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Abandoned railway lines can be used as hiking trails for tourism development and as coherent eco-logical routes for many species of flora and fauna, such as plants, insects, and birds. The study's objective was to design a strategic plan for using unused railway lines that will increase or maintain the biodiversity in the Prefecture of Peloponnese in southern Greece. The SWOT-AHP-TOWS method analysis was used. The criteria of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) method were recorded based o...

The design of urban drainage systems in the European Union generally follows the requirements of the EN 752 standard. Nevertheless, it uses a classical approach that aims only to convey stormwater runoff away from the settlement boundaries, thus preventing local problems. On the other hand, global tendencies are oriented towards a more sustainable approach for climate-adaptive metropolitan infrastructure. To address problems like urban expansion, expected future heavy rainfall events, sewer overloading, flooding, ...

We live in a world where, globally, the urban population represents 50% of the Earth's inhabitants, and in 2035, it is expected to represent 75%. In Romania, in 2024, 55.81% of the total population lives in urban areas and the difference in rural areas. In the paper, we set out to create an "x-ray" of the commitments that our country has assumed within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - Goal 11. Romania must find solutions for the sustainable development of communities, based on environmental education,...

Integrating sustainable development and circular economy principles into higher education curricula is critical for preparing future professionals to address complex global challenges. This study examines both the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence supporting the inclusion of these themes in academic programs in Latvia, emphasizing their role in fostering the competencies required for sustainable transformation. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative content analysis of cur...

Tourism is a key driver of economic growth and regional development, particularly in emerging destinations that capitalize on natural and cultural resources. This study explores the role of European-funded sustainable projects in enhancing tourism infrastructure, services, and environmental policies in the Western Region of Romania. [1] By analyzing various initiatives supported through EU funding (FEADR, EURI), the research identifies best practices and challenges in implementing sustainable tourism strategies. T...

This study addresses the limitations of conventional incentive systems in encouraging sustainable behaviors -- such as donations, ethical consumption, and CO2 reduction -- by highlighting their lack of transparency, long-term viability, and respect for privacy. To overcome these issues, we propose a decentralized reward framework built upon a blockchain-based Self-Sovereign Information Environment (SSIE). Verified actions are recorded through NFTs and smart contracts, ensuring immutable traceability without disclo...

This paper explores the rural-urban divide in the context of sustainable territorial development in Latvia. By employing a combination of statistical analysis, standardisation, and factor analysis based on 14 development indicators, the research identifies key differences between rural and urban areas. The results reveal that economic activity is notably higher in territories closer to the capital, Riga, although not all urban areas demonstrate superior performance. Simultaneously, urban territories concentrate mo...

Urban development and the construction industry have experienced in the last century massive development worldwide, and in Romania the last two decades have been marked by a considerable advance of construction projects growth. But sustainable urban development must be regulated by norms and standardization systems that lead to harmonious progress. In 1990, the first certification system for building sustainability, BREEAM, appeared in Great Britain and it is applied on a large scale mainly in Europe. The second c...

In this paper, we present some practical considerations regarding the design of power voltage stabilizer equipment. Nowadays, technologies for raising and/or lowering the voltage to a level required by the power line or a consumer are increasingly used (in wind or solar power generation systems, or in energy conversion systems with a direct current intermediate circuit). Our study refers to a conversion solution consisting of two converter stages. The first stage consists of two boost converters operating in antip...

We present herein a thoroughly study regarding the synthesis, structure and biological activity of some hybrid diazine - polyphenols derivatives. The synthesis was performed under conventional thermal heating and microwave irradiation, by using a straight and efficient method: a N-alkylation reaction of diazine (pyridazine or phthalazine) with reactive halogenated derivatives. The structure of the hybrids was proven by elemental and spectral analysis. Under MW irradiation, the N-alkylation reaction of diazine have...

Mannitol is an important raw material in the production of resins, lubricants, coatings, surfactants, explosives, cosmetics and drugs. One of the promising ways to obtain it is the catalytic conversion of inulin, a natural polyfructosan found in large quantities in some agricultural crops. In this study a Ru-containing magnetic catalyst was proposed for the process of hydrolytic hydrogenation of inulin to mannitol. Under optimal reaction conditions a high mannitol selectivity of 44.3 % was obtained 100 % conversio...

Sustainability standards are essential for encouraging eco-friendly practices, social accountability, and ethical management across various industries. Although numerous sustainability standards are voluntary, an increasing number are becoming obligatory due to national laws, international treaties, or industry guidelines. In response to the escalating threats posed by climate change, the European Union (EU) is leading global initiatives aimed at achieving climate neutrality. Certification systems that authenticat...

