New products

A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers. A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers.

Linked to the state-of-the-art HP 5890A gas chromatograph and the HP analytical workstation, the system allows chromatographers to take advantage of the most powerful combination for organic compound analysis, GC/FTIR and GC/MS. The GC/FTIR system produces wavelength chromatograms, which provide almost completely unambiguous identification of functional groups of interest.
Mass chromatograms obtained from a GC/MS system based on Hewlett-Packard's successful mass selective detector may be displayed and compared alongside GC/FTIR data, and printed out in a single report. FTIR and mass spectral library search results may be integrated to maximize the identification potential.
The unit incorporates a narrow-band mercury cadmium telluride detector which displays extreme sensitivityit can detect five nanograms of isobutyl methacrylate at a signal-tonoise ratio of 20" 1. The speciallydesigned, pseudo black body radiation source approaches the theoretical maximum at all wavelengths, yet has very low power consumption.
A short, straight, direct capillary interface to the GC enables peaks to elute directly to the flow cell, with a simple single fitting to minimize dead volume. The optics and flow cell path are optimized for high throughput IR transmission.
The complete GC/FTIR system is controlled from the workstation, mostly by single keystrokes. Data are displayed on the screen during the run, and integration and calculations with all standard GC methods, as well as multiple internal standards, peak ratios and multipoint calibration curves, may be used.
Spectral and chromatographic data may be displayed together, and rescale, window and zoom functions optimize interpretation and presentation. Fast library search uses databanks such as the EPA library of 3300 IR spectra, and user libraries are easy to build and search. There is a wide choice of report formats.
The GC/FTIR combination permits detection and identification of a broad range ofcompounds, including many that are difficult to determine by other means. In forensic science, designer drugs, with minor structural differences that cannot readily be distinguished by mass spectrometry, may be clearly identified. Isomers of hazardous pollutants in environmental samples are again readily differentiated. The ability of the system to identify trace components will be of especial relevance to the food, flavourings and fragrances industries; while pharmaceutical, industrial and environmental chemists will find particular use of the GC/IRD for fast qualitative screening ofmixtures. Optional sequencing software, with the HP 7673A autosampler, allows up to 100 samples to be analysed automatically without operator intervention. Low-cost TOC water analyser At around 10 000, the Ionics Model 555 TOC analyser is considered to be one of the lowest cost models available. It will handle a wide variety of samples, including trade effluents, seawater, drinking-water and ultra pure water. The system has two reaction chambers; one maintained at 875C, the other at 150C. In the high temperature chamber, all carbon is converted to CO2, which is then measured using a non-dispersive infra-red analyser. This gives a direct measure-ment of the total carbon content of the sample. In the low temperature reaction chamber, only the inorganic carbon is converted to CO2, thus giving the inorganic carbon content of the sample. The total organic content is simply the difference between the two results. The Model 555 is simple to operate and maintain. Since it does not require acidification or purging ofthe sample, there are no pumps nor moving parts in the chemistry chain. Sample injection is by manual syringe, sample volumes can vary according to the analysis range required. The instrument can run 0-2 ppm full scale, offering parts per billion sensitivity just as easily as 0-300 ppm for waste-water work. In both cases the typical response time would be under 2 min. For further details contact Ionics, Inc., 10 Statham Avenue, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 9NH, UK. Tel.: 0925 753488.

