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Long-term safety has to be assured for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste to prevent contamination of the biosphere. A numerical framework for the probabilistic assessment of hazardous events regarding nuclear waste disposal in salt domes is developed here. The goal is to numerically simulate transport times and mass fluxes of radionuclides into the biosphere, and to couple this with a probabilistic framework for reliability assessment. This model can deal with uncertainties such as the impact of external events (major climate changes, human activities, earthquakes) on subsurface structure, material properties and boundary conditions. To quantify the impact of external events, a numerical model of the far field of a salt dome disposal site is generated. It includes the simulation of density-driven (thermohaline) flow, heat transport, transport of dissolved salt and a radionuclide in discretely-fractured porous media using the FE-code HEATFLOW-SMOKER Version V3/TC2.As a first step in quantifying the effects of uncertain parameters in the context of nuclear waste disposal in salt domes, the salt dome problem (HYDROCOIN level 1 case 5) is further investigated in terms of groundwater age. Groundwater age is one of the exclusion criteria in the site selection process for nuclear waste deposits and therefore of great importance. Groundwater age is here calculated as a transport problem using steady-state flow velocities. This problem is density-driven due to transport of salt into the model domain and the steady-state solution is highly dependent on dispersion. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to quantify the effect of uncertain dispersion on flow and salt distribution and resulting groundwater age. Preliminary simulation results demonstrate that both salt distribution and groundwater age in steady-state are significantly affected by longitudinal and transversal dispersivity. Resulting flow velocities are higher with increased dispersion and therefore lead to a decreased maximum groundwater age in the model domain.

espanolEl trabajo ofrece una reflexion en torno al elemento subjetivo de la imprudencia y la delimitacion entre esta y el dolo. Se cuestionan las doctrinas que, en ambos planos, niegan la relevancia de consideraciones subjetivas y adoptan concepciones normativas motivadas por el rechazo a las posturas “psicologizantes”. Los autores argumentan el caracter doloso de aquellos supuestos que suponen conocer o asumir el hecho tipico como consecuencia practicamente segura de la conducta (dolo directo) o, al menos, con una alta probabilidad, de modo que suponga prever un peligro concreto (dolo eventual). En cambio, las conductas imprudentes se refieren a una peligrosidad (ex ante) de menor entidad y a riesgos menos irrazonables: el agente solo alcanza a considerar un peligro general, representandose un riesgo abstracto de realizacion del hecho tipico. No obstante, puede haber imprudencia penalmente relevante, aun sin representacion actual del hecho tipico, cuando se adopte un comportamiento cuya peligrosidad no puede desconocerse, justificandose de este modo la imputacion de un “deber de prevision”. EnglishThis paper deals with the subjective element of criminal negligence and the conceptual distinction between negligence, or recklessness, and intention, as different mens rea states. The authors criticize the legal theories that deny the relevance of subjective considerations while adopting normative conceptions motivated by psychologizing objections. They argue that intention requires assuming the realization of the typical event as a practically certain consequence (direct intent) or, at least, with a high probability, so that it implies foresee a specific danger (eventual intent). On the other hand, negligent harmful conducts are dangers of lesser importance (ex-ante), or less unreasonable risks: the agent is conscious of a general danger, being able to foresee an abstract risk of realization of the typical harmful event. However, there may be criminally relevant negligence, even without actual foresight, when adopting a behavior whose danger cannot be ignored, thus justifying the imputation of a “duty of foresight”.

RESUMEN: El estudio aborda la relevancia de los cursos causales hipotéticos para la imputación normativa del resultado a la conducta imprudente. Se exponen argumentos centrados en el perfil teleológico de las reglas de diligencia que concretan el deber de cuidado, defendiendo la adopción de los criterios del “aumento del riesgo” o bien, tratándose de supuestos de comisión por omisión, de la “disminución de oportunidades”. Se aclara la relación dogmática entre dicha valoración y el criterio de la “realización del riesgo” (o “fin de protección de la norma”), reafirmando la correspondencia estructural entre los delitos comisivos y los “omisivos impropios”. Finalmente, se pone especial énfasis en el significado práctico y político-criminal de la estructura dogmática defendida en materia de responsabilidad penal médica por error de diagnóstico.

