The examinations of seven process tubes are covered in this report. Tubas reported on are 3362-B and 0561-C. these were removed under PT-105-522-P. ``Routine Examination of Process Tubes``. Tubes 2572-C and2679-C were operating under PT-105-519-E. ``Raising Permissible Outlet Water Temperatures of Certain Tubes at C Pile``. In tube 2679-Z a rupture occurred during its operating period. These tubes (2572-C and 2679-C) were smaller diameter process tubes such as used in B, D, F, DR, and H Piles. Tube 2772-C was removed because of a suspected rupture. Tubes 3571-D and 2170-D were removed under PT-105-525-E. ``Effects of Water Quality on Pile Operation``. Visual inspection was made of the inside and outside surfaces before and after removal of the film. This work was performed in the 105-DR storage basin. Samples varying from one to four inches in length were taken from each section and transferred to the 108-B metallurgical laboratory for closer examination as regards to depth of pitting, 72-S cladding thickness, and wall thickness. The results shown in this report such as pit depth, 72-S cladding thickness and 2-S aluminum thickness are taken at specific points in each section, on what appeared to be the severest attack.

Progress is reported in the fabrication and inspection of metals.

This report details the activities of the Radiation Monitoring Sub- Section of the Reactor Section during the month of August 1954.

The evidence is decisive that major nuclear shells are completed at 82 protons and 126 neutrons (both represented by the nuclide Pb{sup 208}) and these, along with major shells at 82 neutrons and certain lower nucleon numbers (N or Z = 20, 28, 50), are well explained by the strong spin orbit coupling model of Mayer and Haxel, Jensen, and Suess. This model suggests the filling of quantum states at certain intermediate points, and there is an accumulating amount of evidence that such 'sub shells' are also discernible, for example, at Z = 58 and Z = 64. The evidence from alpha radioactivity, both (1) the effect of the nuclear radius shrinkage on the relationship between energy and half-life and (2) the discontinuities in the plots of energy vs. mass number at constant Z, gives a striking indication of the closing of major shells at Z = 82 and N = 126. Application of these sensitive criteria as tests for the much smaller 'subshell' effects in the regions Z > 82 and N > 126 leads to some evidence for such a subshell at Z = 96 (curium).

Neutron spectra were obtained for a series of subcritical fuel assemblies with light water as moderator. It is concluded from the experimental results that the observed spectra are in reasonable agreement with the Wigner-Wilkins thermal neutron spectra calculations. (L.T.W.)