This summary of the research progress meeting for March 25, 1948 covers the following topics: (1) Recent n-p scattering measurements; (2) Mass measurements of mesons; and (3) Naphthalene counters.

The radioactive amino acid's synthesized from C{sup 14}O{sub 2} by green algae both in the light and in the dark after CO{sub 2}-free preillumination have been separated and identified using paper chromatography and radioautography. The radioactive amino acids identified were aspartic acid, alanine and smaller amounts of 3- and 4-carbon amino acids. This finding as well as the total absence of radioactive glutamic acid substantiates the mechanism for reduction of CO{sub 2} previously postulated by members of this laboratory.

Tracer studies employing uranium enriched in the isotopes U{sup 234}, U{sup 235} have been carried out in six human subjects; four males and two females. The uranium, 6 micrograms to 70 micrograms per kilogram of body weight was given intravenously in the hexavalent state as uranyl nitrate. Each individual of the series received a single injection of the metal except for one who was given two widely spaced doses. The first of these was when his condition was normal and the second after an acidosis had been produced by ingestion of ammonium chloride. Renal function tests including urinary catalase, protein, amino N to Creatinine N ratio and clearances of mannitol and p-aminohippurate were done before and after administration of uranium. Only at the 70 microgram per kilogram level in Subject 6 was there a slight rise in urinary catalase and protein suggesting that tolerance had been reached. The excretion of uranium was mainly in the urine, where from 70 to 85% of the administered dose appeared in the first twenty-four hours. Urine of the second twenty-four hours contained about 4% and the third twenty-four hour urine, 1.5% of the administered dose. Detectable amounts were excreted for at least two weeks.

This memorandum is an outline of hydrologic investigations that seem desirable at the Hanford Directed Operations of the Atomic Energy Commission. In its present form, the outline is tentative and is intended as a basis for further considerations in the Commission, the Geological Survey, and other agencies concerned. In scope, it seeks to cover (1) advisory functions to the Atomic Energy Commission and its prime contractor with respect to an evaluation of the continuing hazards due to process wastes, also with respect to water-supply problems of the expanding operations at Hanford; also (2) civilian-protection aspects of possible emergencies, especially in the region adjacent to the Hanford reservation.