Practical and quality-control aspects of multi-element analysis with quadrupole ICP–MS with special attention to urine and whole blood

Two screening methods were developed for rapid analysis of a great number of urine and blood samples within the framework of an exposure check of the population after a firework explosion. A total of 56 elements was measured including major elements. Sample preparation consisted of simple dilution. Extensive quality controls were applied including element addition and the use of certified reference materials. Relevant results at levels similar to those found in the literature were obtained for Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, and Pb in urine and for the same elements except Ni, Sn, Sb, and Ba in blood. However, quadrupole ICP–MS has limitations, mainly related to spectral interferences, for the analysis of urine and blood, and these cause higher detection limits. The general aspects discussed in the paper give it wider applicability than just for analysis of blood and urine—it can for example be used in environmental analysis.     

Cramér type large deviations for simple linear rank statistics

Summary A Cramér type large deviation theorem for simple linear rank statistics is obtained (range ). The method of proof consists in approximating the simple linear rank statistic by a sum of independent, uniformly bounded random variables and then applying a Cramér type large deviation theorem on this sum.     

β-NMR in II–VI semiconductors

β-active probe nuclei are implanted in nominally undoped ZnSe crystals. β-radiation detected nuclear magnetic resonance (β-NMR) studies are described for two different probe nuclei, ⁸Li and ¹²B. This way, the implantation behavior of two “opposite”dopants, one acceptor (Li) and one donor (B) can be characterized by the same microscopic technique. Such characterizations are attempted in terms of the structure of intermediate or final lattice sites, defect charge states, or the kinetics of defect reactions and site changes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Magnetic nanostructures by adaptive twinning in strained epitaxial films

We exploit the intrinsic structural instability of the Fe(70)Pd(30) magnetic shape memory alloy to obtain functional epitaxial films exhibiting a self-organized nanostructure. We demonstrate that coherent epitaxial straining by 54% is possible. The combination of thin film experiments and large-scale first-principles calculations enables us to establish a lattice relaxation mechanism, which is not expected for stable materials. We identify a low twin boundary energy compared to a high elastic energy as key prerequisite for the adaptive nanotwinning. Our approach is versatile as it allows to control both, nanostructure and intrinsic properties for ferromagnetic, ferroelastic, and ferroelectric materials.     

High sensitivity and high selectivity terahertz biomedical imaging

We demonstrate two distinct emerging terahertz (THz) biomedical imaging techniques.One is based on the use of a new single frequency THz quantum cascade laser and the other is based on broadband THz time domain spectrocopy.The first method is employed to derive a metastasis lung tissue imaging at 3.7 THz with clear contrast between cancerous and healthy areas.The second approach is used to study an osseous tissue under several imaging modalities and achieve full THz spectroscopic imaging based on the freque...     

Multicomponent self-modelling curve resolution in high-performance liquid chromatography by iterative target transformation analysis

Iterative target transformation factor analysis can provide a method for resolving elution profiles consisting of any number of compounds. The results obtained for 3-component resolution are consistent with the results obtained with conventional methods of curve resolution. The same restrictions with regard to overlap and relative signal heights of the compounds seem to apply to the conventional method of curve resolution and the proposed method. The method is tested on data from high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector obtained for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and for proteins.     

Measurement of nuclear moments and radii by collinear laser spectroscopy and by β-NMR spectroscopy

Experiments using laser spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques have been performed at ISOLDE on the unstable isotopes of several light elements. The results include nuclear ground state spins, magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments, and the behaviour of mean square nuclear charge radii within isotopic strings. These give important information about the nuclear structure at shell closures and close to the drip lines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Clinical relevance of the fractal dimension of F0perturbations computed by the box-counting method

The box-counting method for determining the fractal dimension (D_fj)was applied to the fundamental frequency (F₀) perturbations in normal and pathological voices in order to assess its clinical value. The upper limit of these D_fj values was similar for both groups, but the distribution for pathological voices extended to lower values than for the normal voices. However, these lower values were most probably the result of one or a few outlying frequency points due to incorrect determination of the vocal period. The D_fj of normal voices were within the range of values found for randomly varying F₀ values. It was concluded, that the vocal perturbations in pathological voices are also more or less randomly distributed. So, the D_fj, at that least determined with the box-counting method, do not contain clinically relevant information in addition to the traditional measures for the extent of the vocal period perturbations. An exception is special perturbation types like diplophonia. The result of the computation is very sensitive for voice breaks and vibrato and depends on the number of periods.     

Didactic experiment of a one-dimensional process of solidification from nuclei at random to linear polycrystal. Part II: comparison of experiment with theory

A filament of isotactic polypropylene, 15 m diameter, is used to prove the theoretical predictions for a one-dimensional (1-D) process of solidification from nuclei at random to a linear polycrystal. The theoretical predictions were made in 1983. The agreement between theory and experiment is very good.     

Accurate isotope shift measurements on short lived neon isotopes

We report on fast beam collinear laser spectroscopy measurements that demonstrate the feasibility of accurate isotope shift measurements for short lived Ne isotopes including the proton halo candidate ¹⁷Ne. Ultra high sensitivity is achieved by the application of an efficient resonance detection scheme based on collisional ionization and ion counting via the β decay. A direct measurement of the kinetic energy of the atomic Ne beam provides the required high accuracy. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.