Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO provided information on the limitations of the data it obtained during its review of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Women's Business Center Program, focusing on: (1) the problems with the records maintained by the Office of Women's Ownership and the Office of Procurement and Grants Management; and (2) whether the Office of Women's Ownership or the Office of Procurement and Grants Management is responsible for the collection and review of financial status reports."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO identified weaknesses in the Navy's personnel practices."

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO provided comments on whether the District of Columbia would violate the Antideficiency Act by: (1) approving vouchers for attorney's Criminal Justice Act (CJA) claims after the available fiscal year 1999 appropriations funds were exhausted; and (2) paying out CJA obligations exceeding the limitation contained in the 1999 District of Columbia Appropriations Act, GAO held that: (1) the Courts could not, upon submission of a CJA claim, delay the recognition of an obligation by withholding the voucher's approval; and (2) because attorney representation in CJA cases is a mandatory expense, obligations for this purpose may be incurred and may exceed the capped amount without violating the Antideficiency Act."

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO: (1) followed-up on the status of the Federal Reserve Banks' (FRB) corrective actions to address vulnerabilities identified in GAO's fiscal year (FY) 1997 financial statement audit; and (2) reviewed the general and application controls that support key Financial Management Service (FMS) and Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD) automated financial systems maintained and operated by the FRBs."

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program's vulnerability to fraud and abuse, focusing on: (1) the extent to which SSI is vulnerable to individuals who obtain eligibility by feigning disabilities with the help of middlemen and medical providers; (2) the Social Security Administration's (SSA) methods for preventing, detecting, and responding to this type of program fraud and abuse; and (3) additional strategies SSA could use to more effectively address this problem."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the effects of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) on the Medicare fee-for-service program."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed issues surrounding Indian contract support costs, focusing on: (1) the different categories of contract support costs; (2) the extent of, and reasons for, increases in contract support costs over the last several years; and (3) four alternatives for funding these costs."

The objectives of this project are: to characterize the gas flow pattern within cyclones, to revise the theory for cyclone performance on the basis of these findings, and to design and test cyclones whose dimensions have been optimized using revised performance theory. This work is important because its successful completion will aid in the technology for combustion of coal in pressurized, fluidized beds. This quarter, an empirical model for predicting pressure drop across a cyclone was developed through a statistical analysis of pressure drop data for 98 cyclone designs. The model is shown to perform better than the pressure drop models of First (1950), Alexander (1949), Barth (1956), Stairmand (1949), and Shepherd-Lapple (1940). This model is used with the efficiency model of Iozia and Leith (1990) to develop an optimization curve which predicts the minimum pressure drop and the dimension rations of the optimized cyclone for a given aerodynamic cut diameter, d{sub 50}. The effect of variation in cyclone height, cyclone diameter, and flow on the optimization curve is determined. The optimization results are used to develop a design procedure for optimized cyclones. 37 refs., 10 figs., 4 tabs.

Overnight idling wastes considerable amounts of fuel, contributes to noise and air pollution and adds significantly to trucker's operating costs. Costs are increased because of both the fuel wasted and the additional maintenance required on the engine as a result of extended idling. In winter, idling not only allows a resting driver to keep warm but prevents cold weather battery, fuel gelling and engine starting problems. In the summer, however, the only reason for overnight idling is to keep the sleeper compartment habitable for the resting driver and diesel engine idling to accomplish this is a massive overkill. A novel, patented, cool storage system has been developed by the Instatherm Company. This system allows comfortable summer resting conditions for the driver without having to idle the engine or having to start or run any other auxiliary engine. The operating principle is very straightforward -- store cool'' from the truck air conditioning system, while the vehicle is driven on the highway and to use this stored cool'' to air condition the sleeper compartment while the driver rests. 17 figs.

This report discusses: Fermilab experiment 735, a search for the Quark-Gluon plasma; an exclusive study of nuclear fragmentation using the EOS-TPC; and, solenoidal tracker at RHIC.

The basic goal of the Limestone Injection Multistage Burner (LIMB) demonstration is to extend LIMB technology development to a full- scale application on a representative wall-fired utility boiler. The successful retrofit of LIMB to an existing boiler is expected to demonstrate that (1) reductions of 50 percent or greater in SO{sub x} and NO{sub x} emissions can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of add-on FGD systems; (2) boiler reliability, operability, and steam production can be maintained at levels existing prior to LIMB retrofit; and (3) technical difficulties attributable to LIMB operation, such as additional slagging and fouling, changes in ash disposal requirements, and an increased particulate load, can be resolved in a cost-effective manner. The primary fuel to be used will be an Ohio bituminous coal having a nominal sulfur content of 3 percent or greater. The demonstration project consists of several distinct phases: a preliminary phase to develop the LIMB process design applicable to the host boiler, a construction and start-up phase, and an operating and evaluation phase. The first major activity, the development of the Edgewater LIMB design, was completed in January 1986 and detailed engineering is now complete. Major boiler-related components were installed during …

High-performance superconducting solenoids are susceptible to premature quenches, or superconducting to normal state transitions, due to abrupt conductor movements within the winding. Abrupt motions involving 5{approximately}10{mu}m conductor displacements dissipate sufficient energy to trigger a quench. Sliding and mechanical behaviors of materials at cryogenic temperatures have been experimentally examined. After accounting for changes in the sliding materials' low-temperature strength properties, we have found that the adhesion theory of friction and wear remains applicable at cryogenic temperatures. The adhesion friction theory suggests two methods for controlling unsteady sliding motions. The first involves the selection of sliding materials whose friction coefficients increase with increasing sliding speed. A number of material pairs have been examined for positive friction-velocity characteristics. This materials-based approach to frictional stabilization does not seem a viable option at 4.2 K. The second altemative is to preprogram the force conditions within high-risk regions of the winding to regulate the occurrence of unsteady sliding motions. Structural models are proposed to account for unsteady conductor motions on a variety of dimensional scales. The models are used to design a small superconducting solenoid. Performance of this solenoid suggests that force-based motion control is a potentially viable design approach for achieving successful dry-wound magnets.

