bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-Situ Rainwater Harvesting Using Innovative Engineering Technologies for Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands and Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Salem Haytham Mohamed , Meselhy Adil Abdelsamia , Elhagarey Mohamed Elsayed , Abdalla Mohamed Ahmed , El Salem Abouelnadar , Ali Ali M. , Schott Linda R.
Published: August 2023

Rainfed agriculture in arid regions is hazardous due to water scarcity caused by low rainfall and uneven distribution throughout the season. Egypt was chosen as the study's focus point since it is at the center of the problem of water scarcity and the country is highly vulnerable to climate change-related impacts such as drought and extreme flooding. Egypt's rainfed agriculture is primarily located in the country's northwestern coast. In this area, human populations and land use are entirely dependent on rainfall and various means of water harvesting. The simplest and cheapest ways of rainwater harvesting are “in-situ” systems, which can be used in a variety of farming systems, including those in arid regions. This chapter introduces innovative in-situ rainwater harvesting engineering technologies (developed ridge-furrow and reservoir tillage systems) that are designed to increase precipitation use efficiency and rehabilitate land degradation in the northwestern coastal zone of Egypt.
A Comprehensive Review on the Use of Walnut Husk Extract as a Natural Hair Dye
Authors: Sarode Sejal Sanjeev , Goswami Ajaygiri , Kulkarni Sunil Jayant
Published: August 2023

The use of synthetic hair dyes has led to many problems like early greying of hair, allergies and in severe cases cancer too. This has led to the introduction of natural hair dyes from henna and other plant material like Bhringraj, Shikakai, Reetha, etc., in the market. But it has poor rinsing properties and gives copper-red instead of natural brown colour. Thus we have found that walnut husk has Juglone an aromatic compound which imparts yellowish brown to dark brown shade to hair. The various extraction methods were discussed above and tests for chemical constituents in extracts were analysed. The dyeing properties like fading, colour fastness, colour intensity, and retention time are also tested. It has been found that walnut gives the best results when used with fixative as FeSO4; also use of mordant gives good results.
Power-Efficient Stochastic Number Generator Design and Implementation for Encryption
Authors: Uppala Anitha Jyothi , Koya Nikshipta , Penmetsa Sai Neha , Gutha Srivinni , Babu E. Bharat , Veeramalla Santhosh Kumar
Published: August 2023

Stochastic computing utilizes random bit streams to encode continuous data efficiently. One important aspect is the stochastic number generator (SNG) that encodes numbers into random binary bit streams. This work presents power-efficient 4-bit and 8-bit SNGs by using a modified Non-linear Feedback Shift Register (NLFSR) as the random number source and a Weighted Binary Generator (WBG) as the probability conversion circuit. A bipartite approach is employed to reduce power and delay consumption in the SNGs. Additionally, the concept of sharing a single random number source with multiple probability conversion circuits is explored to achieve further power savings. This project offers enhanced power efficiency in SNGs, contributing to advancements in stochastic computing and power circuit designs. The main application of this project is encryption, as random number sequences are required for various stages of encryption protocols.
Constrained Density Peak Clustering
Authors: Vu Viet-Thang , Bui T. T. Quyen , Nguyen Tien Loi , Tran Doan-Vinh , Do Hong-Quan , Vu Viet-Vu , Avdoshin Sergey M.
Published: August 2023

Clustering is a commonly used tool for discovering knowledge in data mining. Density peak clustering (DPC) has recently gained attention for its ability to detect clusters with various shapes and noise, using just one parameter. DPC has shown advantages over other methods, such as DBSCAN and K-means, but it struggles with datasets that have both high and low-density clusters. To overcome this limitation, the paper introduces a new semi-supervised DPC method that improves clustering results with a small set of constraints expressed as must-link and cannot-link. The proposed method combines constraints and a k-nearest neighbor graph to filter out peaks and find the center for each cluster. Constraints are also used to support label assignment during the clustering procedure. The efficacy of this method is demonstrated through experiments on well-known data sets from UCI and benchmarked against contemporary semi-supervised clustering techniques.
Assessing the Usability of E-Learning Software Among University Students
Authors: Alqurni Jehad
Published: August 2023

Higher educational institutions are implementing e-learning system software to improve the quality and delivery of content and make distance learning easier. E-learning has become an important component of education because of the growing need in the technological era and plays a vital role in teaching digital literacy. Therefore, this study aims to assess learners' attitudes towards e-learning software usability. This study aimed to explore the effects of key factors of e-learning software usability on the satisfaction level of university learners. Data were collected from 200 university students using questionnaires. Questionnaires were validated using a t-test for partial hypothesis analysis.
Expansion and Mitigation of Alkali-Silica Reaction in Binary Blended Concrete Confining Potentially Reactive Aggregates
Authors: Lacsado Marie Fe Y. , Velasco III Virgilio L. , Juan Khairylle S.
Published: August 2023

