Newsletter of the Texas Department of Health discussing the news, activities, and events of the organization and other information related to health in Texas.

This document describes the original basis for selection of the analog input setpoints for the MICON Automation System. In most cases the setpoints were based on vendor supplied information and design requirements. However, some setpoints were also established based on engineering judgment. These setpoints are subject to change as more experience with operation of the ventilation system is obtained. Revision 1 incorporates minor changes to ensure the document setpoints accurately reflect limits established in OSD-T-151-00019, Rev B-0.

In the rush to explore the B system, one should not ignore the potential of rare K decays. The charged and neutral FCNC K {yields} {pi}{nu}{bar {mu}} decays are theoretically very clean, on a par with B {yields} {psi}K{sub S}, which measures {beta}, and much less problematic than B {yields} {pi}{pi} and B{sub s} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -} or B{sub s} {yields} K*{sup +}K*{sup -} which have been proposed to measure {alpha} and {gamma} respectively. B(K{sup +} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{nu}{bar {nu}}), which in the Standard Model yields information on |V*{sub ts}V{sub td}|, is closely related to the ratio of B{sub d} - {bar B}{sub d} to B{sub s}-{bar B}{sub s}, mixing, which yields |V{sub td}/V{sub ts}|. It is essential to compare such clean measurements from the B and K sectors, because new physics is likely to manifest itself in apparent disagreements[12]. Measuring the branching ratios of K {yields} {pi}{nu}{bar {nu}} decays is a challenge, but the current proven reach in sensitivity for the charged mode and the prospect of measuring the neutral mode at AGS-2000 indicate that this window into flavor physics is on the verge of becoming an exploitable reality.

The authors describe and test spai_1.1, a parallel MPIimplementation of the sparse approximate inverse (SPAI) preconditioner.They show that SPAI can be very effective for solving a set of very largeand difficult problems on a Cray T3E. The results clearly show the valueof SPAI (and approximate inverse methods in general) as the viablealternative to ILU-type methods when facing very large and difficultproblems. The authorsstrengthen this conclusion by showing that spai_1.1also has very good scaling behavior.

THERM is a state-of-the-art, Microsoft Windows{trademark}-based computer program developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for use by building component manufacturers, engineers, educators, students, architects, and others interested in heat transfer. Using THERM, you can model two-dimensional heat-transfer effects in building components such as windows, walls, foundations, roofs, and doors; appliances; and other products where thermal bridges are of concern. THERM's heat-transfer analysis allows you to evaluate a product's energy efficiency and local temperature patterns, which may relate directly to problems with condensation, moisture damage, and structural integrity. THERM's two-dimensional conduction heat-transfer analysis is based on the finite-element method, which can model the complicated geometries of building products. The program's graphic interface allows you to draw cross sections of products or components to be analyzed. To create the cross sections, you can trace imported files in DXF or bitmap format, or input the geometry from known dimensions. Each cross section is represented by a combination of polygons. You define the material properties for each polygon and introduce the environmental conditions to which the component is exposed by defining the boundary conditions surrounding the cross section. Once the model is created, the remaining analysis (mesher and heat transfer) is automatic. You …

The Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program is a health insurance program for federal employees, annuitants, and their dependents. This report contains background information, eligibility and participation, and financing.

This report provides a bibliography that describe general sources of support and a few of the current general guides to writing grant proposals.

This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.

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This report contains the summary and legislative history of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1997.

This report is categorized into seven categories: (I) The Issue, (II) Background, (III) The APEC Process and Activities, (IV) The Osaka Action Agenda, (V) The Manila Action Plan for APEC (MAPA), (VI) The 1997 Vancouver Meetings and (VII) Conclusion.

