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At least 379 records · Page 21

Kinetic aspects of bone mineral metabolism

Two techniques were studied for measuring changes in bone mass in rats. One technique measures the Ar-37 produced from calcium during neutron irradiation and the other measures the changes in the Na-22 content which has been incorporated within the rat bone. Both methods are performed in VIVO and cause no significant physiological damage. The Ar-37 leaves the body of a rat within an hour after being produced, and it can be quantitatively collected and measured with a precision of - or + 2% on the same rat. With appropriate irradiation conditions it appears that the absolute quantity of calcuim in any rat can be determined within - or + 3% regardless of animal size. The Na-22 when uniformly distributed in bone, can be used to monitor bone mineral turnover and this has been demonstrated in conditions of calcium deficiency during growth and also pregnancy coupled with calcium deficiency.

Palmer, H. E.↗

The doublet-ratio method and interstellar abundances.

The method of doublet ratios, used in obtaining interstellar Na I and Ca II abundances, is generalized to include realistic multiple-cloud cases. Entirely apart from any errors of observation, the simplified velocity distribution used in the method leads to errors in the inferred column densities which are systematic and which can be as large as a factor of ten or more in some practical cases. The D lines of Na I toward zeta Oph illustrate such order-of-magnitude underestimates.

Nachman, P.↗

Measurement of radiation exposure of astronauts by radiochemical techniques

A cosmic radiation dose to the Apollo 17 crew of 1.3 R was calculated from the specific activities of Na-24 in their postflight urine specimens. The specific activities of K-42, Cr-51, Co60, and Sb-124, introduced by injection into the astronauts, are extremely high in these specimens. The Fe-59 and Cs-137 levels are also reported and appear to be normal. The concentrations of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba, Cr, Fe, Co, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, Sn, As, Sb, Se, Br, Sc, La, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta, and Th were measured in urine specimens from the Apollo 17 astronauts by neutron activation analysis. Strontium, barium, gold, cadmium, lanthanum, samarium, europium, terbium, thorium, and tin are reported for the first time. The concentrations or excretion rates of bromine and the alkali metals exhibit singificantly reduced postflight levels and are generally lower than values observed for previous missions. Chromium concentrations reflect radiochromium injections.

Brodzinski, R. L.↗

Laboratory determination of the luminous efficiency of meteor constituents

A crossed beam apparatus has been used to measure the emission and ionization cross sections for the prominent spectral features of Na, Ca, Mg, and Fe in collisions with N2 and O2 over the velocity range of 30 to 120 km/s. From the emission and ionization cross sections, the absolute luminous efficiencies in air were determined over the range of meteor velocities. The maximum luminous efficiencies for the brightest features were: greater than 1 percent for the Na D-lines, 0.2 percent for the Ca I(2) singlet, 0.06 percent for the Mg I(2) and Mg I(3) triplets, and 0.4 percent for Fe over the visible spectral range. These luminous efficiencies are valid for free molecular flow conditions for velocities above about 30 km/s and are directly applicable to spectroscopic observations of faint meteors. In contrast to previous work, the luminous efficiency found for stone in the present investigation decreased with velocity above about 50 km/s.

Savage, H. F.↗

Major and trace element concentrations in samples from 72275 and 72255

Analytical data have been obtained for Co, Sc, Hf, Zn, Cr, Ga, Rb, Cs, Ni, major elements, and rare earth elements in eight samples from boulder 1. The data for trace elements were obtained by radiochemical neutron activation analysis. Major elements, except Na and Mn, were obtained by atomic absorption spectral photometry. Values for Na and Mn were obtained by neutron activation analysis of the same powder that was later dissolved to provide the atomic absorption analyses.

Haskin, L. A.↗

Cosmic-ray exposure history of North Ray and South Ray material

Cosmic-ray exposure ages for two breccias, 68815 and 69935, in the vicinity of South Ray Crater give consistent values of 2.0 plus or minus 0.2 m.y. when measured by the Kr-81-Kr, Na-22-Ne, and particle track methods. These also agree with estimates of exposure ages made by others using microcrater counts on six rocks in the same vicinity, including 69935. It is likely that this represents the age of South Ray Crater. Soils from stations close to South Ray Crater appear to be mature, well-irradiated materials containing little, if any, of a 2 m.y. component. Reviewing various lines of evidence, it is concluded that there are no compelling reasons to believe that so-called South Ray soils contain a large fraction of South Ray ejecta. However, if they do contain such ejecta, this material must have been well irradiated in situ prior to being thrown out in the South Ray event. A chip from a large boulder on the rim of North Ray Crater gives a Kr-81-Kr age of 50.6 plus or minus 3.8 m.y. Similar ages are found by the Na-22-Ne and the particle track methods. The agreement of this result with other data on large North Ray boulders fixes the age of North Ray Crater as 50 m.y.

