A Johnson, T J Mathews, G P Matthews, D Patel, P J Worsfold, K N Andrew
{"title":"High-resolution laboratory lysimeter for automated sampling of tracers through a 0.5 m soil block.","authors":"A Johnson, T J Mathews, G P Matthews, D Patel, P J Worsfold, K N Andrew","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A computer-controlled, automated sample collection from a 0.5-m lysimeter, designed to give superior temporal and spatial resolution for monitoring the movement of chemical tracers through a large undisturbed soil block, is described. The soil block, 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 m, was monitored for saturation using eight time domain reflectometry probes. Rainfall was applied at approximately 1600 ml h(-1) using a 12212 array of 23-gauge (0.318 mm internal diameter) hypodermic needles. Soil leachates were collected at the base of the soil block using a machined aluminium collection plate with a 10 x 10 grid of funnels that passed leachates to sample collection palettes. Sample collection was automated using a personal computer equipped with National Instruments LabVIEW software and linked to sensors for palette tracking. The automation of the lysimeter allowed sample collection and storage over a user-defined period with no human interaction. As an example of the use of the automated lysimeter, results show the distribution of phosphate within the soil. The eluted phosphate showed an initial and secondary peak, and only emerged from preferential flow channels.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 2","pages":"43-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000075","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27794722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S S Randhawa, Baban K S Bansod, Anirudh K Singh, G Chand, A K Ganju
{"title":"Development of a photometric system for continuous flow analysis.","authors":"S S Randhawa, Baban K S Bansod, Anirudh K Singh, G Chand, A K Ganju","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000087","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Most chemical analyses carried out in a clinical laboratory are colorimetric. An improved photometric system is described where a tungsten lamp is the light source, a photo-diode is the detector and a microcontroller 8051 is used for processing and displaying absorbances. The performance characteristics of the instrument are reported. The parameters investigated are photometric linearity, precision and instrumental drift.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 2","pages":"51-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000087","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27794723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ridvan N Fernandes, Boaventura F Reis, Luís Fernando P Campos
{"title":"Automatic flow system for simultaneous determination of iron and chromium in steel alloys employing photometers based on LEDs as radiation source.","authors":"Ridvan N Fernandes, Boaventura F Reis, Luís Fernando P Campos","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A multicommutated flow system for simultaneous determination of iron and chromium in steel alloys by photometry is described. The flow network consisted of an automatic injector and four solenoid valves assembled to form two independent analytical pathways, each one comprising reaction coils and a flow cell. The light source (LED) and detector (photodiode) were attached to the flow cells to form a compact unit. The flow system was microcomputer controlled by Quick BASIC 4.5 software, which carried out all steps of the analytical procedure. The feasibility of the system was proved by the determination of iron and chromium in steel alloys and its accuracy was accessed by comparing results with those obtained by plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). No significant difference at the 95% confidence level was observed. Other profitable features such as low reagent consumption (0.33 mg 1,10-phenantroline and 0.03 mg 1,5-diphenylcarbazide per determination); relative standard deviations (n = 5) of 0.4% for iron and 1.2% for chromium; and an analytical throughput of 160 determinations per h were also achieved.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 1","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000014","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27795263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Blanco, J Domínguez, O Jiménez, D Sánchez, N Galí, L Matas, V Ausina, R Galimany
{"title":"Evaluation of the automatic ELISA Triturus analyser.","authors":"S Blanco, J Domínguez, O Jiménez, D Sánchez, N Galí, L Matas, V Ausina, R Galimany","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000051","url":null,"abstract":"The objective was to evaluate the automatic ELISA Triturus analyser in order to assess its practicability and imprecision. The analyser was evaluated according to the guidelines of the Spanish Society of Clinical Chemistry. The evaluation was performed in two steps: evaluation of the imprecision and the inaccuracy of a semiquantitative and qualitative technique, and study of the practicability. The within-run imprecision rate ranged from 8.9 (VC) to 10.2% (VC) for the semiquantitative test, and from 11 (VC) to 17.2% (VC) for the qualitative one. The between-run imprecision rate ranged from 6 (VC) to 9.7% (VC) for the semiquantitative test, and from 8.8 (VC) to 18% (VC) for the qualitative technique. No sample-related carryover was detected in negative samples. The relative inaccuracy was correct for both techniques. Non-specific binding caused by waste products from the analysed circuits was not detected. The Triturus analyser is a reliable open analytical system with a considerable working capability, rendering this apparatus adequate for conventional laboratories with a medium-to-high work charge.","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 2","pages":"31-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000051","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27794720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cherrine K Pires, Patrícia B Martelli, Boaventura F Reis, José L F C Lima, Maria Lúcia M F S Saraiva
{"title":"Multicommuted flow system for the determination of glucose in animal blood serum exploiting enzymatic reaction and chemiluminescence detection.","authors":"Cherrine K Pires, Patrícia B Martelli, Boaventura F Reis, José L F C Lima, Maria Lúcia M F S Saraiva","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An automatic flow procedure based on multicommutation dedicated for the determination of glucose in animal blood serum using glucose oxidase with chemiluminescence detection is described. The flow manifold consisted of a set of three-way solenoid valves assembled to implement multicommutation. A microcomputer furnished with an electronic interface and software written in Quick BASIC 4.5 controlled the manifold and performed data acquisition. Glucose oxidase was immobilized on porous silica beads (glass aminopropyl) and packed in a minicolumn (15 x 5 mm). The procedure was based on the enzymatic degradation of glucose, producing hydrogen peroxide, which oxidized luminol in the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III), causing the chemiluminescence. The system was tested by analysing a set of serum animal samples without previous treatment. Results were in agreement with those obtained with the conventional method (LABTEST Kit) at the 95% confidence level. The detection limit and variation coefficient were estimated as 12.0 mg l(-1) (99.7% confidence level) and 3.5% (n = 20), respectively. The sampling rate was about 60 determinations h(-1) with sample concentrations ranging from 50 to 600 mg l(-1) glucose. The consumptions of serum sample, hexacyanoferrate(III) and luminol were 46 microl, 10.0 mg and 0.2 mg/determination, respectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 5","pages":"109-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000191","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27795245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M Yokota, N Tatsumi, I Tsuda, T Nishioka, T Takubo
