The PEP-II High Energy Ring (HER), a 9 GeV electron storage ring, has been in commissioning since spring 1997. Initial beam commissioning activities focused on systems checkout and commissioning and on determining the behavior of the machine systems at high beam currents. This phase culminated with the accumulation of 0.75 A of stored beam-sufficient to achieve design luminosity--in January 1998 after 3.5 months of beam time. Collisions with the 3 GeV positron beam of the Low Energy Ring (LER) were achieved in Summer of 1998. At high beam currents, collective instabilities have been seen. Since then, commissioning activities for the HER have shifted in focus towards characterization of the machine and a rigorous program to understand the machine and the beam dynamics is presently underway.

MARKAL-MACRO is an experiment in model linkage. This new tool is intended as an improvement over existing methods for energy policy assessment. It is designed specifically for estimating the costs and analyzing alternative technologies and policies proposed for reducing environmental risks such as global climate change or regional air pollution. The greenhouse gas debate illustrates the usefulness of linked energy-economy models. A central issue is the coupling between economic growth, the level of energy demands, and the evolution of an energy system to supply these demands. The debate is often connected with alternative modeling approaches. The competing philosophies may be labeled [open quotes]top-down macroeconomic[close quotes] and [open quotes]bottom-up engineering[close quotes] perspectives. Do macroeconomic models, with their descriptions of effects within the total economy but few technical details on the energy system, tend to overestimate future energy demands Conversely, do engineering models, ignoring feedbacks to the general economy and non-technical market factors but containing rich descriptions of technology options, tend to take too optimistic a view of conservation and the use of renewable energy sources Or is the principal difference that the engineering models ignore new sources of energy demands, and that the macroeconomic models ignore saturation effects for old categories …

The third hypervariable domain (V3) of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) envelope protein (env) can serve as an epitope for potent type-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) -- thus short peptides predicted on the most commonly found variants of the antigenic tip of the V3 loop have been considered as potential candidates for an HIV peptide vaccine. To evaluate the extent of intrapatient variation in the immunogenic crest of the V3 loop, sequence sets were analyzed from individuals for whom multiple V3 sequences were available. Several strategies for selecting the best sets of hexapeptides to represent the variable tip of the V3 loop were considered and their effectiveness was evaluated by comparing them with the sequence sets from individuals. Most individuals carried at least one, and frequently many, variants that did not match any of the sequences from among the ten most common hexapeptides. Intrapatient viral sequence variation was increased by including sequences derived from brain biopsy specimens as well as from blood. Additionally, sequences obtained from brain specimens of different individuals had common elements which were not conserved in the corresponding blood samples, suggesting that certain amino acids in the V3 loop may be requisite for viral propagation in the …

An introduction to the ideas and current state of weak scale supersymmetry is given. It is shown that LEP data on Z decays has already excluded two of the most elegant models of weak scale supersymmetry. 14 refs.

Several different experimental investigations were carried out during the present report period. These include x-ray studies of semiconductors, high-{Tc} superconductors, and various thin films using synchrotron radiation (especially soft x-ray experiments by means of our new detector) and measurements of some fundamental properties of new superconducting materials made in our laboratory at Buffalo. We have made the first systematic study of electronic structure in the high-{Tc} superconductors La{sub 2-x}Sr{sub x}CuO{sub 4} with x ranging from 0 to 0.15 by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

Energy-dependent evaluated electron interaction cross sections and related parameters are presented for elements H through Fm (Z = 1 to 100). Data are given over the energy range from 10 eV to 100 GeV. Cross sections and average energy deposits are presented in tabulated and graphic form. In addition, ionization cross sections and average energy deposits for each shell are presented in graphic form. This information is derived from the Livermore Evaluated Electron Data Library (EEDL) as of July, 1991.

Steady-state hydroxide, pH, carbonate and bicarbonate levels have been estimated for supernatant liquids during sludge washing and storage. These compositions were needed in order to prepare synthetic solutions for determining inhibitor requirements. The steady-state pH was plotted versus the nitrate concentration and fitted to a logarithmic expression of the form, pH = 10.23 [times] [NO[sub 3][minus]][sup 0.0178] where [NO[sub 3][minus]] is the concentration of nitrate in moles/liter. Similar expressions were also developed for calculating the concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate as a function of the nitrate concentration.

This report includes: MgCl{sub 2} purification and molten salt preparation facilities have been completed at both the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The purification of MgCl{sub 2} is being studied. Initial Raman spectral results have been obtained at both facilities. Two analytical spectral techniques involving near-infrared (NIR) and IR reflectance spectral measurements show promise for identifying and quantifying OH species in solid salts of interest. A sealed IR reflectance cell has been developed for use in the project. An electrochemical cell for use in voltammetric studies concerned with the project has been designed and fabricated. 5 refs., 2 figs.

