Evaluating urban freight transport policies within complex urban environments

Urban Freight Transport (UFT) entails significant advantages for the economic growth of cities, but can also hamper population quality of life, obstructing vehicles and people movements while exacerbating environmental problems. Many initiatives have been engaged by many city administrators in order to efficiently manage UFT, evaluating different policies at a global scale. From the perspective of operators, most works analyze a limited set of policies or only focus on the benefits of companies. In this work, a decisionmaking process is used to evaluate a large set of UFT policies, through different attributes representing the advantages and limitations of each policy over promoter companies and the society. To do so, an ex-ante procedure in five steps is proposed to classify the policies: (1) attributes definition, (2) attributes weighting, (3) policy-attribute assessment, (4) policy ranking, and (5) feasibility threshold satisfaction. The whole process is supported on consultations to 26 experts regarding shop supply and restocking activities within complex urban environments. Results show a classification of the analyzed policies, according to their suitability for implementation ; which could be extended (directly or with small adjustments) to other contexts, given the flexibility of the decision-making procedure developed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A step-by-step guide to assist logistics managers in defining efficient re-shelving solutions for retail store deliveries

Purpose City logistics is a challenge in many cities. Literature works focus on the analysis of large or local-scale solutions to increase the efficiency of freight transport. However, store deliveries from the perspective of practitioners, particularly retail stores, are still an issue. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to propose a decision framework to assist logistics managers in defining efficient re-shelving solutions for store deliveries, according to the emplacement characteristics, city administration constraints and social issues. Design/methodology/approach An iterative step-by-step decision framework is developed, which allows taking decisions in a clear and structured way, including the preferences of key stakeholders. Moreover, a “what if” procedure is proposed, aiming to modify some initial conditions of the target store to achieve more efficient solutions. Findings The proposed decision framework is applicable in practice and helps users (mainly logistics managers) to identify solutions for efficient re-shelving in urban settings. Research limitations/implications The decision framework is applied by the logistics manager of two Spanish food retail stores, but it could be used in different logistics sectors and cities/regions, although adapting the decisions taken at each phase. Practical implications Logistics managers have a support tool when addressing re-shelving solutions for store deliveries. Social implications A balance can be found between company interests (minimise costs) and citizens quality of life (less contamination, noise, traffic, etc.). Originality/value This study simultaneously deals with large- and local-scale decisions faced by logistics managers in their day-to-day activity, considering details about the store location, its surroundings and the company it belongs.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Journalistic Multi-Skilling in the News Agencies AFP, EFE, ANSA, and ACN

This study clarifies the conditions that should be met by news agencies if they decide to hybridise their journalists to take on the roles of both photographer and camera operator. The main objective is to identify the limits of multitasking that should not be exceeded in order to prevent work overload from reducing journalists’ capacity to report. To this end, the investigation includes surveys, interviews and direct observation of each of the news agencies analysed. The state news agencies in France, Spain and Italy (AFP, EFE and ANSA) value their multi-skilled staff. They regard their versatility as a virtue that ensures a greater use of technological innovation and, moreover, results in a more efficient business operation. However, these three news agencies, which constitute a benchmark in Europe, conclude that news agencies will only continue to be central to the  new digital environment if they prioritise the rigorous work of their journalists above their multimedia output.Polivalencia periodística en las agencias de noticias AFP, EFE, ANSA y ACNEste estudio enumera las condiciones que debe respetar una agencia de noticias si decide hibridar a sus periodistas para que asuman los o cios de los fotógrafos y de los operadores de cámara. Su objetivo principal es hallar los límites que no deben traspasarse para evitar que la sobrecarga de trabajo reduzca la capacidad de informar. Para ello la investigación incluye encuestas, entrevistas y la observación directa de cada una de las redacciones analizadas. Las agencias estatales de Francia, España e Italia (AFP, EFE y ANSA) valoran la polivalencia en sus trabajadores como una virtud que garantiza un mayor aprovechamiento de las innovaciones tecnológicas, que, además, desemboca en un funcionamiento empresarial más eficiente. Sin embargo, estas tres empresas de comunicación referentes en Europa, concluyen que, en el nuevo entorno digital, las agencias de noticias solo seguirán siendo imprescindibles si priorizan el trabajo riguroso de sus profesionales por encima de su producción multimedia

