A capillary column gas chromatography, resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, laser-induced fluorescence, flame ionization detection system for the determination of polynuclear aromatic compounds in complex mixtures

Of the thousands of chemical compounds that have been deemed mutagenic or carcinogenic, it is generally agreed that the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAC) are among the most potent. Typically, a multitude of different PAC are present, at trace levels, in a variety of environmental samples. Because of the wide range of potency of PAC, even among geometric isomers and substitutional derivatives, it is important to fully characterize these samples. This task is a formidable one, usually requiring elaborate sample clean-up and fractionation prior to analysis. Even with extensive sample preparation, however, many isomers cannot be distinguished by conventional GC/MS techniques. A multidimensional, laser-based analytical instrument has been developed that, when utilized to the full extent of its capabilities could be the solution to this complex analytical problem. The over- all technique is termed Capillary Column Gas Chromatography, Resonance Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization, Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, Laser-induced Fluorescence, with parallel Flame Ionization Detection (CC/GC-REMPI-TOF/MS-LIF-FID). This system combines the selectivity and sensitivity of two complementary laser-based methods, REMPI and LIF, with an extremely powerful and proven analytical tool, GC/MS. The GC effluent passes through the ion source of a TOF/MS, where it is interrogated by a tunable ultraviolet laser beam. Thus, PAC and other absorbing species may be selectively excited and/or ionized in the presence of nonabsorbing components. All laser-analyte interaction products (cations, electrons, and photons) are simultaneously monitored utilizing the TOF/MS, a total electron current detector (TECD), and a LIF detector. The beauty of this technique is that all analytically useful data for each absorbing chromatographic eluent may be collected on-the-fly. The simultaneous availability of this information simplifies the characterization task. The present absolute detection limits for several PAC have been determined to be low picogram range. Also, a linear dynamic range of approximately four orders of magnitude has been established for the TECD, indicating that this technique is both sensitive and quantitative. Further, the use of deuterated analogs, of selected PAC, as internal reference standards greatly assists in quantitation. (\u27(UPSILON))DOE Report IS-T-1262. This work was performed under Contract W-7405-Eng-82 with the U.S. Department of Energy

Quantitative analyses and modelling to support achievement of the 2020 goals for nine neglected tropical diseases

Quantitative analysis and mathematical models are useful tools in informing strategies to control or eliminate disease. Currently, there is an urgent need to develop these tools to inform policy to achieve the 2020 goals for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In this paper we give an overview of a collection of novel model-based analyses which aim to address key questions on the dynamics of transmission and control of nine NTDs: Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, leprosy, soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and trachoma. Several common themes resonate throughout these analyses, including: the importance of epidemiological setting on the success of interventions; targeting groups who are at highest risk of infection or re-infection; and reaching populations who are not accessing interventions and may act as a reservoir for infection,. The results also highlight the challenge of maintaining elimination ‘as a public health problem’ when true elimination is not reached. The models elucidate the factors that may be contributing most to persistence of disease and discuss the requirements for eventually achieving true elimination, if that is possible. Overall this collection presents new analyses to inform current control initiatives. These papers form a base from which further development of the models and more rigorous validation against a variety of datasets can help to give more detailed advice. At the moment, the models’ predictions are being considered as the world prepares for a final push towards control or elimination of neglected tropical diseases by 2020

Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum