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To determine the water flow regime through the minor and major bed of the Timiș River, in the area associated with the studied sector, (levels, flow rates, hydrodynamic slopes, flood zones), as well as determining the discharge capacity of the bed on this analysis section, it was necessary to carry out a discrete numerical modeling in different variants of water flow transit. The assessment of the existing situation was based on the current topographic elevations materialized on the situation plan, the cross-sections and the maximum flows corresponding to the arranged regime, by the Waters National Administration. The analysis sector of the Timiș River was divided into segments (40) limited at the ends by (41) cross- sections obtained in accordance with the actual topographic elevations. The numerical modelling was carried out with the specialized program HECRAS version 4.1 and version 6.3.1. The calibration of the numerical model was carried out at the transit of the historical hydrograph where the maximum level reaches the recorded value Hmax and corresponds to a maximum value of the flow rate Qmax. Next, the transit of the synthetic flood hydrograph was carried out resulting in the identification of the flooded areas on the discrete numerical model as well as where the flow reaches the maximum value.

In turbulent financial and economic present conditions a major challenge for the general management of organizations and in particular for the strategic human resources management is to establish a clear, coherent and consistent framework in terms of measuring organizational performance and economic efficiency. This paper aims to conduct an exploratory research of literature concerning measuring organizational performance. Based on the results of research the paper proposes a multi-dimensional model for measuring organizational performance providing a mechanism that will allow quantification of performance based on selected criteria. The model will attempt to eliminate inconsistencies and incongruities of organizational effectiveness models developed by specialists from organization theory area, performance measurement models developed by specialists from accounting management area and models of measuring the efficiency and effectiveness developed by specialists from strategic management and entrepreneurship areas.

In turbulent financial and economic present conditions a major challenge for the general management of organizations and in particular for the strategic human resources management is to establish a clear, coherent and consistent framework in terms of measuring organizational performance and economic efficiency. This paper aims to conduct an exploratory research of literature concerning measuring organizational performance. Based on the results of research the paper proposes a multi-dimensional model for measuring organizational performance providing a mechanism that will allow quantification of performance based on selected criteria. The model will attempt to eliminate inconsistencies and incongruities of organizational effectiveness models developed by specialists from organization theory area, performance measurement models developed by specialists from accounting management area and models of measuring the efficiency and effectiveness developed by specialists from strategic management and entrepreneurship areas.

The objective of our paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of possible relationships between two different approaches of “transparency” – the technical vs. the economic one. Thus, irrespective of prior literature, our paper goes beyond a “solo” analysis of either of two above-mentioned “facets”, by providing a combined study. So, we focused on both (1) XBRL’s role in enhancing the quality of disclosure, by assessing its benefices and consequences and (2) corporate governance mechanism’s power to improve efficiency and effectiveness of banking supervision by encouraging transparency. The results of the performed analysis generally reveal that there is a strong and positive relationship between the level of disclosure promoted by corporate governance codes enforced in European Union countries and the degree of implementation of both XBRL-based projects designed for banking environment (FINREP and COREP). Consequently, we can assert that there is a consensus between the economic and technical approach of transparency in European banking system

Oxidative stress is increasingly viewed as potentially important in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, although most results regarding this subject are contradictory. We previously demonstrated an increased oxidative stress status in schizophrenic patients, regardless of their treatment. In this paper, we were interested in whether there is a correlation between the specific activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and a lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde) and the scores of PANSS/AIMS scales. A direct significant correlation was observed between oxidative stress markers and the aforementioned scales. Our results provide additional evidence regarding the implications of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia.

