Low-dose total-body-calcium analysis
Report details technique for measuring total body calcium by collecting exhaled 37Ar gas after exposure of patients to 14-MeV neutrons. Summary for theoretical basis of technique is presented.
Lewellen, T. K.↗
Engineering topics
Nelp, W. B.
Publications and source records attributed to Nelp, W. B..
Total body calcium analysis using the Ca-12(n, alpha) Ar-37 reaction
A low dose neutron activation technique was developed to measure total body calcium in vivo. The effort had included development of irradiation and processing facilities and conduction of human studies to determine the accuracy and precision of measurement attainable with the systems.
Lewellen, T. K.↗
Total body calcium analysis
A technique to quantitate total body calcium in humans is developed. Total body neutron irradiation is utilized to produce argon 37. The radio argon, which diffuses into the blood stream and is excreted through the lungs, is recovered from the exhaled breath and counted inside a proportional detector. Emphasis is placed on: (1) measurement of the rate of excretion of radio argon following total body neutron irradiation; (2) the development of the radio argon collection, purification, and counting systems; and (3) development of a patient irradiation facility using a 14 MeV neutron generator. Results and applications are discussed in detail.
Lewellen, T. K.↗
Light flash phenomenon seen by astronauts
The results from experiments conducted to characterize and elucidate light flashes seen by astronauts on Apollo 11, 12, 13, and 14 during transluna or transearth orbit are presented. The data show cosmic nuclei interacting with the visual apparatus causes the light flash phenomenon. The data also suggest that slow protons and helium ions with a stopping power greater than 10 KeV/micron will cause light flashes and streaks in the partially dark adapted eye. The effects of galactic cosmic nuclei interacting with man during long term missions are discussed.
Budinger, T. F.↗