Precipitation strengthened nickel-base superalloys, such as IN 738, are very difficult to weld by fusion welding techniques due to their high susceptibility to heat-affected zone (HAZ) intergranular liquation cracking. An improvement in weldability could be realized by the deployment of innovative welding processes and/or the modification of the materials’ microstructural characteristics. Laser-arc hybrid welding is a relatively new welding process that appears to possess great potentials for joining the difficult-to-weld nickel-base superalloys. The research described in this Ph.D. dissertation was initiated to perform a systematic and comprehensive study of the cracking susceptibility of nickel-base IN 738 superalloy welds made by laser-arc hybrid welding process, and how to minimize it by using a combination of pre-weld microstructural modification and the application of various welding filler alloys. Laser-arc hybrid welding produced a desirable weld geometry in IN 738 Superalloy. Cracking did not occur exclusively in the fusion zone. Analysis of the fusion zone material using EPMA, SEM, TEM and EBSD revealed elemental partitioning pattern, the presence of secondary solidification reaction constituents and the grain structure of the fusion zone. Non-equilibrium liquation of various second phases that were present in the alloy prior to welding contributed to intergranular liquation in the HAZ that consequently resulted in extensive HAZ intergranular cracking. A very significant reduction in HAZ intergranular liquation cracking was achieved by the use of an industrially deployable and effective pre-weld thermal processing procedure developed during this research work. This novel procedure, designated as FUMT, was developed on the basis of the control of both boride formation and intergranular boron segregation in the pre-weld material. Propensity for HAZ intergranular liquation cracking in the weldments was also observed to vary depending on the Al+Ti+Nb+Ta concentration of the weld metal produced by different filler alloys, which can be attributed to variation in the extent of precipitation hardening in the weld metals. The newly developed FUMT treatment procedure, coupled with the selection of an appropriate type of filler alloy, is effective in reducing HAZ intergranular cracking both during laser-arc hybrid welding and during post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of the laser-arc hybrid welded IN 738 superalloy.

Precipitation strengthened nickel-base superalloys, such as IN 738, are very difficult to weld by fusion welding techniques due to their high susceptibility to heat-affected zone (HAZ) intergranular liquation cracking. An improvement in weldability could be realized by the deployment of innovative welding processes and/or the modification of the materials’ microstructural characteristics. Laser-arc hybrid welding is a relatively new welding process that appears to possess great potentials for joining the difficult-to-weld nickel-base superalloys. The research described in this Ph.D. dissertation was initiated to perform a systematic and comprehensive study of the cracking susceptibility of nickel-base IN 738 superalloy welds made by laser-arc hybrid welding process, and how to minimize it by using a combination of pre-weld microstructural modification and the application of various welding filler alloys. Laser-arc hybrid welding produced a desirable weld geometry in IN 738 Superalloy. Cracking did not occur exclusively in the fusion zone. Analysis of the fusion zone material using EPMA, SEM, TEM and EBSD revealed elemental partitioning pattern, the presence of secondary solidification reaction constituents and the grain structure of the fusion zone. Non-equilibrium liquation of various second phases that were present in the alloy prior to welding contributed to intergranular liquation in the HAZ that consequently resulted in extensive HAZ intergranular cracking. A very significant reduction in HAZ intergranular liquation cracking was achieved by the use of an industrially deployable and effective pre-weld thermal processing procedure developed during this research work. This novel procedure, designated as FUMT, was developed on the basis of the control of both boride formation and intergranular boron segregation in the pre-weld material. Propensity for HAZ intergranular liquation cracking in the weldments was also observed to vary depending on the Al+Ti+Nb+Ta concentration of the weld metal produced by different filler alloys, which can be attributed to variation in the extent of precipitation hardening in the weld metals. The newly developed FUMT treatment procedure, coupled with the selection of an appropriate type of filler alloy, is effective in reducing HAZ intergranular cracking both during laser-arc hybrid welding and during post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of the laser-arc hybrid welded IN 738 superalloy.

