scholarly journals The Application of Nanosensors in Illicit Drugs Determination: A Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 39-59
Author(s):  
Lawal Shuaibu ◽  
AbduRahman Abdul Audu ◽  
Kingsley John Igenepo
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Drug Detection ◽  
Site Analysis ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Qualitative Determination ◽  
Enhanced Selectivity

The utilization of nanomaterials (NMs) to produce nanosensors for detecting drugs in a wide range of materials has attracted global attention. Various categories of NMs have been synthesized and applied for the qualitative determination of some additives, contaminants, and illicit materials owing to their unique physicochemical properties at the nanoscale to impact desired effects. Rapid and facile detection techniques employed for on-site analysis of illicit drugs using NMs are reviewed. It is noted that NMs are good candidates in the fabrication of nanosensors for the sensitive detections and determinations of illicit drugs. Thus, this review is focused on the application of these sensors for illicit drug detection. Hence, the application of plasmonic/optical properties of NMs to enhance illicit drug detection in biological samples has been discussed. The fabricated sensors have been shown to possess enhanced selectivity, sensitivity, cost-effectiveness as well as improved automation. As highlighted in the in-depth review, the sensors are designed to utilize biological receptors with a transducer component to detect the analyte-biorecognition element interaction which resulted in producing an optimum signal. 

The Global Epidemiology of Drug Use in Prison

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloé Carpentier ◽  
Luis Royuela ◽  
Linda Montanari ◽  
Philip Davis
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Aggregated Data ◽  
Monitoring Centre ◽  
Global Epidemiology ◽  
Wide Range

This chapter provides an overview of drug use in prison. It is centered on illicit drug use in Europe, where the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has been collecting aggregated data from various sources for 15 years. It also reviews, based on published literature, data from the four other global regions. A total of 59 studies from 31 countries in the five world regions were included for analysis. Results show that the prevalence of drug use varies greatly between studies. Lifetime prevalence of any illicit drug use in prison ranges between 2% to 76% worldwide with, in most cases, cannabis being the most frequently reported substance. More recent (past-month) illicit drug use is reported by <1% to 65% of inmates, while <1% to 39% report injecting illicit drugs during their stay in prison. Alcohol use in prison is reported in a few studies only, varying between 2% to 77% while the prevalence of current tobacco smoking ranges between 4% to 90%. In general, available data are scarce and patchy, especially outside Europe, with large variations in methodology relating to sampling strategy and measurement. This heterogeneity hampers comparison and may, in part, account for the wide range of prevalence estimates. Comparable methods and measures of drug use and its consequences in prison populations are needed to facilitate international comparisons and provide the sound information needed for development and implementation of drug interventions in various prison settings across the globe.

Assessing the potential of metal oxide semiconducting gas sensors for illicit drug detection markers

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (23) ◽  
pp. 8952-8960 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Tarttelin Hernández ◽  
A. J. T. Naik ◽  
E. J. Newton ◽  
Stephen M. V. Hailes ◽  
I. P. Parkin
Keyword(s):  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Gas Sensors ◽  
Drug Trafficking ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Port Security ◽  
Drug Detection ◽  
Site Analysis

Port security with a focus on drug trafficking prevention requires inexpensive and portable systems for on-site analysis of containers in order to minimise transit delays.

scholarly journals Contactless Temperature Sensing at the Microscale Based on Titanium Dioxide Raman Thermometry

Biosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Veronica Zani ◽  
Danilo Pedron ◽  
Roberto Pilot ◽  
Raffaella Signorini
Keyword(s):  
Titanium Dioxide ◽  
Scattered Light ◽  
Active Material ◽  
Local Temperature ◽  
Visible Range ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Frequency Position ◽  
Anti Stokes

