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UAV needs sensor to fly in an environment with obstacles. However, UAV may not be able to move forward when it encounters a large obstacle, or UAV will be in a dangerous state when the sensor fails briefly which disturbed by the environment factors. In order to solve these problems, the following methods are proposed in this paper. Aiming at the first problem, this paper proposes an improved APF method for path planning, and verified by simulation experiments that this method can find the optimal path. Aiming at the second problem, this paper proposes a solution to expand the range of obstacles and dynamically change the distance in the APF repulsion function. It is verified that the UAV can fly safely within the short time of the sensor problem by simulation experiments. In conclusion, this paper has an important reference value for the application of UAV online dynamic path planning in engineering.

Several structures are built on collapsible soils in the mining and petroleum industries and on civil sites. In order to analyze the stability of such structures, one must properly study the unsaturated soil behavior. Collapsible soils are frequent sand soil that are susceptible to a significant and sudden reduction in volume upon wetting. An important factor is matric suction, which es related to moisture content through the soil water Characteristic Curve (SWCC), the SWCC is obtained through a filter paper technique and provides a valuable relationship between suction and water content unique to soils. This measures the influence of parameters on the behavior of the structure of collapsible soil. Interactions between structure and soil must be properly evaluated as the bearing capacities of shallow and deep foundations are linked to properties of soil suction, moisture, and grade saturation. This work has experimentally measured the parameters of suction and moisture on the behavior of collapsible sands, where an oil storage tank will be built in the city of Lambayeque in Peru. Undisturbed soil specimens obtained from geotechnical exploration campaigns were used. The filter paper method used in this study was that proposed by models of Brooks-Corey and Van Genuchten. Results show consistent values near reported values from literature.

In unsaturated soil mechanics, many attempts have been made to estimate the SWCC based on soil texture and grain-size distribution. This paper proposes a simplified method to estimate the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) for both coarse and fine-grained soils using SWCC data and machine learning computer code in the Aburra Valley. Fredlund and Xing parameters has been used to estimate the SWCC correlations. Soil samples collected from field survey were subjected to laboratory testing, SWCCs were estimated using filter paper method. Each SWCC data set from Aburra Valley was fitted with Fredlund and Xing curve using multiple regression analysis, correlations were derived for those four parameters based on predictors derived from machine learning. The proposed method gives a good estimation and low residual errors of the SWCC.

The evaluation of soil-water characteristic curve is one of the most important procedures in the matter of understanding the soil behaviour during wetting and drying processes. Even though it might be carried out by established methods, this practice is considered a time-consuming technique, and because of this it is still under-used in comparison with its potential applications. In this way, this paper aims to analyse the correlation of soil suction and soil resistivity to produce a time-reduced soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), based on resistivity measured values. To perform this research, it was used a set of soil samples collected from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. The material was geotechnically characterized by standard methods. To determine the (SWCC), it was used the filter paper method and the volumetric water content/suctions were obtained by wetting and drying stages for two paths that emerged from the field moisture content. The results revealed a remarkable relationship between suction and the resistivity measured data, emphasizing the feasibility of determining the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve by resistivity measurements, here named Soil-Water Resistivity Curve (SWResC).

In this paper, 2-dimensional, hydro-mechanically coupled finite element analyses are performed to assess the performance of an engineered barrier aimed at reducing flood risk in urban environments. The barrier consists of an unsaturated compacted soil layer and a drainage layer of a coarse granular material, constructed on top of the natural soil, in this case London clay. The barrier is vegetated so that its water storage capacity is renewed after each rainfall event. Sophisticated boundary conditions are used to simulate the effect of precipitation and evapotranspiration. The rainfall water infiltration and the initiation of water run-off during intense precipitation events are simulated. The effect of the hydraulic properties of the unsaturated soil layer on the performance of the system is investigated by means of parametric analyses. The effect of precipitation rate and geometry of the barrier is also discussed. Design recommendations for the properties of the compacted layer and the dimensions of the system are given at the end of the paper.

The pneumatic tire slip phenomena in vehicle driving system have been investigated for 100 years. Many models describe the tire –road force generation base on it, but in literature we can find various definition of slip. In this paper authors present the most known model of force generation and slip definitions and discuss consequences of choice of them. The model of force generation which is the combination of tire to road friction models and force carrying by deformable running elements which are getting and losing contact with road seems to be very simple and intuitive for process explanation. The implementation of the tire deformation model is the base for many models but is not easy to implement it into dynamic computer modelling of process. So for many years the most common models base on slip function. In paper the concept model is based on deformation introduced and its carry out balance is presented. This model has been adapted to other friction gears like belt gear or friction wheels modelling. The deformation model appears to be quite universal and developable to the energy efficiency analyses or acoustic wave generation.

The paper reported the results of a study concerned with the principle of operation of the 3D printing technology using the method of selective sintering of metallic powders, and taking into account their advantages and drawbacks. The principle of the operation of 3D printing technology applying the DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) method is presented. On the basis of the performed tests, the anisotropy of the printed materials is demonstrated. The reasons responsible for this phenomenon are identified. The paper presents the results of the strength tests which indicate that the crack during the test occur in the building direction of the layers during printing. The results were compiled for two different types of specimens and two different testing machines.

