Reliability-Based Optimization of Structural Systems involving Discrete Design Variables

This contribution proposes an approach for solving Reliability–based optimization (RBO) problems involving discrete design variables. The proposed approach is based on a decoupling approach and sequential approximations. An application example involving a linear structure under dynamic loading is presented, showing the efficiency of the proposed method. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Europium(III) Concentration Effect on the Spectroscopic and Photoluminescent Properties of BaMoO4:Eu

BaMoO₄:Eu (BEMO) powders were synthesized by the polymeric precursor method (PPM), heat treated at 800 °C for 2 h in a heating rate of 5 °C/min and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, besides room temperature Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The emission spectra of BEMO samples under excitation of 394 nm present the characteristic Eu³⁺ transitions. The relative intensities of the Eu³⁺ emissions increase as the concentration of this ion increases from 0.01 to 0.075 mol, but the luminescence is drastically quenched for the Ba_0.855Eu_0.145MoO₄ sample. The one exponential decay curves of the Eu^{3+ 5}D₀→⁷F₂ transition, λ _exc = 394 nm and λ _em = 614 nm, provided the decay times of around 0.54 ms for all samples. It was observed a broadening of the Bragg reflections and Raman bands when the Eu⁺³ concentration increases as a consequence of a more disordered material. The presence of MoO₃ and Eu₂Mo₂O₇ as additional phases in the BEMO samples where observed when the Eu³⁺ concentration was 14.5 mol%.     

Simultaneous Determination of Glucose and Choline Based on the Intrinsic Fluorescence of the Enzymes

It has been possible to perform the simultaneous determination of choline and glucose using the intrinsic fluorescence of the corresponding enzyme as an analytical signal. This can be done in two ways. First, for low glucose and choline concentrations (about 0.55 mM and 0.75 μM respectively) two differentiated signals, without mutual interference, are obtained for both analytes in the same measurement. Second, when glucose and choline concentrations are higher, a new model has been designed which permits the concentrations to be accurately determined in samples containing from 0.55 mM to 3.75 mM glucose and from 0.75 μM to 11.0 μM choline; the method has been applied to simultaneous glucose and choline determinations in serum samples with good results. This method gives a better performance than multivariate calibration based on Partial Least Squares Regression. The methodology here shown could be also used for the simultaneous determination of other pairs of analytes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A chemical strategy to control the shape of oxide nanoparticles

A new strategy, epoxide-assisted precipitation route presented in this work, allows the shape control synthesis of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. The shape of the nanoparticles is determined by the nature of the precursor cobalt salts (Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O, CoCl₂ · 6H₂O) used for the preparation of the particles. The different reaction dynamics of the two salts in ethanolic and aqueous solutions with propylene oxide result in precursor particles with different structures, which lead to the formation of oxide nanoparticles with different shapes during the heat treatment. Spherical particles of about 20 nm are obtained from the ethanolic solution of Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O; cubic-shaped particles of about 30 nm can be prepared from the ethanolic solution of CoCl₂ · 6H₂O; whereas platelet-like particles of more than 100 nm are synthesized from the aqueous solution of the mixture of Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and CoCl₂ · 6H₂O.     

Ontogeny of ATP hydrolysis and isoform expression of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase in mouse brain

Background  

Plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPases (PMCAs) are high affinity Ca²⁺ transporters actively involved in intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Considering the critical role of Ca²⁺ signalling in neuronal development and plasticity, we have analyzed PMCA-mediated Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and PMCA-isoform content in membranes from mouse cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum during postnatal development.     

Selective Chromofluorogenic Sensing of Heparin by using Functionalised Silica Nanoparticles Containing Binding Sites and a Signalling Reporter

Heparin detective : Silica nanoparticles functionalised with ion‐channel scaffolds were prepared and used for the chromofluorogenic sensing of heparin in aqueous environments (see figure). The surface of the nanoparticles was functionalised with polyamines (binding sites) and thiols. The reaction of a dye (squaraine) with the surface thiol groups was selectively inhibited by the coordination of heparin with the partly protonated polyamines.

     

RP-LC-UV Determination of Proanthocyanidins in Guazuma ulmifolia

A simple, reproducible, and efficient liquid chromatographic method was developed with UV detection. Water (0.05% TFA):acetonitrile (0.05% TFA) was used as the mobile phase in a gradient system for the determination of procyanidin B2 (PB2) and epicatechin (EC) in the bark of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. The analysis was performed using a Phenomenex Gemini RP C₁₈ column (5 μm) as stationary phase, at 30 °C, with a flow rate of 0.8 mL min⁻¹, at a wavelength of 210 nm for detection and determination. The main validation parameters of the method were also determined. Calibration curves were found to be linear, with ranges of 20.00–150.00 (PB2) and 10.00–110.00 μg mL⁻¹ (EC). The correlation coefficients of linear regression analysis were between 0.9981 and 0.9988, and the detection limits were between 2.89 and 2.54 μg mL⁻¹. The contents of PB2 and EC were successfully determined, with satisfactory reproducibility and recovery. Recoveries of the PB2 and EC were 103.00 and 104.01%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of procyanidins in the bark of G. ulmifolia.     

RP-LC-UV Determination of Proanthocyanidins in Guazuma ulmifolia

A simple, reproducible, and efficient liquid chromatographic method was developed with UV detection. Water (0.05% TFA):acetonitrile (0.05% TFA) was used as the mobile phase in a gradient system for the determination of procyanidin B2 (PB2) and epicatechin (EC) in the bark of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. The analysis was performed using a Phenomenex Gemini RP C₁₈ column (5 μm) as stationary phase, at 30 °C, with a flow rate of 0.8 mL min⁻¹, at a wavelength of 210 nm for detection and determination. The main validation parameters of the method were also determined. Calibration curves were found to be linear, with ranges of 20.00–150.00 (PB2) and 10.00–110.00 μg mL⁻¹ (EC). The correlation coefficients of linear regression analysis were between 0.9981 and 0.9988, and the detection limits were between 2.89 and 2.54 μg mL⁻¹. The contents of PB2 and EC were successfully determined, with satisfactory reproducibility and recovery. Recoveries of the PB2 and EC were 103.00 and 104.01%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of procyanidins in the bark of G. ulmifolia.

     

Development and Validation of Stability Indicating LC Method to Quantify Captopril in Tablets of Controlled Release

An accurate, simple, reproducible, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the captopril determination in controlled release tablets. The analyses were performed at room temperature on a reversed-phase Phenomenex Luna C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm). The mobile phase was composed of water:methanol (45:55; v/v) pH 2.5, and it was eluted isocratically at a 1.0 mL min⁻¹ flow rate. The method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, quantification limit, detection limit, accuracy, precision and robustness. The response was linear in the range 0.3–1.5 mg mL⁻¹ (r ² = 0.9983). The relative standard deviation values for inter-and intra-day precision were 0.77% and 0.50%, respectively. Recoveries ranged between 97.7 and 99.1%. The method was successfully applied for the determination of captopril in the developed formulations.