The Vulcan laser facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory was used to study the interaction of a 75 J 10 ps, high intensity laser beam with low-mass solid, Cu targets. Two instruments were fielded as diagnostics of the Cu K-shell emission from the targets: A single photon counting CCD spectrometer provided the absolute K{sub {alpha}} yield and a spherically bent Bragg crystal recorded 2D monochromatic images with a spatial resolution of 10 {micro}m. Due to the shifting and broadening of the K{sub {alpha}} spectral lines with increasing temperature, there is a temperature dependence of the crystal collection efficiency. This provides a temperature diagnostic when cross calibrated against a single hit CCD spectrometer, and it affects measurements of the spatial pattern of electron transport. The experimental data showing changing collection efficiency are presented. The results are discussed in light of modeling of the temperature-dependent spectrum of Cu K-shell emission.

Monthly newsletter discussing news and activities related to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program, articles about weather and atmospheric phenomena, and other related topics.

We present the preliminary result of a search for the decay B{sup {+-}} {yields} a{sub 1}{sup {+-}} K*{sup 0}. The data, collected with the BABAR detector at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, represent 465 million B{bar B} pairs produced in e{sup +}e{sup -} annihilation at the {Upsilon}(4S) energy. The result for the branching fraction is: {Beta}(B{sup +} {yields} a{sub 1}{sup +}K*{sup 0}) x {Beta}(a{sub 1}{sup +} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup +}) = (0.7{sub -0.4-0.7}{sup +0.5+0.7}) x 10{sup -6}, corresponding to an upper limit at 90% confidence level of 1.6 x 10{sup -6}. The first error quoted is statistical, the second systematic.

The authors report the results of a search for the decay B{sup 0} {yields} K*{sup +}K*{sup -} with a sample of 454 {+-} 5 million B{bar B} pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e{sup +}e{sup -} collider at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. They obtain an upper limit at the 90% confidence level on the branching fraction for {Beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} K*{sup +}K*{sup -}) < 2.0 x 10{sup -6}, assuming the decay is fully longitudinally polarized.

The authors present a study of B decays into semileptonic final states containing charged and neutral D{sub 1}(2420) and D*{sub 2}(2460). The analysis is based on a data sample of 208 fb{sup -1} collected at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. With a simultaneous fit to four different decay chains, the semileptonic branching fractions are extracted from measurements of the mass difference {Delta}m = m(D**)-m(D) distributions. Product branching fractions are determined to be {Beta}(B{sup +} {yields} D{sub 1}{sup 0}{ell}{sup +}{nu}{sub {ell}}) x {Beta}(D{sub 1}{sup 0} {yields} D*{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) = (2.97 {+-} 0.17 {+-} 0.17) x 10{sup -3}, {Beta}(B{sup +} {yields} D*{sub 2}{sup 0}{ell}{sup +}{nu}{sub {ell}}) x {Beta}(D*{sub 2}{sup 0} {yields} D{sup (*)+} {pi}{sup -}) = (2.29 {+-} 0.23 {+-} 0.21) x 10{sup -3}, {Beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} D{sub 1}{sup -}{ell}{sup +}{nu}{sub {ell}}) x {Beta}(D{sub 1}{sup -} {yields} D*{sup 0}{pi}{sup -}) = (2.78 {+-} 0.24 {+-} 0.25) x 10{sup -3} and {Beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} D*{sub 2}{sup -}{ell}{sup +}{nu}{sub {ell}}) x {Beta}(D*{sub 2}{sup -} {yields} D{sup (*)0} {pi}{sup -}) = (1.77 {+-} 0.26 {+-} 0.11) x 10{sup -3}. In addition they measure the branching ratio {Lambda}(D*{sub 2} {yields} D{pi}{sup 0})/{Lambda}(D*{sub 2} {yields} D{sup …

