This handbook was created by the staff of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) for new Research Assistants, to introduce them to OTA policy and provide guidelines for Research Assistant activities.

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 Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents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 Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents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, Dan Morales, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether a county commissioner court is authorized to promulgate regulations creating a "smoke-free" environment or designate restricted areas in county buildings or facilities for smoking (RQ-363)

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: Authority of a sheriff to conduct investigations and make arrests outside his county, and related question (RQ-169)

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; Application of the nepotism law to a contract for insurance coverage between the Central Texas College District and a corporation where a member of the board of trustees serve as an officer and director (ID# 15849)

Calibrated Hall-effect magnetic-field sensors will be used to map the magnetic field in insertion devices. Typical calibration data give the magnetic field as a function of measured signal and temperature on a two-dimensional grid. We need to calculate the magnetic field from the two measured signals. As an example, this work uses the calibration data supplied with a Hall-effect measurement system from Group 3 Technology Ltd. Detailed field-versus-signal data are given for three calibration temperatures for each of four gain settings. Two methods for performing the interpolation are presented for a fixed gain setting. The first method fits the three field-versus-signal data sets to three polynomials minimizing the sum of squares of the errors and then interpolates for the temperature. The second method uses a bivariate interpolation routine. In this method, there are no residual errors at the calibration points. The two methods are compared. The selection of the method used will depend on what errors are present in the calibration data.

This report presents work done on a laboratory combustor in an attempt to identify mechanisms that govern the simultaneous capture of alkali and sulfur species using sorbent injection techniques. The mechanisms of capture fall into two broad categories i.e. Physical transport of alkali species (in vapor or condensed phase) to the sorbent surface and surface reaction between the alkali species and the sorbents. Water solubility, though not specific, has been used to get an indication of relative significance of these two broad mechanisms. It is assumed that the physically adsorbed alkali species on sorbents are predominantly water soluble while the chemically reacted alkali content is predominantly water insoluble. In order to infer possible dominant mechanisms, specific parameters has been varied during experimentation. Such parameters include, speciation, particle time-temperature history, and furnace burning conditions.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the kinetics-assisted design, synthesis and characterization of fine-particle, unsupported catalysts for coal liquefaction. The goal is to develop a fundamental understanding of coal catalysis and catalysts that will, in turn, allow for the specification of a novel optical catalyst for coal liquefaction.

Research continues on the flow properties of wet solids. During this period we have made: progress in the analysis of the accuracy of the technique, progress in firming the foundations of LIPA for Solid-Liquid Mixtures, progress in the construction of better prototype skimmers, continued progress in chemically manufacturing both more red europium imbedded CaF{sub 2} and Green liquid Flowlite, and progress in understanding the coupling of LIPA chemicals snd dynamic range and timing. (VC)

The objective is to develop and test various integrated solar heating, cooling and domestic hot water systems, and to evaluate their performance. Systems composed of new, as well as previously tested, components are carefully integrated so that effects of new components on system performance can be clearly delineated. The SEAL-DOE program includes six tasks which have received funding for the 1991--92 fifteen-month period. These include: (1) a project employing isothermal operation of air and liquid solar space heating systems, (2) a project to build and test several generic solar water heaters, (3) a project that will evaluate advanced solar domestic hot water components and concepts and integrate them into solar domestic hot water systems, (4) a liquid desiccant cooling system development project, (5) a project that will perform system modeling and analysis work on solid desiccant cooling systems research, and (6) a management task. The objectives and progress in each task are described in this report.

This project is divided into four tasks. Task 1 is the Development of a Management Plan. Task 2, Evaluation of Mechanisms in FGD Sorbent and Ash Interactions, focuses on the characteristics of binary mixtures of these distinct powders. Task 3, Evaluation of Mechanisms in Conditioning Agents and Ash, is designed to examine the effects of various conditioning agents on fine ash particles to determine the mechanisms by which these agents alter the physical properties of the ash. Tasks 2 and 3 began with an extensive literature search and the assembly of existing theories. The results of the work performed under Tasks 2 and 3 will be included in a Flue Gas Conditioning Model that will be issued under Task 4. The Final Report for the project will also be prepared under Task 4. This quarterly report covers four months in order to synchronize the reporting periods for this project with US Government quarters. Work performed on the project during the past quarter consisted almost entirely of the review of literature pertaining to the objectives of Tasks 2 and 3. The primary results of that review are discussed at length in Topical Reports 1 and 2, submitted January 9, 1992. As …

