This paper presents a study of the Twenty·-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The Amendment was first proposed to Congress as Senate and House Joint Resolutions in February 1965. It became law in February 1967, when Nevada secured the distinction of being the 38th state to ratify it, thus fulfilling the required agreement by three·-fourths of the states. The Amendment has not yet been tested. It is the first comprehensive legislative attempt to solve three related problems that have plagued the executive branch of our government since the earliest days of the Union.

Americans express support for “the environment” with environmental support cutting across political and demographic differences and cleavages. In the past 15 years, however, period effects, political sorting, and the emergence of a powerful anti-environmental movement have lessened the generalized levels of environmental support. Using the 2012 CCES survey, the expressed attitudes regarding multiple environmental issues found significant differences in levels of environmental support nationally by party, Tea Party attitudes, ideology, and certain demographic characteristics. For Floridians, the differences between the most pro-environmental respondents and the most anti-environmental are narrower; partisan identification itself is not significant in environmental attitudes; but ideology, Tea party support, and to a lesser degree, gender and race are associated in explaining variances in environmental attitudes. Voting decision behavior previously observed only for certain environmental issues appears to be influenced by multiple environmental positions. The significance of age on environmental attitudes remains perplexing with evidence for both younger and older respondents' support for environmentalism, as compared to the support expressed by persons aged 40-59. Support and opposition for a specific Florida constitutional ballot proposition on environmental land conservative acquisition reflect partisan and gender divides, and the impact of attitudes regarding an unpopular elected national official. Environmentalism appears to be further evidence of the “Big Sort” in American politics, increasingly likely to be used as an interparty wedge issue and for intraparty base mobilizations. The need for further research and the implications for environmental activists conclude this thesis.

In November of 1964, California voters approved by a very substantial margin the legislative measure known as Proposition 14, a hotly contested constitutional amendment which abolished all then-existing Fair Housing Legislation and prohibited local levels of government from acting in such matters in the future. This legislation was sponsored by the California Real Estate Association and essentially was a response to a recently passed Fair Housing Law known as the Rumford Act, which prohibited discrimination in the sale and rental of housing and assigned enforcement responsibilities to the State Fair Employment Practices Commission. During the year preceding the election, the issue had become one of intense concern in California and to a lesser extent nationally. Official church bodies and other civic and professional organizations were drawn into strong opposition; volunteer opposition groups were formed throughout the state; the constitutionality of the measure was challenged in the State Supreme Court; and in general the matter became one of deep emotional involvement. Substantially, during the campaign, attitudes focused around the questions of morality, human rights, and constitutional rights.

After mineral exploitation the residual grinded and milled material, rich in sulphide minerals and heavy metals, is often left exposed to the atmospheric variables. This weathered mine waste material can lead to the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) which has negative effects to the environment. The fractionation of stable isotope of metals such as Cu and Fe can be measured using innovative analytical techniques developed recently and could offer a detailed hindsight of the geochemical processes occurring in mine contaminated sites. Tailings profiles from Northern Sweden with high content of Cu and Fe sulphides and in different stages of weathering and/or remediation, along with plant and soil samples from a phytoremediation test site in Ronneburg, Germany were analysed using MC-ICP-MS to measure the isotope ratios of 65Cu/63Cu and 56Fe/54Fe. The analytical method used requires anion exchange chromatography to extract Cu and Fe from a complex matrix prior to the proper isotope ratio measurement. The samples from the tailings profile were useful to interpret the geochemical processes that can lead to a fractionation of Cu and Fe in the field, since redox-driven reactions such as rock oxidation and mineral precipitation are present in such environment. This study shows that precipitation of covellite in a redox-boundary zone in a mine tailings can cause a clear fractionation of Cu (Δ65Curock-covellite= -5.66±0.05‰) and a depletion of the lighter Cu isotope in the oxidised areas of the tailings due to dissolution of the remaining Cu-sulphides. Precipitation of Fe(oxy)hydroxides as a result of the oxidation process of sulphide-bearing rocks can also fractionate Fe, being the precipitated mineral slightly enriched in 56Fe.The influence of soil bacteria and plant uptake in the fractionation of Cu and Fe was investigated in pot and field experiments at the Ronneburg site, where organic amendments were used. The results showed that the plant material was enriched in the lighter Fe isotope compared to the substrate used in the pot and field experiments, in spite of the application of a bacterial consortium. Cu isotope fractionation is more susceptible to the changes in the amendments used, being those bacterial consortium, mychorriza or compost than Fe isotope fractionation. There are differences in the fractionation values in pot and field trials, regardless of the type of organic amendment applied. As an overall view, leaves are enriched in the heavier Cu isotope compared to the soils, regardless of the amendment usedThe application of the results obtained in this work would help not only to offer a view in the cycle of Fe and Cu in the surface environment, and the understanding of the (bio)geochemical processes occurring in sulphide soil surfaces. But also in the way that current remediation techniques of metal contaminated sites could be evaluated, having in mind that simplified systems show a different Cu and Fe fractionation compared to natural systems where more variables are needed to take into account.

