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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (v.400, #6)
Learning chemistry—the Agnes-Pockels-Student-Laboratory at the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany
by Petra Mischnick (pp. 1533-1535).
European analytical column no. 39
by George Horvai; Paul Worsfold; Bo Karlberg; Jens E. T. Andersen (pp. 1539-1541).
2011—the year of Maria Skłodowska-Curie in the International Year of Chemistry by Bogusław Buszewski; Philippe Garrigues (pp. 1543-1545).
is Head of the Chair of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalysis at the Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. He serves as Vice Chair of the Committee of Analytical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, President of the Polish Chemical Society, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His main scientific interests cover environmental analysis, chromatography and related techniques (HPLC, SPE, GC, CZE, adsorption, sample preparation), spectroscopy, utilization of waste and sludge, and chemometrics. Prof. Dr. Buszewski is also the Chairman of the Central European Group for Separation Sciences (CEGSS), the President of the Societas Humboldtiana Polonorum, and member of the Steering Committee of the Division of Environmental Chemistry of the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS). He is also President of the European Society for Separation Science (EuSSS) and a member of the editorial advisory board of numerous international journals. is a CNRS Research Director and Head of the Department of Molecular Sciences (CRCM, FR 1981 CNRS) at the University of Bordeaux 1, France, with around 200 researchers involved in various chemistry disciplines (theory, analyses, environment, spectroscopy, synthesis). Dr. Garrigues’s personal research interests are the analytical aspects (chromatography and spectroscopy) related to the detection of organic pollutants as well as their environmental fate and toxicological effects. Recently, he has been involved in the development of biochemical markers as early warning systems for the toxicological evaluation of ecosystems through the coordination of large research projects (i.e. BIOMAR, BEEP) supported by DG Research (European Commission, Brussels). He is also one of the Editors of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.
Maria Skłodowska-Curie (1867–1934)—her life and discoveries by Bogdan Skwarzec (pp. 1547-1554).
is head of Analytical and Environmental Radiochemistry Chair at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk (Poland) and a renowned scientist in Poland and worldwide. His research interest encompass analytical chemistry and radiochemistry, and the development of chemical and radiochemical methods. He is a member of Committee for Analytical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Polish Atomic Agency, and co-editor of the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry.
Liquid–liquid extraction of actinides, lanthanides, and fission products by use of ionic liquids: from discovery to understanding by Isabelle Billard; Ali Ouadi; Clotilde Gaillard (pp. 1555-1566).
Liquid–liquid extraction of actinides and lanthanides by use of ionic liquids is reviewed, considering, first, phenomenological aspects, then looking more deeply at the various mechanisms. Future trends in this developing field are presented.
Keywords: Actinides; Lanthanides; Liquid–liquid extraction; Ionic liquids
Marie Skłodowska-Curie and her contributions to chemistry, radiochemistry and radiotherapy by Witold Wacławek; Maria Wacławek (pp. 1567-1575).
has been full Professor of chemical physics at the Opole University (Poland) since 1985. His research has been mainly devoted to different kinds of molecular interaction (H-bond, CT and others). He is the author and co-author of 200 scientific papers (mainly in indexed journals) and four scientific monographs – three of them are devoted to history of chemistry. For three terms he served as Prorector for Science and International Cooperation. He has also been Dean of Science Faculty for two terms. He is Chairman of Scientific Board of Central European Conferences ECOpole which will be held for the twentieth time in the series. is full Professor of technical sciences at the Opole University (Poland). Her research has been mainly devoted to solar cells and other renewable energy sources – she is an EU expert in this field. She is the author and co-author of 190 scientific papers (mainly in indexed journals) and six scientific monographs – three of them are devoted to history of chemistry. She has been the coordinator of many international and national research projects. She serves as a Deputy Dean of Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences at the Opole University. She is Chairperson of Organising Committee of Central European Conferences ECOpole which will be held for the twentieth time in the series. Figure Monument of Marie Skłodowska-Curie in front of Oncological Institute in Warsaw [7]
Maria Skłodowska Curie—the precursor of radiation sterilization methods by Wojciech Głuszewski; Zbigniew P. Zagórski; Quoc Khoï Tran; Laurent Cortella (pp. 1577-1582).
