21 research outputs found
Rapid and simple LC-MS/MS-Screening of 64 novel psychoactive substances using dried blood spots
No full textThe range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) including phenethylamines,
cathinones, piperazines, tryptamines, etc. is continuously growing. Therefore,
fast and reliable screening methods for these compounds are essential and needed. The use of dried blood spots (DBS) for a fast straightforward approach helps to simplify and shorten sample preparation significantly. DBS were produced from 10 µl of whole blood and extracted offline with 500 µl methanol followed by evaporation and reconstitution in mobile phase. Reversed-phase chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection (RP-LC-MS/MS) was achieved within a run time of 10 min. The screening method was validated by evaluating the following parameters: limit of detection (LOD), matrix effect, selectivity and specificity, extraction efficiency, and short-term and long-term stability.
Furthermore, the method was applied to authentic samples and results were
compared with those obtained with a validated whole blood method used for Routine analysis of NPS. LOD was between 1 and 10 ng/ml. No interference from Matrix compounds was observed. The method was proven to be specific and selective for the analytes, although with limitations for 3-FMC/flephedrone and MDDMA/MDEA. Mean extraction efficiency was 84.6 %. All substances were stable in DBS for at least a week when cooled. Cooling was essential for the stability of cathinones.
Prepared samples were stable for at least 3 days. Comparison to the validated
whole blood method yielded similar results. DBS were shown to be useful in
developing a rapid screening method for NPS with simplified sample preparation.
Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Lt
Mouvement et variation d'altitude de la zone d'ablation ouest (latitude moyenne 69°40´N) de l'Indlandsis du Groenland entre 1948 et 1959.
No full textIn this first of the four reports on research by the Coastal Glaciological Group of EGIG, the author gives an account of the general idea of glaciological researches in ablation zone and the chronology of work. The matter was to determine the velocity, the variation of altitude of the ablation zone, the distribution of ablation, the accuracy of the measurements and the flow of melting waters. The detailed study of the energy budget should allow to measure each component factor of ablation. Movement and front variations of Eqip sermia should possibly been measured. With A. BAUER as a leader these investigations where carried out by O. SCHIMPP (Glaciology) and W. AMBACH (energy budget) from May 10th to August 11th, 1959 in Camp IV-EGIG (69°39'58" N, 49°37'44" W, 1013 m) and along a westeast profile of 40 km at the mean latitude of 69°40' N. A triangulation along this profile through markers measured in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952 and 1953 allowed to determine the horizontal movement in the ablation zone. The movement is lineary, increasing from 18 m/year at the west border to 80 m/year at the equilibrium line along a distance of too km. Geodetic levelling and connection with geometric levelling of the same markers permitted the determination of the altitude variation of the profile. This variation , which represents a diminution of 0,30 m/year of water, has a disputable accuracy: by the movement of the markers along a rough surface and by incertain ablation values which vary from year to year, the extrapolation of the altitude measured in 1959 back to those of the position in 1948 or 1952 is hazardous. Nevertheless, the sign and the order of magnitude are valuable in accordance with observations of the negative balance of the Greenland ice sheet. Complementary observations of the movements of the border moraine conclude this report. The front of the ice sheet, which carries this moraine, is advancing by 1,5 m/year, in spite of a regular thinning since 1912.In this first of the four reports on research by the Coastal Glaciological Group of EGIG, the author gives an account of the general idea of glaciological researches in ablation zone and the chronology of work. The matter was to determine the velocity, the variation of altitude of the ablation zone, the distribution of ablation, the accuracy of the measurements and the flow of melting waters. The detailed study of the energy budget should allow to measure each component factor of ablation. Movement and front variations of Eqip sermia should possibly been measured. With A. BAUER as a leader these investigations where carried out by O. SCHIMPP (Glaciology) and W. AMBACH (energy budget) from May 10th to August 11th, 1959 in Camp IV-EGIG (69°39'58" N, 49°37'44" W, 1013 m) and along a westeast profile of 40 km at the mean latitude of 