No description available.

Post-mining land use potentials are greatly influenced by mine soil properties. I analyzed and classified coal mine soils in SW VA and mineral sands mine soils in SE VA to aid development of appropriate post-mining land use interpretations. For coal mine soils, long-term pedogenesis was assessed in sandstone (SS) and/or siltstone (SiS) spoils with and without surface amendments. For mineral sands mined lands, I evaluated their spatial variability with respect to underlying relic mining influences and rowcrop productivity. Coal mine subsoils densified as root-limiting layers formed that were not observed initially and all soils had weak pedogenic development (^Bw; cambic horizons), particularly SS derived soils. Initial rock spoil type strongly influenced coal mine soils over time (i.e., SS had coarser textures and lower subsoil pH vs. SiS). However, most soil chemical properties (e.g., pH, EC, CEC) became similar in ^A horizons over time. Fe-oxides increased, and extractable-P decreased with weathering, raising concerns for long-term P-availability. Organic amendments applied to rock spoil surfaces sustained higher total-N (sawdust and biosolids) and extractable P (biosolids). Soil carbon sequestration rates did not differ among rock types or amendments (0.16 to 0.28 Mg ha yr-1). Further, mineral sands mine soils were limited by densic contacts and short-range variability of important properties (texture) appeared related to underlying relic mining features (pits and berms). Yields in reclaimed soils were more variable than in adjacent undisturbed farmland, but mean yields were only slightly reduced for soybean in 2020. Coloration and Fe-oxide spectral indices had weak to moderate negative correlations with yield. Berm positions supported better soybean growth (three out of five sites), while pit positions were redder/darker (one out of five sites). Current Soil Taxonomy conveys anthropogenic origins at the family (e.g., spolic) and subgroup (e.g., Anthroportic) levels. Existing taxa and proposed Artesols order criteria both acknowledge effective soil depth x compaction limitations (Anthrodensic subgroup), but Artesols more effectively recognizes pedogenesis (Inceptic subgroup) and acknowledges mine soils at the highest level. The biggest management limitation for both mine soil types is root-limiting compaction; thus, future efforts should focus on defining depth ranges and taxonomic interpretations for densic contacts. / Doctor of Philosophy / Surface mining results in drastic disturbances to the original soil, land, and water features. Actual impacts vary due to local site conditions and methods used for mineral extraction and reclamation. Advancing reclamation science requires an understanding of the resulting mine soil properties and how they vary spatially and develop over time. This research program involved two very different mining scenarios and resultant mine soil types in Virginia that were both evaluated in terms of soil properties, taxonomic placements, and land use interpretations. First, I assessed Appalachian coal mine soils in southwestern Virginia following 34 years of soil development in sandstone (SS) and/or siltstone (SiS) derived overburden with and without surface amendments. Over time, rocky mine spoils transformed into weakly developed soil profiles, commonly with four to five total distinct layers (horizons), along with apparent "self-compacted" layers at depth. SS soils were coarser textured with somewhat better subsoil structure, while SiS soils were finer textured and had higher subsoil pH. However, many chemical properties were similar in the soil surface. Organic amendments and topsoil return imparted only subtle differences over time. A secondary objective was to assess mineral sands mine soils, which originate from recombined Coastal Plain sediments. Due to the nature of their wet deposition during final reclamation, these mine soils exhibited high variability across local landforms. Soil profiles over former berm positions were composed mostly of sandier materials, while pit positions had more variable materials and features. Reclaimed rowcrop yields were moderately correlated with bare soil remotely sensed variables. Soils in pit positions were redder in color due to higher clay. While yields were variable, especially in drier years, berms appeared to support better soybean growth, but results were inconsistent across fields. For both mine soil types, root-limiting compaction is their biggest impediment to productive use. Forestry is the predominant post-mining land use on former coal mines, while rowcrop production is becoming more common on former minerals sands mines. Since these two different post-mining environments present unique challenges for correctly interpreting their post-disturbance land-uses, it is important to convey their special properties (e.g., densic contacts) and limitations in their classification.

