bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education Collaboration Development
Authors: Strohschen Gabriele
Published: November 2013

We are living in a state of great flux. Needless to say, political, social, economic, and technological structures are changing faster than we can name and define them. As educators, we are called upon to ready adults for the challenges brought on by global changes. Educators in the 21st century are no longer knowledge producers and disseminators. Educators are involved in managing the educational process: their own and that of the adult students. Educational leadership in the knowledge society is evidenced with a curiously mixed set of skills; it is defined by emotional intelligence and spirituality; it is defined by the finely honed ability of facilitating learning in cross-cultural, multi-lingual, and inter-disciplinary settings; it is defined by a willingness to move away from the guru-stance of teaching and toward a praxis of partnering for change. Today’s educator ought to be a strategic partner in the lifelong and life-wide process of learning. This chapter explores the multi-dimensional role of educational leadership, which is characterized by interdependence and calls for research on collaborative and contextual paradigms in higher education development, delivery, and management.
Environmental Education through Envkids Didactical Framework and ICT Tools
Authors: Tsalapata Hariklia , Alimsi Rene , Heidmann Olivier
Published: November 2013

Global awareness on the need to change everyday behavior towards some more environmentally friendly practices has been on the rise over the last few years in the face of emerging phenomena such as global temperature rising, desertification, extreme weather, sea water level rising, and the potential resulting disruption to everyday life for large populations. Even if in most European countries a certain amount of environmental objectives for primary education are defined, teachers in the field feel a substantial lack of supporting implementation guidelines, especially for digital deployment in the classroom. Addressing this need, the work presented in this paper aims at the development of blended learning activities that deploy an explorative and collaborative didactical framework towards environmental sustainability training for primary education through a combination of in-class instruction, virtual experimentation, storytelling practices, and on-line collaboration. The validation activities carried out so far demonstrate a positive teacher and learner reaction and an easy integration of the methodologies and demonstrators into existing school practices.
Value Creation with Wood-Based Energy Business Models
Authors: Westerman Wim , Paays Jeffrey , Pätäri Satu
Published: November 2013

Renewable energy sources are increasingly coming into use. This notably counts for non-food based biomass sources, including those producing wood-based energy. A firm that (re-)directs activities to this area can potentially create value. The external and internal environment of the firm sets the outline for the value creation potential. Important in the value creation process are dynamic capabilities to alter resource bases. The authors show this with an example in the mature Finnish pulp and paper industry. A Delphi study helps to identify the main industry- and company-level factors that influence the forest-based energy sector, its value-creation potential, and the future roles of forest and energy companies in it. The results of a study on a power plant in The Netherlands shows how the economic value creation for a specific firm can be assessed. The plant is designed to “vaporize” biomass input, in our case so-called “B-wood,” to a bio-oil that can be used to generate Green Power. The economic value analysis draws upon a risk-oriented production unit positioning analysis that is modeled with multiple scenarios. The results show that innovative business models can fruitfully be identified with multiple experts in sophisticated Delphi rounds and dynamic resource-based approaches appear promising. The authors also find that bio-refinery production chains are economically feasible with relatively small production units with multiple applications. The chapter gives way to a management view that integrates resource-based and economic value perspectives on wood-based energy sources for firms. In that sense, it adds to the literature on value creation with innovative business models.
A Novel Cloud-Based Multi-Tenancy Architecture with Efficient Hybrid Authentication Mechanism for Enhanced Security and Resource Optimization
Authors: Benkhelifa Elhadj , Fernando Dayan Abishek , Welsh Thomas
Published: November 2013

This paper is presented as part of a collaborative research project to develop a complex Cloud Service Delivery Platform (CSDP). The aim of the project is to develop a new disruptive approach for service provision to enable the creation of new value chains via Cloud Technology. This paper is primarily concerned with designing and implementing a novel Multi-tenancy architecture which supports a proposed hybrid authentication mechanism for greater resource optimization with enhanced security. The contribution of this paper is three-fold. First, it provides the reader with a concise classification of security concerns together with some developed concepts namely; Security-Aware cloud platform and a Cloud Adoption Model. Second, it proposes a hybrid authentication approach, coupling Single-Sign-On (SSO) with multi-factor authentication to enable improved security for Cloud federated access. Third, is to design and implement an integrated architecture enabling this hybrid authentication solution in a multi-tenancy setting. To the best of the authors knowledge, this work has not been attempted before and is unprecedented.
Hybrid Data Security Model for Cloud
Authors: Sood Sandeep K.
Published: November 2013

