The goal of the GRAIL project has been to create a comprehensive analysis environment where a host of questions about genes and genome structure can be answered as quickly and accurately as possible. Constructing this system has entailed solving a number of significant technical challenges including: (a) making coding recognition in sequence more sensitive and accurate, (b) compensating for isochore base compositional effects in coding prediction, (c) developing methods to determine which parts of each strand of a long genomic DNA are the coding strand, (d) improving the accuracy of splice site prediction and recognizing non-consensus sites, and (e) recognizing variable regulatory structures such as polymerase II promoters. An additional challenge has been to construct algorithms which compensate for the deleterious effects of insertion or deletion (indel) errors in the coding region recognition process. This paper addresses progress on these technical issues and the current state of sequence feature recognition methods.

The underlying report for this paper evaluates options for using depleted uranium as shielding materials for transport systems for disposal of vitrified high-level waste (VHLW). In addition, economic analyses are presented to compare costs associated with these options to costs, associated with existing and proposed storage, transport, and diposal capabilities. A more detailed evaluation is provided elsewhere. (Yoshimura et al. 1995.)

In the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) waste streams, zirconia is often the waste load limiting species. It modifies the glass network, enhances durability, increases viscosity and induces crystallization. The limits of its dissolution in boroaluminosilicate glass, with magnesia and soda additions were experimentally determined. A ternary compositional surface is evolved to present the isothermal regimes of liquid, liquid + zircon, liquid + forsterite, and liquid phase sintered ceramic. The potential of partitioning the transuranics, transition elements and solutes in these regimes is discussed. The visible Raman spectroscopic results are presented to elucidate the dependence among glass composition, structure and chemical durability.

Insertion and deletion (indel) sequencing errors in DNA coding regions disrupt DNA-to-protein translation frames, and hence make most frame-sensitive coding recognition approaches fail. This paper extends the authors` previous work on indel detection and `correction` algorithms, and presents a more effective algorithm for localizing indels that appear in DNA coding regions and `correcting` the located indels by inserting or deleting DNA bases. The algorithm localizes indels by discovering changes of the preferred translation frames within presumed coding regions, and then `corrects` the indel errors to restore a consistent translation frame within each coding region. An iterative strategy is exploited to repeatedly localize and `correct` indel errors until no more indels can be found. Test results have shown that the algorithm can accurately locate the positions of indels. The technology presented here has proved to be very useful for single pass EST/cDNA or genomic sequences, and is also often beneficial for higher quality sequences from large genomic clones.

Until recently very little has been known about the maintenance of the Earth`s magnetic field. The general consensus was that some type of convective motion edits in the Earth`s liquid iron alloy core that is affected by rotational forces in a way that continually generates new magnetic field to replace that which diffuses away. Magnetic-field reversals and secular variation have long been measured but no theory existed to explain these phenomena. To gain an understanding of the basic physical mechanisms of the ``geodynamo,`` we produced the first self-consistent computer simulation of convection and magnetic field generation in a rotating three-dimensional spherical fluid shell as an anologue to the Earth`s convective dynamo. This is a final report of a three-year Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

The workshop was organized to formulate guidelines for establishing spectral databases of complex carbohydrates. The databases will enable the scientific community to avoid the great waste of research effort and funds that frequently occurs when carbohydrate chemists are forced to duplicate the structural characterization of previously characterized complex carbohydrates. Chemists waste their effort on repetitive characterizations because in the absence of spectral databases they are unaware they are analyzing a known molecule until they have completely determined its structure. Chemists will be able to avoid much of this wasted effort when the collections of mass and of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra initiated at the workshop are subsequently developed into searchable databases. Then scientists only need query the databases with the spectrum or with information defining the spectrum of an unidentified carbohydrate to find out if it has been previously characterized.