In the present quarter, experiments are presented on ceramic/metal interactions of Zirconia/ Ni-B-Si system and with a thin Ti coating deposited on zirconia surface. Existing facilities were modified for evaluation of environmental assisted slow crack growth and creep in flexural mode. Processing of perovskites of LSC, LSF and LSCF composition were continued for evaluation of mechanical properties as a function of environment. These studies in parallel to those on the LSFCO composition is expect to yield important information on questions such as the role of cation segregation and the stability of the perovskite structure on crack initiation vs. crack growth. Studies have been continued on the La{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}FeO{sub 3-d} composition using neutron diffraction and TGA studies. A transition from p-type to n-type of conductor was observed at relative low pO{sub 2}, at which the majority carriers changed from the holes to electrons because of the valence state decreases in Fe due to the further loss of oxygen. Investigation on the thermodynamic properties of the membrane materials are continued to develop a complete model for the membrane transport. Data obtained at 850 C show that the stoichiometry in La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}Fe{sub 0.8}Cr{sub 0.2}O{sub 3-x} vary from {approx}2.85 to 2.6 over …

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This report provides an overview of recent political developments in Colombia, including the administration of President Uribe (2002-2010), continuing into the election of President Juan Manuel Santos. It discusses the political issues including Colombia's longstanding conflict with internal armed groups and ongoing challenges such as human rights, demobilization and displacement, drug trends, and Colombia's regional relations.

Legislation establishing a Department of Homeland Security includes provisions for an information analysis element within the new department. This report examines the information analysis function and the sharing of information among federal agencies but does not address provisions in the proposed legislation governing the sharing of intelligence with state and local officials.

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This report provides an overview of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and describes its background, objectives, and structure. It examines U.S. policy and issues in the U.S. ratification debate, including the Convention's possible impact on U.S. sovereignty, its effectiveness in combating discrimination, and its role as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy.

The paper addresses technological and operational challenges of developing a global plug-and-play Maritime Domain Security testbed for the Global War on Terrorism mission. This joint NPS-LLNL project is based on the NPS Tactical Network Topology (TNT) composed of long-haul OFDM networks combined with self-forming wireless mesh links to air, surface, ground, and underwater unmanned vehicles. This long-haul network is combined with ultra-wideband (UWB) communications systems for wireless communications in harsh radio propagation channels. LLNL's UWB communication prototypes are designed to overcome shortcomings of the present narrowband communications systems in heavy metallic and constricted corridors inside ships. In the center of our discussion are networking solutions for the Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) Experiments in which geographically distributed command centers and subject matter experts collaborate with the Boarding Party in real time to facilitate situational understanding and course of action selection. The most recent experiment conducted via the testbed extension to the Alameda Island exercised several key technologies aimed at improving MIO. These technologies included UWB communications from within the ship to Boarding Party leader sending data files and pictures, advanced radiation detection equipment for search and identification, biometric equipment to record and send fingerprint files to facilitate rapid positive identification of …

This report summarizes current housing issues, cites legislative proposals, and in some cases, presents brief pro/con discussions.

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This report approaches the complex issues surrounding "sound science" by discussing recent controversies, the role of science in general, what science is and what it can and cannot do - as the background for assessing the adequacy of science in ESA implementation; the role of science in legal and policy ESA context; legislation to address concerns relating to ESA science

The Savannah River National Laboratory's (SRNL) Weather INformation and Display (WIND) System was used to provide meteorological and atmospheric modeling/consequence assessment support to state and local agencies following the collision of two Norfolk Southern freight trains on the morning of January 6, 2005. This collision resulted in the release of several toxic chemicals to the environment, including chlorine. The dense and highly toxic cloud of chlorine gas that formed in the vicinity of the accident was responsible for nine fatalities, and caused injuries to more than five hundred others. Transport model results depicting the forecast path of the ongoing release were made available to emergency managers in the county's Unified Command Center shortly after SRNL received a request for assistance. Support continued over the ensuing two days of the active response. The SRNL also provided weather briefings and transport/consequence assessment model results to responders from South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), the Savannah River Site's (SRS) Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Department of Energy Headquarters, and hazmat teams dispatched from the SRS. Although model-generated forecast winds used in consequence assessments conducted during the incident were provided at 2-km horizontal grid spacing during the accident response, a high-resolution Regional …

This report describes the methodology used in conducting the Cold Vacuum Drying Facility (CVDF) Hazard Analysis to support the CVDF Final Safety Analysis Report and documents the results. The hazard analysis was performed in accordance with DOE-STD-3009-94, ''Preparation Guide for US. Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear Facility Safety Analysis Reports,'' and implements the requirements of DOE Order 5480.23, ''Nuclear Safety Analysis Reports.''

