Systematic comparison of δ13C measurements of testosterone and derivative steroids in a freeze-dried urine candidate reference material for sports drug testing by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry and uncertainty evaluation using four different metrological approaches

An alternative calibration procedure for use when performing carbon isotope ratio measurements by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) has been developed. This calibration procedure does not rely on the corrections in-built in the instrument software, as the carbon isotope ratios of a sample are calculated from the measured raw peak areas. The method was developed for the certification of a urine reference material for sports drug testing, as the estimation of measurement uncertainty is greatly simplified. To ensure that the method is free from bias arising from the choice of calibration material and instrument, the carbon isotope ratios of steroids in urine extracts were measured using two different instruments in different laboratories, and three different reference materials (CU/USADA steroid standards from Brenna Laboratory, Cornell University; NIST RM8539 mineral oil; methane calibrated against NIST RM8560 natural gas). The measurements were performed at LGC and the Australian National Measurement Institute (NMI). It was found that there was no significant difference in measurement results when different instruments and reference materials were used to measure the carbon isotope ratio of the major testosterone metabolites androsterone and etiocholanolone, or the endogenous reference compounds pregnanediol, 11- ketoetiocholanolone and 11β-hydroxyandrosterone. Expanded measurement uncertainties at the 95% coverage probability ranged from 0.21‰ to 1.4‰, depending on analyte, instrument and reference material. The measurement results of this comparison were used to estimate a measurement uncertainty of δ(13)C for the certification of the urine reference material being performed on a single instrument using a single reference material at NMI.     

Practical aspects of carbon content determination in carburized steels by EPMA.

The carbon contents in carburized steels were investigated by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) for a range of carbon levels in the solid solution less than 1 wt%. This article describes the difficulties encountered with the classic analytical procedure using the k ratio of X-ray intensities and the phi(rhoz) model. Here, a suitable calibration curve method is presented with emphasis on the metallographic study of standard specimens and on the carbon decontamination of samples.     

Quantitative Analysis of Ti-Si-Ge/Si-Ge/Si Structures by EDS and AES

 A method for quantitative analysis of Ti-Si-Ge/Si-Ge/Si structures with submicron thick layers by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was developed. Quantitation of the results of both AES and EDS techniques was performed on the basis of a single reference specimen for the Ti-Si-Ge system comprising a uniform layer of the Ti(Si_0.85Ge_0.15)₂ phase on a silicon substrate. The reference sample was prepared by the same procedure as the samples used in the study, and was thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy in scanning electron microscopy. Using this reference sample the elemental sensitivity factors relative to Si were found for both techniques, which enable us to obtain the elemental depth distributions for the studied samples. Good agreement between the results obtained by EDS/TEM, AES and supplementary techniques was found.     

Uncertainties of mercury determinations in biological materials using an atomic absorption spectrometer – AMA 254

 The method is based on catalysed ignition of a sample portion in a flow of oxygen, capture of mercury by an amalgamator and measurement of the mercury vapour's absorbance after thermic release from the amalgamator. Three powdered food samples, a certified reference material (CRM) human hair and a reference material (RM) urine (liquid) were measured in the first range of the instrument (the possible contents determined according to our measurement procedure were 0.0003–0.5 ppm). The calibration function used was a line passing through the origin. The combined standard uncertainties of the mercury determinations were computed from uncertainty components of five quantities: absorbance of the sample, absorbance of the sample blank, slope of the calibration line, correction factor of the abscissa axis, and mass or volume of the sample. The most important uncertainty component is the uncertainty of the sample absorbance measurement which amounts to 52% of the determination uncertainty at the minimum (RM urine) and about 90% at the maximum (in our laboratory homogenized powdered food samples; analysis of variance showed their homogeneity to be insufficient). The results of the CRM and RM analyses do not indicate a significant systematic error for this determination. The relative expanded uncertainty (coefficient was 2) of the determination increases from 9 to 13% for the insufficiently homogenized samples with decreasing mercury content (range of 0.004–0.03 ppm); higher homogeneity of samples results in a decrease of the expanded uncertainty, e.g. 4.6% for the liquid sample (RM urine). Received: 26 April 1999 / Accepted: 30 August 1999     

Measurement of X-ray emission efficiency for K-lines.