is Secretary-General of the Polish Nuclear Society. He works as an assistant professor at the Centre of Radiation Research and Technology, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, in Warsaw and is a specialist in the field of radiation chemistry and technology. He is currently dealing with issues of radiation modification of polymer materials. He recently studied the protective effects in the radiation chemistry of polypropylene. Wojciech Głuszewski works in the IAEA expert group dealing with issues of the application of nuclear techniques for the characterization and preservation of cultural heritage artefacts. He is a member of the Polish Radiation Research Society memorial to Maria Skłodowska-Curie and the editor of the Polish quarterly Advances in Nuclear Technology. a professor, works experimentally in the field of radiation chemistry, both basic (pulse radiolysis) and applied (radiation processing). Recently, his interests have reached fields far from those mentioned, as one can see in his chapter “Role of radiation chemistry in the origin of life, early evolution and in transportation through cosmic space”, in an astrobiological monograph (2010), supported by original papers, in the Springer journal Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres. has been a senior conservation scientist at the ARC-Nucléart conservation laboratory since 1981. ARC-Nucléart, located in the CEA research centre in Grenoble, France, has implemented gamma irradiation technology for 40 years for the disinfection and the consolidation of wooden cultural heritage artefacts. His main research activities are the development of radiation-curing resins for the consolidation of artefacts initially in both the dry and the waterlogged states. He is also a senior expert in the field of the application of gamma irradiation for cultural heritage and industrial issues. He is Technical Expert for the IAEA, and participates in the IAEA European Technical Project RER 8/015 entitled “Using nuclear techniques for the characterisation and preservation of cultural heritage in the European region” (managed by the Europe division of the IAEA department of technical cooperation for the period 2008-2011). He is also in charge of the transfer of consolidation technology to other countries, especially to tropical ones with high humidity and high risk of insect attack. is a head of facility and research engineer at ARC-Nucléart, Grenoble, France, a conservation laboratory and workshop linked to the CEA, the French Ministry of the Culture, the Rhône-Alpes region and Grenoble city, and is mainly interested in conservation of organic materials. He mainly assumes the technical management of the irradiator, and irradiation services for conservation of cultural heritage artefacts and other artefacts. He is also interested in research into the effects of radiation on cultural heritage material.
The contribution of Marie Skłodowska-Curie to the development of modern oncology by Andrzej Kułakowski (pp. 1583-1586).
has been Professor Emeritus of oncologcial surgery since 1999. Before his retirement he was Professor of oncological surgery and Director General of the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology. He is one of the founders of “The Society in Tribute to Maria Skłodowska-Curie” and was its president from 1995–2010. He is also founder of the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology. He is author of numerous publications and has received many distinguished awards, for example the Medicus Magnus and Honorary Membership of the American College of Radiology. He is currently a consultant for surgical oncology at the Holycross Cancer Center in Kielce, Poland.
Radium Institute in Warsaw – the ancestor of the Institute of Oncology: The radium era by Wojciech Bulski; Barbara Gwiazdowska; Jerzy Tołwiński (pp. 1587-1592).
studied physics at Warsaw University and later became a disciple and assistant of Barbara Gwiazdowska and Jerzy Tołwiński at the Medical Physics Department. He is the present Head of the Department. was a student of Cezary Pawłowski at the Warsaw University of Technology and later she was his assistant at the Institute of Oncology. Eventually she succeeded Cerzary Pawłowski as the head of the Medical Physics Department and she held this position until 1997. At present she is still the National Consultant to the Minister of Health in Medical Physics. was a student of Cezary Pawłowski at the Warsaw University of Technology and later he was his assistant at the Institute of Oncology. He was the author of a number of devices and methods of handling radioactive sources during the Radium era (screens, safes, devices for testing leakage and measuring activity). He was chairman of the Commission for Radium Management for the whole country (the distribution of the Radium, provided after WWII by the UNRRA, among the Polish radiotherapy centres).