This research examines how Earth and Environmental Sciences are woven into and how important they are within higher education, particularly as a response to today's environmental problems. It highlights the key issue of their rather limited presence in curricula, which, it's argued, hampers students- preparedness for the sustainability challenges that define the 21st century. Primary data gathered on curriculum content, teaching methods, and how students perceive these, reveals a clear gap between current educatio...

In the more developed European countries, because of the importance given to the poplar species, research in this field has increased, while feeling the need to set up an international coordinating forum. Due to the particularly rapid growth, poplar crops soon produce an important quantity of wood mass that satisfies to an increasing extent the wood needs of society. The wood of this species, with special characteristics, has multiple industrial uses: Timber and light packaging, fibro-woody plates and plywood, fur...

The need to develop an integrated testing system for explosion-protected construction equipment with the type of protection "p" arose from practical considerations. The use of a mobile, versatile and adaptable system for the field performance of tests specific to this type of protection applied to explosion-protected construction equipment brings several novel advantages, the most important of which are: grouping all the test equipment required for the tests, elimination of measurement errors by performing several...

This paper begins with an analysis of the constructive-functional characteristics of hazardous goods transport systems, as required by legislation [3]. It is observed that safety elements primarily concern the materials from which parts or subassemblies in direct contact with or in close proximity to the hazardous substances being transported are made, as well as the general measures applicable to the vehicle-s electrical system, which aim to prevent overheating or to shield and prevent the transmission of heat to...

Asphalt-resin-paraffin deposits (ARPD) are a complex dispersed system formed by substances that have separated from the oil phase according to various signs. The sediments include asphaltenes, resins, paraffins, liquid hydrocarbons, mechanical impurities and water. In conditions of intensive deposition of ARPD, normal operation of wells is impossible without carrying out work using dewaxing equipment. The purpose of the treatment is the use of chemical reagents in the composition of the emulsion to affect the bott...

The intensification of mining requires the increasingly widespread use of a high-performance transport system, i.e. the conveyor transport. At the same time, the requirements for its basic traction and load-bearing element, namely the conveyor belt, which is used in the extraction of mineral raw materials by applying both underground and surface methods, are rising. Increasing the productivity of those transport systems and longer transport distances lead to an increase in the load to which conveyor belts are expo...

The study analyzed the territorial structure and the vegetation structure with a role in the architectural and landscape balance of the 'Botanical Park' in Timisoara, Romania. Four plots were identified (P1 - P4), and within each plot, three subplots were identified (A, B, C). There were 12 study variants, T1 - T12. The total area of the plots (S, m2) varied between 15816 m2 (P1) and 25904 m2 (P3). The total number of arboreal and shrub loid, softwood and deciduous specimens were determined in each subplot. There ...

Denitrifying bioreactors are devices used to treat agricultural run-off in situ. It is usually a trench filled with wood chips. The bioreactors work very well for their main purpose, which is reducing the concentration of nitrates entering the environment. But agricultural run-off contains not only nitrates, but also significant amount of pesticides and their metabolites, veterinary pharmaceuticals, etc. Fate of five pesticides (metolachlor, metazachlor, tebuconazole, glyphosate and epoxiconazole) during denitrifi...

Ash accumulating in a power plant-s ash pond represents a significant environmental burden for both nature and the people living nearby. For several years, we have been exploring the potential use of fungi, particularly the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), in the remediation and filtration process to ultimately achieve the revitalization of the ash pond site. The ash is mixed into a substrate based on European beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood chips, with the addition of two production strains of oyster mushroom....

The aim of the paper is to examine the role of the break-even point (BEP) as a business management tool in the conditions of natural disasters and to propose various managerial scenarios for effective decision-making after severe damage to production equipment. The break-even point of a company represents the sales volume or revenue level at which total revenues equal total costs (both fixed and variable), meaning that the enterprise neither makes a profit nor incurs a loss. Below this threshold, the company opera...

In our current research project, we explored the factors, that promoting and hindering the spread of the sustainability-ensuring digitalization developments and investments in agricultural production. The main question we sought to answer was why digitalization technologies are spreading in Hungary, which contribute greatly to the achievement of sustainability goals. According to Szabo, [11] 2025 the reason for raising the spreading of these technologies was, that the agricultural sector in Hungary has played a si...

Access to affordable and reliable charging is emerging as a central equity challenge in the transition to electric mobility. While most EV charging in Europe occurs at home, this option is unavailable to many urban residents without private parking, who must depend on more expensive public infrastructure. This study compares everyday EV charging costs in London (United Kingdom) and Riga (Latvia), examining four representative EV user clusters with distinct daily mobility patterns. Using harmonised energy-demand pr...

An AI camouflage design was used to create an IR camouflage textile structure, utilising Grafco screen printing inks and Chromatex HD10 pigments characterised by high brightness and colour resistance. For vector image editing, CorelDRAW software was employed. The screen-printing process was carried out following these steps: frame selection, screen selection, and image preparation. The reflection index was determined using a spectrophotometric method with a UV-VIS-NIR Perkin Elmer Lambda 950 spectrophotometer, mea...

