A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) invests billions of dollars on sophisticated weapon systems and technologies. These may be at risk of exploitation when exported, stolen, or lost during combat or routine missions. In an effort to minimize this risk, DOD developed an anti-tamper policy in 1999, calling for DOD components to implement anti-tamper techniques for critical technologies. In March 2004, GAO reported that program managers had difficulties implementing this policy, including identifying critical technologies. This follow-up report (1) describes recent actions DOD has taken to implement its anti-tamper policy and (2) identifies challenges facing program managers. GAO reviewed documentation on actions DOD has taken since 2004 to implement its anti-tamper policy, and interviewed officials from the Anti-Tamper Executive Agent's Office, the military services, other DOD components, and a cross-section of program offices."

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The National Weather Service's (NWS) weather products are a vital component of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) air traffic control system. In addition to providing aviation weather products developed at its own facilities, NWS also provides staff on-site at each of FAA's en route centers. This group of NWS meteorologists--called a center weather service unit--provides air traffic managers with forecasts and briefings on regional conditions including turbulence, icing, and freezing precipitation. GAO agreed to (1) determine the status of NWS's plans for restructuring the offices that provide aviation weather services at FAA's en route centers, (2) identify FAA's requirements and its alternative sources for these services, and (3) evaluate both agencies' current abilities to ensure the consistency and quality of these services. To do so, GAO evaluated agency plans for restructuring offices, defining requirements, and ensuring quality products, and interviewed agency officials."

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The United States consumes more than 20 million barrels of oil each day, two-thirds of which is imported, leaving the nation vulnerable to rising prices. Oil combustion produces emissions linked to health problems and global warming. In January 2003, the administration announced a 5-year, $1.2 billion Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to perform research, development, and demonstration (R&D) for developing hydrogen fuel cells for use as a substitute for gasoline engines. Led by the Department of Energy (DOE), the initiative's goal is to develop the technologies by 2015 that will enable U.S. industry to make hydrogen-powered cars available to consumers by 2020. GAO examined the extent to which DOE has (1) made progress in meeting the initiative's targets, (2) worked with industry to set and meet targets, and (3) worked with other federal agencies to develop and demonstrate hydrogen technologies. GAO reviewed DOE's hydrogen R&D plans, attended DOE's annual review of each R&D project, and interviewed DOE managers, industry executives, and independent experts."

Waste streams that may be generated by the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Advanced Energy Initiative may contain significant quantities of organics (0-53 wt%) and/or nitrates (0-56 wt%). Decomposition of high nitrate streams requires reducing conditions, e.g. organic additives such as sugar or coal, to reduce the NO{sub x} in the off-gas to N{sub 2} to meet the Clean Air Act (CAA) standards during processing. Thus, organics will be present during waste form stabilization regardless of which GNEP processes are chosen, e.g. organics in the feed or organics for nitrate destruction. High organic containing wastes cannot be stabilized with the existing HLW Best Developed Available Technology (BDAT) which is HLW vitrification (HLVIT) unless the organics are removed by preprocessing. Alternative waste stabilization processes such as Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming (FBSR) operate at moderate temperatures (650-750 C) compared to vitrification (1150-1300 C). FBSR converts organics to CAA compliant gases, creates no secondary liquid waste streams, and creates a stable mineral waste form that is as durable as glass. For application to the high Cs-137 and Sr-90 containing GNEP waste streams a single phase mineralized Cs-mica phase was made by co-reacting illite clay and GNEP simulated waste. The Cs-mica accommodates up to …

