The following quarterly progress report covers the period from November 16, 1962 to February 15, 1963. This report summarizes three activities that study the ratio of the maximum absorption of the K band to the maximum absorption of the F band has been made in additively colored and [gamma]-irradiated rubidium chloride.

From report : "It has become apparent that pragmatic resonance data alone are insufficient to correctly evaluate crystal field parameters for rare-earth ethylsulfates, and that heat capacity data above 20°K are a useful aid in determining whether low lying levels obtained by absorption spectroscopy have been correctly identified."

This technical report describes development work done on zonal centrifuge systems at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant during the period July 1 to December 31, 1962 under the Joint National Institute for Health-Atomic Energy Commission Zonal Centrifuge Development Program. A basic purpose of this project is to develop new methods for isolating virus particles associated with cancerous cells and tissues. Three classes of rotor systems capable of separating particles ranging in size from whole animal or plant cells to protein or nucleic acid molecules on the basis of either sedimentation rate or density alone have been developed. Experiments with phage particles indicate the feasibility of large-scale virus isolation by continuous-flow centrifugation, followed by isopycnic banding in cesium chloride and velocity sedimentation in sucrose - all steps being carried out sequentially in the same rotor. Zonal rotors using the reorienting gradient principle for molecular separations have been tested to 141,000 rpm (formula). Previous work on zonal centrifugation and future plans for this program are discussed.

A self—abradory process is described for the small-scale preparation of 150 - 200 micron spheroidal particles of various UO2- ThO2 compositions. The particles can be sintered to high densities before or after dispersion in beryllium oxide. Because of the high compaction pressure used in making particles, they are strong enough to resist abrasion and crushing during mixing with beryllium oxide powder, after sintering, the particles consist of a (U, Th)02 solid solution with a small range of composition, but the overall composition does not vary from one particle to another. The types of porosity observed after sintering are consistent with the occurrence of two competitive mechanisms during spheroidisation, namely particle abrasion and particle build-up.

Inhomogeneities in Brush UOX beryllium oxide observed in the powder and in cold pressed and sintered specimens have been removed by grinding the powder prior to fabrication, all grinding procedures reduced the densities obtained under standard sintering conditions, but some grain refinement was noted on sintering after short grinding periods. These effects are related to the introduction of alumina and silica impurities during ball milling. There is some indication that short grinding periods improve the strength of sintered specimens.

Specimens of beryllium oxide based dispersion fuels containing between three and twenty-six volume per cent, of U02— Th02 solid solution were irradiated to fission densities of 2 to 14 x 1019 fissions/cm3 of total specimen (equivalent burn—ups of 80 to 230 per cent.) at temperatures of 600 - 850ºC. The experiment was primarily designed to investigate fission product damage although some fast neutron damage did occur in the matrix, the specimens showed excellent resistance to fission product damage; dimensional changes were small, fission product escape was generally only that expected by recoil and there was no sign of cracking due to thermal stresses although these reached estimated values of about 30,000 p.s.i. in some specimens, Metallographic examination showed that some weakening of the matrix grain boundaries had occurred and some preliminary x-ray results suggested that the matrix was in a state of strain. It is suggested that these effects could be due either to fast neutron damage in the matrix or swelling of the fuel particles. The experiment did not provide any conclusive evidence for the superiority of coarse fuel particles (100 - 180μ.) over fine fuel particles (< 10μ) although the dimensional changes and the degree of matrix strain …

A programme is given to calculate the critical sized and the two-group flux distributions in a cylindrical reactor with identical top and bottom reflectors. The core is not reflected on the sides. In addition to the size and the flux distributions the programme outputs the initial fuel investment together with parameters which will enable evaluation of the fission heat release distribution. The output of a parameter to enable the manual calculation of coolant outlet temperature from a gas cooled reactor is also available. The programme may be used for reflector salvage studies, for heat distribution calculations, or as a check programme for a more ambitious calculations.

The major long lived activity induced in irradiated Pechiney and Brush BeO specimens is due to Se-46 arising from scandium present to the extent of about 1 p.p.m. The Brush specimens showed additional activities due to Fe-59 and Co-60 and to Cr-51. The levels of Cr-51 found are considerably higher than would be expected on the basis of stated chromium impurity levels suggesting that the chromium is introduced during handling of the samples on site. Approximate values of the dose rate are included.

An analysis of the behavior of the asymptotic flux on either side of a strongly absorbing grey slab in an otherwise uniform medium, with an arbitrary distribution of sources, leads to a method of accounting for the effect of the slab within the framework of the diffusion approximation. It is necessary to introduce a new parameter, the linear extrapolation distance at the surface of the slab in an anti-symmetrical neutron distribution.

Preliminary experiments using acetylacetone in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to separate major quantities of beryllium from fission products are reported. Using 2M beryllium solutions, decontamination factors of the order of 10/sup 3/ were obtained with trace quantities of the more important fission products. This is sufficiently encouraging for the work to be repeated at higher activity levels.

