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The paper analyzes the technical and safety factors for the storage of different gaseous products (air, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methan gas, etc.), in the eligible salt caverns from Romania, especially in the compact salt caverns created by dillution process. This new approach to research and project results, will be an important contribution to the evaluation of large-scale storage capacities in Romania and is necessary for decision-makers to consider these technologies as some of the most appropriate in terms of risks. Especially was studied the geological and lithological diagrams and colected data from the conserved salt mines in order to analyze the storage conditions. The paper analized the Slanic river area, a Trotus tributarry, where disollution method was well implemented, near Targu Ocna town, Bacau County, Romania. The mining area is located near a well-known industrial center for chemical processing, Borzesti Chemical Works, with a great interes in the gas storage facilities. The storage of different gases implies different technologies for gas compression and gas transportation, this beeing in the near future a new challenge for research for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The present paper explores the change of the harmful factors by means of full-scale numerical models. In the numerical models, the tunnel length is 400 m; the slope gradient varies within 0-9%, with a 2% step; and the heat release rate is within 5-50 MW. The outdoor air temperature on the models was assumed to be 20℃, while the pressure difference between the portals on different models varied depending on the slope, and the variation range was 50-400 Pa. The modeling results show that the propagation of the harmful factors is characterized by stabilization as demonstrated by the fact that the distance of descending propagation of the harmful factors decreases for each specific tunnel gradient and eventually shows a pronounced asymmetry with respect to the seat of fire. This confirms the preferential and pronounced ascending movement of the ventilation flow with toxic products of combustion. Thus, the worst results during the natural ventilation are expected for ascending flows. Based on the isolines of temperature, as well as the concentrations of carbon monoxide and oxygen, the gradient factor can be calculated, which can be used to design ventilation systems for engine tunnels, ensure their safe operation and save human lives during the fire.

At present, it is necessary to identify specific biochemical, molecular, and genetic markers that can reliably aid in screening digestive cancer and correlate with the degree of disease development. Has-miR-129-5p is a small, non-coding molecule of RNA, circulating in plasma, gastric juice, and other biological fluids; it plays a protective role in tumoral growth, metastasis, etc. Furthermore, it is involved in various diseases, from the development of digestive cancer in cases of downregulation to neurodegenerative diseases and depression. Methods: We examined meta-analyses, research, and studies related to miR-129-5-p involved in digestive cancer and its implications in cancer processes, as well as metastasis, and described its implications in neurological diseases. Conclusions: Our review outlines that miR-129-5p is a significant controller of different pathways, genes, and proteins and influences different diseases. Some important pathways include the WNT and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways; their dysregulation results in digestive neoplasia and neurodegenerative diseases.

The political assimilation of peasants within the framework of nation-states, alongside the politicization of rural societies, has garnered increasing attention from historians, sociologists, and anthropologists, resulting in a diverse array of studies. This article shows that the press and the genre dedicated explicitly to peasants in particular, known as "gazete poporale" (folk gazettes, gazettes aimed at the people), played a pivotal role in fostering civic consciousness among Romanian peasants in Transylvania between 1867 and 1914. These folk newspapers, also dubbed "people's papers," represented a distinct form of journalism, which was characterized by a simplified discourse tailored to the literacy levels of Transylvanian Romanian peasants. Their aim was to furnish essential information for their social, economic, and cultural advancement while also politically mobilizing the peasants in alignment with the ethos of the national movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Living Lab is an innovative and effective approach to restoring soil health on unproductive land. Through collaboration between different researchers and the use of adaptable and sustainable solutions, this method can transform degraded land into valuable resources, contributing to agricultural sustainability and the development of local communities. The establishment of a Living Lab on the non-productive lands of Jiu Valley as a systemic approach to innovation in which all interested parties are involved in the research and application of solutions to restore soil health is a challenge. The paper presents the methods used, the working hypotheses, the data analysis and the interpretation of the results obtained in the living lab created to study the cultivation of biomass, its energy utilization