From Scapegoats to Victims: The Case of the Isaias Brothers and some Novelties on Transnational Litigation

This is a case study of a legal dispute that has shaken Ecuador for over three decades, serving as a living lab for examining how international relations, international law, politics, and comparative law influence and nurture transnational litigation strategies. In the late 1990s, the Isaías brothers went from being Ecuador’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals to facing accusations as the masterminds behind the largest financial embezzlement case in history. Subsequently, The state seized billions of dollars’ worth of assets belonging to the Isaías family, setting the stage for a twenty-year transnational legal battle. This study has three objectives. First, it aims to provide a comprehensive account of the procedural history of one of Ecuador’s most complex and controversial trials with potential implications for Latin America. Second, it seeks to examine the impact of this case on the Act of State Doctrine. Finally, it investigates how transnational litigation in the field of human rights before the Universal System can become a highly effective path for safeguarding private assets. Ultimately, this essay narrates one of the most intense and intriguing transnational litigation cases in Latin America, while offering systematic insights and lessons derived from it.Este es un estudio de caso sobre un litigio que ha sacudido a Ecuador por más de tres décadas. Este caso es un laboratorio vivo para estudiar cómo las estrategias de litigio transnacional se ven influenciadas y nutridas por las relaciones internacionales, el derecho internacional público, la política y el derecho comparado. A finales de la década de 1990, los hermanos Isaías pasaron de ser los hombres más ricos y poderosos de Ecuador, a ser acusados como los culpables del mayor desfalco financiero en la historia. El Estado incautó miles de millones de dólares en bienes de los Isaías y comenzó una batalla legal transnacional de veinte años. Este trabajo tiene tres objetivos. Primero, hacer un relato riguroso de la historia procesal de uno de los juicios más complejos y controversiales de la historia de Ecuador con posibles efectos en América Latina. Luego, estudiar su impacto en la Doctrina de Acto e Estado. Finalmente, estudiar cómo el litigio transnacional en el ámbito de los derechos humanos ante el Sistema Universal puede convertirse en un camino altamente efectivo para la protección de los intereses patrimoniales. Este ensayo relata uno de los casos de litigio transnacional más intensos e interesantes de América Latina y sistematiza sus lecciones

Semiclassical Nonlinear Approach for Mesoscopic Circuit

Based on energy conservation considerations we study the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a quantum mesoscopic circuit, which is characterized through parameters of inductance and capacitance. Nonlinearity is given by the initial conditions of magnetic flux and discreteness charge which oscillate in the interval [- , + ], being the magnetic flux normalized by . This LC circuit with quantized electric charge is excited by energy battery that can produce an electrical discreteness charge on the capacitor. The dynamics of the mesoscopic circuit is highly nonlinear. Our results show for the magnetic flux a nearly square wave with an elongated period when compared with the linear case and a train of narrow pulses for the discrete charge

A Seismic Channel Model: The San Ramon Fault

Although seismic waves have been studied for many years, their soliton structure has only recently studied. Deformation solitons propagate along earthquake faults and can induce large earthquakes. Rotation solitons are generated in earthquake sources and propagate throughout the Earth. The conclusion to be reached from our paper is that the research on seismic solitons is essential for investigating the propagation of seismic waves and helps understand mechanisms triggering earthquakes. This paper discusses the development of elastodynamics equations similar to Maxwell's equations in a chiral -mode which is applied to a seismic channel, which is dispersive and nonlinear. The chirality is described in terms of the formalism proposed by Born-Fedorov. The nonlinearity is Kerr-type, and dispersion of the medium is taken into account explicitly through the Taylor series expansion. Through numerical calculations these theoretical results allow us analyze the soliton propagation of S-seismic pulses which can induce strong earthquakes. The numerical calculation is applied to the San Ramon Fault localized in Santiago City, Chile which is a seismically active fault that is a main element to be considered in any study on seismic hazard assessment for this city

Behind taxonomic variability: The functional redundancy in the tick microbiome

The taxonomic composition and diversity of tick midgut microbiota have been extensively studied in different species of the genera Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Argas and Ornithodoros, while the functional significance of bacterial diversity has been proportionally less explored. In this study, we used previously published 16S amplicon sequence data sets from three Ixodes scapularis cohorts, two of uninfected nymphs, and one of larvae experimentally infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, to test the functional redundancy of the tick microbiome. We predicted the metabolic profiling of each sample using the state-of-the-art metagenomics tool PICRUSt2. The results showed that the microbiomes of all I. scapularis samples share only 80 taxa (24.6%, total 324), while out of the 342 metabolic pathways predicted, 82.7%, were shared by all the ticks. Borrelia-infected larvae lack 15.4% of pathways found in the microbiome of uninfected nymphs. Taxa contribution analysis showed that the functional microbiome of uninfected ticks was highly redundant, with, in some cases, up to 198 bacterial taxa contributing to a single pathway. However, Borrelia-infected larvae had a smaller redundancy with 6.7% of pathways provided by more than 100 genera, while 15.7–19.2% of pathways were provided by more than 100 genera in the two cohorts of uninfected ticks. In addition, we compared the functional profiles of three microbial communities from each data set, identified through a network-based approach, and we observed functional similarity between them. Based on the functional redundancy and functional similarity of the microbiome of ticks in different developmental stages and infection status, we concluded that the tick gut microbiota is a self-regulating community of very diverse bacteria contributing to a defined set of metabolic pathways and functions with yet unexplored relevance for tick fitness and/or bacterial community stability. We propose a change of focus in which the tick microbiome must be analyzed in all dimensions, highlighting their functional traits, instead of the conventional taxonomic profiling

High throughput SNP discovery and genotyping in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) by combining a re-sequencing approach and SNPlex technology

