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Mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis has been applied for the discrimination of 250 saffron samples from Greece (40 samples), Iran (87 samples), Italy (60 samples) and Spain (63 samples). The infrared spectra of saffron filament samples and their organic extracts were recorded. Principal component analysis was applied to different spectral regions. Then the principal components were used as variables in discriminant analysis. The best discriminatory approach was achieved in the spectral region 2000–700 cm−1. The spectral region responsible for the differentiation of Italian samples is in the region of carbonyl group around 1746 cm−1. The spectral region at around 1600 cm−1 and the band at 1670 cm−1 are responsible for the differentiation of samples from the remaining countries. From the original grouped cases, 93.6% were correctly classified. The correct classification rates for saffron samples from Greece, Iran, Italy and Spain were 90.0, 89.5, 96.7 and 98.4%, respectively. The combination of infrared spectroscopic technique with multivariate analysis is a rapid and ambient method to discriminate saffron samples in terms of geographical origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of methods has been compiled to compare gridded air emission inventories that have been derived, on the same spatial grid, using widely differing techniques. Top-down and bottom-up inventories for Milan, Italy and for the Greater Athens area (GAA), Greece were used to test and apply these methods. The applicability of each method to certain source sectors was assessed by conducting sensitivity analyses. Whilst some of the methods (such as regression calculations or the Moran coefficient) appeared very sensitive to variations of point source emissions, others (e.g. the construction of difference maps) proved more appropriate for characterizing line source differences. Area sources could best be dealt with by using the newly developed acceptability criterion. The development of these tools allows a reproducible comparison of sets of emission inventories and consequently supports developments towards improvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]