Recent contributions of high resolution gas chromatography to the analysis of environmental hydrocarbons

Analyses of hydrocarbon fractions from different areas of the marine environment are described to illustrate the possibilities and limitations of high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) in the analysis of environmental samples. Examples are given of dissolved, particulate, and sedimentary hydrocarbons and organochlorine compounds; the importance of an adequate sampling of the marine environment is stressed. HR chromatographic profiles obtained in two columns of low and high polarity (SE-52 and PEG 20M) permit the sources and transport pathways of both natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons to be traced. Analysis of tissues of marine mammals, which metabolize or excrete many of the biogenic and petrogenic hydrocarbons present in other areas of the marine environment, may provide an opportunity to obtain relatively clean profiles of many anthropogenic compounds of interest. The plotting of mass chromatograms from data compiled by COM-GC-MS remains the most appropriate method for the conclusive indentification of these compounds.     

Current mass spectrometry strategies for selenium speciation in dietary sources of high-selenium

This document reviews the most relevant mass spectrometry approaches to selenium (Se) speciation in high-Se food supplements in terms of qualitative and quantitative Se speciation and Se-containing species identification, with special reference to high-Se yeast, garlic, onions and Brazil nuts. Important topics such as complexity of Se speciation in these materials and the importance of combining Se-specific detection and molecule-specific determination of the particular species of this element in parallel with chromatography, to understand their nutritional role and cancer preventive properties are critically discussed throughout. The versatility and potential of mass spectrometric detection in this field are clearly demonstrated. Although great advances have been achieved, further developments are required, especially if speciatedcertified reference materials (CRMs) are to be produced for validation of measurements of target Se-containing species in Se-food supplements.     

Mechanical properties of BPDA-ODA polyimide fibers

An aromatic polyimide was synthesized via a one-step polycondensation reaction between biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) in p-chlorophenol. The polyimide (BPDA-ODA) solution dopes were spun into fibers by means of dry-jet wet spinning. The as-spun fibers were drawn and treated in heating tubes for improving the mechanical properties. The thermal treatment on the fibers resulted in a relatively high tensile strength and modulus. Thermal mechanical analysis (TMA) was employed to study the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA) spectra showed that the BPDA-ODA fibers possessed an excellent property of thermo-oxidative degradation resistance. The sonic modulus E_s of the polyimide fibers was measured.     

C2H4-K体系中振动态至电子态传能的研究

用TEA CO_2激光将C_2H_4分子激发到高振动激发态，高振动激发态的C_2H_4分子与基态的K原子碰撞发生振动态→电子态（V→E）传能过程，根据提出的能级组模型，对测得的时间分辨原子荧光信号进行处理，获得温度在453－663 K范围内，C_2H_4-K体系中V→E传能速率的数量级为10~(-10)/cm~3·molecule~(－1)·s~(－1)，对应的碰撞传能截面约为0.30～0.80 nm．随着反应温度升高，V→E传能截面减小．上述实验结果表明碰撞体间吸引相互作用在这种非共振的V→E传能过程中起主要作用．利用多极相互作用势下的碰撞络合物模型对实验结果进行了讨论．     

Fluorescence-based nucleic acid detection and microarrays

Recent analytical innovations for nucleic acid detection have revolutionized the biological sciences. Single nucleic acid sequence detection methods have been expanded to incorporate multiplexed detection strategies. A variety of nucleic acid detection formats are now available that can address high throughput genomic interrogation. Many of these parallel detection platforms or arrays, employ fluorescence as the signaling method. Fluorescence-based assays offer many advantages, including increased sensitivity, safety and multiplexing capabilities, as well as the ability to measure multiple fluorescence properties. Multiplexed microarray platforms provide parallel detection capabilities capable of measuring thousands of simultaneous responses. This review will discuss both single target detection and microarray applications with a focus on gene expression and pathogenic microorganism (PM) detection.     

