Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) primary mission is to protect investors and the integrity of securities markets. Among other things, SEC regulations require companies to file reports with SEC disclosing information that would be considered "material" to a reasonable investor. A matter is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable person would consider it important. Environmental risks and liabilities are among the conditions that, if undisclosed, could impair the public's ability to make sound investment decisions. For example, the discovery of extensive hazardous waste contamination at company-owned facilities could expose a company to hundreds of millions of dollars in cleanup costs, while impending environmental regulations could affect a company's future financial position if the company were required to shut down plants or invest in expensive new technology. To monitor companies' disclosures, SEC reviews their filings and issues comment letters requesting revisions or additional information, if needed. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have a direct role in monitoring environmental disclosures, the agency notifies companies of potential disclosure obligations and periodically shares relevant information with SEC. The report addresses (1) key stakeholders' views …

This paper presents a case study of the residential heat pump water heater (HPWH) market. Its principal purpose is to evaluate the extent to which the HPWH will penetrate the residential market sector, given current market trends, producer and consumer attributes, and technical parameters. The report's secondary purpose is to gather background information leading to a generic framework for conducting market analyses of technologies. This framework can be used to compare readiness and to factor attributes of market demand back into product design. This study is a rapid prototype analysis rather than a detailed case analysis. For this reason, primary data collection was limited and reliance on secondary sources was extensive. Despite having met its technical goals and having been on the market for twenty years, the HPWH has had virtually no impact on contributing to the nation's water heating. In some cases, HPWH reliability and quality control are well below market expectations, and early units developed a reputation for unreliability, especially when measured against conventional water heaters. In addition to reliability problems, first costs of HPWH units can be three to five times higher than conventional units. Without a solid, well-managed business plan, most consumers will not be drawn …

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Studies were conducted primarily with sediments, both in laboratory incubations and in a field experiment, with supporting studies with pure cultures. To our knowledge the sediment studies were the first on microbial U(VI) reduction in actual uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments, under conditions that mimic those found in situ. Important findings included: (1) U(VI) reduction is a biotic process in subsurface sediments. (2) U(VI) reduction can be stimulated most effectively with the addition of acetate. Although it had been speculated that microbial U(VI) reduction might be capable of this type of environmental remediation ever since the discovery of microbial U(VI) reduction, this had not been previously demonstrated under environmentally relevant conditions. (3) U(VI) is reduced concurrently with Fe(III) and prior to sulfate reduction. U(VI) and Fe(III) reduction proceeded concurrently, accompanied by a dramatic enrichment in organisms in the Geobacteraceae. Sulfate-reducing microorganisms do not appear to be important components of the microbial community reducing U(VI) in these subsurface sediments. (4) Nitrate has important influences on U(VI) reduction. Nitrate inhibits the reduction of metals until nitrate is depleted. Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms such as Geobacter metallireducens and Desulfitobacterium species can oxidize Fe(II) with the reduction of nitrate which is an important consideration because our previous studies …

The Bonneville Power Administration is proposing to fund the installation of approximately 1.5 miles of post and wire fence along Valley Creek in Stanley, Idaho. The proposed fence will meet or exceed BPA's minimum requirement of a 35-foot setback from the stream. Fence posts will be driven into the ground with a post ponder. The goal of this project is to enhance salmon and steelhead rearing and migration habitat through exclusion fencing.

Stray electrons can be introduced in heavy ion fusion accelerators as a result of ionization of ambient gas or gas released from walls due to halo-ion impact, or as a result of secondary-electron emission. We summarize here results from several studies of electron-cloud accumulation and effects: (1) Calculation of the electron cloud produced by electron desorption from computed beam ion loss; the importance of ion scattering is shown; (2) Simulation of the effect of specified electron cloud distributions on ion beam dynamics. We find electron cloud variations that are resonant with the breathing mode of the beam have the biggest impact on the beam (larger than other resonant and random variations), and that the ion beam is surprisingly robust, with an electron density several percent of the beam density required to produce significant beam degradation in a 200-quadrupole system. We identify a possible instability associated with desorption and resonance with the breathing mode. (3) Preliminary investigations of a long-timestep algorithm for electron dynamics in arbitrary magnetic fields.

