A Survey on Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Routing Problem and a Proposal of Its Classification

The growth of environmental awareness and more robust enforcement of numerous regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have directed efforts towards addressing current environmental challenges. Considering the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), one of the effective strategies to control greenhouse gas emissions is to convert the fossil fuel-powered fleet into Environmentally Friendly Vehicles (EFVs). Given the multitude of constraints and assumptions defined for different types of VRPs, as well as assumptions and operational constraints specific to each type of EFV, many variants of environmentally friendly VRPs (EF-VRP) have been introduced. In this paper, studies conducted on the subject of EF-VRP are reviewed, considering all the road transport EFV types and problem variants, and classifying and discussing with a single holistic vision. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it determines a classification of EF-VRP studies based on different types of EFVs, i.e., Alternative-Fuel Vehicles (AFVs), Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Vehicles (HVs). Second, it presents a comprehensive survey by considering each variant of the classification, technical constraints and solution methods arising in the literature. The results of this paper show that studies on EF-VRP are relatively novel and there is still room for large improvements in several areas. So, to determine future insights, for each classification of EF-VRP studies, the paper provides the literature gaps and future research needs

Seismic assessment of typological masonry buildings using simulated ground motion records: A case study for Azores, Portugal

Earthquakes are the major causes of damage and loss to the built environment, including cultural heritages, monumental buildings, and historical centres. Many regions with predominant active tectonic plates and high seismicity lack recorded ground motion datasets regarding large-magnitude events or near-field records. Among them, the Azores islands in Portugal are the regions with high seismicity. The traditional buildings from the Azores are mainly constituted of rubble stone masonry, which represents one of the weakest materials once subjected to seismic loads. The seismic performance of buildings has recently increased, given the public awareness related to damage prediction and risk mitigation during earthquakes. This study uses the stochastic finite-fault ground motion simulation approach to simulate region-specific scenario earthquakes in the Azores Plateau at bedrock. Simulations are accomplished by considering the stochastic behaviour of input-model parameters in terms of source and path attenuation effects. As a result, the dataset includes a wide range of moment magnitude and source-to-site distance due to the rupture of active faults in the Azores Plateau. Structural models are simulated using an equivalent frame model. Subsequently, analytical fragility curves are derived for these structures using the generated ground motion datasets. Results reveal that the studied structures are vulnerable to seismic actions.ERC -European Research Council(LA/P/0112/2020

Stochastic simulation of earthquake ground motions for the seismic assessment of monumental masonry structures: source-based vs site-based approaches

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters and have resulted in a massive number of fatalities and economic losses all over the world. Simulated ground motion records are valuable, particularly for regions lacking seismic stations or with a limited history of large-magnitude earthquakes. Notably, a significant percentage of monumental masonry buildings are located in regions with limited access to real records; hence, simulated records play a paramount role in their seismic protection. However, few studies have investigated the structural response of heritage buildings via response history analyses to assess the performance of simulated earthquakes against real ones. To accomplish this, this study simulates the recorded time-series of the 9th of July 1998 Faial earthquake in the Azores (Mw = 6.2) at four available stations, using two different simulation approaches, that is, a source-based stochastic finite-fault method and a site-based broadband stochastic method. First, two masonry facades with sidewalls characterized by different slenderness levels are adopted to conduct this research. Moreover, the proposed approach is also applied to an existing monumental structure, that is, São Francisco Church, located at Horta, which was affected by damage during the Faial earthquake. Results demonstrate that both simulation approaches provide similar results in terms of structural response prediction. The proposed framework also demonstrates that a small mismatch in terms of predicted damage patterns can result in a significant relative error in terms of displacement predictions.This work was partly financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) under the R&D Unit ISISE under refer ence UIDB/04029/2020, and under the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE under reference LA/P/0112/2020. This study has been partly funded by the STAND4HERITAGE project that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (Grant agreement No. 833123), as an Advanced Grant. This work is also partly financed by MPP2030-FCT PhD Grants under the R&D Unit Insti-tute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), under reference PRT/BD/154348/2022. This work is partly financed by national funds through FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, under grant agreement UI/BD/153379/2022 attributed to the 4th author. This study has been partly funded by Foundation of Science and Technology, under grant agreement PRT/BD/154348/2022

