Search Results (19)

This systematic literature review aims to identify and discuss specific cargo loss risks in road transportation. The research also examines their impacts, challenges, and mitigation strategies. By synthesizing insights from 24 studies using a systematic snowballing methodology, this study categorizes risks into five primary domains: Man, Method, Machine, Material, and Environment. Specifically, the review highlights major cargo loss risks within the context of road transportation. A fishbone diagram illustrates the multifactorial interactions that contribute to cargo loss. Emerging technological solutions, such as predictive analytics, IoT-enabled monitoring, and advanced packaging designs, are explored as key strategies to mitigate these risks. The findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to enhance road transport safety, reduce cargo loss, and strengthen the resilience of global supply chains. Full article

Dangerous or illegal driving may disrupt the traffic safety management of public security organs, damage road infrastructure, lead to traffic accidents, or result in economic losses. This paper proposes a framework based on China’s highway toll data to identify dangerous or illegal driving risks, such as unfamiliarity with road conditions, overload, driving over the speed limit, fatigued driving, fake license plates, and other risks. The unfamiliarity with road conditions is identified with the frequency of driving routes. When the total weight of a vehicle and its cargo is greater than the upper limit of the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo, the vehicle can be judged as overloaded. When the actual travel time is less than the minimum travel time, it can be inferred that the vehicle has a risk of fatigued driving, driving over the speed limit, a fake license plate, or other risks. Two accidents are used to demonstrate the process of the proposed framework for identifying driving risks based on China’s highway toll data. Additional analysis proves that the proposed framework can be used to identify dangerous or illegal driving risks, and it provides a scientific basis for the traffic safety management of public security organs, reducing infrastructure damage, and avoiding the loss of national taxes and fees. Full article

This paper introduces a scenario evolution model for maritime accidents, wherein Bayesian networks (BNs) were employed to predict the most probable causes of distinct types of maritime incidents. The BN nodes encompass factors such as accident type, life loss contingency, accident severity, quarter and time period of the accident, and type and gross tonnage of the involved ships. An analysis of 5660 global maritime accidents spanning the years 2005 to 2020 was conducted. Using Netica software, a tree augmented network (TAN) model was constructed, thus accounting for interdependencies among risk-influencing factors. To confirm these results, a validation process involving sensitivity analysis and historical accident records was performed. Following this, both forward causal inference and reverse diagnostic inference were carried out on each node variable to scrutinize the accident development trend and evolution process under preset conditions. The findings suggest that the model was competent in effectively predicting the likelihood of various accident scenarios under specific conditions, as well as extrapolating accident consequences. Forward causal reasoning unveiled that general cargo ships with a gross tonnage of 1–18,500 t were most prone to experiencing collision and stranding/grounding accidents in the first quarter. Reverse diagnostic reasoning indicated that, in the early morning hours, container ships, general cargo ships, and chemical ships with a tonnage of 1–18,500 t were less likely to involve life loss in the event of collision accidents. Full article

The study aims to develop an integrating risk-based formulation and cost-benefit analysis for identifying an optimal ship hull structural design solution where the steel cargo holds aluminium honeycomb sandwich panels to replace inner side shells. The risk of progressive structural failure includes hazards related to environmental pollution due to accidental fuel and oil spills, possible loss of cargo, crew members and ship during operations, and air pollution during shipyard construction and ship voyages. The structural failure incorporates progressive time-dependent structural degradation coupled with ship hull load-carrying capacity in predicting structural integrity during the service life. The ship hull structural failure and associated risk are estimated over the ship’s service life as a function of the design solution. The carbon footprint and cost to mitigate the impact for the entire steel and hybrid ship hull structural solution implemented as a sustainable life cycle solution are analysed where the steel ship hull structure is built through primary construction. The cost of structural measures accounts for redesigning the ship structure and implementing aluminium honeycomb composite panels instead of steel plates, reducing steel weight, environmental pollution and cost and increasing the transported cargo and corrosion degradation resistance. It has been found that design solutions AHS1 and AHS2, in which aluminium honeycomb panels replace the inner steel shell plates, enhance the corrosion degradation resistance, and reduce the ship hull’s lightweight, reflecting a better beta-reliability index at the time of the first repair with a lower repair cost and more transported cargo. The cost of the ship associated with the design solutions AHS1 and AHS2 is about 11% lower than the steel solutions. Full article