Because of the HIV– and Aids pandemic, a paradigm shift is currently noticed in the traditional role expectation of educators. Except for didactical education, they are also confronted with professional and personal demands on a daily basis. These changes in professional and personal roles are often traumatic and sufficient coping skills as well as support, seems to be limited. The REds–program (resilient educators) was developed for this reason - to empower educators to cope more resiliently with these demands. This study was conducted in order to determine if this program is effective in the empowerment of educators. Two articles follow, from which the first one examines and explores the content, nature and extent of the program. The evaluation of the REds–program follows in the second article. Findings suggest that there were participants that were empowered in the long run and direct feedback from participants confirm that they found the program to be valuable on professional and personal areas. / Thesis (M.A. (MW.))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Because of the HIV– and Aids pandemic, a paradigm shift is currently noticed in the traditional role expectation of educators. Except for didactical education, they are also confronted with professional and personal demands on a daily basis. These changes in professional and personal roles are often traumatic and sufficient coping skills as well as support, seems to be limited. The REds–program (resilient educators) was developed for this reason - to empower educators to cope more resiliently with these demands. This study was conducted in order to determine if this program is effective in the empowerment of educators. Two articles follow, from which the first one examines and explores the content, nature and extent of the program. The evaluation of the REds–program follows in the second article. Findings suggest that there were participants that were empowered in the long run and direct feedback from participants confirm that they found the program to be valuable on professional and personal areas. / Thesis (M.A. (MW.))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Darbo tikslas – ištirti dotidėjomicetų (Dothideomycetes) ir sordarijomicetų (Sordariomycetes) įvairovę bei ekologines ypatybes aliuviniuose juodalksnynuose ir kormoranų pažeistame pušyne. Darbe pirmą kartą Lietuvoje detaliai ištirta aliuviniuose juodalksnynuose ir kormoranų pažeistame pušyne dotidėjomicetų ir sordarijomicetų rūšių įvairovė ir paplitimas. Sudarytas šiuose miškuose aptiktų grybų rūšių sąvadas. Išaiškintos 72 naujos Lietuvai tirtų aukšliagrybūnų rūšys ir pateikti originalūs jų morfologijos aprašymai. Pirmą kartą Lietuvoje įvertinta aplinkos veiksnių įtaka sumedėjusių bei žolinių augalų dotidėjomicetų ir sordarijomicetų įvairovei. Darbo rezultatai pagilino žinias apie šių grybų paplitimo dėsningumus Europoje saugomuose aliuviniuose miškuose, kas gali būti panaudota šių buveinių biologinės įvairovės išsaugojimui. Kormoranų pažeistame pušyne nustatyti tirtų grybų rūšinės sudėties ir paplitimo ypatumai leidžia įvertinti šių paukščių sukeliamos hipertrofikacijos poveikį pušyno mikobiotai. / The aim of the study was to investigate the diversity and ecological properties of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the alluvial black alder forests and the pine forest affected by cormorants. For the first time in Lithuania, detailed investigations were carried out on the diversity and distribution of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the above-mentioned forests. The checklist of the study fungi was complied. 72 Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes species new to Lithuania were identified and original descriptions of their morphology were provided. The influence of abiotic factors on the diversity of woody and herbaceous plants fungi was evaluated for the first time in Lithuania. The results of the study enhanced the knowledge about the distribution of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the alluvial forests protected in Europe, which may be used to protect the biologic diversity of these habitats. The properties of the diversity and distribution of studied fungi in the pine forest affected by cormorants allow assessing the impact of the hypertrophication, caused by these birds on the pine forest mycobiota.