Dispersers
Sartorius Ltd has added two new models to the IKA Ultra-Turrax range ofmixers (dispersers): the T25, a further development of the wellestablished T18/10 which has been used in laboratories throughout industry for more than 30 years, and the T50 which replaces the T45, a disperser that has been used successfully in pilot plants and small-scale production units, as well as in laboratories.
The T25 offers significant improvements over the T18/10: its 350 W motor is four times more powerful. This means that the operating life of the T25, under normal conditions, is even longer than that of its predecessor, despite the fact that the top speed of the T25 is 24 000 rpm as opposed to the T18/1 O's 20 000 rpm. I can accommodate larger volumesup to 2000 ml, as opposed to 500 ml with the T18/10. It does not require a thyristor speed control in order to vary its speed. The speed control is built into the T25 and a sliding switch with four settings offers a choice of speeds from 8000 to 24000 rpm which are extremely accurate.
The four distinct sections on the T25's sliding switch are colour-coded yellow, green, blue and red, each of which indicates a particular running speed. This means that the operator can easily repeat a particular mix at any time.
In order to cope with the larger volumes and increased top speed, two more dispersing tools have been added to the existing range. These both have 25 mm diameter rotorstators (disperser heads) which considerably expand the range of applications'. The existing range of tools fit the T25 as well as the T18/10. The capacity of the T50 is twice that of the T45. Up to 30 can be accommodated by the T50 at 10 000 rpm. Its motor output (drive) is 450 W compared to 390 for the T45. Again, it does not need a thyristor speed control. Like the T25, its speed control is built in.
The range of tools now available to fit the T50 is much wider than before. It includes not only heads, in a choice of diameters, for mixing or dispersing liquids, but also ones which are suitable for grinding brittle, coarse and hard materials in the wet state.
The range also includes a complete unit (shaft and head) made in PTFE which is corrosion-proof and allows the T50 to be used for mixing aggressive materials.

ICP emission spectrometer
The Plasma 40 is a low-cost, benchtop sequential ICP emission spectrometer that provides, according to its manufacturer, new standards of performance and reliability. It is an integrated system controlled by an external IBM PC series (or 100% compatible) computer. Its unique free-running RF generator is built-in.
There are no moving parts in the generator, so high reliability is assured and operation is almost foolproof. Even organic solvents may be sampled easily with the flip ofa single switch. The plasma load coil is cooled with the same gas used for the plasma, eliminating the need for auxiliary water or gas cooling systems. Plasma 40 also includes Perkin-Elmer's corrosion-resistant demountable torch. The production facility contains complete support systems for monoclonal antibody-based manufacturing. According to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), these systems include the sterilization of all materials used in production, the preparation of growth medium, the fermentation of cell lines for the secretion of monoclonal antibodies, the purification of monoclonal antibodies, and the quality control of the entire manufacturing process.
Centocor's products are based on monoclonal antibodies which are natural proteins that bind specifically to foreign substances in the body. The products consist of in vitro blood tests, diagnostic imaging agents, and therapeutics. The various blood tests detect certain types of breast, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancers.
Centocor's imaging agents also aid in the diagnosis of these cancers as well as cardiovascular diseases. One of these products, Myoscint, is the world's first monoclonal antibodybased cardiac imaging agent. It identifies the location and extent of myocardial necrosis in the early hours after an acute heart attack. Knowledge of irreversibly damaged heart tissue may result in more efficient patient management. Centocor is currently developing an imaging agent which may detect the existence, location, and size of blood clots.
Centocor's therapeutic line consists of an anti-platelet antibody that may aid in the prevention of blood clots. Other therapeutic products include Panorex, which may aid in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and Centoxin, which may aid in the treatment and prevention of toxic shock, caused by the secretion of gram negative bacterial enclotoxins. Centocor's diagnostic imaging agents and therapeutic products are currently in advanced clinical trials at major research centres throughout Europe and the USA.
To develop, manufacture, and market these products, Centocor has assembled a team of skilled professionals, who are trained in medicine, biochemistry, and pharmacy. of extreme ratio of calcium and magnesium in 100:1 ratio; determination of calcium and magnesium in tap-water; determination of lithium, sodium, ammonium and potassium in mineral water; determination of zinc, magnesium and calcium in one run; determination of anions in pine-needles.

