Photometric detection in flow analysis systems using integrated PEDDs

A novel inexpensive optical-sensing technique has been developed for colorimetric flow analysis. This sensing system employs two LEDs whereby one is used as the light source and the other as a light detector. The LED used as light detector is reverse biased with a 5-V supply so that the photocurrent generated by the incident light discharges the capacitance. Direct digital output is provided by a simple timer circuit that measures the time taken for this discharge process from 5 V (logic 1) to 1.7 V (logic 0). This sensing concept has been applied in flow analysis by constructing an optical flow cell with a pair of LEDs. Calibration of the integrated optical flow cell using a dye resulted in a linear response that obeys the Beer–Lambert law. The flow rate, dynamic range, sensitivity and limits of detection were investigated. The system was also used for pH determination in the range of pH 2.5–6.8 using bromocresol green (BCG). The pKa of BCG was successfully determined by this technique

Detection of nitrite by flow injection analysis using a novel paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD) as a photometric detector

An inexpensive flow injection analysis system for determining low concentration levels of nitrite employing the Griess reagent spectrophotometric method is reported. The novel photometric detector applied within this manifold is a highly sensitive, low cost, miniaturized light emitting diode (LED) based flow detector. This colorimetric detector employs two LEDs, operating one as a light source and the other as a light detector. The emitter LED is forward biased and the detector reverse biased. The emitter and detector LED had a λmax of 530 nm and 623 nm respectively. The emission spectrum of the emitter LED efficiently overlapped with the absorbance spectrum of 9 µM NO2 and Griess reagent complex. A simple timer circuit measures the time taken for the photocurrent generated by the emitter LED to discharge the detector LED from 5 V (logic 1) to 1.7 V (logic 0). The Griess reagent method employed for nitrite determination is based on the formation of an azo dye, the intensity of which is directly related to nitrite concentration. The linear range, reproducibility and limit of detection were investigated. Detection limits in the nanomolar range were achieved using the Paired Emitter-Detector Diode (PEDD) flow analysis device. For a comparative study the linear range and limit of detection were also investigated using a platewell reader. Higher sensitivity and improved precision were obtained from the PEDD compared to the commercially available plate well reader

Three Chronometric Indices of Relational Responding as Predictors of Performance on a Brief Intelligence Test: The Importance of Relational Flexibility

Participants completed a before/after and a similar/different relational task, using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP), and subsequently took the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT). For each relational task, response latencies were measured first on consistent trials, where participants responded in accordance with preestablished verbal relations, and then on inconsistent trials, where they responded against these relations. A difference-score was calculated by subtracting consistent from inconsistent response latencies. The inconsistent trials and the difference-score provided measures of relational flexibility. Results showed that faster responding on the IRAP and smaller difference- scores predicted higher IQ. These findings suggest that relational flexibility is an important component of intelligence and might therefore be targeted in educational settings

Three Chronometric Indices of Relational Responding as Predictors of Performance on a Brief Intelligence Test: The Importance of Relational Flexibility

Participants completed a before/after and a similar/different relational task, using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP), and subsequently took the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT). For each relational task, response latencies were measured first on consistent trials, where participants responded in accordance with preestablished verbal relations, and then on inconsistent trials, where they responded against these relations. A difference-score was calculated by subtracting consistent from inconsistent response latencies. The inconsistent trials and the difference-score provided measures of relational flexibility. Results showed that faster responding on the IRAP and smaller difference- scores predicted higher IQ. These findings suggest that relational flexibility is an important component of intelligence and might therefore be targeted in educational settings

Electrophysiological Activity Generated During the Implicit Association Test: A Study Using Event-Related Potentials

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) examines the differential association of 2 target concepts with 2 attribute concepts. Responding is predicted to be faster on consistent trials, when concepts that are associated in memory share a response key, than on inconsistent trials, when less associated items share a key. In the current study, event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded while participants were engaged in an IAT task. Two positively valenced stimuli (baby and romance) and two negatively valenced stimuli (spider and snake) were employed as category labels. Results showed shorter response latencies on consistent relative to inconsistent trials. Differential EEG activity was also observed.. Consistent trials tended to generate more positive waveforms in the central and parietal areas relative to inconsistent trials during the 300- to 400-ms interval following stimulus onset. During the 400- to 600-ms interval, inconsistent trials were significantly more positive than consistent trials at the two prefrontal sites and significantly more negative at the two central sites. Comparisons between the EEG activity generated in the current IAT study and that generated by semantic priming are discussed

Paired emitter-detector diode detection with dual wavelength monitoring for enhanced sensitivity to transition metals in ion chromatography with post-column reaction

