New Solutions of the Boltzmann Equation for Monoenergetic Neutron Transport in Spherical Geometry (open access)

New Solutions of the Boltzmann Equation for Monoenergetic Neutron Transport in Spherical Geometry

Solutions of the Boltzmann equation for monoenergetic neutron transport in spherical geometry are derived which are respectively singular and regular at the center of the sphere. A few specific partial singular solutions are presented. The regular solutions in spherical geometry are constructed by superposition of solutions in plane geometry which belong to the same k. Finally, the solutions are compared with their representations by a series of spherical harmonics. (D. L.C.)
Date: November 17, 1961
Creator: Kofink, W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
OPTIMUM FILL VOLUMES IN POT CALCINATION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES (open access)

OPTIMUM FILL VOLUMES IN POT CALCINATION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES

The 15,000 MW nuclear economy assumed for the long range study of pot calcination costs reported earlier was used as a basis for calculating optimum fill volumes. An algebraic expression was developed for cost as a functmon of the normalized radius of the central void space in a partially filled vessel. Minima of this expression were found for acmdmc and neutralized wastes in 6, 12, and 24in.-diameter vessels. Optimum fill volumes decreased as vessel diameter increased, varying for acidic wastes from 99.8% for 6-in.-diameter vessels to 92.5% for 24-in.diameter vessels. Decreases in costs by using optimum fill volumes instead of the 90% fill volume assumed for all cases in the long range study were small, the largest being an 8% decrease for neutralized wastes in 6- in.-diameter vessels. (auth)
Date: November 17, 1961
Creator: Perona, J.J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Auger study of surface carbon and oxygen on thorium following ion bombardment (open access)

Auger study of surface carbon and oxygen on thorium following ion bombardment

The composition of a thorium metal surface has been monitored using Auger electron spectroscopy following Ar/sup +/ bombardment at different temperatures. After extended Ar/sup +/ bombardment, enough contaminated overlayers were removed to expose a surface region containing only thorium, bulk impurities, and imbedded argon. The main impurities, carbon and oxygen, differed in their behavior when the sample was annealed following bombardment. The amount of surface carbon either increased or remained constant during annealing depending upon the temperature of the sample during bombardment. The amount of surface oxygen decreased rapidly when the sample was heated above 500/sup 0/C regardless of the sample temperature during bombardment. These experiments indicate that preparation of clean, annealed thorium surfaces requires ion bombardment at temperatures > or = 400/sup 0/C.
Date: November 17, 1977
Creator: Bastasz, R. & Colmenares, C.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
NEUTRON PHYSICS DIVISION ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 1, 1961 (open access)

NEUTRON PHYSICS DIVISION ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 1, 1961

Fifty-seven papers and l7 abstracts of papers are presented in the report. Fifty two of the papers are abstracted separately; in addition, a single abstract is written to cover the section on Plasma Physics Theory, which contains 3 papers and 8 abstracts of papers. The two brief papers not abstracted separately are concerned with fast neutron detection, and homogeneous critical assemblies of 3%enriched UF/sub 4/-paraffin systems. (T.F.H.)
Date: November 17, 1961
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Production of Zirconium at Y-12 (open access)

Production of Zirconium at Y-12

Abstract: "A general description is given of the permanent zirconium plant at Y-12. Equipment is described and materials of construction are listed. Photographs illustrating principal equipment and reduced construction drawings are also presented. Operating conditions and costs information are listed."
Date: November 17, 1955
Creator: Ramsey, J. W. & Whitson, W. K., Jr.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Separation of Zirconium & Hafnium : Proposal for Construction & Operation of Zirconium Production Plant (open access)

Separation of Zirconium & Hafnium : Proposal for Construction & Operation of Zirconium Production Plant

Abstract: A re-evaluation of the cost of producing essentially hafnium free zirconium as zirconium oxide at a rate of 150,000-200,000 pounds zirconium per year by solvent extraction of the metal thiocyanates in a permanent plant has been made. Using part of the present temporary facilities, the cost, with five year amortization of the plant, will be $3.15 per pound zirconium. A by-product of the mixed oxides of hafnium and zirconium, having at least fifty percent hafnium and perhaps as high as ninety percent hafnium, can be made available with little additional cost.
Date: November 17, 1955
Creator: Googin, J. M. & Strasser, G. A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Zirconium-Hafnium Separation : Mixer-Settler Studies : Final Report (open access)

