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The aim of this work is to comparatively analyze, using numerical simulation, the impact behavior of aramid fabric. A layered panel was impacted by two projectiles specific to the NIJ protection level HG1. The protection level in this study is based on NIJ Standard 0123.00. This standard is used to establish protection levels. The two projectiles specific to the NIJ HG1 protection level are 9 mm Luger and.357 Mag FMJ. Law enforcement personnel use body armor designed to protect the torso. With the help of numerical simulation, the mechanisms of destruction of the aramid fabric on impact are identified. The protection performance is analyzed as a function of the influence of the number of layers and the projectile velocity variation. The fabric is modeled at the yarn level, with each yarn consisting of hundreds or even thousands of fibers. Simulations are performed at the yarn level, since fiber-level modeling is difficult to implement due to high computational resource requirements. The material properties for the yarn, as well as for the projectiles, are selected from the literature. The results show that only the 20-layer fabric panel impacted by the 9 mm Luger FMJ RN 9 mm FMJ RN projectile at 398 m/s meets the protection requirements of the NIJ standard (NIJ HG1 protection level). In contrast, panels impacted at 436 m/s, or those with fewer layers, show rapid stress wave propagation, severe deformation, and complete perforation, indicating insufficient energy dissipation. This study highlights the critical role of impact velocity, projectile geometry, and number of layers in determining ballistic resistance. These findings contribute to the development of more effective ballistic protective equipment, highlighting the need for optimized layer configurations and improved material properties to meet NIJ standards under different impact conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wind turbine blades are exposed, during functioning, to the abrasive wear generated by the impact with air-borne sand particles. In this work, samples of a commercial wind turbine blade, made of a multi-layered composite material, are subjected to abrasive wear tests, using an air streamed wearing particles test rig. Following the analysis of the tests' results was found that the only protection against failure of the blade by abrasive damage is the surface layer. After its' penetration, the layers below are quickly destroyed, leading to the blade destruction. The investigation of the main abrasive wear influencing factors—particles' speed and acting time, showed that the particles' speed is the most important. To prove that an artificial neural network-based model was used. Also, a method for improvement of the blade resistance to abrasive wear is proposed, consisting of applying on the blade's surface of a polymeric foil. This offers supplementary protection of the surface layer, delaying its degradation. The tests performed on the protected samples prove the validity of the proposed method. Overall, the work showed the weakness of the blades' resistance in case of working in abrasive wear conditions and identified an improving method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides an analysis of Romania's sunflower oil market from the perspective of sunflower seed agricultural production and oil processors. Romania is a key player in the European sunflower market, covering approximately 29% of the European Union's production and playing a significant role in seed exports. However, a substantial share of the agricultural output is exported as raw material, leading to considerable economic losses for the national economy. The oil processing sector generates a turnover of approximately €1.7 billion and employs over 2,500 people. The industry is dominated by a few major players, with a high market concentration that limits the entry of new competitors. Reduced processing capacities and a lack of diversification in value-added products are the main challenges facing the sector. To capitalize on the country's agricultural potential, it is essential to expand processing capacities, adopt modern technologies, and promote exports of finished products. Integration into European value chains and effective management of economic and geopolitical risks could enhance competitiveness on the international market. Furthermore, increasing the area of organic cultivation and meeting consumer demand for sustainable products represent crucial opportunities for the sector's growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the sugar market in Romania, focusing on production, trade, and consumption trends from 1990 to 2023. The study highlights the significant decline in domestic sugar beet production, which has led to increased dependency on imports, primarily from the European Union. Despite Romania's favorable conditions for sugar beet cultivation, internal production meets only 10% of national demand. The findings underscore the challenges faced by local producers, including high production costs and limited processing capacity. The paper also examines market concentration, revealing an oligopolistic structure dominated by a few key players. Recommendations include enhancing local production capacities, promoting modern technologies, and supporting consumer education to balance market dependency on imports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes an analysis of the local gastronomic services market in Romania. The growing interest in culinary tourism through Local Gastronomic Points is evident both globally and nationally. Gastronomic tourism can provide unique culinary experiences, especially in rural households. Clarivate, Google Scholar, and Research Gate articles were used for bibliographic research. The necessary data for the research were selected from the reports of the National Agency for Mountain Areas and the statistics of the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority. The information was statistically processed and graphically represented. The assessment of market concentration was conducted using the Herfindahl-Hirschman and Gini-Struck indices. The research results highlighted the dynamism of the sector against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic but also revealed some deficiencies at the local authorities' level. HHI and GSI values indicate a low market concentration at the county level. Local Gastronomic Point businesses have high development potential, significantly contributing to increasing people's income and rural area development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes an in-depth analysis of Romania's agrotourism services market, highlighting its evolution and regional/counties concentration. Romania, renowned for its cultural and touristic diversity, employs agrotourism to facilitate authentic interactions with local communities, offering insights into native culture. Utilizing Clarivate, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases, the research employs statistical processing and graphical representation. Market concentration is gauged using the Herfindahl-Hirschman and Gini-Struck indices. Findings reveal a dynamic national sector with an annual growth rate surpassing 10%. Regionally, concentration levels are notably high, with the North-West, Center, North-East, and South-East collectively contributing over 75%. Countylevel concentration is moderate, indicating potential development even in areas with untapped resources. Romanian authorities actively promote agrotourism, capitalizing on rural development potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education, an important factor leading to economic growth requires appropriate training of labor without which there can be no technical progress or people to lead economic and social activities, to implement leading technology and exploit the results. In the broad sense of the word, education must be recognized as essential process by which people can reach their full potential, the path to equality of opportunity, to a healthy democracy and equitable to a productive economy and sustainable development. Growth and its determinants is a topic taken seriously in the economic literature and practice. This paper seeks to highlight the effect of investment in education on economic growth and providing an analysis of theoretical studies and the direct influence of education on the economy and structural analysis of key statistical indicators for education. Comparison of EU Member States' performance in terms of education, the achievements of the last decade in Romania, based on indicators, highlights gaps and achievements in the investigation to be continued and improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Labour market can be regarded as a meeting of complex processes, which are the meeting between labour supply and skills characterized by knowledge that an individual has obtained either through completion of an educational institution or by completion of special courses or gained in the workplace and labour demand which depends on socio-economic changes, such as: changes in the sectoral structure of economy, technological, demographic factors, psychosocial factors etc. Changes in Romania, namely the transition process to market economy, started in late 1989, the economic growth generated by the Romanian society reforms and EU rules before and after accession, put their mark on the labour market. To balance demand and supply conditions encountered in the labour market is necessary to improve the education and training system, the most important factors in determining occupational structure, depending the demands of the labour market in which all social partners should be involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]