bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CT angiography of intracranial arterial vessels: impact of tube voltage and contrast media concentration on image quality
Authors: Ramgren Birgitta , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M , Holtås Stig , Siemund Roger 
Published: August 2012

Background Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of intracranial arteries has high demands on image quality. Important parameters influencing vessel enhancement are injection rate, concentration of contrast media and tube voltage. Purpose To evaluate the impact of an increase of contrast media concentration from 300 to 400 mg iodine/mL (mgI/mL) and the effect of a decrease of tube voltage from 120 to 90 kVp on vessel attenuation and image quality in CT angiography of intracranial arteries. Material and Methods Sixty-three patients were included into three protocol groups: Group I, 300 mgI/mL 120 kVp; Group II, 400 mgI/mL 120 kVp; Group III, 400 mgI/mL 90 kVp. Hounsfield units (HU) were measured in the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery. Image quality grading was performed regarding M1 and M2 segments, volume rendering and general image impression. Results The difference in mean HU in ICA concerning the effect of contrast media concentration was statistically significant ( P = 0.03) in favor of higher concentration. The difference in ICA enhancement due to the effect of tube voltage was statistically significant ( P < 0.01) in favor of lower tube voltage. The increase of contrast medium concentration raised the mean enhancement in ICA with 18% and the decrease of tube voltage raised the mean enhancement with 37%. Image quality grading showed a trend towards improved grading for higher contrast concentration and lower tube voltage. Statistically significant better grading was found for the combined effect of both measures except for general impression ( P 0.01–0.05). Conclusion The uses of highly concentrated contrast media and low tube voltage are easily performed measures to improve image quality in CTA of intracranial vessel.
Chromatographic Investigations of Purple Archaeological Bio-Material Pigments Used as Biblical Dyes
Authors: Koren Zvi C. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThis article discusses recent scientific research performed by the author in understanding the composition of archaeological purple pigments and dyes from molluskan sources, which were primarily used for the dyeing of royal and priestly textiles, as also cited in the Bible. Towards this end, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been applied to the qualitative and quantitative multi-component fingerprinting of purple pigments extracted from various Muricidae mollusks inhabiting the Mediterranean waters. The results show that the colorants in these purple pigments belong to three chemical groups: the indigoids (of major importance), the indirubinoids, and the isatinoids. Application of this analytical method to purple pigments and dyes on archaeological artifacts from the ancient Near and Middle East has lead to a number of breakthroughs and discoveries made by this laboratory. These include the following: decipherment of the optimal method by which the ancients practiced purple-dyeing by completely natural means; first HPLC analysis of a raw unprocessed purple archaeological snail pigment and the resulting identification of a dibrominated indirubin in this pigment; discovery of the purple pigment as the sole paint pigment on a 2,500 royal marble jar from the Persian King Darius I; and the discovery that a 2,000 year old miniscule fabric found atop the Judean Desert palatial fortress of Masada belonged to the royal purple mantle of King Herod I and is the first Biblical Argaman dye found in ancient Israel.
Xavier Guerrero, De México a Chile (From Mexico to Chile), Some Remarks About the Use of Portland Cement in Mexican Muralism
Authors: Ocaña Sandra Zetina , Pesqueira Manuel Espinosa , Pérez Castellanos Nora Ariadna , Pappereti Renato Robert 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTXavier Guerrero (1896-1974) had an important role in the so-called Mexican Mural Renaissance, as a technical leader in the murals painted by Roberto Montenegro and Diego Rivera in the early 1920’s. Jean Charlot, Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros considered him as a sophisticated fresco craftsman, whose knowledge came from a popular mural painters guild.In 1941 the Mexican Government donated a School to Chillan, a Chilean town almost destroyed by a strong earthquake. David Alfaro Siqueiros and Xavier Guerrero were commissioned to paint murals on the Mexico School. Between 1941-1942 Guerrero decorated several walls and the staircase ceiling, the mural program is called De México a Chile (From Mexico to Chile). In 2010 another earthquake destroyed part of the ceiling. This study is part of the diagnosis project of De México a Chile, and consists in the characterization of the mortar and painting layers with optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal analysis (TGA), while textural properties of the mortars were studied with nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques.Analytical results show a stratigraphic sequence composed of several layers of Portland and lime combinations, and also an interesting painting technique that possibly involves the Portland cement setting process, with the development of specular gypsum.
How to Make a Latex Rubber Sculpture? Manufacturing Studies that Improve the Creative Work of an Artist
Authors: Pérez Nora A. , Ruvalcaba José L. , Hernández Claudio , Martínez César 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTContemporary Art has the characteristic of being made with a wide diversity of materials. In this plastic age many of the artists employ polymers to create their works, but do not consider the degradation that their art will suffer eventually.This work presents the studies performed for improving the manufacture of a series of sculptures made of latex rubber that belong to the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC), UNAM, in Mexico City. These sculptures made by César Martínez are blow up and deflated continuously during their exhibition. Techniques such as Fourier Transformed Infrared (FT-IR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopies were used for characterizing the manufacturing techniques of the artist. Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA) was carried out to correlate the mechanical properties with the raw materials.These analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of the material and the main factors that affect the degradation of the pieces. The combination of these studies made possible to suggest a new methodology to the artist in order to improve the quality and therefore enlarge the lifetime of his work.
