A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "In 1996, Congress authorized a test program that permits government buyers to use procedural discretion and flexibility, so that commercial items may be obtained in a simplified manner. This report discusses how federal agencies demonstrated whether the test program produced the desired results and (2) assesses how the authority provided under the test program was being used on selected contracts. GAO found that (1) the Office of Federal Procurement Policy did not collect data to provide a basis for measuring whether the test program produced the desired results and (2) government buyers did not always demonstrate that prices were fair and reasonable for the contracts included in GAO's review. However, OFPP's 1999 survey of procurement executives showed that these executives believed that the program has had a positive impact on the federal procurement process. These executives believed that the authority provided under the test program should be made permanent. However, OFPP's survey did not collect empirical data that would have supported these views."

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 authorizes Haitian nationals and their dependents to apply to adjust their status to legal permanent residence. This report contains a breakdown of the numbers of Haitians who applied and the number who were approved as asylum applicants, parolees, children without parents, orphaned children, or abandoned children, or as the eligible dependents of these applicants. GAO found that as of March 2001, the Immigration and Naturalization Service had received 35,424 applications and had approved 1,454 of them. The Executive Office for Immigration Review had 107 applications filed and had approved 76 of them."

ARF1 was calibrated and checked on 4/18/01. The technique used was to set the start/stop timers (A:R1LLT1 and A:R1LLT2) for duration of 200 msec. Driving the cavities for longer than 200 msec at full voltage could put some stress on the Hipotronics anode supply. The Camac curve generator card was substituted with a precision DC voltage source. Data for both amplitude and frequency were taken with the DC source. A HP 8563A spectrum analyzer in zero span with resolution bandwidth of 1 MHz at a center frequency of 52.818 MHz was used to take the amplitude data. The dynamic curve was a triangle waveform provided by a triggered HP3213A function generator. Frequency was measured on the Fluke frequency counter mounted in the rack in AP50 (with the high level RF off). The attached data and graph contain the current calibration. ARF1-1 is slightly lower voltage than ARF1-2, but well within spec. The calibration was made with the Anode supply at 9 Kvolts, the bend busses were off due to an access that was in progress. Due to the unregulated Anode supply, the voltage levels observed may be slightly higher than with bend busses on. The dynamic performance with the triangle …

The effect of substrate misorientation on phase separation in Ga{sub 1-x}In{sub x}As{sub y}Sb{sub 1-y} nominally lattice-matched to GaSb is reported. The layers were grown at 575 C by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy on vicinal (001) GaSb substrates, miscut 2{sup o} {yields} (-111)A, (1-11)B, or (101). Ga{sub 1-x}In{sub x}As{sub y}Sb{sub 1-y} (x {approx} 0.1, y {approx} 0.09) layers, which have 300-K photoluminescence (PL) peak emission at {approx}2.1 {micro}m, grow step-bunched and exhibit minimal phase separation. The full width at half maximum of 4-K PL spectra is slightly smaller at 7 meV for layers grown on substrates miscut toward (1-11)B compared to 9 meV for layers grown on substrates miscut toward (-1-11)A and (101). Ga{sub 1-x}In{sub x}As{sub y}Sb{sub 1-y} layers with higher alloy composition (0.16 {le} x {le} 0.19, 0.14 {ge} y {le} 0.17), which have 300-K PL peak emission at {approx}2.4 {micro}m, have significant phase separation. These layers are characterized by increased lattice constant variations and epitaxial tilt, broad PL spectra with significant band tailing, and strong contrast modulation in transmission electron microscopy. The degree of decomposition depends on substrate miscut direction: Ga{sub 1-x}In{sub x}As{sub y}Sb{sub 1-y} layers grown on (001) 2{sup o} {yields} (1-11)B substrates are more homogeneous than those …

The central focus of the research carried out under this grant is the application of continuum mechanics to materials science, specifically to the macroscopic characterization of material behavior at small length scales. Specifically, research was carried out in the following general areas: dislocations in solids; point defects in liquid crystals; dynamic fracture; diffusional phase transitions in deformable solids; incoherent phase interfaces; phase field simulations of twinning and coarsening in solids; crystal plasticity; microforce theories for diffusion and recrystallization; granular flow.