and the obtaining of biofertilizers. Multiple approaches regarding the obtained biofertilizers and their application to restore soil health are presented. The limits and conclusions of the innovative research carried out so far in the Living Lab are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the mining activities carried out in the Jiu Valley, tailings dumps resulted. Currently, some of these tailing dumps are greened, some are inactive, and some of them are still active within operational exploitation perimeters. In order to capture the negative effects of these deposits, in this work an assessment of the degree of contamination will be carried out and the level of geo-accumulation of heavy metals will be determined in the soil in the area of the Old Funicular dump, an inactive one for about 12 years. The dump was formed following the deposition of tailings resulting from coal mining in the Uricani mine. The main purpose is to identify the types and concentrations of heavy metals present in the soil and determine the level of accumulation of these metals in a certain area. The study involved the collection of soil samples from 17 sampling points, followed by detailed chemical analyses to determine the concentrations of heavy metals present in the soil at the tailings dump. The results indicated variable levels of heavy metal contamination, with concentrations exceeding the normal value of these heavy metals in soil in certain areas. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) was calculated to assess the degree of accumulation of each heavy metal in soil. The Igeo values obtained varied from slightly polluted to moderately polluted, suggesting a significant influence of mining activities on the soil in this area. The conclusions of the study emphasize the need to implement phytoremediation measures and continuous monitoring to prevent ecological and human health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open-pit mining generates significant amounts of waste material, leading to the formation of large waste dumps that pose environmental risks such as land degradation and potential slope failures. The paper presents a stability analysis of waste dump slopes in open-pit mining, focusing on the Motru coalfield in Romania. To assess the stability of these dumps, the study employs the Shear Strength Reduction Method (SSRM) implemented in the COMSOL Multiphysics version 6 software, considering both associative and non-associative plasticity models. (1) Various slope angles were analyzed, and the Factor of Safety (FoS) was calculated, showing that the FoS decreases as the slope angle increases. (2) The study also demonstrates that the use of non-associative plasticity leads to lower FoS values compared to associative plasticity. (3) The results are visualized through 2D and 3D models, highlighting failure surfaces and displacement patterns, which offer insight into the rock mass behavior prior to failure. (4) The research also emphasizes the effectiveness of numerical modeling in geotechnical assessments of stability. (5) The results suggest that a non-associative flow rule should be adopted for slope stability analysis. (7) Quantitative results are obtained, with small variations compared to those obtained by LEM. (6) Dilatation angle, soil moduli, or domain changes cause differences of just a few percent and are not critical for the use of the SSRM in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the ability of various plant species to adapt and grow in heavy metal-contaminated soils, using the Balomir-Uricani tailings dump as a case study. Soil samples were collected from 17 points and analyzed for heavy metal content using atomic absorption spectrometry. In the lab, two phytoremediation methods-phytostabilization and phytoextraction-were tested using three types of plants: hyperaccumulators, phytostabilizers, and phytoextractors. The results highlight the importance of selecting the suitable species for phytoremediation, as those thriving at the Balomir-Uricani site show promise for rehabilitating soils contaminated by mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody which has shown promising results in the treatment of varied malignant pathology, including metastasized colorectal cancer. It acts by inhibiting VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and one of its most cited complications is intestinal perforation, by mechanisms which are not yet fully understood. We present the case of a 68 year old patient, operated for metastasized colorectal cancer, which underwent chemotherapy with Bevacizumab, and shortly after initiating therapy developed fistula of low colorectal anastomosis, followed by ischemic perforation of the small intestine.

Anorectal adenocarcinoma is a very rare complication which can occur during the long-lasting evolution of perianal fi stulas (PAF), chronic inflammation being the main predisposing factor incriminated for malignant evolution. Moreover, in rare cases (only 28 being published until now), adenocarcinoma developing at the level of a perianal fistula may occur by migration of tumoral cells originating from a rectal cancer into the granulation tissue of the fistula. We present the case of a patient with a rectal adenocarcinoma that has metastasized to a perianal fistula, in evolution for 7 years. Clinical suspicion of malignant seeding at the site of the fistula has been confirmed by immunohistochemical studies.

