Climate paradox of the G-8: legal obligations, policy declarations and implementation gap

This article analyzes the climate policy performance of the G-8 from 1992 to 2012 based on their legal commitments (Annex-1 and Annex-B countries) under the UNFCCC (1992) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and their policy declarations on their GHG reduction goals until 2050. A climate paradox has emerged due to a growing implementation gap in Canada, USA and Japan, while Russia, Germany, UK, France and Italy fulfilled their GHG reduction obligation.

The G-77, BASIC, and global climate governance: a new era in multilateral environmental negotiations

The G-77 has historically organized the participation of developing countries in multilateral environmental negotiations. This article analyses the impact of a new coalition of emerging powers - Brazil, China, India, and South Africa as BASIC - on the G-77's role in climate governance. While there are important benefits for both sides in their relationship, I argue that the G-77 is also disadvantaged in several concrete ways by the BASIC countries.

China's proposing behavior in Global Governance: the cases of the WTO Doha Round negotiation and G-20 process

This article examines China's proposals on the reform of global governance, and discusses the main features of China's proposing behavior in the cases of the WTO Doha Round negotiation and G-20 Process. The main findings are: (1) in the critical junctures of global governance reform, China engaged the reform of the global governance institutions proactively, and put forward a series of reform proposals; (2) in proposing behavior, China argued the global governance institutions should be properly adjusted without intention to change the basic principles, refrained from playing a leadership role while proposing jointly with other countries, and upheld the principled idea of pro-development.

Germinação in vitro e desenvolvimento pós-seminal de plântulas de Pilosocereus aurisetus (Werderm.) Byles & G.D. Rowley (Cactaceae)

Pilosocereus aurisetus é uma espécie de cactos de importância econômica e ambiental que se encontra em risco de extinção. A propagação em áreas naturais ocorre, principalmente, de forma sexuada; entretanto, não há registro da germinação e viabilidade de sementes e morfologia pós-seminal de plântulas dessa espécie. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a germinação de sementes e descrever a morfologia do desenvolvimento pós-seminal de plântulas de P. aurisetus. Para isso, sementes, armazenadas em condições ambientais por 19 meses, foram submetidas aos tratamentos: embebição em água por 24 horas; pré-resfriamento; imersão em solução de giberelina, nas concentrações de 250 mg L-1 e 500 mg L-1; e um tratamento controle. As sementes foram colocadas para germinar em meio de cultura MS, por 30 dias, quando se avaliou a percentagem de germinação. O delineamento estatístico foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo dispostas 25 sementes por parcela. A caracterização pós-seminal foi realizada por um período de 60 dias, utilizando-se microscópio binocular, com base nas Regras para Análise de Sementes. Maior percentagem da germinação de sementes ocorreu no controle, ou quando embebidas por 24 horas, sendo observados 90% e 83%, respectivamente. A morfologia do desenvolvimento pós-seminal indicou que a germinação é do tipo epígea, com hipocótilo de reserva; suas plântulas sofrem modificações na região do colo, para a emissão de raízes, e apresentam cerdas no ápice caulinar, mesmo na fase inicial da expansão cotiledonar. A diferenciação e início da formação das costelas iniciam-se aos 60 dias após a germinação, com o desenvolvimento do epicótilo.

NOVA ANOTAÇÃO SINTÉTICA, NUMA PERSPECTIVA DE DIREITO PÚBLICO, AINDA AO ACÓRDÃO 212/95, DO TRIBUNAL CONSTITUCIONAL (PORTUGUÊS), DE 20.04.1995 - O DEVER FUNDAMENTAL DE EXISTIR NA LEI EM VIGOR UMA RESPONSABILIDADE CRIMINAL DAS "PESSOAS COLECTIVAS" (OU "PESSOAS JURÍDICAS") E A CONSTITUIÇÃO DA REPÚBLICA PORTUGUESA, V.G. O CASO DO ART. 7º DO REGIME GERAL DAS INFRACÇÕES TRIBUTÁRIAS E DO ART. 3.º DO REGIME DAS INFRACÇÕES ANTIECONÓMICAS E CONTRA A SAÚDE PÚBLICA

