Spectral induced polarization measurements for predicting the hydraulic conductivity in sandy aquifers

Field and laboratory spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements are integrated to characterize the hydrogeological conditions at the Schillerslage test site in Germany. The phase images are capable of monitoring thin peat layers within the sandy aquifers. However, the field results show limitations of decreasing resolution with depth. In comparison with the field inversion results, the SIP laboratory measurements show a certain shift in SIP response due to different compaction and sorting of the samples. The SIP data are analyzed to derive an empirical relationship for predicting the hydraulic conductivity (K). In particular, two significant but weak correlations between individual real resistivities (ρ') and relaxation times (τ), based on a Debye decomposition (DD) model, with measured K are found for the upper groundwater aquifer. The maximum relaxation time (τmax) and logarithmically weighted average relaxation time (τlw) show a better relation with K values than the median value τ50. A combined power law relation between individual ρ' and τ with K is developed with an expression of A · (ρ')B · (τlw)C, where A, B and C are determined using a least-squares fit between the measured and predicted K. The suggested approach with the calculated coefficients of the first aquifer is applied for the second. Results show good correlation with the measured K indicating that the derived relationship is superior to single phase angle models as Börner or Slater models

Rapid validated liquid chromatographic method coupled with Tandem mass spectrometry for quantification of nintedanib in human plasma

Purpose: To develop and validate a fast, sensitive, and simple liquid chromatographic method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of the potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ninetedanib (NTB) in plasma, utilizing cyclobenzaprine (CBP) as internal standard (IS).Methods: Separation of the two components (NTB and CBP) was performed on a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) reversed phase column (50 × 2 mm, 3μm) at ambient temperature using isocratic elution with acetonitrile-water (60:40, v/v) containing 0.01 M ammonium formate buffer (pH 4.2) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. NTB and CBP were monitored by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization source in the positive ion mode. The current method was validated following the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelinesResults: The proposed method allowed rapid and specific quantification of NTB in the calibration range of 2 - 150 ng/mL and determination coefficient of ≥ 0.999. Intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision were < 4 % in all cases.Conclusion: The developed procedure is rapid, specific, reliable, and validated for quantification of NTB in human plasma, and thus can be applied efficiently for the analysis of clinical samples containing NTB.Keywords: Nintedanib assay, Cyclobenzaprine, LC-MS/MS, Validatio

Behavior and Analysis of Cracked Self-Compacted Reinforced Concrete Beams

The objectives of this paper are to compare between the fracture parameters of self compacting concrete (SCC) and normal vibrating concrete (NVC). The fracture behavior of both the plain and reinforced concrete beam specimens under three point bending (3PB) was investigated. It was found that the values of fracture toughness in reinforced concrete beams increased with increasing the notch – depth ratio, increasing the area of steel bars in cross section and with using dolomite as coarse aggregate in the mix. The self compacting concrete beams exhibit good fracture toughness than those of normal concrete at all the used variables. A model of Hillerborg was used to predict the fracture toughness of notched concrete beams

Spectral induced polarization measurements for predicting the hydraulic conductivity in sandy aquifers

Field and laboratory spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements are integrated to characterize the hydrogeological conditions at the Schillerslage test site in Germany. The phase images are capable of monitoring thin peat layers within the sandy aquifers. However, the field results show limitations of decreasing resolution with depth. In comparison with the field inversion results, the SIP laboratory measurements show a certain shift in SIP response due to different compaction and sorting of the samples. The SIP data are analyzed to derive an empirical relationship for predicting the hydraulic conductivity (K). In particular, two significant but weak correlations between individual real resistivities (ρ') and relaxation times (τ), based on a Debye decomposition (DD) model, with measured K are found for the upper groundwater aquifer. The maximum relaxation time (τmax) and logarithmically weighted average relaxation time (τlw) show a better relation with K values than the median value τ50. A combined power law relation between individual ρ' and τ with K is developed with an expression of A · (ρ')B · (τlw)C, where A, B and C are determined using a least-squares fit between the measured and predicted K. The suggested approach with the calculated coefficients of the first aquifer is applied for the second. Results show good correlation with the measured K indicating that the derived relationship is superior to single phase angle models as Börner or Slater models

On the Way to Understand the Pan-Arab Voice

This paper presents the preliminary results of a PhD dissertation that investigates the linguistic features accessible to and employed by Arabs in their cross-country communication in a pan-Arab globalized TV setting, relating the indexicalities of these features to identity and ideology. The framework that guides the study is polylingualism in superdiverse communities. The scope of this paper focuses on the use of features of national dialects, the interlocutors’ dialects, and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). The results show that Arabs dominantly use distinctive features of their national dialects. Using features from MSA or the interlocutor’s dialect, in most cases, is not to ensure clarity of communication. The use of these features serves functions such as creating a funny atmosphere and embracing everybody into the big sphere of Arabism and Arabness within. Results also show that in a globalized TV setting, Arabs tend to avoid getting into circumstances of incomprehensibility and project a sense of celebration of their superdiversity within an Arab world that is perceived as one

Geophysical imaging of Cuxhaven coastal sediments : environmental and hydrogeophysical studies using DC, FDEM and SIP methods

