At the Savannah River Site (SRS), the High-Level Waste (HLW) Tank Farms store and process high-level liquid radioactive wastes from the Canyons and recycle water from the Defense Waste Processing Facility. The waste is concentrated using evaporators to minimize the volume of space required for HLW storage. Recently, the 2H Evaporator was shutdown due to the crystallization of sodium aluminosilicate (NAS) solids (such as cancrinite and sodalite) that contained close to 10 weight percent of elementally-enriched uranium (U). Prior to extensive cleaning,the evaporator deposits resided on the evaporator walls and other exposed internal surfaces within the evaporator pot. Our goal is to support the basis for the continued safe operation of SRS evaporators and to gain more information that could be used to help mitigate U accumulation during evaporator operation. To learn more about the interaction between U(VI) and NAS in HLW salt solutions, we performed several fundamental studies to examine the mechanisms of U accumulation with NAS in highly caustic solutions. This larger group of studies focused on the following processes: co-precipitation/structural incorporation, sorption, and precipitation (with or without NAS), which will be reviewed in this presentation. We will present and discuss local atomic structural characterization data about U …

The question of how the isotopic purity of the feed gases D{sub 2} and CD{sub 4} used to make CD ablators at GA effects the extinction coefficient in the region of wavenumber 2900 cm{sup -1} ({lambda} = 3.45 {micro}m) is addressed below. The answer is at best incomplete; this is only an interim evaluation. What is clear is that using ultra-pure D{sub 2} is required to lower the ''CH'' impurity peak at 2900 cm{sup -1}. Perhaps using ultra-pure CD{sub 4} also helps, though the evidence for this is mixed. A closer look at the results raises other questions, however, and these are discussed below. Though solving these questions is unlikely to reduce the extinction coefficient in the region of 2900 cm{sup -1} below about 10 cm{sup -1}, this work will lead to a better understanding of the deposition of CH/CD GDP, and that is certainly worthwhile.

The objective of this program is to develop a system to both monitor the vibration of a bottomhole assembly, and to adjust the properties of an active damper in response to these measured vibrations. Phase I of this program entails modeling and design of the necessary subsystems and design, manufacture and test of a full laboratory prototype. The project continues to advance, but is behind the revised (14-month) schedule. Tasks 1-3 (Modeling, Specification and Design) are all essentially complete. The test bench for the Test and Evaluation (Tasks 4 & 5) has been designed and constructed. The design of the full-scale laboratory prototype and associated test equipment is complete and the components are out for manufacture. Barring any unforeseen difficulties, laboratory testing should be complete by the end of March, as currently scheduled. We anticipate the expenses through March to be approximately equal to those budgeted for Phase I.

The line ratios of the 2p-3d transitions in the B-like spectra Ar XIV and Fe XXII have been measured using the electron beam ion traps at Livermore. Radiative-collisional model calculations show these line ratios to be sensitive to the electron density in the ranges ne = 10{sup 10} to 10{sup 12} cm{sup -3} and ne = 10{sup 13} to 10{sup 15} cm{sup -3}, respectively. In our experiment, the electron beam density of about 10{sup 11} cm{sup -3} was varied by about a factor of 5. Our data show a density effect for the line doublet in Ar XIV, and good agreement with theory is found. The relative intensity of the Fe XXII doublet shows good agreement with our predicted low density limit. The N VI K-shell spectrum was used to infer the actual electron density in the overlap region of ion cloud and electron beam, and systematic measurements and calculations of this spectrum are presented as well. The Ar XIV and Fe XXII spectra promise to be reliable density diagnostics for stellar coronae, complementing the K-shell diagnostics of helium-like ions.

Eleven dimensional supergravity compactified on $T^10$ admits classical solutions describing what is known as billiard cosmology - a dynamics expressible as an abstract (billiard) ball moving in the 10-dimensional root space of the infinite dimensional Lie algebra E10, occasionally bouncing off walls in that space. Unlike finite dimensional Lie algebras, E10 has negative and zero norm roots, in addition to the positive norm roots. The walls above are related to physical fluxes that, in turn, are related to positive norm roots (called real roots) of E10. We propose that zero and negative norm roots, called imaginary roots, are related to physical branes. Adding 'matter' to the billiard cosmology corresponds to adding potential terms associated to imaginary roots. The, as yet, mysterious relation between E10 and M-theory on $T^10$ can now be expanded as follows: real roots correspond to fluxes or instantons, and imaginary roots correspond to particles and branes (in the cases we checked). Interactions between fluxes and branes and between branes and branes are classified according to the inner product of the corresponding roots (again in the cases we checked). We conclude with a discussion of an effective Hamiltonian description that captures some features of M-theory on $T^10.$

The development of a very intense muon source capable of producing a millimole of muons per year would enable a Neutrino Factory [1], and perhaps eventually a Muon Collider [2], to be built. In the last two years Neutrino Factory physics studies [3] have mapped out an exciting Neutrino Factory physics program. In addition, Neutrino Factory feasibility studies [4-6] have yielded designs that appear to be ''realistic'' provided the performance parameters for the critical components can be achieved. Some of the key components will need a vigorous R&D program to meet the requirements. Neutrino Factory R&D activities in Europe [7], Japan [6,8], and the US [9] have resulted in three promising variants of the basic Neutrino Factory design. In the following the various Neutrino Factory schemes are briefly described. The main R&D issues and the ongoing R&D programs are summarized.

