Radioactive strontium can serve as a tracer to gain information concerning calcium metabolism in human subjects. Gamma-emitting Sr{sup 85} is used rather than the much more hazardous, beta-emitting Sr{sup 89} and Sr{sup 90}. (ca{sup 47} -- the ideal tracer for normal calcium -- is quite expensive and difficult to procure.) Very significant information may be obtained merely by measuring and recording the changes in radioactivity in various body areas during the first hour after intravenous injection of the bone-seeking radioisotope. This is accomplished by placing a lead-shielded gamma-scintillation detector in contact with the skin over the sites of interest and recording the activities on a scaler or ratemeter. The activity versus time curves so obtained are called radioisotope osteograms. Data were presented which indicated that Sr{sup 85} osteograms for patients afflicted with osteoporosis, Paget`s disease, tumor metastases to bone, and possibly multiple myeloma, differ significantly from those obtained from subjects with no skeletal abnormalities. Some interpretations of these deviations were discussed. The value of conducting double-tracer tests (e.g. -- Sr{sup 85} plus radio-iodinated serum albumin) was demonstrated, and correlations with excretion data were made. With further refinements the technique may ultimately become useful for certain diagnostic problems in the clinic …

The purpose of this production test is to provide a standard method of obtaining scram transient reactivity information at the eight reactors, under conditions conducive to valid data. These conditions include the bypassing of the Panellit system at a low power level for a short, controlled period of time during May 1959.

In 1958, planned large scale use of the new I & E slug geometry at more severe operating conditions than had been generally experienced suggested a possible compromise in reactor life and safety if a reasonable degree of rupture control with the new type of element was not maintained. The formalized slug corrosion limit (Top-of-Annulus limit) was issued as a Process Standard at the time of the full-scale loading of I & E geometry fuel elements to provide this limit for reactor operation. The loading of I & E slugs at all reactors has been accomplished and initial power level increases have been made. To date, 67 I & E ruptures have been sustained including both `hole` and `annulus` failures. The type and behavior of ruptures to be expected with I & E geometry are now characterized. Recent studies have indicated that the I & E failure experience is consistent with the general mathematical rupture model formulated from analysis of solid slug experience. Increased confidence in the use of this model in combination with Optimization Studies permits greater emphasis to be placed on the rupture model as a guide for reactor operation. It is the purpose of this report to …

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Activities of the Explosives Group of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory for the months of September, October, and November 1958 are presented.

The Geneva conference of experts stated that surface waves help define the nature of a seismic perturbation. A `phase equalization` method has been proposed by several seismologists to determine the polarity of the source using crustal surface waves. In this report a horizontal source array is designed which will reduce the amplitude of the crustal surface waves by a factor of five. Experimental data from Geophysical Prospecting is cited to support the effectiveness of such arrays. It is thought that phase shifts will accompany this amplitude reduction. It is concluded that these amplitude and phase changes will make the phase equalization method unreliable. The significance of the report is that the Geneva negotiations must take into account the possibility of horizontal as well as vertical arrays.

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An earlier report suggested a double headwave method of generating a rarefaction first motion. In this method a geologic situation is selected so that energy that has been critically refracted once above the shot and once below shot arrives first. Since the theory of headwaves gives in the usual stationary phase approximation a ninety degree phase shift for each critical refraction, energy that has been critically refracted twice produces a 180 degree phase shift. Oil well data was presented to show that the necessary geologic situation exists in nature. A question has come up regarding the propagation of long wave lengths (16,000 ft) in the thin bed (3000 ft.) above the shot in the geologic situation cited in the earlier report. At the tine of writing of the report it was realized that the thickness of the bed should be considered in propagating the 3 to 5 wavelengths along the bed. The theoretical problem of propagation in high speed elastic bed has not been solved. The best information available at this time indicates that it might indeed be possible to go out into reef country and experimentally find a location suitable to generate a rarefaction first motion by the double …

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This study group covered the following: delineation of the specific objectives of the overall US AEC civilian power reactor program, technical objectives of each reactor concept, preparation of a chronological development program for each reactor concept, evaluation of the economic potential of each reactor type, a program to encourage the the development, and yardsticks for measuring the development. Results were used for policy review by AEC, program direction, authorization and appropriation requests, etc. This evaluation encompassed civilian power reactors rated at 25 MW(e) or larger and related experimental facilities and R&D. This Part I summarizes the significant results of the comprehensive effort to determine the current technical and economic status for each reactor concept; it is based on the 8 individual technical status reports (Part III).

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The disassembly of the `Adams` primary was scheduled for April 28, 29, and 30, 1959. The method of disassembly is provided as a procedure to be accomplished in order and the time and initials of the person accomplishing each step recorded.

The relatively high heats of combustion of CHN compounds containing multiple bonds has prompted an investigation of the possible use of these compounds as explosives components. Three possible systems are being considered for testing in the small scale plate push apparatus: acrylonitrile-tetranitromethane, propiolonitrile-tetranitromethane and dicyanoacetylene-tetranitromethane. Samples of propiolamide and acetylene dicarboxamide, intermediates in the synthesis of propiolonitrile and dicyanoacetylene respectively, have been prepared and their infrared spectra determined. The heats of explosion of uncased charges of bis-trinitroethylnitramine has been performed. A program to investigate some properties of high explosives at microwave frequencies is being undertaken. Heterogeneous explosives consisting of metal-loaded organic explosives were also tested. Synthesis work was performed on nitrogen-fluorine compounds, boron-hydrogen-nitrogen compounds, reaction of hexachloromelamine with chlorinetrifluoride, and nitration studies.

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The development of new techniques of initiating nuclear weapons has amplified the requirement for an accurate knowledge of the probability of initiation as a function of the various parameters involved. The results of the codes presently used to calculate these probabilities are self-consistent, but have been shown to be quite sensitive to the value of fission cross section used. Accordingly the critical assemblies group vas requested informally by small weapons division to investigate the feasibility of providing a prompt critical assembly which could give an experimental basis for normalization of the code results. A study of the various assemblies which met the requirements of this experiment was therefore conducted to determine which was best suited. The conclusion of the study is that a bare spherical oralloy assembly similar in operation to that of the Los Alamos Godiva would be the most suitable device with which to make these measurements. This conclusion was based on the fact that the prompt critical behavior of such a bare oralloy sphere is well understood and further, this behavior can be calculated by means of the present weapons codes. Such an assembly could be in operation in less than six months and would require an …

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An evaluation was made of the use of NaK as the primary coolant for the SNAP-2 system. Pumping-power limitations based on the mercury Rankine cycle are analyzed. Problems pertinent to any design-specification modifications are reviewed.

The SNAP Experimental Reactor (SER) is a small power reactor that is to be built and operated in the original SNAP-II critical facility. The reactor is described, and the hazards previously evaluated for the SNAP II critical faciity are reviewed.