Irradiation of a living animal with X-rays induces alternation in the proteins of cells in which ionization events occur. Systematic end-products such as the proteins of plasma would, by changes in quality and quantity divulge modification of their synthetic pathways, or compensatory responses of the hematopoietic systems to stresses caused by irradiation in other organs. Serological identification of proteins, a sensitive means of biochemical characterizations was chosen to reveal variations in the proteins of the plasmas of chickens that had been exposed to large, but sub-lethal, doses of X-ray irradiation. Turbidimetric comparisons were made of precipitation tests involving reactions between antisera produced in rabbits against the sera of normal chickens, and pre-irradiation and post-irradiation samples of plasma from 15 chickens.

Work was completed on the high-temperature, high efficiency air filter. Technical assistance was given at a large-scale, privately financed run of an all-glass medium. Full-size filers have been produced in quantity and are offered by manufacturers; it is considered that commercial manufacture has been established. A survey was made of air sampling practices at 37 laboratories. Analysis of the survey results indicated that 22 different kinds of air-sampling filer media were in use among the laboratories questioned. We have recommended that air-assay practice be simplified by use of fewer media. A group of five media has been proposed as adequate for meeting all requirements. Laboratory work was done on the development of a high-efficiency, low-ash, all-purpose, air-assay paper. Two methods of approach were tried. In one an effort was made to produce cellulose fibrils in sufficient quantity and quality to act as the fine-fiber component of a filter. Only moderate success was attained. Better promise was shown by combining synthetic organic microfibers with cellulose fibers in a wet-formed sheet. No plant work was undertaken on this item.