Laboratory Instruments Research Articles

Development of an optical particle number sensor based on continuous wave laser-induced incandescence

In this work, the development of a new particle counting sensor based on continuous-wave laser-induced incandescence is described. We demonstrate the sensor, which makes use of a focussed laser beam emitted by a compact laser diode, as an alternative device to established laboratory techniques to count soot particles. Simulations help understanding the cause–effect relationships based on known theory with the implementation of specific laser beam characteristics that influence the absorption process. The main goal of this work was to demonstrate the sensor’s ability to determine the soot particle number concentration of a test aerosol. This has been confirmed through a comparison with established laboratory instruments, like scanning mobility particle sizer or condensation particle counter. The observed size dependency of the laser induced incandescence sensor’s detection efficiency was successfully corrected with prior knowledge of the investigated particle size distribution. Furthermore, the sensor’s detection limit with respect to the particle diameter was determined to be well below 100 nm with a dependency on the applied laser power.

Experimental investigation into the effects of voids on the response of buried flexible pipes subjected to incrementally increasing cyclic loading

In this study, large-scale fully instrumented laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the behaviour of buried flexible high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, in sand beds with and without voids subjected to incrementally increasing cyclic loading. Voids with a predetermined size were created at one side of the spring-lines of the pipes, which were buried at variable depths, H, of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 times the diameter of the pipe, D. Results showed that increasing the pipe burial depth, H/D, contributed to decreasing the settlement of the footing, deformation of the pipe crown and invert, lateral displacement of the spring-line, and the stress and strain generated along the pipe crown and invert. Void presence led to a significant increase in the footing settlement, which ranged from 3 % up to 18 %, according to H/D. Furthermore, void presence led to a sharp increase in the crown, invert, and spring-line settlements, which ranged from 34 % to 52 %, 10 %–12.5 %, and 13 %–38 %, respectively. Increasing pipe burial depth was found to be highly effective in protecting buried pipes, minimising inevitable consequences of the presence of voids. However, this was combined with an increase in the pressure at the pipe spring-line that led to a positive horizontal support at the pipe's spring-lines resulting in reducing pipe deformation.

Genetic Polymorphism of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Influences Susceptibility to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Population.

This paper aims to study the relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) by detecting Lp-PLA2 level and its gene polymorphism. From January to June 2022, 82 GDM patients treated in our hospital were included as an experimental group, and 89 healthy pregnant women during the same period were selected as the control group. Lp-PLA2 concentration and TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels were tested with specialized instruments in clinical laboratories. The PLA2G7 gene polymorphisms (rs1805017, rs1805018, and rs76863441) were detected by fluorescent probe method and sequencing. Lp-PLA2 concentration was significantly higher in GDM group than control group (P<0.05). Among three polymorphism loci of PLA2G7 gene (rs1805017, rs1805018, and rs76863441) the significant associations were only found in GT genotype of rs76863441 loci (P<0.05). Pregnant women with high levels of Lp-PLA2 concentration are more likely to develop GDM, especially those with PLA2G7 rs76863441 polymorphism. Lp-PLA2 concentration and PLA2G7 rs1805017 polymorphism may be a novel marker for GDM diagnosis and prediction.

A-140 Evaluating the Performance of Various Lupus Anticoagulants Tests Among Different Coagulation Platforms