Security of data is one of the main concern in the implementation of cloud computing. This paper proposes a highly effective and efficient cloud security model. The proposed security model keeps the most critical data on the private cloud and the rest of it on the public cloud. It uses hash codes to check the integrity of the data at the public cloud. The proposed cloud security model provides the provision of defining user roles thereby determining the type of access the user exercises on the data. This model uses dual verification mechanism for user authentication by using username and password on one layer and key authentication on another layer. A cryptographic process is used to make the overall security of the data on the cloud highly robust. A comprehensive security analysis of the model is done against various types of attacks and the results are very promising. This model is compared to various existing cloud security models and the results shows that our technique is faster, much more robust and efficient as compared to other existing models. This model is cost effective because it uses private cloud only for highly sensitive data. Rest of data is stored on the public cloud, where data storage cost is comparatively very less.
Investigating E-Planning in Practice
Authors: Williamson Wayne , Parolin Bruno
Published: November 2013

In the authors’ previous article (Williamson & Parolin, 2012) the authors used data collected through case studies and the application of Actor-Network Theory (ANT). In this article, the research approach taken is an online questionnaire of staff in government and private practice. The questionnaire data was analysed using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The UTAUT results found that in order for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications to be widely accepted by planners, the organizations in which they work need to address performance expectancy and facilitating conditions as priorities. Although the research methods of ANT and UTAUT used in this research are vastly different, results have been found to be somewhat complimentary.
Increasing the Relevance of Urban Planning Education in African Cities
Authors: Odendaal Nancy
Published: November 2013

The Association of African Planning Schools (AAPS) is a peer-to-peer network of 50 Universities in Africa that teach urban planning degrees. In 2008, the AAPS received funding from the Rockefeller Foundation to enable a project on revitalizing planning education. This comprised two parts: a program on curricular reform and network building and a second on case study research. This piece reflects on the rationale for these two initiatives and the outcomes thus far. The important underlying theme is that a renaissance in African planning education is closely associated with shifting value constructs and conceptualizations of what urban planning is, and what its function is in the contemporary African city.
Are Foreclosures Contagious?
Authors: Murray Alan T. , Koschinsky Julia , Liu Yin , Rey Sergio J. , Brown Lawrence A.
Published: November 2013

Significant foreclosure activity in a weak housing market area is a sign of trouble, suggesting potential subsequent neighborhood decline. This article focuses on an under-researched question of whether higher foreclosure rates in a neighborhood tend to spill over into adjacent neighborhoods. The authors detail exploratory spatial methods to identify where potential spillover effects occur: kernel density surfaces, space-time local indicators of spatial association (LISA) and LISA Markov. Using data for Franklin County, Ohio the authors find that foreclosure rate hotspots are concentrated in lower-income, more African-American central city areas. The majority of hotspots (around 90%) persist over time and space but about 10% of all hotspots are consistent with contagion effects between neighboring areas. Only 1-3% of neighborhoods experience spillovers as below-average to above-average cluster transitions. In general, contagion effects occur in areas with higher rates of African-Americans, poverty and lower median home values and incomes. However, the authors also observe a sub-trend suggesting possibly accelerated hotspot growth in otherwise comparable Caucasian areas.
Generalized Scalarizing Model GENS in DSS WebOptim
Authors: Kirilov Leoneed , Guliashki Vassil , Genova Krasimira , Vassileva Mariana , Staykov Boris
Published: November 2013

A web-based Decision Support System WebOptim for solving multiple objective optimization problems is presented. Its basic characteristics are: user-independent, multisolver-admissibility, method-independent, heterogeneity, web-accessibility. Core system module is an original generalized interactive scalarizing method. It incorporates a number of thirteen interactive methods. Most of the known scalarizing approaches (reference point approach, reference direction approach, classification approach etc.) could be used by changing the method’s parameters. The Decision Maker (DM) can choose the most suitable for him/her form for setting his/her preferences: objective weights, aspiration levels, aspiration directions, aspiration intervals. This information could be changed interactively by the DM during the solution process. Depending on the DM’s preferences form the suitable scalarizing method is chosen automatically. In this way the demands on the DM’s knowledge and experience in the optimization methods area are minimized.
Gender and E-Government Adoption in Spain
Authors: Rufín Moreno Ramón , Molina Cayetano Medina , Figueroa Juan Carlos Sánchez , Moreno Manuel Rey
Published: November 2013

Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) models, which include trust as a central factor, are currently standard tools for studying the process of new technology acceptance, but some further research is needed to gauge how different variables could influence this process. This is the case of gender factor, given that there is no general accord in the literature as to the role of this variable. Thus, the present research focuses on hypothetical gender-based differences that could affect the explanatory model for e-Government adoption by citizens. The results of the study show that the effects of gender on e-Government involvement are nearly none—probably because these technology-based activities are quite broadly implemented in Spain by now. This in turn implies both, that in Spain e-Government usage level is similar between genders and that the behavior explaining model is virtually the same, with no gender traits acting on it -apart from a slightly particular role played by compatibility in the female case.
Continuance Intention to Use Government 2.0 Services
Authors: Alalwan Jaffar Ahmad
Published: November 2013

