This paper offers a case study-based analysis of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) implemented in the museums located in the city of Brasov, Romania. Through direct, on-site observation conducted in several key cultural institutions within the city, the study examines the types of digital tools used in museum environments. The research focuses on how technologies such as interactive displays, digital kiosks, virtual tours, and mobile applications contribute to visitor accessibility, and educational functions. While some museums have successfully incorporated digital elements into their exhibits and outreach, others remain limited by infrastructural and financial constraints. Based on the findings, the paper outlines practical recommendations for enhancing ICTs use in Brasov�s museum sector. This case study contributes to the broader discourse on digital transformation in the cultural sector and offers insights for museum professionals, local authorities, and technology providers seeking to support innovation in cultural heritage interpretation.

Abstract A modelling approach that combines a previously developed 2D continuum finite element model with machine learning to support the design and evaluation of corrosion-inhibiting coatings. The FEM simulates the leaching of corrosion inhibition pigments from an organic coating and the resulting protection of the metal surface. This is conducted for a system of aluminium alloy 2024-T3 with an active protective coating loaded with lithium carbonate particles. A generated dataset from FEM results was used to train ML models to predict inhibitor concentration and corrosion current density based on geometric and material input parameters. A feature importance analysis was conducted to identify the most influential input variables, providing insight into the factors controlling the achievement of corrosion inhibition. Furthermore, a blind test was performed using five unseen cases that were not involved in the training phase. Finally, the trained models were applied to explore their use in coating design.

Abstract Modern vehicle architectures increasingly rely on distributed electronic control units, advanced driver-assistance systems, and infotainment-driven design, creating unprecedented system-level interdependence. While these innovations improve comfort, connectivity, and nominal safety, their impact on long-term reliability and fleet-scale risk remains underexplored in current validation practices. This article presents a system-level, reliability-oriented reassessment of automotive design. Rather than focusing on subsystem optimization, it reframes safety as a lifecycle reliability challenge that extends beyond hardware and software correctness. A quantitative framework is proposed to evaluate reliability at national, continental, and global fleet scales, demonstrating that even very low failure probabilities become significant when deployed across large fleets. The study combines reliability modeling, fleet exposure estimation, and a comparison of automotive functional safety standards (ISO 26262 and ISO 21448) with aeronautical and railway certification practices. Results reveal gaps in failure budgeting, architectural segregation, and enforceable lifecycle reliability assurance. Based on these findings, a reliability-driven design framework is outlined, emphasizing architectural simplification, isolation of safety-critical domains, verified redundancy, and modular separation of nonessential systems. The framework aims to guide automotive innovation that balances advanced functionality with transparent, verifiable, and durable system reliability.

A method to perform the preliminary design of an impeller for an extremely high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor is introduced in this paper. The equations used are fully detailed and a design procedure is introduced. This design procedure required a GA (Genetic Algorithm) optimization to obtain an acceptable optimum result. It is demonstrated that a 8:1 compressor can be designed for a mass flow of 500 kg/h. This GA optimized initial design should be then be validated through CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation and then tested on a test bench. However, the initial design phase is critical, since a CAD model of the impeller is needed to start the simulation process. In our case this initial phase couldn't be inspired by existing design, since none were found. Aircraft and Helicopter engines do not have the problem of turbo lag, since fan/propeller inertia eliminates this problem. On the contrary these engines necessitate of performance at altitudes (flight levels) much higher than automotive applications. Small turbochargers with high compressor ratio are not available on the market, so a special design is needed. © 2006-2015 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN).

Natural forest regeneration offers economic, ecological, and environmental advantages over artificial regeneration; however, its application is often constrained by uncertainties in stand development and management outcomes. Pre-commercial thinning (PCT), a key assisted natural regeneration practice, is widely used to regulate stand density and improve early stand development. Nevertheless, empirical evidence remains limited regarding how post-thinning residual density influences both tree growth and operational performance in high-density naturally regenerated Pinus densiflora stands. This study evaluated three residual density treatments (RD2000, RD3000, and RD5000) following PCT in naturally regenerated pine stands with an initial density of approximately 30,000 stems ha−1. Diameter at breast height, tree height, and crown area were monitored annually over three years, while thinning productivity and operational costs were quantified during treatment implementation. Residual density significantly affected both biological and operational outcomes. The intermediate residual density (RD3000) showed the most consistent growth responses, whereas the lowest residual density (RD2000) resulted in suppressed growth. The highest residual density (RD5000) achieved the highest productivity and lowest operational costs despite moderate growth performance. These results indicate a trade-off between growth performance and operational efficiency and suggest that an intermediate residual density may provide a balanced strategy for managing naturally regenerated pine stands.