Results for the X-ray emission efficiency (counts per C per sr) of K-lines for selected elements (C, Al, Si, Ti, Cu, Ge) and for the first time also for compounds and alloys (SiC, GaP, AlCu, TiAlC) are presented. An energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) of known detection efficiency (counts per photon) has been used to record the spectra at a takeoff angle of 25 degrees determined by the geometry of the secondary electron microscope's specimen chamber. Overall uncertainty in measurement could be reduced to 5 to 10% in dependence on the line intensity and energy. Measured emission efficiencies have been compared with calculated efficiencies based on models applied in standardless analysis. The widespread XPP and PROZA models give somewhat too low emission efficiencies. The best agreement between measured and calculated efficiencies could be achieved by replacing in the modular PROZA96 model the original expression for the ionization cross section by the formula given by Casnati et al. (1982) A discrepancy remains for carbon, probably due to the high overvoltage ratio.     

Facile synthesis of hollow Co3O4 microspheres and its use as a rapid responsive CL sensor of combustible gases

The hollow Co(3)O(4) microspheres (HCMs) were prepared by the carbonaceous templates, which did not need the surface pretreatment. The chemiluminescence (CL) and catalytic properties for CO oxidation over these hollow samples were evaluated. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectra (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (ED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and N(2) adsorption. The influences of filter' band length, flow rate of gas, test temperature, and particle structure on CL intensities were mainly investigated. It was found that compared with the solid Co(3)O(4) particles (SCPs), HCMs had a stronger CL intensity, which was ascribed to its hollow structure; and that CL properties of the catalysts were well correlated with their reaction activities. Moreover, HCMs were used to fabricate a highly sensitive gas detector, which is a rapid and effective method for the selection of catalysts or the detection of environmental deleterious gases.     

Accreditation of reference material producers: Let's get it right!

The accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025 is increasingly calling for the accreditation of reference material (RM) producers. Two international guides, ISO Guide 34 (2000) " General requirements for the competence of reference material producers" issued by the ISO Committee on Reference Materials and ILAC-G 12 " Guidelines for the requirements for the competence of reference material producers" issued by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), are already in use for this purpose. Recently however initiatives have been launched to accredit RM producers to ISO 17025 as calibration laboratories and it has been suggested that a combination of ISO/IEC 17025 " General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" and ISO Guide 34 may be the best option. This publication is an expression of the position of the ISO Committee on Reference Materials (ISO/REMCO) on the standards and guides currently in use in the accreditation of RM producers. The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these standards and guides from the perspective of benefit to RM producers and RM users. In conclusion, the use of ISO Guide 34 alone or in combination with ILAC-G 12 is the preferred system for the accreditation of RM producers. Therefore ISO/REMCO strongly encourages all accreditation bodies to adopt ISO Guide 34.     

Micro-heterogeneity study of trace elements in BCR CRM 680 by means of synchrotron micro-XRF

BCR CRM 680 is a newly released reference material (RM) with a polyolefinic matrix, doped with various metallic compounds in trace concentrations, to be used for calibration of multi-element trace analytical methods. The micro-heterogeneity of this new CRM was investigated to evaluate the suitability as a RM for trace-level micro analytical techniques. Synchrotron micro-XRF, a trace-level micro analytical method, allows to quantitatively measure the degree of heterogeneity of inorganic trace constituents in solid materials with a homogeneous matrix. The procedure for calculating the minimal sampling mass for homogeneous measurements was employed for BCR CRM 680. By repeating the entire procedure on several samples of the same material, the repeatability of the micro-heterogeneity characterization based on micro-XRF was investigated. Afterwards, the micro-heterogeneity results from the BCR CRM 680 material were used to evaluate the suitability of the micro-heterogeneity procedure by means of a Monte Carlo simulation model. Also the existence of nuggets in the polymer material is looked into.     

Micro-heterogeneity study of trace elements in BCR CRM 680 by means of synchrotron micro-XRF

BCR CRM 680 is a newly released reference material (RM) with a polyolefinic matrix, doped with various metallic compounds in trace concentrations, to be used for calibration of multi-element trace analytical methods. The micro-heterogeneity of this new CRM was investigated to evaluate the suitability as a RM for trace-level micro analytical techniques. Synchrotron μ-XRF, a trace-level micro analytical method, allows to quantitatively measure the degree of heterogeneity of inorganic trace constituents in solid materials with a homogeneous matrix. The procedure for calculating the minimal sampling mass for homogeneous measurements was employed for BCR CRM 680. By repeating the entire procedure on several samples of the same material, the repeatability of the micro-heterogeneity characterization based on μ-XRF was investigated. Afterwards, the micro-heterogeneity results from the BCR CRM 680 material were used to evaluate the suitability of the micro-heterogeneity procedure by means of a Monte Carlo simulation model. Also the existence of nuggets in the polymer material is looked into.     

