Intercomparison of industrial near-infrared diffuse reflectance measurements

An intercomparison of diffuse reflectance measurements in the near-infrared region was carried out. Fourteen participants from industry and academia measured a number of different reflectance standards, calibrated at the NPL, over the wavelength range from 800 to 2500 nm. Measurements were made in the integrating sphere geometries, i.e. specular included and specular excluded and in the 0/45 geometry. The results of the intercomparison are presented. The raw data results showed significant variations in the value of diffuse reflectance measured across industry, in excess of 80% difference from NPL reflectance values in some cases. Renormalisation of the data to the NPL near-infrared diffuse reflectance scale significantly improved the agreement in measured values between participants, most being within 5% of the NPL values. Integrating sphere errors were present in many of the instruments used.     

Intercomparison study for the determination of selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feed matrices

Analytical methodology currently employed for the determination of seven indicator PCBs in three compound feeds and fish meal has been evaluated in a collaborative study. The majority of the obtained relative standard deviations of the PCBs varied from 20 to 30%. On assuming a target relative standard deviation of 22% for the analytical results, statistical evaluation showed that about 80% of the participating laboratories delivered data within an acceptable range of +/- 44% of the assigned concentration in the test materials. However, between 10 and 20% of the participating laboratories reported unacceptable results. Major problems seemed to arise from insufficient separation of PCB congeners, low extraction efficiency, and calculation errors. Correct identification of the target PCB congeners was a prevalent problem if only one capillary column in combination with an electron capture detector (ECD) was employed. The correct preparation of the calibration solution by the laboratories turned out to be only a minor problem. The laboratories participating in this study employed quite different techniques at all stages of the analytical procedure. Principal component analysis indicated that laboratories using an internal standard tended to report higher values for the target analytes. If the PCB concentrations were related to the fat content of the sample, the variability of the reported results decreased for compound feed but increased for fish meal. These inconsistent results are probably due to the fact that fat is not an objective parameter but is defined by the analytical technique employed. It is assumed that harmonizing analytical methods for the determination of this parameter could improve the precision of the PCB results.     

Simultaneous determination of aliphatic hydrocarbons,PCBs and PCTs in pork liver by gas chromatography

Summary A multicomponent extraction/concentration procedure has been developed for the enrichment of PCBs, PCTs and aliphatic hydrocarbons (pristane, C₁₈, C₁₉, C₂₀, C₂₂, C₂₄, C₂₈, C₃₂ and C₃₆) in pork liver. These components of the enriched extract were then simultaneously determined by gas chromatography. Mean recoveries ranged from 81.5% for pristane to 93% for PCBs;CV% (0.9–6.7) indicated the method to be both precise and reproducible.     

Levels of seven PCBs used as markers of dioxin in commercial pork meat in Spain.

The levels of 7 PCBs used as markers of dioxin in 62 pork meat samples (head, loin, and dewlap) were determined by supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Analytical limits of detection for the individual congeners ranged from 0.048 to 0.2 ng/g dry wt. PCB congeners 153 and 180 were detected in all samples. Among congeners in general, PCB 52, 101, and 153 were the most abundant. There was a linear relationship with a good correlation between PCB 101 and PCB 52.     

Development of pork fat reference material for OCPs' BCR-CRM 430

Summary Certification of the content of endogenous organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites (OCPs) in pork fat is described and the certified values are presented. The OCPs include hexachlorobenzene (HCB), -, - and -HCH, -heptachlor epoxide (-hepo), dieldrin, endrin, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-TDE and p,p'-DDE. In a previous paper [1] the preparation of pork fat as a candidate reference material has been described as well as the investigation of its homogeneity and stability. This material, when certified, may serve for the verification of the results of determinations of the above organochlorine pesticides. This paper deals with the certification of these OCPs in pork fat.Part I see [1]     

Development of pork fat reference material for OCPs BCR-CRM 430

Summary A pork fat sample was prepared and tested as candidate reference material for 10 organochlorine pesticides and metabolites (OCPs): hexachlorobenzene, -, - and -HCH, -heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, endrin, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-TDE and p,p'-DDE. Preparation and testing for homogeneity and stability of the OCPs in the pork fat are discussed. The coefficient of variation of pesticide determinations carried out to test the between-ampoule homogeneity ranged from 2.4–5.8% and was found to be very similar to that for the analytical method (2.5–4.9%). This means that the homogeneity is very good. Stability data over 12 months do not show any trends that suggest lack of stability.     

