Evaluation of measurement uncertainty for analytical procedures using a linear calibration function

In the EURACHEM/CITAC draft ”Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement” estimations of measurement uncertainty in analytical results for linear calibration are given. In this work these estimations are compared, i.e. the uncertainty deduced from repeated observations of the sample vs. the uncertainty deduced from the standard residual deviation of the regression. As a result of this study it is shown that an uncertainty estimation based on repeated observations can give more realistic values if the condition of variance homogeneity is not correctly fulfilled in the calibration range. The complete calculation of measurement uncertainty including assessment of trueness is represented by an example concerning the determination of zinc in sediment samples using ICP-atomic emission spectrometry. Received: 9 February 2002 Accepted: 17 April 2002     

Radiation: Waves or particles? A quantized approach to time

A fundamental difficulty in theoretical physics is the dual and apparently incompatible interpretations of radiation as showing both continuous and extensive wave properties but also those of discrete atomic or smaller individual particles. Some of these contradictions are outlined. The explanation offered is of a quantized nature of time; units t_o=h/m_oc² for a particle at rest, and of similar interval unit s_o when in relative motion, with conventional relativistic corrections.

For many purposes this form of quantization replaces the need for a wave concept which then appears as a mathematical approach, chosen to avoid the physical concept of an intrinsicc time for any particle, just as we have for its intrinsic mass, spin and electrical charge. t_o and s_o are directly related to its frequency, energy and mass. The uncertainty principle and interference relations follow directly from this model, without any physical wave concept.     

可移动式微量氧分析仪检定装置研制

研制一种新型可移动式微量氧分析仪检定装置。该装置由标准气体、零点气、脱氧纯化器、减压阀、调节阀、4通阀、5通阀、不锈钢管路、流量控制系统、移动平台等组成。该装置气密性好,15 min内可将装置内氧气浓度由20.9%降至不大于0.1μmol/mol,对于0~10μmol/mol的微量氧分析仪检定结果的扩展不确定度为Urel=1.7%FS(k=2)。该装置满足气体标准物质的连续切换和在线检定的需要,检定时间短,结果准确可靠,可为在线式和非在线式微量氧分析仪的量值溯源提供有效保障。     

离子色谱法测定水样中氯离子的测量不确定度评定

分析了离子色谱法测定水样中氯离子不确定度的来源,包括标准系列配制引入的不确定度、标准系列浓度-峰面积拟合直线引入的不确定度、样品稀释引入的不确定度,计算了不确定度分量及合成不确定度,扩展不确定度为5.6%。     

对在建标技术报告中正确贯彻《测量不确定度表示指南》的理解

针对计量人员在贯彻《测量不确定表示指南》,尤其是在撰写“建标技术报告”时遇到的一些体问题,进行了探讨。     

Some aspects of quality assessment of the k0-based method of NAA

Neutron activation analysis is one of the analytical techniques often used for certification of reference materials. The k₀-based method of instrumental neutron activation analysis can also be applied in intercomparison runs in the certification process and therefore it is desirable to know its accuracy in advance. Possible systematic errors related to the application of nuclear data at given neutron flux rate parameters, that can affect the uncertainties of the results obtained by this specific method, are elucidated and error propagation factors calculated for a typical irradiation position in the TRIGA Mark II reactor of the Jozef Stefan Institute. It was found that these uncertainties are at the level of 1–2% on the average.     

Measurement uncertainty and the use of reference materials

The use of (certified) reference materials and quality control materials can form a suitable basis for evaluating measurement uncertainty of routine measurements. In particular when these materials are used for quality control purposes, it is not always evident how the quality control data can be used in the uncertainty budget of a routine measurement. Current guidance documents on the evaluation of measurement uncertainty and the use of reference materials treat this subject only in part, or in very generic terms. ISO/REMCO has established a new working group that will provide practical guidance and examples on how to use quality control data in the evaluation of measurement uncertainty. A short introduction to the subject is given.

Sample capacity in open tubular and micro-packed columns for GC

Equations have been derived from which the maximum sample size which may be loaded on a column without significantly affecting the performance may be calculated. It is shown that micro-packed columns can handle a sample which is as much as forty times larger than that which can be loaded onto wall-coated open tubular columns with comparable conditions.     

Sampling and metrology

The result of a measurement refers in principle only to the amount of substance actually contributing to the analytical signal. However, an appropriate definition of the measurand must include a specification of the system for which the result of the measurement should apply. All systems being inherently heterogeneous, representativity assumes importance for the metrological quality of a measurement, and the process needed to ascertain representativity is sampling. The contribution from this characteristic must be included when expressing the uncertainty of the reported value of the measurand. Representative sampling of systems that are infinite or non-uniform was developed by Pierre Gy in his Theory of Sampling. Finite systems can achieve uniformity by mechanical treatment and mixing; the heterogeneity of these systems can be characterized by a sampling constant, expressed in units of weight, for each particular species being determined. Examples of the contribution of sampling to the uncertainty of analytical results are discussed for some biological materials. Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Metrology – Trends and Applications in Calibration and Testing Laboratories, November 4–6, 2003, Eilat, Israel.     

Hepatobiliary excretion and brain distribution of caffeine in rats using microdialysis

To investigate the pharmacokinetic mechanism of hepatobiliary excretion and brain distribution of caffeine, this study uses a method based on microdialysis technique and liquid chromatography that allows continuous and concurrent in vivo monitoring of extracellular caffeine in the blood, brain and bile of anesthetized rats following the administration of caffeine (3 or 10 mg/kg, i.v.) through the femoral vein. Dialysates of the blood, brain and bile were directly injected onto the liquid chromatographic system and no further clean-up procedures were required. The study design consisted of two groups of six rats in parallel: the rats of the control group received caffeine (3 or 10 mg/kg, i.v.) alone and those of the cyclosporine treated-group were injected cyclosporine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) 10 min prior to caffeine administration (3 or 10 mg/kg, i.v.). The decline of caffeine in the blood, brain striatum and bile suggested that caffeine had rapid exchange and equilibration between the peripheral compartment and the central nervous system. In addition, the results indicated that caffeine underwent hepatobiliary excretion and was distributed into brain. When cyclosporine was co-administered, the pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly altered. The results of this study reveal that the pharmacokinetic mechanism of hepatobiliary excretion and brain distribution of caffeine might not relate to P-glycoprotein.