bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE ELDERLY: BEWARE OF THE MEAN*
Authors: Quinn Joseph F. 
Published: March 2005

Current discussion contains widely contradictory statements about the economic status of the elderly in the United States. One can read that poverty among the elderly has been eliminated, and that it remains one of the most serious problems facing the country today. This paper discusses different ways of measuring economic status, and attempts to show how authors can reach such divergent conclusions, and support them with readily available data.The U.S. Census data on personal income generally exclude in‐kind benefits, and treat family size in a straightforward though unsophisticated manner. This paper shows that alternative treatments of these issues can have significant effects on indices of the economic status of the elderly. Whether or not in‐kind benefits are included in the definition of income, which in‐kind benefits are included and how they are valued change the conclusions dramatically. Even more important is whether the income data are presented by household or per capita (or with some intermediate divisor, using equivalency scales), since elderly households are the smallest of any age category.This paper makes 3 points. One is that there has been significant progress in the economic status of the elderly over the past several decades, although the extent of the improvement is subject to debate. But the second is that summary statistics about the elderly, such as the above, may conceal more than they reveal. The diversity of the elderly is key. Beware of the mean. Finally, there is no one correct way to measure well‐being. Different methodological approaches can be chosen and justified, and the choices made alter the conclusions significantly.
INCOME DISTRIBUTION STATISTICS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THEIR RELIABILITY
Authors: Altimir Oscar 
Published: March 2005

This paper is addressed to the question of how far income distribution statistics currently available in Latin America can be relied upon, either to assess the degree of inequality in the national distribution of income or to undertake comparisons between countries or over time. It gives a summary account of research carried out on Latin American data.The sources available in Latin America for estimating income distributions are discussed. Concentrating the attention on household surveys conducted in various Latin American countries, an inventory of such surveys and their characteristics is offered, along with a detailed exposition of survey methods and income concepts used for estimating household income. Methods used for assessing the representativeness of samples are summarily reviewed. The case for comparing income data from household surveys and population censuses with national accounts estimates is put forward, along with the procedures and assumptions used for carrying out such comparisons. The relative discrepancy between the two sources is taken as indicative of the degree of underestimation of each type of income in each survey. An analysis of such discrepancies across the set of surveys considered gives clues on possible underestimation biases in measuring each type of income and total household income in different types of survey and in population censuses.Differential effects on comparability of survey results call for appropriate methods of adjusting income distribution estimates to account for the missing incomes. A method for carrying out such an adjustment is applied to income distributions from a selected number of Latin American surveys. The results obtained provide an indication of how much difference it makes to use unadjusted or adjusted data to assess income concentration or to carry out comparisons over time or space.
EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS (SNA) IN ROMANIA
Authors: Dumitrescu Vasile , Giurescu Cornelia , Mateescu Stefan 
Published: March 2005

Among the priorities of the Romanian strategy in the statistics field, the introduction of the National Accounts System is known as an important instrument for the experience of Romanian specialists in calculating some aggregated indicators of the National Accounts System since 1975 created the conditions to elaborate the national accounts.The 1990 Romanian Yearbook contains for the first time figures concerning Gross Domestic Product between 1980 and 1989, detailed by branches, incomes and expenses and also by aggregated input‐output figures. By taking advantage of the technical assistance and support of French specialists in the National Accounts field, Romania made the first steps in elaborating the National Accounts System.Thus, methodological studies about the institutional sectors in the Romanian economy, the description of the operations in accounts adapted to our particularities, and specific aspects in the elaboration of input‐output tables are now underway. The recorded progress, as well as the programs for the coming years and the technical assistance granted by EEC and by other countries assure us that by assiduous efforts we shall be able to build a statistics system which will satisfy the domestic requirements, concepts and methods used at the international level.MOTTO: “Transition to the market economy may be imagined as a vehicle which requires a powerful engine for functioning. For statistics this means the national accounts.”
Variables Affecting Silicone‐Polymethyl Methacrylate Interfacial Bond Strengths
Authors: Wood William E. , Johnson Dean L. , Duncanson Manville G. 
