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During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant reorganization due to myelination and synaptic pruning. These changes are associated with risk-taking behaviors and the development of social relationships. Recent advancements in adolescent brain development can potentially enhance strategies for preventing and treating mental health disorders. This systematic review focuses on structural changes in the adolescent brain, specifically emphasizing a decrease in gray matter and an increase in white matter changes. Four longitudinal MRI studies were included in this systematic review to identify changes in brain volume among healthy adolescents with an age range of 10 to 19 years. The results revealed observable changes in gray and white matter volume in various brain regions during this period. A decrease in gray matter was observed in the frontal, temporal, and parietal cortex, and several subcortical regions. Contrary to our expectations, the amygdala displayed an increase in gray matter in early adolescence. We expected this findings to occur in late childhood. The results also indicated that males undergo more significant changes in the brain during this period than females. Considering the Social Process Network (SIPN) and triadic model, changes occurring in the frontal cortex and the amygdala could be linked to social behavior. While the changes in the thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala may be linked to heightened risk-taking and mental health disorders. Further research is necessary to clarify the relationship between mental health disorders, behaviors, and developmental processes during adolescence.

Abstract This thesis discusses how the impact and effectiveness of sanctions has shifted to be less significant in parallel with the shift to global multipolarity from a previously bipolar world. This topic is analysed by conducting a comprehensive case study of how Russia, despite being the most sanctioned state in the world, is able to maintain its economic stability and even growth due to the new multipolar landscape of global power relations. The case of Russia’s avoidance of sanctions is analysed by conducting a mixed method case study which uses both qualitative and quantitative data through the theoretical framework of Realism and Realist conceptualisations of power. This thesis contributes to the academic discussion regarding sanctions by building upon Early’s (2009) triadic model to describe more accurately the methods by which third party states assist in the avoidance of sanctions. Through this case study, Russia’s success at sanction avoidance is attributed to the involvement of third-party states in circumventing sanctions’ restrictions.

The topic of this diploma thesis is the analysis of three novels (Il pendolo di Foucault and Numero zero by Umberto Eco and The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown) with usage of triadic model of literature. The thesis is based mainly on the concept of triadic model published by Umberto Eco in his study Apocalittici e integrati. The usage of his model is made difficult by the fact that the specific characteristics of the middle literary plane are not defined. Therefore we supplement Eco's concept with several additional studies. We hypothesized that Il pendolo di Foucault, Numero zero and The Da Vinci Code belong to the high, middle and low literary planes respectively. The results of this diploma thesis support our hypothesis. However, it is clear that the classification of Numero zero into the middle literary plane can be a matter of the discussion, while the specific characteristics of this plane are not yet strictly defined. The confirmation or refutation of the above mentioned hypothesis was not the only aim of this study. Additional aim was to focus on the novel which could belong to the middle literary plane and through the comparison with other novels contribute to the delimination of this literary plane. To this end, we found that the novel classified into middle literary plane uses very similar...