University Of Pitesti Research Articles

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Applied Economics and Finance, Vol. 11, No. 1

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 1 Ali Darub Al-Hiyali, University of Anbar, IraqFahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyGetamesay Bekele Meshesha, Ethiopian Civil Service University, EthiopiaIgor Matyushenko, School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineJosephine Ofori Adofo, The World Bank, USAMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMarco Muscettola, Independent Researcher-Credit Risk Manager, ItalyNikoloz Chikhladze, Akaki Tsereteli State University, GeorgiaPayal Chadha, University of Wales Prifysgol Cymru, KuwaitRajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, IndiaSebastian Schich, Organisation for Economic Coopertaion and Development (OECD), FranceShaoshu LI, Cornell University, USA Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Applied Economics and Finance, Vol. 10, No. 3

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 3 Ali Darub Al-Hiyali, University of Anbar, IraqBabacar Seck, University of Bahrain, BahrainHichem Maraghni, University of Taibah, TunisiaIgor Matyushenko, School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineKeffala Mohamed Rochdi, University of Manouba, TunisiaLingkai Kong, Izmir University of Economics, TurkeyMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMarco Muscettola, Independent Researcher-Credit Risk Manager, ItalyNikoloz Chikhladze, Akaki Tsereteli State University, GeorgiaPatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, PolandRajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, IndiaRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaSzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaY. Saidi, M’sila University, Algeria Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 4 Ali Darub Al-Hiyali, University of Anbar, IraqBabacar Seck, University of Bahrain, BahrainFahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyIan McFarlane, University of Reading, UKJames Forest, Finance School of Business SUNY New Paltz, USAMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaOmer Allagabo Omer Mustafa, Sudan Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences., SudanRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 1 Abdulaziz Abdulahman, Marmara University, USAAlbert Henry Ntarmah, Jiangsu University, GhanaAli Massoud, Sohag University, EgyptFahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyIulia Lupu, Victor Slavescu” Centre for Financial and Monetary Research, Romanian Academy, RomaniaLiao Zhu, Cornell University, USAMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMahmoud Mohammed Sabra, Al Azhar University-Gaza, PalestineOlena Sokolovska, St. Petersburg State University, RussiaOmer Allagabo Omer Mustafa, Sudan Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences., SudanPayal Chadha, University of Wales Prifysgol Cymru, KuwaitRajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, IndiaRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaRomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaShahram Fattahi, Razi University, IranSzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaY. Saidi, M’sila University, AlgeriaZi-Yi Guo, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., USA Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 7, Number 3 Ali Massoud, Sohag University, EgyptAyoub Taha Sidahmed, SIU, SudanFarhat Iqbal, University of Balochistan, PakistanHedieh Shadmani, Fairfield University, USAIulia Lupu, Victor Slavescu” Centre for Financial and Monetary Research, Romanian Academy, RomaniaKaveh Dalvand, University of Delaware, United StatesMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandMamdouh Abdelmoula M. Abdelsalam, Minufiya University, EgyptMohammed Al-Mahish, King Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaNana Rusadze, Akaki Tsereteli State University, GeorgiaNuno Crespo, ISCTE-IUL, PortugalPatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandRajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, IndiaRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaRichard Nguyen, Alliant International University, USARomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaRuhet Genc, Turkish-German University, TurkeyShahram Fattahi, Razi University, IranSzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaVictoria Cociug, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, MoldovaY. Saidi, M’sila University, AlgeriaZi-Yi Guo, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., USAZuzana Janko, San Francisco State University, USA Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 6Andrey Kudryavtsev, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley Academic College, IsraelAyoub Taha Sidahmed, SIU, SudanIan McFarlane, University of Reading, UKIgor Matyushenko, , School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandMamdouh Abdelmoula M. Abdelsalam, Minufiya University, EgyptMarco Muscettola, Independent Researcher-Credit Risk Manager, ItalyNuno Crespo, ISCTE-IUL, PortugalOlena Sokolovska, Research Institute of Fiscal Policy, State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, UkrainePayal Chadha, University of Wales Prifysgol Cymru, KuwaitRajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, IndiaRichard Nguyen, Alliant International University, USARomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaSajid Mohy Ul Din, Universiti Utara Malaysia, MalaysiaSherry Jensen, Florida Institute of Technology, USASteven V. Cates, Purdue University-Global, USASzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaVictoria Cociug, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Moldova