"Results of the continuing stratospheric flight test evaluation program for the Del Model I Electrostatic Precipitator Sampler and the Del Electrical Discharge Altimeter are described and discussed. Only one of four balloon launches reached floating altitude. The altimeter obtained an altitude recording consistent with concurrent aneroid barocoder readings. The reported gross gamma concentration for the precipitator sampler was approximates 25 and 80% higher than those of the two simultaneous direct flow filter samples. The completion of the design and construction of two prototype units of the Del Electrical Discharge Altimeter and their laboratory evaluation are described. A preliminary design concept is presented for an operational high volume electrostatic precipitator sampler to operate with high collection efficiency at an ambient flowrate of 500 cfm throughout the altitude range 100,000 to 150,000 ft."

The method of collection and the subsequent analysis of the hematological data accumulated by the Joint Commission of the Investigation of the Early Effects of the Atomic Bomb in Japan, have been described. In the present investigations, an additional analysis of the hematological data was made to investigate a possible relationship between leukopenia and the mortality rate within the first nine weeks following the bombings. It has been frequently observed in laboratory animals exposed to ionizing radiation that the extent of the fall in the white blood count reflects the dose of radiation received. Smith et al have demonstrated that in mice survival can be related to the depression of the granulocyte count at various times following radiation. Cronkite and Brecher and Cronkite, Bond and Dunham inferred that the hematological response could be used as a biologic dosimeter for exposed human beings. This report is concerned with the study of the response of the white blood cells to ionizing radiation resulting from the atomic bomb detonation in Japan.

In discussing this subject, data on radiation induced mammary gland neoplasia in the rat indicating that direct interaction between the radiation and target tissue is necessary for maximum neoplasia induction will be presented mainly. Other types of radiation induced neoplasia, in which little or no information on the mechanisms involved is available, will be discussed briefly. In particular, investigations on radiation induced mouse lymphoma will be reviewed, in which neoplasia appears to be an abscopal effect. Implications of these data will be discussed, particularly with regard to possible mechanisms involved, and extrapolation to man.

The generic term "chemonuclear" has been assigned to any chemical process system using nuclear energy as the prime energy source. The type of effect which induces the chemical change, or produces the chemical is of importance in classifying the type of chemonuclear process, or reactor involved. Four types of effects are identified for this classification. These are radiation, thermal, electrical, and photolytic effects. The radiation effects include the interaction with matter of high energy particles, or photons carrying energy in the range of a million electron volts (MEV) or higher, and causing primarily ionization effects. Thermal effects include transfer of thermal energy to matter and usually is directed towards producing a thermodynamic equilibrium in the system. Electrical effects are concerned with interaction with matter of particles carrying energy in the range of electron volts up to thousands of electron volts (EV to KEV). The photolytic effects utilize photon energy in the range of infrared through the visible to the ultraviolet radiation (IR, Visible, and UV). As is evident, this classification is somewhat arbitrary since it is primarily based on a division of the energy spectrum which is in reality continuous. It does, however, separate the more conventional methods of inducing …

The pioneer study by Benjamin and Sluka in 1908 on inhibition of antibody formation by X-rays revealed the importance of the temporal relationship between exposure to radiation and injection of antigen. X-radiation delivered three days before injection of beef serum inhibited precipitin formation in rabbits. A similar exposure to X-rays delivered three days after injection of the antigen failed to repress production of specific antibody. These observations were partially confirmed in 1915 when Hektoen reported inhibition of hemolysin production in the rat when X-radiation was delivered either before or after injection of sheep red cells. Although an absolute difference in radiosensitivity was not evident, the depressant effect of radiation on antibody production appeared to be less effective when radiation was given after injection of the antigen.

The spectra of KHF2, KH2F3, NaH2F3, liquid and solid HF were measured between 1200 and 30 cm-1 by the inelastic scattering of "cold neutrons" (0.005e.v.). The spectrum of KHF2 is in agreement with previous infrared measurements and shows a peak at 147 mV corresponding to a deformation frequency v2 of the F-H-F group and a broad peak at 13 mV due to a libration of this group. The observed spectra for KH2F3, NaH2F3 solid and liquid HF were compared with that for KHF2 considering the known results that the F-F distance increases, the position of the H atom between the two fluorines becomes more asymmetrical, and the strength of the hydrogen bond decreases in going from the HF2- ion to H2F3- ion to HF. In this comparison the known structure of the H2F3- ion is considered as being intermediate between that of HF2- and the zig-zag hydrogen bonded chains in solid HF. As a result, the lines observed at 112 mV and 67 mV in the H2F3- spectra and in HF respectively are associated with the deformation frequency v2 of the H-F-H group in these compounds. In addition the spectra of H2F3- ions show a peak at a 15 mV …

The rapid advances in many technologically important areas have not only served to accentuate the increased demands for high temperature metals and ceramics but have necessitated a more through knowledge of their physical properties when exposed to high temperature service. Toward this latter end, the use of X-ray diffraction has proved an invaluable tool in providing data of regions of thermal stability, expansion coefficients, solid solubility limits, and phase transformations by direct examination at temperature. Since this Laboratory has for some time now been engaged in the study of refractory nuclear materials, it was thought desirable to employ and possibly extend this technique to temperatures ranging up to 3000°C. This communication will describe the equipment developed for this purpose, with experimental results to be described in subsequent publications.

