Explosive precursors and narcotic salts are chemicals contributing to an undesirabledevelopment of the Swedish society, both in terms of criminal activities and harm to the environment. Reducing the illegal use of these chemicals is important in the work towards a safer society. National Forensic Centre (NFC) is the state agency responsible for forensic investigations for the Swedish Police Authority. The Drug Analysis and ChemistryTechnology section at NFC were both in need for an accurate quantification method to determine the content of Cl in narcotic salts and explosive precursors. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was assessed to be suitable since a recently published article had shown applicability of 35Cl NMR on narcotic salts. The aim of the method was to find the most appropriate parameter settings for the compounds of interest, including operating frequency, 90° pulse length, number of scans, relaxation time, and relaxation delay. To ensure a reliable and accurate method, the following validation parameters were studied; linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), intermediate precision, trueness, repeatability, and ruggedness. Dimethyl sulfoxide (d6-DMSO) was chosen as the preferredsolvent for the Drug Analysis section since it is a common solvent for their 1H-NMR analysis. For explosive precursors results showed advantages of using deuterium oxide (D!O) as solvent, considering accuracy, solubility and shorter analysis time.Concluding, the chosen criteria of signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio >6 resulted in an LOQ of around 0.15g/L, though this was dependent upon the number of scans utilized. Successful pulse length experiments determined exact 90° pulse lengths for each sample and solvent combination. The longitudinal relaxation time T1 was also successfully determined, and since it was multiplied with five to ensure complete relaxation to stable state the relaxation delay D1was assumed as an insignificant parameter for the determination of chloride. Quantification was based upon the pulse-length based concentration determination (PULCON) using an external standard. The ruggedness can be studied additionally by another experienced operator (since trueness was strongly dependent upon the preparation of the external standard solution). The method displayed good linearity over the mass range normally utilized in such quantifications. The conclusion drawn in the thesis is that the method shows great promise but additional analyzes are still required before implementation at NFC

No description available.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a large group of manufactured compounds that have been used in various production processes such as food packaging, commercial products, workplaces, homes, water supplies, and food. PFAS are persistent, resistant to degradation, and can bioaccumulate. Although an exposure limit that predicts adverse health effects has yet to be determined, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2015-16 health survey found average blood levels of 4.72 ng/ml for PFOS and 1.56 ng/ml for PFOA. The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of laminar flow tandem mass spectrometry following solid phase extraction (SPE) using weak anion exchange (WAX) properties on the detection and quantitation of PFAS compounds. Seven-point calibration standards applied to this research were prepared using certified reference materials (Wellington Laboratories, Ontario, CA), and calibrators were run without sample extraction. The concentrations varied slightly based on the PFAS analyte of interest. All samples and quality controls were prepared by spiking certified reference material (Wellington Laboratories) into pooled human serum (BioIVT, Westbury, NY, USA). A laminar flow QSight®220 ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS, PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA) was equipped with a Selectra C18 100 x 2.1mm x 3μm (UCT, Bristol, PA, USA) column with a Brownlee C18 delay column (PerkinElmer) and followed the LC-MS/MS parameters developed for the method. Extraction was accomplished using a WAX SPE column (UCT, ECWAX053) by first conditioning the columns with 1 mL of methanol (Fisher Scientific, Fair Lawn, NJ, USA) followed by 1 mL of 100 mM pH 7 phosphate buffer (Acros Organics, Geel, Belgium, EU). Samples were loaded onto the column at a rate of 1-2 mL/min. The SPE cartridges were washed with 1 mL of 100 mM pH 7 phosphate buffer and 1 mL of millipore water (Millipore Milli- Q Ultrapure Type 1 water system, Millipore Sigma, Burlington, MA, USA), then dried under full flow for 5 minutes. Elution was carried out with 2.5mL of a 98:2 methanol: OptimaTM grade ammonium hydroxide (Fisher Scientific) solution. The eluted samples were then evaporated to dryness using a MULTIVAP® Nitrogen Evaporator (Organomation,Berlin,MA,USA) at 55°C and 5psi. All samples were reconstituted in 100 μL of a 96:4 methanol:water solution. The parameters assessed followed Academy Standards Board Standard 036: Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology, including matrix