Strategic Forecast for Rail Freight Transport in Romania using the Relevant Tree Method and Scenario Method

The paper focuses on the use of strategic forecasting using the Relevant Tree Method and the Scenario Method for rail freight transport in order to achieve the objectives established in the European Green Deal.The Relevant Tree Method shows that the solution for stimulating rail freight traffic in Romania consists in increasing the allocation of funds for the modernization works of the railway infrastructure. Thus, an important part of the internal freight traffic will be transferred from the road system to the railway. “The modernization of the railway infrastructure involves major works to modify the infrastructure, which will improve its overall performance”, according to the Law 202/2016.On the other hand, the emergency plan resulting from the use of the Scenario Method shows that if the conditions for the development of the external environment for the organizations in the rail freight transport sector end up being very favourable, it is required to adopt some measures in time, for the employment personnel in this sector, so as to increase the competences of organizations in this field. Thus, it is necessary to grant motivating salary packages, which also include professional training programs, as well as capitalizing on access to know-how, which will be favoured by European funds. This will avoid the wear and tear of locomotives and wagons, but also of equipment and installations.</p

Study of the Multimodal Freight Transport Sector in Romania: Analysis of the External and Internal Environment

The paper studies the current situation of the multimodal freight transport sector in Romania, using the analysis of its external and internal environment. The goal is to find out what are the pluses and minuses of this sector and what strategies must be adopted so that the targets set by the European Green Deal can be reached. This EU strategy emphasizes that, in order to reduce pollution, emphasis must be placed on multimodal transport, with an emphasis on rail transport.Thus, the general external environment is defined by the following factors: demographic, economic, technological, ecological, etc. While the labor force crisis in the road transport of goods deepens, and the average age of the staff in the railway sector is getting higher, the policy of the EU and, implicitly, of the EU member states stimulates multimodal transport, in order to reduce CO2 emissions. The Porter model shows that, despite the forces acting in a negative direction, the multimodal freight transport market is attractive. At the same time, from the strategic group belong both multinational corporations and enterprises with domestic capital, which underlines the attractiveness of the market. Thus, it is necessary to apply the strategy that involves a reduction of costs, but not by decreasing the quality of the services offered. On the other hand, the SWOT analysis indicates that multimodal freight transport in Romania is in the ideal/maximum situation. Therefore, it is necessary to apply an aggressive strategy. Thus a net competitive advantage will be ensured. The strategy consists in stimulating rail freight transport, which will contribute to reducing pollution.</p

Experimental issues at ultrasonically aided micro-EDM of CoCr alloys

The paper deals with researches of microtopography obtained at different working modes at ultrasonically aided micro-electrical discharge machining (μEDM+US) and pure micro-EDM, using both commanded and relaxation pulses. Images of machined surface taken with scanning electron microscope were analyzed in correlation with chemical composition of samples detected by X rays spectrometer. This led to some explanations of material removal mechanism, aiming at improvement of process modelling and performances increase of μEDM+US

Rare cause of dyspnoea

Although primary amyloidosis is the most common systemic form of amyloidosis, its diagnosis remains notoriously difficult. Unless included in the differential diagnosis, the condition may be missed as a cause of severe and ultimately fatal clinical syndromes. We describe two patients with primary amyloidosis who presented with dyspnoea/orthopnoea and oedema due to cardiac and renal involvement. Both had a fatal outcome

Some aspects of finite element modelling of ultrasonically aided micro-EDM of CoCr alloys

The paper deals with finite element modelling of micromachining CoCr alloys by ultrasonically aided electrical discharge machining. This hybrid machining process has two components: a thermal one due to EDM, and a mechanical one to ultrasonic assistance. Both components were modelled using Thermal and Structural Mechanics time dependent modules of Comsol Multiphysics. The results were compared with the experimental data obtained in our laboratories, proving a good agreement and offering some solutions for machining optimization

Some aspects of finite element modelling of ultrasonically aided micro-EDM of CoCr alloys

The paper deals with finite element modelling of micromachining CoCr alloys by ultrasonically aided electrical discharge machining. This hybrid machining process has two components: a thermal one due to EDM, and a mechanical one to ultrasonic assistance. Both components were modelled using Thermal and Structural Mechanics time dependent modules of Comsol Multiphysics. The results were compared with the experimental data obtained in our laboratories, proving a good agreement and offering some solutions for machining optimization

The use of creative techniques in the engineering human resources development

Starting from the role of new technologies in the development of engineering innovation, this paperwork has two main research directions with respect to creativity and innovation in engineering education. These are based on a combination of creative techniques with traditional engineering education methods. The first component of our research presented herein aims the use of creative methods such as Creative Training and Image Streaming, and the second component of the research statistically analyses the Social Media posts regarding the use of Cloud Computing technology as a support for innovation. The aim of combining such lines of research will lead to the emergence of specific knowledge needed to identify and implement new creative techniques in engineering human resources. Applying such creativity techniques within groups of students can result in innovative ideas usable in ongoing research projects, in certain deadlock situations on finding critical solutions to overcome blockages