Although the importance of rheological properties in controlling the dynamics and evolution of the whole mantle of Earth is well-recognized, experimental studies of rheological properties and deformation-induced microstructures have mostly been limited to low-pressure conditions. This is mainly a result of technical limitations in conducting quantitative rheological experiments under high-pressure conditions. A combination of factors is changing this situation. Increased resolution of composition and configuration of Earth's interior has created a greater demand for well-resolved laboratory measurement of the effects of pressure on the behavior of materials. Higher-strength materials have become readily available for containing high-pressure research devices, and new analytical capabilities--in particular very bright synchrotron X-ray sources--are now readily available to high-pressure researchers. One of the biggest issues in global geodynamics is the style of mantle convection and the nature of chemical differentiation associated with convectional mass transport. Although evidence for deep mantle circulation has recently been found through seismic tomography (e.g., van der Hilst et al. (1997)), complications in convection style have also been noted. They include (1) significant modifications of flow geometry across the mantle transition zone as seen from high resolution tomographic studies (Fukao et al. 1992; Masters et al. 2000; van der Hilst et al. …

For the electrophilic preparation of 6-[18F]-Fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (FMT), a PET tracer for measuring changes in dopaminergic function in movement disorders, a novel precursor, N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonyloxy)-6-trimethylstannnyl-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester, was synthesized in four steps and 26 percent yield starting from L-m-tyrosine. FMT produced by two methods at two institutions was comparable in decay corrected yield, 25-26 percent, and quality (chemical, enantiomeric, and radiochemical purity and specific activity) as that obtained with the original N-trifluoroacetyl-3-acetyl-6-trimethylstannyl-L-m-tyrosine ethyl ester FMT precursor.

The standard capsule design and other laser plasma targets at the National Ignition Facility offer the possibility of generating and studying thermal rates for significant astrophysical fusion reactions such as {sup 3}He({sup 3}He,2p){alpha}, {sup 7}Be(p,{gamma}){sup 8}B, and {sup 15}N(p,{alpha}){sup 12}C. At present the ''S'' factors for these reactions are determined either by extrapolation from higher energy scattering data, or by underground laboratory, low event rate experiments such as at LUNA on un-ionized atoms with concomitantly large screening corrections. The ability to directly generate astrophysical fusion reactions in thermonuclear plasmas will be complemented by new, ab initio, ''no frozen core'' detailed shell model predictions for such light ion reactions. In addition, the expected fluence of neutrons from the main D + T {yields} {alpha} + n burn reaction, is high enough to drive 10-20% of seeded spectator nuclei into excited states via (n,n') reactions. Furthermore, the {approx}2% ''minority'' D + D {yields} {sup 3}He + n and n + D {yields} n' + D' scattering can drive reactions pertinent to the r, s, and p process nucleosynthesis of heavy elements, including branches that pass through excited states with t > 10 ps, that can be studied using particle spectroscopy and radiochemistry. …

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This document contains proofs and countermodels in support of the paper ''Short Equational Bases for Ortholattices'', by the same set of authors. In that paper, short single axioms for ortholattices, orthomodular lattices, and modular ortholattices are presented, all in terms of the Sheffer stroke. The ortholattice axiom is the shortest possible. Other equational bases in terms of the Sheffer stroke and in terms of join, meet, and complement are presented. Computers were used extensively to find candidates, reject candidates, and search for proofs that candidates are single axioms.

