Proficiency testing in the light of a new rationale in metrology

The novel proposed definition of measurement result in the international metrology vocabulary requires a revision of standards and guidelines for proficiency testing (PT), and a new approach to processing proficiency data is needed to test the ability of laboratories to present not only unbiased quantity values, but reliable estimates of their uncertainty. Hence, an accepted reference value with the smallest possible uncertainty is needed to ascertain the proficiency of laboratories reporting results with lower than average uncertainty. A strategy based on the T-statistic is proposed leading to an accepted reference value that fully reflects the uncertainties reported by participants in a PT scheme and permits calculation of E _n numbers to distinguish whether or not measurement results are consistent with the accepted definition of the measurand. The strategy is applied to PT data from a recent international laboratory intercomparison of uranium isotopic ratios.     

The determination of an accepted reference value from proficiency data with stated uncertainties

Proficiency data with stated uncertainties represent a unique opportunity for testing that the reported uncertainties are consistent with the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). In most proficiency tests, however, this opportunity is forfeited, because proficiency data are processed without regard to their uncertainties. In this paper we present alternative approaches for determining a reference value as the weighted mean of all mutually consistent results and their stated uncertainties. Using an accepted reference value each reported uncertainty estimate can be expressed as an E _n number, but a value of confirms its validity only if the uncertainty of the reference value is negligible in comparison.Reference values calculated for results from an International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP-9) by “bottom up” as well as “top down” methods were practically identical, although the first strategy yielded the lowest uncertainty. A plot of individual coefficients of variation (CV) versus E _n numbers helps interpretation of the proficiency data, which could be used to validate relative uncertainties down to <1%.     

Performance indication improvement for a proficiency testing

The paper discusses peculiarities of Z scores and E _n numbers, which are most often used for the treatment of proficiency test data. The important conditions of proper usage of these performance indicators and their improvement are suggested on the basis of systematic approach, on the idea of accuracy classification, and on some principles of optimality borrowed from information theory. The author believes that this paper may be of interest and practical value for all those engaged in applied metrology, specifically in the field of developing of and participating in proficiency testing programs, and in the activity connected with accrediting testing and calibration laboratories.Presented at 15th International Conference on Quality in Israel, November 2004     

Evaluation of laboratory performance in IMEP water interlaboratory comparisons

The aim of International Evaluation Programme (IMEP) is to present objectively the quality of chemical measurements. Participants in IMEP compare their reported measurement results with independent external certified reference values with demonstrated traceability and uncertainty, as evaluated according to international guidelines. Three major interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs), IMEP-6, IMEP-9 and IMEP-12, on trace elements in water were carried out from 1994 to 2000. Participants' results for Cd, Fe and Pb concentrations from these three different IMEP water ILCs were compared by means of suitable performance indicators. The performance evaluation criteria were set according to the requirements stated in the Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption. Two different performance indicators were selected for evaluation of the individual participants' results: the commonly used z-score and the not so well-known E _n number. The group performance indicator is based on the variation of z-scores. To assess the individual measurement performance, not only the deviation of the reported measurement values from the certified reference value, but also criteria for maximum and minimum acceptable uncertainties were taken into account. The participants' performance is also reviewed by means of using a simple graphical tool, called “Naji-plots”.     

Performance of commercial soil laboratories in a proficiency test program in Brazil

A soil proficiency test (PT) was administered to 50 participant laboratories in which two sets of samples, consisting of 20 yearly PT samples and 5 ‘blind’ samples in clients’ names were analyzed for pH, organic matter, total acidity, extractable calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus by the laboratories. Our objective was to determine whether laboratories take extra care to analyze clients’ samples as they do with regular PT samples. The analytical data were evaluated essentially by the procedure described in the international harmonized protocol for proficiency testing of analytical chemistry laboratories. Performance of participant laboratories was assessed by z-scores and summary z-scores statistics involving sum of squared z-scores interpreted as chi-square ( c_n² ) \left( {\chi_{n}^{2} } \right) distribution for zero-centered z-scores with unit variance. From 8 750 determinations, outliers and stragglers accounted for less than 2% of the entire data. Over 93% of the data were satisfactory, whereas between 2 and 4% were either unsatisfactory or questionable in both the PT and ‘blind’ tests. On the basis of sum of squared z-scores interpreted from c_n² \chi_{n}^{2} distribution table, between 30 and 40% of the laboratories had more than 90% probability of having their measurement data within the robust mean and standard deviation for each soil parameter, while another 30–42% of the laboratories had less than 50% probability of having measurement data within the robust mean and standard deviation. Overall, 21 laboratories (42%) were ranked in Class A either in the PT or ‘blind’ tests out of which 12 of them (57%) retained this ranking in both tests. Fourteen laboratories (28%) were ranked in Class C in either the PT or ‘blind’ tests with only 5 of them (36%) consistently ranking in this class in both tests.     