Countries are moving toward adopting government 2.0 to enhance transparency and develop citizens’ involvement and confidence. Although citizens’ involvement and satisfaction are obviously important to the success of government 2.0 services, the literature lacks empirical research that confirms (or refutes) this importance. In this paper, the authors propose and validate a citizen-centric model based on information systems (IS) and consumer behaviour literature to investigate the influence of “involvement” and “satisfaction” on the continuance intention to use government 2.0 services by using PLS structure equation modelling. A web survey with 392 users of Bahrain’s e-government national portal is conducted to validate the proposed model. The findings confirm that both citizens’ satisfaction and citizens’ involvement have a positive effect on the continuance intention to use government 2.0 services. Also, the authors find that citizens’ involvement is significantly influenced by citizens’ satisfaction. Important theoretical and practical contributions are discussed in the paper.
One-Stop Government Portals
Authors: Kohlborn Thomas , Fielt Erwin , Boentgen Maximillian
Published: November 2013

E-government is seen as a promising approach for governments to improve their service towards citizens and become more cost-efficient in service delivery. This is often combined with one-stop government, which is a citizen-oriented approach stressing integrated provision of services from multiple departments via a single access point, the one-stop government portal. While the portal concept is gaining prominence in practice, there is little known about its status in academic literature. This hinders academics in building an accumulated body of knowledge around the concept and makes it hard for practitioners to access relevant academic insights on the topic. The objective of this study is to identify and understand the key themes of the one-stop government portal concept in academic, e-government research. A holistic analysis is provided by addressing different viewpoints: social-political, legal, organizational, user, security, service, data and information, and technical. As an overall finding, the authors conclude that there are two different approaches: a more pragmatic approach focuses on quick wins in particular related to usability and navigation and a more ambitious, transformational approach having far reaching social-political, legal, and organizational implications.
Applying Design of Experiments (DOE) to Performance Evaluation of Commercial Cloud Services
Authors: Li Zheng , O’Brien Liam , Zhang He , Ranjan Rajiv
Published: November 2013

Appropriate performance evaluations of commercial Cloud services are crucial and beneficial for both customers and providers to understand the service runtime, while suitable experimental design and analysis would be vital for practical evaluation implementations. However, there seems to be a lack of effective methods for Cloud services performance evaluation. For example, in most of the existing evaluation studies, experimental factors (also called parameters or variables) were considered randomly and intuitively, experimental sample sizes were determined on the fly, and few experimental results were comprehensively analyzed. To address these issues, the authors suggest applying Design of Experiments (DOE) to Cloud services evaluation. To facilitate applying DOE techniques, this paper introduces an experimental factor framework and a set of DOE application scenarios. As such, new evaluators can explore and conveniently adapt our work to their own experiments for performance evaluation of commercial Cloud services.
An Innovative Multiple-Object Image Retrieval Framework Using Hierarchical Region Tree
Authors: Chen Wei-Bang , Zhang Chengcui
Published: November 2013

Inaccurate image segmentation often has a negative impact on object-based image retrieval. Researchers have attempted to alleviate this problem by using hierarchical image representation. However, these attempts suffer from the inefficiency in building the hierarchical image representation and the high computational complexity in matching two hierarchically represented images. This paper presents an innovative multiple-object retrieval framework named Multiple-Object Image Retrieval (MOIR) on the basis of hierarchical image representation. This framework concurrently performs image segmentation and hierarchical tree construction, producing a hierarchical region tree to represent the image. In addition, an efficient hierarchical region tree matching algorithm is designed for multiple-object retrieval with a reasonably low time complexity. The experimental results demonstrate the efficacy and efficiency of the proposed approach.
High Performance Online Image Search with GPUs on Large Image Databases
Authors: Cevahir Ali , Torii Junji
Published: November 2013

The authors propose an online image search engine based on local image keypoint matching with GPU support. State-of-the-art models are based on bag-of-visual-words, which is an analogy of textual search for visual search. In this work, thanks to the vector computation power of the GPU, the authors utilize real values of keypoint descriptors and realize real-time search at keypoint level. By keeping the identities of each keypoint, closest keypoints are accurately retrieved. Image search has different characteristics than textual search. The authors implement one-to-one keypoint matching, which is more natural for images. The authors utilize GPUs for every basic step. To demonstrate practicality of GPU-extended image search, the authors also present a simple bag-of-visual-words search technique with full-text search engines. The authors explain how to implement one-to-one keypoint matching with text search engine. Proposed methods lead to drastic performance and precision improvement, which is demonstrated on datasets of different sizes.
Employing a Critical Lens on Instructor Perceptions of Learning Games
Authors: Warren Scott J. , Gratch Jonathan S.
Published: November 2013

