An improved method for the determination of uranium isotopes in environmental samples by alpha-spectrometry

In order to improve the selectivity of the uranium isotopes determination in environmental samples, further studies have been carried out, including (1) interference of ²¹⁰Po with uranium isotope determination, (2) distribution coefficients of polonium between 5% TOPO in toluene and aqueous hydrochloric and nitric acids, (3) decontamination factor of uranium from polonium of the recommended procedure, and (4) leaching effect comparison of two different leaching procedures in a lichen sample. Based on the new findings, a more accurate extraction chromatographic/ a-spectroscopy method has been developed. For the method's validation, four kinds of reference materials supplied by the IAEA have been tested. It is observed that nearly all the ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U and ²³⁵U concentrations obtained are in good agreement with the recommended or information values, showing that the method can give reliable results. A comparison with existing uranium determination methods has also been made. It is concluded that due to involving preconcentration and chemical separation, the extraction chromatographic/a-spectroscopy method is a more selective, very sensitive and accurate, and low cost method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An improved rapid method for the determination of actinides in water

A new rapid method has been developed for the determination of Th, Pu, Np, U, Am and Cm isotopes in water samples of about 1 L. Actinides are pre-concentrated by co-precipitation with Ca phosphate, sequentially separated on stacked TEVA and TK221 cartridges and measured by alpha spectrometry. The TK221 extraction chromatographic resin contains i.e. CMPO and DGA extractants. It has been characterized by measuring the weight distribution ratios (D_w) of actinides which are higher than 1000 for all actinides in 3 M HNO₃. The method has been optimized, applied for the analysis of tap and seawater samples and validated by participating in an IAEA proficiency test. Chemical recoveries for all actinides are better than 50%. The method can be performed within one day.

     

An improved method for technetium determination in environmental samples

Summary The recent developments of extraction chromatography and ICP-MS made easier the determination of ⁹⁹Tc in environmental samples. However, in the non-contaminated area, a pre-concentration procedure is necessary, because usually a large amount of sample is used for analysis. In this study, the ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) added as a reductant can make chemical yield from 50 to 80%, when larger than 100 liter water samples or 500 g soil samples are analyzed. The extraction chromatography with TEVA resin (EIChrom) and the measurement by ICP-MS have been developed using ^95mTc and ¹⁰³Ru as yield tracers. Detection limits of 3σ are 0.054 mBq/kg for 500 g soil and 0.032 µBq/lfor 500 l water. A pond named Hinotani, Mie Prefecture in the central part of Japan, was selected to be investigated as a natural system in a non-contaminated area. Surface soil near this pond, pond water and sediment were collected and analyzed for ⁹⁹Tc. In a high fall-out area, Okuetsu, Fukui Prefecture forest soil was collected and analyzed. The ⁹⁹Tc in the surface (0-5 cm) was 10.5±0.8 mBq/kg. The ⁹⁹Tc in Hinotani surface (0-5 cm) soil were 0.77±0.06 mBq/kg less than in Okuetsu. Technetium-99 has been determined in pond water, sediment (0-5 cm) and shrimps in the Hinotani pond, 0.25±0.02 mBq/l, 3.3±0.3 mBq/kg, 1.5±0.2 mBq/kg, respectively.     

An improved method for the determination of free sphingosine in serum

Summary A rapid, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of sphingosine in human serum. After precipitation with methanol, the samples were extracted using Carbopack B disposable columns; the sphingosine was eluted with 0.05 M hydrochloric acid in methanol-dichloromethane (20∶80, v/v) and the extract evaporated to dryness at 40°C. The sample residue was then reconstituted with methanol and reacted with o-phthaldialdehyde reagent to produce a fluorescent compound. Separation was performed using an LC-18 column with 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7)-methanol-acetonitrile (15∶80∶5, v/v) as mobile phase. Fluorescence detection was performed with excitation and emission wavelengths of 340 and 455 nm, respectively. The serum extract was re-analyzed with a cyano LC column to minimize the possibility of false positive results. The possible interference of compounds having a structure similar to that of sphingosine was evaluated. The mean recovery of sphingosine was >94.5%. The limit of detection of the assay was 1 ng mL⁻¹. The between-run and within-run coefficients of variation for replicate analyses were <4.0% and <3.4%, respectively. The levels of free sphingosine in the serum of 40 normal subjects (20 male and 20 female) was investigated; the average level was 81.6±41.1 ng mL⁻¹ (mean ±S.D.) for males and 85.5±33.7 ng mL⁻¹ for females.     

