Nematode Research Cooperative research between Brookhaven National Laboratory and the U. S. Department of Agriculture Nematode Research Laboratory has shown that relatively small doses of radiation will produce sterility in nematode worms. Nematode infections are very serious in many crops such as potatoes and strawberries. By irradiation of the potatoes from an infected area, it would be possible to prevent the spread of the infection and also to prolong the storage life of the potatoes by preventing them from sprouting (see pp. 57-58, Sixteenth Semiannual Report, January-June 1954). This finding leads to the possibility of controlling a number of nematode infections by the use of radiation. For example, such infections in strawberries are usually passed along with new plants, so by irradiation of the plants before planting, it should be possible to maintain a field free of infection. Preliminary investigations along this line are very encouraging. Radiation Injury in Plants Many aspects of the effects of radiation on plants have been studied and important information has been obtained. Recent investigations at Argonne National Laboratory were designed to give more precise information on the mechanisms by which radiation produces plant injury. The results of many experiments have suggested that growing tissues are more sensitive to radiation than are nongrowing tissues. It is also well known that shortages or excesses of certain mineral elements in plants result in reduction of metabolic activity and retardation of growth; for example, the absence of boron, even for short periods, decreases cellular activity and arrests growth. To scientists at the Argonne Laboratory these facts suggested that it might be profitable to investigate the effects of boron on the radiosensitivity of plants. In normal sunflower plants exposed to X-ray (1000r), typical radiation symptoms-speckling, mottling, and distortion-appeared in all the subsequently developed leaves (26 to 28 pairs) up to 70 days later; in addition, growth was retarded. In boron-deficient sunflower plants, leaf damage was observed only in the first six to seven pairs of leaves, and recovery thereafter was complete. These plants were considerably less stunted. The results of this study indicate also that the same experimental approach may well be used to obtain more information on the roles of boron and other essential mineral elements in the growth of plants. PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE DEVELOPMENT The scintillation counter technique which was introduced shortly after World War II has progressed so rapidly that it is now the most effective and versatile method for the detection and measurement of nuclear radiations and particles. The method depends on the interaction of radiations with special materials known as scintillators, in which minute flashes of light are generated in proportion to the energy of the incident nuclear ray. These individual flashes are "viewed" by a photomultiplier tube which converts the light into small electrical impulses and then amplifies them to levels readily utilized by electronic techniques. The scintillation counter detects radiation much faster and with greater efficiency than the Geiger counter or ionization chamber. Counting efficiencies approaching 100 percent are realizable and phenomena occurring in one-one hundred millionth of a second can be analyzed. Two new photomultiplier tubes developed under contract for the Commission are now being produced in quantities and will shortly be readily available. The two tubes offer new applications for scintillation counting techniques. One is a 16-inch photomultiplier tube developed by the Allen B. DuMont Laboratories. Its application for gamma-ray spectrometry with either large solid fluors or liquid scintillators opens new fields of experimentation and measurement. The other tube, developed by the Radio Corporation of America, is a 2-inch photocathode, high gain linear, multiplier phototube. It was designed for applications in high speed measurements of nuclear events required for the study of phenomena associated with high energy accelerators. Two of these tubes were used successfully in the instrumentation employed in the recent discovery by University of California Radiation Laboratory scientists of the antiproton. MONITORING OF MARINE FOOD PRODUCTS Following the underwater defense test detonation of a small fission device in the eastern Pacific this past spring, the Atomic Energy Commission, in cooperation with the Federal Food and Drug Administration, established a monitoring system on the west coast to detect any possible presence of radioactivity in marine food fish as a result of the detonation. Anchovies, mackerel, tuna, and sharks (livers and fins) caught in the general area off California and Mexico, were monitored. Automatic survey counting and recording equipment was installed on the conveyor lines at the large fish canneries. Hand monitoring was con ducted at the smaller canneries by trained Food and Drug Administration inspectors. From the beginning of the program in mid-May to its termination in early August, 49,514,500 pounds of fish were monitored. The monitoring program confirmed the previous announcement that the test involved no health hazard to mainland or island inhabitants or consumers of fish. CIVIL DEFENSE LIAISON ACTIVITIES Increased emphasis during this reporting period was placed on developing the most effective means of providing additional scientific and technical support to the Federal Civil Defense Administration in furtherance of the Commission's long standing policy of support to the national civil defense program. This effort included the following activities. Operation ARME "Operation ARME”, an aerial radiological monitoring exercise, was conducted at the Nevada Test Site by the Atomic Energy Commission during the week of October 17, 1955, for Federal Civil Defense Administration-sponsored personnel. The objective was to acquaint the participants, representing FCDA, state and local radiological defense organizations, with aerial survey