Without a cure but preventable, Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), dubbed the “Concrete Cancer,” happens when alkali in cement bonds with silica in aggregates to form an expansive gel. This research aims to investigate expansion and influence mitigation of ASR in concrete by identifying potentially reactive aggregates causing its onset and using binary blended cement to slow down unwanted gel expansions through the mitigative ability found in its fly ash component. This research also observed variations in expansive behavior and the physical changes that arose after the experiments. Aggregate samples were collected from different quarries in Davao, Philippines, denoted as Deposit A, Deposit B, Deposit C, and Deposit D. These deposits were tested according to the ASTM C1260: Accelerated Mortar Bar Tests (AMBT) to identify a reactive group. Three aggregate groups, Deposit A, Deposit B, and Deposit C, were tagged as reactive due to exhibiting more than a 0.1% increase in lengths, indicating unideal expansion. Additional sets of AMBTs were done for the identified aggregates using blended cement as a binder to test the combinations' ability to minimize expansion. This resulted in an average expansion decrease per set of approximately 78%, 82%, and 85% for A, B, and C, respectively, further strengthening the reputation of fly ash as an effective mitigating SCM against ASR.
Utilization of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Waste from Footwear Industry as Partial Replacement of Aggregates for Concrete Roof Tile
Authors: Lacsado Marie Fe Y. , Batawan Joanna Lourdy , Apalacio Harold , Sultan King Haroun
Published: August 2023

Scraps of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foams from cutting out shoe soles are a waste produced by the footwear industry, and the recycling of these thermosetting materials is quite expensive and requires distinct procedures. Hence, an upcycling route to turn such waste into valuable material, such as utilizing it as a partial aggregate replacement in the production of concrete roof tile, was explored. This paper aims to investigate the effects of EVA on the bulk density, water absorption, thermal properties, water permeability, and transverse breaking strength of the concrete roof tile. The weight percentages of replaced natural aggregates in the concrete roof tile mixture are 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. The concrete roof tile with EVA aggregates demonstrated a lighter weight but higher water absorption. Also, its thermal conductivity presents promising results as it lessens the heat transfer compared to conventional concrete roof tiles. Moreover, the incorporation of EVA also positively affects the concrete roof tile's water permeability as it can hold the water longer than those without EVA. Finally, the transverse breaking strength of the concrete roof tiles with EVA contents resulted little or no difference compared to the conventional concrete roof tile.
Study of Humidity During Sand Dewatering Using a Cone-Shaped Installation
Authors: Beliuchenko Dmytro , Tishechkina Kateryna , Hannichenko Tetiana , Salamatina Olga
Published: August 2023

The issue of moisture content of sand, which is used in construction as an aggregate for asphalt concrete mixtures, in the production of silicate building materials, roofing roll materials, and various types of glass, is considered. The results of an experimental study of the process of dewatering construction sand samples in conical warehouses under the conditions of using vacuum systems, depending on the time and placement scheme of needle filters, are presented.
Fabrication and Analysis of Thermal Insulation Ceiling Panel from Corn Husk Fiber
Authors: Manalindo Abo Yasser , Arani Ahmad Ridha , Quijano Wenmarie
Published: August 2023

Every year, the Philippines experiences hot and rainy weather. For those who choose to remain at home, summer feels like torture. So, Filipinos have no choice but to turn on their air-conditioning system, which can cause their electricity bill to skyrocket. Corn husk fibers, being a waste product, have great potential to be applied in home textiles, home furnishing, carpet, rugs, and packaging of food grains and crops. The researchers thought of making thermal insulation ceiling panels made of corn husk fibers. The study yielded a result of 0.119 W/m.K for thermal conductivity using a calibrated hot box, below the 0.25 W/m.K maximum threshold for thermal conductivity value. Furthermore, its fire resistance characteristic made it less susceptible to small fire attacks. It was also found that the insulator has 2.19% and 8.42% water absorption values for short and long-term soaking, which is less than the 40% range value for water absorption. Hence, it can be said that it is an excellent thermal insulator.
Follicular scales, scalp and ocular involvement in patients with papulopustular rosacea: prevalence and association with Demodex mite proliferation
Authors: Trave Ilaria , Cozzani Emanuele , Salvi Ilaria , Parodi Aurora
Published: August 2023

