could be responsible to the ongoing B19V epidemic in Europe.
Towards the interoperability of scholarly repository registries
Authors: Baglioni Miriam , Pavone Gina , Mannocci Andrea , Manghi Paolo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The enactment of Open Science relies on scholarly repositories that make research products findable and accessible, while scholarly repository registries maintain authoritative metadata and persistent identifiers (PIDs) to help researchers and infrastructure providers discover and access needed repositories. However, the proliferation of repositories targeting different research products (e.g., publications, data, and software) or serving specific disciplines has led to the creation of multiple registries whose scope is not mutually exclusive. Such a fragmented landscape poses significant concerns regarding authoritativeness, disambiguation, and coverage for scholarly communication service and infrastructure providers who consume content from these registries. These providers must either limit their focus to a single registry or manage complex data fusion strategies to integrate diverse repository profiles from various sources. While favouring the existence of a plurality of registries, this paper advocates for their interoperability, which is essential to eliminate the aforementioned barriers and enable their full, unambiguous utilisation. We analyse the data models of four prominent registries—FAIRsharing, re3data, OpenDOAR, and ROAR—and classify their properties and overlap. We provide a crosswalk between their data models and suggest a common data model shared across the examined registries to pave the way toward interoperability. As a means of validation, we include a coverage evaluation of the proposed data model.The paper adopts a pragmatic approach towards scholarly registry interoperability and suggests a common metadata model to foster the exchange of information across these platforms. The purpose of the paper is to serve as a cornerstone, initiating and engaging the community in discussions surrounding the interoperability of scholarly repository registries.
On fault-tolerant Boolean functions in proteinoids–ZnO colloids
Authors: Raeisi Kheirabadi Noushin , Mougkogiannis Panagiotis , Fortulan Raphael , Roberts Nic , Chiolerio Alessandro , Adamatzky Andrew 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This study investigates the computational properties of ZnO colloids in combination with proteinoid microspheres within an unconventional computing framework. We propose a method for creating flexible and fault-tolerant logic gates utilising this colloidal system. The colloidal matrix receives binary strings with an electrical impulse representing a logical “True” and its absence representing a “False”. Electrical responses are recorded, and Boolean functions are extracted. This nano-bio hybrid of ZnO colloids and proteinoids has the potential to power next-generation unconventional computing systems that can adapt to changing environments, paving the way for novel nano-bio hybrid computing architectures.