The primary goal of the Heavy-Section Steel Irradiation (HSSI) Program is to provide a thorough, quantitative assessment of the effects of neutron irradiation on the material behavior, and in particular the fracture toughness properties, of typical pressure vessel steels as they relate to light-water reactor pressure vessel (RPV) integrity. The program includes studies of the effects of irradiation on the degradation of mechanical and fracture properties of vessel materials augmented by enhanced examinations and modeling of the accompanying microstructural changes. Effects of specimen size; material chemistry; product form and microstructure; irradiation fluence, flux, temperature, and spectrum; and post-irradiation mitigation are being examined on a wide range of fracture properties. This program will also maintain and upgrade computerized databases, calculational procedures, and standards relating to RPV fluence-spectra determinations and embrittlement assessments. Results from the HSSI studies will be incorporated into codes and standards directly applicable to resolving major regulatory issues that involve RPV irradiation embrittlement such as pressurized-thermal shock, operating pressure-temperature limits, low-temperature overpressurization, and the specialized problems associated with low upper-shelf welds. Six technical tasks and one for program management are now contained in the HSSI Program.

The objective of this project was to reduce to practice the detection and identification of biological warfare pathogens by the nucleic acid recognition technique of PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This entailed not only building operationally functional instrumentation but also developing the chemical assays for detection of priority pathogens. This project had two principal deliverables: (1) design, construct, test and deliver a 24 chamber, multiplex capable suitcase sized PCR instrument, and (2) develop and reduce to practice a multiplex assay for the detection of PCR product by flow cytometry. In addition, significant resources were allocated to test and evaluation of the Hand-held Advanced Nucleic Acid Analyzer (HANAA). This project helps provide the signature and intelligence gathering community the ability to perform, on-site or remote, rapid analysis of environmental or like samples for the presence of a suite of biological warfare pathogens.

Government-funded weatherization assistance programs resulted from increased oil prices caused by the 1973 oil embargo. These programs were instituted to reduce US consumption of oil and help low-income families afford the increasing cost of heating their homes. In the summer of 1988, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) began providing technical support to the Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). A preliminary study found no suitable means of cost-effectively selecting energy efficiency improvements (measures) for single-family homes that incorporated all the factors seen as beneficial in improving cost-effectiveness and usability. In mid-1989, ORNL was authorized to begin development of a computer-based measure selection technique. In November of 1992 a draft version of the program was made available to all WAP state directors for testing. The first production release, Version 4.3, was made available in october of 1993. The Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program has continued funding improvements to the program increasing its user-friendliness and applicability. initial publication of this engineering manual coincides with availability of Version 6.1, November 1997, though algorithms described generally apply to all prior versions. Periodic updates of specific sections in the manual will permit maintaining a relevant document. This Engineering Manual delineates the assumptions …

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

During the period from September 1, 1998 until September 1, 2000 I was awarded a Sloan/DOE postdoctoral fellowship to work in collaboration with Professor John Moult at the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB). Our research project, ''Ab Initio Protein Tertiary Structure Prediction and a Comparative Genetic algorithm'', yielded promising initial results. In short, the project is designed to predict the native fold, or native tertiary structure, of a given protein by inputting only the primary sequence of the protein (one or three letter code). The algorithm is based on a general learning, or evolutionary algorithm and is called Genetic Algorithm (GAS). In our particular application of GAS, we search for native folds, or lowest energy structures, using two different descriptions for the interactions of the atoms and residues in a given protein sequence. One potential energy function is based on a free energy description, while the other function is a threading potential derived by Moult and Samudrala. This modified genetic algorithm was loosely termed a Comparative Genetic Algorithm and was designed to search for native folded structures on both potential energy surfaces, simultaneously. We tested the algorithm on a series of peptides ranging from 11 to 15 residues …

In response to the foreign challenge in the global marketplace, the United States Congress has explored ways to stimulate technological advancement in the private sector. The government has supported various efforts to promote cooperative research and development activities among industry, universities, and the federal R&D establishment designed to increase the competitiveness of American industry and to encourage the generation of new products, processes, and services. Among the issues before Congress are whether joint ventures contribute to industrial competitiveness and what role, if any, the government has in facilitating such arrangements.

