Ambiguities in order-theoretic formulations of thermodynamics

Since the 1909 work of Carath\'eodory, formulations of thermodynamics have gained ground which highlight the role of the the binary relation of adiabatic accessibility between equilibrium states. A feature of Carath\'eodory's system is that the version therein of the second law contains an ambiguity about the nature of irreversible adiabatic processes, making it weaker than the traditional Kelvin-Planck statement of the law. This paper attempts first to clarify the nature of this ambiguity, by defining the arrow of time in thermodynamics by way of the Equilibrium Principle ("Minus First Law"). It then argues that the ambiguity reappears in the important 1999 axiomatisation due to Lieb and Yngvason.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur

Law and Literature--A Comment

The author here examines the ways in which law and literature complement each other; legal settings providing dramatic backdrops to fine literature and literature serving to familiarize lawyers with writing style as well as the moral sentiments of the people expressed in literature. Yet law and literature need not remain distinct entities, but blend together in certain works of such authors as Hand, Camus, and Prettyman, providing, perhaps, the lawyers most enjoyable reading

Ecological Responses of Lake Eola to Urban Runoff

Lake Eola is a land-locked lake located in downtown Orlando, Florida. Its surface area is approximately 27.0 acres (11.0 Ha) and water depth is 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) near the shore and 22 feet (6.7 meters) toward the center. Periodical water samples were collected from the lake and storm drains for various stormwater events and physiochemical parameters were analyzed to calculated loading rates from nutrients and heavy metals released to Lake Eola. Algal bioassay studies were performed to investigate stormwater impacts on productivity. Periodical water samples were collected from the lake mixed and filtered for limiting nutrient studies using various concentrations of N, P, and Fe. Unialgal species of Selenastrum, Chlorella and indigenous species were used and changes in chlorophyll a and biomass were measured. Results indicate that phosphorus or nitrogen can be limiting at some times of the year. However, the ratio of P:N can be ore important than actual concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen separately. Similar algal bioassays were performed on a mixture of stormwater, coagulated stormwater and lake water at different ratios

Harvey Harper - Afternoon Presentation Slides - January 30, 2020

Dr. Harvey Harper\u27s slides from the afternoon presentation at the January 30, 2020 BMP Trains workshop

A Study of Factors that Influence Academic Success of Black American Middle School Males

The Black American male has had to face and endure many physical, emotional, and psychological hardships since his ancestors arrived in this country as slaves. One of those hardships has been his constant status as a second-class citizen. Throughout his history in America, the Black male has received unequal pay, unequal justice, unequal medical care, unequal treatment, and unequal education. Yet, despite the circumstances and the odds, there have been Black males who have achieved in many fields. However, even today, in the field of education, achieving academically is not an endeavor most Black males pursue. This study investigated some factors that can influence some Black males to achieve academically. It was modeled after a 1993 study done by Drs. James McMillan and Daisy Reed, professors at Virginia Commonwealth University. The McMillan & Reed study’s topic was resilience, which is a group of certain individual characteristics that help individuals overcome at risk (of school failure) circumstances. That study and this one were conducted as qualitative research. For this study, 11 Black boys of middle school age and grade were interviewed to ascertain how they generally functioned as students in school and as individuals. Also, they were questioned about their families and friends. Several professional educators were also interviewed to get their perceptions about adolescent Black males’ academic achievement. The two sets of data, as well as the interviewer tapes and notes were coded, compared, and analyzed. The results were interesting in that this particular group of boys all possessed some resilient traits, they all liked school, and they felt that schooling was important to their futures. These boys were students who had performed well in elementary school but were not presently distinguishing themselves academically. The educators displayed valuable insights and knowledge in recognizing what helps Black males achieve in school. Their experiences in working with at risk students have aligned their thinking with that of the many researchers that have investigated this problem. This study revealed that the boys who participated collectively possessed several resilient traits which previous research has shown to be related to success in schools. As well, this study highlighted that possession of these traits by these boys was not necessarily a predictor of academic achievement nor was living in at risk circumstances necessarily a predictor of academic failure. The boys in this study enjoyed school, occasionally making good grades in certain subjects, and collectively had very good daily attendance. Also, this sample understood those negative behaviors and influences that prevented other boys from being academically successful but did not apply this understanding to themselves

Land Use Planning on a Grand Scale: A Decision Maker’s Perspective

The author of this commentary, who served as a commissioner on the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LURC) discusses the ground-breaking 400,000-acre concept plan by Plum Creek Corporation for development of the Moosehead Lake region in Maine. The highly-contested plan approved by LURC involves rezoning for hundreds of acres to allow for single family homes and resorts, and sets aside significant acreage in conservation

