[en] This report describes the results of a program by Science Applications, Inc., to apply the MAZE code to the analysis and enhancement of gamma-ray spectra from airborne large-volume NaI detection systems. The objective is to improve on the accuracy of uranium, thorium and potassium determinations; and to pick out ²¹⁴Bi peaks (other than 1.76 MeV) for possible use in correcting for airborne ²¹⁴Bi background. A secondary objective of the present MAZE development is to improve the accuracy of other gamma-ray spectroscopy performed in the exploration of uranium using either bore-hole or surface KUT detection

[en] The DWPF will immobilize highly radioactive defense wastes for storage on site until shipment to an approved federal repository for radioactive wastes. This document assesses the socioeconomic impacts of constructing and operating the proposed facility and presents the assessment methodology. Because various schedules and various ways of staging the construction of the DWPF are considered and because in some of these instances a large nearby construction project (the Vogtle Nuclear Power Station) may influence the socioeconomic impacts, four scenarios involving different facility options and schedules are assessed. In general, the impacts were found not to be large. In the scenario where the socioeconomic effects were the greatest, it was found that there are likely to be some impacts on schools in Barnwell County as well as a shortage of mobile homes in that county. Aiken, Allendale, and Bamberg counties are also likely to experience slight-to-moderate housing shortages. Minor impacts are anticipated for fire and police services, roads, traffic, and land use. There will be noticeable economic impact from the project. Other scenarios had fewer socioeconomic impacts

[en] Testing and evaluation of the code MAZAS/DELPHI led to the following conclusions: its precision is better than the Window method for the analysis of uranium, comparable for the analysis of potassium, and worse for the analysis of thorium. Its accuracy of MAZAS is consistently better than the Window method when used on simulated data. The accuracy of the average values of the individual gamma-ray intensities obtained with MAZAS is good over the entire energy spectrum for the uranium and thorium spectra. The precision of the intensities of the low energy lines is poor unless 15 to 20 s integration times are used. Results of the analysis of actual flight data for potassium and thorium are very similar for MAZAS and the Window method. Results for uranium using MAZAS and the Window method appear to be different. MAZAS, which measures an average of several discrete gamma-ray components, seems to indicate considerably more airborne radon than the Window method. It is suspected that the Window method is measuring a combination of discrete and continuum components and that this is resulting in analyses that are inconsistent with MAZAS. The DELPHI time filter appears to work exceedingly well on simulated data. The accuracy of the method on actual flight data is uncertain

[en] In gamma-ray spectrometry measurements, an energy distribution of gamma-rays is viewed by a spectrometer which in turn produces a data set. This data is the result of a complex detection process and generally suffers from loss of resolution due to this detection process and to statistical noise. It is the purpose of the MAZNAI computer program to remove the degrading effects of the detector, to minimize the effects of statistical fluctuations, and to construct an enhanced image spectrum that corresponds as closely as possible to the spectrum of radiation incident on the detector. Section 2 of this report gives a brief description of the MAZNAI methodology, Section 3 discusses detector response functions. Section 4 is the user's guide which describes particular details of the preparation of the data necessary for running the code. Appendix A contains the code listing. The Berger and Seltzer Publication, which is the basis for the adopted detector response function parameterization, is included as Appendix B

[en] This report describes the process and results from an effort to develop metrics for program accomplishments for the FY 1997 budget submission of the U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management International Technology Integration Program (EM-ITI). The four-step process included interviews with key EM-ITI staff, the development of a strawman program logic chart, and all day facilitated workshop with EM-ITI staff during which preliminary performance plans and measures were developed and refined, and a series of follow-on discussions and activities including a cross-organizational project data base. The effort helped EM-ITI to crystallize and develop a unified vision of their future which they can effectively communicate to their own management and their internal and external customers. The effort sets the stage for responding to the Government Performance and Results Act. The metrics developed may be applicable to other international technology integration programs. Metrics were chosen in areas of eight general performance goals for 1997-1998: (1) number of forums provided for the exchange of information, (2) formal agreements signed, (3) new partners identified, (4) customers reached and satisfied, (5, 6) dollars leveraged by EM technology focus area and from foreign research, (7) number of foreign technologies identified for potential use in remediation of DOE sites, and (8) projects advanced through the pipeline

No abstract available

[en] This volume consists of four topical reports: a general discussion of the philosophy of unfolding spectra with continuum and discrete components, a mathematical treatment of the effects of various physical parameters on the uncollided gamma-ray spectrum at aircraft elevations, a discussion of the application of the unfolding code MAZNAI to airborne data, and a discussion of the effects of the nonlinear relationship between energy deposited and pulse height in NaI(T1) detectors

No abstract available

[en] The field work included interviews with operator licensing examiners, utility trainers, candidates, and plant management; interviews and discussions with professional; content analysis of the written portion of 24 control room operator examinations; observation of the conduct of examinations in plants; analysis of data obtained from NRC; and literature searches and reviews. The report includes chapters containing findings from a content analysis of 24 examinations, technical discussions of the concepts of validity and reliability, and the application of these concepts to the control room operator examination. Other chapters discuss the need to develop operator performance measures and the problems associated with this need including problems of influence of performance-shaping factors on control room operator performance. The last half of the report focuses on what could and should be done in the future. The report argues that any new examination must be based on a task analysis, most probably the INPO task analysis. It is also argued that attempts should be made to incorporate methods for measuring operators' problem solving ability in ill-defined situations. Further, it is pointed out that the NRC needs to clarify whether the licensing examination is to be a test of minimal competence or a mastery test, whether the examination system is to also serve the selection function, and whether separate licensing tests are needed for RO's and SRO's. The last chapter presents a model for a new licensing process

[en] The importance of social and institutional issues in the siting of nuclear waste facilities has been recognized in recent years. Limited evidence from a survey of rural Wisconsin residents in 1980 indicates that incentives may help achieve the twin goals of increasing local support and decreasing local opposition to hosting nuclear waste facilities. Incentives are classified according to functional categories (i.e., mitigation, compensation, and reward) and the conditions which may be prerequisites to the use of incentives are outlined (i.e., guarantee of public health and safety, some measure of local control, and a legitimation of negotiations during siting). Criteria for evaluating the utility of incentives in nuclear waste repository siting are developed. Incentive packages may be more useful than single incentives, and nonmonetary incentives, such as independent monitoring and access to credible information, may be as important in eliciting support as monetary incentives. Without careful attention to prerequisites in the siting process it is not likely that incentives will facilitate the siting process