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There are a large number of cases, especially in the Romanian mass-media, when recorded events are not exactly located in their rightful territorial place. This imprecise information which in some cases, represent the news headlines, may become really annoying for the viewer, especially when they are constantly repeated. This paper was written in order to support the news editors in mass media and other scientific fields, to give an accurate geographical location of different activities, events, and phenomena, which are the object of mass media news, in the geographical and historical provinces of Romania. Concerning the above mentioned information, it can be noticed that there seems to be no problem regarding the geographical and historical provinces in the East (Moldavia), South-East (Dobrudja) and South of Romania (Muntenia and Oltenia). On the other hand, in the central and western parts of Romania, a shadow is cast over the boundaries of the provinces, and this is what the paper is supposed to clarify. These provinces are defined, on one hand, by geographical features (morphology, climate, drainage, vegetation, soil, soil and mineral resources, population and settlements, human activities and the products obtained by the inhabitants of different territories) and, on the other hand, by historical facts, that have happened throughout the time, which helped clarifying the shape and the geographical location of the provinces, especially in the central and western parts of Romania. Eight historical and geographical provinces are well defined within Romania: Transylvania (in the centre of Romania), Banat, Crisana, Maramures (the western part of Romania), Moldavia (in the East), Dobrudja (in the South-East), Muntenia and Oltenia (in the South). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a report about the extraction of resveratrol with ethanol (EtOH) from red grape pomace (RGP) Vitis vinifera L. (Cluj, Transylvania region, Romania) and obtaining a dietary supplement with zinc on grape pomace support. The concentration of resveratrol (Rv) from the extract was spectrophotometrically determined at 305 nm wavelength, and was found to be 145 mg Rv/L. The material resulting after the extraction of resveratrol was processed to obtain a zinc dietary supplement support. The thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) of Zn2+ biosorption were calculated and the results indicate that the process is endothermic and spontaneous. The Zn2+ biosorption kinetics was analysed using pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order models. The results indicate that biosorption of Zn2+ aqueous solution onto grape pomace support is best described by the pseudo-second-order model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper studies the mineralogical and petrographical characteristics of 28 ceramic fragments that were excavated in the village of Palatca, Transylvania (Romania). Optical microscopy, X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), grain size analyses, and porosity measurements were used to investigate the samples. Our objective was to describe or reconstruct the corresponding products and to elucidate the manufacturing process, the firing techniques, and the transformation pathways. Based on our results, we conclude that the Late Bronze Age ceramics (1600-1300 BC) were produced from clay and temper material such as river sand and ceramoclasts. It has been modeled by hand and fired between 800 and 950°C. For most samples, we can narrow the temperature range to 850-900°C. We interpret the data further from a geoarchaeological point of view with respect to the historical evolution of the local culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania the mobile phones has been adopted rapidly, and the newer generation of these devices, the smartphones follow the same pattern. The main purpose of the research is to study the smartphone adoption process among teenagers from the 1st Macro-region in Romania. The originality of this paper is to study a very special and vulnerable market segment such as teenagers. In our study, we test a simplified Technology Acceptance Model on a convenience sample, which contains 1,864 questionnaires, collected online. According to the results, in the high school students market, the smartphone penetration is 60%, higher than in case of other age and educational groups. We found that perceived usefulness of these devices is influenced both by social norms and behavioral control while perceived enjoyment is not. The results also show that the teenagers use smart phones from a utilitarian necessity not a hedonic one. The model was tested on a convenience sample; therefore the results cannot be generalized. The proposed technological acceptance model is not perfectly suited for teenagers. In a further research we should proposed a specific model for them. From the practical viewpoint, the teenagers represent a new generation, which should be called "a smartphone generation". They represent a real market for the smartphone producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaborated in 2008-2011, at Agricultural Research Station Turda, the paper presents the research concerning the increasing of main wheat pests abundance and extension risk of pests attack on the agro-ecological changes in Transylvania. Entomological study has been carried out under different cultural soil technologies: classical (by plowing) and conservative (by minimum soil tillage and no tillage), in open field agroecosystems with antierosional terraces and in agroforestry belts farming system. The spring months of the last years was characterized by an increased warming and dryness periods, causing the pest abundance and damages growth on wheat. It was pointed out major outbreaks of attack of thrips (Haplothrips tritici); wheat flies (Chloropidae: Oscinella