Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ( USS-ETV-ICP-MS ) has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in several fish samples. The influences of the instrument operating conditions and slurry preparation on the ion signals were reported. In this study, a relatively low vaporization temperature was used which separated the analyte from the major matrix components and improved the ion signals significantly. EDTA was used as the modifier to enhance the ion signals. Since the sensitivities of Cd, Hg and Pb in various fish slurries and aqueous solution were quite different, the standard addition method and isotope dilution method were used for the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in these fish samples. This method has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in dogfish muscle reference material (DORM-2) and a swordfish sample purchased from the market. The analysis results agreed with the certified values. The precision between sample replicates was better than 14% with the USS-ETV-ICP-MS method. Detection limits estimated from standard addition curves were about 3-6, 3-9 and 6-7 ng g−1 for Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively, in different samples.

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Uninterrupted interactions of merchants and travelers from different countries stress the significance of English. The purpose of the study was to investigate what cultures and teaching practices are different between native English-speaking teachers and Taiwanese senior high school students. Three native English-speaking teachers and six Taiwanese senior high school students in Taichung city participated in this study. Data were collected through native English-speaking teachers' and Taiwanese senior high school students' interviews and non-participant classroom observation. Results showed that American teachers lack of diversified cultures, not dealing with the complicated classroom situations. Students were accustomed to Grammar Translation Method "GTM" instead of the Communicative Language Teaching "CLT." Scarcity of understanding diversified cultures and large classes were major difficulties for both teachers and students. The implications of the study were discussed and some recommendations were made to assist local English teachers and senior high school students in addressing their teaching or learning English.

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