Lean Learning Factory at the University of Pitesti

Today, the globalization of production and strong competition in the automotive industry requires manufacturers to offer their customers a wide range of products of the best quality and at lower prices. In order to accomplish this objective, the production systems must be as flexible and responsive to customer requests as possible and the production flow should be uniform. The usage of the most modern methods, techniques and tools, such as modelling and simulating production flows and Lean manufacturing, in the layout planning, work organization and production management is imperative to such production systems. In this context, at the University of Pitesti, a Learning Factory has been in development, that facilitates the research in laboratory conditions of modern manufacturing methods and their transfer to factories from automotive industry. The laboratory was developed within a research project and includes integrated research and teaching platforms, specific to layout design, modelling and simulation flows and Lean manufacturing, while also comprising elements of digitalization (Industry 4.0). The Lean Learning Factory at the University of Pitesti is in a continuous developing process which will allow students to enrich their practical skills and competencies concerning modern methods, techniques and tools, by using factory-like equipment. Moreover, this laboratory can also be accessed by automotive companies’ employees from Arges County to improve their abilities in Lean manufacturing.

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 5, Number 3Aaron Morey, University of Melbourne, AustraliaAli Massoud, Sohag University, EgyptAndrey Kudryavtsev, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley Academic College, IsraelAsad K. Ghalib, Liverpool Hope University, UKDilshodjon Rakhmonov, Tashkent State University of Economics, UzbekistanEncarnación Alvarez-Verdejo, University of Granada, SpainEyup Kadioglu, Capital Markets Board, TurkeyFarhat Iqbal, University of Balochistan, Quetta – Pakistan. , Pakistan.He Nie, Jinan University, ChinaIbrahim Baghdadi, Lebanese University, LebanonIgor Matyushenko, School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandMarwa Biltagy, Cairo University, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, EgyptMohammed Al-Mahish, King Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaMojeed Idowu John Odumeso-Jimoh, Noble Integrated Resources & Management, NigeriaNuno Crespo, ISCTE-IUL, PortugalPatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandProf. Aloysius Ajab AMIN, Institute for Development Solutions, Inc, USARamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaRichard Nguyen, Alliant International University, USARomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaSherry Jensen, Florida Institute of Technology, USASteven V. Cates, Kaplan University, USASzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 5, Number 2Mahmoud Mohammed Sabra, Al Azhar University-Gaza, PalestineWing-Keung Wong, Asia University, TaiwanRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaIgor Matyushenko, School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineSteven V. Cates, Kaplan University, USAMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandIan McFarlane, University of Reading, UKPatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandMarco Muscettola, Independent Researcher-Credit Risk Manager, ItalyY. Saidi, M’sila University, AlgeriaSzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaAaron Morey, University of Melbourne, AustraliaHichem Maraghni, University of Taibah, TunisiaAli Massoud, Sohag University, EgyptLuca Giordano, CONSOB, ItalyErdal Gumus, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, TurkeyMojeed Idowu John Odumeso-Jimoh, Noble Integrated Resources & Management, NigeriaZi-Yi Guo, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., USADilshodjon Rakhmonov, Tashkent State University of Economics, UzbekistanMohammed Al-Mahish, King Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaAyoub Taha Sidahmed, SIU, SudanProf. Aloysius Ajab AMIN, Institute for Development Solutions, Inc, USAMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaOlena Sokolovska, Research Institute of Fiscal Policy, State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, UkraineKembo Bwana, College of Business Education, TanzaniaHe Nie, Jinan University, ChinaIbrahim Baghdadi, Lebanese University, Lebanon Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com

Progressive neuromuscular control improvement by using extrinsic feedback as learning tool, in swimming

