The study of transport impact on the environment with regard to sustainable development

The paper presents the problem of transport impact on the environment in terms of sustainable development. Technical and technological conditions of environmental impact assessment of transport was presented. In order to assess road transport in the context of environmental impact, the indicator of harmful exhaust gas emission levels was developed. Mathematical formulas describing criteria for the environmental impact assessment of transport were presented. In order to assess the impact of transport on the environment an/the EMITRANSYS model was developed

A Model for the Designing of Multimodal Transport Processes and the Concept of Its Integration with the EPLOS System

The paper proposes a new single criterion mathematical model for the designing of multimodal transport processes by taking into account the cargo’s susceptibility and the concept of its inclusion into the EPLOS system, which is done as part of the EUREKA initiative. This system will integrate the data from logistics sources and transport and logistics infrastructure from many sources. In the first phase of its implementation, it will cover the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Baltic States. Using the EPLOS system integrating data from various sources needed to solve this problem is a proposal to overcome the main barrier to the effective planning of multimodal transport processes – a lack of reliable information

Benefits from Implementing the EPLOS System in Logistics Companies

Logistics companies are currently differently using IT tools to assist the planning of their operational activity. The functionalities of tools are also different. The paper presents the results of a research on the use of automated solutions to obtain the data necessary for logistics processes planning. It also presents a review of IT solutions used by TSL (transport, shipping, logistics) companies and the functionality of these tools. This allowed for the assessment of the potential of the EPLOS system to be used in TSL companies, as well as the benefits of implementing this system. In the paper, the selected results of a survey made in companies about the crucial data needed for efficient operating were presented. The summary indicates the main features that software should have in the era of the Industry 4.0 revolution

Noise and environmental pollution from transport: decisive problems in developing ecologically efficient transport systems

The paper discusses problems of sustainable development of transport systems with special attention paid to noise pollution and emission of harmful compounds of exhaust gases. It presents traffic flow model for a transport network, which can be applied for estimation of external costs of transport resulting from congestion and congestion-related effects like noise and harmful emission. Model includes structure of vehicle stock, segmentation of transport, characteristics of roads and elements of surroundings. It allows for computational experiments with traffic distribution into transport network and traffic management and, in consequence, estimation of environmental effects of traffic flow. Formal model was supported by numerical example for transport network of Mazowieckie voivodeship in Poland. The example is based on noise pollution and its external costs. The model was developed on the base of EMITRANSYS model for Mazowieckie in 2016

An Integrated EPLOS Database as a Tool Supporting TSL Companies

The paper presents the conceptual design of a database for the European Portal of Logistics Services (EPLOS) and its application. The database contains the data on logistics companies, the infrastructure for road, railway, inland, and air transport, as well as the data on the nodal elements of logistics infrastructure (warehouse facilities, seaports, transhipment terminals). Complete and verified information is the fundamental condition for rational decisions about the realization of logistics processes on a meso- and macroeconomic scale. Authors present the relations in the making of the EPLOS database, its assumed scope, and the potential benefits for the TSL market from accessing the EPLOS database

The method for evaluation of efficiency of the concept of centrally managed distribution in cities

The paper describes proecological solution dedicated for organizing logistics services in urban areas. Proposed solution is based on cross-docking processes combined with consolidation centres. Authors proposed new method of estimating economic and social benefits from implementing centrally managed cooperation of logistics operators using common city consolidation hubs. Developed mathematical model bases on Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) with vehicles of different types, limited loading capacities and multiply depots characterized by limited throughput. Proposed approach was supported by case study of integration of distribution processes in Warsaw (Poland) performed by three medium-size logistics operators. The central management of distribution was investigated in variants assuming using existing warehouses and with new configuration of logistics network developed with using SIMMAG 3D tools. As it was proved for analysed case, total costs of distribution in the city after implementation of centrally managed distribution were reduced by 8.1% for variant with current depots and by 26.5% for variant with new logistics network, while emission of carbon monoxide (CO) was reduced respectively by 7.8 and 16.7%

