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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]

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]

Background: Burn care is centralized in highly specialized burn centers in Europe. These centers are of limited capacity and may be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in case of a burn mass casualty incident. Prior incidents in Europe and abroad have sustained high standards of care through well-orchestrated responses to share the burden of care in several burn centers. A burn mass casualty incident in Romania in 2015 sparked an initiative to strengthen the existing EU mechanisms. This paper aims to provide insight into developing a response plan for burn mass casualties within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.Methods: The European Burns Association drafted medical guidelines for burn mass casualty incidents based on a literature review and an in-depth analysis of the Romanian incident. An online questionnaire surveyed European burn centers and EU States for burn mass casualty preparedness.Results: The Romanian burn mass casualty in 2015 highlighted the lack of a burn-specific mechanism, leading to the late onset of international transfers. In Europe, 71% of respondents had existing mass casualty response plans, though only 35% reported having a burn-specific plan. A burns response plan for burn mass casualties was developed and adopted as a Commission staff working document in preparation for further implementation. The plan builds on the existing Union Civil Protection Mechanism framework and the standards of the WHO Emergency Medical Teams initiative to provide 1) burn assessment teams for specialized in-hospital triage of patients, 2) specialized burn care across European burn centers, and 3) medevac capacities from participating states.Conclusion: The European burn mass casualty response plan could enable the delivery of high-level burn care in the face of an overwhelming incident in an affected European country. Further steps for integration and implementation of the plan within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism framework are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the one of the most important priorities and economic activities in developing countries. Climate change, which is already affecting the society at a global level, has an impact on the increase in magnitude and frequency of severe weather events. As such, both agriculture and industry are affected by climate change and their revenues decrease, thus affecting the entire economic cycle. The aim of this paper is to present theoretical considerations regarding climate change induced severe weather events and to highlight some practical techniques used in operational meteorology in order to improve the forecast of severe weather events. By analysing the morphology and dynamics of thunderstorms, by applying the correct parametrization in weather forecast models, nowcasting and by issuing on time weather alerts, financial losses may be limited. Throughout this paper, the parametrization of convective cells will be described, operational forecasting techniques will be presented and the application of ingredient-based forecasting methodology will be discussed. Severe weather associated hazards like hail, heavy rainfall, damaging winds and even frost will be analysed in order to establish a local climatology of these phenomena. With the aid of Weather Surveillance Doppler Radar (WSDR) and by associating some instability convection indices with synoptic charts, the agriculture-related severe weather events can be identified and their formation pattern can be established. Further on, by establishing an analysis methodology and by compelling all available data, weather-related hazard maps are to be compelled and are to be used by agrometeorology forecasters in order to seek viable solutions. The Western part of Romania is characterized as having a moderatecontinental climate, with hot influences from the Southern part of Europe and with humid advections from the South-Western part of Europe. In combination with cold advections from the Northern Europe, both summer as well as winter specific agriculture-related severe weather events are present [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe some psychological features of oncological disorders and their impact on emotional and sexual life. We analyzed some case studies of patients from Romania, one of the countries with a high incidence of oncological diseases in women in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines ways of knowing "the Roma" as a category of people. It attends to mobility and its obstructions, and the ways that coincide with bureaucratic, institutional, and everyday modes of sorting and racializing groups of people. Our case study is situated in Romania. Whereas "the Roma" do not exist as a category in the Romanian national registry of citizens, mainstream public discourses regarding "Roma migration" have significantly proliferated over the past decades. Yet, how do authorities come to know "the Roma" and how do they render groups of citizens into racialized populations? We examine two bureaucratic practices in Romania, the census and the registry of citizens, and show how the latter is enacted through various "technologies of vision." We focus on the category of "the Roma" as a material semiotic configuration enacted by various "data" regarding issues such as territorial segregation, phenotypic appearance, smell, and dialect. Situated at the intersection of Border and Surveillance Studies, Romani Studies, and Science and Technologies Studies, this paper contributes to debates about how "the Roma" are rendered visible in practices of identification and migration management in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introduction provides some insights on this special issue of Mortality, entitled Dying and Death in Former Communist European Countries, setting the issue against the general background of death studies and, more specifically, of death studies in eastern European countries. Some relevant references to the Dying and Death in 18th-21st Century Europe International Conference, organised in Romania, at the '1 Decembrie 1918ʹ University of Alba Iulia, Romania, between 2007 and 