Determining the values of ASI (Acceleration Severity Index) and THIV (Theoretical Head Impact Velocity) parameters during tests allows you to assign an appropriate class for a given type of object to determine the safety level and to give the CE marking. The paper presents the methodology for determining these parameters based on the EN 1317-1 and EN 12767 standards. The paper also presents a tool created with the use of the Python programming language, which, based on the results of experimental tests or the results of numerical calculations, allows to determine the ASI and THIV values. The values of key parameters from the point of view of normative tests were calculated based on the results of experimental tests of the road sign supporting mast and numerical analysis carried out for the same case using the Finite Element Method and LS-Dyna software, following the EN 12767 standard.

In this paper, the electrochemical and texture characteristics of electrode materials made of a number of promising carbon materials for supercapacitors were considered. Carbon nanofibers, thermally expanded graphite, and activated carbon derived from rice hulls were used as electrodes for supercapacitors. The paper presents a technique of synthesis of these electrode materials. A comparison of the capacitive characteristics of the electrodes using two-electrode scheme was carried out.

This paper presents the findings of an ongoing project developed in collaborations with SC Medinet HC Services SRL that addresses the occupational safety issues related to handling toxic substances, with emphasis on risk identification. INCDPM carried out an extensive literature review of existing published relevant materials, textbooks, journals, conference papers, and internet that were processed with PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and together with SC Medinet partner that provided an operational study and onsite risk identification, developed an extensive and comprehensive list of occupational risks related to handling toxic substances.

Based on the experience accumulated over time on the evaluation of equipment and installations in environments with potentially explosive atmospheres, this paper is intended to be an element of synthesis on issues related to the “in situ” assessment and solutions of solvency the deficiencies found. The assessment of these installations is very important in order to verify the implementation of measures that lead to minimizing the risk of ignition of explosive atmospheres. Evaluation of these installations is made through an on-site visit and on the basis of the technical documentation developed by the care of the user. In first part of the paper were presented the legal aspects regarding the placing on the market and the use of equipment designed for potentially explosive atmospheres. The paper is continuing with the presenting the technical aspects regarding the evaluation of equipment and installations operating in potentially explosive atmospheres followed by requirements for electrical equipment. The main conclusion, of the paper is that the explosion protection of the equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres may be invalidated by the incorrect selection of the equipment, incorrect installation of the product, inadequate: performance of inspection operations, maintenance or repairing of equipment.

The actual economic environment, which is in a continuous dynamic, obligates the economic entities to rethink their periodic performance reporting method. In this context, drafting a report of interest for the stakeholders, which would contain financial as well as non-financial information, becomes a challenge. Integrating the exigencies of the sustainable development of economic, social and environment nature in a sustainable report of performance represents in the long run an indispensable requirement for any stock exchange listed company. This paper aims to analyse three characteristics of the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE) listed companies: dimension (ED), rentability (ARR) and company recognition (EER). The control variable (EO) is given by the objectives the company follows. The data in this paper has been collected from annual reports drafted by BSE listed companies on the Regulated Market referring to 2019. The results obtained through econometric research have revealed the fact that the objectives (EO), the dimension (ED) and the company’s rentability (ARR) have a significant impact on the sustainable reporting of their performance.

Contaminants from the geological environment have induced effects specific to each category of compounds. Complex geological and geochemical studies were based on the geological drilling with depths up to 10 m. The area studied in this paper was the area of Prahova County. The paper aims to present some of the results obtained from analysis performed at soil affected by oil contamination and hydrocarbons products transported through pipelines. The maximum depth from which samples were taken was 10 m. This paper shows the need to investigate each area in terms of pollution.

The main purpose of our paper is to highlight the interplay between the demands of the workforce market from Hunedoara County and the competences of graduates from The Economy of Trade, Tourism and Services (ETTS) Bachelor study programme. As far as the methodology of the paper is concerned, we used a qualitative description approach that comprises manifold aspects: the statistical analysis of trade and tourism branches from the V West Region in correlation with the labor market; job opportunities analysis before and after the pandemic; cognitive and behavioral competences achieved by graduates from the ETTS programmeme in order to become well trained specialists in their area of interest. The results of our investigations led us to the following conclusions: the pandemic brought about continuous oscillations in the trade and tourism labor markets in such a way that, having skills in both fields, graduates from the ETTS programmeme could get compensation of the declining trend of available jobs in the hospitality industry by the increase of vacant jobs within the the online commerce; on the other hand, Hunedoara Conty – an area with various types of tourism – mountain, historical, religious tourism etc. – has witnessed an upsurge in the number of tourists in spite of the pandemic.

The paper is motivated by the need to provide relevant synthetic indicators, on the basis of which decision makers can evaluate and compare, the extent to which the proposed projects fall within the goals of sustainable development - economic efficiency, environmental responsibility, social solidarity, circular economy, production and responsible consumption. The case study, introduced in the paper, refers to the real and optimal thermal energy balance, made for an installation for the preparation of asphalt mixtures. The approached example took into account the perspective of multiplication and modernization of asphalt mixture preparation stations. Based on the measurements, performed “on site” and the calculations performed, the values of some indicators referring to energy performance, economic efficiency and environmental impact were obtained. The obtained indicators were aggregated in a global indicator, useful for administrative decision makers.

