A chapter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on issues relating to the arbitration process in the securities industry, focusing on: (1) whether arbitration forums had implemented recommendations made in GAO's 1992 report and whether the changes were effective; (2) how investors fared in award decisions; and (3) the extent to which investors were paid the amounts awarded by arbitration panels."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) report on its efforts to adopt management best practices for software development and acquisition, focusing on whether: (1) it satisfied the Senate Committee on Armed Service's directive; and (2) the information included was accurate and complete."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the federal government's food and commodity purchases, focusing on: (1) details about federal agencies' purchases of food and agricultural commodities from fiscal year (FY) 1997 through FY 1999; and (2) information on major regulations that may affect the prices paid by these agencies for these products."

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the U.S. bilateral food assistance project in North Korea, focusing on the: (1) objectives, accomplishments, key factors affecting performance, and monitoring effectiveness of the potato component of the bilateral aid project; (2) objectives, accomplishments, key factors affecting performance, and monitoring effectiveness of the food-for-work component; and (3) administration's views on the project and plans for additional bilateral assistance to North Korea. The United States, North Korea, and a consortium of U.S. private voluntary organizations (known as the Consortium) signed an agreement for the project in April 1999."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the status of the Department of Labor's (DOL) efforts to improve the H-2A agricultural guestworker program services."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the Air Force's F-22 Raptor Program and its impact on production cost reduction plans, focusing on the: (1) status of cost reduction plans, including some plans not yet implemented, and identifying Air Force procedures for reporting on the plans; and (2) comparison of 1999 cost estimates developed by the Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense with the congressional cost limitation."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the National Park Service's (NPS) concessions program, focusing on program management problems and options available to address them."

The objective of this project is to facilitate the ligand development process for f-block metal ions, i.e., the actinides and lanthanides, by developing an accurate set of criteria for the design of ligand architectures. To achieve this objective we first combine theory and experiment to understand the nature of fundamental interactions in selected metal-ligand systems. These design criteria provide a basis for proposing improved Ligand architectures. We then incorporate this understanding within the framework of a molecular mechanics force field to allow the rapid calculation of geometries and energies for ligands and their metal complexes. This computational model provides a method for quickly screening proposed architectures to identify the best candidates for subsequent synthesis and testing.

This is a report on the former soviet union and the U.S foreign assistance seeking to encourage a trasition to democracy and free market economics.

The calibration facilities will be dynamic and will change to meet the needs of experiments. Small sources, such as the Manson Source should be available to everyone at any time. Carrying out experiments at Omega is providing ample opportunity for practice in pre-shot preparation. Hopefully, the needs that are demonstrated in these experiments will assure the development of (or keep in service) facilities at each of the laboratories that will be essential for in-house preparation for experiments at NIF.

The phase stability of C-22 alloy (UNS No. N06022) gas tungsten arc welds was studied by aging samples at 427, 482, 538, 593, 649, 704, and 760 C for times up to 40,000 hours. The tensile properties and the Charpy impact toughness of these samples were measured in the as-welded condition as well as after aging. The corrosion resistance was measured using standard immersion tests in acidic ferric sulfate (ASTM G 28 A) and 2.5% hydrochloric acid solutions at the boiling point. The microstructures of weld samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). One weld sample (aged 40,000 hours at 427 C) was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the unaged welds was dendritic with tetrahedrally close-packed (TCP) phase particles in the interdendritic regions. Long-range order was seen in the weld aged at 427 C for 40,000 hours and was assumed to also occur in other welds aged below approximately 600 C. At temperatures above about 600 C, TCP phase nucleation and growth of existing particles occurred. This precipitation occurred near the original particles presumably in regions of the highest molybdenum (Mo) segregation. Lower temperatures had little or no effect on the morphology of TCP phases. …

