Measurements of rhenium isotopic composition in low-abundance samples

Rhenium (Re) is a trace element whose redox chemistry makes it an ideal candidate to trace a range of geochemical processes. In particular, fractionation of its isotopes 187Re (62.6% abundance) and 185Re (37.4%) may be used to improve our understanding of redox reactions during weathering, both in the modern day and in geological archives. Published methods for measurement of Re isotopic composition are limited by the requirements of Re mass to reach a desirable precision, making the analysis of many geological materials unfeasible at present. Here we develop new methods which allow us to measure Re isotope ratios (reported as δ187Re) with improved precision: ±0.10‰ (2σ) for a mass of Re of ∼1 ng to ±0.03‰ (2σ) for a mass of Re of >10 ng. This is possible due to the combination of a modified column chemistry procedure and the use of 1013 Ω amplifiers for measurement via multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). For river water samples (with Re concentrations typically ∼10−12 g g−1) we design a field-based pre-concentration of Re that can be used with large volumes of filtered water (5–20 L) shortly after sample collection to provide abundant Re for isotope analysis. As a result of these developments we provide new measurements of δ187Re in standards reference materials (δ187Re values range from −0.06 ± 0.07‰ to +0.19 ± 0.05‰) and a seawater standard (δ187Re = +0.10 ± 0.04‰), providing impetus for further exploration of the Re isotope system

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF HUMAN ENERGY FIELDS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

The purpose of this investigation was to observe human energy fields (HEF) in infants and young children. The sample (N 18) consisted of three age groups of approximately 6, 30, and 54 month old children. In this exploratory study, coding was devised to help extrapolate information thar leads to a different understanding of development in children. Literature was reviewed from observations of the HEF of adults and ways of looking ar children historically. This approach was combined with traditional observational methods of studying children to develop this research projecr, using qualirative analysis to identifY any parterns within and be[\veen groups. The observations were made by three observers viewing the HEF, using a facilitator, coding forms, and video documentarion. The findings from rhe study show patterns within and bet\Veen groups indicating there is a developmental HEF change that occurs over the three age groups