The paper aims to contribute to increasing the level of knowledge about climate change and its impact on cities in western Romania. The existing legislative framework at European and national level on resilience and adaptation to climate change is presented. The necessary climatic information is identified in order to create a scenario regarding the thermal stress and the health risk of the inhabitants of Timişoara. The results are extrapolated to other cities in the west of the country. The data obtained from the use of climate models are processed in order to use them to establish the necessary adaptation measures in order to reduce the risk to the health of the population due to future thermal stress. The paper presents uncertainties and limitations, as well as conclusions and personal contributions.

Temporo-mandibular joint disorders represent an issue of particular importance for the health and proper functioning of the dentomaxillary systhem. Research conducted in this paper aims to analyse biomechanics and temporomandibular joint among patients who, one the one side have implants placed over a history of joint disease, emphasising developments along post-interventio. On the oder side, patients without a history of joint pathology were recieving implant prosthesis. The study includes a total of 138 subjects (N=138), age between 18 and 64 years, with lateral edentulous that have been applied to dental implants and made overdenture. All patients are clinically healthy. The research methods comprise systematic observation and clinical trial, applied to two groups: one of study and one of control. Biomechanical principles can not guarantee the avoidance in the case of biopathological response to overload (respectively outer-implant bone resorption). These will not lead to the prognostic for all types of prosthetic overstructures with implant support, because the individual variations of bone resistance can not be apropriatly measured. The present paper is an applied research which is designed to solve short term problems, in order to contribute to the development of an interdisciplinary scientific field.

The paper considers the spread of combustion products caused by fires with different heat release rates: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 MW in up to 400 m long tunnels. The slope of the tunnels on numerical models is - 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9%. The cross-sectional area of the tunnel is 42.5m2. The paper describes the dynamic variability of damaging factors caused by the “chimney effect” such as carbon monoxide and temperature. Modeling was done with FDS software by using the finite volume method. The time of process modeling is 180 s. The minimum cell size of the finite volume is 0.25x 0.25 x 0.25m. The hearth of fire is in the central part of the tunnel. The obtained results are given in the plane of the central longitudinal section of the tunnel. The boundary condition is given as an increment of the dynamic pressure caused by the height difference between the portals in normal conditions. The dependence of fire-induced backlayering distance on the fire heat release rate and the increment of the dynamic pressure caused by tunnel inclination are studied. The theoretical results and those obtained by modeling of the backlayering distance and velocity are analyzed and compared. The locations of high-risk factors for each damaging factor along the tunnel are identified. Their quasi-stationary nature is described and the intervals of transient processes typical to each factor are determined in the course of modeling. It is advisable to use the obtained results to respond to emergencies caused by fire in relevant tunnels.

Combining industrial, environmental, social and scientific aspects of sustainable development in the form of innovation parks in emerging economies, inevitably leads either to the short-term functioning of too comprehensive and unviable organizational structures, or to the creation of modern platforms not only for sustainable production, but also for the greening of education. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the possibilities of developing environmentally relevant educational activities within innovation parks, on the example of industrial, scientific and technological parks in Ukraine. The research methodology: the quintuple helix model in analyzing the structure of activities within the innovation parks along the vertical “education – environment”, a comparative analysis of the concepts of Ukrainian industrial parks. The approach developed in the paper to the activation of natural and ecological activities of industrial parks in Ukraine allows identifying the level of formalization of the environmental component in their concepts, as a basis for the development of environmentally relevant education. At the conceptual level, the broad possibilities of this development depend primarily on the sufficient validity of organizational models reflecting the environmental-oriented powers of initiators, management companies and participants. At the practical level, these opportunities are partially realized in Ukrainian science parks.

This paper studies the noise level near the mines in the Jiu Valley using the Bruel & Kjaer Noise Dose Meter Type 4448. The purpose of the paper is to determine the noise level and how it can be reduced so that it falls within the limits imposed by law. The monitoring was done for a period of three months, during which we analyzed and compared the data with the values established by law. The results of our monitoring showed that the noise due to mining activities has a rather influential aspect in terms of occupational safety and security and does not directly affect daily life.

