This report follows the work on the Kjedahl digestion procedure in sealed tubes at 470 C. as well as analyzing factors influencing ammonia decomposition within these tubes.

Abstract: "From neutron-yield measurements made with a MnSO4 detecting solution, the average number of neutrons produced per inelastic event is determined for a series of elements from lithium to uranium for 340-Mev protons, 190-and 315-Mev deuterons, 490-Mev He3 ions, and 90- and 160-Mev neutrons. The results are analyzed in an attempt to understand the total yield measurements for thick targets and to explain the variation of yield with the atomic number of the target."

Abstract: "The problem of maintaining livable oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures in a closed space in which men must live leads to consideration of the possible use of the photosynthesis of green algae. A calculation based on the known respiratory rate of man and the photosynthetic rates of Chlorella indicates that it would be feasible to use algae for this purpose."

Abstract: "Choline chloride and six analogs have been exposed in the dry, crystalline state to high-energy electron and gamma radiation. This investigation has confirmation the abnormal radiation sensitivity of choline chloride. Its G values (molecules decomposed/100 ev) were found to be: e- -radiation, 20; y-radiation, 175. These high values indicate a chain mechanism for the solid-state reaction. The G values for the choline analogs were found to range from 1 to 18 for the electron irradiations and from 1 to 32 for the gamma irradiations. Betaine hydrochloride approaches choline chloride in instability toward high-energy electrons but is far more stable in the presence of y-rays."

Abstract: "The results of the investigation of three methods of obtaining transverse stability in linear accelerators for ions are presented and discussed. For electric or magnetic quadrupole focusing the range of stable operation, oscillation amplitudes, and the operation of an actual grid is analyzed from measurements of the field distribution. Finally, the formulas applicable to focusing by axial magnetic lenses are presented."

From introduction: "This report is an attempt to examine, semiquantitavely, the way the competition between neutron emission and fission varies for heavy nuclei as a function of nuclear type and excitation energy. Many of the ideas herein are the results of discussions with R. H. Goeckermann and W. Heckrotte of the University of California Radiation Laboratory."

Abstract: An application of the magnetic mirror principle to the acceleration of a plasma is described. It is shown that an axially symmetric magnetic field which increases with time but decreases with distance along the axis can impart a net translational energy to a plasma. This effect on a plasma is contrasted with that arising from an impressed electric field, which is not effective in producing acceleration.

Abstract: "Probes were used to measure certain properties of the cloud of positive ions and electrons ejected from a pulsed ion source having two hydrogen-loaded electrodes. Time-of-flight measurements show: the presence of H+ ions with 50 ev directed energy; an increase of this energy with increasing pulse current in the source; a higher peak yield of ions with higher peak currents in the source; and higher yields and higher ion energies up to 110 ev have been recorded with the use of a pulsed magnetic field impressed upon the source. The neutral positive ion-electron beam from the source has been projected against an increasing magnetic field and the reflected and transmitted signals have been recorded and compared as a function of the magnetic field. Probe signals from the plasma as it encounters the magnetic field are oscillatory, suggesting that magnetohydrodynamic phenomena are presented."

The following report investigates the possible use of thermal emf's to produce the plasma-containing magnetic field in a thermonuclear reactor.

Introduction: "Prior analyses of a plasma in a magnetic field have been limited, as far as the writer is aware, to cases in which the relative change in field over the orbital distance and the relative change in ion concentration are both small, or in which the relations have been viewed in a purely hydrodynamical way. The first approach excludes cases which can be of considerable interests, for it fails near a plasma edge. The second loses all sight of the structure imposed by the orbital motions."

From abstract: "This paper is concerned with instability analysis of various difference equations whose solutions represent the solution of a given diffusion equation where "a" is positive under stated initial and boundry conditions."

Abstract: "A dc magnetic mirror machine has been built and tested by the ARC Research Group. Radiofrequency enhancement has been included in the design through the use of rf plates in the vacuum chamber of the machine. For the proton beams of the order of 1[mu]a, the mirror action has been observed as a function of both the rf voltage and the magnitude of the mirror field relative to the main magnetic field. Current measurements were performed with the aid of a Faraday cup with suitable bias grids."

From abstract: "Within the framework of age theory an expression is developed which represents the probability of a neutron being reflected with an energy loss corresponding to age, v, as a function of reflector thickness."

Abstract: "These notes were written from recordings of a series of lectures which Dr. Montgomery H. Johnson presented to the ARC Research Group of the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, during January, February and March of 1954. In the lectures he discussed plasma oscillations and the penetration of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields into plasmas. Dr. Johnson plainly did not attempt rigorous or exhaustive treatments of these subjects but rather contented himself for the most part with the introduction of ideas in the simplest manner possible."

The following document describes how to determine the measurements of the optical density or absorption spectra of suspensions of micro-organisms.

Introduction: "This report covers the contributions of UCRL to MTA research and development program during the period June 1 to November 30, 1953. In this program UCRL continues to work in close collaboration with the California Research and Development Company (CRD)."

Abstract: "The cross section for this reaction is calculated for three Hulthen deuteron wave functions. A hard core in the deuteron at one-half meson Compton wavelength reduces the total cross section and flattens the angular distribution in the backwards direction in agreement with experiment."

Abstract: "A fast, linear air-ionization chamber has been developed for integrating and monitoring external heavy-particle beams. It consists of a thin-windowed air chamber in which the beam ionization light is viewed by a photomultiplier whose output is fed directly to a standard electrometer."

From introduction: "This article constitutes the third of a series of three papers on the "direct" measurements of the meson masses by the "Hp vs. Range" mass ratio method...The study here reported is a logical extension of the pion-proton mass ratio technique."

The following report analyzes results from studies made while applying chelating agents to ion exchange separations of the elements americium and curium.

Abstract: "The distribution ratios and equilibrium constants for the extraction of zirconium and hafnium from 4 M perchloric acid with various combinations of fluorinated [beta]-diketones and organic solvents have been determined. The separation factors K'Zr/K'HF, found for this acidity were: Z-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in benzene, 25; Z-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in o-dichlorobenzene, 16; benzoyltrifluoroacetone in benzene, 18; isovaleroyltrifluoroacetone in benzene, 13; isovaleroyltrifluoroacetone in n-hexane, 13."

The following report measures and analyzes the nuclear internal momentum distributions of protons in light nuclei with the 340-Mev scattered proton beam from the synchocyclotron.

Abstract: "Observations on the metabolism of chyle cholesterol in the rat show that exogenous cholesterol entering the systemic circulation in chyle exists in lipoproteins of low density (including chylomicrons) migrating with a high Sf rate (i.e.>400) in the ultracentrifuge. Following entry into the systemic circulation these molecules are rapidly removed from the plasma. This "clearing" of serum chyle cholesterol is a tissue phenomenon, the liver being the predominant site. Within the liver the chyle cholesterol esters are at least partially hydrolyzed; hydrolysis apparently does not occur in the plasma to any appreciable extent. After its entry into the liver exogenous cholesterol, if normally metabolized, presumably mixes with and becomes indistinguishable from cholesterol produced by endogenous synthesis."

The following report is a general monthly progress report conducted by the radiation laboratory of the University of California discussing experimental physics, theoretical physics, the MTA target physics program, accelerator construction and operation, biology and medicine, and a plant and equipment report. The period being covered is January 15, 1954 to February 15, 1954.