One of a country s most valuable natural resources is its soil, and since it cannot be replaced, it must be protected. In addition to being an important part of the environment with a variety of functions, it is crucial for agricultural and forestry productivity. Nevertheless, the soil is in danger due to a number of processes. In the Czech Republic, these are primarily water and wind erosion. Agroforestry systems are one of the options to reduce them. Furthermore, they can enhance water management, mitigate the e...

The development of cements that produce less CO2 is important for the preservation of our environment. One way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to produce belite cements that contain a higher proportion of belite than alite. Although the long-term strengths of this type of cement are comparable or even higher than those of ordinary Portland cement, their disadvantage is insufficient initial strengths) due to the slow hydration of belite. In this work, the effect of adding SO3 to the raw meal on the initial st...

The walnut kernel (Juglans regia L.) is highly appreciated for its unique sensory properties and nutritional value. Walnut kernels contain around 60% oil; this varies from variety to variety. Walnut oil is cold-pressed from dried walnut kernels and has a strong and distinctive walnut flavour. The effect of adding some spices as a natural source of antioxidants on the oxidative stability of walnut oil was investigated in the present study. Three types of flavoured walnut oil were obtained: with garlic (Allium sativ...

a) The Omnibus project was launched by the European Commission on 26 February 2025 as a response to the Report of the former President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, calling for a new plan for Europe-s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. The Project aims at simplifying the provisions of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the EU Taxonomy, being the legislation tool and driver to meet the sustainable development and sustaina...

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem stability by influencing nutrient cycling and water retention capacity. Climate change, manifested through rising temperatures, extreme precipitation variability, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, directly affects the dynamics of SOM decomposition and accumulation. This paper examines the mechanisms by which these climatic changes impact SOM stability, emphasizing their effects on agricultural and natural so...

Mollusca constitute a significant phylum within the Black Sea ecosystem. This study provides the first comprehensive checklist of the phylum Mollusca along the Black Sea Georgian coast. It is based on a collection and synthesis of data from various published sources and unpublished records. The checklist draws on material collected across diverse biotopes at depths ranging from 3 to 205 meters, over a period spanning from 1926 to 2023. These collections were conducted as part of various projects and national monit...

The extensive or intensive green roofs are today the common solution for roofs at new and retrofitted buildings in different climatic regions. In terms of region where the building is located the thermal insulation in the roof is or not. In the direction from the equator further the thermal insulation in the roof is important to decrease the heat flow from the building to the exterior during winter months. The presence of thermal insulation on the roof also influences the heat load of rooms under the roof during s...

Supporting the agricultural sector, a factor of strategic importance for ensuring food security, raw materials for the food industry and for maintaining jobs, in the sense that it must benefit from public policy from the state aimed at compensating for losses generated by the increase in prices and other costs such as labour, veterinary services, agricultural utilities, etc. European, counting over 620 000 beekeepers in the EU. The importance of this sector is much greater than could be deduced from its contributi...

The protection and maintenance of cultural heritage is an integral aspect of urban development. Preserving the original architecture, appearance, and material design of historic buildings is of a significant importance for understanding the development of society and the changes that have occurred throughout history. In the face of increasing demands for durability, mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, and compatibility with other parts of historical construction, research has focused on innovations in l...

Historical building structures are vital in illuminating human history. Ensuring their preservation and passing them down to future generations is of great importance. The preservation and restoration of historical buildings constitute a complex and highly relevant issue, wherein the criteria for compatibility in the selection and development of appropriate materials and application technologies are of significant importance. In historical context, the enhancement of lime mortar properties was achieved through the...

Aquaculture has become an essential component of global food production, offering a sustainable source of animal protein. However, the sector continues to face significant challenges related to environmental sustainability and suboptimal reproductive efficiency. In recent years, the incorporation of plant-derived bioactive compounds, commonly referred to as phyto-additives, has emerged as a promising, natural alternative to synthetic additives and chemotherapeutics. These substances can improve growth performance,...

The purpose of this paper is to explore how some of the leading global professional accounting bodies - the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and Certified Practicing Accountant Australia, respond to the recent changes in the corporate reporting in the new realm of sustainability and the growing business demand for ESG competences of a...

Sustainable human capital management and green human resource management have become the trend words in business management in recent years. It cannot be denied that human resource management has become one of the leading management functions in organisations at all levels, working on the development of the organisation's most valuable resource, human resources. Consequently, the importance of human capital management and a more strategic approach focusing on the development of employees' knowledge, skills and inn...