Background: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most abundant type of DNA sequence polymorphisms. Their higher availability and stability when compared to simple sequence repeats (SSRs) provide enhanced possibilities for genetic and breeding applications such as cultivar identification, construction of genetic maps, the assessment of genetic diversity, the detection of genotype/phenotype associations, or marker-assisted breeding. In addition, the efficiency of these activities can be improved thanks to the ease with which SNP genotyping can be automated. Expressed sequence tags (EST) sequencing projects in grapevine are allowing for the in silico detection of multiple putative sequence polymorphisms within and among a reduced number of cultivars. In parallel, the sequence of the grapevine cultivar Pinot Noir is also providing thousands of polymorphisms present in this highly heterozygous genome. Still the general application of those SNPs requires further validation since their use could be restricted to those specific genotypes. Results: In order to develop a large SNP set of wide application in grapevine we followed a systematic re-sequencing approach in a group of 11 grape genotypes corresponding to ancient unrelated cultivars as well as wild plants. Using this approach, we have sequenced 230 gene fragments, what represents the analysis of over 1 Mb of grape DNA sequence. This analysis has allowed the discovery of 1573 SNPs with an average of one SNP every 64 bp (one SNP every 47 bp in non-coding regions and every 69 bp in coding regions). Nucleotide diversity in grape ( = 0.0051) was found to be similar to values observed in highly polymorphic plant species such as maize. The average number of haplotypes per gene sequence was estimated as six, with three haplotypes representing over 83% of the analyzed sequences. Short-range linkage disequilibrium (LD) studies within the analyzed sequences indicate the existence of a rapid decay of LD within the selected grapevine genotypes. To validate the use of the detected polymorphisms in genetic mapping, cultivar identification and genetic diversity studies we have used the SNPlex genotyping technology in a sample of grapevine genotypes and segregating progenies. Conclusion: These results provide accurate values for nucleotide diversity in coding sequences and a first estimate of short-range LD in grapevine. Using SNPlex genotyping we have shown the application of a set of discovered SNPs as molecular markers for cultivar identification, linkage mapping and genetic diversity studies. Thus, the combination a highly efficient re-sequencing approach and the SNPlex high throughput genotyping technology provide a powerful tool for grapevine genetic analysis. © 2007 Lijavetzky et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Determination of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Three-layer Boards of Teak (Tectona grandis), Seike (Cedrelinga catenaeformis) and Mascarey (Hieronima alchorneoides), Company PISMADE S.A., Riobamba Canton, Chimborazo Province

The present investigation aims to determine the physical and mechanical properties in three-layer boards of Teak (Tectona grandis), Seike (Cedrelinga catenaeformis) and Mascarey (Hieronima alchorneoides), from the PISMADE S.A. Company, Canton Riobamba, province of Chimborazo. The three specimens used for each of the species in each of the tests performed were worked on using the ASTM D143-94 standard for the tests of parallel compression, perpendicular compression and flexion, and the DIN-52182 standard, with the main variation in thickness measurements caused by the commercial use established by the company. Mechanical tests showed that Seike had the best results, being superior in two tests: perpendicular compression and flexion. Teak tests gave us results that were superior in the perpendicular compression test. Mascarey, unlike the two species mentioned above, had complications during the trials due to problems with the glue between layers. Keywords: physical and mechanical properties of wood, three-layer boards. Resumen La presente investigación pretende: Determinar las propiedades físicas y mecánicas en tableros tricapa de Teca, Seike (Cedrelinga catenaeformis) y Mascarey (Hyeronima alchorneoides), Empresa PISMADE S.A., cantón Riobamba, provincia de Chimborazo; para lo cual se utilizaron 3 probetas por cada una de las especies en cada uno de los ensayos realizados, las mismas fueron trabajadas con base a la Norma ASTM D143-94 para las pruebas de compresión paralela, compresión perpendicular y flexión y la Norma DIN-52182, teniendo como principal variación en las medidas de espesor debido al uso comercial establecido por la empresa. Las pruebas mecánicas mostraron que Seike tuvo los mejores resultados al ser superior en dos ensayos: Compresión perpendicular y flexión. Los ensayos con Teca nos dieron como resultados que es superior en el ensayo de compresión perpendicular. Mascarey a diferencia de las dos especies mencionadas anteriormente tuvo complicaciones con los ensayos debido a problemas con el pegamento entre capas. Palabras clave: propiedades físicas y mecánicas de la madera, tableros tricapa

Plantas de cobertura de solo para sistema plantio direto.

A camada de palha, sobre o solo, e essencial para o sucesso do Sistema Plantio Direto (SPD). Cria um ambiente extremamente favoravel as condicoes fisicas, quimicas e biologicas do solo contribuindo para o controle de plantas daninhas, estabilizacao da producao e recuperacao ou manutencao da qualidade do solo. O sistema de rotacao e sucessao de culturas deve ser adequado para permitir a manutencao de uma cobertura minima do solo com palha. Na escolha destas plantas, e fator decisivo conhecer a sua adaptacao a regiao e sua habilidade em crescer num ambiente menos favoravel, uma vez que as culturas comerciais sao estabelecidas nas epocas mais propicias. Isto e especialmente verdade nas condicoes de Brasil Central, onde o inverno e seco, ao passo que na regiao Sul, de inverno umido, nao existe essa limitacao e ha maior opcao de plantas adaptadas as condicoes do inverno. Existem muitas plantas de cobertura para as diferentes regioes edafoclimaticas do Brasil, e a experiencia local e decisiva nesta selecao. Em qualquer situacao, deve-se ter sempre em mente que nao existe uma planta milagrosa e que o ideal e ter mais de uma dessas especies no sistema de producao, onde busca-se aliar renda a preservacao ambiental