Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 92: Area 6 Decon Pond Facility, Nevada Test Site, Nevada (open access)

Addendum to the Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 92: Area 6 Decon Pond Facility, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

The following is an addendum to the 'Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 92: Area 6 Decontamination Pond, Nevada Test Site, Nevada', DOE/NV/11718--306, dated April 1999. This addendum includes Use Restriction Information forms and survey maps for CAS 06-04-01, Decon Pad Oil/Water Separator, and CAS 06-05-02, Decontamination Pond (RCRA), that were inadvertently left out of the Closure Report when it was published as a final document.
Date: June 1, 2007
Creator: National Security Technologies, LLC
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Image-Based Modeling Reveals Dynamic Redistribution of DNA Damageinto Nuclear Sub-Domains (open access)

Image-Based Modeling Reveals Dynamic Redistribution of DNA Damageinto Nuclear Sub-Domains

Several proteins involved in the response to DNA doublestrand breaks (DSB) f orm microscopically visible nuclear domains, orfoci, after exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced foci (RIF)are believed to be located where DNA damage occurs. To test thisassumption, we analyzed the spatial distribution of 53BP1, phosphorylatedATM, and gammaH2AX RIF in cells irradiated with high linear energytransfer (LET) radiation and low LET. Since energy is randomly depositedalong high-LET particle paths, RIF along these paths should also berandomly distributed. The probability to induce DSB can be derived fromDNA fragment data measured experimentally by pulsed-field gelelectrophoresis. We used this probability in Monte Carlo simulations topredict DSB locations in synthetic nuclei geometrically described by acomplete set of human chromosomes, taking into account microscope opticsfrom real experiments. As expected, simulations produced DNA-weightedrandom (Poisson) distributions. In contrast, the distributions of RIFobtained as early as 5 min after exposure to high LET (1 GeV/amu Fe) werenon-random. This deviation from the expected DNA-weighted random patterncan be further characterized by "relative DNA image measurements." Thisnovel imaging approach shows that RIF were located preferentially at theinterface between high and low DNA density regions, and were morefrequent than predicted in regions with lower DNA density. The samepreferential nuclear location was also measured …
Date: August 3, 2007
Creator: Costes Sylvain V.; Ponomarev, Artem; Chen, James L.; Nguyen, David; Cucinotta, Francis A. & Barcellos-Hoff, Mary Helen
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
SURFACE GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION OF B & BX & BY TANK FARMS AT THE HANFORD SITE RESULTS OF BACKGROUND CHARACTERIZATION WITH MAGNETICS AND ELECTROMAGNETICS (open access)

SURFACE GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION OF B & BX & BY TANK FARMS AT THE HANFORD SITE RESULTS OF BACKGROUND CHARACTERIZATION WITH MAGNETICS AND ELECTROMAGNETICS

This report documents the results of preliminary surface geophysical exploration activities performed between October and December 2006 at the B, BX, and BY tank farms (B Complex). The B Complex is located in the 200 East Area of the U. S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site in Washington State. The objective of the preliminary investigation was to collect background characterization information with magnetic gradiometry and electromagnetic induction to understand the spatial distribution of metallic objects that could potentially interfere with the results from high resolution resistivity survey. Results of the background characterization show there are several areas located around the site with large metallic subsurface debris or metallic infrastructure.
Date: September 28, 2007
Creator: DA, MYERS
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Environmental Challenges for the Nuclear Diagnostics on the NIF and LMJ (open access)

Environmental Challenges for the Nuclear Diagnostics on the NIF and LMJ

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) and Laser Mega Joule (LMJ) facilities are currently under construction in the United States and France. Ignited targets at these facilities are anticipated to produce up to 1019 deuterium-tritium fusion neutrons. This will provide unprecedented opportunities and challenges for the use of nuclear diagnostics in inertial confinement fusion experiments. The NIF and LMJ nuclear diagnostics will work in a harsh radiation environment that includes neutron, hard x-ray, and gamma backgrounds, neutron induced signals in coaxial cables, and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generated signals. Recent results of different background measurements on OMEGA laser facility will be reported. Based on these results, specific design concepts have been identified to mitigate much of the radiation and EMP-induced backgrounds. An overview of the background mitigation techniques in the NIF nuclear diagnostics conceptual designs will be presented.
Date: June 27, 2007
Creator: al., K. Miller et
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
A search for sterile neutrinos in MINOS (open access)

