scholarly journals A Simulation-Based Evaluation of a Cargo-Hitching Service for E-Commerce Using Mobility-on-Demand Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-656
Author(s):  
André Romano Alho ◽  
Takanori Sakai ◽  
Simon Oh ◽  
Cheng Cheng ◽  
Ravi Seshadri ◽  
...  

Time-sensitive parcel deliveries—shipments requested for delivery in a day or less—are an increasingly important aspect of urban logistics. It is challenging to deal with these deliveries from a carrier perspective. These require additional planning constraints, preventing the efficient consolidation of deliveries that is possible when demand is well known in advance. Furthermore, such time-sensitive deliveries are requested to a wider spatial scope than retail centers, including homes and offices. Therefore, an increase in such deliveries is considered to exacerbate negative externalities, such as congestion and emissions. One of the solutions is to leverage spare capacity in passenger transport modes. This concept is often denominated as cargo hitching. While there are various system designs, it is crucial that such a solution does not deteriorate the quality of service of passenger trips. This research aims to evaluate the use of mobility-on-demand (MOD) services that perform same-day parcel deliveries. To test the MOD-based solutions, we utilize a high-resolution agent- and activity-based simulation platform of passenger and freight flows. E-commerce demand carrier data collected in Singapore are used to characterize simulated parcel delivery demand. We explore operational scenarios that aim to minimize the adverse effects of fulfilling deliveries with MOD service vehicles on passenger flows. Adverse effects are measured in fulfillment, wait, and travel times. A case study on Singapore indicates that the MOD services have potential to fulfill a considerable amount of parcel deliveries and decrease freight vehicle traffic and total vehicle kilometers travelled without compromising the quality of MOD for passenger travel. Insights into the operational performance of the cargo-hitching service are also provided.

Author(s):  
Aliva Bera ◽  
D.P. Satapathy

In this paper, the linear regression model using ANN and the linear regression model using MS Excel were developed to estimate the physico-chemical concentrations in groundwater using pH, EC, TDS, TH, HCO3 as input parameters and Ca, Mg and K as output parameters. A comparison was made which indicated that ANN model had the better ability to estimate the physic-chemical concentrations in groundwater. An analytical survey along with simulation based tests for finding the climatic change and its effect on agriculture and water bodies in Angul-Talcher area is done. The various seasonal parameters such as pH, BOD, COD, TDS,TSS along with heavy elements like Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn concentration in water resources has been analyzed. For past 30 years rainfall data has been analyzed and water quality index values has been studied to find normal and abnormal quality of water resources and matlab based simulation has been done for performance analysis. All results has been analyzed and it is found that the condition is stable. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 765-781
Author(s):  
Seema Rohilla ◽  
Harish Dureja ◽  
Vinay Chawla

Anticancer agents play a vital role in the cure of patients suffering from malignancy. Though, the chemotherapeutic agents are associated with various adverse effects which produce significant toxic symptoms in the patients. But this therapy affects both the malignant and normal cells and leads to constricted therapeutic index of antimalignant drugs which adversely impacts the quality of patients’ life. Due to these adversities, sufficient dose of drug is not delivered to patients leading to delay in treatment or improper treatment. Chemoprotective agents have been developed either to minimize or to mitigate the toxicity allied with chemotherapeutic agents. Without any concession in the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs, they provide organ specific guard to normal tissues.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arfan Ahmed ◽  
Nashva ALi ◽  
Sarah Aziz ◽  
Alaa A Abd-Alrazaq ◽  
Asmaa Hassan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Anxiety and depression rates are at an all-time high along with other mental health disorders. Smartphone-based mental health chatbots or conversational agents can aid psychiatrists and replace some of the costly human based interaction and represent a unique opportunity to expand the availability and quality of mental health services and treatment. Regular up-to-date reviews will allow medics and individuals to recommend or use anxiety and depression related smartphone based chatbots with greater confidence. OBJECTIVE Assess the quality and characteristics of chatbots for anxiety and depression available on Android and iOS systems. METHODS A search was performed in the App Store and Google Play Store following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to identify existing chatbots for anxiety and depression. Eligibility of the chatbots was assessed by two individuals based on predefined eligibility criteria. Meta-data of the included chatbots and their characteristics were extracted from their description and upon installation by 2 reviewers. Finally, chatbots quality information was assessed by following the mHONcode principles. RESULTS Although around 1000 anxiety and depression related chatbots exist, only a few (n=11) contained actual chatbots that could provide the user a real substitute for a human-human based interaction, even with today's Artificial Intelligence advancements, only one of these chatbots had voice as an input/output modality. Of the selected apps that contained chatbots all were clearly built with a therapeutic human substitute goal in mind. The majority had high user ratings and downloads highlighting the popularity of such chatbots and their promising future within the realm of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS Anxiety and depression chatbot apps have the potential to increase the capacity of mental health self-care providing much needed assistance to professionals. In the current covid-19 pandemic, chatbots can also serve as a conversational companion with the potential of combating loneliness, especially in lockdowns where there is a lack of social interaction. Due to the ubiquitous nature of chatbots users can access them on-demand at the touch of a screen on ones’ smartphone. Self-care interventions are known to be effective and exist in various forms and some can be made available as chatbot features, such as assessment, mood tracking, medicine tracking, or simply providing conversation in times of loneliness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihyun Kim ◽  
Sooseong You

Abstract Purpose Most patients with cancer undergo multiple administrations of anticancer drugs during treatment, resulting in chronic impairment of their reproductive health. As improved treatment options increase cancer survival, it has become increasingly important to address fertility issues in cancer survivors. In this study, we examined the pathophysiological effects of multiple exposures to cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the ovaries of mice and their underlying molecular mechanism. Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 100 mg/kg Cy six times over 2 weeks; 4 weeks later, the mice were sacrificed and their ovaries, sera, and oocytes were collected for histological observation, measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and assessment of oocyte quantity and quality in response to hormonal stimulation. Gene expression changes in Cy-treated ovaries were examined by microarray and bioinformatics analyses. Results After repeated Cy exposure, the anti-Müllerian hormone level was decreased, and follicle loss and impairments in the quality of oocyte were irreversible. The expression levels of genes involved in folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and zona pellucida glycoprotein transcription displayed sustained alterations in Cy-exposed ovaries even after 4 weeks. Conclusion The adverse effects of Cy on ovarian function and oocytes remained even after chemotherapy was complete. Therefore, strategies to prevent ovarian damage or restore ovarian function after treatment are required to safeguard the fertility of young cancer survivors.


