Managing household freight: The impact of online shopping on residential freight trips

Freight transport management and planning traditionally relies on freight transport models. However, e -commerce has changed the way freight is transported and requires a paradigm shift in such models. In contrast to conventional purchases in physical outlets, there is a spatial and temporal disconnection between the purchase and the reception of goods bought online. While traditionally the shopper brings home the purchases, the courier, express and parcel (CEP) sector must bridge this leg for the online retail channel by delivering the parcel to the household. These new type of freight trips have been ignored in the literature on freight modeling. Given the increasing number of urban freight trips destined for households, this omission implies significant errors when demonstrating transport impacts, identifying potential innovations, or assessing policy initiatives with these models. Therefore, we develop a framework that demonstrates how households\u27 online consumption translates into freight trips. Three key factors in this framework seem to determine the magnitude of freight traffic originated by household\u27s online shopping: (i) consumer shopping behavior, (ii) the supplier network and distribution system designed by the online store, and (iii) the fragmentation of the CEP market and the density of the delivery network. The identification of these three key factors provides a framework for policy action to mitigate the impact of household freight

Logistics clusters, including inter-firm relations through community detection

This paper studies clusters in the logistics sector. Like traditional cluster research, indicators of concentration to detect co-location of employment are calculated. However, this approach is enhanced by including a quantitative analysis of the inter-firm relations between logistics companies through the use of a community detection algorithm on a microeconomic dataset of buyer-supplier relations. Combining both results in a typology of logistics clusters. Next to the big clusters characterized by employment concentration and many internal and external relations, spill-over and polycentric clusters are identified. This approach seems promising to detect in future research clusters in other sectors and place

Exploring Logistics-as-a-Service to integrate the consumer into urban freight

E-commerce established the consumer as a freight actor. This new reality in the e-commerce supply chain holds economic, social, and environmental opportunities. First, logistics service providers can capitalize on the willingness to pay of consumers with tailored logistics services. Second, consumers can be confronted with the correct costs of delivery options, raising awareness and influencing their choices\u27 sustainability. Third, policymakers can steer the consumer directly, nudging their behaviour to reach urban freight policy objectives. Until now, the lack of interaction between the logistics service provider and the consumer prevented exploiting these opportunities. In this paper, we look at passenger transport, specifically the concept of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), for inspiration on how to integrate the consumer into the logistics market. We propose conceptualizations for a Logistics-as-a-Service (LaaS) platform with different levels of integration and discuss the role of various stakeholders. We conclude with a suite of research questions that deserve attention to develop further the LaaS idea and its proof of concept for consumer logistics

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a 155° neck-shaft angle inlay implant design without reattachment of the subscapularis tendon results in satisfactory functional internal rotation and no instability:a cohort study

Background: The aim of this study was to use the Activities of Daily Living which require Internal Rotation (ADLIR) questionnaire to assess the functional internal rotation in patients who had undergone reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) without reattachment of the subscapularis (SSc) tendon at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The secondary aim was to report the objective range of motion (ROM) and the rate of postoperative instability. Materials and methods: All consecutive primary RSA procedures without reattachment of the SSc tendon that were performed using a Delta Xtend prosthesis (an inlay system with a 155° neck-shaft angle) between January 2015 and December 2020 were identified to ensure a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients were contacted and requested to fill in several questionnaires, including the ADLIR and Auto-Constant scores. Results: In total, 210 patients met the inclusion criteria; among those patients, 187 could be contacted and 151 completed questionnaires (response rate: 81%). The SSc tendon was fully detached without repair in all cases, and a superolateral approach was used in 130 (86%) cases. The median follow-up was 4.5 years (range: 2.0–7.6). At final follow-up, the mean ADLIR score was 88/100 (interquartile range (IQR): 81–96). The median level reached in internal rotation was the 3rd lumbar vertebra (IQR: lumbosacral region—12th thoracic vertebra). Of the 210 eligible patients, one required a revision for a dislocation within the first month after primary surgery. With regards to regression analysis with ADLIR score as the outcome, none of the factors were associated with the ADLIR score, although age and smoking approached significance (0.0677 and 0.0594, respectively). None of the explanatory variables were associated with ROM in internal rotation (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that satisfactory ADLIR scores and internal rotation ROM were obtained at mid-term follow-up after RSA leaving the SSc detached. Leaving the SSc detached also did not lead to high instability rates; only one out of 210 prostheses was revised for dislocation within the first month after primary surgery. Level of evidence III.</p