Initiation of reactions by intermittent irradiation is frequently encountered in physical, chemical, and biological systems. Mathematical expressions for transient and steady state concentrations of reactive species in these systems are useful for predicting performance and for research purposes. A general method of formulation of the intermittent irradiation problem is presented herein, and illustrative solutions are obtained for radioactive decay chains and for the rotating sector method.

Cell proliferation on the actively growing periosteal surface of the femur of rabbits aged two weeks, has been investigated using autoradiographic techniques. Injections of tritiated glycine and tritiated thymidine were given simultaneously and the animals sacrificed at intervals from one hour to 5 days after injection. The glycine labelled the position of the bone surface at the time of injection and the thymidine labelled the cells which were synthesizing DNA . The rate of increase in the cell population was determined by counting the number of cells beyond the glycine label at different times after injection. The cell kinetics of the fibroblast--pre-osteoblast--osteoblast--osteocyte system has been studied. The fibroblasts are relatively unimportant from the point of view of increase in the cell population. The main site of cell proliferation is the layer of preosteoblasts on the periosteal surface. The rate of movement of cells from the pre-osteoblast to the osteoblast and osteocyte compartments has been measured. The incorporation of osteoblasts into the bone is not a random process, but it appears that the osteoblast must spend a certain time on the periosteal surface before becoming either an osteocyte or a relatively inactive osteoblast lining a haversian canal. During its most active …

A study of the cell kinetics on the actively growing periosteal surface of the femur of rabbits ages two weeks has been continues. A single injection of tritiated thymidine was given and the rabbits killed from one hour to four days after injection. The grain count spectra of the different cell types, pre-osteoblast, osteoblast and osteocyte, have been compared at different times after injection. The results showed evidence for the uptake of thymidine in nuclei which is not associated with cell division. A small percentage of osteoblasts was initially labelled at one hour and there was evidence that the majority of these had not divided by 3 or 4 days after injection. Some thymidine labelled cells had also become osteocytes without division. Furthermore, it appeared that a considerable fraction of the initially labelled pre-osteoblasts did not divide. The S-period for the pre-osteoblasts and osteoblasts was measured using a double-labelled thymidine technique.

Studies carried on since 1956 indicate that the prosaic breeding procedure of sibbing among the most perennial segregates in the hybrid of 4n maize x 4n perennial teosinte quickly restores perennialism to 50% maize tetraploids through increasing the expression of the rhizomatous habit under selection pressure. Similarly, only two generations of selection at the 75% maize level have resulted in a progressive recovery of the perennial expressive. A high degree of maize-likeness therefore appears to be compatible with the perennial expression at the 4n level.

Studies of linkage in polyploids have been exceedingly rare. Only three previous studies of linkage in autotetraploid maize have been reported. Murray (1944), in a limited analysis of crossing over among 4 linked markers in chromosome 2, found varying degree of difference in linkage values between 2n and 4n maize in the three interposed segments. Dempsey (1956) found linkage values wx - c region of chromosome 9 to correspond closely between autotetraploid and diploid maize. More recently Welch (1962), in a more extensive analysis of linkage among the same group of chromosome 2 markers studied earlier by Murray, concluded that although individual progenies varied, linkage values in diploid and tetraploid maize, with some exceptions, are similar. Limited data from one segment of the allotetraploid of perennial teosinte x maize (Emerson and Beadle 1932) probably represent the only reported linkage tabulation in this type of polyploid. A further study of linkage of Zea polyploids seemed worthwhile because of the increasing practical importance of polyploids, of the possibility of adding to fundamental knowledge of tetraploid cytology and genetics, and of the bearing such work may have upon the question of the taxonomic affinities of maize.

The synthesis of several rare earth dodecaborides, isomorphous with UB12 and ZrB12, and crystallographic data for these phases were reported recently. The unit cells are face centered cubic with four formula weights of MeB12 per unit cell; the structures may be visualized in terms of boron atoms linked in a rigid three-dimensional network, with the metal atoms in large cubo-octahedral holes.

A neutron diffraction study of polycrystalline HCrO2 and DCrO2 (chromous acid) is described. Intensity data from the two substances were refined together by the least-squares method, with the constraint that the Cr-O distance be the same in the two substances. Estimates of individual contributions to multiple peaks were included in the least-squares refinement through the use of a non-diagonal weight matrix. The O-D-O bond is found to be asymmetric, O-D = 0.96 ± 0.04 A, O...O - 2.55 ± 0.02 A. The symmetry of the O-H-O bond cannot be determined, but agreement with observation is as good with a symmetric bond as with any other model. The O-H-O bond length is 2.49 ± 0.02 A. These results are consistent with those from previous studies of the HCrO2-DCrO2 system by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared techniques.