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This paper presents the results obtained from the analysis of some filter paper samples using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. Based on the FTIR capabilities, using the infrared light to scan the samples and identify their chemical properties, organic, polymeric and inorganic materials can be characterized. The samples analysed were six filter papers with different mass additions of Ulva Rigida C. Agardh seaweed collected from the Black Sea, in Constanta area, SE Romania. The additions used consisted of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% seaweed material, grounded to a certain grain size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the results of a survey on university students' perceptions and attitudes towards the writing-up process of their final graduation paper. The google form questionnaire was addressed to all the BA and MA graduating philology students, covering four study programmes in English, in a university in western part of Romania. The findings indicate a possible re-thinking of the curricula aiming at the inclusion of mandatory courses in academic writing and research skills at the incipient phases of the study programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the role of the 'poporală' press, aimed at the illiterate peasant population, in promoting antisemitism and extreme right ideologies in rural areas of interwar Romania. It highlights the lack of comprehensive research on post-1918 'poporală' publications and the need for further investigation into their history and interactions with social actors.

Heavy metals, especially lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr), are environmental contaminants which can be found in most foods in the food chain. These metals are also present in food contact materials, and, through them, can reach the human body. In the human body, these heavy metals are transported into body cells and tissues binding to proteins, nucleic acids destroying these macromolecules and disrupting their cellular functions. As such, heavy metal toxicity can have several consequences in the human body, such as affecting the central nervous function, damaging the blood constituents or vital organs, promoting several disease conditions. Within this study, several food contact materials (plastic, paper and board) were selected from different Romanian producers and evaluated in terms of heavy metals content. Analysis was performed in order to evaluate the compliance with the limits imposed by the legislation in force, using atomic absorption spectrometry as analysis technique. All the analyzed materials were compliant. Heavy metals content of paper and board samples were higher than all plastic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses Romania's burgeoning development aid policy to the post-colonial space. By leveraging its expertise in petroleum extraction to forge a strategic relationship with India in the 1950s, Bucharest was able to gain a strategic foothold as oil assistance provider to the non-aligned countries. This text details Romania's efforts to help build India's national oil industry by bringing into focus the broad nexus of forces at play in such process. It therefore aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of 'the Second World's Third World' by discussing the ideological and geopolitical considerations of both East-East and East-South relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Real-world assessments of efficacy and safety of advanced therapies used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are limited. We aimed to report safety, efficacy and treatment persistence of new molecules (infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, tofacitinib, ustekinumab) in a retrospective multicentric national Romanian analysis. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, retrospective observational multicentric study. Data were collected retrospectively from electronic and paper files. Patients who started on one of the five investigated molecules during December 2019-December 2021 were included. The main outcome measures were clinical remission, endoscopic healing, persistence on treatment and safety data. Results: A total of 678 adult patients from 24 Romanian IBD centers with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease were included. Participants had previously failure to one (268, 39.5%), two (108, 15%) or more treatment lines and only 38% (259) were biologic naïve. In the 24 months study period, most patients were started on vedolizumab (192, 28%), followed by adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab and tofacitinib. In biologic-naïve patients, most physicians (72%) preferred anti-TNF treatment as first line biologic (93 patients started on infliximab, 92 on adalimumab), followed by vedolizumab, ustekinumab and tofacitinib. During follow-up, 71% (470, p=0.05) of patients achieved clinical remission and 36% (134, p=0.03) achieved mucosal healing. The 6 months milestone for persistence was reached in 78% (530) of cases. Almost half of patients (47%, 316 patients) persisted on their current treatment for over 12 months. Overall, an adverse reaction was reported for 67 (10.4%) patients, with no lethal events. Conclusions: Population of biologic-experienced IBD patients in Romania is increasing and is becoming more difficult to achieve long-term disease control. Discontinuation rates for advanced therapies are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The so-called 'sea of plastic' in Almería, Spain, is a 450km2 area devoted to intensive greenhouse farming managed by 10,000 small farmers who employ a labour force of 50,000 workers, mostly immigrants from Africa and eastern Europe. Romanian immigrants arrived at the beginning of 2000s and have occupied various positions within this agro-industrial district. Some started their own businesses in greenhouse reparation and construction employing fellow Romanians. They seized the market, providing more stable jobs through their transnational networks, and extending their businesses nationally and internationally. This paper analyses the global processes 'from below' that explain the occupation of specific economic spaces by transnational migrant entrepreneurs. Based on ethnographic fieldwork and social network analysis, the paper shows how the seasonal mobilization of a workforce through a transnational social field connecting Romania and Spain provided a competitive advantage to these entrepreneurs to start investing in their ventures and acquiring new markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades the web expansion from web of things to web of thought presents a real provocation for governments across societies to achieve citizens' expectations. The transition from e-government to digital government from reactive to proactive service delivery mechanisms is one of the governments main challenges worldwide. The aim of this paper is to analyse the readiness of governments across Europe for the transition from the traditional e-government to digital government. In