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Liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric assay for simultaneous quantitation of tofacitinib, cabozantinib and afatinib in human plasma and urine

Purpose: To develop a simple, adequately sensitive, and practical liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method to simultaneously quantify three tyrosine kinase inhibitors, viz, tofacitinib (TOF), cabozantinib (CBZ) and afatinib (AFB) after their extraction from both human plasma and urine.Methods: Blood and urine samples were obtained from healthy volunteers who admitted to not being on any medications. The investigated analytes were chromatographically separated on a C18 column (Luna®-PFP 100Å column, 50 mm × 2.0 mm i.d., 3.0 μm) with the aid of a mobile phase containing A; acetonitrile (ACN) and B; 0.01 M ammonium formate buffer (pH 4.1) pumped at a rate of 0.3 mL.min-1 in the ratio A:B, 50:50 v/v. Analyte monitoring was achieved by tandem mass spectrometry interfaced with an electrospray ionization source with the aid of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode for analytes quantification.Results: The proposed method permitted a specific and sensitive determination of the investigated TKIs in the linear range of 1.0 - 100 ng mL-1 with correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9991, 0.9997, and 0.9998 for TOF, CBZ and AFB, respectively. The method was validated with regard to its limits of quantification (ranging from 0.91 to 1.24 ng mL-1 for the 3 analytes), intra- and inter assay accuracy (in the range -1.85 to 1.22 %) and precision (0.71 - 5.12 %). The method was also validated in terms of recovery from both studied matrices, robustness and matrix effect.Conclusion: The results obtained reveal that the developed method is simple, specific and highly efficient for routine determination of the studied analytes in human plasma and urine. It can be reliably applied for high throughput analysis of clinical samples containing the investigated analytes.Keywords: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Tofacitinib, Cabozantinib, Afatinib, LC-MS/MS, human plasm

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for determination of drug content uniformity of two commonly used dermatology medications in a split-tablet dosage form

Purpose: To develop and validate a simple, efficient and reliable Liquid  chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of two dermatological drugs, Lamisil® (terbinafine) and Proscar® (finasteride), in split tablet dosage form.Methods: Thirty tablets each of the 2 studied medications were randomly selected. Tablets were weighed and divided into 3 groups. Ten tablets of each drug were kept intact, another group of 10 tablets were manually split into halves using a tablet cutter and weighed with an analytical balance; a third group were split into quarters and weighed. All intact and split tablets were individually dissolved in a water: methanol mixture (4:1), sonicated, filtered and further diluted with mobile phase. Optimal chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection were achieved using an Agilent 1200 HPLC system coupled with an Agilent 6410 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Analytes were eluted through an Agilent eclipse plus C8 analytical column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase composed of solvent A (water) containing 0.1% formic acid and 5mM ammonium formate pH 7.5, and solvent B (acetonitrile mixed with water in a ratio A:B 55:45) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min-1 with a total run time of 12 min. Mass spectrometric detection was carried out using positive ionization mode with analyte quantitation monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode.Results: The proposed analytical method proved to be specific, robust and  adequately sensitive. The results showed a good linear fit over the concentration range of 20 - 100 ng mL-1 for both analytes, with a correlation coefficient (r2) ≥ 0.999 and 0.998 for finasteride and terbinafine, respectively. Following tablet splitting, the drug content of the split tablets fell outside of the proxy USP  specification for at least 14 halves (70 %) and 34 quarters (85 %) of FIN, as well as 16 halves (80 %) and 37 quarters (92.5 %) of TBN. Mean weight loss, after splitting, was 0.58 and 2.22 % for FIN half- and quarter tablets, respectively, and 3.96 and 4.09 % for TBN half- and quarter tablets,respectively.Conclusion: The proposed LC-MS/MS method has successfully been used to provide precise drug content uniformity of split tablets of FIN and TBN. Unequal distribution of the drug on the split tablets is indicated by the high standard deviation beyond the accepted value. Hence, it is recommended not to split non-scored tablets  especially, for those medications with significant toxicityKeywords: Tablet splitting, Finasteride, Terbinafine, Drug content uniformity,  LC-MS/M

Investigation the generalized extreme value under liner distribution parameters for progressive type-Ⅱ censoring by using optimization algorithms

Several random phenomena have been modeled by using extreme value distributions. Based on progressive type-Ⅱ censored data with three different distributions (i.e., fixed, discrete uniform, and binomial random removal), the statistical inference of the generalized extreme value distribution under liner normalization (GEVL distribution) parameters is investigated in this study. Since there is no analytical solution, determining the maximum likelihood parameters for the GEVL distribution is considered to be a problem. Standard numerical methods are frequently insufficient for this dilemma, requiring the use of artificial intelligence algorithms to address this difficulty. Here, nonlinear minimization and a genetic algorithm have been used to tackle that problem. In addition, Lindley approximation and Monte Carlo estimation were implemented via Metropolis-Hastings algorithms to carry out the Bayesian point estimation based on both the squared error loss function and LINEX loss functions. Moreover, the highest posterior density intervals were applied. The proposed theoretical inference techniques have been applied in a numerical simulation and a real-life example