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This paper presents the results obtained from the analyses performed on seaweed and paper made with algal biomass addition using different analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and the ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and gamma-ray emission (PIGE). The analyzed samples consisted of seaweed from the Ulva rigida C. Agardh 1823 species collected from the Black Sea coast, Romania, and filter papers with different mass addition (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8%) of seaweed. Seaweed introduced into the paper can dislodge some of the cellulose fibers, helping to reduce the amount of stranded seaweed that is currently not valorized in Romania. From the analysis of the results, it results that no potential toxic elements have been identified in the algae structure and the algal biomass could be used in the filter paper manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the International Society for Technology, Education, and Science (iHSES) conference is to offer opportunities to share ideas, discuss theoretical and practical issues, and connect with the leaders in the fields of "humanities," "education" and "social sciences." It is organized for: (1) faculty members in all disciplines of humanities, education and social sciences; (2) graduate students; (3) K-12 administrators; (4) teachers; (5) principals; and (6) all interested in education and social sciences. [Individual papers are indexed in ERIC.]

A need for concerted efforts in devising a more profound socialist education for the younger generation, and a strengthening of ideological ties joining the socialist nations was revealed in conference papers on: (1) the conference's significance (K. Tmej); (2) inaugural address (J. Kuberski); (3) Marxism-Leninism on the task of schools and teachers in building-up communism (M. I. Kondakov); (4) the teacher's role in forming a socialist set of values for children and youth (J. Wolczyk); (5) the teacher's role in the communist education of school children in the German Democratic Republic (G. Neuner); (6) the teacher's task and preparation in the period of building-up socialism in Cuba (M. F. Aranjo); (7) the teacher's work and training in the Hungarian People's Republic (S. Miklosvari); (8) the training of teacher cadres in the period of building-up a mature socialist society (Z. Atanasov); (9) the teacher as the most important factor in educating a new man (N. van Le); (10) the training and further education of educational personnel in the Rumanian Socialist Republic (V. Radulian); (11) theoretical problems of teachers' and educational personnel's lifelong education (K. Cepicka); and (12) Mongolian teachers' struggles to educate man (B. Davaasuren). Short presentations were made on: (1) the school and the teacher's task in personality forming in an advanced socialist society (O. Balaz); (2) forms and methods of training and of further education of educational personnel in an advanced socialist society (J. Jelencik); (3) education towards the teachers' scientific world outlook in the spirit of Marxist-Leninist ideology (J. Matejcik); (4) problems of teachers' further education in Czechoslovakia (K. Tmej); (5) the functional unity of the ideological-political, educational, and professional components in the training and further education of teachers of vocational and practical subjects (M. Klimova); (6) the teacher as educator (M. Hargas); (7) the problems of methodology and methods of research on questions of teacher education in Czechoslovakia (O. Franc); and (8) the personality of the teacher and the profile of graduates trained to teach at the first stage of basic schools in Czechoslovakia (M. Korinek). (CJB)

Various eco-friendly and cost-effective hydrocarbons clean-up methods based on natural sorbents were developed and tested, in order to prevent the massive environmental damage due to the petroleum spills.Among these sorbents, natural zeolitic tuffs are easily available and have numerous adsorptive properties that make them appropriate for the removal of petroleum substances. This study aims to preliminary investigate the sorptioncapacity of natural zeolites from a deposit located atRacos, Brasov County, Romania for diesel oil sorption. Two different zeolitic materials having particles size <10 micronsand 1-3 mm, thermally activated at two different temperatures, were used in this study. Zeolite samples were characterized in terms of major elements and major oxides contents,using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after acid digestion and also in terms of Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). For the experiments, an amount of 3.5 g of each adsorbingmaterials was placed in crystallizing glass columns dish, then diesel oil was added until the saturation of the whole bed. Afterwards, the excess of diesel oil was removed using a filter paper. The sorption capacity (SC) was determined by weighing. The results showed SC ranging between0.19 –0.26 g/g, for zeolites with particles size of 1-3 mm and, much higher SC, in the range of 1.5 –1.6 g/g, for zeolites with particles size <10 microns. This study offersvaluable information for the use of Romanian natural zeolites in the clean-up of different media contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Romanian industrial heritage experienced a variety of conversions in the post-socialist period in the context of deindustrialization as a result of advantages represented by the large size of the buildings and sites correlated with the flexibility of adaptive reuse, their location in the proximity of the central areas of the cities. At the same time, some industrial monuments were demolished, and office spaces or residential projects were built on their site. The aim of the paper is to analyze sites and buildings of industrial heritage, located in large cities (municipalities of Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca), which have registered conversions under the impact of urban development factors (accelerated dynamics of services, residential projects). The authors also selected examples of cultural reuse of industrial monuments analyzed from the perspective of integrated urban planning. The paper is significant because it is focused on the identification and discussion of best practice models related to the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage assets. The practical side of this paper is related to the presentation of the importance of sustainable reuse of industrial monuments that highlight their patrimonial values and contribute to meeting the needs of the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to provide an objective approach, starting from the current legislation, on the financial control system and the extent to which it can be an instrument of financial policy. At the same time, this paper captures the structure of the financial control system in Romania with brief considerations of the forms of financial control that make it up, starting from the community acquis in the field of financial control. In the current economic-social context, the existence of financial control standards is required, which are guaranteed by the Romanian state through the creation of a set of laws that govern this field. The pragmatic approach to financial control is vital for establishing its objective, based on specific management methods and techniques, and with the help of which the consolidation of order, discipline, the spirit of responsibility, as well as the efficient management of the economic and financial resources managed by the entities can be achieved public. Financial control must ensure the good functioning of all activities in the economic sphere and is called to act systematically in order to identify or prevent possible deviations and deficiencies, increase the efficiency in the use of resources, preserve the integrity of the heritage and, last but not least, in understanding the way in which legality is respected in the economic and financial field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acknowledging the pervasive need for employees endowed with higer order (research) skills, this article presents the results of a large-scale case study undetaken by the authors to examine the ways in which Applied Modern Language students deepen their knowledge of both chosen languages and specialised fields by engaging in student research. The focus of our quantitative and qualitative corpus analysis is on Applied Modern Language students from the Faculty of International Business and Economics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies - ASE, Romania, and we shed light on research they conducted for the Annual Student Conferences between 2014-2021 and their Bachelor's theses between 2016-2021 (languages of submission, research topics