interferences, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), a recovery study, and a calibration model. The results of the study were gathered from the following eleven analytes: PFBA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, and PFDoA. Depending on the analyte, a lower LOQ was established at 0.16 – 1.75ng/mL and an upper LOQ at 43.75 – 51.41 ng/mL. Based on the established linear calibration model an LOD in the range of 0.11 - 0.51 ng/mL was achieved. All eleven PFAS analytes showed an acceptable bias of ±20%. All analytes showed a between-run precision (%CV) in an acceptable range of ±20%. No matrix interferences were detected. The average recovery for SPE ranges from 77.64- 104.73% with recovery of 77.64% for PFBS, 83.89% for PFBA, and 95.64-104.73% for PFHxA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, and PFDoA. Utilizing the UCT WAX SPE column, good recovery for the PFAS compounds was demonstrated. Further, the extraction technique was efficient for high throughput analysis with the extraction time comparable to other traditional SPE methods. The total analytical run time of 11 minutes using the QSight®220 coupled with the UCT Selectra C18 100 x 2.1mm x 3μm column allowed for adequate re-equilibration and system washes to prevent carryover and contamination of these persistent pollutants with excellent chromatography. Having the ability to efficiently and accurately quantify PFAS compounds in biological matrices will allow for better understanding of prevalence, bioaccumulation in biological matrices, and will aid in understanding how these concentrations relate to various health outcomes.

<p>The Thesis purpose is in the context of system development validate the Scrum Methodology. Projects concerning information technology are difficult to manage and tend to fail in quality, time or costs. Scrum presents a new view of the system development. Better cooperation between customers and developers, continuous follow-up on daily basis and extensive communication in the development team are all characteristics of Scrum. Scrum is described as a new paradigm by its founders but has been criticized by experts of system development too. This Thesis discuss if Scrum is a better way to develop software than older models like the Rational Unified Process and the Spiral Model with focus in five factors. The result of the study is that Scrum has given system development new ways to manage requirements and methods to push the project forward. Lack of management commitment and user involvement can be better with Scrum if the model is used in the right way. Answers concerning coding and testing differ between the respondents in the study which makes it different to make conclusions regarding this factor.</p> / <p>Syftet med uppsatsen är att i en systemutvecklingskontext beskriva de problem som gör att IT-projekt misslyckas och utvärdera om användningen av den agila utvecklingsmodellen Scrum reducerar problemen. IT-projekt tenderar att misslyckas och de bakomliggande orsakerna är flera. Uppsatsen grupperar misslyckande av IT-projekt i fem faktorer. Ledningsstöd, användarmedverkan, projektstyrning, kravhantering samt kodning och test. Scrum är en agil systemutvecklingsmodell som av sina skapare beskrivits som ett paradigmskifte inom systemutvecklingen. Korta tidsintervaller, självgående systemutvecklare, daglig uppföljning är några av Scrums kännetecken. För att besvara syftet har en kvalitativ datainsamlingsmetod använts. En intervjuserie med tio intervjuer och en observation ligger till grund för undersökningens resultat. All insamlad data är insamlad på fallföretaget Banverket Verksamhetsstöd IT. Undersökningen har visat att Scrum ger en del nya angreppssätt främst avseende projektstyrning och kravhantering. Scrum innehåller möjligheter för ökad användarmedverkan och ledningsstöd men det krävs konkreta åtgärder från projektorganisationen om det ska lyckas fullt ut. Uppfattningar kring kodning och test skiljer sig åt beroende på vilken respondent som frågas. Det tyder på att det saknas tydliga rutiner i det här avseendet. Slutsatsen blir därmed att Scrum reducerar några av de problem som finns i IT-projekt och därmed med fördel kan användas som en best practice.</p>

CP47,497 and other synthetic cannabinoid compounds were incipiently synthesized as research tools to investigate the mechanisms by which marijuana affects the brain and to aid in the development of therapeutic agents. Recently, these cannabinoid compounds have resurfaced in the designer drug market, marketed as “herbal incense products” (HIPs). Their popular use has resulted in an alarming rate of reported adverse effects and toxicities. Current legislation classified CP47,497 and several other synthetic cannabinoids compounds as Schedule I agents, but abuse of these compounds persists with serious consequences to public health and safety. In vivo studies examining the behavioral consequences of abused synthetic cannabinoids are limited. As a result, the goals of this research were to elucidate the acute and chronic pharmacological effects of CP47,497 and to develop a bioanalytical method for CP47,497 