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COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Maxwell's Equations, Part IV
  A discussion of magnetism, leading into Maxwell's second equation
  David W. Ball
• FOCUS ON QUALITY
  USP <1058> and the GAMP Guide on Laboratory Computerized Systems - Is Integration Possible?
  Here's what needs to be done to harmonize these two documents.
  R.D. McDowall and C. Burgess

ARTICLES

• Temporary Online FT-IR Spectroscopy for Process Characterization in the Chemical Industry
  Case studies involving fouling and product quality illustrate the effective use of this method. Serena Stephenson, Lamar Dewald, Esteban Baquero, Wendy Flory, Liane Mikolajczyk, and J.D. Tate
• 2011 Editorial Index
  Spectroscopy presents its annual index of authors and articles.

Application Notes: Mass Spectrometry

• Simultaneous Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Buspirone and Its Metabolites with the Agilent 6550 iFunnel Q-TOF LC-MS System
  Yuqin Dai, Michael Flanagan, and Keith Waddell, Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Application Notes: Molecular Spectroscopy

• Long-Wavelength Dispersive 1064 nm Raman: In-Line Pharmaceutical Compound Identification
  Clare Dentinger, Steven Pullins, and Eric Bergles, BaySpec, Inc.
• Determination of Low Concentration Methanol in Alcohol by an Affordable High Sensitivity Raman Instrument
  Duyen Nguyen and Eric Wu, Enwave Optronics, Inc.
• Optical Compensation in Variable Angle Transmission Measurements of Thick Samples
  S. L. Berets, Harrick Scientific Products, and M. Milosevic, MeV Consulting
• Near Infrared Spectroscopy Is a Useful Tool in Photovoltaics Panel Development
  Rob Morris and Andrew Tatsch, Ocean Optics
• Mid-Infrared Reflectivity Measurements of Diffuse Materials
  Jenni L. Briggs, PIKE Technologies

COLUMNS

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Detecting Ions in Mass Spectrometers with the Faraday Cup
  The Faraday cup has been associated with mass spectrometry since the first instruments were assembled and continues to be used today. Here's how it works.
  Kenneth L. Busch
  
• FOCUS ON QUALITY
  Periodic Reviews of Computerized Systems, Part II
  Continued discussion of the periodic review process, including how to conduct a review, the use of checklists, and reporting the outcome.
  R.D. McDowall
  
• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  Analysis of Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewaters by ICP-MS
  Wastewater from coal-fired power plants is linked to a wide range of environmental and human health concerns. Measuring low levels of toxic trace metals in these wastewaters is complicated, however, by high levels of interfering matrix elements. A new EPA method using ICP-MS addresses this analytical challenge.
  Richard Burrows, Steve Wilbur, and Richard Clinkscales
  

ARTICLE

• Raman Thermometry of Microdevices: Choosing a Method to Minimize Error
  Temperature measurements can be made using spectral features such as the position, linewidth, and intensity of the Raman signal associated with specific optical phonon modes. Each of these spectral characteristics offers particular advantages, depending on the type of device and operational considerations.
  Thomas E. Beechem and Justin R. Serrano
  

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Product Resources
• Calendar
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY WORKBENCH
  Analytical Vibrational Spectroscopy - NIR, IR, and Raman
  How can you navigate the maze of choices for detecting molecular vibrations with midinfrared (IR), near IR (NIR), and visible (Raman)? Understanding what is being measured, how it is measured, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, will help.
  Fran Adar
  
• CHEMOMETRICS IN SPECTROSCOPY
  Classical Least Squares, Part VII: Spectral Reconstruction of Mixtures
  Continued discussion of the classical least squares approach to calibration, with a focus on the reconstruction of mixtures
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr.
  

ARTICLES

• Improved Principal Component Discrimination of Commercial Inks Using Surface-Enhanced Resonant Raman Scattering
  The signal enhancement from a surface-enhanced resonant Raman scattering (SERRS) process improves the ability to discriminate between ink samples using principal component clustering.
  Jeffrey Hirsch, Timothy O. Deschaines, and Todd Strother
  
• Raman Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Materials: A Concise Review
  A critical review focused on the Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous materials and of polymer-based nanocomposites that contain carbonaceous (nano) materials as fillers
  Dorina Magdalena Chipara, Alin Cristian Chipara, and Mircea Chipara
  
• Review of the Third North American Symposium on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (NASLIBS) 2011 Conference
  This year's theme, "Transition from Research to Application," emphasized important developments in the field application of LIBS and fundamental knowledge of the technique.
  Jose Almirall and Andrzej Miziolek
  

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Product Resources
• Calendar
• Short Courses
• Spectroscopy Spotlight
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Consequences of Finite Ion Lifetimes in Mass Spectrometry
  As we construct more-complex instruments that process packets of ions in time and space, the issue of ion lifetimes is becoming more important.
  Kenneth L. Busch
  
• THE BASELINE
  Maxwell's Equations, Part III
  Here's the fundamental calculus you need to understand Maxwell's first equation.
  David W. Ball
  
• FOCUS ON QUALITY
  Periodic Reviews of Computerized Systems, Part I
  Annex 11 to the EU's updated GMP regulations calls for periodic re-evaluation of computerized systems. This is what you need to know about the new rules.
  R.D. McDowall
  
• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  Measurement Techniques for Mercury: Which Approach Is Right for You?
  The advantages and disadvantages of measuring mercury with cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy, cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, and direct analysis by thermal decomposition are explained.
  David Pfeil
  

ARTICLE

• Spectrometers for Elemental Spectrochemical Analysis, Part IV: Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometers
  A tutorial on inductively coupled plasma (ICP) excitation and sample introduction systems.
  Carlos Augusto Coutinho and Volker Thomsen
  

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Product Resources
• Ad Index

