Although essential for achieving high crop yields required for the growing population worldwide, nitrogen, (N) in large amounts, along with its inefficient use, results in environmental pollution and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has a significant role to play in the development of more sustainable crop production systems. Considering that wheat is one of the major crops cultivated in the world and contributes in high amounts to the large N footprint, designing sustainable wheat crop patterns, briefly defined by us in this review as the 3 Qs (high quantity, good quality and the quintessence of natural environment health) is urgently required. There are numerous indices used to benchmark N management for a specific crop, including wheat, but the misunderstanding of their specific functions could result in an under/overestimation of crop NUE. Thus, a better understanding of N dynamics in relation to wheat N cycling can enhance a higher efficiency of N use. In this sense, the aim of our review is to provide a critical analysis on the current knowledge with respect to wheat NUE. Further, considering the key traits involved in N uptake, assimilation, distribution and utilization efficiency, as well as genetics (G), environment (E) and management (M) interactions, we suggest a series of future perspectives that can enhance a better efficiency of N in wheat.

In the present study, the results of PM10 pollution levels assessment in the most populated town from Romania, namely Bucharest, the capital of the country are presented for a 10 years period, 2004 -2013, respectively, with the aim of emphasizing the progress recorded after the implementation of Directive 2004/107/EC and Directive 2008/50/EC provisions. Data were collected from 8 monitoring stations located in different areas of Bucharest. PM10, Cd, Pb and Ni from PM10 averages are presented by each sampling point, and by year, during a 10 years period (2003 -2014). The raw data were available from the Romanian National Agency of Environmental Protection. IBM SPSS software, v. 6.0 was used for data processing. Even if some progress was reported for air quality in Bucharest (mainly in heavy traffic areas) from the point of view of PM10 pollution subsequently to directives implementation, important issues have to be solved, taken into account that industrial areas are still important PM10 sources. In this respect, further research will be opportune for identifying the potential contribution of PM10 background pollution in concerned areas.

This paper presents a research on ways to reduce waste and to diminish sound pollution by recovery of fir sawdust and recycled rubber granules and use in making sound absorbing composite materials. Four materials were prepared using raw materials (fir sawdust and recycled rubber granules) in various percentages, and polyurethane binder. Materials mechanical and acoustic properties were characterized, proving these materials have useful properties. Materials acoustic performance was compared with performance of materials existing on the market: glass wool and flexible polyurethane foam. Sound absorption coefficient was experimentally determined by impedance tube method, in a frequency range of 100-3200 Hz. Results show that composite materials made from waste are superior to existing materials, with regard to acoustic performance, particularly at frequencies below 1600 Hz. Sound absorption coefficient measured for material made with sawdust and 30% polyurethane binder reached a minimum value of 0.65 in the large frequency range of 300-3150 Hz, and a maximum value of 0.979 at the frequency of 2000 Hz.

In the European Union, the hazardous waste recycling has become a priority, as response at legal prohibition for landfilling of untreated WEEE. The economic and eco-efficient recycling methods acquire more and more interest from the industry. The Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) glass derived from Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) dismantle is known as hazardous waste, because of their heavy metals content, especially lead. For this type of waste, the authors have proposed in previous studies a green recycling method by embedding it in cement matrix. The purpose of this study is to obtain unconventional mortars with different ratio of CRT waste glass as substituent of natural aggregates, and to compare their mechanical strength with another original CRT composite one. The goal was to demonstrate the viability of the new CRT materials, obtained under the mortars EU Standard provisions, in order to enlarge the possibilities to recycle this type of waste. Mechanical tests and SEM analyses have been performed. The results showed that mechanical strength decreased with the increasing of CRT waste amounts; whereas the new original composite's mechanical properties are higher than the standard mortar. Nevertheless, the CRT "mortar" mechanical properties allow a comparison with plastering mortar even 100% of natural aggregates were substituted. This type of mortars represents an environmentally friendly option for WEEE recycling.

There is currently a lack of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 (N2000) network in providing protection against biological invasion by invasive alien species (IAS). In this study, we analyzed two Salix alba and Populus alba riparian habitats located both inside and outside a N2000 site from Romania in order to assess the efficacy of N2000 network in conserving this type of ecosystem against IAS. Field investigations were conducted both using polygon method for vegetation study and semi-structured interviews focusing on the local people knowledge and their contribution to biological invasion. We found that the research area located within the N2000 network is highly exposed to biological invasion by IAS, the major threat to this type of habitat being expressed by Acer negundo, which occupied more than half of the vegetation cover. It seems that not only the management strategy should be blamed for this situation, but rather its failure in popularization and application. As such, in our opinion, future management plans developed by N2000 network should rely on the intertwined co-evolutionary mechanisms existing between poplar and willow stands diversity and cultural diversity, by integrating aspects related to local traditional knowledge.