2019, are also made. The rationale and also the limitations of this special issue are brought into attention. The papers that form this issue are briefly presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015 refugee crisis has held the attention of Romanian news media, as one of the most challenging issues for the European Union in the last decade, even though Romania is not situated on the main routes on which refugees arrive. Our research focuses on the variation of issue-specific news frames in time, according to media type, and by the countries covered, also addressing the locally salient issue of religion. Articles from the websites of the top-ranked six Romanian news outlets were analyzed, including three quality papers and three tabloids (N=6,183), from 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2017. Using a computer-assisted, cluster-based frame analysis, we identify six primary, mutually exclusive and six secondary, nonexclusive frames: European crisis, context/victimization, relocation/distribution, international conflict, and social problem, national costs, religious issues, US immigration policy, humanitarian/international. The variations in their salience follow the general European tendency toward securitization. At the same time, the emphasis on the issue as a European crisis indicates a tendency characteristic of Central and Eastern European media coverage. Co-occurrence patterns of frames and specific countries also indicate that the salience of some globally recurrent frames varies by countries covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper envisages to present a section of the European funds in agriculture dedicated to Romania after 2007 (the EU accession) and its formal integration into the CAP system - with a particular accent on the Measure 121 and its impact at the end of 2014. Based upon raw data provided following an official request, it shows the main indicators of the system. It is also an analysis of the efficiency of EU funds utilization in the system. The paper focuses on the result received from the authorities with responsibilities in the area, thus bringing into the academic debate the first comprehensive data set for the time being that have become available to researcher. Following the analysis done we realise that Measure 121 had a major interest on behalf of the potential beneficiaries, as proven by the value of financing requests submitted in the analysed period that have surpassed 330% of the total allocated value. Another conclusion that surges is the great number of cancelled contracts in the last six months of the analysed period which represent 29,82% of the total of cancelled projects, a high percentage if we take into consideration that we are at the end of the implementation period of financed investments. Basing on this analyze, our study tries to draw some useful conclusion for the next financing period . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities worldwide and also has a strong impact on atmospheric chemistry (i.e., NOx production). Lightning can also lead to power system breakdowns, ignite forest fires, damage wind turbine and lead to perturbation of transportation, in particular to aviation. Thus, knowing when, where lightning strike and which atmospheric environments are more frequently associated with lightning is important. Furthermore, given the increase in the population density in recent decades (i.e., more people are exposed to lightning) and the increased urbanization (i.e., cities are getting larger and thus are more exposed to lightning) is essential to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of storm producing lightning and their environments in the current climate and their changes in the past and coming decades. To address these issues, in this study we analyze the changes in the number of days with atmospheric conditions leading to lightning over southeastern Europe. Here we consider the non-inductive charging mechanism as the main mechanism for cloud electrification. We search for ingredients supporting for this cloud electrification mechanism using a series of parameters (e.g., convective available potential energy, total precipitable water, heights of various isotherms) obtained from vertical profiles collected from radiosonde sites over southeastern Europe (e.g., Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria). This paper will present the changes between 1980 and 2018 in the number of days with condition supporting the occurrence of lightning in urban areas from southeastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper identifies specific elements of sustainable development concept and analyzes important companies in the most representatives areas represented in Romania. The paper also identified fields of companies activity, in particular the areas of production, and analyzed the evolution of the turnover and the company's strategy on sustainable development. Finally, conclusions are presented based on national, European and international strategies but also based on items identified in the strategies of companies analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies on Roma migration put much emphasis on either structural factors or networks that become key elements for explaining the growing migration flows of a population lacking economic resources and characterized by poor education. Although very relevant for explaining the perpetuation of migration, these studies posit the limit of downplaying migrants' agency and the role of identity markers mediating the influence of structural conditions in both destination and origin countries. Drawing on quantitative data from the Roma Inclusion Barometer (2006) as well as on in-depth interviews with Roma migrants from Eastern Romania, the paper provides a more comprehensive account of contemporary Romanian Roma migration towards Western European countries. The paper challenges the portrayal of the Roma migrant population, as conveyed by many scholars, as a rather passive one and argues that gender, religion and subgroup identities constitute key elements in explaining Roma migrants' agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a short analysis of the ecclesiological and missiological context that led to the establishment of the Romanian Pentecostal Agency for