Mariana Ratiu

Urban heritage museums are increasingly expected to act not only as custodians of collections, but also as visitor attractions, partners of the hospitality sector and platforms for community participation. Textile heritage is particularly difficult to integrate into these roles, because handling, light exposure, microclimatic fluctuations and biological agents accelerate the degradation of fragile fabrics and restrict their display and physical access. This paper examines how 3D laser scanning and its derived products can help reconcile preventive conservation with inclusive urban cultural tourism. A traditional embroidered blouse (ie) from Bihor County was digitised with a hand-guided portable laser scanning system while mounted on a display mannequin to preserve its original volume. Multiangle point clouds were merged into a polygon mesh, and colour deviation maps were used to screen for geometric anomalies that may indicate deformation or wear and that warrant direct conservation inspection. The resulting digital model was used to produce an interactive online 3D model and a reduced-scale 3D-printed tactile replica, complemented by a sign-language presentation video. The case demonstrates that a single digitisation workflow can generate outputs of potential relevance to four stakeholder groups: conservators, museum managers, tourism and hospitality actors, and local communities, including artisans and people with disabilities. The technical workflow and its outputs are demonstrated empirically, whereas their effects on visitors, local communities and management entities were not measured. Based on a qualitative mapping, a conceptual framework linking museum digitisation with destination management, hospitality partnerships and community engagement is proposed; its tourism, accessibility and community benefits remain to be validated with stakeholders in future research.

In the current context, where sustainability, energy efficiency, and reduction of environmental impact are omnipresent themes, the need and interest for conservation, restoration, and reuse of heritage buildings is a topic of real interest. The city of Oradea, engaged in the last decades on the path of a sustainable urban regeneration, has managed to bring back to life part of the valuable Art Nouveau architectural treasure it inherited from previous generations. This paper presents a part of a much wider research and studies on Art Nouveau buildings in Oradea, in the context of the needs arising from the many problems identified with the start of conservation and restoration works. After an introduction on the link between heritage buildings and sustainability and a review of the current context in Oradea related to this topic, one of the emblematic buildings under renovation, the Ullmann Palace, is presented, as well as the results of some physical-mechanical tests carried out. This is followed by some discussions on the innovative and sustainable character of Art Nouveau buildings and the importance of carrying out high-quality conservation and restoration works that are environmentally friendly, safe, and sustainable.

Vibratory machines are widely used for the separation of granular materials of various densities and characteristics. Vibrations are used in this case to increase the technological speed of separation of these materials. Vibratory machines are limited in functioning to fixed oscillation patterns. Control of the oscillation can offer the possibility of changing the oscillation pattern, adapting it to the type of granular material. This paper proposes a vibratory machine with controllable elastic characteristics and pneumatic actuation. From the perspective of functional generalization of these machines, a parallel mechanism with 3 degrees of mobility, starting from the study of the Stewart platform, was designed. The proposed system has been studied both in terms of structure and kinematics, using instruments of simulation tools available in MATLAB and Simulink 2021. The developed model was validated and optimized using multi-body dynamic software ADAMS 2014, obtaining optimal parameters for one type of granular material.

In this study, high-performance gloves were developed from core–sheath yarn. Different materials were used in the core, while Kevlar fibers were used in the sheath. The filaments used in the core included glass, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and stainless steel filaments with 100D and 200D linear densities. Seamless gloves were developed from these yarns with varying characteristics to observe their effect on the performance of seamless gloves. The factors examined were the areal density (GSM) of the gloves, linear density of sheath fibers, core material, and plied structure. The mechanical behavior of the gloves was evaluated by different tests such as blade cut resistance, coupe cut resistance, tear resistance, and puncture resistance. The results demonstrated that the sheath fiber characteristics, core material type, yarn’s plied structure, and fabric’s areal density are statistically significant factors affecting the properties of gloves in relation to mechanical risk. The selection of appropriate levels of these parameters is crucial for better achievement of desired properties in workwear protection applications.

Effects of adding wollastonite (W, at 5% and 10%) and palm leaf residues(at 10%), based on the dry weight of wood fibers, were evaluated relative to selected properties of medium-density fiberboards (MDF), bonded with two adhesive systems, i.e., urea-formaldehyde (UF, at 10%) and isocyanate (IC, at 5%) resins. The results indicated a general improvement in screw withdrawal resistance in the UF-bonded panels due to the addition of wollastonite. This enhancement is attributed to the reinforcing effect of wollastonite. In the IC-bonded panels, the addition of wollastonite had an improving effect when W-content was 5%. The addition of defibrated palm leaves generally decreased the screw withdrawal resistance of the MDF panels due to the soft nature of the palm fibers. The fire properties of the IC-bonded panels tended to be more favorable or at least comparable to those of the UF-bonded panels, which was attributed to the formation of bubbles in the cured resin. The addition of wollastonite generally improved fire properties in both resins. It was concluded that wollastonite and defibrated palm leaves can be recommended for MDF production when the contents of wollastonite and palm leaves do not exceed 5% and 10%, respectively.