To supply the off-season melon market, Europe imports from distant markets in other countries, mainly Brazil. Cold transportation takes at least 15–20 days, thus increasing the risk of quality losses. Moreover, product deliveries, especially in international markets, can result in supply chain inefficiencies that negatively affect carbon footprint and expected freshness. Implementing quality sensors and advanced cold chain management could help to reduce these problems. The objective of this work was to monitor a real transoceanic intermodal transport of melons (Brazil to Spain), through the implementation of multi-distributed environmental sensors (15 ibuttons loggers) to evaluate the remaining shelf-life (RSHL) of melons at destination. The sensors’ location within the cargo reached a maximum variability range of 4 °C. Using digital sensors to track temperature variations, it was verified that in different locations in the container, the melon RSHL at the end of the journey, was nine days and 19 h in colder spots, while in the hottest spot, the RSHL was reduced to five days and 22 h. This fact has substantial implications for improved tracking of temperature to maintain fruit quality for market, potentially reducing waste, and contributing to higher profit margins for international food supply chains. Full article

Narrow waterways are important connection hubs, also known as logistics transfer nodes, within maritime transport, where maritime traffic can become very dense and congested. Heavy traffic, unsuitable environmental conditions and human errors make narrow waterways risky areas for marine accident occurrence. Accidents in narrow waterways cause ship damage, loss of cargo, loss of life and environmental disasters, as well as interruption of maritime transport and negative impact on the economy. Thus, the sustainability of navigational safety in narrow waterways has been the focus of attention of all beneficiaries in the maritime industry. The Singapore Strait is one of the busiest narrow waterways in the world in terms of the number of ships transiting. Sustaining and safe maritime transport in the Singapore Strait is significantly important for the sustainability of the global trade. Therefore, it is vitally important to appropriately identify the threats to safety of navigation in the Singapore Strait. In this study, the operational conditions that have played a role in the occurrence of accidents in the Singapore Strait are examined. For this purpose, using the Geographical Information System (GIS), the areas where marine accidents are concentrated were determined by the Kernel Density Analysis method and a “Marine Accidents Density Map” was created for the Singapore Strait. The relationship between the dense areas in the marine accidents density map and the operational conditions that play a role in the accidents in the Singapore Strait were examined using the Chi-Square Test and expert opinions. The results of the study indicate that if there is a condition (e.g., turning, joining to the traffic stream, or failure in propulsion/steering systems) that directly or indirectly disturbs the normal flow of traffic in the Singapore Strait, the risk of having an accident increases. The results of this study can be used to determine the measures to be taken for the prevention of possible accidents, as well as to help manage the risks associated with the ships that pass through the region. Full article

The operation of any vessel includes risks, such as mechanical failure, collision, property loss, cargo loss, or damage. For modern container ships, safe navigation is challenging as the rate of innovation regarding design, speed profiles, and carrying capacity has experienced exponential growth over the past few years. Prevention of cargo loss in container ship liners is of high importance for the Maritime industry and the waterborne sector as it can lead to potentially disastrous, harmful, or even life-threatening outcomes for the crew, the shipping company, the marine environment, and aqua-culture. With the installment of onboard decision support system(s) (DSS) that will provide the required operational guidance to the vessel’s master, we aim to prevent and overcome such events. This paper explores cargo losses in container ships by employing a novel weather routing optimization DS framework that aims to identify excessive motions and accelerations caused by bad weather at specific times and locations; it also suggests alternative routes and, thus, ultimately prevents cargo loss and damage. Full article

The purpose of this study was mathematical model development for assessing the cost of losses from risks in the maritime transportation of goods that are dynamic in nature, and developing a methodical approach to the dynamic costs assessment for each of the risks separately and integral costs for all risks and ensuring the fulfillment of the requirement to anticipate the insurance cost changes over the rate of change of the transportation integral risk (or its stage). The risks factor analysis in water transport, their classification and determination of the type and nature of their impact on sea transportation of goods were carried out. The groups of risk factors that lead to emergency situations for water transport in Ukraine were studied by comparing the data of 2019 and 2021 and determining their share in the total number of accidents before the start of the active phase of hostilities in Ukraine; the rates of their change were analyzed. This made it possible to develop a systematic assessment algorithm for the dependence of the expected and actual value of losses on risks and to create a mathematical approach to risks forecasting as a factor influencing the cost of expenses. As a result of the study, a methodical approach to forecasting the cost of losses from risks was formed for each of their types. However, the main attention was paid to the identification and assessment of dynamic risks, the impact of which has an absorbing nature relative to all others in their totality. Such risks in the waters of the Black and Azov seas today mainly include risks associated with the conduct of military operations, including such operations that go against international legal norms. Full article