the paper the digital government is analyzed comparatively with the e-government and focusing on the main differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to present an updated evolution of vegetable agricultural production in Vrancea county, during the period 2017-2021, with focus on the county's contributions in total at the country level, using the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) as principal data source. In order to meet the objectives, the methodology of research was based on indicators frequently used in papers about vegetable agricultural production, represented as values and/or percentage units. In 2021, Vrancea county detained 108 civil employment population (with 17% less than in 2017), through 22 employers in agriculture (52% less than in 2017). Among the main findings from the analyse are the following: the areas cultivated with corn grains, oat, sunflower, vegetables (all), dried onion, tomatoes, total fruits trees, plum, apples, pears, cherries and burgundy decreased among the county between 2017 and 2021 period and the areas cultivated with wheat, barley and vineyards in bearing increased. About the production, at the county level, the production of wheat, oat, barley, total fruit trees, plum, apple, pears, cherries, burgundy and grapes increased and the productions like: corn grains, sunflowers, vegetables (all), dried onion, tomatoes, decreased in the analysed period (2017-2021). From the conclusions of this paper, we found out that besides the good image in terms of wine fields, is observed that total fruit production increased by 50%, which can mean a new growth area of the county, regarding of vegetable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the notions of urban sprawl and suburbanisation are introduced and discussed in the context of American and European cases. The drivers of urban sprawl are discussed along with the main typologies analysed in the literature about the issue. The debate regarding urban sprawl is discussed in the particular context of Eastern Europe, and a timeline of suburbanisation is presented from the socialist years until today. Then, the specific case of Bucharest is examined through the case of Popesti Leordeni, where the particularities of the city development and the stages of urban sprawl are compared with the typologies observed in the Romanian context. The paper concludes with the need for further research to identify different or diverging planning practices within the metropolitan area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processes of outsourcing and offshoring have driven the changing spatial divisions of labour through foreign investment and development of peripheral regions into key offshore destinations for business services. This paper focuses on the role of elites, transnational and domestic, in the transformation of Romania into a major business services offshoring location in Central Eastern Europe (CEE) over the last two decades. The paper reveals the role of elite agency in connecting domestic resources to business services global production networks (GPNs) in order to drive domestic institutional transformation. A lot has been written about the agency of labour; yet there is a gap in our understanding of the agency of elites, specifically how transnational elites articulate with other elites at the national-, meso- and micro-level and produce institutional changes. Drawing on literature on enclave creation and dual economies, the paper illustrates how the alliance between domestic and transnational elites shaped transformation across the sector by implementing labour market flexibilisation and by crafting a 'sound' business environment in terms of infrastructure, investment incentives and bureaucratic framework to emulate institutional conditions of the home country. The development of the Romanian business services sector into an 'enclave economy' has become dependent on collaborative networks with domestic universities and intermediary organisations, which played a key role in facilitating foreign investment attraction and linking domestic resources to the needs of multinational firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the recent evolution of the electricity price of one of the East-European countries' Balancing Markets (BM) - Romania, aiming to understand the prices trend and predict them in the current economic and geopolitical context. This is especially important as the electricity producers have to allocate their output between wholesale electricity market, ancillary services markets and BM targeting to maximize value and achieve a sustainable economic development. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an AI-powered electricity price forecast using several types of standout Machine Learning (ML) algorithms such as classifiers and regressors to predict the electricity price on BM. This approach, consisting of two steps, identifies the imbalance sign and significantly enhances the performance of the price forecast. The proposed method offers valuable insights into the market participants' trading opportunities using two prediction solutions. The first prediction solution consists of averaging the results of five ensemble ML algorithms. The second one consists in weighting the results of the five forecasting ML algorithms using either a linear regression or a decision tree algorithm. Thus, we propose to combine supervised and unsupervised ML algorithms and find the fundamentals for creating optimal bidding strategies for electricity market players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates issues related to the public health system in the North-East Region of Romania, focusing on possibilities for addressing/improving specific deficiencies/difficulties. The concerned region is characterized by the highest and densest population in the country, with a significant proportion of residents in rural areas (55%) and a high level of poverty. Population health indicators are among the weakest nationally, and the healthcare infrastructure is inadequate for the population's needs, with an uneven distribution that generates significant inequalities in access to medical services in the respective counties. Starting from the (statistical) certainty that Romania ranks among EU member states with the highest avoidable mortality, the paper addresses both preventable causes through public health interventions and treatable causes through quality care. After a brief introduction, the overall state of the public health system in Romania is examined, followed by a detailed analysis of the main issue stated in the title, highlighting multiple critical aspects based on data and information from official reports of prestigious institutions. Special attention is given to specific issues in local communities related to healthcare infrastructure and the provision of medical services, as well as possible solutions offered through the implementation of the General Regional Health Services Plan 2021- 2027 in the North-East Region. The paper concludes with a section of conclusions, which includes perspectives on the future