In order to obtain bioenergy (biogas, biofuel) or pellets, different types of lignocellulosic biomass are subjected to a mechanical pretreatment, first by size reduction, then by separating, and ultimately by fracturing or bio-refining. Biomass processing mainly refers to a grinding process that occurs until reaching certain limits. The size reduction process, such as grinding, is an operation that is executed with different levels of energy consumption, considering biomass mechanical characteristics and the necessary grinding level. This paper, illustrates a comparative analysis of experimental results obtained by grinding multiple types of vegetal biomass (Miscanthus, corn stalks, alfalfa, willow) used in the process of bio-refining and bio-fracturing. Experiments were realized using both a laboratory knife mill Grindomix GM200 (Retsch GmbH, Haan, Germany), and a 22 kW articulated hammer mill, using different grinding system speeds and different hammer mill sieves. Results have shown that biomass mechanical pre-processing grinding leads to supplementary costs in the overall process through bio-refining or bio-fracturing in order to obtain bio-products or bio-energy. So, specific energy consumption for grinding using a hammer mill can reach 50–65 kJ/kg for harvested Miscanthus biomass, and 35–50 kJ/kg for dried energetic willow, using a 10 mm orifice sieve, values which increase processing costs.

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to examining the factors that lead to cloud computing adoption in a higher education setting. This cross-sectional empirical research is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework. Data was collected by surveying 96 students from University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania. The factors that affect cloud computing adoption in higher education were identified and tested using LISREL software. The findings suggested that factors identified can be successfully integrated in our conceptual model. Perceived value and usefulness have a strong positive influence on intentions to use cloud computing in higher education, but student's attitude towards technology had no significant effects on dependent variable. Perceived risk has significant negative effects on students' intentions to use cloud computing. The findings are expected to enhance the understanding of cloud computing adoption for students and faculty members. The implication of these findings for faculty members and students are discussed.

Third-party innovators, i.e., complementors, in platform enterprises develop and commercialize add-on products which are one of the main attraction points for customers. To ensure a sustainable evolution of the enterprise, the platform owner needs to attract and retain high-quality third-party innovators. We posit that the transaction costs incurred upon joining the enterprise as well as the controls imposed by the platform owner throughout the development and commercialization process shape the innovator's perceived risk and influence his decision on whether to join or not. Based on a literature review, the paper at hand proposes a conceptual model for complementors to assess their perceived risk and subsequently evaluates the model in a case study of a platform enterprise for IT-based modelling tools. While some of the propositions are validated, i.e., that informational controls decrease the perceived environmental uncertainty and implicitly the perceived risks, other propositions, such as the fact that asset specificity is a deterrent to entering the platform enterprise could not be validated. Further case studies are necessary to provide a conclusive proof of the proposed model.

All activities of a company involve risk. In order to achieve its objectives, an organization must identify, analyze, evaluate and then treat all significant risks. According to ISO international standards in the risk field, risk management can be applied to an entire organization, at its many areas and levels, at any time, as well as to specific functions, projects and activities. An effective risk management helps top management of an organization to make optimum decisions and to prevent losses. This paper proposes a new sustainable model for risk management—RiMM. The Sustainable Risk Management model is based on the Monte Carlo method (adapted for risk management process) that is known in the literature but not or very rare applied for this issue of controlling the risks in an organization. There are proposed aspects regarding the design of the model (in five detailed steps—every step with sub steps), a software implementation and an example of a case study that emphasizes the way the model can be used (also to demonstrate its efficiency) for managing risks in an organization. At the end, on conclusions section, the most important points and the contributions of the paper are clearly presented.

Protecting the environment is a matter of great importance that must be treaty very seriously, both internationally as well as nationally.The actual situation in Romania, about the economy and the state of the environment, requires the development of a program corresponding to its own interests. Given the specific situation of Romania, the transition to a strong market economy, the restructuring of the economy, the stages that we will go through this market strategy, will mark certain phases with clear objectives.The paper will present the objectives of environmental protection strategy's, industrial risk analysis that affect environmental quality, environmental impact assessment methods and problems of ecological marking of the products. Based on strategies can be developed economic and environmental programs, which must be completed in order to achieve the set objectives, either macroeconomic, sectorial, regional, operative coordination (mandatory) or programs of measures at the firm level, and, why not, national plans.