A search for sterile neutrinos in MINOS

MINOS, the Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search, is a long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment based at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory. The experiment uses a neutrino beam, which is measured 1 km downstream from its origin in the Near detector at Fermilab and then 735 km later in the Far detector at the Soudan mine. By comparing these two measurements, MINOS can attain a very high precision for parameters in the atmospheric sector of neutrino oscillations. In addition to precisely determining {Delta}m{sub 23}{sup 2} and {theta}{sub 23} through the disappearance of {nu}{sub {mu}}, MINOS is able to measure {nu}{sub {mu}} {yields} {nu}{sub sterile} by looking for a deficit in the number of neutral current interactions seen in the Far detector. In this thesis, we present the results of a search for sterile neutrinos in MINOS.
Date: December 1, 2007
Creator: Osiecki, Thomas Henry
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of transcriptionalregulation in Escherichia coli (open access)

Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of transcriptionalregulation in Escherichia coli

Background: Most bacterial genes were acquired by horizontalgene transfer from other bacteria instead of being inherited bycontinuous vertical descent from an ancient ancestor}. To understand howthe regulation of these {acquired} genes evolved, we examined theevolutionary histories of transcription factors and of regulatoryinteractions from the model bacterium Escherichia coli K12. Results:Although most transcription factors have paralogs, these usually arose byhorizontal gene transfer rather than by duplication within the E. colilineage, as previously believed. In general, most neighbor regulators --regulators that are adjacent to genes that they regulate -- were acquiredby horizontal gene transfer, while most global regulators evolvedvertically within the gamma-Proteobacteria. Neighbor regulators wereoften acquired together with the adjacent operon that they regulate, sothe proximity might be maintained by repeated transfers (like "selfishoperons"). Many of the as-yet-uncharacterized (putative) regulators havealso been acquired together with adjacent genes, so we predict that theseare neighbor regulators as well. When we analyzed the histories ofregulatory interactions, we found that the evolution of regulation byduplication was rare, and surprisingly, many of the regulatoryinteractions that are shared between paralogs result from convergentevolution. Another surprise was that horizontally transferred genes aremore likely than other genes to be regulated by multiple regulators, andmost of this complex regulation probably evolved …
Date: December 20, 2007
Creator: Price, Morgan N.; Dehal, Paramvir S. & Arkin, Adam P.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
A New Innovative Spherical Cermet Nuclear Fuel Element to Achieve an Ultra-Long Core Life for use in Grid-Appropriate LWRs (open access)

A New Innovative Spherical Cermet Nuclear Fuel Element to Achieve an Ultra-Long Core Life for use in Grid-Appropriate LWRs

Spherical cermet fuel elements are proposed for use in the Atoms For Peace Reactor (AFPR-100) concept. AFPR-100 is a small-scale, inherently safe, proliferation-resistant reactor that would be ideal for deployment to nations with emerging economies that decide to select nuclear power for the generation of carbon-free electricity. The basic concept of the AFPR core is a water-cooled fixed particle bed, randomly packed with spherical fuel elements. The flow of coolant within the particle bed is at such a low rate that the bed does not fluidize. This report summarizes an approach to fuel fabrication, results associated with fuel performance modeling, core neutronics and thermal hydraulics analyses demonstrating a ~20 year core life, and a conclusion that the proliferation resistance of the AFPR reactor concept is high.
Date: December 1, 2007
Creator: Senor, David J.; Painter, Chad L.; Geelhood, Ken J.; Wootan, David W.; Meriwether, George H.; Cuta, Judith M. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mechanical and charge transport properties of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers on Au (111) surface: The Role of Molecular Tilt (open access)

Mechanical and charge transport properties of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers on Au (111) surface: The Role of Molecular Tilt

The relationship between charge transport and mechanical properties of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on Au(111) films has been investigated using an atomic force microscope with a conductive tip. Molecular tilts induced by the pressure applied by the tip cause stepwise increases in film conductivity. A decay constant {beta} = 0.57 {+-} 0.03 {angstrom}{sup -1} was found for the current passing through the film as a function of tip-substrate separation due to this molecular tilt. This is significantly smaller than the value of {approx} 1 {angstrom}{sup -1} found when the separation is changed by changing the length of the alkanethiol molecules. Calculations indicate that for isolated dithiol molecules S-bonded to hollow sites, the junction conductance does not vary significantly as a function of molecular tilt. The impact of S-Au bonding on SAM conductance is discussed.
Date: November 12, 2007
Creator: Mulleregan, Alice; Qi, Yabing; Ratera, Imma; Park, Jeong Y.; Ashby, Paul D.; Quek, Su Ying et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
GNEP ? Material Transportation, Storage & Disposal Analysis FY-07 Summary Report (open access)