Digital games like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego and Oregon Trail have been used to support learning since the 1980s. However, the last decade has seen games, simulations and virtual world use take firm hold of the academic imagination. There also has been a rapid expansion of sponsored, formal research, informal inquiry, and a growing body of theory supporting the use of learning games. As a result, several challenges to their use have been identified such as flaws in the games themselves, inadequate methods of assessment due to complex, confounding variables, and the perceptions of students and teachers. How then can academics develop valid research methods that recognize such challenges and allow for strong claims regarding the impacts of such tools through the lived digital and classroom game experiences of learners and teachers? This article presents a description of one research method that seeks to provide one possible solution called Critical CinéEthnography. It stems from a discursive, systems-oriented view of learning that explores the arguments and truth claims made by learners and teachers. Beyond examining in-game discourse alone, the method employs video capture of out-of-game discussion, artifacts, and body language that should allow researchers to build a complex picture of participant experiences that can be easily shared with academics and practitioners alike. For additional context, a sample study is presented that investigated teacher perceptions and use of learning games.
The Viability and Value of Student- and Teacher-Created Augmented Reality Experiences
Authors: O’Shea Patrick , Curry-Corcoran Daniel
Published: November 2013

This paper describes the process and results of a project to incorporate Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and pedagogical approaches into a Virginian elementary school. The process involved training 5th grade teachers on the design and production of narrative-based AR games in order to give them the skills that they could then pass on to their students. This article focuses on describing the training process, the pedagogical approach, and an exploration of the practical issues that arose from this project (e.g. policy and fiscal issues that dictated the choice of technology). The discussion of the results from this effort demonstrates the promise of the approach, and shows the potential for educational practices.
Automated analysis of geological and related materials by ICP-AES - a review of new developments
Authors: Borsier M , Brenner I B
Published: November 2013

In modern regional geochemical studies, major, minor, and trace element data are used to characterize petrogenetic processes, and evaluate chemical trends related to ore genesis. Thus effective sample preparation, calibration, instrumental analysis, and data
interpretation are necessary if the sample population is large. In this presentation recent developments will be reviewed for automated computer-assisted multielement inductively coupled plasma analysis of diverse geochemical and environmental materials (rocks, soils, vegetation, and waters).
Automated robotic sample decomposition and preconcentration devices allowing high sample throughput will be described. A systematic study of decomposition procedures was made and optimum protocols for various applications were established using discriminant and factor analysis. A dedicated
interactive software package including integrated sample preparation cookbooks, calibration, and QC protocols using SRMs will be summarized. Spectral line databases will be demonstrated predicting spectral line interferences, facilitating optimum analyte line and background selection for a wide
range of applications using simultaneous, sequential, and combination spectrometers. Emphasis will be placed on multivariant chemometric techniques for geochemical and environmental data interpretation. These include pattern recognition techniques (factor and discriminant analysis) and geochemical
and geoenvironmental maps.
Determination of minor and trace elements in four Canadian iron-formation standard samples FeR-1, FeR-2, FeR-3, and FeR-4 by INAA, ICP-MS, and ICP-AES
Authors: Dulski P , Luck J
Published: November 2013

Banded iron-formation recorded systematically the distribution of rare-earth elements (REEs) in the environment of ferruginous precipitation. Analyzing banded iron-formation therefore yields detailed information about both the source and the chemical conditions
of deposition of REEs and iron. An international iron-formation reference sample would help to minimize the effect of analytical uncertainties (matrix effects, interelement interferences) and could be used as a basis for geochemical investigations of iron-formations. The four Canadian iron-formation
samples FeR-1, FeR-2, FeR-3, and FeR-4 are suitable for use as multielement comparators in the analysis of banded iron-formation. A first compilation of analytical data has been presented by Abbey et al. (1983) but the number of published data is small, especially for the REEs. New data for some
major, minor, and trace elements obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) will be presented. The analytical data obtained by those independent methods
agree very well and might improve the available data. For example it can be shown that for Eu, which is used very often as a geochemical probe, in the FeR-1 standard 3.4 þg/g might be the best value. The published value of 0.76 þg/g could not be verified by INAA or ICP-MS. Accuracy of the three
methods is demonstrated by comparing the results of INAA, ICP-MS, and ICP-AES with the recommended values of the collaborative studies for the iron-formation sample IF-G and the Ailsa Craig granite AC-E.
Reference materials for environmental and geochemical analysis: past, present, and future
Authors: Gladney E S
Published: November 2013