etc.). Moreover, the article presents the results obtained when investigating the possible correlations between student research and their continuing education and professional paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines communication dynamics within organizations, focusing on the influence of team size on communication patterns and work characteristics. In Romanian organizations, vertical communication prevails due to high power distance and collectivist mentality. Team size significantly impacts communication clarity, frequency, and formality. Smaller teams tend to have clearer, more direct communication, fostering deeper relationships among members. Larger teams feature structured communication but may suffer from reduced individual participation and satisfaction. Studies suggest optimal team sizes vary based on task complexity, with smaller teams excelling in complex tasks and larger teams in structured environments. Effective teams exhibit balanced communication patterns, with active participation from all members and direct interactions beyond formal roles. Communication patterns strongly predict team success, alongside individual skills and task context. Understanding these dynamics helps organizations tailor team structures and communication strategies for optimal performance, considering both the advantages and challenges posed by team size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, in the last decades, there have been significant changes in the categories of agricultural land use, in the two main directions of change: intensification and extensification. The main objective of this paper aims to analyze the main factors that influenced these changes in Romania at county level. The research methods used to achieve the main objective were: i) bibliographic documentation; ii) statistical analysis (data on the land fund structure at county level); and iii) cluster analysis. Starting from the theoretical model proposed by van Vliet, who identified multiple factors that affect changes in land use categories (demographic, economic, technological, institutional, socio-cultural and location factors) in his papers, it can be concluded that understanding the processes of changing the use of agricultural land and the factors that influence this process is important to anticipate Romania's future development paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper refers to the identification and classification of Living Agroecological Laboratories (ALL) and the selection of the most relevant ALL-Organic in the South-Muntenia and South-East development regions of Romania in 2021. Hypotetically, an Agroecology Living Laboratory should be any organic certified farm according to regulations of organic farming of IFOAM & European Comission. Based on the information provided by the "Ecological Agriculture" Department and the website of the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as in accordance with the concept and categories of business models from the RUBIZMO Horizon project (G.A. 773621, 2018-2021) and classification of farming systems, in this paper is presented: Type and number of operators: farmers, aquaculture producers, food and feed processors, traders, importers, exporters, collectors of wild flora and livestock and beekeepers, as well as the crops and livestock species and their area, respectively animals number in ecological agriculture identified in each county of the studied development regions; The ALL-Organic business models representative of "South-Muntenia and "South-East" regions in Romania 2021;. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest for higher quality in higher education targets and respects the ethical standards of writing and presenting academic papers by both teachers and students. In the context of public discussions over copyright over the last few years and a self-plagiarism, universities in Romania have made efforts to align with the standards of European universities for knowledge and enforcement in this area. Thus, specific procedures and work platforms have been created and developed (e.g. the webstudentase.ro platform, the use of the Semplag program at the University of Piteşti, accessing www.sistemantiplagiat.ro at the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest). Although in the last years, in the course of seminars, laboratories, practical activities and courses on academic writing norms, according to the legal provisions in force, a study among the students of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences reveals the insufficient understanding of the meaning of the term plagiarism, the incomplete knowledge of the modalities the plagiarism, the self-plagiarism, the possibilities of avoidance, as well as the sanctions for violation of the legislation. The study also shows a knowledge and use of plagiarism detection programs for a small number of surveyed students. Familiarizing with academic writing rules, author citation, use of translators in other languages for each first year of study, attention to compliance with these standards throughout the course of all faculty work, constant application of ethical rules to prevent plagiarism can prevent the risk of non-compliance with academic standards and the improvement of business activities in universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The areas occupied by permanent grasslands constitute one of the most important ecosystems of the Earth, occupying almost half of it. The use of land covered by grasslands and climate changes are the main stressors of grass communities and implicitly of grassland ecosystems. Its multifunctionality (food source for ruminants, insect habitat, means of soil and water conservation, as well as outdoor activities, etc.) is gradually affected, thus diminishing the mentioned functions. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of some indices characterizing permanent grasslands over a three-year period 2020-2023. Observations were made for three years on two permanent grasslands located in the vicinity of Hitia? and Căpăt (belonging to the same UAT Racovi'a). The monitored indices were the agronomic ones, namely the pastoral value (PV), the grazing capacity (GC), as well as the ecological ones (the Shannon-Weaver and Simpson indices). For each analyzed permanent grassland, three analysis points were taken and the resulting data represent the average. The analysis methods were the linear one to study the vegetation and the indices, and correlation analysis was used for the statistics. Thus, it may be concluded that there are differences from one year to the next in the structure of the vegetation and in grassland communities. This aspect is also reflected in the agricultural fodder potential of the studied grasslands. The results of this study enable starting points for urgent measures to improve these permanent grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing impacts of climate change have necessitated a comprehensive reassessment of large infrastructure projects, particularly highways, to ensure their resilience and sustainability. The article focuses on the analysis of climate change vulnerability, mitigation measures, and adaptation strategies within the context of a major highway project in Romania. With climate change accelerating, highways in Romania are becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, shifting precipitation patterns, temperature fluctuations, and related environmental changes. The paper highlights key findings from vulnerability assessments, emphasizing the project's exposure to climate-induced risks and its implications for the highway's infrastructure. Mitigating the impact of climate change is a fundamental objective for this highway project. The article discusses mitigation efforts, which include minimizing greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation phases, incorporating sustainable construction materials, and adopting energy-efficient technologies and practices. These measures align with Romania's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Also, the paper outlines adaptation measures, such as engineering design solutions to withstand extreme weather events, the integration of flexible design elements, and the establishment of climate monitoring and early warning systems to mitigate disruptions. In conclusion, the article underscores the urgency of integrating climate change vulnerability assessments, mitigation measures, and adaptation strategies into the planning and construction of highways in Romania. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses climate-related challenges, this highway project aims to contribute to a sustainable, resilient, and environmentally conscious transportation network for the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the satisfaction regarding the financial situation in Romania compared to the rest of the member countries of the European Union. The work analyzed indicators that express the material well-being of a society such as: GDP and Median Income, but also satisfaction regarding the financial situation, based on the latest statistical data available on the Eurostat website for the years 2013 and 2018 (data from 2021 are not published). With the help of the scores obtained by the semantic differential method, it was possible to evaluate the degree of satisfaction with the financial situation of the population of the EU member countries, as well as Romania's position among them. The conclusion of this paper was that Romania is among the last places in terms of GDP per capita or median income, and despite this the population of our country has an average degree of satisfaction with regard to the financial situation, obtaining a higher score compared to other countries that have a higher median income or GDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism represents an important factor in the socio-economic development of rural areas in Romania. Natural landscapes and local traditions are valued by entrepreneurs from the countryside and are transformed into attractions for tourists from the urban environment or from abroad. At the same time, the development of tourism and leisure businesses also has a social role by creating jobs for the local population and improving the standard of living in the countryside. Local Action Groups are active partnerships at the level of a relatively small territory and that include in a balanced way representatives of the public, private and civil society sectors. The "bottom-up" LEADER approach, applied by the Local Action Groups, is based on the identification of solutions that meet the real needs at the local level and the provision of financial resources for them. The research paper aims to carry out an analysis of the development of businesses in the tourism sector in Tulcea county supported by measure 19 Local Development LEADER from the National Rural Development Program. To carry out the study, information was collected, processed and interpreted from the database of the Agency for the Financing of Rural Investments, from the local level and from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The research conclusions highlight the role of LAG partnerships in supporting tourism initiatives in rural areas and the importance of applying the LEADER approach in solving local problems and socio-economic development in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects and risks of climate change in Romania. The research methodology used is based on the analysis and synthesis of information from the climate change literature. The main research method used in the paper is content analysis. The authors of the paper find that climate change is already having many negative consequences on health, environmental and economic issues in Romania, affecting all regions. The importance of publishing this study is to increase and improve the content of the literature in the field. The authors' analysis found that, in general, the effects of climate change jeopardise economic development prospects, increase the risks of famine and thus potentiate conflict and forced displacement, and deepen existing vulnerabilities, socio-economic inequalities and gender discrimination. In recent decades, countries around the world, including Romania, have focused their efforts both on mitigating the impact of climate change through measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and on increasing their capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the areas in Romania where the environment felt from human activities is Jiu Valley (Petrosani Depression), an area where the main activity was mining. This fact led to pollution of the area, pollution that affects both health of population and tourism, which is considered as a viable economic alternative. Investigation of environmental components, identification and analysis of impact sources on air and surface waters are the objective of this paper, which is a first step of a larger research, that will lead to establishing the pollution degree of the area under study. The paper presents pollution sources, methods of analyzing environmental indicators, as well as the impact of economic activities on the environment. The main conclusion of the scientific approach is that, in addition to mining activities that had and still have a negative impact on the environment, other economic activities carried out in the area, including household activities, also leave a negative impact on the environment. Which of these (quantitatively speaking) leave a larger or smaller footprint will be the subject of a future paper, that will quantify all air and water quality indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the possibility of floating photovoltaic farms on the reservoirs of the Olt river in Romania. For the analysis, a database with the solar irradiance evolution for one year in the four possible locations was created, using the PVGIS-SARAH2 database. The locations were chosen according to the surface area of the reservoir, geographical position, and possibility of connection to the national energy system. After the analysis, it was observed that during the cold season, the solar irradiance is higher in locations 1 and 2, while locations 3 and 4 show higher irradiance during the warm season. Simulations of electricity production were carried out for the location of solar farms, with an installed capacity of 1 MWh, with a southern positioning of the panels having different tilt angles of: 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees. The paper continues with a statistical analysis of the monthly and annual electricity production when installing solar farms in the analysed locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The village of Șag has an area of 8,664 ha, of which 8,419 ha is agricultural land. The deterioration of soil quality has negative repercussions on either one or all soil functions. From a geomorphological point of view, the territory of the village is located in the Banat-Crișana Plain, part of the Western Plain of Romania, the eastern extremity of the Tisza Plain, in the Timiș-Bega interfluvium, a unit formed exclusively by the cumulative action of the Timiș River. The sustainable use of the soil involves measures to maintain the potential productivity of the resources and to follow their evolution based on parameters and indicators to monitor the changes produced on the quality of the soil. The agricultural land of the village with an area of 8,419 ha has the following uses: arable land 7,693 ha (91,4%), pastures 636 ha (7,5%), haymaking fields 39 ha (0,5%), orchards 1 ha, and vineyards 50 ha (0,6%). The most cultivated plants are winter wheat, barley, sunflower, soy, and alfalfa. The purpose of this paper is to present useful information in the design and implementation of policies that protect and maintain the sustainable use of the soil as well as the rational use of the financial resources of the village of șag, while allowing the soil to provide long-term goods and services. The objectives of the paper are to establish the values of the physical, hydro-physical, and chemical properties of the soils of șag, as well as their classification in quality classes. There are 7 types and subtypes of soil. The soils with the highest distribution are eutricambosols - 55,15% of the total area and the soils with the lowest distribution are solonetzes - 0,20% of the total area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the social responsibility concept in Romania, with some historical references and key numbers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity of the Romanian companies, including the associated results. At the same time, some key aspects of social responsibility of public institutions are taken into consideration, along with their outcomes. Using various case studies, the link between social responsibility and Romanian NGOs is then analyzed, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of the parties involved. The paper concludes with presenting some concrete results for the final beneficiaries of social responsibility activities and ends with the final conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is the morphological characterization as well as the establishment of soil quality classes in the commune of Dubova, Mehedinti County, Romania. Soil is a primary component for plant production, although it is often considered only as a physical support for plant growth. However, the concerns of mankind over the sustainability of agriculture have made it possible to consider that soil is a living, high-quality system and should, therefore, be preserved. This is the result of several interactions between biological