bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simple, automated device for the preciseaddition of liquids
Authors: Kramer Gary W. , Hanquier Jose M. , Frisbee A. Roger , Fuchs Philip L.
Published: March 2007

Metering liquid reagents into reaction mixtures in a controlled and
reproducible manner has often been a problem in synthetic
chemistry. Carrying out the real simultaneous addition of two or
more liquid reagents (concurrent additions) is even more inconvenient.
Difficulties increase when addition volumes become small,
when addition times become long, or when the reagents are corrosive
or air‐sensitive. We have constructed and tested an inexpensive,
automated device for the slow, precise delivery of liquid reagents
into laboratory‐scale reaction mixtures. Controlled by a standard
personal computer, this slow adder can accommodate liquid
volumes from hundreds of microlitres to litres and addition times
from minutes to days. Its glass and Teflon construction makes it
useful for nearly all reagents. By using multiple slow adders, true
concurrent addition of several liquids can be easily achieved.
Evaluation of a new instrument offeringsodium, potassium, and ionized calcium incombination with haematocrit, pH and bloodgas analysis; the performance of the NovaStat Profile 1
Authors: Schonfield Susan , Frost Peter , Cramb Robert , Royle Chris
Published: March 2007

The Nova Stat Profile 1 analyser, a combined sodium, potassium,
ionized calcium, haematocrit and conventional blood gas analyser,
was evaluated over a four month period. In addition to assessing
and demonstrating that the instrument met analytical requirements,
an appreciation of the use of ionised calcium (iCa) was made.
Prospective costs were characterised and practical problems of iCa
measurement addressed.
Computer‐Aided Chemistry at Surrey — the way ahead
Authors: Buist G. J. , Howlin B. , Jones J. R. , Povey D. C.
Published: March 2007

This article describes the objectives and rationale of the degree
course in Computer‐Aided Chemistry at the University of Surrey.
The course, which is the first of its kind, represents a sharp break
with the past in that industry was intimately involved in the early
stages of the planning as well as providing subsequent support;
furthermore, much of the teaching is done via a workshop approach.
The course aims to produce high‐calibre chemists, particularly of
the analytical kind, with a firm foundation in computing and
having benefited from the close collaboration and cooperation of
industry.
Application of robotics In the clinical laboratory
Authors: Bunce R. A. , Broughton P. M. G. , Browning D. M. , Gibbons J. E. C. , Kricka L. J.
Published: March 2007

The basic types of robot are explained, and the performances and
costs of some commercial examples are given. The potential
advantages and problems of introducing robots into clinical
laboratories are identified and the specifcation of a suitable robot
is developed. None of the commercially available robots meets all
aspects of the specificalion, and currently the purchase of a robot is
considered premature for most clinical laboratories.
Sample introduction valve used in ICP‐AESfor faster analysis
Authors: Stray Helge
Published: March 2007

A twin six‐port valve with two sample loops was installed between
the autosampler and the nebuliser of a simultaneous inductively
coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometer. The valve was
mounted close to the nebuliser inlet so that the time required for the
sample to enter from the loop to the nebulizer was less than 0.5 s.
The content of one loop was introduced to the nebulizer using a
peristalic pump, whilst a second loop was filed with the next
sample using a second peristaltic pump. The washout time was in
this manner reduced by 20 s per analysis and the hourly sampling
rate was increased from 90 to 180 in the measurements described.
Generation of selenium hydride fromalkaline solutions: a new concept of thehydride generation‐atomic absorptiontechnique
Authors: Bye Ragnar
Published: March 2007

The use of hydride generation is often useful in environmental
analysis. The normal acid sodium tetrahydroborate reaction
provides exceptional sensitivity with continuous flow hydride
generators. In some situations there are interferences which will
mask the sensitivity. An alternative chemistry system is described
here and is shown to offer similar sensitivity to that normally used.
A commercial continuous flow analyser is used in this work.
The significance of indirect costs—applicationto clinical laboratory test economics using computer facilities
Authors: Hindriks F. R. , Bosman A. , Rademaker P. F.
Published: March 2007

The significance of indirect costs in the cost price calculation of
clinical chemistry laboratory tests by way of the production centres
method has been investigated. A cost structure model based on the ‘production centres’ method, the Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen
(AZG) 1‐2‐3 model, is used for the calculation of cost and cost
prices as an add‐in tool to the spreadsheet program Lotus 1‐2‐3.
The system specifications of the AZG 1‐2‐3 cost structure model
have been extended with facilities to impute all relevant indirect
costs to cost centres by aid of allocation rules, which can be chosen
freely. The inference is made that as indirect costs play a more
important part in decision‐making processes concerning planning
and control, the specification of the relation to the cost centres
should be determined in a more detailed way. The AZG 1‐2‐3 cost
structure model has therefore been extended in order to increase the
significance as a management tool for laboratory management.
Computer‐assisted automatic synthesis II.Development of a fully automated apparatusfor preparing substituted N–(carboxyalkyl)amino acids
Authors: Hayashi Nobuyoshi , Sugawara Tohru , Shintani Motoaki , Kato Shinji
Published: March 2007