Alpine skiing is a predominantly technical discipline, whose basic feature is balancing in sliding, it takes place outdoors, in special environmental conditions: altitude, weather conditions, terrain, and types of snow. Practiced regularly from an early age, under the proper guidance of coaches, skiing is transforming from a recreational sport, especially important for children’s health and their harmonious development, into a performance sport. This paper aims to present a new approach to the training systems of alpine skiers on snow. In addition to physical training close to the characteristics of the discipline - we consider that it is necessary a special physical training - of the physical qualities required by the competition effort, respectively of balancing in conditions of sliding on the snow. In this sense, the paper tries to demonstrate that by applying some efficient operational structures in the trainings carried out on the snow, it is possible to improve the execution speed and implicitly the technical expression in the slalom events.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element on earth, being a low polluting and high efficiency fuel that can be used for various applications, such as power generation, heating or transportation. As a reaction to climate change, authorities are working for determining the most promising applications for hydrogen, one of the best examples of crossborder initiative being the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) on Hydrogen, under development at EU level. Given the large interest for future uses of hydrogen, special safety measures have to be implemented for avoiding potential accidents. If hydrogen is stored and used under pressure, accidental leaks from pressure vessels may result in fires or explosions. Worldwide, researchers are investigating possible accidents generated by hydrogen leaks. Special attention is granted to the atmospheric dispersion after the release, so that to avoid fires or explosions. The use of consequence modelling software within safety and risk studies has shown its’ utility worldwide. In this paper, there are modelled the consequences of the accidental release and atmospheric dispersion of hydrogen from a pressure tank, using state-of-the-art QRA software. The simulation methodology used in this paper uses the “leak” model for carrying out discharge calculations. This model calculates the release rate and state of the gas after its expansion to atmospheric pressure. Accidental release of hydrogen is modelled by taking into account the process and meteorological conditions and the properties of the release point. Simulation results can be used further for land use planning, or may be used for establishing proper protection measures for surrounding facilities. In this work, we analysed two possible accident scenarios which may occur at an imaginary hydrogen refuelling station, accidents caused by the leaks of the pressure vessel, with diameters of 10 and 20 mm, for a pressure tank filled with hydrogen at 35 MPa / 70 MPa. Process Hazard Analysis Software Tool 8.4 has been used for assessing the effects of the scenarios and for evaluating the hazardous extent around the analysed installation. Accident simulation results have shown that the leak size has an important effect on the flammable/explosive ranges. Also, the jet fire’s influence distance is strongly influenced by the pressure and actual size of the accidental release.

The paper presents a case study which the additive manufacturing technology is combined with finishing process by cutting operations (turning) for manufacturing a part. The part was manufactured through additive manufacturing, using a 3D printer and the and the finishing process is performed by a lathe, resulting in technological properties and the corresponding dimensional accuracy. The research paper also contains the analysis of the roughness and other properties of the material from which the final part will be made. The manufactured part will be used as a support for the blades of a fan during the assembly process, which emphasizes that a part obtained by additive manufacturing (3D printing) can replace a part obtained by casting or fabrication by total cutting. In conclusion, obtaining the manufactured part by combining the two manufacturing processes, the lead time and the production cost has been significantly reduced, while the quality of the obtained product also increased, obtaining a very good roughness.

The scope of this paper is to critically analyze and optimize the solutions available from a Lean Management point of view, for the testing & validation department of an automotive factory. The paper will start with an analysis of the basic principles of Lean Management and how this can be applied successfully, followed by a Value Stream Mapping critical analysis of the status at a given time and the action taken with the scope of optimizing the process, concluding with an updated analysis of the new Value Steam Map, showcasing the advantages and the improvements achieved.

In this paper we build some composite materials reinforced with needles from fir trees. In order to build the samples, we have firstly created some strips in this way: we put the pines, continuously, on a sheet of paper where we apply a thin layer of resin (we have used epoxy and polyester ones). We have made 10 strips and we have glued them together by using the same synthetic resins (epoxy and polyester). In the end we have obtained some composites reinforced with strips from fir trees needles and paper sheet, and the matrix is made from epoxy and polyester resins. From the obtained plate, we have cut some samples in order to study their free vibrations. We have placed an accelerometer at about 10 mm from the free edge and we have clamped the samples on several free lengths. The accelerometer is connected to a signal conditioner NEXUS which is also connected to a data acquisition system SPIDER 8. The data acquisition system is connected to a notebook through USB port. From the samples free vibrations, we have determined: the eigenfrequency, the damping factor per unit mass, damping factor per unit length, dynamic stiffness, dynamic Young modulus and loss factor.

The paper examines the possibility of using team building in order to address one of the main issues that lead to Start-up failure – lack of team cohesion and shared vision regarding goals. Team building refers to a set of activities that are supposed to help build and/or consolidate a team and facilitate the team’s ability to work together towards achieving clear, well defined goals. The research of the paper was conducted by first examining the existing literature in the field of team building and Start-ups in order to understand if the topic has been previously covered and if so, take note of the results. Secondly, it is based on the experience of the authors with implementing team building practices in the case of three Start-up businesses and continuing with applications in an educational context. The results suggest the existence of a link between the usage of team building activities and team cohesion, which in the case of Start-up businesses could prove to be the difference between their success or failure.

Rotational molding is a unique process, with a high growth rate, which allows the use of geometries and materials adapted to particular needs. It is superior to other manufacturing methods in terms of low cost, break-even point and size of parts that can be manufactured. Rotational molding products are often a substitute, with a lower mass, for traditionally used materials. In this scientific paper it is analyzed the recent literature related to the field of rotational molding processes. It also addresses the issue of processing a rotational mold, with the main purpose of optimizing the cutting regime. In this context, it is highlighted the way of processing the surface of the outer mold based on deductions of direct observation criteria. The factors considered in this regard are the route, the type and diameter of the tool, the speed and depth of cutting - given that the goal is to achieve a minimum quality of the required surface obtained by technology and a minimum base time. At the end of the paper, the contribution of this research is highlighted along with the arguments presented in support of the statement that this rotational molding process is of particular interest because it has a great potential to meet many surface quality requirements, while reducing cycle times.