69°40' N. A triangulation along this profile through markers measured in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952 and 1953 allowed to determine the horizontal movement in the ablation zone. The movement is lineary, increasing from 18 m/year at the west border to 80 m/year at the equilibrium line along a distance of too km. Geodetic levelling and connection with geometric levelling of the same markers permitted the determination of the altitude variation of the profile. This variation , which represents a diminution of 0,30 m/year of water, has a disputable accuracy: by the movement of the markers along a rough surface and by incertain ablation values which vary from year to year, the extrapolation of the altitude measured in 1959 back to those of the position in 1948 or 1952 is hazardous. Nevertheless, the sign and the order of magnitude are valuable in accordance with observations of the negative balance of the Greenland ice sheet. Complementary observations of the movements of the border moraine conclude this report. The front of the ice sheet, which carries this moraine, is advancing by 1,5 m/year, in spite of a regular thinning since 1912.In this first of the four reports on research by the Coastal Glaciological Group of EGIG, the author gives an account of the general idea of glaciological researches in ablation zone and the chronology of work. The matter was to determine the velocity, the variation of altitude of the ablation zone, the distribution of ablation, the accuracy of the measurements and the flow of melting waters. The detailed study of the energy budget should allow to measure each component factor of ablation. Movement and front variations of Eqip sermia should possibly been measured. With A. BAUER as a leader these investigations where carried out by O. SCHIMPP (Glaciology) and W. AMBACH (energy budget) from May 10th to August 11th, 1959 in Camp IV-EGIG (69°39'58" N, 49°37'44" W, 1013 m) and along a westeast profile of 40 km at the mean latitude of 69°40' N. A triangulation along this profile through markers measured in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952 and 1953 allowed to determine the horizontal movement in the ablation zone. The movement is lineary, increasing from 18 m/year at the west border to 80 m/year at the equilibrium line along a distance of too km. Geodetic levelling and connection with geometric levelling of the same markers permitted the determination of the altitude variation of the profile. This variation , which represents a diminution of 0,30 m/year of water, has a disputable accuracy: by the movement of the markers along a rough surface and by incertain ablation values which vary from year to year, the extrapolation of the altitude measured in 1959 back to those of the position in 1948 or 1952 is hazardous. Nevertheless, the sign and the order of magnitude are valuable in accordance with observations of the negative balance of the Greenland ice sheet. Complementary observations of the movements of the border moraine conclude this report. The front of the ice sheet, which carries this moraine, is advancing by 1,5 m/year, in spite of a regular thinning since 1912
Electrochemical simulation of phase I metabolism for 21 drugs using four different working electrodes in an automated screening setup with MS detection.
No full textBACKGROUND
Electrochemical conversion of xenobiotics has been shown to mimic human phase I metabolism for a few compounds.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Twenty-one compounds were analyzed with a semiautomated electrochemical setup and mass spectrometry detection.
RESULTS
The system was able to mimic some metabolic pathways, such as oxygen gain, dealkylation and deiodination, but many of the expected and known metabolites were not produced.
CONCLUSION
Electrochemical conversion is a useful approach for the preparative synthesis of some types of metabolites, but as a screening method for unknown phase I metabolites, the method is, in our opinion, inferior to incubation with human liver microsomes and in vivo experiments with laboratory animals, for example
Detection and quantification of 56 new psychoactive substances in whole blood and urine by LC-MS/MS
No full textBACKGROUND
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become increasingly prevalent and are sold in internet shops as 'bath salts' or 'research chemicals' and comprehensive bioanalytical methods are needed for their detection.
METHODOLOGY
We developed and validated a method using LC and MS/MS to quantify 56 NPS in blood and urine, including amphetamine derivatives, 2C compounds, aminoindanes, cathinones, piperazines, tryptamines, dissociatives and others. Instrumentation included a Synergi Polar-RP column (Phenomenex) and a 3200 QTrap mass spectrometer (AB Sciex). Run time was 20 min.