Facial follicular scales, dandruff, scalp itching and ocular alterations are lesser-known signs of rosacea and demodicosis. The aim of this prospective original study was to investigate the presence of these signs and symptoms in patients with almost-clear, mild and moderate papulopustular rosacea and to study the differences between Demodex-positive and Demodex-negative rosacea. Twenty-seven out of 60 patients (45%) presented follicular scales, 24 (40%) ocular involvement and 22 (36.67%) scalp involvement. Follicular scales were more frequently observed in mild and moderate than in almost-clear rosacea (p<0.001). Itching of the scalp was more frequently reported in patients with moderate rosacea than in those with mild disease (p=0.05). Follicular scales (p=0.002) and scalp itching (p=0.05) were more frequently reported in Demodex-positive than in Demodex-negative patients. Among Demodex-positive patients, scalp itching was more frequently reported in mild than in almost clear rosacea (p=0.01) and ocular symptoms associated to scalp itching were more frequently reported in moderate than in almost-clear rosacea (p=0.05). We suggest looking for these signs and symptoms in all patients with papulopustular rosacea, because they can be a sign of a more severe form of rosacea or of demodicosis.
Post-release ecology of rehabilitated Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths in Panamá
Authors: Morton Chelsea , Nielsen Clayton K. , Carver Andrew D. , Correa Nestor J. , Yanguez Yiscel S.
Published: August 2023

The field of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation continues to grow as human expansion increases the rate of deforestation in Latin America. Sloths (Bradypus spp. and Choloepus spp.) are often admitted to rescue centers throughout Latin America due to their poor dispersal abilities and vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. Although post-release monitoring is fundamental to measuring the success of wildlife rescue programs, few studies have assessed the outcomes of releasing hand-reared sloths back into the wild. We studied the ecology of rehabilitated and relocated Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) in central Panamá during 2019- 2020. Eleven two-toed sloths rescued from the wild were hand-reared in captivity for 727±193 days and then radiomarked, placed in an outdoor 500 m2 soft-release enclosure for 3 months, and released in a nearby national park. While in the softrelease enclosure, two-toed sloths spent 80.0% of their time resting and became active and more alert in the evening (p=0.01). Upon release into the wild, two-toed sloths traveled a mean linear distance of 82.3±21.6 m and a mean distance of 25.6±9.5 m between successive radiolocations. The mean home range size was 2.92±1.19 ha, with females occupying larger areas than males. Two-toed sloths used trees with a smaller dbh than available (p≤0.001; p≤0.015) and selected trees with dense crowns and ≥50% lianas. Eight mortalities were recorded, with predation and natural causes being the main causes of mortality. Monthly survival was 0.72±0.14 and did not differ (p≤0.30) between males (1.00±0.00) and females (0.44±0.22). Rehabilitated two-toed sloths exhibited behavioral and space use patterns similar to wild two-toed sloths, with the exception of having lower survival rates following release in the wild. Our study provides information that can be useful in evaluating the efficacy of sloth rescue and rehabilitation programs throughout Latin America.
The Clinical Outcome in AChR-Positive Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Ojha Pawan T. , Gaikwad Abhijeet M. , Singh Rakesh , Jagiasi Kamlesh , Nagendra Shashank
Published: August 2023

Background:

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction, and in over 80% of cases, antibodies are identified against the nicotinic type of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) on the muscle endplate. Despite the availability of various treatment options, patients with MG experience relapses and remission during the course of the disease. Aims and Objective: To understand the clinical profile, predictors of outcomes in acetyl choline receptor (AChR) antibody positive generalized MG.

Methods:

This is a retrospective, single-centre, observational study of 108 patients with AChR positive generalized MG. We collected data on clinical and demographical profiles, treatments received, and treatment responses from those who fulfilled inclusion criteria over a mean follow up period of 33.75 ±7.30 months. Clinical outcomes were studied in terms of the type of remission and crisis or disease exacerbations patients had, considering different variables and treatment received.

Results:

We found the commonest initial symptoms were ocular or oculo-bulbar, which progressed to generalized MG in the first year of disease onset. 36 (33.3%) patients experienced a crisis requiring mechanical ventilation within a mean period of 9.4 ±4.77 months from the disease onset. Multivariate regression analysis showed late-onset MG (age of onset between 50-70 years) and treatment with rituximab were better correlated with remission, (odd ratio of 4.7; 95 % CI ,1.12 -12.6; P value < 0.05 and odd ratio of 4.56; 95 % CI ,1.2 -10.04; P value < 0.05) respectively. While treatment with Mycofenolate Mofetile (MMF) was associated with a higher number of relapses (odd ratio of 1.8; 95 % CI ,0.08 -0.96; P value < 0.05). Treatment with Rituximab showed a higher rate of remission as compared to treatment refractory (TR) on conventional immunosuppressant therapy (IST). Out of 35(32 %) thymoma patients, 21 patients underwent thymectomy and these patients showed significantly greater rate of remission as compared both thymoma patients who denied thymectomy as a treatment option (N = 10 ;55.60 % vs N = 4; 23.50%).