Published: March 2005

Purpose This study investigated the effects of various polymerization methods and of various types of silane coupling agents on the intefacial bond strengths of Molloplast‐B and of two types of heat‐processed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).Materials and Methods Standardized blocks of PMMA were processed and stored in 100% humidity for 14 days. Silicone of equal dimensions was flasked and processed with premixed and fresh‐mixed silane coupling agents interposed. Processing utilized both a typical heated‐water system and a dry‐heat oven. Following recovery, the specimens were peel‐tested at an angle of 180° in an Instron machine.Results There was no significant difference between the test variables of Lucitone (Dentsply/York Division, York, PA) versus Lucitone 199 (Dentsply/York Division), nor with wet versus dry heat polymerization methods. However, the mean bond strengths for premixed silane improved slightly in a wet polymerization environement. Conversely, fresh‐mixed silane's mean bond strength increased slightly with dry‐heat polymerization.Conclusions The bond strength between a methyl methacrylate denture base and a silicone soft liner varies only slightly when either Lucitone, Lucitone 199, or polymerization in a wet or dry environement is used. Under the conditions of this study, a fresh‐mixed silane coupling agent produced a distinctly superior bond strength.
Gypsum Compatibility of Antimicrobial Alginates After Spray Disinfection
Authors: King Barbara B. , Norling Barry K. , Seals Richard 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThis investigation examined the gypsum compatibility of two antimicrobial alginates after spray disinfection. Subjective compatibility evaluations were compared with objective quantitative profilometer readings of gypsum cast surface roughness.Materials and MethodsCOE Hydrophilic Gel Alginate, Jeltrate Plus Antimicrobial Alginate, and their nonantimicrobial counterparts, Coe Alginate and Jeltrate Plus, were used in this study. After spray disinfection with water (control), Alcide LD, Biocide, OMC II, and 0.5% NaOCl, impressions of the American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA) specification no. 18 detail reproduction die and impressions made simultaneously of a smooth glass die were cast in Microstone, Silky‐Rock, and Die‐Keen. Five specimens were made for each alginate/disinfectant/gypsum combination for a total of 300 samples each for both the subjective and objective analyses. For the subjective analysis of gypsum compatibility, the specimens made from the ANSI/ADA specification no. 18 test die were evaluated by using a 1‐to‐4 visual rating system at magnification × 12. For the objective analysis, the arithmetic average surface roughness of each specimen made from the smooth glass die was recorded three times with a 200‐mg skidless stylus instrument.ResultsThe results of the ANSI/ADA specification no. 18 testing for gypsum compatibility showed that 11 of 60 possible combinations did not pass the test. All impressions made with nonantimicrobial COE Alginate passed the test regardless of the disinfectant/gypsum combination. The results of the three‐factor analysis of variance for the subjective and objective analyses showed significant interactions between alginates, disinfectants, and stones at the P < .05 level. To further delineate these differences, unpaired t tests (P < .05) within brands for each disinfectant/gypsum combination were performed.ConclusionsThe addition of 1% chlorhexidine diacetate to COE Hydrophilic Gel Alginate has decreased its compatibility with the dental stones and disinfectants tested when compared with its nonantimicrobial counterpart. In terms of gypsum compatibility, the nonantimicrobial COE Alginate was compatible with all disinfectant and gypsum combinations tested. The addition of 1.70% didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride to Jeltrate Plus Antimicrobial Alginate has increased its compatibility with all the dental stones tested. A strong positive correlation (r= 0.7398) was found between visual gypsum compatibility evaluation scores and surface roughness of gypsum casts.
An In Vivo Evaluation of Adhesives Used in Extraoral Maxillofacial Prostheses
Authors: Haug Steven P. , Richard Glenn E. , Margiotti Eugene , Winkler Mark M. , Moore Dorsey J. 