development of the analyzed sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a common condition with endemic prevalence in some areas of the world. In Romania, the mean prevalence is about 3%. New treatments became available on the market in recent years and new drugs are in the pipeline. A re-evaluation of HCV therapy was considered mandatory. The Romanian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology undertook this task for the practitioners of this country. Methodology: A group of recognized experts was created who screened the available literature and the major available guidelines. A list of items requiring attention has been created. These items were discussed and rated. Decisions were taken by consensus. Recommendations: We present here the first of the two parts of our Society's recommendations for chronic HCV infection treatment. An agreement was reached regarding the diagnostic tools, the assessment of severity and the up-dated therapy schedules. Conclusions: This Position Paper represents a guide for the assessment and the therapy of HCV infection. The recommendations are in concordance with other guidelines but are applied to the real-life conditions in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the time of technology and globalization, effective organizational communication is critical for a company success. In a continuous changing world, companies must take a strategic and effective approach to communicate with the employees, customers and third-party stakeholders. The objective of this paper focuses on the study of organizational communication in an international company, one of the largest providers of communication services in Romania, with office in Bucharest. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the way the company manages internal organizational communication and to identify ways in which it can be improved, with the ultimate goal to contribute to increase the company performance and competitiveness in the market. The case study carried out within the analyzed company had as objective the evaluation of organizational communication from the employee perspective, for which purpose, we elaborated and applied a questionnaire with 10 questions, on a sample of 100 people, in which we captured both their perception of the relevance, the frequency or transparency of information received from managers, as well as their opinion regarding the level of communication within the company, respectively, the employees involvement in the communication process and in the improvement of the organizational communication. The satisfaction regarding organizational communication was evaluated positively by a majority of respondents (64%). The quality of information received regarding projects and changes in the company was positively assessed by the majority of employees (66%). Communication between departments was generally considered positively (59%), and communication between management and employees was considered adequate by most respondents (69%). Regarding the employees involvement in the process of improving the organizational communication, the majority of respondents (67%) stated that they were not actively involved in this process. The results of the study also provided a perspective of how internal communication may affect the employee performance and satisfaction, as well as potential problems or constraints that could be resolved to improve the effectiveness of organizational communication within the company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical clinical practice worldwide requires human interaction between the doctor and the patient, which can prove to be difficult because of many types of communication barriers, including cultural ones. In this context, it is becoming increasingly clear that doctors should be aware of their patient's cultural traits, that might influence their attitudes towards healthcare and the decision making process. This can prove to be difficult, especially in multicultural societies. This paper aims to highlight Romanian medical students' opinion on the importance of being aware of the cultural context the patient comes from in order to offer culturally competent healthcare. We conducted a focus group moderated by a group assistant, which included 10 fifth year medical students. Data was interpreted using a phenomenological interpretative approach. Romanian medical students are aware of some particular traits of social minorities in Romania regarding healthcare. They acknowledge the importance of cultural competence in medicine and can imagine several ways to protect human dignity at the end of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although quality is one of the oldest ways to increase sports performance, a precise protocol of acclimatization and participation in competitions is not yet established, studies in the field not being able to specify exactly a methodologist is ideal. The purpose of this research is to study whether the sports performance of mountain runners increases after performing an altitude training program and whether a VO2max higher conditions the obtaining of superior results in mountain running races. Methods: The paper is based on a case study performed on a selected 7 male subjects, mountain performance runners from the National Team of Romania, subjected to three tests: initial in plain conditions, intermediate in altitude conditions and final in plain conditions. The tests involved performing the Bruce protocol to identify the VO2max value and to go through a route specific to the short-distance mountain running test in maximum effort conditions. Results: Hypoxic effects of altitude determine the obtaining of one hour VO2max inferior comparative with wave times obtained in conditions of flat. SpO2 decreases during effort regardless of altitude or flat, but at altitude the values fall below the physiological limit of 95% and return to physiological limits 15 minutes after effort regardless of flat or altitude. It was also found that following an altitude training camp, the sports performances of the mountain runners increased: the place in the general classification at the National Championship was better and the VO2max had higher values in FT compared to IT. However, an excellent VO2max does not condition a higher place in the ranking of specialized competitions. Conclusions: The training camps at altitude are an efficient method of maximizing the sports performances in mountain running, provided that they are performed according to a specific duration of at least 4-6 weeks and an optimal acclimatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of a 'green' value‐added tax in the competitive environment of firms. Using data on firms in Romania and leveraging the introduction of a tax reduction on organic products in 2019, I show that although the overall market for organic goods grows and potential to generate windfall profit exists, the market share of incumbent firms decreases because of intensified competition post‐reform driven by new entrants competing for profits in the market. The market share decreases by about 2 percentage points