NIR Spectroscopy and Imaging Techniques for Evaluation of Fish Quality—A Review

Abstract

Fish is a highly perishable product and it is particularly important to pay attention to its quality changes. Maintenance of the high quality of fish and fishery products necessitates development of means for precise and rapid quality evaluation. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and imaging techniques are proven technologies that can provide useful information for the estimation of quality attributes in fish and fishery products due to fast speed, noninvasiveness, ease of use, and minimal sample preparation. The aim of this review is to communicate perspectives and aspects relating to NIR spectroscopy and imaging techniques with regard to evaluation of chemical composition (fat, protein, and moisture), microbiological (freshness, spoilage, and nematodes), and sensory (flavor, texture, and color) attributes of fish and fishery products. Moreover, the usefulness of NIR spectroscopy and imaging techniques for fish authentication and classification are presented. Finally, some viewpoints on the current situation and suggestions for future research directions are proposed.     

Optical Diagnosis for Thyroid and Parathyroid Tissues—A Review

Abstract

This article presents an overview of optical methodologies to aid the diagnosis and differentiation of thyroid and parathyroid tissues. In particular, we review the several techniques and associated methodologies that allow in vivo and ex vivo optical characterization of thyroid and parathyroid tissues. Emphasis is placed on the research potential of these techniques and whether intrinsic characteristics can provide useful contrast for the diagnosis of human thyroid and parathyroid malignant lesions.     

A Review of “Cytogenetic Analysis for Radiation Dose Assessment—A Manual”

Abstract

Technical reports series No. 405, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna 2001 127 pp., 16 figures, Publication date: January 2002     

Infinite Systems of Interacting Chains with Memory of Variable Length—A Stochastic Model for Biological Neural Nets

We consider a new class of non Markovian processes with a countable number of interacting components. At each time unit, each component can take two values, indicating if it has a spike or not at this precise moment. The system evolves as follows. For each component, the probability of having a spike at the next time unit depends on the entire time evolution of the system after the last spike time of the component. This class of systems extends in a non trivial way both the interacting particle systems, which are Markovian (Spitzer in Adv. Math. 5:246–290, 1970) and the stochastic chains with memory of variable length which have finite state space (Rissanen in IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 29(5):656–664, 1983). These features make it suitable to describe the time evolution of biological neural systems. We construct a stationary version of the process by using a probabilistic tool which is a Kalikow-type decomposition either in random environment or in space-time. This construction implies uniqueness of the stationary process. Finally we consider the case where the interactions between components are given by a critical directed Erdös-Rényi-type random graph with a large but finite number of components. In this framework we obtain an explicit upper-bound for the correlation between successive inter-spike intervals which is compatible with previous empirical findings.     

A Quasi—One—Dimensional Model for a Solar Flux Tube

We develop the quasi-one-dimensional flux tube model with magnetohydrodynamical equations.In order to know whether the magnetic field can maintain their similar structure from photosphere to chromosphere,we suppose that the flux tube is thin in radius relative to the length,and that the quantities in the cross section are averaged.The radii of the flux tube and the magnetic field are numerically simulated.One of the important results shows that the flux tube does not expand as quickly as the existing model when it is out of the photoxphere with high velocity.This is consistent with observations of the magnetic field in the photosphere and chromosphere.     

Current Status of Direct Solid Sampling for Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry—A Critical Review of the Development between 1995 and 2005

Abstract

The literature about direct solid sampling (SS) and slurry sampling atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) over the past decade has been surveyed critically. It became apparent that a very significant change had occurred, particularly in the relation between the two major techniques used for that purpose. In the 1990s, slurry sampling was typically considered the technique of choice, combining the significant advantages of the solid and the liquid sampling methods, at least in part because of the availability of a commercial accessory for automatic slurry sampling. The situation is completely inverted now, as the above accessory has been discontinued and rugged and reliable accessories for direct SS became available. Direct SS electrothermal (ET) AAS has been shown to provide the best limits of detection because of the absence of any dilution and a minimal risk of contamination. Calibration against aqueous standards appears to be feasible after careful program optimization. The absence of any significant sample handling makes SS ET AAS ideally suited for fast screening analyses. The introduction of high‐resolution continuum source AAS appears to open additional attractive features for SS ET AAS because of the significantly simplified optimization of furnace programs and the visibility of the spectral environment, which makes it easy to avoid spectral interferences. New calibration strategies make a “dilution” of samples unnecessary, which used to be one of the major limitations of SS ET AAS. Finally, direct SS analysis is an important contribution to clean chemistry, as practically no reagents are used.     

Grating-Stabilized External Cavity Diode Lasers for Raman Spectroscopy—A Review

Abstract: Conventional Raman techniques require a continuous-wave laser with stabilized wavelength, narrow line width, and sufficient output power. Due to their miniature size and low cost, diode lasers are good choice as light sources for Raman spectroscopy, especially when compact and portable instruments are needed. However, a solitary multimode diode laser has certain drawbacks that limit its use for Raman application. To circumvent these drawbacks, an external cavity can be coupled to the active gain medium of the diode to enhance the laser performance. A grating-based external cavity allows the laser to operate in a single longitudinal mode with greatly reduced line width and stabilized wavelength. This article examines the fundamentals of semiconductor lasers to show the necessity of operating diode lasers in an external cavity for Raman applications. Two feedback grating-based external cavity diode laser (ECDL) designs, viz. Littrow and Littman-Metcalf configurations, are explained. Historic and recent progress in the development of ECDL devices is reported. An updated summary of ECDL-equipped Raman systems applied to fields such as in vivo biomedical studies and in situ process/quality control is provided. Topics on mode-hop-free continuous scanning, wavelength stabilization, and dealing with ambient conditions are discussed.     