Neuroinflammation is a common hallmark in different neurodegenerative conditions that share neuronal dysfunction and a progressive loss of a selectively vulnerable brain cell population. Alongside ageing and genetics, inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are considered key risk factors. Microglia are considered immune sentinels of the central nervous system capable of initiating an innate and adaptive immune response. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanisms underlying the initiation and spread of inflammation in the brain are still poorly described. Recently, a new mechanism of intercellular signalling mediated by small extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been identified. EVs are nanosized particles (30–150 nm) with a bilipid membrane that carries cell-specific bioactive cargos that participate in physiological or pathological processes. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are cellular components recognised by the immune receptors of microglia, inducing or aggravating neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders. Diverse evidence links mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation mediated by mitochondrial-DAMPs (mtDAMPs) such as mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and cardiolipin, among others. Mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) are a subtype of EVs produced after mild damage to mitochondria and, upon fusion with multivesicular bodies are released as EVs to the extracellular space. MDVs are particularly enriched in mtDAMPs which can induce an immune response and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, growing evidence supports the association between mitochondrial dysfunction, EV release and inflammation. Here, we describe the role of extracellular vesicles-associated mtDAMPS in physiological conditions and as neuroinflammation activators contributing to neurodegenerative disorders. Full article

This study develops a procedure for performing multi-attribute decision-making ship structural design of a multi-purpose ship. The already designed ship is further structurally designed to comply with the requirements of the Classification Societies. The ship hull and structural components are verified against yielding, buckling, and ultimate strength. Based on the ultimate limit state (ULS), the first order reliability method (FORM) is employed to analyse the structural risk in reducing the probability of failure. The costs associated with materials, manufacturing, and labour are estimated. The structural risk analysis is performed, accounting for different hazard issues related to loss of ship, loss of cargo, loss of human life, and accidental spill of fuel and oil. The risk-based analysis is used to identify an optimum level of ship structural safety, i.e., the optimum reliability index, controlling the risk associated with the ship hull design. The study uses a multiple attribute decision-making ship design approach, simultaneously considering several objectives for different scenarios employing the Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The identified ship design solution is associated with the minimum expected total cost leading to lower construction and operational costs and risk with maximum cargo capacity and energy efficiency. The developed procedure is flexible enough to accommodate different design criteria and possible hazards during the ship’s service life. Full article

International trade can be severely disrupted by failures in international logistics processes. Therefore, an understanding of international logistics risk is imperative for the smooth operation of international trade, systematically studying the causes, responsible parties, and possible consequences of international logistics risk. On this basis, international logistics risk is classified from the perspective of the consequences caused by logistics risk, combined with the influencing factors and types of risk, establishing the index system and evaluation model of international logistics risk; Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods were used to evaluate international logistics risk, and the international logistics risk in the international trade of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is also discussed. The results show that generally, international logistics risks are mainly logistics loss risk, logistics cost risk, and logistics timeliness risk. The logistics risks in the transaction with RCEP mainly include logistics loss risk, logistics cost risk, logistics timeliness risk, environmental risk, and logistics information risk. The risk causes include five risks: general causes, accidents, bankruptcy or ultra vires of logistics companies, customs clearance problems, and cargo characteristics. By establishing the international logistics risk measurement index system, it can hopefully play a preventive and guiding role in the research of international logistics risk assessment and the international logistics risk management of RCEP enterprises. Full article

Even though inland navigation represents the safest transport mode, consequences of accidents are significantly higher, because of the larger quantities of cargo transported, compared with the conventional means of transport. Accidents in inland waterways are a regular phenomenon throughout the year, causing deaths, injuries, and monetary loss, and endangering the environment. At present, comprehensive research on inland navigation accidents including their causes and consequences is lacking. For this purpose, data about real accidents on the Danube River were collected and analysed in this study. This paper provides a comprehensive study of the hazards (causal factors) and resulting risks in inland waterway transport. Two methods were applied to fulfil the aim—a cause and effect diagram, used for hazard identification, and a risk matrix, used for risk assessment. The analysis confirmed the presence of recurring hazards, resulting mainly from human behaviour. This study can be used for the methodology and design of preventive measures to ensure safe inland navigation. Full article