Published: March 2005

Purpose This investigation introduces percent adherent area and 10‐minute and 8‐hour peelstrength values as an in vivo evaluation of three popular maxillofacial prosthetic adhesives when used with three extraoral prosthetic polymers.Materials and Methods Specimens of Silastic MDX 4‐4210, Silastic Medical Ahesive A (Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, MI), and Silicone A‐2186 (Factor II, Inc, Lakeside, AZ) were adhered to 25 subjects' arms using Secure Medical Adhesive (Factor II, Inc), Pros‐Aide Adhesive (ADM Tronics Inc, Northvale, NJ), and Hollister Colostomy Adhesive (Hollister Inc, Libertyville, IL). After 10 minutes, the peel strength required to remove the specimens was measured. Additional specimens were then adhered to the subjects and worn for 8 hours. The nonadherent areas of the specimens were then marked, the peel strength was measured again, and then the percent adherent area was calculated.Results Hollister Colostomy Adhesive showed greater 10‐minute peel‐strength values when used with Silastic Medical Adhesive A. The peel‐strength values of the Hollister Colostomy Adhesive when used with Silastic MDX 4‐4210 increased with time. The greatest percent adherent area was obtained with Silastic MDX 4‐4210 using Pros‐Aide Adhesive, and the lowest was obtained with Pros‐Aide Adhesive using Silicone A‐2186 and Silastic Medical Adhesive A.Conclusions There was no clearly superior adhesive/prosthetic material combination based on the tests used in this study; however, individual skin variations between patients affect the adhesive properties.
A Retrospective Clinical Study of Resin‐Bonded Cingulum Rest Seats
Authors: Janus Charles E. , Unger John W. , Crabtree Donald G. , McCasland John P. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of the resin‐bonded cingulum rest seats (RBCRS) supporting removable partial dentures.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐six patients who had been treated with RBCRSs were recalled and examined.ResultsNone of the patients who had RBCRSs placed on their teeth experienced debonding, and none of the teeth showed clinically significant signs of wear to the rest seats.ConclusionsThe use of RBCRSs to support removable partial dentures is a highly successful method of treatment.
Esthetics: Patients' Perceptions of Dental Attractiveness
Authors: Dunn William J. , Murchison David F. , Broome James C. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThe importance of dentofacial attractiveness to the psychosocial well‐being of an individual has been well established. Very little information is available regarding dental patient perceptions of a pleasing esthetic image. The purpose of this study was to identify factors distinctive to attractive smiles versus unattractive smiles, as perceived by patients.Materials and MethodsStandardized format photographs (5 × 7 in, matte finish, at f‐32 and 1:2 magnification) of eight male and eight female smiles, framing only lips and teeth, were viewed by 297 subjects. The smiles exhibited differences in symmetry, tooth shade, number of teeth displayed, and height of maxillary lip line, and included both restored and unrestored teeth. Respondents ranked the photographs in order from most to least appealing appearance. Respondents viewed each series of photographs in a similar lighting and time period. A questionnaire identified the respondent's age, sex, race, education, income, and home town. Twenty‐five demographic groups were established from the information in the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using stepwise discriminant analysis to determine the combination of smile characteristics that best predicted the ranking.ResultsThe same female smile was chosen as the most attractive by 24 of the 25 demographic groups. This smile is characterized by natural teeth having light shade, high lip line, a large display of teeth, and radiating symmetry. Two female smiles typified by darker shade and asymmetry were rated by all groups as being least attractive. Two male smiles were judged equal as the most pleasing esthetically. Respondents favored those smiles characterized by light shade, a moderate display of teeth, moderate lip line, and a symmetrical arrangement of teeth. One male smile characterized by darker shade was rated as least attractive.ConclusionsIn all cases, tooth shade was the most important factor, followed in sequence by unrestored natural teeth and number of teeth displayed. No correlation was found to exist between specific demographic groups and smile variables.