A versatile automated apparatus, equipped with an artificial
intelligence has been developed which may be used to prepare and
isolate a wide variety of compounds. The prediction of the optimum
reaction conditions and the reaction control in real time, are
accomplished using novel kinetic equations and substituent effects in
an artificial intelligence software which has already reported [1].
This paper deals with the design and construction of the fully
automated system, and its application to the synthesis of a
substituted N‐(carboxyalkyl)amino acid. The apparatus is composed
of units for perfoming various tasks, e.g. reagent supply,
reaction, purification and separation, each linked to a control
system. All synthetic processes including washing and drying of the
apparatus after each synthetic run were automatically performed
from the mixing of the reactants to the isolation of the products as
powders with purities of greater than 98%. The automated
apparatus has been able to run for 24 hours per day, and the average
rate of synthesis of substituted N‐(carboxyalkyl)amino acids has
been three compounds daily. The apparatus is extremely valuable
for synthesizing many derivatives of one particular compound
structure. Even if the chemical yields are low under the optimum
conditions, it is still possible to obtain a sufficient amount of the
desired product by repetition of the reaction. Moreover it was
possible to greatly reduce the manual involvement of the many
syntheses which are a necessary part of pharmaceutical research.
International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC): Scientific Division,Committee on pH, Blood Gases and Electrolytes: Guidelines for Transcutaneouspo2 and pco2 Measurement
Authors: Wimberley P. D. , Burnett R. W. , Covington A. K. , Maas A. H. J. , Mueller-Plathe O. , Siggaard-Andersen O. , Weisberg H. F. , Zijstra W. G.
Published: March 2007

This document provides guidelines for the terminology, methodology,
and for the interpretation of data obtained from the use of skin
(transcutaneous) po2 and pco2 electrodes. The transcutaneous
technique has found special application in newborn infants. The
causes of analytical bias with respect to arterial blood gas values,
and imprecision obtained with transcutaneous pco2 electrodes, are reviewed. Electrode temperatures above 44°C should not be used
routinely, and, at a measuring temperature of 44°C, the measuring
site should be changed at least every 4 h to avoid skin burns.
Comparative interference by haemolysis inautomated assays for bilirubin at multiple analyte concentrations
Authors: Webster Robert A. , Molnar Peter , Kahn Stephen E.
Published: March 2007

The negative interference caused by haemolysis in manual bilirubin
assays contrasts with the positive interference reported for some
automated methods utilizing the same basic chemistry. A
comparison was therefore made of the haemolysis interference
associated with several automated bilirubin methodologies: multilayer
film (Kodak Ektachem‐ total bilirubin (TBil), direct
bilirubin (DBil), conjugated bilirubin (Bc), unconjugated bilirubin
(Bu),; tableted reagents (Baxter Paramax‐ TBil, DBil);
continuous flow (Technicon SMAC — TBil). Thirty serum pools
were analysed (five concentrations of bilirubin, 2‐229 μmol/l; six
concentrations of haemoglobin, 0.00002‐0.052 mmol/1). All
methods, except one (Bc), exhibited both positive and negative
interference, depending upon the relative haemoglobin and bilirubin
concentrations. This interference, at any given haemoglobin
concentration, was neither constant nor proportional with increasing
bilirubin concentration. These complex patterns of interference
suggest that the best characterization of interference is obtained
when (1) both percentage‐difference and absolute‐difference
‘interferographs’ are plotted; and (2) the interference is determined
at multiple analyte concentrations.
An evaluation of the Diamat HPLC analyserfor simultaneous determination ofhaemoglobins A2 and F
Authors: Mosca Andrea , Carpinelli Assunta , Majavacca Rita , Cantu′-Rajnoldi Angelo , Garatti Massimo , Paleari Renata , Ferrari Maurizio , Agape Vittorio , Maccioni Liliana , Pisano Sandra , Galanello Renzo
Published: March 2007

The authors describe a modification of the instrumental parameters
of the Diamat fully automated HPLC system for Hb A2 assay
(Bio‐Rad Laboratories, Milan, Italy) in order to obtain
simultaneous determination of Hb A2 and Hb F.

Hb A2 and Hb F measurements are reproducible (within‐run CV
2.6%, with Hb A22.7%; 5.1%, with Hb F 1.3%) and accurate
(from a comparison with two microchromatographic techniques for
Hb A2: r = 0.9639 and 0.9755; with two alkali denaturation
procedures for Hb F: r = 0.9990 and 0.9952; with radial
immunodiffusion, r = 0.9877). Assay linearity has been confirmed
for Hb A2 concentrations between 0 and 6.0%, and for Hb F
between 0 and 60%. The data obtained from the analysis of some
pathological samples for Hb Bart′s, Hb H, Hb J Sardegna, Hb
Lepore and Hb S are in agreement with cellulose acetate
electrophoresis analysis.

The Hb A2 reference intervals for normals (N = 597) and
Beta‐thalassemia carriers (N = 200) are respectively (95%
limits) 2.02‐3.27 and 3.92‐5.90 in % units. Hb F values
measured in normals (N = 968), in β‐thal carriers (N = 302) and
in δβ‐thal carriers (N =3) have been found to be consistent with
the usual diagnostic parameters.