Zirconium-Hafnium Separation : Mixer-Settler Studies : Final Report

Abstract: Use of the mixer-settler apparatus as a rapid means of determining improved conditions for plant operation is described including the experimental details. The preparation of highly purified samples of both zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide is discussed. (This document is concerned almost entirely with explorations of small scale continuous systems. Another document dealing with this general problem using small scale batch operations is being published simultaneously. It should prove of advantage to the reader to study this companion report, Document Y-611, by Barton, Overholser, and Grimes, to obtain a complete picture of the available information.).
Date: November 17, 1955
Creator: Waldrop, F. B.; Ward, W. T. & Leaders, W. M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
D.C. Charter Schools: Strengthening Monitoring and Process When Schools Close Could Improve Accountability and Ease Student Transitions (open access)

D.C. Charter Schools: Strengthening Monitoring and Process When Schools Close Could Improve Accountability and Ease Student Transitions

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "D.C. has a larger percentage of students in charter schools than any state. To help oversee D.C. charter schools, Congress established two authorizers--the Board of Education (BOE), which has an Office of Charter Schools responsible for oversight, and the independent Public Charter School Board (PCSB). Congress required the GAO to conduct a study of the authorizers. This report--which completes GAO's May 2005 study--examines the (1) authorizers' resources, (2) oversight practices, and (3) actions taken once charter schools close. GAO examined BOE and PCSB monitoring reports, revenue and expenditure documents, and closure procedures."
Date: November 17, 2005
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Suggested Areas for Oversight for the 110th Congress (open access)

Suggested Areas for Oversight for the 110th Congress

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO is pleased to offer three sets of recommendations for consideration of the agenda of the 110th Congress. The first suggests targets for near-term oversight; the second proposes policies and programs that are in need of fundamental reform and re-engineering; and the third lists governance issues that should be addressed to help ensure an economical, efficient, effective, ethical, and equitable federal government capable of responding to the various challenges and capitalizing on related opportunities in the 21st century. Details on each of these recommendations can be found in the enclosure. GAO has three key roles to play in making a difference for the Congress and the American people: oversight, insight, and foresight. The attached lists reflect those missions and represent an effort to synthesize GAO's institutional knowledge and special expertise for the benefit of you and your colleagues in your planning efforts. In this regard, GAO believes that to be effective, congressional oversight needs to be constructive. For example, related hearings and other activities should offer opportunities for leading federal agencies to share best practices and facilitate governmentwide transformation. They should also hold people accountable for delivering positive …
Date: November 17, 2006
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Confirmation of Political Appointees: Eliciting Nominees' Views on Management Challenges within Agencies and across Government (open access)

Confirmation of Political Appointees: Eliciting Nominees' Views on Management Challenges within Agencies and across Government

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "While some progress has been made in recent years, agencies urgently need to strengthen basic management capabilities to successfully address current and emerging demands. The incoming administration will face challenges in implementing its policy and program agendas because of shortcomings in agencies' management capabilities. Building and developing the institutional capacity to meet these challenges will require appointing the right people to the right positions. It is vitally important that leadership and management skills, abilities, and experience be among the key criteria the new President uses to select his leadership teams in the agencies. The Senate's interest in leveraging its role in confirmation hearings will send a strong message that nominees should have the requisite skills to deal effectively with the broad array of complex management challenges they will face. This report includes questions for each of 28 major executive branch departments and agencies, and one for each of the following seven major governmentwide management areas: (1) acquisition management, (2) collaboration, (3) financial management, (4) human capital management, (5) information and technology management, (6) results-oriented decision making, and (7) real property management and security."
Date: November 17, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Transit Administration: Progress Made in Implementing Changes to the Job Access Program, but Evaluation and Oversight Processes Need Improvement (open access)