''Condensed History'' algorithms are Monte Carlo models for electron transport problems, They describe the aggregate effect of multiple collisions that occur when an electron travels a path length s{sub 0}. This path length is the distance each Monte Carlo electron travels between Condensed History steps. Conventional Condensed History schemes employ a splitting routine over the range 0 {le} s {le} s{sub 0}. For example, the Random Hinge method splits each path length step into two substeps; one with length {xi}s{sub 0} and one with length (1-{xi})s{sub 0}, where {xi} is a random number from 0 < {xi} < 1. Here we develop a new Condensed History algorithm to improve the accuracy of electron transport simulations by preserving the mean position and the variance in the mean of electrons that have traveled a path length s and are traveling with the direction cosine {mu}. These means and variances are obtained from the zeroth-, first-, and second-order spatial moments of the Boltzmann transport equation. Hence, our method is a Monte Carlo application of the ''Method of Moments''.

This report summarizes results obtained on the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of zeolites. DOE funding supported the development of techniques of material preparation as well as experimental strategies and methods for measuring solubilities, hydration states, and rates of zeolite dissolution, precipitation, and nucleation. The hydrothermal experiments provided temperature-dependent solubility products, hydration states, and a set of standard free energies of formation for end-member Na-, K-, and Ca-clinoptilolite, mordenite, and analcime. Flow-through experimental methods were used to measure the rates of Na-clinoptilolite and analcime dissolution and precipitation as a function of reaction affinity to 250C. Finally, the experimental system was modified so that the clinoptilolite-to-analcime transformation was monitored, and its rates and mechanisms were evaluated.

A numerical methodology to incorporate anisotropic elasticity into three-dimensional dislocation dynamics codes has been developed, employing theorems derived by Lothe (1967), Brown (1967), Indenbom and Orlov (1968) and Asaro and Barnett (1976). The formalism is based on the stress field solution for a straight dislocation segment of arbitrqq orientation in 3-dimensional space. The general solution is given in a complicated closed integral form. To reduce the computation complexity, look-up tables are used to avoid heavy computations for the evaluation of the angular stress factor ({Sigma}{sub ij}) and its first derivative term ({Sigma}{sub ij}). The computation methodology and error analysis are discussed in comparison with known closed form solutions for isotropic elasticity. For the case of Mo single crystals, it is shown that the difference between anisotropic and isotropic elastic stress fields can be as high as 15% close to the dislocation line, and decreases significantly far away from it. This suggests that short-range interactions should be evaluated based on anisotropic elasticity, while long-range interaction can be approximated using isotropic elasticity.

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The UNSAT-H model was developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to assess the water dynamics of arid sites and, in particular, estimate recharge fluxes for scenarios pertinent to waste disposal facilities. To achieve the above goals for assessing water dynamics and estimating recharge rates, the UNSAT-H addresses soil water infiltration, redistribution, evaporation, plant transpiration, deep drainage, and soil heat flow. The UNSAT-H model simulates liquid water flow using the Richards equation, water vapor diffusion using Fick's law, and sensible heat flow using the Fourier equation. This report documents UNSAT-H Version 3.0. The report includes the bases for the conceptual model and its numerical implementation, benchmark test cases, example simulations involving layered soils and plants, and the code manual. Version 3.0 is an enhanced-capability update of UNSAT-H Version 2.0 (Fayer Jones 1990). New features include hysteresis, an iterative solution of head and temperature, an energy balance check, the modified Picard solution technique, additional hydraulic functions, multiple year simulation capability, and general enhancements. This report includes eight example problems. The first four are verification tests of UNSAT-H capabilities. The second four example problems are demonstrations of real-world situations.

A part of the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) is the development of the Small Transportable Autonomous Reactor (STAR) for deployment in countries that do not have a nuclear industry. STARs would have an output of from 100 to 150 MW electric, would be fueled in the country of manufacture, and after 15 to 20 years of operation the reactor core would be returned to the country of manufacture for refueling. A candidate STAR design can be found in (Greenspan, 2000). This paper describes the design of the control and monitoring system that might be used. There are two unique features to this system. One is that the monitored information will be transmitted to a remote site for two purposes, safeguards, and allowing experts a great distance away direct access to view the reactor's operating parameters. The second feature is safeguards sensors will be designed into the system and there will monitoring of the safeguards aspects of the system for tampering. Any safeguards anomalies will be sent to the remote site as alarms. Encrypted satellite communications will be used to transmit the data. These features allow the STAR to be operated by a small staff and will reduce the costs …

