Relevance: Definition and Limitations-Conforming the California Evidence Code to the Federal Rules of Evidence

This Article examines from a comparative perspective the rules of evidence relating to relevance and its limits. The Article compares the approaches of the California Evidence Code ( Code ) and the Federal Rules of Evidence ( Rules ) to challenges to the introduction of evidence on the grounds of irrelevance or on the basis of limits placed on the introduction of relevant evidence

Opportunistic visualization with iVoLVER

Proposed as 'data analysis anywhere, anytime, from anything', Opportunistic Information Visualization (Opportu-Vis) [1] seeks to provide analytical support in scenarios where the data of interest is not explicitly available and has to be retrieved from digital artifacts that are not traditionally used as data sources. Examples include raster images, web pages, vector files, and photographs. This showpiece presents how iVoLVER, the Interactive Visual Language for Visualization Extraction and Reconstruction, provides support in such settings. We briefly describe the overall construction approach of the tool in scenarios where different digital artifacts are used to compose interactive visuals. All of this becomes possible by using the data extraction capabilities of iVoLVER together with the elements of its visual language.Postprin

LCA of alternative biochar production technologies

This paper investigates the environmental performance of biochar produced using different technologies including: traditional earth kiln; metal ring kiln, Missouri kiln and Missouri with gas recycling. The analysis has been produced using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and includes extensive inventory of direct gas emissions during the carbonization stage. The normalized analysis evidence that the impact categories most severely affected are photochemical oxidant formation, human toxicity and climate change. In the case of climate change, impact values ranged between 2773 and 4714 kg CO2/ton, with lower emissions produced by advanced carbonization technologies due to higher product yields, improved thermal efficiency (which results in reduced combustion of primary products) and elimination of volatile pollutants in the gas condenser and post-combustor. Single point indicator analysis evidences a 33-40 % reduction in environmental impact when using advanced processing methods compared to traditional charcoal production

Statistical optimization of a culture medium for biomass and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by a recombinant Escherichia coli strain using agroindustrial byproducts

A statistically based Plackett-Burman screening design identified milk whey and corn steep liquor concentrations as well as ionic strength (based on phosphate buffer concentration) as the three main independent components of the culture medium that significantly (p < 0.05) influenced biomass and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) production in recombinant cells of Escherichia coli. This strain carries a plasmid encoding phb genes from a natural isolate of Azotobacte sp. Response surface methodology, using a central composite rotatable design, demonstrated that the optimal concentrations of the three components, defined as those yielding maximal biomass and PHB production in shaken flasks, were 37.96 g deproteinated milk whey powder/l, 29.39 g corn steep liquor/l, and 23.76 g phosphates/l (r2 = 0.957). The model was validated by culturing the recombinant cells in medium containing these optimal concentrations, which yielded 9.41 g biomass/l and 6.12 g PHB/l in the culture broth. Similar amounts of PHB were obtained following batch fermentations in a bioreactor. These results show that PHB can be produced efficiently by culturing the recombinant strain in medium containing cheap carbon and nitrogen sources. [Int Microbiol 2005; 8(4):243-250

Los macroproyectos de interés social nacional y su impacto frente al ordenamiento territorial: el caso de Ciudad Verde

El presente artículo busca profundizar en la temática de los Macroproyectos de Interés Social Nacional, figura implementada por las últimas dos administraciones del nivel nacional con la intención de dinamizar la producción de Vivienda de Interés Social en todo Colombia, ahondando en las implicaciones que a nivel del ordenamiento territorial y urbano han tenido en diferentes contextos en los que se han venido ejecutando. En ese sentido, se evaluará la aplicación de este instrumento en términos de sus relaciones contextuales, manejo de los recursos del suelo y las respuestas urbano-territoriales articuladas a diferentes sistemas territoriales. De manera complementaria, se hace un análisis del Macroproyecto con mayor oferta habitacional que se construye actualmente en el país, específicamente en el Municipio de Soacha, Cundinamarca, denominado Ciudad Verde, para lo cual se tienen en cuenta algunos criterios de urbanismo sostenible con el fin de establecer los principales puntos positivos y negativos de su implementación.This paper explores the theme of the Social Housing Macroprojects, figure implemented by the national goverment in the last two administrations intended to boost the production of this kind of housing throughout Colombia, deeping into the implications over the land use that have been presenting in different contexts where they have been running. In this sense, this work evaluates the application of this instrument in terms of their contextual relationships and the management of soil resources and its urban-regional articulation at different territorial systems. Additionally, this article shows an analysis of the Macroproject with the biggest housing offer in the country, located in the municipality of Soacha , Cundinamarca, called Green City, taking into account some aspects of sustainable urbanism in order to identify the main positive and negative aspects on its implementation.Peer Reviewe