scholarly journals Balanced-Energy Counting Window for Stable Liquid Scintillation Radiocarbon Dating

Radiocarbon ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pall Theodórsson

This paper describes an optimal radiocarbon counting window for liquid scintillation (LS) 14C dating that secures for unquenched as well as for heavily quenched dating samples maximal stability of 14C counting efficiency and theoretically minimal quench correction. In high-precision dating, a balanced counting window with fixed channel limits is frequently used, where about 3% of the highest part of the 14C spectrum is sacrificed for high 14C counting stability. The stability is, however, diminished for quenched samples. Therefore, this window is here replaced by a balanced fixed-energy 14C counting window where the channel limits depend on the quench level. The LS system used must have a linear amplifier and a multichannel analyzer. All samples are measured at a fixed high voltage. For energy calibration and determination of the quench level, the channel number of the middle of the 59.5-keV peak from an external 241Am gamma source is determined before and after measuring each sample. This counting mode is valuable in high-precision dating. It could be widely applied if adapted to systems with a logarithmic amplifier, generally used in LS dating.

Radiocarbon ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Theodórsson ◽  
S Ingvarsdottir ◽  
G I Gudjonsson

The authors present a detailed theoretical and experimental study of the liquid scintillation balanced counting method, widely used in radiocarbon dating, using a simple, laboratory-made system. A fixed counting window becomes a balanced window when the high voltage is set where the 14C count rate rises to a maximum. Using a measured 14C pulse height spectrum, we have calculated the lower and upper limits for 11 balanced windows of varying width and their respective counting efficiencies. Furthermore, we have studied: (1) theoretically and experimentally, the counting efficiency for up to a ±15% shift in pulse height from the balanced setting, (2) the change in pulse height due to temperature variations, (3) the long-time stability of the system, and (4) a method that allows a quick determination of the balance voltage for individual samples, using the Compton spectrum of 133Ba. The standard deviation for thirty 24-hr measuring periods for a 14C standard (190 Bq) was within the expected statistical standard error (0.03%).


Radiocarbon ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Passo ◽  
Robert Anderson ◽  
David Roberts ◽  
G. T. Cook

We present results that demonstrate the potential of the Packard Tri-Carb® Model 2770TR/SL for radiocarbon dating. For 2 g of sample benzene, a stable background count rate of 0.307 cpm and a stable counting efficiency of 64.78% were determined using a 13–75 keV counting window. Changes to the mathematical routines for t-SIE (quench indicating parameter) calculation and a reduction in the activity of the external standard have enabled stability of the t-SIE to be achieved, and combined with the use of a suitable balance point counting window; all of these factors give the stability of performance required for 14C dating. Calculations based on the above parameters indicate that the limit of detection for 2 g samples, counted for 5000 min, is >48,900 yr bp. The great advantage of this system is that these data were acquired using inexpensive standard 7-mL low potassium borosilicate glass vials. Vial holders manufactured from BGO reduced the background to 0.15 cpm with a minimum effect on efficiency (64.46% for 13–75 keV). A similar calculation of the limit of detection gave >51,700 bp. The use of the BGO vial holders in other instruments employing time-resolved liquid scintillation counting (TR-LSC) (Models 2250CA and 2260XL) also brought about significant improvements in detection limits.


1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 1374-1380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele B Wygant ◽  
John A Statler ◽  
Alan Henshall

Abstract Sulfite is added to foods as an antimicrobial, antibrowning agent, or antioxidant. It also can occur naturally, and is often used in the production of beer and wine. For years the standard methodology for determination of sulfite in foods has been the Monier–Williams method, which is a combination of acid distillation and titration. Recently, AOAC adopted a chromatographic method based on a method developed by Kim and Kim for the determination of sulfite. The method combines ion exclusion chromatography with direct-current (DC) amperometric detection to provide more convenient and accurate quantitation of sulfite. However, fouling of the platinum working electrode results in a rapid decrease in method sensitivity. As a result, standards must be injected before and after every sample, and the electrode must be polished frequently to maintain adequate detection limits. Pulsed amperometric detection overcomes electrode fouling problems by repeatedly and continuously applying cleaning potentials to the working electrode. Using this technique, a reproducible electrode surface can be maintained, and injection-to-injection repeatability is greatly improved. A comparison of method performance for both DC and pulsed amperometric detection is presented. Also investigated was the stability of sulfite samples at varying pH, and in the presence or absence of a preservative.


Radiocarbon ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Polach ◽  
Lauri Kaihola

Traces of uranium and radium within the 14C sample generate radon (Rn) which gets occluded during the benzene synthesis, thus generating false (extra) counts within the 14C counting window. This, if undetected, gives rise to erroneous 14C age determinations. The application of simultaneous α and β liquid scintillation spectrometry will enable a mathematical evaluation of the 14C signal unaffected by α and β particle emissions from radon decay daughters.


RADIOISOTOPES ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 596-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoo SAITO ◽  
Kunio OOHASHI ◽  
Naotake MORIKAWA

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 2196-2201
Author(s):  
Radimír Rexa ◽  
Richard Tykva

The time course of the changes of the counting rate caused by 32P is determined in six commercially available scintillation mixtures applicable to aqueous solutions of the samples. The measurements were performed separately in the 3H- and 32P-measuring channels. Statistically significant changes were found during the first day after the sample preparation for Unisolve 100, Unisolve 1, and Aquasolve in both counting channels, and for Unisolve ELS in the 3H-channel. Minisolve and Instagel exhibited steady values during 60 and 78 h, respectively, and after that period the changes proceeded very slowly. The stability of the counting rates for Minisolve and Instagel was checked also for 3H alone and for combined 3H + 32P-labelled samples.