Remotely-sensed hydro-acoustic data were used as input to spatial extrapolation tools in a GIS to develop two- and three-dimensional models of sediment densities in the Clinch River arm of Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee. This work delineated sediment deposition zones to streamline sediment sampling and to provide a tool for estimating sediment volumes and extrapolating contaminant concentrations throughout the system. The Clinch River arm of Watts Bar Reservoir has been accumulating sediment-bound contaminants from three Department of Energy (DOE) facilities on the Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee. Public concern regarding human and ecological health resulted in Watts Bar Reservoir being placed on the National Priorities List for SUPERFUND. As a result, DOE initiated and is funding the Clinch River Environmental Restoration Program (CR-ERP) to perform a remedial investigation to determine the nature and extent of sediment contamination in the Watts Bar Reservoir and the Clinch River and to quantify any human or ecological health risks. The first step in characterizing Clinch River sediments was to determine the locations of deposition zones. It was also important to know the sediment type distribution within deposition zones because most sediment-bound contaminants are preferentially associated to fine particles. A dual-frequency hydro-acoustic survey was performed to determine: …

A regularized spline with tension was used to interpolate a bathymetric bottom surface for the Watts Bar reservoir just south of Oak Ridge, TN as part of an effort to predict the spatial distribution of radionuclide contaminants. Cesium 137 was released as a by-product of the production of fissionable materials during the mid-1950s. Cesium is strongly adsorbed onto clay and silt particles in the water column, and tends to settle to the bottom. An understanding of the shape and contours of the bottom is important for understanding and prediction of the location and extent of contaminated sediments. The results of the investigations are available on the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL: http://www.esd.ornl.gov/programs/CRERP/INDEX.HTM. The Waterways Experiment Station (WES) of the US Army Corps of Engineers conducted a hydro-acoustic study of the Clinch River arm of Watts Bar Reservoir to determine the distribution, thickness, and type of bottom sediments that had accumulated since completion of Watts Bar Dam in 1942. WES has developed a rapid geophysical technique to determine material characteristics of bottom and subbottom sediments. Acoustic impedance values determined from seismic reflection data are directly related to the density and material type of the subbottom sediments. The objective was to …

The result of a feasibility study of a diagnostic system for the measurement of fusion product alpha particle distribution in ITER is presented. This diagnostic is based on small angle CO{sub 2}-laser Thomson scattering. This diagnostic system has previously been described and a proof-of-principle measurement has been successfully demonstrated. Our study indicates that for ITER conditions this diagnostic system is capable of providing an accurate measurement of alpha particle parameters.

Two infrared laser-based diagnostics are under development at ORNL for measurements on burning plasmas such as ITER. The primary effort is the development of a CO{sub 2} laser Thomson scattering diagnostic for the measurement of the velocity distribution of confined fusion-product alpha particles. Key components of the system include a high-power, single-mode CO{sub 2} pulsed laser, an efficient optics system for beam transport and a multichannel low-noise infrared heterodyne receiver. A successful proof-of-principle experiment has been performed on the Advanced Toroidal Facility (ATF) stellerator at ORNL utilizing scattering from electron plasma frequency satellites. The diagnostic system is currently being installed on Alcator C-Mod at MIT for measurements of the fast ion tail produced by ICRH heating. A second diagnostic under development at ORNL is an infrared polarimeter for Faraday rotation measurements in future fusion experiments. A preliminary feasibility study of a CO{sub 2} laser tangential viewing polarimeter for measuring electron density profiles in ITER has been completed. For ITER plasma parameters and a polarimeter wavelength of 10.6 {micro}m, a Faraday rotation of up to 26{degree} is predicted. An electro-optic polarization modulation technique has been developed at ORNL. Laboratory tests of this polarimeter demonstrated a sensitivity of {le} 0.01{degree}. Because of …

Details of the structure and previous work on the deformation of C Laves phases are reviewed. The phase diagram of the Hf-V-Nb system, some metallurgical and physical properties, mechanical behavior, and the deformation mechanisms of HfV{sub 2}+Nb (CI5 HfV{sub 2}+Nb and V-rich bcc solution) are presented based on our previous work. Theoretical approaches to understanding the results of these studies are discussed.