GNEP ? Material Transportation, Storage & Disposal Analysis FY-07 Summary Report

None
Date: October 4, 2007
Creator: Halsey, W.; Wigeland, R.; Nutt, M.; Bauer, T.; Smith, J. D.; Sorensen, K. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Real Time Dynamics of Laser Activated Interface Processes at the Molecular Scale (open access)

Real Time Dynamics of Laser Activated Interface Processes at the Molecular Scale

Nanotechnology is one of the most interesting and challenging frontiers of science and technology. We are motivated by the belief that progress will come from improved understanding and control of structure, dynamics and reactivity at interfaces. First, we provide a summary of our projects and key findings. The following pages provide a more detailed account.
Date: December 30, 2007
Creator: Borguet, Eric
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
R. Bruce Merrifield and Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis: A Historical Assessment (open access)

R. Bruce Merrifield and Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis: A Historical Assessment

Bruce Merrifield, trained as a biochemist, had to address three major challenges related to the development and acceptance of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The challenges were (1) to reduce the concept of peptide synthesis on a insoluble support to practice, (2) overcome the resistance of synthetic chemists to this novel approach, and (3) establish that a biochemist had the scientific credentials to effect the proposed revolutionary change in chemical synthesis. How these challenges were met is discussed in this article.
Date: December 4, 2007
Creator: Mitchell, A R
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Strategic Plan for Sustainable Energy Management and Environmental Stewardship for Los Angeles Unified School District (open access)

Strategic Plan for Sustainable Energy Management and Environmental Stewardship for Los Angeles Unified School District

This Strategic Plan for Sustainable Energy Management and Environmental Stewardship states goals, measures progress toward goals and how actions are monitored to achieve continuous improvement for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Date: November 1, 2007
Creator: Walker, A.; Beattie, D.; Thomas, K.; Davis, K.; Sim, M. & Jhaveri, A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
LLNL Facility Screening Report (SCR) for B362 (open access)

LLNL Facility Screening Report (SCR) for B362

None
Date: September 14, 2007
Creator: Cooper, G
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Operation of a Free-Electron Laser from the Extreme Ultraviolet to the Water Window (open access)

Operation of a Free-Electron Laser from the Extreme Ultraviolet to the Water Window

We report results on the performance of a free-electron laser operating at a wavelength of 13.7 nm where unprecedented peak and average powers for a coherent extreme-ultraviolet radiation source have been measured. In the saturation regime, the peak energy approached 170 {micro}J for individual pulses, and the average energy per pulse reached 70 {micro}J. The pulse duration was in the region of 10 fs, and peak powers of 10 GW were achieved. At a pulse repetition frequency of 700 pulses per second, the average extreme-ultraviolet power reached 20mW. The output beam also contained a significant contribution from odd harmonics of approximately 0.6% and 0.03% for the 3rd (4.6 nm) and the 5th (2.75 nm) harmonics, respectively. At 2.75 nm the 5th harmonic of the radiation reaches deep into the water window, a wavelength range that is crucially important for the investigation of biological samples.
Date: December 17, 2007
Creator: Ackermann, W.; Asova, G.; Ayvazyan, V.; Azima, A.; Baboi, N.; Bahr, J. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
A vadose zone Transport Processes Investigation within the glacial till at the Fernald Environmental Management Project. (open access)

A vadose zone Transport Processes Investigation within the glacial till at the Fernald Environmental Management Project.

This report describes a model Transport Processes Investigation (TPI) where field-scale vadose zone flow and transport processes are identified and verified through a systematic field investigation at a contaminated DOE site. The objective of the TPI is to help with formulating accurate conceptual models and aid in implementing rational and cost effective site specific characterization strategies at contaminated sites with diverse hydrogeologic settings. Central to the TPI are Transport Processes Characterization (TPC) tests that incorporate field surveys and large-scale infiltration experiments. Hypotheses are formulated based on observed pedogenic and hydrogeologic features as well as information provided by literature searches. The field and literature information is then used to optimize the design of one or more infiltration experiments to field test the hypothesis. Findings from the field surveys and infiltration experiments are then synthesized to formulate accurate flow and transport conceptual models. Here we document a TPI implemented in the glacial till vadose zone at the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP) in Fernald, Ohio, a US Department of Energy (DOE) uranium processing site. As a result of this TPI, the flow and transport mechanisms were identified through visualization of dye stain within extensive macro pore and fracture networks which provided the …
Date: August 1, 2007
Creator: Schwing, J. (FERMCO Technology Development, Cincinnati, OH); Roepke, Craig Senninger; Brainard, James Robert; Glass, Robert John, Jr.; Mann, Michael J. A.; Holt, Robert M. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of the U.S. ESCO Industry: Market Growth and Developmentfrom 2000 to 2006 (open access)

