Comparison of relative INAA and k0-INAA using proficiency test materials at ITU TRIGA Mark II research reactor

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Proficiency testing is an important way of evaluating the analytical method used in the laboratory. In recent years, neutron activation analysis...     

Erdős Type Problems in Modules over Cyclic Rings

In the present paper, we study various Erd?s type geometric problems in the setting of the integers modulo q, where \(q=p^l\) is an odd prime power. More precisely, we prove certain results about the distribution of triangles and triangle areas among the points of \(E\subset \mathbb {Z}_q^2\).     

Design and preparation of imprinted surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor for detection of Zn(II) ions

A novel Zn(II) ions imprinted poly (2-hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-(L)-histidine methyl ester) poly(HEMAH) surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor were designed for detection of Zn(II) ions in aqueous solution and artificial plasma providing a low cost, rapid and reliable results compared to other techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer, X-ray fluorescence with synchrotron radiation. Zn(II) ions imprinted nanofilm on the SPR chip surface was synthesized by bulk polymerization. Characterization of Zn(II) ions imprinted nanosensor was performed by contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM), ellipsometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR). Designed nanosensor was applied for selective detection of Zn(II) ions in aqueous solution within the range of 0.5–1.0?µg/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated as 0.19 and 0.64?ng/mL, respectively. Association kinetics analysis, Scatchard, Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir–Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms were analyzed to the experimental data in order to identify the adsorption behavior. The selectivity of the SPR nanosensor was examined by using competitive metal ions such as Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Fe(II). To evaluate the imprinting effect of Zn(II) ions imprinted (MIP) and non-imprinted (NIP) nanosensor was also prepared as the control. Repeatability of the response signal was tested by four times adsorption–desorption–regeneration cycle.     

Adsorption of uranium(VI) onto <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulva sp.</Emphasis>-sepiolite composite

Ulva sp. and sepiolite were used to prepare composite adsorbent. The adsorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions onto Ulva sp.-sepiolite has been studied by using a batch adsorber. The parameters that affect the uranium(VI) adsorption, such as solution pH, initial uranium(VI) concentration, and temperature, have been investigated and the optimum conditions determined. The adsorption patterns of uranium on the composite adsorbent followed the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models have been applied and the data correlate well with Freundlich model. The sorption is physical in nature (sorption energy, E = 4.01 kJ/mol). The thermodynamic parameters such as variation of enthalpy ΔH, variation of entropy ΔS and variation of Gibbs free energy ΔG were calculated from the slope and intercept of lnK _d vs. 1/T plots. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH _ads = −22.17 kJ/mol, ΔS _ads = −17.47 J/mol·K, ΔG ^o _ads (298.15 K) = −16.96 kJ/mol) show the exothermic heat of adsorption and the feasibility of the process. The results suggested that the Ulva sp-sepiolite composite adsorbent is suitable as a sorbent material for recovery and biosorption/adsorption of uranium ions from aqueous solutions.     

A Novel and Selective Methylene Blue Imprinted Polymer Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

In this study, methylene blue (MB) imprinted microbeads were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Differential pulse voltammetric responses of carbon paste electrodes modified with MB imprinted polymer were used to evaluate the adsorption and selectivity features of the polymer. For selectivity studies two basic dyestuffs (thionine blue and toluidine blue) which have similar structure to MB were chosen. Comparison of the voltammetric responses obtained with pure carbon paste and carbon paste modified with either imprinted or nonimprinted polymer electrodes revealed that MB imprinted polymer presented a higher selectivity to the template molecule MB in contrast to structurally similar molecules, thionine blue and toluidine blue.     

Synthesis,characterization and control of eight process-related and two genotoxic fingolimod impurities by a validated RP-UPLC method

An HPLC method has been described in the European Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopeia for the determination of nine organic impurities (imp A–I) in fingolimod hydrochloride, a synthetic sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator. The manufacturing process of fingolimod hydrochloride consists of multistep chemical synthesis wherein controls of precursors, intermediates and process steps should be performed to assure the final quality of the drug substance. We synthesized and isolated eight process-related impurities (FINI imp A–H) of fingolimod, which were different from the pharmacopoeial impurities. One unknown process-related impurity was found as a key intermediate (FINI) and was identified by LC–MS. Characterization of all of the impurities were done using spectroscopic techniques (¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR, MS), and the mechanistic pathways to the formation of these impurities were also discussed. Two of these impurities were evaluated as potential genotoxic impurities owing to their alerting structures and alkylating properties (alkyl sulfonates and alkyl halides, class 3, ICH M7). We also developed and validated an RP-UPLC method in line with ICH Q2 guidelines for control these impurities (FINI imp A–H) and to assure the pharmacopoeial quality drug substance.