{delta}-Ln{sub 2-x}LuxS{sub 3} (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd; x = 0.67-0.71) compounds have been synthesized through the reaction of elemental rare earth metals and S using Sb{sub 2}S{sub 3} flux at 1000 C. These compounds are isotypic with CeTmS{sub 3}, which has a complex three-dimensional structure. It includes four larger Ln{sup 3+} sites in eight- and nine-coordinate environments, two disordered seven-coordinate Ln{sup 3+}/Lu{sup 3+} positions, and two six-coordinate Lu{sup 3+} ions. The structure is constructed from one-dimensional chains of LnSn (n = 6-9) polyhedra that extend along the b axis. These polyhedra share faces or edges with two neighbors within the chains, while in the [ac] plane they share edges and corners with other chains. Least square refinements gave rise to the formulas of {delta}-Ce{sub 1.30}Lu{sub 0.70}S{sub 3}, {delta}-Pr{sub 1.29}Lu{sub 0.71}S{sub 3} and {delta}-Nd{sub 1.33}Lu{sub 0.67}S{sub 3}, which are consistent with the EDX analysis and magnetic susceptibility data. {delta}-Ln{sub 2-x}LuxS{sub 3} (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd; x = 0.67-0.71) show no evidence of magnetic ordering down to 5 K. Optical properties measurements show that the band gaps for {delta}-Ce{sub 1.30}Lu{sub 0.70}S{sub 3}, {delta}-Pr{sub 1.29}Lu{sub 0.71}S{sub 3}, and {delta}-Nd{sub 1.33}Lu{sub 0.67}S{sub 3} are 1.25 eV, 1.38 eV, and 1.50 eV, respectively. …

Local transient hydrogen concentrations were evaluated inside a large process room when the hydrogen gas was released by three postulated accident scenarios associated with the process tank leakage and fire leading to a loss of gas confinement. The three cases considered in this work were fire in a room, loss of confinement from a process tank, and loss of confinement coupled with fire event. Based on these accident scenarios in a large and unventilated process room, the modeling calculations of the hydrogen migration were performed to estimate local transient concentrations of hydrogen due to the sudden leakage and release from a glovebox system associated with the process tank. The modeling domain represented the major features of the process room including the principal release or leakage source of gas storage system. The model was benchmarked against the literature results for key phenomena such as natural convection, turbulent behavior, gas mixing due to jet entrainment, and radiation cooling because these phenomena are closely related to the gas driving mechanisms within a large air space of the process room. The modeling results showed that at the corner of the process room, the gas concentrations migrated by the Case 2 and Case 3 scenarios …

CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Inc. is currently in the process of constructing a temporary surface barrier over a portion of the T Tank Farm as part of the T farm Interim Surface Barrier Demonstration Project. The surface barrier is designed to prevent the infiltration of precipitation into the contaminated soil zone created by the Tank T-106 leak and minimize movement of the contamination. As part of the demonstration effort, vadose zone moisture monitoring is being performed to assess the effectiveness of the barrier at reducing soil moisture. A solar-powered and remotely-controlled system was installed to continuously monitor soil water conditions in four instrument nests (i.e., A, B, C, and D) and the site meteorological condition. Each instrument nest was composed of a capacitance probe with multiple sensors, multiple heat-dissipation units, a neutron probe access tube and a datalogger. Nests A and B also contained a drain gauge each. The principle variables monitored for this purpose are soil-water content, soil-water pressure, and soil-water flux. In addition to these, soil temperature, precipitation, and air temperature are measured. Data from each of the dataloggers were transmitted remotely to the receiving computer. The neutron probe access tube was used to perform quarterly manual measurements …

It is widely recognized that increasing demands for water in Southern California are being affected by actions to reduce and redirect the amount of water imported from the Colorado River. In the Imperial Valley region, for example, import reductions will not only affect agricultural users but also could produce significant collateral impacts on the level and quality of water in the Salton Sea, its regional ecology, or even the long term air quality in the greater basin. The notion of using groundwater in the Imperial Valley as an additional source for agricultural or domestic needs, energy production, or Salton Sea restoration efforts, so as to offset reductions in imported water, is not a new concept. Even though it has been discussed recently (e.g., LLNL, 2002), the idea goes back, in part, to several studies performed by the US Department of Interior and other agencies that have indicated that there may be substantial, usable amounts of groundwater in some portions of the Imperial Valley. It has been estimated, for example, that between 1.1 and 3 billion acre-feet (AF) of groundwater lie within the extended, deep basin underlying the valley and Salton Sea region, even though much of it may be unrecoverable …