Author(s):  
Н.Ш. КАЙШЕВА ◽  
А.Ш. КАЙШЕВ ◽  
Л.Б. ГУБАНОВА ◽  
А.Б. САМОРЯДОВА

Исследована возможность применения очищенных пектинов для стабилизации аскорбиновой кислоты (АК) в фреш-соках с концентрацией 10–6–10–4г/мл. В работе использованы: АК, щавелевая кислота (ЩК), свекловичный (СП), цитрусовый (ЦП) и яблочный (ЯП) пектины с высокой молярной массой 61000–87500 г/моль и степенью этерификации 46,5–76,3%, предназначенные для фармацевтического применения. Фреш-соки получены посредством отжима ягод, плодов и овощей (18 видов). Установлено отсутствие мешающего влияния пектинов на определение АК методом дифференциальной спектроскопии в УФ-области – характеристический максимум поглощения АК 264 нм. По серии растворов АК (0,25–1,25) · 10–3% определен удельный показатель поглощения АК 727, в соответствии с которым оценено содержание АК в модельных растворах со вспомогательными веществами при хранении. Устойчивость АК составляет, сут: в присутствии ЩК 5, СП 4, ЦП 6, ЯП 10. Установлено оптимальное массовое соотношение АК : ЯП как 1 : 16, что использовано для купажирования фреш-соков, в которых предварительно определена концентрация АК 0,40–19,99 мг % методом титрования 2,6-дихлорфенолиндофенолятом натрия. Сравнительная оценка соков до и после купажирования ЯП при хранении (20°С, 10 сут) показала, что ЯП способствует смещению рН в оптимальную для АК область рН 4,5–8,0; увеличению вязкости соков на 5–148% и сроков хранения в 3,3–59 раз. Относительная погрешность различных определений (n = 5, P = 95%, t = 2,57) составила ± (0,7–5,6)%. Доказана возможность применения очищенного ЯП в качестве стабилизатора АК в фреш-соках с концентрацией АК 10–6–10–4 г/мл, что создает перспективы безопасного «продления жизни» соков. The possibility of using purified pectins to stabilize ascorbic acid (AA) in fresh juices with a concentration of 10–6–10–4g/ml was investigated. In the work were used: АA, oxalic acid (OA), beetroot, citrus and apple pectins (BP, CP and AP) with high molar mass (61000–87500 g/mol) and the degree of etherification (46,5–76,3%), intended for pharmaceutical use. Fresh juices were obtained by pressing berries, fruits and vegetables (18 kinds). Absence of interfering effect of pectins on the determination of AA by differential spectroscopy in the UV region (characteristic maximum absorption of AA – 264 nm) was established. According to the series of AA solutions (0,25–1,25) · 10–3%, the specific absorption rate of AA 727 was determined, according to which the content of AA in model solutions with auxiliary substances during storage was estimated. The stability of AA in the presence of OA is 5 days, BP – 4 days, CP – 6 days, AP – 10 days. The optimal mass ratio of AA : AP 1 : 16 was established, which was used for blending fresh juice, in which the concentration of AA (0,40–19,99 mg %) was previously determined by the method of titration with 2,6-dichlorphenolindophenol sodium. A comparative assessment of juices before and after blending during storage (20°C, 10 days) showed that AP contributes to the displacement of pH in the optimal for AA area of pH 4,5–8,0; increase in the viscosity of juices by 5–148% and shelf life of 3,3–59 times. The relative error of different definitions (n = 5, P = 95%, t = 2,57) was ± (0,7–5,6)%. Thus, the possibility of using purified AP as an AA stabilizer in fresh juices with the concentration of AA 10–6–10–4g/ml is proved, which creates prospects for safe prolonging the life of juices.


1983 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-293
Author(s):  
C. Capo ◽  
Z. Mishal ◽  
V. Balloy ◽  
A.M. Benoliel ◽  
P. Bongrand

The murine macrophage-like cell line P388D1 ingests immunoglobulin-coated sheep red cells (IgG-SRC) poorly, but after 3 days incubation in the presence of 1.5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), it becomes highly phagocytic. We used this model to correlate triggering of phagocytosis with some surface properties of P388D1 cells, possibly involved in recognition or engulfment of particles. The accessibility of Fc receptors on the cell membranes did not seem to be affected by DMSO treatment since the binding of IgG-SRC to cells was the same before and after treatment with DMSO. A technique allowing quantitative determination of the stability of cell-particle binding showed that binding strength was not the only essential factor in triggering ingestion. Hydrophobicity and surface charge were postulated to play a role in phagocytic recognition. No change in hydrophobicity, as assayed by contact-angle measurement, and in net surface charge evaluated by cell electrophoresis, was observed for normal and DMSO-treated P388D1 cells. On the other hand, the fluorescence polarization of a membrane lipophilic probe (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) was significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased when P388D1 cells were treated with DMSO. Since the effect of DMSO on P388D1 function was delayed, our results were consistent with the view that enhancement of phagocytosis might be a consequence of some modification of membrane dynamics, due to changes in lipid composition.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document