A discussion concerning whether to conceive Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems as responsible moral entities, also known as “artificial moral agents” (AMAs), has been going on for some time. In this regard, we argue that the notion of “moral agency” is to be attributed only to humans based on their autonomy and sentience, which AI systems lack. We analyze human responsibility in the presence of AI systems in terms of meaningful control and due diligence and argue against fully automated systems in medicine. With this perspective in mind, we focus on the use of AI-based diagnostic systems and shed light on the complex networks of persons, organizations and artifacts that come to be when AI systems are designed, developed, and used in medicine. We then discuss relational criteria of judgment in support of the attribution of responsibility to humans when adverse events are caused or induced by errors in AI systems.

This paper deals with the relevance of bioethical guidelines for the prioritization of patient care. These guidelines should guide health professionals’ triage procedures in exceptional situations of resource shortage. Also, they would contribute to evaluate the legal liability of professionals in these situations.

This paper deals with the relevance of bioethical guidelines for the prioritization of patient care. These guidelines should guide health professionals' triage procedures in exceptional situations of resource shortage. Also, they would contribute to evaluate the legal liability of professionals in these situations.

espanolObjeto de este estudio es el metodo de concrecion del deber de cuidado, esto es, el conjunto de criterios a traves de los cuales el juez tiene que definir la pauta de cuidado (la norma de conducta) objetivamente adecuada y exigible, expectativa normativa cuya infraccion integra la «dimension objetiva» de la imprudencia en Derecho penal. En la primera parte (par. 1-4) se consideran algunas teorias normativas y se destacan sus limites. Esta etapa del analisis permite proponer una perspectiva teorica alternativa basada en la distincion conceptual entre pautas de cuidado “tipicas” (positivas y determinadas, o predeterminadas por las praxis, las normas consuetudinarias, las leges artis) y “atipicas” (que solo pueden ser definidas por los tribunales acudiendo a parametros normativos ideales), que al autor desarrolla en la segunda parte (par. 5-7), llegando a definir un criterio general y comparativo de “gravedad” (y “exigibilidad objetiva”) para definir las conductas lesivas “objetivamente” imprudentes. Conforme a este criterio indicativo, la infraccion de una pauta de cuidado “atipica” (no predeterminada por lo “usual” y las leges artis) puede ser considerada tan grave como para merecer la misma relevancia (penal) atribuida a la inobservancia de las normas modales pre-definidas (“tipicas”) solo en la medida en que el cumplimiento de la expectativa de cuidado ajustada a la Masfigur (el “hombre cuidadoso”) pueda valorarse exigible de la misma manera. Cierran el estudio (par. 8-9) algunas reflexiones de iure condito y de iure condendo, con especial referencia a los ordenamientos italiano y espanol. italianoOggetto di questo contributo e il metodo di concretizzazione del dovere di diligenza, cioe l’insieme dei criteri attraverso cui il giudice e chiamato a definire la regola cautelare obiettivamente esigibile, aspettativa normativa la cui inosservanza integra la cd. «misura oggettiva» della colpa penale. Nella prima parte del lavoro (par. 1-4) vengono considerate alcune teorie normative ed evidenziati i loro limiti. Questa fase dell’analisi consente di avanzare un’ipotesi di studio basata sulla distinzione fra regole cautelari “tipiche” (positive e determinate, o predeterminate dagli usi, dalle prassi cautelari o dalle leges artis) e “atipiche” (definibili dal giudice in base ad un parametro normativo ideale), che l’autore sviluppa nella seconda parte (par. 5-7), dove giunge a proporre una criterio generale e comparativo di “gravita” (e di “esigibilita oggettiva”) funzionale alla definizione delle condotte lesive “oggettivamente” colpose. Secondo questo criterio indicativo l’inosservanza di una regola cautelare “atipica” (non predefinita dagli usi o dalle leges artis) puo essere ritenuta tanto grave da meritare la stessa rilevanza assegnata alla violazione delle regole modali predefinite (“tipiche”) solo qualora l’adeguamento all’aspettativa di condotta parametrata alla Masfigur possa ritenersi altrettanto esigibile. Il lavoro si chiude (par. 8-9) con alcune brevi indicazioni de iure condito e de iure condendo con particolare riferimento all’ordinamento italiano e a quello spagnolo.