Decay Degree determination of Archaeological Shell Objects from the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan, using a Visible Light Spectrometer
Authors: Parrodi María de Lourdes Gallardo , Ruvalcaba Sil José Luis 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTIn four offerings of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan five groupings of Pinctada Mazatlanica shell pendants were found. Due to the burial conditions, damages on the surfaces can be observed in almost all the objects. In order to assess the deterioration degree, we used a visible light spectrometer. This is an inexpensive method to determine qualitatively the reflectance of the light at the surface that is directly related to the amount of organic material remains in these objects. This data may be used as a conservation marker for monitoring the collection and it can provide outstanding information to preserve the fragile shell pendants using a non-destructive method.
Chemical Evolution of the Volcanic Tuff from the Santa Mónica Church in Guadalajara, Mexico
Authors: Pérez Nora A. , Lima Enrique 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThe Santa Mónica Church is one of the most representative buildings in Guadalajara, Mexico as it is the finest Solomonic Baroque temple in the city. The church was built in the XVIII century with different types of volcanic tuffs, which have been studied from the macroscopic level to the structural level with the aim to determine the deterioration degree of the church’s tuffs.Textural, morphological and structural properties of Tuff were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR ATR) and 29Si and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), compressive strength tests were also performed.Characterization data has provided a comprehensive view of the alterations on the volcanic tuff of Santa Mónica Church. Then the study focused on proposing the best strategy for the understanding and conservation of Churches and other buildings in Guadalajara which have been built with the same stone. Currently, siliceous materials doped with aluminum are being tested as consolidate.
Correlation of Atmospheric Dust and Rainfall as Basalt Chemical Weathering Precursors
Authors: León M. Teutli , Tufiño L.A. Térrez , Suárez G. Jiménez , Hernández E. León , Téllez L.M. Tenorio 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTBasalt chemical weathering can be related to chemical composition of both atmospheric dust and rainfall, in published works authors have shown that weathered basalt exhibits a raise in anions like sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, chloride and carbonate, and doing a follow up of rainfall chemistry during 2009 at downtown Puebla, it was shown that rainfall has not an acid pH because there is a strong contribution from atmospheric dust.In this paper it is reported obtained results for dust samples collected during the dry season, collection was done in 3 places exposed to different environment, analysis of solid samples clearly reflect anthropogenic activities since the highest oil and grease content corresponds to a site with high population, also mineral carbonate amounts 30% in weight. An analytical sample was prepared and the filtrate used to measure pH which ranges from 6.3 to 7.84, and conductivity from 11.91-13.87 mS-cm-1. Main soluble ions range are as follow: sulfate 3.4-5.9 mg g-1, nitrate 0.19-0.54 mg g-1, chloride 0.7-8.91 mg g-1, sulfide 4-7 mg g-1, carbonate 304-364 mg g-1, this last correspond to 10% of the mineral content. Also, metals were determined as total (applying an acid digestion) and water soluble, obtained results allow to affirm that there are highly soluble metals like Ca, Pb (up to 97%), moderately soluble ones such as Cu and Mn (60% and 20% respectively) and non soluble ones like Al, Fe and Zn.It was confirmed that atmospheric dust has all properties, which could produce an alkalinization of rainwater. Also, its water soluble ionic content can be a source for those ions causing basalt weathering.
Trace Element Analysis of Bone from Past Populations in the Peninsula of Yucatan
Authors: Chay Saul , Rodríguez Mónica , Quintana Patricia , Tiesler Vera 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThis dietary study compares concentrations of trace elements in human skeletal series from the municipal cemetery of Xoclán, in Mérida, Yucatan, and a skeletal collection that was donated by the Yucatecan State Justice Department (PGH). The results from these modern samples are to be compared to those obtained from human collections from a colonial cemetery from Campeche and the pre-Hispanic Maya site of Xcambó. Our results indicate that the archaeological series show higher concentrations of Sr compared to the modern populations, both of which showed very similar values. Zn concentrations were similar when the modern values were compared to those derived from the colonial series from Campeche. Xcambó´s population, in turn, shows a high degree of variability in Zn values, which may be due to diagenetic contamination.
The Relationship Between Body Composition and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Women with Operable Breast Cancer
Authors: Del Fabbro Egidio , Parsons Henrique , Warneke Carla L. , Pulivarthi Kalyan , Litton Jennifer K. , Dev Rony , Palla Shana L. , Brewster Abenaa , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Introduction.
Overweight women diagnosed with breast cancer have greater recurrence and mortality risks. Recent studies in advanced cancer showed that the combination of sarcopenia and an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) is associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Objectives.
To compare pathological complete response (pCR) cases with controls and evaluate associations among a pCR, survival outcome, and sarcopenia as well as the combination of both sarcopenia and a BMI ≥25 kg/m2.

