Aspects of the social structure of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) in western Oregon

A population of Spermophilus beecheyi was studied to determine patterns of individual spacing, behavioral interactions among different sex and age classes, and the relationship between aspects of S. beecheyi social structure and sociality to those of other sciurids. Research was conducted on a population of squirrels living in an abandoned rock quarry on Finley National Wildlife Refuge near Corvallis, Oregon. Squirrels were trapped, marked with dye, and observed during March through October, 1977, and March, 1978. The location of each squirrel and the type and location of any encounters were recorded during 325 hours of observation. The types of encounters most often observed were approach/ withdrawal, greeting/investigation, play, displacement, aggression, and the male-initiated paw push. The two major activity peaks occurred in March, corresponding to courtship activity and male defense of breeding territories, and in July, corresponding to the activity of juveniles. The seasonal activity cycle of S. beecheyi had five phases: breeding, pre-emergence of young, litter, pre-hibernation, and hibernation. distinct time of dispersal was determined. The population consisted of approximately twice as many adult females as adult males. Both sexes had overlapping home ranges, but their centers of activity were usually separate from the activity centers of other members of the same sex. Home ranges were retained from year to year by the same squirrel. The most social sciurids are those which exhibit a high frequency of cohesive behaviors, such as greeting and mutual grooming. The S. beecheyi at Finley National Wildlife Refuge tended to be tolerant of other individuals, but did not maintain a high level of cohesive behavior within the population. The social structure of S. beecheyi was intermediate to the more social S. columbianus and the more solitary S. franklinii

Leaching of Devitrified Glass Containing Simulated SRP Nuclear Waste

Time-temperature transformation curves have been determined for SRL-165 and SRL-131 waste glasses for all potential waste compositions. SRL-165 glasses, which contain less alkali, exhibit less complex devitrification and higher overall durability than SRL-131 waste glasses. Devitrification was found to have less effect on the durability of waste glasses than changes in composition. Non-uniform dissolution at the glass leached layer interface is observed. However, leached layers formed after 28 days shield the crystal interfaces from further dissolution

Devitrification behavior of SRL defense waste glass

Simulated SRL waste was prepared with compositions varying in iron and aluminum content. Two batches with similar composition were produced with different amounts of reducing agent added. Samples were isothermally heat treated and used to derive time-temperature-transformation diagrams. Supplementary samples were cooled in a manner programmed to simulate the cooling curves of production canisters. Less than 10% total devitrification occurs during normal processing. However, when waste glass 165 was purposely devitrified, up to 30 volume percent total spinel and acmite formed. Formation of these species had minor effect on leachability in MCC-1 and accelerated leach tests. 20 references, 4 figures, 2 tables

Best Practices for Developing Specialty Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice

Nursing specialization involves focusing on nursing practice in an identified specific area within the entire field of professional nursing. A defined specialty scope of practice statement and standards of professional practice, with accompanying competencies, are unique to each nursing specialty. These documents help assure continued understanding and recognition of nursing’s diverse professional contributions. The purpose of this article is to demystify the process for specialty nurses who are creating or revising their specialty nursing scope and standards of practice. We provide best practices for the developmental process based on our recently published scope and standards of specialty nursing practice. The conclusion provides strategies to disseminate scope and standards documents to appropriate stakeholders

Development of a Transportable Vitrification System for Mixed Waste

The US DOE through the Mixed Waste Integrated Program, has identified a need to move mixed waste vitrification technology from the laboratory to the field as rapidly as possible. A great deal of work over the last few years has shown the feasibility of immobilizing selected hazardous waste streams in a vitrified product. Lab-scale work has been extended to pilot-scale tests, usually with surrogates of the actual waste. DOE felt that the technology was mature enough to allow demonstration in the field, on actual wastes, with units that would be prototypic of full sized waste treatment equipment. To this end, DOE`s Office of Technology Development sponsored the Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC) to specify, procure, test, and operate a field scale demonstration using mobile equipment. Oak Ridge Reservation was chosen as the initial location for the field demonstration and Martin Marietta Reservation was chosen as the initial location for the field demonstration and Martin Marietta Energy Systems (MMES) tasked with all permitting, site preparation, and field support activities. During September 1993, WSRC used a ``Vendor Forum`` to solicit preliminary proposals for the Transportable Vitrification System (TVS). A number of quality proposals were received and evaluated. A vendor was selected and detailed negotiations were completed in August 1994, at which time a contract was signed for the TVS. In parallel, WSRC opened a dialogue with MMES to explore candidate waste streams at the Oak Ridge Reservation for the first TVS vitrification campaign. After some preliminary work, a group of waste water sludges were selected. The first of these to be demonstrated with the TVS will be the West End Treatment Facility (WETF) sludge. This paper describes the development of the specification for the TVS, the design and construction activities to date, and ongoing efforts for permitting and site support. The schedule for field application is also discussed

Summary of pilot-scale activities with resorcinol ion exchange resin

The Mixed Waste Focus Area (MWFA) of the Department of Energy (DOE) is currently investigating vitrification technology for treatment of low level mixed wastes (LLMW). They have chartered the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) to study vitrification of the wastes through an Office of Technology Development (OTD) Technical Task Plan (TTP). SRTC`s efforts have included crucible-scale studies and pilot scale testing on simulated LLMW sludges, resins, soils, and other solid wastes. Results from the crucible-scale studies have been used as the basis for the pilot-scale demonstrations. As part of the fiscal year (FY) 1995 activities, SRTC performed crucible-scale studies with organic resins. This waste stream was selected because of the large number of DOE sites, as well as commercial industries, that use resins for treatment of liquid wastes. Pilot-scale studies were to be completed in FY 1995, but could not be due to a reduction in funding. Instead, a compilation of pilot-scale tests with organic resins performed under the guidance of SRTC was provided in this report. The studies which will be discussed used a resorcinol- formaldehyde resin loaded with non-radioactive cesium, which was fed with simulated wastewater treatment sludge feed. The first study was performed at the SRTC in the mini-melter, 1/100th scale of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) melter, and also involved limited crucible-scale studies to determine the resin loading obtainable. The other study was performed at the DOE/Industrial Center for Vitrification Research (Center) and involved both crucible and pilot-scale testing in the Stir-Melter stirred-melter. Both studies were successful in vitrifying the resin in simulated radioactive sludge and glass additive feeds

Pilot scale vitrification studies on hazardous and mixed wastes

Over the past 30 years, the Department of Energy has committed extensive resources to the development of technologies suitable for the stabilization of high level radioactive waste. The objective of this work is to produce a vitreous wasteform capable of retaining the radioactive fractions in a leach resistant form. In an effort to further the development of technologies based within the DOE Complex, the DOE is making efforts to promote technical transfer initiatives that will bring these technologies to the private sector. To this end, the Department of Energy through the Savannah River Site is working with Clemson University's Environmental Systems Engineering Department to establish a laboratory dedicated to vitrification research. The laboratory is part of a cooperative effort between Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Clemson University, and their industrial partners EnVitCo, Inc., and Stir Melter, Inc