This chapter consists of a brief discussion on some legal aspects concerning scientists’ responsibility in risk prevention processes. After proposing some introductory considerations on scientists’ responsibility as such, the author deals with the L’Aquila earthquake crisis of 2009, when a strong quake destroyed significant parts of L’Aquila (Italy) and surrounding villages, killing more than 300 people. The chapter focuses on the relations between scientific knowledge, normative expectations, decision-making and criminal negligence for ‘failed’ risk assessment and management, paying particular attention to the role of ‘regulatory science’ in constructing the ‘reasonable person’ normative standard of care in the theory of criminal negligence. This allows explaining why the first judgement in the L’Aquila trial (2012) is not convincing, having misunderstood how policy-relevant science should participate in prevention processes and the construction of normative standards. In his conclusions, the author suggests some reasons for the recent tendency to blame experts when natural or technological disasters occur.

espanolFrente al fenomeno de la medicina defensiva, una opcion politico-criminal consiste en reducir el alcance de la culpa (imprudencia) penal medica como criterio de imputacion, con el objetivo de conjugar, por un lado, el principio de responsabilidad y, por otro lado, la implementacion de mejores condiciones para el ejercicio de la actividad medica y la proteccion de los bienes juridicos involucrados. En este sentido, la presente contribucion analiza criticamente las reformas adoptadas por el legislador italiano en 2012 y 2017, y algunos aspectos propios de la “imprudencia profesional” regulada por el Codigo Penal espanol; poniendo un especial enfasis, en ambos contextos, a la problematica nocion de “impericia”. En las conclusiones se ofrecen algunas advertencias y sugerencias deducibles desde la perspectiva comparada tenida en consideracion. En particular, se muestran los limites de la heterointegracion normativa del cuidado debido a traves de protocolos y guidelines; se defiende la oportunidad de distinguir entre pautas de cuidado “tipicas” (leges artis predeterminadas) y expectativas de cuidado “atipicas” (definibles en el marco del juicio); y, sobre esa base, se propone un criterio de culpa (imprudencia) grave para las hipotesis de culpa medica in eligendo. EnglishOne of the possible political-criminal options, when facing the phenomenon of Defensive Medicine, consists in reducing the scope of criminal negligence as a criterion of imputation in the field of medical malpractice law, with the aim of combining, on the one hand, the principle of responsibility and, on the other hand, the implementation of better conditions for the protection of the fundamental rights involved. In this regard, the author analyses the reforms adopted by the Italian legislator in 2012 and 2017 and the “professional negligence” as provided by the Spanish Penal Code. The conclusions offer some suggestions and warnings inferable from the comparative perspective considered. In particular, the author argues some limits of the normative heterointegration of the duty of care by protocols and guidelines; he defends a distinction between “typical” (predetermined) standards of care and “atypical” duties of care (definable within the framework of a trial); and, on that basis, he proposes a criterion of “gross negligence” for the hypothesis of medical culpa in eligendo.

En la primera parte de este artículo se retoma el debate sobre la responsabilidad penal por mala práctica médica imprudente ante la progresiva estandarización de las prácticas clínicas. Su consideración crítica permite configurar un paradigma de imputación capaz de conjugar los intereses de los pacientes con aquéllos de los profesionales de la salud. En la segunda parte se plantea la hipótesis principal, argumentando cómo el mismo paradigma puede permitir marcar los límites de la responsabilidad del profesional por eventos adversos causados por la adopción de indicaciones erróneas de sistemas de inteligencia artificial. En las conclusiones se destaca cómo todo proceso de uniformación y automatización encuentra límites insuperables en el pluralismo, la autonomía y la ética de la responsabilidad.