Foreign Mission (APME). It states the main steps in the process of the development of the organization in its first decade of existence (2006–2016), during which it became one of the youngest and most dynamic missionary structures in Europe. It describes the process of the birth of APME and the important role the founding team played in the existence of the agency and in articulating the mission, vision, values, and work philosophy. The main section will present the components of APME's work strategy which led to implementing the vision and reaching the objectives: mobilizing the churches, recruiting, training, sending, supporting missionaries, and promoting the ministry. A short section will show the crucial importance of internal and foreign partnerships in the activity of APME. In the final part we will list the main lessons learned in the ten years of APME's existence that can be shared with other mission organizations, as well as the challenges that the organization faces over the next few years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the findings of a multi-country study of medical professionals' perceptions and evaluations of children. The primary aim of the study was to establish the perceptions medical professionals working in three Eastern European countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova) hold toward children identified as “typical”, “at-risk” and “with disability”. A second aim was to explore the existence of country-level differences in medical professionals' perceptions of children. The third aim was to examine the pattern of associations between attitudes toward children and a change in use of institutional care to family and community-based alternatives. Over 800 respondents provided survey responses using paper-based and online returns. Findings indicated that positive affect toward children was associated with the favourability of attributes generated about “typical” children. In contrast, positive affect toward children was associated with less favourability toward at-risk children. Attribute favourability ratings generated for at-risk children were positively associated with attributes generated for children with disability. Differences were identified between respondents working across the three countries. No association was identified between attitudes toward children and endorsement of a statement supportive of de-institutionalisation as part of child protection reforms. These findings illuminate how children are conceptualised and understood by a group of medical professionals who hold considerable sway over decisions and recommendations about their relative risk and vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a European level, the role of cross-border cooperation, considered to be an essential component of regional development policy, was emphasised by the legislation promoted in order to achieve the objectives set for the 2007-2013 period. The following paper analyses the way in which Romania has made possible the decentralisation reforms needed in order to take part in the cross-border cooperation programmes and, respectively, interregional cooperation. The first part of the paper is aimed at dealing with general aspects of the issue at hand, materialised in analysing the main measures adopted at the European level (especially the Framework-convention, the partnership and neighbourhood instrument, as well as the instrument for pre-accession assistance) for their implementation by the national, regional and local authorities. The objectives of cross-border cooperation are afterwards presented, followed by the cross-border cooperation programmes approved to be performed at the Eastern and Southern borders of the EU. The second part of the paper not only critically addresses the Romanian process of regional decentralisation and the provisions of legislation aimed at promoting cross-border cooperation, but it also presents the cross-border cooperation programmes of the Euroregions from which Romania is also part of. The conclusions drawn from the critical analysis of the current situation reveal the need to promote a set of genuine reforms regarding regional decentralisation, including their political representation within the Romanian Senate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the development of organic agriculture in the world, the EU and Romania, based on the statistical data for the period 2006-2010 and the index, share and comparison methods. Organic agriculture covers 34.04 Million ha at world level, of which 26.99 % in Europe and 32.08 % in Oceania. The largest areas in organic agriculture are in Australia, Argentina, the USA, Brazil, Spain, China and Italy. At world level, there are 1.6 million organic producers, over 63 % operating in Africa and Asia, especially in India, Uganda and Mexico. In 2010, organic food sales accounted for Euro 44.5 Billions of which 50 % in Europe. In the same year, the organic agriculture area increased by 20 % in the EU-27 and reached 9.01 million ha and continues to grow, representing 5.10 % of agricultural land. The larges areas in organic agriculture are in Spain, Italy, Germany and France. In the EU-27 there are 219,290 organic producers of which 40 % in Italy, Spain, Germany and Austria. In 2010, Romania's area in organic agriculture was 300,205 ha, 2 times higher than in 2006. A number of 10,253 organic operators were registered in 2010, representing 4.67 %, of the EU number. The main organic products are cereals, vegetables, wine, honey, dairy products, representing a chance for Romania's export on the EU market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methods of patrimonial evaluation are recognised on a large scale by the specialists in the Continental Europe, while the specialists in the North America almost ignore them, they consider as a realistic economic value the one that results from the update of the forecast cash-flows. The Romanian financial school does not mention at present a basic orientation related to the continental or American opinion. In general, it can be found out that the attitude of the Romanian authors, specialised in the accounting domain, is for the patrimonial methods, and those in financial professional domain, is for the financial and stock methods. According to the International Standards for business