Some minor limitations emerged: the most relevant concerns Hb
A1c, which is overestimated with respect to a reference method (y =
1.217x + 0.16; N = 79; r = 0.9235). A probable interference
from labile fractions is responsible for this Hb A1c inaccuracy.
Analytical performance of the selective, automatic multianalyser Olympus AU 5031
Authors: Luley C. , Struss H. G. , Prellwitz W.
Published: March 2007

The analytical performance of the selective, automatic multianalyser Olympus AU 5031 was evaluated over four months and assessed for practicability for another eight months. The evaluation followed the ECCLS guidelines. Twenty routine parameters were measured. In addition, sodium and potassium were determined on an attached flame photometric unit. Both the agreement between the eights photometers per unit and the temperature behaviour in the cuvettes was satisfactory. The imprecisions were very good. The within‐run imprecision was below 1.5% for the majority of the parameters. The imprecision between days was below 5%, with the exception of creatine phosphokinase (7.4%). Glutamate dehydrogenase gave an imprecision of between 4.0% and 15.9%, which, however, is more likely due to the low activities measured rather than the fault of analyser. The recovery of the assigned values in 12 control sera was between 95% and 105% for 14 tests. Three of the remaining eight tests yielded recoveries with deviations between 10% and 18% (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubin). No drift effects were observed and neither a sample carry‐over nor a reagent carry‐over were detected. Most tests were linear over a very wide range. Only afew tests (mainly lipase and glutamate dehydrogenase) required measurement repetitions with diluted samples. The correlation with routine instruments and tests was close. However, corrections were necessary for 14 of the 22 tests. This was not due to the performance of the analyser but, rather, to the different methodologies of compared tests, or different working temperatures on the comparison instruments, or a lack of accuracy for some of the AU tests.
Automatic system for the determination of metals by anodic stripping potentiometry in non‐deaerated samples
Authors: Cladera A. , Estela J. M. , Cerdá V.
Published: March 2007

An automatic system for the determination of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu by anodic stripping potentiometry using the oxygen dissolved in the sample as oxidant is reported. The system relies on the use of a PC‐compatible computer for instrumental control and data acquisition and processing.
Evaluation of the Jokoo‐ION 150 AC: Guidelines for the evaluation of analysers by ion‐selective electrodes
Authors: Farré Joan , Biosca Carmen , Galimany Román
Published: March 2007

The Jokoo‐ION 150 AC is an automatic sodium, potassium and chloride analyser which uses ion‐selective electrodes.

The sample mode can be whole‐blood, serum or urine. To evaluate a urine sample, a previous dilution (1:6) with the standard 1 solution is required. For three concentrations of control materials, the total precision (CV) ranged from 0.17 to 1.22% for sodium, 0.22 to 1.69% for potassium and 0.16 to 0.74% for chloride.

The system demonstrated acceptable performance in detection limit, linearity, drift and carry‐over. Patients′ results from ION 150 AC correlated well with those from a SMAC II and an IL 943. In a study on potential interferences, a slightly negative interference with potassium was found with increases in lithium; and only high ammonium ion concentrations caused a positive interference on the potassium ion. A slightly positive interference of bromide on the chloride ion was also found.

The electrode slope, electrode response, sample temperature and pH effect, effects of high concentrations of proteins or lipids, and haematocrit influence on the sodium, potassium and chloride ion concentration were also evaluated. The strategy adopted in this study provides an ideal framework for future evaluations of ionselective electrode analysers.
Evaluation of the Dacos 3.0 analyser
Authors: Pons Joan Farré , Alumá Alba , Antoja Felipe , Biosca Carmen , Alsina María-Jesús , Galimany Román
Published: March 2007

The selective multitest Coulter Dacos 3.0 analyser was evaluated according to the guidelines of the Comisión de Instrumentación de la Sociedad Española de Química Clínica and of the European Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards.

The evaluation was performed in four steps: examination of the analytical units; evaluation of routine working; study of interferences; and assessment of practicability.

The evaluation included a photometric study. The inaccuracy is acceptable for 340 nm and 420 nm, and the imprecision at absorbances from 0.05 to 2.00 ranged from 0.06 to 0.28% at 340 nm and from 0.06 to 0.08% at 420 nm. The linearity showed some dispersion at low absorbance for PNP at 420 nm and the drift was negligible.

The imprecision of the pipette delivery system, the temperature control system and the washing system were satisfactory.

In routine work conditions, seven analytical methods were studied: glucose, creatinine, iron, total protein, AST, ALP and calcium. Within‐run imprecision ranged, at low concentrations, from 0.9% (CV) for glucose, to 7.6% (CV) for iron; at medium concentrations, from 0.7% (CV) for total protein to 5.2% (CV) to creatinine; and at high concentrations, it ranged from 0.6% (CV) for glucose to 3.9% (CV) for ALP.

Between‐run imprecision at low concentrations ranged from 1.4% (CV) for glucose to 15.1% (CV) for iron; at medium concentrations it ranged from 1.2% (CV) for protein to 6.7% (CV) for iron; and at high concentrations the range is from l.2for AST to 5.7% (CV) for iron.