This program was established for the purpose of studying projectile fragmentation; (1) as a function of energy, focusing first on the intermediate energy region, < 1 GeV/nucleon, where there have been few previous measurements and no systematic studies, and (2) as a function of projectile mass, starting with light beams and proceeding to species as heavy as nickel (and possibly beyond). The intermediate energy region is important as the transition between the lower energy data, where the interaction appears to be dominated by collective effects and the decay of excited nuclei, and the highest energy results, where nucleon-nucleon interactions are fundamental, limiting fragmentation'' applies, and the nucleus may well break-up before any de-excitation. The mass dependence of projectile fragmentation is largely unknown since most detailed work has involved light ion beams. Nuclear structure effects, for example, may well be quite prominent for heavier beams. Furthermore, the nuclear excitation functions for the production of different fragment isotopes have immediate application to the astrophysical interpretation of existing isotopic datasets obtained from balloon and satellite measurements of galactic cosmic rays.

Spin physics activities at medium and high energies became significantly active when polarized targets and polarized beams became accessible for hadron-hadron scattering experiments. My overview of spin physics will be inclined to the study of strong interaction using facilities at Argonne ZGS, Brookhaven AGS (including RHIC), CERN, Fermilab, LAMPF, an SATURNE. In 1960 accelerator physicists had already been convinced that the ZGS could be unique in accelerating a polarized beam; polarized beams were being accelerated through linear accelerators elsewhere at that time. However, there was much concern about going ahead with the construction of a polarized beam because (i) the source intensity was not high enough to accelerate in the accelerator, (ii) the use of the accelerator would be limited to only polarized-beam physics, that is, proton-proton interaction, and (iii) p-p elastic scattering was not the most popular topic in high-energy physics. In fact, within spin physics, [pi]-nucleon physics looked attractive, since the determination of spin and parity of possible [pi]p resonances attracted much attention. To proceed we needed more data beside total cross sections and elastic differential cross sections; measurements of polarization and other parameters were urgently needed. Polarization measurements had traditionally been performed by analyzing the spin of …

Savannah River Site supernatant liquid waste samples are periodically taken and analyzed for corrosive and inhibiting species concentrations as part of the waste tank chemistry control program. These samples are taken at or near the surface of the waste. This is the preferred location for sampling since the liquid phase at this location is the most corrosive liquid phase in the tank as a result of the highest nitrate to nitrite ratio and the lowest hydroxide concentration. This report discusses the sampling of high-level radioactive wastes at the Savannah River Site.

The project objective is to produce sufficient information on the physical and chemical nature of Coolside waste to design and construct physically stable and environmentally safe landfills. No additional swell on samples reported last month has been observed. The permeability of a specimen remolded near 100% of standard dry density and optimum moisture content and aged 14 days was 7.43 [times] 10[sup [minus]6] cm/sec. Unconfined compressive strength tests and unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests were also performed and are reported. Work has been initiated toward filling the field lysimeters. Materials, equipment and supplies are being specified and ordered including 30,000 lbs of Ottawa sand to serve as the base layer in the lysimeters.

During this last quarter, evaluations were complete on the motor materials after 500-hr exposures to refrigerants CFC-123, HFC-134a and HCFC-22 at 90{degrees}C. Materials were also evaluated after exposure to nitrogen at 127{degrees}C to determine effect of the thermal exposure. Other exposures were started during this quarter with refrigerants HCFC-124, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-32 and HFC-152a. One 500 hr exposure is set up per week and one is analyzed the same week. This will enable Trane to complete the 500 hour exposures by the end of the year.