Ion chromatograph
Roth Scientific, the UK distributor of Metrohm laboratory equipment, can now supply a new ion chromatograph. The Metrohm 690 Ion Chromatograph simplifies the detection of low concentration ions and allows the rapid production of high-quality chromatograms. The IC 690 enables the analyst to determine quantitatively and simultaneously an extensive range of analytes at trace concentration. The instrument has applications in a diverse range of fields, especially energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and environmental.
Features of this single column ion chromatograph include-the ability to use a wide range of ion-exchange columns, eluents and pH, providing the analyst with a flexible approach to system optimization. Additionally, this configuration is inherently simple with low reagent consumption and giving a cost-efficient performance. 138 Metrohm's 690 Ion Chromatograph conductivity detector is housed in a thermally insulated Faraday cage and mounted on a mobile vertical track to ensure optimized connections between the column and detector. The detector cell is thermostatically controlled to greater than //-0.01 C producing good base-line stability.
A true auto-zero facility at the 690 IC output (as opposed to the integrator or pen recorder input) effectively allows background conductivity to be 'electronically suppressed'. The auto-zero can of course be triggered externally by, for example, an integrator or auto sampler.
The design of the 690 'wet section' allows the user easy access and maximum flexibility in the selection and maintenance of components such as the column, injection loop and detector. Sufficient space is available inside this housing for other column configurations and additional detec-Two-wire pressure transmitter range A low-cost range oftwo-wire pressure transmitters providing a 4-20 mA signal for gauge, absolute and differential pressures of air and gases, water and liquids has been introduced by the Perflow Instruments.
The new instruments (the Percept range) are claimed by the company, which specializes in flow and low pressure measurement technology, to be the most compact currently available. Designed for remote indication and for control purposes in mediumduty applications in building services, gas, water and dust extraction plant, the instruments employ high specification IC transducers to provide a wide sensitivity range combined with consistent accuracy and reliability.
The new Percept instruments are sensitive to conditions extending from 0-2.5 mbar full scale, to 0-7 bar of gauge, absolute and differential pressures.
Two versions are available: the HE model for low pressure air and noncorrosive gases which is contained in a die-cast housing sealed to IP65; and the WE model for wet/wet differential applications, which is provided with a specially designed module which incorporates equalizing and over-pressure relief valves to give protection from the effects of pressure surges or mishandling. The protective module is secured directly to the electronics enclosure. A chemical ionization (CI) option has also been announced-this allows the user an extra dimension of identification by providing molecular weight information. This is particularly useful where normal electron impact ionization produces little or no molecular ion. Since chemical ionization in an ITD is at low pressure and flow, the ITD does not require frequent cleaning, additional pumping nor does it consume large amounts of expensive CI gas.
Finnigan-MAT Ltd provides complete GC-MS systems based on the ITD 800 with choice of several popular GCs and various levels ofthe IBM-PC computer for which complete on-site support is supplied.

ICP-MS System
The Elan inductively, coupled plasma-mass spectrometer is the first product of a joint venture between

Bioassay
Labsystems have developed an instrument that can perform bioassays for any compound that affects the growth characteristics of microorganisms.
Bioassays are traditionally performed as end-point assays. The compound to be measured is normally a growth-limiting factor for the test micro-organism. The effect of the compound on the final growth level of a culture is interpolated using a standard curve.
Bioscreen measures kinetically a number of parameters relating to microbial growth. The characteristic that best relates to the concentration of the substance is utilized. Since the data is obtained throughout the growth curve it is possible to reduce the length of time taken for a bioassay while increasing its accuracy and precision. A kinetic assay will also provide information not made apparent by an end-point test about the effects of the test substance on the rate of growth.
The Bioscreen consists of an aseptic dispenser/diluter, incubator/mixer, photometric system and data processor. All steps of the bioassay are automated from sample addition through to data analysis and report production. The software is sophisticated and has been designed by Labsystems to be used in a straight- Every instrument in the PU9200 range offers a high level of performance. The flame system-which provides the finest sensitivity and precision of any instrument available -employs an advanced fluorocarbon spray chamber. Improved laminar flow burners give high solids handling capacity and excellent flame stability, and the gas system is controlled via programmable array-state logic, with comprehensive interlocks including the prevention of use of incorrect flow rates or ratios. Optional extension of a large capacity dual 640 kB on-board disk system is rapid and straightforward, giving facilities for 16 element analyses, data manipulation, and results, graphics and methods storage.