No contamination was found in the sample carry‐over study. Some contamination was found in the reagent carry‐over study (total protein due to iron and calcium reagents). Relative inaccuracy is good for all the constituents assayed. Only LDH (high and low levels) and urate (low level) showed weak and negative interference caused by turbidity, and γ‐GT (high level) and amylase, bilirubin and ALP (two levels) showed a negative interference caused by haemolysis.
A computer‐assisted metal analyser using flow injection coupled with direct current plasma–optical emission spectroscopy
Authors: Brennan M. C. , Simons R. A. , Svehla G. , Stockwell P. B.
Published: March 2007

An automated routine method was developed for the determination of trace metals using a flow injection system into a direct current plasma spectrometer. The characteristic emission in the ‘Spectra‐ Metrics’ three‐electrode jet is channelled through an echelle grating to the detector of the instrument. The emission signal is continuously recorded, and, after digitalization, calculated and recorded by a Touchstone software package and interface card. The software has facilities for recording peaks, generating calibration curves, calculating and printing results, enhancing line sensitivities, monitoring signal response and for filter noise, recalibration, background correction, status monitoring and general diagnostics. Up to 70 elements can be determined both in aqueous and non‐aqueous media.
Technical note: Evaluation of three autoanalysers for use in chemical pathology
Authors: Narebor E. M.
Published: March 2007

Three autoanalysers, the EPOS 5060, ERIS 6170 and the Analyst, were evaluated for their adequacy for use in laboratories attached to Saudi ‘polyclinics’. All the analysers showed comparable within‐batch imprecision. The Analyst was found to be the most useful because it was simple and practical and because its throughput time was faster than the other two analysers. The EPOS 5060 would be more suitable for screening large numbers of samples for single parameters; and the ERIS 6170 essentially suits normal routine chemical laboratory work.
Optimized methods to measure acetoacetate, 3‐hydroxybutyrate, glycerol, alanine, pyruvate, lactate and glucose in human blood using a centrifugal analyser with a fluorimetric attachment
Authors: Stappenbeck R. , Hodson A. W. , Skillen A. W. , Agius L. , Alberti K. G. M. M.
Published: March 2007

Optimized methods are described for the analysis of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glycerol, D‐3‐hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate in perchloric acid extracts of human blood using the Cobas Bio centrifugal analyser. Glucose and lactate are measured using the photometric mode and other metabolites using the fluorimetric mode. The intra‐assay coefficients of variation ranged from 0.7 to 4.1%, except with very low levels of pyruvate and acetoacetate where the coefficients of variation were 7.1 and 12% respectively. All seven metabolites can be measured in a perchloric acid extract of 20 μl of blood. The methods have been optimized with regard to variation in the perchloric acid content of the samples. These variations arise from the method of sample preparation used to minimize changes occurring in metabolite concentration after venepuncture.
Automatic continuous on‐line monitoring of salicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid in pharmaceuticals
Authors: Fernández J. M. López , de Castro M. D. Luque , Valcárcel M.
Published: March 2007

An asymmetrical FIA merging‐zones manifold based on the dual injection of two sample microvolumes was developed for the simultaneous determination of salicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid in pharmaceutical preparations at a sampling frequency of 30/h. The complex formed between the Fe(III) reagent continuously introduced in the system and salicylic acid was monitored photometrically at 520 nm. One of the sample plugs was prehydrolysed on injection into an NaOH stream and was circulated through a longer channel than the other plug. This yielded two FIA peaks corresponding to salicylic acid and the overall content, respectively. The proposed manifold was successfully used to control the dissolution test of a pharmaceutical preparation.
Lyophilization: a useful approach to the automation of analytical processes?
Authors: de Castro M. D. Luque , Izquierdo A.
Published: March 2007

An overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in the use of lyophilization for the pretreatment of samples and standards prior to their storage and/or preconcentration is presented. The different analytical applications of this process are dealt with according to the type of material (reagent, standard, samples) and matrix involved.
Automated separation for heterogeneous immunoassays
Authors: Truchaud A. , Barclay J. , Yvert J. P. , Capolaghi B.
Published: March 2007

Beside general requirements for modern automated systems, immunoassay automation involves specific requirements as a separation step for heterogeneous immunoassays. Systems are designed according to the solid phase selected: dedicated or open robots for coated tubes and wells, systems nearly similar to
chemistry analysers in the case of magnetic particles, and a completely original design for those using porous and film materials.
Sample preparation and processing
Authors: Geary T. D.
Published: March 2007

Errors made during the sample preparative process contribute
significantly to the total analytical error of immunoassays. Reduction in the magnitude of these errors have been made by improvements in the manualfluid handling systems and mechanization of the individual steps in the process. The mechanization has been stimulated by developments in both computing hardware and software. A laboratory′s workflow and workload will indicate the degree of mechanization required.
Assessing the ABL 500 blood gas analyser
Authors: Gouget B. , Andriamahatratra R. , Gourmelin Y. , Truchaud A.
Published: March 2007

