Magistrinio darbo tikslas - parodyti Aristotelio metafizikos Vienio teoriją santykyje su šiuolaikinio mokslo teorinėmis paradigmomis. Darbą sudaro 4 dalys: „Galimybės ir tikrovės samprata Aristotelio Metafizikoje, „Elementų tarpusavio sąveika“, „Judėjimas ir kryptis“, „Santykio trejybiškumas“. Dalis tarpusavyje sieja bendra – judėjimo krypties pokyčio ir emocinio išgyvenimo įtakos šiam pokyčiui paieška. Suformuluojamas Substancinio kitimo ir elementų sąveikos dėsnis, kuris teigia, jog „substancinis kitimas ir elementų sąveika vyksta skirtingomis kryptimis.“ Darbe pagrindžiama nuomonė, jog psichiniai reiškiniai vyksta pagal du skirtingus judėjimo dėsnius: patyrimas – substancinio kitimo principu, o pažinimas – elementų sąveikos principu. Daroma išvada, jog etiniai žmogaus sprendimai, turėtų būti grindžiami elementų sąveikos principu. Emociniai žmogaus išgyvenimai turėtų būti interpretuojami asmens santykyje su aplinka, pažinimą nukreipiant į skausmą keliančius išgyvenimus, o ne į skausmą sukeliantį objektą. Tyrimo išvados gali būti teoriniu pagrindu atliekant psichologinį empirinį tyrimą. Tyrimo metodas - analitinis lyginamasis. / The aim of the Master’s Thesis is to show the theory of oneness in Aristotle‘s Metaphysics as a relationship to the theoretical paradigms of contemporary science. The thesis consists of the following 4 parts: “Conception of Possibility and Reality in Aristotle‘s Metaphysics”, “Mutual Interaction of Elements”, “Movement and Direction”, and “Trinitarian Nature of Relationship”. The parts are connected by the common search for the change in the direction of movement and the impact of an emotional experience on that change. The law of the interaction between substantial fall and elements has been formulated, stating that “the interaction between substantial fall and elements happens in different directions”. The thesis finds the basis of the opinion that psychic phenomena occur according to these two different laws of movement: as regards experience, according to the principle of change, while in the case of knowledge, according to the principle of the interaction of elements. Individual‘s ethical choices should be based on the principle of the interaction of elements. Emotional experiences should be interpreted in the light of individual‘s relationship to the environment, and the knowledge should be directed to the painful experiences, rather than to the object that causes them. The conclusions of the study can serve as a theoretical basis for the psychological-empirical investigation. The study uses analytical comparative method.

In this dissertation, I argue for the philosophical consistency of Aquinas’ hybrid view of human souls - that is, the idea that human souls, and only human souls, are at once substantial forms and subsistent things. I contend that the best way to understand the ontological status of human souls according to Aquinas is by means of the concept of ‘subsistent parts’. Since Aquinas characterizes souls as parts of substances, I propose a mereological analysis of the different types of part in Aquinas, and I conclude that souls should be seen as metaphysical parts of substances. An influential contemporary view holds that Aquinas’ doctrine is inconsistent on the grounds that nothing could be an abstract (form) and a concrete (subsistent) at the same time. I respond to this view by denying the widespread notion that substantial forms are purely abstract entities. I hold that the best way to make sense of Aquinas’ twofold approach to human souls is by saying that substantial forms possess an element of concreteness which is accounted for by the fundamental relationship between form and being. Finally, I address the question of taxonomy: how can we classify Aquinas’ view of the soul-body relation in light of the concepts that are currently used in philosophy of mind. I argue that the notion of a subsistent part entails the concept of ‘part-dualism’, which I present as standing midway between substance-dualism and nonreductive materialism, and also as being ontologically richer than property-dualism. I conclude this dissertation with a refutation of the idea championed by some prominent scholars that the existence of the soul is sufficient for the existence of the person.