Indoor air quality is paramount for the health and well-being of individuals, especially in enclosed spaces like office buildings, schools, hospitals, and homes where people spend a significant amount of time. Ensuring good indoor air quality is not only essential for reducing symptoms such as headaches, eye and respiratory irritation, fatigue, and difficulty in concentration, but it is also a key component of sustainable building practices aimed at promoting long-term health and environmental balance. This study aims to explore the impact of the microclimate and fungal microbiota on the health and cognitive performance of occupants in a university classroom, which is part of a cultural heritage building. The research delves into various microclimatic parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, CO₂, volatile organic compounds, O₂, and particulate matters (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), to understand their influence on the development of microbiota and the manifestation of symptoms associated with Sick Building Syndrome. Over the course of a year-long investigation, microbiological samples were collected, revealing the presence of 19 fungal species, with Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Aureobasidium being the most prevalent genera. These species were found to thrive in an environment characterized by inadequate ventilation, posing potential health risks to occupants, such as allergic reactions and respiratory infections. Microclimatic parameter values such as mean temperature of 22.9 °C and mean relative humidity of 38.5% indicated moderate conditions for fungal proliferation, but occasional high levels of PM_2.5 and CO₂ indicated periods of poor indoor air quality, negatively influencing the comfort and health of the occupants. The questionnaires completed by 190 students showed that 51.5% reported headaches, 44.2% frequent sneezing, and 43.7% severe fatigue, linking these symptoms to increased levels of CO₂ and PM_2.5. The novelty of the study lies in the integrated approach to indoor air quality assessment in a heritage educational building, highlighting the need for improved ventilation and air management to enhance health and cognitive performance, while emphasizing sustainable indoor environment management that balances occupant well-being with the preservation of cultural heritage.

The multiplication of sources of pollution, the increase and diversification of forms of environmental pollution have made environmental protection one of the most important and serious problems of humanity in recent decades, affecting human life and the economic development of countries and the whole world. Protection of the environment serves to maintain the quantity and quality of life on Earth, being assumed, through the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972, as the major desire and interest of the peoples of the whole world and, at the same time, becoming a duty of all governments. Alongside economic and social development, environmental protection is one of the three interdependent and complementary pillars of sustainable development, defined for the first time in the Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Clear and time-bound sustainable development goals have been set, global targets for a sustainable and prosperous future, but these are now proving elusive as the challenges are growing ever greater and more dangerous. The effects of global warming can be seen and felt everywhere, the climate crisis is increasingly being talked about, biodiversity and nature are in steadily increasing decline, a water crisis, a food crisis, and dangerous critical points are being predicted. In this context, the transition from environmental protection to environmental sustainability is essential to respond to contemporary global challenges, and requires a concerted effort from all of us - governments, institutions and companies, civil society and every individual. Sustainability is a proactive approach that is crucial for our survival and that of future generations and implies a responsible commitment to the planet, to conserve natural resources and ecosystems and to maintain ecological balance.

External and internal microclimatic conditions, biodeterioration, anthropogenic factors, etc, influence the natural stone support for artifacts and built heritage. Based on this fact, the present study explores the effectiveness of nano-TiO₂ in preserving and enhancing the durability of natural stone used in the façades of heritage buildings, focusing on the Markovits-Mathéser House in Oradea Municipality, Romania. The investigation involved treating rock samples (fossiliferous limestone) with 2% and 5% nano-TiO₂ solutions and subjecting them to simulated extreme climatic conditions for the analyzed area in a controlled climatic chamber for six months. The treated samples demonstrated a significantly higher compressive strength than untreated benchmarks. SEM analyses confirmed that nano-TiO₂ formed a protective layer, filling micro-cracks and pores, thereby enhancing the stone’s resistance to environmental stressors. The study also found that the nanoparticle coating maintained its integrity under extreme temperature and humidity variations, with only a slight decrease in surface coverage. These findings suggest that nano-TiO₂ coatings significantly improve heritage building materials’ mechanical properties and longevity. However, the study highlights the importance of careful application and long-term evaluation to ensure environmental and health safety. Overall, nano-TiO₂ presents a promising solution for the conservation of cultural heritage, offering enhanced durability and protection against climatic and environmental challenges. Further research is recommended to optimize application workflow and formulations for broader and more effective use in heritage conservation.

This paper exposes the initial part of a research consisting in a need analysis carried out by the Romanian partner in the Erasmus+ "Media Education for Aware Adults" project, regarding digital competences and media education of adult educators or trainers. After a short introduction on the subject, in the paper are presented the main findings of the desk research, and two focus group sessions, first one for identifying the necessary digital competences of adult educators, and second one for identifying the elements that educators need in order to adequately support adults in their learning process, especially in relation to the digital environment. The results of the initial research will lead to the development of the main intellectual outputs, namely the digital competences framework, handbook, online platform and training material on digital and media education. In their development will be taken into account, on the one hand, the needs identified in the initial research, and, on the other hand, the need for a sustainable approach to all activities, resources and outputs produced, as well as education itself, this goal being assumed through the project.

This paper exposes the initial part of a larger research on the impact of the automotive on human health and the quality of life and environment. After a brief introduction on the need for responsible and sustainable approaches and few questions on the subject, some considerations and statistical data are presented, based on a study of the literature on the impact of road traffic and vehicles noise and vibration on people's comfort and health and their quality of life. The research results show, based on official statistics, the significant harmful impact of noise and vibration from motor vehicles and road transport on people's health and quality of life, especially in urban areas during the day. Also, the significant increase in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles from one year to another, a reality and a necessity nowadays, and the awareness that electric vehicles are not perfectly quiet and comfortable, open new research opportunities and require the development of new standards, materials, tools, equipment and test methods in the field of NVH, in a sustained synergistic approach from all stakeholders, to meet the needs and demands of today's consumers, and to comply with existing regulations and standards on environmental protection and sustainable development.