Evaluation of the accuracy of the determination of lead isotope ratios in wine by ICP MS using quadrupole, multicollector magnetic sector and time-of-flight analyzers

Different mass analysers [(quadrupole (Q), time-of-flight (TOF) and multicollector (MC) sector-field (SF)] of ions produced in an inductively coupled plasma were evaluated for the determination of lead isotope ratios in wine samples. A population of 20 wines of different origin including two reference wines from the EC Standards, Measurement and Testing Programme with concentrations varying between 7-140 mug Pb l(-1) was investigated. Wines were analyzed directly by Q ICP MS and MC ICP MS. The poor sensitivity of the TOF instrument, further aggravated by matrix signal suppression, did not allow the acquisition of data for wine samples that contained less than 50 mug l(-1) in the direct sample introduction mode. The separation and preconcentration of lead were therefore required. The precision obtained for the (206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(206)Pb were similar and equal to 0.14-2.7% for Q ICP MS, 0.04-0.17% for TOF ICP MS and 0.01-0.12% for MC ICP MS. The precision for (206)Pb/(204)Pb was 0.44-5.29, 0.15-1.7, 0.08-1.6%, respectively. On the level of accuracy, the data from TOF ICP MS and MC ICP MS were in good agreement. The accuracy of Q ICP MS data was judged satisfactory in comparison with the other techniques but their poor precision was a significant obstacle on the way of using these data for the determination of the geographic origin of wine.     

Etude de l'équilibre azido ⇌ tétrazole dans la séric du thiazolo[2,3-e]-tétrazole. III. Effects des substituants

The substituent effects on azido/tetrazole equilibrium on a series of 2-substituted thiazoles, benzothiazoles, thiadiazoles, benzoxazoles and isoxazoles has been studied by proton magnetic resonance in two solvents (DMSO-d₆ and deuteriochloroform). For thiazole an excellent Hammett relationship was found, both for the 4 and 5 positions.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of the first tin(II) squarate Sn2O(C4O4)(H2O)—comparison with Sn2[Sn2O2F4]

A tin(II) squarate Sn₂O(C₄O₄)(H₂O) was synthesized by hydrothermal technique. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m (no. 12) with lattice parameters a=12.7380(9) Å, b=7.9000(3) Å, c=8.3490(5) Å, β=121.975(3)°, V=712.69(7) Å³, Z=4. The crystal structure determined with an R=0.042 factor, consists of [(Sn₄O₁₀)(H₂O)₂] units connected from one another in the [101] and [010] directions via squarate groups to form layers separated by Sn(II) lone pairs. This compound presents the same remarkable structural arrangement as observed in the tin-oxo-fluoride Sn₂[Sn₂O₂F₄] inorganic compound with Sn(II) lone pairs E(1) and E(2) concentrated in large rectangular-shape tunnels running along [001] direction.     

Biodegradable and Biocompatible Silatrane Polymers

In this study, new biodegradable and biocompatible amphiphilic polymers were obtained by modifying the peripheral hydroxyl groups of branched polyethers and polyesters with organosilicon substituents. The structures of the synthesized polymers were confirmed by NMR and GPC. Organosilicon moieties of the polymers were formed by silatranes and trimethylsilyl blocks and displayed hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, respectively. The effect of the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic organosilicon structures on the surface activity and biological activity of macromolecules was studied, together with the effect on these activities of the macromolecules’ molecular weight and chemical structure. In particular, the critical micelle concentrations were determined, the effect of the structure of the polymers on their wetting with aqueous solutions on glass and parafilm was described, and the aggregation stability of emulsions was studied. Finally, the effect of the polymer structures on their antifungal activity and seed germination stimulation was examined.     

High-intensity lasers as radiation sources

In the last decade or so, an evolution in experimental relativistic laser-plasma physics has led to highly sophisticated lasers which are now capable of generating ultra-short pulses and can be focused to intensities in excess of 10²¹ W cm^-2. The laser interaction with solid or gas targets can generate collimated beams of highly energetic electrons, protons and ions. These high-intensity laser systems, therefore, turn out to be versatile and powerful sources of radiation and high-energy particles, without recourse to large-scale facilities such as nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. The potential to induce various kinds of nuclear reactions with laser-induced radiation fields has been demonstrated at several laboratories in recent years. The present paper lays out a comprehensive overview of nuclear reactions induced by high-intensity laser matter interactions. Mechanisms for electron, proton and ion acceleration, in addition to secondary bremsstrahlung, positron and neutron production, are addressed, with a focus on the types of nuclear reactions that are possible and potential applications. Discussion of the extrapolation of these processes and applications to the next generation of table-top lasers under construction is also presented.     

Laser transmutation of iodine-129

We report the first successful laser-induced transmutation of ¹²⁹I, one of the key radionuclides in the nuclear fuel cycle. ¹²⁹I with a half-life of 15.7 million years is transmuted into ¹²⁸I with a half-life of 25 min through a (, n) reaction using laser-generated Bremsstrahlung. The integral cross-section value for the (, n) reaction is determined. These experiments offer a new approach to studying transmutation reactions with neutral and charged particles without resource to nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. PACS 52.38.Ph; 25.20.Lj     

KVTeO5 and a redetermination of the Na homologue

A single crystal of KVTeO₅, potassium vanadium tellurite, has been grown. The present structure determination has been conducted together with the refinement of the NaVTeO₅ homologue, sodium vanadium tellurite, for the sake of precise comparison. The network consists of [VTeO₅]_n ribbons built up by VO₄ tetrahedra linking centrosymmetric Te₂O₆ groups and stacked along the [010] direction; the alkali cations are intercalated in between. The Te^IV atom exhibits a typical one‐sided coordination number (CN) of 4, completed by a lone pair, which forms a distorted triangular bipyramid with the four O atoms.     

Systèmes aromatiques à 10 électrons π dérivés de l'aza-3a pentalène. IX—etude par RMN de l'équilibre azide/tetrazole dans le cas du tetrazolo [5,1-b] benzothiazole

Azido-tetrazole equilibrium is observed in the case of a solution of tetrazolo [5,1-b] benzothiazole in CDCl₃, using proton magnetic resonance at 250 MHz. Analysis of the spectra obtained yields the chemical shifts and the coupling constants of the two tautomeric forms.