A Survey of the U.S. ESCO Industry: Market Growth and Developmentfrom 2000 to 2006

None
Date: May 1, 2007
Creator: Hopper, Nicole; Goldman, Charles; Gilligan, Donald; Singer, TerryE. & Birr, Dave
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final Report on Control Algorithm to Improve the Partial-Load Efficiency of Surface PM Machines with Fractional-Slot Concentrated Windings (open access)

Final Report on Control Algorithm to Improve the Partial-Load Efficiency of Surface PM Machines with Fractional-Slot Concentrated Windings

Surface permanent magnet (SPM) synchronous machines using fractional-slot concentrated windings are being investigated as candidates for high-performance traction machines for automotive electric propulsion systems. It has been shown analytically and experimentally that such designs can achieve very wide constant-power speed ratios (CPSR) [1,2]. This work has shown that machines of this type are capable of achieving very low cogging torque amplitudes as well as significantly increasing the machine power density [3-5] compared to SPM machines using conventional distributed windings. High efficiency can be achieved in this class of SPM machine by making special efforts to suppress the eddy-current losses in the magnets [6-8], accompanied by efforts to minimize the iron losses in the rotor and stator cores. Considerable attention has traditionally been devoted to maximizing the full-load efficiency of traction machines at their rated operating points and along their maximum-power vs. speed envelopes for higher speeds [9,10]. For example, on-line control approaches have been presented for maximizing the full-load efficiency of PM synchronous machines, including the use of negative d-axis stator current to reduce the core losses [11,12]. However, another important performance specification for electric traction applications is the machine's efficiency at partial loads. Partial-load efficiency is particularly important if …
Date: May 1, 2007
Creator: McKeever, John W; Reddy, Patel & Jahns, Thomas M
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
X-ray spectroscopic study of the charge state and local orderingof room-temperature ferromagnetic Mn oped ZnO (open access)

X-ray spectroscopic study of the charge state and local orderingof room-temperature ferromagnetic Mn oped ZnO

The charge state and local ordering of Mn doped into a pulsed laser deposited single-phase thin film of ZnO are investigated by using X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the O K-, Mn K- and L-edges, and X-ray emission spectroscopy at the O K- and Mn L-edge. This film is found to be ferromagnetic at room temperature. EXAFS measurement shows that Mn{sup 2+} replaces Zn site in tetrahedral symmetry, and there is no evidence for either metallic Mn or MnO in the film. Upon Mn doping, the top of O 2p valence band extends into the bandgap indicating additional charge carries being created.
Date: August 7, 2007
Creator: Guo, J.-H.; Gupta, Amita; Sharma, Parmanand; Rao, K.V.; Marcus,M.A.; Dong, C.L. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Plan for Using Solar-Powered Jack Pumps to Sample Groundwater at the Nevada Test Site (open access)

Plan for Using Solar-Powered Jack Pumps to Sample Groundwater at the Nevada Test Site

Groundwater is sampled from 39 monitoring wells on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) as part of the Routine Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program. Many of these wells were not designed or constructed for long-term groundwater monitoring. Some have extensive completion zones and others have obstructions such as pumps and tubing. The high-volume submersible pumps in some wells are unsuitable for long-term monitoring and result in large volumes of water that may have to be contained and characterized before subsequent disposition. The configuration of most wells requires sampling stagnant well water with a wireline bailer. Although bailer sampling allows for the collection of depth-discrete samples, the collected samples may not be representative of local groundwater because no well purging is done. Low-maintenance, solar-powered jack pumps will be deployed in nine of these onsite monitoring wells to improve sample quality. These pumps provide the lift capacity to produce groundwater from the deep aquifers encountered in the arid environment of the NTS. The water depths in these wells range from 700 to 2,340 ft below ground surface. The considerable labor and electrical power requirements of electric submersible pumps are eliminated once these pumps are installed. Access tubing will be installed concurrent with the installation …
Date: May 3, 2007
Creator: David Hudson, Charles Lohrstorfer, Bruce Hurley
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Book Review Geostatistical Analysis of Compositional Data (open access)