The long-range goal of this project is to develop the optical and mechanical design of a micromirror array for adaptive optics that will meet the following criteria: flat mirror surface ({lambda}/20), high fill factor (> 95%), large stroke (5-10 {micro}m), and pixel size {approx}-200 {micro}m. This will be accomplished by optimizing the mirror surface and actuators independently and then combining them using bonding technologies that are currently being developed.

For the Department of Energy (DOE) Knowledge Base to support activities for monitoring nuclear explosions consistent with eventual verification activities under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a process is defined to ensure the integrity and utility of research results during the migration into information products for use in operational monitoring systems. The process of validating, verifying, and managing the information products ensures deliveries of high-quality Knowledge Base releases to the United States National Data Center(USNDC). These activities are critical to the successful integration of scientific research to support operational monitoring systems at the USNDC. A by-product of this process is that datasets, or components of information products, that have undergone the validation and verification process maybe distributed as operational calibration products to the International Data Centre. All contributors to information products, whether DOE-funded or not, will benefit from transparency of the integration process to effect successful participation in the process. As an information product passes through the steps necessary to become part of a delivery to the USNDC, domain experts, including the end-users, will provide validation -- a determination of relevance and scientific quality. The integration process continues with verification -- an assessment of completeness and correctness, provided by the …

The post-World War II U.S.-Japan alliance has long been an anchor of the U.S. security role in East Asia. The alliance facilitates, for the U.S., the forward deployment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, and provides, for Japan, maneuvering room in dealing with its neighbors, particularly China and North Korea. This report outlines and explains in detail several aspects of the developing U.S.-Japan relationship. Most of said developing relationship has been viewed warily by South Korea and China. Japan is one of the United States' most important economic partners. It is the United States' largest export market outside of North America and second-largest source of imports. This report also describes in detail the economic relationship between the U.S. and Japan.

This report discusses the Japan - U.S. relations. The alliance, with its access to bases in Japan, where about 53,000 U.S. troops are stationed, facilitates the forward deployment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, thereby undergirding U.S. national security strategy.

This report discusses the Japan - U.S. relations. The alliance, with its access to bases in Japan, where about 53,000 U.S. troops are stationed, facilitates the forward deployment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, thereby undergirding U.S. national security strategy.

The flame extinction limits of syngas (H{sub 2}-CO) flames were measured using a twin-flame-counter-flow burner. Plots of Extinction limits vs. global stretch rates were generated at different mixture compositions and an extrapolation method was used to calculate the flame extinction limit corresponding to an experimentally unattainable zero-stretch condition. The zero-stretch extinction limit of H{sub 2}-CO mixtures decreases (from rich to lean) with the increase in H{sub 2} concentration in the mixture. The average difference between the measured flame extinction limit and the Le Chatelier's calculation is around {approx} 7%. The measured OH{sup -} chemiluminescent data indicates that regardless of mixture compositions the OH radical concentration reduces (within the experimental uncertainties) to an extinction value prior to the flame extinction. Flame extinction limits of H{sub 2}-CO mixtures measured in a flat-flame burner configuration also show a similar relation. Additionally, the measured laminar flame velocity close to the extinction indicates that regardless of fuel composition the premixed flame of hydrogen fuel blends extinguishes when the mixture laminar flame velocity falls below a critical value. The critical laminar flame velocity at extinction for H{sub 2}-CO premixed flames (measured in the flat flame burner configuration) is found to be 3.77({+-}0.38) cm/s. An externally perturbed …

This report provides an overview of the background, federal programs, and issues for Congress on family caregiving to the older population.