A high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of mefenamic acid in human plasma: application to pharmacokinetic study

In the present study, the development and validation of an LC‐MS/MS method for quantifying mefenamic acid in human plasma is described. The method involves liquid–liquid extraction using diclofenac as an internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Thermo Hypurity C₁₈, 50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm column with a mobile phase consisting of 2 m m ammonium acetate buffer and methanol (pH 4.5 adjusted with glacial acetic acid; 15:85, v/v) at a flow‐rate of 0.75 mL/min and the total run time was 1.75 min. Analyte was introduced to the LC‐MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure ionization source. Both the drug and IS were detected in negative‐ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring m/z 240.0 → 196.3 and m/z 294.0 → 250.2, respectively, with a dwell time of 200 ms for each of the transitions. The standard curve was linear from 20 to 6000 ng/mL. This assay allows quantification of mefenamic acid at a concentration as low as 20 ng/mL in human plasma. The observed mean recovery was 73% for the drug. The applicability of this method for pharmacokinetic studies has been established after successful application during a 12‐subject bioavailibity study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stimulated Raman backward scattering of a laser beam in a magnetized plasma

Stimulated Raman scattering of a laser beam is investigated in the plasma with strong self generated magnetic field. The magnetized plasma supports various localized radial and azimuthal modes of lower hybrid frequencies. The density fluctuations due to lower hybrid modes couple with the oscillating velocity due to the pump, and drive the scattered wave. Equations describing the Raman process are derived and effects of various modes are studied on the growth rate analytically. Self generated magnetic field has a strong localization effect on the Raman process and growth rate is maximum for radial eigen mode number q = 0 and azimuthal eigen mode number l = 3. The frequency shift has signatures of self generated magnetic field and could serve as a diagnostic.     

Electronic structure calculations of substitutional and interstitial hydrogen in Nb

We report the results of a theoretical study on the effects of substitutional and interstitial hydrogen atoms in niobium. We confirm that any contaminated hydrogen will occupy the interstitial site over the substitutional site in niobium. For interstitial hydrogens, the lattice deformation increases with the percentage content of hydrogen, though it is negligible at low concentrations. Substitutional hydrogens are found to prefer off-center sites in the host lattice.     

Low-pressure gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry for the fast determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air samples

A low-pressure gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (LPGC-ITMS) method was investigated to shorten the analysis time for 18 US Environmental Protection Agency priority listed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Their elution was optimised with a short, wide-bore column coupled to a deactivated capillary at the inlet end and with a long, conventional column to compare their analytical performance. The analytical figures of merit under optimal LPGC-ITMS conditions were determined with respect to chromatographic separation, S/N ratio, limit of detection and precision. The peak width at half height of 1.5s matched the ITMS duty cycle. Up to 16 PAHs in the molecular weight (MW) range of 128-278 Da could be separated in a very short time, i.e. less than 13 min using LPGC-ITMS, whereas with conventional GC-MS, it took approximately 40 min. However, LPGC-ITMS has a limited loss of separation power compared to that of conventional GC-MS due to the occurrence of three critical pairs for high-MW PAHs. For a practical evaluation, the LPGC-ITMS approach was applied to the determination of PAHs in gas and aerosol phase samples collected in the ambient air of Hasselt, Belgium.     

First principles study of neutral and anionic (medium-size) aluminum nitride clusters: AlnNn, n=7-16

We report the results of a theoretical study of AlnNn (n=7-16) clusters that is based on density functional theory. We will focus on the evolution of structural and electronic properties with the cluster size in the stoichiometric AlN clusters considered. The results reveal that the structural and electronic properties tend to evolve toward their respective bulk limits. The rate of evolution is, however, slow due to the hollow globular shape exhibited by the clusters, which introduces large surface effects that dominate the properties studied. We will also discuss the changes induced upon addition of an extra electron to the respective neutral clusters.     

Facile synthesis of layered reduced graphene oxide–copper sulfide (rGO-CuS) hybrid electrode for all solid-state symmetric supercapacitor

A straightforward process for synthesis of hybrid porous electrode material composed of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and copper sulfide (CuS) with layered structure on the stainless steel substrate is developed. As-synthesized hybrid electrode shows hexagonal crystal structure of CuS with 77 m² gm⁻¹ specific surface area and 22 nm average pore size. The specific capacitance obtained with rGO-CuS5 hybrid electrode is 1201 F g⁻¹ at the sweep rate of 5 mV s⁻¹ in 1 M LiClO₄ aqueous electrolyte. The majority of charge stored by diffusion-controlled process indicates benefits of layered structures for solid-state energy storage. The rGO-CuS5-based hybrid symmetric supercapacitor delivers a specific capacitance (C_s) as high as 109 F g⁻¹ at a sweep rate of 5 mV s⁻¹ with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-LiClO₄ gel electrolyte. Also, the specific energy of 44 Wh kg⁻¹ and specific power of 1.4 kW kg⁻¹ with 87% stability after 6000 cycles at an applied current of 5 mA are obtained. The simple process of synthesis of layered hybrid electrode material for flexible supercapacitor promises its use in smart textile and wearable electronic devices.

