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Based on literature survey and M. Porter's diamond a system of internationally comparable indicators is substantiated, which characterizes the competitiveness of forestry at national level of fourteen European union (EU) member states. The indicators are as of 2022, and are: area of wooded land per capita; growing stock per hectare; net annual increment per hectare; roundwood removals under bark per hectare; output of forestry per hectare, labour productivity, net entrepreneurial income per hectare, gross fixed ca...

Nowadays, sound grazing management is an essential prerequisite for efficient use of agricultural land. As it facilitates the preservation of plant biodiversity, soil properties and natural habitats, grazing management contributes to sustainable agriculture through maintaining ecological sustainability and environmental quality. Grazing (stocking) density of livestock has a profound impact on soil health, including its overall biochemical and microbial properties. If its chosen level is higher than the -carrying c...

Accurate estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) is critical for carbon accounting in high-altitude ecosystems, where variability in soil properties challenges the use of standardized conversion factors. This study assesses the validity of the Van Bemmelen conversion factor (1.724) for estimating SOC from soil organic matter (SOM) across contrasting Andean ecosystems within the upper Pastaza River watershed in Ecuador, with a primary focus on paramo. A total of 109 soil samples were collected at 30 cm depth using ...

This study presents a comparative analysis of the performance of three gas measurement devices used to detect toxic gases generated by the detonation of ANFO explosive. The study was conducted following the operational procedure PI-102, which complies with the requirements of the SR EN 13631-16:2005 standard for detecting and measuring toxic gases produced by explosions. The aim was to evaluate the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of the devices in monitoring key toxic gases released during detonation. The e...

The aim of this paper is to present a multi-criteria analysis of three software tools for simulation and design of conveyor systems: ExtendSim, Sidewinder Conveyor Design and Tecnomatix Plant Simulation. The evaluation is based on five key criteria: hardware requirements, visualization and 3D animation, functional breadth, user-friendliness, and level of proficiency. The decision-making process identified Tecnomatix Plant Simulation as the most suitable tool, achieving the highest score of 51.91%. A dynamic simula...

The environmental impact of the long-standing fossil fuel, namely coke as a reducing agent has been a challenge in the pyrometallurgical industry for decades. The threats that it poses have become increasingly unbearable. Few attempts on different biochar have been conducted and their impact on the quality of slag investigated. More improvements are still underway for industrial scale use. The current project evolves on the reducing capabilities that spent malt waste biochar in the reduction zone during carbotherm...

A pivotal role in pollution control and climate change mitigation within the transportation sector, particularly in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, plays the catalytic converters. It functions by converting harmful emissions into less harmful substances before they are released into the atmosphere. This process reduces key pollutants that contribute to both air quality degradation and climate change. The catalytic converter thus serves as a critical technology in improving urban air quality and mitigati...

According to Albania's geographical classification, the Mati River belongs to the North Central Highlands. From a climatic perspective, this region is characterized by significant variations in temperature and precipitation due to its diverse geographical altitudes, ranging from 1800 meters above sea level to 0 meters at the estuary. Hydrographically, the Mati River basin is distinguished by a dense network of water courses, particularly in its middle and lower sections, where ultrabasic formations dominate. Addit...

Honey is rich in glucose and fructose, making it a quick source of energy. Honey has antimicrobial properties, can help digestion, has a probiotic effect, can soothe digestive irritations, is often used as a natural remedy for coughs and sore throats, having a soothing and antibacterial effect, contains antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals in the body. Polyfloral honey is produced by bees from the nectar of several species of flowers, hence the name "polyflora". The physicochemical analyses carried out ...

With the growing interest in using hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source, the processes of obtaining, transporting and storing it are becoming increasingly relevant. In the event of industrial technological breakdowns, rapid and efficient intervention in hazardous environments requires the selection of specialized personnel, capable of operating in extreme conditions. Interventions in potentially explosive atmospheres require not only rigorous technical training, but also optimal physical and psycholog...

The results of comprehensive ground-space monitoring of geodynamic processes in the area of the former Mirgalimsay deposit (Kentau, Kazakhstan) are presented. The objective of the study is to develop a monitoring and early warning system for hazardous surface deformations under conditions of mine flooding and changes in the hydrogeological regime. Monitoring was carried out using static GNSS measurements (41 benchmarks) and multi-temporal interferometric analysis of archival Sentinel-1 radar images using Persisten...

The present paper presents the transfer to the virtual environment and CFD analysis of physical experiments on the explosions of air-hydrogen mixtures carried out on a transparent stand, in the shape of a rectangular spiral. The shape of the stand was designed with the intention of directing the explosion process of the fuel mixture on a rectangular-spiral trajectory, with angles of 90 degrees. The free volume inside the spiral was sectioned by four foiled shutters into four ignition/combustion chambers, the first...

