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Eastern indigo snakes (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) have unique physiological features that are not well understood. A useful tool to better understand the physiology of this species is reference intervals for plasma biochemical analytes; however, reported values for such analytes are often specific to the analyzer used. To determine whether a point-of-care analyzer would produce results comparable with those of a veterinary reference laboratory analyzer, this study aimed to compare plasma biochemical analyte values between these two types of analyzers, regardless of EIS health status. Plasma biochemical analyte values were obtained from 31 EIS and were compared between analyzers. The analytes were albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total calcium (Ca), creatinine kinase (CK), glucose (GLU), potassium (K), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), total protein (TP), and uric acid (UA). A very high correlation between analyzers was found for AST (r = 0.923), K (r = 0.916), and UA (r = 0.965); a high correlation for Ca (r = 0.724), CK (r = 0.789), GLU (r = 0.889), and TP (r = 0.812); and a moderate correlation for P (r = 0.528), a low correlation for ALB (r = 0.471), and no correlation for Na (r = −0.138). A point-of-care analyzer offers many benefits such as portability, rapid results, small sample-size requirements, and the ability to use whole blood. The Vetscan VS2 point-of-care analyzer produces similar values for only some analytes, signifying the need for method-specific reference intervals for plasma biochemical analytes in EIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the event of various emergency situations related to chemical pollution of the environment, including accidents at chemical facilities, in the emergency (accident) zones, additional operational monitoring of the environment should be carried out. Monitoring data is transmitted to relevant centers in order to assess the actual situation, predict it and make decisions about the protection and normalization of the population and territories. In this regard, devices that control chemical factors are of great importance. The main goal of the system of monitoring and control measures for the state of the natural environment is to ensure that legal entities and citizens comply with the requirements of the country's legislation in the field of protection. The main tasks are detection, prevention and prevention of violations of legislation in the field of environmental protection by individuals and legal entities; to determine the causes and conditions that create emergency conditions; is to detect those who violate the environmental legislation. In this regard, it is important to examine the devices listed below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric constants, dielectric degradation and A.C. conductivity have been calculated according to the doping material frequency and composition. High AC-conductivity and low dielectric constant were observed at higher frequencies. The above hypothesis can be clarified by 'Maxwell Wagner Model' and may offer new insights into the manufacture of dialectically conceivable nanomaterials. The degradation of Rhoda mine B in the UV visible light has been investigated for the photocatalytic function of our samples. The analysis of photocatalyst provides a convenient way to determine your destiny by various reutilizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise analysis of complex gas mixtures is an urgent task today, since its accuracy and quality is important not only for human health, but also for the ecology of population centers or the planet as a whole. Traditional methods of gas environment analysis are imperfect, and those that have the necessary sensitivity and selectivity do not yield results in a particularly short time. Nowadays, the Fabry- Pérot interferometry is used for research in a significant number of industrial and scientific areas. The analysis of the works presented in this paper confirms the relevance of research in the field of multibeam interferometry and the prospects of developing modifications of the Fabry- Pérot interferometer. The article is devoted to classical optical correlation methods for the analysis of gas mixtures with a quasi-periodic structure of the spectrum. A modification of the analyzer was developed and it was shown that the use of the modified Fabry- Pérot interferometer as a correlation mask ensures the express realization of the selectivity of the measurement components. An experimental study was conducted to test the possibility of scanning the SO2 absorption spectrum in the 220 nm region. Laboratory tests of the described layout of the SO2 analyzer demonstrated its high metrological parameters. The main reported error was 1% on the 0 -10000 ppm scale and 10% on the 0 -1000 ppm scale. The length of the cuvette was 170 mm, the warm-up time of the model was 30 minutes, the minimum measured concentration was 25 ppm. We can state that the correlation masks based on the IFP can be widely used for the analysis of gas components with a quasi-periodic structure of the spectrum. Compared to other devices of a similar type, they have a much higher luminous intensity: U = ΩA, where Ω is the solid angle; A is the light diameter of the IFP with the same resolution. This is crucial for remote instruments [V. R. Kozubovskii, Yu. Yu. Bilak, Ukr. J. Phys. 66, 664 (2021)]. In addition, their small weight and dimensions allow one to create portable devices based on them. However, since the IFP is a multi-beam interferometer, the procedure for optimizing its parameters is rather complicated, although technical methods for solving this problem exist [V. R. Kozubovskii, V. L. Goldovskii, O. D. Kraysler, AS 1182345 USSR, MKI G01N 21/61]. The conducted analysis and research open up new opportunities for the optimization of interferometric devices and interferometric methods of gas analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care analyzers such as the Vetscan VS2 (VS2) that provide fast results are becoming an important tool in a variety of clinical and research settings. Several studies have explored the use of the VS2 to evaluate blood chemistry values in chickens; however, the VS2 analyzer has not yet been tested in turkeys. The first objective of this study was to utilize the VS2 to evaluate possible time-dependent changes in biochemical blood analytes over time, such as glucose, calcium, or