PU9485
Philips describe the PU9485 as a 'massive leap forward' in intelligent, automatic multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry. The 9485 has the capacity to determine up to 16 elements sequentially and offers state-of-the-art data manipulation and storage facilities in one integrated unit.
The PU9485 automatically adjusts flame conditions and, dependent on the signal level from the sample matrix, will select the optimum combination of analytical parameters including lamp current, read time,. bandpass and flame conditions. Should the analyte be too concentrated, a suitable alternative wavelength will be selected, As a result, standard conditions which may not always apply from day to day may be individually optimized for each analysis without operator intervention.
The PU9485 in the world's first AA spectrometer with an onboard, highresolution colour VDU. Fast and easy to read, it gives immediate differentiation between keyable and status parameters. Status messages have instant meaning, and considerable visual resolution is added to multiple graphics plots.
Methods, graphics and results are stored on twin, high-density 640 kB disksa design that allows complete analysis parameter sets to be stored, assembled into working multi-element tasks and run at a keystroke. Furthermore, the disks provide fullpage user guides for the important working VDU pages-for example Stored Task Sequence Definition, Optical, and Flame Set-upand should the operator need to record written notes on an analysis, memo pages may be stored with the appropriate method.
Single or multi-element data-coded hollow cathode lamps and minimum component single-beam or Stockdale double-beam optics provide a measurement system of the highest pedigree. High-energy, beam-profile matched background correction is standard, and each instrument has a specified performance up to a full 2A of background with an error of less than 2%.
The PU9200 Series AA Spectrometer. Furnace autosampling, together with automatic sample preparation, is available with the PU9380 autosampler.
Software for all working modes is standard, reducing the changeover time from one analysis technique to another to a minimum. The PU9485 will even suggest how the autosampler should be loaded for an analysis, and diagnose the fault should a problem occur.
All results are presented in real-time, in either tabular or graphical form, on the integral colour VDU. Full status is always presented, and graphical features may be recalled within the instrument software by overlaying any three required signal displays for comparisona useful facility in method development, or results auditing. Addition ofa printer provides not only the normal results and parameter print-out, but at the touch of a special function key, hard copy of any page within the system.
Other features include 'Stockdale' double-beam optics and pre-aligned data-coded hollow cathode lamps. A high-energy, beam-profile matched continuum source background correction system is modulated at an optimum 150 Hz with little more than 2 ms between measurements, offering correction up to 2A of background with an error of less than 2%.
The flame system employs an advanced fluorocarbon spray chamber, while improved laminar flow burners give high solids handling capacity and good flame stability. A binary switching flow control system is used to produce precise and accurate gas flow, and automatic shutdown occurs in the event of power or input gas failure. Additionally, full gas control system safety features are provided as standard.
A full range of new and advanced accessories-all fully compatible with Philips new PU9200 Series of AA spectrometers means that the PU9485 can be configured to suit changing requirements. Options include a new furnace, furnace autosampler, integral flame autosampler, continuous-flow vapour system-and: a slotted tube atom trap which helps to bridge the gap between flame and furnace measurement sensitivity.
Providing an all-graphite, inert cuvette environment, the PU9485 furnace system posesses the most 142 comprehensive interference control package availableincluding a Furnace Autoprobe which minimizes vapour phase interferences.
Furnace autosampling-together with automatic sample and standards preparationis available with the PU9380 autosampler, which allows lengthy, unattended, multielement analyses to be performed with ease and at the ultimate levels of sensitivity.
Built into the PU9485, the optional PU9304 flame autosampler is compact and space-saving. Direct control by the central 10 MHz 16/32 bit microprocessor makes even complex tasks remarkably easy to perform. Features include all standards cocktailing modes, automatic aliquot sampling, automatic reblanking, rescaling and recalibrating, automatic sample vial sensing and programmable wash facilities. All the operator needs to do is slide in the autosampler carousel, recall the analysis task from disk and press the start key for the most complex of multi-element analyses with optimum results.

