Regional Cluster’s development, base on research and innovation

[EN] The European Commission aims to ensure coherence between environmental, climate, energy and industrial policy to create optimal business environments for sustainable growth and innovations, in a way that enhances the competitiveness of European industry, while moving towards a more resource efficient, circular economy. Sustainability needs to be mainstreamed into all areas of industrial policy to help European businesses to unlock first mover advantage and gain a competitive edge. The Dorothy project is inspired by the contents of the “Flagship Initiative for a resourceefficient Europe under the Europe 2020 strategy”. The Dorothy Project is targeted to develop the potential of innovation and research in the four Regions composing the Consortium in the field of Urban Logistics, which represent the specific application topic of the proposal, and is one of the main focuses of attention of the Flagship Initiative. The industrial environnent is the main actor on the research and innovation regional driven Clusters The Dorothy project has achieved the result of setting up three Regional Innovation Clusters in: Valencia – Spain, Lisbon – Portugal and Craiova – Romania, under the mentoring action of the already existing Tuscany Cluster in Firenze. They operate in the field of Urban Logistics. Among the other activities carried out by the project, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been defined and signed among the four Clusters in form of a multilateral and mutual agreement among them. This paper explain the contents and the importance in the JAP – Joint Action Plan, of the thematic area 3 about regional clusters development, the target of the overall Thematic Area, why has been chosen as a Thematic Area, shortly remind the actions that are contained in the Thematic Area. The action fields and related actions are organized under 6 areas: 1. Innovative ICT solutions to support advanced UL regulation schemes 2. Open data architectures to support urban logistics 3. Proximity delivery areas 4. Cooperation agreement among the Dorothy Clusters 5. Reverse logistics 6. Cooperation with other existing Clusters and networksVladut, G. (2016). Regional Cluster’s development, base on research and innovation. En XII Congreso de ingeniería del transporte. 7, 8 y 9 de Junio, Valencia (España). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 842-845. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2015.4262OCS84284

PBL - Problem Based Learning for Companies and Clusters

[EN] Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) assure economic growth in Europe [8]. The financial crisis and the economic recession have hit SMEs hard in the Europe 28 (EU28) and the economic conditions remain difficult. Many of these companies are micro enterprises, having few resources and difficulties in facing technological, economic and financial changes. Cluster development particularly learning methods for urban logistics by means of smart specialisation strategies and creation of competitive niches - Joint Action Plan development and implementation – is not enough researched. Putting together companies and research institutions belonging to the Clusters on middlelong term objectives, for planning the development of the skills and qualification of their personnel is an effective way for creating permanent links between the research and the industrial environment. This attitude has several beneficial effects: Pushes industrial companies to link technological and market development to human resources qualification with a foresight of future trends. Can fill the cultural gap between industrial companies and R&D entities, creating osmosis between these two worlds. Stimulates companies to overcome the short-term vision of immediate interest and to cooperate with other companies on more ambitious targets. The following Figure shows some characteristics of clusters and networks.Hamburg, I.; Vladut, G. (2016). PBL - Problem Based Learning for Companies and Clusters. En XII Congreso de ingeniería del transporte. 7, 8 y 9 de Junio, Valencia (España). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 846-849. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2015.4261OCS84684

SOLIDWORKS 3D PARAMETRIC MODELLING TECHNIQUE FOR ROOT CUTTING EQUIPMENT DECLINING GROWTH OF SHOOTS IN ORCHARDS

This work was focused, by using computer aided engineering application (SolidWorks) and structural simulation (SolidWorks SIMULATION), on obtaining a technical and economic strength indicator used in the analysis of metallic material choice from which is made active body large diameter disc knife type, that equips the technical equipment for soil tillage on trees row, while cuttings root for moderating growth of shoots and precision foliar fertilization. For this purpose, on the 3D parametric modeling were selected from the software library various metallic materials, followed by finite element analysis (FEA) which was carried out to simulate the distributions of stress and strain on the body active. Based on the resulting data, were determined the reports price- coefficient of resistance for the materials analyzed. Comparing these indicators led to the selection of a material that has high resistance under a price as low as possible. Analysis based on technical and economic choice of a metallic material reduces the time validation of the design, by eliminating the realization and physical testing, and allows management to determine the existing resources in the company in order to use their total for achieve economic and financial results as high