components, including microbial communities, essential for physical-chemical operation. Agricultural crops are threatened by diseases transmitted through the soil, making them difficult to control because of the "hidden" character of pathogens and low efficiency of conventional treatments. These practices greatly affect the quality of the soil, which, in turn, affects the state of crop quality. One of the goals of this paper is to show that, despite the age of the concept of soil quality and the existence of numerous studies, the application of soil quality recommendations would play an important role in crops. However, there is a certain methodology for obtaining soil quality indices that could be suggested in this paper, a methodology based and developed on the basis of previously conducted research in the field. Under current conditions, highlighted by an intensification of globalization processes, sustainable development brings together the main economic and social factors to meet the present needs of mankind without compromising those of future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) modules is essential for accurate estimation of solar energy production. The I-V characteristics of a PV module are frequently evaluated using models based on the equivalent circuit, whose parameters are determined from the information supplied in manufacturer's datasheet. The mathematical modeling of the I-V characteristics always presents a challenge when considering the scant information from datasheets (short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and maximum power point). This study is rooted in our previous results (Sabadus and Paulescu, Energies 14 (2021) 3974), which highlight that for a given solar cell, different scientific papers report substantially different sets of equivalent circuit parameters for Standard Test Conditions (STC). Despite the differences, all the parameter sets replicate the I-V characteristics with high accuracy. This paper evaluates the impact of the parameters' magnitude at STC on estimating the performance of a PV module operating outdoor. The study deals with the five-parameter model. Firstly, for a commercial PV module, the accuracy in replication of the measured I-V characteristics is analyzed at STC considering different sets of parameters. Secondly, applying an algorithm for PV module performance estimation under real weather conditions, the output power is calculated and compared to measurements. Data recorded on the Solar Platform of the West University of Timisoara, Romania, are used in this stage. Finally, the impact of the estimated parameters at STC on the evaluation of PV module performance is assessed in real weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of management practices lead to significant variations of the net C balance of agricultural soils, and in this paper is estimated the impact of long-term cultivation on the soil organic carbon stocks. This paper also evaluates the potential of carbon sequestration of mineral soils through management practices in temperate agricultural systems, under dry climate regime. For fulfilling of the objective of this study, the "stock-difference method" was used for estimating the soil organic carbon stocks between two points in time, t1 (2000) and t2 (2021). The results obtained showed that the evolution of SOC stocks during the 21 years period between 2000 and 2021 recorded significant increases in most of the investigated soils, with one exception where a decrease in SOC stock by aprox. 11 % was recorded. The highest increase in SOC stock was recorded in case of a Cambic Chernozem soil, where the SOC stock value from 2021 is 63% higher as compared with the SOC value from 2000. Also, this soil recorded the highest rate for annual change in carbon stock (1.4762 tC/ha), followed by Eutric Cambisol (1.4286 tC/ha), Chernozem (1.3810 tC/ha) and Fluvisol (1.0476 tC/ha). The presented results showed that the Cambic Chernozem has the highest potential for CO2 removal from the atmosphere with an annual rate of 5.41 tCO2/ha. Also, high potentials for CO2 sequestration with accumulation rates of 5.24 tCO2/ha and respectively 5.06 tCO2/ha have the Eutric Cambisol and Chernozem soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western area of Romania, like the entire country, due to its geographical position - in the temperate zone, is exposed to a wide range of risk weather and climate phenomena with the potential to occur throughout the year. The purpose of this work is to identify some indicators that most correctly express the extreme nature of the manifestations of some meteorological parameters and their characterization over a four-year period. The paper analyzes the main meteorological parameters from the profile stations in the western part of the country, respectively from Timis and Arad counties, in order to have an overview of the weather-climate characteristics for the studied period. The more detailed analysis of certain phenomena was done to capture exceptions, special extreme situations or more significant meteorological elements. The location of Romania in a certain context of action of the main baric centers imprints the temperate character of the climate. The location of the analyzed territory in the western part of the country and the configuration of the relief nuance this character, imprinting sub-Mediterranean characteristics in the southern part of Timis county. The risk aspects provided by the weather stations in the two studied counties, in the interval of four years, highlight the specific climatic changes that occur in certain intervals. Knowing the weather-climate characteristics of the region is important for all areas of human activity and life, all extreme phenomena being grafted onto the main background of the aforementioned weather-climate characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optometry is becoming more and more interdisciplinary and gives new opportunities for collaborative research due to the accumulative complexity of knowledge and the rapid transformation of the technological capabilities in domains such as information technology, optics, applied engineering, health sciences, and entrepreneurship and management. Therefore, the paper presents a study case of a master organized at the University Politehnica of Bucharest related to the current challenges of optometrist education in Romania. The master program is carried out within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics of the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, being organized by the Department of Mechatronics and Precision Mechanics and it falls within the Field of Mechanical Engineering specialization, according to Government decision no. 1609/30.09.2004, published in the Official Gazette of 18.10.2004. Conceived as a continuation of the bachelor's studies, the Advanced Optometry master program ensures the deepening in the field of the Optometry license program. It is an attractive option for the graduates of the Optometry program, accredited for the first time in 2007 and reaccredited in 2011. It ensures the development of scientific research capacities and is a mandatory preparatory basis for doctoral studies. [For the full proceedings, see ED652228.]

Nurses are a vital resource of health care systems, a resource that must be valued, bearing in mind that their work has a role in social indicators of health, and also determines topics such as equality and equity, fairness and justice, which support the kind of societies we all want to live in. In the training process, they learn, in the middle of a team, to plan, to put into practice and evaluate general medical care based on acquired knowledge and skills. Future nurses must not only be prepared to meet the needs of the individual, the family, the community, but also to have confidence in their own intellectual and clinical abilities so that they can work responsibly and autonomously, facing at the same time with increasingly complex requirements of healthcare. The refinement of medical training is subsequently achieved by developing the ability to solve problems, to make decisions, to practice leadership in medical care. The acquisition of leadership skills has been identified as a need in training nurses, both from the researches of internal and international professional bodies and from those of clinical units. By harmonizing this need with public educational policies, the unit of learning outcomes "Leadership and professional communication" was implemented in the professional training standard. This paper aims to gain insight into the relationship between the values of leadership and the development of a good educational policy in training nurses, with a fundamental impact on the provision of health care in an efficient, integrated and safe manner for the patient. [For the full proceedings, see ED654100.]

