Inaug.-dis.--Bern.

A filosofia de Arthur Schopenhauer se caracteriza por um esforço contínuo de reflexão para decifrar um antigo enigma, qual seja, a analogia entre o homem e o universo ou entre o micro e o macrocosmo. Schopenhauer postulou o primado da vontade cega sobre o intelecto como o seu dogma fundamental, isto é, como a chave interpretativa que permite solucionar o problema em questão. O filósofo desenvolveu uma monumental metafísica, qualificada por ele de imanente, em cujas bases estão a sua complexa concepção de vontade e uma articulada compreensão da analogia como método de reflexão filosófica. Apesar de tal esforço, o próprio Schopenhauer explicitamente reconheceu que uma solução absoluta e exaustiva do problema seria uma doutrina da onisciência, algo realmente impossível para a razão humana, já que não há entendimento pleno e absoluto da essência e origem do mundo. Assim, o horizonte da experiência humana permanecerá sempre na mais profunda e completa obscuridade. A filosofia de Schopenhauer apresenta, portanto, uma tensão originária, a saber, a consciência de que conhecer o ser absoluto é tão impossível quanto é incansável a busca pela compreensão metafísica do mundo. O texto que se segue consiste, portanto, no esforço para resgatar algumas fontes históricas, observar o sentido e as referências originárias dos conceitos, para interpretar, no interior da dinâmica teórica da obra de Schopenhauer, o significado propriamente filosófico da analogia da vontade. A hipótese de orientação consistiu em supor que a obra do autor se caracteriza por uma peculiar articulação da reflexão metafísica com os conhecimentos produzidos pelas ciências biológicas, sobretudo, a partir do estudo da fisiologia dos impulsos orgânicos vitais e inconscientes, para, desse modo, elaborar uma imagem conceitual do mundo compreendido como um macroantropo, cuja significação moral mais profunda se traduz no sentimento universal do sofrimento e na negação da vontade de viver. Neste sentido, a vontade, segundo o próprio autor, constitui o último marco-limite do conhecimento possível e o mundo nada mais é do que o multifacetado reflexo físico de um mal metafísico que em si é imanente, uno e indivisível em cada ser. Foi necessária uma reconstrução introdutória do problema da analogia entre o micro e o macrocosmo, bem como a busca pelo significado originário do conceito de vontade que acompanha o seu desenvolvimento histórico para compreender a filosofia de Schopenhauer como a solução peculiar de um problema que lhe é próprio. O texto apresenta os valores que a analogia assume em cada etapa do pensamento schopenhaueriano, destacando uma tensão constitutiva entre as diferentes funções que ela desempenha. A interpretação que aqui se expõe, consistiu no esforço para compreender a pertinência genuinamente filosófica da analogia da vontade em alguns aspectos de sua complexidade intrínseca, incluindo as suas limitações e fragilidades sem, no entanto, ignorar o seu poder de alcance, a coerência própria e a sua singular capacidade explicativa. / The philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer is characterized by the constant effort of reflection to decipher an old enigma, which is the analogy between the man and the universe or the micro and macrocosm. Schopenhauer postulated that the primacy of will blinds the intellect as its fundamental dogma, that is, as an interpretative key that enables to solve the problem focused. The philosopher developed a monumental metaphysics, qualified as immanent by him, whose bases are his complex concept of will and an articulated comprehension of analogy as a philosophical reflection method. Despite such effort, Schopenhauer himself has explicitly recognized that an absolute and exhaustive solution of the problem would be an omniscience doctrine, something really impossible to human reason, as there is no full and absolute understanding of the world\'s essence and origin. This way, the horizon of human experience will always remain in the most deep and complete obscurity. The philosophy of Schopenhauer presents, though, a primary tension, namely: the consciousness of knowing the absolute individual is as impossible as the tireless search for the world\'s metaphysics comprehension. Therefore, the following text consists of the effort to rescue some historical sources, observe the sense and the original references of concepts, to interpret, from the inside of the theoretical dynamics of Schopenhauer\'s work, the proper philosophical meaning of the analogy of will. The guidance hypothesis constitutes of supposing that the author\'s work is characterized by a particular articulation of metaphysical reflection with the concepts produced by the biological sciences, mainly from the physiology study of vital and organic impulses, in order to create a conceptual image of the world seen as a macranthropos, whose most profound moral significance is translated to the universal suffering and the denial of the Will to life. In this sense, the will, according to the author, constitutes the last boundary of possible knowledge and the world is nothing more than a multifaceted physical reflection of a metaphysical evil which is immanent in itself, unified and inseparable to each individual. It was necessary an introductory reconstitution of the analogy problem between micro and macrocosm, as well as the search for the original meaning of the concept of will that follows its historical development to understand Schopenhauer\' philosophy as a peculiar solution to its own problem. The text presents the values assumed by the analogy in each step of schopenhauerian thought, highlighting the constitutive tension between the functions that it develops. This present interpretation constitutes of the effort to comprehend the genuinely philosophical pertinence of the analogy of will in some aspects of its intrinsic complexity, including its limitations and fragilities without ignoring its reach power, own coherence and singular explanatory capacity.

