High accuracy analysis by isotope dilution mass spectrometry using an iterative exact matching technique

The selection of an appropriate isotope dilution mass spectrometry technique for the practical application of this potentially primary method of analysis is highly important. The NARL approach for the application of the exact matching double isotope dilution mass spectrometry technique developed by Henrion is presented. NARL's approach utilises exact matching to minimise the effect of measurement biases within the method but also includes the thorough examination of all other biasing factors. The approach has been successfully tested in international CCQM intercomparisons with other national metrology institutes.     

The development of an 18-locus Y-STR system for forensic casework

The aim of the present work was to improve the discriminatory potential, and hence the probative value, of Y-STR-based testing by extending the set of Y chromosome STR loci available for forensic casework. In accordance with the requirements of a Y chromosome multiplex analytical system developed specifically for forensic casework use, we have sought to maximize the number of loci able to be co-amplified, ensure appropriate assay sensitivity (1–2 ng of input genomic DNA), balance inter-locus signals and minimize confounding female DNA artifacts. Two Y chromosome STR systems, multiplex I (MPI) and multiplex II (MPII), have been developed which permit the robust co-amplification of 18 Y-STRs. The loci include DYS19, DYS385(a) and (b), DYS388, DYS389I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS425, DYS434, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, Y-GATA-C4, Y-GATA-A7.1 (DYS460) and Y-GATA-H4. The two multiplex systems are robust over a wide range of primer, magnesium, and DNA polymerase concentrations and perform well under a variety of cycling conditions. Complete male haplotypes can be obtained with as little as 100–250 pg of template DNA. Although a limited number of female DNA artifacts are observed in mixed stains in which the male DNA comprises 1/100 of the total, the male profile is easily discernible. Slightly modified versions of MPI and MPII demonstrate a significant reduction in female artifacts. Thus, it may not be necessary to employ a differential extraction strategy to obtain a male haplotype (or haplotypes in the case of multiple male donors) in cases of sexual assault. The potential utility of MPI and MPII for forensic casework is exemplified by their ability to dissect out the male haplotype in post-coital vaginal swabs and to determine the number of male donors in mixed semen stains.This study has emphasized the need for novel Y-STR multiplexes developed for forensic use to undergo a series of validation exercises that go beyond simply optimizing the PCR reaction conditions. Specifically, stringent performance checks on their efficacy need to be carried out using casework-type specimens in order to determine potential confounding effects from female DNA.     

New class of coordination compounds with noble gas fluorides as ligands to metal ions

A new class of coordination compounds of the type [Mⁿ⁺(L)_p](AF₆⁻)_n and [Mⁿ⁺(L)_r](BF₄⁻)_n, where M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd, Pb, lanthanides, A is P, As, Sb, Bi and L is XeF₂, XeF₄, XeF₆, KrF₂, was studied. A review of all known coordination compounds with L is XeF₂ is given: (a) synthetic routes for the preparation of these compounds; (b) analysis of their crystal structures (molecular, dimer, chain, double chain, layer, strongly interconnected double layers and three-dimensional network); (c) the influence of the ligand XeF₂ (small formula volume, linear, semi-ionic, charge of −0.5e on each F ligand); (d) the influence of the central metal ion; (e) the influence of the anions: AF₆⁻ and BF₄⁻ (the formula volume, Lewis basicity). On the basis of all properties of the metal ions, ligand and anions the obtained variety of the structures is analyzed.     

Determination of pKa values of some hydroxylated benzoic acids in methanol-water binary mixtures by LC methodology and potentiometry

An accurate estimation of pK_a values in methanol-water binary mixtures is very important for several separation techniques such as liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis that use these solvent mixtures. In this study, the pK_a values of 11 polyphenolic acids have been determined in methanol-water binary mixtures (10%, 20% and 30% (v/v)) by potentiometry, liquid chromatography (LC) and LC-DAD methodology.The results show a similar trend for the pK_a values of all the studied compounds, as they increase with increasing concentration of organic modifier, which allows a linear relationship between pK_a values and mole fraction of methanol to be obtained. The pK_a values obtained in aqueous medium have been compared with those given in the literature, and also with the values predicted by the SPARC on-line pK_a calculator. The data obtained have been used to test the feasibility of an estimation of dissociation constants in a methanol-water medium from the relationship between pK_a values and the organic cosolvent fraction in the mixtures.     

Speciation analysis of chromium by separation on a 5-palmitoyl oxine-functionalized XAD-2 resin and spectrophotometric determination with diphenylcarbazide