International harmonization and convergence of accounting had gradually become one of the most challenging topic of worldwide research and a very hot debated issue in practitioners’ sphere, too. Several studies have addressed both formal and material accounting harmonization along time, a wide range of instruments have been developed and various statistical tools have been used in this respect. Basing on this background, we focused our attention on Romanian banking system which is now experiencing a great challenge by finally entirely adopting IFRS after the first step from 2005 when consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS were required and the second one from 2009 when informative individual financial statements under IFRS begun compulsory. Therefore, the objective of our paper is to empirically measure and compare the levels and progress of material accounting harmonization in Romanian banking sector focusing on financial instruments and their related disclosure requirements. First studies conducted in the measurement of harmonization practices (Nair and Frank, 1981; McKinnon and Janell, 1984; Doupnik and Taylor, 1985) started at the beginning of the 80’s, but were merely descriptive, focused on examining how IAS had been adopted in various countries around the world. In the earliest 90’s, there were developed the first instruments for measuring material harmonization, namely the concentration indices (H, C and I Index) (Van der Tas, 1988; 1992) and various other forms of these (Archer et al., 1995), which were widely used in various research studies (Herrmann and Thomas, 1995; Aisbitt, 2001; Taplin, 2004). Basing on these measurement tools and cconsidering the main aim of our study – to measure material accounting harmonization in Romanian banking sector – we stated four hypotheses, thus trying to answer our questions: “Are the accounting practices related to financial instruments disclosure in Romanian banking system harmonized with international requirements? Was there a progress in this respect in the latest years?†The research methodology used for achieving our goal is based on both static and dynamic analysis using appropriate statistical tools – concentration indices (H or Herfindahl index) for measuring the improvements in financial instruments’ disclosure practices,, thus pointing out the degree of material harmonization reached step by step as well as the overall progress. In this respect, firstly, we developed a disclosure checklist structured on three sections dealing with financial instruments’ general disclosures, derivatives and hedge accounting and risk disclosures. The results of the performed analysis reveal that accounting practices in Romanian banking sector as regards disclosures related to financial instruments experienced a continuous improvement both at individual and consolidated level, but the level of material harmonization is still relatively moderate. In case of individual financial reporting this can be explained by the recently introduced requirement of preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS and only for informative purposes. Thus, by now we can talk about a real material harmonization just in case of consolidated financial reporting. Unlike prior research studies which were focused on similar goals - to measure accounting harmonization around the world, our paper provides a particular approach on a specific business field, the banking one that was not separately explored on this topic before. Thus, we considered for analysis its related accounting practices focusing on financial instruments disclosure, which is a particular issue, too, thus enriching the research literature on this field.

Disclosure and the quality of corporate governance system are more often appreciated as closely related concepts - the higher the level of transparency, the better the quality corporate governance practices. As regards disclosure, if in a widely held company (ownership dispersion) its role is to signal that the managers are acting in the best interests of the principals, in a highly concentrated company (ownership concentration), it comes to annihilate the conflicts of interest between “insiders†(controlling shareholders and managers) and outside investors. Basing on this background, we focused on corporate governance disclosure, analyzing possible influences over it coming from corporate governance dimensions. Therefore, the objective of our paper is to identify possible associations between corporate governance features and the level of disclosure through annual reports in case of banking institutions listed at London Stock Exchange focusing on ownership concentration. Most empirical studies that have tested the correlation between ownership concentration and the level of disclosure reached to a negative relationship (Barako et al., 2006; Tsamenyi, et al., 2007; Haniffa and Cooke, 2002; Huafang and Jianguo, 2007; Patelli and Prencipe, 2007; Chau and Gray, 2002; Cooke, 1989). However, there are also studies that could not find any association (Arcay and Vazquez, 2005; Ghazali and Weetman, 2006; Holm and Scholer, 2010; Parsa, et al., 2007; Baek, et al., 2009; Makhija and Patton, 2004; Depoers, 2000). Basing both on assertions supported by the agency theory that companies with concentrated ownership do not have to rely on external disclosures to the same extent as companies with dispersed ownership, as well as on most prior empirical findings that provide evidence in this respect, we proposed the following hypothesis: “(H): There is a negative association between ownership concentration and the extent of disclosureâ€. The research methodology used for achieving our goal is based on econometric analysis using statistical tools - correlations for identifying the relationships and regressions for assessing them - all of these being performed using SPSS software. In this respect, firstly, we developed a disclosure index made of three sub-indices, one for each type of disclosure: mandatory, recommended and voluntary. The results of the performed analysis reveal significant negative influences of ownership concentration on the level of disclosure, thus confirming our assumptions that the extent of disclosure is negatively associated with ownership concentration. Thus we can assert that the higher the dispersion of shareholders, the higher the level of transparency, our results being consistent with some general prior literature findings on the same topic (e.g. Barako et al., 2006; Tsamenyi, et al., 2007; Haniffa and Cooke, 2002; Huafang and Jianguo, 2007; Patelli and Prencipe, 2007; Chau and Gray, 2002; Cooke, 1989). Unlike prior research studies which were focused on similar goals - to test possible influences of corporate governance features over the level of corporate governance disclosure at companies level, our paper provides a particular approach on a specific business field, the banking one that was little explored on this topic before. Thus, we had the chance to enrich the research literature with this empirical study, whose disclosure index developed ensures it as well with originality.