Intercomparison of slip flow velocity measurements of filled polymers by capillary extrusion rheometry

Slip flow can complicate both the measurement of the shear flow behaviour of polymers and the modelling of moulding processes. However, the understanding of the reliability of methods for measuring slip flow behaviour is limited. The results of an intercomparison on the measurement of slip flow behaviour by capillary extrusion rheometry of two polymer melts—a filled high-density polyethylene and a filled ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer—are reported. Slip velocities were calculated, following the Mooney method, from the dependence of the shear stress–shear rate behaviour on the extrusion die diameter. Both compounds exhibited wall slip: in one case the slip velocity accounted for ≈80% of the total flow rate. Slip velocity results were typically within ≈±20% of the average values for the materials, although scatter up to ≈±40% was obtained for one material at high shear stresses. An analysis of slip velocity measurements indicated that uncertainties of 40–50% are typical (95% confidence level) although significantly higher uncertainties could result if testing conditions (primarily die diameters) are not optimised.     

Effects of low-level gamma irradiation on the characteristics of fermented pork sausage during storage

The effect of gamma irradiation (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kGy) on the quality of vacuum-packaged dry fermented sausages during refrigerated storage was evaluated. At Day 0 of irradiation, the pH, redness (CIE a^?), yellowness (CIE b^?), 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) values of samples irradiated at 2 and 4 kGy were higher (p<0.05), but the CIE L^? values (lightness) were lower than those of the non-irradiated control (p<0.05). At<1 kGy irradiation, however, the pH, CIE L^?, CIE a^? and CIE b^?-value of samples were not significantly influenced by irradiation. The CIE a^?, and CIE b^?-values of samples irradiated at 2 and 4 kGy decreased with the increase of storage time. The VBN, TBARS, and CIE L^?-values of samples irradiated at 4 kGy were not changed significantly during refrigerated storage for 90 days (p>0.05). The total plate counts (TPC) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the samples irradiated at 4 kGy were significantly lower (p<0.01) than those with lower irradiation doses. At the end of storage, the TPC, coliform, and LAB in the samples were not increased after irradiation at 1, 0.5 and 1 kGy, respectively. TPC and LAB were not detected in samples irradiated at 4 kGy at Day 90. In addition, no coliform bacteria were found in samples irradiated at 1 kGy during refrigerated storage. Sensory evaluation indicated that the rancid flavor of samples irradiated at 4 kGy was significantly higher, but aroma and taste scores were lower than those of the control at Day 3 of storage. Irradiation of dry fermented sausages at 2 kGy was the best conditions to prolong the shelf-life and decrease the rancid flavor without significant quality deterioration.     

Intercomparison of Effective Erythemal Irradiance Measurements from Two Types of Broad-Band Instruments during June 1995

The biologically effective global solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) measurements from a multiband UVR monitor and a conventional broadband UVR monitor are compared. The measurements were performed during the varied weather conditions of June 1995. We compared the daily total exposures measured by both instruments, as well as the ratio of the measured doses throughout the course of each day. The daily total exposures agreed within approximately 11% throughout the month. The ratio between the measured doses held at 1.12 between 0900 and 1700 h (solar zenith angles ?16-52°). The ratio decreased from 1.12 to 0.90 during the next 90 min outside that period (solar zenith angles ?52-72°) and decreased further beyond that point. Spectral response and cosine response mismatch between the instruments are discussed as the possible cause of discrepancies between the measured doses. Implications for erythemal irradiance monitoring and suggestions for further study are discussed.     

