Urban freight logistics in the European Union

The paper recalls the main challenges of the European urban freight policy: the environment, the need for sustainable growth and quality of urban life. These are then interpreted by the member states. Some states have a top down prescriptive approach some others do not. The BESTUFS project, promoted by the EC, collects and disseminates best practice across the EU. It has identified a deep weakness at a local level, whilst also a wide range of pilots and successful exceptions

Issues of eLogistics applications for varying stakeholders: findings from an online survey

The current paper aims to: a) propose and verify definition of eLogistics: ‘a set of activities based on using ICT systems and tools, as well as the Internet, as the main communication medium in order to maintain logistics processes’ and explore its acceptance; b) provide a synthesis of trend and possibilities of eLogistics systems and c) obtain a comprehensive picture of available eLogistics applications, sources, functionality and use by different type of companies. A qualitative research approach was adopted applying the Bristol Online Survey (BOS) tool. A brief literature review (of limited online sources and books) resulted in the online survey questionnaire. The survey questions had the options of: agree or disagree; or yes or no on a particular statement or issue. Also to solicit the opinion of the survey participants, a free text area/box was provided against an issue or statement. The study suggests that open source, open standards and standardised system interfaces will support increased supply chain efficiency through integration and access to SMEs as well as larger players. The development and running of an eLogistics platform is costly for SMEs. The authors recommend that such platform be developed through funding by national governments and/or the European Commission. The running and maintenance of such platform can be done by an association relevant to SMEs or a third party with a small contribution (or fee) by the participating SMEs. Document type: Articl

Structure specific recognition protein-1 (SSRP1) is an elongated homodimer that binds histones

The histone chaperone complex facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) plays important roles in DNA repair, replication, and transcription. In the formation of this complex, structure-specific recognition protein-1 (SSRP1) heterodimerizes with suppressor of Ty 16 (SPT16). SSRP1 also has SPT16-independent functions, but how SSRP1 functions alone remains elusive. Here, using analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques, we characterized human SSRP1 and that from the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum and show that both orthologs form an elongated homodimer in solution. We found that substitutions in the SSRP1 pleckstrin homology domain known to bind SPT16 also disrupt SSRP1 homodimerization. Moreover, AUC and SAXS analyses revealed that SSRP1 homodimerization and heterodimerization with SPT16 (resulting in FACT) involve the same SSRP1 surface, namely, the PH2 region, and that the FACT complex contains only one molecule of SSRP1. These observations suggest that SSRP1 homo- and heterodimerization might be mutually exclusive. Moreover, isothermal titration calorimetry analyses disclosed that SSRP1 binds both histones H2A-H2B and H3-H4 and that disruption of SSRP1 homodimerization decreases its histone-binding affinity. Together, our results provide evidence for regulation of SSRP1 by homodimerization and suggest a potential role for homodimerization in facilitating SPT16-independent functions of SSRP1

ESG Scores and Secondary Equity Offerings: A Case of Secondary Equity Offering in the US

MSc in Business with Major Sustainable Finance, Handelshøyskolen BI, 2023The relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and secondary equity offerings (SEO) has received limited attention in the literature. This thesis explores this topic using a sample of US-listed firms and applies various econometric methods. We find that ESG scores are inconsistent measures for a firm’s performance in the event of an SEO and that they do not affect the market reaction. Additionally, we find that CO2 emissions have a negative impact on the abnormal returns of firms issuing secondary equity and that firms with high ESG scores are less likely to issue equity to raise capital and more likely to use the proceeds for dividend payments. We conclude that ESG scores are unreliable predictors of SEO performance, and find evidence for the probability of issuing equity and allocation of proceeds

Time series analysis of rail freight services by the private sector in Europe

This paper explores rail freight services provided by the private sector in the context of a rail freight corridor through Europe with new EU policy directives in place and assesses the corridor using time series analysis. Comparisons between three different operational time periods are discussed; analysis suggests that these types of services operated on trans-European rail freight corridors appear to be a viable and reliable concept in the near future