Abstract Background Lupus Anticoagulants (LAs), one of the antiphospholipid antibodies, are risk factors for arterial or venous thrombosis with complications such as stroke, acquired thrombophilia, and pregnancy loss. Detection of LAs is challenging for laboratories as the heterogeneity of antibodies and epitopes on protein in the phospholipids. Thus, no single test is sensitive for all LAs, and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific and Standardization Committee (ISTH) recommended laboratory should provide two test systems based on different principles, which dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT) should be as the major test, and partnered with LA-sensitive activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). There are many different mechanisms of tests proposed by various manufacturers, however, the comparison of different platforms by different manufacturers on LAs remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of various LA tests among different platforms. Methods A total of 76 specimens from September to December 2022 were collected. dRVVT (dRVVTIL) and silica clotting time (SCTIL) were performed by ACL TOP 500 analyzer (Instrumentation Laboratory, US). In addition, ellagic acid-based aPTT (Siemens Dade Actin FSL reagent, aPTTAFSL), silica-based aPTT (Siemens Pathromtin SL reagent, aPTTPSL), and dRVVT (dRVVTsysmex) were performed by Sysmex CN-6000 analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Japan). Analytical performances, agreements, and McNemar's test were calculated. Results All 76 specimens were originally tested by dRVVTIL and SCTIL, and showed that 30 specimens were positive for both assays, 6 were only positive for dRVVT, 5 were only positive for SCT, and 35 specimens were negative for both assays. In addition, all samples were further tested by dRVVTsysmex. Compared with the integrated use of dRVVTIL and SCTIL, dRVVTsysmex showed 100.0% (41/41) positive agreement and 91.4% (32/35) negative agreement. 3 specimens could only be tested positive on the dRVVTsysmex platform, of which one patient was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), another patient was diagnosed with infertility, and the other patient was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). To further evaluate the performance of aPTT on LA screening, 44 specimens with either dRVVTIL, SCTIL and dRVVTsysmex positive were considered LA-positive and further tested by different aPTT assays. The positive agreement was 65.9% (29/44; 95% CI: 50.1–79.5%) and 77.3% (34/44; 95% CI: 62.2–88.5%) on aPTTAFSL and aPTTPSL, respectively, however, there was no significant difference between the positive agreement of two assays (P = 0.13). Conclusion Compared with the integrated use of dRVVTIL and SCTIL, dRVVTsysmex could achieve the same detection rate on LA. Furthermore, aPTTAFSL and aPTTPSL showed no significant difference between the positive agreements for LA-positive specimens.

A-369 Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Whole Blood Creatinine Assay and eGFR Concordance using the CKD-EPI 2021 Equation

Abstract Background Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from serum creatinine is considered a better assessment of renal function than serum creatinine alone. Patients with chronic kidney disease have a higher risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). GEM Premier ChemSTAT (Instrumentation Laboratory, Bedford, USA) whole blood (WB) creatinine assay along with eGFR reporting capability per the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2009 eGFR equation is now available and could provide a quick point-of-care (POC) screening test alternative to the lab assay for patient risk management. Currently the CKD-EPI 2009 formula for non-AA population has been used to estimate eGFR in our institution. Recently the CKD-EPI 2021 equation without race adjustment has been recommended by multiple professional societies. The goal of this clinical evaluation was to compare the analytical performance of the ChemSTAT WB creatinine assay and the clinical concordance of eGFR to an established lab method by CKD-EPI 2021 equation. Methods Remnant heparinized WB samples along with age and gender were obtained. The WB samples were analyzed on the GEM Premier ChemSTAT and the plasma assayed on an Architect analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, Lake Forest, USA) as the reference method. The eGFR based on the CKD-EPI 2009 equation were obtained for both WB and plasma creatinine. The eGFR based on CKD-EPI 2021 equation were retrospectively calculated based on WB and plasma creatinine, age and gender. The clinical concordance of categorizing patients with abnormal kidney function (eGFR &amp;lt; 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and overall concordance of patients (eGFR &amp;lt; 60 + eGFR≥60) was assessed for WB vs plasma eGFR. Error grid analysis was performed for eGFR as described by Snaith et al. (1) to identify the impact of discordant results between WB and plasma eGFRs. Results A total of 60 patient samples were analyzed, median age (SD) = 68.5 (15.2), 53.3% female. The WB ChemSTAT creatinine assay correlated well with the Architect across the tested ranges with regression results of: ChemSTAT_Creatinine (μmol/L) = 1.1099*Architect_Creatinine – 16.0, r = 0.990. A small mean bias (SD) of -3.0 (22.6) μmol/L was observed between ChemSTAT and Architect from the Bland-Altman analysis. When identifying patients with abnormal kidney function (eGFR &amp;lt; 60), ChemSTAT WB eGFR showed 84% (21/25) concordance against the plasma eGFR. An overall clinical eGFR concordance of 88% (53/60) was observed for ChemSTAT. The error grid analysis indicated 100% (60/60) of ChemSTAT WB eGFRs (Zones A and B combined) had no implication to clinical management. Mean biases (SD) from reported CKD-EPI eGFR 2021 vs 2009 equation of 3 (1.6) and 2 (2.6) were observed from Architect plasma creatinine and ChemSTAT WB creatinine, respectively. Conclusions Strong correlations were observed between the ChemSTAT WB POC creatinine assay and eGFR versus the lab method. Based on the high clinical concordance of WB eGFR with CKD-EPI 2021 equation and low mean bias, GEM Premier ChemSTAT demonstrated good performance as POC method for rapid and lab quality renal function assessment.