Drawing on earlier research and theories regarding female political representation and its effects on gender equality, the attempt in this study is to investigate whether political gender quotas, legislated in the constitution, has a positive association and effect on gender equality in a society. A substantial number of studies supports the notion that quotas increase female representation in the political context. Yet, few studies examine gender quotas effect on women’s everyday life. The study investigates the variation in gender equality amongst new democracies where countries with gender quotas are compared to countries without. The overall findings appoint that political gender quotas demonstrate more far-reaching effects than to increase the number of women elected. Having a high female representation does affect women’s everyday life and a quota will increase gender equality in a society. This should be regarded as a solid argument in favour of an implementation of a gender quota. Additionally, the results from this study indicate that Anne Phillips theory the Politics of Presence, which points out the importance of having high female representation, does exert an effect.

abstract: Contemporary research has examined the relationship between determinate sentencing reforms and unwarranted punishment disparities in states and the federal criminal justice system. Recent investigations suggest that legal developments in federal sentencing—namely, the High Court’s rulings in U.S. v. Booker (2005) and Gall/Kimbrough v. U.S. (2007) which rendered and subsequently reaffirmed the federal guidelines as advisory—have not altered disparities associated with imprisonment outcomes. Punishment disparities following Booker and Gall, particularly racial and ethnic disparities, have been linked to Assistant U.S. Attorneys’ (AUSAs) use of substantial assistance departures. What remains unanswered in the literature is whether the changes in AUSAs’ decision making following the landmark cases has enduring effects and whether the effects are conditioned by defendants’ race/ethnicity and the type of case (guidelines cases or mandatory minimum cases), and whether the use of substantial assistance varies across U.S. District Courts. Accordingly, these questions are examined using sentencing data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission, coupled with data from the National Judicial Center, U.S. Census Bureau, Uniform Crime Reports, and Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research. This study looks at 465,476 defendants convicted from fiscal year 2001 to fiscal year 2010 across 89 federal districts. A series of multilevel discontinuity regression models are estimated to assess the short-term and long-term effects of the Booker and Gall/Kimbrough decisions on AUSAs’ use of substantial assistance departures, accounting for contextual differences between federal district courts. The results show that AUSAs are less likely to seek motions for substantial assistance immediately and in the long term in the post-Booker period but are more likely to seek substantial assistance in the long term in the post-Gall/Kimbrough period. These effects, however, are restricted to the models that include all cases and guidelines cases. The interaction models show that Hispanic defendants facing a mandatory minimum sentence are less likely to receive a substantial assistance departure immediately and in the long term following the Court’s Booker decision. Moreover, the use of substantial assistance varies across federal districts. The results are discussed in relation to their implications for theory, courts and sentencing policy, and future research on punishment outcomes. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Criminology and Criminal Justice 2015

Pretende-se abordar o tema da litigiosidade de massa e da agregação processual no sistema jurídico brasileiro, de forma comparada ao sistema jurídico estadunidense. Trata-se de apurar: qual é o nível ótimo de agregação processual, sem prejuízo à autonomia do indivíduo em contar a sua própria história? O que agregar e como agregar? Esse é o objetivo da presente investigação: aferir qual a extensão, necessária e adequada, da agregação processual nas controvérsias de massa e, ainda, seus respectivos limites no direito processual civil. A tese foi dividida em três seções fundamentais: (i) a primeira seção aborda a história da litigiosidade de massa e as técnicas (de larga escala) de agregação processual; (ii) a segunda seção enfrenta a temática da agregação processual à luz das controvérsias plurissubjetivas, diante dos diversos graus de interdependência substancial (grau de variância que se tolera entre os membros do grupo para admitir a agregação processual). O objetivo é que seja possível reconhecer as características dos interesses ou direitos que transcendem a esfera individual e; (iii) a terceira seção aborda o tema da representatividade adequada e das garantias constitucionais processuais, estabelecendo as premissas para a vinculação dos membros ausentes do grupo à questão comum decidida no procedimento agregado. E, por fim, examinam-se as técnicas de preclusão no sistema jurídico brasileiro e no sistema jurídico estadunidense, condicionando-as ao resultado da argumentação realizada no procedimento agregado e ao ônus ou carga da argumentação. / In this work, we research the issue concerning mass disputes and aggregate litigation in the Brazilian legal system, compared to the U.S. legal system. The problem is to determine: what is the optimal level of aggregation, without prejudice to the individual autonomy? What is going to be aggregate? And how? That\'s the goal of this research: assessing the extent appropriate in aggregation of mass disputes and also their limits in civil proceedings. The thesis has been divided into three main sections: (i) the first section covers the history of mass disputes and the techniques (large-scale) of aggregate litigation, (ii) the second section faces the issue of aggregation in the light of various degrees of substantial interdependence: how much variance among class members\' circumstances should courts tolerate. The aim is to be able to recognize the characteristics of rights that transcend the individual level, and (iii) the third section addresses the issue of adequate representation and procedural constitutional guarantees, establishing the premises for binding absent members of the group. And finally, it approaches the preclusion doctrine in the aggregate litigation, conditioning it to the result of the argument made in the aggregate procedure and the burden of persuasion (showing a good reason).