ANN-based ground motion model for Turkey using stochastic simulation of earthquakes

Turkey is characterized by a high level of seismic activity attributed to its complex tectonic structure. The country has a dense network to record earthquake ground motions; however, to study previous earthquakes and to account for potential future ones, ground motion sim- ulations are required. Ground motion simulation techniques offer an alternative means of generating region-specific time-series data for locations with limited seismic networks or re- gions with seismic data gaps, facilitating the study of potential catastrophic earthquakes. In this research, a local ground motion model (GMM) for Turkey is developed using region- specific simulated records, thus constructing a homogeneous data set. The simulations employ the stochastic finite-fault approach and utilize validated input-model parameters in distinct re- gions, namely Afyon, Erzincan, Duzce, Istanbul and Van. To overcome the limitations of linear regression-based models, artificial neural network is used to establish the form of equations and coefficients. The predictive input parameters encompass fault mechanism (FM), focal depth (FD), moment magnitude (Mw), Joyner and Boore distance (RJB) and average shear wave velocity in the top 30 m (Vs30). The data set comprises 7359 records with Mw ranging between 5.0 and 7.5 and RJB ranging from 0 to 272 km. The results are presented in terms of spectral ordinates within the period range of 0.03–2.0 s, as well as peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity. The quantification of the GMM uncertainty is achieved through the analysis of residuals, enabling insights into inter- and intra-event uncertainties. The simulation results and the effectiveness of the model are verified by comparing the predicted values of ground motion parameters with the observed values recorded during previous events in the region. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed model in simulating physical phenomena.This work was partly financed by FCT/MCTES through National funds (PIDDAC) under the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), under reference UIDB/04029/2020, and under the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE under refer ence LA/P/0112/2020. This study has been partly funded by the STAND4HERITAGE project that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement no. 833123), as an advanced grant. This work is financed by national funds through FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, under grant agreement 2020.08876.BD attributed to the second author. This work is financed by national funds through FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, under grant agreement UI/BD/153379/2022 attributed to the third author. Shaghayegh Karimzadeh: Conceptualisation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualisation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing. Amirhossein Mohammadi: Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Visualisation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing. Sayed Mohammad Sajad Hussaini: Formal anal ysis, Investigation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing. Daniel Caicedo: Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing— original draft, Writing—review & editing. Aysegul Askan: Data curation, Resources, Writing—review & editing. Paulo B. Lourenço: Funding acquisition, Resources, Supervision, Writing—review & editing

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene I/D Polymorphism Is Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is indispensable for endothelial control and vascular tone regulatory systems, usually affected in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism may influence the progress of SLE. Earlier studies have investigated this association without any consistency in results. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the precise association between ACE I/D polymorphism and SLE susceptibility. The relevant studies were searched until December, 2017 using Medline (PubMed), Google-Scholar and EMBASE search engines. Twenty-five published studies involving 3,308 cases and 4,235 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Statistically significant increased risk was found for allelic (D vs. I: p = 0.007; OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 1.052–1.374), homozygous (DD vs. II: p = 0.025; OR = 1.347, 95% CI = 1.038–1.748), dominant (DD+ID vs. II: p = 0.002; OR = 1.195, 95% CI = 1.070–1.334), and recessive (DD vs. ID+II: p = 0.023; OR = 1.338, 95% CI = 1.042–1.718) genetic models. Subgroup analysis stratified by Asian ethnicity revealed significant risk of SLE in allelic (D vs. I: p = 0.045; OR = 1.238, 95% CI = 1.005–1.525) and marginal risk in dominant (DD+ID vs. II: p = 0.056; OR = 1.192, 95% CI = 0.995–1.428) models; whereas, no association was observed for Caucasian and African population. Publication bias was absent. In conclusion, ACE I/D polymorphism has significant role in overall SLE risk and it can be exploited as a prognostic marker for early SLE predisposition