Monitoring saliva compositions for non-invasive detection of diabetes using a colorimetric-based multiple sensor

The increasing population of diabetic patients, especially in developing countries, has posed a serious risk to the health sector, so that the lack of timely diagnosis and treatment process of diabetes can lead to threatening complications for the human lifestyle. Here, a multiple sensor was fabricated on a paper substrate for rapid detection and controlling the progress of the diabetes disease. The proposed sensor utilized the sensing ability of porphyrazines, pH-sensitive dyes and silver nanoparticles in order to detect the differences in saliva composition of diabetic and non-diabetic patients. A unique color map (sensor response) was obtained for each studied group, which can be monitored by a scanner. Moreover, a good correlation was observed between the colorimetric response resulting from the analysis of salivary composition and the fasting blood glucose (FBG) value measured by standard laboratory instruments. It was also possible to classify participants into two groups, including patients caused by diabetes and those were non-diabetic persons with a total accuracy of 88.9%. Statistical evaluations show that the multiple sensor can be employed as an effective and non-invasive device for continuous monitoring of diabetes, substantially in the elderly.

A-373 Comparison of the CoaguChek ® and Coag-Sense ® PT2 Meter Point of Care INR Devices

Abstract Background Warfarin monitoring may be done at the point-of-care (POC) at home, in a clinic environment, or be performed using plasma specimens in a central laboratory. With a goal of standardizing International Normalization Ratio (INR) measurements and improving data integrity by enabling electronic transmission of results from any location, we evaluated two POC INR devices against an internal plasma INR reference method. Methods We conducted a multicenter study to test the accuracy of two commercially available point of care devices: Coag-Sense PT2 Meter (Coagusense, Inc., Fremont, CA) and CoaguChek XS Pro or XS Plus (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) compared with plasma INR values among warfarin treated patients. Bias and linear regression analysis were assessed for device-plasma INR comparisons. Warfarin dosing decisions were assessed for each device compared to an internal plasma INR reference method (Instrumentation Laboratories ACLTOP 500, 550, 750 analyzers (Werfen Diagnostics, Bedford MA) in one of three CLIA-certified laboratories. The thromboplastin used at our institution for INR measures is HemosIL RecombiPlasTin 2G (R2G) reagent (Werfen Diagnostics, Bedford MA) which has an International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of 1.0. Results Two hundred ninety-nine warfarin patients treated across three Mayo Clinic sites agreed to participate in the study. Common anticoagulant indications were atrial fibrillation (63.9%), venous thromboembolism (21.7%) and heart valve prosthesis (15.4%) with a 2.0–3.0 INR target range for 93.6% of patients. For the CoaguChek devices, 81.3% of values fell within 0.2 INR units of plasma INR referent and 95.3% within 0.4 units. The correlation between CoaguChek whole blood and plasma INR was excellent (R2 = 0.93). For the Coag-Sense device, 34.1% of values fell within 0.2 INR units and 60.2% within 0.4 INR units of plasma INR values, with a slightly weaker correlation between Coag-Sense whole blood and plasma INR (R2 = 0.83; P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Mean (± standard deviation) deviation from plasma INR was 0.04 ± 0.2 for CoaguChek compared to 0.4 ± 0.3 for Coag-Sense (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). The difference between POC devices was largely attributed to systematic negative bias between Coag-Sense and ACL TOP plasma INR values. Using the plasma INR as the reference method for dosing decision making, appropriate dosing recommendations would have occurred for 97.7% of CoaguChek and 81.6% of Coag-Sense results. Conclusion Compared to our institution's plasma reference method, INR values obtained from the CoaguChek devices (XS Pro and XS Plus) exhibited less systematic bias compared to the Coag-Sense values. This translates to greater percentage of concordant management decisions between POC and laboratory plasma INR methods when the CoaguChek device is used.