evaluation, the "asset based approach is the way to estimate the value of a business and /or the participations to it, using methods based on the market value of the individual assets of the business, decreasing its debts". The entities can proceed to the re-evaluation of the tangible assets that exist at the end of the financial exercise, so that they are presented to their true value in accounting, reflecting the results of this re-evaluation in the financial reports made for that exercise. In this context, the present paper proposes the analysis of the accounting and tax treatment foreseen by the accounting regulations, according to the European directives, and to the procedures of evaluation and re-evaluation of the tangible assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accounting for patients' perspective has become increasingly important. Based on the Consumer Quality Index method (founded on Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) a questionnaire was recently developed for Dutch cancer patients. As a next step, this study aimed to adapt and pilot this questionnaire for international comparison of cancer patients experience and satisfaction with care in six European countries.Method: The Consumer Quality Index was translated into the local language at the participating pilot sites using cross-translation. A minimum of 100 patients per site were surveyed through convenience sampling. Data from seven pilot sites in six countries was collected through an online and paper-based survey. Internal consistency was tested by calculating Cronbach's alpha and validity by means of cognitive interviews. Demographic factors were compared as possible influencing factors.Results: A total of 698 patients from six European countries filled the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was good or satisfactory in 8 out of 10 categories. Patient satisfaction significantly differed between the countries. We observed no difference in patient satisfaction for age, gender, education, and tumor type, but satisfaction was significantly higher in patients with a higher level of activation.Conclusion: This European Cancer Consumer Quality Index(ECCQI) showed promising scores on internal consistency (reliability) and a good internal validity. The ECCQI is to our knowledge the first to measure and compare experiences and satisfaction of cancer patients on an international level, it may enable healthcare providers to improve the quality of cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the subcrustal earthquakes located at the sharp bend of the Southeast Carpathians, Vrancea zone in Romania has a high potential seismic hazard in Europe. Among several seismic precursors, radon anomalies in air, ground, and groundwater in the epicentral areas can be associated with the strain stress changes that occurred before and after earthquakes. In order to support this theoretical view, the main aim of this paper was to investigate temporal variations of radon concentration levels in air near the ground and in ground air by the use of solid state nuclear track detectors CR-39 and LR-115 in relation with some seismic events at two seismic stations Vrancioaia and Plostina, located in Vrancea active region. This paper reports essentially the observation of radon concentration levels in the air near the ground at 1 m height for the earthquakes that occurred during the period of November 2010-October 2011 and moment magnitudes M in the range of $$ 2.0 \le M_{\text{w}} \le 4.9 $$. The average radon concentration in air above the ground measured with CR-39 detectors recorded for 1 year period in Vrancea area was 1,094.58 ± 150.3 Bq/m and 10 days fluctuations were placed in the range of 129 ± 40 Bq/m and 5,888 ± 700 Bq/m. Also have been reported measurements of in soil radon concentrations in drill holes at 0.5 m depths during period of March 1977-October 1980, just after 4 March 1977, M 7.4 Vrancea earthquake. The knowledge of air-ground-gas Rn anomalies is very important for earthquake pre-signals assessment as well as for precisely location of geologic active faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper presents a preliminary algorithm most commonly used for designing the base isolation devices. The algorithm addresses exclusively the base isolation systems which use Laminated Rubber Bearings (LRBs), one of the most used devices in the world. In the first part of the paper the theoretical aspects will be presented by focusing on two different designing approaches (stress approach and strain approach). The seismic conditions will be defined according to three different seismic codes: the European Code (EUROCODE- 1998), the Italian Code and the Romanian Code. In the second part of the paper, several parametrical studies are performed using the designing procedure presented in the first part. The aim of these studies is to obtain a clear understanding of the design procedures and also to determine the influence of seismic characteristics on studied parameters. Finally, the last part of the paper presents a comparison between different solutions obtained for the base isolation system when we consider the same building (Demonstration building on HDNR isolators situated near Java, Indonesia) and different seismic parameters. The chosen seismic conditions correspond to the seismic parameters defined by the above mentioned codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large literature in cultural geography, history, and sociology has discussed the different, constantly shifting, and mutually defining constructions of 'Europe,' 'Eastern Europe,' and more recently the 'New Europe,' focusing mostly on examples from the media, politics, and sometimes the arts. However, the literature has done little to analyze the construction of notions of Europe, and the role they play, in the realm of business. This paper begins to explore the connection between cultural understandings of Europe and investment decisions. Specifically, it follows a group of investors from Italy, showing the 'cultural clashes' they encountered in setting up business operations in Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. The paper is developed in three steps. First, the relevant cultural and economic geographical literatures are reviewed. Second, the historical progression of Italian investment since the 1990s is discussed in relation to broader economic changes in Italy and the New Europe. Third, investors' changing perceptions of the 'New Europe' are discussed in the framework of the consolidation of Italian investments in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with re-imaginings of 'Europe' following the accession to the European Union (EU) of former 'Eastern European' countries. In particular it explores media representations of post-EU accession migration from Romania to the United Kingdom in the UK and Romanian newspaper press. Todorova's (1997) notion of Balkanism is deployed as a theoretical construct to facilitate the analysis of these representations as first, the continuation of long-standing and deeply embedded imaginings of the 'East' of Europe and, second, as a means of contesting these discourses. The paper explores the way in which the UK press construct Balkanist discourses about Romania and Romanian migrants, and then analyses how the Romanian press has contested such discourses. The paper argues that the idea of the 'East' remains important in constructing notions of 'Europe' within popular media geographies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development represents a well defined concept and at the same time it is implemented in the economy of a state. The paper presents the main indicators of sustainable development established at European level and also the evolution of several of these values in Europe and Central Asia. In Romania, the monitoring of sustainable development indicators has began in 2000, after the Helsinki Summit that sanctioned the beginning of the accession negotiations to the EU. In the paper are analyzed several sustainable development indicators as established by the National Institute of Statistics: a) the share of total soil area affected by erosion; b) the share of forests affected by defoliation; c) wastes generated from economic activities; d) municipal wastes collected per capita; e) treatment of municipal wastes; f) recovered municipal wastes; g) greenhouse gases emissions; h) GDP/capita of the development regions; i)health expenses expressed as [%] of GDP. The analysis of the presented indicators aims at highlighting the way the EU member states transpose the environmental community acquis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe is currently experiencing an unprecedented process of reterritorialization in the context of European Union integration. Central to this process is the implementation of various cross-border cooperation schemes, commonly known as Euroregions, aimed at redefining fixed, border-induced Westphalian territoriality. The literature on Euroregions has primarily examined the reterritorialization of state power and institutions across borders, documenting the emergence of cross-border governance networks. However, the territorial underpinning of cross-border reterritorialization, as well as the process of territorial constitution of cross-border spaces has been less well explored. This paper examines cross-border reterritorialization from a geopolitical perspective informed by multi-scalar conceptualizations of political territoriality. Actors at supranational, national and local scales often follow territorial logics that are at odds with each other. Competing meanings of territory and territoriality interact to produce a geopolitics of Euroregions that shapes cross-border reterritorialization. The paper focuses on the Euroregions established at the current fringes of the EU, in the Romanian–Ukrainian–Moldovan borderlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper argues that the impact of international programmes intended to improve the effectiveness of higher education institutions in transitional states is related to the extent to which the programmes are successful, through their various projects, in creating social capital within the institutions concerned. Based on case studies of similar institutions in Poland and Romania, the paper finds that projects developed within the institution had a more lasting impact on organisational change, even when the project was of an academic nature, than did externally directed projects which were actually focused on achieving institutional change. Social capital theory offers an explanation of this difference, and suggests what the mechanisms at work may be. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze the evolution of the LEADER approach from the pilot project stage to the present. The article aims to the stages of the LEADER approach and their particularities from the timid beginnings of LEADER in Europe and emphasize the relevant aspects of this innovative approach: principles, eligible territory, added value. LEADER has emerged as a necessity of rural development policies regarding the objective of their interventions, interventions aimed at revitalizing rural areas and creating jobs. It follows the evolution of the relevant indicators of the LEADER approach in Europe and in Romania such: covered territorial area, allocated amounts. Also, some data are presented to highlight the LEADER financial allocation compared to the rest of the EAFRD budget allocated to that country. For the first stage LEADER the financial allocation was 442 million euros distributed to a number of 217 local action groups, the success of LEADER being proved over time by the increasing financial allocation, the covered area and the number of local action groups, respectively: 9,400 million euros and 2,784 LAGs in Europe in 2014 - 2020. In Romania, there are 239 LAGs that have financial allocation of 563.50 million euros and an eligible territory of 228,754 km². [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to address in a critical and synthetic manner Romanian vernacular architecture and traditional furniture in a European context. The studied areas of Europe were selected in order to obtain relevant data and conclusions regarding vernacular concepts which in the near future could be reintegrated and accepted in the contemporary design process of our country. The objectives of the research are clear, measurable and grouped in the following phases: Phase 1 - general considerations on vernacular architecture in European countries; Phase 2 - the analysis of specific manifestations