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In this work a screening study in Jordan was conducted on identification of herbal smoking mixtures containing recently new marketed synthetic cannabinoids (aminoalkylindols) (XLR-11, AB-CHMINACA, AB-FUBINACA isomers) which were responsible for a few cases for suicide accidents, individual violent action and few homicides. The smoking items were seized by customs and by the Anti-Narcotics Department in the year 2016/17. Forensic evidences including herbal smoking mixtures, cigarettes, and cigarettes waste were screened for containing these banned drugs employing GC-EI/MS in scan mode with JWH-018 and 5F-ADB as surrogates and individual aminoalkylindols reference standards. The liquid-liquid extraction optimization results indicated that dichloromethane gave the highest recovery for aminoalkylindols in herbal smoking mixtures and methanol for cigarette waste filters. The Results indicated that the marketed herbs were in all sprayed with either XLR-11 (around 45%) or combination of either both XLR-11 and AB-CHMINACA or a combination of XLR-11 and AB-FUBINACA isomers (25%) and the rest was AB-CHMINACA or AB-FUBINACA isomers pure or mixtures. These results were further confirmed by cigarette waste analysis which gave approximate results to herbs or spices. To our knowledge this is the first study of its kind in the MENA region and to be conducted in Jordan with an optimization procedure that is not reported in literature.

In this work, physicochemical properties of eight honey samples harvested from different regions over Jordan were investigated. Quality parameters including free acidity, pH, conductivity, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMT) and diastase activity were monitored for freshly harvested samples and during storage time over 24-month. The level of minerals (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Hg, Pb and As) in samples were quantified and found to be highly variable. The combined mineral content in the collected honeys was following the trend: multi-floral-Madaba (275.17 mg/kg)

Electrochemical oxidation of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) was investigated both experimentally and theoretically to explore the connection between thermodynamics and the oxidation potential. In this work, screen printed carbon electrodes were modified with molybdenum oxide by means of voltammetry. The modified surfaces demonstrated significant sensitivity toward hydrochlorothiazide detection in pH 2.00–buffered aqueous solutions. The employed method was validated and used for hydrochlorothiazide quantification in commercial drug products. In this work, we presented results of density functional calculations for the standard reduction potential of the HCT (H)2|HCT couple in aqueous solution. After consideration of 20 density functionals with 4 different basis sets, it was found that the hybrid meta functionals provide the most accurate prediction of the reduction potential in comparison with the available experimental data. The reported reduction potential is underestimated with GGA and MGGA and is overestimated with hybrid and meta hybrid functionals. Our results highlighted the importance of including solute-solvent hydrogen bonding effects in the theoretical modeling of redox processes. Keywords: Molybdenum oxide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Screen-printed electrodes, Electrochemical deposition, Density functional theory (DFT).

A specific HPLC−MS/MS assay was developed for the determination of the major metabolite of betahistine (2-pyridyl acetic acid) in plasma. The analyte was extracted from plasma by solid phase extraction technique. 3-Pyridyl acetic acid-d6 was used as the internal standard. Samples were applied to a Waters 515 HPLC system to deliver a mobile phase composed of a mixture of deionized water and acetonitrile in a ratio of 90: 10, (v/v) plus 0.2% formic acid. 2-Pyridyl acetic acid was monitored at the molecular ion m/z 137.818 and MS/MS (daughter) at m/z 91.998. 3-Pyridyl acetic acid-d6 was monitored at the molecular ion m/z 144.320 and MS/MS (daughter) at m/z 99.100. The separation was performed at 40°C. The analytical method was validated according to the Guidance for industry, Bioanalytical Method Validation, Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results met the acceptance criteria as stated in the aforementioned guidance. The method was proved to be sensitive and specific. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 2.5–600 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (R) not less than 0.994. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was identifiable and reproducible at 2.5 ng/mL with a precision of 3.6% of the coefficient of variation (CV). Long-term stability of 2-pyridyl acetic acid in plasma samples was investigated for a period beyond that needed for finalizing authentic (subject) samples analysis. Stability in the autosampler and at bench top was also established.

