No abstract

Executive SummaryThis report describes investigations directed toward understanding the extent of the presence of highly alkaline soluble, non-pertechnetate technetium (n-Tc) in the Hanford Tank supernatants. The goals of this report are to: a) present a review of the available literature relevant to the speciation of technetium in the Hanford tank supernatants, b) attempt to establish a chemically logical correlation between available Hanford tank measurements and the presence of supernatant soluble n-Tc, c) use existing measurement data to estimate the amount of n-Tc in the Hanford tank supernatants, and d) report on any likely, processfriendly methods to eventually sequester soluble n-Tc from Hanford tank supernatants.The work described herein follows on a substantial literature developed in the 1990s and early 2000s that first identified the problem of the presence of n-Tc and led to a tentative identification of the species in at least two Hanford tank waste supernatants. This project attempted to correlate chemically relevant indicators for which quality-valid data exists in the TWINS database suitable for eventual extrapolation to as-yet untested tank supernatants. In addition, two other tangential tasks were undertaken. First, a model was developed that expanded upon a previously published model by Lukens et al. (2001), for the rate of reduction of pertechnetate by radiolysis and inorganic chemical-based processes. Using information obtained from TWINS, this model was applied to the Hanford tank supernatants to identify the rate of pertechnetate reduction in the various Hanford tank supernatants. Second, one proposed species for n-Tc, the complex [(CO) 3 Tc(H 2 O) 3 ] + , was prepared, and initial studies into its spectroscopic signature and chemical stability were performed.From this work, the only acceptable chemically based correlations with data from the TWINS database were that the fraction of n-Tc present negatively correlates with either of two, closely related variables: total dose experienced in the tank, and 137 Cs concentration in the tank supernatants. The observed inverse correlation is counterintuitive, but a possible explanation is discussed. However, the correlation should lend some insight as to which tanks might be tested to further validate and enhance the predictive value of this correlation.As noted above, chemical data, radiolysis constants and known chemical rate constants for the reaction of water radiolysis products with inorganic Hanford tank waste supernatant constituents were used to evaluate the relative rates of pertechnetate reduction in the Hanford tank supernatants. These results are summarized in the report. Interestingly, the reduction rate for pertechnetate is greatest in two tanks, AZ-101 and AZ-102, where the presence of n-Tc is not detected. However, this reduction only concerns the rate of pertechnetate reduction; the speciation of the reduced product is not addressed. Consequently, reduction of pertechnetate to the poorly alkaline-soluble technetium dioxide could ...

Purpose -The paper's purpose is to explore a theoretical and methodological dilemma. Design/methodology/approach -Commencing doctoral research, and committed to an orthodox grounded theory approach, a unique story was uncovered which, to do it and the research justice, required an alternative form of representation. Intuition decreed that this should be narrative. However, grounded theory and narrative entail epistemologically and ontologically incommensurate paradigms. The paper seeks to consider whether inclusion of the unique story would compromise, or subvert, the already emergent grounded theory. An exploration of the relationship between different epistemological and ontological traditions is also to be made, based on the assumption that method "slurring," and a more eclectic approach to using incommensurate paradigms, may be valuable. Findings -In transcribing and coding data using strictly orthodox grounded theory methods, the researcher runs the risk of "stripping" the research story of some critical dimension(s). However, combining a narrative approach with that of grounded theory, the paper allows for the representation of an atypical "Maverick" case, along-side other more typical cases. Originality/value -The paper points out, to the early career qualitative researcher in particular, that it is legitimate to combine seemingly incommensurate methodologies, notably where not to do so would result in the loss of enriching and powerful insights into basic social processes.

Research and development, Leadership, Innovation, D23 (organization behavior), I23 (higher education research institutions), M12 (personnel management), O3 (technological change; research and development),

A central tenet of contemporary education policy relates to the desire to extend higher education (HE) provision to less advantaged groups ('widening participation'). Our paper contends that a key behavioural obstacle to widening participation lies in the erroneous belief that persists among potential entrants from disadvantaged backgrounds as to their capabilities of succeeding within the HE environment -a perception that serves to deflate application/ recruitment rates from such groupings.We test this 'false uniqueness' thesis using a sample of 127 new UK undergraduates, finding that students drawn from lower social class backgrounds consistently underestimated their abilities vis-à-vis the overall cohort.