Behrmann, C.↗

Gamma-ray lines from novae

An appropriate gamma-ray telescope could detect the gamma-rays associated with radioactive decays. The observable lines would be the annihilation radiation following the positron emission of N-13, O-14, O-15, and Na-22 and the 2.312-MeV line emitted following the O-14 decay and the 1.274-MeV line emitted following the Na-22 decay. The experimental possibility should be borne in mind for the occurrence of novae within a few kiloparsecs.

Clayton, D. D.↗

The UCSD/MIT hard X-ray and low energy gamma ray experiment for HEAO-A

An HEAO-A spacecraft is described which is scheduled for launch in April 1977 to survey the sky in the 0.15 keV to 10 MeV range of X-rays with improved sensitivity and angular resolution. The spectral and time variations of discrete sources, and the spectrum and isotropy of the diffuse component will be measured. A hard X-ray and low energy gamma ray experiment is described which will use as an array of seven (NaI)(Tl)/CsI(Na) phoswich detectors and eight large CsI(Na) shields. Detector events are pulse-height analyzed with a selectable time resolution of 0.1, 0.005, or 0.00002 sec. The instrument background is expected to be comprised of approximately equal parts of diffuse gamma rays entering the aperture, radioactive decay of spallation products, and gamma ray leakage through the shields. Detailed background predictions are presented, and sensitivity estimates indicate that the Crab nebula should be detected up to approximately 5 MeV. Approximate 1% isotropy limits for the diffuse component of cosmic gamma rays should be achieved, and its spectrum measured with improved precision.

Matteson, J. L.↗

Alkali oxide-tantalum, niobium and antimony oxide ionic conductors

The phase equilibrium relations of four systems were investigated in detail. These consisted of sodium and potassium antimonates with antimony oxide and tantalum and niobium oxide with rubidium oxide as far as the ratio 4Rb2O:llB2O5 (B=Nb, Ta). The ternary system NaSbO3-Sb2O4-NaF was investigated extensively to determine the actual composition of the body centered cubic sodium antimonate. Various other binary and ternary oxide systems involving alkali oxides were examined in lesser detail. The phases synthesized were screened by ion exchange methods to determine mobility of the mobility of the alkali ion within the niobium, tantalum or antimony oxide (fluoride) structural framework. Five structure types warranted further investigation; these structure types are (1) hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB), (2) pyrochlore, (3) the hybrid HTB-pyrochlore hexagonal ordered phases, (4) body centered cubic antimonates and (5) 2K2O:3Nb2O5. Although all of these phases exhibit good ion exchange properties only the pyrochlore was prepared with Na(+) ions as an equilibrium phase and as a low porosity ceramic. Sb(+3) in the channel interferes with ionic conductivity in this case, although relatively good ionic conductivity was found for the metastable Na(+) ion exchanged analogs of RbTa2O5F and KTaWO6 pyrochlore phases.

Roth, R. S.↗

The atmosphere of Io from Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements

The occultation of the Pioneer 10 spacecraft by Io (JI) provided an opportunity to obtain two S-band radio occultation measurements of its atmosphere. The day-side entry measurements revealed an ionosphere having a peak density of about 60,000 el/cu cm at an altitude of about 100 km. The topside scale height indicates a plasma temperature of about 406 K if it is composed of Na(+) and 495 K if N2(+) is principal ion. A thinner and less dense ionosphere was observed on the exit (night side), having a peak density of 9,000 el/cu cm at an altitude of 50 km. The topside plasma temperature is 160 K for N2(-) and 131 K for Na(+). If the ionosphere is produced by photoionization in a manner analogous to the ionospheres of the terrestrial planets, the density of neutral particles at the surface of Io is less than 10 to 1 trillion per cu cm, corresponding to a surface pressure of less than 10 to 1 nanobars.

Kliore, A. J.↗

Physiological and biochemical characteristics of adrenergic receptors and pathways in brown adipocytes

Mechanisms involved in the thermogenic response of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to sympathetic nervous stimulation (e.g., by cold exposure) and to norepinephrine (NE) release are investigated. Three effects appear to play a role in the increased oxygen consumption (and heat production) of the adipocytes: increased membrane permeability, activation of the beta-adrenergic pathway, and enhancement of Na(+)/K(+) membrane pump activity. Increased passive influx of Na(+) and efflux of K(+) due to greater permeability raise the energy demands of the Na/K pump; the pump is also stimulated by increased cyclic AMP synthesis resulting from activation by NE of membrane-bound adenyl cyclase. Studies with inhibitors such as propanolol, phentolamine, and ouabain support this hypothesis.

Horwitz, B. A.↗

Photoelectric photometry of comet Kohoutek (1973f)

Comet Kohoutek was observed with the 50 cm (f/15) reflecting telescope of the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile, on fourteen nights between January 16 and 30, when the heliocentric and geocentric distances of the comet were r=0.66 - 1.00 A.U. and delta=0.81 - 0.96 A.U., respectively. The 40 inch and 80 inch diaphragms were used for the photometry of the cometary head in the UBV system and with six interference filters. The atmospheric conditions were good but the accuracy of observations was low due to large extinction and twilight. The mean error of one measurement of log F in all but Na 5893 A filters can be estimated at plus or minus 0.02, whereas the accuracy through the Na filter was substantially lower.