frit, Meromyza nigriventris, Elachiptera cornuta etc. and Anthomyidae: Delia coarctata, Phorbia securis, Ph. penicillifera); stem flea beetles (Chaetocnema aridula); bugs (Eurygaster maura, Aelia acuminata), leafhoppers (Javesella pellucida, Psammotettix alienus, Macrosteles laevis), aphids (Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Metopolophium dirhodum) etc. The research results prouved the importance of integrated pests control and insecticide applications in two different moments: end of tillering phase and spike appearance, in open field with classical soil technology. Also, the integrated pests management (IPM) is a major section of soil no tillage technologies comprising a special pest control strategy, with insecticides application in 2-3 succesive treatments, entomophagous conservation and use, environmental protection. The IPM research pointed out the efficiency of biological control, only using the entomophagous natural resources, without insecticides application, in the farming system with protective agro-forestry belts - favorable for the increasing of useful fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper analyzes the essential aspects regarding the accessibility by applying an assessment model of the accessibility of the administrative territorial units (ATU) within Transylvania. The methodology used for the calculation of the accessibility coefficient is based on the analysis of the distance between point A and point B, calculating the distance based on satellite points. An analysis of the obtained results regarding the accessibility by road in different administrative territorial units, show that these units have recorded a higher coefficient such as Cluj- Napoca, Sibiu, Târgu Mureş, Huedin, Iernut, Teius, Alba Iulia, while other most inaccessible territorial units are located in the mountain areas of the Alba, Cluj, Bistriţa- Nāsāud, Harghita, Covasna and Hunedoara counties. Following the analysis of the obtained results regarding the accessibility we can calculate the accessibility level of relief units (eg. Trascāu Mountains - 7.4 points or Hârtibaciu Tableland - 6.17 points). The values obtained as a result of this analysis can be used in the future local, micro-regional or regional studies which will also comprise elements of accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belonging to the tertiary sector of the national economy, tourism plays the role of a barometer that strictly measures its development, and the changes that occur in the economy bear upon it. Tourism plays a dual role: a direct economic role, which consists in generating revenues and creating receipts that feed the national income and an indirect economic role, that assumes the development of other branches of the national economy. The purpose of our paper is the analysis of the touristic demand and supply in Transylvania, more specific in North-West, Centre and West regions. We used the information provided by the National Institute of Statistics and data were processed using Excel Office. As the data shows the touristic demand growth started with 2002, while it took one year for the supply to respond to this trend. The biggest increase of touristic supply was registered in Centre Region (17.38%), and this seems obvious given that this region has enjoyed the highest demand for tourist services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Roman roads served for the military strategy of the empire during its full development, respectively for provisioning the Roman legions camped in Dacia Porolissensis, but also for affording fast connections with other legions. Roman roads represent an argument for the articulation of Transylvanian landscapes, but their functionality should not be substituted nowadays, so it is on us to build a scientific movement to motivate the necessity of their preserving today. This paper analyzes the route of the main imperial Roman road from Dacia between Sutoru and Porolissum. This represents a sector which is not very well known, because the information is poor. Although, based on Austrian military maps, modern plans and maps and aerial photos, we can today establish, in certain sectors, the route of this road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the classification of the urban and rural settlements of Mureş County according to the main criteria: demographical size, the structure of the built-up area, the tissue and the economic activities, as well as the distribution of the settlements according to the main landforms and landform units. More than half of the urban settlements are small towns, having less than 20,000 inhabitants. The large city of Târgu MureŞ stands out as the main administrative, industrial, cultural, financial and commercial centre of the county. There are also three middle-sized cities: Reghin, Sighişoara and Târnāveni. In 2003 and 2004, the communes of SārmaŞu, Miercurea Nirajului, Sângeorgiu de Pādure and Ungheni received town status, but they still preserve many rural characteristics. The majority of the rural settlements are small and very small villages. Six villages (BârlibāŞoaia, Maldaoci, Dupā Deal, Hodaia, Şandru and Fântâna Babii) had no inhabitants whatsoever at the latest census, that of 2002. Some of the very small villages are in danger of extinction. All the three types of structure of the built-up area can be found in Mureş County. The concentrated structure is characteristic for the villages formerly inhabited by Saxons, near Sighişoara, or for those located along the main hydro graphic and communication axes. The dispersed structure is characteristic for the hilly areas, while the scattered structure is found both in the Transylvanian Plain (the so-called "hodāi") and in the Carpathians. The tissue of the settlements is irregular. Most of the rural settlements have an agricultural function, while the towns and cities have complex functions. Regarding the