Federal Transit Administration: Progress Made in Implementing Changes to the Job Access Program, but Evaluation and Oversight Processes Need Improvement

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Begun in 1998, the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program provides grants to states and localities for improving the mobility of low-income persons seeking work. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) administers this program. In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorized $727 million for JARC for fiscal years 2005 through 2009, changed how these funds were to be awarded after fiscal year 2005, and required FTA to evaluate the program by August 2008. GAO examined (1) SAFETEA-LU's changes to JARC, (2) FTA's progress in implementing these changes, (3) states' and localities' efforts to respond and challenges they have encountered, and (4) FTA's proposed strategy for evaluation and oversight. GAO's work included analyzing program guidance as well as interviewing officials from FTA, industry groups, and more than 30 state and local agencies."
Date: November 17, 2006
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Transit Programs: Federal Transit Administration Has Opportunities to Improve Performance Accountability (open access)

Federal Transit Programs: Federal Transit Administration Has Opportunities to Improve Performance Accountability

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Public demand and federal funding for transit have grown in recent years, yet most of this funding is not tied to performance. As Congress prepares for reauthorization of the federal surface transportation programs, GAO was asked to report on (1) the extent to which federal transit programs use performance information in making decisions about funding distribution and in evaluating the programs' effectiveness; (2) mechanisms for making these programs more performance based, and strategies for supporting their successful implementation; and (3) how selected U.S. and foreign transit agencies have used performance measurement in their planning and decisions, and their views on the federal role in transit. To do so, GAO analyzed legislation, federal documents, and literature; interviewed federal officials and transit experts; and conducted semistructured interviews with selected transit agencies using criteria that, for U.S. agencies, covered a variety of regions and population sizes and, for foreign agencies, multiple transit modes and English language capability."
Date: November 17, 2010
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Land Management: Challenges to Implementing the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (open access)

Federal Land Management: Challenges to Implementing the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service manage about 628 million acres of public land, mostly in 11 western states and Alaska. Under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) of 2000, revenue raised from selling BLM lands is available to the agencies, primarily to acquire nonfederal land within the boundaries of land they already own--known as inholdings. These inholdings can create significant land management problems. To acquire land, the agencies can nominate parcels under state-level interagency agreements or the Secretaries can use their discretion to initiate acquisitions. FLTFA expires in July 2010. This testimony discusses GAO's 2008 report: Federal Land Management: Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Restrictions and Management Weaknesses Limit Future Sales and Acquisitions (GAO-08-196). Specifically, the testimony discusses (1) FLTFA revenue generated, (2) challenges to future sales, (3) FLTFA expenditures, (4) challenges to future acquisitions, and (5) agencies' implementation of GAO's recommendations. Among other things, GAO examined the act, agency guidance, and FLTFA sale and acquisition data, interviewed agency officials, and obtained some updated information."
Date: November 17, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure and Technology Fiscal Year 2011 Expenditure Plan (open access)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure and Technology Fiscal Year 2011 Expenditure Plan

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "This letter is the formal response to a mandate in the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. This mandate required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to (1) update its Fiscal Year 2010 expenditure plan on border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology (BSFIT) for fiscal year 2011 budget authority and (2) submit the updated plan to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The plan is to address 10 legislative conditions in the fiscal year 2010 DHS appropriations act and be reviewed by GAO. DHS submitted an updated plan to Congress on September 8, 2011. As required by the act, we reviewed the plan."
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Military Personnel: DOD Needs Action Plan to Address Enlisted Personnel Recruitment and Retention Challenges (open access)

Military Personnel: DOD Needs Action Plan to Address Enlisted Personnel Recruitment and Retention Challenges

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) must recruit and retain hundreds of thousands of servicemembers each year to carry out its missions, including providing support in connection with events such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition to meeting legislatively mandated aggregate personnel levels, each military component must also meet its authorized personnel requirements for each occupational specialty. DOD reports that over half of today's youth cannot meet the military's entry standards for education, aptitude, health, moral character, or other requirements, making recruiting a significant challenge. GAO, under the Comptroller General's authority (1) assessed the extent to which DOD's active, reserve, and National Guard components met their enlisted aggregate recruiting and retention goals; (2) assessed the extent to which the components met their authorized personnel levels for enlisted occupational specialties; and (3) analyzed the steps DOD has taken to address recruiting and retention challenges."
Date: November 17, 2005
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Business Systems Modernization: IRS's Fiscal Year 2004 Expenditure Plan (open access)

