Dissimilar Laser Welding of AISI 321 and AISI 1010

This paper presents the dissimilar laser welding of AISI 321 stainless steel and AISI 1010 carbon steel thin sheets in butt joint geometry using a 1 kW diode laser. Influence of the welding speed on the geometry and microstructure of the joints is discussed. Structural characterisation of the welds is realised through optical, electron microscopy and EDS analysis, observing distinct mixed and unmixed areas in the weld bead because of the high cooling rate. The weld bead presents an austenitic-martensitic-ferrite structure, characterized by austenitic twin grains with ferrite particles precipitated on grain boundaries, and islands comprising a ferrite-martensite structure. Chromium and nickel migration in the weld bead area was observed. Good tensile behaviour of the dissimilar joints was obtained, as all the specimen failure occurs far-off the weld zone

Geomorfološki aspekt antropogenih utjecaja u gorskom području Južnih Karpata (Rumunjska)

This paper deals with some human geomorphological aspects concerning the impact in the alpine area of the Southern Carpathians (Transylvanian Alps). After fi eld investigations and taking into account the major effects of road building, military and mining activities, pasture and tourism activities in the geomorphological landscape we have the possibilities to present a distinct image of some relevant detailed situations. In our opinion the building of roads in the alpine area is by far the most dangerous way of intervention in the geomorphological landscape of the alpine area of the Southern Carpathians. The construction of these roads has altered the profi le of the slope and new scarps have appeared. This situation associated with the vibrations induced by the traffi c favours frost weathering, rock falling and rolling, coupled with the emergence of specifi c deposits and landforms (talus cones and scree) and, of course, with vertical and gully erosion, which is very typical of the area of soft rocks and soils.U članku se analiziraju geomorfološki aspekti antropogenog utjecaja u planinskom području Južnih Karpata (Transilvanske Alpe). Nakon terenskih istraživanja i razmatranja glavnih učinaka gradnje prometnica, vojnih i rudarskih djelatnosti, stočarstva i turizma u krajoliku, iscrpno su opisani konkretni slučajevi. Prema autorovu mišljenju, gradnja prometnica u planinskim područjima daleko je najopasnija intervencija za planinski geomorfološki krajolik Južnih Karpata. Ona je izmijenila profi l padina i stvorila nove strmce. Takvo stanje, povezano s vibracijama od prometa, mehaničkim trošenjem stijena, osipanjem i odronima na padinama, dovelo je do akumulacije specifi čnih taloga i nastanka reljefnih oblika te pojačane erozije tipične za područja mekog tla i stijena

Assessment of the Annual Erosion Rate along Three Hiking Trails in the Făgăraș Mountains, Romanian Carpathians, Using Dendrogeomorphological Approaches of Exposed Roots

Mountain hiking trails are vital components of tourist infrastructure and provide recreational opportunities for a large number of tourists. Exposed roots along the tourist trails in the forested mountains are impacted by tourist trampling and various natural processes, thus becoming even more exposed and eroded. The aim of our study was to estimate the annual erosion rates along three hiking trails in the Făgăraș Mountains using dendrogeomorphological approaches. The three used routes were: Bâlea Hotel—Bâlea Waterfall (BWFHT), Bâlea Hotel—Bâlea Glacial Lake (BLHT), and Bâlea Hotel—Doamnei Glacial Valley (DVHT). The average annual erosion rates in BWFHT, BLHT, and DVHT were 10.6 ± 4.4, 6.8 ± 3.9, and 6.1 ± 3.3 mm·y−1, respectively. Over a 56-year interval (1965–2021), 610 scars were recorded among the annual growth rings of the sampled tree roots; 172, 213, and 225 scars were recorded in BWFHT, BLHT, and DVHT, respectively. Moreover, we identified 1022 rows of traumatic resin ducts (TRDs) associated with scars: 237, 343, and 442 in BWFHT, BLHT, and DVHT, respectively. Additionally, the climate of the Făgăraș Mountains is humid with a multiannual average precipitation of 1366.2 mm; the precipitation in 24 h, between 1979 and 2021 in seven and three cases exceeded 70 mm/24 h and 100 mm/24 h, respectively. Thus, there were synchronous situations of root exposure with 24 h rainfall. However, it is unclear whether precipitation plays a decisive role in root exposure or in triggering erosion processes on tourist trails. We considered that tourist traffic plays a decisive role in root exposure and erosion, however locally and complementarily, 24 h precipitation must also be considered