AA literature
A comprehensive range of AA support literature has been published by Philips Analytical to coincide PU9200 and PU9400 launches. Five methods development papers describe protocols which will be ofvalue to analysts in a number of applications areas. Topics covered include the determination of trace elements in copper, alloying agents in steel, metals in lubricating oils, and major/ minor electrolytes in serum.
Covering sampling, sample/standard preparation and instrumental parameters, the papers illustrate the felxibility and capability of the new instrumentsincluding high solids handling and multi-element tasking.
Philips has also published five papers which cover aspects and design considerations ofmodern AA instrumentation. Areas featured include graphite furnace technology, the furnace autosampler, flame atomization systems, graphite probes and the slotted tube atom trap.

Analytical software
A software package for production and quality-control applications, which provides cost-effective sample data management for multi-instrument laboratories, has also been announced by Philips. Principles of troubleshooting; Fittings, reservoirs, pumps, and injectors; and Columns, detectors, and preventive maintenance.
The course is ideally suited for selftuition, class use and in-house training courses, making expensive external courses unnecessary. The number of service calls will also be reduced.
A 100-page User's Manual contains copies of 150 visuals used in the video, so note-taking is easy. There is also a short Instructor's Guide, which contains tips on using the course in a classroom. Monitor 3100 features linear operation from 2"0 AUFS to 0"001 AUFS. Typical noise performance is 2 10 -5 AU peak-to-peak at 254 nm, providing excellent detection capability in the 0"001 AUFS range. Accepting a range of micro-pumps the 5003U gives flow rates of up to 4600 ml/min, system pressures up to 20 bar and differential pressures up to 8 bar.
Micropumps share many of the advantages of peristaltic pumpsself-priming, dry running, non-contaminating and a positive displacement action. They become the preferred pump type when pressures higher than a continuous 1"5 bar are required at flow rates up to 4600 ml/min, or when fluids, such as solvents, which are not compatible with peristaltic pump tubing, are to be handled.

For further information contact Smith and
Nephew Watson-Marlow Falmouth, Cornwall TRll 4R U, UK.