Traditionally, single species toxicity tests have been the primary tool for assessment of hazard of toxic substances in aquatic ecosystems. These tests are inadequate for accurately reflecting the impact of toxicants on the community structure inherent in ecosystems. Multispecies microcosm experiments are gaining widespread acceptance as an important vehicle in understanding the nature and magnitude of effects for more complex systems. Microcosm experiments are complex and costly to conduct. Consequently, sample sizes are typically small (8-20 replicates). In addition, these experiments are difficult to analyze due to their multivariate and repeated measures nature. Working under the constraint of small sample sizes, we develop inferential as well as diagnostic methods that detect and measure community changes as a result of an intervention (i.e. toxicant), and assess the importance of individual species. A multi-factorial simulation analysis is used to compare several methods. The Multi-Response Permutation Procedure (MRPP) and a regression method incorporating a correlation structure are found to be the most powerful procedures for detecting treatment differences. The MRPP is particularly suited to experiments with replication and when the response variable may not be normally distributed. The regression model for dissimilarity data has the advantage of enabling direct estimation of many parameters not possible with the MRPP as well as the magnitude of treatment effects. A stepwise dependent variable selection algorithm with a selection criterion based on a conditional p-value argument is proposed and applied to a real data set. It is seen to have advantages over other methods for assessing species importance. / Ph. D.

The main title of the doctoral thesis - ART/CRIME - CRIME/ART - point to a general investigation of these two phenomenons. This investigation makes up the background of the main theme of the thesis, which is an actual event of the mysterious death of the painter and shepherd K.. At work I spend time with alternative investigations of this death and the goal is an attempt to reconstruct the events and effort of discovering the answers what happened that night and whether or not a killer really existed or not.

Environmental use of genetically-engineered microorganisms (GEMs) has raised concerns over potential ecological impact. Development of microcosm systems useful in preliminary testing for risk assessment will provide useful information for predicting potential structural, functional, and genetic effects of GEM release. This study was executed to develop techniques that may be useful in risk assessment and microbial ecology, to ascertain which parameters are useful in determining risk and to predict risk from releasing an engineered strain of Erwinia carotovora. A terrestrial microcosm system for use in GEM risk assessment studies was developed for use in assessing alterations of microbial structure and function that may be caused by introducing the engineered strain of E. carotovora. This strain is being developed for use as a biological control agent for plant soft rot. Parameters that were monitored included survival and intraspecific competition of E. carotovora, structural effects upon both total bacterial populations and numbers of selected bacterial genera, effects upon activities of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, effects upon soil nutrients, and potential for gene transfer into or out of the engineered strain. No significant difference was found in survival of the engineered strain as compared to its wildtype parent. Both strains survived for over two months in microcosms. The effects of both strains upon populations of total bacteria and selected bacterial genera were determined; while some effects upon community structure were observed, they were not significant. The engineered strain was not found to be a superior competitor compared to its parent; three different doses of engineered and wildtype strains were used. ln addition, neither strain affected activities of dehydrogenase or alkaline phosphatase in soil. Likewise, no effects were observed upon the nutrients monitored. However, transfer of the kanamycin resistance gene that had been inserted into the engineered E. carotovora strain may have occurred. Five species of indigenous bacteria displayed kanamycin resistance 15 days after being exposed to the engineered Erwinia. DNA from these strains was isolated, purified, and hybridization experiments executed to determine if any homology existed between these DNAs and the kanamycin resistance gene that had been inserted into E. carotovora. Using biotin-Iabeled probes and Iow-stringency washing conditions, homology was observed. However, before gene transfer can be proven, additional studies, including amplification and sequencing, may be required. Although a simple microcosm design was employed, it yielded sufficient information to conclude that release of the engineered Erwinia carotovora will not affect any of the microbial measures of integrity that were studied in a manner different from that of the wildtype. Effects upon plant material and other higher taxa will be the focus of future studies. / Ph. D.