Conclusion:

In this study of AChR antibody positive generalized MG patients, we found that nearly one-third of them experienced myasthenic crisis despite receiving the best medical care. Rituximab appeared to be effective in the treatment of refractory MG and those who failed thymectomy. Thymectomy was associated with better outcomes in patients, both with or without a thymoma.
Knowledge of Rabies Prophylaxis among Junior Doctors in a Tertiary Hospital in Manipur – A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Singh Kh Sonarjit , Elangbam Vijaya , Singh Toijam Gambhir
Published: August 2023

Context:

Rabies, a zoonotic disease caused by Lyssavirus genus rabies virus, is 100% fatal yet preventable. Appropriate and timely management of rabies cases will help in reducing and preventing mortality. Health-care personnel, especially the junior doctors who are at the threshold of their public health service, need to be equipped with adequate knowledge to be able to provide effective care.

Aims:

The aims of the study are to assess the knowledge about rabies and to assess the association between knowledge with sociodemographic characteristics among the junior doctors of a tertiary care hospital, Imphal.

Settings and Design:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 520 junior doctors of a tertiary care hospital including interns, house officers, and postgraduate trainees from June 2018 to July 2019.

Subjects and Methods:

Data collection was done by questionnaire method.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows, Version 21.0. Armonk, NY, USA.

Results:

Only 17.5% of the junior doctors had adequate knowledge about rabies. Those who had come across and those who had treated rabies were 35.4% and 23.7%, respectively. Only around half of the respondents knew the management of the WHO Category I and III animal bite exposure.

Conclusions:

In the present study, it was seen that the overall knowledge of the junior doctors was poor. Only 2 out of 10 of the participants had adequate knowledge of rabies. One-fourth of the participants had treated rabies in their clinical practice and those who had treated rabies had better knowledge compared to those respondents who had never treated.
COVID-19 Positivity in the COVID Suspect and Green Zones of a Large Emergency Department during the First Wave of the Pandemic in South India
Authors: Selvan Saravanan , Krishnaraj Vivek Raja , Mathiyalagan Ponnivalavan , Nesamani Hepzibah , Kumar Paul Vinod W. , Paul Anna , Gunasekaran Karthik , Abhilash Kundavaram Paul Prabhakar
Published: August 2023

Background:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a necessary division of the emergency department (ED) into the COVID suspect zone and a green zone based on a modified “The” Christian Medical college (CMCTS). Triaging was initially done based on the epidemiological criteria and evolved into symptom-based assessment when community transmission began.

Methodology:

This retrospective study included all patients who were triaged in the ED from April 2020 to December 2020. Data were collected from the ED triage software and were analyzed to determine the performance of the modified triage criteria in admitting patients to the ED.

Results:

Forty-three thousand patients were triaged during the study. Of which 35.9% (n = 15429) were sent to the COVID suspect zone and 64.1% (n = 27571) to the green zone. Of the 8490 (55%) nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests done in the COVID suspect zone, 61.4% were positive for COVID-19 while only 9.2% (n = 274) of 2866 tested in the green zone were positive. COVID-19 positivity was the highest in the mid-pandemic months of July, August, and September 2020. In the COVID suspect zone, factors for predicting a negative RT-PCR result were priority 1 presentation and early and late pandemic presentations. The positive predictive value of our modified triage criteria during the pandemic was 85% with a higher accuracy during the peak of the first wave (July–September 2020).

Conclusion:

The modified CMCTS successfully segregated COVID-19-positive patients from the COVID-19 negative patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 in 2020. The CMCTS criteria can be easily adopted or adapted in other hospitals in India in case of future waves of COVID-19.
Healthcare-Seeking Behavior and Awareness Regarding Snakebites and its First-Aid Management among Tribal Women in Rural Maharashtra
Authors: Shah Anuradha Kunal , Sapkal Ashwini Baburao , Deshpande Swati
Published: August 2023

Background:

In rural India, snake bite is a major health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Women have poor knowledge regarding snakebite and first aid measures and often resort to home remedies or visit traditional healers. This study was taken up to assess the healthcare-seeking behavior and awareness regarding snakebites and first-aid management among tribal women.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2019 in a tribal village, Palghar, Maharashtra. The sample size was 278. Women above the age of 18 years were selected by simple random sampling. A prevalidated semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection which was done through door-to-door visit.

Results:

The mean age of the women was 36.59 years. Around 55.4% of women had good knowledge regarding snakebite and 39.9% of women had good knowledge of first aid in the event of Snakebite. Awareness regarding signs and symptoms in event of snakebite was good. The majority of the women preferred government medical facilities (71.58%) for the treatment of snakebite followed by traditional healers (20.14%). The main reasons for visiting traditional healers were transport difficulties, easy accessibility, and traditional beliefs and rituals. The most common form of first aid that was provided to the victims was tying of tight cloth/wire (72.86%), herbal medicines (30.85%), and use of “mantras” (8.17%).