EDTA滴定法测定萤石中氟化钙含量的方法改进

建立了EDTA滴定法测定矿石中氟化钙的方法。引入了钙乙酸为溶解试样的溶剂,溶解样品中的碳酸钙,同时,通过同离子效应减少氟化钙的溶解度。实验中探究了钙离子的浓度与氟化钙溶解度的关系,通过对比实验确定选择了含钙乙酸的最佳浓度(10g/L)。同时,对实验中的其他条件也进行了相应的探究与优化,确定最佳实验条件为:最小称样量为0.5g,洗涤沉淀用水量为50mL左右,第二次过滤时的洗涤次数为8～10次,滴定时加入氢氧化钾的量为20mL。方法的精密度(0.10%)和准确度(0.08%)皆能满足实验要求。     

EDTA滴定法测定萤石中氟化钙含量的方法改进

建立了EDTA滴定法测定矿石中氟化钙的方法。引入了钙乙酸为溶解试样的溶剂,溶解样品中的碳酸钙,同时,通过同离子效应减少氟化钙的溶解度。实验中探究了钙离子的浓度与氟化钙溶解度的关系,通过对比实验确定选择了含钙乙酸的最佳浓度(10g/L)。同时,对实验中的其他条件也进行了相应的探究与优化,确定最佳实验条件为:最小称样量为0.5g,洗涤沉淀用水量为50mL左右,第二次过滤时的洗涤次数为8～10次,滴定时加入氢氧化钾的量为20mL。方法的精密度(0.10%)和准确度(0.08%)皆能满足实验要求。     

An improved and easy technique for polyamine determination in biological samples. Application to cell-free system from hypertrophied rat heart.

An accurate, improved cation-exchange chromatographic method using o-phthalaldehyde and ultraviolet detection at 280 nm for the determination of free polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) has been developed. Different samples, such as the 105,000 g supernatant of reticulocyte or heart muscle, and KCl ribosomal wash containing initiation factors, can be analysed. The minor modification of reagents results in a good precision and sensitivity, which is demonstrated by a relative standard deviation of 5--9% and recoveries of 98%. This technique is of particular interest because it allows polyamine determination in biological samples with high concentrations of salt.     

An improved method for determination of 7Be in mosses

We have measured ⁷Be activity in moss samples collected from in and around Mumbai, India. The use of heavily shielded Compton suppressor system is more efficient than the conventional gamma spectroscopic system for detection of ⁷Be. The ⁷Be accumulation capacities of mosses are more than other plant samples. Therefore monitoring of young moss samples by Compton suppressor system is an excellent tool for determination of atmospheric fallout of ⁷Be. A positive bias in the high altitude samples has been observed which might be due to any of the two reasons (i) higher cosmic ray flux in the high altitude or (ii) high pollution in the lower altitude area ultimately inhibits uptake of ⁷Be.     

An improved method for determination of air-borne polycyclic hydrocarbons

Summary In a search for a more effective solvent system than those discovered up to 1971 for separating the polycyclic hydrocarbon mixtures occurring in high-temperature tars, modifications were made to one found in 1957. Whatman No. 4 paper impregnated with 10% liquid paraffin solution in petrol ether was used as stationary phase, and methanol saturated with liquid paraffin as ascending mobile phase. Chromatography at 18° for 6 hr on 45×45 cm sheets of paper gave a separation considerably better than that achieved originally. Special attention was paid to the fraction containing carcinogenic hydrocarbons. No column chromatography or other pretreatment was necessary. Owing to the better separation it is possible to determine further polycyclic hydrocarbons such as 1,2, 5, 6-dibenzoanthracene, 3, 4, 9, 10-dibenzopyrene, and 3, 4, 8, 9-di-benzopyrene. A spot-evaluating procedure and a pretreatment of air samples have been developed. This procedure permits analysis of imponderable air samples.

---

Zusammenfassung Auf der Suche nach einem besseren Lösungsmittelsystem zur Auftrennung polycyklischer Kohlenwasserstoffgemische aus Hochtemperaturteer wurde ein Verfahren aus dem Jahr 1957 modifiziert. Whatmanpapier Nr. 4 wurde mit einer 10% igen Lösung von flüssigem Paraffin in Petroläther als stationäre Phase imprägniert und Methanol, gesättigt mit flüssigem Paraffin, diente als aufsteigende Phase. Chromatographiert wurde bei 18° C durch 6 Stunden auf Papierblättern der Größe 45×45 cm. Die Trennung verlief erheblich besser als nach der Originalvorschrift. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit galt der Fraktion carcinogener Kohlenwasserstoffe. Säulenchromatographie oder eine andere Vorbehandlung ist nicht nötig. Infolge der besseren Auftrennung lassen sich polycyklische Kohlenwasserstoffe wie 1, 2, 5, 6-Dibenzoanthracen, 3, 4, 9,10-Dibenzopyren und 3, 4, 8, 9-Dibenzopyren bestimmen. Ein Verfahren zur Auswertung der Chromatogramm-flecken sowie die Vorbehandlung der Luftproben wurden ausgearbeitet. Die Analyse unwägbarer Luftproben wurde so ermöglicht.