In this study, we started from the hypothesis that if we use the nautical sports simulator as learning mean and a tool to create visually extrinsic feedback, then we will be able to determine an effective change in the sensory-motor response at upper limb in order to improve progressive neuromuscular control. Using feedback as learning and optimizing mean of training is one of the desires of athletes training and, at the same time, an objective mean of raising the athlete’s awareness of the way in which he manifests his motor behaviour. The importance of implementing feedback in the training of athletes is also highlighted by the achievement of valuable results both in individual sports and in sports games. The ways that feedback can be implemented in the training varies according to the purpose, the specificity of the sport, the way of interpretation and the approach of its results. The purpose of this research was to improve de capacity of the progressive neuromuscular control at the upper limbs level, in swimming, using extrinsic feedback. The experimental approach was carried out within the research centre for human performance from University of Pitesti, Romania and had four junior as participants with 7–10 years experience in this sport, national medalists and champions. External feedback was provided using a nautical condition simulator that provided graphical trajectories specific to how they managed to control the level of force exerted on the palm. The training plan involved 15–20 minutes training for each swimmer with a frequency of two sessions per week for 3 weeks for each technical aspect of the research. The results reflected how each athlete managed to correct the sensory response according to the given stimulus. During the study, the swimmers expressed varied ways of adapting to the stimuli, having the greatest difficulties of neuromotor reorganisation especially in the transition to the last level of force increase. In conclusion, the approach confirmed that extrinsic feedback is an objective mean of sensory-motor learning and reorganization and, implicitly, an improvement tool of progressive neuromuscular control in swimming, the logistic actuators having a decisive role in achieving the purpose of the research. Keywords: Motor learning, nautical simulator, sensory response, strength, swimming.

Assessment of real driving emissions via portable emission measurement system

The European Commission approved a so-called Real Driving Emission (RDE) test in response to the criticisms to the current driving cycle used at chassis dyno for homologation purpose (NEDC): it is considered outdated and misleading since air pollutants in real driving conditions are considerably higher than the certification thresholds. So, what’s at stake is the air quality which degraded continuously despite the ever-increasing severity of the regulations during the last almost three decades. Thus, from September 2017, the RDE test will become part of the type approval process for all cars sold in Europe. As its name points out, it will include “real world driving” using a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS). The paper presents the RDE features (PEMS mounting, testing environment, boundary conditions, driving dynamics) and presents a case study on the influence of the driving style upon the tail-pipe emissions under the RDE testing. The results presented in the paper issued from the existing cooperation on this topic between University of Pitesti and Renault Technologie Roumanie

Five years in Sports Sciences

Five years in Sports Sciences

European Unionns History, Culture and Citizenship, 8th Edition

The International Conference European Union’s History, Culture and Citizenship was founded in 2008 and it is dedicated to the academic teachers and researchers, lawyers, magistrates, Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers into legal and administrative sciences and their auxiliary sciences, from Romania and abroad. Subjects for submission include the following main areas, but are not limited to them: Public Law, Private Law, Protection of human rights and protection against discrimination, European Union law, Forensics and Criminology, Legal Sociology, History of law, juridical philosophy. The journal promotes the original researches that contributes to the knowledge progress and are motivated by the necessity of studying the theory and practice in the mentioned areas.Also, the journal aims to create a forum for disciplinary and interdisciplinary debates and to become a standard in the national and international juridical and administrative research. Since its first issue, notable figures in the field of law and auxiliary sciences become members of the journal editorial board, such as: Professor Ph.D. DDr.h.c., M.C.L. Heribert Franz KOECK- Universitat Johannes Kepler Linz, Austria, Professor Ph.D. hab., Dr.h.c. mult. Boguslaw BANASZAK – University of Applied Science (PWSZ) Legnica, University of Zielona Gora, Poland Professor Ph.D. Dr. h.c. mult. Herbert SCHAMBECK- Universitat Johannes Kepler Linz, Austria, Professor Ph.D. Eugen CHELARU - University of Pitesti, Romania and many others.Also, among the collaborators, we have to mention European specialists in legal and administrative sciences who, at the beginning, have published studies and articles of interest in the field, some of them becoming, then, members of the editorial board. For example: Professor Ph.D. Dr.h.c. Rainer ARNOLD - Universitat Regensburg, Deutschland/Germany, Professor Ph.D. hab., Professor Ph.D. Cristina Hermida DELLLANO - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spania, Professor Ph.D. Maria ORLOV - Alecu Russo State University of Balți, Republic of Moldova etc.In the last two issues (2014, 2015) the studies were written only in English and published on-line with Online: ISSN 2360- 395X, CD-ROM: ISSN 2360 – 1841, ISSN-L 2360 – 1841, in order to increase the national and international visibility of the journal.

