Tool For Qualitative Analysis Research Articles

Ziziphus spina-christi Leaf-Derived Carbon Dots as a Fluorescence Nanosensor to Evaluate Rifaximin Antibacterial via Inner Filter Effect: Greenness and Whiteness Studies

Rifaximin (RFX) is a non-absorbable antibiotic with broad-spectrum efficacy. It treats travelers’ diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, non-systematic bacterial diarrhea, bowel infections, overgrowth syndrome, and enteric infections. In this work, carbon dots prepared from Ziziphus spina-christi leaves’ powders are utilized as a green fluorometric biosensor for the assessment of RFX. The morphological lineaments of the prepared carbon dots were recognized by using TEM and SEM techniques. The prepared carbon dots manifest a fluorescence emission peak at 432 nm after an excitation fluorescence peak at 366 nm. The absorbance band of RFX (absorbance peaks at 370 nm and 443 nm) could be thoroughly overlapped with fluorescence excitation/emission bands of the produced carbon dots. A fluorometric tool has been designed and validated for the evaluation of RFX reliant on the inner filter effect methodology, in which the produced carbon dots act as an inner filter effect fluorophore and RFX as an inner filter effect absorber. The quenching degree in the fluorescence activity of the prepared carbon dots depended on the concentration of RFX. The analytical parameters were checked and directed for successfully applied assessment of RFX concentration in different pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed tool’s greenness and eco-friendliness profile was evaluated using the most recent greenness assessment tool, which is the complementary green analytical procedure index (Complex-GAPI) and the Analytical GREEnness metric (AGREE). Additionally, using the recently released White Analytical Chemistry (WAC) tool, the whiteness characteristic—which indicated the method’s sustainability—was investigated.

Qualities of PBL Leader: The Students’ Perspective

Introduction: Problem based learning is an educational strategy in which students work together in a collaborative way to solve a given problem/scenario that they are expected to experience in their real life setting. Students' work in a group of 12-13. The group members' work under the leadership of the group leader.
 Aims & Objectives: This study aims to investigate the perceptions of students' regarding the qualities of PBL group
 leaders.
 Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the University College of Medicine and Dentistry. Total 30 2nd Year MBBS students were included in the study.
 Material & Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive exploratory study. Three focus group discussion sessions were conducted. The sessions were tape- recorded and were then converted into written document. The data was analyzed by using Atlas ti; a qualitative data analysis tool and themes were generated.
 Results: Initially the entire document was read and line to line coding was done which resulted in 300 codes, a second cycle of coding resulted in 95 codes, which were reduced to 78 codes after the third cycle. Finally, 17 codes were formed which were pertinent to the research objective and 5 themes with various sub-themes.
 Conclusion: PBL promotes collaborative learning under the group leader. This current study provides a guideline to students and medical colleges regarding the qualities of PBL group leaders and will also help in inculcating these qualities.

Advances in single-molecule junctions as tools for chemical and biochemical analysis.

The development of miniaturized electronics has led to the design and construction of powerful experimental platforms capable of measuring electronic properties to the level of single molecules, along with new theoretical concepts to aid in the interpretation of the data. A new area of activity is now emerging concerned with repurposing the tools of molecular electronics for applications in chemical and biological analysis. Single-molecule junction techniques, such as the scanning tunnelling microscope break junction and related single-molecule circuit approaches have a remarkable capacity to transduce chemical information from individual molecules, sampled in real time, to electrical signals. In this Review, we discuss single-molecule junction approaches as emerging analytical tools for the chemical and biological sciences. We demonstrate how these analytical techniques are being extended to systems capable of probing chemical reaction mechanisms. We also examine how molecular junctions enable the detection of RNA, DNA, and traces of proteins in solution with limits of detection at the zeptomole level.

