An investigation of Digoxin by Cyclic Voltammetry using Gold and Silver Solid Electrodes and Chemometric Analysis

Digoxin, one of the main cardiac glycosides medication, has shown to have a strong analytical response under investigation by voltammetric analysis using mercury electrodes, achieving nanomole sensitivity. In this study we investigated the suitability of solid electrodes as gold and silver electrodes in voltammetric analysis of this active pharmaceutical ingredient. The scope of the investigation was to evaluate if the use of these solid electrodes, more practical and especially less dangerous, under an operative and environmental aspects could represent a valid further possibility to add to the use of the mercury ones. Both of the solid electrodes have been tested at different pH of 5, 7.4, 10, and 11. PCA analysis has been performed and specific responses achieved. Micromole sensitivity has been achieved for both of the electrodes, showing that the use of these sensors could represent a preliminary analytical approach when the more accurate alternative choice is not necessary, being more practical and less environmental impacting than using mercury

‘Get yourself some nice, neat, matching box files’: research administrators and occupational identity work

To date, qualitative research into occupational groups and cultures within academia has been relatively scarce, with an almost exclusive concentration upon teaching staff within universities and colleges. This article seeks to address this lacuna and applies the interactionist concept of ‘identity work’ in order to examine one specific group to date under-researched: graduate research administrators. This occupational group is of sociological interest as many of its members appear to span the putative divide between ‘academic’ and ‘administrative’ occupational worlds within higher education. An exploratory, qualitative research project was undertaken, based upon interviews with 27 research administrators. The study analyses how research administrators utilise various forms of identity work to sustain credible occupational identities, often in the face of considerable challenge from their academic colleagues

Strategic engagement: new models of relationship management for academic librarians

How do we best bridge the gap between the Library and the diverse academic communities it serves? Librarians need new strategies for engagement. Traditional models of liaison, aligning solutions to disciplines, are yielding to functional specialisms, including a focus on building partnerships. This paper offers a snapshot of realignment across the Russell Group from subject support to relationship management. It then follows the journey of a newly-formed Faculty and School Engagement Team. Techniques are explored for building relationship capital, anchored to a model Strategic Engagement Cycle. Theory is contrasted with the challenges of securing real buy-in to new ways of working amid diverging agendas and assumptions, notably within the Library itself. Consideration is given to the retention of aspects of subject librarian roles. Investment in a relationship management function demands staunch and ongoing commitment to fulfil its promise, not only from its performers but from across the library community

Information (and library) science at City University London; 50 years of educational development

The development of education for information and library science at City University London over a 50-year period is described in this article. The development of the Masters course in Information Science, and the later equivalent courses in Library Science and in Information Management in the Cultural Sector are described in detail, together with shorter-lived Masters courses in pharmaceutical and health information. The rationale for changes to the courses, and the influence of the professional and educational contexts, are analysed. Issues emerging from this analysis are discussed in seven themes: the nature of the discipline; the library/information spectrum; the student group; the academic/professional balance; curriculum design; local and global issues; and teaching methods. The discussions of the courses are set in the wider context of changes in library/information education over the period in the UK and worldwide

Chiral and Achiral Enantiomeric Separation of (±)-Alprenolol

The chiral separation of enantiomers is crucial for pharmacovigilance within drug discovery. Although a large number of prescribed medications are marketed as pure enantiomers, this is not always the case and many are in fact racemic mixtures. Drug scandals, such as that of Thalidomide in 1961, provide a clear example of the social and economic repercussions that can be caused by negligence of these chiral compounds. Two high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods are presented to determine, separate and quantitate a commonly prescribed chiral beta blocker, (-)-Alprenolol. The first method utilises a chiral column to physically separate the two enantiomers of Alprenolol in 25 minutes, before quantitating with two detectors. Fluorimetry gave the better limit of detection of 0.16-0.41ng and a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The second method used an achiral column coupled with polarimetry to quantitate (-)-Alprenolol without the need for physical separation in 10 minutes. The limit of detection achieved was 27-37μg and demonstrated a correlation coefficient of -0.999