Romanian Space Agency

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Rock glaciers, composed of debris and ice, are widely distributed across cold mountain regions worldwide. Although research on rock glaciers is gaining momentum, the distinct behaviour of rock glaciers in the marginal periglacial environments remains poorly understood. In this study, we combine remote sensing and in situ methods to gain insights into the characteristics of transitional rock glaciers in the Carpathian Mountains. We applied Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSInSAR) to Sentinel-1 images from 2015 to 2020 to identify areas with slope movements associated with rock glaciers and differential GNSS measurements (2019&ndash;2021) to detect the horizontal movement of 25 survey markers. Continuous ground temperature monitoring and measurements of the bottom temperature of the winter snow cover were used to examine the energy exchange fluxes characteristics of transitional rock glaciers in the Carpathians. The subsurface of one transitional rock glacier was investigated using geophysical measurements (electrical resistivity tomography and refraction seismic tomography), while petrophysical joint inversion was used to quantify the ice content. The PSInSAR methodology identified 110 moving areas (MAs) with low displacement rates (&lt; 5 cm yr^-1). These MAs are generally located between 2000 and 2300 meters where solar radiation is minimal. Late winter ground surface temperature data from slow-moving rock glaciers point to permafrost conditions. Geophysical investigations reveal remnants of ice-rich permafrost within the Galeșu rock glacier, while petrophysical joint inversion modelling indicates a low ground ice content (~ 20 %) in its upper sector. The slow surface movement of rock glaciers in the marginal periglacial mountains is driven by the deformation of thin, frozen layers. Regarding activity status, the majority of rock glaciers in the Retezat Mountains are categorized as relict, with only 21 % classified as transitional. The results of our study emphasize the benefit of combining Sentinel-1 SAR data with comprehensive field investigations, particularly in regions with slow-moving rock glaciers.

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Rock glaciers, composed of debris and ice, are widely distributed across cold mountain regions worldwide. Although research on rock glaciers is gaining momentum, the distinct behaviour of rock glaciers in the marginal periglacial environments remains poorly understood. In this study, we combine remote sensing and in situ methods to gain insights into the characteristics of transitional rock glaciers in the Carpathian Mountains. We applied Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSInSAR) to Sentinel-1 images from 2015 to 2020 to identify areas with slope movements associated with rock glaciers and differential GNSS measurements (2019&ndash;2021) to detect the horizontal movement of 25 survey markers. Continuous ground temperature monitoring and measurements of the bottom temperature of the winter snow cover were used to examine the energy exchange fluxes characteristics of transitional rock glaciers in the Carpathians. The subsurface of one transitional rock glacier was investigated using geophysical measurements (electrical resistivity tomography and refraction seismic tomography), while petrophysical joint inversion was used to quantify the ice content. The PSInSAR methodology identified 110 moving areas (MAs) with low displacement rates (&lt; 5 cm yr^-1). These MAs are generally located between 2000 and 2300 meters where solar radiation is minimal. Late winter ground surface temperature data from slow-moving rock glaciers point to permafrost conditions. Geophysical investigations reveal remnants of ice-rich permafrost within the Galeșu rock glacier, while petrophysical joint inversion modelling indicates a low ground ice content (~ 20 %) in its upper sector. The slow surface movement of rock glaciers in the marginal periglacial mountains is driven by the deformation of thin, frozen layers. Regarding activity status, the majority of rock glaciers in the Retezat Mountains are categorized as relict, with only 21 % classified as transitional. The results of our study emphasize the benefit of combining Sentinel-1 SAR data with comprehensive field investigations, particularly in regions with slow-moving rock glaciers.