The ABL 500 blood gas analyser from Radiometer has cordless
electrodes and does not use a humidifier for calibrating gases. During the evaluation of the analytical performance of this instrument, the problem of p02 accuracy was approached by comparing the values obtained with two kinds of tonometry (film and bubble). An acceptable level of imprecision was demonstrated for all measured parameters. For within‐run precision, with tonometry, coefficients of variation (CV) were ≆0.37% for pO2 and ≆0.52% for pCO2. A CV of 1.76% was found for day‐to‐day precision for both p02 and pCO2. In the linearity study, with both tonometry methods, and in the inter‐instrument comparisons (the ABL was compared with the Ciba Corning 178), pO2 values
obtained on the ABL 500 exhibited a slight overestimation above 150 mmHg (2.2‐3.4% at 600 mmHg). This minor discrepancy is discussed with reference to the new design of the pO2 electrode, the algorithm for pO2 correction and the tonometry procedure. The results reported in this paper stress the importance of pO2 accuracy assessment for the evaluation of blood gas analysers.
Comparison of capillary gas chromatographic method and automatedspectrophotofluorometric methods for measuring content uniformity of conjugatedoestrogens in pharmaceutical preparations
Authors: Russell J. D. , Mumley J. , Spring M. , Kutz A. , Johnson R. N.
Published: March 2007

To measure the content uniformity of conjugated cestrogens tablets,
the USP XXII monograph specifies a capillary gas chromatographic method. This involves separation of the trimethylsilyl derivatives of the various oestrogens found in a typical conjugated oestrogens tablet using a fused‐silica 0V 225 bonded phase column. Hydrogen is used as the carrier gas with FID detection. A more rapid spectrophotofluorometric method of analysis has been developed in which the oestrogens are extracted from the dosage form into water, then transferred into organic solvent as the dicyclohexylamine complex. Fluorescence is developed by heating the solution of the complex in the presence of 70% sulphuric acid. The chemistry and detection are carried out using a segmented‐flow analyser.

The spectrophotofluorometric method is preferred as a routine control for content uniformity because considerable time is saved during sample preparation and analysis compared to gas chromatography. Coefficients of variation show that both methods produce
acceptable results. These results fall well within the USP XXII [1] monograph, limits and also well within the tighter limits imposed by the USP XXII, section 905.
Computer‐controlled ion‐selective electrode switch
Authors: Lapa Rui A. S. , Lima José L. F. C.
Published: March 2007

The construction of a microcomputer‐controlled electrode switch for
use in potentiometric determinations is described. This can be coupled to most of the analytical equipment usually found in laboratories, to enable a setting up of automatic systems capable of performing sequential determinations with several ion‐selective
electrodes. The assessment of its analytical usage and behaviour are discussed.
Designing optimized industrial process analysers for closed loop control
Authors: Grevesmuehl Bernard , Kradjel Cynthia , Kellner Hanno
Published: March 2007

Manufacturers are now looking closely at ways of optimizing
‘quality’ and increasing process efficiency while reducing manufacturing
costs. Near infra‐red (NIR) technology is a popular solution to this challenge: it provides manufacturers with rapid and reliable in‐process analysis and thousands of systems have already been installed in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical and agricultural markets.

For over 10 years, NIR has been successfully applied to at‐line process analysis. Rugged and easy‐to‐operate filter analysers are traditionally located in the control room–process operators can then ‘grab samples’ and obtain results in less than a minute. There are many practical advantages to using at‐line filter systems.
Products from many lines can be run on one system, and, since there is no direct process interface, installation, operation and maintenance are quite simple.

Many manufacturers, however, are now striving to achieve on‐line closed loop control, in these cases the benefit of obtaining continuous measurement is well worth the effort required to automate the analysis.
Operator‐free flow injection analyser
Authors: Pasquini Celio , de Faria Lourival C.
Published: March 2007

A flow injection analyser has been constructed to allow an operator‐free
determination of up to 40 samples. Besides the usual FIA apparatus, the analyser includes a home‐made sample introduction device made with three electromechanical three‐way valves and an auto‐sampler from Technicon which has been adapted to be commanded by an external digital signal. The analyser is controlled by a single board SDK‐8085 microcomputer. The necessary interface to couple the analyser components to the microcomputer is also described. The analyser was evaluated for a Cr(VI)‐FIA determination showing a very good performance with a relative standard deviation for 15 signals from the injection of 100 μl of a 1.0 mg.ml-1 standard Cr(VI) solution being equal to 0.5%.
Automation of Vapour Pressure Osmometry measurements
Authors: Belaustegi Y. , Citores M. J. , Fernández L. A.
Published: March 2007

A program has been developed for the control of Vapour Pressure
Osmometry (VPO) measurements. The output signal of a Vapour Pressure Osmometer is read by an A/D converter card installed in one of the expansion slots of a PC microcomputer. The stability of the measurements is checked by analysing the first derivative of the smoothed signals, which is calculated in real time. Sets of repeated
measurements are carried out under the supervision of a computer program as a check for their reproducibility. When the set is ended the program calculates the average and its standard deviation.

The program is particularly valuable for evaluating VPO measurements for solution equilibria studies. This interfacing strategy may be applied to any kind of technique in which the time stability of the signals is the basis for defining measurement stability. The automated VPO has other advantages, including low cost and time saving.
Evaluation of the Olympus AU‐510 analyser
Authors: Farré Carmen , Velasco Jesús , Ramón Francisco
Published: March 2007

The selective multitest Olympus AU‐510 analyser was evaluated
according to the recommendations of the Comision de Instrumentacion de la Sociedad Española de Quimica Clinica and the European Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The evaluation was carried out in two stages: an examination of the analytical units and then an evaluation in routine work conditions. The operational characteristics of the system were also studied.