The results of the 1999 environmental surveillance and monitoring program for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) are presented and discussed. The purpose of this report is to provide the U.S. Department of Energy and the public with information on the level of radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants (if any) that are added to the environment as a result of PPPL's operations. The report also summarizes environmental initiatives, assessments, and programs that were undertaken in 1999. The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has engaged in fusion energy research since 1951. The long-range goal of the U.S. Magnetic Fusion Energy Research Program is to create innovations to make fusion power a practical reality--an alternative energy source. 1999 marked the first year of National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) operations and Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) dismantlement and deconstruction activities. A collaboration among fourteen national laboratories, universities, and research institutions, the NSTX is a major element in the U.S. Fusion Energy Sciences Program. It has been designed to test the physics principles of spherical torus (ST) plasmas. The ST concept could play an important role in the development of smaller, more economical fusion reactors. With its completion within budget and ahead of its target schedule, …

The project management plan was finalized during a project kick off meeting held on January 16, 2001 in Lebanon, NH, which was attended by all project participants. The project management plan was submitted to DOE and was revised based on comments from DOE (Task 1.0). A survey of the potential users of the integrated software was conducted. A web-based survey form was developed and was announced in the ProcessCity discussion forum and in AspenTech's e-mail digest Aspen e-Flash. Several Fluent clients were individually contacted. A user requirements document was written (Task 2.2). As a prototype of AspenPlus-Fluent integration, the flowsheet for allyl alcohol production via the isomerization of propylene oxide was developed. A stirred tank reactor in the flowsheet for converting the byproduct acetone into n-propyl propionate was modeled with Fluent, version 5.4. The convergence of the AspenPlus-Fluent integrated model was demonstrated, and a list of data exchanges required between AspenPlus and Fluent was developed (Task 2.6). As the first demonstration case, the RP and L power plant was selected. A planning meeting was held on February 13, 2001 in Cambridge, MA to discuss this demonstration case. It was decided that the steam-side of the power plant would be modeled …

This Facility Effluent Monitoring Plan (FEMP) has been prepared for the 325 Building Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL) at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to meet the requirements in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5400.1, ''General Environmental Protection Programs.'' This FEMP has been prepared for the RPL primarily because it has a ''major'' (potential to emit >0.1 mrem/yr) emission point for radionuclide air emissions according to the annual National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) assessment performed. This section summarizes the airborne and liquid effluents and the inventory based NESHAP assessment for the facility. The complete monitoring plan includes characterization of effluent streams, monitoring/sampling design criteria, a description of the monitoring systems and sample analysis, and quality assurance requirements.

Assuming that a Higgs sector is responsible for electroweak symmetry breaking, we attempt to address two important questions: How much better precision are various measurements of Higgs boson properties at a future linear collider than at the LHC? What can a future linear collider do for Higgs physics that the LHC cannot?

In this paper we present a fast algorithm for the numerical solution of systems of reaction-diffusion equations, {partial_derivative}{sub t} u + a {center_dot} {del}u = {Delta}u + f(x,t,u), and x element of {Omega} contained in R{sup 3}, t > 0. Here, u is a vector-valued function, u triple bond u(x,t) element of R{sup m} is large, and the corresponding system of ODEs, {partial_derivative}{sub t}u = F(x,t,u), is stiff. Typical examples arise in air pollution studies, where a is the given wind field and the nonlinear function F models the atmospheric chemistry. The time integration of Eq. (1) is best handled by the method of characteristics. The problem is thus reduced to designing for the reaction-diffusion part a fast solver that has good stability properties for the given time step and does not require the computation of the full Jacobi matrix. An operator-splitting technique, even a high-order one, combining a fast nonlinear ODE solver with an efficient solver for the diffusion operator is less effective when the reaction term is stiff. In fact, the classical Strang splitting method may underperform a first-order source splitting method. The algorithm we propose in this paper uses an a posteriori filtering technique to stabilize the …

