Rebecca Brodie, Deputy Editor – Page 7

Author Archive

HOT articles on studying geosamples and pharmaceuticals

08 Oct 2012

In situ analysis of ²³⁰Th–²³²Th–²³⁸U ratios in titanite by fs-LA-MC-ICPMS

In situ analysis of 230Th–232Th–238U ratios in titanite by fs-LA-MC-ICPMS

Günther et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article

In this paper former Chair of the Editorial Board Detlef Günther, J. M. Koornneef and colleagues in Switzerland and Germany, have been studying the the potential of femtosecond laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (fs-LA-MC-ICPMS) for in situ analysis of U–Th disequilibria in titanite. The determination of U-series isotope compositions are used in a wide range of geological materials such as carbonates, iron oxides, opal, and zircon. Read more about their research by clicking on the title below.

In situ analysis of ²³⁰Th–²³²Th–²³⁸U ratios in titanite by fs-LA-MC-ICPMS
J. M. Koornneef, L. Dorta, B. Hattendorf, G. H. Fontaine, B. Bourdon, A. Stracke, P. Ulmer and D. Günther
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30162H

Bromine and iodine determination in active pharmaceutical ingredients by ICP-MS

Flores et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article

And from our Advisory Board, Erico M. M. Flores from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, and colleagues have been looking at a method based on microwave-induced combustion (MIC) and applied it to the digestion of active pharmaceutical ingredients. They used this to determine bromine and iodine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This test can be used to test for halogen impurities in pharmaceutical products. Click below to read more.

Bromine and iodine determination in active pharmaceutical ingredients by ICP-MS
Aline L. H. Muller, Paola A. Mello, Marcia F. Mesko, Fabio A. Duarte, Valderi L. Dressler, Edson I. Muller and Erico M. M. Flores
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30212H

Both of these papers will be free to access until Oct 22nd.

Comments Off on HOT articles on studying geosamples and pharmaceuticals

JAAS issue 10 now online!

15 Sep 2012

Front cover: Bordel et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1658

This month’s issue of JAAS is now online and ready for you to read. On the front cover is a very striking and colourful image from the group led by Nerea Bordel and JAAS Advisory Board member Jorge Pisonero at the University of Oviedo, Spain. Together with their team, they have developed a new experimental setup that can apply an intense and transverse magnetic field of up to 70 mT to radiofrequency glow discharge plasma for optical emission spectroscopy. This produces a magnetic field independent of the sample thickness. Read more about their work by clicking below.

An improved analytical performance of magnetically boosted radiofrequency glow discharge
P. Vega, R. Valledor, J. Pisonero and N. Bordel
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1658-1666
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30106G

Huang et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1667

There are also a couple of HOT articles in this issue this month. Yuying Huang from the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, and colleagues, have been looking at zinc-containing steelmaking waste, and ways at better dealing with it.

Quantitative Zn speciation in zinc-containing steelmaking wastes by X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Lihua Wang, Xiaoming Lu, Xiangjun Wei, Zheng Jiang, Songqi Gu, Qian Gao and Yuying Huang
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1667-1673
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30094J

GA picture for arsenic speciation analysis

Dedina et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1734

In a step towards determining impurities in pharmaceutical compounds, Jiří Dědina from the Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the ASCR, Czech Republic, and colleagues from the Czech Republic and Brazil have used hydride generation-cryotrapping-gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry for arsenic speciation analysis in an injectable drug. In this case they have tested N-methylglucamine antimonate, a drug used in the treatment of Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by protozoan parasites transmitted through the bite of sandflies.

Selective generation of substituted arsines-cryotrapping-atomic absorption spectrometry for arsenic speciation analysis in N-methylglucamine antimonate
Diogo P. Moraes, Milan Svoboda, Tomáš Matoušek, Erico M. M. Flores and Jiří Dědina
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1734-1742
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30164D

Tsalev & Ivanova, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1645

We also have a Critical Review this month. Dimiter L. Tsalev and Elisaveta Ivanova have reviewed Bulgarian analytical atomic spectroscopists in the new millenium, with an emphasis on direct methods of sampling and pretreatment. Read all about it by clicking below.