Vitrification offers many attractive waste stabilization options. Versatility of waste compositions, as well as the inherent durability of a glass waste form, have made vitrification the treatment of choice for high-level radioactive wastes. Adapting the technology to other hazardous and radioactive waste streams will provide an environmentally acceptable solution to many of the waste challenges that face the public today. This document reviews various types and technologies involved in vitrification.

It is known that the generally accepted theories of gravity and quantum mechanics are fundamentally incompatible. Thus, when one tries to combine these theories, one must beware of physical pitfalls. Modern theories of quantum gravity are trying to overcome these problems. Any ideas must confront the present agreement with general relativity, but yet be free to wonder about not understood phenomena, such as the dark matter problem. This all has led some {open_quotes}intrepid{close_quotes} theorists to consider a new gravitational regime, that of antimatter. Even more {open_quotes}daring{close_quotes} experimentalists are attempting, or considering attempting, the measurement of the gravitational force on antimatter, including low-energy antiprotons and, perhaps most enticing, antihydrogen.

This document identifies a plan for developing, assembling, and testing a data acquisition system for a 6-inch schedule 40 riser mapping profiler. This plan includes testing and qualifying and integrated system (data acquisition system, riser mapping profiler, and hoist positioner) for plant use. The integrated system supports project W-151 construction activities and will measure diameter, ovality, and vertical alignment of 6-inch risers. Dimensional data will be received by the data acquisition system and stored for later transfer to a portable computer.

The BNL 200 MeV linac presently provides beam for the AGS high energy physics program and for isotope production at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) facility. There is now a proposal to develop a proton therapy facility which would also use the linac beam. Approximately 1% of the current in each linac beam pulse would be diverted from BLIP, down an existing transport line, to the proposed new facility. This paper focuses on the basic design of the facility, particularly the accelerator issues. The planned transport line layout is presented, along with a description of the energy and intensity control, and beam delivery systems. In the initial phase, we are planning one 360{degrees} vertical gantry and one horizontal treatment room.

Three auger samples from Tank C-108 (on the Ferrocyanide Watch List) were received by the 222-S laboratories. These samples underwent safety screening analysis (DSC, TGA, and Alpha Total) in accordance with reference below. No results exceeded the notification criteria. Due to the calculated depth of sludge at riser 7, two augers were used to sample the sludge. The first (94-AUG-012) was a ten inch auger, the second (94-AUG-014) was a 20 inch auger. One 20 inch auger (94-AUG-015) was used to sample the tank C-108 contents at riser 4. Results are compiled in this report.

This paper presents a study for a facility where a deflagration of flammable vapors takes place, and the generated pressure and temperature transients are analyzed to evaluate the pressure differentials induced on the various components of the facility to assesses their structural integrity. The temperature profiles are also analyzed to assess the qualification of the equipment that is required to operate during and after such an accident.

The U.S. DOE sponsored research investigating atmospheric infrasound as a means of detecting both atmospheric and underground nuclear tests. Various detection schemes were examined and were found to be effective for different situations. It has been discovered that an enhanced sensitivity is realizable for the very lowest frequency disturbances by detecting the infrasound at the top of the atmosphere using radio sound techniques. These techniques are compared to more traditional measurement schemes.

At low temperatures, the c-axis transport properties of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8} single crystals depend strongly on the magnetic field history for fields applied along the c-axis, indicating the effect of a critical state in the ab direction. In this study, the authors report zero field cooled (ZFC), field cooled warming (FCW), and field cooled cooling (FCC) c-axis transport properties. In addition, they also report magnetic relaxation measurements on the same samples to identify the c-axis dissipation mechanism. They observe a relaxation of the c-axis resistivity that follows the relaxation of the flux profile across the ab plane. By identifying the irreversible temperature vs. magnetic field for H // c, they construct a phase diagram of vortex states. Finally, they will discuss the implication of the phase diagram and the features related to the transport properties of the Josephson-coupled system and the role of pancake vortices in highly two-dimensional superconductors.