Instabilities driven by ions (or electrons) trapped within the space charge potential of a circulating beam are common in accelerators and storage rings. In the recycler, the stored antiproton ({bar p}) beam could trap positive ions (H{sub 2}{sup +}, CO{sup +}, etc.). Conditions for trapping are discussed, and trapping potentials are calculated. Ion trapping can be reduced by clearing electrodes, a beam-free gap (or gaps), and beam shaking. Tune shifts, coherent instabilities and other effects of trapped ions on stored {bar p}'s are discussed. A ''fast-ion'' instability mode is also possible. Experiments to determine conditions and consequences of such instability in the recycler are discussed.

Energy conversion efficiencies of better than 23% have been demonstrated for small scale tests of a few thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells using front surface, tandem filters [1,2]. The engineering challenge is to build this level of efficiency into arrays of cells that provide useful levels of energy. Variations in cell and filter performance will degrade TPV array performance. Repeated fabrication runs of several filters each provide an initial quantification of the fabrication variation for front surface, tandem filters for TPV spectral control. For three performance statistics, within-run variation was measured to be 0.7-1.4 percent, and run-to-run variation was measured to be 0.5-3.2 percent. Fabrication runs using a mask have been shown to reduce variation across interference filters from as high 8-10 percent to less than 1.5 percent. Finally, several system design and assembly approaches are described to further reduce variation.

This program was successful in achieving its primary objectives. Namely, succeeded in the development of multiple synthetic routes to a wide variety of new candidate CVD precursor compounds.

A radio-frequency (RF) photoreflectance technique, which senses changes in sample conductivity as carriers recombine following excitation by a laser pulse, has been used to measure the recombination parameters in 0.55 eV InGaAsSb lattice matched to GaSb. Doubly-capped lifetime structures with variable active layer thicknesses are used to extract the surface recombination velocity (SRV), while analysis of the samples with different doping concentrations is used to obtain Auger (C) and radiative (B) recombination parameters. Parameter extraction for the samples evaluated gives C = 1 {+-} 0.4 x 10{sup -28} cm{sup 6}/s and B = 3 {+-} 1.5 x 10{sup -11} cm{sup 3}/s for 0.55 eV InGaAsSb lattice matched to GaSb. The Auger and radiative recombination coefficients obtained from high-level injection decay times in low doping concentration samples show very good agreement with values obtained from low-level injection conditions.

A new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method is presented which produces linear, isotropic proton-detected local-field spectra for InS spin systems in powdered samples. The method, HETeronuclear Isotropic Evolution (HETIE), refocuses the anisotropic portion of the heteronuclear dipolar coupling frequencies by evolving the system under a series of specially designed Hamiltonians and evolution pathways. The theory behind HETIE is represented along with experimental studies conducted on a powdered sample of ferrocene, demonstrating the methodology outlined in this paper. Applications of HETIE for structural determination in solid-state NMR are discussed.

The Salt Waste Processing Facility and the Actinide Removal Process at the Savannah River Site will remove alpha emitting radioisotopes from High Level Waste to meet regulatory disposal requirements. The removal occurs prior to removal of the radioactive cesium. Both facility designs currently include verification measurement using conventional wet chemistry approaches remote from the operation. Use of an on-line monitor for this purpose offers the opportunity to shorten process cycle time and thereby increase facility throughput. Personnel from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory designed, built, and functionally tested an on-line monitor, which is capable of measuring the residual transuranic concentrations in processed high-level wastes with a detection limit of 370 Bq/mL (10 nCi/mL) in less than six hours. Personnel from Savannah River National Laboratory assisted in the design and tested the equipment using actual waste. The monitor measures the neutrons produced by the transuranics in the presence of gamma-ray fields up to 1 Sv/h (100 R/h). The optimum design derives in part from Monte Carlo modeling tempered with practical engineering and cost considerations. We demonstrated operation of the monitor in a cell utilizing an actual sample of high-level waste. Results of that demonstration are given, and suggestions for improvements in the …