The aim of the study was to investigate the diversity and ecological properties of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the alluvial black alder forests and the pine forest affected by cormorants. For the first time in Lithuania, detailed investigations were carried out on the diversity and distribution of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the above-mentioned forests. The checklist of the study fungi was complied. 72 Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes species new to Lithuania were identified and original descriptions of their morphology were provided. The influence of abiotic factors on the diversity of woody and herbaceous plants fungi was evaluated for the first time in Lithuania. The results of the study enhanced the knowledge about the distribution of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the alluvial forests protected in Europe, which may be used to protect the biologic diversity of these habitats. The properties of the diversity and distribution of studied fungi in the pine forest affected by cormorants allow assessing the impact of the hypertrophication, caused by these birds on the pine forest mycobiota. / Darbo tikslas – ištirti dotidėjomicetų (Dothideomycetes) ir sordarijomicetų (Sordariomycetes) įvairovę bei ekologines ypatybes aliuviniuose juodalksnynuose ir kormoranų pažeistame pušyne. Darbe pirmą kartą Lietuvoje detaliai ištirta aliuviniuose juodalksnynuose ir kormoranų pažeistame pušyne dotidėjomicetų ir sordarijomicetų rūšių įvairovė ir paplitimas. Sudarytas šiuose miškuose aptiktų grybų rūšių sąvadas. Išaiškintos 72 naujos Lietuvai tirtų aukšliagrybūnų rūšys ir pateikti originalūs jų morfologijos aprašymai. Pirmą kartą Lietuvoje įvertinta aplinkos veiksnių įtaka sumedėjusių bei žolinių augalų dotidėjomicetų ir sordarijomicetų įvairovei. Darbo rezultatai pagilino žinias apie šių grybų paplitimo dėsningumus Europoje saugomuose aliuviniuose miškuose, kas gali būti panaudota šių buveinių biologinės įvairovės išsaugojimui. Kormoranų pažeistame pušyne nustatyti tirtų grybų rūšinės sudėties ir paplitimo ypatumai leidžia įvertinti šių paukščių sukeliamos hipertrofikacijos poveikį pušyno mikobiotai.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:28:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Orientador: Nelson Rodrigo Pedon / Resumo: Esta pesquisa problematiza sobre a necessidade de políticas públicas para regular a relação promovida pelas forças produtivas do capital sobre comunidades atingidas por barragens no Brasil. Neste contexto, o setor elétrico está entre os que mais têm promovido e intensificado a desterritorialização de milhares de pessoas, que, na falta de um marco legal para as questões sociais, relega aos empreendedores o poder de decisão sobre a condição de atingido. No centro desta discussão está a reterritorialização das populações ribeirinhas que pretendem permanecer no meio rural, fator de conflito entre atingidos e as empresas representantes do setor elétrico. Neste sentido, foi realizado um estudo comparativo entre duas modalidades de reassentamento para comunidades rurais atingidas por barragens, a fim de avaliar suas mitigações socioterritoriais e apontar qual delas apresenta melhores condições para garantir a qualidade de vida e a reprodução social das famílias reassentadas: a Carta de Crédito (CC), favorita do setor elétrico; e o Reassentamento Rural Coletivo (RRC), reivindicado pelas comunidades ribeirinhas organizadas através do Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (MAB). A argumentação foi composta a partir de levantamento bibliográfico, documental, entrevista com informantes chaves e através de Pesquisa de Campo em famílias atingidas e reassentadas pela Usina Hidrelétrica (UHE) Machadinho. As evidências da pesquisa demostraram que a modalidade do RRC apresentou aspectos mais p... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This research studies the necessity of public policies to regulate the relation promoted by the productive forces of the capital over communities affected by dams in Brazil. The electric sector is one of the sectors which has most promoted and intensified the eviction of thousands of people. The lack of a legal framework for social issues, relegates to companies the decision power over the conditions of those affected by the construction of dams. One of the main question in this discussion is the desterritorilization of riverine populations, which wishes to continue living at the rural territory, issue of conflict between representatives of the electric sector and people affected by dams. Within this context, this research studied and compared two modalities of resettlement for rural communities affected by dams, with the objective to evaluate social-territory mitigations and point to which of these modalities offers better conditions to guarantee better life-quality and social reproduction for the families: Letter of credence, which is the most preferred modality by the electric sector; and Collective Rural Resettlement, which is demanded by the riverine communities organized within the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB). The research has been made through bibliographical investigation, study of documents, interview with key persons and field research with families affected by the hydro-power dam Machadinho. The evidences of this research have come to the conclusion t... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

