Convergence Gas Sensors with One-Dimensional Nanotubes and Pt Nanoparticles Based on Ultraviolet Photonic Energy for Room-Temperature NO2 Gas Sensing.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising material for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas sensors because of its nontoxicity, low cost, and small size. We fabricated one-dimensional (1D) and zero-dimensional (0D) convergence gas sensors activated via ultraviolet (UV) photonic energy to sense NO2 gas at room temperature. One-dimensional ZnO nanorod (ZNR)-based and ZnO nanotube (ZNT)-based gas sensors were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method. All the sensors were tested under UV irradiation (365 nm) so that they could be operated at room temperature rather than a high temperature. In addition, we decorated 0D Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on the gas sensors to further improve their sensing responsivity. The NO2-sensing response of the ZNT/Pt NP convergence gas sensor was 2.93 times higher than that of the ZNR gas sensor. We demonstrated the complex effects of UV radiation on 1D ZnO nanostructures and 0D metal nanostructures in NO2 gas sensing.

Assessment of the accuracy and precision of the i-Smart 30 VET Electrolyte Analyzer in dogs, cats, cattle and pigs.

BACKGROUND: Performance evaluation of point-of-care (POC) electrolyte analyzers is essential for determining their precision and accuracy in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to validate the i-Smart 30 VET Electrolyte Analyzer for canine, feline, bovine, and porcine samples in comparison with the ion-selective electrolyte analyzer Roche 9180 electrolyte analyzer. METHODS: A total of 400 heparinized whole blood samples were collected and analyzed by both instruments for sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations. Within-run, between-day, and total imprecision were evaluated. Statistical analyses included tests for correlation, regression, bias, and total error. RESULTS: The coefficients of variation (CV) of both within-run and between-day imprecisions in the i-Smart 30 VET ranged from 0.4-1.6%. In addition, total CV (0.3-1.7%) and total error (0.7-3.7%) of the i-Smart 30 VET were acceptable according to the ASVCP guidelines (< 5%). The correlation between the i-Smart 30 VET and the Roche 9180 was excellent (r > .98). There was no proportional error according to the regression (slope ranges 0.92-1.00, 95% CI includes 1.00), but a constant error was detected for sodium concentration in dogs (interval = 0.5), cattle (interval = 3.0), and pigs (interval = 4.0), and for chloride concentration in cats (interval = 1.0). Most of the bias was within 95% CI, and the total error range (0.8-3.5%) was acceptable according to ASVCP guidelines. CONCLUSION: The i-Smart 30 VET Electrolyte Analyzer provides precise and accurate measurements of sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations in whole blood samples from dogs, cats, cattle, and pigs.