Assessment of the natural radioactivity using two techniques for the measurement of radionuclide concentration in building materials used in Japan

The specific activities of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in selected building materials used in Japan were measured using a high-purity germanium detector. The uranium and thorium concentrations were determined from same samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. There was a good agreement between the measurement of uranium and thorium with both methods (R ² = 0.94, and 0.97, respectively). Based on the specific activities, we have estimated some hazard indexes such as radium equivalent activities (Ra _eq), external hazard index (H _ex), internal hazard index (H _in), annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGED), internal alpha dose, mass exhalation rate and emanation coefficient of radon.     

Vehicle routing problems with multiple trips

This paper presents a survey on the multi-trip vehicle routing problem (MTVRP) and on related routing problems where vehicles are allowed to perform multiple trips and corresponds to the article by Cattaruzza et al. (4OR 14(3):223–259, 2016). The first part of the paper focuses on the MTVRP. It gives an unified view on mathematical formulations and surveys exact and heuristic approaches. The paper continues with variants of the MTVRP and other families of routing problems where multiple trips are sometimes allowed. For the latter, it specially insists on the motivations for having multiple trips and the algorithmic consequences. The expected contribution of the survey is to give a comprehensive overview on a structural property of routing problems that has seen a strongly growing interest in the last few years and that has been investigated in very different areas of the routing literature.     

Prospecting Quantum Correlations and Examining Teleportation Fidelity in a Pair of Coupled Double Quantum Dots System

The topic of improving the ability of quantum systems to retain non-local features and enhance the efficiency of quantum protocols continues. This study delves into the thermal investigation of quantum correlations and teleportation fidelity of a two-qubit teleported state using excess electrons in a coupled double quantum dots system as a quantum channel. The study employs three reliable quantum quantifiers to prospect the resourcefulness and non-classicality of the system. The findings suggest that preserving quantum correlations and optimizing teleportation fidelity require minimizing tunneling coupling and maximizing Coulomb interaction. The study has significant implications for quantum physics and its practical applications in quantum information processing.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on the catalytic activity and selectivity of gamma-alumina

Methanol conversion reaction was carried out in contact with a poorly crystalline -alumina pre-irradiated with different doses of -rays. The reaction was conducted at 140–440°C using a flow technique under atmospheric pressure. The results obtained revealed that -irradiation of Al₂O₃ resulted in drastic modifications of its activity and selectivity in methanol conversion reaction. The dose of 15 Mrad was sufficient to suppress completely the formation of dimethyl ether (DME) and stimulated the formation of methane, which started at 200°C instead of 300°C in the case of the unirradiated alumina specimen. However, the rate of CH₄ formation was found to decrease as a function of the dose employed. When the dose reached 140 Mrad, DME was reproduced with a rate comparable to that measured for the unirradiated catalyst sample. These results permitted us to conclude that DME is produced on the weak acidic sites (Brönsted acidity of Al₂O₃) and is not necessarily an intermediate compound for methane formation that takes place directly from methanol on strong acidic sites (Lewis acidity). The doses of 15–75 Mrad expelled completely the Brönsted acidic sites from Al₂O₃ surface, and the doses above this limit brought about a transformation of Lewis acidic sites into Brönsted acidity that is responsible for dimethyl ether formation. This transformation occurs by the action of liberated water from the dehydration of methyl alcohol.     

Reactions with Hydrazidoyl Halides XII Synthesis of Pyrazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine,Selenadiazolo[3,2-a]quinazolones,Selenadiazoline, Thiadiazoline and Thiazole Derivatives

Several new pyrazolo[5,I-c]triazine, selenadiazoline, thiadiazoline, selenadiazolo[3,2-a]quitiazolone, and arylazothiazole derivatives were synthesised by the reaction of hydrazonoyl halides with different reagents. The structure of new heterocycles were assigned on the basis of their elemental analysis, spectral data, and alternate synthesis whenever possible.     

Ferrocene-mediated carbon paste electrode modified with d-fructose dehydrogenase for batch mode measurement of d-fructose

A mediated modified carbon paste and renewable surface electrode for fructose amperometric measurement based on d-fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) was prepared and optimized. Commercially available ferrocene (FcH) and hydroxymethyl ferrocene (FcCH₂OH) were used as mediators. The substituted FcH showed better linearity and higher sensitivity. The influence of different experimental parameters was studied for optimum analytical performance. The final FDH-modified electrode showed good analytical performance for batch mode measurements of fructose.     

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of some pyrimidines and thienopyrimidines using 1-(2-Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)vinyl)-4-mercapto-6-methylpyrimidine-5-yl)ethan-2-one as a starting material

In continuation to our search for new heterocyclic systems based antiinflammatories, the suggestion and synthesis of some pyrimidines, thienopyrimidines, and their derivatives, were herein realized. The pharmacological screening showed that many of these compounds have good antiinflammatory activity. The structure assignments of the new compounds are based on chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic data, and pharmacological properties are reported. Correspondence: Abd El-Galil Elsayed Amr, National Research Center, Organic Chemistry Department, Cairo, Dokki, Egypt.