Foodborne and Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens Prevalence During Fresh Produce Production Using Non-Traditional Water Sources: Fate, Transport, and Risk Assessment Study

A growing population and demand for food force agricultural leaders to look for alternative water sources. Wastewater reuse could be introduced into commercial operations, if regulations and measures are in place to ensure food safety. The objective of this project was to grow and irrigate lettuce with wastewater to track the fate of Escherichia coli and AP205 bacteriophage during and after cultivation to assess their fate and transport. Subsequently, quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was performed to estimate risk of illness to the public. Contamination levels in foliage, leachate, and soil were directly (P < 0.05) related to initial concentrations of microorganisms in the irrigation water. E. coli concentrations during post-harvest storage (14 days at 4 oC) of foliage increased by over 400%, while AP205 concentrations decreased more than 2 logs. From randomly selected E. coli colonies, in all four biomass types, 81% and 34% showed resistance to ampicillin and cephalothin, respectively. QMRA revealed significant health risks associated with lettuce consumption. E. coli concentrations were used as a fecal indicator bacteria to estimate levels of 6 common pathogens in wastewater and AP205 concentrations were used to estimate norovirus and rotavirus levels. Norovirus and Giardia largely contributed to the 0.8 probability of illness developing from infection, while norovirus and rotavirus showed a 0.24-0.43 probability of illness developing from infection, when using E. coli and AP205 concentrations, respectively. Results show that non-traditional water usage for fresh produce cultivation can pose risks to humans, if standards are not in place to control pathogen contamination levels

Theories of Therapeutic Evolution for Juvenile Drug Courts in the Face of the Onset of the Co-occurrence of Mental Health Issues and Substance/Alcohol Abuse

The purpose of this Note is to review two specific and newly emerging therapeutic courts: juvenile mental health courts and juvenile drug courts. It will explain how and why a mental health element should be implemented into the juvenile drug court system. Part II of this Note will give a historical and procedural overview of juvenile drug courts. These procedures will draw mainly from the newly formed Medina County Juvenile Drug Court, located in Medina, Ohio. Part III will explain the origination and procedures currently employed by juvenile mental health courts, as they relate specifically to Santa Clara\u27s Court for Individualized Treatment for Adolescents. Part IV will explain why juvenile drug courts should implement certain elements of mental health courts because of the significant co-occurrence of juvenile substance use and accompanying mental health problems that occur in a significant number of juveniles. Studies have shown, and court personnel agree, that up to 70% of juveniles with substance abuse of alcohol problems have at least one mental health issue that needs to be addressed. Part V of this Note will examine the proposed integration of a mental health element into the juvenile drug courts in light of several pieces of recent and pending legislation, with a special view towards the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004, which supports mental health treatment for criminal offenders in place of traditional incarceration. Finally, Part VI will explain how and why the juvenile drug court system should integrate a mental health element into its current procedures. Like any system in its infancy, the juvenile therapeutic justice system faces many challenges and issues as it attempts to gain more widespread acceptance. This Note strives to help the legal community embrace the therapeutic alternative as a means to improve the lives of juvenile substance abuse offenders with co-occurring mental health problems, while also increasing public safety in communities throughout the United States

Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Construction Law

Developments in Virginia construction law during the year 1999-2000 were more modest than those of 1998-1999. Still, several decisions by the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Virginia Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit justify the attention of those involved in the construction industry and its related legal practice. These cases address topics involving mechanic\u27s lien waivers, the bar of sovereign immunity, recovery of direct and consequential damages, surety obligations, tortious interference with the bid process, and sanctions by the Virginia Board of Contractors. The majority of these cases demonstrate that the appellate courts are more likely to rule based upon the totality of the facts that define the contractual relationship rather than relying upon some particular and discrete phrase in the contract as the determinative factor

Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Construction Law

In 1998 and 1999, the Supreme Court of Virginia decided numerous cases that impact the practice of construction litigation in the Commonwealth. This flurry of activity by the high court reflects its apparent attempt to clarify an approach to the interpretation of contracts that fall outside the scope of the Uniform Commercial Code. By addressing an increasing number of cases in this area of the law, the court has been able to adapt many of its longstanding precedents to the problems found in today\u27s construction contracting environment. This Survey article evaluates recent construction cases concerning the use of applicable federal law in contracts governed by Virginia law, the appropriate measure of delay damages, the grounds for finding a contract or modification between parties, the enforcement ofliquidated damages provisions, the proper enforcement of the statute of limitations or statute of repose, and the application of statutory remedies