A metallic waste form (MWF) will be used to immobilize contaminated cladding hulls recovered after electrometallurgical treatment of spent sodium-bonded nuclear fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II). Tests were conducted to determine if the high-level waste (HLW) glass degradation model developed for total system performance assessment (TSPA) calculations for the Yucca Mountain repository system can be used to represent the degradation of disposed MWF. Static tests were conducted at 50, 70, and 90 C with monolithic samples of MWF in pH buffer solutions spiked with NaCl at a MWF surface-to-solution volume ratio of about 200 m{sup -1}. Test specimens were prepared from a surrogate MWF ingot containing about 10 mass% U. Solutions were exchanged after 14, 28, and 70 days. The cumulative amount of U released into solution through 70 days was used to calculate the MWF degradation rate for each test condition. The rate was independent of temperature. The rate was highest in acidic solutions, lowest in neutral solutions, and intermediate in alkaline solutions. The uranium release rate from a breached canister, which is the product of the MWF degradation rate and the surface area of two MWF ingots in a canister, was compared with the release rate …

An efficient 3-D electromagnetic (EM) inversion algorithm has been developed for geothermal applications and tested successfully using a set of single-hole EM logging data. The data was collected at an oil field undergoing CO{sub 2} injection in southern California using a single-hole EM tool, Geo-BILT, developed by Electromagnetic Instruments, Inc (EMI). The tool is equipped with a multi-component source, and multi-component receivers at different separations. The inversion result provides a reasonable electrical conductivity image to a distance of 10 m from the well, and illustrates several zones with lateral conductivity variations that could not be resolved with traditional induction logging tools. The successful case study demonstrates potential applications of the tool and software for characterizing fracture systems in geothermal reservoirs.

One significant source of annual temperature and precipitation data arises from the regular annual secondary growth rings of trees. Several tropical tree species are observed to form regular growth bands that may or may not form annually. Such growth was observed in one stem disk of the tropical legume Hymenaea courbaril near the area of David, Panama. In comparison to annual reference {Delta}{sup 14}C values from wood and air, the {Delta}{sup 14}C values from the secondary growth rings formed by H. courbaril were determined to be annual in nature in this one stem disk specimen. During this study, H. courbaril was also observed to translocate recently produced photosynthate into older growth rings as sapwood is converted to heartwood. This process alters the overall {Delta}{sup 14}C values of these transitional growth rings as cellulose with a higher {Delta}{sup 14}C content is translocated into growth rings with a relatively lower {Delta}{sup 14}C content. Once the annual nature of these growth rings is established, further stable isotope analyses on H. courbaril material in other studies may help to complete gaps in the understanding of short and of long term global climate patterns.

Protein arrays are emerging as a practical format in which to study proteins in high-throughput using many of the same techniques as that of the DNA microarray. The key advantage to array-based methods for protein study is the potential for parallel analysis of thousands of samples in an automated, high-throughput fashion. Building protein arrays capable of this analysis capacity requires a robust expression and purification system capable of generating hundreds to thousands of purified recombinant proteins. We have developed a method to utilize LLNL-I.M.A.G.E. cDNAs to generate recombinant protein libraries using a baculovirus-insect cell expression system. We have used this strategy to produce proteins for analysis of protein/DNA and protein/protein interactions using protein microarrays in order to understand the complex interactions of proteins involved in homologous recombination and DNA repair. Using protein array techniques, a novel interaction between the DNA repair protein, Rad51B, and histones has been identified.

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On August 15, 2002 the Department of Energy (DOE) selected the Center for Computational Sciences (CCS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to deploy a new scalable vector supercomputer architecture for solving important scientific problems in climate, fusion, biology, nanoscale materials and astrophysics. ''This program is one of the first steps in an initiative designed to provide U.S. scientists with the computational power that is essential to 21st century scientific leadership,'' said Dr. Raymond L. Orbach, director of the department's Office of Science The Cray X1 is an attempt to incorporate the best aspects of previous Cray vector systems and massively-parallel-processing (MPP) systems into one design. Like the Cray T90, the X1 has high memory bandwidth, which is key to realizing a high percentage of theoretical peak performance. Like the Cray T3E, the X1 has a high-bandwidth, low-latency, scalable interconnect, and scalable system software. And, like the Cray SV1, the X1 leverages commodity off-the-shelf (CMOS) technology and incorporates non-traditional vector concepts, like vector caches and multi-streaming processors. In FY03, CCS procured a 256-processor Cray X1 to evaluate the processors, memory subsystem, scalability of the architecture, software environment and to predict the expected sustained performance on key DOE applications codes. The …

Researchers at LLNL have developed a 3-stage process that converts pyrophoric depleted uranium metal turnings to a solidified final product that can be transported to and buried at a permitted land disposal site. The three process stages are: (1) pretreatment; (2) dissolution; and (3) solidification. Each stage was developed following extensive experimentation. This report presents the results of their experimental studies.

A scientific demonstration of a Cs laser is described in which the measured slope efficiency is as high as 0.59 W/W using a Ti:Sapphire laser as a surrogate diode-pump. In addition to presenting experimental data, a laser energetics model that accurately predicts laser performance is described and used to model a power-scaled, diode-pumped system.

