Report of the Working Group on Media Accelerators (open access)

Report of the Working Group on Media Accelerators

A summary is given of the activities of those in the Media Accelerator Group. Attention was focused on the Inverse Cherenkov Accelerator, the Laser Focus Accelerator, and the Beat Wave Accelerator. For each of these the ultimate capability of the concept was examined as well as the next series of experiments which needs to be performed in order to advance the concept.
Date: April 12, 1982
Creator: Sessler, Andrew M.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Investigation of the Corrosion Resistance of Brazing Alloys for Austenitic Stainless Steel Fuel Elements for Service in 565 F Pressurized Water (open access)

An Investigation of the Corrosion Resistance of Brazing Alloys for Austenitic Stainless Steel Fuel Elements for Service in 565 F Pressurized Water

Since brazing was the method selected for joining the stainless steel SM- l reactor fuel element, corrosion studies were conducted on various potential brazing alloys to evaluate their resistance under the approximate pressurized- water conditions of the SM-1. The program consisted mainly of testing type 304L stainless steel T'' joints brazed with selected alloys in quiescent, degassed, and deionized autoclaved water at 565 deg F under 1200-psi pressure. In the initial phase of the investigation, tests were limited in duration to l000 hr in order to quickly screen some 18 potential alloys for longer time testing. Based on weight-change data and the metallographic examinations, five of the 18 alloys exhibited sufficient corrosion resistance to warrant further investigation. These alloys were subjected to autoclave tests of 12 and 16 months. In these extended tests, 1 cc O/sub 2/liter and a mixture of 1 cc O/sub 2/liter plus 50 cc H/sub 2/liter, respectively, were added to the water to more closely simulate SM- 1 reactor water conditions and to evaluate the effect of different gaseous additions on the corrosion behavior of the alloys. On the basis of weight-change data and metallographic examination after long-term exposure of the tested stainless steel-base joint; these …
Date: April 12, 1962
Creator: Beaver, R. J.; Leitten, C. F. Jr. & English, J. L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Spectrum Management: NTIA Planning and Processes Need Strengthening to Promote the Efficient Use of Spectrum by Federal Agencies (open access)

Spectrum Management: NTIA Planning and Processes Need Strengthening to Promote the Efficient Use of Spectrum by Federal Agencies

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Radio frequency spectrum enables vital wireless communications services used by the federal government, businesses, and consumers. Spectrum capacity is necessary for wireless broadband (high-speed Internet access) and broadband deployment will boost the nation's capabilities in many important areas. As the demand for spectrum continues to increase, there is concern about adequate access to meet future needs. This requested report examines (1) how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is managing spectrum needs of federal agencies, (2) how federal agencies are using and managing assigned spectrum, and (3) what steps NTIA has taken to meet recent initiatives aimed at making spectrum available for broadband. GAO reviewed NTIA's spectrum management documents; surveyed the 19 federal agencies comprising the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee; and interviewed NTIA officials and industry and academic experts."
Date: April 12, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Acquisitions: Status and Challenges of Joint Forces Command's Limited Acquisition Authority (open access)

Defense Acquisitions: Status and Challenges of Joint Forces Command's Limited Acquisition Authority

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Over 3 years ago, Congress granted limited acquisition authority (LAA)--subject to delegation by the Secretary of Defense--to U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) for a 3-year period to expedite development and acquisition of certain warfighter equipment. Congress directed GAO to report on JFCOM LAA implementation. GAO's report, issued in November 2005, said JFCOM finished five LAA projects and was working on a sixth project, and that JFCOM had experienced difficulty finding funding to develop, acquire, and sustain LAA projects. Last year, Congress extended LAA through September 2008 and again directed GAO to report on LAA. This report updates the status of JFCOM LAA efforts since the authority was enacted and key LAA challenges."
Date: April 12, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Postal Service: Strategies and Options to Facilitate Progress toward Financial Viability (open access)

U.S. Postal Service: Strategies and Options to Facilitate Progress toward Financial Viability