Media and public interest in the era of web analytics: A case study of two Spanish leading newspapers”

Las etiquetas “Lo más visto”, “Lo más compartido” y “Lo más comentado” son ejemplos de la lógica que las herramientas de analítica web imponen a los medios digitales en un ecosistema informativo en el que la audiencia, que hoy se puede cuantificar más al detalle que nunca, ha adquirido un protagonismo enorme. En este contexto, el presente artículo se centra en estudiar cómo se construye hoy la agenda de los medios en relación con la creciente importancia dada a las estadísticas de páginas vistas. SE analizan las implicaciones de este nuevo escenario en nuestras sociedades democráticas. Esta investigación toma la forma de un caso de estudio sobre dos de los principales diarios españoles, Lavanguardia.com y Elperiodico. com, recurriendo al análisis de contenido y a entrevistas en profundidad con profesionales en activo. El objetivo es dar respuesta a la siguiente pregunta: ¿qué peso tiene el interés público en las noticias y el contenido viral o anecdótico que se propaga en la web? AbstractThe labels “The most viewed”, “The most shared”, and “The most commented” are examples of the logic from web analytics tools in an information ecosystem where the audience has acquired an enormous role because it is now possible to quantify more precisely than ever before. In this context, the present investigation focuses on how the digital media agenda is currently being constructed in relation to the increasing importance given to pageview statistics. The implications of this new scenario for our society as a whole will be analyzed. This research takes the form of a case study of two of Spain’s leading newspapers, Lavanguardia.com and Elperiodico.com, using content analysis and in-depth interviews with working professionals. The aim of the research is to attempt to answer the following questions: How relevant is public interest news? How much importance is accorded to anecdotal and viral content?  

Distribución urbana de mercancías: descripción y clasificación de soluciones existentes e implementación de dos soluciones novedosas

En este trabajo se describen y clasifican las soluciones existentes para la distribución urbana de mercancías (DUM) y se proponen dos soluciones novedosas aplicables a la DUM. La descripción de las soluciones proviene de una extensa revisión de la literatura existente. La clasificación de las soluciones existentes es fruto del análisis realizado por los autores, gracias al cual se propone una nueva clasificación en 6 categorías distintas. En cuanto a las soluciones novedosas, se describen y se analiza su utilidad mediante dos pruebas piloto en España en establecimientos de las enseñas Eroski, Caprabo y Mercadona. A lo largo de las pruebas piloto queda patente que dichas dos soluciones pueden ser de gran utilidad para el sector de la DUM

Los grabados de la sierra de Felipa (La Font de la Figuera, València)

En el municipio de la Font de la Figuera existe un pequeño conjunto de grabados localizados sobre una era junto a la casa de la Felipa. Aunque algunos vecinos de la población los conocen, no han sido objeto de ninguna publicación detallada. Por ello se presenta el estudio realizado sobre estos grabados, valorando las diferentes posibilidades interpretativas a la hora de aproximarnos a su función y cronología.In la Font de la Figuera there is a small set of prints located in a house next to the Felipa. Although some residents of the town know them, these prints have not been subjected to any detailed publication. Considering that, the study of these prints is presented, evaluating the different interpretative chances regarding its function and chronology

