The use of Open Data for estimating rail accessibility in Europe

Accessibility is a greatly significant concept for evaluating spatial interactions and transport systems attractiveness. The ability to accurately measure accessibility is becoming more and more crucial for setting up policies aimed to increase the competitiveness of a transport system by fostering resource efficient modes such as rail. Nevertheless, several rail accessibility studies consider only static variables, such as distance, average speed and travel time, neglecting the temporal components of the considered variables. These limitations are often due to the lack of detailed data. In order to overcome the mentioned weaknesses, this paper presents a comprehensive methodology aimed to evaluate passenger rail accessibility using open data from both time-based GTFS sources and Eurostat geographical layers. Based on passenger train timetable, a set of accessibility indicators are built for allowing a comprehensive analysis of railway connections. The analysis is performed taking into account the Eurostat Local Administrative Units (LAU level 2, municipalities or equivalent units) and the main urban centers definition based on the concept of Greater City established by EC DG REGIO and OECD. The developed methodology is then applied to three European countries (Netherlands, Great Britain and France) where GTFS data are currently available.JRC.J.1-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

Spectral Analysis of Ultrasonic and Photo Acoustic Signals Generated by a Prototypal Fiber Microprobe for Media Characterization

AbstractCombination of photoacoustics and ultrasound can provide complemental features and mutual benefits, useful for a complete tissue characterization and consequently for early diagnosis or therapy monitoring. Furthermore, minimally invasive techniques are required both to reach organs or tissue not accessible and to reduce patient discomfort and costs. This work has tested a prototypal microprobe for media characterization analysing their optical and mechanical features. Two different transmitters compose the miniaturized probe: one for large bandwidth ultrasonic signals generation and one for guiding the laser light into tissue to photogenerate ultrasound. The aim is to evaluate the possibility of employing in the future this new type of microprobe to characterize internal tissue, combining ultrasound and photoacoustic investigations. A calibrated commercial hydrophone has been used to detect generated signals, with the aim to provide repeatable and reliable results. Dedicated test objects have been realized by using solutions of corn starch flour and of Chinese ink with different and calibrated dilutions. The spectral algorithm HyperSPACE (Hyper SPectral Analysis for Characterization in Echography), applied on ultrasonic and photoacoustic signals has allowed differentiating scatterers' concentration and distribution

Astragali radix: could it be an adjuvant for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy?

Neurotoxicity is a major side effect of platinum derivatives both during and after treatment. In the absence of effective pharmacological compounds, the opportunity to identify safe adjuvant treatments among medicinal plants seems appropriate. Astragali radix is an adaptogenic herbal product recently analyzed in platinum-treated cancer patients. With the aim of evaluating the anti-neuropathic profile of Astragali radix, a previously characterized aqueous (Aqu) and two hydroalcoholic (20%HA and 50%HA) extracts were tested in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. Repeated administrations significantly reduced oxaliplatin-dependent hypersensitivity with 50%HA, the most effective, fully preventing mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Ex vivo, 50%HA reduced morphometric and molecular alterations induced by oxaliplatin in peripheral nerve and dorsal-root-ganglia. In the spinal cord and in brain areas, 50%HA significantly decreased activation of microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, 50%HA prevented the nephro- and hepato-toxicity induced by the anticancer drug. The protective effect of 50%HA did not alter oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis in colon tumors of Pirc rats, an Apc-driven model of colon carcinogenesis. The hydroalcoholic extract (50%HA) of Astragali radix relieves pain and promotes the rescue mechanisms that protect nervous tissue from the damages triggering chronic pain. A safe profile strongly suggests the usefulness of this natural product in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy

Competition and Cooperation in Rail and Air

Rail and air passenger transportation provide both competitive and complementary services. In Europe, there are many medium distance corridors where rail and air services compete. However, this situation is now changing because of the new low cost air carriers offering even lower rates. Can high-speed rail continue to expand if low-cost airlines are taking over as the alternative also on short routes? Should this competition rather be seen in the perspective of integrated transport policy?JRC.J.1-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

Urban public transport

Public transport industry is facing challenging times. Fuel costs are rising meanwhile subsidies are decreasing and in addition, the economic crisis and new mobility trends are putting more pressure into the system with higher demand. Raising revenues and reducing cost is a mantra for all public transport operators: it is now time to do more with less but with more customers. Providers are changing trying to go beyond their local borders (merging in major groups), improving travel experience (real time and mobile communications) and diversifying revenues sources (advertising and consultancy). In most developed country we are observing a strong change in urban mobility trends that reflect a less intensive use of cars. For the first time we are recording decreasing number in license holding among younger generation. Furthermore it was noticed that driving distance reached a peak at the beginning of 2000 and after a period of stability is now declining. This put a stronger pressure on PT operators that has to meet customer expectation with shrunken budget. Due to new financial cuts, many companies should also work to maximise revenues. Some are just starting to establish interactions with customers using mobile technologies. This could allow collecting data and conducting surveys at lower costs, in order to get a better insight into the demand and provides new services according to specific travel needs of the citizens. In addition using smart technologies, as e-ticketing, could lead in the future to have the opportunity to set dynamical fare scheme (peak and off-peak tickets). Analysis of travel applications based on open data clearly shows that the added value created for third parties, helps to enhance the travel experience (e-ticketing, travel planner, on time app) and to shape mobility (promotions, personalized fare). Lowering of public subsidies is forcing operators to rethink their business model, seeking new revenues streams. Diversification of economic sources could help avoiding fares increase and service cuts. Some operators are trying to expand into the consultancy sector selling their expertise in traffic systems or in project managing. Others are increasingly considering advertisement solutions in stations or in the rolling stock. Ultimately, transport companies are moving from simply local operator towards a more complex, bigger industry providing additional services and retail investment opportunities. The chapter shows that the future outlook of urban public transport will be influenced by three main pillars: budget pressure (decreasing budgets, cost control, new business model), mobility pattern changes (increasing in public transport demand) and new technologies (social media, smart apps).JRC.J.1-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

Laccase Activity in Trichoderma virens

Fungal laccases are involved in multiple functions, such as lignin degradation, pigments (melanin) synthesis and degradation, detoxification and pathogenesis. Furthermore, they are useful biocatalysts for several biotechnological applications.The laccase gene function was previously analysed in Trichoderma virens, an effective biocontrol agent: six genes were identified and one of them was deleted and shown to be involved in the mycoparasitic activity against B. cinerea sclerotia. Laccase activity in some Trichoderma spp. is also associated with the production of green pigment in conidial spores. Further investigations on the laccase gene family in T. virens were performed in order to explore mechanisms putatively involved in ligninolysis, conidiogenesis and industrial dyes decolorization. Laccase functions in lignocellulosic process and sporulation mechanisms were studied by growing T. virens on two different substrates: wheat straw liquid medium, containing lignocellulose as the only carbon source, or solid H\uf6lker medium, formulated to induce spore formation. In addition, liquid cultures containing twelve commercial textile dyes were set up and T. virens efficiently decolorized three of them. Biochemical and expression analyses performed on these different experimental systems suggested different roles of the relative enzymes in regulating multiple mechanisms. In conclusion, information is gained about some properties of the T. virens laccase gene family. Six genes are shown to be differentially involved in physiological processes in T. virens some of which are important for its fitness or antagonistic attitude while others are exploitable in biotechnological applications related to ligninolysis or to textile dyes decolorization