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Unsaturated drip tests have been used to investigate the alteration of unirradiated UO{sub 2} and spent UO{sub 2} fuel in an unsaturated environment such as may be expected in the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain. In these tests, simulated groundwater is periodically injected onto a sample at 90 C in a steel vessel. The solids react with the dripping groundwater and water condensed on surfaces to form a suite of U(VI) alteration phases. Solution chemistry is determined from leachate at the bottom of each vessel after the leachate stops interacting with the solids. A more detailed knowledge of the compositional evolution of the leachate is desirable. By providing just enough water to maintain a thin film of water on a small quantity of fuel in batch experiments, we can more closely monitor the compositional changes to the water as it reacts to form alteration phases.

The Laser Photolysis-Shock Tube (LP-ST) technique coupled with H-atom atomic resonance absorption spectrometry (ARAS) has been used to study reaction, H + CH{sub 2}CO {r_arrow} CH{sub 3} + CO, over the temperature range, 863-1400 K. The results can be represented by the Arrhenius expression, k = (4.85 {+-} 0.70) x 10{sup {minus}11} exp({minus}2328 {+-} 155 K/T) cm{sup 3} molecule{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. The present data have been combined with the earlier low temperature flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence measurements to yield a joint three parameter expression, k = 5.44 x 10{sup {minus}14} T{sup 0.8513} exp({minus}1429 K/T) cm{sup 3} molecule{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. This is a chemical activation process that proceeds through vibrationally excited acetyl radicals. However, due to the presence of a low lying forward dissociation channel to CH{sub 3} + CO, the present results refer to the high pressure limiting rate constants. Hence, transition state theory with Eckart tunneling is used to explain the data.

Many regulated entities today charge that environmental regulations have become inefficient and could be made more cost effective. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified several initiatives to help ''reinvent'' environmental regulations and address those charges. At the same time, the President and others are pursuing the development and use of new environmental technologies. Reflecting these trends, Argonne National Laboratory is helping develop a prototype multimedia environmental regulatory program for petroleum refineries operating in the Mure. The project differs from other regulatory reinvention efforts in that it is Mure-oriented and, as a result, may result in recommendations that depart significantly from those from existing regulatory systems. This paper notes the importance of communicating environmental information when developing and implementing regulatory approaches. Two approaches--one goal-based and the other risk-based--are being considered for the prototype regulatory program. Both are site-specific, and the implementation of both requires a significant amount of communication among refiners, regulators, and other stakeholders. Of even greater importance, however, is the communication involved in the development of these approaches. Because these new regulatory approaches could fundamentally change the way regulated entities operate, ideas and concerns of groups likely to be affected by the regulatory prototypes need to be …

Depletion calculations have been performed for the McClellan reactor history from January 1990 through August 1996. A database has been generated for continuing use by operations personnel which contains the isotopic inventory for all fuel elements and fuel-followed control rods maintained at McClellan. The calculations are based on the three-dimensional diffusion theory code REBUS-3 which is available through the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (RSICC). Burnup-dependent cross-sections were developed at zero power temperatures and full power temperatures using the WIMS code (also available through RSICC). WIMS is based on discretized transport theory to calculate the neutron flux as a function of energy and position in a one-dimensional cell. Based on the initial depletion calculations, a method was developed to allow operations personnel to perform depletion calculations and update the database with a minimal amount of effort. Depletion estimates and calculations can be performed by simply entering the core loading configuration, the position of the control rods at the start and end of cycle, the reactor power level, the duration of the reactor cycle, and the time since the last reactor cycle. The depletion and buildup of isotopes of interest (heavy metal isotopes, erbium isotopes, and fission product poisons) are calculated …

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There is a critical need for new environmentally friendly processes in the United States chemical industry as legislative and economic pressures push the industry to zero-waste and cradle-to-grave responsibility for the products they produce. Carbohydrates represent a plentiful, renewable resource, which for some processes might economically replace fossil feedstocks. While the conversion of biomass to fuels, is still not generally economical, the selective synthesis of a commodity or fine chemical, however, could compete effectively if appropriate catalytic conversion systems can be found. Oxygenated organics, found in a variety of products such as nylon and polyester, are particularly attractive targets. We believe that with concerted research efforts, homogeneous transition metal catalyzed reactions could play a significant role in bringing about this future green chemistry technology.