Business Systems Modernization: IRS's Fiscal Year 2004 Expenditure Plan

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Business Systems Modernization (BSM) program is a multibillion-dollar, high-risk, highly complex effort that involves the development and delivery of a number of modernized information systems that are intended to replace the agency's aging business and tax processing systems. BSM funds are not available until IRS submits an expenditure plan that meets various conditions to congressional appropriations committees for approval. In January and July 2004, the Department of the Treasury submitted IRS's initial and revised fiscal year 2004 plans, respectively. As required by law, GAO reviewed the plans to (1) determine whether the plans satisfied the conditions specified in the law, (2) determine what progress IRS had made in implementing our prior recommendations, and (3) provide any other observations about the plans and IRS's BSM program."
Date: November 17, 2004
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: Information on Contracting at Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Between 1992 and 1999 (open access)

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: Information on Contracting at Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Between 1992 and 1999

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "As required by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act of 1986, GAO must periodically determine whether the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) uses fair practices in determining which vendors win contracts. This correspondence provides information on MWAA's uses contracting practices between 1992 and 1999. GAO found that 2,843 contracts for supplies and services were awarded during this period. The initial award of these contracts was $1.43 billion. Between 1998 and 1999, GAO found that 95 out of 124 large contracts had been awarded using full and open competition. The remaining contracts were awarded on a sole-source basis or by using limited competition."
Date: November 17, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Review of OMB Circular A-76 Health Benefit Cost Factor Needed (open access)

Review of OMB Circular A-76 Health Benefit Cost Factor Needed

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Determining whether to obtain required services using government employees or through contracts with the private sector is an important economic and strategic decision for agency managers. In this regard, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76 prescribes policies and procedures for use by agencies as they select service providers through competitions among public and private-sector sources. The Circular is intended to ensure that the competitive sourcing process is conducted as fairly as possible, and that the estimated cost of government performance reflects all of the costs of performing the work in house. The purpose of this letter is to convey an issue we identified during the course of an ongoing review of how the costs of health benefits for federal and private-sector employees are reflected in public-private competitions conducted by the Department of Defense."
Date: November 17, 2005
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Port Security Grant Program: Risk Model, Grant Management, and Effectiveness Measures Could Be Strengthened (open access)

Port Security Grant Program: Risk Model, Grant Management, and Effectiveness Measures Could Be Strengthened

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "From fiscal years 2006 through 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded nearly $1.7 billion dollars to port areas through its Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) to protect critical maritime infrastructure and the public from terrorist attacks. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)--a DHS component agency--is the agency responsible for distributing grant funds. GAO was asked to evaluate the extent to which DHS has (1) allocated PSGP funds in accordance with risk; (2) encountered challenges in administering the grant program and what actions, if any, DHS has taken to overcome these challenges; and (3) evaluated the effectiveness of the PSGP. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed the PSGP risk model, funding allocation methodology, grant distribution data, and program documents, such as PSGP guidance. Additionally, GAO interviewed DHS and port officials about grant processes, funding distribution, and program challenges, among other things."
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Telecommunications: FCC's Performance Management Weaknesses Could Jeopardize Proposed Reforms of the Rural Health Care Program (open access)

Telecommunications: FCC's Performance Management Weaknesses Could Jeopardize Proposed Reforms of the Rural Health Care Program