History and current research in the field of radiochemistry at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University by Władysław Rudziński; Andrzej Komosa (pp. 1593-1604).
is head of the Department of Theoretical Chemistry and professor at the Maria Curie Sklodowska University in Lublin. Since 1999 he has also been the head of the Laboratory for the Theoretical Problems of Adsorption of the Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow. He was also the Chairman of the Committee for Interface Chemistry of the Polish Chemical Society, and served also one year as the President of the Society. W. Rudziński was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Adsorption Society, and served as a member of the Scientific Committees of such international conferences as the largest world conference on adsorption FOA (Fundamentals of Adsorption), or the Pacific Adsorption Conference. He is also a corresponding member of the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities. He is a member of the editorial boards of Adsorption, and of Adsorption Science & Technology.For his outstanding scientific achievements, he has been honored five times by the Polish Ministry of Education and once by the Rector of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor of the Polish Chemical Society.His main scientific research interests are the theoretical description of adsorption of simple ions and of surfactants at oxide/electrolyte interfaces (special attention focused on enthalpies of adsorption and on effects of surface heterogeneity), equilibria and kinetics of gas adsorption on energetically heterogeneous solid surfaces, (also thermodesorption), and mixed-gas adsorption. is assistant professor at the Department of Radiochemistry and Colloid Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University since 2004 where he initated his research on radioecology with particular consideration of plutonium isotopes, including beta emitting 241Pu. Starting from 2005, he was a scientific manager of two scientific projects supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. He is a member of editorial boards of numerous journals, for example: Advances in Environmental Biology, Journal of Applied Sciences, Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Research Journal of Environmental Sciences Natural Science, Global Journal of Environmental Research, Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology.His scientific interests concern analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, radioecology (especially concerning birds and small mammals), radioisotope and trace element migration in the environment (including heavy metals, natural radioisotopes, radon and artificial radioisotopes resulting from fallout, e.g.. radiocesium), and research into and improvement of analytical methods for determination of radionuclides (especially plutonium and polonium) in environmental samples. For his extensive teaching activities he was awarded the medal of the Polish National Commission of Education in 2004.
Self-powered sensors by Robert L. Arechederra; Shelley D. Minteer (pp. 1605-1611).
One of the problems associated with miniaturization and portability of sensors is the power supply. Power supplies, such as batteries, are difficult to miniaturize and require a sensor design that allows for easy replacement or recharging. This review describes the field of self-powered sensing, where the sensor itself provides the power for the sensing device. Most self-powered-sensing strategies employ either nuclear energy conversion or electrochemical energy conversion. Nuclear energy conversion is employed for radioisotope or nuclear reactor sensing. Electrochemical energy conversion is employed for chemical and biological sensing. This review details the common strategies for self-powered nuclear, chemical, and biological sensing and discusses the future of the technology. Figure Self powered electrochemical sensor oxidizing the analyte and reducing oxygen from the air to produce electrical current.
Keywords: Biosensor; Self-powered sensor; Biofuel cell; Nanogenerator
Task-specific microextractions using ionic liquids by Qichao Zhao; Jared L. Anderson (pp. 1613-1618).
Ionic liquids (ILs) have been the focus of many scientific investigations including the field of analytical microextractions. ILs have many advantages over traditional organic solvents making them excellent candidates as extraction media for a variety of microextraction techniques. Many physical properties of ILs can be varied, and the structural design and make-up can be tuned to impart desired functionality for enhancement of analyte extraction selectivity, efficiency, and sensitivity. This paper provides a brief overview of ionic liquids and highlights trends in three important sample-preparation techniques, namely, single drop microextraction, solid-phase microextraction, and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction in terms of performing task-specific extractions using these highly versatile solvents.
Keywords: Ionic liquids; Single drop microextraction; Solid-phase microextraction; Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction; Sample preparation
Mass-independent isotope fractionation of heavy elements measured by MC-ICPMS: a unique probe in environmental sciences by D. Malinovsky; F. Vanhaecke (pp. 1619-1624).
This article overviews recent developments in the use of multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) in studies of mass-independent isotope chemistry of heavy elements. Origins of mass-independent isotope effects and their relevance to isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICPMS are briefly described. The extent to which these effects can affect instrumental mass bias in MC-ICPMS is critically discussed on the basis of the experimental observations. Furthermore, key findings reported in studies of mass-independent isotope fractionation (MIF) of mercury in the field of environmental sciences are reviewed. MIF of heavy elements is not only of interest from a fundamental point of view, but also provides scientists with a new and effective means of studying the biogeochemistry of these elements. Figure Mechanisms of mass-independent stable isotope fractionation measured by MC-ICPMS
Keywords: Nuclear field shift effect; Magnetic isotope effect; Multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Isotope signature
Recent developments in trace analysis of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances by Urs Berger; Mary A. Kaiser; Anna Kärrman; Jonathan L. Barber; Stefan P. J. van Leeuwen (pp. 1625-1635).