Conclusion:

There is good knowledge regarding snakebites among tribal women, however, knowledge about appropriate first aid seems to be lacking. They are aware of the signs and symptoms and know how to prevent them however, preventive action is lacking. A targeted health education program focusing on these issues is the need of the hour.
Hippocratic Oath in Dentistry: An Insight
Authors: Sharma Deepti , Koshy George , Merin Ria , Alexander Asha , Malik Gauri , Sharma Vishal Kumar
Published: August 2023

The hippocratic values on health profession target holistic patient care model and lay down the foundation of standards and ethical rules that are still convincing today. Despite various agreements or disagreements regarding its relevance in modern era, it reflects the soul of health profession. Various versions of the oath are available and followed by medical and dental students as they begin their professional journey. The vows are commitments made to the society, colleagues, and disciples to develop mutual trust and avoid the exploitation. The principles of oath may guide us when we are at the dead end of dark tunnel in our professional careers. In dentistry, the code of ethics is outlined by the hippocratic oath which inspires the dental professional to carry out their duties justly and ethically. This review attempts to discuss the relevance of hippocratic oath in dentistry and emphasizes on the need to have standardized oath for dental graduates.
Diabetic Foot Care: Knowledge and Practice – A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India
Authors: Mandal Amit , Thomas Nihal , Zachariah Anand , Mathuram Alice Joan
Published: August 2023

Background:

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major problems in health systems and a global public health threat and diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations are common, complex, costly, and disabling complications of diabetes. Poor foot care knowledge and practices are important risk factors for foot-related problems among diabetic people.

Aims:

The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge about foot care, foot care practices, the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic foot and foot-related complications in adult diabetic patients.

Settings and Design:

The cross-sectional study was conducted in 204 consecutive diabetic patients attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods:

A questionnaire including demographic details, knowledge questionnaire, attitude, and awareness for foot problems based on the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot Care Revised 2015 questionnaire was administered. This was followed by a foot examination for various aspects related to foot care and risk stratification.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Descriptive analysis with frequency distribution for knowledge and practice scores, univariate analysis, and multiple logistic regressions to find significant variables associated with good foot care knowledge and practice scores.

Results:

About 30.39% had good knowledge score. Rural background (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–3.65), poor education status (adjusted OR: 4.63, 95% CI: 1.04–20.54), poor glycemic control (adjusted OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.83–2.58), and previous history of foot ulcer (adjusted OR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.42–6.65) were significantly associated with poor knowledge on foot care.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that knowledge and practice of foot care of diabetic patients are still substandard. Poor communication between patients and nurses/physicians, rural background, poor education, and poor glycemic control were significant barriers of foot care. Policymakers should initiate foot care education programs throughout the regional state for increasing awareness about proper foot care practice in diabetic patients to reduce the incidence of complications.
Correlation between physician- and patient-directed disease assessments in ulcerative colitis patients from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: Data from ICONIC
Authors: Harbi Othman Al , Owayed Salem , Qari Yousif , Mosli Mahmoud , Anwar Ali , Masri Alaa , Gouda Mohamed , Alfadhli Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Background:

The aim of the observational, prospective study was to validate a novel, nonverbal assessment tool for perceived disease burden—Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self-Measure (PRISM)—in ulcerative colitis (UC) against established patient health questionnaires. The cumulative burden of patients recently diagnosed (<3 years) with UC was also evaluated.

Methods:

“ICONIC” - Understanding the impact of ulcerative colitis and its associated disease burden on patients - was a noninterventional, multicountry, multicenter study performed in a 2-year follow-up format in adult patients with recently diagnosed UC in 33 countries, regardless of disease severity or treatment. Data collection consisted of five visits, scheduled at approximately 6-month intervals. For the current analysis, patient data from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were evaluated. The collected data comprised demographics, disease-related data, UC treatment, and healthcare resources, as well as physician- and patient-assessed quality-of-life and disease burden questionnaires. Correlations between selected questionnaire scores were performed using Spearman’s rho.

Results:

Disease severity at baseline and throughout the study was slightly less favorable in this country analysis compared with the global study cohort. Disease burden was assessed by PRISM and improved within 24 months.

