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.     

Finite-Dimensional Approximations for Scattering Theory Operators in the Wave-Packet Representation

We consider some types of packet discretization for continuous spectra in quantum scattering problems. As we previously showed, this discretization leads to a convenient finite-dimensional (i.e., matrix) approximation for integral operators in the scattering theory and allows reducing the solution of singular integral equations connected with the scattering theory to some suitable purely algebraic equations on an analytic basis. All singularities are explicitly singled out. Our primary emphasis is on realizing the method practically.     

Global Solution of Optimization Problems with Parameter-Embedded Linear Dynamic Systems

This paper develops a theory for the global solution of nonconvex optimization problems with parameter-embedded linear dynamic systems. A quite general problem formulation is introduced and a solution is shown to exists. A convexity theory for integrals is then developed to construct convex relaxations for utilization in a branch-and-bound framework to calculate a global minimum. Interval analysis is employed to generate bounds on the state variables implied by the bounds on the embedded parameters. These bounds, along with basic integration theory, are used to prove convergence of the branch-and-bound algorithm to the global minimum of the optimization problem. The implementation of the algorithm is then considered and several numerical case studies are examined thoroughly     

Three methods for analyzing forced vibration of a fluid-filled cylindrical shell

The forced vibration of an infinite elastic circular cylindrical shell filled with fluid is studied. Three methods are employed to analyze the forced vibration problem of this shell-fluid coupled system, that is, wave propagation approach (wave mode superposition), theorem of residues and a numerical integral method. In order to explain these methods more explicitly, before being used to investigate the vibration of an infinite fluid-filled elastic circular cylindrical shell, all these three methods are employed firstly to analyze the forced vibration problem of an infinite beam and an infinite elastic circular cylindrical shell in vacuo. Advantage and disadvantage of these three methods are discussed and their interesting relationship is revealed. That is, to any circumferential wavenumber and frequency of the external force, there is an unchangeable relationship between the general coordinates of various waves in the wave propagation approach and the residuals in the theorem of residues.     

The elastic theory of a single DNA molecule

We study the elastic responses of double-(ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA at external force fields. A double-strand-polymer elastic model is constructed and solved by path integral methods and Monte Carlo simulations to understand the entropic elasticity, cooperative extensibility, and supercoiling property of dsDNA. The good agreement with experiments indicates that short-ranged base-pair stacking interaction is crucial for the stability and the high deformability of dsDNA. Hairpin-coil transition in ssDNA is studied with generating function method. A threshold force is needed to pull the ssDNA hairpin patterns, stabilized by base pairing and base-pair stacking, into random coils. This phase transition is predicted to be of first order for stacking potential higher than some critical level, in accordance with experimental observations.     

利用模式的对称性研究光子晶体光纤的色散

由光子晶体光纤的对称性可以得到模式分布的对称性，根据模式的对称性选择适当的展开函数，可以使计算量大大减少。计算了六角结构光子晶体光纤的色散特性，得到了波长在1．55pm处色散为零时，光子晶体光纤的结构参量所满足的方程。     

单壁碳纳米管的SERS研究

本文通过改进实验方法,将单壁碳纳米管的乙醇溶液与金胶混合并制作成固体薄膜,使单壁碳纳米管夹裹在金纳米粒子之间,保证了吸附的紧密性,获得了高质量的单壁碳纳米管SERS光谱。不但观测到文献中报道的径向呼吸振动模(RBM)和C-C正切拉伸模(GM)的增强,还在1100-1500cm-1区域观测到一组新峰,其峰形完整并有相当的强度。这些峰在现有的文献中几乎没有报导。文章对这组新峰的出现进行了初步的分析。     

Submanifolds associated with graphs

In this paper we present an interesting relationship between graph theory and differential geometry by defining submanifolds of almost Hermitian manifolds associated with certain kinds of graphs. We show some results about the possibility of a graph being associated with a submanifold and we use them to characterize CR-submanifolds by means of trees. Finally, we characterize submanifolds associated with graphs in a four-dimensional almost Hermitian manifold.

     

Review of chiral perturbation theory

A review of chiral perturbation theory and recent developments on the comparison of its predictions with experiment is presented. Some interesting topics with scope for further elaboration are touched upon.