Theoretical Basis for Virtual Skull Orientation According to Three-Dimensional Frankfort Horizontal Plane for Computer-Aided Surgical Simulation.

PURPOSE: Computer-aided surgical simulation (CASS) is an evolving technology which has significantly affected surgical correction of dentofacial deformities, a key step of which is orientation of the virtual skull model to allow for analysis and treatment planning. Explored in this study is the coplanarity of a 3-dimensional Frankfort horizontal plane (3D FHP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 122 17.0 cm field-of-view cone-beam computed-tomogram (CBCT) scans were oriented to a 3D FHP using right porion, right orbitale, and left orbitale. The distance between the 3D FHP and left porion was then measured. The 18 CBCT scans were found to have external fiducial markers which were used for orientation into natural head position (NHP). The distance between left porion and a true horizontal plan coincidental with the right porion was measured. Concordance reliability measures were calculated to compare NHP to 3D FHP. RESULTS: The average distance of left porion to 3D FHP was found to be -0.107 mm (SD = 1.148), and the average distance from the coincidental left porion in NHP was found to be 0.846 mm (SD = 2.611). Concordance reliability calculations shows little consistency between the 2 methods of orientation (P = 0.838). CONCLUSIONS: The data shows coincidence between left porion and 3D FHP. Orientation of the virtual skull model according to 3D FHP offers a quick and easy method for this important step in CASS. Further study is needed for evaluation of this method in vivo.

Gender differences in the measurement of pharmacists' job satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Men and women choose different levels of commitment in their careers and at home. Compared to men, women value the significance of tasks performed and social relations more and earnings less. The objective of this study was to explore whether male and female pharmacists show the same levels of satisfaction overall and with key facets of their job, whether overall satisfaction is associated with satisfaction with 12 key facets of pharmacists' jobs, and whether this association is similar for men and women. METHODS: The study used self-reported survey data collected from a random sample of licensed pharmacists practicing throughout the United States. The sample consisted of 436 males and 300 females. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the association between overall job satisfaction and its key components. The 13 job satisfaction indices and the Pearson correlation coefficient values were compared by gender. RESULTS: Women were consistently more satisfied than men. Variations in overall job satisfaction were at best accompanied by moderate variations in the 12 job satisfaction facets, raising concerns about the validity of configuring a composite index from multiple indices of satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used by healthcare managers and policymakers to facilitate communication, enhance teamwork, and promote a better allocation of scarce resources. Since men and women responded differently to various facets of their jobs, a constant set of rewards and stimulants may not be equally effective for both genders as employers transform the workplace to more adequately meet practitioners' needs and increase their productivity.

Effect of Two-minute Application of 35% Sodium Ascorbate on Composite Bond Strength following Bleaching.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of 35% sodium ascorbate on microtensile bond strength of dentin immediately after bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 sound human 3rd molars were collected. Teeth were randomly divided into five groups for different treatments: Group I [bleaching + immediate bonding (i.e., restoration)], group II (bleaching + delayed bonding), group III (bleaching + sodium ascorbate + immediate bonding), group IV (bleaching + sodium ascorbate + delayed bonding), and group V (bonding only). After bleaching, but before bonding, groups II and IV were stored for 1 week in deionized water at 37°C. All samples were bonded using OptiBoned FL (Kerr) and Filtek Supreme (3M/ESPE). Teeth were sectioned into 1 × 1 mm 2 bars, and microtensile bond strength was tested with a universal testing machine (Instron 8841) at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/minute. RESULTS: Microtensile bond strength differed significantly across the five groups, with a significant reduction in microtensile bond strength observed for samples in group I relative to samples in any of the other treatment groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of a high concentration of sodium ascorbate for a shorter time reversed the negative effect of 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching on composite bonding strength to dentin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The negative effects of bleaching on composite bonding can be neutralized by the application of the reversing agent sodium ascorbate thus, increasing the efficiency of clinic chair time. This is clinically relevant for those patients requiring restorative treatment immediately after in-office bleaching.

Case Study of an Unsustainable Community-Academic Partnership: Toward Core Standards for the Structure of Emerging Participatory Research.

