Estimating the uncertainty associated with Widmark's equation as commonly applied in forensic toxicology

No computation is performed more frequently by forensic toxicologists than that involving Widmark's equation. The equation is employed to estimate either the number of drinks consumed or the corresponding blood or breath alcohol concentration. Despite the wide use of Widmark's equation, rarely is an uncertainty estimate also provided. Estimates from Widmark's equation involve at least seven uncertain random variables. Uncertainty estimates are presented that rely on methods of general error propagation compared to a method developed by Widmark. Assuming reasonable variable and uncertainty estimates, the error propagation method yielded for N=10.4 drinks, a combined uncertainty (standard deviation) of 1.3 drinks (CV=12.3%). Similarly, estimating the blood alcohol concentration yielded for 0.120 g/100 ml, an uncertainty of 0.0255 g/100 ml (CV=21.2%). Widmark's uncertainty method yielded 1.6 drinks (CV=15.4%). The derivation of Widmark's uncertainty estimate is also presented, showing that he considered only rho and beta to be uncertain. Widmark estimates for the number of drinks should include a 2CV estimate of approximately 25% while the blood alcohol concentration estimate should include a 2CV estimate of approximately 42%. Including valid estimates of uncertainty should enhance the legal admissibility and confidence for Widmark estimations.     

Discriminating language rights and politics in the post-Yugoslav states

ABSTRACT

Pupavac examines the rise of linguistic human rights advocacy and its approach in a case study of language politics in the post-Yugoslav states. A core concern of contemporary linguistic rights advocacy has been to tackle ethnically based discrimination and promote ethnic diversity. It does not only seek to prevent states from discriminating against those who speak minority languages. It expects states to take positive steps to preserve their diversity of languages. However, strategies affirming distinct linguistic identities may become complicit in perpetuating ethnic discrimination and ethnic divisions, as is evident in the language politics of the post-Yugoslav states.     

Constructions of migrant rights in Canada: is subnational citizenship possible?

Devolutionary trends in immigration and social welfare policy have enabled different levels of government to define membership and confer rights to people residing within the political boundary of a province or municipality in ways that may contradict federal legal status. Drawing upon theories of postnational and deterritorialized citizenship, we examined the legal construction of social rights within federal, provincial, and municipal law in Toronto, Ontario. The study of these different policy arenas focuses on rights related to education, access to safety and police protection, and income assistance. Our analysis suggests that the interplay of intra-governmental laws produces an uneven terrain of social rights for people with precarious status. We argue that while provincial and municipal governments may rhetorically seek to advance the social rights of all people living within their territorial boundaries, program and funding guidelines ensure that national practices of market citizenship and the policing of non-citizen subjects are reproduced at local levels.     

Citizenship and capability? Amartya Sen's capabilities approach from a citizenship perspective

This article deals with the potential contribution of Amartya Sen's capabilities approach (CA) for studying citizenship. Although the CA cannot be described as a genuine citizenship theory it has informed recent attempts to reformulate social citizenship. Moreover, it shares important aims and assumptions with radical citizenship approaches, which emphasise democracy, voice, and difference. Especially, Sen's ideas can help formulate positive notions of equality. However, a fruitful dialogue between those perspectives has to lead over some controversial issues. In this context, this article suggests more substantive notions of agency and interaction as well as integrating rights and rights language.     

农村土地流转制度问题探析

土地是农业最基本的生产要素,土地制度也是三农问题的核心。我国目前的农村土地制度是在家庭联产承包责任制基础上形成的,随着环境的变化和市场经济的发展,急需建立和完善农地流转制度,新制度经济学的产权理论和交易成本理论提供了对我国目前农地流转问题和对策的分析视角。     

如何制度化解决当前中国土地问题——对土地管理制度改革目标模式的探讨

土地领域存在的矛盾和问题已经成为影响中国社会和政治稳定的主要问题之一。土地问题产生的根源是土地权利与义务的双重缺失与失衡。这种缺失和失衡,使得国家、集体和个人的利益都缺乏制度化的实现和调节机制,导致土地利用上的囚徒困境博弈和公地悲剧。因此,要制度化地解决中国土地领域存在的问题,必须构建权利与义务平衡的土地管理制度体系,形成各方合理的利益结构,而这也构成了中国土地管理制度改革的一个主要目标。同时,制度化的土地管理模式,也需要进行财税体制改革,改变中国土地管理的制度环境。     

完善侨胞权益法律保护提升国家自主创新能力

海外侨胞是提升中国自主创新能力的重要力量,该文从保护海外侨胞权益、完善相关法律体系、完善创业环境、加强知识产权保护等多个方面,为提升国家自主创新能力提出相关政策与法律建议。     

“90后”大学生酌马克思主义信仰现状与教育对策研究——基于河南省洛阳市三所高校的实证调查

党的十六届六中全会上明确提出要建设社会主义核心价值理论体系,其灵魂就是要坚持马克思主义的指导地位。然而,目前部分“90后”大学生在信仰方面存在着理解偏差、理性不足、宗教情结蔓延、马克思主义信仰不坚定等问题,究其原因是学习行为功利性、理论认知错位性、价值判断片面性。增强“90后”大学生的马克思主义信仰教育时效性的基本策略在于：坚持“理论性”与“现实性”互渗,更加强调“实效性”性;坚持“课内”与“课外”相统一,更加强调课外教育：坚持“传统教育手段”与“新兴教育手段”兼顾,更加突出新媒体教育;坚持学校教育、家庭教育、社会教育相结合,更加注重整合力。     

囚犯论:从“边缘”到“中心”——于爱荣等的“监狱人文五论”解读之四

《监狱囚犯论》遵循科学的规律,理性地看待罪犯,融入宽容、正义、法治、权利、民主等现代行刑理念,确立罪犯在监狱改造中的主体地位.主体地位的确立,意味着罪犯必须对其犯罪行为负责;意味着罪犯对自己的矫正负有重大责任,是矫正的主导者.在罪犯的权利尊重、保障和实现上,将罪犯权利置于人权的高度,置于公民权利的同等位置,罪犯的权利就是公民的权利,因而一样地神圣.监狱要成为正义和尊重罪犯权利的一个阵地,监狱警察要真正成为罪犯新生活的领航者.