Submitted by Patrícia Rabello (rabello@stj.jus.br) on 2017-01-30T20:52:59Z No. of bitstreams: 2 contribucion_victima_imputacion_perin.pdf: 410599 bytes, checksum: fd7342869b5b7450adea19e5abced933 (MD5) license.txt: 1239 bytes, checksum: c9b4c351324448672315a00808efb725 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Roberta Marins (rmarins@stj.jus.br) on 2017-02-07T17:41:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 contribucion_victima_imputacion_perin.pdf: 410599 bytes, checksum: fd7342869b5b7450adea19e5abced933 (MD5) license.txt: 1239 bytes, checksum: c9b4c351324448672315a00808efb725 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-07T17:41:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 contribucion_victima_imputacion_perin.pdf: 410599 bytes, checksum: fd7342869b5b7450adea19e5abced933 (MD5) license.txt: 1239 bytes, checksum: c9b4c351324448672315a00808efb725 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 Desenvolve algumas reflexões críticas sobre a teoria do delito imprudente e a imputação objetiva do resultado, com referência aos limites do dever de cuidado do empresário na prevenção dos riscos laborais e os supostos de "contribuição culposa" da própria vítima na realização do trabalho danoso. O estudo avalia as experiências italiana e espanhola.

Cima, F., Perin, A., Burighel, P. and Ballarin, L. 2001. Morpho-functional characterization of haemocytes of the compound ascidian Botrylloides leachi (Tunicata, Acidiacea). — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 82 : 261‐274 A morpho-functional study of the colonial ascidian Botrylloides leachi haemocytes was carried out to propose their classification, relationships and specializations. This characterization was obtained by (i) investigations of both living and aldehydefixed cells by light and electron microscopy; (ii) cytochemical and cytoenzymatic assays; (iii) lectin-affinity assays; (iv) phagocytosis and haemagglutination assays; and (v) anti-CD34 immunocytochemical assay for vertebrate haematopoietic stem cells. Results indicate that the haemoblast is a circulating stem cell and there are at least five haemocyte differentiation pathways, the last two of which have never been described in botryllids: (i) phagocytic line (hyaline amoebocytes and macrophage-like cells) share ultrastructural features, the same hydrolytic enzymes and WGA lectin binding, and are involved in yeast phagocytosis and erythrocyte rosette formation; (ii) cytotoxic line (granular amoebocytes and morula cells) with vacuoles containing oxidative enzymes and polyphenolic substrates; (iii) vacuolated cell line (pigment cells and nephrocytes) involved in catabolite storage; (iv) compartment cell line (compartment amoebocytes and compartment cells) able to agglutinate erythrocytes and characterized by vacuoles with a moderately electron-dense content, positive to arylsulphatase activity and binding DBA, UEA-I, HPA lectins; and (v) granular cell line includes trophic cells, able to infiltrate the gut epithelium, showing a cytoplasm filled of PAS-positive vacuoles with arylsulphatase, chloroacetylesterase and β -glucuronidase activities.

O teste de sentar e alcançar (TSA) é o teste mais comum para se avaliar a flexibilidade dos isquiotibiais. Apesar de muito utilizado, alguns estudos contestam sua utilização devido a fatores que podem mascarar o seu resultado como, por exemplo, a diferença de proporção de comprimento entre os membros inferiores e superiores, a flexibilidade da coluna vertebral e a abdução escapular. Algumas medidas realizadas em imagens permitem determinar posições relativas entre pontos de referências, ângulos, distâncias e áreas. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um protocolo de avaliação do nível de flexão do quadril (alongamento dos isquiotibiais), flexão da coluna lombar e da coluna torácica, por meio da fotogrametria, na posição final do TSA. Para desenvolver o protocolo de avaliação por fotogrametria utilizou-se uma câmera digital da marca Sony® de 10 megapixels de resolução de imagem, um tripé da marca Midas®, fita adesiva dupla face, um lápis dermográfico, e três marcadores tipo “cotovelos” de Poliestireno de 90º da marca Fame®. Para a realização da parte experimental do novo protocolo, utilizou-se uma amostra de 30 voluntários de 18 e 19 anos do sexo masculino que assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. A utilização da análise cinemática angular obtida pela fotogrametria permitiu quantificar o movimento, determinando em valores angulares, a contribuição dos segmentos corporais na execução do TSA. A partir da analise dos resultados, pode-se observar também que o TSA não faz uma avaliação confiável da flexibilidade de isquiotibiais, pois pela homogeneidade dos valores encontrados para o ângulo Fq na amostra estudada, conclui-se que o que fez os sujeitos serem classificados em categorias diferentes (de “fraco” até “excelente”) não foi apenas a maior ou menor utilização dos músculos isquiotibiais, mas sim, a soma das contribuições dos segmentos lombar e torácico, pois participam ativamente deste movimento.

