Abstract: A two-day Conference hosted by NBS was held in Gaithersburg, Maryland on May 14-15, 1986 to test the hypothesis that "There is a need for a coordinated methodology for accrediting construction materials testing laboratories." Construction materials include primary materials such as: cement, concrete, aggregates, rock and soil, asphalts, metals, wood and masonry. The Conference was structured to consider: (1) the status of existing laboratory evaluation and accreditation programs; (2) current trends in the accreditation process; and (3) the need for and nature of a coordinated accreditation system. The Conference included the presentation of invited papers and four workshop sessions.

Abstract: This report is the result of an in-depth review of the recent technical literature on expert systems,. The material contained in this report provided a basis for assessing the potential for using expert systems in emergency management operations. In choosing the material for inclusion in this report, special emphasis was placed on those aspects of expert systems which addressed the types of problems encountered in emergency management operations. The report is designed for use as a resource document and as a tutorial on expert systems and emergency management. Each chapter consists of a brief topic essay followed by a set of references which expand on the main themes of the essay.

Abstract: This report documents the initial phases of the MIST database, which is a demonstration project jointly supported by the Department of Energy and the National Bureau of Standards. The purpose of the Materials Information for Science and Technology (MIST) is to demonstrate the power and utility of computer access to materials property data. The initial goals include: to exercise the concept of a computer network of materials databases and to build a demonstration of such a system in a way as to be suitable for use as the core of operational systems in the future. Phases I and II are described in detail. In addition, a discussion is given of the expected usage of the databases.

Abstract: OMNITAB 80 is a highly integrated general purpose programming language and statistical software computing system. The system enables the user to use a digital computer to perform statistical and numerical data analysis without having any prior knowledge of computers or programming languages. The system responds to simple instructions to obtain accurate results since reliable, varied and sophisticated algorithms for data analysis and manipulation are referenced. It may be used either interactively or in batch mode. OMNITAB 80 has been installed nationally and internationally. OMNITAB has been completely written to make it as machine independent as possible This document describes Version 6.0. Details are presented so that the user can easily find the specific information needed in any particular instance. Part A is a simple, compact introduction to OMNITAB. Part B describes the general and special features of the OMNITAB system. Part C gives explanations, with short examples, for the use of specific instructions. Part D is a complete alphabetical list of the instructions which are in the system.

Abstract: The First Symposium on The Theory and Application of Expert Systems in Emergency Management, held at the Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. (April 24 and 25, 1985) was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and organized by the National Bureau of Standards' Operations Research Division. The purpose of the symposium was to bring together researchers in expert systems, artificial intelligence, and emergency operations in a forum to review the concepts of expert systems and the problems of emergency management, with the objective of determining how expert systems can be used to augment the experience of local, State and Federal emergency managers faced with the difficult tasks of determining the best response to an emergency situation. Speakers addressed the following areas: The theory and uncertainty aspects of expert systems, artificial intelligence's future role in emergency management, technology for building and using expert systems, emergency management decisions and information needs and uses, applications of expert systems in the management of chemical spills and shipboard and coal mine fires, and the role and use of simulation in emergency management expert systems.

Report of the annual conference on weights and measures, hosted by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards in Washington D.C. It includes conference proceedings, a list of attendees, information about committees and officers, and other reports or commentaries discussed at the meetings.

Abstract: Site attenuation is a measure of performance of an open test site used at frequencies below about 1 GHz for antenna calibration and equipment emission and susceptibility testing. These sites typically consist of a large, obstruction-free ground plane and the hemisphere above it. Site attenuation of an ideal site is calculated and compared to data measured using the 30 m by 60 m NBS ground screen.

Abstract: The National Bureau of Standards receives repeated requests from industry and Federal agencies (e.g. , Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission) for information about the capabilities of and services provided by State measurement laboratories. This directory is a compilation of such information by State, including a description of the services available and fees charged. The directory will be updated annually in January of each year to coincide with the issuance of annual certification of these laboratories.

Report issued by the National Bureau of Standards over thermal tests conducted on soil samples. The results of the laboratory tests are discussed. This report includes tables, illustrations, photographs.

