Integrated Intermodal Network Design with Nonlinear Inter-Hub Movement Costs

In this research, transportation mode and load route selection problems are integrated with the hub location problem in a single mathematical formulation to find the optimal design of intermodal transportation networks. Economies of scale are modeled utilizing a stepwise function that relates the per container transportation cost to the amount of flow between two nodes. A heuristic method combining a genetic algorithm and the shortest path algorithm was developed to solve this integrated planning problem. Computational experiments were completed to evaluate the performance of the proposed heuristic for different problem instances. At the end, conclusions are presented and future research directions are discussed

Integrated Intermodal Network Design with Nonlinear Inter-hub Movement Costs

Poster 1

Assessing the Capacity of the Pacific Northwest as an Intermodal Freight Transportation Hub

This project synthesizes information from multiple sources about the capacity of the Pacific Northwest region to handle intermodal freight transportation demand. The findings from this research are intended to be used as a framework to start a research program focusing on the planning decision making needs of stakeholders in the region. The major sources of information about intermodal capacity were published reports from different stakeholders, online resources, and information obtained through conversations with a small set of stakeholders. Information about the current and future demand for intermodal freight transportation in the region was obtained from the FAF3 database of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and complemented by information available in published reports. The analysis of the current and future gap between capacity and demand for intermodal freight transportation was completed using the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) approach to develop a more complete understanding of the factors affecting the development and expansion of intermodal freight transportation in the region. Although the accuracy of the quantitative data cannot be considered very high, general trends can be analyzed. Most of the intermodal freight flow in the region is containerized cargo that visits the main marine ports: Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, and at a smaller scale Port of Portland. Other port terminals that are able to handle intermodal freight flow exist in the region but represent a small portion of the total flow. Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway and Union Pacific (UP) Railroad have dedicated intermodal terminals in the region providing service for truck-road intermodal transportation, and rail connectivity to marine ports is also available. An analysis of the difference between intermodal capacity and demand at an aggregate level indicates that the current infrastructure is able to handle the existing demand for containerized international freight flow in the region. However, different scenarios of demand growth show that if capacity expansion does not occur, the existing capacity will not be sufficient to satisfy the demand in the future. Main factors affecting the perception of stakeholders about the level of service and future expansion of intermodal freight transportation in the region include highway congestion in the major metropolitan areas, lack of other generators and receivers of intermodal freight flow, coordination between different stakeholders, and limited availability of ocean carriers providing service to the Port of Portland.Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium Oregon State Universit

Effect of Adding Intravenous Somatostatin to Rectal Indomethacin on Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Pancreatitis in High-risk Patients: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has an important role in the treatment of pancreaticobiliary disorders. Goals: Considering the high prevalence and importance of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) and the controversial findings, we aimed to determine the effect of adding intravenous somatostatin to rectal indomethacin on the incidence of PEP in high-risk patients. Study: In this prospective study, 530 patients underwent ERCP during March 2018 and February 2019. Patients were randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group received a bolus injection of 250 μg somatostatin followed by an infusion of 500 μg of somatostatin for 2 hours. In both groups, 100 mg of pre-ERCP suppository indomethacin was administrated. All patients were screened for PEP symptoms and signs for 24 hours after ERCP (Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials code: IRCT20080921001264N11). Results: A total of 376 patients were finally analyzed. PEP was the most common adverse event with 50 (13.2) episodes, including 21 (5.5) mild, 23 (6.1) moderate, and 6 (1.2) severe. The rate of PEP was 15.2 in the control group and 11.4 in the intervention group (P=0.666). The incidence of post-ERCP hyperamylasemia was 21.7 in the control group and 18.2 in the intervention group (P=0.395). No death occurred. Conclusions: In this study administration of somatostatin plus indomethacin could safely reduce the rate of post-ERCP hyperamylasemia and PEP in the intervention group compared with the control group, but the differences were not significant. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required. © 2021 Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.. All rights reserved

The association between reproductive characteristics and disability in iranian female patients with multiple sclerosis: a nationwide registry based cross-sectional study

Meeting Abstrac