The first stage included a photometric study: dependent on the absorbance, the inaccuracy varies between +0.5% to ‐0.6% at 405 nm and from ‐5.6% to 10.6% at 340 nm; the imprecision ranges between ‐0.22% and 0.56% at 405 nm and between 0.09% and 2.74% at 340 nm. Linearity was acceptable, apart
from a very low absorbance for NADH at 340 nm; and the imprecision of the serum sample pipetter was satisfactory.

Twelve serum analytes were studied under routine conditions: glucose, urea urate, cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, creatinine, phosphate, iron, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase.

The within‐run imprecision (CV%) ranged from 0.67% for phosphate to 2.89% for iron and the between‐run imprecision from 0.97% for total bilirubin to 7.06% for iron. There was no carryover in a study of the serum sample pipetter. Carry‐over studies with the reagent and sample pipetters shows some cross contamination in the iron assay.
Automated cold vapour flow‐injection analysis of mercury at high concentrations
Authors: Corns W. T. , Ebdon L. C. , Hill S. J. , Stockwell P. B.
Published: March 2007

Continuous‐flow cold vapour‐ atomic fluorescence spectrometry is
shown to be an extremely sensitive technique for the determination of mercury with detection limits typically below 0.01 μg l-1. Linear calibration ranges were found to be at least four orders of magnitude (i.e. up to 0.1 mg l-1). Samples with concentrations exceeding the linear range are susceptible to self‐absorption, and may, in severe cases, cause carry‐over problems between samples. The flow‐injection approach has been utilized to extend the upper limit of the linear calibration range allowing determinations up to 10 mg l-1 of mercury. A range of certified reference materials and zinc battery anodes have been successfully analysed with a minimal
number of sample dilutions.
On‐line analyte preconcentration with atomic spectrometric detection
Authors: Ebdon L. , Fisher A. S. , Hill S. J. , Worsfold P. J.
Published: March 2007

Pre‐concentration of analytes, or matrix removal to overcome
interferences using mini‐ or micro‐columns of exchange media prior to atomic spectrometric detection is becoming increasingly more common. This paper is a review of some of the more recent applications of chelating, ion exchange and other resins and gels
that have been used to accomplish this.
Quantities and units for electrophoresis inthe clinical laboratory
Authors: Férard G.
Published: March 2007

Electrophoretic techniques have been developed and refined over
decades, and are now widely used in clinical laboratories. For
example, electrophoresis is routinely used to separate many different
components, including proteins, lipoproteins, and isoenzymes. More
recently, the applications of molecular biology in diagnosis have
increased the use of electrophoresis to separate DNA components in
the clinical laboratory. Various kinds of quantities are used for the
description of separation procedures. It is the purpose of this
document to provide manufacturers and users of electrophoretic
techniques with a list of relevant quantities and units consistent
with the International System of Units (SI) and standards of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Simple in‐line stopped flow photolysis of copper complexes in natural waters using aflow injection system
Authors: Comber Michael H. I. , Eales Gordon J. , Nicholson Peter J. D. , Henn Simon P.
Published: March 2007

The development of an in‐line digestion system based on simple UV
lamp is reported. The effect of photolysis on the preconcentration of
copper was investigated using an in‐line Chelex‐l00 ion‐exchange
column linked to an atomic absorption spectrometer. Three model
ligands, glycine, NTA and EDTA, have been used to demonstrate
the effect of the digestion system. In a stopped‐flow mode, over 90%
of the complexed copper was recovered in the presence of any of the
three ligands. When the UV lamp was turned off, this changed to
84, 45 and 2% recovery for the glycine, NTA and EDTA
complexed copper, respectively. The ability to analyse samples with
the UV lamp on or off means that the device may be used to study the
speciation of the copper.
Technical note: A nonparametric outlier rejection scheme
Authors: Odonde J. S. O.
Published: March 2007

Experimental data always contains measurement errors (or noise,
in signal processing). This paper is concerned with the removal of
outliers from a data set consisting of only a handful of points. The
data set has a unimodal probability distribution function, the mode
is thus a reliable estimate of the central tendency. The approach is
nonparametric; for the data set (xi, yi) only the ordinates (yi) are
used. The abscissa (xi) are reparametrized to the variable i = 1, N.

The data is bounded using a calculated mode and a new measure:
the mean absolute deviation from the mode. This does not seem to
have been reported before. The mean is removed and low frequency
filtering is performed in the frequency domain, after which the mean
is reintroduced.
Managing robotics in the genericpharmaceutical arena
Authors: Scheffler Marianne
Published: March 2007

Robotics was introduced by Danbury Pharmacal, Inc. in 1987 in
order to improve laboratory throughput for several new products.
The author uses Danbury Pharmacal′s experience to give an
overview of various issues, such as acceptance by senior management
and chemists, political confrontation, validation and product
throughput.
The laboratory of the 1990s—Planning for Total Automation
Authors: Brunner Linda A.
Published: March 2007

The analytical laboratory of the 1990s must be able to meet and
accommodate the rapid evolution of modern‐day technology. One
such area is laboratory automation. Total automation may be seen
as the coupling of computerized sample tracking, electronic
documentation and data reduction with automated sample handling,
preparation and analysis, resulting in a complete analytical
procedure with minimal human involvement. Requirements may
vary from one laboratory or facility to another, so the automation
has to be flexible enough to cover a wide range of applications, and
yet fit into specific niches depending on individual needs.