Damages in port facilities during past seismic events have led to widespread direct and indirect losses, with serious impact on the economic, operational, and emergency management of the port itself and, as a consequence, on the related society. Ground shaking is among the most widespread sources of seismic damage to port structures and infrastructure, together with the induced phenomena principally associated with the liquefaction of loose, saturated soils that often prevail in coastal areas. This study presents a methodology for the seismic risk assessment of port facilities which considers the combined effects of ground shaking and liquefaction as well as various interdependencies among port elements, which affect the port’s operation and, consequently, the total risk impact. The methodology, based on either probabilistic or deterministic scenario-based approaches, is demonstrated through an application to the Thessaloniki port, one of the most important ports in Southeastern Europe and the largest transit-trade port in Greece. The systemic risk analysis of the port is carried out using as a performance indicator the reduction in the container and bulk cargo movements affected by the seismic performance of the piers, the waterfront, and container/cargo handling equipment, as well as their interaction with the seismic performance of the electric power system. Two different functionality analyses of the port system are performed, one basic and one less conservative alternative. The results of the probabilistic seismic risk assessment are illustrated in terms of annual probabilities of collapse and loss exceedance curves for each individual port component as well as normalized performance loss for the whole port system for the container and cargo terminal. For the scenario-based deterministic approach, the results are given in terms of risk maps presenting the spatial distribution of damages/losses for all components as well as in terms of the expected loss of performance of the port system. The proposed methodology may provide the basis for an efficient seismic risk management of ports. It may also be adjusted and applied to other port infrastructures in Greece and worldwide considering additional components, interactions among elements, and different earthquake induced hazards. Full article

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Yet, the effective therapy of focal cerebral ischemia has been an unresolved challenge. We propose here that ischemic tissue acidosis, a sensitive metabolic indicator of injury progression in cerebral ischemia, can be harnessed for the targeted delivery of neuroprotective agents. Ischemic tissue acidosis, which represents the accumulation of lactic acid in malperfused brain tissue is significantly exacerbated by the recurrence of spreading depolarizations. Deepening acidosis itself activates specific ion channels to cause neurotoxic cellular Ca²⁺ accumulation and cytotoxic edema. These processes are thought to contribute to the loss of the ischemic penumbra. The unique metabolic status of the ischemic penumbra has been exploited to identify the penumbra zone with imaging tools. Importantly, acidosis in the ischemic penumbra may also be used to guide therapeutic intervention. Agents with neuroprotective promise are suggested here to be delivered selectively to the ischemic penumbra with pH-responsive smart nanosystems. The administered nanoparticels release their cargo in acidic tissue environment, which reliably delineates sites at risk of injury. Therefore, tissue pH-targeted drug delivery is expected to enrich sites of ongoing injury with the therapeutical agent, without the risk of unfavorable off-target effects. Full article

One of the praxeological problems of safe and sustainable air transport (airfreight transport/air cargo, and air passenger transport) is the prevention and management of risks by competent staff, with the support of modern information and communication technologies. This paper presents an educational information model and software for the airport network and information systems risk assessment, primarily intended for aviation education and training of professionals for ensuring safe and sustainable air transport. The solution to the problem is based on the application of the fuzzy logic method in the air transport environment. Based on a fuzzy expert model, the selected scenario, and the input data established separately for airport assets by a group of 23 experts from aviation practice and a university, the following three assessments of airport network information system assets were constructed: Asset A₂ (meteorological information systems) has an insignificant risk with an estimated 0.1162, and assets A₁ (air traffic control and management (ATM), navigational aids and approach) and A₃ (runway monitoring system) received a low risk of airport network and information systems (NIS) security with ratings of 0.2623 and 0.2915, respectively. An airport NIS risk assessment was aggregated (0.2288), indicating a low degree of security risk to the airport’s network and information systems. The aggregated risk assessment of airport NIS, including financial loss data, was calculated as 0.1438, representing a low degree of security risk to the airport’s network and information systems. Scenarios for evaluating airport assets are changing for students during education. The results of the developed model and its software will be part of the Simulation Center of the Faculty of Aeronautics. Full article