Nearly forty years worth of data have been accumulated since the appearance of the original USGS G-1 and W-1 rock reference materials in 1950. Some NBS (now NIST) reference materials have an even longer history. My colleagues and I have collected over 110 000
individual data on a variety of USGS, CCRMP, and NBS materials. I will present an overall summary of the analytical developments that these data reveal in the geoanalytical and environmental communities, develop an assessment of the current state-of-the-art, and attempt to delve into the future
needs of the analytical communities and the directions of the reference materials business.
Automated rock analysis for forty elements
Authors: Govindaraju K
Published: November 2013

The "Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques" has been involved in optical emission spectrochemical rock analysis for more than three decades. An enormous bottleneck in rock analysis laboratories is the preparation of samples. Automation of
different steps involved in sample preparation schemes has been a constant subject of development in our production-oriented laboratory. This effort has been eased by the fact that all sample preparation schemes for the past three decades have been based on an initial lithium borate fusion with
switch-over from solid analysis by arc/spark excitation to solution analysis in 1974 with the arrival of plasma excitation sources (microwave plasma, inductively coupled plasma). At present, a single solution prepared after an initial lithium borate fusion is used for the determination of over forty
major, minor, and trace elements. All steps in the preparation scheme (weighings, fusion, acid dissolution, dilution, and preconcentration with ion-exchange columns for rare-earth elements, Sn, W, and Mo as well as for U and Th) have been either automated or robotized. Because of automation at all
levels of analysis including that of running sample solutions with the spectrometer, high production of accurate rock analysis for forty elements has become routine at low cost.
Applications of a portable anodic stripping voltammeter in geoanalysis
Authors: Hall G E M , Vaive J E
Published: November 2013

To date the major use of the recently developed field-portable anodic stripping voltammeter, the PDV 2000 (Chemtronix, Australia), has been in environmental analysis, particularly in the determination of Pb. This instrument is battery-operated, weighs only 20 kg
and, for most applications, does not require gases such as nitrogen for deaeration purposes. Studies at the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) have shown the instrument to be suitable for the determination of base metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in sediments, soils, and waters in remote locations.
Investigation into its capability for the determination of Au is now in progress. Gold is extracted using an aqua regia or cyanide leach and various techniques to separate out possible electroactive interferences (e.g., Cu, Ag, Hg) are being evaluated. This paper presents a status report of the
ongoing study into the capabilities of the PDV 2000 in geoanalysis.
New concepts and developments in reference materials for soil and vegetation analysis
Authors: Inhat M
Published: November 2013

The nutritional and toxicological qualities of agricultural food crops and the associated soils are of concern with regard to nutrition, fertility, contamination, and erosion. For long term monitoring and other studies of chemical characteristics, incorporation
of appropriate reference materials (RMs) into the analytical work is imperative. Although a moderate range of crop-based and some soil control materials are available for elemental analysis, quality control gaps are still evident, especially in the area of soil RMs certified for bioavailable or
extractable elements. Developments and concepts applicable to the development of bioavailable element soil standards will be discussed. In addition, the latest progress in the development of several new crop-related reference materials to augment the current world repertoire of food and agricultural
RMs will be presented.
High-dissolved solids and matrix effects in ICP-MS: methods towards improving determination limits for geoanalysis
Authors: Jarvis K , Jarvis I
Published: November 2013

The excellent detection limits of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have brought the technique to the forefront of geoanalysis. For most elements, detection limits are typically <1 ngþmL-1 and this, combined with simple spectra and
relative freedom from interferences (particularly for the heavier elements), offers the possibility for ultra-trace element determination in a wide range of geological materials. However, compromises must be made to minimize the effects of high total dissolved solids (TDS) or high concentrations of
individual matrix elements. These compromises result in determination limits which, for many lighter elements, are comparable with those obtainable by ICP-AES. We currently impose a limitation of ÷2000 þgþmL-1 TDS on sample solutions. Above this level, significant analyte signal loss occurs over
relatively short time-scales, and short-term precision is also impaired. In addition, a number of matrix effects, including analyte signal suppressions and enhancements, have been documented in solutions containing high concentrations (typically >1000 þgþmL-1) of a single matrix element.
The effects of high TDS and signal suppression are usually minimized by dilution of the sample solution, which then leads to increased limits of determination. A series of experiments has been carried out (primarily using shale and limestone standard reference materials), firstly to evaluate and
minimize the effects of high dissolved solids in solution, and secondly to evaluate the particular problems associated with the analysis of sediments containing high concentrations of calcium (>20 wt.% Ca). Previous work in our laboratory suggests that running times can be extended
(before significant signal loss occurs) by replacing the standard 1.5 mm diameter torch injector tube with one of larger diameter. System optimization experiments have been carried out using a 3 mm diameter injector tube, not only to establish operating conditions which provide maximum sensitivity
while minimizing interference effects, but also to examine the variation in analyte signal precision. Analytical protocols developed during the study will be discussed, with particular reference to the improvement of routine analytical procedures for the ICP-MS determination of ultra-trace elements
in sedimentary materials.
Quality control and reference sample databases
Authors: Kane J S
Published: November 2013

