Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Hair elements distinguish ethnicity and gender

A new forensic tool, being developed by scientists in Canada, uses a combination of spectroscopy and statistical analysis to determine a person’s gender and ethnicity from a thread of head hair.

Trace evidence, like hair, can help determine who was at a crime scene © Shutterstock

Trace evidence, like hair, can help determine who was at a crime scene © Shutterstock

Evidence left at the scene of a crime can be in many different forms including fingerprints, blood, fibres, paint chips and hair. It is the role of forensic scientists to analyse this evidence, which is often only present in very small amounts, to help find the culprits. In previous research, blood has been used to identify gender and ethnicity, but a problem with this is that blood can deteriorate quickly and can easily be destroyed or contaminated.

To read the full article, visit Chemistry World.

Original article can be read below:

Ethnic background and gender identification using electrothermal vaporization coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry for forensic analysis of human hair
Lily Huang and Diane Beauchemin
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2014, 29, 1228-1232
DOI: 10.1039/C4JA00071D

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2014 Lester W. Strock Award for JAAS Editorial Board member Steven J. Ray

The Society for Applied Spectroscopy (SAS) and the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS) have announced that JAAS Editorial Board member Dr. Steven J. Ray, from Indiana University, has been selected as the recipient of the New England Section of the SAS’s 2014 Lester W. Strock Award “in recognition of the paper published in the 2011 Journal of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry” entitled “First Distance-of-Flight Instrument: Opening a New Paradigm in Mass Spectrometry”

This award has been established by the New England Section and is given annually to an author in recognition of a selected publication of substantive research in/or application of analytical atomic spectrochemistry in the fields of earth science, life sciences, or stellar and cosmic sciences.

Dr. Ray will present the Strock Award Plenary at the SAS National Meeting Sept 30, 2014 at the SciX 2014 Conference Reno, NV

Congratulations, Steve!

Dr. Steven J. Ray

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Exhaled isotopes give hope to spotting sepsis early

Measuring 13C isotope levels in the breath of paediatric patients could save lives by giving an early indication of sepsis.

More than 30,000 cases of severe sepsis are estimated to occur in the UK every year. But Daniel Bütz and co-workers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, are seeking to fight these figures.

As for many conditions, early identification increases survival rate – however, this is not easy. Existing methods to check for sepsis either lack the sensitivity needed for early detection or are both expensive and invasive.

To read the full article, please go to Chemistry World.

Changes in breath carbon isotope composition as a potential biomarker of inflammatory acute phase response in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients
Juan P. Boriosi, Dennis G. Maki, Rhonda A. Yngsdal-Krenz, Ellen R. Wald, Warren P. Porter, Mark E. Cook and Daniel E. Bütz
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3JA50331C, Paper

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2015 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry

Those of you who attended the Closing Ceremony of the recent 2013 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in Krakow, will have heard that the RSC was planning to host the 2015 European Winter Conference in Glasgow, with Professor Joerg Feldmann from University of Aberdeen as Chair.

You may also have seen that nominations to host the conference in 2015 are now open again, and you could be wondering why this is.

We are sad to say that our submitted bid was not felt to be suitable by the Continuation Committee, and so we have respectfully acknowledged their decision. However we would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we did not withdraw our support, and that it has always been our intention to act in support of the community and in accordance with your wishes.

We became involved in the bidding process because after the Zaragoza conference, we were approached by members of the community who asked if the RSC would be willing to consider supporting a bid to bring the conference back to the UK after 20 years. Following careful consideration of the Conference Constitution, we consulted with the Chair of the Krakow conference to ask whether our involvement as a society would be possible. No concerns were raised with us that were not addressed in our bid and in discussions with the Committee, prior to the awarding of the bid to Glasgow.

After this initial agreement made in Krakow, the Committee still had serious concerns regarding aspects of the bid, including the level of the involvement of the RSC, such that they do not believe it to be in the best interest of the community for us bring the Winter Conference back to the UK in 2015.

The RSC has a long history of involvement with the atomic spectrometry community and the Winter Conferences.  Our intention with the Glasgow bid was and will continue to be, to support the community in whatever way we can. It goes without saying that we look forward to working with and supporting you in the future.

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JAAS Poster Prize: 2012 Asia-Pacific Winter Conference

We are pleased to announce that the JAAS Poster Prize from the recent 2012 Asia-Pacific Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Jeju, Korea has been awarded to Ms. Hae-Jin Jung from Inha University Korea.

Ms Jung’s Poster was on the topic “Single particle analysis by the combined use of quantitative ED-EPMA, Raman microspectrometry, and ATR-FT-IR imaging techniques”.

Congratulations Hae-Jin! Jeju typhoon

 

For those who attended the conference, we hope that you managed to make it home safely! 