Gel view box
Beckman has added a new gel view box as a standard accessory to the company's Appraise densitometers.
This will be a useful aid in performing editing routines by viewing the gel scan.
The Appraise provides simple, reliable and accurate electrophoresis screening procedures for proteins. Beckman gels provide the advantages of agarose techniques, including high resolution and sensitivity. Immediate viewing of the gel provides fast recognition of unusual patterns, and increased productivity during editing. The gel view box is available as a kit for current Appraise users.
Uv/Vis detector Severn Analytical has expanded its range of HPLC equipment with the launch of the SA 6504 UV/Vis detector. The detector can simultaneously monitor two wavelengths, enabling the user to acquire qualitative as well as quantitative information including peak purity indication. Chromatograms at both wavelengths can be stored by the detector for replay at variable speed and sensitivity. In addition, the detector can also plot the ratioed chromatogram. Peak detection software is also a standard- ing systems based on ultraviolet/ visible spectrophotometry. Central to these systems, which have been produced in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and meet all British and US pharmacopoeia regulations, is a purpose-built, multitasking software package. Whether a simple dissolution profile in real time or quantitation of the curve shape is required, the software will provide fast, easy-to-use methods and present analytical answers in the report format of the operator's choice.
Trouble-free tablet dissolution is also dependent on repeatedly high-grade results, and Philips Analytical's new PU8620 series ofUV/VIS/NIR spectrophotometers are being promoted in market for tablet dissolution.
All systems rely on the precision built eight-cell programmer, which accommodates six samples, together with standard and blank if required.
The system uses continuous flow operation, thus providing fast continuous display of data. Separate channels ensure no cross-contamination between vessels.
Programming is extremely flexible, and measurements can be made at fixed or variable time intervals. For example, in a typical hour's run one could either take six readings at equal 10-minute steps or up to 50 specified times during that total period.
Standard methods can simply be called from disk and started within seconds. Help information, operator prompts, audio visual warnings and messages enable any operator, irrespective of skill level, to run the system and to obtain results with speed and confidence. Raw data, Philips Analytical's new tablet dissolution system features multi-tasking software for maximum Jlexibility.
best-fit curves, tables of results at set times and percentages are all readily available.
There are various method options to choose from, such as quality control, research, tablet weight normalization and time selection.
Data is stored automatically as the run progresses and can be displayed in real time or post run. Complete methods with all dissolution parameters, spectrophotometer settings and cell programmer controls can also be stored and recalled at any stage for altering, checking, setting or queuing. High flow peristaltic pumps Watson-Marlow has produced a range of pumps which they consider energy efficient, versatile, powerful and extremely cost-effective. Within this 700 series are five distinct pump ranges, all of which share the same power-driven roller design 701R pumphead to provide flows up to 2000 l/h: the 701U/R has 50 speed control, is user-programmable to accept analogue voltage or current process control signals, and has a rugged die-cast casing; the 701S/R is identical to the 701U/R but does not have process-control facilities; the 701P/R is a variable speed pneumatic pump showing the same diecast case; the 701FBC/R fixed-speed pumps and 701VB/R variable,speed pumps are base-plate mounted.
Explosion-proof pumps are also available either in fixed or variable speed versions.
A 701RX extension pumphead may be fitted to any 700 series pump to double its maximum flow rate.
The 700 series is capable of pumping 2000 1/h using standard 25"4 mm bore tubing, and gives a tube life of at least five times that previously avail- In 1903, Du Pont's first industrial research laboratory was established, and the company began to diversify.
Nitrocellulose-based lacquers, coated fabrics and plastics were followed by acids, pigments and mixed paints. Next came synthetic dyes, cellulose films, rayon acetate fibre and ammonia.
In the early years of this century, Europe, particularly Germany and the UK, was pre-eminent in basic chemistry and production technology, and Du Pont's American operation specialized in improving existing products and processes. But in 1927, the company started fundamental research and made many important innovations now taken for granted, including the discovery of neoprene (the first multi-purpose synthetic rubber) and nylon (the original manmade fibre). The investment in Europe is nearly 5 billion, the largest segment of Du Pont's non-USA investment. Part of this is due to the company's corn, mitment to health and safety provision for its workforce, including measures to safeguard air and water purity.
Interleuken-2 reagent for immune system studies Iodine-labelled rIL-2 (125I riL-2), a sensitive, recombinant form of Interleuken-2, is now offered for the analysis of IL-2 receptors on stimulated lymphocytes, which play a crucial role in activating the body's immune system. The inability ofcells to produce or respond to IL-2 has been implicated in such diseases as autoimmunity, AIDS and cancer.
Du Pont's rIL-2 reagent is a cell growth factor that causes lymphocytes in the body's immune system to proliferate and activate so that they can fight foreign cells and proteins more efficiently. It is used to analyse the structure of both high-and lowaffinity I1-2 receptors and to activate naturally occurring 'killer cells', which are currently being studied for their potential clinical applications. Du Pont's 125I rIL-2 is also used in ligand-binding measurements to determine the proportion of highaffinity receptor sites, which relates directly to the body's ability to respond to IL-2.
Ligand-binding measurements also provide a convenient method for screening new synthetic compounds that may replace or modulate IL-2 for pharmacological purposes.
The iodinated 25I rIL-2 has a higher specific radioactivity than biosynthetically labelled IL-2 to further the study of high-affinity IL-2 binding sites.
Monoclonal cytoskeletal staining kits The 'Cytolite' monoclonal cytoskeletal reagents kits can detect wellcharacterized actin, tubulin, vimen-tin and keratin antibodies. They all are specific against cytoskeletal proteins. All reagents are tested with normal and transformed cells, such as mouse mammary tumour and embryonic human skin. Both a kit format or a separate reagent package are available which contain detailed, up-to-date procedures in rhodamine or fluorescein staining detection. Each provide sufficient antibody for 50 assays per vial. Large-scale peptide synthesis The 'Coupler' 296 is the largest capacity, solid-phase peptide synthesizer available. It consistently and economically produces up to 500 grams of peptide in a single run. For use in commercial-scale bio-research and for pharmaceutical applications, the 'Coupler' 296 performs a wide range of high-quality peptide syntheses within the rigorous requirements of good manufacturing practice. It uses common blocking groups such as BOC, benzyl, t-butyl and FMOC and coupling strategies such as DCC and active ester.
The synthesizer is being used by major pharmaceutical manufacturers throughout the world for pilot and production-scale operations. Typical stepwise coupling efficiency exceeds 99% with a typical cleavage yield of 86.3%.
The system consists of a chemistry module, a driver module, a reaction module with two.interchangeable 5 reaction vessels for continuous operation and a microcomputer that automatically controls all instrument functions. The chemistry module offers random access to eight aminoacid reservoirs and eight solvent/ reagent reservoirs. Chemical pattern recognition is a major branch of chemometricsa subject that has been receiving considerable popular attention recently. This book reviews progress in the subject over the years 1979 to 1985.
A brief introductory chapter provides a broad overview and prepares the ground for a chapter on methodology (comprising about 60% of the book) in which advances in pattern classification, feature selection and visualization techniques are surveyed. Of.particular interest in the following chapter on applications are the sections devoted to the various branches of analytical spectroscopy and chromatography. A very brief final chapter reviews recent trends in a clear and informative way and gives one or two pointers to the future. The book concludes with a compilation of 436 references, the majority of which cover the years 1979 to 1985.
Although mathematical treatment is kept to a minimum, this book is not one that can be recommended to the beginner who is not reasonably well versed in the concepts and statistical techniques of chemometrics. It will, however, be a valuable survey for established chemometricians.
One grows, albeit reluctantly, used to books printed from camera-ready copy, and in a book such as this, which is addressed to a minority readership, the need to keep costs down must be an overriding factor. In such circumstances, therefore, more attention should be paid to the appearance of the page ifstrain on the reader is to be minimized. The author from the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences must be congratulated on his command of the English language. It is a pity that the British publisher and series editor appear to have given him only minimal assistance.