2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
André de Oliveira Baldoni ◽  
Farah Maria Drumond Chequer ◽  
Elisa Raquel Anastácio Ferraz ◽  
Danielle Palma de Oliveira ◽  
Leonardo Régis Leira Pereira ◽  
...  

In recent decades, the world has undergone a demographic transformation with a rapid growth of the elderly population, resulting in an increased demand for funds to maintain their health and drug consumption. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes occurring in the elderly can interfere directly in the adverse effects of drugs and increase the risk of intoxication. In addition, there are external factors interfering with the pharmacotherapy of the elderly, such as inappropriate use and the lack of access to information. Many therapeutic classes of drugs should be used with caution or avoided in the elderly population, such as anti-inflammatory and some anti-hypertensive drugs, diuretics and digitalis. If not managed carefully, these medicines can affect the safety and quality of life in the elderly. Thus, the aim of this review was to identify drugs that should be used with caution in elderly patients in order to avoid intoxication and/or adverse drug events.


Author(s):  
Olena Kuzmenko ◽  
Valentyn Kuzmenko ◽  
Viktoriya Kukhtina

An important aspect of any industry is the rapid and effective adaptation to changing conditions. The logistics market during the pandemic and related constraints has changed significantly, and competition in this segment has become higher than ever. Many consumers are forced to reduce consumption, companies have reduced supplies and production, diversified their activities. The transportation market has become denser and the struggle for the customer has intensified. Optimization of financial, labor, and material resources through the reduction of activities can negatively affect the quality of logistics services, the speed of processing goods, and their delivery to the final consumer. Based on the relevance, the aim of the research is to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on logistics, assess the results of such impacts in the EU, as well as outline trends and prospects for the logistics market in terms of declining coronavirus and market recovery. The research methodology is based on the use of general scientific and specific methods, in particular: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, systematization, generalization. The scientific novelty of the study is that the changes that have taken place in logistics have led to the emergence of new trends and trends that need to be generalized and evaluated in terms of prospects for impact on the industry. The study summarized the conclusion that the coronavirus pandemic created opportunities for some companies and threats for others. As a result of the constraints and challenges that have become inherent in international business and logistics, e-commerce, on-demand delivery, and the concept of “last kilometers” are developing rapidly in the EU and Ukraine. The logistics market has a tendency to consolidate and diversify. At the same time, once the European economy returns to normal, most of the changes that have taken place in logistics will be irreversible. Keywords: logistics, pandemic consequences, trade, supply chain, transport


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Hovdenak Jakobsen ◽  
D Kjaer

Abstract   Esophageal and gastric cancers are aggressive diseases. Due to extensive treatment, many patients experience adverse effects such as dysphagia, dumping, pain, fatigue, fear of recurrence and depression—all negatively impacting quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study is to develop and test a follow-up model for patients after surgery for esophageal and gastric cancer. The model targets handling of adverse effects and psychosocial distress, aiming at improving patients’ QoL and functional level. Methods Development of the model follows recognized principles for complex interventions by the Medical Research Counsil. Extensive patient involvement is included in the development process, by means of a national patient advisory board. The assumed effect of the new model will be tested in a national two-part prospective study, executed before and after national implementation of the model, in both parts including approximately200 patients. Participants will be recruited prior to surgery, and follow-up is one year. Patient-reported data will be collected pre-operatively, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively, along with clinical and sociodemographic data. Results Development of the follow-up model after surgery will be completed in august 2020 and inclusion of patients for the prospective study part one, before implementation of the model, will commence summer 2020. Conclusion The perspectives of this study may be crucial for future follow-up of esophageal and gastric cancer patients. First, the extensive patient involvement in developing the model will ensure a patient-centred approach to follow-up. And second, the follow-up studies will provide important and up-to-date knowledge about clinical and patient-reported outcomes in a population-based, national cohort.


2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (04) ◽  
pp. 221-227
Author(s):  
T. Donhauser ◽  
L. Baier ◽  
T. Ebersbach ◽  
J. Franke ◽  
P. Schuderer

Die Kalksandsteinherstellung weist aufgrund prozesstechnisch und zeitlich divergierender Teilprozesse einen hohen Planungs- sowie Steuerungsaufwand auf. Durch Einsatz eines simulationsgestützten Optimierungsverfahrens kann diese Komplexität bewältigt werden. Um bei hoher Lösungsqualität eine Laufzeit zu erreichen, die einen operativen Einsatz des Verfahrens gestattet, wird auf Basis einer vorangegangenen Studie ein Dekompositionsansatz implementiert und dessen Eignung durch Testläufe validiert.   Calcium silicate masonry production requires a great deal of planning and control due to the fact that subprocesses vary in terms of process technology and time. To overcome this complexity, a simulation-based optimization approach is applied. As a short runtime that allows the method to be used operationally and yet still offers a high quality of solution is crucial, a decomposition approach is implemented on the basis of a previous study and its suitability is validated by means of test runs.


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