源内裂解液相色谱-质谱鉴别人参皂甙砒和拟人参皂甙F11

研究了利用源内碰撞诱导解离（in-source collision—induced dissociation）的高效液相色谱-大气压化学电离质谱（HPLC—APCI／MS）获取人参和西洋参的化学标志物——人参皂甙Rf和拟人参皂甙F11的特征结构信息及鉴别人参和西洋参的方法。在乙腈-水梯度洗脱反相液相色谱及源内碰撞诱导解离条件下，能获得人参皂甙Rf和拟人参皂甙F11的母核离子及去糖基离子的源内碰撞诱导解离谱，从其差别能清楚区分这对同分异构体。本方法对人参皂甙Rf和拟人参皂甙F11的检出限能达到10^-7g柱上样量，简单、快速，单次质谱实验就能鉴别人参和西洋参。     

Importance of the choice of assumptions and models in the estimation of analytical quality specifications

The validity of any model depends on its ability to imagine the situation or problem to which it is applied. Further, the assumptions made in relation to the model are determining for the actual outcome. Within the field of clinical biochemistry a lot of models for analytical quality specifications, based on a variety of concepts and ’clinical settings’, have been proposed. A hierarchical structure for application of these approaches and models has been agreed on at several occasions in 1999. In this hierarchy, the highest rank is given to evaluation of analytical quality specifications based on ’clinical settings’/’clinical outcome’ models, followed by specifications based on biological variation and on ’clinicians opinions’. This contribution, deals with the problems of combining random and systematic errors and the implications of application of different models to a variety of clinical settings. Received: 1 June, 2002 Accepted: 17 July 2002 Presented at the European Conference on Quality in the Spotlight in Medical Laboratories, 7–9 October 2001, Antwerp, Belgium     

分析信号处理方法的比较研究

研究了高效液相色谱－火焰原子吸收光谱联用系统分析信号处理方法，比较了各种处理方法的优缺点，用积分与适应平滑法综合处理色谱峰分析信号，不仅能有效地消除噪声，而且能使分析信号得到加强，以测定镍为例，经积分与适应平滑法综合处理后，检出限改善了２．７倍。     

Concentrated electrolyte solutions at high temperatures and pressures

A survey is given of recent experimental results obtained from high-temperature, high-pressure investigations with water, aqueous solutions, and ionic fluids. Data on the static dielectric constant of water to 550°C and 5 kbar are given and discussed with respect to their relation to water structure. Infrared and Raman spectra of HDO in pure water have been obtained to 400°C and 4 kbar, which give information on hydrogen bonding. Xe–H₂O and CO₂–H₂O mixtures were investigated in the infrared. Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were investigated by absorption spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of high chloride content to 350°C and 2–6 kbar. The gas-liquid critical point of ammonium chloride was found at 880°C and 1635 bars. This fluid appears to be predominantly ionic even in the critical region. The possibility of converting pure polar fluids such as ammonia and water into concentrated ionic solutions by self-ionization at very high pressures is mentioned.This paper was presented at the symposium, The Physical Chemistry of Aqueous Systems, held at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 12–14, 1972, in honor of the 70th birthday of Professor H. S. Frank.     

A new approach to the design of surface treatments for reinforcing agents

A new approach for design of improved interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and polymeric matrices is described. In this method the affinity of surface-treated carbon fibers to various polymer matrices is simulated by analyzing the adsorption characteristics of model compounds, typical of the polymer units, onto very high surface area carbon fibers. The affinity can be evaluated by the use of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to measure adsorption–desorption characteristics. Since high surface area, activated carbon fibers (ACF) can be chemically treated to obtain acidic, basic, nonpolar or highly polar surfaces, it should be possible to assess the interactions of chemically modified surfaces with model compounds such as methanol (MeOH), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water. Some preliminary results are presented, indicating that surface treatments for carbon fibers other than oxidation may lead to enhanced bonding with polymeric matrices.