Nonlinear Optical Properties of Novel Metallophthalocyanines

Journal of Applied Spectroscopy - Detailed measurements of nonlinear optical properties and optical limiting for four phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives (PcCo, PcCu, PcMn, and PcSi) are reported. The...     

Large deviations for random walks in a mixing random environment and other (non‐Markov) random walks

We extend a recent work by S. R. S. Varadhan [8] on large deviations for random walks in a product random environment to include more general random walks on the lattice. In particular, some reinforced random walks and several classes of random walks in Gibbs fields are included. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

99mTc—Sulphur colloid: A freeze-dried,single-step kit for liver imaging

The formulation of a freeze-dried sulphide colloid kit, to be directly labelled with technetium is based on the preparation of tin/II/ sulphide precolloid, stabilized with carboxy methyl cellulose. The formation kinetics of the labelled colloid assessed by GCS-method showing a fast reduction of^99mTc-pertechnetate, forming reduced^99mTc-colloid with subsequent build-up of the labelled sulphur colloid. This is assumed to be due to the formation of^99mTc/V/ to be bound to sulphide precolloid of the kit. The blood clearance data of the labelled colloid in rabbits showed two exponential disappearance phases of radioactivity from blood with biological half times of 3 and 67 min. The results of organ distribution in mice show that more than 85% of the administered activity is accumulated in the liver indicating a high colloidal yield of optimal particle size. The dynamic studies of the labelled colloid achieved in normal subjects using gamma camera indicate a rapid blood clearance and high liver uptake with low surrounding tissue background.This work was performed under the auspices of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Organization and presented in part at the Fifth International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Tokyo, August 1984.     

Determination of trace elements in marine plankton by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A method has been developed for the determination of 23 elements in marine plankton in which inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source mass spectrometry (MS) was used to quantify the elements in the solution after digestion in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids in sealed PTFE vessels in a microwave field. The procedure was validated by the analysis of a standard reference soil (SRM 2709 San Joaquin Soil) and a standard reference fresh water plankton (CRM 414). The method was applied to the analysis of several marine plankton samples grown under controlled conditions including several whose growth media had been enriched with selenium. Matrix induced signal suppressions and instrumental drift were corrected by internal standardization. The suitabilities of germanium, indium, rhodium, scandium and yttrium as internal standard elements were evaluated. Neither scandium nor yttrium could be used due to the presence of these elements in the samples, germanium was used for the determination of As, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, Si and Zn, indium was used for Al, Ba, Ca, Eu, Sr, and Tl, and rhodium was used for Cd, Cr, Hg, Mg, Pb, Sb, Sn, and V. For Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Si, Sr, V, and Zn internal standardization did not completely compensate for the suppressive effect of the heavier elements and the solutions were diluted. However, for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Eu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and T1, it was possible to obtain accurate results despite the 35-40% suppression in the signals. Isobaric overlap was only a problem in the cases of 42Ca and 78Se; 44Ca and 77Se, respectively, were used. Memory effects were only observed with Hg for which a nitric acid-sodium chloride solution was the most effective wash-out solution. The marine plankton samples were able to tolerate a higher concentration of Hg as the selenium concentration increased.     

Technetium-99m-diethyl-IDA instant kit: Labelling kinetics and biological properties

A formulation of stannous-diethyl-IDA freeze-dried kit, containing 50 mg diethyl-IDA and 0.4 mg hydrated stannous chloride, to be labelled with technetium has been developed for hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Gel chromatography column scanning technique has been applied for determination of technetium fractions in the preapration. The optimal pH value of the preparation with a high hepatobiliary specificity was found between 5.5 to 6.0. Effect of ligand to metal ratio on the stability of the prepared Sn-diethyl-IDA solution prior mixing with technetium has been investigated. The reaction conditions (initial pH) between the ligand and stannous ion affects the percent hydrolysis of the labelled compund, i.e. the formation rate of the complex. The organ distribution data of^99mTc-diethyl-IDA in mice for 60 minutes post injection were satisfactory. The radiopharmaceutical exhibits rapid blood clearance, great hepatic clearance and very short hepatocyte transit time. Uptake of the radiopharmaceutical in various organs of mouse at 5 minute post injection showed that the greater part of the injected radioactivity has distributed between liver and intestine. However, about 12% and 60% of the injected dose has been found in liver and intestine respectively. The renal uptake of the HB agent in mice is relatively low and decreases with time to become about 0.3% at 60 minutes post injection. Blood clearance data of the radiopharmaceutical kit in rabbits showed that the HB agent is-rapidly cleared, since the initial decrease was very fast with a half-time of 1.5 minutes.     