sodium. Blood samples from 30 turkeys were analyzed with the VS2 at three time points (0, 15–20, and 40–60 min post collection), and it was found that the blood biochemistry values were stable when stored at 4 °C and analyzed within 60 min of collection. Next, we assessed the agreement between the VS2 portable analyzer and the reference benchtop analyzer (Cobas c501) and found that all of the blood analytes were comparable between both analyzers. Finally, we determined reference intervals using 120 blood samples collected from turkeys in the brooding period (0–7 days) and 118 samples collected from turkeys in the growing period (1–12 weeks). Although the values were compared to the published data, the understanding of any observed differences was challenging because reference intervals for the biochemical values in turkeys are limited, and the origin of these interval values could not be traced. Significant differences in the whole blood analytes were noted between brooding and growing birds. This study offers reassurance of the validity of the use of portable analyzers in the field for turkey veterinarians. We conclude that the VS2 can be used to measure biochemical analytes in turkeys and provide the first reference intervals for brooding and growing turkeys using this instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adulteration of meat is a global issue, necessitating rapid, inexpensive, and simple on-site testing methods. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a one-minute toothpick-based DNA extraction method, a handheld microfluidic chip, and a smartphone-controlled portable analyzer for detecting multiple meat adulterations. A toothpick was inserted into the meat to promote DNA release and adsorption. Furthermore, a handheld microfluidic chip was designed for DNA elution on toothpicks and fluid distribution. Finally, a smartphone-actuated portable analyzer was developed to function as a heater, signal detector, and result reader. The portable device comprises a microcontroller, a fluorescence detection module, a step scanning unit, and a heating module. The proposed device is portable, and the app is user-friendly. This simple design, easy operation, and fast-response system could rapidly detect as little as 1% of simulated adulterated samples (following UK standards) within 40 min at a cost of less than USD 1 per test. • Toothpick DNA extraction was developed for meat adulteration detection within 1 min. • Low-cost reagents were embedded on-chip to simplify the operation process. • A detector function as a heater, signal detector, and result reader. • This platform enabled real-time data display and store. • Simulated and commercially adulterated samples were detected by the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas chromatography is commonly employed to detect gaseous pollutants. However, gaseous pollutants in paper mills are multicomponent and difficult to be detected and analyzed by gas chromatography. Therefore, we developed a novel autoanalyzer with an embedded supervisory system, with which multicomponent gaseous pollutants in paper mills can be detected in real time. The autoanalyzer was applied in two paper mills for the detections of the total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and benzene at five sampling sites. The detection results show that the TVOC concentrations in two mills exceed the standard severely, especially in mill A, which can be attributed to the application of pulping and bleaching chemicals. In addition, benzene is also detected in Mill A due to benzene release from the fluorescent brighteners in the papermaking section. The large amounts of TVOC detected in the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) equalization tank of Mill A are explained by their release from the biodegradation of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal concentration of WBCs in blood varies between 4000 and 11,000 per microliter and are classified into two variants namely granulocytes and agranulocytes on the basis of presence and absence of granules. Manual methods of calculation of TLC include- Neubauer chamber and estimating WBC on leishman stained slides whereas automated methods are based on impedance or light scattering technology. The study compared the efficacy of both these methods in statistical terms using Chi Square test. 100 cases of leucocytosis analyzed over a period of 1 year at MMIMSR, Mullana, Haryana revealed leucocytosis prevalent in 4-6 decade of life with slight male predominance. The pearson coefficient for TLC came out to be p value =0.215 (not significant) but for DLC, calculations revealed p values for polymorphs, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes to be significant (p value =0.000 each). To conclude, standard manual methods should be advocated as special practice where there is definite need of morphological and quantitative evaluation of WBCs and to validate the automated methods by which the laboratories can optimize patient care and not as a replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that the intensity of linearly polarized light transmitted through CdS single crystal depends on its temperature. It has been found that the temperature of crystal does not affect the linearity of light polarization at the exit of crystal, but leads only to rotation of the polarization plane. It has been ascertained that in the range between 11 to 170 °C, the temperature dependence of the linear expansion coefficient and the difference between the refractive indices of unusual and ordinary beams can be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors provide a narrative review of mainstream hemostasis analyzers. The review is presented in two parts. In the first part, the authors give voice to several internationally representative manufacturers of mainstream hemostasis analyzers. They ask these manufacturers to (1) answer a series of survey questions that may otherwise reflect common questions asked by users or potential users of their equipment, (2) provide a bullet list of their main focus areas, and (3) provide other information in regard to their instrumentation. The authors then offer their own personal perspective of the benefits of various aspects of such equipment, as well as a sampling of some hemostasis tests as currently available, or potentially in progress. It is hoped that this snapshot of mainstream hemostasis diagnostics and coagulation testing drives positive future changes that will ultimately provide