Total automation must be planned for, well in advance, if the
endeavour is to be a success. Space, laboratory layout, proper
equipment, and the availability and access to necessary utilities
must be taken into account. Adequate training and experience of the
personnel working with the technology must also be ensured. In
addition, responsibilities of installation, programming maintenance
and operation have to be addressed. Proper time management
and the efficient implementation and use of total automation are
also crucial to successful operations.

This paper provides insights into laboratory organization and
requirements, as well as discussing the management issues that
must be faced when automating laboratory procedures.
Strategic planning for bioanalyticalautomation: managing growth successfully
Authors: Tomlinson Julie J.
Published: March 2007

Bioanalytical automation expanded at Glaxo Inc. from 1987 to
1991 by cycling through periods of justification, planning,
implementation, obstacle‐jumping and success, which justified
continued cycling. In 1990 it became evident that the technology and
its growth needed to be planned and the resources had to be
managed. A Strategic Plan was researched and prepared. The plan
describes the mission, values, goals and structure of the Bioanalytical
Automation Group and the most important requirements for
achieving those planned goals, including: (1) Long‐term management
commitment; (2) Trained, dedicated personnel; (3) Quality
facilities; (4) Teamwork; and (5) Investment in automationcompatible
equipment. The strategic plan has been in effect for over
a year; current status, history, and the future are discussed in this article.
Selection criteria for laboratory roboticapplication personnel
Authors: Rulon Peter W.
Published: March 2007

Norwich Eaton Pharmaceutical recognized the benefits of using
automation systems in the laboratory over seven years ago and
created a robotic development area within the analytical method
development group. They now have eight complete robotic systems
and a large number of semi‐automated systems in routine operation.

This level of activity has provided many challenges for the
automation group. The success of this group has been very dependent
on the talents of people working these assignments. You can have the
best equipment and the vendor′s promises of success, but it is the
people who understand the products and the requirements that get
systems on line.

Assembling an effective robotics organization requires prework on
the part of management. There must be a clear vision of the specific
types of activities the group will perform. This vision can be used to
establish a skills profile for the members of the team. It appears that
at least four people are required to provide the variety of skills and
keep the group going.

Each member′s personality is an important component of
establishing a new team. In robotics, one of the most critical talents
is the ability to work on long term projects that constantly present
new challenges. The group members need to balance consistency of
purpose with the ability to creatively solve a variety of problems.
The group will not be effective in delivering new technologies unless
they have the talent to train the novice in a highly technical
environment.

People who are successful in automation development are unique.
They should have the ability to work comfortably in a logic‐based
environment, to become very creative on demand, and to communicate
highly technical information effectively. People do not usually
possess all these skills, providing their manager with challenging
coaching opportunities.
Application of a computer‐controlled flow analyser to the determination of glucose andto the study of β ‐galactosidase activity
Authors: Malcolme-Lawes David J. , Wong Koon Hung , Smith Brian V.
Published: March 2007

Glucose was determined using an automated flow analyser and a commercial reagent preparation based on the glucose oxidaseperoxidase reaction. The coupling system for the hydrogen peroxide
liberated consisted of 4‐aminophenazone and 2,4‐dichlorophenol. The analyser demonstrated linearity of>0.9997 for five consecutive sets of standards. The average RSD for individual standards is
0.76%, and a sample throughput rate of >80 h-1 was achieved.

The study of β‐galactosidase, using a novel substrate, was carried out in a simple single‐line manifold. The enzyme‐substrate reaction mixture was injected into a pH 10 buffer carrier to stop the reaction, and at the same time, propel the reaction zone to the flow cell. Km and Vmax values were calculated.
A versatile injection system for flow‐injection analysis
Authors: Sollacaro M. , Dittmar A. , Later R.
Published: March 2007

Analyser injection systems based on the principle of flow‐injection
analysis depend on the technique used. They generally take the form
of an injection loop valve; the injected sample volume is determined
by the volume of the valve. Injection systems are seldom designed
with a time factor to define this volume. The authors report on an
original injection system, which enables the two techniques to be
used. The paper describes the evaluation of this system using both
injection techniques and the comparison between them. The results
show good linearity (r = 0.999 to 1.000) and an average precision
(CV = 1.04 to 1.51%) for the volume‐based injection technique;
(ii) good linearity (r = 1.000) and better precision (CV = 0.73 to
1.30%) for the time‐based injection technique. The system can be
used equally well by the loop and by the clock; however, the latter is
preferable because of its practicability.
Plasma amino‐acid determinations by reversed‐phase HPLC: Improvement of theorthophthalaldehyde method and comparison with ion exchange chromatography
Authors: Ziegler Frédéric , Le Boucher Jacques , Coudray-Lucas Colette , Cynober Luc
Published: March 2007

Reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RPHPLC)
determination of amino‐acids with on‐line pre‐column
ortho‐phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization and fluorescence
detection is rapid and sensitive. However, high‐performance ionexchange
chromatography (HP‐IEC) with post‐column ninhydrine
reaction is the most widely used amino‐acid (AA) assay for
biological samples. These two methods have been compared for the
determination of individual plasma AA concentrations.

