The influence of time windows on the costs of urban freight distribution services in city logistics applications

In freight distribution services a required quality level may have a relevant effect on transportation costs. For this reason an evaluation tool is useful to compare different service settings and support the decision, on the base of quantitative indicators. This paper proposes a method for cost evaluation in this context and presents an application to a case study concerning a freight distribution service, which operates on a wide road network having a city centre, a peripheral urban area and a peri-urban rural zone. A simulation method is proposed to obtain real-life scenarios in order to test the method and its indicators. The performance of each indicator has been evaluated in an experimental context to produce realistic test cases, using a trip planning tool and a demand generator. First, the behaviour of the indicators is analysed with regard to the time windows width planned for the service. Then, their ability in estimating the total transportation cost to satisfy all the requests, under different time period profiles, is shown. The results confirm the ability of the set of indicators to predict with a good approximation the transportation costs and therefore to be used in supporting the service quality planning decision

Differential lectin binding patterns in the oviductal ampulla of the horse during oestrus

We investigated the oligosaccharide sequence of glycoconjugates, mainly sialoglycoconjugates, in the horse oviductal ampulla during oestrus by means of lectin and pre-lectin methods such as the KOH-neuraminidase procedure to remove sialic acid residues and incubation with N-glycosidase F to cleave N-linked glycans. Ciliated cells displayed N-linked oligosaccharides throughout the cytoplasm. The cilia glycocalyx expressed both N- and O-linked (mucin-type) oligosaccharides, both showing a high variety of terminal sequences. In the most non-ciliated cells, the whole cytoplasm contained N-linked oligosaccharides with terminal αGal as well as mucin-type glycans with terminal Forssman pentasaccharides. In a few scattered non-ciliated cells, the whole cytoplasm displayed sialylated N-linked oligosaccharides with terminal Neu5Ac-GalNAc and O-linked glycans terminating with neutral and/or αGalNAc, Neu5Acα2,6Gal/ GalNAc, Neu5AcGalβ1,3GalNAc. Supra-nuclear granules, probably Golgi zones, of non-ciliated cells showed mainly O-linked glycans rich in sialic acid residues. The luminal surface of non-ciliated cells showed N-linked oligosaccharides, containing terminal/internal αMan/αGlc, βGlcNAc and terminal αGal, as well as mucin-type oligosaccharides terminating with a large variety of either neutral saccharides or sialylated sequences. Apical protrusions containing O-linked oligosaccharides with terminal Forssman pentasaccharide, Neu5Ac-Galβ1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Ac-GalNAc were seen in nonciliated cells scattered along the epithelium. These findings show the presence of sialoglycoconjugates in the oviductal ampulla epithelium of the mare and the existence of different lectin binding profiles between ciliated and non-ciliated (secretory) cells, as well as the presence of non-ciliated cell sub-types which might determine functional differences along the ampullary epithelium of mare oviduct

Incidence and public health burden of sunburn among beachgoers in the United States.

The beach environment creates many barriers to effective sun protection, putting beachgoers at risk for sunburn, a well-established risk factor for skin cancer. Our objective was to estimate incidence of sunburn among beachgoers and evaluate the relationship between sunburn incidence and sun-protective behaviors. A secondary analysis, of prospective cohorts at 12 locations within the U.S. from 2003 to 2009 (n = 75,614), were pooled to evaluate sunburn incidence 10-12 days after the beach visit. Behavioral and environmental conditions were cross-tabulated with sunburn incidence. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between new sunburn and sun-protective behaviors. Overall, 13.1% of beachgoers reported sunburn. Those aged 13-18 years (16.5%), whites (16.0%), and those at beach locations along the Eastern Seaboard (16.1%), had the highest incidence of sunburn. For those spending ≥5 h in the sun, the use of multiple types of sun protection reduced odds of sunburn by 55% relative to those who used no sun protection (Odds Ratio = 0.45 (95% Confidence Interval:0.27-0.77)) after adjusting for skin type, age, and race. Acute health effects of sunburn tend to be mild and self-limiting, but potential long-term health consequences are more serious and costly. Efforts to encourage and support proper sun-protective behaviors, and increase access to shade, protective clothing, and sunscreen, can help prevent sunburn and reduce skin cancer risk among beachgoers

Optimization of Vegetative Filter Strips for Mitigation of Runoff from Golf Course Turf

