Policy packages for modal shift and CO2 reduction in Lille, France

This paper proposes different policy scenarios to cut CO2 emissions caused by the urban mobility of passengers. More precisely, we compare the effects of the ‘direct tool’ of carbon tax, to a combination of ‘indirect tools’ – not originally aimed at reducing CO2 (i.e. congestion charging, parking charges and a reduction in public transport travel time) in terms of CO2 impacts through a change in the modal split. In our model, modal choices depend on individual characteristics, trip features (including the effects of policy tools), and land use at origin and destination zones. Personal “CO2 emissions budgets” resulting from the trips observed in the metropolitan area of Lille (France) in 2006 are calculated and compared to the situation related to the different policy scenarios. We find that an increase of 50% in parking charges combined with a cordon toll of €1.20 and a 10% travel time decrease in public transport services (made after recycling toll-revenues) is the winning scenario. The combined effects of all the policy scenarios are superior to their separate effects

Analysis of the nutritional and productive behaviour of dairy cows under three rotation bands of pastures, Pichincha, Ecuador

peer reviewedThis research was carried out on Pennisetum clandestinum-based pastures to identify the effect of three (3) types of stocking methods with similar forage allowance (8.2 kg of dry matter for 100 kg of live weight) but differing by the occupation times of the rotations (3 h, 24 h, and continuous) on the behaviour and the production of dairy cows. The experimental scheme consisted in three herds of four Holstein Friesian cows grazing three paddocks, one per rotation type, for one week and replicated three times in a cross-over design. Pasture height and biomass were measured before and after each grazing week and on a daily basis, two cows per herd were monitored during daytime with activity sensors and their milk production was recorded. The main results showed that in all treatments the cows reduced the height of the sward by 40 % on average. The cows in the continuous treatment spent more time in meals and tended to have higher average speed during the day than in the 3-h rotation ascribed to a higher exploration of the whole gradable area every day in the continuous treatment and to more time idling animals in the 3-h treatment in anticipation of the opening of new areas to graze over the course of day. Despite those difference in activity, milk production did not differ neither in quantity with an average of 12.4 ± 0.14 kg per day, nor in quality (i.e., fat, protein, non-fatty solids, total solids). We conclude that under our grazing conditions with an intermediate forage allowance and low producing cows, applying a labour intensive stocking method requiring to open new areas every 3 hours does not lead to a significant production increase

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Qualitative and Quantitative Visualization of Wake Vortices in Industrial Test Facilities

Increasing security demands of air traffic control require an improved understanding of the wake vortex behavior behind transport aircraft. The persistence of aircraft trailing vortices determines the minimum distance between successive landing air-liners (between 3 and 6 miles, depending on weight of aircraft) and thus limits the passenger rate of an airport. The risk of such wake vortices increases with the aircraft's weight, so that in the case of wide-bodied aircraft the advantage of a higher passenger capacity is partly lost by the delayed landing of the following air-liner. In most cases experimental simulations of the wake vortex problems are carried out in a wind tunnel, where however the length of the test section determines, how far behind the plane the vortices can be investigated. The standard measuring techniques for wind tunnels can be applied (flow visualization by means of smoke, measurement of velocity fields by means of 5 hole probes etc.)