Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Introduction To N-Adaptive Fuzzy Models To Analyze Public Opinion On Aids, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

“AIDS is not simply a physical malady, it is also an artifact of social and sexual transgression, violated taboo, fractured identity—political and personal projections. Its key words are primarily the property of the powerful. AIDS: Keywords – is my attempt to identify and contest some of the assumptions underlying our current ‘knowledge’. In this effort I am joined by many AIDS activists including people living with AIDS— Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. “A syndrome is a pattern of symptoms pointing to a “morbid state” which may or may not be caused by infectious agents; a disease, on the other hand is, …

Hybrid Committee Classifier For A Computerized Colonic Polyp Detection System, Jiang Li, Jianhua Yao, Nicholas Petrick, Ronald M. Summers, Amy K. Hara, Joseph M. Reinhardt (Ed.), Josien P.W. Pluim (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

We present a hybrid committee classifier for computer-aided detection (CAD) of colonic polyps in CT colonography (CTC). The classifier involved an ensemble of support vector machines (SVM) and neural networks (NN) for classification, a progressive search algorithm for selecting a set of features used by the SVMs and a floating search algorithm for selecting features used by the NNs. A total of 102 quantitative features were calculated for each polyp candidate found by a prototype CAD system. 3 features were selected for each of 7 SVM classifiers which were then combined to form a committee of SVMs classifier. Similarly, features …

Accuracy Of The Newtom 3g™ In Measuring The Angle Of The Articular Eminence, Rehana Khan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Newtom 3G™ in determining the angulation of the articular eminence. The benefits of conducting this study were to provide additional uses for the standard records that are taken for the purposes of orthodontic treatment, as well as evaluate the Newtom 3G™ for accuracy in measuring the anatomy of the glenoid fossa. This study required 20 participants that volunteered to allow their records to be used. Records evaluated were the Newtom 3G™, impressions, and wax check bite registrations. The wax record was taken using the 'forced bite' technique to …

Comparison Of Auto-Adjusting And Fixed Level Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy In Patients With Mild To Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Hypopnoea Syndrome, Geraldine Nolan

Masters

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is a potentially serious medical disorder associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is estimated to affect 4% of males and 2% of females between the ages of forty and sixty. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first choice treatment for this condition and it is extremely effective at controlling OSAHS. However, not all patients can tolerate this therapy, in particular those within the mild to moderate category, and there are also many others who are unable to comply with the minimum usage requirements of at least four hours every night. A …

Prevalence Of Degenerative Joint Disease In A Pre-Orthodontic Adolescent Sample, Marie Mansour

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this research was to determine a prevalence of degenerative joint disease in our pre-orthodontic adolescent patients age ten through seventeen. The prevalence was assessed according to gender. Severity of DJD was established for each patient and a "red flag" for diagnosis was identified. The purpose was also to establish norms for joint space for patients with and without degenerative joint disease. Correlations to distal condyle position and angle classification were described. 123 consecutive patients, 77 female and 46 male T1 NewTom records were reviewed. Severity of DJD was classified according to none, mild, moderate, and severe. Sagittal …

Detecting Spatiotemporal Clusters Of Accidental Poisoning Mortality Among Texas Counties, Us, 1980 – 2001, Ella T. Nkhoma, Chiehwen E. Hsu, Victoria I. Hunt, Ann M. Harris

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background Accidental poisoning is one of the leading causes of injury in the United States, second only to motor vehicle accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rates of accidental poisoning mortality have been increasing in the past fourteen years nationally. In Texas, mortality rates from accidental poisoning have mirrored national trends, increasing linearly from 1981 to 2001. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are spatiotemporal clusters of accidental poisoning mortality among Texas counties, and if so, whether there are variations in clustering and risk according to gender and race/ethnicity. The Spatial …