Living with Bears in Prahova Valley, Romania: An Integrative Analysis

Our research focuses on a complex and integrative analysis of bear presence in four tourist resorts in Prahova Valley, Romania: Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga and Predeal. Employing innovative mixed methods, including questionnaires, interviews, newspaper analysis, and consideration of the local toponymy, including bear-related names and souvenirs, we aim to highlight the extent to which a posthumanist attitude is evident in the region. The sustained appearance of bears is attributed to habitat invasion through deforestation, road construction, residential neighborhoods, and tourist infrastructure. Ambiguity arises from the presence of food sources and voluntary feeding both by locals and tourists. The mass media initially heightened fear and panic during the onset of human–bear interactions but later adopted a more tolerant tone regarding the bear’s presence in tourist resorts, reflecting an openness to the posthumanist approach in Prahova Valley. That is why locals express fear and concern about bear encounters, advocating for a clear separation between animal and human spaces. Tourists exhibit attitudes ranging from unconscious appreciation to ambivalence, often contributing to the problem through practices such as feeding bears for fun. The use of bear-related names for tourist establishments is identified as anthropocentric, despite their appeal for attracting tourists. Souvenir sales, through increasing socio-economic value and contributing to tourist experiences, are also recognized as anthropocentric. However, souvenirs can provide elements of support for bear conservation efforts and the equal consideration of human and non-human entities. This study concludes that a successful adaptive coexistence requires a posthumanist vision, overcoming anthropocentrism in a landscape altered by human activities, supported by bear management programs in Bucegi Natural Park, and conservation efforts in Prahova Valley in a landscape altered by people

A study of institutional stakeholders views on biodiversity in Romania

ACL (facteur d'impact)International audienceThis paper inquires into the questions related to endangered habitats and species, as well as that of factors threatening biodiversity, in Romania, by analysing existing opinions of biodiversity institutional stakeholders. The research applies a combination of qualitative social science (participatory) approaches and quantitative tools as a means for understanding biodiversity related issues in Romania. Heterogeneity of opinions of biodiversity institutional stakeholders, concerning endangered biodiversity and its threats, are analysed. Stakeholders' perspectives are identified through characterization of opinion groups and discursive analysis. Key factors influencing the attitudinal diversity are examined. Research outputs reveal the diversity of existing stakeholders' views

Snow avalanche synchronicity derived from a multi-path tree-ring reconstruction in the Făgăraș Mountains (Southern Carpathians, Romania)

Snow avalanches pose a constant threat to human lives, property, and infrastructure in mountainous regions worldwide. To efficiently manage avalanche-related hazards and risks, knowledge of past occurrences is crucial. In many mountain regions, archival records on past events are scarce or even completely missing. Therefore, natural archives, such as tree-rings, are widely used as proxies to build century-long snow avalanche chronologies. However, most dendrogeomorphic studies focus on a small number of sites, providing only path-scale reconstructions with limited significance for a larger area. To overcome this problem, in the present study, we analyzed 17 avalanche paths in a small and relatively homogeneous region located in the F˘ag˘araș Mountains, Southern Carpathians, and documented past snow avalanche activity with dendrogeomorphic techniques. Increment cores extracted from 933 Picea abies trees allowed the reconstruction of a total of 174 snow avalanche years across all investigated paths. At the same time, widespread snow avalanche occurrence was identified in the study area. In years such as 1923, 1929, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2002, and 2005, more than half of the investigated paths experienced at least a major snow avalanche event. Regarding the frequency of event years, we conclude that the mean recurrence interval of widespread/extreme events is 4.1 years. Finally, this study highlights the importance of investigating multiple avalanche paths in a small, homogeneous area to create a better understanding of snow avalanche activity at path- and mountain range-scale. </p