Use of uncertainty estimates as reported by participants in proficiency testing for the evaluation of their results: pros and cons

The aim of this paper is to study the measurement uncertainties reported in proficiency tests (PTs) using examples from PTs in the environmental sector and to compare the obtained measurement uncertainty estimates using different approaches. In addition, the paper focusses on the differences between the z-score and the zeta score. Since the year 2000, the Finnish Environment Institute has asked participants to report analytical methods as well as measurement uncertainties in connection with PT results. The measurement uncertainties of the assigned value have also been evaluated. On the basis of the results, the measurement uncertainties reported by the participants varied greatly. Participants often reported underestimated measurement uncertainties, but overestimated uncertainties were also reported. At the moment, it seems as if performance assessment should be based on the z-score because of a number of significant over- and underestimated measurement uncertainties. The zeta score should be used for information and educational purposes mainly.     

Molar Excess Volumes and Excess Isentropic Compressibilities of Ternary Mixtures Containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Toluidine

Molar excess volumes, V _ijk ^E, and speeds of sound, U _ijk , of o-toluidine (i) + benzene (j) + cyclohexane or n-hexane or n-heptane (k) ternary mixtures have been measured as a function of composition at 308.15 K. The observed speed of sound data have been utilized to determine the excess isentropic compressibilities, (K _S ^E) _ijk , of the ternary (i+j+k) mixtures. The Moelywn-Huggins concept (Huggins in Polymer 12: 389–399, 1971) of connectivity between the surfaces of the binary mixture constituents has been extended to ternary mixtures (using the concept of a connectivity parameter of third degree of molecules, ³ ξ, which in turn depends on its topology) to obtain an expression that describes well the measured V _ijk ^E and (K _S ^E) _ijk data. The observed data have also been analyzed in terms of Flory’s theory.     

Tight-Binding Molecular Dynamics Study of Heteronuclear Systems: Application to Si m Ge n Clusters

The structural properties of Si _m Ge _n clusters are investigated using both the tight-binding molecular dynamics (TBMD) and the ab initio simple and triple-coupled clusters [CCSD(T)] as well as the MP2/6–311G* methods. The TBMD scheme uses a minimal parameter basis and is formulated for heteroatomic systems. Excellent agreement is obtained between these methods, indicating transferability for the TBMD formulation.     

Electron microscope study of alkoxide-derived compositions within the PbZrO3-PbTiO3 phase diagram

Pb(Zr_0.50Ti_0.50)O₃ solid solution was prepared using lead acetate and transition metal n-propoxides in n-propanol or n-butoxides in n-butanol. The complex solutions were hydrolysed with an excess of H₂O. The resultant powders were calcined up to 700°C for 30 minutes in a flowing oxygen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed different morphologies of the resultant powders. The n-propoxide derived powder consisted of gel fragments, while the n-butoxide derived one had agglomerated submicrometre particles. EDS analysis of the powders revealed no chemical heterogeneities in the examined samples upon calcining up to 600°C, notwithstanding the type of precursor used. Both samples, calcined at 700°C, exhibited a slight deficiency of lead in the pyrochlore type phase as compared to the perovskite phase.     

Methods to enhance tolerances of Chlorella KR-1 to toxic compounds in flue gas

Possible methods to minimize the toxic effects of SO _x and NO _x on the growth of a highly CO₂ tolerant and fast-growing microalga, Chlorella sp. KR-1, were investigated. Maintaining the pH of the culturing media at an adequate value was quite important to enhancing the tolerances of the microalgae to SO _x and NO _x . Controlling the pH by adding an alkaline solution, using a low flow rate of gas fed to the culture, and using a high concentration of inoculating cells were effective methods to maintaining the proper pH of the culture. Controlling the pH was the most effective method but could be applied only for some specific microalgae.     

A theoretical study of explosive sensitizers

Quantum chemical calculations at the HF/6-31G^* and B3LYP/6-31G^* levels have been performed on five explosive sensitizers, ethyl nitrate (EN), n-propyl nitrate (NPN), isopropyl nitrate (IPN), 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (EHN) and tetraethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN). Theoretical study has made a detailed molecular-level investigation of the title compounds. Based on the Mulliken populations and bond lengths, the fission of the O₂–N₃ can be acceptable reasonably. Charge distribution analysis indicates that the five nitrates produce NO₂ gas during the dissociation of the O₂–N₃ weak bond. We also order the relative thermal stability of five nitrates on the basis of frontier orbital energy (E _HOMO, E _LUMO) and energy gap (ΔE = E _HOMO − E _LUMO).     