Evaluation of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) in broiler chicken during hot humid summer using zoo technical, molecular and physio-biochemical tools

Climate resilient poultry production is a major challenge especially for hot regions like India. Accordingly, the efficacy of mannan-oligosaccharides as anti-heat stressor was studied. Broiler chicks were reared on a standard diet up to 14th day of age. Thereafter, the chicks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups viz. T1 (Control group: Standard diet, T2 (Standard diet with MOS @ 0.3%) and T3 (Standard diet with MOS @ 0.5%) each with 40 birds divided in 5 replicates of 8 birds each upto 42 days of age. Experiment was carried out during hot-humid (August-September, 26.0±0.12° to 34.25±0.37°C, Rh%: 76.95±0.90 to 86.15±0.61) summer. Growth performance, immunity (4th week), physiological (4th and 6th week), biochemical (4th and 6th wk) and molecular parameters (4th and 6th wk) were recorded. Feed intake, live weight gain and FCR improved significantly (P<0.001) on MOS supplementation. The relative yield of immune organs at 4th and 6th week of age, humoral (P<0.001) as well as cellular (P<0.01) immunity also improved significantly. The percentage of haemoglobin, protein, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase increased significantly (P<0.001) due to MOS supplementation at 4th as well as 6th week of age. While H:L ratio, serum corticosterone and serum cholesterol decreased significantly (P<0.001) in MOS supplemented groups. Supplementation of MOS at both the levels (0.3 and 0.5%) caused significant down regulation of relative expression of HSP70 in jejunum tissues during 28th or 42nd day of age. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that MOS supplementation @ 0.3% or 0.5% in diet of heat stressed broilers improved performance as well as welfare

Ovarian cancer modulates the immunosuppressive function of CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells via glutamine metabolism

OBJECTIVE: Immature CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells that acquire immunosuppressive capability, also known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are a heterogeneous population of cells that regulate immune responses. Our study\u27s objective was to elucidate the role of ovarian cancer microenvironment in regulating the immunosuppressive function of CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells. METHODS: All studies were performed using the intraperitoneal ID8 syngeneic epithelial ovarian cancer mouse model. Myeloid cell depletion and immunotherapy were carried out using anti-Gr1 mAb, gemcitabine treatments, and/or anti PD1 mAb. The treatment effect was assessed by survival curve, in situ luciferase-guided imaging, and histopathologic evaluation. Adoptive transfer assays were carried out between congenic CD45.2 and CD45.1 mice. Immune surface and intracellular markers were assessed by flow cytometry. ELISA, western blot, and RT-PCR techniques were employed to assess protein and RNA expression of various markers. Bone marrow-derived myeloid cells were used for ex-vivo studies. RESULTS: Depletion of Gr1(+) immunosuppressive myeloid cells alone and in combination with anti-PD1 immunotherapy inhibited ovarian cancer growth. These findings, in addition to the adoptive transfer studies, validated the role of immunosuppressive CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells in promoting ovarian cancer. Mechanistic investigations showed that ID8 tumor cells and their microenvironment produced both recruitment and regulatory factors for immunosuppressive CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells. CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells primed by ID8 tumors showed increased immunosuppressive marker expression and acquired an energetic metabolic phenotype promoted mainly by increased oxidative phosphorylation fueled by glutamine. Inhibiting the glutamine metabolic pathway reduced the increased oxidative phosphorylation and decreased immunosuppressive markers expression and function. Dihydrolipoamide succinyl transferase (DLST), a subunit of α-KGDC in the TCA cycle, was found be the most significantly elevated gene in tumor primed myeloid cells. Inhibition of DLST reduced oxidative phosphorylation, immunosuppressive marker expression, and function in myeloid cells. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the ovarian cancer microenvironment can regulate the metabolism and function of immunosuppressive CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells and modulate its immune microenvironment. Targeting glutamine metabolism via DLST in those immunosuppressive myeloid decreased their activity, leading to a reduction in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, targeting glutamine metabolism has the potential to enhance the success of immunotherapy in ovarian cancer