The application of novel extraction chromatographic materials to the characterization of radioactive waste solutions

A simple method for the separation and preconcentration of radiostrontium from acidic nuclear waste solutions for subsequent determination is described. The method involves passage of the waste solution, acidified to at least 2M with nitric acid, through an extraction chromatographic column consisting of a 1M solution of bis-4,4(5)[(t-butyl)cyclohexano]-18-crown-6 in 1-octanol sorbed on an inert polymeric substrate, which preferentially retains strontium. The strontium may then be stripped from the column with a small volume of either dilute (0.05M) nitric acid or water. Actinides present are removed quantitatively prior to strontium separation by passage of the sample through an actinide-specific extraction chromatographic column.Work performed under the auspices of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, U. S. Department of Energy, under contract number W-31-109-ENG-38.     

Use of participant EQA results to assess sample homogeneity and stability for qualitative analytes

International requirements for PT and EQA state that providers must demonstrate that samples are homogeneous and stable. However, testing for homogeneity and stability can be expensive, use samples that could otherwise serve as quality-control materials, and can also fail to detect significant inhomogeneity and instability. In some situations it may be preferable to use the results from participants to identify problems with sample lots, if historic results follow predictable distributions and a statistical decision rule can be produced. An unusually high proportion of incorrect results may indicate that samples were inhomogeneous or unstable. Conditions under which this can be demonstrated are discussed, and the efficacy of the proposal is demonstrated with two examples. This procedure is especially effective when there are a large number of participants and/or a historic small proportion of incorrect results. Providers who adopt this proposal will need to retain samples for testing and assume the risk of distributing bad samples.Presented at the Eurachem PT Workshop September 2005, Portorož, Slovenia     

PHOTOSENSITIZATION WITH BACTERIOCHLORINS

Abstract— Biophysical and photobiological properties of a group of bacteriochlorins were compared with efficacy of these products for photodynamic therapy of murine tumors. Predictive factors for selective photosensitization in vivo include affinity binding to lipoproteins greater than albumin, extinction coefficient at the wavelength of irradiation and tumor/skin distribution. Efficacy was correlated with circulating plasma levels of the different sensitizers but not with the photodynamic therapy response in cell culture.     

Sol-Gel Processing of PbZrO3 Thin Films

PbZrO₃ (PZ) thin films have been prepared by 2-methoxyethanol route from lead oxide or lead acetate and zirconium n-butoxide. The use of lead oxide as lead source and the seeding layer of TiO₂ on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si substrate facilitate the formation of the perovskite phase.