Observational constraints for cubic gravity theory based on third order contractions of the Riemann tensor

The paper studies different observational features in the case of a specific cubic gravity theory, based on third order contractions of the Riemann tensor. Considering viable cosmic chronometers data, baryon acoustic oscillations, and supernovae, we analyze the viability of such a theoretical model, obtaining specific constraints for different parameters in the current scenario. It is shown that the present extension of the $\Lambda$CDM cosmological model is compatible with recent data sets. The results indicate that the dark energy equation of state is exhibiting a phantom regime in the near past in the case of the best fitted values, a behavior which is in agreement with various phenomenological studies

International Cooperation for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture

This chapter presents international best practices, realized within Europe, and focuses on cooperation for developing innovation support mechanisms and approaches in the area of smart agriculture. Specific situations are presented and analyzed in detailed regarding the requirements of smart agriculture and the possibilities to implement its percepts. As a consequence, solutions are proposed both in the technical and management domains to help speed up the transition from classical agriculture techniques to technology infused approaches, suitable for the current needs of this sector. Also, policy recommendations are developed based on the scientific findings in alignment with the evolution of the competitive pressures

Remaining Socially Responsible in the Age of Smart Sustainable Production

This paper explores the transformations necessary in the field of social responsibility and social accountability employed by manufacturing companies as they transition to a model of smart and sustainable production. A focus group of managers in production companies has been interviewed concerning the challenges and support they derive for their environmental and community approaches, as the firms deploy advanced Industry 4.0 tools such as the internet of things, digital twins and virtual reality to upgrade their manufacturing systems and processes. The results are presented and discussed based on a set of ranked objective indicators, and proposals for a future implementation scenario are advanced

European „c” quest: community, competitiveness, convergence, cohesion. what should the “eu new comer romanians” aim for?

The analyses carried out both at the centre (Brussels) and at the destination (member states) (ab)use of the principle that in public expenditure terms “spent money means well-spent money” and consider that absorption capacity equals economic performance (equated quite disputably with disparity reduction). The aggregate Keynesian perspective provides the main argument in favour of this interpretation: EU funds lead to GDP growth (economic growth). This vision overlooks the crucial importance of resource allocation micro-processes, private property and business activity. Therewith, the process of making European funds profitable and, consequently, the EU convergence feasible depends on the extent to which the absorption environment is structurally reformed. The “cohesion paradox,” which can be formulated like “least underdeveloped regions have relatively higher chances to attract European funds, while disparities compared to relatively less developed regions might even intensify”, can be broken only through multi-dimensional reform, immaterial to whether we speak about Romania, or Ireland, or Portugal, or Spain, or Greece.EU funding, EU regulations, private property, competitiveness, convergence, cohesion

Developing a Circularity Cost Approach for the Wood Products Industry

The paper approaches the topic of costs when transitioning from a classical manufacturing approach to a circular model in the wood products industry. The purpose of the endeavor is to investigate the main cost categories and to establish their relations and connections, for establishing the basis needed for a detailed quantitative model. The methodology employed starts from a brief literature review, completed by the industry experience of the authors, leading to a theoretical framework that address the costs before and after the aforementioned transition. Our main findings consist in identifying four principal groups of cost items, which are then detailed for the wood products industry and related to the usual accounting practices. The understanding of these connections is important for defining in the future mathematical relations and creating formulas that can be easily applied to any manufacturing company, including from other sectors. The ultimate goals towards which we are working is to facilitate the transition to the circular economy, by reinforcing its environmental benefits and gains with clear arguments pertaining to the efficiency of operating within this paradigm

European „C” quest: community, competitiveness, convergence, cohesion. what should the “eu new comer romanians” aim for?

The analyses carried out both at the centre (Brussels) and at the destination (member states) (ab)use of the principle that in public expenditure terms “spent money means well-spent money” and consider that absorption capacity equals economic performance (equated quite disputably with disparity reduction). The aggregate Keynesian perspective provides the main argument in favour of this interpretation: EU funds lead to GDP growth (economic growth). This vision overlooks the crucial importance of resource allocation micro-processes, private property and business activity. Therewith, the process of making European funds profitable and, consequently, the EU convergence feasible depends on the extent to which the absorption environment is structurally reformed. The “cohesion paradox,” which can be formulated like “least underdeveloped regions have relatively higher chances to attract European funds, while disparities compared to relatively less developed regions might even intensify”, can be broken only through multi-dimensional reform, immaterial to whether we speak about Romania, or Ireland, or Portugal, or Spain, or Greece