Šmilauer, T. Cosmological themes in conteporary art. [Master thesis] Prague 2012. 83 pages Charles univerzity in Prague, Faculty of education, department of art education. This work examines the relationship between man and the cosmos, and deals with topics cosmos and cosmology in terms of philosophical and scientific, but also seeks connection with religion and mythology. The aim is to interpret and define the concepts of the cosmos and cosmology, and find these contents in visual culture and fine art. This thesis is also finding ways to use cosmological issues in educational practice. Keywords: cosmos, cosmology, nature, man, visual perception and imaging, microcosm, macrocosm, art

This thesis examines key concepts from philosophers Nishida Kitaro, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Fredriche Nietzsche and applies them to elements of Michael Chekhov’s practice of acting. The three philosophers, in different ways, suggest an ‘optimal’ state, beyond a dualistic separation of the fictive from the real and the visible from the invisible, that challenges seemingly unbridgeable dualisms between inner and outer, subject and object, being and becoming and experiencer and experienced. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and understand these selected ‘optimal’ modes of consciousness in performance and, therefore, open up new ways of thinking about Michael Chekhov’s acting processes; in particular the ‘Psychological Gesture’. The thesis asks the following questions: 1. How can the application of selected philosophical paradigms to the Psychological Gesture through theory and practice further our understanding of Michael Chekhov’s work? 2. How do selected aspects of the fields of phenomenology, post-phenomenology, cognitive sciences, consciousness studies and philosophy of mind, aid in developing an articulation and understanding of an ‘optimal’ state of consciousness as a necessary aspect of the actor’s performance in Michael Chekhov’s work and theatre practice? 3. How can this project develop the way we are able to talk about Michael Chekhov’s work and wider acting processes?

Phytoplankton blooms compromise the quality of freshwater ecosystems and the efficient processing of water by treatment works worldwide. This research aims to determine whether in-situ filamentous biofiltration processes mediated by living roots and synthetic filters as media can reduce or remove the phytoplankton loading (micro-algae and cyanobacteria) prior to a potable water treatment works intake. The underlying biofiltration mechanisms were investigated using field and laboratory studies. A novel macroscale biofilter with three plant species, named the "Living-Filter", installed in Farmoor II reservoir, UK, was surveyed weekly for physicochemical and biological variables under continuous flow conditions during 17 weeks. The efficiency of a mesoscale biofilter using the aquatic plant Phalaris arundinacea and synthetic filters, was tested with Microcystis aeruginosa under continuous flow conditions and in batch experiments. The 'simultaneous allelochemical method' was developed for quantifying allelochemicals from Phalaris in aqueous samples. Microscale studies were used to investigate biofilter allelochemical release in response to environmental stressors and Microcystis growth inhibition in filtered and unfiltered aqueous root exudate. Results demonstrate that the removal of phytoplankton biomass by physical mechanisms has a removal efficiency of ≤45% in the "Living-Filter" (filamentous biofilter plus synthetic fabric) and that the removal of Microcystis biomass using only biofilters was 25%. Chemical mechanisms that reduce Microcystis cell numbers are mediated by allelochemicals released from biofilter roots. Root exudate treatments on Microcystis revealed that Microcystis growth is inhibited by allelochemicals, not by nutrient competition, and that protists and invertebrates play a role in removing Microcystis. Filamentous biofilters can remove phytoplankton biomass by physical, chemical and biological mechanisms. Biofilters and synthetic filters in combination improve removal efficiency. Application of macroscale biofilters prior to potable water treatment works benefits the ecosystem. Plant properties, biofilter size to surface water ratio, and retention time must be considered to maximise the benefits of biofiltration processes.