drug detection in mice. Cannabimimetic effects were evaluated in well-established in vivo models, the tetrad paradigm and drug discrimination assay. The tetrad test is comprised of four outcome measures sensitive to the primary psychoactive cannabinoid present in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): catalepsy (bar test), antinociception (tail withdrawal latency), hypothermia, and decreases in spontaneous locomotor activity. While many pharmacological agents can produce one or a subset of these tetrad effects, drugs that activate CB1 receptors produce characteristic effects in all four parameters. An HPLC/MS/MS method was developed and confirmed the presence of CP47,497 in brain. We investigated whether CB1 receptors mediate the pharmacological effects of CP47,497. Cumulative dose-response experiments determined CP47,497 is more potent than THC in vivo in using multiple behavioral assays. Complementary pharmacological (CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant) and genetic (CB1 (-/-) mice) approaches were used to investigate whether CB1 receptors mediate the effects of CP47,497. Rimonabant (3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, depending on independent measure) blocked all cannabinoid-like pharmacological effects of CP47,497. Supporting these findings, CB1(-/-) mice were resistant to cannabimimetic effects of CP47,497. CP47,497 fully substituted for THC in the drug discrimination assay, with a potency of more than 5 times that of THC. Collectively, these results indicate that CP47,497 is markedly more potent (i.e. 5-8 fold) than THC, and its repeated administration produces tolerance to the cataleptic, antinociceptive, hypothermic and hypolocomotor effects in mice, with significant presentation of somatic withdrawal signs (paw flutter and head shakes) upon drug cessation. These findings are consistent with the high incidence of adverse events in humans abusing synthetic cannabinoids.

Neste estudo foi realizada a avaliação de seis substâncias sintéticas resultantes de processos industriais e de atividades antropogênicas dietilftalato, dibutilftalato, nonilfenol, pentaclorofenol, bisfenol A e benzo[a]pireno os quais possuem capacidade de interferir negativamente no funcionamento normal do sistema endócrino de animais e de seres humanos (xenoestrógenos), em águas tratada e bruta de quatro municípios do Vale do Paraíba paulista. Para tanto, utilizou-se um método analítico de alta seletividade e sensibilidade, sendo a determinação por cromatografia gasosa acoplada ao detector de espectrometria de massas (GC/MS), precedida da concentração das amostras pelo método SPE (extração em fase sólida). Como não são suficientes apenas boas técnicas analíticas para garantir a qualidade dos dados gerados e a confiabilidade dos resultados, a metodologia desenvolvida foi submetida ao processo de validação, onde foram avaliados os parâmetros: seletividade, especificidade, linearidade, faixa linear de trabalho, limites de detecção e quantificação, precisão, exatidão, recuperação e robustez, além da incerteza na medição. Os resultados demonstraram que o método proposto é adequado para quantificação das amostras do rio Paraíba do Sul, e pela sua aplicação foi constatada a presença de todos os poluentes estudados tanto na água bruta quanto na potável em pelo menos um dos três períodos de amostragem, sendo as maiores concentrações mensuradas nas águas brutas e no período seco. Estes resultados evidenciam que as atividades antrópicas na região influenciam a qualidade da água do recurso hídrico estudado, bem como a qualidade da água de distribuição. / The evaluation of six synthetics substances from industrials process and anthropogenic activities - diethyl phthalate, dibuthyl phthalate, nonylphenol, pentachlorophenol, bisphenol A and benzo[a]pyrene which one can interfer negatively in normal function of the endocrine system from animals and humans (xenoestrogens), was carried out in this study in drinking water and raw water on four cities at region of Paraíba do Sul River. An analytical method with high selectivity and sensitivity, with determination by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detector (GC/MS), preceded of samples concentration through the SPE technique was used. Good analytical techniques are not enough to ensure quality and reliability of the generated data results. For this, the methodology was submitted to the validation process, where parameters evaluated were: selectivity, specificity, linearity, work range, detection and quantification limits, precision, accuracy, robustness, percentage of recovery and uncertainty in measurement. The validation results showed that proposed method is suitable to quantify Paraíba do Sul river samples, and by its application could observe presence of all studied pollutants in drinking and raw water in one of the three sampling periods at least, and the highest measured concentrations were in raw water at dry periods. These results evidence that the anthropic activities at region are influencing the water quality of the studied water resource, as well as the quality of water for public supply.

