bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties of Er-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by combustion method
Authors: Laokae Duangnet , Phuruangrat Anukorn , Wannapop Surangkana , Dumrongrojthanath Phattranit , Thongtem Titipun , Thongtem Somchai 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Erbium-doped zinc oxide (Er-doped ZnO) as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst was prepared by combustion method and followed by calcination at 600 °C for 2 h. The samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns of ZnO samples with and without Er dopant confirm the formation of pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phase. The X-ray diffraction peaks of ZnO were shifted to the lower 2θ angle when Er was doped to ZnO matrix. Their transmission electron microscopy images show that the addition of Er can play a role in significantly changing their particle size. Average particle sizes of the as-prepared samples were 69.15 ± 14.47 nm, 68.33 ± 17.06 nm, 16.38 ± 4.02 nm and 27.00 ± 5.27 nm for 0 %, 1 %, 3 % and 5 % Er-doped ZnO samples, respectively. Raman spectra of the Er-doped ZnO samples were able to be used to identify the presence of defect and structural disorder in the ZnO lattice. The ZnO samples with and without Er dopant were tested for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Upon increasing the doped Er content, the degradation of methylene blue solution under visible light irradiation was enhanced. In this research, the 3 % Er-doped ZnO nanoparticles have the highest efficiency of 98.26 % under visible light irradiation within 100 min.
MGST1 alleviates the oxidative stress of trophoblast cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Dai Hu , Lu Xianmei 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy-specific syndrome with an incidence of 4.6% in all pregnant women. Numerous studies have uncovered the functions and mechanisms of microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) in different diseases and cellular processes, but whether MGST1 plays a role in PE remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of MGST1 in PE progression. In this study, the HTR8/SVneo cells were incubated with CoCl2 (250 µM) to mimic hypoxia in trophoblasts. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that MGST1 was dramatically reduced in the placenta of PE patients. The proliferation of HTR8/SVneo cells was assessed via the Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays, and the results showed that MGST1 upregulation increased the cell viability of HTR8/SVneo cells. In addition, wound healing and Transwell assays unveiled that the elevation of MGST1 enhanced trophoblast cell migration and invasion. Moreover, the upregulation of MGST1 alleviated the hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in trophoblast cell. Mechanically, we found that MGST1 regulated PE progression by activating the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. In conclusion, MGST1 alleviated the oxidative stress of trophoblast cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in PE. These results suggested that MGST1 can be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of PE.
Relating Pupil Diameter and Blinking to Cortical Activity and Hemodynamics across Arousal States
Authors: Turner Kevin L. , Gheres Kyle W. , Drew Patrick J. 
Published: December 2022

Arousal state affects neural activity and vascular dynamics in the cortex, with sleep associated with large changes in the local field potential and increases in cortical blood flow. We investigated the relationship between pupil diameter and blink rate with neural activity and blood volume in the somatosensory cortex in male and female unanesthetized, head-fixed mice. We monitored these variables while the mice were awake, during periods of rapid eye movement (REM), and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Pupil diameter was smaller during sleep than in the awake state. Changes in pupil diameter were coherent with both gamma-band power and blood volume in the somatosensory cortex, but the strength and sign of this relationship varied with arousal state. We observed a strong negative correlation between pupil diameter and both gamma-band power and blood volume during periods of awake rest and NREM sleep, although the correlations between pupil diameter and these signals became positive during periods of alertness, active whisking, and REM. Blinking was associated with increases in arousal and decreases in blood volume when the mouse was asleep. Bilateral coherence in gamma-band power and in blood volume dropped following awake blinking, indicating a reset of neural and vascular activity. Using only eye metrics (pupil diameter and eye motion), we could determine the arousal state of the mouse ('Awake,' 'NREM,' 'REM') with >90% accuracy with a 5 s resolution. There is a strong relationship between pupil diameter and hemodynamics signals in mice, reflecting the pronounced effects of arousal on cerebrovascular dynamics.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDetermining arousal state is a critical component of any neuroscience experiment. Pupil diameter and blinking are influenced by arousal state, as are hemodynamics signals in the cortex. We investigated the relationship between cortical hemodynamics and pupil diameter and found that pupil diameter was strongly related to the blood volume in the cortex. Mice were more likely to be awake after blinking than before, and blinking resets neural activity. Pupil diameter and eye motion can be used as a reliable, noninvasive indicator of arousal state. As mice transition from wake to sleep and back again over a timescale of seconds, monitoring pupil diameter and eye motion permits the noninvasive detection of sleep events during behavioral or resting-state experiments.
Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors Are Expressed in a Subset of Dopamine Neurons and Underlie Cannabinoid-Induced Aversion, Hypoactivity, and Anxiolytic Effects in Mice
Authors: Han Xiao , Liang Ying , Hempel Briana , Jordan Chloe J. , Shen Hui , Bi Guo-Hua , Li Jin , Xi Zheng-Xiong 
Published: December 2022