This report retrospectively examines the structure of an emerging community-academic participatory research (PR) partnership that was not sustainable, despite attempts to adhere to PR principles and demonstrable success in research outcomes. The influence of community and academic parent organizations on the PR process and outcomes is presented in the context of the Donabedian Model. We dissected the structural elements contributed by parent organizations to forming the structure of the PR partnership (memorandum of understanding, policy environment, human resources and effort, community and academic resources, expertise and experience, and funding) and explored the influence of potential and actual conflicts on the PR partnership's sustainability. The effect of potential and actual conflict on the PR process and quality of PR outcomes is discussed. Based on this, we conclude by proposing seven core standards for the establishment and development of emerging community-academic PR partnerships.

The Reliability and Validity of the Power-Load-Margin Inventory: A Rasch Analysis.

Margin is a function of the relationship of stress to strength. The greater the margin, the more likely students are able to successfully navigate academic structures. This study examined the psychometric properties of a newly created instrument designed to measure margin - the Power-Load-Margin Inventory (PLMI). The PLMI was created using eight domains: (A) Student's aptitude and ability, (B) Course structure, (C) External motivation, (D) Student health, (E) Instructor style, (F) Internal motivation, (G) Life opportunities, and (H) University support structure. A three-point response scale was used to measure the domains: (1) stress, (2) neither stress nor strength, and (3) strength. The PLMI was administered to 586 medical, dental, and pharmacy students. A Rasch rating scale model was used to examine the psychometric properties of the PLMI. The PLMI demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties for use with pharmacy, dental, and medical students. The PLMI's primary weakness was with the subscales' reliability. We attribute this to the small number of items per subscale.

Comparison of rerupture rates after operative and nonoperative management of Achilles tendon rupture in older populations: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the treatment for Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) associated with the lowest risk of rerupture in older patients. Methods: Five databases were searched through September 2022 for studies published in the past 10 years analyzing operative and nonoperative ATR treatment. Studies were categorized as "nonelderly" if they reported only on patients aged 18-60 years. Studies that included at least 1 patient older than age 70 were categorized as "elderly inclusive." Of 212 studies identified, 28 were eligible for inclusion. Of 2965 patients, 1165 were treated operatively: 429 (37%) from elderly-inclusive studies and 736 (63%) from nonelderly studies. Of the 1800 nonoperative patients 553 (31%) were from nonelderly studies and 1247 (69%) were from elderly-inclusive studies. Results: For nonoperative treatment, the rate of rerupture was higher in nonelderly studies (83/1000 cases, 95% CI = 58, 113) than in elderly-inclusive studies (38/1000 cases, 95% CI = 22, 58; P<.001). For operative treatment no difference was found in the rate of rerupture between nonelderly studies (7/1000 cases, 95% CI = 0, 21) and elderly-inclusive studies (12/1000 cases, 95% CI = 0, 35; P<.78). Overall, operative treatment was associated with a rerupture rate of 1.5% (95% CI: 1.0%, 2.8%) (P<.001), which was lower than the 5% rate reported by other studies for nonoperative management (P<.001). Conclusion: Older patients may benefit more than younger patients from nonoperative treatment of ATR. More studies are needed to determine the age at which rerupture rates decrease among nonoperatively treated patients. Level of Evidence: 3.

Using latent class analysis to model prescription medications in the measurement of falling among a community elderly population.

BACKGROUND: Falls among the elderly are a major public health concern. Therefore, the possibility of a modeling technique which could better estimate fall probability is both timely and needed. Using biomedical, pharmacological and demographic variables as predictors, latent class analysis (LCA) is demonstrated as a tool for the prediction of falls among community dwelling elderly. METHODS: Using a retrospective data-set a two-step LCA modeling approach was employed. First, we looked for the optimal number of latent classes for the seven medical indicators, along with the patients' prescription medication and three covariates (age, gender, and number of medications). Second, the appropriate latent class structure, with the covariates, were modeled on the distal outcome (fall/no fall). The default estimator was maximum likelihood with robust standard errors. The Pearson chi-square, likelihood ratio chi-square, BIC, Lo-Mendell-Rubin Adjusted Likelihood Ratio test and the bootstrap likelihood ratio test were used for model comparisons. RESULTS: A review of the model fit indices with covariates shows that a six-class solution was preferred. The predictive probability for latent classes ranged from 84% to 97%. Entropy, a measure of classification accuracy, was good at 90%. Specific prescription medications were found to strongly influence group membership. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion the LCA method was effective at finding relevant subgroups within a heterogenous at-risk population for falling. This study demonstrated that LCA offers researchers a valuable tool to model medical data.