Methods.
Sixty-seven breast cancer patients with a pCR to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) were matched with controls who did not have a pCR to NC. Patients were matched by age, Black's nuclear grading system, clinical cancer stage, and estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status. Body composition was analyzed using computed tomography images taken prior to NC.

Results.
BMI was associated with pCR. Among normal weight patients, the pCR rate was higher in sarcopenic patients and the progression-free survival (PFS) interval was significantly longer than in overweight or obese BMI patients. The death hazard was 2% higher for each unit higher skeletal muscle index and 0.6% higher for each unit higher visceral adipose tissue.

Conclusions.
Overweight patients treated with NC had a lower pCR rate and shorter PFS time. Among patients with a normal BMI, the pCR rate was better in sarcopenic patients. More research is required to evaluate the negative impact of sarcopenic obesity on prognosis and the contributors to better response rates in operable, normal weight breast cancer patients with sarcopenia.
“The Big WHY”: Philip Morris’s Failed Search for Corporate Social Value
Authors: McDaniel Patricia A. , Malone Ruth E. 
Published: August 2012

Objectives. We examined Philip Morris USA’s exploration of corporate social responsibility practices and principles and its outcome. Methods. We analyzed archival internal tobacco industry documents, generated in 2000 to 2002, related to discussions of corporate social responsibility among a Corporate Responsibility Taskforce and senior management at Philip Morris. Results. In exploring corporate social responsibility, Philip Morris executives sought to identify the company’s social value—its positive contribution to society. Struggling to find an answer, they considered dramatically changing the way the company marketed its products, apologizing for past actions, and committing the company to providing benefits for future generations. These ideas were eventually abandoned. Despite an initial call to distinguish between social and economic value, Philip Morris ultimately equated social value with providing shareholder returns. Conclusions. When even tobacco executives struggle to define their company’s social value, it signals an opening to advocate for endgame scenarios that would encourage supply-side changes appropriate to the scale of the tobacco disease epidemic and consistent with authentic social value.
Evaluation of Raising Adolescent Families Together Program: A Medical Home for Adolescent Mothers and Their Children
Authors: Cox Joanne E. , Buman Matthew P. , Woods Elizabeth R. , Famakinwa Olatokunbo , Harris Sion Kim 
Published: August 2012

Objectives. This study described a medical home model for adolescent mothers and their children, and their 1- and 2-year preventive care, repeat pregnancy, and psychosocial outcomes. Methods. In this prospective, single cohort demonstration project, adolescent mothers (14–18 years old) and their children received care in a medical home. Demographic, medical and social processes, and outcomes data were collected at enrollment through 24 months. Change over time and predictors of repeat pregnancy were analyzed. Results. A total of 181 adolescents enrolled, with 79.6% participating for 2 years. At 2 years, 90.2% of children were completely immunized. Children and adolescent mothers met standards for health care visits, and adolescent condom use improved. Rates of cumulative repeat pregnancy were 14.7% and 24.6%, school attendance 77.6% and 68.7%, and employment 21.2% and 32.3% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Conclusions. A medical home model with comprehensive and integrated medical care and social services can effectively address the complex needs of adolescent parents and their children.
Association Between Availability and Quality of Health Services in Schools and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Students: A Multilevel Observational Study
Authors: Denny Simon , Robinson Elizabeth , Lawler Catriona , Bagshaw Sue , Farrant Bridget , Bell Fionna , Dawson Dianne , Nicholson Diana , Hart Mo , Fleming Theresa , Ameratunga Shanthi , Clark Terryann , Kekus Maria , Utter Jennifer 
Published: August 2012