The method developed in this work for the separation and preconcentration of Cr(III) is based on its retention by an Amberlite XAD-2 copolymer resin functionalized with 5-palmitoyl-8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine), abbreviated XAD-POx, with the ligand covalently bound to the copolymer. Cr(III) sorption was quantitative within the pH range 4.5–7.0 and Cr(VI) was not retained. The Cr(III) held by the resin column was eluted with a hot solution of H₂O₂ in pH9.0 aqueous NH₃–NH₄Cl buffer, and Cr oxidized to CrO₄^2– was rejected by the chelating cation-exchanger column. Any Cr(VI) originally present with Cr(III) could be reduced with an acidic solution of H₂O₂, and retained by the column yielding total Cr results, Cr(VI) being determined from the difference. The resin showed a maximal preconcentration factor of 60 for Cr(III), the LOD and LOQ being 9.3 and 30.1 nmol L^–1, respectively. The developed preconcentration-speciation analysis was finished with a diphenylcarbazide (DPC) spectrophotometric procedure suitable for conventional laboratories. The resin showed excellent salt tolerance, enabling Cr analysis in seawater, and was stable over extended use. All the interferents of this procedure that normally occur in an electroplating effluent, a blended coal CRM, and a standard steel sample could be removed by the recommended procedure, by use of partial and total selectivity at the adsorption and desorption stages, respectively, enabling preconcentration and colorimetric determination of chromium in various complex matrices.     

Syntheses and Structure of Gd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Rh<Subscript>1.940(7)</Subscript>In<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Summary. The gadolinium–rhodium–indide Gd₃Rh_1.940(7)In₄ was prepared by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing in a corundum crucible in a sealed silica tube. Gd₃Rh_1.940(7)In₄ adopts the hexagonal Lu₃Co_1.87In₄ type, space group , a = 781.4(5), c = 383.8(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0285, BASF = 0.375(1) (merohedric twinning via a twofold axis (xx0)), 648 F² values, 22 variables. The structure is derived from the well known ZrNiAl type through an ordering of rhodium and indium atoms on the Ni2 sites. The Rh/In ordering forces a reduction of the space group symmetry from to , leading to merohedric twinning for the investigated crystal. The Rh1 site has an occupancy of only 94.0(7)%. The investigated crystal had a composition Gd₃Rh_1.940(7)In₄. The main geometrical motif are three types of centered, tricapped trigonal prisms, i.e., [Rh1In2₆Gd₃], [Rh2Gd₆In2₃], and [In1Gd₆In2₃]. The shortest interatomic distances occur for Rh–In (276–296 pm) followed by In–In (297 pm). Together, the rhodium and indium atoms build up a three-dimensional [Rh_1.940(7)In₄] network, in which the gadolinium atoms fill slightly distorted pentagonal channels. The crystal chemistry of Gd₃Rh_1.940(7)In₄ is discussed on the basis of a group-subgroup scheme.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanostructured Films Directly Grown from/on Zinc Substrates

Uniform ZnO nanorods arrays are grown directly from and on Zn foils in pure water under hydrothermal conditions at a relatively low temperature. The nanorods are 80–200 nm in diameter and ∼ 1 μm in length, which grow on the Zn foil along the [001] direction. By changing the pure water to a urea solution, a Zn compound ([Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂], a precursor of ZnO nanoflowers film, is created by self-assembly. The ZnO nanoflowers film can be easily obtained by heating the [Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂] compound in N₂ at 350∘C for 5–6 hours. Possible growth processes of the ZnO nanorods arrays and the [Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂] nanoflowers are discussed. Photoluminescence properties of the as-prepared ZnO nanostructures have been measured. The ZnO nanorods array synthesized using our method has minimal defects so that only band-gap emission is observed. However, the ZnO nanoflowers film, obtained by heating the [Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂] nanoflower precursor in N₂, is polycrystalline and displays strong defect-related emission.     

Hybrid Molecular Materials Based upon Organic π-Electron Donors and Inorganic Metal Complexes. Conducting Salts of Bis(ethylenediseleno)tetrathiafulvalene (BEST) with the Octahedral Anions Hexacyanoferrate(III) and Nitroprusside

The synthesis, structure and physical characterization of three new radical salts formed by the organic donor bis(ethylenediseleno)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDS-TTF or BEST) and the paramagnetic hexacyanoferrate(III) anion [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ or the photochromic nitroprusside anion [Fe(CN)₅NO]²⁻ are reported: (BEST)₄[Fe(CN)₆] (1), (BEST)₃[Fe(CN)₆]₂·H₂O (2) and (BEST)₂[Fe(CN)₅NO] (3). Salts 1 and 3 show a layered structure with alternating organic (β-type packing) and inorganic slabs. Salt 2 shows an original interpenetrated structure probably due to the unprecedented presence of (BEST)²⁺ dications. The three salts are semiconductors although salt 1 exhibits a high room temperature conductivity and a semiconducting-semiconducting transition at ca. 150 K which has been attributed to a dimerization in the organic sublattice.     

模拟混凝土孔溶液中钢筋钝化膜生长动力学及孔蚀过程的研究

用恒电位电流衰减法及激光扫描光电化学显微技术研究了在于ＰＨ＝１２．５及１３．８的模拟混凝土孔溶液中钢筋钝化化膜的生长动力学及相应的破坏过程，实验结果表明，钢筋钝化膜的生长过程存在两个主要阶段，各阶段膜厚均与生长时间存在正比对数关系，但当ｔ＜３０秒和ｔ＞３０秒时，膜的生长表出出不同的动力学特征，在钝化发生点蚀前，钝化膜的微区光电流一定的预兆，腐蚀抑制剂ＮａＮＯ２影响膜的生长过程及膜厚，能提高钢筋的抗