Environmentally sustainable computationally spectrophotometric resolution strategy for analysis single-tablet regimens of antihypertension with overlapped spectra

Single tablet regimens (STRs) for hypertension suppression improve patient satisfaction, quality of life, medication and adherence compared to multi-tablet regimens (MTRs). Development of simple cost effective and at the same time green an ecofriendly method for analysis and resolution of multicomponent and complex mixtures is an increasingly important issue in the field of pharmaceutical industry in general and analytical chemistry in specific. Thus, the presented research deals with two main goals, the first one is concerned with developing and applying a fully validated resolution plan using numerical data of signals on manipulated spectra for successive extraction of parent spectra of drugs in single-tablet Regimens (STRs) used in antihypertensive treatment. The STRs contains three drugs with deconvoluted spectra, Atenolol (ATL), Amiloride (AMD) and Chlortalidone (CLN). The resolution plan encompasses two simple and affordable spectrophotometric methods employing resolving spectra either normalized spectrum (NS) or factorized spectrum (FS) which acts as a master key for unlocking the overlapped spectra of ternary mixture with no need for any preliminary physical separation, sample pretreatment or pH adjustment. These two main methods namely, dual amplitude difference (DAD) and derivative ratio transformation (DDT). The presented approaches required a simple spectrophotometer with its built-in program using primitive mathematical operations to restore the parent spectrum for individually drug cited in the mixture understudy. The proposed methods validity was checked and evaluated through the ICH guidelines and displayed linearity within concentration range 4.0-40.0μg/mL for ATL, 3.0-20.0μg/mL for both AMD and CLN. While the specificity evaluation was performed via assaying the three drugs accurately and precisely in their synthetic mixtures and in their STRs. Generally, these methods could be recruited for the fast and effective analysis and determination of the purity index for AMD, CLN and ATL in bulk materials and available market formulation, Teklo ® tablets.The second main goal of the research was the evaluation of the methods greenness and whiteness where the applied UV-methods and the reported HPLC one had significantly different greenness scores when compared using three metrics: the Green Certificate Classification (GCC), the Complex Green Analytical Procedure Index (Complex-GAPI), and the Analytical Greenness metric approach (AGREE).Also, the whiteness scores, which reflected the degree of the achieved sustainability for the HPLC reported technique and the produced UV ones were done by using the ideologies of the white analytical chemistry (WAC) tool. All the differences between the four aforementioned metrics are discussed in this study.

Effects of fine grinding on mid-infrared spectroscopic analysis of plant leaf nutrient content

Fourier transform mid infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy combined with modeling techniques has been studied as a useful tool for multivariate chemical analysis in agricultural research. A drawback of this method is the sample preparation requirement, in which samples must be dried and fine ground for accurate model calibrations. For research involving large sample sets, this may dramatically increase the time and cost of analysis. This study investigates the effect of fine grinding on model performance using leaf tissue from a variety of crop species. Dried leaf samples (N = 300) from various environmental conditions were obtained with data on 11 nutrients measured using chemical methods. The samples were scanned with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and diffuse reflectance (DRIFT) FT-MIR techniques. Scanning was repeated after fine grinding for 2, 5, and 10 min. The spectra were analyzed for the 11 nutrients using partial least squares regression with a 75%/25% split for calibration and validation and repeated for 50 iterations. All analytes except for boron, iron, and zinc were well-modeled (average R2 > 0.7), with higher R2 values on ATR spectra. The 5 min level of fine grinding was found to be most optimal considering overall model performance and sample preparation time.

Advances, Applications, and Challenges in RP HPLC Method Development

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has become an indispensable tool for modern analytical chemistry, and reversed-phase (RP) HPLC is one of the most widely used techniques for the separation and analysis of complex mixtures. In recent years, there have been numerous advances in RP HPLC method development, including the development of new stationary phases, improved column technology, and novel optimization strategies. These advances have led to increased speed, resolution, and sensitivity, as well as improved selectivity and reduced non-specific adsorption. Moreover, RP HPLC has found applications in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, environmental analysis, forensic science, and biotechnology. Despite its many benefits, RP HPLC method development is not without its challenges, including issues with column stability, sample preparation, and optimization. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the principles, optimization strategies, and recent advances in RP HPLC method development. We discuss the applications of RP HPLC in various industries and identify the common challenges and emerging trends in the field. Additionally, we evaluate the impact of RP HPLC on the accuracy, sensitivity, and selectivity of analysis and its potential to improve the quality and safety of products and the environment. Overall, this review highlights the importance of RP HPLC in modern analytical chemistry and provides insights and recommendations for researchers and practitioners who are interested in this technique. By exploring the latest advances, applications, and challenges in RP HPLC method development, we hope to inspire continued innovation and progress in this important field.