Don’t forget to submit your article to the JAAS themed issue which will include articles presented at the conference. The submission deadline for this is 1st October, and articles can be submitted through the journal website, www.rsc.org/jaas.

 
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Top Ten most-read JAAS articles in June

This month sees the following articles in JAAS that are in the top ten most accessed in June:

Considerations for measurement of individual nanoparticles or microparticles by ICP-MS: determination of the number of particles and the analyte mass in each particle  
John W. Olesik and Patrick J. Gray  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1143-1155 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30073G 

SIMS imaging of the nanoworld: applications in science and technology 
Mathias Senoner and Wolfgang E. S. Unger  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1050-1068 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30015J 

A snapshot of atomic and elemental analysis on the nanoscale 
May Copsey and Vibhuti Patel  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1049-1049 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90038F 

Silver nanoparticle characterization using single particle ICP-MS (SP-ICP-MS) and asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation ICP-MS (AF4-ICP-MS)  
Denise M. Mitrano, Angela Barber, Anthony Bednar, Paul Westerhoff, Christopher P. Higgins and James F. Ranville 
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1131-1142 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30021D 

Atomic spectrometry update. Advances in atomic spectrometry and related techniques 
E. Hywel Evans, Christopher D. Palmer and Clare M. M. Smith  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 909-927 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90022J

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): a Personal Odyssey III  
Henry P. Longerich  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1181-1184 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90023H 

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of micro and nanoparticles 
Prasoon K. Diwakar, Kristofer H. Loper, Anna-Maria Matiaske and David. W. Hahn 
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1110-1119 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30012E

Critical aspects of sample handling for direct nanoparticle analysis and analytical challenges using asymmetric field flow fractionation in a multi-detector approach  
A. Ulrich, S. Losert, N. Bendixen, A. Al-Kattan, H. Hagendorfer, B. Nowack, C. Adlhart, J. Ebert, M. Lattuada and K. Hungerbühler 
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1120-1130 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30024A 

Improved sample preparation and quality control for the characterisation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens using flow field flow fractionation on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Volker Nischwitz and Heidi Goenaga-Infante  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1084-1092 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10387G 

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: evaluation of three different pneumatic and piezo-based sample introduction systems for the characterization of silver nanoparticles 
Bastian Franze, Ingo Strenge and Carsten Engelhard 
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1074-1083 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA00003B 

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to JAAS?  Then why not submit to us today!

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Top Ten most-read JAAS articles in May

This month sees the following articles in JAAS that are in the top ten most accessed in May:

Silver nanoparticle characterization using single particle ICP-MS (SP-ICP-MS) and asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation ICP-MS (AF4-ICP-MS) 
Denise M. Mitrano, Angela Barber, Anthony Bednar, Paul Westerhoff, Christopher P. Higgins and James F. Ranville  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1131-1142 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30021D 

Atomic spectrometry update. Advances in atomic spectrometry and related techniques 
E. Hywel Evans, Christopher D. Palmer and Clare M. M. Smith  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 909-927 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90022J 

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): a Personal Odyssey III 
Henry P. Longerich 
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90023H 

Critical aspects of sample handling for direct nanoparticle analysis and analytical challenges using asymmetric field flow fractionation in a multi-detector approach 
A. Ulrich, S. Losert, N. Bendixen, A. Al-Kattan, H. Hagendorfer, B. Nowack, C. Adlhart, J. Ebert, M. Lattuada and K. Hungerbühler  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1120-1130 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30024A 

Atomic spectrometry update-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry 
Margaret West, Andrew T. Ellis, Philip J. Potts, Christina Streli, Christine Vanhoof, Dariusz Wegrzynek and Peter Wobrauschek  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2011, 26, 1919-1963 
DOI: 10.1039/C1JA90038B 

Rapid bulk analysis using femtosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry 
Jhanis J. González, Dayana D. Oropeza, Henry Longerich, Xianglei Mao and Richard E. Russo  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, Advance Article 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10368K 

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of micro and nanoparticles 
Prasoon K. Diwakar, Kristofer H. Loper, Anna-Maria Matiaske and David. W. Hahn  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1110-1119 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30012E 

Overcoming challenges in analysis of polydisperse metal-containing nanoparticles by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry 
Robert B. Reed, Christopher P. Higgins, Paul Westerhoff, Soheyl Tadjiki and James F. Ranville  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1093-1100 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA30061C 

Improved sample preparation and quality control for the characterisation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens using flow field flow fractionation on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry 
Volker Nischwitz and Heidi Goenaga-Infante  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1084-1092 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10387G 

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: evaluation of three different pneumatic and piezo-based sample introduction systems for the characterization of silver nanoparticles 
Bastian Franze, Ingo Strenge and Carsten Engelhard  
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 1074-1083 
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA00003B 

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to JAAS?  Then why not submit to us today!