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 required GAO to evaluate strategies and options for reforms of the United States Postal Service (USPS). USPS's business model is to fulfill its mission through self-supporting, businesslike operations; however, USPS has experienced increasing difficulties. Due to volume declines, losses, a cash shortage, and rising debt, GAO added USPS's financial condition to its high-risk list in July 2009. GAO's objectives were to assess (1) the viability of USPS's business model, (2) strategies and options to address challenges to its business model, and (3) actions Congress and USPS need to take to facilitate progress toward financial viability. GAO primarily drew on its past work; other studies; USPS data; interviews with USPS, unions, management associations, Postal Regulatory Commission, and mailing industry officials; and stakeholder input."
Date: April 12, 2010
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
VA Health Care: Changes in Medical Residency Slots Reflect Shift to Primary Care (open access)

VA Health Care: Changes in Medical Residency Slots Reflect Shift to Primary Care

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) changes in medical residency slots, focusing on: (1) VA's goals in realigning its residency program and the goals accomplished so far; (2) the reasons for changes in the number of graduate medical education residency slots; and (3) the views of VA facility and medical school officials on the effect of the changes on resident training and on the potential to train residents at VA community-based outpatient clinics."
Date: April 12, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Inventory: Steps the Army Can Take to Improve the Management and Oversight of Excess Ammunition (open access)

Defense Inventory: Steps the Army Can Take to Improve the Management and Oversight of Excess Ammunition

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This report reviews the Department of Defense's (DOD) management practices for demilitarizing excess ammunition. Specifically, GAO evaluates (1) the extent to which the excess ammunition stockpile has been reduced and whether the liability associated with excess ammunition has been fully identified, (2) the Army's reliance on contracted demilitarization and the impact of doing so on government facilities that use similar environmentally friendly processes, and (3) the feasibility of using excess ammunition for U.S. training needs. GAO found that DOD's reported stockpile of excess ammunition has grown rather than decreased, rising from 354,000 tons in 1993 to 493,000 tons at the end of 2000. In addition, the reported stockpile does not include all excess ammunition, which understates DOD's ultimate liability for demilitarizing ammunition. In recent years, the Army has devoted 50 percent of its excess ammunition demilitarization budget to contractors that use environmentally friendly demilitarization processes. Although a congressional directive resulted in greater emphasis on contractor demilitarization, the Army began and later expanded this effort without considering the effect it would have on government facilities. With increased contractor demilitarization, the Army has retained and underutilized environmentally friendly …
Date: April 12, 2001
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
National Park Service: Status of Efforts to Develop Better Deferred Maintenance Data (open access)

National Park Service: Status of Efforts to Develop Better Deferred Maintenance Data

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Beginning in the 1980s, the National Park Service spent $11 million to develop and implement a maintenance management system. The system was eventually terminated because it failed to provide park managers with all the information they needed to manage their deferred maintenance workload. In 1998, the Park Service started a new asset management process to provide a systematic method for documenting deferred maintenance needs and tracking progress in reducing the amount of deferred maintenance. GAO found that the Park Service has made progress in developing a new asset management process. When finally implemented, the process should provide the agency with a (1) reliable inventory of its assets; (2) process for reporting on the condition of each asset; and (3) systemwide methodology for estimating deferred maintenance costs for each asset. Although the new process is promising, its success cannot be determined until staff in each of the park units are trained and the new asset management process is fully and properly implemented."
Date: April 12, 2002
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Resolution of Discrimination Complaints Involving Farm Credit and Payment Programs (open access)

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Resolution of Discrimination Complaints Involving Farm Credit and Payment Programs

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Discrimination complaints by minority farmers who were denied benefits under the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) farm assistance programs have been a long-standing issue. In 1997, a group of African-American farmers consolidated their claims of racial discrimination in farm lending and benefit programs into one class action suit against USDA. In April 1999, a federal district court approved a consent decree to settle the suit that included a framework for resolving the individual claims. This correspondence examines (1) the status of claims under the class action settlement and (2) the results of the Department's efforts to resolve discrimination complaints by minority farmers through its administrative processes. GAO found that the consent decree provides for various parties outside the federal government to decide on the individual claims on the basis of information submitted by the claimants and USDA. Although USDA participates in the process, it does not make decisions on the individual claims. As of January 2001, more than 25,000 people had filed claims under the consent decree. At the same time, however, more than 3,600 claimants were rejected as not being eligible class members, and more than 7,900 who …
Date: April 12, 2001
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Buildings: Funding Repairs and Alterations Has Been a Challenge--Expanded Financing Tools Needed (open access)