An open source 3D printed autosampler for capillary electrophoresis

BackgroundIn-house built capillary electrophoresis (CE) systems represent a significant share of laboratory instrumentation. In most of these instruments, sample injection is effected manually with low to moderate precision and requires skilled operators. Although few automated samplers have been previously developed, typically only one sample at a time can be injected. If a series of samples is to be analyzed, manual intervention is required. In the present work, we developed and constructed a fully automated, open source, CE autosampler, able to handle up to 14 different samples that can be used as a modular component of any in-house built CE instrument. ResultsAn inexpensive, 3D printed, open source, autosampler for CE was developed. The autosampler consists of two parts: an injection unit with carousel containing sample and electrolyte vials and a flushing unit, containing a miniature pressure/vacuum pump. The autosampler is operated by an Arduino Mega microcontroller and an Arduino code written in the laboratory. The injection sequence is entered through a keypad and LCD display by the user. The instrument can operate autonomously for extended periods of time. It was used for fully automated analysis and/or calibration of up to 14 samples with excellent injection repeatability reaching less than 2.7% RSD for peak areas. The sampler performance was tested with two independently built CE instruments, a CE system with contactless conductivity detection (C4D) and a CE system with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detector. Significance and noveltyA novel, 3D printed, Arduino-based autosampler for CE was developed. The autosampler allows autonomous hydrodynamic injection of up to 14 different samples with fully programmable injection sequence, including capillary flushing and high voltage and data acquisition control. It provides the missing instrumental sampling setup for laboratory made CE instruments. It can be simply constructed based on the open-source blueprints in any laboratory and be a useful and time-saving add-on to any modular CE instrument.

Simple Point-of-Care Nucleic Acid Amplification Test for Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Infection Diagnosis.

After three years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the demand for developing field-deployable point-of-care (PoC) molecular diagnostic tests has increased. Although RT-qPCR is the molecular diagnostic gold standard and is accurate, it is not readily applied to point-of-care testing (POCT). Meanwhile, rapid diagnostic kits have the disadvantage of low sensitivity. Recently, rapid isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology has emerged as an alternative for rapid diagnosis. Here, we developed a rapid SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)-lateral flow assay (LFA) kit. This kit includes a Chelex-100/boiling nucleic acid extraction device and a one-step amplification detection apparatus capable of performing the entire process, from RNA extraction to detection, and diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection within 40 min without contamination. The detection limits of the rapid SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP-LFA kit were 100 plaque-forming units (PFUs) mL-1 and 10-1 PFU mL-1 for RNA samples extracted using the Chelex-100/boiling nucleic acid extraction device and commercial AdvansureTM E3 system, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the rapid SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP-LFA kit were 97.8% and 100%, respectively. Our SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP-LFA kit exhibited high sensitivity and specificity within 40 min without requiring laboratory instruments, suggesting that the kit could be used as a rapid POC molecular diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2.

Development of a Lateral-Flow Immunochromatographic Strip for the Detection of Oxytetracycline Residues in Biological Fluids.