of vernacular architecture and furniture in the selected regions of Europe: Soria Province- Spain, town of Florina - Greece, Vrin - Switzerland, Baranya and Hollókő - Hungary, Rekawinkel - Austria, Vâlcea and Sibiu - Romania. Also the structural, spatial and functional evolution of vernacular housing was analysed along with the utilised construction materials; orientation, proportion of the facade; natural ventilation, shading systems, climate. The descriptions and tables will include features and characteristics of vernacular architecture and furniture for each European region analysed based on the following common criteria: geographic, climatic, topographic, socio-economic, historic - data collection; the identification of the existing vernacular built context and general construction data collection; the identification of architectural typologies (spatial, functional, structural) and the selection of representative examples; in-depth study of the selected examples; formulation of a conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper is to present the message transmitted by the Presidential Lecture given during the first congress of arthroscopy organised in Romania, in March 2016, by the Romanian Society of Arthroscopy and Sports Trauma (SRATS). The goal was to present the evolution of medical care in Romania over the years, with the remarkable progress made in the first half of the twentieth century and the current status of arthroscopic surgery as seen from the point of view of medical professionals, as well as from a governmental point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diphtheria represents a serious infectious disease with high epidemic potential. Could be preventable by vaccination (minimum 95% vaccination coverage at 1 year; 90% in adults). It is considered as a re-emerging disease, exemplified by diphtheria epidemic in the period 1991-1995 in all CIS countries. In Europe, in 2008-2010, 77 cases of diphtheria were clinically and microbiologically confirmed. "Imported" toxigenic strains of C. diphtheriae are circulating in developing countries, where diphtheria is still endemic. This disease still reprents a threat because of sporadically occuring in developed countries. In Romania, there were no reported diphtheria cases since 1989. Number of non-toxigenic strains isolated in territory ranged from 356 isolates in 1995 and 40 in 2007. Currently, we cannot establish if there is a real and significant reduction of C. diphtheriae reported strains or this is due to a lower interest for surveillance by laboratory, in the country. It is also not known the involvement in pathology, in Romania, for other species belonging to the genus Corynebacterium (including for immunocompromised patients). The objective of this paper is to produce and disseminate a diagnostic algorithm for suspected diphtheria cases and identification to species level of all strains belonging to the genus Corynebacterium. Diagnostic algorithm will be available to Public Health Authorities in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carol Davila, the father of the Romanian modern medicine, made decisive contributions to the development of health sciences in the Romanian Principalities in the last decades of the nineteenth century. The merit of his scientific work was recognized beyond the borders of his country. His life (not devoid of anecdotic instances and unknown episodes) and especially his work have aroused considerable interest among numerous medical historians. This paper presents a historical study elaborated in France, but until recently ignored, dedicated to the biography of Carol Davila. It concerns the medical doctoral thesis (State Diploma) elaborated by Joseph Adler (born 1910 in Botoşani, Romania) under the supervision of professor Maxime Laignel-Lavastine, whose interest in Romania is well-known. Professor Laignel-Lavastine held the office of Secretary General of the International Society of History of Medicine (ISHM), founded in 1921, (replaced in this position by another French professor with links to Romania: Jules Guiart). The thesis comprises 48 pages and an exhaustive bibliography. It represents a token of the appreciation given to Davila's achievements by Europe's medical community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of fresh apples has been and still is recommended by nutritionists, in favour of frozen, dehydrated or heat processed fruit. In the current study, we intend to present the evolution of the main physical and chemical components with nutritional value of some apple varieties, cultivated in both Europe and Romania. 6 varieties have been observed, namely: Redix, Goldrush, Florina, Generos, Topaz and Enterprise. Biometric measurements have been carried out, as well as the organoleptic assessment and physio-chemical tests: pulp firmness, soluble dry matter, titratable acidity and the content of Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The analysis had two storage variants: V1.Cooling Room, at T = 4 °C and RH =85%.; and V II. Traditional Cellar with T = 12-15 °C and RH = 70 - 75%. In both storage conditions, after 90 days the Enterprise variety has excelled, receiving the highest score in the organoleptic assessment and has also had higher S.D.M. and Vitamin C quantities in comparison with the other varieties put under observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper gives a new contribution to the knowledge of macrofungi from Romania. Pluteus aurantiorugosus (Trog) Sacc. is considered a rare macrofungus throughout Europe and this is the first report of this species in Romania. Coprinus patouillardii Quél. is a coprinoid species which is rarely mentioned, probably due to its small size, being usually overlooked. The species was uncovered and identified during a larger research regarding the diversity and distribution of macrofungi in the areas near Bucharest, Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In contrast to the widely acknowledged anthropological finds in Oase Cave and to the key geographical position of Romanian territory for the assumed dispersion of Anatomically Modern Humans in Europe, the archaeological information regarding the emergence of the Upper Paleolithic in Romania remains poorly known to a broader scientific community. The prolonged theoretical and methodological