King's College, Aberdeen

About: King's College, Aberdeen is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Poison control & Sedimentary depositional environment. The organization has 712 authors who have published 918 publications receiving 25421 citations. The organization is also known as: King's College, Aberdeen & The University and King's College of Aberdeen.

Feasibility of As, Sb, Se and Te determination in coal by solid sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract: In this work, a method for the determination of As, Sb, Se and Te in mineral coal was developed using solid sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SS-ETV-ICP-MS). The following operational parameters of the ETV-ICP-MS system were evaluated: the furnace temperature program, the mass of Ir used as the modifier, the oxygen flow rate (used in the pyrolysis step) and carrier and bypass gas flow rates. The possibility of using calibration with aqueous standard solutions was also investigated. Calibration using aqueous standard solutions was feasible for As, Sb and Te determination, and calibration using certified reference materials (CRMs) of coal was required for Se determination. For comparison of the results, coal samples were decomposed by microwave-assisted wet digestion to obtain reference values for As and Sb by ICP-MS and Se by collision/reaction cell technology inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CRC-ICP-MS). In addition, samples were digested by microwave-induced combustion to obtain reference values for Te by ICP-MS. No statistical difference was observed between the results by SS-ETV-ICP-MS and those obtained by ICP-MS (As, Sb and Te) or CRC-ICP-MS (Se) after sample digestion. Additionally, CRMs of coal (NIST 1632b, NIST 1632c and NIST 1635) were analysed by SS-ETV-ICP-MS, and the results were in agreement with the certified values. The limit of quantification was 0.03, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.006 μg g−1 for As, Sb, Se and Te, respectively. These values were lower than those obtained by other methods and allowed the determination of analytes at trace and ultra-trace levels. The SS-ETV-ICP-MS method for coal presented other advantages, such as minimization of the sample preparation step, minimization of the use of large amounts of reagents and suitability of accurate determination of those analytes commonly susceptible to limitations using conventional methods.

The Geographies of Community History Digital Archives in Rural Scotland

Abstract: The CURIOS (Cultural Repositories and Information Systems) project has been working with community heritage groups to co-produce sustainable solutions for the production of heritage archives in digital form. This process has produced an opportunity for fascinating geographical research into the ways in which community heritage groups produce history from their own perspective. This paper will therefore begin to open up these ongoing processes to consider, through case study examples, the ways in which the production of digital archives alters the geography of community heritage production. A number of community heritage groups have been converting their 'analogue' collections into 'digital' forms and the paper will argue how this significantly alters the positionality of the archive. This will be shown by detailing the ways in which the processes of collection and preservation, conducted by community volunteers, take place. The paper will then move to consider the ways in which this historical material, representative of place, is presented back to a wider audience. In doing this, it will discuss the rationales and processes involved in these practices and how this relates to broader themes of research within geography. Whether for historical research or for theoretical positioning, geographers have, on a number of levels, engaged with archives. Yet, the digital archive has seen little attention especially in terms of thinking through the ways in which digital mediums alter perceptions of space and place.

Force distribution and multiscale mechanics in the mussel byssus.

Abstract: The byssi of sessile mussels have the extraordinary ability to adhere to various surfaces and withstand static and dynamic loadings arising from hostile environmental conditions. Many investigations aimed at understanding the unique properties of byssal thread-plaque structures have been conducted and have inspired the enhancement of fibre coatings and adhesives. However, a systems-level analysis of the mechanical performance of the composite materials is lacking. In this work, we discuss the anatomy of the byssus and the function of each of the three components (the proximal thread portion, the distal thread portion and the adhesive plaque) of its structures. We introduce a basic nonlinear system of springs that describes the contribution of each component to the overall mechanical response and use this model to approximate the elastic modulus of the distal thread portion as well as the plaque, the response of which cannot be isolated through experiment alone. We conclude with a discussion of unresolved questions, highlighting areas of opportunity where additional experimental and theoretical work is needed. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transdisciplinary approaches to the study of adhesion and adhesives in biological systems'.