Federal Buildings: Funding Repairs and Alterations Has Been a Challenge--Expanded Financing Tools Needed

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government's real property manager, it is responsible for identifying, funding, and completing needed repairs and alterations at federal buildings. This report examines (1) GSA's process for assessing and selecting prospectus-level major repair and alteration design projects for funding, (2) the obstacles that impede GSA from satisfying its repair and alteration requirements, and (3) the consequences associated with deferring needed repairs and alterations at selected buildings. GAO found that in fiscal year 2001, GSA assessed the merits of 27 prospectus-level repair and alteration design projects and recommended 12 for funding. These projects were selected by a multifaceted process that relied on empirical data and professional judgment coupled with specific selection criteria and computer analysis that compared competing projects. GSA explained its decisions when it recommended lower-ranked projects for repairs. However, because of insufficient funding, those projects were placed on GSA's growing repair and alteration inventory. GSA has faced long-standing obstacles, including inadequate program data, the lack of a multiyear repair and alteration plan, and limited funding, in reducing this multibillion-dollar inventory. In addition, funding limitations remain a major obstacle. Delaying …
Date: April 12, 2001
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral Health: Dental Disease Is a Chronic Problem Among Low-Income Populations (open access)

Oral Health: Dental Disease Is a Chronic Problem Among Low-Income Populations

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the: (1) dental health status of Medicaid beneficiaries and other vulnerable populations; and (2) extent to which these groups have dental coverage and use dental services."
Date: April 12, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Audit: Senate Restaurants Revolving Fund for Fiscal Years 1999 and 1998 (open access)

Financial Audit: Senate Restaurants Revolving Fund for Fiscal Years 1999 and 1998

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the financial statements of the Senate Restaurants Revolving Fund for the period ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. GAO contracted with the independent public accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to conduct the audit."
Date: April 12, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oil and Gas Royalties: Royalty Relief Will Cost the Government Billions of Dollars but Uncertainty Over Future Energy Prices and Production Levels Make Precise Estimates Impossible at this Time (open access)

Oil and Gas Royalties: Royalty Relief Will Cost the Government Billions of Dollars but Uncertainty Over Future Energy Prices and Production Levels Make Precise Estimates Impossible at this Time

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Oil and gas from federal lands and waters is critical to meeting the nation's energy needs, providing about 35 percent of all oil and 25 percent of all the natural gas produced in the United States in fiscal year 2005. Oil and gas companies that lease federal lands and waters agree to pay the federal government royalties on the resources extracted and produced from these leases. In 1995--a time when oil and natural gas prices were significantly lower than they are today--Congress passed the Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water Royalty Relief Act of 1995 (DWRRA), which authorized the Department of the Interior's (Interior) Minerals Management Service (MMS) to provide "royalty relief" on oil and gas produced in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico from leases issued from 1996 through 2000. This "royalty relief" waived or reduced the amount of royalties that companies would otherwise be obligated to pay. In implementing the DWRRA for leases sold in 1996, 1997, and 2000, MMS specified that royalty relief would only be applicable if oil and gas prices were below certain levels, known as "price thresholds," thereby protecting the government's …
Date: April 12, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Health Care: Applying Key Management Practices Should Help Achieve Efficiencies within the Military Health System (open access)

Defense Health Care: Applying Key Management Practices Should Help Achieve Efficiencies within the Military Health System

