An Ontological-based Model for Competences in Sustainable Development Projects: a Case Study for Project’s Commercial Activities

The paper presents a project management competencies model, using an ontological approach. The ontology, named PMCatalog, was developed in the framework of the project CONTO, financed by Romanian through the grant 91-037/2007. PMCatalog is consistent with the competence definition and PM competence elements included in the International Competence Baseline, the competency standard of the International Project Management Association. The main PMCatalog’s use cases for commercial activities in sustainable development projects are described. Ontology was developed using the Protégé editor.competence, project management, sustainable development, commercial activities

Range expansion of Trichoferus campestris (Faldermann) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Europe with the confirmation of its presence in Romania

The distribution of the alien longhorn beetle Trichoferus campestris in Europe is analyzed based on new and published data. A literature review revealed that the number of records of this species has increased during recent years. According to the geographic range of these records and their temporal distribution, the species might be already established in several European countries and is quickly spreading west. It is also confirmed in Romania based on specimens collected in different localities from the extra-Carpathian area and on the correction of a previously published misidentification. Phytosanitary interceptions of Trichoferus campestris in France and recently in Sweden (Lidhult, Halland region) have prevented its introduction and possible establishment in these countries

ORNAMENTAL VEGETABLE GARDEN DESIGN POSSIBILITIES USING MODULAR RAISED BEDS

Ornamental vegetable gardens have many benefits. They are aesthetic, educational, ecological, economical, sanitary, and are a source of fresh food. Small allotments in urban and peri-urban areas do not allow the implementation of utilitarian gardens. Thus, ornamental vegetable gardens are the best choice. Raised beds can be used to enhance the decorative effect of the entire vegetable garden. This type of construction presents, in turn, several advantages both for the user and crop: reduced effort for maintenance work, early heating of the substrate, loose substrate, reduced volume of weeds, efficient use of space for plants, etc. Establishing ornamental vegetable gardens on raised beds is easily achieved using geometric modules, as they can be adapted to various designs. This paper presents several design options for a decorative vegetable garden on private properties. The case studies presented showed different methods of using modular raised beds depending on the property’s area, the owner’s wishes, and the desired area to be planted. Also, depending on the results obtained from the experimental batch, three other variations of modular layouts with different purposes were proposed: focal point, physically closed but visually open space, and relaxation space

Ornamental vegetable garden design possibilities using modular raised beds

Ornamental vegetable gardens have many benefits. They are aesthetic, educational, ecological, economical, sanitary, and are a source of fresh food. Small allotments in urban and peri-urban areas do not allow the implementation of utilitarian gardens. Thus, ornamental vegetable gardens are the best choice. Raised beds can be used to enhance the decorative effect of the entire vegetable garden. This type of construction presents, in turn, several advantages both for the user and crop: reduced effort for maintenance work, early heating of the substrate, loose substrate, reduced volume of weeds, efficient use of space for plants, etc. Establishing ornamental vegetable gardens on raised beds is easily achieved using geometric modules, as they can be adapted to various designs. This paper presents several design options for a decorative vegetable garden on private properties. The case studies presented showed different methods of using modular raised beds depending on the property’s area, the owner’s wishes, and the desired area to be planted. Also, depending on the results obtained from the experimental batch, three other variations of modular layouts with different purposes were proposed: focal point, physically closed but visually open space, and relaxation space

An Overview on Leishmaniasis in Romania: Diagnosis and Therapeutics

Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease considered to be one of the twenty neglected diseases by the World Health Organization, represents one of the public health concerns in endemic countries. In humans, as well as in animal counterparts, the infection can evolve with different clinical localizations, such as those that are cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. Romania has been traditionally considered a nonendemic country for Leishmania species infection and has had sporadic positive human cases; however, the climate change recorded in recent decades has created potentially optimal conditions for the preponderant vectors of Phlebotomus spp., which has lately been identified in various parts of country. Moreover, with people and dogs (the prevailing hosts) traveling in endemic countries, the disease was imported and diagnosed in both species, and became a medical concern. In this review, we focused on the: (1) epidemiological data of leishmaniasis cases, both in humans and animals, reported by Romania; (2) diagnostic tools available for confirmation since there is a lack of gold-standard laboratory methods for human and dog patients; and (3) conventional antileishmanial therap

The impact of the biodex 4 pro system dynamometer in the rehabilitation of ankle sprain in youth football players

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify impact differences in the rehabilitation the second-degree ankle sprain, more specifically the restoration of agonist-antagonist muscle balance, static and dynamic balance, and motor control in junior soccer players will have a different impact on patients who perform the recovery program with the help of Biodex 4 Pro and myofascial therapies compared to those who perform physical therapy using classical methods. (2) Methods: the study included 22 subjects divided into two equal groups in accordance with the agreement to practice modern therapies (MT) and kinesiotherapy (KT): the experimental group that performed the myofascial therapies and exercises with Biodex 4 pro and the control group that performed the KT. The parties' evaluations included: the Biodex 4 Pro for a range of motion assessment and the PodoSmart device for gait assessment. (3) Results: analysis identifies significant improvements for the subjects in the experimental group, respectively for the subjects in the control group, as follows: after completing the therapeutic plan for four weeks, the subjects gained 35.8° of flexion and 36.4° of extension compared to the initial results. In the PodoSmart gait analysis, the experimental group progressed between tests by 14.8% for the foot symmetry parameter, which was 3.8% more than in the control group, whose symmetry progress between tests was 11%. (4) Conclusion: the combined therapeutic plan containing Biodex technology and myofascial therapies is a current effective option in the rehabilitation of athletes

VectorNet Data Series 3: Culicoides Abundance Distribution Models for Europe and Surrounding Regions

This is the third in a planned series of data papers presenting modelled vector distributions produced during the ECDC and EFSA funded VectorNet project. The data package presented here includes those Culicoides vectors species first modelled in 2015 as part of the VectorNet gap analysis work namely C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, and C. newsteadi. The known distributions of these species within the Project area (Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Eurasia) are currently incomplete to a greater or lesser degree. The models are designed to fill the gaps with predicted distributions, to provide a) first indication of vector species distributions across the project geographical extent, and b) assistance in targeting surveys to collect distribution data for those areas with no field validated information. The models are based on input data from light trap surveillance of adult Culicoides across continental Europe and surrounding regions (71.8°N –33.5°S, – 11.2°W – 62°E), concentrated in Western countries, supplemented by transect samples in eastern and northern Europe. Data from central EU are relatively sparse.Peer reviewe

Deutsch als Fremdsprache in Rumänien am Beispiel der Polytechnischen Universität Temeswar

In the phenomenon of globalization, the foreign language skills are part of both scientific field and everyday life. Though the number of learners of German decreased in the last twenty years, German seems to be again in greater demand as a foreign language all over the world. In the Romanian universities, the study of the German language continues to arouse great interest in the recent years. The following article deals with the role that German language plays in our country, and it tries to find answers regarding the Banat region/area, by using the example of the Polytechnic University of Timișoara. Another topic that the author emphasizes is the contribution of German as a foreign language - lessons in promoting the German language and culture in the Banat region