Analysis of C(14)-C(17) Polychloro-n-alkanes in Environmental Matrixes by Accelerated Solvent Extraction-High-Resolution Gas Chromatography/Electron Capture Negative Ion High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

A method for quantifying medium-chain (C(14)-C(17)) polychloroalkanes (mPCAs) in environmental matrixes by accelerated solvent extraction high-resolution gas chromatography/electron capture negative ion high-resolution mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode is presented. The formula group abundance profiles of industrial mPCA mixtures, which are used as standards, and of samples are first determined by monitoring [M - Cl](-) ions of specific m/z values corresponding to the molecular formulas present and by correcting the integrated ion signals for the fractional abundance of the specific m/z value monitored and the number of chlorine atoms in the formula group. mPCA concentrations in environmental samples are then determined by comparing the response of a specific m/z peak in the sample to that in the standard. Extraction recoveries of mPCAs from spiked fish and sodium sulfate (in place of sediment) were >79%. Method detection limits were 13 ng/g for fish and 1.4 ng/μL for sediment, while the analytical detection limit was ～200 pg, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4:1. By this method, mPCAs were detected in biota and sediment from the mouth of the Detroit River (MI) and ranged from 70 to 900 ng/g. The simultaneous quantitation of C(10)-C(13) (sPCAs) and C(14)-C(17) PCAs, based on monitoring two specific m/z peaks, one characteristic of sPCAs and the other of mPCAs, is also demonstrated.     

Improved parametric imaging of scatterer size estimates using angular compounding

The feasibility of estimating and imaging scatterer size using backscattered ultrasound signals and spectral analysis techniques was demonstrated previously. In many cases, size estimation, although computationally intensive, has proven to be useful for monitoring, diagnosing, and studying disease. However, a difficulty that is encountered in imaging scatterer size is the large estimator variance caused by statistical fluctuations in echo signals from random media. This paper presents an approach for reducing these statistical uncertainties. Multiple scatterer size estimates are generated for each image pixel using data acquired from several different directions. These estimates are subsequently compounded to yield a single estimate that has a reduced variance. In this feasibility study, compounding was achieved by translating a sectored-array transducer in a direction parallel to the acquired image plane. Angular compounding improved the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in scatterer size images. The improvement is proportional to the square root of the effective number of statistically independent views available for each image pixel.     

Bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biochemical effects of brominated diphenyl ethers in juvenile lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

Juvenile lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) were exposed to three dietary concentrations (0, approximately 2.5, and approximately 25 ng/g per BDE congener) of 13 BDE congeners (3-10 Br atoms) in the laboratory for 56 days, followed by 112 days of clean food, to examine bioaccumulation parameters and potential biochemical effects. The bioaccumulation of BDEs by the trout was highly influenced by biotransformation, via debromination, which resulted in bioaccumulation parameters that were much different than would be expected based on studies of chlorinated organic compounds (e.g., PCBs). Half-lives (t1/2's) for some BDE congeners (e.g., BDE-85 and -190) were much lower than expected based on their Kow, which was likely due to biotransformation, whereas t1/2's of other BDE congeners (e.g., BDE-66, -77, -153, and -154) were much longer than anticipated based on Kow. This was likely because the metabolites of BDE formed via debromination had the same chemical structure of these BDE congeners, which supplemented measured concentrations. The detection of three BDE congeners (an unknown penta, BDE-140, and an unknown hexa) in the fish that were not present in the food or in the control fish provide further evidence forthe debromination of BDEs. Half-lives of BDEs ranged from 38 +/- 9 to 346 +/- 173 days and biomagnification factors ranged from 1.6 (BDE-190) to 45.9 (BDE-100), but these bioaccumulation parameters need to be viewed with caution because they were highly influenced by debromination and relative abundance of individual BDEs that the fish were exposed to. CYP1A enzyme activity, measured as EROD, and free tri-iodothyronine (T3) concentrations in the plasma of lake trout varied significantly throughout the experiment but were not related to BDE exposure. In contrast, plasma levels of thyroxine levels (T4) were lower in both groups of PBDE-exposed fish compared with control fish after 56 days of exposure, and after 168 days in the high dose, suggesting that PBDEs may influence thyroid homeostasis at levels that are higher than what is normally found in the environment.     

151Eu Mössbauer studies on Zn-doped EuBa2Cu3O7−y

¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer studies have been performed on the compounds EuBa₂(Cu_1?x Zn _x )₃O_7?y withx=0·0, 0·025, 0·05, 0·075 and 0·1. The parent compound, EuBa₂Cu₃O_7?y is superconducting with a transition temperature (T _c ) of 88 K.T _c is depressed as Zn is substituted for Cu in this system and the compounds withx>0·05 do not show superconductivity down to 12 K.¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer studies at 295 K show a single Mössbauer line in all the compounds (whether superconducting or not) with isomer shift value typical of Eu^{3 +} ion. Further, the isomer shift values are nearly independent ofx and the temperatures down to 10 K. These observations imply that the Cu-O network responsible for superconductivity is very weakly coupled to the Eu sublattice.     

Dual needle corona discharge to generate stable bipolar ion for neutralizing electrosprayed nanoparticles

The performances of dual needle corona discharge (NCD) as bipolar ion source to neutralize the electrospray (ES) particles were characterized and optimized. The NCD was constructed from a tungsten needle and grounded mesh electrode in the needle-to-plane configuration. The dual NCD created a bipolar ion environment by mixing the balanced concentration of positive and negative ions produced by each NCD. The dual NCD was placed in an electrospray aerosol generator (EAG) apparatus to reduce the charge state of the ES particles. Polystyrene latex (PSL) suspensions having the particle size range of 96–256 nm were used as the precursor solution for the electrospray process. Some characterizations to the NCD were carried out to obtain optimum operating voltage and air flow rate. The size distribution and charge fraction of the electrospray PSL (ES-PSL) particles exiting the EAG were also investigated. The result showed the dual NCD could generate stable bipolar ions by mixing positive and negative ions with balanced concentration. The bipolar ions from the dual NCD were capable of neutralizing and reducing the charge state of highly charged ES-PSL particles larger than 100 nm. The EAG, equipped with the dual NCD, could generate ES-PSL particles with stable concentration and consistent size distribution. The charge fraction calculation of the ES-PSL particles showed that more than 80% of the particles exiting the EAG were positively charged.     

Porous activated carbon monolith with nanosheet/nanofiber structure derived from the green stem of cassava for supercapacitor application

Carbonization and activation have been exploited as an economic and efficient approach toward the production of porous activated carbon monolith derived from green stem of cassava (GSC). In addition, ZnCl₂ was used as a chemical activator agent at various concentrations, therefore serving as a key factor in the development of porous carbon. The carbonization process (N₂) was integrated with physical activation (CO₂), and then N₂ sorption, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray were examined to evaluate the specific surface area, pore structure characteristic, morphology structure, crystallinity, and the surface element, respectively. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry was used to measure the electrochemical performance, through a two-electrode system in 1M H₂SO₄. Therefore, the synthesized porous activated carbon exhibits a micropores-mesopores combination, and the optimized sample demonstrated nanosheet and nanofiber structures. The results show a high electrochemical behavior in 1M H₂SO₄ electrolytes, by the electrodes, with specific capacitance, energy, and power densities of 164.58 F g⁻¹, 22.86 Wh kg⁻¹, and 82.38 W kg⁻¹, respectively. This route confirms the opportunity of using novel GSC in the production of porous carbon monolith with nanosheet/nanofiber structure for supercapacitor applications.