In this research, polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA)/gelatin (GEL)/propolis (Ps) biocompatible nanofiber patches were fabricated via electrospinning technique. The controlled release of Propolis, surface wettability behaviors, antimicrobial activities against the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, and biocompatibility properties with the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were investigated in detail. By adding 0.5, 1, and 3 wt.% GEL into the 13 wt.% PVA, the morphological and mechanical results suggested that 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL patch can be an ideal matrix for 3 and 5 wt.% propolis addition. Morphological results revealed that the diameters of the electrospun nanofiber patches were increased with GEL (from 290 nm to 400 nm) and Ps addition and crosslinking process cause the formation of thicker nanofibers. The tensile strength and elongation at break enhancement were also determined for 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL/3 wt.% Ps patch. Propolis was released quickly in the first hour and arrived at a plateau. Cell culture and contact angle results confirmed that the 3 wt.% addition of propolis reinforced mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and wettability properties of the patches. The antimicrobial activity demonstrated that propolis loaded patches had antibacterial activity against the S. aureus, but for P. aeruginosa, more studies should be performed.

This paper delves into the multifaceted domain of the aerospace industry, examining its evolution, current challenges, and imperative focus on quality management and process integration. The aerospace sector, driven by technological advancements and a burgeoning global demand for air travel and freight transport, necessitates a thorough analysis of its industrial fabric and operational intricacies. This research endeavors to analyze the dynamics of the aerospace industry, pinpoint its challenges, and propose an integrated approach to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability. The primary goals encompass understanding the evolving industry landscape, identifying critical challenges, and offering innovative solutions by amalgamating the principles of Industry 4.0 into quality management and processes within the aerospace sector. Through an in-depth exploration of various facets, this research underscores the pivotal role of efficient processes and integrated quality management in achieving sustainable growth and competitiveness in the aerospace industry. By aligning with the paradigm of Industry 4.0, organizations can optimize their operations and contribute to the industry’s advancement, delivering safer and more cost-effective aerospace products. The study adopts a multifaceted approach, incorporating an extensive literature review, a critical analysis of industry trends, the examination of quality management frameworks, and a thorough evaluation of the integration potential of Industry 4.0 technologies. The research also involves case studies and expert insights to validate the proposed approach. The investigation reveals that by leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies and embracing an integrated approach to quality management, the aerospace industry can significantly enhance operational efficiency, product quality, and overall sustainability. The seamless integration of processes and the implementation of advanced quality frameworks pave the way for a more competitive and future-ready aerospace industry, meeting the evolving demands of a globalized world.

For many years, surface has quality received a serious attention due to its influence on various mechanical properties. The main contribution made in this scientific paper is the performance of actual experiments, as well as the experimental processing obtained in order to develop a model for predicting the surface roughness based on the optimization of cutting parameters. The novelty of this paper is brought by the method of obtaining the regression equation of the surface roughness, resulted from a standard end-milling process (standard milling tools, standard milling parameters, recommended by the tool manufacturer, 3 axis CNC machine and standard vice), on aluminum alloy 7136 in temper T76511, through two statistical methods of data analysis. This material is used for the production of extruded parts and is poorly understood for the proposed line of research. This study’s aim is to determine the surface roughness equation obtained by the milling of aluminum alloy 7136 in two ways: using Taguchi′s experimental design once and the other, using the central composite design. The Taguchi method and the central composite design are used to develop an efficient mathematical model to predict the optimal level of certain processing parameters. Using ANOVA analysis, a comparative study of calculated and experimental surface roughness values is carried out. The initial characteristics (surface roughness) and the controlled factors (cutting speed, depth of cut and feed) are analyzed with the Minitab program. Finally, an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods used is presented. This study has a great industrial application, since the main task of every manufacturer is to achieve a better quality of the final product with minimal processing time.

Background and Objectives: A coaxial electrospinning technique was used to produce core/shell nanofibers of a polylactic acid (PLA) as a shell and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing metformin hydrochloride (MH) as a core. Materials and Methods: Fish sarcoplasmic protein (FSP) was extracted from fresh bonito and incorporated into nanofiber at various concentrations to investigate the influence on properties of the coaxial nanofibers. The morphology, chemical structure and thermal properties of the nanofibers were studied. Results: The results show that uniform and bead-free structured nanofibers with diameters ranging from 621 nm to 681 nm were obtained. A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis shows that FSP had a reducing effect on the crystallinity of the nanofibers. Furthermore, the drug release profile of electrospun fibers was analyzed using the spectrophotometric method. Conclusions: The nanofibers showed prolonged and sustained release and the first order kinetic seems to be more suitable to describe the release. MTT assay suggests that the produced drug and protein loaded coaxial nanofibers are non-toxic and enhance cell attachment. Thus, these results demonstrate that the produced nanofibers had the potential to be used for diabetic wound healing applications.

The paper addresses the problem of urban road noise, in the context of the European legislative requirements regarding noise pollution. The second noise mapping in Pitesti city, revealed that despite the proposed action plan after the first noise mapping, the noise pollution increased instead of decreasing. Considering that the proposed measures were insufficient to control road noise in the conditions of the estimated increase in road traffic, the authors developed complex research to identify how the road noise level is determined by the way of regulation of road traffic at intersections of the residential zone. Thus, noise and traffic measurements are made at the main road intersections in the central part of the city, determining the most relevant noise indicators for the specifics of urban traffic and residential areas. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that roundabouts bring a reduction in noise pollution compared to traffic light intersections only if the speed of vehicles in the roundabout is predictable: on preselected lanes and with speed timing.

Taguchi's method has always been a method used to improve the quality of the analyzed processes and products. This research shows an unusual situation, namely the modeling of some parameters, considered technical parameters, in a process that is wanted to be durable by improving the quality process and by ensuring quality using an experimental research method. Modern experimental techniques can be applied in any field and this study reflects the benefits of interacting between the agriculture sustainability principles and the Taguchi's Method application. The experimental method used in this practical study consists of combining engineering techniques with experimental statistical modeling to achieve rapid improvement of quality costs, in fact seeking optimization at the level of existing processes and the main technical parameters. The paper is actually a purely technical research that promotes a technical experiment using the Taguchi method, considered to be an effective method since it allows for rapid achievement of 70 to 90% of the desired optimization of the technical parameters. The missing 10 to 30 percent can be obtained with one or two complementary experiments, limited to 2 to 4 technical parameters that are considered to be the most influential. Applying the Taguchi's Method in the technique and not only, allowed the simultaneous study in the same experiment of the influence factors considered to be the most important in different combinations and, at the same time, determining each factor contribution.