Este trabalho de mestrado teve como objetivo realizar a validação formal para quatro métodos de medição do Laboratório de Ativação Neutrônica (LAN) do IPEN - CNEN/SP por Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental (INAA). Os mensurandos foram a concentração total de As em tecido de mexilhão (método-BIO-1), a concentração total de Co, Cr, Fe, Rb, Sc, Se e Zn em tecido de mexilhão (método-BIO-2), a concentração total de As e Sb em sedimento marinho (método-GEO-1) e a concentração total Co, Cr, Fe, Sc e Zn em sedimento marinho (método-GEO-2). Em um primeiro momento, foi realizado um estudo univariado para investigar a influência causada ao resultado final em diferentes configurações no preparo dos padrões sintéticos e no tempo de medição da atividade do mensurando no padrão sintético. Outras variáveis, como o tempo de medição da atividade do mensurando na amostra, distância entre amostra e detector e tempo de decaimento para medição da amostra foram estudadas em um processo multivariado, por meio da realização de um Planejamento Fatorial 23 completo (DOE). Os parâmetros de desempenho estudados para a validação dos métodos de medição em INAA foram: seletividade, exatidão (precisão e veracidade), linearidade, faixa de trabalho, seletividade, limite de detecção, limite de quantificação, robustez e incerteza de medição. Os métodos foram validados de acordo com as recomendações do Guia de validação do INMETRO DOQ-CGCRE-008. A estimativa das fontes de incertezas foi realizada de acordo com as recomendações do Guia para a expressão da incerteza de medição (ISO GUM) com o uso do método simulado. / The objective of this study was the validation of four measurement methods by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) at the Neutron Activation Laboratory (LAN) of IPEN - CNEN/SP. The measurands were: mass fraction of As in biological matrix sample (método-BIO-1), mass fraction of Co, Cr, Fe, Rb, Sc, Se and Zn in biological matrix sample (método-BIO-2), mass fraction of As and Sb in geological matrix sample (método-GEO-1) and mass fraction of Co, Cr, Fe, Sc and Zn in geological matrix sample (método-GEO-2). First, a univariate method optimization was performed to investigate the influence of the the preparation of synthetic standard (monoelemental standard and/or multielemental standard) and standard measurement times. In a second step, a multivariate method optimization was carried to verify the influence of sample measurement time, sample decay time and sample distance to detector by means of a 23 full factorial design (DOE). Investigated method performance characteristics were: selectivity, accuracy (trueness and precision), linearity, work range, selectivity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, robustness and measurement uncertainty. The methods were validated according to recommendations of INMETRO DOQ-CGCRE-008 Validation Guide. The estimate of uncertainty sources was carried out according to recommendations of Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (ISO GUM) using the simulated method.