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Often a crystallographer obtains an electron density map which shows only part of the structure. In such cases, the phasing of the trial model is poor enough that the electron density map may show peaks in some of the atomic positions, but other atomic positions are not visible. There may also be extraneous peaks present which are not due to atomic positions. A method for determination of crystal structures that have resisted solution through normal crystallographic methods has been developed. PHASER is a series of FORTRAN programs which aids in the structure solution of poorly phased electron density maps by refining the crystallographic phases. It facilitates the refinement of such poorly phased electron density maps for difficult structures which might otherwise not be solvable. The trial model, which serves as the starting point for the phase refinement, may be acquired by several routes such as direct methods or Patterson methods. Modifications are made to the reverse transform process based on several assumptions. First, the starting electron density map is modified based on the fact that physically the electron density map must be non-negative at all points. In practice a small positive cutoff is used. A reverse Fourier transform is computed …

Results of two-dimensional numerical computations of turbulent methane flames using detailed and reduced chemistry are analyzed in the context of a new theory for premixed turbulent combustion for high turbulence intensity. This theory defines the thin reaction zones regime, where the Kolmogorov scale is smaller than the preheat zone thickness, but larger than the reaction zone thickness. The two numerical computations considered in this paper fall clearly within this regime. A lean and a stoichiometric flame are considered. The former is characterized by a large ratio of the turbulence intensity to the laminar burning velocity and the latter by a smaller value of that ratio.

It has long been recognized that incorporation of pollution prevention (P2) into projects during the design phase yields superior results as compared to modification of facilities after construction. Generation of waste during construction can be minimized, products containing recycled materials can be incorporated into the facility, and the processes or systems can be optimized for P2 from the beginning. However, design engineers must have the proper mindset and training in order to achieve this, since standard engineering practice does not necessarily lead to construction of systems that are optimized for P2. It was determined that incorporation of P2 principles and methods into command media that govern the conduct of design and construction was one way of achieving P2 objectives during design. This would incorporate certain P2 elements into criteria and standard designs so that these elements are automatically incorporated into the designs. The Central Engineering Services (CES) Command Media, which provide direction, methodology, and criteria for performance of engineering design and construction, consist of Engineering Procedures, Master Design Criteria, Technical Specifications, and Engineering Standards. Incorporated in these documents are regulatory requirements, national consensus codes and standards, accepted and proven practices and designs, as well as DOE Orders governing design and …

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the systematics of the microscopic magnetic order within a series of isostructural compounds and, at the same, to develop the relatively young experimental method of x-ray resonant exchange scattering (XRES). In this thesis, the author presents XRES studies of several rare-earth nickel borocarbides, RNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C. He shows that XRES, similar to the neutron techniques, allows the determination of the orientation of the magnetic moment by measuring the Q-dependence of the scattered intensity of magnetic Bragg reflections. As samples in this study, he chose the recently discovered family of rare-earth nickel borocarbides, RNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C, which display a wide variety of magnetic structures. Furthermore, in several of these materials, long range magnetic order coexists with superconductivity over some temperature range.

The syntheses of silicon-containing compounds and the studies of their rearrangements have been active research areas in the Barton research group. Previously, the addition of disilanes to acetylenes was studied in the group and an intramolecular 2S + 2A mechanism has been proposed. In this thesis, the work is focused on the addition of disilanes to cumulenes. The syntheses of the precursors are discussed and the possible mechanisms for their thermal, photochemical and catalytic rearrangements are proposed. Conjugated organic polymers have been studied in the group since 1985 because of their potential for exhibiting high electroconductivity, photoconductivity, strong non-linear optical response and intense fluorescence. In the second section of this dissertation, the synthesis and property studies of poly(phenylene vinylene) analogues are discussed.