In this dissertation, I argue for the philosophical consistency of Aquinas’ hybrid view of human souls - that is, the idea that human souls, and only human souls, are at once substantial forms and subsistent things. I contend that the best way to understand the ontological status of human souls according to Aquinas is by means of the concept of ‘subsistent parts’. Since Aquinas characterizes souls as parts of substances, I propose a mereological analysis of the different types of part in Aquinas, and I conclude that souls should be seen as metaphysical parts of substances. An influential contemporary view holds that Aquinas’ doctrine is inconsistent on the grounds that nothing could be an abstract (form) and a concrete (subsistent) at the same time. I respond to this view by denying the widespread notion that substantial forms are purely abstract entities. I hold that the best way to make sense of Aquinas’ twofold approach to human souls is by saying that substantial forms possess an element of concreteness which is accounted for by the fundamental relationship between form and being. Finally, I address the question of taxonomy: how can we classify Aquinas’ view of the soul-body relation in light of the concepts that are currently used in philosophy of mind. I argue that the notion of a subsistent part entails the concept of ‘part-dualism’, which I present as standing midway between substance-dualism and nonreductive materialism, and also as being ontologically richer than property-dualism. I conclude this dissertation with a refutation of the idea championed by some prominent scholars that the existence of the soul is sufficient for the existence of the person.

Transgenic plants in the US and abroad generated using genetic engineering technology are regulated with respect to release into the environment and inclusion into diets of humans and animals. For crops incorporating pharmaceuticals or industrial enzymes regulations are even more stringent. Notifications are not allowed for movement and release, therefore a permit is required. However, growing under permit is cumbersome and more expensive than open, non- regulated growth. Thus, when the genetically engineered pharmaceutical or industrial crop is ready for scale-up, achieving non-regulated status is critical. Regulatory compliance in the US comprises petitioning the appropriate agencies for permission for environmental release and feeding trials. For release without yearly permits, a petition for allowing non-regulated status can be filed with the United States Department of Agriculture with consultations that include the Food and Drug Administration and possibly the Environmental Protection Agency, the latter if the plant includes an incorporated pesticide. The data package should ensure that the plants are substantially equivalent in every parameter except for the engineered trait. We undertook a preliminary study on transgenic maize field-grown hybrids that express one of two cellulase genes, an exo-cellulase or an endo-cellulase. We performed field observations of whole plants and numerous in vitro analyses of grain. Although some minor differences were observed when comparing genetically engineered hybrid plants to control wild type hybrids, no significant differences were seen.