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The results from this initial characterization of the {sup 238}Pu- and {sup 239}Pu-bearing ceramics showed that the target phase assemblage was achieved in all but one material, {sup 238}Pu-zirconolite baseline. This {sup 238}Pu-zirconolite baseline material appears to have been prepared incorrectly with a 14 mass% excess of Pu (9.6 mass% actual vs. 8.4 mass% target; 4.8 mole% actual vs. 4.1 mole% target). It is not surprising that PuO{sub 2} was found to be one of the dominant phases. The densities of these materials compared well with the theoretical densities given by Stewart, Vance, and Ball [14]. For all but three of the materials, the average density was >94% of theoretical. Of the three, one was {sup 238}Pu-zirconolite baseline (108%) that contained unreacted PuO{sub 2}. In our MCC leach testing, the normalized elemental mass losses from the various ceramic specimens depended on the elemental ceramic constituent, the Pu isotope, and the ceramic. Of the primary constituents, Al and Ca were the most easily released. Plutonium and U were the next most susceptible to release. In general, the Hf had the lowest releases during the tests. The Gd and Ti releases varied, depending on the ceramic and the Pu isotope in the …

As a result of treaty agreements between Russia and the US, portions of their respective plutonium and nuclear weapons stockpiles have been declared excess. In support of the US Department of Energy's 1998 decision to pursue immobilization of a portion of the remaining Pu in a titanate-based ceramic, the authors prepared nearly 200 radiation-damage test specimens of five Pu- and {sup 238}Pu-ceramics containing 10 mass% Pu to determine the effects of irradiation from the contained Pu and U on the ceramic. The five Pu-ceramics were (1) phase-pure pyrochlore [ideally, Ca(U, Pu)Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}], (2) pyrochlore-rich baseline, (3) pyrochlore-rich baseline with impurities, (4) phase-pure zirconolite [ideally Ca(U, Pu)Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}], and (5) a zirconolite-rich baseline. These ceramics were prepared with either normal weapons-grade Pu, which is predominantly {sup 239}Pu, or {sup 238}Pu. The {sup 238}Pu accelerates the radiation damage relative to the {sup 239}Pu because of its much higher specific activity. The authors were unsuccessful in preparing phase-pure (Pu, U) brannerite, which is the third crystalline phase present in the baseline immobilization form. Since these materials will contain {approximately}10 mass% Pu and about 20 mass% U, radiation damage to the crystalline structure of these materials will occur overtime. As the material …

This document addresses the preferred combination of design and operational configurations to provide heat removal from high-level waste tanks during Phase 1 waste feed delivery to prevent the waste temperature from exceeding tank safety requirement limits. An interim decision for the preferred method to remove the heat from the high-level waste tanks during waste feed delivery operations is presented herein.

Appliances are increasingly controlled by microprocessors. Unfortunately, energy test procedures have not been modified to capture the positive and negative contributions of the microprocessor to the appliance's energy use. A new test procedure is described which captures both the mechanical and logical features present in many new appliances. We developed an energy test procedure for refrigerators that incorporates most aspects of the proposed new approach. Some of the strengths and weaknesses of the new test are described.

Approximately 2,300 metric tons Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) are currently stored within two water filled pools, the 105 K East (KE) fuel storage basin and the 105 K West (KW) fuel storage basin, at the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (RL). The SNF Project is responsible for operation of the K Basins and for the materials within them. A subproject to the SNF Project is the Debris Removal Subproject, which is responsible for removal of empty canisters and lids from the basins. The Canister Cleaning System (CCS) is part of the Debris Removal Project. The CCS will be installed in the KW Basin and operated during the fuel removal activity. The KW Basin has approximately 3600 canisters that require removal from the basin. The CCS is being designed to ''clean'' empty fuel canisters and lids and package them for disposal to the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility complex. The system will interface with the KW Basin and be located in the Dummy Elevator Pit.

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