     

An improved titrimetric method for the determination of oxygen to metal ratio in uranium oxide

A new method for determining the O/U ratio in uranium oxide is described. The method consists of dissolving an accurately weighed sample in a known excess of ceric ammonium nitrate in 2N perchloric acid at room temperature and estimating the unreacted Ce/IV/ with benzohydroxamic acid. A standard deviation of 0.0016 for ten estimations is observed.     

An improved method for the determination of glycosyltransferases usingpara-nitrophenyl-glycosides as substrates

Due to their easy purification nitrophenyl-glycosides have become of increasing interest as acceptor substrates for the assay of glycosyltransferase activity. In this communication reversed-phase chromatography is shown to provide a convenient means for the isolation of the radioactively labelled nitrophenylglycoside(s) formed in this reaction, superior to the methods hitherto used with regard to speed and specifity.     

An improved method for determination of uranium isotopic composition in urine by alpha spectrometry

A comparative study of source preparation techniques to determine uranium isotopic composition by alpha spectrometry, namely electrodeposition and chemical stripping with polymeric membranae containing trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), is presented. The mean yield obtained for electrodeposition and TOPO deposition were 85% and 74%, respectively. The mean activity ratio²³⁵U/²³⁸U were 0.044 and 0.042 and the ratio²³⁴U/²³⁸U were 0.994 and 1.009, using electrodeposition and TOPO deposition techniques, respectively. The method of uranium separation from urine using an ion-exchange resin Dowex 1×8, chloride form and citrate form, was also studied. The obtained global yields of these methods were 50% and 41%, respectively.     

Recent progress in numerical methods for the determination of thermokinetics

The results of a multinational concerted programme on the determination of thermokinetics are presented. The purpose of the programme was to compare different numerical methods which have been independently proposed for the determination of thermokinetics from experimental calorimetric data. To achieve this end, the same experimental data, obtained from two heat-flow calorimeters, were distributed and successively analyzed by the different methods. Numerical methods based on the state function theory, on Fourier transform analysis, on dynamic optimization and on a simple differentiation of the data were thus critically tested.

---

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Ergebnisse der gemeinsamen Arbeiten über die Bestimmung der Thermokinetik mit 4 numerischen Methoden (dynamische Optimalisierung, Methode der Zustandfunktionen, harmonische Analyse und umgekehrte Korrektion) vorgestellt. Die experimentellen Daten wurden mit Hilfe von 2 Kalorimetern mit einer konstanten Temperatur des Isoliermantels ermittelt. Die Durchführung der Versuche ermöglichte ein Vergleich der angewandten Methoden.

---

Résumé Les résultats d'un programme de recherches concerté multinational sur la détermination des données thermocinétiques sont présentés. Le but du programme était de comparer différentes méthodes numériques proposées indépendamment pour la détermination des données thermocinétiques à partir des mesures calorimétriques expérimentales. Pour celà, les mêmes données expérimentales fournies par deux calorimètres à flux de chaleur ont été distribué es et analysées successivement par 4 méthodes: utilisation des variables d'état, analyse de la transformée de Fourier, optimalisation dynamique et simple différentiation des données.

---

. , . , , . , , , .

     

An improved iodometric method for the successive determination of copper and zinc

The method described by haider and khundkar for the succesive iodometric dctcrmination of copper and zinc gives results that arc too low both for copper and for zinc. The errors may amount to —20% for copper and to —5% for zinc. The causes of these errors arc traced and eliminated and an improved method for the succesive iodometric determination of copper and zinc is described.     

An improved method for determination of light hydrocarbons in stabilized crude oil

Summary This paper reports a quick, and simple method for quantitative determination of C₂ to C₆ hydrocarbons in stabilized crude oil without using a back flush system. A mixture of crude oil and internal standard is injected into a GC equipped with a 6 meter length of fused silica capillary as a guard column. The light hydrocarbons are separated individually up to the last peak of the hexane group with the heavier components trapped in the guard column. The total analysis time for each sample is 15 minutes. The base line is table for up to 15 consecutive analyses. The guard column and the injector port are then reconditioned by simply heating them for one hour at 300 °C.     

An improved approach for the determination of plasma-free catecholamines by HPLC-ED: Application to normal and hypertensive patients

Summary A dual-step procedure for the rapid, quantitative isolation of free catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) from plasma, using a little column of CM-Sephadex and alumina adsorption, is described. Sensitive high performance liquid chromatography is also discussed, employing an amperometric detector for the quantitative determination. The recovery of the three catecholamines, and of N-methyldopamine used as the internal standard, was about 70–80%; the detection limits were 2pg for norepinephrine, 3pg for epinephrine and 3pg for dopamine. The combination of the rather specific and easy to handle two-step sample clean-up procedure, the high resolving power of the chromatography and the high sensitivity of electrochemical detection provided a simple method for the determination of free catecholamines in plasma samples of normal and essential hypertensive subjects under different conditions (supine position for 45 min, standing for 5 and 10 min). It was found that a significant increase in epinephrine levels (P<0.01) occurred in hypertensive patients under the three conditions studied.