多氯联苯的环境行为*

本文从多氯联苯(PCBs) 的污染状况、分析方法、环境中的迁移转化、多介质模型及风险评价5 个方面综合论述了多氯联苯的环境行为, 并指出要降低PCBs 对生态环境的破坏, 需要更深入地研究PCB s 的环境行为和归趋, 大力加强其风险评价工作, 这已成为21 世纪的优先研究领域之一。     

Study on quench effects in liquid scintillation counting during tritium measurements

Quench effects can cause a serious reduction in counting efficiency for a given sample/cocktail mixture in liquid scintillation counting (LSC) experiments. This paper presents a simple experiment performed in order to test the influence of quenching on the LSC efficiency of ³H. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of several quench agents with different quench strengths (nitromethane, nitric acid, acetone, dimethyl-sulfoxide) added in different amounts to tritiated water in order to obtain standard sets for quench calibration curves. The OptiPhase HiSafe 2 and OptiPhase HiSafe 3 scintillation cocktails were used in this study in order to compare their quench resistance. Measurements were performed using a low-level LS counter (Wallac, Quantulus 1220).     

空气样品采集过程中多氯联苯的吸附和穿透研究

多氯联苯(PCBs)是空气中广泛存在的持久性有机污染物。为了能更好地用气相色谱／质谱(GC—MS)的选择性离子监测技术(SIM)对空气中的PCBs进行定量测定,本文以美国环保署(US EPA)8080方法为基础,使用大流量采样器进行气相和颗粒相空气样品采集,对采样过程中PCBs的吸附和穿透情况进行了定量研究。     

Intercomparison study on accurate mass measurement of small molecules in mass spectrometry

The results from an intercomparison of accurate mass measurement of a small molecule (molecular weight 475 Da) across a broad range of mass spectrometers are reported. The intercomparison was designed to evaluate the relative capabilities and the optimum methodology of the diverse range of mass spectrometers currently used to record accurate mass measurements. The data will be used as a basis for developing guidance on accurate mass measurement. The need for guidance has resulted from the continued growth in the use of accurate mass measurements for assignment of elemental formula in the chemical and biochemical industries. This has been fuelled by a number of factors and includes the rapid pace of instrument development, which has enabled accurate mass measurements to be made in a less costly, yet robust fashion. The data from the intercomparison will allow us to compare those protocols that produced excellent accuracy and precision with those that produced poorer accuracy and/or precision for each type of mass spectrometer. The key points for best practice will then be established from this comparison for each type of mass spectrometer and accurate mass measurement technique. A compound was sent to the participating laboratories (in the UK, Europe, and USA), the identity of which was not revealed. Each laboratory was asked to record a minimum of five repeat mass measurements of the molecular species using their local protocols and their preferred ionization technique or techniques. To the best of our knowledge there were no interfering (unresolved) ions that originated from the sample. A questionnaire was also completed with the experimental work. The information from the questionnaires was used to evaluate the protocols used to record the measurements. Forty-five laboratories have reported their results. To summarize the performance of mass spectrometers in the intercomparison, magnetic sector field mass spectrometers used in peak matching mode and FTMS reported the highest mean mass measurement accuracy (88 and 83%, respectively, achieved < or =1 ppm). Magnetic sector field mass spectrometers used in voltage scanning produced 60% of the mean mass measurements with accuracy < or =1 ppm. Magnetic sector field mass spectrometers used in magnet scanning modes, quadrupole-TOF and TOF instruments generally achieved mean mass measurement accuracy between 5 and 10 ppm. The two low resolution triple quadrupoles used in the inter-comparison produced mean mass measurement accuracy of <2 ppm. The precision of the data from each instrument and experiment type is an important consideration when evaluating their relative capabilities. Using both the precision and accuracy, it will be possible to define the uncertainty associated with the elemental formulae derived from accurate mass measurements. Therefore, a thorough statistical evaluation of the data is underway and will be presented in a subsequent publication.     