In many countries, opportunities for higher education are reduced for some under-represented groups in society. One such group are young women from rural and underdeveloped areas who due to traditional, patriarchal lifestyles have much less chance to go to college and get education that their peers from urban areas have much more access to. Online education opens doors for these women, but they still need support and guidance. WINnovators, a 3-year EU Erasmus+ project started in late 2021, has made steps towards providing such support and guidance. It focuses on providing online learning content in different areas of STEM/STEAM and aims at encouraging young women from rural areas to go through such content, develop their entrepreneurial skills, and possibly come up with ideas of how to start their own businesses. Of course, this vision largely contradicts traditional lifestyles. Still, it creates some chance for at least partial leveling with other groups in society. To provide guidance to these women, university students guide them in using the online learning content and taking the learning challenges that eventually lead to raising their awareness of how to break on through to the other side. The paper explains this process and illustrates it by a case study. [For the complete proceedings, see ED655360.]

In the current context, in which the analysis of the failures by infrared thermography for the hydraulically operated machines is an increasingly widespread internationally method, starting from the year 2016, in Romania, at INOE 2000 - IHP Bucharest the first thermographic analyzes were laid made on hydraulic equipment. It is known that by maintaining normal limits of variation of the temperature and viscosity of the hydraulic oil in the actuation plants, are created the conditions of the productivity increase and the decrease of the energy losses. The authors of this paper have therefore welcomed to the "20-20-20" Program (http://arpee.org.ro/strategia-europa-2020-programul-20-20-20/) which refers to the 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) compared to 1990, the final energy consumption reduction by 20% compared to 2005, by increasing the energy efficiency and increasing the share of renewable sources in the total energy mix to a minimum 20% until the year 2020. The method of infrared thermography, applied in predictive maintenance is a practical solution in the direction of the present requirements for reducing the CO2 mark and for protecting the environment because it is non-polluting, non-invasive and has a low energy consumption. In the paper, in the current state of researches, the authors gave as an example the application of the infrared thermography method to hydraulic pumps and cylinders on mobile or fixed machines. Using a special infrared thermal imaging camera, in general, it was possible to make correct assessments on the degree of wear and functionality on the analyzed volumetric machines, by studying the resulting thermal images, called thermograms. However, when measurement errors occurred, it was found, that these assessments became inadequates. For this reason, the authors of the paper are focused their researches towards the optimization of the above mentioned method, by developing of an innovative, non-polluting technology for thermographic investigations that aimed to eliminate these errors, based on a practical methodology for applying and accurate interpretation of the results thermograms, able to describe punctually the procedures to be followed by the maintenance activities involved staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a detailed statistical analysis to study the concentrations of PM10 for the city of Vidin, Bulgaria. The town of Vidin is located in north-western Bulgaria, on the south bank of the river Danube – the north Bulgarian border with Romania. We use official PM10 concentration level measurements by Bulgarian Ministry of environment and water for the period 01.01.2010 – 30.04.2021. Appropriate methods were used - classical time series decomposition and stochastic Box- Jenkins ARIMA. Models with very good statistical indicators for training, fitting and forecasting of PM10 have been built. A declining trend has been established on an annual basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyse the implications of „Law no. 140/2022 on some protection measures for people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and the amendment and completion of some legal acts" in Romania, by reviewing the aspects pointed out by the CCR in its unconstitutionality dec. no. 601/2020. This paper will also analyse legislative regulations on the protection of the adult in different legal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction sector plays a key role in the economic development of a country, providing not only essential infrastructure, but also many jobs. In this context, the Romanian government has implemented in 2019 a series of fiscal measures aimed at stimulating growth and ensuring the financial sustainability of this crucial segment. The objective of this paper is to establish whether wage tax reductions for construction employees have contributed to economic growth, whether these tax incentives have provided the necessary support for the pursuit of the construction sector business during the Covid-19 pandemic and to what extent the managers of companies in this sector have been able to protect and even develop their business under these conditions. Macroeconomic analysis of the construction sector in Romania based on data provided by the National Institute of Statistics shows that these tax incentives have had a positive impact on the activity of construction companies. Annual increases in turnover, average number of employees and number of companies in the construction sector have occurred in each year of application of the tax facilities, although the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the pace of growth in 2020 and 2021. Even though many firms closed down or became insolvent due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the construction sector in Romania generated the highest share of Gross Value Added (GVA) compared to the rest of the EU in 2022. The analysis carried out in the second part of this paper focused on the financial performance of five companies in the specialised construction sector (NACE code 4399) and showed significant increases in profitability and labour productivity in the period 2019-2022. The managers of these companies took full advantage of the tax facilities and managed to develop their business during this period, securing a stable position in the Romanian construction market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current context in which, for the first time since 1945, a war is taking place in Europe between two states, right on the borders of NATO and Romania, it is very important that the specialized state institutions with military status, such as the Romanian Gendarmerie, to be efficient. The budgets allocated to the Romanian Gendarmerie exceed the amount of two billion lei annually. Analyzing the level of funding, the requirements of citizens from the Romanian Gendarmerie can be raised and they expect to benefit from a considerable level of security. The Gendarmerie has the legal obligation to make available to the citizens through the websites the information related to the financial statements. This is a strong proof of openness to the taxpayer, as he has the right to know the directions of action of public entities. The purpose of the paper is to present the importance of the Romanian Gendarmerie's transparency towards the citizens through the accounting information. The paper also examines the procedure by which interested parts have access to the financial statements and analyzes the particularities and differences between two strategic Gendarmerie units, located in Cluj-Napoca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an exploratory study that analysis the factors that influence the intention to use smart meters that measure electricity consumption. The authors used the technology acceptance model as a starting point for their research, taking into consideration other eight external variables: social influence, familiarity with smart meter technology, task-technology fit, compatibility, the level of trust in companies that supply electricity, price awareness, energy conservation intentions, and perception of the environmental problems. In this regard, it was developed a questionnaire that was applied to homeowners from a 5-year-old residential complex, from Bucharest, Romania, data being processed and analysed with SPSS