Dark red single crystals of PrLnYb{sub 2}S{sub 6} (Ln = Pr/Yb, Tb, Dy) have been synthesized through the reaction of elemental rare earth metals and S using a Sb{sub 2}S{sub 3} flux at 1000 C. These isotypic compounds adopt the F-Ln{sub 2}S3 three-dimensional open channel structure type. Eight-coordinate Pr{sup 3+} ions sit in the channels, which are constructed from three different edge-shared double chains running down the b axis, which contain Yb(1)S{sub 6} octahedra, Yb(2)S{sub 6}, octahedra and LnS{sub 7} monocapped trigonal prisms, respectively. Each double chain connects to four other neighbors by sharing vertices and edges. Considerable disordering in Ln positions was observed in single X-ray diffraction experiments only in the case of Pr/Yb. Least square refinements gave rise to the formulas of Pr{sub 1.34}Yb{sub 2.66}S{sub 6}, of PrTbYb{sub 2}S{sub 6}, and PrDyYb{sub 2}S{sub 6}, which are confirmed by the elemental analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Pr1.34Yb2.66S{sub 6}, PrTbYb{sub 2}S{sub 6} and PrDyYb{sub 2}S{sub 6} are paramagnetic down to 2 K without any indications of long range magnetic ordering. The optical transitions for Pr{sub 1.34}Yb{sub 2.66}S{sub 6}, PrTbYb{sub 2}S{sub 6}, and PrDyYb{sub 2}S{sub 6} are at approximately 1.6 eV. Crystallographic data: Pr{sub 1.34}Yb{sub 2.66}S{sub 6}, monoclinic, space group P2{sub …

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A plant level simulation of the UREX+3a separations process has been developed using AMUSE for solvent extraction calculations coupled with Aspen Plus for other operations. AMUSE, an Excel based application developed at Argonne National Laboratory [1], performs a rigorous calculation of countercurrent solvent extraction processes using thermodynamically based distribution coefficients specifically designed for nuclear separations. Aspen Plus [2] models simulate other separations plant operations such as head end assembly chopping and dissolution, product solidification, acid recovery, off-gas treatment and waste water treatment. The model predicts that 55 feed streams and 14 output streams will be generated by separations plant operation. On the basis of one metric ton of initial reactor fuel, the model predicts a plant throughput of approximately 200 metric tonnes of material. Approximately half is treated waste water. Another 30% is gas emissions arising from feed to the calcination furnaces. The gas stream is treated for discharge to the environment. About 5% of the throughput is product material. Another 10% is recovered organics and acid that may be recycled. The remaining 5% is contaminated waste that requires disposal. While these results are preliminary, the model has successfully simulated operation of the UREX+3a separations process. Coupling AMUSE to Aspen …

Piping in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) must withstand the stresses involved during an unlikely but potential deflagration event. One method proposed for protection and reinforcement of piping during such an event is the use of a carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite (Diamond-Wrap{reg_sign}). In the DWPF, this reinforcement composite product would be required to maintain its safety function for a 20-year service life. This product has been ASME-approved (nuclear code case 589) for post-construction maintenance and is DOT-compliant per 49CFR 192 and 195. However, its radiation resistance properties have not been evaluated. This report documents initial radiation resistance testing of the product and microstructural effects. Additional testing is recommended to evaluate radiation effects on specific properties such as burst strength, chemical resistance/weeping and for service life prediction in critical applications.

Free weekly newspaper that includes business and classified advertising.

Free weekly newspaper that includes business and classified advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Dallas, Texas that includes local, state, and national news and advertising of interest to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

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, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Authority of property tax consultant to act as agent for property owners under section 1.111, Tax Code (RQ-0596-GA)

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, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Consequences resulting from the downsizing of the Waller County Appraisal District (RQ-0601-GA)

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Free weekly newspaper that includes business and classified advertising.

Daily newspaper from Baytown, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Dell City, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

This report discusses the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards (including tighter standards enacted under P.L. 110-140) and compares them with the GHG standards under California’s law. It also identifies some factors that would have a bearing on the relative stringency of CAFE and the California program.

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