ChemGAPP: a tool for chemical genomics analysis and phenotypic profiling.

High-throughput chemical genomic screens produce informative datasets, providing valuable insights into unknown gene function on a genome-wide level. However, there is currently no comprehensive analytic package publicly available. We developed ChemGAPP to bridge this gap. ChemGAPP integrates various steps in a streamlined and user-friendly format, including rigorous quality control measures to curate screening data. ChemGAPP provides three sub-packages for different chemical-genomic screens: ChemGAPP Big for large-scale screens; ChemGAPP Small for small-scale screens; and ChemGAPP GI for genetic interaction screens. ChemGAPP Big, tested against the Escherichiacoli KEIO collection, revealed reliable fitness scores which displayed biologically relevant phenotypes. ChemGAPP Small demonstrated significant changes in phenotype in a small-scale screen. ChemGAPP GI was benchmarked against three sets of genes with known epistasis types and successfully reproduced each interaction type. ChemGAPP is available at https://github.com/HannahMDoherty/ChemGAPP, as a standalone Python package as well as Streamlit applications.

Therapeutic Potential of a Bioactive Flavonoids Glycitin from Glycine max: A Review on Medicinal Importance, Pharmacological Activities and Analytical Aspects

Background: Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important industrial crop and fourth major crop in the world which are the richest source of isofavones including glycitein in human diet. Soybean has been associated with beneficial effects in prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones class phytochemicals has been extensively studied in the scientific fields due to its estrogenic potential. Methods: Scientific information of glycitin for their biological potential and therapeutic effects has been collected and analyzed in the present work. Scientific data of glycitin has been collected from electronic databases such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus in the present work and analyzed for their therapeutic potential. Detailed pharmacological activities and analytical data of glycitin has been collected from these databases using term flavonoid and glycitin and analyzed. Results: Scientific data analysis revealed the biological importance and therapeutic benefit of glycitin in the medicine. Glycitin also called 4′-hydroxy-6-methoxyisoflavone-7-D-glucoside have been found to present in the Soy products. Glycitin exhibit chemo-preventive, cardio-protective and anti-osteoporosis effects. Glycitin revealed their beneficial effects on diabetes, acute lung injury, bone, cognitive performance, breast cancer, skin, immune system, enzymes, prostaglandin and taste receptors. However its ligand binding assay, cytoprotective effect and pharmacokinetic parameters were also studied in the present work. Analytical data signified the importance of analytical tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis of glycitin in the medicine. Conclusion: Scientific data analysis revealed the therapeutic effectiveness of glycitin in the medicine.

Analisis Kualitatif Terhadap Kepuasan dan Loyalitas Pelanggan Kedai Kopi Gayo Menggunakan Metode Grounded Theory

This study aims to identify the constructs of customer satisfaction and loyalty at Gayo coffee shops in Takengon, Central Aceh. Researchers use the Grounded Theory method, as a tool for qualitative analysis. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with Gayo coffee shop customers, at six different coffee shops in Takengon, Central Aceh. The analysis performed included open-coding of the data to identify categories and themes; axial-coding to link categories and themes; and selective-coding to identify core themes. The findings show that service is the main factor that constructs customer satisfaction and social interaction is the main factor that constructs customer loyalty at Gayo coffee shops in Takengon, Central Aceh.

A novel model extended from the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law can describe the non-linear absorbance of potassium dichromate solutions and microalgae suspensions.