Calculated electron distribution for tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile (TFT)

Accurate local density functional calculations on tetrafluoroterephtalonitrile have yielded a self-consistent electron distribution. A comparison with the experimentally determined distribution serves as a test for local density functional theory as well as for the extraction procedure used to obtain the density from the X-ray diffraction intensities.     

Chemical shifts of auger electron lines and electron binding energies in free molecules. Sulfur compounds

The first paper describing a series of systematic investigations of the chemical shifts in Auger electron spectra from various free molecules is presented. Excitation is performed by means of a fine focus electron beam. The Auger electrons are retarded in a four component lens system and recorded at high resolution in a new multidetector system placed in the focal plane of the ESCA instrument. A calibration procedure against the KL₂L₃ Auger electron line of Ne is described. The first study concerns Auger electron line shifts for sulfur in some small molecules and the results are compared to the corresponding chemical shifts in the core photoelectron spectra. A formalism based on a transition potential model is briefly presented which takes account of the relaxation energies involved in Auger transitions as well as in single photoionization.     

Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of core level shifts at buried GaP/Si(001) interfaces

We present a study of buried GaP/Si(001) heterointerfaces by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Well-defined thin (4–50 nm) GaP films were grown on Si(001) substrates with 2° miscut orientations by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Core level photoelectron intensities and valence band spectra were measured on heterostructures as well as on the corresponding reference (bulk) substrates. Detailed analysis of core level peaks revealed line broadening and energetic shifts. Valence band offsets were derived for the films with different thickness. Based on the observed variation of the valence band offsets with the GaP film thickness and on the experimental evidence of line broadening, the existence of charge displacement at the GaP/Si(001) interface is suggested.     

On the validity of level crossing calculations for 10B NQDR

The I=3 nuclear quadrupole resonance spectra (e.g. ¹⁰B) present peculiarities in comparison to I=1 or I=$\text{3}\text{2}$ spectra. Hence, the predictions of the simple level crossing theory with regard to the relative line intensities of I=3 DRLC spectra were checked by comparison with the experimental spectrum of borazine (B₃N₃H₆). If the experiment is properly conducted level crossing theory will be able to calculate the relative line intensities correctly in spite of the huge differences in the quantum-mechanical transition probabilities and other complications of the I=3 system. The relative line intensities should be fairly independent of the value of the asymmetry parameter.     

The Observation of Strong Absorption of the Yttrium Lα Line in Sialon Ceramics

 β-sialon ceramics sintered with yttria additives have been studied with the use of an electron probe X-ray analysis (EPMA). Sialon ceramics were prepared from a carbothermally derived β-sialon powder and then sintered in a nitrogen atmosphere with yttria admixture. The above process was followed by annealing in flowing nitrogen. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations have shown that the sintered material contains a glassy phase (Y-Si-Al-O-N) on the grain boundaries. X-ray diffraction (XRD) after annealing in nitrogen revealed the presence of a considerable amount of yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG). The higher voltage of 30 kV was used in order to excite the yttrium K_α radiation (14.96 keV) at an appropriate overvoltage ratio because in some phases of the material, the disappearance of the yttrium L_α line has been observed during EPMA examination at an accelerating voltage of 15 kV in energy dispersive spectra (EDS). The intensity of the yttrium K_α line was sufficiently high, while the Y L_α line was not seen in the ED spectrum. Because the position of the yttrium L_α line (1.922 keV) is very close to the Si (K) absorption edge (1.84 keV), the strong absorption at this edge is probably responsible for the effect. This result should be considered as a serious warning in the case of EPMA (EDS) studies on compounds or mixtures suspected to contain both silicon and yttrium, because at electrons energies lower than 15 keV, the presence of yttrium in materials can go unnoticed. In wavelength dispersive spectra (WDS) obtained at 15 keV the intensity of the yttrium L_α line was also very low but measurable.     