Conclusions:

The detected moderate correlation between PRISM and other assessment methods supports the validity of PRISM. Differences in perceptions of UC-related burden between physician and patient may reflect to some degree insufficient patient–physician communication.
Les impasses de l’analyse en termes de finances publiques des effets redistributifs de la politique des transports
Authors: Vianès André
Published: August 2023

Commentaire de l’article de Jean-Loup Madre, "Aspects redistributifs de l’intervention des finances publiques dans le secteur des transports"
Model for distributing the daily demand into a train schedule
Authors: Aurignac Albert , Benattar Maryvonne
Published: August 2023

Adjusting supply to demand is a constant issue for public carriers, especially at seasonal changes in timetables and when studying proposed futures services for the medium or long terms. In this article can be found a method of analysis dealing with the interaction between supply and demand in rail passengers services on medium and long distances for standard days only (off-peak days).The proposed model is based on the assumption, that for a given type of route with a specific distance, there exists an hourly distribution for the daily passenger demand and that the user's decision process for selecting a train on departure can be described in terms of probability, provided the various train characteristics of a daily timetable were introduced.From observations on the actual loading factor of trains for a lar¬ge number of routes, hourly distributions of passenger demand were calibrated together with relevant parameters in the selection between several trains. Finally, the model was validated after evidence, that it reproduced fairly accurately the loading factor of trains running on routes with rather different timetables.

L'adaptation de l'offre à la demande est un problème permanent pour les transporteurs publics, qui se pose en particulier à l'occasion des changements de service et pour l'étude des projets de desserte à moyen ou long terme. Cet article présente une méthode d'analyse de l'interaction entre l'offre et la demande ferroviaire en transport de voyageurs à moyenne et longue distance, limitée aux jours ordinaires (hors jours de pointe).Le modèle présenté suppose que, pour un type de relation donné caractérisé notamment par la distance, il existe une distribution horaire de la demande journalière et que le mécanisme de choix du train de départ par l'usager peut être décrit en termes de probabilité, en faisant intervenir les caractéristiques des différents trains de la grille journalière.Au moyen d'observations sur l'occupation réelle des trains portant sur un grand nombre de relations, ont été calibrées les distributions horaires de la demande ainsi que les paramètres caractéristiques du choix entre plusieurs trains. Enfin, le modèle a été validé en montrant qu'il reproduit assez correctement l'occupation des trains sur des relations présentant des grilles horaires assez différentes.
L’évaluation sans jugement. Analyse des pratiques a posteriori des politiques de transports urbains en France
Authors: Offner Jean-Marc
Published: August 2023

The a posteriori evaluation of public policies, having an increasing interest in France, is made in France since the seventies, following actions of development of public transport. Corresponding originally to a demand of Government, the « follow-up» of great projects has been used progressively by local responsable people for managing the success of their investments. On the contrary, the works of critical evaluation - questioning by « why » rather than by « how » - has not been able to impose itself, taking into account the constitutional and intellectual context privileging a priori evaluation. Hence the synthetical statement of an «evaluation without judgment».

L'évaluation a posteriori des politiques publiques, qui connaît un intérêt croissant en France, est pratiquée dans ce pays depuis les années soixante-dix, suite aux actions de développement des transports collectifs. Répondant originellement à une démarche de l'Etat, les «suivis» des grands projets ont été progressivement utilisés par les responsables locaux pour gérer le succès de leurs investissements. En revanche, les travaux d'évaluation critique - s'interrogeant sur le «pourquoi» plus que sur le «comment» - n'ont pas su ou pu s'imposer, compte tenu d'un contexte institutionnel et intellectuel privilégiant l'évaluation a priori. D'où le constat synthétique d'une «évaluation sans jugement».
Quels acteurs pour quelles stratégies logistiques de distribution physique
Authors: Colin Jacques
Published: August 2023

This article after defining the part and the field of physical distribution, analyses the strategy that manufacturers, distributors and transporters try to built around this step. The strategy described here is shown as being able to upset in the area of the transportation of goods.

Cet article, après avoir défini le rôle et le champ de la distribution physique, analyse les stratégies que les industriels, les distributeurs et les transporteurs tentent de bâtir autour de cette démarche. Les stratégies décrites se révèlent alors capables de bouleverser les équilibres actuels du secteur des transports de marchandises.
Economies of scale in urban bus transportation in developing countries
Authors: Prud'Homme Rémy , Hyu Hwang Sang
Published: August 2023

This paper tries to find out wether there are economies of scale in urban bus transportation in developing countries or, to put it otherwise, wether unit costs in large bus companies are lower than unit costs in small companies. The paper discusses methodological choices that have to be made for such a study, it examines previous work done on this issue, and proposes a model. This model is derived from a production functions rather than form a cost function. It is then applied to the cases of Seoul, Pusan and Shanghai. The results of the calculations made suggest a negative answer to the initial question.