Introduction: The Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law is widely used as the fundamental equation for quantification in absorption spectroscopy. However, deviations from the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law have also been observed, such as chemical deviation and light scattering effect. While it has been proven and shown that the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law is valid only under very restricted limitations, there are only a few alternatives of analytical models to this law. Based on the observation in the experiments, we propose a novel model to solve the problem of chemical deviation and light scattering effect. Methods: To test the proposed model, a systematic verification was conducted using potassium dichromate solutions and two types of microalgae suspensions with varying concentrations and path lengths. Results: Our proposed model demonstrated excellent performance, with a correlation coefficient ( ) exceeding 0.995 for all tested materials, significantly surpassing the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law, which had an as low as 0.94. Our results confirm that the absorbance of pure pigment solutions follows the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law, while the microalgae suspensions do not due to the light scattering effect. We also show that this scattering effect leads to huge deviations for the commonly used linear scaling of the spectra, and we provide a better solution based on the proposed model. Discussion: This work provides a powerful tool for chemical analysis and especially for the quantification of microorganisms, such as the concentration of biomass or intracellular biomolecules. Not only the high accuracy but also the simplicity of the model makes it a practical alternative to the existing Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law.

Application of Multivariate Video Analysis in English Teaching Effect Evaluation Based on Computational Neural Model Simulation

Video observation and content analysis are used to make a "quantitative-qualitative" analysis of English teachers' teaching behavior reflected in English classroom teaching videos, and to accurately describe, analyze, and summarize the characteristics of English teachers' teaching behavior from various aspects. Based on this, this study uses video analysis methods and NVivo 11 qualitative analysis tools to import quantitative data obtained from teaching video content into Excel tables for statistical analysis, objectively describe the rules and characteristics of junior high school English teachers' teaching effects, and then put forward suggestions to optimize teaching effects and strategies and suggestions to promote English classroom development. This paper establishes a video analysis and evaluation model. First, calculate the weights required by the model, then calculate the relationship matrix, and then calculate the second-level video analysis and evaluation. Using the second-level weight and relationship matrix, the teacher's evaluation value will be obtained.

Financial literacy skills level among small and medium scale businesses: lessons for entrepreneurial decision-making in Lagos, Nigeria

Remarking on the strategic significance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs) as critical to any economy growth and employment creation opportunities, there are evidence that support the poor possession of the appropriate financial literacy skills and knowledge, required by SMEs to effectively make entrepreneurial decision, needed for business growth and the overall economic development. Previous studies on the leitmotif of financial literacy skills have largely been interrogated through the prism of financial institutions and as an indicator for gauging inclusion leaving sparse research attention to understand its implications on entrepreneurial decision making among SMEs. This research chasm provoked this study. The aim of this paper to dissect and understand the place of financial literacy skills and knowledge in entrepreneurial decision-making of SMEs. A total of 15 SMEs were recruited on purpose with the semi-structure interview type, used in eliciting qualitative data. A collection of different themes and sub-themes were identified with the application of the NVivo (v.12) qualitative software and analysed with the content qualitative analytical tool. Pattern and level of financial literacy include understanding of financial decision, management of money and implementation of financial decision. SMEs’ financial literacy, required for effective entrepreneurial decision, includes knowledge on profitability, cash management skills and knowledge on investment with accompanied challenges, such as bad financial behaviour, financial irresponsibility and lack of basic education. The study makes a genuine case for the prioritization of the importance of financial literacy skills and knowledge for clear cut entrepreneurial decisionmaking and growth.

STRATEGI BERSAING OPTIMALISASI POTENSI BISNIS PORANG

The porang plant (Amorphophallus oncophyllus) is a member of the Araceae family which is generally known as the corpse flower because of its unpleasant flower odor. Porang is a new commodity that can provide added value for both farmers and companies that manage porang. Based on data obtained and reported from Kominfo, it is known that one hectare of porang land can produce 15-20 tons. Porang had been predicted as a leading export commodity, but when the government determined it as a leading commodity, the price of porang actually dropped even more. Many Porang farmers have complained about falling selling prices. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to see how to optimize Porang as a promising business opportunity, making a superior commodity that is feasible to be developed. This study uses a descriptive qualitative analysis tool, with a case study in the Ngrayun Ponorogo area, East Java. The conclusion of this study is that in fact there are several challenges that need to be considered by the government, including (i) increasing production, especially related to the productivity level of porang; (ii) marketing and (iii) Porang's business market structure which tends to be oligopsonic.