Resumo: 1 – Sumário do Acórdão do Tribunal Constitucional n.º 212/1995, de 20 de Abril; 2 – Parte principal do Acórdão do Tribunal Constitucional n.º 212/1995, de 20 de Abril: cfr. http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/acordaos/19950212.html , 18 de Maio de 2012; 3 – Anotação sintética; 3.1 – Introdução à anotação sintética e suas características neste caso concreto; 4 – O RIAECSP (Regime das Infracções Anti-Económicas e Contra a Saúde Pública) e a responsabilidade criminal das pessoas colectivas e equiparadas, prevista no seu art. 3.º; 5 – Societas delinquere non potest?; 6 – Breves traços históricos do brocardo societas delinquere non potest; 7 - Alguns dos marcos relevantes na Doutrina penal portuguesa recente acerca da responsabilidade penal das organizações, entes colectivos, pessoas colectivas, pessoas jurídicas; 8 - Os art.os 12.º/2 e 2.º da CRP e a Responsabilidade Criminal dos Entes Colectivos, pessoas jurídicas; 9 - O art. 29.º/5 da CRP - ou o princípio non bis in idem - e a responsabilidade criminal das organizações, dos entes colectivos, das pessoas colectivas; 10 – Conclusões. § Summary: 1 - Summary Judgment of the Constitutional Court No. 212/1995 of 20 April; 2 - The main part of the Constitutional Court Ruling No. 212/1995 of 20 April: cfr. http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/acordaos/19950212.html, May 18, 2012; 3 - short annotation; 3.1 - Introduction to synthetic note and its features in this particular case; 4 - The RIAECSP (Status of Anti-Economic Offences and Against Public Health) and the criminal liability of companies and similar persons, provided for in his art. 3; 5 - delinquere Societas non potest ?; 6 - Brief historical traces of societas aphorism delinquere non potest; 7 - Some of the important milestones in recent Portuguese criminal Doctrine about the criminal liability of organizations, public entities, legal persons, legal entities; 8 - art.os 12/2 and 2 of CRP and Criminal Responsibility of loved Collective, legal entities; 9 - Art. 29/5 CRP - or the principle of non bis in idem - and the criminal liability of organizations, collective entities, of legal persons; 10 - Conclusions.

«Da “(In)constitucionalidade da Criminalização do Lenocínio Sem Violência Física e/ou Psicológica: Um Problema, v.g., de Prostituição, de Doenças Contagiosas e de Tributos»

Será que tem sentido do ponto de vista constitucional criminalizar o lenocínio? E porque não regulamentar nomeadamente através do pagamento de impostos e tributos? § Does it make sense from a constitutional point of view criminalize pimping? And why not regulate in particular through the payment of taxes and duties?

XRCC3241 Polymorphism influence on genotoxicity biomarkers frequency in workers occupationaly exposed to formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (FA) is ubiquitous in the environment and is a chemical agent that possesses high reactivity. Occupational exposure to FA has been shown to induce nasopharyngeal cancer and has been classified as carcinogenic to humans (group 1) on the basis of sufficient evidence in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals. The exposure to this substance is epidemiologically linked to cancer and nuclear changes detected by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test (CBMN). This method is extensively used in molecular epidemiology, since it determines several biomarkers of genotoxicity, such as micronucleus (biomarkers of chromosomes breakage or loss), nucleoplasmic bridges (biomarker of chromosome rearrangement, poor repair and / or telomeres fusion) and nuclear buds (biomarker of elimination of amplified DNA). The gene X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) is involved in homologous recombination repair of cross-links and chromosomal double-strand breaks and at least one polymorphism has been reported in codon 241, a substitution of a methionine for a threonine.

Evaluation of the influence of the ADH3 ILE349VAL polymorphism in the frequency of genotoxicity biomarkers in workers exposed to formaldehyde and tobacco smoking

Formaldehyde (FA) is a colourless gas widely used in the industry and hospitals as an aqueous solution, formalin. It is extremely reactive and induces various genotoxic effects in proliferating cultured mammalian cells. Tobacco smoke has been epidemiologically associated to a higher risk of development of cancer, especially in the oral cavity, larynx and lungs, as these are places of direct contact with many carcinogenic tobacco’s compounds. Genetic polymorphisms in enzymes involved in the metabolism are very important and can make changes in the individual susceptibility to disease. Alcohol dehydrogenase class 3 (ADH3), also known as formaldehyde dehydrogenase dependent of glutathione, is the major enzyme involved in the formaldehyde oxidation, especially in the buccal mucosa. The polymorphism in study is a substitution of an isoleucine for a valine in codon 349. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay (CBMN) in human lymphocytes is one of the most commonly used methods for measuring DNA damage, namely the detection of micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds, classified as genotoxicity biomarkers.

Interaction of formaldehyde and tobacco smoking in the frequency of micronucleus and the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism

Formaldehyde is classified by IARC as carcinogenic to humans (nasopharyngeal cancer). Tobacco smoke has been epidemiologically associated to a higher risk of development of cancer, especially in the oral cavity, larynx and lungs, as these are places of direct contact with many carcinogenic tobacco’s compounds. XRCC3 is involved in homologous recombination repair of cross-links and chromosomal double-strand breaks (Thr241Met polymorphism). The aim of the study is to determine whether there is an in vivo association between genetic polymorphism of the gene XRCC3 and the frequency of genotoxicity biomarkers in subjects exposed or not to formaldehyde and with or without tobacco consumption.