The determination of local temperature at the nanoscale is a key point to govern physical, chemical and biological processes, strongly influenced by temperature. Since a wide range of applications, from nanomedicine to nano- or micro-electronics, requires a precise determination of the local temperature, significant efforts have to be devoted to nanothermometry. The identification of efficient materials and the implementation of detection techniques are still a hot topic in nanothermometry. Many strategies have been already investigated and applied to real cases, but there is an urgent need to develop new protocols allowing for accurate and sensitive temperature determination. The focus of this work is the investigation of efficient optical thermometers, with potential applications in the biological field. Among the different optical techniques, Raman spectroscopy is currently emerging as a very interesting tool. Its main advantages rely on the possibility of carrying out non-destructive and non-contact measurements with high spatial resolution, reaching even the nanoscale. Temperature variations can be determined by following the changes in intensity, frequency position and width of one or more bands. Concerning the materials, Titanium dioxide has been chosen as Raman active material because of its intense cross-section and its biocompatibility, as already demonstrated in literature. Raman measurements have been performed on commercial anatase powder, with a crystallite dimension of hundreds of nm, using 488.0, 514.5, 568.2 and 647.1 nm excitation lines of the CW Ar+/Kr+ ion laser. The laser beam was focalized through a microscope on the sample, kept at defined temperature using a temperature controller, and the temperature was varied in the range of 283–323 K. The Stokes and anti-Stokes scattered light was analyzed through a triple monochromator and detected by a liquid nitrogen-cooled CCD camera. Raw data have been analyzed with Matlab, and Raman spectrum parameters—such as area, intensity, frequency position and width of the peak—have been calculated using a Lorentz fitting curve. Results obtained, calculating the anti-Stokes/Stokes area ratio, demonstrate that the Raman modes of anatase, in particular the Eg one at 143 cm−1, are excellent candidates for the local temperature detection in the visible range.

scholarly journals The influence of the optical properties on the determination of capillary diameters

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Späth ◽  
Maximilian Rohde ◽  
Dongqin Ni ◽  
Ferdinand Knieling ◽  
Florian Stelzle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Absolute Quantification ◽  
The State ◽  
Capillary Diameter ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
All Optical ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Diffuse Reflectance Imaging

AbstractVarious clinically applicable scores and indices are available to help identify the state of a microcirculatory disorder in a patient. Several of these methods, however, leave room for interpretation and only provide clues for diagnosis. Thus, a measurement method that allows a reliable detection of impending or manifest circulatory malfunctions would be of great value. In this context, the optical and non-invasive method of shifted position-diffuse reflectance imaging (SP-DRI) was developed. It allows to determine the capillary diameter and thus to assess the state of the microcirculation. The aim of the present study is to investigate how the quantification of capillary diameters by SP-DRI behaves in different individuals, i.e. for a wide range of optical properties. For this, within Monte-Carlo simulations all optical properties (seven skin layers, hemoglobin) were randomly varied following a Gaussian distribution. An important finding from the present investigation is that SP-DRI works when the optical properties are chosen randomly. Furthermore, it is shown that appropriate data analysis allows calibration-free absolute quantification of the capillary diameter across individuals using SP-DRI. This underpins the potential of SP-DRI to serve as an early alert system for the onset of microcirculatory associated diseases.

scholarly journals Simultaneous determination of 11 illicit drugs and metabolites in wastewater by UPLC-MS/MS

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1771-1780
Author(s):  
Shuai Yuan ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Roujia Wang ◽  
Ruxin Luo ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simultaneous Determination ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
High Throughput Analysis ◽  
Wastewater Samples

Abstract Assessing collective drug consumption based on the concentrations of illicit drugs and their metabolites in wastewater is a new technology. Currently, this technology is receiving attention in China, and methods for multiple illicit drug detection in wastewater are urgently needed. In our study, a method with a short runtime (7 min), a small solid-phase extraction (SPE) loading volume (50 mL) and high sensitivity (lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs) ranged from 0.2 to 5 ng/L) was developed for the simultaneous determination of amphetamines, ketamine, opiates, cocaine and their metabolites in wastewater. Samples were enriched by SPE on a mixed-mode sorbent (Oasis MCX) and analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.1 to 2 ng/L, and the LLOQs varied between 0.2 and 5 ng/L. Moreover, the method developed was applied to real wastewater samples collected from 15 different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In the results, the most abundant compounds were morphine (1.8–46.6 ng/L) and codeine (3.7–24.9 ng/L), which were detected in 13 WWTPs. After successful optimization of the UPLC-MS/MS conditions and sample loading pH, the method developed is able to meet the needs of common illicit drug monitoring and high-throughput analysis requirements.

Reasons for Not Using Licit and Illicit Drugs: The Role of Experience with Illicit Drugs

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Apsler ◽  
Beverly Brady ◽  
Pierce Barker
Keyword(s):  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Wide Range

Despite extensive treatment and prevention programs for illicit drug use, little is known about people's reasons for abstaining from substances and about the factors affecting their reasons. Therefore, a random community sample and snowball sample of poly drug users (1190 adults) were asked to give their reasons for abstaining from a wide range of substances. Contrary to common belief, (a) the individuals highest in experience-with-illicit-drugs are most likely to abstain from prescription and illicit drugs because of health concerns, and (b) the reasons given by the most experienced individuals for illicit drugs are similar to those given by the least experienced for common, licit substances. Disapproval of others, illegality, and dependence potential tend to be unimportant reasons. Implications of these and other results for treatment and prevention strategies are discussed.