Comparison Of Bracket Bond Strength By Total, Self-Etch And Laser Treatment, Kyo Sung Shawn Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Laser etching of enamel surfaces alters the physical and chemical characteristics of the enamel. These changes in characteristics enhance the bonding to enamel. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear and tensile bond strength of Er,Cr:YSGG hydrokinetic laser system (Biolase) with 37% phosphoric acid and self etching primer 30 minutes and 72 hours after bonding. Four different laser power output setting was observed: 1.5W, 2.0W, 2.5W, and 3.0W. Two hundred forty bovine teeth free of defect, caries, and dentin exposure were mounted in acrylic resin and divided into 24 groups of 10 teeth. Sixteen groups of 10 …

The Radiopacity Of 29 Resin Restorative Materials Compared To Enamel, Peter Lubisich Iv

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The radiodensity of a composite resin can greatly influence a clinician's ability to analyze a restoration for failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative radiopacities of 29 resin restorative materials compared to enamel, and to verify the comparable radiopacity between shades of 23 of the restorative composite resin materials. Composite resin discs measuring >5mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were made and polymerized. Radiographs were taken of the composite resin discs, which included an aluminum step wedge for calibration and a densitometer was used to measure the radiodensity of the composite resin samples. The …

Optimum Bonding Time Of Four Different Curing Lights, Nathan Don Cotten

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With the development of new high-intensity curing lights, the time required to bond orthodontic brackets is steadily decreasing. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum curing time for bonding orthodontic brackets using four different visible curing lights (Standard Optilux 501, High Intensity Optilux 501 with Turbo Tip, Virtuoso Plasma Arc, and ESPE LED light). This study also tested the new generation of light emitting diode (LED) lights to determine if they can be used for bonding orthodontic brackets. Three hundred freshly extracted bovine teeth were mounted in acrylic resin and divided into 20 groups of 15 teeth …

Oces Sistem Pakar Kanser Ovari, Abd. Rahim Noreen

Student Works (2000-2009)

Sistem Pakar Kanser Ovari atau OCES merupakan projek tahun akhir bagi memenuhi keperluan dalam penganugerahan ljazah Sarjana Muda Sains Komputer. OCES merupakan sistem pakar yang cuba bertindak untuk menggantikan pakar pada bila-bila masa yang diperlukan dengan melakukan diagnosis ke atas pesakit kanser ovari berdasarkan gejala-gejala yang ada pada pesakit. Dalam menjalankan proses diagnosis, satu sesi soal jawab dikendalikan oleh OCES akan dijalankan dan daripada sesi ini, OCES akan mengenalpasti samada pesakit tersebut berpotensi mendapat kanser ovari dan seterusnya membcrikan cadangan tentang kaedah rawatan yang mungkin diperlukan oleh pesakit disamping mampu memberi sedikit sebanyak maklumat mengenai kanser ovari. Dengan wujudnya sistem …

Method Development And Validation For Drug Analysis By Hplc Gc-Ms, Yann Jen Goh

Student Works (2000-2009)

Enalapril and its metabolite Enalaprilat were determined by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC - MS) and high - performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For HPLC, the detection limit of enalapril and enalaprilat was 10n g/ml in methanol, whereas for the GC - MS, the detection limit was 6.25ng/ml in plasma. These methods were compared and GC - MS was selected for routine analysis. Enalapril and Enalaprilat in plasma were extracted and cleaned up by using Sep - Pak C 18. Enalapril and Enalaprilat were detected after reaction with diazomethane and were identified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry as methyl …

Applications Of The Atomic Force Microscope Within The Fields Of Haematology And Cytogenetics, Margaret O'Reilly-Crowley

Theses

Atomic force microscopy [AFM] has become a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field of research in recent years. The technique, including instrumentation and specimen preparation methods, is now more sophisticated and its application has increased dramatically. The key advantage of AFM is in providing three-dimensional images of samples imaged. Both size and shape of samples imaged can be obtained allowing their subsequent quantification. Red blood cells [RBCs] and chromosomes were imaged in this work. A brief overview of the current status of biomedical AFM, has been presented in the review.