This study develops and validates an efficient, sensitive and simple method for the simultaneous determination of cetirizinedihydrochloride and pseudoephedrinecombined in tablet dosage form by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet (UV) detector.The validation of this method was carried out according to ICH and USP guidelines. In this study, the mobile phase used wasacetonitrile: water (530:470 (v/v)) with 200mg sodium heptane sulfonic acid and the pH value was adjusted to 2.5 with sulfuric acid. The limit of detection and quantification for cetirizinedihydrochloride were 0.805 and 2.685 µg/mL,respectively,and the limit of detection and quantification for pseudoephedrinewere17.976 and 59.921 µg/mL, respectively. The linearity was studied in the concentration range of 12.2 and 36.5 µg/mL forcetirizinedihydrochloride and 295.91 and 861.73 µg/mL for pseudoephedrine. The recovered amounts of cetirizinedihydrochloride and pseudoephedrinewere98.2% -102.9% and99.5%- 102.4%, respectively.

Cadmium can enter water, soil, and food chain in amounts harmful to human health by industrial wastes. The use of intact and NaOH-treated dried algal tissues (Hydrodictyon reticulatum), a major ecosystem bio-component, for Cd removal from aqueous solutions was characterized. Cadmium biosorption was found to be dependent on solution pH, bioadsorbent dose, the interaction between pH and dose, contact time, and initial Cd concentration. The experimental results indicated that the biosorption performance of alkaline-treated algal tissues was better than that of intact tissues. The maximum biosorption capacities were 7.40 and 12.74 mg g−1 for intact and alkaline-treated bioadsorbents, respectively, at optimum operating conditions. Biosorption reaches equilibrium after 24 and 240 minutes of contact, respectively, for alkaline-treated and intact bioadsorbents. Cadmium biosorption was best fitted to Langmuir isotherm model (R2 ≈ 0.99) and the kinetic study obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which suggests chemisorption as the rate-limiting step in the biosorption process. Alkaline-treated algal tissues can be used as a new material of low-cost bioadsorbent for continuous flow rate treatment systems.

Sixteen leafy and non-leafy edible vegetables were collected from the Northern Al-gour area, Jordan, and analyzed for Pb and Cd using atomic absorption spectrometry. In addition, soil samples were collected from areas adjacent to the sites from which the vegetables samples were collected and about 40 m from the road. Results indicated that the average Pb and Cd concentrations in the selected edible vegetables were found in the following order: Leaves > roots > fruits > seeds. Moreover, Pb and Cd levels in soil samples collected from the near main road were higher than those soil samples collected from the sites 40 meters far from the main road.

A rapid, simple, and sensitive RP-HPLC analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of triclabendazole and ivermectin in combination using a C18 RP column. The mobile phase was acetonitrilemethanolwateracetic acid (56 36 7.5 0.5, v/v/v/v) at a pH of 4.35 and flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. A 245 nm UV detection wavelength was used. Complete validation, including linearity, accuracy, recovery, LOD, LOQ, precision, robustness, stability, and peak purity, was performed. The calibration curve was linear over the range 50.09150.26 g/mL for triclabendazole with r = 0.9999 and 27.0181.02 g/mL for ivermectin with r = 0.9999. Calculated LOD and LOQ for triclabendazole were 0.03 and 0.08 g/mL, respectively, and for ivermectin 0.07 and 0.20 g/mL, respectively. The intraday precision obtained was 98.71 with RSD of 0.87 for triclabendazole and 100.79 with RSD 0.73 for ivermectin. The interday precision obtained was 99.51 with RSD of 0.35 for triclabendazole and 100.55 with RSD of 0.59 for ivermectin. Robustness was also studied, and there was no significant variation of the system suitability of the analytical method with small changes in experimental parameters.