An analysis of response rate and economic costs between mail and web-based surveys among practicing dentists: a randomized trial.

This study explored the economic costs and response rate of mail and web-based surveys with practicing dentists. A random sample of 6,000 practicing dentists was randomly assigned into three groups of 2,000: choice (mail or web-based), postal mail, or web-based. The Florida Tobacco Control Survey 2009, which is composed of 28 questions (including subject demographic questions), served as the survey instrument. A total of 1,232 surveys were returned by the three different groups (21% overall response rate). Response rates were best for the mail (26%) with the worst response rate coming from the Web group (11%). However, a cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that web surveys were 2.68 times more cost effective.

Survey of tobacco control among Florida dentists.

Cigarette smoking contributes to the largest number of preventable deaths with a recent report estimating that nearly 5 million annual deaths worldwide and 400,000 in the United States were attributed to cigarette smoking. Dentists, in particular, are in a unique position to educate their patients about the health effects of tobacco. Tobacco cessation knowledge, behaviors, and compliance of Florida dentists were assessed using survey methodology. The survey was administered to a random sample of 6,000 dentists, which was provided by the Florida Department of Health. The survey inquired about (1) general demographic information, (2) Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange behaviors, (3) barriers to the incorporation of tobacco cessation activities, and (4) willingness to participate in further training. A large majority of dentists (88%) are not familiar with the concept of the Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange behaviors when asked directly. When asked about each individual component of this approach, however, dentists had much higher response rates. Dentists were best at routinely asking (59%), advising (46%), & assessing (32%) their patients about their smoking. However, they were much less helpful when assisting and arranging follow-up (70% stated that they never arrange follow-up). This study discovered that the majority of dentists who counsel patients spend only 1-4 min. Sixty-six percent of the dentists surveyed were willing to receive specific training, with 50% preferring an online course and 42% preferring a continued education course.

Volumetric misfit in CAD/CAM and cast implant frameworks: a university laboratory study.

PURPOSE: To compare the volumetric misfit between implant restorative platforms of implants and implant frameworks manufactured with two different technologies. One set of implant frameworks was made with a CAD/CAM protocol and a tactile probe; the second protocol consisted of frameworks made with the lost-wax technique and conventional casting technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this laboratory study, an acrylic resin model with five "inter-foraminal" implants was used as the "patient" model. Implant level impressions were made, and 10 definitive master casts were fabricated. The casts were verified using an index made on the patient model. Five cast high palladium noble alloy and five CAD/CAM titanium alloy frameworks were fabricated. The patient's implants and the frameworks' implant restorative platforms were scanned with a tactile probe, and the data were digitized. The digitized implant restorative platforms of the frameworks were fit onto the patient's digitized implants via a software program, in a process called "lofting." This computerized procedure simulated a 1-screw test; the process was performed on both sides. The volumetric misfit between the implant restorative platforms of the frameworks and the patient's implants were measured. A Welch's t-test was used to determine significant differences (p < 0.05) between the misfit of the two technologies. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were used to evaluate differences between the right and left sides. RESULTS: On average, the volumetric misfit of the CAD/CAM frameworks was 1.8 mm(3) less than the volumetric misfit of the cast alloy frameworks (p < 0.05). The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests showed no significant differences between the right and left sides within both systems (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The scanning technology and computer software program used in this study demonstrated that the CAD/CAM implant frameworks had statistically significantly less volumetric misfit when compared with the cast implant frameworks. There were no significant differences between the right and left 1-screw tests within the same type of frameworks.

Gender and Pharmacists' Career Satisfaction in the United States.