Cet article cherche à savoir si la production de transports urbains dans les pays en développement est sujette ou non à économie d'échelles, c'est-à-dire si les très grosses compagnies d'autobus sont susceptibles de fonctionner à un coût unitaire plus faible que les petites. Après avoir analysé les choix méthodologiques à faire pour répondre à cette question, examiné les études antérieures comparables, l'article propose un modèle d'analyse. Ce modèle est dérivé d'une fonction de production plus que d'une fonction de coût. Il est ensuite testé sur les cas des villes de Séoul, Pusan et Shanghai. Les résultats des calculs effectués suggèrent une réponse négative à la question posée.
New Tools for Urban Transportation Planning and Analysis with a Totally Disaggregate Approach
Authors: Chapleau Robert
Published: August 2023

Urban transportation planning and analysis is undertaken with a new approach integrating an informational perspective to traditional synthetic modeling. A totally disaggregate and multi-dimensional (territory, network, travel demand) approach is imbedded into the MADITUC (Model for the Disaggregate Analysis of Urban Transit Trips) system, contributing to a wider spectrum of urban travel analyses and issues, such as : network resources' estimation, transit trip assignation, modal shift modeling, fare integration and service coordination, market analysis, socio-demographic trends.

Selon un contexte méthodologique essentiellement informationnel, où la problématique des transports urbains est analysée sous les perspectives de territorialité, réseautique et demande désagrégée, les principales fonctions du logiciel MADITUC (Modèle d'analyse désagrégée des Itinéraires de Transport Urbain Collectif) sont décrites à partir de différents contextes d'application : évaluation des ressources, simulation des trafics, changement modal, financement, analyse de marchés, tendances socio-démographiques.
Tarified underground and urban trip structure
Authors: Gannon Frédéric
Published: August 2023

Whatever their main objective may be - to improve the accessibility to the city centre or to case the go-through automobile traffic-urban - transportation planners can choose, among possible technical tools, to develop underground road network, in the most central zones of the town. This policy, which tends to generalize in France, may represent a trustable (valuable) way to regulate urban transportation. This paper shows that, from the point of view of the road user, a trade-off between the two modes (underground and surface road networks), set on the comparison of generalized costs can lead, in a simplified analytical framework, to an income-based segregation of urban households. The "twinning" of transportation offer, by the mean of a complementarily between a tarified underground road network and a free surface network, much like the Pigou-Knight scheme, allows new perspectives in the efficient ruling of the urban land, in limited disposition by definition.

Que leur objectif consiste en l'amélioration de l'accessibilité au centre-ville ou en une facilitation du trafic automobile de transit, les responsables du transport urbain peuvent envisager parmi l'ensemble des moyens techniques dont ils disposent la mise en souterrain partielle de la voirie, dans les zones les plus centrales de l'agglomération. Cette politique, dont la mise en application commence à se généraliser en France, peut constituer l'un des volets crédibles (ou efficace) d'une régulation des déplacements urbains. Cet article montre, sous l'angle de l'usager, qu'un arbitrage modal (entre voirie souterraine et voirie de surface) établi sur la seule comparaison des coûts généralisés, peut mener, dans un cadre analytique simplifié, à une partition des ménages selon leur niveau de revenu. La « dualisation » de l'offre de transport sous la forme d'une complémentarité entre voirie souterraine payante et voirie de surface gratuite, selon le schéma de Pigou-Knight, permet d'ouvrir des perspectives à court et moyen ternie sur la gestion efficace d'une ressource foncière urbaine, par définition limitée.
Mathematical methods used in the field of transport policy in the Soviet Union and in the CIS
Authors: Livshits Veniamin
Published: August 2023

In the former Soviet Union, since 40 years, some economic analysis methods in the field of transportation were imperatively developed in relation to the fixed national plans.The author notes four periods: from 1950 to 1965, general models were used, based upon the linear programming, especially to minimize multi-products transportation costs with capacity constraint in a network. Then, as far as the beginning of the seventies, the general econometric models were adapted to the specific field of transportation. They used non-linear programming, particularly non-linear dynamic methods for networks optimization, modal split and assignment models in a network ; two examples illustrate this period : the development of a long distance transport network (dynamic model with discrete and continuous variables) and the renewal of vehicle fleet (simulation model). During the 1975-1985 period, these previous methods were criticized: it was beginning of a system analysis of transportation for the purpose of planning and national policy. Nowadays, since 1985, with the "perestroïka" and the market economy application, the self interest of the various actors, users, private companies... is taken into consideration (equilibrium models, multicriteria models of optimization). Special interest is given to forecasting or simulation models, particularly to generalized models of diffusion or forecasting models of optimal synthesizes.