The Accuracy of Implant Verification Casts Compared With Casts Produced From A Rigid Transfer Coping Technique
Authors: Carr Alan B. , Master Jiten 
Published: March 2005

Purpose Prosthodontic techniques for implant‐supported prostheses continue to evolve in an effort to facilitate treatment and minimize costs. Because research has shown no impression transfer technique to be without error, some clinicians have attempted to control the fit of prosthetic frameworks by reorienting sections of patterns or frameworks intraorally, fabricating a verification cast, and completing the prosthesis to fit such a cast. One manufacturer has attempted to meet both impression‐making and verification‐cast objectives by providing metallic impression copings (MICS) with extensions that allow contact between the copings for rigid fixation with acrylic resin before impression making. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of casts produced from the MICS transfer process compared with casts produced from sectioned frameworks, where both techniques used a low‐polymerization‐shrinkage acrylic resin polymer to rigidly join the sections.Materials and Methods Using stainless steel measurement spheres as a reference point on each implant analog, the distances between analogs on the experimental casts were compared with the distances measured on the master cast. Seven casts were produced for each group and measured with a machinist's microscope at a 4‐μm level of precision.Results The results revealed that the MICS transfer exhibited a mean error of 41 μm, which was significantly less than the verification‐cast group mean error of 57 μm (p < .01, Student's t test).Conclusions Given these results, clinicians can consider the rigid transfer technique as provided in the MICS transfer to be more accurate than the verification technique as outlined in this study.
Finite Element Stress Analysis of IMZ Abutment Designs: Development of a Model
Authors: Holmes David C. , Haganman Chris R. , Aquilino Steven A. , Diaz‐Arnold Ana M. , Stanford Clark M. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThis article describes the development of a model system for use in finite element stress analysis of three different IMZ abutment designs: original threaded Intra‐Mobile Element (IME), Abutment Complete (ABC), and Intra‐Mobile Connector (IMC).Materials and MethodsA three‐dimensional model simulating a cast gold crown restoration attached to an osseointegrated IMZ implant fixture was generated for each abutment design. Each model was discretized into axisymmetric finite elements representing the crown, the various implant system components, and supporting structures. A convergence test was performed to optimize the mesh. Convergence test mesh refinement for the IME, the IMC, and the ABC abutment models resulted in 818 elements, 2,566 nodes; 738 elements, 2,362 nodes; and 663 elements, 2,051 nodes, respectively. Progressive tightening of the retaining screw (preload) was simulated; the degree of screw tightening necessary to prevent opening of the crown‐abutment interface in extreme loading (500‐N occlusal load at 45°) was determined individually for each system.ConclusionsModels of three IMZ abutment designs have been refined and the appropriate relative screw preloads determined. This model system is to be used subsequently in stress analysis comparison for the three systems.
Deflection and Stress Distribution in Three Different IMZ Abutment Designs
Authors: Haganman Chris R. , Holmes David C. , Aquilino Steven A. , Diaz‐Arnold Ana M. , Stanford Clark M. 
Published: March 2005

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the stress distribution in the resin element and the retaining screw for three different IMZ prosthetic systems: 1) original threaded Intra‐Mobile Element (IME); 2) Abutment Complete (ABC); and 3) Intra‐Mobile Connector (IMC). This stress distribution comparison was then related to variations in deflection of the prosthetic superstructure.Materials and Methods Employing the finite element method, a three‐dimensional model simulating a cast gold restoration attached to an osseointegrated IMZ implant fixture was generated for each system. The representation of the implant fixture, the supporting structures, and the external contours of the crown were identical in the three models, while the configuration of the abutment varied to characterize the individual systems. Each model was discretized into axisymmetric finite elements representing the crown, the various implant system components, and supporting structures. A series of harmonic functions was written to define non‐axisymmetric loads of 100 N and 500 N evenly distributed over the entire occlusal surface of the crown. Each load was applied individually to the models, first in a vertical direction, and then at a 45° angle to the median plane. Predicted deflection and stress distributions were computed and plotted for each loading condition of each model.Results Deflections measured at the buccal cusp tip ranged from 0.002 mm (100‐N load applied vertically to the ABC model) to 0.802 mm (500‐N load applied at 45° to the IME model). Maximum effective stresses in the retaining screw ranged from 129 MPa (100‐N load applied vertically to the ABC model) to 1,315 MPa (500‐N load applied at 45°C to the IMC model). A correlation was observed between the peak stresses in the screw and the deflection of the superstructure.Conclusions Deflections and stress concentrations with the IMC were predicted to be in the same range as with the IME, but much greater than with the ABC.