Abstract: This book presents the Proceedings of the DoE/NBS Workshop on Environmental Speciation and Monitoring Needs for Trace Metal-Containing Substances from Energy-Related Processes held at the National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD, on May 18-20, 1981. The Workshop was sponsored by the Office of Health and Environmental Research, DoE, and the Office of Recycled Materials, NBS. The volume contains refereed papers submitted by 24 invited speakers, along with substantially complete text of the discussion following the papers, edited by the Co-chairpersons. The Proceedings address three major topic areas forming the overall objective of the Workshop: (1) what are the general and specific types of metal- or metalloid-containing substances occurring in energy-related process materials such as coals, oil shales, and waste products? (2) what are the current status and future prospects of element- and compound-specific measurement methods suitable for speciation of trace (ppm, ppb) metal- and metalloid-containing substances transmitted to the environment by energy-processing or waste cycling technologies? (3) for what toxic molecular forms of speciated process effluents should biological dose-response data be generated to assure reliable environmental impact and monitoring measurements? Main questions focused, on providing assurance that the speciation methods (or their development) fit basic bioassay criteria along with …

Report issued by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards discussing information on data entry equipment selection by Federal agencies and organizations. As stated in the abstract, "this report provides information about economic and general operational considerations, steps to be followed in acquisition and training, and other factors pertinent to data entry equipment selection" (p. iii). This report includes a table.

Report issued by the Bureau of Mines discussing the heating and cooling requirements for single-family homes. These requirements are determined from "Test Reference Year," or TRY data and long-term geographic climate information. This report includes tables, illustrations, photographs, and a map.

From Abstract and Introduction: "This paper is, in essence, a report on the extension of the techniques first suggested in NBS Monograph 103 "Realistic Uncertainties and the Mass Measurement Process" to the area of length measurement. This paper covers the progress to date on the long gage blocks (from 5 to 20 in the length). The purpose of this purpose is to verify the closure between the "old" process and the "new" process, and to describe the present "points of departure" upon which some of the current assigned length values are based."

From Abstract: "This paper presents a comprehensive report on the measurement and the use of rotary-vane attenuator as an interlaboratory standard."

Report documenting standard x-ray diffraction powder patterns for various compounds, intended to replace previous data or provide information for new substances. It describes the methods and, for each substance, outlines any previous data as well as information about the sample used and structural data, with a table of diffraction patterns.

From Abstract: "This treatise is an attempt to provide a rational descriptive and analytical basis for tire mechanics. Chapters of this book are contributed by active research workers in the fields of rubber and textile properties, friction, material properties, tire stress problems, tire design and construction, vehicle skid and handling, and tire mechanical properties."

From Introduction: "It is the purpose of this monograph to bring together and report the results of numerous exploding wire experiments performed at the National Bureau of Standards over the past five years."

A handbook of mathematical functions that is designed to provide scientific investigations with a comprehensive and self-contained summary of the mathematical functions that arise in physical and engineering problems.

Design and performance of a new near-zone electric field-strength meter.

From Abstract: "This Monograph is a revision of the previous NBS Monograph 18. Its purpose is to provide an understanding of the heat treatment of iron and steels, principally to those unacquainted with this subject. The basic principles involved in the heat treatment of these materials are presented in simple form." From Introduction: "This Monograph has been prepared to answer such inquires and to give in simplified form a working knowledge of the basic theoretical and practical principles involved in the heat treatment of iron and steel."

From Abstract: "The data obtained at the National Bureau of Standards on the sound insulating properties of building structures are summarized. A brief description of the sound-measuring techniques is given."

Formulas, computer program, and illustrations for a great circle path at ionospheric heights.

Report of the annual conference on weights and measures, hosted by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards in Washington D.C. It includes conference proceedings, a list of attendees, information about committees and officers, and other reports or commentaries discussed at the meetings.

Report providing an alphabetical listing of the periodicals, both American and foreign, that are currently being received in the Washington (D.C.) Library of the National Bureau of Standards. Approximately 2,000 titles are cited, together with call numbers indicating the location of each in the NBS Washington Library. Although this information was compiled primarily for the use of the Bureau's scientific staff, it is also of value to libraries, scientific and technical organizations, and research workers.