If \( y^{1/4} + y^{-1/4} = 2x \), and \( (x^2 - 1)\dfrac{d^2 y}{dx^2} + \alpha x \dfrac{dy}{dx} + \beta y = 0 \), then \( |\,\alpha - \beta\,| \) is equal to \( \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \).