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Improved techniques for the photometric determination of partition coefficients, with particular reference to the chloroform-ammonia solvent system.

Accurate partition coefficients K = Corg/Caq in chloroform-ammonia can be obtained by measuring the absorbance of the aqueous layer, replenishing with fresh aqueous solvent, and remeasuring the absorption after reequilibration. Provided the solute has a reasonably strong UV absorption, only 0.1-5 mg of material is required. Neither the amount, the extinction coefficient, nor (in most cases) the purity of the substrate material need be known. In general, K values ranging from 100 to 0.01 can be measured with a precision of greater than or equal to 10%. A detailed analysis of the absorbance and volumetric error sources permits the optimum combination of experimental conditions such as volume ratios, cell lengths, and absorbance (either direct or differential, or with scale expansion) to be predicted a priori. Quantitative estimates for all primary error sources, such as photometric precision, baseline error, stray light, and volumetric errors were also experimentally determined. The theoretical error model was tested by determining K for aniline under widely ranging experimental conditions and by comparing the experimental standard deviations with those calculated from the theoretical model. The agreement was found to be satisfactory. The method described appears to be of particular usefulness for the determination of extraction or chromatographic parameters of basic drugs.

Ammonia

Light source-induced error in computer-assisted image analysis with a video-based system.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that two different light sources, an alternating current fluorescent viewbox and a direct current halogen viewbox, do not differ with respect to their ability to illuminate reproducibly a radiograph during image capture. STUDY DESIGN: Two radiographs were taken: one with four hydroxyapatite chips mounted against a dry mandible and one without the chips. They were digitally subtracted with a video-based imaging system. The procedure was repeated at different times. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference among optical density measurements was found when the alternating current fluorescent viewbox (p < 0.001) was used and was related to light intensity variation. Such effect was not observed with the direct current halogen viewbox (p = 0.873). CONCLUSION: Study design efficiency was increased by 212% with the use of the direct current halogen viewbox so that to detect a specified treatment effect with a given level of statistical confidence, the sample size has to be 2.12 times greater if the alternating current fluorescent viewbox is used.

Absorptiometry, Photon

Sources of error in the quantitative analysis of MRI scans.

The increasing use of quantitative analysis of MRI scans in the literature has produced a need to identify potential sources of bias in such analysis procedures. Six sources of bias are demonstrated in this paper. These include bias attributable to partial volume effects, head tilt, plane of view, use of noncontiguous slices, contrast/intensity manipulations, and magnetic inhomogeneities. The magnitude of bias for each source varied according to whether a hemisphere or regions within a hemisphere were measured, with regional effects typically exceeding hemisphere effects.

Bias

[The indirect solid-phase method of immunoenzyme analysis, its accuracy and sources of error].

The study of the accuracy of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has revealed that the accuracy of this assay is low. The influence of instruments (dispensers, photometers, plates) on the accuracy of the assay has been studied. As shown in this study, the main sources are titration procedures and differences in the adsorption and optical properties of available plates, those manufactured in the USSR giving greater errors.

Adsorption

Temperature dependence of the absorbance of alkaline solutions of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate--a potential source of error in the measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity.

The absorbance of an alkaline solution of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate is a function of temperature. Quantitative evaluation of this phenomenon indicates that it (a) depends on the concentration of the compound and is independent of source, buffer concentration, and pH above 9.0; (b) is reversible; (c) is not a result of alkaline hydrolysis or 4-nitrophenol contamination; and (d) correlates with a temperature-induced shift of its absorbance spectrum. The phenomenon may represent a potential analytical problem in methods for alkaline phosphatase in which this compound is the substrate. If thermal equilibrium is not reached and maintained during an alkaline phosphatase assay, the thermochromic response will be included in the measured rate. The magnitude of this error depends on the thermal response and control characteristics of each particular instrument and the reaction conditions under which such an analysis is performed.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Age: a truly confounding variable.

As Hinshaw (1981) has noted, the process of designing research might best be conceptualized as a series of informed decisions that involve constant trade-offs and compromise. With each advantage gained by a particular theoretical or methodological decision, the researcher inherits a certain number of threats to the study's internal and external validity and a potential number of error sources. Because of the nature of the research questions of interest to nurses and because of situational and contextual constraints in the clinical setting, nurse researchers often are required to select samples that contain small or large proportions of elderly subjects. The purpose of this article has been to raise some of the theoretical and methodological issues associated with the selection of both age-heterogeneous samples and age-homogeneous samples. Although in research all possible error sources cannot be controlled, it is possible to reduce the amount of error by a clear understanding of the implications of choices regarding age-related issues and inclusion of design features that reduce the amount of error introduced when research subjects who are relatively young are studied along with research subjects who are elderly.

Adult

Source monitoring during name recognition in older adults: psychometric and electrophysiological correlates.

The hypothesis that source monitoring in older adults is specifically related to frontal lobe function was tested. In a fame-judgment task, older adults' ability to monitor the source of name familiarity was independent of their short-term recognition ability. Source errors were not related to performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a psychometric index of frontal function, or to the initial orienting response of the contingent negative variation (CNV), a frontally based electrophysiological measure, even though these "frontal" measures were reliably related to each other. Source error was predicted by the latter portion of the CNV, the expectancy response, and by the Benton Facial Recognition Test, a visuoperceptual task not typically linked to frontal function. These data suggest that the accuracy of source attribution in older adults depends on various attentional control processes, not all of which may be frontally based.