Curriculum Design and Students’ Learning Experience in Post COVID-19 Era in Nigeria

The continuous quest for effective and global best practice in curriculum design to promote appropriate learning and teaching experiences is still not without some conundrums, particularly in the context of higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. The current study pursues the argument that curriculum design has major implications for students’ learning experience in the post-COVID-19 era in Nigeria. Remarking on the discourse of curriculum studies, not much attention has been given to the nexus between curriculum design and students’ learning experience in post-COVID-19 era in Nigeria. A total of 16 undergraduate students were recruited purposely and conveniently for interview from the Faculty of Management Science of the Lagos State University, Nigeria. NVivo (v.12) qualitative software was employed to identify themes and sub-themes which were analysed with content qualitative analytical tool. Expert contributions, quality assurance, practical knowledge and innovative contents were shown as global trends in curriculum design. In terms of the role of curriculum design in students’ learning experience, stimulating environment and the creation of higher thinking and learning experience were revealed, and the implications of curriculum design for higher education development in post-COVID-19were found to include improved e-learning and teaching experience and improvement in technology and innovation-aided teaching and learning. The study calls for the overhauling of Nigeria’s higher education curriculum in tandem with global best practices for innovative students’ learning experience.
 
 Received: 5 September 2022 / Accepted: 17 December 2022 / Published: 5 January 2023

High-throughput platforms for microextraction techniques.

The proposal of high-throughput platforms in microextraction-based approaches is important to offer sustainable and efficient tools in analytical chemistry. Particularly, automated configurations exhibit enormous potential because they provide accurate and precise results in addition to less analyst intervention. Recently, significant achievements have been obtained in proposing affordable platforms for microextraction techniques capable of being integrated with different analytical instrumentations. Considering the evolution of these approaches, this article describes innovative high-throughput platforms that have recently been proposed for the analysis of varied matrices, with special attention to laboratory-made devices. Additionally, some challenges, opportunities, and trends regarding these experimental workflows are pointed out.

The use of electronic media by students of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State, Nigeria: A qualitative study

The study investigated the use of electronic media by students of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design using a qualitative approach of data collection. Twenty four students selected across the four selected departments in the school constitute the participants for the study while the focus group discussion was adopted for data collection. Atlas ti8, a qualitative analysis tool, was used to analyze the study. The study's findings showed that students of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos used mobile devices like iPads and smart phones, smart televisions, and smart watches as electronic devices. The main purposes of their use of these devices were for academic activities like note-taking and reading, social networking on sites like WhatsApp and Facebook, watching movies and reading leisurely books, learning, and content creation The study further revealed that pictures, videos, movies and political news as the major electronic media content being used by the students just the contents were used for retrieving academic and entertainment information. The study recommended that parents, guardians and teachers should ensure that students make use of electronic media for productive activities.

Study on the symmetries and conserved quantities of flexible mechanical multibody dynamics

<abstract> <p>In this paper, in order to provides a powerful new tool for quantitative and qualitative analysis of dynamics properties in flexible mechanical multibody systems, the symmetry theory and numerical algorithms for preserving structure in modern analytical mechanics is introduced into flexible multibody dynamics. First, taking the hub-beam systems as an example, the original nonlinear partial differential-integral equations of the system dynamics model are discretized into the finite-dimensional Lagrange equations by using the assumed modal method. Second, the group analysis theory is introduced and the criterion equations and the corresponding conserved quantities of Noether symmetries are given according to the invariance principle, which provide an effective way for analytic integral theory of dynamic equations. Finally, a conserved quantity-preserving numerical algorithm is constructed by coordinates incremental discrete gradient, which makes full use of the invariance of conserved quantity to eliminate the error consumption for a long time. The simulation results show that the deeper mechanical laws and motion characteristics of flexible mechanical multibody systems dynamics can be obtained with the help of symmetries and conserved quantities, which can provide reference for more precise dynamic optimization design and advanced control of systems.</p> </abstract>

Developing Shared Ways of Seeing Data: The Perils and Possibilities of Achieving Intercoder Agreement