High-performance MS
The JMS-HX 110 is a high-performance mass spectrometer, which can be used in. MS-MS tandem operation. The system is well-suited to new FAB ionization techniques for measurements On compounds with mass numbers between 3000 and 6000, including biological compounds such as glycolipids, proteins and peptides. In its MS-MS mode, besides providing accurate structure information on organic compounds, it can, unlike a single MS system, be used to determine an amino-acid sequence of polypeptide and for quantitative analysis of trace samples.
The ion optical geometry of the JMS-HX 110 is such that users can work on a wide m-ass range and obtain very high resolutions of over 100000 without sacrificing sensitivity. Mass range of 12 500 daltons at maximum acceleration voltage of 10 kV and up to 125 000 daltons at kV can be covered.
The system offers a broad range of ion sources including EI/CI; EI/CI/ DCI; FAB/EI/CI/DCI and FAB/FD combinations. As well as the MS-MS interface, Jeol also provide interfaces for LC/MS and GC/MS. The system gives GC/MS sensitivity of 0.1 nanograms of methyl stearate in the EI mode and an ion intensity of3 10 -8 coulombs/microgram with the molecular ion of methyl stearate.
The evacuation of the JMS-HX 110 is fully automatic, there being no need for manual valve operation.
Computer control of the system's operation is carried out by the Jeol DA 5000 data system. The data system corrects all parameters for runs in either positive or negative, controls temperature and acquires, tabulates and displays spectra in several ways including 3D chromatograms. It can highlight and compare selected parts of the spectra and slow scan over particular peaks of a single mass or two. It allows accurate mass calibration of the second magnetic sector enabling accurate daughter ion spectra to be obtained rapidly on-line over the full mass range.

Air sampling filters
There is increasing concern about the effects on human life of toxic particulates in the air. Sampling and analytical methods used to monitor air quality are becoming highly sophisticated. EPM 2000, a new Whatman filter, was designed and developed to complement these methods as a medium for advanced air filtration, suitable both for quantitative and qualitative measurements.
This filter was developed for use with Hi-vol air samplers and possesses such advanced technical characteristics as high chemical purity, high air flow rate and excellent particle retention efficiency.