Tesis por compendio / A pesar de los enormes beneficios potenciales que ofrecen los cítricos genéticamente modificados (GM), su liberación en campo suscita preocupaciones acerca de su potencial impacto ambiental y posibilidad de que muestren efectos deletéreos inesperados desde un punto de vista agronómico. Las principales preocupaciones que plantea el uso de la transformación genética para la mejora de este cultivo de vida larga, propagación vegetativa y compleja biología reproductiva son: (1) la transferencia de los transgenes vía polen a variedades compatibles de especies de Citrus y afines; (2) la estabilidad de los transgenes a largo plazo; (3) la aparición de efectos pleiotrópicos adversos derivados de la integración y la expresión de los transgenes sobre las principales características agronómicas y fenotípicas del cultivo. Todas estas cuestiones han sido ampliamente estudiadas en otros cultivos anuales GM que ya son o no comerciales. Sin embargo, puesto que el empleo de la transformación genética en la mejora de árboles frutales todavía se encuentra en sus inicios, actualmente se dispone de muy poca información al respecto para estos cultivos. Por todo ello, el futuro de los arboles transgénicos en el ámbito comercial permanece aún incierto, aunque actualmente se dispone de la tecnología para producirlos. Por otro lado, en el caso concreto de los cítricos, no existen variedades transgénicas comerciales ni evidencias inequívocas de que esta herramienta sea realmente útil para afrontar con éxito objetivos de mejora concretos. Lograr cumplir objetivos de mejora tan importantes como la mejora de la calidad nutri-funcional de los frutos cítricos mediante ingeniería genética podría contribuir a una mayor aceptación de esta tecnología por parte del público, puesto que se trata de una mejora dirigida primeramente al consumidor. En este trabajo nos hemos planteado afrontar parte de los aspectos que en gran medida limitan la aceptación y comercialización de cítricos GM, mediante (1) la realización de un experimento de campo con cítricos GM para evaluar su seguridad ambiental y la ausencia de efectos agronómicos adversos (2) el abordaje de un objetivo de mejora de la calidad nutri-funcional de la naranja concreto mediante ingeniería metabólica con la finalidad de reforzar sus propiedades saludables. El experimento de campo consistió en una plantación de cítricos transgénicos que portaban únicamente los genes marcadores uidA y nptII cuya finalidad fue estudiar la viabilidad de la transformación genética en la mejora de genotipos cítricos comercialmente importantes. Este huerto experimental nos sirvió para estimar la frecuencia máxima de dispersión de los transgenes por polen bajo condiciones de polinización abierta y estudiar los factores ambientales, genéticos y fenológicos que la determinan, para así poder proponer medidas de contención apropiadas en futuras plantaciones de cítricos GM. También sirvió como primera aproximación para abordar cuestiones básicas como el estudio de la estabilidad de la expresión de los transgenes a largo plazo (tras 7 años de establecimiento en campo) bajo condiciones reales de cultivo y su potencial impacto sobre la morfología, fenología y calidad de la fruta de los cítricos transgénicos. Los estudios realizados, aunque no resuelven todas las preocupaciones concernientes a los cítricos GM, aportan información crucial relativa a su seguridad y comportamiento en campo, inexistente hasta el momento, que puede servir como base para futuros ensayos de campo con cítricos GM y como guía para las políticas de regulación de su plantación (caso-a-caso). Por otro lado, en este trabajo se ha logrado desarrollar una estrategia para inducir producción temprana de fruta e incrementar el contenido de b-caroteno (pro-vitamina A, con elevada capacidad antioxidante) en la pulpa de una variedad de naranjo dulce mediante ingeniería metabólica. Dicha estrategia consistió en el silenciamiento mediado por RNAi del gen de una β-caroteno hidroxilasa de naranjo (CsβCHX), implicada en la conversión de b-caroteno en xantofilas, combinado con la sobreexpresión del gen FLOWERING LOCUS T de naranjo (CsFT) en plantas transgénicas juveniles de naranjo dulce cv Pineapple. Posteriores ensayos con el animal modelo Caenorhabditis elegans demostraron que la naranjas enriquecidas ejercían un efecto antioxidante in vivo un 20% mayor que las naranjas control isogénicas. Este es el primer ejemplo exitoso de ingeniería metabólica para incrementar el contenido de β-caroteno (o cualquier fitonutriente) en naranjas y demuestra el potencial que tiene la ingeniería genética para el enriquecimiento nutricional de cultivos frutales leñosos. / Pons Bayarri, EA. (2014). Towards application of genetic engineering in citriculture: 1) assessing dispersal, long-term stability and phenotypic impact of transgenes in citrus trees and 2) improving nutri-functional quality of orange fruit through metabolic engineering [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/43588 / Compendio

Modification of a Public Contract This thesis deals with the regulation of modifications made to public contracts during their term. Its aim is to critically analyse the legal regime for modifying public contracts in light of the law of the European Union (especially Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement) and of the Czech Republic (The Public Procurement Act No. 134/2016 Coll.). The thesis consists of three chapters. The first chapter focuses on the development of the regulation on public contract modifications from the view of both the EU and Czech prospective, and emphasizes the importance of the so called Pressetext judgment issued by the Court of Justice of the European Union. The second chapter represents the most important part of the thesis, inasmuch as it critically analyses the applicable law. It is divided into two parts. The first one contains an analysis of substantial modifications to public contracts in light of the related case law. In the second part of this chapter, I try to pinpoint interpretation problems that are connected with the new provisions which define situations, in which the modification is to be regarded as non-substantial, and therefore does not trigger the need to commence a new public procurement procedure. The third chapter provides an outlook on how two other...