Measurement of mean cell volume [MCV] of immobilised red blood cells with …

The Atomic Force Microscope In The Elucidation Of Leukocyte Abnormality, Derbrenn O'Connor

Theses

The aim of this project was to investigate the novel use of the atomic force microscope (AFM) as a technique in the elucidation of leukocyte abnormality. To this end, comparative AFM imaging and elasticity studies were performed on normal and myeloid leukaemic leukocytes.

Initially, an evaluation of techniques for the isolation of specific leukocyte (e.g. lymphocytes, granulocytes, etc.) populations from whole blood or leukocyte concentrates, was carried out. It was found that a silanised glass surface failed to select and immobilise a leukocyte population. However, centrifugation of whole blood in an Isopaque-ficoll gradient solution yielded a viable mixed leukocyte population …

Affinity Chromatography: A Review Of Clinical Applications, David S. Hage

David Hage Publications

Affinity chromatography is a type of liquid chromatography that makes use of biological-like interactions for the separation and specific analysis of sample components. This review describes the basic principles of affinity chromatography and examines its use in the testing of clinical samples, with an emphasis on HPLCbased methods. Some traditional applications of this approach include the use of boronate, lectin, protein A or protein G, and immunoaffinity supports for the direct quantification of solutes. Newer techniques that use antibody-based columns for on- or off-line sample extraction are examined in detail, as are methods that use affinity chromatography in combination with …

A Cephalometric Study Of The Class Ii Correction Effects Of The Eureka Spring, Ernest L. Stromeyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of the Eureka Spring appliance, was investigated on 37 consecutively treated, non compliant, bilateral Class II malocclusions, requiring at least 3 mm or more of additional molar correction. The mean pretreatment age of this sample was 13.9 years. All patients were treated by a single clinician utilizing the Eureka Spring. Lateral cephalographs were taken at start of orthodontic treatment (T1), at insertion of Eureka Springs (T2), and at removal of the Eureka Springs (T3). The average treatment interval between T2 and T3 was 4 months. Class II correction occurred almost entirely by dentoalveolar movement, 33% in the maxilla …

Sources Of Epidemiological Equivocacy, Timothy Sly

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Mr. Sly discusses five sources of uncertainty and ambiguity in health and medical research that can interfere with decision making.

Mandibular Asymmetry In Unilateral Class Ii Malocclusion : A Cephalometric Study, Raed Z. Moussa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate skeletal and dental asymmetry in unilateral class II malocclusion. A study group of 25 unilateral subdivision patients was compared to 25 class I malocclusion patients serving as the control group. Submento-vertical and frontal radiographs were used for the evaluation. Symmetry was evaluated by comparing measurements between right and left sides for both groups and matching the middle points with the midsagittal axis. Statistical paired and simple t-test were used to evaluate the difference between the two sides for both groups. The measurements showed no significant skeletal and dental asymmetries except for three …

Vr Projects, P.D. Quick

SWITCH

A description of three three projects having to do with virtual reality. The first is the Nanomanipulator, developed at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Department of Computer Science in conjunction with the UCLA Department of Chemistry in 1991. It is a machine that allows the user to interact with microscopic particles previously only visible in 2D from an electron microscope. The second project, The Augmented Reality Project, also developed at the Chapel Hill Department of Computer Science. This device used ultrasound images to be placed over a body allowing the user to see inside of it. The final …

The Rotations Of Maxillary Molars, Mandibular Molars, And Maxillary First Premolars In Acceptable Occlusions, G. Kristian Hansen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The rotation of the maxillary molars is considered important in the orthodontic treatment of malocclusions. In this study a computer analysis program was developed to examine the rotations of maxillary molars, mandibular molars, and maxillary first premolars in casts of permanent dentitions with acceptable occlusions. Ninety three sets of untreated "acceptable occlusion" models from the collection of the Foundation for Orthodontic Research (FOR) were scanned on a flat bed scanner at 600 dots per inch (dpi). The images were analyzed using custom software on a computer. Measurements were made by relating maxillary first permanent molars to the midline, the archform, …