Starting from the stipulations of the two well-known internal control system models – COSO and CoCo - the purpose of this paper is to focus on the Romanian framework for credit institutions – trying to to identify on which international model ) is our national one most appropriate to. The research methodology is based on an empirical analysis between Romanian regulation and the models already mentioned. To reach to a conclusion we tried to identify several key issues closely related to information and communication, and to determine the degree of similarities and dissimilarities between the three selected frameworks, by using statistical indicators. The paper has some limitations, too, because it only approaches formal harmonization. So, those issues analyzed through the regulations’ perspectives need to be closely quantified in matters of their actual implementation, which offer us outlooks of future research.

Purpose: This study seeks to create a systematic approach in choosing the right ceramic system according to the clinical situations. Material and method: The clinical cases have been selected from the Ovidius University of Constanta, Faculty of Dentistry’s Prosthetic Clinic: two male patients and three female patients, between ages of 20 and 44, presenting coronary lesions and small partial edentations that required aesthetical and morpho-functional restorations by fixed ceramic prostheses manufactured according to standard protocols. Results: Following the choosing criteria for the ceramic system mainly suited to the clinical situation, led to obtainment of aesthetic and functional ceramic fixed prosthetics restorations, to the patients delight and satisfaction of the technician-dentist team. Conclusions: Choosing the proper ceramic systems depends on the minute evaluation of the patient’s occlusion, decisions taken favoring aesthetics, resistance, bonding requirements and parafunctional situations, than on a preferred system. Dentists will select ceramic crowns by using hierarchical approach.

The purpose of this clinical study is to prove that prosthetic treatment by adhesive type fixed partial prosthesis still represents an available choice. Material and method: The clinical cases have been selected from the Ovidius University of Constanta, Faculty of Dentistry’s Prosthetic Clinic. Patients, all male of gender, having different ages and jobs, have been examined both clinical and paraclinical; a diagnose has been established – single tooth maxillary front edentation (IIIrd Kennedy class) and the treatment plan has been conceived for which the patients agreed in writing. The solution chosen was the manufacture of metal-ceramic Adhesive type fixed partial prosthesis. All the stages were passed through according to standard protocols.Results: Three metal-ceramic Adhesive type fixed partial prosthesis were obtained that successfully restored the morpho-functional capability of the dentomaxilary system. Discussions: The treatment’s success factors for the Adhesive type fixed partial prosthesis are: proper selection of the clinical case, the tooth preparation’s design, designing the metal frame, prosthesis adaptation and cementing. Conclusions: In the case of a single tooth anterior edentation, the Adhesive type fixed partial prosthesis represents a currently used treatment solution, because it is conservative, aesthetical, periodontal prophylactic and can be successfully applied both as a temporary prosthesis and also and a permanent one.

The High Speed High Pressure Torsion (HSHPT) is the severe plastic deformation method (SPD) designed for the grain refinement of hard-to-deform alloys, and it is able to produce large, rotationally complex shells. In this paper, the new bulk nanostructured Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta-Fe-O Gum metal was investigated using HSHPT. The biomaterial in the as-cast state was simultaneously compressed up to 1 GPa and torsion was applied with friction at a temperature that rose as a pulse in less than 15 s. The interaction between the compression, the torsion, and the intense friction that generates heat requires accurate 3D finite element simulation. Simufact Forming was employed to simulate severe plastic deformation of a shell blank for orthopedic implants using the advancing Patran Tetra elements and adaptable global meshing. The simulation was conducted by applying to the lower anvil a displacement of 4.2 mm in the z-direction and applying a rotational speed of 900 rpm to the upper anvil. The calculations show that the HSHPT accumulated a large plastic deformation strain in a very short time, leading to the desired shape and grain refinement.

Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, accounting for 60-80% of all cases of thyrotoxicosis. If left untreated, it may lead to severe thyrotoxicosis with cardiovascular, ocular, psychiatric complication, and in extreme cases thyrotoxic crisis with a high mortality rate. We present the case of a 50-years-old woman diagnosed in another service with Graves' disease and treated for many years with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), admitted to our service for a relapse due to treatment discontinuation. The surgical treatment was planned and the preoperative preparation with Lugol solution was initiated. Due to a misunderstanding, the administration of iodine solution was extended for a period of about 30 days, thus generating the so-called Jod-Basedow effect, with the exacerbation of the manifestations of thyrotoxicosis and risk of thyroid storm. The patient received treatment with high ATDs doses, glucocorticoids, and beta-blockers, resulting in the progressive improvement of symptoms. She was discharged from hospital and given the risk of thyrotoxic crisis the surgery was postponed. After a month, the patient underwent thyroidectomy without preoperative preparation with iodine solution. The operative and postoperative courses were uneventful.