isolation of the Romanian Paleolithic research has particularly contributed to keeping the regional archaeology out of the mainstream debates regarding the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Europe. It has also encouraged the widely held belief of most Romanian archaeologists in the gradual emergence of the Upper Paleolithic, initiated from the local Mousterian. The present paper puts forward a brief examination of the Romanian archaeological record allegedly belonging to the main cultural actors involved in the transition to the Upper Paleolithic across Europe: the Late Mousterian, the so-called “transitional” industries, and the Aurignacian technocomplex. Doubtful stratigraphical data and radiocarbon sampling feed skepticism regarding the supposed Late Mousterian occurrences in the Southern Carpathian caves. The “transitional” industries ask for a similar criticism, as they either display stratigraphical mixing (e.g. the Mitoc-Valea Izvorului), or simply do not belong to the Early Upper Paleolithic chronological framework (e.g. the Ripiceni-Izvor “Aurignacian”). The local origin, the wide dispersal, and the surprisingly young chronology of the Aurignacian technocomplex in Romania are equally challenged. With the exception of the yet undated occurrences in Banat (Southwestern Romania), all the convincingly documented Aurignacian contexts belong to the generally accepted European chronological framework and show no particular connection to the local Mousterian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Romania, the topic of cremation copes with several distinctive issues compared to western states (e.g. existence of a sole crematorium which operates for 20 million inhabitants). On the contrary, the most critical problem of the Romanian Death System is given by the crisis of the resting places in urban area that could be resolved by accepting and developing the cremation as an alternative solution. The article's goal is to analyze different attitudes towards death in Romanian space, having as a reference point the issue of cremation. The issue of cremation is also analyzed from the historical and social point of view. The main conclusion is that the Orthodox Church's position and its influence in Romanian society represent the most natural justification of the presented situation. The paper reveals a lesser degree of secularization in Romanian society compared to other European countries, a simple fact that could explain the specificity of the Romanian practice regarding death issues and cremation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the paper is founded on a very current topic and of real interest. Using content analysis, through a descriptive study research, this study aims at identifying the content of the legal security principle and the way in which the courts in Romania, the public authorities achieve a proper application of this European principle. For this purpose, it was achieved an analysis of specific objectives aiming at, in particular, the requirements of legal security principle and the way in which they manifest in the national law. We appreciate that, although it does not beneficiate of an express assignment in the Romanian legislation, being a creation of jurisprudence, the legal security principle is in the current context, a fundamental principle of state law, which should give every citizen the opportunity to evolve into a secured, predictable legal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparison between the types of protection for electrical apparatus by comparing some common characteristics that are important for maintaining the integrity of explosion protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a close reading of two recent novels by the German-Romanian writer Dieter Schlesak: Capesius der Auschmitzapotheker (2006) and Transylwahnien (2011). Born in 1934 among the German community of Transylvania, Schlesak deals in his novels with the tragic epic of the Holocaust, seen from the particular point of view of the transylvanian Saxons and their involvement in the Nazi crimes. More precisely, he depicts the "little homeland" of the Saxons and his dramatic dissolution, while History painfully reveals the existence of the Evil within the reassuring transylvanian Heimat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dobrogea's wind energy sector has one of the most auspicious futures in Europe and has been recently targeted by a large number of foreign investors. This paper works towards an understanding of the advantages of using renewable energy (in particular wind energy), while also and presents the importance that the region can play in the sustainable development of the European Union. In addition, a few of the projects that are undergoing will be discussed, as well as their impact on the local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TAYLOR G., PAPADOPOULOS I., DUDAU V., MAERTEN M., PELTEGOVA A. & ZIEGLER M. (2011) Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe (IENE). International Nursing Review, 188-195 This paper presents the results of a needs analysis carried out during a 2-year European Union-funded project titled 'Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe'. The study aimed to explore the perceived learning and teaching needs of students and practitioners of health-care professions in relation to preparation for working in another European country and/or in a multicultural environment. The participating countries were: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania and the UK. Questionnaires, consisting of open questions, were completed by a total of 118 participants. Data analysis adopted both a priori and inductive approaches. The predetermined constructs of cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity and cultural competence were used to structure suggestions for theoretical input and practical activities and experiences. Inductive analysis revealed other emergent themes that underpin all four of these constructs. Practical experiences form a fundamental part of preparation for labour mobility and/or for practice within a multicultural environment. However, health-care practitioners need to be adequately prepared for such experiences and value the opportunity to learn about culture, to explore values and