A critical aspect of any quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA) program is the definition of criteria for "satisfactory" performance of analytical methods. These criteria should address both expected accuracy and expected precision of the methods, as well as
any variation in these figures of merit from one sample type to another. It is reasonable to define the expected accuracy of a satisfactory method to be within the 95% confidence interval of the certified or recommended concentration for any reference sample. Then, using only such methods, any
interlaboratory exercise involving analysis of reference samples would produce compilations from which little data would be rejected as outliers. Perusal of the Canadian Certified Reference Materials Project (CCRMP) report for the characterization of the zinc sulphide ore KC-1 demonstrated this.
Compilations for other geochemical reference samples, however, show a very different picture. This has severe implications, since, for these materials generally, the compilations are used exclusively to derive recommended concentrations. The resulting "true" concentrations are therefore less well
defined than they need to be, if reference sample analyses are to be useful in defining expected accuracy and satisfactory performance in QC programs. There is a further concern in this regard as well. It must be supposed that we who are geoanalysts do our best work for participation in reference
sample characterization programs. If, collectively, our best work evidences a lack of adequate quality control, what must the situation be in our routine geochemical exploration programs, where the requirements are presumably less stringent?
Implications of sampling statistics in using slurry sample introduction for atomic spectrometric analysis of geochemical reference samples
Authors: Kane J S , Epstein M S
Published: November 2013

A number of investigators have used slurry sample introduction for the atomic spectrometric analysis of a variety of materials. One advantage of the approach is that it reduces the sample preparation requirements for analysis. Additionally, slurry sample
introduction eliminates the analytical errors due to incomplete decomposition. However, measurement precision for the technique is highly dependent on a homogeneous analyte distribution in the sample. The expected analytical error from sampling can be calculated from grain size and mineral densities
for analytes of inhomogeneous distribution, e.g., Cr as chromite in granites or dunites, Sn as cassiterite in granites, Zr as zircon in schists or granites, following the approach of Ingamells. We will present these calculations for a number of elements in specific geochemical and environmental
reference samples where known mineralogy predicts inhomogeneous distribution. Sampling constants can also be derived experimentally from the imprecision of analytical measurement. For slurry sample introduction, this imprecision should be greater for graphite furnace atomic absorption (GF-AAS) than
for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission (ICP-AES) measurements, particularly when the analyte of interest is insoluble in the solvent phase of the slurry. Both GF-AAS and ICP-AES determinations of sampling constants will be made and compared to the calculated values. The comparison will
demonstrate the general acceptability of slurry sample introduction for atomic spectrometric analysis in reference sample characterization programs. It will also illustrate specific instances where the approach leads to unacceptable inaccuracies for best value estimations. Even in these instances,
however, mineral speciation information frequently can be postulated from the data.
A rapid method for the spectrophotometric determination of niobium in geological samples
Authors: Keshaven B , Krishna Prasad K P
Published: November 2013

A rapid method for the spectrophotometric determination of niobium at trace levels in geological samples is proposed. The method is based on the formation of a yellow coloured ternary niobium-thiocyanate-methotrimeprazine complex in 2þ to 5 M hydrochloric acid.
The ternary complex which can be extracted into benzene exhibits an absorption maximum at 397 nm. Sandell's sensitivity of the reaction is 35 ng/cm2 and the molar absorptivity is 2.64 x 104 L þ mole-1 þ cm-1. Beer's law is valid over the niobium concentration range 0.2-3.5 þg/mL. Maximum intensity
is reached immediately after extraction and the absorbance readings remain stable for 24 hours. The proposed method offers the advantages of sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. The colour reaction is free from interferences due to many cations and anions which are usually encountered in
the determination of niobium. Interferences due to iron can be masked by the addition of ascorbic acid. The method has been applied to the determination of niobium in columbite and other geological samples with good precision and accuracy.
Significance of the precise determination of trace element abundances by ICP-MS in continental flood basalts with specific reference to the Keweenawan and Siberian traps
Authors: Lightfoot P C , Doherty W
Published: November 2013

Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) provides a fast and precise method for the routine determination of the rare-earth elements (REE), Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Th, Ta, Hf, and U. Previous studies of flood basalt sequences have benefited from combined
trace element and isotopic investigations, but determination of these elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis is both tedious and for many elements imprecise, whereas determinations by solid source mass spectrometry are very slow. Of particular importance in studies of flood basalt
petrogenesis is the ability to discriminate small changes in trace element ratios which have profound implications in petrogenetic modelling. We suggest that the ICP-MS method is capable of routinely determining all of these elements in basaltic rocks with a precision of 3%, or better, and
suggest that the variations in ratios such as Th/Yb, Ta/Yb, Sm/Nd, La/Sm, Gd/Yb, and the magnitude of the Eu-anomaly in Keweenawan and Siberian trap basalts provide a basis for understanding the relative roles of crustal and mantle processes in flood basalt petrogenesis. For example, the variations
in La/Sm, Gd/Yb, and Sm/Nd through the sequence of 2200 m of 220 Ma old Siberian Trap lava flows at Noril'sk (USSR) provide a basis for a classification into six suites. Subtle variations in REE ratios through the upper 1700 m of basalt suggest that there was a progressive decline in the degree of
crustal contamination upwards through the sequence. Studies of the 2000 m of 1.1 Ga Keweenawan sequence exposed on the Black Bay Peninsula in Ontario provide a three-fold stratigraphic subdivision, and provide a basis for geochemical modelling.
The reference samples block for EPMA
Authors: Martynov K V , Romanenko I M
Published: November 2013

During the last thirty years considerable progress in the spatial elemental analysis of geological materials has been made with the development of such methods as X-ray spectral electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). However, as in any physically based method, EPMA
needs standard reference samples to estimate the precision of the analytical data and to prepare calibrations. Usually, the reference samples are matched to one type of matrix (e.g., rock-forming silicates, sulphides, and others), placing them in a common block. As this is not always convenient, we
suggest the use of a universal reference samples block including all pure metals (stabilized at usual conditions), some metal oxides, and other simple and complex stoichiometric compounds. Most of them, with the exception of HgS and rock-forming minerals, are synthetic. The block is a bronze disk
(24 mm diameter and 4 mm height) having 61 cells. Each cells has from 2 to 4 reference samples, totalling 206 samples. A qualitative composition of each sample has been determined using the scanning electron microscope JSM-35CF(JEOL) with an energy dispersive spectrometer LINK 860/500. Quantitative
analysis has been determined using the microprobe Camebax-Microbeam.
Development and implementation of a comprehensive quality assurance programme for geochemical research
Authors: Miles D L
Published: November 2013

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is currently carrying out several separate research projects for a major funding agency which, early in 1988, insisted that all work be conducted under a single, comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) Programme which the BGS
would have to set up. The scope of the research involved is extensive, ranging from detailed chemical and mineralogical studies of fracture surfaces, through hydrogeochemical and microbiological studies, to geophysical surveying. Almost all the projects have a major geochemical component, and many
rely heavily on analytical facilities, data, and hence quality control. This paper describes the development of the QA Programme, its implementation, and the evolution of the associated documentation and audit procedures. Over and above all the usual features which would normally be thought of as
constituting good analytical practice and formal Quality Control (QC), the procedures set out in the QA Programme provide assurance that QC is being achieved, and that a high level of traceability of both data and decisions exists. The Programme is monitored by a system of internal and external
audits. Examples will be given of the application of QA to analysis by ICP-OES and ion chromatography, including the acquisition, validation, and archiving of data. The success of any QA procedure depends very much on staff attitudes towards it. The varying reactions of scientific staff, project
leaders and senior management to the BGS QA Programme at different times will be discussed, and its costs and benefits outlined.
A new instrumental concept for multielement analysis of environmental materials-polyscan spectroanalyzers
Authors: Nouri Y , Lang Y , Lemarchand A , Brenner I B
Published: November 2013

The increasing constraints on the permissible levels of metals in the environment and the requirement that samples be analyzed for a wide range of trace and major elements (Si, P, S, and alkali elements) has resulted in the development of a versatile
polychromator combining the speed and precision of a fixed channel instrument with the versatility of a sequential monochromator. The extended range of wavelength displacement of more than +/- 1 nm on the Rowland Circle using a newly designed device called REST (Rowland Entrance Slit Translation)
results in a substantial extension of the analytical program. It will be shown that for a 22 channel instrument, over 30 additional analytes can be determined with limits of detection that are generally within the criteria of the Environmental Protection Agency's approved methods. This facilitates
cross checking of data for quality control which is critical in the monitoring program and extension of the list of elements to be determined. For the analysis of concentrated brines, the ability to select less sensitive spectral lines avoids sample dilution and reduces the cost of the spectrometer.
Furthermore, the analyst is no longer restricted from applying spectral interference corrections if the interfering element is not in the fixed array. The interferent can be determined as a displacement from a primary channel. Analytical performance using conventional figures of merit (LODs, EIE
effects, long and short term variations) will be described, with a 40 MHz generator. Data for a wide range of environmental materials, and natural and industrial brines will be presented.
Quantitative SIMS determination of REES in silicate minerals: choice of the standard for natural and glassy matrix
Authors: Ottolini L , Bottazzi P , Vannucci R
Published: November 2013