Os compostos lipofílicos da própolis vermelha brasileira (PVB) têm recebido atenção especial devido a interessantes relatos referentes às suas atividades biológicas. Neste contexto, este estudo teve três etapas: a primeira objetivou investigar a atividade do extrato bruto etanólico da PVB e respectivas frações (obtidas com solventes de polaridade crescente, por meio de maceração em temperatura ambiente) contra cepas de Candida não-albicans (CNA) - C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis e C. parapsilosis. A concentração inibidora mínima (CIM) foi determinada pelo método de microdiluição em caldo, com concentrações variando entre 1,9 a 500 μg/mL. Dentre as frações testadas, a fração hexânica (HEX) apresentou maior potencial antifúngico, alcançando valor de CIM de 1,95 μg/mL contra espécies de C. parapsilosis. Para cepas de C. glabrata, C. krusei e C. tropicalis, os valores de CIM obtidos foram variáveis (1,95-250 μg/mL). Ensaio colorimétrico de MTT foi utilizado para confirmar o dano celular e os resultados variaram de 80,66 a 94,44%, com extensa morte celular causada pela HEX, incluindo efeitos contra cepas resistentes de CNA, principalmente C. glabrata e C. parapsilosis. Esta potencial capacidade antifúngica está relacionada com compostos lipofílicos, provavalmente benzofenonas polipreniladas (BPPs), anteriormente descritas para PVB. A segunda etapa teve como objetivo avaliar a composição química do extrato hexânico da PVB (HEXred) por CLUE-DAD-EM. A investigação química resultou, principalmente, na identificação de BPPs (oblongifolina A, gutiferona E e/ou xantochimol). Após, um método de CLAE-UV isocrático foi validado para a determinação do teor total de BPPs (a 260 nm) expresso como garcinol, um diasterorisômero da gutiferona E disponível comercialmente. O método mostrou ser específico, exato, preciso e linear (0,1 a 10 μg/mL) para a determinação de BPPS na HEXred e na nanoemulsão (NE) contendo HEXred, bem como em amostras de pele e mucosa suínas, após estudos de permeação/retenção. O efeito matriz foi determinado para todas as matrizes complexas, demonstrando baixo efeito durante a análise. A estabilidade do método foi verificada por meio da exposição da HEXred às condições de estresse ácida, alcalina, oxidativa e térmica. Não houve interferência dos produtos de degradação durante a análise, indicando que o método analítico/bioanalítico proposto provou ser simples e confiável para a determinação de BPPs na presença de diferentes matrizes. Como terceiro passo nós buscamos otimizar a incorporação de BPPs em NE destinada ao tratamento de infecções fúngicas mucocutâneas. A otimização da NE foi realizada por meio de experimento de Box-Behnken, que permitiu avaliar simultaneamente a influência das concentrações do fosfolipídeo da lecitina de gema de ovo, do lípido catiónico DOTAP e das BPPs nas propriedades físico-químicas da NE, bem como na eficiência de associação (EA) das BPPs. Utilizando o software Mini-Tab®, a formulação ótima foi selecionada com base no menor tamanho de gotícula e maiores potencial zeta e eficiência de associação, exibindo um tamanho médio de 140,56 ± 5,22 nm, potencial zeta de + 60,72 ± 3,07 e 99,55 ± 1,09% de EA. Células de difusão do tipo Franz foram usadas para avaliar a distribuição das BPPs através da pele e mucosa suínas, sendo encontradas BPPs nas camadas de ambos os tecidos (principalmente na derme). Uma maior quantidade de BPPs (até 3 vezes) foi detectada na pele e mucosa lesadas o que demonstra o efeito da integridade do tecido na distribuição das BPPs, como sugerido por imagens de microscopia confocal de fluorescência. As BPPs foram detectadas no fluido receptor apenas quando a mucosa esofágica foi lesada. A atividade antifúngica das formulações foi investigada contra espécies de CNA - C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis e C. parapsilosis. Os valores de CIM variaram de 0,654 a 2,617 μg/mL, com dano celular superior a 78% como verificado por ensaio de MTT. Tais resultados sugerem que a NE otimizada possui potencial promissor para ser utilizada topicamente para o tratamento de infecções fúngicas mucocutâneas causadas por espécies de CNA. / Lipophilic compounds of Brazilian red propolis (BRP) have received increasing attention due to some interesting findings regarding their biological activities. This study had three steps: first we aimed to investigate the activity of BRP crude ethanolic extract and their fractions (obtained with increasing polarity solvents, through maceration at room temperature) against non-albicans Candida (NAC) strains. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution method, with concentrations ranging from 1.9 to 500 μg/mL. Among the tested fractions, n-hexane fraction (HEX) showed higher antifungal potential, achieving MIC values of 1.95 μg/mL against C. parapsilosis strains. On C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis strains, variable MIC values were obtained (1.95 to 250 μg/mL). MTT colorimetric assay was employed to confirm the cell damage and the results ranged from 80.66 to 94.44%, with extensive cell death caused by HEX, including the effects against NAC resistant strains, mainly C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. This potential antifungal capacity showed by HEX is related to the lipophilic compounds, probably polyprenylated benzophenones (PPBs), previous described for BRP. In the second step we aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of BRP n-hexane extract (HEXred) by UPLC-PDA-MS. Chemical investigation mainly resulted in the identification of PPBs