The conceptual and predictive models documented in this Engineered Barrier System: Physical and Chemical Environment Model report describe the evolution of the physical and chemical conditions within the waste emplacement drifts of the repository. The modeling approaches and model output data will be used in the total system performance assessment (TSPA-LA) to assess the performance of the engineered barrier system and the waste form. These models evaluate the range of potential water compositions within the emplacement drifts, resulting from the interaction of introduced materials and minerals in dust with water seeping into the drifts and with aqueous solutions forming by deliquescence of dust (as influenced by atmospheric conditions), and from thermal-hydrological-chemical (THC) processes in the drift. These models also consider the uncertainty and variability in water chemistry inside the drift and the compositions of introduced materials within the drift. This report develops and documents a set of process- and abstraction-level models that constitute the engineered barrier system: physical and chemical environment model. Where possible, these models use information directly from other process model reports as input, which promotes integration among process models used for total system performance assessment. Specific tasks and activities of modeling the physical and chemical environment are …

Development of the ground-water flow model for the Death Valley Regional Groundwater Flow System (DVRFS) required integration of numerous supporting hydrogeologic investigations. The results from recharge, discharge, hydraulic properties, water level, pumping, model boundaries, and geologic studies were integrated to develop the required conceptual and 3-D framework models, and the flow model itself. To support the complex modeling process and the needs of the multidisciplinary DVRFS team, a hardware and software system called GeoPro (Geoscience Knowledge Integration Protocol) was developed. A primary function of GeoPro is to manage the large volume of disparate data compiled for the 100,000-square-kilometer area of southern Nevada and California. The data are primarily from previous investigations and regional flow models developed for the Nevada Test Site and Yucca Mountain projects. GeoPro utilizes relational database technology (Microsoft SQL Server{trademark}) to store and manage these tabular point data, groundwater flow model ASCII data, 3-D hydrogeologic framework data, 2-D and 2.5-D GIS data, and text documents. Data management consists of versioning, tracking, and reporting data changes as multiple users access the centralized database. GeoPro also supports the modeling process by automating the routine data transformations required to integrate project software. This automation is also crucial to streamlining pre- …

The onset of plastic deformation during nanoindentation is studied, focusing upon the effects of temperature variation. By performing indentations on pure (100)-oriented platinum at room temperature, 100 and 200 C, we demonstrate that higher temperatures promote the discretization of plasticity into sharp bursts of activity. Additionally, the transition from elastic to plastic deformation occurs at progressively lower stress levels as temperature is increased. These results are in line with expectations for stress-biased, thermally-activated deformation processes such as the nucleation of dislocations or the abrupt release of dislocation entanglements.

Land cover characterization might help land managers assess the impacts of management practices and land cover change on attributes linked to the maintenance and/or recovery of soil quality. However, connections between land cover and measures of soil quality are not well established. The objective of this limited investigation was to examine differences in soil carbon and nitrogen among various land cover types at Fort Benning, Georgia. Forty-one sampling sites were classified into five major land cover types: deciduous forest, mixed forest, evergreen forest or plantation, transitional herbaceous vegetation, and barren land. Key measures of soil quality (including mineral soil density, nitrogen availability, soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, as well as properties and chemistry of the O-horizon) were significantly different among the five land covers. In general, barren land had the poorest soil quality. Barren land, created through disturbance by tracked vehicles and/or erosion, had significantly greater soil density and a substantial loss of carbon and nitrogen relative to soils at less disturbed sites. We estimate that recovery of soil carbon under barren land at Fort Benning to current day levels under transitional vegetation or forests would require about 60 years following reestablishment of vegetation. Maps of soil carbon and nitrogen …

The purpose of this Model Report is to document the development of the Mountain-Scale Thermal-Hydrological (TH), Thermal-Hydrological-Chemical (THC), and Thermal-Hydrological-Mechanical (THM) Models and evaluate the effects of coupled TH/THC/THM processes on mountain-scale UZ flow at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This Model Report was planned in ''Technical Work Plan (TWP) for: Performance Assessment Unsaturated Zone'' (BSC 2002 [160819], Section 1.12.7), and was developed in accordance with AP-SIII.10Q, Models. In this Model Report, any reference to ''repository'' means the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, and any reference to ''drifts'' means the emplacement drifts at the repository horizon. This Model Report provides the necessary framework to test conceptual hypotheses for analyzing mountain-scale hydrological/chemical/mechanical changes and predict flow behavior in response to heat release by radioactive decay from the nuclear waste repository at the Yucca Mountain site. The mountain-scale coupled TH/THC/THM processes models numerically simulate the impact of nuclear waste heat release on the natural hydrogeological system, including a representation of heat-driven processes occurring in the far field. The TH simulations provide predictions for thermally affected liquid saturation, gas- and liquid-phase fluxes, and water and rock temperature (together called the flow fields). The main focus of the TH Model is to predict the changes …