The Study Related to the Execution of a Triangulation Network in the Dump of Rovinari Pit, in Order to be Restored to the Economic Circuit

The lignite mining extraction within the mining perimeter in Rovinari is carried out through mining works in the open, by using large equipments for the excavation, transport and storage of the mining material. These surfaces are currently being set up in the area of level two of the dump, the west and north-west part of Rovinari pit. In order to carry out the set-up works and of follow-up of the stability of the pit levels it is necessary to maintain the triangulation network

PROCESSING AND INTERPRETATION OF SATELLITE IMAGES LANDSAT 8

The Landsat program is the longest running enterprise for acquisition of satellite imagery of Earth. On July 23, 1972 the Earth Resources Technology Satellite was launched. This was eventually renamed to Landsat. The most recent, Landsat 8, was launched on February 11, 2013. The instruments on the Landsat satellites have acquired millions of images. The images, archived in the United States and at Landsat receiving stations around the world, are a unique resource for global change research and applications in agriculture, cartography, geology, forestry, regional planning, surveillance and education

Development of a Support Platform for Online Role-Playing Games

Trabajo de Fin de Grado en Ingeniería Informática y en Ingeniería de Computadores, Facultad de Informática UCM, Departamento de Ingeniería del Software e Inteligencia Artificial, Curso 2021/2022.Existen infinidad de historias que esperan el momento adecuado para ser contadas, se gestan en la mente de uno o varios autores y son compartidas y disfrutadas con el público que las quiere escuchar. En el mundo de los juegos de rol toda la diversión se encuentra precisamente en sacar a la luz esas historias, convirtiendo la narración en un juego de creatividad literaria e interpretación actoral que disfrutamos en un grupo de amigos. Actualmente hay plataformas web que permiten jugar al rol “de lápiz y papel” en línea, aunque no resultan del todo atractivas para nuevos jugadores y tienen una curva de aprendizaje mejorable. Tomando como referencia estas plataformas, y aprovechando material de trabajos anteriores sobre videojuegos del grupo de investigación, este proyecto se propone desarrollar una nueva plataforma de soporte para juegos de rol en línea que, sin desvirtuar el concepto clásico de juego de rol, incorpore el aspecto y las sensaciones de los videojuegos actuales. El objetivo es ayudar a esas personas que quieren acercarse al mundo de los juegos de rol, que está viviendo un nuevo resurgir, con una herramienta sencilla que, explicando unos conceptos básicos a los jugadores, les permita integrarse dentro de una partida y disfrutar de atractivas historias. Para comprobar su utilidad, tras realizar un estudio de las funcionalidades que debería tener nuestra herramienta y analizar los distintos sistemas de rol que se utilizan comúnmente, se han realizado algunas pruebas con esta nueva plataforma sobre un grupo reducido de jugadores. Se han planteado partidas cortas en distintos escenarios y situaciones, estudiando el resultado en términos de funcionalidad y usabilidad a través de una encuesta. Los resultados son alentadores teniendo en cuenta el estado preliminar del desarrollo de la herramienta.There are countless stories waiting for the right moment to be told, they are conceived in the mind of one or several authors and are shared and enjoyed by the public that wants to listen to them. In the world of role-playing games, all the fun lies precisely in bringing those stories to light, turning the narrative into a game of literary creativity and acting performance that we enjoy with a group of friends. Currently there are web platforms that allow you to play the "pencil and paper" role online, although they are not entirely attractive to new players and have an improvable learning curve. Taking these platforms as a reference, and taking advantage of material from previous work on video games by the research group, this project aims to develop a new support platform for online role-playing games that, without distorting the classic role-playing game concept, incorporates the look and the sensations of current video games. The objective is to help those people who want to get closer to the world of role-playing games, which is experiencing a new resurgence, with a simple tool that, by explaining some basic concepts to the players, allows them to get into a game and enjoy attractive stories. To verify its usefulness, after carrying out a study of the functionalities that our tool should have and analyzing the different role systems that are commonly used, some tests have been carried out with this new platform on a small group of players. Short games have been proposed in different scenarios and situations, studying the result in terms of functionality and usability through a survey. The results are encouraging considering the preliminary state of the development of the tool.Depto. de Ingeniería de Software e Inteligencia Artificial (ISIA)Fac. de InformáticaTRUEunpu