Plugging Abandoned Water Wells

8 pp., 3 diagramsThis brochure explains the threat of abandoned water wells to groundwater resources and the responsibility and liability of Texas property owners. It offers information to landowners on ways to plug such wells

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Pump Tank

4 pp., 2 figuresPump tanks are concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene containers that collect wastewater to be dosed into the soil at intervals. This publication explains the design and maintenance of pump tanks, and it offers advice on what to do if a pump tank alarm is activated

Capping of Water Wells for Future Use

4 pp., 4 photos, 1 illustrationWater wells that are not being used, but that might be needed in the future, can be sealed with a cap that covers the top of the well casing pipe to prevent unauthorized access and contamination of the well. This publication explains how to cap a well safely and securely

Organized Common Sense: Some Lessons from Judge Jack Weinstein’s Uncommonly Sensible Approach to Expert Evidence

Long before the United States Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Judge Jack Weinstein had turned his considerable brilliance toward the problem of how best to integrate scientific research into legal decision making. His approach was to bring a sophisticated critical eye to proffered scientific evidence, much in line with Thomas Huxley’s view that “science is … nothing but trained and organized common sense.” However, although Judge Weinstein has invariably brought uncommon common sense to the subject, many lawyers and judges have not. This is likely due largely to the lack of empirical training among the bench and bar. This lack of scientific training is well illustrated in our survey of the etymology of the concept of differential etiology. Differential etiology refers to a method of determining the identity of the cause of a particular illness. While sound logically, this concept is entirely a product of judicial craftsmanship that originated in another diagnostic concept known as differential diagnosis. Differential diagnosis refers to a method of determining the identity of the illness—not its cause. Whereas differential diagnosis is a well-accepted medical principle, differential etiology has no such roots in medicine or science. The history of how courts came to employ the concept of differential etiology reveals that, for the most part, the courts simply confused the two terms, with etiology eventually substituting for diagnosis. This history is representative of the many shadows that still shroud the intersection of law and science. Judge Jack Weinstein, of course, has always possessed an uncommonly bright light that has cast aside many a shadow in the law, and his expert evidence jurisprudence is no exception

On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems: Soil Particle Analysis Procedure

24 pp., 15 color photos, 4 tables, 5 illustrationsSoil is an important component of an on-site wastewater treatment system. This publication explains the composition of soils, the sizing of soil particles, and the ways soil particles are analyzed to determine whether a site is suitable for a wastewater treatment system. Color photographs illustrate important processes such as analyzing gravel and determining soil texture. A worksheet details the bouyoucos hydrometer method of measuring soil particle size. There are also helpful data sheets for recording information

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Spray Distribution System

4 pp., 3 figuresSpray distribution systems for wastewater are much like lawn sprinkler systems, in that they spray treated wastewater over the surface of a yard. This publication explains how spray distribution systems work, what their design requirements are, and how to maintain them

Attitude Accuracy Study for the Earth Observing System (EOS) AM-1 Spacecraft

Earth Observing System (EOS) spacecraft will take measurements of the Earth's clouds, oceans, atmosphere, land, and radiation balance. These EOS spacecraft are part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mission to Planet Earth, and consist of several series of satellites, with each series specializing in a particular class of observations. This paper focuses on the EOS AM-1 spacecraft, which is the first of three satellites constituting the EOS AM series (morning equatorial crossing) and the initial spacecraft of the EOS program. EOS AM-1 has a stringent onboard attitude knowledge requirement, of 36/41/44 arc seconds (3 sigma) in yaw/roll/pitch, respectively. During normal mission operations, attitude is determined onboard using an extended Kalman sequential filter via measurements from two charge coupled device (CCD) star trackers, one Fine Sun Sensor, and an Inertial Rate Unit. The attitude determination error analysis system (ADEAS) was used to model the spacecraft and mission profile, and in a worst case scenario with only one star tracker in operation, the attitude uncertainty was 9.7/ll.5/12.2 arc seconds (3 sigma) in yaw/roll/pitch. The quoted result assumed the spacecraft was in nominal attitude, using only the 1-rotation per orbit motion of the spacecraft about the pitch axis for calibration of the gyro biases. Deviations from the nominal attitude would show greater attitude uncertainties, unless calibration maneuvers which roll and/or yaw the spacecraft have been performed. This permits computation of the gyro misalignments, and the attitude knowledge requirement would remain satisfied

On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems: Evapotranspiration Bed

4 pp., 2 figuresEvapotranspiration (ET) beds treat wastewater in the soil by evaporation and by transpiration from plants growing there. This publication explains the treatment, design, operation and maintenance of ET beds

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Septic Tank/Soil Absorption Field

4 pp., 2 figures, 2 tablesFor septic tank and soil absorption systems to work properly, homeowners must choose the right kind of system for their household size and soil type, and they must maintain them regularly. This publication explains the treatment, design, operation, and maintenance of septic tank and soil absorption systems