"The previously found maximum in the cosmic radiation energy spectrum is discussed, and the possibility that it arises in part from a misinterpretation of the data due to oversimplifying assumptions about the composition of the beam is examined. The importance that lack of recognition of isotopic composition may have is pointed out, and it is clear that this importance is strongly dependent on the measurements made and on the cut-off rigidity."

"The problem of explaining the lack of radiative muon decay in an intermediate charged vector meson theory is discussed. A possible way of introducing the charged vector meson to the theory of weak interactions is outlined in which renormalization is retained. However, if this way is used, the anomalous magnetic moment is calculated to be large, which is in contradiction with expectation."

"The present work describes some computer-oriented techniques for the application of the laws of quantum mechanics to the problems of determining basic structure of diatomic molecules. At times, calculations of the type described here yield results which can be compared directly with experiment to check the validity of the hypotheses and technique used they may predict the results of unobserved experimental phenomena; and, in many instances, they provide quantities which are necessary for the interpretation of experimental data but which cannot be directly measured."

"The study of the toxicity of Ra and MsTh(Ra/sup 228/) in humans was continued. Several Thorotrast cases were also examined. Physical and clinical studies were made on 151 persons. In all cases possible gamma ray measurements were made of Ra and MsTh decay products retained in the body, alpha -ray measurements of Rn and Rn/sup 220/ in breath, a complete medical history was taken, a complete x-ray examination was made of the skeleton, and urinalysis, hematological, and blood chemistry studies were made."

"The study of the toxicity of Ra and MsTh(Ra/sup 228/) in humans was continued. Several Thorotrast cases were also examined. Physical and clinical studies were made on 151 persons. In all cases possible gamma ray measurements were made of Ra and MsTh decay products retained in the body, alpha -ray measurements of Rn and Rn/sup 220/ in breath, a complete medical history was taken, a complete x-ray examination was made of the skeleton, and urinalysis, hematological, and blood chemistry studies were made."

"The understanding of interactions between the elementary particles, which no number thirty, and range from the massless neutrino to the Е with a mass of approximately 1320 Mev, in a prerequisite to the knowledge of the structure of matter. Although the complex aggregate of elementary particles which constitute matter displays properties different from those of the basic building blocks, nevertheless it is impossible to gain a firm knowledge of the behavior of matter without first ascertaining in the intrinsic properties of elementary particles, as well as the dynamics of their interactions. The present work is concerned with inelastic proton-proton scattering at 1.35 Bev, where single pion production predominates."

"The influence of compressive creep on the self-diffusivity of α-iron has been measured in the temperature range of 742-885°C. the diffusivity is enchanced in proportion to the strain rate, but this dependence decreases with increasing temperature. The magnitude of the strain is relatively unimportant in this connection. Strain rates from 0 to -2 x 10¯³ sec¯¹ were investigated with a corresponding increase in diffusivity up to 3 x 10³ times. The results are analyzed in terms of vacancy diffusion and the excess vacancies introduced during deformation. It is concluded that grain boundaries are the main vacancy sinks in polycrystalline iron and that the vacancy lifetime is therefore dependent on the grain size."

"Progress is reported on Phase II of a program for the development of a mixed fission product fueled thermoelectric generator. Materials studies are described in which bonded assemblies of bismuth telluride were life tested up to 3000 hours at 350 to 400 deg F hot junction temperature. Data were too inconsistent to define any satisfactory long-life bonding process. Further work is needed to eliminate the process variables. Insulation studies aimed at determining the thermal conductivity of various insulations with different fill gases under reduced pressures are described. Opacified aerogel powder appears to be very promising as an insulation medium for a diffuse heat source. A full- scale simulated test generator aimed at proving out the concept of a diffuse heat source for power generation is described. Progress on the construction of this electrically heated generator and its thermoelectric power converter is related.

"The properties of the muon have been studied for many years and much is now known about this particle. Very accurate measurements of its mass and magnetic moment gave values in the relationship predicted by the Dirac equation and quantum electrodynamics. Experimental evidence indicating that the muon spin is 1/2 is obtained from comparison of precession measurements of the muon bound in certain mesic atoms and from observation of muonium precession. To all appearances, one would conclude that the muon behaves as an unstable electron, but as 206.76 times the mass of that electron. A study of the interaction of the muon with nuclear matter may throw more light on this problem of muon-electron equivalence."

The methods of successive displacements or relaxation methods are investigated for a class of nonlinear problems. In particular it is shown that these methods are applicable to a large class of nonlinear problems arising from variational problems which yield elliptic equations. Constructive existence and uniqueness theorems are presented for the discrete problem and criteria are given for a practical method of obtaining solutions. The example of a discrete Plateau problem is used to illustrate the feasibility of the results. The processes are also shown to apply to uniformly elliptic problems.

"The laboratory experiments and field testing which were carried out in the development of a homogeneous gas labeling device are described. Detailed drawings of the injector and its most critical components are included. Recommendations are made for a production model of the device along with estimated costs of construction."

"This is the fourth Quarterly Report on Task II dealing with Methods Development for Radio-Tracing of Coal Product Hydrocarbons With Tritium. The problem of radio-chemical purity of traces is resolved by developing a new method of labeling with tritium that generates essentially no highly tagged side products or impurities."

"Graft polymers were made by Co60 mutual irradiation of mixtures of styrene and methyl acrylate in contact Teflon. These graft copolymers were analyzed by infra-red absorption and their composition determined. The composition of the graft copolymer formed from styrene and methyl acrylate was different from that which is predicted by the copolymer composition equation."