WP2 final report

This document summarises the significant results in work package 2 of the DigiMon project. Detailed descriptions and results from each task can be found in the referenced deliverables and publications

Entrepreneurship Business Research Skills

In recent years area of entrepreneurship has gained significant attention nationally and internationally. It is one of the main skills priorities of national governments and EU council. Traditionally associated with commercial activity, entrepreneurship has gained traction as a key competence necessary to allow society as a whole to adapt to the changing economic climate. Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) greatly contribute to employment and wealth in Europe but there are limited studies into the specific skills needs required for SMEs into the future. Skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and entrepreneurship allow learners to adapt to changes, communication, digital skills and teamwork allow learners to collaborate and exploit technology in the changing workplace. Research is a key element of entrepreneurial success, but how these skills particularly workplace-oriented ones improve entrepreneurial culture has not been widely explored in the literature. This paper explores the importance of entrepreneurship today, the skills required to allow our society to become more entrepreneurial and identifies the potential of workplace research skills to develop entrepreneurial capacity in all facets of work, particularly within SMEs. The authors collaborated on many European projects aimed at improving work and education/training of entrepreneurs. The work presented int this paper resulted from surveys conducted within these projects regarding the problems SME staff have in connection with workplace transformation and entrepreneurship education and training. From this the paper proposes a conceptual model to facilitate the development of workplace research skills which will enhance entrepreneurial capacity in SMEs. The problems discussed in this chapter will also be used within the German initiative Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum with the participation of one author. Companies within this program are eager to improve their workplace research skills and change the learning culture and staff behavior in connection with digital workplaces

Evaluation of the Nutrients Uptake by Tomato Plants in Different Phenological Stages Using an Electrical Conductivity Technique

Nutrient consumption by plants depends on the growth stage and environmental conditions. In general, plants take up species of elements at different speeds. We monitored and recorded the electrical charge flow through xylem sap of tomato plants (Brillante F1) using femto/picoammeter equipment (Keysight B2981A). This technique evaluates the nutrient uptake of tomato treated with the most common macronutrients (KNO3; KH2PO4; Ca(NO3)2; KCl) by monitoring the electrical conductivity for 24 h. The electrical conductivity of each treatment correlated with the plant growth and development stages. The results showed that the tomato plants had a high consumption of nutrients in the vegetative stage, while in other stages, they had a specific consumption, like phosphorus for bulb formation, potassium for increasing the number of flowers and water for the ripening of fruits. The quantitative evaluation of the ions absorbed by the plant was based on the magnitude and shape of the electrical conductivity curves. Our technique is an efficient method to determine nutrient consumption and is useful in predicting the deficiency of a certain element in tomato plants

“Zero-Waste” Food Production System Supporting the Synergic Interaction between Aquaculture and Horticulture

Inadequate production practices are widely used in aquaculture management, causing excessive water and energy usage, as well as ecological damage. New approaches to sustainable aquaculture attempt to increase production efficiency, while reducing the quantities generated of wastewater and sludge. The sustainable operating techniques are often ineffective, expensive, and difficult to implement. The present article proposes a zero-waste production system, designed for growing fish and vegetables, using a new circular operational concept that creates synergies between fish farming and horticulture. In order to optimize the operational flows with resources, products, and wastes in an integrated zero-waste food production cluster, a business model was designed associating three ecological production practices: a closed fishing pond, a technology for growing vegetables in straw bales, and a composting system. The design had the role to assist the transition toward multiple circular material flows, where the waste can be fully reintegrated into the production processes. A comparative evaluation was conducted in three alternative growing environments, namely, a soilless culture established in straw bales, a culture grown in soil that had received compost fertilizer, and the conventional farming technique. When compared to conventional methods, experiments showed a significant increase in the cluster’s cumulative productivity, resulting in a 12% improvement in energy efficiency, 18% increase in food production, and 25% decrease in operating expenses

Potential of Continuous Electric Current on Biometrical, Physiological and Quality Characteristics of Organic Tomato