Recent insights on Alzheimer’s disease originating from yeast models

In this review article, yeast model-based research advances regarding the role of Amyloid-? (A?), Tau and frameshift Ubiquitin UBB+1 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are discussed. Despite having limitations with regard to intercellular and cognitive AD aspects, these models have clearly shown their added value as a complementary model for the study of the molecular aspects of these proteins, including their interplay with AD related cellular processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction and altered proteostasis. Moreover, these yeast models have also shown their importance in translational research, e.g. in compound screenings and for AD diagnostics development. In addition to well-established Saccharomyces cerevisiae models, new upcoming Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida glabrata and Kluyveromyces lactis yeast models for A? and Tau are briefly described. Finally, traditional and more innovative research methodologies, e.g. for studying protein oligomerization/aggregation, are highlighted

Locus coeruleus features are linked to vagus nerve stimulation response in drug-resistant epilepsy

peer reviewedThe locus coeruleus–norepinephrine system is thought to be involved in the clinical effects of vagus nerve stimulation. This system is known to prevent seizure development and induce long-term plastic changes, particularly with the release of norepinephrine in the hippocampus. However, the requisites to become responder to the therapy and the mechanisms of action are still under investigation. Using MRI, we assessed the structural and functional characteristics of the locus coeruleus and microstructural properties of locus coeruleus-hippocampus white matter tracts in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy responding or not to the therapy. Twenty-three drug-resistant epileptic patients with cervical vagus nerve stimulation were recruited for this pilot study, including 13 responders or partial responders and 10 non-responders. A dedicated structural MRI acquisition allowed in vivo localization of the locus coeruleus and computation of its contrast (an accepted marker of LC integrity). Locus coeruleus activity was estimated using functional MRI during an auditory oddball task. Finally, multi-shell diffusion MRI was used to estimate the structural properties of locus coeruleus-hippocampus tracts. These characteristics were compared between responders/partial responders and non-responders and their association with therapy duration was also explored. In patients with a better response to the therapy, trends toward a lower activity and a higher contrast were found in the left medial and right caudal portions of the locus coeruleus, respectively. An increased locus coeruleus contrast, bilaterally over its medial portions, correlated with duration of the treatment. Finally, a higher integrity of locus coeruleus-hippocampus connections was found in patients with a better response to the treatment. These new insights into the neurobiology of vagus nerve stimulation may provide novel markers of the response to the treatment and may reflect neuroplasticity effects occurring in the brain following the implantation

Исследование кинетики накопления коллоидного гептасульфида рения

SummaryInflammatory cytokines are well-recognized mediators of atherosclerosis. Depending on the pathological context, type I interferons (IFNs; IFNα and IFNβ) exert either pro- or anti-inflammatory immune functions, but their exact role in atherogenesis has not been clarified. Here, we demonstrate that IFNβ enhances macrophage-endothelial cell adhesion and promotes leukocyte attraction to atherosclerosis-prone sites in mice in a chemokine-dependent manner. Moreover, IFNβ treatment accelerates lesion formation in two different mouse models of atherosclerosis and increases macrophage accumulation in the plaques. Concomitantly, absence of endogenous type I IFN signaling in myeloid cells inhibits lesion development, protects against lesional accumulation of macrophages, and prevents necrotic core formation. Finally, we show that type I IFN signaling is upregulated in ruptured human atherosclerotic plaques. Hereby, we identify type I IFNs as proatherosclerotic cytokines that may serve as additional targets for prevention or treatment

Evaluation of the metaphyseal ulnar shortening technique according to Sennwald

The outcome of a metaphyseal ulnar shortening osteotomy, reported by Sennwald as an alternative option for ulnar abutment syndrome, was evaluated with regard to the functional results, pain relief and incidence of complications. Methods: We conducted a review of 12 patients; measured parameters were DASH score, PRWE, VAS for pain, grip force and wrist motion.Results: Only disability improved significantly with a DASH score of 42 (p=0,03). The function and pain assessment scores did not improve in 3 patients.  We found no correlation between change in functional scores and other measured variables. Six patients were reoperated for prominent screw heads or new-onset distal radioulnar joint osteoarthritis. Conclusion: All osteomies healed fast and uneventfully and disability improved in most patients but 25% did not improve and 50% were re-operated. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the value of the metaphyseal osteotomy as an alternative treatment for ulnar abutment syndrome