Implementation of an integrated glucose POCT system

In response to a change of the Belgian National Directives whereby hospital laboratories became responsible for all point-of-care testing (POCT) performed within hospital walls a standardized and automated POC glucose-testing system was implemented in our hospital. The system consists of 50 AccuCheck Inform instruments (Roche Diagnostics, Vilvoorde, Belgium), 50 docking stations, a DataCare Server, and connections to the medical laboratory information system (MOLIS, Sysmex, Barchon, Belgium) and to the hospital information system. Implementation involved many parties and extensive preparation and communication. Key issues were bar-coded patient and user identification, training, and responsibilities. One year after the hospital wide implementation of this system the quality of POC glucose testing has significantly increased, thereby improving patient safety. This study describes a stepwise change over involving the medical laboratory and with a focus on hands-on quality.Presented at the ninth conference on Quality in the Spotlight, 18–19 March 2004, Antwerp, Belgium.     

Exact Scaling Functions for One-Dimensional Stationary KPZ Growth

We determine the stationary two-point correlation function of the one-dimensional KPZ equation through the scaling limit of a solvable microscopic model, the polynuclear growth model. The equivalence to a directed polymer problem with specific boundary conditions allows one to express the corresponding scaling function in terms of the solution to a Riemann–Hilbert problem related to the Painlevé II equation. We solve these equations numerically with very high precision and compare our, up to numerical rounding exact, result with the prediction of Colaiori and Moore⁽¹⁾ obtained from the mode coupling approximation.     

Spin dynamics investigated by EPR in the paramagnetic regime of La2/3Ca1/3Mn1−x Me x O3 (Me = Al, In) manganites

We report an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of the spin dynamics in the paramagnetic regime of the colossal magnetoresistive manganites La_2/3Ca_1/3Mn_1?x Me _x O₃ (Me=Al, In;x≤0.05). The temperature dependences of the EPR linewidth and integral intensity have been analyzed in terms of the bottleneck spin relaxation and small-polaron hopping models. The exchange coupling integral between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions and the polaron activation energy decrease with increasing doping level. A discussion is given concerning the factors which could explain the observed changes.     

Emulsion stability and potassium leakage in emulsion liquid membrane systems

Potassium leakage was studied in liquid membrane systems containing various emulsifiers and compared with emulsion, stability in the storage test. The effects of various parameters upon emulsion stability and the leakage of standard traces are discussed. The transfer of cations can be caused by emulsion breaking, by transport with the specific carrier and/or with surfactants used as emulsifiers. The latter case becomes especially important when hydrophilic surfactants, e.g. ones containing polyoxyethylene chains, are present in liquid membranes. In systems containing hydrophobic emulsifiers the transfer of potassium is relatively low. In each case considered the effect of emulsifiers upon the transfer of the standard tracer should be checked prior to using the leakage test to characterize emulsion stability.     

DTA determination of the anhydrite content in rock salts

The DTA method was used to determine the phase diagram of the NaCl-CaSO₄ system over the range 0.55 wt.% of CaSO₄ in air atmosphere. The effects of SiO₂, CaCO₃ and Fe₂O₃ on the melting temperatures of pure NaCl and the eutectic were determined. On the basis of the above temperatures, a method of quantitative determination of the anhydrite content in rock salts has been developed.

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Zusammenfassung DTA wurde benutzt, um in Luft im Bereich 0 bis 55,0 Gew.% CaSO₄ das Phasendiagramm des Systemes NaCl-CaSO₄ zu bestimmen. Es wurde auch der Einfluß von SiO₂, CaCO₃ und Fe₂O₃ auf die Schmelztemperatur von reinem NaCl bzw. des Eutektikums bestimmt. Auf der Grundlage obiger Temperaturen wurde eine Methode zur quantitativen Bestimmung des Anhydritgehaltes in Steinsalzen entwickelt.

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Extension of the measuring range of balances

The basic principle of comparing the sample mass with the mass of a reference body in equilibrium gives the equal-armed beam balance a unique accuracy. Main parameters characterising the suitability of the instrument are measuring range, resolution and relative sensitivity (resolution/maximum load). The historical development of the values of these parameters achieved depended strongly on the practical need in those times. Technically unfavourable scales of the oldest Egyptian dynasties (~3000 BC) could resolve mass differences of 1 g and had a relative sensitivity of at least 10^–3. More sophisticated instruments from the 18^th Dynasty (~1567–1320 BC) achieved a relative sensitivity of 10^–4 independent of the size of the instrument. In 350 BC Aristotle clarified the theory of the lever and at about 250 BC Archimedes used the balance for density determinations of solids. The masterpiece of a hydrological balance was Al Chazini’s 'Balance of Wisdom’ built about 1120. Its relative sensitivity was 2⋅10^–5. Real progress took place when scientists like Lavoisier (1743–1794) founded modern chemistry. At the end of the 19^th century metrological balances reached a relative sensitivity of 10^–9 with a maximum load of several kilogrammes. That seems to be the high end of sensitivity of the classical mechanical beam balance with knife edges. Improvements took place by electrodynamic compensation (Emich, Gast). In 1909 Ehrenhaft and Millikan could weigh particles of 10^–15 g by means of electrostatic suspension. In 1957 Sauerbrey invented the oscillating quartz crystal balance. By observing the frequency shift of oscillating carbon nanotubes or of silica nanorods, masses or mass changes in the attogram or zeptogram have been observed recently.