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PubMed1994

Effects of rapid burnout type gypsum-bonded investment on performance of castings. Part 1. Surface aspects and fit of crowns.

Rapid burnout type gypsum-bonded investment materials were developed to shorten the time required for dental casting procedures. With these materials, molds can be prepared by rapid heating at 700 degrees C for 30 min from 30 min after the start of mixing. When the investment block was rapidly heated at 700 degrees C, no fractures were observed in the rapid burnout type investments with one exception, while a conventional cristobalite investment broke into pieces shortly after being placed in the furnace. Casting fins were sometimes induced only for the material which showed fracturing on rapid heating. No practical problems were found in the surface roughness of the castings. The 30 min-setting expansion was significantly different among the materials although there were no differences in thermal expansion, and the material showing greater 30 min-setting expansion was efficient to obtain better fit of the crown as in the conventional casting procedures.

Calcium Sulfate↗

PubMed2002

Experimental ammonia-free phosphate-bonded investments using Mg(H2PO4)2 solution.

In our previous study, we investigated ammonia-free phosphate-bonded investments using Mg (H2PO4)2 powder. The purpose of the present study was to attempt usage of 50 wt% Mg (H2PO4)2 solution instead of powder. Magnesium oxide (MgO) was prepared as a binder and cristobalite was selected as a refractory. After arranging six kinds of experimental investments (A-F) with different cristobalite/MgO ratios, the fundamental properties of the dental investments were examined. The properties of the molds were influenced by the amount of MgO. Decreases in MgO showed lower mold strengths, longer setting time and larger setting expansion. According to XRD analysis, the peaks of MgH(PO4)3 x 3H2O newly formed, cristobalite and MgO were detected in the A set, but MgO peaks in F set were reduced. On the other hand, the surface of F was entirely covered by phosphorus. From these results, it was found that the usage of Mg(H2PO4)2 solution was possible for ammonia-free investments.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2004

Thermal expansion typed investments for casting titanium.

New investments for titanium were developed by adding ZrC and ZrN as additives for thermal expansion to an MgO cement base investment with setting shrinkage and low thermal expansion. Setting, thermal and residual expansion, X-ray diffraction and compressive strength of these experimental investments, surface roughness of the cast plate and casting accuracy of titanium crowns were evaluated. Thermal expansion of investments increased with additive amounts, and residual expansion occurred even when cooling to room temperature after firing in an air atmosphere by the oxidation to ZrO2 of these additives. The casting accuracy of full-crowns cast into molds at room temperature correlated with the content of ZrC and ZrN. As the result the cast titanium crown could be obtained with low surface roughness and good adaptability.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Phosphate-bonded ZrSiO4 investments added with ZrC and ZrN for casting titanium.

In this study, new investments for titanium were developed by adding ZrC or ZrN as chemical additive for thermal expansion to a phosphate-bonded zircon (ZrSiO4) investment. The following effects were then examined: setting expansion, residual thermal expansion, and compressive strength of these experimental investments; surface roughness of cast plate; and casting accuracy of titanium crown. For residual thermal expansion, it occurred even while investments were cooled to room temperature after firing in air atmosphere. This was due to the additives' oxidation to ZrO2--suggesting that residual thermal expansion increased with increased amount of these additives. As for casting accuracy of full-crown cast into molds at room temperature, it correlated with the ZrN content. Hence by adding the right amount of ZrN, cast titanium crowns with low surface roughness and good adaptability could be obtained.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Dimensional accuracy and surface property of titanium casting using gypsum-bonded alumina investment.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dimensional accuracy and surface property of titanium casting obtained using a gypsum-bonded alumina investment. The experimental gypsum-bonded alumina investment with 20 mass% gypsum content mixed with 2 mass% potassium sulfate was used for five cp titanium castings and three Cu-Zn alloy castings. The accuracy, surface roughness (Ra), and reaction layer thickness of these castings were investigated. The accuracy of the castings obtained from the experimental investment ranged from -0.04 to 0.23%, while surface roughness (Ra) ranged from 7.6 to 10.3microm. A reaction layer of about 150 microm thickness under the titanium casting surface was observed. These results suggested that the titanium casting obtained using the experimental investment was acceptable. Although the reaction layer was thin, surface roughness should be improved.