Aged

Sources of error in glucose determinations in neonatal blood by glucose oxidase methods, including Dextrostix.

An investigation was carried out to examine why a glucose oxidase-peroxidase-orthodianisidine method for plasma glucose, without protein precipitation, gave low results for neonatal blood. The magnitude of the difference between the results with and without protein precipitation was examined in a clinical neonatal series, and in sera to which bilirubin, hemolysate, pure hemoglobin, and uric acid had been added. Systematic linear inhibition was demonstrated with bilirubin, and the results suggested that high concentrations of hemolysate and uric acid could also interfere. Use of alkaline protein precipitants eliminated the inhibition. Dextrostix test results for neonatal blood are compared with results of conventional glucose analyses and possible sources of discrepancy examined.

Bilirubin

A serious source of error in antiglobulin testing.

The investigation of a failure of proficiency showed that certain saline solutions are inappropriate for use in blood group serology tests. In particular, it was found that solutions of unexpectedly low pH and/or those autoclaved and stored in plastic containers could severely compromise the sensitivity of the antiglobulin test when used as wash solutions. The observed loss of sensitivity ranged from a reduction in titration score to a complete failure in the detection of clinically significant blood group antibodies. It is suggested that careful consideration should be given to the source, pH, and storage container of saline solutions intended for use in serological tests and that improved standardization and sensitivity could be achieved by using phosphate-buffered saline pH 7.0 to 7.2 for all such purposes. It is recommended that unbuffered saline solutions of pH less than 6.0 should not be used for serological testing.

Blood Group Antigens

Caffeine in saliva after peroral intake: early sample collection as a possible source of error.

The influence of collection time on the correlation of caffeine concentrations in saliva and serum was examined in six healthy adults after peroral administration of 5 mg/kg caffeine citrate. Saliva was obtained from three different salivary glands (sublingual, right parotid, and left parotid) and evaluated separately. Caffeine concentrations in saliva and serum samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. There were no differences in the caffeine concentrations in saliva from the three investigated glands (alpha = 0.05). Saliva samples collected earlier than 2 hours after caffeine intake showed higher caffeine concentrations than could be expected from the corresponding serum samples. Gingiva contamination was shown to be responsible for the higher caffeine concentrations in saliva, and it was concluded that saliva is a feasible matrix for therapeutic drug monitoring of caffeine. If caffeine is administered orally, saliva samples should be taken at least 2 hours after caffeine intake. If caffeine-containing beverages are used as the source of caffeine or if subjects do not cooperate by rinsing the mouth of caffeine contamination, an additional 60 minutes should be added before saliva sampling.

Administration, Oral

Possible sources of error in the evaluation of psychopathology.

Mental health professionals have been described as biased in the evaluation of mental illness, almost always in favor of illness. It is a professional bias does exist, two factors could be responsible--situational expectancies and/or professional training. Undergraduate students (N = 32) and psychiatric residents (N = 16) listened to four recorded interviews. Two levels of mental illness expectany were obtained by changing the context of the interviews. The Ss rated the interviewees on scales of psychopathology and recorded their impression of the interviewees. Multivariate and univariate analysis of variance and chi 2 tests were used to evaluate the data. Evidence indicated that the biased perception of mental illness occurred for all Ss when mental illness expectancies were high. The data also indicated that residents are not more inclined than students to label people mentally ill.

Attitude of Health Personnel

Measurement of coronary sinus flow by thermodilution: observations on the effect of respiration and a review of the potential sources of error.

In a series of experiments involving measurement of left ventricular blood flow by thermodilution in the coronary sinus, a consistent, but unexpected, variation in calculated coronary sinus flow, related to respiration, was seen. In some patients the variation was small, but in others it was as much as 300%. To discover its cause, five patients were investigated prospectively with continuous right atrial pressure monitoring during coronary flow measurement and respiratory manoeuvres. In three, ice-cold saline was injected into the right atrium during respiratory manoeuvres while coronary sinus temperature was monitored continuously and the position of the catheter was monitored fluoroscopically. The cause was found to be movement of the catheter such that thermistor approached the right atrium, and the variation was therefore spurious. We report these findings and discuss other known causes of inaccurate coronary flow measurement using the thermodilution technique.

Blood Flow Velocity

Sources of error in quantitative coronary angiography.

Many studies have reported the accuracy of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) based on experiments using moderated-size phantoms imaged under unrealistic radiographic conditions. However, these observations may not be generalizable to the setting of clinical angiography. To determine QCA accuracy in a realistic radiographic setting and evaluate the impact of the x-ray system line spread function, plexiglass phantoms were imaged inside and out of a human thorax. A realistic radiographic background was associated with a 38% increase in variability of results (p < 0.05). Low concentrations of contrast and large image intensifier input screens were associated with significantly larger errors and variability in results (p < 0.05). There was a systematic overestimation of diameter in the smallest phantom. A mathematical model of the x-ray line spread function was developed that explains the observed overestimation of the smallest phantom and provide a rational approach for correction of the line spread function for QCA. Many factors encountered in clinical coronary angiography such as nonuniform radiographic background, low concentrations of contrast, and small vessel diameters have a significant adverse impact on the accuracy and/or variability of gradient-based edge detection QCA systems.

Artifacts