Patients' adherence to antibiotic treatment and related prevention of AMR is significant. Understanding healthcare professionals' strategies for advising and educating patients in primary care settings is crucial. From the perspectives of professionals and patients, to explore how physicians, pharmacists, and nurses educate patients about antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in primary care settings. A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, Eric, SocINDEX, PsycInfo, Web of Science and Scopus. The study included 102 publications, followed PRISMA recommendations and was registered in PROSPERO (reg.no. CRD4202455761). The studies were screened and selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria using Covidence. Quality appraisal followed the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) qualitative study checklist. Data were extracted, and the analysis consisted of a descriptive numerical summary analysis and a qualitative thematic analysis. The analyzed studies spanned multiple countries and settings and included perspectives of primary care physicians, pharmacists, nurses and patients. Two main themes emerged: (1) Relationships between professionals and patients influenced educational strategies, showing that trust and rapport between healthcare professionals and patients played a crucial role in shaping educational strategies around antibiotic use; (2) The organizational structures challenged professionals in guiding and educating patients, highlighting how limited resources, time constraints, and system-level pressures hindered healthcare professionals' ability to provide consistent and effective education. Often, structural challenges led to not educating the patients on the risks of antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance. The use of delayed prescriptions emerged as a strategy for improved AMR stewardship and to meet patients' expectations for antibiotic treatment, though it raised concerns about undermining professional responsibility and authority in ensuring appropriate antibiotic use. Healthcare professionals' role in educating patients about antibiotic use and AMR in primary care settings was complex, with different challenges faced by nurses, pharmacists and primary care physicians. These challenges extended beyond the clinical level, including relational, social and structural factors. Power dynamics, trust issues, and time pressures often hindered effective education on antibiotic use. Addressing gaps in education on antibiotic use and AMR requires acknowledging these multifaceted challenges, with future efforts focusing on better supporting healthcare professionals in this context. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD4202455761.

Almost all multipurpose reservoirs in Romania were put into operation 30–50 years ago or even earlier. Meanwhile, a large volume of hydrologic data has been collected, and the initial design flood should be reconsidered. Consequently, the operating rules of flow control structures (bottom gates and weir gates) should be re-examined, mainly for medium and low-frequency floods. The design flood is not unique, being characterized by different shapes and time to peak, which has consequences for flood mitigation rules. Identifying the critical design flood is an important preliminary step, although it is usually neglected in flood management. Simulating the operation of the Stânca–Costești reservoir on the Prut River, it was found that the design flood corresponding to the maximum value of the compactness coefficient is the most difficult to mitigate considering the specific conditions of the dam and the reservoir: the prescribed conservation level in the reservoir, and the design flood volume of medium and rare floods that far exceeds the flood control volume. These conditions can jeopardize both dam safety and downstream flood protection. The main steps of the proposed approach are as follows: (1) developing the hydraulic model; (2) statistical processing of the registered floods and defining critical design floods for different AEPs (Annual Exceedance Probabilities); (3) deriving optimal operation rules based on a simulation-optimization model; (4) implementing real-time adaptive operation of the mechanical outlets; and (5) critically assessing the operating rules after the event. Based on the hydrological forecast, if necessary, new outlets are put into operation while keeping the ones already activated. Based on the hydrological forecast and properly operated, the safety of the Stânca–Costești dam is guaranteed even in the event of a 0.1% CC (Climate Change) flood. However, for floods greater than 1% magnitude, the carrying capacity of the downstream riverbed is exceeded. The main gaps addressed in this paper are the following: (1) the establishment of critical design floods, and (2) the adaptive operating rules of outlet devices aimed at optimizing flood control results, using short-term flood forecasts.

Hydrogen is an alternative fuel of the future with a number of benefits over fossil fuels. Water is the main source of hydrogen, which is seen as the best renewable and nonpolluting fuel on the planet. The article presents an analysis of the performance of hydrogen making by electrolysis. For the evaluation of hydrogen production, a measurement system was developed based on a specific sensor for hydrogen and another sensor for combustible gases. The designed measurement system is a fast, robust and safe solution for evaluating the electrolysis process, by analyzing the resulting gases. Current intensity, solution concentration and the nature of the catalyst in the solution were considered as influence parameters. The experiment reveals results from the comparison of the different configuration of the operation of the electrolysis cell. The main goal is to analyze the efficiency of the electrolysis process. Some results were expected and others were interesting

This interdisciplinary scientific article explores the dynamic intersection of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Critical Spatial Infrastructures (CSI), as well as their far-reaching implications for airspace geopolitics. With the increasing reliance on space assets and the growing interest in space exploration, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the space domain becomes crucial for safeguarding critical spatial infrastructures and maintaining regional geopolitical stability. This article delves into the challenges and opportunities arising from the interplay between SDA and CSI, shedding light on the complex relationships that shape airspace security and geopolitics.