Several terrestrial minerals, most of them amphiboles, were analyzed by means of the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) technique for the rare-earth elements (REE). The present measurements were made with a Cameca IMS 4F ion microprobe, using a moderate
energy filtering (80 V offset from the maximum of the energy distribution, with an energy window of ~50 V), in order to eliminate complex ion interferences. The analyzed spectra were essentially free from molecular ions over the measured mass range. A peak deconvolution method was required,
however, to separate the Eu signal from the BaO contribution, being still active at this offset. Quantitative determinations were carried out using relative sensitivity factors (RSF) calculated from natural mineral standards (RSFsnat.) and the same minerals reduced to glass pellets (RSFsglass). Such
factors were successively compared with those calculated from synthetic geostandard glasses (NBS 612, NBS 610, NBS 614) and an ensemble of international silicate (mafic-ultramafic) rock standards fused in glasses. Differences in RSFs were shown, depending on crystalline structure and local
inhomogeneities. It is demonstrated that, even if the use of mineral standards for natural minerals and glassy standards for natural silicate melts is recommended in order to obtain a more accurate analysis, nevertheless a wide set of RSFsglass could be tentatively applied in the analysis of
silicates when suitable mineral standards are not available.
Optimization of the nickel sulphide fire-assay preconcentration procedure for platinum-group elements, gold, and silver in geological materials
Authors: Rice T D
Published: November 2013

Fire-assay preconcentration with a nickel sulphide collector is now widely used as a preliminary step in the determination of platinum-group elements (PGE) in geological materials by inductively-coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-AES or ICP-MS), instrumental
neutron activation analysis (INAA) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In this laboratory a procedure is being developed which features: - preparation of a 2.5 to 3.5 g nickel sulphide button after fusion of up to 30 g of sample for 1 hour in a covered ceramic crucible, - maximizing the
recovery of PGE, gold, and silver by including in the flux mixture magnesium, and about 75 mg of copper (as a powdered mixture of CuSO4þ5H2O and technical-grade magnetite) and/or 12 mg of tellurium (as a 0.1% m/m mixture in quartz). This procedure has so far been found to collect about 95%
of the PGE in the reference pyroxenite SARM-7 and to fuse chromite samples completely if extra magnetite (9 g) is added to the flux. Present work in this laboratory is aimed at establishing whether coprecipitation with tellurium after hydrochloric acid digestion of the powdered button enables
quantitative recovery of silver as well as of PGE and gold. Published data suggest that nickel sulphide may be highly carcinogenic. Hence skin contact with nickel sulphide, especially when powdered, is to be avoided. Laser ablation of small nickel sulphide buttons, followed by ICP-MS, deserves
thorough study in the search for a safe, reliable and simple procedure for determining PGE, gold, and silver down to crustal abundance levels in geological materials.
A quick separation of the rare-earth elements from some major matrix interferences prior to analysis by neutron activation
Authors: Robertson R
Published: November 2013

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) plays a prominent role in the determination of the rare-earth elements in rocks and other geological matter. The method yields the most reliable data when used in conjunction with comprehensive chemical procedures which separate
the REEs from interfering elements. Much work has been done in this area and much literature exists covering both pre- and post-irradiation separations. The use of chemical separations to aid in the analysis is most attractive when time and cost are not factors in a particular project. In large
research programs and in certain commercial situations, time and cost constraints militate against the use of exhaustive chemical procedures and in these situations the so-called instrumental NAA approach becomes more attractive. As a compromise between the two positions, a very quick and easy
separative method has been devised which removes the worst of the interferents at low cost. The method relies mainly upon the insolubility of the rare-earth fluorides in a solution containing hydrofluoric acid and upon the solubility of many interferents in the same situation. It is effective
against uranium which may seriously interfere with the light REEs through fission reactions and against many elements such as manganese, sodium, and iron which typically interfere by producing high spectral backgrounds. Detection limits are improved typically by a factor ranging from two to ten
depending on element and sample matrix relative to the direct instrumental approach. The method is a good "leveller" with regard to sample matrix and is especially useful when the samples presented are complete unknowns where choices of sample size and irradiation and count timing are therefore
difficult.