Objectives. We determined the association between availability and quality of school health services and reproductive health outcomes among sexually active students. Methods. We used a 2-stage random sampling cluster design to collect nationally representative data from 9107 students from 96 New Zealand high schools. Students self-reported whether they were sexually active, how often they used condoms or contraception, and their involvement in pregnancy. School administrators completed questionnaires on their school-based health services, including doctor and nursing hours per week, team-based services, and health screening. We conducted analyses using multilevel models controlling for individual variables, with schools treated as random effects. Results. There was an inverse association between hours of nursing and doctor time and pregnancy involvement among sexually active students, with fewer pregnancies among students in schools with more than 10 hours of nursing and doctor time per 100 students. There was no association between doctor visits, team-based services, health screening, and reproductive health outcomes. Conclusions. School health services are associated with fewer pregnancies among students, but only when the availability of doctor and nursing time exceeds 10 hours per 100 students per week.
The Adolescent Family Life Program: A Multisite Evaluation of Federally Funded Projects Serving Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents
Authors: Kan Marni L. , Ashley Olivia Silber , LeTourneau Kathryn L. , Williams Julia Cassie , Jones Sarah B. , Hampton Joel , Scott Alicia Richmond 
Published: August 2012

Objectives. We evaluated the effectiveness of care demonstration projects supported by the Title XX Adolescent Family Life (AFL) program, which serves pregnant and parenting adolescents in an effort to mitigate the risks associated with adolescent childbearing. Methods. This cross-site evaluation involved 12 projects and 1038 adolescents who received either enhanced services funded by the AFL program or usual care. We examined the effects of enhanced services on health, educational, and child care outcomes approximately 6 months to 2 years after intake and explored moderation of program effects by time since intake and project characteristics associated with outcomes. Results. The odds of using long-acting reversible contraception (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58) and receiving regular child care (OR = 1.50) in the past month were higher in the intervention group than in the comparison group. Odds of a repeat pregnancy were lower (OR = 0.39) among intervention group adolescents than among comparison group adolescents within 12 months of intake. Several project characteristics were associated with adolescent health outcomes. Conclusions. These projects show promise in improving effective contraceptive use, increasing routine child care, and yielding short-term decreases in repeat pregnancy.
Chatting in Paragraphs: Towards Academic Discourse in Foreign Language Chat
Authors: Mendelson Adam 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:This paper presents a case study of an individual student’s increasing approximation of academic discourse during a third-semester Spanish class that included chat-based instruction. During both chat-based activities and oral discussions in class, the student’s language use became increasingly characterized by longer turns and the use of subordination to express opinions. At the same time, her engagement in online play decreased over the course of the semester. This case suggests that, depending on the overall instructional context in which text-based chat is integrated, this medium, which is generally assumed to be social and informal, may actually be flexible enough to also support the development of academic discourse. Furthermore, the detailed description of language use and development across online and off-line environments invites consideration of the relationship between chatting and speaking.
Telecollaboration for Professional Purposes: Towards Developing a Formal Register in the Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Cunningham D. Joseph , Vyatkina Nina 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:This study reports on the development of a professional spoken register among learners of German as they participate in four synchronous Web conferences with German-speaking professionals. The researchers investigated the effect of interaction with expert German speakers combined with an instructional intervention focusing on pragmatic competence on the development of learners’ ability to communicate in a second language (L2) professional register. The data reveal a positive effect on the strategic use of modal verbs for expressing polite requests as well as a moderate effect on learners’ use of the subjunctive mood to establish social distance. These results add further support for the use of intercultural online exchanges mediated by data-driven instruction in the foreign language classroom and highlight the utility of a microgenetic approach to analyzing spoken data.
New Dietetic Practitioners’ Perspectives: On Their Education and Training
Authors: Brady Jennifer , Lordly Daphne , MacLellan Debbie , Gingras Jacqui 
Published: August 2012

Purpose: To elucidate the complex phenomenon of dietitian professional socialization, we examined factors that influence people’s decisions to pursue a career in dietetics and how education and training processes influence the professional socialization of dietitians. Methods: Participants (n=12) had less than three years of work experience and included alumni from three Canadian universities representing different models of entry to practice. Three one-on-one interviews were conducted with each participant. Results: The key influencing factor in participants’ decision to pursue dietetics was the perceived congruence between dietetics and other aspects of their lives, including early interests and experiences (sports, food and cooking, an eating disorder), career aspirations (science, health care), and social networks (the desire to be a professional). A pivotal experience during high school or while enrolled in or after graduation from another program prompted participants’ awareness of and subsequent decision to pursue a career in dietetics. Supportive relationships were vital to participants’ professional socialization. Conclusions: Recruitment materials and education opportunities should help aspiring dietitians develop a clear idea of what being a dietitian means. Dietetic educators must attend to the informational and relational aspects involved in shaping future practitioners’ dietitian identities.