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is extensively used in veterinary medicine and for growth promotion around the globe. The indiscriminate use of OTC in food-producing animals leaves residues in animal products. The presence of these residues in animal products causes economic losses and harmful effects on consumers. Different regulatory bodies set maximum residue limits (MRLs) for different tetracyclines. To avoid harmful effects, there is a need for a simple, fast, and economical method for the screening of animal products. In this study, a fast, economical, and user-friendly lateral-flow immunochromatographic (LFIC) assay based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed to detect the presence of OTC residues in biological fluids. AuNPs provided visual results as red lines in 6-15 min. Polyclonal rabbit IgG antibodies were produced using the immunogen of OTC. These antibodies were purified by the combined ammonium sulfate-octanoic acid precipitation method. Antibodies were conjugated to AuNPs as recognition biomolecules. A LFIC strip was optimized using borate buffer spiked with different concentrations of the OTC. The visual limit of detection (LOD) in different biological samples (milk, serum, and urine) was determined using samples spiked with OTC. The LOD was found to be 15 μg/L, which is very low from the MRL (100 μg/L) set by different regulatory authorities. This LFIC strip can be used to detect OTC residues in biological fluids for point-of-care testing (POCT). These strips are easy to use, cost-effective, and portable and provide quick results without the use of laboratory instruments.

Simulation of autonomous voltage inverters of power sources of single-phase asynchronous drives

Purpose. Development of original models of voltage inverters adapted to control a single-phase asynchronous motor with the subsequent prospect of creating automatic systems for improving the energy efficiency of household mechanisms, as well as developing educational complexes for studying the operation of frequency converters to form skills for their repair and tuning.Methodology. The provisions of the theory of electric machines, methods of synthesis of digital control systems, methods and methods of modeling in CAD electronic laboratory of the company NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS of the Multisim component, methods of circuit design were used for conducting research. Findings. Models of pulse distributors were developed and built for the cases of power supply of single-phase asynchronous motors with bridge inverters of separate and individual starting and working windings, half-bridge inverters with a bipolar power source and a three-phase inverter with control according to a 180-degree control diagram. Time diagrams of visual confirmation of the system's performance according to the declared principles have been obtained. Originality. A number of original switch diagrams of the power section of the models of impulse distributors of autonomous voltage inverters are proposed, taking into account the phase shift and the duration of the switching pauses of the switching arms of the power unit to avoid emergency modes, recommendations are given on the levels of generation frequencies that are fed to the input of the combinational circuit, the prospect of using this system as part of a single-phase asynchronous electric drive with the possibility of energy-efficient control is shown.Practical value. The proposed original model solutions for autonomous voltage inverters, which are adapted to work together with a single-phase IM, can be useful for developers of converter technology and become visual material for their use in the educational process for training specialists in specialty 141 "Electric power engineering, electrical engineering and electromechanics".

Biobanking of Human Aqueous and Vitreous Liquid Biopsies for Molecular Analyses.

A critical challenge in translational research is establishing a viable and efficient interface between patient care in the operating room (OR) and the research laboratory. Here, we developed a protocol for acquiring high-quality liquid biopsies for molecular analyses from the aqueous humor and the vitreous from patients undergoing eye surgery. In this workflow, a Mobile Operating Room Lab Interface (MORLI) cart equipped with a computer, a barcode scanner, and lab instruments, including onboard cold storage, is used to obtain and archive human biological samples. A web-based data privacy-compliant database enables annotating each sample over its lifetime, and a cartesian coordinate system allows tracking each barcoded specimen in storage, enabling quick and accurate retrieval of samples for downstream analyses. Molecular characterization of human tissue samples not only serves as a diagnostic tool (e.g., to distinguish between infectious endophthalmitis and other non-infectious intraocular inflammation) but also represents an important component of translational research, allowing the identification of new drug targets, development of new diagnostic tools, and personalized therapeutics.

