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Using a social identity gratifications framework ( Harwood, 1997, 1999 ), this paper examines the role of ethnolinguistic identity and language competence in influencing television viewing among three language minorities in Europe: the German minority in South-Tyrol, Italy; the Hungarian minority in Transylvania, Romania; and the Swedish minority in Southern Finland. Self-report questionnaire data were collected among secondary school students ( N = 1443) in 2010. The results indicated that in settings where preference for, or consumption of, minority language media was relatively low, effects of identity on minority television language preferences were strongest for those who were least bilingual. In contrast, in settings where minority language television preferences were relatively high, the effects were stronger for more bilingual audience members. Findings and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical capabilities of Nanoscopic Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (nano-SIMS) and Synchrotron Radiation based X-ray Fluorescence (SR nano-XRF) techniques were compared for nanochemical imaging of polymorphonuclear human neutrophils (PMNs). PMNs were high pressure frozen (HPF), cryo-substituted, embedded in Spurr's resin and cut in thin sections (500 nm and 2 μm for both techniques resp.) Nano-SIMS enabled nanoscale mapping of isotopes of C, N, O, P and S, while SR based nano-XRF enabled trace level imaging of metals like Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn at a resolution of approx. 50 nm. The obtained elemental distributions were compared with those of whole, cryofrozen PMNs measured at the newly developed ID16A nano-imaging beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. Similarities were observed for elements more tightly bound to the cell structure such as phosphorus and sulphur, while differences for mobile ions such as chlorine and potassium were more pronounced. Due to the observed elemental redistribution of mobile ions such as potassium and chlorine, elemental analysis of high pressure frozen (HPF), cryo-substituted and imbedded cells should be interpreted critically. Although decreasing analytical sensitivity occurs due to the presence of ice, analysis of cryofrozen cells - close to their native state - remains the golden standard. In general, we found nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nano-SIMS) and synchrotron radiation based nanoscopic X-ray fluorescence (SR nano-XRF) to be two supplementary alternatives for nanochemical imaging of single cells at the nanoscale. Image 1 • First Nano-SIMS imaging of thin sections of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) embedded in Spurr's resin. • Nano-SIMS and SR nano-XRF techniques are compared for nanochemical imaging of PMNs embedded in Spurr's resin. • Trace level metal imaging at 50 nm spatial resolution of cryofrozen PMNs using SR nano-XRF. • Comparison of SR nano-XRF imaging on 1) thin sections of PMNs embedded in Spurr's resin and 2) whole, cryofrozen PMNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report the synthesis and some new crystal structures of tetrakis lanthanide β-diketonate complexes throughout the lanthanide series for homonuclear (Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Er3+ and Yb3+) as well as for heteronuclear (Eu3+-Tb3+ and Tb3+-Sm3+) complexes. The well-known 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentadione (Htfac) ligand has been used in the synthesis. Here, we show that when employing the same synthesis conditions, we can obtain complexes with different coordination environments of the lanthanide ions. This is strongly linked to the ionic radius of the lanthanide ion. The luminescence properties of the visible emitting complexes (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+) were investigated in solution as well as solid state. The near-infrared emitting complexes (Ln3+ = Pr3+, Nd3+, Er3+ and Yb3+) were recorded in the solid state. The heteronuclear complexes ([Eu 1-x Tb x (tfac) 8 ]2-Na 2 + (x: 0.59 (1) and 0.47 (2), Tb 1-y Sm y (tfac) 8 ]2-Na 2 + (y: 0.1 (3) and 0.2 (4)) and homonuclear complex [Dy(tfac) 4)]−Na+ (DyL 4) exhibited temperature-dependent luminescence properties in the physiological range, with complex DyL 4 showing the highest relative sensitivity S r = 3.45% K−1 (280 K). Complex 2 also showed a high S r = 2.70% K−1 (353 K), which makes them promising for application as physiological luminescence thermometers. To the best of our knowledge until now no lanthanide β-diketonate complexes have been reported for use as good luminescence thermometers operating in the physiological range. Tetrakis β-diketonate lanthanide complexes shows temperature-dependent luminescence in physiological temperature range. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological developments such as atmospheric plasma jets for industry can be adapted for the conservation of cultural heritage. This application might offer a potential method for the removal or transformation of the corrosion on historical photographs. We focus on daguerreotypes and present an in-depth study of the induced changes by a multi-analytical approach using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, different types of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure. The H 2 -He afterglow removes S from an Ag 2 S or Cu 2 S layer which results in a nano-layer of metallic Ag or Cu on top of the deteriorated microstructure. In case the corrosion layer is composed of Cu-Ag-S compounds, our proposed setup can be used to partially remove the corrosion. These alterations of the corrosion results in an improvement in the readability of the photographic image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Mad Meg", a figure of Flemish folklore, is the subject of a famous oil-on-panel painting by the Flemish renaissance artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder, exhibited in the Museum Mayer van den Bergh (Antwerp, Belgium). This article reports on the in situ chemical characterization of this masterpiece by using currently available state-of-the-art portable analytical instruments. The applied non-destructive analytical approach involved the use of a) handheld X-ray fluorescence instrumentation for retrieving elemental information and b) portable X-ray fluorescence/X-ray diffraction instrumentation and laser-based Raman spectrometers for obtaining structural/molecular information. Next to material characterization of the used pigments and of the different preparation layers of the painting, also the verification of two important historical iconographic hypotheses is performed concerning the economic way of painting by Brueghel, and whether or not he used blue smalt pigment for painting the boat that appears towards the top of the painting. The pigments identified are smalt pigment (65% SiO2+15% K2O+10% CoO+5% Al2O3) for the blue color present in all blue areas of the painting, probably copper resinate for the green colors, vermillion (HgS) as red pigment and lead white is used to form different colors. The comparison of blue pigments used on different areas of the painting gives no differences in the elemental fingerprint which confirms the existing hypothesis concerning the economic painting method by Bruegel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High resolution X-ray radiography and computed tomography are excellent techniques for non-destructive characterization of an object under investigation at a spatial resolution in the micrometer range. However, as the image contrast depends on both chemical composition and material density, no chemical information is obtained from this data. Furthermore, lab-based measurements are affected by the polychromatic X-ray beam, which results in beam hardening effects. New types of X-ray detectors which provide spectral information on the measured X-ray beam can help to overcome these limitations. In this paper, an energy dispersive CCD detector with high spectral resolution is characterized for use in high resolution radiography and tomography, where a focus is put on the experimental conditions and requirements of both measurement techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The accuracy of the determination of Cr(VI) in ambient particulate matter remains a challenge from the point of view of minimal Cr species interconversion. Knowledge of this method induced oxidation and reduction is particularly relevant for the determination of Cr(VI) in ambient particulate matter, as the level of observed Cr(III) oxidation (average of 1.7% in this study) can contribute significantly to the monitored range of measured Cr(VI) in PM10. For Cr concentrations in PM10 > 10 ng Cr m−3, this method induced oxidation could lead to false positive exceeding of an air quality guideline value of 0.2 ng Cr(VI) m−3 in PM10. The median daily Cr(VI) concentration in PM10 measured over a monitoring period of more than 2 months at two locations close to a stainless steel factory amounted to 0.9 ng Cr(VI) m−3 and 0.27 ng Cr(VI) m−3. Average daily Cr(VI)/Cr ratios in PM10 of 3.5% and 2.6% were measured at these locations. The described monitoring for the determination of Cr(VI) in ambient air via alkaline impregnated filters is sensitive (method detection limit of 0.015 ng Cr(VI) m−3) and reproducible (precision of the method ∼25%). The average Cr(VI) recovery of 75% strongly indicates the effects of ambient sampling conditions and ambient particles on the Cr(VI) recoveries. The stability of the Cr(VI) and the Cr(III) spike on 0.12 M NaHCO3 impregnated filters observed with XANES, indicates that the alkaline extraction of the filter in combination with the sampled air matrix is likely to induce the Cr conversions. The XANES spectra shows further that a Cr-spinel is the predominant component of Cr in ambient air PM10 at the monitored locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis (μ-XRF) is one of the newest branches of XRF, which has developed very rapidly since 1990. In this review, we first discuss a number of papers that describe advances in instrumentation and (calibration) methods that can contribute towards more reliable quantitative analysis using μ-XRF. This first part also includes recent papers that aim to characterize the heterogeneity of standards useful for calibrating μ-XRF set-ups. We then present a short overview of recently published papers in which the (semi-)quantitative nature of μ-XRF is exploited, including studies in which μ-XRF is compared to other microanalytical methods providing compositional information or is used in combination with other methods