in this extract, named oblongifolin A, guttiferone E, and/or xanthochymol. After that, an isocratic HPLC-UV method was validated for the determination of total content of PPBs (at 260 nm) expressed as garcinol, a commercially available guttiferone E diastereoisomer. The method showed to be specific, precise, accurate, and linear (0.1 to 10 μg/mL) for the determination of PPBs in HEXred, BRP-loaded nanoemulsions (NE), as well as, in porcine skin and mucosa samples after permeation/retention studies. The matrix effect was determined for all complex matrices, demonstrating low effect during the analysis. The stability-indicating method was verified by submitting HEXred to acidic, alkaline, oxidative, and thermal stress conditions. No interference of degradation products was detected during analysis, indicating that the proposed analytical/bioanalytical method proved to be simple and reliable for the determination of PPBs in the presence of different matrices. As third step we aimed to optimize the incorporation of PPBs into NE intended for the treatment of mucocutaneous fungal infections. The optimization of NE was performed by means of a Box-Behnken Design, which allowed evaluating simultaneously the influence of the phospholipid egg-lecithin, the cationic lipid DOTAP and PPBs concentrations on the physicochemical properties of NE, as well as on the association efficiency (AE) of PPBs. By using the Mini Tab® software, the optimal formulation was selected based on the smallest droplet size and highest zeta potential and AE, exhibited a mean average size of 140.56±5.22 nm, zeta potential of +60.72±3.07 and AE of 99.55±1.09%. Franz-type diffusion cells were used to evaluate PPBs distribution through porcine skin and mucosa being PPBs found in both mucosa and skin layers (mainly in the dermis). A higher amount of PPBs (up to 3-fold) was detected in impaired skin and mucosa demonstrating the effect of the integrity of the tissue on PPBs distribution, as suggested by confocal fluorescence microscopy images. PPBs were detected in the receptor fluid only when esophageal mucosa was impaired. The antifungal activity of the formulations was investigated against NAC species – C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. MIC values varied from 0.654 to 2.617 μg/mL, with cell damage higher than 78 % as verified by MTT assay. Such results suggest that the optimized NE have promising potential to be used topically for the treatment of mucocutaneous fungal infections caused by NAC strains.

Este trabalho de mestrado teve como objetivo realizar a validação formal para quatro métodos de medição do Laboratório de Ativação Neutrônica (LAN) do IPEN - CNEN/SP por Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental (INAA). Os mensurandos foram a concentração total de As em tecido de mexilhão (método-BIO-1), a concentração total de Co, Cr, Fe, Rb, Sc, Se e Zn em tecido de mexilhão (método-BIO-2), a concentração total de As e Sb em sedimento marinho (método-GEO-1) e a concentração total Co, Cr, Fe, Sc e Zn em sedimento marinho (método-GEO-2). Em um primeiro momento, foi realizado um estudo univariado para investigar a influência causada ao resultado final em diferentes configurações no preparo dos padrões sintéticos e no tempo de medição da atividade do mensurando no padrão sintético. Outras variáveis, como o tempo de medição da atividade do mensurando na amostra, distância entre amostra e detector e tempo de decaimento para medição da amostra foram estudadas em um processo multivariado, por meio da realização de um Planejamento Fatorial 23 completo (DOE). Os parâmetros de desempenho estudados para a validação dos métodos de medição em INAA foram: seletividade, exatidão (precisão e veracidade), linearidade, faixa de trabalho, seletividade, limite de detecção, limite de quantificação, robustez e incerteza de medição. Os métodos foram validados de acordo com as recomendações do Guia de validação do INMETRO DOQ-CGCRE-008. A estimativa das fontes de incertezas foi realizada de acordo com as recomendações do Guia para a expressão da incerteza de medição (ISO GUM) com o uso do método simulado. / The objective of this study was the validation of four measurement methods by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) at the Neutron Activation Laboratory (LAN) of IPEN - CNEN/SP. The measurands were: mass fraction of As in biological matrix sample (método-BIO-1), mass fraction of Co, Cr, Fe, Rb, Sc, Se and Zn in biological matrix sample (método-BIO-2), mass fraction of As and Sb in geological matrix sample (método-GEO-1) and mass fraction of Co, Cr, Fe, Sc and Zn in geological matrix sample (método-GEO-2). First, a univariate method optimization was performed to investigate the influence of the the preparation of synthetic standard (monoelemental standard and/or multielemental standard) and standard measurement times. In a second step, a multivariate method optimization was carried to verify the influence of sample measurement time, sample decay time and sample distance to detector by means of a 23 full factorial design (DOE). Investigated method performance characteristics were: selectivity, accuracy (trueness and precision), linearity, work range, selectivity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, robustness and measurement uncertainty. The methods were validated according to recommendations of INMETRO DOQ-CGCRE-008 Validation Guide. The estimate of uncertainty sources was carried out according to recommendations of Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (ISO GUM) using the simulated method.