Kohoutek, L.↗

Cosmogenic radionuclides in stone meteorites

This document presents the techniques and compilation of results of cosmogenic Al-26 measurements at Goddard Space Flight Center on 91 samples of 76 stone meteorites. Short-lived radionuclides, including Na-22, Sc-46, Mn-54, and Co-60, were measured in 13 of these meteorites. About one-third of these data has not previously been published. The results are discussed briefly in terms of (1) depletion of Al-26 and natural potassium due to weathering, (2) possible exposure of several chondrites to an unusually high cosmic-ray flux, (3) comparison of Al-26, Na-22, Sc-46, and Mn5-54 in chondrites with the spallation Ne-22/Ne-21 ratio as a shielding indicator, and (4) comparison of (Al-26)-(Ne-22)/Ne-21 data for achondrite classes with the chondrite trend.

Cressy, P. J., Jr.↗

The effect of intermediate-scale motions on line formation

The problem of LTE and non-LTE line formation in the presence of nonthermal velocity fields with geometric scales between the microscopic and macroscopic limits is investigated in the cases of periodic sinusoidal and sawtooth waves. For a fixed source function (the LTE case), it is shown that time-averaged line profiles progress smoothly from the microscopic to the macroscopic limits as the geometric scale of the motions increases, that the sinusoidal motions produce symmetric time-averaged profiles, and that the sawtooth motions cause a redshift. In several idealized non-LTE cases, it is found that intermediate-scale velocity fields can significantly increase the surface source functions and line-core intensities. Calculations are made for a two-level atom in an isothermal atmosphere for a range of velocity scales and non-LTE coupling parameters and also for a two-level atom and a four-level representation of Na I line formation in the Harvard-Smithsonian Reference Atmosphere (1971) solar model. It is found that intermediate-scale velocity fields in the solar atmosphere could explain the central intensities of the Na I D lines and other strong absorption lines without invoking previously suggested high electron densities.

Shine, R. A.↗

High temperature condensates among meteors

It is noted that two meteors which exhibited no lines of iron or sodium in their spectra have been tentatively attributed to aubrites in order to explain their lack of iron. It is shown, however, that no meteorites, including aubrites, have simultaneously low abundances of iron and sodium and that possible parent materials other than aubrites must be considered for the observed meteors. Other possible parent materials considered in this letter include melilite and diopside, two minerals containing both Ca and Mg but neither Fe nor Na. It is suggested that meteoroids rich in Ca and Mg but lacking Fe and Na might form a reservoir for the so-called 'lost' elements (Ca, Mg, Al, Ti, the lanthanides, and other refractory elements) which are depleted in ordinary and enstatite chondrites relative to cosmic abundances.

Wilkening, L. L.↗

Mixed metal vapor phase matching for third-harmonic generation

Phase matching for frequency tripling of 1.06 microns is demonstrated in a homogeneous mixture of sodium and magnesium vapor. The ratio of Mg to Na vapor pressures required for phase matching is 2:1. This ratio is about 1/75 of that required to phase match Na with Xe.

Bloom, D. M.↗

Calcium abundance variations in diffuse interstellar clouds

Observations are discussed which show that the Na I/H2 column-density ratio is relatively constant among different clouds where H2 is optically thin, but the Na I/Ca II column-density ratio varies. This implies that the gas-phase abundance of calcium is variable. It is proposed that the wide variation in the gas-phase calcium abundance can be explained by small variations in the calcium content of grains. The observed enhancement of the Ca II/Na I column-density ratio with cloud velocity is attributed to grain destruction in grain-grain collisions within the same cloud. The structure of shock waves propagating through the interstellar gas is computed, and the grain-destruction model is compared with observational data.

Jura, M.↗

Measurement of 0.511-MeV gamma rays with a balloon-borne Ge/Li/ spectrometer

A collimated high-resolution gamma ray spectrometer was flown on a balloon over Palestine, Texas, on June 10, 1974, to obtain measurements of the terrestrial and extraterrestrial 0.511-MeV gamma rays. The spectrometer consists of four 40-cu-cm Ge(Li) crystals operating in the energy range 0.06-10 MeV; this cluster of detectors is surrounded by a CsI(Na) anticoincidence shield. This system is used primarily to allow measurements of the two escape peaks associated with high-energy gamma ray lines. It also allows a measurement of the background component of the 0.511-MeV flux produced by beta(+) decays in materials inside the CsI(Na) shield. It is shown that the measurements of the atmospheric fluxes are consistent with earlier results after allowance is made for an additional component of the background due to beta(+) decays produced by neutron- and proton-initiated interactions with materials in and near the detector. Results of the extraterrestrial flux require an extensive detailed analysis of the time-varying background because of activation buildup and balloon spatial drifts.

Ling, J. C.↗