Reproducibility Of Periodontal Probing, Su-Fang Wang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study evaluated reproducibility of periodontal probing by conventional manual and automated force-controlled electronic probes. A total of 1206 sites (6 sites per tooth including maxillary and mandibular incisor/canine, premolar, and molar sites) in 15 patients with history of moderate or advanced chronic periodontal disease were examined. Probings included probing pocket depths (PD), as well as probing attachment levels (PAL) from a reference stent. Measurements were recorded to the nearest 0.5 mm with both methods. Patients were examined twice, 7 to 10 days apart. At each visit, all sites were probed first with the conventional probe and then with the …

Tracking Plasma Lactate Concentration In Vivo With A Catheter-Tip L-Lactate Sensor, Brett T. Weinzapfel, Mark D. Ball, Lee R. Waite, Nacer E. Abrouk, Shun P. Lim

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

To circumvent the problems of repeated blood sampling for in vitro analysis, a catheter-tip L-lactate sensor has been developed. The sensor was tested in anesthetized pigs (n=6). The sensor in vivo tracked the lactate concentration non-linearly, seeming to obey Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Calibration time was short, typically 1.5 min per lactate standard. Furthermore, time drift was small, typically -1.3% to -3.3% per hour of in vivo use.

Improved Recovery Of A Radlolabeled Peptide With An Albumin-Treated Reversed-Phase Hplc Column, David S. Hage, Robert L. Taylor, Pai C. Kao

David Hage Publications

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) is an important tool in the purification of radiolabeled peptides and proteins for immunoassay. However, for some proteins and peptides it is difficult to achieve reproducible behavior in RP-HPLC because of the low recovery of these compounds. Factors that can be varied to improve recovery include the strength or pH of the mobile phase, the chain length and spacing of groups on the reversed-phase support, and the flow rate or steepness of the elution gradient (1-5). ... In summary, we obtained better recovery and more reproducible chromatographic behavior for labeled 1-34 PTHrP with an albumin-pretreated …

Intact Parathyroid Hormone: Performance And Clinical Utility Of An Automated Assay Based On High-Performance Immunoaffinity Chromatography And Chemiluminescence Detection, David S. Hage, Bob Taylor, Pai C. Kao

David Hage Publications

The performance and clinical utility of an automated assay of intact parathyroid hormone (parathyrin, PTH) are evaluated. The method is based on the extraction of PTH from plasma by an HPLC column containing immobilized anti-(44-68 PTH) antibodies. The PTH retained is detected with a postcolumn reactor and use of anti-(1--34 PTH) chemiluminescent-labeled antibodies. The total cycle time of the assay is 6.5 mm per injection after a 1-h incubation.The lower limit of detection for PTH in a 66-pL plasma sample was 0.5 pmol/L based on peak heights and 0.2 pmol/L based on peak areas. Mean analytical recovery for PTH added …

The Fracture Strength Of Ceramic Brackets : An Update And Comparison, Christian P. Manley

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture strength of ceramic brackets which are currently on the market with ceramic brackets tested in a previous study at Loma Linda. Fracture strengths of standard edgewise ceramic brackets vs. pre-torqued ceramic brackets and bicuspid ceramic brackets vs. central incisor ceramic brackets were also compared.