An excellent correlation (p ≤ 0.003) was found between the results
given by an RP‐HPLC system (Varian) and a classical AA autoanalyser
(Biotronik LC 5001). Most AA concentrations were
similar with the two methods, but a paired t‐test showed slight
differences for 13 AA. The within‐batch reproducibility of the RPHPLC
method was comparable to that of the HP‐IEC method.
The analysis was about three times faster with RP‐HPLC, and
sensitivity was l00‐fold better. However, aspartic acid, proline and
cysteine were not identified by the RP‐HPLC method, while the
tryptophan quantification is possible.

RP‐HPLC with automated pre‐column OPA derivatization is
clearly a suitable alternative for assaying physiological AA and
may be particularly useful for AA present at low concentrations
(free tryptophan, plasma 3‐methylhistidine).
Determination of nutrients in seawater by segmented–flow analysis with higheranalysis rate and reduced interference on ammonia
Authors: Jodo M. , Kawamoto K. , Tochimoto M. , Coverly S. C.
Published: March 2007

A microbore continuous‐flow analyser was used to determine
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate in seawater. Ninety
samples per hour were measured by optimizing the hydraulic
conditions and using a cadmium coil for nitrate reduction. The
analysis range was extended and the detection limit was reduced by
using two analytical ranges with automatic range‐changing.
Interference from magnesium on ammonia was investigated and
reduced by using a different complexing agent. The results
correlated well with a Japanese reference method.
Automated sampling and analysis inresearch product synthesis
Authors: Timmermans L. , den Bergh A. Van , Verhecken A. , de Sande C. Van
Published: March 2007

The information obtained about relevant reaction parameters can be
greatly increased by monitoring concentration changes during a
reaction. To achieve this goal, a fully automated system was
designed which handles both sampling and analysis. The sampling
system takes samples at predefined intervals, and also performs a
number of tasks such as dilution, neutralization, filtration and
analysis.

The examples show the universal applicability of the device
regarding to solvents, reaction media and reaction type. It is also
demonstrated that the information, included in the concentration
profiles, greatly increases our knowledge about the reaction. This
increase in information, in conjunction with other data,for example
calorimetry, could be used for reaction simulation software.
Flow‐injection analysis for on‐linemonitoring of nutrients (ammonia and nitrite) in aquaculture
Authors: Ariza A. C. , Linares P. , de Castro M. D. Luque , Valcárcel M.
Published: March 2007

This article describes photometric flow injection (FI) methods for
the determination of ammonia and nitrite in aquaculture. The
methods are based on the use of normal and reversed FI approaches
and show the potential of this technique for monitoring the input
and output streams of small tanks at young fish‐breeding farms.
The methods meet the requirements of fish hatcheries, particularly in
terms of the high sampling rate allowable (40/h).
Quantities and units for metabolic processesas a function of time (Recommendations 1992)
Authors: Férard G.
Published: March 2007

In order to standardize time‐related reports in clinical chemistry,
basic concepts like system, component and kind‐of‐quantity are
recalled. Changes of a quantity, and of chemical and physical
processes involved in these changes are refined. Starting from the
general format recommended by IUPAC and IFCC, including
system, component and kind‐of‐quantity, recommendations are
formulated. Specifications, especially time‐related information,
may be added in parentheses after each part of the format.
Interrelated specifications are given after the kind‐of‐quantity. This
paper provides examples of various specifications which show that
all these elements are necessary for reporting time‐related data.
Analytical performance of the selective multianalyser Olympus AU 5200
Authors: Mayer H. , Luley C. , Behnke M. , Wieland H.
Published: March 2007

The analytical performance of a selective, automatic multianalyser‐ the Olympus A U5200 ‐ was tested and assessed for practicability, following ECCLSguidelines. Twenty‐two analytes were tested and compared with the Olympus A U5000 analyser. A Hitachi 747 analyser was also included in this survey in order to obtain correlation data for ISE measurements.

The imprecision data, expressed as median CV values, were found to be below 2% in series for 21 parameters, and below 3% for 19 paramaters from day to day. Creatinine measured with the kinetic Jaffe method obtained a median CV value of 4% in series, creatine phosphokinase showed the worst imprecision from day to day with a CV of 9%. Slightly better precision values for the majority ofall tests were found on the Olympus AU5200 than on the AU 5000 analyser.

The recovery of the assigned values in 32 commercial control sera was between 95% and 105% for 14 tests. Five of the remaining tests yielded recoveries with deviations between 5% and 10%, deviations above 10% showed albumine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine phosphokinase. The accuracy of most test parameters was slightly better on the AU5200 analyser than on the comparison instrument.

The range of linearity ofthe tested methods covered the range stated by the manufacturers; and no sample carry‐over was detected. Most parameters tested yielded close correlation to those on the comparison instrument. Amylase measurements on both analysers correlate well but are not comparable without data correction due to different test methods. In addition, no drift effects were observed over a period of 9 hours.

The ion‐selective‐electrode unit performed well in terms of throughput, precision and stability over time. The whole system showed good practicability with respect to patient sample and reagent handling, a short training period of technicians, ease of system software, maintenence, a robust barcode reader and a flexible host communication procedure.