techniques and equipment developed by the Health and Safety Laboratory, New York Operations Office, for monitoring large water and land areas adjoining continental and overseas test sites. The aerial survey instrumentation included an airborne detector, an altitude compensator and a telemetering unit to transmit information to a remote ground station. The successful completion of this exercise demonstrated the technical feasibility of aerial radiological survey techniques. The Federal Civil Defense Administration will utilize the experience gained to develop criteria and guidance in radiological monitoring for civil defense applications in connection with fall-out from nuclear attack. Selected shot areas in Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, were surveyed by aerial and ground teams to determine the level of activity and distribution of the low-level radiation remaining principally from the May 5, 1955 "Open Shot". The exercise provided a basis of comparison of aerial and ground survey operations and results. The operational program included briefings and field familiarization with the component parts of the air and ground monitoring methods and equipment, including mobile radar for tracking the survey aircraft. A total of 27 persons took part in Operation ARME, including 13 FCDA and U. S. Public Health Service personnel, 9 representing state and local civil defense organizations, and 5 from AEC. AEC-FCDA Conference A 2-day conference on "Nuclear Effects and Civil Defense" was held in Chicago in late October to sum up the state of knowledge of nuclear effects applicable to civil defense research problems and applications of weapons effects data. The meeting covered the main areas of physical damage to civilian structures and the modes of occurrence of such damage; biomedical effects, including blast biology, prompt and residual radiation and radiation effects on foodstuffs; and measurement and evaluation of radiological contamination. AEC staff members and experts from various Commission contractors discussed these subjects, drawing upon civil effects projects of Operation TEAPOT (spring 1955, Nevada Test Site), as well as earlier atomic weapons tests and results of other field and laboratory research. Forty-eight persons attended this conference, including 34 from the Federal Civil Defense Administration. Dissemination of Civil Effects Information Thirty-seven preliminary reports have been issued covering each of the projects carried out by the Civil Effects Test Group, during Operation TEAPOT. Seventeen of these were issued as unclassified reports with wide distribution resulting in many cases. Final reports, completing description and evaluation of each civil effects project, are under preparation. Emphasis is being placed upon elimination or segregation of classified information wherever possible. so that release of a large mass of information on the civil effects of nuclear detonations can be made to state and local civil defense organizations, architects, engineers, the medical profession, and to the public. In addition, classified reports in this area of information resulting from all past test operations, both Pacific and continental, are being reviewed for possible declassification. These reports total several hundred. Classified weapons effects reports are routinely provided the Federal Civil Defense Administration by the AEC and Department of Defense under prescribed security safeguards. International Affairs The Commission is authorized under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to perform specific activities in the field of international cooperation to "promote the common defense and security and to make available to cooperating nations the benefits of peaceful applications of atomic energy." The increased interest of foreign nations in atomic energy development, and the new obligations of the AEC resulting from the provisions for international cooperation in the new law led the Commission to establish on November 13, 1955, a Division of International Affairs. The new division is responsible for developing and directing a program of international cooperation in the area of peaceful applications of atomic energy to the extent authorized by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and consistent with United States policy. The program includes coordination of AEC activities relating to the various types of agreements for international cooperation, including those covering the sale or lease of nuclear or special materials; assistance on matters relating to the proposed International Atomic Energy Agency; international scientific conferences on atomic energy developments and related projects. Technical advice and assistance will be provided other nations, as authorized, through the exchange of technical and nontechnical reports, AEC libraries, arrangements for visits of foreign nationals to AEC headquarters and field installations, their participation in specialized training courses at AEC centers or cooperating universities, and the use of materials and equipment. In addition, the division will also maintain liasion with the Department of State and other Government agencies concerned with international affairs and foreign officials regarding atomic energy matters. This will include direct participation with the Department of State on proposals presented to the United Nations involving atomic energy such as disarmament and the study of ionizing radiation. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAM Specific accomplishments for the 6 months' period of this report under the international program are reported below. Agreements for Cooperation Negotiations leading to agreements for cooperation in the civil uses of atomic energy were undertaken with 27 countries. Fully effective agreements for cooperation were completed with 22 countries by Dec. 31. Agreements relating to the exchange of unclassified information on design, construction, and operation of research reactors include the countries of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Pakistan, the 369460-56-7 |