In the past, forward-adjoint coupling procedures in air-over-ground geometry have typically involved forward fluences arising from a point source a great distance from a target or vehicle system. Various processing codes were used to create localized forward fluence files that could be used to couple with the MASH-MORSE adjoint leakages. In recent years, radiation plumes that result from reactor accidents or similar incidents have been modeled by others, and the source space and energy distributions as a function of time have been calculated. Additionally, with the point kernel method, they were able to calculate in relatively quick fashion free-field radiation doses for targets moving within the fluence field or for stationary targets within the field, the time dependence for the latter case coming from the changes in position, shape, source strength, and spectra of the plume with time. The work described herein applies the plume source to the MASH-MORSE coupling procedure. The plume source replaces the point source for generating the forward fluences that are folded with MASH-MORSE adjoint leakages. Two types of source calculations are described. The first is a ''rigorous'' calculation using the TORT code and a spatially large air-over-ground geometry. For each time step desired, directional fluences …

This study focuses on the status of the vadose zone remediation along 1600 ft of the process sewer line between the M-Area security fence and the M-Area settling basin. Three soil vapor extraction (SVE) units 782-5M, 782-7M, and 782-8M, connected to 4 vertical wells and 3 horizontal wells have been addressing the vadose zone volatile organic contamination (VOC) since 1995. The specific objectives of this study were to obtain soil gas and sediment samples, evaluate SVE units and vadose zone remediation, and make recommendations to address further remediation needs.

Synchrotron radiation induced photodesorption in particle accelerators may lead to pressure rise and to beam-gas scattering losses, finally affecting the beam lifetime. We discuss the beam tube vacuum in the low field Stage 1 Very Large Hadron Collider VLHC. Since VLHC Stage 1 has a room temperature beam tube, a non-evaporable getter (NEG St101 strip) pumping system located inside a pumping antechamber, supplemented by lumped ion pumps for pumping methane is considered. A possible beam conditioning scenario is presented for reaching design intensity. The most important results are summarized in this paper. More detailed reports of the calculations will be presented at the PAC2001 Conference, Chicago, IL to be held in June 2001, and at the Snowmass Conference, CO, to be held on July 2001.

Binary Pd-M alloys containing small amounts of readily oxidizable solute metals such as M equals Al, Mg, or Zr, can be internally oxidized to form essentially pure Pd matrices containing a second phase of nano-sized oxide precipitates. During internal oxidation Pd atoms are transported to the surface forming Pd nodules while vacancies are transported from the surface to the metal/oxide interface relieving the compressive stress which develops within the alloy due to the expanding metal oxide precipitates. The Pd alloys that have been studied contain that form very stable oxides.

CQ Inc. and its team members (ALSTOM Power Inc., Bliss Industries, McFadden Machine Company, and industry advisors from coal-burning utilities, equipment manufacturers, and the pellet fuels industry) addressed the objectives of the Department of Energy and industry to produce economical, new solid fuels from coal, biomass, and waste materials that reduce emissions from coal-fired boilers. This project builds on the team's commercial experience in composite fuels for energy production. The electric utility industry is interested in the use of biomass and wastes as fuel to reduce both emissions and fuel costs. In addition to these benefits, utilities also recognize the business advantage of consuming the waste byproducts of customers both to retain customers and to improve the public image of the industry. Unfortunately, biomass and waste byproducts can be troublesome fuels because of low bulk density, high moisture content, variable composition, handling and feeding problems, and inadequate information about combustion and emissions characteristics. Current methods of co-firing biomass and wastes either use a separate fuel receiving, storage, and boiler feed system, or mass burn the biomass by simply mixing it with coal on the storage pile. For biomass or biomass-containing composite fuels to be extensively used in the U.S., especially …

Once a year, the SC conferences present a unique opportunity to create and build one of the most complex and highest performance networks in the world. At SC2000, large-scale and complex local and wide area networking connections were demonstrated, including large-scale distributed applications running on different architectures. This project was designed to use the unique opportunity presented at SC2000 to create a testbed network environment and then use that network to demonstrate and evaluate high performance computational and communication applications. This testbed was designed to incorporate many interoperable systems and services and was designed for measurement from the very beginning. The end results were key insights into how to use novel, high performance networking technologies and to accumulate measurements that will give insights into the networks of the future.

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Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Legislative Branch Appropriations.