The fact that when lime is added to clayey soils same very beneficial results are produced dates back into the remote past. It is not a new development, In the United States lime has been in use since l923. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing soaking time of soil-lime mixtures on the strength, swell potential, and degree of saturation. In order to ascertain the exact composition of clay minerals, X-ray diffraction analysis was run on the soil sample. The analysis showed that the clayey soil contained a large amount of water with a greater percentage of halloysite minerals. The soil, it was concluded, was poorly crystalline and was found to be midway between montmorillonite and kaolinite group. / Master of Science

Thesis (MPhil (Political Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / This study undertakes to look at the relationship between peace agreements and the violence that follows these agreements. Throughout modern history, there are examples of peace agreements between two warring internal factions that ended in post-conflict violence and in extreme cases, to the end of the peace agreement. It does not necessarily lead to full out war, but can manifest in riots, like Malaysia and criminal violence in South Africa. This study attempts to compare both South Africa and Malaysia by looking specifically at the reasons for post conflict violence. South Africa has faced a growing problem with violent crime after the negotiations of the early 1990’s and its result, the new constitution of 1993, that functioned as the peace agreement. Malaysia moved through several constitutions to arrive at their constitution of 1957 that which viewed as their constitutional agreement. This constitutional agreement went to great lengths to protect the sons of the soil, the bumiputra. The uneasy peace only lasted until 1969, when race riots followed the general elections and left hundreds dead or injured. By studying South Africa and Malaysia and looking at the underlying factors of violence, with special focus on ethnic factors and especially poverty, can we move closer to the underlying causes of post conflict violence. Malaysia tried to address these problems by making constitutional amendments, following the 1969 riots. These amendments were implemented in 1972. Since then the problem of post conflict violence has been addressed to some extent. There are however, still factors of violence that have not been completely eradicated, that might lead to a flaring of violence again one day. The question that this thesis tries to address in the end is, if we need to consider and implement constitutional amendments, like Malaysia, to address our growing problem of post conflict violence. I attempt here to answer this question, comparing the histories of South Africa and Malaysia and the underlying factors of violence to see exactly how similar these states are and if the same solution can work for both.

The effects of managing soil with organic amendments were examined with respect to soil microbial community dynamics, macroaggregate formation, and plant physio-genetic responses. The objective was to examine the possibility of managing soil microbial communities via soil management, such that the microbial community would provide agronomic benefits. In part one of this research, effects of three amendments (hairy vetch residue, manure, compost) on soil chemical and microbial properties were examined relative to formation of large macroaggregates in three different soils. Vetch and manure promoted fungal proliferation (measured via two biomarkers: fatty acid methyl ester 18:2ω6c and ergosterol) and also stimulated the greatest macroaggregate formation. In part two of this research, effects of soil management (same amendments as above, inorganic N fertilization, organic production) on soil chemical and microbial properties were examined relative to the expression of nitrogen assimilation and defense response genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Soil management affected expression of a nitrogen assimilation gene (GS1, glutamine synthetase) and several defense-related genes. The GS1 gene was downregulated with inorganic N fertilization, expression of the pathogenesis-related PR1b gene (which codes for the pathogenesis-related PR1b protein) was increased in plants grown in soil amended with compost, vetch, and N fertilizer, and expression of three other defense-related genes coding for chitinase (ChiB), osmotin (Osm), and β-1,3-glucanase (GluA) were decreased in plants from soil amended with manure and in plants from the organically managed soil. Differential expression of defense-related genes was inversely related to the relative abundance of Gram-negative bacteria. The relative abundance of the 18:1ω7c Gram‑negative bacterial biomarker was greatest in manure treated soil and in organically managed soil (which recieves seasonal manure applications). These treatments also had the lowest expression of ChiB, Osm, and GluA, leading to speculation that manure, through increases in Gram-negative bacteria, may have suppressed populations of soil organisms that induce a defense response in plants, possibly allowing for less-stressed plants. Outcomes of this research may be useful for those interested in developing management strategies for maintaining or improving soil structure as well as those interested in understanding management effects plant physio-genetic responses.

Workplace discrimination for individuals with visual impairments in the U.S. is an ongoing issue dating before the founding of the EEOC and the enactment of the ADA. Despite laws enacted to protect against unequal treatment in the workplace, the EEOC continues to receive submissions of formal discrimination charges from individuals with visual impairments. The workplace is experiencing changes with increasing amounts of older adults, women, minorities, and the use of technology and the Internet. By examining characteristics of the discrimination charges and the resulting outcomes, the knowledge gained can describe the current situation and the historical progression of workplace discrimination for individuals with visual impairments. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to understand through descriptive, non-parametric, and logistical regression analyses of secondary data, meaningful associations regarding workplace discrimination and Americans with visual impairments. Study results showed that charging party characteristics of age, gender, and race were found to be predictive of types of discrimination charges and resolutions outcomes. Respondent characteristics of employer region of location, size, and industry were also found to be predictive of types of discrimination charges and resolution outcomes. Differences were revealed between discrimination charges before and after the enactment of the ADAAA, yet not between resolution outcomes before and after the enactment of the ADAAA. Additionally, discrimination charges and resolution outcomes were determined to be associated with one another. Implications for employees, employers, and professionals who work with individuals with visual impairments are addressed and recommendations for further research are provided.