Aluminum Oxide↗

PubMed2006

Titanium casting using commercial phosphate-bonded investments with quick heating method.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible use of quick heating method for titanium casting using two commercial investments (Rematitan Plus and Tancovest). The resulting characteristics of the investments with the quick heating method were as follows: residual thermal expansion at the casting temperature was in the range of 0.39 to 0.64%; green strength and fired strength ranged from 4.4 to 10.3 MPa and from 13.8 to 17.6 MPa, respectively. Five full crown titanium castings from each casting condition were obtained using an argon arc melting and gas pressure casting machine. The thickness of cast surface reaction layer was approximately 200 microm, regardless of heating methods or investments. Further, the heating method did not significantly influence either the accuracy or surface roughness of the titanium castings. These results therefore suggested that these commercial investments for titanium could be used for the quick heating method.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

Exceptional economic returns on investments in medical research.

The United States will invest nearly US$70 billion (US$260 per capita) on medical research this year, more than half of which will be sponsored by the biopharmaceutical industry. This investment has been shown to provide major gains in basic, disease-oriented and patient-oriented research. It also provides a huge economic return on investment--whether measured in terms of jobs created, health costs saved, or the dollar value of lives saved. Australia, whose investment in medical research is less than 10% that of the United States, should increase its national commitment.

Australia↗

PubMed1990

Using Monte Carlo simulation to make better capital investment decisions.

The financial analysis of a proposed capital investment typically involves estimating the project's expected cash flows and profitability and then perhaps looking at one or two alternative scenarios. However, this procedure provides incomplete information about a project's potential risk/return characteristics because it focuses on only a few possibilities; whereas, real-world investments can have an almost unlimited number of financial outcomes. Monte Carlo simulation can solve the incomplete information problem. In a Monte Carlo simulation, relatively certain input variables are specified by single values, while relatively uncertain variables are specified by probability distributions. The end result is a probability distribution that describes the project's full range of potential profitability. With a complete set of information concerning a project's risk/return characteristics, decision makers can better judge the financial impact of the investment and hence make better capital investment decisions.

Capital Expenditures↗

PubMed1994

Wise management of investments: the CFO's role.

Asset pools of investable funds are major sources of revenue for healthcare organizations. A prudent investment program can assure that these funds will be controlled adequately and managed efficiently. This type of program clearly defines the goals of investment, the characteristics of appropriate investment instruments, the means of monitoring and reporting fund activities, and the responsibilities and qualifications of the institutional investor.

Financial Management, Hospital↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Developing and implementing an investment strategy.

Establishing a network or expanding a practice to take advantage of the managed care market requires finding ready sources of capital. Once you have found your capital, however, what do you do with it? A sound investment strategy is necessary to ensure that the organization meets its financial goals. In this day and age, a strong balance sheet is increasingly important to medical groups and their capital providers. Starting with a review of your group's cash management systems, this article presents how to establish an investment strategy. The process includes reviewing historical financial information, developing an investment policy and using outside investment management (if needed).

Capital Financing↗

PubMed1996

SFAS No. 124, accounting for investments: the rules have changed.

Under SFAS No. 124 "Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations," issued in November 1995, not-for-profit healthcare organizations must report investments in equity securities that have readily determinable market values and all debt securities at fair value. SFAS No. 124 significantly modifies the way healthcare organizations' account for such investments and brings greater accountability to healthcare financial managers regarding the management of their organizations' investments.

Accounting↗

PubMedDate not supplied

How Fidelity invests in service professionals.