In a mutually beneficial connection with its host, the gut microbiota affects the host’s nutrition, immunity, and metabolism. An increasing number of studies have shown links between certain types of disease and gut dysbiosis or specific microorganisms. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is strongly advised for the treatment of recurrent or resistant Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) due to its outstanding clinical effectiveness against CDI. The therapeutic potential of FMT for other disorders, particularly inflammatory bowel diseases and malignancies, is currently gaining more and more attention. We summarized the most recent preclinical and clinical evidence to show the promise of FMT in the management of cancer as well as complications related to cancer treatment after reviewing the most recent research on the gut microbiota and its relationship to cancer.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus created more than a medical crisis, while it also negatively affected the mental health of the general population. This context increased the vulnerability of the psychiatric population. While research interest highly targeted vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, many studies focused on trust issues—both in vaccine efficacy and in communication with authorities. Less is known about the psychological underpinnings of the COVID vaccination decision, specifically in the high-uncertainty circumstances due to the novelty of the virus. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the predictive value of several cognitive (perceived risk, vulnerability, uncertainty, and trust in one’s decision) and behavioral (previous vaccinations, social media use, and practicing preventive behavior) factors, for the vaccination decision against COVID-19, for 252 psychiatric inpatients (data collected between September 2021 and February 2022). Demographics and diagnostics were also considered. We found a significant relationship between the “Perceived risk of vaccination” and the choice of vaccination (χ2(2, N = 252) = 58.59, p ≤ 0.001), and between the “Trust in own decision to vaccinate” and the decision to vaccinate (χ2(2, N = 252) = 31,5, p ≤ 0.001). The overall regression model was statistically significant (χ2 (9, N = 252) = 97.1, p < 0.001), with between 30% and 45% of the variance in the odds of a positive decision explained by the predictor set. The model coefficients analysis showed that an individual with a psychiatric disorder but with higher confidence in their decision had significant (p < 0.001) increased odds of the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 by 893%. A former voluntary vaccination did not significantly associate with the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 (χ2(1, N = 252) = 2.74, p > 0.05) in this special population. No other behavioral factors, diagnosis, or demographics were significant as predictors, for the clinical psychiatric population surveyed, except the educational level. Implications for future vaccination acceptance of this special population are discussed.

Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are two types of neoplasms that rarely affect the perianal region, and their etiology is still a matter for debate. We present the case of a 75 year old patient with a 26 year history of perianal fistula, who presents with purulent and fecal perianal discharge and swelling at this level. Physical examination and anoscopy detected low transsphincteric fistula. The biopsy revealed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, for which a local excision was performed followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Two years after this event, the patient presented with another perianal lession, which according to the histopathological result was a basal cell carcinoma; local excision was the only treatment performed for this malignancy.