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) has identified 11 initiatives aimed at slowing its rising health care costs, but has not fully applied results-oriented management practices in developing plans to implement and monitor its initiatives. Results-oriented management practices include developing plans that identify goals, activities, and performance measures; resources and investments; organization roles, responsibilities, and coordination; and key external factors that could affect goals, such as a decrease of funding to a program. At the conclusion of GAO’s review, DOD had completed and approved a detailed implementation plan, including a cost savings estimate, for just 1 of its 11 initiatives. Developing cost savings estimates is critical to successful management of the initiatives for achieving the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review’s call for reduced growth in medical costs. DOD also has not completed the implementation of an overall process for monitoring progress across its portfolio of health care initiatives and has not completed the process of identifying accountable officials and their roles and responsibilities for all of its initiatives. Without comprehensive, results-oriented plans, a monitoring process, and clear leadership accountability, DOD may be hindered in its ability to achieve …
Date: April 12, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Indian Issues: Federal Funding for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes (open access)

Indian Issues: Federal Funding for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Of the approximately 400 non-federally recognized tribes that GAO identified, 26 received funding from 24 federal programs during fiscal years 2007 through 2010. Most of the 26 non-federally recognized tribes were eligible to receive this funding either because of their status as nonprofit organizations or state-recognized tribes. Similarly, most of the 24 federal programs that awarded funding to non-federally recognized tribes during the 4-year period were authorized to fund nonprofit organizations or state-recognized tribes. In addition, some of these programs were authorized to fund other entities, such as tribal communities or community development financial institutions."
Date: April 12, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Chemical Safety Board: Realigned Management Faces Serious Challenges (open access)

Chemical Safety Board: Realigned Management Faces Serious Challenges

A statement of record issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the fiscal year (FY) 2001 budget for the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, focusing on determining the status of the Board's: (1) organization; (2) operations; and (3) efforts to update and develop plans, policies, and procedures for accomplishing the Board's mission."
Date: April 12, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Climate Change: Future Federal Adaptation Efforts Could Better Support Local Infrastructure Decision Makers (open access)

Climate Change: Future Federal Adaptation Efforts Could Better Support Local Infrastructure Decision Makers

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "According to the National Research Council (NRC) and others, infrastructure such as roads and bridges, wastewater systems, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) centers are vulnerable to changes in the climate. Changes in precipitation and sea levels, as well as increased intensity and frequency of extreme events, are projected by NRC and others to impact infrastructure in a variety of ways. When the climate changes, infrastructure-- typically designed to operate within past climate conditions--may not operate as well or for as long as planned, leading to economic, environmental, and social impacts. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that, within 15 years, segments of Louisiana State Highway 1-- providing the only road access to a port servicing 18 percent of the nation's oil supply--will be inundated by tides an average of 30 times annually due to relative sea level rise. Flooding of this road effectively closes the port."
Date: April 12, 2013
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Export Promotion: The Export-Import Bank's Financing of Dual-Use Exports (open access)

Export Promotion: The Export-Import Bank's Financing of Dual-Use Exports

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "This report identifies (1) the dual-use exports, if any, that Ex-Im financed in fiscal years 2010 through 2011 and (2) the end uses of any such exports. Ex-Im did not finance any dual-use exports in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, according to our review of relevant data on Ex-Im authorizations."
Date: April 12, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Intellectual Property: Observations on Efforts to Quantify the Economic Effects of Counterfeit and Pirated Goods (open access)

Intellectual Property: Observations on Efforts to Quantify the Economic Effects of Counterfeit and Pirated Goods

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In October 2008, Congress passed the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 (PRO-IP Act), to improve the effectiveness of U.S. government efforts to protect intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks. The act also directed GAO to provide information on the quantification of the impacts of counterfeit and pirated goods. GAO (1) examined existing research on the effects of counterfeiting and piracy on consumers, industries, government, and the U.S. economy; and (2) identified insights gained from efforts to quantify the effects of counterfeiting and piracy on the U.S. economy. GAO interviewed officials and subject matter experts from U.S. government agencies, industry associations, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions, and reviewed literature and studies quantifying or discussing the economic impacts of counterfeiting and piracy on the U.S. economy, industry, government, and consumers. GAO is making no recommendations in this report."
Date: April 12, 2010
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tax Administration: Preliminary Information on Selected Foreign Practices That May Provide Useful Insights (open access)

Tax Administration: Preliminary Information on Selected Foreign Practices That May Provide Useful Insights