landforms, the majority of settlements prefer the large valley corridors and are usually located between 300 and 400 metres above the sea level. The village situated at the highest altitude is Lāpuşna, at about 800 metres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of intercultural education today is understood as the answer of the education system to the challenges of the society's multiculturalism. Starting with the ideas about the development of this concept and its fields of pedagogical practice, the present paper explores the intercultural aspects of the German and Hungarian minority education in Transylvania. It reveals some intercultural tendencies and challenges of the educational system and the multicultural society from Romania contrasting with the changes of the educational system from the last 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of the geographical landscape and of its spatial functions requires, on the behalf of the scientist, an inventory of all the factors with impact in structuring the landscape: geological, geomorphologic, climatic, hydrologic, biopedogeographic, human-made, geopolitical, cultural-historical, etc. The impact of the climatic and human-made factors is relevant for the Transylvanian factors through a substitution of the landscape functions during the last century. From a predominantly agrarian exploitation of the Transylvanian space (cultivation of cereals, technical plants, vegetables, pasturage, fishing), it turned to an increasing exploitation of construction rocks (lime stones, tuffs, sands and gravels) and wood (deciduous in particular), and also to a touristic development of the salty regions (balneal, climatic, cultural-historic and sport tourism). The methodology used in elaborating this paper comprises: an analysis of the climatic data on time series; reconstruction of the land usage systems; an analysis of the river beds dynamics as a result of the increasing exploitation of gravels and sands; an analysis of the human impact territorial models. The correlation between these precipitation values and the geomorphic processes in the Transylvanian environment, arguments the changes in the flowing regime of the rivers, the activation of some old landslides or generation of new ones, the elimination from the productive circuit of large agricultural and forested territories. The increasing of the primary resources exploitation especially that of wood and gravels, led to a major destabilization of the river-slope system, with long-term consequences. The materialization of impact is felt in the plane spatial dynamics of the Transylvanian river channels, in the mobilization on slopes of the deluvial materials, in the intensification of the linear erosion, in a decrease of the agricultural and forested areas, in a ruderalization of vegetation etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a complex endocrine disease with a series of complications and it represents a significant public health concern globally and regionally in Romania. Specific aspects of motivation as well as mental wellbeing are considered to be related to diabetes management. When the psychological needs are supported, people experience better quality motivation, higher sense of wellbeing and tend to maintain desirable behaviors. 0ur objective was to examine the predictive role of motivation and wellbeing variables on glycemic control in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Transylvania, Romania. We also targeted other relevant factors (demographic parameters, clinical illness characteristics, diabetes-related knowledge) which influence optimal glycemic control. Participants (N=232) were Hungarian speaking adult patients from Transylvania, Romania, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Demographic and clinical data sets were collected. Participants completed a set of questionnaires developed to measure motivational dimensions, subjective wellbeing and diabetes-related knowledge. Targeted motivation variables were established based on Self- Determination Theory. The study followed an observational correlational design. Hierarchical multiple regression models were used to investigate the predictors of glycemic control. Results show that perceived competence and autonomous motivation have increased predictive power on optimal glycemic control, but the effect of motivation is partially mediated by wellbeing components. Illness related characteristics like vascular complications, comorbidities and illness duration proved to be essential predictors of glycemic control. Illness duration seemed to have a specific effect on glycemic control for patients living in Transylvania, longer duration predicts better glycemic control. Future research should examine the topic using an experimental design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glimee deep-seated landslides present a specific morphology that defines them in the category of landslides. The morphology of those landslides present mounds that have conic forms, low angle slopes and usually are modeled by recent landslides and linear erosion. The elevation of the mounds has values that increase from the bottom of the slide to the upper part of the slope; from 5 to over 25 meters. Comparing the data from the maps with the reality from the field we identified the evolution stages and a now slide, a present block that was slid in 2008. From this we can consider that this type of landslides can occur nowadays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of Human Activities upon the Morphology of "Glimee" Deepseated Landslides from Transylvania Basin. "Glimee" deep-seated landslides present a specific morphology that defines them in the category of landslides. Their frequency in the Transylvanian Basin's landscape determinate the inclusion of those forms in the agricultural use, especially where the morphological characteristics of the "glimee" landslides allow it. The shape of the mounds - flattened or rounded -- with a slow angle of the slopes ensure the possibility of the agricultural use for vineyards, cereals, vegetables etc. and the land is also suitable for constructions (Dâmburile, Tritenii-Hotar, Corunca etc). The influence of the human activities has not only positive effects, but also negative ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geomorphologic Aggradation, Expression of the Climatic Changes -Situations and Structures Specific for Romania -- Transylvania. The geomorphostructures, when defined as formations of accumulation with dynamic and grading organisation, are considered to be the expression of the factors involved in the dislocation, transport and redepositing processes. Geomorphologic sensitivity plays, in this case, an essential role. The formation, the increase or decrease of the morphostructures set up through aggradation or degradation phenomena, give hints about the changes of the factors responsible with the dislocation, transport and depositing. At the same time, the changes in grading, as well as those in the mineralogical composition and configuration of the morphostructures, illustrate the differentiation in time and space of the control variables actions. The study of some geomorphostructures in the Transylvanian Basin, such as alluvial beds, deposit fan structures (gullies, torrents), basal glacisses, lake sediments, evidentiated the role of the climate as a relief factor. As regarding the slopes, due to an accelerate erosion, an increase of the alluvial fans and of the basal glacises was noticed. The lake basins in the Transylvanian Plain are also characterized by an increase in the sedimentary deposits as a result of the inputs from the surrounding areas. On the whole, the morphostructures dimension, referring both to their volumes and geometry (configuration), is influenced by the various material inputs and by differences in the dynamic (transport) process (slopes and river beds), all these in the context of a general increase of the "dryness" (aridity) phenomenon. The rhythmgrams of the various sediments (lake, fluvial) clearly illustrate the sequence of the climatic manifestations, as well as the general trend towards heating and dryness (aridization). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the possibilities to establish the tendency of evolution of a territory from a hydrographical point of view is the knowledge of the degree or rate of finishing of the drainage basins. This indicator, closely connected to the law of the number of streams, provides information about the stage of evolution of the drainage basins. In order to calculate this indicator, we selected 35 drainage basins of different orders in the Transylvanian Depression. Most of them have a value of the indicator below 1. This fact indicates a hydrographic evolution based on the increase of the number of first order segments in Horton-Strahler system, to reach values equal or higher than 1, specific for the drainage basins in a more advanced stage of evolution. The occurrence of new first order river segments within the drainage basins has effects both at the level of the already existing riverbeds, which perform the transit of alluvia, and at the level of slopes, the common place of formation for gullies and ravines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on their chemical composition ceramic shards from three Bronze Age sites in Transylvania, i.e., Copăceni, Dersida and Palatca respectively, were distinguished by major, trace, and RE elements. Within the Copăceni samples, two subgroups (A and B) showing different chemistry and mineralogy were additionally separated out. The link between chemistry and mineralogy showed clearly the important contribution of the temper to the overall chemistry of the ceramic shards. In turn, the chemistry facilitated the provenance study of the raw materials, which were collected in the vicinity of the sites. In combination with the mineralogy of the ceramics, the chemical analyses can serve as a basis for a geochemical reference set used by further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bentonite sample from Orasul Nou deposit, (Transilvania, Romania), was used to remove heavy metal ions (Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+) from model monocomponent wastewaters. A representative sample of bentonite (ON) was characterised using, wet chemical analyses, XRD, BET and FTIR. The bentonite deposit from Orasul Nou formed by alteration of rhyolites and perlites. Mineralogically, they contain clay minerals (montmorillonite, and subordinately kaolinite, illite), cristobalite, carbonates, zeolites (clinoptilolite), iron oxi-hydroxides and relics of primary minerals such as quartz and feldspar.The bentonite sample was used as powder, (d < 0.2 mm), without any chemical treatment. We studied the influence of the working regime, static and dynamic, concentration, and solid : liquid ratio over the process efficiency. We used monocomponent synthetic wastewaters containing zinc, lead and cadmium ions. The bentonite sample proved to be efficient for the removal of the considered heavy metal ions, removal efficiencies up to 100% (lead and zinc removal) were reached. First-order, pseudo- second-order and Elovich models were used to study the adsorption kinetic of zinc ions on the bentonite sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The salt lakes from the Transylvanian Basin are grouped in 8 sectors; their age differs a lot, one is from the Roman period (over 2000 years), others are in the stage of evolution. Many of these lakes are anthroposaline, from where one may establish the importance of salt mining, which has an impact on the shape of the lakes, the number of them in every extraction point and, of course, on the future modifications of the basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]