Selected Aspects of Model Approach to Logistics System of Poland

The paper presents selected aspects of an innovatory approach to formalization of a notation of Polish Logistics System regarding transport co-modality issue. The importance of external transport in logistics process implemented by Polish Logistics System was discussed. The preliminary identification of Polish Logistics System model elements and links between them were made. As a result the formalization of notation of Polish Logistics System structure was proposed

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for primary prevention in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Recent data regarding the comparison of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and optimal medical treatment in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy has indicated no mortality benefit as a result of ICD therapy. Although the recommendations for ICD implantation did not change, it is worth noting that these findings significantly affected the daily practice of ICD implantation in Europe. Methods: To assess the effect of ICD implantation in comparison to pharmacotherapy in the non-ischemic cardiomyopathy heart failure population through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available carefully designed prospective randomized controlled trials. Only prospective randomized controlled trials comparing ICD implantation in primary prevention vs. optimal pharmacological therapy or placebo and reporting mortality results were included in the meta-analysis. The authors have chosen to include the following trials: CAT, AMIOVIRT, DEFINITE, and DANISH. Results: A meta-analysis of pooled hazard ratios (HR) from all trials conducted on a total of 1789 patients found that ICD therapy decreased all-cause mortality in comparison to optimal pharmacological treatment, with a HR of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–1.01); p = 0.06. The data from the AMIOVIRT, DANISH, and DEFINITE trials, with a total of 1677 participants, showed a significant reduction of sudden cardiac deaths as a result of ICD implantation, with a HR of 0.48 (95% CI 0.31–0.67); p < 0.001. Conclusions: In comparison with optimal medical treatment, ICD implantation in patients with heart failure improves the long-term prognosis in terms of sudden cardiac death, with a strong tendency towards all-cause mortality reduction

The application of the genetic algorithm to multi-criteria warehouses location problems on the logistics network

This paper presents multi-criteria warehouses location problem in the logistics network. In order to solve this problem the location model was developed. The limitations and optimization criteria of the model were determined. Optimization criteria refer to transportation costs, costs associated with warehouses, e.g.: local taxes, expenditure on starting the warehouse, the constant costs, the labour force costs, the purchase costs of the additional land for the expansion, the transition costs of the raw material via the warehouses. The final location of warehouse facilities was obtained using a genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm was developed in order to solve the multi-criteria warehouses location problem. This paper describes the stages of the genetic algorithm i.e. the stage of designating the initial population, the crossover and mutation process, the adaptation function. In this paper, the process of calibration of this algorithm was presented. The results of the genetic algorithm were compared with the random results

Prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: Insights from the COMMIT-HF registry

Background: Previous studies have reported that in patients with heart failure, an increased value of red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, data regarding the association between RDW values and long-term mortality in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) are lacking. The aim of this investigation was to examine the relationship between mortality and RDW in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic LVSD. Methods: Under analysis was 1734 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% of whom were hospitalized between 2009 and 2013. Patients were divided into three groups based on RDW tertiles. Low, medium and high tertiles were defined as RDW ≤ 13.4%, 13.4% < RDW ≤ 14.6% and RDW > 14.6%, respectively. Results: There was a stepwise relationship between RDW intervals and comorbidities. Patients with the highest RDW values were older and more often diagnosed with anemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease. The main finding of our analysis was the presence of an 8-fold increase in all-cause mortality in the entire cohort between high and low RDW tertile. Cox hazard analysis identi­fied RDW as an independent predictive factor of mortality in all patients (HR 2.8; 95% CI 2.1–3.8; p < 0.0001) and in subgroups of patients with ischemic (HR 2.8; 95% CI 2.0–3.9; p < 0.0001) and non-ischemic (HR 3.3; 95% CI 2.01–5.5; p < 0.0001) LVSD. Conclusions: The highest RDW tertile was independently associated with higher long-term mortality compared with low and medium tertiles, both in all patients with a LVEF ≤ 35% and in subgroups of patients with ischemic and non-ischemic LVSD