Solid phase extraction for analysis of biogenic carbonates by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS): an investigation of rare earth element signatures in otolith microchemistry

Uptake of trace elements into fish otoliths is governed by several factors such as life histories and environment in addition to stock and species differences. In an attempt to elucidate the elemental signatures of rare earth elements (REEs) in otoliths, a solid phase extraction (SPE) protocol was used in combination with electrothermal vaporization (ETV) as a sample introduction procedure for the determinations by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Effects of various parameters, such as carrier gas flow rate, atomization temperature and chemical modification, were examined for optimization of the conditions by ETV-ICP-MS. Atomization was achieved at 2800 °C. Lower temperatures (i.e. 2600 °C) resulted in severe memory problems due to incomplete atomization. Palladium was used as a chemical modifier. It was found that an increase in Pd concentration up to 0.5 μg in the injection volume (70 μl) led up to four-fold enhancement in the integrated signals. This phenomenon is attributed to the carrier effect of Pd rather than the stabilization since no significant losses were observed for high temperature drying around 700 °C even in the absence of Pd. Preconcentration was performed on-line at pH 5 by using a mini-column of Toyopearl AF-Chelate 650M chelating resin, which also eliminated the calcium matrix of otolith solutions. After preconcentration of 6.4 ml of solution, the concentrate was collected in 0.65 ml of 0.5% (v/v) HNO₃ in autosampler cups, and then analyzed by ETV-ICP-MS. The method was validated with the analysis of a fish otolith certified reference material (CRM) of emperor snapper, and then applied to samples. Results obtained from otoliths of fish captured in the same habitat indicated that otolith rare earth element concentrations are more dependent on environmental conditions of the habitat than on species differences.     

Mass‐lumping or not mass‐lumping for eigenvalue problems

In this article we analyze the effect of mass‐lumping in the linear triangular finite element approximation of second‐order elliptic eigenvalue problems. We prove that the eigenvalue obtained by using mass‐lumping is always below the one obtained with exact integration. For singular eigenfunctions, as those arising in non convex polygons, we prove that the eigenvalue obtained with mass‐lumping is above the exact eigenvalue when the mesh size is small enough. So, we conclude that the use of mass‐lumping is convenient in the singular case. When the eigenfunction is smooth several numerical experiments suggest that the eigenvalue computed with mass‐lumping is below the exact one if the mesh is not too coarse. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 19: 653–664, 2003     

Volcanic monitoring for radon and chemical species in the soil and in spring water samples

Soil radon has been monitored at two fixed stations in the northern flank of Popocatepetl Volcano, a high risk volcano located 60 km SE from Mexico City. Water samples from three springs were also studied for radon as well as major and trace elements. Radon in the soil was recorded using track detectors. Radon in the water samples was evaluated using the liquid scintillation method and an Alphaguard. The major elements were determined through conventional chemical methods and trace elements using an ICP-MS equipment. Soil radon levels were low, indicating a moderate diffuse degassing through the flanks of the volcano. Groundwater radon had almost no relation with the eruptive stages. Water chemistry was stable in the reported time (2000–2002).     

A finite element-spherical harmonics radiation transport model for photon migration in turbid media

In this paper, we solve the steady-state form of the Boltzmann transport equation in homogeneous and heterogeneous tissue-like media with a finite element-spherical harmonics (FE-P_N) radiation transport method. We compare FE-transport and diffusion solutions in terms of the ratio of absorption to reduced scattering coefficient, (μ_a/μ_s′) and the anisotropy factor g. Two different scattering phase function formulas are employed to model anisotropic scattering in the slab media with high g-value. Influence of void-like heterogeneities, and of their boundaries with the surrounding medium on the transport of photons are also examined.     

Mathematical and numerical analysis of a simplified time-dependent viscoelastic flow

A time-dependent model corresponding to an Oldroyd-B viscoelastic fluid is considered, the convective terms being disregarded. Global existence in time is proved in Banach spaces provided the data are small enough, using the implicit function theorem and a maximum regularity property for a three fields Stokes problem. A finite element discretization in space is then proposed. Existence of the numerical solution is proved for small data, so as a priori error estimates, using again an implicit function theorem. Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Fellowship PBEL2–114311.     

数码相机原理与系统设计研究

介绍了数码相机的工作原理 ,分析了数码相机的系统结构 ,提出了设计数码相机的处理流程。典型的数码相机系统有镜头、闪光灯、光学取景器、LCD显示屏、图像数据存储扩展设备接口、图像数据传输接口、供电系统以及核心处理器等八个主要模块。数码相机的数据流向从图像传感器开始 ,止于图像数据的存储和传输。数据流的处理主要包括模数转换、光学黑电平钳位、针对镜头的边缘畸变的运算修正、坏像素处理、白平衡处理、伽马校正、色彩合成处理、边缘检测 (锐度检测 )和伪彩色检测 (伪彩色抑制 )、JPEG压缩和图像存储器等模块     

萃取色谱法富集原子吸收法测定环境水中超痕量金属元素──两种萃取剂的比较

本文研究并比较了分别以８－羟基喹啉和巯基苯骈噻唑为萃取剂，以活性硅胶为载体的柱式萃取色谱法对环境水中Ｚｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｐｂ、Ｃｄ、Ｆｅ、Ｃｏ、Ｎｉ和Ｍｎ的最佳富集和洗脱条件。实验证明，后者明显优于前者。以巯基苯骈噻唑为萃取剂的色谱柱对金属元素的吸附具有快速、完全、寿命长和重现性好等特点。在ｐＨ＝７～８之间回收率可达９８％以上，富集倍数为２００倍。     

Interdiffusion of hydroxyl groups and of doping additions between a bearing pipe and a deposited layer in billets of fiber light guides

Using Raman spectroscopy, a quantitative analysis of the distribution of OH⁻ ions on the boundary between a bearing pipe and a glass layer deposited from chlorides in billets for quartz fiber light guides is carried out. Water penetrated into the light-reflecting shell to a depth of several tenths of a millimeter, depending on the composition of the doping layer (i.e., ultimately on the temperature of the depsoition process). A. F. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, Academy of Sciences of Russia, 26, Politekhnicheskaya St., St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 548–550, July–August, 1997.     

转动喇曼散射截面的群论计算

本文利用群链U(4)U(3)O(3)描述双原子分子N_2和O_2振转谱的对称性质,并利用群论方法计算了N_2和O_2分子转动喇曼散射的跃迁矩阵元,给出了它们的转动喇曼散射的截面。结果与实验较好地符合。