statistical software. The results indicated that one of the most important factors that influence the intention to use smart meters is the compatibility with smart meter technology. Also, this study highlighted that price awareness and task-technology fit are also variables that strongly influence the attitude toward using a smart meter in the case of apartment owners from the residential complex. On the other hand, the intention to buy or attitude to use smart meters were not influenced by the level of trust in companies that supply electricity, and familiarity with smart meter technology, the homeowners being more concerned about energy conservation or environmental issues. Based on the results of this pilot study, at the end of the paper, the authors presented indications regarding the future research they will carry out to determine the most complete model of the factors that influence the use of smart meters in residential buildings in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper describes a case study, on a 27 km-long section of the Moldova River in Romania, on which floods often occur. Floods are some of the most disastrous phenomena caused by combined factors: atmospheric and hydrological with significant repercussions on the environment, with great material damage and loss of life. According to this application, GIS technology is a remarkable solution that can solve rationally, intelligently and efficiently the increasingly difficult problems related to these phenomena, to the use of terrestrial resources. GIS facilitates the processing and analysis of both conventional and remote sensing spatial data, integrated in complex and heterogeneous databases. Our paper shows real-time flood modelling by applying established mathematical-hydrological models. The identification and mapping of flooded areas are represented by field data collection and the use of radar images taken at the time of the floods, in combination with satellite images, taken before or after the events. Field data collection is often done using mobile equipment, which allows direct real-time connection to a resource center and fast information exchange. The GIS application described in this paper shows that both field equipment use and subsequent data processing allow fast mapping of floodplains and identification of affected areas and enable one to make fast calculations to determine, for instance, the optimal path between points of interest, depending on the actual situation on the ground (inaccessible roads, damaged bridges, etc.). This study suggests a solution for managing flood emergencies, both by directly collecting updated field information and by calibrating flood patterns by quickly mapping floodplains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper highlights three real-life instances of discrimination against children in the pre-school and elementary school system in Romania that are more than twenty years apart. The paper then briefly surveys the official EU perspective on the fight against discrimination in education, alongside the current EU vision for an inclusive education. The final section focuses on the practice of fighting discrimination in the Romanian schooling system, thereby emphasizing the unbridged gap yet between the humanistic vision of inclusiveness, learner diversity and mutual enrichment on the one hand and the current inadequate materialization of inclusive educational policies in Romania on the other. Suggestions for addressing the problem conclude the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 21st century is witnessing a growing movement of people from one corner of the world to another, either for business or personal reasons, like never before. These people will be bringing with them their own differences, values, beliefs, and communication styles. Cultures will clash at the workplace, at a party, in the supermarket, in the subway, when dealing with the authorities, and the list can go on. That is why, this paper aims at providing students (i.e. future employees or managers, who will undoubtedly come into contact with different cultures in their future careers) with notions related to intercultural communication, mainly non-verbal communication. The paper also posits that one way of acquiring the intercultural communication competence in the classroom is by providing real-life examples of what such communication means, i.e. through accounts and stories told by expats, who are people who travel and decide to relocate to another country (embracing or not the new culture) mainly for business-related reasons. [For "NORDSCI International Conference Proceedings (Online, October 12-14, 2020). Book 1. Volume 3," see ED616185.]

By developing this paper, we wanted to identify the opportunities for the growth and development of the Faget area in Romania, based on the specific resources available. Geographical location, natural and anthropogenic sites, as well as existing accommodation structures provide this area a high tourist potential. Natural landscapes, recreational areas, hunting, fishing, historical monuments, wooden churches, and natural resources are the most important attractions of the Faget area that can be valorised. The authors try to highlight in this paper the evolution of the tourist reception units in the analyzed area. We try to highlight other very important aspects of the analyzed area such as the total capacity of tourist accommodation in operation, the arrivals of tourists in the structures of tourist reception, but also the situation of overnight stays in these structures. Through this paper we want to point out how much the pandemic has influenced the tourism activity in the Faget area, but also its influence on accommodation structures. For this study we had to visit the analyzed area to see the real situation. We talked to the residents and the owners of accommodation units who presented us the real situation. Due to the information and data received from them, we were able to present the situation in the area, both before the pandemic and during the pandemic years. The authors of the paper have come to the conclusion that the promotion of the Faget area through tourism will allow its economic development by increasing people's employment rate and incomes, which will lead to an increase in the quality of life of the inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is in the context of studies on the variability of atmospheric factors that highlight the fluctuations associated with climate changes. The acquisition of data for the concentration of NO, NO2 and NOx was collected from the national air quality monitoring system which includes 158 monitoring stations. the monitored national area was divided into 8 study areas to facilitate the calculations. In this paper we present the significant results for the Southeast of Romania for a period of 5 years - between 2017 and 2020. Distribution maps and results obtained by applying statistical tests demonstrated the existence of significant spatial and temporal variability. The study is of particular importance. In recent years, climate change in many countries around the world has been associated with food insecurity, especially in developing countries, especially in the current context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of meteorological-climatic phenomena, especially of extreme phenomena that have become more and more frequent, has gained greater significance, given the increasing awareness of the importance of preventing material damage. Thus, monitoring and analysis of atmospheric risk phenomena helps local and national authorities whose duty is to protect the population and property of any kind, and early warning regarding the occurrence of such phenomena is useful to each individual. The western and north-western part of Romania, like the whole country, due to its geographical position, in the temperate area, is exposed to a wide range of risky meteorological climatic phenomena which may potentially occur throughout the year. The present paper aims to identify certain meteorological aspects, which most correctly express the extreme character of the manifestations of some meteorological parameters. The data provided by the Banat Crisana and Northern Transylvania Meteorological Centers highlighted the evolution of certain risk parameters from two representative meteorological stations in these areas, Timisoara and Satu Mare, over a period of forty years. The study of meteorological-climatic phenomena, especially of extreme phenomena that have become more and more frequent, has gained greater significance, given the increasing awareness of the importance of preventing material