{"title":"CTAD as a universal anticoagulant.","authors":"M Yokota, N Tatsumi, I Tsuda, T Nishioka, T Takubo","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The feasibility of CTAD (a mixture of citrate, theophylline, adenosine and dipyridamole) as a new anticoagulant for medical laboratory use was studied prospectively. Whole blood anticoagulated with CTAD exhibited results very similar to those of blood anticoagulated with EDTA on complete blood count and automated white cell differential except for a slight decrease in platelet count and mean platelet volume. Chemistry test data for plasma obtained from CTAD whole blood were close to those obtained for matched sera. Among coagulation tests, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen concentrations were close to those obtained with citrate plasma. Based on the results, CTAD was judged to be a good candidate as a new anticoagulant.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 1","pages":"17-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000038","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27795265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K Rick Lung, Mary A Gorko, Jennifer Llewelyn, Norman Wiggins
{"title":"Statistical method for the determination of equivalence of automated test procedures.","authors":"K Rick Lung, Mary A Gorko, Jennifer Llewelyn, Norman Wiggins","doi":"10.1155/S146392460300021X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S146392460300021X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the development of test methods for solid dosage forms, manual test procedures for assay and content uniformity often precede the development of automated test procedures. Since the mode of extraction for automated test methods is often slightly different from that of the manual test method, additional validation of an automated test method is usually required. In addition to compliance with validation guidelines, developers of automated test methods are often asked to demonstrate equivalence between the manual and automated test methods. There are problems associated with using the traditional zero-difference hypothesis tests (such as the Student's t-test) for demonstrating equivalence. The use of the Westlake Interval and Schuirmann's Two One-sided test as more rigorous methods of demonstrating equivalence is discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 6","pages":"123-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S146392460300021X","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27795247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quality control material for plasma fibrinogen test produced from purified human fibrinogen.","authors":"Masahiro Okuda, Yahiro Uemura, Noriyuki Tatsumi","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plasma fibrinogen measurement is a routine laboratory procedure commonly performed on automated coagulation analysers. Its determination is quantitative, not quantitative. Yet, a lack of precision has been an issue for fibrinogen measurement. A control material derived from plasma comprises many proteins, inhibitors and fatty acids, any or all of which can interfere in the fibrinogen assay. This study has attempted to develop a quality control material using purified human fibrinogen and has compared measurement precision between both purified and plasma materials. Purified fibrinogen was prepared using Cohn fraction 1 and glycine precipitation. Purified fibrinogen clottability was greater than 95%, with no main plasma proteins, lipids or fibrinogen degradation products observed. Two purified control materials were lyophilized at normal (2.30 g l(-1)) and abnormal (1.20 g l(-1)) levels of fibrinogen concentration. Precision was evaluated using a liquid-type reagent, Thrombocheck Fib(L), on automated coagulation analysers. Coefficient of variation for within-run, intraday and between-day precision of the purified materials was 0.7-3.5%. In comparison, the coefficient of variation for plasma materials ranged from 1.2 to 5.3%. These results suggest that materials prepared from purified fibrinogen can be useful to laboratory quality control by improving overall precision of fibrinogen measurement and are applicable to automated coagulation analysers.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 4","pages":"79-85"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000142","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27794724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Monte Carlo simulation for the prediction of precision of absorbance measurements with a miniature CCD spectrometer.","authors":"E P Tsaousoglou, S D Bolis, C E Efstathiou","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The precision characteristics of the absorbance measurements obtained with a low-cost miniature spectrometer incorporating an array detector were evaluated. Uncertainties in absorbance measurements were due to a combination of non-uniform light intensity and detector response over the wavelength range examined (350-850 nm), in conjunction with the digitization of the intensity indications and the intrinsic noise of the detecting elements. The precision characteristics are presented as contour plots displaying the expected RSD% of absorbances on the absorbance versus wavelength plane. The minimum RSD% for the spectrometer configuration tested was observed within the 0.2-1.5 absorbance units and 500-750 nm wavelength range. Without invoking signal enhancement features of the data-acquisition program (scan average, higher integration times, smoothing based on averaging the signal detected by adjacent pixels), the attainable precision within this range was 0.4-0.8%. A computer program based on Monte Carlo simulations was developed for the prediction of absorbance precision characteristics under various conditions of measurements.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 2","pages":"35-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27794721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Application of a catalytic combustion sensor (Pellistor) for the monitoring of the explosiveness of a hydrogen-air mixture in the upper explosive limit range.","authors":"M Krawczyk, J Namiesnik","doi":"10.1155/S1463924603000208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/S1463924603000208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A new technique is presented for continuous measurements of hydrogen contamination by air in the upper explosive limit range. It is based on the application of a catalytic combustion sensor placed in a cell through which the tested sample passes. The air content is the function of the quantity of formed heat during catalytic combustion of hydrogen inside the sensor. There is the possibility of using the method in industrial installations by using hydrogen for cooling electric current generators.</p>","PeriodicalId":15248,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry","volume":"25 5","pages":"115-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/S1463924603000208","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"27795246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}