Asbestos mineral analysis by UV Raman and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

The applicability of a UV micro-Raman setup was assessed for the rapid identification of fibrous asbestos minerals using 257 and 244 nm laser light for excitation. Raman spectra were obtained from six asbestos reference standards belonging to two basic structural groups: the serpentines (chrysotile) and the amphiboles (crocidolite, tremolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and actinolite). The UV Raman spectra reported here for the first time are free from fluorescence, which is especially helpful in assessing the hydroxyl-stretching vibrations. The spectra exhibit sharp bands characteristic of each asbestos species, which can be used for the unambiguous identification of known and unknown asbestos fibres. Evident changes of the relative band intensities sensitively reflect the chemical substitutions that typically occur in asbestos minerals. The elemental composition of the asbestos reference samples was analysed by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometer. The discussion of the experimental results in terms of EDX analysis sheds new light on the structural and vibrational consequences of cation distribution in asbestos minerals.     

Strong Correlation Effects in inner Valence Ionization of N2 AND CO

The results of many-body calculations of the valence and inner-valence ionization potentials and their intensities are reported for N2 and CO. For N2 we find that the 2σg line is smashed to several pieces of roughly equal intensity. It is not possible to identify any of these lines as the ǒmainǒ line representing the ionization of a 2Ug electron and the remaining ones as satellite lines. For CO there survives a line which carries about half of the 3e intensity and which can be interpreted to represent the ionization of an electron out of the 3σ orbital. The results explain the peculiar shape of the broad innervalence peaks of N2 and CO. For both N2 and CO rich satellite structure is found in qualitative agreement with experimental X-ray photoelectron spectra.     

Ag-Ag2Se共敏化ZnO花-棒异质结构的合成及其光电化学特性

采用水相法合成ZnO花-棒(ZFRs)有序阵列结构,同时利用离子交换法,制备Ag和Ag2Se量子点共敏化光ZnO光阳极(AA-ZFRs)。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、X射线能量色散谱(EDS)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)等手段对样品进行了分析和表征,并测试其光电化学特性以及量子效应。结果表明,Ag-Ag2Se共敏化ZnO花-棒三维有序结构对太阳光的吸收范围延展至近红外区(750 nm),并且在敏化层与ZnO基质界面形成异质结,有效的抑制光生电子-空穴对复合,增强光转换量子效应,从而提高光电化学性能,开路电压达到-0.77 V,短路电流为0.64 mA。     

Ag-Ag2Se共敏化ZnO花-棒异质结构的合成及其光电化学特性

采用水相法合成ZnO花-棒(ZFRs)有序阵列结构,同时利用离子交换法,制备Ag和Ag₂Se量子点共敏化光ZnO光阳极(AA-ZFRs)。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、X射线能量色散谱(EDS)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)等手段对样品进行了分析和表征,并测试其光电化学特性以及量子效应。结果表明,Ag-Ag₂Se共敏化ZnO花-棒三维有序结构对太阳光的吸收范围延展至近红外区(750 nm),并且在敏化层与ZnO基质界面形成异质结,有效的抑制光生电子-空穴对复合,增强光转换量子效应,从而提高光电化学性能,开路电压达到-0.77 V,短路电流为0.64 mA。     

Nanobelt formation of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate via a soft chemistry process

The nanobelt formation of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate (MHSH) via a soft chemistry approach using carbonate salt and magnesium sulfate as reactants was successfully demonstrated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion X-ray spectra (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the MHSH nanobelts possessed a thin belt structure (approximately 50 nm in thickness) and a rectangular cross profile (approximately 200 nm in width). The MHSH nanobelts suffered decomposition under electron beam irradiation during TEM observation and formed MgO with the pristine nanobelt morphology preserved. The formation process of the MHSH nanobelts was studied by tracking the morphology of the MHSH nanobelts during the reaction. A possible chemical reaction mechanism is proposed.     

Formation of Struvite Crystals in a Simulated Food Waste Aerobic Composting Process

Bench-scale treatments with three mixtures of Mg and P salts,including K3PO4+MgSO4,K2HPO4+MgSO4,and KH2PO4+MgSO4 as additives in a simulated food waste aerobic composting process,were conducted to test the magnesium ammonium phosphate(MAP) formation,and the compost products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS) analyses.The comparison results between XRD,SEM,and EDS analyses of MAPs in the dried compost and synthesized MAPs co...