Spin and pseudospin symmetries of the Dirac equation with shifted Hulthén potential using supersymmetric quantum mechanics

In this paper, we obtain approximate analytical solutions of the Dirac equation for the shifted Hulthén potential within the framework of spin and pseudospin symmetry limits for arbitrary spin–orbit quantum number κ using the supersymmetry quantum mechanics. The energy eigenvalues and the corresponding Dirac wave functions are obtained in closed forms.     

Rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of ziprasidone in human plasma

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of ziprasidone (ZIP) in human plasma was developed. ZIP and N-methyl ziprasidone as internal standard (IS) were extracted from alkalinized plasma using tert- butyl methyl ether. Separation was performed isocratically on a C8 column with 90% acetonitrile containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate as a mobile phase with a total run time of 2.5 min. MS/MS transitions of m/z 413 --> 194 and m/z 427 --> 177 of the analyte and internal standard were used for quantification. Confirmatory ions of m/z 413 --> 177 and m/z 427 --> 180 were collected as well. The calibration curve based on peak-area ratio was linear up to at least 200 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL. The method showed satisfactory reproducibility with a coefficient of variation of less than 5%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of ZIP in spiked human plasma.     

Caging effects on the ground and excited states of 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol embedded in cyclodextrins

The 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol (BP(OH)(2)) molecule shows unique spectroscopic features in water that may position it as a new biological probe. In an attempt to mimic biological environments, we explore in this paper the caging effects of cyclodextrins on the steady state spectra of BP(OH)(2). The caging effects of gamma-, beta-, and 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrins (CDs) on the ground and excited state properties of BP(OH)(2) in aqueous solutions are investigated by steady state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and by ab initio calculations. The stoichiometry of the three complexes was found to be 1:1 and the binding constants were estimated from the absorption and fluorescence spectra. In the case of gamma-CD, the large cavity size supports only small binding, whereas such binding increases in the cases of the smaller cavity sizes of beta-CD and 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-CD. Maximum binding was measured in the case of 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-CD due to the increased hydrophobicity of the host cavity. The unique absorption features of BP(OH)(2) in water show a dramatic decrease in intensity due to caging effects. The decrease in intensity correlates very well with the extent of binding and hydrophobicity of the host molecules. Similar results were also obtained from the fluorescence spectra. The calculated structure of the BP(OH)(2):beta-CD complex predicts that the inclusion of BP(OH)(2) is nearly axial and centered inside the beta-CD cavity. The BP(OH)(2) molecule maintains its dienol moiety in the complex with no possible hydrogen bonding with the host interior H-atoms. The results are discussed in light of the possible use of BP(OH)(2) as a water sensor in biological systems.     

UPLC-MS/MS determination of doxazosine in human plasma

A sensitive, selective and rapid method for the analysis of doxazosine (DOX) in human plasma based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) is described. DOX and tamsulosin, used as an internal standard (IS), were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction, and the chromatography was performed on a C18 UPLC column packed with 1.7 μm particles. The total run time was 2 min. Detection was achieved by the multiple reaction monitoring of the following transitions: m/z 452→344 and m/z 409→228 for DOX and IS, respectively. Transitions of m/z 452→247 and m/z 409→271 were also collected for confirmation purposes. The calibration curve based on peak area ratio was linear up to at least 100 ng ml⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.02 ng ml⁻¹ (a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The method showed satisfactory reproducibility, and the short-term stability of the analyte was assessed. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of DOX in human plasma.     

Determination of homocitrulline in urine of patients with HHH syndrome by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method is described for the analysis of homocitrulline in human urine, a key metabolite in the differential diagnosis of hyperammonemia, hyperornithinemia, homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome. Urine samples were prepared by mere five-fold dilution with a mixture of internal standards (²H₂-citrulline and ²H₃-creatinine) used for the simultaneous quantification of creatinine. Analytes were separated on a cyano column and eluted isocratically within seven min. Detection was achieved by monitoring transitions of 190 > 84 and 190 > 127 for homocitrulline, 178 > 115 for ²H₂-citrulline, 114 > 44 for creatinine and 117 > 47 for ²H₃-creatinine. Calibration curves were linear up to 100 micromol/L. Intraday (n = 7) and interday (n = 6) variations were less than 10%. In urine samples from three siblings confirmed to have HHH syndrome, homocitrulline levels were at 13.3 (74), 21.1 (50) and 108.2 (103) mmol/mol creatinine (micromol/L). Control values were 0–9 mmol/mol creatinine (n = 120). The current method solves specificity issues in homocitrulline determination often encountered with some ninhydrin-based systems (coelution with methionine) and some o-phthalaldehyde-based ones (coelution with taurine), and presents an attractive alternative with a relatively high throughput.     

Optical refractometry based on Fresnel diffraction from a phase wedge

A method that utilizes the Fresnel diffraction of light from the phase step formed by a transparent wedge is introduced for measuring the refractive indices of transparent solids, liquids, and solutions. It is shown that, as a transparent wedge of small apex angle is illuminated perpendicular to its surface by a monochromatic parallel beam of light, the Fresnel fringes, caused by abrupt change in refractive index at the wedge lateral boundary, are formed on a screen held perpendicular to the beam propagation direction. The visibility of the fringes varies periodically between zero and 1 in the direction normal to the wedge apex. For a known or measured apex angle, the wedge refractive index is obtained by measuring the period length by a CCD. To measure the refractive index of a transparent liquid or solution, the wedge is installed in a transparent rectangle cell containing the sample. Then, the cell is illuminated perpendicularly and the visibility period is measured. By using modest optics, one can measure the refractive index at a relative uncertainty level of 10(-5). There is no limitation on the refractive index range. The method can be applied easily with no mechanical manipulation. The measuring apparatus can be very compact with low mechanical and optical noises.     

Parametric excitation of a piezoelectrically actuated system near Hopf bifurcation

This paper deals with investigation into the stability analysis for transverse motions of a cantilever micro-beam, which is axially loaded due to a voltage applied to the piezoelectric layers located on the lower and upper surfaces of the micro-beam. The piezoelectric layers are pinned to the open end of the micro-beam and not bonded to it through its length. Application of the DC and AC piezoelectric actuations creates steady and time varying axial forces. The equation of the motion is derived using variational principal, and discretized using modal expansion theorem. The differential equations of the discretized model are a set of Mathieu type ODEs, whose stability analysis is performed using Floquet theory for multiple degree of freedom systems. Considering first two eigen-functions in the modal expansion theorem leads in the prediction of flutter type of instability as a consequence of Hopf bifurcation, which is not seen in the reduced single degree of freedom system. The object of the present study is to passively control the flutter instability in the proposed model by applying AC voltage with suitable amplitude and frequency to the piezoelectric layers. The effect of various parameters on the stability of the structure, including damping coefficient, amplitude of the DC and AC voltages, and the frequency of the applied AC voltage is studied.     

A Convenient and Efficient Conversion of 4‐Aminobenzophenone into Some New 1,2,3‐Triazole and Benzothiazole Derivatives

Several heterocyclic systems such as 1,2,3‐triazoles ( 5–9 ), pyrimidotriazoles ( 10–13 ), benzothiazole ( 16 ), thiazolo ( 17 ), and pyrimidinone derivative ( 18 ) was obtained from 4‐aminobenzophenone ( 1 ) and the appropriate reagents.