NEWS
ASTM and Spectroscopy The first draft of "Standard Practice for General Techniques of Gas Chromatography/Infrared (GC/IR) Analysis" is available. The draft was written by a task group of the ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy subcommittee, which is part of the committee on molecular spectroscopy. A copy of the draft can be obtained from David Compton, Bio-Rad Digilab Division, 237 Putnam Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139. The UV—vis subcommittee is also working on two other standards. The first is a procedure for calibrating and determining the linearity of photodiode array detectors. The second is a major revision of the existing standard for the measurement of stray radiant energy. Because the current standard is no longer strictly applicable to computer-aided spectrophotometers, a practical, easy method for measuring this parameter is sought. These two documents need considerable work to be put into a form that will be acceptable to spectroscopists. Anyone interested in participating in these projects or in the work of the committee should contact Eric Mooney, Tytronics, Inc., P.O. Box 590, Waltham, MA 02254-0590 (617-894-0550; fax 617-894-9934) or Gloria Collins, ASTM, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215-299-5510; fax 215-977-9679).
Nominations Sought for Chirality Medal Nominations are requested for the 1993 Chirality Medal, which will be presented at the 4th International Symposium on Chiral Discrimination on Sept. 19 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The award recognizes distinguished achievement in any aspect of chiral discrimination and consists of an inscribed gold medal. Nominations, including a short supporting letter, should be sent by April 30 to A. F. Fell, Secretary, Chirality Medal Honors Committee, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP U.K. (44-274-384712; fax 44-274-725044).
Graduate Students' Symposium The 11th annual chemistry graduate students' symposium will be held May 19—20 at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The symposium is organized by and for graduate students and provides them with a forum in which to present their research and enhance their professional speaking skills. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Mark Wrighton of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and George Parshall of Du Pont. Proceedings of the symposium are published and distributed free of charge to libraries, colleges, and universities in the United States and Canada. Attendance is free of charge and includes two days of presentations, luncheons, and a dinner reception. Motel reservations
can be obtained through the committee for $5 and $15 per night for speakers and nonspeakers, respectively. Although attendance is open to individuals from academia and industry, presentations may be made only by graduate students. For information, contact Richard J. Rosso, Chemistry Dept., Acheson Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716-829-2122; e-mail:
[email protected]).
Proposed IUPAC Nomenclature for Radioanalytical Chemistry In 1982, IUPAC issued a "Glossary of Terms Used in Nuclear Analytical Chemistry" {Pure Appl. Chem. 1982, 54, 1533-54) that listed nearly 400 terms. IUPAC is updating that list with an emphasis on terms that are relevant in radiometric analysis, radioimmunoassay, and related techniques. This new glossary is therefore directed at those working in clinical chemistry, biochemistry, nuclear medicine, and related disciplines. (For definitions relevant to nuclear technology, nuclear physics, and radioactivity measurements, the 1982 glossary should be consulted.) Terms were selected for definition on the basis of whether they are ambiguous or confusing. Definitions were taken from existing compilations by organizations already active in clinical chemistry. In cases where no acceptable definition could be found, a new definition has been proposed. Copies of the document may be obtained from the Publications Division, Journals Dept., American Chemical Society, 2540 Olentangy River Road, P.O. Box 3330, Columbus, OH 43210 (614-447-3600, ext. 3171; fax 614447-3745). Comments on the definitions are welcome and should be sent by Sept. 30 to C. Graham, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, P.O. Box 363, Birmingham, B15 2TT, U.K.
For Your Information The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) has updated the protocol C29-T, "Standardization of Sodium and Potassium Ion-Selective Electrode Systems to the Flame Photometric Reference Method: Tentative Standard." C29-T is used by manufacturers to standardize their direct ion-selective electrode instruments to give results in concentration terms t h a t are verifiable by the flame photometry reference method. NCCLS standards and guidelines are available for $25 for member organizations and $40 for nonmembers. Add 10% ($7.50 minimum) for postage and handling. Payment may be made by check, VISA, MasterCard, or purchase order. Discounts are available for multicopy purchases. Contact NCCLS, 771 East Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085 (215-525-2435; fax 215-527-8399). ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 65, NO. 8, APRIL 15, 1993 · 385 A