CONCLUSION
A novel method is presented for the unambiguous identification and quantification of 56 NPS in blood and urine samples in clinical and forensic cases, e.g., intoxications or driving under the influence of drugs
Importancia de la planificación estratégica en la gestión de las instituciones de educación superior
No full textThe complexity of higher education institutions in the leadership role in the 21st century has proven to be a challenging concept for reformers, theorists and pragmatists. This research highlights a specific article by Ambach (2016) that has focused on a program proposal that addresses the needs of strategic planning in the university context, which has highlighted how leadership has been and continues to be a key component in Sustaining strategic planning at the higher and university levels, but must also start at the basic levels that include school district directors. The concept proposed by Ambach (2006) is also analyzed to promote the leadership education of the Higher Pedagogical Institute that the author considers essential for the capacity of the universities, schools and school districts of the whole nation, the development of strategic planning skills, and sustainable processing.La complejidad de las instituciones de educación superior en el papel de liderazgo en el siglo XXI ha demostrado ser un concepto desafiante para los reformistas, los teóricos y pragmáticos. Esta investigación destaca un artículo específico de Ambach (2016) que se ha centrado en una propuesta de programa que atienda las necesidades de la planificación estratégica en el contexto universitario, que ha puesto de relieve cómo el liderazgo ha sido y sigue siendo un componente clave en el sostenimiento de la planificación estratégica en los niveles superiores y universitarios, pero también debe comenzar en los niveles básicos que se incluyen directores de distritos escolares. También se analiza el concepto propuesto por Ambach (2006) para fomentar la educación del liderazgo del Instituto Superior Pedagógico que el autor considera esencial para la capacidad de las universidades, colegios y distritos escolares de toda la nación, el desarrollo de habilidades de planificación estratégica, y el procesamiento sostenible
Simultaneous quantification of delta-9-THC, THC-acid A, CBN and CBD in seized drugs using HPLC-DAD
No full textAn HPLC-DAD method for the quantitative analysis of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-A (THCA-A), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) in confiscated cannabis products has been developed, fully validated and applied to analyse seized cannabis products. For determination of the THC content of plant material, this method combines quantitation of THCA-A, which is the inactive precursor of THC, and free THC. Plant material was dried, homogenized and extracted with methanol by ultrasonication. Chromatographic separation was achieved with a Waters Alliance 2695 HPLC equipped with a Merck LiChrospher 60 RP-Select B (5μm) precolumn and a Merck LiChroCart 125-4 LiChrospher 60 RP-Select B (5μm) analytical column. Analytes were detected and quantified using a Waters 2996 photo diode array detector. This method has been accepted by the public authorities of Switzerland (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, Federal Office of Public Health), and has been used to analyse 9092 samples since 2000. Since no thermal decarboxylation of THCA-A occurs, the method is highly reproducible for different cannabis materials. Two calibration ranges are used, a lower one for THC, CBN and CBD, and a higher one for THCA-A, due to its dominant presence in fresh plant material. As provider of the Swiss proficiency test, the robustness of this method has been tested over several years, and homogeneity tests even in the low calibration range (1%) show high precision (RSD≤4.3%, except CBD) and accuracy (bias≤4.1%, except CBN)
Food for thought : community supported agriculture and learning
No full textCommunity Supported Agriculture is considered as a potential site for transformative adult learning. Over a three-year period, the author takes part in various informal activities with three CSA farms, observes the communication dynamic among members, and reflects on his own participation as a farm sharer. Sharers' perceptions of their experience, reasons for participation, and involvement are found to be highly heterogeneous and individualized, and forums for sharing perspectives are largely absent. This complicates an understanding of CSA solely in terms of current theories of transformative and social movement learning. Moreover, farm sharers' participation is characterized as a dialogue within a bioregional system that combines both conceptual and non-conceptual processes. The relation between these processes and the status ascribed to them is discussed. Implications for future research encourage a more critical and inclusive view of what educational research recognizes as learning and how it reproduces its own practice
