Determination of (R)- and (S)-ketoprofen in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry following automated solid-phase extraction in the 96-well format

A sensitive and selective method was developed for the determination of (R)-ketoprofen ((R)-kt) and (S)-ketoprofen ((S)-kt) in human plasma using chiral liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Plasma samples spiked with stable-isotope-labeled [(13)C(1), (2)H(3)]-(R and S)-ketoprofen, for use as the internal standards, were prepared for analysis using automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) in the 96-well microtiter format. The enantiomers were separated on an (R)-1-naphthylglycine and 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (Chirex 3005) 250x2.0 mm i.d. analytical column, equipped with a 30x2.0 mm i.d. guard column using isocratic mobile phase conditions. The (R)- and (S)-kt levels were quantifiable from 0.05 to 2500 ng ml(-1) by constructing two separate curves from calibration standards covering the same range. The first curve ranged from 0.05 to 100 and the second from 100 to 2500 ng ml(-1). A concentration of 0.05 ng ml(-1) of either enantiomer was easily detected using a 1 ml plasma sample volume. The average method accuracy, evaluated at four levels over an extended period, was better than +/-3% over the entire range. The precision for the same set of quality control samples ranged from 4.0 to 7.0 % RSD (n = 24). The method was applied to the evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters in human plasma obtained from volunteers who received 25 mg of kt by peroral administration of Actron caplets or by topical administration of Oruvail gel.     

Effects of crystallographic orientation on electrooptic spatial light modulator amplitude and phase responses

The effects of crystallographic orientation on output amplitude and signal-dependent phase distortions in electrooptic spatial light modulators such as the PROM and PRIZ are described.     

Crystal chirality and optical rotation sense in isomorphous Bi12SiO20 and Bi12GeO20

Laevorotatory crystals of isomorphous Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ and Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ are shown, by use of the anomalous X-ray scattering component in the structure amplitudes, to have identical chirality (handedness of atomic arrangement) in contrast with the case of NaC10₃ and NaBrO₃, in which crystals of the same chirality rotate plane polarized light in opposite senses.     

The semiotic and conceptual genesis of angle

ZDM – Mathematics Education - In the present study, we try to understand how students at the end of primary school conceive of angle: Is an angle a magnitude for them or a geometric figure,...     

Bursting and structure of the turbulence in an internal flow manipulated by riblets

The buffer layer of an internal flow manipulated by riblets is investigated. The distributions of the ejection and bursting frequency from the beginning to the middle part of the buffer layer, together with high moments of the fluctuating streamwise velocity,u, and its time derivative are reported. The profiles of the ejection and bursting frequency are determined and compared using three single point detection schemes. The effect of the riblets on the bursting mechanism is found confined in a localized region in the buffer layer. The multiple ejection bursts are more affected than the single ejection bursts. The skewness and flatness factors of theu signal are larger in the manipulated layer than in the standard boundary layer. That, also holds true for the flatness factor of the time derivative, but the Taylor and Liepman scales are not affected. The spectrum of theu signal is altered at the beginning part of the viscous sublayer.Nomenclature u Friction velocity - Viscosity - l _v ;f _v wall scalesv/u ;u ² /v - y Vertical distance to the wall - z Spanwise extent - (⁺) Variable normalized with wall scales - u Velocity;u=Turbulence intensity - h, s Height and width of the riblets - f _e Ejection frequency - f _b Bursting frequency - f _BME Frequency of the Bursts with Multiple Ejection - f _BSE Frequency of Single Ejection Bursts - S andS _du/dt Skewness factor ofu and its time derivative - F _u andF _du/dt Flatness factor ofu and its time derivative Abbreviations SBL Standard (non-manipulated) Boundary Layer - MBL Manipulated Boundary Layer - BME Bursts with Multiple Ejections - BSE Bursts with Single Ejections - VITA Variable Interval Time Averaging technique - u–l u-level technique - mu Modifiedu-level technique     

Mathematical Working Spaces in schooling: an introduction

ZDM – Mathematics Education - The theoretical and methodological model of Mathematical Working Space (MWS) is introduced in this paper. For over 10 years, the model has been the...     

Experimental technique for generating fast high-density shock waves with phased linear explosive shock tubes

The sequential detonation of a layer of explosive surrounding a pressurized tube can be used to generate fast, high-density shock waves by means of a piston-like implosive pinch travelling at the detonation velocity of the explosive. A novel technique has been developed to extend the regime of operation to piston velocities greater than the detonation velocity of known explosives. This technique consists of cutting a slit in the tamper of a conventional explosive shock tube and introducing a phased detonation wave into the explosive cladding. Preliminary results indicate that quasi-steady shocks can be generated in helium with velocities between 13–17 km/s for initial fill pressures of 6.9 MPa.     

Imaging cytoplasmic cAMP in mouse brainstem neurons

Background  

cAMP is an ubiquitous second messenger mediating various neuronal functions, often as a consequence of increased intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. While imaging of calcium is commonly used in neuroscience applications, probing for cAMP levels has not yet been performed in living vertebrate neuronal tissue before.     

Stable isotopic studies of earthworm feeding ecology in tropical ecosystems of Puerto Rico

Feeding strategies of earthworms and their influence on soil processes are often inferred from morphological, behavioral and physiological traits. We used (13)C and (15)N natural abundance in earthworms, soils and plants to explore patterns of resource utilization by different species of earthworms in three tropical ecosystems in Puerto Rico. In a high altitude dwarf forest, native earthworms Trigaster longissimus and Estherella sp. showed less (15)N enrichment ((15)N = 3-6 per thousand) than exotic Pontoscolex corethrurus ((15)N =7-9 per thousand) indicating different food sources or stronger isotopic discrimination by the latter. Conversely, in a lower altitude tabonuco forest, Estherella sp. and P. corethrurus overlapped completely in (15)N enrichment ((15)N = 6-9 per thousand), suggesting the potential for interspecific competition for N resources. A tabonuco forest converted to pasture contained only P. corethrurus which were less enriched in (15)N than those in the forest sites, but more highly enriched in (13)C suggesting assimilation of C from the predominant C(4) grass. These results support the utility of stable isotopes to delineate resource partitioning and potential competitive interactions among earthworm species. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Czochralski growth of optical quality bismuth silicon oxide (Bi12SiO20)

Bismuth silicon oxide (Bi₁₂SiO₂₀) exhibits several unique characteristics for application to various optical devices, including the Pockels Readout Optical Memory (PROM), photorefractive read-write holographic memory, and thin film optical waveguides. These applications place stringent requirements on the optical quality of the material. A number of difficulties associated with Czochralski growth of optical quality Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ are discussed, including photochromic effects, selective decoration, growth striations, refractive index homogeneity, and strain-induced birefringence. The photochromic decoration effect is shown to exhibit selectivity between polar antipodes as well as crystallographic orientations.