Based on scientific research, it appears that for investments in complex energy-mining infrastructures (including the SMR Doicești-Dâmbovița), attention must be paid to the groups of variables belonging to weak points and threats. The main objective of the article is to combine the sub-strategies of the complex energy-mining infrastructures for protection, safety and security, respectively to obtain the appreciation of the level of positive situation on the scale of the coefficients of importance of the components of the researched complex. The approach in relation to the main objective also gives rise to the formulation of three secondary objectives, as follows: a) identification of probabilities and degree of risk assessment regarding protection, safety and security in complex energy-mining infrastructures and characterization of the consequences in the field; b) the application of the SWOT analysis and the TOPSIS Method for the researched objective, emphasizing the characteristics located between appropriate weights; c) highlighting the strategic values of the sub-strategies in relation to nuclear protection, safety and security, showing the decision-makers whether the investment in the energy-mining infrastructure is feasible, reliable and efficient. The paper reports technical protection considerations of the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) system, the list of nuclear hazards/events/incidents drawn up for SMR, technical aspects in the system of underground mining enterprises for the extraction of uranium ore. Also presented are the factors of opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses systematized in the SWOT analysis for SMR, the possible algorithm and mathematical models of mining security, the characterization of sub-strategies of protection, safety and nuclear security in relation to the importance coefficients collected for the decision to mount and put into operation the SMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors report on the diversified perspective on the various aspects of the mining sector in Valea Jiului with reference to the attraction of mining land in new investment projects from those interested in the public and private sphere. It is stated that the mining lands offer opportunities for expansion of reserves or zonal development in the future; mining land can be attractive to investors because it offers prospects for long-term growth and profitability. The authors present data on the disposal of mining lands unloaded of technological burdens, make an updated inventory of mining lands in the Valea Jiului Basin available for expressions of interest in expropriation and inclusion in new zonal development programs. At the same time, a model is proposed for the recovery of the affected mining lands, practically analyzing the influence of the "mechanized felling" system to avoid surface subsidence. Details are given about the lack of mining security, land damage through subsidence, and it is recommended that each mining unit be equipped and operate with a distinct silting station, taking into account the objective requirement to protect against the loosening of the rock massif of the land up to date, above the exploitation perimeters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of growing concerns related to the impact of mining activities on the environment, the present study focuses on the analysis of the correlations between the concentrations of heavy metals in Branch 1 and 2 tailing dumps in Lupeni, using Pearson correlation coefficient matrix. Tailing dumps from mining activity can be significant sources of soil contamination with heavy metals. In this work, the waste dumps Branch 1 and 2 were taken as a case study. This dump has been inactive for about 7 years and is the result of the exploitation of the waste from Lupeni mine located in the Jiu Valley. In this study, soil samples from the two branches of the tailing dump were collected and analyzed to determine heavy metal concentrations. Using Pearson correlation coefficient, statistical relationships between the concentrations of these heavy metals were calculated, providing a detailed matrix of correlations between them. This statistical analysis can help develop more effective remediation and management strategies, lessening the long-term impact of mining activities on the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion is a major problem in the mining industry, significantly affecting the durability and reliability of mining equipment. In order to better evaluate and understand these effects, in the first part of this study, the analysis by the finite element method of the metallic structure of the rotary arm of an ERc 1400-30/7 bucket excavator type, produced in Romania in 1985, is presented. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of corrosion on the structural integrity of mining equipment. The focus of the research is on the use of advanced spectral analysis methods and the implementation of wavelet analysis. These methods allow an increase in the degree of accuracy of the information and results obtained. The study also focused on the impact of corrosion on the natural frequencies and structural changes in mining equipment, which were evaluated based on advanced methods of structural analysis. The obtained results show that corrosion deeply affects the dynamic behaviour of the metallic structure, leading to significant changes in the dominant frequencies. It was found that the measured dominant frequencies show a tendency to increase with the increase of structural degradation, an observation that is consistent with the physical aspects of the phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perianal endometriosis is a rare pathology which occurs mainly in patients with history of vaginal birth associated with an episiotomy scar. We present the case of a 42 year old patient with history of multiple interventions for right perianal fistula, accusing pain, purulent secretions and bleeding at the site of the interventions. Biopsies collected were specific for endometriosis. In the context of the sphincter involvement, which brings a high risk of incontinence, and the hormone-dependent evolution of this pathology, which tends to regress once menopause is reached, a fistulotomy was made, with subsequent remission of the purulent secretions, but with the persistence of the bleeding from the region during the menstrual cycle.

Determining the risk factors of a job is a process that requires many studies. Determining risk factors is necessary to prevent accidents at work. The process of closing and greening the Lupeni Mining Exploitation is a very complex one. The closure of the mining operation is done in stages for the underground and the surface based on a closure project. When implementing the closure and greening project, all occupational safety and health regulations must be observed. As part of the process of closing and greening a mining operation, it is necessary to redo the risk factor assessment sheets with additional measures for the closure and greening of the mining operation. In this paper we intend to establish the risk factors for the miner workplace within the Lupeni Mining in the process of closure and greening.