The big sized milling cutters are expensive tools and are not appropriate for small batches production. Making these tools more versatile, able to fit to different kinds of processes and shapes of the parts to be machined is a must. As well, cooling the cutting area is very important. The existing end-mill cutters are designed to feed internally with coolant only the teeth on the front side. The paper presents a concept of a modular tool, made of elementary disk cutters, able to be reconfigured to get different shapes and sizes. The main element of novelty the paper claims is the inner cooling system of the complex tool. The special design of the elementary milling cutters and of the shaft they are mounted on make the tool able to lead jets of coolant to every insert, no matter where they are placed, on the cylindrical or on the front side of the milling cutter. A network of channels drilled in the shaft and in the body of elementary milling cutters make this possible. The capability to splash with coolant under high pressure all the cutting edges do not depend on the number of teeth of the tool. Being delivered from inside the cutting tool, the coolant splashes directly on the contact surface between the inserts and workpiece, which makes cooling more efficient.

In this paper we build some composite materials reinforced with corn leaves. In order to build the samples, we have firstly created some strips in this way: we put the corn leaves, continuously, on a sheet of paper where we apply a this layer of resin (we have used epoxy and polyester ones). We have waited for the resin polymerization 48 hours, recommended by the producer. We have put the corn leaves layers in the director of the tensile test (because we will test the samples to tensile). We have made 10 strips and we have glued them together by using the same synthetic resins (epoxy and polyester). In the end we have obtained some composites reinforced with strips from corn leaves and paper sheet, and the matrix is made from epoxy and polyester resins. From the obtained plate, we have cut some samples in order to study their statically mechanical characteristics by tensile test. The samples were tested on an universal testing machine INSTRON 1000 HDX which is assisted by a software called Bluehill. The samples have a rectangular section We have determined: the elongation at break, the breaking strength and the Young modulus. We have also studied the samples breaking area..

The robotics industry has experienced a rapid expansion in the last decade. As a result, the market of speed reducers with high gear ratios, high precision and a compact design is growing rapidly. In addition to these characteristics, it is very important for gear trains to have high efficiency. Because of their compact design, cycloidal speed reducers are not exposed to axial forces, which is their important characteristic. This means that radial bearings can be used in their supports. The bearing type has significant effects not only on the design and dimensions of the cycloid speed reducer but also on its efficiency. In this paper, an analysis of power losses for different types of rolling bearings of a cycloid disc has been performed. At the end of the paper, concrete conclusions are presented as well as directions for future research.

The unprecedented evolution of the technological environment inevitably generates resistance to change in the population. The paper aims to detect these resistances in the conditions of a future transition to Industry 5.0. Firstly, we present the results of a bibliographic study of the specialized literature, in order to answer the dilemma of the existence or absence of the differences between the two concepts, that of Industry 4.0 and that of Industry 5.0. Secondly, the paper contains the results of an online survey based on a questionnaire conducted among employees in the central area of Romania. The research is related to the employees’ perception on the possible evolution of the economic environment by implementing the concept of Industry 5.0. and focuses on issues that may bother them in their professional lives. Although we found that there are many oppositions to a potential transition to Industry 5.0, we still appreciate that the accelerated evolution of technology will be able to reduce much of them, the speed of technological change being much higher than the reaction speed of employees.

The paper wants to be an alarm signal that non-compliance with the psychological contract by managers can negatively affect the organizational climate. The paper starts with a selection of the most important aspects of the literature on the psychological contract. The results of this study from secondary sources are interpreted in terms of the current socio-economic context, showing the possible negative influences of economic crises and pandemics such as COVID-19 on compliance with the psychological contract in organizations. The situations of violation of the psychological contract by the management can be numerous in this context. Therefore, the paper then presents an exploratory research conducted online, the respondents being employed in various companies in the Sibiu County (Romania). The main objectives of the research were to find out the importance of the psychological contract for employees and how it is or is not respected by managers. The results showed that the psychological contract is very important for respondents, but their perceptions of compliance with it are influenced by the crises faced by the organization. Another important conclusion shows that, in the opinion of the employees, many managers from the organizations in Sibiu County do not respect the psychological contract.

The aim of the paper is to analyse the managers and business owners’ vision Hunedoara County from a managerial communication perspective, depending on the age on the market, as well as the turnover. The study is based on a questionnaire containing 14 questions, distributed online, and applied to a group of over 500 companies in Hunedoara County between September 13, 2020 - September 30, 2020. We received answers from 34 companies, which are the basis of the research. Our research revealed some expressive data on the act of managerial communication, depending on the turnover of the companies, the way of exercising the communication, as well the managers and business owners’ vision how managerial communication influences the success of companies. The respondents, as mentioned, come only from the companies of Hunedoara county, but the study can be extrapolated to provide an image for all Romanian companies, as the authors show in the paper. The paper creates an image of the managers and business owners’ vision about managerial communication, showing that it must be decentralized to managers or communication specialists, especially since many respondents claim that the success of companies is influenced by managerial communication. This study can be a contribution to managerial communication, allowing managers and business owners to improve their vision of communication, and the companies they run to be more successful.

