Thermodynamics of a collapsing shell in an expanding Universe

We describe the quasi-static collapse of a radiating, spherical shell of matter in de Sitter space-time using a thermodynamical formalism. It is found that the specific heat at constant area and other thermodynamical quantities exhibit singularities related to phase transitions during the collapse.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Microscopic model approaches to fragmentation of nuclei and phase transitions in nuclear matter

The properties of excited nuclear matter and the quest for a phase transition which is expected to exist in this system are the subject of intensive investigations. High energy nuclear collisions between finite nuclei which lead to matter fragmentation are used to investigate these properties. The present report covers effective work done on the subject over the two last decades. The analysis of experimental data is confronted with two major problems, the setting up of thermodynamic equilibrium in a time-dependent fragmentation process and the finite size of nuclei. The present status concerning the first point is presented. Simple classical models of disordered systems are derived starting with the generic bond percolation approach. These lattice and cellular equilibrium models, like percolation approaches, describe successfully experimental fragment multiplicity distributions. They also show the properties of systems which undergo a thermodynamic phase transition. Physical observables which are devised to show the existence and to fix the order of critical behaviour are presented. Applications to the models are shown. Thermodynamic properties of finite systems undergoing critical behaviour are advantageously described in the framework of the microcanonical ensemble. Applications to the designed models and to experimental data are presented and analysed. Perspectives of further developments of the field are suggested.Comment: 150 pages including 28 figures. To be published in Phys. Rep. Corrected discussion in section 3.2.3 and new Fig.5. New caption of Fig.2

The Adoption and Execution of Successful Levy Campaign Strategies in Districts with Low Voter Support

Passing an operating levy campaign for additional revenue in the State of Ohio is an extremely challenging task for school districts. Ohio is the only state that freezes its local property taxes at the amount approved by the voters with no increases for inflation. As a result, school districts in Ohio are continually seeking voter support for their levy campaigns to acquire the revenue they need to give their students an adequate education. While the focus of this study was to identify campaign strategies that were successful in districts with low voter support, it cannot be concluded these same campaign strategies will be successful with any school district seeking to pass a school levy. Five Ohio superintendents, from districts identified characterized with low voter support, were interviewed for this study. During these interviews, several campaign strategies were discussed based on the existing literature, and other campaign strategies emerged. The campaign strategies used during these successful levy campaigns included: utilizing voter modeling, targeting specific voters, creating urgency, careful campaign planning, engaging the community, positive messaging, canvassing, reaching out to absentee voters, motivating voters the weekend before the election (getting out the vote), utilizing social media, hiring a campaign consultant, being committed to the campaign, instilling pride in the school district, and developing trust with the community and the school district. There are several leadership strategies that superintendents should consider while leading a levy campaign: consistently communicating with their levy committee and their constituents; highlighting the accomplishments of their district; cultivating and maintaining personal relationships with their community; and enacting distributive leadership, which includes finding the most talented people to work on the levy campaign and allowing them to fulfill a meaningful role during the campaign

The adoption and execution of successful levy campaign strategies in districts with low voter support

Passing an operating levy campaign for additional revenue in the State of Ohio is an extremely challenging task for school districts. Ohio is the only state that freezes its local property taxes at the amount approved by the voters with no increases for inflation. As a result, school districts in Ohio are continually seeking voter support for their levy campaigns to acquire the revenue they need to give their students an adequate education. While the focus of this study was to identify campaign strategies that were successful in districts with low voter support, it cannot be concluded these same campaign strategies will be successful with any school district seeking to pass a school levy. Five Ohio superintendents, from districts identified characterized with low voter support, were interviewed for this study. During these interviews, several campaign strategies were discussed based on the existing literature, and other campaign strategies emerged. The campaign strategies used during these successful levy campaigns included: utilizing voter modeling, targeting specific voters, creating urgency, careful campaign planning, engaging the community, positive messaging, canvassing, reaching out to absentee voters, motivating voters the weekend before the election (getting out the vote), utilizing social media, hiring a campaign consultant, being committed to the campaign, instilling pride in the school district, and developing trust with the community and the school district. There are several leadership strategies that superintendents should consider while leading a levy campaign: consistently communicating with their levy committee and their constituents; highlighting the accomplishments of their district; cultivating and maintaining personal relationships with their community; and enacting distributive leadership, which includes finding the most talented people to work on the levy campaign and allowing them to fulfill a meaningful role during the campaign