Graphical abstract

     

A highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the determination of S-raclopride in rat plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats

A highly sensitive and rapid assay method has been developed and validated for the estimation of S‐(−)‐raclopride (S‐RCP) in rat plasma with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode. The assay procedure involves a simple liquid–liquid extraction technique for extraction of S‐RCP and phenacetin (internal standard, IS) from rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved with 0.2% formic acid : acetonitrile (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min on a Phenomenex Prodigy C₁₈ column with a total run time of 4.5 min. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 347.2 → 112.1 for S‐RCP and 180.1 → 110.1 for IS. Method validation and pre‐clinical sample analysis were performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 0.05 ng/mL and the linearity range was extended from 0.05 to 152 ng/mL in rat plasma. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were 0.23–10.5 and 3.74–7.29%, respectively. This novel method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of S‐RCP in rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat transfer in laminar flow of Bingham material through a circular pipe

Summary The fully developed heat transfer in laminar flow of Bingham material through a straight circular pipe has been analysed when the effect of dissipation is taken into consideration. The temperature distribution, the mixed-mean temperature and the Nusselt number are calculated and found to depend on the Modified Reynolds number, the Brinkman number and the rate of heat transfer at the wall. The effect of dissipation is to increase the temperature and the mixed-mean temperature of the material while the Nusselt number is found to decrease with increasing dissipation.Nomenclature r, , z space coordinates - u, v, w velocity components - density of the fluid - modulus of rigidity (constant) - bulk modulus - e _kk, the dilation - ₁ coefficient of viscosity (constant) - e _ik strain tensor - d _ik rate of strain tensor - p _ik stress tensor primes denote deviatoric components of tensors, e.g. - p _ik p _ik p _ik, p=–1/3p _kk - yield value (constant) - D/Dt material derivative with regard to time following the particle - R radius of the pipe - r ₀ radius of the yield surface (cylindrical) - r=r ₀/R non-dimensional radius of the yield surface - T ₀ temperature of the pipe - K conductivity - Modified Reynolds number - Br Brinkman number     

Catalytic Enantioselective Formal (4+2) Cycloaddition by Aldol–Aldol Annulation of Pyruvate Derivatives with Cyclohexane‐1,3‐Diones to Afford Functionalized Decalins

The decalin structure is found in bioactive molecules. We have developed catalytic enantioselective formal (4+2) cycloaddition reactions via aldol–aldol cascade reactions between pyruvate‐derived diketoester derivatives and cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione derivatives that afford highly functionalized decalin derivatives. The reactions were performed using a quinidine‐derived catalyst under mild conditions. Decalin derivatives bearing up to six chiral carbon centers including tetrasubstituted carbon centers were synthesized with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Five to six stereogenic centers were generated from achiral molecules with the formation of two C?C bonds in a single transformation resulting in the formation of the decalin system.     

Dependence of thermotropic mesomorphism on lateral nitro group

A novel homologous series RO-C₆H₄-COO-C₆H₃-(NO₂)-CO-CH?CH-C₆H₄OC₁₈H₃₇(n) para of chalconyl ester derivatives have been synthesized and studied with view to understanding the effect of an ortho substituted nitro group on thermotropic liquid crystal (LC) behavior. The novel homologous series consists of thirteen homologues (C₁ to C₁₈). The C₁ to C₄ homologues are nonliquid crystal (NLC) and the rest of the homologues (C₅ to C₁₈) homologues are enantiotropically nematogenic without exhibition of a smectic phase even in the monotropic condition. Transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscope (POM) equipped with a heating stage. Texture of nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren. Analytical, thermal and spectral data supported molecular structure of homologues. Thermal stability for nematic is 147.1°C whose mesophase lengths vary between 16.0 and 32.0°C the C₇ and C₁₈ homologues, respectively, and their mesogenic exhibition range between 96.0 and 166.0°C. Thus, the present novel series is middle ordered melting type, Group efficiency order is derived from comparative study of structurally similar series. The transition curves of a phase diagram behaved in normal manner except C₁₀ and C₁₆ homologues. Odd-even effect is observed for N-I transition curve. Group efficiency order derived is: -OC₁₂H₂₅ (n) > -OC₁₈H₃₇ (n) > -OC₁₈H₃₇ (n).