Determination of calcium, magnesium and strontium in soils by flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Several procedures for the determination of Ca, Mg and Sr in soils have been compared on the basis of the accuracy of analysis of two NIST reference materials (Montana Soils SRM 2710 and SRM 2711). Samples were dissolved in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids in sealed vessels in a microwave oven and in teflon beakers on a hot plate. The digests obtained from both dissolution methods were evaporated to dryness in an attempt to remove silicon. Boric acid was added to prevent the precipitation of the lanthanum releasing agent (as lanthanum fluoride) and potassium was added as an ionization buffer. Determinations were made by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with both the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame and the air-acetylene flame, with calibration either by standard additions or against external standards matrix matched with respect to nitric acid, boric acid, lanthanum and potassium. The silicon remaining in the solution was also determined by external calibration. A single-line flow injection manifold was used to overcome any problems due to the presence of high dissolved solids. A volume of 300 mul was injected into a water carrier stream flowing at 8 ml min(-1). To determine Ca in the air-acetylene flame, it was necessary to remove silicon. Magnesium was determined in either flame without complete removal of the silicon, however, for the determination of Sr, it was necessary to remove the silicon and use the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. The indicative value for Sr in SRM 2710 was too low: the value determined was 360+/-30 mug g(-1).     

A database for QA/QC in neutron activation analysis and gamma-ray spectrometry

A database has been designed for storing, retrieving and analyzing information about samples, experimental conditions and results obtained by neutron activation analysis and gamma-ray spectrometry. It has been created using Microsoft ACCESS 2002 under a Windows operating system. The database has been designed not only for saving information but also for quality assurance and quality control purposes. The structure of the relational design has been discussed and demonstrated with a new graphical feature of ACCESS 2002 called PIVOTCHART.     

Retention of alkali,alkaline earth and transition metals on an itaconic acid cation-exchange column. Eluent pH,ionic strength and temperature effects upon selectivity

The unusual selectivity of a methylene succinic (itaconic) acid modified polymeric column was investigated for the separation of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metals employing non-chelating inorganic eluents. The retention of selected metal ions on the column was investigated with simple HNO3 eluents and eluents prepared from KNO3 and KCl salts of varying pH (adjusted using HNO3). From these studies both the effect of eluent ionic strength and pH upon retention was evaluated for the itaconic acid stationary phase. The results obtained showed that despite slow exchange kinetics causing poor efficiencies, acceptable baseline separations of selected alkaline earth and transitions could be obtained under optimum conditions (the baseline separation of Mg(II), Ca(II), Mn(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) was possible using a 15 mM KNO3-5 mM KCl eluent at pH 3.50 in under 25 min). The use of an simple ionic strength step gradient was shown that facilitated the addition of Pb(II) to the above group of metal ions. An investigation into the effect of temperature upon peak efficiency and retention showed increased column temperature could be used to improve the resolution of closely eluting metal ions such as Ca(II) and Sr(II) and Ca(II) and Mn(II).     

Synergistic extraction of Ce(III), Eu(III) and Tm(III) with a mixture of picrolonic acid and benzo-15-crown-5 in chloroform

Summary The synergistic mixture comprising picrolonic acid (HPA) and benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) in chloroform has been used for the extraction of Ce(III), Eu(III) and Tm(III) as representatives of lanthanide(III) ions from pH 1-2 solutions having ionic strength of 0.1 mol^. dm^-3(K⁺/H⁺, Cl^-). The composition of the extracted species has been determined as M(PA)₃^. nB15C5 where M is Ce, Eu and Tm and n=1 or 2. The influence of various anions and cations on the extraction of these ions has also been studied and only oxalate, cyanide and tartrate have some deleterious effect. The extraction equilibrium constants have been evaluated and discussed.     

Analysis of fish otoliths by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: aspects of precipitating otolith calcium with hydrofluoric acid for trace element determination

A method is developed for determination of trace elements, including Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se, Tl and Zn, in fish otoliths by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS). Hydrofluoric acid was used to precipitate calcium resulting from acid dissolution of otolith calcium carbonate. Initial acidity of the sample solution influenced the precipitation efficiency of calcium fluoride. Up to 99.5% of Ca was precipitated in solutions that contained less than 2% (v/v) HNO₃. Recoveries of the elements obtained from spiked artificial otolith solutions were between 90 and 103%. Stabilization of the elements within the ETV cell was achieved with 0.3 μg Pd/0.2 μg Rh chemical modifier that also afforded optimum sensitivity for multielement determination. The method was validated by the analysis of a fish otolith reference material (CRM) of emperor snapper, and then applied to the determination of the trace elements in otoliths of several fish species captured in Raritan Bay, New Jersey. Results indicated that fish physiology and biological processes could influence the levels of Cu, Mn, Se and Zn in the otoliths of fish inhabiting a similar aqueous environment. Otolith concentrations of Cr and Ni did not show any significant differences among different species. Concentrations for Ag, As, Cd, Co and Tl were also not significantly different, but were very low indicating low affinity of otolith calcium carbonate to these elements.