BUYERS' GUIDE & INDUSTRY TRENDS 2011-2012

• SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTATION: SPECTROMETER SYSTEMS
• OPTICS, ELECTRO-OPTICS, OPTRONICS, FIBER OPTICS, AND RELATED COMPONENTS
• SAMPLING/SAMPLE HANDLING
• SPECTROSCOPY SOFTWARE/COMPUTER HARDWARE/AUTOMATION PRODUCTS
• SPECTROSCOPY SERVICES
• GENERAL SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
• PROCESS ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION
• BIOANALYSIS INSTRUMENTS

ALSO:

• PRODUCT INDEX
• INDUSTRY TRENDS REPORT
• MANUFACTURER DIRECTORY

COLUMNS

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Mass Spectrometry for First Responders
  Mass spectrometry is now among the tools used by first responders to identify potential threats, but there are challenges involved, including interpreting results and ensuring data relevance.
  Kenneth L. Busch
  
• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  R&D Opportunities in Arc/Spark Optical Emission Spectrometry
  Here are nine suggestions for improving this valuable technique.
  Volker B.E. Thomsen and Jerald L. Spencer
  
• LASER AND OPTICS INTERFACE
  The Importance of Tight Laser Power Control When Working with Carbon Nanomaterials
  A few key steps will protect your samples and help ensure accurate results.
  Joe Hodkiewicz
  

ARTICLES

• Scattering Impact Analysis and Correction for Leaf Biochemical Parameter Estimation Using Vis-NIR Spectroscopy
  Simulated leaf spectral data were generated to analyze scattering impact and then compared to experimental data to validate the conclusions of the simulation.
  Qianxuan Zhang, Qingbo Li, and Guangjun Zhang
  
• The Dynamic World of X-ray Fluorescence
  From the field to the synchrotron, XRF is expanding its power and scope.
  Laura Bush
  
• DXC 2011: Celebrating 60 Years of Covering Applications of X-ray Analysis
  Here's a preview what you'll hear at the Denver X-ray Conference.
  Megan Evans
  
• Application of Raman Spectroscopy to Lubricants, Lubricated Surfaces, and Lubrication Phenomena
  Developments in lasers, detectors, low-cost instruments, and fiber-optic probes have greatly expanded the lubrication systems being studied by Raman spectroscopy.
  David W. Johnson
  

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Product Resources
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Maxwell's Equations, Part II
  In the realm of classical physics, Maxwell's equations still rule, just as Newton's equations of motion rule under normal conditions.
  David W. Ball
  
• CHEMOMETRICS IN SPECTROSCOPY
  Classical Least Squares, Part VI: Spectral Results
  The detailed examination of the spectral behavior of three-component mixtures continues.
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr.
  

ARTICLES

• Optimizing FT-IR Sampling for a Method to Determine the Chemical Composition of Microbial Materials
  Algae and other aquatic species are promising sources for biomass that can be economically converted into fuel, and several infrared sampling techniques can be used to analyze these samples.
  Steve Lowry
  
• The pH Dependence of the SERS Spectra of Methyl Yellow in Silver Colloid
  Surface plasmon resonance, charge-transfer resonance, and their combination determine the enhancement of surface-enhanced Raman scattering signals, and the varying intensities of the signal at different pH levels may result from the change in contributions of the combined system.
  Zhen Long Zhang, Da Hu Chang, and Yu Jun Mo
  

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Product Resources
• Calendar
• Short Courses
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• CHEMOMETRICS IN SPECTROSCOPY
  Classical Least Squares, Part V: Experimental Results
  The first four installments of this series explained the theory of what should happen when we perform classical least squares on mixtures when Beer's law applies. Here, we examine what actually does happen.
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr.

• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  Close Enough: The Value of Semiquantitative Analysis
  Why is semiquantitative analysis important and how is it performed and implemented?
  Kenneth Neubauer and Laura Thompson

ARTICLES

• Pittcon 2011 New Product Review
  Howard Mark
  This year's review of new products introduced at Pittcon includes laboratory, portable, and handheld instruments. The products are broken down into the following 15 categories:
  • Accessories
  • Atomic Spectroscopy
  • Components
  • ESR
  • Fluorescence
  • Imaging
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mid-IR
  • NIR
  • NMR
  • Raman
  • Software
  • Terahertz Spectroscopy
  • UV-visible
  • X-ray

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Maxwell's Equations, Part I: History
  The historical developments leading up to Maxwell's equations are discussed in Part I of this series.
  David W. Ball

• FOCUS ON QUALITY
  Is GMP Annex 11 Europe's Answer to 21 CFR 11?
  The revisions to GMP Annex 11 are examined in terms of the impact on computerized spectrometry systems operating in regulated GMP laboratories.
  R.D. McDowall

• LASER AND OPTICS INTERFACE
  LIBS in Forensics
  A Q&A with Jose Almirall, PhD, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the director of the International Forensic Research Institute at Florida International University.
  Laura Bush

ARTICLES

• Microwave-Induced Combustion for ICP-MS: A Generic Approach to Trace Elemental Analyses of Pharmaceutical Products
  A general MIC-ICP-MS method has been successfully developed for the assay of elemental impurities in pharmaceutical products.
  Kwan H. Nam, Robert Isensee, Gabe Infantino, Karol Putyera, and Xinwei Wang

• An Integration of Modified Uninformative Variable Elimination and Wavelet Packet Transform for Variable Selection
  The wavelet packet transform (WPT) combined with the modified uninformative variable elimination (MUVE) method (WPT-MUVE) is proposed to select variables for multivariate calibration of spectral data.
  Xiaojing Chen, Di Wu, and Yong He

• Developing a Career in FT-IR An interview with Jerry Workman, Spectroscopy Editorial Advisory Board member.