SENSORY SHELF‐LIFE ESTIMATION OF ALFAJOR BY SURVIVAL ANALYSIS
Authors: GÁMBARO ADRIANA , GIMÉNEZ ANA , VARELA PAULA , GARITTA LORENA , HOUGH GUILLERMO 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT Survival analysis methodology was used to estimate the shelf life of alfajor (a chocolate‐coated individually wrapped cake) at 20 and 35C by using results obtained from consumers when asked if they would accept or reject samples with different storage times. Sensory acceptability (measured by consumers), off‐flavor (measured by a trained panel) and moisture content were linearly related to time. These correlations were used to estimate values at the shelf‐life times calculated for 25 and 50% rejection probability. Survival analysis provided the following shelf‐life estimation: 74 days at 20C and 33 days at 35C for a 25% of rejection, 87 days at 20C and 39 days at 35C for a 50% of rejection. An alfajor stored at 20C having an acceptability value below 4.9 (1–9 hedonic scale) and off‐flavor intensity above 5.3 (0–10 scale) would be rejected by 25% of the consumers. Chemical data were not good shelf‐life predictors.
QUANTIFYING FLUID FOOD TEXTURE
Authors: POLLEN N.R. , DAUBERT CHRISTOPHER R. , PRABHASANKAR P. , DRAKE M.A. , GUMPERTZ M.L. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT Instrumental and sensory methods were studied to quantify specific textural attributes of fluid foods. Of the numerous tests performed, instrumental and sensory analyses each identified appropriate techniques for viscosity and yield stress evaluation. Multivariate analyses showed good correlation between these select methods for instrumental and sensory viscosity (r = 0.90) and yield stress (r = 0.96). Individually, principal component analysis showed differentiation between viscosity and yield stress methods, indicating these properties measured separate textural attributes of fluid foods. Although viscosity and yield stress are not the sole properties comprising fluid food texture, in combination these properties provide a more complete description of fluid food texture.
Impact of a Molecular Approach to Improve the Microbiological Diagnosis of Infective Heart Valve Endocarditis
Authors: Breitkopf Claudia , Hammel Dieter , Scheld Hans H. , Peters Georg , Becker Karsten 
Published: March 2005

Background—Even today, infective endocarditis (IE) remains a severe and potentially fatal disease demanding sophisticated diagnostic strategies for detection of the causative microorganisms. Despite the use of appropriate laboratory techniques, classic microbiological diagnostics are characterized by a high rate of negative results.Methods and Results—Broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting bacterial and fungal rDNA followed by direct sequencing was applied to excised heart valves (n=52) collected from 51 patients with suspected infectious endocarditis and from 16 patients without any signs of IE during an 18-month period. The sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative predictive values for the bacterial broad-range PCR were 41.2%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 34.8%, respectively, compared with 7.8%, 93.7%, 80.0%, and 24.2% for culture and 11.8%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 26.2% for Gram staining. Without exception, database analyses allowed identification up to the (sub)species level comprising streptococcal (n=13), staphylococcal (n=4), enterococcal (n=2), and other signature sequences such asBartonella quintanaandNocardia paucivorans.Fungal ribosomal sequences were not amplified. All valve tissues of the reference group were negative for both PCR and conventional methods, except one sample that was contaminated by molds.Conclusions—Culture-independent molecular methods substantially improve the diagnostic outcome of microbiological examination of excised heart valves. Importantly, this was true not only for fastidious, slow-growing, and/or nonculturable microorganisms but also for easy-to-culture pathogens such as streptococci and staphylococci. Both patient management and empiric antibiotic therapy of IE are likely to benefit from improved knowledge of the spectrum of pathogens now causing IE.