Absolute integrated SAXS measurements during the crystallization of linear polyethylene

Absolute intensity measurements of a dynamic small-angle x-ray scattering from a linear polyethylene were carried out during polymer crystallization from melt in a temperature range of 113.5° to 124.5°C. The mean-square modulation of the electron density over the irradiated volume was evaluated and the feasibility of dynamic experimentation for crystallization kinetic analysis was established. The results provide an absolute value of mass density of the amorphous phase of a semicrystalline polymer at the crystallization temperature.     

Intercomparison of the Asaro-Perlman and Brookhaven archaeological ceramic analytical standards

Two fundamentally different standardization systems, widely used in the neutron activation analysis of archaeological ceramics and of other materials, have been intercompared using procedures of high precision. The results should permit data standardized under either system to be transformed to the opposite system. The two systems are generally known as the Asaro-Perlman standard and the BNL Six-Rocks standard.     

Effect of UV light scattering during photopolymerization on UV spectroscopy measurements

A photopolymerization reaction involving 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), a hydroxytelechelic polybutadiene (HTPB) and 2,2-dimethyl-2-hydroxyacetophenone (Darocur 1173) as photoinitiator has been investigated by Real Time UV and Real Time IR spectroscopies. For this system, RTUV analyses are completely opposite to the expected curves, namely a decrease in the sample absorbance (photobleaching phenomenon). This apparent contradiction has been explained by a scattering phenomenon inside the sample, which can be linked to the formation of sub-structures that can create local fluctuations of refractive index during the polymerization. A four-flux theory, which takes into account the polymer absorption and scattering properties, has allowed us to describe the UV light intensity variation inside the sample.     

Intercomparison of five methods for the determination of trace metals in sea water

Trace elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr) were preconcentrated from sea water by retention on Chelex-100 resin, APDC/8-quinolinol complexation followed by extraction with 4-methyl-2-pentanon or Freon-113, or coprecipitation with Mg(OH)₂ or Fe(OH)₂. After consideratin of analytical blanks, extraction efficiency, precision preconcentration factor, and suitability for operation on board ship, the best results were obtained by preconcentrating Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu on Chelex-100 resin and coprecipitation of chromium(III) and (VI) with Fe(OH)₂. Graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry were used for the final measurements. The accuracy of the method was tested by using the reference sea water sample NASS-1.     

Elastic deformation during dynamic force measurements in viscous fluids

Understanding and harnessing the coupling between lubrication pressure and elasticity provides materials design strategies for applications such as adhesives, coatings, microsensors, and biomaterials. Elastic deformation of compliant solids caused by viscous forces can also occur during dynamic force measurements in instruments such as the surface forces apparatus (SFA) or the atomic force microscope (AFM). We briefly review hydrodynamic interactions in the presence of soft, deformable interfaces in the lubrication limit. More specifically, we consider the scenario of two surfaces approaching each other in a viscous fluid where one or both surfaces is deformable, which is also relevant to many force measurement systems. In this article the basic theoretical background of the elastohydrodynamic problem is detailed, followed by a discussion of experimental validation and considerations, especially for the role of elastic deformation on surface forces measurements. Finally, current challenges to our understanding of soft hydrodynamic interactions, such as the consideration of substrate layering, poroelasticity, viscoelasticity, surface heterogeneity, as well as their implications are discussed.     

Radioimmunoassay of PCBs in milk and blood

A radioimmunoassay was developed capable of determining Aroclor 1260 in milk at levels of from 20 to 80 ppb and in blood from 2 to 16 ppb. The values obtained by radioimmunoassay correlate well with those determined by gas-liquid chromatography (r2 = 0.96 for milk and 0.99 for blood) but were lower. Antiserum was produced in rabbits and was specific for 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl. It cross-reacted with congeners and isomers in Aroclor 1254 and 1260 to the extent that a 20% decrease in binding was observed with 0.1 ng of either mixture. The method requires preliminary cleanup of the extract on alumina and utilizes 25% dimethyl sulfoxide in the assay medium to promote solubilization of the substrates.