Recent developments, improvements, and trends in the ultra-trace determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in environmental and human samples are highlighted and the remaining challenges and uncertainties are outlined and discussed. Understanding the analytical implications of such things as adsorption of PFASs to surfaces, effects of differing matrices, varying PFAS isomer response factors, potential bias effects of sampling, sample preparation, and analysis is critical to measuring highly fluorinated compounds at trace levels. These intricate analytical issues and the potential consequences of ignoring to deal with them correctly are discussed and documented with examples. Isomer-specific analysis and the development of robust multi-chemical methods are identified as topical trends in method development for an ever-increasing number of PFASs of environmental and human interest. Ultimately, the state-of-the-art of current analytical method accuracy is discussed on the basis of results from interlaboratory comparison studies. Figure Separation of the linear, mono-trifluoromethyl branched, and di-trifluoromethyl branched structural isomers of PFOS and PFOA by ultra-performance liquid chromatography using a conventional C18 reversed-phase column. The PFOS and PFOA structural isomers were detected by tandem mass spectrometry
Keywords: Perfluoro; Highly fluorinated; PFASs; Analysis; Environmental; Human
Trends in hard X-ray fluorescence mapping: environmental applications in the age of fast detectors by E. Lombi; M. D. de Jonge; E. Donner; C. G. Ryan; D. Paterson (pp. 1637-1644).
Environmental samples are extremely diverse but share a tendency for heterogeneity and complexity. This heterogeneity poses methodological challenges when investigating biogeochemical processes. In recent years, the development of analytical tools capable of probing element distribution and speciation at the microscale have allowed this challenge to be addressed. Of these available tools, laterally resolved synchrotron techniques such as X-ray fluorescence mapping are key methods for the in situ investigation of micronutrients and inorganic contaminants in environmental samples. This article demonstrates how recent advances in X-ray fluorescence detector technology are bringing new possibilities to environmental research. Fast detectors are helping to circumvent major issues such as X-ray beam damage of hydrated samples, as dwell times during scanning are reduced. They are also helping to reduce temporal beamtime requirements, making particularly time-consuming techniques such as micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) tomography increasingly feasible. This article focuses on μXRF mapping of nutrients and metalloids in environmental samples, and suggests that the current divide between mapping and speciation techniques will be increasingly blurred by the development of combined approaches. Figure Tricolour maps of elemental distributions in a barley grain: Zn (red), Compton (green) and Mn (blue)
Keywords: Element distribution; X-ray fluorescence; Tomography; Imaging; XANES; Speciation
Recent directions of electrospray mass spectrometry for elemental speciation analysis by Dirk Schaumlöffel; Andreas Tholey (pp. 1645-1652).
A brief survey is given of the last 2 years’ literature on electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for speciation analysis. As observed for many years, the main recent applications in this field concern arsenic and selenium species, especially in studies encompassing combined use of molecular and element mass spectrometry. A further application field is the stoichiometric characterization of metal complexes by ESI-MS, which in some studies was assisted by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A few examples are presented to illustrate arsenic species involved in metabolic pathways, sulfur species in oils and bitumen, and aluminum complexes. On the basis of this review, we also give an outlook of expected future developments and trends in this research field. Figure Element species of interest in the period 2005–2010
Keywords: Electrospray mass spectrometry; Speciation analysis; Arsenic; Sulfur; Metal complexes; ICP-MS; NMR
Crossing borders to bind proteins—a new concept in protein recognition based on the conjugation of small organic molecules or short peptides to polypeptides from a designed set by Lars Baltzer (pp. 1653-1664).