beliefs, and to practise intercultural skills within the safe environment of an educational establishment, facilitated by skilled teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regionalism nowadays is definitely in focus. Establishments of various regional organizations are seen in almost every part of the world. Therefore, this paper aims at focusing on regionalism developed especially at European level. Considering this, one of the purposes is to outline the main characteristics of regionalism, its capacities of tackling with regional issues and its implications when is brought to stand face to face with regionalization. In order to understand better the features of regionalism network we resorted to its approaches on the Bihor County. Different raising questions - To which degree can we talk about regionalism in this case? What type of regionalism? How it is developing and what are its outcomes? - are undoubtedly challenging and deserve a special attention. The appealing to the case of Bihor County accounts on the region's peculiarity as a "micro-Europe", greatly allowing us to point out regionalism's implications from political, economic, social and cultural point of views. Additionally, since the 'new' regionalism is foreshadowing we endeavor to notice if there takes place a nascent of this in a relatively malleable region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a number of seventeen alien plant species are presented, one of them being now for the first time reported in Romania (Sedum sarmentosum Bunge). Some species are mentioned for the first time in the flora of Moldavia (Aster novae-angliae L., Cenchrus incertus M. A. Curtis, Chenopodium pumilio R. Br., Fraxinus americana L., Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell, Petunia × atkinsiana D. Don, Solidago gigantea Aiton, Tagetes erecta L.) or Transylvania (Kochia sieversiana (Pallas) C. A. Mey.), and some are reported from new localities (seven species). For each species, there are presented general data on the geographical origin, its distribution in Europe and worldwide, as well as its invasion history and current distribution in Romania. Some of these species manifest a remarkable spreading tendency, expanding their invasion area in Romania. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi (IASI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a brief summary on the rare halophile species Plantago cornuti Gouan's populations in the Transylvanian Depression (Romania). In this work were listed and characterized a number of sites across the Transylvanian Depression, where Plantago cornuti Gouan vegetate. Data were obtained on the physical characteristics of species and chemical composition of soils that are good for species's development. There are also mentioned the countries of Europe in which was reported the presence of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analysing and comparing the European and Romanian legislation in the field of manufacturing food supplements, in order to identify the correspondence between Romanian norms and the European legal framework. The research has been performed on the texts of applicable European directives and the norms in force in Romania in the field of food supplements, covered by food legislation. The methods of interpretation and the comparative method are being used. The elements of legislation under research are the provisions on the authorisation of the producer, manufacturing process, packaging and labeling of supplements. In regard to the setting up of production units and the manufacturing process it has been ascertained that the directives applicable in the European Union do not have any such provisions. In the Romanian legislation, these rules have been inferred from the legislation on food products. They set the need to authorize / register producers with the Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority at county level, as well as the obligation to observe the good manufacturing practice rules set by the producers' associations. The provisions regarding packaging and labelling of food supplements, in European and Romanian legislation, are very similar. However, they are set apart mainly by the fact that Directive 2002/46/EC establishes that labelling and presentation must not attribute to food supplements the properties of preventing, treating or curing a human disease, or refer to such properties. In Romanian legislation such provisions exist only with regard to food supplements containing just vitamins and/or minerals. The proposals refer to the harmonising Romanian standards with the European ones, by adopting these provisions also in what regards the food supplements of animal and/or vegetal origin, so as to avoid any confusion between these and medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It takes a lot of knowledge to build up all the necessary skills in order to understand the scientific research and its methodology, as well as its ability to write a paper according to the new Academic European Scientific Practice. The Romanian scientific research of the 21st century must totally take into account and integrate into the European context. Heads of state and Govern have adopted Lisbon strategy aiming at clear and well set goals. In this context, Europe becomes the most dynamic and competitive knowledge based economy in the world [1]. In order to reach this goal, the European Committee stipulated the creating of a research European space, as described by the most important strategic element of its communicate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the end of the last century, there have been lots of analyses on the evolution of various basic types of structures of authority and academic governance patterns, public policies and practice models, all together in search of the most effective formula for adapting the higher education institutions to the new educational requirements and trends of the global market, characterized by increasing competition. In this context, our paper provides a succinct analysis of the worldwide trends in the governance and management of higher education with an emphasis on Europe and on the evolution of the Romanian universities, in the context of the public policies promoted during time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]