Job satisfaction reflects pharmacists' evaluation of their current work experiences, while career satisfaction is an evaluation of how satisfied pharmacists are with their profession across various jobs. The objectives of this article were to measure career satisfaction and specific facets of current-job satisfaction of U.S. pharmacists, compare satisfaction across genders, and examine the determinants of career satisfaction. This study was based on self-reported survey data collected from a random sample of licensed pharmacists practicing throughout the United States. The sample consisted of 422 men and 315 women. Within each gender, pharmacists' career satisfaction was modeled using ordinary least squares as a function of three sets of variables: personal characteristics, earnings and workweek, and other job-related variables. Female pharmacists exhibited higher levels of contentment with their careers than their male counterparts. Their career-satisfaction levels were not affected by age, marital status, annual earnings, or average workweek, covariates that systematically influenced male pharmacists' career satisfaction. Job satisfaction substantially affected pharmacists' long-term career satisfaction. Male and female pharmacists responded differently to stimuli, so a uniform set of work-related incentives may not be effective for both genders. Initiatives perceived by male practitioners as increasing satisfaction may be adversely perceived by female practitioners, and vice-versa.

A Case-Control Study for the Effectiveness of Oral Zinc in the Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19.

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic (caused by an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV-2) has put a burden on the medical community and society at large. Efforts to reduce the disease burden and mortality over the course of the pandemic have focused on research to rapidly determine age-stratified seroepidemiologic surveys, a centralized research program to fast-track the most promising rapid diagnostics and serologic assays, and the testing of potential anti-viral agents, immunologic therapies, and vaccine candidates. Despite the lack of official recognition for the role of nutrition in the fight against COVID-19 infection, multiple groups proposed zinc supplementation as an adjuvant for the management of participants. Method: In an ambulatory, interventional, prospective, single-blind study, we evaluated the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 in two similar participant groups. In Clinic A (n = 104) participants were randomized to receive 10 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg zinc picolinate daily, and Clinic B control participants paired according to their demographics and clinical parameters (n = 96). All participants were compared based on demographics, clinical comorbidities, blood counts, renal functions, vitamin D levels, and their development of symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Results: Symptomatic COVID-19 infection was significantly higher among the control group participants (N = 9, 10.4%) than the treatment participants (N = 2, 1.9%), p = 0.015. The unadjusted odds ratio indicates that symptomatic COVID-19 infection was 5.93 [95% CI: 1.51, 39.26] higher in the control group, p < 0.01. Controlling for co-morbidities, individuals in the control group were 7.38 (95% CI: 1.80, 50.28) times more likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19 infection as compared with individuals in the treatment group (p < 0.01). For every-one unit increase in the number of co-morbidities, the likelihood of developing symptomatic COVID-19 infection increased 1.57 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.19) (p = 0.01). Discussion: The findings from our study suggest that zinc supplementation in all three doses (10, 25, and 50 mg) may be an effective prophylaxis of symptomatic COVID-19 and may mitigate the severity of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: Zinc is a relatively inexpensive mineral nutrient that is an effective prophylactic agent to prevent and mitigate the potentially deadly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with a lag in vaccinations in some regions and the continued emergence of dangerously infectious variants of SARS-CoV-2, it is important to replicate our data in other populations and locations and to engage public health and nutrition services on the emergent need to use zinc supplantation or fortification of staple foods in the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 infection severity.

Factors associated with risk for unprotected receptive and insertive anal intercourse in men aged 40 and older who have sex with men.

The frequency of HIV infection is increasing in men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 40 and older yet little is known about factors that influence their risky sexual behavior, such as sexual positioning. The goal of this study was to examine multi-level factors associated with unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) and unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI) in MSM aged 40 and older. A community-based sample of 802 self-identified MSM aged 40-94 years was recruited through targeted outreach from community venues (e.g., bars, social events) in South Florida and completed an anonymous pen-and-paper questionnaire. Logistic regression showed that younger age (i.e., aged 40-59; odds ratio [OR]=0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4, 0.9), HIV-positive status (OR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.0), drug use (OR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.7), a larger number of male sexual partners (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.3), and lower scores on internalized homonegativity (OR=0.9; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.0) were associated with higher risk for URAI. Younger age (OR=0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.6), HIV-positive status (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.1), drug use (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 22.3), Viagra use (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.4), larger number of sexual partners (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.6, 2.9), and holding views more characterized by high optimism concerning the future (OR=1.1; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.1) were associated with higher risk for UIAI. These results provide useful information that may guide the development of tailored prevention interventions to reduce the growing rates of HIV among MSM aged 40 and older.