A total of 160 Polycrystalline brackets, 8 categories in groups if 20, were tested for fracture strength. Each bracket was tested using the same testing model that was used in the previous study at Loma Linda. The brackets were tested by torquing a wire within the …

The Accuracy Of Sonographic Imaging (Dolphintm Digigraph) And Standard Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs : A Comparative Study, Michael D. Teichman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Radiation due to x-ray exposure is a concern, and the development of the Dolphin™ DigiGraph represents an attempt to limit this exposure. The purpose of this paper was to compare measurements (using Ricketts analysis) obtained from conventional radiographic cephalometric tracings with those obtained by computerized digitizing with the DigiGraph. Forty-six patients from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry graduate orthodontic clinic were digitized, and the results were compared to the x-ray tracings of these patients. The results showed that seven of the twenty-one variables examined exhibited a statistical similarity between the two methods (DigiGraph and x-ray tracing). An examination …

A Modified Nance Unilateral Molar Distalizer, Tracy J. Reiner

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This clinical study evaluated a modified Nance appliance designed by the author to distalize molars unilaterally for Class II correction. This fixed appliance did not rely upon extraoral traction or intraoral elastics. Twelve unilateral Class II patients aged 13 to 17 were treated nonextraction with the appliance. Pretreatment and posttreatment photographs were taken of the palatal soft tissue and did not reveal any untoward changes as a result of the Nance acrylic button. All molars were corrected to an Angle's Class I relationship. Molar correction was evaluated visually and molar distalization was measured using an acrylic jig fitted to the …

Feasibility Of An Extraoral Method For Predicting Manibular Incisor Relapse, Mark J. Saylor

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The author undertook to develop an extraoral model for predicting mandibular incisor relapse similar to the model described by Harvey and Sheldon Peck. Whereas the Peck and Peck method involves intraoral measurements, the method described in this paper relied on the taking of measurements from the patient's pre-treatment plaster models. Two hundred and sixty teeth were measured both orally and on plaster casts, and several statistical tests were performed to isolate any differences between the intraoral and extraoral methods. The principal difference was identified as the faciolingual measurement of the incisor, due to the height of contour often being subgingival …

A Sensitivity Analysis Of The Coefficients For The Transformation Of The Electrocardiographic Orthogonal Three-Lead System (Frank) To The Standard Twelve-Lead System, Rasa Ona Draugelis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS is performed on the transformation coefficients of the Frank XYZ signals generating standard 12-lead ECG with respect to diagnosis. The analysis is adapted for the individual waveform and per each lead. The disease/abnormality categories are described in terms of discrete pattern classes based on criteria used by Marquette Electronics, Inc. The nonlinear global sensitivity analysis method developed by Shuler, et al, is selected for this project. The diagnostic change in the waveform is denoted by a distance measurement from the pattern class boundary corresponding to the best-experimental coefficient estimates (Dower coefficients) to the alternate coefficient specification measurement …

Group Comparability: A Multiattribute Utility Measurement Approach To The Use Of Random Assignment With Small Numbers Of Aggregated Units, C. Anderson Johnson, John W. Graham, Brian R. Flay, William B. Hansen, Linda M. Collins

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

It is not always possible, especially in large-scale evaluation research, to ensure that random assignment will produce groups that are comparable on any number of potentially important factors. Typically, gaining comparability has been achieved only at the expense of random assignment. A method is presented that allows multivariate comparability while making only minimal restrictions on randomization. The procedure is demonstrated in the context of assigning 63 aggregated units (schools) to 28 experimental and control conditions. Good comparability of groups for all primary main effects and interactions was verified for 15 individual variables.

Mandibular Repositioning With Frankel Appliance Therapy, Clark E. Schneekluth

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A sample of twelve Frankel appliance (FR-2) treated patients, in the mixed dentition stage, were selectively chosen by an orthodontist based on the Class II correction and evaluated from before treatment and end of treatment laminagraphic and lateral cephalometric radiographs. The average treatment period was 22 months (1 yr. 10 mos.). The average pre-treatment age was 9.5 years with a range from 8 to 11 years old, while the average post-treatment age was 11.3 years with a range of 10 to 13 years.

Frankel appliance therapy was the only form of mechanics used in this study.

The before treatment lateral …