Determination of carbon nanotubes concentration by tabletop dynamic susceptometer.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be incorporated in various materials to enhance their mechanical or electrical properties. Information on their precise concentration and local distribution is difficult to access non-invasively. For example, electron microscopy studies require cutting of samples. Another way to measure the concentration of CNTs is by the magnetic susceptibility of the ferrocene present in the CNTs by the synthesis process, which can be performed on sample coupons on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM); VSM is a bulky laboratory instrument, and the size of the samples studied is constrained. In order to provide a technique that is fast, easy, cheap, and adaptable to the size of the samples, we have developed a benchtop device that measures the CNT concentration through an original inductive dynamic measurement of the ferrocene magnetic susceptibility. We present the method for extracting CNT concentrations and show the results obtained on cement matrices with CNT concentrations of the order of a few percent.

Crayfish-Tracking Motion Vision to analyze the locomotor activity induced by changes in environmental lighting

Crayfish show locomotor activity modulated by environmental lighting. Yet, little is known about different light spectra stimulation effects on the locomotor activity of crayfish, and laboratory instruments are generally limited to the study of a single animal. As such, this research describes the development and implementation of the Crayfish-Tracking Motion Vision (CTMV) system. Based on artificial vision, this system allowed for the observation and recording of locomotor activity in one to four Procambarus clarkii crayfish that were placed in individual compartments. The effect of blue or green monochromatic light stimulation was explored in two groups of dark-adapted crayfish (with a total of 15 adult crayfish). Light-emitting-diodes of blue or green spectra were applied for 5 min while locomotor activity in crayfish was monitored in a large container. Both light pulses caused similar reaction times of locomotor activity (2.9 ± 3.5 s). Meanwhile, the displacement score of “blue light” animals (2.1 ± 0.9 m) was lower than that of “green light” animals (2.8 ± 0.6 m). In contrast, velocity (1.1 ± 1 cm/s) and acceleration data (0 ± 0.8 cm/s2) of the two groups were similar. Finally, the locomotor activity decreased significantly when container size was decreased. These results showed that the CTMV system is appropriate for measuring the locomotor activities of multiple crayfish and suggested that both monochromatic lights induced different locomotor behavior in the crayfish. It has been postulated that this light-induced reflex activity, is caused by an interplay of the photoreceptor system output with a circadian system modulating light sensitivity and locomotor behavior in the crayfish,. It can be inferred that the CTMV system will benefit subsequent studies focused on light-induced reflex activity in crustaceans.

Simulation of Capillary Electrophoresis for CAFO Waste Analysis

CAFO (Concentrated animal feed operations) wastewater is a promising source for fertilizer to apply to soils in agriculture. However the overapplication of nutrients is just as much of a problem as underapplication [1,2]. The waste material requires analysis of the ionic composition prior to enrichment as a fertilizer. Current methods for ion concentration analysis including Ion Chromatography, Flow Injection Analysis, and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, which are laboratory instruments. Although some development of portable instruments has been undertaken by NASA/JPL and other groups [3], these techniques are not yet suitable for low cost portable analysis systems. Capillary Electrophoresis methods have been applied to analysis of lake water [4], biological samples [5], food [6], agricultural products [7] providing a rapid analysis at lower cost than laboratory tests. In this study simulated capillary electrophoresis for the separation of several essential plant nutrients in their anionic forms: sulfate, nitrate, chloride, and phosphate was undertaken. The relative concentrations for these anions were chosen to be similar to those found in [8.9] with a 1:100 dilution. The conditions for the separation are listed in Table 1.Several buffer solutions were simulated including borate, sodium phosphate, and the combination of lactic acid and histidine. Separations using borate and sodium phosphate caused the four anions to elute in less than one minute in most cases, which could lead to their misidentification as they are eluting too rapidly. Separations using lactic acid and histidine were slower, but consequently had more time between each peak allowing for an easier detection. The total separation time can be tailored through the concentration of the two buffer components while still allowing greater time between elutions.

Artificial intelligence and the blood film: Performance of the MC-80 digital morphology analyzer in samples with neoplastic and reactive cell types.