Cannabinoids modulate dopamine (DA) transmission and DA-related behavior, which has been thought to be mediated initially by activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) on GABA neurons. However, there is no behavioral evidence supporting it. In contrast, here we report that CB1Rs are also expressed in a subset of DA neurons and functionally underlie cannabinoid action in male and female mice. RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) assays demonstrated CB1 mRNA in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and glutamate decarboxylase 1 (GAD1)-positive GABA neurons. The CB1R-expressing DA neurons were located mainly in the middle portion of the VTA with the number of CB1-TH colocalization progressively decreasing from the medial to the lateral VTA. Triple-staining assays indicated CB1R mRNA colocalization with both TH and vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VgluT2, a glutamate neuronal marker) in the medial VTA close to the midline of the brain. Optogenetic activation of this population of DA neurons was rewarding as assessed by optical intracranial self-stimulation. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) or ACEA (a selective CB1R agonist) dose-dependently inhibited optical intracranial self-stimulation in DAT-Cre control mice, but not in conditional knockout mice with the CB1R gene absent in DA neurons. In addition, deletion of CB1Rs from DA neurons attenuated Δ9-THC-induced reduction in DA release in the NAc, locomotion, and anxiety. Together, these findings indicate that CB1Rs are expressed in a subset of DA neurons that corelease DA and glutamate, and functionally underlie cannabinoid modulation of DA release and DA-related behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCannabinoids produce a series of psychoactive effects, such as aversion, anxiety, and locomotor inhibition in rodents. However, the cellular and receptor mechanisms underlying these actions are not fully understood. Here we report that CB1 receptors are expressed not only in GABA neurons but also in a subset of dopamine neurons, which are located mainly in the medial VTA close to the midline of the midbrain and corelease dopamine and glutamate. Optogenetic activation of these dopamine neurons is rewarding, which is dose-dependently inhibited by cannabinoids. Selective deletion of CB1 receptor from dopamine neurons blocked cannabinoid-induced aversion, hypoactivity, and anxiolytic effects. These findings demonstrate that dopaminergic CB1 receptors play an important role in mediating cannabinoid action.
Early TNF-Dependent Regulation of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses on Striatal Direct Pathway Medium Spiny Neurons in the YAC128 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease
Authors: Chambon Julien , Komal Pragya , Lewitus Gil M. , Kemp Gina M. , Valade Simone , Adaïdi Houaria , Al Bistami Noura , Stellwagen David 
Published: December 2022

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin gene. Neurodegeneration first occurs in the striatum, accompanied by an elevation in inflammatory cytokines. Using the presymptomatic male YAC128 HD model mouse, we examined the synaptic input onto the striatal medium spiny neurons to look for early changes that precede degeneration. We observed an increase in excitatory synaptic strength, as measured by AMPA/NMDA ratios, specifically on direct pathway D1 receptor expressing medium spiny neurons, with no changes on indirect pathway neurons. The changes in excitation were accompanied by a decrease in inhibitory synaptic strength, as measured by the amplitude of miniature inhibitory synaptic currents. The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) was elevated in the striatum of YAC128 at the ages examined. Critically, the changes in excitatory and inhibitory inputs are both dependent on TNF signaling, as blocking TNF signaling genetically or pharmacological normalized synaptic strength. The observed changes in synaptic function are similar to the changes seen in D1 medium spiny neurons treated with high levels of TNF, suggesting that saturating levels of TNF exist in the striatum even at early stages of HD. The increase in glutamatergic synaptic strength and decrease in inhibitory synaptic strength would increase direct pathway neuronal excitability, which may potentiate excitotoxicity during the progress of HD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe striatum is the first structure to degenerate in Huntington's disease, but the early changes that presage the degeneration are not well defined. Here we identify early synaptic changes in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington's disease specifically on a subpopulation of striatal neurons. These neurons have stronger excitatory synapses and weaker inhibitory inputs, and thus would increase the susceptibility to excitotoxicity. These changes are dependent on signaling by the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. TNF is elevated even at early presymptomatic stages, and blocking TNF signaling even acutely will reverse the synaptic changes. This suggests early intervention could be important therapeutically.
From Freedom Dreams to Boomer Nostalgia
Authors: Palmer Landon 
Published: December 2022