Certificação duma parte M "completa" (subparte G + F) para aviação geral

O presente trabalho foi realizado no âmbito de um estágio curricular, em parceria com o Instituto de Formação Aeronáutica, tendo como tema a “Certificação de uma Parte M completa (Subparte G + F) para Aviação Geral”. Note-se que quando o autor faz referência à aviação geral, dirige-se às aeronaves não envolvidas no transporte aéreo comercial e cuja massa máxima à descolagem é inferior ou igual a 5700 kg. No entanto no desenrolar da elaboração deste trabalho, o IFA optou pela obtenção da certificação de acordo com a Parte 145, o que permitirá a realização de manutenção no âmbito da aviação comercial e geral, o que torna irrazoável a certificação apenas de acordo com a Parte M Subparte F, já que esta se direcciona única e exclusivamente para a aviação geral. Por conseguinte, o autor optou por desenvolver e abordar apenas a certificação de acordo com a Parte M Subparte G. Com efeito, como principal objectivo pretende-se elaborar um Manual de Gestão da Continuidade da Aeronavegabilidade, por forma a criar as condições necessárias para certificar uma nova empresa, vulgo “start-up”, a ser incubada no IFA, como uma Organização de Gestão da Continuidade da Aeronavegabilidade de acordo com a Parte M Subparte G. O referido manual permitirá demonstrar perante a Autoridade Aeronáutica que a empresa em apreço preenche os requisitos exigidos e definidos na Regulamentação aplicável. Mais se pretende com este trabalho trazer benefícios para a nova empresa a incubar no IFA, designadamente acelerar todo o processo de formação e permitir que a mesma se possa inserir no mercado com a maior brevidade possível. Importa ainda realçar que o trabalho desenvolvido implicou o levantamento e a análise minuciosa de toda a Legislação e Regulamentação relacionada com a Continuidade da Aeronavegabilidade de aeronaves e seus componentes.

Q192R polymorphism of the paraoxonase-1 gene as a risk factor for obesity in Portuguese women

Introduction - Obesity became a major public health problem as a result of its increasing prevalence worldwide. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an esterase able to protect membranes and lipoproteins from oxidative modifications. At the PON1 gene, several polymorphisms in the promoter and coding regions have been identified. The aims of this study were i) to assess PON1 L55M and Q192R polymorphisms as a risk factor for obesity in women; ii) to compare PON1 activity according to the expression of each allele in L55M and Q192R polymorphisms; iii) to compare PON1 activity between obese and normal-weight women. Materials and methods - We studied 75 healthy (35.9±8.2 years) and 81 obese women (34.3±8.2 years). Inclusion criteria for obese subjects were body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and absence of inflammatory/neoplasic conditions or kidney/hepatic dysfunction. The two PON1 polymorphisms were assessed by real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. PON1 enzymatic activity was assessed by spectrophotometric methods, using paraoxon as a substrate. Results - No significant differences were found for PON1 activity between normal and obese women. Nevertheless, PON1 activity was greater (P<0.01) for the RR genotype (in Q192R polymorphism) and for the LL genotype (in L55M polymorphism). The frequency of allele R of Q192R polymorphism was significantly higher in obese women (P<0.05) and was associated with an increased risk of obesity (odds ratio=2.0 – 95% confidence interval (1.04; 3.87)). Conclusion - 55M and Q192R polymorphisms influence PON1 activity. The allele R of the Q192R polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for development of obesity among Portuguese Caucasian premenopausal women.

The D1822V APC polymorphism interacts with fat, calcium, and fiber intakes in modulating the risk of colorectal cancer in Portuguese persons

Background - Both genetic and environmental factors affect the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective - We aimed to examine the interaction between the D1822V polymorphism of the APC gene and dietary intake in persons with CRC. Design - Persons with CRC (n = 196) and 200 healthy volunteers, matched for age and sex in a case-control study, were evaluated with respect to nutritional status and lifestyle factors and for the D1822V polymorphism. Results - No significant differences were observed in energy and macronutrient intakes. Cases had significantly (P < 0.05) lower intakes of carotenes, vitamins C and E, folate, and calcium than did controls. Fiber intake was significantly (P = 0.004) lower in cases than in controls, whereas alcohol consumption was associated with a 2-fold risk of CRC. In addition, cases were significantly (P = 0.001) more likely than were controls to be sedentary. The homozygous variant for the APC gene (VV) was found in 4.6% of cases and in 3.5% of controls. Examination of the potential interactions between diet and genotype found that a high cholesterol intake was associated with a greater risk of colorectal cancer only in noncarriers (DD) of the D1822V APC allele (odds ratio: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.76). In contrast, high fiber and calcium intakes were more markedly associated with a lower risk of CRC in patients carrying the polymorphic allele (DV/VV) (odds ratio: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.94 for fiber; odds ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.93 for calcium) than in those without that allele. Conclusion - These results suggest a significant interaction between the D1822V polymorphism and the dietary intakes of cholesterol, calcium, and fiber for CRC risk.