Implementing artificial intelligence-based instruments in hematology laboratories requires evidence of efficiency in classifying pathological cells. In two-Universities, we assessed the performance of the Mindray® MC-80 for hematology patients with frequent leukemic and dysplastic cells. The Mindray MC-80® locates and pre-classifies cells in blood films. In a two-university study, four films were prepared from 591 samples, two each for the analyser MC-80 and the microscope reference method, using reagents from two different manufacturers. We used Microsoft Excel® statistics for imprecision and distributional inaccuracy and a matrix table model (H20-A2 CLSI standard) for sensitivity, specificity and predictive value for atypical cells. The results indicate minimal within-run imprecision (ICSH method) and good intra-method consistency even on duplicate analysis of 413 samples with a high incidence of hematological abnormalities (r = 0.942 or more, except for basophils, r = 0.841, and reactive lymphocytes, r = 0.847). Distributional inaccuracy was also very low compared to the microscope reference, with a pass rate higher than 80% for pathological cells (except 75.1% for reactive lymphocytes). The primary causes of discrepancy were bizarre shapes of dysplastic neutrophils and inconsistent nomenclature for lymphoma cells. Sensitivity for critical samples containing cells typically absent in circulating blood (immature or malignant) was 98.8% for immature granulocytes, 83.8% for all types of neoplastic cells, 93.6% for reactive lymphocytes and 97.5% for nucleated red blood cells. The negative predictive values of MC-80 were 98.8% for immature granulocytes, 88.4% for the different types of neoplastic cells, 97.8% for reactive lymphocytes, and 96.9% for nucleated red blood cells. Our study highlights the outstanding diagnostic performance of this artificial intelligence-based blood film analyzer for hematology patients with circulating abnormal cells. We appreciated the morphological harmonization of cells observed on the screen and those seen in the microscope.

Fabrication of Aptamer-based Field Effect Transistor Sensors for Detecting Mercury Ions

With the rapid development of industry, the pollution of the environment is becoming more and more serious. Among them, water pollution is one of the most serious problems, and polluted water sources often contain heavy metal ions such as mercury, chromium, lead, chromium, arsenic, etc. Which in turn affect our irrigation, breeding, food, and drinking, and finally cause physical harm. Mercury is still widely used today. For example, mercury and mercury compounds are used as catalysts in the plastics industry. Mercury is still widely used today. For example, mercury and mercury compounds are used as catalysts in the plastics industry. Some toxic pesticides also contain mercury. Mercury is used in daily life in fluorescent lamps, batteries, thermometers, medical amalgams, etc.Mercury pollution can be divided into two categories: organic mercury and inorganic mercury. Prolonged exposure to mercury can cause paralysis and a progressive loss of sense of touch, sight, hearing, or taste. Other more common neurological symptoms include memory and balance impairment, insomnia, hand tremors, and behavioral disturbances. Detecting the mercury content in water usually requires large-scale laboratory instruments for measurement, costing a lot of money and time.In this study, a specific aptamer is combined with a field-effect transistor to form an aptamer field-effect transistor by utilizing the properties of thymine-Hg(II)-thymine (T-Hg(II)-T) coordination chemical bonds. A highly selective and sensitive mercury ion sensor was achieved by using N-channel depletion-mode MOSFETs with APTAMER-modified gates. For the Aptamer-modified FET sensor, a detection limit of 0.2 PPM was achieved using a 500 μM × 500 μM gate sensing area. Biosensors realize reduced size, shorter detection speeds, cost savings, and high detection of limit sensors. Therefore, the determination of heavy metal ions in the environment by simple and easy-to-use instruments is of great significance for disease prevention. Figure 1

Analysis and Implementation of Controlled Semiconductor Switch for Ultra-Wideband Radar Sensor Applications.

All ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor applications require hardware designed directly for their specific application. The switching of broadband radio frequency and microwave signals is an integral part of almost every piece of high-frequency equipment, whether in commercial operation or laboratory conditions. The trend of integrating various circuit structures and systems on a chip (SoC) or in a single package (SiP) is also related to the need to design these integrated switches for various measuring devices and instruments in laboratories, paradoxically for their further development. Another possible use is switching high-frequency signals in telecommunications devices, whether mobile or fixed networks, for example, for switching signals from several antennas. Based on these requirements, a high-frequency semiconductor integrated switch with NMOS transistors was designed. With these transistors, it is possible to achieve higher integration than with bipolar ones. Even though MOSFET transistors have worse frequency characteristics, we can compensate them to some extent with the precise design of the circuit and layout of the chip. This article describes the analysis and design of a high-frequency semiconductor integrated switch for UWB applications consisting of three series-parallel switches controlled by CMOS logic signals. They are primarily intended for UWB sensor systems, e.g., when switching and configuring the antenna MIMO system or when switching calibration tools. The design of the switch was implemented in low-cost 0.35 µm SiGe BiCMOS technology with an emphasis on the smallest possible attenuation and the largest possible bandwidth and isolation. The reason for choosing this technology was also that other circuit structures of UWB systems were realized in this technology. Through the simulations, individual parameters of the circuit were simulated, the layout of the chip was also created, and the parameters of the circuit were simulated with the parasitic extraction and the inclusion of parasitic elements (post-layout simulations). Subsequently, the chip was manufactured and its parameters were measured and evaluated. Based on these measurements, the designed and fabricated UWB switch was found to have the following parameters: a supply current of 2 mA at 3.3 V, a bandwidth of 6 GHz, an insertion loss (at 1 GHz) of -2.2 dB, and isolation (at 1 GHz) of -33 dB, which satisfy the requirements for our UWB sensor applications.

Quantitative and Multiplexed Chopper-Based Time-Gated Imaging for Bioanalysis on a Smartphone.

Smartphones are emerging platforms for point-of-care diagnostics (POCDs), where the on-board camera is, for example, used to image fluorescence. Many laboratory instruments are capable of time-gated (TG) photoluminescence (PL) measurements─an analytical method leveraged by multiple commercial assay kits. When paired with long-lived PL emitters such as luminescent lanthanide complexes (LLCs), time-gating eliminates background from sample autofluorescence and many other sources. This capability is amenable to minimally processed samples and would thus be useful for POCDs on a smartphone-based platform. Here, we report a double-chopper design for TG PL imaging using a portable, 3D-printed, smartphone-based device. The rotation speed, dimensions, and overlap of the chopper blades and gaps set the timing parameters, with delay times on the order of hundreds of microseconds to milliseconds. The device was capable of quantitative TG imaging of PL from terbium(III) and europium(III) LLCs, including rejection of short-lived PL background from serum and tissue phantoms, spectral and temporal multiplexing, a model time-gated Förster resonance energy transfer (TG-FRET) assay, and imaging of cells. As the first smartphone-based demonstrations of these important analytical capabilities, this work is an important foundation for developing POCD methods based on TG PL imaging.

Material classification using basis material decomposition from spectral X-ray CT

Spectral X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) exploits advanced photon counting detectors (PCD) to measure a material’s spectrally resolved linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) with the simultaneous spectral acquisition at multiple energy thresholds. We present a method for material classification using spectral CT. The method employs a basis material decomposition model and estimates the effective atomic number (Zeff) from the spectral LAC measurements. Basis material decomposition builds on the fact that the LAC of any material can be well approximated by a linear combination of LACs of basis materials, with known Zeff values at the extremes of the relevant Zeff range. Spectral distortions of the energy spectrum due to the physical interactions between photons and the multi-energy-bin PCD such as charge sharing and photon pileup are corrected by a spectral correction algorithm. The validation of the method has been performed with experimental data acquired with a custom laboratory instrument for spectral CT, examining “real life” phantoms with materials in the range of 6≤Zeff≤15. The classification performance is estimated for different numbers of projections, energy bins and basis materials in LAC decomposition. When using just 12 projections, 15 energy bins and two basis materials, the method gives a relative deviation of 2.2% for Zeff, while this deviation is 5.9% when spectral correction is not used. The classification method is now ready for use in security screening where modern spectral CT systems are employed.