水在C12-EOx-C12•2Br/正己醇/正庚烷W/O微乳中的状态

以FT-IR方法研究了水/C₁₂-EO_x-C₁₂•2Br/正己醇/正庚烷形成的W/O微乳中水的状态. 结果表明, 其中的水存在4种状态, 分别为阳离子头基结合水、反离子结合水、类似本体的水以及束缚在微乳栅栏层中的水. 由解卷积技术分解FT-IR谱图, 进而获得每个表面活性剂分子对应于这4种状态水分子的数目n_N＋, n_Br-, n_b和n_f. 随着水含量(W₀)增加, n_b急剧增大, n_N＋少许上升, 而n_f和n_Br-维持不变, 这说明微乳水核逐渐长大, 且在所考察W₀范围内, 表面活性剂头基解离度保持不变.     

Synthesis of diblock copolymers with cellulose derivatives. 3. Cellulose derivatives carrying a single pyrene group at the reducing-end and fluorescent studies of their self-assembly systems in aqueous NaOH solutions

Novel cellobiose and cellulose (DP _n =ca. 30) derivatives, N-(1-pyrenebutyloyl)-4-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosylamine (6), N-(15-(1-pyrenebutyloylamino)-pentadecanoyl)-4-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosylamine (7), N-(1-pyrenebutyloyl)-β-cellulosylamine (13), N-(15-(1-pyrenebutyloylamino)-pentadecanoyl)-β-cellulosylamine (14) carrying a pyrene group as a single fluorescent probe at the reducing end, were prepared in order to investigate their self-assembly systems in solutions. The relative intensity of the excimer emission at ca. 480 nm due to dimerized pyrenes (intensity I _E) to the monomer emission at ca. 380 nm due to isolated pyrene (intensity I _M), i.e., I _E/I _M, was monitored in various solutions. In water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) mixed solvent (0–98%, v/v), the ratio I _E/I _M remained low (0.04) for compound 6 over the range of water concentrations, indicating that pyrenes at C-1 position of compound 6 were diffused. On the other hand, the ratio I _E/I _M increased (0.04–4.96) for compound 7 with the increase in water concentration, indicating that pyrenes at C-1 position were associated. In aqueous NaOH solutions (4.4–17.5%, w/w), compound 14 showed a large increase in the ratio I _E/I _M (0.84–8.14) with the increase in NaOH concentration, compared to compound 13 (0.06–0.41). It was found that the association of hydrophobic groups at the reducing-end of cellulose could be controlled by the hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance of compounds and the solvent polarity.     

The effect of pressure on order destruction and order creation in linear or branched alkane mixtures

The pressure dependence of the excess enthalpy H ^E , dH ^E /dP, has been calculated from experimental excess volumes V ^E and dV ^E /dT using dH ^E /dP=V ^E –TdV ^E /dT. dH ^E /dP at zero pressure are reported at 25°C and equimolar concentration for the mixtures: cyclohexane with the series of normal alkanes (n-C _n , where n=6,8,10,12,14 and 16) and with the series of highly branched alkanes (br-C _n , where n=6,8,12 and 16), benzene, toluene and p-xylene +n-C _n and 1-chloronaphthalene +n-C _n and br-C _n . Experimental and Flory theory dH ^E /dP values are in good agreement for the whole cyclohexane +br-C _n series. For the n-C _n series, dH ^E /dP becomes increasingly positive deviating from the Flory predictions. This discrepancy is due to the presence of short-range orientational order in the higher n-C _n pure liquids which makes dH/dP more negative and which, upon mixing, is destroyed producing a positive contribution to dH ^E /dP not accounted for by the theory. The discrepancy between theoretical and experimental dH ^E /dP is large for benzene, but progressively smaller for toluene, p-xylene and 1-chloronaphthalene. These results are consistent with creation of order between the aromatic plate-like molecule and the long n-C _n in solution. For 1-chloronaphthalene +n-C _n , this order creation process produces a negative contribution to dH ^E /dP which balances the positive order-destruction contribution originated by the rupture, upon mixing, of short-range orientational order in pure n-C _n .     