Optical Properties of HVEM Accelerators

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 180-181
Author(s):  
A. Strojnik ◽  
J.W. Scholl ◽  
V. Bevc
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Electron Accelerator ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Electron Source ◽  
High Brightness ◽  
The Past ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Optical Behavior

The electron accelerator, as inserted between the electron source (injector) and the imaging column of the HVEM, is usually a strong lens and should be optimized in order to ensure high brightness over a wide range of accelerating voltages and illuminating conditions. This is especially true in the case of the STEM where the brightness directly determines the highest resolution attainable. In the past, the optical behavior of accelerators was usually determined for a particular configuration. During the development of the accelerator for the Arizona 1 MEV STEM, systematic investigation was made of the major optical properties for a variety of electrode configurations, number of stages N, accelerating voltages, 1 and 10 MEV, and a range of injection voltages ϕ0 = 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 kV).

A SIMPLE QUALITATIVE DETERMINATION OF JOSEPHSON TUNNEL JUNCTION PARAMETERS NEAR THE TRANSITION TEMPERATURE

1978 ◽  
Vol 39 (C6) ◽  
pp. C6-1232-C6-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. Pedersen ◽  
J. Mygind ◽  
O. H. Soerensen ◽  
B. Dueholm
Keyword(s):  
Transition Temperature ◽  
Tunnel Junction ◽  
Josephson Tunnel ◽  
Qualitative Determination

INDIREKTE PAPIERCHROMATOGRAPHISCHE METHODE ZUR BESTIMMUNG DER HARNOESTROGENE

1961 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Kecskés ◽  
F. Mutschler ◽  
I. Glós ◽  
E. Thán ◽  
I. Farkas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Granulosa Cell ◽  
Iron Content ◽  
List Type ◽  
Granulosa Cell Tumour ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Phenol Fraction ◽  
Qualitative Determination

ABSTRACT 1. An indirect paperchromatographic method is described for separating urinary oestrogens; this consists of the following steps: acidic hydrolysis, extraction with ether, dissociation of phenol-fractions with partition between the solvents. Previous purification of phenol fraction with the aid of paperchromatography. The elution of oestrogen containing fractions is followed by acetylation. Oestrogen acetate is isolated by re-chromatography. The chromatogram was developed after hydrolysis of the oestrogens 'in situ' on the paper. The quantity of oestrogens was determined indirectly, by means of an iron-reaction, after the elution of the iron content of the oestrogen spot, which was developed by the Jellinek-reaction. 2. The method described above is satisfactory for determining urinary oestrogen, 17β-oestradiol and oestriol, but could include 16-epioestriol and other oestrogenic metabolites. 3. The sensitivity of the method is 1.3–1.6 μg/24 hours. 4. The quantitative and qualitative determination of urinary oestrogens with the above mentioned method was performed in 50 pregnant and 9 non pregnant women, and also in 2 patients with granulosa cell tumour.

Ab initio calculation on the Optical Properties of AA- Stacked two dimensional Graphene, Silicene, Germanene, and Stanene

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-50
Author(s):  
Rita John ◽  
Benita Merlin
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Band Structure ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Electronic Band Structure ◽  
Complex Refractive Index ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Generalized Gradient ◽  
Electronic Band ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Optical Region

In this study, we have analyzed the electronic band structure and optical properties of AA-stacked bilayer graphene and its 2D analogues and compared the results with single layers. The calculations have been done using Density Functional Theory with Generalized Gradient Approximation as exchange correlation potential as in CASTEP. The study on electronic band structure shows the splitting of valence and conduction bands. A band gap of 0.342eV in graphene and an infinitesimally small gap in other 2D materials are generated. Similar to a single layer, AA-stacked bilayer materials also exhibit excellent optical properties throughout the optical region from infrared to ultraviolet. Optical properties are studied along both parallel (||) and perpendicular ( ) polarization directions. The complex dielectric function (ε) and the complex refractive index (N) are calculated. The calculated values of ε and N enable us to analyze optical absorption, reflectivity, conductivity, and the electron loss function. Inferences from the study of optical properties are presented. In general the optical properties are found to be enhanced compared to its corresponding single layer. The further study brings out greater inferences towards their direct application in the optical industry through a wide range of the optical spectrum.

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