A new concept for protein recognition and binding is highlighted. The conjugation of small organic molecules or short peptides to polypeptides from a designed set provides binder molecules that bind proteins with high affinities, and with selectivities that are equal to those of antibodies. The small organic molecules or peptides need to bind the protein targets but only with modest affinities and selectivities, because conjugation to the polypeptides results in molecules with dramatically improved binder performance. The polypeptides are selected from a set of only sixteen sequences designed to bind, in principle, any protein. The small number of polypeptides used to prepare high-affinity binders contrasts sharply with the huge libraries used in binder technologies based on selection or immunization. Also, unlike antibodies and engineered proteins, the polypeptides have unordered three-dimensional structures and adapt to the proteins to which they bind. Binder molecules for the C-reactive protein, human carbonic anhydrase II, acetylcholine esterase, thymidine kinase 1, phosphorylated proteins, the D-dimer, and a number of antibodies are used as examples to demonstrate that affinities are achieved that are higher than those of the small molecules or peptides by as much as four orders of magnitude. Evaluation by pull-down experiments and ELISA-based tests in human serum show selectivities to be equal to those of antibodies. Small organic molecules and peptides are readily available from pools of endogenous ligands, enzyme substrates, inhibitors or products, from screened small molecule libraries, from phage display, and from mRNA display. The technology is an alternative to established binder concepts for applications in drug development, diagnostics, medical imaging, and protein separation.
Keywords: Binder technology; Protein; Molecular recognition; Polypeptide; Affinity; Specificity; Diagnostics
Bioanalytical procedures and recent developments in the determination of opiates/opioids in human biological samples by M. Barroso; E. Gallardo; D. N. Vieira; J. A. Queiroz; M. López-Rivadulla (pp. 1665-1690).
The use and abuse of illegal drugs affects all modern societies, and therefore the assessment of drug exposure is an important task that needs to be accomplished. For this reason, the reliable determination of these drugs and their metabolites in biological specimens is an issue of utmost relevance for both clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories in their fields of expertise, including in utero drug exposure, driving under the influence of drugs and drug use in workplace scenarios. Most of the confirmatory analyses for abused drugs in biological samples are performed by gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric methods, but use of the more recent and sensitive liquid chromatography–(tandem) mass spectrometry technology is increasing dramatically. This article reviews recently published articles that describe procedures for the detection of opiates in the most commonly used human biological matrices, blood and urine, and also in unconventional ones, e.g. oral fluid, hair, and meconium. Special attention will be paid to sample preparation and chromatographic analysis.
Keywords: Opiates; Opioids; Bioanalytical methods; Human biological specimens
Shaping and exploring the micro- and nanoworld using bipolar electrochemistry by Gabriel Loget; Alexander Kuhn (pp. 1691-1704).
Bipolar electrochemistry is a technique with a rather young history in the field of analytical chemistry. Being based on the polarization of a conducting object which is exposed to an external electric field, it allowed recently the development of new methods for controlled surface modification at the micro- and nanoscale and very original analytical applications. Using bipolar electrodes, analyte separation and detection becomes possible based on miniaturized systems. Moreover, the modified objects that can be created with bipolar electrochemistry could find applications as key components for detection systems. In this contribution, the principles of bipolar electrochemistry will be reviewed, as well as recent developments that focus on the modification of objects at the nano- and microscale and their potential application in miniaturized analytical systems. Figure The polarization of an object in an external electric field leads to bipolar electrochemical reactions. The advantages of bipolar electrochemistry as an emerging original tool in the field of analytical and bioanalytical chemistry are reviewed, with a special focus on the latest developments.
Keywords: Bipolar electrochemistry; Contactless electrodeposition; Contactless detection; Electrogenerated electrochemiluminescence; Janus particles
Droplet microfluidics for the study of artificial cells by Masahiro Takinoue; Shoji Takeuchi (pp. 1705-1716).
In this review, we describe recent advances in droplet-based microfluidics technology that can be applied in studies of artificial cells. Artificial cells are simplified models of living cells and provide valuable model platforms designed to reveal the functions of biological systems. The study of artificial cells is promoted by microfluidics technologies, which provide control over tiny volumes of solutions during quantitative chemical experiments and other manipulations. Here, we focus on current and future trends in droplet microfluidics and their applications in studies of artificial cells.
Keywords: Microfluidics; Artificial cells; Phospholipids
Selenoproteins: the key factor in selenium essentiality. State of the art analytical techniques for selenoprotein studies by Isabel Lopez Heras; Maria Palomo; Yolanda Madrid (pp. 1717-1727).