the best outcomes for laboratories performing hemostasis assays and the patients they help diagnose and manage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of the analytical performance of the new Roche cobas t 711 fully automated coagulation analyzer, which uses both liquid and lyophilized reagent cassettes. The analytical assessment included analysis of imprecision and linearity of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and fibrinogen on cobas t 711 analyzer. Test results of 120 routine plasma samples were also compared with those obtained using two other coagulation analyzers (Instrumentation Laboratory ACL TOP 700 and Stago STA-R MAX). The accuracy, imprecision, and comparability of manual and automatic lyophilized material resuspension were also evaluated using 200 routine plasma samples. Overall, automatic resuspension was found to be more precise than, and equally accurate as, manual reconstitution, with coefficient of variations (CV%) three- to sixfold lower compared with manual reconstitution. The analytical imprecision was found to be excellent, as attested by total CV% of 0.7% for PT, 1.7 to 1.8% for APTT, and 1.9 to 3.2% for fibrinogen. Linearity was excellent over a clinically significant range of PT, APTT, and fibrinogen values, displaying correlation coefficients comprised between 0.994 and 0.999. Methods comparison studies revealed that results of PT, APTT, and fibrinogen on cobas t 711 are globally aligned with those obtained using identical plasma samples on IL ACL TOP 700 and Stago STA-R MAX, displaying correlation coefficients of 0.97 for PT, 0.81 and 0.88 for APTT, 0.90 and 0.94 for fibrinogen, respectively. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary evaluation demonstrate that PT, APTT, and fibrinogen on cobas t 711 coagulation analyzer displays excellent performance for routine use in clinical laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Life cycle prediction measures, that provide information on the probability of failure of equipments, have been applied in electronic and mechanical engineering and for predicting the strength of dental implants. However, the same has not been utilized as yet in medical equipment such as hematology analyzers. Methods: Failure data of five automated hematology analyzers (3-part differential) was collected over 14 consecutive months and a Weibull probability plot was made. The scale and shape parameters of this plot were used to predict failure probability distribution. This was then combined with various costs involved in remedial maintenance to get a cost analysis. Results: The analyzers in their "useful life" period were found to suffer fewer actual and predicted failures compared to those in the "wear out" phase. Cost analysis showed a considerably higher per month cost of remedial maintenance of analyzers compared to the price of a comprehensive maintenance contract. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that Weibull distribution can be applied well to hematology analyzers for modeling of failure data and the resultant information is helpful in the cost analysis of maintenance to allow for prudent and informed decision making with regards to the mode of maintenance of analyzers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tests detecting SARS-CoV-2-specific antigen have recently been developed, and many of them are now commercially available. However, the real-world performance of these assays is uncertain; therefore, their validation is important. In this study, we have evaluated the performance of STANDARD F COVID-19 antigen fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) kit. Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples collected from patients were subjected to the test as per manufacturer's instructions. The performance of the kit was compared with the gold standard real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 354 patients were tested with STANDARD F COVID-19 antigen FIA test kit. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of this test were found to be 38%, 99%, 96.2%, and 72%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 75.7%. Conclusion: STANDARD F COVID-19 antigen FIA showed high specificity and positive predictive value but low sensitivity and negative predictive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the improvement of station rail circuits of railway automation and telemechanics systems. To improve the noise immunity of the rail circuit, it is proposed to preserve the existing phase method of protecting the track receiver from interference from the adjacent rail circuit and to add a pulse mode to protect it from external sources of interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realization of on-line full range analysis for special oil such as gasoline, kerosene and diesel is studied. The principle of analyzer is completely designed in accordance with the standard distillation experiment method. The two-core simultaneous analysis of the whole distillation range of two oil products and the atmospheric pressure compensation link is established. The sample oil is pretreated, dehydrated, mixed, cooled and measured in accordance with standard distillation method. A detailed sample distillation curve is obtained. The sample completed the analysis is processed by the recycling system and then returned to the process pipeline. The analysis data and the instrument fault alarm signal can be uploaded at any time to achieve remote monitoring. The operation items of analyzer are introduced. The technical characteristics of analyzer are summarized. Through experiments, the system gives the statistics and trend diagram of the initial boiling point and final boiling point of the sample oil, and the accuracy of the system is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel diced spherical quartz analyzer for use in resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (RIXS) is introduced, achieving an unprecedented energy resolution of 10.53 meV at the Ir L3 absorption edge (11.215 keV). In this work the fabrication process and the characterization of the analyzer are presented, and an example of a RIXS spectrum of magnetic excitations in a Sr3Ir2O7 sample is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite-data-based modeling of chlorophyll indicates that ocean waters in the mesosphere category are responsible for the majority of oceanic net primary productivity. Coastal waters, which frequently have surface chlorophyll values in the mesosphere range and have