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and foreign tax administrators face similar issues regardless of the particular provisions of their laws. These issues include, for example, helping taxpayers prepare and file returns, and assuring tax compliance. GAO was asked to describe (1) how foreign tax administrators have approached issues that are similar to those in the U.S. tax system and (2) whether and how the IRS identifies and adopts tax administration practices used elsewhere. To do this, GAO reviewed documents and interviewed six foreign tax administrators as well as tax experts, tax practitioners, taxpayers, and trade group representatives. GAO also examined documents and met with IRS officials. This preliminary information is based on GAO's ongoing work for the Committee to be completed at a later date."
Date: April 12, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Postal Service: Mail Processing Network Exceeds What Is Needed for Declining Mail Volume (open access)

U.S. Postal Service: Mail Processing Network Exceeds What Is Needed for Declining Mail Volume

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Since 2006, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has closed redundant facilities and consolidated mail processing operations and transportation to reduce excess capacity in its network, resulting in reported cost savings of about $2.4 billion. Excess capacity remains, however, because of continuing and accelerating declines in First-Class Mail volume, automation improvements that sort mail faster and more efficiently, and increasing mail preparation and transportation by business mailers, much of whose mail now bypasses most of USPS’s processing network."
Date: April 12, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biscuit Fire: Analysis of Fire Response, Resource Availability, and Personnel Certification Standards (open access)

Biscuit Fire: Analysis of Fire Response, Resource Availability, and Personnel Certification Standards

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "In 2002, the United States experienced one of the worst wildland fire seasons in the past 50 years--almost 7 million acres burned. These fires included the largest and costliest fire in Oregon in the past century--the Biscuit Fire. Following a lightning storm, five fires were discovered in the Siskiyou National Forest over a 3- day period beginning July 13. These fires eventually burned together to form the Biscuit Fire, which burned nearly 500,000 acres in southern Oregon and Northern California and cost over $150 million to extinguish. GAO evaluated (1) whether policies and procedures were in place for acquiring needed firefighting resources during the initial days of the Biscuit Fire, and the extent to which these policies and procedures were followed when the fire was first identified; (2) what resource management issues, if any, affected the ability of personnel to fight the fire; and (3) what differences, if any, existed in key certification standards for personnel among federal and state agencies and whether these differences affected efforts to respond to the fire. In commenting on a draft of this report, the Forest Service stated that the …
Date: April 12, 2004
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Customs Revenue: Customs and Border Protection Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and Accountability (open access)

Customs Revenue: Customs and Border Protection Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and Accountability

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In forming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there was concern that moving the U.S. Customs Service into the new DHS would diminish attention given to collection of customs revenue. In recognition of that concern, Congress required that DHS's Customs Border Protection (CBP) not reduce the staff or resources for customs revenue functions. In March 2003, CBP reported a baseline of 2,263 staff in nine customs revenue positions, and 1,006 staff in associated support positions. The SAFE Port Act required GAO to report on changes related to customs revenue functions since the formation of DHS. This report discusses staff resources, strategic workforce planning, and CBP's public reporting on customs revenue functions. GAO analyzed the number of customs revenue staff, legislatively required staffing levels, and strategic plans and annual performance reports."
Date: April 12, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Limited Data Available on USDA and Interior Attorney Fee Claims and Payments (open access)

Limited Data Available on USDA and Interior Attorney Fee Claims and Payments

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Most USDA and Interior agencies did not have readily available information on attorney fee claims and payments made under EAJA and other fee-shifting statutes for fiscal years 2000 through 2010. As a result, there was no way to readily determine who made claims, the total amount each department paid or awarded in attorney fees, who received the payments, or the statutes under which the cases were brought for the claims over the 11-year period. Both USDA and Interior officials stated that given the decentralized nature of their departments and the absence of an external requirement to track or report on attorney fee information, decisions such as whether to track attorney fee data and the manner in which to do so are best handled at the agency level. Specifically, officials from 65 of the 75 USDA and Interior agencies we contacted told us that they did not track or could not readily provide us with this information. The remaining 10 USDA and Interior agencies either had mechanisms to track information on attorney fees or were able to compile this information manually using hard copy files or directed us to …
Date: April 12, 2012
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library