Bulgarian analytical atomic spectroscopists in the new millennium—integrated in the European research area
Dimiter L. Tsalev and Elisaveta Ivanova
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1645-1657
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30165B

The cover article will be free to read for 6 weeks, while the rest of the papers will be free to access for 2 weeks.

Comments Off on JAAS issue 10 now online!

HOT article: Arsenic speciation analysis

22 Aug 2012

Dědina et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article

Comments Off on HOT article: Arsenic speciation analysis

JAAS Issue 9 now online

10 Aug 2012

Musil et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1382

This month’s issue of JAAS is now online for you to read. We have two interesting covers this month. On the outside front cover is an image from the Czech republic. Stanislav Musil and colleagues from The Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the ASCR, Brno, have successfully formed a collection of volatile silver species for the first time. This substantially improves the analytical performance of a previously reported on-line atomization procedure.

In situ collection of volatile silver species in a new modular quartz tube atomizer for atomic absorption spectrometry
Stanislav Musil, Jan Kratzer, Miloslav Vobecký and Tomáš Matoušek
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1382-1390
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30112A

Huyskens et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1439

On the inside we have an image from The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. The analysis of Pb isotopes is used in several fields, including ore formation studies, environmental studies and U–Pb geochronology. But sample sizes can also be very small, making precise measurements difficult. One method to compensate for this, is adding silicagel as an ionisation activator for Pb isotopic analysis. Magdalena H. Huyskens, Tsuyoshi Iizuka and Yuri Amelin have run a series of tests, comparing three commercially available colloidal silicagels

Evaluation of colloidal silicagels for lead isotopic measurements using thermal ionisation mass spectrometry
Magdalena H. Huyskens, Tsuyoshi Iizuka and Yuri Amelin
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1439-1446
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30083D

These two cover articles will be free to read for 6 weeks, so click through and take a look.

We have a tutorial review from Douglas C. Baxter, Ilia Rodushkin and Emma Engström from ALS Scandinavia in Sweden who looked at the fundamental aspects of isotope abundance ratio measurements by ICP-SFMS.

Isotope abundance ratio measurements by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry
Douglas C. Baxter, Ilia Rodushkin and Emma Engström
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1355-1381
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30153A

We also have a number of HOT articles in this month’s issue on topics as varied as crude oil analysis, neodymium isotopes, and environmental sample analysis. These papers will be free to read for 2 weeks.

Improving the analytical performances of ICP-AES by using a high-temperature single-pass spray chamber and segmented-injections micro-sample introduction for the analysis of environmental samples
Francisco Ardini, Marco Grotti, Raquel Sánchez and José Luis Todolí
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1400-1404
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30152K

A fit-for purpose procedure for lead isotopic ratio determination in crude oil, asphaltene and kerogen samples by MC-ICPMS
Georgia Sanabria Ortega, Christophe Pécheyran, Sylvain Bérail and Olivier F. X. Donard
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1447-1456
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30143A

High-precision and accurate determinations of neodymium isotopic compositions at nanogram levels in natural materials by MC-ICP-MS
Kuo-Fang Huang, Jerzy Blusztajn, Delia W. Oppo, William B. Curry and Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1560-1567
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30123G

Comments Off on JAAS Issue 9 now online

HOT articles in JAAS

03 Aug 2012

We’ve already had some great HOT articles this month in JAAS, and we’re only in week 1! Take a look below at some of the great science we’ve published so far. The papers will be free to read for 2 weeks.

The analysis of environmental samples by ICP-AES was improved by a collaborative team from Italy and Spain.

A group working in Shanghai, China, has been looking at zinc-containing steelmaking waste, and ways at better dealing with it.

This tutorial reviews fundamental aspects of isotope abundance ratio measurement by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry.

