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A method is presented for the determination of uranium (as U/sup 238/) in uraniuni-loaded graphite fuel elenients by a non-destructive, direct radioactivity analysis technique. A 200-cbannel pulse-height analyzer, equipped with a 3 in. x 3 in. NaI(Tl) crystal, is used to measure the Np/sup 239/ radioactivity of the neutron-irradiated samples. The amount of U/sup 238/ in the test samples is deterimined quantitatively by comparing the Np/sup 239/ radioactivity induced in each sample with the Np/sup 239/ radioactivity induced into known standards of U/sup 238/ processed under the same conditions as the test samples. The limit of detection for U/sup 238/in samples of normal uranium composition for this method is about 1.0 x l0-4 ug. (auth)

Report that looks at the Social Security debate, Social Security future projections, and public opinion on Social Security reform. It also looks at past reform measures, from the 109th-112th Congress, none of which received congressional action.

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Higher education has increasingly become critical to our nation's cultural, social, and economic well-being, with 90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the knowledge economy requiring some postsecondary education. While a college graduate can expect to earn, on average, approximately $1 million more over the course of his or her working life than those with a high school diploma, most students and their families can expect to pay more on average for college than they did just a year ago. Moreover, many are concerned that the increases in the cost of college may be discouraging large numbers of individuals, particularly minority and low-income individuals, from pursuing higher education. The topic of college affordability continues to be an issue of great concern. Various policymakers, national associations, and philanthropic foundations have documented the growth in college tuition and its potentially adverse effects on access to higher education and rates of degree completion. Recent years have witnessed the introduction of many federal-, state-, and institution-level initiatives aimed at curbing tuition increases, yet tuition continues to rise. Congress asked GAO to provide information on trends in higher education enrollments, tuition …

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In recently completed work, we found that medical facilities (such as medical centers, clinics, and practices) and durable medical equipment suppliers were the most frequent subjects of criminal fraud cases in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP in 2010. Hospitals and medical facilities were the most frequent subjects of civil fraud cases, including cases that resulted in judgments or settlements. According to 2010 data, about one-quarter of the 7,848 subjects investigated in criminal health care fraud cases were medical facilities or were affiliated with these facilities. Additionally, about 16 percent of subjects were durable medical equipment suppliers. Among the subjects investigated in criminal fraud cases, a small percentage (approximately 3 percent) were individuals who were beneficiaries of health care programs. Hospitals constituted nearly 20 percent of the 2,339 subjects of civil fraud cases investigated in 2010, and other medical facilities accounted for about 18 percent of the subjects. Less than 1 percent of subjects involved in civil health care fraud cases were beneficiaries of health care programs. CMS has made progress in implementing strategies to prevent fraud, and recent legislation provided it with enhanced authority. However, CMS has not implemented …

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) spends millions of dollars each year to acquire information technology (IT) services through the General Services Administration's (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). However, DOD has not been taking steps critical to ensuring that it gets the best services at the best prices. GAO's review of 22 DOD orders revealed that 17 of them were placed without seeking competitive quotes. GSA's established procedures require that agencies seek competitive quotes to ensure that the government gets the best price for IT services. Many DOD contracting officers were unaware of this requirement and placed orders under FSS contracts without seeking quotes from multiple contractors. The Federal Acquisition Regulation covering FSS contracts does not provide clear guidance to contracting officers on these special ordering procedures."

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) has undergone a number of changes in recent years, including a 2003 transfer from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau (ICE), and a 2005 transfer from ICE back to TSA. A key aspect of federal air marshals' operating procedures is the discreet movement through airports as they check in for their flight, transit screening checkpoints, and board the aircraft. This report discusses FAMS's (1) transfer to ICE and key practices that could facilitate its return to TSA, and (2) management of mission-related incidents that affect air marshals' ability to operate discreetly."

A chapter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Since the end of the Cold War, the United States and its European allies are using smaller militaries, disbursing more development assistance, and increasing their reliance on multilateral organizations to provide for European security. Despite reductions in force levels and budgets, U.S. and European military forces have been actively engaged in peacekeeping and other security-enhancing activities in the region. The United States and its European allies have contributed to stability in the Balkans through various military and financial means. The Balkans operations have highlighted numerous shortfalls in the military capabilities of European allies, but competing budgetary priorities may limit their ability to remedy them before the end of the decade. Defense expenditures are expected to remain relatively flat in constant 2000 dollars over the next four to five years for most European allies, placing major defense initiatives sponsored by NATO and the European Union in jeopardy."