Teaching Induction Machine Laboratory Using ProjectX

In electrical engineering computer simulation tends to replace almost entirely the classic experimental laboratories for different reasons: easier to be used by students and teachers, wide possibility of experiments, possibility of seeing a very quick response to fault situations, etc. In this context, the University of Pitesti, from Romania, enrolled in the Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation ‘One Teacher and One Student working with ProjectX’, along with other six European VET educational institutions in order to develop a practical methodology that could apply in all of them. The purpose of the project is to create a common platform that has the purpose to help teachers work especially with students with different study paths due to their particularities.

Contributions to Predict the Malfunction Probability of the Human-Machine-Environment System, Using Artificial Neural Networks

This paper presents the application of Artificial Neural Networks to predict the malfunction probability of the human-machine-environment system, in order to provide some guidance to designers of manufacturing processes. Artificial Neural Networks excel in gathering difficult non-linear relationships between the inputs and outputs of a system. We used, in this work, a feed forward neural network in order to predict the malfunction probability. The neural network is simulated with Matlab. The design experiment presented in this paper was realized at University of Pitesti, at the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology, Technology and Management Department.

How to Redesign Ergonomic Workstations, Using Neural Networks and the Rula Method in Catia V5

This paper presents the combined application of Artificial Neural Networks and the RULA method in the process of redesign ergonomic workstations.Artificial Neural Networks excel in gathering difficult non-linear relationships between the inputs and outputs of a system. We used, in this work, a feed forward neural network in order to ranking a workstation. The neural network is simulated with a simple simulator: SSNN. The design experiment presented in this paper was realized at University of Pitesti, at the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology, Technology and Management Department, using CATIA V5 software.

Different Hype Cycle Viewpoints for an E-Learning System

This paper uses Gartner Group's Hype Cycle as an analysis tool for the e-learning platform integration process at the University of Pitesti. The platform was installed three years ago and during this time there were many points of view (by major user groups) regarding the usefulness and adoption rate. Based on this fact, according to us, the e-learning Hype Cycle has two graphical representations, two variation curves that have the first part identical but differ significantly in the following two stages, differences that disappear in the end. Based on our analysis, we found necessary to improve the management strategies, to better motivate the teachers in order for them to reach the same level of interested shown by the students in using the system, and thus bringing the two educational groups to the same opinion. We have depicted all this evolution and the different points of view by the Hype Cycle curve, that should be only one for the 5th year of system presence in our institution, a convergence reached a bit too late in the IT world, where software solutions have a limited life cycle. Keywords: Hype Cycle, e-learning, academic collaboration

New Methods in Teaching Romanian Language for Foreign Students

There is no need for a rigorous sociological research to prove that most Romanians believe that the Romanian language is a very difficult language to learn by foreigners and that few foreigners would have the motivation and perseverance to make such an effort. At the Department of foreign students, University of Pitesti, Faculty of Sciences of Education, students from different countries come to study, and we found that some of them, whether from Mongolia, Brazil, Syria or Turkmenistan, have succeeded to understand Romanian and even to speak at a satisfactory level after several months of interaction with their Romanian colleagues. These examples contradict the stereotype “Romanian language – a language inaccessible to foreigners” or “Romanian language – an uninteresting language”. It is time to overcome these limited and limiting perceptions and focus on the practical way that all students coming to study in Romania can be supported to learn the Romanian language at a level sufficient for their own needs. Many foreign students confess that they had contact with Romanian literature and culture before coming to Romania. Most students arrive in our country but come in contact simultaneously both with the Romanian language and the society and culture of Romania, which are often significantly different by the linguistic and cultural context of their origin.Our research is based on diversity in teaching and learning Romanian by foreign students, non-formal education having a major role in diversity. At this level, we identify the changes which the experience produces on students. After the experience, we make the transition to the second action, the reflection, when we become conscious by the produced effects. The teacher's role is to facilitate every level of learning by experiencing, reflection, generalizing and application. It is therefore necessary to design new methods and modern tools for learning the Romanian language, articulated with the cultural dimension and at the same time, focused, not on the history of literature, nor grammar, but on the practical dimension.

Management of Time Resources for Learning through Individual Study in Higher Education

The purpose of the study is to identify the periods in the university year in which students allocate most hours to independent learning activities; the number of hours by week allocated, on the average, to individual study activities for doing drafting reports, making projects or deepening courses: during the semester, in the periods preceding partial exams, in final examination periods.The present paper presents the results of a study run in the University of Pitesti. The conclusions further to the research provide relevant data for improving the time management for students in order to achieve the best performances.