For the past seven years, this group has been interested in the study of tests of the Standard Model of Electroweak interactions. The program has centered about the AMY experiment which examines the nature of the final state products in electron-positron collisions in the center of mass energy range near 60 GeV. Results of these measurements have shown a remarkable consistency with the predictions of the minimal model of 3 quark and lepton generations and single charged and neutral intermediate bosons. No new particles or excited states have been observed nor has any evidence for departures in cross sections or angular asymmetries from expectations been observed. These conclusions have been even more firmly established by the higher energy results from the LEP and SLC colliders at center of mass energies of about 90 GeV. Our focus is shifting to the neutrino as a probe to electroweak interactions. The relative merit of attempting to observe neutrinos from point sources versus observing neutrinos generally is not easy to predict. The improved ability to interpret is offset by the probably episodic nature of the emission and irreproducibility of the results. In this phase of development, it is best to be sensitive to both …

Our need for wide-band global communications, earth imaging and sensing, atmospheric measurements and military reconnaissance is extensive, but growing dependence on space-based systems raises concerns about vulnerability. Military commanders require space assets that are more accessible and under local control. As a result, a robust and low cost access to space-like capability has become a national priority. Free floating buoyant vehicles in the middle stratosphere can provide the kind of cost effective access to space-like capability needed for a variety of missions. These vehicles are inexpensive, invisible, and easily launched. Developments in payload electronics, atmospheric modeling, and materials combined with improving communications and navigation infrastructure are making balloon-borne concepts more attractive. The important milestone accomplished by this project was the planned test flight over the continental United States. This document is specifically intended to review the technology development and preparations leading up to the test flight. Although the test flight experienced a payload failure just before entering its assent altitude, significant data were gathered. The results of the test flight are presented here. Important factors included in this report include quality assurance testing of the balloon, payload definition and characteristics, systems integration, preflight testing procedures, range operations, data collection, and …

The objectives of this research are to determine the catalyst composition and concentration for metal oxide (potassium and calcium oxides) catalyzed gasification of carbon. The scope of this research involves determining: the concentration of active catalytic sites (and thus the dispersion), at reaction conditions, as a function of temperature, carbon burnoff, catalyst loading, and catalyst type; the location of catalyst, on the surface, on an atomic scale; catalyst composition; the site-specific rate constant for steam gasification; insight into the reaction mechanism; and how to maximize catalyst dispersion. Isotope tracing will measure the concentration of active catalyst sites, their specific rate constant, and the dependence of sites on initial catalyst loading, carbon conversion (burnoff), and temperature. Transient isotope tracing, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), will be used to obtain a complete picture of the catalysts at reaction conditions. Carbon black, coal chars, and graphite will be used in the transient tracing experiment. In the SIMS and STM experiments, graphite and carbon deposited on a metal surface will be models of coal char.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether a county constable is under a statutory duty to serve civil process issued by federal courts (RQ-133)

This document provides guidance to perform Light Duty Utility Arm (LDUA) development work and documentation required to validate the design of the LDUA System.The LDUA system will be used to deploy various types of sensors and devices to demonstrate the technology and qualify the integrated systems for operational use in the Hanford single shell tanks to characterize the waste inside and assess tank integrity.

During the last year we have made considerable progress on determining the emission rate of methane from rice fields in China and the factors that control the emissions. We have completed work on the methane emissions f rom rice fields for a period of four years at Tu Zu near Chengdu in Szchuan province in China. The available data is being entered into the computer. Flux calculations will be available within 2 months. The fluxes of methane from the rice fields and ambient methane concentrations near the fields are provided including temperature cloud cover, wind speeds, water level, planing density, fertilizer application, pests, ad diseases, growth rate, rice type, soil type, microbial ecology, root exchange exudates, and pH. for the 4-year period. The analysis of the data show that there are a number of internal and external variables that affect the emissions of methane from rice fields.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority may use bond proceeds from the Texas Agricultural Fund to reimburse the Department of Agriculture for administrative expenses incurred on behalf of the authority (RQ-393)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether an independent school district may provide free office space and other items to a private, non-profit foundation (RQ-538)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether section 140.003 of the Local Government Code requires a specialized local entity to deposit its funds in the county's bank account or permits the specialized local entity to deposit its funds in its own bank, and related questions (RQ-547)

Letter opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a state or local governmental entity, by posting notice under the criminal trespass statute, may prohibit a concealed handgun licensee from carrying a handgun or premises of which the governmental entity is the "owner" as defined in the Penal Code (ID# 35896)