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Telemedicine offers a way to improve health care access for patients in rural areas. The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Health Care Program, established in 1997, provides discounts on rural health care providers' telecommunications and information services (primary program) and funds broadband infrastructure and services (pilot program). GAO was asked to review (1) how FCC has managed the primary program to meet the needs of rural health care providers, and how well the program has addressed those needs; (2) how FCC's design and implementation of the pilot program affected participants; and (3) FCC's performance goals and measures for both the primary program and the pilot program, and how these goals compare with the key characteristics of successful performance goals and measures. GAO reviewed program documents and data, interviewed program staff and relevant stakeholders, and surveyed all 61 pilot program participants with recent participation in the program."
Date: November 17, 2010
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Security Administration: Short Time Frame and Workload Challenges Could Affect Timely Implementation of Income-Based Medicare Part B Premiums (open access)

Social Security Administration: Short Time Frame and Workload Challenges Could Affect Timely Implementation of Income-Based Medicare Part B Premiums

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Beginning January 1, 2007, the premiums for the Medicare Part B Supplementary Medical Insurance program will be based on income, which will raise the premiums for approximately 1.65 million higher-income beneficiaries to as much as 80 percent of the full cost over the 3-year phase-in period. This change, which may be unknown to some beneficiaries, will affect single individuals with incomes over $80,000 and married couples who file jointly with incomes over $160,000. Medicare Part B is a voluntary program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that covers doctors' services, certain outpatient services, and other care. Currently, Medicare Part B beneficiaries generally pay a flat premium of 25 percent (the standard monthly premium) of the cost of the program, with the remaining 75 percent subsidized by the federal government. While CMS administers the program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for determining and assessing Medicare Part B income-based premiums once CMS has set the standard premium amount for the year. To better understand how SSA is implementing such premiums, the Senate Committee on Finance requested that we review the process that SSA has …
Date: November 17, 2006
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Persian Gulf: Implementation Gaps Limit the Effectiveness of End-Use Monitoring and Human Rights Vetting for U.S. Military Equipment (open access)

Persian Gulf: Implementation Gaps Limit the Effectiveness of End-Use Monitoring and Human Rights Vetting for U.S. Military Equipment

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The United States has authorized billions of dollars in arms sales and exports to six Persian Gulf countries--Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, regional tensions and civil conflicts have raised concerns about the security and use of arms sold or exported to these countries. The Departments of Defense (DOD) and State (State) established end-use monitoring programs to ensure that these arms are used as intended. This report assesses the extent to which DOD and State (1) safeguard U.S. military technologies sold or exported to the Gulf countries, (2) provide similar or differing levels of protection for the same military technologies, and (3) vet recipients of U.S.-funded military training and equipment for potential human rights violations. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed laws and regulations, analyzed data and documentation, and interviewed officials in Washington, D.C., and the Gulf countries."
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Postal Service: Action Needed to Maximize Cost-Saving Potential of Alternatives to Post Offices (open access)

U.S. Postal Service: Action Needed to Maximize Cost-Saving Potential of Alternatives to Post Offices

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Declines in mail volume have brought the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to the brink of financial insolvency. Action to ensure its financial viability is urgently needed. Visits to post offices have also declined, and in an effort to cut costs, USPS is considering closing nearly half of its 32,000 post offices by 2015. In their place, alternatives to post offices, such as the Internet, self-service kiosks, and partnerships with retailers, are increasingly important for providing access to postal services. Retail alternatives also hold potential to help improve financial performance by providing services at a lower cost than post offices. As requested, this report discusses how (1) USPS's efforts to expand access through retail alternatives support its service and financial performance goals, (2) USPS communicates with the public about retail alternatives, and (3) USPS oversees its retail partners. To conduct this work, GAO analyzed USPS documents and data and interviewed USPS officials and stakeholders. GAO also interviewed operators of postal retail partnerships."
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Data Quality: Census Bureau Needs to Accelerate Efforts to Develop and Implement Data Quality Review Standards (open access)

Data Quality: Census Bureau Needs to Accelerate Efforts to Develop and Implement Data Quality Review Standards

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Data from the decennial census are used to apportion and redistrict seats in the House of Representatives, distribute billions of dollars of federal funds, and guide the planning and investment decisions of the public and private sectors. Given the importance of these data, it is essential that they meet high quality standards before they are distributed to the public. After questions arose about the quality of certain data from the 2000 Census, the requesters asked GAO to review U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) standards on the quality of data disseminated to the public."
Date: November 17, 2004
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library