Parity alternation of interstellar molecules cyanopolyynes HCnN (n = 1–17)

In this paper, we report the design of models for interstellar molecules HC_nN (n = 1–17) by means of the B3LYP density functional method. We performed geometry optimization and calculation on vibrational frequency. We find that the ground-state (G-S) isomers of HC_nN (n = 1–17) are with the N atom located at one end and the H atom at the other end of a C_n chain; they are all linear except for HC₂N which is bent. When n is odd, the C_n chain is polyacetylene-like whereas when n is even, the C_n chain displays a structure that is cumulenic-like in the middle of the C_n chain. It is found that the G-S isomers of odd-n HC_nN (n = 1–17) are more stable than those of even-n ones. The finding is in accord with the relative intensities of HC_nN recorded in laboratory investigations, and in consistent with the results of objects observed in interstellar media. We provide explanations for such a trend of even/odd alternation based on concepts of the highest vibrational frequency, bonding character, electronic configuration, incremental binding energy, nucleus-independent chemical shift, and dissociation channels.     

碱土金属叠氮化合物(MgN_6)_n(n=1～5)团簇结构与性质的密度泛函理论研究

利用密度泛函理论在B3LYP/6-311G*水平上对碱土金属叠氮化合物(MgN6)n(n=1～5)团簇各种可能构型进行了几何优化,预测了各团簇的最稳定结构。并对最稳定结构的成键特性、电荷分布、振动特性及稳定性进行理论研究。结果表明,叠氮化合物中叠氮基以直线型存在,MgN6团簇最稳定结构为直线型;(MgN6)2团簇最稳定结构为Mg2N2四元环平面结构;(MgN6)n(n=3～5)团簇最稳定结构是由2个叠氮基与2个Mg原子首先构成近似菱形,再由近似菱形延伸形成的链状结构。叠氮基中间的N原子显示正电性,两端的N原子显示负电性,且与Mg直接作用的N原子负电性更强,金属Mg原子和N原子之间形成很强的离子键。(MgN6)n(n=1～5)团簇最稳定结构的IR光谱分为4个部分,其最强振动峰均位于2209～2313cm-1,振动模式为叠氮基中N-N键的反对称伸缩振动。稳定性分析显示,(MgN6)3和(MgN6)5团簇相对于其他团簇较为稳定。     

不同硅铝比Cu-ZSM-5纳米片上N2O催化分解

以双季铵盐表面活性剂为模板剂,水热条件下合成了硅铝比(nSi/nAl)为18、26和95的ZSM-5沸石纳米片,采用离子交换方法制备了铜改性的ZSM-5纳米片样品,并测试了其催化分解N_2O性能。结合X射线衍射(XRD)、N_2吸附/脱附、X射线荧光光谱(XRF)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、氢气程序升温还原(H_2-TPR)、氧气程序升温脱附(O_2-TPD)和原位红外漫反射光谱(CODRIFT)等表征结果 ,探讨了沸石硅铝比对于催化剂N_2O分解性能的影响及其原因。结果表明,ZSM-5纳米片硅铝比越低,CuZSM-5纳米片催化剂的活性越高。催化活性的提高归因于低硅铝比催化剂上Cu~+活性物种可还原性的增强和吸附氧脱附能力的提高。     

Thermotropic Liquid Crystals of Double-Chain Zwit-terionic Surfactants (C16)2NCnS

A series of double-chain sulfobetain zwitterionic surfactants with varying carbon number of the intercharge group (spacer), (C₁₆H₃₃)₂NCH₃(CH₂)_nSO₃, where n=2, 3, 4, and 6, referred to as (C₁₆)₂NC_nS, were synthesized. The influence of the spacer length on the thermal behaviors of (C₁₆)₂NC_nS in their pure state was studied using thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of (C₁₆)₂NC_nS lowered with increasing the spacer length. All compounds showed a complex polymorphism. Only for (C₁₆)₂NC₄S and (C₁₆)₂NC₆S, thermotropic liquid crystals were observed using POM. The former exhibited a smectic A (SmA) phase, whereas the latter formed a hexagonal columnar phase. These liquid crystals obtained both in the cooling and the second heating scans provided compelling evidence for the thermal stability of these compounds.     

New synthesis of ( E )-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienylpropionate and ( E )-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-1,8-diol, pheromone components of San Jose scaleinsect Quadraspidiotus pernicious and african monarch butterfly Danaus chrysippus

6-Methyl-6-hepten-2-one (3) on reaction with ethyl α-dimethylphosphonate/NaH gives a mixture of (E)-and (Z)-conjugated esters. The major (E)-isomer, (E)-ethyl-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienoate (4), on reduction with LiAlH₄ at room temperature furnishes (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadien-l-ol (5) which on propionylation affords (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienyl propionate (1). Carbinol (5) is converted into its silyl ether (E)-2,6-dimethyl-8-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-l,6-octadiene (6) witht-Bu(Me)₂SiCl in CH₂Cl₂, which on hydroboronation-oxidation with 9-BBN/NaOH-H₂O₂ followed by disilylalion with (n-Bu)₄N⁺ F⁻ at room temperature, gives (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-l,8-diol (2).