During the 1980s, media images of white boomer nostalgia were often accompanied by 1960s Motown songs due to the popularity of the hit film The Big Chill as well as advertising and licensing strategies inspired by it. In previous decades, however, Motown was used to dramatize onscreen representations of Black male film characters’ emotional experiences of aspiration and resilience. This article explores how 1960s Motown songs came to be employed in two motion pictures—Nothing But a Man and Cooley High—to represent particular notions of everyday Black life, and then provides an industrial backdrop for why such cinematic uses of Motown came to effectively be replaced by invocations of white nostalgia.
By analyzing the uses of Motown music within film narratives and the industrial conditions through which such licensing took place, this study goes beyond the formal analysis of film music in order to demonstrate how the act of licensing popular songs for film participates in the making of songs’ social, cultural, and political meanings. In so doing, this article shows how the material conditions of licensing music for film shape what and whose experiences of popular music are able to be represented onscreen.
Factors Correlated With Successful Pediatric Post-Discharge Phone Call Attempt and Connection
Authors: Buczkowski Amy , Craig Wendy , Holmes Rebekah , Allen Dannielle , Longnecker Lee , Kondrad Monica , Carr Ann , Turchi Renee , Gage Sandra , Osorio Snezana Nena , Cooperberg David , Mallory Leah 
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES:
Postdischarge phone calls can identify discharge errors and gather information following hospital-to-home transitions. This study used the multisite Project IMPACT (Improving Pediatric Patient Centered Care Transitions) dataset to identify factors associated with postdischarge phone call attempt and connectivity.

METHODS:
This study included 0- to 18-year-old patients discharged from 4 sites between January 2014 and December 2017. We compared demographic and clinical factors between postdischarge call attempt and no-attempt and connectivity and no-connectivity subgroups and used mixed model logistic regression to identify significant independent predictors of call attempt and connectivity.

RESULTS:
Postdischarge calls were attempted for 5528 of 7725 (71.6%) discharges with successful connection for 3801 of 5528 (68.8%) calls. Connection rates varied significantly among sites (52% to 79%, P &lt; .001). Age less than 30 days (P = .03; P = .01) and age 1 to 6 years (P = .04; P = .04) were independent positive predictors for both call attempt and connectivity, whereas English as preferred language (P &lt; .001) and the chronic noncomplex clinical risk group (P = .02) were independent positive predictors for call attempt and connectivity, respectively. In contrast, readmission within 3 days (P = .004) and federal or state payor (P = .02) were negative independent predictors for call attempt and call connectivity, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study suggests that targeted interventions may improve postdischarge call attempt rates, such as investment in a reliable call model or improvement in interpreter use, and connectivity, such as enhanced population-based communication.
Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the single nucleotide polymorphism of stress-related dnaK, hrcA, and ctsR in the Lactobacillus strains
Authors: Bucka-Kolendo Joanna , Sokołowska Barbara 
Published: December 2022

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widespread in environments and can either have a positive impact because their ability to survive in harsh conditions and influence the product (probiotic properties, change of structure-EPS [exopolysaccharides], etc.), or a negative impact, (so not needed) because of their spoilage ability (beer, juices). High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), one of the non-thermal preservation methods used in the food industry, can force the LAB to activate the adaptative mechanisms. Under pressurization, the changes in the bacteria cells can occur at the transcriptional or translational level. This study evaluated the HHP on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) changes in three genes, dnaK, ctsR, and hrcA, related to the stress-response mechanism in LAB. The correlation between the DNA polymorphism and the gene expression under HHP stress was assessed. The applied pressure of 300 MPa resulted in a low ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions to the synonymous substitutions (0 to 1.12), and a lower number of mutations was observed for pressurized strains (from 6 in hrcA to 11 in dnaK) than in controlled (from 3 in ctsR to 92 in hrcA). In all pressurized strains, the expression of genes was observed, whereas, in control strains, the gene expression was detected in three out of five strains. Although there was a noticeable change in stress-related gene expression after HHP, there was no correlation with SNPs. At the same time, with a high frequency of synonymous changes in nucleotide and high diversity for hrcA and dnaK, a very low diversity was found in ctsR sequences. The LAB strains stress response mechanisms are much more complex. The study requires information on the general mechanism and changes in the membranes’ composition, proteome changes, and gene expression patterns. The mutations in genes related to stress can have important implications for the strains’ fitness effect and adaptive ability of LAB strains, especially considering their food industry implication where the HHP techniques are used.
REFORMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
Authors: Buciunas Gediminas 
Published: December 2022

