Novel approach to plasma facing materials in nuclear fusion reactors

A novel material design in nuclear fusion reactors is proposed based on W-nDiamond nanostructured composites. Generally, a microstructure refined to the nanometer scale improves the mechanical strength due to modification of plasticity mechanisms. Moreover, highly specific grainboundary area raises the number of sites for annihilation of radiation induced defects. However, the low thermal stability of fine-grained and nanostructured materials demands the presence of particles at the grain boundaries that can delay coarsening by a pinning effect. As a result, the concept of a composite is promising in the field of nanostructured materials. The hardness of diamond renders nanodiamond dispersions excellent reinforcing and stabilization candidates and, in addition, diamond has extremely high thermal conductivity. Consequently, W-nDiamond nanocomposites are promising candidates for thermally stable first-wall materials. The proposed design involves the production of WAV-nDiamondAV-Cu/Cu layered castellations. The W, W-nDiamond and W-Cu layers are produced by mechanical alloying followed by a consolidation route that combines hot rolling with spark plasma sintering (SPS). Layer welding is achieved by spark plasma sintering. The present work describes the mechanical alloying processsing and consolidation route used to produce W-nDiamond composites, as well as microstructural features and mechanical properties of the material produced Long term plasma exposure experiments are planned at ISTTOK and at FTU (Frascati)

Mecanismos de tolerância da variedade de milho "Saracura" (BRS 4154) ao alagamento.

Esta revisao tem por objetivo discutir mecanismos de tolerancia desenvolvidos por plantula da variedade de milho "Saracura" (BRS 4154), que possui, como principal caracteristica, tolerancia a periodos intermitentes de encharcamento do solo. Os primeiros estudos de analise de tolerancia a baixa disponibilidade de oxigenio no meio, sob condicoes controladas, em sala de crescimento, confirmaram essa caracteristica, ao revelar que as plantulas suportam ate quatro dias de hipoxia sem nenhum dano aparente. A partir dai, apresentaram na regiao do mesocotilo, uma regiao translucida, caracteristica de lise celular, a qual evoluiu para uma constricao, como o prolongamento do estresse, causando murcha, tombamento e morte das plantulas. Estudos posteriores revelaram que a deficiencia de oxigenio provocou uma intensa e irreversiviel degradacao da parede, como resultado de uma elevacao na acao, principalmente, das enzimas poligalacturonase de celulase. As causas da tolerancia do milho "Saracura" foram atribuidas a uma resistencia ao ataque de enzimas de degradacao da parede celular, ao desenvolvimento de aerenquimas tanto no colmo quanto nas raizes e a uma alta capacidade de recuperacao da fotossintese apos periodos de alagamento. Foi observado que, na germinacao, o calcio diminuiu o tamanho das plantulas e aumentou a sua tolerancia ao alagamento, retardando o aparecimento da constricao do mesocotilo. Durante a germinacao, na presenca desse elemento, as reservas de carboidratos ficaram preservadas na cariopse, atrasando o desenvolvimento das plantulas e, quando em condicoes de alagamento, essas foram alocadas e utilizadas, permitindo a manutencao do metabolismo celular por mais tempo. Ficou constatado, tambem, que o calcio aumentou a estabilidade da parede celular e induziu um ajustamento osmotico, pelo aumento na concentracao de aminoacidos, principalmente a prolina

Organizing resistance movements: contribution of the political discourse theory

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of articulating Political Discourse Theory (PDT) together with Organizational Studies (OS), while using the opportunity to introduce PDT to those OS scholars who have not yet come across it. The bulk of this paper introduces the main concepts of PDT, discussing how they have been applied to concrete, empirical studies of resistance movements. In recent years, PDT has been increasingly appropriated by OS scholars to problematize and analyze resistances and other forms of social antagonisms within organizational settings, taking the relational and contingent aspects of struggles into consideration. While the paper supports the idea of a joint articulation of PDT and OS, it raises a number of critical questions of how PDT concepts have been empirically used to explain the organization of resistance movements. The paper sets out a research agenda for how both PDT and OS can together contribute to our understanding of new, emerging organizational forms of resistance movements.</jats:p

2 nd Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

Abstract Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It has considerable psychological, social, and economic impacts. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on the articulation and strategic contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of a close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. It is hoped that this document will strengthen the development of integrated actions against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research