Selenium is an essential element for human health. The benefits of selenium are many including protection against cancer, heart diseases and other cardiovascular and muscle disorders. Selenium is also helpful in controlling gastrointestinal disorders, enhancing immunity of the human body and reducing age-related diseases. The health-promoting properties of Se are due to vital functions of selenoproteins in which selenium is present as selenocysteine, the 21st amino acid. To date, dozens of selenoprotein families have been described though many have roles that have not been fully elucidated. Selenoproteins research has attracted tremendous interest from different scientific areas. Analytical chemists have not remained indifferent to the attractive features of these unique proteins. Different analytical techniques, such as multidimensional chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of flight (MALDI-TOF) and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis–laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SDS-PAGE-LA-ICPMS), have been applied to the determination of selenoproteins and selenium-containing proteins. This review describes the best-characterized selenoproteins to date in addition to the major contributions of analytical chemistry to the field of selenoproteins. The article also highlights the challenges of combining elemental and molecular mass spectrometry for the determination of selenoproteins and selenium-containing proteins.
Keywords: Mass spectrometry / ICP-MS; Genomics / Proteomics; Bioanalytical methods; Speciation
Uncertainty of measurement and conformity assessment: a review by Elio Desimoni; Barbara Brunetti (pp. 1729-1741).
The uncertainty of measurement is the key indicator of the quality of any experimental result. Proper consideration of this uncertainty is imperative when testing a sample against legal/compositional limits. This task can be quite challenging when the entity measured in the investigated sample is so close to the limit that its uncertainty, however estimated, critically affects decision-making. This explains the many literature contributions discussing the problem. Even though some of the most authoritative organisations have issued specific guidelines aimed at assisting the staff involved in such measurements, several aspects of conformity testing are still debated in the literature. In this review, after a short outline of existing information, somewhat more detailed insight is given into the guidelines of ASME, ISO, and Eurachem/CITAC, because they are the most useful tools for operators of testing and calibration laboratories. Some aspects of Council Directive 96/23/EC are also discussed. Insight into the contents of the mentioned documents enables emphasis of analogies and discrepancies. Figure
Keywords: Conformity testing; Decision rules; Limiting values; Specification limits; Guard band; Uncertainty of measurement
Confocal MXRF in environmental applications by Ursula Elisabeth Adriane Fittschen; Gerald Falkenberg (pp. 1743-1750).
In this review we highlight the performance of confocal micro X-ray fluorescence (CMXRF) for application in environmental science, citing contributions from recent studies (2008–2010). In CMXRF the use of focusing and collecting optics enables discrimination of the origin of fluorescence photons in three dimensions. It thereby enables simple and direct three dimensional imaging, and also the removal of unwanted signal contribution either from the depth of the sample or from its surface. By limiting the area of origin of fluorescence signal CMXRF can simplify quantitative approaches.
Keywords: Confocal; 3D; Micro-XRF; Environmental; μ-XRF
Monitoring and analytics of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in indoor air by Sylwia Król; Bożena Zabiegała; Jacek Namieśnik (pp. 1751-1769).
This paper reviews literature information on the behaviour of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the indoor environment, as well as the most likely emission sources. The consecutive stages of analytical procedures used for monitoring SVOCs in indoor environments are described. The most common approaches used for collecting samples from the gas and particulate phases are mentioned. The paper discusses and compares various types of sorbents and filters applied in dynamic, passive and denudational techniques, as well as the techniques used to liberate the SVOCs, including Soxhlet, sonication and microwave extraction. The main advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed, together with possible future trends. The approaches commonly used during the final determination step, such as gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, are presented together with their possible drawbacks, and ways of eliminating them are suggested. The review makes brief reference to the effects of human exposure to SVOCs in house dust and discusses the main aspects of the analytical procedures used to monitor the presence of SVOCs in this medium.
Keywords: Indoor air monitoring; Semivolatile organic compounds; House dust; Sampling
Rational design of biomimetic molecularly imprinted materials: theoretical and computational strategies for guiding nanoscale structured polymer development by Ian A. Nicholls; Håkan S. Andersson; Kerstin Golker; Henning Henschel; Björn C. G. Karlsson; Gustaf D. Olsson; Annika M. Rosengren; Siamak Shoravi; Subramanian Suriyanarayanan; Jesper G. Wiklander; Susanne Wikman (pp. 1771-1786).