The paper consists of two parts: one - analysis of obtaining permission to conduct pre-trial investigative action from economic aspects and another on the lessons learned in the Republic of Lithuania during the reforms in the civilian security sector.An essential component of an effective pre-trial investigation is not just investigative actions prescribed by criminal procedure laws, their procedures for conduction during one of the criminal process stages – a pre-trial investigation, qualification of investigators, prosecutors, their skills, secondary law that regulates conduction of investigative actions in details. Also, how does the investigative action work at the preliminary stage of conducting the investigative actions? Is it effective and efficient? For example, in obtaining permission for such actions as a search, covert surveillance, or wiretapping. The author analyses investigative actions from an economic point of view in the first part of this paper. The paper aims to introduce obstacles, misunderstandings, and committed mistakes before launching and during the implementation of the reforms in the Lithuanian criminal justice system after the collapse of the Soviet Union, namely, in the civilian security sector. The author of this paper presents his experience through bullet points named “lessons learned” of being a participant in the above-mentioned reforms. The outcomes of this paper are going to be important in light of the reform in the civilian security sector launched and still going on in Ukraine after the Revolution of Dignity of 2014. It helps to avoid mistakes that were made during reforms in the Republic of Lithuania.
Community Facilitator: Human Resources Or Human Capital?
Authors: Prihatin Taat P. , Purwana Dedi , Buchdadi Agung Dharmawan 
Published: December 2022

Community Facilitator is indispensable in the development programs that use a community-based approach. Its existence has been an integral part of community-driven development since the early 1980s. The question is, is it human resources or human capital? What competencies must a facilitator have to carry out their duties effectively? This research was conducted with a qualitative approach through FGD and interviews with informants to answer the following questions: (i) what is a facilitator? (ii) how does the facilitator work? (iii) what competencies must the facilitator have? (iv) what is the difference between human resources and human capital? (v) is the facilitator a human resource or human capital? In this research, the facilitator's competence will be identified using the KSA framework (knowledge, skill, and attribute).
Based on the study, a facilitator is defined as a person with certain knowledge, skills, and attributes, who is assigned to introduce, plan, and organize the implementation of a program to the program beneficiaries so that the program can be implemented following the predetermined budget, provisions, quality, and procedures. Facilitators must know the program cycle, local culture/tradition, formal and informal figures in the village, and the resources required for the program implementation. The facilitator's must-have skills include communication, organizing, mediation, administration-finance, and various construction technical skills. Meanwhile, the attributes needed include commitment, responsibility, and adaptation.
A human resource is a worker using knowledge, skills, and commitment to carry out tasks with clearly defined processes and outputs. Human capital is a worker who uses knowledge, skills, creativity, innovativeness, and commitment to carry out tasks to increase the organizational value-added, with processes and outputs that have not been clearly defined. From an individual and organizational perspective, community facilitator is categorized as human capital.
Educación virtual durante la emergencia sanitaria
Authors: Moreno Jacqueline Elizabet , Chiecher Analía Claudia 
Published: December 2022

La propagación del COVID-19 produjo una crisis mundial sin precedentes en todos los ámbitos, especialmente el educativo. En respuesta al cese de las actividades presenciales, los recursos virtuales se consagraron como medios fundamentales para garantizar los aprendizajes. Ante esta realidad, el estudio que se presenta en este artículo se propone explorar y describir las valoraciones positivas y negativas de ingresantes universitarios luego de cursar el primer cuatrimestre, teniendo que afrontar el cambio obligatorio en la modalidad de sus estudios, pasando de una enseñanza presencial, a una enteramente virtual. Participaron 199 ingresantes a carreras de ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto de las cohortes 2020 y 2021. Los datos fueron recabados a partir de un cuestionario online sobre trayectorias académicas en el primer año. Se analizaron preguntas abiertas desde una lógica cualitativa, con el soporte del software Iramuteq. Los resultados muestran que la virtualidad favoreció la apropiación de múltiples recursos web que antes de la pandemia eran totalmente desconocidos o poco considerados como una alternativa para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje. Como aspectos positivos, los estudiantes valoraron la posibilidad que les otorgó la virtualidad para garantizar la continuidad de los aprendizajes —principalmente a través de las clases por videollamada—, flexibilizar y organizar los propios tiempos, desarrollar estrategias de autoaprendizaje y proporcionar comodidad. Entre los aspectos negativos, los estudiantes señalaron la imposibilidad de rendir exámenes, dificultades en la comprensión, ausencia de instancias prácticas y baja calidad de las interacciones a pesar de los múltiples canales alternativos de comunicación.