Phase 2 Trial of GTx-758, an Estrogen Receptor Alpha Agonist, in Men With Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Novel estrogen therapy has the potential to be efficacious, with a favorable adverse event profile, in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We performed a phase 2 trial to assess the ability of GTx-758, an oral selective estrogen receptor alpha agonist, to result in a ≥ 50% PSA decline by day 90, modulate free testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, and affect estrogen deficiency adverse events. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CRPC patients received GTx-758 in two dose cohorts, 125 and 250 mg/d. The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects who experienced a ≥ 50% PSA decline by day 90. Secondary endpoints included changes in testosterone, SHBG, bone turnover markers, and hot flashes, as well as safety. RESULTS: Four (10.5%) of 38 (95% CI, 2.9, 24.8; P = .120) and 10 (25.6%) of 39 patients (95% CI, 13.0, 42.1; P < .001) in the GTx-758 125 and 250 mg/d cohorts, respectively, experienced ≥ 50% PSA decline. SHBG was increased, providing a mechanism for notable decreases in free testosterone. In the 250 mg/d cohort, 9 men presented with moderate to severe hot flashes, and after 12 weeks, 4 (44%) of 9 reported either mild or no hot flashes (P = .001). The rate of venous thromboembolic events was 0% and 5.1% in the 125 and 250 mg/d arms, respectively. CONCLUSION: GTx-758 has clinical activity for CRPC in a dose-dependent fashion. GTx-758 resulted in a reduction in hot flashes. On the basis of these findings, further clinical investigation of novel estrogen therapies is warranted.

Military readiness: an exploration of the relationship between marksmanship and visual acuity.

The United States military relies on visual acuity standards to assess enlistment induction and military occupational specialty eligibility, as well as to monitor soldiers' combat vision readiness. However, these vision standards are not evidence based and may not accurately reflect appropriate standards for military readiness or reflect a correlation between visual acuity and occupational performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual acuity and marksmanship performance using a single blind trial with the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000. Marksmanship performance was evaluated in 28 subjects under simulated day and night conditions with habitual spectacle prescription and contact lenses that created visual blur. Panel Poisson regression using an independent correlation structure revealed significant differences (p < 0.001) as visual acuity decreased from 20/25 to 20/50. We conclude that marksmanship performance decreases as visual acuity decreases. We believe that this relationship supports the use of a visual acuity requirement.

Gender and Age Variations in Pharmacists' Job Satisfaction in the United States.

While several studies have attested the presence of systematic gender and age variations in pharmacists' satisfaction with their jobs, only a few of them have considered both classifications simultaneously. None have done so while systematically examining multiple facets of practitioners' work. This article estimated U.S. pharmacists' satisfaction levels with various facets of their work, compared them simultaneously between genders and among age groups, and tested for the presence of gender-age interaction effects. The study was based on self-reported survey data collected from 701 pharmacists (31.0% response rate). Mean and standard deviation values for 18 indices related to pharmacists' work were calculated. When age groups were controlled, female pharmacists expressed overall higher levels of satisfaction with their job than male pharmacists; they also expressed greater satisfaction with multiple specific facets and with the profession, as well as greater workload and stress than male pharmacists. The findings revealed few significant differences among age groups and a limited gender-age interaction effect for pharmacists' satisfaction with key facets of their work. These findings should contribute to the development and refinement of rational criteria for increasing sources of satisfaction in pharmacy settings.

Pockets of Inequality in the Distribution of U.S. Pharmacists' Wages and Salaries: A Gender Comparison.

BACKGROUND: The literature contains conflicting arguments regarding inequalities in the distribution of U.S. pharmacists' wages and salaries and the existence of a gender earnings gap. Some authors argue that the dispersion is small compared to other professions and there is no gap; others report that after controlling for number of hours worked, human-capital stock, and job-related preferences, male pharmacists earn higher wages and salaries than female pharmacists. OBJECTIVES: Estimate the central tendency and spread of wages and salaries of pharmacists practicing in the U.S., compare earning levels of male and female pharmacists, and examine the pockets of inequality within each gender. METHODS: The study used self-reported survey data collected from a random sample of licensed pharmacists practicing throughout the United States. The sample consisted of 375 men and 279 women. Means and standard deviations of wage-and-salary earnings for male and female pharmacists were estimated by age, number of hours worked, years of professional experience, marital status, type of pharmacy degree, main role as pharmacist, and type of practice site. The spread of wages and salaries within gender was analyzed using the Gini coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 654 pharmacists provided answers to all relevant questions in the questionnaire (28.9% response rate). Wages and salaries of male pharmacists exceeded those of female pharmacists, but the gap was restricted to practitioners with selected characteristics-older, married, with more experience, whose primary role was dispensing medications, and practicing in a hospital setting. The greatest wage-and-salary inequalities were observed among older pharmacists, with more years of professional experience, and whose primary role was dispensing medications. Different gender-specific pockets of inequality were identified in all variables studied and all categories within these variables. CONCLUSION: The seemingly smooth gender-specific distribution of earnings in the pharmacy profession might be the result of opposing trends by different groups of practitioners that cancel each other when analyzed aggregately. By estimating the wages and salaries for selected categories of pharmacists and examining the pockets of inequality within each gender, this study shed light into recent labor market developments and will hopefully stimulate further research into the dynamics of the pharmacist workforce.