In mountain areas, long linear transport infrastructures (roads, motorways, railways, etc.) are exposed to numerous natural hazards, especially hydrological and gravity-driven events such as slope instabilities, rockfalls, or torrential hazards. These phenomena can damage infrastructure, or even lead to the destruction of large sections, causing a risk for users and a deterioration of service. Infrastructure managers face several difficulties in handling these risks. One of them is identifying and representing them, due to the scale of the infrastructure, which is composed of numerous structures and exposed to multiple hazards. In this context, a model is proposed to represent all potential failure scenarios for such infrastructures. This model is based on system reliability analysis methods: functional analysis, failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), and fault tree analysis (FTA). It is intended to be applied to a linear infrastructure, several kilometres long, exposed to various hazards. The proposed approach allows for the identification of all possible failure modes, including damage to structures and its functional consequences. Its applicability is being tested on a simple case study.

This study proposes a measurement selection and optimization method based on the joint evaluation of mutual information and Fisher information to address the problem of global optimal estimation degradation caused by quality differences in measurement information within cooperative positioning (CP) systems. First, an information entropy function for state estimation is constructed through Shannon's theorem, and a conditional entropy constraint model is established by integrating multi-source measurement data from the leader drones. This derivation yields a mutual information expression characterizing measurement contribution. Subsequently, a Fisher information matrix is formulated using second-order partial differential operations to enable dynamic credibility assessment of measurements. Building on this foundation, an optimized objective function is developed by fusing mutual information and Fisher information criteria, effectively mitigating inconsistent positioning accuracy induced by environmental interference and equipment failures. Simulation results demonstrate that when the leader's positioning accuracy or ranging sensor measurement precision degrades, the optimal measurement selection strategy enhances the global optimal estimation of CP algorithms. Experiments with drones equipped with MTI-630R inertial measurement unit (IMU) reveal that the proposed method compensates for the followers' positioning errors. This research establishes a novel information fusion framework for multi-agent cooperative measurement in dynamically uncertain environments, with optimization strategies extendable to distributed sensing systems such as drone swarms and intelligent transportation networks. The framework demonstrates significant potential for enhancing measurement consistency in complex operational scenarios.

This paper introduces the implementation of a few algorithms based on fuzzy logic to improve the performance of a "Fly-by-wire" (FBW) "Digital Flight Control System" (DCFS). These algorithms have been tested on a flight simulator type "FNPT II". This simulator was entirely developed at the Laboratory of Aerospace Engineering of the University of Bologna (Forlì site). The algorithms should be simple (reliable) and quick in order to avoid response delay. They should also bring a true advantage in the FBW system. The proposed solutions are on the active filtering of the inputs an adaptive tolerance implementation for the identification of faulty sensors and their deactivation. The field in which this study has demonstrated greater effectiveness is in SW filtering of input signals, where a simple and effective algorithm was implemented. Finally, extremely simple hardware techniques to reduce input noise are also described.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) persistence is central to climate mitigation yet often framed by the debated concept of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) saturation. At the microscale (MAOC,

The accelerating demand for energy, coupled with the ongoing depletion of conventional energy resources and environmental problems, poses a critical challenge to the scientific community [...].

The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant microorganisms has prompted research into novel antimicrobial compounds, with 2-thiophene carboxylic acid thiourea derivatives showing promise for future therapeutic applications. However, the poor water solubility of these compounds limits their practical use. This study investigates the formation and characterization of inclusion complexes between 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and 2-thiophene carboxylic acid-halogenated (chlorine-, bromine-, and iodine-) thiourea derivatives, seeking to improve their physicochemical properties. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy provided information related to thiourea–HPβCD aggregates and stoichiometry. Solid-state inclusion compounds and physical mixtures were prepared in two different molar ratios (thioureas:HPβCD = 1:1 and 1:2), and the morphology of the resulting powders was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (TG-DSC) coupled analysis were used to analyze thermal profiles in the temperature range of 25 °C to 600 °C, while the spectral data obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided the characteristic vibrational bands of the pure guest molecules and data corresponding to the structural and chemical changes in the host–guest systems. The structural and thermal analyses revealed significant interactions between the host and thioureas molecules, with evidence of possible interactions involving two cyclodextrin molecules. The results demonstrate the presence of intermediate stoichiometry in the inclusion compounds, with possible enhancement of the therapeutic potential of these thiourea derivatives.

The disposal of solid waste has become one of the critical issues facing governments due to its environmental impact due to the difficulty of its decomposition. Electric cable waste (ECW) is one of these wastes. Its production increased in Iraq over time due to the demolition and reconstruction of residential and commercial homes. Therefore, reusing it in other industries, such as concrete technology, is a promising solution. Limited studies have studied the utilization of these local wastes as a replacement for natural sand in the short and long term. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the properties of mortar incorporating recycled ECW as a partial replacement for sand. The fine aggregate (natural sand) was replaced by weight with ECW ranging from 0 to 25 % in the step of 5 %. Flow rate, as well as mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strengths, and density), were executed at 7, 28, and 360 days. It was found that the best performance was obtained at a replacement ratio of 5 % of ECW with mechanical strengths close to or slightly less than the reference sample and a 17 % reduction in density. However, regarding sustainability, it is possible to produce a lightweight structural mortar with a density lower than 1700 kg/m3 and a compressive strength of 36 MPa at 360 days when replacing the natural sand with 25 % ECW.