damage. Thus, monitoring and analysis of atmospheric risk phenomena helps local and national authorities whose duty is to protect the population and property of any kind, and early warning regarding the occurrence of such phenomena is useful to each individual. The western and north-western part of Romania, like the whole country, due to its geographical position, in the temperate area, is exposed to a wide range of risky meteorological-climatic phenomena which may potentially occur throughout the year. The present paper aims to identify certain meteorological aspects, which most correctly express the extreme character of the manifestations of some meteorological parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest aluminum factory in Eastern Europe is located near Slatina. Before Romania acceded to the EU in 2007, many environmental protection rules were omitted in this area. The paper analyzes the water table pollution along the Olt River for about 15 km. There are considered the tributary flows on the river, the concentration of discharged pollutants, and the pumping regime from the catchment front. It is built at about 500 m from the river, on the left bank, parallel to the river, and consists of 44 wells, of which only 34 are functional today. The flow from the phreatic aquifer is analyzed for a measured hydraulic conductivity of 35 m/day and transmissivity 350 m²/day. The main directions of pollutant flow and transmission were determined. The mathematical and numerical modeling of the water pollution in the water table is illustrated and compared with the experimental results obtained based on the measurements of the flow rates and concentration of pollutants on the Olt River during one year. The results are presented in 3 variants: tributary flow on the river at average values with pollutant concentrations below 10 mg/l and continuous pollutions, average flow on the river with higher pollutant concentrations between 15-35 mg/l and continuous pollution, and the variant with concentrated pollution, step type of 100-150 mg/l, for 8 hours. Finally, some conclusions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic theory has it that education, under all of its forms, produces positive externalities, with markets providing less than is socially desirable. In such a context, this paper aims at discussing the specific case of e-funding for e-learning: on the one hand, the paper investigates the demand side for donations via crowdfunding platforms, which comes from individuals or entrepreneurs seeking to finance ELearning projects, and on the other hand, it analyses the responsiveness and openness of the supply-side for donations via Internet for ELearning projects in Romania. Crowdfunding has emerged as a viable alternative funding source to traditional bank financing, especially in fields where projects or entrepreneurs have limited access to resources and where the output or outcome of the project creates positive affective reactions. This paper will only consider the cases of reward-based crowdfunding and donation of the four existing models (reward-based crowdfunding, donation, equity crowdfunding or debt crowdfunding), mostly because the Romanian laws in force do not distinguish between all four types (equity and debt crowdfunding are not legislated). The more general case of educational projects financed via crowdfunding platforms is also discussed in order to draw valuable conclusions insofar as the specific case of ELearning is concerned. The analysis is based on a thorough study of all active crowdfunding platforms operating in Romania (a total of eight being identified), with an in-depth discussion of the particular types of projects that require financing. The originality of the paper stems from the fact that there is very little research done in the field of crowdfunding in Romania, and also stands in the fact that the current international literature investigating the topic of crowdfunding does not include analyses of ELearning projects financed via such platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article delves into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding animals and their interactions with humans in Romania, with the primary goal of fostering a more accurate understanding and dispelling commonly held myths. A widespread misconception among many individuals is the erroneous belief that all animals inherently pose harm or threats when encountering humans. Our aim is to illuminate the reality that animals exhibit diverse behaviors and intentions, and in most cases, they prefer to avoid confrontations with humans. Within the article, alongside expert insights and scientific viewpoints, readers will find practical advice on coexisting safely with wildlife. This advice encompasses general precautions and behaviors that individuals can adopt to reduce the likelihood of conflicts or accidents in encounters with animals. Furthermore, the article equips readers with essential techniques and strategies for peacefully coexisting with potentially unpredictable animals. These practical tips guide individuals on the appropriate actions to minimize risks when interacting with animals in various settings. In conclusion, this paper presents a valuable initiative directed at enhancing awareness, dispelling unfounded fears, and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the animal kingdom in Romania. Through education and heightened awareness, readers gain valuable knowledge on achieving harmonious coexistence with wildlife while minimizing potential risks. This comprehensive approach plays a pivotal role in rectifying misconceptions and contributes to the development of a society that respects and values its natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the western part of Romania, Helicoverpa armigera larvae cause significant damage to several types of agricultural and horticultural crops leading to considerable economic losses, so the purpose of this paper was the use of some ecofrendly agricultural practices, namely the use of entomopathogenic microorganisms. The field experiment was conducted at the Research farm of West Land Company SRL, Jimbolia, (Timis County). The trial was laid out during 2022 vegetation season, in randomized block design with seven treatments: control plot, Bacillus sphericus + Glomus (2%) - 5 l/ha, Metarhizium anisopliae + Glomus (2%) - 5 l/ ha, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki - 1 kg/ ha, chlorantraniliprole - 125 ml/ ha, indoxacarb - 250 ml/ ha (withdrawn from the market in 2022) and chlorantraniliprole 50 EC - 150 ml/ ha; replicated thrice having a plot size of 3042 sqm. The larval population of H. armigera was recorded before spraying and at 48 hours, 7 and 14 days after spraying. All treatments were significantly superior to control plots in reducing larval populations. Among the chemicals, percent larval reduction over control was highest at 7 days after spraying in chlorantraniliprole - 125 ml/ha plots, with an efficiency coefficient of 87.88%. Looking into the efficacy of the bioinsecticides, it was highlighted that the treatments with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki proved to be the most effective in minimizing the larval population of H. armigera in corn crop, showing an efficiency coefficient of 87.88% at 7 days, respectively 81.96% at 14 days after spraying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compliance with EU environmental regulations and directives regarding effluent water quality discharged is seen as the main driver for the development of wastewater treatment technologies. The Water Framework Directive, the UWWT Directive, and the Nitrates Directive require the reduction of eutrophication caused by nitrogen and phosphorus emissions. In Romania, only approx. 