Book Review Geostatistical Analysis of Compositional Data

Compositional data are represented as vector variables with individual vector components ranging between zero and a positive maximum value representing a constant sum constraint, usually unity (or 100 percent). The earth sciences are flooded with spatial distributions of compositional data, such as concentrations of major ion constituents in natural waters (e.g. mole, mass, or volume fractions), mineral percentages, ore grades, or proportions of mutually exclusive categories (e.g. a water-oil-rock system). While geostatistical techniques have become popular in earth science applications since the 1970s, very little attention has been paid to the unique mathematical properties of geostatistical formulations involving compositional variables. The book 'Geostatistical Analysis of Compositional Data' by Vera Pawlowsky-Glahn and Ricardo Olea (Oxford University Press, 2004), unlike any previous book on geostatistics, directly confronts the mathematical difficulties inherent to applying geostatistics to compositional variables. The book righteously justifies itself with prodigious referencing to previous work addressing nonsensical ranges of estimated values and error, spurious correlation, and singular cross-covariance matrices.
Date: March 26, 2007
Creator: Carle, S F
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Electron cooling rates characterization at Fermilab's Recycler (open access)

Electron cooling rates characterization at Fermilab's Recycler

A 0.1 A, 4.3 MeV DC electron beam is routinely used to cool 8 GeV antiprotons in Fermilab's Recycler storage ring [1]. The primary function of the electron cooler is to increase the longitudinal phase-space density of the antiprotons for storing and preparing high-density bunches for injection into the Tevatron. The longitudinal cooling rate is found to significantly depend on the transverse emittance of the antiproton beam. The paper presents the measured rates and compares them with calculations based on drag force data.
Date: June 1, 2007
Creator: Prost, Lionel R. & Shemyakin, A.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
New experimental capabilities and theoretical insights of high pressure compression waves (open access)

New experimental capabilities and theoretical insights of high pressure compression waves

Currently there are three platforms that offer quasi-isentropic compression or ramp-wave compression (RWC): light-gas gun, magnetic flux (Z-pinch), and laser. We focus here on the light-gas gun technique and on some current theoretical insights from experimental data. A gradient impedance through the length of the impactor provides the pressure pulse upon impactor to the subject material. Applications and results are given concerning high-pressure strength and liquid to solid, phase transition of water plus its associated phase fraction history. We also introduce the Korteweg-deVries-Burgers equation as a means to understand the evolution these RWC waves that propagate through the thickness of the subject material. This equation has the necessary competition between non-linear, dispersion, and dissipation processes, which is shown through observed structures that are manifested in the experimental particle velocity histories. Such methodology points towards a possible quantifiable dissipation, through which RWC experiments may be analyzed.
Date: July 20, 2007
Creator: Orlikowski, D.; Nguyen, J.; Patterson, J. R.; Minich, R.; Martin, L. P. & Holmes, N.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Magnetic Profiles in Ferromagnetic/Superconducting Superlattices. (open access)

Magnetic Profiles in Ferromagnetic/Superconducting Superlattices.

The interplay between ferromagnetism and superconductivity has been of longstanding fundamental research interest to scientists, as the competition between these generally mutually exclusive types of long-range order gives rise to a rich variety of physical phenomena. A method of studying these exciting effects is by investigating artificially layered systems, i.e. alternating deposition of superconducting and ferromagnetic thin films on a substrate, which enables a straight-forward combination of the two types of long-range order and allows the study of how they compete at the interface over nanometer length scales. While originally studies focused on low temperature superconductors interchanged with metallic ferromagnets, in recent years the scope has broadened to include superlattices of high T{sub c} superconductors and colossal magnetoresistance oxides. Creating films where both the superconducting as well as the ferromagnetic layers are complex oxide materials with similar crystal structures (Figure 1), allows the creation of epitaxial superlattices, with potentially atomically flat and ordered interfaces.
Date: February 28, 2007
Creator: te Velthuis, S. G. E.; Hoffmann, A.; Santamaria, J.; Division, Materials Science & Madrid, Univ. Complutense de
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
NERSC News (open access)

NERSC News

This month's issue has the following 3 articles: (1) Kathy Yelick is the new director for the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC); (2) Head of the Class--A cray XT4 named Franklin passes a rigorous test and becomes an official member of the NERSC supercomputing family; and (3) Model Comparisons--Fusion research group published several recent papers examining the results of two types of turbulence simulations and their impact on tokamak designs.
Date: November 25, 2007
Creator: Wang, Ucilia
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library