strong horizontal chlorophyll gradients and large temporal variations. Thus programs of detailed coastal nutrient surveys are essential to the study of the dynamics of oceanic net primary productivity, along with land use impacts on estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The degree of variability in these regions necessitates flexible instrumentation capable of near real-time analysis to detect and monitor analytes of interest. This work describes the development of a portable coastal surface seawater analyzer for nutrient mapping that can simultaneously elucidate with high resolution the distribution of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium - the three principal nitrogenous inorganic nutrients in coastal systems. The approach focuses on the use of pulsed xenon flash lamps to construct an analyzer which can be adapted to any automated chemistry with fluorescence detection. The system has two heaters, on-the-fly standardization, on-board data logging, an independent 24 volt direct current power supply, internal local operating network, a 12 channel peristaltic pump, four rotary injection/selection valves, and an intuitive graphical user interface. Using the methodology of Masserini and Fanning (2000) the detection limits for ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate plus nitrite were 11, 10, and 22 nM, respectively. A field test of the analyzer in Gulf of Mexico coastal waters demonstrated its ability to monitor and delineate the complexity of inorganic nitrogen nutrient enrichments within a coastal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a newly constructed analyzer dedicated to measuring the activity of a variety of radioisotopes with an emphasis on the delayed coincidence method. The analyzer acquires arriving pulses whose amplitudes exceed the preset voltage threshold by selectively storing the sampled incoming voltage pulses. This creates data sets that are marked with additional time stamps. These data are given as a sequence, allowing the detection of decay pairs and different types of afterpulses or reduction of the detector’s background. Here, the pulse analyzer was verified with a thick $\alpha $ and \beta $ sources from 232Th and 238U decay chains and a \beta $ source from 40K. The simultaneous pulse height, pulse shape, and time interval measurement allowed the differentiation of \beta /\alpha polonium half-life, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A canine-specific immunoturbidimetric CRP assay, Gentian Canine CRP Immunoassay) with speciesspecific controls and calibrators was introduced and recently evaluated on the clinical chemistry analyzer Abbott Architect c4000 as well as on the Olympus AU600. Aims of our study were 1) to independently evaluate the canine-specific CRP assay on the ABX Pentra 400 clinical chemistry analyzer in comparison to the previously validated human-based immunoturbidimetric assay (Randox Canine CRP assay) and 2) to assess the impact of different sample types (serum versus heparinized plasma) on the results. Imprecision, accuracy, interference and the prozone effect were determined using samples from healthy and diseased dogs (n = 278). The Randox Canine CRP assay calibrated with canine specific control calibration material served as a reference method. Additionally, the impact of the sample type (serum and lithium heparin) was evaluated based on samples of healthy and diseased dogs (n = 49) in a second part of the study. Results: Linearity was present for CRP concentrations ranging from 4 to 281 mg/l. For clinically relevant CRP concentrations of 7-281 mg/l, recovery ranged between 90 and 105% and intra- and inter-assay CVs ranged between 0.68% - 12.12% and 0.88% - 7.84%, respectively. CV was thus lower than 12.16%, i.e. the desired CV% based on biological variation. Interference was not present up to a concentration of 5 g/l hemoglobin, 800 mg/l bilirubin and 10 g/l triglycerides. No prozone effect occurred up to 676 mg/l CRP. Method comparison study revealed a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of rs = 0.98 and a mean constant bias of 5.2%. The sample type had a significant (P = 0.008) but clinically not relevant impact on the results (median CRP of 30.9 mg/l in lithium heparin plasma versus 31.4 mg/l in serum). Conclusions: The species-specific Gentian Canine CRP Immunoassay reliably detects canine CRP on the ABX Pentra 400 clinical chemistry analyzer whereby both serum and heparin plasma can be used. The quality criteria reached on the Abbott Architect c4000 and Olympus AU600 could be met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors review the issues related to using the situational approach to command and control over organizational and technical systems while planning and conducting an operation (combat action), allowing to assess the risks related to command and control decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ORTHO VISION Analyzer (Vision), is an immunohematology instrument using ID-MT gel card technology with digital image processing. It has a continuous, random sample access with STAT priority processing. The efficiency and ease of operation of Vision was evaluated at 5 medical centers. Methods: De-identified patient samples were tested on the ORTHO ProVue Analyzer (ProVue) and repeated on the Vision mimicking the daily workload pattern. Turnaround times (TAT) were collected and compared. Operators rated key features of the analyzer on a scale of 1 to 5. Results: A total of 507 samples were tested on both instruments at the 5 trial sites. The mean TAT (SD) were 31.6 minutes (5.5) with Vision and 35.7 minutes (8.4) with ProVue, which renders a 12% reduction. Type and screens were performed on 381 samples; the mean TAT (SD) was 32.2 minutes (4.5) with Vision and 37.0 minutes (7.4) with ProVue. Antibody identification with eleven panel cells was performed on 134 samples on Vision; TAT (SD) was 43.2 minutes (8.3). The installation, training, configuration, maintenance and validation processes are all streamlined to provide a short implementation time. The average rating of main functions by the operators was 4.1 to 4.8. Opportunities for improvement, such as flexibility with editing QC results, maintenance schedule, and printing options were identified. The capabilities to perform serial dilutions, to accept pediatric tubes, and review results by e-Connectivity are enhancements over the ProVue. Conclusions: Vision provides shorter TAT compared to ProVue. Every site described a positive experience using Vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we show that the energy resolution of a classical one-step cylindrical mirror analyzer can be made three times better by adjusting its geometrical parameters. • We have optimized a one-step cylindrical mirror analyzer. • For an entrance solid angle of 0.59 steradians, the optimized base resolution is 0.1% • It is three times better than resolutions of known one-step analyzers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy is of significant importance in industrial gas analysis due to its unique capability of quantitative multigas measurement, especially diatomics (N2 and H2), with a single laser. This paper presents the development of a gas analyzer system based on high pressure Raman scattering in a multipass Raman cell and demonstrates its feasibility for real-time natural gas analysis. A 64-pass Raman cell operated at elevated pressure (5 bar) is used to create multiplicative enhancement (proportional to number of passes times pressure) of the natural gas Raman signal. A relatively low power 532-nm continuous wave laser beam (200 mW) is used as the source and the signals are measured through a cooled charge-coupled device grating spectrometer (30-s exposure). A hybrid algorithm based on background-correction and least-squares error minimization is used to estimate gas concentrations. Individual gas component concentration repeatability of the order of 0.1% is demonstrated. Further, the applicability of the technique for natural gas analysis is demonstrated through measurements on calibrated gas mixtures. Experimental details, analyzer characterization, and key measurements are presented to demonstrate the performance of the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent work, rotating polarizer compensator ellipsometer (RPCE) with a fixed analyzer was proposed. Three different ellipsometric configurations were presented by considering different speed ratios of the rotating elements. It was shown the speed ratio 1:1 corresponds the minimum error in the calculated optical parameters of c-Si and GaAs samples. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the fixed analyzer alignment on the ellipsometric parameters $$\psi $$ and $$\Delta $$ in RPCE structure with speed ratio 1:1 to find out the optimal angle at which the analyzer must be oriented to minimize the uncertainty in the calculated ellipsometric parameters. The uncertainties in the two ellipsometric parameters due to the uncertainties in Fourier coefficients are studied in details and it is found that an analyzer angle in the range $$40^{\circ }$$ - $$50^{\circ }$$ corresponds to the minimum uncertainty in $$\psi $$ and $$\Delta $$ and therefore this range is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. In order to validate immature granulocytes as a universal biomarker, we have compared the clinical relevance of the proportion of immature granulocytes (IG%), measured using Sysmex XE-2100, with other biomarkers (white blood cell, C-reactive protein, lactate and procalcitonin). Methods. This single center, retrospective study included 184 patients with sepsis admitted to an emergency department. Patients were classified into two groups: Uncomplicated sepsis and complicated sepsis (severe sepsis and septic shock). IG% and other biomarkers were evaluated and compared for predicting sepsis severity, overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and 28 day mortality. Results. In multivariate analysis, only IG% (odd ratio [OR] 2.530, p = 0.004) and lactate (OR 4.500, p < 0.001) could discriminate between complicated and uncomplicated sepsis. The optimal cut-off value for IG% and lactate was 0.5% and 2.0 mmol/L, respectively. In subgroup analyses of complicated sepsis, IG% was related to overt DIC. However, no single biomarker could predict 28-day mortality. Conclusions. Given that IG% reflected sepsis severity and overt DIC without additional cost, IG% could be a useful biomarker in patients with sepsis. However, there is a limitation for using it as a novel biomarker in sepsis due to the disability of prediction for 28-day mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental investigations of a magneto-optical current measuring instrument in order to estimate a number of factors that influence its readings are carried out. New magneto-optical current measuring systems, which enable the measurement accuracy to be increased, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical correlation methods for the analysis of gas mixtures with a quasi-periodic spectrum structure are described. The design of a device for demonstrating the possibility of using the Fabry–Perot interferometer as a correlation mask is developed. A specific example of using an interferometer in a remote methane analyzer is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that evaluated the agreement of analyte values between three heparinized arterial blood gas syringes using three different analyzers. Topics discussed include analyzer testing parameters, the recruitment of clinician volunteers and healthy volunteer subjects to be part of the study, and venous blood results by syringe for the ABL800 analyzer.

Abstract: MERIX (Medium Energy Resolution Inelastic X-ray Scattering) is an instrument for Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) studies, in the hard X-ray regime, designed to work with photons in the 5–12keV range, spanning atomic resonances near the K-edges of 3d elements, and the L-edges of 4f and 5d elements. The energy analysis of inelastically scattered photons is performed with segmented spherical crystal analyzers in close to Bragg backscattering geometry. For each resonance (edge) a specially designed analyzer is used, fabricated from Ge, Si, or LiNbO3 crystals. MERIX uses a position sensitive (micro-strip) detector to take snapshots of IXS spectra which are dispersed in space and over an energy range of a few eV with ≃20–40meV energy resolution. The spectral resolution of the MERIX spectrometer depends on the analyzer and varies from ≃45meV to ≃170meV, while the momentum transfer resolution is ≃1–4nm−1. Samples are illuminated by micro-focused beams of size ≃10μm×45μm, allowing for studies at high-pressure and other extreme conditions. Polarization selectivity is ensured by vertical or horizontal momentum transfer scans. MERIX features ≃100 times higher count-rates compared to previously built RIXS instruments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Present day power system is essentially a complex mesh of various important components with power transformer as one of the key elements. For the reliability of power supply, a robust maintenance tool for power-transformer is highly essential. To cater for this demand a portable, online diagnostic device is developed which can record the temperature and quantify the concentration of some of the dissolved gases in transformer oil with the help of a non-invasive sensor fabricated by nanotechnology. After conditioning the signals, the data are transmitted to the nearest substation for storage in computer. For the purpose of analysis and health assessment of the transformers from a remote place, the computer is made accessible through network. From the data of five gases, different faults, if they are occurring inside the transformer, can be predicted. The fault diagnosis is performed by dissolved gas analysis (DGA), which is one of the proven methods widely used during the last two decades. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we propose an ellipsometer using a phase retarder and rotating polarizer and analyzer at a speed ratio 1:N. Different ellipsometric configurations are presented by assuming N = 1, 2, and 3. Moreover, two values of the offset angle of the retarder are considered for each ellipsometric configuration. The Mueller formalism is employed to extract the Stokes parameters, from which the intensity received by the detector is obtained. The optical properties of c-Si are calculated using all configurations. A comparison between different configurations is carried out considering the effect of the noise on the results and the uncertainties in the ellipsometric parameters as functions of the uncertainties of the Fourier coefficients. It is found that the alignment of the phase retarder has a crucial impact on the results and the ellipsometric configuration with speed ratio 1:1 is preferred over the other configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a research involving the development of a defibrillator and cardioversor analyzer and its metrological evaluation. The evaluation results are presented. The evaluation of measurement uncertainties was performed according to the directives of the Brazilian version of the EA-4/02 - Expressing Uncertainty in Calibration Measurements - published by INMETRO. The results conformed to the accuracy prescriptions defined in the ANSI/AAMI DF2 (American…, 1996) and ANSI/AAMI DF80 (American…, 2003) standards, presenting an expanded relative uncertainty of energy measurements of 1.0% in worst cases. An uncertainty analysis was performed for the calibration process employed in the research and the process capacity was evaluated. A maximum error of 5% or 1.0 J, whichever is greater, was determined for the energy measurements taken to calculate process capacity. The maximum error is 1/3 of the maximum error acceptable for the energy delivered by the defibrillators, i.e., it is the maximum error acceptable for a measurement device according to the ANSI/AAMI DF2 (American…, 1996) standard. The results for the capacity of the calibration procedure were shown to be appropriate for the specifications of a defibrillator and cardioversor analyzer. At worst case the capacity index Cm was 2.87, well above the threshold of 1.0, which is the minimum value needed to consider the procedure as capable of calibrating energy measurements without incurring in a large definition uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, high importance is given to low energy devices (such as refrigerators, deep-freezers, washing machines, pumps, etc.) that are able to produce reactive power in power lines which can be optimized (reduced). Reactive power is the main component which overloads power lines and brings excessive thermal stress to conductors. If the reactive power is optimized, it can significantly lower the electricity consumption (from 10 to 30%-varies between countries). This paper will examine and discuss the development of a measuring device for analyzing reactive power. However, the main problem is the precise real time measurement of the input and output voltage and current. Such quality measurement is needed to allow adequate action intervention (feedback which reduces or fully compensates reactive power). Several other issues, such as the accuracy and measurement speed, must be examined while designing this device. The price and the size of the final product need to remain low as they are the two important parameters of this solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to recommend specifications for defibrillator and cardioverter analyzers, such as maximum permissible measurement error, resolution, operating conditions and desirable features. The recommendations are based on the test requirements from the ABNT NBR IEC 60601-2-4:2005 and ANSI/AAMI DF80:2003 standards. An evaluation of the specifications provided by four imported analyzers (Fluke QED 6, Fluke Impulse 7000, MTK-Biomed Delta 3000 MKII and NETECH Delta 3000) and two Brazilian analyzers (Transmai JM-01 and Ourox JAU-110) has also been performed, and several problems were found with specifications of those analyzers. These problems range from unsupplied data to less than desirable conditions for a defibrillator and cardioverter analyzer. The most serious problems encountered are related to the lack of specifications such as precision, accuracy, maximum permissible measurement error or other specifications that would help determine the coverage interval of the measure, an unacceptable mistake for a measurement instrument. Other problems were related to measurement error and operating conditions not complying with the requirements of the ABNT NBR IEC 60601-2-4:2005 and the ANSI/AAMI DF80:2003 standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the new Beckman Coulter DxH 800 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Miami, FL) vs the Abbott Diagnostics Cell-Dyn Sapphire (Abbott Diagnostics, Santa Clara, CA) and Beckman Coulter LH 780 hematology analyzers using 430 adult specimens. The DxH 800 provided a CBC and differential that correlated well with those of the Sapphire and LH 780, with most parameters showing correlation coefficients (r) of more than 0.97. In the instrument vs 400-cell manual differential comparison, all 3 instruments showed similar and acceptable accuracy to the reference method except for nucleated RBC (NRBC) enumeration, in which the DxH 800 and Sapphire outperformed the LH 780. We also compared clinical efficiency by determining whether