The most frequent workplace accidents in the industry are most of the times caused by the employer’s failure to fulfill their obligation to provide appropriate on-the-job training. Starting from this state of affairs, this paper analyzes the main cause of workplace accidents in the industry, which is the lack of training, or incomplete or inadequate training of employees, a situation indicated by the latest studies and the latest activity report of Labor Inspectorate. The solution identified by most employers was to use the online environment, this being the only way that allows the achievement of both of the aforementioned objectives at the same time. In this context, the paper identifies and proposes the use of the online environment, especially in the process of distance training of workers, giving them the opportunity to receive training documents, to analyze them, to electronically sign them and send them to the employer in electronic format. This proposal of supplementing the current legislation with the possibility of using the online environment in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS) also takes into account other categories of benefits that this solution brings, such as streamlining OHS and optimizing costs incurred in fulfilling these legal obligations.

Marketing strives to add value to the company by aiming to attract customers, convincing them to develop a buying intention and eventually become consumers. The importance of marketing also lies in the famous quote from Steve Jobs: “Customers do not know what they want until we offer them.” Over time, marketing has gone through several stages and produced the step with the evolution of technological innovation that is essential for the future of any successful business. The rapid development of technology and the fact that it is now increasingly accessible in terms of learning and costs have led to its popularization among marketers and consumers. The complete paper proposes to present a foray into the evolution of marketing and to present a successful Romanian company and how it manages the brand in the 5.0 marketing vision. The paper aims to highlight how following the marketing trends a successful company manages to grow even in the adverse conditions of the pandemic. Various methods are used to carry out the works, such as SWOT analysis and questionnaire-based survey. The paper is richly illustrated by suggestive, interpreted graphics that underlie the conclusions drawn from the study.

In this paper the authors present contributions to the development of search and rescue mobile robots. The first part of the paper describes the characteristics of search and rescue field. In the second part the authors presented the development and construction of an experimental prototype focusing on the locomotion systems for the search and rescue field and the results of the physical experiments done and the design and development of a proposed search and rescue mobile robot based on the lessons learned from the experiments. The third part contains the operation and control of the robot. The fourth section presents the simulation of the hybrid locomotion system of the proposed search and rescue mobile robot. The last part of the paper contains the development directions and conclusions.

This paper presents, the development of an autonomous mobile robot with a four-wheel drive and differential locomotion. The mobile robot was developed in the Machines and Industrial Equipment Department from the Engineering Faculty of Sibiu. The main purpose of developing this type of mobile platform was the ability to transport different types of cargo either in industrial spaces or on rough terrain. Another important objective was that this platform could be driven in confined or tight spaces where a high degree of manoeuvrability is necessary. The great advantage of this type of mobile platform is the ability to navigate through narrow spaces due to the type of locomotion implemented. The fact that the robot has four driving wheels gives it the ability to travel on rough surfaces and easily bypass obstacles. Another great advantage of the developed mobile robot is that it has a reconfigurable structure. The drivetrain is interchangeable, it can adopt both classic wheels and Mecanum wheels. The first part of the paper presents some general aspects concerning mobile robots and two types of traction wheels used in mobile robotic structures. Subsequently, the paper presents the steps taken in the development of the mobile wheeled platform. At the end of the paper, the electronic part that will be implemented in the structure of the robot is described. The command and control of the entire mobile platform will be described in some future work.

Space technology and services represent a major component of the well-functioning societies’ infrastructure. At the same time, outer space is being increasingly accessed with many entities sending out technologies in an attempt to minimize launching and operational costs. Subsequently, a cross-domains activity, space technologies and services lay in the insufficiently settled area of legislative and institutional measures, leading to a growing ambiguity among professional community, reunited under the concept of ”space traffic management” (STM). In line with the new initiatives in the field of STM, this paper attempts to unblackbox the interplay between definitions and establishment history of it, its context of emergence, usage and the level of technological maturation. At the same time, the paper intends to address the tension between governmental and private initiatives related to the management and the coordination for space traffic, in order to open up a discussion on this topic. Thus the paper is expected to contribute to building a better understanding of the controversial nature of space services and technologies, especially with regard to delineations among geopolitical groups of interest, economic and governmental uses, as well as interfacing, roles and responsibilities, and impact on interoperable means of communication among various institutions.

The aim of the paper is to highlight the importance of the calorific properties of softwood biomass. The paper presents the caloric power and ash content, important caloric properties in the assessment of wood biomass. Biomass, in the form of wood, was and will remain an important combustible material. The value of ash content for spruce was 3.8% and 4.2% for fir. These values are within the international standards. Wood biomass, as a material can provide the energy need for the population at a reduced price. The combustion process are possible only in the presence of oxygen, which is usually introduced into the focal spot through the combustion air.

Companies are under increasing pressure from customers, competitors, limited resources, etc. These conditions oblige companies to permanently improve their organizational structure and the activities of all system’s flows. The paper analyses the types of Kanban systems, in the broader context of the enterprise systems. The most important reference architectures were analysed (with the emphasis on the modules dedicated to flow description) and the standards that allow the activity modelling of a manufacturing enterprises. Starting from this context, the paper describes three models of Kanban systems that are specific to companies with different information systems development. Models are: Push production with withdrawal Kanban; Pull production with withdrawal Kanban and production Kanban triggered by Kanban board; Pull production with withdrawal Kanban and production Kanban triggered by the dispatch to the customers. The models are graphically described using Value Stream Map (VMS) symbols. These models are useful in the development and improvement of production flows.