A modified first order kinetic equation with variable activation energy is employed to model the total weight loss of Ellajjun oil shale samples. Fixed bed retort with 400 g of oil shale sample size is used in this study in 350–550 °C temperature range. Variable heating rate, h , in the range 2.6–5 °C min −1 are tested. Activation energy was allowed to vary as a function of oil shale conversion. The value of the activation energy increased from 98 to 120 kJ mol −1 while the corresponding frequency factor changed from 9.51 × 10 5 to 1.16 × 10 6 . Fischer Assay analysis of the studied samples indicated 12.2 wt.% oil content. The oil shale decomposition ranged from 3.2% to 28.0%. The obtained kinetic data are modeled using variable heating rate, pyrolysis temperature and variable activation energy principle in a nitrogen sweeping medium. Good fit to the obtained experimental data is achieved.

An efficient, sensitive, and simple method was developed for the simultaneous determination of rosiglitazone and metformin hydrochloride in a combination tablet dosage form by column high-performance liquid chromatography. The mobile phase used was ammonium dihydrogen phosphate adjusted to pH 5.25 with sodium hydroxide. The limits of detection and quantitation were in the range of 0.51.6 g/mL, respectively, for metformin hydrochloride, and 0.002010.0067 g/mL, respectively, for rosiglitazone. The linearity was studied in the concentration range of 0.120.31 g/mL for rosiglitazone and 30.676.7 g/mL for metformin hydrochloride. The recovered amounts of metformin hydrochloride and rosiglitazone were 100103.8 and 101103.7, respectively.

An Analytical investigation on the effect of injector location of a four-stroke DI diesel engine on its pollutants’ emissions was carried out under different injector locations ranging from central to peripheral at different engine speeds ranging from 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm. The simulation results clearly indicated the advantages and disadvantages of the central location over the peripheral one. It revealed that near central location gave less carbon dioxide, smoke level and particulate matter on one hand, and higher levels of NOx, cylinder temperature and pressure (hence increased the mechanical and thermal stresses) on the other hand. Further, near central location resulted in more rapid rate of burning and less duration of combustion and rapid rate of NOx formation per crank angle.

Activated carbon is produced from pecan shells by chemical activation using phosphoric acid. This activation is followed by the treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate to prepare the surface for the adsorption of phenol and methylene blue from aqueous solution. The results showed a great ability for methylene blue removal with sorption capacity of 410 mg/g at pH 9 and solution concentration of 35 mg/l, while moderate adsorption was obtained for phenol with a capacity of 18 mg/g at pH 11 and the same solution concentration. The increase or decrease in solution pH has a favorable effect on the sorption of both adsorbates. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to fit the experimental data.

In the light of the energy crisis and the stringent environmental regulations, diesel engines are offering good hope for automotive vehicles. However, lot of work is needed to reduce the diesel exhaust emissions and give the way for full utilization of the diesel fuel’s excellent characteristics. This paper presents a theoretical study on the effect of variable stroke length technique on the emissions of a four-stroke, water-cooled direct injections diesel engine with the help of experimentally verified computer software designed mainly for diesel engines. The emission levels were studied over the speed range (1000 rpm to 3000 rpm) and stroke lengths (120 mm to 200 rpm) and were compared with those of the original engine design. The simulation results clearly indicate the advantages and utility of variable stroke technique in the reduction of the exhaust emission levels. A reduction of about 10% to 75% was achieved for specific particulate matter over the entire speed range and bore-to-stroke ratio studied. Further, a reduction of about 10% to 59% was achieved for the same range. As for carbon dioxide, a reduction of 0% to 37% was achieved. On the other hand, a less percent change was achieved for the case of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides as indicated by the results. This study clearly shows the advantage of VSE over fixed stroke engines. This study showed that the variable stroke technique proved a good way to curb the diesel exhaust emissions and hence helped making these engines more environmentally friendly.

