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This column completes the multipart MS primer with a list of terms derived from common usage throughout various industries.

Short Courses

Some things never change.

Columnist Ron Majors discusses some of the practical considerations in the successful application of the popular yet age-old technique of solvent extraction (also known as liquid–liquid extraction, or LLE). After a brief review of the basics, guidelines on the selection of the appropriate extraction solvents and how to use acid–base equilibria to ensure efficient extractions of ionic and ionizable compounds are provided. Problems in LLE and the solutions to these problems are highlighted. A newer technique called dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction is introduced.

The chance to have everyone you might e-mail or call on the phone in one place makes this conference critical

The concept of the limit of detection (LOD) has been, and still is, one of the most controversial in analytical chemistry. The multiple definitions and calculation methods proposed have contributed to this situation. Although in the last years, several international organizations, such as ISO or IUPAC, have tried to reach a consensus in their definitions and have issued guidelines for the estimation of this important parameter in chemical analysis, the subject is still a matter of scientific debate. In this article, we try to clarify the definition and provide guidelines to estimate LOD in chromatographic methods of analysis.

Recent development of the instrumentation for asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (FFF) brings new possibilities for the characterization of synthetic and natural polymers with several advantages over traditionally used size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The main difference of asymmetric flow FFF compared to SEC is that the polymer separation takes place in an entirely empty channel, which eliminates undesirable SEC effects such as shearing degradation of polymers with ultra high molar mass, anchoring of branched macromolecules in SEC column packing, and enthalpic interactions of polymer molecules with a stationary phase.

Digital Update

Using a fixed length-variant of the kinetic plot method, it is illustrated how an analysis that is performed near the optimal flow-rate of a given commercial column can, in many cases, be performed between 50–200% faster by switching to a longer column and operating it at a higher pressure - at least, if the available instrument pressure admits so. The present article aims to show that short columns are not always the best choice to get the fastest separation.

Various modes of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) for the separation of enantiomers on immobilized cyclodextrin derivatives are described. The following techniques have been used: (i) open-tubular electrochromatography (o-CEC), (ii) packed electrochromatography (p-CEC) and (iii) monolithic electrochromatography (rod-CEC). Three different strategies to prepare enantioselective cyclodextrin-coated chiral monoliths are described. The advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are outlined.

Markes International has enhanced its online shop, increasing the number of products offered to include the majority of the thermal desorption (TD) instrument spares, accessories and consumables found in its new catalogue.

Hichrom will be sponsoring a series of HPLC workshops led by world-renowned HPLC trainers including John Dolan, Mel Euerby and Tom Jupille. The workshops are running throughout 2009 at sites across the UK including Reading, Manchester and London.

Markes International has enhanced its online shop, increasing the number of products offered to include the majority of the thermal desorption (TD) instrument spares, accessories and consumables found in its new catalogue.

Hichrom will be sponsoring a series of HPLC workshops led by world-renowned HPLC trainers including John Dolan, Mel Euerby and Tom Jupille. The workshops are running throughout 2009 at sites across the UK including Reading, Manchester and London.

Waters reported fourth quarter 2008 sales of $418 million, a decrease of 4% from sales of $437 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. In the quarter, the effects of foreign currency translation were responsible for the reduced sales growth rate.

Proxeon has announced that it will join 12 other partners in a research consortium, PROSPECTS (PROteomics SPECification in Time and Space). The collaborators come from leading proteomics laboratories and companies.

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of ropinirole in human plasma has been developed. The method achieves a S/N of over 100:1 at the required LLOQ of 0.005 ng/mL.

Restek has announced the purchase of outstanding corporate shares in a move to 100% employee ownership under an Employee Stock Ownership Programme (ESOP) structure.

Joining us for this discussion are Troy Purvis and Chad Ostrander of Hitachi High Technologies America; Thomas J. Waeghe of MAC-MOD Analytical; Dr. Roy Eksteen of Tosoh Bioscience, LLC.; and Thomas E. Beesley of Sigma-Aldrich/Supelco.

The 23rd International Forum for Process Analytical Technology (IFPAC-09) will be held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, located within Baltimore's Inner Harbor, from January 25 through January 28, 2009.

The fourth European Award for Plasma Spectrochemistry is to be awarded to Dr Annemie Bogaerts, professor of physical chemistry at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Varian, Inc. has published an application note entitled Enhanced ELSD Sensitivity of Parabens using Sub-Ambient Evaporation. Parabens are widely used as food additives, in personal care products and pharmaceutical formulations. They are relatively volatile but can easily be detected by the Varian ELSD. By manipulating the operating conditions, the Varian ELSD detects semi-volatile parabens, thus conserving sample integrity and providing maximum sensitivity. This application note shows that the innovative design of the Varian ELSD represents the next generation of ELSD technology, providing optimum performance across a diverse range of HPLC applications.

Dionex has entered into an agreement with Caliper Life Sciences to purchase Caliper's AutoTrace line of products...

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