An important element of the geological modeling of oil reservoirs is represented by determining of the mineralogical composition and rock types as part of the reservoir characterization process. In the paper we provide a comprehensive mineralogo-petrographic study based on petrographic observations and X-rays diffraction investigations made on several Miocene rock samples collected in the wells spudded in an oil field belonging to the Getic Basin. Getic Basin is a prolific petroleum province in Romania and belongs to petroleum systems of the Carpathian Foredeep. The oil exploration in the Getic Basin started more than 100 years ago and resulted in thousands of wells drilled and tens of fields discovered. The oil field is located in the Gorj County, geologically belongs to the internal zone of the Getic Basin, and is a faulted anticline with hydrocarbon accumulations in Burdigalian and Sarmatian deposits. The petrographic study led to the interpreting of the rock samples analyzed as epiclastic sedimentary rocks represented by conglomerates, breccias, sands, sandstones, claystones and marlstones, and carbonate rocks (limestones). X-rays diffraction investigations indicated the phyllosilicates (smectite and illite) as main minerals in the Sarmatian samples, while in the Burdigalian samples were found as main minerals: quartz, feldspars and carbonate minerals. The paper provides detailed information (like petrographic types, composition and microtexture) on the Miocene reservoir rocks belonging to the Getic Basin. Also the data obtained may be used as basis for future reservoir modeling studies in the region.

The paper presents an analysis of the online education, in the pandemic crisis. Technology provides innovative solutions in the human interactions and the education should benefit by these. The pandemic crisis we all are passing forced education actors to reconsider teaching and learning using online learning. ELearning has an increased importance in these moments, so, in this paper is made an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of this type of education, as well as the opportunities and threats that may occur. Some challenges were identified that the crisis came with, in educational domain. The results highlighted that the strategy that should be adopted by the educational institutions must be based on an intensive use of the educational platforms in online environment. Some proposals has been made such as the need for quality improvement activities in online teaching or a resource planning for saving time and optimizing the organizational learning process.

The aim of the paper was to analyze the perception of students regarding the quality of management within Erasmus+ programme carried out by Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu and their partner academic institutions from Romania and abroad. Through this paper we also tried to determine a classification of the evaluated variables, their correlation and the factor which influences most the quality of the management of Erasmus mobility projects. In order to assess these goals, the research consisted of collecting, processing and analyzing the responses to questionnaires from 66 Romanian students and 165 foreign students who have benefited from an Erasmus+ study or placement mobility in the last years. The findings highlighted that Romanian students compared to foreign students assessed better the quality of management in general, more exactly the variables related to promotion and information activities, quality and professionalism of the Erasmus selection competition, support in filling out the Erasmus documents, the level of support throughout the application process, information and support provided by the home university during their mobility and the support for the administrative part after returning from mobility.

According to ISO 9000, a quality management system is part of a set of related or interacting elements of an organization that sets policies and objectives, as well as the processes necessary to achieve the quality objectives. Quality is the extent to which a set of intrinsic characteristics of an object meets the requirements. Based on these definitions, the factory, considered in this paper, S.C. APULUM S.A.,decided to implement a quality management system since 1998. Subsequently, the organization’s attention is focus on the continuous improvement of the implemented quality management system. The purpose of this paper is to study the percent of specified defects specific to ceramic products in the future to improve the quality management system. In this regard, machine learning techniques were applied for defects forecasting for different types of products: mugs, pressed plates and jiggered plates. The experimental evaluation was performed on real data sets that contain percentages about different types of defects collected in 2018-2019. The experimental results show that for each type of product exists an algorithm that forecasts the future defects.

Efficiency is a key parameter used to assess the quality of operation of power generation systems and devices applied for converting one type of energy to the other. Although, in the end, an investment project is mainly evaluated by economic aspect. Furthermore, many researchers have been investigating the possible types of energy conversion systems and devices applied for power generation and utilizing different types of working fluids. This paper presents the inside into transcritical carbon dioxide (CO2) cycle and the gradients of its efficiency. Transcritical CO2 cycle (TCO2C) here refers to a CO2-based thermal power generation cycle absorbing heat from a heat source (ideally with constant pressure) till the supercritical state is reached. It is followed by an expansion to a sub-critical superheated or even two-phase (wet) state. As alternatives, trilateral flash cycle (TFC) and organic Rankine cycle (ORC) utilizing CO2 are also introduced in this paper. The calculation in this study is computed based on MATLAB integrated with thermophysical properties like CoolProp and REFPROP, the mathematical models of the system are built and calculated with the same heat sink temperature of 224.41 K, and the heat source temperature is varied between 274.41 K and 500 K. At a certain temperature, the obtained result shows that the efficiency of the TCO2C is lower than the efficiency of ORC. Another result proves that the quality of working fluid at the end of the expansion process significantly influences the efficiency of the cycle.