INTRODUÇÃO: a ginástica rítmica (GR) é uma modalidade de ginástica que requer alto grau de flexibilidade, em virtude dos movimentos complexos que são requeridos. OBJETIVO: esta pesquisa objetivou comparar o teste de sentar e alcançar (TSA) e a técnica de biofotogrametria como indicadores de flexibilidade de tronco, em praticantes iniciantes de GR. METODOLOGIA: a amostra contou com 60 meninas (de cinco a 11 anos de idade) de um universo de 110, todas matriculadas em um centro de iniciação esportiva no estado do Paraná. A coleta de dados foi realizada no mês de novembro do ano de 2009. Para a comparação TSA com a biofotogrametria, foram traçados os ângulos de flexão da pelve (WP), flexão da coluna lombar (WC) e flexão do total do tronco (WT). RESULTADOS: o resultado médio atingido pelas participantes na escala do TSA foi de 27,75cm. Encontrou-se forte correlação do ângulo WT com o TSA. Por ser uma composição de WC e WP, o WT possibilita uma visualização global da distância do tronco até os membros inferiores quando ocorre a flexão durante o teste. Por isso, as correlações entre os ângulos são boas e significativas. CONCLUSÃO: uma vez que o TSA apresenta alguns fatores intervenientes que podem mascarar o seu resultado, a biofotogrametria é discutida como um teste que permite observar, através de imagens fotográficas e cálculos angulares, dados fidedignos para a mensuração de flexibilidade e compensações musculares não identificadas normalmente. INTRODUCTION: Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) is a type of gymnastics that requires a high degree of flexibility due to the complexity of the required movements. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to compare the sit and reach test (SRT) and the Biophotogrammetry technique as indicators of trunk flexibility in beginning GR practitioners. METHODS: the sample included 60 girls (5-11 years old) from a universe of 110, all enrolled in a Center for Sports Initiation in Parana State. Data collection was performed in November, 2009. IN order to compare the TSA and biophotogrammetry, angles of the pelvis (WP), spinal flexion (WC) and total trunk flexion (WT) were drawn. RESULTS: the average score achieved by the participants on theTSA scale was 27.75 cm. A strong correlation was found between WT angle and the TSA values. Since it is a combination of the WC and WP, the WT provides a global view of the distance from the trunk to the legs when bending occurs during the test. Therefore, the correlations between the angles are good and meaningful. CONCLUSION: since the TSA has some intervening factors that may mask the result, biophotogrammetry is discussed as a test that allows the observation of reliable data for measuring flexibility and muscle compensation which are not usually identified, through photographs and angular calculations.

This chapter deals with the issue of reliance on scientific claims in contexts other than scientific ones. Both social and natural sciences are supposed to be able to provide decision-making processes with objective and neutral points of view on the natural order. Nevertheless, several factors—such as the constant evolution of scientific research, scientific uncertainty, and social implications of scientific debates—make increasingly difficult to access clearly reliable scientific knowledge. The thirty-year scientific-public dispute between the official hypothesis on HIV/AIDS and the so-called ‘AIDS denialism’ allows us to corroborate this general observation. Taking this example as a starting point and common thread, the author discusses the importance of improving experts’ communication towards society and the need to provide lay-persons with reasonable explanations. Indeed, paradigmatic comparative case-law confirm that also judges have to independently decide whether to admit scientific evidence in court, determining which claims are (more) reliable (than others). In his conclusions, the author points out that better scientific communication requires accepting complexity and constant variability characterising scientific matters. Instead, over-reliance on science might induce a lack of trust in scientific institutions, inevitably increasing relativism, confusion, and manipulation.