University of Pitesti

The smart city represents a new stage in urban evolution, driven by technological progress, social transformations, and the increasing emphasis placed on sustainability. This metamorphosis generates hub-type architectural models, used not only for data collection and interconnection but also for the management and monitoring of people, resources, and urban services. This discussion addresses how digital urbanism has followed different paths globally by synthesising technological, economic, social, and governance perspectives. Compared with traditional models of urbanisation, new smart cities are built not only for digital interconnection but also to be citizen-centred, environmentally friendly, and resilient to global crises. This article analyses recent scientific literature on the theoretical and practical foundations of technologies that support data-driven decision-making, infrastructure efficiency, and the delivery of inclusive public services. At the same time, major challenges are highlighted, such as the lack of system interoperability, information fragmentation, and the risks associated with excessive surveillance, which can generate social exclusion, as well as financial and political constraints. International examples from Helsinki, Barcelona, Dubai, and Singapore offer both models that have achieved success and critical lessons about the limits of these approaches. This paper is not limited only to the problems faced by smart cities. It also highlights the opportunities they can bring. Finally, based on the conclusions of the analysis carried out and the identified trends, a strategic framework is proposed, oriented towards responsible innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. This approach contributes to informing researchers, decision-makers, urban planners, and the public interested in the transformation of the urban environment.

Ionotropic alginate-based hydrogelation by divalent metal interaction has been employed to study the effect that different types of ions might have on gel formation. In this regard, EPR and IR spectroscopies, as well as rheology techniques, have been used to evaluate the influence of divalent cations on gel formation, and at the same time to assess host-guest interactions. Alginate was functionalized with TEMPO moieties; therefore, TEMPO-alginate system was taken as a reference. The novelty of this study consists of using a mixture of adamantyl-TEMPO-functionalized alginate and β-cyclodextrin linked through 1,3-diaminopropane to assess the host-guest interactions in functionalized gels. The properties of divalent cations considered in this study (Ba2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Zn2+) were proven by changes in spectral parameters of paramagnetic moieties, while the viscoelastic moduli as functions of shear strain and frequency were evaluated through rheology measurements. Overall, the information obtained from these investigations has shown that the properties of the alginate gels are influenced both by the type of divalent cation used for complexation and by the host-guest interactions. The results show that the type of the cation significantly affects gel strength; therefore, Ba2+ forms the strongest gel, while Zn2+ the least resistant. Additionally, a high immobilization of the spin-labeled probes has been obtained by the addition of tosylated β-cyclodextrin in the alginate gel network containing Ba2+ ions.

Five Cornus mas L. genotypes were analysed based on their attractive colour and high productivity. The ‘Bordo’ cultivar stood out, demonstrating the highest berry weight (3.07 g) and yield per plant (8.24 kg). Close behind was the MH-7-17 selection, with an average yield of 7.37 kg per plant. Both the ‘Bordo’ cultivar and the MH-7-17 selection exhibited excellent agronomic potential, making them ideal candidates for large-scale cultivation. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy was used to quantify the fruits’ levels of sugars, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins and carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene) and to evaluate their antioxidant capacity. The ‘Bordo’ cultivar had the highest carotenoid content (0.88 mg lycopene and 2.47 mg β-carotene per 100 g), while the TG-J-9-17 and TG-J-20-17 selections had the highest total content of sugars, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins and the highest antioxidant capacity. According to the correlations analysis, bigger fruit (which correlated to higher yield) had higher carotenoid content, although lower-level tannin (TTC), flavonoid (TFC), anthocyanin (TAC), and sugar (TSC). Also, total phenolic content (TPC) was positively correlated to TTC, TFC, and radical scavenging activity (RSA), while TFC was positively correlated to TTC, TAC, RSA, but also to TSC. Other positive correlations were those found between TTC and RSA and between lycopene and β-carotene. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the characteristic vibrations of the biochemical constituents. Processing the FTIR data using chemometric techniques (principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis) revealed consistent clustering patterns between samples with similar characteristics.

The conductor as the architect of choral sound represents a central figure in the evolution of modern choral music in Romania. The combination of gestural strategy with a profound understanding of acoustic concepts ensures a remarkable balance between science and art. This synthesis, which involves a harmonious integration of technical knowledge and aesthetic sensitivity, transforms the interpretative process into a complex and captivating experience, in which each note becomes an element of a sound painting of rare depth. Thus, the choir’s performance becomes not merely a musical execution, but a manifestation of an elaborate artistic vision, where every gesture and every acoustic adjustment contribute to shaping a sound that bears the unmistakable imprint of the conductor—the true architect of choral sound.