Prevalence of HPV-DNA and E6 mRNA in lung cancer of HIV-infected patients

HIV-infected individuals could be at a greater risk for developing lung cancer than the general population due to the higher prevalence in the former of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the oral cavity and higher smoking rates. Our aim was to assess HPV prevalence and E6 viral oncogene transcription in lung cancer samples from HIV-infected individuals. This was a single-center, retrospective study of a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients diagnosed with and treated for lung cancer. Pathological lung samples archived as smears or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks were subjected to HPV genotyping, detection of human p16 protein and assessment for HPV E6 mRNA expression. Lung cancer samples from 41 patients were studied, including squamous cell carcinoma (32%), adenocarcinoma (34%), non-small cell cancer (27%), and small cell cancer (7%). HPV DNA was detected in 23 out of 41 (56%, 95% CI 41-70%) of samples and high-risk (HR)-HPV types were detected in 16 out of 41 (39%, 95% CI 26-54%), HPV-16 being the most prevalent [13/16 (81.3%, 95% CI 57.0-93%]. In samples with sufficient material left: expression of p16 was detected in 3 out of 10 (30%) of HR-HPV DNA-positive tumors and in 3 out of 7 (43%) of the negative ones; and E6 mRNA was detected in 2 out of 10 (20%) of HPV-16-positive samples (squamous lung cancers). These two patients had a background of a previous HPV-related neoplasia and smoking. HR-HPV DNA detection was prevalent in lung cancers in HIV-infected patients. However, viral oncogene expression was limited to patients with previous HPV-related cancers

La Campanya contra el Quart Cinturó : un moviment social urbà

This article is a case study of what is known as urban social movements. The term refers to the threat that is represented by urbanistic action. We present an analysis of the internal and external aspects of the urban social movements as seen specifically in the Vallès Oriental and Occidental. This urban social movement began as a reaction to the construction of the Quart Cinturó, initiated in 1994, and is still active.En este artículo se hace referencia a los movimientos sociales urbanos, con especial incidencia en los que son motivados por la amenaza que representa la acción urbanística. Concretamente, se presenta un análisis de los aspectos internos y externos del movimiento social urbano originado en el Vallès Oriental y Occidental como reacción al proyecto de construcción del Cuarto Cinturón, redactado en 1966. Este movimiento se articulará a través de la Campaña contra el Cuarto Cinturón, iniciada en 1994 y todavia hoy activa

Effect of methylisothiazolinone on biological treatments: Efficiency of SBRs and Bioindicative Studies

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is widely used as biocide in hair and skin care products and in high concentrations, more than 150 mg/L, in cooling towers in the paper mill and refinery industry. This product has been recognized as a potent contact allergen and is discharged to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) from industrial processes or domestic usages. However, the role of MIT in biological treatment has not been characterized, and therefore, the effect of MIT on the composition and performance of activated sludge has been analyzed. For this purpose, a sequential batch reactor was fed with a synthetic solution containing 5 mg/L of MIT. Addition of MIT had shown no significant effect on organic matter metabolization (dissolved organic carbon [DOC] removal remained constant at 80-90%). On the contrary, a loss of efficiency in the nitrification process occurred (ammonium removal decreased from 90% to 20% per cycle throughout the experiment), first affecting the nitrite oxidizing bacteria and, after around 40 cycles, also the ammonium-oxidizing bacteria disappeared, as shown by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Bioindicative studies based on counts of protozoa and sludge biotic index indicated that, at the end of the process, a stable and well-colonized protozoa community was obtained. Finally, respirometric tests indicated some acclimatization of the heterotrophic bacteria to MIT, as shown by shorter lag periods when the sludge was previously fed with MIT. The role of MIT in biological treatment has been characterized to increase the knowledge about this pollutant effects on activated sludge to improve WWTP performance.We would like to thank the financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad AQUAFOTOX (CTQ2012-38754-C03-02).Amat Payá, AM.; Arques Sanz, A.; López Pérez, MF.; Nácher Pastor, M.; Palacios Guillem, S. (2015). Effect of methylisothiazolinone on biological treatments: Efficiency of SBRs and Bioindicative Studies. Environmental Engineering Science. 32(6):479-485. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2014.0283S47948532