Sample Preparation for the Determination of Metals in Food Samples Using Spectroanalytical Methods—A Review

Abstract

The present article gives an overview of recent publications and modern techniques of sample preparation for food analysis employing atomic and inorganic mass spectrometric techniques, such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry, chemical vapor generation atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Among the most frequently applied sample preparation techniques for food analysis are dry ashing, usually with the addition of an ashing aid, and acid digestion, preferably with the assistance of microwave energy. Slurry preparation, particularly with the assistance of ultrasound, is increasingly used to reduce acid consumption and sample preparation time. Direct analysis of solid samples is gaining importance in the field of food analysis as it offers the highest sensitivity, avoids the use of acids and other aggressive reagents, makes possible the analysis of micro‐samples, and can be applied for fast screening analysis, e.g., of fresh meat.     

Simple Method Obtaining Analytical Expressions of Particle and Kinetic—Energy Densities for One—Dimensional Confined Fermi Gases

We develop a simple approach to obtain explicitly exact analytical expressions of particle and kineticenergy densities for noninteracting Fermi gases in one-dimensional harmonic confinement,and in one-dimensional box confinement as well.     

Procedures of Separation and Pre‐concentration for Molybdenum Determination Using Atomic Spectrometry—a Review

Abstract

The literature concerning the improvement of atomic and ionic procedures for molybdenum determination through separation and pre‐concentration were updated. Analytical procedures based on flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAAS), electrothermal or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were reviewed taking into consideration the preliminary steps, which can enhance the selectivity and sensitivity based on co‐precipitation, solvent extraction, and solid‐phase extraction. Both in‐batch and on‐line procedures were considered.     

High-Resolution Continuum Source Atomic and Molecular Absorption Spectrometry—A Review

Abstract

The present article gives an overview over the historic development, the instrumentation, the special features, and the applications of high-resolution continuum source atomic and molecular absorption spectrometry. The most obvious advantage is the need for only one single lamp for all elements and wavelengths, compared to one lamp for each analyte, as is necessary in line source atomic absorption spectrometry. The visibility of the spectral environment of the analytical line at high resolution greatly helps in method development and to avoid spectral interferences. The advanced simultaneous background correction automatically eliminates lamp flicker noise and continuous background absorption. Fine-structured background absorption may be removed using a reference spectrum and a least-squares algorithm. Because any wavelength between 190 nm and 900 nm can be accessed, the same equipment can be used for molecular absorption spectrometry, making possible the determination of non-metals, such as phosphorus, sulfur, and the halogens. Although commercial equipment for this technique has only been available for a few years, the technique has been accepted extremely well, and the number of applications that have been published using this technique has already reached an impressive number.     

Determination of Trace Elements in Vegetable Oils and Biodiesel by Atomic Spectrometric Techniques—A Review

Abstract

The determination of trace elements in edible oils and biodiesel using atomic spectrometric methods is reviewed. Problems related to sample pretreatment for appropriate sample introduction and calibration are addressed as well as the strategies to overcome them. Recent trends aimed at simplifying sample manipulation are presented. The applications and scope of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), flame optical emission spectrometry (F-OES), inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques for the determination of trace metals in edible oils and biodiesel are discussed, as well as some current instrumental new developments.     

Pole Analysis of Unitarized One Loop χ PT Amplitudes——A Triple Channel Study

In a previous paper [Commun.Theor.Phys.,[arxiv:hep-ph11081451]],we proposed a method to distinguish poles of different dynamical origin,in unitarized amplitudes ofππ,KˉK system.That is based on the observation that "A Breit-Wigner resonance should exhibit two poles on different Riemann sheets which meet each other on the real axis when N c = ∞".In this paper,we extend our previous work [Commun.Theor.Phys.,[arXiv:hep-ph11081451]] to the ππ-KˉK-ηη three channel system.We reconfirm most of the predictions in our previous work [Commun.Theor.Phys.,[arxiv:hep-ph11081451]].Especially the f 0(980) is of KˉK molecule nature.Other poles,including the σ,are of Breit-Wigner type.     

Evolution and Collision of Bose—Condensed Gas in One—Dimensional Optical Lattices and a Far—Off Resonant Laser Beam

Evolution of a Bose-condensed gas in one-dimensional optical lattices is investigated in the presence of a potentialbarrier created by a far-off resonant laser beam. After the magnetic trap and optical lattices are switched off,by using the propagator method, the analytical result of the evolution of the density distribution of the Bose-condensed gas is given. In particular, the collision between the condensate and the potential barrier is shown inthis paper.     

Comparisons of electrical and optical properties between graphene and silicene——A review

Two-dimensional(2D) metamaterials are considered to be of enormous relevance to the progress of all exact sciences.Since the discovery of graphene, researchers have increasingly investigated in depth the details of electrical/optical properties pertinent to other 2D metamaterials, including those relating to the silicene. In this review are included the details and comparisons of the atomic structures, energy diagram bands, substrates, charge densities, charge mobilities, conductivities,absorptions, electrical permittivities, dispersion relations of the wave vectors, and supported electromagnetic modes related to graphene and silicene. Hence, this review can help readers to acquire, recover or increase the necessary technological basis for the development of more specific studies on graphene and silicene.