The automotive industry is currently undergoing significant transformations driven by challenges such as fierce competition, supply chain disruptions, and stringent legislative regulations aimed at reducing pollutant emissions. The research employs a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical modeling to investigate the manufacturing processes of stamped automotive components. Data collection methods include experimental testing of materials, LS-DYNA simulations, and non-contact scanning for dimensional analysis. The study also utilizes a workflow diagram to illustrate the various phases involved in the design and validation of automotive assemblies. The findings detail the critical role of digital transformation in the automotive industry, particularly in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of manufacturing processes. Implementing digital twins improves product quality and reduces product development time. The experimental results were compared with simulation data, and a good correlation was identified, showing, for the numerical model with complete history (thickness and stress), a difference of 1.6%. Furthermore, to simplify the process of developing the numerical models for the initial iterations, a scale factor of ~1.1 is proposed for the testing load. This factor is not limited to the current design, as the manufacturing stages are similar for this range of products.

Background: Emotion regulation (ER) difficulties are closely linked to maladaptive coping strategies, including impulsive and emotional eating, which undermine health and well-being in young adults. Technical university students are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as a high academic workload, sedentary behavior, and performance-related stress. This study evaluated the effects of a four-week structured physical activity intervention on ER and eating behaviors among engineering students. Methods: Seventy first- and second-year computer science and engineering students (40 males and 30 females, aged 19–25 years) from Politehnica University of Bucharest participated in the study. The intervention included three weekly supervised training sessions and a daily step count requirement (≥6000 steps), verified via weekly smartphone submissions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments employed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-36) and the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ-35). Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and paired-sample t-tests. Results: Significant improvements were observed in five ER domains—non-acceptance of emotional responses, goal-directed behavior, impulse control, access to regulation strategies, and emotional clarity (all p < 0.01). No change occurred in emotional awareness (p > 0.05). Eating behaviors (restrained, emotional, and external eating) showed no significant differences pre- and post-intervention (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: A short-term, structured physical activity program enhanced emotion regulation capacities but did not alter eating behaviors in the short run. These findings highlight the feasibility of embedding low-cost, exercise-based modules into higher education to strengthen students’ psychological resilience. Longer and multimodal interventions may be required to produce measurable changes in eating behaviors.

This paper investigates the optimization of an irrigation system distributed over an agricultural area discretized into unit cells, using evolutionary algorithms for the control of water irrigation points (taps). The model simulates the distribution of water through strategically placed irrigation points, considering the individual requirements of each cell. The main objective is to minimize the difference between the amount of water needed and delivered, while reducing the total consumption. The dynamics of fitness over generations are analyzed, as well as the average behavior of deficit, surplus, and relative humidity. The results highlight a relatively uniform distribution of delivered water and a stable convergence of the fitness function, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed method in managing water resources in a sustainable way. In this matter, compared to the full-activation scenario, the presented model reduced total water use by more than 50%, achieving zero deficit, minimal surplus, and a 46% improvement in overall fitness. Although the approach demonstrates promising results in simulated scenarios, it does not currently incorporate real-time sensor data or field validation, which are planned for future development. The study provides a solid basis for the development of smart irrigation systems, adaptable to the variability of soil and climatic conditions.

Plant-based protein supplementation in supporting muscle recovery following resistance exercise remains an area of growing interest, particularly among vegan athletes, as a potential alternative to animal-based proteins. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plant-based proteins on recovery from resistance exercise-induced muscle damage in healthy young adults. A systematic and comprehensive search was administered in eight databases up to 1 May 2025, identifying 1407 articles. Following deduplication and screening, 24 studies met the eligibility criteria, including 22 randomized controlled trials and 2 non-randomized studies, with the majority from high income western countries. Interventions primarily involved soy, pea, rice, hemp, potato, and blended plant protein sources, with doses ranging from 15 to 50 g, typically administered post resistance exercise. Outcomes assessed included muscle protein synthesis (MPS), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), inflammatory biomarkers, muscle function, and fatigue. The review findings reaffirm that single-source plant proteins generally offer limited benefits compared to animal proteins such as whey, particularly in acute recovery settings, a limitation well-documented consistently in the literature. However, our synthesis highlights that well-formulated plant protein blends (e.g., combinations of pea, rice, and canola) can stimulate MPS at levels comparable to whey when consumed at adequate doses (≥30 g with ~2.5 g leucine). Some studies also reported improvements in subjective recovery outcomes and reductions in muscle damage biomarkers with soy or pea protein. However, overall evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, moderate to high risk of bias, and heterogeneity in intervention protocols, protein formulations, and outcome measures. Risk of bias assessments revealed concerns related to detection and reporting bias in nearly half the studies. Due to clinical and methodological variability, a meta-analysis was not conducted. plant-based proteins particularly in the form of protein blends and when dosed appropriately, may support muscle recovery in resistance-trained individuals and offer a viable alternative to animal-based proteins. However, further high-quality, long-term trials in vegan populations are needed to establish definitive recommendations for plant protein use in sports nutrition.