The relevance of interdisciplinary integration and the application of an interdisciplinary approach in the contemporary educational context is driven by the need to develop and enhance key competencies among students. This necessity also stems from the fact that the formation of critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills is inherently linked to the establishment of causal relationships across different fields of knowledge. Knowledge and skills acquired in isolation within individual disciplines and subj...

The study presents a data-driven approach to support sustainable tourism in Gauja National Park, Latvia, as a case study, by analysing sustainable transport, especially active mobility. While the benefits of active mobility are well documented, its potential in rural protected areas, such as Gauja National Park, is often overlooked. This study integrates multiple datasets, including Strava user-tracking data, automated physical passers counters, and existing infrastructure data, to create a robust Geographic Infor...

This study investigates the propagation of hydrogen explosions in confined environments, focusing on the influence of geometry on explosion dynamics. Experimental models were developed to analyze the impact of spatial constraints on pressure rise and flame acceleration. Key parameters, including maximum pressure, flame front velocity, and pressure rise rate (dp/dt), were monitored and analyzed. The results highlight that changes in propagation direction significantly influence explosion behavior, leading to higher...

The geomagnetic field varies in time and space, being a signal composed of periodic and non-periodic elements and is monitored in a tri-axial system within the geomagnetic observatories of the INTERMAGNET network across the planet. In the work, based on these data, we use for spectral evaluation (Fourier, wavelet, signal decompositions in approximations and details with various functions on different levels, etc.) in order to analyze different geomagnetic phenomena (such as: geomagnetic storms, disturbances, etc.)...

The concept of green consumption is becoming increasingly important as climate change and sustainable development principles influence both individual consumer behaviour and business strategies. However, given the growing awareness of environmental challenges, green purchasing is still limited. Although consumers often claim to want to buy green products, their actual behaviour often differs from the declared values. This paper presents the findings of a study which aims to analyse the main factors hindering consu...

Digital and green innovations in rural tourism and agricultural entrepreneurship is crucial according to sustainability nowadays. Consumers are more interested in enterprises that are responsible and proactive towards sustainable development goals through their activities. This study aims at exploring consumer perceptions of sustainable and smart territorial development through nationwide telephone survey. This study explores consumer attitudes towards sustainability, greenwashing, and digitalization in the contex...

The Creative Urban Workshop provided by architects and artists from RTU at Vienna SGEM international conference at December 2025 regarding Islandes Square, Kipsala, Riga, invites international experts and activists to give collaboratively envision a vibrant, multifunctional, and ecologically responsible public space. Positioned as the future -gate- to the RTU campus, Islandes Square offers a unique opportunity to integrate human-scaled urbanism with sustainable design. The workshop includes an introductory talk, o...

Grouping plants by functional traits provides valuable ecological insights and supports the creation of resilient perennial assemblages for urban landscapes. The ecological strategies (CSR) of eight ornamental grasses were assessed using key leaf traits, including leaf area (LA), leaf fresh weight (LFW), and leaf dry weight (LDW). Based on these measurements, additional leaf-level indices were calculated, such as the leaf succulence index (LSI), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and specifi...

The Baltic Sea Region faces increasing pressure on water resources and ecosystems due to human activity, with nutrient rich treated wastewater discharges being a main cause of eutrophication. Combining algae-based nutrient removal with reclaimed wastewater reuse provides a sustainable solution to reduce pollution while allowing algal biomass recovery for further applications. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate possibilities to use algae cultivation as a tool for nutrient removal from treated wastewate...

In this work we present the particularities of three standing water NATURA 2000 habitats from southwestern section of Romania (Banat region). This study brings information about the current status of these three habitats and based on this appropriate management measures can be taken or reviewed. The studied habitats are: 3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or Iso-to-Nanojuncetea, 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition and 31...

In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent, intense, and long-lasting due to the combined effects of climate change, including prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and shifting weather patterns. These conditions, along with expanding urban development in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones, have increased risks to human life, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Tools that are used to simulate wildfires are very useful and effective in fire risk management. In this paper, and under the framework of the p...

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a fruit of notable nutritional and therapeutic value, largely due to its high content of bioactive compounds. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenolic profile of quince fruits Through standardized and rigorous physico-chemical analyses, the fruit was shown to possess a complex nutritional profile, with a particularly high concentration of vitamin C. Additionally, quince exhibited strong antioxidant activity, wh...