The technology being proposed by LLNL is an Active and Passive Computed Tomography (A P CT) Drum Scanner for contact-handled (CH) wastes. It combines the advantages offered by two well-developed nondestructive assay technologies: gamma-ray spectrometry and computed tomography (CT). Coupled together, these two technologies offer to nondestructively and quantitatively characterize mixed- wastes forms. Gamma-ray spectroscopy uses one or more external radiation detectors to passively and nondestructively measure the energy spectrum emitted from a closed container. From the resulting spectrum one can identify most radioactivities detected, be they transuranic isotopes, mixed-fission products, activation products or environmental radioactivities. Spectral libraries exist at LLNL for all four. Active (A) or transmission CT is a well-developed, nondestructive medical and industrial technique that uses an external-radiation beam to map regions of varying attenuation within a container. Passive (P) or emission CT is a technique mainly developed for medical application, e.g., single-photon emission CT. Nondestructive industrial uses of PCT are under development and just coming into use. This report discuses work on the A P CT Drum Scanner at LLNL.

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.

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.

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.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether performance and payment bonds are required for certain county unit price contracts (RQ-1995)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether the board of directors of an appraisal district may reimburse attorney fees for the chief appraiser who was a defendant in a criminal action, and related questions (RQ-1064)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether Government Code chapter 2256, the Public Funds Investment Act, applies to various funds administered by the Department of Banking (RQ-1105)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a school district is entitled to assess ad valorem taxes against royalty interests in a pooled gas unit based upon the location of the well or based upon the location of real property to which the royalty interests appertain (RQ-1140)

Letter opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether a county attorney may simultaneously serve on the board of directors of a county hospital.

Letter opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether a municipal judge may request that a body be transferred to an approved forensic agency for an autopsy and related questions.

Letter opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether Attorney General Opinion JM-74 (1983) regarding section 6.06(e) of the Tax Code continues to be valid, and related question (ID# 31221)

The Colorado economic impact study summarizes employment and economic benefits to the state from activities associated with the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project during Colorado state fiscal year (FY) 1993. To capture employment benefits, a questionnaire was distributed to subcontractor employees at the active UMTRA Project sites of Grand Junction, Rifle, and Gunnison, Colorado. An estimated 52 percent of the employees working on the UMTRA Project responded to this information request. Economic data were requested from each prime subcontractor, as well as from the Remedial Action Contractor. The most significant benefits associated with the UMTRA Project in Colorado are: Direct employment was estimated at 894 workers; An estimated 89 percent of all direct employment was local; Secondary employment resulting from remedial action at the active Colorado UMTRA Project sites and the Grand Junction vicinity property program is estimated at 546 workers. Total employment (direct and secondary) is estimated at 1440 workers for the period of study (July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1993). An estimated $24.1 million was paid in wages to UMTRA workers in Colorado during FY1993; Direct and secondary wage earnings were estimated at $39.9 million; Income tax payments to the state of Colorado were estimated …

Several different experimental investigations were carried out during the present report period. These include x-ray studies of semiconductors, high-{Tc} superconductors, and various thin films using synchrotron radiation (especially soft x-ray experiments by means of our new detector) and measurements of some fundamental properties of new superconducting materials made in our laboratory at Buffalo. We have made the first systematic study of electronic structure in the high-{Tc} superconductors La{sub 2-x}Sr{sub x}CuO{sub 4} with x ranging from 0 to 0.15 by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

The study of high pressure lubricooling jet injection into tool/chip interface showed good results by decreasing friction, tool forces, and temperature at tool/chip interface. Tool wear vs time using different cooling conditions at 1.52 mm depth of cut is shown. Surface roughness generated is in lower range for water jet assisted tool. A test chart is given for visualization of chip formation.

In September 1996, the seal tube at the 3CL window of the Interim Examination and Maintenance (IEM) Cell at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) failed. Replacement of the seal tube required removing the 3CL master slave manipulator (MSM) and shielding creating a streaming path for radiation from irradiated fuel and activated hardware in the IEM Cell. As a part of the preparation for the seal tube replacement, expected dose rates in the IEM Cell gallery outside the open 3CL penetration during the repair work were evaluated.

Steady-state hydroxide, pH, carbonate and bicarbonate levels have been estimated for supernatant liquids during sludge washing and storage. These compositions were needed in order to prepare synthetic solutions for determining inhibitor requirements. The steady-state pH was plotted versus the nitrate concentration and fitted to a logarithmic expression of the form, pH = 10.23 {times} [NO{sub 3}{minus}]{sup 0.0178} where [NO{sub 3}{minus}] is the concentration of nitrate in moles/liter. Similar expressions were also developed for calculating the concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate as a function of the nitrate concentration.