If you're in the business of service delivery, investment in the training and development of your staff is one of the keys to your company's success. But what's the best way to design and implement your investment? In 1994, Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Company (FIRSCo) needed to ensure that its rapidly expanding staff maintained the company's high levels of customer satisfaction. The solution, according to Ellyn McColgan, formerly an executive vice president of FIRSCo and now the president of Fidelity Investments Tax-Exempt Services Company, was to reach out to its service associates with a powerful new model for training and development called Service Delivery University. SDU is a virtual university with a content-based core curriculum and five colleges that focus on business concepts and skills. It is driven by three principles. First, all training must be directly aligned with the company's strategic and financial objectives and focused on customer needs. Second, service delivery is a profession and should be taught as such. And finally, professional development should be the primary responsibility of line managers rather than the human resources department. McColgan explains how FIRSCo overcame resistance to this sweeping change in employee education. (Time was one obstacle: each associate receives 80 hours of training per year.) In addition, the author discusses the fine art of measuring the success of a program like SDU. She finds that the company's investment has paid dividends to the staff, to the organization as a whole, and to FIRSCo's customers.

Commerce↗

PubMed1998

Applying risk management strategies to strengthen an IDS's investment policy.

The increased financial risk that not-for-profit integrated delivery systems have assumed to function under managed care has required them to become increasingly reliant on income and gains from their investment portfolios. This reliance underscores the need for these organizations to take steps to effectively manage their investment risk. Not-for-profit IDSs should establish a systematic approach to investment risk management that is based on maintaining a sound fiduciary infrastructure and having a clear understanding of risk exposures, the most important of which are policy and market risk. Applying reasonable and common-sense risk management strategies to investment policy will enhance an IDS's overall financial and competitive strength.

Administrative Personnel↗

PubMed1987

Using past performance tests to improve investments.

Selecting the best investment policy or management style to generate a high level of return is an important decision for any CFO. Guidance can be given to help CFOs choose the most appropriate management style for their own particular institutions. With the use of computer-simulated tests, CFOs can predict the return on investment that can occur if a particular investment policy or style is chosen, and CFOs can determine, in advance, the most rational and advantageous investment approach to take for their institutions.

Decision Support Systems, Management↗

PubMed1989

Investment policy, guidelines help providers control risk.

Because the financial markets are volatile, every healthcare organization should establish its own investment policy and guidelines. An investment policy reflects the views of a hospital's board of trustees, and helps the trustees avoid conflict of interest situations. Investment guidelines spell out management's approach to three critical investing components: safety of principal, liquidity, and yield.

Conflict, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The return on investment for information technology.

Investment in information technology accounts for an increasingly large component of the cost of modern health care. In most businesses, a quantitative return on investment analysis forms the basis for decisions regarding technology investment. As a whole, the medical community lags behind in the quantitative analysis of the benefits of information technology. However, economic pressures are forcing health care organizations to step back and understand the implications of technology investments and how they can best be applied to create a more productive staff and, in the end, better patient care.

Capital Expenditures↗

PubMed2000

Controlled-risk foreign investment strategy can boost yields.

Healthcare organizations that have invested in the U.S. stock market have enjoyed high returns in recent years. After such a performance, many investment managers see little reason to investigate overseas markets, believing that the U.S. market will continue to be profitable and economic uncertainties make overseas markets too risky. However, in 1999, markets in Europe, Australia, and the Far East outperformed the S&P 500 for the first time in five years. In addition, signs such as mounting price/earnings ratios may indicate that the U.S. stock market will be less profitable than it has been in recent years. Consequently, investment managers should revisit the idea of international investing.

Asia↗

PubMed2002

Evaluating capital investment opportunities: capturing the value of flexibility.

The risks inherent in today's healthcare environment make it difficult to predict financial returns from large capital investments or strategic initiatives. Discounted cash-flow financial models are an inadequate means of valuing capital investment opportunities. Real-option analysis includes in the value of a capital investment the ability of management to alter a strategic course or react to marketplace changes. The value of managerial flexibility is higher in an investment opportunity with considerable risk.

Capital Expenditures↗