All research, e.g., qualitative or quantitative, is concerned with the extent to which analyses can adequately describe the phenomena it seeks to describe. In qualitative research, we use internal validity checks like intercoder agreement to measure the extent to which independent researchers observe the same phenomena in data. Researchers report indices of agreement to serve as evidence of consistency and dependability of interpretations, and we do so to make claims about the trustworthiness of our research accounts. However, few studies report the methods of how multiple analysts developed alignment in their interpretation of data, a process that undergirds accounts of consistency, dependability, and trustworthiness. In this article, we review the issues and options around achieving intercoder agreement. Drawing on our experience from a longitudinal, team-based research project that required rapid cycles of qualitative data analysis, we reflect on the challenges we had achieving high intercoder agreement (which refer to as the perils). It was through these challenges that we developed a method that helps to foster shared ways of seeing data, and thus alignment in our interpretations of phenomena in data. In this article, we present this method as a tool for dyadic and team-based qualitative data analysis to facilitate reliable and consistent high-inference interpretations of data with multiple analysts.

Comprehensive detection of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in forensic samples using carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a prevalent psychoactive substance recognized for its hallucinogenic properties, often encountered in blotter papers for illicit consumption. Given that LSD ranks among the most widely abused illicit drugs globally, its prompt identification in seized samples is vital for forensic investigations. This study presents, for the first time, an electrochemical screening method for detecting LSD in forensic samples, utilizing a multi-wall carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode (SPE-MWCNT). The LSD detection process was optimized on SPE-MWCNT in a phosphate buffer solution (0.1 mol L-1, pH 12.0) using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The combined use of SPE-MWCNT with SWV displayed robust stability in electrochemical responses for both qualitative (peak potential) and quantitative (peak current) LSD assessment, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 5% across the same or different electrodes (N = 3). A linear detection range was established between 0.16 and 40.0 μmol L-1 (R2 = 0.998), featuring a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 μmol L-1. Interference studies with twenty-three other substances, including groups of phenethylamines typically found in blotting papers (e.g., NBOHs and NBOMes) and traditional illicit drugs, were performed, revealing a highly selective response for LSD using the proposed method. Consequently, the integration of SPE-MWCNT with SWV offers a robust tool for qualitative and quantitative LSD analysis in forensic applications, providing rapid, sensitive, selective, reproducible, and straightforward preliminary identification in seized samples.

Chemical analysis of electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) and direct nicotine quantitation using surface-assisted flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SA-FAPA-MS).

Ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (ADI-MS) has been widely used for direct analysis of real samples without sample preparation or separation. Studies on the quantification of low molecular weight compounds in complex matrices with ADI-MS remain scarce. In this paper, we report the application of surface-assisted flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow mass spectrometry (SA-FAPA-MS) for fast qualitative screening of electronic cigarette liquid (e-liquids) ingredients and direct quantification of nicotine. The quantification approach is rapid, uses a deuterated D4-nicotine standard spike, and does not require a preceding chromatography step or other methods to remove the complex sample matrix. Selected e-liquids were directly applied on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plate surfaces (normal phase (NP) silica, reversed phase (RP) modified silica, cyano (CN) modified silica, and dimethyl (RP2) modified silica) after dilution and internal standard spiking. The plates served purely as sample carriers and no analyte separation was performed. Promising qualitative results were obtained, demonstrating the ability to detect nicotine alkaloids using this approach and the ability to differentiate e-liquids based on their flavor variations. In addition, dimethyl- (RP2-) and cyano-modified (CN-) silica surfaces were selected for quantification based on performance results of previous studies. It was shown that results were in high accordance with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) experiments with lowest deviations <3% on dimethyl surfaces. Additional quantitative experiments including a certified reference material achieved equally satisfying results with lowest deviations of -1.1% from the certified nicotine content. For nicotine, detection limits down to the fmol range (96 fmol on CN and 20 fmol on RP2) were obtained. A detailed comparison of glass surfaces with functionalized surfaces showed that the functionalized surfaces were superior in terms of sample application reproducibility, mass spectra quality, sensitivity, and information density. Thus, functionalized thin-layer surfaces are considered promising tools for both qualitative and quantitative ADI-MS analysis of complex samples.