Thermal energy storage (TES) became one of the main research topics in modern power engineering. The design of TES devices and systems depend on their application. Different thermal energy storage materials (e.g., solids, liquids, or phase change materials) can be applied in TES devices. The selection of the thermal energy storage material depends mainly on the thermal power and operating temperature range of the TES device. These devices and systems are applied in different energy conversion systems, including solar power plants or combined heat and power (CHP) stations. The application of TES devices is also considered in the case of other industries, such as metallurgy. The possible application of TES devices is particularly promising in the case of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems. These systems are often utilizing floating heat sources such as solar energy, waste heat, etc. TES device can be therefore applied as the evaporator of the ORC system in order to stabilize these fluctuations. In this paper, the possible thermal energy storage materials used in TES devices applied in ORCs are discussed. Moreover, the modelling results are reported related to assessment parameters which can be applied to size the TES device for ORC system utilizing different low-boiling working fluids. The thermal properties of working fluids are taken from CoolProp. The function of heat capacity of different TES materials is also provided and the calculation is computed by employing MATLAB. The result shows that based on the simulation, the gradient of the natural characteristic of TES with working fluids (ζ(Tb)) tends to decrease. The presented result in this paper gives a new point of view which can be used by scientists and engineers during the design and implementation of TES evaporators dedicated to ORC power systems.

Long term strategic changes in power generation approaches will require more flexibility for large power generating turbines as an unavoidable consequence of the increasing share of power generated by alternative energy sources. Demanded flexibility for the power turbine output will augment undesired flow phenomena in the low-pressure turbine module, which will consequently enhance blade flutter problems of long slender blades in turbine last stages. In order to advance the understanding of blade flutter onset conditions, the Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences instigated an advanced research program on blade flutter research in high-speed turbomachines. A new innovative test facility for Blade Forced Flutter research was designed and built in the High-Speed Laboratory of the Institute of Thermomechanics. The concept of the new test facility is based on extensive experience with an older Transonic Flutter Cascade facility operated at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. At present, the first phase of verification tests of the new facility is in progress. The ongoing steady-state tests are intended for exploration of a newly proposed quasi-stationary method to investigate instigating flow conditions leading to an onset of intense blade flutter. Results of some opening tests under steady flow conditions are presented in the paper. The blade drive mechanism for unsteady tests with oscillating blades has not yet been installed in the facility. The presented paper is a work-in-progress report on the ongoing research of complex blade flutter problems.

Environmental pollution is one of the most crucial problems in modern world. The toughening of emission standards for toxic fumes, which appear due to the combustion of fossil fuels in internal combustion engines, forces manufacturers to reduce fuel consumption, for example, via more rational use of the internal combustion engine capabilities. This paper is devoted to developing a control algorithm selection technique for economy class passenger car robotic transmission in the conditions of an urban cycle, using Lada Vesta SW Cross as a research subject. At the beginning of the paper, vehicle movement imitational mathematical model implementation, which was developed using LMS Imagine. Lab Amesim program complex. is shown. Also the main assumptions and parameters of engines, cooling systems, transmissions and chassis are given. Then imitational mathematical model verification results, which were processed by comparing movement computer simulation results with the vehicle passport data, are shown. Imitational mathematical model demonstrates the car behavior adequately and very precisely, which means it can be used for vehicle fuel efficiency research. In the main part of the paper, vehicle movement research is conducted in case of three different versions of the internal combustion engine (which has 1,4-, 1,6- and 1,8-liters volume) used in an urban cycle INRETS urbanfluide2. It is clearly shown that the lowest consumption is achieved by reducing the acceleration and braking dynamics via “early” gear shifting, and the crankshaft rotation speed at the corresponding moment of the shift has to be selected for each gear separately. Based on the research results, a switching algorithm and its selection technique, which takes the throttle valve opening degree and the type of the internal combustion engine external speed characteristic into consideration, are presented. In conclusion, this paper presents the results of vehicle movement imitational mathematical modeling in the urban cycle with a modified robotic transmission control algorithm. It is clear that this algorithm can reduce fuel consumption in the urban cycle by 12-20%, depending on the engine volume.

The intensive introduction of virtualization technologies, the transition to software-oriented methods and the active use of universal tools make it possible to provide comprehensive automation of the processes of managing the communication infrastructures of a modern enterprise. The use of modern methods for creating network resources and network management tools makes it possible to find solutions for many problems that arise during the construction or modernization of distributed information systems. This paper presents an example of the implementation of the concept of "Infrastructure as Code", the use of a set of virtualization platforms and network management tools in the construction of a distributed laboratory complex of an educational institution. The paper shows how the use of modern methods and tools provides comprehensive automation of the management of network resources of a distributed laboratory complex, which makes it possible to combine disparate laboratory resources of an educational institution into a single software-controlled complex, intensify the learning process and instill in students practical skills in building modern data transmission systems.

Based on the analysis of the functional capabilities of modern information systems, the paper substantiates the applicability of multidimensional combined information structures for computer-assistant planning in machinery production. A multidimensional optimization model has been developed for elementary technological surface-treatment routing in the case of using complex quality indicators determined by the operational properties of products. The dimensions of its coordinate space are determined by the number of technical constraints that govern the quality of the product. The paper provides an example of an algorithm that uses logical algebra operations to reduce the coordinate space of the model and to reduce the computational complexity of the design task.