Detection of trace levels of trichothecene mycotoxins in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method is described for the simultaneous detection of the trichothecene mycotoxins T-2, HT-2, T-2 tetraol, diacetoxyscirpenol, 15-monoacetoxyscirpendiol, scirpentriol, nivalenol and deoxynivalenol, in human urine. Samples were extracted from Clin Elut columns and cleaned up using reversed-phase Sep-Pak C18 cartridges. Trichothecenes were derivatised as their heptafluorobutyryl esters, and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected-ion monitoring using electron impact ionisation. The method was validated by the analysis of 22 urine samples, spiked and submitted "blind" for analysis by another laboratory. An alternative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method using negative ion chemical ionisation is also described and a preliminary comparison of the two methods made. The methods enabled levels down to 1 ppb to be detected, with confirmation of identity at levels between 2 and 5 ppb, depending on the toxin.     

Calculation of scattering from stretched copolymers using the tube model: a generalisation of the RPA

There are many experimental situations in which polymer chains are constrained or localised into a small region of space (e.g. melt chains confined to a “tube”, network chains pinned by crosslinks). We show that detailed consideration of the quenched variables is vital in these experiments. This paper provides a crucial link between microscopic models with localising constraints and scattering patterns by a generalisation of the Random Phase Approximation (RPA) which allows for quenched translational variables. A method is developed which deals with correlations between the quenched variables brought about by incompressiblity (for example, in a polymer melt there are correlations between tubes because of the interaction between chains). As an example, the generalised RPA is applied to models based on the Warner-Edwards picture of the tube. Theoretical results for a melt of H-shaped copolymers are compared with experimental scattering. Early results suggest that to fit the scattering we may be forced to relax one of the central assumptions of the tube model; that the tube deforms affinely, that all chains retract by the same amount or that the tube diameter does not couple to the strain. Received 26 October 1998 and Received in final form 19 March 1999     

A critical investigation of the effects of the radio frequency potential on the trapping of externally injected ions in ion trap mass spectrometry

The sensitivity of all ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) methods is dependent on the trapping efficiency of the instrument. For ITMS instruments utilizing external ion sources, such as laser desorption, trapping efficiency is known to depend on the phase and amplitude of the radio frequency (RF) potential applied to the ring electrode at the time of ion introduction. It is remarkable that, in a considerable body of literature, no consensus exists regarding the effects of these parameters on the efficacy of trapping externally generated ions. In this paper, a summary of the literature is presented in order to highlight significant discrepancies. New laser desorption ion trap mass spectrometry (LD-ITMS) data are also presented, from which conclusions are drawn in our effort to clarify some of the confusion. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrolysis and Oxidation Products of the Chemical Warfare Agents 1,2-Bis[(2-chloroethyl)thio]ethane Q and 2,2′-Bis(2-chloroethylthio)diethyl Ether T

Syntheses of diols of structure [HOCH₂CH₂S]₂(CH₂)_n in 86–95% yield from the sodium salt of 2-mercaptoethanol and Br(CH₂)_nBr (n = 1 to 5) or in 60–90% yield from 2-chloroethanol and NaS(CH₂)_nSNa (n = 2 to 5) are described. The diol [HOCH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂]₂O was prepared in 82% yield from the sodium salt of 2-mercaptoethanol and [ClCH₂CH₂]₂O, and in 88% yield from 2-chloroethanol and [HSCH₂CH₂]₂O. Mono- and bis-sulfoxides and bis-sulfones of these species were prepared in generally high yield by treatment with an equivalent of KIO₄ in aqueous methanol, two equivalents of NaIO₄ in aqueous methanol, or four equivalents of H₂O₂ in trifluoroacetic acid respectively. The compounds are important analytical standards for investigating the fate of the chemical warfare agents sesquimustard Q and oxygen mustard T in environmental samples.     

The Approximation of the Optimal Control of Vibrations—A Geometrical Approach

In this paper we employ concepts from Banach space geometry in order to examine the problem of approximating the optimal distributed control of vibrating media whose motion is governed by a wave equation with a 2n-order self-adjoint and positive-definite linear differential operator. We show that this geometrical approach, arrived at via duality theory, provides the exact framework in which the approximation problem must be placed in order to get the correct convergence results, for it is here that the necessary and sufficient conditions for the approximate norm or time minimal control can be fully developed. Using the theory of Asplund, we are also able to improve the traditional weak^* convergence results for the more difficult case of L^∞ controls. Finally, we consider certain numerical examples which help illustrate our theoretical results.     

Electrostatic lenses

The various types of electrostatic lenses that are used to control beams of ions or electrons are briefly described, together with the computational techniques for evaluating their properties. Particular emphasis is placed on the calculation and minimization of the aberrations of these lenses. In computer-aided designs of lens systems it is convenient to have lens properties available in the form of numerical approximations, and the achievement of this is discussed. Special types of lens, such as the zoom lens, are also discussed.     

Laser spectroscopy of holmium monosulphide: Electronic, vibrational and rotational structure of the A[14.79]8.5-X8.5, A[14.79]8.5-W[0.25]7.5 and A[14.79]8.5-V[0.98]7.5 transitions

Laser induced fluorescence spectra of HoS have been obtained using a Broida oven and a ring dye laser. Dispersed fluorescence spectra showed transitions from a common upper state, A[14.79]8.5 to the v = 0 and 1 vibrational levels of three low lying states, labelled X8.5, W[0.25]7.5 and V[0.98]7.5 (the states are labelled [10⁻³T₀]Ω according to their energy and Ω assignment). High resolution excitation spectra were obtained for all six transitions and a rotational analysis yielded the following principal constants, in cm⁻¹, for the X, W and V states, respectively: T₀ = 0, 251.8713(31), 980.6969(37); B_e = 0.121903(42), 0.121729(37), 0.122561(34); ΔG_1/2 = 463.8811(46), 462.9411(45), 461.2084(127). For the A state, T₀ = 14794.6987(28) cm⁻¹ and B₀ = 0.112596(29) cm⁻¹. The three low lying states are shown to arise from the Ho²⁺[4f¹⁰(⁵I₈)6s]S²⁻ configuration in accord with Ligand Field Theory predictions. The atomic origin of each of the three low lying electronic states was determined from the observed resolved hyperfine structure.     

Electron beam moiré

A method of writing very high frequency line and dot pattems, in excess of 10,000 lines/mm, is described. This method uses a very small diameter, 10 to 20 nm, beam of electrons to sensitize a 100-nm thick layer of electron resist. The line and dot patterns are produced by etching the sensitized resist. Moiré fringe patterns occur when the line arrays are observed in the scanning electron microscope. Moiré fringes with excellent contrast have been produced at magnifications as high as 1900x. This capability permits e-beam moiré to be employed in micromechanics. Examples of line arrays, dot arrays and moiré fringe patterns on a brass disk and on a tensile specimen fabricated from glass-fiber-reinforced plastic are demonstrated to introduce the possibilities for micromechanics applications.     

A note on chain lengths and the Tutte polynomial

We show that the number of chains of given length in a graph G can be easily found from the Tutte polynomial of G. Hence two Tutte-equivalent graphs will have the same distribution of chain lengths. We give two applications of this latter statement.We also give the dual results for the numbers of multiple edges with given muliplicities.