A simple and rapid HPLC method for the determination of simvastatin using a C18-Hypersil column and acetonitril-phosphate buffer-methanol (5: 3: 1, v/v/v) as a mobile phase with detection at 230 nm was proposed. Commercial pharmaceutical tablets were analyzed with a linear range for simvastatin up to 1.884 mg % and a regression coefficient of 0.9995. The method is found to be precise, accurate, reliable, and selective.

A new simple and accurate kinetic method for the analysis of paracetamol in pure form and formulations is described. The kinetics parameters have been applied successfully in determining paracetamol when it reacts with persulfate in alkaline medium. The spectrophotometric measurements have been recorded at 315 nm and found to be valid over the concentration range of 5–30 ppm. The molar absorptivity is equal to 6.55×103 l mol−1 cm−1. The analysis of paracetamol content in mixture of different substances has been carried out without prior separation. The precision and accuracy of the method and the effect of foreign substances have been studied and the results obtained were compared with reference method.

A new, simple, and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method is described for analysis of cefadroxil by measurement of its absorbance at 470 nm after hydrolysis with NaOH at 80°C. Studies of the method's precision and accuracy gave a standard deviation of 0.44 μg/mL and a relative standard deviation of 1.93%. The method determines cefadroxil over the concentration range 10- 100 ug/mL. Calculated activation parameters were 12.42, 25.54, 26.25, and 69.00 Kcal/mole for AE*, AG*, Ahf, and AS*, respectively. Cefadroxil concentrations can be determined from the regression line equation y = 0.627x- 8.14 x 10"5, with a correlation coefficient of

An accurate and simple quantitative method for determining levodopa and methyldopa is proposed. Cerium(IV) has been successively used to react with drugs in 2M H2SO4†at 80°C. The absorbance of colored products was measured at 510 and 550nm for levodopa and methyldopa, respectively. The method has been extended to the determination of these drugs in dosage forms. The results have been statistically compared with those obtained by the reference method.

A rapid, simple, and sensitive RP-HPLC analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of triclabendazole and ivermectin in combination using a C18 RP column. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-methanol-water-acetic acid (56 + 36 + 7.5 + 0.5, v/v/v/v) at a pH of 4.35 and flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. A 245 nm UV detection wavelength was used. Complete validation, including linearity, accuracy, recovery, LOD, LOQ, precision, robustness, stability, and peak purity, was performed. The calibration curve was linear over the range 50.09-150.26 microg/mL for triclabendazole with r = 0.9999 and 27.01-81.02 microg/mL for ivermectin with r = 0.9999. Calculated LOD and LOQ for triclabendazole were 0.03 and 0.08 microg/mL, respectively, and for ivermectin 0.07 and 0.20 microg/mL, respectively. The intraday precision obtained was 98.71% with RSD of 0.87% for triclabendazole and 100.79% with RSD 0.73% for ivermectin. The interday precision obtained was 99.51% with RSD of 0.35% for triclabendazole and 100.55% with RSD of 0.59% for ivermectin. Robustness was also studied, and there was no significant variation of the system suitability of the analytical method with small changes in experimental parameters.

An efficient, sensitive, and simple method was developed for the simultaneous determination of rosiglitazone and metformin hydrochloride in a combination tablet dosage form by column high-performance liquid chromatography. The mobile phase used was ammonium dihydrogen phosphate adjusted to pH 5.25 with sodium hydroxide. The limits of detection and quantitation were in the range of 0.5-1.6 microg/mL, respectively, for metformin hydrochloride, and 0.00201-0.0067 microg/mL, respectively, for rosiglitazone. The linearity was studied in the concentration range of 0.12-0.31 microg/mL for rosiglitazone and 30.6-76.7 microg/mL for metformin hydrochloride. The recovered amounts of metformin hydrochloride and rosiglitazone were 100-103.8 and 101-103.7%, respectively.

A simple, fast and sensitive titrimetric method has been developed for the determination of tetracycline hydrochloride in human urine using m-dinitrobenzene as color agent and Dowex 1 × 8 as detection medium.