in order to characterize materials more completely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We detected additional CAI-like material in STARDUST mission samples of comet 81P/Wild 2. Two highly refractory cometary dust fragments were identified in the impact track 110 [C2012, 0, 110, 0, 0] by applying high resolution synchrotron induced confocal and conventional XRF analysis (HR SR-XRF). The use of a polycapillary lens in front of the detector for confocal spectroscopy dramatically improves the fidelity of particle measurements by removing contribution from the surrounding aerogel. The high spatial resolution (300×300nm2; 300×1000nm2) obtained allowed the detailed non-destructive in situ (trapped in aerogel) study of impacted grains at the sub-μm level. For the two largest particles of the track, the terminal particle and a second particle along the impact track, Ca concentration is up to 30 times higher than CI and Ti is enriched by a factor of 2 compared to CI. High resolution (HR) SR-XRF mapping also reveals that the highest concentrations of Ca, Ti, Fe (and Ni) measured within each grain belongs to different areas of the respective maps which indicate that the particles are composed of several chemically diverse mineral phases. This is in agreement with the finding of a complex phase assemblage of highly refractory minerals in the first ever detected Stardust mission CAI grain “Inti” of Track 25. Principle component analysis (PCA) is a powerful tool for extracting the dominant mineral components and was applied to the two grains indicating that regions in the terminal particle and the second particle are consistent with anorthite or grossite and gehlenite, monticellite or Dmitryivanovite (CaAl2O4), respectively. Our new findings demonstrate that the HR SR-XRF with confocal geometry and PCA analysis is capable of identifying CAI-like fragments without the need to extract particles from the aerogel matrix which is a time-consuming, complex and destructive process. Furthermore, the detection of new CAI-like fragments in the coma dust of comet 81P/Wild 2 strengthens the observation that strong mixing effects and, therefore, mass transport before or during comet formation must have occurred at least up to the region where Kuiper Belt comets formed (∼30AU). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of Fusarium solani fungi in an expanded perlite packed biofilter was investigated for the treatment of a hexane polluted waste gas stream using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). The latter analytical technique proved to be of utmost importance to evaluate the performance of the biofilter at high time resolution (seconds) under various transient conditions, analogous to industrial situations. The biofilter was operational for 277 days with inlet loads varying between 1 and 14 g m−3 h−1 and applying an empty bed residence time of 116 s. The results showed a positive behaviour of the biofilter against different types of disruptions such as: (i) changes in the relative humidity of the inlet gas, (ii) stopping the carbon supply for 1, 5 and 10 days, (iii) varying the inlet hexane concentration (step increases and intermittent pulses) and (iv) limiting the availability of nutrients. X-ray imaging (both conventional 2D μCT and X-ray fluorescence, XRF) was applied for the first time on biofilter media in order to get insight in the internal structure of expanded perlite and to visualise the biomass growth. The latter in combination with online porosity measurements using SIFT-MS provides fundamental information regarding the biofiltration process. • Dynamic behaviour of a fungal biofilter was investigated. • SIFT-MS was used to online monitor hexane concentration profiles. • Porosity of the biofilter was measured with an online SIFT-based methodology. • The fungal biofilter could withstand different stress conditions. • X-ray techniques were used to investigate the spatial distribution of the biofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography (XFCT) is an emerging imaging technique that provides elemental distribution in objects non-invasively. To predict and optimize the experimental outcome of XFCT, data generated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is usually used. However, MC codes typically require extended computing times to generate sufficient data. In this paper, we report an XFCT simulation method based on analytical computation. By implementing it in GPU, the time required for the simulation of fluorescence sinograms has been sharply reduced. Through comparing the data generated by the technique presented here with data obtained through other approaches, its validity have been verified. It is expected that the simulation method proposed here could serve as a supporting tool for XFCT in aspects such as optimizing the scanning parameters for XFCT, confirming the feasibility of sample studied by XFCT and developing novel XFCT reconstruction algorithms. • Analytical simulation can drastically accelerate the simulation of XFCT. • Analytical simulation of XFCT can produce results close to those of Monte Carlo code. • Difference between simulation and experimental data is caused by uncertainties in lab. • Analytical simulation method could serve as a supporting tool for XFCT experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]