The combination of post-column derivatisation and visible detection are regularly employed in ion chromatography (IC) to detect poorly absorbing species. Although this mode is often highly sensitive, one disadvantage is the increase in repeating baseline artifacts associated with out-of-sync pumping systems. The work presented here will demonstrate the use of a second generation design paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD-II) detection mode offering enhanced sensitivity to transition metals in IC by markedly reducing this problem and also by improving signal noise. First generation designs demonstrated the use of a single integrated PEDD detector cell as a simple, small (15 x 5 mm), highly sensitive, low cost photometric detector for the detection of metals in ion chromatography (IC). The basic principle of this detection mode lies in the employment of two linear light emitting diodes (LEDs), one operating in normal mode as a light source and the other in reverse bias serving as a light detector. The second generation PEDD-II design showed increased sensitivity for Mn(II)- and Co(II)-2-(pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) complexes as a result of two simultaneously acquiring detection cells - one analytical PEDD cell and one reference PEDD cell. Therefore, the PEDD-II employs two wavelengths whereby one monitors the analyte reaction product and the second monitors a wavelength close to the isosbestic point. The optimum LED wavelength to be used for the analytical cell was investigated to maximise peak response. The fabrication process for both the analytical and reference PEDD cells was validated by determining the reproducibility of detectors within a batch. The reproducibility and sensitivity of the PEDD-II detector was then investigated using signals obtained from both intra- and inter-day chromatograms

Relational Flexibility and Human Intelligence: Extending the remit of Skinner’s Verbal Behavior

The current article will discuss recent research encompassing the relevance of derived relational responding in intelligence, and the establishment of procedures to target this type of flexibility in derived relational responding in practical learning situations. The chapter will review research findings that indicate correlations between speed in flexible relational responding and higher scores on IQ tests. Relevant to flexibility in relational responding, research has demonstrated that children with autism showed poorer flexibility in relational responding than typically-developing peers, and procedures to remediate this type of “rigid” responding are described. Research on derived manding also has practical implications for incorporating derived relational responding into a mand training program to facilitate a “generative” or flexible component

Novel integrated paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD) as a miniaturized photometric detector in HPLC

A novel low power, low cost, highly sensitive, miniaturized light emitting diode (LED) based flow detector has been used as optical detector for the detection of sample components in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This colorimetric detector employs two LEDs, one operating in normal mode as a light source and the other is reverse biased to work as a light detector. Instead of measuring the photocurrent directly, a simple timer circuit is used to measure the time taken for the photocurrent generated by the emitter LED (λmax 500 nm) to discharge the detector LED (λmax 621 nm) from 5 V (logic 1) to 1.7 V (logic 0) to give digital output directly without using an A/D converter. Employing a post-column reagent method, a Nucleosil 100-7 (functionalised with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) groups) column was used to separate a mixture of transition metal complexes, manganese (II) and cobalt (II) in PAR. All optical measurements were taken by using both the in built HPLC variable wavelength detector and the proposed paired-emitter-detector-diode (PEDD) optical detector configured in-line for data comparison. The concentration range investigated using the PEDD was found to give a linear response to the Mn (II) and Co (II) PAR complexes. The effects of flow rate and emitter LED light source intensity were investigated. Under optimised conditions the PEDD detector offered a linear range of 0.9-100 µM and LOD of 0.09 µM for Mn-PAR complex. A linear range of 0.2-100 µM and LOD of 0.09 µM for Co-PAR complex was achieved

Metastatic Insulinoma in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are extremely rare, and although insulinomas are the commonest, less than 10% of insulinomas are malignant. Most patients with insulinomas present with neuroglycopenic symptoms and weight gain attributable to insulin excess. Here, we report a case where a 67-year-old lady with a background history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and breakthrough hyperinsulinism who presented with coma. The biochemical profile revealed features typical of insulinoma, and CT and endosonography confirmed a pancreatic tumor with large volume right-sided liver metastases (biopsy confirming a neuroendocrine tumor). The patient underwent successful one-step RO surgical resection, distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and right hepatectomy, and 9 months postoperatively, she remains free of recurrent disease. She remains a diabetic

Absorbance based light emitting diode optical sensors and sensing devices

The ever increasing demand for in situ monitoring of health, environment and security has created a need for reliable, miniaturised sensing devices. To achieve this, appropriate analytical devices are required that possess operating characteristics of reliability, low power consumption, low cost, autonomous operation capability and compatibility with wireless communications systems. The use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources is one strategy, which has been successfully applied in chemical sensing. This paper summarises the development and advancement of LED based chemical sensors and sensing devices in terms of their configuration and application, with the focus on transmittance and reflectance absorptiometric measurements