after the reform. The effect depends on the relative elasticity of demand vis‐à‐vis supply in the market and the ability of a firm to protect its sales from new market entrants. Firms operating geographically further from the main consumer (i.e., more rural firms) and further upstream from the retail sector are more vulnerable to losing market share because urban demand is less elastic than rural demand and retail demand is less elastic than primary demand. Firms that are in markets where it is easier to switch from non‐organic to organic and that are less capital intensive (i.e., have fewer fixed costs) are more vulnerable to losing market share to new market entrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing food waste became a priority in the past decades for the majority of nations around the world. But while the interest in this topic is high, not all countries, including Romania - our case study-accurately estimate household food waste quantities. Determining the reality of food waste at household levels is highly valuable because in the end, it can bring insight into what would be the best methods to reduce waste and optimize resource consumption. The current study determined the causes, quantities, and main components of food waste in Romanian households by applying and subsequently analyzing a food waste survey. Our purpose was to determine not only how much food Romanians throw away per week, but also what type of food. In addition, by studying the households' consumption habits we identified the main behavioral triggers of food waste. By applying the survey to a relevant sample of our country's population, we obtained a relatively accurate depiction of food waste attitudes among Romanian consumers and our paper can be a starting point in developing an educational tool aiming to reduce food waste in households. This type of study is important not only for informational reasons but also from a societal standpoint. As a complex community, part of larger international structures and agreements, (such as the European Union, the United Nations, or The Paris Agreement on Climate Change), Romania needs to align itself with the other partners in order to decrease the negative impact on the environment of food waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water bodies can offer local microclimates that have the potential to attenuate the effects of urban heat islands by reducing local temperature. This capability is shaded when the river is channelized. In such cases, the river temperature rises during hot periods, leading to negative impacts on the water quality. The main aim of this paper is to develop a local simple model to predict the temperature of the Dâmbovița River at its exit from Bucharest City, the capital of Romania. The location is chosen based on the historical critical impacts, in terms of extreme heatwaves that took place during hot summers, as well as future possible risks due to climate change. The water temperature prediction model is based on an artificial neural network that uses the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, due to its stability and rapid convergence capabilities. The model forecasts, with an accuracy of ±1 °C, the water temperature in an ungauged, downstream location, as a function of measured air and upstream water temperatures. The proposed model represents a first attempt to provide water managers in Bucharest City with a useful tool that will allow them to take timely measures to counteract the unwanted effects that can be generated by high water temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current situation of the Romanian economy must be understood beginning from the analysis of the main measures of fiscal-budgetary policy applied over the last years by the public authority. In general, the Romanian fiscal policy (before and after accession) was procyclical. However, we continue by presenting some of its characteristics for the past years when we underwent the last ascending phase of the economic cycle. Actually, Romania's GDP exceeded constantly the potential level, and the demand surplus became predominant, generating inflationary pressures. Maintaining the expansionist level of the fiscal policy, in the conditions of a positive deviation of GDP, as of 2017, and opting-out regarding the structural deficit target contributed to affecting the stability of public finances, on short-and medium-term. Romania entered into an extremely difficult economic context, generated by the pandemic, with an extremely narrow fiscal space which limited a lot the possibilities of combating the effects of the pandemic. In this paper we analyzed a period limited to the year 2020, because we consider this time as marking the end of an economic cycle in a period of peace and economic calm, as another is about to begin based on the new realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although leisure constraints that individuals have to cope with can negatively affect their social inclusion and satisfaction with life, little research has addressed the link between these variables. Therefore, the current paper examined the moderator role of leisure constraints on the relationship between satisfaction with life and leisure constraints among adults living in five different European countries. The respondents were 1,382 women and 877 men adults. The findings of analysis revealed that all factors used in the study accounted for 15% of the variance in satisfaction with life and social inclusion had a significant and positive impact on satisfaction with life. As a result, it can be said that leisure constraints had a moderating effect on the relationship between satisfaction with life and social inclusion. The present research study recommends that social inclusion should be encouraged through decreasing to leisure constraints to increase the life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of the environmental and occupational health implications of pollutants emitted in steel production is still lacking, despite the considerable amount of research devoted to this topic. Given the significance of steel recycling and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many steel factories are adopting electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. The use of a technological system designed for the capture of pollutants emitted through EAF steel production is highly ecological because of its utilization of iron scrap and low investment cost. Despite this, the main issue with the EAF is the environmental impact it poses, specifically the release of pollutants into the air, such as dust and organic substances, chlorinated dioxins and furans, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated dioxins and furans. As a result, workers in this field have a considerable rate of morbidity. The main challenge for EAFs is to optimize the capture of powders produced during the techno-logical process, both from the EAF and the workplace. A state-of-the art solution for managing pollutants in modern steel manufacturing is highlighted in this paper, featuring a method used in Romania that employs the Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference document for iron and steel production to directly collect pollutants from the EAF. The system included a cylindrical fitting, a heat exchanger to cool the gases and a hood to collect contaminants. In comparison to other ventilation options, this equipment boasts lower investment and lower operational costs because of its effective and minimal air flow. Through the use of cutting-edge technology and progressive strategies, we can move closer toward our objective of a workplace free from injuries in the steel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metropolitan planning has been a dominant trend in spatial development for decades. In this context, Functional Urban Areas (FUAs) have emerged as a concept to illustrate the economic interdependencies between an urban core and its hinterland, being typically determined by commuting patterns or accessibility criteria. In Romania, FUAs were defined for the county capitals (40 cities) as areas where urban development projects could be financed from regional development funds. This paper analyzes the territorial dynamics in one of Romania's fastest-growing functional urban areas, Cluj-Napoca, using a comparative analysis of satellite images and selected indicators. The results demonstrate the spatial impact of economic development in the past 20 years, revealing expanding boundaries of artificial surface and housing units in FUAs. Unfortunately, the current fragmented territorial configuration is unable to manage the new functional relationships generated by real estate dynamics. Therefore, we support the need to introduce a normative territorial plan at the intercommunity level to correlate the spatial development vision between the main city and its fast-growing suburban areas. Such an instrument will not only support an efficient land-use management and enhanced living conditions, but it will also provide a framework to systematically integrate territorial investments around major cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to demonstrate how a socioanalytic perspective deepens an anthropological one. We focused our attention on the instrumentalization of personal and collective anxieties within a small organization, in order to reveal how and why power works. By using psychoanalytic concepts, we were able to draw the space of possibles that nests the relations of dominance. Our research draws on fieldwork conducted in a rural community in Northern Romania. We used participant observation, semi‐structured and unstructured interviews. Relying on the observed vulnerabilities and local idiosyncrasies that create specific necessities and expectations, we tried to show how defense systems, basic assumptions and perverse dynamics shape the organization's culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the evolutionary implications of the correlation between different species of Peucedanum plants and the distribution of Gortyna borelii moth populations in Romania. We highlight geographic separation and isolation among these populations due to anthropogenic landscape fragmentation, which hinders genetic exchange. A geometric morphometric analysis was utilized to visualize and compare the morphometric variations in relation to the environmental variables, particularly the host plant. Additionally, the distribution of G. borelii populations across Europe and in Romania that are correlated with the host plant was analyzed. The significant morphological and morphometric differences between the analyzed populations support our working hypothesis, according to which the use of different Peucedanum species by the larvae of G. borelii leads to an intraspecific diversification correlated with the host plant species. The newly discovered population of G. borelii in Romania holds substantial conservation importance, necessitating protection measures, including demarcating habitat areas and raising awareness among stakeholders. G. borelii is a protected species at the European level (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, Appendices II and IV), considered endangered due to the isolation of its populations and anthropogenic pressures exerted through agricultural practices. Understanding the impact of agricultural practices on their habitat is crucial for effective management strategies. Overall, this study sheds light on the complex interplay between ecological adaptation, host plant specialization, and speciation dynamics in phytophagous insects, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts to preserve G. borelii populations and their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crucial in any military conflict, information warfare has proved to be a distinguishing characteristic and an essential strategic means in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Both sides have invested in advancing narratives that can facilitate and support their version of truth and that can make a difference in winning the war. Publishing open source and declassified intelligence has been employed as a tactic in an unprecedented way, one that has stimulated an intense debate over the reconceptualisation of intelligence and the new role intelligence needs to play in a larger social context. Due to its novelty and potential, this major shift requires further attention. Additionally, its meanings and reflections deserve deciphering in other national contexts that are relevant for understanding the role of intelligence in the Russo-Ukrainian war. The paper looks at the particular case of Romania, whose relevance is determined mostly by its geographical proximity to the conflict area. By using qualitative research, it aims to investigate the perceptions of two types of respondents: Romanian experts in intelligence, security and strategic communication, and students taking intelligence and security-related study programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to perform dimensional, morpho-structural, mechanical and chemical characterization of four materials based on paper currently in use in Romania (RO), Italy (IT), Spain (SP) and Slovenia (SLO) designed for the temporarily wrapping of meat. SEM-EDXS, FTIR and DSC showed that RO is laminated on one side with polyethylene, SP is waxed, IT is modified with a multilayered polyethylene film and SLO is coated with hydrophobized starch. RO, IT and SLO comply with the standards of determination of density, roughness, breaking length and bending resistance. The highest content of metals found in the SP explains the highest electrical conductivity and the poor quality of the recycled material used for manufacturing. The highest values of total dissolved solids (TDS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) resulted for SP sample expressed its water solubility and availability of migration into foodstuff. RO, IT and SLO are suitable for food packaging. In contrast, SP do not meet the requirements for safety and mechanical resistance. [Display omitted] • Characterization of four types of materials based on paper. • RO, IT-single-face coated with PE, SP-double-side