Dans l'ancienne URSS, depuis quarante ans, des outils de calcul économique en transports ont été développés, en fonction des plans impératifs fixés au niveau de l'économie nationale.L'auteur relève quatre étapes : de 1950 à 1965, ont été appliqués des modèles généraux fondés sur la programmation linéaire, notamment pour minimiser les coûts de transports multi-produits avec contrainte de capacité dans un réseau. Puis, jusqu'au début des années 70, on a cherché à adapter les modèles économétriques généraux à la spécificité du secteur transports en développant la programmation non linéaire, en particulier, les méthodes dynamiques non linéaires d'optimisation de réseaux, les modèles de répartition modale et les modèles d'affectation sur un réseau ; cette période est illustrée par deux exemples portant sur le développement d'un réseau de transport à longue distance (modèle dynamique aux variables discrètes et continues) et sur le renouvellement d'un parc de véhicules (modèle de simulation). La période1975-1985, période de critique des méthodes antérieures, a favorisé l'approche systémique du transport à des fins de planification et de gestion nationales. Enfin, depuis 1985, avec la « perestroïka » et le passage à l'économie de marché, sont pris en compte les intérêts particuliers des divers acteurs, usagers, sociétés privées... (modèles d'équilibre, modèles multicritères d'optimisation). Un intérêt particulier se manifeste pour les modèles de prévision ou de simulation, notamment pour les modèles généralisés de diffusion ou encore de synthèse optimale de prévisions.
The M.J.H. MOGRIDGE conjecture: Test on the agglomeration of Lyon
Authors: Clément Lionel
Published: August 2023

" New road investment in congested urban areas ultimately reduces speeds on both the roads and the public transport system ". This conclusion coming from the work of a British researcher (M.J.H. MOGRIDGE) can be redefined. It can be used to test if the creation of an attractive public transport subsystem can provide an answer to the congestion problem in urban areas. This article aims to focus on this question, and puts it in an analytic framework. We provide a global approach, addressed specifically to the case of the agglomeration of Lyon.

" Tout nouvel investissement routier dans une aire urbaine congestionnée, aurait pour effet de réduire la vitesse moyenne du système des transports collectifs et du système routier ". Cette conclusion, issue des travaux d’un chercheur britannique (M.J.H. MOGRIDGE), peut être reformulée compte tenu des développements qu’elle sous-tend. Cette reformulation peut servir de référence pour tester si la création de transports collectifs performants ne pourrait pas être une des réponses possibles au problème de la congestion en milieu urbain. Cet article se propose d’aborder cette question, riche d’enjeux, en la replaçant dans son contexte, et en privilégiant une approche globale centrée sur le cas de l’agglomération lyonnaise.
The legal ignorance of urban goods movement
Authors: Dablanc Laetitia
Published: August 2023

The urban movement of goods remains largely ignored by the institutional and legal framework. No national legislation or case law has so far proposed a clear distinction and organisation of urban freight distribution, resulting in inefficient local policies, which disregard the main environmental and economic issues at stake and prevent freight urban activities' consolidation and professionalization.

La reconnaissance juridique du transport des marchandises en ville est encore fragmentaire. Ni le droit privé, ni le droit public, la jurisprudence ou encore les différents droits sectoriels comme l'urbanisme n'offrent une définition ou un cadre clairs à l'organisation de la distribution des marchandises en milieu urbain, renforçant des politiques locales elles-mêmes ignorantes des nouveaux enjeux environnementaux et économiques liés au transport des marchandises en ville. Cette situation freine la nécessaire professionnalisation de l'activité urbaine du fret et aboutit à des mesures souvent contre-productives pour la ville.
Spatial analysis and modelling in commodity transport with the method of structural coefficients
Authors: Durand Sandrine
Published: August 2023

The spatial analysis and modelling established with the method of structural coefficients are based on a distinction of two dimensions in the commodity transport. The first one is a dimension of economic structure and the second one a dimension of territory structuring. This second dimension expressed by the structural coefficients deals with the differences in the volume of freight between two areas attributable to the act of structuring territory factors (transport cost, regional economic specificities, etc.).The spatial analysis and the modelling highlight for the economic structure dimension a variable reactivity of the freight to industrial growth, differentiated according to the category of product and the geographical scale of transport. For the territory structuring dimension, the spatial structure of freight is mainly related to transport cost and spatial proximity and exhibits a strong temporal stability. Long-run simulations confirm the high sensitivity of freight with contrasted economic growth and more modest but interesting impacts with various spatial transformations.

L’analyse et la modélisation spatiales réalisées avec la méthode des coefficients structurels reposent sur la distinction de deux dimensions dans le fret, une dimension de structure économique et une dimension de structuration du territoire. Cette seconde dimension exprimée en coefficients structurels traduit la déformation du volume de biens échangé entre deux zones engendrée par l’action de facteurs de structuration du territoire (coûts de transport, spécificités économiques régionales, etc.).L’analyse spatiale et le modèle de simulation mis au point mettent en évidence dans le cas de la dimension de structure économique une sensibilité variable du fret à la croissance industrielle, différenciée selon la catégorie de produits transportés et l’échelle géographique de transport. Pour la dimension de structuration du territoire, la structure spatiale du fret interrégional est expliquée par les facteurs de coût de transport et de proximité interrégionale et connaît à long terme une forte inertie. Les simulations à long terme confirment les différents degrés de sensibilité du fret, avec un fort impact des variations de la croissance économique et des répercussions plus modestes mais intéressantes des transformations spatiales.