Many pesticides are listed as possible or probable human carcinogens, leading to a public concern over their environmental impact. Vegetative filter strips (VFS) have been developed to intercept runoff water and prevent pesticides from contaminating surface and ground water. The first half of this project identified five plants (big blue stem, blue flag iris, eastern gama grass, prairie cord grass and wool grass) that best removed pesticides from contaminated soil. The current study evaluated four treatment groups: the five selected plant species arranged (1) randomly, (2) in a succession from short (upslope) to tall (downslope), (3) turfgrass cut to three heights from short (upslope) to tall (downslope) and (4) unvegetated (UVFS), in an effort to optimize vegetative filter strips to reduce the movement of pesticides contained in runoff from turfgrass environments. Simulated rainfall was applied to 12 VFS (0.91 m x 4.6 m x 1.83 m), each with a 5% slope. The VFS were used to evaluate the effect of three vegetated treatments on the effectiveness of VFS for mitigation of pesticide-contaminated runoff from treated turf. For the runon simulation, five pesticides (chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, pendimethalin, and propiconazole) were added at 5% their maximum application rate for turfgrass to a nurse tank containing the amount of runoff expected to occur from an uphill turf plot (5.5 m2) during either a 1- (6.1 cm) or 5-yr (9.65 cm) rain event. Runoff samples were collected at the downhill base (bottom) of each VFS and analyzed for pesticides to determine the effectiveness of VFS at mitigating runoff water and the pesticides contained. Soil core and soil pore water samples were taken periodically post-application. All samples were analyzed for applied pesticides and quantified by GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. All vegetated treatments were more effective in decreasing the runoff volume and the associated pesticide concentration when compared with UVFS, with turfgrass being the most effective of the three treatments. This research validates the use of VFS in slowing the flow of runon water significantly enough for it to infiltrate into the soil, instead of leaving the VFS as runoff. VFS are already suggested as a best management practice to prevent pesticides from leaving many agricultural sites treated with pesticides, but this research suggests their widespread use on golf courses, parks, athletic fields and home lawns could greatly reduce the amount of pesticides in runoff waters from turf environments and help keep our waterways clean

Distribution of sialoglycoconjugates in the oviductal isthmus of the horse during anoestrus, oestrus and pregnancy: a lectin histochemistry study

The distribution of sialic acid residues as well as other glycosidic sugars has been investigated in the horse oviductal isthmus during anoestrus, oestrus and pregnancy by means of lectin and pre-lectin methods. Ciliated cells and non-ciliated (secretory) cells exhibited different lectin binding profiles that were found to change during the investigated stages. Ciliated cells did not show any reactivity in the basal cytoplasm, while the supra-nuclear cytoplasm displayed a few of oligosaccharides with terminal and internal amannose (Man) and/or aglucose (Glc) during oestrus and pregnancy and a moderate presence of oligosaccharides terminating in afucose (Fuc) during oestrus; cilia exhibited a more complex glycoconjugate pattern for the presence of oligosaccharides terminating in N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), GalNAca1,3 GalNAca1,3galactose(Gal)b1,4Galb1,4N-acetylglucosamine( GlcNAc), Fuc, sialic acid (Neu5Ac)-aGalNAc belonging or not to the GalNAca1,3GalNAca1,3 Galb1,4 Galb1, 4GlcNAc sequence, and.aGalNAc and Neu5Aca 2,6Gal/GalNAc increased during oestrus. Cilia displayed terminal Galb1,3 GalNAc in pregnancy, terminal aGal in anoestrus and pregnancy and terminal or internal D-GlcNAc during anoestrus and pregnancy, respectively. The whole cytoplasm of non-ciliated cells showed oligosaccharides terminating with aGalNAc, Neu5Aca2,6Gal/GalNAc, Neu5Ac GalNAca 1,3GalNAca1,3Galb1,4Galb1,4GlcNAc during the investigated stages, as well as GlcNAc in anoestrus and pregnancy. The supra-nuclear zone of non-ciliated cells exhibited oligosaccharides with terminal Galb1,4GlcNAc and internal Man during oestrus and pregnancy as well as terminal aGal and Fuc in oestrus and Neu5Ac-Galb1,3GalNAc in pregnancy. The luminal surface of non-ciliated cells showed glycans terminating with aGalNAc and/or Neu5Ac GalNAca1,3 GalNAca1,3Galb1,4Galb1,4GlcNAc in all specimens, oligosaccharides with terminal Galb1,4GlcNAc and internal Man during oestrus and pregnancy, Neu5Ac a2,6Gal/GalNAc in anoestrus and oestrus, and glycans terminating with Galb1,3GalNAc, Neu5A aca2,3 Galb1, 4GlcNac, Neu5ac- Galb1,3GalNAc, Neu5Ac-Galb1,4 GlcNAc in pregnancy. These findings show the presence of sialoglycoconjugates in the oviductal isthmus of the mare as well as the existence of great modifications in the glycoconjugates linked to different physiological conditions