This thesis sets out to explore the reasons why individuals and communities affected by development operations are generally unable to influence and control the content of development interventions, and also how this disadvantaged position could potentially be ameliorated. The aim is to identify systematic and conceptual shortcomings at the governance level – that is, the issues that are valid on their own account and do not rely on the ideological stance about sustainable development. Accordingly, the thesis suggests four principles of accountability that, if implemented, would ensure a more balanced governance of development projects. It then explores whether and how decision-making in the context of World Bank financing currently adheres to these principles, both in terms of substantive standards of accountability and the procedural mechanisms that are put in place to uphold these standards. The analysis goes beyond the classic emphasis on the World Bank’s founding treaties, or enforcement of operational policies through the Inspection Panel. Instead, the thesis introduces the distinction between general (public international and domestic law), specialized (operational policies) and project-specific (agreements) rules, which, it is argued, are all directly relevant in the context of individual interventions. The notion of ‘project law’ is suggested as a helpful theoretical construct that enables such an analysis across traditional categories of sources. On the whole, ‘project law’ emphasizes the problematic link between different rules at the project level and points towards some fundamental difficulties of ensuring accountability for development transactions. The key argument of the thesis is that affected persons should be explicitly recognised under ‘project law’ and that such status could be useful in devising a system of accountability at the project level. It is also suggested that the governance of development interventions would benefit from better defined and more stringent public law rules and procedures, since these would clarify the limits of contractual freedom within ‘project law’. As a result of such greater certainty, it would be easier to hold decision-makers to account. Under the current system of World Bank financing, such improvements would be contingent primarily on the will of those who hold decision-making power, and their consent to be subjected to a more stringent accountability regime. In other words, whilst the legal tools may exist, there is also a need for the political will to use them.

The thesis deals with the psychosocial assistance and the entire complex of associated activities which have become a standard in helping people who have been affected by extraordinary events, critical situations and by the actions which are connected with the protection of people. The activities have become the standard in daily work of members of the Fire Rescue Service of South Bohemian Region, as well as of some other institutions, which are parties of the integrated rescue system, during their cooperation and joint intervention. Extraordinary events of various intensity, frequency and extent affect lives of people. The state creates various tools and measures and strives to be ready for harmful effects of these phenomena, address them effectively and minimize their impact. The Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic is the guarantor in this field; its work is based on Act No. 320/2015 Coll., On Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, as amended. The main task of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic is, among others, to protect lives and health of citizens of the Czech Republic. To fulfil its mission, the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic also provides psychosocial assistance to affected people during performing their rescue and relief activities. In that way, the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic develops its care and responds to overall needs of the citizens of the Czech Republic. Such an offer to citizens is expanded even further during joint interventions of more parties of the integrated rescue system. Act no. 239/2000 Coll., On the Integrated Rescue System, as amended, sets the possibilities of coordination and the broad platform of collaboration and cooperation with other important governmental and nongovernmental organizations and institutions. The aim of my thesis was to evaluate the entire complex of activities of psychosocial assistance to people affected by exceptional events. Having known the theoretical sources and especially after the subsequent evaluation of my qualitative research, I wanted to make some suggestions and recommendations for changes and improvements in providing psychosocial assistance. I have formulated five research questions which reflect the full scope of the examined issues. The thesis is divided into two parts: a standard theoretical part and a practical part. The theoretical part includes the research and analysis of scientific literature and related laws which deal with the tasks of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, psychological services, parties of the integrated rescue system and primarily with the psychosocial assistance. The practical part implements the tried and tested qualitative survey, which has been carri