Os parâmetros de avaliação de segurança de alimentos geneticamente modificados fundamentam-se na comparação de equivalência substancial entre as variedades e pela inocuidade de proteínas da planta GM com as proteínas encontradas nas plantas convencionais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a segurança alimentar de três cultivares de sojas geneticamente modificadas para tolerarem o herbicida glifosato através da determinação da equivalência substancial e do potencial alergênico das mesmas quando comparadas às suas respectivas parentais isogênicas. Seis amostras de soja foram analisadas, sendo três convencionais parentais e três GM, referentes ao cultivo de 2004-2005, em Goiás. Para a composição química foram realizadas análises em triplicata de proteínas, lipídeos, umidade, minerais e fibra alimentar. Análises complementares para determinação de aminoácidos, ácidos graxos, isoflavonas e ácido fítico também foram realizadas. O potencial de alergenicidade foi avaliado em extratos protéicos brutos de três cultivares convencionais e suas correspondentes GM. Os mesmos extratos protéicos foram fracionados para obter as globulinas 7S e 11S por precipitação e posterior purificação em coluna de bioafinidade Sepharose 4B. A glicoproteína 7S foi obtida a partir da eluição com tampão contendo -D-mannopyranoside. A resistência à proteólise foi realizada a partir de dois fluidos gástricos simulados com pepsina nas proporções 2,5:100 e 13:1 de enzima/substrato. As amostras foram submetidas à eletroforese dissociante para se estimar a resistência à ação da pepsina em função da concentração da enzima e do tempo de incubação. Extratos brutos protéicos e frações hidrolisadas foram testados contra soros de pacientes comprovadamente alérgicos e não alérgicos à soja nas concentrações de 1/20 em ensaios imunoquímicos do tipo ELISA e 1/10 em ensaios do tipo Western blotting. Os resultados da composição básica de nutrientes mostraram dispersões normais esperadas entre as amostras de mesma origem, com tendências de níveis superiores de proteínas de 9 a 16% nas amostras GM. As análises de fibras insolúveis e isoflavonas revelaram valores de decréscimo das amostras GMs em relação aos teores das variedades convencionais, contrastando com o acréscimo de valores de ácido fítico nas mesmas cultivares. Quanto à proteólise, foi possível observar estabilidade de bandas protéicas com pesos moleculares em torno de 50 e 18 KDa nos extratos brutos, 10 KDa nos extratos de 11S e 50 KDa nos extratos de 7S, em geral similares entre as parentais isogênicas e GMs. Os testes de reatividade dos soros de pacientes alérgicos e não alérgicos em extratos brutos protéicos das cultivares GM demonstraram reatividade similar quando comparados às suas respectivas parentais isogênicas. Com a observação dos resultados pode-se concluir que as diferenças significativas apresentadas pelas amostras GM não as tornam inseguras para o consumo humano e animal. Da mesma forma que não foram observadas alterações na alergenicidade das amostras GM em relação às amostras parentais isogênicas por apresentarem perfis semelhantes de proteólise frente à pepsina e aos testes imunológicos contra soros de pacientes alérgicos. / The parameters of security evaluation of genetically modified foods are based on the substantial equivalence among varieties and the innocuity of GM vegetal proteins compared with conventional vegetal proteins. The aim of this work was to evaluate the food safety of three genetically modified soybean cultivars to tolerate glyphosate herbicide through substantial equivalence determination and allergenic potential when compared to their respective isogenic parental. Six samples analyzed were three parental soybean (conventional) and the others GM, regarding to the crop of 2004-2005, grown in Goiás state. The chemical composition was performed in triplicate and the content of moisture, minerals, proteins, lipids and fiber were determined. Additional compounds like aminoacids, fatty acids, isoflavons and phytates were analyzed. The potential of allergenic reactions was evaluated in crude protein extracts of three conventional and their corresponding GM cultivars. The same protein extracts were fractionated to obtain 7S and 11S globulins by precipitation and posterior purification on Sepharose 4B bioaffinity column. The 7S glycoprotein was obtained by elution with -D-mannopyranoside buffer. The resistance to proteolysis was performed by two simulated gastric fluids with pepsin at the proportions 2,5:100 and 13:1 enzyme/substrate. The samples were run by SDS electrophoresis to estimate the resistance to pepsin action according to enzyme concentration and incubation time. Crude protein extracts and hydrolyzed fractions were tested against serum of allergic and non-allergic patients through ELISA immunochemistry essays at concentrations of 1/20 and Western blotting, 1/10. The results of chemical composition of nutrients showed an expected normal dispersion among samples from the same origin, with tendencies for superior levels of proteins from 9 to 16% by GM samples. The analyses of insoluble fibers and isoflavons revealed decreased values at GM samples regarding to the contents on conventional varieties, contrasting with the increase of the phytic acid values in the same cultivars. After the proteolysis, some protein bands remained apparently stable, that correspond to molecular weights around 50 and 18 KDa for crude extracts, 10 KDa for 11S extracts and 50 KDa for 7S extracts. The undigested proteins are similar in both set of samples, the parental isogenic and GM soybeans. Immuno-reactivity of proteins from crude extracts with serum from allergic and non allergic patients were also similar for isogenic and GM cultivars. These results allow us to state that the significant differences observed in the composition of GM samples will neither affect the nutrient levels nor the safety of their consumption as food or feed. As well as there were no observed changes at the potential allergenicity of GM samples regarding to parental isogenic samples by exhibit similar proteolysis profile related to pepsin and immunological essays against allergic patient serums.