Comments Off on HOT articles in JAAS

JAAS Poster Prize: Biennial National Atomic Spectroscopy Symposium

03 Aug 2012

We are pleased to announce that the JAAS Poster Prize from the recent BNASS meeting on Clinical, Environmental and Nutritional Investigations of Trace Elements and Human Health has been awarded to Gillian Lord from the University of Surrey. This was a joint meeting from the RSC Atomic Spectroscopy Group and the Southern Region of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and was held at the University of Surrey on July 4th, 2012.

JAAS Poster Prize Winner: Gillian Lord

Gillian is currently studying towards a PhD in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Surrey, UK, with the principal aim of looking at water quality in relation to human health. Her research began in New Zealand through a collaborative project with Waikato Regional Council in Hamilton, to evaluate the levels of arsenic and other trace elements in geothermal waters of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Particularly, the levels of arsenic species through the application of a novel field based technology, developed at the University Surrey, to separate the four predominant arsenic species in water at sample collection. This research highlighted a potential risk of arsenic exposure through bathing in geothermal pools containing high levels of arsenic in the form of the more toxic inorganic arsenic species. Since then her research has expanded to Argentina, working closely with two towns in the province of Santa Fe, to evaluate water quality, namely the levels of arsenic, selenium and other trace elements, in relation to local health problems, including diabetes, obesity, cancers and behavioural difficulties.

Congratulations to Gillian for her winning poster!

You may like to take a look at recently published papers in JAAS on similar topics, including the latest Atomic Spectrometry Update. These papers will be free to read for 2 weeks.

Atomic spectrometry update. Clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages
Andrew Taylor, Martin P. Day, John Marshall, Marina Patriarca and Mark White
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 537-576
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90005J

Advantages and limitations of a desolvation system coupled online to HPLC-ICPqMS/ES-MS for the quantitative determination of sulfur and arsenic in arseno-peptide complexes
Katharina Bluemlein, Eva M. Krupp and Jörg Feldmann
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2009, 24, 108-113
DOI: 10.1039/B811600H

Liquid-phase microextraction as an attractive tool for multielement trace analysis in combination with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry: an example of simultaneous determination of Fe, Co, Zn, Ga, Se and Pb in water samples
Rafal Sitko, Karina Kocot, Beata Zawisza, Barbara Feist and Katarzyna Pytlakowska
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2011, 26, 1979-1985
DOI: 10.1039/C1JA10143A

Trace elements in human follicular fluid: development of a sensitive multielement ICP-MS method for use in biomonitoring studies
Pamela C. Kruger, Michael S. Bloom, John G. Arnason, Christopher D. Palmer, Victor Y. Fujimoto and Patrick J. Parsons
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1245-1253
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30053B

Comments Off on JAAS Poster Prize: Biennial National Atomic Spectroscopy Symposium

New JAAS Editorial Chair: A few words with Frank Vanhaecke

25 Jul 2012

Since the announcement of Frank Vanhaecke becoming the new Chair of the Editorial Board for JAAS, we’ve had the opportunity to have a little chat with our incoming Chair.

What are your aims? First and foremost, I’ll be aiming to continue the fantastic efforts of my predecessors, Detlef and Gary being the most recent!

Any goals for your term as Chair? To stimulate the publication of even more original interdisciplinary research involving atomic spectrometry in JAAS e.g., from the fields of biomedicine and geochemistry, whilst preserving the attention for fundamental topics. We would also like to encourage more authors who are working in the development of techniques for elemental research such as synchrotron radiation XRF, X-ray absorption spectrometry XAS and isotope ratio mass spectrometry IRMS.

Anything else? Our primary goal of course has to be to further strengthen the position of JAAS as the leading journal exclusively devoted to atomic spectrometry in the community.

We’d of course like to welcome Frank once again, and we’re looking forward to his term as Chair of the JAAS Editorial Board.

