Radiometric determination of226Ra,228Ac and40K in fly-ashes of ČSFR

The subject of this paper was to determine some radionuclides in fly-ashes of Czechoslovak origin.²²⁶Ra,²²⁸Ac and⁴⁰K were chosen because of their high information value. The radiometric measurements were carried out by means of a semiconductor detector.     

Thermodynamical approach to the traveling salesman problem: An efficient simulation algorithm

We present a Monte Carlo algorithm to find approximate solutions of the traveling salesman problem. The algorithm generates randomly the permutations of the stations of the traveling salesman trip, with probability depending on the length of the corresponding route. Reasoning by analogy with statistical thermodynamics, we use the probability given by the Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution. Surprisingly enough, using this simple algorithm, one can get very close to the optimal solution of the problem or even find the true optimum. We demonstrate this on several examples.We conjecture that the analogy with thermodynamics can offer a new insight into optimization problems and can suggest efficient algorithms for solving them.The author acknowledges stimulating discussions with J. Piút concerning the main ideas of the present paper. The author is also indebted to P. Brunovský, J. erný, M. Hamala, . Peko, . Znám, and R. Zajac for useful comments.     

Maps of intragranular precipitation strengthening

Maps of strengthening by small (semi)coherent precipitates homogeneously dispersed in the grains have been constructed. They can show the most probable dislocation-particle interaction mechanism and the strengthening effect of a given dispersion of particles. As an application, the effect of-Ni₃(Al, Ti) and M₂₃C₆ precipitation in austenitic steels is discussed.     

Parametrized convolutionless Generalized-Master-Equation approach to the exciton and electron propagation in the Agranovich and Galanin model

Expressing the influence of reservoirs (lattice modes, solvent etc.) on the exciton or electron propagation in homogeneous systems via two relaxation times in the Agranovich and Galanin model, the convolutionless Generalized Master Equations for the site occupation probabilities are derived. Two different projection operator techniques are used. Identity of the two approaches is verified for a dimer and physical contents of the result are discussed.     

THz spectroscopic investigation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene

We have investigated the terahertz (THz) spectrum of 2,4-DNT by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the 0.2–19.5 THz region. We also examined low-frequency intermolecular or phonon modes between 0.2 and 1.8 THz via THz time-domain spectroscopy. The extracted absorption coefficient and refractive index of an intermolecular band at 1.08 THz are 110 cm⁻¹ and 1.67, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) was applied to obtain structure and vibrational frequencies of 2,4-DNT. The calculated results are in agreement with the experimental data. Observed vibrational frequencies have been interpreted using DFT. Two intermolecular or phonon modes were identified at 1.08 and 2.52 THz.     

Interaction of long chain alkylammonium cations with reduced charge montmorillonite

Reduced charge montmorillonites (RCM) were prepared using lithium thermal treatment. The sorption of octylammonium (OA), dodecylammonium (DDA) and hexadecylammonium ions (HDA) on differently charged samples were studied. The amounts of DDA and HDA sorbed on each RCM exceed the cation exchange capacity (CEC) but that of OA exceeds only the CEC of samples with the lowest CEC. The sorption is affected not only by the layer charge but also by the formation of collapsed interlayer spaces in the lowest charged montmorillonites. X-ray measurements confirmed the decrease of the layer charge after lithium thermal treatment and the layer charge heterogeneity in RCMs.     

Excess and partial excess molar volumes of mixing of N,N-dibutyl-2-ethylhexamide with dodecanol

Excess and excess partial molar volumes of mixing of the system N,N-dibutyl-2-ethylhexylamide (DBEHA) + dodecanol (DDA) were determined at 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65°C. The excess molar volumes exhibit a maxima at each temperature at approximatelyx _DBEHA = 0.3 and a minima close tox _DBEHA = 0.9. The values of the excess volumes in general increase with the temperature. The partial excess molar volumes are calculated from the smoothed data and the results are discussed in the light of postulated amide-alcohol interactions.     

Investigation of the physico-chemical structure of oxycellulose after storage for two years and determined by derivatograph

The effect of ageing for a period of two years upon chemically pre-oxidized and irradiated cellulose was investigated. Changes in the chemical structure and energy excitation of atomic groups of oxycellulose skeleton were evaluated from the qualitative and quantitative points of view. The numerical interpretation and complex comparison of the quantities (activation energy, energy quantity EW, values of the thermal effect (areas of DTA peaks) and weight losses) of four degradation phases of pyrolysis were employed, when applying the oxidation pyrolysis method with derivatograph.

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Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung einer zweijährigen Alterung von chemisch voroxydierter und bestrahlter Zellulose wurde untersucht. Veränderungen der chemischen Struktur und die energetische Anregung von Atomgruppen des Oxyzellulosegerüsts wurden unter qualitativen und quantitativen Gesichtspunkten studiert. Eine numerische Interpretation und ein komplexer Vergleich der Größen (Aktivierungsenergie, EnergiemengeEW, Werte der thermischen Effekte — DTA-Peakflächen, Gewichtsverluste) von 4 pyrolytischen Abbauphasen wurden vorgenommen, wobei für die oxydative Pyrolyse ein Derivatograph verwendet wurde.

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, , . . , , EW, ( ) .

     

Kinetic determination of trace levels of selenium(IV) and total selenium by Nile Blue A/hydrogen peroxide method

A kinetic method for the determination of selenium(IV) traces is proposed, based on its inhibitory action on the oxidation of Nile Blue A by hydrogen peroxide in phosphate buffer (pH 10.5). A linear dependence was established between the rate of the proposed indicator reaction and selenium concentration in the range 9.5 × 10^–2-1.58 ng cm^–3. The experimental conditions of maximal selenium effect were established. Selenium, determined by the tangent method, was determined at concentrations over the range 0.22–1.26 ng cm^–3, with relative standard deviations up to 4.5%. The reaction rate was followed spectrophotometrically. The effect of foreign ions on the accuracy of this method was also investigated. The method was applied to the determination of selenium in pharmaceutical preparations and wheat flour.     

Determination of heptacaine hydrochloride in solution using nuclear analytical methods

The applicability of two nuclear analytical methods for the determination of hepatacaine hydrochloride in solution was studied, i. e. radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis and radiometric titrations based on precipitate formations. Methods used were evaluated on the basis of obtained sensitivity values.