The quality of food is an increasingly important matter of concern in Europe. The feeding stuffs poisoning episode that occurred in Belgium in May 1999 pointed out the vulnerability of the food chain and the lack of appropriate monitoring. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were the key contaminants involved. This has triggered new EU legislation, including maximum and action limits for relevant food and feed products as well as requirements for analytical method used to verify compliance. Large monitoring programs to test food and feed have been launched and, in many countries, efforts to monitor dioxins and related compounds strongly increased. To cope with the large number of samples statistically required for monitoring, the recommanded strategy involves the use of screening methods based on low resolution mass spectrometry (LRMS) and/or bio-assays, and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) method, used to bear out their presence. Major analytical challenges had to be met to face with the large number of samples including the authoritys requests on developing screening and alternative methods for monitoring programs of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in food and feed. The first part of this document is devoted to the development of an alternative LRMS-based method for PCDD/Fs and PCBs measurement in food and feed. The second part of this thesis is an answer to the basic questions commonly addressed to all analytical chemists developing method but here in a particular context due to very specific family of compounds involved: How to make sure that my method is able to achieve sufficient accuracy on results? Are there any analytical benchmarks available for validation purposes? How to evaluate measurement uncertainty expressed in toxic equivalent (TEQ) units? How to report results right? How can the proficiency of my laboratory be measured? To ensure the quality of data obtained, laboratories in charge of the food control on PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs encounter a number of severe problems. One has to mention the lack of sufficient and reliable certified reference materials that are necessary to validate methods, too scarce data available on current analytical method performances, and the absence of quality criteria approach for analytical method. During the course of this work, I contributed to answer these questions to the general analytical effort by providing useful tools and methodologies. At that time, straightforward answers could not be found in the scientific literature. One of the reasons was the scarce data of dioxins in food and feed available. One can also mention the unusual part the dioxins play in chemical analysis. Indeed, the main features that characterize a dioxin measurement are the low levels at which these compounds occur in biological samples (sub parts-per-trillion), levels that are currently not explored by any other applications in chemical analysis in the food sector and therefore the difficulty to cope with precision models available; the reporting of results expressed in total tetrachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) toxic equivalent concentration for compliance assessment with statutory limits; and, what necessarily follows from the decision-making: the statement of the uncertainty interval also expressed in toxic units. To answer the foregoing questions in an international frame, notions such as validation of analytical procedures, fitness for purpose, internal quality control, interlaboratory studies, proficiency testing, measurement uncertainty, traceability had to be introduced. They are all encompassed in the analytical quality assurance management a laboratory should implement. These concepts are strongly connected to statistical techniques. This branch of analytical chemistry that consists in extracting relevant information from data using statistical and mathematical methods adapted to the specific needs for the chemists is called chemometrics. Quality is an essential preoccupation of chemometrics but it cannot be only limited to these aspects. Chemometrics relates also to other topics such as experiments and experimental design methodologies, (new) knowledge about chemical systems. Chemometrics and quality This thesis treats several aspects and new approaches of quality assurance for an ultra-trace contaminant laboratory: external method validation through interlaboratory studies and estimation of repeatability, reproducibility and trueness using simple statistics based on normal distributions (ISO 5725) but also more complex statistical tests for heavily tailed, skewed or even bimodal distributions; the production and the use of a reference material for internal validation and internal quality control (QC) purposes; advanced statistics in quality control chart and multi-level control charts for sensitive detection of bias; proposal of quality criteria for assessment of proficiency of dioxin laboratories; proposal of benchmark precision for internal validation purposes; estimation of measurement uncertainty. The thesis is divided in the following chapters: Chapter 1 is a general introduction for dioxins and related compounds. It consists of a brief introduction to general characterization, mechanism of toxicity, human exposure and European legislation in food and feed. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the analytical procedures for mass spectrometry based methods. It gives a brief summary of the most frequently used techniques to extract and purify PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) from food and feed matrices. Regarding detection, special attention of the principles of detection and quantification by HRMS in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM) and the quadrupole ion storage low resolution mass spectrometer in MS/MS mode is addressed. Chapter 3 discusses the development and optimization of a large volume injection (LVI)-gas chromatography (GC)-ion trap MS/MS method as an alternative to GC-HRMS for the measurement of PCDD/Fs in food and feed. Instrumental detection limits were lowered by a factor 2 to 3 with the development, in collaboration with the manufacturer, of a system of damping gas pressure inside the trap that improves precursor ions trapping efficiency. We achieved 5:1 signal to noise with the injection of 200 fg of 2,3,7,8 TCDD. With slight adjustments to sample size and final extract volume, we demonstrated on QC samples the good agreement between this method and the reference GC/HRMS method for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in food and feed. In chapter 4, the first European inter-laboratory study on dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs using the HRGC/HRMS method in animal feed samples is described with two main objectives. The first objective was to produce a reference material for internal validation and QC purposes. The second objective was to assess the analytical performances of the GC-HRMS method close to maximum levels as no data were available at that time and to check whether EU directives requirements were met. Chapter 5 is a general discussion on the capability of the state-of-the-art HRGC/HRMS method to provide reliable results at decreasing maximum levels. Levels have to decrease according to EU policy regarding human exposure to those contaminants. In this case, we present the issue from a different angle, i.e. the analytical point of view for the future establishment of target levels. Based on the results of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs interlaboratory study in animal feedingstuffs described in chapter 4, we demonstrated for the sum of the 17 PCCD/Fs toxic congeners that reliable results can be easily provided up to a value of 0.17 ng WHO-TEQ/kg. The ability to reliably quantify a minute trace of these contaminants has been pointed out with the aim of providing an analytical benchmark for the future establishment of target dioxin levels in animal feedingstuffs. Hence, both analytical and toxicological aspects should be examined together to set realistic target levels achievable for most dioxin laboratories involved in monitoring programs. One of the central themes of this thesis is the establishment of an empirical relationship between reproducibility standard deviation and the dioxin congeners level in food and feed. Chapter 6 deals with raw data from numerous performances interlaboratory studies of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in food and feed. Striking linear functions in log scale between reproducibility standard deviation and congeners level over a concentration range of 10-8 to 10-14 g per g fresh weight were observed. The data fit very well to a Horwitz-type function of the form sR = 0.153c0.904, where sR and c are dimensionless mass ratios expressed in pg/g on fresh weight, regardless of the nature of the toxic congeners, food and feed matrices, or sample preparation methods. I called this relationship the dioxin function. One of the main features of the dioxin function could be its use as a suitable fitness-for-purpose criterion for dioxins and related compounds in proficiency testing (PT) exercises. We illustrated its use with practical example with data from the largest international PT in this field. Another application is its use as benchmark precision criteria for internal validation. Chapter 7 discusses the role of internal quality control (IQC) to monitor analytical processes. Introducing new QC methods derived from the industrial practice to analytical chemistry, improving data evaluation and allowing to detect shifts or trends, are elements that are difficult to point out with classical approach (Shewhart chart). The importance of ARL (average run length) as a key-criteria of the efficiency of a quality control procedure will be emphasized. The introduction of the multivariate approach of multilevel control with the Hotelling's T2-test will lead to a better detection of random errors than the independently managed conventional Shewhart charts. Moreover, the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) will offer a flexible tool for detecting the inacurracy of a method, especially where small shifts or bias are of interest. All these concepts, recently introduced in clinical chemistry, were applied here for the monitoring of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in food and feed. Chapter 8 introduces the concept of measurement uncertainty (MU). Three top-down approaches for uncertainty estimation are proposed on the example of the GC-HRMS method for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in various food and feed matrices: the approach which combines long-term precision and trueness data to obtain an estimate of MU (Barwick and Ellision method); the approach which uses the reproducibility estimate from interlaboratory-studies as uncertainty estimate; the concept of accuracy profile used in the context of validation and internal quality control to assess MU. Chapter 9 presents a general conclusion