waxed, SLO-coated with starch. • RO, IT, SLO comply the standards of mechanical resistance and are suitable for food packaging. • SP do not meet the requirements for safety and mechanical resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is concerned with a set of indicators that can measure the environmental quality of urban life. Craiova has largely expanded in the last decades, which has generated a range of land management and dwelling problems. This type of rapid development is interfering with the quality of citizens' life, as well as the efficient use of resources of urban environment. In this respect, the paper will try to develop a methodology by using geographical information systems to evaluate the environmental quality and its variation across the Craiova area. The use of this methodology will enable us to cope with some of the specific problems raised by the urban development of the city through a computer distribution of available data, but also a useful tool for local authorities for better urban planning [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elements of mission command can be found in successful styles of leadership both in military and in business environments, as it is based on empowering subordinates or employees to make decisions, encouraging their confidence and creativity to solve problems/achieve objectives. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential advantages and drawbacks of applying this concept to the field of defence resources management, by analysing the common areas between these approaches. The research hypothesis is that the concept of mission command can be approached as a management process aimed at achieving clearly identified objectives, similar to the processes of project management, programme management, or defence resource management in general. The paper uses qualitative research methods, based on the analysis of existing specialised literature regarding the concept of mission-based command, the concept of defence resource management, and on an exploratory research, based on unstructured interviews with specialists in the two fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to examine the impact of academician Eugen Simion on the literary landscape in Serbia, focusing on his contributions to fostering cultural exchange between the two neighbouring countries. Additionally, it explores his efforts to promote Romanian creativity and his perspectives on Serbian artistic expression. Furthermore, this paper will analyse the reception of Simion's works in Serbia it will delve into the collaborations and partnerships he established with Serbian literary institutions, highlighting the lasting legacy of his efforts to strengthen cultural ties between Romania and Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the two case studies of Greece and Romania where national policies and strategies for Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism (P/CVE) are non-existent or suffer from a deficiency in implementation. The analysis begins with a diagnosis of each country's history and reaction to different types of violent extremism and attempts to highlight the ways in which each of them has dealt with this phenomenon. Both in Greece and Romania, the task has fallen into the hands of civil society to lead and develop local, regional, and national P/CVE programs. This is examined in this article, followed by an in-depth analysis of local action against radicalisation and VE in two cities in Greece and Romania. The paper also takes the perspective of education and social cohesion in analysing the issues at hand. The results of the analysis showcase that both countries lag in realising effective P/CVE strategies, with Greece having the institutional infrastructure – relevant agencies and local actors – albeit remaining inactive, and Romania still struggling to recognise the potential threat of radicalisation and violent extremism in the country – exemplified by the lack of open conversation at the level of government and public information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Orchidaceae Family is the most diversified and widespread higher plant family worldwide. In Romania, orchids are found from the coastal sandy dunes of the Black Sea, to the highest rocky cliffs at an altitude over 2000 m. They grow in any type of soil (from slightly acid to basic), covering the whole range of humidity, from the driest areas to the most humid marshes and swamps. Some of them are sun-loving species, growing in full sun, in short grasslands and meadows, while others are shadow-loving species, growing hidden in the middle of the darkest forests. The paper presents 39 orchid species (from 62 species found in Romanian Flora), which can be found also in Argeș county. One explanation for the large number of species in the Argeș county could be the diversity of habitats. The orchid species described in the paper will be ordered alphabetically, accompanied by the ecology, coenology and chorology in the Argeș county. It is very important to know the distribution of orchids in our country, because in this way changes in the ecosystems can be prevented, thus ensuring the survival and perpetuation of such rare and beautiful plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower is the most important oil crop practiced in Romania, in terms of the constituent indicators of the primary supply, but also by the fact that sunflower seeds have a surplus trade balance at national level. Culture has a high productive potential, it comes to exploit the existing opportunities on the market, in terms of existing opportunities nationally and internationally. Over time, Romania has been a dynamizing factor of scientific research in the field, highlighting the concerns of researchers from National Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (INCDA) Fundulea for the creation of a quality genetic material. It should be noted that the favorability of sunflower cultivation is quite pronounced at EU level, both due to the pedoclimatic conditions and due to the existing traditions in certain areas (less tradition in the extreme Southern part of the EU), for the practice of other crops providing raw materials for obtaining oil or consumption habits of the population (olive - in the Mediterranean area). The topic of this paper was approachd based on the existing global and continental context for the period 2007-2019. The results showed that in this period 2007-2019, Romania cultivated (on average) 3.81 and 5.39 of the world and European area respectively (966.84 thousand ha compared to 25,325.47 and 16,298.01 thousand ha respectively), achieved 4.62 and 6.79% of the total production (1,919.96 thousand tons compared to 41,548.57 and 28,296.81 thousand tons). The importance on the international market is highlighted by the fact that Romania held 22.52 and 26.97% of the world and continental volume of exports (1,070.99 thousand tons compared to 4,755.42 and 3,971.52 thousand tons), and for imports, the shares were 3.96 and 6.05% (183.47 thousand tons compared to 4,629.84 and 3,220.90 thousand tons respectively). Romania is not