One of the most significant inland waterway corridors on the continent, the Danube River, spans 2,850 kilometers across ten European nations, serving as a vital link between Western and Eastern Europe. Its ports serve as key hubs for the movement of goods, energy resources, and passengers, linking inland navigation with rail, road, and maritime transport routes. This paper provides a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the entire Danube port network, combining geographical, economic, and operational perspecti...

Data collection and storage are crucial in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) within the socially relevant areas. Despite the increasing volume of information, it is often scattered across various sources, formats, and platforms, making effective analysis and application challenging. The lack of a unified framework for data integration further complicates efforts to leverage AI for informed decision-making, policy formulation, and public service optimisation. This article proposes a structured methodo...

The decarbonization of the building sector and the recent disruption of energy markets has positioned Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) as a pivotal technology for reducing fossil fuel dependency and improving energy efficiency. However, their widespread deployment introduces challenges related to operational reliability, seasonal performance variability, and early fault detection. This study presents a data-driven approach for performance analysis and anomaly detection in real-world ASHP systems. Using five years of m...

Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of workflow management in achieving resource efficiency and environmental goals. This study presents a data-driven approach to monitoring and analysing employee workflow as an integral part of green and circular organizational systems. By incorporating digital activity data such as software usage patterns, communication frequency, meeting durations, and the intensity of multitasking, organizations can identify inefficiencies, digital waste, and work practices tha...

Many environmental topics are hard to master through text-only materials. Comics can present the same information more succinctly and engagingly, but impact depends on design quality. This theoretical paper advances a design theory and replicable process for creating environmental education comics. Synthesising multimedia learning principles, cognitive load management, and Universal Design for Learning, we formalise a cyclic model with six stages. Stages 1 2 establish a stable content baseline: a subject-matter ex...

Design for Adaptability (DfA) is recognized as a lever for the circular economy and is supported by the Level(s) framework and the ISO 20887:2020 standard. Adaptability is a strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector and this contribution explores its potential to address indeterminacy and functional convertibility, applied as a strategy for the reconversion of disused commercial building stock into housing. The research adopts a multi-scale approach that integrates theoretical analysis wit...

Development of renewable energy systems can certainly contribute to climate change mitigation. In many regions initiatives can be noticed to succeed in increasing the efficient usage of renewable energy resources such as hydro power, solar and wind energy as well as bioenergy. From these resources the bioenergy and the hydro power by their storage possibilities have the potential to counterbalance the temporal variability of solar and wind energy. Anyway, by applying such renewable energy resources it is possible ...

Analyzing fire debris is essential for identifying accelerants that may indicate arson. Detecting fire residues remains a significant analytical challenge due to the complexity of burned materials, the volatilization of key compounds, and the interference of pyrolysis byproducts. However, chromatographic separation techniques and mass spectral selectivity advancements provide promising avenues for improving detection accuracy and reliability. Recent developments in portable Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC...

This study explores the possibility of creating detailed maps of organic carbon content in the arable lands of northern Kazakhstan. The technology is based on filtering satellite images with convolutional neural networks and calculating the coefficients of the multi-temporal soil line using remote sensing data with a resolution of 30 meters. Calculating the coefficient of the multi-temporal soil line allowed us to create a map of the bare soil surface, highlighting areas of soil cover heterogeneity. The resulting ...

The aim of this work is to determine the concentration of heavy metals in a series of toys used by children and compare them with the regulations in force. The presence of heavy metals in plastic toys is a significant concern to potential health risk to children. Various studies have identified a range of heavy metals in toys including lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc and other metals which can pose serious health hazards if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Many additives and catalysts used in plastics...

The protective clothing used by workers during the performance of work tasks is subject to the electrification process. The electrification process of protective clothing results in the generation of significant amounts of electrostatic charges both on the outer parts of the protective clothing and on the users' skin, as a result of specific mechanisms for generating electrostatic charges such as electrification by contact or induction. The formation and accumulation of electrostatic charges as a result of the ele...

Latvia is one of the most forested countries in Europe, with forests covering approximately 53% of the country s territory. Forest regeneration often involves the creation of monocultures, which can harm biodiversity and forest sustainability. Intensive planting and the replacement of natural forests with uniform stands increase the vulnerability of forest ecosystems in the long term. Increasing climatic stress is a primary factor contributing to the widespread presence of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typo...

The river Iskar is the object of study. The development aims to update the technological scheme of the resource of surface water bodies for a new reference climatic period (1991-2020) and estimate the annual average values at the end of each water body. For the study, 20 gauging stations were used, which currently represent the NIMH monitoring network in the catchments of the streams on which the resource is based. In terms of area, the stations cover the whole catchment relatively evenly. For the study, the annua...