The tomato is one of the most important species in the food sector. For farmers, the increase in yield in greenhouse conditions by keeping a high quality of fruits represents a goal which is very difficult to achieve in these conditions. Therefore, the present study evaluates the influence that a continuous electric current might have on some biometrical, physiological and quality parameters of tomato fruits. The study was carried out in a greenhouse where tomato plants belonging to Qualitet F1 hybrid were treated with different continuous electric currents, under 5 DC sources, stabilized by the laboratory 0–30 V/0–5 A. During the research, the tomato plants were exposed to different electric current intensities or voltages on the plants or in the soil (T1-0.15 A; T2-0.30 A; T3-0.45 A; T4-1.5 V; T5-1.5 V-soil). The tomato plant samples were compared with an untreated control. In order to determine the influence of a continuous electric current, observations and determinations were made on tomato plants and fruits. The results highlighted significant differences between the treated and not treated plants, regarding the plant height, yield, firmness, acidity, total soluble solids, antioxidant activity, crude and dietary fibres, tannins, oxalates, saponins, α-amylase inhibitors, K, Mg, Fe and Zn content. Depending on the intensity of the electric current and the manner of application, the biometrical, physiological and quality parameters of tomato fruits were differently influenced. Both positive and negative influences were registered. More experiments are needed in order to establish a relation between the electric current intensity and the manner of application which can lead to better and higher tomato yields and quality in greenhouse conditions

Potential of Continuous Electric Current on Biometrical, Physiological and Quality Characteristics of Organic Tomato

The tomato is one of the most important species in the food sector. For farmers, the increase in yield in greenhouse conditions by keeping a high quality of fruits represents a goal which is very difficult to achieve in these conditions. Therefore, the present study evaluates the influence that a continuous electric current might have on some biometrical, physiological and quality parameters of tomato fruits. The study was carried out in a greenhouse where tomato plants belonging to Qualitet F1 hybrid were treated with different continuous electric currents, under 5 DC sources, stabilized by the laboratory 0–30 V/0–5 A. During the research, the tomato plants were exposed to different electric current intensities or voltages on the plants or in the soil (T1-0.15 A; T2-0.30 A; T3-0.45 A; T4-1.5 V; T5-1.5 V-soil). The tomato plant samples were compared with an untreated control. In order to determine the influence of a continuous electric current, observations and determinations were made on tomato plants and fruits. The results highlighted significant differences between the treated and not treated plants, regarding the plant height, yield, firmness, acidity, total soluble solids, antioxidant activity, crude and dietary fibres, tannins, oxalates, saponins, α-amylase inhibitors, K, Mg, Fe and Zn content. Depending on the intensity of the electric current and the manner of application, the biometrical, physiological and quality parameters of tomato fruits were differently influenced. Both positive and negative influences were registered. More experiments are needed in order to establish a relation between the electric current intensity and the manner of application which can lead to better and higher tomato yields and quality in greenhouse conditions

Endoscopic Management of Biliary Strictures after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Single Center Experience Study

Background and Aim. Endoscopic therapy is the method of choice in the management of biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Even though the mainstay approach for OLT stricture complications is represented by consecutive procedures of multiple plastic stents (MPS) insertion, a valuable alternative is the use of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS). The aim of the study was to compare MPS with FCSEMS used in the management of OLT biliary strictures, in terms of clinical outcomes and complications. Material and Methods. This is a retrospective, single-center study conducted between February 2014 and November 2019 in the Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Romania. We enrolled all consecutive patients who developed biliary strictures after OLT and were treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) either with MPS or FCSEMS. Results. Thirty-six patients were included in the study, 27 patients had MPS and nine patients had FCSEMS. 106 ERCP procedures were performed and 159 stents were inserted. The mean number of ERCP procedures required per patient was significantly higher for MPS than for FCSEMS (3.34 ± 1.46 vs. 2.11 ± 0.33, p < 0.001). In the FCSEMS group only one patient had three procedures, due to stent migration. Difficult cannulation was encountered in 22 patients, 18 patients from MPS group and four patients from FCSEMS group. Dilation was performed in 20 (77%) MPS patients and in four FCSEMS patients (44%). Overall, we used 159 stents for stricture resolution, 149 plastic stents and 10 FCSEMS. Mean number of stents inserted was significantly lower in the FCSEMS group compared to MPS group (1.16 ± 0.40 vs. 5.73 ± 2.64, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Stricture resolution using FCSEMS is comparable to MPS and even has some advantages. In line with prior studies, FCSEMS are effective, with fewer complications and similar outcome compared to plastic stents. Other particular aspects should be further assessed, especially long-term follow up of FCSEMS and their cost efficiency