an important player in the market of this product at European and global level, especially since sunflower seeds can reduce the deficit of the external trade balance, given the appropriate use of the specific national potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of the causes and consequences of food loss and waste has been extensively explored in the literature, given its significant impact on both the local community and the national economy. This paper suggests various comprehensive approaches concerning food loss and waste (FLW) in Romania, considering the broader European context of the FLW phenomenon based on a bibliographic study, a statistical approach of the causes dynamics analysis and a system-based approach leading to an integrated view of the phenomenon. In order to accomplish this purpose, we have used statistical material originated from national and European statistical institutions and we have processed it using direct observation and interpolation. Our objective was to identify various factors contributing to food loss and waste throughout the agrifood chain and analyse their impact on the FLW phenomenon. The findings revealed that the primary factors contributing to food waste are associated with economic aspects. This study serves as a foundational step for subsequent research endeavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper was to analyze cereal production in Dolj County and in Romania in the period 2017-2021 in order to identify the main trends, based on the statistical data provided by National Institute of Statistics and processing them by comparison method and time and structural indices. Dolj County has a total area of 741,401 ha (7th place at national level - 3.11% of the total), an agricultural area of 585,135 ha (2nd place at national level - 32.57%) and an arable area of 488,560 ha (2nd place at national level - 39.03%). The county is characterized by favorable agro-productive conditions for cereal cultivation, taking into account climatic factors and soils specific to the county (for example, sandy soils for rye cultivation). The county cultivated (on average) 331,450.80 ha with cereals, predominantly wheat and grain maize (60.5, and 26.53% of the total), obtained a total production of 1,567,667 t (predominantly wheat and maize with 54.89 and 33.96% of the total), and the average yield per hectare reached 4,728 kg. It can be said that Dolj County can decisively influence, in certain situations, the cereals market in Romania and the South-West Oltenia Region, but it must be aimed at improving the performance of this side of vegetal activity, in order to capitalize on the existing potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the paper is to apply the theoretical principles of performance evaluation in local public administration to the practical work of Ilfov County Council. To achieve this objective, the theoretical aspects necessary for the case study are presented. The concepts of efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the public sector, the factors influencing these concepts, and their control and evaluation are analysed in the paper. Performance management is presented at both general and specific levels. Indicators are used to measure the performance of a public service. Performance indicators are useful tools for decision-makers and officials involved in public policy-making in central government, as they give them a detailed (and closeup) picture of the existing situation and allow them to adapt their initiatives to the realities of the moment and set feasible and measurable targets. The stages of the decision-making process are presented, as well as the analysis of the performance of the local public administration activity within the Ilfov County Council from the point of view of the theoretical aspects presented above. To this end, the Council's strategic objectives, the decisions taken to achieve the objectives and the way in which they are achieved in both quantitative and qualitative terms are presented. The paper is based on a study of public administration legislation and on articles and treatises. The type of research is APPLIED, and in terms of objectives it is a DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH. Considering that I will use efficiency, time and qualitative and quantitative indicators, the research will be PLURIDISCIPLINARY but equally QUANTITY TYPE RESEARCH. As the data analyzed will reflect the evolution of the indicators in view, we will have a DIACRONIC RESEARCH located at the international level, being at the same time a DOCUMENTARY research. In view of the considerations set out above, the theme chosen for the research is very topical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to present modern topographic measurement technologies and evolution towards a new method, that of measurements made with the help of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The photogrammetric measurements were carried out with the help of Drona DJI Phantom 4 Pro, which made it possible to know a new way of working, much faster and more efficient, compared to traditional topographic measurements. The research presented in this paper was conducted in the western part of Romania, on the administrative territory of Timis County, on the campus of the University of Life Sciences" King Mihai I" from Timisoara. The use of Drona in the field of geodesy is currently in great demand due to its relatively easy operation and relatively affordable cost compared to satellite systems, especially high-resolution images. Over the past decade, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles as remote sensing platforms has become increasingly popular for a wide range of scientific disciplines and applications. Currently, many photogrammetric mapping methods use this technology to retrieve and record data on objects on earth. This is due to the fact that the use of a Dorne equipped with GNSS technology (Global Navigation Satellite System) for aerial measurements is very efficient and cheap and allows overflying hard-to-reach areas, significantly reducing the execution time of the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the need and the importance of using efficiently the energy and finding new ways to improve the transport based on renewable energy. The paper is based on a large number of official information sources which are structured and presented in the author's opinion. The main results emphasize that the Danube region is a large river basin and ecological corridor requiring a regional approach to nature conservation, spatial planning and water management. The environmental impact of transport links, tourist constructions or new energy production facilities must also be considered. Transport policy has been given a new direction: achieving a 'sustainable through flexibility' system, which means organizing transport in such a way as to optimize energy consumption. The development of the national transmission system shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of conservation and environmental protection and the rational use of energy. The protection of human life and the environment is a priority in all transport-related relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terms rural tourism and agritourism can be considered synonymous, but there are differences even though they share certain identifying elements. Agritourism appeared as a solution to in-crease the income of rural households, by capitalizing on their economic potential, however the main activity remained agriculture. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate the situation of agritourism in Romania approached from different perspectives such as: rural development, traditional products, and landscape integrations. The methodology used in this study is a systematic literature review where the search process was carried out using keywords such as: "Agritourism in Romania" or "Rural development in Romania" or "Integration of the rural landscape in Romania". The research was conducted and filtered through the Prisma guidelines in 30 papers that were highlighted in the Results section. In concluding this research paper, we would like to say that there are many factors that should be considered to find a viable solution to help develop rural communities and simultaneously safeguarding the environment and using natural resources responsibly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional training and consulting systems in the field of plant protection, and not only, are of particular importance for our country in the context of agricultural policies developed at the level of the European Union. The particularities specific to the implementation of community policies in Romania must be reflected in the level of specialization of agricultural specialists regarding their skills. Agricultural consultancy services represent a vital element in the field of informational and technological transfer in agriculture, providing farmers with information that can contribute to improving their standard of living and that of the rural population. From the research carried out, it appears that Romanian farmers need specialized consultancy in three directions: 1) preparation for accessing European Rural Development Program funds; 2) streamlining plant and animal production; 3) facilitating access to consultants on legal issues, cadastre, feasibility studies, marketing, management, etc. The paper also presents results regarding plant protection products used by farmers in Ilfov county in 2020. The purpose of the paper is assess the farmers knowledge where they could find valuable information to their problems regarding plant protection as reflection of their training level and of the efficiency of the consultancy system in Romania. The working method consisted of a sociological survey and an opinion poll. For technical advice, 28.0% of the surveyed farmers would turn to the Agricultural Directorate. For the use of plant protection products, 51.0% of farmers turned to their delivery company. An important shoulder of farmers, 71.0%, are not aware of the National Action Plan regarding the reduction of risks associated with the use of plant protection products. Most of the farmers, 45.0%, would turn to a private consultant to receive support in accessing European Rural Development Program funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of communication networks has an increasingly important role in the development and modernization of the fields of activity of agriculture. This trend has effects between different actors in the production chain and creates a tighter connection between the stages of land cultivation or the maintenance of natural pastures, ecological grazing, milk, and meat production, respectively the preparation of the final products and their distribution, including marketing techniques. In the paper, an analysis will be made of the specialized publications in the field of Agribusiness in Romania and the effectiveness of the various communication channels used in the present will be discussed with the aim of contributing to mitigating the current problems of natural grazing activities and identifying the main pillars of development and progress. This research paper utilizes an academic research methodology aiming to highlight the importance of communication networks in promoting natural grazing activities. The results of the study demonstrate that the establishment of networks can significantly contribute to the modernization of the Romanian agricultural sector, aligning it with the principles of sustainable competitiveness and resilience. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the establishment of such networks is essential for the development of a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present the procedure of managing public procurement contracts for sustainable agricultural products from the public entities perspective (with reference to setting criteria for selecting the suppliers, contract management, etc), but also from the perspective of the selling companies (from drafting the tender to products being delivered). The research is based on data processed by Eurostat (2012-2021), but also on information taken from the Romanian Electronic Public Procurement System (2018-2022). The analyses in the paper concern indicators such as: the procurement of agricultural products from Romania, and at European level the organic production of animal products, the number of processors of sustainable agricultural products, etc. In conclusion, since the public institutions buy large quantities of agricultural products, but the market for sustainable agricultural products is restricted, a global strategy for rethinking the public procurement in this area is clearly required. The work is relevant both for the contracting authorities with respect to the management of public procurement for agricultural products, but also for the companies with respect to the business management of public contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of alternative soil tillage technologies, which ensure the conservation and maintenance of its productive capacity as well as the reduction of energy consumption per unit of processed area, is today a necessity in developing a sustainable agriculture. The study presented in this paper was carried out in the area of Oravița, Caraş-Severin County, Romania, and refers to the minimum tillage technology in wheat culture. The study points to the unfavourable effect of intensive soil works -- classic (conventional) system -- on soil erosion. This has led to the development of some research oriented towards new technologies of soil working in the conservation system. The purpose of this paper is to promote the introduction of alternative technologies in agricultural works, by dealing with the main technical, economic and environmental aspects that compete for the achievement of efficient agriculture. From an economic point of view, this method is less expensive because fuel consumption and machine working time are reduced. The use of modern mechanization technologies has a great economic efficiency due to the following aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]