In the following text we analyze and compare results of the two publications ([1], [2]), dedicated to development of the tunable high-gain Free Electron laser (FEL), seeded by an external source. As a conclusion we summarize similarities and differences between these concepts. This note is initiated by the polemics on the similarity of two different schemes of the wavelength tuning in a seeded high-gain FEL. Below we will be calling the scheme, presented by S. Biedron, S, Milton and H. Freund in Nuclear Instruments and Methods of 2001 ([1]), as the first (1st) scheme. The scheme that we developed and presented in the BNL preprint ([2]) will be called as the second (2nd) scheme. The following analysis provides important information on similarities and differences between both techniques. We start by considering the first approach. As we understand, the goal of the Modular Approach is to make X-ray FEL design more flexible [1]. Usual linac-based FELs begin from a long linac with bunch compressor(s) followed by an FEL magnetic system. The essence of the Modular Approach is to break a machine into modules and then recombine these modules in a more efficient way (from the point of view of monetary and/or …

This article discusses the 2003 Congress bipartisan E911 (Enhanced 911) legislation introduced in both chambers. Moreover, the article describes the difference in parallel provisions each bill contains that have significant implications for emergency communication policy. The article defines Enhanced 911 as the capability of identifying the phone number and location of a call to a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Points). This report characterizes the cost to PSAPs of upgrading systems and supporting expanded operations as an obstacle to this legislation.

Stability in cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC) against perturbations is often associated with transient heat removal of heat generated in the normal zone. Based on this approach, stability criterion requires low current density in the strands. This criterion is often used for design of the magnets for fusion devices like ITER, KSTAR and others. We show that this criterion is not a mandatory requirement for serviceability of CICC and that CICC may work reliably at higher current densities. In conditions of limited and well defined perturbations, sufficient stability is provided not by a large amount of copper and high transient heat transfer, but by a smooth transition to the normal state and easy current redistribution. A strand parameter space in terms of I{sub c} and N-value meeting CICC requirements for stability, limited heat generation, and minimum temperature margin is proposed and discussed. The theory predictions are compared with known experimental data on CICC.

This report provides a brief history of concurrent enrollment programs and a description of the different types of programs, including participation data.

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The overall purpose of this project is to evaluate the biological and economic feasibility of restoring high-quality forests on mined land, and to measure carbon sequestration and wood production benefits that would be achieved from forest restoration procedures. We are currently estimating the acreage of lands in VA, WV, KY, OH, and PA mined under SMCRA and reclaimed to non-forested post-mining land uses that are not currently under active management, and therefore can be considered as available for carbon sequestration. To determine actual sequestration under different forest management scenarios, a field study was installed as a 3 x 3 factorial in a random complete block design with three replications at each of three locations, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. The treatments included three forest types (white pine, hybrid poplar, mixed hardwood) and three silvicultural regimes (competition control, competition control plus tillage, competition control plus tillage plus fertilization). Each individual treatment plot is 0.5 acres. Each block of nine plots requires 4.5 acres, and the complete installation at each site requires 13.5 acres. The plots at all three locations have been installed and the plot corners marked with PVC stakes. GPS coordinates of each plot have been collected. Soil samples were …

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to fund the John Day Watershed Restoration Program, which includes projects to improve watershed conditions, resulting in improved fish and wildlife habitat. The project was planned and coordinated by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs through the John Day Basin Office in Prairie City, Oregon. A variety of activities will be implemented, described below. The project will involve the installation of four permanent lay flat diversions (structures) to replace temporary diversions. Two structures would be constructed in Beech Creek, one in Little Beech Creek and one in the John Day River. The structures will replace temporary pushup dams, which were constructed annually of various materials. Installation of the permanent diversion structures eliminates the stream-disturbing activities associated with annual installation of temporary structures. They also will enable fish passage in all flow conditions, an improvement over the temporary structures which can obstruct fish passage under some conditions. Five scour chains will be installed in six sites within the John Day River. The chains will be 3 feet long and consist of 1/4 inch chain. They will be buried within the streambed to monitor the movement of material in the streambed. Other activities that …

This report provides information about Border Security Key Agencies and Their Missions.

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This report identifies five options for Congress to consider, including the creation of a domestic intelligence agency like Great Britain’s MI-5.

This report opens with an overview of visa issuances, with sections on procedures for aliens coming to live in the United States permanently and on procedures for aliens admitted for temporary stays.3 It includes a discussion of visa screening policies, including inadmissibility, databases, an analysis of visa refusals, biometric visas and other major visa policy procedures. Summaries of key laws revising visa policy enacted in the 107th Congress follows. The final section analyzes selected issues in the 108th Congress, notably the 9/11 Commission recommendations, visa revocation and removal, new technologies, potential impact on business, and other security concerns.