The valorization of unconventional raw materials as functional ingredients in food fortification is a sustainable solution for the development of innovative products. The primary objective of this study was to explore the active biological potential of quinoa flour (QF) and select vegetable purees (sweet potato, spinach, and red beet) and their valorization in the development of muffin formulations with improved sensory, nutritional, physical and phytochemical properties. Rice flour (RF) was substituted with QF at...

The monitoring of open-pit slope stability is critical for safety, economic, and environmental reasons. The comprehensive approach to monitoring has been analyzed, addressing safety, economic, technological, ecological, legislative, and social responsibility aspects, ultimately contributing to sustainable mining practices. Various methods and technologies for monitoring slope stability have been determined as essential. Visual inspections are useful, but they depend on the qualifications of the observer and may ov...

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have emerged as replacements for banned brominated flame retardants, raising growing environmental concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. Despite their global detection, limited data exist for marine environments such as the Black Sea, where monitoring is hindered by the lack of sensitive analytical methods. This study reports the development and validation of a reliable LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of eight OPFRs an...

Drilling fluid viscosity is a critical parameter influencing the efficiency and safety of drilling operations, yet real-time monitoring under dynamic conditions remains challenging due to varying temperature, pressure, and flow rates. This study develops algorithms for continuous, automated viscosity monitoring of drilling fluids to optimize drilling processes. The primary objective is to design robust algorithms capable of accurate viscosity predictions in real-time, addressing limitations of traditional manual m...

Technical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres generated by the presence of combustible dusts is provided with enclosures that must be designed in such a way as to ensure protection against the ingress of solid bodies and/or dust, as well as water, a concept materialized by the notion of normal protection degree. or increase protection (international code IP). The expression of the normal degree of protection of the casing of a technical equipment is done through the group of letters IP ...

Zephyr AGH represents an attempt to address the need for low-emission transportation. In its initial iteration, it was a race vehicle powered by compressed air. Currently, the project is being developed with a focus on maximizing its utility, particularly in urban traffic conditions. Due to the low energy density of compressed air, it is not a sufficient standalone energy carrier for individual transportation. To maintain the low-emission profile of the vehicle, the design team decided to integrate electric motors...

The paper presents the research methodology of an interdisciplinary project dedicated to the study of the land-sea interaction along the southern part of the Western Black Sea coast. The research area covers the Medni Rid part of the Strandzha coast, which provides favorable conditions for coastal navigation and port activities since ancient times. The project aims to establish the real factors and the regular features in the behavior of local communities in the context of land-sea interaction in the Western Black...

In the era of advancing digitization, the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in the construction industry is increasingly evident at advanced level. However, the use of BIM tools during the operational phase of buildings-beyond traditional design and construction-remains a niche area, with integrated digital facility management practices still limited in adoption. In this article, the authors focus on presenting an example of pilot project of implementation of the digital Common Data Env...

The idea of making learning enjoyable using games, GBL, encourages students to think out of the box, work with others and oversee individual learning. This paper investigates GBL by explaining its theoretical framework and explaining the advantages while putting into perspective the practice issues such as lack of sufficient resources and hostility towards change. This segment provides evidence of two educational games that were adapted digitally. The Circular Economy game which is an offshoot of the Quadruple Hel...

The article explores the powerful synergy between digitalisation and environmental sustainability as a foundation for building resilient and future-oriented societies. The research is based on the development of the concept of digitalisation and greening, which are two complementary areas that play an important role in the modern development of society, the economy and technology. By integrating cutting-edge technologies - such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain - with gre...

The development of geospatial technologies in recent years has profoundly changed the field of topography and cadastre. Now, digital methods using LiDAR, drones, GNSS, and multispectral imaging provide a detailed three-dimensional picture of land, buildings, and ecosystems on campuses. This research examines the combined use of digital topography and remote sensing technologies to manage and capitalize on the resources of the University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara. By integrating data from LiDAR...

This paper investigates the relationship between technological advancement and sustainability, specifically examining whether countries with larger digital workforces and higher income levels use energy more efficiently. Drawing on annual data from 27 European countries between 2013 and 2023, we analyze three key indicators: the number of employed ICT specialists ([isoc_sks_itspt]), real GDP per capita in chain-linked 2020 euros ([sdg_08_10]), and energy intensity of GDP in chain-linked 2015 volumes ([nrg_ind_ei])...

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the most critical European Union (EU) policies, making a significant financial contribution to agriculture and rural development. As a result of CAP reforms, support payments change as they adapt to the global context, thereby contributing to economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Therefore, the present research aims to assess CAP support payments in the context of building more sustainable and resilient agriculture in EU Member States. The research emplo...