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of digitalization in promoting sustainable economic development, focusing specifically on the contribution of digital technologies in the field of geosciences and climate analysis. By using a mixed methodology that combines documentary analysis with relevant case studies, the research explores how advanced digital solutions contribute to environmental monitoring and climate forecasting in the current context of confronting the accelerating phenomenon of clim...

This article shows how enzymatic biocatalysts, specifically hemicellulase and asparaginase, affect the rheological properties of white flour dough used for wafers. The study utilized alveo-consistographic and falling number methods to analyze dough behavior and the impact of different dosages of enzymes on flour and finished wafer products. Adding these enzymes in wafer production increases health and efficiency by enhancing dough handling, volume, and wafer texture, demonstrating their potential for sustainable f...

Ensuring ecologically grown fodder for organic livestock farming has become an imperative matter for the development of the livestock sector in western Romania. Against this background, but also due to very good production results and the improving effects on soil fertility, more Romanian farmers are choosing to include, each year, fodder legumes in their crop rotation. The research conducted over three experimental years, in two agricultural areas from the Timis Plain, known as favorable for fodder pea crops, had...

The goal of present paper is to study the influence of investments and forest resources on gross value added in forestry. To achieve this goal are used comparable data from Eurostat for the period 2015-2022 for 12 European union (EU) member states: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden. A panel regression model with fixed time effects is specified. The dependent variable is the gross value added per hectare (euro/ha) and as regressors are used...

Previous research has shown that the properties of biomass pellets (composition, moisture, density) have a significant impact on particulate matter emissions. However, pellet length has been investigated to a lesser extent, mainly for wood pellets. This study offers a new perspective, as it focuses on non-wood biomass (red fescue pellets) and systematically evaluates particulate matter emissions in relation to pellet length. Pellets were sorted into three categories: 0.15-1.65 cm (I), 1.65-3.15 cm (II), and over 3...

The aim of the study was to monitor two types of Carpathian salami (one with a fat content of 20% and the other with 30% content). Variations in humidity, pH, fat and NaCl content were monitored, as well as changes that occurred during storage. The monitoring interval of the influence of raw and auxiliary materials on the obtained salami and the physicochemical and organoleptic changes occurred during storage was 1 - 115 days. In the case of the two types of salami, it was observed that the variation of fat conten...

In the current global food and environmental context, the cultivation of legumes crops is of particular interest, because of the high protein content of the grains for feed, as well as of the ability of these valuable species to fix a high amount of natural nitrogen in the soil. Due to its many agricultural advantages, soybean continues to be one of the most valuable crops cultivated in the world and one of the most important sources of plant protein both for human and animal feed. In Romania, soybean is cultivate...

On January 15, 2023 (at 21:37 GMT), a moderate Ms4.8 earthquake occurred 4km southwest of the Klosi area and 24km north of Tirana. It was felt over a larger area of northern and central Albania. The earthquake sequence extended along the Nderfushas-Petralb-Gurre e Vogel tectonic fault zone, which is exposed on the ground for a length of about 25 km. The region affected by the January 2023 sequence, along with the seismogenic region of the August 11, 2018, moderate Ms5.2 earthquake, forms a roughly northeast to sou...

Ultrasound diagnostics is a key tool in the investigation of renal diseases in pediatric patients due to its non-invasiveness and accessibility. Although it offers many advantages. Its accuracy in detecting functional pathological changes is investigated in this article. This pilot study included 17 children aged 1 to 18 years who underwent renal ultrasound examination followed by scintigraphy examination in a nuclear medicine clinic. Renal ultrasound images were analyzed using the digital B-MODE Assist system. wh...

Governments worldwide, the EU, and the UN are proposing new initiatives to manage digital technologies. One of these initiatives is termed the пїЅtwin transition,пїЅ which refers to aligning digitalisation and sustainability (circular economy) goals and processes to create a synergy in which both initiatives mutually reinforce and complement one another, enabling the achievement of maximum positive impact on social, economic, and environmental balance. There is no single definition of the пїЅtwin transitionпїЅ in ...

This work explores the potential of generative artificial intelligence as a strategic and reflective Green AI, understood not as an energy-efficient technology, but as a high-analog processing environment capable of analyzing, critically evaluating, and reformulating sustainability strategies. Through a proof-of-concept on the case of Taranto, a city that symbolizes the contradictions between industrial development and environmental degradation, the ability of large-scale linguistic models (LLMs) to generate-when ...

Hydrothermal processes, particularly hydrothermal eruptions, play a key role in forming epithermal gold-silver deposits. Such deposits, first described by White [1] and Lloyd [2], are found in both active and ancient hydrothermal systems [3]. These processes are linked to geothermal systems, volcanic activity, and fluid circulation, but their exact mechanisms and influence on metal concentration remain debated. This study examines the role of hydrothermal eruptions and key factors (temperature, boiling, chemical c...