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Tomas Hirschfeld and FACSS Student Award Submission Deadline Nearing

The submission deadline for the Tomas Hirschfeld Award and FACSS Student Award is May 15, 2012.  Both awards recognize excellent graduate students based upon the entirety of their research as they progress towards their degree, and multiple recipients for each award are possible.
In order to be considered for either award, graduate students must submit an abstract to the SciX conference (http://www.scixconference.org) and note their intention to be considered for the award on the abstract submission webpage.  The applicant must then assemble a dossier and forward required information to the FACSS office.  More information is available at: http://www.scixconference.org/index.php/awards/facss-2012-student-award-and-tomas-a-hirschfeld-award
Please contact the FACSS office with any questions (FACSS@FACSS.ORG). Remember, application packets must be postmarked (or emailed) no later than May 15.
Dr. Steven J. Ray
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Top Ten most-read JAAS articles in February

This month sees the following articles in JAAS that are in the top ten most accessed in February:

Atomic Spectrometry Update.  Clinical and Biological Materials, Foods and Beverages
Lorena M. Rios, Patrick R. Jones, Charles Moore and Urja V. Narayan
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 537-576
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA90005J

Atomic spectrometry update. Environmental analysis
Owen T. Butler, Warren R. L. Cairns, Jennifer M. Cook and Christine M. Davidson
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 187-221
DOI: 10.1039/C1JA90057A

Atomic spectrometry update. Industrial analysis: metals, chemicals and advanced materials
Simon Carter, Andy S. Fisher, Phill S. Goodall, Michael W. Hinds, Steve Lancaster and Sian Shore
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2011, 26, 2319-2372
DOI: 10.1039/C1JA90047A

Effect of a mass spectrometer interface on inductively coupled plasma characteristics: A computational study
Maryam Aghaei, Helmut Lindner and Annemie Bogaerts
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 604-610
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10341A 

A pilot study on the use of laser ablation – ICP – mass spectrometry for assessing/mapping the distribution of a drug and its metabolites across the body compartments of rats 
Andrei Izmer, Deepti Gholap, Kathleen De Houwer, Filip Cuyckens and Frank Vanhaecke
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 413-418
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10343E 

Atomic Spectrometry Update–X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
Margaret West, Andrew T. Ellis, Philip J. Potts, Christina Streli, Christine Vanhoof, Dariusz Wegrzynek and Peter Wobrauschek
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2011, 26, 1919-1963
DOI: 10.1039/C1JA90038B 

Visualization, velocimetry, and mass spectrometric analysis of engineered and laser-produced particles passing through inductively-coupled plasma sources
Luca Flamigni, Joachim Koch, Helmar Wiltsche, Robert Brogioli, Sabrina Gschwind and Detlef Günther
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 619-625
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10317F

Femtosecond Laser Ablation Particle Introduction to a Liquid Sampling-Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Ionization Source
Anthony J. Carado, C. Derrick Quarles, Andrew M. Duffin, Charles J. Barinaga, Richard E. Russo, R. Kenneth Marcus, Gregory C. Eiden and David W. Koppenaal
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 385-389
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10331A

Determination of rare earth elements by spectroscopic techniques: A review 
Beata Zawisza, Katarzyna Pytlakowska, Barbara Feist, Marzena Polowniak, Andrzej Kita and Rafal Sitko
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2011, 26, 2373-2390 
DOI: 10.1039/C1JA10140D 

On-line preconcentration using chelating and ion-exchange minicolumns for the speciation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) and their quantitative determination in natural waters by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry 
M. M. López Guerrero, E. Vereda Alonso, J. M. Cano Pavón, M. T. Siles Cordero and A. García de Torres
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2012, 27, 682-688
DOI: 10.1039/C2JA10290K 

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to JAAS?  Then why not submit to us today!

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SCIX 2012

The former FACSS conference is now renamed SCIX (for SCIentific eXchange). The conference, still organized by FACSS, will take place in Kansas City this year starting on September 30 until October 5. JAAS Advisory board member Steven Ray will be the Program Chair and there will be many sessions devoted to Atomic Spectroscopy, such as Metallomics: The Vibrant Role of BioMetals in Biology, Speciation Analysis: Progress in Trace Metal Speciation, Isoscapes: Redefining the Landscape in the Archaeological and Geological Sciences with High Fidelity Isotope Ratio Analysis, Fundamental Aspects of Plasma Spectrochemistry: Using What We Learn to Improve Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy, Chemistry in Arts and Archaeology, New Plasmas, New Instrumentation, and New Approaches at the Frontier of Atomic Spectrometry, Atomic Spectrometry and the Analysis of Nanomaterials, Novel Sample Introduction Techniques and Tools for Atomic Spectroscopy, in addition to many contributing lectures.

The website is already up and running. As usual, RSC will be involved in the organization of some special sessions. Stay tuned for more information!

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