The universal drift instability and other drift instabilities driven by density and temperature gradients in a toroidal system are investigated in both linear and nonlinear regimes via particle simulation. Runs in toroidal and cylindrical geometry show dramatic differences in plasma behavior, primarily due to the toroidicity-induced coupling of rational surfaces through the poloidal mode number m. In the toroidal system studied, the eigenmodes are seen to possess (i) an elongated, nearly global radial extent (ii) a higher growth rate than in the corresponding cylindrical system, (iii) an eigenfrequency nearly constant with radius, (iv) a global temperature relaxation and enhancement of thermal heat conduction. Most importantly, the measured Xi shows an increase with radius and an absolute value on the order of that observed in experiment. On the basis of our observations, we argue that the increase in Xi with radius observed in experiment is caused by the global nature of heat convection in the presence of toroidicity-induced mode coupling.

During the period 7/9/92-10/8/92 a total of 80 samples (30 DOE Sample Bank samples and 50 other Penn State samples) of various sizes, not including DECS-17, were distributed. Fifteen of these samples were provided to DOE contractors. Six orders for a total of 80 30-gram bags of DECS-17 have been filled. All of these bags have been distributed to DOE dispersed catalyst contractors or those approved by DOE to receive the samples. A total of 188 data printouts were distributed. In addition, 15 special data requests were fulfilled by either search/sort and printout or creation of a data disk, resulting in distribution of limited information on over 1089 samples. Several preliminary requests for Sample Bank and Data Base information and price quotations have also been handled.

The aim of the research project is to explore what can be learned about turbulence from the theoretical and computational viewpoints, using the dynamical systems approach to turbulence.

External dosimetry needs at the four Martin Marietta Energy Systems facilities are served by Energy Systems Centralized External Dosimetry System (CEDS). The CEDS is a four plant program with four dosimeter distribution centers and two dosimeter processing centers. Each plant has its own distribution center, while processing centers are located at ORNL and the Y-12 Plant. The program has been granted accreditation by the Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP). The CEDS is a TLD based system which is responsible for whole-body beta-gamma, neutron, and extremity monitoring. Beta-gamma monitoring is performed using the Harshaw/Solon Technologies model 8805 dosimeter. Effective October 1, 1992 the standard silver mylar has been replaced with an Avery mylar foil blackened on the underside with ink. This was done in an effort to reduce the number of light induced suspect readings. At this time we have little operational experience with the new blackened mylars-The CEDS neutron dosimeter is the Harshaw model 8806B. This card/holder configuration contains two TLD-600/TLD-700 chip pairs; one pair is located beneath a cadmium filter and one pair is located beneath a plastic filter. In routine personnel monitoring the CEDS neutron dosimeter is always paired with a CEDS beta-gamma dosimeter.The CEDS extremity …

Contributions were made towards the ultimate goal of creating a complete theory of edge turbulence and transport in magnetic fusion devices. The main focus has been to utilize a resistive MHD model. This analysis includes: (1) rippling'' type models in which the current fluctuations are decoupled and the resistivity fluctuations are fundamental, and (2) drift'' type models in which the ambient current can be small (no resistivity fluctuations needed) and the current fluctuations are fundamental. In these turbulence frameworks, the important atomic physics based edge sources have been included (impurity radiation, ionization, and charge exchange effects).

Problems involved in obtaining the results from a program for user testing of 150 solar cookers in Haitian villages since the coup are detailed.

CombiNO{sub x} is a NO{sub x} reduction process which incorporates three different NO{sub x} control technologies: reburning, selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), and methanol injection. Gas reburning is a widely used technology that has been proven to reduce NO{sub x} up to 60% on full-scale applications. The specific goals of the CombiNO{sub x} project are: 70% NO{sub x} reduction at 20% of the cost of selective catalytic reduction; NO{sub x} levels at the stack of 60 ppm for ozone non-attainment areas; Demonstrate coal reburning; Identify all undesirable by-products of the process and their controlling parameters; Demonstrate 95% N0{sub 2} removal in a wet scrubber. Before integrating all three of CombiNO{sub x}'s technologies into a combined process, it is imperative that the chemistry of each individual process is well understood. Pilot-scale SNCR tests and the corresponding computer modeling were studied in detail and discussed in the previous quarterly report. This quarterly report will present the results obtained during the pilot-scale advanced reburning tests performed on EER's Boiler Simulation Facility (BSF). Since methanol injection is a relatively new NO{sub x} control technology, laboratory-scale tests were performed to better understand the conditions at which methanol is most effective. The experimental set-up and results from …