Randomized controlled trial comparing hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma and the combination of both in the treatment of mild and moderate osteoarthritis of the knee- Letter to the Editor & Author Response
No full textLana JFSD, Weglein A, Sampson S, Vicente EF, Huber SC, Souza CV, Ambach MA, Vincent H, Urban-Paffaro A, Onodera CMK, Annichino-Bizzacchi JM, Santana MHA, Belangero WD. Randomized controlled trial comparing hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma and the combination of both in the treatment of mild and moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. J Stem Cells Regen Med 2016; 12(2) :69-78. doi:10.46582/jsrm.12020111328083sem informaçãosem informaçã
Trend research based on the collective intelligence in weblogs on the example of IT-Trends 2010
No full textDer Einsatz moderner Informationstechnologien (IT) ist für Unternehmen mittlerweile eine unabdingbare Grundvoraussetzung ihrer Geschäftstätigkeit geworden. Als Unterstützung und zur Optimierung von Geschäftsprozessen und als Mittel zur Produktivitäts- und Qualitätssteigerung stellt sie nun einen wichtigen Wettbewerbsfaktor dar. Aus diesem Grund betreiben viele Unternehmen Trendforschung, indem sie aktuelle IT-Trends ermitteln.Die klassischen Methoden der Trendforschung stützen sich beispielsweise auf die Meinung von Experten, auf Beobachtungen oder auch auf die Analyse von Sekundärquellen.Mit der Entstehung des Web 2.0 ist das Internet zu einer interaktiven Welt geworden, in der Meinungen und Kommentare zwischen Usern nicht nur ausgetauscht sondern auch elektronisch gespeichert werden. Diese Informationen lassen sich laut Professor Peter Gloor des MIT in vier unterschiedliche Sphären einteilen: Wissen, Expertenmeinung, kollektive Intelligenz und Weisheit der Vielen.Im Rahmen dieser Diplomarbeit sollte im Allgemeinen untersucht werden, ob das Web 2.0 die Meinung von IT-Experten zu den IT-Trends 2010 widerspiegelt. Hierfür wurden in einem ersten Schritt die IT-Trends 2010 des deutschsprachigen und des englischsprachigen Raums erhoben. Dies geschah einerseits mittels einer Expertenbefragung (Online-Fragebogen) und andererseits durch die Ermittlung der kollektiven Intelligenz des Web 2.0 mittels sozialer Netzwerkanalyse. Für die zweite Forschungsmethode wurde die vom MIT entwickelte Software Condor verwendet. Zur Beantwortung der konkretisierten Forschungsfragen wurden anschließend die Ergebnisse beider Erhebungsinstrumente ausgewertet und miteinander verglichen.Es zeigte sich, dass die soziale Netzwerkanalyse des Web 2.0 ein anderes Ranking von zuvor festgelegten IT-Themen im deutschsprachigen Raum liefert, als die Befragung von IT-Experten. Zudem wurde mittels Condor ein Unterschied zwischen den IT-Trends 2010 im deutschsprachigen Raum und den IT-Trends 2010 im englischsprachigen Raum festgestellt. Die befragten IT-Experten waren allerdings der Meinung, dass es keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den beiden Sprachräumen gibt. Im Laufe der Untersuchungsdurchführung wurde außerdem festgestellt, dass die Ermittlung von IT-Trends im deutschsprachigen Raum mittels der Analyse der kollektiven Intelligenz desWeb 2.0 nur unter bestimmten Umständen realisierbar ist. Dies resultiert aus der Tatsache, dass die Qualität und Quantität von deutschen IT-Blogs nicht dem Standard von englischsprachigen Blogs entspricht.The use of modern Information Technology (IT) has become an essential basic requirement for companies. It is now an important competitive factor to support and optimize business processes and as a means to increase productivity and quality. For this reason, many companies do trend research by identifying current IT trends. The typical methods of trend research are for example expert surveys, observations or the analysis of secondary sources. With the emergence of theWeb 2.0 the Internet became an interactive world, where the opinions and comments are not only exchanged between users but also stored electronically.According to Professor Peter Gloor of the MIT this information can be classified in four dierent information spheres: knowledge, expert opinion, collective intelligence and wisdom of the crowd.With this thesis the author wants to check, whether the Web 2.0 reflects the views of IT professionals on IT trends 2010 or not. The first step was to find the IT-Trends 2010 in the German-speaking area and the IT-Trends 2010 in the English-speaking area. This was done by consulting experts (through an online questionnaire) and by the determination of the collective intelligence of theWeb 2.0 through social network analysis. For the second research method the software Condor from the MIT was used. To answer the research question, the results of both survey instruments were then compared.It was found that there are several dierences between the results of the two research methods. It also appeared that the identification of IT trends in the German-speaking area through the analysis of the collective intelligence of the Web 2.0 is possible only under certain circumstances. The paper presents and explains further results in detail