Comments Off on New JAAS Editorial Chair: A few words with Frank Vanhaecke

HOT articles in JAAS this July

25 Jul 2012

It’s been a busy month with so many great papers, so here are some HOT articles from JAAS that you might have missed this July!

Why not take a look, they will be free to read for 2 weeks.

An improved analytical performance of magnetically boosted radiofrequency glow discharge
P. Vega, R. Valledor, J. Pisonero and N. Bordel
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30106G

Comments Off on HOT articles in JAAS this July

New Editorial Board Chair for JAAS: Frank Vanhaecke

16 Jul 2012

After four wonderful years, Detlef Guenther is stepping down as the Chair of the JAAS Editorial Board. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Detlef for all of his hard work and dedication to the journal and look forward to his continued contributions as an Advisory Board member. And while we will miss him, we wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.

We are pleased to announce that the new Chair for JAAS is Frank Vanhaecke, from Ghent University, Belgium. Frank’s main research interests lie in the determination, speciation and isotopic analysis of trace elements using ICP-MS. He is especially interested in the direct analysis of solid materials using both ETV-ICPMS and LA-ICPMS, chemical and high mass resolution for overcoming spectral interferences and isotope ratio determination using single- and multi-collector ICPMS.

As an experienced Editorial Board member for the journal, Frank is fully qualified to be filling Detlef’s shoes, and we are very much looking forward to his term as Chair.

Comments Off on New Editorial Board Chair for JAAS: Frank Vanhaecke

Issue 8 online: 2012 US Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry

12 Jul 2012

The latest issue of JAAS is now online, which is a themed issue featuring papers from the 2012 US Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, which was held 9–14 January 2012, Tucson, Arizona USA. An overview of the conference can be found in the Editorial by Ramon M. Barnes.

Summary of the 2012 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry January 9–14, 2012, Tucson, Arizona
Ramon M. Barnes
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1169-1172
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90039D

The front cover features work from our new JAAS chair Frank Vanhaecke, Ghent University, Belgium, and colleagues who used multi-collector ICP-MS to test for transition metals in human blood. They looked at metabolically important metals such as Cu, Fe and Zn and examined the differences in their levels in the blood of people with differing diets.

Isotopic analysis of the metabolically relevant transition metals Cu, Fe and Zn in human blood from vegetarians and omnivores using multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry
Lana Van Heghe, Emma Engström, Ilia Rodushkin, Christophe Cloquet and Frank Vanhaecke
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1327-1334
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30070B

On the inside front cover there is an image from Nicolas H. Bings and colleagues from Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany, who were looking at the accuracy and precision of analytical data from the analysis of liquid samples.

Comparison of novel and conventional calibration techniques for the analysis of urine samples using plasma source mass spectrometry combined with a new dual-drop-on-demand aerosol generator
Jan O. Orlandini v. Niessen, Jan H. Petersen, J. Niklas Schaper and Nicolas H. Bings
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1234-1244
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30039G

These two cover articles will be free to access and read for 6 weeks, so click through and take a look.

We have a HOT paper from JAAS Editorial Board member Gary M. Hieftje, Indiana University, USA, who with colleagues presents a modeling investigation into the thermal mechanism for the formation of electrical prepeak and pressure waves in a microsecond direct current pulsed glow discharge.

Thermal mechanism for formation of electrical prepeak and pressure waves in a microsecond direct current pulsed glow discharge with a Grimm-type source: a modeling investigation
M. Voronov, V. Hoffmann, W. Buscher, C. Engelhard, S. J. Ray and G. M. Hieftje
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1225-1233
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30014A

The latest ASU on Elemental Speciation is also available in this month’s issue.

Atomic spectrometry update. Elemental speciation
Robert Clough, Lindsay R. Drennan-Harris, Chris F. Harrington, Steve J. Hill and Julian F. Tyson
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1185-1224
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90037H

Comments Off on Issue 8 online: 2012 US Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry

JAAS News