A Demonstration Reaction Clarifier - Gravity Filtration System with a 1600 GPM throughput capability was in operation at the joint DOE-SDG and E-MAGMA test facility located in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, southern California, during the summer of 1979. The system, which was designed to condition spent effluent from a 10 MWe-size geothermal power plant, removes supersaturated dissolved species and residual suspended solids from brine prior to subsurface brine disposal via injection wells. The post-processing chemical stability of conditioned effluents was established by means of anaerobic incubation tests at 90/sup 0/C. The effect of residual dissolved polymer, that might be used for the purpose of scale control in upstream power plant components on the efficiency of reaction clarification, was also evaluated. Membrane filtration and core tests were used to assess the injectability of processed brine. It was found that the clarifier-filter operational procedures and system design permitted oxygenation of the brine by air intrusion. This resulted in partial stabilization of dissolved silica and precipitation of oxides of iron. As a consequence, conditioned brine injectability was poor. However, elimination of the air intrusion problem would result in a substantial improvement in brine quality. Residual amounts of dissolved polyaminoethylene (20 ppm, by …

The TMX-U magnet set has incorporated new axisymmetric throttle coils and fan-reversing transition magnets. This new magnet geometry, which will allow for the experimental verification of new physics issues related to axicell tandem mirrors, encompasses both engineering and physics considerations. Engineering considerations include structural integrity plus neutral beam and diagnostic access. Physics issues include the stability and radial transport of the confined plasma. We have calculated the magnetic field using the magnetic field code, EFFI, and the plasma stability and surface curvatures using the plasma stability code, TEBASCO. Our magnet design allows the axisymmetric throttle mirror to be varied from the end-cell mirror value of 2 to a peak of 6 T.

California has the most abundant known reserves of geothermal resources in the nation, and California State government has taken several important actions to accelerate the environmentally acceptable development of geothermal energy. The roles played by various California State government agencies and the legislature to accomplish this goal are discussed.

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Much attention has focused on the "offshoring" of services to lower-wage locations abroad. Offshoring generally refers to an organization's purchase of goods or services from abroad that were previously produced domestically. Extensive public debate has arisen about both the potential benefits of services offshoring, such as lower consumer prices and higher U.S. productivity, as well as the potential costs, such as increased job displacement for selected U.S. workers. In response to widespread congressional interest, GAO conducted work under the Comptroller General's authority to help policy makers better understand the potential impacts and policy implications of services offshoring. This report: (1) provides an overview of experts' views on the potential impacts of services offshoring, (2) describes the types of policies that have been proposed in response to offshoring, and (3) highlights some key areas where additional research might help advance the debate about offshoring. In its comments, the Department of Commerce generally agreed with the findings of this report. Commerce, Treasury, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative also provided technical comments that have been incorporated as appropriate."

Report that contains information related to the internal revolutionary and narcotic conflicts of Colombia the past and present relationship between Colombia and the United States.

Contains final CODEL and community input for Navy Team Analyst Hal Tickle regarding SUBASE New London, CT

Contains notes and research (COBRA) Ft. Monmouth, N.J., by Wes Hood of the ARMY Team.

Contains notes and research (NVSED) Ft. Belvoir, VA, by Wes Hood of the ARMY Team.

Contains notes and research of (General) NAS Crane, IN, by Wes Hood of the ARMY Team.

Contains COBRA Runs for Navy Team Analyst Hal Tickle regarding NAS Brunswick, ME

Contains notes and research, including a map, for Navy Team Analyst Hal Tickle regarding NAS Jacksonville, FL

Contains notes and research (Community Input) Ft. Monmouth, NJ by Wes Hood of the Army Team.

Contains Base Visit, COBRA data, and other community input from The Camden Partnership, Inc regarding SUBASE Kings Bay, GA for Navy Team Analyst Hal Tickle

Contains notes and research of (CODEL briefing) Ft. Monmouth, NJ, by Wes Hood of the ARMY Team.

Contains Base Visit information and COBRA data for Navy Team Analyst Hal Tickle regarding SUBASE Kings Bay, GA

Contains notes and research (General) Ft. Monmouth, NJ, by Wes Hood of the ARMY Team.