Eye on diabetes: a multidisciplinary patient education intervention.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of usual care to an intervention emphasizing patient education targeted at a multicultural adult patient population with diabetes seeking eye care in an academic health center. METHODS: Ninety patients were randomized to usual care or to the intervention. All patients received a comprehensive eye health and vision examination and completed a demographic survey, a patient satisfaction survey, and a diabetes eye health pretest and posttest administered by a masked examiner at 1 week and 3 months. A multidisciplinary (optometry, pharmacy, endocrinology) patient education curriculum was developed for patients randomized to the intervention. Because the dependent variable was measured at 3 points on a nominal scale, a binary generalized estimating equation was employed. RESULTS: The assessment of patient knowledge at baseline revealed misconceptions about diabetic eye disease. While most patients recognized that people with diabetes should have regularly scheduled eye examinations through dilated pupils (90.0%), most patients incorrectly reported that diabetic eye disease usually has early warning signs (75.6%). While controlling for age, gender, race, education, and HbA1c level, subjects who participated in the intervention were 2 times more likely to score higher on the posttest (chi(2) = 45.51, P > .00). No differences between pretest and posttest scores were found for patients who did not participate in the intervention (chi(2) = 11.67, P > .11). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who participated in the educational intervention demonstrated an increase in knowledge across time. Patients may benefit from education emphasizing the importance of dilated eye examinations in the absence of ocular symptoms.

Application of Rasch rating scale model to analysis of job satisfaction among practicing pharmacists.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the application of Rasch analysis in the study of job satisfaction among practicing pharmacists. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study. SETTING: Community independent, community chain, hospital, and other pharmacies in the United States in fall 2005. PARTICIPANTS: 790 practicing pharmacists. INTERVENTION: Mailed survey based on past studies of job satisfaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Job satisfaction as measured using the Rasch rating scale model (which considers responses on Likert scales as categorical data) and traditional estimation techniques (which assume a continuum among responses on these scales by analyzing data as interval). RESULTS: A gain in precision for the Rasch technique was observed for the constructs distributive justice, job autonomy, job ambiguity, role conflict, positive affectivity, job resources, and supervisory support. No gain in precision was found for the constructs negative affectivity and work involvement. Traditional estimates offered more precision for the constructs job repetition, promotional opportunity, and workload. CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional estimates, Rasch estimates provided more precise scores of job satisfaction on certain subscales, especially those whose mean scores were large or responses more diverse.

Should my new curing light be an LED?

The new generation LED curing light units have significantly improved curing performance compared to first generation lights, and even some second generation LED curing light units. This study compared the curing performance of 10 new generation LED light curing units (FLASH-lite 1401, LE Demetron 1, Coltolux, Ultra-Lume 5, Mini LED, bluephase, Elipar FreeLight 2, Radii, Smartlite IQ and Allegro) for depth of cure against a high-powered halogen curing light unit (Optilux 501). Depth of cure measurements were utilized per the ANSI/ADA No 27 standard to detect differences between the lights at three time intervals (10, 20 and 40 seconds). A total of 660 samples were prepared (n=10/group). A full factorial ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test showed FLASH-lite 1401 performed significantly better than the other lights at 10- and 20-second time intervals (p<0.01). This study also demonstrated that an exposure time of 20 seconds or longer assures a better depth of cure, 40 seconds being the optimal polymerization time for all of the curing light units.