All main and auxiliary equipment in the tunnel with an intelligent ventilation system are designed to ensure the safety. These systems “talk” and “listen” to each other, make decisions to switch on/off certain system(s) or part(s) thereof and duly inform the tunnel operator, who is authorized to the centralized control of all systems of necessity. The present article uses the numerical models to assess the efficiency of the transformable elements ensuring safe operation of the tunnels. The idea of their use is based on an artificial increase of the tunnel aerodynamic resistance by means of a flexible element, which will hamper the dissemination of combustion products, but not the movement of people through the tunnel and will help isolate clean and polluted air masses. Such resistance will be used to swiftly divide the tunnel carriageway into smaller sections what will help extinguish the fire as early as at its initial stage, prolong the evacuation time and save lives during the strong uncontrollable fires. As for the compact transformable element, it can be used in both, the operating and the planned tunnels, as it in practice does not reduce the volume of valuable underground space.

The results of numerical modeling in longitudinal ventilated sloping road tunnels are given. The slope of the tunnels varies in the range of 0-6%. The geometry of the tunnel is as follows: length: 100 m; width: 8 m; height: 6 m; area of the seat of fire: 16 m2. The seat of fire sized: 2.75x5.8x1.5 m is in the central part of the tunnel. The scenarios of development of 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 MW fires are studied in the case of positive and negative directional ventilation flows. The time of modelling was 120 seconds. The numerical problems were modelled with a volumetric grid method. The grid cell dimensions were: 0.5*0.5*0.5 m. Virtual point and volumetric measuring equipment was used to record the modeling results. The modelling used 4 groups of measuring devices that measured and recorded air velocity, temperature, and air and smoke densities. The paper discusses cases of algebraically summarizing the ventilation and fire-induced flows. Based on the results of numerical modeling, we can point out that the widely accepted indices of critical velocity and back-layering length in inclined road tunnels often give erroneous results. Therefore, in strategies for emergency ventilation, indicators such are critical velocity and back-separation should be used with caution.

Jiu Valley is in an extensive transition process from an area rich in coal deposits to an area with 0 Carbon emissions. Coal mining was carried out in 14 mining perimeters arranged along the Jiu Valley. At the same time, the extraction of the useful mineral substance resulted in waste material that was stored in tailings dumps. Out of the total of 49 landfills, 25 have been greened, 15 are inactive and 9 are active. The total area occupied by them is approximately 210 ha, arranged near mining operations, in the valleys of some streams and even in the vicinity of human settlements. The paper aims to identify the potential for soil contamination due to inactive tailings dumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining is a vital industrial activity but often associated with negative environmental effects, including the accumulation of waste containing heavy metals in tailings dump. These heavy metals, such as lead, chromium, copper, zinc, cadmium, mercury, and others, pose significant risks to the environment and human health. The mobility of these heavy metals is a major concern, as they can be released into soil and water during rain or erosion processes, contaminating water sources and affecting aquatic and terrestrial life. These metals can be taken over by plants and eventually end up in the trophic chain, including in humans. The toxicity of heavy metals is well known, with these substances having harmful effects on human health. In this paper, the main ways of transferring heavy metals into environmental components and their spatial distribution from sterile holes to water and soil environment components. As a case study, the sterile Balomir hole, an inactive hole for about 9 years resulting from the exploitation of the hule from the Uricani mine located in the Jiu Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal auto-oxidation is an undesirable chemical phenomenon that occurs due to the interaction of coal with atmospheric oxygen, a phenomenon that takes place during the coal life cycle, from the extraction moment until it is used. Thus, it is imperative to understand this process not only for the prevention of coal autoignition in the mining industry, but also for the optimization of the coal storage. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical behavior such as the oxidation, self-heating, and auto-ignition characteristics of coal in Oltenia Basin, Romania during its storage period. The hydrogen peroxide oxidation testing was used to determine the autooxidation tendency of lignite, while for the monitoring of coal quality during the storage process, coal samples were taken from a coal stack after 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days of storage and analyzed regarding the moisture (39,71%), ash content (35.21 – 37,11%), calorific value (1940 – 1875 kcal/kg), and volatile compounds (36.71 – 37,27%). A good correlation between the autoxidation and the content of volatile matter was observed. Compared to the initial values measured in initial coal samples (day 0), the carbon content and the superior calorific value decreased, while the ash content increased after a period of 30 days of storage.Thus, it can be concluded that knowing the self-ignition characteristic of lignites is important both for managing coal stocks and for evaluating the impact that coal storage can have on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document explores the challenges and strategic directions regarding energy resource use in Romania and the European Union, with a focus on the period leading up to 2030. The analysis highlights Europe's increasing dependence on external energy resources, recognizing the impracticality of achieving energy self-sufficiency. Trends in energy consumption, production constraints, and resource depletion are examined, with particular emphasis on oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium. The restructuring of coal-based energy sectors, especially in Romania, is discussed alongside measures to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. Strategic national directions for natural resource use in Romania emphasize sustainable development, technological innovation, and alignment with global plans. Key insights include the necessity for long-term planning, investment in infrastructure, and the promotion of renewable energy to mitigate dependency and ensure future energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the main reliability indicators for the car-pet belt with textile inserts EP 250/5 (EP 1250) from the roller belt conveyors. In-dicators the main factors of operational reliability are determined based on the statistical processing of times between failures strip carpets. The reliability of the belt conveyors determines the overall reliability of the conveyors with tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities related to mining generate both progress and a vast amount of waste that is responsible for environmental degradation. The Jiu Valley is one of the areas of Romania where mining has affected large areas of land, used to build mines and tailings ponds. The former Coroiesti coal processing plant (CCPP) is such a location with a total area of 25 ha containing approximately 5.5 million tons of tailings. The assessment of the stability of tailings dams is extremely important from safety and environmental aspects. This study proposes a solution based on numerical methods for determining the stability of a section of the dam of a tailings pond. The model of tailings pond no. 1, compartment B, from the Coroieşti Coal Preparation was built using COMSOL Multiphysics. Two scenarios of stability analysis were conducted on a section of the tailings dam: the FOS was determined using the shear strength reduction (SSR) method for both the initial and the current state of this TP. This method is a modern alternative to the limit equilibrium method, and its implementation by COMSOL is new to our country, thus aligning this methodology with current worldwide trends and developments in the field. The results obtained proved to be in line with those calculated in the past with traditional analytical methods, proving that the safety criteria of the studied TP/TD are being met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality in industrial areas is a pressing concern due to its significant impact on public health and the environment, especially regarding PM10 particle pollution. Effectively mitigating these risks requires practical solutions. The adoption of photovoltaic panels for energy production emerges as an attractive option to address environmental pollution and promote sustainable development. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the potential of photovoltaic panels in reducing PM10 particle levels in the Jiu Valley region, an area primarily dominated by the mining industry. The research includes an assessment of air quality and PM10 particle pollution levels in the Jiu Valley, along with a detailed analysis of the energy potential of photovoltaic panels in the region. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare PM10 particle levels in the air with and without the use of photovoltaic panels, particularly in relation to those emitted by the mining industry. The findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of photovoltaic panels in mitigating PM10 particle pollution in the Jiu Valley, thus advocating for a sustainable approach to managing air quality in industrial areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies how the activity of hydraulic excavators found in the Rosia quarry of Jiu affects the environment. For this study we chose the Caterpillar 323D L and 323 D LN hydraulic excavators. The study took place over a period of 30 days. These days we have collected data on the noise level and the level of PM 10 particles in the quarry. Caterpillar equipment not only helps to build a better world, but also helps to preserve the environment, which is so fragile today. The evolution of excavators has led to a more efficient way of working both in terms of production, costs and effects on the environment. Their efficient way of working has led to an increase in production and a decrease in the level of pollution in the Rosia Quarry area.