In principle, molecularly imprinted polymer science and technology provides a means for ready access to nano-structured polymeric materials of predetermined selectivity. The versatility of the technique has brought it to the attention of many working with the development of nanomaterials with biological or biomimetic properties for use as therapeutics or in medical devices. Nonetheless, the further evolution of the field necessitates the development of robust predictive tools capable of handling the complexity of molecular imprinting systems. The rapid growth in computer power and software over the past decade has opened new possibilities for simulating aspects of the complex molecular imprinting process. We present here a survey of the current status of the use of in silico-based approaches to aspects of molecular imprinting. Finally, we highlight areas where ongoing and future efforts should yield information critical to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms sufficient to permit the rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers.
Keywords: Ab initio; Biomaterials; Biomimetic; Chemometrics; Molecularly imprinted polymer; Molecular dynamics; Semi-empirical
Fractionation and characterization of nano- and microparticles in liquid media by Petr S. Fedotov; Nataliya G. Vanifatova; Valery M. Shkinev; Boris Ya. Spivakov (pp. 1787-1804).
Submicron and micron particles present in liquid environmental, biological, and technological samples differ in their dimensions, shape, mass, chemical composition, and charge. Their properties cannot be reliably studied unless the particles are fractionated. Synthetic particles applied as components of analytical systems may also need preliminary fractionation and investigation. The review is focused on the methods for fractionation and characterization of nanoparticles and microparticles in liquid media, the most representative examples of their application, and the trends in developing novel approaches to the separation and investigation of particles. Among the separation techniques, the main attention is devoted to membrane filtration, field-flow fractionation, chromatographic, and capillary electrokinetic methods. Microfluidic systems employing the above-mentioned and other separation principles and providing a basis for the fabrication of lab-on-chip devices are also examined. Laser light scattering methods and other physical techniques for the characterization of particles are considered. Special attention is given to “hyphenated” techniques which enable the separation and characterization of particles to be performed in online modes.
Keywords: Nanoparticles; Microparticles; Separation; Characterization; Membrane filtration; Field-flow fractionation; Chromatography; Electrokinetic methods; “Hyphenated” techniques
Origin and early history of Die Methode des Eichzusatzes or The Method of Standard Addition with primary emphasis on its origin, early design, dissemination, and usage of terms by W. Robert Kelly; Kenneth W. Pratt; William F. Guthrie; Keith R. Martin (pp. 1805-1812).
received a B.S. in chemistry from Old Dominion College in 1968 in Norfolk, VA, and a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Arizona State University in Tempe in 1974. He was a research fellow in geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) from 1975 to 1979. He then joined the inorganic mass spectrometry group at NIST in 1979. He has co-authored more than 90 papers in geochemistry and analytical chemistry. His interests include inorganic mass spectrometry, experimental design, and modeling uncertainty analysis. He has received two R&D 100 Awards, in 1984 and 2001. received a Ph.D. from Iowa State University in Ames (1981), and a B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Russian from Lafayette College, Easton, PA (1976). He has been working in electrochemical analysis at NBS/NIST since 1982. At NIST, he is responsible for research and SRM certification in electrochemical analysis (coulometry, pH, conductimetry). He is active in international metrological organizations, including CCQM and IUPAC working groups. Particular research interests are constant-current coulometry, classical analysis, primary pH metrology, and absolute measurement of electrolytic conductivity. He was previously employed at IBM Instruments, Poughkeepsie, NY (1981–2) and IBM Deutschland Werk Mainz, Mainz-Weisenau, Germany (summers 1972, 1973, 1974). He has received two R&D 100 Awards, in 1984 and 1988. received a B.A. degree in mathematics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, in 1987 and an M.S. degree in statistics from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, in 1990. He is currently a mathematical statistician in the Statistical Engineering Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. Since joining NIST in 1989, he has collaborated with scientists and engineers on applied research in a wide range of areas including semiconductor and microelectronics applications, building materials and fire research, and chemical science. His statistical interests include uncertainty assessment, Bayesian statistics, design of experiments, calibration, modern regression methods, and statistical computation. holds a B.A. in philosophy in 1997 from Rhode Island College in Providence and a M.S. degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College in Boston, MA in 1999. He is currently a Research Librarian in the Information Services Office of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.