54% of the population is connected to centralized sewage and wastewater treatment systems, meaning that approximately 8 million inhabitants are not connected to centralized sewage and wastewater treatment systems. However, while larger municipalities are getting closer to meeting EU standards and the sustainable development goal of Sanitation for all (SDG6), smaller communities especially in rural areas are lagging behind considerably. The discrepancy is explained by the high proportion and very low density of the rural population compared to the rest of the European countries (in Romania connecting a household from the rural area costs much more due to the large distances between properties). This does not necessarily mean that the rural population has no access to sanitation services as they switched to individual wastewater management solutions such as septic tanks or open pits, meaning that there is an urgent need for adequate solutions for wastewater treatment. Moreover, for the touristic accommodation facilities in regions with seasonal variability of occupancy (e.g. seaside/Danube Delta area) built in remote location, proper wastewater treatment solutions capable of dealing with peak flows and long rest period needs to be developed. The paper emphasizes on the design of a vermifiltration system installed for the treatment of the wastewater generated by a touristic building in Romania and the adequate treatment performances achieved in terms of organic and nutrient loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Brates is located near Galati city, in the south-eastern part of Romania being one of the largest lakes in the country. Unfortunately, water quality has greatly decreased in recent years, both due to human actions and to climate change. The present paper aims at establishing the quality of the water in Lake Brates as resulted from the calculation of the water quality index (WQI) by the weighted arithmetic method. In order to calculate this index, several sampling campaigns were carried out in various points of the lake, followed by the measurement of relevant parameters: pH, conductivity, salinity, oxygen demand (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen consumption at 5 days (CBO5), NO2-, NO3-, N total, Cl-, SO42-, PPO43-, heavy metals (As3+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+). Both the individual variation of the monitored physicochemical parameters and the variation of the WQI were tracked. Moreover, a correlation of the WQI with the climatic conditions in the region (rainfall and thermal regime) was established. The determinations were made by applying the standardized methods in force in - situ and ex-situ and by using the following equipment: the UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer, Thermo Scientific Vanquish Flex UHPLC system coupled with the Mass Spectrometer, Thermo Scientific Trace GC coupled with the Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, the Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) Spectrometer and a portable multiparameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper analyses the evolution of cultivated areas, production and export potential of soft fruits in Romania and Lithuania compared to the European Union, using Eurostat and Intracen data. The comparative analysis method revealed a significant increase in Romania, with cultivated areas and production increasing by more than 250% and 800% respectively. In contrast, Lithuania showed smaller fluctuations, with a steady increase of more than 9% in cultivated areas and about 41% in production. In the case of raspberry cultivation, Romania has seen a significant increase, while Lithuania has had a larger but recently decreasing cultivated area. Romania and Lithuania export to Germany, France, Serbia and Poland, Germany, the Netherlands respectively, with Germany identified as the main market for these fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate changes represent an important problem in today's society. Our study refers to the West Region of Romania, formed by the counties of Arad, Timis, Caras-Severin, Hunedoara, and it shows that there are significant differences regarding the climate changes between these counties. In our paper, we analyze the evolution of annual, respectively seasonal precipitations, and of the minimal, maximal and medium air temperatures in the considered region in the time frame 1991-2021. The statistical analysis of data shows an increase of the medium annual air temperatures, the observed changes being more pronounced in summer and winter. Beside the increase tendency of the air temperature in winter, one could observe also that the time of heat waves has become significantly longer in the West of Romania, such that the number of hot days is larger. An increase of the maximum length of the periods without precipitation has been observed over the last decades in the west during summer, as well as monthly anomalies of temperatures and precipitations. Annual estimates of the Climate Altering Land Cover Index are presented for the analyzed period and we observe that there is a positive correlation between these indices and the mean air temperature. In conditions of the climate changes, the mean summer precipitations will reduce in the coming decades, which will affect the management of water resources and the agriculture, which leads to the necessity of adjustment to the climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient-poor, sandy, sterile material from the post-mining sterile dumps such as those in the Maramures region (Romania) presents a challenge for plants. Sterile dumps are considered extreme environments for plants due to their unfavorable physicochemical properties. Phytoremediation has great potential to remove heavy metals from sterile dumps, and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) seems to be a possible candidate species for this purpose. The potential of Brassica juncea seeds to germinate in a medium contaminated with high concentrations of Cu, Pb and Cd was assessed using germination tests on Indian mustard seeds in the presence of various liquid mixtures made from fertilizer and sterile material collected from three different mining sterile dumps in Maramures county, Romania. The experiment results showed that adding fertilizers did not enhance the germination process of Brassica juncea seeds and that the optimal pH for Brassica juncea to sprout extremely well is 5.5. The results suggest that Brassica juncea could be used in efficient phytoremediation of the sterile dumps. This paper's objective consists of observing the germination of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals from sterile mining dumps with the purpose of the phytoremediation of the studied polluted areas from Maramures county (Romania). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we intended to analyze non-native plant species that spread uncontrollably and have a visible and quantifiable impact in the analyzed area. The analyzed plant species demonstrate a strong invasive character, overwhelming the native plant species. This fact leads to a loss of biodiversity at the local level, but especially to production loss of the useful biomass on the invaded land surfaces. The aim of this paper is to show a practical method of analysis and evaluation of economic losses at the local level caused by invasive plant species. At the same time, the paper wants to explain the factors that favor the spread of these invasive species on the territory of the investigated area. The most important factors contributing to the spread of these species are also noted. These are represented in particular by change in land use, climate change and uncontrolled, irresponsible growth in the gardens of these plant species. Invasive plant species such as Reynoutria japonica Houtt, Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Solidago canadensis L., are discussed. The populations of these species have a visible and quantifiable impact that can be found in the biomass production of the surfaces on which they grow. The uncontrolled spread of the populations made of these plant species leads to the damage of useful lands traditionally used for grazing or harvesting fodder for farm animals. In this paper, a method is outlined for the assessment of harvest losses on the surfaces affected by the populations of these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family farming plays an important role in food security and sustainable rural development, in both developed and developing countries. If in recent history, Western Europe was based on a strong sector of family farming, for Romania and other former communist countries, it reappeared in the debate after the changes that occurred in the 1990s. (the collapse of the communist regimes). Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of farms all over the world, there is currently no consensus on the definition of family farming: how the family farm is defined varies by country and context. The objective of this paper is to identify family farms in Romania based on accessible parameters, easy to measure. The approached topic required the use of an appropriate methodology, which included both methods of documentary and statistical analysis. The emerged conclusion was that proposing a definition and selecting specific parameters has a significant importance in characterizing and evaluating the importance of family farms, an important step in proposing and implementing dedicated policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]