Valuation of road projects with uncertain outcomes

This is a practical implementation of a multicriteria methodology developed to assess the risk involved in investment or policy projects. It is based on the specification of a non-linear, but piecewise linear, additive utility function, where the partial utility functions are specified as recursive exponential functions of only one curvature parameter. This allows for a reduction of the quantity of information necessary to build the utility function in a context of uncertainty. It is introduced in an aggregation model whereby the partial utility functions are built separately through a specific questioning process. The methodology is applied to the selection of road infrastructure projects of the Walloon Region in Belgium with several experts and civil servants from the Transport Ministry whose individual utility functions are derived. Software called MUSTARD is used, which stepwise and interactively helps the decision-makers to formulate the problem, build the criteria's distributions and state their preferences. The projects are ranked according to their rate of return computed on the basis of the projects' certain equivalent money values.     

一个意大利船东眼中的航运危机

一个不幸的预言被验证 2008年4月,我在Trade Winds 举办的SHIPPING CHINA2008大会上就预言,世界船舶货运能力已经过量,船厂应该减少造船量,并且避免对新船厂的投资.     

Rail and multi-modal transport

This paper elaborates on the definitions of inter and multi-modal transport, as well as their differences in terms of performance. A survey of the barriers, both internal and external, to an efficient intermodal transport is included followed by an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of combining rail transport with the other transport modes. Transhipment technologies for efficient freight service and some examples of freight rail corridors between sea and inland terminals are presented. The integration between air and rail transport is discussed and the potential synergies between air and high-speed rail services are emphasised. The paper concludes with a discussion on energy use for sustainable rail performance.     

脑缺血大鼠脑皮层中强啡肽A（1—13）的经时表达及脑含水量的变化

目的 研究局灶性脑缺血大鼠脑皮层中强啡肽A(1-13)的经时表达及脑含水量的变化.方法 用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉梗塞模型,用免疫组织化学方法观察脑缺血组大鼠及假手术对照组大鼠缺血侧及非缺血侧脑皮层强啡肽A(1-13)在脑缺血100 min后再灌注4、8、24 h的表达及脑含水量的变化.结果 假手术对照组大鼠缺血侧及非缺血侧脑皮层表达强啡肽A(1-13)的细胞数分别是每高倍镜视野(60.2±5.1)个及(61.1±3.9)个,在脑缺血后再灌注4、8、24 h大鼠缺血侧及非缺血侧脑皮层的强啡肽A(1-13)表达细胞数分别是每高倍镜视野(39.3±6.2)个及(60.3±3.7)个、(41.5±5.8)个及(60.1±3.9)个、(25.2±5.1)个及(59.6±5.9)个;而脑缺血后再灌注4、8、24 h的缺血侧含水量逐渐增加.结论 大鼠脑缺血后缺血侧脑皮层的强啡肽A(1-13)表达逐渐减少而含水量逐渐增加.     

隧道纵向消防通风的对数理论

文章介绍了一种新的隧道防火通风理论.与目前通用理论不同的是,该模型没有从Froude相似准则出发,而是通过对基本热流体动力学方程组的简化、分析,揭示了火源放热率与隧道通风速度和隧道高度之间的逻辑关系,提出了以火势为特征的隧道火灾通风理论;依据这一理论,隧道通风临界速度为火势的对数函数,进而解释了大型隧道火灾中临界速度与火源放热率无关这一重要实验现象;利用新的火势概念,该理论给出了定量的火灾分类准则,并从数学上描述了各类火灾的物理特征;与现有实验数据比较,新理论无需任何实验修正,在所有火源放热率范围内成功地预测了隧道通风临界速度,从理论上克服了现有模型中临界速度随放热率无限增大的问题.由于新理论的二维性质,隧道侧壁面对防火通风的影响仍需进一步研究.     

Nonlinear Model-Based Multivariable Control for Air & Charging System of Diesel Engine with Short and Long Route EGR Valves

The objective of this study is to investigate a nonlinear model-based multivariable (MIMO, Multi Input Multi Output) technique to decouple actuators interaction and to reduce the calibration effort, while increasing control performances, above all in transient conditions, and robustness with respect to model uncertainties and system parameter variations. The presented control technique is based on the development of a nonlinear dynamical physical model of the diesel air and charging system. Feedback Linearization control is then applied to decouple actuators’ interactions and compensate for nonlinearities. A new set of virtual inputs are defined inverting the system differential equations. Relation among the new virtual inputs and the outputs is purely linear and decoupled, meaning that each virtual input affects linearly only one output. Moreover, a linear control block is added to guarantee transient and steady state performances and closed loop robustness. The proposed control approach has been validated through small diesel engine dyno and vehicle activities. Transient test bench maneuvers show that the control is able to coordinate the actuators in order to fulfill the targets and to guarantee similar performances in different operating points. In addition the robustness to environmental changes has been demonstrated by vehicle tests at different ambient conditions.     

Logistics and supply chain management

In this paper an introduction to the principles and methods used in logistics and supply chain management is presented. It begins by a discussion on fundamentals and explains the relevant terms. Next policy and practice associated with logistics and freight services are regarded with a focus on the EU policy for the sector which greatly influences the development of logistics chains and services. Mathematical formulation of typical transport and logistics-related problems is also presented followed by a discussion on the concept of sustainability.     

Estimating demand variables of maritime container transport: An aggregate procedure for the Mediterranean area

Demand variables of maritime container transport (throughput, transhipment and origin–destination flows) may be estimated with freight demand models. As their parameters generally vary both in time and space, models may not be transferable to geographical areas and time periods differing from that for which they are calibrated.