flagged specimens showed abnormalities on a peripheral blood smear as defined by International Council for Standardization in Haematology criteria. The efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity of the DxH 800 were 77.0%, 87.1%, and 73.0%, respectively, compared with the Sapphire at 75.8%, 93.5%, and 68.8%, respectively, and LH 780 at 66.1%, 93.5%, and 55.3%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the new UniCel DxH 800 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Miami, FL) vs the Cell-Dyn Sapphire (Abbott Diagnostics, Santa Clara, CA) using 156 pediatric specimens in Microtainer tubes (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ). The CBC and differential showed good interinstrument correlation, including WBCs (r = 0.995), RBCs (r = 0.992), hemoglobin (r = 0.998), mean corpuscular volume (r = 0.988), platelets (r = 0.997), neutrophils (r = 0.988), lymphocytes (r = 0.984), monocytes (r = 0.815), eosinophils (r = 0.840), basophils (r = 0.049), and nucleated RBCs (NRBCs; r = 0.906). In the instrument vs 400-cell manual differential comparison, the DxH 800 and Sapphire showed comparable performance for nearly all parameters except for NRBCs, for which the DxH 800 correlated better (r = 0.989) than the Sapphire (r = 0.906). We also compared clinical efficiency by determining whether flagged specimens showed abnormalities on a peripheral blood smear as defined by International Council for Standardization in Haematology criteria. The efficiency of the DxH 800 was 78.0% vs the Sapphire at 68.1%. Both instruments showed identical sensitivity (91.1%), but the specificity for the DxH 800 (71.9%) was higher than that of the Sapphire (57.3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

study of the optical distortion of a lens with the use of image quality control devices equipped with an array analyzer is considered. With the use of the device, it becomes possible to automate the measurement process, increase the efficiency and precision of measurements, and also eliminate many drawbacks of the standard method of control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a real time analyzer which allows extremely and accurately finding the noisiest of acoustic fluctuations in machines due to imposing spectra on the screen against each other. Technical and acoustic diagnostics of machines were predicted using the real time analyzer. The schemes and diagrams presented in this paper allow effectively using the studied real time analyzer for many other purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic features of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are often polymorphic and nonspecific including anemia in most cases. Standard parameters provided by an automated analyzer seldom bring any argument for this diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether some structural parameters, not routinely provided by Sysmex XE 2100 analyzer, could help diagnose MDS in a simple way, adapted to routine practice. Blood samples from 184 MDS fully annotated cases and 3545 normal blood count controls were performed with XE 2100 Sysmex analyzer. Quantitative and structural parameters were considered. We found that the structural neutrophil parameter, NEUT-X, converted into a semi-quantitative parameter, the granularity index (GI), could be used as a flag for MDS in front of anemia. Negative GI and anemia were able to make otherwise unrecognized MDS stand out in routine practice, increasing the number of slides addressed to review from 67% to 96%, without leading to a large excess of unfounded slide review among non-MDS. Including the GI index in the routine parameters provided by the Sysmex analyzer could be of major help for nonspecialized routine laboratories in detecting MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power quality (PQ) requirement is one of the most important issues for power companies and their customers. Continuously monitoring the PQ from remote and distributed centers will help to improve the PQ. In this study, a remote power quality monitoring system for low voltage sub-networks is developed using MATLAB Server Pages (MSP). MATLAB Server Pages, which is an open source technical web programming language, combines MATLAB with integrated J2EE specifications. The proposed PQ monitoring system uses the MATLAB HTML tag library and the data captured by the DAQ hardware to evaluate the Power Quality parameters. The proposed system can be modified as technology and evaluation methods improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Single frequency network (SFN) design based on the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) terrestrial digital television (DTV) system normally causes interference among signals from multiple transmitters or repeaters in the network. The ATSC recommended practice (RP) A/111 introduces transmitter identification (TxID) signals embedded to the ATSC 8-VSB signals. A TxID signal analyzer is then used to detect the TxID signals and analyze the network. Following the analysis results, the SFN design can be managed by adjusting delay and power of multiple transmitters and repeaters. This paper presents basic concept of the Kasami sequence used as the TxID signals, and their insertion method to the ATSC 8-VSB signals. The structure of the TxID signal analyzer to efficiently detect TxID signals is proposed, and a theoretical approach to performance measurement of the TxID signal analyzer is discussed. In addition, computer simulation and laboratory test results are provided to evaluate the performance of the TxID signal analyzer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Described in detail here is the design of a portable tetracycline (TC) analyzer based on europium-sensitized luminescence (ESL). The instrument operation and data processing are controlled by a laptop computer running a custom LabVIEW program. A 385-nm light emitting diode (LED) is used in pulse mode as excitation source. Compared to a conventional xenon flashlamp, an LED has a narrow emission bandwidth, weak residual radiation, and orders-of-magnitude-lower cost, weight, and power consumption. The time-resolved luminescence (TRL) signal is detected by a gated photomultiplier tube (PMT), and normalized by monitoring the energy of individual LED pulses with a photodiode (PD). Over three orders of magnitude (0.1–100ppb TC), the TRL signal maintains linear dependence on TC concentration; beyond 100ppb filter effects becomes obvious. A 0.060-ppb limit of detection (LOD) is achieved with a typical ∼5% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.). The background noise corresponds to ∼0.05ppb. At 16 pounds, the analyzer is readily deployable for field analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have developed a novel configuration concept of crystal chips for time-of-flight (TOF) crystal-analyzer neutron inelastic scattering spectrometers, which simultaneously achieve time-focusing, spatial-focusing and momentum-correcting abilities. This concept will be adopted for the planned TOF near-backscattering spectrometer, DIANA which has been proposed for construction at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). We will first discuss the new analyzer layout method satisfying both time- and spatial-focusing and momentum-correction concepts and then the focusing performances as evaluated by Monte-Carlo simulations and compared to the generally used energy-focusing analyzer configuration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The sensitivities of three main categories of time-of-flight recoil ion mass analyzers were compared. Optimum beam parameters were determined for a given detector area by using the method of Lagrange multipliers. Dimensionless sensitivity coefficients were calculated for various analyzer geometric parameters. For a selected analyzer size and detector diameter, the sensitivity ratio of two different types of instruments can be read directly from . These ratios were tabulated for a given primary ion beam thickness and for a fixed, common resolution, respectively. Remarkable sensitivity increases can be obtained by using cylindrical reflectrons but at the expense of resolution loss. A specific example also illustrates the expected performances of three geometries belonging to the three analyzer categories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Sysmex® CA-7000 is a fully automated multiparameter hemostasis analyzer equipped with a photo-optical clot detection unit and a cap-piercing system. It is designed to perform coagulation tests as well as chromogenic and immunologic assays. It was evaluated in a coagulation laboratory of a university hospital with respect to its technical characteristics in the determination of routine coagulation (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and single coagulation factors), chromogenic (antithrombin, and anti-FXa activity) and immunologic assays (von Willebrand factor). The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were below 5% for most parameters both in the normal and in the pathological range (exceptions: intra-assay CV=5.2% for the fibrinogen and 5.1% for antithrombin in the low range of concentrations; and inter-assay CV=5.7% and 7.2% for clotting factors V and VII levels in the normal ranges, and in the range from 6.1% to 7.8% for anti-FXa activity). No significant interference could be demonstrated with hemolytic and icteric samples as demonstrated by results similar to those obtained using a mechanical clot detection-based analyzer (STAR). No carryover was detected in alternating measurements of heparinized (1.0 IU/mL unfractionated heparin) and normal plasma samples. The results of the different coagulation, chromogenic and immunologic assays obtained with the CA-7000 analyzer were well correlated with those obtained on the STAR analyzer (r in the range from 0.885 to 0.990). Our results demonstrated that using the CA-7000 analyzer, routine coagulation testing can be performed with satisfactory precision and the same applied to more specialized and specific tests such as single factor activity or antigen concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe equipment and a procedure for measuring inhomogeneities in active regions of solar cells, photoelectric transducers, and multielement photodetectors, based on a computer-controlled dual-beam laser scanner including a Pentium III personal computer, an HP-34401A digital multimeter with RS-232 serial interface;, a platform movable along the Y coordinate with the sample multielement photodetector to be tested and a microprobe device for picking up the photocurrents, an optical head with laser photodiodes in the visible (λ1 = 0.68 µm) and IR (λ2 = 0.82 µm) ranges scanning along the X coordinate, and a control unit for focusing the laser beams λ1, λ2, stabilizing the laser radiation power, and controlling the step motors for the X,Y coordinates. The equipment and procedure enable laser scanning of sample multielement photodetectors, with external dimensions 10 × 10 µm2 to 150 × 150 mm2, along the X, Y coordinates at a maximum rate of 100 mm/sec; minimum radiation power of the laser diodes, 10 mW; range of laser beam diameters, 2–50 µm; range of scanning steps along the X, Y coordinates, 5–100 µm; current sensitivity 1·10−8 A, voltage sensitivity 1·10−7 V; measurement and analysis accuracy at least 0.5%; storage of color plots of the inhomogeneities in the active regions of the multielement photodetectors on the hard disk of the personal computer, with output of analysis results to a monitor and color printer, 32 color gradations. Software written in Delphi 7.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ozone has become the oxidant of choice for water disinfection, especially in large water treatment facilities. This paper describes a fast and sensitive method for the determination of ozone content by reaction with photoactivated chromotropic acid (CA, 4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid), which results in intense chemiluminescence (CL). Freshly ozonated water from a recirculating ozonizer/reservoir is injected into a carrier stream of deionized water in the flow-injection mode. This flow mixes with a stream of photoactivated CA solution in a spiral cell placed directly on top of an inexpensive miniature (8mm diameter active area) photomultiplier tube (PMT). Alkaline CA is photoactivated by passing it through a FEP-Teflon® coil (residence time∼50s) wrapped around a 1W UV lamp emitting at 254nm; without photoactivation, the signal is ∼70-fold lower. The S/N=3 limit of detection for aqueous ozone is 3μgl−1 and good response slope is obtained up to an ozone concentration of 1.4mgl−1, the highest that could be made in this study. The response obeyed a quadratic equation with r 2 =0.9984. No interference from permanganate ion is observed. The proposed system was applied to the monitoring of ozonation status of a playa lake water that exhibited significant ozone demand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]