Simulation of railroad terminal operations and traffic control strategies in critical scenarios

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Brain morphology and immunohistochemical localization of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the bluefin tuna, <i>Thunnus thynnus</i>

The present study was focused on the morphology of the diencephalic nuclei (likely involved in reproductive functions) as well as on the distribution of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) in the rhinencephalon, telencephalon and the diencephalon of the brain of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) by means of immunohistochemistry. Bluefin tuna has an encephalization quotient (QE) similar to that of other large pelagic fish. Its brain exhibits well-developed optic tecta and corpus cerebelli. The diencephalic neuron cell bodies involved in reproductive functions are grouped in two main nuclei: the nucleus preopticus-periventricularis and the nucleus lateralis tuberis. The nucleus preopticus-periventricularis consists of the nucleus periventricularis and the nucleus preopticus consisting of a few sparse multipolar neurons in the rostral part and numerous cells closely packed and arranged in several layers in its aboral part. The nucleus lateralis tuberis is located in the ventral-lateral area of the diencephalon and is made up of a number of large multipolar neurones. Four different polyclonal primary antibodies against salmon (s)GnRH, chicken (c)GnRH-II (cGnRH-II 675, cGnRH-II 6) and sea bream (sb)GnRH were employed in the immunohistochemical experiments. No immunoreactive structures were found with anti sbGnRH serum. sGnRH and cGnRH-II antisera revealed immunoreactivity in the perikarya of the olfactory bulbs, preopticus-periventricular nucleus, oculomotor nucleus and midbrain tegmentum. The nucleus lateralis tuberis showed immunostaining only with anti-sGnRH serum. Nerve fibres immunoreactive to cGnRH and sGnRH sera were found in the olfactory bulbs, olfactory nerve and neurohypophysis. The significance of the distribution of the GnRHimmunoreactive neuronal structures is discussed

Freight distribution performance indicators for service quality planning in large transportation networks

This paper studies the use of performance indicators in routing problems to estimate how transportation cost is affected by the quality of service offered. The quality of service is assumed to be directly dependent on the size of the time windows. Smaller time windows mean better service. Three performance indicators are introduced. These indicators are calculated directly from the data without the need of a solution method. The introduced indicators are based mainly on a "request compatibility", which describes whether two visits can be scheduled consecutively in a route. Other two indicators are introduced, which get their values from a greedy constructive heuristic. After introducing the indicators, the correlation between indicators and transportation cost is examined. It is concluded that the indicators give a good first estimation on the transportation cost incurred when providing a certain quality of service. These indicators can be calculated easily in one of the first planning steps without the need of a sophisticated solution tool. The contribution of the paper is the introduction of a simple set of performance indicators that can be used to estimate the transportation cost of a routing problem with time window

Extracting travel patterns from floating car data to identify electric mobility needs: A case study in a metropolitan area

The main objective of this paper is to identify the potential of electric vehicles in current car mobility scenarios. Firstly, distances traveled daily are analyzed to understand if the car usage observed can be satisfied by the expected range of electric vehicles. Secondly, idle times between trips are studied to assess vehicle needs and identify the requirements for electric charging stations to support the trip-chains observed. The datasets were derived from floating car data recorded for 365 days and include more than 30 million trips crossing the Metropolitan City of Turin (Italy). Approximately 70,000 km were observed daily for more than 10,000 vehicles for 400 different vehicle models to identify their activities over 24 hours. This daily activity in the observation period can be considered a reference scenario, in synergy with the battery range, to plan charging points in road networks. Results show that 98% of daily VKT (vehicle kilometers traveled) are lower than 300 km, over a year of observation. Cars are also classified according to their market segment to identify specific vehicle usage, defining a data dictionary to relate the models and segments. For instance, daily VKT values estimated for segment A (city cars) average 34 km, whereas for segment E (executive cars) the average is 75 km. The spatial analysis of idle times reveals a higher number of shorter breaks in the city center compared to peripheral districts, suggesting that recharging solutions should be adapted to zones according to how they are used for parking

Monitoring urban accessibility for freight delivery services from vehicles traces and network modelling

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