A Software-Agnostic Agent-based Platform for Modelling Emerging Mobility Systems

Due to the rapidly accelerated innovation cycle in transport and the emergence of new mobility concepts and technologies, public authorities, policy makers, and transport planners are currently in need of the tools for sustainable spatial and transport planning in the new mobility era. In this paper, a new modular, software-agnostic and activity-based spatial and transport planning platform is designed, i.e, the HARMONY Model Suite, that facilitates a novel integration of new and existing spatial and transport modelling tools. The paper focuses on describing the architecture of the platform and its passenger mobility simulation framework, which integrates -in an interoperable manner- activity-based models, mobility service management, and traffic simulation tools for evaluating new mobility system dynamics. The service management controllers for new mobility concepts are discussed in more detail with regards to their functionality and applicability

Multiple Scale Reorganization of Electrostatic Complexes of PolyStyrene Sulfonate and Lysozyme

We report on a SANS investigation into the potential for these structural reorganization of complexes composed of lysozyme and small PSS chains of opposite charge if the physicochemical conditions of the solutions are changed after their formation. Mixtures of solutions of lysozyme and PSS with high matter content and with an introduced charge ratio [-]/[+]intro close to the electrostatic stoichiometry, lead to suspensions that are macroscopically stable. They are composed at local scale of dense globular primary complexes of radius ~ 100 {\AA}; at a higher scale they are organized fractally with a dimension 2.1. We first show that the dilution of the solution of complexes, all other physicochemical parameters remaining constant, induces a macroscopic destabilization of the solutions but does not modify the structure of the complexes at submicronic scales. This suggests that the colloidal stability of the complexes can be explained by the interlocking of the fractal aggregates in a network at high concentration: dilution does not break the local aggregate structure but it does destroy the network. We show, secondly, that the addition of salt does not change the almost frozen inner structure of the cores of the primary complexes, although it does encourage growth of the complexes; these coalesce into larger complexes as salt has partially screened the electrostatic repulsions between two primary complexes. These larger primary complexes remain aggregated with a fractal dimension of 2.1. Thirdly, we show that the addition of PSS chains up to [-]/[+]intro ~ 20, after the formation of the primary complex with a [-]/[+]intro close to 1, only slightly changes the inner structure of the primary complexes. Moreover, in contrast to the synthesis achieved in the one-step mixing procedure where the proteins are unfolded for a range of [-]/[+]intro, the native conformation of the proteins is preserved inside the frozen core

Employer Brand of Choice: an employee perspective

This study seeks to contribute in the field of the ideal employer, by determining the Employer Brand of Choice and its core components. In doing so, a pilot study was initially conducted to delineate these components. Evidence from 896 working adults that participated in a field study support the multi-dimensionality of the construct Employer Brand of choice, highlighting the role of “Remuneration”, “Relationships”, “Opportunities for Self Development”, “Recognition”, and “Corporate Image”. These findings not only offer a concrete and holistic theoretical base of Employer Brand of Choice, but they can also serve as a managerial guide towards enhancing companies’ ability to attract, retain and motivate talented individuals. © 2015 Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) Press

An intelligent decision support system for managing natural and man-made disasters

Climate change-induced disasters are gaining in both severity and intensity. In view of their associated increased impacts on human assets and systems, public and private stakeholders have lately turned their attention to efficiently and effectively managing their effects, both prior as well as during an event’s occurrence. In an effort to address this issue, the DECIDE intelligent decision support systems (iDSS) has been developed, validated and tested under realistic conditions, aiming to assist public authorities in safe-proofing and protecting transport networks and operations in case of extreme weather events and related natural hazards. The iDSS is a web-based, GIS-enabled platform, able to suggest protection and management measures that optimally address occurring events, the affected modes of transport and transport networks and infrastructures. Optimal protection actions are derived from a database containing measures, strategies and policies that have been deployed at EU level in the last decades

Refinement of ovariohysterectomy in rabbits through reducing the surgical stress

Although animal welfare has been of great concern for many years, an increased scientific interest on prevention and reduction of animal suffering recently arose. Rabbits are very popular laboratory animals, farm animals and pets. Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is a common surgical procedure in rabbits and is potentially painful unless appropriate analgesia is provided. Reduction of surgical stress and minimizing inflammatory response might significantly improve the welfare of laboratory animals [1]. Reduced pain associated with laparoscopic OHE has already been reported [2]. However, more rigorous comparisons of laparoscopic OHE versus so called open OHE by laparotomy have yet to establish a clear advantage [3]. The present study compared laparoscopic OHE with conventional open OHE and open OHE with pre-incisional local anaesthesia in rabbits. The aim was to indicate the most suitable approach for minimizing the surgical stress. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2.8\ub10.26 kg were divided into three groups of six animals each. Animals of group A underwent laparoscopic OHE, in rabbits of group B open OHE through a standardized 5-cm midline abdominal incision and in those of group C open OHE with a pre-incisional subcutaneous infusion of lidocaine 2% was performed. Blood samples were taken from each rabbit 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia (T0), after skin incision (T1), 90 minutes postoperatively (T2), and 24 hours postoperatively (T3). Cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), tumor necrosis factor-\u3b1 (TNF\u3b1), adrenaline, noradrenaline and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma. Shapiro-Wilk, and t or Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for statistical analysis. Rabbits undergoing laparoscopic OHE demonstrated less serum cortisol response immediately after skin incision (T1) compared with rabbits of group B [t (6)=2,617, p=0.035)]. Adrenaline was significantly lower 24 h (T3) after laparoscopy than after open surgery [t (7)=2,610, p=0.035)]. At the same time point during open surgery, TNF-\u3b1 was significantly increased compared with laparoscopic surgery [t (5)=2,612, p=0.048)]. No significant difference was found for ACTH, noradrenaline, IL-6 and CRP levels between the groups. Our findings suggest that laparoscopic OHE causes less activation of the surgical stress system, as expressed by reduced secretion of cortisol and adrenaline. In addition, the laparoscopic technique seems to stimulate the inflammatory response to a lesser extent through reduced TNF-\u3b1 secretion, compared with the open technique with or without local anesthesia. These findings combined with faster recovery and less postoperative pain after minimally invasive OHE indicate that this technique may improve animal welfare in rabbits. [1] Flecknell PL. Refinement of animal use-assessment and alleviation of pain and distress. Lab Anim. 1994; 28:222-231. [2] Devitt CM, Cox RE, Hailey JJ. Duration, complications, stress, and pain of open ovariohysterectomy versus a simple method of laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005;227:921-927. [3] Davidson EB, Moll HD, Payton ME. Comparison of laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy and ovariohysterectomy in dogs. Vet Surg 2004;33:62\u201369

Ultra-Sensitive determination of pesticides via cholinesterase-based sensors for environmental analysis.

This review is focussed towards the development of acetylcholinesterase enzymatic based biosensors for the quantification of trace concentrations of highly toxic pesticides via their inhibitory effect on the enzyme. Initial results were obtained using wild-type enzymes which have a broad spectrum of susceptibility to a variety of pesticides. The sensitivity and selectivity of the enzyme activity was improved by development and screening of a wide range of mutant enzymes. Optimal enzymes were then exploited within a range of sensor formats. A range of immobilisation techniques including adsorption based approaches, binding via proteins and entrapment within conducting polymers were all studied. The incorporation of stabilisers and co-factors were utilised to optimise electrode performance and stability - with both planar and microelectrode geometries being developed. Reproducible quantification of pesticides could be obtained at concentrations down to 10-17 M, representing a detection limit hitherto unavailable