Corrosion control of the Hanford Site waste transfer system is necessary to assure the system is operational for planned activities leading to successful environmental restoration. Cathodic protection of the Hanford Site waste transfer system has been in existence since the 1940`s with acceptable results. The original system was updated with an improved modern design. Energization surveys and a recent baseline survey demonstrate that the existing system operates as intended.

At the US DOE Hanford Site, there are 177 underground tanks in 18 separate tank farms containing accumulated liquid radioactive wastes from 50 yr of weapons materials production activities. The total volume is about 60 million gallons containing approximately 120 Curies of radioactivity. The radioactive material consists primarily of {sup 137}Cs, {sup 90}Sr, and transuranics. Risk concerns with the tanks are associated with possible energy releases because of the presence of flammable gases, organic liquids, reactive chemical compounds, and radioactive decay heat. Because of the high concentration of radioactivity in the wastes and because a large number of the older single-shell tanks have some history or evidence of leaking, there is a public perception that they pose a serious risk to the onsite workers and the offsite public. The tank farm probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) was performed for two reasons: (1) to develop a baseline estimate of the risks these wastes pose to the workers and the public for the present tank contents and configurations and (2) to provide a relative ranking of the risks associated with individual groups of tanks. The latter information would be helpful in planning the order of the tank remediation work by indicating which tanks …

This paper focuses on the unique aspects of the Fernald Citizens Task Force process that have contributed to a largely successful public participation effort at Fernald. The Fernald Citizens Task Force passed quickly by many procedural issues. Instead, the Task Force concentrated on (a) educating itself about the site, its problems, and possible solutions, and (b) choosing a directed way to approach its mandate: To make recommendations on several {open_quotes}big picture{close_quotes} issues, including future use of the site, cleanup levels, waste disposition, and cleanup priorities. This paper presents the approach used at Fernald for establishing and running a focused site-specific advisory board, the key issues that have been faced, and how these issues were resolved. The success of Fernald in establishing a strong and functioning site-specific advisory board serves as a useful model for other DOE facilities, although the Fernald model is just one of many approaches that can be taken. However, the approach presented here has worked extremely well for Fernald.

The Search Hanford Accessible Records Electronically (SHARE) system was produced by a combined team of personnel from Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC) Corrective Action Data Systems (CADS) and Information Resource Management (IRM) Information and Scientific Systems (ISS) organizations. The ESQD Text Evaluation and exchange Tool (ETEXT) prototype was used as a basis for the requirements used to support this design/build effort. TOPIC was used to build the SHARE application. TOPIC is a text search and retrieval software product produced by the Verity Corporation. The TOPIC source code is not provided with the product, and the programs cannot be changed. TOPIC can be customized for special requirements. The software is fully documented. Help messages, menu and screen layouts, command edits and options, and internal system design are all described in the TOPIC documentation. This System Design Description (SDD) will not reiterate the TOPIC documentation and design. Instead, it will focus on the SHARE installation of TOPIC. This SDD is designed to assist the SHARE database/infobase administrator (DBA) in maintaining and supporting the application. It assumes that the assigned DBA is knowledgeable in using the TOPIC product, and is also knowledgeable in using a personal computer (PC), Disk Operating System (DOS) commands, and …

Offices under the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM) in the Department of Energy (DOE) and some National Laboratories are using Independent Technical or {open_quotes}Red Team{close_quotes} Reviews to understand and improve the performance of major projects, major system acquisitions, programs and organizations. A core group formed in 1991 by Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, has organized teams of commercial and private consultants to perform over fifteen Independent Technical Reviews (ITRs) throughout the DOE Complex. This paper discusses: review initiation, team formation, methodology, site response, and observations gathered over the past three years.